bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of preoperative chemotherapy on liver regeneration after portal vein embolization/ligation or liver resection in patients with colorectal liver metastasis: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Pavel Mihai-Calin , Casanova Raquel , Estalella Laia , Memba Robert , Llàcer Erik , Achalandabaso Mar , Julià Elisabet , Geoghegan Justin , Jorba Rosa
Published: August 2020

Introduction

The primary objective of this systematic review is to assess the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on liver regeneration after liver resection (LR) or portal vein embolization (PVE) in patients with liver metastasis from colo-rectal cancer. The secondary objectives are to evaluate the impact of the type of chemotherapy, number of cycles and time between end of treatment and procedure (LR or PVE) and to investigate whether there is an association between degree of hypertrophy and postoperative liver failure.

Methods

The design of this systematic review will follow the current recommendations of PRISMA. After an exhaustive literature search with pre-established criteria, two researchers will individually screen the identified records, according to a list of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Primary outcome will be future liver remnant regeneration rate. All data will be registered in a predesigned database. In the event of a substantial heterogeneity of selected articles, a narrative systematic review will be performed.

Discussion

The results of this systematic review may help to better identify the patients affected by liver metastasis that could present low regeneration rates after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. These patients are at risk to develop liver failure after extended hepatectomies and therefore are not good candidates for such aggressive procedures.

Systematic Review Registration

PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020178481 (July 5th 2020).
Mapping the Organizational Readiness to Change Assessment to the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research: Greater than the Sum of the Parts
Authors: Kononowech Jennifer , Hagedorn Hildi , Hall Carmen , Helfrich Christian D. , Lambert-Kerzner Anne C. , Miller Susan C. , Sales Anne E. , Damschroder Laura
Published: August 2020

Background: Implementation researchers recognize the influential role of organizational factors and thus, seek to assess these factors using quantitative measurement instruments. However, researchers are hindered by instruments that measure similar constructs but rely on different nomenclature and/or definitions. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) provides a taxonomy of constructs derived from prior frameworks and empirical studies of implementation-related constructs. The CFIR includes constructs based on the original Promoting Action Research into Health Services (PARiHS) framework which highlights the key roles of strength of evidence for a specific evidence-based intervention (EBI); favorability of organizational context for change; and capacities to facilitate implementation of the EBI. Although the CFIR is among the most frequently used implementation frameworks, it does not include quantitative measures. The Organizational Resource and Context Assessment (ORCA) is a quantitative measurement instrument that was developed based on PARiHS, assessing its three domains. Factors within these three domains are conceptually similar to constructs in the CFIR but do not match directly. The aim of this work was to map ORCA survey items to CFIR constructs to enable direct comparisons and syntheses of findings across studies using the CFIR and/or ORCA. Methods: Two distinct, independent research teams, each used rigorous constant comparative techniques with deliberation and consensus to map individual items from the ORCA to the five domains and 39 constructs of CFIR. Results: ORCA items were mapped primarily to three of five CFIR domains: Inner Setting, Process and Intervention Characteristics. The two research teams agreed on 88% of mappings at the higher domain level; at the lower construct level, their mappings aligned for 62.2% of the ORCA items. Conclusions: Mapping results reveal that the ORCA focuses measurement prominently on Inner Setting, Process, and Intervention Characteristics. This mapping guide can help improve consistency in measurement and reporting, enabling more efficient comparison and synthesis of findings that use either the ORCA instrument or the CFIR framework. The guide helps advance implementation science by providing CFIR users with quantitative measures for selected constructs and enables ORCA users to map their findings to CFIR constructs.
Discovery of New Delhi Metallo-β-Lactamase-1(NDM-1) Inhibitors From Natural Compounds: In Silico-Based Methods
Authors: Salari-jazi Azhar , Mahnam Karim , Sadeghi Parisa , Damavandi Mohammad Sadegh , Faghri Jamshid
Published: August 2020

New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase variants and different types of metallo-β-lactamases have attracted enormous consideration for hydrolyzing almost all β-lactam antibiotics, which leads to multi drug resistance bacteria. Metallo-β-lactamases genes have disseminated in hospitals and all parts of the world and became a public health concern. There is no inhibitor for new Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-1 and other metallo-β-lactamases classes, so metallo-β-lactamases inhibitor drugs became an urgent need. In this study, multi-steps virtual screening was done over the NPASS database with 35032 natural compounds. At first Captopril was extracted from 4EXS PDB code and use as a template for the first structural screening and 500 compounds obtained as hit compounds by molecular docking. Then the best ligand, i.e. NPC120633 was used as templet and 800 similar compounds were obtained. As a final point, ten compounds i.e. NPC171932, NPC100251, NPC18185, NPC98583, NPC112380, NPC471403, NPC471404, NPC472454, NPC473010 and NPC300657 had proper docking scores, and a 50 ns molecular dynamics simulation was performed for calculation binding free energy of each compound with new Delhi metallo-β-lactamase. 3D conformational alignment and protein sequence alignment of all new Delhi metallo-β-lactamase variants and all types of metallo-β-lactamases were done. Then the conserved and crucial residues in the catalytic activity of metallo-β-lactamases were detected. These residues had similar 3D coordinates in the 3D conformational alignment. So it is possible that all types of metallo-β-lactamases can inhibit by these ten compounds. Therefore, these compounds were proper to mostly inhibit all new Delhi metallo-β-lactamase and metallo-β-lactamases in experimental studies.
Experience Repatriation Of Citizens From Epicentre Using Commercial Flights During Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Karim Sarah Abdul , Karim Sarah Shaikh Abdul , Ta Fariza Anis Md , Mohamad Umul Khair , Bakar Marlina Abu , Mohamad Khairul Nizam , Suleiman Maria , Khan Hussein Omar , N Julina Md
Published: August 2020

Background: During the Covid-19 pandemic, many countries instituted closure of borders from international and local travel. Stranded citizens appeal to their governments to embark on citizen repatriation missions. Between February to April 2020, the Government of Malaysia directed repatriation of its citizens from China, Iran, Italy and Indonesia. We describe the preparation and execution of the repatriation mission using chartered commercial aircraft. The mission objectives were to repatriate as many citizens based on aircraft capacity and prevent onboard transmission of the disease to flight personnel.Results: A total of five repatriation missions performed lead by National Agency for Disaster Management (NADMA) with the Ministry of Health providing technical expertise. Total of 432 numbers of citizens were repatriated from the missions. The operations were divided into four phases: pre-boarding screening phase, boarding and in-flight phase, reception phase and the quarantine phase. The commercial aircraft used from two different commercial airlines. Each mission had flight crew members between 10 to 17 people. There were 82 positive cases detected among the repatriated citizens. There was a single positive case of a healthcare worker involved in the mission, based sample taken on arrival of the flight. There were no infections involving flight team members.Conclusion: Medical flight crew must be familiar with aircraft fittings that differ from one commercial airline to another as it influences infection control practices. A clear understanding of socio-political situation of a country, transmission routes of a pathogen, disease presentation, knowledge of aviation procedures, aircraft engineering and design is of great importance in preparing for such missions. Our approach of multidiscipline team involvement managed to allow us to provide a execute the operations successfully.
Prognostic Values, ceRNA Network, and Immune Regulation Function of SDPR in KRAS-mutant Lung Cancer
Authors: Luo Xiaoqing , Peng Shunli , Ding Sijie , Zeng Qin , Wang Rong , Ma Yueyun , Chen Shiyu , Wang Yanxia , Wang Wei
Published: August 2020

Background: SDPR plays an important role in formation of pulmonary alveoli. However, the function and values of SDPR remain unknown in lung cancer. We explored prognostic values, expression pattern and biological function of SDPR in NSCLC and KRAS-mutant lung cancers.Methods: SDPR expression were evaluated by RT-qPCR, IHC, Western blotting based on human NSCLC cells, lung adenocarcinoma tissues array, KRAS-mutant transgenetic mice, TCGA and GEO datasets. The prognosis values of SDPR were evaluated by Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analysis. The bioinformatics implication of SDPR including SDPR-combinated TFs and microRNAs were predicted. In addition, correlations between SDPR, immune checkpoint molecules and tumor infiltration models were illustrated.Results: SDPR expression was downregulated among tumor cells and tissues. Low SDPR expression was an independent factor that correlated with shorter overall survival of patients in both lung cancer and KRAS-mutant subgroup. Meanwhile, ceRNA network to clarify the regulatory and biological functions of SDPR was constructed. Negative correlations were found between SDPR and immune checkpiont moluculars (PD-L1, TNFRSF18, TNFRSF9, and TDO2). Moreover, diversity immune infiltration models were observed in NSCLC with different SDPR expression and copy number variation (CNV) patterns.Conclusions: This study elucidates regulation network of SDPR in KRAS-mutant NSCLC, and illustrates correlations between low SDPR expression and suppressed immune systems, unfolding a prognostic factor and potential target for the treatment of lung cancer, especially for KRAS-mutant NSCLC.
Network-Based Drug Discovery Identifies Statins as a Repurposing Agent to Improve Activity of Current Therapies in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.
Authors: Gimenez Neus , Tripathi Rupal , Giró Ariadna , Rosich Laia , López-Guerra Mònica , Lopez-Oreja Irene , Playa-Albinyana Heribert , Arenas Fabian , Mas José Manuel , Perez-Galan Patricia , Delgado Julio , Campo Elias , Farrés Judith , Colomer Dolors
Published: August 2020

Background: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a B lymphoid malignancy highly dependent on the microenvironment. CLL cell interactions with the supportive tissue microenvironment play a critical role in disease pathogenesis. Despite new targeted therapies such as ibrutinib and venetoclax, disease progression and relapse remain an issue. The present study aimed to identify drugs targeting key proteins described to have a role in the microenvironment.Methods: We used a platform for drug discovery based on systems biology and artificial intelligence. Bioactive compounds have been screened in silico and selected compounds were evaluated in CLL cell lines in the presence of stromal cells to mimic the microenvironment and validated the best candidates in primary CLL cells. Results: Our results showed that the commercial drug simvastatin was the most effective and selective out of the tested compounds. Simvastatin decreased CLL cell survival and proliferation as well as cell adhesion. Importantly, this drug enhanced the antitumor effect of venetoclax and ibrutinib. Conclusions: We proposed that systems biology approaches combined with pharmacology screening could help to find new drugs for CLL treatment and to predict new combinations with current therapies. Our results highlight the possibility of repurposing widely used drugs such as statins to target the microenvironment and to improve the efficacy of ibrutinib or venetoclax in CLL cells.
RNA N6-Methyladenosine Reader IGF2BP3 Regulates Cell Cycle and Angiogenesis in Colon Cancer
Authors: Yang Zhou , Wang Tingfeng , Wu Dejun , Min Zhijun , Tan Jingyun , Yu Bo
Published: August 2020

Background: N6-Methyladenosine (m6A) modification has been implicated in multiple processes for colon cancer development. IGF2BP3 was a newly reported m6A reader, whereas its role in colon cancer remains unclear. Methods: The expression of m6A associated enzymes and total m6A level were measured by Western Blotting analysis and m6A RNA Methylation Quantification Kit respectively. Cell cycle was analyzed by flowcytometry. The interaction of IGF2BP3 and related targets was analyzed by RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and m6A RNA immunoprecipitation (MeRIP) assays.Results: We investigated all m6A regulated enzymes in colon cancer and found only the overexpression of IGF2BP3 was associated with cancer progression and survival based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases. Additionally, we also demonstrated IGF2BP3 was associated with DNA replication in the cell cycle. Knockdown of IGF2BP3 significantly repressed percentage of S phase of cell cycle as well as cell proliferation. Further research demonstrated IGF2BP3 binds to the mRNA of Cyclin D1 (checkpoint of G1/S phase of cell cycle) and reduced its mRNA stability via reading m6A modification in the CDS region. Overexpression of Cyclin D1 in IGF2BP3 down-regulated cells completely rescued the inhibited percentage of S phase in cell cycle as well as cell proliferation. Additionally, we also demonstrated a similar role of IGF2BP3 at VEGF. IGF2BP3 binds to the mRNA of VEGF and reads m6A modification, thus regulated both expression and stability of VEGF mRNA. Knockdown of IGF2BP3 repressed angiogenesis in colon cancer via regulating VEGF. Conclusion: Knockdown of IGF2BP3 repressed DNA replication in the S phase of cell cycle and angiogenesis via reading m6A modification of Cyclin D1 and VEGF respectively. IGF2BP3 was a possible prognosis marker and potential therapeutic target of colon cancer.
The medial thalamus plays an important role in the cognitive and emotional modulation of orofacial pain: a functional magnetic resonance imaging-based study
Authors: Jin Yu , Yang Hong , Zhang Feifei , Wang Jue , Liu He , Yang Xin , Long Hu , Li Fei , Gong Qiyong , Lai Wenli
Published: August 2020

Background The thalamus plays a critical role in the perception of orofacial pain. We investigated the neural mechanisms of orofacial pain by exploring the intrinsic functional alterations of the thalamus and assessing the changes in functional connectivity (FC) between the thalamic subregions with significant functional alterations and other brain regions in orofacial pain using the seed-based FC approach. Methods The study comprised 49 participants in the orofacial pain group and 49 healthy controls. Orofacial pain was caused by orthodontic separators. The resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data of the two groups were analyzed to obtain the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFFs) of the thalamus, and the thalamic subregions with significant fALFF abnormalities were used as seeds for FC analysis. Student’s t-tests were used to perform comparisons. Pearson’s correlation analysis was performed using SPM software. Results Forty-four participants with orofacial pain (mean age, 21.0±0.9 years; 24 women) and 49 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (mean age, 21.0±2.6 years; 27 women) were finally included. Compared with the control group, the orofacial pain group demonstrated (1) increased function in the dorsal thalamus and decreased function in the medial thalamus; (2) decreased FC between the medial thalamus and 12 brain regions (p<0.05, family-wise error corrected, voxel>100); and (3) potential positive and negative correlations between the medial thalamus-seeded FC and visual analog scale score changes (p<0.05, AlphaSim corrected). Conclusions The findings show that the medial and dorsal thalamus play important roles in orofacial pain perception and that the medial thalamus likely plays an important role in the cognitive and emotional modulation of orofacial pain.
Test for Covid-19 seasonality and the risk of second waves
Authors: Engelbrecht Francois A. , Scholes Robert J.
Published: August 2020

Eight months into the Covid-19 pandemic it remains unclear whether transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is affected by climate factors. Using a dynamic epidemiological model with Covid-19 climate sensitivity in the likely range, we demonstrate why attempts to detect a climate signal in Covid-19 have thus far been inconclusive. Then we formulate a novel methodology and related criteria that can be used to test for seasonal climate sensitivity in observed Covid-19 infection data. We show that if the disease does have a substantial seasonal dependence, and herd immunity is not established during the first peak season of the outbreak (or a vaccine does not become available), there is likely to be a seasonality-sensitive second wave of infections about one year after the initial outbreak. In regions where non-pharmaceutical control has contained the disease in the first year of outbreak and thus kept a large portion of the population susceptible, the second wave may be substantially larger in amplitude than the first if control measures are relaxed. This is simply because it develops under the favorable conditions of a full autumn to winter period and from a larger pool of infected individuals.
In Silico Molecular Docking and Ab initio DFT Studies as a Tool for a Quick Screening on Drug Inhibitors for SARS-Cov-2 RNA-Dependent Polymerase
Authors: Vlasiou Manos C. , Ioannou Kyriakos I. , Pafiti Kyriaki S.
Published: August 2020

In silico molecular docking took place in order to evaluate already FDA approved drugs for several diseases, as inhibitors for SARSCov-2 RNA- dependent polymerase. The best candidates with the highest binding affinities, evaluated for their energy determined by their electron density. Remdesivir and Saquinavir seemed to be good candidates for clinical trials but their predicted toxicity based on their calculated structures revealed that these two substances should evaluated more for their side effects
Sociological Modeling of Smart City with the implementation of UN Sustainable Development Goals
Authors: Kolesnichenko Olga , Mazelis Lev , Sotnik Alexander , Yakovleva Dariya , Amelkin Sergey , Grigorevsky Ivan , Kolesnichenko Yuriy
Published: August 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic before mass vaccination can be restrained only by the limitation of contacts between people, which makes the digital economy a key condition for survival. More than half of the world’s population lives in urban areas, and many cities have already transformed into “smart” digital / virtual habs. Digital services make city life safe without an economy lockout and unemployment. Urban society strives to be safe, sustainable, well-being, and healthy. We set the task to construct a hybrid sociological and technological concept of a smart city with matched solutions, complementary to each other. Our modeling with the elaborated digital architectures and with the bionic solution for ensuring sufficient data governance clearly showed that smart city in comparison with the traditional city is tightly interconnected inside like social “organism”. We have entered a decisive decade during which the world will change by moving closer towards SDGs targets 2030 as well as by the transformation of cities and their digital infrastructures. It is important to recognize the large vector of sociological transformation as smart cities are just a transition phase to human-centered personal space or smart home. The “atomization” of the world urban population raises the gap problem in achieving SDGs because of different approaches to constructing digital architectures for smart cities or smart homes in countries. The strategy of creating smart cities should bring each citizen closer to SDGs at the individual level, laying in the personal space the principles of sustainable development and wellness of personality.
The impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on disordered eating behaviors in youths with type 1 diabetes: Analysis of cross-sectional survey data.
Authors: Troncone Alda , Chianese Antonietta , Zanfardino Angela , Cascella Crescenzo , Piscopo Alessia , Borriello Anna , Rollato Serena , Casaburo Francesca , Testa Veronica , Iafusco Dario
Published: August 2020

Background: Recent research indicates that patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are at higher risk for disordered eating behaviors (DEBs) than their peers without diabetes. The present study aimed at examining the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on DEBs in a sample of Italian children and adolescents with T1D and in matched-pair healthy controls.Methods: 138 children and adolescents with T1D (aged 8.01-19.11 years, 65 boys) attending a Southern Italian diabetic service and 276 age- and gender-matched healthy peers voluntarily completed a cross-sectional online survey of eating behaviors (ChEAT and Eat-26), anthropometric characteristics, and clinical characteristics. Results: 8.69% (N=12) of participants with T1D and 13.4% (N=37) of controls had ChEAT/EAT-26 scores indicating presence of DEBs, with no differences between patients—whether children (total ChEAT score F(1, 157)=.104, p=.748) or adolescents (total EAT-26 score F(1, 255)=.135, p=.731)—and healthy peers. zBMI values were lower than those measured in the latest diabetes visit (p<.0001), while HbA1c values remained unchanged (p=.110). In both groups, adolescents had lower Oral Control scores than children (T1D: F(1, 138)= 20.411, p<.0001, η2 =.132, controls: F(1, 276)=18.271, p<.0001, η2 =.063); additionally, gender (female) and age were found to be significant predictors of several ChEAT/EAT-26 scores.Discussion: Psychological conditions in relation to DEB symptoms of children and adolescents with T1D were not aggravated by lockdown conditions. Results indicated DEBs as more of a female adolescent developmental issue rather than as a result of the challenges of living with a chronic illness aggravated by outbreak. Possible effects of parental pressure on their children’s eating behaviors in the context of home confinement and of using a non-diabetes-specific measure to assess DEBs are discussed.
Frequency and severity of Covid-19 in patients treated with biological Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (bDMARDs) for inflammatory rheumatic disease. A case-control study
Authors: LOHSE Anne , BOSSERT Marie , BOZGAN Ana-Maria , BOURGOIN Charlotte , CHARPENTIER Aline , GUILLOCHON Cerise , KESSLER Julie , BALBLANC Jean-Charles , CONROZIER Thierry
Published: August 2020

The aim of the study was to assess the impact (frequency and severity) of Covid-19 on patients treated with biological Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (bDMARDs) for inflammatory rheumatic disease and to compare it to a control group consisting of patients with musculoskeletal conditions not treated with bDMARDs.Patients and methods:A case control study in 200 outpatients with musculoskeletal conditions. 100 consecutive patients who have been treated with bDMARDs and 100 other consecutive patients who did not take bDMARDs were asked to complete a 15-item standardized questionnaire regarding demographic data. The following information was recorded: gender, age, weight, height, body mass index, professional activity, family status, total number of children and number of children under 18, rheumatic disease diagnosis, current treatment for rheumatism, type of containment, close contact with Covid-19 patients, Covid-19 symptoms, Covid-19 test result and hospitalization for Covid-19.Results:bDMARD patients mostly suffered from rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, (47%) and ankylosing spondylitis (42%). The most prescribed bDMARDs were TNFα inhibitors (57%), IL-6 blockers (12%) and JAK inhibitors (11%). The mean duration of the current biological treatment was 38.6 months. Patients from the control group were suffering chiefly from osteoarthritis (45%) and RA (21%). Compared to the control group, patients treated with bDMARDs were 10 years younger (p<0.001), fewer were retired (56% versus 31%) and more were on sick or incapacity leave (6% versus 18%). During lockdown, they were more likely to be working from home or working short term (27% versus 9%). 18 patients from the bDMARDs group stopped biological treatment: one because of Covid-19 evidenced by PCR, 11 because of symptoms suggesting Covid- 19 and only six from fear of contracting the disease. 12 patients, including the one Sars-CoV-2 +, resumed their treatment after a few weeks of interruption. There was no severe Covid-19 infection in the bDMARDs group. Among the three patients from the control group who had contracted Covid-19, one developed a very severe disease.Conclusion :This case-control study did not show an increase in the frequency or severity of Covid-19 in subjects suffering from chronic inflammatory rheumatism treated with biotherapies. Larger-scale studies are necessary before affirming that biologics do not expose patients to an increased risk of disease and complications.
Mitigating Arrhythmia Risk in Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin Treated COVID-19 Patients using Arrhythmia Risk Management Plan
Authors: Maneikis Kazimieras , Ringeleviciute Ugne , Bacevicius Justinas , Dieninyte-Misiune Egle , Burokaite Emilija , Kazbaraite Gintare , Janusaite Marta Monika , Dapkeviciute Austeja , Zucenka Andrius , M.D. Valdas Peceliunas , Kryzauskaite Lina , M.D. Vytautas Kasiulevicius , M.D. Donata Ringaitiene , M.D. Birute Zablockiene , Zvirblis Tadas , M.D. Germanas Marinskis , M.D. Ligita Jancoriene , M.D. Laimonas Griskevicius
Published: August 2020

Background: Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin use is associated with QT interval prolongation and arrhythmias. Despite ongoing multiple clinical trials for treatment of COVID19 infection, no definite cardiac safety protocols were proposed. The aim of our study was to assess cardiac safety in COVID-19 patients treated with the combination of Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin using close monitoring and arrhythmia risk management plan.Methods and results: We retrospectively examined arrhythmia safety of treatment with Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin in the setting of pre-defined cardiac arrhythmia risk management plan. 81 patients were included from March 23rd to May 10th 2020. The median age was 59 years, 58.0% were female. The majority of the study population (82.7%) had comorbidities, 98.8% had radiological signs of pneumonia. 7 patients (8.6%) had QTc prolongation of ≥500 ms. The treatment was discontinued in 4 patients (4.9%). 14 patients (17.3%) experienced QTc≥480 ms and 16 patients (19.8%) had an increase of QTc≥60 ms. None of the patients developed ventricular tachycardia. The risk factors significantly associated with QTc≥500 ms were hypokalemia (p = 0.032) and use of diuretics during the treatment (p = 0.020). Three patients had a lethal outcome; none of them associated with ventricular arrhythmias.Conclusion: We recorded a low incidence of QTc prolongation ≥500 ms and no ventricular tachycardia events in COVID-19 patients treated with Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin using cardiac arrhythmia risk management plan.
The relationship between DBT family training and perceived criticism: a pre-post study
Authors: Leeuwen Hanneke van , Bosch Wies van den , Ossewaarde Lindsey , Egger Jos
Published: August 2020

Background: Dysregulating emotional and behavioural phenomena of patients with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), such as repeated non-suicidal self-injury, are strongly affecting patients’ family members or partners. In addition, critical disapproval of this emotional and behavioural phenomena by family members and reconciling understanding, affects the patients’ sensitivity for rejection. As a result, individuals with BPD appear to have less satisfying social support. This negative spiral possibly elicits further challenging behaviour. Therapy programs for BPD might therefore benefit from the inclusion of family members or partners in the treatment. One of the programs that includes family members is the network training of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). This study examines the impact of the DBT network training on the perceived criticism of both patients and network members. Method: This study follows a pre-post design where a DBT network training is given to 33 patients (mean age 25 years) and 61 relatives during 8 group sessions. The degree of perceived criticism is measured by using a self-report questionnaire. Results: Results show that the overall scores of the perceived criticism scale decrease significantly for both patients and relatives after following the DBT network training. More specific, item scores of both patients and relatives concerning how critical they looked towards the other and how critical they thought the other looked at them also decreased significantly after following the DBT network training. Conclusion: Findings suggest that a DBT network training may be instrumental in decreasing levels of perceived criticism. Further research may focus on the putative mechanisms of behaviour such as improved perspective taking, behavioural change, and the evaluation of social cues.
Development and Psychometric Analysis of Supportive Care Needs scale for Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients
Authors: Ren Jing , Han Dongfang , Zhang Jingjun , Wang Yingli , Huang Qiaoqiao , Tian Tian , Li Xiaomei
Published: August 2020

Background

Providing integrated patient-centred care based on the patient’s needs has emerged as the first pillar of tuberculosis prevention and control strategies. However, a reliable and valid instrument is still lacking. Hence, the aim of this study was to develop and psychometrically test a new scale for assessing the supportive care needs of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.
Methods

A methodological study involving item generation and psychometric evaluation was used. Based on the Supportive Care Needs Framework, the item-pool was drafted from a systematic review of the literature, expert consultations and feedback from a pilot study. A convenience sample of 518 patients was recruited from four hospitals in Shaan’xi Province from September 10, 2019, to January 20, 2020. Item reduction and scale validation were assessed for content validity, construct validity, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, half-split reliability, and test-retest reliability.
Results

The final scale encompasses 25 items in five domains: practical, psycho-emotional, social, information and physical. The item level content validity index ranged from 0.80 to 1.00, and the scale level content validity was 0.925. Five factors that explained 80% of the total variance were also identified in exploratory factor analysis and confirmed in confirmatory factor analysis. The CFA model fit indices were x2/df = 2.229 (p < 0.001), GFI = 0.853, AGFI = 0.820, RMSEA = 0.069. All items had acceptable convergent and discriminant validity. Cronbach’s α coefficient, the split-half reliability coefficient and the test-retest reliability coefficient were 0.884, 0.883 and 0.854, respectively.
Conclusions

This newly developed scale demonstrated acceptable reliability and validity, and it could be used to assess the supportive care needs of pulmonary tuberculosis patients in clinical settings.
Lumbar Sagittal Alignment May Be a Good Predictor for the Lumbar Spine Degeneration
Authors: Xu Xingping , Guo Chao , Chen Changwei , Tang Yong , Wang Fusheng , Wang Yangsheng
Published: August 2020

BackgroundIncreasing attention has been focused on (modic changes and end plate defect) MC&ED as a potential role in the etiopathogenesis of lumbar degeneration. The precise mechanism leading to progression of MC&ED is lacking. Some scholars thought lumbar sagittal alignment might be a key influence factor, but without enough clinical evidence. Hence, we investigated how lumbar sagittal alignment influences MC&ED.MethodsNinety-six asymptomatic or symptomatic patients with Modic changes or end plate defect were retrospectively recruited in this study from August 2016 to December 2018. MC&ED were observed in 76 patients and not observed in 20 patients, representing two groups for comparison. The lumbar sagittal parameters were measured, including lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic incidence (PI), sacral slope (SS), and pelvic tilt (PT). The lumbar lordosis index(LLI) and idea LL were then calculated. Clinical outcomes were assessed using a visual analog scale(VAS) and an Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) before and after an operation.ResultsThere were no significant difference in the distribution of demographic and baseline clinical variables between both groups. Mean age and BMI showed significant difference between both groups (P < 0.05). There were significant correlations between LL, LLI, Loss of LL, and Level 1 (r = 0.281, 0.230, and 0.284, P < 0.05) Also, PI, PT were significantly correlated with Level 4 (r = 0.249, 0.202, P < 0.05). Compared with presurgery scores, an improvement was seen in postoperative VAS and ODI scores (P < 0.05). Further, the postoperative scores at 24 months in the without Modic or end plate defect group showed greater improvements compared with the with Modic or endplate defect group (P < 0.05).ConclusionThis analysis indicated that maintaining lumbar sagittal alignment was related to a lower risk of Modic changes in patients with the spinal degenerative disease. The lumbar sagittal alignment might be a factor that influenced the posterior inclination of the pelvis in symptomatic lumbar disease.
Surgical Technique and Outcome of Joint Sparing Limb Salvage Surgery by Three-dimensional-printed Prothesis for Children With Osteosarcoma in Distal Femur
Authors: Cai Tao , Zhang Chunlin , Zhang Lei , Zhu Kunpeng , Hu Jianping , Zhan Taichen
Published: August 2020

Purpose The purpose of this study was to introduce the surgical technique and functional outcome of joint-sparing limb salvage surgery with metaphyseal osteotomy by dependent design of three-dimensional printed prothesis for children with osteosarcoma in distal femur.Methods Between 2012 to 2019, we performed twelve joint sparing limb salvage surgeries (JSLSS) with metaphyseal osteotomy for the children of osteosarcoma in the distal femur with our dependent design of 3D-printed guided plate and prothesis. The clinical assessment including resection margin, limb-length discrepancy, orthopaedic complications and functional outcome would be analyzed.Results The mean operation time for JSLSS was 107.6 minutes and the average blood loss was 194.5ml with the dependent design of 3D-printed prosthesis. With the assistance of guide plate, the mean margin of the osteosarcoma from the epiphyseal plate was 1.6 cm and the mean limb-length discrepancy was 2.2 cm with maximum follow-up period of seven years (mean 45.3 months, range 12-84 months). All the patients could bend their knee through >90° flexion, achieved similar results for ROMs in 6DOF during gait compared with normal data of Chinese knees, and the mean MSTS score was 94.7 for the patients with JSLSS. One patient had a superficial infection and there was one patient of local recurrence happened during the follow-up with the necrosis rate less than 90% by preoperative chemotherapy. None aseptic loosening happened in distal femur for the patients in this group with dependent design of 3D-printed prosthesis.Conclusion Joint-sparing limb salvage surgery by metaphyseal osteotomy with the dependent design of 3D-printed prosthesis and guide plate would be a good choice for the children with osteosarcoma in distal femur.
Comparison of the Clinical Effect of Simple Nucleotomy for the Treatment of Single-segment Lumbar Disc Herniation Using a Microscope and Percutaneous Transforaminal Endoscope
Authors: dece Kong , Chen Tianning , Zheng Xinhui , Liu Shuyi , Yang Tieyi , Zhang yan , Shao Jin
Published: August 2020

Objective: To compare the clinical effect of single-segment lumbar intervertebral herniation with simple nucleotomy using a microscope and percutaneous transforaminal endoscope. Methods: From May 2016 to October 2018, a total of 120 patients who underwent simple nucleotomy in our hospital for single-segment lumbar disc herniation were selected. According to the surgical methods, they were randomly divided into 2 groups: the microscopical treatment group included 60 cases, aged 28-65 years, with an average of 48.73 ± 12.35 years; the percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic treatment group included 60 cases, aged 29-67 years, with an average of 49.36 ± 11.76 years. The differences in the JOA score, ODI index, VAS score, serum CPK content, operation time, intraoperative bleeding, incision length, intraoperative X-ray fluoroscopy, hospital stay, and 1-year recurrence (secondary revision surgery) between the two groups were analysed. Results: On the second day after surgery, the serum CPK contents were higher than before surgery in both groups (P<0.01), and the CPK content was higher in the microscopical treatment group than in the percutaneous endoscopic treatment group (P<0.01). The JOA score at 1 year after surgery was significantly higher than before surgery, and the ODI index and VAS score at 1 year after surgery were significantly lower than before surgery in each group (P<0.01). Compared with the percutaneous endoscopic treatment group, the intraoperative bleeding and the lengths of incision and hospital stay were significantly increased (P<0.01) and the operation time (P<0.05) and number of X-ray fluoroscopies during the operation (P<0.01) were significantly reduced in the microscopic treatment group. At 1 year after surgery, compared with the microscopic treatment group, 2 cases of complications were found in the percutaneous endoscopic surgery group. One case was a postoperative recurrence, and the other one case was endoscopic operative failure, which received a second revision surgery using a microscope. Conclusion: Simple nucleotomy for the treatment of single-segment lumbar intervertebral herniation has good clinical effects using a microscope and percutaneous transforaminal endoscope. The percutaneous transforaminal endoscope has the advantages of less trauma, less bleeding, and shorter hospital stay, while the microscope has the advantages of shorter operation time and less intraoperative X-ray fluoroscopy.
Characterization of Fatal Injuries in Oil and Gas Industry-Related Helicopter Accidents in the Gulf of Mexico, 2004–2014
Authors: Yeoman Kristin , O'Connor Mary B , Poplin Gerald , Sochor Sara
Published: August 2020

Background: Transportation events are the most common cause of offshore fatalities in the oil and gas industry, and helicopter accidents comprise the majority of transportation events. Little is known about injury distributions in civilian helicopter crashes, and helicopter passengers continue to die in crashes that are considered survivable. Knowledge of injury distributions could focus research and recommendations for injury prevention and post-crash survival. The objective of this study was to describe the distribution of injuries among fatalities in oil and gas industry-related helicopter accidents in the Gulf of Mexico. Methods: Pilots and passengers of accidents during 2004–2014 were identified from government records and media reports. Autopsy reports were requested from the responsible jurisdictions. Each documented injury was coded using the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS), and frequency and proportion of injuries by AIS body region and severity were calculated. Injuries were also categorized into more detailed body regions to identify focused areas of prevention and control. Results: Minor injuries were most prevalent in the face, neck, upper and lower extremities, and abdomen. Serious or worse injuries were most prevalent in the thorax, spine, head, and external/other regions. The most frequent injuries by detailed body regions were thoracic organ, thoracic skeletal, abdominal organ, and leg injuries. Drowning occurred in 37.1% of victims.Conclusions: The proportion of minor, moderate, and severe or worse injuries differed by body region, and the most frequent injuries occurred in the thorax and lower extremity regions.
60-day survival of critically ill COVID-19 first comers
Authors: Lang Corinna N. , Zotzmann V. , Schmid B. , Berchtold-Herz M. , Utzolino S. , Biever P.M. , Pottgießer T. , Duerschmied D. , Bode C. , Wengenmayer T. , Staudacher D.L.
Published: August 2020

Background: Germany reported sufficient intensive care unit (ICU) resources throughout the first wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The treatment of critically ill COVID-19 patients without rationing may improve the outcome. We therefore analyzed resources allocated to critically ill COVID-19 patients and their outcomes. Methods: Retrospectively, we enrolled SARS-CoV2 PCR positive patients with respiratory failure from 03/08/2020 to 04/08/2020 and followed until 05/28/2020 in the university hospital of Freiburg, Germany. Results: Thirty-four COVID-19 patients were admitted to the ICU in the defined interval with medium age of 67±13 (31-86) years. 6/34 (17.6%) were female. All patients suffered from moderate or severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), 91.2% of the patients were intubated and 23.5% required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Proning was performed in 67.6%, renal replacement therapy (RRT) was required in 35.3%. 96% required more than 20 nursing hours per day. Mean ICU stay was 21±19 (1-81) days. 60-day survival of critically ill COVID-19 patients was 50.0% (17/34). Causes of death were multi-organ failure (52.9%), refractory ARDS (17.6%) and intracerebral hemorrhage (17.6%). Conclusions: Treatment of critically ill COVID-19 patients is protracted and resource intense. In a context without resources shortage, 50% of critically ill COVID-19 survived up to 60 days.
Identification of a m6A RNA methylation regulators-based signature for predicting the prognosis of esophageal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zhou Yue , Li Shuyan , Zou Liqing , Guo Tiantian , Yang Xi , Zhu Zhengfei
Published: August 2020

BackgroundN6-methyladenosine (m6A) is an abundant modification in RNAs that affects RNA metabolism, and it is reported to be closely related to cancer occurrence and metastasis. The aim of this study was to identify novel prognostic biomarkers by using m6A RNA methylation regulators capable of improving the risk-stratification criteria of survival for esophageal adenocarcinoma patients.MethodsThe gene expression data of 16 m6A methylation regulators and its relevant clinical information were extracted from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The expression pattern of these m6A methylation regulators was evaluated. Consensus clustering analysis was conducted to identify clusters of esophageal adenocarcinoma patients with different prognosis. Univariate, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), and multivariate Cox regression analysis were performed to construct multiple-gene risk signature. A survival analysis was carried out to determine the prognosis significance.ResultsTen m6A methylation regulators (HNRNPA2B1, HNRNPC, YTHDF1, METTL3, YTHDF2, RBM15, YTHDC1, WTAP, KIAA1429 and YTHDF3) showed significant up-regulation in tumor tissue. Consensus clustering analysis identified three clusters of esophageal adenocarcinoma patients with different overall survival. A five-gene signature, HNRNPA2B1, KIAA1429, WTAP, METTL16 and ALKBH5, was constructed to serve as a prognostic indicator for distinguish esophageal adenocarcinoma patients with different prognosis. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve which indicated the area under the curve (AUC) were 0.803, demonstrated that the prognostic signature had preferable prediction efficiency.Conclusionsm6A methylation regulators exert as potential biomarkers for prognostic stratification of esophageal adenocarcinoma patients and might help clinicians make individualized therapy for this patient population.
Effect of Post-Stroke Motor Training on EEG Movement-Related Cortical Potentials
Authors: Butt Maryam , Naghdy Golshah , Naghdy Fazel , Murray Geoffrey , Du Haiping
Published: August 2020

BackgroundRehabilitation of post-stroke patients with motor impairments promotes re-learning of lost motor functions through the brain neuroplasticity. Monitoring of electroencephalogram (EEG) signals has the potential to show neuroplasticity changes that take place during motor training.MethodsIn this study, an EEG-derived time-domain pattern namely movement-related cortical potential (MRCP) was deployed to assess the effect of motor training in seven post-stroke patients. Patients were divided into two groups; group A comprising four subjects with supratentorial lesions and group B consisting of three subjects with infratentorial lesions. Both groups participated in motor training with an AMADEO hand rehabilitation device. During pre and post-training periods, EEG signals at eight selected electrodes were recorded. In addition, hand-kinematic parameters, and clinical tests were measured at the beginning and the end of all training sessions.ResultsThe negative peak of the MRCP signals decreased at all electrodes and reached significance in seven of eight electrodes for group A after 12 training sessions, while it was decreased at all electrodes and reached significance in two of eight electrodes for group B after 24 sessions according to paired t-test (p < 0.05). Moreover, these MRCP changes correlated with improvements in kinematic parameters and clinical test results for both groups.ConclusionsThis study shows that robot-assisted training that improves clinical outcomes is associated with MRCP pattern changes. Subjects with infratentorial strokes improved slower clinically compared to subjects with supratentorial strokes. This was consistent with the longer rehabilitation required for this group of patients to produce significant changes in MRCP. The reduction of negative peaks of the MRCP signal indicates that neurological pathways are established and less cortical resources are needed for motor tasks. This study demonstrates the significance of EEG as a practical and low-cost tool in detecting patterns associated with brain neuroplasticity in the course of motor re-learning. Ethics ApprovalThe procedures performed in this study were approved by the University of Wollongong Ethics Committee (Ethics application number: 2014/400) on 03/07/2017.