bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mitigating inequalities in community care needs of older adults with dementia: a qualitative case study of an integrated model of community care operated under the proportionate universalism principle
Authors: Chan Siu-Ming , Chung Gary Ka-Ki , Kwan Michelle Ho-Wing , Woo Jean
Published: September 2022

Background

Population ageing and community care on older adults, as well as the marked social inequalities in health, have received growing concern by the government and the community. This study evaluated the medico-social integrated day care model of the Cadenza Hub for older adults with dementia. We also examined whether services subsidized by the publicly funded graded financial support of the Community Care Service Voucher for the Elderly (CCSV) could mitigate social inequalities in community care needs, from the perspective of the caregivers.

Methods

In this qualitative case study, we adopted purposeful sampling strategy to recruit 14 caregivers of active day care service users with dementia, with different socioeconomic background and duration of service use, for face-to-face semi-structured in-depth interviews between June and August 2021. The transcribed data were closely read to capture key themes using thematic analyses.

Results

Caregivers faced tremendous caregiving burden in the absence of community care support and struggled in choosing care services. Most informants benefited from the day care service, whereas the financial support of CCSV was crucial to ensure equitable access to community care. Non-governmental organizations and social workers were the key to bridging the information gap.

Conclusion

The integrated day care of the Cadenza Hub appeared to have addressed the unmet needs of older adults with dementia and their caregivers, including the socioeconomically disadvantaged with the CCSV support. The community care service delivery model might be applicable to address other health inequalities problems.
Effect of active and passive warming on preventing hypothermia and shivering during cesarean delivery: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Zhuo Qing , Xu Jia-Bin , Zhang Jing , Ji Bin
Published: September 2022

Background

Perioperative hypothermia and shivering commonly occur in pregnant women undergoing cesarean section. The warming method is usually used to prevent hypothermia and shivering. However, the effect of active warming (AW) prior to passive warming (PW) on the perioperative outcomes of pregnant women and their offspring remains controversial.

Methods

This study aimed to investigate the effects of AW and PW on maternal and newborn perioperative outcomes during cesarean delivery. According to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library were used to search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) up to August 7, 2022. The Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool was used to assess articles selected for the systematic review. Continuous data were analyzed using weighted mean differences (WMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and categorical data were analyzed by the random-effects model.

Results

A total of 1241 participants from twelve RCTs were selected for the final meta-analysis. AW was associated with a lower risk of maternal hypothermia (RR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.63–0.93, P = 0.007) and shivering (RR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.37–0.85; P = 0.007). AW was associated with high maternal temperature (WMD: 0.27, 95%CI: 0.14 to 0.40, P < 0.001). No significant difference was observed between AW and PW in terms of hypothermia (RR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.24–1.51, P = 0.278), temperature (WMD: 0.31, 95% CI: − 0.00 to 0.62; P = 0.050), and umbilical vein PH in newborns (WMD: -0.00; 95% CI: − 0.02 to 0.02, P = 0.710).

Conclusions

These findings suggested that AW can better prevent maternal hypothermia and shivering than PW. In contrast, no significant effect was observed in newborns. Overall, the quality of the included studies is high due to RCTs, low risk of bias, consistency, and precision. We identified the quality of the overall evidence from the survey to be GRADE I.
Profiles of women’s adjustment after cancer based on sexual and psychosocial wellbeing: results of a cluster analysis
Authors: Arthur Elizabeth K. , Menon Usha , Reese Jennifer Barsky , Browning Kristine , Overcash Janine , Rose Karen , Wills Celia E.
Published: September 2022

Background

Sexual wellbeing is a critical yet often overlooked aspect of overall wellbeing for women across cancer diagnoses.

Objective

We identified profiles of women cancer survivors by sexual and psychosocial outcomes and compared groups for differences in relevant outcomes and individual characteristics.

Methods

Partnered women treated for cancer (n = 226; M age = 51.1 (12.6); 54% breast cancer; 86% White) completed a cross-sectional survey assessing sexual and psychosocial wellbeing. K-means cluster analysis modeled subgroups (clusters) with similar response patterns on measures of sexual wellbeing (sexual function, distress, sexual communication, and self-efficacy for communication), psychosocial wellbeing (quality of life (QOL), anxiety and depressive symptoms), and time since treatment. ANOVAs with Tukey post-hoc analyses and chi-square analyses tested cluster mean differences.

Results

Three distinct clusters of women differed by levels of adjustment in sexual and psychosocial wellbeing: higher-adjustment (32.7%), intermediate (37.6%), and lower-adjustment (29.6%). Significant differences among the clusters were found for all outcomes, with largest effect sizes for sexual distress (η2p = 0.66), sexual communication (η2p = 0.51), sexual satisfaction (η2p = 0.44), and anxiety and self-efficacy for communication (η2p = 0.32). The intermediate adjustment group was characterized by lower adjustment on measures of sexual and relationship function, and better adjustment on measures of QOL and mood.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that for women cancer survivors, measures of sexual and psychosocial wellbeing can model distinct profiles to inform targeted interventions to meet women’s needs. Evidence-based targeted interventions could lead to better sexual function, and ultimately to better QOL and overall wellbeing.

Implications for practice

A stepped intervention approach to sexual health care for women with cancer, where content and format depend on degree of sexual and psychosocial adjustment after cancer, may be most appropriate. Interdisciplinary teams may address sexual, emotional, and relationship functioning.
Impact of educational training and C-reactive protein point-of-care testing on antibiotic prescribing in rural and urban family physician practices in Latvia: a randomised controlled intervention study
Authors: Likopa Zane , Kivite-Urtane Anda , Silina Vija , Pavare Jana
Published: September 2022

Background

Although self-limiting viral infections are predominant, children with acute infections are often prescribed antibiotics by family physicians. The aim of the study is to evaluate the impact of two interventions, namely C-reactive protein point-of-care testing and educational training, on antibiotic prescribing by family physicians.

Methods

This randomised controlled intervention study included acutely ill children consulted by 80 family physicians from urban and rural practices in Latvia. The family physicians were divided into two groups of 40. The family physicians in the intervention group received both interventions, i.e. C-reactive protein point-of-care testing and educational training, whereas the family physicians in the control group continued to dispense their standard care. The primary outcome measure was the antibiotic prescribing at the index consultation (delayed or immediate prescription) in both study groups. The secondary outcome was CRP testing per study group. Patient- and family physician- related predictors of antibiotic prescribing were analysed as associated independent variables. Practice location effect on the outcomes was specially addressed, similar to other scientific literature.

Results

In total, 2039 children with acute infections were enrolled in the study. The most common infections observed were upper and lower respiratory tract infections. Overall, 29.8% (n = 607) of the study population received antibiotic prescription. Our binary logistic regression analysis did not find a statistically significant association between antibiotic prescriptions and the implemented interventions. In the control group of family physicians, a rural location was associated with more frequent antibiotic prescribing and minimal use of CRP testing of venous blood samples. However, in the intervention group of family physicians, a rural location was associated with a higher level of C-reactive protein point-of-care testing. Furthermore, in rural areas, a significant reduction in antibiotic prescribing was observed in the intervention group compared with the control group (29.0% (n = 118) and 37.8% (n = 128), respectively, p = 0.01).

Conclusion

Our results show that the availabilty of C-reactive protein point-of-care testing and educational training for family physicians did not reduce antibiotic prescribing. Nevertheless, our data indicate that regional variations in antibiotic-prescribing habits exist and the implemented interventions had an effect on family physicians practices in rural areas.
Experiences and challenges faced by community mental health workers when providing care to people with mental illness: a qualitative study
Authors: Li Chaoyang , Yang Fen , Yang Bing Xiang , Chen Wencai , Wang Qinyu , Huang Haishan , Liu Qian , Luo Dan , Wang Xiao Qin , Ruan Juan
Published: September 2022

Background

Mental illness is a major burden of disease worldwide. Community Mental Health Services (CMHS) are key to achieving community-based recovery for people with mental illness. In China, even though the community management of patients with mental illness is improving, the barriers faced by Community Mental Health Workers (CMHWs) are unclear. This study explores the difficulties and challenges in CMHS from the perspective of CMHWs. The results of this study may provide a practical basis for the training of CMHWs.

Methods

We carried out a qualitative study using an empirical phenomenological approach. Nine CMHWs were recruited from nine communities in Wuhan, Hubei Province, using purposive and snowball sampling. Face to face semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with them from December 27 to 28, 2019. Interview recordings were converted to text content by Nvivo 11.0 software and analyzed using Colaizzi’s phenomenological method.

Results

Three main themes were identified in this study: 1) Lack of role orientation leads to role ambiguity, 2) Failure to establish a therapeutic trust relationship with patients, and 3) Lack of communication and collaboration with various departments and peers. Seven sub themes were also identified. In these themes, CMHWs emphasized the importance of role clarity, therapeutic trusting relationships, and effective communication and coordination mechanisms.

Conclusion

Although China has made great efforts on the road to improving the quality of CMHS, several salient issues regarding CMHWs must be addressed to optimize the quality of services provided by CMHWs. Community mental health institutions should help CMHWs overcome these difficulties, by maximizing its value and promoting the development of CMHS.
Expert consultation using the on-line Delphi method for the revision of syndromic groups compiled from emergency data (SOS Médecins and OSCOUR®) in France
Authors: Thiam Marie-Michèle , Simac Leslie , Fougère Erica , Forgeot Cécile , Meurice Laure , Naud Jérôme , Le Strat Yann , Caserio-Schönemann Céline
Published: September 2022

Background

Consultation data from emergency general practitioners known as SOS Médecins and emergency departments (ED) from OSCOUR® network to the French syndromic surveillance system SurSaUD® (Surveillance sanitaire des urgences et décès). These data are aggregated and monitored on a daily basis through groupings of one or more medical symptoms or diagnoses (“syndromic groups” (SG)).

The objective of this study was to evaluate, revise and enrich the composition of SGs through a consensus of experts who contributed or have experience in syndromic surveillance.

Methods

Three rounds of a Delphi survey were organised, involving 15 volunteers from SOS Médecins and 64 ED physicians in the OSCOUR® network as well as 8 international epidemiologists. Thirty-four SOS Médecins and 40 OSCOUR® SGs covering major medical specialities were put to the experts, along with their diagnostic codes and their surveillance objectives. In each round, the experts could retain or reject the codes according to the surveillance objective. The panel could also put forward new diagnostic codes in the 1st round, included in subsequent rounds. Consensus was reached for a code if 80% of participants had chosen to keep it, or less than 20% to reject it.

Results

A total of 12 SOS Médecins doctors (80%), 30 ED doctors (47%) and 4 international experts (50%) participated in the three rounds. All of the SGs presented to the panel included 102 initial diagnostic codes and 73 additional codes for SOS Médecins, 272 initial diagnostic codes and 204 additional codes for OSCOUR®. At the end of the 3 rounds, 14 SOS Médecins (40%) and 11 OSCOUR® (28%) SGs achieved a consensus to maintain all of their diagnostic codes. Among these, indicators of winter seasonal surveillance (bronchiolitis and gastroenteritis) were included.

Conclusion

This study involved a panel of national experts with international representation and a good level of involvement throughout the survey. In the absence of a standard definition, the Delphi method has been shown to be useful in defining and validating syndromic surveillance indicators.
Characteristics of pleural effusion with a high adenosine deaminase level: a case–control study
Authors: Shimoda Masafumi , Hirata Aya , Tanaka Yoshiaki , Morimoto Kozo , Yoshiyama Takashi , Yoshimori Kozo , Saraya Takeshi , Ishii Haruyuki , Ohta Ken
Published: September 2022

Background

Increased pleural fluid adenosine deaminase (ADA) is useful for diagnosing tuberculous pleurisy (TB), but high ADA levels are associated with other diseases. In this study, we compare various disease characteristics in patients with high-ADA pleural effusion.

Methods

We retrospectively collected data for 456 patients with pleural fluid ADA levels of ≥ 40 U/L from January 2012 to October 2021. Cases were classified as TB (n = 203), pleural infection (n = 112), malignant pleural effusion (n = 63), nontuberculous mycobacteria (n = 22), malignant lymphoma (ML) (n = 18), autoimmune diseases (n = 11), and other diseases (n = 27), and data were compared among those diseases. Predictive factors were identified by comparing data for a target disease to those for all other diseases. A diagnostic flowchart for TB was developed based on those factors.

Results

The most frequent disease was TB, though 60.0% of patients were diagnosed with other diseases. Median ADA levels in patients with TB were 83.1 U/L (interquartile range [IQR] 67.2–104.1), higher than those of patients with pleural infection (median 60.9 [IQR 45.3–108.0], p = 0.004), malignant pleural effusion (median 54.1 [IQR 44.8–66.7], p < 0.001), or autoimmune diseases (median 48.5 [IQR 45.9–58.2], p = 0.008), with no significant difference from NTM (p = 1.000) or ML (p = 1.000). Pleural fluid lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels of < 825 IU/L were beneficial for the diagnosis of TB. Neutrophil predominance or cell degeneration, white blood cell count of ≥ 9200/µL or C-reactive protein levels of ≥ 12 mg/dL helped in diagnosing pleural infection. Pleural fluid amylase levels of ≥ 75 U/L and a pleural fluid ADA/total protein (TP) ratio of < 14 helped in diagnosing malignant pleural effusion. High serum LDH and high serum/pleural fluid eosinophils helped in diagnosing ML and autoimmune diseases, respectively. The flowchart was comprised of the following three factors: pleural fluid LDH < 825 IU/L, pleural fluid ADA/TP of < 14, and neutrophil predominance or cell degeneration, which were decided by a decision tree. The diagnostic accuracy rate, sensitivity, and specificity for the diagnosis of TB were 80.9%, 78.8%, and 82.6%, respectively.

Conclusion

Cases involving high pleural fluid ADA levels should be investigated using several factors to distinguish TB from other diseases.
CDH1 overexpression predicts bladder cancer from early stage and inversely correlates with immune infiltration
Authors: Fan Tao , Xue Liang , Dong Bingzheng , He Houguang , Zhang Wenda , Hao Lin , Ma Weiming , Zang Guanghui , Han Conghui , Dong Yang
Published: September 2022

Background

Bladder cancer (BC) seriously endangers public health, but effective biomarkers for BC diagnosis, particularly in the early stage, are still lacking. Identification of reliable biomarkers associated with early-stage BC is of great importance to early treatment and an improved outcome.

Methods

Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using four publicly available early-stage BC gene-expression profiles. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) and survival analysis for hub genes was evaluated. The correlation between methylation of genes and prognosis was evaluated using the MethSurv database. Co-expressed genes were explored using Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia database and the corresponding expression were assessed in vitro. The competing endogenous RNA network and the immune cell infiltration in BC were generated using data of The Cancer Genome Atlas.

Results

Ten hub genes of the 213 integrated DEGs were identified, including CDH1, IGFBP3, PPARG, SDC1, EPCAM, ACTA2, COL3A1, TPM1, ACTC1, and ACTN1. CDH1 appeared to increase from tumor initiation stage and negatively correlated with methylation. Six methylated sites in CDH1 indicated a good prognosis and one site indicated an aberrant prognosis. High CDH1 expression was negatively correlated with infiltrations by most immune cells, such as plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), regulatory T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, DCs, and natural killer cells. CDH1 was highly positively correlated with EPCAM and appeared to be directly regulated by miR-383.

Conclusions

The identified oncogenic alterations provide theoretical support for the development of novel biomarkers to advance early-stage BC diagnosis and personalized therapy.
Reduction of transverse rectal diameter and its effect on bladder dynamics in children with spinal dysraphism
Authors: Radojicic Zoran , Milivojevic Sasa , Lazovic Jelena Milin , Radojicic Ognjen , Laketic Darko , Zelenovic Aleksandra , Dasic Ivana , Milic Natasa
Published: September 2022

Introduction

To examine the reduction of transverse rectal diameter and its effect on bladder dynamics in children with spinal dysraphism.

Methods

We prospectively evaluated 61 consecutive children with spinal dysraphism, 25 (41%) boys and 36 (59%) girls, aged 4 to 16 years; mean age 9.3 ± 3.8 years, who received bowel management. All children underwent echosonographic measurement of transverse rectal diameter before and after starting bowel management. Also, all the patients had undergone urodynamic studies before and after starting bowel management, with no changes in their urological treatment.

Results

Bowel management caused an decrease in transverse rectal diameter by 56 ± 7.2% (p < 0.001). In addition, a decrease was observed for maximal detrusor pressure by 27.8 ± 7.8% (p < 0.001), leak point pressure by 37.2 ± 4.4% (p < 0.001), and PVR by 36.7 ± 8.0 (p < 0.001). Maximum bladder capacity was significantly increased after bowel management in both non-adjusted (36.4 ± 14.8%; p < 0.001) and adjusted analysis for age (39.4 ± 14.3%, p < 0.001). Detrusor compliance was also increased by 89.2 ± 24.8% (p < 0.001). Female gender and % change of maximal detrusor pressure were significant predictors of transversal rectal diameter change in univariate as well as in multivariate analysis (OR = 10.548, 95% CI 2.309–48.180; p = 0.002 and OR = 1.121, 95% CI 1.009–1.245; p = 0.034).

Conclusions

Decrease in transverse rectal diameter may be useful for bladder function and urodynamic findings in children with spinal dysraphism. Therefore, decrease in transverse rectal diameter should be a supplement to standard urotherapy.
Lifestyle and health behaviour change support in traditional acupuncture: a mixed method survey study of reported practice (UK)
Authors: Pinto J. , Bradbury K. , Newell D. , Bishop F. L.
Published: September 2022

Aims

Complementary medicine therapists such as traditional acupuncturists are a large resource for supporting public health targets to improve health behaviours. Our objectives were to determine the prevalence and patterns of UK acupuncturists’ provision of lifestyle change support, test theory-based hypotheses about facilitators and barriers to supporting lifestyle changes and to explore associated characteristics and attitudes.

Methods

A mixed methods design in which British Acupuncture Council members (Sept 2019-April 2020) completed an online questionnaire assessing prevalence of lifestyle change support, typical patterns across patients and behaviours, Theory of Planned Behaviour constructs, practitioner characteristics and open-text responses regarding additional behaviours and clinical decisions to introduce lifestyle change.

Results

Three hundred fifty-two traditional acupuncturists participated (Mean age = 51.5 years, SD 9.9; 81.8% (n = 288) female). 57.7% (n = 203) reported offering support for lifestyle change during their most recent consultation. 91.7% (n = 323) reported supporting lifestyle change ‘always or most of the time’ for patients with chronic conditions and 67.9% (n = 239) reported this for patients with acute conditions. The pattern of typical support for different health behaviours ranged from 44.6% (n = 157) for smoking reduction (acute conditions) to 95.2% (n = 335) for diet support (chronic conditions). A linear regression model found that frequency of support for lifestyle change in acute patients was predicted by acupuncturists’ attitudes to both clinical role and importance of health behaviours, confidence in their ability to provide lifestyle change support and use of fewer behaviour change techniques. The decision to first offer lifestyle change support was guided by perceived patient receptiveness, whether presenting condition/diagnosis were likely to improve with lifestyle change and whether a strong therapeutic relationship was established.

Conclusions

Traditional acupuncturists’ reports suggest their work supports key public health targets for promoting healthy behaviours. Less frequent support for alcohol/smoking may reflect user characteristics but may suggest training needs for acupuncturists. Increase could be made for support in acute presentations, however the importance of patient receptiveness, linking advice to condition, and therapeutic alliance should be explored further. There may be important differences between acupuncture practice and mainstream healthcare (e.g. high level of contact, longer visits, holistic approach) which impact mechanisms of action of behaviour change.
A survey of the knowledge and practices of nursing students of Mbarara University of Science and Technology around Monitoring Fluid Requirements for burns patients on surgical ward at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital
Authors: Atuhaire Joan , Kajjimu Jonathan , Kamya Javilla Kakooza , Opio Grifance , Lubega Frank , Kakande Reagan , Mwanje William , Tagg Andrew
Published: September 2022

Background

There is a high mortality of burns especially in low- and middle-income countries which already have less developed healthcare systems. Besides, little is known about nursing students’ knowledge and practices towards the need to monitor fluid requirements in admitted burns patients.

Objective

To assess the knowledge and practices of nursing students regarding monitoring fluid requirements for hospitalised paediatrics and adult burn patients on the surgical ward at Mbarara regional referral hospital.

Methods

We conducted an online descriptive cross-sectional study among clinical nursing students at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) during September and November 2021. We assessed knowledge and practices using an adapted questionnaire. Summary statistics were then used to describe the data.

Results

Thirty-seven nursing students (64.9% response rate) participated in our survey. Twenty one (56.8%) were female and had a modal age range of 20-24 years. Nineteen (51.4%) of the students were BNC (Bachelor of Nursing Completion) students, with the rest being BNS (Bachelor of Nursing). More than 75% of students correctly answered each of two out of the ten questions. More than three quarters of the students reported having done each of six out of the eleven practices surveyed.

Conclusion

Nursing students had poor knowledge and fair satisfactory practices regarding monitoring of the fluid requirements in burns patients. More similar studies are needed to survey more nursing students on this topic and to henceforth evaluate the need for periodic re-trainings and reassessment of clinical skills of nursing students.
Analysis of workload generated in the two years following first consultation by each new cancer patient: studying the past to plan the future of cancer care
Authors: Garattini SK. , Valent F. , Minisini AM. , Riosa C. , Favaretti C. , Regattin L. , Fasola G.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Prevalence of cancer patients is dramatically increasing. We aimed at quantifying the oncology workload generated by each new cancer patient in the two years following first consultation.

Methods

In this record-based retrospective study, we retrieved data of all newly diagnosed patients treated at the Oncology Department of Udine Academic Hospital between 01.01.2012 and 31.12.2017. We calculated mean number and standard deviation of the activity type generated by each new cancer patient during the following 2 years.

Results

Seven thousand four hundred fifty-two cancer patients generated a total of 85,338 clinical episodes. The two-years mean number of oncology episodes generated was 11.31 (i.e., for every 1,000 new cancer patients, 11,310 oncology activities are generated overall in the following two-year lapse). Patients with advanced disease generated the highest workload (24.3; SD 18.8) with a statistically significant difference compared to adjuvant and follow-up patients (p < 0.001). The workload generated in the period 0–6 and 0–12 months was significantly higher than in the following months (p < 0.001) and it was also higher for patients initially designated to treatment (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

This is the first study reporting on the mean oncology workload generated during the 2 years following first consultation. Workload is the highest for patient with advanced disease, especially in the first months and in patients in active treatment. A detailed analysis of workloads in oncology is feasible and could be crucial for planning a sustainable framework for cancer care in the next future.
A stem group Codium alga from the latest Ediacaran of South China provides taxonomic insight into the early diversification of the plant kingdom
Authors: Chai Shu , Aria Cédric , Hua Hong
Published: September 2022

Background

In recent years, Precambrian lifeforms have generated an ever-increasing interest because they revealed a rich eukaryotic diversity prior to the Cambrian explosion of modern animals. Among them, macroalgae are known to be a conspicuous component of Neoproterozoic ecosystems, and chlorophytes in particular are already documented in the Tonian, when they were so far expected to originate. However, like for other major eukaryotic lineages, and despite predictions of molecular clock analyses placing roots of these lineages well into the Neoproterozoic, a taxonomic constraint on Precambrian green algae has remained difficult.

Results

Here, we present an exceptionally preserved spherical, coenocytic unicellular alga from the latest Ediacaran Dengying Formation of South China (> ca. 541 Ma), known from both external and internal morphology, fully tridimensional and in great detail. Tomographic X-ray and electronic microscopy revealed a characteristic medulla made of intertwined siphons and tightly packed peripheral utricles, suggesting these fossils belong to the Bryopsidales genus Codium. However, its distinctly smaller size compared to extant species leads us to create Protocodium sinense gen. et sp. nov. and a phylomorphospace investigation points to a possible stem group affinity.

Conclusions

Our finding has several important implications. First, Protocodium allows for a more precise calibration of Archaeplastida and directly confirms that a group as derived as Ulvophyceae was already well diversified in various ecosystems prior to the Cambrian explosion. Details of tridimensional morphology also invite a reassessment of the identification of other Ediacaran algae, such as Chuaria, to better discriminate mono-versus multicellularity, and suggest unicellular Codium-like morphotypes could be much older and widespread. More broadly, Protocodium provides insights into the early diversification of the plant kingdom, the composition of Precambrian ecosystems, and the extreme longevity of certain eukaryotic plans of organization.
Combined nanometric and phylogenetic analysis of unique endocytic compartments in Giardia lamblia sheds light on the evolution of endocytosis in Metamonada
Authors: Santos Rui , Ástvaldsson Ásgeir , Pipaliya Shweta V. , Zumthor Jon Paulin , Dacks Joel B. , Svärd Staffan , Hehl Adrian B. , Faso Carmen
Published: September 2022

Background

Giardia lamblia, a parasitic protist of the Metamonada supergroup, has evolved one of the most diverged endocytic compartment systems investigated so far. Peripheral endocytic compartments, currently known as peripheral vesicles or vacuoles (PVs), perform bulk uptake of fluid phase material which is then digested and sorted either to the cell cytosol or back to the extracellular space.

Results

Here, we present a quantitative morphological characterization of these organelles using volumetric electron microscopy and super-resolution microscopy (SRM). We defined a morphological classification for the heterogenous population of PVs and performed a comparative analysis of PVs and endosome-like organelles in representatives of phylogenetically related taxa,Spironucleusspp. andTritrichomonas foetus. To investigate the as-yet insufficiently understood connection between PVs and clathrin assemblies inG. lamblia, we further performed an in-depth search for two key elements of the endocytic machinery, clathrin heavy chain (CHC) and clathrin light chain (CLC), across different lineages in Metamonada. Our data point to the loss of a bona fide CLC in the last Fornicata common ancestor (LFCA) with the emergence of a protein analogous to CLC (GlACLC) in theGiardiagenus. Finally, the location of clathrin in the various compartments was quantified.

Conclusions

Taken together, this provides the first comprehensive nanometric view ofGiardia’s endocytic system architecture and sheds light on the evolution ofGlACLC analogues in the Fornicata supergroup and, specific to Giardia, as a possible adaptation to the formation and maintenance of stable clathrin assemblies at PVs.
First characterization of PIWI-interacting RNA clusters in a cichlid fish with a B chromosome
Authors: Oliveira Jordana Inácio Nascimento , Cardoso Adauto Lima , Wolf Ivan Rodrigo , de Oliveira Rogério Antônio , Martins Cesar
Published: September 2022

Background

B chromosomes are extra elements found in several eukaryote species. Usually, they do not express a phenotype in the host. However, advances in bioinformatics over the last decades have allowed us to describe several genes and molecular functions related to B chromosomes. These advances enable investigations of the relationship between the B chromosome and the host to understand how this element has been preserved in genomes. However, considering that transposable elements (TEs) are highly abundant in this supernumerary chromosome, there is a lack of knowledge concerning the dynamics of TE control in B-carrying cells. Thus, the present study characterized PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) clusters and pathways responsible for silencing the mobilization of TEs in gonads of the cichlid fish Astatotilapia latifasciata carrying the B chromosome.

Results

Through small RNA-seq and genome assembly, we predicted and annotated piRNA clusters in the A. latifasciata genome for the first time. We observed that these clusters had biased expression related to sex and the presence of the B chromosome. Furthermore, three piRNA clusters, named curupira, were identified in the B chromosome. Two of them were expressed exclusively in gonads of samples with the B chromosome. The composition of these curupira sequences was derived from LTR, LINE, and DNA elements, representing old and recent transposition events in the A. latifasciata genome and the B chromosome. The presence of the B chromosome also affected the expression of piRNA pathway genes. The mitochondrial cardiolipin hydrolase-like (pld6) gene is present in the B chromosome, as previously reported, and an increase in its expression was detected in gonads with the B chromosome.

Conclusions

Due to the high abundance of TEs in the B chromosome, it was possible to investigate the origin of piRNA from these jumping genes. We hypothesize that the B chromosome has evolved its own genomic guardians to prevent uncontrolled TE mobilization. Furthermore, we also detected an expression bias in the presence of the B chromosome over A. latifasciata piRNA clusters and pathway genes.
L-shaped association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in individuals with osteoarthritis: results from the NHANES database prospective cohort study
Authors: Xiao Qingqing , Cai Bin , Yin Anwen , Huo Huanhuan , Lan Keke , Zhou Guo , Shen Linghong , He Ben
Published: September 2022

Background

The relationship between vitamin D status and mortality in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) is unknown. This study investigated the associations of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations with all-cause and cause-specific mortality among American adults with OA.

Methods

This study included 2556 adults with OA from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2001–2014). Death outcomes were ascertained by linkage to National Death Index (NDI) records through 31 December 2015. Cox proportional hazards model and two-piecewise Cox proportional hazards model were used to elucidate the nonlinear relationship between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and mortality in OA patients, and stratified analyses were performed to identify patients with higher mortality risk.

Results

During 16,606 person-years of follow-up, 438 all-cause deaths occurred, including 74 cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related and 78 cancer deaths. After multivariable adjustment, lower serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly and nonlinearly associated with higher risks of all-cause and CVD mortality among participants with OA. Furthermore, we discovered L-shaped associations between serum 25(OH)D levels and all-cause and CVD mortality, with mortality plateauing at 54.40 nmol/L for all-cause mortality and 27.70 nmol/L for CVD mortality. Compared to participants with 25(OH)D levels below the inflection points, those with higher levels had a 2% lower risk for all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 0.98, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.96–0.99) and 17% lower risk for CVD mortality (HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.72–0.95).

Conclusions

Nonlinear associations of serum 25(OH)D levels with all-cause and CVD mortality were observed in American patients with OA. The thresholds of 27.70 and 54.40 nmol/L for CVD and all-cause mortality, respectively, may represent intervention targets for lowering the risk of premature death and cardiovascular disease, but this needs to be confirmed in large clinical trials.
Use of zinc oxide nanoparticles in the growing rabbit diets to mitigate hot environmental conditions for sustainable production and improved meat quality
Authors: Abdel-Wareth Ahmed A. A. , Amer Shimaa A. , Mobashar Muhammad , El-Sayed Hazem G. M.
Published: September 2022

Background

This study evaluated the modulatory effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) supplementations on the productive performance, blood biochemistry, carcass criteria, and meat quality of White New Zealand rabbits reared under hot conditions. A total of 125 White New Zealand male rabbits (body weight, “650 ± 11”, 30 days old) were assigned to five treatment diets: basal diets supplemented with ZnO-NPs at 0, 20, 40, 60, or 80 mg/kg for 60 days. Each treatment was replicated 25 times with one rabbit each.

Results

The body weight (BW), BW gain, and feed intake linearly increased with zinc oxide nanoparticle supplements. Supplementation of ZnO-NPs at 20, 40, 60, and 80 mg/kg significantly improved (linear, P < 0.05) the feed conversion ratio compared to the control group. Moreover, supplementation of ZnO-NPs at these inclusions 20, 40, 60, and 80 mg/kg significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the serum cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine, and urea compared to control group. The lipid oxidation was lower, and the water holding capacity of rabbit meat was improved (P < 0.001) in rabbits fed on 20, 40, 60, and 80 mg/kg ZnO-NPs supplemented diets compared to control.

Conclusion

The results suggested that dietary supplementation of ZnO-NPs (20–80 mg/kg) can mitigate the negative impacts of heat stress on rabbit performance and health. Its supplementation improved growth performance and meat physicochemical properties, and blood biochemistry parameters of White New Zealand rabbits.
Promotion or remission: a role of noncoding RNAs in colorectal cancer resistance to anti-EGFR therapy
Authors: Wei Shanshan , Hu Wenwei , Feng Jun , Geng Yiting
Published: September 2022

Anti-epidermal-growth-factor-receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are of great significance for RAS and BRAF wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients. However, the generation of primary and secondary resistance to anti-EGFR mAbs has become an important factor restricting its efficacy. Recent studies have revealed that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), especially long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), are implicated in anti-EGFR antibodies resistance, affecting the sensitivity of CRC cells to Cetuximab and Panitumumab. This paper briefly reviewed the research advance of the expression, signaling network and functional mechanism of ncRNAs related to anti-EGFR mAbs resistance in CRC, as well as their relationship with clinical prognosis and the possibility of therapeutic targets. In addition, some ncRNAs that are involved in the regulation of signaling pathways or genes related to anti-EGFR resistance, but need to be further verified by resistance experiments were also included in this review, thereby providing more ideas and basis for ncRNAs as CRC prognostic markers and anti-EGFR therapy sensitizers.
Pregabalin mitigates microglial activation and neuronal injury by inhibiting HMGB1 signaling pathway in radiation-induced brain injury
Authors: Zhang Zhan , Jiang Jingru , He Yong , Cai Jinhua , Xie Jiatian , Wu Minyi , Xing Mengdan , Zhang Zhenzhen , Chang Haocai , Yu Pei , Chen Siqi , Yang Yuhua , Shi Zhongshan , Liu Qiang , Sun Haohui , He Baixuan , Zeng Junbo , Huang Jialin , Chen Jiongxue , Li Honghong , Li Yi , Lin Wei-Jye , Tang Yamei
Published: September 2022

Background

Radiation-induced brain injury (RIBI) is the most serious complication of radiotherapy in patients with head and neck tumors, which seriously affects the quality of life. Currently, there is no effective treatment for patients with RIBI, and identifying new treatment that targets the pathological mechanisms of RIBI is urgently needed.

Methods

Immunofluorescence staining, western blotting, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR), co-culture of primary neurons and microglia, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and CRISPR–Cas9-mediated gene editing techniques were employed to investigate the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of pregabalin that ameliorate microglial activation and neuronal injury in the RIBI mouse model.

Results

Our findings showed that pregabalin effectively repressed microglial activation, thereby reducing neuronal damage in the RIBI mouse model. Pregabalin mitigated inflammatory responses by directly inhibiting cytoplasmic translocation of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a pivotal protein released by irradiated neurons which induced subsequent activation of microglia and inflammatory cytokine expression. Knocking out neuronal HMGB1 or microglial TLR2/TLR4/RAGE by CRISPR/Cas9 technique significantly inhibited radiation-induced NF-κB activation and pro-inflammatory transition of microglia.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate the protective mechanism of pregabalin in mitigating microglial activation and neuronal injury in RIBI. It also provides a therapeutic strategy by targeting HMGB1-TLR2/TLR4/RAGE signaling pathway in the microglia for the treatment of RIBI.
Identification of a familial complex chromosomal rearrangement by optical genome mapping
Authors: Yang Yang , Hao Wang
Published: September 2022

Background

Complex chromosomal rearrangements (CCRs) are rare chromosomal structural variations, containing a variety of rearrangements such as translocation, inversion and/or insertion. With the development of cytogenetic and molecular genetic techniques, some chromosomal rearrangements that were initially considered to be simple reciprocal translocations in the past might eventually involve more complex chromosomal rearrangements.

Case presentation

In this case, a pregnant woman, who had a spontaneous abortion last year, had abnormal prenatal test results again in the second pregnancy. Applying a combination of genetic methods including karyotype analysis, chromosomal microarray analysis, fluorescence in situ hybridization and optical genome mapping confirmed that the pregnant woman was a carrier of a CCR involving three chromosomes and four breakpoints, and the CCR was paternal-origin. Her first and second pregnancy abnormalities were caused by chromosomal microdeletions and microduplications due to the malsegregations of the derivative chromosomes.

Conclusions

We presented a rare familial CCR involving three chromosomes and four breakpoints. This study provided precise and detailed information for the subsequent reproductive decision-making and genetic counselling of the patient.
Harmonic tremor from the deep part of Hakone volcano
Authors: Yukutake Yohei , Honda Ryou , Ukawa Motoo , Kurita Kei
Published: September 2022

The feeding system of magmatic fluid from the volcanic root to a shallow magma reservoir remains a poorly understood issue. Seismic events, including volcanic tremors and low-frequency earthquakes, in a deep part beneath volcanos are key observations for understanding the feeding system at the depth. Although deep low-frequency (DLF) earthquakes beneath volcanos have been recognized universally through dense seismic observations, volcanic tremors with harmonic frequency components originating at volcanic roots have rarely been observed. Here, we report the observation of a harmonic volcanic tremor event that occurred beneath the Hakone volcano on May 26, 2019. The tremor signal continued for approximately 10 min and was recognized at seismic stations 90 km away from the Hakone volcano. The apparent velocity of the tremor wave train is 5 km/s, corresponding to the S-wave velocity of the lower crust beneath the Hakone volcano. The frequency components varied with time. In the initial part of the tremor signal, a spectrum had a broad peak of around 1.2 Hz, whereas the tremor became harmonic with a sharp fundamental peak at 0.98 Hz in the latter part, increasing its amplitude. We estimated the source location of the volcanic tremor using the relative arrival times of the waveform envelope. The optimal source locations were estimated at a deep extension of the hypocenter distribution of the DLF earthquakes beneath the Hakone volcano, around the depth level of Moho discontinuity. The DLF earthquakes were activated immediately before the onset time of the volcanic tremor and continued for several months. The harmonic volcanic tremor may have been generated by the migration of magmatic fluid in the volcano’s deep region.

Graphical Abstract
Clinical Profile and Outcome of Patients With Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2–Positive Breast Cancer With Brain Metastases: Real-World Experience
Authors: Bhargava Prabhat , Rathnasamy Narmadha , Shenoy Ramnath , Gulia Seema , Bajpai Jyoti , Ghosh Jaya , Rath Sushmita , Budrukkar Ashwini , Shet Tanuja , Patil Asawari , Desai Sangeeta , Nair Nita , Joshi Shalaka , Popat Palak , Wadasadawala Tabassum , Pathak Rima , Sarin Rajiv , Kannan Sadhana , Badwe Rajendra , Gupta Sudeep
Published: September 2022

PURPOSE

There are sparse data in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)–positive breast cancer with brain metastases from real-world settings, especially where access to newer targeted therapies is limited.

METHODS

This was a single institution, retrospective cohort study of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer diagnosed between January 2013 and December 2017 to have brain metastases and treated with any HER2-targeted therapy. The main objectives were to estimate progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) from the time of brain metastases.

RESULTS

A total of 102 patients with a median age of 52 (interquartile range, 45-57) years were included, of whom 63 (61.8%) had received one line and 14 (13.7%) had received two lines of HER2-targeted therapies before brain metastasis, 98 (96.1%) were symptomatic at presentation, 22 (25.3%) had solitary brain lesion, 22 (25.3%) had 2-5 lesions, and 43 (49.4%) had ≥ 5 lesions. Local treatment included surgical resection in nine (8.9%) and radiotherapy in all (100%) patients. The first HER2-targeted therapy after brain metastasis was lapatinib in 71 (68.6%), trastuzumab in 19 (18.6%), lapatinib and trastuzumab in three (2.9%), trastuzumab emtansine in four (3.9%), and intrathecal trastuzumab in five (4.9%) patients. At a median follow-up of 13.9 months, the median PFS and OS were 8 (95% CI, 6.2 to 9.8) months and 14 (95% CI, 10.8 to 17.2) months, respectively, with a 2-year OS of 25% (95% CI, 16.7 to 34.4). The median PFS in patients who received lapatinib-capecitabine regimen (n = 62) was 9.0 (95% CI, 7.3 to 10.7) months.

CONCLUSION

There was a substantial clinical benefit of local and systemic therapy in patients with brain metastases and HER2-positive disease in a real-world setting with limited access to newer HER2-targeted drugs.