bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utilization of point-of-care tests among general practitioners, a cross-sectional study
Authors: Oehme Ricarda , Sandholzer-Yilmaz Angelika Sabine , Heise Marcus , Frese Thomas , Fankhaenel Thomas
Published: March 2022

Background

Point-of-care testing (POCT) has numerous potential benefits to improve health care service, especially in resource-limited settings. We aim to identify which POC-tests (POCTs) of laboratory parameters are known, employed, and rated as useful by general practitioners (GPs).

Methods

A questionnaire with 27 POCTs was posted to a random selection of GPs (n = 451) in Saxony, Germany.

Results

A total of 208 GPs replied (response rate 46.1%). Out of 27 POCTs, each GP knew an average of 20.3 as laboratory parameters and 9.2 as POCTs. Urine test strips (99.0%), blood glucose test (98.1%), and Troponin I/T (86.4%) were the best-known, followed by INR/Quick (82.5%), Microalbumin (79.1%), and D-dimer (78.6%) POCTs. Yet, solely 0 to 13 POC tests were actually used (mean value 4.6). Urine test strips were employed most frequently (97.6%), followed by blood glucose test (94.7%), Troponin I/T (57.8%), Microalbumin (57.3%), and INR/Quick POCTs (41.7%). Heart fatty binding protein (H-FABP), Syphilis, Coeliac disease, and Malaria appeared as the least frequently used POCTs. The majority of the GPs declared 14 of the 27 POCTs to be useful.

Discussion/conclusion

The most recurrently employed POCTs are those for diagnosing or monitoring diabetes mellitus, ensued by POCTs addressing acute cardiovascular diseases (Troponin I/T, D-dimer) or monitoring the therapy of infectious diseases or the anticoagulant therapy. POCTs most often rated as useful by GPs are also widely known and frequently used. Nonetheless, the majority of GPs rate only a very limited number of POCTs as useful. Frequent concerns might be low economic benefit, over-reliance, and test accuracy coming along with the complex implementation of the tests requiring technical skills, accurate storage, and the correct interpretation of test results.

Trial registration

In accordance with the (Model) Professional Code for Physicians in Germany, neither human body materials nor data that can be assigned to a specific human being are used in our study. A declaration of no objection from the Ethics Committee of the Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (Medical Faculty) confirms no professional or ethical concerns due to completely anonymized data collection and analysis. Our study was therefore not registered in a corresponding registry.
Failure of alemtuzumab therapy in three patients with MOG antibody associated disease
Authors: Seneviratne Sinali O. , Marriott Mark , Ramanathan Sudarshini , Yeh Wei , Brilot-Turville Fabienne , Butzkueven Helmut , Monif Mastura
Published: March 2022

Background

Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) is most classically associated in both children and adults with phenotypes including bilateral and recurrent optic neuritis (ON) and transverse myelitis (TM), with the absence of brain lesions characteristic of multiple sclerosis (MS). ADEM phenotype is the most common presentation of MOGAD in children. However, the presence of clinical phenotypes including unilateral ON and short TM in some patients with MOGAD may lead to their misdiagnosis as MS. Thus, clinically and radiologically, MOGAD can mimic MS and clinical vigilance is required for accurate diagnostic workup.

Case presentation

We present three cases initially diagnosed as MS and then treated with alemtuzumab. Unexpectedly, all three patients did quite poorly on this medication, with a decline in their clinical status with worsening of expanded disability status scale (EDSS) and an increasing lesion load on magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. Subsequently, all three cases were found to have anti-MOG antibody in their serum.

Conclusions

These cases highlight that if a patient suspected to have MS does not respond to conventional treatments such as alemtuzumab, a search for alternative diagnoses such as MOG antibody disease may be warranted.
Biweekly oxaliplatin plus S1 for Chinese elderly patients with advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer as the first-line therapy: a single-arm, phase 2 study
Authors: Jiang Zhichao , Zhou Aiping , Sun Yongkun , Zhang Wen
Published: March 2022

Background

SOX (oxaliplatin and S1, every 3 weeks) is one of the most common first-line chemotherapy for advanced or metastatic G/GEJ (gastric or gastroesophageal junction) cancer in Asia, but it has noticeable hematological and neurological toxicity. In China, the majority of gastric cancer patients are middle-aged and elderly with poor tolerance to 3-weekly chemotherapy. Therefore, we aimed to assess efficacy and safety of biweekly SOX for Chinese advanced G/GEJ cancer patients aged ≥ 60 years as the first-line treatment in a single arm phase 2 study.

Methods

Oxaliplatin was administered intravenously on day 1 at 85 mg/m2. S-1 was given at 80, 100 or 120 mg/day, depending on the body surface area (< 1.25 m2, 1.25 to < 1.5 m2, or ≥ 1.5 m2), twice daily, on day 1–10, every 2 weeks. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR), and the secondary endpoints included progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), disease control rate (DCR), duration of response (DOR) and safety.

Results

Between May 2016 and Sep 2018, 42 patients were enrolled. The median follow-up was 43.6 months. The ORR and DCR were 52.4% and 85.7%, respectively. The median PFS was 4.6 months (95%CI 2.486–6.714), and the median OS was 11.1 months (95%CI 8.001–14.199). The most common treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) of any grade included thrombocytopenia (59.5%), neutropenia (57.1%), appetite loss (57.1%) and nausea (54.8%). Only two patients suffered from grade 3 TRAEs (4.8%), including neutropenia (1 patient, [2.4%]) and diarrhea (1 patient, [2.4%]). No ≥ grade 4 TRAEs occurred.

Conclusions

Biweekly SOX seemed to have favorable tolerance without compromising the efficacy as the first-line therapy in Chinese elderly patients aged ≥ 60 years with advanced G/GEJ cancer.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04694404 (5/1/2021). This study was approved by the Ethical Committee of National Cancer Center/ National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/ Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, (17–048/1303).
The impact of stigma on HIV testing decisions for gay, bisexual, queer and other men who have sex with men: a qualitative study
Authors: Iott Bradley E. , Loveluck Jimena , Benton Akilah , Golson Leon , Kahle Erin , Lam Jason , Bauermeister José A. , Veinot Tiffany C.
Published: March 2022

Background

Stigmatization may prompt gay, bisexual, queer and other men who have sex with men (GBQMSM) to avoid or delay HIV testing. There has been little attention to GBQMSMs’ perspectives about how stigma may influence their decisions about whether, where, and how often to get tested for HIV.

Methods

We conducted nine focus groups with 64 adult GBQMSM in Metropolitan Detroit, including HIV-negative men and people living with HIV (PLWH). Data were thematically analyzed deductively and inductively in three rounds.

Results

Three themes emerged regarding whether to get tested: (1) Perceived promiscuity, risk perceptions and HIV testing; (2) Fearing sexual rejection; and (3) Fearing friend and family member distancing and rejection. Themes concerning where to get tested included: (4) Conflating HIV testing and diagnosis; and (5) Seeking privacy and safety at specialized services. As for how often to get tested, themes included: (6) Reducing contact with healthcare providers due to intersectional stigma; (7) Responsibility and regular testing; and (8) HIV stigma and testing as routine care. Black participants articulated themes (3), (4), and (6) with greater frequency than other participants. Framing HIV testing as a personal responsibility may have created a “new stigma,” with unintended consequences not observed with “routine healthcare” messaging.

Conclusions

GBQMSMs’ perspectives indicate the potential for new foci for HIV testing promotion interventions based on stigma-related issues that they deem important. There is a need for interventions to challenge the “promiscuity” stereotype, and to reduce the sexual stigmatization of GBQMSM living with HIV/AIDS—especially online. Provider stigma requires both intervention and continued availability of specialized services. Future stigma-reduction interventions for Black GBQMSM could focus on building family support/acceptance, awareness of multiple testing options, and integrating LGBTQ-related issues into initiatives for racial justice in health care.
Factors associated with willingness to use oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in a fisher-folk community in peri-urban Kampala, Uganda
Authors: Ssuna Bashir , Katahoire Anne , Armstrong-Hough Mari , Kalibbala Dennis , Kalyango Joan N. , Kiweewa Flavia Matovu
Published: March 2022

Background

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in key populations at elevated risk for exposure to HIV. If used effectively, PrEP can reduce annual HIV incidence to below 0.05%. However, PrEP is not acceptable among all communities that might benefit from it. There is, therefore, a need to understand perceptions of PrEP and factors associated with willingness to use PrEP among key populations at risk of HIV, such as members of communities with exceptionally high HIV prevalence.

Objective

To examine the perceptions and factors associated with willingness to use oral PrEP among members of fishing communities in Uganda, a key population at risk of HIV.

Methods

We conducted an explanatory sequential mixed-methods study at Ggaba fishing community from February to June 2019. Survey data were collected from a systematic random sample of 283 community members in which PrEP had not been rolled out yet by the time of we conducted the study. We carried out bivariate tests of association of willingness to use PrEP with demographic characteristics, HIV risk perception, HIV testing history. We estimated prevalence ratios for willingness to use PrEP. We used backward elimination to build a multivariable modified Poisson regression model to describe factors associated with willingness to use PrEP. We purposively selected 16 participants for focus group discussions to contextualize survey findings, analysing data inductively and identifying emergent themes related to perceptions of PrEP.

Key results

We enrolled 283 participants with a mean age of 31 ± 8 years. Most (80.9%) were male. The majority of participants had tested for HIV in their lifetime, but 64% had not tested in the past 6 months. Self-reported HIV prevalence was 6.4%. Most (80.6, 95%CI 75.5–85.0) were willing in principle to use PrEP. Willingness to use PrEP was associated with perceiving oneself to be at high risk of HIV (aPR 1.99, 95%CI 1.31–3.02, P = 0.001), having tested for HIV in the past 6-months (aPR 1.13, 95%CI 1.03–1.24, P = 0.007), and completion of tertiary education (aPR 1.97, 95%CI 1.39–2.81, P < 0.001). In focus group discussions, participants described pill burden, side-effects and drug safety as potential barriers to PrEP use.

Conclusions and recommendations

Oral PrEP was widely acceptable among members of fishing communities in peri-urban Kampala. Programs for scaling-up PrEP for fisherfolk should merge HIV testing services with sensitization about PrEP and also increase means of awareness of PrEP as an HIV preventive strategy .
Good validity in the Norwegian Knee Ligament Register: assessment of data quality for key variables in primary and revision cruciate ligament reconstructions from 2004 to 2013
Authors: Midttun Espen , Andersen Morten Torheim , Engebretsen Lars , Visnes Håvard , Fenstad Anne Marie , Gjertsen Jan-Erik , Persson Andreas
Published: March 2022

Background

The Norwegian Knee Ligament Register was founded in 2004 to provide representative and reliable data on cruciate ligament surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of key variables in the Norwegian Knee Ligament Register to reveal and prevent systematic errors or incompleteness, which can lead to biased reports and study conclusions.

Method

We included a stratified cluster sample of 83 patients that had undergone both primary and revision anterior cruciate ligament surgery. A total of 166 medical records were reviewed and compared with their corresponding data in the database of the Norwegian Knee Ligament Register. We assessed the validity of a selection of key variables using medical records as a reference standard to compute the positive predictive values of the register data for the variables.

Results

The positive predictive values for the variables of primary and revision surgery ranged from 92 to 100% and from 39 to 100% with a mean positive predictive value of 99% and 88% respectively. Data on intraoperative findings and surgical details had high positive predictive values, ranging from 91 to 100% for both primary and revision surgery. The positive predictive value for the variable “date of injury” was 92% for primary surgeries but only 39% for revision surgeries. The positive predictive value for “activity at the time of injury” was 99% for primary surgeries and 52% for revisions.

Conclusion

Overall, the data quality of the key variables examined in the Norwegian Knee Ligament Register was high, making the register a valid source for research.
Qualitative inquiry into adolescents’ experience of ethical challenges during enrollment and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Temeke Regional Referral Hospital, Tanzania
Authors: Joseph Renatha Sillo , Mahiti Gladys Reuben , Frumence Gasto , Ulrich Connie M.
Published: March 2022

Background

Adolescents living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) experience challenges, including lack of involvement in their care as well nondisclosure of HIV status, which leads to poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Parents have authority over their children, but during adolescence there is an increasing desire for independence. The aim of the study was to explore adolescents’ experience of challenges identified by adolescents ages 10–19 years attending HIV care and treatment at Temeke Regional Referral Hospital in Tanzania.

Methods

An exploratory descriptive qualitative design was employed in the HIV Care and Treatment Centre (CTC) in the Out-Patient Department at the Temeke Regional Referral Hospital in Tanzania with adolescents living with HIV who were 10–19 years of age. A total of 22 adolescents participated in semi-structured face-to-face interviews after parental consent and adolescent assent were obtained. Participants were interviewed about their participation in decisions to be tested for HIV and enrolled in the CTC, concerns surrounding disclosure of their HIV status to the adolescent or to others, stigma and discrimination, and the effect of these challenges on their adherence to medication. All interviews were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim in Swahili, and back-translated to English. Data analysis included both inductive and deductive thematic analysis.

Results

Qualitative themes identified included lack of participation in decisions about HIV testing, challenges to enrollment in care and treatment; issues around disclosure of HIV status, such as delays in disclosure to the adolescent and disclosure to other persons and benefits and harms of such disclosures; and factors supporting and interfering with adherence to ART, such as parental support, organizational (clinic) support and problems, and self-stigmatization and shame.

Conclusion

Lack of adolescents’ involvement in their care decision making and delayed disclosure of HIV status to the adolescent were identified concerns, leading to poor adherence to ART among adolescents. Disclosure to others, especially teachers, helped adolescents at school to take their medication properly. Disclosure to others led to stigma and discrimination for some adolescents. More research is needed to better understand the role of disclosure and its benefits and challenges for HIV-positive adolescents in Tanzania.
Diurnal and circadian rhythmicity of the human blood transcriptome overlaps with organ- and tissue-specific expression of a non-human primate
Authors: Möller-Levet Carla S. , Laing Emma E. , Archer Simon N. , Dijk Derk-Jan
Published: March 2022

Background

Twenty-four-hour rhythmicity in mammalian tissues and organs is driven by local circadian oscillators, systemic factors, the central circadian pacemaker and light-dark cycles. At the physiological level, the neural and endocrine systems synchronise gene expression in peripheral tissues and organs to the 24-h-day cycle, and disruption of such regulation has been shown to lead to pathological conditions. Thus, monitoring rhythmicity in tissues/organs holds promise for circadian medicine; however, most tissues and organs are not easily accessible in humans and alternative approaches to quantify circadian rhythmicity are needed. We investigated the overlap between rhythmic transcripts in human blood and transcripts shown to be rhythmic in 64 tissues/organs of the baboon, how these rhythms are aligned with light-dark cycles and each other, and whether timing of tissue-specific rhythmicity can be predicted from a blood sample.

Results

We compared rhythmicity in transcriptomic time series collected from humans and baboons using set logic, circular cross-correlation, circular clustering, functional enrichment analyses, and least squares regression. Of the 759 orthologous genes that were rhythmic in human blood, 652 (86%) were also rhythmic in at least one baboon tissue and most of these genes were associated with basic processes such as transcription and protein homeostasis. In total, 109 (17%) of the 652 overlapping rhythmic genes were reported as rhythmic in only one baboon tissue or organ and several of these genes have tissue/organ-specific functions. The timing of human and baboon rhythmic transcripts displayed prominent ‘night’ and ‘day’ clusters, with genes in the dark cluster associated with translation. Alignment between baboon rhythmic transcriptomes and the overlapping human blood transcriptome was significantly closer when light onset, rather than midpoint of light, or end of light period, was used as phase reference point. The timing of overlapping human and baboon rhythmic transcriptomes was significantly correlated in 25 tissue/organs with an average earlier timing of 3.21 h (SD 2.47 h) in human blood.

Conclusions

The human blood transcriptome contains sets of rhythmic genes that overlap with rhythmic genes of tissues/organs in baboon. The rhythmic sets vary across tissues/organs, but the timing of most rhythmic genes is similar in human blood and baboon tissues/organs. These results have implications for development of blood transcriptome-based biomarkers for circadian rhythmicity in tissues and organs.
Detection of chicken DNA in commercial dog foods
Authors: Biel Wioletta , Natonek-Wiśniewska Małgorzata , Kępińska-Pacelik Jagoda , Kazimierska Katarzyna , Czerniawska-Piątkowska Ewa , Krzyścin Piotr
Published: March 2022

Background

These days the number of potential food allergens is very large, but chicken is one of the most common allergens in dogs. Elimination diet is one of the clinical tools for the diagnosis of allergies and allergy tests are not very reliable. The restriction diet is most commonly carried out by feeding pet foods, relying on the ingredients on the label to select an elimination diet not containing previously eaten foods. Unfortunately, mislabeling of pet food is quite common. The purpose of this study was to determine the absence or presence of chicken DNA using both qualitative and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis methods in dry and wet maintenance complete pet foods for adult dogs. Results were used to verify the declared composition on the labels.

Results

Eleven out of fifteen (73%) dog foods were produced as declared by the manufacturer, two of which showed the presence of chicken protein as stated on the label. The remaining nine foods contained amounts of chicken DNA below 1%, consistent with declarations that no chicken was added in the composition. Four of tested dog foods (27%) were not produced consistently with the declaration on the packaging. Two dog foods (one dry and one wet) did not contain the claimed chicken protein. In two foods the addition of chicken DNA was detected at the level of over 2% and almost 6%, respectively.

Conclusions

In this study, we focused on one of the most commonly undeclared animal species on the label—chicken protein—and performed DNA analyzes to investigate possible contamination and mislabeling. The results showed some inaccuracies. However, most of them are trace amounts below 1%, which proves compliance with the label. Our results showed that undeclared animal species can be as common as missing an animal protein declared on the label. The conducted research indicates that both dry and wet analyzed foods should not be recommended as a diagnostic tool in elimination tests, because it may result in false negative results. Over-the-counter maintenance foods for dogs should not be recommended for the diagnosis and treatment of food hypersensitivity.
Overexpression of mGDH in Gluconobacter oxydans to improve d-xylonic acid production from corn stover hydrolysate
Authors: Mao Xinlei , Zhang Baoqi , Zhao Chenxiu , Lin Jinping , Wei Dongzhi
Published: March 2022

Background

d-Xylonic acid is a versatile platform chemical with broad potential applications as a water reducer and disperser for cement and as a precursor for 1,4-butanediol and 1,2,4-tributantriol. Microbial production of d-xylonic acid with bacteria such as Gluconobacter oxydans from inexpensive lignocellulosic feedstock is generally regarded as one of the most promising and cost-effective methods for industrial production. However, high substrate concentrations and hydrolysate inhibitors reduce xylonic acid productivity.

Results

The d-xylonic acid productivity of G. oxydans DSM2003 was improved by overexpressing the mGDH gene, which encodes membrane-bound glucose dehydrogenase. Using the mutated plasmids based on pBBR1MCS-5 in our previous work, the recombinant strain G. oxydans/pBBR-R3510-mGDH was obtained with a significant improvement in d-xylonic acid production and a strengthened tolerance to hydrolysate inhibitors. The fed-batch biotransformation of d-xylose by this recombinant strain reached a high titer (588.7 g/L), yield (99.4%), and volumetric productivity (8.66 g/L/h). Moreover, up to 246.4 g/L d-xylonic acid was produced directly from corn stover hydrolysate without detoxification at a yield of 98.9% and volumetric productivity of 11.2 g/L/h. In addition, G. oxydans/pBBR-R3510-mGDH exhibited a strong tolerance to typical inhibitors, i.e., formic acid, furfural, and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural.

Conclusion

Through overexpressing mgdh in G. oxydans, we obtained the recombinant strain G. oxydans/pBBR-R3510-mGDH, and it was capable of efficiently producing xylonic acid from corn stover hydrolysate under high inhibitor concentrations. The high d-xylonic acid productivity of G. oxydans/pBBR-R3510-mGDH made it an attractive choice for biotechnological production.
Motivation to test, treat, and report malaria cases: a quantitative assessment among private sector providers in the Greater Mekong Subregion
Authors: Brown Morgan , Bouanchaud Paul , Tesfazghi Kemi , Phanalasy Saysana , Thet May Me , Nguyen Hoa , Wheeler Jennifer
Published: March 2022

Background

Accurately testing, treating, and tracking all malaria cases is critical to achieving elimination. Ensuring health providers are able and motivated to test, treat, and report cases is a necessary component of elimination programmes, and particularly challenging in low endemic settings where providers may not encounter a large volume of cases. This study aimed to understand provider motivations to test, treat, and report malaria cases to better optimize programme design, adjust incentive schemes, and ultimately improve reporting rates while growing the evidence base around private providers in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS).

Methods

With funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, this study aimed to identify and validate distinctive subtypes of motivation among private sector providers enrolled in the Greater Mekong Subregion Elimination of Malaria through Surveillance (GEMS) programme, implemented by Population Services International. Quantitative questionnaires were administered electronically in person by trained enumerators to various provider groups in Myanmar, Lao PDR, and Vietnam. A three-stage confirmatory factor analysis was then conducted in STATA.

Results

Following this analysis, a two-factor solution that describes motivation in this population of providers was identified, and providers were scored on the two dimensions of motivation. The correlation between the two rotated factors was 0.3889, and the Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) measure of sampling adequacy was 0.93, indicating an excellent level of suitability. These providers, who are often assumed to only be financially motivated, engaged in malaria elimination activities because of both internal and external motivational factors that are independent of remuneration or financial gain. For all three countries’ data, significant covariances between the two latent variables for internal and external motivation were found. The models were found to be of adequate to good fit for the data across all three countries. It was determined that private sector providers, who were previously believed to be primarily financially motivated, were also motivated by personal factors. Motivation was also associated with key outcomes of importance to malaria elimination, such as reporting and stocking of tests and treatments.

Conclusion

Maintaining or increasing provider motivation to test and treat is essential in the fight to eliminate malaria from the GMS, as it helps to ensure that providers continue to pursue this goal, even in a low incidence environment where cases may be rare and in which providers face financial pressure to focus on areas of health service provision. Establishing mechanisms to better motivate providers through intrinsic factors is likely to have a substantive impact on the sustainability of malaria case management activities.
VIM-encoding IncpSTY plasmids and chromosome-borne integrative and mobilizable elements (IMEs) and integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs) in Pseudomonas
Authors: Chen Fangzhou , Wang Peng , Yin Zhe , Yang Huiying , Hu Lingfei , Yu Ting , Jing Ying , Guan Jiayao , Wu Jiahong , Zhou Dongsheng
Published: March 2022

Background

The carbapenem-resistance genesblaVIMare widely disseminated inPseudomonas, and frequently harbored within class 1 integrons that reside within various mobile genetic elements (MGEs). However, there are few reports on detailed genetic dissection ofblaVIM-carrying MGEs inPseudomonas.

Methods

This study presented the complete sequences of fiveblaVIM-2/-4-carrying MGEs, including two plasmids, two chromosomal integrative and mobilizable elements (IMEs), and one chromosomal integrative and conjugative element (ICE) from five differentPseudomonasisolates.

Results

The two plasmids were assigned to a novel incompatibility (Inc) group IncpSTY, which included only seven available plasmids with determined complete sequences and could be further divided into three subgroups IncpSTY-1/2/3. A detailed sequence comparison was then applied to a collection of 15 MGEs belonging to four different groups: three representative IncpSTYplasmids, two Tn6916-related IMEs, two Tn6918-related IMEs, and eight Tn6417-related ICEs and ten of these 15 MGEs were first time identified. At least 22 genes involving resistance to seven different categories of antibiotics and heavy metals were identified within these 15 MGEs, and most of these resistance genes were located within the accessory modules integrated as exogenous DNA regions into these MGEs. Especially, eleven of these 15 MGEs carried theblaVIMgenes, which were located within 11 different concise class 1 integrons.

Conclusion

TheseblaVIM-carrying integrons were further integrated into the above plasmids, IMEs/ICEs with intercellular mobility. These MGEs could transfer betweenPseudomonasisolates, which resulted in the accumulation and spread ofblaVIMamongPseudomonasand thus was helpful for the bacteria to survival from the stress of antibiotics. Data presented here provided a deeper insight into the genetic diversification and evolution of VIM-encoding MGEs inPseudomonas.
Evaluation of the psychometric properties of the Swiss French version of the Older People’s Quality of Life questionnaire (OPQOL-35-SF)
Authors: Carrard Sophie , Mooser Claudia , Hilfiker Roger , Mittaz Hager Anne-Gabrielle
Published: March 2022

Background

The proportion of the world population aged over 65 years is increasing in the world population. Quality of life is an important factor in the biopsychosocial management of older patients. The Older People’s Quality of Life-35 (OPQOL-35) questionnaire was developed specifically for assessment of the quality of life of older people. The aim of this study is to evaluate the psychometric properties of a Swiss French version of the OPQOL-35 questionnaire (OPQOL-35-SF).

Methods

Forward–backward procedure was used to translate the original questionnaire from English into Swiss French. A sample of older people then completed the questionnaire. Construct validity of the OPQOL-35-SF was evaluated by comparing the results with those from three other questionnaires [World Health Organisation Quality of Life in older people questionnaire (WHOQOL-OLD), Control, Autonomy, Self-realization, Pleasure in 12 questions (CASP-12), and EuroQol-5-dimensions-5-levels (EQ-5D-5L)] and two visual analogue scales (health and quality of life). The structure of the OPQOL-35-SF questionnaire was assessed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. To evaluate the reliability the OPQOL-35-SF questionnaire was completed a second time after 7–23 days.

Results

A total of 264 older people completed all the questionnaires at the first session, and 262 completed the OPQOL-35-SF again at the second session. Mean age of participants was 76.8 (standard deviation (SD) = 7.1) years. The majority of participants were women (73.9%). The Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin Measure of Sampling Adequacy (KMO) was 0.86 and Bartlett’s test of sphericity was significant (p < 0.001). The result of Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) revealed 8 factors with eigenvalues greater than one, which explained 58% of the observed variance. All items had an acceptable loading (< 0.30) in at least one factor. The convergent validity presented low to moderate correlations (rho: 0.384–0.663). Internal consistency was good (Cronbach’s alpha 0.875 for test and 0.902 for retest). Test–retest reliability presented an intra-class correlation coefficient, two-way random effects, absolute agreement, single rater (ICC2.1) of 0.83 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.78–0.87].

Conclusions

The Swiss French version of the OPQOL-35 questionnaire shows good psychometric properties, which permit its use in clinical practice or research. A supplementary sample would be necessary for a better distribution of the items in the different factors.
Rapid method through routine data to evaluate real-world vaccine effectiveness against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection: lessons from Thailand
Authors: Nittayasoot Natthaprang , Thammawijaya Panithee , Tharmaphornpilas Piyanit , Sansilapin Chalo , Jiraphongsa Chuleeporn , Suphanchaimat Rapeepong
Published: March 2022

The objective of this article is to draw lessons from the Thai experience in estimating vaccine effectiveness (VE) for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) based on routine service data. We found that a matched case–control design, using probability-based controls representing the varying vaccine coverage across the population over time, yielded a valid result for VE assessment. The proposed design has an advantage in its applicability drawing from the routine data monitoring system. Future studies that exercise other designs, such as test-negative and cohort studies, are recommended in order to compare and contrast the findings across different designs. To implement a continuous monitoring system on VE, the integration of data from different sources is needed. This requires long-term investment in the data monitoring system for the entire healthcare system.
MicroRNAs as the critical regulators of tyrosine kinase inhibitors resistance in lung tumor cells
Authors: Maharati Amirhosein , Zanguei Amir Sadra , Khalili-Tanha Ghazaleh , Moghbeli Meysam
Published: March 2022

Lung cancer is the second most common and the leading cause of cancer related deaths globally. Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs) are among the common therapeutic strategies in lung cancer patients, however the treatment process fails in a wide range of patients due to TKIs resistance. Given that the use of anti-cancer drugs can always have side effects on normal tissues, predicting the TKI responses can provide an efficient therapeutic strategy. Therefore, it is required to clarify the molecular mechanisms of TKIs resistance in lung cancer patients. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in regulation of various pathophysiological cellular processes. In the present review, we discussed the miRNAs that have been associated with TKIs responses in lung cancer. MiRNAs mainly exert their role on TKIs response through regulation of Tyrosine Kinase Receptors (TKRs) and down-stream signaling pathways. This review paves the way for introducing a panel of miRNAs for the prediction of TKIs responses in lung cancer patients.
Application of machine learning in understanding plant virus pathogenesis: trends and perspectives on emergence, diagnosis, host-virus interplay and management
Authors: Ghosh Dibyendu , Chakraborty Srija , Kodamana Hariprasad , Chakraborty Supriya
Published: March 2022

Background

Inclusion of high throughput technologies in the field of biology has generated massive amounts of data in the recent years. Now, transforming these huge volumes of data into knowledge is the primary challenge in computational biology. The traditional methods of data analysis have failed to carry out the task. Hence, researchers are turning to machine learning based approaches for the analysis of high-dimensional big data. In machine learning, once a model is trained with a training dataset, it can be applied on a testing dataset which is independent. In current times, deep learning algorithms further promote the application of machine learning in several field of biology including plant virology.

Main body

Plant viruses have emerged as one of the principal global threats to food security due to their devastating impact on crops and vegetables. The emergence of new viral strains and species help viruses to evade the concurrent preventive methods. According to a survey conducted in 2014, plant viruses are anticipated to cause a global yield loss of more than thirty billion USD per year. In order to design effective, durable and broad-spectrum management protocols, it is very important to understand the mechanistic details of viral pathogenesis. The application of machine learning enables precise diagnosis of plant viral diseases at an early stage. Furthermore, the development of several machine learning-guided bioinformatics platforms has primed plant virologists to understand the host-virus interplay better. In addition, machine learning has tremendous potential in deciphering the pattern of plant virus evolution and emergence as well as in developing viable control options.

Conclusions

Considering a significant progress in the application of machine learning in understanding plant virology, this review highlights an introductory note on machine learning and comprehensively discusses the trends and prospects of machine learning in the diagnosis of viral diseases, understanding host-virus interplay and emergence of plant viruses.
Moving from silos to synergies: strengthening governance of food marketing policy in Thailand
Authors: Phulkerd Sirinya , Ngqangashe Yandisa , Collin Jeff , Thow Anne-Marie , Schram Ashley , Schneider Carmen Huckel , Friel Sharon
Published: March 2022

Background

Governance processes play an important role in shaping the formulation and implementation of policy measures such as restrictions on marketing of ultra-processed foods. However, there is limited analysis of the factors that affect governance for nutrition, especially in low- and middle-income countries such as Thailand and the Southeast Asia region. This study aimed to examine governance factors that create opportunities and challenges for the introduction of policy to restrict food marketing in Thailand, in line with the WHO recommendations to restrict food marketing to children.

Methods

A qualitative study design was used. Interviews were conducted with 20 actors with experience and in depth knowledge of food marketing in Thailand, including government, civil society, industry and international organisations. Open questions were asked about experiences and perceptions of the governance processes related to policies for restricting food marketing in Thailand. Themes were derived from the 3-i Framework which relates to interests, ideas and institutions influencing the introduction of food marketing policy were identified and analysed using abductive methods.

Results

Actors viewed institutional challenges as a significant barrier to advancing effective regulation of food marketing. Three major clusters emerged from the data: interests (priorities, relationships), institutions (formal structures, informal structures, broader institutional strategies), and ideas (norms). The study has three major findings in relation to these factors, highlighting the influence of formal structures, institutional interests in food marketing issues, and ideas in promoting multisectoralism. The siloed nature of policymaking was reflected in the government failing to stimulate engagement among key actors, posing challenges for implementation of effective policy change. Contested interests led to disagreements between actors over food marketing agenda and thus competing policy priorities. Consistent with these findings, the lack of effective mechanisms to promote multisectoral coordination across diverse actors reinforced barriers to policy change.

Conclusion

The findings highlight ongoing challenges to the government’s aim to strengthen policy to restrict food marketing which, without greater coordination in governance mechanisms, will hinder effective regulation and the achievement of public health goals. This analysis suggests that the Government should prioritise the development of a holistic, multisectoral approach to improve governance for better nutrition outcomes by overcoming policy silos.
Mid-long-term follow-up of operated level kinematics after single-level artificial cervical disc replacement with Bryan disc
Authors: Li Chuanhong , Yu Xing , Xiong Yang , Yang Yongdong , Wang Fengxian , Zhao He
Published: March 2022

Objective

Evaluation of the mid-long-term kinematics of single-level Bryan artificial cervical disc replacement (ACDR) in vivo by analyzing the center of rotation (COR) at the operated level.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted using data collected from 38 patients who underwent single-level Bryan ACDR from January 2010 to March 2013. Radiological parameters including range of motion (ROM), lordosis angle, translation, and COR were obtained. Clinical outcomes were assessed based on Odom Criteria, modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (mJOA), Neck Disability Index (NDI), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores. Correlations between COR and other follow-up data were discussed at the last follow-up.

Results

Compared with preoperative values, the last follow-up data showed that 86.84% of cases achieved good-or-excellent outcomes based on Odom criteria; Significant improvements were observed across all scales assessed for clinical outcomes (P < 0.05); Lordosis angle was significantly increased in both the overall cervical spine and the operated level (P < 0.05); ROM of the overall cervical spine, operated level, and adjacent levels was preserved (P > 0.05); There was no significant change in COR at the operated level (P > 0.05). At the last follow-up and at the operated level, COR (Y) showed negative correlations with ROM and translation (P < 0.05), but no follow-up data correlated with COR (X) were found (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Satisfactory clinical and radiological outcomes were achieved 7 years or more after single-level Bryan ACDR. At the operated level, preoperative COR was maintained, probably due to replicating the physiological interrelations of COR (Y), translation, and ROM.
Association of MTHFR rs1801133 and homocysteine with Legg–Calvé–Perthes disease in Mexican patients
Authors: Buendía-Pazarán José Guillermo , Hernández-Zamora Edgar , Rodríguez-Olivas Armando O. , Casas-Ávila Leonora , Valdés-Flores Margarita , Reyes-Maldonado Elba
Published: March 2022

Background

Legg–Calvé–Perthes disease (LCPD) is the avascular osteonecrosis of the proximal femoral epiphysis. It is a rare disease of unclear etiology in children, although alterations in coagulation or the collagen gene have been described and could be associated with its etiology. Our objective was to evaluate the following alterations: COL1A1 (rs1107946, rs2412298), COL2A1 (rs121912891 and rs387106558), MTHFR rs1801133, CBS rs115742905, and PT rs1799963 and their relationship with LCPD.

Methods

DNA was obtained and genotyped by real-time PCR with TaqMan probes. Prothrombin (FII) and homocysteine (Hcy) were determined by a coagulometric method. The variables were described as mean and standard deviation or percentages, and genotypic and allelic distributions were analyzed using the Student's t-test. The Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and OR were also used.

Results

We studied 23 patients with LCPD and 46 controls. We did not find any association of the MTHFR, CBS, PT, COL1A1, and COL2A1 genetic variants with LCPD. However, when adjusting the data with the Hcy values for the MTHFR C677T polymorphism, the C/C genotypes showed an association with the recessive model (p = 0.038), with susceptibility to LCPD.

Conclusion

No association was found with the CBS, PT, COL1A1, and COL2A1 genes. Nevertheless, our results suggest a significant link between moderately elevated Hcy levels and the MTHFR C677T polymorphism in a cohort of Mexican children with LCPD.
Primary URECs: a source to better understand the pathology of renal tubular epithelia in pediatric hereditary cystic kidney diseases
Authors: Ziegler Wolfgang H. , Lüdiger Sarah , Hassan Fatima , Georgiadis Margarita E. , Swolana Kathrin , Khera Amrit , Mertens Arne , Franke Doris , Wohlgemuth Kai , Dahmer-Heath Mareike , König Jens , Dafinger Claudia , Liebau Max C. , Cetiner Metin , Bergmann Carsten , Soetje Birga , Haffner Dieter
Published: March 2022

Background

In pediatric hereditary cystic kidney diseases, epithelial cell defects mostly result from rare, autosomal recessively inherited pathogenic variants in genes encoding proteins of the cilia-centrosome complex. Consequences of individual gene variants on epithelial function are often difficult to predict and can furthermore depend on the patient’s genetic background. Here, we studied urine-derived renal tubular epithelial cells (URECs) from genetically determined, pediatric cohorts of different hereditary cystic kidney diseases, comprising autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease, nephronophthisis (NPH) and the Bardet Biedl syndrome (BBS). UREC characteristics and behavior in epithelial function-related 3D cell culture were compared in order to identify gene and variant-specific properties and to determine aspects of epithelial (cell) dysfunction.

Results

UREC preparations from patients (19) and healthy controls (39) were studied in a qualitative and quantitative manner using primary cells cultured for up-to 21 days. In patients with biallelic pathogenic variants in PKHD1 or NPHP genes, we were able to receive satisfactory amounts of URECs of reproducible quality. In BBS patients, UREC yield was lower and more dependent on the individual genotype. In contrast, in UREC preparations derived from healthy controls, no predictable and satisfactory outcome could be established. Considering cell proliferation, tubular origin and epithelial properties in 2D/3D culture conditions, we observed distinct and reproducible epithelial properties of URECs. In particular, the cells from patients carrying PKHD1 variants were characterized by a high incidence of defective morphogenesis of monolayered spheroids—a property proposed to be suitable for corrective intervention. Furthermore, we explored different ways to generate reference cell lines for both—patients and healthy controls—in order to eliminate restrictions in cell number and availability of primary URECs.

Conclusions

Ex vivo 3D cell culture of primary URECs represents a valuable, non-invasive source to evaluate epithelial cell function in kidney diseases and as such helps to elucidate the functional consequences of rare genetic disorders. In combination with genetically defined control cell lines to be generated in the future, the cultivation of primary URECs could become a relevant tool for testing personalized treatment of epithelial dysfunction in patients with hereditary cystic kidney disease.
Monitoring patients with uncomplicated common variable immunodeficiency: a systematic review
Authors: Lee Erika Yue , Betschel Stephen , Grunebaum Eyal
Published: March 2022

Background

Non-infectious complications have become a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID). The monitoring of patients with CVID prior to the development of non-infectious complications is not well defined.

Objective

Our objectives were to systematically review the current literature on the monitoring of CVID patients without non-infectious complications and to develop recommendations for such monitoring.

Methods

MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched from January 1st, 2000 to March 25th, 2021. Studies on any aspects of CVID monitoring were included. Studies that included only children, on monitoring CVID patients with existing non-infectious complications, or in the format of case reports were excluded.

Results

Nine studies on CVID monitoring, including 3 cohort studies, 3 experts’ opinions, 2 consensus statements and a single guideline report were identified. These studies revealed that clinical assessment and bloodwork were preformed every 6 to 12 months in asymptomatic patients. Some centers performed computerized tomography scan of the chest every 2–5 years to identify chronic lung disease, although the majority did chest imaging in accordance with clinical indications. Pulmonary function tests were done annually at most centers. Most studies did not address the role of abdominal imaging to screen for liver diseases or endoscopy to screen for gastric cancer in asymptomatic patients with uncomplicated CVID.

Conclusions

There is paucity of evidence-based information to guide the routine monitoring of CVID patients without non-infectious complications. Prospective studies are needed to determine the best monitoring practices in this group of patients.