bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A bit of medical paternalism? A qualitative study on power relations between women and healthcare providers when deciding on mode of birth in five public maternity wards of Argentina
Authors: Vila Ortiz M. , Gialdini C. , Hanson C. , Betrán A. P. , Carroli G. , Mølsted Alvesson H.
Published: August 2023

Background

Whether women should be able to decide on mode of birth in healthcare settings has been a topic of debate in the last few decades. In the context of a marked increase in global caesarean section rates, a central dilemma is whether pregnant women should be able to request this procedure without medical indication. Since 2015, Law 25,929 of Humanised Birth is in place in Argentina. This study aims at understanding the power relations between healthcare providers, pregnant women, and labour companions regarding decision-making on mode of birth in this new legal context. To do so, central concepts of power theory are used.

Methods

This study uses a qualitative design. Twenty-six semi-structured interviews with healthcare providers were conducted in five maternity wards in different regions of Argentina. Participants were purposively selected using heterogeneity sampling and included obstetrician/gynaecologists (heads of department, specialists working in 24-h shifts, and residents) and midwives where available. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to inductively develop themes and categories.

Results

Three themes were developed: (1) Healthcare providers reconceptualize decision-making processes of mode of birth to make women’s voices matter; (2) Healthcare providers feel powerless against women’s request to choose mode of birth; (3) Healthcare providers struggle to redirect women’s decision regarding mode of birth. An overarching theme was built to explain the power relations between healthcare providers, women and labour companions: Healthcare providers’ loss of beneficial power in decision-making on mode of birth.

Conclusions

Our analysis highlights the complexity of the healthcare provider-woman interaction in a context in which women are, in practice, allowed to choose mode of birth. Even though healthcare providers claim to welcome women being an active part of the decision-making processes, they feel powerless when women make autonomous decisions regarding mode of birth. They perceive themselves to be losing beneficial power in the eyes of patients and consider fruitful communication on risks and benefits of each mode of birth to not always be possible. At the same time, providers perform an increasing number of CSs without medical indication when it is convenient for them, which suggests that paternalistic practices are still in place.
Immunological profile of mice immunized with a polyvalent virosome-based influenza vaccine
Authors: Fonseca Francisco Noé , Haach Vanessa , Bellaver Franciana Volpato , Bombassaro Gabrielly , Gava Danielle , da Silva Luciano Paulino , Baron Lana Flavia , Simonelly Mayara , Carvalho Wanessa Araújo , Schaefer Rejane , Bastos Ana Paula
Published: August 2023

Background

Influenza A virus (IAV) causes respiratory disease in pigs and is a major concern for public health. Vaccination of pigs is the most successful measure to mitigate the impact of the disease in the herds. Influenza-based virosome is an effective immunomodulating carrier that replicates the natural antigen presentation pathway and has tolerability profile due to their purity and biocompatibility.

Methods

This study aimed to develop a polyvalent virosome influenza vaccine containing the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase proteins derived from the swine IAVs (swIAVs) H1N1, H1N2 and H3N2 subtypes, and to investigate its effectiveness in mice as a potential vaccine for swine. Mice were immunized with two vaccine doses (1 and 15 days), intramuscularly and intranasally. At 21 days and eight months later after the second vaccine dose, mice were euthanized. The humoral and cellular immune responses in mice vaccinated intranasally or intramuscularly with a polyvalent influenza virosomal vaccine were investigated.

Results

Only intramuscular vaccination induced high hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titers. Seroconversion and seroprotection (> 4-fold rise in HI antibody titers, reaching a titer of ≥ 1:40) were achieved in 80% of mice (intramuscularly vaccinated group) at 21 days after booster immunization. Virus-neutralizing antibody titers against IAV were detected at 8 months after vaccination, indicating long-lasting immunity. Overall, mice immunized with the virosome displayed greater ability for B, effector-T and memory-T cells from the spleen to respond to H1N1, H1N2 and H3N2 antigens.

Conclusions

All findings showed an efficient immune response against IAVs in mice vaccinated with a polyvalent virosome-based influenza vaccine.
P300/SP1 complex mediating elevated METTL1 regulates CDK14 mRNA stability via internal m7G modification in CRPC
Authors: Zhang Mingpeng , Kan Duo , Zhang Boya , Chen Xueqiao , Wang Chun , Chen Songmao , Gao Wenlong , Yang Zhao , Li Yang , Chen Yutong , Zhu Shimiao , Wen Simeng , Niu Yuanjie , Shang Zhiqun
Published: August 2023

Background

N7-methylguanosine (m7G) modification is, a more common epigenetic modification in addition to m6A modification, mainly found in mRNA capsids, mRNA interiors, transfer RNA (tRNA), pri-miRNA, and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). It has been found that m7G modifications play an important role in mRNA transcription, tRNA stability, rRNA processing maturation, and miRNA biosynthesis. However, the role of m7G modifications within mRNA and its “writer” methyltransferase 1(METTL1) in tumors, particularly prostate cancer (PCa), has not been revealed.

Methods

The differential expression level of METTL1 between hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (HSPC) and castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) was evaluated via RNA-seq and in vitro experiments. The effects of METTL1 on CRPC progression were investigated through in vitro and in vivo assays. The upstream molecular mechanism of METTL1 expression upregulation and the downstream mechanism of its action were explored via Chromatin Immunoprecipitation quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (CHIP-qPCR), Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), luciferase reporter assay, transcriptome-sequencing, m7G AlkAniline-Seq, and mRNA degradation experiments, etc.

Results and conclusion

Here, we found that METTL1 was elevated in CRPC and that patients with METTL1 elevation tended to have a poor prognosis. Functionally, the knockdown of METTL1 in CRPC cells significantly limited cell proliferation and invasive capacity. Mechanistically, we unveiled that P300 can form a complex with SP1 and bind to the promoter region of the METTL1 gene via SP1, thereby mediating METTL1 transcriptional upregulation in CRPC. Subsequently, our findings indicated that METTL1 leads to enhanced mRNA stability of CDK14 by adding m7G modifications inside its mRNA, ultimately promoting CRPC progression.
Dedifferentiated fat cells: current applications and future directions in regenerative medicine
Authors: Liang Zhuokai , He Yufei , Tang Haojing , Li Jian , Cai Junrong , Liao Yunjun
Published: August 2023

Stem cell therapy is the most promising treatment option for regenerative medicine. Therapeutic effect of different stem cells has been verified in various disease model. Dedifferentiated fat (DFAT) cells, derived from mature adipocytes, are induced pluripotent stem cells. Compared with ASCs and other stem cells, the DFAT cells have unique advantageous characteristics in their abundant sources, high homogeneity, easily harvest and low immunogenicity. The DFAT cells have shown great potential in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine for the treatment of clinical problems such as cardiac and kidney diseases, autoimmune disease, soft and hard tissue defect. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of DFAT cell properties and focus on the relevant practical applications of DFAT cells in cell therapy in recent years.
Combination of adipose-derived stem cell conditioned media and minoxidil for hair regrowth in male androgenetic alopecia: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial
Authors: Legiawati Lili , Suseno Lis Surachmiati , Sitohang Irma Bernadette S. , Yusharyahya Shannaz Nadia , Pawitan Jeanne Adiwinata , Liem Isabella Kurnia , Kurniawati Trie , Ardelia Athaya , Paramastri Kanya
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Treatments for AGA have yet to produce satisfactory outcomes and may cause intolerable side effects. Recent studies have reported that adipose tissue-derived stem cell conditioned media (ADSC-CM) could induce hair growth and regeneration.

Objective

To investigate the efficacy of ADSC-CM combined with minoxidil for hair regeneration therapy in male AGA.

Methods

This study lasted for 6 weeks. Subjects were divided into two groups: concentrated and non-concentrated ADSC-CM. Scalp was divided vertically in half before intradermal injection was administered from the frontal region of the scalp toward the vertex with a 30G needle, spaced about 1 cm apart. Treatment side received 2 ml of ADSC-CM; the other side was given 2 ml of NaCl 0.9% as placebo. Patients applied 5% minoxidil twice daily post-injection. Improvements were assessed using photographs and trichoscan every 2 weeks.

Results

Hair count, hair density, and mean thickness increased significantly on both sides after 6 weeks, while vellus rate decreased proportionally with the increase of terminal rate. No statistically significant differences between treatment groups were found. Minimum side effects were reported, and subjects were satisfied with the results.

Conclusion

Combination of ADSC-CM and minoxidil could be a potential agent for hair regrowth. Follow-up research with extensive populations, longer duration, and different study design may be required to confirm the exact mechanisms of ADSC-CM on hair growth.

Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT05296863. Registered 25 March 2022—Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05296863.
Differential effects of PGAM5 knockout on high fat high fructose diet and methionine choline-deficient diet induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in mice
Authors: Li Li , Guo Chengcheng , Yu Yue , Tie Lu , Lu Guotao , Liu Feng , Han Xueyao , Ji Linong , Zou Xiantong
Published: August 2023

Background

Phosphoglycerate mutase 5 (PGAM5), a phosphatase involved in mitochondrial homeostasis, is reported to be closely related to the metabolic stress induced by high-fat diet (HFD) or cold. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of PGAM5 on hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Methods and results

We generated PGAM5 global knockout (GKO) mice and their wildtype (WT) littermates using CRISPR/CAS9. The mice were fed with a high fat high fructose (HFHF) diet for 12 weeks or a methionine choline-deficient (MCD) diet (methionine choline supplemented (MCS) as control) for 6 weeks. Hepatic PGAM5 expression was up-regulated in humans with NASH and WT mice fed with HFHF and MCS, and reduced in WT mice fed with MCD diet. In HFHF-fed mice, GKO had reduced body weight, hepatic triglyceride (TG) content and serum transaminase along with decreased hepatic pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic responses compared with their WT control. GKO had increased expression of antioxidative gene glutathione peroxidase-6 (GPX6) and activation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). In mice fed with MCS diet, GKO significantly increased serum TNF-α and IL-6 and decreased hepatic GPX6 mRNA expression. There was no difference in hepatic steatosis, inflammation or fibrosis between GKO and WT mice fed with MCD diet. We investigated the role of PGAM5 deficiency in a variety of cell types. In differentiated THP-1 cells, PGAM5 silencing significantly increased pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion and decreased antioxidative proteins, including nuclear factor erythroid 2- related factors (NRF2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and GPX6 without affecting mTOR activity. In HepG2 cells with steatosis, PGAM5 knockdown reduced insulin sensitivity, increased mTOR phosphorylation and reduced the expression of NRF2, catalase (CAT), HO-1 and GPX6. Conversely, PGAM5 knockdown reduced TG accumulation, increased insulin sensitivity, and increased antioxidative genes in 3T3-L1 cells, despite the up-regulation in mTOR phosphorylation.

Conclusions

PGAM5-KO relieved hepatic steatosis and inflammation in HFHF model, promoted inflammation in MCS-fed mice and had no effects on the MCD-fed model. The distinct effects may be owing to the different effects of PGAM5-KO on anti-oxidative pathways in energy-dependent, possible involves mTOR, and/or cell type-dependent manner. Our findings suggest that PGAM5 can be a potential therapeutic target for NASH.
Effects of gut microbial therapy on lipid profile in individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: an umbrella meta-analysis study
Authors: Naghipour Amirhossein , Amini-Salehi Ehsan , Orang Gorabzarmakhi Mahdi , Shahdkar Milad , Fouladi Bahman , Alipourfard Iraj , Sanat Zahra Momayez
Published: August 2023

Background

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most common liver disease, is closely associated with metabolic conditions such as obesity and diabetes mellitus, which significantly impact human health outcomes. The impaired lipid profiles observed in NAFLD individuals can further contribute to cardiovascular events. Despite the high prevalence of NAFLD, there is currently no confirmed intervention approved for its treatment. This study aimed to summarize the results of meta-analysis studies of randomized control trials assessing the impact of gut microbial therapy (probiotics, synbiotics, and prebiotics) on the lipid profile of individuals with NAFLD.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library up to November 1, 2022. Meta-analyses surveying the impact of microbial therapy on lipid profile parameters (triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and total cholesterol (TC)) in the NAFLD population were included in our umbrella review. The final effect size (ES) was estimated, and sensitivity and subgroup analyses were performed to explore heterogeneity.

Results

Fifteen studies were included in this umbrella review. Microbial therapy significantly reduced TG (ES − 0.31, 95% CI − 0.51, − 0.11, P < 0.01), TC (ES − 1.04, 95% CI − 1.46, − 0.61, P < 0.01), and LDL (ES − 0.77, 95% CI − 1.15, − 0.39, P < 0.01) in individuals with NAFLD. However, the effect on HDL was not statistically significant (ES − 0.06; 95% CI − 0.19, 0.07, P = 0.39).

Conclusion

Considering the absence of approved treatments for NAFLD and the promising role of microbial therapies in improving the three lipid profiles components in individuals with NAFLD, the use of these agents as alternative treatment options could be recommended. The findings underscore the potential of gut microbial therapy, including probiotics, synbiotics, and prebiotics, in managing NAFLD and its associated metabolic complications.

Trial registration

PROSPERO (CRD42022346998).

Graphical Abstract
Gender differences in leukemia outcomes based on health care expenditures using estimates from the GLOBOCAN 2020
Authors: Amini Maedeh , Sharma Rajesh , Jani Chinmay
Published: August 2023

Background

Leukemia contributes significantly to the global cancer burden. Due to the importance of evaluating improvements in leukemia outcomes, the current study aimed to examine the variations in mortality-to-incidence ratio (MIR) between genders and association of MIR with the health expenditures in selected countries.

Methods

The leukemia incidence and mortality rates were extracted from the GLOBOCAN 2020 database. In total, 56 countries were included based on the data quality reports and the exclusion of missing data. The associations of MIR and changes in MIR over time ($$\updelta$$
δ
MIR) with the human development index (HDI), current health expenditure (CHE) per capita, and current health expenditure as a percentage of gross domestic product (CHE/GDP) were investigated using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient.

Results

In 2020, an estimated 474,519 new cases of leukemia were diagnosed globally, and 311,594 deaths occurred due to the disease. Male patients exhibited a higher incidence and mortality of leukemia compared to females on a global scale. Our analysis revealed that the MIRs were the highest and lowest in Egypt (0.79) and the United States (0.29), respectively. Remarkably, countries with greater HDI, higher CHE per capita, and a higher CHE/GDP tended to have lower MIR in both genders and within gender-specific subgroups. The δMIR demonstrated a significant negative correlation with HDI and CHE per capita, whereas no significant associations were observed among female patients for CHE/GDP. Besides, all three indicators showed trends towards negative correlations with δMIR among males, though these trends were not statistically significant (p>0.05).

Conclusions

Generally, leukemia MIRs tended to be most favorable (i.e., lower) in countries with high HDI and high health expenditure. The gender differences observed in leukemia outcomes may reflect the potential influence of social, material, behavioral, and biological factors.
Association of the androgens with COVID-19 prognostic outcomes: a systematic review
Authors: Zhang Linyu , Sun Xinrui , Feng Ying , Ma Fang
Published: August 2023

Objective

The coronavirus disease 2019 was a global public health emergency in later years (from 2020 to early 2022), and androgens have been associated with infection and prognostic outcomes. However, the relationship between low serum testosterone levels and prognostic outcomes remains inconclusive. This systematic review aimed to investigate the relationship between serum testosterone levels and prognostic outcomes in patients with COVID-19.

Methods

We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science electronic databases for all literature from January 1, 2020, to September 1, 2022. In addition, we also searched literature manually. The search terms were COVID-19, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), androgens, and testosterone. There were no language restrictions for retrieval.

Results

Our search identified 2285 articles, resulting in a full-text analysis of 16 studies, including 12 cohort studies and four case-control studies. Low serum testosterone levels were observed to be statistically associated with a higher probability of intensive care unit (ICU) admission in seven studies. In eight studies, higher hospital mortality was associated with lower serum testosterone levels. Six studies found that low serum testosterone levels were associated with a statistically significant difference in lung function impairment. Only four studies found that among living patients, those with lower serum testosterone levels had longer hospital stays. All but one of the included studies had a low risk of bias.

Conclusions

Based on available data, low serum testosterone levels are associated with higher rates of ICU admission, hospital mortality, risk of lung failure, inflammatory markers, and longer hospital stays in patients with COVID-19 compared with those having normal serum testosterone levels.
Prevalence of vancomycin-resistant Enterococci in India between 2000 and 2022: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Smout Emily , Palanisamy Navaneethan , Valappil Sabeel P
Published: August 2023

Background

Vancomycin-resistantEnterococci(VRE) infections are recurrently reported in different parts of India in the last two decades. However, an up-to-date, countrywide information concerning the prevalence and the rate of VRE in India is limited and hence this study aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of VRE in India.

Methods

A literature search was performed using various databases. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed throughout. Cross-sectional studies reporting the prevalence of VRE in India from human samples whereby at least twoEnterococciwere isolated between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2022 were sought for inclusion. Data were extracted and analysed using Microsoft Excel and Comprehensive Meta-analysis version 4, respectively.

Results

Nineteen studies were included in the analyses. A collective total of 3683Enterococciisolates were examined, of which 368 were VRE strains. The pooled prevalence of VRE in India was calculated at 12.4% (95% CI: 8.6–17.5;Q = 189.69;I2 = 90.51%;p = < 0.001).E. faecaliswas the most frequently isolated species (1450 [39.37%]) followed byE. faecium(724 [19.66%]). Amongst the VRE strains,E. faeciumwas the most prevalent (214 [58.15%]) followed byE. faecalis(134 [36.41%]). An upsurge in the rate of VRE infections was observed in India over time: VRE prevalence was estimated at 4.8% between 2000 and 2010 and 14.1% between 2011 and 2020.

Conclusion

This study presents the most up-to-date information on the rate of VRE infections in India. Though lower than the findings for some less developed countries, VRE prevalence in India is notable and on the rise.
Investigation of brain iron in anorexia nervosa, a quantitative susceptibility mapping study
Authors: Ravanfar Parsa , Rushmore R. Jarrett , Lyall Amanda E. , Cropley Vanessa , Makris Nikos , Desmond Patricia , Velakoulis Dennis , Shenton Martha E. , Bush Ashley I. , Rossell Susan L. , Pantelis Christos , Syeda Warda T. , Phillipou Andrea
Published: August 2023

Background

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a potentially fatal psychiatric condition, associated with structural brain changes such as gray matter volume loss. The pathophysiological mechanisms for these changes are not yet fully understood. Iron is a crucial element in the development and function of the brain. Considering the systemic alterations in iron homeostasis in AN, we hypothesized that brain iron would be altered as a possible factor associated with structural brain changes in AN.

Methods

In this study, we used quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) magnetic resonance imaging to investigate brain iron in current AN (c-AN) and weight-restored AN compared with healthy individuals. Whole-brain voxel wise comparison was used to probe areas with possible group differences. Further, the thalamus, caudate nucleus, putamen, nucleus accumbens, hippocampus, and amygdala were selected as the regions of interest (ROIs) for ROI-based comparison of mean QSM values.

Results

Whole-brain voxel-wise and ROI-based comparison of QSM did not reveal any differences between groups. Exploratory analyses revealed a correlation between higher regional QSM (higher iron) and lower body mass index, higher illness severity, longer illness duration, and younger age at onset in the c-AN group.

Conclusions

This study did not find evidence of altered brain iron in AN compared to healthy individuals. However, the correlations between clinical variables and QSM suggest a link between brain iron and weight status or biological processes in AN, which warrants further investigation.
Minoxidil weakens newly synthesized collagen in fibrotic synoviocytes from osteoarthritis patients
Authors: Sarkovich Stefan , Issa Peter P. , Longanecker Andrew , Martin Davis , Redondo Kaitlyn , McTernan Patrick , Simkin Jennifer , Marrero Luis
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Synovial fibrosis (SFb) formation and turnover attributable to knee osteoarthritis (KOA) can impart painful stiffness and persist following arthroplasty. To supplement joint conditioning aimed at maximizing peri‐operative function, we evaluated the antifibrotic effect of Minoxidil (MXD) on formation of pyridinoline (Pyd) cross‐links catalyzed by Plod2‐encoded lysyl hydroxylase (LH)2b that strengthen newly synthesized type‐I collagen (COL1) in fibroblastic synovial cells (FSCs) from KOA patients. MXD was predicted to decrease Pyd without significant alterations to Col1a1 transcription by FSCs stimulated with transforming growth factor (TGF)β1.

Methods

Synovium from 10 KOA patients grouped by SFb severity was preserved for picrosirius and LH2b histology or culture. Protein and RNA were purified from fibrotic FSCs after 8 days with or without 0.5 µM MXD and/or 4 ng/mL of TGFβ1. COL1 and Pyd protein concentrations from ELISA and expression of Col1a1, Acta2, and Plod2 genes by qPCR were compared by parametric tests with α = 0.05.

Results

Histological LH2b expression corresponded to SFb severity. MXD attenuated COL1 output in KOA FSCs but only in the absence of TGFβ1 and consistently decreased Pyd under all conditions with significant downregulation of Plod2 but minimal alterations to Col1a1 and Acta2 transcripts.

Conclusions

MXD is an attractive candidate for local antifibrotic pharmacotherapy for SFb by compromising the integrity of newly formed fibrous deposits by FSCs during KOA and following arthroplasty. Targeted antifibrotic supplementation could improve physical therapy and arthroscopic lysis strategies aimed at breaking down joint scarring. However, the effect of MXD on other joint‐specific TGFβ1‐mediated processes or non‐fibrotic components requires further investigation.
Marine inundation history during the last 3000 years at Lake Kogare-ike, a coastal lake on the Pacific coast of central Japan
Authors: Shimada Yumi , Sawai Yuki , Matsumoto Dan , Tanigawa Koichiro , Ito Kazumi , Tamura Toru , Namegaya Yuichi , Shishikura Masanobu , Fujino Shigehiro
Published: August 2023

Sediment cores collected at Lake Kogare-ike, a coastal lake on the Pacific coast of central Japan, record the marine inundation history during the last 3000 years. The sediments consist mainly of organic mud, sand, gravel, inorganic mud, and volcanic ash, and inundation events were recognized as 19 event deposits (E1–E19, from top to bottom) interbedded with the organic mud. Visual observation by naked eyes and X-ray computed tomography (CT) images identified 16 event deposits based on quantitative and qualitative changes in sand contents and changes in the textures and colors of the sediment samples (E1–E3, E5, E6, E8, E9, and E11–E19). The other three event deposits (E4, E7, and E10) were identified only on the CT images as layers with higher radiodensity than the underlying and overlying organic mud layers. The sedimentary features, the spatial bias of the event deposits toward seaward areas, the diatom assemblages, and the frequency of inundation events suggest that 13 (E1–E10 and E12–E14) of the 19 event deposits were formed by tsunamis or extraordinary storms. To constrain the depositional ages of the event deposits, Bayesian age–depth models were constructed based on radiocarbon dating of plant macrofossils and concentrated fossil pollen and the 137Cs profile. The depositional ages of the event deposits indicate that five or possibly six event deposits can be correlated with historical tsunamis along the Nankai Trough: E2, either of E3 or E4, E5, E7, and E9 correspond to the 1707 CE Hoei, the 1605 CE Keicho, the 1498 CE Meio, the 1096 CE Eicho, and the 684 CE Hakuho tsunamis, respectively. E1 was possibly formed by the 1944 CE Showa-Tonankai tsunami, the 1854 Ansei–Tokai tsunami, the 1959 Isewan typhoon, or a combination of two or all three events.
Imaging of 212Pb in mice with a clinical SPECT/CT
Authors: Kvassheim Monika , Tornes Anna Julie Kjøl , Juzeniene Asta , Stokke Caroline , Revheim Mona-Elisabeth R.
Published: August 2023

1 Abstract

Introduction

212Pb is a promising radionuclide for targeted alpha therapy. Here, the feasibility of visualising the tumour uptake and biodistribution of 212Pb-NG001 in mice with a clinical SPECT/CT scanner was investigated.

Methods

A mouse phantom with 212Pb was imaged with a clinical- and a preclinical SPECT/CT scanner. Different acquisition and reconstruction settings were investigated on the clinical system (Siemens Symbia Intevo Bold). Two athymic nude mice carrying PC-3 PIP prostate cancer tumours of 235–830 μl received 1.44 MBq of 212Pb-NG001 and were imaged 2, 6, and 24 h post-injection on the clinical SPECT/CT with a Medium Energy collimator and a 40% energy window centred on 79 keV. All acquisition times were 30 min, except the mouse imaging 24 h post-injection which was 60 min. After the final imaging, the organs were harvested and measured on a gamma counter to give an indication of how much activity was present in organs of interest at the last imaging time point.

Results

Four volumes in the mouse phantom of ~ 300 μl with 246–303 kBq/ml of 212Pb were distinguishable on images acquired with the clinical SPECT/CT with a high number of reconstruction updates. With the preclinical SPECT, the same volumes were easily distinguished with 49 kBq/ml of 212Pb. Clinical SPECT/CT images of the mice revealed uptake in tumours and bladders 2 h after injection and in tumours containing down to approximately 15 kBq/ml at 6 and 24 h after injection.

Conclusion

Although the preclinical scanner should be used preferentially in biodistribution studies in mice, the clinical SPECT/CT confirmed uptake in small volumes (e.g. ~ 300 μl volume with ~ 250 kBq/ml). Regardless of system, the resolution and sensitivity limits should be carefully determined, otherwise false negative or too low uptakes can be wrongly interpreted.
A life course health development model of HIV vulnerabilities and resiliencies in young transgender women in Peru
Authors: Reisner Sari L. , Aguayo-Romero Rodrigo A. , Perez-Brumer Amaya , Salazar Ximena , Nunez-Curto Aron , Orozco-Poore Casey , Silva-Santisteban Alfonso
Published: August 2023

Background

Globally transgender women (TW) are at heightened vulnerability for HIV infection. In Lima Peru, sharp increases in HIV prevalence are seen among TW ages 25 years and older highlighting the need for early HIV prevention efforts for young TW. This study conducted in-depth qualitative interviews to elucidate the social and developmental contexts of HIV vulnerability for young TW in Lima Peru.

Methods

Between November 2019 and February 2020, young TW ages 16–24 years (n = 21) in Lima Peru were purposively sampled using in-person (e.g., face-to-face outreach) and online (e.g., social media, networking websites) social network-based methods. Interviews were conducted in Spanish and a rapid qualitative analysis was conducted using a modified immersion crystallization methodology to identify themes.

Results

Five themes emerged, informing the conceptualization of a Life Course Health Development Model of HIV Vulnerabilities and Resiliencies: (1) interpersonal contexts (family, school, partners, sexual debut, trans mothers); (2) structural vulnerabilities (poverty, educational constraints, migration, hostile environments, sex work, police violence); (3) concomitant mental health and psychosocial factors (discrimination, violence, depression, suicidality, substance use, life hopes/dreams/future expectations); (4) gender affirmation processes (gender identity development, hormones, surgery, legal name/gender marker change); (5) HIV prevention and treatment barriers (PrEP uptake, HIV care, condom use, risk reduction).

Conclusions

Young TW experience formidable developmental challenges associated with transphobia, violence, and pre-maturely facing accelerated milestones. Developmentally and culturally appropriate interventions to mitigate HIV vulnerability in Peru are needed, including those that consider co-occurring stigma-related conditions in adolescence and young adulthood.
InflANNet: a neural network predictor for Influenza A CTL and HTL epitopes to aid robust vaccine design
Authors: Karthika R. , Muthusamy Sathya , Prabhu Prince R.
Published: August 2023

Background

An efficient and reliable data-driven method is essential to aid robust vaccine design, particularly in the case of an epidemic like Influenza A. Although various prediction tools are existing, most of them focus on the MHC-peptide binding affinity predictions. A tool which can incorporate more features other than binding affinity which characterizes the T-cell epitopes as vaccine candidates would be of much value in this scenario. The objective of this study is to develop two separate neural network models for the predictions of CTLs (cytotoxic T lymphocyte) and HTLs (helper T lymphocyte) with the manually curated datasets as a part of this study from the raw viral sequences of Influenza A.

Results

The epitope datasets curated from the raw sequences of the broadly protective Neuraminidase protein were utilized for building and training the models for CTLs and HTLs. Each set consisted of nearly a balanced mix of vaccine candidates and non-vaccine candidates for both CTLs and HTLs. These were fed to neural networks as they are proven to be powerful for the predictions when compared with the other machine/deep learning algorithms. A set of epitopes experimentally proved were chosen to validate the model which was also tested through mutational analysis and cross-reactivity. The prepared dataset gave some valuable insights into the epitope distribution statistics and their conservancy in various outbreaks. An idea about the most probable range of peptide-MHC binding affinities was also obtained. Both the models performed well giving high accuracies when validated. These epitopes were checked for cross-reactivity with other antigens upon which it proved to be highly conservative and ideal for vaccine formulation.

Conclusions

The combination of various features and the resulting model efficiencies in turn proved that the collected features are valuable in the easy identification of the vaccine candidates. This suggests that our proposed models have more potential for conserved epitope prediction compared to other existing models trained on similar data and features. The possibility of refining the model with more set threshold values based on more parameters is an added feature that makes it more user driven. Furthermore, the uniqueness of the model due to exclusive set of Neuraminidase epitopes paves a robust way for rapid vaccine design.

Graphical abstract
Evaluating Oncology Clinical Pathways: What Bar Are We Aiming for?
Authors: Ellis Peter M.
Published: August 2023

Oncology clinical pathways may result in cost savings, but we need more understanding about patient outcomes and reasons for nonadherence.
Radical Health
Authors: Minich Julie Avril
Published: August 2023

In Radical Health Julie Avril Minich examines the potential of Latinx expressive culture to intervene in contemporary health politics, elaborating how Latinx artists have critiqued ideologies of health that frame wellbeing in terms of personal behavior. Within this framework, poor health—obesity, asthma, diabetes, STIs, addiction, and high-risk pregnancies—is attributed to irresponsible lifestyle choices among the racialized poor. Countering this, Latinx writers and visual artists envision health not as individual duty but as communal responsibility. Bringing a disability justice approach to questions of health access and equity, Minich locates a concept of radical health within the work of Latinx artists, including the poetry of Rafael Campo, the music of Hurray for the Riff Raff, the fiction of Angie Cruz, and the performance art of Virginia Grise. Radical health operates as a modality that both challenges the stigma of unhealth and protests the social conditions that give rise to racial health disparities. Elaborating on this modality, Minich claims a critical role for Latinx artists in addressing the structural racism in public health.
Λαϊκή συμμετοχή και πολιτική υγείας την περίοδο της εθνικής αντίστασης και του εμφυλίου
Authors: Κορμπάκης Ευστράτιος
Published: August 2023

Η παροχή υπηρεσιών υγείας αποτελεί βασική ανάγκη κάθε κεντρικής διοίκησης και καταγράφεται ως προτεραιότητα της οργανωμένης κοινωνίας ακόμη και σε συνθήκες πολέμου, κατοχής ή κοινωνικής εξέγερσης. Κατά την περίοδο της κατοχής της Ελλάδας το διάστημα 1941 – 1944 αυτή η ανάγκη καλύφθηκε κυρίως από τις δομές που δημιούργησε το Εθνικό Απελευθερωτικό Μέτωπο, το οποίο ήταν ουσιαστικά η μόνη οργανωμένη δύναμη που μπορούσε να οργανώσει πολιτική υγείας, βασιζόμενο στην ενεργό συμμετοχή του λαϊκού παράγοντα. Οργανωτικός βραχίονας του Εθνικού Απελευθερωτικού Μετώπου ήταν το Κομμουνιστικό Κόμμα Ελλάδας. Αποφασιστικό ρόλο στην οργάνωση και εξέλιξη των υγειονομικών υπηρεσιών αποτέλεσε η δημιουργία της Πολιτικής Επιτροπής Εθνικής Απελευθέρωσης το 1944. Οι πολιτικές εξελίξεις που ακολούθησαν την απελευθέρωση της Ελλάδας οδήγησαν στον τρίχρονο εμφύλιο πόλεμο την περίοδο 1946 – 1949. Αντίπαλες παρατάξεις υπήρξαν ο Εθνικός Κυβερνητικός Στρατός από την μία πλευρά και ο Δημοκρατικός Στρατός Ελλάδας από την άλλη. Την ευθύνη για την άσκηση πολιτικής υγείας την είχε από την πλευρά του Εθνικού Στρατού η επίσημη κυβέρνηση των Αθηνών και από την πλευρά του Δημοκρατικού Στρατού η Προσωρινή Δημοκρατική Κυβέρνηση. Υπουργός υγείας τόσο στην Πολιτική Επιτροπή Εθνικής Απελευθέρωσης όσο και στην Προσωρινή Δημοκρατική Κυβέρνηση διετέλεσε ο γιατρός Πέτρος Κόκκαλης του οποίου η συμβολή ήταν καθοριστική στην πολιτική υγείας που ασκήθηκε στην διάρκεια της κατοχής από τις δυνάμεις του Εθνικού Απελευθερωτικού Μετώπου και στην διάρκεια του εμφυλίου από τις δυνάμεις του Δημοκρατικού Στρατού. Η διατριβή αποτελείται από τρία βασικά μέρη. Το πρώτο μέρος αναφέρεται στην περίοδο της Ελληνικής κατοχής από Γερμανούς, Ιταλούς και Βούλγαρους και αναλύονται οι υγειονομικές δομές που δημιούργησε το ΕΑΜ – ΕΛΑΣ καθώς και το επίπεδο της λαϊκής συμμετοχής. Στο δεύτερο μέρος της διατριβής αναλύεται η πολιτική υγείας του Δημοκρατικού Στρατού και του Εθνικού Στρατού κατά την διάρκεια του εμφυλίου πολέμου, ενώ το τρίτο μέρος αναφέρεται στην προσωπικότητα του Πέτρου Κόκκαλη και στην συμμετοχή του στα γεγονότα που σημάδεψαν την ταραχώδη δεκαετία του 1940.
Σύνθεση και μελέτη βιοδραστικών ενώσεων και δευτεριωμένων αναλόγων τους
Authors: Μπούρμπουλα Ασημίνα
Published: August 2023

Στο πλαίσιο της παρούσας διδακτορικής διατριβής πραγματοποιήθηκε σύνθεση 3-υδρόξυ λιπαρών οξέων, με στόχο τη χρήση τους σε αναλυτικές μελέτες που αφορούσαν γαλακτοκομικά προϊόντα. Συντέθηκε επίσης το φυσικό προϊόν 3,10-διυδρoξυ-δεκανοϊκό οξύ, που είναι γνωστό ότι αποτελεί συστατικό του βασιλικού πολτού. Μελετήθηκε η σύνθεση δευτεριωμένων λιπαρών οξέων, κορεσμένων και ακόρεστων, με χρήση D2O ως πηγή δευτερίου. Στα πλαίσια της σύνθεσης και μελέτης δευτεριωμένων βιοδραστικών ενώσεων, συντέθηκε το δευτεριωμένο φάρμακο Vorinostat, καθώς και δύο δευτεριωμένα ανάλογα του αναστολέα GK442 της αυτοταξίνης. Επεκτείνοντας τις μελέτες πάνω στην παρασκευή δευτεριωμένων ενώσεων, θελήσαμε να συνθέσουμε δευτεριωμένες κετόνες και ένα δευτεριωμένο κετο-οξύ μέσω αντι-Markovnikov προσθήκης d6-ακετόνης σε ακραία αλκένια. Επίσης, σχεδιάστηκε και αναπτύχθηκε ένα φωτοχημικό πρωτόκολλο σύνθεσης Weinreb αμιδίων και αμιδίων της μορφολίνης, χρησιμοποιώντας είτε LED ακτινοβολία, είτε ηλιακό φως, χωρίς να είναι απαραίτητη η χρήση συζευκτικών μέσων ή προ-ενεργοποίηση του καρβοξυλικού οξέος. Στη συνέχεια, σχεδιάστηκε και αναπτύχθηκε μέθοδος σύνθεσης θειαζόλυλο κετονών, παρόμοιων δομικά με τον αναστολέα GK470 της GIVA cPLA2, με στόχο τη μείωση της λιποφιλικότητας, αλλά και την αύξηση της μεταβολικής τους σταθερότητας. Παράλληλα, αναπτύχθηκε μέθοδος σύνθεσης για την παραλαβή διλειτουργικών τριφορομέθυλο κετονών, για τη μελέτη και τον έλεγχο in vitro της ανασταλτικής τους δράση έναντι της iPLA2, αλλά και την εκλεκτικότητα τους έναντι των cPLA2 ή sPLA2. Τέλος, πραγματοποιήθηκαν κυτταρικές μελέτες ενώσεων που αποτελούν αναστολείς των PLΑ2, με στόχο τον ποσοτικό προσδιορισμό και τη μελέτη μιας ποικιλίας λιπαρών οξέων, θέλοντας να αποκτήσουμε μια ευρύτερη εικόνα για το πως επηρεάζεται η σύνθεσή τους έπειτα από την επίδραση ενός αναστολέα σε κυτταρικό επίπεδο.
Sentiment analysis of Indonesian tweets on COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccinations
Authors: Kalanjati Viskasari Pintoko , Hasanatuludhhiyah Nurina , d'Arqom Annette , Arsyi Danial H. , Marchianti Ancah Caesarina Novi , Muhammad Azlin , Purwitasari Diana
Published: August 2023

Background: Sentiments and opinions regarding COVID-19 and the COVID-19 vaccination on Indonesian-language Twitter are scarcely reported in one comprehensive study, and thus were aimed at our study. We also analyzed fake news and facts, and Twitter engagement to understand people’s perceptions and beliefs that determine public health literacy.

Methods: We collected 3,489,367 tweets data from January 2020 to August 2021. We analyzed factual and fake news using the string comparison method. The difflib library was used to measure similarity. The user's engagement was analyzed by averaging the engagement metrics of tweets, retweets, favorites, replies, and posts shared with sentiments and opinions regarding COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination.

Result: Positive sentiments on COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination dominated, however, the negative sentiments increased during the beginning of the implementation of restrictions on community activities (PPKM).  The tweets were dominated by the importance of health protocols (washing hands, keeping distance, and wearing masks). Several types of vaccines were on top of the word count in the vaccine subtopic. Acceptance of the vaccination increased during the studied period, and the fake news was overweighed by the facts. The tweets were dynamic and showed that the engaged topics were changed from the nature of COVID-19 to the vaccination and virus mutation which peaked in the early and middle terms of 2021. The public sentiment and engagement were shifted from hesitancy to anxiety towards the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines, whilst changed again into wariness on an uprising of the delta variant.

Conclusion: Understanding public sentiment and opinion can help policymakers to plan the best strategy to cope with the pandemic. Positive sentiments and fact-based opinions on COVID-19, and COVID-19 vaccination had been shown predominantly. However, sufficient health literacy levels could yet be predicted and sought for further study.
An integrated RNA-proteomic landscape of drug induced senescence in a cancer cell line
Authors: Al-Roshdi Maha , Stevenson Thomas , Görtler Franziska , Grellscheid Sushma Nagaraja
Published: August 2023

Background: Senescent cells are characterized by an arrest in proliferation. In addition to replicative senescence resulting from telomere exhaustion, sub-lethal genotoxic stress resulting from DNA damage, oncogene activation or mitochondrial dysfunction also elicits a senescence phenotype.

Methods: Senescence was induced in an osteocarcinoma cancer cell line in response to sub-lethal doses of a genotoxic chemotherapeutic agent, followed by quantitative SWATH proteomics and RNA-seq analyses.

Results: We present here an integrative multi-omic analysis of proteomic and RNA-seq from proliferating and senescent osteosarcoma cells. Senescence is a controlled program affecting a wide variety of biological processes with some core hallmarks of senescence as well as cell type specific changes.

Conclusions: This study presents an integrated analysis and makes available both RNA-seq and proteomic data from proliferating and senescent cells in appropriate FAIR data repositories to aid reuse by the community.
Estimation of prevalence of risk factor of hypertension among population of Wardha district between age group of 35-60 years: a study protocol.
Authors: Dadmal Amruta , Mude Gaurav
Published: August 2023

A serious medical condition known as hypertension or elevated blood pressure significantly rises the risk of brain, heart, kidney, and other medical conditions. It is the most common cardiovascular disease globally and is now recognized as a major health issue that needs to be addressed. It serves as a warning sign for serious illnesses including myocardial infarction, stroke and renal failure. An estimated 46% of the population with hypertension are not aware of the condition they have. Only 42% of those diagnosed with hypertension receive a diagnosis and treatment.  21% (1/5) of the population who have hypertension have it under control. Around the world, high blood pressure (HBP) is a main cause of early death. Knowledge on the prevalence of risk factors for hypertension is needed because there are relatively few community-based research projects on the condition. The objective of this study is to assess the prevalence of hypertension risk factor in the Wardha district in the state of Maharashtra in western India. A cross-sectional study will be performed. The study’s strength lies in the use of a standardized risk factor check list, which will ensure consistency in data collection and minimize bias. The use of a large sample size (165 patients) will also improve the precision of study and increase the generalization of the result.
Investigating how the electronic and optical properties of a novel cubic inorganic halide perovskite, Sr3NI3 are affected by strain
Authors: Shanto Md. Abul Bashar , Rahman Md. Ferdous , Islam Md. Rasidul , Ghosh Avijit , Azzouz-Rached Ahmed , Albalawi Hind , Mahmood Q.
Published: August 2023

Background: Inorganic Perovskite materials have sparked the attention of the solar technology sector due to their remarkable structural, optical, and electrical capabilities. In the realm of efficient LEDs, inorganic perovskites have displayed considerable promise, showcasing various benefits such as exceptional color purity, the ability to adjust emission wavelengths, and cost-effective fabrication methods.

Methods: The study extensively investigated the bandgap, density of states, electron charge density, structural properties, dielectric properties, loss function, and absorption coefficient of Sr3NI3 under strain using first-principles density functional theory (DFT).

Results: At the Gamma (Γ) point, the unstrained flat structure of Sr3NI3 exhibits a direct band gap of 0.733 eV. Observing the spin-orbital coupling (SOC) effect reduces the bandgap to 0.711 eV in Sr3NI3 perovskite. Compressive strain minimizes the prevalence of the structure's bandgap, whereas tensile strain causes a slight elevation. The optical properties of this material, including the dielectric functions, absorption coefficient, reflectivity, and electron loss function, exhibit its excellent absorption capacity in the visible area because of its band characteristics.

Conclusions: The research indicates that as the amount of compressive strain rises, the peak values of the dielectric constant of Sr3NI3 shift towards lower photon energy (redshift); meanwhile, when tensile strain is executed, it displays the behavior of altered photon energy with an increase towards higher energy levels (blueshift). Thus, the potential of utilizing Sr3NI3 perovskite in solar cells for energy production and light management is considered promising.
The genome sequence of the Skin Moth, Monopis laevigella (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)
Authors: Boyes Douglas , Hammond James ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: August 2023

We present a genome assembly from two female Monopis laevigella specimens (the Skin Moth; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Tineidae). The genome sequences are 632.6 and 625.5 megabases in span. For both genomes, most of the assembly is scaffolded into 25 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the Z sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genomes were also assembled and are 18.9 and 18.89 kilobases in length.