bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A multi-discipline phenotyping platform for late-onset Alzheimer’s disease employed on a novel, humanized APOEε4.Trem2*R47H mouse model
Authors: Kotredes Kevin , Oblak Adrian , Pandey Ravi , Lin Peter , Garceau Dylan , Williams Harriet , Uyar Asli , O'Rourke Rita , O'Rourke Sarah , Ingraham Cynthia , Bednarczyk Daria , Belanger Melisa , Cope Zackary , Foley Kate , Logsdon Benjamin , Mangravite Lara , Rizzo Stacey Sukoff , Territo Paul , Carter Gregory , Lamb Bruce , Howell Gareth , Sasner Michael
Published: January 2021

Background: Late-onset Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) (LOAD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease. Despite extensive efforts to understand disease progression there are currently no approved disease modifying interventions to delay or reverse neurodegeneration caused by AD. Repeated failures in human trials, despite promising preclinical results in amyloidogenic mouse models, highlight the need for animals that better model human AD. MODEL-AD (Model organism development and evaluation for late-onset AD) are identifying and integrating disease-relevant, humanized gene sequences identified from public AD data repositories to create more translatable mouse models relevant to AD.Methods: Strong risk factors for LOAD, APOEε4 and Trem2*R47H, were expressed alone or in combination on a congenic C57BL/6J (B6) background, in cohorts of mice established on multiple sites and aged to between 4-24 months. A deep phenotyping approach was employed to assess phenotypes relative to human AD. Results: The LOAD1 mouse strain, expressing humanized APOEε4 and Trem2*R47H alleles, was designed to elucidate the disease state of animals expressing the two strongest genetic risk factors of LOAD at endogenous levels. Robust analytical pipelines measured behavioral, transcriptomic, metabolic, and neuropathological phenotypes in cross-sectional cohorts for progression of disease hallmarks at all life stages. In vivo PET/MRI neuroimaging revealed regional alterations in glycolytic metabolism and vascular perfusion. Transcriptional profiling by RNA-Seq of brain hemispheres identified sex and age as the main sources of variation between genotypes including age-specific enrichment of AD-related processes. Similarly, age, but not genotype, was the strongest determinant of behavioral change. In the absence of mouse amyloid plaque formation, many of the hallmarks of AD were not observed in this strain. However, these two alleles together form a sensitized, background strain which will serve as a platform for the characterization of additional genetic and environmental LOAD risk factors. Conclusions: Comprehensive phenotyping provided key insights into genetic and environmental effects aimed at modeling human disease, critical to understand the complex intergenic interactions and subsequent molecular signaling cascades. The data provided by these assays are important for understanding the relative contributions of subsequent risk factors amended to LOAD1.
Storage Management and Wastage of Reproductive Health Medicines in Public Health Facilities of West Wollega Zone, Ethiopia: Mixed Study
Authors: Kebede Oliyad , Tilahun Gizachew , Feyissa Desalegn
Published: January 2021

Background: Keeping proper storage conditions at health facilities is important to reduce pharmaceutical wastage caused by environmental factors. The expiration of medicines at the health facilities led to wastage of potentially life-saving drugs and unnecessary expenditure on the disposal of those expired medicines. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess pharmaceutical stores and wastage of reproductive health medicines due to expirationMethod: A facility-based descriptive cross-sectional quantitative and qualitative study was conducted using a checklist, structured and semi-structured questionnaires.Results: Among 23 health facilities assessed, 17 (73.91%) (4(100%) hospitals and 13(68.42%) health centers) fulfilled desirable storage conditions. The total value of reproductive health medicines wasted due to expire in surveyed facilities was 357,920.52 ETB (12,323.81 US dollars) and the Percentage of Stock Wasted due to Expiration was 8.04%. Levonorgestrel 0.75mg tablet contributed highest percentage to expired medicines.Conclusion: Pharmaceutical stores in hospitals had equipment and furniture, fulfilled desirable storage conditions, whereas, significant number of the health centers’ medical store did not comply with the recommended storage conditions. Challenges of store management identified were poor infrastructure, administrative challenges, and shortage of human resource. Stock wasted due to expiration was high and the contributing challenge was non-need-based supply. So Ethiopian pharmaceutical Supply Agency should supply reproductive health medicines based on need and concerned government bodies should avail pharmaceutical store infrastructures, hire professionals, and follow health facilities administrations.
Ultrasound-Guided Microwave Ablation for Benign Thyroid Nodules: A Retrospective Analysis of Safety and Efficacy Factors
Authors: Xia Baoying , Yu Boyang , Wang Xiaofei , Ma Yu , Liu Feng , Gong Yanping , Zou Xiuhe , Lei Jianyong , Su Anping , Wei Tao , Zhu Jingqiang , Lu Qiang , Li Zhihui
Published: January 2021

ObjectiveMicrowave ablation (MWA) is a minimally invasive technique for the treatment of benign thyroid nodules. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided microwave ablation in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules, and to provide reference for future clinical work.MethodsThis study retrospectively analyzed the patients who received ultrasound-guided microwave ablation for benign thyroid nodules in our hospital from October 2018 to March 2020. A total of 214 patients were included in the study. We assessed thyroid volume changes (represented by volume reduction ratio VRR) , the serum levels of triiodide thyroid hormone (T3), thyroxine (T4) and thyrotropin (TSH) and complications after MWA treatment.ResultsThere were a total of 306 nodules in 214 patients, including 183 (85.51%) females and 31 (14.49%) males. The median diameter and volume of the nodule were 33mm and 8.01ml. The volume reduction ratio（VRR）at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months were 40.79%, 60.37%, 74.59% and 85.60%, respectively.（P<0.05) In addition, initial nodular volume were the influencing factors of volume reduction ratio.Conclusions﻿Ultrasound-guided MWA is effective and safe in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules. In addition, it has little damage to surrounding tissues and no effect on thyroid function. Especially for the initial small volume of nodules, treatment is better. Therefore, ultrasound-guided thyroid MWA can be used as one of the main clinical treatment methods for benign thyroid nodules.
Medical Education Research Trends, 1989–2018: A Bibliometric and Social Network Analysis
Authors: Li Yanjun , Huang Desheng , Guan Peng , Liu Chunhe , zhang Jin , Bi Fangfang , Yu Hong , Yang Qing
Published: January 2021

Background We are now in the third generation of medical education reform. To fully grasp this transformation, we need to identify the field’s knowledge structure. This study conducted a bibliometric analysis to discover the general publication statue during the last three decades (1989–2018) with an eye for identifying prolific institutions, core journals, international collaboration, and the evolution of key themes.Methods We retrieved 15,329 papers from the Web of Science Core Collection database that were published between 1989 and 2018 , and we analysed them to determine prolific institutions, core journals, institutional collaboration statue, and hot spots of research. R studio, SciMAT, and VOSviewer were jointly applied. For a better understanding of thematic evolution in the field, we split the study period into three sub-periods with equal time spans.Results We discovered that, worldwide, scholars are increasingly attracted to research on medical education. Medical Education is the most prolific journal in the field. While the US publishes an overwhelming proportion of the most relevant papers, articles published by the UK are, on average, most frequently cited. We identify five key research centres based on the most prolific academic institutions, and our analysis of relevant collaborations reveals that international collaboration is common. The hottest themes during each sub-period are revealed and how they evolve across different time spans are also detected.Conclusions This bibliometric study identifies the scientific structure of medical education research over the past three decades. Ultimately, it may help scholars identify new topics and future research challenges in this field and, moreover, highlight meaningful evidence for policymakers in the field of medical teaching innovation.
Kaempferol and Its Glycoside Derivatives as Modulators of Etoposide Activity in HL-60 Cells
Authors: Kluska Magdalena , Juszczak Michał , Żuchowski Jerzy , Stochmal Anna , Woźniak Katarzyna
Published: January 2021

Kaempferol is a polyphenol found in a variety of plants. Kaempferol has antitumor properties by affecting proliferation and apoptosis of cancer cells. We investigated whether kaempferol and its glycoside derivatives: kaempferol 3-O-[(6-O-E-caffeoyl)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)]-β-D-galactopyranoside-7-O-β-D -glucuropyranoside (P2), kaempferol 3-O-[(6-O-E-p-coumaroyl)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)]-β-D-galactopyranoside-7-O-β-D-glucuropyranoside (P5) and kaempferol 3-O-[(6-O-E-feruloyl)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)]-β-D-galactopyranoside-7-O-β-D-glucuropyranoside (P7) isolated from aerial parts of Lens culinaris Medik. affect the antitumor activity of etoposide in HL-60 cells. We analyzed the effect of kaempferol and its derivatives on cytotoxicity, DNA damage, apoptosis, cell cycle progression and free radicals induced by etoposide. We also studied the impact of kaempferol and its derivatives on the expression of HO-1 and Nrf-2 genes in HL-60 cells. We demonstrated that kaempferol increases the sensitivity of HL-60 cells to etoposide but does not affect apoptosis induced by this drug. Kaempferol also reduces the level of free radicals generated by etoposide. Unlike kaempferol, some of its derivatives reduce the apoptosis of HL-60 cells (P2 and P7) and increase the level of free radicals (P2 and P5) induced by etoposide. Our results indicate that kaempferol derivatives may have an opposite effect on the action of etoposide in HL-60 cells compared to kaempferol.
Epigenetic Changes in Equine Embryos After Short-term Storage at Different Temperatures
Authors: Gastal Gustavo Desire Antunes , Scarlet Dragos , Melchert Maria , Ertl Reinhard , Aurich Christine
Published: January 2021

Background: In embryos subjected to assisted reproductive techniques, epigenetic modifications may occur that can influence embryonic development and establishment of pregnancy. In horses, the storage temperature during transport of fresh embryos before transfer is a major concern. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of two storage temperatures (5˚C and 20˚C) on equine embryos, collected at day 7 after ovulation and stored for 24 hours, on the following characteristics: (i) morphological and histological development; (ii) expression of candidate genes associated with embryo growth and development, maternal recognition of pregnancy, methylation, and apoptosis; and (iii) gene-specific and global-DNA methylation. Embryos (n=80) were collected from Haflinger mares (n=15) on day 7 (n=60) or day 8 (n=20) after ovulation and assigned to 4 groups: day 7 control (E7F, fresh); day 7, stored for 24h at 5°C (E5C); day 7, stored for 24h at 20°C (E20C); and day 8 control (E8F, fresh 24h time control). The embryos and the storage medium from all groups were analyzed for: (i) medium temperature, pH, and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde; MDA), (ii), embryo morphology, mRNA expression, and DNA methylation (immunohistochemistry and gene-specific DNA methylation). Results: Temperature during storage (E5C and E20C) did not affect embryo size (382±47 and 553±99 µm, respectively). There were no changes in pH and MDA accumulation irrespective of group. The relative mRNA abundance of specific genes related to growth and development (POU5F1, SOX2, NANOG), maternal recognition of pregnancy (CYP19A1, PTGES2), DNA methylation (DNMT1, DNMT3A, DNMT3B), and apoptosis (BAX) in the E5C and E20C were either up or downregulated (P<0.05) when compared to controls (E7F and E8F). The global methylation status, even as 5mC and 5hmC immune expression were similar among treatment groups. The specific genes ESR1, NANOG, and DNMT1 were hypomethylated (P<0.001) in E20C embryos when compared to E8F (advanced stage). Conclusions: Therefore, our study demonstrates for the first time the gene-specific and global-DNA methylation status of fresh equine embryos collected on days 7 and 8 after ovulation. In addition, short-term storage, regardless of temperature, modified gene expression and methylation of genes involved in embryo development and may therefore compromise embryo viability and development after transfer.
Ferroptosis regulator genes are a favorable biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: He Yongfei , Zhao Shuqi , Wei Zhongliu , Zhou Xin , Liang Tianyi , Wei Yongguang , Han Chuangye , Peng Tao
Published: January 2021

BackgroundIn this study, we comprehensively analyzed the relationship between ferroptosis regulator genes (FRGs) and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), determined the prognostics value of FRGs, established a prediction model, and explored the relationship with immunotherapy for HCC.MethodsThe mRNA transcriptional levels and clinical information of HCC were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The 24 FRGs were combined with the differential expression genes (DEGs) of HCC for further analysis. The prognostics values of differential FRGs via the construction of model and validation by the Cox regression analysis.ResultThere were three genes (CARS1, FANCD2, and SLC7A11) were identified as independent risk factors for HCC, and a predictive model was constructed based on CARS1, FANCD2, and SLC7A11. The model showed that the low-risk group HCC patients with a more prolonged overall survival (OS) than the high-risk group (P=0.001). The high-risk group with higher expression of FRGs than the low-risk group. Finally, the relations between FGEs and immune infiltration showed that CARS1, FANCD2, and SLC7A11 had a positive relationship with macrophage infiltration. From these, three genes might be the potential therapeutic targets.ConclusionOur study indicated that CARS1, FANCD2, and SLC7A11 might have potential value for therapeutic strategies as practical and reliable prognostic tools for HCC.
Prevalence of PTSD Symptoms Among Psychiatric Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Tang Lirong , Gao Yue , Qi Shuangyi , Cui Jie , Zhou Li , Feng Yi
Published: January 2021

Background: The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has caused extensive public health concern and posed great challenges to the medical services, including the mental health concern for psychiatric patients who were one of neglected groups. The current study aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among psychiatric patients in China during the pandemic. Method: Self-reported questionnaires were distributed to psychiatric patients in several psychiatric hospitals in Beijing China from 28 April to 30 May 2020. The socio-demographic information and psychiatric symptoms such as PTSD, anxiety and depressive symptoms were collected by using The Impact of Event Scale- Revised (IES-R), the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire depression scale (PHQ-9). Multivariate regression was used to analysis the related factors for PTSD symptoms. Results: 1,055 psychiatric patients were included in the final sample. The prevalence of PTSD symptoms was 41.3%. Risk factors for PTSD symptoms and its subscales included old age, high risk perception, symptoms of anxiety, symptoms of depression. Conclusions: The prevalence of PTSD symptoms is high among psychiatric patients during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. We call for more concern and PTSD interventions to relieve the psychological stress of psychiatric patients during the pandemic.
A New Tool to Assess Quality of life in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis or Non-Specific Interstitial Pneumonia *
Authors: Kirsten Detlef , Vries Ulrike de , Costabel Ulrich , Koschel Dirk , Bonella Francesco , Günther Andreas , Behr Jürgen , Claussen Martin , Schwarz Stefan , Prasse Antje , Kreuter Michael
Published: January 2021

Background: Quality of life (QoL) is significantly impaired in patients with pulmonary fibrosis, however reliable tools to assess QoL are still missing. We thus aimed to develop a new questionnaire called QPF to measure QoL in patients with fibrotic idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIP). Methods: As part of a multi-center validation study in a pre-post design, 200 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) or idiopathic non-specific interstitial pneumonia (iNSIP) filled in the questionnaire at 2 measurement time points with an interval of 6 months. Cross-validation was carried out with the St. Georges Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Results: The alpha of the QPF-total score and its subscales range from .858 to .616 and can be rated as good. In contrast to the SGRQ, the QPF was able to detect a change in the patient's mood ("Condition" scale) in the course of treatment. This could be due to the SGRQ being a condition specific measure but also due to the greater amount of items, especially those with a job-related theme, which are not relevant for the sample examined. The questionnaire can be used to evaluate treatment response more appropriately, by collecting data on physical performance and general behaviour. Conclusion: This newly developed questionnaire maps the special needs of the patients well and is superior to the SGRQ. The QPF is suitable for screening as well as for supplementing the medical history and for monitoring the course of disease in fibrotic IIPs.
Lateral ﬂow biosensor combined with loop-mediated isothermal ampliﬁcation for detection of legionella pneumophila.
Authors: Jiang Luxi , Li Xiaomeng , Gu Rumeng , Shi Ziling , Song Meijun , Huang Xiaojun , Mu Deguang
Published: January 2021

Legionella pneumophila ( L. pneumophila ) is the most pathogenic species of Legionella , which can cause Legionella disease. It can cause pneumonia, or Pontiac fever. In severe cases, it can lead to respiratory failure and kidney failure, with a high fatality rate. Here, a novel molecular diagnosis method, a loop-mediated isothermal ampliﬁcation coupled with lateral flow biosensor (LFB) method (LAMP-LFB) was successfully established and evaluated for the identification of L. pneumophila . A set of 6 primers was designed specifically based on the L. pneumophila -specific gene mip. The optimized time and temperature conditions for the LAMP was 50 min and 64◦C respectively. The minimum concentration that can be detected by this method was 100fg. Using the protocol, we could observe the LAMP amplification within 2min by LFB. The whole process, including the preparation of DNA (20 min), LAMP reaction (50 min) and results reporting (2 min), could be finished within 75 min. Among 50 alveolar lavage fluid samples, 5(10%) were L. pneumophila -positive by the LAMP-LFB, and the diagnostic accuracy was 100% when compared to the culture method. While only 4 samples were positive using PCR method.
In a word, the LAMP-LFB assay is a rapid, sensitive and specific detection method that can detect Legionella pneumophila , and it can be used as a new molecular method for the detection of target pathogens in water, environmental and clinical samples.
Initial engagement and persistence of health risk behaviors through adolescence: longitudinal findings from urban South Africa
Authors: Kowalski Alysse , Addo O. Yaw , Kramer Michael R , Martorell Reynaldo , Norris Shane A , Waford Rachel N , Richter Linda M , Stein Aryeh
Published: January 2021

Background:Little is known about longitudinal patterns of adolescent health risk behavior initial engagement and persistence in low- and middle-income countries. Methods: Birth to Twenty Plus is a longitudinal birth cohort in Soweto-Johannesburg, South Africa. We used reports from Black African participants on cigarette smoking, alcohol, cannabis, illicit drug, and sexual activity initial engagement and adolescent pregnancy collected over 7 study visits between ages 11 and 18 y. We fit Kaplan-Meier curves to estimate behavior engagement or adolescent pregnancy, examined current behavior at age 18 y by age of first engagement, and performed a clustering analysis to identify patterns of initial engagement and their sociodemographic predictors. Results:By age 13 y, cumulative incidence of smoking and alcohol engagement were each >21%, while the cumulative incidence of other behaviors and adolescent pregnancy were <5%. By age 18 y (15 y for cannabis), smoking, alcohol, and sexual activity engagement estimates were each >65%, cannabis and illicit drug engagement were each >16%; adolescent pregnancy was 31%. Rates of engagement were higher among males. Current risk behavior activity at age 18 y was generally unrelated to age of initial engagement. We identified three clusters reflecting low, moderate, and high-risk patterns of initial risk behavior engagement. One-third of males and 17% of females were assigned to the high-risk cluster. Sociodemographic factors were not associated with cluster membership.Conclusions:Among urban dwelling Black South Africans, risk behavior engagement across adolescence was common and clustered into distinct patterns of initial engagement which were unrelated to the sociodemographic factors assessed. Patterns of initial risk behavior engagement may inform the timing of primary and secondary public health interventions and support integrated prevention efforts that consider multiple behaviors simultaneously.
The use of inappropriate anal douching tool associates with increased HIV infection among men who have sex with men: a cross-sectional study in Shenyang, China
Authors: Chu ZhenXing , Shen Guangquan , Hu Qinghai , Wang Hongyi , Zhang Jing , Dong Willa , Jiang Yongjun , Geng Wenqing , Shang Hong , Xu Junjie
Published: January 2021

Background: Rectal douching (RD) is widely practiced by men who have sex with men (MSM), and is associated with increased risk of HIV infection. However, the mechanism of how RD increases the risk of HIV infection is not well understood, and there is limited data on RD behavior in MSM practicing anal sex in China. We examine the purpose of RD, its timing in relation to anal sex, the types of RD products used, and risky sexual behaviors among MSM reporting anal sex.Methods: Between August 2017 and December 2018, a cross-sectional study was conducted among adult MSM in Shenyang, China. Data were collected on demographics, sexual behaviors, and RD for the most recent sexual intercourse by means of interviewer-administered face-to-face questionnaires. Blood samples were collected to test for antibodies to HIV and syphilis. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the risk factors associated with HIV infection.Results: A total of 515 eligible MSM participated in this survey (median age: 31 years). During the most recent anal intercourse, 28.3% (146/515) had condomless receptive anal intercourse (CRAI), 21.4% (110/515) practiced serosorting, and more than half (61.6%, 317/515) reported RD before or after anal sex. Of those practicing RD, 96.8% (307/317) conducted RD before sex, while 62.5% (198/317) conducted RD after sex. The douching devices used were primarily shower hoses (85.3%, 262/307), and relatively few MSM used commercial RD products (8.1%, 25/307) before sex. The prevalence of HIV-1 and syphilis was 11.7% and 13.2%, respectively. HIV infection was positively associated with RD, practicing RD before sex, the interaction between RD and CRAI using a shower hose for RD and other risk factors, practicing RD after sex, CRAI, using nitrite inhalants, main sexual role with males as bottom and syphilis infection.Conclusions: RD is popular among Chinese MSM. Improper noncommercial RD tools use (such as shower hose), the interaction effect between RD and CRAI associated with HIV infection. Public health workers and the MSM community should publicize scientific knowledge and prevention approaches relating to RD and HIV transmission to MSM. We recommend that further studies should be conducted to understand the detailed mechanism between RD and increased HIV prevalence.
Streptozotocin induces alpha-2u globulin nephropathy in male rats during diabetic kidney disease
Authors: Kengkoom Kanchana , Angkhasirisap Wannee , Kanjanapruthipong Tapanee , Tungtrakanpoung Rongdej , Tuentam Khwanchanok , Phansom Naphatson , Ampawong Sumate
Published: January 2021

Background: Alpha-2u globulin nephropathy mainly shows toxicological pathology only in male rats induced by certain chemicals and drugs, such as levamisole (antiparasitic and anticancer drugs). Streptozotocin (STZ) is also an anticancer-antibiotic agent that has been used for decades to induce a diabetic kidney disease model in rodents. The purpose of this study is to determine if STZ causes alpha-2u globulin nephropathy in male rats during an advanced stage of diabetic kidney disease.Methods: To test this hypothesis, the present study used a male diabetic Wistar rat model with 45 mg/kg of STZ injected intraperitoneally. Hyperglycaemic rats were divided into 2 groups: with and without alpha-2u globulin deposition in proximal tubule. Alpha-2u globulin nephropathy was examined by histopathological and electron microscope studies. Water absorption and filtration capacities (via aquaporin [AQP]-1, -2, -4 and -5) and mitochondrial function (through haloacid dehalogenase-like hydrolase domain-containing protein [HDHD]-3 and NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase 75 kDa subunit [NDUFS]-1 proteins) were determined using immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and immunogold labelling techniques.Results: More than 80% of severe clinical illness rats induced by STZ injection simultaneously exhibited alpha-2u globulin nephropathy with mitochondrial degeneration and filtration apparatus especially pedicels impairment. They also showed significantly upregulated AQP-1, -2, -4 and -5, HDHD-3 and NDUFS-1 compared with those of the rats without alpha-2u globulin nephropathy.Conclusions: STZ-induced alpha-2u globulin nephropathy during diabetic kidney disease in association with deterioration of pedicels, renal tubular damage with adaptation and mitochondrial driven apoptosis.
Predictors of resignation and sick leave after cancer dianosis among Japanese breast cancer survivors: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Mitsui Kiyomi , Endo Motoki , Imai Yuya , Ueda Yuito , Ogawa Hiroko , Muto Go , Yan Yan , Deshpande Gautam A. , Terao Yasuhisa , Takeda Satoru , Tanigawa Takeshi , Nishimura Katsuji , Hayashi Kazuhiko , Saito Mitsue , Kokaze Akatsuki
Published: January 2021

Background: In Japan, 55.5% of breast cancer survivors (BCSs) are of working age, so various perspectives regarding return to work (RTW) after cancer diagnosis need to be considered. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the risk factors for resignation and taking sick leave (SL) among BCSs in continued employment at the time of diagnosis.Methods: A web-based retrospective cross-sectional survey was conducted on BCSs using data from a 2018 Japanese national research project (Endo-Han) commissioned by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan. The subjects were women aged 18–69 years who had been diagnosed with breast cancer for the first time at least 1 year previously. The risk factors for resignation and taking SL after breast cancer diagnosis, including age at diagnosis, education level, cancer stage, surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, employment status, and occupational type, were then analyzed using a logistic regression model.Results: In total, 40 (14.9%) of 269 BCSs quit their jobs at least 1 year after being diagnosed with breast cancer. The results of the multivariable analysis indicated that lower education level (odds ratio [OR]: 3.802; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.233–11.729), taking SL (OR: 2.514; 95%CI: 1.202–5.261), and younger age at diagnosis (OR: 0.470; 95%CI: 0.221–0.998) were predictors of resignation. Of 229 patients who continued working, SL was taken by 72 (31.4%). In addition, undergoing surgery was found to be a predictor of taking SL (OR: 8.311; 95%CI: 1.007–68.621).Conclusions: In total, 40 (14.9%) of 269 BCSs quit their jobs at least 1 year after being diagnosed with breast cancer. The results of this study indicated that younger age, lower education level, and taking SL were predictors of resignation after breast cancer diagnosis.
Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the aging transformation scale for older adults with dementia
Authors: Li LaiYou , Sun Ning , Yu LiBo , Dong XiaoXin , Ying YuChen , Lang HanJun , Zhou LiHeng
Published: January 2021

Background: The key part of home care services is the assessment of the needs of the home environment for older adults with dementia. The present study was conducted to evaluate the psychometric properties of a newly adapted Chinese version of an instrument designed to measure aging transformation needs among older adults with dementia.Methods: A sample of 175 older adults with dementia was selected from ten communities in China. The 55-item aging transformation needs scale was answered by the participants. Content validity, Cronbach’s alpha, item-to-total correlation, and exploratory factor analysis were used to assess the reliability and validity of the instrument.Results: The aging transformation needs scale has a good surface validity, content validity, and structural validity. The content validity was 0.965; 55 items had large factor loads on their corresponding principal components (≥0.5). There was a significant correlation between the aging transformation needs scale and each component (r = 0.897-0.973, all P<0.01), and 9 components also had a high correlation (r = 765～0.977, all P<0.01); the total table Cronbach's α was 0.993, the Cronbach's α of each constituent factor was 0.944～0.990, and the correlation coefficient between factor and content was >0.40 (all P<0.01). Conclusions: Evidence was found to support the reliability and validity of the aging transformation needs scale that measures the quality of the aging transformation needs for older adults with dementia from an aging transformation needs perspective.
The Relationship between Self-harm and Bullying Behavior: Results from a Population based-study of Adolescents
Authors: Myklestad Ingri , Straiton Melanie Lindsay
Published: January 2021

Background: This study aims to better understand the association between bullying behaviour (the bullied, the bullies and the bully-victims) and self-harm, and which protective factors moderate this association. Methods: A total of 16 182 adolescents, aged 12 to 19 years, were invited to participate in the cross-sectional Ung-data survey. The response rate was 87%. To assess the relationship between self-harm and bulling behaviour, and risk- and protective factors, we conducted logistic regression analyses. In addition, we tested for potential interaction effects between protective factors and the three bullying groups on self-harm.Results: Fifteen percent of participating adolescents reported engaging in self-harm during the last year. The risk of self-harm was six times higher for the “bully-victims”, five times higher for the bullied, and three times higher for the bullies, compared to the “neither-bullied nor bullies”. The risk of self-harm in the face of being bullied was significantly greater for girls than boys. Depression, anxiety and parental conflict accounted for some of the association between being bullied and self-harm, and between bully-victims and self-harm. School behavioural problems accounted for some of the association between the bullies and self-harm and the bully-victims and self-harm. The relationship between the bullied and self-harm was significantly moderated by parental support and school well-being, while the relationship between “bully-victims” and self-harm was moderated by school well-being. Conclusion: There is a strong link between bullying and self-harm. Interventions to address bullying may reduce self-harm. Our findings also suggest that high levels of parental support and school well-being may buffer the harmful relationship between bullying behaviour and self-harm. Addressing these factors may be important in reducing the risk of self-harm among those experiencing bullying.
Additive interaction of mid- to late-life depression and cerebrovascular disease on the risk of dementia: A nationwide population-based cohort study
Authors: Jang Yoo Jin , Kang Cinoo , Myung Woojae , Lim Shinn-Won , Moon Young Kyung , Kim Ho , Kim Doh Kwan
Published: January 2021

Background: Dementia is a progressive neurocognitive disease with a substantial social burden. No apparent breakthroughs in treatment options have emerged so far; thus, disease prevention is essential for at-risk populations. Depression and cerebrovascular disease (CVD) are independent risk factors for dementia, but no studies have examined their interaction effect on dementia risk. This study aimed to identify the association of depression and CVD with the risk of dementia and evaluate whether dementia risk among patients with comorbid depression and CVD is higher than the sum of the individual risk due to each condition.Methods: A population-based cohort study was conducted to analyze the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort data of all individuals over 50 years of age. Individuals who had not been diagnosed with dementia at baseline were included and followed up from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2013. A time-varying Cox proportional hazard regression model adjusted for potential confounding factors was used for the analysis. The interaction between depression and CVD was estimated based on attributable proportion (AP), relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI), synergy index (SI), and multiplicative-scale interaction.Results: A total of 242,237 participants were included in the analytical sample, of which 12,735 (5.3%) developed dementia. Compared to that for participants without depression or CVD, the adjusted hazard ratio for the incidence of dementia for those with depression alone was 2.35 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.21-2.49), CVD alone was 3.25 (95% CI: 3.11-3.39), and comorbid depression and CVD was 5.02 (95% CI: 4.66-5.42). The additive interaction between depression and CVD was statistically significant (AP: 0.08, 95% CI: 0.01-0.16; RERI: 0.42, 95% CI: 0.03-0.82; SI: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.01-1.24). The multiplicative interaction was significant too, but effect was negative (0.66, 95% CI: 0.60-0.73).Conclusions: In this population-based nationwide cohort with long-term follow-up, depression and CVD were associated with an increased risk of dementia, and their coexistence additively increased dementia risk more than the sum of the individual risks.
Spatiotemporal expression of sonic hedgehog signalling molecules in the embryonic mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons of mice
Authors: Hussein Manal T , Attaai Abdelraheim , Kamel Gamal , Mokhtar Doaa
Published: January 2021

Background: Midbrain dopaminergic neurons (mDA) play an important role in controlling the voluntary motor movement, reward behaviour and emotion-based behaviour. Differentiation of mDA neurons from progenitors depends on several secreted proteins, such as sonic hedgehog (SHH), and transcription factors. Different groups from mDA neurons arise from the varied patterns of SHH expression during development. The present study attempted to elucidate in mice embryo model, through in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry 1) the possible role(s) of some SHH signalling components (Ptch1, Gli1, Gli2 and Gli3) in the spatiotemporal development of mDA neurons along the rostrocaudal axis of the midbrain and their possible roles in differentiation (E12, E14) and survival of mDA neurons (E18); 2) the main role of Boc (bioregional Cdon-binding protein), and Gas1 (growth arrest-specific1) as novel accessory receptors for the SHH in the development of mDA neurons 3) the significance of using the primary culture and/or the dopaminergic cell line (MN9D) for studying the development of mDA neurons. Results: At E12 and E14, but not E18, only Ptch1 and Gli1 were expressed in ventrolateral midbrain domains. All examined SHH signalling molecules were not detected in mDA area. Whereas, in MN9D cells, many SHH signalling molecules were expressed and co-localized with the dopaminergic marker; tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and their expression were upregulated with SHH treatment of the MN9D cells. Conclusion: These results suggest that mDA neurons differentiation and survival are independent of SHH. Besides, MN9D cell line is not the ideal in vitro model for investigating the differentiation of mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons, and hence, the ventral midbrain primary culture might be favored over MN9D line.
The prevalence of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-confirmed paediatric poisoning at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
Authors: Washaya Norbertta , Evans Alicia , Muloiwa Rudzani , Smith Peter , Buys Heloise
Published: January 2021

BackgroundPaediatric poisoning is a common presentation to emergency departments worldwide. There is a paucity of data on the role of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), in the management of paediatric poisoning in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). In high-income countries, most studies are retrospective, and few include children.ObjectiveThe study describes the prevalence of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry confirmed paediatric poisoning at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.MethodsChildren admitted with suspected poisoning between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2017, were recruited. All patients had a urine and/or blood sample sent for LC-MS/MS toxicology. Data collected included demographic data, clinical features, investigations, management, outcome and social interventions. Results152 children, with median age of 39 (IQR 25 -61) months were enrolled of which 128 (84%) were poisoning cases. Of the 128 poisoning cases, 88 (69%) presented with a history of ingesting a known substance, 16 (12%) an unknown substance and 24 (19%) were cases of occult poisoning. LC-MS/MS was able to identify a substance in 92% of the cases of occult poisoning. In those who had presented with a seemingly known substance, LC-MS/MS found a different substance in 15 cases. LC-MS/MS was also able to detect multiple drugs in 40 patients. Of the poisoning cases, six (5%) cases were attempted homicide cases and 5 (4%) cases were attempted suicide cases. No children died. Individualized social interventions were instituted in poisoning cases. Emergency placement safety reasons was required in 6 children. Conclusion When the limitations are known, LC-MS/MS is useful in identifying cases of occult poisoning; identifying patients who have ingested multiple substances and/or an unknown substance and when targeted towards child protection. As LC-MS/MS is an expensive test, it should be used judiciously in LMICs.
Gender differences in externalizing and internalizing problems in Singaporean children and adolescents with attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Lau Tsz Wing Ivy , Lim Choon Guan , Acharryya Sanchalika , Lim-Ashworth Nikki , Tan Yi Ren , Fung Daniel
Published: January 2021

Background: Studies on gender differences in attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) comorbidities in the Asian populations have been limited and previous studies have shown inconclusive findings. Singapore is a city-state country in Southeast Asia with a population of 5.7 million. This study examined gender differences in internalizing and externalizing problems in Singaporean children and adolescents with ADHD. The plausible social factors underlying the gender differences were discussed. Methods: A total of 773 participants (aged 6 to 18, 88% males) newly diagnosed with ADHD were recruited from the largest public child and adolescent psychiatric center in Singapore. Their internalizing and externalizing problems were assessed using the Child Behavioral Checklist and Teacher’s Report Form by parents and teachers respectively. Demographics and relevant social factors were collected using parent questionnaires.Results: Females with ADHD were reported to have less delinquent and aggressive behavior but more depressive symptoms than their male counterparts, similar to findings in the Western literature. Gender remained a significant predictor of externalizing problem after controlling for other factors. Lower socioeconomic status and parental use of physical punishment were significant predictors of both internalizing and externalizing problems.Conclusions: Gender differences in ADHD comorbidities do exist in the Asian clinical population. The lack of externalizing symptoms in females with ADHD has made timely referral and diagnosis challenging. More research is needed in understanding the gender differences in ADHD and the biopsychosocial mechanism underlying the differences in order to improve the detection of ADHD in females.
A GPU based multidimensional amplitude analysis to search for tetraquark candidates
Authors: Sur Nairit , Cristella Leonardo , Florio Adriano Di , Mastrapasqua Vincenzo
Published: January 2021

The demand for computational resources is steadily increasing in experimental high energy physics as the current collider experiments continue to accumulate huge amounts of data and physicists indulge in more complex and ambitious analysis strategies. This is especially true in the fields of hadron spectroscopy and flavour physics where the analyses often depend on complex multidimensional unbinned maximum-likelihood fits, with several dozens of free parameters, with an aim to study the internal structure of hadrons.Graphics processing units (GPUs) represent one of the most sophisticated and versatile parallel computing architectures that are becoming popular toolkits for high energy physicists to meet their computational demands. GooFit is an upcoming open-source tool interfacing ROOT/RooFit to the CUDA platform on NVIDIA GPUs that acts as a bridge between the MINUIT minimization algorithm and a parallel processor, allowing probability density functions to be estimated on multiple cores simultaneously.In this article, a full-fledged amplitude analysis framework developed using GooFit is tested for its speed and reliability. The four-dimensional fitter framework, one of the firsts of its kind to be built on GooFit, is geared towards the search for exotic tetraquark states in the B0 → J/ψKπ decays and can also be seamlessly adapted for other similar analyses. The GooFit fitter, running on GPUs, shows a remarkable improvement in the computing speed compared to a ROOT/RooFit implementation of the same analysis running on multi-core CPU clusters. Furthermore, it shows sensitivity to components with small contributions to the overall fit. It has the potential to be a powerful tool for sensitive and computationally intensive physics analyses.
Further evaluation and validation of the VETSCAN IMAGYST: in-clinic feline and canine fecal parasite detection system integrated with a deep learning algorithm
Authors: Nagamori Yoko , Sedlak Ruth Hall , DeRosa Andrew , Pullins Aleah , Cree Travis , Loenser Michael , Larson Benjamin S. , Smith Richard Boyd , Penn Cory , Goldstein Richard
Published: January 2021

Background: Fecal examinations in pet cats and dogs are key components of routine veterinary practice; however, the accuracy is influenced by diagnostic methodologies and the experience level of personnel performing the tests. The VETSCAN IMAGYST system was developed to provide simpler and easier fecal examinations which are less influenced by examiners’ skills. This system consists of three components: a sample preparation device, an automated microscopic scanner, and an analysis software. The objectives of this study were to qualitatively evaluate the performance of the VETSCAN IMAGYST system on feline parasites (Ancylostoma and Toxocara cati) and protozoan parasites (Cystoisospora and Giardia) and to assess and compare the performance of the VETSCAN IMAGYST centrifugal flotation method to reference centrifugal and passive flotation methods.Methods: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of the scanning and algorithmic components of the VETSCAN IMAGYST system, fecal slides were prepared by the VETSCAN IMAGYST centrifugal flotation technique with pre-screened fecal samples collected from dogs and cats and examined by both an algorithm and parasitologist. To assess the performance of the VETSCAN IMAGYST centrifugal flotation technique, diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were calculated and compared to conventional flotation techniques.Results: The performance of the VETSCAN IMAGYST algorithm closely correlated with evaluations by parasitologists, with sensitivity of 75.8-100% and specificity of 93.1-100% across the targeted parasites. For samples with 50 eggs or less per slide, Lin’s concordance correlation coefficients (ρc) ranged from 0.70 to 0.95 across the targeted parasites. The VETSCAN IMAGYST centrifugal flotation method correlated well with the conventional centrifugal flotation method across the targeted parasites: sensitivity of 65.7-100% and specificity of 97.6-100%. Similar results were observed for the conventional passive flotation method compared to the conventional centrifugal flotation method; sensitivity of 56.4-91.7% and specificity of 99.4-100%.Conclusions: The VETSCAN IMAGYST scanning and algorithmic systems with the VETSCAN IMAGYST fecal preparation technique demonstrated a similar qualitative performance to the results of parasitologists’ examinations with conventional fecal flotation techniques. Given the deep learning nature of the VETSCAN IMAGYST system, its performance is expected to improve over time, enabling it to be utilized in veterinary clinics to perform fecal examinations accurately and efficiently.
Separation of magnetotelluric signals based on refined composite multiscale dispersion entropy and orthogonal matching pursuit
Authors: Zhang Xian , Li Jin , Li Diquan , Li Yong , Liu Bei , Hu Yanfang
Published: January 2021

Magnetotelluric (MT) data processing can increase the reliability of measured data. Traditional MT de-noising methods are usually filtered in entire MT time-series sequence, which result in losing of useful MT signals and the decrease of imaging accuracy of electromagnetic inversion. However, targeted MT noise separation can retain the part of data not affected by strong noise, and enhance the quality of MT data. Thus, we proposed a novel method for MT noise separation, which using refined composite multiscale dispersion entropy (RCMDE) and orthogonal matching pursuit (OMP). Firstly, the RCMDE characteristic parameters are extracted from each segment of the MT time-series. Then, the characteristic parameters are input to the fuzzy c-mean (FCM) clustering for automatic identification of MT signal and noise. Next, OMP method is utilized to remove the identified noise segments independently. Finally, the reconstructed signal consists of the denoised data segments and the identified useful signal segments. We conducted the simulation experiments and algorithm evaluation on the EMTF data, simulated data and measured sites. The results indicate that the RCMDE can improve the stability of multiscale dispersion entropy (MDE) and multiscale entropy (MSE) by analyzing the characteristics of the signal samples library, effectively dividing MT signals and noise. Compared with the existing techniques of the entire time domain de-noising and signal-noise identification, the proposed method used RCMDE and OMP as characteristic parameter and noise separation, simplified the multi-features fusion, and improved the accuracy of signal-noise identification. Moreover, the de-noising efficiency has accelerated, and the MT data quality of low-frequency band has improved greatly.