bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prognostic accuracy of visual lung damage computed tomography score for mortality prediction in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zakariaee Seyed Salman , Naderi Negar , Rezaee Danial 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Chest computed tomography (CT) findings provide great added value in characterizing the extent of disease and severity of pulmonary involvements. Chest CT severity score (CT-SS) could be considered as an appropriate prognostic factor for mortality prediction in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. In this study, we performed a meta-analysis evaluating the prognostic accuracy of CT-SS for mortality prediction in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.

Methods
A systematic search was conducted on Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases between December 2019 and September 2021. The meta-analysis was performed using the random-effects model, and sensitivity and specificity (with 95%CIs) of CT-SS were calculated using the study authors’ pre-specified threshold.

Results
Sensitivity estimates ranged from 0.32 to 1.00, and the pooled estimate of sensitivity was 0.67 [95%CI (0.59–0.75)]. Specificity estimates ranged from 0.53 to 0.95 and the pooled estimate of specificity was 0.79 [95%CI (0.74–0.84)]. Results of meta-regression analysis showed that radiologist experiences did not affect the sensitivity and specificity of CT-SS to predict mortality in COVID-19 patients (P = 0.314 and 0.283, respectively). The test for subgroup differences suggests that study location significantly modifies sensitivity and specificity of CT-SS to predict mortality in COVID-19 patients. The area under the summary receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.8248.

Conclusion
Our results have shown that CT-SS has acceptable prognostic accuracy for mortality prediction in COVID-19 patients. This simple scoring method could help to improve the management of high-risk patients with COVID-19.
Core components of a Community of Practice to improve community health worker performance: a qualitative study
Authors: Hennein Rachel , Ggita Joseph M. , Turimumahoro Patricia , Ochom Emmanuel , Gupta Amanda J. , Katamba Achilles , Armstrong-Hough Mari , Davis J. Lucian 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Communities of Practice (CoPs) offer an accessible strategy for healthcare workers to improve the quality of care through knowledge sharing. However, not enough is known about which components of CoPs are core to facilitating behavior change. Therefore, we carried out a qualitative study to address these important gaps in the literature on CoPs and inform planning for an interventional study of CoPs.

Methods
We organized community health workers (CHWs) from two tuberculosis (TB) clinics in Kampala, Uganda, into a CoP from February to June 2018. We conducted interviews with CoP members to understand their perceptions of how the CoP influenced delivery of TB contact investigation. Using an abductive approach, we first applied inductive codes characterizing CHWs’ perceptions of how the CoP activities affected their delivery of contact investigation. We then systematically mapped these codes into their functional categories using the Behavior Change Technique (BCT) Taxonomy and the Behavior Change Wheel framework. We triangulated all interview findings with detailed field notes.

Results
All eight members of the CoP agreed to participate in the interviews. CHWs identified five CoP activities as core to improving the quality of their work: (1) individual review of feedback reports, (2) collaborative improvement meetings, (3) real-time communications among members, (4) didactic education sessions, and (5) clinic-wide staff meetings. These activities incorporated nine different BCTs and five distinct intervention functions. CHWs reported that these activities provided a venue for them to share challenges, exchange knowledge, engage in group problem solving, and benefit from social support. CHWs also explained that they felt a shared sense of ownership of the CoP, which motivated them to propose and carry out innovations. CHWs described that the CoP strengthened their social and professional identities within and outside the group, and improved their self-efficacy.

Conclusions
We identified the core components and several mechanisms through which CoPs may improve CHW performance. Future studies should evaluate the importance of these mechanisms in mediating the effects of CoPs on program effectiveness.
Intralesional doxycycline and bleomycin hydrochloride in the treatment of cystic hygroma
Authors: Nabi Ashfaque , Ferdous K. M. N. , Khan Naila Atik , Hasan Nazmul , Islam M. Kabirul 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Purpose
Cystic lymphangioma is a common congenital lymphatic malformation. The aim of the study was to compare the safety and efficacy of doxycycline and bleomycin in the treatment of cystic hygroma.

Methods
A total of 60 children with cystic hygroma were included in the study after fulfillment of inclusion and exclusion criteria from July 2016 to June 2018. They were randomly assigned to the doxycycline group (group A = 30 children) or the bleomycin group (group B = 30 children). The comparative parameters between the two groups were the reduction of size of the lesion, adverse effects of both drugs, and treatment cost between groups. All patients were followed up for 6 months.

Results
Median age was 10.00 months in group A and 8.50 months in group B (p=0.841) Male to female ratio was 1.76:1. There was a significant reduction in the median size of the lesion in both groups after treatment (p<0.001). 86.7% of patients had an excellent response in group A whereas 60% in group B had an excellent response (P=0.049). There was more adverse effect in group B than group A (63.3% vs 36.7%, P=0.04).

Conclusion
Doxycycline monotherapy had a higher rate of excellent clinical outcomes with fewer side effects than bleomycin and was more cost-effective.
Endocrine, metabolic, and hepatic dysfunction in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia with severe and critically ill status
Authors: Elesdoudy Ahmed 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Management of endocrine and hepatic disorders is very important for better management of patient with COVID-19 infections. Hepatic and endocrine dysfunction needs clinical assessment, continued monitoring, and specific treatment. It is important to understand clearly the potential mechanisms causing hepatic and endocrine injury

Objectives
To assess the endocrine and hepatic dysfunctions in patient with COVID-19 pneumonia with severe and critically ill status.

Methods
This retrospective analytical study was performed on 75 patients admitted to intensive care or high dependency units (ICU/HDU) in Obaidullah Hospital, Ministry of Health, United Arab Emirates. All patients were subjected to the following on admission: history taking, general and local examinations, routine laboratory studies (CBC, liver function tests, and kidney function tests), and other laboratory tests: C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimer, Chest X-ray. Endocrine and hepatic function tests and other laboratory studies are repeated daily to show the progress of endocrine and hepatic functions.

Results
The age range of the studied group was between 35 years and 107 years with mean age 59.98 ± 12.88. The sex distribution was (42 male, 56%) and (33 female, 44%). The associated comorbidities were 4 patients had bronchial asthma (5.3%), 12 patients had chronic kidney disease (16%), 30 patients had diabetes mellitus (40%), 26 patients had hypertension (34.7%), 2 patient had hypothyroidism (2.7%), 12 patient had ischemic heart disease (16%), and 21 patients did not have any comorbidities (28%). There was significant difference between glucose level, thyroid stimulating hormone and free t4 before and after admission (P values are 0.001, 0.04, and 0.023 respectively). There was significant difference between serum electrolytes before and after admission (P value = 0.001). There was significant difference between liver function test before and after admission (P values are 0.004, 0.001, and 0.001)

Conclusions
Hepatic, pancreatic, thyroid functions, and electrolytes are affected by COVID-19 infection. These could act as surrogate biomarkers for better management of hepatic, pancreatic, thyroid functions and electrolytes disturbances in patients with COVID-19 infection.
Children's Oncology Group Trial AALL1231: A Phase III Clinical Trial Testing Bortezomib in Newly Diagnosed T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Lymphoma
Authors: Teachey David T. , Devidas Meenakshi , Wood Brent L. , Chen Zhiguo , Hayashi Robert J. , Hermiston Michelle L. , Annett Robert D. , Archer J. Hunter , Asselin Barbara L. , August Keith J. , Cho Steve Y. , Dunsmore Kimberly P. , Fisher Brian T. , Freedman Jason L. , Galardy Paul J. , Harker-Murray Paul , Horton Terzah M. , Jaju Alok I. , Lam Allison , Messinger Yoav H. , Miles Rodney R. , Okada Maki , Patel Samir I. , Schafer Eric S. , Schechter Tal , Singh Neelam , Steele Amii C. , Sulis Maria Luisa , Vargas Sarah L. , Winter Stuart S. , Wood Charlotte , Zweidler-McKay Patrick , Bollard Catherine M. , Loh Mignon L. , Hunger Stephen P. , Raetz Elizabeth A. 
Published: March 2022

PURPOSETo improve the outcomes of patients with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LL), the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib was examined in the Children's Oncology Group phase III clinical trial AALL1231, which also attempted to reduce the use of prophylactic cranial radiation (CRT) in newly diagnosed T-ALL.PATIENTS AND METHODSChildren and young adults with T-ALL/T-LL were randomly assigned to a modified augmented Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster chemotherapy regimen with/without bortezomib during induction and delayed intensification. Multiple modifications were made to the augmented Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster backbone used in the predecessor trial, AALL0434, including using dexamethasone instead of prednisone and adding two extra doses of pegaspargase in an attempt to eliminate CRT in most patients.RESULTSAALL1231 accrued 824 eligible and evaluable patients from 2014 to 2017. The 4-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) for arm A (no bortezomib) versus arm B (bortezomib) were 80.1% ± 2.3% versus 83.8% ± 2.1% (EFS, P = .131) and 85.7% ± 2.0% versus 88.3% ± 1.8% (OS, P = .085). Patients with T-LL had improved EFS and OS with bortezomib: 4-year EFS (76.5% ± 5.1% v 86.4% ± 4.0%; P = .041); and 4-year OS (78.3% ± 4.9% v 89.5% ± 3.6%; P = .009). No excess toxicity was seen with bortezomib. In AALL0434, 90.8% of patients with T-ALL received CRT. In AALL1231, 9.5% of patients were scheduled to receive CRT. Evaluation of comparable AALL0434 patients who received CRT and AALL1231 patients who did not receive CRT demonstrated no statistical differences in EFS ( P = .412) and OS ( P = .600).CONCLUSIONPatients with T-LL had significantly improved EFS and OS with bortezomib on the AALL1231 backbone. Systemic therapy intensification allowed elimination of CRT in more than 90% of patients with T-ALL without excess relapse.
Branched-Chain Amino Acids and Their Interactions With Lipid Metabolites for Increased Risk of Gestational Diabetes
Authors: Li Ninghua , Li Jing , Wang Hui , Liu Jinnan , Li Weiqin , Yang Kai , Huo Xiaoxu , Leng Junhong , Yu Zhijie , Hu Gang , Fang Zhongze , Yang Xilin 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Objective
We aimed to explore associations of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) in early pregnancy with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and whether high BCAAs and lipidomics markers had interactive effects on the risk of GDM.

Methods
We conducted a 1:1 case-control study (n = 486) nested in a prospective cohort of pregnant women in Tianjin, China. Blood samples were collected at their first antenatal care visit (median 10 gestational weeks). Serum BCAAs, saturated fatty acids (SFA) and lysophosphatidylcholines (LPC) were measured by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Conditional logistic regression was performed to examine associations of BCAAs with the risk of GDM. Interactions between high BCAAs and high SFA16:0 for GDM were examined using additive interaction measures.

Results
High serum valine, leucine, isoleucine, and total BCAAs were associated with markedly increased risk of GDM (OR of top vs bottom tertiles: 1.91 [95% CI, 1.22-3.01]; 1.87 [1.20-2.91]; 2.23 [1.41-3.52]; 1.93 [1.23-3.02], respectively). The presence of high SFA16:0 defined as ≥ 17.1 nmol/mL (ie, median) markedly increased the ORs of high leucine alone and high isoleucine alone up to 4.56 (2.37-8.75) and 4.41 (2.30-8.43) for the risk of GDM, with significant additive interaction. After adjustment for LPCs, the ORs were greatly elevated (6.33, 2.25-17.80 and 6.53, 2.39-17.86) and the additive interactions became more significant.

Conclusion
BCAAs in early pregnancy were positively associated with the risk of GDM, and high levels of leucine and isoleucine enhanced the risk association of high SFA16:0 with GDM, independent of LPCs.
On the Impact of Public Housing on Income Segregation in France
Authors: Beaubrun-Diant Kevin , Maury Tristan-Pierre 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
This article provides a geographic analysis of the contribution of public housing to income segregation in France from 1999 to 2015. The analysis is conducted with several segregation indices and at different geographic scales. Surprisingly, it appears that while home tenure (public vs. private housing) segregation has been decreasing, income segregation has been rising. With segregation decomposition techniques, we provide evidence that this is partly due to an increasing concentration of low-income households in public housing, which cancels out the effect of the spatial dispersion of public housing. Indeed, while public housing has become more homogeneously distributed geographically, which should help to reduce income segregation, the distribution of income within public (and private) housing has changed: households living in public housing were poorer in 2015 than in 1999. We also provide evidence of a sorting effect—the process of allocating public housing that is not random—so that the richest neighborhoods or municipalities receive wealthier-than-average public tenants.
A possible role for VPS13-family proteins in bulk lipid transfer, membrane expansion and organelle biogenesis
Authors: Melia Thomas J. , Reinisch Karin M. 
Published: March 2022

ABSTRACT
At organelle–organelle contact sites, proteins have long been known to facilitate the rapid movement of lipids. Classically, this lipid transport involves the extraction of single lipids into a hydrophobic pocket on a lipid transport protein. Recently, a new class of lipid transporter has been described with physical characteristics that suggest these proteins are likely to function differently. They possess long hydrophobic tracts that can bind many lipids at once and physically span the entire gulf between membranes at contact sites, suggesting that they may act as bridges to facilitate bulk lipid flow. Here, we review what has been learned regarding the structure and function of this class of lipid transporters, whose best characterized members are VPS13 and ATG2 proteins, and their apparent coordination with other lipid-mobilizing proteins on organelle membranes. We also discuss the prevailing hypothesis in the field, that this type of lipid transport may facilitate membrane expansion through the bulk delivery of lipids, as well as other emerging hypotheses and questions surrounding these novel lipid transport proteins.
Oligopeptide transporter Slc15A modulates macropinocytosis in Dictyostelium by maintaining intracellular nutrient status
Authors: Zhang Yiwei , Tu Hui , Hao Yazhou , Li Dong , Yang Yihong , Yuan Ye , Guo Zhonglong , Li Lei , Wang Haibin , Cai Huaqing 
Published: March 2022

ABSTRACT
Macropinocytosis mediates non-selective bulk uptake of extracellular fluid. It is the major route by which axenic Dictyostelium cells obtain nutrients and has emerged as a nutrient-scavenging pathway in mammalian cells. How environmental and cellular nutrient status modulates macropinocytic activity is not well understood. By developing a high-content imaging-based genetic screen in Dictyostelium discoideum we identified Slc15A, an oligopeptide transporter located at the plasma membrane and early macropinosome, as a novel macropinocytosis regulator. We show that deletion of slc15A but not two other related slc15 genes, leads to reduced macropinocytosis, reduced cell growth and aberrantly increased autophagy in cells grown in nutrient-rich medium. Expression of Slc15A protein or supplying cells with free amino acids rescues these defects. In contrast, expression of transport-defective Slc15A or supplying cells with amino acids in their di-peptide forms fails to rescue these defects. Therefore, Slc15A modulates the level of macropinocytosis by maintaining the intracellular availability of key amino acids through extraction of oligopeptides from the early macropinocytic pathway. We propose that Slc15A constitutes part of a positive feedback mechanism coupling cellular nutrient status and macropinocytosis.
This article has an associated First Person interview with the first authors of the paper.
Analysis of quality of life and risk factors in 122 patients with persistent hemodialysis
Authors: Xie Jinhua , Song Chuping 
Published: March 2022

Objectives: To summarize existing evidence on the quality of life and influencing factors in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients.
Methods: Total 122 MHD patients treated in the department of hemodialysis, Liyang branch of Jiangsu Provincial People’s Hospital from January 2018 to June 2020 were selected as the patient group. and 98 healthy persons in the same period were selected as the control group. The quality of life of the two groups was investigated by SF-36 score scale. At the same time, the clinical data of the patient group were investigated. Influencing factors of patients’ quality of life were analyzed by univariate test, and independent risk factors were analyzed by logistic multiple regression.
Results: Univariate analysis showed that age, education, marital status, dialysis time, urea clearance index (Kt/V), income level, diabetic nephropathy, nutritional status, medical insurance type, depression and anxiety were single factors influencing the quality of life of MHD patients (P<0.05). Logistic multiple regression analysis showed that age ≥ 60 years, dialysis time ≥ one year, income less than 3000 yuan/month, primary disease is diabetic nephropathy., low medical insurance reimbursement, depression and anxiety were independent risk factors affecting the quality of life of MHD patients (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: There was a relatively high proportion of patients with age ≥ 60 years, dialysis time ≥ one year, income less than 3000 yuan/month, primary disease is diabetic nephropathy, low medical insurance reimbursement, depression and anxiety. Timely nursing interventions such as reasonable nutritional support, comprehensive monitoring and psychological counseling for patients with the above situation may be helpful in improving quality of life of MHD patients.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.4.5308
How to cite this:Xie J, Song C. Analysis of quality of life and risk factors in 122 patients with persistent hemodialysis. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(4):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.4.5308
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.
Diaphragm thickness, mobility and respiratory muscle strength in patients with head and neck cancer receiving chemoradiation therapy: A longitudinal pilot study
Authors: D’souza Macrina , Samuel Stephen , Rai Santosh , Krishna Alaparthi Gopala , Saxena PU Prakash , Nagaraja Ravishankar 
Published: March 2022

Background: Head and neck cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide and is also associated with many pulmonary complications. Decreased cardiopulmonary function and functional capacity is one of the major treatment related side effects of chemoradiation therapy. In this study we aimed to assess and quantify the impact of treatment related side effects on the respiratory function and functional capacity of head and neck cancer patients during chemoradiation therapy. Methods: This was a pilot longitudinal study conducted amongst 12 newly diagnosed head and neck cancer patients (stage III, IV, IVa, IVb) who were admitted to hospital care and were receiving chemoradiation therapy for seven weeks. Outcome variables assessed were diaphragmatic thickness and mobility, maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) and functional capacity using six-minute walk test at baseline, three weeks and seven weeks of chemo radiation. Repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests were used to identify significant differences at the three time points with a p < 0.05. Results: Our data reported a decrease in all the variables and a significant decrease in diaphragm function during deep inspiration, respiratory pressures which indicate respiratory muscle strength and functional capacity by the end of the seventh week of chemo-radiation therapy (p <0.05). Conclusion: We conclude that seven weeks of chemo-radiation therapy reduces the diaphragmatic thickness, mobility, respiratory muscle strength and functional capacity in head and neck cancer patients.
DNA barcoding detects resurrected taxon Giuris laglaizei (Sauvage 1880) in Sulawesi, Indonesia: Bolano Sau Lake payangka phylogeny, phenotypic characters and implications for Giuris spp. conservation
Authors: Ndobe Samliok , Nurdin Muhammad Saleh , Hasanah Nur , Putra Aswad Eka , Mansyur Kasim , Nasir Mohamad , Rabuna Mashening L. , Moore Abigail Mary 
Published: March 2022

Background: The freshwater ichthyofauna of Wallacea is diverse and understudied. A baseline survey of Bolano Sau Lake in Parigi Moutong District, Central Sulawesi Province, Indonesia in 2019 found an eleotrid goby (local name payangka) with characters conforming to the genus Giuris, long considered monophyletic as G. margaritacea/G. margaritaceus but recently found to comprise at least eight species. This study focused on the molecular (DNA barcoding) identification and phenotypic characters of the payangka. Methods: Payangka samples were collected from August to December 2019 in collaboration with local fishermen, weighed and measured, and preserved in 75% ethanol. Length, weight, sex (n=111) and seventeen morphometric characters/six meristic counts (n=42) were recorded. DNA barcoding was performed on a fin clipping preserved in 96% ethanol. Homologous nucleotide sequences were obtained from public (GenBank and BOLD) databases, analysis conducted in MEGA X, and phylogenetic trees edited in the Interactive Tree of Life (iToL). Results: Within the polyphyletic Giuris clade, the payangka sequence resolved into a sub-clade identified as Giuris laglaizei (Sauvage 1880), a recently resurrected taxon, based on a sequence provided by Philippe Keith. The length-weight relationship (L = 0.0087∙W3.162) indicated mildly allometric positive growth. Size distribution differed significantly between male and female fish with significantly larger mean size of males (13.56 cm) than females (11.62 cm). The meristic formula was: D VI-I,8 A I,8 P 13 V I,5 C15. Phylogenic analysis indicated four Giuris species in wetlands around Tomini Bay and five in Sulawesi. Conclusions: This first record of G. laglaizei in Indonesia advances knowledge of Wallacean and Indo-Pacific gobioid biogeography and highlights the need for a revision of the conservation status of the taxa currently grouped under Giuris margaritacea/G. margaritaceus in the IUCN Red List and FishBase databases. The data will inform biodiversity and fisheries management at local and regional levels.