bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Severe intracranial haemorrhage in neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia due to antibodies against human platelet antigen 1b: Case report and literature review
Authors: Tomac Gordana , Gojčeta Koraljka , Grizelj Ruža , Coen Herak Desiree , Ostojić Sanja Baršić , Golubić Ćepulić Branka
Published: June 2022

Fetal/neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) is a rare life‐threatening disorder, leading to severe thrombocytopenia and potentially bleeding, with intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) being the most serious complication. We report on a FNAIT case with fourth‐degree ICH that arose due to antibodies against human platelet antigen (HPA)‐1b. The male infant, born to an otherwise healthy mother, presented with severe signs of ICH soon after delivery. Since only moderate thrombocytopenia was noted and there were no active signs of bleeding, the infant did not receive intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) or platelet transfusion. Spontaneous recovery of platelets was noted on the eighth day of life, but permanent neurological impairment remained as a consequence of ICH. We report the results of HPA and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies in the mother's and the infant's sera, the family's HPA genotype and the mother's HLA genotype, and summarise previously described cases of FNAIT due to anti‐HPA‐1b antibodies in the literature. FNAIT with severe ICH due to anti‐HPA‐1b antibodies is rarely diagnosed. An association between HLA genes and sensitization to HPA‐1b antibodies was not demonstrated. The severity of FNAIT and the occurrence of ICH is often difficult to predict. In this case, the infant presented with moderate thrombocytopenia and ICH, with subsequent permanent consequences.
Evaluation of different blood tests in dogs with extrahepatic portosystemic shunts to assess shunt closure after surgical treatment
Authors: Devriendt Nausikaa , Paepe Dominique , Serrano Gonçalo , de Rooster Hilde
Published: June 2022

Objective

To determine the sensitivity and specificity of different individual and combined blood tests to assess extrahepatic portosystemic shunt (EHPSS) closure after gradual attenuation of EHPSS in dogs.

Study design

Clinical prospective study.

Animals

Twenty client‐owned dogs with EHPSS.

Methods

Fasting ammonia (FA), preprandial, postprandial, and paired serum bile acids (SBA), the lidocaine/monoethylglycylxylidide (L/MEGX) test, and serum hyaluronic acid (SHA) were performed at diagnosis, and 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Transsplenic portal scintigraphy was performed to determine EHPSS closure 3 months postoperatively. Their sensitivity and specificity in determining shunt closure postoperatively were calculated.

Results

When assessing a single blood parameter, FA had the highest specificity (100%), whereas SHA and MEGX measured 15 min after lidocaine administration (T15) had the highest sensitivity (96.9% and 96.2%, respectively) for determining shunt closure postoperatively. The most promising blood test combinations were SHA (sensitivity 96.9%, specificity 81.8%), combined with the L/MEGX test (MEGX at T15: sensitivity 100%, specificity 72.4%) or the L/MEGX test (MEGX at T15) combined with either FA (sensitivity 100%, specificity 82.8%) or postprandial SBA (sensitivity 100%, specificity 81.5%).

Conclusion

Both SHA and the L/MEGX test were sensitive tests for determining shunt closure after gradual attenuation of EHPSS. Test performances could even be improved by combining these tests with each other or with traditional tests such as FA or postprandial SBA.

Clinical significance

Although SHA and the L/MEGX test are sensitive blood tests for determining EHPSS closure, especially when combined with traditional blood tests, imaging is still needed to confirm EHPSS closure.
THE ELECTROSPRAYED INSULIN-LOADED POLYCAPROLACTONE MICROPARTICLES AS A DRUG CARRIER
Authors: Nguyen Vu Viet Linh , Huynh Dai Phu
Published: June 2022

Drug and protein encapsulated polymeric microparticles have been considered as the most effective delivery in pharmaceutical biotechnology. In this work, we report the fabrication of polycaprolactone microparticles (PCL MPs) containing insulin via an electrospraying method. The morphology, chemical composition, physicochemical properties, insulin encapsulation and release efficiency, degradation of PCL MPs, and cytotoxicity are systematically characterized and analyzed. The results indicate that insulin do not incorporate with PCL matrix leading to the deformation of PCL MPs’ structure. In addition, insulin can be loaded into the PCL MPs with high concentration up to 25 % while it remains chemical properties when releasing from the PCL MPs. Moreover, insulin demonstrates high burst release within the first day, subsequently the release become more stable during 2-7 days. The 80% viability of the cell suggests that PCL MPs are biocompartible to cells. As a consequence, the above mentioned material is proved to be has high potential for insulin carrier in controlled release application
GROWTH RATE AND BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF CHLORELLA PYRENOIDOSA CULTIVATED IN SUGARCANE VINASSE MEDIUM
Authors: Megawati Megawati , Damayanti Astrilia , Shiddieqy Bahlawan Zuhriyan Ash , Nurunia Erma , Eva Agustina Fatkhulil Jannah , Fidyawati Fidyawati , Hanifah Hanifah
Published: June 2022

Chlorella pyrenoidosa is a microalgae species that contains proteins, carbohydrates, amino acids, carotenoids, vitamins, and minerals. Due to its compounds, the researchers have attempted to make bioethanol using C. pyrenoidosa through a biorefinery approach. However, the ratio of bioethanol production towards the raw material needs of C. pyrenoidosa is still small because of its low carbohydrate content. Thus, in this research, vinasse is used as its growth medium to increase the carbohydrate content. The research objective is to study the effect of vinasse volume ratio and nutrient addition towards the size, optical density, carbohydrate composition, growth rate of the C. pyrenoidosa, and its evaluation as a biorefinery raw material. C. pyrenoidosa was cultivated in freshwater and vinasse (20 and 30% v/v) in mini ponds, equipped with lighting using 3280 lumens lamp, aeration with air, and Guillard as nutrient. In vinasse, the cultivation was done with and without periodic nutrient additions. The microalgae cell size was increased if cultivated in vinasse and given Guillard addition, which is 3.0-3.6 mm (in freshwater), 4.1-8.6 mm (in vinasse with nutrient every 2 days), 4.8-6.3 mm (in vinasse without nutrient every 2 days). The microalgae carbohydrate composition cultivated in vinasse was sharply increased compared to in freshwater. Thus, C. pyrenoidosa cultivated in vinasse is very potential for bioethanol production. Specific growth of C. pyrenoidosa in vinasse with nutrient is faster (0.087 day-1) than without nutrient (0.023 day-1) and in freshwater (0.062 day-1). Cultivated C. pyrenoidosa contains proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates, so it has the potential of becoming a biorefinery raw material.
EXTRACTION OF PROCYANIDIN B2 FROM APPLE PEEL USING SUBCRITICAL WATER
Authors: Wahyudiono Wahyudiono , Maeda Shinya , Machmudah Siti , Sato Kei , Kanda Hideki , Goto Motonobu
Published: June 2022

Subcritical water, which is an effective solvent for polar and nonpolar substances, has been used to extract numerous natural ingredients. In this study, subcritical water was used to extract bioactive substances from apple peel in a batch process in the temperature range of 100–175 °C for 5–60 min. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy results revealed that phenolic compounds were released from apple peel in the aforementioned temperature range. The ultraviolet–visible spectra of the liquid products at 280 nm revealed the high content of phenolic compounds in the extracts. The high-performance liquid chromatography results demonstrated that the yield of procyanidin B2 was approximately 2.28 mg/g of dried apple peel when extraction was performed at 150 °C for 15 min.
COMPONENT-BASED SEVERE WIND VULNERABILITY ANALYSIS OF WOODEN BUILDINGS IN THE PHILIPPINES
Authors: Agar Joshua C. , Gumaro Joshua Joseph C. , Acosta Timothy John , Alvarez John Phillip G. , Ereno Mary Nathalie C. , Hernandez Jr Jaime Y. , Pacer Jihan S. , Plamenco Dean Ashton D. , Tan Liezl Raissa E. , Baniqued Julius , Tingatinga Eric Augustus J. , Musico John Kenneth B. , Quinay Pher Errol B. , Villalba Imee Bren O. , Bisa Harvey O.
Published: June 2022

The Northwestern Pacific Ocean Basin is home to the strongest tropical cyclones in the world, called typhoons. The Philippines is situated as the gateway for the typhoons developing in the Northwestern Pacific Basin. As a result, the country is being exposed to the risk brought by significantly strong typhoons that occur more than once annually. Lightweight buildings, particularly wooden buildings, and their structural components are the most vulnerable to severe winds. This study aims to perform vulnerability analysis on wooden buildings, by developing vulnerability curves that relate the magnitude of severe winds to the variation of damages and by establishing the probabilities of identified damage states of the buildings at certain wind speeds - which are called fragility curves. This study employs an improved framework from a heuristic-empirical-computational methodology previously used in determining GMMA-RAP vulnerability curves. This enhanced framework uses a component-based Monte Carlo vulnerability analysis to determine the improved vulnerability curve to account for the statistical variations of documented building damage from severe winds. A maximum, average, and minimum vulnerability curve were developed by fitting a cumulative lognormal distribution function wherein the mean parameters are 250.92, 425.89, 148.80, and the variance parameters are 0.579, 0.257, 0.433, respectively—the functions used an offset of 72 kph for all the developed curves. The developed curves were then compared to empirical field survey data, wherein 71.43% of the empirical data was within the developed envelope.
Tecnologías de información y comunicación y capitalismo financiero: una contribución latino-americana al estudio de un elemento clave del capitalismo del siglo XXI
Authors: Bolaño César Ricardo Siqueira
Published: June 2022

Reseña del libro PARANÁ, Edemilson. Digitalized finance: Financial capitalism and informational revolution. Leiden/Boston: Brill, 2019
El tratamiento de la universidad en la prensa española de referencia entre 2010 y 2013: estrategias discursivas de encuadre enunciativo
Authors: Villar-Hernández Paz
Published: June 2022

Este artículo analiza la representación de la universidad en cuatro de los principales periódicos españoles (El País, El Mundo, ABC y La Vanguardia) entre 2010 y 2013. A partir de un análisis de discurso de base pragmático-lingüística analizamos las estrategias de enmarcado enunciativo del discurso por parte del periodista y el medio. Entre los resultados destacamos dos intensidades de publicación: una superior de El País, ABC y La Vanguardia que contrasta con el escaso interés de El Mundo. De los datos se deduce la elevada presencia de universidades en medios geográficamente próximos, la escasa presencia de la universidad privada en el discurso y la existencia de una estrategia léxica que posiciona a estos medios a favor o en contra de colectivos universitarios o temáticas concretas.
Investigation on Heat Transfer Characteristics of Rectangular Channels With Internal Rough Surface Naturally Formed by Selective Laser Melting Three-Dimensional Printing
Authors: Deng Yipan , Fu Lei , Liu Yinshui , Jiang Xin , Cui Yan , Wu Defa
Published: June 2022

As a metal three-dimensional (3D) printing technology, selective laser melting (SLM) has been extensively applied to manufacture complex-shaped parts in industries. It is well known that the naturally formed surface by SLM processing is usually rough and irregular. The effects of the rough surface on heat transfer and fluid flow cannot be neglected when SLM is applied to fields such as heat exchangers and cooling equipment. In this paper, a novel bottom-up approach was proposed to build the naturally formed rough surface by SLM 3D printing. Numerical investigation on pressure loss and heat transfer characteristics of rectangular channels has been carried out based on the naturally formed rough model. Constant thermal boundary and symmetry boundary conditions were employed in the procedure of numerical computation. For comparison, a variety of typical surfaces with different roughness elements in previous studies have been introduced and analyzed. Results confirmed that the proposed rough surface modeling method was fully capable of descripting the real 3D-printed surface topography. Compared with the smooth surface, the heat transfer capacity of the 3D-printed rough channel was increased by 8.99%, while the pressure loss was increased by 25.02%. Additionally, 3D-printed rough surface had better overall thermal performance compared to rough surfaces with regular roughness element.
Theoretical research on suppression ratio of dynamic gas lock for extreme ultraviolet lithography contamination control
Authors: Sun Jiazheng , Wang Kuibo , Wu Xiaobin , Luo Yan , Ding Jinbin
Published: June 2022

Dynamic gas lock (DGL) is an important technology for contamination control of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography. DGL prevents contamination diffusion from the dirty compartment into the clean one and allows passage of EUV light between compartments. A number of DGL structures have been proposed for EUV scanners. The suppression ratio is the key index of DGL, but there are few theoretical studies on it. Using the Péclet number to represent the suppression ratio just ignores the variable cross section of DGL and the effect of the total mass flow. A new suppression ratio formula is derived here based on the convection-diffusion equation, including the constant and variable cross section of DGL. In order to verify the theoretical calculation, an experiment is carried out on a self-developed DGL device, obtaining the gas flow utilization and suppression ratio of various mass flows. The results show that the suppression ratio increases exponentially with mass flow, which is consistent with the theoretical expectation. At the same time, the important influence of the convection segment has also been demonstrated. It is concluded that the theoretical approach can well predict the suppression ratio and provide structural design guidance for DGL, which has an important practical application value.
Resources-oriented instruction: What does it mean, and what might it look like?
Authors: Robertson Amy D. , Bauman Lauren C. , Abraham Yohannes M. , Hansen Brynna , Tran Hung , Goodhew Lisa M.
Published: June 2022

Resources-oriented instruction in physics treats student thinking as sensible and then seeks to connect what students are saying and doing to physics content and practices. This paper uses an illustrative case to make progress toward answering the instructional questions: “What does resources-oriented instruction in physics look like?” and “How can I do it?”. We analyze an interaction between a university TA and a group of four introductory physics students completing a worksheet about mechanical wave propagation. We show some of the ways in which the TA's instructional moves supported students in making conceptual progress, even though several of the students' ideas would not be accepted as correct by many physicists.
Inharmonicity in plucked guitar strings
Authors: Murray Chris J. , Whitfield Scott B.
Published: June 2022

We have considered the vibration of various types of pinned guitar strings and have investigated the deviation of the partials from integer multiples of the string's fundamental vibration frequency. We measured the inharmonicity parameter B and compared it to a direct calculation based on a model equation. We generally found very good agreement between the two determinations of B for monofilament strings, but perhaps not surprisingly, we find rather poor agreement for wound strings. Furthermore, we show that the methodology used to carry out this experiment can easily serve as the basis for an upper division physics laboratory on physical acoustics including a more thorough investigation of the classical wave equation in a real-world application.
Still an “Old Boys’ Club”? Certified Mental Performance Consultants’ Gender-Typed Sport Specialization and Employment Setting
Authors: Chu Tsz Lun (Alan) , Bachmeier Ellea , Mair Taylor
Published: June 2022

Qualitative research has demonstrated the prevalence of gender inequity and sexism in sport-related careers, including those in sport psychology. To provide quantitative evidence, we examined the role of gender in Certified Mental Performance Consultants’ (CMPC) specialization and employment by extracting and coding the data (N = 576) from the CMPC Directory. Independent samples t tests showed that male CMPCs specialized in more masculine sports, less feminine sports, and a similar number of gender-neutral sports compared with female CMPCs. Chi-square tests of independence revealed a larger proportion of male than female CMPCs working in professional sport. No significant differences were found in other employment settings (college sport, military, and private practice), age-group specialization, and mental health licensure. These findings, which should be interpreted with caution before further investigation, suggest a need for collaboration between sport psychology professionals and sport organizations that might help mitigate internal and external barriers to gender equity.
The promise and pitfalls of cross-partisan conversations for reducing affective polarization: Evidence from randomized experiments
Authors: Santoro Erik , Broockman David E.
Published: June 2022

Organizations, activists, and scholars hope that conversations between outpartisans (supporters of opposing political parties) can reduce affective polarization (dislike of outpartisans) and bolster democratic accountability (e.g., support for democratic norms). We argue that such conversations can reduce affective polarization but that these effects are likely to be conditional on topic, being especially likely if the conversations topics avoid discussion of areas of disagreement; usually not persist long-term; and be circumscribed, not affecting attitudes toward democratic accountability. We support this argument with two unique experiments where we paired outpartisan strangers to discuss randomly assigned topics over video calls. In study 1, we found that conversations between outpartisans about their perfect day dramatically decreased affective polarization, although these impacts decayed long-term. Study 2 also included conversations focusing on disagreement (e.g., why each supports their own party), which had no effects. Both studies found little change in attitudes related to democratic accountability.
Mitonuclear genotype remodels the metabolic and microenvironmental landscape of Hürthle cell carcinoma
Authors: Ganly Ian , Liu Eric Minwei , Kuo Fengshen , Makarov Vladimir , Dong Yiyu , Park Jinsung , Gong Yongxing , Gorelick Alexander N. , Knauf Jeffrey A , Benedetti Elisa , Tait-Mulder Jacqueline , Morris Luc G.T. , Fagin James A. , Intlekofer Andrew M , Krumsiek Jan , Gammage Payam A. , Ghossein Ronald , Xu Bin , Chan Timothy A. , Reznik Ed
Published: June 2022

Hürthle cell carcinomas (HCCs) display two exceptional genotypes: near-homoplasmic mutation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and genome-wide loss of heterozygosity (gLOH). To understand the phenotypic consequences of these genetic alterations, we analyzed genomic, metabolomic, and immunophenotypic data of HCC and other thyroid cancers. Both mtDNA mutations and profound depletion of citrate pools are common in HCC and other thyroid malignancies, suggesting that thyroid cancers are broadly equipped to survive tricarboxylic acid cycle impairment, whereas metabolites in the reduced form of NADH-dependent lysine degradation pathway were elevated exclusively in HCC. The presence of gLOH was not associated with metabolic phenotypes but rather with reduced immune infiltration, indicating that gLOH confers a selective advantage partially through immunosuppression. Unsupervised multimodal clustering revealed four clusters of HCC with distinct clinical, metabolomic, and microenvironmental phenotypes but overlapping genotypes. These findings chart the metabolic and microenvironmental landscape of HCC and shed light on the interaction between genotype, metabolism, and the microenvironment in cancer.
Dealumination of small-pore zeolites through pore-opening migration process with the aid of pore-filler stabilization
Authors: Yoshioka Tatsushi , Iyoki Kenta , Hotta Yuusuke , Kamimura Yoshihiro , Yamada Hiroki , Han Qiao , Kato Takeharu , Fisher Craig A. J. , Liu Zhendong , Ohnishi Ryohji , Yanaba Yutaka , Ohara Koji , Sasaki Yukichi , Endo Akira , Takewaki Takahiko , Sano Tsuneji , Okubo Tatsuya , Wakihara Toru
Published: June 2022

Small-pore zeolites are gaining increasing attention owing to their superior catalytic performance. Despite being critical for the catalytic activity and lifetime, postsynthetic tuning of bulk Si/Al ratios of small-pore zeolites has not been achieved with well-preserved crystallinity because of the limited mass transfer of aluminum species through narrow micropores. Here, we demonstrate a postsynthetic approach to tune the composition of small-pore zeolites using a previously unexplored strategy named pore-opening migration process (POMP). Acid treatment assisted by stabilization of the zeolite framework by organic cations in pores is proven to be successful for the removal of Al species from zeolite via POMP. Furthermore, the dealuminated AFX zeolite is treated via defect healing, which yields superior hydrothermal stability against severe steam conditions. Our findings could facilitate industrial applications of small-pore zeolites via aluminum content control and defect healing and could elucidate the structural reconstruction and arrangement processes for inorganic microporous materials.
Mapping a pathway to improved neuropsychiatric treatments with precision transcranial magnetic stimulation
Authors: Philip Noah S. , LaBar Kevin S.
Published: June 2022

Transcranial magnetic stimulation traces the functional and structural connections that modulate amygdala activity, enabling advanced brain stimulation treatments for numerous psychiatric disorders.
Agilicious: Open-source and open-hardware agile quadrotor for vision-based flight
Authors: Foehn Philipp , Kaufmann Elia , Romero Angel , Penicka Robert , Sun Sihao , Bauersfeld Leonard , Laengle Thomas , Cioffi Giovanni , Song Yunlong , Loquercio Antonio , Scaramuzza Davide
Published: June 2022

Autonomous, agile quadrotor flight raises fundamental challenges for robotics research in terms of perception, planning, learning, and control. A versatile and standardized platform is needed to accelerate research and let practitioners focus on the core problems. To this end, we present Agilicious, a codesigned hardware and software framework tailored to autonomous, agile quadrotor flight. It is completely open source and open hardware and supports both model-based and neural network–based controllers. Also, it provides high thrust-to-weight and torque-to-inertia ratios for agility, onboard vision sensors, graphics processing unit (GPU)–accelerated compute hardware for real-time perception and neural network inference, a real-time flight controller, and a versatile software stack. In contrast to existing frameworks, Agilicious offers a unique combination of flexible software stack and high-performance hardware. We compare Agilicious with prior works and demonstrate it on different agile tasks, using both model-based and neural network–based controllers. Our demonstrators include trajectory tracking at up to 5
g
and 70 kilometers per hour in a motion capture system, and vision-based acrobatic flight and obstacle avoidance in both structured and unstructured environments using solely onboard perception. Last, we demonstrate its use for hardware-in-the-loop simulation in virtual reality environments. Because of its versatility, we believe that Agilicious supports the next generation of scientific and industrial quadrotor research.
Pseudorabies Virus Infection Results in a Broad Inhibition of Host Gene Transcription
Authors: Romero Nicolás , Wuerzberger-Davis Shelly M. , Van Waesberghe Cliff , Jansens Robert J. , Tishchenko Alexander , Verhamme Ruth , Miyamoto Shigeki , Favoreel Herman W.
Published: June 2022

Herpesviruses are highly successful pathogens that cause lifelong persistent infections of their host. Modulation of the intracellular environment of infected cells is imperative for the success of virus infections.
Draft Genome Sequences of
Erysipelothrix
sp. Strains Isolated from Stranded Septic Bottlenose Dolphins in Alabama, USA
Authors: Nesbitt Kahylin , Bloodgood Jennifer , Mullis Megan M. , Deming Alissa C. , Colegrove Kathleen , Kiel Reese Brandi
Published: June 2022

We report the genome sequences of two
Erysipelothrix
isolates from fatal cases of sepsis in bottlenose dolphins (
Tursiops truncatus
). The genomes were found to be most closely related to
Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae
and
Erysipelothrix piscisicarius
. This information expands our knowledge of the genetic characteristics of this pathogen, which can affect free-ranging marine mammals.
Diversity of Microbial Communities in Sediment from Yeosu Bay, Republic of Korea, as Determined by 16S rRNA Gene Amplicon Sequencing
Authors: Lee Jun-Ho , Patil Maheshkumar Prakash , Kim Jong-Oh , Woo Hee-Eun , Kim Kyunghoi
Published: June 2022

Monitoring natural variations in microbial diversity is crucial because microorganisms play a major role in the environmental processes in marine sediment. To evaluate the microbial diversity in Yeosu Bay sediment, 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was performed.
Proteobacteria
,
Chloroflexi
, and
Bacteroidetes
were the predominant phyla in all sediment samples observed.
Relationship between serum lipid level and colorectal cancer: a systemic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yang Zhenpeng , Tang Huazhen , Lu Shuai , Sun Xibo , Rao Benqiang
Published: June 2022

Objective

Investigative studies report contradictory results of the relationship between serum lipid levels and the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). We conducted a meta-analysis of prospective published studies to clarify the relationship between serum lipid and CRC risk.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data Sources

PubMed and Embase from inception until December 2020.

Eligibility criteria

We considered prospective cohort and case–control studies that evaluated differences in serum lipid levels with the risk of developing CRC.

Data extraction and synthesis

Two independent reviewers screened and included the studies using standardised electronic data extraction forms. The relative risks of the studies were combined with random-effect and fixed-effect models and were analysed for heterogeneity, publication bias and sensitivity.

Results

Twenty-four prospective studies, including 4 224 317 individuals with 29 499 CRC cases, were included in the meta-analysis. The total pooled risk ratio (RR) for high vs low concentrations of triglyceride (TG) concentrations was reported at 1.21 (95% CI 1.09 to 1.34; I2=46.8%), total cholesterol (TC) was at 1.15 (95% CI 1.08 to 1.22; I2=36.8%), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was 0.86 (95% CI 0.77 to 0.97; I2=28.8%) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was observed at 1.03 (95% CI 0.75 to 1.41; I2=69.4%).

Conclusions

This meta-analysis shows that high levels of serum TG and TC are positively correlated with the incidence rate of CRC, while high levels of serum HDL-C are negatively correlated with CRC incidence rate. Furthermore, no association was found between LDL-C and the risk of developing CRC. Nevertheless, the heterogeneity brought about by comparative methods, demographic differences and pathological differences between the research subjects limits the effectiveness of the overall pooled results.
Psychological interventions for inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review and component network meta-analysis protocol
Authors: Tiles-Sar Natalia , Neuser Johanna , de Sordi Dominik , Rücker Gerta , Baltes Anne , Preiss Jan , Moser Gabriele , Timmer Antje
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) often report psychological problems, unemployment, disability, sick leave and compromised quality of life. The effect of psychological interventions on health-related outcomes in IBD is controversial as previous reviews faced the obstacle of high heterogeneity among provided multimodular interventions. The heterogeneity can be addressed with network meta-analysis (NMA) and (multi)component NMA (CNMA). We aim to investigate whether psychological interventions can improve quality of life, clinical and social outcomes in IBD using NMA and CNMA. This is the study protocol.

Methods and analysis

We will consider randomised, quasi-randomised and non-randomised controlled trials, including cluster randomised and cross-over trials with 2 months of minimum follow-up. The conditions to be studied comprise Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis in children, adolescents and adults. We will include any psychological intervention aiming to change the health status of the study participant.

We will search Medline, Embase, Web of Science, CENTRAL, LILACS, Psyndex, PsycINFO, Google Scholar and trial registries from inception (the search will be updated before the review completion). Two authors will independently screen all references based on titles and abstracts. For data extraction, standard forms are developed and tested before extraction. All information will be assessed independently by at least two reviewers, and disagreements solved by consensus discussion or a third rater if necessary.

The data synthesis will include a pairwise meta-analysis supported by meta-regression. We will conduct NMA (all treatments will constitute single nodes of the network) and CNMA (we will define all treatments as sums of core components, eg, cognitive +behaviour, or cognitive +behaviour + relaxation, and additionally consider interactions) using the R Package netmeta.

Ethics and dissemination

No ethical approval is required. Reports will include the final report to the funder, conference presentation, peer-reviewed publication and a patient report.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42021250446.
Awareness about laryngopharyngeal reflux disease among Chinese otolaryngologists: a nationwide survey
Authors: Xiao Shuifang , Li Jinrang , Zheng Hongliang , Li Xiangping , Yang Hui , Zhang Junbo , Peng Xiaoxia , Zhou Shuihong , Zhao Chen , Chen Donghui , Xiao Xuping , Shi Li , Huangfu Hui , Tao Zhenfeng , Chen Xiong , Liu Yehai , Qu Shenhong , Wang Guangke , Chen Ting , Cui Xiaobo , Tian Linli , Zhou Wensheng , Fang Hongyan , Huang Yongwang , Yu Guodong , Lin Zhenqun , Tang Liang , He Jian , Ma Ruixia , Yu Zhaoyan
Published: June 2022

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the status of the current knowledge about laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) among Chinese otolaryngologists.

Design

Multi-centre cross-sectional survey.

Setting

220 medical centres in different regions of China.

Participants

A total of 2254 otolaryngologists from 220 medical centres in China who were successfully on-site surveyed between November 2019 and December 2020.

Main outcome measures

Awareness about LPRD included knowledge about risk factors, symptoms, laryngoscope signs, related diseases, current diagnostic methods and treatments.

Results

The percentage of participants who had heard of LPRD was 96.4%, with academic conferences as the most common source of information (73.3%). The most commonly known risk factor, symptom, laryngoscope sign, related disease, diagnostic method and treatment were alcohol consumption (44.0%), pharyngeal foreign body sensation (66.9%), hyperaemia (52.4%), pharyngolaryngitis (54.8%), pH monitoring (47.6%) and medication (82.1%), respectively. Only 28.3% of all participants knew that 24 h pH or multichannel intraluminal impedance pH monitoring was the most accurate diagnostic test. As many as 73.1% of all participants knew that proton pump inhibitors were the first-line treatment drugs. An analysis of the overall status of awareness using a scoring system suggested that otolaryngologists were better aware owing to more access, working at 3A hospitals, and postgraduate or above educational background (all p<0.05).

Conclusion

Although the majority of Chinese otolaryngologists had heard of LPRD, their overall awareness about the disease was not encouraging. More efforts are needed to increase the knowledge about LPRD among this group of physicians.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR1900025581
Outcome in patients undergoing postponed elective surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic (TRACE II): study protocol for a multicentre prospective observational study
Authors: Werger Alice C , Breel Jennifer , van Kuijk Sander , Bulte Carolien S E , Koopman Seppe , Scheffer Gert Jan , Noordzij Peter G , in ‘t Veld Bas A , Wensing Carin G C L , Hollmann Markus W , Buhre Wolfgang , de Korte-de Boer Dianne
Published: June 2022

Introduction

During the COVID-19 pandemic many non-acute elective surgeries were cancelled or postponed around the world. This has created an opportunity to study the effect of delayed surgery on health conditions prior to surgery and postsurgical outcomes in patients with postponed elective surgery. The control group of the Routine Postsurgical Anesthesia Visit to Improve Patient Outcome (TRACE I) study, conducted between 2016 and 2019, will serve as a control cohort.

Methods and analysis

TRACE II is an observational, multicentre, prospective cohort study among surgical patients with postponed surgery due to COVID-19 in academic and non-academic hospitals in the Netherlands. We aim to include 2500 adult patients. The primary outcome will be the 30-day incidence of major postoperative complications. Secondary outcome measures include the 30-day incidence of minor postoperative complications, 1 year mortality, length of stay (in hospital, medium care and intensive care), quality of recovery 30 days after surgery and postoperative quality of life up to 1 year following surgery. Multivariable logistic mixed-effects regression analysis with a random intercept for hospital will be used to test group differences on the primary outcome.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of Maastricht University Medical Centre+ and Amsterdam UMC. Findings will be presented at national and international conferences, as well as published in peer-reviewed scientific journals, with a preference for open access journals. Data will be made publicly available after publication of the main results.

Trial registration number

NL8841.
Impact of a synchronous prophylactic treatment of the anterior accessory saphenous vein on the recurrent varicose vein rate in patients undergoing thermal ablation of an insufficient great saphenous vein (SYNCHRONOUS-Study): study protocol for a prospective, multicentre, controlled observational study
Authors: Fink Christine , Hartmann Karsten , Mattausch Thomas , Wenzel Hans-Christian , Zollmann Phillip , Veltman Jürgen , Weiler Thomas , Lengfellner Guido , Müller Lars , Stücker Markus , Pannier Felizitas , Dietrich Carmen , Uhlmann Lorenz , Hirsch Tobias
Published: June 2022

Introduction

To date, there are no prospective studies evaluating the prevention of recurrent veins by the simultaneous treatment of a sufficient anterior accessory saphenous vein (AASV) in patients undergoing endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) of an insufficient great saphenous vein (GSV). This study will provide important information about the impact of the AASV on the development of recurrent veins after EVLA of the GSV. Additionally, it will be clarified whether patients benefit from a preventive ablation of a sufficient AASV.

Methods and analysis

This is a multicentre, prospective, controlled, exploratory clinical study in 1150 patients with a medical indication for EVLA of a refluxing great saphenous vein. Patients will be enrolled into two study groups: in half of the patients EVLA will be performed on the insufficient GSV only. In the other half of the patients EVLA will be performed on the insufficient GSV and additionally on the sufficient AASV. Within seven study visits, patients will be followed-up over a time period of 5 years. Primary study endpoint is the recurrence rate; secondary endpoints include inter alia, complication rate, postoperative pain intensity, quality of life and patient satisfaction.

Ethics and dissemination

Before initiation of the study, the protocol was presented and approved by the independent ethics committee of the medical faculty of the University of Heidelberg (Ethics approval number S-596/2018). This study was prospectively registered at the German Clinical Trial Register (https://www.germanctr.de/). Research findings will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal and at relevant conferences.

Trial registration number

German Clinical Trial Registry (DRKS00015486).
Functional Improvement Trajectories After Surgery (FIT After Surgery) study: protocol for a multicentre prospective cohort study to evaluate significant new disability after major surgery in older adults
Authors: Wijeysundera Duminda N , Alibhai Shabbir M H , Ladha Karim S , Puts Martine T E , Chesney Tyler R , Daza Julian F , Ehtesham Sahar , Hladkowicz Emily , Lebovic Gerald , Mazer C David , van Vlymen Janet M , Wei Alice C , McIsaac Daniel I
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Older adults prioritise surviving surgery, but also preservation of their functional status and quality of life. Current approaches to measure postoperative recovery, which focus on death, complications and length of hospitalisation, may miss key relevant domains. We propose that postoperative disability is an important patient-centred outcome to measure intermediate-to-long recovery after major surgery in older adults.

Methods and analysis

The Functional Improvement Trajectories After Surgery (FIT After Surgery) study is a multicentre cohort study of 2000 older adults (≥65 years) having major non-cardiac surgery. Its objectives are to characterise the incidence, trajectories, risk factors and impact of new significant disability after non-cardiac surgery. Disability is assessed using WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) 2.0 instrument and participants’ level-of-care needs. Disability assessments occur before surgery, and at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after surgery. The primary outcome is significantly worse WHODAS score or death at 6 months after surgery. Secondary outcomes are (1) significantly worse WHODAS score or death at 1 year after surgery, (2) increased care needs or death at 6 months after surgery and (3) increased care needs or death at 1 year after surgery. We will use multivariable logistic regression models to determine the association of preoperative characteristics and surgery type with outcomes, joint modelling to characterise longitudinal time trends in WHODAS scores over 12 months after surgery, and longitudinal latent class mixture models to identify clusters following similar trajectories of disability.

Ethics and dissemination

The FIT After Surgery study has received research ethics board approval at all sites. Recruitment began in December 2019 but was placed on hold in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Recruitment was gradually restarted in October 2020, with 1-year follow-up expected to finish in 2023. Publication of the primary results is anticipated to occur in 2024.
ezPreemie study protocol: a randomised controlled factorial trial testing web-based parent training and coaching with parents of children born very preterm
Authors: Greene Michelle M , Schoeny M E , Berteletti Julia , Keim Sarah A , Neel Mary Lauren , Patra Kousiki , Smoske Shea , Breitenstein Susan
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Children born very preterm (VPT; gestational age <32 weeks) are twice as likely to demonstrate behaviour problems such as aggression, non-compliance, temper tantrums and irritability compared with their term-born peers. While behavioural parent training (BPT), also referred to as behaviour therapy is a gold standard for prevention and treatment of childhood problem behaviours, there are limited accessible and effective BPT interventions for families with children born VPT. The purpose of this paper is to describe a multicentre, randomised controlled protocol for a factorial design trial evaluating the independent and combined effects of theezParent BPT intervention plus brief, weekly coaching calls on parent and child outcomes for families with toddlers born VPT.

Methods and analysis

The study employs a 2×2 factorial randomised design. Parents (n=220) of children aged 20–30 months corrected age who were born VPT (<32 weeks) will be recruited from two large metropolitan Neonatal Intensive Care Units follow-up clinics and randomised to one of four conditions: (1)ezParent (2)ezParent +coach, (3) Active control or (4) Active Control +coach. Data on parenting and child behaviour outcomes will be obtained from all participants at baseline and 3, 6 and 12 months postbaseline. All analyses will use an intention-to-treat approach, independent of their actual dose of each intervention.

Ethics and dissemination

The study protocol has been approved by The Ohio State University Institutional Review Board (IRB) using a single IRB. Study results will be disseminated through presentations at regional and national conferences, publications in peer-reviewed journals, and sharing research reports with participating families and recruiting sites.

Trial registration number

NCT05217615.
Mortality after multivessel revascularisation involving the proximal left anterior descending artery
Authors: Ono Masafumi , Hara Hironori , Gao Chao , Kawashima Hideyuki , Wang Rutao , O’Leary Neil , Wykrzykowska Joanna J , Piek Jan J , Mack Michael J , Holmes David , Morice Marie-Claude , Head Stuart , Kappetein Arie Pieter , Noack Thilo , Davierwala Piroze M , Mohr Friedrich W , Garg Scot , Onuma Yoshinobu , Serruys Patrick W
Published: June 2022

Objective

We sought to investigate whether long-term clinical outcomes differ following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with three-vessel disease (3VD) and lesions in the proximal left anterior descending artery (P-LAD).

Methods

This post-hoc analysis of the Synergy between PCI with Taxus and Cardiac Surgery (SYNTAX) Extended Survival study included patients with 3VD who were classified according to the presence or absence of lesions located in the P-LAD. Ten-year all-cause death and 5-year major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events (MACCE) were assessed.

Results

Among 1088 patients with 3VD, 559 (51.4%) had involvement of P-LAD and their 10-year mortality was numerically higher following PCI versus CABG (28.9% vs 21.9%; HR: 1.39, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.95). Although patients without P-LAD lesions had significantly higher 10-year mortality following PCI compared with CABG, there was no evidence of a treatment-by-subgroup interaction (28.8% vs 20.2%; HR: 1.47, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.09, pinteraction=0.837). The incidence of MACCE at 5 years was significantly higher with PCI than CABG, irrespective of involvement of P-LAD (with P-LAD: HR: 1.86, 95% CI 1.36 to 2.55; without P-LAD: HR: 1.54, 95% CI 1.11 to 2.12; pinteraction=0.408). Individualised assessment using the SYNTAX Score II 2020 established that a quarter of patients with P-LAD lesions had significantly higher mortality with PCI than CABG, whereas in the remaining three-quarters CABG had similar mortality.

Conclusions

Among patients with 3VD, the presence or absence of a P-LAD lesion was not associated with any treatment effect on long-term outcomes following PCI or CABG.

Trial registration number

SYNTAXES:NCT03417050; SYNTAX:NCT00114972.
BCG hydrogel promotes CTSS-mediated antigen processing and presentation, thereby suppressing metastasis and prolonging survival in melanoma
Authors: Kremenovic Mirela , Chan Alfred A , Feng Bing , Bäriswyl Lukas , Robatel Steve , Gruber Thomas , Tang Li , Lee Delphine J , Schenk Mirjam
Published: June 2022

Background

The use of intralesionalMycobacterium bovisBCG (intralesional live BCG) for the treatment of metastatic melanoma resulted in regression of directly injected, and occasionally of distal lesions. However, intralesional-BCG is less effective in patients with visceral metastases and did not significantly improve overall survival.

Methods

We generated a novel BCG lysate and developed it into a thermosensitive PLGA-PEG-PLGA hydrogel (BCG hydrogel), which was injected adjacent to the tumor to assess its antitumor effect in syngeneic tumor models (B16F10, MC38). The effect of BCG hydrogel treatment on contralateral tumors, lung metastases, and survival was assessed to evaluate systemic long-term efficacy. Gene expression profiles of tumor-infiltrating immune cells and of tumor-draining lymph nodes from BCG hydrogel-treated mice were analyzed by single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and CD8+T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire diversity was assessed by TCR-sequencing. To confirm the mechanistic findings, RNA-seq data of biopsies obtained from in-transit cutaneous metastases of patients with melanoma who had received intralesional-BCG therapy were analyzed.

Results

Here, we show that BCG lysate exhibits enhanced antitumor efficacy compared to live mycobacteria and promotes a proinflammatory tumor microenvironment and M1 macrophage (MΦ) polarization in vivo. The underlying mechanisms of BCG lysate-mediated tumor immunity are dependent on MΦ and dendritic cells (DCs). BCG hydrogel treatment induced systemic immunity in melanoma-bearing mice with suppression of lung metastases and improved survival. Furthermore, BCG hydrogel promoted cathepsin S (CTSS) activity in MΦ and DCs, resulting in enhanced antigen processing and presentation of tumor-associated antigens. Finally, BCG hydrogel treatment was associated with increased frequencies of melanoma-reactive CD8+T cells. In human patients with melanoma, intralesional-BCG treatment was associated with enhanced M1 MΦ, mature DC, antigen processing and presentation, as well as with increased CTSS expression which positively correlated with patient survival.

Conclusions

These findings provide mechanistic insights as well as rationale for the clinical translation of BCG hydrogel as cancer immunotherapy to overcome the current limitations of immunotherapies for the treatment of patients with melanoma.