bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring criminal justice policy transfer models and mobilities using a case study of violence reduction
Authors: Graham William , Robertson Annette
Published: February 2021

Although there is growing interest in criminal justice policy transfer, a dearth of empirical research in this area has been acknowledged. This article addresses this gap by presenting the results of research conducted on a case of policy transfer of a criminal justice programme, focused on group/gang violence reduction, from America to Scotland. Policy transfer models were used to develop, frame and conduct the analysis of what was considered a ‘successful’ programme transfer; however, it was found that no single model could fully account conceptually for a key finding of the research, namely a policy transfer ‘backflow’. This article details the key processes, mechanisms and outcomes of the policy transfer and in doing so reflects on the usefulness of orthodox and non-orthodox/social-constructionist policy transfer approaches in understanding the outcomes of this case of criminal justice programme transfer.
Current and novel BTK inhibitors in Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia
Authors: Ntanasis-Stathopoulos Ioannis , Gavriatopoulou Maria , Fotiou Despina , Dimopoulos Meletios A.
Published: February 2021

The current therapeutic approach in Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM) is being driven by insights in disease biology and genomic landscape. Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) plays a key role in signaling pathways for the survival of WM clone. BTK inhibition has changed the treatment landscape of the disease. Ibrutinib has resulted in deep and durable responses both as an upfront and salvage treatment with a manageable toxicity profile. However, the need for fewer off-target effects and deeper responses has resulted in the clinical development of second-generation BTK inhibitors. Zanubrutinib has resulted in clinically meaningful antitumor activity, including deep and durable responses, with a low discontinuation rate due to treatment-related toxicities. Cardiovascular adverse events seem to be milder compared with ibrutinib. Interestingly, the efficacy of zanubrutinib in WM is significant both for MYD88L265P and MYD88WT patients. Although the randomized, phase III ASPEN clinical trial did not meet its primary endpoint in terms of showing a superiority of zanubrutinib in deep responses compared with ibrutinib, secondary efficacy and safety endpoints underscore the potential clinical role of zanubrutinib in the treatment algorithm of WM independent of the MYD88 mutational status. Combination regimens and non-covalent BTK inhibitors are emerging as promising treatment strategies. Long-term data will determine whether next-generation BTK inhibitors are more potent and safer compared with ibrutinib, and whether they are able to overcome resistance to ibrutinib, either alone or in combination with inhibitors of other interrelated molecular pathways.
Descending paralysis as an atypical presentation of Guillain–Barré Syndrome
Authors: Mustafa Ala , Adio Babajide , Yarahmadi Alireza
Published: February 2021

We herein report a case of a 55-year-old man with an unusual case of Guillain–Barré Syndrome. Its presentation is usually a progression of symmetric muscle weakness that is ascending from the lower extremities making its way more proximal and accompanied by absent or depressed tendon reflexes. Here, the patient exhibited a rare presentation of Guillain–Barré syndrome, where the weakness was ascending upper extremity and descending lower extremity paralysis. The objective of this clinical case report is to highlight this extremely rare descending paralysis presentation of Guillain–Barré Syndrome.
Improvements in Math Instruction and Student Achievement Through Professional Learning Around the Common Core State Standards in Chicago
Authors: Allensworth Elaine , Cashdollar Sarah , Gwynne Julia
Published: February 2021

Existing literature on the impact of Common Core State Standards in Math has shown little benefit, but it has not examined variation in outcomes based on implementation strategies, student subgroups, or outcomes other than test scores. We use a difference-in-differences approach with school fixed effects to compare outcomes in pre- and poststandards years across schools with different levels of participation in professional learning around the standards in the middle grades in Chicago. Postimplementation, there were significantly greater improvements in student reports of standards-aligned instructional practices, math grades, pass rates, and test scores in schools with more extensive professional learning around the standards, among students with low and average initial achievement. Relationships were largely not significant for students with high initial achievement. We discuss why Chicago might have seen positive results, including the district emphasis on professional learning around the practice standards and differential impacts based on student prior achievement.
Pediatrician’s Beliefs and Practices Around Rapid Infant Weight Gain: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Pesch Megan H. , Levitt Kimberley J. , Danziger Phoebe , Orringer Kelly
Published: February 2021

Rapid infant weight gain is a risk factor for later obesity. The objective of this study was to examine primary care pediatricians’ beliefs and practices around rapid infant weight gain. Primary care pediatricians (N = 16) participated in a semi-structured interview about infant growth. Interviews were transcribed, analyzed for themes using the grounded theory and the constant comparative method then reliably coded for the presence of each theme. Three themes were identified, pediatricians (1) are uncertain about the concept, definition, and implications of excessive or rapid infant weight gain (N = 16, 100%), (2) are more comfortable with management of inadequate versus excessive or rapid weight gain (N = 10, 62.5%), and (3) perceive the primary cause of excessive or rapid infant weight gain to be overfeeding (N = 10, 62.5%). In conclusion, pediatricians are uncertain about the concept, definition, management, and long-term risks of rapid infant weight gain. Interventions to increase awareness and pediatrician sense of competence in management of rapid infant weight gain are needed.
Emphasising spatial structure in geosocial media data using spatial amplifier filtering
Authors: Westerholt René
Published: February 2021

In this article, a new method called spatial amplifier filtering is proposed. The presented method is related to Moran eigenvector filtering and allows the accentuation of spatial structures in heterogeneous data sets. The spatial amplifier filtering technique is based on the inclusion of certain eigenvectors of a spatial weights matrix into a regression model. The application of this method can be seen as a pre-processing step prior to subsequent analyses, and to separate different types of spatially correlated components in a data set. For this purpose, three different types of the so-called spatial amplifiers are proposed, each consisting of different subsets of eigenvectors of the weights matrix. These amplifiers can either emphasise the positive or negative spatial autocorrelation, or spatial structuring in general. In this way, it is possible to make desired spatial structures more visible, especially in spatially highly mixed data sets, whereby the focus here is on geosocial media data. In the empirical part of the article, it is first shown why georeferenced social media data are difficult to handle from a spatial analysis perspective, motivating the need for the method proposed. Subsequently, the technique of amplifier filtering is applied to two data sets: a census data set from Brazil and Twitter data from London. The results obtained show that the method is capable of strengthening existing spatial structures and mitigating potentially disturbing spatial randomness patterns and other nuisances. This facilitates the interpretation especially of the Twitter data used. While the analysis of the unfiltered Twitter data with established methods reveals little information about possible spatial structures in the tweets, the filtered data offer a much clearer picture with distinguishable clusters. In addition, the method also provides insights into the internal irregularity of spatial clusters and thus complements the toolbox for investigating spatial heterogeneity.
Assessing the usability of complex psychosocial interventions: The Intervention Usability Scale
Authors: Lyon Aaron R , Pullmann Michael D , Jacobson Jedediah , Osterhage Katie , Al Achkar Morhaf , Renn Brenna N , Munson Sean A , Areán Patricia A
Published: February 2021

Background:

Usability—the extent to which an intervention can be used by specified users to achieve specified goals with effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction—may be a key determinant of implementation success. However, few instruments have been developed to measure the design quality of complex health interventions (i.e., those with several interacting components). This study evaluated the structural validity of the Intervention Usability Scale (IUS), an adapted version of the well-established System Usability Scale (SUS) for digital technologies, to measure the usability of a leading complex psychosocial intervention, Motivational Interviewing (MI), for behavioral health service delivery in primary care. Prior SUS studies have found both one- and two-factor solutions, both of which were examined in this study of the IUS.

Method:

A survey administered to 136 medical professionals from 11 primary-care sites collected demographic information and IUS ratings for MI, the evidence-based psychosocial intervention that primary-care providers reported using most often for behavioral health service delivery. Factor analyses replicated procedures used in prior research on the SUS.

Results:

Analyses indicated that a two-factor solution (with “usable” and “learnable” subscales) best fit the data, accounting for 54.1% of the variance. Inter-item reliabilities for the total score, usable subscale, and learnable subscale were α = .83, α = .84, and α = .67, respectively.

Conclusion:

This study provides evidence for a two-factor IUS structure consistent with some prior research, as well as acceptable reliability. Implications for implementation research evaluating the usability of complex health interventions are discussed, including the potential for future comparisons across multiple interventions and provider types, as well as the use of the IUS to evaluate the relationship between usability and implementation outcomes such as feasibility.

Plain language abstract:

The ease with which evidence-based psychosocial interventions (EBPIs) can be readily adopted and used by service providers is a key predictor of implementation success, but very little implementation research has attended to intervention usability. No quantitative instruments exist to evaluate the usability of complex health interventions, such as the EBPIs that are commonly used to integrate mental and behavioral health services into primary care. This article describes the evaluation of the first quantitative instrument for assessing the usability of complex health interventions and found that its factor structure replicated some research with the original version of the instrument, a scale developed to assess the usability of digital systems.
Implementing the performance-based seismic design for new reinforced concrete structures: Comparison among ASCE/SEI 41, TBI, and LATBSDC
Authors: Sattar Siamak , Hulsey Anne , Hagen Garrett , Naeim Farzad , McCabe Steven
Published: February 2021

Performance-based seismic design (PBSD) has been recognized as a framework for designing new buildings in the United States in recent years. Various guidelines and standards have been developed to codify and document the implementation of PBSD, including “ Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit of Existing Buildings” (ASCE 41-17), the Tall Buildings Initiative’s Guidelines for Performance-Based Seismic Design of Tall Buildings (TBI Guidelines), and the Los Angeles Tall Buildings Structural Design Council’s An Alternative Procedure for Seismic Analysis and Design of Tall Buildings Located in the Los Angeles Region (LATBSDC Procedure). The main goal of these documents is to regularize the implementation of PBSD for practicing engineers. These documents were developed independently with experts from varying backgrounds and organizations and consequently have differences in several degrees from basic intent to the details of the implementation. As the main objective of PBSD is to ensure a specified building performance, these documents would be expected to provide similar recommendations for achieving a given performance objective for new buildings. This article provides a detailed comparison among each document’s implementation of PBSD for reinforced concrete buildings, with the goal of highlighting the differences among these documents and identifying provisions in which the designed building may achieve varied performance depending on the chosen standard/guideline. This comparison can help committees developing these documents to be aware of their differences, investigate the sources of their divergence, and bring these documents closer to common ground in future cycles.
Identification of MALT1 feedback mechanisms enables rational design of potent antilymphoma regimens for ABC-DLBCL
Authors: Fontan Lorena , Goldstein Rebecca , Casalena Gabriella , Durant Matthew , Teater Matthew R. , Wilson Jimmy , Phillip Jude , Xia Min , Shah Shivem , Us Ilkay , Shinglot Himaly , Singh Ankur , Inghirami Giorgio , Melnick Ari
Published: February 2021

MALT1 inhibitors are promising therapeutic agents for B-cell lymphomas that are dependent on constitutive or aberrant signaling pathways. However, a potential limitation for signal transduction–targeted therapies is the occurrence of feedback mechanisms that enable escape from the full impact of such drugs. Here, we used a functional genomics screen in activated B-cell–like (ABC) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cells treated with a small molecule irreversible inhibitor of MALT1 to identify genes that might confer resistance or enhance the activity of MALT1 inhibition (MALT1i). We find that loss of B-cell receptor (BCR)- and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-activating proteins enhanced sensitivity, whereas loss of negative regulators of these pathways (eg, TRAF2, TNFAIP3) promoted resistance. These findings were validated by knockdown of individual genes and a combinatorial drug screen focused on BCR and PI3K pathway–targeting drugs. Among these, the most potent combinatorial effect was observed with PI3Kδ inhibitors against ABC-DLBCLs in vitro and in vivo, but that led to an adaptive increase in phosphorylated S6 and eventual disease progression. Along these lines, MALT1i promoted increased MTORC1 activity and phosphorylation of S6K1-T389 and S6-S235/6, an effect that was only partially blocked by PI3Kδ inhibition in vitro and in vivo. In contrast, simultaneous inhibition of MALT1 and MTORC1 prevented S6 phosphorylation, yielded potent activity against DLBCL cell lines and primary patient specimens, and resulted in more profound tumor regression and significantly improved survival of ABC-DLBCLs in vivo compared with PI3K inhibitors. These findings provide a basis for maximal therapeutic impact of MALT1 inhibitors in the clinic, by disrupting feedback mechanisms that might otherwise limit their efficacy.
RUNX-1 haploinsufficiency causes a marked deficiency of megakaryocyte-biased hematopoietic progenitor cells
Authors: Estevez Brian , Borst Sara , Jarocha Danuta , Sudunagunta Varun , Gonzalez Michael , Garifallou James , Hakonarson Hakon , Gao Peng , Tan Kai , Liu Paul , Bagga Sumedha , Holdreith Nicholas , Tong Wei , Speck Nancy , French Deborah L. , Gadue Paul , Poncz Mortimer
Published: February 2021

Patients with familial platelet disorder with a predisposition to myeloid malignancy (FPDMM) harbor germline monoallelic mutations in a key hematopoietic transcription factor, RUNX-1. Previous studies of FPDMM have focused on megakaryocyte (Mk) differentiation and platelet production and signaling. However, the effects of RUNX-1 haploinsufficiency on hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) and subsequent megakaryopoiesis remains incomplete. We studied induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)–derived HPCs (iHPCs) and Mks (iMks) from both patient-derived lines and a wild-type (WT) line modified to be RUNX-1 haploinsufficient (RUNX-1+/−), each compared with their isogenic WT control. All RUNX-1+/− lines showed decreased iMk yield and depletion of an Mk-biased iHPC subpopulation. To investigate global and local gene expression changes underlying this iHPC shift, single-cell RNA sequencing was performed on sorted FPDMM and control iHPCs. We defined several cell subpopulations in the Mk-biased iHPCs. Analyses of gene sets upregulated in FPDMM iHPCs indicated enrichment for response to stress, regulation of signal transduction, and immune signaling-related gene sets. Immunoblot analyses in FPDMM iMks were consistent with these findings, but also identified augmented baseline c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation, known to be activated by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and cellular stressors. These findings were confirmed in adult human CD34+-derived stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) transduced with lentiviral RUNX1 short hairpin RNA to mimic RUNX-1+/−. In both iHPCs and CD34+-derived HSPCs, targeted inhibitors of JNK and TGF-β1 pathways corrected the megakaryopoietic defect. We propose that such intervention may correct the thrombocytopenia in patients with FPDMM.
Earthquakes in Switzerland and surrounding regions during 2017 and 2018
Authors: Diehl Tobias , Clinton John , Cauzzi Carlo , Kraft Toni , Kästli Philipp , Deichmann Nicolas , Massin Frédérick , Grigoli Francesco , Molinari Irene , Bӧse Maren , Hobiger Manuel , Haslinger Florian , Fäh Donat , Wiemer Stefan
Published: February 2021

This report summarizes the seismicity in Switzerland and surrounding regions in the years 2017 and 2018. In 2017 and 2018, the Swiss Seismological Service detected and located 1227 and 955 earthquakes in the region under consideration, respectively. The strongest event in the analysed period was the ML4.6 Urnerboden earthquake, which occurred in the border region of cantons Uri, Glarus and Schwyz on March 6, 2017. The event was the strongest earthquake within Switzerland since the ML5.0 Vaz earthquake of 1991. Associated ground motions indicating intensity IV were reported in a radius up to about 50 km and locally approached intensity VI in the region close to the epicentre. Derived focal mechanisms and relative hypocentre relocations of the immediate aftershocks image a NNW–SSE striking sinistral strike-slip fault. Together with other past events in this region, the Urnerboden earthquake suggests the existence of a system of sub-parallel strike-slip faults, likely within in the uppermost crystalline basement of the eastern Aar Massif. A vigorous earthquake sequence occurred close to Château-d'Oex in the Préalpes-Romandes region in western Switzerland. With a magnitude of ML4.3, the strongest earthquake of the sequence occurred on July 1, 2017. Focal mechanism and relative relocations of fore- and aftershocks image a NNE dipping normal fault in about 4 km depth. Two similarly oriented shallow normal-fault events occurred between subalpine Molasse and Préalpes units close to Châtel-St-Denis and St. Silvester in 2017/18. Together, these events indicate a domain of NE–SW oriented extensional to transtensional deformation along the Alpine Front between Lake Geneva in the west and the Fribourg Fault in the east. The structural complexity of the Fribourg Fault is revealed by an ML2.9 earthquake near Tafers in 2018. The event images a NW–SE striking fault segment within the crystalline basement, which might be related to the Fribourg Fault Zone. Finally, the ML2.8 Grenchen earthquake of 2017 provides a rare example of shallow thrust faulting along the Jura fold-and-thrust belt, indicating contraction in the northwestern Alpine foreland of Switzerland.
Detecting differentially methylated regions using a fast wavelet-based approach to functional association analysis
Authors: Denault William R. P. , Jugessur Astanand
Published: February 2021

Background

We present here a computational shortcut to improve a powerful wavelet-based method by Shim and Stephens (Ann Appl Stat 9(2):665–686, 2015. 10.1214/14-AOAS776) called WaveQTL that was originally designed to identify DNase I hypersensitivity quantitative trait loci (dsQTL).

Results

WaveQTL relies on permutations to evaluate the significance of an association. We applied a recent method by Zhou and Guan (J Am Stat Assoc 113(523):1362–1371, 2017. 10.1080/01621459.2017.1328361) to boost computational speed, which involves calculating the distribution of Bayes factors and estimating the significance of an association by simulations rather than permutations. We called this simulation-based approach “fast functional wavelet” (FFW), and tested it on a publicly available DNA methylation (DNAm) dataset on colorectal cancer. The simulations confirmed a substantial gain in computational speed compared to the permutation-based approach in WaveQTL. Furthermore, we show that FFW controls the type I error satisfactorily and has good power for detecting differentially methylated regions.

Conclusions

Our approach has broad utility and can be applied to detect associations between different types of functions and phenotypes. As more and more DNAm datasets are being made available through public repositories, an attractive application of FFW would be to re-analyze these data and identify associations that might have been missed by previous efforts. The full R package for FFW is freely available at GitHub https://github.com/william-denault/ffw.
Fidelity evaluation of the compared procedures for conducting the PVS-PREDIAPS implementation strategy to optimize diabetes prevention in primary care
Authors:   on behalf of the PREDIAPS Group, Sánchez Alvaro , Rogers Heather L. , Pablo Susana , García Esther , Rodríguez Inmaculada , Flores Mª. Antonia , Galarza Olga , Gaztañaga Ana B. , Martínez Pedro A. , Alberdi Eider , Resines Elena , Llarena Ana I. , Grandes Gonzalo
Published: February 2021

Background

Assessing the fidelity of an implementation strategy is important to understand why and how the strategy influences the uptake of evidence-based interventions. The present study aims to assess the fidelity of the two procedures for engaging primary care (PC) professionals and for the deployment of an implementation strategy for optimizing type 2 diabetes prevention in routine PC within the PREDIAPS randomized cluster implementation trial.

Method

We conducted a mixed-method fidelity evaluation study of the PVS-PREDIAPS implementation strategy. Nine PC centers from the Basque Health Service (Osakidetza) were allocated to two different procedures to engage physicians and nurses and deploy a implementation strategy to model and adapt the clinical intervention and its implementation to their specific contexts: a Global procedure, promoting the cooperation of all healthcare professionals from the beginning; or a Sequential procedure, centered first on nurses who then pursued the pragmatic cooperation of physicians. Process indicators of the delivery and receipt of implementation strategy actions, documented modifications to the planned implementation strategy, and a structured group interview with centers’ leaders were all used to assess the following components of fidelity: adherence, dose, quality of delivery, professionals’ responsiveness and program differentiation.

Results

Generally, the procedures compared for professionals engagement and deployment of the implementation strategy were carried out with the planned differentiation. Nonetheless, some unexpected between-group differences were observed, the initial rate of collaboration of nurses being higher in the Sequential (93%) than in the Global (67%) groups. Exposure rate to the programed implementation actions (% of hours received out of those delivered) were similar in both groups by professional category, with nurses (86%) having a higher rate of exposure than physicians (75%). Professionals identified half of the planned discrete strategies and their rating of strategies’ perceived usefulness was overwhelmingly positive, with few differences between Sequential and Global centers.

Conclusions

The PVS-PREDIAPS implementation strategy has been implemented with high fidelity and minor unplanned reactive modifications. Professionals’ exposure to the implementation strategy was high in both groups. The centers’ organizational context (i.e., work overload) led to small mismatches between groups in participation and exposure of professionals to implementation actions.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT03254979. Registered 16 August 2017.
Evaluation of serum ATX and LPA as potential diagnostic biomarkers in patients with pancreatic cancer
Authors: Chen Jiang , Li Hongyu , Xu Wenda , Guo Xiaozhong
Published: February 2021

Background

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a devastating disease that has a poor prognosis and a total 5-year survival rate of around 5%. The poor prognosis of PC is due in part to a lack of suitable biomarkers that can allow early diagnosis. The lysophospholipase autotaxin (ATX) and its product lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) play an essential role in disease progression in PC patients and are associated with increased morbidity in several types of cancer. In this study, we evaluated both the potential role of serum LPA and ATX as diagnostic markers in PC and their prognostic value for PC either alone or in combination with CA19-9.

Methods

ATX, LPA and CA19-9 levels were evaluated using ELISA of serum obtained from PC patients (n = 114) healthy volunteers (HVs: n = 120) and patients with benign pancreatic diseases (BPDs: n = 94).

Results

Serum levels of ATX, LPA and CA19-9 in PC patients were substantially higher than that for BPD patients or HVs (p < 0.001). The sensitivity of LPA in early phase PC was 91.74% and the specificity of ATX was 80%. The levels of ATX, LPA and CA19-9 were all substantially higher for early stage PC patients compared to levels in serum from BPD patients and HVs. The diagnostic efficacy of CA19-9 for PC was significantly enhanced by the addition of ATX and LPA (p = 0.0012).

Conclusion

Measurement of LPA and ATX levels together with CA19-9 levels can be used for early detection of PC and diagnosis of PC in general.
A prognostic model for stratification of stage IB/IIA esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a retrospective study
Authors: Wu Lei-Lei , Ma Qi-Long , Huang Wei , Liu Xuan , Qiu Li-Hong , Lin Peng , Long Hao , Zhang Lan-Jun , Ma Guo-Wei
Published: February 2021

Background

To explore the postoperative prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients with stage IB/IIA, using a prognostic score (PS).

Methods

Stage IB/IIA ESCC patients who underwent esophagectomy from 1999 to 2010 were included. We retrospectively recruited 153 patients and extracted their medical records. Moreover, we analyzed the programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression of their paraffin tissue. The cohort were randomly divided into a training group (N = 123) and a validation group (N = 30). We selected overall survival (OS) as observed endpoint. Prognostic factors with a multivariable two-sided P < 0.05 met standard of covariate inclusion.

Results

Univariable and multivariable analyses identified pTNM stage, the number of lymph nodes (NLNs) and PD-L1 expression as independent OS predictors. Primary prognostic score which comprised above three covariates adversely related with OS in two cohorts. PS discrimination of OS was comparable between the training and internal validation cohorts (C-index = 0.774 and 0.801, respectively). In addition, the PS system had an advantage over pTNM stage in the identification of high-risk patients (C-index = 0.774 vs. C-index = 0.570, P < 0.001). Based on PS cutoff, training and validation datasets generated low-risk and high-risk groups with different OS. Our three-factor PS predicted OS (low-risk subgroup vs. high-risk subgroup 60-month OS, 74% vs. 23% for training cohort and 83% vs. 45% for validation cohort).

Conclusion

Our study suggested a PS for significant clinical stratification of IB/IIA ESCC to screen out subgroups with poor prognosis.
Evaluation of patients with respiratory infections during the first pandemic wave in Germany: characteristics of COVID-19 versus non-COVID-19 patients
Authors: Fink Nicola , Rueckel Johannes , Kaestle Sophia , Schwarze Vincent , Gresser Eva , Hoppe Boj , Rudolph Jan , Goller Sophia , Kunz Wolfgang G. , Ricke Jens , Sabel Bastian O.
Published: February 2021

Background

Characteristics of COVID-19 patients have mainly been reported within confirmed COVID-19 cohorts. By analyzing patients with respiratory infections in the emergency department during the first pandemic wave, we aim to assess differences in the characteristics of COVID-19 vs. Non-COVID-19 patients. This is particularly important regarding the second COVID-19 wave and the approaching influenza season.

Methods

We prospectively included 219 patients with suspected COVID-19 who received radiological imaging and RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2. Demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters as well as RT-PCR results were used for subgroup analysis. Imaging data were reassessed using the following scoring system: 0 – not typical, 1 – possible, 2 – highly suspicious for COVID-19.

Results

COVID-19 was diagnosed in 72 (32,9%) patients. In three of them (4,2%) the initial RT-PCR was negative while initial CT scan revealed pneumonic findings. 111 (50,7%) patients, 61 of them (55,0%) COVID-19 positive, had evidence of pneumonia. Patients with COVID-19 pneumonia showed higher body temperature (37,7 ± 0,1 vs. 37,1 ± 0,1 °C; p = 0.0001) and LDH values (386,3 ± 27,1 vs. 310,4 ± 17,5 U/l; p = 0.012) as well as lower leukocytes (7,6 ± 0,5 vs. 10,1 ± 0,6G/l; p = 0.0003) than patients with other pneumonia. Among abnormal CT findings in COVID-19 patients, 57 (93,4%) were evaluated as highly suspicious or possible for COVID-19. In patients with negative RT-PCR and pneumonia, another third was evaluated as highly suspicious or possible for COVID-19 (14 out of 50; 28,0%). The sensitivity in the detection of patients requiring isolation was higher with initial chest CT than with initial RT-PCR (90,4% vs. 79,5%).

Conclusions

COVID-19 patients show typical clinical, laboratory and imaging parameters which enable a sensitive detection of patients who demand isolation measures due to COVID-19.
SPG9A with the new occurrence of an ALDH18A1 mutation in a CMT1A family with PMP22 duplication: case report
Authors: Koh Kishin , Takaki Ryusuke , Ishiura Hiroyuki , Tsuji Shoji , Takiyama Yoshihisa
Published: February 2021

Background

ALDH18A1 mutations lead to delta-1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate-synthetase (P5CS) deficiency, which is a urea cycle-related disorder including SPG9A, SPG9B, autosomal dominant cutis laxa-3 (ADCL3), and autosomal recessive cutis laxa type 3A (ARCL3A). These diseases exhibit a broad clinical spectrum, which makes the diagnosis of P5CS deficiency difficult. We report here a rare Japanese family including both patients with an ALDH18A1 mutation (SPG9A) and ones with CMT1A.

Case presentation

A Japanese family included five patients with the CMT phenotype and five with the HSP phenotype in four generations. The patients with the HSP phenotype showed a pure or complicated form, and intrafamilial clinical variability was noted. Genetically, FISH analysis revealed that two CMT patients had a PMP22 duplication (CMT1A). Exome analysis and Sanger sequencing revealed five HSP patients had an ALDH18A1 heterozygous mutation of c.755G > A, which led to SPG9A. Haplotype analysis revealed that the ALDH18A1 mutation must have newly occurred. To date, although de novo mutations of ALDH18A1 have been described in ADCL3A, they were not mentioned in SPG9A in earlier reports. Thus, this is the first SPG9A family with a de novo mutation or the new occurrence of gonadal mosaicism of ALDH18A1. Analysis of serum amino acid levels revealed that two SPG9A patients and two unaffected family members had low citrulline levels and one had a low level of ornithine.

Conclusions

Since the newly occurring ALDH18A1 mutation, c.755G > A, is the same as that in two ADHSP families and one sporadic patient with SPG9A reported previously, this genomic site might easily undergo mutation. The patients with the c.755G > A mutation in our family showed clinical variability of symptoms like in the earlier reported two families and one sporadic patient with this mutation. Further studies are required to clarify the relationship between the amino acid levels and clinical manifestations, which will reveal how P5CS deficiency influences disease phenotypes including ARCL3A, ADCL3, SPG9B, and SPG9A.
Knowledge about cataract and associated factors among adults in Yirgalem town, Sidama National Regional State, southern Ethiopia, 2020: a community based cross sectional study design
Authors: Fikrie Anteneh , Mariam Yonatan G. , Amaje Elias , Bekele Henok
Published: February 2021

Background

Globally, at least 1 billion people have a vision impairment that could have been easily prevented or easily treated. Cataract is the leading preventable and most treatable causes of blindness and bilateral low vision among adults. Despite being the leading cause of preventable and most treatable blindness, the lack of knowledge about the disease and its option of treatment is still a major barrier in reducing the blindness owing to cataract in the developing countries particularly in Ethiopia. Hence, the aim of this study is to determine the level of knowledge about cataract and associated factors among adults in Yirgalem Town, Sidama National Regional State, Southern Ethiopia, 2020.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among randomly selected 599 adult’s age 18 years and above from May 10–30, 2020. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Data were collected using pre-tested and structured face-to-face interview questionnaires. The collected data were entered to Epi data version 3.1 and then exported to SPSS version 21 for analysis. Bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression was used to identify associated factors of knowledge about cataract. Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) together with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was used to declare the statistical association between dependent and independent variables.

Results

Of the total study participants, 379 (64.7%), [(95% CI: 60.7–68.6%)] of them had good knowledge about cataract. Age (≥40 years) [AOR = 2.29(95% CI 1.18–4.44)], Elementary school completed [AOR = 2.31(95% CI 1.30–4.10)], High school & above [AOR = 5.55(95% CI 2.81–10.89)], governmental and non-governmental employed [AOR = 5.62 (95% CI 2.78–11.38)], Merchant [AOR = 1.72(95% CI 1.03–2.88)], Positive Attitude [AOR = 3.85(95% CI 2.94–6.47)] were positively significantly associated with knowledge about cataract. Whereas, rural residence [AOR = 0.19 (95% CI: 0.12–0.31)] was negatively associated with knowledge about cataract.

Conclusions

More than one third of the participants still had poor knowledge about cataract. This implies that health facilities should be engaged and raises the awareness of the community and empowers people about eye care needs.
Mix of destinations and sedentary behavior among Brazilian adults: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Florindo Alex Antonio , Turrell Gavin , Garcia Leandro Martin Totaro , dos Anjos Souza Barbosa João Paulo , Cruz Michele Santos , Failla Marcelo Antunes , de Aguiar Breno Souza , Barrozo Ligia Vizeu , Goldbaum Moises
Published: February 2021

Background

Sedentary behavior is influenced by contextual, social, and individual factors, including the built environment. However, associations between the built environment and sitting time have not been extensively investigated in countries with economies in transition such as Brazil. The objective of this study is to examine the relationship between sitting-time and access to a mix of destinations for adults from Sao Paulo city, Brazil.

Methods

This study uses data from the Health Survey of Sao Paulo. Sedentary behavior was assessed by a questionnaire using two questions: total sitting time in minutes on a usual weekday; and on a usual weekend day. The mix of destinations was measured by summing the number of facilities (comprising bus stops, train/subway stations, parks, squares, public recreation centres, bike paths, primary health care units, supermarkets, food stores, bakeries, and coffee-shops) within 500 m of each participant’s residence. Minutes of sitting time in a typical weekday and weekend day were the outcomes and the mix of destinations score in 500 m buffers was the exposure variable. Associations between the mix of destinations and sitting time were examined using multilevel linear regression: these models accounted for clustering within census tracts and households and adjusted for environmental, sociodemographic, and health-related factors.

Results

After adjustment for covariates, the mix of destinations was inversely associated with minutes of sitting time on a weekday (β=− 8.8, p=0.001) and weekend day (β=− 6.1, p=0.022). People who lived in areas with a greater mix of destinations had shorter average sitting times.

Conclusion

Greater mix of destinations within 500 m of peoples’ residences was inversely associated with sitting time on a typical weekday and weekend day. In Latin American cities like Sao Paulo built environments more favorable for walking may contribute to reducing sedentary behavior and prevent associated chronic disease.
Minimally displaced unilateral facet fracture of cervical spine can lead to spinal cord injury: a report of two cases
Authors: Maki Satoshi , Kitamura Mitsuhiro , Furuya Takeo , Miyamoto Takuya , Okimatsu Sho , Shiga Yasuhiro , Inage Kazuhide , Orita Sumihisa , Eguchi Yawara , Ohtori Seiji
Published: February 2021

Background

According to most of the commonly used classification systems for subaxial spine injuries, unilateral and minimally displaced facet fractures without any sign of a spinal cord injury would be directed to non-operative management. However, the failure rate of non-operative treatment varies from 20 to 80%, and no consensus exists with regard to predictors of failure after non-operative management.

Case presentation

Case 1 is a patient with a unilateral facet fracture. The patient had only numbness in the right C6 dermatome but failed non-operative treatment, which resulted in severe spinal cord injury. Case 2 is a patient who had a similar injury pattern as case 1 but presented with immediate instability and underwent fusion surgery. Both patients had a minimally displaced unilateral facet fracture accompanied by disc injury and blunt vertebral artery injury, which are possible signs indicating significant instability.

Conclusions

This is the first report of an isolated unilateral facet fracture that resulted in catastrophic spinal cord injury. These two cases illustrate that an isolated minimally displaced unilateral facet fracture with disc injury and vertebral artery injury were associated with significant instability that can lead to spinal cord injury.
Evaluation of zinc and copper levels in vaginal tissues and whole blood: correlation with age
Authors: Csikós Anett , Kozma Bence , Baranyai Edina , Miklós Ida , Larson Kindra , Póka Róbert , Takacs Peter
Published: February 2021

Background

Zinc and copper are essential trace elements and play a crucial role in the homeostasis of connective tissues. In this study, we aimed to define zinc and copper levels in the vaginal tissue and establish whether a correlation exists between the zinc and copper levels either or both in whole blood or vaginal tissue samples and whether the finding correlates with the age of the patient or at least with her menopausal status.

Methods

We collected whole blood and vaginal tissue samples from 32 women and measured their zinc and copper levels by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. We have performed Student'sttest to evaluate the differences in the mean levels of trace elements and multiple regression to evaluate the association between vaginal tissue zinc/copper levels and age, menopausal status, number of vaginal deliveries, and zinc/copper blood levels.

Results

Zinc levels were significantly higher in both the vaginal tissues and whole blood samples than copper levels (p < 0.01). In the vaginal tissue samples, a strong positive correlation could be detected between zinc and copper levels (r = 0.82,p < 0.01). In the vaginal tissue, a negative correlation was found for zinc and copper levels with the age of women (r = − 0.27,p = 0.04 andr = − 0.56,p < 0.01). Multiple linear regression model (age, menopausal status, vaginal delivery and copper/zinc blood levels) showed that only age remained a significant predictor for zinc and copper vaginal tissues levels (p = 0.03, 95% CI − 2.28 to − 0.06;p = 0.004, 95% CI − 1.76 to − 0.34).

Conclusions

Zinc and copper levels in the vaginal tissue decline with age. Out of the examined variables (age, menopausal status, vaginal delivery, and copper/zinc levels), only age is a significant predictor of vaginal zinc/copper levels.
Construction of exchange integrated information chain management model leading by information nurse for large instrument and equipment in operating room
Authors: Dai Jinghua , Ren Xiaoqiang , Wu Peng , Wang Xiangdong , Li Jiang , Bian Haiyan , Ren Lingai , Wu Chunmei
Published: February 2021

Background

This study aims to explore the information chain management model of large instrument and equipment inter-working in the operating room (OR) led by information nurses.

Methods

Through the chain management process of large instruments and equipment in the OR, which was based on information nurses, the management model of inter-working and integrating information chain was established, the key links were controlled, and the whole life cycle management of instruments and equipment from expected procurement to scrapping treatment was realized. Using the cluster sampling method, 1562 surgical patients were selected. Among these patients, 749 patients were assigned to the control group before the running mode, and 813 patients were assigned to the observation group after the running mode. The related indexes for large instrument and equipment management in the department before and after the running mode were compared.

Results

In the observation group, the average time of equipment registration was (22.05 ± 2.36), the cost was reduced by 2220 yuan/year, and the satisfaction rate of the nursing staff was 97.62%. These were significantly better, when compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the awareness rate of the whole staff for equipment repair application was 95.12%, and the arrival time of maintenance personnel and the examination and approval time of equipment management were greatly shortened (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The integrated management model of large instrument and equipment interworking in the OR based on chain flow realizes the whole life cycle management of instruments and equipment, which is essential to improve management efficiency.
Modulation of LXR signaling altered the dynamic activity of human colon adenocarcinoma cancer stem cells in vitro
Authors: Dianat-Moghadam Hassan , Khalili Mostafa , Keshavarz Mohsen , Azizi Mehdi , Hamishehkar Hamed , Rahbarghazi Reza , Nouri Mohammad
Published: February 2021

Background

The expansion and metastasis of colorectal cancers are closely associated with the dynamic growth of cancer stem cells (CSCs). This study aimed to explore the possible effect of LXR (a regulator of glycolysis and lipid hemostasis) in the tumorgenicity of human colorectal CD133 cells.

Methods

Human HT-29 CD133+ cells were enriched by MACS and incubated with LXR agonist (T0901317) and antagonist (SR9243) for 72 h. Cell survival was evaluated using MTT assay and flow cytometric analysis of Annexin-V. The proliferation rate was measured by monitoring Ki-67 positive cells using IF imaging. The modulation of LXR was studied by monitoring the activity of all factors related to ABC transporters using real-time PCR assay and western blotting. Protein levels of metabolic enzymes such as PFKFB3, GSK3β, FASN, and SCD were also investigated upon treatment of CSCs with LXR modulators. The migration of CSCs was monitored after being exposed to LXR agonist using scratch and Transwell insert assays. The efflux capacity was measured using hypo-osmotic conditions. The intracellular content of reactive oxygen species was studied by DCFH-DA staining.

Results

Data showed incubation of CSCs with T0901317 and SR9243 reduced the viability of CD133 cells in a dose-dependent manner compared to the control group. The activation of LXR up-regulated the expression and protein levels of ABC transporters (ABCA1, ABCG5, and ABCG8) compared to the non-treated cells (p < 0.05). Despite these effects, LXR activation suppressed the proliferation, clonogenicity, and migration of CD133 cells, and increased hypo-osmotic fragility (p < 0.05). We also showed that SR9243 inhibited the proliferation and clonogenicity of CD133 cells through down-regulating metabolic enzymes PFKFB3, GSK3β, FASN, and SCD as compared with the control cells (p < 0.05). Intracellular ROS levels were increased after the inhibition of LXR by SR9243 (p < 0.05).

Calling attention, both T0901317 and SR9243 compounds induced apoptotic changes in cancer stem cells (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The regulation of LXR activity can be considered as a selective targeting of survival, metabolism, and migration in CSCs to control the tumorigenesis and metastasis in patients with advanced colorectal cancers.
Long-term quality of life and sexual function of elderly people with endometrial or ovarian cancer
Authors: Mamguem Kamga Ariane , Bengrine-Lefevre Leila , Quipourt Valérie , Favier Laure , Darut-Jouve Ariane , Marilier Sophie , Arveux Patrick , Desmoulins Isabelle , Dabakuyo-Yonli Tienhan Sandrine
Published: February 2021

Background

With the growing number of older endometrial cancer (EC) and ovarian cancer (OC) survivors, data on long-term health-related quality of life (HRQoL) became an important issue in the management of older patients. So, the aim of this study was to describe and compare according to age long-term HRQoL, sexual function, and social deprivation of adults with either EC or OC.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was set up using data from the Côte d’Or gynecological cancer registry. A series of questionnaires assessing HRQoL (SF-12), sexual function (FSFI), anxiety/depression (HADS), social support (SSQ6) and deprivation (EPICES) were offered to women with EC or OC diagnosed between 2006 and 2013. HRQoL, sexual function, anxiety/depression, social support and deprivation scores were generated and compared according to age (< 70 years and ≥ 70 years).

Results

A total of 145 women with EC (N = 103) and OC (N = 42) participated in this study. Fifty-six percent and 38% of EC and OC survivors respectively were aged 70 and over. Treatment did not differ according to age either in OC or EC. The deprivation level did not differ between older and younger survivors with OC while older survivors with EC were more precarious. The physical HRQoL was more altered in older EC survivors. This deterioration concerned only physical functioning (MD = 24, p = 0.012) for OC survivors while it concerned physical functioning (MD = 30, p < 0.0001), role physical (MD = 22, p = 0.001) and bodily pain (MD = 21, p = 0.001) for EC survivors. Global health (MD = 11, p = 0.011) and role emotional (MD = 12, p = 0.018) were also deteriorated in elderly EC survivors. Sexual function was deteriorated regardless of age and cancer location with a more pronounced deterioration in elderly EC survivors for desire (p = 0.005), arousal (p = 0.015) and orgasm (p = 0.007). Social support, anxiety and depression were not affected by age regardless of location.

Conclusion

An average 6 years after diagnosis, the impact of cancer on HRQoL is greatest in elderly survivors with either EC or OC.