bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quality of reporting and trends of emergency obstetric and neonatal care indicators: an analysis from Tanzania district health information system data between 2016 and 2020
Authors: Shabani Josephine , Masanja Honorati , Kagoye Sophia , Minja Jacqueline , Bajaria Shraddha , Mlacha Yeromin , Msuya Sia , Masoud Mahundi , Simba Daudi , Pembe Andrea B. , Makuwani Ahmad Mohamed , Ismail Habib , Chacha Maro , Kumalija Claud , Boerma Ties , Hanson Claudia
Published: October 2023

Background

Routine health facility data provides the opportunity to monitor progress in quality and uptake of health care continuously. Our study aimed to assess the reliability and usefulness of emergency obstetric care data including temporal and regional variations over the past five years in Tanzania Mainland.

Methods

Data were compiled from the routine monthly district reports compiled as part of the health management information systems for 2016–2020. Key indicators for maternal and neonatal care coverage, emergency obstetric and neonatal complications, and interventions indicators were computed. Assessment on reliability and consistency of reports was conducted and compared with annual rates and proportions over time, across the 26 regions in of Tanzania Mainland and by institutional delivery coverage.

Results

Facility reporting was near complete with 98% in 2018–2020. Estimated population coverage of institutional births increased by 10% points from 71.2% to 2016 to 81.7% in 2020 in Tanzania Mainland, driven by increased use of dispensaries and health centres compared to hospitals. This trend was more pronounced in regions with lower institutional birth rates. The Caesarean section rate remained stable at around 10% of institutional births. Trends in the occurrence of complications such as antepartum haemorrhage, premature rupture of membranes, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia or post-partum bleeding were consistent over time but at low levels (1% of institutional births). Prophylactic uterotonics were provided to nearly all births while curative uterotonics were reported to be used in less than 10% of post-partum bleeding and retained placenta cases.

Conclusion

Our results show a mixed picture in terms of usefulness of the District Health Information System(DHIS2) data. Key indicators of institutional delivery and Caesarean section rates were plausible and provide useful information on regional disparities and trends. However, obstetric complications and several interventions were underreported thus diminishing the usefulness of these data for monitoring. Further research is needed on why complications and interventions to address them are not documented reliably.
Insights into parents’ perceived worry before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia: inequality and heterogeneity of influences
Authors: Zougheibe Roula , Dewan Ashraf , Norman Richard , Gudes Ori
Published: October 2023

Background

Excessive worry is an invisible disruptive force that has adverse health outcomes and may advance to other forms of disorder, such as anxiety or depression. Addressing worry and its influences is challenging yet crucial for informing public health policy.

Methods

We examined parents’ worries, influences, and variability before and during COVID-19 pandemic and across geography. Parents (n = 340) and their primary school-aged children from five Australian states completed an anonymous online survey in mid-2020. After literature review, we conceptualised the influences and performed a series of regression analyses.

Results

Worry levels and the variables contributing to parents’ worry varied before to during the pandemic. The proportion of parents who were "very worried all the time" increased by 14.6% in the early days of the pandemic. During the pandemic, ethnic background modified parents’ worry and parents’ history of daily distress symptoms was a significant contributor (p < 0.05). Excessive exposure to news remained significant both before and during the pandemic. The primary predictor of parents’ worry before COVID-19 was perceived neighbourhood safety, while the main predictor during COVID-19 was financial risk due to income change. Some variable such as neighbourhood safety and financial risk varied in their contribution to worry across geographical regions. The proportion of worried children was higher among distraught parents.

Conclusion

Parents’ worry during the health pandemic was not triggered by the health risks factors but by the financial risk due to income change. The study depicts inequality in the impact of COVID-19 by ethnic background. Different policies and reported virus case numbers across states may have modified the behaviour of variables contributing to the geography of parents’ worry. Exposure to stressors before the COVID-19 pandemic may have helped parents develop coping strategies during stressful events. Parents are encouraged to limit their exposure to stressful news. We advocate for parents-specific tailored policies and emphasise the need for access to appropriate mental health resources for those in need. Advancing research in geographical modelling for mental health may aid in devising much-needed location-targeted interventions and prioritising resources in future events.
Are more physical education classes related to less time in leisure-time sedentary behavior? An analysis including adolescents from 73 countries
Authors: Silva Danilo R. , Araujo Raphael H. O. , Werneck André O. , Ballarin Giada , Andricciola Federica , dos Santos Leandro , Brazo-Sayavera Javier
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to verify the association between the weekly frequency of physical education (PE) classes and leisure sitting time among adolescents. We analyzed data from 73 countries using the Global School-based Student Health Survey (283,233 adolescents between 11 and 18 years of age). Leisure sitting time and weekly frequency of PE classes were self-reported. Sex, age, and food insecurity were used as covariates and the analyses were stratified by world regions and country income level. Poisson regression models (random-effects meta-analysis) were used for the main analyses. In comparison with 1 PE class per week (reference group), those with no PE classes presented a lower prevalence of ≥ 3 h/d of leisure sitting time (PR [95%CI] = 0.94 [0.91; 0.98]). On the other hand, adolescents with 2 days (PR [95%CI] = 1.06 [1.02; 1.26]), 3–4 days (PR [95%CI] = 1.17 [1.12; 1.22]), and 5 days (PR [95%CI] = 1.08 [1.04; 1.11]) of PE classes presented a higher likelihood of ≥ 3 h/d of leisure sitting time. No clear differences were observed for the different world regions and country income levels. We conclude that a higher weekly frequency of PE classes is associated with increased leisure sitting time among adolescents worldwide.
The development and evaluation of an intervention to promote the uptake of preventive tasks by occupational physicians targeting work-related mental health problems: protocol for the IM-PROmPt-study
Authors: Orhan Pees S. , van Oostrom S. H. , Schaafsma F. G. , Proper K. I.
Published: October 2023

Objective

Work-related mental health problems are a major and growing public and occupational health issue. Although prevention of work-related disease is a central task in the work of occupational physicians, implementation of preventive tasks can still improve. The aim of this paper is to present the development of an intervention to support occupational physicians in the execution of preventive tasks and a protocol for its evaluation.

Methods

An intervention to support occupational physicians has been developed making use of the implementation mapping protocol. The intervention was based on barriers and facilitators for the execution of preventive tasks, input from stakeholders, and evidence-based strategies from literature.

Results

The intervention consists of three peer group supervision meetings directed to preventive tasks. During these meetings, occupational physicians will receive materials and will use goal-setting to formulate their own action plans. The IM-PROmPt-study (Implementation of PReventive tasks by Occupational Physicians) is a two-armed cluster randomized controlled trial, comparing peer group supervision directed to the implementation of preventive tasks for occupational physicians with usual peer group supervision. The evaluation will include an effect and process evaluation to examine if the intervention is successful in supporting OPs to implement preventive activities, specifically aimed to prevent work-related mental health problems.

Discussion

The intervention is expected to lead to more knowledge and awareness of the value of prevention among OPs, anticipated to lead to both organizational and individual gains.

Trial registration

ISRCTN registry; ISRCTN15394765. Registered on 27 June 2023.
Prediction model of gleason score upgrading after radical prostatectomy based on a bayesian network
Authors: Wang Guipeng , Wang Xinning , Du Haotian , Wang Yaozhong , Sun Liguo , Zhang Mingxin , Li Shengxian , Jia Yuefeng , Yang Xuecheng
Published: October 2023

Objective

To explore the clinical value of the Gleason score upgrading (GSU) prediction model after radical prostatectomy (RP) based on a Bayesian network.

Methods

The data of 356 patients who underwent prostate biopsy and RP in our hospital from January 2018 to May 2021 were retrospectively analysed. Fourteen risk factors, including age, body mass index (BMI), total prostate-specific antigen (tPSA), prostate volume, total prostate-specific antigen density (PSAD), the number and proportion of positive biopsy cores, PI-RADS score, clinical stage and postoperative pathological characteristics, were included in the analysis. Data were used to establish a prediction model for Gleason score elevation based on the tree augmented naive (TAN) Bayesian algorithm. Moreover, the Bayesia Lab validation function was used to calculate the importance of polymorphic Birnbaum according to the results of the posterior analysis and to obtain the importance of each risk factor.

Results

In the overall cohort, 110 patients (30.89%) had GSU. Based on all of the risk factors that were included in this study, the AUC of the model was 81.06%, and the accuracy was 76.64%. The importance ranking results showed that lymphatic metastasis, the number of positive biopsy cores, ISUP stage and PI-RADS score were the top four influencing factors for GSU after RP.

Conclusions

The prediction model of GSU after RP based on a Bayesian network has high accuracy and can more accurately evaluate the Gleason score of prostate biopsy specimens and guide treatment decisions.
Assessment of early dental arch growth modification with removable maxillary expansion by cone-beam computed tomography and lateral cephalometric radiographs: a retrospective study
Authors: Zhang Yun , Yang Jing , Li Xiaobing
Published: October 2023

Background

This study evaluated the skeletal and dental changes of patients brought by early removable maxillary expansion (ERME) treatment to explore the clinical treatment effect of ERME on early dental arch growth modification.

Methods

Subject children aged 6–10 years with a maxillary transverse deficiency received ERME treatment, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and lateral cephalometric radiographs were measured before and after treatment, and statistical differences in the measured items were evaluated with corresponding statistical methods to explore the skeletal and dental changes.

Results

After ERME treatment, there was a statistical increase in the maxillary basal bone arch width, nasal cavity width, maxillary alveolar bone arch width, and maxillary dental arch width. A buccal inclination of the maxillary alveolar bone and a buccal inclination and buccal movement in the alveolar bone of maxillary first molars were found. The maxillary skeletal expansion was statistically greater than the dental expansion. Increases in the mandibular alveolar bone arch width and dental arch width happened after treatment. A decrease in angle ANB and an increase in Ptm-A, U1-SN, U1-PP, L1-MP, and L6-MP were found after treatment. No statistical changes in the growth pattern-related measured items were observed.

Conclusions

ERME could expand the maxillary basal bone arch width, nasal cavity width, maxillary alveolar bone arch width, and maxillary dental arch width. The maxillary skeletal expansion was greater than the dental expansion. Secondary increases in the mandibular alveolar bone and dental arch widths would happen after ERME. ERME would result in a mandibular advancement, a labial inclination of maxillary anterior teeth, and an increase of maxillary sagittal length, and would not change the patient’s growth pattern.

Trial registration

This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University. (WCHSIRB-D-2020–446).
The role of systemic statins in the inception and healing of apical periodontitis: a systematic review
Authors: Ideo Francesca , Manca Matteo Francesco , Niazi Sadia , Mannocci Francesco , Bardini Giulia , Cotti Elisabetta
Published: October 2023

Objectives

Statins are a category of medications widely used to reduce plasma LDL-cholesterol levels, that also possess antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory action.

The aim of this systematic review was to explore the effects of systemic statins therapy on the development and treatment of apical periodontitis (AP) on humans and animals.

Material and methods

Three electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus) and grey literature were searched from their inception until February, 20 2023 (PROSPERO CRD42021246231). For the quality assessment and risk of bias, different guidelines were used according to the typology of the studies considered (Animal Research Reporting of In Vivo Experiments, Newcastle–Ottawa Quality Assessment Form for Cohort Studies, Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory animal Experimentation Risk of Bias tool and Tool to assess risk of bias in cohort studies of CLARITY Group).

Results

Seven hundred eleven records were screened, and six articles were included for this qualitative review. The eligible studies showed a moderate overall quality and risk of bias. Human patients in treatment with statins exhibited a higher healing rate of AP following root canal treatment. In experimental animal models, statins had a beneficial effect on the development of AP.

Conclusions

Despite the limited number of studies and considering that most of them are on animals, our findings suggest that systemically administered statins make a positive contribution to prevent the development and help healing of AP.

Clinical relevance

There is an increased evidence that a pharmacologic adjunct to endodontic treatment may be considered to enhance healing of AP. Among other medications, statins seem to have a positive impact on the disease.
Influence of the embedded participant on learners’ performance during high-fidelity simulation sessions in healthcare
Authors: Koca Ayça , Schlatter Sophie , Delas Quentin , Denoyel Lucas , Lehot Jean-Jacques , Lilot Marc , Rimmelé Thomas
Published: October 2023

Background

The embedded participant (EP) plays a key role during a full scale/high-fidelity simulation (HFS) session. He/she is expected to guide the learner towards the achievement of the educational objectives of the scenario. However, his/her influence on learners’ performance stands undetermined and this effect remains briefly addressed in the literature. This study primarily aims to assess whether the EP could have an influence on the performance of the learner during a HFS scenario. The secondary aim was to establish an inventory of the EP practices in France.

Methods

This retrospective study was conducted in Lyon Claude Bernard University Health Simulation Centre (France). Anaesthesia and critical care residents in postgraduate years 1 to 5 who were scheduled for their HFS sessions during the 2016 to 2021 academic years were included. Two investigators independently evaluated the resident performance regarding both technical and non-technical skills from video recordings. In addition, a nationwide survey was sent out by email through the networks of the Francophone Healthcare Simulation Society (SoFraSimS, Société Francophone de Simulation en Santé) to collect information on EP practices in French-speaking Simulation centres.

Results

From a total of 344 HFS videos analysed, a cohort of 19 experienced EPs was identified. The EPs had an influence on the technical and non-technical performances of the learners. The 147 responses to the survey showed that predefined rules of EP good practice existed in only 36% of the simulation centres and 65% of respondents believed that specific EP training would be justified.

Conclusion

The EP can exert an influence on the performance of the learners during HFS. For acting as an EP, a great variability of practices and a lack of training are reported by professionals working in simulation centres. These results suggest that more attention must be paid to EP training and attitudes during simulation, especially if summative simulations are extensively developed.
Strengthening E-learning strategies for active learning in crisis situations: a mixed-method study in the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Jahani Mohammad-Ali , Ghanavatizadeh Aram , Delavari Sahar , Abbasi Mahdi , Nikbakht Hossein-Ali , Farhadi Zeynab , Darzi Alameh , Mahmoudi Ghahraman
Published: October 2023

Background

Medical universities are responsible for educating and training healthcare workers. One of the fields significantly impacted by the pandemic is medical education. The aim of this study is to identify strategies for enhancing e-learning for active learning and finding solutions for improving its quality.

Methods

This mixed-method (quantitative-qualitative) research was conducted in 2023 at three selected universities in Mazandaran Province. In the quantitative phase, 507 students participated via stratified random sampling using a standard questionnaire. In the qualitative phase, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 16 experts until data saturation was achieved. SPSS 21 and MAXQDA 10 software were used for data analysis.

Results

In the multivariate regression analysis, an increase of one point in the dimensions of student-teacher interaction, active time, immediate feedback, and active learning corresponded to an average increase in learning scores of 0.11, 0.17, 0.16, and 1.42 respectively (p≤0.001). After the final analysis in the qualitative phase, four main domains (infrastructure, resources, quantity of education, and quality of education) and 16 sub-domains with 84 items were identified.

Conclusions

The greatest challenge in e-learning is the interaction and cooperation between students and teachers. The implementation of the identified strategies in this research could provide useful evidence for policymakers and educational administrators to implement interventions aimed at addressing deficiencies and enhancing e-learning.
Genetic characterization of Bartonella henselae samples isolated from stray cats by multi-locus sequence typing
Authors: Can Hüseyin , Güvendi Mervenur , Sürgeç Ecem , Köseoğlu Ahmet Efe , Erkunt Alak Sedef , Karakavuk Muhammet , Gül Aytül , Döşkaya Mert , Gürüz Adnan Yüksel , Ün Cemal , Değirmenci Döşkaya Aysu
Published: October 2023

Background

Bartonella henselae is one of the most commonly identified Bartonella species associated with several human diseases. Although B. henselae was detected in humans and cats in Turkey, they have not been genotyped previously. Therefore, this study aimed to genotype B. henselae samples (n = 44) isolated from stray cats using the multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) method. For this aim, eight different housekeeping markers were amplified by nested PCR and then sequenced to reveal sequence types (STs) of B. henselae samples.

Results

Allelic profiles obtained from 40 B. henselae isolates (90.9%) were compatible with available allelic profiles in the MLST online database. However, allelic profiles obtained from the remaining 4 B. henselae isolates (9.1%) were incompatible with the database. Among B. henselae isolates with compatible allelic profiles, 5 different STs including ST1, ST5, ST9, ST35 and ST36 were identified according to the B. henselae MLST online database. ST35 was the most prevalent ST with a prevalence rate of 29.5% (13/44), followed by ST36 with a prevalence rate of 22.7% (10/44). In addition, ST5 (16%, 7/44) and ST9 (18.2%, 8/44) were also among the prevalent STs. The prevalence of ST1 was 4.5% (2/44). For B. henselae isolates with incompatible allelic profiles, we recommended a new ST called ST38.

Conclusion

The present study genotyped B. henselae samples isolated from stray cats in Turkey for the first time and ST1, ST5, ST9, ST35, and ST36 as well as a new sequence type named ST38 were identified among these B. henselae isolates.
Identification of osteoarthritis-characteristic genes and immunological micro-environment features through bioinformatics and machine learning-based approaches
Authors: Da Zheng , Guo Rui , Sun Jianjian , Wang Ai
Published: October 2023

Background

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a multifaceted chronic joint disease characterized by complex mechanisms. It has a detrimental impact on the quality of life for individuals in the middle-aged and elderly population while also imposing a significant socioeconomic burden. At present, there remains a lack of comprehensive understanding regarding the pathophysiology of OA. The objective of this study was to examine the genes, functional pathways, and immune infiltration characteristics associated with the development and advancement of OA.

Methods

The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database was utilized to acquire gene expression profiles. The R software was employed to conduct the screening of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and perform enrichment analysis on these genes. The OA-characteristic genes were identified using the Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) and the Lasso algorithm. In addition, the infiltration levels of immune cells in cartilage were assessed using single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA). Subsequently, a correlation analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between immune cells and the OA-characteristic genes.

Results

A total of 80 DEGs were identified. As determined by functional enrichment, these DEGs were associated with chondrocyte metabolism, apoptosis, and inflammation. Three OA-characteristic genes were identified using WGCNA and the lasso algorithm, and their expression levels were then validated using the verification set. Finally, the analysis of immune cell infiltration revealed that T cells and B cells were primarily associated with OA. In addition, Tspan2, HtrA1 demonstrated a correlation with some of the infiltrating immune cells.

Conclusions

The findings of an extensive bioinformatics analysis revealed that OA is correlated with a variety of distinct genes, functional pathways, and processes involving immune cell infiltration. The present study has successfully identified characteristic genes and functional pathways that hold potential as biomarkers for guiding drug treatment and facilitating molecular-level research on OA.
Awareness and willingness to use HIV self-testing among people who inject drugs in Iran
Authors: Khezri Mehrdad , Goldmann Emily , Tavakoli Fatemeh , Karamouzian Mohammad , Shokoohi Mostafa , Mehmandoost Soheil , Ghalekhani Nima , Haghdoost Ali Akbar , Des Jarlais Don , Mirzazadeh Ali , Sharifi Hamid
Published: October 2023

Background

Most people who inject drugs (PWID) in Iran have not undergone recent HIV testing. While PWID face barriers when seeking HIV testing at health facilities, HIV self-testing (HIVST) could be a promising approach to improve HIV testing uptake. We examined the awareness and willingness to use HIVST among PWID in Iran. We also identified participants’ characteristics associated with a higher willingness to use HIVST.

Methods

PWID were recruited in 11 cities using a respondent-driven sampling method. Willingness to use HIVST was defined as a binary variable (very low/low willingness vs. high/very high willingness). We performed multivariable modified Poisson regression to examine associated factors and report adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

Of 2,252 PWID, 362 (16.2%; 95% CI 14.7, 17.8) had ever heard of HIVST; however, 1,658 (73.6%; 95% CI 71.7, 75.4) reported high/very high willingness to use HIVST. Willingness to use HIVST was higher among PWID who reported having a high/moderate HIV risk perception (aPR 1.22; 95% CI 1.09, 1.37), ever experiencing homelessness (aPR 1.15; 95% CI 1.03, 1.28), > 10 years of injecting history (aPR 1.16; 95% CI 1.00, 1.34), and high injection frequency in the last three months (aPR 1.18; 95% CI 1.05, 1.32).

Conclusion

Most PWID in Iran, particularly those experiencing homelessness, have a longer injecting history, engage in more frequent injection practices, and possess a heightened perception of HIV risk would be willing to adopt HIVST. Enhancing HIVST awareness through increased access to HIVST and health education programs are needed. Additionally, conducting implementation science studies to effectively design and run HIVST programs in Iran can also increase PWID’s access to HIV testing.
Novel role for epalrestat: protecting against NLRP3 inflammasome-driven NASH by targeting aldose reductase
Authors: Shi Wei , Xu Guang , Gao Yuan , Zhao Jun , Liu Tingting , Zhao Jia , Yang Huijie , Wei Ziying , Li Hui , Xu An-Long , Bai Zhaofang , Xiao Xiaohe
Published: October 2023

Background

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a progressive and inflammatory subtype of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) characterized by hepatocellular injury, inflammation, and fibrosis in various stages. More than 20% of patients with NASH will progress to cirrhosis. Currently, there is a lack of clinically effective drugs for treating NASH, as improving liver histology in NASH is difficult to achieve and maintain through weight loss alone. Hence, the present study aimed to investigate potential therapeutic drugs for NASH.

Methods

BMDMs and THP1 cells were used to construct an inflammasome activation model, and then we evaluated the effect of epalrestat on the NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Western blot, real-time qPCR, flow cytometry, and ELISA were used to evaluate the mechanism of epalrestat on NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Next, MCD-induced NASH models were used to evaluate the therapeutic effects of epalrestat in vivo. In addition, to evaluate the safety of epalrestat in vivo, mice were gavaged with epalrestat daily for 14 days.

Results

Epalrestat, a clinically effective and safe drug, inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation by acting upstream of caspase-1 and inducing ASC oligomerization. Importantly, epalrestat exerts its inhibitory effect on NLRP3 inflammasome activation by inhibiting the activation of aldose reductase. Further investigation revealed that the administration of epalrestat inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation in vivo, alleviating liver inflammation and improving NASH pathology.

Conclusions

Our study indicated that epalrestat, an aldose reductase inhibitor, effectively suppressed NLRP3 inflammasome activation in vivo and in vitro and might be a new therapeutic approach for NASH.

Graphical Abstract
Characterization of endoplasmic reticulum stress unveils ZNF703 as a promising target for colorectal cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Wang Hufei , Li Zhi , Tao Yangbao , Ou Suwen , Ye Jinhua , Ran Songlin , Luo Kangjia , Guan Zilong , Xiang Jun , Yan Guoqing , Wang Yang , Ma Tianyi , Yu Shan , Song Yanni , Huang Rui
Published: October 2023

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignant tumors globally, with high morbidity and mortality. Endoplasmic reticulum is a major organelle responsible for protein synthesis, processing, and transport. Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) refers to the abnormal accumulation of unfolded and misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum, which are involved in tumorigenesis and cancer immunity. Nevertheless, the clinical significance of ERS remains largely unexplored in CRC.

Methods

In present study, we performed an unsupervised clustering to identify two types of ERS-related subtypes [ERS clusters, and ERS-related genes (ERSGs) clusters] in multiple large-scale CRC cohorts. Through the utilization of machine learning techniques, we have successfully developed an uncomplicated yet robust gene scoring system (ERSGs signature). Furthermore, a series of analyses, including GO, KEGG, Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE), the Consensus Molecular Subtypes (CMS), were used to explore the underlying biological differences and clinical significance between these groups. And immunohistochemical and bioinformatics analyses were performed to explore ZNF703, a gene of ERSGs scoring system.

Results

We observed significant differences in prognosis and tumor immune status between the ERS clusters as well as ERSGs clusters. And the ERSGs scoring system was an independent risk factor for overall survival; and exhibited distinct tumor immune status in multicenter CRC cohorts. Besides, analyses of TNM stages, CMS groups demonstrated that patients in advanced stage and CMS4 had higher ERSGs scores. In addition, the ERSGs scores inversely correlated with positive ICB response predictors (such as, CD8A, CD274 (PD-L1), and TIS), and directly correlated with negative ICB response predictors (such as, TIDE, T cell Exclusion, COX-IS). Notably, immunohistochemical staining and bioinformatics analyses revealed that ZNF70 correlated with CD3 + and CD8 + T cells infiltration.

Conclusion

Based on large-scale and multicenter transcriptomic data, our study comprehensively revealed the essential role of ERS in CRC; and constructed a novel ERSGs scoring system to predict the prognosis of patients and the efficacy of ICB treatment. Furthermore, we identified ZNF703 as a potentially promising target for ICB therapy in CRC.
Catatonia-like behavior and immune activation: a crosstalk between psychopathology and pathology in schizophrenia
Authors: Messina Antonino , Caraci Filippo , Aguglia Eugenio , Signorelli Maria Salvina
Published: October 2023

Background

In Kalhbaum's first characterization of catatonia, the emotional symptoms, such as decreased or restricted expression of feelings and emotions, which is described as blunted affect, are related to the motor symptoms. In later years, the affective domain was excluded from the concept of catatonia and was not included among the diagnostic criteria in the various Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM) versions. In recent times, some authors have proposed the proposition of reevaluating the notion of catatonia through the reintroduction of the affective domain. The objective of this study was to examine the correlation between catatonic-like behavior (CLB), such as emotional withdrawal, blunted affect, and psychomotor slowing, and inflammatory markers, namely the neutrophil/lymphocytes ratio (NLR) and lymphocytes/monocytes ratio (LMR), in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Method

A sample of 25 patients with schizophrenia (10 females, 15 males) was recruited, and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) was used to assess the severity of emotional withdrawal, blunted affect, and psychomotor slowing.

Findings: The correlation analysis (Spearman ρ) revealed a robust direct association between blunted affect and psychomotor slowing (ρ = 0.79, P = 0.001), and a significant direct correlation between CLB (emotional withdrawal, ρ = 0.51, P = 0.05; blunted affect ρ = 0.58, P = 0.05; motor retardation, ρ = 0.56, P = 0.05) and LMR (ρ = 0.53, P = 0.05).

In addition, patients with a duration of illness (DOI) older than five years had a higher presence of CLB and a higher LMR than patients with a more recent diagnosis of the disease. Likely, patients with positive symptoms and in the prodromal and active stages of the disease have a different immune profile than patients in the residual stage and with a predominance of negative symptoms.

Conclusions

Psychomotor slowing and blunted affect are two significantly related features, representing the two-faced Janus of immobility. Furthermore, aggregating them in CLB is more predominant the longer the duration of schizophrenia and is associated with different a specific pattern of immune activation.
Internal thoracic artery graft failure and recurrence of symptoms following single-vessel coronary artery bypass graft surgery
Authors: Janiec Mikael , Dimberg Axel , Lindblom Rickard P. F.
Published: October 2023

Objectives

Coronary events and disease recurrence following coronary artery bypass (CABG) surgery could derive from either failure in the internal thoracic artery (ITA) graft, failure in other conduits or progressive disease in the coronaries. We aim to estimate the contribution of ITA graft failure to the recurrence of symptoms after CABG surgery.

Methods

Within the Swedish Web System for Enhancement and Development of Evidence-Based Care in Heart Disease Evaluated According to Recommended Therapies registry, we identified patients who had coronary artery bypass grafting from 1997 to 2020 with a single-vessel ITA graft bypass. Deaths, postoperative incidence of coronary angiography and the presence of a failed graft at the time of the angiography were recorded.

Results

The study population consisted of 1939 patients with a mean follow-up time (SD) of 17.2 (5.6) years. The cumulative incidence (95% CI) at 20 years for a first clinically-driven postoperative angiography was 38.6% (36.2–41.1). A failed ITA graft was reported in 16.4% of the angiographies.

Conclusions

A substantial part of recurrent symptoms of coronary artery disease do not seem to be related to ITA failure. Disease progression in the native coronary vessels may instead be the main driver of symptom recurrence.
Fatty liver index in young adult offspring of women with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Korpijaakko Cedric A. , Eriksson Johan G. , Kautiainen Hannu , Klemetti Miira M. , Laine Merja K.
Published: October 2023

Background

Exposure to a hyperglycemic environment during prenatal life may result in an unfavorable metabolic profile later in adulthood. We aimed to assess whether fatty liver index, a non-invasive indicator of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease risk, differs in young adult offspring of women with type 1 diabetes from offspring of women without diabetes.

Methods

This cohort study was conducted within the hospital district of Helsinki and Uusimaa, Finland. Between 1996 and 2000, we identified 238 singleton offspring of women with type 1 diabetes, born at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. From the Finnish Medical Birth Register, we identified 476 singleton age- and region-matched offspring of women without diabetes. At 18–23 years of age, 70 offspring of women with type 1 diabetes and 83 offspring of women without diabetes participated in a clinical study, including laboratory tests, clinical assessments, and self-reported questionnaires. The noninvasive fatty liver index was used to estimate nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Results

Fatty liver index (FLI) was similar between offspring of women with type 1 diabetes and offspring of women without diabetes (p = 0.59). Additionally, no differences between the groups could be observed for FLI ≥ 60, i.e., to cut-off value for NAFLD. Likewise, we could not find any statistically significant differences between young adult offspring of women with type 1 diabetes (20.4 years [SD 1.6]) and young adult offspring of women without diabetes (20.6 years [SD 1.6]) regarding metabolic characteristics: BMI 24.5 kg/m2 vs. 24.0 kg/m2, fasting plasma glucose 5.39 mmol/L vs. 5.40 mmol/L, fasting insulin 11.0 mU/L vs. 10.6 mU/L, total cholesterol 4.36 mmol/L vs. 4.30 mmol/L, systolic BP 117 mmHg vs. 119 mmHg, triglycerides 0.89 mmol/L vs. 0.96 mmol/L, and Waist-to-height ratio 0.41 vs. 0.42.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that fatty liver index is not elevated in young adult offspring of women with type 1 diabetes. Further research on whether pregestational type 1 diabetes in pregnancy affects offspring’s nonalcoholic fatty liver disease risk is warranted.
Effects of the abdominal fat distribution on the relationship between exposure to air pollutants and thyroid hormones among Korean adult males
Authors: Kim Hyun-Jin , Kim Byungmi , Kim Seyoung , Kwon Hyuktae , Yun Jae Moon , Cho Belong , Park Jin-Ho
Published: October 2023

Background

Several significant associations between air pollution and thyroid function have been reported, but few studies have identified whether these associations differ by obesity, particularly its regional distribution. We assessed the relationship between ambient air pollution and thyroid hormone, and whether this relationship is modified by abdominal adiposity, as indicated by the waist circumference, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), and visceral-to-subcutaneous fat ratio (VSR) in Korean men.

Methods

We included 2440 male adults in the final analysis and used each person’s annual average exposure to four air pollutants: particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 μm (PM10), nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide (SO2), and carbon monoxide (CO). Abdominal fat deposition was quantified by computed tomography. Serum thyrotropin (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4) concentrations were measured for thyroid hormone. To evaluate the relationship between air pollution and thyroid hormone according to adiposity, we performed multiple linear regression analysis on the two subgroups stratified by abdominal fat level.

Results

Abdominal adiposity was significantly related to FT4 concentration. The exposures to air pollutants were associated with increased TSH and decreased FT4 concentrations. In stratified analysis using abdominal fat traits, ambient air pollution except for SO2 was significantly related to increased TSH and decreased FT4 concentrations in the high adiposity group (all p < 0.05), but not in the normal adiposity group. Among the air pollutants, PM10 showed an association with an increase of TSH concentration in all group with high adiposity, including high VAT, high SAT, and high VSR groups (all p < 0.05). In case of FT4, CO showed a similar pattern. Among the abdominal fat-related traits, the VSR in the high adiposity group had the largest effect on the relationship between exposure to air pollutants and thyroid hormone.

Conclusions

This study suggests the first clue that the relationship between air pollution exposure and thyroid hormone differs according to abdominal fat distribution among Korean adult males.
Cell type specific polyploidization in the royal fat body of termite queens
Authors: Nozaki Tomonari , Tasaki Eisuke , Matsuura Kenji
Published: October 2023

Tissue-specific endopolyploidy is widespread among plants and animals and its role in organ development and function has long been investigated. In insects, the fat body cells of sexually mature females produce substantial amounts of egg yolk precursor proteins (vitellogenins) and exhibit high polyploid levels, which is considered crucial for boosting egg production. Termites are social insects with a reproductive division of labor, and the fat bodies of mature termite queens exhibit higher ploidy levels than those of other females. The fat bodies of mature termite queens are known to be histologically and cytologically specialized in protein synthesis. However, the relationship between such modifications and polyploidization remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the relationship among cell type, queen maturation, and ploidy levels in the fat body of the termite Reticulitermes speratus. We first confirmed that the termite fat body consists of two types of cells, that is, adipocytes, metabolically active cells, and urocytes, urate-storing cells. Our ploidy analysis using flow cytometry has shown that the fat bodies of actively reproducing queens had more polyploid cells than those of newly emerged and pre-reproductive queens, regardless of the queen phenotype (adult or neotenic type). Using image-based analysis, we found that not urocytes, but adipocytes became polyploid during queen differentiation and subsequent sexual maturation. These results suggest that polyploidization in the termite queen fat body is associated with sexual maturation and is regulated in a cell type-specific manner. Our study findings have provided novel insights into the development of insect fat bodies and provide a basis for future studies to understand the functional importance of polyploidy in the fat bodies of termite queens.
Pseudoaveraging for denoising of OCT angiography: a deep learning approach for image quality enhancement in healthy and diabetic eyes
Authors: Abu-Qamar Omar , Lewis Warren , Mendonca Luisa S. M. , De Sisternes Luis , Chin Adam , Alibhai A. Yasin , Gendelman Isaac , Reichel Elias , Magazzeni Stephanie , Kubach Sophie , Durbin Mary , Witkin Andre J. , Baumal Caroline R. , Duker Jay S. , Waheed Nadia K.
Published: October 2023

Background

This study aimed to develop a deep learning (DL) algorithm that enhances the quality of a single-frame enface OCTA scan to make it comparable to 4-frame averaged scan without the need for the repeated acquisitions required for averaging.

Methods

Each of the healthy eyes and eyes from diabetic subjects that were prospectively enrolled in this cross-sectional study underwent four repeated 6 × 6 mm macular scans (PLEX Elite 9000 SS-OCT), and the repeated scans of each eye were co-registered to produce 4-frame averages. This prospective dataset of original (single-frame) enface scans and their corresponding averaged scans was divided into a training dataset and a validation dataset. In the training dataset, a DL algorithm (named pseudoaveraging) was trained using original scans as input and 4-frame averages as target. In the validation dataset, the pseudoaveraging algorithm was applied to single-frame scans to produce pseudoaveraged scans, and the single-frame and its corresponding averaged and pseudoaveraged scans were all qualitatively compared. In a separate retrospectively collected dataset of single-frame scans from eyes of diabetic subjects, the DL algorithm was applied, and the produced pseudoaveraged scan was qualitatively compared against its corresponding original.

Results

This study included 39 eyes that comprised the prospective dataset (split into 5 eyes for training and 34 eyes for validating the DL algorithm), and 105 eyes that comprised the retrospective test dataset. Of the total 144 study eyes, 58% had any level of diabetic retinopathy (with and without diabetic macular edema), and the rest were from healthy eyes or eyes of diabetic subjects but without diabetic retinopathy and without macular edema. Grading results in the validation dataset showed that the pseudoaveraged enface scan ranked best in overall scan quality, background noise reduction, and visibility of microaneurysms (p < 0.05). Averaged scan ranked best for motion artifact reduction (p < 0.05). Grading results in the test dataset showed that pseudoaveraging resulted in enhanced small vessels, reduction of background noise, and motion artifact in 100%, 82%, and 98% of scans, respectively. Rates of false-positive/-negative perfusion were zero.

Conclusion

Pseudoaveraging is a feasible DL approach to more efficiently improve enface OCTA scan quality without introducing notable image artifacts.
Efficacy of native Bacillus isolates against different larval instars of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda alone and in combination
Authors: Karshanal J. , Kalia Vinay Kumari
Published: October 2023

Background

Fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) Lepidoptera: Noctuidae is an invasive polyphagous pest that causes severe damage to several agricultural crops. The use of pesticides is limited because of their mode of feeding and resistant development. Hence, the present work aimed to determine the pathogenicity of entomopathogenic bacteria (Bacillus spp.) against FAW in terms of mortality and growth inhibition. In this study, initially 49 native Bacillus isolates, isolated from diverse habitats in India, along with five reference strains, were screened for their efficacy against neonates of S. frugiperda under controlled laboratory conditions, followed by virulence and combinatorial bioassays.

Results

Five native Bacillus isolates (VKK1, VKK5, S16C2, S25C1, and SOIL 20) showed mortality in the range of 35.49–65.52% against neonates of S. frugiperda at single concentration (1000 μg g−1 of diet). These five isolates, along with one reference strain Btk-HD1 (Bacillus thuringiensis serovar kurstaki strain HD1), were further tested to find the median lethal concentration (LC50) for neonates of S. frugiperda. Among these, native Bt strain VKK5 showed the lowest LC50 (718.40 µg/g of diet) and HD1 showed the highest LC50 (3352 µg/g of diet). Combinatorial bioassay against neonate and third instar larvae showed that the combination of VKK5 and VKK1 had an additive effect. Moreover, growth inhibition was also recorded.

Conclusion

The combination of Bt strains leads to an enhancement of pathogenicity toward FAW larvae at the initial stage of development, and in later stages, it affects their growth and development. Thus, biocontrol of FAW by entomopathogenic bacteria (Bt) can play a vital role in the effective management of FAW.
Composite nanofiltration membrane with tannic acid coordinated collagen fibers for enhanced molecule separation
Authors: Xie Yinshan , Ge Zihao , Li Xin , Wang Yi , Liu Fei , Li Jian
Published: October 2023

Biomass-based membranes have attracted increasing attentions due to their cheap and sustainable advantages. In this work, a novel thin-film composite (TFC) nanofiltration (NF) membrane was fabricated through a facial interfacial polymerization (IP) process by initiate the crosslinking reaction between collagen fibers (CFs) and tannic acid (TA). The increased TA concentrations endowed the TFC membrane with a higher crosslinking degree, a thicker active layer and a rougher top surface. At optimized condition with 0.60 mg TA decoration, the TFC-3 membrane exhibited a high water permeability of 23.49 L m−2 h−1 bar−1 with high rejections above 98.0% for congo red, reactive blue 19, coomassie blue G-250, and methyl blue. Furthermore, the membrane preserved remarkable salt retentions (93.3% for Na2SO4, 83.4% for MgSO4, 36.2% for MgCl2, and 26.4% for NaCl) and satisfying operation stability. This facial fabrication method offered a new insight to employ biomass for molecular precise separation.

Graphical abstract
Surgical Apgar Score in thoracic surgery: how to see it coming?
Authors: Elkhayat Hussein
Published: October 2023

Risk scores are very crucial for modern surgical practice. In thoracic surgery, it is important to know when a patient might need postoperative intensive care or an early second look for bleeding before it is too late. The Surgical Apgar Score is a simple yet informative tool to help surgeons preemptively prepare and help their patients in a prompt manner.