bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trends in the use of non-invasive respiratory support for term infants in tertiary neonatal units in Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Manley Brett J , Buckmaster Adam G , Travadi Javeed , Owen Louise S , Roberts Calum T , Wright Ian M R , Davis Peter G , Arnolda Gaston 
Published: April 2022

ObjectiveTo determine whether the use of non-invasive respiratory support, such as continuous positive airway pressure and nasal high flow, to treat term infants in Australian and New Zealand tertiary neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) has changed over time, and if so, whether there are parallel changes in short-term respiratory morbidities.DesignRetrospective database review of patient-level data from the Australian and New Zealand Neonatal Network (ANZNN) from 2010 to 2018. Denominator data on the number of term inborn livebirths in each facility was only available as annual totals.Patients and settingTerm, inborn infants cared for in NICUs within the ANZNN.Main outcome measuresThe primary outcome was the annual change in hospital-specific rates of non-invasive respiratory support per 1000 inborn livebirths, expressed as a percentage change. Secondary outcomes were the change in rates of mechanical ventilation, pneumothorax requiring drainage, exogenous surfactant treatment and death before hospital discharge.ResultsA total of 14 656 term infants from 21 NICUs were included from 2010 to 2018, of whom 12 719 received non-invasive respiratory support. Non-invasive respiratory support use increased on average by 8.7% per year (95% CI: 7.9% to 9.4% per year); the number of term infants receiving non-invasive respiratory support almost doubled from 980 in 2010 (10.8/1000 livebirths) to 1913 in 2018 (20.8/1000). There was no change over time in rate of mechanical ventilation or death. The rate of pneumothorax requiring drainage increased over time, as did surfactant treatment.ConclusionsNon-invasive respiratory support use to treat term infants cared for in NICUs within the ANZNN is increasing over time. Clinicians should be diligent in selecting infants most likely to benefit from treatment with non-invasive respiratory support in this relatively low-risk population of term newborn infants. Analysis of patient-level data by individual NICUs is recommended to control for potential confounding due to changes in population over time.
Effectiveness of different types and levels of social distancing measures: a scoping review of global evidence from earlier stage of COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Sun Kai Sing , Lau Terence See Man , Yeoh Eng Kiong , Chung Vincent Chi Ho , Leung Yin Shan , Yam Carrie Ho Kwan , Hung Chi Tim 
Published: April 2022

ObjectiveSocial distancing is one of the main non-pharmaceutical interventions used in the control of the COVID-19 pandemic. This scoping review aims to synthesise research findings on the effectiveness of different types and levels of social distancing measures in the earlier stage of COVID-19 pandemic without the confounding effect of mass vaccination.DesignScoping review.Data sourcesMEDLINE, Embase, Global Health and four other databases were searched for eligible studies on social distancing for COVID-19 published from inception of the databases to 30 September 2020.Study selection and data extractionEffectiveness studies on social distancing between individuals, school closures, workplace/business closures, public transport restrictions and partial/full lockdown were included. Non-English articles, studies in healthcare settings or not based on empirical data were excluded.ResultsAfter screening 1638 abstracts and 8 additional articles from other sources, 41 studies were included for synthesis of findings. The review found that the outcomes of social distancing measures were mainly indicated by changes inRt, incidence and mortality, along with indirect indicators such as daily contact frequency and travel distance. There was adequate empirical evidence for the effect of social distancing at the individual level, and for partial or full lockdown at the community level. However, at the level of social settings, the evidence was moderate for school closure, and was limited for workplace/business closures as single targeted interventions. There was no evidence for a separate effect of public transport restriction.ConclusionsIn the community setting, there was stronger evidence for the combined effect of different social distancing interventions than for a single intervention. As fatigue of preventive behaviours is an issue in public health agenda, future studies should analyse the risks in specific settings such as eateries and entertainment to implement and evaluate measures which are proportionate to the risk.
Prevalence, symptom burden and under-diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Polish lung cancer screening population: a cohort observational study
Authors: Undrunas Aleksandra , Kasprzyk Piotr , Rajca Aleksandra , Kuziemski Krzysztof , Rzyman Witold , Zdrojewski Tomasz 
Published: April 2022

ObjectivesLung cancer screening using low-dose CT may be not effective without considering the presence of comorbidities related to chronic smoking. The aim of the study was to establish the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in group of phighlight the potential benefits atients participating in the largest Polish lung cancer screening programme MOLTEST-BIS and attempt to confirm the necessity of combined lung cancer and COPD screening.DesignCohort, prospective study.SettingMedical University of Gdańsk, PolandParticipantsThe study included 754 participants in lung cancer screening trial from the Pomeranian region, aged 50–70 years old, current and former smokers with a smoking history ≥30 pack-years.Primary and secondary outcome measuresQuestionnaire, physical examination, anthropometric measurements, spirometry test before and after inhaled bronchodilator (400 µg of salbutamol)ResultsObstructive disorders were diagnosed in 186 cases (103 male and 83 female). In the case of 144 participants (19.73%), COPD was diagnosed. Only 13.3% of participants with COPD were known about the disease earlier. According to classification of airflow limitation 55.6% of diagnosed COPD were in Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) 1 (mild), 38.9% in GOLD 2 (moderate), 4.9% in GOLD 3 (severe) and 0.7% in GOLD 4 (very severe) stage. Women with recognition of COPD were younger than men (63.7 vs 66.3 age) and they smoked less cigarettes (41.1 vs 51.9 pack-years).ConclusionsPrevalence of COPD in Polish lung cancer screening cohort is significant. The COPD in this group is remarkably under-diagnosed. Most diagnosed COPD cases were in the initial stage of advancement. This early detection of airflow limitation highlights the potential benefits arising from combined oncological-pulmonary screening.NKBBN
Study protocol for a pilot prospective, observational study investigating the condition suggestion and urgency advice accuracy of a symptom assessment app in sub-Saharan Africa: the AFYA-‘Health’ Study
Authors: Millen Elizabeth , Salim Nahya , Azadzoy Hila , Bane Mustafa Miraji , O'Donnell Lisa , Schmude Marcel , Bode Philipp , Tuerk Ewelina , Vaidya Ria , Gilbert Stephen Henry 
Published: April 2022

IntroductionDue to a global shortage of healthcare workers, there is a lack of basic healthcare for 4 billion people worldwide, particularly affecting low-income and middle-income countries. The utilisation of AI-based healthcare tools such as symptom assessment applications (SAAs) has the potential to reduce the burden on healthcare systems. The purpose of the AFYA Study (AI-based Assessment oF health sYmptoms in TAnzania) is to evaluate the accuracy of the condition suggestions and urgency advice provided by a user on a Swahili language Ada SAA.Methods and analysisThis study is designed as an observational prospective clinical study. The setting is a waiting room of a Tanzanian district hospital. It will include patients entering the outpatient clinic with various conditions and age groups, including children and adolescents. Patients will be asked to use the SAA before proceeding to usual care. After usual care, they will have a consultation with a study-provided physician. Patients and healthcare practitioners will be blinded to the SAA’s results. An expert panel will compare the Ada SAA’s condition suggestions and urgency advice to usual care and study provided differential diagnoses and triage. The primary outcome measures are the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the Ada SAA evaluated against the gold standard differential diagnoses.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval was received by the ethics committee (EC) of Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences with an approval number MUHAS-REC-09-2019-044 and the National Institute for Medical Research, NIMR/HQ/R.8c/Vol. I/922. All amendments to the protocol are reported and adapted on the basis of the requirements of the EC. The results from this study will be submitted to peer-reviewed journals, local and international stakeholders, and will be communicated in editorials/articles by Ada Health.Trial registration numberNCT04958577.
Implementing a choice of pulmonary rehabilitation models in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HomeBase2 trial): protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial
Authors: Holland Anne E , Jones Arwel W , Mahal Ajay , Lannin Natasha A , Cox Narelle , Hepworth Graham , O'Halloran Paul , McDonald Christine F 
Published: April 2022

IntroductionThere is compelling evidence that either centre-based or home-based pulmonary rehabilitation improves clinical outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There are known health service and personal barriers which prevent potentially eligible patients from accessing the benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation. The aim of this hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial is to examine the effects of offering patients a choice of pulmonary rehabilitation locations (home or centre) compared with offering only the traditional centre-based model.Method and analysisThis is a two-arm cluster randomised, controlled, assessor-blinded trial of 14 centre-based pulmonary rehabilitation services allocated to intervention (offering choice of home-based or centre-based pulmonary rehabilitation) or control (continuing to offer centre-based pulmonary rehabilitation only), stratified by centre-based programme setting (hospital vs non-hospital). 490 participants with COPD will be recruited. Centre-based pulmonary rehabilitation will be delivered according to best practice guidelines including supervised exercise training for 8 weeks. At intervention sites, the home-based pulmonary rehabilitation will be delivered according to an established 8-week model, comprising of one home visit, unsupervised exercise training and telephone calls that build motivation for exercise participation and facilitate self-management. The primary outcome is all-cause, unplanned hospitalisations in the 12 months following rehabilitation. Secondary outcomes include programme completion rates and measurements of 6-minute walk distance, chronic respiratory questionnaire, EQ-5D-5L, dyspnoea-12, physical activity and sedentary time at the end of rehabilitation and 12 months following rehabilitation.Direct healthcare costs, indirect costs and changes in EQ-5D-5L will be used to evaluate cost-effectiveness. A process evaluation will be undertaken to understand how the choice model is implemented and explore sustainability beyond the clinical trial.Ethics and disseminationAlfred Hospital Ethics Committee has approved this protocol. The trial findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals, submitted for presentation at conferences and disseminated to patients across Australia with support from national lung charities and societies.Trial registration numberNCT04217330.
Bronchodilatory Effect of Higenamine as Antiallergic Asthma Treatment
Authors: Du Jing , Mehrabi Nasab Entezar , Athari Seyyed Shamsadin , Qian Linlin 
Published: April 2022

Asthma is a complex airway disease that affects more than 350 million humans worldwide. Allergic asthma symptoms are induced by Th2 immune response with the release of cytokines and allegro-inflammatory mediators that amplify the inflammatory response, airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR) and hyperproduction of mucus. Higenamine, as a chemical compound, is a β2 adrenoreceptor agonist and can be used as bronchodilator in allergic asthma. BALB/c mice were allocated in four groups and then allergic asthma was induced in three groups. One of the asthmatic groups was treated with albuterol and other one was treated with higenamine. At least, methacholine challenge to determine the AHR, measurement of cytokines, total immunoglobulin E (IgE), LTB4 and LTC4 levels, evaluation of gene expression of Muc5ac, Muc5b, Agr2 and Arg1, and histopathological study were done. Higenamine treatment reduced AHR, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13 levels, mRNA expression of MUC5ac, MUC5b, Arg1 and Agr2, goblet cell hyperplasia and mucus hypersecretion. Higenamine had no significant effect on IL-5, interferon-γ (INF-γ), IgE, LTB4, LTC4 levels and eosinophilic inflammation in lung tissue. Higenamine treatment controls asthma acute attack and breathlessness and can be used as asthma treatment with control of AHR and decrease of airflow obstruction and mucus hypersecretion and had allegro-immune-regulatory effect. But higenamine treatment had no notable effect on the inflammation and inflammatory factors.
Uncovering the size of the illegal corporate service provider industry in the Netherlands: a network approach
Authors: Garcia-Bernardo Javier , Witteman Joost , Vlaanderen Marilou 
Published: April 2022

AbstractEconomic crimes such as money laundering, terrorism financing, tax evasion or corruption almost invariably involve the use of a corporate entity. Such entities are regularly incorporated and managed by corporate services providers (CSPs). Given this potential for enabling economic crime, the CSP industry in the Netherlands is heavily regulated and CSPs require a license to operate. Operating without a licence is illegal. In this paper, we estimate the size of the illegal CSP sector in the Netherlands. For this, we develop a classification method to detect potentially illegal CSPs based on their similarity with licensed CSPs. Similarity is computed based on their position within the network of directors, companies and addresses, and the characteristics of such entities. We manually annotate a sample of the potential illegal CSPs and estimate that illegal CSPs constitute 31–51% of the total number of CSPs and manage 19–27% of all companies managed by CSPs. Our analysis provides a tool to regulators to improve detection and prevention of economic crime, and can be extended to the estimation of other illegal activities.
A Comparison of Outcomes of Reconstruction of Palmar versus Dorsal Defects of the Thumb Using a First Dorsal Metacarpal Artery Flap with a Cutaneous Bridge Segment
Authors: AGGAG Ahmad Mohammad , ABOEL-HASAN Waleed Saber , ABDEL-AAL Mohamed 
Published: April 2022

Background: The aim of this study is to compare outcomes of reconstruction of palmar versus dorsal defects of the thumb using the first dorsal metacarpal artery (FDMA) flap with a cutaneous bridge segment. Methods: All FDMA flaps done at our centre for reconstruction of traumatic thumb defects in the period from November 2017 to May 2019 were included in this study. Data with regard to the patient, the injury and the flap were recorded. The outcome measures recorded include flap survival, complications, duration of follow-up, static two-point discrimination (2-PD), cortical reorientation, paresthesia at the flap and donor site, pain at the flap and donor site, Kapandji score and aesthetic outcome. Results: The study included 11 patients with an average age of 35 years. All patients were men, and the injury involved the dominant thumb in seven patients. There were five dorsal defects and six palmar defects, and the average defect size was 7.22 sq cm. All flaps survived and there were no complications. The mean follow-up period was 15.2 months. The mean static 2-PD was 9.35 mm, cortical reorientation was complete in six patients, paresthesia score at the flap was 0.27 and at the donor site was 0.36. The visual analogue scale (VAS) pain for the flap was 1.09 and for the donor site was 1.27. The average Kapandji score was 8.64 and patients rated the aesthetic outcome of the flap at 8 and of the donor site at 7.36. There were no differences in outcomes between palmar and dorsal defects except for the aesthetic outcome of the flap that was rated better for dorsal defects. Conclusion: The FDMA flap designed with a cutaneous bridge segment provided reliable, single-stage reconstruction of dorsal and palmar thumb defects with good outcomes. Patients rated the aesthetic outcome of flaps used for dorsal reconstruction higher. Level of evidence: Level IV (Therapeutic)
Combined Training Intervention Targeting Medical and Nursing Staff Reduces Ciprofloxacin Use and Events of Urinary Tract Infection
Authors: Forster Johannes , Schulze Petra , Burger Claudia , Krone Manuel , Vogel Ulrich , Surat Güzin 
Published: April 2022

Inappropriate diagnosis of urinary tract infections (UTI) contributes to antimicrobial overuse. A combined training intervention for medical and nursing staff mainly addressing the analytic process reduced UTI events (9.20 vs. 7.36 per 1000 PD, −20.0%,

p

= 0.003) and the utilization rate of ciprofloxacin (11.6 vs. 3.5, −69.6

p

= 0.001) in a Bavarian University Hospital. Combined training intervention—as part of an antibiotic stewardship program—can be effective in avoiding unnecessary urinalysis and reducing antibiotic consumption.
The Value of Serum Exosomal miR-184 in the Diagnosis of NSCLC
Authors: Li Shujun , Lin Yanming , Wu Yanxia , Chen Hualin , Huang Zhong , Lin Muwen , Dong Jiali , Wang Yongcun , Yang Zhixiong 
Published: April 2022

Lung cancer has the highest morbidity rate (11.6%) and mortality rate (18.4%) among all current tumors. The morbidity rate in China accounts for approximately one-third, and it is still rising. Nonsmall cell lung cancer is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for 80%–85% of all lung cancers, and approximately 57% of patients with advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer have distant metastases at the time of diagnosis. To explore the expression changes in microRNA-184 (miR-184) and its clinical value in serum exosomes of patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study adopted a case-control study method, selecting 88 patients (NSCLC group) from June 2015 to June 2017 in our hospital who are confirmed to have NSCLC by fiber-optic bronchoscopy, and 90 patients who are confirmed to have benign lung diseases by pathological examination during the same period (control group). Fluorescence quantitative PCR technology is used to detect the levels of miR-184 in serum exosomes of the two groups, and the differences in the levels of miR-184 in serum exosomes of NSCLC patients with different pathological characteristics are analyzed. According to the results of the 3-year follow-up, the miR-184 levels in serum exosomes of NSCLC patients are grouped and compared. The expression level of miR-184 in serum exosomes in the NSCLC group is significantly higher than that in the control group, and the difference between the two groups is statistically significant (

p

< 0.05). The ROC curve is drawn with the expression level of miR-184 in serum exosomes of the two groups of patients. The results showed that the area under the ROC curve for the differential diagnosis of NSCLC and benign lung tumors with the expression level of miR-184 in serum exosomes is 0.927, and the sensitivity is 87.61%, while the specificity is 84.02%. The expression levels of miR-184 in serum exosomes of NSCLC patients with different pathological characteristics, in different TNM stages [(I+II) vs. (III+IV)], lymph node metastasis (yes vs. no), and different degrees of differentiation [(High + Medium) vs. Poorly differentiated] are compared and showed statistical significance (

p

< 0.05). In 88 NSCLC patients, after 3 years of follow-up, 33 survived, and 55 died, with a survival rate of 37.50%. The expression of miR-184 in serum exosomes of the 33 surviving patients is significantly lower than that of the nonsurviving group (

p

< 0.05). The expression level of miR-184 in serum exosomes of NSCLC patients is significantly increased, which has a certain value for the differential diagnosis of the nature of benign and malignant lung diseases and is closely related to the prognosis of patients.
Loss of KMT5C Promotes EGFR Inhibitor Resistance in NSCLC via LINC01510-Mediated Upregulation of MET
Authors: Pal Arpita S. , Agredo Alejandra , Lanman Nadia A. , Son Jihye , Sohal Ikjot Singh , Bains Manvir , Li Chennan , Clingerman Jenna , Gates Kayla , Kasinski Andrea L. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractEGFR inhibitors (EGFRi) are standard-of-care treatments administered to patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that harbor EGFR alterations. However, development of resistance posttreatment remains a major challenge. Multiple mechanisms can promote survival of EGFRi-treated NSCLC cells, including secondary mutations in EGFR and activation of bypass tracks that circumvent the requirement for EGFR signaling. Nevertheless, the mechanisms involved in bypass signaling activation are understudied and require further elucidation. In this study, we identify that loss of an epigenetic factor, lysine methyltransferase 5C (KMT5C), drives resistance of NSCLC to multiple EGFRis, including erlotinib, gefitinib, afatinib, and osimertinib. KMT5C catalyzed trimethylation of histone H4 lysine 20 (H4K20), a modification required for gene repression and maintenance of heterochromatin. Loss of KMT5C led to upregulation of an oncogenic long noncoding RNA, LINC01510, that promoted transcription of the oncogene MET, a component of a major bypass mechanism involved in EGFRi resistance. These findings underscore the loss of KMT5C as a critical event in driving EGFRi resistance by promoting a LINC01510/MET axis, providing mechanistic insights that could help improve NSCLC treatment.Significance:Dysregulation of the epigenetic modifier KMT5C can drive MET-mediated EGFRi resistance, implicating KMT5C loss as a putative biomarker of resistance and H4K20 methylation as a potential target in EGFRi-resistant lung cancer.
A Genome-Wide CRISPR Activation Screen Identifies PRRX2 as a Regulator of Enzalutamide Resistance in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Rodríguez Yara , Unno Kenji , Truica Mihai I. , Chalmers Zachary R. , Yoo Young A. , Vatapalli Rajita , Sagar Vinay , Yu Jindan , Lysy Barbara , Hussain Maha , Han Huiying , Abdulkadir Sarki A. 
Published: April 2022

Abstract

Androgen receptor (AR) pathway inhibitors are the mainstay treatment for advanced prostate cancer, but resistance to therapy is common. Here, we used a CRISPR activation screen in metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer cells to identify genes that promote resistance to AR inhibitors. Activation of the TGFβ target gene paired-related homeobox2 (PRRX2) promoted enzalutamide resistance. PRRX2 expression was the highest in double-negative prostate cancer (DNPC), which lack AR signaling and neuroendocrine differentiation, and a PRRX2-related gene signature identified a subset of patients with DNPC with reduced overall survival. PRRX2-expressing cells showed alterations in the CDK4/6/Rb/E2F and BCL2 pathways. Accordingly, treatment with CDK4/6 and BCL2 inhibitors sensitized PRRX2-expressing, castration-resistant tumors to enzalutamide. Overall, PRRX2 was identified as a driver of enzalutamide resistance. The PRRX2 signature merits investigation as a biomarker of enzalutamide resistance in prostate cancer that could be reversed with CDK4/6 and BCL2 inhibitors.

Significance:
PRRX2 mediates enzalutamide resistance via activation of the E2F and BCL2 pathways, which can be targeted with CDK4/6 and BCL2 inhibitors to reverse resistance.