bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impaired functional cortical networks in the theta frequency band of patients with post-traumatic stress disorder during auditory-cognitive processing
Authors: Shim Miseon , Hwang Han-Jeong , Lee Seung-Hwan
Published: August 2022

Impaired cognitive function related to intrusive memories of traumatic experiences is the most noticeable characteristic of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); nevertheless, the brain mechanism involved in the cognitive processing is still elusive. To improve the understanding of the neuropathology in PTSD patients, we investigated functional cortical networks that are based on graph theory, by using electroencephalogram (EEG). EEG signals, elicited by an auditory oddball paradigm, were recorded from 53 PTSD patients and 39 healthy controls (HCs). Source signals in 68 regions of interests were estimated using EEG data for each subject using minimum-norm estimation. Then, using source signals of each subject, time-frequency analysis was conducted, and a functional connectivity matrix was constructed using the imaginary part of coherence, which was used to evaluate three global-level (strength, clustering coefficient, and path length) and two nodal-level (strength and clustering coefficients) network indices in four frequency bands (theta, alpha, low-beta, and high-beta). The relationships between the network indices and symptoms were evaluated using Pearson’s correlation. Compared with HCs, PTSD patients showed significantly reduced spectral powers around P300 periods and significantly altered network indices (diminished strength and clustering coefficient, and prolonged path length) in theta frequency band. In addition, the nodal strengths and nodal clustering coefficients in theta band of PTSD patients were significantly reduced, compared with those of HCs, and the reduced nodal clustering coefficients in parieto-temporo-occipital regions had negative correlations with the symptom scores (Impact of Event Scale-Revises, Beck Depression Inventory, and Beck Anxiety Inventory). The characterization of this disrupted pattern improves the understanding of the neuropathophysiology underlying the impaired cognitive function in PTSD patients.
Increased brain gyrification and subsequent relapse in patients with first-episode schizophrenia
Authors: Sasabayashi Daiki , Takayanagi Yoichiro , Takahashi Tsutomu , Furuichi Atsushi , Kobayashi Haruko , Noguchi Kyo , Suzuki Michio
Published: August 2022

Most schizophrenia patients experience psychotic relapses, which may compromise long-term outcome. However, it is difficult to objectively assess the actual risk of relapse for each patient as the biological changes underlying relapse remain unknown. The present study used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate the relationship between brain gyrification pattern and subsequent relapse in patients with first-episode schizophrenia. The subjects consisted of 19 patients with and 33 patients without relapse during a 3-year clinical follow-up after baseline MRI scanning. Using FreeSurfer software, we compared the local gyrification index (LGI) between the relapsed and non-relapsed groups. In the relapsed group, we also explored the relationship among LGI and the number of relapses and time to first relapse after MRI scanning. Relapsed patients exhibited a significantly higher LGI in the bilateral parietal and left occipital areas than non-relapsed patients. In addition, the time to first relapse was negatively correlated with LGI in the right inferior temporal cortex. These findings suggest that increased LGI in the temporo-parieto-occipital regions in first-episode schizophrenia patients may be a potential prognostic biomarker that reflects relapse susceptibility in the early course of the illness.
Assessment of anxiety disorders in students starting work with coronavirus patients during a pandemic in Podlaskie Province, Poland
Authors: Czorniej Klaudia Paula , Krajewska-Kułak Elzbieta , Kułak Wojciech
Published: August 2022

Background

Anxiety disorders are considered the sixth most important factor resulting in non-fatal health loss in the world. Moreover, they are among the first ten causes of years lived with disability (YLD) across the globe. Important clinical disorders include e.g., panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and specific phobia.

Objectives

The study aimed to analyse the occurrence of level anxiety in students who start work at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, with relation to the socio-demographic factors and health status, vaccination, conovirus infection, assistance of a psychologist or psychiatrist in the past, and using tranquilizers.

Methods

The study involved 255 students from Poland starting work with coronavirus patients during the pandemic. It was conducted using our own questionnaire, the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).

Results

Fifty-one percent of subjects demonstrated symptoms of mild to severe social phobia. Level of trait anxiety among students correlated significantly with age and gender (females). The level of social anxiety in the evaluated students was significantly correlated with marital status, the self-assessment of the experienced fear, self-perceived health status, having had a coronavirus infection, fear of deterioration of one's health after starting work with coronavirus patients, and fear of contracting the disease while working with coronavirus patients, and using tranquilizers. Level of state anxiety significantly correlated with state anxiety, the self-assessment of professional preparedness for work with coronavirus patients, self-perceived health status, vaccination against coronavirus, and the assistance of a psychiatrist in the past.

Conclusions

The proportion of students showing social anxiety is alarming. Anxiety among the evaluated students during the COVID-19 pandemic was correlated with many factors.
Lessons learned for surveillance system strengthening through capacity building and partnership engagement in post-Ebola Guinea, 2015–2019
Authors: Hemingway-Foday Jennifer J. , Diallo Boubacar Ibrahima , Compaore Salomon , Bah Souleymane , Keita Sakoba , Diallo Ibrahima Telly , Martel Lise D. , Standley Claire J. , Bah Mariama B. , Bah Marlyatou , Camara Djiguiba , Kaba Almamy K. , Keita Lamine , Kone Moussa , Reynolds Eileen , Souare Ousmane , Stolka Kristen B. , Tchwenko Samuel , Wone Abdoulaye , Worrell Mary Claire , MacDonald Pia D. M.
Published: August 2022

The 2014–2016 Ebola outbreak in Guinea revealed systematic weaknesses in the existing disease surveillance system, which contributed to delayed detection, underreporting of cases, widespread transmission in Guinea and cross-border transmission to neighboring Sierra Leone and Liberia, leading to the largest Ebola epidemic ever recorded. Efforts to understand the epidemic's scale and distribution were hindered by problems with data completeness, accuracy, and reliability. In 2017, recognizing the importance and usefulness of surveillance data in making evidence-based decisions for the control of epidemic-prone diseases, the Guinean Ministry of Health (MoH) included surveillance strengthening as a priority activity in their post-Ebola transition plan and requested the support of partners to attain its objectives. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC) and four of its implementing partners—International Medical Corps, the International Organization for Migration, RTI International, and the World Health Organization—worked in collaboration with the Government of Guinea to strengthen the country's surveillance capacity, in alignment with the Global Health Security Agenda and International Health Regulations 2005 objectives for surveillance and reporting. This paper describes the main surveillance activities supported by US CDC and its partners between 2015 and 2019 and provides information on the strategies used and the impact of activities. It also discusses lessons learned for building sustainable capacity and infrastructure for disease surveillance and reporting in similar resource-limited settings.
Association of sociodemographic and lifestyle factors with dietary patterns among men and women living in Mexico City: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Oviedo-Solís Cecilia Isabel , Hernández-Alcaraz César , Sánchez-Ortíz Néstor Alonso , López-Olmedo Nancy , Jáuregui Alejandra , Barquera Simón
Published: August 2022

Background

Diet is one of the leading risk factors for non-communicable diseases and is related to sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, including sex. These associations vary across populations. We aimed to investigate which factors are associated with dietary patterns among adults living in Mexico City by sex.

Methods

We used data from the Mexico City Diabetes Representative Study, a cross-sectional, multistage, stratified, and cluster-sampled survey in Mexico City (n = 1,142; 413 men and 729 women). Dietary information was collected using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Foods and beverages were categorized into 23 food groups to identify dietary patterns by cluster analysis. Sociodemographic and lifestyle variables included were self-reported through standardized questionnaires. We assessed the association of sociodemographic and lifestyle factors with dietary patterns through a multinomial logistic model stratified by sex.

Results

We identified three dietary patterns: basic, prudent, and fast food. Among men and women, higher school attainment was associated with a lower relative probability of having a basic rather than prudent dietary pattern (women: RRR = 0.8, 95% CI: 0.8, 0.9; men: RRR = 0.8, 95% CI: 0.7, 0.9). Divorced or separated men (RRR = 3.8, 95% CI: 1.3, 11.2) and those living with a partner (RRR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.1, 6.1) had a higher relative probability of consuming a fast food dietary pattern than the prudent one, compared to single men. Men living with a partner (RRR = 3.0, 95% CI: 1.1, 8.6) or working long shifts (RRR = 3.8, 95% CI: 1.3, 11.1) had a higher probability of consuming a basic pattern rather than a prudent one compared to peers. Among women, those with high SES had a lower probability of consuming the “basic” pattern rather than the “prudent” pattern compared to those with low SES. No lifestyle factors were associated to dietary patterns.

Conclusions

Men living in Mexico City with lower education, age, non-single, and working long hours (i.e., more than the established by the law), and women with lower age, education, and socioeconomic level are prone to adhere to unhealthy diets. These associations are likely to be driven by gender roles.
Assessment of COVID-19 vaccination refusal among healthcare workers in Ethiopia
Authors: Berhe Elsa Tesfa , Shama Adisu Tafari , Ahmed Mohammed Musa , Gesesew Hailay Abrha , Ward Paul R. , Gebremeskel Teferi Gebru
Published: August 2022

Background

Even though the emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine and the increasing vaccination rates are promising, there are reports of refusal to get vaccinated in a different segment of the population, including health care workers.

Objective

This study determines the acceptance/refusal of the COVID-19 vaccination and its predictors among health care workers in Ethiopia.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among a group of health care workers at different health facilities in Ethiopia. Data were collected from 1 to 30 July 2020. Data were collected from 403 participants through an online Google submission form. Data were entered into Epi-info 7 and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis.

Results

Approximately 38.5% of the health care workers in the study had refused COVID-19 vaccination. Younger age groups vs. 40 and above years (age 20–24 year [AOR: 0.03, 95% CI (0.00, 0.48)], age 25–29 year [AOR: 0.02, 95% CI (0.00, 0.49)], and age 30–34 year [AOR: 0.04 (0.00, 0.49)] and medical doctors vs. Nurses [AOR: 0.06, 95% CI, (0.01, 0.42)] were reported as risk factors; also, academic working staff vs. hospital staff [AOR: 4.42, 95% CI (1.85, 10.54)] was reported as a protective factor toward refusal of COVID-19 vaccination.

Conclusion

Two-fifths of health care workers in Ethiopia were indicated to refuse COVID-19 vaccination, implying a significant barrier to achieving WHO's a target of 70% double vaccination rate by mid-2022.
The effect of living alone on the mental health of the economically active floating population during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Xu Junzhou , Zhang Ling
Published: August 2022

Background

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic broke out at the end of 2019 in China. Through a strict Zero-Tolerant strategy, the pandemic was nearly controlled in the first half of 2020, and production resumed in most regions of China. A survey was performed to explore the effect of living alone on the mental health of the economically active floating population (EAFP) in developed regions of China during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

The online cross-sectional survey was conducted in work resumed time in the first half of 2020 in several developed regions of China. The 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) is used to assess the mental health status. The Multi-level ordinary least squares regression was performed on a total of 4,405 samples to examine the relationships between living alone and the participants' mental health.

Results

Many participants lived alone during the COVID 19 pandemic. Living alone is negatively associated with mental health (p < 0.01) for EAFP. The effect of living alone on mental health is stronger for females than males and for people with a lover than those without a lover. It is also stronger for the seniors (aged 56–70) than younger ones (aged 16–35), and has no significant influence on the middle-aged population (36–55). The effect is significant for self-employed people and employees, and is not significant for unemployed ones. Furthermore, the right amount of online entertainment can lower the effect of living alone on mental health.

Conclusion

The results show that living alone strongly affected the mental health of EAFP during the COVID 19 pandemic. Moreover, this effect has generated new inequalities among different groups. In addition, to provide more public services to support people against the pandemic, the government should provide more psychological support to those who live alone and guide them to establish a correct view of marriage and love to reduce living alone negative effect and prevent them from mental health problems.
A nomogram to predict prolonged stay of obesity patients with sepsis in ICU: Relevancy for predictive, personalized, preventive, and participatory healthcare strategies
Authors: Chen Yang , Luo Mengdi , Cheng Yuan , Huang Yu , He Qing
Published: August 2022

Objective

In an era of increasingly expensive intensive care costs, it is essential to evaluate early whether the length of stay (LOS) in the intensive care unit (ICU) of obesity patients with sepsis will be prolonged. On the one hand, it can reduce costs; on the other hand, it can reduce nosocomial infection. Therefore, this study aimed to verify whether ICU prolonged LOS was significantly associated with poor prognosis poor in obesity patients with sepsis and develop a simple prediction model to personalize the risk of ICU prolonged LOS for obesity patients with sepsis.

Method

In total, 14,483 patients from the eICU Collaborative Research Database were randomized to the training set (3,606 patients) and validation set (1,600 patients). The potential predictors of ICU prolonged LOS among various factors were identified using logistic regression analysis. For internal and external validation, a nomogram was developed and performed.

Results

ICU prolonged LOS was defined as the third quartile of ICU LOS or more for all sepsis patients and demonstrated to be significantly associated with the mortality in ICU by logistic regression analysis. When entering the ICU, seven independent risk factors were identified: maximum white blood cell, minimum white blood cell, use of ventilation, Glasgow Coma Scale, minimum albumin, maximum respiratory rate, and minimum red blood cell distribution width. In the internal validation set, the area under the curve was 0.73, while in the external validation set, it was 0.78. The calibration curves showed that this model predicted probability due to actually observed probability. Furthermore, the decision curve analysis and clinical impact curve showed that the nomogram had a high clinical net benefit.

Conclusion

In obesity patients with sepsis, we created a novel nomogram to predict the risk of ICU prolonged LOS. This prediction model is accurate and reliable, and it can assist patients and clinicians in determining prognosis and making clinical decisions.
Impact of organizational health-oriented strategies on employees' job performance, perceived medical mistrust as a moderator: A COVID-19 perception-based view
Authors: Ye Mao , Chen Yu , Liu Yang , Li Xiaohuan
Published: August 2022

After experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic, employees' health and well-being become a priority for firms. Organizational health-oriented strategies assist them in coping with health-related crises. Based on the social exchange theory, the present study attempts to determine the role of organizational health-oriented strategies in promoting employees' job performance. This study hypothesized that the organizations' health-oriented strategies positively correlate with employees' job performance. This study also assessed the mediating role of employees' psychological wellbeing and trust and moderating role of perceived medical mistrust. For the empirical examination, data of the present study was gathered from the textile sector in China. This study analyzed data through partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). For this purpose, Smart-PLS software was used. The outcomes revealed that organizational health-oriented strategies positively enhance the employees' psychological wellbeing, trust, and job performance. Moreover, the results revealed that employees' psychological wellbeing and trust positively mediate the proposed relationships. This study found that perceived medical mistrust moderates the relationship between employees' psychological wellbeing and job performance. However, the findings revealed that perceived medical mistrust does not moderate the relationship between employees' trust and job performance. In addition, the present study's findings provide insights to the firms about the importance of health-oriented strategies. Moreover, this study's findings also serve the literature by providing important theoretical and practical implications.
Virtual reality and music's impact on psychological well-being
Authors: Alexanian Stephen , Foxman Maxwell , Pimentel Danny
Published: August 2022

Quality of life is bound to psychological well-being, which in turn is affected by the frequency and magnitude of negative mood states. To regulate mood states, humans often consume media such as music and movies, with varied degrees of effectiveness. The current investigation examined the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) vs. two-dimensional (2D) online interventions with various stimuli (audiovisual vs. visual only vs. audio only) to assess which interventions were most effective for improved well-being. Additionally, this study examined which groups displayed the highest amount of perceived presence to understand what components are essential when maximizing a person's subjective feeling of being “in” a new place and if this translated toward therapeutic results. Our data suggests that even though VR participants generally experienced more presence and had similar benefits as 2D groups for increasing positive mood, only participants in the 2D groups had a reduction in negative mood overall with 2D audiovisual participants experiencing the best results. These results contradict past studies which indicate that there could be other psychological and theoretical considerations that may play a role in determining what online experiences are more effective than just examining presence and immersive stimuli. Further research and development into using VR as a tool for improved well-being is needed to understand its efficacy in remote and in-person setting.
Improved weighting in particle filters applied to precise state estimation in GNSS
Authors: Zocca Simone , Guo Yihan , Minetto Alex , Dovis Fabio
Published: August 2022

In the last decades, the increasing complexity of the fusion of proprioceptive and exteroceptive sensors with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) has motivated the exploration of Artificial Intelligence related strategies for the implementation of the navigation filters. In order to meet the strict requirements of accuracy and precision for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and Robotics, Bayesian inference algorithms are at the basis of current Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT). Some scientific and technical contributions resort to Sequential Importance Resampling (SIR) Particle Filters (PF) to overcome the theoretical weaknesses of the more popular and efficient Kalman Filters (KFs) when the application relies on non-linear measurements models and non-Gaussian measurements errors. However, due to its higher computational burden, SIR PF is generally discarded. This paper presents a methodology named Multiple Weighting (MW) that reduces the computational burden of PF by considering the mutual information provided by the input measurements about the unknown state. An assessment of the proposed scheme is shown through an application to standalone GNSS estimation as a baseline of more complex multi-sensors, integrated solutions. By relying on the a-priori knowledge of the relationship between states and measurements, a change in the conventional PF routine allows performing a more efficient sampling of the posterior distribution. Results show that the proposed strategy can achieve any desired accuracy with a considerable reduction in the number of particles. Given a fixed and reasonable available computational effort, the proposed scheme allows for an accuracy improvement of the state estimate in the range of 20–40%.
Oral community health worker-led interventions in households with average levels of psychosocial factors
Authors: Lee Helen H. , Avenetti David , Edomwande Yuwa , Sundararajan Vyshiali , Cui Liyong , Berbaum Michael , Nordgren Rachel , Sandoval Anna , Martin Molly A.
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Household-level psychosocial stress levels have been linked to child tooth brushing behaviors. Community health worker (CHW) interventions that target psychosocial factors in high-risk communities have been associated with changes in health behaviors.

Aim

Observe changes in psychosocial factors over time and an association between psychosocial factors and CHW intervention dose amongst urban Chicago families.

Patients and methods

Participants (N = 420 families) were recruited from 10 community clinics and 10 Women, Infants, or Children (WIC) centers in Cook County, Illinois to participate in a clinical trial. Research staff collected participant-reported psychosocial factors (family functioning and caregiver reports of depression, anxiety, support, and social functioning) and characteristics of CHW-led oral health intervention visits (number, content, child engagement) at 0, 6, and 12 months. CHWs recorded field observations after home visits on household environment, social circumstances, stressors, and supports.

Results

Participants across the cohort reported levels of psychosocial factors consistent with average levels for the general population for nearly all measures. Psychosocial factors did not vary over time. Social functioning was the only measure reported at low levels [32.0 (6.9); 32.1 (6.7); 32.7 (6.9); mean = 50 (standard deviation)] at 0, 6, and 12 months. We did not observe a meaningful difference in social functioning scores over time by exposure to CHW-led intervention visits (control arm, 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 visits). Field observations made by CHWs described a range of psychosocial stress related to poverty, language barriers, and immigration status.

Conclusion

The unexpectedly average and unchanging psychosocial factors over time, in the context of field observations of stress related to poverty, lack of support, immigration status, and language barriers, suggests that our study did not adequately capture the social determinants of health related to oral health behaviors or that measurement biases precluded accurate assessment. Future studies will assess psychosocial factors using a variety of instruments in an attempt to better measure psychosocial factors including social support, depression, anxiety, functioning, trauma and resilience within our urban population. We will also look at neighborhood-level factors of community distress and resilience to better apply the social ecologic model to child oral health behaviors.
Readiness at what cost? Trauma, displacement and opportunism in the Florida Keys
Authors: Shtob Daniel A.
Published: August 2022

As more jurisdictions adopt climate and disaster readiness plans in response to disaster risk, the merits of climate resiliency, adaptation, and recovery processes and initiatives should be assessed based upon their outcomes as opposed to their stated or implied intentions. This should involve assessment of the experiences of early adopters, to assist localities with plans currently under development. The key question explored is what factors combine to exacerbate displacement risk in the long tail of a disaster aftermath, especially at the understudied intersection of political economy and disaster trauma? To address this question, I use in-depth interviews with residents of the lower Florida Keys in the aftermath of 2017's devastating Hurricane Irma, identifying a complex of drivers through which risk of unequal residential displacement took shape. Specifically, post-Irma bureaucratic delays contributed to trauma promoted displacement in local working communities; in some cases, these processes resulted from preparedness initiatives themselves. In addition to the well-known displacement that occurs immediately after a storm, this suggests that displacement risk may develop over long timeframes as residents are emotionally and materially worn down by repeated frustrations. Identifying how disaster readiness initiatives contribute to these processes emphasizes the need for enhanced attention to the places and populations that they are intended to protect, as well as the generative power of their interactions with everyday bureaucracy and government function. Furthermore, this community's experiences invite future research to better understand how resilience, adaptation, and public safety initiatives interact with political economic context in ways that can result in sociospatial inequality, providing caution and suggesting avenues for reform.
Analytical results for phase bunching in the pendulum model of wave-particle interactions
Authors: Albert Jay M. , Artemyev Anton , Li Wen , Gan Longzhi , Ma Qianli
Published: August 2022

Radiation belt electrons are strongly affected by resonant interactions with cyclotron-resonant waves. In the case of a particle passing through resonance with a single, coherent wave, a Hamiltonian formulation is advantageous. With certain approximations, the Hamiltonian has the same form as that for a plane pendulum, leading to estimates of the change at resonance of the first adiabatic invariant I, energy, and pitch angle. In the case of large wave amplitude (relative to the spatial variation of the background magnetic field), the resonant change in I and its conjugate phase angle ξ are not diffusive but determined by nonlinear dynamics. A general analytical treatment of slow separatrix crossing has long been available and can be used to give the changes in I associated with “phase bunching,” including the detailed dependence on ξ, in the nonlinear regime. Here we review this treatment, evaluate it numerically, and relate it to previous analytical results for nonlinear wave-particle interactions. “Positive phase bunching” can occur for some particles even in the pendulum Hamiltonian approximation, though the fraction of such particles may be exponentially small.
Analysis of neuroendoscopy for the treatment of macroadenomas and giant pituitary adenomas
Authors: Wu Junyong , Zhang Binbin , Shao Dongqi , Ji Shuxin , Li Yu , Xie Shan , Jiang Zhiquan
Published: August 2022

Objective

This study investigated the use and effectiveness of endoscopic transnasal, transsphenoidal surgery, a minimally invasive method for the treatment of macroadenomas and giant pituitary a denomas, in a medical setting. The surgical results of 429 patients who received neuroendoscopic treatment of macroadenomas or giant pituitary adenomas were evaluated, and the experiences and lessons learned from treatment complications were assessed.

Patients and methods

From January 2012 to December 2021, 429 patients with macroadenomas or giant pituitary adenomas, including 60 patients with giant adenomas (diameter ≥4 cm) and 369 patients with macroadenomas (diameter 1–4 cm), received a 3D head CT, a MRI with contrast enhancement, and an endocrinology examination prior to surgery. Preoperative clinical and radiological features, visual measurements, hormone levels, length of stay, length of surgery, postoperative stay, visual and hormone outcomes, resection range, complication and recurrence rates, and routine patient information were recorded. The patients were followed up for 6–72 months (median = 40 months).

Results

Of 429 patients with macroadenomas or giant pituitary adenomas who received neuroendoscopic treatment, 348 (81.12%) had gross-total resections (GTR), 53 (12.35%) had near-total resections (NTR), and 28 (6.53%) had subtotal resections. There were 138 cases of post-operative diabetes insipidus (32.17%), including 7 cases of permanent diabetes insipidus (1.63%), 16 cases of nasal hemorrhage (3.73%), 39 cases of intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage (9.09%), 4 cases of intracranial infection (0.9%), 16 cases of hypophysis (3.7%), and 15 cases of anosmia (3.50%). The clinical symptoms and endocrinology indices of the patients improved after surgery, and all patients were discharged 5–18 days (8.36 ± 2.65) postop.

Conclusion

Neuroendoscopy is a safe operation with a short recovery period and hospital stay and is thus an effective method to treat macroadenomas and giant pituitary adenomas. Preoperative evaluation and prediction can help to accurately address possible intraoperative situations and improve GTR.
Contemporary use trends and effect on survival of pelvic lymph node dissection for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Tang Yaxiong , Wu Kan , Li Xiang
Published: August 2022

Background

Patients diagnosed with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) who are at a very high risk of disease progression and failure of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin treatment are recommended to undergo immediate radical cystectomy (RC). The role and optimal degree of pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) during RC for NMIBC patients, however, have not been well investigated.

Patients and methods

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was used to identify patients. Overall survival (OS) was assessed with the Kaplan–Meier technique. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was conducted to determine independent factors of OS.

Results

A total of 1,701 patients were identified in the SEER database from 2004 to 2015. Any level of PLND (>0 lymph nodes examined) was performed in 1,092 patients (64.2%). The median number of lymph nodes examined was 8 (interquartile range, 0–20) in T1, 0 (interquartile range, 0–11) in Ta, and 0 (interquartile range, 0–14) in Tia patients. Compared with non-PLND, any level of PLND improved OS in T1 but not in Ta or Tis patients. Compared to limited (1–9 lymph nodes examined) and non-PLND, extensive PLND (lymph nodes examined ≥10) resulted in better OS only in T1 patients (all p < 0.001, adjusted significance level = 0.017). PLND was identified as a independent protective factor for OS.

Conclusion

Based on the SEER database, we found that PLND during RC led to better OS and extensive PLND was associated with better OS in T1 but not in Ta or Tis patients. The implementation of PLND was insufficient both in population proportions and scope.
Low paraspinal lean muscle mass is an independent predictor of adjacent vertebral compression fractures after percutaneous kyphoplasty: A propensity score–matched case-control study
Authors: Cheng Yunzhong , Yang, Honghao , Hai Yong , Liu Yuzeng , Guan Li , Pan Aixing , Zhang Yaosheng
Published: August 2022

Background

To investigate the relationship between paraspinal lean muscle mass and adjacent vertebral compression fracture (AVCF) after percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF).

Methods

The data of 272 patients who underwent two consecutive single-level PKP in our hospital from January 2017 to December 2019 were collected. 42 patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected as AVCF group, and 42 propensity score-matched patients were selected as control group. There were 10 males and 32 females in each group; the ages were 75.55 ± 5.76 years and 75.60 ± 5.87 years, respectively. All patients underwent preoperative lumbar MRI. The total cross-sectional area (CSA), functional cross-sectional area (FCSA), cross-sectional area of vertebra index (CSA-VI), functional cross-sectional area of vertebra index (FCSA-VI) of the multifidus (MF), erector spinae (ES), psoas (PS), and paravertebral muscles (PVM) were measured. Other related parameters included preoperative bone mineral density (BMD), kyphotic angle (KA), anterior-to-posterior body height ratio (AP ratio), vertebral height restoration, and cement leakage into the disc. Logistic regression analysis was performed to find independent risk factors for AVCF using the parameters that were statistically significant in univariate analysis.

Results

At L3 and L4 levels, the mean CSA, FCSA, and FCSA-VI of MF, ES, PVM and PS were significantly lower in the AVCF group. DeLong test indicated that the AUC of ES (0.806 vs. 0.900) and PVM (0.861 vs. 0.941) of FCSA-VI at L4 level were significantly greater than L3 level. In the AVCF group, patients had a significantly lower BMD (93.55 ± 14.99 HU vs. 106.31 ± 10.95 HU), a greater preoperative KA (16.02° ± 17.36° vs. 12.87° ± 6.58°), and a greater vertebral height restoration rate (20.4% ± 8.1% vs. 16.4% ± 10.0%, p = 0.026). Logistic regression analysis showed that PVM with lower FCSA-VI at L4 level (OR 0.830; 95% CI 0.760–0.906) and lower BMD (OR 0.928; 95% CI 0.891–0.966) were independent risk factors for AVCF after PKP.

Conclusions

Low paraspinal lean muscle mass is an independent risk factor for AVCF after PKP. Surgeons should pay attention to evaluate the status of paraspinal muscle preoperatively. Postoperative reasonable nutrition, standardized anti-osteoporosis treatment, and back muscle exercise could reduce the incidence of AVCF.
A waterproof, low-cost dressing system reduces postoperative wound dressing changes in primary total hip arthroplasty: An efficacy study
Authors: Su Shilong , Wang Chenggong , Gao Fawei , Hu Yihe , Zhong Da , Lei Pengfei
Published: August 2022

Backgrounds

Postoperative wound complication is a major risk factor for the development of Periprosthetic joint infection. We innovatively invented a new dressing system to reduce the occurrence of postoperative wound complications and improve the quality of life of patients after total hip arthroplasty.

Methods

A total of 120 patients who underwent primary unilateral total hip arthroplasty were enrolled in this study. The data collected included the number of dressing changes, costs of the dressings, postoperative hospital stay, The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, The Harris Hip Score (HHS), ASEPSIS score, The Stony Brook Scar Evaluation Scale (SBSES), wound complications, the frequency of showers and satisfaction. Data were statistically analyzed.

Results

The average number of dressing changes was 0.74 ± 0.46, while the average postoperative hospital stay was 3.67 ± 0.97 days. The average cost of the new dressings throughout a treatment cycle was 57.42 ± 15.18 dollars. The VAS score decreased from 5.63 ± 1.09 before the operation to 0.88 ± 0.54 one month after the operation. The HHS score increased from 70.18 ± 7.84 before the operation to 80.36 ± 4.08 one month after the operation. The results of the four indexes of the ASEPSIS score were all 0. The SBSES score was 3.55 ± 0.61 at two weeks after the operation, and 4.38 ± 0.71 at one month after the operation. No wound complications were recorded until one month after the operation when the satisfaction rate was 92.53 ± 3.62%.

Conclusion

In this study, we have invented a new dressing system for surgical wounds after total hip arthroplasty and confirmed its efficacy.

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry

ChiCTR2000033822, Registered 13/ June/2020
Dose-dependent consequences of sub-chronic fentanyl exposure on neuron and glial co-cultures
Authors: Lam Doris , Sebastian Aimy , Bogguri Chandrakumar , Hum Nicholas R. , Ladd Alexander , Cadena Jose , Valdez Carlos A. , Fischer Nicholas O. , Loots Gabriela G. , Enright Heather A.
Published: August 2022

Fentanyl is one of the most common opioid analgesics administered to patients undergoing surgery or for chronic pain management. While the side effects of chronic fentanyl abuse are recognized (e.g., addiction, tolerance, impairment of cognitive functions, and inhibit nociception, arousal, and respiration), it remains poorly understood what and how changes in brain activity from chronic fentanyl use influences the respective behavioral outcome. Here, we examined the functional and molecular changes to cortical neural network activity following sub-chronic exposure to two fentanyl concentrations, a low (0.01 μM) and high (10 μM) dose. Primary rat co-cultures, containing cortical neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocyte precursor cells, were seeded in wells on either a 6-well multi-electrode array (MEA, for electrophysiology) or a 96-well tissue culture plate (for serial endpoint bulk RNA sequencing analysis). Once networks matured (at 28 days in vitro), co-cultures were treated with 0.01 or 10 μM of fentanyl for 4 days and monitored daily. Only high dose exposure to fentanyl resulted in a decline in features of spiking and bursting activity as early as 30 min post-exposure and sustained for 4 days in cultures. Transcriptomic analysis of the complex cultures after 4 days of fentanyl exposure revealed that both the low and high dose induced gene expression changes involved in synaptic transmission, inflammation, and organization of the extracellular matrix. Collectively, the findings of this in vitro study suggest that while neuroadaptive changes to neural network activity at a systems level was detected only at the high dose of fentanyl, transcriptomic changes were also detected at the low dose conditions, suggesting that fentanyl rapidly elicits changes in plasticity.
Nano-Microemulsions of CaCO3-Encapsulated Curcumin Ester Derivatives With High Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities and pH Sensitivity
Authors: Wang Lian , Wang Xuefei , Guo Zhiwei , Xia Yajuan , Geng Minjie , Liu Dan , Zhang Zhiqiang , Yang Ying
Published: August 2022

In this study, we synthesized nano-microemulsions of calcium carbonate (CaCO3)-encapsulated curcumin (Cur)-Ferulic acid (FA) ester derivatives of diverse mass ratios by using the solution casting approach. The structures, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, physical properties, and potential of hydrogen (pH) sensitivity of these products were examined. Compared with microparticles of CaCO3, those of CaCO3@Cur-FA exhibited excellent antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Response to pH was indicated through the release of Cur-FA from CaCO3@Cur-FA in solutions having different pH values. The results demonstrated that Cur-FA was released more quickly from CaCO3@Cur-FA at pH 5.5 than at pH 7.4. CaCO3@Cur-FA demonstrated good antioxidant capacities through its ability to scavenge 2,2′-amino-di(2-ethyl-benzothiazoline sulphonic acid-6)ammonium salt (ABTS+) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). These activities were three-fold more than those observed in CaCO3 microparticle control groups; additionally, the antimicrobial activity against Aspergillus niger and Escherichia coli increased by 40.5 and 54.6%, respectively. Overall, the microparticles of CaCO3@Cur-FA outperformed Cur-FA in terms of antimicrobial properties by inhibiting the growth of certain zoonotic pathogens.
Consumer attitudes toward bacteriophage applications to pet food
Authors: Eagan Bailey H. , Wang Siyun , Hall Nathaniel , Protopopova Alexandra
Published: August 2022

This study used a two-part questionnaire to investigate consumer knowledge and attitudes toward bacteriophage applications in pet food, pet food safety, and environmental sustainability. Part 1 included questions about pet food safety, sustainability, and knowledge and attitudes toward bacteriophages. Next, participants reviewed educational materials about each, and Part 2 assessed if this increased knowledge of, or changed attitudes toward, bacteriophage application. Participants (n= 80), were recruited through Amazon Mechanical Turk (MT) (n= 45) and Social Media (SM) (n= 35). Mean responses in Part 1 and Part 2 were compared by pairedt-tests, and mean responses between MT and SM were compared byt-tests. Participants reported pet food safety was important to them (combined proportion strongly agree or agree, mean ± SD) (75/80, 94%, MT 4.66 ± 0.60, SM 4.71 ± 0.95) and were most concerned with raw pet food safety (51/80, 64%, MT 3.88 ± 0.80, SM 3.17 ± 1.40). Participants rated environmental sustainability as important (61/80, 76%, MT 3.86 ± 0.94, SM 3.97 ± 0.66); however, it was not a strong driver of pet food purchasing (26/80, 33%, MT 3.31 ± 1.25, SM 2.82 ± 0.82). Overall, data showed an increase in knowledge of bacteriophages following a review of educational material. However, in the SM group, no statistically significant difference was observed in the comfort eating food with bacteriophage additives (SM Part 1 3.37 ± 1.05, SM Part 2 3.48 ± 1.12,p= 0.279), whereas the MT group did show an increase (MT Part 1 3.57 ± 1.01, MT Part 2 4.08 ± 0.92,p< 0.001). In the SM group, no statistically significant difference was observed in comfort feeding their pet food with bacteriophage additives (SM Part 1 3.40 ± 1.03, SM Part 2 3.45 ± 1.14,p= 0.571), whereas the MT group did show an increase (MT Part 1 3.57 ± 0.98, MT Part 2 4.31 ± 0.84,p< 0.001). The strongest objections related to safety concerns (20/53, 38%, MT 2.83 ± 0.96, SM 3.27 ± 0.84). These results demonstrate that despite increasing knowledge, there is still hesitancy among some consumers toward bacteriophage applications in pet food.
Pulmonary thromboembolism due to immune-mediated hemolytic anemia in a cat: A serial study of hematology and echocardiographic findings
Authors: Yoshida Tomohiko , Mandour Ahmed S. , Sato Manami , Hirose Miki , Kikuchi Rina , Komiyama Norihiro , Hendawy Hanan A. , Hamabe Lina , Tanaka Ryou , Matsuura Katsuhiro , Uemura Akiko
Published: August 2022

Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) secondary to immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) is rarely diagnosed in cats. In this report, a 3-year-old cat was referred to our private hospital with dyspnea, anorexia, and anemia. On the thoracic radiography, cardiac enlargement and pulmonary edema were noted. Echocardiography revealed right ventricular and right atrium enlargement with mild tricuspid regurgitation (tricuspid regurgitation velocity 3.28 m/s). A thrombus was recognized in the main pulmonary artery on the right parasternal short-axis view. Blood examination suggested regenerative anemia and autoagglutination. The findings suggested immune-mediated hemolytic anemia and PTE. Antithrombotic therapy (dalteparin) and immunosuppressive therapy (prednisolone) were administered under oxygen supplementation in the ICU cage. After treatment, regenerative anemia and right-heart failure were improved. During follow-up, the cat remained hemodynamically stable, and the owner reported no cardiac-related clinical signs. Further blood examination confirmed the anemia was improved. Prednisolone was discontinued on Day 56, and the cat continues in good health, administered only mycophenolate mofetil. The clinical outcome of PTE secondary to the IMHA throughout 100 days of periodical observation was reported.
Interleukin-1β in tendon injury enhances reparative gene and protein expression in mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Koch Drew W. , Berglund Alix K. , Messenger Kristen M. , Gilbertie Jessica M. , Ellis Ilene M. , Schnabel Lauren V.
Published: August 2022

Tendon injury in the horse carries a high morbidity and monetary burden. Despite appropriate therapy, reinjury is estimated to occur in 50–65% of cases. Although intralesional mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy has improved tissue architecture and reinjury rates, the mechanisms by which they promote repair are still being investigated. Additionally, reevaluating our application of MSCs in tendon injury is necessary given recent evidence that suggests MSCs exposed to inflammation (deemed MSC licensing) have an enhanced reparative effect. However, applying MSC therapy in this context is limited by the inadequate quantification of the temporal cytokine profile in tendon injury, which hinders our ability to administer MSCs into an environment that could potentiate their effect. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to define the temporal cytokine microenvironment in a surgically induced model of equine tendon injury using ultrafiltration probes and subsequently evaluate changes in MSC gene and protein expression following in vitro inflammatory licensing with cytokines of similar concentration as identified in vivo. In our in vivo surgically induced tendon injury model, IL-1β and IL-6 were the predominant pro-inflammatory cytokines present in tendon ultrafiltrate where a discrete peak in cytokine concentration occurred within 48 h following injury. Thereafter, MSCs were licensed in vitro with IL-1β and IL-6 at a concentration identified from the in vivo study; however, only IL-1β induced upregulation of multiple genes beneficial to tendon healing as identified by RNA-sequencing. Specifically, vascular development, ECM synthesis and remodeling, chemokine and growth factor function alteration, and immunomodulation and tissue reparative genes were significantly upregulated. A significant increase in the protein expression of IL-6, VEGF, and PGE2 was confirmed in IL-1β-licensed MSCs compared to naïve MSCs. This study improves our knowledge of the temporal tendon cytokine microenvironment following injury, which could be beneficial for the development and determining optimal timing of administration of regenerative therapies. Furthermore, these data support the need to further study the benefit of MSCs administered within the inflamed tendon microenvironment or exogenously licensed with IL-1β in vitro prior to treatment as licensed MSCs could enhance their therapeutic benefit in the healing tendon.