bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A comparison of intensive vs. light-touch quality improvement interventions for maternal health in Uttar Pradesh, India
Authors: Montagu Dominic , Giessler Katie , Nakphong Michelle Kao , Green Cathy , Roy Kali Prosad , Sahu Ananta Basudev , Sharma Kovid , Sudhinarset May
Published: December 2020

Background

Poor patient experiences during delivery leads to delayed presentation at facilities and contributes to poor maternal health outcomes. Person-centered maternity care (PCMC) is a key component of quality. Improving PCMC requires changing the process of care which can be complex and necessitate significant external input, making replication and scale difficult. This study compares the effectiveness two Quality Improvement (QI) intervention phases, one Intensive, one Light-Touch.

Methods

We use a matched case-control design to compare two phases of a QI Intervention targeting PCMC, with three facilities in each. The Intensive phase was introduced into three government facilities where teams were supported to identify, design, and test potential improvements over 12 months. The Light-Touch phase was subsequently introduced in three other government facilities and changes were tracked over six months. We compared the two groups using multivariate linear regression and difference-in-difference models to assess changes in PCMC outcome

Results

Both Intensive and Light-Touch arms demonstrated large improvements in PCMC. On a scale from 0 to 100, Intensive facilities increased in PCMC scores from 85.02 to 97.13, while Light-Touch facilities increased from 63.42 to 87.47. For both there was a ‘halo’ effect, with a similar improvement recorded for the specific improvement activities focused on, as w ell as aspects of PCMC not directly addressed.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that a short, inexpensive, light-touch and directive intervention can change staff practices and significantly improve the experiences of women during childbirth. It also shows that improvements in a few areas of provider-patient interaction have a ‘halo’ effect, changing many other aspects of patient-provider interaction at the same time.

Trial registration

QI Phase 1 - NCT04208867. Retrospectively registered. December 19th, 2019.

QI Phase 2 –NCT04208841. Retrospectively registered. December 23, 2019.
Cisplatin and carboplatin result in similar gonadotoxicity in immature human testis with implications for fertility preservation in childhood cancer
Authors: Tharmalingam Melissa D. , Matilionyte Gabriele , Wallace William H. B. , Stukenborg Jan-Bernd , Jahnukainen Kirsi , Oliver Elizabeth , Goriely Anne , Lane Sheila , Guo Jingtao , Cairns Bradley , Jorgensen Anne , Allen Caroline M. , Lopes Federica , Anderson Richard A. , Spears Norah , Mitchell Rod T.
Published: December 2020

Background

Clinical studies indicate chemotherapy agents used in childhood cancer treatment regimens may impact future fertility. However, effects of individual agents on prepubertal human testis, necessary to identify later risk, have not been determined. The study aimed to investigate the impact of cisplatin, commonly used in childhood cancer, on immature (foetal and prepubertal) human testicular tissues. Comparison was made with carboplatin, which is used as an alternative to cisplatin in order to reduce toxicity in healthy tissues.

Methods

We developed an organotypic culture system combined with xenografting to determine the effect of clinically-relevant exposure to platinum-based chemotherapeutics on human testis. Human foetal and prepubertal testicular tissues were cultured and exposed to cisplatin, carboplatin or vehicle for 24 h, followed by 24–240 h in culture or long-term xenografting. Survival, proliferation and apoptosis of prepubertal germ stem cell populations (gonocytes and spermatogonia), critical for sperm production in adulthood, were quantified.

Results

Cisplatin exposure resulted in a significant reduction in the total number of germ cells (− 44%,p < 0.0001) in human foetal testis, which involved an initial loss of gonocytes followed by a significant reduction in spermatogonia. This coincided with a reduction (− 70%,p < 0.05) in germ cell proliferation. Cisplatin exposure resulted in similar effects on total germ cell number (including spermatogonial stem cells) in prepubertal human testicular tissues, demonstrating direct relevance to childhood cancer patients. Xenografting of cisplatin-exposed human foetal testicular tissue demonstrated that germ cell loss (− 42%,p < 0.01) persisted at 12 weeks. Comparison between exposures to human-relevant concentrations of cisplatin and carboplatin revealed a very similar degree of germ cell loss at 240 h post-exposure.

Conclusions

This is the first demonstration of direct effects of chemotherapy exposure on germ cell populations in human foetal and prepubertal testis, demonstrating platinum-induced loss of all germ cell populations, and similar effects of cisplatin or carboplatin. Furthermore, these experimental approaches can be used to determine the effects of established and novel cancer therapies on the developing testis that will inform fertility counselling and development of strategies to preserve fertility in children with cancer.
Outcomes of extensive hemilaminectomy with durotomy on dogs with presumptive progressive myelomalacia: a retrospective study on 34 cases
Authors: Hirano Ryuji , Asahina Ryota , Hirano Taiyo , Hyakkoku Ayuko , Miura Rino , Kunihiro Takuya , Nakamoto Yuya
Published: December 2020

Background

Progressive myelomalacia (PMM) is a fatal complication of progressive ascending and descending necrosis of the spinal cord after acute spinal cord injury. A recent study suggested that extensive hemilaminectomy with durotomy (EHLD) at the intramedullary T2-hyperintense region which performed immediately after magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) improved the survival rate in dogs with presumptive PMM. The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the effects of EHLD on halting the progression of PMM in dogs presumptively diagnosed with PMM which had the interval between MRI and surgery.

Results

Thirty-four dogs with presumptive PMM which had undergone EHLD with the delay following MRI examination (range, 0 to 3 days) were included. The cranial side of EHLD was set depending on the delay time after MRI, MRI findings, neurological examination and intraoperative macroscopic appearance. Two weeks after surgery, the perioperative survival rate was 97% (33/34). During follow-up with a median time period of 82.5 weeks (range, 0-290 weeks), the postoperative survival rate was 91% (31/34). At the end of the follow-up period, 31 out of 34 dogs were alive without severe postoperative complications while the remaining 2 dogs died from causes not directly attributable to the surgery. There was no improvement in the pelvic limb function of all dogs.

Conclusions

EHLD appears to be effective in halting the progression of presumptive PMM and preventing morbidity even in dogs which had the interval between MRI and EHLD. Our algorithm of determining the range of EHLD may enable to set the appropriate ranges of EHLD in the cases which develop signs consistent with PMM after MRI examination.
Proceedings from the CIHLMU Symposium 2020 on “eHealth: Trends and innovations”
Authors: Noreña Ivan , Shah Nairuti , Ndenkeh Jackson , Hernandez Cecilia , Sitoe Nadia , Sillah Abdou , Shin Anna , Han Wai Wai , Devaera Yoga , Mosoba Maureen , Moonga Given , Hendl Tereza , Wernick Alina , Kiberu Vincent Micheal , Menke Melissa , Guggenbuehl Noller Jessica Michelle , Pritsch Michael
Published: December 2020

Electronic Health (eHealth) is the use of information and communication technologies for health and plays a significant role in improving public health. The rapid expansion and development of eHealth initiatives allow researchers and healthcare providers to connect more effectively with patients. The aim of the CIHLMU Symposium 2020 was to discuss the current challenges facing the field, opportunities in eHealth implementation, to share the experiences from different healthcare systems, and to discuss future trends addressing the use of digital platforms in health. The symposium on eHealth explored how the health and technology sector must increase efforts to reduce the obstacles facing public and private investment, the efficacy in preventing diseases and improving patient quality of life, and the ethical and legal frameworks that influence the proper development of the different platforms and initiatives related to the field. This symposium furthered the sharing of knowledge, networking, and patient/user and practitioner experiences in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) in both public and private sectors.
Single-step dynamic dewatering of microalgae from dilute suspensions using flocculant assisted filtration
Authors: Musa Mutah , Ward Andrew , Ayoko Godwin A. , Rösch Christine , Brown Richard , Rainey Thomas J.
Published: December 2020

Background

Dewatering constitutes a major challenge to the production of microalgae, accounting for 20–30% of the product cost. This presents a setback for the applicability of microalgae in the development of several sustainable products. This study presents an investigation into the dynamic dewatering of microalgae in a combined flocculation-filtration process. The effect of process conditions on the performance of 12 flocculants and their mixtures was assessed.

Results

The mechanism of flocculation via the electrostatic path was dominated by charge neutralization and subsequently followed bridging in a ‘sweep flocculation’ process. Cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM) based flocculants recorded the highest biomass retention with PAM1 and PAM2 attaining 99 and 98% retention with flocculant dosages of 10 and 15 mg/L respectively. Polyvinylamine (PVAM) was also found to improve system stability across the pH range 4–10. Alum was observed to be only effective in charge neutralization, bringing the system close to its isoelectric point (IEP). Chemometric analysis using the multi-criteria decision methods, PROMETHEE and GAIA, was applied to provide a sequential performance ranking based on the net outranking flow (ф) from 207 observations. A graphical exploration of the flocculant performance pattern, grouping the observations into clusters in relation to the decision axis ($$\pi$$
π
), which indicated the weighted resultant of most favorable performance for all criteria was explored.

Conclusion

CPAM based flocculants and their mixtures demonstrated superior performance due to their viscoelastic behaviour under turbulence. The use of PVAM or alum in mixtures with CPAM reduced the required doses of both flocculants, which will provide beneficial financial impact for largescale microalgae dewatering in a flocculant assisted dynamic filtration process. Chemometric analysis based on the physico-chemical properties of the system provides a time saving assessment of performance across several criteria. The study findings provide an important foundation for flocculant assisted dynamic filtration processes.
Deaths of despair: cause-specific mortality and socioeconomic inequalities in cause-specific mortality among young men in Scotland
Authors: Allik Mirjam , Brown Denise , Dundas Ruth , Leyland Alastair H.
Published: December 2020

Background

Increasing mortality among men from drugs, alcohol and suicides is a growing public health concern in many countries. Collectively known as “deaths of despair”, they are seen to stem from unprecedented economic pressures and a breakdown in social support structures.

Methods

We use high-quality population wide Scottish data to calculate directly age-standardized mortality rates for men aged 15–44 between 1980 and 2018 for 15 leading causes of mortality. Absolute and relative inequalities in mortality by cause are calculated using small-area deprivation and the slope and relative indices of inequality (SII and RIIL) for the years 2001–2018.

Results

Since 1980 there have been only small reductions in mortality among men aged 15–44 in Scotland. In that period drug-related deaths have increased from 1.2 (95% CI 0.7–1.4) to 44.9 (95% CI 42.5–47.4) deaths per 100,000 and are now the leading cause of mortality. Between 2001 and 2018 there have been small reductions in absolute but not in relative inequalities in all-cause mortality. However, absolute inequalities in mortality from drugs have doubled from SII = 66.6 (95% CI 61.5–70.9) in 2001–2003 to SII = 120.0 (95% CI 113.3–126.8) in 2016–2018. Drugs are the main contributor to inequalities in mortality, and together with alcohol harm and suicides make up 65% of absolute inequalities in mortality.

Conclusions

Contrary to the substantial reductions in mortality across all ages in the past decades, deaths among young men are increasing from preventable causes. Attempts to reduce external causes of mortality have focused on a single cause of death and not been effective in reducing mortality or inequalities in mortality from external causes in the long-run. To reduce deaths of despair, action should be taken to address social determinants of health and reduce socioeconomic inequalities.
A comprehensive scheme for the objective upper body assessments of subjects with cerebellar ataxia
Authors: Tran Ha , Nguyen Khoa D. , Pathirana Pubudu N. , Horne Malcolm K. , Power Laura , Szmulewicz David J.
Published: December 2020

Background

Cerebellar ataxia refers to the disturbance in movement resulting from cerebellar dysfunction. It manifests as inaccurate movements with delayed onset and overshoot, especially when movements are repetitive or rhythmic. Identification of ataxia is integral to the diagnosis and assessment of severity, and is important in monitoring progression and improvement. Ataxia is identified and assessed by clinicians observing subjects perform standardised movement tasks that emphasise ataxic movements. Our aim in this paper was to use data recorded from motion sensors worn while subjects performed these tasks, in order to make an objective assessment of ataxia that accurately modelled the clinical assessment.

Methods

Inertial measurement units and a Kinect© system were used to record motion data while control and ataxic subjects performed four instrumented version of upper extremities tests, i.e. finger chase test (FCT), finger tapping test (FTT), finger to nose test (FNT) and dysdiadochokinesia test (DDKT). Kinematic features were extracted from this data and correlated with clinical ratings of severity of ataxia using the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA). These features were refined using Feed Backward feature Elimination (the best performing method of four). Using several different learning models, including Linear Discrimination, Quadratic Discrimination Analysis, Support Vector Machine and K-Nearest Neighbour these extracted features were used to accurately discriminate between ataxics and control subjects. Leave-One-Out cross validation estimated the generalised performance of the diagnostic model as well as the severity predicting regression model.

Results

The selected model accurately ($$96.4\%$$96.4%) predicted the clinical scores for ataxia and correlated well with clinical scores of the severity of ataxia ($$rho = 0.8$$rho=0.8,$$p < 0.001$$p<0.001). The severity estimation was also considered in a 4-level scale to provide a rating that is familiar to the current clinically-used rating of upper limb impairments. The combination of FCT and FTT performed as well as all four test combined in predicting the presence and severity of ataxia.

Conclusion

Individual bedside tests can be emulated using features derived from sensors worn while bedside tests of cerebellar ataxia were being performed. Each test emphasises different aspects of stability, timing, accuracy and rhythmicity of movements. Using the current models it is possible to model the clinician in identifying ataxia and assessing severity but also to identify those test which provide the optimum set of data.

Trial registrationHuman Research and Ethics Committee, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, Australia (HREC Reference Number: 11/994H/16).
Postoperative analgesic effect of acupotomy combined with patient-controlled analgesia in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Jiang Cai , Li Yinyan , Li Xiaomei , Guo Jinhua , Guo Miaomiao , Yu Shengxian , Lin Zhonghua
Published: December 2020

Background

Postoperative acute pain is a common issue following thoracic surgery. Acupotomy is a common and safe intervention method for pain treatment in clinical practice. In previous preliminary experiments, we found that acupotomy has a good clinical effect and good safety in the treatment of pain after thoracoscopic surgery. However, due to a lack of a rigorous design and an adequate sample size, its efficacy still requires further confirmation. The purpose of this study will be to explore the efficacy and safety of acupotomy combined with patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) for the treatment of pain after video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS).

Methods

The study will be a single-centre, parallel group, randomized controlled trial.

Seventy patients with significant pain after thoracoscopic surgery with a visual analogue scale (VAS) score ≥ 7 will be included and randomly distributed into two groups: G1, the acupotomy combined with PCA group; and G2, the conventional PCA group. The primary outcome measure is pain scores at rest and coughing evaluated with the VAS by a blinded observer in the postanaesthesia care unit (PACU) and postoperatively at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h. The secondary outcome measures are postoperative requirements for rescue analgesia, the cumulative amount of self-administered analgesics, the level of sedation (LOS), the Bruggemann comfort scale (BCS), and the functional activity score (FAS) concerning adverse effects and patient satisfaction.

Discussion

This trial has the potential to identify an innovative and effective analgesic method for postoperative pain management for VATS. The findings may advocate for the inclusion of the treatment of comorbid pain after thoracoscopy in current pain management practice guidelines.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial RegistryChiCTR1900027191. Registered on 4 November 2019
Diagnosis at gut point: rapid identification of pneumoperitoneum via point-of-care ultrasound
Authors: Taylor Matthew A. , Merritt Christopher H. , Riddle Philip J. , DeGennaro Carter J. , Barron Keith R.
Published: December 2020

Undifferentiated abdominal pain is a common presentation often requiring immediate medical or surgical intervention. Providing an accurate diagnosis involves a detailed patient history and thorough physical exam. Point of care ultrasound is gaining acceptance as a rapid diagnostic tool that can be used to accurately detect life-threatening conditions while potentially avoiding unnecessary radiation exposure and facilitating rapid treatment. Detection of pneumoperitoneum with point-of-care ultrasound is a simple procedure that relies heavily on the experience of the investigating practitioner. Standard technique involves placing a high-frequency linear-array transducer in the right upper quadrant, where abdominal free air is most likely to accumulate. Detection of the ‘gut point’, which is the transition of abdominal wall sliding to lack thereof in a single image, is the pathognomonic finding of pneumoperitoneum. If visualization is difficult, moving the patient to the left lateral decubitus position or using the scissors technique can provide additional image views. This representative case report and review highlights the use of abdominal POCUS for the diagnosis of pneumoperitoneum. Ultrasound should continue to be explored by clinicians to narrow the differential diagnosis of acute abdominal pain.
Evaluation of a novel handheld point-of-care ultrasound device in an African emergency department
Authors: Burleson Samuel L. , Swanson Jonathan F. , Shufflebarger Erin F. , Wallace Douglas W. , Heimann Matthew A. , Crosby James C. , Pigott David C. , Gullett John P. , Thompson Maxwell A. , Greene Christopher J.
Published: December 2020

Background

Many point-of-care ultrasound devices are now “pocket-sized” or handheld, allowing easy transport during travel and facilitating use in crowded spaces or in austere low-resource settings. Concerns remain about their durability, image quality, and clinical utility in those environments.

Method

Five emergency physicians with training in point-of-care ultrasound employed the Butterfly iQ, a novel handheld ultrasound device, in routine clinical care in a busy, high-acuity African emergency department over a period of 10 weeks. We retrospectively evaluated the performance of the Butterfly iQ from the perspectives of both the clinicians using the device and expert ultrasound faculty reviewing the images.

Results

We found advantages of the Butterfly iQ in a high-acuity African emergency department include its use of a single probe for multiple functions, small size, ease of transport, relatively low cost, and good image quality in most functions. Disadvantages include large probe footprint, lower, though still adequate, cardiac imaging quality, frequent overheating, and reliance on internet-based cloud storage, but these were surmountable. We also report a wide variety of patient presentations, pathology, and procedures to which the device was used.

Conclusion

We conclude the Butterfly iQ is an effective, though imperfect, point-of-care ultrasound device in a low-resource emergency setting. We will continue to employ the device in clinical emergency care and teaching in this setting.
Sex differences in the knee orthopaedic injury patterns among recreational alpine skiers
Authors: Shi Huijuan , Jiang Yanfang , Ren Shuang , Hu Xiaoqing , Huang Hongshi , Ao Yingfang
Published: December 2020

Background

Although studies have reported the sex differences in injury patterns among recreational skiers, the findings are still conflicting. This study aims to analyse the sex differences of orthopaedic knee injuries that occurred during alpine skiing.

Methods

A total of 306 recreational alpine skiers (125 females and 181 males) who sustained knee surgeries between June 2016 and December 2018 participated in this study. Age, height, weight, and physical activity level of the patients were recorded. The orthopaedic knee injury patterns were analysed based on the diagnosis given by the physicians.

Results

Male skiers (17.13%) had a higher proportion of multiple knee ligament injuries than females (6.40%). The combined anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament injury were the most common injury types in both females and males, with ACL injury being more prevalent for females (79.20%) than that in males (56.35%). The proportion of female skiers (17.6%) with vigorous-intensity activity level was significantly lower than that of males (30.9%). Female skiers had lower body height, body weight, and body mass index than male skiers (P <  0.001).

Conclusions

ACL injury is the most common orthopaedic injury among both female and male knee-injured recreational skiers. The proportion of females with an ACL injury is higher than that of males, but the proportion of multiple knee ligament injuries is lower than that of males. More male recreational skiers have vigorous-intensity activity level habits in daily life than females.
Mindfulness and psychological health in practitioners of Japanese martial arts: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Miyata Hiromitsu , Kobayashi Daisuke , Sonoda Akifumi , Motoike Hibiki , Akatsuka Saki
Published: December 2020

Background

Empirical data have suggested that mind-body practices that originated in Eastern traditions can cause desirable changes to psychological traits, the brain, somatic physiological functions, etc. Martial arts in Japan refer to the physical/mental practices that were developed based on historical combat techniques. Today, martial arts are considered activities that seek embodiment and/or mind-body unity, as well as sports. Empirical studies involving practitioners of Japanese martial arts to date remain scarce.

Methods

We conducted a questionnaire survey using a cross-sectional design to examine whether the practice of martial arts based on Japanese traditions are associated with mindfulness and psychological health. Participants included a population of practitioners of martial arts with a practice period of 0.6–35.0 years, and non-practitioners matched for demographic variables.

Results

Compared with the non-practitioners, the practitioners of martial arts had significantly higher scores for mindfulness and subjective well-being and lower scores for depression. Among the practitioners of martial arts, a longer period of practice or a higher frequency of daily practice significantly predicted higher mindfulness and psychological health.

Conclusions

The results obtained are consistent with those previously obtained for other populations of Japanese contemplatives, and support the view that practice of multiple Eastern mind-body practices might be associated with similar desirable psychological outcomes. A cross-sectional design has limitations in that it is difficult to determine the effect of continued practice, so that a longitudinal study that follows the same practitioners over time is desired in the future enquiry.
[18F]-Fluciclovine PET discrimination of recurrent intracranial metastatic disease from radiation necrosis
Authors: Parent Ephraim E. , Patel Dhruv , Nye Jonathon A. , Li Zhuo , Olson Jeffrey J. , Schuster David M. , Goodman Mark M.
Published: December 2020

Background

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is often the primary treatment modality for patients with intracranial metastatic disease. Despite advances in magnetic resonance imaging, including use of perfusion and diffusion sequences and molecular imaging, distinguishing radiation necrosis from progressive tumor remains a diagnostic and clinical challenge. We investigated the sensitivity and specificity of 18F-fluciclovine PET to accurately distinguish radiation necrosis from recurrent intracranial metastatic disease in patients who had previously undergone SRS.

Methods

Fluciclovine PET imaging was performed in 8 patients with a total of 15 lesions that had previously undergone SRS and had subsequent MRI and clinical features suspicious for recurrent disease. The SUVmax of each lesion and the contralateral normal brain parenchyma were summated and evaluated at four different time points (5 min, 10 min, 30 min, and 55 min). Lesions were characterized as either recurrent disease (11 of 15 lesions) or radiation necrosis (4 of 15 lesions) and confirmed with histopathological correlation (7 lesions) or through serial MRI studies (8 lesions).

Results

Time activity curve analysis found statistically greater radiotracer accumulation for all lesions, including radiation necrosis, when compared to contralateral normal brain. While the mean and median SUVmax for recurrent disease were statistically greater than those of radiation necrosis at all time points, the difference was more significant at the earlier time points (p = 0.004 at 5 min–0.025 at 55 min). Using a SUVmax threshold of ≥ 1.3, fluciclovine PET demonstrated a 100% accuracy in distinguishing recurrent disease from radiation necrosis up to 30 min after injection and an accuracy of 87% (sensitivity = 0.91, specificity = 0.75) at the last time point of 55 min. However, tumor-to-background ratios (TBRmax) were not significantly different between recurrent disease and radiation necrosis at any time point due to variable levels of fluciclovine uptake in the background brain parenchyma.

Conclusions

Fluciclovine PET may play an important role in distinguishing active intracranial metastatic lesions from radiation necrosis in patients previously treated with SRS but needs to be validated in larger studies.
The effect of preoperative chemotherapy on liver regeneration after portal vein embolization/ligation or liver resection in patients with colorectal liver metastasis: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Pavel Mihai-Calin , Casanova Raquel , Estalella Laia , Memba Robert , Llàcer-Millán Erik , Achalandabaso Mar , Julià Elisabet , Geoghegan Justin , Jorba Rosa
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Liver resection (LR) in patients with liver metastasis from colorectal cancer remains the only curative treatment. Perioperative chemotherapy improves prognosis of these patients. However, there are concerns regarding the effect of preoperative chemotherapy on liver regeneration, which is a key event in avoiding liver failure after LR. The primary objective of this systematic review is to assess the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on liver regeneration after (LR) or portal vein embolization (PVE) in patients with liver metastasis from colorectal cancer. The secondary objectives are to evaluate the impact of the type of chemotherapy, number of cycles, and time between end of treatment and procedure (LR or PVE) and to investigate whether there is an association between degree of hypertrophy and postoperative liver failure.

Methods

This meta-analysis will include studies reporting liver regeneration rates in patients submitted to LR or PVE. Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane databases will be searched. Only studies comparing neoadjuvant vs no chemotherapy, or comparing chemotherapy characteristics (bevacizumab administration, number of cycles, and time from finishing chemotherapy until intervention), will be included. We will select studies from 1990 to present. Two researchers will individually screen the identified records, according to a list of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Primary outcome will be future liver remnant regeneration rate. Bias of the studies will be evaluated with the ROBINS-I tool, and quality of evidence for all outcomes will be determined with the GRADE system. The data will be registered in a predesigned database. If selected studies are sufficiently homogeneous, we will perform a meta-analysis of reported results. In the event of a substantial heterogeneity, a qualitative systematic review will be performed.

Discussion

The results of this systematic review may help to better identify the patients affected by liver metastasis that could present low regeneration rates after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. These patients are at risk to develop liver failure after extended hepatectomies and therefore are not good candidates for such aggressive procedures.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO registration number:CRD42020178481(July 5, 2020).
KVarPredDB: a database for predicting pathogenicity of missense sequence variants of keratin genes associated with genodermatoses
Authors: Ying Yuyi , Lu Lu , Banerjee Santasree , Xu Lizhen , Zhao Qiang , Wu Hao , Li Ruiqi , Xu Xiao , Yu Hua , Neculai Dante , Xi Yongmei , Yang Fan , Qin Jiale , Li Chen
Published: December 2020

Background

Germline variants of ten keratin genes (K1,K2,K5,K6A,K6B,K9,K10,K14,K16, andK17) have been reported for causing different types of genodermatoses with an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance. Among all the variants of these ten keratin genes, most of them are missense variants. Unlike pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants, understanding the clinical importance of novel missense variants or variants of uncertain significance (VUS) is the biggest challenge for clinicians or medical geneticists. Functional characterization is the only way to understand the clinical association of novel missense variants or VUS but it is time consuming, costly, and depends on the availability of patient’s samples. Existing databases report the pathogenic variants of the keratin genes, but never emphasize the systematic effects of these variants on keratin protein structure and genotype-phenotype correlation.

Results

To address this need, we developed a comprehensive database KVarPredDB, which contains information of all ten keratin genes associated with genodermatoses. We integrated and curated 400 reported pathogenic missense variants as well as 4629 missense VUS. KVarPredDB predicts the pathogenicity of novel missense variants as well as to understand the severity of disease phenotype, based on four criteria; firstly, the difference in physico-chemical properties between the wild type and substituted amino acids; secondly, the loss of inter/intra-chain interactions; thirdly, evolutionary conservation of the wild type amino acids and lastly, the effect of the substituted amino acids in the heptad repeat. Molecular docking simulations based on resolved crystal structures were adopted to predict stability changes and get the binding energy to compare the wild type protein with the mutated one. We use this basic information to determine the structural and functional impact of novel missense variants on the keratin coiled-coil heterodimer. KVarPredDB was built under the integrative web application development framework SSM (SpringBoot, Spring MVC, MyBatis) and implemented in Java, Bootstrap, React-mutation-mapper, MySQL, Tomcat. The website can be accessed throughhttp://bioinfo.zju.edu.cn/KVarPredDB. The genomic variants and analysis results are freely available under the Creative Commons license.

Conclusions

KVarPredDB provides an intuitive and user-friendly interface with computational analytical investigation for each missense variant of the keratin genes associated with genodermatoses.
Collagenous Alzheimer amyloid plaque component impacts on the compaction of amyloid-β plaques
Authors: Hashimoto Tadafumi , Fujii Daisuke , Naka Yasushi , Kashiwagi-Hakozaki Mayu , Matsuo Yuko , Matsuura Yusuke , Wakabayashi Tomoko , Iwatsubo Takeshi
Published: December 2020

Massive deposition of amyloid β peptides (Aβ) as senile plaques (SP) characterizes the brain pathology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). SPs exhibit a variety of morphologies, although little is known about the SP components that determine their morphology. Collagenous Alzheimer amyloid plaque component (CLAC) is one of the major non-Aβ proteinaceous components of SP amyloid in AD brains. Here we show that overexpression of CLAC precursor (CLAC-P) in the brains of APP transgenic mice results in a significant remodeling of amyloid pathology, i.e., reduction in diffuse-type amyloid plaques and an increase in compact plaques laden with thioflavin S-positive amyloid cores. In vivo microdialysis revealed a significant decrease in Aβ in the brain interstitial fluid of CLAC-P/APP double transgenic mice compared with APP transgenic mice. These findings implicate CLAC in the compaction of Aβ in amyloid plaques and the brain dynamics of Aβ.
Effects of H3.3G34V mutation on genomic H3K36 and H3K27 methylation patterns in isogenic pediatric glioma cells
Authors: Huang Tina Yi-Ting , Piunti Andrea , Qi Jin , Morgan Marc , Bartom Elizabeth , Shilatifard Ali , Saratsis Amanda M.
Published: December 2020

Histone H3.3 mutation (H3F3A) occurs in 50% of cortical pediatric high-grade gliomas. This mutation replaces glycine 34 with arginine or valine (G34R/V), impairing SETD2 activity (H3K36-specific trimethyltransferase). Consequently, reduced H3K36me3 is observed on H3.3G34V nucleosomes relative to wild-type, contributing to genomic instability and driving a distinct gene expression signature associated with tumorigenesis. However, it is not known if this differential H3K36me3 enrichment is due to H3.3G34V mutant protein alone. Therefore, we set to elucidate the effect of H3.3G34V mutant protein in pediatric glioma on H3K36me3, H3K27me3 and H3.3 enrichment in vitro. We found that the doxycycline-inducible shRNA knockdown of mutant H3F3A encoding the H3.3G34V protein resulted in loss of H3.3G34V enrichment and increased H3K36me3 enrichment throughout the genome. After knockdown, H3.3G34V enrichment was preserved at loci observed to have the greatest H3.3G34V and H3K36me3 enrichment prior to knockdown. Induced expression of mutant H3.3G34V protein in vitro was insufficient to induce genomic H3K36me3 enrichment patterns observed in H3.3G34V mutant glioma cells. We also observed strong co-enrichment of H3.3G34V and wild-type H3.3 protein, as well as greater H3K27me3 enrichment, in cells expressing H3.3G34V. Taken together, our study demonstrates the effects of H3.3G34V mutant protein on genomic H3K36me3, H3K27me3 and H3.3 enrichment patterns in isogenic cell lines.
Microglial replacement therapy: a potential therapeutic strategy for incurable CSF1R-related leukoencephalopathy
Authors: Han Jinming , Sarlus Heela , Wszolek Zbigniew K. , Karrenbauer Virginija Danylaité , Harris Robert A.
Published: December 2020

CSF1R-related leukoencephalopathy is an adult-onset leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids and pigmented glia caused by colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) gene mutations. The disease has a global distribution and currently has no cure. Individuals withCSF1R-related leukoencephalopathy variably present clinical symptoms including cognitive impairment, progressive neuropsychiatric and motor symptoms. CSF1R is predominantly expressed on microglia within the central nervous system (CNS), and thusCSF1R-related leukoencephalopathy is now classified as a CNS primary microgliopathy. This urgent unmet medical need could potentially be addressed by using microglia-based immunotherapies. With the rapid recent progress in the experimental microglial research field, the replacement of an empty microglial niche following microglial depletion through either conditional genetic approaches or pharmacological therapies (CSF1R inhibitors) is being studied. Furthermore, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation offers an emerging means of exchanging dysfunctional microglia with the aim of reducing brain lesions, relieving clinical symptoms and prolonging the life of patients withCSF1R-related leukoencephalopathy. This review article introduces recent advances in microglial biology andCSF1R-related leukoencephalopathy. Potential therapeutic strategies by replacing microglia in order to improve the quality of life ofCSF1R-related leukoencephalopathy patients will be presented.
Quantitative measurement of bubble textures in pumice clasts using a digital stereo microscope with low-angled ring illumination
Authors: Ohashi Masatoshi , Ichihara Mie , Maeno Fukashi , Kennedy Ben , Gravley Darren
Published: December 2020

Quantitative analysis of bubble textures in a large number of volcanic pyroclasts is critical to investigating the eruption dynamics in a volcanic conduit. Here, we used a digital stereo microscope with low-angled ring illumination (DSM-LaRI) to measure bubble textures on unpolished cutting surfaces of pumice clasts. As the DSM-LaRI enhances brightness contrast between the bubbles (pores) and the matrix, we easily obtained the two-dimensional data on the size and shape of bubbles by image analysis. The DSM-LaRI imaging provided the distributions of size and shape of bubbles at least 50 µm across. We applied the DSM-LaRI to analyze more than 1000 pumice clasts from the 232 AD Taupo eruption and measured the mean bubble radius ($$\overline{R}$$

R
¯

) and the mean deformation degree ($$\overline{D}$$

D
¯

) in the individual clasts. The distribution of $$\overline{R}$$

R
¯

and $$\overline{D}$$

D
¯

in each layer showed a distinctive difference between the fallout and the flow deposits. These quantitative data are consistent with a qualitative classification in a previous study. Although the new DSM-LaRI method has the disadvantage of the low spatial resolution, it allows for the analysis of a large number of pumice clasts in a short time, which can address larger scale heterogeneity, by efficiently generating a large representative suite of bubble size and shape data to link bubble textures to conduit processes. This provides vital information for quantitatively modeling eruption dynamics.
Endotoxemia and circulating bacteriome in severe COVID-19 patients
Authors: Sirivongrangson Phatadon , Kulvichit Win , Payungporn Sunchai , Pisitkun Trairak , Chindamporn Ariya , Peerapornratana Sadudee , Pisitkun Prapaporn , Chitcharoen Suwalak , Sawaswong Vorthon , Worasilchai Navaporn , Kampunya Sarinya , Putcharoen Opass , Thawitsri Thammasak , Leelayuwatanakul Nophol , Kongpolprom Napplika , Phoophiboon Vorakamol , Sriprasart Thitiwat , Samransamruajkit Rujipat , Tungsanga Somkanya , Tiankanon Kanitha , Lumlertgul Nuttha , Leelahavanichkul Asada , Sriphojanart Tueboon , Tantawichien Terapong , Thisyakorn Usa , Chirathaworn Chintana , Praditpornsilpa Kearkiat , Tungsanga Kriang , Eiam-Ong Somchai , Sitprija Visith , Kellum John A. , Srisawat Nattachai
Published: December 2020

Background

When severe, COVID-19 shares many clinical features with bacterial sepsis. Yet, secondary bacterial infection is uncommon. However, as epithelium is injured and barrier function is lost, bacterial products entering the circulation might contribute to the pathophysiology of COVID-19.

Methods

We studied 19 adults, severely ill patients with COVID-19 infection, who were admitted to King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand, between 13th March and 17th April 2020. Blood samples on days 1, 3, and 7 of enrollment were analyzed for endotoxin activity assay (EAA), (1 → 3)-β-d-glucan (BG), and 16S rRNA gene sequencing to determine the circulating bacteriome.

Results

Of the 19 patients, 13 were in intensive care and 10 patients received mechanical ventilation. We found 8 patients with high EAA (≥ 0.6) and about half of the patients had high serum BG levels which tended to be higher in later in the illness. Although only 1 patient had a positive blood culture, 18 of 19 patients were positive for 16S rRNA gene amplification. Proteobacteria was the most abundant phylum. The diversity of bacterial genera was decreased overtime.

Conclusions

Bacterial DNA and toxins were discovered in virtually all severely ill COVID-19 pneumonia patients. This raises a previously unrecognized concern for significant contribution of bacterial products in the pathogenesis of this disease.
An empirical approach toward the SLCP reduction targets in Asia for the mid-term climate change mitigation
Authors: Akimoto Hajime , Nagashima Tatsuya , Tanimoto Hiroshi , Klimont Zbigniew , Amann Markus
Published: December 2020

Although importance of co-control of SLCPs together with the emission reduction of CO2 has attracted much attention for the mid-term climate change mitigation, the contribution to radiative forcing (RF) is rather complex, and chemistry-climate model analysis for the future scenario tends to give a “black box” for the contribution of each species. In order to deliver a more straightforward message on the effect of the reduction of SLCPs to policymakers, we propose “top-down” reduction targets of CH4 and tropospheric O3 in reference to the historical levels of their RF. Although the RF increase due to the increasing CO2 concentration is inevitable in mid-term future (ca. 0.80 W m−2 in 2040), the RF of CH4 and O3 is expected to decrease from 0.48 to 0.41, 0.34, 0.27, and 0.22 W m−2, and from 0.40 to 0.29, 0.23, 0.19, and 0.15 W m−2, respectively, if their atmospheric concentrations decrease from the level of 2010 to those of 1980, 1970, 1960, and 1950, according to the IPCC 2013 database. Consequently, the sum of ΔRFx(CH4) and ΔRFx(O3) (the difference of RF between the target year of x and 2010 as the base year) are 0.18, 0.31, 0.42, and 0.51 W m−2 in 1980, 1970, 1960, and 1950, indicating that the increase of ΔRF2040(CO2) can be compensated by 23, 39, 53, and 64%, respectively. The policy target can be selected from the combination of different target years each for CH4 and O3. With this global reduction ratio, the necessary reductions in CH4, NOx, and NMVOC in Asia were estimated and compared with the GAINS model-based cost-beneficial reduction amount proposed by the Solution Report prepared under UN Environment Asia and the Pacific Office. In order to attain the targeted reduced emission level of CH4 and NOx, new technology/practice for the reduction of livestock emission of CH4 and energy transformation from fossil fuel to renewable energy is highly advantageous for NOx reduction from industrial/power plant sources.
Malignant phyllodes tumor of the breast with rapid progression: a case report
Authors: Abe Hajime , Teramoto Atsuko , Takei Yumiko , Tanaka Yoshihito , Yoneda Genichiro
Published: December 2020

Background

Malignant phyllodes tumors (PTs) of the breast occur infrequently and are difficult to treat with adjuvant therapy. Here, we present a case of a female patient with a huge malignant PT with rapid progression in a short period.

Case presentation

A 44-year-old woman presented to our hospital with a rapid growth mass in her right breast, measuring 20 cm. She was initially diagnosed as having a borderline phyllodes tumor by core needle biopsy and underwent total mastectomy and artificial dermis was grafted, 20 days later, latissimus dorsi muscle flap and free skin grafting were performed. Two courses of doxorubicin–ifosfamide therapy were administered because of recurrence, but the patient died 4 months after the mastectomy.

Conclusions

A standard therapeutic strategy for malignant PTs is needed in urgently to reduce the risk of tumor recurrence.
Evaluation of the clinical efficacy of a water soluble formulation of tylvalosin in the control of enzootic pneumonia associated with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and Pasteurella multocida in pigs
Authors: Lopez Rodriguez Alfonso , Berge Anna Catharina , Ramage Cliff , Saltzman Ryan , Domangue Rickie J. , Gnozzio Mark J. , Muller Annika , Sierra Pascale , Benchaoui Hafid A.
Published: December 2020

Background

The efficacy of a water soluble formulation of tylvalosin (Aivlosin® 625 mg/g granules) was evaluated in the treatment and metaphylaxis of Enzootic Pneumonia (EP) in pigs. In all four trials, pigs in the tylvalosin group were administered 10 mg tylvalosin/kg bodyweight in drinking water daily for 5 consecutive days (TVN). In a single-challenge study, pigs were inoculated with lung homogenate containingMycoplasma hyopneumoniae.In a dual challenge study, pigs were sequentially inoculated with pure culture ofM. hyopneumoniaeandPasteurella multocida.Efficacy was evaluated based on reduction of lung lesions compared to unmedicated control pigs (CTL).In two field studies at European commercial farms with confirmed outbreaks of EP, treatment efficacy in clinically affected fatteners was evaluated based on improved clinical conditions compared to pigs treated with tylosin at 10 mg/kg by injection for 3 consecutive days (TYL). In these field trials, healthy in contact pigs were enrolled for metaphylaxis efficacy evaluation based on reduction in incidence of new clinical cases of respiratory disease compared to unmedicated pigs (CTL).

Results

In theM. hyopneumoniae-only challenge study, pigs in TVN group had lower lung lesion scores than CTL (6.52 vs. 14.97;p <  0.001). In the dual challenge study withM. hyopneumoniaeandP. multocida, pigs in TVN group had lower lung lesion scores than CTL (3.32 vs. 8.37;p <  0.01) and the recovery of both challenge bacteria from the lungs was lower in TVN compared with CTL group (p <  0.01). In field outbreaks of EP, multicentre analysis showed that 13 days after the start of medication, treatment success for TVN pigs was significantly better than for TYL pigs (80.0% vs 48.7%p = 0.03) and metaphylactic administration of TVN significantly reduced the incidence of new clinical cases (2.1% vs. 7.8%;p <  0.01) compared with unmedicated controls.

Conclusions

Tylvalosin at 10 mg/kg daily for 5 days in drinking water was safe and effective in the treatment and metaphylaxis of EP in pigs associated with infections ofM. hyopneumoniaeeither alone or in combination withP. multocidaunder both experimental challenge and field natural infection conditions.
Correction to: Effect of precipitation on soil respiration in a temperate broad-leaved forest
Authors: Jeong Seok-Hee , Eom Ji-Young , Park Joo-Yeon , Chun Jung-Hwa , Lee Jae-Seok
Published: December 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.