bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of a novel 27-gene immuno-oncology assay with efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in advanced non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Ranganath Harsha , Jain Amit L. , Smith Justin R. , Ryder Julie , Chaudry Amina , Miller Emily , Hare Felicia , Valasareddy Poojitha , Seitz Robert S. , Hout David R. , Varga Matthew G. , Schweitzer Brock L. , Nielsen Tyler J. , Mullins Janice , Ross Douglas T. , Gandara David R. , Vidal Gregory A.
Published: April 2022

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapies represent a major advance in treating a variety of advanced-stage malignancies. Nevertheless, only a subset of patients benefit, even when selected based on approved biomarkers such as PD-L1 and tumor mutational burden. New biomarkers are needed to maximize the therapeutic ratio of these therapies.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort, we assessed a 27-gene RT-qPCR immuno-oncology (IO) gene expression assay of the tumor immune microenvironment and determined its association with the efficacy of ICI therapy in 67 advanced-stage NSCLC patients. The 27-gene IO test score (IO score), programmed cell death ligand 1 immunohistochemistry tumor proportion score (PD-L1 TPS), and tumor mutational burden (TMB) were analyzed as continuous variables for response and as binary variables for one-year progression free survival. The threshold for the IO score was prospectively set based upon a previously described training cohort. Prognostic implications of the IO score were evaluated in a separate cohort of 104 advanced-stage NSCLC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) who received non-ICI therapy.

Results

The IO score was significantly different between responders or non-responders (p = 0.007) and associated with progression-free survival (p = 0.001). Bivariate analysis established that the IO score was independent of PD-L1 TPS and TMB in identifying patients benefiting from ICI therapy. In a separate cohort of late-stage NSCLC patients from TCGA, the IO score was not prognostic of outcome from non-ICI-treated patients.

Conclusions

This study is the first application of this 27-gene IO RT-qPCR assay in a clinical cohort with outcome data. IO scores were significantly associated with response to ICI therapy and prolonged progression-free survival. Together, these data suggest the IO score should be further studied to define its role in informing clinical decision-making for ICI treatment in NSCLC.
Retraction Note: Comparison of minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomy and left transthoracic esophagectomy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients: a propensity score-matched analysis
Authors: Wang Qi , Wu Zixiang , Zhan Tianwei , Fang Shuai , Zhang Sai , Shen Gang , Wu Ming
Published: April 2022

This article has been retracted. Please see the Retraction Notice for more detail: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-019-5656-7.
Autophagy modulating therapeutics inhibit ovarian cancer colony generation by polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs)
Authors: Bowers Robert R. , Andrade Maya F. , Jones Christian M. , White-Gilbertson Shai , Voelkel-Johnson Christina , Delaney Joe R.
Published: April 2022

Background

Genomic instability and chemoresistance can arise in cancer due to a unique form of plasticity: that of polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs). These cells form under the stress of chemotherapy and have higher than diploid chromosome content. PGCCs are able to then repopulate tumors through an asymmetric daughter cell budding process. PGCCs have been observed in ovarian cancer histology, including the deadly and common form high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSC). We previously discovered that drugs which disrupt the cellular recycling process of autophagy are uniquely efficacious in pre-clinical HGSC models. While autophagy induction has been associated with PGCCs, it has never been previously investigated if autophagy modulation interacts with the PGCC life cycle and this form of tumor cell plasticity.

Methods

CAOV3 and OVCAR3 ovarian cancer cell lines were treated with carboplatin or docetaxel to induce PGCC formation. Microscopy was used to characterize and quantify PGCCs formed by chemotherapy. Two clinically available drugs that inhibit autophagy, hydroxychloroquine and nelfinavir, and a clinically available activator of autophagy, rapamycin, were employed to test the effect of these autophagy modulators on PGCC induction and subsequent colony formation from PGCCs. Crystal violet-stained colony formation assays were used to quantify the tumor-repopulating stage of the PGCC life cycle.

Results

Autophagy inhibitors did not prevent PGCC formation in OVCAR3 or CAOV3 cells. Rapamycin did not induce PGCC formation on its own nor did it exacerbate PGCC formation by chemotherapy. However, hydroxychloroquine prevented efficient colony formation in CAOV3 PGCCs induced by carboplatin (27% inhibition) or docetaxel (41% inhibition), as well as in OVCAR3 cells (95% and 77%, respectively). Nelfinavir similarly prevented colony formation in CAOV3 PGCCs induced by carboplatin (64% inhibition) or docetaxel (94% inhibition) as well as in OVCAR3 cells (89% and 80%, respectively). Rapamycin surprisingly also prevented PGCC colony outgrowth (52–84% inhibition).

Conclusions

While the autophagy previously observed to correlate with PGCC formation is unlikely necessary for PGCCs to form, autophagy modulating drugs severely impair the ability of HGSC PGCCs to form colonies. Clinical trials which utilize hydroxychloroquine, nelfinavir, and/or rapamycin after chemotherapy may be of future interest.
Similarities and differences between service users’ and carers’ experiences of crisis resolution teams in Norway: a survey
Authors: Hasselberg Nina , Klevan Trude Gøril , Weimand Bente , Uverud Gunn-Marit , Holgersen Katrine Høyer , Siqveland Johan , Ruud Torleif
Published: April 2022

Background

Crisis resolution team (CRT) care in adult mental health services is intended to provide accessible and flexible short-term, intensive crisis intervention to service users experiencing a mental health crisis and involve their carers (next of kin). Research on users’ and especially carers’ experiences with CRT care is scarce and is mostly qualitative in nature.

Methods

Altogether, 111 service users and 86 carers from 28 Norwegian CRTs were interviewed with The Service User and Carer Structured Interviews of the CORE Crisis Resolution Team Fidelity Scale Version 2. Their experiences with different aspects of CRT care were reported with descriptive statistics, and differences between service users’ and carers’ experiences were analyzed with the Mann-Whitney U Test.

Results

The service users and carers reported that the CRT care mostly reflected their needs and what they wanted. The experiences of service users and carers were mostly similar, except for significant differences in received information and how the termination of CRT care appeared. Both groups experienced the organization of the CRT care as accessible, with continuity, reliability, and flexibility, but without a high intensity of care. Both groups found the content of the CRT care supportive, sensitive, with a choice of treatment type and a range of interventions beyond medication, but a lack of written treatment plans and discharge plans. Carers were rarely involved in discharge meetings. Regarding the role of CRTs within the care system, both groups agreed upon the lack of facilitation of early discharge from inpatient wards and lack of home treatment, but both groups confirmed some collaboration with other mental health services.

Conclusion

Service users and carers found that the CRTs were accessible, reliable, flexible, supportive, sensitive, and provided a range of interventions beyond medication. Limitations were lack of a high intensity of care, limited written treatment and discharge plans, limited provision of home treatment, and lack of gatekeeping of acute beds. Both groups experienced the CRT care as mostly similar, but with significant differences regarding involvement in care planning and discharge preparation.
Tailored individual Yoga practice improves sleep quality, fatigue, anxiety, and depression in chronic insomnia disorder
Authors: Turmel Denis , Carlier Sarah , Bruyneel Anne Violette , Bruyneel Marie
Published: April 2022

Background

Chronic insomnia disorder (CI) is a prevalent sleep disorder that can lead to disturbed daytime functioning and is closely associated with anxiety and depression. First-choice treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT-I). Other mind–body interventions, such as Tai-chi and Yoga, have demonstrated subjective improvements in sleep quality. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of Yoga for improvement of subjective and objective sleep quality as well as measures of anxiety, depression, sleepiness, and fatigue in patients with CI.

Methods

Adults with CI were prospectively included in this single group pre-post study. Baseline assessments included home polysomnography (PSG), 7-day actigraphy, and questionnaires (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire (PSQI), Hospital Anxiety Depression scale (HADS), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Pichot fatigue scale (PS)). Patients practiced Viniyoga, an individualised Yoga practice with daily self-administered exercises, for 14 weeks. Assessments were repeated at the end of Yoga practice.

Results

Twenty-one patients completed the study. Objective sleep measurements revealed no change in PSG parameters after Yoga practice, but a decrease in arousals on actigraphy (p < 0.001). Subjective symptoms improved for all questionnaires (PSQI, p < 0.001; HAD-A, p = 0.020, HAD-D, p = 0.001, ESS, p = 0.041, PS, p = 0.010). In univariate correlations, decrease in PSQI was associated with increase in sleep stage N3 (p < 0.001) on PSG.

Conclusions

We have demonstrated a positive impact of individualized Yoga practice on subjective parameters related to sleep and daytime symptoms in CI, resulting in fewer arousals on actigraphy. Yoga could be proposed as a potentially useful alternative to CBT-I in CI, as it is easy to practice autonomously over the long-term. However, given the design of the present study, future prospective controlled studies should first confirm our results.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03314441, date of registration: 19/10/2017.
What do adults want in parks? A qualitative study using walk-along interviews
Authors: Veitch Jenny , Biggs Nicole , Deforche Benedicte , Timperio Anna
Published: April 2022

Background

Parks provide opportunities for physical activity and social interaction and are critical for enhancing public health. It is therefore important to better understand the needs and preferences of park features among adults to help park designers to create parks that optimise use. This qualitative study provided an in-depth examination of factors and characteristics that influence visitation, park-based physical activity, and social interaction among adults (19–64 years). We also explored perceptions of parks and park use and impacts of COVID on park usage and needs.

Methods

Participants (n = 27, 40.4 years [+ 11.9], 70% female) were interviewed from 2017 to 2020 while walking through one of eight diverse parks located in varying socioeconomic areas of metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. Participants were prompted to discuss their experiences, opinions and preferences regarding park features. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using NVivo 12 software.

Results

Park features and characteristics highly valued for visitation related to aesthetics and atmosphere, including trees, gardens, spaciousness, and water features. Features most valued for physical activity included walking and bike tracks, basketball rings, nice aesthetics, and sports walls. Features most valued for social interaction included seating and tables, and picnic/barbecue areas.

Conclusions

This study highlights features and characteristics that may be important to prioritise, to encourage active and social park visits among adults. This evidence will help policy and decision makers, urban planners, landscape architects, and local, state, and national government organisations to create parks that support adults to lead healthy and active lives. Future research should examine the relative importance of the features identified in this study to inform future park design/redesign.
Barriers to and strategies to address COVID-19 testing hesitancy: a rapid scoping review
Authors: Embrett Mark , Sim S. Meaghan , Caldwell Hilary A. T. , Boulos Leah , Yu Ziwa , Agarwal Gina , Cooper Rhiannon , AJ Allyson J. Gallant , Bielska Iwona A. , Chishtie Jawad , Stone Kathryn , Curran Janet , Tricco Andrea
Published: April 2022

Background

Testing is a foundational component of any COVID-19 management strategy; however, emerging evidence suggests that barriers and hesitancy to COVID-19 testing may affect uptake or participation and often these are multiple and intersecting factors that may vary across population groups. To this end, Health Canada’s COVID-19 Testing and Screening Expert Advisory Panel commissioned this rapid review in January 2021 to explore the available evidence in this area. The aim of this rapid review was to identify barriers to COVID-19 testing and strategies used to mitigate these barriers.

Methods

Searches (completed January 8, 2021) were conducted in MEDLINE, Scopus, medRxiv/bioRxiv, Cochrane and online grey literature sources to identify publications that described barriers and strategies related to COVID-19 testing.

Results

From 1294 academic and 97 grey literature search results, 31 academic and 31 grey literature sources were included. Data were extracted from the relevant papers. The most cited barriers were cost of testing; low health literacy; low trust in the healthcare system; availability and accessibility of testing sites; and stigma and consequences of testing positive. Strategies to mitigate barriers to COVID-19 testing included: free testing; promoting awareness of importance to testing; presenting various testing options and types of testing centres (i.e., drive-thru, walk-up, home testing); providing transportation to testing centres; and offering support for self-isolation (e.g., salary support or housing).

Conclusion

Various barriers to COVID-19 testing and strategies for mitigating these barriers were identified. Further research to test the efficacy of these strategies is needed to better support testing for COVID-19 by addressing testing hesitancy as part of the broader COVID-19 public health response.
Clinical, social, and policy factors in COVID-19 cases and deaths: methodological considerations for feature selection and modeling in county-level analyses
Authors: Madlock-Brown Charisse , Wilkens Ken , Weiskopf Nicole , Cesare Nina , Bhattacharyya Sharmodeep , Riches Naomi O. , Espinoza Juan , Dorr David , Goetz Kerry , Phuong Jimmy , Sule Anupam , Kharrazi Hadi , Liu Feifan , Lemon Cindy , Adams William G.
Published: April 2022

Background

There is a need to evaluate how the choice of time interval contributes to the lack of consistency of SDoH variables that appear as important to COVID-19 disease burden within an analysis for both case counts and death counts.

Methods

This study identified SDoH variables associated with U.S county-level COVID-19 cumulative case and death incidence for six different periods: the first 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 days since each county had COVID-19 one case per 10,000 residents. The set of SDoH variables were in the following domains: resource deprivation, access to care/health resources, population characteristics, traveling behavior, vulnerable populations, and health status. A generalized variance inflation factor (GVIF) analysis was used to identify variables with high multicollinearity. For each dependent variable, a separate model was built for each of the time periods. We used a mixed-effect generalized linear modeling of counts normalized per 100,000 population using negative binomial regression. We performed a Kolmogorov-Smirnov goodness of fit test, an outlier test, and a dispersion test for each model. Sensitivity analysis included altering the county start date to the day each county reached 10 COVID-19 cases per 10,000.

Results

Ninety-seven percent (3059/3140) of the counties were represented in the final analysis. Six features proved important for both the main and sensitivity analysis: adults-with-college-degree, days-sheltering-in-place-at-start, prior-seven-day-median-time-home, percent-black, percent-foreign-born, over-65-years-of-age, black-white-segregation, and days-since-pandemic-start. These variables belonged to the following categories: COVID-19 related, vulnerable populations, and population characteristics. Our diagnostic results show that across our outcomes, the models of the shorter time periods (30 days, 60 days, and 90 days) have a better fit.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate that the set of SDoH features that are significant for COVID-19 outcomes varies based on the time from the start date of the pandemic and when COVID-19 was present in a county. These results could assist researchers with variable selection and inform decision makers when creating public health policy.
Consanguineous marriages and their association with women’s reproductive health and fertility behavior in Pakistan: secondary data analysis from Demographic and Health Surveys, 1990–2018
Authors: Iqbal Sarosh , Zakar Rubeena , Fischer Florian , Zakar Muhammad Zakria
Published: April 2022

Background

Pakistan has been showing consistently the highest prevalence of consanguinity. The popularity of consanguineous marriages is not declining in the country, because of social, cultural, and religious beliefs as well as economic advantages. However, couples also face various health-related implications, such as poor pregnancy outcomes or multiple reproductive and fertility consequences, having adverse effects on mothers and their children. This research investigated the trend of consanguineous marriages and their association with women’s reproductive health and fertility behavior in Pakistan from 1990 to 2018.

Methods

This study is based on secondary data analysis, using all four waves of the Pakistan Demographic Health Surveys carried out from 1990 to 2018. The analysis is limited to women aged 15–49 years, who had given birth in the previous five years preceding each survey. Sampling weights were calculated and subsequently weighted analysis was conducted. Descriptive statistics, bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis were performed to determine the association of consanguinity with multiple characteristics related to socio-demographics, co-variates, and women’s reproductive health and fertility behaviors.

Results

The findings revealed a high but overall stable trend of consanguinity prevalence of about 63% during the last three decades. Consanguineous marriages were more prevalent amongst young and uneducated women, living in rural areas, with poorer wealth status and having less exposure to mass media to access information. A strong association of consanguinity was observed with women’s reproductive health and fertility behavior, particularly for women who gave first birth at a younger age, had multi-gravida pregnancies, multi-parity, pregnancy termination, ANC visits, and higher fertility.

Conclusion

Consanguineous marriages are predominant in the patriarchal society of Pakistan. Findings revealed that consanguinity contributes significantly to women’s reproductive health and fertility behaviors. Appropriate counseling, educational, and health promotional programs related to consanguinity should be designed and launched at the community level to raise awareness about risks towards women’s reproductive health and fertility.
Application of a pre-emptive question and answer platform to improve the level of satisfaction during family meetings in general medical wards
Authors: Yu Wen-Chun , Huang Chun-Ta , Sheng Wang-Huei
Published: April 2022

Background

A successful family meeting is key to family-centered care and may foster communication and improve the level of satisfaction of the family in terms of communication. In this study, we evaluated whether a proactive communication channel could improve the level of satisfaction of family members following a family meeting in a general medical ward setting.

Methods

We conducted a pre- and post-study to compare the level of satisfaction of a family with a family meeting before (N = 39) and after (N = 29) intervention in two general medical wards of a tertiary-care referral center. The intervention included a pre-emptive question and answer platform and a written response to family-raised queries in addition to a regular setting. Following each family meeting, family members were requested to fill a 10-item survey assessing their levels of satisfaction.

Results

The characteristics of the family members in terms of demographics, education levels, and previous experiences with family meetings in the pre- and post-intervention groups were similar. The scores in all the items that indicated the level of satisfaction significantly improved after intervention. The overall score for satisfaction increased from 85 (interquartile range, 80–95) to 98 (interquartile range, 93–100; P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Compared with conventional practice, the inclusion of a proactive communication platform along with a written response to raised queries as a part of family meetings improved the satisfaction levels of the family in terms of the content and process of the meeting in the general ward setting. Further studies are needed to delineate the optimal timing and use of such a communication modality.
Massive primary cardiac synovial sarcoma of the left atrium: a case report
Authors: Zhou Alice L. , Halub Meghan E. , Gross John M. , Shou Benjamin L. , Kilic Ahmet
Published: April 2022

Background

Synovial sarcomas are tumors typically located in the extremities and characterized by a t(X;18)(p11.2;q11.2) chromosomal translocation. With only around 100 cases reported in the literature, cardiac synovial sarcomas are extremely rare.

Case presentation

We describe a case of a 59-year-old male who presented to his primary care physician with chest pain, palpitations, and dyspnea and was diagnosed with atrial flutter. Following atrial ablation, a transthoracic echocardiogram incidentally revealed a 5.5 × 5.0 cm heterogeneous mass. Further workup found a heterogeneous mass with mild fluorodeoxyglucose uptake that was abutting the left atrium, left ventricle, and left pulmonary veins. The tumor was resected and confirmed to be a monophasic synovial sarcoma with a SS18-SSX gene fusion. Four months post-operative, the patient had recovered well from surgery. He is currently undergoing concurrent radiation and chemotherapy.

Conclusions

Due to the rarity of this tumor, guidelines on diagnosis and treatment come only from case reports. Our case describes a primary cardiac synovial sarcoma arising from the left atrium in the atrioventricular groove in which diagnosis of atrial flutter preceded detection of the mass.
Hormone and receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK) pathway gene expression in plasma and mammographic breast density in postmenopausal women
Authors: Mintz Rachel , Wang Mei , Xu Shuai , Colditz Graham A. , Markovic Chris , Toriola Adetunji T.
Published: April 2022

Background

Hormones impact breast tissue proliferation. Studies investigating the associations of circulating hormone levels with mammographic breast density have reported conflicting results. Due to the limited number of studies, we investigated the associations of hormone gene expression as well as their downstream mediators within the plasma with mammographic breast density in postmenopausal women.

Methods

We recruited postmenopausal women at their annual screening mammogram at Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis. We used the NanoString nCounter platform to quantify gene expression of hormones (prolactin, progesterone receptor (PGR), estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1), signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT1 and STAT5), and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB (RANK) pathway markers (RANK, RANKL, osteoprotegerin, TNFRSF18, and TNFRSF13B) in plasma. We used Volpara to measure volumetric percent density, dense volume, and non-dense volume. Linear regression models, adjusted for confounders, were used to evaluate associations between gene expression (linear fold change) and mammographic breast density.

Results

One unit increase in ESR1, RANK, and TNFRSF18 gene expression was associated with 8% (95% CI 0–15%, p value = 0.05), 10% (95% CI 0–20%, p value = 0.04) and % (95% CI 0–9%, p value = 0.04) higher volumetric percent density, respectively. There were no associations between gene expression of other markers and volumetric percent density. One unit increase in osteoprotegerin and PGR gene expression was associated with 12% (95% CI 4–19%, p value = 0.003) and 7% (95% CI 0–13%, p value = 0.04) lower non-dense volume, respectively.

Conclusion

These findings provide new insight on the associations of plasma hormonal and RANK pathway gene expression with mammographic breast density in postmenopausal women and require confirmation in other studies.
Explainable multiview framework for dissecting spatial relationships from highly multiplexed data
Authors: Tanevski Jovan , Flores Ricardo Omar Ramirez , Gabor Attila , Schapiro Denis , Saez-Rodriguez Julio
Published: April 2022

The advancement of highly multiplexed spatial technologies requires scalable methods that can leverage spatial information. We present MISTy, a flexible, scalable, and explainable machine learning framework for extracting relationships from any spatial omics data, from dozens to thousands of measured markers. MISTy builds multiple views focusing on different spatial or functional contexts to dissect different effects. We evaluated MISTy on in silico and breast cancer datasets measured by imaging mass cytometry and spatial transcriptomics. We estimated structural and functional interactions coming from different spatial contexts in breast cancer and demonstrated how to relate MISTy’s results to clinical features.
Severe COVID-19-associated variants linked to chemokine receptor gene control in monocytes and macrophages
Authors: Stikker Bernard S. , Stik Grégoire , van Ouwerkerk Antoinette F. , Trap Lianne , Spicuglia Salvatore , Hendriks Rudi W. , Stadhouders Ralph
Published: April 2022

Genome-wide association studies have identified 3p21.31 as the main risk locus for severe COVID-19, although underlying mechanisms remain elusive. We perform an epigenomic dissection of 3p21.31, identifying a CTCF-dependent tissue-specific 3D regulatory chromatin hub that controls the activity of several chemokine receptor genes. Risk SNPs colocalize with regulatory elements and are linked to increased expression of CCR1, CCR2 and CCR5 in monocytes and macrophages. As excessive organ infiltration of inflammatory monocytes and macrophages is a hallmark of severe COVID-19, our findings provide a rationale for the genetic association of 3p21.31 variants with elevated risk of hospitalization upon SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Improving glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus through a peer support instant messaging service intervention (DiabPeerS): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Höld Elisabeth , Grüblbauer Johanna , Wiesholzer Martin , Wewerka-Kreimel Daniela , Stieger Stefan , Kuschei Werner , Kisser Philip , Gützer Elisabeth , Hemetek Ursula , Ebner-Zarl Astrid , Pripfl Jürgen
Published: April 2022

Background

Diabetes mellitus is one of the four priority non-communicable diseases worldwide. It can lead to serious long-term complications and produces significant costs. Due to the chronicle character of the disease, it requires continuous medical treatment and good therapy adherence of those suffering. Therefore, diabetes self-management education (DSME) (and support DSMES) plays a significant role to increase patient’s self-management capacity and improve diabetes therapy. Research indicates that these outcomes might be difficult to maintain. Consequently, effective strategies to preserve the positive effects of DSMES are needed. Preliminary results show that peer support, which means support from a person who has experiential knowledge of a specific behavior or stressor and similar characteristics as the target population, is associated with better outcomes in terms of HbA1c, cardiovascular disease risk factors or self-efficacy at a lower cost compared to standard therapy. Peer-supported instant messaging services (IMS) approaches have significant potential for diabetes management because support can be provided easily and prompt, is inexpensive, and needs less effort to attend compared to standard therapy. The major objective of the study is to analyze the impact of a peer-supported IMS intervention in addition to a standard diabetes therapy on the glycemic control of type 2 diabetic patients.

Methods

A total of 205 participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus will be included and randomly assigned to an intervention or control group. Both groups will receive standard therapy, but the intervention group will participate in the peer-supported IMS intervention, additionally. The duration of the intervention will last for 7 months, followed by a follow-up of 7 months. Biochemical, behavioral, and psychosocial parameters will be measured before, in the middle, and after the intervention as well as after the follow-up.

Discussion

Type 2 diabetes mellitus and other non-communicable diseases put healthcare systems worldwide to the test. Peer-supported IMS interventions in addition to standard therapy might be part of new and cost-effective approaches to support patients independent from time and place.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.govNCT04797429. Registered on 15 March 2021.
Leishmania infantum infection serosurveillance in stray dogs inhabiting the Madrid community: 2007–2018
Authors: Müller Aurora , Montoya Ana , Escacena Cristina , de la Cruz María , Junco Ana , Iriso Andrés , Marino Eloy , Fúster Fernando , Miró Guadalupe
Published: April 2022

Background

Leishmaniosis is an endemic zoonotic disease in the Mediterranean basin caused by Leishmania infantum and transmitted by phlebotomine sandflies. While in dogs disease may be severe, leishmaniosis is also a public health concern as was shown in the largest outbreak of human leishmaniosis (HL) in Europe in 2009 occurring in the Madrid region. The aim of the present study was to assess the applicability of the Leishmaniosis Surveillance Program (LeishSP) established in Madrid in 1996 by examining trends in L. infantum seroprevalence and associated epidemiological risk factors based on data for the 2007–2018 period.

Methods

The study population consisted of 3225 stray dogs from 17 animal shelters collaborating with the LeishSP. Seroprevalences were recorded twice annually (April and November) from 2007 to 2018. In each yearly period, a minimum of 100 dogs were tested to detect dogs infected before and after the sandfly risk season in Madrid area. Each dog was subjected to the same protocol of blood sample collection and clinical examination to collect epidemiological data and clinical signs. Anti-Leishmania-specific IgG was determined by IFAT cut-off ≥ 1:100.

Results

Overall seroprevalence was 6.1% (198 positive dogs). Epidemiological data indicate a significantly higher seroprevalence in dogs > 4 years old, purebred dogs (Pit Bull and related breeds), and medium to large size dogs. There were no seroprevalence differences according to sex and/or season (April and November). In addition, no significant differences were observed according to whether dogs lived inside or outside the HL outbreak area. Remarkably, of 198 dogs testing positive for L. infantum, 64.6% had no clinical signs, indicating a high proportion of clinically healthy infected dogs that could be a potential source of infection.

Conclusions

Results indicate a stable seroprevalence of L. infantum infection after 2006 in stray dogs in Madrid but with a recent slightly increasing trend. These observations support the need to continue with the LeishSP implemented by sanitary authorities of the Madrid Community as an early warning strategy for human and animal leishmaniosis and to enable continued assessment of the epidemiological role of dogs with subclinical infection in this important zoonotic disease.

Graphical Abstract
Radiomics combined with clinical characteristics predicted the progression-free survival time in first-line targeted therapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer with EGFR mutation
Authors: Zhu Jian-man , Sun Lei , Wang Linjing , Zhou Tong-Chong , Yuan Yawei , Zhen Xin , Liao Zhi-Wei
Published: April 2022

Objective

This study was to explore the most appropriate radiomics modeling method to predict the progression-free survival of EGFR-TKI treatment in advanced non-small cell lung cancer with EGFR mutations. Different machine learning methods may vary considerably and the selection of a proper model is essential for accurate treatment outcome prediction. Our study were established 176 discrimination models constructed with 22 feature selection methods and 8 classifiers. The predictive performance of each model were evaluated using the AUC, ACC, sensitivity and specificity, where the optimal model was identified.

Results

There were totally 107 radiomics features and 7 clinical features obtained from each patient. After feature selection, the top-ten most relevant features were fed to train 176 models. Significant performance variations were observed in the established models, with the best performance achieved by the logistic regression model using gini-index feature selection (AUC = 0.797, ACC = 0.722, sensitivity = 0.758, specificity = 0.693). The median R-score was 0.518 (IQR, 0.023–0.987), and the patients were divided into high-risk and low-risk groups based on this cut-off value. The KM survival curves of the two groups demonstrated evident stratification results (p = 0.000).
A study on canine dirofilariasis in selected areas of Sri Lanka
Authors: Dasanayake Randima , Balendran Thivya , Atapattu Dhilma , Iddawela Devika
Published: April 2022

Objectives

Canine dirofilariasis is a mosquito borne zoonotic filarial parasitic disease caused by Dirofilaria species. In Sri Lanka, human dirofilariasis is endemic and well documented. Even though canine dirofilariasis is an established infection among dog populations in Sri Lanka, the prevalence and risk factors were not documented in Kanthale divisional secretariat, Eastern Province of Sri Lanka. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of dirofilariasis and to identify the exposure-related risk factors in dogs using an interviewer administered questionnaire in Kanthale divisional secretariat.

Results

Out of 162 blood samples collected from dogs, 47.5% (n = 77/162) were positive for the presence of microfilariae by direct smear. Of 162 samples 58.6% (n = 95/162) were molecularly identified as D. repens. Species-specific primer pair DIR3/DIR4 that amplified 5S rRNA was used. The current study observed a significant association between mongrels and canine dirofilariasis (p = 0.049), where 61.3% (n = 95) out of 155 mongrels showed PCR positivity. This study showed no significant association between the occurrence of dirofilariasis and the age, sex, rearing method, presence or absence of skin rash, and stray or domestic dogs. Dirofilaria immitis was not identified in direct smear test and PCR.
A network of change: united action on research integrity
Authors: Evans Thomas Rhys , Pownall Madeleine , Collins Elizabeth , Henderson Emma L. , Pickering Jade S. , O’Mahony Aoife , Zaneva Mirela , Jaquiery Matt , Dumbalska Tsvetomira
Published: April 2022

The last decade has seen renewed concern within the scientific community over the reproducibility and transparency of research findings. This paper outlines some of the various responsibilities of stakeholders in addressing the systemic issues that contribute to this concern. In particular, this paper asserts that a united, joined-up approach is needed, in which all stakeholders, including researchers, universities, funders, publishers, and governments, work together to set standards of research integrity and engender scientific progress and innovation. Using two developments as examples: the adoption of Registered Reports as a discrete initiative, and the use of open data as an ongoing norm change, we discuss the importance of collaboration across stakeholders.
Central Neurogenic Hyperventilation and Hyperlactatemia After Resection of a Fourth Ventricle Tumor: A Case Report
Authors: Paquin-Lanthier Gabriel , Rogan Kyle , McGuire Glenn , Chowdhury Tumul , Venkatraghavan Lashmi
Published: April 2022

We report a rare case of central neurogenic hyperventilation (CNH) and hyperlactatemia after resection of a fourth ventricle tumor. Our management consisted of close monitoring and exclusion of alternate causes of hyperventilation and hyperlactatemia. We hypothesize that a localized increase in tissue lactate, related to tumor metabolism, may have triggered CNH in our patient through stimulation of the brainstem respiratory centers. CNH should be considered during the differential diagnosis of perioperative hyperventilation with respiratory alkalosis in patients with posterior fossa tumors. Hyperlactatemia can trigger compensatory hyperventilation but will not result in alkalosis.
Σχέσεις στοιχείων ανάπτυξης και παραγωγής καλλιέργειας σόγιας στην Κεντρική Ελλάδα, με την υδατική καταπόνηση που προκαλείται στα φυτά λόγω ελλειμματικής άρδευσης
Authors: Βαμβακούλας Χρήστος
Published: April 2022

Η παρούσα διπλωματική εργασία παρουσιάζει τα αποτελέσματα ενός επιτυχημένου πειράματος δύο ετών υπό συνθήκες πεδίου στην περιοχή της Κωπαΐδας. Το υπό εξέταση φυτικό υλικό ήταν δύο ποικιλίες του φυτού σόγιας Glycine max (L), οι οποίες υποβλήθηκαν σε τέσσερα επίπεδα υδατικής καταπόνησης και μια καλλιέργεια αναφοράς η οποία αρδεύτηκε με το 100% της εξατμοδιαπνοής καλλιέργειας (ETc). Οι μετρήσεις που έγιναν στα φυτά σόγιας ήταν άμεσες μετρήσεις όπως ο αριθμός των φύλλων, το ύψος των φυτών, το ξηρό βάρος των στελεχών, το ξηρό βάρος των φύλλων, το συνολικό ξηρό βάρος του φυτού, το ξηρό βάρος και ο αριθμός των λοβών. Επιπρόσθετα μετρήθηκαν το βάρος των σπόρων, οι θερμοκρασίες των φύλλων, αλλά και παράμετροι που προκύπτουν από περαιτέρω επεξεργασία του σπόρου στο εργαστήριο, όπως συγκέντρωση σπορέλαιου, συγκέντρωση πρωτεΐνης αζώτου, παραγωγή πρωτεϊνών αζώτου, παραγωγή λαδιού ή με υπολογισμό λαμβάνοντας υπόψη τις αποστάσεις φύτευσης, όπως ο δείκτης φυλλικής επιφάνειας (LAI). Επίσης στην περιοχή και σε απόσταση 100 m από το πειραματικό χωράφι υπάρχει αυτόματος μετεωρολογικός σταθμός, ο οποίος λειτουργεί σύμφωνα με το πρωτόκολλο που προτείνει ο Διεθνής Οργανισμός Τροφίμων και Γεωργίας (FAO) και του οποίου οι μετρήσεις χρησιμοποιήθηκαν για το πείραμα και για την επεξεργασία των αποτελεσμάτων.Τα αποτελέσματα παρουσιάστηκαν με σχήματα και πίνακες και η στατιστική επεξεργασία τους έγινε με την ανάλυση διακύμανσης ANOVA, όπου συσχετίστηκαν οι μέσοι όροι της ποικιλίας x αρδευτικές παρεμβάσεις. Ακόμη υπολογίστηκε ο δείκτης υδατικής καταπόνησης Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI) και σχεδιάστηκε η ημερήσια μεταβολή του κατά τη διάρκεια της καλλιεργητικής περιόδου. Kαθορίστηκε η μορφή και αναπαραστάθηκαν οι παραγωγικές συναρτήσεις του δείκτη, με ποιοτικές και ποσοτικές παραμέτρους παραγωγής. Χρησιμοποιώντας τους πειραματικά καθορισμένους συντελεστές των ορίων που περιγράφουν τον CWSI και με την εφαρμογή μιας υπάρχουσας μεθοδολογίας (Monteith, 1973, O' Toole και Real, 1986), υπολογίστηκαν η μέση αεροδυναμική αντίσταση (rap) και ο μέσος συντελεστής αντίστασης καλλιέργειας (rcp) αντίστοιχα για φυτά σόγιας χωρίς καταπόνηση νερού. Να προσθέσω ότι παρουσιάστηκαν τα αποτελέσματα της αξιολόγησης και επαλήθευσης μιας νέας εμπειρικής σχέσης, η οποία προέκυψε από την κατάλληλη προσαρμογή και εφαρμογή υπάρχουσας μεθοδολογίας (Alexandris and Kerkides 2003), για τον ημερήσιο υπολογισμό της επιφανειακής ξηρής βιομάζας (D-AGB) για το φυτό σόγια. Τέλος, από τα υπάρχοντα πειραματικά δεδομένα, το μοντέλο AquaCrop του FAO βαθμονομήθηκε και αξιολογήθηκε σε τοπικές συνθήκες και παρουσιάστηκαν τα αποτελέσματα.
Διασυνοριακή ροή οικονομικών δεδομένων
Authors: Ρίζου Σταυρούλα
Published: April 2022

Αντικείμενο της παρούσας διδακτορικής διατριβής είναι η μελέτη, ανάλυση και καταγραφή της νομικής προσέγγισης του πλαισίου της διασυνοριακής ροής των οικονομικών δεδομένων. Η διακίνηση των προσωπικών οικονομικών δεδομένων, ως φαινόμενο της σύγχρονης τεχνολογικής και οικονομικής πραγματικότητας αναδύει ζητήματα των οποίων η διερεύνηση απαιτεί τη σύμπλευση αφενός της Επιστήμης της Πληροφορικής και αφετέρου της Νομικής Επιστήμης. Το παρόν πόνημα εστιάζει στην ταχεία εξέλιξη των νομοθετημάτων που αφορούν την προστασία των προσωπικών δεδομένων και ειδικότερα το πεδίο της διασυνοριακής ροής των δεδομένων. Εν πρώτοις, οι στόχοι της παρούσας διατριβής πραγματώνονται με την ανάλυση της έννοιας και των προσεγγίσεων της διασυνοριακής ροής των προσωπικών δεδομένων καθώς και των διακρίσεων των οικονομικών δεδομένων. Επιπλέον, εξετάζεται το γενικό ρυθμιστικό πλαίσιο των οικονομικών δεδομένων με γνώμονα τα ζητήματα ιδιωτικότητας, συμπεριλαμβανομένου του περιβάλλοντος της διασυνοριακής ροής των φορολογικών δεδομένων, των χρηματοοικονομικών δεδομένων και της διασυνοριακής ροής των δεδομένων στο διεθνές εμπόριο. Το οντολογικό μέρος της διατριβής συμπληρώνεται από τη συσχέτιση των ζητημάτων ιδιωτικότητας με επιλεγμένες σύγχρονες τεχνολογίες του τομέα της Πληροφορικής, και ειδικότερα τα δίκτυα 5G, τα αναδυόμενα δίκτυα 6G και την αλληλεπίδραση των ανηλίκων με ένα έξυπνο οικιακό περιβάλλον. Παράλληλα, στο παρόν πόνημα περιλαμβάνεται η συστηματική και διαχρονική ανάλυση των διεθνών, ευρωπαϊκών και εθνικών ρυθμίσεων, οι οποίες διέπουν το εξειδικευμένο πεδίο της διασυνοριακής ροής των προσωπικών δεδομένων, με επίκεντρο τη διαφορετική νομική προσέγγιση για την προστασία των οικονομικών προσωπικών δεδομένων από τα κράτη καθώς και τις προσπάθειες γεφύρωσης αυτών.
Sobre los bomberos a los que les daba miedo el fuego
Authors: Villar-García Judit
Published: April 2022

La OMS ha calificado la indecisión ante las vacunas como uno de los 10 problemas más graves que amenazan la salud pública mundial. Esta reticencia a vacunarse, creciente en los últimos años, no excluye a los profesionales sanitarios. 77.000 trabajadores, el 7%, según la última Encuesta de Población Activa (EPA) de España realizada en septiembre de 2021, continuaban sin estar vacunados contra el SARS-CoV-2. Con respecto a la vacunación antigripal, aunque la pandemia ha motivado a vacunarse por primera vez a un 32% por ciento del personal sanitario (veremos si se mantiene esta tendencia en los próximos años), un 26% no lo ha hecho(3). Hay que tener en cuenta que, previa a la pandemia, sólo el 39% de los trabajadores se vacunaban de la gripe, cifra muy alejada de las recomendaciones de la OMS, que fija como objetivo la vacunación de, al menos, el 75% del personal sanitario…
Burnout en profesionales de atención primaria en la Cataluña Central
Authors: Roig-Grau Isabel , Fornés-Ollé Berta , Rodriguez-Roig Ramon , Delgado-Juncadella Anna , González-Valero Joan Anton , Rodríguez-Martín Irene
Published: April 2022

Objetivos: Analizar la prevalencia y gravedad del síndrome de Burnout en los profesionales de los Equipos de Atención Primaria y su asociación con variables laborales y demográficas.

Métodos: Estudio transversal, observacional, descriptivo y multicéntrico. La muestra la forman trabajadores de todas las categorías profesionales sanitarias de la Cataluña Central. Se realiza a través del cuestionario autoadministrado y anónimo Maslach Burnout Inventory adaptado a la población española con tres escalas que valoran cansancio emocional, despersonalización y realización personal. Las variables cuantitativas se describen con la media y desviación estándar y las cualitativas con porcentajes. Se comparan mediante la t-Student para variables cuantitativas, chi cuadrado de Pearson para las variables categóricas con la corrección de Fisher y Mann-Whitney para las variables continuas. 

Resultados: Participaron 614 profesionales, edad media 45.6 años, 84.9% mujeres. El 54.7% no tiene ninguna escala afectada, un 30.94% tiene una escala afectada. El Burnout con alteración de dos o más escalas se presenta en el 14.3%, de los que un 3.74% presentan Burnout grave con alteración de las tres escalas. La dimensión de cansancio emocional y despersonalización en grado alto y baja realización personal se da mayoritariamente en médicos adjuntos y residentes.

Conclusiones: El síndrome de Burnout en los profesionales de Atención Primaria afecta principalmente a médicos, con ecsasa relación a variables laborales y sociodemográficas, y constituye un factor de riesgo psicosocial para la salud de estos profesionales.
Sección de Medicina del Trabajo de la Unión Europea de Médicos Especialistas (UEMS)
Authors: Rodríguez-Jareño Maria Cruz
Published: April 2022

Durante el pasado 2021 se celebraron dos reuniones de la sección de Medicina del Trabajo de la Unión Europea de Médicos Especialistas (UEMS). 

La primera reunión se realizó de forma telemática el 26 de junio del 2021 con asistencia de 13 representantes de 13 estados, entre ellos España. Los estados representados fueron Austria, Bélgica, Eslovenia, España, Finlandia, Hungría, Italia, Letonia, Luxemburgo, Polonia, Portugal, Reino Unido y República Checa. También asistió la presidenta de EASOM (European Association of Schools of Occupational Medicine).

Durante la reunión se anunció que en la siguiente se procedería a la votación para la renovación de la junta directiva actual. Los tres puestos (presidente, secretario y tesorero), quedaron abiertos para candidatura de cualquier estado al corriente de pago y se adjuntaron las reglas de las elecciones.

Se presentó información sobre el próximo examen europeo de Medicina del Trabajo promovido por la UEMS de acuerdo con las normas CESMA, y se reiteró la firme voluntad de que se celebrara en el lugar y fecha previstos: Bruselas, 30 de agosto del 2021. En carta a la directora de Archivos de Prevención de Riesgos Laborales del 15 de julio de 2021 ya se explicaron las características del examen y ventajas para los candidatos, animándolos a la participación.

En relación a los grupos de trabajo, se acordó reformularlos después de las elecciones. Será necesario mantener un grupo de trabajo para nutrir de preguntas el examen de la especialidad, y también se tendrá que instaurar un grupo para la revisión de los requisitos de formación europeos. ICOH mostró su interés en el examen, por tanto existe la posibilidad de que la iniciativa se amplíe globalmente, más allá de Europa. 

La Sección es socio oficial de la Campaña "Lugares de Trabajo Saludables" de EU-OSHA, la Agencia Europea, siendo la temática del periodo 2020-2022 los trastornos musculoesqueléticos.

La segunda reunión tuvo lugar de forma presencial en Luxemburgo el 16 de octubre de 2021 después de un año y medio de no presencialidad debido a la pandemia. 

A ella asistieron 13 representantes de 12 estados: Alemania, Austria, Bélgica, Dinamarca, Eslovenia, Grecia, Irlanda, Italia, Luxemburgo, Polonia, Portugal y Suiza. En esta ocasión no hubo representación española.…
Consecuencias del tratamiento de cáncer sobre la conservación del empleo: una revisión sistemática y meta-análisis
Authors: Ayala Garcia Amaia
Published: April 2022

Este trabajo es un comentario del artículo: de Boer AG, Torp S, Popa A, Horsboel T, Zadnik V, Rottenberg Y, Bardi E, Bultmann U, Sharp L. Long-term work retention after treatment for cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Cancer Surviv. 2020 Apr;14(2):135-150. doi: 10.1007/s11764-020-00862-2. Epub 2020 Mar 11. PMID: 32162193.
El impacto del COVID-19 en el personal sanitario
Authors: García Martínez Jesús
Published: April 2022

Entrevista a Jesús García Martínez