bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trends and determinants of minimum acceptable diet intake among infant and young children aged 6–23 months in Ethiopia: a multilevel analysis of Ethiopian demographic and health survey
Authors: Teshome Firanbon , Tadele Afework
Published: May 2022

Background

The minimum acceptable diet (MAD) has been used globally as one of the main indicators to assess the adequacy of feeding practices. More than half of the causes of under-five child mortality in developing countries including Ethiopia are attributed to malnutrition. With the exception of anecdotal information on the subject, progress overtime and how it influences the MAD has not been studied or well understood. Thus, this study aimed to determine the trends and determinants of MAD intake among infants and young children aged 6–23 months in Ethiopia.

Methods

A community-based national survey dataset from the Ethiopian demographic and health survey (EDHS) 2019 were to identify predictors of MAD. In addition, the 2011, 2016, and 2019 EDHS data was used for trend analysis. The World Health Organization indicators were used to measure MAD. A weighted sample of 1457 infants and young children aged 6–23 months. A mixed-effects multi-level logistic regression model was employed using STATA version 16.0.

Results

The proportions of infants and young children who received the MADs in Ethiopia were 4.1%, 7.3%, and 11.3% during the survey periods of 2011, 2016, and 2019, respectively. Having mothers who attended primary education [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) =2.33 (95% C.I 1.25 to 4.35)], secondary education [aOR = 2.49 (95% C.I 1.03 to 6.45)], or higher education [aOR = 4.02 (95% C.I 1.53 to 10.54)] compared to those who never attended formal education. Being in a medium househoold wealth [aOR = 4.06 (95% C.I 1.41 to 11.72)], higher-level wealth [aOR = 4.91 (95% C.I 1.49 to 16.13)] compared to those in the lowest househoold wealth. Being in 12–18 months age group [aOR = 2.12 (95% C.I 1.25 to 3.58)] and in 18–23 months age category [aOR = 2.23 (1.29 to 3.82)] compared to 6–11 months age group; and having postnatal check-ups [aOR = 2.16 (95% C.I 1.31 to 3.55)] compared to their counterparts. Moreover, residing in urban [aOR = 3.40 (95% C.I 1.73 to 6.68)]; living in a communities’ where majority had a media exposure [aOR 1.80 (95% C.1.17 to 2.77)] were found to be significantly influenc consumption of the MAD.

Conclusions

The trends of MAD among children of 6–23 months was steady in Ethiopia. Sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors such as maternal education, child age, household wealth; and health system related factors such as maternal postnatal check-ups had a significant influence on infants’ and young children’s MAD feeding. Indeed, commnity-level factors such as place of residence, and media exposure affect the MAD of infants and young children. Thus, behavioral change communication interventions are recommended to improve dietary practices in infants and young children.
4 Steps To My Future (4STMF): protocol for a universal school-based pilot and feasibility study of a CBT-based psychoeducational intervention to support psychological well-being amongst young adolescents in the Western Cape, South Africa
Authors: Coetzee Bronwynè J. , Loades Maria E. , Human Suzanne , Gericke Hermine , Loxton Helene , Laning Gerrit , Myburgh Naomi , Stallard Paul
Published: May 2022

Background

Mental health problems often emerge during middle childhood and adolescence. In South Africa, and in the context of high rates of poverty, violence, and adversity, many children are at a considerable risk for developing mental health problems. Access to and costs of mental health services preclude treatment for most. There is evidence that universal school-based prevention programmes are effective in well-resourced settings. However, little is known about the feasibility and acceptability of such programmes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including South Africa.

Methods

This is a feasibility pilot study of 4 Steps To My Future (4STMF), a Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) school-based programme for young adolescents in the Western Cape, South Africa. This eight-session intervention will be delivered to children in grade 5 (aged 10–13 years approximately) attending two public government-run schools in the Western Cape, South Africa. We aim to enrol approximately 224 children in grade 5. We will randomise which school receives the intervention first and the other will be a delayed intervention group. We will train individuals with a post-graduate degree in psychology to facilitate the programme. We will collect demographic data on participants as well as data on primary (feasibility measures) and secondary outcomes (mental health and well-being measures). We will collect data at baseline, post-intervention, and at 1-month follow-up.

Discussion

This pilot study will provide data on the acceptability and feasibility of delivering a universal school-based prevention programme in South African schools. The study will provide preliminary data to inform the design of a full-scale randomised controlled trial (RCT) of a universal school-based mental health programme aimed at preventing mental health problems.

Trial registration

This trial is registered with the Pan African Clinical Trial Registry (https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/TrialDisplay.aspx?TrialID=10881) database, with unique identification number for the registry: PACTR202004803366609. Registered on 24 April 2020.
Robust estimation of time-dependent precision matrix with application to the cryptocurrency market
Authors: Stolfi Paola , Bernardi Mauro , Vergni Davide
Published: May 2022

Most financial signals show time dependency that, combined with noisy and extreme events, poses serious problems in the parameter estimations of statistical models. Moreover, when addressing asset pricing, portfolio selection, and investment strategies, accurate estimates of the relationship among assets are as necessary as are delicate in a time-dependent context. In this regard, fundamental tools that increasingly attract research interests are precision matrix and graphical models, which are able to obtain insights into the joint evolution of financial quantities. In this paper, we present a robust divergence estimator for a time-varying precision matrix that can manage both the extreme events and time-dependency that affect financial time series. Furthermore, we provide an algorithm to handle parameter estimations that uses the “maximization–minimization” approach. We apply the methodology to synthetic data to test its performances. Then, we consider the cryptocurrency market as a real data application, given its remarkable suitability for the proposed method because of its volatile and unregulated nature.
Efficacy of instillation of MB49 cells and thermoreversible polymeric gel in urothelial bladder carcinoma immunization
Authors: Santana Jhonne Pedro Pedott , Marcato Priscyla Daniely , Massaro Tais Nader Chrysostomo , Godoy Naiane Lima , Anibal Fernanda de Freitas , Borra Ricardo Carneiro
Published: May 2022

Background

Activating the immune system for therapeutic benefit has long been a goal in immunology, especially in cancer treatment, but the low immunogenicity of antitumor vaccines remains a limiting factor in the fight against malignant neoplasms. The increase in the immunogenicity of weak antigens using biodegradable polymers, such as chitosan, has been observed in the field of cancer immunotherapy. However, the effects of the vaccine using a combination of tumor cells and a thermoreversible delivery system based on chitosan in bladder cancer models, mainly using the intravesical route to stimulate the antitumor immune response, are unknown. We propose to evaluate the efficacy of a polymeric gel matrix (TPG) formed by poloxamer 407 and chitosan, associated with MB49 cells, as an intravesical antitumor vaccine using a C57BL/6 murine model of bladder urothelial carcinoma. The effectiveness of immunization was analyzed with the formation of three experimental groups: Control, TPG and TPG + MB49. In the vaccination phase, the TPG + MB49 group underwent a traumatic injury to the bladder wall with immediate intravesical instillation of the vaccine compound containing MB49 cells embedded in TPG. The TPG group was subjected to the same procedures using the compound containing the gel diluted in medium, and the control group using only the medium. After 21 days, the animals were challenged with tumor induction.

Results

In vitro tests showed loss of viability and inability to proliferate after exposure to TPG. In vivo tests showed that animals previously immunized with TPG + MB49 had higher cumulative survival, as well as significantly lower bladder weight and size in contrast to the other two groups that did not show a statistically different tumor evolution. In addition, the splenocytes of these animals also showed a higher rate of antitumor cytotoxicity in relation to the TPG and control groups.

Conclusions

We can conclude that MB49 cells embedded in a polymeric thermoreversible gel matrix with chitosan used in the form of an intravesical vaccine are able to stimulate the immune response and affect the development of the bladder tumor in an orthotopic and syngeneic C57BL/6 murine model.
Good response to plasmapheresis and mycophenolate mofetil in a patient with anti-synthetase syndrome associated with peripheral neuritis and severe prosthetic aortic valve stenosis
Authors: Ismail Zahraa Nour Eldine , Abdellatif Elham Azmy Abdulkader
Published: May 2022

Background

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are a disease complex that encompasses several distinctly acquired muscle illnesses. Anti-synthetase syndrome is a subset of IIM that is characterized by the presence of antibodies against aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARS). This syndrome has a characteristic phenotype of IIM. Anti-synthetase syndrome was rarely associated with peripheral nerve involvement and endocarditis.

Case presentation

We report a 46-year-old female patient with a history of mitral and aortic valve replacement for seven years and on warfarin, presented with symmetrical muscular weakness, generalized edema, progressive dyspnea, dysphagia, fever, fatigue, myalgia, and polyarthralgia. The motor power grading was 2 in proximal muscles of upper limbs and 3 in the distal muscles involving hands and wrists, and it was 0 in proximal muscles in lower limbs and 2 in distal muscles involving ankle and toes movements. Also, her oxygen saturation decreased remarkably. Echocardiography revealed that the patient had severe stenosis (70%) of the prosthetic aortic valve. Electrophysiological studies showed axonal polyneuropathy with average F wave latencies. She was diagnosed with anti-synthetase syndrome for elevated muscle enzymes, interstitial lung disease (ILD), mechanic’s hands, fever, polyarthralgia, and positive anti-Jo-1 antibody. There was a significant improvement with plasmapheresis, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and high-dose prednisolone.

Conclusions

To the best of our knowledge, this is a case of anti-synthetase syndrome accompanied by neuropathic involvement and cardiac valve prosthetic stenosis. These were reported as an unusual presentation of the anti-synthetase syndrome. The significant improvement with plasmapheresis gives us a treatment choice for similar critical cases.
Pathology and genetic connectedness of the mangrove crab (Aratus pisonii) – a foundation for understanding mangrove disease ecology
Authors: Bojko Jamie , Burgess Amy L. , Allain Thomas W. , Ross Erica P. , Pharo Devon , Kreuze Jan F. , Behringer Donald C.
Published: May 2022

Mangrove forests are productive ecosystems, acting as a sink for CO2, a habitat for a diverse array of terrestrial and marine species, and as a natural barrier to coastline erosion. The species that reside within mangrove ecosystems have important roles to play, including litter decomposition and the recycling of nutrients. Crustacea are important detritivores in such ecosystems and understanding their limitations (i.e. disease) is an important endeavour when considering the larger ecological services provided.

Histology and metagenomics were used to identify viral (Nudiviridae,Alphaflexiviridae), bacterial (Paracoccussp., 'CandidatusGracilibacteria sp.’, andPseudoalteromonassp.), protozoan, fungal, and metazoan diversity that compose the symbiome of the mangrove crab,Aratus pisonii. The symbiotic groups were observed at varying prevalence under histology: nudivirus (6.5%), putative gut epithelial virus (3.2%), ciliated protozoa (35.5%), gonad fungus (3.2%), gill ectoparasitic metazoan (6.5%). Metagenomic analysis of one specimen exhibiting a nudivirus infection provided the complete host mitochondrial genome (15,642 bp), nudivirus genome (108,981 bp), and the genome of a Cassava common mosaic virus isolate (6387 bp). Our phylogenetic analyses group the novel nudivirus with theGammanudivirusand protein similarity searches indicate thatCarcinus maenasnudivrius is the most similar to the new isolate. The mitochondrial genome were used to mine short fragments used in population genetic studies to gauge an idea of diversity in this host species across the USA, Caribbean, and central and southern America.

This study report several new symbionts based on their pathology, taxonomy, and genomics (where available) and discuss what effect they may have on the crab population. The role of mangrove crabs from a OneHealth perspective were explored, since their pathobiome includes cassava-infecting viruses. Finally, given that this species is abundant in mangrove forests and now boasts a well-described pathogen profile, we posit thatA. pisoniiis a valuable model system for understanding mangrove disease ecology.
Whole Transcriptomic Profiling in Metastatic Liver Cancer With Distinct Molecular Signatures
Authors: Poojari Radhika , Giri Shibashish
Published: May 2022

PURPOSE

Genomics landscape in liver cancer is one of the most revolutionizing platforms in the era of next generation sequencing (NGS). Understanding the intra- and inter-liver cancer heterogeneity has an important role in treatment decision-making. Herein, we present a whole transcriptomic based NGS with distinct molecular signatures in metastatic liver cancer tissues of orthotopic SCID mice.

METHODS

High throughput whole transcriptome sequencing was carried out using Illumina platform in ex vivo metastatic liver cancer tissues of orthotopic SCID mice. Healthy normal liver tissues were also subjected to NGS analysis. Pathway analysis was performed using all differentially expressed transcripts.

RESULTS

Approximately 35.4 million sequencing reads and approximately 28.2 million mapped reads were obtained from metastatic liver cancer tissue samples sequenced. We identified approximately 40,018 differently expressed genes. Distinct top 50 significantly differentially expressed transcripts expressed were observed. About 3,840 novel isoforms were identified. The mapping of the differentially expressed transcripts represented major metabolic pathways, immune-related pathways, cell growth-related pathways, the genes involved in metabolism, genetic information processing, and cellular processes.

CONCLUSION

It gives an insight into a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms relevant to liver tumorigenesis. The unique whole transcriptomic molecular signatures could provide an important data to predict the treatment response to molecular therapies in metastatic liver cancer.
ECHO Elimination of Cervical Cancer in Latin America (ECHO ELA): Lessons Learned From Promoting WHO’s Cervical Cancer Elimination Goals ‘90-70-90’
Authors: Varon Melissa Lopez , Salcedo Mila Pontremoli , Schmeler Kathleen , San Miguel-Majors Sandra , Trimble Edward L. , Lowy Doug , Arrossi Silvina , Tereza da Costa Oliveira Maria , Maza Mauricio , Montealegre Jane , Helena de Oliveira Lucia , Benitez-Majano Sara , Luciani Silvana
Published: May 2022

PURPOSE

Cervical cancer (CC) is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among women in some countries in the Region of the Americas.1 CC is preventable through HPV vaccination, screening and treatment of precancerous lesions, and can be effectively treated if diagnosed early.

METHODS

Under the framework of the Global Strategy to Accelerate the Elimination of CC as a Public Health Problem, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MD Anderson), the US National Cancer Institute (NCI), and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) partnered to develop the Project ECHO for the elimination of CC in Latin America (ECHO ELA). ECHO ELA is modeled on Project ECHO® (Extension of Community Healthcare Outcomes) a hub-and-spoke knowledge-sharing approach where expert teams lead virtual didactic lectures and case discussions, building capacity for participants to deliver best-practice programs to their regions.3 ECHO ELA consists of monthly, Spanish telementoring conferences to assist Latin American (LA) countries reaching the WHO CC elimination goals “90-70-90:” vaccinating 90% of girls against HPV by the age of 15, screening 70% of women for cervical cancer at ages 35 and 45 and treating 90% of women diagnosed with pre-invasive disease or cervical cancer. Program targets professionals from Ministries of Health, including Immunization and Screening Program Managers, and cervical cancer stakeholders.

RESULTS

In the first year of the program (2020-2021), 294 participants from 22 countries were registered. Fourteen sessions were held averaging 77 participants per session on topics spanning comprehensive program planning, presenting country experiences on HPV vaccination strategies, new technologies for screening and treatment. Eighteen participants completed the post survey addressing priorities, capacity, and desired outcomes, and two focus groups collected facilitators/barriers to achieving goals.

CONCLUSION

ECHO ELA is potentially an effective tool to enhance collaboration and support countries’ progress towards the elimination of CC.
Patient Socioeconomic and Cultural Factors Associated With Fidelity to Guideline-Concordant Breast Cancer Therapy Delivery in Botswana
Authors: Mokokwe Lebogang T. , Obasohan Modesty , Ralefala Tlotlo , Barg Frances , Mosepele Mosepele , Gross Robert , Martei Yehoda M.
Published: May 2022

PURPOSE

Breast cancer patients, including patients living with HIV (PLWH), in sub-Saharan Africa experience a disproportionate burden of mortality. Adherence to treatment guidelines improves quality of care and survival outcomes. We therefore sought to study patient socioeconomic and cultural factors associated with treatment fidelity and how this may differ for PLWH in Botswana.

METHODS

This was a qualitative study design with deviance sampling of high and low fidelity patients who initiated treatment for stage I-III breast cancer. One-on-one phone interviews were conducted using semi-structured interviews, guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior. The final sample size was determined by thematic saturation. Transcribed interviews were double-coded and analyzed in NVivo using an integrated analysis approach. We maintained a kappa statistic of 0.8 between coders.

RESULTS

Fifteen high and 15 low fidelity patients were enrolled from August 25-December 15, 2020. Ten out of 30 of the cohort were PLWH. Barriers to treatment adherence included concerns about safety and efficacy of chemotherapy, lack of trust in the care team, lack of psychosocial support, financial toxicity, geographical inaccessibility, and other health-system barriers. Drivers and manifestations of stigma, including intersectional stigma of cancer fatalism in PLWH were identified as prominent barriers. Conversely, self-acceptance and de-stigmatization were identified as facilitators of treatment initiation. Additional facilitators included knowledge of curative intent, anticipated management of side effects, self-motivation, social support, and peer support. COVID-19 pandemic amplified existing socioeconomic barriers especially for patients with food insecurity and geographic inaccessibility.

CONCLUSION

The study identified multi-level modifiable patient and related health-system factors associated with treatment initiation and adherence. PLWH experienced unique barriers including intersectional stigma, which is a critical finding and warrants further evaluation. The facilitators in this study provide opportunities for leveraging existing strengths within the specific context to design multilevel implementation strategies to increase treatment fidelity of guideline concordant breast cancer therapy.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Hybrid Model for Mobilization of Women for Cervical Cancer Screening; A Preliminary Report of a Pilot Project in Lagos, Nigeria. A Case Study of the Blue-Pink Center for Women's Health, Nigeria
Authors: Ola Idris , Shoyinka Aishat , Ayinuola Olufunmilayo , Ariomaghwa Loveth
Published: May 2022

PURPOSE

Cervical cancer is the second commonest cancer in Nigeria, accounting for 14.8% of all cancer-related deaths in Nigeria. Studies have demonstrated poor knowledge and attitude of women toward cervical cancer, with screening rates as low as 0.7% among Nigerian women. Besides poor awareness and poverty, lack of easy access to cancer education and screening is among the biggest barriers to its effective prevention and control. Our project aimed to increase access to cervical cancer education and screening among rural and suburban women in Lagos, Nigeria.

METHODS

We introduced an integrated approach to mobilize women for cervical cancer screening (using Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid [VIA]) in four local councils in Lagos. This model involved a hybrid of a facility- and community-based provision of screening services. Daily, skilled nurses and community health extension workers actively mobilize community women for screening through a purpose-built screening center and regular community outreaches to mirror organized and opportunistic screening. Extensive community stakeholders engagement was used to mobilize women groups. Women were charged up to $2.92 to identify if putting a price deters willingness to screen and to evaluate the model's sustainability. Project evaluation was conducted by a mixed method of quantitative and qualitative assessments.

RESULTS

Within nine months of the pilot, 13,892 women received cancer education, 1,250 women had VIA, and 181 had cryotherapy. Knowledge about cervical cancer rose from an average of 13.7% in our pre-participation survey to 80% in the post-participation surveys. Increased trust in the screening was the commonest theme in the qualitative survey which increased service uptake.

CONCLUSION

Our preliminary findings show that this hybrid model increased access to, and uptake of, cervical cancer screening, even when a cost was attached. Provision of screening services in an organized and strategic people-oriented manner may yield better and sustained outcomes in resource-poor settings than either opportunistic screening or screening offered only as part of routine hospital services.
Implementation of a Breast Cancer Specific Multidisciplinary Tumor Board to Improve Treatment Planning and Completion
Authors: Joo Emma , Kirahi Matagoro , Friebel-Klingner Tara , Washington Leonard , Rositch Anne
Published: May 2022

PURPOSE

Bugando Medical Center (BMC) is the only tertiary cancer referral hospital in Northern Tanzania serving a population of 15 million, burdened with high breast cancer (BC) mortality rates. Multidisciplinary tumor boards (MDTB) are an evidence-based strategy shown to improve quality of treatment. Therefore, we integrated and evaluated a BC-specific MDTB as part of the standard care pathway.

METHODS

A MDTB was implemented in February 2020 after working with key stakeholders and identifying a physician to lead, prepare, and guide the meetings. Once patients aged 18 and older receive appropriate diagnostics tests, results are brought to the meetings for collaborative review, resulting in a treatment planning form per patient. A standardized observational checklist was completed by a research associate at each meeting and a provider survey was conducted 3-months post-implementation to assess provider perspectives on the MDTB process.

RESULTS

From February 2020 to August 2021, 630 patients with breast concerns presented to BMC. Of these, 21% (n = 131) were diagnosed with BC, of which 64% (n = 84) were discussed at tumor board and 86% (n = 72) of those discussed received a treatment plan. This occurred over 33 biweekly meetings, each averaging 1.3 hours with 14 attendees who were doctors and residents from six specialties. Survey results revealed that providers thought the MDTB improved treatment plans for BC patients (78% agree or strongly agree) and patients experienced improved outcomes (57% agree or strongly agree). Challenges included not meeting before the start of patient treatment (64%) and not having enough diagnostic information (57% often or always).

CONCLUSION

The BC-specific MDTB has been in place for 20 months and has already positively impacted treatment planning and provider perspectives on breast cancer care at BMC. We will continue applying stakeholder feedback to enhance our program and focus on evaluating the completion of treatment according to the MDTB planning forms.
Spatial Distribution of Incident Pediatric Burkitt Lymphoma in Central and Northern Malawi and Association With Malaria Prevalence
Authors: Gondwe Yolanda , Ozuah Nmazuo , Gopal Satish , Tomoka Tamiwe , Fedoriw Yuri , Westmoreland Kate
Published: May 2022

PURPOSE

Burkitt lymphoma (BL) accounts for 90% of pediatric lymphomas in sub-Saharan Africa. Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) malaria is considered an etiological factor of BL. We describe the geographic distribution of pediatric BL in Malawi and association with malaria prevalence (PfPR). We also examine the influence of travel time to cancer referral center as a potential confounder.

METHODS

We enrolled pathologically confirmed incident pediatric BL cases (2013-2018) into a prospective observational cohort at Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) in Lilongwe, the main tertiary cancer referral center serving central and northern Malawi. District of residence was recorded for all participants. We calculated district-level average annual BL incidence rate (BLIR) using census population estimates. PfPR was extracted from the National Malaria Control Program 2010 report. BLIR and PfPR maps were constructed in QGIS. Moran's I was used to identify BL spatial clusters. Travel time to KCH was modeled in AccessMod. Pearson's correlation and multivariate regression was used to statistically examine the relationship between PfPR, travel time to KCH and BL.

RESULTS

Of 220 participants, 69 (31%) resided in Lilongwe. BLIR was higher in central region districts (0.86 cases per 100,000) than northern districts (0.32 cases per 100,000). BLIR was elevated in lakeshore districts. Districts with elevated PfPR tended to have elevated BLIR. A low-risk BL cluster was detected in the northern region. BLIR was lower in districts where travel time to KCH exceeded 4 hours, particularly the north. Statistically, BLIR was positively correlated with PfPR ( r = 0.77, P < .01) and negatively correlated with travel time to KCH ( r = –0.67, P < .01). A 1% increase in PfPR predicted an increase in BLIR of 0.02 cases per 100,000 ( P = .03) when controlling for travel time to KCH.

CONCLUSION

Our study supports evidence for an association between Pf and BL. Additionally, our results may indicate a need to improve geographic accessibility to tertiary cancer services in Malawi's northern region.
Flavonoid and Organosulphur Phytoconstituents From Allium Sativum Inhibits Antiapoptotic Protein Bcl-2: A Computational Molecular Modeling Study
Authors: Ibrahim Mutiat , Adegboyega Abayomi , Adegboro Rotimi , Ilomuanya Margaret , Abdulkareem Fatimah
Published: May 2022

PURPOSE

Apoptosis resistance to anticancer treatments can occur due to over-expression of Bcl-2 anti-apoptotic proteins. Studies have shown the use of Allium sativum (garlic) as a herbal supplement among cancer patients. In this study, the inhibitory activity of phytochemicals from Allium sativum against Bcl-2 anti-apoptotic protein was demonstrated using a computational technique.

METHODS

Identified phytoconstituents from A. sativum were docked in receptor grid generated active sites of Bcl-2 (PDB-ID: 4AQ3) protein using the Glide-Ligand docking tool of Schrödinger Maestro 12.5. Receptor-ligand complex pharmacophore models were generated using the PHASE module, and the binding free energy of the complex was calculated using the MM-GBSA Prime panel. Potential lead compounds were screened for drug likeness using the Lipinski rule of five (RO5) and Veber rule. Absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADME/T) predictions of the leads were carried out using the PROTOX-II tool. Induced fit docking simulation was performed on the top ranked hit compound.

RESULTS

Extra precision docking results showed that myricetin, kaempferol, and apigenin (flavonoid); α and β-phellandrene (cyclic monoterpene); 3-vinyl-4H-1,2-dithiin, 3-vinyl-1,2-dithiin and 2-vinyl-4H-1,3-dithiine (organosulphur) were ranked highest, with docking scores range from -6.00 to -3.78 kcal/mol compared with -3.62 kcal/mol demonstrated by co-crystallized ligand. Apigenin (CID: 5280443), 3-vinyl-1,2-dithiin (CID: 10219489), and 3-vinyl-4H-1,2-dithiin (CID: 150636) were identified as the top three lead compounds with free binding energies of -33.83, -30.36, and -29.70 kcal/mol respectively. The identified lead compounds from A. sativum were in accordance with RO5 and Veber rule with good oral bio-availability and ADME/T profile. Similar to the co-crystallized ligand, apigenin interacted with important active site amino acid residues like Try 67, Asp 70, Leu 96, Arg 105, Ala 108 among others.

CONCLUSION

Some bioactive phytochemicals from A. sativum can be explored for development toward inhibition of antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 in apoptosis resistance to anticancer treatments.
Enhancing Cancer Control Through a Population-Based Cancer Registry in Cali, Colombia: Results From 20-Year Cancer Survival Trends
Authors: García Luz Stella , Riano Ivy , Bravo Luis Eduardo , Collazos Paola , Holguín Jorge
Published: May 2022

PURPOSE

Population-based survival is a strategic measure of the health system efficiency when managing cancer in a country. By analyzing data from a city in a middle-income country, we aimed to generate further hypotheses about cancer survival that may have a national impact on cancer control.

METHODS

Cancer cases were collected using the Population-Based Cancer Registry from Cali, Colombia, from 1998 to 2017. We examined the survival of nine cancers or groups of malignancies in patients aged 15-99 years old. The 5-year net survival (NS) was estimated using the Pohar-Perme method. Survival analyses were calculated using the life table method for each calendar year, single year of age, and sex. We used the cohort approach for patients diagnosed in 1998-2012 and the period approach during 2013-2017.

RESULTS

A total of 59,911 patients were available for analysis. The cancer types included n = 7,460 (12.5%) stomach, n = 6,760 (11.3%) colorectal, n = 6,760 (11.3%) lung, n = 5,164 (8.6%) breast, n = 11,755 (19.6%) cervix, n = 11,284 (18.8%) prostate, n = 4,054 (6.8%) thyroid, n = 2,076 (3.5%) myeloid neoplasia, and n = 6,735 (11.2%) lymphoma. For men, prostate cancer had the highest NS (79.9%-90.1%), whereas thyroid cancer (87.1%-95.7%) in women. Lung and stomach cancer had the lowest survival rate (< 25%) in both sexes. Myeloid neoplasia had the largest variation in survival (15.9%-52.7% for men; 12.5%-49.8% for women), followed by lymphoma (27.6%-55.4% for men; 37.3%-53.4% for women) and colorectal cancer (38.5%-54% for men; 37.1%-55.7% for women). Patients with cervix cancer experienced no change in survival (54.4%-53%) and breast cancer increased approximately 10% (70.8%-81.1%) but remained stable during the last decade.

CONCLUSION

Our results in survival trends provide insights into the main types of cancer and their burden to the health system. These data contribute to evidence for national cancer prevention policies and the monitoring of the Cancer Control Plan launched by the Colombian government.
Efficacy of Thermal Ablation for Treatment of High-Grade Cervical Dysplasia Among HIV-Positive Women: Preliminary Results From Western Kenya
Authors: Mungo Chemtai , Ogollah Cyrillus , Ambaka Jennifer , Omoto Jackton , Cohen Craig
Published: May 2022

PURPOSE

In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) endorsed thermal ablation (TA) for use within “screen-and-treat” cervical cancer prevention programs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including among women living with HIV (WLWH). We evaluated TA efficacy for treatment of biopsy-confirmed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grades 2 and 3 (CIN2/3) among WLWH in western Kenya (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04191967).

METHODS

Between August 2019 and November 2020, WLWH age 25-65 years underwent high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) self-collection. hrHPV-positive women underwent colposcopy-directed biopsies, and thermal ablation treatment if eligible per WHO guidelines. Women with biopsy-confirmed CIN2/3 had colposcopy-directed biopsies at 12-months to determine treatment efficacy.

RESULTS

Sixty-eight hrHPV-positive WLWH with biopsy-confirmed CIN2/3 at baseline; 14 CIN2, 54 CIN3, underwent thermal ablation. Mean age and parity were 41.2 years and 4, respectively. The mean CD4 count was 473.98 cells/mm3 and 96.9% had HIV viral suppression. Fifty-eight women (83.8%) have been seen for a 12-month follow-up visit, and pathology results are available for 54 (79.4%). Of these, 35 (66.0%) had successful treatment, defined as biopsy-confirmed CIN1 or normal findings 12-months following treatment, while 18 (34.0%) had treatment failure - persistent biopsy-confirmed CIN2/3. Treatment failure was 23.1% 95% CI (13.0 to 45.9) and 37.5%, 95% CI (22.1 to 52.0) among women with CIN2 and CIN3 at baseline, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Hand-held thermal ablation devices are affordable, portable, easy to use, and hence highly scaleable within screen-and-treat programs in LMICs. However, our preliminary results, with rigorous disease status verification at both baseline and follow-up find higher than previously reported treatment failure rates for CIN3 among WLWH, a high-risk population for cervical cancer. If replicated by larger studies, this highlights a potential limitation of the current WHO cervical cancer elimination strategy, calling for better risk stratification in this population, and/or consideration of adjuvant therapy to prevent CIN2/3 recurrence following thermal ablation.
Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Breast Cancer in Botswana
Authors: Wester James , Nkele Isaac , Motladiile Bosa , Tapela Neo , Makhema Joe , Lockman Shahin , Dryden-Peterson Scott
Published: May 2022

PURPOSE

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide. In sub-Saharan Africa, breast cancer has a lower incidence than high-resource settings like the United States, but the mortality-to-incidence ratio is significantly higher in sub-Saharan Africa. Limited primary literature regarding the clinical characteristics of breast cancer is available in many regions of sub-Saharan Africa. In this report, we aim to characterize the clinical attributes and outcomes of women with breast cancer in Botswana.

METHODS

The prospective Thabatse cancer cohort in Botswana began enrolling participants (18 years or older, biopsy-confirmed cancer) in 2010 and recruited participants from the four main oncology referral centers in Botswana. Baseline clinical data was obtained, and participants were followed quarterly for 5 years. Certification of death was obtained from families, providers, and death certificates.

RESULTS

Eight hundred three women with breast cancer in Botswana, enrolled between 2010 and the end of December 2020, were included in this analysis. Average age at enrollment was 53 years old. On immunohistochemistry, 331 (41.2%) of tumors were hormone positive, 57 (7.1%) were HER2+, 114 (14.2%) were Triple-Negative, and 301 (37.5%) were unknown. At diagnosis, 23 (2.9%) of participants had stage I disease, 163 (20.3%) stage II, 343 (42.7%) stage III, 80 (10.0%) stage IV, and 194 (24.2%) unknown. 515 (64.1%) of participants had surgery; of those who had surgery, 54 (10.5%) had a lumpectomy, 459 (89.1%) had a mastectomy, and 2 (0.4%) had a self-amputation. 458 (57.0%) participants received chemotherapy, and 277 (34.5%) received radiation therapy. 5-Year survival, calculated from enrollment date, was 47.7% (95% CI 43.7 to 52.1).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates the unique burden of breast cancer disease in Botswana utilizing an ongoing longitudinal prospective study. Participants in our study on average presented at late stage, received invasive surgery, and had limited access to chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Financial and Psychosocial Distresses of Breast and Cervical Cancer Patients at the University College Hospital, Ibadan
Authors: Busari Damilola , Oluwasanu Mojisola , Ntekim Atara , Adejumo Prisca , Olopade Funmilayo
Published: May 2022

PURPOSE

The burden of Breast and Cervical cancer is increasing rapidly and these are leading causes of morbidity and mortality in women worldwide. The treatment and management of these illnesses are accompanied with both financial and psychological distresses to the patients. This study investigated the financial and psychosocial distresses of Breast and Cervical cancer patients at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.

METHODS

This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study that employed a convergent parallel, mixed method design. The study was conducted among 105 breast and cervical cancer patients receiving treatment from the Radiotherapy clinic at the Radiation Oncology Department of the University College Hospital, Ibadan. Data was obtained using a semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire and in-depth interview guide. The quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

The mean age of the respondents was 48.8 ± 10.0 years and almost half of the participants (45%) were aged between 51 and 60 years. Majority of the respondents (67.6%), were breast cancer patients while (32.4%) were cervical cancer patients. This study found out that (95.2%) of the respondents experienced high financial distress and (73.3%) of the respondents had a high level of psychosocial distress. There was an association between the level of financial distress of breast and cervical cancer patients and their psychosocial distress ( P = .001). Factors that contributed to the financial and psychosocial distresses as deduced from the qualitative interviews were; high cost of treatment, loss of income and negative body image.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that breast and cervical cancer patients experience a high level of financial and psychosocial distresses and multi-component interventions such as health financing, advocacy, counseling, training and public enlightenment are proposed to address these challenges and improve quality of cancer care.
Adiabatic speedup and quantum heat current in an open system
Authors: Wu Jing , Ren Feng-Hua , He Run-Hong , Nie Shen-Shuang , Wang Zhao-Ming
Published: May 2022

Adiabatic evolution has important applications in quantum information processing. In that context, the system has to be maintained in one of its instantaneous eigenstates. Normally the adiabaticity of the system will be ruined by its surrounding environment. Quantum control has been used widely to speed up the adiabatic process and thus reduces the effect of the environment. In this letter, we investigate the adiabatic speedup and the associated quantum heat current with and without pulse control. The system is immersed in a non-Markovian and finite-temperature heat bath. Our calculation results show that the effective adiabatic speedup can be obtained in a weak system-bath coupling and low-temperature heat bath. Specifically, non-Markovianity from the environment can be beneficial to the enhancement of the adiabatic fidelity. Furthermore, we calculate the quantum heat current between the system and bath in the process of adiabatic speedup. We find that the adiabatic fidelity decreases with increasing heat current. Our investigation paves the way for the design of quantum heat engines and quantum devices.
Cesarean Delivery and Insulin Sensitivity in the Older Adult: The Microbiome and Insulin Longitudinal Evaluation Study
Authors: Jensen Elizabeth T , Bertoni Alain G , Crago Osa L , Rotter Jerome I , Chen Yii-Der I , Wood Alexis , Rich Stephen S , Goodarzi Mark O
Published: May 2022

The present study was designed to evaluate if mode of delivery at birth is associated with body mass index (BMI) and glucose homeostasis traits in later life, controlling for possible confounders, including maternal history of diabetes. Data were obtained through a racially diverse, prospective cohort study of nondiabetic, older adults, the Microbiome and Insulin Longitudinal Evaluation Study (MILES). We used generalized linear models to estimate the association between mode of delivery and glycemic status, BMI (kg/m2), waist circumference (cm), fasting glucose, fasting insulin, insulin secretion, insulin sensitivity, and insulin clearance. Further, we estimated the direct and indirect effects of cesarean delivery on glucose and insulin-related traits, as mediated by BMI status. Relative to vaginal delivery, cesarean delivery was associated with a significantly higher BMI (adjusted beta [aβ] 3.53 kg/m2; 95% CI 0.15, 6.91) and fasting glucose (aβ 5.12; 95% CI 0.01, 10.23), a 14% decrease in insulin sensitivity (aβ –0.14; 95% CI –0.28, –0.01), and a 58% increased risk (adjusted relative risk [aRR] 1.58; 95% CI 1.08, 2.31) for prediabetes/diabetes. Associations were mediated in part by BMI, with the strongest evidence observed for glycemic status (proportion mediated 22.6%; P = .03), fasting insulin (proportion mediated 58.0%; P = .05), and insulin sensitivity index (proportion mediated 45.9%; P = .05). Independent of mediation, a significant direct effect of cesarean delivery on glycemic status was observed (aRR 1.88; 95% CI 1.16, 2.60). Cesarean delivery may lead to reduced insulin sensitivity and, ultimately, increased risk for developing prediabetes and diabetes.
From Feminist Killjoy to Joyful Feminisms
Authors: Roy Srila
Published: May 2022

Young urban Indian women have made women's rights to seek pleasure and have fun, especially in public, central to a new repertoire of feminist resistance and also as a way of demarcating themselves from “joyless” feminisms of the past. Concerns around pleasure, fun, and joy appear far removed from the everyday lives of poor and marginalized rural women. In this contribution, the author foregrounds rural women's pleasure-seeking practices, in consumption, fun, and friendship, which were the unanticipated outcomes of their involvement with a local NGO seeking to empower poor women. These were primarily lower-caste, lower-class women who were partially included in the aspirational futures of a globalized India, through poorly paid and precarious development work. Their participation in such work—a disciplinary domain imbued with its own regulatory potentials—enabled the development of new skills, techniques, and capacities in an entirely other domain, of nonwork or fun. The fact that fun, pleasure, and self-making relied on cultures of enterprise, empowerment, and aspiration also brings into view some of the contradictions at stake in neoliberal India.
Perfect Bodies and Digital Influencers
Authors: Polivanov Beatriz , Carrera Fernanda
Published: May 2022

The quest for the so-called perfect body has been an issue in Brazilian society for a long time, especially for women. A number of “digital influencers” perform a fitness lifestyle, producing subjectivities entangled with an idea of success and “well managing oneself.” However, as happiness is constructed as a mandatory “individual engineering project,” more recently, female influencers have emerged who go against standards of beauty taken as oppressive. They embrace other physiques as forms of self-expression and finding joy, mostly the “big” body. Both forms of self-construction are appropriated by consumer culture and are perceived as authentic, reinforcing individualistic agency in a neoliberal context. But what happens when a fitness influencer accidently leaks the information that she underwent a liposuction procedure? Or when a “body positive” model is criticized for appropriating a plus-size agenda and not having a “true” plus-size body? Based on two Brazilian cases and literature review, this article proposes the notion of “gendered ruptures of performances,” which reveal expressive incoherence in the “narratives of the self,” thus breaking ideals of authenticity. It is argued that little attention has been paid to female self-presentation dynamics that do not occur as expected. Moreover, since their bodies are constantly subjected to the scrutiny of others, they are more susceptible to having their performances invalidated online.
Trans Failure
Authors: Lehner Ace
Published: May 2022

This article explores potentialities for experiencing trans joy via creative praxis, which the author coins “trans failure.” As the author defines it, trans failure builds on examples set by queer failure, such as casting off limiting cultural norms (like binary gender and oppressive framings of what identities should look like), and incorporates new strategies such as deploying play as a means of self-articulating beyond the bounds of what is currently available. Trans failure's use of play has a utopian impulse often achieved via alternating strategies of theatricality, pleasure, collaboration, and experimentation in a mode of enacting alternative worlds and experiencing joy. The article discusses how play, a strategic mode of trans failure, is used to intervene in consumer culture and to work toward self-articulation and the procurement of joy. First, an explanation of gender as we understand it today is sketched out. Then, issues around representations of trans constituencies are discussed as problematically informed by dominant conceptions of gender and perpetuated in mainstream consumer culture. Then two distinct contemporary projects that disrupt the space of consumer culture are analyzed, deploying what the author names a praxis of trans failure in search of creating joy.
Fluid shear stress regulates the survival of circulating tumor cells via nuclear expansion
Authors: Xu Zichen , Li Keming , Xin Ying , Tang Kai , Yang Mo , Wang Guixue , Tan Youhua
Published: May 2022

Distant metastasis mainly occurs through hematogenous dissemination, where suspended circulating tumor cells (CTCs) experience a considerable level of fluid shear stress. We recently reported that shear flow induced substantial apoptosis of CTCs, although a small subpopulation could still persist. However, how suspended tumor cells survive in shear flow remains poorly understood. This study finds that fluid shear stress eliminates the majority of suspended CTCs and increases nuclear size, whereas it has no effect on the viability of adherent tumor cells and decreases their nuclear size. Shear flow promotes histone acetylation in suspended tumor cells, the inhibition of which using one drug suppresses shear-induced nuclear expansion, suggesting that shear stress might increase nuclear size through histone acetylation. Suppressing histone acetylation-mediated nuclear expansion enhances shear-induced apoptosis of CTCs. These findings suggest that suspended tumor cells respond to shear stress through histone acetylation-mediated nuclear expansion, which protects CTCs from shear-induced destruction. Our study elucidates a unique mechanism underlying the mechanotransduction of suspended CTCs to shear flow, which might hold therapeutic promise for CTC eradication.