bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CC16 polymorphisms in asthma, asthma subtypes, and asthma control in adults from the Agricultural Lung Health Study
Authors: Gribben KC , Wyss AB , Poole JA , Farazi PA , Wichman C , Richards-Barber M , Beane Freeman LE , Henneberger PK , Umbach DM , London SJ , LeVan TD
Published: November 2022

Background

The club cell secretory protein (CC16) has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects and is a potential early biomarker of lung damage. The CC16 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs3741240 risk allele (A) has been inconsistently linked to asthma; other tagging SNPs in the gene have not been explored. The aim was to determine whether CC16 tagging polymorphisms are associated with adult asthma, asthma subtypes or asthma control in the Agricultural Lung Health Study (ALHS).

Methods

The ALHS is an asthma case-control study nested in the Agricultural Health Study cohort. Asthma cases were individuals with current doctor diagnosed asthma, likely undiagnosed asthma, or asthma-COPD overlap defined by questionnaire. We also examined asthma subtypes and asthma control. Five CC16 tagging SNPs were imputed to 1000 Genomes Integrated phase 1 reference panel. Logistic regression was used to estimate associations between CC16 SNPs and asthma outcomes adjusted for covariates.

Results

The sample included 1120 asthma cases and 1926 controls of European ancestry, with a mean age of 63 years. The frequency of the risk genotype (AA) for rs3741240 was 12.5% (n = 382). CC16 rs3741240 was not associated with adult asthma outcomes. A tagging SNP in the CC16 gene, rs12270961 was associated with uncontrolled asthma (n = 208, ORadj= 1.4, 95% CI 1.0, 1.9; p = 0.03).

Conclusion

This study, the largest study to investigate associations between CC16 tagging SNPs and asthma phenotypes in adults, did not confirm an association of rs3741240 with adult asthma. A tagging SNP in CC16 suggests a potential relationship with asthma control.
Coronavirus disease 2019-related Kawasaki syndrome: a case report
Authors: Aelami Mohammad Hasan , Malek Abdolreza , Saeidinia Amin
Published: November 2022

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 has changed the pattern of some diseases in the world, especially in pediatrics. Despite data suggesting that the pediatric population is less affected by coronavirus disease-19 infection, new concerns have been raised owing to reported cases with hyperinflammatory conditions such as Kawasaki disease.

Case presentation

We report herein the case of a pediatric patient diagnosed and treated for classic Kawasaki disease in the setting of confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 infection. She was an 8-year-old, previously healthy, and fully immunized Iranian girl who initially presented to the pediatric emergency department with 5 days of intermittent fever, followed by abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. She was admitted for fever and abdominal pain to the surgery service of Akbar Hospital with suspected appendicitis.

Conclusions

This case report may serve as a useful reference to other clinicians caring for pediatric patients affected by coronavirus disease 2019 infection. Standard therapeutic interventions for Kawasaki disease must be performed to prevent critical coronary aneurysm-related complications in the coronavirus disease 2019 era.
Which strategies support the effective use of clinical practice guidelines and clinical quality registry data to inform health service delivery? A systematic review
Authors: Dempsey Kathy , Ferguson Caleb , Walczak Adam , Middleton Sandy , Levi Christopher , Morton Rachael L. ,   on behalf of The Australian Health Research Alliance (AHRA) Health System Improvement and Sustainability Working Group members, Morton Rachael , Boydell Katherine , Campbell Megan , Cass Alan , Duff Jed , Elliott Catherine , Geelhoed Gary , Jones Angela , Keech Wendy , Leone Vikki , Liew Danny , Linedale Ecushla , Mackinolty Chips , McFayden Lisa , Norris Sarah , Skouteris Helen , Story David , Tucker Rowena , Wakerman John , Wallis Lauren , Waterhouse Tamsin , Wiggers John
Published: November 2022

Background

Empirical evidence suggests data and insights from the clinical practice guidelines and clinical quality registries are not being fully utilised, leaving health service managers, clinicians and providers without clear guidance on how best to improve healthcare delivery. This lack of uptake of existing research knowledge represents low value to the healthcare system and needs to change.

Methods

Five electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Central and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews) were systematically searched. Included studies were published between 2000 and 2020 reporting on the attributes, evidence usage and impact of clinical practice guidelines and clinical quality registries on health service delivery.

Results

Twenty-six articles including one randomised controlled trial, eight before-and-after studies, eight case studies/reviews, five surveys and four interview studies, covering a wide range of medical conditions and conducted in the USA, Australia and Europe, were identified. Five complementary strategies were derived to maximise the likelihood of best practice health service delivery: (1) feedback and transparency, (2) intervention sustainability, (3) clinical practice guideline adherence, (4) productive partnerships and (5) whole-of-team approach.

Conclusion

These five strategies, used in context-relevant combinations, are most likely to support the application of existing high-quality data, adding value to health service delivery. The review highlighted the limitations of study design in opportunistic registry studies that do not produce clear, usable evidence to guide changes to health service implementation practices. Recommendations include exploration of innovative methodologies, improved coordination of national registries and the use of incentives to encourage guideline adherence and wider dissemination of strategies used by successful registries.
Characteristics and recovery methods of studies falsely excluded during literature screening—a systematic review
Authors: Affengruber Lisa , Dobrescu Andreea , Persad Emma , Klerings Irma , Wagner Gernot , Sommer Isolde , Gartlehner Gerald
Published: November 2022

Background

Due to the growing need to provide evidence syntheses under time constraints, researchers have begun focusing on the exploration of rapid review methods, which often employ single-reviewer literature screening. However, single-reviewer screening misses, on average, 13% of relevant studies, compared to 3% with dual-reviewer screening. Little guidance exists regarding methods to recover studies falsely excluded during literature screening. Likewise, it is unclear whether specific study characteristics can predict an increased risk of false exclusion. This systematic review aimed to identify supplementary search methods that can be used to recover studies falsely excluded during literature screening. Moreover, it strove to identify study-level predictors that indicate an elevated risk of false exclusions of studies during literature screening.

Methods

We performed literature searches for eligible studies in MEDLINE, Science Citation Index Expanded, Social Sciences Citation Index, Current Contents Connect, Embase, Epistemonikos.org, and Information Science & Technology Abstracts from 1999 to June 23, 2020. We searched for gray literature, checked reference lists, and conducted hand searches in two relevant journals and similar article searches current to January 28, 2021. Two investigators independently screened the literature; one investigator performed the data extraction, and a second investigator checked for correctness and completeness. Two reviewers assessed the risk of bias of eligible studies. We synthesized the results narratively.

Results

Three method studies, two with a case-study design and one with a case-series design, met the inclusion criteria. One study reported that all falsely excluded publications (8%) could be recovered through reference list checking compared to other supplementary search methods. No included methods study analyzed the impact of recovered studies on conclusions or meta-analyses. Two studies reported that up to 8% of studies were falsely excluded due to uninformative titles and abstracts, and one study showed that 11% of non-English studies were falsely excluded.

Conclusions

Due to the limited evidence based on two case studies and one case series, we can draw no firm conclusion about the most reliable and most valid method to recover studies falsely excluded during literature screening or about the characteristics that might predict a higher risk of false exclusion.

Systematic review registration

https://osf.io/v2pjr/
First nationwide survey of infection prevention and control among healthcare facilities in Japan: impact of the national regulatory system
Authors: Nomoto Hidetoshi , Saito Hiroki , Ishikane Masahiro , Gu Yoshiaki , Ohmagari Norio , Pittet Didier , Kunishima Hiroyuki , Allegranzi Benedetta , Yoshida Masaki
Published: November 2022

Background

Infection prevention and control (IPC) measures in Japan are facilitated by a financial incentive process at the national level, where facilities are categorized into three groups (Tier 1, Tier 2, or no financial incentive). However, its impact on IPC at the facility level using a validated tool has not been measured.

Methods

A nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2019 to January 2020 to evaluate the situation of IPC programs in Japan, using the global IPC Assessment Framework (IPCAF) developed by the World Health Organization. Combined with the information on the national financial incentive system, the demographics of facilities and each IPCAF item were descriptively analyzed. IPCAF scores were analyzed according to the facility level of care and the national financial incentive system for IPC facility status, using Dunn-Bonferroni and Mann–Whitney U tests.

Results

Fifty-nine facilities in Japan responded to the IPCAF survey: 34 private facilities (57.6%) and 25 public facilities (42.4%). Of these, 11 (18.6%), 29 (49.2%), and 19 (32.3%) were primary, secondary, and tertiary care facilities, respectively. According to the national financial incentive system for IPC, 45 (76.3%), 11 (18.6%), and three (5.1%) facilities were categorized as Tier 1, Tier 2, and no financial incentive system, respectively. Based on the IPCAF total score, more than half of the facilities were categorized as “Advanced” (n = 31, 55.3%), followed by “Intermediate” (n = 21, 37.5%). The IPCAF total score increased as the facility level of care increased, while no statistically significant difference was identified between the secondary and tertiary care facilities (p = 0.79). There was a significant difference between Tier 1 and Tier 2 for all core components and total scores. Core components 5 (multimodal strategies for implementation of IPC interventions) and 6 (monitoring/audit of IPC and feedback) were characteristically low in Japan with a median score of 65.0 (interquartile range 40.0–85.0) and 67.5 (interquartile range 52.5–87.5), respectively.

Conclusions

The national financial incentive system was associated with IPC programs at facility level in Japan. The current financial incentive system does not emphasize the multimodal strategy or cover monitoring/audit, and an additional systematic approach may be required to further promote IPC for more practical healthcare-associated infection prevention.
Lower risk of bloodstream infections for peripherally inserted central catheters compared to central venous catheters in critically ill patients
Authors: Pitiriga Vassiliki , Bakalis John , Theodoridou Kalliopi , Kanellopoulos Petros , Saroglou George , Tsakris Athanasios
Published: November 2022

Background

Peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICCs) serve as an alternative to short-term central venous catheters (CVCs) for providing intravenous access in hospitalized patients. Although a number of studies suggest that PICCs are associated with a lower risk of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) than CVCs, recent data concerning specific patient groups support the contrary. In this regard, we are comparing CVC- and PICC-related CLABSI rates developed in a selected group of critically ill inpatients and evaluating the CLABSI microbiological distribution.

Methods

The study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Greece between May 2017 and May 2019. We performed a two-year retrospective analysis of the data collected from medical records of consecutive adult patients who underwent PICC or CVC placement.

Results

A total of 1187 CVCs placed for 9774 catheter-days and 639 PICCs placed for 11,110 catheter-days, were reported and analyzed during the study period. Among CVCs, a total of 59 (4.9%) CLABSIs were identified, while among PICCs, 18 (2.8%) cases presented CLABSI (p = 0.029). The CLABSI incidence rate per 1,000 catheter-days was 6.03 for CVC group and 1.62 for PICC group (p < 0.001). The CLABSI rate due to multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) among the two groups was 3.17 in CVC group and 0.36 in PICC group (p < 0.001). Within CLABSI-CVC group, the most common microorganism detected was MDR Acinetobacter baumannii (27.1%) followed by MDR Klebsiella pneumoniae (22%). In CLABSI-PICC group, the predominant microorganism was Candida spp. (33.3%) followed by non-MDR gram-negative pathogens (22.2%).

Conclusions

PICC lines were associated with significantly lower CLABSI rates comparing to CVC although they were in place longer than CVC lines. Given their longer time to the development of infection, PICCs may be a safer alternative for prolonged inpatient IV access. The high prevalence of CLABSI-MDROs depicts the local microbial ecology, emphasizing the need of public health awareness.
Changes in serum levels of apelin and nitric oxide in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: association with hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and severity of disease
Authors: Rostamzadeh Farzaneh , Najafipour Hamid , Yazdani Rostam , Nakhaei Samira , Alinaghi Langari Ahmad
Published: November 2022

Background

COVID-19 is an infectious disease currently spreading worldwide. The COVID-19 virus requires angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, an enzyme that plays a vital role in regulating the apelinergic system for entry into target cells. The underlying diseases of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and obesity are risk factors for the severity of COVID-19 infection. This study aimed to compare the serum levels of apelin and nitric oxide in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and non-COVID-19 subjects with and without the mentioned risk factors.

Methods

Serum samples were taken from 69 COVID-19 patients and 71-matched non-COVID-19 participants enrolled in the Kerman coronary artery disease risk factors cohort study. Study participants were divided into eight groups of control (healthy), hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, COVID-19, COVID-19 + hypertension, COVID-19 + diabetes mellitus, and COVID-19 + obesity (n = 15–20 in each group). Serum apelin and nitrite were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and colorimetric methods, respectively.

Results

Hypertensive and obese patients had lower serum apelin compared to the control group. In addition, apelin content was lower in the COVID-19 and COVID-19 + diabetes mellitus groups compared to the non-COVID-19 counterpart groups. Serum apelin levels were positively associated with arterial O2sat. and negatively with the severity of lung involvement. Nitric oxide metabolites were significantly lower in the COVID-19, COVID-19 + diabetes mellitus, and COVID-19 + obesity groups.

Conclusions

The lower apelin and nitric oxide levels in patients with hypertension and obesity or their reduction due to infection with COVID-19 or concomitant COVID-19 + diabetes mellitus may make them vulnerable to experiencing severe diseases.
Dietary fibers with low hydration properties exacerbate diarrhea and impair intestinal health and nutrient digestibility in weaned piglets
Authors: Huang Shuangbo , Cui Zhijuan , Hao Xiangyu , Cheng Chuanhui , Chen Jianzhao , Wu Deyuan , Luo Hefeng , Deng Jinping , Tan Chengquan
Published: November 2022

Background

This study aimed to investigate the hydration properties of different-source fibrous materials by comparing their water-binding capacity (WBC), water swelling capacity (WSC), viscosity, and in vivo effects of selected samples on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, diarrhea, and intestinal health in weaned piglets.

Methods

A total of 13 commercially available fibrous materials were first compared in chemical composition and in vitro hydration property. Subsequently, 40 weaned piglets were randomized to five experimental dietary groups (8 piglets per group): control diet (a basal diet without dietary fiber, CON), basal diet supplemented with 5% microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), 5% wheat bran (WB), 5%Moringaoleiferaleaf powder (MOLP), or 5% sugar beet pulp (SBP), followed by analyzing their growth performance and diarrhea rate in a 28-d experiment. After the feeding experiment, anaesthetized piglets were killed, and their intestinal and colon content or plasma samples were analyzed in nutrient digestibility, intestinal morphology, intestinal barrier, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and bacterial population.

Results

In vitro studies showed low hydration properties for WB and MCC, while medium hydration properties for MOLP and SBP. In vivo studies indicated that compared with medium hydration property groups, low hydration property groups showed (1) exacerbated diarrhea, impaired intestinal health, and reduced apparent fecal digestibility of dry matter, gross energy, acid detergent fiber, and neutral detergent fiber; (2) decreased SCFAs concentration and relative levels ofLactobacillusandBifidobacterium, but increased levels ofEscherichia coliandBrachyspira hyodysenteriaein colon contents. Additionally, SBP showed optimal performance in reducing diarrhea and increasing SCFAs production. Correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation of fiber hydration properties with in vitro SCFAs production, and diarrhea index and nutrient digestibility were negatively and positively correlated with SCFAs levels in the colon contents of weaned piglets, respectively.

Conclusions

Different-source dietary fibers varied in their hydration properties and impacts on diarrhea, microbial composition and SCFAs production in weaned piglets. WB and MCC could exacerbate diarrhea and impair nutrient digestibility, probably because their low hydration properties were detrimental to gut microbial homeostasis and fermentation. Our findings provide new ideas for rational use of fiber resources in weaned piglets.
Fecal microbiota transplantation combined with ruxolitinib as a salvage treatment for intestinal steroid-refractory acute GVHD
Authors: Liu Yin , Zhao Ye , Qi Jiaqian , Ma Xiao , Qi Xiaofei , Wu Depei , Xu Yang
Published: November 2022

Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD), especially intestinal aGVHD, is one of the most severe complications after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been applied to the treatment of intestinal steroid-refractory aGVHD (SR-aGVHD). Ruxolitinib is the first drug recommended for SR-aGVHD. Here, we reported the outcome data from 21 patients who had received the combined treatment of FMT with ruxolitinib as a salvage treatment in intestinal SR-aGVHD after HSCT. The overall response rate on day 28 was 71.4% (95% CI 50.4–92.5%), including 10 patients with complete responses. The durable overall response at day 56 in responders was 80%. GVHD relapse rate was 33.3% in responders. The levels of inflammatory cytokines as well as T cells and NK cells activation declined. The diversity of the intestinal microbiota was improved in responders. Viral reactivations and severe cytopenia were the major adverse events (61.9% and 81% respectively). The estimated 6-month overall survival was 57.1% (95% CI: 35.9–78.3%), while event-free survival was 52.4% (95% CI: 21.7%-64.1%). Collectively, FMT with ruxolitinib could be an effective treatment for intestinal SR-aGVHD after HSCT.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03148743.
Tobacco smoking associates with NF1 mutations exacerbating survival outcomes in gliomas
Authors: Li Xi , Yan Han , Wu Jun , Zhang Longbo
Published: November 2022

Tobacco smoking is associated with increased risks of nearly 20 types of cancer. Although the association between smoking and gliomas, the most prevalent type of adult brain tumor, is still unconclusive, here, we found that the frequency of NF1 mutations was significantly increased in the glioma patients with smoking history compared to non-smoking patients (24% vs. 10%, P = 0.021). NF1 acts as a tumor suppressor gene is highly mutated in gliomas. The TCGA data analysis indicated that glioma patients carrying NF1 somatic mutations have worse overall survival (median survival time: smoking 19.9 months vs. non-smoking 36.8 month; P = 0.0018). In addition, we revealed that the NF1 and IDH1 mutations were mutually exclusive suggesting NF1 mutation has independent molecular mechanism involved in glioma biology.
Green tea catechin-grafted silk fibroin hydrogels with reactive oxygen species scavenging activity for wound healing applications
Authors: Lee Gyeongwoo , Ko Young-Gwang , Bae Ki Hyun , Kurisawa Motoichi , Kwon Oh Kyoung , Kwon Oh Hyeong
Published: November 2022

Background

Overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is known to delay wound healing by causing oxidative tissue damage and inflammation. The green tea catechin, (–)-Epigallocatechin-3-
O
-gallate (EGCG), has drawn a great deal of interest due to its strong ROS scavenging and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, we developed EGCG-grafted silk fibroin hydrogels as a potential wound dressing material.

Methods

The introduction of EGCG to water-soluble silk fibroin (SF-WS) was accomplished by the nucleophilic addition reaction between lysine residues in silk proteins and EGCG quinone at mild basic pH. The resulting SF-EGCG conjugate was co-crosslinked with tyramine-substituted SF (SF-T)
via
horseradish peroxidase (HRP)/H
2
O
2
mediated enzymatic reaction to form SF-T/SF-EGCG hydrogels with series of composition ratios.

Results

Interestingly, SF-T70/SF-EGCG30 hydrogels exhibited rapid in situ gelation (< 30 s), similar storage modulus to human skin (≈ 1000 Pa) and superior wound healing performance over SF-T hydrogels and a commercial DuoDERM® gel dressings in a rat model of full thickness skin defect.

Conclusion

This study will provide useful insights into a rational design of ROS scavenging biomaterials for wound healing applications.
Codesigning simulations and analyzing the process to ascertain principles of authentic and meaningful research engagement in childhood disability research
Authors: Micsinszki Samantha K. , Tanel Nadia L. , Kowal Julia , King Gillian , Menna-Dack Dolly , Chu Angel , Phoenix Michelle
Published: November 2022

Background

Including youth with disabilities and their families as partners in childhood disability research is imperative but can be challenging to do in an authentic and meaningful way. Simulation allows individuals to learn in a controlled environment and provides an opportunity to try new approaches. The objectives of the research study were to (1) codesign a suite of simulations and facilitation resources and understand how stakeholders engaged in the codesign process; and (2) describe the principles of authentic and meaningful research engagement as identified by stakeholders.

Methods

Interdisciplinary stakeholder groups, including youth with disabilities, parents, researchers, and trainees, codesigned simulation training videos by developing shared storylines about challenges with research engagement that were then performed and digitally recorded with standardized patient actors. Two forms of data were collected: (1) observations via field notes and video recordings were analyzed to understand the codesign process; and (2) interviews were analyzed to understand principles of authentic and meaningful engagement.

Results

Four simulation training videos were developed, and topics included: (1) forming a project team; (2) identifying project objectives and priorities; (3) reviewing results; and (4) navigating concerns about knowledge translation. Thirteen participants participated in the simulation codesign; nine of whom consented to be observed in the codesign process and seven who completed follow up interviews. We identified two themes about authentic and meaningful engagement in research: (1) whether the invitation to engage on a project was authentic and meaningful or was extended to ‘tick a box’; and (2) whether there were authentic and meaningful opportunities to contribute (e.g., valued contributions aligned with people’s lived experience, skills, and interests) or if they only served as a ‘rubber stamp’. Communication and expectations tied the ‘tick box’ and ‘rubber stamp’ themes together and underlie whether engagement was authentic and meaningful.

Conclusions

For research engagement to be authentic and meaningful, researchers and families need to set clear expectations, build rapport, have tangible supports, use clear communication, and build time and space to work together. Future work will explore the utility of the simulations and whether they improve knowledge and attitudes about authentic and meaningful engagement in research.
Ultrasound with shear wave elastography in diagnosis and follow-up of common extensor tendinopathy in cases with lateral epicondylitis: a cross-sectional analytic study
Authors: Elsayed Mennatallah , Hafez Moustafa Raafat Mahmoud , Ibrahim Mahmoud Ahmed Hany
Published: November 2022

Background

Lateral epicondylitis (LE) is a common non-traumatic condition. The diagnosis of LE is typically made clinically. Some lateral epicondylitis patients can profit from supplementary imaging for a precise differential diagnosis. Recently, shear wave elastography has been increasingly attracting public attention in evaluation of tendon pathology and tissue elasticity quantitatively. The purpose of our study was to prove that shear wave elastography can be utilized in the diagnosis and follow-up of lateral epicondylitis.

Results

This cross-sectional analytic study involved 42 patients with unilateral lateral epicondylitis (30 males, 12 females with age range: 30–50 years, mean age: 39.9 ± 6 SD). The patients were reviewed by two radiologists with experience of more than 10 years, blinded to each other's results. Lateral epicnodylitis was diagnosed based on clinical criteria. The thickness of common extensor tendon and shear wave speed (SWS) were acquired in elbows bilaterally, along with values of the involved elbows in pre- and post-treatment phases. The comparison between examined groups, inter-rater and intra-rater concordance, and the diagnostic performance have been investigated with paired t-test, an intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), and a receiver operator characteristic curve, respectively. The patients with lateral epicondylitis showed a significantly decreased value of shear wave speed on affected side in comparison to the healthy side (P value: 0.000). The shear wave speed of diseased elbows has increased significantly following non-operative management than before therapy. The inter-rater and intra-rater concordance showed both excellent values (ICCs ranged from 0.939 to 1.000) for shear wave speed measurements. Furthermore, a 10.72 m/s cutoff limit of mean SWS (shear wave speed) for differentiating lateral epicondylitis elbows from healthy elbows showed a sensitivity and specificity of 90.5% for both.

Conclusions

Shear wave elastography can be of value as a technique with proper reproducibility and proper diagnostic performance for evaluation and monitoring the therapeutic effect in patients with lateral epicondylitis.
Real-World Evidence of Health Outcomes Related to Lung Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy in Brazil
Authors: Faroni Lilian , Ferreira Carlos Gil , Moraes Fabio , Baldotto Clarissa , Zukin Mauro , Aran Veronica , Araujo Luiz Henrique
Published: November 2022

PURPOSE

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is an effective option for patients with both early-stage and oligometastatic non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, data from Latin America are limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the real-world outcomes of applying SBRT for lung lesions in a Brazilian institution.

METHODS

This study investigated a consecutive cohort of patients treated with SBRT for lung lesions (primary and metastasis). The study primary outcome was local control rates per lesion. Secondary outcomes included progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and toxicity.

RESULTS

Between 2015 and 2019, a total of 216 patients received SBRT and were included in the study. The median follow-up was 24.5 months (5-70), primary NSCLC corresponded to 70% (n = 151) and nonprimary lung lesions to 30% (n = 65), respectively. Stage I NSCLC represented 56% (85 of 151) of the NSCLC cohort. The average number of fractions and total dose prescribed was 5 (3-10)/59 Gy (50-62 Gy). For stage I NSCLC (all lesions treated with a biologically effective dose [10] > 100 Gy), 2-year local control, OS, and PFS were 93.4%, 81.6%, and 80.7%, respectively. For stage IV lesions, if biologically effective dose (10) > 100 Gy or < 100 Gy, 2-year local control was 95.8/86.4% ( P = .03), 2-year-OS was 81.6/60.5% ( P = .006), and 2-year PFS was 38.9/17.9% ( P = .10). Late toxicity was observed in 16.2% (n = 35) of the total cases.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that SBRT is effective (high local control and acceptable toxicity) for treating malignant lung lesions in a real-world scenario in Latin America.
Poverty and Wealth in East Africa
Authors: Stephens Rhiannon
Published: November 2022

In Poverty and Wealth in East Africa Rhiannon Stephens offers a conceptual history of how people living in eastern Uganda have sustained and changed their ways of thinking about wealth and poverty over the past two thousand years. This history serves as a powerful reminder that colonialism and capitalism did not introduce economic thought to this region and demonstrates that even in contexts of relative material equality between households, people invested intellectual energy in creating new ways to talk about the poor and the rich. Stephens uses an interdisciplinary approach to write this history for societies without written records before the nineteenth century. She reconstructs the words people spoke in different eras using the methods of comparative historical linguistics, overlaid with evidence from archaeology, climate science, oral traditions, and ethnography. Demonstrating the dynamism of people’s thinking about poverty and wealth in East Africa long before colonial conquest, Stephens challenges much of the received wisdom about the nature and existence of economic and social inequality in the region’s deeper past.
The extracellular matrix controls stem cell specification and crypt morphology in the developing and adult mouse gut
Authors: Ramadan Rana , Wouters Valérie M. , van Neerven Sanne M. , de Groot Nina E. , Garcia Tania Martins , Muncan Vanessa , Franklin Olivia D. , Battle Michelle , Carlson Karen Sue , Leach Joshua , Sansom Owen J. , Boulard Olivier , Chamaillard Mathias , Vermeulen Louis , Medema Jan Paul , Huels David J.
Published: November 2022

The rapid renewal of the epithelial gut lining is fuelled by stem cells that reside at the base of intestinal crypts. The signal transduction pathways and morphogens that regulate intestinal stem cell self-renewal and differentiation have been extensively characterised. In contrast, although extracellular matrix (ECM) components form an integral part of the intestinal stem cell niche, their direct influence on the cellular composition is less well understood. We set out to systematically compare the effect of two ECM classes, the interstitial matrix and the basement membrane, on the intestinal epithelium. We found that both collagen I and laminin-containing cultures allow growth of small intestinal epithelial cells with all cell types present in both cultures, albeit at different ratios. The collagen cultures contained a subset of cells enriched in fetal-like markers. In contrast, laminin increased Lgr5+ stem cells and Paneth cells, and induced crypt-like morphology changes. The transition from a collagen culture to a laminin culture resembled gut development in vivo. The dramatic ECM remodelling was accompanied by a local expression of the laminin receptor ITGA6 in the crypt-forming epithelium. Importantly, deletion of laminin in the adult mouse resulted in a marked reduction of adult intestinal stem cells. Overall, our data support the hypothesis that the formation of intestinal crypts is induced by an increased laminin concentration in the ECM.
Transgenic force sensors and software to measure force transmission across the mammalian nuclear envelope in vivo
Authors: Fenelon Kelli D. , Thomas Evan , Samani Mohammad , Zhu Min , Tao Hirotaka , Sun Yu , McNeill Helen , Hopyan Sevan
Published: November 2022

Nuclear mechanotransduction is a growing field with exciting implications for the regulation of gene expression and cellular function. Mechanical signals may be transduced to the nuclear interior biochemically or physically through connections between the cell surface and chromatin. To define mechanical stresses upon the nucleus in physiological settings, we generated transgenic mouse strains that harbour FRET-based tension sensors or control constructs in the outer and inner aspects of the nuclear envelope. We knocked-in a published esprin-2G sensor to measure tensions across the LINC complex and generated a new sensor that links the inner nuclear membrane to chromatin. To mitigate challenges inherent to fluorescence lifetime analysis in vivo, we developed software (FLIMvivo) that markedly improves the fitting of fluorescence decay curves. In the mouse embryo, the sensors responded to cytoskeletal relaxation and stretch applied by micro-aspiration. They reported organ-specific differences and a spatiotemporal tension gradient along the proximodistal axis of the limb bud, raising the possibility that mechanical mechanisms coregulate pattern formation. These mouse strains and software are potentially valuable tools for testing and refining mechanotransduction hypotheses in vivo.
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate in COVID-19 patients treated at the CLAS health center, Nuevo Lurín, 2021
Authors: Esteves Pairazaman Ambrocio Teodoro , Parren̈o Tipian Juan Manuel , Arbieto Mamani Oscar , Leȯn Mejia Enrique , Esteves Cardenas Veronica Liset , Ñañez del Pino Daniel , Ramos Jaco Antonio Guillermo , Ibarra Fretell Walter Gregorio , CRUZ MAMANI MARIBEL , ZAMBRANA ALFONZO JACQUELINE TERESA
Published: November 2022

Background: The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is used for diagnosis in inflammatory processes, including during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affecting our population. To determine the values of ESR in the evolution of patients with COVID-19 undergoing treatment at the CLAS Health Center in Nuevo Lurín.

Methods: Our research applied a quantitative-observational, descriptive, and longitudinal approach. The sample consisted of 26 male and 19 female patients treated at the study site between February and June 2021, none of whom were in critical condition. To collect all the necessary information, the Capillary or Wintrobe method was used to determine the values of ESR in the evolution of the COVID-19 patients, obtaining different values for the 45 patients seen at the study site. The normal ESR value was 0 - 15mm/h for males and 0 - 20mm/h for females. 

Results: The initial ESR test in patients positive for COVID-19 showed that only two cases (0.04%) had slightly elevated ESR ranges, while in the rest of the values (95.56%) remained within the normal range.

Conclusions:  From the results of the capillary velocity of sedimentation method, it can be concluded that patients with COVID-19 in Peru showed no signs of inflammation within their bodies due to the virus.
PD-L1 expression as predictor of immunotherapy eligibility in penile squamous cell carcinoma patients
Authors: Haritsyah Warli Muhammad , Prapiska Fauriski Febrian , Siregar Ginanda Putra , Sihombing Bungaran , Warli Syah Mirsya
Published: November 2022

Background: Penile cancer is a rare malignancy and potentially lethal disease with an incidence of 0,6-2,1 per 100.000. Squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC) is the most commonly found penile malignancy. PD-L1 is a tumor marker that co-stimulates the receptor PD-1 to suppress T-cell-mediated antitumor immunity.

Methods: This study is a retrospective cohort study with a total sampling method. The slides taken from the biopsies of seventy-six male patients from Haji Adam Malik Hospital diagnosed with penile squamous cell carcinoma who have already undergone penile biopsy were re-examined for this study, and PD-L1 levels were measured accordingly. Statistical methods were used to assess the association between PD-L1 levels and with SqCC stage.

Results: A total of 76 male patients are the subjects of this study. PD-L1 positivity is identified in 25 patients with +1 intensity in 10 patients (13,2%), +2 in 7 patients (9,2) and +3 intensity in 8 patients (10,5%). There are 36 patients (47,4%) diagnosed with stage T3 SqCC, 35 patients (46,1%) with stage N2 SqCC, and 10 patients (13,2%) with stage M1 SqCC. There is significant correlation between PD-L1 expression and metastasis (p=0,022). However, there is no significant correlation between PD-L1 expression and stage N tumor (p=0,167).

Conclusions: PD-L1 highly expressed in advanced stage penile SqCC (32.9%), which is associated with the high-risk clinicopathologic features and poor clinical outcomes. These findings showed a potential usage of immunotherapy in advanced penile SqCC treatment.
ASSESSMENT OF AGRICULTURAL BIOLOGICAL TECHNIQUES IN THE REPUBLIC OF TATARSTAN
Authors: Diabankana Roderik Zhil' Klare , Sabirova Razina , Safin Radik
Published: November 2022

An assessment is made of various methods of biologization of agriculture (green manure, incorporation of straw, perennial grasses, the use of biological products) in the conditions of the Cis-Kama region of the Republic of Tatarstan. The aim of the work was to study the effect of biologization techniques on the balance of dry organic matter entering the soil. In the course of research for various types of crop rotations, an assessment was made of the impact of the use of green manure, perennial grasses and straw incorporation on the indicators of dry organic matter entering the soil. It was found that with the use of biologization methods in crop rotations, it is possible to achieve a positive balance of dry organic matter in the soil at the level of 0.81-2.01 t/ha, while in the absence of the use of such methods in grain fallow and grain fallow crop rotations, the balance was negative. To assess the effect of biological products on the intake of dry organic substances, a biological product based on the endophytic bacterium Bacillus mojavensis PS17 was used. The use of a biological preparation made it possible not only to increase the yield of spring wheat, but also to increase the flow of dry organic matter into the soil. The increase in the intake of dry organic substances into the soil in the variants with a biological product is ensured by stimulating the growth of wheat roots and straw. Due to this, the positive balance of dry organic matter in the soil increased by 1.88-2.35 times in comparison with the control. The best results were obtained with the complex use of biological preparations for seed treatment and spraying of plants during the growing season. The necessity of including the studied techniques in biologized farming systems for the Republic of Tatarstan is shown.
MODERN PROBLEMS OF INTRODUCTION OF PRECISION FARMING ELEMENTS
Authors: Loginov Nikolay , Trofimov Nikolay , Sochneva Svetlana , Yakhin Ildar
Published: November 2022

Currently, the digitalization of the economy in the Russian Federation has a special role. Agriculture is one of the main sectors of the economy that ensures the country's food security has been actively developed in this direction in recent years. The introduction of digital tools into agricultural production is going on everywhere, but at the same time it is used in every farm partially or the existing elements are not related to each other. In all cases, the introduction of precision farming elements is aimed at reducing costs, which ultimately should lead to economic benefits. At the same time, an economic entity should not forget about the most important thing – to benefit from preserving and improving the existing state of ecosystems subject to anthropogenic impact. The introduction of precision farming in agriculture is impossible without high-quality information and technical support. The paper considers the current state and problems of the introduction of precision farming elements. The main problem, at present, is the lack of complete and reliable information about the qualitative and quantitative condition of land in agriculture, which affects their level and efficiency of use in production. One of the ways to organize the rational use of land is to take into account the agro-landscape features of the territory when introducing precision farming.
The impact of dance on human health
Authors: Marosz Szymon , Borkowska Aleksandra , Borkowska Katarzyna , Krysiak Patrycja , Kuligowska Monika , Piecewicz-Szczęsna Halina
Published: November 2022

Introduction: Dancing is one of the many forms of physical activity. Dance performs a wide variety of functions, because on the one hand it satisfies the spiritual and aesthetic experience, and on the other hand, it can be a cultural entertainment or a form of physical fitness training. Moreover, dance has pedagogical values, shapes a person's personality, motor skills, develops the mind, and is a very good educational tool for children. Dance is a form of exercise and this prevents civilization diseases such as obesity, overweight, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and diabetes. Therefore, in order to maintain the well-being and health of the body, it is very important to take up physical activity in your free time.
The aim of the study: The aim of the study is to find out how dancing affects students' health and to compare the results of the research with the available knowledge.
Material and method: The paper uses standard criteria as the research method. Additionally, during the literature review on PubMed and Google Scholar platforms, keywords such as dance, choreotherapy, training.
Summary: The results of our research are comparable with the results of other studies. They indicate the positive influence of dance on human health. It affects not only the physical sphere, but also the mental one. Dance is increasingly used in the treatment of various diseases. Dancers see the difference in improving their body flexibility, coordination and strength.In additional, dancing affects the feeling of greater body awareness during movement.
Effects of dupilumab on hair in patients with atopic dermatitis - a review of the literature
Authors: Marczak Aleksandra , Hordejuk Michalina , Hyjek Michał , Szymkiewicz Karolina
Published: November 2022

Dupilumab is a recombinant human monoclonal antibody of the IgG4 class. Its mechanism of action can most broadly be described as inhibition of interleukin 4 and 13-mediated signal transduction. These cytokines are the main drivers of inflammatory diseases such as atopic dermatitis (AD) and asthma. Currently, dupilumab is the subject of many studies and scientific articles. More and more papers are being written about the efficacy of this drug and the side effects. Based on publications from the PubMed database, we present selected cases of atopic dermatitis patients who experienced uncharacteristic and unclear hair-related changes, such as hair loss, growth and change in hair colour, after dupilumab administration.
Diagnosis of malignant bone tumors in children
Authors: Małek Anna , Wysokińska Olga , Iwaniszyn-Zapołoch Klara , Zadrożna Karolina , Sidorczuk Piotr , Fabiś Mateusz , Wójcik Bartłomiej , Żyga Justyna , Klajda Katarzyna
Published: November 2022

Bone cancers occur mainly in adolescents and young adults, and benign lesions are more frequent than malignant ones. The most common malignant tumors include osteosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma and chondrosarcoma. The course of the disease may not be obvious and symptoms may be ambiguous, so it is important to catch them early and take appropriate action.  Laboratory tests such as CRP, ESR, LDH, ALP may prove useful in the diagnosis of bone neoplasms in children. All children with suspected malignant bone cancer should undergo an x-ray examination. MRI, CT scans are performed to expand the diagnosis and determine the extent of the disease. The basis of diagnosis is histopathological examination. The result of this study is very important in the selection of therapeutic procedures, it influences decisions regarding the scope and degree of radicality of the operation. It is crucial that the entire diagnostic process is carried out in highly specialized centers that have extensive experience in the diagnosis and treatment of malignant bone tumors in children. It is most beneficial to conduct diagnosis and treatment at the same center, and preferably by the same team of specialists. This team should include doctors from orthopedics, radiology, oncology, radiation therapy and pathomorphology. Conducting diagnosis and treatment in highly specialized centers has a positive effect on the prognosis and quality of life of patients.
The purpose of this article is to highlight the early and uncharacteristic symptoms of bone cancer in children and to present the complexity of the diagnostic process, as well as the importance of carrying it out in highly specialized centers with extensive experience in treating pediatric bone malignancies.
MURIEL RUKEYSER’S THE BOOK OF THE DEAD AND THE REPRESENTATIONAL CHALLENGES OF SLOW VIOLENCE
Authors: SIMAL-GONZÁLEZ BEGOÑA
Published: November 2022

The events narrated in Muriel Rukeyser’s The Book of the Dead (1938) constitute a good example of what Rob Nixon calls “slow violence,” a type of “attritional,” non-spectacular violence that seems to resist effective literary representation. This essay focuses on the strategies Rukeyser deploys in order to overcome the representational limits posed by Nixon’s “slow violence”: the patchwork of genres, the choice of a polyphonic poem-sequence structure and, last but not least, the visible process of “wastification” of the tunnel workers, who play such a central role in the poem. Read in the light of recent scholarship on waste, Rukeyser’s The Book of the Dead emerges as one of the first poem sequences to explore the conjunction of material toxic waste (silica dust) and human “wastification.”
Exploring Linguistic Landscapes of Pesantren: Their Patterns and Functions
Authors: Yusuf Kamal , Oktaviana Ica , Aulia Nisa Nisrina , Nurjannah Nurjannah
Published: November 2022

This study investigates a language phenomenon known as Linguistic Landscape, which consists of linguistic signs that are widely used in public spaces, one of which is as exposed in pesantren. Pesantren has unique Islamic environment combines with religious atmosphere and Islamic education that convey information to the public. The aims of this study are to investigate the patterns of language use in the Linguistic Landscape and to identify the function of language use in the pesantren environment. The present study is a qualitative in nature. The sites of the research were pesantren Nurul Falah, Surabaya and pesantren Bahrul Ulum, Tambakberas, Jombang. The data was collected through documentation and direct observation. The research stages include data collection, data analysis, and drawing conclusion. The findings of this research revealed that the patterns of language used in the observed pesantren vary, including monolingual, bilingual, and multilingual signs. The use of language signs in the pesantren environment serves as signboard markers, warning signs, and information signs. The functions of Linguistic Landscape in pesantren surveyed demonstrate the use of informational and symbolic functions.