bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Associations between neighborhood characteristics and dating violence: does spatial scale matter?
Authors: Rodrigues Paul , Hébert Martine , Philibert Mathieu
Published: June 2022

Background

Dating violence (DV) is a public health problem that could have serious repercussions for the health and well-being of a large number of adolescents. Several neighborhood characteristics could influence these behaviors, but knowledge on such influences is still limited. This study aims at (1) evaluating the associations between neighborhood characteristics and DV, and (2) assessing how spatial scale influences the estimations of the latter associations.

Methods

The Québec Health Survey of High School Students (2016–2017) was used to describe DV. Neighborhoods were operationalized with polygon-based network buffers of varying sizes (ranging from 250 to 1000 m). Multiple data sources were used to describe neighborhood characteristics: crime rate, alcohol outlet density (on-premises and off-premises), walkability, greenness, green spaces density, and youth organizations density. Gendered-stratified logistic regressions were used for assessing the association between neighborhood characteristics and DV.

Results

For boys, off-premises alcohol outlet density (500 m) is associated with an increase in perpetrating psychological DV. Crime rate (500 m) is positively associated with physical or sexual DV perpetration, and crime rate (250 m) is positively associated with physical or sexual DV victimization. Greenness (1000 m) has a protective effect on psychological DV victimization. For girls, walkability (500 m to 1000 m) is associated with a decrease in perpetrating and experiencing psychological DV, and walkability (250 m) is negatively associated with physical or sexual DV victimization.

Conclusions

Several neighborhood characteristics are likely to influence DV, and their effects depend on the form of DV, gender, and spatial scale. Public policies should develop neighborhood-level interventions by improving neighborhood living conditions.
Mapping the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) to SF-6Dv2 in Chinese patients with heart failure
Authors: Cong Jianni , Zhu Yanbo , Du Jinhang , Lin Lin , He Yuan , Zhang Qian , Chye Tan Ooh , Lv Xiaoying , Liu Wenqiong , Wu Xinrui , Ma Fanghui , Zhao Xinyuan , Li Yuqiong , Long Liqun
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Mapping the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) to SF-6Dv2 in Chinese patients with chronic heart failure, and to obtain the health utility value for health economic assessment.

Methods

Four statistical algorithms, including ordinary least square method (OLS), Tobit model, robust MM estimator (MM) and censored least absolute deviations (CLAD), were used to establish the alternative model. Models were validated by using a tenfold cross-validation technique. The mean absolute error (MAE) and root mean square error (RMSE) were used to evaluate the prediction performance of the model. The Spearman correlation coefficient and Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC) were used to examine the relationship between the predicted and observed SF-6Dv2 values.

Results

A total of 195 patients with chronic heart failure were recruited from 3 general hospitals in Beijing. The MLHFQ summary score and domain scores of the study sample were negatively correlated with SF-6Dv2 health utility value. The OLS regression model established based on the MLHFQ domain scores was the optimal fitting model and the predicted value was highly positively correlated with the observed value.

Conclusion

The MLHFQ can be mapped to SF-6Dv2 by OLS, which can be used for health economic assessment of cardiovascular diseases such as chronic heart failure.
An imbalance between RAGE/MR/HMGB1 and ATP1α3 is associated with inflammatory changes in rat brain harboring cerebral aneurysms prone to rupture
Authors: Shikata Eiji , Miyamoto Takeshi , Yamaguchi Tadashi , Yamaguchi Izumi , Kagusa Hiroshi , Gotoh Daiki , Shimada Kenji , Tada Yoshiteru , Yagi Kenji , Kitazato Keiko T. , Kanematsu Yasuhisa , Takagi Yasushi
Published: June 2022

Background and purpose

An aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is a devastating event. To establish an effective therapeutic strategy, its pathogenesis must be clarified, particularly the pathophysiology of brain harboring intracranial aneurysms (IAs). To elucidate the pathology in brain harboring IAs, we examined the significance of the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE)/mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) pathway and Na+/K+-ATPase (ATP1α3).

Methods

Ten-week-old female rats were subjected to oophorectomy as well as hypertension and hemodynamic changes to induce IAs, and were fed a high-salt diet. Brain damage in these rats was assessed by inflammatory changes in comparison to sham-operated rats fed a standard diet.

Results

Six weeks after IA induction (n = 30), irregular morphological changes, i.e., an enlarged vessel diameter and vascular wall, were observed in all of the left posterior cerebral arteries (Lt PCAs) prone to rupture. Approximately 20% of rats had ruptured IAs within 6 weeks. In brain harboring unruptured IAs at the PCA, the mRNA levels of RAGE and MR were higher, and that of ATP1α3 was lower than those in the sham-operated rats (p < 0.05, each). Immunohistochemically, elevated expression of RAGE and MR, and decreased expression of ATP1α3 were observed in the brain parenchyma adjacent to the Lt PCA, resulting in increased Iba-1 and S100B expression that reflected the inflammatory changes. There was no difference between the unruptured and ruptured aneurysm rat groups. Treatment with the MR antagonist esaxerenone abrogated these changes, and led to cerebral and vascular normalization and prolonged subarachnoid hemorrhage-free survival (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Regulation of the imbalance between the RAGE/MR pathway and ATP1α3 may help attenuate the damage in brain harboring IAs, and further studies are warranted to clarify the significance of the down-regulation of the MR/RAGE pathway and the up-regulation of ATP1α3 for attenuating the pathological changes in brain harboring IAs.
Composition of homegarden plants and cultural use in an indigenous community in Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Yinebeb Metsehet , Lulekal Ermias , Bekele Tamrat
Published: June 2022

Background

Homegardens in Northern Ethiopia received little investigation into the diversity of plants and no study and recording in the Gozamin District. This study was used to fill the gap in how cultural use and cultural importance conserve species diversity in homegardens in the different agroclimatic zones in northwestern Ethiopia.

Methods

The study district and 12 kebeles were chosen using multistage and stratified random selection procedures based on traditional agroclimatic zones in the Gozamin District, Northwest Ethiopia, respectively. The number of plots chosen in each homegarden was determined by the homegarden's size, which ranges from 0.015 to 0.5 ha. These data were gathered by putting plots with a distance gradient from home (size: 10 × 10 m each). A semi-structured interview and complete plant inventory were conducted to document the informant's knowledge of plant species. Sørensen’s similarity indices and Shannon–Wiener diversity indices were used to compare the similarity of sites and three agroclimatic zones, respectively. Direct matrix ranking, cultural importance (CI), the relative frequency of citation, and cultural value were used in quantitative analysis to compare the most common multipurpose plants.

Results

A total of 238 culturally important plant species from 81 families were identified. The Kruskal–Wallis test showed that there was a significant difference among the three agroclimatic zones species diversity (H = 103.4, Hc = 111.2, p < 0.05). Of the total plant species recorded, 59% were reported to be utilized for environmental uses, 35% were food crops, and 35% were medicinal plant species. The same was true for the three agroclimatic zones; food and medicinal uses were the first and second most important use categories, respectively. The similarity index for 64% of the sites investigated was less than 0.5. Cordia africana (FC = 125) was the most culturally significant species with a value of 2.23 on the CI index.

Conclusion

Homegardens are multifunctional systems. The presence of different agroclimatic zones, cultural uses, cultural importance, and cultural value of the species are central to conserving plant species in the area. As the size of the garden increases, so does the diversity of species and uses. Our findings suggest that conservation strategies should take into account the links between plant composition and cultural importance.
Current status of neoadjuvant therapy for locally advanced rectal cancer in Wuhan Union Hospital Cancer Center
Authors: Zhai Meng-Lan , Zhang Fang-Yuan , Yang Jin-Ru , Zhang Sheng , Zhao Lei , Lin Zhen-Yu , Wang Jing , Yu Dan-Dan , Zhang Tao
Published: June 2022

Background

To analyze and explore the evolution and short-term efficacy of neoadjuvant therapy for patients with mid and low LARC in Wuhan Union Hospital Cancer Center.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with rectal cancer from January 2015 to December 2021 were collected. The treatment patterns, short-term efficacy and treatment-related adverse events (AEs) of mid and low LARC patients who received neoadjuvant therapy were analyzed. The Chi-square test was used to compare the differences between groups.

Results

A total of 980 patients with mid and low LARC were enrolled, over time, the proportion of patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy gradually increased, and the treatment mode of direct surgery after diagnosis was gradually watered down. More than 80% of the patients implemented radiotherapy-based neoadjuvant therapy, and the proportion of patients receiving SCRT sequential systemic therapy gradually exceeded that of LCRT combined chemotherapy after 2020. Of all patients who completed radiotherapy and underwent surgery, 170 patients received long-course chemoradiotherapy (LCRT) combined with chemotherapy (Group C) and 98 patients received short-course radiotherapy (SCRT) combined with systemic therapy (chemotherapy with or without immunotherapy) (Group D). The pathological complete response (pCR) rate in Group D was significantly higher than that in Group C (38.8% vs. 19.4%, P = 0.001). The pCR rate in the SCRT plus immunotherapy group was better than that in the group without immunotherapy (49.2% vs. 21.6%, P = 0.007). 82.3% of the patients receiving immunotherapy were treated with SCRT sequential 2-cycle CapOX plus Camrelizumab treatment, and the pCR was as high as 52.9%. Immunotherapy did not increase the incidence of Grade 3–4 AEs.

Conclusions

Neoadjuvant therapy based on radiotherapy is becoming used in patients with mid and low LARC. SCRT sequential systemic therapy is increasingly widely used in LARC patients in our center. Compared with the traditional LCRT or SCRT sequential chemotherapy, SCRT sequential chemotherapy plus immunotherapy has a remarkable pCR rate and manageable toxicity. Looking forward this new treatment mode will bring lasting survival benefits to patients.
Postoperative morbidity and health-related quality of life in children with delayed reconstruction of esophageal atresia: a nationwide Swedish study
Authors: Dellenmark-Blom Michaela , Örnö Ax Sofie , Öst Elin , Svensson Jan F. , Kassa Ann-Marie , Jönsson Linus , Abrahamsson Kate , Gatzinsky Vladimir , Stenström Pernilla , Tollne AnnaMaria , Omling Erik , Engstrand Lilja Helene
Published: June 2022

Background

In 10–15% of children with esophageal atresia (EA) delayed reconstruction of esophageal atresia (DREA) is necessary due to long-gap EA and/or prematurity/low birth weight. They represent a patient subgroup with high risk of complications. We aimed to evaluate postoperative morbidity and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in a Swedish national cohort of children with DREA.

Methods

Postoperative morbidity, age-specific generic HRQOL (PedsQL™ 4.0) and condition-specific HRQOL (The EA-QOL questionnaires) in children with DREA were compared with children with EA who had primary anastomosis (PA). Factors associated with the DREA group’s HRQOL scores were analyzed using Mann–Whitney U-test and Spearman’s rho. Clinical data was extracted from the medical records. Significance level was p < 0.05.

Results

Thirty-four out of 45 families of children with DREA were included and 30 returned the questionnaires(n = 8 children aged 2–7 years; n = 22 children aged 8–18 years). Compared to children with PA(42 children aged 2–7 years; 64 children aged 8–18 years), there were no significant differences in most early postoperative complications. At follow-up, symptom prevalence in children aged 2–7 with DREA ranged from 37.5% (heartburn) to 75% (cough). Further digestive and respiratory symptoms were present in ≥ 50%. In children aged 8–18, it ranged from 14.3% (vomiting) to 40.9% (cough), with other digestive and airway symptoms present in 19.0–27.3%. Except for chest tightness (2–7 years), there were no significant differences in symptom prevalence between children with DREA and PA, nor between their generic or condition-specific HRQOL scores (p > 0.05). More children with DREA underwent esophageal dilatations (both age groups), gastrostomy feeding (2–7 years), and antireflux treatment (8–18 years), p < 0.05. Days to hospital discharge after EA repair and a number of associated anomalies showed a strong negative correlation with HRQOL scores (2–7 years). Presence of cough, airway infection, swallowing difficulties and heartburn were associated with lower HRQOL scores (8–18 years), p < 0.05.

Conclusions

Although children with DREA need more treatments, they are not a risk group for postoperative morbidity and impaired HRQOL compared with children with PA. However, those with a long initial hospital stay, several associated anomalies and digestive or respiratory symptoms risk worse HRQOL. This is important information for clinical practice, families and patient stakeholders.
Eosinophil count and tumor necrosis factor α in response to phototherapy treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia: a cross sectional study
Authors: El-Sheikh Mai Rabie , Ahmed Amira Youssef , ELMashad Abd EL-Rahman Mohamed , Talaye Ibrahim Ibrahim , El-Hawary Eslam El-Sayed
Published: June 2022

Background

Phototherapy (PT) is the most often utilized technique for treating and preventing severe hyperbilirubinemia in the term and preterm newborns. PT's proven benefit is that it decreases the requirement for exchange transfusions. To investigate the effect of PT on allergic response mediators in neonates with hyperbilirubinemia treated by PT, eosinophil counts and tumor necrosis factor alfa levels have been assessed.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 100 full-term infants with indirect hyperbilirubinemia in the first two weeks of life who were indicated for PT. They were investigated by tumor necrosis factor α and eosinophil counts before and 72 h after starting PT. The used tests were paired with Student’s t-test and Pearson coefficient.

Results

Relative and absolute eosinophil counts and tumor necrosis factor alfa were significantly higher after PT than before (p < 0.001). There was a significant positive correlation between total serum bilirubin and both tumor necrosis factor alfa and eosinophil % (r = 0.442 andr = 0.362, respectively,P < 0.001) before PT. There was a significant positive correlation between total serum bilirubin and both eosinophil count and eosinophil % (r = 0.281andr = 0.339), respectively (P < 0.001) after PT. There was a significant positive correlation between both tumor necrosis factor alfa and eosinophil % after PT (r = 0.545,P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha and eosinophilic count increased after treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia by PT, which indicates an allergic response to PT in neonates.
Driving pressure-guided ventilation decreases the mechanical power compared to predicted body weight-guided ventilation in the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Authors: Haudebourg Anne-Fleur , Tuffet Samuel , Perier François , Razazi Keyvan , de Prost Nicolas , Mekontso Dessap Armand , Carteaux Guillaume
Published: June 2022

Background

Whether targeting the driving pressure (∆P) when adjusting the tidal volume in mechanically ventilated patients with the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) may decrease the risk of ventilator-induced lung injury remains a matter of research. In this study, we assessed the effect of a ∆P-guided ventilation on the mechanical power.

Methods

We prospectively included adult patients with moderate-to-severe ARDS. Positive end expiratory pressure was set by the attending physician and kept constant during the study. Tidal volume was first adjusted to target 6 ml/kg of predicted body weight (PBW-guided ventilation) and subsequently modified within a range from 4 to 10 ml/kg PBW to target a ∆P between 12 and 14 cm H2O. The respiratory rate was then re-adjusted within a range from 12 to 40 breaths/min until EtCO2 returned to its baseline value (∆P-guided ventilation). Mechanical power was computed at each step.

Results

Fifty-one patients were included between December 2019 and May 2021. ∆P-guided ventilation was feasible in all but one patient. The ∆P during PBW-guided ventilation was already within the target range of ∆P-guided ventilation in five (10%) patients, above in nine (18%) and below in 36 (72%). The change from PBW- to ∆P-guided ventilation was thus accompanied by an overall increase in tidal volume from 6.1 mL/kg PBW [5.9–6.2] to 7.7 ml/kg PBW [6.2–8.7], while respiratory rate was decreased from 29 breaths/min [26–32] to 21 breaths/min [16–28] (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). ∆P-guided ventilation was accompanied by a significant decrease in mechanical power from 31.5 J/min [28–35.7] to 28.8 J/min [24.6–32.6] (p < 0.001), representing a relative decrease of 7% [0–16]. With ∆P-guided ventilation, the PaO2/FiO2 ratio increased and the ventilatory ratio decreased.

Conclusion

As compared to a conventional PBW-guided ventilation, a ∆P-guided ventilation strategy targeting a ∆P between 12 and 14 cm H2O required to change the tidal volume in 90% of the patients. Such ∆P-guided ventilation significantly reduced the mechanical power. Whether this physiological observation could be associated with clinical benefit should be assessed in clinical trials.
Towards a guideline for evaluation metrics in medical image segmentation
Authors: Müller Dominik , Soto-Rey Iñaki , Kramer Frank
Published: June 2022

In the last decade, research on artificial intelligence has seen rapid growth with deep learning models, especially in the field of medical image segmentation. Various studies demonstrated that these models have powerful prediction capabilities and achieved similar results as clinicians. However, recent studies revealed that the evaluation in image segmentation studies lacks reliable model performance assessment and showed statistical bias by incorrect metric implementation or usage. Thus, this work provides an overview and interpretation guide on the following metrics for medical image segmentation evaluation in binary as well as multi-class problems: Dice similarity coefficient, Jaccard, Sensitivity, Specificity, Rand index, ROC curves, Cohen’s Kappa, and Hausdorff distance. Furthermore, common issues like class imbalance and statistical as well as interpretation biases in evaluation are discussed. As a summary, we propose a guideline for standardized medical image segmentation evaluation to improve evaluation quality, reproducibility, and comparability in the research field.
Methemoglobinemia due to use of poppers: a case report
Authors: Sonck Emmanuelle , Bourmanne Eric , Bruteyn Julien , Dolip Waheed
Published: June 2022

Background

Methemoglobinemia is an excess of oxidized hemoglobin in the blood, affecting oxygen transportation. It is characterized by central cyanosis that does not respond to oxygen therapy. Prognosis is excellent when treated adequately and rapidly. We present a case report of a 38-year-old Caucasian man suffering from methemoglobinemia due to the use of poppers.

Case presentation

A 38-year-old Caucasian man known as a smoker and addicted to cocaine was admitted to the emergency department with dyspnea, agitation, and central cyanosis that started approximately 3 hours before admission. The persistent hypoxia despite high-flow oxygen therapy and a history of poppers use helped to reveal a condition known as methemoglobinemia.

Conclusions

Our case highlighted a typical clinical presentation of methemoglobinemia. This possible life-threatening condition can occur after ingestion or inhalation of poppers, commonly sold in sex shops for recreational purposes. This can be easily confirmed by the methemoglobin level of the blood gases, provided the emergency physician considers this diagnosis. Rapid treatment with intravenous methylene blue is effective and leads to a favorable prognosis.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma: mesenchymal stem cells and their extracellular vesicles as potential therapeutic tools
Authors: Abbaszadeh Hossein , Ghorbani Farzaneh , Abbaspour-Aghdam Sanaz , Kamrani Amin , Valizadeh Hamed , Nadiri Mehdi , Sadeghi Armin , Shamsasenjan Karim , Jadidi-Niaragh Farhad , Roshangar Leila , Ahmadi Majid
Published: June 2022

Chronic lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, are one of the most frequent causes of morbidity and mortality in the global. COPD is characterized by progressive loss of lung function through inflammation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress caused by chronic exposure to harmful environmental pollutants. Airway inflammation and epithelial remodeling are also two main characteristics of asthma. In spite of extensive efforts from researchers, there is still a great need for novel therapeutic approaches for treatment of these conditions. Accumulating evidence suggests the potential role of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in treatment of many lung injuries due to their beneficial features including immunomodulation and tissue regeneration. Besides, the therapeutic advantages of MSCs are chiefly related to their paracrine functions such as releasing extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs comprising exosomes and microvesicles are heterogeneous bilayer membrane structures loaded with various lipids, nucleic acids and proteins. Due to their lower immunogenicity, tumorigenicity, and easier management, EVs have appeared as favorable alternatives to stem cell therapies. Therefore, in this review, we provided an overview on the current understanding of the importance of MSCs and MSC-derived EVs from different sources reported in preclinical and clinical COPD and asthmatic models.
Mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in newly diagnosed type-1 diabetes patients: a phase I/II randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial
Authors: Izadi Mahmoud , Sadr Hashemi Nejad Anavasadat , Moazenchi Maedeh , Masoumi Safdar , Rabbani Ali , Kompani Farzad , Hedayati Asl Amir Abbas , Abbasi Kakroodi Fatemeh , Jaroughi Neda , Mohseni Meybodi Mohammad Ali , Setoodeh Aria , Abbasi Farzaneh , Hosseini Seyedeh Esmat , Moeini Nia Fatemeh , Salman Yazdi Reza , Navabi Roghayeh , Hajizadeh-Saffar Ensiyeh , Baharvand Hossein
Published: June 2022

Background

Type-1 diabetes (T1D) occurs following autoimmune-induced pancreatic beta cells death. Among several treatment modalities, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation is promising for autoimmune disorders due to immunomodulation, regeneration, and migration to damaged tissue upon systemic injection. This study assessed the safety and efficacy of intravenous injection of autologous bone marrow-derived MSCs in newly diagnosed T1D patients.

Methods

After receiving informed consent, 21 patients who met the study criteria were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive either MSCs or placebo. Each patient in the experimental group received two doses of MSCs and was followed for at least one-year post-transplantation.

Results

The results have shown that this transplantation is safe and significantly reduces the number of hypoglycemic episodes. MSCs transplantation improved glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), shifted serum cytokine patterns from pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory, increased the number of regulatory T-cells in the peripheral blood, and improved quality of life. Early transplantation of MSCs significantly improved HbA1c and C-peptide levels and shifted pro-inflammatory cytokines to anti-inflammatory cytokines. Also, exercise combined with MSCs transplantation improved glycemic and immunologic indices.

Conclusions

Taken together, autologous MSC transplantation is safe and effective, and its early transplantation is a promising treatment in newly diagnosed T1D children suffering from hypoglycemic episodes.

Trial registration: This clinical trial was registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT) with the identifier IRCT ID: IRCT2016070428786N1 registered on August 20, 2016 (Retrospectively registered) (https://en.irct.ir/trial/23256) and at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (ClinicalTrials.gov) with the related identifier NCT04078308 registered on September 6, 2019 (Retrospectively registered). (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04078308).
Implantation of a nerve protector embedded with human GMSC-derived Schwann-like cells accelerates regeneration of crush-injured rat sciatic nerves
Authors: Zhang Qunzhou , Burrell Justin C. , Zeng Jincheng , Motiwala Faizan I. , Shi Shihong , Cullen D. Kacy , Le Anh D.
Published: June 2022

Background

Peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) remain one of the great clinical challenges because of their considerable long-term disability potential. Postnatal neural crest-derived multipotent stem cells, including gingiva-derived mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs), represent a promising source of seed cells for tissue engineering and regenerative therapy of various disorders, including PNIs. Here, we generated GMSC-repopulated nerve protectors and evaluated their therapeutic effects in a crush injury model of rat sciatic nerves.

Methods

GMSCs were mixed in methacrylated collagen and cultured for 48 h, allowing the conversion of GMSCs into Schwann-like cells (GiSCs). The phenotype of GiSCs was verified by fluorescence studies on the expression of Schwann cell markers. GMSCs encapsulated in the methacrylated 3D-collagen hydrogel were co-cultured with THP-1-derived macrophages, and the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 or inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β in the supernatant was determined by ELISA. In addition, GMSCs mixed in the methacrylated collagen were filled into a nerve protector made from the decellularized small intestine submucosal extracellular matrix (SIS-ECM) and cultured for 24 h, allowing the generation of functionalized nerve protectors repopulated with GiSCs. We implanted the nerve protector to wrap the injury site of rat sciatic nerves and performed functional and histological assessments 4 weeks post-surgery.

Results

GMSCs encapsulated in the methacrylated 3D-collagen hydrogel were directly converted into Schwann-like cells (GiSCs) characterized by the expression of S-100β, p75NTR, BDNF, and GDNF. In vitro, co-culture of GMSCs encapsulated in the 3D-collagen hydrogel with macrophages remarkably increased the secretion of IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine characteristic of pro-regenerative (M2) macrophages, but robustly reduced LPS-stimulated secretion of TNF-1α and IL-1β, two cytokines characteristic of pro-inflammatory (M1) macrophages. In addition, our results indicate that implantation of functionalized nerve protectors repopulated with GiSCs significantly accelerated functional recovery and axonal regeneration of crush-injured rat sciatic nerves accompanied by increased infiltration of pro-regenerative (M2) macrophages while a decreased infiltration of pro-inflammatory (M1) macrophages.

Conclusions

Collectively, these findings suggest that Schwann-like cells converted from GMSCs represent a promising source of supportive cells for regenerative therapy of PNI through their dual functions, neurotrophic effects, and immunomodulation of pro-inflammatory (M1)/pro-regenerative (M2) macrophages.
BMAM: complete the missing POI in the incomplete trajectory via mask and bidirectional attention model
Authors: Zeng Jun , Zhao Yizhu , Yu Yang , Gao Min , Zhou Wei , Wen Junhao
Published: June 2022

Studies on the checked-in point-of-interests have become an important means to learn user’s behavior. Nevertheless, users do not sign in to all visited locations. There are unobserved check-in locations in the generated POI trajectory. Such the trajectory is called an incomplete trajectory, and unobserved point is called missing point. However, incomplete trajectory has a negative impact on downstream tasks such as personalized recommendation system, criminal identification and next location prediction. It is a challenge to use the forward sequence and backward sequence information of the missing point to complete the missing POI. Therefore, we propose a bidirectional model based on mask and attention mechanism (BMAM) to solve the problem of missing POI completion in user’s incomplete trajectory. The context information of trajectory checked in by user can be mined to connect the missing POI with the forward sequence and backward sequence information. Therefore, the model learns the order dependence between each location according to the user trajectory sequence and obtain the user’s dynamic preference to identify the missing POI in the sequence. Besides, the attention mechanism is used to improve the user's representation feature, that is, the preference for POI categories. The experimental results demonstrate that our BMAM outperforms the state-of-the-art models for completion on missing POI of user’s incomplete sequence.
Changing trends in clinical research literature on PubMed database from 1991 to 2020
Authors: Zhao Xiyi , Jiang Hao , Yin Jianyun , Liu Hongchao , Zhu Ruifang , Mei Shencong , Zhu Chang-tai
Published: June 2022

Background

Clinical research publications have become the dominant source and basis of clinical evidence-based decision-making. Exploring the type and quantity of clinical research publications in the PubMed database is useful for clarifying the changing trends of clinical research development in recent years. Therefore, a longitudinal analysis of the type and quantity of clinical research publications in the PubMed database over three decades was conducted.

Methods

The PubMed database was searched to retrieve clinical research according to the type and year of publication from January 1, 1991 to December 31, 2020. The research types were classified as primary and secondary literature.

Results

A total of 1,078,404 primary literatures were retrieved and the constituent proportions were ranked from high to low as case report/series (27.54%), randomized clinical trials (RCTs) (23.62%), cohort studies (21.05%), cross-sectional studies (17.49%), case control studies (9.15%), non-RCTs (1.01%), and pragmatic clinical trials (PCTs) (0.15%). Correspondingly, 1,302,173 secondary literatures were retrieved and ranked as narrative review (70.88%), systematic review (15.02%), systematic review and meta-analyses (13.89%), traditional meta-analyses (4.48%), expert consensus (2.31%), guidelines (1.49%), scoping reviews (0.68%), net meta-analyses (0.40%), and umbrella reviews (0.04%). The average annual growth rate for the primary literature was 10.28%, and ranked from high to low as PCTs (83.68%), cohort studies (17.74%), cross-sectional studies (17.61%), non-RCTs (12.11%), case control studies (8.86%), RCTs (7.68%), case report/series (7.51%); while that for the secondary literature was 10.57%, and ranked from high to low as net meta-analyses (48.97%), umbrella reviews (47.09%), scoping reviews (41.92%), systematic reviews and meta-analyses (33.44%), systematic reviews (33.05%), traditional meta-analyses (12.49%), expert consensuses (9.22%), narrative review (8.72%), and guidelines (2.82%).

Conclusion

Both the composition and number of clinical studies changed significantly from 1991 to 2020. Based on the trend, the case report/series, case control study, and narrative review are on the decline, while cohort study, cross-sectional study, systematic reviews, and systematic review and meta-analysis literature have increased. To improve the quality of clinical evidence, we recommend RCT and cohort study give priority to access to allocated research resources in future.
TCR engineered T cells for solid tumor immunotherapy
Authors: Zhang Yikai , Liu Zhipeng , Wei Wei , Li Yangqiu
Published: June 2022

T cell immunotherapy remains an attractive approach for cancer immunotherapy. T cell immunotherapy mainly employs chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)- and T cell receptor (TCR)-engineered T cells. CAR-T cell therapy has been an essential breakthrough in treating hematological malignancies. TCR-T cells can recognize antigens expressed both on cell surfaces and in intracellular compartments. Although TCR-T cells have not been approved for clinical application, a number of clinical trials have been performed, particularly for solid tumors. In this article, we summarized current TCR-T cell advances and their potential advantages for solid tumor immunotherapy.
Validation of the Sinhalese Version of Brief COPE Scale for patients with cancer in Sri Lanka
Authors: Weeratunga Eranthi , Senadheera Chandanie , Hettiarachchi Manjula , Perera Bilesha
Published: June 2022

Background

Coping strategies play a vital role in cancer management and has been an integral part in the recovery process of cancer patients worldwide. Coping refers to specific efforts; both behavioral and psychological, that diminishes stresses emerged in cancer patients. This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Sinhalese version of the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory (S-BC) which was developed based on the Brief COPE scale  for cancer patients in Sri Lanka.

Methods

The original Brief COPE is a self-administered tool with 28 items designed to measure coping methods used by people in stressful life events. It consisted of statements related to adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies. Forty patients with cancer who were registered at the Oncology ward, Teaching Hospital, Galle, Sri Lanka were included in the study. A cross-cultural adaptation of the Brief COPE was done using WHO guidelines. Reliability of the S-BC was assessed using test–retest and internal consistency procedures. The construct validity of the tool was assessed by performing exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Convergent and discriminant validity of the S-BC was tested using World Health Organization-Quality of Life-Brief scale (WHOQOL-BREF) and Centre for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale (CES-D).

Results

The mean (± SD) age of the sample was 61(± 12) years, and 52.5% (n = 21) of the participants were men. Eighty percent (n = 32) of the participants were more than one year of treatment from diagnosing as a cancer patient. The test–retest reliability of the S-BC was 0.66, and the internal consistency of the S-BC was good (Cronbach’s alpha - 0.819). Both EFA and CFA revealed a structure comprised of seven factors. Such factors were Avoidance/Behavioral disengagement, Religious faith/Acceptance, Seeking support, Planning, Substance use/Venting, Self-blame and Active/positive coping. The scores of the adaptive coping of the S-BC was negatively and the scores of the maladaptive coping of the S-BC was positively correlated with the CES-D score.   The scores of the adaptive coping of the S-BC was  positively correlated with the total score of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire indicating the S-BC’s convergent and discriminant validity properties.

Conclusion

The Sinhalese version of the Brief COPE is found to be a valid and a reliable measure to assess coping strategies used by  patients with cancer in Sri Lanka.
Regenerate the urban space as a common/generate commons through urban space: a reflection on the comparison of urban commoning tools in France and Italy
Authors: Carlone Teresa , Gatta Federica , Léonardi Cécile , Vassallo Ianira
Published: June 2022

In the rich and complex framework that today define the debate about urban commons, our contribution focuses on the relations between commoning processes and urban regeneration. In the last 5 years, we can see emerging different experimental public policies and urban transformation processes that aim not only to give citizens the possibility to manage public properties in a common interest, but also to encourage private groups to take charge of the architectural transformation of public buildings. This paper focuses on the extents and limits of the comparison between two European countries, Italy and France, more precisely between the cities of Turin, Bologna and Grenoble. In the three cities we find similar case studies in terms of actors, stakes and urban impacts. To enquire on those similarities needs a methodology that can highlight the way in which those apparently sporadic cases challenge the existing knowledge on urban commons. Our objective is to question not only the impacts of commons on city governance, but also on how spaces are reshaped and redesigned by commoning practices.
Ambient noise tomography for a high-resolution 3D S-wave velocity model of the Kinki Region, Southwestern Japan, using dense seismic array data
Authors: Nthaba Bokani , Ikeda Tatsunori , Nimiya Hiro , Tsuji Takeshi , Iio Yoshihisa
Published: June 2022

Research interest in the Kinki region, southwestern Japan, has been aroused by the frequent occurrence of microearthquake activity that do not always coincide with documented active fault locations. Previous studies in the Kinki region focused mainly on deep, large-scale structures and could not efficiently resolve fine-scale (~ 10 km) shallow crustal structures. Hence, characterization of the upper crustal structure of this region at an improved spatial resolution is required. From the cross-correlation of the vertical components of the ambient seismic noise data recorded by a densely distributed seismic array, we estimated Rayleigh wave phase velocities using a frequency domain method. Then, we applied a direct surface wave tomographic method for the measured phase velocity dispersion data to obtain a 3D S-wave velocity model of the Kinki region. The estimated velocity model reveals a NE–SW trending low-velocity structure coinciding with the Niigata–Kobe Tectonic Zone (NKTZ) and the active Biwako-seigan Fault Zone (BSFZ). Also, we identified fine-scale low-velocity structures coinciding with known active faults on the eastern side of the NKTZ, as well as sets of low-velocity structures across the Tanba region. Furthermore, sedimentary basins manifest as low-velocity zones extending to depths ranging from ~ 1.5 to 2 km, correlating with those reported in previous studies. Our results therefore contribute towards fundamental understanding of earthquake faulting as well as tectonic boundary and will be useful for hazard assessment and disaster mitigation.

Graphical abstract
Giant esophageal liposarcoma with squamous cell carcinoma resected via the cervical approach: a case report
Authors: Okura Tomohiro , Shirakawa Yasuhiro , Katsura Yuki , Yano Takuya , Ishida Michihiro , Satoh Daisuke , Choda Yasuhiro , Yoshimitsu Masanori , Kanyu Nakano , Matsukawa Hiroyoshi , Idani Hitoshi , Okajima Masazumi , Shiozaki Shigehiro
Published: June 2022

Background

Liposarcoma is one of the most common soft tissue sarcomas, but is extremely rarely found in the esophagus. There have been no reports of esophageal liposarcoma together with superficial carcinoma of the esophagus. Here, we report a patient who underwent complete resection of esophageal liposarcoma with carcinoma via a cervical approach.

Case presentation

A 66-year-old man was diagnosed with an esophageal tumor 11 years ago, but he left it untreated. He presented to our hospital with progressive dysphagia and appetite loss since the previous year. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) showed a large pedunculated submucosal tumor (SMT) originating at the esophageal entrance, extending to the gastroesophageal junction. Additionally, there was a superficial carcinoma on the surface of the SMT, 30 cm from the incisor teeth. Three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) showed a giant elongated intraluminal tumor extending downwards from the cervical esophagus. We diagnosed a giant esophageal polyp accompanied by a superficial carcinoma and performed tumor resection via a cervical approach. The excised specimen consisted of a 23.0 × 8.5 cm polypoid mass. The final diagnosis by histopathological and immunohistochemical examination was well-differentiated liposarcoma and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. He was discharged on postoperative day 14 with drastic improvement in his swallowing ability.

Conclusion

We reported an extremely rare case of esophageal liposarcoma together with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma that was successfully resected through a small cervical incision.
Emergency management of incidental pulmonary embolism (IPE)
Authors: Font Carme , Cooksley Tim , Ahn Shin , Rapoport Bernardo , Escalante Carmen
Published: June 2022

Venous thrombo-embolic (VTE) disease is a common cause of complications in patients with cancer and is the second most common cause of death in oncology patients other than the malignant disease. Whilst symptomatic VTE comprises the majority of such presentations to an emergency department (ED), incidental pulmonary embolism (IPE) is an increasingly frequent reason for attendance.

Many studies report that the consequences of IPE do not differ significantly from those with symptomatic presentations and thus most guidelines recommend using the same approach. The complexity of treatment in cancer patients due to increased prevalence of co-morbidities, higher risk of bleeding, abnormal platelet and renal function, greater risk of VTE recurrence, and medications with the risk of anticoagulant interaction are consistent across patients with symptomatic and IPE.

One of the initial challenges of the management of IPE is the design of a pathway that provides both patients and clinicians with a seamless journey from the radiological diagnosis of IPE to their initial clinical workup and management. Increased access to ambulatory care has successfully reduced ED utilisation and improved clinical outcomes in high-risk non-oncological populations, such as those with IPE.

In this clinical review, we consider IPE management, its workup, the conundrums it may present for emergency physicians and the need to consider emergency ambulatory care for this growing cohort of patients.
Barriers to the Use of the Mental Health Treatment Requirement as Part of a Community-Based Criminal Sentence for Mentally Disordered Offenders
Authors: Saleem Fatima , Blott Hector
Published: June 2022

Aims

Due to the high rates of mental disorder in prison there have been a number of initiatives to divert mentally disordered offenders out of custody. One of these is the Mental Health Treatment Requirement (MHTR): a criminal sentence available as part of a Community Order, offered as an alternative to short-term custodial sentences in an attempt to address recidivism and encourage concordance with community psychiatric treatment. In spite of the prevalence of mental disorder amongst offenders, MHTRs represent less than 1% of all community sentences. Here we aim to identify obstacles to the use of the MHTR at sentencing and to suggest ways of overcoming them.

Methods

A literature review and brief case series will be used to identify and illustrate what may be obstructing or limiting the use of the MHTR. The terms ‘MHTR’ and ‘Mental Health Treatment Requirement’ were searched on Google, Google Scholar, Athens, and PubMed, and results analysed for recurrent themes. The issues encountered clinically by one of the authors who referred three defendants for MHTRs in psychiatric sentencing reports in 2021 were reviewed with the same purpose.

Results

The main barriers to the use of the MHTR which were identified were issues related to a lack of clinician awareness and experience, homelessness and housing, and service structure and provision. There may be a reluctance for Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs) to accept offenders onto their caseloads, and there are challenges in obtaining assessments and recommendations for MHTRs. There are difficulties in securing an MHTR for homeless defendants on remand for whom identifying housing prior to sentencing, and thus a CMHT to supervise the MHTR, can be challenging. The MHTR assessment and referral process is more lengthy and cumbersome than that for most other disposals, leaving the defendant awaiting sentencing (potentially in custody) while the referral is processed.

Conclusion

Suggested solutions to improve access to the MHTR include increasing clinician awareness and confidence by providing teaching and training, and multi-agency meetings to enhance communication and create an understanding amongst professionals of duties, roles, and responsibilities. Initiatives to identify housing for homeless remand prisoners before their release, as well as ensuring the availability of community services to supervise treatment, would overcome some of the obstacles identified and increase availability of the MHTR. Funding for additional staff to conduct the assessment and referrals process would also be likely to improve uptake.