bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
First Case of Nodular Localized Primary Cutaneous Amyloidosis Treated With Bortezomib and Dexamethasone
Authors: Khan Noman Ahmed Jang , Nellhaus Emma , Griswold Doreen , Jamil Muhammad Omer
Published: December 2021

Nodular localized cutaneous amyloidosis is a rare form of cutaneous amyloidosis and is characterized by an extracellular deposition of insoluble amyloid fibrils which are either primarily cutaneous or a manifestation of an underlying systemic amyloidosis. Biopsy of the lesion is mandatory for the diagnosis, and histopathology shows diffuse amyloid deposits with plasmacytic infiltration. Apple-green birefringence characteristic of amyloidosis is observed when stained with Congo red and viewed under polarized light. Amyloid subtyping is done with laser microdissection followed by mass spectrometry. Majority of these lesions do not require any treatment but surgical excision, shave excision, laser therapy, and radiotherapy can be considered for symptomatic nodular localized primary cutaneous amyloidosis (NLPCA). We present a case of recurrent NLPCA in a 64-year-old woman who was treated with bortezomib and dexamethasone after failing several local therapies with excellent response.
Family firm heterogeneity on CSR approach: A socio-emotional (SEW) perspective
Authors: Diéguez-Soto Julio , Campos-Valenzuela Marta , Callejón-Gil Ángela M. , Aldeanueva-Fernández Ignacio
Published: December 2021

How family firms adopt a certain corporate social responsibility (CSR) approach remains a relatively unexplored matter in family firm and firm ethics research. Hence, we study how and why the CSR approach (broad vs. narrow; benefits vs. costs) differs within family firms, addressing the influence of the socio-emotional wealth (SEW) dimensions, individually or combined. We used empirical evidence gathered through 13 case studies of firms from the Andalusia region and we used the interpretative approach of the grounded theory based on case study data. Results of our analyses lead to propose that family firms with a higher identification and more positive than negative valence with regard to emotional attachment and family enrichment dimensions will be more likely to exhibit a broad approach of CSR. Likewise, those family firms adopting CSR actions with stakeholders due to instrumental use of image and reputation dimension will more probably display a benefits approach.

JEL CLASSIFICATION: L26; M14
A Systematic Approach for Assessment of Attainment in Outcome-based Education
Authors: Amirtharaj S. , Chandrasekaran G. , Thirumoorthy K. , Muneeswaran K.
Published: December 2021

The capabilities expected to be attained by learners, after learning a course or programme, are called course outcomes (CO) and programme outcomes (PO), respectively. The objectives of outcome-based education (OBE) are to ensure realization of grooming graduates with all the theoretical, practical and soft skills required to make them competent and industry-ready professionals. This article discusses the implementation of an assessment system for analysing the attainment of outcomes in OBE. It is a web-based application for evaluating the attainment of COs, POs and programme educational objectives (PEOs) in institutions of higher learning. Recently, OBE and choice-based credit system (CBCS) have become prevalent in institutions of higher learning. The significance and benefits of OBE and CBCS are recognized by all stakeholders, including accrediting agencies. The process for establishing and refining, the vision and mission of the institution, vision and mission of the department offering the programme, COs, POs and PEOs are discussed. The procedure and rubrics for assessing the attainment of the outcomes are also discussed. Accreditation is an honouring mechanism used to assess the standards and quality of the education offered by a programme to a student at an institution of higher learning. The article discusses a systematic approach for assessment of attainment of outcomes by graduates of a programme in an autonomous engineering college following OBE with CBCS.
Italian Version of the YQOL‐DHH Questionnaire: Translation and Cross‐cultural Adaptation
Authors: Gragnaniello Manuela , Celletti Claudia , Resca Alessandra , Galeoto Giovanni , Camerota Filippo
Published: December 2021

Objective

To translate and cross‐culturally adapt into Italian the YQOL‐DHH (Youth Quality of Life Instrument–Deaf and Hard of Hearing Module), an instrument to evaluate the health‐related quality of life in young deaf people. It could be useful for professionals, teachers, and parents to take care of deaf adolescents’ needs.

Study Design

Forward‐backward translation, cross‐cultural adaptation, and cognitive debriefing.

Setting

The cognitive debriefing was performed online with professionals and during clinical practice with deaf adolescents.

Methods

A methodological study was conducted according to the guidelines provided by the development team. The study consisted of a forward‐backward translation and a cross‐cultural adaptation. After the original authors’ confirmation, a cognitive debriefing was conducted with 30 professionals who work with deaf young people and with 10 deaf adolescents aged 11 to 18 years.

Results

For the linguistic translation and cross‐cultural adaptation, some variations to the original instrument were made to obtain equivalence, such as the expression “deaf or hard of hearing” translated only with the Italian word “sordo.” During the cognitive debriefing, the clarity and comprehensibility of the items were reported by professionals and deaf adolescents. Eventually, the authors approved the final version.

Conclusion

The YQOL‐DHH was translated and culturally adapted into Italian. The translated items were pertinent to the Italian culture and equivalent to the original ones. A validation study is suggested to make the instrument feasible for use in different clinical or educational contexts. In addition, to guarantee accessibility and autonomy for young deaf signers, Italian Sign Language translation of the questionnaire is suggested.
The Role of Pain in the Lives of Patients with Psoriasis: A Qualitative Study on an Inadequately Addressed Symptom
Authors: Snyder Ashley M. , Taliercio Vanina L. , Webber Lisa B. , Brandenberger Adelheid U. , Rich Bianca E. , Beshay Abram P. , Biber Joshua E. , Hess Rachel , Rhoads Jamie L. W. , Secrest Aaron M.
Published: December 2021

Background: Patients with psoriasis commonly report experiencing severe sensory symptoms, and the burden of these symptoms can extend beyond unpleasant experiences to impair patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQL). However, the symptom of pain and its consequences are still poorly understood in psoriasis patients. Objective: To understand the quality and intensity of pain associated with psoriasis as well as its interference with daily function in patients with psoriasis. Methods: Three focus groups and four interviews with psoriasis patients were conducted (n = 25). A trained facilitator used a semi-structured interview guide based on a literature review and a theory-driven approach. Two researchers independently coded the narratives and reached a consensus on the major themes using NVivo 12 software. Results: Our analysis produced five main themes regarding pain. (1) Perception of pain was illustrated through intense descriptors. (2) Patients identified pain triggers, including self-inflicted triggers. (3) Patients found coping strategies to deal with pain, including suppression of sensory experience. (4) Emotional suffering was linked primarily to the compulsion to continue scratching despite repeated efforts to stop and the failure of physicians to acknowledge the burden of the pain, which led to inadequate pain management. (5) Pain led to an overt impact on HRQL in these patients through interference with daily activity, intimate relationships, and sleep. Conclusions: Pain can be a significant hardship for patients with psoriasis. We encourage clinicians to inquire about pain separate from pruritus and to consider HRQL impacts of their patients’ pain when determining treatments.
Unruly Mountains: Hydropower assemblages and geological surprises in the Indian Himalayas
Authors: Vaishnava Saumya , Baka Jennifer
Published: December 2021

Despite a decades long push to develop what is seen as the vast untapped hydropower potential of the Indian Himalayas, hydropower capacity addition has been delayed and become increasingly expensive in India. Policy documents cite “poor” geology as a major reason for these delays. As hydropower in the form of run-of-river projects expand into the Himalayas, their construction activities encounter poor geology more frequently. This paper analyses hydropower development as an assemblage and examines how risk, especially geological risk, is negotiated to allow hydropower development to continue in the Indian Himalayas. We show how the category of “geological surprises” emerges as an institutional response to the problems of run-of-river based hydropower development in a seismically vulnerable landscape. We further show how “geological surprises” act as a boundary object between hydropower policy, project development, infrastructural finance, and hydropower knowledge, allowing for cooperation and negotiation, to allow hydropower development to continue in the geologically complex Himalayas.
For multispecies autoethnography
Authors: Gillespie Kathryn
Published: December 2021

This article makes the case for multispecies autoethnography as a methodological approach in qualitative research involving other species. Multispecies autoethnography can work to address the persistent anthropocentrism in multispecies methods and offer a richer understanding of the way humans are implicated in the lives and deaths of other animals. I use a brief sketch of the experience of raising “backyard chickens” to illustrate what multispecies autoethnography might do in the world and for more ethical practices of research. Ultimately, this article argues for an explicitly anti-anthropocentric approach to research, scholarship, and living that might expand possibilities for more just, ethical, and caring multispecies worlds.
Attractions of delay: Using deliberative engagement to investigate the political and strategic impacts of greenhouse gas removal technologies
Authors: McLaren Duncan , Willis Rebecca , Szerszynski Bronislaw , Tyfield David , Markusson Nils
Published: December 2021

Concerns have been raised that a focus on greenhouse gas removals (GGR) in climate models, scientific literature and other media might deter measures to mitigate climate change through reduction of emissions at source – the phenomenon of ‘mitigation deterrence’. Given the urgent need for climate action, any delay in emissions reduction would be worrying. We convened nine deliberative workshops to expose stakeholders to futures scenarios involving mitigation deterrence. The workshops examined ways in which deterrence might arise, and how it could be minimized. The deliberation exposed social and cultural interactions that might otherwise remain hidden. The paper describes narratives and ideas discussed in the workshops regarding political and economic mechanisms through which mitigation deterrence might occur, the plausibility of such pathways, and measures recommended to reduce the risk of such occurrence. Mitigation deterrence is interpreted as an important example of the ‘attraction of delay’ in a setting in which there are many incentives for procrastination. While our stakeholders accepted the historic persistence of delay in mitigation, some struggled to accept that similar processes, involving GGRs, may be happening now. The paper therefore also reviews the claims made by participants about mitigation deterrence, identifying discursive strategies that advocates of carbon removal might deploy to deflect concerns about mitigation deterrence. We conclude that the problem of mitigation deterrence is significant, needs to be recognized in climate policy, and its mechanisms better understood. Based on stakeholder proposals we suggest ways of governing GGR which would maximize both GGR and carbon reduction through other means.
Can the Multi-Theory Model (MTM) of Health Behavior Change Explain the Intent for People to Practice Meditation?
Authors: Sharma Manoj , Asare Matthew , Lakhan Ram , Kanekar Amar , Nahar Vinayak K. , Moonie Sheniz
Published: December 2021

Meditation is gaining popularity as adjuvant therapy for many chronic ailments, mental well-being, and spiritual growth. Behavioral theories have been underutilized in understanding meditation behavior. This study aimed to test if a fourth-generation multi-theory model (MTM) could explain the intent for starting and maintaining meditation behavior in a sample of US adults. A face and content valid 48-item instrument based on MTM was administered in a cross-sectional design through an online survey (n = 330). Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha > 0.70) and construct validation using structural equation modeling of the subscales were all acceptable. Hierarchical multiple regression revealed that, after controlling for demographic covariates, the MTM constructs of participatory dialogue (β  =  0.153; P  =  .002) and behavioral confidence (β  =  0.479; P < .001) were statistically significant in predicting intent for starting meditation behavior and accounted for 32.9% of the variance. Furthermore, after controlling for demographic covariates, the MTM constructs of emotional transformation (β  =  0.390; P < .001) and changes in the social environment (β  =  0.395; P < .001) were statistically significant and accounted for 52.9% of the variance in the intent for maintaining meditation behavior. Based on this study, it can be concluded that MTM offers a pragmatic framework to design, implement, and evaluate evidence-based (theory-based) meditation behavior change interventions.
Clinicopathological and Molecular Characteristics of Macroscopically Yellowish-Colored Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma Compared to Non-Yellowish-Colored Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Kojima Fumiyoshi , Matsuzaki Ibu , Kuroda Naoto , Mikasa Yurina , Musangile Fidele Y , Iwamoto Ryuta , Takahashi Yuichi , Matsubara Akiko , Kohjimoto Yasuo , Hara Isao , Murata Shin-ichi
Published: December 2021

Each histological variant of renal cell tumors has a unique color. The yellowish color of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) is explained by the presence of intracytoplasmic lipid and glycogen accumulation. Color changes in CCRCC are correlated with clinicopathological and metabolic changes, as well as biological behavior. We analyzed and compared the clinical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical features and gene expression profiles, in lipid metabolism of yellowish-colored ChRCC (ChRCC-Y), non-yellowish-colored ChRCC (ChRCC-N), and CCRCC. Of 14 ChRCCs, we retrieved 6 ChRCC-Ys. Patients with ChRCC-Y are younger than those with ChRCC-N, and the tumor is not predominant in males. ChRCC-Ys are smaller than ChRRC-Ns. Three ChRCC-Ys exhibited individual discrete tubule formation. No ChRCC-Ns exhibited individual discrete tubule formation. Two of 6 ChRCC-Ys showed relatively diffuse adipophilin positivity. No ChRCC-Ns demonstrated diffuse positivity for adipophilin. The expression of SCD, FDFT1, and E2F1 showed a tendency to be lower in ChRCC-Y than in ChRCC-N. The expression of PDGFB showed a tendency to be higher in ChRCC-Y than in ChRCC-N. This study demonstrated ChRCC-Y did not indicate an increase in lipid and cholesterol metabolism and that ChRCC-Y did not have the common molecular alteration of CCRCC. The absence of such metabolic acceleration in ChRCC-Y might support the biological indolent behavior. Furthermore, we revealed that macroscopic color changes might be correlated with various clinicopathological features and immunohistochemical and molecular changes from different perspectives. We believe further characterization of RCC, including tumor heterogeneity, is needed to improve the management of patients with RCC.
Symptom rates and profile clustering in tuberous sclerosis complex-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (TAND)
Authors: Alperin Samuel , Krueger Darcy A. , Franz David N. , Agricola Karen D. , Stires Gabrielle , Horn Paul S. , Capal Jamie K.
Published: December 2021

Background

Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) is associated with a range of neuropsychiatric difficulties, appropriately termed TSC-Associated Neuropsychiatric Disorders (TAND). The objectives of the study were to analyze the rates of TAND symptoms in a cohort of patients seen at the TSC Center of Excellence at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and to identify clinically meaningful profiles based on TAND symptoms.

Methods

Data from the TAND Checklist was obtained from participants seen at the TSC Center of Excellence at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center from June 2015 to August 2018. Cluster and factor analyses for each TAND symptom were performed. Factor scores were then calculated for participants, and a K-means cluster analysis of these scores was used to empirically identify distinct overall TAND symptom profiles occurring in TSC.

Results

A total of 1545 checklists was completed for 668 participants (37% adults and 63% children). Approximately 90% of participants reported at least one TAND symptom with an average of 12 symptoms (out of 29). Symptom rates ranged between 5 and 60%. The most common symptoms were neuropsychologic symptoms. A seven-cluster and seven-factor solution were found to be optimal. K-means cluster analysis resulted in a seven-profile solution, ranging from low to high symptom burden.

Conclusion

This study is the first to identify natural phenotypic profiles of TAND symptoms. Study of specific TAND subpopulations with shared profiles may facilitate better understanding of the underlying biology of TAND and better assessment of more targeted treatments.
Multiple trait breeding programs with genotype-by-environment interactions based on reaction norms, with application to genetic improvement of disease resilience
Authors: Dekkers Jack C. M.
Published: December 2021

Background

Genotype-by-environment interactions for a trait can be modeled using multiple-trait, i.e. character-state, models, that consider the phenotype as a different trait in each environment, or using reaction norm models based on a functional relationship, usually linear, between phenotype and a quantitative measure of the quality of the environment. The equivalence between character-state and reaction norm models has been demonstrated for a single trait. The objectives of this study were to extend the equivalence of the reaction norm and character-state models to a multiple-trait setting and to both genetic and environmental effects, and to illustrate the application of this equivalence to the design and optimization of breeding programs for disease resilience.

Methods

Equivalencies between reaction norm and character-state models for multiple-trait phenotypes were derived at the genetic and environmental levels, which demonstrates how multiple-trait reaction norm parameters can be derived from multiple-trait character state parameters. Methods were applied to optimize selection for a multiple-trait breeding goal in a target environment based on phenotypes collected in a healthy and disease-challenged environment, and to optimize the environment in which disease-challenge phenotypes should be collected.

Results and conclusions

The equivalence between multiple-trait reaction norm and multiple-trait character-state parameters allow genetic improvement for a multiple-trait breeding goal in a target environment to be optimized without recording phenotypes and estimating parameters for the target environment.
The effect of lipocalin-2 (LCN2) on apoptosis: a proteomics analysis study in an LCN2 deficient mouse model
Authors: Wu Dongming , Wang Xiaopeng , Han Ye , Wang Yayun
Published: December 2021

Background

Recent studies have shown that lipocalin-2 (LCN2) has multiple functions involved in various biological and pathological processes including energy homeostasis, cancer, inflammation, and apoptosis. We aimed to investigate the effect of LCN2 on apoptosis that influences the pathogenetic process of metabolic diseases and cancer.

Methods

We performed a proteomics analysis of livers taken from LCN2-knockout mice and wild type mice by using label-free LC-MS/MS quantitative proteomics.

Results

Proteomic analysis revealed that there were 132 significantly differentially expressed proteins (49 upregulated and 83 downregulated) among 2140 proteins in the liver of LCN2-knockout mice compared with wild type mice. Of these, seven apoptosis-associated proteins were significantly upregulated and seven apoptosis-associated proteins downregulated.

Conclusion

Proteomics demonstrated that there were seven upregulated and seven downregulated apoptosis-associated proteins in liver of LCN2-knockout mice. It is important to clarify the effect of LCN2 on apoptosis that might contribute to the pathogenesis of insulin resistance, cancer, and various nervous system diseases.
A PIP-mediated osmotic stress signaling cascade plays a positive role in the salt tolerance of sugarcane
Authors: Tang Hanchen , Yu Qing , Li Zhu , Liu Feng , Su Weihua , Zhang Chang , Ling Hui , Luo Jun , Su Yachun , Que Youxiong
Published: December 2021

Background

Plasma membrane intrinsic proteins (PIPs) are plant channel proteins involved in water deficit and salinity tolerance. PIPs play a major role in plant cell water balance and responses to salt stress. Although sugarcane is prone to high salt stress, there is no report on PIPs in sugarcane.

Results

In the present study, eight PIP family genes, termed ScPIP1–1, ScPIP1–2, ScPIP1–3, ScPIP1–4, ScPIP2–1, ScPIP2–2, ScPIP2–4 and ScPIP2–5, were obtained based on the sugarcane transcriptome database. Then, ScPIP2–1 in sugarcane was cloned and characterized. Confocal microscopy observation indicated that ScPIP2–1 was located in the plasma membrane and cytoplasm. A yeast two-hybridization experiment revealed that ScPIP2–1 does not have transcriptional activity. Real time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis showed that ScPIP2–1 was mainly expressed in the leaf, root and bud, and its expression levels in both below- and aboveground tissues of ROC22 were up-regulated by abscisic acid (ABA), polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 and sodium chloride (NaCl) stresses. The chlorophyll content and ion leakage measurement suggested that ScPIP2–1 played a significant role in salt stress resistance in Nicotiana benthamiana through the transient expression test. Overexpression of ScPIP2–1 in Arabidopsis thaliana proved that this gene enhanced the salt tolerance of transgenic plants at the phenotypic (healthier state, more stable relative water content and longer root length), physiologic (more stable ion leakage, lower malondialdehyde content, higher proline content and superoxide dismutase activity) and molecular levels (higher expression levels of AtKIN2, AtP5CS1, AtP5CS2, AtDREB2, AtRD29A, AtNHX1, AtSOS1 and AtHKT1 genes and a lower expression level of the AtTRX5 gene).

Conclusions

This study revealed that the ScPIP2–1-mediated osmotic stress signaling cascade played a positive role in plant response to salt stress.
Clinical characteristics and outcome of primary brain abscess: a retrospective analysis
Authors: Huang Junying , Wu Haining , Huang Honghong , Wu Weiqi , Wu Bowen , Wang Lingxing
Published: December 2021

Background

Patients with primary brain abscess often present with atypical symptoms, and the outcome varies. We investigated the demographic, laboratory, and neuroimaging features of patients with brain abscess at our hospital and identified factors associated with their outcomes.

Methods

We retrospectively collected the data of patients diagnosed with primary brain abscess at our hospital between January 2011 and December 2020. Their clinical characteristics, predisposing factors, laboratory and neuroimaging findings, treatment, and outcome were analyzed.

Results

Of the 57 patients diagnosed with primary abscess, 51 (89.47%) were older than 40 years, and 42 (73.68%) were male. Only eight patients (14.04%) showed the classical triad of headache, fever, and focal neurological deficit. Fifteen patients (26.31%) had comorbidities, of which diabetes mellitus was the most common. Positive intracranial purulent material cultures were obtained in 46.15% of the patients, and gram-negative enteric bacteria were found in 33.33% of them, with Klebsiella pneumoniae being the most frequently observed. Surgical treatment, most commonly in the form of stereotactic drainage, was received by 54.39% of the patients. Good outcomes were achieved in 75.44% of the patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that patients with headaches were more likely to have a poor outcome (odds ratio 6.010, 95% confidence interval 1.114–32.407, p = 0.037).

Conclusions

Male patients and those older than 40 years were more susceptible to brain abscess than female patients and those younger than 40 years, respectively. Only a few patients showed the classical triad of clinical symptoms. Diabetes mellitus was the most common comorbidity. Positive intracranial specimens’ culture results were uncommon, with gram-negative enteric bacteria, especially Klebsiella pneumoniae, being the main organisms found. Most patients had a good outcome, and the presence of headache may influence the outcome.
The spectrum of biopsy-proven glomerular diseases in a tertiary Hospital in Southern Brazil
Authors: Thomé Gustavo Gomes , Bianchini Talissa , Bringhenti Rafael Nazario , Schaefer Pedro Guilherme , Barros Elvino José Guardão , Veronese Francisco Veríssimo
Published: December 2021

Background

The prevalence and distribution of glomerular diseases differ among countries, and the indication to perform a kidney biopsy varies among centres. In this study, we assessed the prevalence of primary and secondary glomerulopathies based on histological diagnoses, and the correlation between glomerulopathies and demographic and clinical data was evaluated.

Methods

In this study, 1051 kidney biopsies were retrospectively reviewed between 2000 and 2018. Patient demographic, clinical and laboratory data were assessed. The prevalence of primary glomerulonephritis (PG) and secondary glomerulopathies (SG), as well as tubulointerstitial diseases (TIDs), hereditary nephropathies (HNs) and other diagnoses, were determined. The frequency of primary and secondary glomerulopathies was evaluated by age group, and the temporal variation in frequencies across three time periods (2000-2005, 2006-2011, and 2012-2018) was reported.

Results

The prevalence of SG predominated (52.4%), followed by PG (29.6%), other diagnoses (10.7%), TID (6.6%) and HN (1.1%). Among the primary forms of glomerular disease, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) was the most common (37.3%), followed by IgA nephropathy (IgAN, 24.4%), membranous nephropathy (MN, 18.6%) and minimal change disease (MCD, 8.4%). Lupus nephritis (LN, 41.1%) was most common in patients with SG, followed by diabetic kidney disease (DKD, 17.8%), systemic vasculitis (SV, 10.2%) and secondary FSGS (2nd FSGS, 10%). Nephrotic syndrome was the most common clinical presentation in patients with PG and also in patients with DRD and 2nd FSGS, whereas in patients with IgAN and SV, nephritic syndrome was the main presentation. For the age group between 18 and 50 years, LN, FSGS and IgAN predominated; for patients aged between 51 and 65 years, the proportion of DKD and 2nd FSGS increased, and SV was more common in patients > 65 years. The temporal variation in PG across the three time periods showed a statistically significant increase in IgAN (p = 0.001) and a reduction in FSGS over time (p < 0.001). In SG, there was a reduction in LN (p = 0.027) and an increase in DKD (p < 0.001) over time, with a tendency for 2nd FSGS to decrease over time (p = 0.053).

Conclusions

In the studied kidney biopsy registry, FSGS and IgAN were the most prevalent diagnoses in patients with PG, and LN and DKD were the most prevalent in patients with SG. Nephrotic syndrome was the major indication for biopsy. When comparing the temporal variation in glomerulopathies, there was a reduction in FSGS and an increase in IgAN in patients with PGs over time, and for patients with SGs, there was a reduction in LN with an increase in cases of DKD over time.
Maternal depression trajectories and child BMI in a multi-ethnic sample: a latent growth modeling analysis
Authors: Farewell Charlotte V. , Donohoe Ryley , Thayer Zaneta , Paulson James , Nicklas Jacinda , Walker Caroline , Waldie Karen , Leiferman Jenn A.
Published: December 2021

Background

Perinatal (antenatal and postpartum) depression impacts approximately 12% of mothers. Perinatal depression can impact everyday functioning for mothers, and the relationship with, and development of, their children. The purpose of this study was to investigate depression trajectories from the antenatal period through 54-months postpartum and associations with child body mass index at 54-months postpartum.

Methods

This study applied latent growth modeling to the Growing Up in New Zealand study, which is a longitudinal pregnancy cohort study that provides nationally representative-level data, to investigate associations between depression at three time points (antenatal, 9-months postpartum, 54-months postpartum) and child body mass index at 54-months (n=4897).

Results

The average slope of depression for this sample is low and decreases over time. When child BMI was added to the model as an outcome variable, both antenatal depression (B=.25, p<.01), and the rate of change of depression across the perinatal and postpartum periods (B=.09, p<.01) were associated with child BMI at 54-months postpartum. After controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, antenatal depression, but not the slope of depression, remained significantly associated with child BMI (B=.05, p<.05). When controlling for maternal pre-pregnancy BMI the effect of antenatal depression on child BMI at 54-months was entirely attenuated (χ2 (9) = 39.60, p < .05, SRMR = 0.01, CFI = .99, RMSEA = 0.03, BIC=53213).

Conclusions

Our findings align with the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease theory and imply that both the physical and mental health of mothers during pregnancy may be important indicators of child growth and development outcomes. Early intervention directed towards women who have even mild depression scores during pregnancy may promote healthy child development outcomes. Additionally, given the heterogeneity of depressive symptoms over time seen in this study, multiple assessment periods across the postpartum period may be valuable to adequately address and support maternal mental health.
Effect of COVID-19 on Kawasaki Disease: Decrease Age of Onset and Increase Skin Manifestation
Authors: Esmaeilzadeh Hossein , Mortazavi Negar , Salehi Alireza , Fatemian Hossein , Dehghani Seyed Mohsen , Vali Mohebat , Vardanjani Hossein Molavi
Published: December 2021

Background

Kawasaki Disease (KD) is the most common childhood vasculitis and cause of acquired heart disease for no apparent reason. There is some evidence indicating infectious agents as possible triggers for KD. During the COVID-19 pandemic, vasculitis has been a presentation of COVID-19 in children. We performed this study to assess the association between KD and COVID-19.

We evaluated KD hospitalized children during February to September 2020 for COVID-19 (group one) and compared their demographic, clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic findings with KD patients from the same period time in 2019 (group two). We also compared the same data in COVID-19 positive and COVID-19 negative KD patients in 2020 pandemic period in Shiraz Namazi referral hospital at southwest of Iran.

Results

Thirty-two patients in group one compared with 44 patients in group two. Sixty-eight percent of group one KD patients were positive for COVID-19 during the pandemic period. KD Age of onset in the group one was lower than group two (4.38 years VS 5.5 years, P-value = 0.044). There was no difference in the demographic, clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic features of the patients during and before the COVID-19 pandemic (p-value > 0.05). Moreover, Comparing COVID-19 positive and negative the incidence of rash was higher within COVID-19 positive cases (p < 0.05), and coronary artery abnormalities were more prevalent in COVID-19 negative cases (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Admission rate of KD was almost similar during the COVID-19 pandemic but 68% of KD admitted patient were COVID-19 positive. Age of onset for KD during the COVID-19 pandemic was lower and skin manifestation was higher than the same period time in last year.
Children and parents’ perspectives of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Ontario children’s physical activity, play, and sport behaviours
Authors: Szpunar Monika , Vanderloo Leigh M. , Bruijns Brianne A. , Truelove Stephanie , Burke Shauna M. , Gilliland Jason , Irwin Jennifer D. , Tucker Patricia
Published: December 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic and associated public health measures have resulted in the closure of many physical activity-supporting facilities. This study examined Ontario parents’ and children’s perspectives of COVID-19’s impact on children’s physical activity behaviours, return to play/sport during COVID-19, as well as barriers/facilitators to getting active amid extended closures of physical activity venues.

Methods

Parents/guardians of children aged 12 years and under living in Ontario, Canada were invited to participate in an interview. 12 parent/guardian and 9 child interviews were conducted via Zoom between December 2020 – January 2021, were audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Thematic content analysis was undertaken to identify pronounced themes.

Results

Themes for both parent and child interviews fell into one of three categories: 1) barriers and facilitators for getting children active amid COVID-19 closures of physical activity-supporting facilities; 2) changes in children’s activity levels; and, 3) perspectives on return to play/sport during and post-pandemic. Various subthemes were identified and varied between parents and children. The most common facilitator for dealing with children’s inactivity voiced by parents/guardians was getting active outdoors. Parents/guardians noted their willingness to have their children return to play/sport in the community once deemed safe by public health guidelines, and children’s willingness to return stemmed primarily from missing their friends and other important authority figures (e.g., coaches) and sporting events (e.g., tournaments).

Conclusions

Findings from this study could inform families of feasible and realistic strategies for increasing children’s physical activity during community closures, while also providing public health experts with information regarding what supports, or infrastructure might be needed during future lockdown periods and/or pandemics.
Implementation of a shared medication list in primary care – a controlled pre-post study of medication discrepancies
Authors: Josendal Anette Vik , Bergmo Trine Strand , Granas Anne Gerd
Published: December 2021

Background

Access to medicines information is important when treating patients, yet discrepancies in medication records are common. Many countries are developing shared medication lists across health care providers. These systems can improve information sharing, but little is known about how they affect the need for medication reconciliation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether an electronically Shared Medication List (eSML) reduced discrepancies between medication lists in primary care.

Methods

In 2018, eSML was tested for patients in home care who received multidose drug dispensing (MDD) in Oslo, Norway. We followed this transition from the current paper-based medication list to an eSML. Medication lists from the GP, home care service and community pharmacy were compared 3 months before the implementation and 18 months after. MDD patients in a neighbouring district in Oslo served as a control group.

Results

One hundred eighty-nine patients were included (100 intervention; 89 control). Discrepancies were reduced from 389 to 122 (p <  0.001) in the intervention group, and from 521 to 503 in the control group (p = 0.734). After the implementation, the share of mutual prescription items increased from 77 to 94%. Missing prescriptions for psycholeptics, analgesics and dietary supplements was reduced the most.

Conclusions

The eSML greatly decreases discrepancies between the GP, home care and pharmacy medication lists, but does not eliminate the need for medication reconciliation.
Impact of local air quality management policies on emergency hospitalisations for respiratory conditions in the North West Coast region of England: a longitudinal controlled ecological study
Authors: Rose Tanith C. , Daras Konstantinos , Cloke Jane , Rodgers Sarah , Farrell Paul , Ahmed Saiqa , Barr Benjamin
Published: December 2021

Background

Air quality is monitored at a local level in the UK as part of the Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) system. If air quality objectives within an area are not achieved an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) is declared and action plan developed. The efficacy of this system in reducing air pollution has increasingly come into question, however very little is known about its impact on health or health inequalities. We therefore investigated the effect of declaring an AQMA on emergency hospitalisations for respiratory conditions in the North West Coast region of England, and examined whether the effect differed between more compared to less deprived neighbourhoods.

Methods

This longitudinal controlled ecological study analysed neighbourhoods located within or touching the boundaries of AQMAs declared in the North West Coast region between 2006 and 2016. Each of these intervention neighbourhoods were matched with five control neighbourhoods which had never been located within/touching an AQMA boundary. Difference-in-differences methods were used to compare the change in hospitalisation rates in the intervention neighbourhoods to the change in hospitalisation rates in the matched control neighbourhoods, before and after the declaration of an AQMA.

Results

In total, 108 intervention neighbourhoods and 540 control neighbourhoods were analysed over the period 2005–2017, giving a total sample size of 8424 neighbourhood-years. Emergency hospitalisations for respiratory conditions decreased in the intervention neighbourhoods by 158 per 100,000 per year [95% CI 90 to 227] after an AQMA was declared relative to the control neighbourhoods. There was a larger decrease in hospitalisation rates following the declaration of an AQMA in more compared to less income deprived neighbourhoods.

Conclusions

Our results suggest the LAQM system has contributed to a reduction in emergency hospitalisations for respiratory conditions, and may represent an effective strategy to reduce inequalities in health. These findings highlight the importance of measuring the success of air quality policies not just in terms of air pollution but also in terms of population health.
Potential prophylactic efficacy of mast cell stabilizers against COVID-19 vaccine-induced anaphylaxis
Authors: Kazama Itsuro
Published: December 2021

To fight against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the vaccination is currently the most effective approach. However, in addition to common systemic side effects, the vaccines can cause serious allergic reactions or anaphylaxis. In anaphylaxis, the exposure to the allergen causes a sudden release of chemical mediators from mast cells, for which adrenaline is the drug of first choice. In our previous basic studies, in addition to adrenaline, anti-allergic drugs (olopatadine, loratadine, tranilast and ketotifen), antibiotics (clarithromycin), corticosteroids (hydrocortisone and dexamethasone) and certain food constituents (caffeine and catechin) inhibited the process of exocytosis and showed their effectiveness as highly potent mast cell stabilizers. In these studies, since mast cells were pre-incubated with these drugs or the food constituents before exocytosis was induced, the findings strongly indicated their prophylactic efficacy in stabilizing mast cells. Considering such pharmacological properties of these commonly prescribed medications or the food constituents, their prophylactic use may potentially be beneficial in preventing anaphylaxis caused by COVID-19 vaccination.
NIR-II emissive AIEgen photosensitizers enable ultrasensitive imaging-guided surgery and phototherapy to fully inhibit orthotopic hepatic tumors
Authors: Jia Ruizhen , Xu Han , Wang Chenlu , Su Lichao , Jing Jinpeng , Xu Shuyu , Zhou Yu , Sun Wenjing , Song Jibin , Chen Xiaoyuan , Chen Hongmin
Published: December 2021

Accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of primary liver tumors are of great significance, and optical imaging has been widely employed in clinical imaging-guided surgery for liver tumors. The second near-infrared window (NIR-II) emissive AIEgen photosensitizers have attracted a lot of attention with higher-resolution bioimaging and deeper penetration. NIR-II aggregation-induced emission-based luminogen (AIEgen) photosensitizers have better phototherapeutic effects and accuracy of the image-guided surgery/phototherapy. Herein, an NIR-II AIEgen phototheranostic dot was proposed for NIR-II imaging-guided resection surgery and phototherapy for orthotopic hepatic tumors. Compared with indocyanine green (ICG), the AIEgen dots showed bright and sharp NIR-II emission at 1250 nm, which extended to 1600 nm with high photostability. Moreover, the AIEgen dots efficiently generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) for photodynamic therapy. Investigations of orthotopic liver tumors in vitro and in vivo demonstrated that AIEgen dots could be employed both for imaging-guided tumor surgery of early-stage tumors and for ‘downstaging’ intention to reduce the size. Moreover, the therapeutic strategy induced complete inhibition of orthotopic tumors without recurrence and with few side effects.

Graphical Abstract
An artificial intelligence model (euploid prediction algorithm) can predict embryo ploidy status based on time-lapse data
Authors: Huang Bo , Tan Wei , Li Zhou , Jin Lei
Published: December 2021

Background

For the association between time-lapse technology (TLT) and embryo ploidy status, there has not yet been fully understood. TLT has the characteristics of large amount of data and non-invasiveness. If we want to accurately predict embryo ploidy status from TLT, artificial intelligence (AI) technology is a good choice. However, the current work of AI in this field needs to be strengthened.

Methods

A total of 469 preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) cycles and 1803 blastocysts from April 2018 to November 2019 were included in the study. All embryo images are captured during 5 or 6 days after fertilization before biopsy by time-lapse microscope system. All euploid embryos or aneuploid embryos are used as data sets. The data set is divided into training set, validation set and test set. The training set is mainly used for model training, the validation set is mainly used to adjust the hyperparameters of the model and the preliminary evaluation of the model, and the test set is used to evaluate the generalization ability of the model. For better verification, we used data other than the training data for external verification. A total of 155 PGT cycles from December 2019 to December 2020 and 523 blastocysts were included in the verification process.

Results

The euploid prediction algorithm (EPA) was able to predict euploid on the testing dataset with an area under curve (AUC) of 0.80.

Conclusions

The TLT incubator has gradually become the choice of reproductive centers. Our AI model named EPA that can predict embryo ploidy well based on TLT data. We hope that this system can serve all in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) patients in the future, allowing embryologists to have more non-invasive aids when selecting the best embryo to transfer.
Mortality gap and physical comorbidity of people with severe mental disorders: the public health scandal
Authors: Fiorillo Andrea , Sartorius Norman
Published: December 2021

Background

Patients suffering from severe mental disorders, including schizophrenia, major depression and bipolar disorders, have a reduced life expectancy compared to the general population of up to 10–25 years. This mortality gap requires urgent actions from a public health perspective in order to be reduced.

Main text

Factors associated with the high mortality rates in patients with severe mental disorders can be grouped into four groups: those related to the patients, to psychiatrists, to other non-psychiatrist medical doctors and to the healthcare system. Each of these factors should become the target of specific and dedicated interventions, in order to reduce the morbidity and mortality rate in patients with severe mental disorders. All these elements contribute to the neglect of physical comorbidity in patients with severe mental. In particular, the long-standing separation of psychiatry from other branches of medicine and the lack of specific training on this issue further contribute to the poor attention dedicated to management of physical comorbidities. Recently, several professional associations have invited national bodies regulating education of healthcare professionals to include the management of physical health of people with severe mental disorders in undergraduate and postgraduate educational programs.

Conclusions

The premature mortality in patients with severe mental disorders is a complex phenomenon resulting by the interaction of several protective and risk factors. Therefore, a multilevel approach is needed, in which the different stakeholders involved in health care provision establish workforces for the long-term management of physical and mental health conditions.