bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proteomics and Phosphoprotoemic Measurements Enhance Ability to Predict Ex Vivo Drug Response in AML
Authors: Gosline Sara , Tognon Cristina , Nestor Michael , Joshi Sunil , Modak Rucha , Damnernsawad Alisa , Posso Camilo , Moon Jamie , Hansen Joshua R. , Hutchinson-Bunch Chelsea , Pino James C , Gritsenko Marina A. , Weitz Karl K. , Traer Elie , Tyner Jeffrey , Druker Brian , Agarwal Anupriya , Piehowski Paul , McDermott Jason E. , Rodland Karin
Published: January 2022

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) affects 20,000 patients in the US annually with a five-year survival rate of approximately 25%. One reason for the low survival rate is the high prevalence of clonal evolution that gives rise to heterogeneous sub-populations of leukemic cells with diverse mutation spectra, which eventually leads to disease relapse. This genetic heterogeneity drives the activation of complex signaling pathways that is reflected at the protein level. This diversity makes it difficult to treat AML with targeted therapy, requiring custom patient treatment protocols tailored to each individual’s leukemia. Toward this end, the Beat AML research program prospectively collected genomic and transcriptomic data from over 1000 AML patients and carried out ex vivo drug sensitivity assays to identify genomic signatures that could predict patient-specific drug responses. However, there are inherent weaknesses in using only genetic and transcriptomic measurements as surrogates of drug response, particularly the absence of direct information about phosphorylation-mediated signal transduction. As a member of the Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium, we have extended the molecular characterization of this cohort by collecting proteomic and phosphoproteomic measurements from a subset of these patient samples to evaluate the hypothesis that proteomic signatures can improve the ability to predict drug response in AML patients. In this work we describe our systematic, multi-omic approach to evaluate proteomic signatures of drug response and compare protein levels to other markers of drug response such as mutational patterns. We explore the nuances of this approach using two drugs that target key pathways activated in AML: quizartinib (FLT3) and trametinib (Ras/MEK), and show how patient-derived signatures can be interpreted biologically and validated in cell lines. In conclusion, this pilot study demonstrates strong promise for proteomics-based patient stratification to assess drug sensitivity in AML.
A novel AAV1 variant for transduction of Japanese quail neurons in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Berlin Shai , Zoabi Shaden , Andreyanov Michael , Heinrich Ronit , Ron Shaked , Carmi Ido , Gutfreund Yoram
Published: January 2022

The widespread use of rodents in neuroscience has prompted the development of optimized viral variants for transduction of brain cells, in vivo. However, many of the viruses developed are less efficient in other model organisms, with birds being among the most resistant to infection by current viral tools. Resultantly, the use of genetically-encoded tools and methods in avian species is scarce; markedly holding the field back. We sought to bridge this gap by developing custom viruses towards the transduction of brain cells of the Japanese quail. We first develop a unique protocol for culturing primary neurons and glia from quail embryos, followed by characterization of cultures via immunostaining, single cell mRNA sequencing and patch clamp electrophysiology. We then leverage the cultures for the rapid screening of various viruses, only to find that all yielded very poor to no infection of cells in vitro. However, few infected neurons were obtained by AAV1 and AAV2. Scrutiny of the sequence of the AAV receptor found in quail led us to rationally design novel AAV variants, with one variant (AAV1-T593K; AAV1*) showing improved transduction efficiency in vitro and in vivo. Together, we present a novel culturing method, unique transcriptome profiles of quail’s brain cells and a custom-tailored AAV1 for transduction of quail neurons in vitro and in vivo.
Traditional Psychological Assessment during COVID-19: Ethical Violations and Problems in Practice
Authors: çelik samet
Published: January 2022

The problems experienced by the psychologists while conducting psychological assessment during the COVID-19 era and the individual solutions offered for those problems have been examined within this study by taking into consideration the ethical principles. 50 participants working actively during the COVID-19 era have been reached out within the scope of the study. Semi-structured interviews have been conducted with all participants through online platforms. Then, the contents of the recorded interviews have been analyzed. Upon evaluating the findings of the research, it has been found out that in the COVID-19 era participants mostly had problems regarding the application of the tests (such as ignoring the standard application instructions). Then, it has been found that the application malpractices resulted due to anxiety and the fear related to COVID-19 (such as trying to end the assessment soon and quickly). It is believed that this study can be a guideway for the challenges faced during the COVID-19 era by psychiatric care personnel conducting psychological assessment.
Low reporting of adverse events following immunization, during a Measles-Rubella catchup and Polio mass vaccination campaign in Uganda; 2019
Authors: Nsubuga Fred , Alfred Driwale , Gyasi Samuel Ofori , Ampeire Immaculate , Kabwama Steven Ndugwa
Published: January 2022

Background

Vaccine safety surveillance is increasingly becoming a critical area in national immunisation programs. Uganda conducted a Measles-Rubella catch-up and Polio mass vaccination campaign between 16 and 20 October 2019. We conducted a descriptive analysis of the adverse events following immunisation reported following this campaign to inform policy updates. The target age-group for the campaign was children aged 9 months to 14 completed years, while the target age-group for polio campaign was 0-59 months. We conducted active search for the serious adverse event following immunisation that were reported.
Results

Among the 19,241,348 persons vaccinated during the Measles-Rubella catch-up and Polio mass campaign, 10,612,278 (55%) received MR vaccine alone; while 8,629,070 (45%) received either bivalent oral polio vaccine (bOPV) alone or MR and bOPV for children 9 to 59 months. The mean age of the children was 8.3 years, range 0.5-14years, including 68 (47%) boys, 64 (44%) girls and 13 (9%) missing sex classification. The serious adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) included; toxic epidermal necrolysis 3 (2.1%), Steven Johnson syndrome 2 (1.4%), severe anemia 2 (1.4%), febrile illness 1 (0.7%), sudden respiratory failure 1 (0.7%), bullous impetigo 1 (0.7%) and injection abscess 19 (13%).
Conclusion

AEFI reporting in Uganda is low, and concerted efforts need to be undertaken to create community awareness about the importance of reporting. Additionally, the health care systems should be strengthened to efficiently investigate all potential signals that led to quality causality assessment of serious and other AEFI of public health concern so as to provide correct information to the community and prevent false association of vaccines and or vaccination to incorrect signals, and build a resilient immunisation program that is trusted by the community.
Mapping QTLs for physiological traits associated with grain yield under timely and delayed sown conditions in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: pankaj yaswant kumar , Kumar Rajeev , Gill Kulvinder Singh , Nagarajan Ragupathi
Published: January 2022

Twenty-one quantitative trait loci were discovered across six environments, including three (NS), seven (LS), and eleven (VLS) conditions. The linkage groups 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 2D, 3B, 4A, 6A, 6B, and 7D spanned QTLs. For CT, a stable QTL (Qct_rpcau_4A) in the environment E6 has shown a PVE up to 17.85%. The QTL, Qspad_rpcau_2D was found to be stable for SPAD value, explaining the PVE of 15.05%.Whereas, three stable QTLs viz. Qgy_rpcau_3B, Qgy_rpcau_4A and Qgy_rpcau_6A were associated with the chromosomes 3B, 4A and 6B explaining a PVE of 20.85%, 17.43% and 17.37% respectively for the trait GY. The interaction of genotype and environment has been shown to be useful in determining the best lines for heat stressed environments. In addition, G X E analysis was performed on the population. In the ranking of genotypes for both mean yield and mean Vs. stability, GGE biplot across the six environments, DH 146, 195, 60, 202, 65, 155, 124, 5, 201, 169, 15, and 170 were ranked closest to ideal and winning genotype; these were highly adapted and most stable lines. The goal of the current investigation was to find the best suitable double haploid lines which can withstand heat-stress and to find those QTLs which are influential to heat stress for the studied traits.
Identification of fungal dihydrouracil-oxidase genes by expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Bouwknegt Jonna , Vos Aurin M. , Merino Raúl A. Ortiz , Cuylenburg Daphne C. van , Luttik Marijke A. H. , Pronk Jack T.
Published: January 2022

Analysis of predicted fungal proteomes revealed a large family of sequences that showed similarity to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Class-I dihydroorotate dehydrogenase Ura1, which supports synthesis of pyrimidines under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. However, expression of codon-optimised representatives of this gene family, from the ascomycete Alternaria alternata and the basidiomycete Schizophyllum commune, only supported growth of an S. cerevisiae ura1Δ mutant when synthetic media were supplemented with dihydrouracil. A hypothesis that these genes encode NAD(P)+-dependent dihydrouracil dehydrogenases (EC 1.3.1.1 or 1.3.1.2) was rejected based on absence of complementation in anaerobic cultures. Uracil- and thymine-dependent oxygen consumption and hydrogen-peroxide production by cell extracts of S. cerevisiae strains expressing the A. alternata and S. commune genes showed that, instead, they encode active dihydrouracil oxidases (DHO, EC1.3.3.7). DHO catalyses the reaction dihydrouracil + O2 → uracil + H2O2 and was only reported in the yeast Rhodotorula glutinis. No structural gene for DHO was previously identified. DHO-expressing strains were highly sensitive to 5-fluoro-dihydrouracil (5F-dhu) and plasmids bearing expression cassettes for DHO were readily lost during growth on 5F-dhu-containing media. These results show the potential applicability of fungal DHO genes as counter-selectable marker genes for genetic modification of S. cerevisiae and other organisms that lack a native DHO. Further research should explore the physiological significance of this enigmatic and apparently widespread fungal enzyme.
Differential metabolic risk factors of early nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in male adolescents with obesity and non-obesity prior to adulthood
Authors: Kado Akira , Inoue Yukiko , Moriya Kyoji
Published: January 2022

Background: As is the case for metabolic syndrome, the incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adolescents is increasing worldwide; however, few studies have assessed metabolic differences of NAFLD between adolescents with obesity and non-obesity. Our aim was to assess metabolic risk factors of NAFLD in male adolescents with obesity and non-obesity.Methods: A total of 108 male university students (body mass index, BMI < 23, n = 24; BMI 23–24.9, n = 39; BMI ≥ 25, n = 45) who underwent the first-year health checkup were enrolled, and diagnosed with NAFLD or non-NAFLD using the abdominal ultrasonography (AUS). The relationship between NAFLD and metabolic parameters was examined based on BMI and AUS scores.Results: Metabolic parameters including hypertension, abdominal fat, liver damage, dyslipidemia, and impaired glucose tolerance were significantly increased in students with obesity (BMI ≥ 25) compared to students with non-obesity (BMI < 25), and these parameters positively correlated with BMI. AUS scores positively correlated with BMI, and metabolic parameters of NAFLD were influenced by BMI. Therefore, the parameters of NAFLD in adolescents with obesity and non-obesity were separately examined. In univariate and multivariate analyses, the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level was significantly increased in adolescents with obese NAFLD, and the fatty liver index (FLI) and consumption of soft drinks were higher in adolescents with non-obese NAFLD.Conclusions: The metabolic risk factors of male adolescents with obese and non-obese NAFLD differ. Our findings suggest that male adolescents with obesity and non-obesity must be separately investigated when identifying adolescent NAFLD.
Analysis on the Spatial and Temporal Differences of AEE and Its Potential Improvement in China Based on Strong Disposability
Authors: SHI Dong-Mei
Published: January 2022

Agricultural eco-efficiency (AEE) emphasizes the unification of agriculture production efficiency and environmental benefits. It is an important indicator to measure agriculture's high-quality and sustainable development. Therefore, improving agricultural ecological efficiency is the key to achieving high-quality and sustainable agricultural development. The work uses the EBM-Super-ML method with strong disposability of undesired output to calculate the AEE and further in-depth the spatial-temporal differences driving factors and promotion potential of AEE. The result shows that the overall average value of China's AEE is increasing and has substantial regional heterogeneity. From the analysis of the improvement potential of agricultural ecological efficiency, the mean value of output inefficiency is 0.05, and input inefficiency is 0.07. Among the undesired output, the emission reduction ratio of the agricultural film can reach up to 40%. Among the input elements, the potential for intensive use of labor input is the largest, the average value in the eastern region is relatively high. The input intensity coefficient of agricultural machinery is negative, so the utilization rate of machinery and equipment should be increased. Based on this, the paper put forward some policy recommendations to improve agriculture's high-quality, sustainable development and the AEE.
A survey of the knowledge and practices of nursing students of Mbarara University of Science and Technology around Monitoring Fluid Requirements for burns patients on surgical ward at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital.
Authors: Atuhaire Joan , Kajjimu Jonathan , Opio Grifance , Lubega Frank , Kakande Reagan , Mwanje William , Tagg Andrew
Published: January 2022

Background There is a high mortality of burns especially in low- and middle-income countries which already have less developed healthcare systems. Besides, little is known about nursing students’ knowledge and practices towards the need to monitor fluid requirement in admitted burns patients. Objective To assess the knowledge and practices of nursing students regarding monitoring fluid requirements for hospitalised paediatrics and adult burn patients on the surgical ward at Mbarara regional referral hospital. Methods We conducted an online descriptive cross-sectional study among clinical nursing students at MUST during September and November 2021. We assessed knowledge and practices using an adapted questionnaire. Summary statistics were then used to describe the data. Results 37 nursing students (64.9% response rate) participated in our survey. Twenty one (56.8%) were female and had a modal age range of 20-24 years. Nineteen (51.4%) of the students were BNC (Bachelor of Nursing Completion) students, with the rest being BNS (Bachelor of Nursing). More than 75% of students correctly answered each of two out of the ten questions. More than three quarters of the students reported having done each of six out of the eleven practices surveyed. Conclusion Nursing students had poor knowledge and fair satisfactory practices regarding monitoring of the fluid requirements in burns patients. We recommend periodic re-trainings and reassessment of clinical skills of nursing students.
Mesoscopic collective dynamics in liquids and the Dual Model
Authors: Peluso Fabio
Published: January 2022

Here in this paper a microscopic vision is presented of a Dual Model of Liquids (DML) starting from a solidpicture. The task is accomplished firstly by showing how a series of experimental evidences and theoreticaldevelopments on liquid modelling, gathered for the first time, can be framed in a mesoscopic view of liquids,hypothesized as constituted by a population of dynamic aggregates of molecules, diving in an ocean of amorphousliquid. The pseudo-crystals interact with the rest of the liquid through harmonic elastic waves and anharmonic wavepacketspropagating within and among the structures, respectively. The interaction term is derived from “firstprinciples”; its anharmonic character allows the exchange of both energy and momentum between the wave packetsand the molecule’ clusters, determining the displacement of the latter within the medium, and the redistribution of theenergy between external degrees of freedom (DoF) and internal collective degrees of the clusters. Among the noveltiesof this model is that, making use of a simple kinetic mechanism, it provides quantitative expressions of variousextensive thermophysical quantities, introducing the statistical number of excited DoF. In this way the problem isbypassed of other dual models which are sometimes unable to correctly reproduce the expressions for thosethermophysical quantities showing deviations due to the activation/deactivation of internal DoF. The interpretation ofthe relaxation times is given, their Order-of-Magnitude calculated and the way in which these times are involved in thedifferent phases of the collective dynamics of liquids discussed.Because this model appears complementary to the Phonon theory of Liquid Thermodynamics (PLT), acomparison is provided with results obtained in the frame of PLT, as well with the forecasts for the visco-elastictransition regions and with systems exhibiting k-gap.In the last part of the paper, theoretical insights and experiments are suggested as potential directions for futureresearches and developments.
Towards quantifying information flows: relative entropy in deep neural networks and the renormalization group
Authors: Erdmenger Johanna , Grosvenor Kevin , Jefferson Ro
Published: January 2022

We investigate the analogy between the renormalization group (RG) and deep neural networks, wherein subsequent layers of neurons are analogous to successive steps along the RG. In particular, we quantify the flow of information by explicitly computing the relative entropy or Kullback-Leibler divergence in both the one- and two-dimensional Ising models under decimation RG, as well as in a feedforward neural network as a function of depth. We observe qualitatively identical behavior characterized by the monotonic increase to a parameter-dependent asymptotic value. On the quantum field theory side, the monotonic increase confirms the connection between the relative entropy and the c-theorem. For the neural networks, the asymptotic behavior may have implications for various information maximization methods in machine learning, as well as for disentangling compactness and generalizability. Furthermore, while both the two-dimensional Ising model and the random neural networks we consider exhibit non-trivial critical points, the relative entropy appears insensitive to the phase structure of either system. In this sense, more refined probes are required in order to fully elucidate the flow of information in these models.
Strategic entrepreneurship practices and performance of small and medium-sized enterprises in Nigeria
Authors: Okoi Innocent , Ubi Ije , Iheanacho Maryjoan , Emori Enya , Sunday Ezekiel
Published: January 2022

The paper examines strategic entrepreneurship practices and performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria’s hospitality industry. The necessity of this study is due to strategic entrepreneurship practices and the performance of SMEs in Nigeria’s hospitality industry is being critical for providing a solution as to how entrepreneurs can exploit and explore the business environment and remain competitive. The purpose of the paper was to examine the relationship between strategic resource management and the quality of SMEs services/products, as well as ascertain the relationship between entrepreneurial innovation and increased sales volume of SMEs in Nigeria’s hospitality industry. A survey design was used as a questionnaire instrument and had been constructed and issued among 400 sampled respondents drawn from 1,294 employees from selected SMEs of the Nigerian hospitality industry, 365 respondents were filled and retrieved. This represents 91.25% of the total sample administered. The multiple linear regression techniques were used to test the research hypotheses. The results showed that strategic resource management and entrepreneurship innovation have a significant influence on the performance of SMEs in Nigeria. The result also showed that strategic resource management enhanced performance of SMEs in Nigeria and entrepreneurship innovation supports creativity of organizational performance. Therefore, managers should progressively incorporate new decision-making styles, processes, and behavior that will place a firm in a competitive and advantageous position during penetration into a new market.
AcknowledgmentsWe express our gratitude to anonymous reviewers, the Journal editor, and all the authors whose works were used in one way or the other in this paper. We thank Mrs. Comfort Innocent Okoi for her untiring effort in type-setting and editing work. Our gratitude goes to the management of selected supermarkets, eateries/fastfood, hotels, and stores in Nigeria for approving prompt responses to our questionnaire instruments on strategic entrepreneurship practices and the performance of small and medium enterprises in Nigeria.
Development of interactive learning media for low and overhead passing techniques in volleyball based on android technology using MIT app inventor
Authors: Astuti Yuni , Zulbahri Zulbahri , Erianti Erianti , Damrah Damrah , Pitnawati Pitnawati , Rosmawati Rosmawati
Published: January 2022

Education is one of the sectors affected by COVID-19, including education in universities, resulting in the transformation of synchronous learning into asynchronous learning. Because covid 19 suddenly came to change the entire process of human life in the world, including changing the learning process in the world of education. Educators are required to be able to use technology in the preparation of teaching materials so that lectures continue to run as they should. Based on the learning process in the July-December semester which is fully online, of course, many problems are found. Based on the problems faced, the purpose of this research is to develop interactive learning media for the technique of passing down and passing over based on android technology using MIT App Inventor. The sample in this study was 120 students who took volleyball lessons. The stages of research methods are analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. From the results of data analysis on the media validation test to see the feasibility of the media carried out, it was obtained an average value of 67.5 with a percentage of 77% and was categorized as feasible after revision of the media.
Consumer and Manager Preferences for Food Attributes in the Restaurant Industry: The Implications for the Imported Duck Industry in China
Authors:   Purdue University, Wang H. Holly , Andrews Rachel C. ,   Buxton, Widmar Nicole J. Olynk ,   Purdue University, Ortega David L ,   Michigan State University
Published: January 2022

Unprecedented economic growth in China has created a new market potential for high-quality foods in the global food industry. This has led several studies to investigate consumer preferences for food safety and quality attributes in the retail market. However, there are limited studies related to the food service sector, specifically to combine these two concepts. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate these preferences from the perspectives of both the customers and restaurant managers in relation to ducks in the Chinese food service sector. This involved estimating the willingness-to-pays for quality and safety attributes such as branding, premium quality, safety certification, and the biotech country of origin, including the United States, the European Union, and China using regression analysis. The empirical results showed that Chinese consumers and restaurant owners/managers have a similar preference for branded, high quality, and safe domestic products. However, their relative preferences for these attributes are not identical, as indicated by the consumers' highest preference for safety certification, while managers mostly focus on the quality. These findings are expected to provide more information on the market preferences for food produced in emerging Asian economies with special diet cultures and traditions.
Comparative estimations of betalains and sugars in fruits of five species of Selenicereus (Cactaceae)
Authors: Pérez-Orozco Arith F. , Sosa Victoria
Published: January 2022

Background and Aims: Betalains are water pigments reported for most species in the order Caryophyllales, to which the family Cactaceae belongs, with benefits as antioxidants in nutrition and human health. The objective of this paper is to determine the quantity of the betalains (betaxanthins and betacyanins) and sugars present in five taxa of Selenicereus, from the Hylocereus clade, commonly utilized for their edible fruit, including S. ocamponis which is an underutilized species, and scarcely cultivated in Mexico.
Methods: Fruits from wild and cultivated plants were collected in Puebla, Veracruz and Yucatán (Mexico) and Valle del Cauca (Colombia) between April and June 2019, and their betalain and sugar content were estimated from frozen fruit. The method proposed by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists was followed to estimate the sugar content. A spectrophotometric method was utilized for estimation of betalains.
Key results: The highest total betalain content was found in species with fruits of purple pulp and pericarp such as S. ocamponis (5.30 and 4.03 mg/100 g of fresh weight, respectively). Glucose and fructose content was considerable in some samples: S. undatus with 5.99 and 2.87 mg/100 g and S. ocamponis with 5.30 and 4.03 mg/100 g respectively.
Conclusions: This study identified large variation in total betalain content in the pericarps of wild and cultivated fruits in S. undatus (2.47-37.11 mg/100 g of fresh weight), which might be related to their management and selection. Estimated total betalain content of wild plants of this species was higher than in some cultivated plants. These results suggest that wild S. undatus plants might represent a good source for breeding programs. The cultivation of species with purple pulp and pericarp should be promoted, so they can be utilized as colorants in food industry.
Light On String Solving
Authors: Kulczynski Mitja
Published: January 2022

Widespread use of string solvers in formal analysis of string-heavy programs has led to a growing demand for more efficient and reliable techniques which can be applied in this context,
especially for real-world cases. Designing an algorithm for the (generally undecidable) satisfiability problem for systems of string constraints requires a thorough understanding of the
structure of constraints present in the targeted cases. We target the aforementioned case in different perspectives: We present an algorithm which works by reformulating the satisfiability
of bounded word equations as a reachability problem for non-deterministic finite automata. Secondly, we present a transformation-system-based technique to solving string constraints. Thirdly,
we investigate benchmarks presented in the literature containing regular expression membership predicates and design a decission procedure for a PSPACE-complete sub-theory.
Additionally, we introduce a new benchmarking framework for string solvers and use it to showcase the power of our algorithms via an extensive empirical evaluation over a diverse set of benchmarks.
Using Wearable Cameras to Categorize the Type and Context of Screen-Based Behaviors Among Adolescents: Observational Study
Authors: Thomas George , Bennie Jason A , De Cocker Katrien , Dwi Andriyani Fitria , Booker Bridget , Biddle Stuart J H
Published: January 2022

Background

Automated wearable cameras present a new opportunity to accurately assess human behavior. However, this technology is seldom used in the study of adolescent’s screen exposure, and the field is reliant on poor-quality self-report data.

Objective

This study aimed to examine adolescents’ screen exposure by categorizing the type and context of behaviors using automated wearable cameras.

Methods

Adolescents (mean age 15.4 years, SD 1.6 years; n=10) wore a camera for 3 school evenings and 1 weekend day. The camera captured an image every 10 seconds. Fieldwork was completed between February and March 2020, and data were analyzed in August 2020. Images were date and time stamped, and coded for screen type, content, and context.

Results

Data representing 71,396 images were analyzed. Overall, 74.0% (52,842/71,396) of images contained screens and 16.8% (11,976/71,396) of images contained multiple screens. Most screen exposures involved television sets (25,950/71,396, 36.3%), smartphones (20,851/71,396, 29.2%), and laptop computers (15,309/71,396, 21.4%). The context of screen use differed by device type, although most screen exposures occurred at home (62,455/64,856, 96.3%) and with solitary engagement (54,430/64,856, 83.9%). The immediate after-school period saw high laptop computer use (4785/15,950, 30.0%), while smartphone use (2059/5320, 38.7%) peaked during prebedtime hours. Weekend screen exposure was high, with smartphone use (1070/1927, 55.5%) peaking in the early morning period and fluctuating throughout the day.

Conclusions

There was evidence for high screen use during the after-school and weekend period, mostly through solitary engagement, and within the home environment. The findings may inform the basis of larger studies aimed at examining screen exposure in free-living conditions.
The Association of Shared Care Networks With 30-Day Heart Failure Excessive Hospital Readmissions: Longitudinal Observational Study
Authors: Pinheiro Diego , Hartman Ryan , Mai Jing , Romero Erick , Soroya Mohammad , Bastos-Filho Carmelo , de Carvalho Lima Ricardo , Gibson Michael , Ebong Imo , Bidwell Julie , Nuno Miriam , Cadeiras Martin
Published: January 2022

Background

Higher-than-expected heart failure (HF) readmissions affect half of US hospitals every year. The Hospital Reduction Readmission Program has reduced risk-adjusted readmissions, but it has also produced unintended consequences. Shared care models have been advocated for HF care, but the association of shared care networks with HF readmissions has never been investigated.

Objective

This study aims to evaluate the association of shared care networks with 30-day HF excessive readmission rates using a longitudinal observational study.

Methods

We curated publicly available data on hospital discharges and HF excessive readmission ratios from hospitals in California between 2012 and 2017. Shared care areas were delineated as data-driven units of care coordination emerging from discharge networks. The localization index, the proportion of patients who reside in the same shared care area in which they are admitted, was calculated by year. Generalized estimating equations were used to evaluate the association between the localization index and the excessive readmission ratio of hospitals controlling for race/ethnicity and socioeconomic factors.

Results

A total of 300 hospitals in California in a 6-year period were included. The HF excessive readmission ratio was negatively associated with the adjusted localization index (β=–.0474, 95% CI –0.082 to –0.013). The percentage of Black residents within the shared care areas was the only statistically significant covariate (β=.4128, 95% CI 0.302 to 0.524).

Conclusions

Higher-than-expected HF readmissions were associated with shared care networks. Control mechanisms such as the Hospital Reduction Readmission Program may need to characterize and reward shared care to guide hospitals toward a more organized HF care system.
A Novel Body Weight–Supported Postural Perturbation Module for Gait and Balance Rehabilitation After Stroke: Preliminary Evaluation Study
Authors: Meyer Amanda , Hrdlicka Henry Charles , Cutler Erica , Hellstrand Jill , Meise Emily , Rudolf Kaitlyn , Grevelding Pete , Nankin Matthew
Published: January 2022

Background

Impaired balance regulation after stroke puts patients and therapists at risk of injury during rehabilitation. Body weight support systems (BWSSs) minimize this risk and allow patients to safely practice balance activities during therapy. Treadmill-based balance perturbation systems with BWSSs are known to improve balance in patients with age- or disease-related impairments. However, these stationary systems are unable to accommodate complex exercises that require more freedom of movement.

Objective

This study aims to evaluate the effect of a new balance perturbation module, which is directly integrated into a track-mounted BWSS, on balance impairments secondary to acute stroke.

Methods

This unblinded quasi-randomized controlled preliminary study was conducted in a rehabilitation-focused long-term acute care hospital. Participants were recruited from stroke rehabilitation inpatients with an admission Berg Balance Scale (BBS) score of 21 (out of 56) or greater. Over a 2-week period, consented participants completed 8 BWSS or BWSS with perturbation (BWSS-P) treatment sessions; study activities were incorporated into regular treatment to avoid disruption of their normal care. Although both groups conducted the same balance and gait activities during their treatment sessions, the BWSS-P sessions included lateral, anterior, and posterior balance perturbations. Pre- and postintervention BBS and Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) assessments were the primary outcome measures collected. Institutional BBS data from the year before installation of the track-mounted BWSS were retrospectively included as a post hoc historical standard of care comparison.

Results

The improved postintervention BBS and ABC assessment scores showed that all participants benefited from therapy (P<.001 for all pre- and postintervention comparisons). The average BBS percent change for the BWSS-P sample (n=14) was 66.95% (SD 43.78%) and that for the BWSS control sample (n=15) was 53.29% (SD 24.13%). These values were greater than those for the standard of care group (n=30; mean 28.31%, SD 17.25%; P=.02 and P=.005 respectively), with no difference among the BWSS groups (P=.67). ABC score changes were also similar among the preintervention and postintervention BWSS groups (P=.94 and P=.92, respectively).

Conclusions

Both BWSS groups demonstrated similar BBS and ABC score improvements, indicating that balance perturbations were not detrimental to postacute stroke rehabilitation and were safe to use. These data provide strong rationale and baseline data for conducting a larger follow-up study to further assess if this new perturbation system provides additional benefit to the rehabilitation of gait and balance impairments following stroke.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04919161; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04919161
A Remote Monitoring System to Optimize the Home Management of Oral Anticancer Therapies (ONCO-TreC): Prospective Training–Validation Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Passardi Alessandro , Foca Flavia , Caffo Orazio , Tondini Carlo Alberto , Zambelli Alberto , Vespignani Roberto , Bartolini Giulia , Sullo Francesco Giulio , Andreis Daniele , Dianti Marco , Eccher Claudio , Piras Enrico Maria , Forti Stefano
Published: January 2022

BACKGROUND

A platform designed to support the home management of oral anticancer treatments and provide a secure web-based patient–health care professional communication modality, ONCO-TreC, was tested in 3 cancer centers in Italy.

OBJECTIVE

The overall aims of the trial are to customize the platform; assess the system’s ability to facilitate the shared management of oral anticancer therapies by patients and health professionals; and evaluate system usability and acceptability by patients, caregivers, and health care professionals.

METHODS

Patients aged ≥18 years who were candidates for oral anticancer treatment as monotherapy with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score of 0 to 1 and a sufficient level of familiarity with mobile devices were eligible. ONCO-TreC consisted of a mobile app for patients and a web-based dashboard for health care professionals. Adherence to treatment (pill count) and toxicities reported by patients through the app were compared with those reported by physicians in medical records. Usability and acceptability were evaluated using questionnaires.

RESULTS

A total of 40 patients were enrolled, 38 (95%) of whom were evaluable for adherence to treatment. The ability of the system to measure adherence to treatment was high, with a concordance of 97.3% (95% CI 86.1%-99.9%) between the investigator and system pill count. Only 60% (3/5) of grade 3, 54% (13/24) of grade 2, and 19% (7/36) of grade 1 adverse events reported by physicians in the case report forms were also reported in the app directly by patients. In total, 94% (33/35) of patients had ≥1 app launch each week, and the median number of daily accesses per patient was 2. Approximately 71% (27/38) and 68% (26/38) of patients used the app for messages and vital sign entering, respectively, at least once during the study period.

CONCLUSIONS

ONCO-TreC is an important tool for measuring and monitoring adherence to oral anticancer drugs. System usability and acceptability were very high, whereas its reliability in registering toxicity could be improved.

CLINICALTRIAL

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02921724; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02921724
You + ME Registry: A Research Platform to Facilitate Clinical and Therapeutic Discoveries in ME/CFS and Related Diseases (Preprint)
Authors: Ramiller Allison , Mudie Kathleen , Seibert Elle , Whittaker Sadie
Published: January 2022

BACKGROUND

ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) is a chronic, complex, heterogeneous disease that affects millions and lacks both diagnostics and treatments. Big data, or the collection of vast quantities of data that can be mined for information, has transformed the understanding of many complex illnesses like cancer [1,2] and multiple sclerosis [3,4], by dissecting heterogeneity, identifying subtypes, and enabling the development of personalized treatments. It is possible that big data can reveal the same for ME/CFS.

OBJECTIVE

To make ME/CFS and other post-infection diseases widely understood, diagnosable, and treatable.

METHODS

Solve M.E. developed and launched the You + ME Registry to collect longitudinal health data from people with ME/CFS, people with Long COVID (LC) and control volunteers using rigorous protocols designed to harmonize with other groups collecting data from similar groups of people.

RESULTS

The Registry now has over 4,200 geographically-diverse participants (3,033 people with ME/CFS, 833 post-COVID, and 473 control volunteers) with an average of 72 new people registered every week. It has qualified as "great" using a Net Promotor Score, indicating registrants are likely to recommend to a friend. Analyses of collected data are currently underway and preliminary findings are expected in the near future.

CONCLUSIONS

The Registry is an invaluable resource because it integrates with a symptom tracking app, as well as a biorepository, to provide a robust and rich dataset that is available to qualified researchers. Accordingly, it facilitates collaboration that may ultimately uncover causes and help accelerate the development of therapies.
Приверженность к лечению как ключевая предпосылка к снижению риска сердечно-сосудистых осложнений. Опыт применения фиксированной комбинации левовращающего амлодипина и аторвастатина у пациентов с артериальной гипертензией высокого риска
Authors: Voronkov L.G. , Vaida L.S. , Paraschenyuk L.P. , Lyashenko A.V. , Tkach N.A.
Published: January 2022

В лечении пациентов с артериальной гипертензией (АГ) наряду с достижением целевых показателей артериального давления (АД) первостепенное значение имеет контроль сопутствующих модифицируемых факторов кардиоваскулярного риска, важнейшим из которых, после курения, является дислипидемия [1]. В действующих европейских рекомендациях по АГ декларирована целесообразность назначения статинов пациентам не только очень высокого (т.е. уже имеющих ИБС либо другие документированные сосудистые осложнения), но и высокого риска [2]. Как известно, к последней категории относят пациентов, не имеющих вышеуказанных сосудистых осложнений, однако отвечающих любому из следующих критериев: тяжелая АГ; признаки поражения органов-мишеней; сахарный диабет без факторов сердечно-сосудистого риска и поражения органов-мишеней; хроническое заболевание почек 3-й стадии; сумма баллов по шкале SCORE ≥ 5, однако < 10 % [3]. Целесообразность статинотерапии у пациентов с АГ высокого риска вытекает в первую очередь из результатов липидной «ветви» мультицентрового исследования ASCOT, в котором длительное применение аторвастатина у более чем 10 тыс. пациентов с АГ, сочетающейся с факторами риска и уровнем общего холестерина (ХС) в плазме крови ≤ 6,5 ммоль/л, сопровождалось снижением совокупного риска всех сердечно-сосудистых осложнений на 36 % [4].
Вплив гіпертонічної хвороби на нервово-психічний стан пацієнтів літнього та старечого віку
Authors: Matviyets L.G.
Published: January 2022

Резюме. Стаття присвячена оцінці структури нервово-психічного стану пацієнтів літнього та старечого віку з гіпертонічною хворобою (ГХ) ІІ та ІІІ стадії, ускладненою інфарктом міокарда. Проведено психодіагностичне дослідження невротичних станів та рівня ситуаційної та особистісної тривожності залежно від рівня стресу, стадії ГХ та вікової категорії. Виявлено зростання невротичних станів залежно від стадії ГХ і збільшення віку. Встановлено прогресування процесу виснаження психофізіологічних якостей психічних реакцій особистості залежно від перебігу ГХ та формування високого рівня неспокою, що заважає психосоціальній адаптації, комплайєнсу з лікарем, знижує ефективність лікування та якість життя пацієнтів літнього та старечого віку з ГХ ІІ–ІІІ стадії.
Что такое рациональная комбинированная антигипертензивная терапия и остается ли таковой комбинация ингибитора АПФ и диуретика?
Authors: Радченко А.Д.
Published: January 2022

Данная статья является обзором литературы о преимуществах комбинированной антигипертензивной терапии как стартовой. Разъясняется понятие рациональной комбинации. Детально рассматриваются вопросы о том, является ли комбинация ингибитора ангиотензинпревращающего фермента (АПФ) и диуретика рациональной и какие диуретики и ингибиторы АПФ лучше использовать для длительной антигипертензивной терапии.
Можливості діагностики синдрому обструктивного апное сну за допомогою портативних моніторів
Authors: Sirenko Yu.M. , Krushynska N.A. , Sydorenko P.I. , Polishchuk S.A. , Pohoretskyi Yu.N.
Published: January 2022

У статті описані можливості діагностики синдрому обструктивного апное сну (СОАС) за допомогою портативних моніторів у кардіологічних хворих. Зроблено висновки про високу інформативність цієї методики в діагностиці СОАС у хворих із високою претестовою вірогідністю обструктивних порушень дихання під час сну та доцільність широкого впровадження методики в рутинну клінічну прак-тику стаціонарів кардіологічного та терапевтичного профілю.
Необходимость и эффективность лечения табачной зависимости
Authors: Kvasha E.A.
Published: January 2022

Табакокурение представляет собой в настоящее время одну из наиболее серьезных проблем здравоохранения. Существуют объективные статистические данные об огромном ущербе, который наносит курение здоровью людей. В статье на основании проведенного эпидемиологического исследования представлены данные о высокой сочетанности факторов риска среди курящих мужчин в возрасте 18–64 лет. Приведены результаты анонимного опроса врачей о вовлеченности в профилактику табакокурения и лечение табачной зависимости. Показана возможность эффективного лечения табачной зависимости с помощью препаратов никотинзаместительной терапии (трансдермального пластыря).
Нові уявлення про місце факторів ризику в патогенезі артеріальної гіпертензії
Authors: Dedova V.O. , Boyev S.S. , Dotsenko N.Ya. , Shekhunova I.A.
Published: January 2022

Артеріальна гіпертензія продовжує залишатися актуальною проблемою, є поширеною патологією та визначає структуру серцево-судинної захворюваності і смертності. Висока захворюваність на артеріальну гіпертензію серед осіб працездатного віку потребує подальшого вивчення причин і механізмів формування даної патології. Згідно з проаналізованими даними можна зробити висновок, що артеріальна гіпертензія — хронічне захворювання, що характеризується порушенням регуляції артеріального тиску в межах фізіологічних норм і його стійким підвищенням під впливом ординарних факторів ризику, що обумовлюють зрив адаптаційних можливостей регуляції, який відбувається в результаті до кінця не з’ясованих, в основному генетично детермінованих причин, що призводять до ремоделювання резистивних судин, і, як наслідок, викликає ураження серця, головного мозку, нирок, що в кінцевому підсумку викликає передчасну смерть. Тому, щоб запобігти негативному результату хвороби, лікування повинно тривати все життя, тому що відбулися структурні зміни. До того ж зручним маркером ефективності лікування для практичного лікаря є рівень артеріального тиску.
Нужны ли споры на тему: лучше сартаны или ингибиторы АПФ? (часть 1)
Authors: Radchenko A.D.
Published: January 2022

Данная статья является первой частью обзора данных литературы о механизме действия и эффективности блокаторов рецепторов ангиотензина II (БРА) в снижении артериального давления и предупреждении поражения органов-мишеней. Проводится сопоставление с действием ингибиторов ангиотензинпревращающего фермента (иАПФ). Делаются выводы, что существенной разницы, которая имела бы клиническое значение, между БРА и иАПФ нет.
Cовременные аспекты контроля артериального давления: достаточно ли рутинного измерения? (Часть II)
Authors: Radchenko H.D.
Published: January 2022

Данная статья является продолжением обзора и анализа литературы, целью написания которого явилось разъяснение врачу, занимающемуся лечением пациентов с артериальной гипертензией (АГ), того, какие существуют дополнительные показатели контроля артериального давления (АД) и почему необходимо их учитывать в лечении АГ. Среди дополнительных показателей в данной части описывается роль вариабельности артериального давления.
Артеріальна гіпертензія та застосування статинів у світлі нових досліджень та рекомендацій
Authors: Sirenko Yu.M. , Rekovets A.L.
Published: January 2022

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