bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Marine mammal detections on the Chukchi Plateau 2009–2020
Authors: Stafford Kathleen M. , Melling Humfrey , Moore Sue E. , Berchok Catherine L. , Braen Eric K. , Brewer Arial M. , Kimber Brynn M.
Published: April 2022

The Arctic Ice Monitoring (AIM) observatory has been maintained on the Chukchi Plateau at 75.1° N 168.0° W nearly continuously since 2003. The AIM site consists of a submerged mooring that, since October 2008, has been instrumented with a passive acoustic recorder to sample ambient sound, with a focus on marine mammal detections in the High Arctic. Year-long data sets for 2009, 2012, and 2014–2020 were analyzed for the presence of signals from Arctic species including bowhead and beluga whales, bearded seals, and walrus. Calls from subarctic ribbon seals were commonly detected in autumn months, suggesting they have expanded their distribution much further northward. Killer whale calls were detected in recent years providing evidence that they have moved further north into the Pacific Arctic. No other subarctic cetaceans were heard. Year-round passive acoustic sampling of sounds produced by marine mammals over a decadal timescale has enhanced our understanding of how climate-driven changes in biodiversity are affecting even the very High Arctic.
The effect of stimulus timing in compensating for pitch perturbation on flat, rising, and falling contours
Authors: Ning Li-Hsin
Published: April 2022

The purpose of this study was to explore vocal responses to pitch perturbation on the flat, rising, and falling contour made of sequences of level tones in Taiwanese Southern Min. Twenty-two native speakers produced nine disyllabic words (flat: high-high, mid-mid, and low-low tone sequences; rising: mid-high, low-high, and low-mid tone sequences; falling: high-mid, high-low, and mid-low tone sequences). Pitch-shift stimuli (200 ms) appeared at either 100 ms (the beginning of the first syllable) or 400 ms (the beginning of the second syllable) after vocal onset. The participants were asked to ignore the pitch perturbation that appeared via auditory feedback. We found their compensation decreased when both syllables had identical level tones (i.e., the flat contour) but was particularly large when the overall contour was falling. Furthermore, pitch compensation at 100 ms was smaller than at 400 ms for the falling contour, but not for the flat and rising contours. Our results suggest that less susceptibility to pitch perturbation in the initial speech planning process is conditioned by the velocity of overall pitch contour.
Impacts of filler loading and particle size on the transition to linear-nonlinear dichotomy in the rheological responses of particle-filled polymer solutions
Authors: Wu Keshi , Zou Jinying , Wang Xiaorong
Published: April 2022

In this study, the nonlinear behavior of carbon black-filled polybutadiene solutions under large-amplitude oscillatory shear is investigated. The results show that in the nonlinear regime, the third harmonic intensity, as measured by the ratio of the third to the first harmonics I3/I1, decreases significantly above a critical concentration ϕc of the polymer in the matrix, which results in the amplitude stress deviating strongly from the linear dependence of strain, while the time dependence of stress remains sinusoidal. Increasing the filler particle size significantly decreases the critical ϕc. However, increasing the filler loading basically has no effect on the transition to linear-nonlinear dichotomy. This transition happens when the mesh size ξ of the entangled polymer network in the matrix becomes smaller than the primary filler particle size. Above ϕc, the topological hindrance of the entangled polymer chains apparently considerably slows down the recovery speed of the broken filler network in the material. Hence, the quasisinusoidal response in the system that has a strain-dependent modulus is probably due to the restoration of the broken filler network requiring longer than the time scale of a typical dynamic perturbation.
High Rate of Return to Sport Following Abdominal Muscle Strain Injuries in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Overhead Athletes—A Case Series
Authors: Bolia Ioanna K. , Weber Alexander E. , Ihn Hansel , Won Paul , Hasan Laith K. , Haratian Aryan , Noceti-Dewit Lisa , Romano Russ , Tibone James E. , Gamradt Seth C.
Published: April 2022

This case series describes the rate and time to return to sport following nonoperative management of abdominal muscle strain in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I. Twenty-seven overhead athletes were included, and each participated in a rehabilitation flexibility program as well as interventions addressing hip and thoracic rotational deficits. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report on the rates of abdominal injury in overhead athletes and their return to sport at a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I institution. Volleyball athletes were disproportionately affected by abdominal injuries in the present study, and these injuries have been reported to account for up to 22.2% of muscle injuries in elite volleyball athletes. Similar to the finding in the present study, two baseball studies demonstrated that the abdominal musculature on the opposite side of the dominant arm (lead side) was usually affected.
The Injury Rate in NBA Players Did Not Increase Following Return to Play After the COVID-19 Stay-at-Home Order
Authors: Cahill Michael , Baker Hayden P. , Lee Cody , Reddy Manoj , Portney Daniel , Athiviraham Aravind
Published: April 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the injury rate in NBA players following return to play during the post-COVID-19 shutdown 2019–2020 NBA season. Methods: This study was a retrospective review of all NBA players who were placed on the injury report during the preseason and first 4 weeks of the regular season as well as playoffs from the 2017–2018 through 2020–2021 NBA seasons. The data were compiled using publicly available injury reports. All injuries were recorded, and injury rates were calculated per 1000 athletic exposures. Risk ratio with 95% confidence intervals compared injury rates between the 2 cohorts. Results: Over the course of the study period, 399 injuries were reported. The highest injury rate per athletic exposure was observed to have occurred during the first month of the regular season in the 2 seasons prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. There was no significant difference in the average number of games missed before and after the pandemic for the preseason (P = .95), first month of regular season (P = .62), and playoffs (P = .69). There was no significant difference in the rate of injury when comparing injury rates before and after the pandemic for the preseason (P = .25), first month of the regular season (P = .11), and playoffs (P = .3). Conclusion: The rate of injury in NBA players following the COVID-19 pandemic was not significantly higher than 2 recent past NBA seasons.
Creating Weight-Inclusive Climates in Fitness Spaces
Authors: Zuest Luciana , Lee Saemi , Leedeman Juliana , Clifford Dawn E.
Published: April 2022

Research shows that physical activity (PA) -related professionals perpetuate weight stigma and discrimination in their practices by holding antifat attitudes. Given the adverse outcomes associated with weight stigma and discrimination (including PA avoidance), researchers and fat activists have proposed and implemented a range of strategies to reduce weight stigma and cultivate inclusive PA settings. In this paper, we summarized and organized research-informed strategies for reducing weight stigma and creating weight-inclusive climates in fitness spaces. We adopted a socioecological model to organize a variety of strategies for improving weight inclusivity in fitness spaces at the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and structural levels. Ranging from staff training to adjusting the physical space, the strategies proposed in this paper aim at dismantling limited and harmful weight-centric narratives and practices that keep fat individuals marginalized from PA settings.
Overarching roles of diacylglycerol signaling in cancer development and antitumor immunity
Authors: Cooke Mariana , Kazanietz Marcelo G.
Published: April 2022

Diacylglycerol (DAG) is a lipid second messenger that is generated in response to extracellular stimuli and channels intracellular signals that affect mammalian cell proliferation, survival, and motility. DAG exerts a myriad of biological functions through protein kinase C (PKC) and other effectors, such as protein kinase D (PKD) isozymes and small GTPase-regulating proteins (such as RasGRPs). Imbalances in the fine-tuned homeostasis between DAG generation by phospholipase C (PLC) enzymes and termination by DAG kinases (DGKs), as well as dysregulation in the activity or abundance of DAG effectors, have been widely associated with tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. DAG is also a key orchestrator of T cell function and thus plays a major role in tumor immunosurveillance. In addition, DAG pathways shape the tumor ecosystem by arbitrating the complex, dynamic interaction between cancer cells and the immune landscape, hence representing powerful modifiers of immune checkpoint and adoptive T cell–directed immunotherapy. Exploiting the wide spectrum of DAG signals from an integrated perspective could underscore meaningful advances in targeted cancer therapy.
Bacteria benefit tumor cells
Authors: Baek Amy E.
Published: April 2022

Intracellular bacteria enhance the survival of circulating tumor cells.
Multivalent designed proteins neutralize SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and confer protection against infection in mice
Authors: Hunt Andrew C. , Case James Brett , Park Young-Jun , Cao Longxing , Wu Kejia , Walls Alexandra C. , Liu Zhuoming , Bowen John E. , Yeh Hsien-Wei , Saini Shally , Helms Louisa , Zhao Yan Ting , Hsiang Tien-Ying , Starr Tyler N. , Goreshnik Inna , Kozodoy Lisa , Carter Lauren , Ravichandran Rashmi , Green Lydia B. , Matochko Wadim L. , Thomson Christy A. , Vögeli Bastian , Krüger Antje , VanBlargan Laura A. , Chen Rita E. , Ying Baoling , Bailey Adam L. , Kafai Natasha M. , Boyken Scott E. , Ljubetič Ajasja , Edman Natasha , Ueda George , Chow Cameron M. , Johnson Max , Addetia Amin , Navarro Mary-Jane , Panpradist Nuttada , Gale Michael , Freedman Benjamin S. , Bloom Jesse D. , Ruohola-Baker Hannele , Whelan Sean P. J. , Stewart Lance , Diamond Michael S. , Veesler David , Jewett Michael C. , Baker David
Published: April 2022

New variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continue to arise and prolong the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Here, we used a cell-free expression workflow to rapidly screen and optimize constructs containing multiple computationally designed miniprotein inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2. We found the broadest efficacy was achieved with a homotrimeric version of the 75-residue angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) mimic AHB2 (TRI2-2) designed to geometrically match the trimeric spike architecture. Consistent with the design model, in the cryo-electron microscopy structure TRI2-2 forms a tripod at the apex of the spike protein that engaged all three receptor binding domains simultaneously. TRI2-2 neutralized Omicron (B.1.1.529), Delta (B.1.617.2), and all other variants tested with greater potency than the monoclonal antibodies used clinically for the treatment of COVID-19. TRI2-2 also conferred prophylactic and therapeutic protection against SARS-CoV-2 challenge when administered intranasally in mice. Designed miniprotein receptor mimics geometrically arrayed to match pathogen receptor binding sites could be a widely applicable antiviral therapeutic strategy with advantages over antibodies in greater resistance to viral escape and antigenic drift, and advantages over native receptor traps in lower chances of autoimmune responses.
Pharmacological Targeting of Sphingosine Kinases Impedes HIV-1 Infection of CD4 T Cells through SAMHD1 Modulation
Authors: Resop Rachel S. , Bosque Alberto
Published: April 2022

HIV-1 infection, once established, requires lifelong treatment due to the ability of the virus to maintain latent infection in its host and become reactivated during an interruption in antiretroviral treatment (ART). Although preventing transmission and acquisition of HIV is an important goal, no ART thus far have exploited harnessing a component of the host immune system to combat transmission of the virus.
Transcending Dimensions in Apicomplexan Research: from Two-Dimensional to Three-Dimensional
In Vitro
Cultures
Authors: Ramírez-Flores Carlos J. , Tibabuzo Perdomo Andrés M. , Gallego-López Gina M. , Knoll Laura J.
Published: April 2022

Parasites belonging to the Apicomplexa phylum are among the most successful pathogens known in nature. They can infect a wide range of hosts, often remain undetected by the immune system, and cause acute and chronic illness.
Genome Sequences for Levilactobacillus brevis Autochthonous to Commercial Cucumber Fermentations
Authors: Page Clinton A. , Carter-Ogden Ruby A. , Lee Alice M. , Pérez-Díaz Ilenys M.
Published: April 2022

We report the whole-genome sequences, along with annotations, of 11
Levilactobacillus brevis
isolates from commercial cucumber fermentations performed in North Carolina (
n
= 9) and Minnesota (
n
= 2), USA.
Core Gut Microbiota of Shrimp Function as a Regulator to Maintain Immune Homeostasis in Response to WSSV Infection
Authors: Zhang Siyuan , Sun Xumei
Published: April 2022

Abundant gut microorganisms constitute a complex microecosystem with the intestinal environment of the host, which plays a critical role in the adjustment of various physiological states of the organism. Sequencing and mass spectrometry data collected from intestinal samples of shrimp after virus infection helped to investigate the special function of the microecosystem and suggested that the gut microbiota has a functional potential in maintaining immune homeostasis of the host under environmental challenge.
Collective Effect of Transformation of a Hydrogen Bond Network at the Initial State of Growth of Methane Hydrate
Authors: Belosludov V. R. , Gets K. V. , Zhdanov R. K. , Bozhko Yu. Yu. , Belosludov R. V. , Chen L.-J.
Published: April 2022

The molecular dynamics study of the rearrangement of the dynamic hydrogen bond network of liquid water to the crystal hydrogen bond network of methane hydrate in the process of their formation and growth is conducted. To reveal the nature of nucleation, the time dependences of the degree of “crystallinity” of the nearest environment of all water molecules, the rate of ordering of the hydrogen bond network, and the relation of these parameters to the rate of growth of methane hydrate are studied. The effect of the presence of sea salt ions and hydrate seed on these parameters is analyzed. Systems with a completely mixed gas, i.e., with the minimum induction time, are fabricated, and it is shown that gas hydrates can be nucleated simultaneously in the entire volume of the solution, which in turn indicates the collective formation of hydrates from liquid solution.
Diamond-Like Films from Twisted Few-Layer Graphene
Authors: Chernozatonskii L. A. , Demin V. A.
Published: April 2022

The atomic and electronic structures of diamanes, i.e., diamond-like films formed by few-layer moiré graphene with a twist angle θ in 00θ and θ00θ stackings are simulated. Chemical adsorption of light atoms (e.g., hydrogen) or molecules on the surface of such graphene leads to the formation of interlayer bonds and, thus, to the complete sp3-hybridization of carbon atoms in structures. Using the available experimental data on the preparation of moiré graphene structures and diamanes based on untwisted bigraphene, a model is proposed for the possible synthesis of such diamanes from twisted three- and four-layer graphene. A hypothetical moiré diamane crystal formed from stacks of similar four-layer graphene is also considered. The stability of three- and four-layer moiré diamanes and the proposed artificial crystal has been demonstrated. The band gap decreases with an increase in the number of initial layers, but the band gap for the crystal is wider because of the higher strain of С–С' bonds, which in the previous cases bond C and H atoms.
Optical Levitation of Mie-Resonant Silicon Particles in the Field of Bloch Surface Electromagnetic Waves
Authors: Shilkin D. A. , Fedyanin A. A.
Published: April 2022

Manipulating the motion of nanoparticles in liquid media using the near field of integrated optical elements is associated with enhanced viscous friction and an increased probability of adhesion. One of the ways to overcome these difficulties is the search for systems with a minimum of potential energy located at a distance from the structure surface. In this paper, we numerically study the forces acting on Mie-resonant silicon particles in water in the evanescent field of a Bloch surface wave and propose a method for localizing such particles at a controlled distance from the surface. For this purpose, we use surface waves at two optical frequencies, which provide different signs of interaction with the particle and different depths of field penetration into the medium. As an example, we consider a silicon sphere with a diameter of 130 nm in the field of laser radiation with wavelengths of 532 and 638 nm and a total power of 100 mW; taking into account the Brownian motion, we show that the proposed method provides stable particle localization at an equilibrium distance to the surface, adjustable in the range from 60 to 100 nm.
Triple water clear cell parathyroid adenomas: a rare cause of primary hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Parpounas Constantinos , Lyssiotis Theodoros , Constantinides Vasilis
Published: April 2022

A man in his 70s was referred to the endocrine surgery department after incidental finding of hypercalcaemia during preoperative work-up for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. The patient reported severe fatigue and malaise with no previous history of nephrolithiasis or osteoporosis. After biochemical confirmation of primary hyperparathyroidism, localisation studies suggested multiple gland disease. Intraoperatively, three enlarged parathyroid adenomas were found and excised. Histopathological and immunohistochemical examination revealed triple water clear cell (WCC) parathyroid adenomas. Adenomas being entirely composed of WCCs are rare. In addition, triple adenomas are so rare that their existence is disputed by some authors. The present paper reports on an extremely rare case of a patient suffering from triple parathyroid adenomas composed entirely of WCCs. To our knowledge, this is the first such reported case in the English language literature.
Fear of COVID-19 leading to late presenting myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock due to ventricular septal rupture
Authors: Aykent Kazim , Kirolos Gergis , Khan Mahin , Moza Ankush
Published: April 2022

Post myocardial ventricular septal rupture (VSR) is one of the most fatal complications of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in spite of percutaneous and surgical closure. With the advancement of percutaneous coronary interventions in a timely manner, incidence of post MI VSR has declined remarkably. However, the COVID-19) pandemic-related late hospital presentations with AMI increases the possibilities of a potential upward shift in the incidence of post MI VSR. This case report aimed to increase awareness of negative contributions of the current pandemic to AMI and its fatal complications.
Mandibular recontouring with polyetheretherketone (PEEK) patient-specific implants
Authors: Nocini Riccardo , D'Agostino Antonio , Trevisiol Lorenzo , Favero Vittorio
Published: April 2022

The definition of the mandibular angle profile is a common challenge for oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Accurate diagnosis and treatment planning are mandatory in order to properly manage soft and hard tissues. The use of several biomaterials is described in the literature. The present paper reports the treatment of a defect in the right mandibular angle in otomandibular syndrome sequelae by positioning polyetheretherketone (PEEK) patient-specific implants (PSI) in a 25-year-old patient who previously underwent orthognathic surgery. Satisfactory aesthetic results were achieved with no complications 12 months after surgery. Considering its advantageous physical properties and the low rate of postoperative complications reported in the literature, PEEK can increase the treatment options for recontouring not only the upper third and the middle third of the face, but also of the lower third, in particular in cases of large three-dimensional defects.
Metabolomics studies on cachexia in patients with cancer: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Fu Liang , Chen Lin , Li Rufang , Xu Wenxia , Fu Jianfei , Ye Xianghong
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Cancer seriously threatens human health worldwide. Cancer cachexia is one of the life-threatening consequences that occurs commonly in patients with cancer, and severely worsens patient survival, prognosis and quality of life. Previous studies have demonstrated that cancer cachexia is closely related to differential metabolites and metabolic pathways based on metabolomics analysis. This scoping review protocol, therefore, aims to provide the strategy for a formal scoping review that will summarise the differential metabolites and related metabolic pathways of cachexia in patients with cancer.

Methods and analysis

The proposed scoping review will follow the Arksey and O’Malley’s methodological framework, Levacet al’s recommendations for applying this framework, and Peters’ enhancements of the framework. The key information from the selected studies will be extracted, including author, year of publication, cachexia definition, country/origin, study design, setting, population and sample size, biological specimens, independent variables, independent variables’ measure and statistical analysis. A summary of metabolites will be divided into several sections depending on the biological specimen. Differential metabolites will be compared between paired groups, and the number and names of related metabolic pathways will be counted and described. The reporting of this scoping review will be in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews checklist. This is a scoping review protocol and describes the planned review process and provides data examples extracted from a pilot study to confirm the feasibility of further investigation of the subject.

Ethics and dissemination

An ethical approval is not required for this scoping review protocol, nor for the scoping review. The results of this scoping review will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed journal, or presentation at a national or international conference.
Parallel use of primary and secondary healthcare by frequent attenders in occupational health and their work disability: a longitudinal study in Finland
Authors: Reho Tiia T M , Atkins Salla , Korhonen Mikko , Siukola Anna , Sumanen Markku , Viljamaa Mervi , Uitti Jukka , Sauni Riitta
Published: April 2022

Objectives

To investigate occupational health frequent attenders’ (FAs) use of other healthcare sector services and whether parallel use affects their likelihood to receive a disability pension.

Design

Longitudinal study combining routine medical record data with register data.

Setting

Primary care in Finland is provided through three parallel healthcare sectors, all available to the working population. Additionally, patients can be referred to secondary care. This study combines medical record data from a nationwide occupational healthcare provider, with healthcare attendance data from private care and from public primary and secondary care attendance, sociodemographic data and disability pension decisions.

Participants

Patients between 18 and 68 years of age who used occupational health primary care at least once during the study years 2014–2016 were included. The total study population was 59 650 patients. They were divided into three groups (occasional and persistent FAs and non-FAs) for analysis.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The primary outcome was FAs parallel use of private care and public primary and secondary care. The secondary outcome was work disability pension granted to FAs who used several healthcare sectors.

Results

Both FA groups were more likely to use other healthcare service sectors more than non-FAs did. Persistent FAs were likely to use public secondary care services in particular (OR 4.31 95% CI 3.46 to 5.36). FAs using all healthcare sectors were also more likely to receive a disability pension than those FAs using only occupational health services (OR 4.53 (95% CI 1.54 to 13.34). This association was strengthened by attendance in public secondary care.

Conclusions

FAs using several healthcare sectors in parallel have an increased likelihood to receive a disability pension. There is need for care coordination to ensure adequate measures for work ability support.
What is the association of renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitors with COVID-19 outcomes: retrospective study of racially diverse patients?
Authors: Khodneva Yulia , Malla Gargya , Clarkson Stephen , Fu Richard , Safford Monika M , Goyal Parag , Oparil Suzanne , Cherrington Andrea L , Jackson Elizabeth A , Willig James
Published: April 2022

Objective

To describe the clinical outcomes of COVID-19 in a racially diverse sample from the US Southeast and examine the association of renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitor use with COVID-19 outcome.

Design, Setting, Participants

This study is a retrospective cohort of 1024 patients with reverse-transcriptase PCR-confirmed COVID-19 infection, admitted to a 1242-bed teaching hospital in Alabama. Data on RAAS inhibitors use, demographics and comorbidities were extracted from hospital medical records.

Primary outcomes

In-hospital mortality, a need of intensive care unit, respiratory failure, defined as invasive mechanical ventilation (iMV) and 90-day same-hospital readmissions.

Results

Among 1024 patients (mean (SD) age, 57 (18.8) years), 532 (52.0%) were African Americans, 514 (50.2%) male, 493 (48.1%) had hypertension, 365 (36%) were taking RAAS inhibitors. During index hospitalisation (median length of stay of 7 (IQR (4–15) days) 137 (13.4%) patients died; 170 (19.2%) of survivors were readmitted. RAAS inhibitor use was associated with lower in-hospital mortality (adjusted HR, 95% CI (0.56, (0.36 to 0.88), p=0.01) and no effect modification by race was observed (p for interaction=0.81). Among patients with hypertension, baseline RAAS use was associated with reduced risk of iMV, adjusted OR, 95% CI (aOR 0.58, 95% CI 0.36 to 0.95, p=0.03). Patients with heart failure were twice as likely to die from COVID-19, compared with patients without heart failure.

Conclusions

In a retrospespective study of racially diverse patients, hospitalised with COVID-19, prehospitalisation use of RAAS inhibitors was associated with 40% reduction in mortality irrespective of race.
Impact of medication therapy management interventions on drug therapy problems, medication adherence and treatment satisfaction among ambulatory heart failure patients at Tikur Anbessa Specialised Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a one-group pre–post quasi-experimental study
Authors: Wondesen Abate , Berha Alemseged Beyene , Woldu Minyahil , Mekonnen Desalew , Engidawork Ephrem
Published: April 2022

Objective

To determine the impact of medication therapy management interventions on drug therapy problems (DTPs), medication adherence and treatment satisfaction among ambulatory heart failure (HF) patients.

Study design, setting and participants

A one-group pre–post quasi-experimental study was conducted on 423 ambulatory HF patients at Tikur Anbessa Specialised Hospital (TASH), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. All ambulatory HF patients ≥18 years old attending the adult cardiac clinic of TASH and having a complete medical record and fully met the inclusion criteria were taken as study participants.

Interventions

Educational interventions along with a brochure with information on the nature of HF disease and its treatment were provided to study participants. DTPs encountered were resolved by a team of pharmacists and physicians.

Results

In the preintervention phase, 288 DTPs were identified with a mean (SD) of 1.3±1.1. A significant reduction of DTPs (0.67±1.1, p<0.001) was observed in the postintervention phase compared with the preintervention phase. At the postintervention phase, 36.4%, 61.9% and 1.7% of HF patients were highly, medium and low adherent to their treatment regimens, respectively. The total composite score for treatment satisfaction of the study participants was 80.35%.

Conclusions

The findings of this study demonstrated that by teaming up clinical pharmacists with cardiologists and cardiology fellows, it was possible to reduce the occurrence of DTPs, improve medication adherence and increase treatment satisfaction of HF patients attending at the outpatient cardiac clinic.
Assessing cardiometabolic parameter monitoring in inpatients taking a second-generation antipsychotic: The CAMI-SGA study – a cross-sectional study
Authors: Fontaine Jennifer , Chin Evelyn , Provencher Jean-François , Rainone Anthony , Wazzan Dana , Roy Carmella , Rej Soham , Lordkipanidze Marie , Dagenais-Beaulé Vincent
Published: April 2022

Objectives

This study aims to determine the proportion of initial cardiometabolic assessment and its predicting factors in adults with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or other related diagnoses for whom a second-generation antipsychotic was prescribed in the hospital setting.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

The psychiatry unit of a Canadian tertiary care teaching hospital in Montreal, Canada.

Participants

402 patients with aforementioned disorders who initiated, restarted or switched to one of the following antipsychotics: clozapine, olanzapine, risperidone, paliperidone or quetiapine, between 2013 and 2016.

Primary outcome measures

We assessed the proportion of cardiometabolic parameters monitored.

Secondary outcome measures

We identified predictors that influence the monitoring of cardiometabolic parameters and we assessed the proportion of adequate interventions following the screening of uncontrolled blood pressure and fasting glucose or glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) results.

Results

Only 37.3% of patients received monitoring for at least three cardiometabolic parameters. Blood pressure was assessed in 99.8% of patients; lipid profile in 24.4%; fasting glucose or HbA1c in 33.3% and weight or body mass index in 97.8% of patients while waist circumference was assessed in 4.5% of patients. For patients with abnormal blood pressure and glycaemic values, 42.3% and 41.2% subsequent interventions were done, respectively. The study highlighted the psychiatric diagnosis (substance induced disorder OR 0.06 95% CI 0.00 to 0.44), the presence of a court-ordered treatment (OR 0.79 95% CI 0.35 to 1.79) and the treating psychiatrist (up to OR 34.0 95% CI 16.2 to 140.7) as predictors of cardiometabolic monitoring.

Conclusions

This study reports suboptimal baseline cardiometabolic monitoring of patients taking an antipsychotic in a Canadian hospital. Optimising collaboration within a multidisciplinary team may increase cardiometabolic monitoring.
Musculoskeletal health climate is associated with musculoskeletal pain and sickness absence among workers: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Christiansen David Høyrup , Nielsen Kent Jacob , Andersen Dorte Raaby , Andersen Johan Hviid
Published: April 2022

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate whether a musculoskeletal health climate, expressing the shared perceptions among workers concerning musculoskeletal health, is associated with number of musculoskeletal pain sites and sickness absence.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Six slaughterhouses from 2 companies in Denmark and 6 home-nursing units and 12 nursing homes from 1 municipality in Jutland, Denmark.

Participants

A total of 1092 slaughter house workers and 410 care workers completed an online questionnaire from February to October 2019.

Outcome measures

The exposure variable was musculoskeletal health climate assessed by two domains; (1) perceived management priority of musculoskeletal health measured by a modified subscale from the Nordic Safety Climate Questionnaire and (2) work group pain acceptance which was a modified version of the activity engagement subscale of the chronic pain acceptance scale. Outcomes variables were number of musculoskeletal pain sites (0–6) and days with sickness absence.

Results

The associations between the two subscales, number of musculoskeletal pain sites and sickness absence were calculated using mixed linear and generalised estimating equation regression models. Higher perceived management priority scores were associated with a lower number of musculoskeletal pain sites across both job groups: β=-.57 (95% CI −0.91 to −0.23) and sickness absence (>5 days) due to musculoskeletal pain prevalence ratio (PR) 0.79 (95% CI 0.57 to 1.08). In contrast higher work group pain acceptance scores were associated with higher number of musculoskeletal pain sites: β=0.38 (0.11 to 0.66), whereas associations with sickness absences seemed to be modified by job groups; PR 1.59 care workers and PR 0.86 slaughterhouse workers.

Conclusion

The observed relationship between musculoskeletal health climate, musculoskeletal pain sites and sickness absence indicate that cultural factors should receive increased attention in work place preventive interventions.
Gender and tobacco epidemic in South Korea: implications from age-period-cohort analysis and the DPSEEA framework
Authors: Kim Sera , Byun Garam , Jo Garam , Park Dahyun , Cho Sung-Il , Oh Hannah , Kim Rockli , Subramanian S V , Yun Sungha , Oh Kyungwon , Lee Jong-Tae , Shin Min-Jeong
Published: April 2022

Objectives

To understand a 20-year trend of gender-specific smoking prevalence among adults in South Korea.

Design

Age-period-cohort analysis using the intrinsic estimator method was applied to examine the separate contribution of age, period and cohort effect on smoking prevalence. The Driving Force-Pressure-State-Exposure-Effect-Action (DPSEEA) framework was used to explain the observed smoking trends by mapping potential determinants and to address policy implications.

Setting

General adult population in South Korea.

Participants

34 828 men and 43 632 women who aged 19–78 years, were not currently pregnant and were without a prior diagnosis of cardiovascular disease or cancer.

Outcome measures

Gender-specific current smoking prevalence using the 1998–2017 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Results

Our results showed gender-specific age and birth cohort effects. More specifically, the smoking prevalence peaked at their mid-20s (prevalence rate ratio (PRR): 1.54, 95% CI: 1.49 to 1.59) and cohort born in 1959–1963 (PRR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.57 to 1.70) and then decreased in men. On the other hand, in women, the smoking prevalence consistently increased until their mid-40s (PRR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.27 to 1.84) and in recent birth cohort groups (PRR in 1994–1998 cohort: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.13 to 2.13). The period effects declined from 1998−2002 to 2003–2007, following increasing fluctuations in both genders. The smoking-DPSEEA framework showed the absence of policy actions to target female smokers and emphasised a proactive approach that tackles the upstream causes for smoking in women.

Conclusions

Men and women are clearly in different phases of the smoking epidemic in Korean population, and gender-tailored policies should be implemented.
Consolidation treatments after chemoradiotherapy in patients with locally advanced inoperable non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review and network meta-analysis protocol
Authors: Zhao Ye , Feng Haiming , Tian Jinhui , Li Bin , Wang Cheng , Ge Long , Wang Jian kai , Yang Kehu , Yu Qin
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is the standard of care for inoperable locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer. To further improve prognosis, the use of consolidation treatments after CCRT has been explored extensively. Although durvalumab is the only consolidation treatment recommended by national clinical practice guidelines, there have been many studies exploring the effectiveness of other agents. However, until now, no studies have compared all agents systematically, and no studies have provided evidence for the optimal combination of different CCRTs and consolidation treatments regimens. This systematic review will evaluate the comparative clinical efficacy of consolidation therapies after CCRT as well as various combinations of CCRTs and consolidation therapies.

Methods and analysis

PubMed, the Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials (CENTRAL), EMBASE and ClinicalTrials.gov will be searched for relevant information. The estimated end date for the search will be 3 February 2022. Each stage of the review, including the study section, data extraction and risk of bias and quality of evidence assessments, will be performed in duplicate. We will include randomised controlled trials that included participants who received CCRT and consolidation treatment in at least one treatment arm. The primary endpoints will be overall survival and progression-free survival. Tumour response, health-related quality of life, disease-free survival and treatment-related toxicity will be presented as secondary outcomes. Both traditional meta-analysis and network meta-analysis (NMA) with the Bayesian approach will be conducted. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression will be completed to investigate heterogeneity, and sensitivity analyses will be conducted to assess the robustness of the findings.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval and patient consent are not required as this study is a meta-analysis based on published studies. The results of this study will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication. In case of any changes in the protocol, protocol amendments will be updated in PROSPERO and explanations of these modifications will be described in the final report of this review. The results of this systematic review and NMA will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42021239433.
Relationship between age, workplace slips and the effectiveness of slip-resistant footwear among healthcare workers
Authors: Frost Gillian , Liddle Mark , Cockayne Sarah , Cunningham-Burley Rachel , Fairhurst Caroline , Torgerson David J
Published: April 2022

Objectives

To explore any age-related trend in workplace slip rate and assess the effectiveness of appropriate slip-resistant footwear in preventing workplace slips by age.

Methods

Secondary data analysis of the Stopping Slips among Healthcare Workers trial, a two-arm randomised controlled trial conducted between March 2017 and May 2019. 4553 National Health Service (NHS) staff across seven sites in England were randomised 1:1 to the intervention group (provision of 5* GRIP-rated slip-resistant footwear) or the control group (usual work footwear). The primary outcome was self-reported workplace slips, ascertained primarily through weekly text messages throughout the 14-week trial follow-up and analysed using mixed-effects negative binomial regression. This paper reports a control group-only analysis of the association between age and slip rate, and a full intention-to-treat analysis of the effectiveness of slip-resistant footwear by age.

Results

The mean age of participants was 43 years (range 18–74). In the control group-only analysis, slip rate differed by age (p<0.001) with those aged 60+ having double the slip rate of those aged <30 years (95% CI 1.40 to 2.87). In the intention-to-treat analysis, the interaction between allocation and age was statistically significant (p=0.002). In addition, for all age groups except those aged <30 years, the slip rate in the intervention group was statistically significantly lower than the control group; the smallest incidence rate ratio (ie, the biggest effect) was 0.39 (95% CI 0.24 to 0.64) in the 60+ age group.

Conclusion

The provision of appropriate slip-resistant footwear was more effective at reducing workplace slips for older NHS staff.
Paediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: an approach to pathological evaluation
Authors: Wang Chiyun , Pai Anita K , Putra Juan
Published: April 2022

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming an increasingly important healthcare issue along with the rising rates of obesity worldwide. It is the most common chronic liver disease in the paediatric population and the fastest growing indication for liver transplant in young adults. The pathogenesis is complex with contributions from multiple factors and genetic predisposition. While non-invasive laboratory tests and imaging modalities are being increasingly used, the liver biopsy continues to play a crucial role in the diagnosis and prognosis of NAFLD. Histologically, the assessment of paediatric fatty liver disease requires special considerations with respect to a periportal predominant pattern seen in prepubertal patients, as well as a different set of disease processes in the differential diagnosis. In this review, we provide a summary of current knowledge on the epidemiology, pathogenesis and clinical course of paediatric NAFLD as well as the clinical guidelines on diagnosis and management. We discuss the indications and limitations of liver biopsy, histological patterns seen in paediatric NAFLD, other entities to be considered in the differential diagnosis, and conclude with appropriate triaging of liver biopsies and essential elements of pathology reporting.
Long-read sequencing to resolve the parent of origin of a de novo pathogenicUBE3Avariant
Authors: Watson Christopher Mark , Jackson Lucy , Crinnion Laura A , Bonthron David T , Sheridan Eamonn
Published: April 2022

Background

The ever-increasing capacity of short-read sequencing instruments is driving the adoption of whole genome sequencing (WGS) as a universal approach to the diagnosis of rare genetic disorders. However, many challenging genomic regions remain, for which alternative technologies must be deployed in order to address the clinical question satisfactorily.

Methods

Here we report the use of long-read sequencing to resolve ambiguity over a suspected diagnosis of Angelman syndrome.

Results

Despite a normal chromosomal microarray result and methylation studies at the imprinted 15q11q13 locus, the continued clinical suspicion of Angelman Syndrome prompted trio WGS of the proband and his parents. A de novo heterozygous frameshift variant, c.2370_2373del (NM_130838.2) p.(Asp790Glufs*7), inUBE3Awas identified. To determine the parental allele on which this variant arose, long-read sequencing of the flanking genomic region was performed. Comparison of the resulting haplotypes allowed us to determine that the pathogenic frameshift variant arose on the maternal allele, confirming a diagnosis of Angelman syndrome in this case.

Conclusion

Long-read nanopore sequencing provides significant clinical utility when assessing the parental origin of de novo variants.
Hyperglycemic control in acute ischemic stroke patients undergoing endovascular treatment: post hoc analysis of the Stroke Hyperglycemia Insulin Network Effort trial
Authors: Bains Navpreet K , Huang Wei , French Brandi R , Siddiq Farhan , Gomez Camilo R , Qureshi Adnan I
Published: April 2022

Background

Hyperglycemia has been associated with poor outcomes in acute ischemic stroke patients undergoing endovascular treatment. We analyzed the effect of intensive glucose control on death and disability rates in patients with acute ischemic stroke undergoing endovascular treatment.

Methods

We analyzed the effect of intensive (serum glucose <110 mg/dL) glucose treatment (compared with standard treatment, serum glucose <180 mg/dL) in patients who received endovascular treatment in the Stroke Hyperglycemia Insulin Network Effort (SHINE) trial. We further analyzed the effect of area under the curve (AUC) of serum glucose, proportion of the time blood glucose was <140 mg/dL, and glucose variability defined as the glucose range during 72 hours. The primary outcomes were neurological deterioration within 72 hours and outcome at 90 days.

Results

A total of 146 patients (mean age 68.1±13.9 years, 50.7% men) underwent endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke; 72 and 74 patients were randomized to intensive and standard treatments, respectively. The rates of death (20.3% and 22.2%), favorable 90-day primary outcome (17.6% and 19.4%), and serious adverse events (41.9% and 56.98%) were similar between the two groups. The AUC of serum glucose was not associated with death within 90 days (OR 1, 95% CI 1 to 1) or favorable outcome at 90 days (OR 1, 95% CI 1 to 1). Glucose variability was not associated with death or favorable outcome at 90 days.

Conclusion

We did not identify any beneficial effect of intensive glucose reduction on rates of death or favorable outcomes at 90 days among acute ischemic stroke patients undergoing endovascular treatment.
Revision balloon kyphoplasty and vertebra-pediculoplasty using cannulated screws for osteoporotic vertebral fractures with cement dislodgement following conventional balloon kyphoplasty
Authors: Yonezawa Yoshiro , Yonezawa Noritaka , Kanazawa Yoshimitsu , Yonezawa Takanobu , Yonezawa Kouhei , Demura Satoru
Published: April 2022

We report the usefulness of revision balloon kyphoplasty (re-BKP) and vertebra-pediculoplasty using cannulated screws (VPCS) for osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVF) following cement dislodgement of conventional BKP. Between 2015 and 2020, three patients with OVF developed symptomatic cement dislodgement following BKP and underwent re-BKP. All three patients showed a loose cemented mass and spinal instability. Balloon inflation was performed in the gap between the loosened cemented mass and the remaining cortical bone rim, and this extended gap was filled with cement. To prevent re-dislodgement of the cement mass, a cannulated screw was inserted into the cemented mass through the pedicle. All patients achieved early pain relief, and improved vertebral stability of the fractured vertebra and all related symptoms, with no perioperative complications. Re-BKP and VPCS are innovative concepts and could be an effective minimally invasive treatment for OVF following cement dislodgement of conventional BKP treatment.
Coastal marine biodiversity in the western Canadian Arctic
Authors: Bilous Miranda , McNicholl Darcy G. , Dunmall Karen M.
Published: April 2022

Establishing a baseline of Arctic marine biodiversity is necessary for monitoring impacts of climate change in the vulnerable Canadian Arctic and protecting sensitive regions that are of significant importance to Inuit culture and socioeconomics. Under the goals of improving documentation of Arctic marine communities and creating a tool for assessing coastal Arctic biodiversity across different regions, relative abundance data of fishes, benthic invertebrates, and prey items found in fish stomach contents from coastal areas near Paulatuk and Sachs Harbour, Northwest Territories, and Kugluktuk, Nunavut were used to calculate Shannon–Wiener Biodiversity Indices. Biodiversity varied among and within regions and trophic groups; fish and stomach content biodiversity were highest in Kugluktuk, whereas benthic biodiversity was highest near Paulatuk. The methods presented here can be used as a tool for assessing low- to mid-trophic Canadian Arctic coastal biodiversity and would also facilitate spatial comparisons and long-term monitoring as climate warming impacts Arctic ecosystems.