bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ovariectomy Reduces Vasocontractile Responses of Rat Middle Cerebral Arteries After Focal Cerebral Ischemia
Authors: Rehnström Mimmi , Ahnstedt Hilda , Krause Diana N. , Edvinsson Marie Louise , Haanes Kristian Agmund , Edvinsson Lars
Published: October 2021

Effects of sex hormones on stroke outcome are not fully understood. A deleterious consequence of cerebral ischemia is upregulation of vasoconstrictor receptors in cerebral arteries that exacerbate stroke injury. Here, we tested the hypothesis that female sex hormones alter vasocontractile responses after experimental stroke in vivo or after organ culture in vitro, a model of vasocontractile receptor upregulation. Female rats with intact ovaries and ovariectomized (OVX) females treated with 17β-estradiol, progesterone, or placebo were subjected to transient, unilateral middle cerebral artery occlusion followed by reperfusion (I/R). The maximum contractile response, measured my wire myography, in response to the endothelin B receptor agonist sarafotoxin 6c was increased in female arteries after I/R, but the maximum response was significantly lower in arteries from OVX females. Maximum contraction mediated by the serotonin agonist 5-carboxamidotryptamine was diminished after I/R, with arteries from OVX females showing a greater decrease in maximum contractile response. Contraction elicited by angiotensin II was similar in all arteries. Neither estrogen nor progesterone treatment of OVX females affected I/R-induced changes in endothelin B– and 5-carboxamidotryptamine–induced vasocontraction. These findings suggest that sex hormones do not directly influence vasocontractile alterations that occur after ischemic stroke; however, loss of ovarian function does impact this process.
Validity and reliability of 1-h automated office blood pressure measurement for the diagnosis of hypertension
Authors: Sisó-Almirall Antoni , Kostov Belchin , Blat Esther , García Noemí , de Andres Berta , Roura Silvia , Sierra-Benito Cristina , Alvira-Balada Maria C. , Colungo Cristina , Benavent-Àreu Jaume , González-de Paz Luis
Published: October 2021

Aims:

The objective of this study was to examine the validity of 1 h automated office blood pressure measurement for the diagnosis of hypertension.

Methods:

We included patients requiring a hypertension diagnostic test. Participants underwent ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, 1 h automated office blood pressure measurement, office blood pressure measurement and home blood pressure monitoring. The prevalence of hypertension and subtypes were calculated. Mean values of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring were compared with 1 h automated office blood pressure measurement using the correlation coefficient and Bland–Altman graphs. The Kappa concordance index, sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy were calculated, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was used to establish the diagnostic threshold of the 1-h measurement.

Results:

Of 562 participants, 438 (87.6%) completed the four diagnostic methods. The 1-h method had a sensitivity of 76.6 [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 71.1–81.5], a specificity of 64.8% (95% CI: 57–72.1) and the best diagnostic accuracy (72.1%, 95% CI: 67.7–76.3) compared with the office and home measurements. Moderate-high correlations were observed between DBP (r = 0.73) and SBP (r = 0.58) readings. The 1-h method classified more patients as normotensive (24.4%) and fewer patients with white-coat hypertension (13.3%). A diagnostic threshold of at least 133/83 mmHg for the 1-h method could improve diagnostic accuracy by 2.3%.

Conclusion:

One-hour automated blood pressure measurement is a valid, reliable method for the diagnosis of hypertension in undiagnosed patients. The diagnostic accuracy permits detection of white-coat and masked hypertension. To diagnose hypertension, the 1-h method or conventional home blood pressure monitoring should be used rather than office measurements.

Trial registration:

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03147573.
Compliance with telephone-based lifestyle weight loss programs improves low back pain but not knee pain outcomes: complier average causal effects analyses of 2 randomised trials
Authors: Robson Emma , Kamper Steven J. , Lee Hopin , Palazzi Kerrin , O'Brien Kate M. , Williams Amanda , Hodder Rebecca K. , Williams Christopher M.
Published: October 2021

We conducted a complier average causal effect (CACE) analyses for 2 pragmatic randomised controlled trials. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of telephone-based lifestyle weight loss interventions compared with usual care among compliers. Participants from 2 trials with low back pain (n = 160) and knee osteoarthritis (n = 120) with a body mass index ≥27 kg/m2 were included. We defined adherence to the telephone-based lifestyle weight loss program as completing 60% (6 from 10) of telephone health coaching calls. The primary outcomes for CACE analyses were pain intensity (0-10 Numerical Rating Scale) and disability (Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire for low back pain and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index for knee osteoarthritis). Secondary outcomes were weight, physical activity, and diet. We used an instrumental variable approach to estimate CACE in compliers. From the intervention groups of the trials, 29% of those with low back pain (n = 23/80) and 34% of those with knee osteoarthritis (n = 20/60) complied. Complier average causal effect estimates showed potentially clinically meaningful effects, but with low certainty because of wide confidence intervals, for pain intensity (−1.4; 95% confidence interval, −3.1, 0.4) and small but also uncertain effects for disability (−2.1; 95% confidence interval, −8.6, 4.5) among compliers in the low back pain trial intervention compared with control but not in the knee osteoarthritis trial. Our findings showed that compliers of a telephone-based weight loss intervention in the low back pain trial generally had improved outcomes; however, there were inconsistent effects in compliers from the knee osteoarthritis trial. Complier average causal effect estimates were larger than intention-to-treat results but must be considered with caution.
Combination Therapy of Long-Acting Injectable Second-Generation Antipsychotics and Oral Antipsychotics
Authors: Misawa Fuminari , Amemiya Ami , Fujii Yasuo , Takeuchi Hiroyoshi
Published: October 2021

Background

Although long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAI-APs) have been considered as a monotherapeutic option in the maintenance treatment of schizophrenia, it has been recently reported that the combination therapy of LAI-APs and oral antipsychotics (OAPs) is common.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective chart review to examine the situation of the combination therapy of LAI second-generation antipsychotics (LAI-SGAs) and OAPs, and a questionnaire survey to investigate prescribers’ attitudes toward the combination therapy. We included patients who received any LAI-SGAs for 1 month or longer and classified them into monotherapy and combination therapy groups. We collected information on age, sex, primary psychiatric diagnosis, and concomitant psychotropic medications.

Results

Of the 132 patients, 39 (29.5%) received the combination therapy of LAI-SGAs and OAPs. Long-acting injectable risperidone was significantly associated with receiving the combination therapy compared with LAI aripiprazole. Olanzapine was the most common OAP in combination with LAI-SGAs. Only 8 patients (20.5%) concurrently received the same type of OAPs as LAI-SGAs. More than 60% of the patients received OAP polypharmacy before the initiation of LAI-SGAs. The psychiatrists in charge prescribed LAI-SGAs mainly because of a concern about adherence, and OAPs mainly because of insufficient dose of LAI-SGAs, to patients in the combination therapy group. They estimated that adherence to OAPs in two thirds of the patients in the combination therapy group was 80% or higher.

Conclusions

The present study showed that the combination therapy of LAI-SGAs and OAPs is often conducted in real-world clinical practice. Considering the reason for the introduction of LAI-APs, clinicians should carefully monitor patients’ adherence to OAPs concurrently used with LAI-APs.
Home-Based Telework and Presenteeism
Authors: Gerich Joachim
Published: October 2021

Objective:

Previous research found increased sickness presenteeism (working despite sickness) associated with home-based telework. The Covid-19 pandemic offers new insights into mechanisms, as a large proportion of the workforce was forced to work from home, irrespective of organizational and individual predispositions.

Methods:

A path analysis based on survey data from a sample of teleworkers collected during the Covid-crisis was performed.

Results:

We found no general relationship between telework and sickness presenteeism. However, employees with telework experience before the pandemic use telework more often for work intensification which is associated with increased sickness presenteeism. As teleworking before the pandemic is associated with indirect work control (goal-directed management), indirect effects of such work organizations on presenteeism were confirmed.

Conclusion:

As hypothesized in prior research, indirect work control may increase self-endangering behavior which is amplified by telework.
Is a Mechanical Rotational Chair Superior to Manual Treatment Maneuvers on an Examination Bed in the Treatment of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo?
Authors: Schuricht Alexander , Hougaard Dan Dupont
Published: October 2021

Objective:

To compare the efficacy of the TRV-chair, a mechanical rotational chair, against manual treatment maneuvers in the treatment of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

Study design:

Prospective open-label block-randomized controlled clinical trial.

Setting:

Tertiary referral center.

Subjects:

Seventy-four patients referred from primary care and subsequently diagnosed with BPPV.

Intervention(s):

Patients were randomized to diagnostics and treatment with either manual treatment maneuvers on an examination table or using the TRV-chair.

Main outcomes:

The primary outcome was treatment efficacy, defined as absence of positional nystagmus (with or without concomitant vertigo), following one treatment. Secondary outcomes were number of treatments necessary for treatment success and Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) scores.

Results:

61.1% of the subjects in the TRV-group and 63.2% in the manual treatment group were treated successfully (p = 0.856). The differences in the number of treatments necessary to achieve treatment success as well as pre- and post-treatment DHI-scores between the TRV-group and the manual treatment group were nonsignificant.

Conclusions:

Traditional manual treatment maneuvers and treatment maneuvers performed with the TRV-chair are equally good at treating BPPV in patients referred directly from primary care.
Using 18F-flurodeoxyglucose and 68Ga-fibroblast activation protein inhibitor PET/CT to evaluate a new periprosthetic joint infection model of rabbit due to Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Wang Yiqun , Liu Honghong , Yao Shulin , Guan Zhiwei , Li Qingxiao , Qi Erpeng , Li Xiang , Zhang Jinming , Tian Jiahe
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The existing periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) models have obvious limitations, and studies of PJI on animal models using PET/computed tomography (CT) for diagnosis are still lacking. Thus, the aim of this study was to establish a new PJI model and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and 68Ga-fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI) were employed to study their performance.

Methods

A novel PJI model of rabbit was developed by placing two screws in the tibia and femur. Based on bacteria concentration, the animals were divided into five groups, control, 104, 105, 106 and 107. 18F-FDG and 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT were performed continuously in next 2 weeks and maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), mean standardized uptake value (SUVmean), metabolic target volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis/total lesion fibrosis were calculated as the metrics.

Results

As for SUVmax, all data of 18F-FDG were larger than that of 68Ga-FAPI in the same group for both weeks. For the performance of 18F-FDG, no definitive conclusion could be drawn for SUVmax and SUVmean. As for 68Ga-FAPI, the 104 group was significantly larger than 105, 106 and 107 groups for SUVmax and SUVmean in both weeks (P < 0.05). MTV of 68Ga-FAPI was found to be almost always larger than that of 18F-FDG in the same group.

Conclusion

The mechanism of 68Ga-FAPI is totally different from 18F-FDG and this unique property of 68Ga-FAPI shows a promising prospect in detecting infection boundary and may even distinguish a small number or a large number of bacterial infections.
Solitary Bone Plasmacytoma of Humerus Presenting as a Nonhealing Fracture in a Child: A Rare Entity
Authors: Tandon Sneha , Khanna Nehal , Chivate Rahul , Dey Sayak , Gulia Ashish , Narula Gaurav , Shah Sneha , Rane Swapnil , Banavali Shripad , Laskar Siddharth
Published: October 2021

Solitary bone plasmacytoma is an extremely rare entity and is characterized by localized proliferation of monoclonal plasma cells. Plasmacytomas are extremely rare in the pediatric population. The median age at diagnosis is usually the fifth or sixth decade, with axial skeleton being more commonly involved than appendicular. We hereby, report the case of a 13-year-old boy with solitary bone plasmacytoma of the right humerus. Though extremely rare in the pediatric age group, plasmacytomas may be considered as one of the remote differentials in children presenting with solitary bone tumors.
Stromal Derived Factor-1 Gene Polymorphism in Pediatric Immune Thrombocytopenia
Authors: Mohamed Yasmen A. , Taha Gamal E.M. , Ezzat Dina A. , Ahmed Aya B. , Doudar Noha A. , Badawy Omnia , Mabrouk Amna G.
Published: October 2021

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a multifactorial disease in which both environmental and genetic factors have been implicated. The study aimed to investigate a possible association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs rs266085 and rs2839693) in the stromal derived factor-1 (SDF-1) gene and its association to ITP and effect on ITP severity and response to treatment. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood and polymorphism in SDF-1 gene rs266085 and rs2839693 was analyzed using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique in DNA extracted from 60 children with ITP together with 90 healthy controls. On analysis of SDF-1 rs266085 polymorphism, there was a high frequency of CC genotype in cases than controls and that difference was significant at codominant, overdominant, and dominant models (P<0.05). Furthermore, carriers of the CC genotype were more susceptible to severe ITP at onset, steroid dependency, and chronicity than carriers of other genotypes (P<0.05). Otherwise, no significant differences between ITP patients and controls as regard SDF-1 rs2839693 genotypes and alleles, and we did not find a relation between this polymorphism and ITP severity, steroid dependency, or duration. SDF-1 gene rs266085 SNP C allele is associated with susceptibility to develop ITP as well as increases the risk for severe ITP at onset, chronic ITP and steroid dependency.
Outcomes of Pediatric Oncology Patients Admitted to An Intensive Care Unit in a Resource-limited Setting
Authors: Cawood Shannon , Bassingthwaighte Mairi , Naidu Gita , Murphy Susan
Published: October 2021

Background:

Improved survival and intensified treatment protocols in pediatric oncology have resulted in an increased need for intensive care. However, in resource-constrained settings, the higher morbidity and mortality of these patients raises sensitive issues around the optimal use of limited critical care resources.

Methods:

Single-center, 10-year retrospective review of pediatric oncology patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).

Results:

Of the 117 admissions, 70.1% had solid tumors, 61.5% were admitted electively, and 76.1% were admitted for noninfective indications. PICU mortality of oncology patients was 18.8% relative to the PICU mortality of all patients in the same period of 10.5%. In a multivariable analysis, factors shown to be independently associated with PICU mortality were infective indications for admission (relative risk=3.83, confidence interval: 1.16; 12.6, P=0.028) and vasoactive support (relative risk=7.50, confidence interval: 1.72; 32.8, P=0.0074).

Conclusion:

The increased mortality associated with sepsis, organ dysfunction and need for organ support underscores the need for earlier recognition of and intervention in pediatric oncology patients requiring intensive care. Further prospective studies are needed to identify the most critical areas for improvement in the referral of these children to PICU, to optimize care and improve outcomes.
Blood Loss and Transfusion in a Pediatric Scoliosis Surgery Cohort in the Antifibrinolytic Era
Authors: Ahlers Carolyn G. , Lan Matthews , Schoenecker Jonathan G. , Borst Alexandra J.
Published: October 2021

Children and adolescents undergoing posterior spinal fusion for scoliosis experience high rates of bleeding and blood product transfusion. Antifibrinolytic therapy is one key strategy to decrease blood loss and transfusion in pediatric scoliosis surgery. Here we review 172 pediatric scoliosis patients (birth to 21 y) who underwent posterior spinal fusion at our institution from 2017 to 2018. We reported rates of blood loss and transfusion, compared patients receiving tranexamic acid to a ε-aminocaproic acid, and evaluated antifibrinolytic agent and laboratory parameters as predictors of blood loss and transfusion. Intraoperatively, 62% received tranexamic acid and 38% received ε-aminocaproic acid. Overall, blood loss (mean intraoperative estimated blood loss=14.9±9.7 mL/kg, 22% with clinically significant blood loss [>20 mL/kg], and mean calculated hemoglobin mass loss=175.9±70.1 g) and transfusion rates (15% with intraoperative allogeneic red blood cell transfusion and mean intraoperative allogeneic red blood cell transfusion volume=12.5±7.1 mL/kg) were similar to previous cohorts studying intraoperative antifibrinolytics. There was no difference in intraoperative estimated blood loss, clinically significant blood loss, calculated hemoglobin mass loss, or transfusion rates between the antifibrinolytic groups. Antifibrinolytic choice was not predictive of blood loss or transfusion. Routine hematologic laboratory parameters and antifibrinolytic choice were insufficient to predict blood loss or other outcomes. Future prospective laboratory-based studies may provide a more comprehensive model of surgical-induced coagulopathy in scoliosis surgery and provide a better tool for predicting blood loss and improving outcomes.
Clinical Significance of Cyclin Expression Profiling in Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia
Authors: Chauhan Sheetal , Sen Seema , Pushker Neelam , Tandon Radhika , Kashyap Seema , Vanathi Murugesan , Bajaj Mandeep S.
Published: October 2021

Ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) can recur, metastasize, and even cause death. Cyclins regulate the cell cycle progression at different phases and its dysregulation is associated with uncontrollable cell growth and malignant transformation of the cell. Overexpression of cyclin has been reported in various malignancies and is associated with poor prognosis. However, the role of cyclins in OSSN remains unexplored. This study has been designed to assess the prognostic significance of cyclin (cyclin B1, E1, and D1) immunoexpression in 100 OSSN patients. The targeted proteins demonstrated overexpression of cyclin B1, cyclin E1, and cyclin D1 in 55%, 37%, and 56% OSSN cases prospectively. A gradual and significant increase in the cyclin B1 (P=0.01) and cyclin D1 (P=0.005) expression was seen from Tis to the T4 category. Overexpression of cyclin B1 was associated with poor disease-free survival and worst prognosis in both early (P=0.03) as well as advanced T staged (P=0.038) OSSN patients. Overexpression of cyclin E1 was associated with worst disease-free survival (P=0.01) and poor prognosis in advanced stage OSSN patients. Our findings suggest that cyclin B1 and cyclin E1 have prognostic relevance in OSSN patients, and therefore are recommended for detecting high-risk category cases. A significant increase in the expression of cyclins from early to advanced stage indicates that cyclins play an important role in the pathogenesis of OSSN patients.
Inpatient Rehabilitation Outcomes After Severe COVID-19 Infections
Authors: Abramoff Benjamin A. , Dillingham Timothy R. , Caldera Franklin E. , Ritchie Marylyn D. , Pezzin Liliana E.
Published: October 2021

Objective

The aim of the study was to describe the characteristics and functional outcomes of patients undergoing acute inpatient rehabilitation after hospitalization for COVID-19.

Design

Using a retrospective chart review, patients were identified who were admitted to inpatient rehabilitation after COVID-19. Patient information collected included sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, length of stay, discharge disposition, self-care, mobility, and cognitive functioning. These patients were compared with patients (controls) without COVID-19 with similar impairment codes treated at the same facility before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results

There were 43 patients who were admitted to the inpatient rehabilitation hospital after COVID-19 infection and 247 controls. Patients who had COVID-19 were significantly more likely to be African American and to have been admitted to a long-term acute care hospital. They also had a longer length of rehabilitation stay. The groups did not differ by age, sex, or insurance. Functionally, although presenting with significantly worse mobility, self-care, and motor scores, the patients previously infected with COVID-19 had similar functional outcomes at time of discharge to the control group.

Conclusions

Although patients with a history of COVID-19 had worse function at time of admission to acute rehabilitation, inpatient rehabilitation significantly improved their function to comparable levels as patients who did not have COVID-19.

To Claim CME Credits

Complete the self-assessment activity and evaluation online at http://www.physiatry.org/JournalCME

CME Objectives

Upon completion of this article, the reader should be able to: (1) Identify how characteristics of patients with COVID-19 admitted to acute rehabilitation differ from those with similar admission codes but without COVID-19; (2) Describe changes in functional measures at admission and discharge of COVID-19 patients compared with patients without COVID-19; and (3) Recognize how inpatient rehabilitation may help reduce inequities in outcomes after severe COVID-19 infection.

Level

Advanced

Accreditation

The Association of Academic Physiatrists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Association of Academic Physiatrists designates this Journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Associations Between the Gut Microbiota and Internalizing Behaviors in Preschool Children
Authors: van de Wouw Marcel , Wang Yanan , Workentine Matthew L. , Vaghef-Mehrabani Elnaz , Dewey Deborah , Reimer Raylene A. , Tomfohr-Madsen Lianne , Giesbrecht Gerald F.
Published: October 2021

Objective

Emerging evidence points toward a connection between mental health and the gut microbiota and its metabolites (e.g., short-chain fatty acids). It is unknown whether the gut microbiota is associated with the development of mental health problems (e.g., internalizing or externalizing behaviors) in preschool children. The objective of this study was to evaluate associations between the gut microbiota and internalizing and externalizing behaviors in preschool-aged children.

Methods

A community sample of 248 typically developing children (3–5 years of age) provided a stool sample for gut microbiota and SCFA analysis. Parents reported child internalizing and externalizing behaviors using the Child Behavior Checklist. Associations between child behaviors and gut microbiota measures were analyzed using Spearman correlations followed by an adjustment for multiple testing, with subanalysis conducted in children clinically “at risk” for behavioral problems compared with those who were not.

Results

There was a correlation between Shannon alpha diversity with internalizing behaviors (r
s = −0.134, p = .035) and its subscale somatic complaints (r
s = −0.144, p = .023). In addition, children clinically “at risk” for internalizing problems had decreased alpha diversity (U = 551, p = .017). Internalizing behaviors correlated with valerate and isobutyrate (r
s = −0.147, p = .021; r
s = −0.140, p = .028, respectively). Furthermore the somatic complaints subscale additionally correlated with acetate and butyrate (r
s = −0.219, p = .001; r
s = −0.241, p < .001, respectively). These findings were also present in children “at risk” for internalizing problems (U = 569, p = .026; U = 571, p = .028) and somatic complaints (U = 164, p = .004; U = 145, p = .001).

Conclusions

These analyses reveal novel associations between internalizing behaviors and the gut microbiota in preschool children. Furthermore, a relationship between somatic complaints and acetate and butyrate was identified, indicating that interventions that increase SCFA production warrant future investigation.
Evaluating the Costs of Nurse Burnout-Attributed Turnover: A Markov Modeling Approach
Authors: Muir K. Jane , Wanchek Tanya N. , Lobo Jennifer M. , Keim-Malpass Jessica
Published: October 2021

Objective

Burnout is a public health crisis that impacts 1 in 3 registered nurses in the United States and the safe provision of patient care. This study sought to understand the cost of nurse burnout-attributed turnover using hypothetical hospital scenarios.

Methods

A cost-consequence analysis with a Markov model structure was used to assess nurse burnout-attributed turnover costs under the following scenarios: (1) a hospital with “status quo” nurse burnout prevalence and (2) a hospital with a “burnout reduction program” and decreased nurse burnout prevalence. The model evaluated turnover costs from a hospital payer perspective and modeled a cohort of nurses who were new to a hospital. The outcome measures were defined as years in burnout among the nurse cohort and years retained/employed in the hospital. Data inputs derived from the health services literature base.

Results

The expected model results demonstrated that at status quo, a hospital spends an expected $16,736 per nurse per year employed on nurse burnout-attributed turnover costs. In a hospital with a burnout reduction program, such costs were $11,592 per nurse per year employed. Nurses spent more time in burnout under the status quo scenario compared with the burnout reduction scenario (1.5 versus 1.1 y of employment) as well as less time employed at the hospital (2.9 versus 3.5 y of employment).

Conclusions

Given that status quo costs of burnout are higher than those in a hospital that invests in a nurse burnout reduction program, hospitals should strongly consider proactively supporting programs that reduce nurse burnout prevalence and associated costs.
Unexpected Retrosternal Goiter Interpreted as Hyperfunctioning Metastasis on the Posttherapeutic 131I SPECT/CT
Authors: Hou Li-ying , Luo Quan-yong , Qiu Zhong-ling
Published: October 2021

We present a 38-year-old man who underwent total thyroidectomy with radical right neck dissection due to papillary thyroid cancer was referred for 131I treatment. The patient was in subclinical hypothyroidism with remarkable stimulated Tg level after 4 weeks of l-thyroxine withdrawal before 131I treatment, which indicated hyperfunctioning metastasis. Posttherapeutic 131I whole-body scan combined with 131I SPECT/CT performed on day 3 after 131I administration revealed an elevated 131I uptake mass in cervicothoracic region. To our surprise, the mass was histologically confirmed to be a retrosternal goiter.
Multiple Delayed Complications at Different Time Points After AQUAfilling Filler Injection for Facial Rejuvenation
Authors: Kong Tae Hyun , Chung Kyu Jin
Published: October 2021

Delayed inflammatory and infectious complications occurred in a 63-year-old woman after receiving AQUAfilling filler injection in the forehead and nasolabial folds. The complications were idiopathic and occurred at different time points at different sites. Her condition improved after the removal of the injected materials and capsule, and administration of intravenous antibiotics. Although injection sites differ, inflammation can occur at any site at different time points. The possibility of inflammation at other injection sites should always be considered during periodic follow-up, even if the filler injection site initially shows no signs of complications.

Level of Evidence: Level IV
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Theft Biofilm Require Host Lipids of Cutaneous Wound
Authors: Sinha Mithun , Ghosh Nandini , Wijesinghe Dayanjan S. , Mathew-Steiner Shomita S. , Das Amitava , Singh Kanhaiya , El Masry Mohamed , Khanna Savita , Inoue Hiroyuki , Yamazaki Katsuhisa , Kawada Manabu , Gordillo Gayle M. , Roy Sashwati , Sen Chandan K.
Published: October 2021

Objective:

This work addressing complexities in wound infection, seeks to test the reliance of bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) on host skin lipids to form biofilm with pathological consequences.

Background:

PA biofilm causes wound chronicity. Both CDC as well as NIH recognizes biofilm infection as a threat leading to wound chronicity. Chronic wounds on lower extremities often lead to surgical limb amputation.

Methods:

An established preclinical porcine chronic wound biofilm model, infected with PA or Pseudomonas aeruginosa ceramidase mutant (PA∆Cer), was used.

Results:

We observed that bacteria drew resource from host lipids to induce PA ceramidase expression by three orders of magnitude. PA utilized product of host ceramide catabolism to augment transcription of PA ceramidase. Biofilm formation was more robust in PA compared to PA∆Cer. Downstream products of such metabolism such as sphingosine and sphingosine-1-phosphate were both directly implicated in the induction of ceramidase and inhibition of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)δ, respectively. PA biofilm, in a ceram-idastin-sensitive manner, also silenced PPARδ via induction of miR-106b. Low PPARδ limited ABCA12 expression resulting in disruption of skin lipid homeostasis. Barrier function of the wound-site was thus compromised.

Conclusions:

This work demonstrates that microbial pathogens must co-opt host skin lipids to unleash biofilm pathogenicity. Anti-biofilm strategies must not necessarily always target the microbe and targeting host lipids at risk of infection could be productive. This work may be viewed as a first step, laying fundamental mechanistic groundwork, toward a paradigm change in biofilm management.
Meta-analysis of the Connection Between Alzheimer Disease and Telomeres
Authors: Fu Jiajia , Ji Xiaoyu , Liu Jiao , Chen Xueping , Shang Huifang
Published: October 2021

Background:

Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system. The stability of the telomere-telomerase system is closely related to AD. A previous meta-analysis indicated that AD patients had shorter telomere length (TL) than control subjects. However, there are no consistent telomerase activity findings in AD patients, and the published telomerase studies were not meta-analyzed yet.

Methods:

We searched all the related studies that probed into TL and/or telomerase activity in AD patients based on PubMed and Embase database from the establishment to September 2020. The Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang and China Science and Technology Journal Database were also utilized. The quality of the included studies was evaluated by using Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. All the statistical analyses of this meta-analysis were performed using Stata version 15.0.

Results:

Analyzing 30 TL data from 2248 AD patients and 4865 controls, AD patients had a significantly shorter TL than the controls, with a standardized mean difference of −0.70 (confidence interval: −0.95 to −0.46; P<0.05). The meta-analysis included 3 primary studies and did not find a significant difference in the telomerase activity between 233 AD patients and 132 controls, but AD patients had a trend of increased telomerase activity compared with controls (standardized mean difference: 0.47; confidence interval: −0.29 to 1.23; P>0.05).

Conclusion:

Our results showed that compared with the control group, the AD group had a shorter TL and may have higher telomerase activity.
Evolving Causes of Rapidly Progressive Dementia
Authors: Stamatelos Petros , Kontokostas Kimonas , Liantinioti Chrysoula , Giavasi Christina , Ioakeimidis Michail , Antonelou Roubina , Papathanasiou Matilda , Arvaniti Chrysa , Bonakis Anastasios , Tsivgoulis Georgios , Voumvourakis Konstantinos , Stefanis Leonidas , Papageorgiou Sokratis G.
Published: October 2021

Background:

Rapidly progressive dementia (RPD) is a clinical syndrome developing in <1 to 2 years. Recent progress in RPD evaluation is significant, so RPD’s prevalence may change over time. The aim of our new case series was to estimate the relative frequency of RPDs’ causative entities, considering the recent advances in RPDs’ diagnosis, and compare the results with those of our previous report.

Patients and Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 47 patients who were referred to Attikon University Hospital during a 5-year period for a suspected RPD.

Results:

Neurodegenerative diseases were the most frequent causes (38%), followed by prion disease (19%) and autoimmune encephalopathy (AE, 17%). AE cases were by far more common than in our previous report, while other than AE secondary causes were significantly decreased. Mean time to dementia was 9 months in neurodegenerative diseases and 5 months in non-neurodegenerative. Main clinical findings across all patients were memory impairment (66%) and behavioral-emotional disturbances (48%).

Conclusions:

Neurodegenerative diseases are common causes of RPD and have a slower evolution than non-neurodegenerative. Diagnostic novelties enabled the recognition of AE, whereas more common secondary causes are probably now diagnosed in primary settings since the recognition of RPD as distinct clinical entity is continually increasing.
Infection with Clostridioides difficile ribotype 046 in a paediatric liver transplant patient
Authors: Nogueira Hildenia B. R. , Costa Cecília L. , Martins Conceição S. , Morais Maria Luana G. S. , Quesada-Gómez Carlos , Carvalho Cibele B. M. , de Oliveira Ferreira Eliane , Castro Brito Gerly Anne de
Published: October 2021

Clostridioides difficile

causes nosocomial diarrhoea associated with antibiotic use and immunodeficiency. Although the number of paediatric

C. difficile

infections (CDIs) has increased worldwide, there are few studies on the molecular characterization of strains causing CDIs among children. We report the clinical features and strain molecular characterization of a CDI in a female child with a history of liver transplantation at 7 months of age. This is the first report of the 046 ribotype causing paediatric diarrhoea.
Inferring copy number variation from gene expression data: methods, comparisons, and applications to oncology
Authors: Boen Joseph , Wagner Joel P. , Di Nanni Noemi
Published: October 2021

Copy number variations (CNVs) are genomic events where the number of copies of a particular gene varies from cell to cell. Cancer cells are associated with somatic CNV changes resulting in gene amplifications and gene deletions. However, short of single-cell whole-genome sequencing, it is difficult to detect and quantify CNV events in single cells. In contrast, the rapid development of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technologies has enabled easy acquisition of single-cell gene expression data. In this work, we employ three methods to infer CNV events from scRNA-seq data and provide a statistical comparison of the methods’ results. In addition, we combine the analysis of scRNA-seq and inferred CNV data to visualize and determine subpopulations and heterogeneity in tumor cell populations.
Estimating null and potent modes of feedforward communication in a computational model of cortical activity
Authors: Thivierge Jean-Philippe , Pilzak Artem
Published: October 2021

Communication across anatomical areas of the brain is key to both sensory and motor processes. Dimensionality reduction approaches have shown that the covariation of activity across cortical areas follows well-delimited patterns. Some of these patterns fall within the “potent space” of neural interactions and generate downstream responses; other patterns fall within the “null space” and prevent the feedforward propagation of synaptic inputs. Despite growing evidence for the role of null space activity in visual processing as well as preparatory motor control, a mechanistic understanding of its neural origins is lacking. Here, we developed a mean-rate model that allowed for the systematic control of feedforward propagation by potent and null modes of interaction. In this model, altering the number of null modes led to no systematic changes in firing rates, correlations, or mean synaptic strengths across areas, making it difficult to characterize feedforward communication with common measures of functional connectivity. A novel measure termed the null ratio captured the proportion of null modes relayed from one area to another. Applied to simultaneous recordings of primate cortical areas V1 and V2 during image viewing, the null ratio revealed that feedforward interactions have a broad null space that may reflect properties of visual stimuli.
Analysing and identifying miRNAs from RNA-seq data using miRDeep2 tool in Galaxy, a practical guide
Authors: Rafsanjani M. Rifqi
Published: October 2021

Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) analysis from RNA-seq experiment data provides additional depth into the cellular gene regulation. Such analysis has been simplified using miRDeep2 tool available in freely accessible Galaxy Europe server and miRBase database that compiled the miRNAs in many organisms. Here, we are describing a step by step protocol on how to ultilised the tool and most importantly on how to prepared and compiled miRDeep2 results to be used for downstream analysis such as investigating the differential expression of the detected miRNAs. Currently miRDeep2 miRNAs count result output in the Galaxy are in the broken HTML page and processing such data are troublesome for further analysis unless the user setting up their software dependencies for the tool to run. Hence, we proposed a method to process this output so that it is usable for downstream processing without a single coding required.
Sculpting rupture-free nuclear shapes in fibrous environments
Authors: Jana Aniket , Tran Avery , Gill Amritpal , Kapania Rakesh K. , Konstantopoulos Konstantinos , Nain Amrinder S.
Published: October 2021

Cytoskeleton-mediated force transmission regulates nucleus morphology. How nuclei shaping occurs in fibrous in vivo environments remains poorly understood. Here a suspended nanofiber assay of precisely-tunable (nm-μm) diameters is used to quantify nucleus plasticity in fibrous environments mimicking the natural extracellular matrix. In contrast to the apical cap over the nucleus in cells on 2-dimensional surfaces, the cellular cytoskeleton of cells on fibers displays a uniform actin network caging the nucleus. The role of contractility-driven caging in sculpting nuclear shapes is investigated as cells spread on aligned single fibers, doublets, and multiple fibers of varying diameters. Cell contractility increases with fiber diameter due to increased focal adhesion clustering and density of actin stress fibers, which correlates with increased mechanosensitive transcription factor YAP translocation to the nucleus. Unexpectedly, large- and small-diameter fiber combinations lead to teardrop-shaped nuclei due to stress-fiber anisotropy across the cell. As cells spread on fibers, diameter-dependent invaginations that run the nucleus’s length are formed at contact sites. The deepest and sharpest invaginations are insufficient to trigger nucleus rupture, often observed in 2D or confined systems. Overall, we describe the unknown adaptability of nuclei to fibrous environments and resultant sculpting of the nucleus shapes, with pathophysiological implications.
Weight-loss diets among female Korean adolescents: a pilot study based on a social media platform
Authors: Kim So-young , Kim Meeyoung
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The study aimed to analyse the nutritional quality of self-proposed or prescribed weight-loss diets shared by female Korean adolescents through a social media platform and identified potential dietary problems.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 317 weight-loss diets, shared by 107 female adolescents between the ages of 12 and 18 in April 2019, were collected from three Kakao Open Chat rooms of which the main topic was “weight-loss diet”. The weight-loss diets were converted to daily energy and nutrient intake.

Findings

Approximately two-thirds of the subjects were normal or underweight, and more than half of them were limiting energy intake to less than half of the recommended daily amounts. The average daily intake of energy and most nutrients did not meet the standard intake levels. Approximately 20% of the subjects were breakfast skippers, while 8 and 5% were dinner and lunch skippers, respectively. Notably, meal skippers tended to fast longer and have an uneven distribution of daily energy intake per meal. The percentages of energy contribution from macronutrients, particularly carbohydrates, also deviated more from the acceptable range in the meal skippers. The weight-loss diets of the subjects with particularly low daily energy intake were categorised into simplified, unbalanced and nutrient-poor, energy-dense meals. Overall, the nutritional quality of the self-proposed or prescribed weight-loss diets was poor. More effective and proactive educational interventions in school environments should be developed to promote positive eating behaviours in adolescents and free them from their obsession with body image.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first attempt to analyse the nutritional quality of female adolescents' self-proposed or prescribed weight-loss diets.
The effects of a sustainable vs conventional apparel advertisement on consumer perception of CSR image and attitude toward the brand
Authors: Lee Yukyung , Lin Carolyn A.
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study examined whether marketing an apparel product via an advertisement with a sustainability vs a conventional message would affect consumer perception of the brand's CSR image and their attitude toward the brand.

Design/methodology/approach

An online experiment via a posttest-only between-group design with random assignment was administered with a college student sample from a large northeastern university in the US.

Findings

Exposure to an advertisement with a sustainability message had a direct effect on the brand's CSR image, which mediated the relationship between advertisement exposure and (1) perceived brand innovativeness and (2) consumer-brand identification. CSR image positively predicted brand innovativeness, consumer-brand identification and attitude toward the brand. Prior attitude toward sustainable apparel was a significant moderator between advertisement exposure and (1) CSR image and (2) consumer-brand identification.

Originality/value

This study is among the first to test the effects of apparel advertising with a sustainability message on the relationship between consumer and the brand. Study findings contribute to industry knowledge by elucidating the potential effects of an apparel ad with a sustainability message on a brand's CSR image and innovativeness as well as consumer identification with and attitude toward the brand.
EEG signal artefact removal using flower pollination fractional calculus optimisation
Authors: Anem Jayalaxmi , Sateeshkumar G. , Madhu R.
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The main aim of this paper is to design a technique for improving the quality of EEG signal by removing artefacts which is obtained during acquisition. Initially, pre-processing is done on EEG signal for quality improvement. Then, by using wavelet transform (WT) feature extraction is done. The artefacts present in the EEG are removed using deep convLSTM. This deep convLSTM is trained by proposed fractional calculus based flower pollination optimisation algorithm.

Design/methodology/approach

Nowadays' EEG signals play vital role in the field of neurophysiologic research. Brain activities of human can be analysed by using EEG signals. These signals are frequently affected by noise during acquisition and other external disturbances, which lead to degrade the signal quality. Denoising of EEG signals is necessary for the effective usage of signals in any application. This paper proposes a new technique named as flower pollination fractional calculus optimisation (FPFCO) algorithm for the removal of artefacts from EEG signal through deep learning scheme. FPFCO algorithm is the integration of flower pollination optimisation and fractional calculus which takes the advantages of both the flower pollination optimisation and fractional calculus which is used to train the deep convLSTM. The existed FPO algorithm is used for solution update through global and local pollinations. In this case, the fractional calculus (FC) method attempts to include the past solution by including the second order derivative. As a result, the suggested FPFCO algorithm approaches the best solution faster than the existing flower pollination optimization (FPO) method. Initially, 5 EEG signals are contaminated by artefacts such as EMG, EOG, EEG and random noise. These contaminated EEG signals are pre-processed to remove baseline and power line noises. Further, feature extraction is done by using WT and extracted features are applied to deep convLSTM, which is trained by proposed fractional calculus based flower pollination optimisation algorithm. FPFCO is used for the effective removal of artefacts from EEG signal. The proposed technique is compared with existing techniques in terms of SNR and MSE.

Findings

The proposed technique is compared with existing techniques in terms of SNR, RMSE and MSE.

Originality/value

100%.