bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of CNT in surface defect passivation and UV emission intensification of ZnO nanoparticles
Authors: Nagpal Keshav , Rapenne Laetitia , Wragg David S , Rauwel Erwan , Rauwel Protima
Published: February 2022

We report on the controlled enhancement of the UV emission from ZnO nanoparticles synthesized via hydrothermal sol-gel routes. Various characterization techniques were used in this study to determine the crystal structure, defect formation, morphology and size of the ZnO nanoparticles. Firstly, the crystallinity of the ZnO nanoparticles was assessed by X-ray diffraction. The role of the precursor quantities on their morphology and bandgap states was investigated via transmission electron microscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy, respectively. Subsequently, the impurity content and related bonds were evaluated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. In this work, the ZnO nanoparticles manifest a sharp UV emission along with a subdued green emission in the visible region. Conjoining ZnO with carbon nanotubes (CNT) suppressed the visible emission, as well as blueshifted and intensified the UV emission by ∼5-fold. These results suggest that CNT are effective in passivating the surface states of ZnO nanoparticles.
One-year outcomes and predictive factors for primary patency after stent placement for treatment of central venous occlusive disease in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Chen Bin , Lin Run , Dai Haitao , Yang Jianyong , Tang Keyu , Li Nan , Huang Yonghui
Published: February 2022

Objective:

The study purpose was to determine the outcomes and factors predictive of primary stent patency for the treatment of central venous occlusive disease (CVOD) in hemodialysis patients.

Methods:

Data of 71 patients with CVOD treated with stent placement from January 2012 to December 2017 were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to determine factors associated with stent patency. Adverse events related to stent placement were also examined.

Results:

The median primary patency duration of the 71 patients was 16 ± 2.2 months. The cumulative 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12- month primary patency rates were 93%, 72%, 55%, and 51%, respectively. Independent predictors of longer primary patency were vessel diameter > 12 mm, the use of a covered stent, and absence of vessel calcifications. Median primary patency of covered stents was 21 months as compared with only 10 months for bare stents ( p < 0.001). Procedure-related adverse events occurred in 17 patients (21.8%), and four events (5.1%) required medical intervention. No life-threaten complications occurred.

Conclusions:

A vessel diameter > 12 mm, the use of a covered stent, and no vessel calcifications are independently associated with a higher primary patency rate after treatment of CVOD in hemodialysis patients.
HIV counselling and testing experiences of expectant mothers in the prevention of vertical transmission programme: implications for policy and service delivery
Authors: Aba Abraham Susanna , Clow Sheila E.
Published: February 2022

Objectives:

This study explored the HIV counselling and testing (HCT) experiences of women who were diagnosed positive in the current pregnancy in a district hospital within the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis in Ghana following the implementation of the ‘opt out’ testing policy.

Methods:

Adopting a qualitative explorative descriptive design, 12 mothers were sampled purposively and in-depth interviews were conducted. Thematic analysis using Colaizzi’s approach was applied to unearth the experiences of the participants.

Results:

Three key themes emerged: The Pre-test Counselling Experience; The Test; and After Talk: Post-test Counselling. Provider-initiated testing was offered to all the participants at antenatal booking. Most counsellors were silent about the ‘opt-out’ option of testing while pretest counselling focused on preventing vertical transmission and not on the health of the woman. Attitudes towards pretest counselling was mainly indifference or anxiety which affected the women’s initial acceptance of a positive result. All the women took a confirmatory test after the initial positive results which aided them in accepting their diagnosis. Of the women who tested, all received post-test counselling that focused on enrolling on antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Conclusion:

Attitudes towards pretest counselling impacts the mothers’ reaction to a positive test result. HIV counselling that does not solicit voluntary testing may be effective in increasing testing but may affect uptake of treatment. It is recommended that midwives providing HCT be trained periodically to enhance service delivery while focus on women-centred care and improving women’s agency in the prevention of vertical transmission services should be the paramount.
How a non-democratic regime maintains its legitimacy over time: A study of changes in Chinese Communist Party legitimacy after 1949
Authors: Huang Guan , Pang Rosemary
Published: February 2022

By exploring the operation of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) since its rise to power in 1949, this article demonstrates how a non-democratic regime maintains its legitimacy. While previous studies have shed light on the CCP’s sources of legitimacy, few abundantly and comparatively discuss the different forms of legitimacy and how legitimacy changes over time in a non-democratic state. This study addresses these gaps by analyzing how the CCP’s operational principles change over time, including changes in sources and forms of legitimacy. This study uses different frameworks of legitimacy to facilitate the comparison of changes in legitimacy of different leadership generations, and also demonstrates the specification of legitimacy of the CCP from different perspectives. By comparing the sources and forms of legitimacy of different generations of regime leaders, this study demonstrates that after the death of Mao Zedong in 1976, the CCP regime lacked substantial legitimacy based on political participation, and thus emphasized instrumental legitimacy based on economic development instead. Using process tracing to analyze policy changes, this study argues that different CCP leadership generations employed different sources and forms of legitimacy to maintain regime support.
TMJ contrast enhancement in CBCT images using a new algorithm
Authors: Otero María Florinda , Tahoces Pablo García , Mera Antonio , Mira Jorge
Published: February 2022

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is considered the gold standard to reliably diagnose inflammation in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). However, even MRI imaging is dependent on the familiarity of the radiologist with the normal appearance of the TMJ; therefore, new approaches are needed. Our purpose here is to improve imaging quality of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) as a tool to help in the diagnosis of JIA in the TMJ. We have designed and applied a filter (the Stacking Enhancement Filter) over a stock of CBCT images from the TMJs of two patients with JIA. We then made a visual comparison of the results with archival images from MRI of the same patients, to show that the filter substantially improves the visual quality of the image. The work on the image contrast and the increase of the difference of appearance between tissues of different densities (all the anatomical structures that are present within the joint) leads to an improvement of the resulting images of the TMJ without the use of a chemical contrast agent. We conclude that CBCT could be used as a filter tool for the analysis of the TMJs affected by arthritis. Our image processing technique yields images that possible improve the range of use of CBCT.
A Decreasing National Trend in Lumbar Disc Arthroplasty
Authors: Mills Emily S. , Shelby Tara , Bouz Gabriel J. , Hah Raymond J. , Wang Jeffrey C. , Alluri Ram K.
Published: February 2022

Study Design

Retrospective National Database Study

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the national trend of lumbar disc arthroplasty (LDA) utilization from 2005 to 2017.

Methods

Patients undergoing primary LDA between 2005 and 2017 were identified in the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database. Year of the procedure, demographic, socioeconomic, hospital, and cost parameters were analyzed. The data was weighted using provided weights from the NIS database to generate national estimates of LDA procedure incidence. Lastly, we assessed the incidence of cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) between 2005 and 2017 to serve as a historical comparison.

Results

An estimated 20 460 patients underwent primary LDA in the United States between 2005 and 2017. There was an initial decrease in LDA procedures between 2005 and 2006 and then a plateau between 2006 and 2009. From 2010 to 2013, there was a significant year-over-year decrease in annual LDA procedures performed, followed by a second plateau from 2014 to 2017. Overall, LDA procedures decreased 82% from 2005 to 2017. Over the same time, the annual incidence of CDA utilization increased 795% from approximately 474 procedures in 2005 to 4245 procedures in 2017 ( P < .01).

Conclusions

Lumbar disc arthroplasty utilization decreased 82% from 2005 to 2017, with a significant decrease in the rate of utilization noted after 2010. The utilization of LDA to treat selected degenerative lumbar conditions has not paralleled the increasing popularity of CDA, and, in fact, has demonstrated a nearly opposite utilization trend.
Aquilombamento, Entrepreneurial Black Placemaking in an Anti-Black City
Authors: Murphy Demetrius Miles
Published: February 2022

While an abundance of research focuses on how Black American entrepreneurs respond to systemic racism, less attention has been paid to examining how Black entrepreneurs outside the United States respond. This research addresses the extent to which entrepreneurship is a response to systematic racism, and “Black” businesses exist in a “color-blind” society. I examine Brazil because of its color-blind racial ideology; moreover, Afro-Brazilians comprise 54 percent of the country’s population and 50 percent of its entrepreneurs. Through participant observation and in-depth interviews at 28 Black-owned businesses, I find Afro-Brazilians challenge anti-Blackness through a process I call aquilombamento. As a method of entrepreneurial placemaking, I argue that aquilombamento enables Afro-Brazilian entrepreneurs to intentionally construct culturally significant physical spaces that openly resist and challenge the existing racial order. Aquilombamento functions through three mechanisms: (1) the entrepreneurs make Black culture readily perceivable, (2) the entrepreneurs center Black knowledge and understanding, and (3) the entrepreneurs conceive a community. In explicating aquilombamento, I illustrate an economic and symbolic value system that privileges Blackness in a “color-blind” society. I identify a critical distinction between Black-owned businesses and Black businesses. And, I underscore the important role of entrepreneurs in Black placemaking.
The New Principle-practice Gap: The Disconnect between Diversity Beliefs and Actions in the Workplace
Authors: Bowman Williams Jamillah , Cox Jonathan M.
Published: February 2022

Following increased calls for racial justice, many organizations have pledged to play their part in dismantling systemic racism. One common step leaders take is to invest in diversity and inclusion programs. Yet, despite organizations’ bold claims to value diversity and the investment of billions of dollars on related efforts, workplace discrimination continues to be a major factor in the lives of people of color. In addition, existing research highlights a principle-policy gap, wherein people—particularly White Americans—espouse support for the principles of diversity, yet their support wanes for policies that address inequalities. In this survey study, we explore attitudes about organizational diversity efforts and further examine how these beliefs shape workplace decision making. Our analysis of open-ended responses reveals a major disconnect, where individuals say diversity is important in principle, yet in practice do not take actions to further the goals of diversity and inclusion programs, a phenomenon we label the “principle-practice gap.” We use diversity ideology as the theoretical link to help explain why this subtle resistance to action might occur. We find that the principle-practice gap is more pronounced for those who view diversity as important because it improves outcomes. Conversely, those who think diversity is an important goal because of workplace inequality are more likely to take action, such as promoting a Black man. These findings help reveal which people endorsing diversity in principle are more likely to take action and which tend to be more performative and less connected to practices that counter structural inequality.
Diversity Discourse as Racialized and Double-edged: Findings from a National Survey
Authors: Rajasekar Neeraj , Aguilar-Champeau Matthew , Hartmann Douglas
Published: February 2022

The keyword diversity is common in contemporary U.S. culture, but it can refer to many forms of difference; questions remain about the meaning and consequences of “diversity,” especially regarding whether this concept is commonly recognized in the American imagination and how diversity discourse relates to racial hierarchy in the United States. We use nationally representative survey data to address these questions through a critical race theory lens. First, we conduct factor analysis upon three different items that ask participants to evaluate or characterize “diversity.” These three items are well-predicted by a single latent factor, and this factor proves distinct from possible confounders such as prejudicial attitudes, misgivings about immigration and demographic change, and color-blind racial attitudes. Second, we see that diversity attitudes have a double-edged relationship with other attitudes that relate to racial hierarchy in the United States. Using regressions, we find that positivity toward diversity predicts equitable, non-racist stances on several race-related attitudes such as support for affirmative action and acknowledgment of white privilege. On the contrary, positivity toward diversity is also associated with core cultural ideologies which normalize racial inequality and implicitly denigrate minorities, such as color-blind racism and meritocracy. Thus, our study establishes that a coherent and distinct recognition of diversity exists in the American imagination and that diversity discourse has a double-edged relationship with racial hierarchy.
Potential Drug Interactions Between Psychotropics and Intravenous Chemotherapeutics Used by Patients With Cancer
Authors: Turossi-Amorim Eric Diego , Camargo Bruna , Nascimento Diego Zapelini do , Schuelter-Trevisol Fabiana
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Patients undergoing cancer treatment usually have comorbidities, and psychiatric disorders are commonly seen in these patients. For the treatment of these psychiatric disorders, the use of psychotropic drugs is common, turning these patients susceptible to untoward drug interactions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of clinically relevant drug–drug interactions (DDI) between chemotherapeutic and psychotropic agents in patients with cancer treated at an oncology service in southern Brazil. Methods: An observational epidemiological study with a cross-sectional census-type design was carried out between October and December 2020. The drug-drug interactions were identified through consultation and analysis of the Medscape Drug Interaction Check and Micromedex databases. The interactions were classified as major, when the interaction can be fatal and/or require medical intervention to avoid or minimize serious adverse effects and moderate, when the interaction can exacerbate the patient’s condition and/or requires changes in therapy. Results: A total of 74 patients was included in the study among the 194 patients seen in the oncology service during the period studied. A total of 24 (32.4%) DDIs were found, 21 (87.5%) of which were classified as being of major risk and 3 (12.5%) as moderate risk. According to the mechanism of action, 19 (79.1%) were classified as pharmacodynamic interactions and 5 (20.9%) as pharmacokinetic interactions. Conclusion: It was shown that a considerable percentage of patients undergoing intravenous chemotherapy are at risk of pharmacological interaction with psychotropic drugs. Thus, it is essential that the oncologist considers all psychotropic drugs and other drugs used by patients in order to avoid drug-drug interactions.
New conditional, scenario-based, and traditional peak ground velocity models for interface and intraslab subduction zone earthquakes
Authors: Liu Chenying , Macedo Jorge
Published: February 2022

The Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research (PEER) Center next-generation attenuation relationships for subduction zone earthquakes (NGA-Sub) ground motion database is used to develop new conditional ground motion models (CGMMs), several scenario-based ground motion models (GMMs), and a traditional GMM to estimate the peak ground velocity ( PGV) for subduction zone (interface, intraslab) earthquakes. The PGV estimate in the CGMMs is conditioned on the rupture distance ( Rrup), magnitude ( Mw), time-averaged shear wave velocity in the top 30 m ( V s30) and pseudo-spectral acceleration PSA( T PGV). The period T PGV in the CGMMs is magnitude dependent to account for the magnitude dependence of the earthquake source corner frequency in the Fourier amplitude spectrum. Several scenario-based models are developed by combining the CGMM with PSA GMMs to directly estimate PGV given an earthquake scenario and site condition. Scenario-based models capture the complex ground motion effects in the underlying PSA GMMs and ensure the consistency with a design PSA spectrum, which is desired in engineering practice. In addition, a traditional PGV GMM is developed using Bayesian hierarchical regression. Finally, we compare all of these models and find that the scenario-based models are consistent with the traditional model developed in this study giving confidence to their use. The conditional and traditional PGV GMMs developed in this study benefit the performance-based design of engineering systems affected by subduction earthquakes when PGV is an important intensity measure.
Complex hydrogen bonding and thermal behaviour over a wide temperature range of kainite KMg(SO4)Cl⋅2.75H2O
Authors: Borisov Artem S. , Siidra Oleg I. , Ugolkov Valery L. , Kuznetsov Alexey N. , Firsova Vera A. , Charkin Dmitri O. , Platonova Natalia V. , Pekov Igor V.
Published: February 2022

Kainite, KMg(SO4)Cl⋅2.75H2O, is one of the most common hydrated sulfate minerals, and it plays an important role as a source of potassium. However, its properties and structure have, to date, been insufficiently studied. In our present work, kainite was investigated using multiple techniques, including single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and infrared spectroscopy (IR). The mineral is monoclinic, C2/m, a = 19.6742(2), b = 16.18240(10), c = 9.49140(10) Å, β = 94.8840(10)°, V = 3010.86(5) Å3 and Z = 16. The structure was refined to R1 = 0.0230 for 3080 unique observed reflections with |Fo| ≥ 4σF. The complex hydrogen bonding system for kainite is described for the first time. The structure of kainite contains seven symmetrically independent sites occupied by water molecules, six of which are strongly bonded to Mg2+ cations while the seventh resides in the framework cavities. The acceptors of the hydrogen bonds are either chloride anions, neighbouring water molecules or oxygens atoms of sulfate groups. A bifurcated hydrogen bond was described for one of the water molecules. Based on the analysis of the crystal structure, we have confirmed and propose the correct formula for kainite as KMg(SO4)Cl⋅2.75H2O. The thermal studies of kainite in the temperature range of –150°C to +600°C indicate its stability to 190°C. The decomposition products are K2Mg2(SO4)3, KCl and K2SO4. The thermal expansion was calculated, which for kainite has a character typical for monoclinic crystals and similar to the compressibility tensor described earlier.
Reaphookhillite, MgZn2(PO4)2⋅4H2O, the Mg analogue of parahopeite from Reaphook Hill, South Australia
Authors: Elliott Peter
Published: February 2022

Reaphookhillite, ideally MgZn2(PO4)2⋅4H2O, is a new phosphate mineral from Reaphook Hill, Flinders Ranges, South Australia, Australia. Reaphookhillite occurs as colourless, bladed to thin tabular crystals to 0.6 mm across. Cleavage is perfect parallel to {010}. The mineral occur as overgrowths on parahopeite crystals and is associated with scholzite, leucophosphite and chalcophanite. The calculated density is 3.09 g/cm3 from the empirical formula. Reaphookhillite is optically biaxial (+), α = 1.583(3), β = 1.596(3), γ = 1.611(3) and 2Vcalc = 88.7°. Electron microprobe analyses gave ZnO 41.57, MgO 7.96, MnO 0.40, P2O5 33.72, H2O(calc) 16.92, total 100.57 wt.%. The empirical formula, based on 12 O apfu, is Mg0.83Zn2.16Mn2+0.02(PO4)2.01⋅3.97H2O. Reaphookhillite is triclinic, P${\bar 1}$, with the unit-cell parameters of a = 5.7588(12), b = 7.5341(15) c = 5.2786(11) Å, α = 93.44(3), β = 91.27(3), γ = 91.30(3)°, V = 228.49(8) Å3 and Z = 1. The strongest eight lines in the powder X-ray diffraction pattern are [dobs in Å (I) (hkl)] 7.577 (100) (010); 4.461 (24) (01${\bar 1}$); 4.461 (24) (01${\bar 1}$); 3.771 (14) (020); 3.158 (13) (02${\bar 1}$); 2.982 (32) (021); 2.880 (27) (200); 2.775 (14) (1${\bar 2}$1, 12${\bar 1}$); and 2.668 (13) (1${\bar 2}{\bar 1}$, 210). Reaphookhillite is isostructural with parahopeite, with Mg replacing Zn in the 6-coordinated site in the structure. The structure contains ZnO4 and PO4 tetrahedra which share corners to form a sheet in the (001) plane. Sheets are linked in the c direction by corner sharing MgO2(H2O)4 octahedra.
Quantitative multiplexed proteomics analysis reveals reshaping of the lysine 2-hydroxyisobutyrylome in Fusarium graminearum by tebuconazole
Authors: Zhao Yanxiang , Zhang Limin , Ju Chao , Zhang Xiaoyan , Huang Jinguang
Published: February 2022

Backgrounds

Lysine 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation (Khib) is a newly discovered posttranslational modification (PTM) and has been identified in several prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Fusarium graminearum, a major pathogen of Fusarium head blight (FHB) in cereal crops, can cause considerable yield loss and produce various mycotoxins that threaten human health. The application of chemical fungicides such as tebuconazole (TEC) remains the major method to control this pathogen. However, the distribution of Khib in F. graminearum and whether Khib is remodified in response to fungicide stress remain unknown.

Results

Here, we carried out a proteome-wide analysis of Khib in F. graminearum, identifying the reshaping of the lysine 2-hydroxyisobutyrylome by tebuconazole, using the most recently developed high-resolution LC–MS/MS technique in combination with high-specific affinity enrichment. Specifically, 3501 Khib sites on 1049 proteins were identified, and 1083 Khib sites on 556 modified proteins normalized to the total protein content were changed significantly after TEC treatment. Bioinformatics analysis showed that Khib proteins are involved in a wide range of biological processes and may be involved in virulence and deoxynivalenol (DON) production, as well as sterol biosynthesis, in F. graminearum.

Conclusions

Here, we provided a wealth of resources for further study of the roles of Khib in the fungicide resistance of F. graminearum. The results enhanced our understanding of this PTM in filamentous ascomycete fungi and provided insight into the remodification of Khib sites during azole fungicide challenge in F. graminearum.
Brand interchangeability of pepsinogen tests in the real-world setting after eradication of Helicobacter pylori: a community-based study
Authors: Chiang Tsung-Hsien , Chen Yen-Nien , Chen Yi-Ru , Tseng Yu-Hua , Shieh Chun-Fu , Liu Cheng-Ying , Chiu Han-Mo , Chiang Hung , Shun Chia-Tung , Wu Ming-Shiang , Lin Jaw-Town , Lee Yi-Chia
Published: February 2022

Background

Serum pepsinogen (PG) is recommended as a screening test for premalignant gastric lesions. However, real-world evidence demonstrating its applicability and equivalence between different test brands is limited.

Methods

Mass screening began in 2018 in a high-risk Taiwanese population after eradication ofHelicobacter pylori, with the first stage of two PG tests (GastroPanel®, Helsinki, Finland and LZ-Test®, Tokyo, Japan) and the second stage of endoscopy. A positive test was defined as PG-I < 30 ng/mL or PG-I/II ratio < 3 for GastroPanel®and PG-I ≤ 70 ng/mL and PG-I/II ratio ≤ 3 for LZ-Test®. Index lesions included atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia. Test performance was evaluated based on the participation rate, positivity rate, referral rate, positive predictive value (PPV), and the detection rate.

Results

Among 7616 eligible participants, 5117 (67.2%) received PG tests and 284 (5.6%) tested positive. Of those who tested positive, 105 (37.0%) underwent endoscopy. Overall PPVs for atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia were 12.4% and 18.9%, respectively, with detection rates of 2.5 and 3.9 per 1000, respectively. Correlations of numerical measures between tests were high and the agreements of test results were substantial. The PPVs (16.3% vs. 16.3% and 23.8% vs. 21.3%,P = 1.00 and 0.71, respectively), detection rates (2.5 vs. 2.5 and 3.7 vs. 3.3 per 1000,P = 1.00 and 0.27, respectively), and the stage distributions of gastritis were all comparable, which were confirmed by multiple regression analyses.

Conclusions

PG testing is effective for mass screening after eradication ofH. pylori. Tests from different manufacturers, even using different analytical methods and cutoff criteria, can perform equivalently.
Beyond Sarcopenia: older adults with type II diabetes mellitus tend to experience an elevated risk of poor dynamic balance—a case–control study
Authors: Lin Chih-Chun , Ou Horng-Yih , Hsu Hsiu-Yun , Cheng Kai-Pi , Hsieh Tai-Jung , Yeh Chien-Hsien , Su Fong-Chin , Kuo Li-Chieh
Published: February 2022

Background

People with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) tend to be vulnerable to geriatric syndromes such as sarcopenia and frailty. Reduced physical activity also accompanies sarcopenia and frailty, which is generally typical of patients with T2DM. However, a comprehensive assessment of physical fitness in patients with T2DM has seldom been carried out and verified. This study is thus an attempt to determine the associations among sarcopenia, frailty, and the SFT in diabetic patients and non-diabetic controls to provide a more comprehensive understanding of such associations in future evaluations of T2DM in older individuals.

Methods

Sarcopenia, frailty, and the senior fitness test (SFT) were compared between 78 older men with T2DM (66.5 ± 9.0 years) and 48 age-matched normoglycemic controls (65.8 ± 5.3 years) in this case–control study. The skeletal muscle index (SMI), grip strength, and 4-m walk test were employed to assess for sarcopenia. Frailty was evaluated using the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures index (SOF). The SFT comprises five components, including body composition, muscle strength, flexibility, balance, and aerobic endurance.

Results

The risk level of sarcopenia was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the T2DM group as compared to the control group. No significant difference between-group differences were found in SMI and grip strength in the T2DM and control groups. However, the T2DM group showed a significant decrease in gait speed (p < 0.01) in comparison with the control group, as well as significant increases in frailty (p < 0.01) and depression (p < 0.05). With respect to the SFT, obvious elevation in BMI, significant declines in extremity muscle strength (elbow extensor, knee flexor, hip abductor, hip flexor, sit to stand), static/dynamic balance (single leg stand: p < 0.05; up-and-go: p < 0.01) and aerobic endurance (2-min step: p < 0.01; 6-min walk: p < 0.01) were found in the T2DM group. Furthermore, the SOF (OR = 2.638, 95% CI = 1.333–5.221), BMI (OR = 1.193, 95% CI = 1.041–1.368) and up-and-go (OR = 2.089, 95% CI = 1.400–3.117) were found to be positively and significantly associated with T2DM.

Conclusions

The findings of this study indicated the importance of countering frailty and maintaining physical fitness, especially dynamic balance, during the early physical deterioration taking place in diabetic patients.
The role of three-dimensional MRI in the differentiation between angular pregnancy and interstitial pregnancy
Authors: Gao Feng , Sun Ming-hua , Fu Le
Published: February 2022

Background

In clinical practice it is an ongoing challenge to distinguish between angular pregnancy and interstitial pregnancy. With the three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) being increasingly used, it is worth exploring its role in differentiating angular pregnancy from interstitial pregnancy. This study aims to investigate how 3D MRI can help reveal the differences between these two special pregnancies in the early diagnosis.

Methods

We reviewed and analyzed the 3D MRI images of 50 patients with interstitial pregnancy and 55 patients with angular pregnancy retrospectively. Imaging features were identified to compare these two special pregnancies, and the ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic) analysis was conducted to assess the diagnostic performance.

Results

The significant differences of the 3D MRI imaging features between interstitial pregnancy and angular pregnancy were found in the outline of uterus cavity (p < 0.001), involvement of junctional zone (p < 0.001), the signal of surroundings (p = 0.005), the relationship with round ligament (p = 0.042), and the overlying myometrial thickness (p = 0.041). Furthermore, the multivariate logistic regression analysis identified a series of significant indicators for angular pregnancy, including the junctional zone involvement, being-surrounded by hyper/iso-intensity on 3D images, and the asymmetric outline of uterus cavity. Combining these three imaging features, the AUC (Area under the Curve) of ROC curve was 0.87 in distinguishing interstitial pregnancy from angular pregnancy.

Conclusions

This study suggests that 3D MRI can help distinguish angular pregnancy from interstitial pregnancy in clinical practice, with the advantages that conventional MRI or ultrasound does not have. Through the significant image features, 3D MRI plays an important role in improving the timing of diagnosis, avoiding unnecessary interventions, and preventing hemorrhage in clinical practice.
Integrated analysis of the prognostic and oncogenic roles of OPN3 in human cancers
Authors: Zhang Wei , Feng Jianglong , Zeng Wen , He Zhi , Yang Wenxiu , Lu Hongguang
Published: February 2022

Background

Emerging cell- or tissue-based evidence has demonstrated that opsin 3 (OPN3) mediates a variety of pathological processes affecting tumorigenesis, clinical prognosis, and treatment resistance in some cancers. However, a comprehensive analysis of OPN3 across human cancers is unavailable. Therefore, a pancancer analysis of OPN3 expression was performed and its potential oncogenic roles were explored.

Methods

The expression and characterization of OPN3 were evaluated among 33 tumour types using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. Additionally, the OPN3 RNA level and overall survival (OS) in relation to its expression level in 33 cancer types were estimated. Based on the analysis above, 347 samples from 5 types of tumours were collected and detected for the protein expression of OPN3 by immunohistochemical assay. Furthermore, the biological role of OPN3 in cancers was evaluated via gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA).

Results

The OPN3 expression level was heterogeneous across cancers, yet a remarkable difference existed between OPN3 expression and patient overall survival among the 7 types of these 33 cancers. Consistently, a high immunohistochemical score of OPN3 was significantly associated with a poor prognosis among patients with 5 types of tumours. Additionally, OPN3 expression was involved in cancer-associated fibroblast infiltration in 5 types of tumours, and promoter hypomethylation of OPN3 was observed in 3 tumour types. Additionally, OPN3 protein phosphorylation sites of Tyr140 and Ser380 were identified via posttranscriptional modification analysis, suggesting the potential function of Tyr140 and Ser380 phosphorylation in tumorigenesis. Furthermore, the enrichment analysis was mainly concentrated in C7orf70, C7orf25 and the “ribosome” pathway by GSEA in 5 types of cancers, indicating that OPN3 might affect tumorigenesis and progression by regulating gene expression and ribosome biogenesis.

Conclusions

High expression of OPN3 was significantly associated with a poor clinical prognosis in five types of cancers. Its molecular function was closely associated with the ribosomal pathway.
Flemish population-based cancer screening programs: impact of COVID-19 related shutdown on short-term key performance indicators
Authors: Jidkova Svetlana , Hoeck Sarah , Kellen Eliane , le Cessie Saskia , Goossens Mathijs C.
Published: February 2022

Background

Many breast, colorectal, and cervical cancer screening programs were disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to estimate the short-term impact of the temporary shutdown (from March until May- June) of the cancer screening programs invitations in Flanders (Belgium) by looking at invitation coverage, percentage of people screened after invitation and the screening interval.

Methods

Yearly invitation coverage was calculated as the number of people who received an invitation, as a proportion of the people who should have received an invitation that year. Weekly response to the invitation was calculated as the number of people who were screened within 40 days of their date of invitation, as a percentage of the people who received an invitation that week (as a proxy for willingness to screen). Weekly screening interval was calculated as the mean number of months between the current screening and the previous screening of all the people who screened that week. The two last indicators were calculated for each week in 2019 and 2020, after which the difference between that week’s value in 2020 and 2019 with 95% confidence intervals. Results of these two indicators were also analysed after stratification for gender, age and participation history.

Results

Invitation coverage was not impacted in the colorectal and cervical cancer screening program. In the breast cancer screening program invitation coverage went down from 97.5% (2019) to 88.7% (2020), and the backlog of invitations was largely resolved in the first six months of 2021. The willingness to screen was minimally influenced by COVID-19. The breast cancer screening program had a temporary increase in screening interval in the first months following the restart after COVID-19 related shutdown, when it was on average 2.1 months longer than in 2019.

Conclusions

Willingness to screen was minimally influenced by COVID-19, but there may be an influence on screening coverage because of lower invitation coverage, mainly for the for breast Cancer Screening Program. The increases in screening intervals for the three Cancer Screening Program seem reasonable and would probably not significantly increase the risk of delayed screening cancer diagnoses. When restarting a Cancer Screening Program after a COVID-19 related shutdown, monitoring is crucial.
The survival strength of younger patients in BCLC stage 0-B of hepatocellular carcinoma: basing on competing risk model
Authors: Yan Huiwen , Wang Xinhui , Liu Xiaoli , Wang Peng , Yu Lihua , Zhou Dongdong , Yang Zhiyun
Published: February 2022

Background

The number of young patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing, but whether patients of different ages have a survival advantage is unclear. This study was conducted to investigate whether age differences in the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) classification system contribute to the long-term survival outcomes of patients with HCC.

Methods

A total of 1602 patients with HCC admitted to the Beijing Ditan Hospital was included in this study. Patients were divided into younger (≤45 years) and older (> 45 years) groups. Factors determining overall survival and progression-free survival were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses with the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazard regression model. We calculated the cumulative incidence function using the Fine-Gray model. The effect of mortality on age was also estimated using a restricted cubic spline.

Results

After matching, overall survival and progression-free survival were significantly better in younger patients than in older patients with BCLC stage 0-B (p = 0.015 and p = 0.017, respectively). In BCLC stage 0-B, all-cause mortality increased with age and increased rapidly around the age of 40 years (non-linear, p < 0.05). In BCLC stages 0-B, HCC-related and non-HCC-related deaths significantly differed between younger and older individuals (p = 0.0019).

Conclusion

In stage BCLC 0-B, age affects the long-term prognosis of patients.
Smaller particular matter, larger risk of female lung cancer incidence? Evidence from 436 Chinese counties
Authors: Guo Huagui , Li Xin , Wei Jing , Li Weifeng , Wu Jiansheng , Zhang Yanji
Published: February 2022

Background

Many studies have reported the effects of PM2.5 and PM10 on human health, however, it remains unclear whether particular matter with finer particle size has a greater effect.

Objectives

This work aims to examine the varying associations of the incidence rate of female lung cancer with PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 in 436 Chinese cancer registries between 2014 and 2016.

Methods

The effects of PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 were estimated through three regression models, respectively. Mode l only included particular matter, while Model 2 and Model 3 further controlled for time and location factors, and socioeconomic covariates, respectively. Moreover, two sensitivity analyses were performed to investigate the robustness of three particular matte effects. Then, we examined the modifying role of urban-rural division on the effects of PM1, PM2.5 and PM10, respectively.

Results

The change in the incidence rate of female lung cancer relative to its mean was 5.98% (95% CI: 3.40, 8.56%) for PM1, which was larger than the values of PM2.5 and PM10 at 3.75% (95% CI: 2.33, 5.17%) and 1.57% (95% CI: 0.73, 2.41%), respectively. The effects of three particular matters were not sensitive in the two sensitivity analyses. Moreover, urban-rural division positively modified the associations of the incidence rate of female lung cancer with PM1, PM2.5 and PM10.

Conclusions

The effect on the incidence rate of female lung cancer was greater for PM1, followed by PM2.5 and PM10. There were positive modifying roles of urban-rural division on the effects of three particular matters. The finding supports the argument that finer particular matters are more harmful to human health, and also highlights the great significance to develop guidelines for PM1 control and prevention in Chinese setting.
Increasing emergency department admissions for chemsex-related intoxications in Barcelona, Spain, among people living with HIV: an observational study from 2018 to 2020
Authors: Vallecillo Gabriel , Losada Alejandra , Inciarte Alexy , Jiwei Chen , Monterde Albert , Salgado Emilio , Doi Adriana Laura , Monclus Esther , Perelló Rafael
Published: February 2022

Background

Chemsex is a novel phenomenon referring to the use of drugs, including crystal methamphetamine, gammahydroxybutyric acid (GHB)/gamma-butyrolactone (GABA) and mephedrone, to facilitate, enhance, and prolong the sexual experience in men who have sex with men in large cities internationally. There is a growing concern about chemsex and fatal cases among people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy. This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of chemsex-related intoxications.

Material and methods

An observational study was conducted in people living with HIV who were admitted for chemsex-related intoxications in an emergency department of a teaching hospital in Barcelona, Spain, from 2018 to 2020. Severe acute intoxications were defined according to the Poisoning Severity Score.

Results

One hundred and fifteen male patients with a median age of 35.6±7 years were included in the study:15 (13.1%) in 2018, 32 (27.8%) in 2019 and 68 (59.1%) in 2020. All patients had stable housing, 107(93.0%) were Spanish citizen and 32 (27.8%) had mental health disorders. Median CD4 lymphocyte count was 624 (500–765) cells/mm3and 99 (86.1%) had HIV-1 RNA suppression.

Poly-drug use was observed in 51(44.3%) cases and methamphetamine in 75(65,2%) and gammahydroxibutiric acid in 68 (59.1%) were the main drugs used.

Potential drug interactions due to the inhibition of cytochrome P450 by antiviral therapy was determined in 36 (31.3%) patients. Severe intoxications cases affecting neurologic and respiratory systems were diagnosed in 12 (10.4%) patients and no patient died. CD4 cell counts ≤500 cells (O.R.:4.2; C.I.95%:1.2–14.6) and mental health disorders (O.R.: 2.9; C. I 95%: 0.8–9.9) were associated with severe acute drug intoxications in the bivariate analyses.

Conclusions

Chemsex-related intoxications are an increasing clinical problem in people living with HIV. Chemsex should be routinely screened and addressed in clinical practice, particularly for people with mental illness and low CD4 cell counts, who are at higher risk for severe intoxications.
Mitigating the SARS-CoV-2 Delta disease burden in Australia by non-pharmaceutical interventions and vaccinating children: a modelling analysis
Authors: Milne George J. , Carrivick Julian , Whyatt David
Published: February 2022

Background

In countries with high COVID-19 vaccination rates the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant resulted in rapidly increasing case numbers. This study evaluated the use of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) coupled with alternative vaccination strategies to determine feasible Delta mitigation strategies for Australia. We aimed to understand the potential effectiveness of high vaccine coverage levels together with NPI physical distancing activation and to establish the benefit of adding children and adolescents to the vaccination program. Border closure limited SARS-CoV-2 transmission in Australia; however, slow vaccination uptake resulted in Delta outbreaks in the two largest cities and may continue as international travel increases.

Methods

An agent-based model was used to evaluate the potential reduction in the COVID-19 health burden resulting from alternative vaccination strategies. We assumed immunity was derived from vaccination with the BNT162b2 Pfizer BioNTech vaccine. Two age-specific vaccination strategies were evaluated, ages 5 and above, and 12 and above, and the health burden determined under alternative vaccine coverages, with/without activation of NPIs. Age-specific infections generated by the model, together with recent UK data, permitted reductions in the health burden to be quantified.

Results

Cases, hospitalisations and deaths are shown to reduce by (i) increasing coverage to include children aged 5 to 11 years, (ii) activating moderate NPI measures and/or (iii) increasing coverage levels above 80%. At 80% coverage, vaccinating ages 12 and above without NPIs is predicted to result in 1095 additional hospitalisations per million population; adding ages 5 and above reduces this to 996 per million population. Activating moderate NPIs reduces hospitalisations to 611 for ages 12 and over, and 382 per million for ages 5 and above. Alternatively, increasing coverage to 90% for those aged 12 and above is estimated to reduce hospitalisations to 616. Combining all three measures is shown to reduce cases to 158, hospitalisations to 1 and deaths to zero, per million population.

Conclusions

Delta variant outbreaks may be managed by vaccine coverage rates higher than 80% and activation of moderate NPI measures, preventing healthcare facilities from being overwhelmed. If 90% coverage cannot be achieved, including young children and adolescents in the vaccination program coupled with activation of moderate NPIs appears necessary to suppress future COVID-19 Delta-like transmission and prevent intensive care unit surge capacity from being exceeded.
A single-oral bolus of 100,000 IU of cholecalciferol at hospital admission did not improve outcomes in the COVID-19 disease: the COVID-VIT-D—a randomised multicentre international clinical trial
Authors: Cannata-Andía Jorge B. , Díaz-Sottolano Augusto , Fernández Pehuén , Palomo-Antequera Carmen , Herrero-Puente Pablo , Mouzo Ricardo , Carrillo-López Natalia , Panizo Sara , Ibañez Guillermo H. , Cusumano Carlos A. , Ballarino Carolina , Sánchez-Polo Vicente , Pefaur-Penna Jacqueline , Maderuelo-Riesco Irene , Calviño-Varela Jesús , Gómez Mónica D. , Gómez-Alonso Carlos , Cunningham John , Naves-Díaz Manuel , Douthat Walter , Fernández-Martín José L. ,   the COVID-VIT-D trial collaborators
Published: February 2022

Background

Vitamin D status has been implicated in COVID-19 disease. The objective of the COVID-VIT-D trial was to investigate if an oral bolus of cholecalciferol (100,000 IU) administered at hospital admission influences the outcomes of moderate-severe COVID-19 disease. In the same cohort, the association between baseline serum calcidiol levels with the same outcomes was also analysed.

Methods

The COVID-VIT-D is a multicentre, international, randomised, open label, clinical trial conducted throughout 1 year. Patients older than 18 years with moderate-severe COVID-19 disease requiring hospitalisation were included. At admission, patients were randomised 1:1 to receive a single oral bolus of cholecalciferol (n=274) or nothing (n=269). Patients were followed from admission to discharge or death. Length of hospitalisation, admission to intensive care unit (ICU) and mortality were assessed.

Results

In the randomised trial, comorbidities, biomarkers, symptoms and drugs used did not differ between groups. Median serum calcidiol in the cholecalciferol and control groups were 17.0 vs. 16.1 ng/mL at admission and 29.0 vs. 16.4 ng/mL at discharge, respectively. The median length of hospitalisation (10.0 [95%CI 9.0–10.5] vs. 9.5 [95%CI 9.0–10.5] days), admission to ICU (17.2% [95%CI 13.0–22.3] vs. 16.4% [95%CI 12.3–21.4]) and death rate (8.0% [95%CI 5.2–12.1] vs. 5.6% [95%CI 3.3–9.2]) did not differ between the cholecalciferol and control group. In the cohort analyses, the highest serum calcidiol category at admission (>25ng/mL) was associated with lower percentage of pulmonary involvement and better outcomes.

Conclusions

The randomised clinical trial showed the administration of an oral bolus of 100,000 IU of cholecalciferol at hospital admission did not improve the outcomes of the COVID-19 disease. A cohort analysis showed that serum calcidiol at hospital admission was associated with outcomes.

Trial registration

COVID-VIT-D trial was authorised by the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health products (AEMPS) and registered in European Union Drug Regulating Authorities Clinical Trials (EudraCT 2020-002274-28) and in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04552951).