bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Within-Person Longitudinal Associations Between Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems Use and Smoking Cessation Efforts Among US Continuing Adult Cigarette Smokers
Authors: Han Dae-Hee , Lee Shin Hyung , Seo Dong-Chul
Published: November 2021

Objectives

Prior studies that examined the role of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use in smoking cessation have shown divergent conclusions. This study examined the time-course of ENDS-associated smoking abstinent behaviors among continuing cigarette smokers who were willing but unable to quit smoking.

Methods

Data were drawn from the four waves of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study. Of the 1684 smokers who tried to quit smoking completely at Wave 1, a total of 1094 who were continuing smokers until Wave 4 and were not lost to follow-ups comprised the sample. Using generalized linear mixed modeling, we fitted weighted negative binomial regression models to examine within-person associations of ENDS use with quit attempts and number of days abstinent from smoking.

Results

Quit attempt frequency and smoking abstinent days were highest at Wave 1, dropped at Wave 2, and then either increased a little or remained stagnant in later waves. ENDS use to quit smoking was associated with more frequent quit attempts (aIRR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.42–1.95) and more abstinent days (aIRR = 3.28, 95% CI = 2.43–4.44), and the magnitude of such associations became stronger over time. ENDS use was associated with becoming a nondaily smoker among baseline daily smokers.

Conclusions

ENDS use among continuing smokers may help increase the number of quit attempts and smoking abstinent days. Given that the study sample is continuing smokers who failed in complete smoking cessation, future research would be desirable that evaluates whether such abstinent behaviors sustain and manifest harm reduction with improved health outcomes.

Implications

Smokers increasingly adopt electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) to quit smoking. However, the association of ENDS use with smoking cessation efforts among continuing cigarette smokers who were willing but unable to quit smoking is largely unknown. This study found that quit attempts and smoking abstinent days increased with ENDS use to quit smoking by following up with population-representative continuing smokers. Additionally, this study assessed whether cigarette smokers’ abstinent behaviors vary with their use of ENDS by estimating within-person associations with frequent assessments of both exposures and outcomes in a long-term perspective.
Tonoplast and Peroxisome Targeting of γ-tocopherolN-methyltransferase Homologs Involved in the Synthesis of Monoterpene Indole Alkaloids
Authors: Koudounas Konstantinos , Guirimand Gregory , Hoyos Luisa Fernanda Rojas , Carqueijeiro Ines , Cruz Pamela Lemos , Stander Emily , Kulagina Natalja , Perrin Jennifer , Oudin Audrey , Besseau Sébastien , Lanoue Arnaud , Atehortùa Lucia , St-Pierre Benoit , Giglioli-Guivarc’h Nathalie , Papon Nicolas , O’Connor Sarah E , Courdavault Vincent
Published: November 2021

Many plant species from the Apocynaceae, Loganiaceae and Rubiaceae families evolved a specialized metabolism leading to the synthesis of a broad palette of monoterpene indole alkaloids (MIAs). These compounds are believed to constitute a cornerstone of the plant chemical arsenal but above all several MIAs display pharmacological properties that have been exploited for decades by humans to treat various diseases. It is established that MIAs are produced in planta due to complex biosynthetic pathways engaging a multitude of specialized enzymes but also a complex tissue and subcellular organization. In this context, N-methyltransferases (NMTs) represent an important family of enzymes indispensable for MIA biosynthesis but their characterization has always remained challenging. In particular, little is known about the subcellular localization of NMTs in MIA-producing plants. Here, we performed an extensive analysis on the subcellular localization of NMTs from four distinct medicinal plants but also experimentally validated that two putative NMTs from Catharanthus roseus exhibit NMT activity. Apart from providing unprecedented data regarding the targeting of these enzymes in planta, our results point out an additional layer of complexity to the subcellular organization of the MIA biosynthetic pathway by introducing tonoplast and peroxisome as new actors of the final steps of MIA biosynthesis.
Public Health Virtue Ethics
Authors: MacKay Kathryn
Published: November 2021

This paper proposes that public health is the sort of institution that has a role in producing structures of virtue in society. This proposal builds upon work that describes how virtues are structured by the practices of institutions, at the collective or whole-of-society level. This work seeks to fill a gap in public health ethics when it comes to virtues. Mainstay moral theories tend to incorporate some role for virtues, but within public health ethics this role has not been fully articulated. Two recent papers have proposed ways in which the virtues might be incorporated: working from a structural account, Rozier suggests that public health could work to instil virtues, like temperance, in the public in order to achieve its health-related goals; Nihlén Fahlquist suggests that compassion is among three virtues that practitioners of public health should cultivate in order to do their work well. In the end, both accounts recommend incorporating virtues at the level of individuals, among the public and among practitioners. I propose a third kind of role for virtue in public health that focuses on structures. Public health activities take place at the population level, and a public health virtue ethics must also be suitably population-focussed.
Potentiation of plant defense by bacterial outer membrane vesicles is mediated by membrane nanodomains
Authors: Tran Tuan Minh , Chng Choon-Peng , Pu Xiaoming , Ma Zhiming , Han Xiao , Liu Xiaolin , Yang Liang , Huang Changjin , Miao Yansong
Published: November 2021

Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are released from the outer membranes of Gram-negative bacteria during infection and modulate host immunity during host–pathogen interactions. The mechanisms by which OMVs are perceived by plants and affect host immunity are unclear. Here, we used the pathogen Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris to demonstrate that OMV–plant interactions at the Arabidopsis thaliana plasma membrane (PM) modulate various host processes, including endocytosis, innate immune responses, and suppression of pathogenesis by phytobacteria. The lipid phase of OMVs is highly ordered and OMVs directly insert into the Arabidopsis PM, thereby enhancing the plant PM’s lipid order; this also resulted in strengthened plant defenses. Strikingly, the integration of OMVs into the plant PM is host nanodomain- and remorin-dependent. Using coarse-grained simulations of molecular dynamics, we demonstrated that OMV integration into the plant PM depends on the membrane lipid order. Our computational simulations further showed that the saturation level of the OMV lipids could fine-tune the enhancement of host lipid order. Our work unraveled the mechanisms underlying the ability of OMVs produced by a plant pathogen to insert into the host PM, alter host membrane properties, and modulate plant immune responses.
A Cross-Sectional Study of Pain Sensitivity and Unpleasantness in People with Vascular Dementia
Authors: Beach Paul A , Humbel Angela , Dietrich Mary S , Bruehl Stephen , Cowan Ronald L , Moss Karen O , Monroe Todd B
Published: November 2021

Objective

Advanced age is associated with a higher risk of both pain and dementia, with many studies finding that dementia often heightens sensitivity to pain. Vascular dementia (VaD) is the second most common type of dementia. Only a few observational or retrospective studies have examined pain responsiveness in VaD, suggesting that it could increase pain unpleasantness (i.e., pain affect). This study compared thermal pain psychophysics between a cohort of patients with VaD and healthy control (HC) subjects.

Design

Single-center, cross-sectional, between-subjects design.

Subjects

Verbally communicative patients with probable VaD (n = 23) and age- and sex-matched HCs (n = 23).

Methods

A thermal psychophysics protocol assessed “mild pain” and “moderate pain” thresholds (temperature in degrees Celsius) and associated unpleasantness ratings (0–20 scale) in both the VaD and HC groups. Psychophysics were compared between groups by way of a mixed-effects analysis, controlling for depressive symptoms.

Results

There were no significant differences between groups for pain thresholds (main effect P = 0.086, Cohen’s d: mild = 0.55, moderate = 0.27). However, unpleasantness ratings were higher in the VaD group than in the HC group (main effect P = 0.003; mild pain P = 0.022, Cohen’s d = 0.79; moderate pain P = 0.057, Cohen’s d = 0.6).

Conclusions

These results are consistent with prior observational findings suggesting that VaD could make patients more susceptible to pain, particularly its affective component.
Knowledge Out of Control
Authors: Valaris Markos
Published: November 2021

According to a thesis famously associated with Anscombe'sIntention, knowledge is a necessary condition of intentional action: when acting intentionally, we know what we are doing. Call this the Agential Knowledge thesis. The Agential Knowledge thesis remains, of course, controversial. Furthermore, as even some of its proponents acknowledge, it can appear puzzling: Why should acting intentionally require knowing what you are doing? My aim in this paper is to propose an explanation and defence of the Agential Knowledge thesis, based on the idea that acting intentionally is exercising control, in a relevant sense. My argument rests on two things: first, articulating a modal conception of the relevant sense of control, and, secondly, arguing that agential knowledge is distinctively practical (in a sense I explain). As I explain, the truth of the Agential Knowledge thesis opens promising paths for future work in the philosophy of action.
Spirituality of hopeful risk-taking (Bahala na) among Filipino healthcare workers
Authors: Tingson Jed Martin , Brazal Agnes M
Published: November 2021

Background

Mental health problems are prevalent among medical frontliners, as demonstrated in the study by Ghaleb et al. in the case of the Eastern Mediterranean Region. As mental health can be strengthened by spirituality, this study probed into the spirituality of bahala na of overseas Filipino health care workers.

Methodology

A phenomenological research was conducted that includes an interview of 17 Filipino Catholic migrant nurses in five countries, on the situations when they find themselves exclaiming “bahala na” in their work as frontliners, and what this means for them.

Results

Affirming the notion of bahala na as an expression of hopeful risk-taking, the study showed that the nurses usually exclaim bahala na when they have done everything in their power in a given situation and they are now leaving the rest to God. The spirituality of bahala na helped the nurses face the stresses brought about by the pandemic, and when tapped, can further aid them in fighting against institutional racism to promote health equity in the medical community.
Early-death weeks associated with COVID-19: a comparison among France, the UK and the USA
Authors: Cuong Vu Manh
Published: November 2021

Background

Years of life lost (YLL) is recently used as a more insightful indicator to assess the mortality impact of COVID-19. However, this indicator still has methodological limits. This study aims to propose an alternative approach and new index, early-death weeks.

Methods

The natural mortality and social mortality laws were employed to support two essential assumptions: the sequential and translational early-mortality patterns of COVID-19. This approach was then used with the data related to COVID-19 to calculate early-death weeks associated with COVID-19 in France, the UK and the USA.

Results

As of week 20 of 2021, the rate of the total number of early-death weeks per the population of the USA is nearly two times compared to that of France and the UK, with 0.004% to 0.0021 and 0.0023%, respectively. The average numbers of early-death weeks after converting to units of years are 1.2, 1.0 and 1.3 years in France, the UK and the USA, respectively.

Conclusions

The new approach is significantly different from death counts, excess deaths and YLL. The early-death week index provides more insights into COVID-19 and can be applied promptly at any time as well as anywhere once excess deaths have occurred.
Advanced biomedical hydrogels: molecular architecture and its impact on medical applications
Authors: Peters Jonathan T , Wechsler Marissa E , Peppas Nicholas A
Published: November 2021

Hydrogels are cross-linked polymeric networks swollen in water, physiological aqueous solutions or biological fluids. They are synthesized by a wide range of polymerization methods that allow for the introduction of linear and branched units with specific molecular characteristics. In addition, they can be tuned to exhibit desirable chemical characteristics including hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity. The synthesized hydrogels can be anionic, cationic, or amphiphilic and can contain multifunctional cross-links, junctions or tie points. Beyond these characteristics, hydrogels exhibit compatibility with biological systems, and can be synthesized to render systems that swell or collapse in response to external stimuli. This versatility and compatibility have led to better understanding of how the hydrogel’s molecular architecture will affect their physicochemical, mechanical and biological properties. We present a critical summary of the main methods to synthesize hydrogels, which define their architecture, and advanced structural characteristics for macromolecular/biological applications.
18F-FDG PET-CT in rheumatoid arthritis patients tapering TNFi: reliability, validity and predictive value
Authors: Bouman Chantal A M , van Herwaarden Noortje , Blanken Annelies B , Van der Laken Conny J , Gotthardt Martin , Oyen Wim J G , den Broeder Alfons A , van der Maas Aatke , van den Ende Cornelia H
Published: November 2021

Objectives

To investigate the reliability and validity of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET-CT scanning (FDG-PET) in RA patients with low disease activity tapering TNF inhibitors (TNFis) and its predictive value for successful tapering or discontinuation.

Methods

Patients in the tapering arm of the Dose REduction Strategies of Subcutaneous TNFi study, a randomized controlled trial of TNFi tapering in RA, underwent FDG-PET before tapering (baseline) and after maximal tapering. A total of 48 joints per scan were scored both visually [FDG-avid joint (FAJ), yes/no] and quantitatively [maximal and mean standardized uptake values (SUVmax and SUVmean)]. Interobserver agreement was calculated in 10 patients at baseline. Quantitative and visual FDG-PET scores were investigated for (multilevel) association with clinical parameters both on a joint and patient level and for the predictive value at baseline and the change between baseline and maximal tapering (Δ) for successful tapering and discontinuation at 18 months.

Results

A total of 79 patients underwent FDG-PET. For performance of identification of FAJs on PET, Cohen’s κ was 0.49 (range 0.35–0.63). For SUVmax and SUVmean, intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.80 (range 0.77–0.83) and 0.96 (0.9–1.0), respectively. On a joint level, swelling was significantly associated with SUVmax and SUVmean [B coefficients 1.0 (95% CI 0.73, 1.35) and 0.2 (0.08, 0.32), respectively]. On a patient level, only correlation with acute phase reactants was found. FDG-PET scores were not predictive of successful tapering or discontinuation.

Conclusions

Quantitative FDG-PET arthritis scoring in RA patients with low disease activity is reliable and has some construct validity. However, no predictive values were found for FDG-PET parameters for successful tapering and/or discontinuation of TNFi.
Independent epidemic patterns of HIV-1 CRF01_AE lineages driven by mobile population in Shenzhen, an immigrant city of China
Authors: An Minghui , Zheng Chenli , Li Hao , Chen Lin , Yang Zhengrong , Gan Yongxia , Han Xiaoxu , Zhao Jin , Shang Hong
Published: November 2021

Shenzhen, a city with >12 million migrant population, may play a key role in the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 in China. The transmission dynamics of CRF01_AE, a predominant subtype in Shenzhen, is a good model to characterize the impact of human mobility on HIV-1 epidemic locally and nationally. We used phylodynamic and phylogeographic methods to estimate the viral transmission dynamics and migration trajectory of variable lineages based on 1,423 CRF01_AE sequences in Shenzhen sampled between 2006 and 2015. Eleven lineages of CRF01_AE were detected in Shenzhen. Of those, four main lineages originated during the 1990s. Their basic viral reproduction number (R0) ranged 1.96–3.92. The effective viral reproduction number (Re) of two lineages prevalent among heterosexuals/people who inject drugs had reduced <1 at the end of sampling, and the main sources were the intra-provincial immigrants (72 per cent) for one and local residents of Shenzhen (91 per cent) for another. Within two lineages among men who have sex with men (MSM), Re had been above or close to 1 at the end of sampling, and the immigrants from Jiangxi/Shaanxi and Hubei as sources accounted for 93 per cent and 68 per cent of all viral migration events, respectively. Moreover, no obvious recipients were found throughout the viral migration history for any lineage. Our findings demonstrate that HIV epidemic is declining in Shenzhen, which coincided with the initiation of the interventions during the 2000s. However, the obvious differences of the epidemic patterns between lineages emphasize the importance of further targeting interventions and continued molecular tracing, focusing on high-risk transmission sources among MSM.
Heat shock protein 47 promotes cell migration and invasion through AKT signal in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Wu Wei , Hu Zhenzhen , Xiong Linkai , Zou Juntao
Published: November 2021

Lung cancer is one of the most lethal malignancies, with the highest number of cases and deaths. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most ordinary type of pathology in lung cancer. Meanwhile, various researchers have reported that heat shock protein 47 (HSP47) plays a vital regulatory role in cancer. However, the role of HSP47 in NSCLC is not clear. Consequently, the current study set out to investigate the role of HSP47 in the pathogenesis of NSCLC. First, we evaluated the expression patterns of HSP47 in NSCLC cell lines related to human normal lung epithelial cells, and HSP47 was found to be highly expressed in NSCLC cell lines. In addition, inhibiting the expression of HSP47 brought about marked repression in cell proliferation, migration and invasion in PC-9 cells. On the contrary, cell proliferation, migration and invasion were all elevated after over-expression of HSP47. Mechanistical experimentation further illustrated that protein kinase B (AKT) signal was repressed after inhibition of HSP47, and the influence of sh-HSP47 on cell proliferation, migration and invasion was countered by epidermal growth factor. Lastly, in-vivo animal models demonstrated that inhibition of HSP47 repressed cell tumorigenesis and AKT signal. Collectively, our findings illustrated that HSP47 was highly expressed in NSCLC cell lines, whereas inhibition of HSP47 repressed cell migration and invasion by diminishing the AKT signal. Inhibition of HSP47 also exhibited strong therapeutic effects on NSCLC in vivo
The Effect of Chaplain Patient Navigators and Multidisciplinary Family Meetings on Patient Outcomes in the ICU: The Critical Care Collaboration and Communication Project
Authors: Alghanim Fahid , Furqan Muhammad , Prichett Laura , Landon Jondavid , Tao Xueting , Selvam Pooja , Leslie Myles , Hartman-Shea Katherine , Teague Paula , Scott Wayman , Kraeuter Susan , Hicks Heather , Jain Sneha , York Sarah , Blanding Renee , Zakaria Sammy
Published: November 2021

OBJECTIVES:

To assess the effectiveness of a chaplain patient navigator in improving outcomes and reducing costs in the ICU setting.

DESIGN:

A randomized controlled trial at a large, urban, academic community hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.

SETTING/PATIENTS:

All patients admitted to the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center Cardiac and Medical ICUs between March 2015 and December 2015.

INTERVENTIONS:

Patients in the intervention group were assigned a chaplain patient navigator to facilitate communication, offer support, and setup multidisciplinary family meetings.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:

The primary outcomes were hospital and ICU length of stay. Secondary outcomes included total and ICU charges, 60- and 90-day readmission rates, and the number of palliative care consults. For all outcomes, patients were included in the intention-to-treat analyses only if they remained in the ICU greater than 24 hours. In total, 1,174 were randomly assigned to “usual care” (n = 573) or to the intervention (n = 601). In the intervention group, 44.8% (269/601) had meetings within 24 hours of admission and, of those patients, 32.8% (88/268) took part in the larger multidisciplinary family meeting 2–3 days later. The intervention group had longer mean adjusted hospital length of stay (7.78 vs 8.63 d; p ≤ 0.001) and mean ICU length of stay (3.65 vs 3.87 d; p = 0.029). In addition, they had greater total and ICU charges. There were no differences in other outcomes. Of note, only differences in total and ICU charges remained when controlling for case-mix index, which were greater in the intervention group.

CONCLUSIONS:

Although the chaplain patient navigator anecdotally enhanced communication, our study found an increase in hospital and ICU length of stay as well as cost. Since other studies have shown benefits in some clinical outcomes, projects focused on patient navigators may learn lessons from our study in order to better prioritize family meetings, gather indicators of communication quality, and identify the optimal patient navigator operational context.
Background sensitivity to chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and response to antiemetics in paediatric patients: a genetic association study
Authors: Eliasen Astrid , Kornholt Jonatan , Mathiasen René , Wadt Karin , Stoltze Ulrik , Brok Jesper , Rechnitzer Catherine , Schmiegelow Kjeld , Dalhoff Kim
Published: November 2021

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) remains a common adverse effect for children with cancer. In children, chemotherapy emetogenicity and patient factors such as susceptibility to motion sickness and age group determine a patient’s risk of CINV. Besides known risk factors, genetic factors may play a role in interindividual variation in the occurrence of CINV. We investigated the influence of candidate gene polymorphisms on the efficacy of antiemetics and on the background sensitivity to CINV in children. This prospective study included 100 children with cancer (median age 6.4 years, range 0.8–17.9) who received moderately to highly emetogenic chemotherapy. Participants registered nausea and vomiting episodes in a mobile app. Genotypes were determined by whole-genome sequencing (n = 79) or Sanger sequencing (n = 21) for 71 genetic polymorphisms involved in motion sickness and antiemetic pathways. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to estimate associations between acute CINV and genotypes adjusting for susceptibility to motion sickness and age group. Rs3782025 in the 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 (5-HT3) receptor gene (HTR3B) [minor allele frequency (MAF): 0.48] affected response to 5-HT3 receptor antagonists; acute CINV occurred in 76% of patients with GA/AA genotypes and in 41% of patients with GG genotype (OR 5.59; 95% CI 1.74–17.9, dominant genetic model). Rs2975226 in the dopamine transporter gene (SLC6A3) (MAF: 0.54) was associated with acute CINV (OR 5.79; 95% CI 1.09–30.67, recessive genetic model). Polymorphisms in HTR3B and SLC6A3 may contribute to the variability in response to antiemetic prophylaxis for CINV in children.
Efficacy of Care and Antibiotic Use for Chalazia and Hordeola
Authors: Alsoudi Amer F. , Ton Lauren , Ashraf Davin C. , Idowu Oluwatobi O. , Kong Alan W. , Wang Linyan , Kersten Robert C. , Winn Bryan J. , Grob Seanna R. , Vagefi M. Reza
Published: November 2021

Objectives:

To evaluate whether use of an antibiotic improves the efficacy of care for a chalazion or hordeolum.

Methods:

A cross-sectional retrospective review was performed. All patients treated for a newly diagnosed chalazion or hordeolum at the University of California, San Francisco from 2012 to 2018 were identified. Patients were excluded when clinical notes were inaccessible or there was inadequate documentation of treatment modality or outcome. Patient demographics, setting of initial presentation, treatment modalities, antibiotic use, and outcomes were analyzed.

Results:

A total of 2,712 patients met inclusion criteria. Management with an antibiotic was observed in 36.5% of patients. An antibiotic was 1.53 times (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06–2.22, P=0.025) more likely to be prescribed in emergency or acute care setting for a chalazion. Older age was associated with a higher risk of receiving an antibiotic for a hordeolum (adjusted RR 1.07 per decade, 95% CI, 1.05–1.11, P<0.001). The addition of an antibiotic to conservative measures for a chalazion (adjusted RR, 0.97, 95% CI, 0.89–1.04, P=0.393) or hordeolum (adjusted RR, 0.99, 95% CI, 0.96–1.02, P=0.489) was not associated with an increased likelihood of treatment success.

Conclusion:

Although frequently prescribed, an antibiotic is unlikely to improve the resolution of a chalazion or hordeolum.
Congenital Conjunctival Cysts of the Orbit
Authors: Wilde Caroline , Vahdani Kaveh , Thaung Caroline , Rose Geoffrey E.
Published: November 2021

Purpose:

To evaluate the clinical presentation, anatomical location, and histological features of congenital conjunctival cysts of the orbit. The location and the histological features of inflammation in these patients were compared with those for 293 orbital dermoid cysts.

Patients and Methods:

Retrospective review of the clinical details, imaging, and histopathology for patients who had excision of conjunctival cysts from their orbit between 1992 and 2020; patients with a history of trauma or surgery were omitted.

Results:

Twelve patients (7 male; 58%) with congenital conjunctival cysts were identified, the patients presenting at an average age of 16 years (median 26; range 1–61) with a symptoms for a mean duration of 20 months (median 24; range 6–36). The commonest symptoms were peribulbar lump (6/12 patients; 50%), and eyelid swelling and blepharoptosis (6/12 patients; 50%). An orbitaxl mass was palpable in 10 patients (83%), 3 patients (25%) had mild proptosis (1–3 mm), and the cysts were most commonly located superiorly (6/12 patients; 50%) or superonasally (3/12; 25%) in the anterior half of the orbit. Imaging was performed in 7 cases, this showing an intimate relation to the common sheath of the superior rectus/levator complex in 3 patients (25%) and to the trochlea in 1 (8%). All cysts were excised completely, and no patient had postoperative complications or recurrence. Chronic mild and nonspecific inflammation was evident within the cyst wall in 7 cases (54%), but—unlike 55% of the 293 dermoid cysts—none showed granuloma formation.

Conclusion:

Congenital conjunctival cysts are rare and usually present with a palpable mass in the upper eyelid sulcus. A significant proportion of these cysts have an intimate relationship with the trochlea, or the superior rectus, levator palpebrae or superior oblique muscles and, to minimize the risk of postoperative diplopia or ptosis, particular care must be exercised during surgery.
Association Between Timing of Sexual Initiation and Suicidal Ideation Among Adolescents in South Korea: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: YEO Jung Hee , KIM Eun-Young , KIM Miyong T.
Published: November 2021

Background

The age of adolescents' sexual initiation is decreasing worldwide. Early sexual initiation has been reported to affect social, physical, and mental health, but little is known about the relationship between the timing of sexual initiation and suicidal ideation.

Purpose

This study was designed to identify the association between the timing of sexual initiation and suicidal ideation by gender.

Methods

This cross-sectional study used data from South Korea's Youth Health Behavior Online Survey for 2016. Data on first- to 12th-grade students (N = 10,810) were analyzed using descriptive statistics, χ2 tests, and hierarchical logistic regression.

Results

The results revealed a significant relationship between early sexual initiation and suicidal ideation among both boys and girls. This relationship remained significant after controlling for confounding variables that are known to affect suicidal ideation, including perceived stress, hopelessness, school grades, and sociodemographic characteristics. The risk of suicidal ideation was higher among students who first experienced sex in earlier grades (before the ninth grade) and was also higher in girls than in boys.

Conclusions/Implications for Practice

Health providers should be aware of the potentially higher risk of suicidal behavior among adolescents after early sexual initiation. Given the extreme sensitivity and vulnerability of this target population, a multidisciplinary school- or community-based intervention program to promote the mental health of affected individuals and the general student population is warranted.
Preserved central nervous system functioning after use of romidepsin as a latency-reversing agent in an HIV cure strategy
Authors: Muñoz-Moreno Jose A. , Carrillo-Molina Sara , Martínez-Zalacaín Ignacio , Miranda Cristina , Manzardo Christian , Coll Pep , Meulbroek Michael , Hanke Tomáš , Garolera Maite , Miró Josep M. , Brander Christian , Clotet Bonaventura , Soriano-Mas Carles , Moltó José , Mothe Beatriz
Published: November 2021

Objective:

To assess the central nervous system (CNS) impact of a kick&kill HIV cure strategy using therapeutic vaccine MVA.HIVconsv and the histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) romidepsin (RMD) as latency-reversing agent.

Design:

Neurological observational substudy of the BCN02 trial (NCT02616874), a proof-of-concept, open-label, single-arm, phase I clinical trial testing the safety and immunogenicity of the MVA.HIVconsv vaccine and RMD in early-treated HIV-1-infected individuals. A monitored antiretroviral pause (MAP) was performed, with cART resumption after 2 pVL more than 2000 copies/ml. Reinitiated participants were followed for 24 weeks.

Methods:

Substudy participation was offered to all BCN02 participants (N = 15). Evaluations covered cognitive, functional, and brain imaging outcomes, performed before RMD administration (pre-RMD), after three RMD infusions (post-RMD), and at the end of the study (EoS). A group of early-treated HIV-1-infected individuals with matched clinical characteristics was additionally recruited (n = 10). Primary endpoint was change in a global cognitive score (NPZ-6).

Results:

Eleven participants from BCN02 trial were enrolled. No significant changes were observed in cognitive, functional, or brain imaging outcomes from pre-RMD to post-RMD. No relevant alterations were detected from pre-RMD to EoS either. Scores at EoS were similar in participants off cART for 32 weeks (n = 3) and those who resumed therapy for 24 weeks (n = 7). Controls showed comparable punctuations in NPZ-6 across all timepoints.

Conclusion:

No detrimental effects on cognitive status, functional outcomes, or brain imaging parameters were observed after using the HDACi RMD as latency-reversing agent with the MVA.HIVconsv vaccine in early-treated HIV-1-infected individuals. CNS safety was also confirmed after completion of the MAP.
Comparison of mineral and ash contents in commercial
beverages
Authors: Kang Hye-Mi , Kim Hyun-Jeong , Park Eun-Jin , Chae Jung-Woo , Seo Dong-Won , Lee Sam-Pin
Published: November 2021

To construct a nutrient database that provides the mineral and ash compositions
of commercial beverages, the mineral and ash contents in 24 kinds of commercial
beverages were determined. The contents of Na, Ca, K, P, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and
Cr were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma (ICP) optical emission
spectrometry, whereas the contents of Se, I and Mo were analyzed using ICP mass
spectrometry. The reliabilities of the analytical methods in the analyses of
minerals and ash were confirmed using a control chart. The ash content of
beverages was 0.08-1.71 g/100 g, exhibiting the highest ash content of green tea
latte. The Na content of beverages differed considerably in the range of
2.16-141.03 mg/100 g, with yam tea and americano exhibiting the significantly
highest and lowest amounts of Na, respectively. The lowest and highest values of
the other minerals in the beverages were 2.98-130.49 mg Ca/100 g, 17.75-272.89
mg K/100 g, 1.86-76.27 mg P/100 g and 0.75-27.43 mg Mg/100 g. The micromineral
content showed a wide range, with the highest content in yam tea (3.20 μg
Se/100 g), dalgona coffee (3.50 μg Mo/100 g), vanilla milk shake (21.00
μg I/100 g), and green tea latte (11.95 μg Cr/100 g). This study
revealed reliable mineral contents in commercial beverages for use in
nutritional information and food composition databases.
Anti-inflammatory effect of Pyrrosia lingua
extract on Raw 264.7 macrophages
Authors: Hong Shin Hyub , Lee Eun-Ho , Park Hye-Jin , Kim Jung In , Jung Hee-Young , Kang In-Kyu , Kim Byung-Oh , Park Heui-Dong , Cho Young-Je
Published: November 2021

To test the potential use of the fern Pyrrosia lingua as an
anti-inflammatory functional material, we examined the effects of P.
lingua ethanol extract (PLE) on RAW 264.7 macrophages treated with
the pro-inflammatory molecule lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Notably, up to 100
μg/mL PLE did not result in any discernable inhibition of cellular
metabolic activity or cytotoxicity in the macrophages. However, supplementing
LPS-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages with PLE significantly suppressed various
pro-inflammatory responses in a dose-dependent manner, including i)
phosphorylation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) subunit p65; ii)
accumulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2; iii)
expression of pro-inflammatory mediators, including prostaglandin E synthase 2
and nitrite; and iv) expression of pro-inflammatory biomarker genes, including
interleukin 1 beta, interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and monocyte
chemoattractant protein-1. Taken together, our results indicate that PLE
regulates NF-κB signaling and inhibits cytokine production. Therefore,
the use of domestic biological resources like could be increased P.
lingua as a novel functional material.
Verification of anti-wrinkle and heat aging inhibition effects of
Rosa multiflora flower extract
Authors: Hyun Jin A , Kang Eun Bin , Kim Young Seok , Lee Hyo Seok , Kwon Hyun Ji , Beom Seok Hyun , Choi Eun Young , Park Ga Eun , Jang Min Jung , An Bong Jeun
Published: November 2021

In the present study, the anti-wrinkle effects of an extract of Rosa
multiflora were assessed to determine whether it can be used as a
heat aging-prevention cosmetic. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
was used to determine the content of astragalin (the active ingredient) in the
extract. The protein expression levels of MMP-1, procollagen, and transient
receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV-1), which is a heat receptor thermal aging
inhibitor, were measured. The protein expression of RMA, which has the best
anti-wrinkle effect, was also measured. Consequently, the anti-wrinkle and
heat-aging inhibition effects of R. multiflora extract and the
content of astragalin resulting from each extraction condition were confirmed.
Additional research is needed to verify whether astragalin has a direct effect
on heat aging. However, the potential of astragalin as a heat aging-inhibitor is
apparent considering the results of previous studies that have demonstrated that
R. multiflora extract has excellent antioxidant activity
and that R. multiflora extract inhibits the expression of
certain proteins. Therefore, R. multiflora extract is a
potentially useful cosmetic for the prevention or alleviation of wrinkles and
heat aging.
CTKG: A Knowledge Graph for Clinical Trials
Authors: Chen Ziqi , Peng Bo , Ioannidis Vassilis N. , Li Mufei , Karypis George , Ning Xia
Published: November 2021

Effective and successful clinical trials are essential in developing new drugs and advancing new treatments. However, clinical trials are very expensive and easy to fail. The high cost and low success rate of clinical trials motivate research on inferring knowledge from existing clinical trials in innovative ways for designing future clinical trials. In this manuscript, we present our efforts on constructing the first publicly available Clinical Trials Knowledge Graph, denoted asCTKG.CTKGincludes nodes representing medical entities in clinical trials (e.g., studies, drugs and conditions), and edges representing the relations among these entities (e.g., drugs used in studies). Our embedding analysis demonstrates the potential utilities ofCTKGin various applications such as drug repurposing and similarity search, among others.
A comparative analysis of memory B cell and antibody responses against Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 1 in children and adults from Uganda
Authors: Gonzales S. Jake , Clarke Kathleen N. , Batugedara Gayani , Braddom Ashley E. , Garza Rolando , Reyes Raphael A. , Ssewanyana Isaac , Garrison Kendra C. , Ippolito Gregory C. , Greenhouse Bryan , Bol Sebastiaan , Bunnik Evelien M.
Published: November 2021

Memory B cells (MBCs) and plasma antibodies against Plasmodium falciparum merozoite antigens are important components of the protective immune response against malaria. To gain understanding of how responses against P. falciparum develop in these two arms of the humoral immune system, we evaluated MBC and antibody responses against the most abundant merozoite antigen, merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1), in individuals from a region in Uganda with high P. falciparum transmission. Our results showed that MSP1-specific B cells in adults with immunological protection against malaria were predominantly IgG+ classical MBCs, while children with incomplete protection mainly harbored IgM+ MSP1-specific classical MBCs. In contrast, anti-MSP1 plasma IgM reactivity was minimal in both children and adults. Instead, both groups showed high plasma IgG reactivity against MSP1 and whole merozoites, with broadening of the response against non-3D7 strains in adults. The antibodies encoded by MSP1-specific IgG+ MBCs carried high levels of amino acid substitutions and recognized relatively conserved epitopes on the highly variable MSP1 protein. Proteomics analysis of MSP119-specific IgG in plasma of an adult revealed a limited repertoire of anti-MSP1 antibodies, most of which were IgG1 or IgG3. Similar to MSP1- specific MBCs, anti-MSP1 IgGs had relatively high levels of amino acid substitutions and their sequences were predominantly found in classical MBCs, not atypical MBCs. Collectively, these results showed evolution of the MSP1-specific humoral immune response with cumulative P. falciparum exposure, with a shift from IgM+ to IgG+ B cell memory, diversification of B cells from germline, and stronger recognition of MSP1 variants by the plasma IgG repertoire.
Humoral immune response to Covid-19 vaccination in diabetes: age-dependent but independent of type of diabetes and glycaemic control – the prospective COVAC-DM cohort study
Authors: Sourij Caren , Tripolt Norbert J , Aziz Faisal , Aberer Felix , Forstner Patrick , Obermayer Anna M , Kojzar Harald , Kleinhappl Barbara , Pferschy Peter N , Mader Julia K , Cvirn Gerhard , Goswami Nandu , Wachsmuth Nadine , Eckstein Max L. , Müller Alexander , Abbas Farah , Lenz Jacqueline , Steinberger Michaela , Knoll Lisa , Krause Robert , Stradner Martin , Schlenke Peter , Sareban Nazanin , Prietl Barbara , Kaser Susanne , Moser Othmar , Steinmetz Ivo , Sourij Harald
Published: November 2021

Aims

Immune response to COVID-19 vaccination and a potential impact of glycaemia on antibody levels in people with diabetes remains unclear. We investigated the seroconversion following first and second COVID-19 vaccination in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes in relation to glycaemic control prior to vaccination and analysed the response in comparison to individuals without diabetes.

Materials and Methods

This prospective, multicenter cohort study analysed people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, well (HbA1c<7.5% or <58 mmol/mol) or insufficiently (HbA1c≥7.5% or ≥58 mmol/mol) controlled and healthy controls. Roche’s Elecsys anti-SARS-CoV-2 S was used to quantify anti-spike protein antibodies 7-14 days after the first and 14-21 days after the second vaccination.

Results

86 healthy controls and 161 participants with diabetes were enrolled, 150 (75 with type 1 diabetes and 75 with type 2 diabetes) were eligible for the analysis. After the first vaccination, only 52.7% in the type 1 diabetes group and 48.0% in the type 2 diabetes group showed antibody levels above the cut-off for positivity. Antibody levels after the second vaccination were similar in people with type1, type 2 diabetes and healthy controls if adjusted for age, sex and multiple testing (p>0.05). Age (r=−0.45, p<0.001) and glomerular filtration rate (r=0.28, p=0.001) were significantly associated with antibody response.

Conclusions

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S antibody levels after the second vaccination were comparable in healthy controls, people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, irrespective of glycaemic control. Age and renal function correlated significantly with the extent of antibody levels.
Length of hospital stay and risk of intensive care admission and in-hospital death among COVID-19 patients in Norway: a register-based cohort study comparing patients fully vaccinated with an mRNA vaccine to unvaccinated patients
Authors: Whittaker Robert , Bråthen Kristofferson Anja , Valcarcel Salamanca Beatriz , Seppälä Elina , Golestani Karan , Kvåle Reidar , Watle Sara Viksmoen , Buanes Eirik Alnes
Published: November 2021

Objectives

With most of the Norwegian population vaccinated against COVID-19, an increasing number and proportion of COVID-19 related hospitalisations are occurring among vaccinated patients. We estimated the length of stay (LoS) in hospital and an intensive care unit (ICU), and risk of admission to ICU and in-hospital death among COVID-19 patients ≥18 years who had been fully vaccinated with an mRNA vaccine, compared to unvaccinated patients.

Methods

Using national registry data, we conducted a cohort study on SARS-CoV-2 positive patients hospitalised in Norway between 1 February and 30 November 2021, with COVID-19 as the main cause of hospitalisation. We ran Cox proportional hazards models to analyse differences in our outcomes. Explanatory variables included vaccination status, age, sex, county of residence, regional health authority, date of admission, country of birth, virus variant and underlying risk factors.

Results

We included 3,203 patients, of whom 716 (22%) were fully vaccinated (at least two doses or one dose and previous SARS-CoV-2 infection). Fully vaccinated patients had a shorter overall LoS in hospital (aHR for discharge: 1.61, 95%CI: 1.24–2.08), shorter LoS without ICU (aHR: 1.27, 95%CI: 1.07–1.52), and lower risk of ICU admission (aHR: 0.50, 95%CI: 0.37–0.69) compared to unvaccinated patients. We observed no difference in the LoS in ICU, nor risk of in-hospital death between fully vaccinated and unvaccinated patients.

Conclusions

Fully vaccinated patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in Norway have a shorter LoS and lower risk of ICU admission than unvaccinated patients. These findings can support patient management and ongoing capacity planning in hospitals.
Association of alcohol consumption and frequency with loneliness: A cross-sectional study among Japanese workers during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Konno Yusuke , Okawara Makoto , Hino Ayako , Nagata Tomohisa , Muramatsu Keiji , Tateishi Seiichiro , Tsuji Mayumi , Ogami Akira , Yoshimura Reiji , Fujino Yoshihisa ,   for the CORoNaWork Project
Published: November 2021

Background

There are increasing concerns that prevention measures against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) such as social distancing and telework are leading to loneliness and poor lifestyle habits like increased alcohol consumption. The purpose of this study was to assess whether loneliness reported among workers during the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with changes in alcohol consumption.

Methods

The study comprised a cross-sectional, online survey of 27,036 workers between December 22 and 26, 2020. A questionnaire was used to assess loneliness, usual alcohol consumption and whether that consumption had changed. The odds ratios (ORs) were estimated by logistic regression analysis.

Results

A total of 2831 (10.5%) workers indicated they had increased alcohol consumption during the pandemic. Increased alcohol consumption was significantly associated with loneliness (OR=1.94, 95%CI 1.70–2.21). This association held true for those who indicated they were drinking two or more days per week (OR=1.98 95%CI 1.71–2.30) and those who drank less than one day per week (OR=1.51 95%CI 0.71–3.25). In contrast, there was no association between increased drinking and loneliness among those who indicated they hardly ever drank (OR=1.22 95%CI 0.55–2.72).

Conclusions

Among those with a drinking habit, increased alcohol consumption is associated with loneliness.