bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk for recurrent cardiovascular disease events among patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease
Authors: Hubbard Demetria , Colantonio Lisandro D. , Rosenson Robert S. , Brown Todd M. , Jackson Elizabeth A. , Huang Lei , Orroth Kate K. , Reading Stephanie , Woodward Mark , Bittner Vera , Gutierrez Orlando M. , Safford Monika M. , Farkouh Michael E. , Muntner Paul
Published: March 2021

Background

Adults who have experienced multiple cardiovascular disease (CVD) events have a very high risk for additional events. Diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are each associated with an increased risk for recurrent CVD events following a myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods

We compared the risk for recurrent CVD events among US adults with health insurance who were hospitalized for an MI between 2014 and 2017 and had (1) CVD prior to their MI but were free from diabetes or CKD (prior CVD), and those without CVD prior to their MI who had (2) diabetes only, (3) CKD only and (4) both diabetes and CKD. We followed patients from hospital discharge through December 31, 2018 for recurrent CVD events including coronary, stroke, and peripheral artery events.

Results

Among 162,730 patients, 55.2% had prior CVD, and 28.3%, 8.3%, and 8.2% had diabetes only, CKD only, and both diabetes and CKD, respectively. The rate for recurrent CVD events per 1000 person-years was 135 among patients with prior CVD and 110, 124 and 171 among those with diabetes only, CKD only and both diabetes and CKD, respectively. Compared to patients with prior CVD, the multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio for recurrent CVD events was 0.92 (95%CI 0.90–0.95), 0.89 (95%CI: 0.85–0.93), and 1.18 (95%CI: 1.14–1.22) among those with diabetes only, CKD only, and both diabetes and CKD, respectively.

Conclusion

Following MI, adults with both diabetes and CKD had a higher risk for recurrent CVD events compared to those with prior CVD without diabetes or CKD.
Geographical variation and clustering are found in atrial fibrillation beyond socioeconomic differences: a Danish cohort study, 1987–2015
Authors: Wodschow Kirstine , Bihrmann Kristine , Larsen Mogens Lytken , Gislason Gunnar , Ersbøll Annette Kjær
Published: March 2021

Background

The prevalence and incidence rate of atrial fibrillation (AF) increase worldwide and AF is a risk factor for more adverse cardiovascular diseases including stroke. Approximately 44% of AF cases cannot be explained by common individual risk factors and risk might therefore also be related to the environment. By studying geographical variation and clustering in risk of incident AF adjusted for socioeconomic position at an individual level, potential neighbourhood risk factors could be revealed.

Methods

Initially, yearly AF incidence rates 1987–2015 were estimated overall and stratified by income in a register-based cohort study. To examine geographical variation and clustering in AF, we used both spatial scan statistics and a hierarchical Bayesian Poisson regression analysis of AF incidence rates with random effect of municipalities (n = 98) in Denmark in 2011–2015.

Results

The 1987–2015 cohort included 5,453,639 individuals whereof 369,800 were diagnosed with an incident AF. AF incidence rate increased from 174 to 576 per 100,000 person-years from 1987 to 2015. Inequality in AF incidence rate ratio between highest and lowest income groups increased from 23% in 1987 to 38% in 2015. We found clustering and geographical variation in AF incidence rates, with incidence rates at municipality level being up to 34% higher than the country mean after adjusting for socioeconomic position.

Conclusions

Geographical variations and clustering in AF incidence rates exist. Compared to previous studies from Alberta, Canada and the United States, we show that geographical variations exist in a country with free access to healthcare and even when accounting for socioeconomic differences at an individual level. An increasing social inequality in AF was seen from 1987 to 2015. Therefore, when planning prevention strategies, attention to individuals with low income should be given. Further studies focusing on identification of neighbourhood risk factors for AF are needed.
CircWAC induces chemotherapeutic resistance in triple-negative breast cancer by targeting miR-142, upregulating WWP1 and activating the PI3K/AKT pathway
Authors: Wang Lei , Zhou Yehui , Jiang Liang , Lu Linlin , Dai Tiantian , Li Aoshuang , Chen Yan , Zhang Lifeng
Published: March 2021

Background

Chemotherapeutic resistance is the main cause of clinical treatment failure and poor prognosis in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). There is no research on chemotherapeutic resistance in TNBC from the perspective of circular RNAs (circRNAs).

Methods

TNBC-related circRNAs were identified based on the GSE101124 dataset. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR was used to detect the expression level of circWAC in TNBC cells and tissues. Then, in vitro and in vivo functional experiments were performed to evaluate the effects of circWAC in TNBC.

Results

CircWAC was highly expressed in TNBC and was associated with worse TNBC patient prognosis. Subsequently, it was verified that downregulation of circWAC can increase the sensitivity of TNBC cells to paclitaxel (PTX) in vitro and in vivo. The expression of miR-142 was negatively correlated with circWAC in TNBC. The interaction between circWAC and miR-142 in TNBC cells was confirmed by RNA immunoprecipitation assays, luciferase reporter assays, pulldown assays, and fluorescence in situ hybridization. Mechanistically, circWAC acted as a miR-142 sponge to relieve the repressive effect of miR-142 on its target WWP1. In addition, the overall survival of TNBC patients with high expression of miR-142 was significantly better than that of patients with low expression of miR-142, and these results were verified in public databases. MiR-142 regulated the expression of WWP1 and the activity of the PI3K/AKT pathway. It was confirmed that WWP1 is highly expressed in TNBC and that the prognosis of patients with high WWP1 expression is poor.

Conclusions

CircWAC/miR-142/WWP1 form a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network to regulate PI3K/AKT signaling activity in TNBC cells and affect the chemosensitivity of cells.
Structure-dependent absorption of atypical sphingoid long-chain bases from digestive tract into lymph
Authors: Mikami Daisuke , Sakai Shota , Nishimukai Megumi , Yuyama Kohei , Mukai Katsuyuki , Igarashi Yasuyuki
Published: March 2021

Background

Dietary sphingolipids have various biofunctions, including skin barrier improvement and anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinoma properties. Long-chain bases (LCBs), the essential backbones of sphingolipids, are expected to be important for these bioactivities, and they vary structurally between species. Given these findings, however, the absorption dynamics of each LCB remain unclear.

Methods

In this study, five structurally different LCBs were prepared from glucosylceramides (GlcCers) with LCB 18:2(4E,8Z);2OH and LCB 18:2(4E,8E);2OH moieties derived from konjac tuber (Amorphophallus konjac), from GlcCers with an LCB 18(9Me):2(4E,8E);2OH moiety derived from Tamogi mushroom (Pleurotus cornucopiae var. citrinopileatus), and from ceramide 2-aminoethyphosphonate with LCB 18:3(4E,8E,10E);2OH moiety and LCB 18(9Me):3(4E,8E,10E);2OH moiety derived from giant scallop (Mizuhopecten yessoensis), and their absorption percentages and metabolite levels were analyzed using a lymph-duct-cannulated rat model via liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) with a multistage fragmentation method.

Results

The five orally administered LCBs were absorbed and detected in chyle (lipid-containing lymph) as LCBs and several metabolites including ceramides, hexosylceramides, and sphingomyelins. The absorption percentages of LCBs were 0.10–1.17%, depending on their structure. The absorption percentage of LCB 18:2(4E,8Z);2OH was the highest (1.17%), whereas that of LCB 18:3(4E,8E,10E);2OH was the lowest (0.10%). The amount of sphingomyelin with an LCB 18:2(4E,8Z);2OH moiety in chyle was particularly higher than sphingomyelins with other LCB moieties.

Conclusions

Structural differences among LCBs, particularly geometric isomerism at the C8–C9 position, significantly affected the absorption percentages and ratio of metabolites. This is the first report to elucidate that the absorption and metabolism of sphingolipids are dependent on their LCB structure. These results could be used to develop functional foods that are more readily absorbed.
The relationship of self-reported and device-based measures of physical activity and health-related quality of life in adolescents
Authors: Wunsch Kathrin , Nigg Claudio R. , Weyland Susanne , Jekauc Darko , Niessner Claudia , Burchartz Alexander , Schmidt Steffen , Meyrose Ann-Katrin , Manz Kristin , Baumgarten Franz , Woll Alexander
Published: March 2021

Background

Physical activity (PA) has beneficial effects on health and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), which is a protective factor of illness and mortality. The purpose of this examination was to investigate if self-reported and device-based measures of PA were related to HRQoL in adolescents.

Methods

Participants (N = 1565; 54.3% female; Mage = 14.37 years, SDage = 1.99) were recruited from 167 sample points across Germany. Adolescents self-reported their PA, supplemented by a 1-week examination of device-based PA using accelerometry. Additionally, they completed the multidimensional KIDSCREEN-27 to assess HRQoL.

Results

Results showed that self-reported PA was correlated with overall HRQoL, Physical Well-Being, Psychological Well-Being, Social Support & Peers, and School Environment, whereas device-based PA was only correlated with Physical as well as Psychological Well-Being. Further, self-reported PA significantly predicted all facets of HRQoL except for Autonomy and Parent Relations, whereas device-based PA solely heightened the amount of explained variance in the Physical Well-Being subscale.

Conclusions

Findings demonstrate the importance of self-reported PA as it is related to almost all facets of HRQoL. Both measures of PA are not congruent in their relationship with HRQoL and thus implications have to be carefully considered. Future studies should investigate the direct effect of PA on HRQoL and health in a longitudinal approach to account for the causality of effects.
Effect of the time interval between oocyte retrieval and ICSI on embryo development and reproductive outcomes: a systematic review
Authors: Wang Xue , Xiao YaLing , Sun ZhengYi , Zhen JingRan , Yu Qi
Published: March 2021

Background

Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is used in assisted reproductive technology (ART) laboratories. However, there is no consensus regarding the precise time intervals within ICSI cycles [oocyte pick up (OPU), oocyte denudation (DN), and ICSI], and results are inconsistent and contradictory. Thus, we aim to evaluate whether there is a concordance regarding the time intervals used in different laboratories and a concrete time that gives better laboratory and reproductive results.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature until July 25, 2020, was performed with the keywords “Oocyte Denudation/Denudation/Oocyte,” “Intra-cytoplasmic Sperm Injection/ICSI,” “Oocyte/Oocyte maturation/ cumulus,” and “Cumulus removal/ removal.” Articles and abstracts in English and involving human subjects referring to the effects of oocyte DN time on embryo development and clinical outcomes were included.

Results

Of the 294 evaluated articles, 24 (including 20 full articles and 4 abstracts) were included in this review. Eighteen studies analysed the effect of OPU-DN time on embryo development and clinical outcomes. Most of these studies concluded that OPU-DN time did not influence ICSI outcomes, but some suggested that oocytes should be incubated for a short time before DN to improve oocyte maturity and enhance ICSI outcomes. In addition to reports on positive or negligible effects, adverse effects were reported in 12 studies on DN-ICSI timing. Neither OPU-DN nor DN-ICSI time could improve live birth rate.

Conclusions

Oocytes should be pre-incubated for a short duration (preferably < 4 h) before DN according to the ART laboratory schedule. More randomised controlled trials are warranted to clarify the effect of DN-ICSI timing on ICSI outcomes.
Juvenile primary Fibromyalgia Syndrome: epidemiology, etiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations and diagnosis
Authors: Coles Maya Levy , Weissmann Rotem , Uziel Yosef
Published: March 2021

Juvenile primary fibromyalgia syndrome (JPFS) is a chronic, musculoskeletal pain syndrome affecting children and adolescents, most commonly adolescent girls. The syndrome has a multifactorial etiology, with altered central pain processing playing an important role. The hallmark symptom is severe, widespread musculoskeletal pain. Other symptoms include sleep and mood disturbances, headaches, stiffness, and subjective joint swelling. Physical examination can reveal multiple tender points. The diagnosis is clinical, with defined criteria. Early diagnosis and intervention are important. In this part of the review, we discuss the epidemiology, etiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations and diagnosis of JPFS. Part two will focus on treatment and prognosis.
2passtools: two-pass alignment using machine-learning-filtered splice junctions increases the accuracy of intron detection in long-read RNA sequencing
Authors: Parker Matthew T. , Knop Katarzyna , Barton Geoffrey J. , Simpson Gordon G.
Published: March 2021

Transcription of eukaryotic genomes involves complex alternative processing of RNAs. Sequencing of full-length RNAs using long reads reveals the true complexity of processing. However, the relatively high error rates of long-read sequencing technologies can reduce the accuracy of intron identification. Here we apply alignment metrics and machine-learning-derived sequence information to filter spurious splice junctions from long-read alignments and use the remaining junctions to guide realignment in a two-pass approach. This method, available in the software package 2passtools (https://github.com/bartongroup/2passtools), improves the accuracy of spliced alignment and transcriptome assembly for species both with and without existing high-quality annotations.
The impact of temperature on the life cycle of Gasterophilus pecorum in northwest China
Authors: Zhang Ke , Huang Heqing , Zhou Ran , Zhang Boru , Wang Chen , Ente Make , Li Boling , Zhang Dong , Li Kai
Published: March 2021

Background

The departure of the mature larvae of the horse stomach bot fly from the host indicates the beginning of a new infection period.Gasterophilus pecorumis the dominant bot fly species in the desert steppe of the Kalamaili Nature Reserve (KNR) of northwest China as a result of its particular biological characteristics. The population dynamics ofG. pecorumwere studied to elucidate the population development of this species in the arid desert steppe.

Methods

Larvae in the freshly excreted feces of tracked Przewalski’s horses (Equus przewalskii) were collected and recorded. The larval pupation experiments were carried out under natural conditions.

Results

There was a positive correlation between the survival rate and the number of larvae expelled (r = 0.630,p < 0.01); the correlation indicated that the species had characteristic peaks of occurrence. The main periods during which mature larvae were expelled in the feces were from early April to early May (peak I) and from mid-August to early September (peak II); the larval population curve showed a sudden increase and gradual decrease at both peaks. Under the higher temperatures of peak II, the adults developing from the larvae had a higher survival rate, higher pupation rate, higher emergence rate and shorter eclosion period than those developing from peak I larvae. AlthoughG. pecorumhas only one generation per year, its occurrence peaked twice annually, i.e. the studied population has a bimodal distribution, which doubles parasitic pressure on the local host. This phenomenon is very rarely recorded in studies on insect life history, and especially in those on parasite epidemiology.

Conclusion

The period during whichG. pecorumlarvae are naturally expelled from the host exceeds 7 months in KNR, which indicates that there is potentially a long period during which hosts can become infected with this parasite. The phenomenon of two annual peaks of larvae expelled in feces is important as it provides one explanation for the high rate of equine myiasis in KNR.

Graphical Abstract
Industrial and OSS developers’ profiles: a family of experiments to evaluate a pioneering neuro-linguistic method for preferred representational systems automatic detection
Authors: Júnior Methanias Colaço , Santos Breno Santana , Mendonça Manoel , Corumba Daniela , Farias Mario André de F.
Published: March 2021

Software projects use mailing lists as the primary tool for collaboration and coordination. Mailing lists can be an important source for extracting behavioral patterns in the software development. A new approach for that is the use of Neurolinguistic theory to determine what is the Preferred Representational cognitive System (PRS) of software engineers in that specific context. Different resources and cognitive channels are used by developers in order to achieve software understanding. An important question on this matter is: What types of representational systems are preferred by software engineers? This paper presents a psychometrically based neurolinguistic method to identify the PRS of software developers. Experimental evaluation of the approach was carried out in three experiments to assess the Preferred Representational System of developers at Industrial and OSS (Apache server and Postgresql) mailing lists. For the OSS projects, the results showed that the PRS scores of the top-committers clearly differ from the general population of the projects. For industry, the experiment showed that the developers indeed have a PRS. Finally, for both scenarios, the qualitative analysis also indicated that the PRS scores obtained are aligned with the developers’ profiles, considering that alignment is essential to effective communication within the team and enhances the development process due to a better software comprehension.
The effects of BMMSC treatment on lung tissue degeneration in elderly macaques
Authors: Yang Yu-kun , Li Ye , Wang Yan-ying , Ruan Guang-ping , Tian Chuan , Wang Qiang , He Huan-yu , Zhu Gao-hong , Fang Dong , Wang Mao , Zhu Xiang-qing , Pan Xing-hua
Published: March 2021

Background

Age-associated lung tissue degeneration is a risk factor for lung injury and exacerbated lung disease. It is also the main risk factor for chronic lung diseases (such as COPD, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, cancer, among others). So, it is particularly important to find new anti-aging treatments.

Methods

We systematically screened and evaluated elderly senile multiple organ dysfunction macaque models to determine whether BMMSCs inhibited lung tissue degeneration.

Results

The average alveolar area, mean linear intercept (MLI), and fibrosis area in the elderly macaque models were significantly larger than in young rhesus monkeys (p < 0.05), while the capillary density around the alveoli was significantly low than in young macaque models (p < 0.05). Intravenous infusion of BMMSCs reduced the degree of pulmonary fibrosis, increased the density of capillaries around the alveoli (p < 0.05), and the number of type II alveolar epithelium in elderly macaques (p < 0.05). In addition, the infusion reduced lung tissue ROS levels, systemic and lung tissue inflammatory levels, and Treg cell ratio in elderly macaque models (p < 0.05). Indirect co-cultivation revealed that BMMSCs suppressed the expression of senescence-associated genes, ROS levels, apoptosis rate of aging type II alveolar epithelial cells (A549 cells), and enhanced their proliferation (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

BMMSC treatment inhibited age-associated lung tissue degeneration.
Induction therapy with mesenchymal stromal cells in kidney transplantation: a meta-analysis
Authors: Zhao Lingfei , Hu Chenxia , Han Fei , Chen Dajin , Cheng Jun , Wu Jianyong , Peng Wenhan , Chen Jianghua
Published: March 2021

Objective

The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) versus traditional regimens for induction therapy in kidney transplantation (KT), especially the safety of MSC infusion, practicability of MSCs as induction therapy agents, and posttransplant complications.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, EBSCO, Ovid, and the Cochrane Library were searched for prospective clinical trials that compared MSCs with traditional regimens for induction therapy in KT.

Results

Four trials were included, including a total of 197 patients. The pooled results revealed that MSC therapy had a lower 1-year infection rate than did the traditional therapies (RR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.46–0.9, P = 0.01). There were no significant differences between the two protocols regarding the 1-year acute rejection (AR) rate (RR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.41–1.45, P = 0.42), 1-year graft survival rate (RR = 0.99, 95% CI: 0.95–1.03, P = 0.74), delayed graft function (DGF) rate (RR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.21–1.38, P = 0.2) and renal graft function at 1 month (MD = −1.56, 95% CI: − 14.2–11.08, p = 0.81), 3 months (MD = 0.15, 95% CI: − 5.63–5.93, p = 0.96), 6 months (MD = − 1.95, 95% CI: − 9.87–5.97, p = 0.63), and 12 months (MD = − 1.13, 95% CI: − 7.16–4.89, p = 0.71) postsurgery. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that the 1-year AR rate, 1-year graft survival rate, DGF rate, and renal graft function at 12 months postsurgery did not significantly differ between the low-dose calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) group and the standard-dose CNI group, indicating the potential benefits of successful CNI sparing in combination with MSC treatment. Moreover, when MSCs were applied as an alternative therapy rather than an additional therapy or allogeneic MSCs were utilized instead of autologous MSCs, all of the outcomes mentioned above were comparable.

Conclusion

Induction therapy with MSCs is safe and has similar immune response modulation effects to those of traditional regimens in the short term in KT recipients. However, regarding the long-term effects, as suggested by the 1-year infection rate and the potential of CNI sparing, MSC therapy has significant advantages. However, these advantages should be further verified in more well-designed, multicenter randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with large sample sizes and long follow-up periods.
COllaborative Neuropathology NEtwork Characterizing ouTcomes of TBI (CONNECT-TBI)
Authors: Smith Douglas H. , Dollé Jean-Pierre , Ameen-Ali Kamar E. , Bretzin Abigail , Cortes Etty , Crary John F. , Dams-O’Connor Kristen , Diaz-Arrastia Ramon , Edlow Brian L. , Folkerth Rebecca , Hazrati Lili-Naz , Hinds Sidney R. , Iacono Diego , Johnson Victoria E. , Keene C. Dirk , Kofler Julia , Kovacs Gabor G. , Lee Edward B. , Manley Geoffrey , Meaney David , Montine Thomas , Okonkwo David O. , Perl Daniel P. , Trojanowski John Q. , Wiebe Douglas J. , Yaffe Kristine , McCabe Thomas , Stewart William
Published: March 2021

Efforts to characterize the late effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI) have been in progress for some time. In recent years much of this activity has been directed towards reporting of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in former contact sports athletes and others exposed to repetitive head impacts. However, the association between TBI and dementia risk has long been acknowledged outside of contact sports. Further, growing experience suggests a complex of neurodegenerative pathologies in those surviving TBI, which extends beyond CTE. Nevertheless, despite extensive research, we have scant knowledge of the mechanisms underlying TBI-related neurodegeneration (TReND) and its link to dementia. In part, this is due to the limited number of human brain samples linked to robust demographic and clinical information available for research. Here we detail a National Institutes for Neurological Disease and Stroke Center Without Walls project, the COllaborative Neuropathology NEtwork Characterizing ouTcomes of TBI (CONNECT-TBI), designed to address current limitations in tissue and research access and to advance understanding of the neuropathologies of TReND. As an international, multidisciplinary collaboration CONNECT-TBI brings together multiple experts across 13 institutions. In so doing, CONNECT-TBI unites the existing, comprehensive clinical and neuropathological datasets of multiple established research brain archives in TBI, with survivals ranging minutes to many decades and spanning diverse injury exposures. These existing tissue specimens will be supplemented by prospective brain banking and contribute to a centralized route of access to human tissue for research for investigators. Importantly, each new case will be subject to consensus neuropathology review by the CONNECT-TBI Expert Pathology Group. Herein we set out the CONNECT-TBI program structure and aims and, by way of an illustrative case, the approach to consensus evaluation of new case donations.
Rideshare use among parents and their children
Authors: Ehsani Johnathon P. , Michael Jeffrey P. , Gielen Andrea
Published: March 2021

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for young children. Millions of ridesharing trips are taken each day, and use of these services is predicted to increase. Therefore, it is important to examine the safety of children in these vehicles. We conducted a survey of a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults aged 18 years or older (N = 2017). Of the total sample, 450 respondents reported being a parent or legal guardian of children below the age of 10. Of these, 307 or 68% had ever used ridesharing. Among those who had used ridesharing, a total of 253 or 82% reported using ridesharing with their children below the age of 10 years. Among this group, rideshare use was significantly higher among individuals with college education, and in higher income households. Given that the majority of U.S. states have legislation exempting rideshare vehicles from child restraint system law coverage, our finding of high rates of rideshare use among parents suggests that a large number of children could be at risk of injury due to a lack of appropriate restraint use.
Dietary habits of patients with coronary artery disease in a tertiary-care hospital of Bangladesh: a case-controlled study
Authors: Khatun Taslima , Maqbool Dilara , Ara Ferdous , Sarker Manika Rani , Anwar Kazi Selim , Hoque Asirul
Published: March 2021

Background and objectives

Globally, coronary artery disease (CAD) remains one of the leading causes of death, both in developed and less economically developed countries (LEDC) including Bangladesh. Diet plays a key role in the pathogenesis processes of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD). The purpose of this study was to assess the dietary habit of heart disease cases that had CAD against matched controls.

Methodology

Complying Helsinki ethical norms, with written consent, this case-control study was performed among 210 subjects: 105 CAD-hospitalized patients (selected from Lab Aid Cardiac and Specialized Hospitals) and 105 healthy subjects from local urban communities having their body mass index (BMI: ranging between ≥18.5 and 27 socio-demographic status, detailed-dietary patterns and blood pressure levels were recorded, anthropometric indices measured, and serum biochemistry (complete lipid profile) tested/analyzed for both the cases and controls. All visually re-checked data were analyzed using appropriate statistical tools (t test/conditional-logistic regressions) on SPS/Windows V.21.0.

Result

Almost half (45%) CAD patients had hypertriglyceridemia and higher levels of low-density lipoprotein, significantly higher BMA (p=0.001), waist circumference, and waist to hip ratio in male patients (p=0.005 and p=0.020, respectively) than their peer controls. Serum lipid profiles, sugar concentrations, and blood pressure levels of CAD patients revealed higher levels than clinically defined cut-off values as established risk factors for CAD. Odds ratios (CI 95%) as risk factors for consuming junk food {OR=5.49 (2.25–13.38)}, chicken {OR=4.54 (1.89–10.9) was the most, followed by beef {OR=2.68 (1.19–4.98)}, eggs {OR=2.38 (1.14–10.92)}, fish {OR=2.81 (1.31–6.04)}, and vegetables {0R=.968 (0.510–1.839)}. However, fat-free milk, ghee/butter oil, curd/yogurt, and fruits had lower ORs revealing no or less risks for CAD.

Conclusion

Food habits of CAD patients (with higher BMI level and biochemical indicators of the blood) statistically revealed that consuming junk food, meat, and eggs being riskier, fruits, fat-free milk, yogurt, and vegetable remains have protective effects on CAD.
Anemia in Ugandan pregnant women: a cross-sectional, systematic review and meta-analysis study
Authors: Bongomin Felix , Olum Ronald , Kyazze Andrew Peter , Ninsiima Sandra , Nattabi Gloria , Nakyagaba Lourita , Nabakka Winnie , Kukunda Rebecca , Ssekamatte Phillip , Kibirige Davis , Cose Stephen , Nakimuli Annettee , Baluku Joseph Baruch , Andia-Biraro Irene
Published: March 2021

Background

Anemia in pregnancy represents a global public health concern due to wide ranging maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes in all peripartum periods. We estimated the prevalence and factors associated with anemia in pregnancy at a national obstetrics and gynecology referral hospital in Uganda and in addition performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the overall burden of anemia in pregnancy in Uganda.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study among 263 pregnant women attending the antenatal care clinic of Kawempe National Referral Hospital, Kampala, Uganda, in September 2020. Anemia in pregnancy was defined as a hemoglobin level of < 11.0 g/dl and microcytosis as a mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of < 76 fL. We also performed a systematic review (PROSPERO Registration ID: CRD42020213001) and meta-analysis of studies indexed on MEDLINE, Embase, African Journal Online, ClinicalTrials.gov, ICTRP, and the Cochrane Library of systematic review between 1 January 2000 and 31 September 2020 reporting on the prevalence of anemia in pregnancy in Uganda.

Results

The prevalence of anemia was 14.1% (n= 37) (95%CI 10.4–18.8), of whom 21 (56.8%) had microcytic anemia. All cases of anemia occurred in the second or third trimester of pregnancy and none were severe. However, women with anemia had significantly lower MCV (75.1 vs. 80.2 fL, p<0.0001) and anthropometric measurements, such as weight (63.3 vs. 68.9kg; p=0.008), body mass index (25.2 vs. 27.3, p=0.013), hip (98.5 vs. 103.8 cm, p=0.002), and waist (91.1 vs. 95.1 cm, p=0.027) circumferences and mean systolic blood pressure (BP) (118 vs 125 mmHg, p=0.014). Additionally, most had BP within the normal range (59.5% vs. 34.1%, p=0.023). The comparison meta-analysis of pooled data from 17 published studies of anemia in pregnancy in Uganda, which had a total of 14,410 pregnant mothers, revealed a prevalence of 30% (95% CI 23–37).

Conclusions

Despite our study having a lower prevalence compared to other studies in Uganda, these findings further confirm that anemia in pregnancy is still of public health significance and is likely to have nutritional causes, requiring targeted interventions. A larger study would be necessary to demonstrate potential use of basic clinical parameters such as weight or blood pressure as screening predictors for anemia in pregnancy.
Multiomics landscape of synovial fibroblasts in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Tsuchiya Haruka , Ota Mineto , Fujio Keishi
Published: March 2021

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by tumor-like hyperplasia and inflammation of the synovium, which causes synovial cell invasion into the bone and cartilage. In RA pathogenesis, various molecules in effector cells (i.e., immune cells and mesenchymal cells) are dysregulated by genetic and environmental factors. Synovial fibroblasts (SFs), the most abundant resident mesenchymal cells in the synovium, are the major local effectors of the destructive joint inflammation and exert their effects through the pathogenic production of molecules such as interleukin-6.

Main body

To date, more than 100 RA susceptibility loci have been identified in genome-wide association studies (GWASs), and finding novel therapeutic targets utilizing genome analysis is considered a promising approach because some candidate causal genes identified by GWASs have previously been established as therapeutic targets. For further exploration of RA-responsible cells and cell type-specific therapeutic targets, integrated analysis (or functional genome analysis) of the genome and intermediate traits (e.g., transcriptome and epigenome) is crucial.

Conclusion

This review builds on the existing knowledge regarding the epigenomic abnormalities in RASFs and discusses the recent advances in single-cell analysis, highlighting the prospects of SFs as targets for safer and more effective therapies against RA.
Conducting a medical examination in the COVID-19 era: an Egyptian experience
Authors: Gado Ahmed S. , Khater Rawya A.
Published: March 2021

Background

On 12 December 2019, a severe respiratory disease was recently reported in Wuhan, known as COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The coronavirus crisis has unequivocally had a marked influence on medical education, particularly in terms of the delivery of assessment. Institutions were forced to implement several changes to medical exam due to COVID-19 pandemic. Written exams were carried out online. Clinical exams were repeatedly canceled or postponed this year. Some institutions carried out clinical exams using remote OSCE stations or without patients. We present our experience in conducting the medical exam in the COVID-19 era.

Main body

Medical exam of the Egyptian Fellowship was canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic. The candidates were disappointed and increasingly anxious. After 1 year delay, the internal medicine board decided to carry out the exam after implementing several changes. Changes included the written and clinical exams. The medical exam was successfully conduced in the COVID-19 era.

Conclusion

Conducting a medical exam in the COVID-19 era carries a great challenge for the institutions. Institutions should allow for some degree of flexibility when carrying out exams to prevent suffering of the candidates from the difficult circumstances.
Sand injectite mapping using a resistivity-velocity transform function
Authors: Wendt Anke S. , Alam Monzurul , Castagnoli Joao Paulo
Published: March 2021

Lack of resolution in the distribution of sand injectites in hydrocarbon fields is common and makes it difficult to predict drilling challenges and plan for optimum production. A practical workflow was developed that enables the distinction of shale and sand bodies by using a combination of low-resolution seismic data and high-resolution resistivity log data. Measured resistivity logs were used to predict synthetic velocity logs, which accurately match shale velocities and over- or underestimate velocities of other rock types. The synthetic velocity logs were spatially distributed in a 3D cube in order to predict synthetic velocities in between and away from the well locations. The 3D cube was representative of a field. It covered the interval from the seabed to below the reservoir. The spatial distribution was based on a geostatistical approach guided by measured seismic interval velocities. A residual velocity cube was calculated from the measured and synthetic velocities. The residual velocity cube produced near-zero velocities for shaly materials and velocity over- or underestimates for other rock types. Interpretation of the residual velocity cube required the identification of strong stratigraphic markers. The markers were removed from the residual cube by setting their specific layer velocities to 0 m/s. The final information stored in the residual velocity cube was then related to the over- or underestimated velocities in sand bodies.
Memory: what we think the psychiatrist should know in a forensic context
Authors: Commane Clodagh , Kopelman Michael D.
Published: March 2021

This article offers a selective review of memory and of issues relevant for a psychiatrist thinking about memory in a forensic context. It considers the development of our knowledge of memory, some of the ways in which memory can be erroneous and some evidence that this fallibility may sometimes be overstated. It concludes with a section on good practice in psychiatric assessment and in medico-legal work, looking at memory assessment, malingering/exaggeration and guidance for expert witnesses.
The Inevitable Mess of Translingualism
Authors: Watson Missy
Published: March 2021

This article analyzes two of the inevitable messes of translingual scholarship and teaching in composition studies: the criticism that arose from cross-disciplinary conflict with second language writing and the semantic ambiguities that result from the–ism in translingualism. The article reviews a variation in uptakes of translingualism, while arguing that specific strands—translingualism as a disposition and praxis—are the most fruitful in pushing English studies toward a more collective pursuit of language awareness and justice.
Turning toward Pedagogy in a Crisis
Authors: Beaulieu Julie
Published: March 2021

This essay considers the complex emotions of COVID-19 and the different horizons of expectation that are a by-product of US structural inequality. It also considers the experience of teaching in a pandemic, the labor of teaching, and the politics of survivor's guilt.
Hyperuricemia causes kidney damage by promoting autophagy and NLRP3-mediated inflammation in rats with urate oxidase deficiency
Authors: Wu Mian , Ma Yiwen , Chen Xiaoting , Liang Nan , Qu Shen , Chen Haibing
Published: March 2021

Epidemiological research has shown that elevated serum urate concentration is a risk factor for the development of kidney disease; however, the mechanisms underlying this process have not yet been elucidated. To examine the role of urate in the kidney, we used Wistar rats to functionally disrupt expression of urate oxidase (UOX) by using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. In comparison to wild-type (WT) rats, serum urate levels spontaneously and persistently increased in UOX-KO rats, without showing a significant decrease in survival rate. Architecture and function of the kidneys in UOX-KO rats were impaired. Injury to the kidney resulted in increased interstitial fibrosis, macrophage infiltration, increased expression of NLRP3 and IL-1β, and activation of multiple cell-signaling pathways associated with autophagy, such as AMPK, p38 MAPK, ERK and JNK pathways. Inhibition of autophagy with the PI3K inhibitor 3-MA abrogated the development of kidney damage and attenuated renal fibrosis, macrophage infiltration, and expression of NLRP3 and IL-1β in injured kidneys. In conclusion, the UOX-KO rat is a great model to study hyperuricemia-related diseases. Hyperuricemia-induced autophagy and NLRP3-dependent inflammation are critically involved in the development of renal damage and, therefore, highlight the inhibition of autophagy and inflammation in search of therapeutic strategies to treat uric acid nephropathy.
Method for Increasing Planktonic Organisms’ Concentration during the Study of Water Bodies’ Ecological State
Authors: Mosharov Sergey , Gontarev S. , Korsak M.
Published: March 2021

The developed method and device for concentrating of liquid samples in a shipping container, allowing automatically obtain a given final volume of concentrate, are described. This device has a simple design that does not require special skills to work with it, unlike a standard inverse filtering installation. Concentration is carried out by removing water from the shipping container through the device. The proposed method is especially relevant when working with biological samples. The ability to concentrate the sample using a thermos as a shipping container allows avoid the sample temperature’s sudden changes and ensure the safety of planktonic organisms for their further accounting and research.
Filtering of High Solids Concentration Media Using Complex Powerful to the Flow
Authors: Devisilov Vladimir , Sharay E. , Myagkov I.
Published: March 2021

Currently, intensification of the filtering processes in media characterized by high concentration of solid particles remains of great interest in many sectors, such as oil production, oil refining, chemical, medical and food industries. One of the reasons that impede filtering could be the high viscosity level of the dispersion medium. It is known that the filtering rate is inversely proportional to viscosity; therefore, filtering of viscous liquids would be carried out much slower. In addition, filtering media characterized by high concentration of solid particles leads to higher costs for creating the process driving force, fast pores fouling in the filtering material and the need for frequent regeneration of the filtering material. Many media characterized by high viscosity, such as mineral oils, polymer solutions and melts, heavily polluted waters tend to reduce the flow section of the porous material channel; and, as a result, hydraulic characteristics are changing and regeneration of the filtering material is hampered. Therefore, replacement of the filtering material is required, which increases the costs. It is possible to intensify the filtering process by ensuring the suspension preliminarily preparing, for example, by increasing the medium temperature or decreasing the suspension viscosity, as well as adding a suitable solvent. In many technological processes such methods are unacceptable. Design, development and study of devices that allow increasing the filtering material service life and reducing energy consumption to create the required pressure gradient while maintaining the device compactness and ensuring the required fineness of filtration still remains a topical task. This paper is proposing to use filtering in combination with cleaning in centrifugal and vibration fields created in hydrodynamic filters. Centrifugal forces field in the hydrodynamic filter is formed due to liquid tangential introduction into the apparatus and rotation of the cylindrical porous filter partition. The method differs from other technologies by creating a potential flow in the apparatus annular zone within the centrifugal forces field. Such flow organization allows purging up to 80% of polluting substances from the media under cleaning by the centrifugal force mechanism; and such substances are removed from the filter without deposition on the filter partition. This would reduce the load on filter material and increase its service life. Vibration of the filtering partition provided for in its structure makes it possible to destroy the sediment layer thereon and to direct the sediment into the filtrate flow. Thus, the proposed hydrodynamic filter is provided with the self-regeneration ability.
Conflict of Interest in Third-Party Reviews: An Experimental Study
Authors: Ham Sung H. , Koch Ingrid , Lim Noah , Wu Jiabin
Published: March 2021

This paper experimentally examines a conflict of interest (COI) situation in which a third-party reviewer provides a product assessment for a firm but also potentially benefits economically from the assessed firm’s rival. We present a behavioral economics model to examine how reviewer competition and reciprocal relationships between firms and reviewers affect decision outcomes, followed by an experiment to investigate the model predictions. The experimental results are consistent with the behavioral model predictions. In particular, we empirically document a COI problem where the third-party reviewer’s report is biased, and consequently, the assessed firm underinvests in product quality. We find that this adverse result is driven by reciprocity between the third-party reviewer and the assessed firm’s rival. When we introduce an additional reviewer such that there is competition among the third-party reviewers, reporting biases are alleviated, and firms raise product quality levels. Interestingly, however, when informal agreements exist between the third-party reviewer and the assessed firm’s rival, reviewer competition exacerbates biases even more compared with the case without competition, further undermining the assessed firm’s incentive to invest in product quality.

This paper was accepted by Eric Anderson, marketing.
Palliative gastrojejunostomy in unresectable cancer and gastric outlet obstruction: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Rodríguez JI , Kutscher M , Lemus M , Crovari F , Pimentel F , Briceño E
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Palliative gastrojejunostomy is a surgical technique that allows restoration of oral intake among patients with gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) caused by unresectable neoplasms. Research suggests standard treatment for malignant GOO should be laparoscopic gastrojejunostomy (LGJ). This study presents the clinical outcomes of palliative gastrojejunostomy and compares results from LGJ and open gastrojejunostomy (OGJ) at our centre.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis on patients who underwent palliative gastrojejunostomy for GOO caused by unresectable neoplasms between 2008 and 2018. We included demographic variables, time to recover intestinal transit, time to recover oral intake, hospital stay, complications and global survival.

Results

A total of 39 patients underwent palliative gastrojejunostomy (20 OGJ, 19 LGJ). Patients in the LGJ group recovered oral intake and intestinal transit faster than those in the OGJ group (3 vs 5 days, p<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in median operating time, hospital stay or postoperative complications between the two groups. No intraoperative complications occurred. The estimated global survival was 178 days, with no significant difference between the groups.

Conclusions

Palliative LGJ allows earlier restoration of oral intake and does not increase morbidity or mortality. Palliative LGJ should be considered the standard treatment for these patients.
Prophylactic antibiotic use in acellular dermal matrix-assisted implant-based breast reconstruction
Authors: Mazari FAK , Wattoo GM , Kazzazi NH , Kolar KM , Olubowale OO , Rogers CE , Azmy IA
Published: March 2021

Background

Prophylactic antibiotics are used in acellular dermal matrix-assisted implant-based breast reconstructions. However, there are no universally accepted guidelines regarding the best regimen. This retrospective, multicentre study was designed to compare the different prophylactic antibiotic regimens in these patients in three hospitals across two NHS trusts over a five-year period.

Methods

Case notes and electronic records were reviewed for all patients undergoing acellular dermal matrix-assisted implant-based breast reconstructions between January 2010 and December 2014. Prophylactic antibiotic regimens, duration of use, wound infection, implant loss, seroma and therapeutic antibiotic use was recorded. Patients were divided into groups based on prophylactic antibiotic regimen and actual duration of use. Intergroup analysis was performed using Stata 13.0. Implant loss due to infection was the primary outcome measure.

Results

A total of 105 patients had 122 breast reconstructions performed over the study period. Four prophylactic antibiotic regimens were identified: single dose (n = 20), three doses (n = 17), antibiotics for five–seven days (n = 51) and antibiotics until drains removed (n = 32). There was no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) between the various regimens in implant loss, wound infection, therapeutic antibiotic prescription or seroma rates. Based on the actual duration of prophylactic antibiotics usage, three groups were identified: prophylactic antibiotics given for one day (n = 26), antibiotics for up to one week (n = 76) and for more than one week (n = 13). Again, no statistically significant difference was observed in the groups for any outcome measure.

Conclusion

The study demonstrated no difference in outcomes between different prophylactic antibiotic regimens in acellular dermal matrix-assisted implant-based breast reconstructions.