bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of free gingival graft before implant placement on peri-implant health and soft tissue changes: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zheng Chaoling , Wang Shimin , Ye Hongqiang , Liu Yunsong , Hu Wenjie , Zhou Yongsheng
Published: October 2021

Background

To evaluate the clinical outcome and changes in posterior buccal soft tissue following implant restoration in groups with and without a free gingival graft (FGG) before implant placement.

Methods

Twenty-six individuals who required implant restoration and displayed lack of keratinized mucosa (KM) were recruited and assigned to the FGG group (with FGG before implant placement) or Control group (without FGG before implant placement) randomly. A screw-retained conventional implant restoration was performed for each patient. Peri-implant soft tissue was captured by an intraoral scanner and analyzed by an image processing software. Clinical parameters (plaque index, gingival index, probing depth, and bleeding on probing) were assessed at baseline and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Buccal soft tissue changes (mucosal margin, soft tissue thickness, and width of keratinized mucosa) on the buccal side of implant site were assessed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni test were used to analyze significant difference between groups at each time point (α = 0.05).

Results

The clinical parameters were lower in the FGG group than that in the Control group, although there were no significant differences between the two groups (P > 0.05). Peri-implant soft tissue collapsed and the changes (mucosal margin and soft tissue thickness) were significantly greater in the Control group than the FGG group (P < 0.05). Width of KM was larger in the FGG group than the Control group, although there was no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Minimal peri-implant soft tissue changes occurred in two groups. Performing FGG before implant placement is a viable procedure to maintain peri-implant soft tissue but might not affect peri-implant health during 12 months follow-up. However, small sample size must be considered.

Trial registration This study was retrospectively registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Registration number: ChiCTR2000037954; Date of registration: 6 September 2020).
Pharmacogenetic testing for adverse drug reaction prevention: systematic review of economic evaluations and the appraisal of quality matters for clinical practice and implementation
Authors: Turongkaravee Saowalak , Jittikoon Jiraphun , Rochanathimoke Onwipa , Boyd Kathleen , Wu Olivia , Chaikledkaew Usa
Published: October 2021

Background

Genetic testing has potential roles in identifying whether an individual would have risk of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) from a particular medicine. Robust cost-effectiveness results on genetic testing would be useful for clinical practice and policy decision-making on allocating resources effectively. This study aimed to update a systematic review on economic evaluations of pharmacogenetic testing to prevent ADRs and critically appraise the quality of reporting and sources of evidence for model input parameters.

Methods

We searched studies through Medline via PubMed, Scopus and CRD’s NHS Economic Evaluation up to October 2019. Studies investigating polymorphism-based pharmacogenetic testing, which guided drug therapies to prevent ADRs, using economic evaluation methods were included. Two reviewers independently performed data extraction and assessed the quality of reporting using the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) guidelines and the quality of data sources using the hierarchy of evidence developed by Cooper et al.

Results

Fifty-nine economic evaluations of pharmacogenetic testing to avoid drug-induced ADRs were found between 2002 and 2018. Cost-utility and cost-effectiveness analyses were the most common methods of economic evaluation of pharmacogenetic testing. Most studies complied with the CHEERS checklist, except for single study-based economic evaluations which did not report uncertainty analysis (78%). There was a lack of high-quality evidence not only for estimating the clinical effectiveness of pharmacogenetic testing, but also baseline clinical data. About 14% of the studies obtained clinical effectiveness data of testing from a meta-analysis of case-control studies with direct comparison, which was not listed in the hierarchy of evidence used.

Conclusions

Our review suggested that future single study-based economic evaluations of pharmacogenetic testing should report uncertainty analysis, as this could significantly affect the robustness of economic evaluation results. A specific ranking system for the quality of evidence is needed for the economic evaluation of pharmacogenetic testing of ADRs. Differences in parameters, methods and outcomes across studies, as well as population-level and system-level differences, may lead to the difficulty of comparing cost-effectiveness results across countries.
Establishment and drug screening of patient-derived extrahepatic biliary tract carcinoma organoids
Authors: Wang Zhiwei , Guo Yinghao , Jin Yun , Zhang Xiaoxiao , Geng Hao , Xie Guangyuan , Ye Dan , Yu Yuanquan , Liu Daren , Zhou Donger , Li Baizhou , Luo Yan , Peng Shuyou , Li Jiangtao
Published: October 2021

Background

Patient-derived organoids (PDO) have been proposed as a novel in vitro method of drug screening for different types of cancer. However, to date, extrahepatic biliary tract carcinoma (eBTC) PDOs have not yet been fully established.

Methods

We collected six samples of gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) and one sample of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (eCCA) from seven patients to attempt to establish eBTC PDOs for drug screening. We successfully established five GBC and one eCCA PDOs. Histological staining was used to compare structural features between the original tissues and cancer PDOs. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed to analyze the genetic profiles of original tissues and cancer PDOs. Drug screening, including gemcitabine, 5-fluorouracil, cisplatin, paclitaxel, infigratinib, and ivosidenib, was measured and verified by clinical effects in certain cases.

Results

Different PDOs exhibited diverse growth rates during in vitro culture. Hematoxylin and eosin staining demonstrated that the structures of most cancer PDOs retained the original structures of adenocarcinoma. Immunohistological and periodic acid-schiff staining revealed that marker expression in cancer PDOs was similar to that of the original specimens. Genetic profiles from the four original specimens, as well as paired cancer PDOs, were analyzed using whole exome sequencing. Three of the four PDOs exhibited a high degree of similarity when compared to the original specimens, except for GBC2 PDO, which only had a concordance of 74% in the proportion of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the coding sequence. In general, gemcitabine was found to be the most efficient drug for eBTC treatment, as it showed moderate or significant inhibitory impact on cancer growth. Results from drug screening were confirmed to a certain extent by three clinical cases.

Conclusions

Our study successfully established a series of eBTC PDOs, which contributed to the field of eBTC PDOs. Additional enhancements should be explored to improve the growth rate of PDOs and to preserve their immune microenvironment.
The impact of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, calcium, and parathyroid hormone levels on the risk of coronary artery disease in patients with diabetes: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Chen Songzan , Yang Fangkun , Xu Tian , Wang Yao , Zhang Kaijie , Fu Guosheng , Zhang Wenbin
Published: October 2021

Background

To investigate the causal association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), calcium (Ca), and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels and the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with diabetes using a Mendelian randomization approach.

Methods

Genetic signatures associated with serum 25OHD, Ca, and PTH levels were extracted from recently published genome-wide association study (GWAS), including 79,366, 39,400, 29,155 individuals, respectively. Genetic association estimates for CAD in patients with diabetes were obtained from a GWAS of 15,666 individuals with diabetes (3,968 CAD cases, 11,696 controls). The inverse-variance-weighted method was employed for the primary analysis, and other robust methods were applied for sensitivity analyses.

Results

Six, seven and five single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified as instrumental variables for serum 25OHD, Ca and PTH levels, respectively. There was no significant association between genetically predicted serum 25OHD levels and the risk of CAD in patients with diabetes (odds ratio (OR) = 1.04, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.58 - 1.87, P = 0.888). Similarly, genetically predicted serum Ca (OR = 1.83, 95% CI: 0.62 – 5.35, P = 0.273) and PTH levels (OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 0.67 – 2.44, P = 0.464) were not significantly associated with the risk of CAD in patients with diabetes. These findings were robust in sensitivity analyses.

Conclusions/interpretation

Serum 25OHD, Ca and PTH levels may not be causally associated with the risk of CAD in patients with diabetes.
Leveraging open data to reconstruct the Singapore Housing Index and other building-level markers of socioeconomic status for health services research
Authors: Lim Daniel Yan Zheng , Wong Ting Hway , Feng Mengling , Ong Marcus Eng Hock , Ho Andrew Fu Wah
Published: October 2021

Background

Socioeconomic status (SES) is an important determinant of health, and SES data is an important confounder to control for in epidemiology and health services research. Individual level SES measures are cumbersome to collect and susceptible to biases, while area level SES measures may have insufficient granularity. The ‘Singapore Housing Index’ (SHI) is a validated, building level SES measure that bridges individual and area level measures. However, determination of the SHI has previously required periodic data purchase and manual parsing. In this study, we describe a means of SHI determination for public housing buildings with open government data, and validate this against the previous SHI determination method.

Methods

Government open data sources (e.g. data.gov.sg, Singapore Land Authority OneMAP API, Urban Redevelopment Authority API) were queried using custom Python scripts. Data on residential public housing block address and composition from the HDB Property Information dataset (data.gov.sg) was matched to postal code and geographical coordinates via OneMAP API calls. The SHI was calculated from open data, and compared to the original SHI dataset that was curated from non-open data sources in 2018.

Results

Ten thousand seventy-seven unique residential buildings were identified from open data. OneMAP API calls generated valid geographical coordinates for all (100%) buildings, and valid postal code for 10,012 (99.36%) buildings. There was an overlap of 10,011 buildings between the open dataset and the original SHI dataset. Intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.999 for the two sources of SHI, indicating almost perfect agreement. A Bland-Altman plot analysis identified a small number of outliers, and this revealed 5 properties that had an incorrect SHI assigned by the original dataset. Information on recently transacted property prices was also obtained for 8599 (85.3%) of buildings.

Conclusion

SHI, a useful tool for health services research, can be accurately reconstructed using open datasets at no cost. This method is a convenient means for future researchers to obtain updated building-level markers of socioeconomic status for policy and research.
Francisella philomiragia bacteremia in an immunocompromised patient: a rare case report
Authors: Chua Hui Shan , Soh Yih Harng , Loong Shih Keng , AbuBakar Sazaly
Published: October 2021

Background

Francisella philomiragia is a very rare opportunistic pathogen of humans which causes protean diseases such as pneumonia and other systemic infections. Subsequent failure of prompt treatment may result in poor prognosis with mortality among infected patients.

Case presentation

The present report describes a case of F. philomiragia bacteraemia first reported in Malaysia and Asian in a 60-year-old patient with underlying end-stage renal disease (ESRF) and diabetes mellitus. He presented with Acute Pulmonary Oedema with Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI) in our hospital. He was intubated in view of persistent type I respiratory failure and persistent desaturation despite post haemodialysis. Blood investigation indicated the presence of ongoing infection and inflammation. The aerobic blood culture growth of F. philomiragia was identified using the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (Score value: 2.16) and confirmed by 16S Ribosomal DNA (16S rDNA) sequencing. He was discharged well on day 26 of admission, after completing one week of piperacillin/tazobactam and two weeks of doxycycline.

Conclusion

Clinical suspicion should be raised if patients with known risk factors are presenting with pneumonia or pulmonary nodules especially as these are the most common manifestations of F. philomiragia infection. Early diagnosis via accurate laboratory identification of the organism through MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and molecular technique such as 16S rDNA sequencing are vital for prompt treatment that results in better outcomes for the afflicted patients.
COVID-19 in pregnancy: placental pathological patterns and effect on perinatal outcome in five cases
Authors: Giordano Giovanna , Petrolini Chiara , Corradini Emilia , Campanini Nicoletta , Esposito Susanna , Perrone Serafina
Published: October 2021

Introduction

COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, is a severe systemic thrombotic syndrome that emerged in 2019, with an ensuing pandemic.

To evaluate the impact of this disease on placental tissue and perinatal outcome, histological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural analyses of placental tissue were performed for five cases of pregnant women with COVID-19.

Case reports

All five pregnant women in this series developed COVID-19 in late pregnancy. Two patients experienced respiratory distress, and computed tomography revealed signs of pneumonia, with bilateral involvement, multiple lobular and subsegmental areas of consolidation and ground-glass opacities.

Histological studies of placental tissue revealed the presence of slight signs of maternal vascular underperfusion (MVUs) or foetal vascular underperfusion (FVUs) lesions and mild inflammatory lesions. CD15 immunoreactivity in the placental tissue was low in all cases, demonstrating that in these cases there was not severe foetal hypoxia/asphyxia risk for newborns or distal vascular immaturity.

In all cases examined, ultrastructural analyses showed spherical-like coronavirus particles with an electron intermediate-density core as well as projections from the surface as spike-like structures in the syncytiotrophoblasts. At term, all of the women delivered newborns who were negative for SARS-CoV-2 by nasopharyngeal testing in their first day of life. All newborns were exclusively breastfed and were discharged on the 3rd day of life.

Conclusions

In conclusion, placental patterns in pregnancy due to COVID-19 in the late stage of gestation indicate no evidence of vertical trans-placental SARS-CoV-2 transmission or a significant impact on the perinatal outcome of newborns, in both mild and more severe cases.
Oestrogen deprivation induces chemokine production and immune cell recruitment in in vitro and in vivo models of oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancer
Authors: Hazlett Jody , Niemi Virginia , Aiderus Aziz , Powell Katelyn , Wise Lyn , Kemp Roslyn , Dunbier Anita K.
Published: October 2021

Background

Oestrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer is commonly treated using endocrine therapies such as aromatase inhibitors which block synthesis of oestradiol, but the influence of this therapy on the immune composition of breast tumours has not been fully explored. Previous findings suggest that tumour infiltrating lymphocytes and immune-related gene expression may be altered by treatment with aromatase inhibitors. However, whether these changes are a direct result of impacts on the host immune system or mediated through tumour cells is not known. We aimed to investigate the effect of oestrogen deprivation on the expression of chemokines and immune infiltration in vitro and in an ER+ immunocompetent mouse model.

Methods

RT-qPCR and a bead-based Bioplex system were used to investigate the expression of chemokines in MCF-7 breast cancer cells deprived of oestrogen. A migration assay and flow cytometry were used to measure the migration of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to MCF-7 cells grown without the main biologically active oestrogen, oestradiol. Using flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry, we examined the immune cell infiltrate into tumours created by injecting SSM3 ER+ breast cancer cells into wild-type, immunocompetent 129/SvEv mice.

Results

This study demonstrates that oestrogen deprivation increases breast cancer secretion of TNF, CCL5, IL-6, IL-8, and CCL22 and alters total human peripheral blood mononuclear cell migration in an in vitro assay. Oestrogen deprivation of breast cancer cells increases migration of CD4+ T cells and decreases migration of CD11c+ and CD14+ PBMC towards cancer cells. PBMC migration towards breast cancer cells can be reduced by treatment with the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin and celecoxib. Treatment with endocrine therapy using the aromatase inhibitor letrozole increases CD4+ T cell infiltration into ER+ breast cancer tumours in immune competent mice.

Conclusions

These results suggest that anti-oestrogen treatment of ER+ breast cancer cells can alter cytokine production and immune cells in the area surrounding the cancer cells. These findings may have implications for the combination and timing of anti-oestrogen therapies with other therapies.
A single-cell interactome of human tooth germ from growing third molar elucidates signaling networks regulating dental development
Authors: Shi Yueqi , Yu Yejia , Zhou Yuqiong , Zhao Jun , Zhang Wenjie , Zou Duohong , Song Weichen , Wang Shaoyi
Published: October 2021

Background

Development of dental tissue is regulated by extensive cell crosstalk based on various signaling molecules, such as bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) pathways. However, an intact network of the intercellular regulation is still lacking.

Result

To gain an unbiased and comprehensive view of this dental cell interactome, we applied single-cell RNA-seq on immature human tooth germ of the growing third molar, discovered refined cell subtypes, and applied multiple network analysis to identify the central signaling pathways. We found that immune cells made up over 80% of all tooth germ cells, which exhibited profound regulation on dental cells via Transforming growth factor-β, Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and Interleukin-1. During osteoblast differentiation, expression of genes related to extracellular matrix and mineralization was continuously elevated by signals from BMP and FGF family. As for the self-renewal of apical papilla stem cell, BMP-FGFR1-MSX1 pathway directly regulated the G0-to-S cell cycle transition. We also confirmed that Colony Stimulating Factor 1 secreted from pericyte and TNF Superfamily Member 11 secreted from osteoblast regulated a large proportion of genes related to osteoclast transformation from macrophage and monocyte.

Conclusions

We constructed the intercellular signaling networks that regulated the essential developmental process of human tooth, which served as a foundation for future dental regeneration engineering and the understanding of oral pathology.
An adaptive splitting algorithm for the sum of two generalized monotone operators and one cocoercive operator
Authors: Dao Minh N. , Phan Hung M.
Published: October 2021

Splitting algorithms for finding a zero of sum of operators often involve multiple steps which are referred to as forward or backward steps. Forward steps are the explicit use of the operators and backward steps involve the operators implicitly via their resolvents. In this paper, we study an adaptive splitting algorithm for finding a zero of the sum of three operators. We assume that two of the operators are generalized monotone and their resolvents are computable, while the other operator is cocoercive but its resolvent is missing or costly to compute. Our splitting algorithm adapts new parameters to the generalized monotonicity of the operators and, at the same time, combines appropriate forward and backward steps to guarantee convergence to a solution of the problem.
A case of Castleman disease with hemophagocytic syndrome derived from HHV8 infection
Authors: Cui Xiao , Wu Yongfeng , Jia Lin , Chang Jing , Li Chuanyun , Guo Caiping , Zhang Tong , Ma Yingmin , Zhang Yulin
Published: October 2021

Background

For a patient presenting with fever, multiple lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly, pathogen infection should be preferentially considered, followed by lymphoid malignancies. When traditional laboratory and pathological detection cannot find the pathogenic microorganism, metagenomic sequencing (MGS) which targets the person’s genome for exceptional genetic disorders may detect a rare pathogen.

Case presentation

Here, we introduced the diagnostic clue of a case of multicentric Castleman disease (MCD) with hemophagocytic syndrome which was elicited from the detection of human herpesvirus-8 in the blood of a HIV-1 infected person by MGS technology during pathogen inspection. This case highlights the need to increase the awareness of MCD among clinicians and pathologists.

Conclusions

MGS technology may play a pivotal role in providing diagnostic clues during pathogen inspection, especially when pathogens are not detectable by conventional methods.
Industrial Digital Twins based on the non-linear LATIN-PGD
Authors: Barabinot Philippe , Scanff Ronan , Ladevèze Pierre , Néron David , Cauville Bruno
Published: October 2021

Digital Twins, which tend to intervene over the entire life cycle of products from early design phase to predictive maintenance through optimization processes, are increasingly emerging as an essential component in the future of industries. To reduce the computational time reduced-order modeling (ROM) methods can be useful. However, the spread of ROM methods at an industrial level is currently hampered by the difficulty of introducing them into commercial finite element software, due to the strong intrusiveness of the associated algorithms, preventing from getting robust and reliable tools all integrated in a certified product. This work tries to circumvent this issue by introducing a weakly-invasive reformulation of the LATIN-PGD method which is intended to be directly embedded into Simcenter Samcef$$^{\hbox {TM}}$$TMfinite element software. The originality of this approach lies in the remarkably general way of doing, allowing PGD method to deal with not only a particular application but with all facilities already included in such softwares—any non-linearities, any element types, any boundary conditions...—and thus providing a new high-performance all-inclusive non-linear solver.
Enhanced parametric shape descriptions in PGD-based space separated representations
Authors: Kazemzadeh-Parsi Mohammad Javad , Ammar Amine , Duval Jean Louis , Chinesta Francisco
Published: October 2021

Space separation within the Proper Generalized Decomposition—PGD—rationale allows solving high dimensional problems as a sequence of lower dimensional ones. In our former works, different geometrical transformations were proposed for addressing complex shapes and spatially non-separable domains. Efficient implementation of separated representations needs expressing the domain as a product of characteristic functions involving the different space coordinates. In the case of complex shapes, more sophisticated geometrical transformations are needed to map the complex physical domain into a regular one where computations are performed. This paper aims at proposing a very efficient route for accomplishing such space separation. A NURBS-based geometry representation, usual in computer aided design—CAD—, is retained and combined with a fully separated representation for allying efficiency (ensured by the fully separated representations) and generality (by addressing complex geometries). Some numerical examples are considered to prove the potential of the proposed methodology.
RALSA: the R analyzer for large-scale assessments
Authors: Mirazchiyski Plamen V.
Published: October 2021

This paper presents the R Analyzer for Large-Scale Assessments (), a newly developed package for analyzing data from studies using complex sampling and assessment designs. Such studies are, for example, the IEA’s Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study and the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment. The package covers all cycles from a broad range of studies. The paper presents the architecture of the package, the overall workflow and illustrates some basic analyses using it. The package is open-source and free of charge. Other software packages for analyzing large-scale assessment data exist, some of them are proprietary, others are open-source. However, is the first comprehensive package, designed for the user experience and has some distinctive features. One innovation is that the package can convert SPSS data from large scale assessments into native data sets. It can also do so for PISA data from cycles prior to 2015, where the data is provided in tab-delimited text files along with SPSS control syntax files. Another feature is the availability of a graphical user interface, which is also written in and operates in any operating system where a full copy of can be installed. The output from any analysis function is written into an MS Excel workbook with multiple sheets for the estimates, model statistics, analysis information and the calling syntax itself for reproducing the analysis in future. The flexible design of allows for the quick addition of new studies, analysis types and features to the existing ones.
Clinical strategies for reducing firearm suicide
Authors: Pallin Rocco , Barnhorst Amy
Published: October 2021

Suicide is complex, with psychiatric, cultural, and socioeconomic roots. Though mental illnesses like depression contribute to risk for suicide, access to lethal means such as firearms is considered a key risk factor for suicide, and half of suicides in the USA are by firearm. When a person at risk of suicide has access to firearms, clinicians have a range of options for intervention. Depending on the patient, the situation, and the access to firearms, counseling on storage practices, temporary transfer of firearms, or further intervention may be appropriate. In the USA, ownership of and access to firearms are common and discussing added risk of access to firearms for those at risk of suicide is not universally practiced. Given the burden of suicide (particularly by firearm) in the USA, the prevalence of firearm access, and the lethality of suicide attempts with firearms, we present the existing evidence on the burden of firearm suicide and what clinicians can do to reduce their patients’ risk. Specifically, we review firearm ownership in the USA, firearm injury epidemiology, risk factors for firearm-related harm, and available interventions to reduce patients’ risk of firearm injury and death.
Evaluation of implanted perforated lacrimal punctal plugs using anterior segment optical coherence tomography
Authors: Abdallah Raafat Mohyeldeen Abdelrahman , Elshafei Ahmed Mohamed Kamal , AttaAllah Heba Radi
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Evaluation of the patency and position of perforated lacrimal punctal plugs implanted for treating punctal stenosis together with quantitative assessment of the precorneal tear film using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT).

Methods

In a prospective study, the lower punctum of 54 eyes of 29 patients implanted with perforated punctal plugs were examined using AS-OCT during the early postoperative period. Preoperative tear meniscus height (TMH) and tear meniscus area (TMA) were evaluated. Postoperatively, the patency of the plug, its position, TMH and TMA were evaluated, and the results were correlated with postoperative epiphora. Munk scale was used for epiphora grading.

Results

Using AS-OCT, 48 (88.9%) plugs were found in proper position while 6 (11.1%) were rotated. The lumen of the plugs was completely patent in 47 (87%) plugs, partially obstructed in 2 (3.7%) plugs and completely occluded in 5 (9.2%) plugs. There was a statistically significant postoperative decrease of TMH and TMA (P < 0.001) and postoperative epiphora Munk score (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

AS-OCT is a valuable, reliable, and noninvasive investigative tool that can detect the proper positioning, patency, and contents of the implanted perforated lacrimal punctal plugs in addition to measurement of TMH and TMA.

Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04624022, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04624022
Correlations between lung pneumonic lesions and serologic status for key respiratory pathogens in slaughtered pigs in northern Uganda
Authors: Oba Peter , Dione Michel M. , Wieland Barbara , Mwiine Frank N. , Erume Joseph
Published: October 2021

Background

A cross-sectional study of slaughtered pigs was conducted in Lira district, Uganda, to (1) determine the prevalence and severity of pneumonia and (2) establish relationships between pneumonia types and the serological status for key respiratory pathogens. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), sera were screened for antibodies againstMycoplasma hyopneumoniae(M. hyo),Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae(App), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSv) and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2). Postmortem, lungs were grossly scored for pneumonia types and pneumonic lesions. Pneumonia types were characterized as catarrhal purulent bronchopneumonia (CPBP), pleuropneumonia (PLP) and pleuritis. The percent of lung surface affected by pneumonia was determined by estimating the affected surface area of each lung lobe. Each lobe was assigned scores based on the approximate volume represented and the total percentage of lung surface affected obtained as a sum of individual lobe scores.Metastrongylus spp.helminth infection was determined by examining lungs for gross presence or absence. RStudio was used for data analysis and presentation. Wilcoxon rank sum tests were used to compare median pneumonia lesion scores and serostatus for each studied pathogen. An ordinal logistic regression model was fitted to evaluate the odds of multiple pneumonia, with pathogen serostatus andMetastrongylus spp.infection as predictors.

Results

One hundred sixty-seven (n = 167) lungs were examined for pneumonic lesions. The prevalences of CPBP, PLP and pleuritis were 29.9% (95% CI 22.9–36.9), 74.2% (95% CI 67.5–80.9) and 17.3% (95% CI 22.4–36.3), respectively. The true prevalence of PCV2 was 9.7% (95% CI 4.5–16.8), that of PRRSv was 7.5% (95% CI 2.7–14.2), that ofM. hyowas 11.5% (95% CI 7.2–18.0), that ofAppwas 25.1% (95% CI 18.5–38.0), and that ofMetastrongylus spp.was 29.3% (95% CI 22.9–36.6). The odds of multiple pneumonia forms increased in pigs with multiple pathogens (ORs 2.6,p = 0.01) andMetastrongylus spp.infestation (OR 2.5,p = 0.003), suggesting synergistic effects of coinfections in the induction of lesions.

Conclusions

This study revealed a high prevalence and severity of pneumonic lesions in slaughtered pigs. It provides baseline information and evidence for the magnitude of pneumonia associated with the studied pathogens and justifies future studies on their potential economic impacts on Ugandan pigs.
Examining migration governance: evidence of rising insecurities due to COVID-19 in China, Ethiopia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Morocco, Nepal and Thailand
Authors: Murzakulova Asel , Dessalegn Mengistu , Phalkey Neelambari
Published: October 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly changed the context of global migration. From a migration perspective, the pandemic is a source of insecurities that challenge migrants, their livelihoods and migration governance. Meanwhile, curtailment in movement has led to economic decline affecting labour markets. For migrant origin and hosting countries, this poses multidimensional development challenges. Analysis from March to August 2020 of China, Ethiopia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Morocco, Nepal and Thailand highlights the varying ways in which they are all severely affected by the disruptions in migration, suggesting a potentially emerging complex situation in migration patterns and pathways. The disruptions in migration and remittances have had a profound impact on migrants and migrant-sending households. The uncertainty of migration returning to pre-pandemic levels and the potential of lasting consequences on migrants and migration patterns and pathways, suggests a future of greater risk and exploitation, and a wider gap between formal and informal migration. This paper calls for greater mobility cooperation between countries and suggests strengthening mobility migration frameworks and policies for safer migration and for the rights of migrants.
The voices of lived experience: reflections from citizen team members in a long-term care research program
Authors: Mann Jim , Bishop Roberta , Bond Graham , Forbes Faye , Kieloch Barbara , Thelker Christine , Chamberlain Stephanie A.
Published: October 2021

Background

The Translating Research in Elder Care (TREC) program is a partnered health services research team that aims to improve the quality of care and quality of life for residents and quality of worklife for staff in nursing homes. The TREC team undertook several activities to enhance the collaboration between the academic researchers and us, the citizen members. Known as VOICES (Voice Of (potential) Incoming residents, Caregivers Educating uS) we aim to share our experience working with a large research team.

Methods

We reflect on the findings reported in the paper by Chamberlain et al. (2021). They described the findings from two surveys (May 2018, July 2019) that were completed by TREC team members (researchers, trainees, staff, decision-makers, citizens). The survey questions asked about the respondents’ experience with citizen engagement, their perceptions of the benefits and challenges of citizen engagement, and their unmet needs for training.

Results

The paper reported on the survey findings from all the survey respondents (research team, decision-makers, citizens), but much of the results focused on the researcher perspective. They reported that respondents believed that citizen engagement was a benefit to their research but noted many challenges. While we appreciate the researchers’ positive perceptions of citizen engagement, much work remains to fully integrate us into all stages of the research. We offer our reflections and suggestions for how to work with citizen members and identify areas for more training and support.

Conclusions

Despite the increased interest in citizen engagement, we feel there is a lack of understanding and support to truly integrate non-academic team members on research teams. We hope the discussion in this commentary identifies specific areas that need to be addressed to support the continued engagement of citizens and show how the lived experience can bring value to research teams.
Quantification of macular perfusion in healthy children using optical coherence tomography angiography
Authors: Ghassemi Fariba , Hatami Vahid , Salari Farhad , Bazvand Fatemeh , Shamouli Hadi , Mohebbi Masoumeh , Sabour Siamak
Published: October 2021

Background

This study aimed at defining the variance of vessel density (VD) characteristics in the macula of children with normal eyes.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study in which subjects with normal eyes aged 3–18 years were enrolled. The macula was scanned by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Four age groups as under 7 years, 7–10 years, 11–14 years and more than 14 years of age were defined. The influences of age, gender, and body mass index on VD were analyzed.

Results

A total of 108 normal eyes from 54 participants with a mean age of 10.9 years were enrolled in the study. At the superficial and deep retina capillary plexus (SCP and DCP) and choriocapillaris (CC), respectively, the mean VD of the fovea was 20.10%, 36.99%, and 75.67%; at parafovea, these measurements were 53.12%, 55.81%, and 69.76%; and at perifovea, these measures were 51.38%, 52.46%, and 73.47%. The median foveal avascular zone (FAZ) was 0.30 mm2. No significant differences between superior-hemi VD and inferior-hemi VD were found in the studied plexuses. The VD at parafovea and perifovea CC differed significantly between groups. There was no variation in VD of macular retina and CC between eyes or sex. FAZ areas were different between genders.

Conclusions

No difference between eyes and genders in the retina and CC VD of macular area was noted. FAZ area was larger in male. Even though this is not a longitudinal study, it may provide us with hints about macular vascular development during puberty and clinical implications of OCTA in children.
Biological control of Golovinomyces cichoracearum, the causal pathogen of sunflower powdery mildew
Authors: Esawy Adel Ateyh , Elsharkawy Mohsen Mohamed , Omara Reda Ibrahim , Khalifa Mamdouh Abdel Fattah , Fadel Fawzya Mohamed , El-Naggar Magdy Mohamed
Published: October 2021

Background

Powdery mildew was found in most of the sunflower fields in Egypt, causing severe yellowing of the blade, petiole, stem and calyx, as well as a considerable defoliation during the summer season of 2018. Out of the fungal mycelium from infected leaves, collected from sunflower fields in the four Egyptian Governorates (Kafr El-Sheikh, Gharbia, Giza and El-Beheira), five isolates of powdery mildew pathogen were obtained and identified using morphological and molecular identification methods.

Results

In 2019 and 2020 seasons, five biocontrol agents (Bacillus subtilis, B. pumilus, Trichoderma harzianum, T. viride and T. koningii) were used to control powdery mildew disease on sunflower plants under field conditions compared with the fungicide (Vectra 10% SC). Treatments were significantly effective for controlling the powdery mildew disease relative to the control. The best treatment for reducing disease parameters (final disease severity (FDS%), area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) and efficacy) than the control was T. koningii. Foliar application of all the tested treatments improved plant height, head and stem diameters and seed yield in relation to untreated plants (control). The components (FDS%, AUDPC and efficacy) were extracted and described approximately 95.251% of the pooled data of seasons 2019 and 2020. In such pooled data, the principal components (PC1, PC2 and PC3) of all disease parameters, plant development parameters and yield components were recorded 76.305, 86.635 and 96.265% of the total variance, respectively.

Conclusion

A biological control agent, such as T. koningii, can be suggested for disease control based on the experimental findings.
Successful treatment of thromboses of major arteries after ChAdOx1 nCov-19 vaccination
Authors: Goereci Yasemin , Kleineberg Nina N. , Madlener Marie , Neuschmelting Hannah , Fink Gereon R. , Warnke Clemens , Stetefeld Henning
Published: October 2021

The ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 adenoviral vector vaccine to prevent contracting Covid-19 caused by infection with SARS-CoV-2 has been associated with vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) primarily leading to venous thromboses. Here, we report two cases of major arterial occlusions after ChAdOx1 nCov-19 vaccination, comprising a 42-year-old woman with thrombotic occlusion of the left carotid artery, and a 62-year-old man with occlusion of distal aorta and iliac arteries. Both were successfully treated with intravenous immunoglobulins and non-heparin anticoagulant agents leading to a beneficial short-term outcome of 6 weeks in case 1 and four months in case 2.
Influence of bacteria on the maintenance of a yeast during Drosophila melanogaster metamorphosis
Authors: Guilhot Robin , Rombaut Antoine , Xuéreb Anne , Howell Kate , Fellous Simon
Published: October 2021

Interactions between microorganisms associated with metazoan hosts are emerging as key features of symbiotic systems. Little is known about the role of such interactions on the maintenance of host-microorganism association throughout the host’s life cycle. We studied the influence of extracellular bacteria on the maintenance of a wild isolate of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae through metamorphosis of the fly Drosophila melanogaster reared in fruit. Yeasts maintained through metamorphosis only when larvae were associated with extracellular bacteria isolated from D. melanogaster faeces. One of these isolates, an Enterobacteriaceae, favoured yeast maintenance during metamorphosis. Such bacterial influence on host-yeast association may have consequences for the ecology and evolution of insect-yeast-bacteria symbioses in the wild.
Surgery-related predictors of kneeling ability following total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Nadeem Shaheer , Mundi Raman , Chaudhry Harman
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Kneeling ability is among the poorest outcomes following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of this meta-analysis was to: (1) quantify kneeling ability after TKA; (2) identify surgical approaches and prosthesis designs that improve kneeling ability following TKA; and (3) quantify the effectiveness of these approaches.

Methods

We performed a systematic review in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines of multiple medical databases. Data relating to demographics, TKA technique, prosthesis design, and kneeling-specific outcomes were extracted. Comparative outcomes data were pooled using a random effects model.

Results

Thirty-six studies met the eligibility criteria. The proportion of patients able to kneel increased with longer follow-up (36.8% at a minimum of 1 year follow-up versus 47.6% after a minimum of 3 years follow-up, p < 0.001). The odds of kneeling were greater for patients undergoing an anterolateral incision compared with an anteromedial incision (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.3–6.9, p = 0.02); a transverse incision compared with a longitudinal incision (OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.4–8.7, p = 0.008); and a shorter incision compared with a longer incision (OR 8.5, 95% CI 2.3–30.9, p = 0.001). The odds of kneeling were worse for a mobile prosthesis compared with a fixed platform design (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1–0.7, p = 0.005).

Conclusion

A large majority of patients are unable to kneel following TKA, although the ability to kneel improves over time. This evidence may facilitate preoperative patient counseling. Variations in choice of incision location and length may affect ability to kneel; however, high-quality randomized trials are needed to corroborate our findings.
Overexpression of lncRNA AFAP1-AS1 as a diagnostic biomarker in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Ghalib Ibrahim Alnajar Sajjad , Rajabi Ali , Maydanchi Melika , Tayefeh Gholami Samaneh , Saber Ali , Safaralizadeh Reza
Published: October 2021

Background

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in lung tumorigenesis. Among different lncRNAs, overexpression of the lncRNA actin filament‐associated protein 1‐antisense RNA 1 (AFAP1-AS1) in lung tumors has been reported in different studies. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the potential value of lncRNA AFAP1-AS1 as a diagnostic biomarker in lung cancer. Ninety samples from patients with lung cancer were collected from Noor-E-Nejat hospital, Tabriz, Iran. The expression of AFAP1-AS1 was assessed using quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR (qRT-PCR), followed by the ROC curve analysis to investigate the biomarker potency of AFAP1-AS1.

Results

Our results revealed an upregulation of AFAP1-AS1 in tumor samples as compared to the adjacent non-tumor tissues. We found a significant positive association between AFAP1-AS1 expression and tumor size, as well as tumor stage.

Conclusions

Our results showed overexpression of AFAP1-AS1 and its capacity as a diagnostic biomarker in lung cancer.
The relationship between stress, trait emotional intelligence and mental health amongst Gaza’s basic-year medical students during the COVID-19 outbreak
Authors: El-Khodary Basel , Alshawamreh Siham , Salah Mariam Abu , Hamada Amro , Alhendawi Baraa , Alhabil Mohammed , Alemour Younis , Zaqout Hadil , Wadi Ezz Aldeen
Published: October 2021

Background

This study investigates the relationship between exposure to stress, trait emotional intelligence (trait EI) and mental health problems (anxiety and depression symptoms) amongst basic-year medical students during COVID-19. The sample consists of 379 basic-year medical students. Off them, 160 (42.4%) were male and 218 (57.5%) were female. The following measures were used in the study: The Medical Student Stressor Questionnaire (MSSQ), Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire—Short Form (TEIQue-ASF), The anxiety symptoms scale and the depression scale.

Results

The majority of students reported high to severe level ARS and mild to moderate DRS. Female students showed higher levels of ARS, TLRS, SRS, GARS and anxiety symptoms compared to male ones. Moreover, students with higher levels of academic performance reported lower levels of ARS and DRS, higher levels of trait EI and lower levels of anxiety and depression symptoms. In addition, trait EI has a significant negative association with anxiety and depression symptoms and stress domains (ARS, IRS, TLRS, SRS, DRS, GARS) and total stress. Finally, stress domains are positively correlated with anxiety and depression symptoms.

Conclusion

Basic-year medical students in the Gaza Strip are exposed to stressful events which aggravate the effect of exposure and cause higher levels of anxiety and depression symptoms.
COVID-19 neurological manifestations: correlation of cerebral MRI imaging and lung imaging—Observational study
Authors: Saleh Rasha Aly , Shaban Ekhlas
Published: October 2021

Background

During the current pandemic, there is an increased incidence of neurologic/neuropsychiatric manifestations in patients with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Neurologic manifestations may be coincident or result of disease and its therapy. In the emergency department, orientation of the clinician with this issue is crucial for accurate decision making to limit the spread of infection during neurologic treatment. This study aimed to be familiar with MRI findings in patients with Neuro-COVID. Seventy patients presented with neurologic/neuropsychiatric manifestation either post COVID or during hospitalization underwent cerebral MRI from April 2020 to June 2021 (39 men and 31women; mean age 43.27, age range from 16 to 69 years).

Results

Headache (80%), is the most prevalent neurological manifestations followed by smell and taste impairment (62.9%) and stroke symptoms (45.7%). Low mood and anxiety (17.1%), prolonged fatigue (14.3%) and depression (7.1%) are the most common psychiatric symptoms. Infarctions, hematoma and demyelinating disease are the most prevalent findings. There is a week positive correlation between MRI findings and CT chest finding but without statistical significance (P-value 0.2).

Conclusions

Cerebrovascular disease and demyelinating lesions are common manifestations of COVID 19. Familiarity of neurologists and radiologist in the emergency department and in-patient with this issue is crucial to avoid misdiagnosis and the spread of infection.