bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Green Synthesis and Applications of Silver Nanoparticles: A Systematic Review
Authors: Moond Monika , Singh Sushila , Sangwan Seema , Devi Ritu , Beniwal Rajita
Published: September 2022

Nanotechnology has become the foremost promising and rising field of analysis as a result of its applications in numerous fields. Development of consistent and greener ways for the synthesis of nanoparticles could be a dynamic step in the field of nanotechnology. To avoid the emergence of dangerous by-products, many attempts have been made in recent years to develop environment friendly methods. “Green” synthesis is a consistent, sustainable, and environment friendly method for the synthesis of an enormous range of nanoparticles. Green synthesis is seen as an important tool to reduce the harmful effects of traditional nanoparticle synthesis methods commonly used in laboratories and industries. Nanoparticles exhibit unique chemical and physical properties that are useful in various fields. Among metallic nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles have become a research hotspot due to their wide range of applications. Silver nanoparticles are important because of their exceptional chemical, physical, and biological properties. Because of these unique characteristics, silver nanoparticles have numerous applications and are used as antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial agents. They have an excellent catalytic effect on dye degradation, are very good antioxidants, and can be used to treat various diseases and exhibit wound-healing activities. The current review complies with the database of green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using plant extracts, bacteria, and fungi, which have potential applications in fields of science, health, textiles, food packaging, agriculture, and environment. The review also highlights the application of silver nanoparticles as antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal agents. The knowledge on silver nanoparticle production conditions, properties, molecular mechanisms, and applications will be of great help for researchers to explore more applications of nanoparticles in fields that are still untouched.
Technology, White-Collar Cybercrime, and White-Collar Crime: An Analysis of Utah’s White-Collar Crime Registry Data
Authors: Payne Brian K. , Pitman Lora
Published: September 2022

Few studies have considered the impact of technology on white-collar crime. This study examines the use of technology in white-collar cybercrimes and compares them to other varieties of white-collar crime using a sample of convicted offenders from Utah’s white-collar criminal registry. The results show that white-collar crimes that were not committed through computer technology were more likely to be incidents such as securities fraud while the white-collar cybercrimes were more likely to be committed by younger offenders and target small businesses and business owners. In addition, few of the white-collar cybercrimes involved the more serious types of cybercrimes (data breaches/hacking, etc.) identified by cyber criminologists. Consistent with past research, the level of technical skills needed among white-collar cybercriminals appeared minimal.
Intrapulmonary shunt and alveolar dead space in a cohort of patients with acute COVID-19 pneumonitis and early recovery
Authors: Harbut Piotr , Prisk G. Kim , Lindwall Robert , Hamzei Sarah , Palmgren Jenny , Farrow Catherine E. , Hedenstierna Goran , Amis Terence C. , Malhotra Atul , Wagner Peter D. , Kairaitis Kristina
Published: September 2022

Background

Pathological evidence suggests that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pulmonary infection involves both alveolar damage (causing shunt) and diffuse microvascular thrombus formation (causing alveolar dead space). We propose that measuring respiratory gas exchange enables detection and quantification of these abnormalities. We aimed to measure shunt and alveolar dead space in moderate COVID-19 during acute illness and recovery.

Methods

We studied 30 patients (22 males; mean±sdage 49.9±13.5 years) 3–15 days from symptom onset and again during recovery, 55±10 days later (n=17). Arterial blood (breathing ambient air) was collected while exhaled oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations were measured, yielding alveolar–arterial differences for each gas (PA−aO2andPa−ACO2, respectively) from which shunt and alveolar dead space were computed.

Results

For acute COVID-19 patients, group mean (range) forPA−aO2was 41.4 (−3.5–69.3) mmHg and forPa−ACO2was 6.0 (−2.3–13.4) mmHg. Both shunt (% cardiac output) at 10.4% (0–22.0%) and alveolar dead space (% tidal volume) at 14.9% (0–32.3%) were elevated (normal: <5% and <10%, respectively), but not correlated (p=0.27). At recovery, shunt was 2.4% (0–6.1%) and alveolar dead space was 8.5% (0–22.4%) (both p<0.05versusacute). Shunt was marginally elevated for two patients; however, five patients (30%) had elevated alveolar dead space.

Conclusions

We speculate impaired pulmonary gas exchange in early COVID-19 pneumonitis arises from two concurrent, independent and variable processes (alveolar filling and pulmonary vascular obstruction). For most patients these resolve within weeks; however, high alveolar dead space in ∼30% of recovered patients suggests persistent pulmonary vascular pathology.
Long-term follow-up after bronchoscopic lung volume reduction valve treatment for emphysema
Authors: Hartman Jorine E. , Klooster Karin , Koster T. David , ten Hacken Nick H.T. , van Dijk Marlies , Slebos Dirk-Jan
Published: September 2022

Background

Multiple studies have shown that patients with severe emphysema can significantly benefit from bronchoscopic lung volume reduction endobronchial valve (EBV) treatment up to 1 year after treatment. However, hardly any data exist on longer term follow-up, especially on quality of life. Our aim was to investigate long-term follow-up after EBV treatment up to 3 years including quality of life in a real-life routine clinical setting.

Methods

We retrospectively included patients who underwent EBV treatment in our hospital in the Netherlands at least 3 years prior. Patients were invited for annual visits to our hospital, and spirometry, body plethysmography, 6-min walk distance (6MWD) test and St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) were performed during these visits.

Results

At 1-, 2- and 3-year follow-up, data were available from 189, 146 and 112 patients, respectively. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s, residual volume and SGRQ total score significantly improved up to 3 years after treatment compared with baseline, and 6MWD up to 2 years after treatment. In general, the magnitude of improvements gradually decreased over time.

Conclusions

Our results show that patients can benefit at least up to 3 years after EBV treatment. For the first time we found that patients can also benefit in terms of quality of life in the long term, which is an important outcome for this group of patients with end-stage COPD.
Intracellular bacterial communities in patient with recurrent urinary tract infection caused by Staphylococcus spp and Streptococcus agalactiae: a case report and literature review
Authors: Barrios-Villa Edwin , Mendez-Pfeiffer Pablo , Valencia Dora , Caporal-Hernandez Liliana , Ballesteros-Monrreal Manuel G.
Published: September 2022

Background

 Urinary tract infections (UTI) are among the most frequent pathologies worldwide. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is the leading etiological agent; however, depending on the patient's characteristics, the etiology may include some atypical pathogens. Some pathogenic bacteria can internalize in the urothelial and phagocytic cells complicating treatment and timely diagnosis.

Case presentation

We present a clinical case of a married female patient with urological alteration, constant catheterization, and urethral dilation with recurrent UTI for ten years, with five episodes per year and reports of negative urine culture. The microscopic analysis revealed intracellular bacterial communities (IBC) and pyocytes with active bacteria. A protocol was designed for the release of intracellular bacteria in urine samples; without the proposed treatment, the urine culture was negative. However, upon releasing the internalized bacteria, we obtained a polymicrobial urine culture. We isolated and identified Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus simulans, and Streptococcus agalactiae. All microorganisms were sensitive to nitrofurans and sulfas. The patient is under treatment with nitrofurantoin and continuous follow-up by our workgroup.

Conclusions

 It is essential to look for IBC and pyocytes with active bacteria in patients with recurrent UTIs to avoid false-negative urine culture results and provide timely treatment. Polymicrobial culture must be considered depending on the patient and clinical history.
Functional genomics analysis of a phyllospheric Pseudomonas spp with potential for biological control against coffee rust
Authors: de Sousa Leandro Pio , Cipriano Matheus Aparecido Pereira , da Silva Marcio José , Patrício Flávia Rodrigues Alves , Freitas Sueli dos Santos , Carazzolle Marcelo Falsarella , Mondego Jorge Maurício Costa
Published: September 2022

Background

Pseudomonas spp. promotes plant growth and colonizes a wide range of environments. During the annotation of a Coffea arabica ESTs database, we detected a considerable number of contaminant Pseudomonas sequences, specially associated with leaves. The genome of a Pseudomonas isolated from coffee leaves was sequenced to investigate in silico information that could offer insights about bacterial adaptation to coffee phyllosphere. In parallel, several experiments were performed to confirm certain physiological characteristics that could be associated with phyllospheric behavior. Finally, in vivo and in vitro experiments were carried out to verify whether this isolate could serve as a biocontrol agent against coffee rust and how the isolate could act against the infection. 

Results

The isolate showed several genes that are associated with resistance to environmental stresses, such as genes encoding heat/cold shock proteins, antioxidant enzymes, carbon starvation proteins, proteins that control osmotic balance and biofilm formation. There was an increase of exopolysaccharides synthesis in response to osmotic stress, which may protect cells from dessication on phyllosphere. Metabolic pathways for degradation and incorporation into citrate cycle of phenolic compounds present in coffee were found, and experimentally confirmed. In addition, MN1F was found to be highly tolerant to caffeine. The experiments of biocontrol against coffee leaf rust showed that the isolate can control the progress of the disease, most likely through competition for resources.

Conclusion

Genomic analysis and experimental data suggest that there are adaptations of this Pseudomonas to live in association with coffee leaves and to act as a biocontrol agent.
Intracoronary injection of nitroglycerine can prevent unnecessary percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Nasiri-Partovi Amirhossein , Shafiee Akbar , Rahmani Reza
Published: September 2022

Background

Despite the recommendation of the current guidelines, intracoronary administration of nitroglycerine during coronary angiography is often neglected. We investigated the effect of intra-coronary nitroglycerin on the relief of coronary artery stenosis in the candidates for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

We included patients with angina pectoris or myocardial infarction who were candidates for PCI. In the coronary angiography, the culprit vessel involved was evaluated, and bolus nitroglycerin at a dose of 25–200 mcg was injected into the affected coronary artery. A significant change in the percentage of coronary artery stenosis was considered a positive response, and these patients were then compared with patients who did not have a substantial change in the percentage of stenosis at the same time. Univariate analysis and then multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the predictors of response to intracoronary nitroglycerin.

Results

Among 360 patients, 27 (7.5%) responded to nitroglycerine, and 333 (92.5%) were non-responsive. The mean age of patients was 60.2 ± 11.6 years, ranging from 23 to 93 years, and 265 (73.6%) were men. The study groups were not significantly different in the baseline demographic characteristics. The presence of multivessel disease (Odds ratio (OR) = 16.26, 95% confidence interval (CI):2.07–127.6; P = 0.008) and stenosis in the left circumflex artery (OR = 3.62, 95% CI: 1.03–12.70; P = 0.044) were the independent predictors for nonresponse to nitroglycerine, leading to PCI.

Conclusion

In some cases, especially those without multivessel diseases, intracoronary nitroglycerine administration can efficiently relieve coronary stenosis and prevent unnecessary PCI.
Comparison of swept-source OCTA and indocyanine green angiography in central serous chorioretinopathy
Authors: Zeng Qiaozhu , Yao Yuou , Li Siying , Yang Zhi , Qu Jinfeng , Zhao Mingwei
Published: September 2022

Background

To compare swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).

Methods

SS-OCTA and ICGA images of 39 eyes with symptomatic CSC were collected and aligned. Spatial overlap of the annotations of the coarse granulated high reflective area on choriocapillary OCTA and the hyperfluorescence area on mid-phase ICGA was calculated according to the Jaccard index (JI). SS-OCTA findings of fellow eyes and changes in SS-OCTA abnormalities during the follow-up were also analyzed.

Results

Three main types of abnormalities in choriocapillaris SS-OCTA images were found: type A, coarse granulated high reflective area (39 eyes [100%]); type B, roundish dark halo around Type A (32 eyes [82.1%]); and type C, coarse granulated low reflective area (39 eyes [100%]). The mean JI of type A on SS-OCTA and the hyperfluorescence area on ICGA were 0.55 ± 0.15 for grader 1 and 0.49 ± 0.15 for grader 2. The mean area of type A abnormalities on SS-OCTA and hyperfluorescence on ICGA was 3.976 (IQR, 2.139–8.168) and 3.043 (IQR, 1.408–4.909) mm2 (P = 0.199). The areas of type A, B and C abnormalities on SS-OCTA after laser treatment or observation were 3.36mm2 (IQR, 2.399–9.312), 2.9mm2 (IQR, 2.15–3.7), and 0.19mm2 (IQR, 0.08–0.23), respectively, which was smaller than those in the baseline (7.311mm2 (IQR 3.788–11.209), P < 0.001; 4.3mm2 (IQR, 2.8–9.8), P = 0.002;0.33mm2 (IQR, 0.23–0.38), P < 0.001). The change in the type A, B or C area was not significantly different between the two groups (P = 0.679, 0.732, and 0.892).

Conclusion

The coarse granulated high reflective area in SS-OCTA corresponded well with the hyperpermeability area in ICGA. SS-OCTA promotes noninvasive visualization and follow-up quantifications of the choroidal vasculature in CSC patients.
Social stressors and social resources at work and their association with self-reported health complaints among ready-made garment workers in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Dreher Annegret , Yusuf Rita , Ashraf Hasan , Ahmed Syed A. K. Shifat , Strümpell Christian , Loerbroks Adrian
Published: September 2022

Background

Bangladesh is one of the world’s largest garment exporters. Physical working conditions of garment workers are precarious and known to largely affect their health. Research on garment workers’ psychosocial working conditions, however, is scarce. We aimed to quantify psychosocial working conditions of garment workers and possible associations with workers’ health.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 1,118 ready-made garment (RMG) workers in labor colonies in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in February 2021. Descriptive analyses were performed to characterize social stressors (e.g., being bullied at work, poor leadership) and social resources at work (e.g., receiving support at work, vertical trust between management and employees, beneficial leadership) and workers’ health (self-reported overall health and 10 specific health complaints). To examine links of social stressors and social resources with self-reported health outcomes we ran multivariable Poisson regression models yielding prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

We found low to moderate levels of workplace bullying and high levels of poor leadership (i.e., supervisors not caring about workers’ problems). We also found high levels of social support, vertical trust and beneficial leadership (i.e., supervisors taking decisions free of bias). Garment workers frequently suffered from health complaints, first and foremost headache (68.3%), cold (55.3%), and back pain (50.7%). Health outcomes were poorer among workers who reported to be bullied at work versus not bullied (e.g., PR 1.55 [95% CI 1.32–1.92] for poor self-reported health when bullied by colleagues) and health was better among those reporting to feel supported versus unsupported (e.g., PR 0.61 [0.52–0.71] for poor self-reported health when supported by supervisor). Perceived vertical trust between workers and management was weakly associated with better health. Leadership behavior did not display a consistent pattern.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that working conditions of RMG workers are rather good (e.g., characterized by low levels of bullying and high levels of support, vertical trust and beneficial leadership). The majority of workers reported good or very good health, although health complaints were frequently mentioned, first and foremost headache, cold, and back pain. Associations between psychosocial working conditions and health indicate worse working conditions being associated with poorer health.
Is emotional eating associated with behavioral traits and Mediterranean diet in children? A cross-sectional study
Authors: Buja Alessandra , Manfredi Mariagiovanna , Zampieri Chiara , Minnicelli Anil , Bolda Roberta , Brocadello Filippo , Gatti Maura , Baldovin Tatjana , Baldo Vincenzo
Published: September 2022

Background

Stress and negative emotions may impact on appetite, inducing some individuals to eat less and others to eat more. This behavior has been implicated in the onset of bodyweight problems and eating disorders in childhood. The aim of our study is to evaluate factors potentially associated with emotional eating in children.

Methods

The present cross-sectional study derives from a survey conducted in 2021 on 8–9 years old children attending 11 primary schools. A questionnaire was administered that contained multiple-choice items relating to the children and their mothers, and touching on all the factors thought to be associated with emotional eating as behavioral traits or adherence to Mediterranean diet. A multivariable logistic regression was performed to test the association.

Results

Emotional undereating was positively associated with emotional symptoms (OR 1.72; 95% CI 1.11–2.67); emotional overeating was positively associated with both emotional symptoms (OR 2.01; 95% CI 1.29–3.13) and hyperactivity (OR 2.80; 95% CI 1.59–4.92), and inversely associated with peer problems (OR 0.50; 95% CI 0.25–0.99). Emotional undereating was also positively associated with the number of siblings (OR 1.50; 95% CI 1.03–2.18), and inversely associated with a good adherence to the Mediterranean diet (OR 0.25; 95% CI 0.08–0.84).

Conclusions

The study found children’s emotional eating associated with both dietary patterns and behavioral traits (in particular emotional symptoms, hyperactivity and peer problems). It could be useful to improve parents’ awareness so that they can anticipate and pay more attention to this issue. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet should also be reinforced, by means of health promotion interventions at school, for example.
COVID-19 vaccines effectiveness against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 during Delta variant surge: a preliminary assessment from a case-control study in St. Petersburg, Russia
Authors: Barchuk Anton , Bulina Anna , Cherkashin Mikhail , Berezina Natalia , Rakova Tatyana , Kuplevatskaya Darya , Stanevich Oksana , Skougarevskiy Dmitriy , Okhotin Artemiy
Published: September 2022

Background

Studies of mRNA and vector-based vaccines used in different countries report acceptable levels of effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 infection caused by the Delta variants of SARS-CoV-2. No studies estimated vaccine effectiveness (VE) of Gam-COVID-Vac and other vaccines used in Russia against symptomatic infection with Delta variant. In this population-based case-control study, we aimed to estimate the effectiveness of the Russian COVID-19 vaccines against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 during the recent outbreak caused by the Delta VOC in October 2021 in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Methods

Cases were symptomatic patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 (using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test) referred to low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) triage in two outpatient centres between October 6 and 14, 2021 during the Delta variant outbreak. We recruited the controls during the representative survey of the seroprevalence study conducted during the same period in St. Petersburg using random digit dialling. In the primary analysis, we used logistic regression models to estimate the adjusted (age, sex, and history of confirmed COVID-19) VE against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 resulted in a referral to triage centre for three vaccines used in Russia: Gam-COVID-Vac, EpiVacCorona, and CoviVac.

Results

We included 1,254 cases and 2,747 controls recruited between the 6th and 14th of October in the final analysis. VE was 56% (95% CI: 48 to 63) for Gam-COVID-Vac (Sputnik V), 49% (95% CI: 29 to 63) for 1-dose Gam-COVID-Vac (Sputnik V) or Sputnik Light, -58% (95% CI: -225 to 23) for EpiVacCorona and 40% (95% CI: 3 to 63) for CoviVac. Without adjustment for the history of confirmed COVID-19 VE for all vaccines was lower, except for one-dose Gam-COVID-Vac (Sputnik Light). The adjusted VE was slightly lower in women — 51% (95% CI: 39 to 60) than men — 65% (95% CI: 5 to 73).

Conclusions

Our preliminary results show that in contrast to other Russian vaccines, Gam-COVID-Vac is effective against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection caused by Delta VOC. Effectiveness is likely higher than the estimated 56% due to bias arising from high prevalence of the past COVID-19 in St. Petersburg.
Self-management behavior, associated factors and its relationship with social support and health literacy in patients with obstructive sleep apnea–hypopnea syndrome
Authors: Yu Haitao , Gao Ye , Tong Tong , Liang Chunguang , Zhang Hui , Yan Xiangru , Wang Liying , Zhang Huiying , Dai Hongliang , Tong Huijuan
Published: September 2022

Background

The proportion of patients with obstructive sleep apnea–hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is increasing year by year in China, which has become a major public health problem. Self-management of OSAHS and multiple support from caregivers are key to low hospital admissions and high quality of life for patients with OSAHS. Social support and health literacy are the main promoters of self-management behavior. However, their contributions have not been adequately studied. The purpose of this study is to investigate the level of self-management among patients with OSAHS and its relationship with general demographics, social support, and health literacy.

Methods

A total of 280 patients with OSAHS treated in two Classiii Grade A hospitals in Jinzhou City, Liaoning Province from October 2020 to July 2021 were selected as the study subjects. Patients were investigated by General Characteristics Questionnaire, Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), Health Literacy Scale for Chronic Patients (HLSCP), and OSAHS Self-management Behavior Questionnaire, and the influencing factors of self-management of patients with OSAHS were analyzed.

Results

The average score of OSAHS self-management was 74.49(SD = 8.06), SSRS and HLSCP scores were positively correlated with total scores of self-management behavior. Furthermore, we found that disease duration, SSRS, and HLSCP scores were the main predictors of self-management behavior (R2 = 0.390, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

This study found that OSAHS patients with a longer duration of disease and higher SSRS or HLSCP scores also had higher levels of self-management. The factors discussed in this study may be helpful in developing individualized interventions in self-management for patients with OSAHS.
Gene mutations in sporadic lymphangioleiomyomatosis and genotype–phenotype correlation analysis
Authors: Huang Jiannan , Xu Wenshuai , Liu Peng , Liu Yaping , Shen Cheng , Liu Song , Wang Yani , Wang Jun , Zhang Tengyue , He Yudi , Cheng Chongsheng , Yang Luning , Zhang Weihong , Tian Xinlun , Xu Kai-Feng
Published: September 2022

Background

Sporadic lymphangioleiomyomatosis (S-LAM) is a rare neoplasm with heterogeneous clinical features that is conventionally considered to be related to TSC2. This study serves to elucidate the mutation landscape and potential correlation between S-LAM genomic profiles and clinical phenotypes.

Methods

Genomic profiles of 22 S-LAM patients were obtained by sequencing genomic DNA and cell-free DNA from various specimens using an NGS (next-generation sequencing)-based tumor-driver gene panel. Detected mutations were summarized. Symptoms, serum vascular endothelial growth factor D (VEGF-D) values, pulmonary function, and six-minute walk distance (6MWD) were compared among groups with different TSC2 status and genotypes to analyze genotype–phenotype correlations.

Results

67 Variants in 43 genes were detected, with a TSC2 mutation detection rate of 68.2%. The TSC2 detection rate was similar in specimens obtained either through transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) or surgical lung biopsy (70.0% vs. 69.2%, p > 0.05). A novel mutation in VEZF1 (c.A659G) was detected in four participants and may represent a mild disease state. TSC2 mutation was significantly related to a shorter 6MWD (p < 0.05), and a higher percentage of VEGF-D over 800 pg/mL (p < 0.05); stop-gain mutation was significantly related to a higher prevalence of pneumothorax.

Conclusions

Tumor-driver mutations in genes other than TSC2 may have a role in S-LAM, and TBLB specimens are practical alternatives for genomic analysis. TSC2 mutation detectability and types are related to the disease severity and phenotypes of S-LAM.
Comparison of surgical outcomes among open, laparoscopic, and robotic pancreatoduodenectomy: a single-center retrospective study
Authors: Guo Wei , Ye Xiaofei , Li Jiangfa , Lu Shiliu , Wang Ming , Wang Zefeng , Yao Jianni , Yu Shuiping , Yuan Guandou , He Songqing
Published: September 2022

Background

There is no general consensus on the feasibility and safety of robotic pancreatoduodenectomy (RPD) and whether it increases surgical risks. The purpose of this study was to assess the safety, feasibility, and rationality of RPD by comparing perioperative data among open pancreatoduodenectomy (OPD), laparoscopic pancreatoduodenectomy (LPD), and RPD performed in our center in recent years.

Methods

Clinical data of patients had undergone RPD (n = 32), LPD (n = 21), and OPD (n = 86) in The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University between January 2016 and June 2020 were retrospectively collected and analyzed.

Results

RPD required more time for operation (537.2 min vs. 441.5 min, p < 0.001) than OPD did, but less time to remove abdominal drainage tube (12.5 d vs. 17.3 d, p = 0.001). The differences between the RPD group and LPD group were interesting, as the two groups had similar operation time (537.2 min vs. 592.9 min, p = 1.000) and blood loss (482.8 ml vs. 559.5 ml, p > 0.05), but the RPD group had a higher activity of daily living score on postoperative day 3 (35.8 vs. 25.7, p = 0.0017) and a lower rate of conversion to OPD (6.5% vs. 38.1%, p = 0.011). Regarding complications, such as the postoperative pancreatic fistula, abdominal hemorrhage, intra-abdominal infection, bile leakage, reoperation, and perioperative mortality, there were no significant differences among the three groups.

Conclusions

Not only is RPD feasible and reliable, it also offers significant advantages in that it improves postoperative recovery of skills needed for everyday life, has a low conversion rate to open surgery, and does not increase surgical risks.
SPIKE: secure and private investigation of the kidney exchange problem
Authors: Birka Timm , Hamacher Kay , Kussel Tobias , Möllering Helen , Schneider Thomas
Published: September 2022

Background

The kidney exchange problem (KEP) addresses the matching of patients in need for a replacement organ with compatible living donors. Ideally many medical institutions should participate in a matching program to increase the chance for successful matches. However, to fulfill legal requirements current systems use complicated policy-based data protection mechanisms that effectively exclude smaller medical facilities to participate. Employing secure multi-party computation (MPC) techniques provides a technical way to satisfy data protection requirements for highly sensitive personal health information while simultaneously reducing the regulatory burdens.

Results

We have designed, implemented, and benchmarked SPIKE, a secure MPC-based privacy-preserving KEP protocol which computes a locally optimal solution by finding matching donor–recipient pairs in a graph structure. SPIKE matches 40 pairs in cycles of length 2 in less than 4 min and outperforms the previous state-of-the-art protocol by a factor of $$400\times$$

400
×

in runtime while providing medically more robust solutions.

Conclusions

We show how to solve the KEP in a robust and privacy-preserving manner achieving significantly more practical performance than the current state-of-the-art (Breuer et al., WPES’20 and CODASPY’22). The usage of MPC techniques fulfills many data protection requirements on a technical level, allowing smaller health care providers to directly participate in a kidney exchange with reduced legal processes. As sensitive data are not leaving the institutions’ network boundaries, the patient data underlie a higher level of protection than in the currently employed (centralized) systems. Furthermore, due to reduced legal barriers, the proposed decentralized system might be simpler to implement in a transnational, intereuropean setting with mixed (national) data protecion laws.
Concordance of three point of care testing devices with clinical chemistry laboratory standard assays and patient-reported outcomes of blood sampling methods
Authors: Yonel Z. , Kuningas K. , Sharma P. , Dutton M. , Jalal Z. , Cockwell P. , Webber J. , Narendran P. , Dietrich T. , Chapple I. L. C.
Published: September 2022

Background

Point of care testing (POCT) devices have been developed to facilitate immediate results with the potential to aid screening for new disease and enable patients to self-monitor their disease. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the major cause of mortality globally and are increasing in prevalence as the population ages. Allied health care professionals (AHPs) are skilled in undertaking risk assessment and delivering preventative advice, providing opportunities to access large proportions of the population who may not visit their doctor, within non-traditional community settings. There is evidence of high levels of support from public, patients and health professionals for engaging AHPs in risk-targeted early case detection of certain NCDs. Thus, POCT devices offer a potential alternative to traditional venous blood collection, as novel care pathways for increasing early case detection and access to preventative care. The objectives of this study were to: (i) determine the concordance of the specific POCT devices with laboratory-based standard assays employed within clinical biochemistry laboratories. (ii) compare the sampling experience of both methods via patient-reported experiences.

Methods

A prospective, two-centre study was undertaken involving 158 participants who provided informed consent. Venous blood was collected for traditional assays of HbA1c, creatinine/ estimated Glomerular-Filtration-Rate (eGFR) and vitamin-D. Capillary blood was collected by finger prick test and also assayed for the same biochemical indices (Nova StatSensor (creatinine/eGFR); Siemens DCA-Vantage (HbA1C); CityAssays (vitamin-D)). All users were provided with device training. Participants reported any discomfort experienced by each simultaneously applied method (randomised in order) via a 100 mm Visual-Analogue-Scale.

Results

Results for each POCT device and the laboratory standard were analysed by Bland-Altman plots to determine assay concordance. POCT devices demonstrated good concordance with laboratory testing, with at least 95% of all samples being within two standard deviations, for each of the devices tested. The majority of participants reported less discomfort with POCT than venepuncture, with the average reported discomfort being 17/100 mm less for POCT compared to venous blood sample collection on the visual analogue scale.

Conclusions

The POCT devices demonstrated acceptable concordance with laboratory-based assays, and patients reported lower levels of discomfort compared to traditional means of blood collection. This study demonstrates the potential of using these devices as acceptable methods for opportunistic testing of “at-risk” individuals within non-traditional community care settings.
Comprehensive analysis reveals the potential value of inflammatory response genes in the prognosis, immunity, and drug sensitivity of lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Song Congkuan , Pan Shize , Li Donghang , Hao Bo , Lu Zilong , Lai Kai , Li Ning , Geng Qing
Published: September 2022

Background

Although the relationship between inflammatory response and tumor has been gradually recognized, the potential implications of of inflammatory response genes in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains poorly investigated.

Methods

RNA sequencing and clinical data were obtained from multiple independent datasets (GSE29013, GSE30219, GSE31210, GSE37745, GSE42127, GSE50081, GSE68465, GSE72094, TCGA and GTEx). Unsupervised clustering analysis was used to identify different tumor subtypes, and LASSO and Cox regression analysis were applied to construct a novel scoring tool. We employed multiple algorithms (ssGSEA, CIBERSORT, MCP counter, and ESTIMATE) to better characterize the LUAD tumor microenvironment (TME) and immune landscapes. GSVA and Metascape analysis were performed to investigate the biological processes and pathway activity. Furthermore, ‘pRRophetic’ R package was used to evaluate the half inhibitory concentration (IC50) of each sample to infer drug sensitivity.

Results

We identified three distinct tumor subtypes, which were related to different clinical outcomes, biological pathways, and immune characteristics. A scoring tool called inflammatory response gene score (IRGS) was established and well validated in multiple independent cohorts, which could well divide patients into two subgroups with significantly different prognosis. High IRGS patients, characterized by increased genomic variants and mutation burden, presented a worse prognosis, and might show a more favorable response to immunotherapy and chemotherapy. Additionally, based on the cross-talk between TNM stage, IRGS and patients clinical outcomes, we redefined the LUAD stage, which was called ‘IRGS-Stage’. The novel staging system could distinguish patients with different prognosis, with better predictive ability than the conventional TNM staging.

Conclusions

Inflammatory response genes present important potential value in the prognosis, immunity and drug sensitivity of LUAD. The proposed IRGS and IRGS-Stage may be promising biomarkers for estimating clinical outcomes in LUAD patients.
Food groups and nutrients consumption and risk of endometriosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies
Authors: Arab Arman , Karimi Elham , Vingrys Kristina , Kelishadi Mahnaz Rezaei , Mehrabani Sanaz , Askari Gholamreza
Published: September 2022

Dietary factors may play a role in the etiology of endometriosis and dietary intake of some food groups and nutrients could be associated with endometriosis risk. This systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies was conducted to summarize the findings on the association between dietary intakes of selected food groups and nutrients (dairy, fats, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and animal-derived protein sources), and the risk of endometriosis among adult women. PubMed, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science were systematically searched up to September 2022. The inverse variance-weighted fixed-effect method was used to estimate the effect size and corresponding 95% CI. A total of 8 publications (4 studies) including 5 cohorts and 3 case-control with a sample size ranging from 156 to 116,607 were included in this study. A higher intake of total dairy [all low-fat and high-fat dairy foods] was associated with decreased risk of endometriosis (RR 0.90; 95% CI, 0.85 to 0.95; P < 0.001; I2 = 37.0%), but these associations were not observed with intakes of low or high-fat dairy, cheese or milk. Increased risk of endometriosis was associated with higher consumption of red meat (RR 1.17; 95% CI, 1.08 to 1.26; P < 0.001; I2 = 82.4%), trans fatty acids (TFA) (RR 1.12; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.23; P = 0.019; I2 = 73.0%), and saturated fatty acids (SFA) (RR 1.06; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.09; P < 0.001; I2 = 57.3%). The results of this meta-analysis suggest that there may be differing associations between dietary intake of dairy foods, red meat, SFAs, and TFAs and the risk of endometriosis. It may be useful to extend the analysis to other types of food groups and dietary patterns to obtain a complete picture. Additionally, further investigations are needed to clarify the role of diet in the incidence and progression of endometriosis.

Trial registration: PROSPERO, CRD42020203939.
How should implementation of the human right to health be assessed? A scoping review of the public health literature from 2000 to 2021
Authors: Montel Lisa , Ssenyonga Naomi , Coleman Michel P. , Allemani Claudia
Published: September 2022

The human right to health is a critical legal tool to achieve health justice, and universal health coverage is included among the Sustainable Development Goals. However, the content and meaning of the right to health may not be used adequately in public health research. We conducted a scoping review of the literature to discover the extent to which the legal principles underlying the right to health are used in public health. We mapped the various attempts to assess implementation of this right since its legal content was clarified in 2000.

The first studies emerged in 2006, with an increase and a wider variety of investigations since 2015. We observe that some key principles do form the basis of right-to-health assessments, but some concepts remain unfamiliar. Critically, public health academics may have limited access to human rights research on health, which creates a gap in knowledge between the two disciplines.
Myocardial effects of angiotensin II compared to norepinephrine in an animal model of septic shock
Authors: Garcia Bruno , Su Fuhong , Dewachter Laurence , Favory Raphaël , Khaldi Amina , Moiroux-Sahraoui Alexander , Annoni Filippo , Vasques-Nóvoa Francisco , Rocha-Oliveira Estela , Roncon-Albuquerque Roberto , Hubesch Geraldine , Njimi Hassane , Vincent Jean-Louis , Taccone Fabio S. , Creteur Jacques , Herpain Antoine
Published: September 2022

Background

Angiotensin II is one of the vasopressors available for use in septic shock. However, its effects on the septic myocardium remain unclear. The aim of the study was to compare the effects of angiotensin II and norepinephrine on cardiac function and myocardial oxygen consumption, inflammation and injury in experimental septic shock.

Methods

This randomized, open-label, controlled study was performed in 20 anesthetized and mechanically ventilated pigs. Septic shock was induced by fecal peritonitis in 16 animals, and four pigs served as shams. Resuscitation with fluids, antimicrobial therapy and abdominal drainage was initiated one hour after the onset of septic shock. Septic pigs were randomly allocated to receive one of the two drugs to maintain mean arterial pressure between 65 and 75 mmHg for 8 h.

Results

There were no differences in MAP, cardiac output, heart rate, fluid balance or tissue perfusion indices in the two treatment groups but myocardial oxygen consumption was greater in the norepinephrine-treated animals. Myocardial mRNA expression of interleukin-6, interleukin-6 receptor, interleukin-1 alpha, and interleukin-1 beta was higher in the norepinephrine than in the angiotensin II group.

Conclusions

In septic shock, angiotensin II administration is associated with a similar level of cardiovascular resuscitation and less myocardial oxygen consumption, and inflammation compared to norepinephrine.
Sensitive and selective determination of vitamin B2 in non-alcoholic beverage and milk samples at poly (glutamic acid)/zinc oxide nanoparticles modified carbon paste electrode
Authors: Tesfaye Gizaw , Negash Negussie , Tessema Merid
Published: September 2022

Background

The deficiency of vitamin B2 can lead to many health problems. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a sensitive, selective and fast method for the determination of vitamin B2 in food samples. In this work, a sensitive, selective and low-cost electrochemical sensor was developed using poly (glutamic acid) and Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) for vitamin B2 in non-alcoholic beverage and milk samples.

Methods

The modification of the electrode surface was carried out by electropolymerization of glutamic acid on ZnO NPs–carbon paste electrode (ZnO NPS–CPE). The prepared electrodes were characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-Ray diffraction (XRD). CV and square wave voltammetry (SWV) were used to investigate the electrochemical behavior of vitamin B2 at the modified electrode. The effect of various parameters such as amount of ZnO NPs, polymerization cycle, concentration of the monomer, pH, scan rate and accumulation time were optimized to obtain maximum sensitivity at the modified electrode.

Results

The developed sensor showed high electrocatalytic activity towards vitamin B2. Under the optimized conditions, the developed sensor showed a linear response in the range 0.005–10 µM with a low detection limit of (LOD) 0.0007 ± 0.00001 µM and high sensitivity of 21.53 µA/µM.

Conclusions

A reproducible, repeatable, stable and selective sensor was successfully applied for the quantification of vitamin B2 in beverage and milk samples with acceptable recoveries in the range of 88–101%.
The MIDWIZE conceptual framework: a midwife-led care model that fits the Swedish health care system might after contextualization, fit others
Authors: Lindgren Helena , Erlandsson Kerstin
Published: September 2022

Objective

Familiarity with the unique tradition and experience of Swedish midwives during the more than 300 years in which midwife-led care has contributed to one of the lowest maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity ratio in the world might encourage professionals in other countries to follow the Swedish example. The framework described below, reflecting the midwife’s role in the Swedish health care system, might, after implementation, strengthen maternal and neonatal outcomes if contextualized to other settings.

Results

Using a four-step procedure we identified our topic, made a literature review, identified the key components and their internal relationship, and finally developed the MIDWIZE conceptual framework. In this framework, the midwives in collaboration with obstetricians, provide evidence-based care with continuous quality improvements during the whole reproductive life cycle. Teamwork including specialists for referral and a responsive, relational, trust-based practice is the foundation for provision of midwife-led care for healthy women with a normal pregnancy. The well-educated midwife, of high academic standard, promoting gender equality and equity is the hub in the team and the primary care provider.
Characteristics of very late-onset schizophrenia-like psychosis as prodromal dementia with Lewy bodies: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Kanemoto Hideki , Satake Yuto , Suehiro Takashi , Taomoto Daiki , Koizumi Fuyuki , Sato Shunsuke , Wada Tamiki , Matsunaga Keiko , Shimosegawa Eku , Hashimoto Mamoru , Yoshiyama Kenji , Ikeda Manabu
Published: September 2022

Background

This study aimed to identify cases of potential prodromal DLB in very late-onset schizophrenia-like psychosis (VLOSLP), using indicative biomarkers of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and to evaluate the characteristics of psychosis as prodromal DLB.

Methods

Data of patients with VLOSLP without dementia and Parkinsonism, who underwent testing for at least one indicative biomarker of DLB, were retrospectively collected from the database of the psychiatry clinic at the Osaka University Hospital. Patients were divided into two groups based on the positive (VLOSLP+LB) and negative (VLOSLP–LB) results of the indicative biomarkers of DLB. Age, gender, cognitive battery scores, prevalence of each type of delusions and hallucinations, cerebral volume, and cerebral perfusion were compared between the two groups.

Results

Eleven VLOSLP+LB and 23 VLOSLP–LB participants were enrolled. There were no significant differences in age, proportion of females, and MMSE scores between the two groups. The standardized score of the digit symbol substitution test was significantly lower in the VLOSLP+LB than in VLOSLP–LB group (6.9 [3.1] vs. 10.0 [2.7], p = 0.005). The prevalence of visual hallucinations was significantly higher in the VLOSLP+LB group than in the VLOSLP-LB group (81.8% vs. 26.1%, p = 0.003). Auditory hallucinations were prevalent in both groups (43.5% in VLOSLP–LB, and 45.5% in VLOSLP+LB). Among patients with auditory hallucinations, auditory hallucinations without coexistent visual hallucinations tended to be more prevalent in VLOSLP–LB (7 out of 10) than in VLOSLP+LB patients (1 out of 5). Although cerebral volume was not different in any region, cerebral perfusion in the posterior region, including the occipital lobe, was significantly lower in the VLOSLP+LB group.

Conclusions

Psychomotor slowing, visual hallucinations, and reduced perfusion in the occipital lobe may be suggestive of prodromal DLB in VLOSLP patients, even though the clinical manifestations were similar in many respects between VLOSLP+LB and VLOSLP–LB. Although auditory hallucinations were prevalent in both groups, most patients in VLOSLP+LB complained of auditory hallucinations along with visual hallucinations. Future studies with a larger number of patients without selection bias are desirable.