bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of glucocorticoids combined with disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs on the improvement of symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Si Lulu , Jin Yunyan , Zhao Dongni , Yu Lixia , Cao Huankun 
Published: March 2022

Objectives: To explore the effect of glucocorticoids combined with disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs in the treatment of symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Methods: Medical records of patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated in the Rheumatology and Immunology Department of Yiwu Central Hospital from March 2020 to March 2021 were selected. A total of 38 patients were treated with disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs Group-I and 44 patients were treated with disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and glucocorticoids Group-II. The symptom improvement of the two groups were compared and analyzed Serological indexes and adverse reactions.
Results: Swollen joint counts (SJC), tender joint counts (TJC), rheumatoid arthritis disease activity evaluation form (DAS28) score, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, levels of ESR, C-reaction protein (CRP) and rheumatoid factor (RF) of Group-II patients were lower than those in Group-I (P<0.05). The adverse reaction rate in Group-II patients was 12.20%, which was similar to that of Group-I patients. There was no significant difference in 9.76% of the patients (P>0.05).
Conclusion: The combination of glucocorticoids and disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis is safe can further improve their symptoms and serological indexes, and will not lead to increased adverse reactions.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.4.5458
How to cite this:Si L, Jin Y, Zhao D, Yu L, Cao H. Effect of glucocorticoids combined with disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs on the improvement of symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(4):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.4.5458
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Effects of high-dose recombinant human growth hormone treatment on IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels in idiopathic dwarfism patients
Authors: Wu Bin , Lin Honghua , Gao Jian , Sun Juan , Zhao Meng 
Published: March 2022

Objective: To investigate the effects of high-dose recombinant human growth hormone(rhGH) treatment on insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels in patients with idiopathic dwarfism.
Methods: This study retrospectively investigated records of idiopathic dwarfism patients treated at Anhui Children’s Hospital or the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University between May 2019 and October 2020. The study identified 76 patients, which were divided based on rhGH treatment dosage into high- and low-dose groups.
Results: The high-dose group showed a total efficacy of 95.3%, which was significantly higher than the 79.41% observed in the low-dose group (P<0.05). Moreover, height, weight, IGF-1 levels, and IGFBP-3 levels were all significantly elevated in the high-dose group compared to the low-dose group (P<0.05). No significant difference in adverse reaction incidence was observed between high- (9.5%) and low-dose (8.8%) groups (P>0.05).
Conclusions: Higher doses of rhGH can provide improved curative effects in patients with idiopathic short stature, likely via elevated levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.4.5502
How to cite this:Wu B, Lin H, Gao J, Sun J, Zhao M. Effects of high-dose recombinant human growth hormone treatment on IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels in idiopathic dwarfism patients. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(4):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.4.5502
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Characterizing gene expression in an in vitro biomechanical strain model of joint health
Authors: Hung Anthony , Housman Genevieve , Briscoe Emilie A. , Cuevas Claudia , Gilad Yoav 
Published: March 2022

Background: Both genetic and environmental factors appear to contribute to joint health and disease. For example, pathological levels of biomechanical stress on joints play a notable role in initiation and progression of osteoarthritis (OA), a common chronic degenerative joint disease affecting articular cartilage and underlying bone. Population-level gene expression studies of cartilage cells experiencing biomechanical stress may uncover gene-by-environment interactions relevant to human joint health. Methods: To build a foundation for population-level gene expression studies in cartilage, we applied differentiation protocols to develop an in vitro system of chondrogenic cell lines (iPSC-chondrocytes). We characterized gene regulatory responses of three human iPSC-chondrocyte lines to cyclic tensile strain treatment. We measured the contribution of biological and technical factors to gene expression variation in this system. Results: We identified patterns of gene regulation that differ between strain-treated and control iPSC-chondrocytes. Differentially expressed genes between strain and control conditions are enriched for gene sets relevant to joint health and OA. Furthermore, even in this small sample, we found several genes that exhibit inter-individual expression differences in response to mechanical strain, including genes previously implicated in OA. Conclusions: Expanding this system to include iPSC-chondrocytes from a larger number of individuals will allow us to characterize and better understand gene-by-environment interactions related to joint health.
Use of Remdesivir in the treatment of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection among Sudanese patients: a case series
Authors: Yousif Maysoun , Abd El-Raheem Ghada , Mohamed Doaa 
Published: March 2022

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is affecting populations worldwide. Remdesivir is an anti-retroviral agent, with a broad spectrum of usage. Remdesivir usage against COVID-19 had been studied both in vitro and in vivo but is still considered a new treatment for COVID-19 and is not available in all countries. The aim of our study was to report several cases of the use of Remdesivir in Sudanese patients and report the adverse events related to the course of treatment. Methods: A case series study was conducted in Imperial Hospital, Khartoum, Sudan reporting two cases who received Remdesivir for treating COVID-19 besides other treatments such as steroids and supportive therapy in December 2020. Cases were males aged over 65 years. Cases presentation: Both patients were severe cases of COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), who received Remdesivir for treating COVID-19 infection. Several side effects were reported: the first case had increased liver enzymes and then unexpectedly died from severe resistant hypotension; and hypoalbuminemia was noticed in the second case. Conclusions: Remdesivir use among patients in Sudan must be studied extensively in order to determine the unexpected fatal event and assess the association of this event to Remdesivir use, as well as to report the frequency of the side effects.
Factors related to depression in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in two coastal regions of Peru: An analytical cross-sectional study
Authors: Quispe Sáenz Elena de Jesús , Salvador-Carrillo José Fernando , Rivera-Lozada Oriana , Bonilla-Asalde César Antonio 
Published: March 2022

Background: Mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and their aggravation have been studied extensively in the general population. However, there are few studies on depression in older adults and the few existing results may be contradictory, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study is to determine the factors associated with depression in older adults in two coastal regions of Peru during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This study uses an analytical cross-sectional design in a population of older adults, who participated in a non-governmental ambulatory social support program in Callao and Ica, two coastal regions of Peru. We administered an on-site structured questionnaire to record sociodemographic data, the Geriatric Depression Scale by Yesavage to measure depression, and the Barthel Index to assess physical function. In order to determine cognitive impairment as an exclusion criterion, the MEC-30 was used. The association between variables was assessed through contingency tables, using the odds ratio (OR) with its corresponding confidence interval (95% CI) and the X2 test. Finally, a binary logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: Out of the 244 older adults surveyed, 39% had depressive symptoms, of which 28.3% (n=69) and 10.7% (n=26) were moderately and severely depressive, respectively. The findings significantly associated with the presence of depressive symptoms were being 76 years old or older [p=0.005, OR: 2.33, 95% CI: 1.29-4.20], not participating in weekly recreational activities [p=0.004, OR: 2.28, 95% CI: 1.31-3.99] and the presence of comorbidities [p=0.026, OR: 1.88, 95% CI: 1.07-3.29]. Conclusion: There are few studies exploring depression in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic; this research shows the importance of mental health care in this population and, particularly, of those who are 76 or older because they suffer from comorbid conditions and have interrupted recreational activities.
Corporate governance and shareholders’ confidence in cooperativess a systematic literature review
Authors: Thangaveloo Arasu , Dorasamy Magiswary , Bin Ahmad Abdul Aziz , Marimuthu Siva Barathi , Jayabalan Jayamalathi 
Published: March 2022

Background: The confidence of Bottom 40 (B40) shareholders is crucial for cooperative’s sustenance within wider corporate governance. An in-depth study on cooperatives is needed, as they play a crucial role in the Malaysian economic system and contribute greatly to the country’s social development. However, in the current landscape, confidence among shareholders is at stake. This study aims to identify the research gap into corporate governance for cooperatives in relation to B40 shareholder confidence, as well as identify current study challenges and develop a conceptual framework for future research. Methods: We conducted a systematic literature review, with the use of agency theory to assess shareholders’ confidence. Emerald, ProQuest, InderScience, Scopus and Science Direct were the online databases used in this study to search five keyword phrases: corporate governance, confidence, cooperative, agency theory and Bottom 40% (B40) household. Tranfield’s five stages were used to conduct the systematic review. Results: Only 5 of the 324 studies assess shareholders’ confidence in cooperatives, as well as one paper on B40 and two papers on agency theory. Our review presents three major findings. First, research in the context of B40 shareholder’s confidence in cooperatives is scarce. Second, the challenges related to shareholders’ confidence in B40 are major issues in the context. Third, research on agency theory in the context of shareholders’ confidence within cooperatives and corporate governance is still scant. Conclusions: This review urges the research community to conduct more studies based on the highlighted research gaps.
Symptom profiles and accuracy of clinical case definitions for COVID-19 in a community cohort: results from the Virus Watch study
Authors: Fragaszy Ellen , Shrotri Madhumita , Geismar Cyril , Aryee Anna , Beale Sarah , Braithwaite Isobel , Byrne Thomas , Eyre Max T. , Fong Wing Lam Erica , Gibbs Jo , Hardelid Pia , Kovar Jana , Lampos Vasileios , Nastouli Eleni , Navaratnam Annalan M.D. , Nguyen Vincent , Patel Parth , Aldridge Robert W. , Hayward Andrew ,   Virus Watch Collaborative
Published: March 2022

Background: Understanding symptomatology and accuracy of clinical case definitions for community COVID-19 cases is important for Test, Trace and Isolate (TTI) and future targeting of early antiviral treatment. Methods: Community cohort participants prospectively recorded daily symptoms and swab results (mainly undertaken through the UK TTI system). We compared symptom frequency, severity, timing, and duration in test positive and negative illnesses. We compared the test performance of the current UK TTI case definition (cough, high temperature, or loss of or altered sense of smell or taste) with a wider definition adding muscle aches, chills, headache, or loss of appetite. Results: Among 9706 swabbed illnesses, including 973 SARS-CoV-2 positives, symptoms were more common, severe and longer lasting in swab positive than negative illnesses. Cough, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches were the most common symptoms in positive illnesses but also common in negative illnesses. Conversely, high temperature, loss or altered sense of smell or taste and loss of appetite were less frequent in positive illnesses, but comparatively even less frequent in negative illnesses. The current UK definition had 81% sensitivity and 47% specificity versus 93% and 27% respectively for the broader definition. 1.7-fold more illnesses met the broader case definition than the current definition. Conclusions: Symptoms alone cannot reliably distinguish COVID-19 from other respiratory illnesses. Adding additional symptoms to case definitions could identify more infections, but with a large increase in the number needing testing and the number of unwell individuals and contacts self-isolating whilst awaiting results.
Head and neck cancer peer-to-peer support and quality of life: systematic scoping review
Authors: Hatton Rebecca A , Crane Julie , Rogers Simon N , Patterson Jo 
Published: March 2022

Background/aim: The aim of this scoping review was to summarise the current evidence for peer-to-peer support and its impact on quality of life (QoL) in head and neck cancer (HNC). Methods: Five search engines were used—PubMed, CINAHL, APA PyscInfo, Web of Science and HaNDLE-on-QoL—to look for publications between 1981 and 2020. Adapted PICO (population, intervention, comparator and outcome) and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) methodology was used. Results: Of the 1408 papers identified, 10 met the inclusion criteria: five qualitative, two cross-sectional, one case-control, one cohort and one quasi-experimental design. There were four common themes: patient experience of peer-to-peer support, delivery of peer-to-peer support, engagement with peer-to-peer support and impact on QoL. Conclusion: This review highlights the paucity of evidence with regard to QoL and peer-to-peer support in HNC. It provides a summary of the literature and identifies considerations for clinical practice and future research.
Co-producing evidence-informed criminal legal re-entry policy with the community: an application of policy codesign
Authors: Owens Mandy D. , Ngo Sally , Grinnell Sue , Pearlman Dana , Bekemeier Betty , Walker Sarah Cusworth 
Published: March 2022

Background:Not attending to local political climate negatively impacts the implementation and sustainability of evidence-informed models of health service. Policy codesign aims to align policy, systems, and community from the ‘ground up’, with structured information gathering, synthesis and creative design methods that incorporate relevant scientific evidence.
Aims and objectives:This paper provides an example of policy codesign to develop a jail-based re-entry programme for adults with opioid use disorder in a rural county in the US.
Methods:The design process adapted Theory U, a systems planning framework to include a rapid evidence review. The process included five sessions from July-September 2020. Mixed methods were used to collect data from the design team (n=5), community at large (n=10), and potential consumers (n=14). Qualitative and descriptive analyses assessed satisfaction with the design process, and the acceptability and perceived feasibility of programme implementation.
Findings:Satisfaction with the design process was high among design team members. Acceptability and perceived feasibility of the designed programme were ‘very high’ across all respondents. The community implemented the designed programme, which aligned with the extant evidence base, although design team members did not explicitly acknowledge research as a source of design. This suggests that the process achieved creative control, and qualitative findings support the teams’ sense of shared ownership.
Discussion and conclusions:Policy codesign is a promising strategy for integrating the evidence base with community creativity in policy and systems-level planning. Further research is needed to understand which elements optimised design members’ absorption of the evidence base, shared sense making, and creative control.
A copula based topology preserving graph convolution network for clustering of single-cell RNA-seq data
Authors: Lall Snehalika , Ray Sumanta , Bandyopadhyay Sanghamitra 
Published: March 2022

Annotation of cells in single-cell clustering requires a homogeneous grouping of cell populations. There are various issues in single cell sequencing that effect homogeneous grouping (clustering) of cells, such as small amount of starting RNA, limited per-cell sequenced reads, cell-to-cell variability due to cell-cycle, cellular morphology, and variable reagent concentrations. Moreover, single cell data is susceptible to technical noise, which affects the quality of genes (or features) selected/extracted prior to clustering.Here we introduce sc-CGconv (copula basedgraphconvolution network forsingleclustering), a stepwise robust unsupervised feature extraction and clustering approach that formulates and aggregates cell–cell relationships using copula correlation (Ccor), followed by a graph convolution network based clustering approach. sc-CGconv formulates a cell-cell graph usingCcorthat is learned by a graph-based artificial intelligence model, graph convolution network. The learned representation (low dimensional embedding) is utilized for cell clustering. sc-CGconv features the following advantages. a. sc-CGconv works with substantially smaller sample sizes to identify homogeneous clusters. b. sc-CGconv can model the expression co-variability of a large number of genes, thereby outperforming state-of-the-art gene selection/extraction methods for clustering. c. sc-CGconv preserves the cell-to-cell variability within the selected gene set by constructing a cell-cell graph through copula correlation measure. d. sc-CGconv provides a topology-preserving embedding of cells in low dimensional space.
Drug development for the treatment of onchocerciasis: Population pharmacokinetic and adverse events modeling of emodepside
Authors: Assmus Frauke , Hoglund Richard M. , Monnot Frédéric , Specht Sabine , Scandale Ivan , Tarning Joel 
Published: March 2022

BackgroundTo accelerate the progress towards onchocerciasis elimination, a macrofilaricidal drug that kills the adult parasite is urgently needed. Emodepside has shown macrofilaricidal activity against a variety of nematodes and is currently under clinical development for the treatment of onchocerciasis. The aims of this study were i) to characterize the population pharmacokinetic properties of emodepside, ii) to link its exposure to adverse events in healthy volunteers, and iii) to propose an optimized dosing regimen for a planned phase II study in onchocerciasis patients.Methodology / Principal findingsPlasma concentration-time profiles and adverse event data were obtained from 142 subjects enrolled in three phase I studies, including a single-dose, and a multiple-dose, dose-escalation study as well as a relative bioavailability study. Nonlinear mixed-effects modeling was used to evaluate the population pharmacokinetic properties of emodepside. Logistic regression modeling was used to link exposure to drug-related treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs). Emodepside pharmacokinetics were well described by a transit-absorption model, followed by a 3-compartment disposition model. Body weight was included as an allometric function and both food and formulation had a significant impact on absorption rate and relative bioavailability. All drug-related TEAEs were transient, and mild or moderate in severity. An increase in peak plasma concentration was associated with an increase in the odds of experiencing a drug-related TEAE of interest.Conclusions/SignificancePharmacokinetic modeling and simulation was used to derive an optimized, body weight-based dosing regimen, which allows for achievement of extended emodepside exposures above target concentrations while maintaining acceptable tolerability margins.
Predicting treatment response and clinicopathological findings in lupus nephritis with urine epidermal growth factor, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 or their ratios
Authors: Ngamjanyaporn Pintip , Worawichawong Suchin , Pisitkun Prapaporn , Khiewngam Khantong , Kantachuvesiri Surasak , Nongnuch Arkom , Assanatham Montira , Sathirapongsasuti Nuankanya , Kitiyakara Chagriya 
Published: March 2022

Introduction
There is a need for sensitive and specific biomarkers to predict kidney damage and therapeutic response in lupus nephritis (LN). Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) are cytokines with divergent roles. EGF or EGF/MCP1 ratio have been shown to correlate with prognosis in primary glomerulonephritis, but there is limited information in lupus nephritis (LN). This study evaluated the roles of MCP-1, EGF or their ratio as biomarkers of histopathology and response to treatment in LN.

Methods
This was a cross-sectional and observational study. Baseline urine MCP-1 and EGF levels in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and controls (total n = 101) were compared, and levels were correlated with clinicopathological findings and subsequent response to treatment.

Results
MCP-1 was higher in active LN (n = 69) compared to other SLE groups and controls, whereas EGF was not different. MCP-1 correlated with disease activity (proteinuria, renal SLEDAI, classes III/IV/V, and high activity index.) By contrast, EGF correlated with eGFR, but not with proteinuria, activity index, or class III/IV/V. MCP-1 was higher, and EGF was lower in high chronicity index. EGF/MCP-1 decreased with greater clinicopathological severity. In a subgroup with proliferative LN who completed six months of induction therapy (n = 41), EGF at baseline was lower in non-responders compared to responders, whereas MCP-1 was similar. By multivariable analysis, baseline EGF was independently associated with subsequent treatment response. Area under the curve for EGF to predict response was 0.80 (0.66–0.95). EGF ≥ 65.6 ng/ mgCr demonstrated 85% sensitivity and 71% specificity for response. EGF/MCP-1 did not improve the prediction for response compared to EGF alone.

Conclusion
MCP-1 increased with disease activity, whereas EGF decreased with low GFR and chronic damage. Urine EGF may be a promising biomarker to predict therapeutic response in LN. EGF/MCP-1 did not improve the prediction of response.