bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of sodium fluoride and Ocimum sanctum extract on the lifespan and climbing ability of Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Perveen Sidra , Kumari Shalu , Raj Himali , Yasmin Shahla
Published: May 2021

Background

Fluoride may induce oxidative stress and apoptosis. It may also lead to neurobehavioural defects including neuromuscular damage. The present study aimed to explore the effects of sub lethal concentrations of sodium fluoride (NaF) on the lifespan and climbing ability of Drosophila melanogaster. In total, 0.6 mg/L and 0.8 mg/L of NaF were selected as sublethal concentrations of NaF for the study. Lifespan was measured and climbing activity assay was performed.

Results

The study showed significant decrease in lifespan of flies treated with fluoride. With increasing age, significant reduction in climbing activity was observed in flies treated with sodium fluoride as compared to normal (control) flies. Flies treated with tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) and NaF showed increase in lifespan and climbing activity as compared to those treated with NaF only. Lipid peroxidation assay showed significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) values in the flies treated with NaF as compared to control. The MDA values decreased significantly in flies treated with tulsi mixed with NaF.

Conclusions

The results indicate that exposure to sub lethal concentration of NaF may cause oxidative stress and affect the lifespan and climbing activity of D. melanogaster. Tulsi extract may help in reducing the impact of oxidative stress and toxicity caused by NaF.
Cases of thyroid cartilage metastasis as abnormal findings seen in prostate cancer patients visualized by 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT
Authors: Gaber Ayman M. , Núñez Rodolfo , Delpassand Ebrahim
Published: May 2021

Background

68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT is increasingly being used worldwide in prostate cancer patients. Accordingly, there is a pressing need for educational resources on the proper interpretation criteria that need to be used, including a deeper understanding on the pitfalls and variants that one can encounter with this new PET/CT imaging modality. 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT provides very accurate staging of disease in prostate cancer, superior to what can be achieved with other standard imaging techniques. It has allowed the recognition of patterns of metastatic disease in prostate cancer that perhaps were not fully determined.

Case presentation

We present three cases of patients with advanced metastatic prostate cancer imaged with 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT in which, in addition to widespread osseous metastatic disease, there is evidence of unknown and unsuspected metastatic disease in the thyroid cartilage.

Conclusion

Although rare and unusual, it is helpful to consider the possibility of prostate carcinoma metastasizing to the thyroid and cricoid cartilage, especially in prostate cancer patients with advanced widespread osseous metastatic disease.
Expression of Cholecystokinin and its Receptors in the Intestinal Tract of Type 2 Diabetes Patients and Healthy Controls
Authors: Gilliam-Vigh Hannah , Jorsal Tina , Rehfeld Jens F , Pedersen Jens , Poulsen Steen S , Vilsbøll Tina , Knop Filip K
Published: May 2021

Background

Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a gut hormone originally known for its effects on gallbladder contraction and release of digestive enzymes. CCK, however, also mediates satiety and stimulate insulin secretion. Knowledge of the distribution of CCK-producing enteroendocrine cells (I cells) in humans is sparse. The general notion, based on animal data, is that I cells are present mainly in the proximal small intestine. We examined the occurrence of I cells (immunohistochemically) and the expression of CCK messenger RNA (mRNA) as well as CCK1 and CCK2 receptor mRNA along the intestines in healthy individuals and patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

Mucosal biopsies collected with 30-cm intervals in the small intestine and from seven anatomical locations in the large intestine (using double-balloon enteroscopy) from 12 patients with type 2 diabetes and 12 gender-, age-, and body mass index–matched healthy individuals were analyzed using mRNA sequencing and immunohistochemical staining.

Results

We observed a gradual decrease in CCK mRNA expression and density of CCK-immunoreactive cells from duodenum to ileum. Very few CCK-immunoreactive cells and nearly undetectable CCK mRNA expression were found in the large intestine. No significant differences were seen between the groups. Expression of CCK receptors was observed in the duodenum of both groups.

Conclusions

Both density of CCK cells and expression of CCK mRNA decreased through the small intestine in both groups with low levels in the large intestine. Patients with type 2 diabetes did not have altered density of CCK cells or expression of CCK mRNA in intestinal mucosa.
Cardiac Phenotype and Tissue Sodium Content in Adolescents With Defects in the Melanocortin System
Authors: Puder Lia , Roth Sophie , Krabusch Philipp , Wiegand Susanna , Opitz Robert , Bald Martin , Flück Christa , Schulz Esther , Voss Egbert , Markó Lajos , Linz Peter , Berger Felix , Müller Dominik N , Kuehne Titus , Litt Michael J , Cone Roger D , Kühnen Peter , Kelm Marcus
Published: May 2021

Context

Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) and the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) play a pivotal role in the leptin–melanocortin pathway. Mutations in these genes lead to monogenic types of obesity due to severe hyperphagia. In addition to dietary-induced obesity, a cardiac phenotype without hypertrophy has been identified in MC4R knockout mice.

Objective

We aimed to characterize cardiac morphology and function as well as tissue Na+ content in humans with mutations in POMC and MC4R genes.

Methods

A cohort of 42 patients (5 patients with bi-allelic POMC mutations, 6 heterozygous MC4R mutation carriers, 19 obese controls without known monogenic cause, and 12 normal weight controls) underwent cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging and 23Na-MRI.

Results

Monogenic obese patients with POMC or MC4R mutation respectively had a significantly lower left ventricular mass/body surface area (BSA) than nonmonogenic obese patients. Left ventricular end-diastolic volume/BSA was significantly lower in POMC- and MC4R-deficient patients than in nonmonogenic obese patients. Subcutaneous fat and skin Na+ content was significantly higher in POMC- and MC4R-deficient patients than in nonmonogenic obese patients. In these compartments, the water content was significantly higher in patients with POMC and MC4R mutation than in control groups.

Conclusion

Patients with POMC or MC4R mutations carriers had a lack of transition to hypertrophy, significantly lower cardiac muscle mass/BSA, and stored more Na+ within the subcutaneous fat tissue than nonmonogenic obese patients. The results point towards the role of the melanocortin pathway for cardiac function and tissue Na+ storage and the importance of including cardiologic assessments into the diagnostic work-up of these patients.
Association Between Visit-to-Visit Fasting Plasma Glucose Variability and Osteoporotic Fractures in Nondiabetic Subjects
Authors: Kim Jung A , Sung Lee Ji , Song Eyun , Roh Eun , Hee Yu Ji , Hoon Kim Nam , Jin Yoo Hye , Seo Ji A , Gon Kim Sin , Hee Kim Nan , Hyun Baik Sei , Mook Choi Kyung
Published: May 2021

Context

Although long-term glucose variability has been reported to be a risk factor associated with osteoporosis, there have been no previous studies between the relationship of glucose variability and fractures in people without diabetes.

Objective

We assessed visit-to-visit variations in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) as a prognostic factor in predicting osteoporotic fractures in individuals without diabetes.

Methods

Using a nationwide cohort database, we examined the impact of FPG on the development of osteoporotic fractures in men and women (aged ≥50 years). The primary outcomes were the number of total fractures and vertebral fractures. FPG variability was measured using standard deviation (FPG-SD), coefficient of variation (FPG-CV), and variability independent of the mean (FPG-VIM).

Results

Of the 92 929 participants, 5262 (5.7%) developed osteoporotic fractures during the mean follow-up of 8.4 years. Individuals in the highest quartile of FPG-SD showed an 11% and 16% increase in risk of total and vertebral fractures, respectively, compared with those in the lowest quartile after adjustment for mean FPG and other risk factors. Analyses using FPG-CV and FPG-VIM demonstrated similar results. Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses to explore potential heterogeneity showed consistent results.

Conclusion

FPG variability may be a novel risk factor for osteoporotic fractures independent of risk factors in the general population without diabetes.
Sex-specific Disruption of the Prairie Vole Hypothalamus by Developmental Exposure to a Flame Retardant Mixture
Authors: Gillera Sagi Enicole A , Marinello William P , Cao Kevin T , Horman Brian M , Stapleton Heather M , Patisaul Heather B
Published: May 2021

Prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) with social deficits is conspicuously rising, particularly in boys. Flame retardants (FRs) have long been associated with increased risk, and prior work by us and others in multiple species has shown that developmental exposure to the common FR mixture Firemaster 550 (FM 550) sex-specifically alters socioemotional behaviors including anxiety and pair bond formation. In rats, FRs have also been shown to impair aspects of osmoregulation. Because vasopressin (AVP) plays a role in both socioemotional behavior and osmotic balance we hypothesized that AVP and its related nonapeptide oxytocin (OT) would be vulnerable to developmental FM 550 exposure. We used the prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaste) to test this because it is spontaneously prosocial. Using siblings of prairie voles used in a prior study that assessed behavioral deficits resulting from developmental FM 550 exposure across 3 doses, here we tested the hypothesis that FM 550 sex-specifically alters AVP and OT neuronal populations in critical nuclei, such as the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), that coordinate those behaviors, as well as related dopaminergic (determined by tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunolabeling) populations. Exposed females had fewer AVP neurons in the anterior PVN and more A13 TH neurons in the zona incerta than controls. By contrast, in FM 550 males, A13 TH neuron numbers in the zona incerta were decreased but only in 1 dose group. These results expand on previous work showing evidence of endocrine disruption of OT/AVP pathways, including to subpopulations of PVN AVP neurons that coordinate osmoregulatory functions in the periphery.
Neuroendocrine Basis for Disrupted Ovarian Cyclicity in Female Mice During Chronic Undernutrition
Authors: Kreisman Michael J , Tadrousse Kirollos S , McCosh Richard B , Breen Kellie M
Published: May 2021

Chronic undernutrition is a type of metabolic stress that impairs reproduction in multiple species. Although energy balance and female reproductive capacity is recognized as tightly coupled, the neuroendocrine loci and molecular mechanisms that mediate ovarian cycle dysfunction during chronic undernutrition in adult females remain poorly understood. Here, we present a series of studies in which we tested the hypothesis that inhibition of kisspeptin (Kiss1) neurons, which are critical for controlling luteinizing hormone (LH) pulses and the preovulatory LH surge in females, underlies the impairment of the ovarian cycle by undernutrition. We first investigated the effect of chronic undernutrition (70% of unrestricted feed intake) on estrous cyclicity in intact female c57bl6 mice. Undernutrition caused a rapid cessation of ovarian cyclicity during the 2-week treatment, suppressing ovarian steroidogenesis and inhibiting ovulation. Using 2 well-defined estradiol-replacement paradigms, we directly tested the hypothesis that undernutrition inhibits Kiss1 neurons in the arcuate nucleus (ARCKiss1), which are required for LH pulses and in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPVKiss1), which are necessary for LH surge secretion. Undernutrition prevented LH pulses and impaired ARCKiss1 neuronal activation, using c-Fos as a marker, in ovariectomized females subcutaneously implanted with a pellet containing a diestrus-like level of estradiol. In addition, undernutrition completely blocked the estradiol-induced LH surge and diminished Kiss1 messenger RNA abundance, without decreasing estradiol receptor α (Erα), in micropunches of the AVPV. Collectively, these studies demonstrate that undernutrition disrupts ovarian cyclicity in females via impairment both of ARCKiss1 control of LH pulses and AVPVKiss1 induction of the LH surge.
Endothelial Insulin Receptors Promote VEGF-A Signaling via ERK1/2 and Sprouting Angiogenesis
Authors: Walker Andrew M N , Warmke Nele , Mercer Ben , Watt Nicole T , Mughal Romana , Smith Jessica , Galloway Stacey , Haywood Natalie J , Soomro Taha , Griffin Kathryn J , Wheatcroft Stephen B , Yuldasheva Nadira Y , Beech David J , Carmeliet Peter , Kearney Mark T , Cubbon Richard M
Published: May 2021

Endothelial insulin receptors (Insr) promote sprouting angiogenesis, although the underpinning cellular and molecular mechanisms are unknown. Comparing mice with whole-body insulin receptor haploinsufficiency (Insr+/-) against littermate controls, we found impaired limb perfusion and muscle capillary density after inducing hind-limb ischemia; this was in spite of increased expression of the proangiogenic growth factor Vegfa. Insr+/- neonatal retinas exhibited reduced tip cell number and branching complexity during developmental angiogenesis, which was also found in separate studies of mice with endothelium-restricted Insr haploinsufficiency. Functional responses to vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), including in vitro angiogenesis, were also impaired in aortic rings and pulmonary endothelial cells from Insr+/- mice. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells with shRNA-mediated knockdown of Insr also demonstrated impaired functional angiogenic responses to VEGF-A. VEGF-A signaling to Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase was intact, but downstream signaling to extracellular signal-reduced kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) was impaired, as was VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) internalization, which is required specifically for signaling to ERK1/2. Hence, endothelial insulin receptors facilitate the functional response to VEGF-A during angiogenic sprouting and are required for appropriate signal transduction from VEGFR-2 to ERK1/2.
Does Cardiopulmonary Testing Help Predict Long-Term Survival After Esophagectomy?
Authors: Chmelo Jakub , Khaw Rachel A. , Sinclair Rhona C. F. , Navidi Maziar , Phillips Alexander W.
Published: May 2021

Background

Esophagectomy is associated with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Preoperative cardiopulmonary fitness has been correlated with outcomes of major surgery. Variables derived from cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) have been associated with postoperative outcomes. It is unclear whether preoperative cardiorespiratory fitness of patients undergoing esophagectomy is associated with long-term survival. This study aimed to evaluate whether any of the CPET variables routinely derived from patients with esophageal cancer may aid in predicting long-term survival after esophagectomy.

Methods

Patients undergoing CPET followed by trans-thoracic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer with curative intent between January 2013 and January 2017 from single high-volume center were retrospectively analyzed. The relationship between predictive co-variables, including CPET variables and survival, was studied with a Cox proportional hazard model. Receiver operation curve (ROC) analysis was performed to find cutoff values for CPET variables predictive of 3-year survival.

Results

The study analyzed 313 patients. The ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide (VE/VCO2) at the anerobic threshold was the only CPET variable independently predictive of long-term survival in the multivariable analysis (hazard ratio [HR], 1.049; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.011–1.088; p = 0.011). Pathologic stages 3 and 4 disease was the other co-variable found to be independently predictive of survival. An ROC analysis of the VE/VCO2 failed to demonstrate a predictive cutoff value of 3-year survival (area under the curve, 0.564; 95% CI, 0.499–0.629; p = 0.056).

Conclusions

A high VE/VCO2 before esophagectomy for malignant disease is an independent predictor of long-term survival and may be an important variable for clinicians to consider when counseling patients.
CRED9: a differentially expressed elncRNA regulates expression of transcription factor CEBPA
Authors: Setten Ryan L. , Chomchan Pritsana , Epps Elizabeth W. , Burnett John C. , Rossi John J.
Published: May 2021

Enhancer RNAs (eRNA) are noncoding transcripts produced from active enhancers and have potential gene regulatory function. CCAAT enhancer-binding protein alpha (CEBPA) is a transcription factor generally involved in metabolism, cell cycle inhibition, hematopoiesis, adipogenesis, hepatogenesis, and is associated with tumorigenesis. In this study, we demonstrate that an enhancer-associated long noncoding RNA (elncRNA), transcribed from an enhancer located 9 kb downstream from the transcriptional start site (TSS) of CEBPA, positively regulates the expression of CEBPA. As a result, we named this elncRNA “CEBPA regulatory elncRNA downstream 9 kb” or “CRED9.” CRED9 expression level positively correlates with CEBPA mRNA expression across multiple cell lines as detected by RT droplet digital PCR. Knockdown of CRED9 resulted in a reduction of CEBPA mRNA expression in Hep3B cells. Additionally, CRED9 knockdown in Hep3B and HepG2 cells resulted in lower CEBPA protein expression. We also found that knockdown of CRED9 in Hep3B cells caused a 57.8% reduction in H3K27ac levels at the +9 kb CEBPA enhancer. H3K27ac has previously been described as a marker of active enhancers. Taken together, the evidence presented here supports a previously proposed model whereby, in some contexts, eRNA transcripts are necessary to amplify and maintain H3K27ac levels at a given enhancer. Ultimately, this study adds to the growing body of evidence that elncRNA transcripts have important roles in enhancer function and gene regulation.
Optimization algorithm design and performance analysis for next-generation wireless networks
Authors: Εφραίμ Χρίστος
Published: May 2021

Η ταχεία αύξηση των συνδεδεμένων συσκευών έχει οδηγήσει σε πολύ αυστηρές απαιτήσεις για τα ασύρματα δίκτυα επόμενης γενιάς, λαμβάνοντας υπόψη τόσο περιβαλλοντικά όσο και οικονομικά ζητήματα. Συγκεκριμένα, ένας από τους πρωταρχικούς στόχους στο σχεδιασμό των ασύρματων δικτύων πέμπτης γενιάς (5G) είναι η ικανοποίηση του εξαιρετικά υψηλού ρυθμού δεδομένων των χρηστών με την ελάχιστη κατανάλωση ενέργειας. Για το σκοπό αυτό, έχει προταθεί ένας νέος δείκτης επίδοσης στη βιβλιογραφία, που ονομάζεται ενεργειακή απόδοση (ΕΑ), ο οποίος μετριέται σε bits/Joule και εκφράζει την ποσότητα πληροφορίας που μπορεί να μεταδοθεί αξιόπιστα ανά μονάδα καταναλισκόμενης ενέργειας. Η παρούσα Διδακτορική Διατριβή ασχολείται με τη σχεδίαση αποδοτικών αλγορίθμων βελτιστοποίησης για ασύρματα δίκτυα επόμενης γενιάς, συμπεριλαμβανομένων των επίγειων καθώς και των δορυφορικών συστημάτων επικοινωνίας. Πιο συγκεκριμένα, εφαρμόζεται η θεωρία της διαδοχικής κυρτής βελτιστοποίησης (ΔΚΒ) για την επίλυση δύσκολων προβλημάτων βελτιστοποίησης, όπως η μεγιστοποίηση διαφόρων μετρικών ΕΑ, ώστε να αναπτυχθούν ενεργειακά-αποδοτικές στρατηγικές κατανομής ισχύος. Η ΔΚΒ είναι ένα ισχυρό μαθηματικό εργαλείο που μπορεί να χρησιμοποιηθεί για την επίλυση μη-κυρτών προβλημάτων βελτιστοποίησης επιλύοντας μια ακολουθία κυρτών προβλημάτων βελτιστοποίησης. Αυτή η μέθοδος είναι θεωρητικά εγγυημένη να συγκλίνει για οποιοδήποτε αρχικό εφικτό σημείο και, υπό κατάλληλες προϋποθέσεις, επιτυγχάνει ένα στάσιμο σημείο (δηλαδή, ένα σημείο που ικανοποιεί τις συνθήκες Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT)) του αρχικού προβλήματος. Επιπλέον, μελετάμε ορισμένα συνδυαστικά προβλήματα βελτιστοποίησης σε δορυφορικά δίκτυα, τα οποία αποδεικνύεται ότι είναι NP-δύσκολα. Συγκεκριμένα, εστιάζουμε στη βέλτιστη επιλογή επίγειων σταθμών (ΕΣ) σε δορυφορικά δίκτυα με διαφορισμό θέσης (ΔΘ), ικανοποιώντας δεδομένες απαιτήσεις διαθεσιμότητας. Η τεχνική ΔΘ χρησιμοποιείται για τη βελτίωση της διαθεσιμότητας των δορυφορικών συστημάτων αμβλύνοντας τα ατμοσφαιρικά φαινόμενα, όπως η βροχή (για τις ραδιοσυχνότητες) και η κάλυψη από νέφη (για τις οπτικές συχνότητες). Ακόμη, παρουσιάζουμε αλγόριθμους ολικής βελτιστοποίησης, με βάση τη μέθοδο διακλάδωσης-και-φράγματος (Δ&Φ) και τον δυναμικό προγραμματισμό (ΔΠ), καθώς και έναν προσεγγιστικό αλγόριθμο πολυωνυμικού χρόνου με αποδεδειγμένη εγγύηση επίδοσης. Τέλος, εξετάζουμε μια αρχιτεκτονική διαφορισμού έξυπνων πυλών (ΔΕΠ) βασισμένη στο διαμοιρασμό φορτίου σε δορυφορικά δίκτυα, η οποία έχει προταθεί πρόσφατα στη βιβλιογραφία. Για αυτό το σχήμα διαφορισμού, ορίζουμε την πιθανότητα διακοπής του συστήματος (ΠΔΣ) βάσει της διωνυμικής κατανομής Poisson και λαμβάνοντας υπόψη τη ζήτηση δεδομένων καθώς και τη χωρητικότητα κάθε πύλης. Επίσης, παρουσιάζουμε διάφορες μεθόδους για τον ακριβή και προσεγγιστικό υπολογισμό της ΠΔΣ.
Using administrative health data for palliative and end of life care research in Ireland: potential and challenges
Authors: Kelly Maria , O'Brien Katie M , Hannigan Ailish
Published: May 2021

Background: This study aims to examine the potential of currently available administrative health and social care data for palliative and end-of-life care (PEoLC) research in Ireland. Objectives include to i) identify data sources for PEoLC research ii) describe the challenges and opportunities of using these and iii) evaluate the impact of recent health system reforms and changes to data protection laws.

Methods: The 2017 Health Information and Quality Authority catalogue of health and social care datasets was cross-referenced with a recognised list of diseases with associated palliative care needs. Criteria to assess the datasets included population coverage, data collected, data dictionary and data model availability, and mechanisms for data access.

Results: Nine datasets with potential for PEoLC research were identified, including death certificate data, hospital episode data, pharmacy claims data,  one national survey, four disease registries (cancer, cystic fibrosis, motor neurone and interstitial lung disease) and a national renal transplant registry.  The ad hoc development of the health system in Ireland has resulted in i) a fragmented information infrastructure resulting in gaps in data collections particularly in the primary and community care sector where much palliative care is delivered, ii) ill-defined data governance arrangements across service providers, many of whom are not part of the publically funded health service and iii) systemic and temporal issues that affect data quality. Initiatives to improve data collections include introduction of i) patient unique identifiers, ii) health entity identifiers and iii) integration of the Eircode postcodes. Recently enacted general data protection and health research regulations will clarify legal and ethical requirements for data use.

Conclusions: Ongoing reform initiatives and recent changes to data privacy laws combined with detailed knowledge of the datasets, appropriate permissions, and good study design will facilitate future use of administrative health and social care data for PEoLC research in Ireland.
Fostering global data sharing: highlighting the recommendations of the Research Data Alliance COVID-19 working group
Authors: Austin Claire C. , Bernier Alexander , Bezuidenhout Louise , Bicarregui Juan , Biro Timea , Cambon-Thomsen Anne , Carroll Stephanie Russo , Cournia Zoe , Dabrowski Piotr Wojciech , Diallo Gayo , Duflot Thomas , Garcia Leyla , Gesing Sandra , Gonzalez-Beltran Alejandra , Gururaj Anupama , Harrower Natalie , Lin Dawei , Medeiros Claudia , Méndez Eva , Meyers Natalie , Mietchen Daniel , Nagrani Rajini , Nilsonne Gustav , Parker Simon , Pickering Brian , Pienta Amy , Polydoratou Panayiota , Psomopoulos Fotis , Rennes Stephanie , Rowe Robyn , Sansone Susanna-Assunta , Shanahan Hugh , Sitz Lina , Stocks Joanne , Tovani-Palone Marcos Roberto , Uhlmansiek Mary ,   Research Data Alliance
Published: May 2021

The systemic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic require cross-disciplinary collaboration in a global and timely fashion. Such collaboration needs open research practices and the sharing of research outputs, such as data and code, thereby facilitating research and research reproducibility and timely collaboration beyond borders. The Research Data Alliance COVID-19 Working Group recently published a set of recommendations and guidelines on data sharing and related best practices for COVID-19 research. These guidelines include recommendations for clinicians, researchers, policy- and decision-makers, funders, publishers, public health experts, disaster preparedness and response experts, infrastructure providers from the perspective of different domains (Clinical Medicine, Omics, Epidemiology, Social Sciences, Community Participation, Indigenous Peoples, Research Software, Legal and Ethical Considerations), and other potential users. These guidelines include recommendations for researchers, policymakers, funders, publishers and infrastructure providers from the perspective of different domains (Clinical Medicine, Omics, Epidemiology, Social Sciences, Community Participation, Indigenous Peoples, Research Software, Legal and Ethical Considerations). Several overarching themes have emerged from this document such as the need to balance the creation of data adherent to FAIR principles (findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable), with the need for quick data release; the use of trustworthy research data repositories; the use of well-annotated data with meaningful metadata; and practices of documenting methods and software. The resulting document marks an unprecedented cross-disciplinary, cross-sectoral, and cross-jurisdictional effort authored by over 160 experts from around the globe. This letter summarises key points of the Recommendations and Guidelines, highlights the relevant findings, shines a spotlight on the process, and suggests how these developments can be leveraged by the wider scientific community.
Framing superbugs - testing whether advocacy frames change attitudes, intention or behaviour using an online randomised control experiment
Authors: Metcalfe Daniel , Aldalooj Esraa , Thakur Matthew , Clements Lara
Published: May 2021

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) presents a significant threat to global health, requiring multifaceted action by individuals and policymakers. Advocates must persuade others to act. Making communication about AMR more effective could plausibly increase support for action. The Wellcome Trust-funded ‘Reframing Resistance’ project used communications research to develop framing recommendations for the language practitioners use to describe AMR. The aim of this study was to explore how this language influenced attitudes and behaviours towards AMR.

Methods: This study was a randomised trial to evaluate the effects of different styles of AMR framing language upon attitudinal and behavioural measures. Participants (n=1,934) were recruited in October 2019 using an on-line tool called “Prolific” and randomly assigned to review five variations of AMR narratives: four experimental frames which incorporated different combinations of language recommended by the framing guidelines, or a control frame without these features, taken from UN AMR communications. Participants were then asked a series of attitudinal and behavioural questions in relation to the AMR narrative they reviewed. Attitudes were measured using five-point Likert-type scales and behaviours were measured using binary variables. Descriptive analysis was used to explore respondents’ characteristics and multivariable logistic regression models were used to establish independent associations between AMR frames and respondents’ attitudes and behaviours.

Results: Participants who reviewed narratives that followed framing language guidelines were more likely to donate money or sign a petition, and rated narratives as more usable and important than participants who reviewed the control framing.

Conclusions: While larger trials with more diverse participants are needed to confirm generalisability, these results suggest that applying framing to communications could help advocates of AMR to drive action. Furthermore, the study reinforces the value of randomised studies to empirically test the impact of frames upon behaviour and indicates the potential for a more extensive programme of research.
Analysis of the efficiency of the application of cell therapy for local radiation injurie
Authors: Brunchukov V. , Astrelina T. , Samoylov A.
Published: May 2021

Every year the proportion of radiation therapy as an independent method of radical treatment of cancer patients is increasing. Exposure to radiation as a result of medical treatment can lead to the development in patients of local radiation injuries (LRJ) (radiation reactions) on the skin and surrounding tissues. Today, there is no standard treatment for LRJ, known methods are ineffective In this regard, research aimed at finding effective methods of treatment leading to accelerated wound healing, a decrease in inflammation and a decrease in fibrosis is relevant. In recent years, there has been an active study of the effectiveness of the use of cell therapy, including mesenchymal stem cells, their cell products, minimally manipulated cell products, etc., in complex therapy for local radiation injuries. In the presented literature review, the effectiveness of the use of cellular products in local radiation damage to the skin caused by sources of ionizing radiation is considered. Bibliographic searches of works were carried out on the basis of the PubMed portal, published in the period from 2015 to August 2020.
Indicadores antropométricos y consumo alimentario de personal de salud según su turno laboral, cronotipo y calidad del sueño
Authors: Hernández Rangel Arlene Jamín , Rivera Macías Lorena Guadalupe , López Ortiz María Montserrat
Published: May 2021

Introducción: alteraciones en el cronotipo y la calidad del sueño se han asociado con la desincronización del reloj circadiano, estudiadas como posible causa de la aparición de enfermedades crónicas como obesidad. El objetivo fue identificar la asociación entre los indicadores antropométricos, porcentaje de grasa corporal y consumo alimentario con el turno laboral, cronotipo y calidad del sueño de personal de salud de un hospital de segundo nivel de atención. Materiales y Métodos: se tomaron medidas antropométricas (peso, talla, circunferencia de cintura y pliegues cutáneos) para determinar IMC y porcentaje de grasa corporal total; se aplicó el Cuestionario de Cronotipo de Munich y el Índice de calidad del sueño de Pittsburg. Resultados: participaron 60 trabajadores, siendo el cronotipo nocturno el predominante (53%). El 80% tiene una moderada calidad del sueño; el 55% tenía sobrepeso y obesidad, y solo el 8.3% presenta porcentaje de grasa corporal normal. En el turno nocturno destacó la mala calidad de dormición (p=0.03) y adaptación de los cronotipos vespertino y nocturno (p=0.03). Los participantes de cronotipo vespertino mostraron los mayores valores de peso corporal (p=0.04). La calidad del sueño no mostró asociación significativa con los cambios en el peso o el porcentaje de grasa corporal. Discusión: los ritmos circadianos alterados incrementan el riesgo de obesidad y otros problemas de salud. Se observa una adaptación del cronotipo al turno en que laboran, moderada calidad del sueño y hábitos de alimentación inadecuada, considerados sincronizadores de los ciclos circadianos, ubicándolos como factores a tomar en cuenta para evitar enfermedades futuras.
Panitumumab-Induced Eruptive Seborrhoeic Keratosis in a Patient with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Dimitra Koumaki  , Sotirios Boumpoucheropoulos  , Vasiliki Koumaki  , Alexander Katoulis  , Georgia Pappas  , Aikaterini Mantaka  , Konstantinos Krasagakis
Published: May 2021

Objectives: Agents targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mediated signalling pathway are increasingly being used for the treatment of advanced lung, pancreatic, colorectal and head and neck cancers. Case presentation: Here, we report the first case of eruptive seborrhoeic keratosis following panitumumab treatment, an anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody, in a 73-year-old patient with stage 4 (IV) colorectal cancer with hepatic metastasis. Conclusion: While panitumumab is an emerging therapy for RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer, physicians should consider panitumumab as a potential cause of eruptive seborrhoeic keratosis.
Should the Management of Embolic Stroke in the Elderly Be Changed if They Also Have COVID-19?
Authors: Maria Carolina dos Santos Sousa Duarte Seabra  , Barbara Silva  , Vitor Fagundes  , João Rocha  , Luís Nogueira  , Mari Mesquita
Published: May 2021

Introduction: A strong association between stroke and atrial fibrillation (AF) has been demonstrated. Anticoagulation for the prevention of stroke in high-risk patients has the benefit of improving the life expectancy, quality of life, autonomy and social functioning of the patient. The COVID-19 pandemic poses challenges for stroke patients because of the association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and thromboembolic risk. Case description: We describe the case of an 84-year-old female patient admitted due to an embolic stroke and non-anticoagulated AF. Her admission symptoms were sensory-motor aphasia and severe right limb paresis with an NIHSS score of 24. The diagnosis of embolic stroke (namely, total anterior circulation infarct; TACI) was made. Her stroke was extensive so she was not started on anticoagulation. During hospitalization, new embolic events occurred and a concomitant diagnosis of COVID-19 was made with progressive respiratory dysfunction followed by multiorgan failure. The patient died despite appropriate treatment. Discussion: The prognosis of elderly patients with cardioembolic stroke depends on anticoagulation administration. The NIHSS score on admission of our patient meant anticoagulation therapy was not appropriate. The diagnosis of COVID-19 contributed to the patient’s death.
Chronic Copper Sulfate Poisoning
Authors: Ana Paula Perestrelo  , Gonçalo Filipe Lopes Miranda  , Maria Inês Gonçalves  , Carolina Belino  , Rosa Ballesteros
Published: May 2021

Copper, as a salt, is toxic and has the potential to harm multiple organs. Copper intoxication causes intravascular haemolysis followed by liver and kidney failure that can be fatal. We present a case of chronic copper sulfate poisoning in a 66-year-old man with dysphagia to solids and liquids, anaemia, acute kidney injury, liver cytolysis and hypocalcaemia. The patient improved with supportive care, but chronic kidney disease was established. Anamnesis was crucial for the diagnosis, given the non-specific signs and symptoms. The history of chronic exposure to pest treatment with a blue dust cloud made us suspect copper sulfate poisoning.
Chronic Neutrophilic Leukemia with Monocytosis
Authors: Alromaih Laila , Abdalla Leena , Jamal Arifa , Osman Assim , Bakkar Mohanad , Samad Lina Abdul , Ahmed Tamer M
Published: May 2021

Chronic neutrophilic leukaemia is a very rare disease with diagnosis based on persistent leucocytosis >25×103/µl and monocytes <1×103/µl. The revised WHO criteria 2016 included CSF3R gene mutations as a diagnostic finding. We report the case of a 77-year-old man who was found to have asymptomatic persistent mature neutrophilic leucocytosis with monocytosis. Molecular study confirmed the presence of a CSF3R gene mutation in the absence of morphological or genetic features of myelodysplasia or other forms of myelodysplastic syndrome. The patient’s medical history was significant for coronary artery disease, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bilateral cystic bronchiectasis, moderate pulmonary hypertension, tuberculosis treated 27 years previously, hypothyroidism, and a thyroid nodule. He had hepatosplenomegaly but no lymphadenopathy, and no other malignancy was seen on computed tomography (CT) scanning. At the time of evaluation, he was free of symptoms and had no evidence of infection or drug-induced leucocytosis. The patient was referred to an oncology centre and treated with hydroxyurea and subsequently azacitidine. However, he developed pancytopenia with bone marrow aplasia. He died with neutropenia sepsis. The presence of persistent monocytosis in this case created a diagnostic dilemma as to whether the disease was a variant of chronic neutrophilic leukaemia or was reactive monocytosis.
An evaluation of medication optimisation following myocardial infarction within a cardiac rehabilitation service
Authors: Norman Jessica
Published: May 2021

Background/Aims

Managing patients' medical risk is a core component of cardiac rehabilitation. However, the optimisation of medical therapy for patients post myocardial infarction has frequently been found to be suboptimal. This article evaluates the evidence-based prescribing practice for patients post myocardial infarction who attended a local cardiac rehabilitation service that included an advanced cardiac rehabilitation nurse. The focus is on dose optimisation of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor antagonists and beta-blocker therapies.

Methods

Data were collected retrospectively from 100 patient records at a cardiac rehabilitation service. Explored variables included demographic factors, prescribing rates at hospital discharge, left ventricular function, drug types and doses, and drug optimisation rates and timings. Data regarding the practitioner who carried out the optimisation and any documented reasons for not pursuing further dose titration were also collected.

Results

The advanced cardiac rehabilitation nurse was well placed to optimise pharmacotherapy post myocardial infarction, although the optimisation process was found to be complex, often requiring an overlapping multidisciplinary team approach.

Conclusions

Care should be taken not to overlook patients with normal left ventricular function or mild left ventricular impairment post myocardial infarction. More advanced practitioner roles are needed to allow the team to take responsibility for the medication optimisation of all patients post myocardial infarction within the cardiac rehabilitation service. The optimisation time target set by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence was not always reached, as it was not always feasible to safely optimise medications so quickly.
Developing an innovative role for a clinical nurse specialist in structural heart disease services
Authors: Connolly Lauren , Pottle Alison , Smith Robert
Published: May 2021

This article explores a new advanced nursing role within interventional cardiology. The role was jointly developed by the lead consultant and clinical nurse specialist, and has received the first official centre of excellence award in the world. As a result, the service will now deliver expert training programmes taught by the consultant team and specialist nurse. This service was created for patients with mitral valve disease. It has a dedicated and structured pathway, with the patient always at the centre of care. This article introduces the role of nurse second operator in complex valvular intervention, which allows the clinical nurse specialist to be fully involved in the entire patient journey from referral to discharge. The author describes how the role was established and the developments that have been made in the first 3 years of the post. The role encompasses both inpatient and outpatient care in a bespoke, nurse-led service, as well as responsibility for maintaining accurate data collection and adherence to the patient pathway throughout the service. This has facilitated a streamlined and tailored service that strives to deliver high-quality, equitable care to patients across the UK. It is hoped that this will encourage other centres to develop such roles for specialist nurses.
Highlighting the latest research: May 2021
Authors: Palmer Sarah Jane
Published: May 2021

Sarah Jane Palmer presents a selection of recently published articles of interest to nurses working in cardiovascular nursing. The aim of this roundup is to provide a brief overview of the research papers selected. A full reference is provided for those who wish to look at the research in further detail.
A review of evidence for thromboembolic events associated with Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccination: risks, limitations and implications
Authors: Palmer Sarah Jane
Published: May 2021

In this monthly feature, Sarah Jane Palmer delves into topical news, the latest research and what the experts are saying on subjects related to cardiology and cardiac nursing practice.
ECG of the month
Authors: Regan Martin
Published: May 2021

In this issue's ECG of the month, Martin Regan presents a case of a 57-year-old man brought to the hospital by ambulance while experiencing chest pain and breathlessness.
Development of the Lymphoedema Patient Reported Outcome Measure (LYMPROM)
Authors: Gabe-Walters Marie , Thomas Melanie
Published: May 2021

To ensure lymphoedema patients in Wales receive the right care, at the right time, by the right person, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were routinely completed within the All-Wales lymphoedema assessment documentation. This evaluation describes the development of the Lymphoedema Patient Reported Outcome Measure (LYMPROM), which is a tool developed by Lymphoedema Network Wales clinicians and key stakeholders. The tool was explored for face, form and content validity during 3 months in 2019; 128 anonymised completions of LYMPROM were reviewed to establish feasibility, acceptability and internal validity using Cronbach's alpha. LYMPROM was feasible and acceptability was high. Face and content validity were reported (i-CVI [item content validity index] range=0.43 – 1; s-CVI/Ave=0.94) and internal consistency was excellent (0.958). LYMPROM was easily integrated within lymphoedema services in Wales, promoting patient-led care and supporting value-based health care. Further evaluations of reliability and validity of LYMPROM are proceeding along with digital integration.
Giving intravenous iron to patients with symptomatic heart failure is safe and cost effective
Authors: Redfern James , Goode Rachel , Leung Wing Yin , Quarterman Clare , Rao Archana
Published: May 2021

Aims/Background

Heart failure affects approximately 1 million people in the UK, adversely affecting quality of life, functional capacity and cognitive health. Iron deficiency complicates heart failure in approximately 50% of patients. Giving intravenous ferric carboxymaltose has been shown to improve quality of life in patients with heart failure (New York Heart Association class and Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire).

Methods

A quality improvement project was designed to assess the feasibility, safety and cost implications of establishing an intravenous iron service in the authors' centre.

Results

Between July and December 2019 61 patients who were screened met the inclusion criteria and were administered intravenous ferric carboxymaltose. There were statistically significant improvements in ferritin levels (83.3 ug/litre to 433 ug/litre; P<0.0001), transferrin saturation (18% to 30% P<0.0001) and haemoglobin levels (126 g/litre to 135 g/litre; P<0.01). No demonstrable changes in New York Heart Association class or quality of life scores were noted. The overall financial impact for the trust was income generation of £14 665, a net income of £240 per patient.

Conclusions

Intravenous iron replacement with ferric carboxymaltose is safe and cost effective, and should be considered in eligible iron-deficient patients with symptomatic heart failure. Integration with another day case intravenous service represented the most logistically simple and economically viable method of service delivery.
The ‘resilience’ of community organisations during the COVID-19 pandemic: absorptive, adaptive and transformational capacity during a crisis response
Authors: Dayson Chris , Bimpson Emma , Ellis-Paine Angela , Gilbertson Jan , Kara Helen
Published: May 2021

This Research Note applies the concept of ‘resilience’ to explore how Neighbourhood Networks in Leeds in the UK – 37 local community organisations supporting older people – responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights how understanding resilience as a capacity that can be absorptive, adaptive or transformative helps describe the response of community organisations during the pandemic, highlighting a process of ongoing adjustment and innovation as the pandemic evolved. We suggest that the concept of resilience is helpful in this context for understanding how community organisations responded to the emergent nature of the crisis, but it is less effective at revealing why that may have been the case. This limitation notwithstanding, we argue that absorptive, adaptive and transformative capacity ought to be desirable attributes of community organisations if they are distributed equitably and enable them to fulfil their mission and contribute to social change.
Enhancing the performance of optical camera communication via accumulative sampling
Authors: Zhang Pinpin , Wang Qiuyu , Yang Yanbing , Wang Yunfeng , Sun Yimao , Xu Wenzheng , Luo Jun , Chen Liangyin
Published: May 2021

Deemed as a practical approach to realize Visible Light Communication on commercial-off-the-shelf devices, the Optical Camera Communication (OCC) is attracting increasing attention, thanks to its readiness to be built purely upon ubiquitous LED illuminating infrastructure and handy smartphones. However, limited by the low sampling ability of the built-in camera on a smartphone, the performance of existing OCC systems is still far away from the requirements of practical applications. To this end, we further investigate the reception ability of the smartphone’s camera and propose an accumulative sampling scheme to improve the performance of the OCC system. Essentially, the proposed scheme can use all the grayscale information of the pixels projected by the LED transmitter, whereas the conventional ones normally use single row (or column) pixels for demodulating. By implementing the lightweight demodulation algorithm with accumulative sampling, we experimentally verify its effectiveness for supporting higher transmission frequency hence better performance in terms of data rate. Extensive evaluations have shown the BERs of the proposed method are over 87% and 96% lower than that provided by the baselines at a maximum transmission frequency of 5 kHz for the Samsung S8 and iPhone 8 Plus receivers, respectively.
Sensitivity enhancement in photothermal interferometry by balanced detection of the complex response to moving excitation
Authors: Dong Jingtao , Xie Xinglong , Yang Lei , Lang Xianli , Lu Rongsheng , Zhang Tengda , Zhang Lei , Zhou Sheng , Li Jingsong
Published: May 2021

The sensitivity of photothermal detection relies on both the magnitude of the response of a sample to excitation and the way the response is sensed. We propose a highly sensitive photothermal interferometry by addressing the above two issues. One is the use of moving excitation to enable a different manner in sample heating and cooling, which results in a strong thermoelastic response of the sample. The other is the use of a balanced Mach–Zehnder interferometer with a defocused probe beam to sense the complex response induced by the phase delays taking place at the sample surface and in the surrounding air. The method was verified experimentally with a Nd-doped glass to have 68-fold sensitivity enhancement over the classical photothermal common-path interferometry.