bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protective effect of the Impella on the left ventricular function after acute broad anterior wall ST elevation myocardial infarctions with cardiogenic shock: cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging strain analysis
Authors: Fukamachi Daisuke , Yamada Akimasa , Ohgaku Akihito , Koyama Yutaka , Fujito Hidesato , Arai Riku , Ebuchi Yasunari , Migita Suguru , Morikawa Tomoyuki , Monden Masaki , Takei Norio , Tamaki Takehiro , Kojima Keisuke , Akutsu Naotaka , Murata Nobuhiro , Saito Yuki , Kitano Daisuke , Sudo Mitsumasa , Okumura Yasuo
Published: April 2022

Background

The clinical efficacy of the Impella for high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and cardiogenic shock remains under debate. We thus sought to investigate the protective effects on the heart with the Impella’s early use pre-PCI using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI).

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated the difference in the subacute phase CMR imaging results (19 ± 9 days after admission) between patients undergoing an Impella (n = 7) or not (non-Impella group: n = 18 [12 intra-aortic balloon pumps (1 plus veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) and 6 no mechanical circulation systems]) in broad anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) cases. A mechanical circulation system was implanted pre-PCI.

Results

No differences were found in the door-to-balloon time, peak creatine kinase, and hospital admission days between the Impella and non-Impella groups; however, the CMRI-derived left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly greater (45 ± 13% vs. 34 ± 7.6%, P = 0.034) and end-diastolic and systolic volumes smaller in the Impella group (149 ± 29 vs. 187 ± 41 mL, P = 0.006: 80 ± 29 vs. 121 ± 40 mL, P = 0.012). Although the global longitudinal peak strain did not differ, the global radial (GRS) and circumferential peak strain (GCS) were significantly higher in the IMPELLA than non-IMPELLA group. Greater systolic and diastolic strain rates (SRs) in the Impella than non-Impella group were observed in non-infarcted rather than infarcted areas.

Conclusions

Early implantation of an Impella before PCIs for STEMIs sub-acutely prevented cardiac dysfunction through preserving the GRS, GCS, and systolic and diastolic SRs in the remote myocardium. This study provided mechanistic insight into understanding the usefulness of the Impella to prevent future heart failure.
Does imbalance in chest X-ray datasets produce biased deep learning approaches for COVID-19 screening?
Authors: Álvarez-Rodríguez Lorena , Moura Joaquim de , Novo Jorge , Ortega Marcos
Published: April 2022

Background

The health crisis resulting from the global COVID-19 pandemic highlighted more than ever the need for rapid, reliable and safe methods of diagnosis and monitoring of respiratory diseases. To study pulmonary involvement in detail, one of the most common resources is the use of different lung imaging modalities (like chest radiography) to explore the possible affected areas.

Methods

The study of patient characteristics like sex and age in pathologies of this type is crucial for gaining knowledge of the disease and for avoiding biases due to the clear scarcity of data when developing representative systems. In this work, we performed an analysis of these factors in chest X-ray images to identify biases. Specifically, 11 imbalance scenarios were defined with female and male COVID-19 patients present in different proportions for the sex analysis, and 6 scenarios where only one specific age range was used for training for the age factor. In each study, 3 different approaches for automatic COVID-19 screening were used: Normal vs COVID-19, Pneumonia vs COVID-19 and Non-COVID-19 vs COVID-19. The study was validated using two public chest X-ray datasets, allowing a reliable analysis to support the clinical decision-making process.

Results

The results for the sex-related analysis indicate this factor slightly affects the system in the Normal VS COVID-19 and Pneumonia VS COVID-19 approaches, although the identified differences are not relevant enough to worsen considerably the system. Regarding the age-related analysis, this factor was observed to be influencing the system in a more consistent way than the sex factor, as it was present in all considered scenarios. However, this worsening does not represent a major factor, as it is not of great magnitude.

Conclusions

Multiple studies have been conducted in other fields in order to determine if certain patient characteristics such as sex or age influenced these deep learning systems. However, to the best of our knowledge, this study has not been done for COVID-19 despite the urgency and lack of COVID-19 chest x-ray images. The presented results evidenced that the proposed methodology and tested approaches allow a robust and reliable analysis to support the clinical decision-making process in this pandemic scenario.
Gut microbiota alterations in critically ill older patients: a multicenter study
Authors: Victoria Mesa , Elena Valdés-Duque Beatriz , Amparo Giraldo-Giraldo Nubia , María Jailler-R Ana , Adriana Giraldo-Villa , Irene Acevedo-Castaño , Alejandra Yepes-M Mónica , Janeth Barbosa-Barbosa , María Agudelo-Ochoa Gloria
Published: April 2022

Background

Aging generates changes in the gut microbiota, affecting its functionality. Little is known about gut microbiota in critically ill older adults. The objective of this study was to describe the profile of gut microbiota in a cohort of critically ill older adults.

Methods

This observational study was conducted in five health institutions. Over a 6-month study period, critically ill patients over 18 years old who were admitted to the intensive care unit were enrolled. Fecal microbiota profiles were determined from 155 individuals, over 60 years old (n = 72) and under 60 years old (n = 83). Gut microbiota was analyzed by sequencing the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Alpha and beta diversity, operational taxonomic units and the interaction of gut microbiota with variables under study were analyzed. Amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) specifically associated with age were recovered by including gender, discharge condition, BMI, ICU stay and antibiotics as covariates in a linear mixed model.

Results

In older adults, sepsis, malnutrition, antibiotic prescription and severity (APACHE and SOFA scores) were higher than in the group under 60 years of age. Alpha diversity showed lower gut microbiota diversity in those over 60 years of age (p < 0.05); beta diversity evidenced significant differences between the groups (PERMANOVA = 1.19, p = 0.038). The microbiota of the adults under 60 years old showed greater abundance of Murdochiella, Megasphaera, Peptoniphilus and Ezakiella, whereas those over 60 years old Escherichia-Shigella and Hungatella were more abundant.

Conclusion

The gut microbial community was altered by different factors; however, age significantly explained the variability in critically ill patients. A lower presence of beneficial genera and a higher abundance of pathogens was observed in adults over 60 years old.
Intrapartum versus postpartum insertion of intrauterine device in women delivering by cesarean section
Authors: Abdel-Ghany Ahmed , Khalifa Eissa , El-Din Mohamed Zeen , Ibrahim Emad , Abdallah Ameer , Abdel-Aziz Mahmoud , Abdel-Rasheed Mazen , Abdel-Azim Alaa
Published: April 2022

Background

The intrauterine device (IUD), being a reversible and effective contraception method, is the most widely used worldwide. This study aims to demonstrate the efficacy of IUD insertion during elective lower segment cesarean section (LSCS) versus its insertion six weeks postpartum.

Methods

A cohort study was conducted on 200 women planned for elective cesarean delivery and desired IUD as a contraceptive method. They were allocated into two groups; group I, in which IUD was inserted during LSCS, and group II, in which IUD was inserted six weeks or more after LSCS. Both groups were compared regarding failed insertion, post-insertion pain, and uterine perforation. They were followed for one year for the incidence of menorrhagia, vaginal infection, IUD displacement/expulsion, missed threads, or unintended pregnancy.

Results

Women in the second group showed a significantly higher incidence of failed insertion and uterine perforation than women in the first group. On the contrary, women in the first group showed a significantly higher incidence of missed threads than women in the second group. Regarding other consequences, there were no significant differences between both groups concerning menorrhagia, vaginal infection, IUD displacement/expulsion, or unintended pregnancy.

Conclusion

IUD insertion during elective LSCS showed a significantly lower incidence of failed insertion and uterine perforation than its insertion six weeks postoperative.
Prognostic biomarker SGSM1 and its correlation with immune infiltration in gliomas
Authors: Li Junsheng , Wang Jia , Ding Yaowei , Zhao Jizong , Wang Wen
Published: April 2022

Objective

Glioma was the most common type of intracranial malignant tumor. Even after standard treatment, the recurrence and malignant progression of lower-grade gliomas (LGGs) were almost inevitable. The overall survival (OS) of patients with LGG varied widely, making it critical for prognostic prediction. Small G Protein Signaling Modulator 1 (SGSM1) has hardly been studied in gliomas. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the prognostic role of SGSM1 and its relationship with immune infiltration in LGGs.

Methods

We obtained RNA sequencing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to analyze SGSM1 expression. Functional enrichment analyses, immune infiltration analyses, immune checkpoint analyses, and clinicopathology analyses were performed. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to identify independent prognostic factors. And nomogram model has been developed. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and log-rank test were used to estimate the relationship between OS and SGSM1 expression. The survival analyses and Cox regression were validated in datasets from the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA).

Results

SGSM1 was significantly down-regulated in LGGs. Functional enrichment analyses revealed SGSM1 was correlated with immune response. Most immune cells and immune checkpoints were negatively correlated with SGSM1 expression. The Kaplan–Meier analyses showed that low SGSM1 expression was associated with a poor outcome in LGG and its subtypes. The Cox regression showed SGSM1 was an independent prognostic factor in patients with LGG (HR = 0.494, 95%CI = 0.311–0.784, P = 0.003).

Conclusion

SGSM1 was considered to be a new prognostic biomarker for patients with LGG. And our study provided a potential therapeutic target for LGG treatment.
Endoscopic nodal staging in oligometastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) being treated with stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (ENDO-SABR)
Authors: Dhaliwal Inderdeep , Kassirian Shayan , Mitchell Michael A. , Qiabi Mehdi , Warner Andrew , Louie Alexander V. , Wong Harvey H. , McDonald Christine M. , Rajchgot Jason , Palma David A.
Published: April 2022

Background

Research in treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has shown promising results with stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) of oligometastatic disease, wherein distant disease may be limited to one or a few distant organs by host factors. Traditionally, PET/CT has been used in detecting metastatic disease and avoiding futile surgical intervention, however, sensitivity and specificity is limited to only 81 and 79%, respectively. Mediastinal staging still identifies occult nodal disease in up to 20% of NSCLC patients initially thought to be operative candidates. Endobronchial ultrasound and transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a minimally invasive tool for the staging and diagnosis of thoracic malignancy. When EBUS is combined with endoscopic ultrasound using the same bronchoscope (EUS-B), the diagnostic sensitivity and negative predictive value increase to 84 and 97%, respectively. Endoscopic staging in patients with advanced disease has never been studied, but may inform treatment if a curative SABR approach is being taken.

Methods

This is a multi-centre, prospective, cohort study with two-stage design. In the first stage, 10 patients with oligometastatic NSCLC (lung tumour ± hilar/mediastinal lymphadenopathy) with up to 5 synchronous metastases will be enrolled An additional 19 patients will be enrolled in the second stage if rate of treatment change is greater than 10% in the first stage. Patients will be subject to EBUS or combined modality EBUS/EUS-B to assess bilateral lymph node stations using a N3 to N2 to N1 progression. Primary endpoint is defined as the rate of change to treatment plan including change from SABR to conventional dose radiation, change in mediastinal radiation field, and change from curative to palliative intent treatment.

Discussion

If a curative approach with SABR for oligometastatic disease is being explored, invasive mediastinal staging may guide treatment and prognosis. This study will provide insight into the use of endoscopic mediastinal staging in determining changes in treatment plan of NSCLC. Results will inform the design of future phase II trials.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT04852588. Date of registration: April 19, 2021. Protocol version: 1.1 on December 9, 2021.
Cognitive-behavioral group therapy in major depressive disorder with focus on self-esteem and optimism: an interventional study
Authors: Moloud Radfar , Saeed Yavari , Mahmonir Haghighi , Rasool Gharaaghaji Asl
Published: April 2022

Background

Major depressive disorder is a common psychological condition that can lead to negative individual and social consequences, the management of which is very important in treating the patients. The present study aimed to determine the effect of cognitive-behavioral group therapy on self-esteem and optimism in patients with major depressive disorder.

Methods

This is a single-blinded, randomized controlled trial in which a total of 64 patients with major depressive disorder were recruited using convenience sampling and then randomly assigned to two groups of Cognitive-Behavioral Group Therapy (CBGT) and Treatment-As-Usual (TAU). Data collection tools consisted of a demographic questionnaire, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and the Revised Life Orientation Test (LOT-R). In the pretest stage, participants in both groups completed the above questionnaires before the intervention. Patients in the CBGT group received eight 90-min sessions of cognitive-behavioral therapy during four weeks (two sessions a week). Then participants re-completed RSES and LOT-R immediately, three months, and six months after the intervention. Data were analyzed with SPSS software version 16.0 using chi-squared test, independent-samples t-test, and repeated measures Analysis of Variance. The significance level (p-value) was considered to be less than 0.05.

Results

It was indicated that there was a statistically significant difference in the mean scores of self-esteem and optimism between the two groups immediately, three months, and six months after the intervention (p < .05). The mean scores of self-esteem and optimism in the CBGT group increased significantly after the intervention compared to before it, although these scores gradually decreased over the three measurement time points after the intervention.

Conclusions

Based upon the results, it was concluded that the level of optimism and self-esteem increased significantly in the CBGT group after the intervention, although the levels of the above variables dropped again in the long run after the intervention due to the discontinuity of CBGT sessions. Therefore, it is necessary to take particular measures to regularly hold the sessions of CBGT for patients with major depressive disorder.

Trial registration number

IRCT20140212016564N15, The date of registration: 20–09-2021, Retrospectively registered.
Correlation between religious coping, demographic and fertility factors, and pregnancy anxiety of Iranian primiparous women: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Mirzaee Foruzan , Hasanpoor-Azghady Seyedeh Batool , Amiri-Farahani Leila
Published: April 2022

Background

Anxiety during pregnancy can have side effects for both the mother and the baby. Therefore, it is necessary to study the factors that affect anxiety during pregnancy. This study aimed to investigate the role of religious coping and demographic and fertility factors in predicting pregnancy anxiety in Iranian primiparous women.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study on 300 primiparous women (n = 100 in each trimester of pregnancy) referred to seven health centers affiliated to the Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. The sampling method was multistage. It lasted from July 2018 till August 2019. Data collection tools included the demographic and fertility questionnaire, valid and reliable Iranian Religious Coping Scale (IRCS), and standard State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).

Results

Religious practices, benevolent reappraisal, and active religious coping had a significant inverse relationship with state and trait anxiety. Whereas negative and passive religious coping had a significant direct relationship with state and trait anxiety. The mean scores of state anxiety had a significant relationship with the women’s education, spouse's education and occupation, economic status and housing status. There was no relationship between state anxiety and fertility variables. Based on multiple linear regression, negative and active religious coping predicted 27% of state anxiety and 15% of trait anxiety. Among these two variables, the negative religious coping was the more effective in predicting state and trait anxiety.

Conclusion

With increasing positive religious coping, the anxiety of pregnant women decreased. Whereas with increasing negative religious coping, their anxiety increased. Our results emphasize the role of negative religious coping in predicting pregnancy anxiety.
The impact of COVID-19 restrictions on perceived health and wellbeing of adult Australian sport and physical activity participants
Authors: Eime R. , Harvey J. , Charity M. , Elliott S. , Drummond M. , Pankowiak A. , Westerbeek H.
Published: April 2022

Individuals’ access to sport and physical activity has been hampered due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. In Australia participation in community sport was cancelled during lockdowns. There is limited research on the impact of sport participation restrictions on the health and wellbeing of adults.

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate the perceived health and wellbeing of a sample of predominantly active Australian adults, both during COVID-19 and in comparison with one year earlier (pre COVID-19).

Methods

A survey was conducted during the first COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns in Australia in May–June 2020. It was distributed by national and state sporting organisations and through researchers’ social media accounts. This particular paper focuses on adults aged 18–59 years. The survey collected information on participant demographics, the sport and physical activity patterns pre- COVID-19, and health and wellbeing outcomes during COVID-19 lockdown and compared to one year earlier. The health measures were cross-tabulated against the demographic and sport and physical activity variables, and group profiles compared with chi-square tests. Scales were derived from three wellbeing questions, and group differences were analysed by t-tests and F-tests.

Results

The survey sample included 1279 men and 868 women aged 18–59 years. Most (67%) resided in metropolitan cities. The great majority (83%) were sport participants. During COVID-19 lockdown men were significantly more likely than women to report worse or much worse general (p = 0.014), physical (p = 0.015) and mental health (p = 0.038) and lower life satisfaction (p = 0.016). The inactive adults were significantly more likely to report poorer general health (p = 0.001) and physical health (p = 0.001) compared to active adults. The younger age cohort (18–29 years) were significantly more likely to report poorer general wellbeing (p < 0.001), and lower life satisfaction (p < 0.001) compared to the older age groups.

Conclusion

It seems that the absence of playing competitive sport and training with friends, teams and within clubs has severely impacted males and younger adults in particular. Sports clubs provide an important setting for individuals’ health and wellbeing which is why clubs require the capacity to deliver sport and individuals may need to regain the motivation to return.
Gait in children with achondroplasia – a cross-sectional study on joint kinematics and kinetics
Authors: Broström Eva W. , Antonissen Lotte , von Heideken Johan , Esbjörnsson Anna-Clara , Hagenäs Lars , Naili Josefine E.
Published: April 2022

Background

Children with achondroplasia have extreme short stature due to short limbs, as well as several other clinical features that may affect their gait. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to provide a detailed description of gait in children with achondroplasia compared to age-matched controls.

Methods

Between the years 2007 and 2010, 16 children with achondroplasia [mean age 9.6 years (range 5–16; six female)] with no previous history of orthopaedic lower limb surgery and 19 age-matched controls conducted three-dimensional (3D) gait analysis at one occasion. The gait analysis rendered pelvis and lower limb joint kinematics and kinetics, and time and distance data. Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, and Fisher’s exact test were used to describe the cohort including gait data and participant characteristics.

Results

Children with achondroplasia had kinematic gait pattern deviations in all three planes, especially in the sagittal plane, when compared to the control group. Peak anterior pelvic tilt and peak ankle dorsiflexion were found to be increased. Increased knee flexion was noted at initial contact and again at terminal stance. During stance, children with achondroplasia had a higher peak hip abduction angle and a higher peak knee varus angle in the frontal plane. In the sagittal plane, kinetic gait pattern deviations were found at the hip, knee, and ankle, consistent with a flexion pattern. Compared to the control group, children with achondroplasia walked with reduced walking speed and step length, and increased cadence. There was no difference in walking speed when leg length was taken into account. Normalised step length and normalised cadence, on the other hand, were found to be increased in children with achondroplasia.

Conclusions

The observed gait characteristics in children with achondroplasia are related to anatomical attributes and strategies to increase step length, and hence walking speed.
Lipotropic activities of aqueous extract of Vernonia guineensis Benth. in Wistar rats fed high fat diet
Authors: Nnanga Leila Sandra , Ambamba Bruno Dupon Akamba , Ella Fils Armand , Mandob Damaris Enyegue , Ngondi Judith Laure
Published: April 2022

Background

Lipotropic molecules are effective therapeutic targets to counteract non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Lipotropic compounds are capable of removing fat from the liver and/or manage the reduction of the synthesis or deposition of lipids in the liver. The objective of this study was to evaluate the lipotropic effects of the aqueous extract of leaves ofVernonia guineensis(AEVG) on rats fed high fat diet.

Methods

Twenty male rats with an average mass of 235 g were allow acclimatize for seven days, following which they were divided into four groups of five animals each. The test group was treated with high fat diet (HFD) and AEVG at 400 mg/kgBW, while positive control group received HFD and Fenofibrate at 100 mg/kgBW. The normal control group received a normal diet; and the negative control group received HFD. After 14 days of treatment, animals were sacrificed, blood and organs (liver, heart and kidneys), as well as the faeces were collected for the preparation of plasma and homogenates respectively. Some markers of lipid profil (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-c, LDL-c,) and markers of toxicity (AST, ALT, γ-GT, creatinine) were evaluated.

Results

The results obtained showed that a HFD at the hepatic level led to the accumulation of lipids (triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol (TC)) and had adverse effects on hepatic function by promoting cytolysis. At the plasma level, HFD induced hyperlipidemia. Administration of AEVG at 400 mg/kgBW improved the blood lipid profile and reduced the storage of TG and cholesterol in the liver. AEVG also promoted fecal cholesterol excretion and reduced atherogenic indices which include Total Cholesterol/High-Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (TC/HDL-c) and Low-Density Lipoprotein cholesterol/High-Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c/HDL-c). The extract exhibited hepato-protective activity (anticholestasis) and improved glomerular filtration.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that AEVG possesses lipotropic effects confirming its probable use in the management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and its cardiometabolic complications. This virtue could be exploited for local pharmaceutical development.
“An uncomfortable topic”: Health professionals' perspectives on child protection capacities, training offers and the potential need for action in Germany
Authors: Maier Anna , Fegert Jörg M. , Hoffmann Ulrike
Published: April 2022

Background

Child maltreatment, due to its high prevalence and often long-lasting (health and/or psycho-social) consequences, is one of the main reasons for global health inequalities. The medical field offers many opportunities to support affected children. This gives physicians and other health professionals the opportunity to provide protective measures and therapies to affected children at an early stage. However, the level of training concerning child protection is often too low among health professionals. This can affect the quality of care as well as providing the appropriate treatment and thus, the long-term (health) burden. The present work aims to survey the state of knowledge and capacities of health professionals regarding child protection in medicine and elicit health professionals' perspectives who absolved a child protection online course on a potential need for action in Germany.

Methods

From June 2016 until February 2021, 3,360 health professionals were interviewed. Using quantitative and qualitative items, the questionnaire assessed demographic and professional background information as well as assessments regarding the awareness of child protection, abilities in child protection among health professionals and training offers in medicine.

Results

The analysis indicates that the topic of child protection in medicine is not as present as the high prevalence of child maltreatment would imply. The majority (94.0%;n = 3.159) of the health professionals stated that they need more knowledge and capacities regarding child protection in medicine. More than half of the health professionals assessed the importance of the issue of child protection as low among health professionals. The reasons cited included child protection as an uncomfortable topic, an unwillingness among managers, and a lack of training on the topic.

Conclusions

There is too little awareness and importance regarding child protection in the medical field in Germany. Hence, it is difficult to ensure adequate care for those affected. Child protection topics should be mandatory in the training curricula of all health professionals, and quality standards for prevention and intervention should be implemented in medical institutions. Furthermore, networking in child protection has to be improved, and medical campaigns should address the topic to sensitize health professionals and society to the issue and to destigmatize the topic.
Introducing multi-component cardiovascular health screening into existing Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) screening programmes in the UK: a qualitative study of programme staff views
Authors: Zubair Maria , Bown Matthew J. , Armstrong Natalie
Published: April 2022

Background

Cardiovascular disease is a major contributor to poor health in the UK and the leading cause of death in England. Peripheral arterial disease and high blood pressure are conditions that identify individuals at high cardiovascular disease risk, likely to benefit from cardiovascular risk management. Both conditions remain considerably underdiagnosed and untreated. The National Health Service abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening programmes represent an opportunity to screen for these conditions with potentially minimal additional effort or cost. We explored AAA screening programme staff views on the proposed introduction of such additional screening within AAA screening.

Methods

Nine focus groups and seven follow-on interviews were undertaken with 38 AAA screening staff. Our study methods were oriented broadly towards a grounded theory methodology, and data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Three themes were identified: (i) ‘Perceptions of patient experience and health-related outcomes’, (ii) ‘Opportunities and challenges for programme staff’, and (iii) ‘Maintaining and improving programme standards’. Staff talked about the high uptake of AAA screening, staff experience and skills in their role, and the programme’s high quality standards as both opportunities and potential challenges linked to the proposed additions to AAA screening. While positive about the potential to improve patients’ health outcomes, participants had questions about the practicalities of incorporating additional procedures within their time- and resource-constrained context, and how this may reconfigure work processes, roles and relationships.

Conclusions

The proposed additions to the programme require taking staff’s views into account. Key areas that need to be addressed relate to ensuring follow-up support for patients, clarity around staff responsibilities, and availability of sufficient resources for the programme.
Involvement of Cdk5 activating subunit p35 in synaptic plasticity in excitatory and inhibitory neurons
Authors: Takahashi Miyuki , Nakabayashi Takeru , Mita Naoki , Jin Xiaohua , Aikawa Yuta , Sasamoto Kodai , Miyoshi Goichi , Miyata Mariko , Inoue Takafumi , Ohshima Toshio
Published: April 2022

Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) /p35 is involved in many developmental processes of the central nervous system. Cdk5/p35 is also implicated in synaptic plasticity, learning and memory. Several lines of conditional Cdk5 knockout mice (KO) have been generated and have shown different outcomes for learning and memory. Here, we present our analysis of p35 conditional KO mice (p35cKO) in hippocampal pyramidal neurons or forebrain GABAergic neurons using electrophysiological and behavioral methods. In the fear conditioning task, CamKII-p35cKO mice showed impaired memory retention. Furthermore, NMDAR-dependent long-term depression (LTD) induction by low-frequency stimuli in hippocampal slices from CamkII-p35cKO mice was impaired compared to that in control mice. In contrast, Dlx-p35cKO mice showed no abnormalities in behavioral tasks and electrophysiological analysis in their hippocampal slices. These results indicated that Cdk5/p35 in excitatory neurons is important for the hippocampal synaptic plasticity and associative memory retention.
Hypomethylation-mediated upregulation of the WASF2 promoter region correlates with poor clinical outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Ahn Hye Ri , Baek Geum Ok , Yoon Moon Gyeong , Son Ju A , Yoon Jung Hwan , Cheong Jae Youn , Cho Hyo Jung , Kang Ho Chul , Eun Jung Woo , Kim Soon Sun
Published: April 2022

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common and lethal cancers worldwide. Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome protein family member 2 (WASF2) is an integral member of the actin cytoskeleton pathway, which plays a crucial role in cell motility. In this study, we aimed to explore the role of WASF2 in HCC carcinogenesis and its regulatory mechanism.

Methods

WASF2 expression in HCC was analyzed using six public RNA-seq datasets and 66 paired tissues from patients with HCC. The role of WASF2 in normal hepatocyte cell phenotypes was evaluated using a WASF2 overexpression vector in vitro; it was evaluated in HCC cell phenotypes using small interfering RNA (siRNA) in vitro and in vivo. Epigenetic regulatory mechanism of WASF2 was assessed in the Cancer Genome Atlas liver hepatocellular carcinoma project (TCGA_LIHC) dataset and also validated in 38 paired HCC tissues. Site mutagenesis, bisulfite sequencing polymerase chain reaction (BSP), methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP), and quantitative MSP (qMSP) were used for evaluating WASF2 methylation status.

Results

WASF2 is overexpressed in HCC and is clinically correlated with its prognosis. WASF2 overexpression promoted normal hepatocyte proliferation. WASF2 inactivation decreased the viability, growth, proliferation, migration, and invasion of Huh-7 and SNU475 HCC cells by inducing G2/M phase arrest. This induced cell death and inhibited epithelial–mesenchymal transition, hindering actin polymerization. In addition, WASF2 knockdown using siWASF2 in a xenograft mouse model and a lung metastasis model exerted tumor suppressive effect. There was a negative correlation between WASF2 methylation status and mRNA expression. The methylation pattern of CpG site 2 (− 726 bp), located in the WASF2 promoter, plays an important role in the regulation of WASF2 expression. Furthermore, the cg242579 CpG island in the WASF2 5′ promoter region was hypomethylated in HCC compared to that in the matched non-tumor samples. Patients with high WASF2 methylation and low WASF2 expression displayed the highest overall survival.

Conclusions

WASF2 is overexpressed and hypomethylated in HCC and correlates with patient prognosis. WASF2 inactivation exerts anti-tumorigenic effects on HCC cells in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that WASF2 could be a potential therapeutic target for HCC.
Permissive azotemia during acute kidney injury enables more rapid renal recovery and less renal fibrosis: a hypothesis and clinical development plan
Authors: Chawla Lakhmir S.
Published: April 2022

Preclinical models of acute kidney injury (AKI) consistently demonstrate that a uremic milieu enhances renal recovery and decreases kidney fibrosis. Similarly, significant decreases in monocyte/macrophage infiltration, complement levels, and other markers of inflammation in the injured kidney are observed across multiple studies and species. In essence, decreased renal clearance has the surprising and counterintuitive effect of being an effective treatment for AKI. In this Perspective, the author suggests a hypothesis describing why the uremic milieu is kidney protective and proposes a clinical trial of ‘permissive azotemia’ to improve renal recovery and long-term renal outcomes in critically ill patients with severe AKI.
Extended Jensen’s functional for diamond integral via Green’s function and Hermite polynomial
Authors: Bibi Fazilat , Bibi Rabia , Nosheen Ammara , Pečarić Josip
Published: April 2022

In this paper, with the help of Green’s function and Hermite interpolating polynomial, an extension of Jensen’s functional for n-convex functions is deduced from Jensen’s inequality involving diamond integrals. Special Hermite conditions, including Taylor two point formula and Lagrange’s interpolation, are also deployed to find the further extensions of Jensen’s functional. This paper also includes discussion on bounds for Grüss inequality, Ostrowski inequality, and Čebyšev functional associated to the newly defined Jensen’s functional.
Probabilistic Repair Cost Simulation for RC Structures Repaired With Bacteria Coating Material Under Sulfate Attack
Authors: Yoon Hyun-Sub , Kwon Seung-Jun , Yoon Yong-Sik , Yang Keun-Hyeok
Published: April 2022

Concrete sewage structures are difficult to maintain since they are constructed under the ground and their surfaces inside are exposed to various deteriorations such as acid and sulfate ingress. In this study, their repair costs were evaluated both deterministically and probabilistically considering the extended service life through repairing of conventional repair mortar and a newly developed bacteria repair material. Unlike the conventional deterministic method, the probabilistic manner evaluates repair cost continuously, taking into account variations in the initial service life and extended service life through repair. For the work, variations in the sulfate ion diffusion coefficient and protection parameters (cover depth and repair layer thickness) were obtained experimentally. Based on the target service life (60 years), the repair cost increased to 123% as the maintenance-free period (MFP) decreased by half, and decreased to 77% as the MFP increased to 1.5 times. As the extended service life through repair decreased by half, the repair cost increased to 180% due to the increasing repair frequency. When the repair-extended service life increased to 1.5 times, the repair cost decreased to 73%. Considering exterior sulfate concentrations (120 and 200 ppm) and entire sewage pipelines (3268 m), the bacteria repair material showed the lowest repair cost (1376 K$ and 1498 K$ with the deterministic and probabilistic method, respectively) since the repair-service life increased from 10.4 to 25.3 years and the number of repairs decreased from 9 to 4 due to the low diffusion coefficient of the bacteria repair material.
Mathematical model of the spread of COVID-19 in Plateau State, Nigeria
Authors: Adedire O. , Ndam Joel N.
Published: April 2022

In this research, a mathematical model consisting of non-pharmaceutical control measures is formulated. The developed model helps to examine the transmission of COVID-19 infection in Plateau State, Nigeria, using face masks$$c_{f}$$cfand social distancing$$c_{d}$$cdas control measures. Data used for the simulation of the developed model were obtained from Nigeria Centre for Disease Control which was fitted to the system of ordinary differential equations using nonlinear least squares method. Results at baseline values$$c_{f} = 0.1$$cf=0.1and$$c_{d} = 0.2$$cd=0.2of control measures indicate 2.3 estimation as basic reproduction number which suggests that COVID-19 in Plateau State tends towards endemic state. However, above about 40% in the use of face masks in the population and corresponding above 50% adherence to social distancing could as well bring down the basic reproduction number to a value below 1 necessary for disease eradication. The results at baseline values further indicate that the peak of the COVID-19 had been reached in less than 250 days from the first detection date after about 476,455 undetected asymptomatic individuals, 92,168 undetected symptomatic individuals and 83,801 detected quarantined individuals have been fully infectious. Therefore, the policymakers in Plateau State have the possibility of eradicating the disease with further strict non-pharmaceutical control measures provided that the present conditions of analysis remain fairly the same.
Exact solution of two-thirds power potential
Authors: Chen Yu-Jie , Li Shi-Lin , Li Wen-Du , Dai Wu-Sheng
Published: April 2022

The exact solution of the two-thirds power potential

is given. The two-thirds power potential has only bound states.
Deportable to Nowhere: Stateless Children as Challenges to State Logics of Immigration Control
Authors: Cheong Amanda R.
Published: April 2022

This study draws on ethnographic fieldwork with undocumented and stateless families in Sabah, Malaysia to examine how deportability shapes children's relationships with the Malaysian state. By centering the perspectives of children and their families, the author argues that the figure of the stateless child challenges state logics of immigration control in two ways. First, born in Malaysia but without proper identity documentation or legal status from any nation, stateless youth in the study were “deportable to nowhere.” Second, Malaysian immigration control inadvertently transforms stateless children into the very “illegal” migrants that the government seeks to deter: for some, expulsion to their ancestral country and eventual illicit return to Malaysia marked the first times they had crossed an international border. The article concludes by discussing the implications of stateless children for the nation-state system's organizational principles more broadly.
Responses of differentDrosophilaspecies to temperature changes
Authors: Huda Ainul , Omelchenko Alisa A. , Vaden Thomas J. , Castaneda Allison N. , Ni Lina
Published: April 2022

Temperature is a critical environmental variable that affects the distribution, survival and reproduction of most animals. Although temperature receptors have been identified in many animals, how these receptors respond to temperature is still unclear. Here, we describe an automated tracking method for studying the thermotactic behaviors of Drosophila larvae and adults. We built optimal experimental setups to capture behavioral recordings and analyzed them using free software, Fiji and TrackMate, which do not require programming knowledge. Then, we applied the adult thermotactic two-choice assay to examine the movement and temperature preferences of nine Drosophila species. The ability or inclination to move varied among these species and at different temperatures. Distinct species preferred various ranges of temperatures. Wild-type D. melanogaster flies avoided the warmer temperature in the warm avoidance assay and the cooler temperature in the cool avoidance assay. Conversely, D. bipectinata and D. yakuba did not avoid warm or cool temperatures in the respective assays, and D. biarmipes and D. mojavensis did not avoid the warm temperature in the warm avoidance assay. These results demonstrate that Drosophila species have different mobilities and temperature preferences, which will benefit further research in exploring molecular mechanisms of temperature responsiveness.
Vocal tract allometry in a mammalian vocal learner
Authors: de Reus Koen , Carlson Daryll , Lowry Alice , Gross Stephanie , Garcia Maxime , Rubio-Garcia Ana , Salazar-Casals Anna , Ravignani Andrea
Published: April 2022

Acoustic allometry occurs when features of animal vocalisations can be predicted from body size measurements. Despite this being considered the norm, allometry sometimes breaks, resulting in species sounding smaller or larger than expected for their size. A recent hypothesis suggests that allometry-breaking mammals cluster into two groups: those with anatomical adaptations to their vocal tracts and those capable of learning new sounds (vocal learners). Here, we tested which mechanism is used to escape from acoustic allometry by probing vocal tract allometry in a proven mammalian vocal learner, the harbour seal (Phoca vitulina). We tested whether vocal tract structures and body size scale allometrically in 68 young individuals. We found that both body length and body mass accurately predict vocal tract length and one tracheal dimension. Independently, body length predicts vocal fold length while body mass predicts a second tracheal dimension. All vocal tract measures are larger in weaners than in pups and some structures are sexually dimorphic within age classes. We conclude that harbour seals do comply with anatomical allometric constraints. However, allometry between body size and vocal fold length seems to emerge after puppyhood, suggesting that ontogeny may modulate the anatomy–learning distinction previously hypothesised as clear cut. We suggest that seals, and perhaps other species producing signals that deviate from those expected from their vocal tract dimensions, may break allometry without morphological adaptations. In seals, and potentially other vocal learning mammals, advanced neural control over vocal organs may be the main mechanism for breaking acoustic allometry.
Fluorescent Hydrogel Based on Self-assembling Acridonylalanine-phenylalanine
Authors: Araki Yuzuha , Shirakata Hiroki , Nakagawa Tetsuya , Ubukata Takashi , Yokoyama Yasushi , Kawamura Izuru
Published: April 2022

A new dipeptide with an acridone chromophore, namely 2-acridonylalanine-phenylalanine (AAP) was synthesized, and a fluorescent hydrogel was produced under physiological pH conditions by the AAP self-assembly process. The hydrogel exhibited a blue emission and reasonable thermoresponsiveness. Therefore, dipeptides containing an acridone side chain of the first residue were found to be effective hydrogelators.
Scientific Preservation of the Relics left by the Fallen Heroes of the Korean War: Focusing on the Local Relics Kept by the Ground Operations Command
Authors: Park Min-Seon , Oh Seung-Jun , Lee Ho-Yeon , Wi Koang-Chul
Published: April 2022

This study conducted scientific analysis and preservation treatment for the local 7 relics (depurator bottle, eagle patten button, rank insignia, mess tin, M1 Grand-gun cleaning tool kit, Carbine bullet, cartridge) of the fallen of Korean War excavated through the MND Agency for KIA Recovery & Identification that are possessed in the exhibition hall of the Ground Operations Command. FT-IR analysis results show that remainder of depurator bottle is assumed to play a role of water and food purifier during the war for its spectrum similar to Trisodium phosphate, and inscription carved on the cartridge that is hard to observe with naked eyes was also confirmed through 3D digital shooting method. This study also established directivity of preservation treatment of relics for stable treatment by carrying out a survey of conditions based on the microscope and visual observation. The result is expected to be used as basic data for establishment of future directivity of preservation treatment for a variety of war relics.
El futuro del derecho administrativo en la globalización: entre la americanización y la europeización
Authors: Ballbé Manuel
Published: April 2022

La globalización está transformándose en una globalización jurídica y responde fundamentalmente a los parámetros de la americanización administrativa y reguladora. Se expone la evolución del Estado individuo céntrico norteamericano hacia un Estado administrativo y regulador. Se analizan los modelos contrapuestos de seguridad de EE.UU. y Europa. Finalmente, se exponen las dos caras de la globalización como americanización. En primer lugar, el modelo ejemplar de la OMC, en el que EE.UU. se somete a su derecho y a sus resoluciones. En segundo lugar, la tentación de unilateralismo y plenos poderes para el presidente, evadiendo el control judicial, que ha quedado rechazado por la jurisprudencia de la Corte Suprema.
A estabilidade na administração pública brasileira: sobre suas representações sociais e a (im)possibilidade de demitir servidores públicos
Authors: Gonçalves Francysco Pablo Feitosa
Published: April 2022

O presente trabalho tem por objetivo abordar a estabilidade no serviço público brasileiro, apresentando algumas das suas representações sociais, seu surgimento e transformações na formação histórica do Brasil, e seu regramento jurídico no ordenamento jurídico inaugurado pela Constituição de 1988, traçando um paralelo entre os setores público e privado a fim de verificar se a estabilidade, de fato, impediria a demissão de maus servidores.
O seguro-garantia na nova Lei de Licitação e os problemas de seleção adversa e risco moral
Authors: Nóbrega Marcos , Netto Pedro Dias de Oliveira
Published: April 2022

O artigo tem como objetivo debater o instituto do seguro-garantia aplicável aos contratos administrativos de obras e serviços de grande vulto, considerando as peculiaridades que envolvem este modelo de seguro diante da relação trilateral entre a administração pública, o contratado e a seguradora. Trata-se de uma pesquisa bibliográfica, e o método aplicado foi hipotético-dedutivo, partindo da identificação de problemas no cenário das obras públicas para, em seguida, buscar soluções por meio da utilização do seguro-garantia. Desse modo, pretende-se examinar como o seguro-garantia pode contribuir na mitigação da assimetria de informações e fornecer os incentivos necessários para a execução do contrato.