bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Impact of Patient-physician Communication Curriculum on Students of Korean Medical School
Authors: Lee Hye-Yoon , Im Sunju , Yune So Jung , Lee Sang Yeoup
Published: September 2021

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the impact of patient-physician communication curriculum on students of Korean medical school in terms of cognitive, affective, and psychomotor level of communication skills. Methods: A communication curriculum was developed considering COVID-19 pandemic situation. Lectures, peer role-play, open interview with standardized patient (SP), discussion and feedback were conducted by online, and face-to-face 1:1 SP-interview was performed. Scores of written test, peer role-play of medical communication, SP-interview, self-evaluation on one’s interview with real patients in clinical clerkship, and questionnaire of importance were collected and analyzed. Results: Converted to 100 point scale, the mean score of written test (cognitive level) was 91.2 while that of importance questionnaire (affective level) was 77.5. The mean scores of psychomotor level were 72.5, 77.5, and 62.5 for peer role-play, SP-interview, and real patient interview in clerkship, respectively. Conclusions: Students’ performance is lower in higher level of competence. Curriculums should provide more opportunities of practices to students, and include evaluation focusing on performance skills.
Four Case Reports on Treatment of elevated aminotransferase levels with Herbal medicine containing Artemisia capillaris as Principal Component
Authors: Chu Hongmin , Kim Cheol-Hyun , Kim Kwang-ho , Lee Young-ung , Sung Kang-keyng , Lee Sang-kwan
Published: September 2021

Background: Many herbal medications have been used to treat various liver diseases. But the concerns of herbal medicine induced liver injury also existed. In this respect, we would like to report several cases with imporved elevated liver aminotransferase after treating herbal medicine including Artemisia capillaris. Case Reports: We report four patients with elevated aminotransferase levels (ATLs), which indicate hepatocellular damages. After receiving herbal medicines therapy containing Artemisia capillaris as principal component (HMA), the patients` ATLs were improved. In the first case, the patient`s ATLs decreased into normal range after administration of HMA, although they have not been improved with hepatotonics for a long period. In the second case, the patient`s ATLs have been elevated after taking anticoagulants. The ATLs were improved with HMA without stopping anticoagulants. In the other two cases, the patients` ATLs were also improved after taking HMA. In addition, there were no changes of previous drugs for treating the corresponding underlying diseases and no adverse events during HMA applications. Result and Conclusion: The four patients received the herbal medicine containing Artemisia capillaris as principal component and showed improvement of ATLs. These cases suggest that HMA can be considered as alternative or complementary remedies to improve various liver diseases.
Medical Image of the Month: Stercoral Colitis
Authors:   University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ USA, Peters Kirstin , Gibbs Angela , Campion Janet
Published: September 2021

No abstract available. Article truncated after 150 words. A 78-year-old- man with cerebral palsy requiring an in-home caregiver presented to the emergency room in hypovolemic shock post-sudden cardiac arrest in the setting of hematemesis. The caregiver noticed the patient become unresponsive after having one episode of bright red emesis. EMS arrived and found the patient to be pulseless and performed three rounds of CPR and gave 1 mg of epinephrine before return of spontaneous circulation was obtained. The caregiver reported the patient had been complaining of diarrhea for the past few days after being started on magnesium citrate for constipation by his PCP. In the ED patient was intubated, sedated, and started on pressors due to undifferentiated shock. CT abdomen pelvis demonstrated diffuse dilation of the colon with massive stool burden and markedly distended rectum with impacted stool and circumferential rectal wall thickening consistent with stercoral colitis (Figures 1 and 2). In addition, there was a large hiatal …
Doppler velocimeter and vibrometer FMCW LiDAR with Si photonic crystal beam scanner
Authors: Suyama Saneyuki , Ito Hiroyuki , Kurahashi Ryo , Abe Hiroshi , Baba Toshihiko
Published: September 2021

In this paper, we propose and demonstrate a frequency-modulated continuous-wave light detection and ranging (LiDAR) with a Si photonic crystal beam scanner, simultaneously enabling scanning laser Doppler measurements. This nonmechanical solid-state device can reduce the size of conventional scanning laser Doppler vibrometers, making LiDAR a multimodal imaging sensor, which can measure the distributions of distance, velocity, and vibration frequency. We fabricated this device using Si photonics process and confirmed the expected operations. Distance and velocity resolutions were less than 15 mm and 19 mm/s, respectively. The detection limit of the vibration amplitude determined by the signal-to-noise ratio was 2.5 nm.
RDC complex executes a dynamic piRNA program during Drosophila spermatogenesis to safeguard male fertility
Authors: Chen Peiwei , Luo Yicheng , Aravin Alexei A.
Published: September 2021

piRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that guide the silencing of transposons and other targets in animal gonads. In Drosophila female germline, many piRNA source loci dubbed “piRNA clusters” lack hallmarks of active genes and exploit an alternative path for transcription, which relies on the Rhino-Deadlock-Cutoff (RDC) complex. RDC was thought to be absent in testis, so it remains to date unknown how piRNA cluster transcription is regulated in the male germline. We found that components of RDC complex are expressed in male germ cells during early spermatogenesis, from germline stem cells (GSCs) to early spermatocytes. RDC is essential for expression of dual-strand piRNA clusters and transposon silencing in testis; however, it is dispensable for expression of Y-linked Suppressor of Stellate piRNAs and therefore Stellate silencing. Despite intact Stellate repression, males lacking RDC exhibited compromised fertility accompanied by germline DNA damage and GSC loss. Thus, piRNA-guided repression is essential for normal spermatogenesis beyond Stellate silencing. While RDC associates with multiple piRNA clusters in GSCs and early spermatogonia, its localization changes in later stages as RDC concentrates on a single X-linked locus, AT-chX. Dynamic RDC localization is paralleled by changes in piRNA cluster expression, indicating that RDC executes a fluid piRNA program during different stages of spermatogenesis. These results disprove the common belief that RDC is dispensable for piRNA biogenesis in testis and uncover the unexpected, sexually dimorphic and dynamic behavior of a core piRNA pathway machinery.
Corporate political activity in the context of unhealthy food advertising restrictions across Transport for London: A qualitative case study
Authors: Lauber Kathrin , Hunt Daniel , Gilmore Anna B. , Rutter Harry
Published: September 2021

Background

Diets with high proportions of foods high in fat, sugar, and/or salt (HFSS) contribute to malnutrition and rising rates of childhood obesity, with effects throughout the life course. Given compelling evidence on the detrimental impact HFSS advertising has on children’s diets, the World Health Organization unequivocally supports the adoption of restrictions on HFSS marketing and advertising. In February 2019, the Greater London Authority introduced novel restrictions on HFSS advertising across Transport for London (TfL), one of the most valuable out-of-home advertising estates. In this study, we examined whether and how commercial actors attempted to influence the development of these advertising restrictions.

Methods and findings

Using requests under the Freedom of Information Act, we obtained industry responses to the London Food Strategy consultation, correspondence between officials and key industry actors, and information on meetings. We used an existing model of corporate political activity, the Policy Dystopia Model, to systematically analyse arguments and activities used to counter the policy. The majority of food and advertising industry consultation respondents opposed the proposed advertising restrictions, many promoting voluntary approaches instead. Industry actors who supported the policy were predominantly smaller businesses. To oppose the policy, industry respondents deployed a range of strategies. They exaggerated potential costs and underplayed potential benefits of the policy, for instance, warning of negative economic consequences and questioning the evidence underlying the proposal. Despite challenging the evidence for the policy, they offered little evidence in support of their own claims. Commercial actors had significant access to the policy process and officials through the consultation and numerous meetings, yet attempted to increase access, for example, in applying to join the London Child Obesity Taskforce and inviting its members to events. They also employed coalition management, engaging directly and through business associations to amplify their arguments. Some advertising industry actors also raised the potential of legal challenges. The key limitation of this study is that our data focused on industry–policymaker interactions; thus, our findings are unable to present a comprehensive picture of political activity.

Conclusions

In this study, we identified substantial opposition from food and advertising industry actors to the TfL advertising restrictions. We mapped arguments and activities used to oppose the policy, which might help other public authorities anticipate industry efforts to prevent similar restrictions in HFSS advertising. Given the potential consequences of commercial influence in these kinds of policy spaces, public bodies should consider how they engage with industry actors.
Modeling transmission dynamics and effectiveness of worker screening programs for SARS-CoV-2 in pork processing plants
Authors: VanderWaal Kimberly , Black Lora , Hodge Judy , Bedada Addisalem , Dee Scott
Published: September 2021

Pork processing plants were apparent hotspots for SARS-CoV2 in the spring of 2020. As a result, the swine industry was confronted with a major occupational health, financial, and animal welfare crisis. The objective of this work was to describe the epidemiological situation within processing plants, develop mathematical models to simulate transmission in these plants, and test the effectiveness of routine PCR screening at minimizing SARS-CoV2 circulation. Cumulative incidence of clinical (PCR-confirmed) disease plateaued at ~2.5% to 25% across the three plants studied here. For larger outbreaks, antibody prevalence was approximately 30% to 40%. Secondly, we developed a mathematical model that accounts for asymptomatic, pre-symptomatic, and background “community” transmission. By calibrating this model to observed epidemiological data, we estimated the initial reproduction number (R) of the virus. Across plants, R generally ranged between 2 and 4 during the initial phase, but subsequently declined to ~1 after two to three weeks, most likely as a result of implementation/compliance with biosecurity measures in combination with population immunity. Using the calibrated model to simulate a range of possible scenarios, we show that the effectiveness of routine PCR-screening at minimizing disease spread was far more influenced by testing frequency than by delays in results, R, or background community transmission rates. Testing every three days generally averted about 25% to 40% of clinical cases across a range of assumptions, while testing every 14 days typically averted 7 to 13% of clinical cases. However, the absolute number of additional clinical cases expected and averted was influenced by whether there was residual immunity from a previous peak (i.e., routine testing is implemented after the workforce had experienced an initial outbreak). In contrast, when using PCR-screening to prevent outbreaks or in the early stages of an outbreak, even frequent testing may not prevent a large outbreak within the workforce. This research helps to identify protocols that minimize risk to occupational safety and health and support continuity of business for U.S. processing plants. While the model was calibrated to meat processing plants, the structure of the model and insights about testing are generalizable to other settings where large number of people work in close proximity.
The influence of valence shifts in fear appeals on message processing and behavioral intentions: A moderated mediation model
Authors: Siegenthaler Perina , Ort Alexander , Fahr Andreas
Published: September 2021

Newer approaches in health communication research indicate that understanding the flow of emotional experiences during exposure to fear appeals can clarify their persuasive effects. In a laboratory experiment, the impact of valence shifts during exposure to fear appeals on determinants of health-relevant behaviors were examined. Continuous response measurement allowed gathering real-time data about participants’ experiences of valence shifts during exposure. Among the results, a shift from negative to positive valence promoted efficacy perceptions but only for people being personally affected by the health issue. Perceived efficacy, in turn, increased intentions to put recommended behaviors into practice. This suggests that inducing positive valence shifts in health messages improves their effectiveness, especially for relevant target groups.
A high-density crowd state judgment model based on entropy theory
Authors: Zhao Guomin , Li Cong , Xu Guangji , He Falong , Zhang Jing
Published: September 2021

A high-density crowd state is prone to cause large-scale crowd stampede accidents that seriously threaten the people’s security and property. The key to preventing crowd congestion is to accurately predict the location and time of crowd events, particularly when there is a high density of people. In this paper, the entropy theory is used to characterize the state of a crowded system. The theoretical entropy Sr and the actual entropy S of the crowd system are obtained according to the area occupied by the different crowd state The maximum entropy value and the actual entropy value under different conditions of the system are compared to judge the state of crowded extent. The results show that the model is practical and effective. According to the situation of the crowd, different management and evacuation measures are considered to prevent the occurrence of crowd accidents.
Marital status differences in suicidality among transgender people
Authors: Liu Hui , Wilkinson Lindsey
Published: September 2021

The suicide rate for transgender people is among the highest of any group in the United States. Yet, we know little about disadvantages or resources available to transgender people to prevent suicide. The overall purpose of this study is to assess how marital status modifies the risk of suicide among transgender people. We analyzed data from the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey to predict marital status differences in both suicide ideation and suicide attempt in the past year. The analytic sample for suicide ideation included 17,117 transgender respondents (9,182 transwomen and 7,935 transmen), and the analytic sample for suicide attempt was limited to 8,058 transgender respondents (4,342 transwomen and 3,716 transmen) who reported suicide ideation in the last 12 months. Results from binary logistic regression models suggested that never married and previously married transmen and transwomen, regardless of their partnership status, generally had higher risk of both suicide ideation and attempt than their married transgender counterparts with only one exception: never married transwomen had lower risk of suicide ideation (but not attempt) than their married transwomen counterpart after sociodemographic characteristics were accounted for. These findings draw attention to the heterogeneity of the transgender population, highlighting marital status as a key social factor in stratifying the life experiences of transgender people.
Self-collection of capillary blood using Tasso-SST devices for Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody testing
Authors: Hendelman Tess , Chaudhary Anu , LeClair Angela C. , van Leuven Kimberly , Chee Jacqueline , Fink Susan L. , Welch Emily J. , Berthier Erwin , Quist Brook A. , Wald Anna , Wener Mark H. , Hoofnagle Andrew N. , Morishima Chihiro
Published: September 2021

Background

Efforts to minimize COVID-19 exposure during the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic have led to limitations in access to medical care and testing. The Tasso-SST kit includes all of the components necessary for remote, capillary blood self-collection. In this study, we sought to investigate the accuracy and reliability of the Tasso-SST device as a self-collection device for measurement of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies.

Methods

Capillary blood was obtained via unsupervised and supervised application of the Tasso-SST device, and venous blood was collected by standard venipuncture. Unsupervised self-collected blood samples underwent either extreme summer or winter-simulated shipping conditions prior to testing. Sera obtained by all three methods were tested concurrently using the EuroImmun anti-SARS-CoV-2 S1 IgG assay in a CLIA-certified clinical laboratory.

Results

Successful Tasso-SST capillary blood collection by unsupervised and supervised administration was completed by 93.4% and 94.5% of participants, respectively. Sera from 56 participants, 55 with documented (PCR+) COVID-19, and 33 healthy controls were then tested for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies. Compared to venous blood results, Tasso-SST-collected (unstressed) and the summer- and winter-stressed blood samples demonstrated Deming regression slopes of 1.00 (95% CI: 0.99–1.02), 1.00 (95% CI: 0.98–1.01), and 0.99 (95% CI: 0.97–1.01), respectively, with an overall accuracy of 98.9%.

Conclusions

Capillary blood self-collection using the Tasso-SST device had a high success rate. Moreover, excellent concordance was found for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG results between Tasso-SST capillary and standard venous blood-derived sera. The Tasso-SST device should enable widespread collection of capillary blood for testing without medical supervision, facilitating epidemiologic studies.
Autonomic factors do not underlie the elevated self-disgust levels in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Aristotelidou Vasileia , Tsatali Marianna , Overton Paul G. , Vivas Ana B.
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is manifested along with non-motor symptoms such as impairments in basic emotion regulation, recognition and expression. Yet, self-conscious emotion (SCEs) such as self-disgust, guilt and shame are under-investigated. Our previous research indicated that Parkinson patients have elevated levels of self-reported and induced self-disgust. However, the cause of that elevation–whether lower level biophysiological factors, or higher level cognitive factors, is unknown.

Methods

To explore the former, we analysed Skin Conductance Response (SCR, measuring sympathetic activity) amplitude and high frequency Heart Rate Variability (HRV, measuring parasympathetic activity) across two emotion induction paradigms, one involving narrations of personal experiences of self-disgust, shame and guilt, and one targeting self-disgust selectively via images of the self. Both paradigms had a neutral condition.

Results

Photo paradigm elicited significant changes in physiological responses in patients relative to controls—higher percentages of HRV in the high frequency range but lower SCR amplitudes, with patients to present lower responses compared to controls. In the narration paradigm, only guilt condition elicited significant SCR differences between groups.

Conclusions

Consequently, lower level biophysiological factors are unlikely to cause elevated self-disgust levels in Parkinson’s disease, which by implication suggests that higher level cognitive factors may be responsible.
Deep Q-network-based traffic signal control models
Authors: Park Sangmin , Han Eum , Park Sungho , Jeong Harim , Yun Ilsoo
Published: September 2021

Traffic congestion has become common in urban areas worldwide. To solve this problem, the method of searching a solution using artificial intelligence has recently attracted widespread attention because it can solve complex problems such as traffic signal control. This study developed two traffic signal control models using reinforcement learning and a microscopic simulation-based evaluation for an isolated intersection and two coordinated intersections. To develop these models, a deep Q-network (DQN) was used, which is a promising reinforcement learning algorithm. The performance was evaluated by comparing the developed traffic signal control models in this research with the fixed-time signal optimized by Synchro model, which is a traffic signal optimization model. The evaluation showed that the developed traffic signal control model of the isolated intersection was validated, and the coordination of intersections was superior to that of the fixed-time signal control method.
What support do frontline workers want? A qualitative study of health and social care workers’ experiences and views of psychosocial support during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Billings Jo , Abou Seif Nada , Hegarty Siobhan , Ondruskova Tamara , Soulios Emilia , Bloomfield Michael , Greene Talya
Published: September 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed a significant burden on the mental health and wellbeing of frontline health and social care workers. The need to support frontline staff has been recognised. However, there is to date little research specifically on how best to support the mental health needs of frontline workers, and none on their own experiences and views about what might be most helpful.

Aims

We set out to redress this research gap by qualitatively exploring UK frontline health and social care workers’ own experiences and views of psychosocial support during the pandemic.

Method

Frontline health and social care workers were recruited purposively through social media and by snowball sampling via healthcare colleagues. Workers who volunteered to take part in the study were interviewed remotely following a semi-structured interview guide. Transcripts of the interviews were analysed by the research team following the principles of Reflexive Thematic Analysis.

Results

We conducted 25 interviews with frontline workers from a variety of professional groups working in health and social care settings across the UK. Themes derived from our analysis showed that workers’ experiences and views about psychosocial support were complex. Peer support was many workers’ first line of support but could also be experienced as a burden. Workers were ambivalent about support shown by organisations, media and the public. Whilst workers valued psychological support services, there were many disparities in provision and barriers to access.

Conclusions

The results of this study show that frontline health and social care workers are likely to need a flexible system of support including peer, organisational and professional support. More research is needed to fully unpack the structural, systemic and individual barriers to accessing psychosocial support. Greater collaboration, consultation and co-production of support services and their evaluation is warranted.
Firing on all cylinders: Configuring information technology around the constituents of corporate entrepreneurship to outperform in SME sector
Authors: Rehman Nabeel , Mahmood Asif , Ikram Amir , Ahmad Ayyaz
Published: September 2021

This study has examined how small and medium enterprises (SMEs) may enhance their performance under different settings of information technology (IT) capabilities and corporate entrepreneurship (CE). Established on the dynamic capability view, the researchers have analyzed the connections between IT capabilities and CE, in addition to the performance results of SMEs. The research has explored these novel relationships by utilizing partial least square-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) with a data sample of 447 SMEs of the manufacturing sector in Pakistan. The findings present that IT capabilities positively influence the market and financial performance of SMEs through the mediating role of CE dimensions. The study uniquely determines the mediating role of dimensional effects of corporate entrepreneurship between IT capabilities and performance outcomes of firms. Thus, the study would enable the management of SMEs to realize the potential of IT-related CE dimensions and their use to improve firms’ performance.
Reconciling the Chicago River for birds and people
Authors: Smith Alexis Dyan
Published: September 2021

The Chicago River’s north branch intersects multiple urban land uses, including residential, industrial, commercial, and recreational. The north branch also supports a diversity of birds exploiting a variety of resources and structures along the river as habitat. From three breeding seasons of point count surveys, I assess the breeding bird communities in four different sections, representing four different restoration or management styles. These four river sections are also very different with regards to the surrounding neighborhood demographics. These data serve as both a baseline for future studies to evaluate restoration projects along the Chicago River, and as a snapshot to compare bird diversity and community composition between these river sections given current conditions. Unsurprisingly, the section of the river with the most extensive and longest established restoration effort had the highest species richness (number of species) of native birds. In terms of aquatic and riparian birds, however, that section was comparable to river sections with much less management in measures of both species richness and species composition. I discuss ways that river restoration efforts can be sensitive to demographic context, to avoid contributing to eco-gentrification and displacement.
Human placental perfusion measured using dynamic contrast enhancement MRI
Authors: Deloison Benjamin , Arthuis Chloé , Benchimol Gabriel , Balvay Daniel , Bussieres Laurence , Millischer Anne-Elodie , Grévent David , Butor Cécile , Chalouhi Gihad , Mahallati Houman , Hélénon Olivier , Tavitian Bertrand , Clement Olivier , Ville Yves , Siauve Nathalie , Salomon Laurent Julien
Published: September 2021

Objectives

To evaluate the feasibility of dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE MRI) and measure values of in vivo placental perfusion in women.

Methods

This study was part of the Placentimage trial (NCT01092949). Gadolinium-chelate (Gd) enhanced dynamic MRI was performed two days before termination of pregnancies at 16 to 34 weeks gestational age (GA). Quantitative analysis was performed using one-compartment intravascular modeling. DCE perfusion parameters were analyzed across GA and were compared in IUGR and AGA fetuses.

Results

134 patients were enrolled. After quality control check, 62 DCE MRI were analyzed including 48 and 14 pregnancies with normal and abnormal karyotypes, respectively. Mean placental blood flow was 129±61 mL/min/100ml in cases with normal karyotypes. Fetuses affected by IUGR (n = 13) showed significantly lower total placental blood flow values than AGA fetuses (n = 35) (F total = 122±88 mL/min versus 259±34 mL/min, p = 0.002). DCE perfusion parameters showed a linear correlation with GA.

Conclusions

Measuring placental perfusion in vivo is possible using DCE MRI. Although this study has many limitations it gives us the first DCE MRI values that provide a potential standard for future research into placental perfusion methods and suggests that placental functional parameters are altered in IUGR pregnancies.
Consequences of using chronological age versus corrected age when testing cognitive and motor development in infancy and intelligence quotient at school age for children born preterm
Authors: Gould Jacqueline F. , Fuss Belinda G. , Roberts Rachel M. , Collins Carmel T. , Makrides Maria
Published: September 2021

Background

Children born preterm (<37 weeks’ gestation) have an increased risk of poor neurodevelopment, including lower intelligence quotient (IQ) scores compared with their term-born counterparts.

Objective

To explore the differences in psychometric scores for cognition and motor skills when they are age-standardized according to chronological age instead of corrected age for children born preterm.

Methods

We assessed = 554 children born <33 weeks’ gestation with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, 2ndedition (mental and motor scores) at 18 months and the Weschler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (IQ score) at seven years of age. Scores were standardized according to chronological age and corrected age and differences between mean chronological and corrected scores were compared, along with the proportion of children whose scores could be classified as impaired.

Results

When scores were standardized according to chronological age instead of corrected age there was a large significant difference of 17.3 points on the mental scale (79.5 vs. 96.8, respectively) and 11.8 points on the motor scale (84.8 vs. 96.6, respectively) at 18 months. By seven years, the difference in IQ scores remained, although of a smaller magnitude at 1.9 points between mean chronological and corrected age scoring (97.2 vs. 99.1, respectively).

Conclusion

Consistent with previous literature, outcome assessments for preterm infants consistently differed according to use of chronological or corrected age to standardized scores. Cognitive scores were impacted more severely than motor scores, and differences were more substantial in early childhood than later in childhood. For clinical purposes, correction for preterm birth is only likely to have an impact during early childhood, however assessments for research purposes should continue to correct into childhood to account for the persistent bias due to preterm birth.
Prognostic value of postoperative decrease in serum albumin on surgically resected early-stage non-small cell lung carcinoma: A multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Kinoshita Fumihiko , Tagawa Tetsuzo , Yamashita Takanori , Takenaka Tomoyoshi , Matsubara Taichi , Toyokawa Gouji , Takada Kazuki , Oba Taro , Osoegawa Atsushi , Yamazaki Koji , Takenoyama Mitsuhiro , Shimokawa Mototsugu , Nakashima Naoki , Mori Masaki
Published: September 2021

Background

Preoperative nutritional status is an important host-related prognostic factor for non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC); however, the significance of postoperative changes in nutritional status remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the significance of postoperative decreases in serum albumin (ΔAlb) on the outcomes of early-stage NSCLC.

Methods

We analyzed 443 training cohort (TC) and 642 validation cohort (VC) patients with pStage IA NSCLC who underwent surgery and did not recur within 1 year. We measured preoperative serum albumin levels (preAlb) and postoperative levels 1 year after surgery (postAlb), and calculated ΔAlb as (preAlb − postAlb)/preAlb × 100%. A cutoff value of 11% for ΔAlb was defined on the basis of the receiver operating characteristic curve for the TC.

Results

Patients were divided into ΔAlb-Decreased and ΔAlb-Stable groups, including 100 (22.6%) and 343 (77.4%) in the TC, and 58 (9.0%) and 584 (90.1%) in the VC. ΔAlb-Decreased was associated with male sex (p = 0.0490), smoking (p = 0.0156), and non-adenocarcinoma (p<0.0001) in the TC, and pT1b (p = 0.0169) and non-adenocarcinoma (p = 0.0251) in the VC. Multivariable analysis identified ΔAlb as an independent prognostic factor for disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in both cohorts (VC: DFS, HR = 1.9, 95%CI: 1.10–3.15, p = 0.0197; OS, HR = 2.0, 95%CI: 1.13–3.45, p = 0.0173). Moreover, subgroup analysis demonstrated that the prognostic value of ΔAlb was consistent for age, sex, smoking history, surgical procedure, and histological type.

Conclusion

We demonstrated a negative impact of postoperative decrease of the serum albumin on the prognosis of patients with early-stage NSCLC. Postoperative changes in nutritional status might be important in NSCLC outcomes.
Chronic presence of blood circulating anti-NMDAR1 autoantibodies impairs cognitive function in mice
Authors: Yue William , Caldwell Sorana , Risbrough Victoria , Powell Susan , Zhou Xianjin
Published: September 2021

High titers of anti-NMDAR1 autoantibodies in brain cause anti-NMDAR1 encephalitis that displays psychiatric symptoms of schizophrenia and/or other psychiatric disorders in addition to neurological symptoms. Low titers of anti-NMDAR1 autoantibodies are reported in the blood of a subset of the general human population and psychiatric patients. Since ~0.1–0.2% of blood circulating antibodies cross the blood-brain barriers and antibodies can persist for months and years in human blood, it is important to investigate whether chronic presence of these blood circulating anti-NMDAR1 autoantibodies may impair human cognitive functions and contribute to the development of psychiatric symptoms. Here, we generated mice carrying low titers of anti-NMDAR1 autoantibodies in blood against a single antigenic epitope of mouse NMDAR1. Mice carrying the anti-NMDAR1 autoantibodies are healthy and display no differences in locomotion, sensorimotor gating, and contextual memory compared to controls. Chronic presence of the blood circulating anti-NMDAR1 autoantibodies, however, is sufficient to impair T-maze spontaneous alternation in the integrity of blood-brain barriers across all 3 independent mouse cohorts, indicating a robust cognitive deficit in spatial working memory and/or novelty detection. Our studies implicate that chronic presence of low titers of blood circulating anti-NMDAR1 autoantibodies may impair cognitive functions in both the general healthy human population and psychiatric patients.
Total sleep deprivation reduces top-down regulation of emotion without altering bottom-up affective processing
Authors: Stenson Anthony R. , Kurinec Courtney A. , Hinson John. M. , Whitney Paul , Van Dongen Hans P. A.
Published: September 2021

Sleep loss is reported to influence affective processing, causing changes in overall mood and altering emotion regulation. These aspects of affective processing are seldom investigated together, making it difficult to determine whether total sleep deprivation has a global effect on how affective stimuli and emotions are processed, or whether specific components of affective processing are affected selectively. Sixty healthy adults were recruited for an in-laboratory study and, after a monitored night of sleep and laboratory acclimation, randomly assigned to either a total sleep deprivation condition (n = 40) or a rested control condition (n = 20). Measurements of mood, vigilant attention to affective stimuli, affective working memory, affective categorization, and emotion regulation were taken for both groups. With one exception, measures of interest were administered twice: once at baseline and again 24 hours later, after the sleep deprived group had spent a night awake (working memory was assessed only after total sleep deprivation). Sleep deprived individuals experienced an overall reduction in positive affect with no significant change in negative affect. Despite the substantial decline in positive affect, there was no evidence that processing affectively valenced information was biased under total sleep deprivation. Sleep deprived subjects did not rate affective stimuli differently from rested subjects, nor did they show sleep deprivation-specific effects of affect type on vigilant attention, working memory, and categorization tasks. However, sleep deprived subjects showed less effective regulation of negative emotion. Overall, we found no evidence that total sleep deprivation biased the processing of affective stimuli in general. By contrast, total sleep deprivation appeared to reduce controlled processing required for emotion regulation.
High-addition segmented refractive bifocal intraocular lens in inactive age-related macular degeneration: A multicenter pilot study
Authors: Auffarth Gerd U. , Reiter Josef , Leitritz Martin , Bartz-Schmidt Karl-Ulrich , Höhn Fabian , Breyer Detlev , Kaymak Hakan , Rohrschneider Klaus , Khoramnia Ramin , Yildirim Timur M.
Published: September 2021

This multicenter, open-label study aimed to determine the safety and functional outcome of a high-addition segmented refractive bifocal intraocular lens (IOL) in late inactive age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Twenty eyes of 20 patients were enrolled and followed until 12 months after the intervention. Patients underwent cataract surgery with implantation of a LS-313 MF80 segmented refractive bifocal intraocular lens with a near addition of +8.0 D (Teleon Surgical Vertriebs GmbH, Berlin, Germany). The main outcome measures were distance corrected near visual acuity (DCNVA) and safety as determined by intra- and post-operative complications. Secondary outcomes included distance corrected visual acuity (CDVA), uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA), the need for magnification to read newspaper, preferred reading distance, speed and performance (logRAD), as well as patient satisfaction. Mean DCNVA improved from 0.95 (±0.19) to 0.74 (±0.35) logMAR, until 6 months after surgery, P<0.05. CDVA improved from 0.70 (±0.23) to 0.59 (±0.30) logMAR, UDVA from 0.94 (±0.25) to 0.69 (±0.34) logMAR, UNVA from 1.08 (±0.19) to 0.87 (±0.43) logMAR. The mean need for magnification decreased from 2.9- to 2.3-fold, preferred reading distance from 23 to 20 cm. No intraoperative complications occurred during any of the surgeries. One patient lost > 2 lines of CDVA between 6 and 12 months, in another case, the study IOL was exchanged for a monofocal one due to dysphotopsia and decreased CDVA. Implantation of a segmented refractive bifocal IOL with +8.0 D addition improves near and distance vision in patients with late AMD and has a satisfactory safety profile.
May predator body-size hamper furtive predation strategy by aphidophagous insects?
Authors: Meseguer Roberto , Levi-Mourao Alexandre , Fournier Marc , Pons Xavier , Lucas Eric
Published: September 2021

Furtive predation is an uncommon predation strategy within aphidophagous insects, as it can be constrained by several factors. So far, the few reported furtive predators are characterized by their small body-size, vermiform shape, and slow movement. They live within the aphid colonies, without triggering significant defensive acts, nor disrupting colony structure. In this study, we aim to determine how body-size may prevent adoption of a furtive predation strategy. For that, the American hoverfly, Eupeodes americanus (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Syrphidae) was selected as a model species, according to the great body-size increase experienced during the larval stage. We hypothesized that smaller instars will be furtive predators, whereas larger ones will be active-searching predators. After the inoculation close to a pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) colony, several behavioral parameters of the different larval instars were recorded. The elicited aphid colony disturbance was also evaluated and compared with that of the active-searching ladybird beetle, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), and of the furtive predator, Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Rondani) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). Aphids showed significantly fewer defensive behaviors in the presence of E. americanus larvae than in the presence of the active-searching H. axyridis. Furthermore, our results clearly indicate that body-size increase was not a limit, since the three larval instars of the American hoverfly acted as furtive predators, just like the furtive A. aphidimyza. It is the first time a furtive predatory behavior has been recorded on such a large aphidophagous predator. The obtained results provide essential information about the biology of E. americanus, a potential biological control agent of aphids.
Consumption of cranberry as adjuvant therapy for urinary tract infections in susceptible populations: A systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis
Authors: Xia Jia-yue , Yang Chao , Xu Deng-feng , Xia Hui , Yang Li-gang , Sun Gui-ju
Published: September 2021

The efficacy of cranberry (Vaccinium spp.) as adjuvant therapy in preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs) remains controversial. This study aims to update and determine cranberry effects as adjuvant therapy on the recurrence rate of UTIs in susceptible groups. According to PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a literature search in Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library from their inception dates to June 2021. We included articles with data on the incidence of UTIs in susceptible populations using cranberry-containing products. We then conducted a trial sequential analysis to control the risk of type I and type II errors. This meta-analysis included 23 trials with 3979 participants. We found that cranberry-based products intake can significantly reduce the incidence of UTIs in susceptible populations (risk ratio (RR) = 0.70; 95% confidence interval(CI): 0.59 ~ 0.83; P<0.01). We identified a relative risk reduction of 32%, 45% and 51% in women with recurrent UTIs (RR = 0.68; 95% CI: 0.56 ~ 0.81), children (RR = 0.55; 95% CI: 0.31 ~ 0.97) and patients using indwelling catheters (RR = 0.49; 95% CI: 0.33 ~ 0.73). Meanwhile, a relative risk reduction of 35% in people who use cranberry juice compared with those who use cranberry capsule or tablet was observed in the subgroup analysis (RR = 0.65; 95% CI: 0.54 ~ 0.77). The TSA result for the effects of cranberry intake and the decreased risk of UTIs in susceptible groups indicated that the effects were conclusive. In conclusion, our meta-analysis demonstrates that cranberry supplementation significantly reduced the risk of developing UTIs in susceptible populations. Cranberry can be considered as adjuvant therapy for preventing UTIs in susceptible populations. However, given the limitations of the included studies in this meta-analysis, the conclusion should be interpreted with caution.
Machine learning model for predicting the optimal depth of tracheal tube insertion in pediatric patients: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Shim Jae-Geum , Ryu Kyoung-Ho , Lee Sung Hyun , Cho Eun-Ah , Lee Sungho , Ahn Jin Hee
Published: September 2021

Objective

To construct a prediction model for optimal tracheal tube depth in pediatric patients using machine learning.

Methods

Pediatric patients aged <7 years who received post-operative ventilation after undergoing surgery between January 2015 and December 2018 were investigated in this retrospective study. The optimal location of the tracheal tube was defined as the median of the distance between the upper margin of the first thoracic(T1) vertebral body and the lower margin of the third thoracic(T3) vertebral body. We applied four machine learning models: random forest, elastic net, support vector machine, and artificial neural network and compared their prediction accuracy to three formula-based methods, which were based on age, height, and tracheal tube internal diameter(ID).

Results

For each method, the percentage with optimal tracheal tube depth predictions in the test set was calculated as follows: 79.0 (95% confidence interval [CI], 73.5 to 83.6) for random forest, 77.4 (95% CI, 71.8 to 82.2;P = 0.719) for elastic net, 77.0 (95% CI, 71.4 to 81.8;P = 0.486) for support vector machine, 76.6 (95% CI, 71.0 to 81.5;P = 1.0) for artificial neural network, 66.9 (95% CI, 60.9 to 72.5;P < 0.001) for the age-based formula, 58.5 (95% CI, 52.3 to 64.4; P< 0.001) for the tube ID-based formula, and 44.4 (95% CI, 38.3 to 50.6;P < 0.001) for the height-based formula.

Conclusions

In this study, the machine learning models predicted the optimal tracheal tube tip location for pediatric patients more accurately than the formula-based methods. Machine learning models using biometric variables may help clinicians make decisions regarding optimal tracheal tube depth in pediatric patients.
Neutrophils and lymphopenia, an unknown axis in severe COVID-19 disease
Authors: Peñaloza Hernán F. , Lee Janet S. , Ray Prabir
Published: September 2021

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the betacoronavirus Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus that can mediate asymptomatic or fatal infections characterized by pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and multi-organ failure. Several studies have highlighted the importance of B and T lymphocytes, given that neutralizing antibodies and T cell responses are required for an effective immunity. In addition, other reports have described myeloid cells such as macrophages and monocytes play a major role in the immunity against SARS-CoV-2 as well as dysregulated pro-inflammatory signature that characterizes severe COVID-19. During COVID-19, neutrophils have been defined as a heterogeneous group of cells, functionally linked to severe inflammation and thrombosis triggered by degranulation and NETosis, but also to suppressive phenotypes. The physiological role of suppressive neutrophils during COVID-19 and their implications in severe disease have been poorly studied and is not well understood. Here, we discuss the current evidence regarding the role of neutrophils with suppressive properties such as granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (G-MDSCs) and their possible role in suppressing CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes expansion and giving rise to lymphopenia in severe COVID-19 infection.
Sugar feeding protects against arboviral infection by enhancing gut immunity in the mosquito vector Aedes aegypti
Authors: Almire Floriane , Terhzaz Selim , Terry Sandra , McFarlane Melanie , Gestuveo Rommel J. , Szemiel Agnieszka M. , Varjak Margus , McDonald Alma , Kohl Alain , Pondeville Emilie
Published: September 2021

As mosquito females require a blood meal to reproduce, they can act as vectors of numerous pathogens, such as arboviruses (e.g. Zika, dengue and chikungunya viruses), which constitute a substantial worldwide public health burden. In addition to blood meals, mosquito females can also take sugar meals to get carbohydrates for their energy reserves. It is now recognised that diet is a key regulator of health and disease outcome through interactions with the immune system. However, this has been mostly studied in humans and model organisms. So far, the impact of sugar feeding on mosquito immunity and in turn, how this could affect vector competence for arboviruses has not been explored. Here, we show that sugar feeding increases and maintains antiviral immunity in the digestive tract of the main arbovirus vectorAedes aegypti. Our data demonstrate that the gut microbiota does not mediate the sugar-induced immunity but partly inhibits it. Importantly, sugar intake prior to an arbovirus-infected blood meal further protects females against infection with arboviruses from different families. Sugar feeding blocks arbovirus initial infection and dissemination from the gut and lowers infection prevalence and intensity, thereby decreasing the transmission potential of female mosquitoes. Finally, we show that the antiviral role of sugar is mediated by sugar-induced immunity. Overall, our findings uncover a crucial role of sugar feeding in mosquito antiviral immunity which in turn decreases vector competence for arboviruses. SinceAe.aegyptialmost exclusively feed on blood in some natural settings, our findings suggest that this lack of sugar intake could increase the spread of mosquito-borne arboviral diseases.
Atypical modes of employment in East German SMEs - patterns of utilization, intentions and problems
Authors: Winkler Ingo
Published: September 2021

This article at hand presents the results of an explorative empirical investigation in East German SMEs. The focus of the article is on the usage of different modes of atypical employment by these firms. Additionally, the purposes as well as the difficulties accompanying this practice are highlighted. Moreover, the results of the survey will be interpreted in different ways.