bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A phase 1 study of donor regulatory T-cell infusion plus low-dose interleukin-2 for steroid-refractory chronic graft-vs-host disease
Authors: Whangbo Jennifer S. , Nikiforow Sarah , Kim Haesook T. , Wahl Jonathan , Reynolds Carol G. , Rai Sharmila C. , Kim Soomin , Burden Andrew , Alho Ana C. , Lacerda João F. , Alyea Edwin P. , Cutler Corey S. , Ho Vincent T. , Antin Joseph H. , Soiffer Robert J. , Ritz Jerome , Koreth John
Published: April 2022

Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) remains a frequent cause of nonrelapse morbidity and mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Despite recent advances, options for steroid-refractory (SR) cGVHD are limited. In previous trials of low-dose interleukin-2 (LD IL-2), the immunomodulatory properties of regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been harnessed to treat SR-cGVHD safely and effectively. In the present study, we combined a single infusion of Treg-enriched lymphocytes (Treg DLI) from the original stem cell donor with in vivo Treg expansion using LD IL-2 (1 × 106 IU/m2 per day for 8 weeks) in 25 adult patients with SR-cGVHD. Treg were not expanded ex vivo. Treg DLI was initiated at 0.1 × 106 cells per kg patient and escalated to a maximum dose of 1 × 106 cells per kg. Treg DLI plus LD IL-2 was well tolerated and led to partial responses (PR) in 5 of 25 patients (20%) after 8 weeks of therapy. Ten additional patients (40%) had stable disease with minor responses not meeting PR criteria. Patients at all dose levels had similar Treg expansion without significant changes in CD4+ conventional T cells or CD8+ T cells. High-throughput sequencing of the T-cell receptor β locus showed selective improvement of Treg diversity. A subset of DLI-derived Treg clones showed preferential expansion at week 8 and long-term persistence 1-year postinfusion. We demonstrate for the first time that infusion of polyclonal healthy donor Tregs followed by expansion with LD IL-2 is safe in patients with SR-cGVHD, thus establishing a foundation for future adoptive Treg therapies in the posttransplant setting. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01937468.
Use of MS-GUIDE for identification of protein biomarkers for risk stratification of patients with prostate cancer
Authors: Goetze Sandra , Schüffler Peter , Athanasiou Alcibiade , Koetemann Anika , Poyet Cedric , Fankhauser Christian Daniel , Wild Peter J. , Schiess Ralph , Wollscheid Bernd
Published: April 2022

Background

Non-invasive liquid biopsies could complement current pathological nomograms for risk stratification of prostate cancer patients. Development and testing of potential liquid biopsy markers is time, resource, and cost-intensive. For most protein targets, no antibodies or ELISAs for efficient clinical cohort pre-evaluation are currently available. We reasoned that mass spectrometry-based prescreening would enable the cost-effective and rational preselection of candidates for subsequent clinical-grade ELISA development.

Methods

Using Mass Spectrometry-GUided Immunoassay DEvelopment (MS-GUIDE), we screened 48 literature-derived biomarker candidates for their potential utility in risk stratification scoring of prostate cancer patients. Parallel reaction monitoring was used to evaluate these 48 potential protein markers in a highly multiplexed fashion in a medium-sized patient cohort of 78 patients with ground-truth prostatectomy and clinical follow-up information. Clinical-grade ELISAs were then developed for two of these candidate proteins and used for significance testing in a larger, independent patient cohort of 263 patients.

Results

Machine learning-based analysis of the parallel reaction monitoring data of the liquid biopsies prequalified fibronectin and vitronectin as candidate biomarkers. We evaluated their predictive value for prostate cancer biochemical recurrence scoring in an independent validation cohort of 263 prostate cancer patients using clinical-grade ELISAs. The results of our prostate cancer risk stratification test were statistically significantly 10% better than results of the current gold standards PSA alone, PSA plus prostatectomy biopsy Gleason score, or the National Comprehensive Cancer Network score in prediction of recurrence.

Conclusion

Using MS-GUIDE we identified fibronectin and vitronectin as candidate biomarkers for prostate cancer risk stratification.
The Bursaphelenchus xylophilus effector BxML1 targets the cyclophilin protein (CyP) to promote parasitism and virulence in pine
Authors: Zhang Yan , Wen Tong-Yue , Wu Xiao-Qin , Hu Long-Jiao , Qiu Yi-Jun , Rui Lin
Published: April 2022

Background

Bursaphelenchus xylophilusis the causal agent of pine wilt disease (PWD) that has caused enormous ecological and economic losses in China. The mechanism in the interaction between nematodes and pine remains unclear. Plant parasitic nematodes (PPNs) secrete effectors into host plant tissues. However, it is poorly studied that role of effector in the infection of pine wood nematode (PWN).

Results

We cloned, characterized and functionally validated theB. xylophiluseffector BxML1, containing an MD-2-related lipid-recognition (ML) domain. This protein inhibits immune responses triggered by the molecular pattern BxCDP1 ofB. xylophilus. An insitu hybridization assay demonstrated that BxML1 was expressed mainly in the dorsal glands and intestine ofB. xylophilus. Subcellular localization analysis showed the presence of BxML1 in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Furthermore, number ofB. xylophilusand morbidity of pine were significantly reduced inPinus thunbergiiinfected withB. xylophiluswhen BxML was silenced. Using yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) and coimmunoprecipitation (CoIP) assays, we found that the BxML1 interacts with cyclophilin protein PtCyP1 inP. thunbergii.

Conclusions

This study illustrated that BxML1 plays a critical role in theB. xylophilus–plant interaction and virulence ofB. xylophilus.
Performance of the SarQoL quality of life tool in a UK population of older people with probable sarcopenia and implications for use in clinical trials: findings from the SarcNet registry
Authors: Witham Miles D. , Heslop Philip , Dodds Richard M. , Clegg Andrew P. , Hope Suzy V. , McDonald Claire , Smithard David , Storey Bryony , Tan Ai Lyn , Thornhill Anna , Sayer Avan A.
Published: April 2022

Background

The Sarcopenia Quality of Life (SarQoL) questionnaire is a disease-specific sarcopenia quality of life tool. We aimed to independently assess SarQoL with a particular focus on its suitability as a clinical trial outcome measure.

Methods

We analysed data from the UK Sarcopenia Network and Registry. Measures of physical performance and lean mass were collected at baseline. SarQoL and the Strength, Assistance, Rise, Climb - Falls (SARC-F) questionnaire (to assess functional ability) were collected at both baseline and six-month follow-up. Global changes in fitness and quality of life at 6 months were elicited on seven-point Likert scales. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha. Responsiveness (Cohen’s d and Guyatt coefficients) and minimum clinically important differences were calculated for participants reporting slight improvement or worsening in their global scores. Concurrent validity was assessed by correlating baseline SarQoL scores with measures of physical performance and functional ability.

Results

We analysed data from 147 participants, 125 of whom underwent follow up assessment; mean age 78 years; 72 (49%) were women. Internal consistency was good; Cronbach’s alpha was 0.944 at baseline and 0.732 at telephone follow-up. Correlation between baseline and follow-up SarQoL was weak (r = 0.27; p = 0.03). The minimum clinically important improvement ranged from 5 to 21 points giving trial sample size estimates of 25–100 participants. SarQoL scores were moderately correlated with handgrip (r = 0.37; p < 0.001), SARC-F (r = − 0.45; p < 0.001), short physical performance battery (r = 0.48; p < 0.001) and 4-m walk speed (r = 0.48; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

SarQoL has acceptable performance in older UK participants with probable sarcopenia and is sufficiently responsive for use in clinical trials for sarcopenia.
Markers of kidney function, genetic variation related to cognitive function, and cognitive performance in the UK Biobank
Authors: Richard Erin L. , McEvoy Linda K. , Deary Ian J. , Davies Gail , Cao Steven Y. , Oren Eyal , Alcaraz John E. , LaCroix Andrea Z. , Bressler Jan , Salem Rany M.
Published: April 2022

Background

Chronic kidney disease has been linked to worse cognition. However, this association may be dependent on the marker of kidney function used, and studies assessing modification by genetics are lacking. This study examined associations between multiple measures of kidney function and assessed effect modification by a polygenic score for general cognitive function.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study of up to 341,208 European ancestry participants from the UK Biobank study, we examined associations between albuminuria and estimated glomerular filtration rate based on creatinine (eGFRcre) or cystatin C (eGFRcys) with cognitive performance on tests of verbal-numeric reasoning, reaction time and visual memory. Adjustment for confounding factors was performed using multivariate regression and propensity-score matching. Interaction between kidney function markers and a polygenic risk score for general cognitive function was also assessed.

Results

Albuminuria was associated with worse performance on tasks of verbal-numeric reasoning (β(points) = -0.09, p < 0.001), reaction time (β(milliseconds) = 7.06, p < 0.001) and visual memory (β(log errors) = 0.013, p = 0.01). A polygenic score for cognitive function modified the association between albuminuria and verbal-numeric reasoning with significantly lower scores in those with albuminuria and a lower polygenic score (p = 0.009). Compared to participants with eGFRcre ≥ 60 ml/min, those with eGFRcre < 60 ml/min had lower verbal-numeric reasoning scores and slower mean reaction times (verbal numeric reasoning β = -0.11, p < 0.001 and reaction time β = 6.08, p < 0.001 for eGFRcre < 60 vs eGFRcre ≥ 60). Associations were stronger using cystatin C-based eGFR than creatinine-based eGFR (verbal numeric reasoning β = -0.21, p < 0.001 and reaction time β = 11.21, p < 0.001 for eGFRcys < 60 vs eGFRcys ≥ 60).

Conclusions

Increased urine albumin is associated with worse cognition, but this may depend on genetic risk. Cystatin C-based eGFR may better predict cognitive performance than creatinine-based estimates.
Increased use of diagnostic CT imaging increases the detection of stage IA lung cancer: pathways and patient characteristics
Authors: Hyldgaard Charlotte , Trolle Christian , Harders Stefan Markus Walbom , Engberg Henriette , Rasmussen Torben Riis , Møller Henrik
Published: April 2022

Background

At Silkeborg Regional Hospital, Denmark, the number of stage IA lung cancer increased after implementation of increased use of CT investigations and a corresponding reduction in chest X-ray. The aim of the present study was to understand the changes in referral pathways, patient characteristics and imaging procedures behind the observed increase in early-stage lung cancer.

Methods

The referral and imaging pathways for all patients diagnosed with lung cancer in 2013–2018 were described based on manually curated information from the electronic health care systems and staging information from the Danish Lung Cancer Registry. We compared the clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed in 2013–2015 and in 2016–2018 after implementation of a change in the use of low dose CT scan (LDCT). For patients diagnosed in 2016–2018, stage IA lung cancer were compared to higher stages using univariable logistic regression analysis.

Results

Five hundred and forty-seven patients were diagnosed with lung cancer in 2013–2018. Stage IA constituted 13.8% (34/247) in 2013–2015, and 28.3% (85/300) in 2016–2018. Stage IA patients in 2016–2018 were characterised by more comorbidity, fewer packyears and tended to be older than patients with higher stages. In 2016–2018, the largest proportion of stage IA patients (55%) came from within-hospital referrals. The majority of these lung cancers were detected due to imaging procedures with other indications than suspicion of lung cancer.

The proportion of stage IA increased from 12% (12/99) to 36% (47/129) (p < 0.001) for hospital referrals and from 17% (22/129) to 23% (38/165) for GP referrals (p = 0.21). The imaging procedures contributing to the increase in stage IA was contrast enhanced CT (22%¸11/51), LDCT (35%; 18/51) and X-ray followed by LDCT (25%; 13/51).

Conclusion

The increased access to LDCT for patients referred from general practice and the increased hospital requested CT activity resulted in an increase in the number of stage IA lung cancers. Incidental findings on imaging performed for diagnostic purposes unrelated to suspicion of lung cancer contributed a large proportion of the increase.
Epiregulin, epigen and betacellulin antibodies and axial elongation in young guinea pigs with lens-induced myopization
Authors: Dong Li , Zhang Rui-Heng , Zhou Wen-Da , Li Yi-Fan , Li He-Yan , Wu Hao-Tian , Shi Xu-Han , Jonas Jost. B. , Wei Wen-Bin
Published: April 2022

Background

To examine an effect of intravitreally applied antibodies against epidermal growth factor family members, namely epiregulin, epigen and betacellulin, on ocular axial elongation.

Methods

The experimental study included 30 guinea pigs (age:3–4 weeks) which underwent bilateral lens-induced myopization and received three intraocular injections of 20 µg of epiregulin antibody, epigen antibody and betacellulin antibody in weekly intervals into their right eyes, and of phosphate-buffered saline into their left eyes. Seven days after the last injection, the animals were sacrificed. Axial length was measured by sonographic biometry.

Results

At baseline, right eyes and left eyes did not differ (all P > 0.10) in axial length in neither group, nor did the interocular difference in axial length vary between the groups (P = 0.19). During the study period, right and left eyes elongated (P < 0.001) from 8.08 ± 0.07 mm to 8.59 ± 0.06 mm and from 8.08 ± 0.07 mm to 8.66 ± 0.07 mm, respectively. The interocular difference (left eye minus right eye) in axial elongation increased significantly in all three groups (epiregulin-antibody:from 0.03 ± 0.06 mm at one week after baseline to 0.16 ± 0.08 mm at three weeks after baseline;P = 0.001); epigen-antibody group:from -0.01 ± 0.06 mm to 0.06 ± 0.08 mm;P = 0.02; betacellulin antibody group:from -0.05 ± 0.05 mm to 0.02 ± 0.04 mm;P = 0.004). Correspondingly, interocular difference in axial length increased from -0.02 ± 0.04 mm to 0.13 ± 0.06 mm in the epiregulin-antibody group (P < 0.001), and from 0.01 ± 0.05 mm to 0.07 ± 0.05 mm in the epigen-antibody group (P = 0.045). In the betacellulin-antibody group the increase (0.01 ± 0.04 mm to 0.03 ± 0.03 mm) was not significant (P = 0.24).

Conclusions

The EGF family members epiregulin, epigen and betacellulin may be associated with axial elongation in young guinea pigs, with the effect decreasing from epiregulin to epigen and to betacellulin.
Global, regional, and national burden of hypertensive heart disease during 1990–2019: an analysis of the global burden of disease study 2019
Authors: Lu Yunyan , Lan Tian
Published: April 2022

Background

Hypertensive heart disease (HHD) is a major public health issue worldwide. We analyzed the global, regional, and national burden of HHD between the years 1990 and 2019 in relation to age, gender, and socioeconomic factors.

Methods

The prevalence and death rates, the disability adjusted life-years (DALY), and the corresponding age-standardized rates of HHD were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease study 2019. The epidemiological trends were evaluated by calculating the estimated annual percentage changes (EAPC) of the above variates.

Results

A total of 19.60 million HHD cases were documented in 2019 compared to 7.82 million in 1990, corresponding to an EAPC of 0.17. Contrarily, the global age-standardized death rate (ASDR) and age-standardized DALYs decreased with respective EAPCs of − 0.74 and − 1.02. HHD mostly occurred in people aged over 65. The disease burden of HHD varied considerably between countries, and univariate linear regression indicated that many socioeconomic variables had significantly negative correlations with age-standardized DALY rate.

Conclusion

HHD cases have increased over the last three decades; however the mortality rate has declined. Multi-faceted improvements in health, education and income could help to alleviate the disease burden of HHD, specially in some regions with lower socio-demographic index and higher ASDR.
Treatment of avascular necrosis of the humeral head – Postoperative results and a proposed modification of the classification
Authors: Schmalzl Jonas , Graf Annika , Kimmeyer Michael , Gilbert Fabian , Gerhardt Christian , Lehmann Lars-Johannes
Published: April 2022

Background

Avascular necrosis of the humeral head after proximal humeral fracture i.e. type 1 fracture sequelae (FS) according to the Boileau classification is a rare, often painful condition and treatment still remains a challenge. This study evaluates the treatment of FS type 1 with anatomic and reverse shoulder arthroplasty and a new subclassification is proposed.

Methods

This single-center, retrospective, comparative study, included all consecutive patients with a proximal humeral FS type 1 treated surgically in a four-year period. All patients were classified according to the proposed 3 different subtypes.

Constant score (CS), Quick DASH score, subjective shoulder value (SSV) as well as revision and complication rate were analyzed. In the preoperative radiographs the acromio-humeral interval (AHI) and greater tuberosity resorption were examined.

Results

Of 27 with a FS type 1, 17 patients (63%) with a mean age of 64 ± 11 years were available for follow-up at 24 ± 10 months. 7 patients were treated with anatomic and 10 with reverse shoulder arthroplasty. CS improved significantly from 16 ± 7 points to 61 ± 19 points (p < 0.0001). At final follow-up the mean Quick DASH Score was 21 ± 21 and the mean SSV was 73 ± 21 points. The mean preoperative AHI was 9 ± 3 mm, however, 8 cases presented an AHI < 7 mm. 4 cases had complete greater tuberosity resorption.

The complication and revision rate was 19%; implant survival was 88%.

Conclusion

By using the adequate surgical technique good clinical short-term results with a relatively low complication rate can be achieved in FS type 1. The Boileau classification should be extended for fracture sequelae type 1 and the general recommendation for treatment with hemiarthroplasty or total shoulder arthroplasty has to be relativized. Special attention should be paid to a decreased AHI and/or resorption of the greater tuberosity as indirect signs for dysfunction of the rotator cuff. To facilitate the choice of the adequate prosthetic treatment method the suggested subclassification system should be applied.
Palliative sedation for children at end of life: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Chen Yang , Jiang Jianjun , Peng Wei , Zhang Chuan
Published: April 2022

Background

Palliative sedation is consciously reducing the patient’s consciousness to alleviate the refractory symptoms. However, studies on palliative sedation for children are scarce. We aimed to survey the symptom control and risks for children with sedative therapy in end of life.

Method

This study was a single center retrospective cohort study. Children who died in the Department of Palliative Medicine were divided into palliative sedation (Group A) and non-palliative sedation group (Group B). The symptoms relief, survival time, and last hospitalization time were compared between two groups.

Results

From January 2012 to November 2019, 41 children died in department of palliative care. 24 children were sedated (Group A), meanwhile 17 children were not (Group B). The symptoms in Group A were more complex than Group B (p = 0.013). Overall symptom relief in Group A was higher than that in Group B (24/24, 10/15 p = 0.041). Pain relief rates (7/7, 20/21 p = 0.714), maximum/pre-death opioid dose [30(20, 77.5), 18(9, 45) p = 0.175, 30(20, 60), 18(9, 45) p = 0.208] and pain intensity difference [5(4,6.5), 4(2,6) p = 0.315] did not differ significantly in either groups. After diagnosis, the survival time of the Group A was longer than the Group B (p = 0.047). However, the length of hospitalization before death was similar in two groups (p = 0.385).

Conclusion

Palliative sedation controls complicated, painful symptoms at the end of life and does not shorten the hospitalization time in children.
Does prevalence of sexual dysfunction differ among the most common causes of infertility? A cross-sectional study
Authors: Ashrafi Mahnaz , Jahangiri Nadia , Jahanian Sadatmahalleh Shahideh , Mirzaei Negin , Gharagozloo Hesari Naiiere , Rostami Frahnaz , Mousavi Seyedeh Saeedeh , Zeinaloo Mona
Published: April 2022

Background

Sexuality as a fundamental component of women’s health, can be affected by infertility. The current study aimed at comparing the prevalence of sexual dysfunction among women with the most common causes of infertility.

Methods

The current cross-sectional study was conducted on 240 infertile females with infertility due to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS, n = 80), endometriosis (n = 80) and male factor (n = 80) at Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine (Tehran, Iran) and 160 fertile women at health care centers, between May 2016 and June 2017. Sexual function was assessed by Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 25.00) and differences were regarded statistically significant atp < 0. 05.

Results

The prevalence of female sexual dysfunction was 98.8% in women with PCOS, 100.0% in those with endometriosis, and 80.0% in those with male factor infertility. Overall, 36.2% of the enrolled fertile women were suffering from sexual dysfunction.

Conclusions

There was an association between the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction or individual domain scores of the FSFI, and infertility etiologies. Therefore, infertility care providers are required to take this into consideration and develop preventive strategies in this regard.

Plain summary

Infertility as a major health care problem affects an estimated 8–12% of couples of reproductive age globally and sexuality as an important part of women’s health, can be affected by infertility. In this study, the prevalence of sexual dysfunction among women with the most common causes of infertility has been evaluated.

The present study was conducted on 240 infertile females with infertility due to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS, n = 80), endometriosis (n = 80) and male factor (n = 80) at Royan Institute (Tehran, Iran) and 160 fertile women at health care centers, between May 2016 and June 2017. Sexual function was assessed by Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI); a brief self-report measure of sexual functioning.

Results highlight that the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in women with endometriosis and PCOS was higher than in other groups. As, the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction was 98.8% in women with PCOS, 100.0% in those with endometriosis, and 80.0% in those with male factor infertility. In total, 36.2% of the enrolled fertile women were suffering from sexual dysfunction.

The results point to an association between the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction and causes of infertility. Therefore, infertility care providers are required to take this into consideration and develop preventive strategies in this regard.
Opportunities and challenges for family-centered postpartum care during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study of nurse perspectives
Authors: Buek Katharine W. , O’Neil Molly , Mandell Dorothy J.
Published: April 2022

Background

The global COVID-19 pandemic has forced the health care sector to make wide-ranging changes to protect patients as well as providers from the risk of infection. Many of these changes are likely to have greatest impact in contexts of care that employ family-centered care (FCC) models, including perinatal and maternity care. Research conducted in perinatal care settings during the pandemic has shown that some of these restrictions have negatively impacted patient and family experiences and outcomes, while others have been perceived as beneficial. The present qualitative study aimed to understand what changes have occurred in postpartum nursing practice during the pandemic, and how these changes have affected nurses, women and families during their stay in the hospital following a new birth.

Methods

Structured interviews were completed with 20 postpartum nurses from five hospitals across Texas. The interview protocol was designed to elicit information about changes to hospital policies in postpartum units during the pandemic, nurses’ attitudes about these changes, perceived benefits and challenges for performance of their duties, and perceived effects on patients and their families. Nurses were recruited for the study using a purposive sampling approach. Interviews were conducted by video conference using Zoom and lasted approximately 30 to 45 min. Data were analyzed using a qualitative descriptive approach.

Results

Participants reported that their hospitals placed restrictions on the number and mobility of support persons allowed to stay with the mother in the unit and prohibited all other visitation. Some challenges of these policies included reduced opportunities for hands-on learning and an increased number of patients opting for early discharge. Perceived benefits for patient education and outcomes included improved frequency and effectiveness of nurse-family communication, increased father involvement, and greater opportunities for maternal rest, breastfeeding, skin-to-skin care and family bonding.

Conclusions

Study findings suggest that some limitations on postpartum hospital visitation may achieve important, family-centered goals. Protected time for family-bonding, maternal rest, breastfeeding, father involvement and individualized education are critical to quality FCC. Research must examine which visitation policies maximize these benefits while preserving patient access to family and social support.
Embedding evidence of early postoperative off-bed activities and rehabilitation in a real clinical setting in China: an interrupted time-series study
Authors: Chen Yun , Wan Jing , Zhu Zheng , Su Chunhong , Mei Zhengrong
Published: April 2022

Background

Patients should be encouraged to mobilize with 24 h of caesarean section. However, the time of the first off-bed activity after surgery is usually 24 ~ 48 h in China. Due to the lack of knowledge of early off-bed activities, lack of attention to medical pain, and the absence of systematic evidence for the clinical transformation process. the aim of this study was showed that the application of evidence needs to be embedding in the real setting to construct the localization plan and achieve the effective result.

Methods

To establish evidence of the benefits of early postoperative off-bed activities on patients’ well-being based on a literature review. An interrupted time series analysis was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. The first and third periods were both five months (from February 1st, 2019 to January 31st, 2020), with a two-month interrupted time (from July 1st, 2019 to August 31st, 2019).

Results

Eight clinical practices were retrieved from the literature and incorporated into the intervention. A total of 465 patients were included: 226 patients before and 239 patients after implementing the intervention. The average onset time of postoperative off-bed activities was significantly earlier after the intervention than before the intervention (20.01 vs. 31.89 h after the operation, P < 0.001). The 24-h off-bed rate increased from 30.94% before to 91.21% after the intervention (P < 0.001). The average pain score of patients decreased from 5.23 points before to 3.82 points after the intervention (P = 0.032). The average postoperative hospital stay was shortened from 5.06 days before to 3.51 days after the intervention (P < 0.001). In addition, the incidence rates of postoperative ileus (POI) and infection decreased from 5.38% and 2.65% before to 1.67% and 0.84% after the intervention, respectively (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

We established an evidence-based nursing intervention. Evaluation of the effect of evidence-based practices should be considered in the clinical setting and include preoperative health education, effective analgesia management, and safety management.
Ethnic differences in cardiovascular risk: examining differential exposure and susceptibility to risk factors
Authors: Ho Frederick K. , Gray Stuart R. , Welsh Paul , Gill Jason M. R. , Sattar Naveed , Pell Jill P. , Celis-Morales Carlos
Published: April 2022

Background

Ethnic differences in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk have been known for decades, but a systematic exploration of how exposure and susceptibility to risk factors may contribute is lacking. This study aimed to investigate the potential impact of differential exposure and susceptibility between South Asian, Black, and White individuals.

Methods

This is a population-based prospective cohort study of UK Biobank participants with a median follow-up of 11.3 years. The association between ethnic group and CVD risk was studied. Additional risk factors were then adjusted to examine mediations. Moderation analysis was conducted to identify whether risk factors had a stronger association in the ethnic minority groups. Population attributable fractions were also calculated to quantify the relative contributions of risk factors for each ethnic group.

Results

When adjusted for only age and sex, there was a higher risk of CVD among South Asian (n=8815; HR [95% CI] 1.69 [1.59–1.79]) and Black (n=7526; HR [95% CI] 1.12 [1.03–1.22]) compared with White participants (n=434,809). The excess risk of Black participants was completely attenuated following adjustment for deprivation. Compared with White participants, the associations of BMI, triglycerides, and HbA1c with CVD were stronger in South Asians. Adiposity was attributable to the highest proportion of CVD regardless of ethnicity. Smoking had the second largest contribution to CVD among White and Black participants, and HbA1c among South Asian participants.

Conclusions

Adiposity is an important risk factor for CVD regardless of ethnicity. Ethnic inequalities in CVD incidence may be best tackled by targeting interventions according to ethnic differences in risk profiles.
Application of transposon systems in the transgenesis of bovine somatic and germ cells
Authors: Kwon Dong-Hyeok , Gim Gyeong-Min , Eom Kyeong-Hyeon , Lee Ji-Hyun , Jang Goo
Published: April 2022

Background

Several DNA transposons including PiggyBac (PB), Sleeping Beauty (SB), and Tol2 have been applied as effective means for of transgenesis in many species. Cattle are not typically experimental animals, and relatively little verification has been presented on this species. Thus, the goal here was to determine the applicability of three transposon systems in somatic and embryo cells in cattle, while also investigating which of the three systems is appropriate for each cell type. Green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing transposon systems were used for electroporation and microinjection in the somatic cells and embryo stage, respectively. After transfection, the GFP-positive cells or blastocysts were observed through fluorescence, while the transfection efficiency was calculated by FACS.

Results

In bovine somatic cells, the PB (63.97 ± 11.56) showed the highest efficiency of the three systems (SB: 50.74 ± 13.02 and Tol2: 16.55 ± 5.96). Conversely, Tol2 (75.00%) and SB (70.00%) presented a higher tendency in the embryonic cells compared to PB (42.86%).

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that these three transposon systems can be used in bovine somatic cells and embryos as gene engineering experimental methods. Moreover, they demonstrate which type of transposon system to apply depending on the cell type.
Subconjunctival bleedings in neonatal calves: a case series report
Authors: Steffl Martin , Nautscher Nadine
Published: April 2022

Background

In animals, only few reports exist about the occurrence and causes of subconjunctival bleedings, especially in newborn calves. Most case reports and studies showed that the major risk factors for subconjunctival bleedings in animals are traumatic events such as birth trauma and traffic accidents, respectively. In neonatal babies, it is suggested that compression of the thorax and abdomen during delivery or forces generated in utero during labor may raise venous pressure to conjunctival vessels and can cause subconjunctival bleedings.

Results

The incidence of bleedings in neonatal Holstein–Friesian calves was 2.4 per cent of 289 neonatal calves examined over a six-year period. In general, two types of subconjunctival bleedings were seen. One was usually in a semilunar fashion immediately outside the limbus of the eye. The other type was a stripe or macule of variable size at different positions of the sclera. The subconjunctival bleedings were not related to gestational time. In all cases, affected calves were born without assistance. Multiparous cows were more often involved in the calves with subconjunctival bleedings. Two calves examined haematologically did not show signs of anemia or thrombocytopenia.

Conclusions

Subconjunctival bleedings in neonatal calves appear not to be incidental findings. Main causes or associated conditions of subconjunctival bleedings were not found.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Structure based innovative approach to analyze aptaprobe–GPC3 complexes in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Shin Woo-Ri , Park Dae-Young , Kim Ji Hun , Lee Jin-Pyo , Thai Nguyen Quang , Oh In-Hwan , Sekhon Simranjeet Singh , Choi Wooil , Kim Sung Yeon , Cho Byung-Kwan , Kim Sun Chang , Min Jiho , Ahn Ji-Young , Kim Yang-Hoon
Published: April 2022

Background

Glypican-3 (GPC3), a membrane-bound heparan sulfate proteoglycan, is a biomarker of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. Aptamers specifically binding to target biomolecules have recently emerged as clinical disease diagnosis targets. Here, we describe 3D structure-based aptaprobe platforms for detecting GPC3, such as aptablotting, aptaprobe-based sandwich assay (ALISA), and aptaprobe-based imaging analysis.

Results

For preparing the aptaprobe–GPC3 platforms, we obtained 12 high affinity aptamer candidates (GPC3_1 to GPC3_12) that specifically bind to target GPC3 molecules. Structure-based molecular interactions identified distinct aptatopic residues responsible for binding to the paratopic nucleotide sequences (nt-paratope) of GPC3 aptaprobes. Sandwichable and overlapped aptaprobes were selected through structural analysis. The aptaprobe specificity for using in HCC diagnostics were verified through Aptablotting and ALISA. Moreover, aptaprobe-based imaging showed that the binding property of GPC3_3 and their GPC3 specificity were maintained in HCC xenograft models, which may indicate a new HCC imaging diagnosis.

Conclusion

Aptaprobe has the potential to be used as an affinity reagent to detect the target in vivo and in vitro diagnosing system.

Graphical Abstract
Multifunctional flexible contact lens for eye health monitoring using inorganic magnetic oxide nanosheets
Authors: Xie Maowen , Yao Guang , Zhang Tianyao , Wang Qian , Mo Xiaoyi , Dong Qiwei , Lou Wenhao , Lu Fang , Pan Taisong , Gao Min , Jiang Dawei , Zhao Kangning , Lin Yuan
Published: April 2022

As a non-invasive innovative diagnosis platform, advanced flexible contact lenses can dynamically monitor vital ocular indicators, spot abnormalities and provide biofeedback guidance for real-time diagnosis and rehabilitation tracking of chronic eye diseases. However, most of the state-of-the-art reported contact lenses either can only monitor a single indicator at a time or realize multifunctional integration based on multiple materials. Herein, we developed a flexible multifunctional contact lens based on inorganic γ-Fe2O3@NiO magnetic oxide nanosheets, which can be attached conformally and seamlessly to the eyeball to simultaneously monitor glucose level in tears, eyeball movement, and intraocular pressure. The optimized contact lens has a reliable glucose detection limit (0.43 μmol), superior eye movement measurement accuracy (95.27%) and high intraocular pressure sensitivity (0.17 MHz mmHg− 1). This work presents a concept in the biochemical and biophysical integrated sensing of ocular signals using contact lens via an innovative material, and provides a personalized and efficient way for health management.

Graphical Abstract
Latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap repair is effective after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced breast cancer
Authors: Li Lu , Yang Yue , Li Wang , Zhao Xian , He Jia , Mei Shuo , Guo Xuejun , Zhang Xibin , Ran Jianghua
Published: April 2022

Objective

To describe the clinical outcome and physical condition of patients with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by mastectomy and latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap repair.

Methods

A retrospective review of 142 patients with locally advanced breast cancer was selected from 1156 breast cancer patients in the South and North areas of The Affiliated Calmette Hospital of Kunming Medical University between May 2008 and December 2018.

Results

All participants (n = 142) were women aged 40–55 years (average age 47.35 ± 0.43 years) who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by mastectomy and latissimus dorsi flap repair. The median follow-up period was 16 months (range 12–24 months). For stage of disease, there were 19 cases (13%) in stage IIB, 31 cases (22%) in stage IIIA, 39 cases (28%) in stage IIIB, and 53 cases (37%) in stage IIIC, which were statistically significant with the physical condition of patients (≤ 0.001). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was administered to shrink the tumors, and an average tumor size decrease from 10.05 ± 1.59 cm × (8.07 ± 1.54) cm to 6.11 ± 1.72 cm × (3.91 ± 1.52) cm (P < 0.001) was considered statistically significant. A t test was used for the ECOG score statistics, and the results showed that the scores were statistically significant (≤ 0.001) before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and after surgery.

Conclusions

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is an accepted treatment option for patients with locally advanced breast cancer, and the use of a latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap for post-mastectomy reconstruction may improve the patients’ physical condition. Our results indicated that this strategy was safe and feasible.
Restricted upper airway dimensions in patients with dentofacial deformity from juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Authors: Niu Xiaowen , Moland Julianne , Pedersen Thomas Klit , Bilgrau Anders Ellern , Cattaneo Paolo M. , Glerup Mia , Stoustrup Peter
Published: April 2022

Background

This retrospective, cross-sectional study aimed to assess the pharyngeal airway dimensions of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and moderate/severe JIA-related dentofacial deformity (mandibular retrognathia/micrognathia), and compare the results with JIA patients with a normal mandibular appearance and a group of non-JIA patients.

Methods

Seventy-eight patients were retrospectively included in a 1:1:1 manner as specified below. All patients had previously been treated at the Section of Orthodontics, Aarhus University, Denmark. All had a pretreatment cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Group 1 (JIA+); 26 JIA patients with severe arthritis-related dentofacial deformity and mandibular retrognathia/micrognathia. Group 2 (JIA-); 26 JIA patients with normal mandibular morphology/position. Group 3 (Controls); 26 non-JIA subjects. Dentofacial morphology and upper airway dimensions, excluding the nasal cavity, were assessed in a validated three-dimensional (3D) fashion. Assessment of dentofacial deformity comprised six morphometric measures. Assessment of airway dimensions comprised nine measures.

Results

Five morphometric measures of dentofacial deformity were significantly deviating in the JIA+ group compared with the JIA- and control groups: Posterior mandibular height, anterior facial height, mandibular inclination, mandibular occlusal inclination, and mandibular sagittal position. Five of the airway measurements showed significant inter-group differences: JIA+ had a significantly smaller nasopharyngeal airway dimension (ad2-PNS), a smaller velopharyngeal volume, a smaller minimal cross-sectional area and a smaller minimal hydraulic diameter than JIA- and controls. No significant differences in upper airway dimensions were seen between JIA- and controls.

Conclusion

JIA patients with severe arthritis-related dentofacial deformity and mandibular micrognathia had significantly restricted upper airway dimensions compared with JIA patients without dentofacial deformity and controls. The restrictions of upper airway dimension seen in the JIA+ group herein were previously associated with sleep-disordered breathing in the non-JIA background population. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role of dentofacial deformity and restricted airways in the development of sleep-disordered breathing in JIA.
Determinants of communication on sexual issues between adolescents and their parents in the Adaklu district of the Volta region, Ghana: a multinomial logistic regression analysis
Authors: Klu Desmond , Agordoh Percival , Azagba Charles , Acquah Evelyn , Doegah Phidelia , Ofosu Anthony , Ansah Evelyn Korkor , Gyapong Margaret
Published: April 2022

Background

Poor communication on sexual issues between adolescents and their parents results in high rates of negative sexual practices such as teenage pregnancy. Contributing factors to this poor communication on sexual issues between adolescents and their parents in a high teenage pregnancy setting have not been adequately explored. We sought to fill this gap by examining the factors that predict communication on sexual issues between adolescents and their parents in the Adaklu district of the Volta region of Ghana.

Methods

A baseline cross-sectional household survey of 221 adolescents aged 10–19 years in 30 randomly selected communities was used. A well-structured questionnaire was developed. A multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to examine factors that significantly influenced communication between adolescents and their parents regarding sex.

Results

Only 11.3% of adolescents had discussions on sexual issues with both parents while 27.6% of communicated sexual issues with only one parent in Adaklu district. Adolescent males (AOR = 0.21, CI = 0.06–0.75), those aged 10–14 years (AOR = 0.41, CI = 0.04–0.57), non-members of adolescent health clubs (AOR = 0.46, CI = 0.21–1.00), and those living with only a father (AOR = 0.19, CI = 0.06–0.61) had lower odds of communicating with their parents on sexual issues.

Conclusions

Adolescent-parental communication on sexual issues in Adaklu district is very low. This situation requires more empowerment of adolescents to enable them to discuss sexual issues with their parents through increased engagement with adolescent health club activities and capacity building capacity of parents with the right information on sexual and reproductive health by health staff within the district. Additionally, parents need to be equipped with communication skills to enable them to communicate effectively with their children.
Yield estimation of high-density cotton fields using low-altitude UAV imaging and deep learning
Authors: Li Fei , Bai Jingya , Zhang Mengyun , Zhang Ruoyu
Published: April 2022

Background

China has a unique cotton planting pattern. Cotton is densely planted in alternating wide and narrow rows to increase yield in Xinjiang, China, causing the difficulty in the accurate estimation of cotton yield using remote sensing in such field with branches occluded and overlapped.

Results

In this study, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imaging and deep convolutional neural networks (DCNN) were used to estimate densely planted cotton yield. Images of cotton fields were acquired by the UAV at an altitude of 5 m. Cotton bolls were manually harvested and weighed afterwards. Then, a modified DCNN model (CD-SegNet) was constructed for pixel-level segmentation of cotton boll images by reorganizing the encoder-decoder and adding dilated convolutions. Besides, linear regression analysis was employed to build up the relationship between cotton boll pixels ratio and cotton yield. Finally, the estimated yield for four cotton fields were verified by weighing harvested cotton. The results showed that CD-SegNet outperformed the other tested models, including SegNet, support vector machine (SVM), and random forest (RF). The average error in yield estimates of the cotton fields was as low as 6.2%.

Conclusions

Overall, the estimation of densely planted cotton yields based on low-altitude UAV imaging is feasible. This study provides a methodological reference for cotton yield estimation in China.
Prognostic significance of positive family history in outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting: Do we need to update our assumptions?
Authors: Tavolinejad Hamed , Rashedi Sina , Mojtaba Ghorashi Seyyed , Tajdini Masih , Sadeghian Saeed , Pashang Mina , Jalali Arash , Salehi Omran Abbas , Bagheri Jamshid , Karimi Abbasali , Shirzad Mahmoud , Mehrani Mehdi , Hosseini Kaveh
Published: April 2022

Background

Recent research suggests a protective role for positive family history of premature cardiovascular disease (FHpCVD) in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. We aimed to further investigate this unlikely association.

Methods

In this registry-based cohort study, patients who underwent first-time non-emergent coronary bypass surgery at Tehran Heart Center between 2007 and 2016 were included. Patients with and without FHpCVD were compared in terms of all-cause mortality and first non-fatal cardiovascular events (CVEs) comprising non-fatal acute coronary syndrome, non-fatal stroke or transient ischemic attack, and repeat coronary revascularization.

Results

A total of 13,156 patients were included (mean age 60.83 ± 9.57, 74.5% male), among which 2684 (20.4%) patients had FHpCVD. Median follow-up was 77.7 months. FHpCVD was weakly associated with reduced all-cause mortality using inverse probability weight (IPW) method (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.853; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.730–0.997; P = 0.046), and not associated with non-fatal CVEs considering death as the competing event (sub-distribution HR [SHR] = 1.124; 95% CI 0.999–1.265; P = 0.053). Within a subgroup of patients without previous myocardial infarction or revascularization (7403 cases; 56.3%), FHpCVD was associated with lower mortality (HR = 0.700; 95% CI 0.548–0.894; P = 0.004) and higher non-fatal CVEs (SHR = 1.197; 95% CI 1.019–1.405; P = 0.028), whereas among patients with previous coronary events, there was no association between FHpCVD and outcomes.

Conclusions

FHpCVD was associated with lower all-cause mortality but higher non-fatal CVEs, especially in those without prior coronary events. Such discordance calls for caution in assuming a protective role for FHpCVD. The prognostic significance of FHpCVD needs further evaluation among surgical patients.