bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quality of Life and Associated Factors Among Adult Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy Treatment at Amhara National, Regional State, Ethiopia, 2021
Authors: Muhamed Ahmed Nuru , Bogale Sitotaw Kerie , Netere Henok Biresaw
Published: May 2023

Background

In cancer, quality of life (QoL) is an important patient-reported metric; evaluating how patients feel physically and emotionally while fighting the disease could lead to better treatment. Despite its therapeutic effects, chemotherapy treatment causes a plethora of side effects that can affect QoL. Factors affecting the QoL of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment in Ethiopia have not been thoroughly investigated. As a result, this study assesses QoL and associated characteristics among adult cancer patients receiving chemotherapy at Amhara Region, Ethiopia in 2021.

Martials and Methods

From February 15 to May 15, 2021, an institutional based cross-sectional study was done in Amhara region. Three hundred fourteen patients were included in the study. The data was gathered using Amharic version of European organization for research and treatment of cancer quality of life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ C-30) through a face-to-face interview. Epi Data 4.6 was used to enter the data, which was then exported to SPSS version 23 for statistical analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between independent and dependent variables. The statistical significance was determined by a p-value of less than .05.

Result

Cancer patients in Amhara Region had a 44.32 average QoL. Emotional functioning AOR 1.01 (1.0–1.04), social functioning AOR 1.02 (1.01–1.03), nausea and vomiting AOR 0.95 (0.93–0.98), pain AOR 0.95 (0.93–0.98), financial difficulty 0.97 (0.95–0.99), education AOR 4.3 (1.49–12.32), underweight AOR 0.45 (0.24–0.84),  > 5th cycle of chemotherapy AOR 4 (1.78–9.11), stage IV cancer AOR 0.21 (0.06–0.71), comorbidity AOR 0.28 (0.14–0.57), anxiety AOR 0.32 (0.12–0.84), and depression AOR 0.29 (0.13–0.63) were all significantly associated with QoL in multivariable logistic regression.

Conclusion

Adult cancer patients receiving chemotherapy in the Amhara region had a poor QoL. Emotional functioning, social functioning, nausea and vomiting, pain, financial difficulty, education, body mass index, cancer stage, chemotherapy cycle, comorbidity, anxiety, and depression all had association with QoL. To improve the QoL of cancer patients, QoL assessments, proper symptom management, nutritional support, and integration of psycho-oncology treatment should be considered.
Does Digital Rubbing Massage-Pain Relief (DRM Pain Relief) Affect Breast Cancer Patients’ Pain, Comfort, and Quality of Life?
Authors: Sudirman  , Indriyawati Nina , Dwiningsih Sri Utami
Published: May 2023

Introduction

The incidence of breast cancer in Indonesia is the highest among types of cancer in women, with an estimated pain prevalence of 40%–89%. More than 50% of cancer patients suffer from pain that has not been resolved. Cancer pain's impact will affect the comfort level and quality of life.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of DRM Pain Relief on the degree of pain, comfort, and quality of life among breast cancer patients.

Methods

The research was a true experimental study with pre-test and post-test designs with a control group. The population was all breast cancer patients attending hospitals in Semarang and Pekalongan Districts. The research subjects were 64 respondents who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Respondents were selected randomly and divided into two groups, namely 32 in the treatment group (DRM Pain Relief application) and 32 in the control group (only received drugs as conventional therapy in the hospital). Data were analyzed using a multivariate test.

Results

The application of DRM Pain Relief was effective in reducing the degree of pain ( p < .001), and effectively increasing comfort ( p < .001), as well as improving the quality of life of breast cancer patients in the components of improvement in symptom status, functional status, and global quality of life with p-value <.001, .003,  < .001, respectively.

Conclusion

The DRM Pain Relief effectively reduces the degree of pain, increases comfort, and improves the quality of life of breast cancer patients.
Knowledge and Perception of the Employees Towards COVID-19 Vaccination at Palestinian Universities
Authors: Shouli Mustafa Mohammad , Ayed Ahmad , Shouli Khaila Mohammad , Alekel Khalid
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Major efforts are being made to control the spread and impact of the coronavirus pandemic using vaccines. However, willingness to be vaccinated depends largely on factors beyond the availability of vaccines.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the knowledge and perception of university employees towards the COVID-19 vaccination.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted between February and June 2021. A total of 310 university employees from six Palestinian universities participated in the study. A self-reported questionnaire was used for data collection and included the following: personal and medical characteristics of the university employees’ knowledge and perception regarding receiving the COVID-19 vaccination.

Results

Three hundred and ten out of 336 questionnaires (92.3% response rate) were completed and returned by the participants. The results revealed that 41.9% of university employees had good knowledge of the COVID-19 vaccination. On the other hand, 51.9% of them had a positive perception of the COVID-19 vaccination. Also, there is a significant difference between the level of knowledge and perception of the COVID-19 vaccine ( p < .05).

Conclusion

Less than half of the university employees had good knowledge, and half of them had a positive attitude towards the COVID-19 vaccination. Also, it has been determined that there is a relationship between the level of knowledge and perception of the COVID-19 vaccine. The study recommended that employees should be involved in educational campaigns to increase their knowledge of the importance of vaccines in COVID-19 prevention.
Effects of Blended Simulation on Nursing Students’ Critical Thinking Skills: A Quantitative Study
Authors: Sterner Anders , Sköld Robert , Andersson Henrik
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Critical thinking is regarded as imperative to healthcare quality and patient outcomes; therefore, effective strategies in nursing education are required to promote students’ critical thinking abilities, leading to their success in clinical work. Accordingly, simulation-based education has been suggested as a measure for achieving this goal.

Objective

The aim of this study was to explore whether a nursing education course with blended simulation activities (hands-on simulations with high-fidelity manikins and a web-based interactive simulation program) could increase nursing students’ critical thinking skills.

Method

A quasiexperimental, one-group pretest and post-test design was utilized. Data were collected through premeasurement and postmeasurement using a critical thinking questionnaire and were analyzed using paired sample t-tests, independent sample t-tests, and the nonparametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The effect size was calculated using Cohen's d formula.

Results

Sixty-one nursing students (57 women and four men, mean age 30 years) participated in the study. Findings of the paired sample t-test showed a significantly higher mean score for posteducation than pre-education, indicating a significant change in nurses’ critical thinking capabilities ( p < .001). The results for Cohen's d formula ( − 0.87) of the mean scores between pre-education and posteducation indicated a large effect size. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test also showed a statistically significant increase in the students’ critical thinking abilities between pre-education and posteducation measures ( p < .001). No statistically significant differences were found in the mean score according to age or sex.

Conclusion

This study concluded that blended simulation-based education can increase nursing students’ critical thinking capabilities. As a result, this study builds on the use of simulation as a measure for developing and promoting critical thinking abilities during nursing education.
Cost-effectiveness of tenecteplase versus alteplase for acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Nguyen Chi Phuong , Lahr Maarten MH , van der Zee Durk-Jouke , van Voorst Henk , Roos Yvo BWEM , Uyttenboogaart Maarten , Buskens Erik
Published: May 2023

Introduction:

Alteplase is widely used as an intravenous thrombolytic drug in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Recently however, tenecteplase, a modified form of tissue plasminogen activator, has been shown to increase early recanalization rate and has proven to be non-inferior with a similar safety profile compared to alteplase. This study aims to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of 0.25 mg/kg tenecteplase versus 0.9 mg/kg alteplase for intravenous thrombolysis in AIS patients from the Dutch healthcare payer perspective.

Methods:

A Markov decision-analytic model was constructed to assess total costs, total quality-adjusted life year (QALY), an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio, and incremental net monetary benefit (INMB) of two treatments at willingness-to-pay (WTP) thresholds of €50,000/QALY and €80,000/QALY over a 10-year time horizon. One-way sensitivity analysis, probabilistic sensitivity analysis, and scenario analysis were conducted to test the robustness of results. Clinical data were obtained from large randomized controlled trials and real-world data.

Results:

Treatment with tenecteplase saved €21 per patient while gaining 0.05 QALYs, resulting in INMB of €2381, clearly rendering tenecteplase cost-effective compared to alteplase. Importantly, tenecteplase remained the cost-effective alternative in all scenarios, including AIS patients due to large vessel occlusion (LVO). Probabilistic sensitivity analysis proved tenecteplase to be cost-effective with a 71.0% probability at a WTP threshold of €50,000/QALY.

Conclusions:

Tenecteplase treatment was cost-effective for all AIS patients (including AIS patients with LVO) compared to alteplase. The finding supports the broader use of tenecteplase in acute stroke care, as health outcomes improve at acceptable costs while having practical advantages, and a similar safety profile.
The ‘rights of nature’ in an age of white supremacy?
Authors: Fitz-Henry Erin
Published: May 2023

The past 10 years have witnessed a flourishing of interdisciplinary research across the social sciences that aims to better theorize the relationships between structural racism and the deepening ecological crisis. In this article, I consider how grassroots lawyers and community activists for the ‘rights of nature’ (RoN) in the United States are transforming their discourses, legal tactics, and pedagogical strategies in the face of a national context marked by pervasive anti-Black racism. After considering how racism has historically accompanied efforts to extend moral and legal ‘personhood’ to ecosystems in ways that continue to make solidarity work with racial justice organizations vexed and difficult, I show that, despite these exclusionary legacies, RoN activists are experimenting with municipal law-making in ways that are bringing them into closer conversation with contemporary racial justice struggles. Instead of focusing narrowly on the problem of the denial of ‘rights’ to non-humans, RoN activists are increasingly concerned with the broader structural problem of state pre-emption over local decision-making and the profoundly anti-democratic nature of a state/corporate nexus that is limiting possibilities for progressive action across a wide range of justice issues. Whilst these legal experiments do not resolve enduring tensions between anti-racist and environmental struggles, they suggest important re-directions taking place among historically white environmental activists.
Placing the peripheries within Brazil’s rightward turn: Socio-spatial transformation and electoral realignment, 2002–2018
Authors: Richmond Matthew A , McKenna Elizabeth
Published: May 2023

In 2018, far right candidate Jair Bolsonaro came to power in Brazil by building a socially and geographically heterogeneous electoral coalition. A crucial and largely overlooked part of this coalition were the inhabitants of low-income peripheries in large cities in the Southeast of the country. Throughout the 2000s, these voters tended to vote for the left-leaning Workers’ Party in presidential elections, but over the 2010s they shifted electorally to the right. This article maps these shifts and analyses them in relation to major urban, social and institutional transformations. We first present longitudinal electoral data at the scale of electoral zones for the metropolitan areas of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. We then present case studies of two peripheral districts, analysing these in relation to a range of key socio-economic and institutional variables. We argue that the peripheries of both metropolises have been subject to common transformations that influenced electoral behaviour, but that there are important differences between peripheral areas that help to explain the varying strength and durability of the rightward turn at the local scale. In dialogue with the theme of this special issue, we argue that that this kind of sensitive socio-spatial analysis helps to situate and add nuance to theories of ‘revanchist populism’.
Functional, Spiroergometric, and Subjective Comparisons Between Forearm Crutches and Hands-Free Single Crutches in a Crossover Study
Authors: Yao Daiwei , Meyer-Kobbe Louisa , Ettinger Sarah , Claassen Leif , Altemeier-Sasse Anna , Sturm Christian , Kerling Arno , Stukenborg-Colsman Christina , Plaass Christian
Published: May 2023

Background:

Following below-knee surgery, the optimal medical mobility device remains controversial as adequate nonweightbearing of the operated extremity is critical to ensure successful healing. The use of forearm crutches (FACs) is well established but requires using both upper extremities. The hands-free single orthosis (HFSO) is an alternative that spares the upper extremities. This pilot study compared functional, spiroergometric, and subjective parameters between HFSO and FAC.

Methods:

Ten healthy (5 females, 5 males) participants were asked to use HFSOs and FACs in a randomized order. Five functional tests were performed: climbing stairs (CS), an L-shaped indoor course (IC), an outdoor course (OC), a 10-meter walk test (10MWT), and a 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Tripping events were counted while performing IC, OC, and 6MWT. Spiroergometric measurements consisted of a 2-step treadmill test with speeds of 1.5 and 2 km/h, each for 3 minutes. Lastly, a VAS questionnaire was completed to collect data regarding comfort, safety, pain, and recommendations.

Results:

Significant differences between both aids were observed in CS and IC (HFSO: 29.3 seconds; FAC: 26.1 seconds, P < .03; and HFSO: 33.2 seconds, FAC: 18 seconds, P < .001, respectively). The other functional tests showed no significant differences. The trip events were not significantly different between the use of the 2 aids. Spiroergometric tests showed significant differences regarding heart rate (HFSO: 131.1 bpm at 1.5 km/h and 131 bpm at 2 km/h; FAC: 148.1 bpm at 1.5 km/h and 161.8 bpm at 2 km/h) and oxygen consumption (HFSO: 15.4 mL/min/kg at 1.5 km/h and 16 mL/min/kg at 2 km/h; FAC: 18.3 mL/min/kg at 1.5 km/h and 21.9 mL/min/kg at 2 km/h) at both speeds (all P < .01). In addition, significantly different ratings regarding the items comfort, pain, and recommendation were recorded. Both aids were equally rated for safety.

Conclusion:

HFSOs may be an alternative to FACs, especially in activities that require physical stamina. Further prospective studies in patients with below-knee surgical intervention concerning everyday clinical use would be interesting.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV pilot-study.
Examining how social activities influence pertussis. An application of random forest regression
Authors: Sulyok Mihály , Walker Mark D.
Published: May 2023

Relatively few epidemiological studies have utilized Random Forests (RF), possibly because the time series data often encountered in this discipline are perceived as unsuitable for supervised learning methods. We show RF can be used for such data, and demonstrate an example examining which social activities influence pertussis. Results are compared with regression with ARIMA errors modelling. Pertussis continues to be perceived as a childhood condition, despite recent incidence increases in older ages. COVID-19 provided a unique situation; social restrictions were implemented and the number of pertussis cases declined. This meant the influence of different activities on transmission could be gauged. Data detailing restrictions was used from the Oxford 'COVID-19 Government Response Tracker' (OxCGRT). The number of cases of pertussis and OxGCRT variables were lagged then embedded into a matrix, before being fitted into a RF regression model. Based on VIMP, this identified ‘international travel’ ‘public events’ and ‘workplace’ as the most important variables, suggesting adult based activities may be of most importance. An ARIMA(1,0,1), using OxCGRT categories as external regressors, similarly indicated that adult social activities better accounted for the number of cases of pertussis.
Multimorbidity prevalence and patterns at the baseline of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil)
Authors: Marques Larissa Pruner , de Aguiar Odaleia Barbosa , Paula Daniela Polessa , Oliveira Fernanda Esthefane Garrides , Chor Dóra , Benseñor Isabela , Ribeiro Antonio Luiz , Brunoni Andre R , A C Machado Luciana , Fonseca Maria de Jesus Mendes da , Griep Rosane Härter
Published: May 2023

Background

To identify multimorbidity patterns, by sex, according to sociodemographic and lifestyle in ELSA-Brasil.

Methods

Cross-sectional study with 14,516 participants from ELSA-Brasil (2008–2010). Fuzzy c-means was used to identify multimorbidity patterns of 2+ chronic morbidities, where the consequent morbidity had to occur in at least 5% of all cases. Association rule (O/E≥1.5) was used to identify co-occurrence of morbidities, in each cluster, by sociodemographic and lifestyle factors.

Results

The prevalence of multimorbidity was higher in women (73.7%) compared to men (65.3%). Among women, cluster 1 was characterized by hypertension/diabetes (13.2%); cluster 2 had no overrepresented morbidity; and cluster 3 all participants had kidney disease. Among men, cluster 1 was characterized by cirrhosis/hepatitis/obesity; cluster 2, most combinations included kidney disease/migraine (6.6%); cluster 3, no pattern reached association ratio; cluster 4 predominated co-occurrence of hypertension/rheumatic fever, and hypertension/dyslipidemia; cluster 5 predominated diabetes and obesity, and combinations with hypertension (8.8%); and cluster 6 presented combinations of diabetes/hypertension/heart attack/angina/heart failure. Clusters were characterized by higher prevalence of adults, married and participants with university degrees.

Conclusion

Hypertension/diabetes/obesity were highly co-occurred, in both sexes. Yet, for men, morbidities like cirrhosis/hepatitis were commonly clustered with obesity and diabetes; and kidney disease was commonly clustered with migraine and common mental disorders. The study advances in understanding multimorbidity patterns, benefiting simultaneously or gradually prevention of diseases and multidisciplinary care responses.
Infant Obesity Prevention Programs for Underrepresented Mothers in a Home Visiting Program: A Qualitative and Community-Engaged Needs Assessment
Authors: Stough Cathleen Odar , Rabin Julia , Gates Taylor , Garr Katlyn , Combs Angela , Edwards Zachary T. , Summer Suzanne S. , Woo Jessica G. , Folger Alonzo T. , Ammerman Robert T. , Nuñez Miguel , Berndsen Jennifer , Clark Margaret J. , Frey Jennifer R. , Vaughn Lisa M.
Published: May 2023

A qualitative, community-engaged assessment was conducted to identify needs and priorities for infant obesity prevention programs among mothers participating in home visiting programs. Thirty-two stakeholders (i.e., community partners, mothers, home visitors) affiliated with a home visiting program serving low-income families during the prenatal to age three period participated in group level assessment sessions or individual qualitative interviews. Results indicated families face many challenges to obesity prevention particularly in terms of healthy eating. An obesity prevention program can address these challenges by offering realistic feeding options and non-judgmental peer support, improving access to resources, and tailoring program content to individual family needs and preferences. Informational needs, family factors in healthy eating outcomes, and the importance of access and awareness of programs were also noted. To ensure the cultural- and contextual-relevance of infant obesity prevention programs for underserved populations, needs and preferences among community stakeholders and the focal population should be used as a roadmap for intervention development.
Revisiting the origin of, and reflections on the future of, pedagogical content knowledge
Authors: Star Jon R.
Published: May 2023

More than 35 years have passed since Shulman introduced the term “pedagogical content knowledge” [PCK] to the field of teacher education. As is the case with any new construct in a field, Shulman's advocacy for PCK in the mid-1980s was almost certainly a reaction to the priorities of the field at that time. A primary goal of this paper is to refresh our collective memories of the origins of and development of PCK as a research domain, with a particular focus on what may have prompted scholars such as Shulman to propose the construct of PCK in 1986. With this historical lens as background, I also seek to consider what might be fruitful future directions in the field's thinking about teaching and teacher knowledge.
The Effect of Project Names on Escalation of Commitment in Information Systems Projects
Authors: Benschop Nick , Nuijten Arno L. P. , Keil Mark , Wilmink Kristinka , Commandeur Harry R.
Published: May 2023

This study explores how project names may influence the tendency to escalate commitment through two experiments. Our findings from Experiment 1 show that a positive project name evokes positive affective reactions to the project. These, in turn, are associated with a greater willingness to continue a failing project. Results from Experiment 2 show that a technological project name can similarly evoke more positive affective reactions and a greater willingness to continue but only for decision makers with high technology readiness. For decision makers with low technology readiness the effect was reversed.
Immunosuppressive therapy for Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease: a retrospective study and review of literature
Authors: Rahman Najiha , Artiaga Jose Carlo M , Bouras Konstantinos , Luis Joshua , Rees Angela , Westcott Mark
Published: May 2023

Background

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease is an idiopathic autoimmune disease which targets melanin-containing tissues such as the uvea, meninges, ear and skin. This typically presents in the eye with acute findings of granulomatous anterior uveitis, diffuse choroidal thickening, multiple focal areas of sub-retinal fluid and, in severe cases, optic nerve involvement with bullous serous retinal detachment can occur.

Early initiation of treatment has been advocated to prevent progression to the chronic stage of the disease, which can result to a sunset glow fundus with devastatingly poor visual outcome. Treatment is usually initiated with corticosteroids followed by an early introduction of immunosuppressive treatment (IMT) to achieve immediate response after disease presentation, although the choice of IMT for VKH can vary.

Main Findings

We conducted a retrospective case-series to investigate the management trend of treating VKH over a 20-year period. Twenty-six patients were included and we found a shift from steroid monotherapy to combined IMT/low-dose steroid for the management of acute initial-onset of VKH in the last 10 years. Our average time from diagnosis to initiation of IMT was 2.1 months. 81% (21 of 26 patients) of our patients treated with combined IMT/steroid were able to achieve disease stability with significant good visual outcome at 24 months (Median VApre-IMT = 0.3 Logmar vs VApost-IMT = 0.0 Logmar, p = 0.0001). MMF monotherapy was the most common IMT used and it was well-tolerated by our patients. Even so, 50% of our patients who were treated with MMF did not achieve disease control.

We then performed a literature review to identify any IMT which could be superior in the treatment of VKH. We also share our experience (where applicable) on the various treatment options found from the literature review.

Short conclusion

Our study found that patients with VKH who were treated with combined IMT/low-dose steroids achieved significantly better visual improvement at 24 months compared to steroid monotherapy. We frequently chose MMF and this appears to be well tolerated by our patients. Since its introduction, anti-TNF agents are increasingly becoming a popular choice of treatment for VKH as these have been shown to be safe and effective. However, more data is required to provide evidence that anti-TNF agents can be used as first-line treatment and as monotherapy.
Generation of magnetic biohybrid microrobots based on MSC.sTRAIL for targeted stem cell delivery and treatment of cancer
Authors: Gundersen Rebekah Anamarie , Chu Tianyuan , Abolfathi Kiana , Gokcen Dogan Serap , Blair Phoebe Elizabeth , Nago Nyasha , Hamblin Michael , Brooke Greg Nicholas , Zwacka Ralf Michael , Kafash Hoshiar Ali , Mohr Andrea
Published: May 2023

Background

Combining the power of magnetic guidance and the biological activities of stem cells transformed into biohybrid microrobots holds great promise for the treatment of several diseases including cancer.

Results

We found that human MSCs can be readily loaded with magnetic particles and that the resulting biohybrid microrobots could be guided by a rotating magnetic field. Rotating magnetic fields have the potential to be applied in the human setting and steer therapeutic stem cells to the desired sites of action in the body. We could demonstrate that the required loading of magnetic particles into stem cells is compatible with their biological activities. We examined this issue with a particular focus on the expression and functionality of therapeutic genes inside of human MSC-based biohybrid microrobots. The loading with magnetic particles did not cause a loss of viability or apoptosis in the human MSCs nor did it impact on the therapeutic gene expression from the cells. Furthermore, the therapeutic effect of the gene products was not affected, and the cells also did not lose their migration potential.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate that the fabrication of guidable MSC-based biohybrid microrobots is compatible with their biological and therapeutic functions. Thus, MSC-based biohybrid microrobots represent a novel way of delivering gene therapies to tumours as well as in the context of other diseases.
On the correspondence between the transcriptomic response of a compound and its effects on its targets
Authors: Engler Hart Chloe , Ence Daniel , Healey David , Domingo-Fernández Daniel
Published: May 2023

Better understanding the transcriptomic response produced by a compound perturbing its targets can shed light on the underlying biological processes regulated by the compound. However, establishing the relationship between the induced transcriptomic response and the target of a compound is non-trivial, partly because targets are rarely differentially expressed. Therefore, connecting both modalities requires orthogonal information (e.g., pathway or functional information). Here, we present a comprehensive study aimed at exploring this relationship by leveraging thousands of transcriptomic experiments and target data for over 2000 compounds. Firstly, we confirm that compound-target information does not correlate as expected with the transcriptomic signatures induced by a compound. However, we reveal how the concordance between both modalities increases by connecting pathway and target information. Additionally, we investigate whether compounds that target the same proteins induce a similar transcriptomic response and conversely, whether compounds with similar transcriptomic responses share the same target proteins. While our findings suggest that this is generally not the case, we did observe that compounds with similar transcriptomic profiles are more likely to share at least one protein target and common therapeutic applications. Finally, we demonstrate how to exploit the relationship between both modalities for mechanism of action deconvolution by presenting a case scenario involving a few compound pairs with high similarity.
Metagenomics of gut microbiome for migratory seagulls in Kunming city revealed the potential public risk to human health
Authors: Liao Feng , Qian Jing , Yang Ruian , Gu Wenpeng , Li Rufang , Yang Tingting , Fu Xiaoqing , Yuan Bing , Zhang Yunhui
Published: May 2023

Background

Seagull as a migratory wild bird has become most popular species in southwest China since 1980s. Previously, we analyzed the gut microbiota and intestinal pathogenic bacteria configuration for this species by using 16S rRNA sequencing and culture methods. To continue in-depth research on the gut microbiome of migratory seagulls, the metagenomics, DNA virome and RNA virome were both investigated for their gut microbial communities of abundance and diversity in this study.

Results

The metagenomics results showed 99.72% of total species was bacteria, followed by viruses, fungi, archaea and eukaryota. In particular, Shigella sonnei, Escherichia albertii, Klebsiella pneumonia, Salmonella enterica and Shigella flexneri were the top distributed taxa at species level. PCoA, NMDS, and statistics indicated some drug resistant genes, such as adeL, evgS, tetA, PmrF, and evgA accumulated as time went by from November to January of the next year, and most of these genes were antibiotic efflux. DNA virome composition demonstrated that Caudovirales was the most abundance virus, followed by Cirlivirales, Geplafuvirales, Petitvirales and Piccovirales. Most of these phages corresponded to Enterobacteriaceae and Campylobacteriaceae bacterial hosts respectively. Caliciviridae, Coronaviridae and Picornaviridae were the top distributed RNA virome at family level of this migratory animal. Phylogenetic analysis indicated the sequences of contigs of Gammacoronavirus and Deltacoronavirus had highly similarity with some coronavirus references.

Conclusions

In general, the characteristics of gut microbiome of migratory seagulls were closely related to human activities, and multiomics still revealed the potential public risk to human health.
Antibiotic resistance in potential probiotic lactic acid bacteria of fermented foods and human origin from Nigeria
Authors: Duche Rachael T. , Singh Anamika , Wandhare Arundhati Ganesh , Sangwan Vikas , Sihag Manvesh Kumar , Nwagu Tochukwu N. T. , Panwar Harsh , Ezeogu Lewis. I.
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Probiotic lactobacilli are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) and are being used in several food and pharma formulations. However, growing concern of antibiotic resistance in bacterial strains of food origin and its possible transmission via functional foods is increasingly being emphasized.

Objectives

This study screened potential probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains for their phenotypic and genotypic antibiotic resistance profiles.

Methods

Susceptibility to different antibiotics was assayed by the Kirby Bauer standard disc diffusion protocol. Both conventional and SYBR-RTq-PCR were used for detection of resistance coding genes.

Results

A variable susceptibility pattern was documented against different antibiotic classes. LAB strains irrespective of origin displayed marked phenotypic resistance against cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, quinolones, glycopeptides; and methicillin among beta-lactams with few exceptions. In contrast, high sensitivity was recorded against macrolides, sulphonamides and carbapenems sub-group of beta-lactams with some variations. parC, associated with ciprofloxacin resistance was detected in 76.5% of the strains. Other prevalent resistant determinants observed were aac(6?)Ii (42.1%), ermB, ermC (29.4%), and tetM (20.5%). Six (?17.6%) of the isolates were free from genetic resistance determinants screened in this study.

Conclusion

Study revealed presence of antibiotic resistance determinants among lactobacilli from both fermented foods and human sources.
Vaginal carriage of Haemophilus influenzae in a non-pregnant reproductive-age population
Authors: Limaye Meghana A , Brubaker Sara , Randis Tara M , Ratner Adam J
Published: May 2023

Background

Haemophilus influenzae (Hi) is an emerging cause of early onset neonatal sepsis, but mechanisms of transmission are not well understood. We aimed to determine the prevalence of vaginal carriage of Hi in reproductive age women and to examine behavioral and demographic characteristics associated with its carriage.

Methods

We performed a secondary analysis of stored vaginal lavage specimens from a prospective cohort study of nonpregnant reproductive-age women. After extraction of bacterial genomic DNA, samples were tested for the presence of the gene encoding Haemophilus protein d (hpd) by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using validated primers and probe. PCR for the V3-V4 region of the 16 S rRNA gene (positive control) assessed sample quality. Samples with cycle threshold (CT) value < 35 were defined as positive. Sanger sequencing confirmed the presence of hpd. Behavioral and demographic characteristics associated with vaginal carriage of Hi were examined.

Results

415 samples were available. 315 (75.9%) had sufficient bacterial DNA and were included. 14 (4.4%) were positive for hpd. There were no demographic or behavioral differences between the women with Hi vaginal carriage and those without. There was no difference in history of bacterial vaginosis, vaginal microbiome community state type, or presence of Group B Streptococcus in women with and without vaginal carriage of Hi.

Conclusion

Hi was present in vaginal lavage specimens of 4.4% of this cohort. Hi presence was unrelated to clinical or demographic characteristics, though the relatively small number of positive samples may have limited power to detect such differences.
Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion/mitral annular plane systolic excursion ratio in critically ill patients: an index of right- and left-ventricular function mismatch and a risk factor for cardiogenic pulmonary edema
Authors: Zhang Hongmin , Lian Hui , Wang Xiaoting , Zhang Qing , Liu Dawei
Published: May 2023

Background

This study aimed to explore whether the tricuspid annular systolic excursion (TAPSE)/mitral annular systolic excursion (MAPSE) ratio was associated with the occurrence of cardiogenic pulmonary edema (CPE) in critically ill patients.

Materials and methods

This was a prospective observational study conducted in a tertiary hospital. Adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit who were on mechanical ventilation or in need of oxygen therapy were prospectively screened for enrolment. The diagnosis of CPE was determined based on lung ultrasound and echocardiography findings. TAPSE ≥ 17 mm and MAPSE ≥ 11 mm were used as normal references.

Results

Among the 290 patients enrolled in this study, 86 had CPE. In the logistic regression analysis, the TASPE/MAPSE ratio was independently associated with the occurrence of CPE (odds ratio 4.855, 95% CI: 2.215–10.641, p < 0.001). The patients’ heart function could be categorized into four types: normal TAPSE in combination with normal MAPSE (TAPSE↑/MAPSE↑) (n = 157), abnormal TAPSE in combination with abnormal MAPSE (TAPSE↓/MAPSE↓) (n = 40), abnormal TAPSE in combination with normal MAPSE (TAPSE↓/MAPSE↑) (n = 50) and normal TAPSE in combination with abnormal MAPSE (TAPSE↑/MAPSE↓) (n = 43). The prevalence of CPE in patients with TAPSE↑/MAPSE↓ (86.0%) was significantly higher than that in patients with TAPSE↑/MAPSE↑ (15.3%), TAPSE↓/MAPSE↓ (37.5%), or TAPSE↓/MAPSE↑ (20.0%) (p < 0.001). The ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve for the TAPSE/MAPSE ratio was 0.761 (95% CI: 0.698–0.824, p < 0.001). A TAPSE/MAPSE ratio of 1.7 allowed the identification of patients at risk of CPE with a sensitivity of 62.8%, a specificity of 77.9%, a positive predictive value of 54.7% and a negative predictive value of 83.3%.

Conclusions

The TAPSE/MAPSE ratio can be used to identify critically ill patients at higher risk of CPE.
Post-cardiac injury syndrome occurred two months after permanent dual-chamber pacemaker implantation
Authors: Zhang Ruiqi , Du Jiali , Liu Meilin
Published: May 2023

Background

Post cardiac injury syndrome (PCIS) is characterized by the development of pericarditis with or without pericardial effusion due to a recent cardiac injury. The relatively low incidence makes diagnosis of PCIS after implantation of a pacemaker easily be overlooked or underestimated. This report describes one typical case of PCIS.

Case presentation

We present a case report of a 94-year-old male with a history of sick sinus syndrome managed with a dual-chamber pacemaker who presented with PCIS after two months of pacemaker implantation. He gradually developed chest discomfort, weakness, tachycardia and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea and cardiac tamponade after two months of pacemaker. Post-cardiac injury syndrome related to dual-chamber pacemaker implantation was considered based on exclusion of other possible causes of pericarditis. His therapy was drainage of pericardial fluid and managed with a combination of colchicine and support therapy. He was placed on long-term colchicine therapy to prevent any recurrences.

Conclusion

This case illustrated that PCIS can occur after minor myocardial injury, and that the possibility of PCIS should be considered if there is a history of possible cardiac insult.
Some examples of privacy-preserving sharing of COVID-19 pandemic data with statistical utility evaluation
Authors: Liu Fang , Wang Dong , Yan Tian
Published: May 2023

Background

A considerable amount of various types of data have been collected during the COVID-19 pandemic, the analysis and understanding of which have been indispensable for curbing the spread of the disease. As the pandemic moves to an endemic state, the data collected during the pandemic will continue to be rich sources for further studying and understanding the impacts of the pandemic on various aspects of our society. On the other hand, naïve release and sharing of the information can be associated with serious privacy concerns.

Methods

We use three common but distinct data types collected during the pandemic (case surveillance tabular data, case location data, and contact tracing networks) to illustrate the publication and sharing of granular information and individual-level pandemic data in a privacy-preserving manner. We leverage and build upon the concept of differential privacy to generate and release privacy-preserving data for each data type. We investigate the inferential utility of privacy-preserving information through simulation studies at different levels of privacy guarantees and demonstrate the approaches in real-life data. All the approaches employed in the study are straightforward to apply.

Results

The empirical studies in all three data cases suggest that privacy-preserving results based on the differentially privately sanitized data can be similar to the original results at a reasonably small privacy loss ($$\epsilon \approx 1$$ϵ≈1). Statistical inferences based on sanitized data using the multiple synthesis technique also appear valid, with nominal coverage of 95% confidence intervals when there is no noticeable bias in point estimation. When$$\epsilon <1$$ϵ<1 and the sample size is not large enough, some privacy-preserving results are subject to bias, partially due to the bounding applied to sanitized data as a post-processing step to satisfy practical data constraints.

Conclusions

Our study generates statistical evidence on the practical feasibility of sharing pandemic data with privacy guarantees and on how to balance the statistical utility of released information during this process.
Chronic kidney disease-related sarcopenia as a prognostic indicator in elderly haemodialysis patients
Authors: Elder Madeleine , Moonen Avalon , Crowther Sjorjina , Aleksova Jasna , Center Jacqueline , Elder Grahame J.
Published: May 2023

Background

The mortality of dialysis patients greatly exceeds that of the general population and identifying predictive factors for mortality may provide opportunities for earlier intervention. This study assessed the influence of sarcopenia on mortality in patients on haemodialysis.

Methods

This prospective, observational study enrolled 77 haemodialysis patients aged 60 years and over, of whom 33 (43%) were female, from two community dialysis centres. Baseline demographic and laboratory data were collected, and sarcopenia was diagnosed using grip strength, muscle mass by bioimpedance analysis (BIA) and muscle function by timed up-and-go according to European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People criteria. Nutritional status was assessed using a subjective nutritional assessment score, comprising functional changes in weight, appetite, gastrointestinal symptoms and energy.. A comorbidity score (maximum 7 points) was derived from the presence or absence of hypertension, ischaemic heart disease, vascular disease (cerebrovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, and abdominal aortic aneurysm), diabetes mellitus, respiratory disease, a history of malignancy and psychiatric disease. Outcomes over six years were linked to the Australian and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry.

Results

The median participant age was 71 years (range 60–87). Probable and confirmed sarcopenia was present in 55.9% and severe sarcopenia with reduced functional testing in 11.7%. Over 6 years, overall mortality was 50 of the 77 patients (65%), principally from cardiovascular events, dialysis withdrawal and infection. There were no significant survival differences between patients with no, probable, confirmed, or severe sarcopenia, or between tertiles of the nutritional assessment score. After adjustment for age, dialysis vintage, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and the total comorbidity score, no sarcopenia category predicted mortality. However, the total comorbidity score [Hazard Ratio (HR) 1.27, Confidence Intervals (CI) 1.02, 1.58, p = 0.03] and MAP (HR 0.96, CI 0.94, 0.99, P = < 0.01) predicted mortality.

Conclusion

Sarcopenia is highly prevalent in elderly haemodialysis patients but is not an independent predictor of mortality. Haemodialysis patients have multiple competing risks for mortality which, in this study, was predicted by a lower MAP and a higher total comorbidity score.

Trial registration

Recruitment commenced December 2011. The study was registered 10.01.2012 with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12612000048886).
Copper and zinc deficiency to the risk of preterm labor in pregnant women: a case-control study
Authors: Gohari Haniyeh , Khajavian Nasim , Mahmoudian Azamsadat , Bilandi Roghaieh Rahmani
Published: May 2023

Objective

The present study explored the relationship between maternal copper and zinc levels and preterm labor.

Design

The design of the present study was a case-control. Two groups were matched in terms of early-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), pregnancy and childbirth rating, education level, income, and employment status. Blood samples were taken from mothers after meeting the inclusion criteria when admitted to the maternity ward to check copper and zinc serum levels. Demographic and midwifery data were also collected using a questionnaire and patient records. The data were analyzed in SPSS26 using independent-samples T-test, chi-square, Fisher exact test, and regression analysis, and the p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Setting

Bohloul Hospital in Gonabad, Iran.

Participants

The subjects were 86 pregnant women visiting the hospital in two cases (preterm delivery) and control (term delivery) groups.

Results

The mean serum level of zinc in the case group (preterm delivery) (44.97 ± 13.06 µg/dl) was significantly lower than the control group (term) (52.63 ± 21.51 µg/dl), and the mean serum level of copper in the case group (149.82 ± 53.13 µg/dl) was significantly lower than the control group (183.97 ± 71.40 µg/dl).

Conclusion

As the findings showed, copper and zinc serum levels in mothers with preterm delivery were significantly lower than mothers with term delivery, which shows the biological role of these elements in the pathogenesis of preterm delivery.
Estrogen receptor beta expression in triple negative breast cancers is not associated with recurrence or survival
Authors: Takano Elena A. , Younes Melissa M. , Meehan Katie , Spalding Lisa , Yan Max , Allan Prue , Fox Stephen B. , Redfern Andy , Clouston David , Giles Graham G. , Christie Elizabeth L. , Anderson Robin L. , Zethoven Magnus , Phillips Kelly-Anne , Gorringe Kylie , Britt Kara L.
Published: May 2023

Background

Triple negative BCa (TNBC) is defined by a lack of expression of estrogen (ERα), progesterone (PgR) receptors and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) as assessed by protein expression and/or gene amplification. It makes up ~ 15% of all BCa and often has a poor prognosis. TNBC is not treated with endocrine therapies as ERα and PR negative tumors in general do not show benefit. However, a small fraction of the true TNBC tumors do show tamoxifen sensitivity, with those expressing the most common isoform of ERβ1 having the most benefit. Recently, the antibodies commonly used to assess ERβ1 in TNBC have been found to lack specificity, which calls into question available data regarding the proportion of TNBC that express ERβ1 and any relationship to clinical outcome.

Methods

To confirm the true frequency of ERβ1 in TNBC we performed robust ERβ1 immunohistochemistry using the specific antibody CWK-F12 ERβ1 on 156 primary TNBC cancers from patients with a median of 78 months (range 0.2–155 months) follow up.

Results

We found that high expression of ERβ1 was not associated with increased recurrence or survival when assessed as percentage of ERβ1 positive tumor cells or as Allred > 5. In contrast, the non-specific PPG5-10 antibody did show an association with recurrence and survival.

Conclusions

Our data indicate that ERβ1 expression in TNBC tumours does not associate with prognosis.