bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of Marijuana to Promote Well-Being: Effects of Use and Prohibition in the Daily Lives of Brazilian Adults
Authors: de Lima e Silva Surjus Luciana Togni , Dainesi Natália Cavalcante , de Souza Felipe Granado
Published: April 2023

Background:

Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug worldwide. From an occupational perspective, its use is paradoxical in that although it can be harmful to health and has criminal consequences, it can also promote well-being. This study examined predictors of well-being to determine the effects of marijuana use and its prohibition on the daily lives of Brazilian adults.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study used an anonymous online questionnaire with a final sample of 2637 respondents. Utilizing logistic regression, variables were selected pertaining to use and prohibition risks, benefits of use, and harm reduction associated with the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents.

Results:

Using marijuana for fun was most likely among those self-identified as male, trans/non-binary people, college graduates, and those with higher incomes. Living with family members and using less frequently proved to be protective against the adverse effect of “getting high.” Indigenous peoples and youth were more likely to report trouble with the police due to marijuana use; individuals with higher education and longer use of marijuana reported more frequent use of harm reduction strategies; people who identified their color as yellow were more likely to report daily use compared to people who identified their color as white; women and people with higher income were less likely to report daily use.

Conclusions:

Social class, race, gender, and generation were predictors of well-being associated with marijuana use and its prohibition, indicating an interaction between different dimensions involving the use of illicit substances. Identifying the effects of the use and prohibition of marijuana in promoting well-being, from the conception of drug use as a non-sanctioned occupation, can broaden the understanding of this complex human phenomenon, with health and criminal repercussions, subsidizing the development of approaches more equitable and adequate into occupational therapy to reduce personal and social harm.
An Approach to Acute SARS-CoV-2 Management with Complementary Neuraltherapeutic Medicine: A Case Report
Authors: Bustamante Carlos , Pinilla Laura , Amaris Oscar
Published: April 2023

Background:

It has been proposed that the immunomodulatory capacity of neuraltherapeutic medicine (NTM) functions by means of stimuli to the nervous system, which influences the self-regulatory and plastic capacity of the nervous system, especially through the autonomic balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Several studies report the usefulness of NTM in inflammatory pathologies.

Case presentation:

A case report through a retrospective review of the medical history of an 82-year-old male patient with a diagnosis of acute SARS-CoV-2 who received a therapeutic intervention of NTM at the beginning of his hospitalization and presented satisfactory clinical evolution, with a follow-up for 18 months without post-COVID sequelae. A patient diagnosed with acute pneumonia for SARS-CoV-2, and mild ARDS, with markers of severity given by the history of COPD, advanced age, and elevation of LDH, ferritin, and CRP. On the third day of hospitalization, he presented an episode of pulmonary thromboembolism. He presented significant clinical improvement with in-hospital management for 9 days and underwent out-patient control with no post-COVID sequelae.

Conclusions:

NTM could be useful for the management of acute inflammatory diseases, including viral diseases such as SARS-CoV-2, in a mild or severe state of inflammation, when added to allopathic medicine, and it can improve clinical evolution and long-term sequelae. More studies are needed to validate this information.
Extreme wellness at work: Whose body counts in the rise of exceptionalist organisational fitness cultures
Authors: Butcher Tim , James Eric P , Bloom Peter
Published: April 2023

Management has long concerned itself with controlling workers’ bodies, with organisational wellness discourses being its latest fixation. This article’s purpose is to introduce and understand ‘whose body counts’ – a discourse of bodily exceptionalism in performative organisational cultures. Using ethnographic methods, this article presents an analysis of a CrossFit workplace health promotion at an underperforming US corporation, to identify a complex process of empowerment, self-exploitation and disciplinary regulation to produce performative outcomes. This research illustrates how the workplace health promotion generates a pervasive discourse of exceptionalism underpinned by workers’ reflexive exploitation, overarched by peer-surveillance and reflexively embraced through extreme individualised performativities. Critically, it is revealed how individuals competitively engage in communicative labour to demonstrate devotion to self-care that is translated into organisational commitment. Specifically, unquestioned discursive ambiguities are shown to cunningly empower limitlessness meritocratic striving that pits workers against each other, creating constant negotiation of ‘whose body counts’ by subjugating others.
Managing compassion: The affective dynamics of rural representation in the Chinese reality TV show X-Change
Authors: Dong Wei
Published: April 2023

Unlike Western reality shows that are often criticized as devaluing and delegitimizing lower-class people, the Chinese reality show X-Change claims to recruit social attention, compassion, and support for rural people, especially children who have been left behind. This article examines this claim by conducting a multimodal interpretative analysis of the show, focusing on the employment of narrative, discursive and audiovisual strategies that register compassion in the representations of rural identities, bodies, and rural-urban encounters. I argue that the show offers a nuanced emotional repertoire of compassion, which simultaneously empowers and disempowers rural people by integrating a humanitarian tender-hearted sympathy with a socialist positive empathy, and a neoliberal philanthropist pity. In so doing, I reveal the ways in which reality television is embroiled in the intricate interplay between state ideology, sociocultural psychology, and neoliberal logic in post-socialist China.
artcat: Sample-size calculation for an ordered categorical outcome
Authors: White Ian R. , Marley-Zagar Ella , Morris Tim P. , Parmar Mahesh K. B. , Royston Patrick , Babiker Abdel G.
Published: April 2023

We describe a new command, artcat, that calculates sample size or power for a randomized controlled trial or similar experiment with an ordered categorical outcome, where analysis is by the proportional-odds model. artcat implements the method of Whitehead (1993, Statistics in Medicine 12: 2257–2271). We also propose and implement a new method that 1) allows the user to specify a treatment effect that does not obey the proportional-odds assumption, 2) offers greater accuracy for large treatment effects, and 3) allows for noninferiority trials. We illustrate the command and explore the value of an ordered categorical outcome over a binary outcome in various settings. We show by simulation that the methods perform well and that the new method is more accurate than Whitehead’s method.
Finite mixture models for linked survey and administrative data: Estimation and postestimation
Authors: Jenkins Stephen P. , Rios-Avila Fernando
Published: April 2023

Researchers use finite mixture models to analyze linked survey and administrative data on labor earnings, while also accounting for various types of measurement error in each data source. Different combinations of error-ridden and error-free observations characterize latent classes. Latent class probabilities depend on the probabilities of the different types of error. We introduce a suite of commands to fit finite mixture models to linked survey-administrative data: there is a general model and seven simpler variants. We also provide postestimation commands for assessment of reliability, marginal effects, data simulation, and prediction of hybrid variables that combine information from both data sources about the outcome of interest. Our commands can also be used to study measurement errors in other variables besides labor earnings.
Extended biasplot command to assess bias, precision, and agreement in method comparison studies
Authors: Taffé Patrick , Peng Mingkai , Stagg Vicki , Williamson Tyler
Published: April 2023

Recently, a new statistical methodology to assess the bias and precision of a new measurement method, which circumvents the deficiencies of the Bland and Altman (1986, Lancet 327: 307–310) limits of agreement method, was developed by Taffé (2018, Statistical Methods in Medical Research 27: 1650–1660). Later, the methodology was extended to assess the agreement. In addition, to allow for inferences, simultaneous confidence bands around the bias, precision, and agreement lines were developed (Taffé, 2020, Statistical Methods in Medical Research 29: 778–796). The goal of this article is to introduce the extended biasplot command, which implements these latest developments, and to illustrate its use by applying it to simulated data included with the command. Note that the Taffé method assumes that there are several measurements by one of the two measurement methods and possibly as few as one measurement by the other for each individual. The repeated measurements need not come from the reference standard but from any of the two measurement methods. This is a great advantage because it may sometimes be more feasible to gather repeated measurements either with the reference standard or the new measurement method.
Two-tier stochastic frontier analysis using Stata
Authors: Lian Yujun , Liu Chang , Parmeter Christopher F.
Published: April 2023

In this article, we introduce the sftt command, which fits two-tier stochastic frontier (2TSF) models with cross-sectional data. Like most frontier models, a 2TSF model consists of a linear frontier model and a composite error term. The error term is assumed to be a mixture of three components: two onesided inefficiency terms—strictly nonnegative and nonpositive, respectively—and a symmetric noise term. When providing appropriate distributional assumptions, sftt can fit models with exponential and half-normal specifications. sftt also fits 2TSF models with the scaling property to mitigate concerns over distributional specifications. In addition, we provide two subcommands, sftt sigs and sftt eff, to assist in postestimation efficiency analysis. We provide an overview of the 2TSF literature, a description of the sftt command and its options, and examples using simulated and actual data.
Mechanical thrombectomy with Q catheter in stroke caused by primary and secondary distal and medium vessel occlusions
Authors: Kobeissi Hassan , Ghozy Sherief , Flood Richard , Mortimer Alex , Crossley Robert , Cox Anthony , Minks David , Wareham James
Published: April 2023

Background

The MIVI Q aspiration catheters have been shown to achieve significantly greater flow rates than other intracranial aspiration catheters in vitro. We describe our initial real-world experience with the MIVI Q catheter in emergent acute ischemic stroke (AIS) caused by distal and medium vessel occlusions (DMVO).

Methods

Data was collated from a prospectively maintained database which included patients from October 2019 to December 2022. Occlusion demographics, thrombectomy technique, reperfusion scoring, procedural complications and disposition were assessed. The primary outcome of interest was rate of successful reperfusion defined as thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI) score 2b-3. Secondary outcomes included rate of first pass effect (FPE) and complications.

Results

We included 64 target occlusions in 51 patients. The Q catheter successfully reached the DMVO in all occlusions. Successful reperfusion was achieved in 49/64 (76.6%) occlusions, and TICI scores were similar for primary and secondary DMVOs (P value = 0.41). FPE was achieved in 39/64 (60.9%) occlusions and did not differ between primary and secondary DMVOs (P value = 0.13). Reperfusion hemorrhage occurred in 3/64 (4.7%) cases, small volume subarachnoid hemorrhage in 3/64 (4.7%) cases, and small hemorrhagic transformation in 1/64 (1.6%) cases; the rate of complications did not differ based on primary versus secondary DMVO (P value = 0.29).

Conclusion

The MIVI Q catheter is both safe and effective. Our real-world experience supports the superior flow rates demonstrated in vitro and translates into high rates of successful reperfusion in AIS caused by DMVO in clinical practice.
Knowledge of arteriovenous fistula care in patients with end-stage kidney disease in south Asian countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Natti Krishna Veena , Tiwary Bhaskar , Nayak Megha Nagaraj , Patel Nikita , Gandhi Priyaj , Majumdar Piyusha
Published: April 2023

Objectives

To find the prevalence of knowledge of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) self-care, its characteristics, and associated factors among hemodialysis patients and summarize the findings of various domains of AVF self-care in south Asian countries.

Methods

The systematic literature search was performed on online databases and additional sources to retrieve published articles on AVF self-care. We estimated the pooled prevalence using a random effects model in meta-analysis. Additionally, thematic knowledge regarding various aspects of AVF self-care was narratively summarized.

Results

Among the articles retrieved seven studies met our inclusion and exclusion criteria. The prevalence of AVF self-care in individual studies ranged from 59% to 99%, with an overall random pooled prevalence of 81% (95% CI, 68% to 94%). Major factors associated with self-care of AVF knowledge included patients’ educational status, age, vintage of hemodialysis, and healthcare personnel’s advice.

Discussion

Knowledge scarcity regarding potential measures of AVF self-care obligates the need for continuous education in hemodialysis patients. A multidisciplinary approach is vital to enhance self-care from pre- to post-creation of AVF in hemodialysis patients as well as their caregivers in order to prolong the patency rates and decrease the subsequent morbidity and mortality due to failure of AVF.
Luteolin-Zn Complex Inhibits Invasion and Migration of M2-Like TAMs via the Downregulation of AMPK/mTOR and PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway Under Hypoxia
Authors: Mao Chenyang , Wang Yongling , Xu Zhenhua , Wang Xiaowu , Fang Binbo , Chen Haihua
Published: April 2023

Purpose: The high mortality rate of malignant tumors is often attributable to the loss of surgical opportunities due to late diagnosis when invasion and metastasis have significantly affected the patient. A hypoxic microenvironment can promote the progression of malignant tumors. This study explored the invasion resistance and migration ability of luteolin-Zn complexes. Methods: We created a low-oxygen environment using a 3-atmosphere incubator. The appropriate drug concentration was determined using the CCK8 experiment. We determined its role in cell invasion and migration through scratch and transwell experiments. Western blotting, polymerase chain reaction, and cellular immunity experiments were used to study the mechanism and its impact on the secretion of invasion and migration factors. Results: Our results indicated that the luteolin-Zn complex significantly reduced MMP2, MMP9, N-Ca, and HIF-1ɑ expression. It also upregulated TIMP1 and E-Ca expression. Moreover, its capabilities may be achieved by regulating the AMPK/mTOR and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways. Conclusions: The luteolin-Zn complex was highly resistant to the invasion and migration of M2-like tumor-related macrophages. This may exert a unique influence on mTOR by integrating various signals. This study suggests that the luteolin-Zn complex has a strong anticancer effect under hypoxic conditions.
The Variable Impact of Clinical Risk-Adjustment Models to Evaluate Hospital Design
Authors: Mead Mitchell , Nanda Upali , Ibrahim Andrew M.
Published: April 2023

Objectives:

To identify the impact of clinical risk adjustment models for evaluating pain medication consumption differences between private rooms and a multibed ward.

Background:

Views of nature are reported to reduce anxiety and pain for patients. This often leads to prioritizing large windows with views for patient rooms; however, it is not clear how other factors influencing pain (e.g., patient demographics) may confound evaluations of room design.

Methods:

We identified 1,284 patients at the University of Michigan undergoing thyroidectomy where patients recovered in one of the two locations: a private room with a view to nature or a multibed ward with no windows. We used pain medication data from the electronic medical record and risk adjustment models to evaluate pain medication consumption between the room types.

Results:

Private room patients did not use more pain medications when measured using unadjusted morphine milligram equivalents (18.3 vs. 15.3 mg, p = .06). Risk adjusting for age, gender, comorbidities, opioid history, and procedure subtype resulted in private room patients demonstrating higher consumption of morphine milliequivalents (17.5 vs. 15.5 mg, p < .01). In contrast, risk adjusting for age, gender, opioid history, and selected comorbidities estimated higher pain medication consumption for multibed ward patients relative to private rooms (16.27 vs. 15.51 mg, p < .05).

Conclusion:

Estimated differences of pain medication consumption for patients in differently designed rooms varied depending on the risk adjustment model. These findings underscore the importance of understanding appropriate clinical measurement and risk adjustment strategies to accurately estimate the impact of design, before applying research into practice.
Background Music’s Impact on Patients Waiting in Surgery and Radiology Clinics
Authors: Yeoh Joanne Pei Sze , Spence Charles
Published: April 2023

Objectives:

To assess the impact of different types of background music on patients’ anxiety and perceptions in a healthcare setting.

Background:

An overwhelming number of studies in the West have been conducted on the use of background music in reducing patients’ anxiety and their perception of hospitals. Despite the optimism for Western classical music in such settings, evidence documenting the successful use of this genre of music in waiting rooms across other people groups has, thus far, been inconclusive.

Method:

A single-blind randomized study in which a total of 303 participants were recruited from both surgery and radiology clinics using a between-groups experimental design. Patients were seated in the waiting room for at least 20 min while music (Western classical, lo-fi) or no music was playing in the background. Participants were then required to complete a questionnaire that consisted of a shortened 6-item State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-6), and eight questions relating to overall perceptions of the hospital.

Results:

The results from both clinics revealed that patients in the no music condition rated themselves as feeling significantly less anxious than those in either of the two music conditions. Patients’ perceptions of the hospital’s overall service and expectations were higher in the no music condition.

Conclusions:

Firstly, the choice of background music should match the differing pace of the day; for example, a more upbeat song would better fit the mood of a busy clinic, leading to a more “congruent” atmosphere. Secondly, playing background music in a “task-oriented” and highly charged/anxious environment may increase arousal levels, which in turn could result in negative perceptions of the hospital and an increase in anxiety among patients. Finally, music is a cultural product and music that primes certain beliefs in one culture may not have similar effects among other people groups. Hence, specific curated playlists are necessary to convey “intentions” to different people groups.
Reconstructing Historical Distribution of Large Mammals and their Habitat to Inform Rewilding and Restoration in Central Tanzania
Authors: Athumani Paulo C. , Munishi Linus K. , Ngondya Issakwisa B.
Published: April 2023

Backgroundand research aim:

In the anthropogenic landscapes where historically wildlife existed, there can be a potential for rewilding to reverse extinction. However, there is limited literature providing approaches to achieve successful rewilding. The current study aimed at providing empirical based methodological procedures for successful rewilding of the University of Dodoma (UDOM) and nearby degraded landscape by assessing past and current vegetation and large mammal species’ occurrence.

Methodology:

The past occurrence of mega-herbivores and their habitat was assessed using systematic literature survey, past vegetation maps and key informant interviews. EBSCOhost database and Google Scholar search engine were used for literature searching. A survey was conducted at UDOM area which is one of the remaining habitat patches in central Tanzania to examine present plant diversity.

Results:

The baseline vegetation map of 1960 indicated that the study area was mainly Savanna woodland. Literature suggested that anthropogenic activities resulted into Land-Use Land-Cover Changes (LULCC) leading into wild animals’ extirpation leaving remnant populations in the surrounding protected areas. While the key informant interviews verified local loss of mega-herbivores, field data collected at UDOM campus in 2022 indicated the vegetation transformation to bushland dominated by Dichrostachys cinerea. The area’s past vegetation composition was 33% grasses, 29% herbs, 21% shrubs and 17% trees while the current was 18% grasses, 42% herbs, 30% shrubs and 10% trees.

Conclusion:

The study revealed that central Tanzania hosted spectacular large mammal populations that interacted with the savanna which has recently been transformed to bushland. However, observed evidence on past existence of large mammals and recent elephants’ sightings at UDOM area indicate great potential for rewilding.

Implication for conservation:

Reconstructing historical information of ecosystems is crucial for successful rewilding. Such information can guide conservation efforts aiming at reversing extinction and reestablishing connectivity of large herbivore population across ecosystems.
Loss of Social Status and Subjective Well-Being Across the Adult Life Span: Feeling Stuck or Moving Up?
Authors: Weiss David , Blöchl Maria
Published: April 2023

Previous research suggests that loss of social status adversely impacts subjective well-being. Here, we show that important factors modulating this relationship are age differences in beliefs in opportunities and upward mobility. Across two preregistered longitudinal analyses ( N1 = 5,487 and N2 = 1,092; 18–89 years), we found that individuals who hold a stronger belief that they have more opportunities in the future to improve their social status are less likely to suffer from status loss. Further analyses revealed that this interaction effect can be explained by age differences in these beliefs. Specifically, younger individuals were more likely to hold opportunity and upward mobility beliefs and, thus, were better able to maintain their relative level of life satisfaction when experiencing status loss. Overall, these findings contribute to our understanding of how individuals may mitigate the detrimental consequences of status loss to their subjective well-being across the adult life span.
Secondary haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis vs methotrexate toxicity – a diagnostic conundrum
Authors: Hawkins Leah , Gibbs Jack , MacMillan Connor
Published: April 2023

Summary

A 74-year-old female with a background of rheumatoid arthritis, managed with weekly methotrexate, was admitted with; oedema, dyspnoea, cachexia and jaundice. Bloods revealed pancytopenia, hyperferritinaemia, hyperbilirubinaemia, hypoalbuminaemia and hypofolataemia. Imaging showed a large right-sided pleural effusion, requiring therapeutic aspiration, and splenomegaly. Bone marrow aspirate revealed haemophagocytosis. Differential diagnoses included methotrexate toxicity (MTXT) and haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Management was initiated for MTXT whilst ongoing investigation for possible HLH continued.
Diagnosis of struma peritonei 15 years after rupture of mature teratoma
Authors: Griffin Julia , Abdulrahim Ahmed , Elger Breanna , Sharma Poonam , Hilgers Teresa
Published: April 2023

Background:

Struma peritonei is an extremely rare presentation of struma ovarii.

Case:

Here we report the case of a 38-year-old woman with a history of papillary thyroid cancer, left ovary struma ovarii, ruptured mature cystic teratoma of the right ovary, and endometriosis presenting with pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, abnormal uterine bleeding, and infertility. A diagnostic laparoscopy was performed to evaluate for recurrence of endometriosis. However, multiple abnormal appearing lesions were found on her left hemidiaphragm and left abdominal wall. The tissue was identified as ectopic thyroid tissue identical to the patients ruptured mature cystic teratoma which occurred 15 years prior. A second subsequent laparoscopy was performed to excise the lesions. Eleven additional lesions were identified as ectopic thyroid tissue. This peritoneal dissemination was likely a result of tissue seeding post-mature teratoma rupture.

Conclusion:

Gynecologists should consider the possibility of struma peritonei in patients who have a history of papillary thyroid cancer and struma ovarii who present with significant pelvic pain and abnormal uterine bleeding.
The Nasolabial Flap in Nose Reconstruction: Tips and Tricks Towards Expanded Usage and Optimized Cosmesis
Authors: Cozzi Silvia , Codazzi Denis , Cherubino Mario , Valdatta Luigi , Carminati Marcello
Published: April 2023

Background: The nose is the most critical aesthetic element of the face and even the smallest loss of substance can create a deformity of concern. The forehead flap has been the workhorse for nasal reconstruction for centuries but requires multiple surgical steps and leads to prominent donor-site scarring. The nasolabial flap allows a single-step reconstruction with a donor-site scar concealed in the nasolabial crease but is conventionally designated for small defects involving the ala. Methods: The authors analysed all surgical records of patients undergone nasal reconstruction by nasolabial flap between May 2005 and December 2021 by the Plastic Surgery Unit of a major regional hospital in Lombardy. Defects were classified according to Burget's subunit principle and the 3-component approach. Reconstruction features and finesses were reported and analysed. Results: In the 16-year period under analysis, 378 patients with nasal defects of various aetiologies received nose reconstruction by nasolabial flap. All nasal subunits were involved; 20 patients had multisubunit defects. In all the cases the reconstruction with nasolabial flap, alone or combined with other solutions, was intended to be one-stage. Conclusions: The authors present several tips and tricks about preoperative planning and design, choice of the pedicle, flap harvesting and sculpting with preservation/restoration of grooves and convexities, conjoining multiple flaps, downsizing extensive defects by a rhinoplasty-like framework reduction. With a careful planning and refined technique, the range of application of the nasolabial flap can include defects involving any nasal subunit and larger and/or multisubunit defects.
Attitudes and Perceived Barriers to Research Among Residents in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Trinidad and Tobago: A National Multicenter Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Persad Sunil , Mehra Saksham , Harry Vanessa
Published: April 2023

OBJECTIVES

High-quality research forms the basis of evidence-based practice and sets the foundation for trainees to develop critical thinking skills and approach clinical problems with an inquisitive mind. The attitudes to research however vary widely and there are significant barriers to conducting research relevant to each clinical discipline. Understanding both the attitudes of residents to research and the barriers to conducting research could allow for strategies to improve this core aspect of clinical development. This aim of this study was to characterise current attitudes and perceived barriers towards conducting research among residents in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Trinidad and Tobago.

METHODS

An online survey was sent to all residents in the four major public hospitals in Trinidad and Tobago. The 10-min previously piloted questionnaire contained questions related to demographics, career level, research experience, attitudes to research as well as perceived barriers to conducting research.

RESULTS

The response rate was 74% (48/65). Although most (77%) respondents were interested in performing research, lack of time (56%) and insufficient training in research (59%) were the main barriers. Lack of mentorship or supervision as well as departmental issues such as access to case notes, electronic databases and bureaucratic issues were also found to hamper a research-oriented environment.

CONCLUSION

For residents in Obstetrics and Gynecology, curricula revision is urgently required to include protected research time, training in research methodology, formal and dedicated research mentors in order to promote a research-oriented culture that ensures a greater understanding and output of research in this specialty.
Scleroderma renal crisis triggered by ibuprofen: Insights on complement-directed therapy
Authors: Kamgang Semeu Prochore , Taghavi Maxime , Geers Caroline , Mouthon Luc , Barreto Gutierrez Leonel , Stordeur Patrick
Published: April 2023

Scleroderma renal crisis is a severe complication of systemic sclerosis with a poor prognosis. Therefore, identifying precipitating factors is essential. Among known risk factors, only few are reversible. On the contrary, anti-C5 therapy appears effective, at least in some cases. We describe a 59-year-old man with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis who developed life-threatening scleroderma renal crisis following ibuprofen administration. Despite aggressive management, he did not improve. Renal biopsy have displayed features of thrombotic microangiopathy but no complement deposition. We then discuss the pathomechanism of scleroderma renal crisis that could drive eculizumab treatment since some renal biopsies exhibit complement deposits and others do not.
Mechanosensing via a GpIIb/Src/14-3-3ζ axis critically regulates platelet migration in vascular inflammation
Authors: Kaiser Rainer , Anjum Afra , Kammerer Lisa Maria , Loew Quentin , Akhalkatsi Anastassia , Rossaro Dario , Escaig Raphael , Droste zu Senden Augustin , Raude Ben , Lorenz Michael , Gold Christoph , Pekayvaz Kami , Brocker Thomas , Kranich Jan , Holch Julian Walter , Spiekermann Karsten , Massberg Steffen , Gaertner Florian , Nicolai Leo
Published: April 2023

Platelets are first responders in thrombosis and hemostasis, but also central players in inflammation. Compared to platelets recruited to thrombi, immune-responsive platelets use distinct effector functions including Arp2/3-dependent migration along adhesive substrate gradients (haptotaxis), which prevents inflammatory bleeding and contributes to host defense. How platelet migration in this context is regulated on a cellular level is incompletely understood. Here, we use time-resolved morphodynamic profiling of individual platelets to show that migration, in contrast to clot retraction, requires anisotropic myosin IIa-activity at the platelet rear which is preceded by polarized actin polymerization at the front to initiate and maintain migration. Polarization of migrating platelets is coordinated by integrin GPIIb-dependent outside-in signaling via Gα13 to trigger tyrosine kinase c-Src/14-3-3ζ-dependent lamellipodium formation and functions independent of soluble agonists or chemotactic signals. Inhibitors of this signaling cascade, including the clinically employed ABL/c-Src inhibitor dasatinib, interfere predominantly with the migratory capacity of platelets, without major impairment of classical platelet functions. In murine inflammation models, this translates to reduced migration of platelets visualized by 4D intravital microscopy, resulting in increased inflammation-associated hemorrhage in acute lung injury. Finally, platelets isolated from dasatinib-treated leukemia patients prone to clinically relevant hemorrhage exhibit prominent migration defects, while other platelet functions are only partially affected. In summary, we define a distinct signaling pathway essential for migration, and provide novel mechanistic insights explaining dasatinib-related platelet dysfunction and bleeding.
clusterMaker2: a major update to clusterMaker, a multi-algorithm clustering app for Cytoscape
Authors: Utriainen Maija , Morris John H.
Published: April 2023

Background

Since the initial publication ofclusterMaker, the need for tools to analyze large biological datasets has only increased. New datasets are significantly larger than a decade ago, and new experimental techniques such as single-cell transcriptomics continue to drive the need for clustering or classification techniques to focus on portions of datasets of interest. While many libraries and packages exist that implement various algorithms, there remains the need for clustering packages that are easy to use, integrated with visualization of the results, and integrated with other commonly used tools for biological data analysis.clusterMaker2has added several new algorithms, including two entirely new categories of analyses: node ranking and dimensionality reduction. Furthermore, many of the new algorithms have been implemented using the CytoscapejobsAPI, which provides a mechanism for executing remote jobs from within Cytoscape. Together, these advances facilitate meaningful analyses of modern biological datasets despite their ever-increasing size and complexity.

Results

The use ofclusterMaker2is exemplified by reanalyzing the yeast heat shock expression experiment that was included in our original paper; however, here we explored this dataset in significantly more detail. Combining this dataset with the yeast protein–protein interaction network from STRING, we were able to perform a variety of analyses and visualizations from withinclusterMaker2, including Leiden clustering to break the entire network into smaller clusters, hierarchical clustering to look at the overall expression dataset, dimensionality reduction using UMAP to find correlations between our hierarchical visualization and the UMAP plot, fuzzy clustering, and cluster ranking. Using these techniques, we were able to explore the highest-ranking cluster and determine that it represents a strong contender for proteins working together in response to heat shock. We found a series of clusters that, when re-explored as fuzzy clusters, provide a better presentation of mitochondrial processes.

Conclusions

clusterMaker2represents a significant advance over the previously published version, and most importantly, provides an easy-to-use tool to perform clustering and to visualize clusters within the Cytoscape network context. The new algorithms should be welcome to the large population of Cytoscape users, particularly the new dimensionality reduction and fuzzy clustering techniques.
Insight into the evolutionary and domesticated history of the most widely cultivated mushroom Agaricus bisporus via mitogenome sequences of 361 global strains
Authors: Zhang Ming-Zhe , Xu Jian-Ping , Callac Philippe , Chen Mei-Yuan , Wu Qi , Wach Mark , Mata Gerardo , Zhao Rui-Lin
Published: April 2023

Agaricus bisporus is the most widely cultivated edible mushroom in the world with a only around three hundred years known history of cultivation. Therefore, it represents an ideal organism not only to investigate the natural evolutionary history but also the understanding on the evolution going back to the early era of domestication. In this study, we generated the mitochondrial genome sequences of 352 A. bisporus strains and 9 strains from 4 closely related species around the world. The population mitogenomic study revealed all A. bisporus strains can be divided into seven clades, and all domesticated cultivars present only in two of those clades. The molecular dating analysis showed this species origin in Europe on 4.6 Ma and we proposed the main dispersal routes. The detailed mitogenome structure studies showed that the insertion of the plasmid-derived dpo gene caused a long fragment (MIR) inversion, and the distributions of the fragments of dpo gene were strictly in correspondence with these seven clades. Our studies also showed A. bisporus population contains 30 intron distribution patterns (IDPs), while all cultivars contain only two IDPs, which clearly exhibit intron loss compared to the others. Either the loss occurred before or after domestication, that could suggest that the change facilitates their adaptation to the cultivated environment.
Myocardial injury defined as elevated high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T is associated with higher mortality in patients seeking care at emergency departments with acute dyspnea
Authors: Wessman T , Zorlak A , Wändell Per , Melander O , Carlsson AC , Ruge T
Published: April 2023

Background

Elevated levels of cardiac troponin T has been observed in patients seeking care at the emergency department (ED) presenting with chest pain but without myocardial infarction (MI). The clinical importance of this observation remains, however, still unclear. Our main aim was to study the role of cardiac troponin T in patients admitted to the emergency department with acute dyspnea, a group of patients with a high cardiovascular comorbidity, but no primary acute MI.

Population and methods

Patients from the age of 18 seeking care at the ED for dyspnea, without an acute cardiac syndrome, and with a recorded assessment of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT), were included (n = 1001). Patients were categorized into 3 groups by hs-cTnT level, i.e. <15, 15–100 and > 100 µg/l. Cox regression with Hazard Ratios (HRs) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) for 3-months mortality was performed, with adjustment for sex, age, respiratory frequency, saturation, CHF, renal disease, and BMI.

Results

Fully adjusted HRs (95% CI) for 3-month mortality, with hs-cTnT < 15 µg/l as reference level, showed for hs-cTnT 15–100 a HR of 3.682 (1.729–7.844), and for hs-cTnT > 100 a HR of 10.523 (4.465–24.803).

Conclusion

Elevated hs-cTnT seems to be a relevant marker of poor prognosis in patients with acute dyspnea without MI and warrants further validation and clinical testing.
Post-COVID-19 condition and persisting symptoms in English schoolchildren: repeated surveys to March 2022
Authors: Warren-Gash Charlotte , Lacey Andrea , Cook Sarah , Stocker Dylan , Toon Samantha , Lelii Ffion , Ford Ben , Ireland Georgina , Ladhani Shamez N. , Stephenson Terence , Nguipdop-Djomo Patrick , Mangtani Punam ,   the COVID-19 Schools Infection Survey 2 Study Group, McClenahan Elliot , McKay Gillian , Phelan Jody , Lin Liang-Yu , Lewin Alex , Judd Alison , Davies Byron , Saib Anisah , McCrae James , Kelly Joe , Diamond Ian , Rourke Emma , Dawe Fiona , Jones Pete
Published: April 2023

Background

Both post-COVID-19 condition (long COVID) and the presence of persisting symptoms that do not meet formal definitions of post-COVID-19-condition may adversely affect quality of life and function. However, their prevalence among children and young people in England is unclear.

Methods

We used data from repeated surveys in a large cohort of English schoolchildren from the COVID-19 Schools Infection Survey (SIS) for the school year 2021/22 to describe the weighted prevalence of post-COVID-19-condition and compare persisting symptoms between individuals with a positive SARS-CoV-2 test and those with neither a positive test history nor suspected infection.

Results

Among 7797 children from 173 schools, 1.8% of primary school pupils (aged 4 to 11 years), 4.5% of secondary school pupils in years 7–11 (aged 11 to 16 years) and 6.9% of those in years 12–13 (aged 16 to 18 years) met a definition of post-COVID-19 condition in March 2022. Specific persisting symptoms such as anxiety or difficulty concentrating were frequently reported regardless of prior infection status and increased with age: 48.0% of primary school pupils, 52.9% of secondary school pupils in years 7–11 and 79.5% in years 12–13 reporting at least one symptom lasting more than 12 weeks. Persisting loss of smell and taste, cardiovascular and some systemic symptoms were more frequently reported by those with a previous positive test.

Conclusions

We showed that ongoing symptoms were frequently reported by English schoolchildren regardless of SARS-CoV-2 test results and some specific symptoms such as loss of smell and taste were more prevalent in those with a positive test history. Our study emphasises the wide-ranging impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health and wellbeing of children and young people.
Prevalence, trends and distribution of lifestyle cancer risk factors in Uganda: a 20-year systematic review
Authors: Nakaganda Annet , Mbarusha Immaculate , Spencer Angela , Patterson Lesley , Gemmell Isla , Jones Andrew , Verma Arpana
Published: April 2023

Background

Cancer is becoming an important public health problem in Uganda. Cancer control requires surveillance of lifestyle risk factors to inform targeted interventions. However, only one national Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) risk factor survey has been conducted in Uganda. This review assessed the prevalence, trends and distribution of lifestyle risk factors in Uganda.

Methods

The review identified studies up to January 2019 by searching Medline, Embase, CINAL and Cochrane databases. Further literature was identified from relevant websites and journals; scanning reference lists of relevant articles; and citation searching using Google Scholar. To be eligible, studies had to have been conducted in Uganda, and report prevalence estimates for at least one lifestyle cancer risk factor. Narrative and systematic synthesis was used to analyse the data.

Results

Twenty-four studies were included in the review. Overall, unhealthy diet (88%) was the most prevalent lifestyle risk factor for both males and females. This was followed by harmful use of alcohol (range of 14.3% to 26%) for men, and being overweight (range of 9% to 24%) for women. Tobacco use (range of 0.8% to 10.1%) and physical inactivity (range of 3.7% to 4.9%) were shown to be relatively less prevalent in Uganda. Tobacco use and harmful use of alcohol were more common in males and more prevalent in Northern region, while being overweight (BMI > 25 kg/m2) and physical inactivity were more common in females and more prevalent in Central region. Tobacco use was more prevalent among the rural populations compared to urban, while physical inactivity and being overweight were more common in urban than in rural settings. Tobacco use has decreased overtime, while being overweight increased in all regions and for both sexes.

Conclusion

There is limited data about lifestyle risk factors in Uganda. Apart from tobacco use, other lifestyle risk factors seem to be increasing and there is variation in the prevalence of lifestyle risk factors among the different populations in Uganda. Prevention of lifestyle cancer risk factors requires targeted interventions and a multi-sectoral approach. Most importantly, improving the availability, measurement and comparability of cancer risk factor data should be a top priority for future research in Uganda and other low-resource settings.
Aqueous humor cytokine levels are associated with the severity of visual field defects in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma
Authors: Yin Zelin , Gao Yanlin , Tang Yong , Tian Xiaofeng , Zheng Yuezhong , Han Quanhong
Published: April 2023

Background

To evaluate the aqueous humor (AH) levels of cytokines in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients and cataract patients.

Methods

Thirty-eight POAG patients and 26 cataract patients were recruited. Peripheral blood (PB) was collected from each subject. The POAG group was divided into 2 subgroups according to the severity of visual field defects. The cutoff point of the mean deviation (MD) of the visual field was -12 dB. AH was obtained at the time of anterior chamber puncture during cataract or glaucoma surgery by using a 27-gauge needle attached to a microsyringe. AH and PB levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), transforming growth factor-beta2 (TGF-β2) and IL-4 were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Postoperative intraocular pressures (IOPs) of POAG patients were recorded during the follow-up period.

Results

TNF-α and TGF-β2 showed significantly higher AH levels in the POAG group than in the cataract group (P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively). For the POAG group, preoperative IOPs were significantly positively correlated with AH levels of TNF-α (r2 = 0.129, P = 0.027) and TGF-β2 (r2 = 0.273, P = 0.001). AH levels of TGF-β2 were significantly different among cataract patients, POAG patients with MD> -12 dB and POAG patients with MD≤ -12 dB (P = 0.001). AH levels of TNF-α were significantly positively associated with IOP reduction after trabeculectomy (P = 0.025). AH and PB levels of cytokines were not related to the long-term success of trabeculectomy.

Conclusion

The levels of TNF-α and TGF-β2 showed different profiles in POAG patients and cataract patients. AH levels of TGF-β2 were correlated with the severity of glaucomatous neuropathy in POAG patients. The findings suggest possible roles for cytokines in the pathogenesis and development of POAG.
Use of a multi-method approach to rapidly assess the impact of public health policies at the state and local level: a case study of flavored e-cigarette policies
Authors: Seaman Elizabeth L. , Kreslake Jennifer , Trivers Katrina F. , Ali Fatma Romeh M. , Cordova Jamie , Mills Sarah , Sinha Bidisha , King Brian , Vallone Donna
Published: April 2023

Background

E-cigarettes are the most-commonly used tobacco product by youth since 2014. To prevent youth access and use of e-cigarettes, many U.S. states and localities have enacted policies over a relatively short period of time. The adoption of these policies has necessitated timely data collection to evaluate impacts.

Methods

To assess the impact of flavored e-cigarette policies in select states and local jurisdictions across the United States, a multi-method, complementary approach was implemented from July 2019 to present, which includes analyses of cross-sectional online surveys of young people ages 13–24 years with retail sales data.

Results

From February 2020 through February 2023, cross-sectional surveys have been conducted in three cities, one county, and eight states where policy changes have been enacted or are likely to be enacted. Data collection occurred every six months to provide near real-time data and examine trends over time. Additionally, weekly retail sales data were aggregated to showcase monthly sales trends at the national level and for the selected states.

Discussion

This rapid and efficient method of coupling online survey data with retail sales data provides a timely and effective approach for monitoring a quickly changing tobacco product landscape, particularly for states and localities where rapidly-available data is often not available. This approach can also be used to monitor other health behaviors and relevant policy impacts.