bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
miR-532-3p inhibits the progression of tongue squamous cell carcinoma by targeting podoplanin
Authors: Liu Zhi-Yun , Zhao Chun-Guang 
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Background:
The association between miR-532-3p and tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) has been examined in the literature to improve the survival rate of patients with this tumor. However, further studies are needed to confirm the regulatory roles of this microRNA (miRNA) in TSCC. The objective of this study was to investigate the roles played by and the underlying mechanism used by the miR-532-3p/podoplanin (PDPN) axis in TSCC development.

Methods:
Western blotting and quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were performed to evaluate the PDPN expression level in TSCC tissues and cells. The proliferative, adhesive, and migratory capabilities of TSCC cells (CAL-27 and CTSC-3) were examined using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), cell adhesion, and wound-healing assays, respectively. The dual-luciferase reporter (DLR) assay was later conducted to confirm the relationship between miR-532-3p and PDPN.

Results:
The results indicated that PDPN expression was enriched in TSCC tissues and cells, and that the expression of PDPN was associated with some clinicopathological parameters of TSCC, including lymph node metastasis (P = 0.001), tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging (P = 0.010), and grading (P = 0.010). Further analysis also showed that PDPN knockdown inhibited the viability, adhesive ability, and migratory capacity of CAL-27 and CTSC-3 cells, effects that could be reversed by the application of a miR-532-3p inhibitor. Additionally, PDPN was found to be a direct target of miR-532-3p.

Conclusions:
This research suggested that by targeting PDPN, miR-532-3p could inhibit cell proliferation viability, adhesion, and migration in TSCC. Findings also revealed that the miR-532-3p/PDPN axis might provide more insights into the prognosis and treatment of TSCC.
Nomogram for predicting axillary lymph node pathological response in node-positive breast cancer patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Wang Wenyan , Wang Xin , Liu Jiaqi , Zhu Qiang , Wang Xiang , Wang Pilin 
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Background:
Pathological complete response (pCR) of axillary lymph nodes (ALNs) is frequently achieved in patients with clinically node-positive breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), and ALN status is an important prognostic factor for breast cancer patients. This study aims to develop a new predictive clinical model to assess the ALN pCR rate after NAC.

Methods:
This was a retrospective series of 467 patients who had biopsy-proven positive ALNs at diagnosis and underwent ALN dissection from 2007 to 2014 at the National Cancer Center/Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. We analyzed the clinicopathologic features of the patients and developed a nomogram to predict the probability of ALN pCR. A multivariable logistic regression stepwise model was used to construct a nomogram to predict ALN pCR in node-positive patients. The adjusted area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was calculated to quantify the ability to rank patients by risk. Internal validation was performed using the 50/50 hold-out validation method. The nomogram was externally validated with prospective cohorts of 167 patients from 2016 to 2018 at the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and 114 patients from 2018 to 2020 at Beijing Tiantan Hospital.

Results:
In this retrospective study, 115 (24.6%) patients achieved ALN pCR after NAC. Multivariate analysis showed that clinical tumor stage (Odds ratio [OR]: 0.321, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.121–0.856; P = 0.023); primary tumor response (OR: 0.189; 95% CI: 0.123–0.292; P < 0.001), and estrogen receptor status (OR: 0.530, 95% CI: 0.304–0.925; P = 0.025) were independent predictors of ALN pCR. The nomogram was constructed based on the result of multivariate analysis. In the internal validation of performance of nomogram, the AUCs for the training and test sets were 0.719 and 0.753, respectively. The nomogram was validated in external cohorts with AUCs of 0.720, which demonstrated good discriminatory power in these data sets.

Conclusion:
We developed a nomogram to predict the likelihood of axillary pCR in node-positive breast cancer patients after NAC. The predictive model performed well in multicenter prospective external validation. This practical tool could provide information to surgeons regarding whether to perform additional ALN dissection after NAC.

Trial registration:
ChiCTR.org.cn, ChiCTR1800014968.
Cognitive impairment in two subtypes of a single subcortical infarction
Authors: Yang Tang , Deng Qiao , Jiang Shuai , Yan Yu-Ying , Yuan Ye , Wu Si-Miao , Zhang Shu-Ting , Sun Jia-Yu , Wu Bo 
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Background:
Single subcortical infarction (SSI) is caused by two main etiological subtypes, which are branch atheromatous disease (BAD) and cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD)-related SSI. We applied the Beijing version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-BJ), the Shape Trail Test (STT), and the Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT) to investigate the differences in cognitive performance between these two subtypes of SSI.

Methods:
Patients with acute SSIs were prospectively enrolled. The differences of MoCA-BJ, STT, and SCWT between the BAD group and CSVD-related SSI group were analyzed. A generalized linear model was used to analyze the associations between SSI patients with different etiological mechanisms and cognitive function. We investigated the correlations between MoCA-BJ, STT, and SCWT using Spearman's correlation analysis and established cut-off scores for Shape Trail Test A (STT-A) and STT-B to identify cognitive impairment in patients with SSI.

Results:
This study enrolled a total of 106 patients, including 49 and 57 patients with BAD and CSVD-related SSI, respectively. The BAD group performances were worse than those of the CSVD-related SSI group for STT-A (83 [60.5–120.0] vs. 68 [49.0–86.5], P = 0.01), STT-B (204 [151.5–294.5] vs. 153 [126.5–212.5], P = 0.015), and the number of correct answers on Stroop-C (46 [41–49] vs. 49 [45–50], P = 0.035). After adjusting for age, years of education, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and lesion location, the performance of SSI patients with different etiological mechanisms still differed significantly for STT-A and STT-B.

Conclusions:
BAD patients were more likely to perform worse than CSVD-related SSI patients in the domains of language, attention, executive function, and memory. The mechanism of cognitive impairment after BAD remains unclear.
A Model of Practices of Exemplary Clinical Education Leaders
Authors: LaFay Vicki , Silberman Nicki , Zeigler Stacey 
Published: December 2021

Introduction:
Despite frequent turnover and stress in both Director of Clinical Education (DCE) and Site Coordinator of Clinical Education (SCCE) positions, there are those who demonstrate longevity and success in these roles.

Review of the Literature:
A recent regional investigation found that successful DCEs and SCCEs share characteristics common to exemplary leaders. The purpose of this qualitative study was to confirm if characteristics of DCEs and SCCEs who demonstrate longevity and success are consistent with the 5 Practices of Exemplary Leaders, an established leadership framework.

Subjects:
Directors and Site Coordinators of Clinical Education, recognized by peers as leaders with at least 10 years of experience in their position, were recruited through purposive sampling from regional clinical education consortia.

Methods:
A grounded theory approach was employed to explore qualities, skills and characteristics of DCEs and SCCEs with demonstrated success and longevity in their roles. Cognitive mapping and one-on-one interviews were conducted to explore participants’ perspectives. An inductive approach informed coding and thematic development. The DCE and SCCE data were combined for final thematic analysis.

Results:
Twelve participants completed the study. The findings describe leaders with a firmly established professional identity as a physical therapist and an action-oriented mindset, skilled in creating meaningful relationships, and a capacity to thrive with support. They demonstrate influence and impact the profession on multiple levels.

Discussion/Conclusion:
Results of this study validate that DCEs and SCCEs who demonstrate longevity and success in their roles have common leadership characteristics. A model is presented that describes who these leaders are, what they do, what allows them to reach their potential, and what they can achieve. This model can help identify individuals with the skills and traits to excel in these vital roles.
Effect of Educational Intervention Program on Awareness, Knowledge, Attitude, and Willingness to Recommend Physiotherapy as a Career Among High School Science Teachers
Authors: Akosile Christopher Olusanjo , Mbaneme Nzube Obiefuna , Akobundu Uzoamaka Nwakego , Okoye Emmanuel Chiebuka , Fabunmi Ayodeji Ayodele , Johnson Olubusola Esther 
Published: December 2021

Introduction.
Physical therapy (physiotherapy) is an essential part of the health care delivery system. High school students with an interest in science may be suited for a career in health care, including physical therapy. It is important therefore that their teachers have good knowledge and great willingness to recommend physical therapy as a potential career choice to them. Few studies have been carried out on the knowledge about physical therapy among different populations. The previous reports highlighted the need for educational interventions to increase the knowledge about physical therapy. However, no previous study has investigated the effectiveness of these educational interventions. Therefore, this study was aimed at evaluating the effect of an educational intervention in improving the level of knowledge, attitude, and willingness to recommend physical therapy as a potential career choice to students among high (secondary) school science teachers in Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Review of Literature.
Few studies have been carried out on the knowledge about physical therapy among different populations. There is need for educational interventions to increase the knowledge about physical therapy. No previous study has investigated the effectiveness of these educational interventions.

Subjects.
Consecutively recruited 99 science teachers from purposively selected high schools.

Methods.
This was a pretest–posttest quasi experimental study. Consecutively recruited 99 science teachers from purposively selected high schools participated in the study. Data were collected preintervention and postintervention using a self-developed instrument.

Results.
Only 20.2% of the participants had a good knowledge of physical therapy on pretest but the proportion with good knowledge increased to 96% after the intervention. Ninety-nine percent of the respondents also developed a positive attitude towards physical therapy and willingness to recommend physical therapy as a potential career choice to their students after the educational intervention.

Discussion and Conclusion.
Awareness of physical therapy among science teachers is poor. The effectiveness of the educational intervention program revealed a role for physical therapists who wish to enhance the awareness of counselors. Well-informed teachers and counselors may be equipped with the required knowledge to guide the career choice of their students.
Association between clinical characteristics and CT findings in patients with coronavirus disease-2019
Authors: Zheng Ting , Ren Hao , Wu Yongjuan , Wang Jiangtao 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
This retrospective study was to investigate the association between clinical characteristics and computerized tomography (CT) findings in patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). The clinical data of COVID-19 patients were retrospectively analyzed. Spearman correlation analysis was used to identify the correlation. Totally 209 consecutive COVID-19 patients were eligible for the study, with the mean age of 47.53 ± 13.52 years. At onset of the disease, the most common symptoms were fever (85.65%) and cough (61.24%). The CT features of COVID-19 included pulmonary, bronchial, and pleural changes, with the significant pulmonary presentation of ground-glass opacification (93.30%), consolidation (48.80%), ground-glass opacification plus a reticular pattern (54.07%), telangiectasia (84.21%), and pulmonary fibrotic streaks (49.76%). Spearman analysis showed that the CT findings had significantly inverse associations with the platelets, lymphocyte counts, and sodium levels, but were positively related to the age, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, D-dimer, lactic dehydrogenase, α-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, and C-reactive protein levels (P < .05). In conclusion, the severity of lung abnormalities on CT in COVID-19 patients is inversely associated with the platelets, lymphocyte count, and sodium levels, whereas positively with the age, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, D-dimer, lactic dehydrogenase, hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, and C-reactive protein levels.
Efficacy and safety of combination therapy with pramipexole and levodopa vs levodopa monotherapy in patients with Parkinson disease
Authors: Wang Yan , Jiang De-Qi , Lu Cheng-Shu , Li Ming-Xing , Jiang Li-Lin 
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Background:
Pramipexole (P) or levodopa (L) treatment has been suggested as a therapeutic method for Parkinson disease (PD) in many clinical studies. Nonetheless, the combined effects of 2 drugs for PD patients are not completely understood.
The aim of this research was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of P plus L (P+L) combination therapy in the treatment of PD compared to that of L monotherapy, in order to confer a reference for clinical practice.

Methods:
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of P+L for PD published up to April, 2020 were retrieved. Standardized mean difference (SMD), odds ratio (OR), and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated and heterogeneity was measured with the I
2 test. Sensitivity analysis was also carried out. The outcomes of interest were as follows: the efficacy, unified Parkinson disease rating scale (UPDRS) scores, Hamilton depression rating scale score or adverse events.

Results:
Twenty-four RCTs with 2171 participants were included. Clinical efficacy of P+L combination therapy was significantly better than L monotherapy (9 trials; OR 4.29, 95% CI 2.78 to 6.64, P < .00001). Compared with L monotherapy, the pooled effects of P+L combination therapy on UPDRS score were (22 trials; SMD −1.31, 95% CI −1.57 to −1.04, P < .00001) for motor UPDRS score, (16 trials; SMD −1.26, 95% CI −1.49 to −1.03, P < .00001) for activities of daily living UPDRS score, (12 trials; SMD −1.02, 95% CI −1.27 to −0.77, P < .00001) for mental UPDRS score, (10 trials; SMD −1.54, 95% CI −1.93 to −1.15, P < .00001) for complication UPDRS score. The Hamilton depression rating scale score showed significant decrease in the P+L combination therapy compared to L monotherapy (12 trials; SMD −1.56, 95% CI −1.90 to −1.22, P < .00001). In contrast to L monotherapy, P+L combination therapy reduced the number of any adverse events obviously in PD patients (16 trials; OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.27 to 0.50, P < .00001).

Conclusions:

P+L combination therapy is superior to L monotherapy for improvement of clinical symptoms in PD patients. Moreover, the safety profile of P+L combination therapy is better than that of L monotherapy. Further well-designed, multicenter RCTs needed to identify these findings.
Determination of risk factors for fever after transarterial chemoembolization with drug-eluting beads for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Li Jinpeng , Shi Congcong , Shi Jutian , Song Jinlong , Wang Nan 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
This study was to identify risk factors affecting postembolization fever (PEF) of CalliSpheres drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) in the treatment of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
One hundred eighty-eight consecutive patients with HCC who underwent DEB-TACE with fever between June 2017 and May 2019 were included in this retrospective study. The patients were divided into 4 groups based on the severity of posttransarterial chemoembolization (TACE) fever according to the degrees of body temperature. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistics regression were performed to identify potential risk factors for post-TACE fever.
In the stepwise multiple regression analysis, pre-TACE blood urea, small particle size and Cental liqefction (P < .05) were independent risk factors of severe post-TACE fever (P < .05, respectively). Portal vein thrombosis (P < .01), Child-Pugh stage (P < .01), and cycles of DEB-TACE (P < .05) were independent risk factors for clinical death, PEF was not associated with clinical death (P = .754) and 6-month survival (P = .524) in the univariate analysis. Moreover, multivariate Cox regression was performed, and Child-Pugh stage (B vs A) (P = .040) and portal vein thrombosis (yes vs no) (P = .033) were independent factors predicting unfavorable overall survival in HCC patients.
Pre-TACE blood urea, small particle size, and Cental liqefction were significantly correlated with the occurrence fever after DEB-TACE. Therefore, these factors should be taken into full consideration for the relief of fever. However, PEF after D-TACE was not associated with clinical death and 6-month survival rate.
Effects of traditional Chinese medicine exercise therapy on cancer-related fatigue, anxiety and sleep quality in cancer patients
Authors: Jiang Lihao , Ouyang Ju , Du Xianfeng 
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Background:
Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most common adverse events of anticancer therapies, with an incidence of up to 90%, which seriously affects the quality of life in cancer patients. Complementary and alternative therapies for CRF include acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Tai Chi, Qigong, and massage therapy. Several studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) exercise therapies, such as Tai Chi, Ba Duan Jin, the classics of tendon changing, Six Healing Sounds, and Wu Qin Xi, can improve CRF, anxiety symptoms, and sleep quality in cancer patients. However, their specific efficacy and which TCM exercise therapy is the best remain controversial. In this study, we assess and compare the effects of different TCM exercise therapies on CRF, anxiety, and sleep quality in cancer patients by network meta-analysis (NMA).

Methods:
Randomized controlled trials reporting TCM exercise therapies for CRF, anxiety and sleep quality in cancer patients published before October 2021 will be searched in the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Embase, China Scientific Journal Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and Wanfang Data. Two researchers will be independently responsible for literature screening, data extraction and assessment of their quality. Standard pair-wise and NMA will be performed to compare the efficacy of different TCM exercise therapies on CRF, anxiety and sleep quality in cancer patients using Stata 14.0 software.

Results:
The results of this meta-analysis will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication.

Conclusions:
This NMA will contribute to identify the optimal TCM exercise therapy for CRF and provide evidence-based bias for clinical decision-making.

Ethics and dissemination:
Ethical approval was not required for this study. The systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal, presented at conferences, and shared on social media platforms.

OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER:
DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/MJ8DA.
Prevalence of anxiety, depression, and stress among teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Silva David Franciole Oliveira , Cobucci Ricardo Ney , Lima Severina Carla Vieira Cunha , de Andrade Fábia Barbosa 
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Background:
Identifying the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and stress among teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods:
Systematic review of original studies published in any language. Protocol published in PROSPERO under number CRD42021240543. The search was carried out in the Web of Science, PsycINFO, Pubmed, Embase, LILACS, and SciELO databases, using the descriptors: anxiety, depression, stress, teacher, faculty, COVID-19, and their synonyms. Narrative synthesis was carried out in line with the synthesis without meta-analysis in systematic reviews.

Results:
Of the 1372 records identified, 6 studies, all cross-sectional, were included in the review. The studies were carried out in China, Brazil, the United States of America, India, and Spain. Five studies included more women than men. The participants were aged from 24 to 60 years. Three studies included only school teachers, 2 included schools and universities teachers, and 1 only university teachers. Of the 5 studies, all dealt with remote activities and only 1 included teachers who returned to face-to-face classes 1 to 2 weeks ago. The prevalence of anxiety ranged from 10% to 49.4%, and depression from 15.9% to 28.9%, being considerably higher in studies with teachers who worked in schools. The prevalence of stress ranged from 12.6% to 50.6%.

Conclusion:
The prevalence of anxiety, depression, and stress was high among teachers during the pandemic, with great variation between studies. Anxiety and stress were more prevalent in the Spanish study. The results show the need for measures for the care of teachers’ mental health, especially when returning to face-to-face classes.
Rebound of platelet count in a patient with type 2 calreticulin-mutant essential thrombocythemia in the postpartum period
Authors: Al-Mashdali Abdulrahman F. , Yassin Mohamed A. 
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Introduction:
Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is an uncommon myeloproliferative neoplasm. It is more common in females; 20% of them are below 40 years old. The optimal management of ET during pregnancy and postpartum periods is still not well established.

Patient concern:
We report a case of a young lady with type 2 calreticulin-mutant ET who developed a marked rebound in her platelet count (reaching 2030 × 103/μL) 2 weeks after premature delivery of her baby (24th week of gestation). She was on Pegylated Interferon alfa 2-a during pregnancy (her platelet was around 500 × 103/μL during the second trimester), but she had stopped it on her own from the 20th week of gestation.

Diagnosis:
Postpartum rebound of platelet count due to medication non-compliance.

Intervention and outcome:
We resumed her regular Pegylated Interferon, and subsequently, her platelet count reduced dramatically within 4 weeks to an acceptable level (684 × 103 /μL).

Conclusion:
The guideline is still not well-established regarding the optimal approach for postpartum rebound of platelet count in patients with ET. It is still unclear if the platelet count will fall spontaneously without intervention after the rebound phase. Further research is required to establish the optimal management of ET during the postpartum phase. This case emphasizes the importance of platelet count follow-up during the postpartum period and outlines our management approach in such cases.