bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evidence for communication of peripheral iron status to cerebrospinal fluid: clinical implications for therapeutic strategy
Authors: Connor James R. , Duck Kari , Patton Stephanie , Simpson Ian A. , Trotti Lynn Marie , Allen Richard , Earley Christopher J. , Rye David
Published: April 2020

Background

Iron is crucial for proper functioning of all organs including the brain. Deficiencies and excess of iron are common and contribute to substantial morbidity and mortality. Whereas iron’s involvement in erythropoiesis drives clinical practice, the guidelines informing interventional strategies for iron repletion in neurological disorders are poorly defined. The objective of this study was to determine if peripheral iron status is communicated to the brain.

Methods

We used a bi-chamber cell culture model of the blood–brain-barrier to determine transcytosis of iron delivered by transferrin as a metric of iron transport. In the apical chamber (representative of the blood) we placed transferrin complexed with iron59 and in the basal chamber (representative of the brain) we placed human cerebrospinal fluid. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples (N = 24) were collected via lumbar puncture. The integrity of the tight junctions were monitored throughout the experiments using RITC-Dextran.

Results

We demonstrate that iron transport correlates positively with plasma hemoglobin concentrations but not serum ferritin levels.

Conclusions

The clinical ramifications of these findings are several- fold. They suggest that erythropoietic demands for iron take precedence over brain requirements, and that the metric traditionally considered to be the most specific test reflecting total body iron stores and relied upon to inform treatment decisions–i.e., serum ferritin–may not be the preferred peripheral indicator when attempting to promote brain iron uptake. The future direction of this line of investigation is to identify the factor(s) in the CSF that influence iron transport at the level of the BBB.
Impact of capacity building interventions on individual and organizational competency for HPSR in endemic disease control in Nigeria: a qualitative study
Authors: Onwujekwe Obinna , Mbachu Chinyere , Etiaba Enyi , Ezumah Nkoli , Ezenwaka Uchenna , Arize Ifeyinwa , Okeke Chinyere , Nwankwor Chikezie , Uzochukwu Benjamin
Published: April 2020

Background

The need to build capacity for health policy and systems research (HPSR) in low- and middle-income countries has been underscored as this encompasses the processes of decision-making at all levels of the health system. This implementation research project was undertaken in Southeast Nigeria to evaluate whether the capacity-building intervention improves the capacity to produce and use research evidence for decision making in endemic disease control.

Methods

Three training workshops were organized for purposively selected participants comprising “producers of evidence” such as health research scientists in three universities and “users of evidence” such as policy makers, program managers, and implementers in the public health sector. Participants also held step-down workshops in their organizations. The last workshop was used to facilitate the formation of knowledge networks comprising of both producers and users, which is a critical step for getting research into policy and practice (GRIPP). Three months after the workshops, a subset, 40, of workshop participants was selected for in-depth interviews. Information was collected on (i) perceptions of usefulness of capacity-building workshops, (ii) progress with proposed research and research uptake activities, (iii) effects of these activities on evidence-informed decision making, and (iv) constraints and enablers to implementation of proposed activities.

Results

Most participants felt the workshops provided them with new competencies and skills in one or more of research priority setting, evidence generation, communication, and use for the control of endemic diseases. Participants were at different stages of planning and implementing their proposed research and research uptake activities, and were engaging across professional and disciplinary boundaries to ensure relevance and usefulness of outputs for decision making. Key enablers of successful implementation of activities were positive team dynamics, good balance of competencies, effective communication and engagement within teams, team leader’s capacity to innovate, and personal interests such as career progress. Lack of funding, limited decision space, organizational bureaucracies, and poor infrastructure were the key constraints to the implementation of proposed activities. Lack of mentorship and continuous support from trainers delayed progress with implementing proposed activities.

Conclusions

The capacity-building interventions contributed to the development of a critical mass of research scientists, policy makers, and practitioners who have varying levels of competencies in HPSR for endemic disease control and would require further support in carrying out their medium and long-term goals.
Mid-term and long-term results of restoring rotation center in revision hip arthroplasty
Authors: Zhang Heng , Zhou Jiansheng , Liu Yang , Guan Jianzhong , Ding Hai , Wang Zhiyan , Dong Qirong
Published: April 2020

Background

To restore rotation center exactly in revision hip arthroplasty is technically challenging, especially in Paprosky type III. The technical difficulty is attributable to the complicated acetabular bone defect. In this study, we discussed the method of restoring rotation center in revision hip arthroplasty and reported the clinical and radiological outcome of mid-term and long-term follow-up.

Methods

This study retrospectively reviewed 45 patients (48 hips) who underwent revision hip arthroplasty, in which 35 cases (35 hips) were available for complete follow-up data. During the operation, the acetabular bone defect was reconstructed by impaction morselized bone graft, and the hip rotation center was restored by using remnant Harris fossa and acetabular notches as the marks. The clinical outcome was assessed using the Harris hip score. Pelvis plain x-ray was used to assess implant migration, stability of implants, and incorporation of the bone graft to host bone.

Result

The average follow-up duration was 97.60 months (range 72–168 months). The average Harris hip score improved from 29.54 ± 10.87 preoperatively to 83.77 ± 5.78 at the last follow-up. The vertical distance of hip rotation center measured on pelvis x-ray was restored to normal, with the mean distance (15.24 ± 1.31) mm (range 12.4~17.3 mm). The mean loss of vertical distance of hip rotation center was (2.21 ± 0.72) mm (range 1.1 ~ 5.3 mm) at the last follow-up.

Conclusion

Satisfactory clinical and radiological outcome can be obtained through restoring hip rotation center by using remnant Harris fossa and acetabular notches as the anatomical marks in revision hip arthroplasty.
Shoulder imbalance treated with scapuloplasty surgery in scoliosis patients: a clinical retrospective study
Authors: Zhong Rui , Hu Zhengjun , Zhao Deng , Wang Fei , Zhao Hehong , Liang Yijian
Published: April 2020

Background

To discuss the clinical efficacy and safety of scapuloplasty treating the shoulder imbalance in scoliosis patients.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was made on 21 patients who underwent scoliosis corrective surgery combined with scapuloplasty from September 2013 to March 2015. The average follow-up was 31.4 ± 5.3 months (24–42 months). The shoulder vertical difference (SVD), adjusted Constant-Murley score, range of shoulder motion function, Cavendish grade, and the overall satisfaction were compared among the pre-surgery, post-surgery, and the final follow-up periods.

Results

The shoulder vertical difference (SVD) significantly decreased at the time of post-surgery and the final follow-up, comparing the score of the pre-surgery. The SVD of all patients were decreased from preoperatively 3.2 ± 1.1 cm to 0.4 ± 0.3 cm, with the Cavendish grade improved to grade 1 at the final follow-up. The adjusted Constant-Murley score and range of shoulder motion function showed no significant difference during the three time periods (p > 0.05). And no severe complications had occurred over 2 years follow-up.

Conclusion

The scapuloplasty surgery shows to be an effective and safety procedure to improve the shoulder imbalance, cosmetic appearance, and the overall satisfaction in scoliosis patients without impairing the shoulder function, which can be widely applied in clinic.
A phase 3 study of rituximab biosimilar HLX01 in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Authors: Shi Yuankai , Song Yongping , Qin Yan , Zhang Qingyuan , Han Xiaohong , Hong Xiaonan , Wang Dong , Li Wei , Zhang Yang , Feng Jifeng , Yang Jianmin , Zhang Huilai , Jin Chuan , Yang Yu , Hu Jianda , Wang Zhao , Jin Zhengming , Su Hang , Wang Huaqing , Yang Haiyan , Fu Weijun , Zhang Mingzhi , Zhang Xiaohong , Chen Yun , Ke Xiaoyan , Liu Li , Yu Ding , Chen Guo’an , Wang Xiuli , Jin Jie , Sun Tao , Du Xin , Cheng Ying , Yi Pingyong , Zhao Xielan , Ma Chaoming , Cheng Jiancheng , Chai Katherine , Luk Alvin , Liu Eugene , Zhang Xin
Published: April 2020

Rituximab in combination with chemotherapy has shown efficacy in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) for more than 15 years. HLX01 was developed as the rituximab biosimilar following a stepwise approach to demonstrate biosimilarity in analytical, pre-clinical, and clinical investigations to reference rituximab. With demonstrated pharmacokinetic similarity, a phase 3 multi-center, randomized, parallel, double-blind study (HLX01-NHL03) was subsequently conducted to compare efficacy and safety between HLX01 plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (H-CHOP) and reference rituximab plus CHOP (R-CHOP) in a total of 407 treatment-naïve, CD20-positive DLBCL patients aged 18–80 years. The primary efficacy endpoint was best overall response rate (ORR) within six cycles of treatment in the per-protocol set (PPS). Secondary endpoints included 1-year efficacy outcomes, safety, and immunogenicity profile. The results showed difference in ORRs [H-CHOP 94.1%; R-CHOP 92.8%] between two treatment groups was 1.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], − 3.59 to 6.32, p = 0.608) which falls within the pre-defined equivalence margin of ± 12%. The safety profile was comparable between the treatment groups, with a similar overall incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (H-CHOP 99.5%, R-CHOP 99.0%, p = 1.000) and serious adverse events (H-CHOP 34.0%, R-CHOP 32.5%, p = 0.752). This study established bioequivalence in efficacy and safety between HLX01 and reference rituximab. The trial was registered at http://www.chinadrugtrials.org.cn on 26 August 2015 [#CTR20150583].
Exosomal miRNAs in tumor microenvironment
Authors: Tan Shiming , Xia Longzheng , Yi Pin , Han Yaqian , Tang Lu , Pan Qing , Tian Yutong , Rao Shan , Oyang Linda , Liang Jiaxin , Lin Jinguan , Su Min , Shi Yingrui , Cao Deliang , Zhou Yujuan , Liao Qianjin
Published: April 2020

Tumor microenvironment (TME) is the internal environment in which tumor cells survive, consisting of tumor cells, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and immune cells, as well as non-cellular components, such as exosomes and cytokines. Exosomes are tiny extracellular vesicles (40-160nm) containing active substances, such as proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. Exosomes carry biologically active miRNAs to shuttle between tumor cells and TME, thereby affecting tumor development. Tumor-derived exosomal miRNAs induce matrix reprogramming in TME, creating a microenvironment that is conducive to tumor growth, metastasis, immune escape and chemotherapy resistance. In this review, we updated the role of exosomal miRNAs in the process of TME reshaping.
High concentration of MSG alters antioxidant defence system in lobster cockroach Nauphoeta cinerea (Blattodea: Blaberidae)
Authors: Afolabi Blessing A. , Olagoke Olawande C.
Published: April 2020

Objective

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a food additive that has been shown to be toxic to rodents at high concentrations. The available studies in Drosophila melanogaster suggest that MSG toxicity depends on concentration and gender, thus the safety of MSG as a food enhancer still requires further investigation. We have documented impaired locomotor activity and altered oxidative stress markers in cockroaches co-exposed to methylmercury and monosodium glutamate (MSG). We herein examined the susceptibility of Nauphoeta cinerea to high and low concentrations (4% and 1%) of MSG, while monitoring the activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), as well as markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant activity over 30 days.

Results

There was no significant alteration in the parameters assessed at 1% MSG while 4% MSG caused an increase in the activity of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, with a corresponding reduction in the activities of acetylcholinesterase, glutathione-S-transferase and catalase, suggesting the capacity of MSG to alter redox homeostasis in Nauphoeta cinerea.
The role of routine flexible sigmoidoscopy in patients presenting with fistula-in-ano: an observational study
Authors: Waidyasekera Ruvindu Hasamal , Jayarajah Umesh , Samarasekera Dharmabandhu Nandadeva
Published: April 2020

Objective

Flexible sigmoidoscopy is useful to look for an underlying aetiology in fistula-in-ano. This study was aimed to assess the yield of routine flexible sigmoidoscopy in patients presenting with fistula-in-ano. A retrospective analysis of 159 consecutive patients with fistula-in-ano who underwent routine flexible sigmoidoscopy was performed. Sigmoidoscopy findings were recorded on a standard uniform format using a computer database. Those with a known aetiology were excluded.

Results

The median age was 39 (range: 14–74) years and the majority were males (n = 128, 80.5%). Forty-nine patients (30.8%) presented with a recurrent fistula-in-ano. On flexible sigmoidoscopy, internal opening was seen in only 23 patients (14.4%). Furthermore, incidental findings of haemorrhoids (n = 5, 3.1%) and polyps (n = 7, 4.4%) were found. One patient (0.6%) had a healed anal fissure, 5 patients (3.1%) had inflamed mucosa and 2 patients (1.3%) had ulcers. Only two patients with inflamed mucosa were diagnosed to have Crohn’s disease on histology. Therefore, flexible sigmoidoscopy was not helpful in the majority to locate the internal opening. Only two patients had evidence of an underlying aetiology, which was Crohn’s disease. However, they had recurrent complex fistulae and other associated symptoms. Therefore, flexible sigmoidoscopy may be reserved for selected group of patients with symptoms of an underlying aetiology.
Effect of oncolytic ECHO-7 virus strain Rigvir on uveal melanoma cell lines
Authors: Tilgase Andra , Grīne Lita , Blāķe Ilze , Borodušķis Mārtiņs , Rasa Agnija , Alberts Pēteris
Published: April 2020

Objective

Uveal melanoma is a rare intraocular malignancy. Half of the patients diagnosed will develop metastases within 10 to 30 years, most commonly in the liver. Although there has been a significant development in the treatment of melanoma, no effective treatment to prevent or treat metastases of uveal melanoma is available. Oncolytic viruses are now being studied for various types of cancers and show promising results. Preclinical results show cytolytic activity of enteric cytopathic human orphan virus type 7 (ECHO-7) strain Rigvir in human melanoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, gastric adenocarcinoma, lung carcinoma and pancreas adenocarcinoma cell lines. The aim of this study was to test the possible cytolytic activity in human uveal melanoma cell lines.

Results

The results suggest cytolytic activity of oncolytic ECHO-7 virus strain Rigvir in MP41, 92-1 and Mel-202 cell lines.
An adolescent girl with signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis and negative immunologic workup: a case report
Authors: Green Sarah , Hicks Allison , Hilsendager Chelsea , Bauer Maureen , Frank Guido K. W.
Published: April 2020

Background

The increasing incidence of allergies and allergic reactions among children and adults has become a major public health concern. The etiology of allergic reactions can often be confirmed based on a detailed history and supportive testing. However, there are cases where the underlying factors are more complex and difficult to identify.

Case presentation

Here we present the case report of a 14-year-old Caucasian  girl with weight loss and a 3-year history of reported angioedema culminating in five intensive care unit admissions over the course of 2.5 months. Her initial clinical presentation included hypotension, dyspnea, and reported facial edema, but allergy and immunological workup were negative. A psychiatric workup identified an eating disorder with food restriction, comorbid major depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder. A close collaboration between Adolescent Medicine, Allergy and Immunology, and Psychiatry helped disentangle medical from psychiatric problems, including fluoxetine medication effects, as well as develop a treatment plan that was acceptable to the family. The angioedema was ultimately diagnosed as factitious disorder.

Conclusions

This patient’s treatment highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach, a multifactorial etiology that needed to be addressed by multiple specialists, and the importance of long-term treatment and support.
DPYSL2 is a novel regulator for neural stem cell differentiation in rats: revealed by Panax notoginseng saponin administration
Authors: Xiong Liu-Lin , Qiu De-Lu , Xiu Guang-Hui , Al-Hawwas Mohammed , Jiang Ya , Wang You-Cui , Hu Yue , Chen Li , Xia Qing-Jie , Wang Ting-Hua
Published: April 2020

Background

The limited neuronal differentiation of the endogenous or grafted neural stem cells (NSCs) after brain injury hampers the clinic usage of NSCs. Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) were extensively used for their clinical value, such as in controlling blood pressure, blood glucose, and inhibiting neuronal apoptosis and enhancing neuronal protection, but whether or not it exerts an effect in promoting neuronal differentiation of the endogenous NSCs is completely unclear and the potential underlying mechanism requires further exploration.

Methods

Firstly, we determined whether PNS could successfully induce NSCs to differentiate to neurons under the serum condition. Mass spectrometry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) were then performed to screen the differentially expressed proteins (genes) between the PNS + serum and serum control group, upon which dihydropyrimidinase-like 2 (DPYSL2), a possible candidate, was then selected for the subsequent research. To further investigate the actual role of DPYSL2 in the NSC differentiation, DPYSL2-expressing lentivirus was employed to obtain DPYSL2 overexpression in NSCs. DPYSL2-knockout rats were constructed to study its effects on hippocampal neural stem cells. Immunofluorescent staining was performed to identify the differentiation direction of NSCs after 7 days from DPYSL2 transfection, as well as those from DPYSL2-knockout rats.

Results

Seven differentially expressed protein spots were detected by PD Quest, and DPYSL2 was found as one of the key factors of NSC differentiation in a PNS-treated condition. The results of immunostaining further showed that mainly Tuj1 and GFAP-positive cells increased in the DPYSL2-overexpressed group, while both were depressed in the hippocampal NSCs in the DPYSL2-knockout rat.

Conclusions

The present study revealed that the differentiation direction of NSCs could be enhanced through PNS administration, and the DPYSL2 is a key regulator in promoting NSC differentiation. These results not only emphasized the effect of PNS but also indicated DPYSL2 could be a novel target to enhance the NSC differentiation in future clinical trials.
Capsulized faecal microbiota transplantation ameliorates post-weaning diarrhoea by modulating the gut microbiota in piglets
Authors: Tang Wenjie , Chen Daiwen , Yu Bing , He Jun , Huang Zhiqing , Zheng Ping , Mao Xiangbing , Luo Yuheng , Luo Junqiu , Wang Quyuan , Wang Huifen , Yu Jie
Published: April 2020

Early weaning-induced stress causes diarrhoea, thereby reducing the growth performance of piglets. Gut bacterial dysbiosis has emerged as a leading cause of post-weaning diarrhoea. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of capsulized faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) on the gut bacterial community, immune response and gut barrier function of piglets. Thirty-two weaned barrows were randomly divided into two groups. The recipient group was inoculated orally with capsulized faecal microbiota of healthy Tibetan pigs during the whole period of the trial, while the control group was given an empty capsule. The feed-to-gain ratio, diarrhoea ratio, and histological damage score of recipient piglets were significantly decreased. FMT treatment significantly increased the colon length of piglets. Furthermore, the relative abundances ofFirmicutes,Euryarchaeota,Tenericutes,Lactobacillus, andMethanobrevibacterin the colon of recipient piglets were increased, and the relative abundances ofCampylobacterandProteobacteriawere significantly decreased compared with those in the control group. CD4+lymphocytes and CD4+/CD8+ratio in the peripheral blood of recipient piglets were significantly increased. FMT treatment increased the IL-4 and IL-10 levels and decreased the TNF-α and INF-γ levels in the colonic tissue of piglets. The recipient piglets’ mRNA expression of TLR2, TLR8, NF-κB, and iNOS was significantly regulated. In addition, FMT significantly enhanced the gene expression of ZO-1. Overall, treatment with capsulized FMT ameliorated diarrhoea in piglets, with significant effects on limiting colon inflammatory responses, downregulating the TLR signalling pathway and the gene expression of iNOS, and strengthening intestinal barrier function by modulating the constituents of the gut microbiota.
Solutions of boundary value problems on extended-Branciari b-distance
Authors: Abdeljawad Thabet , Karapınar Erdal , Panda Sumati Kumari , Mlaiki Nabil
Published: April 2020

In this paper, we consider a new distance structure, extended Branciarib-distance, to combine and unify several distance notions and obtain fixed point results that cover several existing ones in the corresponding literature. As an application of our obtained result, we present a solution for a fourth-order differential equation boundary value problem.
Some oscillation theorems for nonlinear second-order differential equations with an advanced argument
Authors: Chatzarakis G. E. , Moaaz O. , Li T. , Qaraad B.
Published: April 2020

The objective in this work is to study oscillation criteria for second-order quasi-linear differential equations with an advanced argument. We establish new oscillation criteria using both the comparison technique with first-order advanced differential inequalities and the Riccati transformation. The established criteria improve, simplify and complement results that have been published recently in the literature. We illustrate the results by an example.
Attachment style and addictions (alcohol, cigarette, waterpipe and internet) among Lebanese adolescents: a national study
Authors: Nakhoul Laurette , Obeid Sahar , Sacre Hala , Haddad Chadia , Soufia Michel , Hallit Rabih , Akel Marwan , Salameh Pascale , Hallit Souheil
Published: April 2020

Background

The prevalence in the Lebanese general population of cigarette and waterpipe smoking, alcohol drinking and internet use seems to be increasing lately. So far, no study was done relating the above to attachment styles in Lebanese adolescents. Consequently, the objective of our study was to assess the relationship between attachment styles (secure, preoccupied, fearful, and dismissing) and addictions (cigarettes, water pipes, alcohol, and internet) among this population.

Methods

It is a cross-sectional study that took place between January and May 2019. Two thousand questionnaires were distributed out of which 1810 (90.5%) were completed and collected back. A proportionate random sample of schools from all Lebanese Mohafazat was used as recruitment method.

Results

A secure attachment style was significantly associated with lower addiction to alcohol, cigarette, and waterpipe, whereas insecure attachment styles (preoccupied, dismissing and fearful) were significantly associated with higher addiction to cigarette, waterpipe, alcohol, and internet.

Conclusion

Lebanese adolescents with insecure attachment had higher rates of addiction to cigarette, waterpipe, alcohol, and internet. They should be closely monitored in order to reduce the risk of future substance use disorder and/or behavioral addiction development.
Development of a small panel of SNPs to infer ancestry in Chileans that distinguishes Aymara and Mapuche components
Authors: Verdugo Ricardo A. , Di Genova Alex , Herrera Luisa , Moraga Mauricio , Acuña Mónica , Berríos Soledad , Llop Elena , Valenzuela Carlos Y. , Bustamante M. Leonor , Digman Dayhana , Symon Adriana , Asenjo Soledad , López Pamela , Blanco Alejandro , Suazo José , Barozet Emmanuelle , Caba Fresia , Villalón Marcelo , Alvarado Sergio , Cáceres Dante , Salgado Katherine , Portales Pilar , Moreno-Estrada Andrés , Gignoux Christopher R. , Sandoval Karla , Bustamante Carlos D. , Eng Celeste , Huntsman Scott , Burchard Esteban G. , Loira Nicolás , Maass Alejandro , Cifuentes Lucía
Published: April 2020

Background

Current South American populations trace their origins mainly to three continental ancestries, i.e. European, Amerindian and African. Individual variation in relative proportions of each of these ancestries may be confounded with socio-economic factors due to population stratification. Therefore, ancestry is a potential confounder variable that should be considered in epidemiologic studies and in public health plans. However, there are few studies that have assessed the ancestry of the current admixed Chilean population. This is partly due to the high cost of genome-scale technologies commonly used to estimate ancestry. In this study we have designed a small panel of SNPs to accurately assess ancestry in the largest sampling to date of the Chilean mestizo population (n = 3349) from eight cities. Our panel is also able to distinguish between the two main Amerindian components of Chileans: Aymara from the north and Mapuche from the south.

Results

A panel of 150 ancestry-informative markers (AIMs) of SNP type was selected to maximize ancestry informativeness and genome coverage. Of these, 147 were successfully genotyped by KASPar assays in 2843 samples, with an average missing rate of 0.012, and a 0.95 concordance with microarray data. The ancestries estimated with the panel of AIMs had relative high correlations (0.88 for European, 0.91 for Amerindian, 0.70 for Aymara, and 0.68 for Mapuche components) with those obtained with AXIOM LAT1 array. The country’s average ancestry was 0.53 ± 0.14 European, 0.04 ± 0.04 African, and 0.42 ± 0.14 Amerindian, disaggregated into 0.18 ± 0.15 Aymara and 0.25 ± 0.13 Mapuche. However, Mapuche ancestry was highest in the south (40.03%) and Aymara in the north (35.61%) as expected from the historical location of these ethnic groups. We make our results available through an online app and demonstrate how it can be used to adjust for ancestry when testing association between incidence of a disease and nongenetic risk factors.

Conclusions

We have conducted the most extensive sampling, across many different cities, of current Chilean population. Ancestry varied significantly by latitude and human development. The panel of AIMs is available to the community for estimating ancestry at low cost in Chileans and other populations with similar ancestry.
The feasibility and impact of instrument-assisted manual therapy (IAMT) for the lower back on the structural and functional properties of the lumbar area in female soccer players: a randomised, placebo-controlled pilot study design
Authors: Weber Patrick , Graf Christine , Klingler Werner , Weber Nadine , Schleip Robert
Published: April 2020

Background

Myofascial (self-)treatments, such as foam rollers to therapeutic instruments in manual therapy, are utilized increasingly in prevention and therapy in healthy people, athletes, and patients suffering from chronic back pain. However, there is limited knowledge about the effectiveness of treatment and the underlying mechanisms of myofascial therapies, especially for instrument-assisted manual therapy (IAMT). Therefore, this pilot study will investigate the feasibility and impact of IAMT for the lumbar area compared with heat application and placebo treatment as a basis for calculating the sample size for further full studies. The primary outcomes will be a critical analysis of the feasibility of the measurement protocol in terms of time economy and expressiveness and of the short- and long-term effects on shear motion of the single tissue layers of the lower back obtained through ultrasound imaging. Secondary outcomes will include thickness and compressibility of the lumbar structures and flexibility of the dorsal structures, indentometry, and superficial skin temperature.

Methods

A minimum of 60 healthy, competitive 15–35-year-old female soccer players will be recruited and randomised into three groups. Short-term effects of IAMT on thoracolumbar structures will be compared with heat application and pressure-less placebo treatment. Long-term effects in the IAMT group will be tested after nine further interventions over a 5-week period (2×/week) and compared with the placebo group, which will not receive further treatments but will serve as a control. Intermediate and final testing of both groups will occur in weeks three and five.

Discussion

This pilot study will assess the feasibility and the impact of IAMT for the lower back particularly by examining the structural and functional properties of myofascial tissue using diagnostic ultrasound. These outcomes could evaluate the feasibility of the measurements used, shall build a basis for sample size calculation of further full studies, and might generate a greater understanding of myofascial therapies, especially IAMT, for the lower back and its benefits. If this approach proves to be practicable, next steps will be further full studies with soccer players, other sports, and patients with low back pain.

Trial registration

German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00012252) 20.06.2018; retrospectively registered.
Psychometric properties of Turkish version of Jenkins sleep scale in fibromyalgia syndrome
Authors: Unal-Ulutatar Cagri , Ozsoy-Unubol Tugba
Published: April 2020

Background

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) has adverse effects on the quality of sleep. The aim of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of Jenkins Sleep Scale (JSS-TR) in Turkish FMS patients.

Methods

FMS patients who met the 2016 fibromyalgia diagnostic criteria were included in the study. Clinical and demographic data of the patients were noted. The relationship between this scale and other functional parameters such as Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), European Quality of Life Scale-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was examined. Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) was used to evaluate the functional status of the patients and the progression of the disease. Test-retest reliability was calculated by re-applying the questionnaire to patients at 2-week intervals. Duloxetine treatment was initiated in newly diagnosed patients and sensitivity to change was tested at the end of the treatment. Spearman correlation coefficient was used.P < 0.05 was accepted as significant.

Results

Eighty-one FMS patients (71 females, 10 males) were included in the study. The mean age was 44.2 ± 10.7 years. The strongest correlation of JSS-TR was with another sleep questionnaire, PSQI (rho = 0.79,p < 0.0005). The correlation with other functional parameters and FIQ was moderate. In test-retest validity, intraclass correlation coefficient was found to be 0.98 (p < 0.0005). Chronbach α value calculated for internal consistency was found to be 0.741.

Conclusions

JSS-TR is a valid, simple and feasible sleep instrument that can be easily applied to FMS patients both in researches and clinical settings.
Influence of microwave on chromium complex composition in tanning liquor
Authors: Zhang Jinwei , Chen Wuyong , Gaidau Carmen
Published: April 2020

Since microwave irradiation could promote hydrolysis and olation of chromium tanning liquor, but the influence of microwave on chromium complex component in the liquor was still unknown. Chromium sulphate solution (0% basicity) and 33% basicity chromium tanning liquor were subjected microwave (MW) and water bath (WB) heating, and the samples without any warming were regarded as control. Ion exchange chromatography (IEC) and gel filtration chromatography (GFC) were used to measure the charge composition and molecular size of chromium complexes in each sample. FT-IR was used to characterize the structure of chromium complexes in each composition separated by IEC. Moreover, the chromium tanning liquor after warming was used in hide powder tanning trials to illustrate whether microwave would affect its tanning ability. The results show there are more high positive charge and large molecular size complexes in chromium tanning liquor after warming but the phenomena are more significant in MW samples compared with WB due to non-thermal effect of microwave. In addition, microwave has more powerful effect on 33% basicity chromium tanning liquor hydrolysis and olation to generate larger molecular size complexes. In FT-IR results, the combination pattern between chromium and ligands are changed after warming but there is no difference between WB and MW. The chromium exhaustion and thermal stability of hide powder tanned with chromium tanning liquor after microwave irradiation are both higher. It could conclude that both thermal and non-thermal effects of microwave promote the process together, and the non-thermal effect leads to more high positive charge and large molecular size complexes and has stronger influence on high polarity system. In short, this work would provide theoretical basis for applying microwave in tanning agent modification and chrome tanning process further.

Graphical abstract
Late-onset personality disorder: a condition still steeped in ignorance
Authors: Tyrer Peter , Howard Robert
Published: April 2020

Personality disorder is likely to be common in late life, but our ignorance is such that, at present, we can only speculate about its frequency and importance. The only firm evidence we have is that antisocial personality features tend to be attenuated in older age and obsessional and detached features accentuated. Differentiating personality change following organic disease from personality disorder requires more attention as it is important for good clinical management.
Making Checkpoint Inhibitors Part of Treatment of Patients With Locally Advanced Lung Cancers: The Time Is Now
Authors: Kris Mark G. , Faivre-Finn Corinne , Kordbacheh Tiana , Chaft Jamie , Luo Jia , Tsao Anne , Swisher Stephen
Published: April 2020

The PACIFIC trial of durvalumab administered for 1 year to patients with stage III lung cancers has set a new standard of care. PACIFIC established the role of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for individuals with inoperable and unresectable locally advanced lung cancers that achieve disease control from concurrent chemoradiation. For patients with resectable and operable disease, ICIs administered before surgery, either alone (JHU/MSK, LCMC3, and NEOSTAR) or in combination with chemotherapy (Columbia/MGH and NADIM), have yielded high rates of major pathologic response in resection specimens, an outcome measure that correlates with improved progression-free survival and overall survival. These results have brought forth the dilemma of how to choose the optimal local therapy—either definitive concurrent chemoradiation or surgery—to use with an ICI for patients with stage III lung cancers that are both operable and resectable. Here, we review the data that support the use of each local therapy. Recent successes have also raised the possibility that using ICIs in patients with earlier stages of lung cancer will enhance curability. Randomized trials are underway; however, until they read out, physicians must choose between local and systemic therapies on the basis of the information we have today. Research demonstrates that using surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and ICIs improve all efficacy outcomes and curability. All modalities should be considered in every patient with locally advanced lung cancer. It is imperative that a multimodality discussion that includes the possible addition of ICIs takes place to choose the best modality and sequence of therapies for each patient.
Comparison of Treatment, Cost, and Survival in Patients With Metastatic Colorectal Cancer in Western Washington, United States, and British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Yezefski Todd A. , Le Dan , Chen Leo , Speers Caroline H. , Chennupati Shasank , Snider Jeremy , Gill Sharlene , Ramsey Scott D. , Kennecke Hagen F. , Shankaran Veena
Published: April 2020

PURPOSE:

Few studies have directly compared health care utilization, costs, and outcomes between patients treated in the US multipayer health system and Canada’s single-payer system. Using cancer registry and claims data, we assessed treatment types, costs, and survival for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) in Western Washington State (WW) and British Columbia (BC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Patients age ≥ 18 years diagnosed with mCRC in 2010 and later were identified from the BC Cancer database and a regional database linking WW SEER to claims from Medicare and two large commercial insurers. Demographics, treatment characteristics, costs of systemic therapy, and survival data were obtained from these databases and compared between the two regions.

RESULTS:

A total of 1,592 patients from BC and 901 from WW were included in the study. Median age was similar (BC, 66 years; WW, 63 years), but patients in BC were more likely to be male (57.1% v 51.2%; P ≤ .01) and to have de novo metastatic disease (61.0% v 38.3%; P ≤ .01). The use of radiation therapy was similar between regions (BC, 31.2%; WW, 33.9%; P = .18), but primary tumor resection was more common in BC (74.1% v 66.3%; P ≤ .01) as was hepatic metastasectomy (12.4% v 2.3%; P ≤ .01). Similar percentages of patients received systemic therapy (BC, 68.8%; WW, 67.1%; P = .40), but costs were significantly higher for first-line systemic therapy in WW ($6,226 v $15,792 per patient per month; P ≤ .01). Median overall survival was similar (BC, 16.9 months; WW, 18 months).

CONCLUSION:

Cost of systemic therapy for mCRC was significantly higher for patients in WW than in BC, but this did not translate to a difference in overall survival.
Phased nucleotide inserts for sequencing low-diversity RNA samples from in vitro selection experiments
Authors: Bendixsen Devin P. , M. Roberts Jessica , Townshend Brent , Hayden Eric J.
Published: April 2020

In vitro selection combined with high-throughput sequencing is a powerful experimental approach with broad application in the engineering and characterization of RNA molecules. Diverse pools of starting sequences used for selection are often flanked by fixed sequences used as primer binding sites. These low diversity regions often lead to data loss from complications with Illumina image processing algorithms. A common method to alleviate this problem is the addition of fragmented bacteriophage PhiX genome, which improves sequence quality but sacrifices a portion of usable sequencing reads. An alternative approach is to insert nucleotides of variable length and composition ("phased inserts") at the beginning of each molecule when adding sequencing adaptors. This approach preserves read depth but reduces the length of each read. Here, we test the ability of phased inserts to replace PhiX in a low-diversity sample generated for a high-throughput sequencing based ribozyme activity screen. We designed a pool of 4096 RNA sequence variants of the self-cleaving twister ribozyme from Oryza sativa. For each unique sequence, we determined the fraction of ribozyme cleaved during in vitro transcription via deep sequencing on an Illumina MiSeq. We found that libraries with the phased inserts produced high-quality sequence data without the addition of PhiX. We found good agreement between previously published data on twister ribozyme variants and our data produced with phased inserts even when PhiX was omitted. We conclude that phased inserts can be implemented following in vitro selection experiments to reduce or eliminate the use of PhiX and maximize read depth.
Prevalence of tobacco use in urban and rural areas of Pakistan; a sub-study from second National Diabetes Survey of Pakistan (NDSP) 2016 - 2017
Authors: Basit Abdul , Younus Bilal Bin , Waris Nazish , Fawwad Asher , Members* NDSP
Published: April 2020

Objective: To assess age standardized prevalence of tobacco use in urban and rural areas of Pakistan.

Methods: This is a sub-study of second National Diabetes Survey of Pakistan (NDSP) 2016-2017. Prevalence of tobacco, ex-tobacco and non-tobacco users was determined in urban/rural areas of four provinces (Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Baluchistan) of Pakistan amongst people aged greater than or equal to 20 years. Information regarding tobacco and non-tobacco users were obtained from second NDSP (2016-2017) predesigned questionnaire. Detailed methodology for demographic, anthropometric and biochemical parameters remained same as reported in second NDSP (2016-2017).

Results: The age-standardized prevalence of tobacco use in Pakistan was found to be 13.4%. Tobacco use in urban areas was 16.3% and rural areas was 11.7%. Tobacco use in urban and rural males was 26.1% and 24.1%, while in females was 7.7% and 3.1%, respectively. The age-standardized prevalence of ex-tobacco use in Pakistan was found to be 2.3%. Ex-tobacco use in urban areas was 2.6% and rural areas was 2.3%. Similarly, ex-tobacco use in urban and rural males was 4.6% and 4.6%, while in females was 0.7% and 0.5%, respectively. Multinomial logistic regression analysis shows that increasing age does not relate towards addiction of tobacco. Males were found to be 7 times (OR 6.94, 95% CI 5.68-8.49) and urban residents twice (OR 2.09, 95% CI 1.73-2.52) more tobacco users than females and those living in rural areas, respectively. From the likelihood ratio test, all variables were found to be statistically significant except for dysglycemia, dyslipidemia and hypertension.

Conclusion: The prevalence of tobacco use is high. As a sub paper of a large national survey, this evidence is expected to serve as an important tool to plan larger studies leading in turn to develop strategies for a successful tobacco control program in the country.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.4.1705

How to cite this:Basit A, Younus BB, Waris N, Fawwad A, NDSP members. Prevalence of tobacco use in urban and rural areas of Pakistan; a sub-study from second National Diabetes Survey of Pakistan (NDSP) 2016 - 2017. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(4):808-815.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.4.1705

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Comparison of Protective Effects of Melatonin and Amifostine on Radiation-Induced Renal Oxidative Stress in Rats
Authors: CAKINA S. , GULYASAR T. , ÖZEN A. , PARLAR S. , CUKUR Z. , KURKCU N. , UZAL C. , SENER S.
Published: April 2020

In this study, we aimed to compare the protective effects of melatonin and amifostine on radiation-induced oxidative stress. Fifty female Wistar rats (3-4 months old, weighing 200±25 g) were divided into five groups (with ten rats each) and treated as follows: control (Cont), radiotherapy alone (RT), radiotherapy + amifostine (RT+AMI), radiotherapy + melatonin (RT+MEL), radiotherapy + amifostine + melatonin (RT+AMI+MEL). Rats were irradiated individually with a single dose of 8 Gy and amifostine (200 mg/kg) and melatonin (10 mg/kg) was administered to rats 30 minutes before irradiation. At the end of this follow-up period (72 hours) the rats were sacrificed. Spectrophotometric Analysis has been performed to kidney tissue samples. As a result of statistical comparison between groups after RT, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) decreased, total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) increased, although the statistically significant change was only for OSI (p = 0.030). Addition of AMI or MEL to RT increased TAC and OSI significantly (p = 0.000), but there was no additive effect for TAC and OSI when both drugs were given together (p = 1.000, p = 0.172, respectively). In terms of TOS, statistically significant increasing was only for AMI (p = 0.000). There was protective effect when both drugs were given together against on Radiation-Induced Renal Oxidative Stress.
Relationship between body condition score, blood metabolites and oxidative stress in transition period and reproductive performance of dairy cows
Authors: ÇOLAKOĞLU H. E. , YAZLIK M. O. , KAYA U. , KURT S. , BAYRAMOĞLU R. , VURAL R. , KÜPLÜLÜ Ş.
Published: April 2020

The aim of the current study was to investigate the relationship between prepartum body condition score (BCS), blood metabolites (Glucose, beta-hydroxybutyrate; BHB), oxidative stress (Malondialdehyde; MDA, Glutathione peroxidase; GSH-Px) in transition period and some reproductive parameters in Holstein dairy cows. Fifty cows were divided into two groups [low-BCS = 2.75-3.0 (n=25); adequate-BCS = 3.25-3.75 (n=25)] according to BCS on the 21st day before expected calving. BCS was also recorded at 0 and +21 days after calving. Blood samples collected at -21, 0 and +21 days from calving for MDA and GSH-Px analysis as well as at -21, +14 and +21 days of postpartum for glucose and BHB. Data on reproductive parameters obtained from farm records were also collected. MDA concentrations were higher in group of low-BCS compared to group of adequate-BCS at -21 and 0 d related to calving (p<0.05). GSH-Px activity was lower in group of low-BCS than adequate one during the transition period (p<0.05). Low-BCS group also showed higher concentrations of BHB at +14 and +21 days after calving. During the transition period, low-BCS group had lower glucose concentrations compared to adequate one (p<0.05). Adequate-BCS group of cows showed shorter intervals of calving to first estrus (p<0.01) and calving to conception (p<0.01). In conclusion, cows with lower BCS at the prepartum period had worse metabolic and oxidative balance during the transition period. This situation also was associated with worse reproductive performance in cows.