bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increased kidney disease mortality among people with AIDS versus the general population: a population-based cohort study in Italy, 2006–2018
Authors: Taborelli Martina , Suligoi Barbara , Serraino Diego , Frova Luisa , Grande Enrico , Toffolutti Federica , Regine Vincenza , Pappagallo Marilena , Pugliese Lucia , Grippo Francesco , Zucchetto Antonella 
Published: December 2022

ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess whether an excess mortality related to kidney and other urinary tract diseases exists among Italian people with AIDS (PWA), as compared with the general population without AIDS (non-PWA).DesignPopulation-based, retrospective cohort study.Setting and participantsWe conducted a nationwide study including 9481 Italian PWA, aged 15–74 years, reported to the National AIDS Registry between 2006 and 2018.MethodsVital status and causes of death were retrieved by record linkage with the National Register of Causes of Death up to 2018. Excess mortality for PWA versus non-PWA was estimated through sex-standardised and age-standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) with corresponding 95% CIs.ResultsAmong 2613 deceased PWA, 262 (10.0%) reported at least one urinary tract disease at death, including 254 (9.7%) non-cancer diseases—mostly renal failures (225 cases, 8.6%)—and 9 cancers (0.3%). The overall SMR for non-cancer urinary tract diseases was 15.3 (95% CI 13.4 to 17.3) with statistically significant SMRs for acute (SMR=22.3, 95% CI 18.0 to 27.4), chronic (SMR=8.4, 95% CI 6.0 to 11.3), and unspecified renal failure (SMR=13.8, 95% CI 11.2 to 16.8). No statistically significant excess mortality was detected for urinary tract cancers (SMR=1.7, 95% CI 0.8 to 3.3). The SMRs were particularly elevated among PWA aged <50 years, injecting drug users, or those with the first HIV-positive test >6 months before AIDS diagnosis.ConclusionsThe excess mortality related to non-cancer kidney and other urinary tract diseases reported among PWA highlights the importance of implementing the recommendation for screening, diagnosis and management of such conditions among this population.
Assessment of quality of antenatal care services in public sector facilities in India
Authors: Dandona Rakhi , Majumder Moutushi , Akbar Md , Bhattacharya Debarshi , Nanda Priya , Kumar G Anil , Dandona Lalit 
Published: December 2022

ObjectivesWe undertook assessment of quality of antenatal care (ANC) services in public sector facilities in the Indian state of Bihar state delivered under the national ANC programme (Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan, PMSMA).SettingThree community health centres and one subdistrict hospital each in two randomly selected districts of Bihar.ParticipantsPregnant women who sought ANC services under PMSMA irrespective of the pregnancy trimester.Primary and secondary measuresQuality ANC services were considered if a woman received all of these services in that visit—weight, blood pressure and abdomen check, urine and blood sample taken, and were given iron and folic acid and calcium tablets. The process of ANC service provision was documented.ResultsEight hundred and fourteen (94.5% participation) women participated. Coverage of quality ANC services was 30.4% (95% CI 27.3% to 33.7%) irrespective of pregnancy trimester, and was similar in both districts and ranged 3%–83.1% across the facilities. Quality ANC service coverage was significantly lower for women in the first trimester of pregnancy (6.8%, 95% CI 3.3% to 13.6%) as compared with those in the second (34.4%, 95% CI 29.9% to 39.1%) and third (32.9%, 95% CI 27.9% to 38.3%) trimester of pregnancy. Individually, the coverage of weight and blood pressure check-up, receipt of iron folic acid (IFA) and calcium tablets, and blood sample collection was >85%. The coverage of urine sample collection was 46.3% (95% CI 42.9% to 49.7%) and of abdomen check-up was 62% (95% CI 58.6% to 65.3%). Poor information sharing post check-up was done with the pregnant women. Varied implementation of ANC service provision was seen in the facilities as compared with the PMSMA guidelines, in particular with laboratory diagnostics and doctor consultation. Task shifting from doctors to ANMs was observed in all facilities.ConclusionsGrossly inadequate quality ANC services under the PMSMA needs urgent attention to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes.
Medication adherence among allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Visintini Chiara , Mansutti Irene , Palese Alvisa 
Published: December 2022

IntroductionPatients receiving a haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) are subjected to complex oral medications based on prophylactic and immunosuppressive treatments. Adherence to medication plays a role in survival, and medication non-adherence (MNA) is closely associated with graft-versus-host disease and other complications. The aim of this systematic review is to summarise the available evidence regarding prevalence rates of medication adherence, the risk factors of MNA, the effectiveness of interventions to increase medication adherence and the outcomes associated with MNA.Methods and analysisWe designed a systematic review according to the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. We will search the Cochrane Library and the CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE via PubMed, PsycINFO and Scopus databases. We will include published and unpublished primary studies: (a) on humans, from inception until 10 May 2022; (b) written in any language; (c) experimental (randomised and non-randomised), observational (prospective, retrospective cohort and case–control), correlational, cross-sectional and longitudinal; and (d) with a low risk of bias, according to the quality assessment we perform. We will exclude secondary and qualitative studies, protocols, publications without original data, including paediatrics or related to autologous HSCT. The primary outcome will be the prevalence of oral medication adherence; the secondary outcomes will be the risk factors of MNA, the interventions aimed at increasing medication adherence and the outcomes of MNA. Two researchers will independently screen the eligible studies, then extract and describe the data. Disagreements will be resolved by a third researcher. We will provide a qualitative narrative synthesis of the findings.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval is not required given that previously published studies will be used. We will disseminate the findings through conference presentations and publications in international peer-reviewed scientific journals.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42022315298.
Factors associated with discharge from hospital to residential aged care for younger people with neuropsychiatric disorders: an exploratory case–control study in New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Cvejic Rachael Cherie , Watkins Tim R , Walker Adrian R , Reppermund Simone , Srasuebkul Preeyaporn , Draper Brian , Withall Adrienne , Winkler Di , Honan Ingrid , Mackechnie Deidre , Trollor Julian 
Published: December 2022

ObjectivesTo examine the sociodemographic and diagnostic factors associated with a discharge from hospital to residential aged care (RAC) for younger people (aged 15–64 years) with neuropsychiatric disorders.DesignAn exploratory case–control study using a historic cohort of people with neuropsychiatric disorders. Cases were people transferred to RAC on hospital discharge during the study period. Controls were people not transferred to RAC on discharge during the study period.SettingPublic and private hospital admissions in New South Wales (NSW), Australia.ParticipantsPeople aged 15–64 years with a neuropsychiatric disorder hospitalised in NSW between July 2002 and June 2015 (n=5 16 469).Outcome measuresThe main outcome was transferred to RAC on discharge from hospital. We calculated ORs for sociodemographic and diagnostic factors to determine factors that may impact discharge to RAC.ResultsDuring the period of data capture, 4406 people were discharged from hospitals to RAC. Discharge to RAC was most strongly associated with diagnoses of progressive neurological and cognitive disorders. Acute precipitants of RAC transfer included a broad range of conditions and injuries (eg, Wernicke’s encephalopathy, stroke, falls) in the context of issues such as older age, not being partnered (married or de facto), living in areas of lower socioeconomic status, functional issues and the need for palliative care.ConclusionsThere are multiple intersecting and interacting pathways culminating in discharge from hospital to RAC among younger people with neuropsychiatric disorders. Improved capacity for interdisciplinary home care and alternative housing and support options for people with high support needs are required.
Variant connective tissue (joint hypermobility) and its relevance to depression and anxiety in adolescents: a cohort-based case–control study
Authors: Eccles Jessica A , Quadt Lisa , McCarthy Hannah , Davies Kevin A , Bond Rod , David Anthony S , Harrison Neil A , Critchley Hugo D 
Published: December 2022

ObjectiveTo test whether variant connective tissue structure, as indicated by the presence of joint hypermobility, poses a developmental risk for mood disorders in adolescence.DesignCohort-based case–control study.SettingData from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) were interrogated.Participants6105 children of the ALSPAC cohort at age 14 years old, of whom 3803 also were assessed when aged 18 years.Main outcome measuresIn a risk analysis, we examined the relationship between generalised joint hypermobility (GJH) at age 14 years with psychiatric symptoms at age 18 years. In an association analysis, we examined the relationship between presence of symptomatic joint hypermobility syndrome (JHS) and International Classification of Diseases-10 indication of depression and anxiety (Clinical Interview Schedule Revised (CIS-R), Anxiety Sensitivity Index) at age 18 years.ResultsGJH was more common in females (n=856, 28%) compared with males (n=319, 11%; OR: 3.20 (95% CI: 2.78 to 3.68); p<0.001). In males, GJH at age 14 years was associated with depression at 18 years (OR: 2.10 (95% CI: 1.17 to 3.76); p=0.013). An index of basal physiological arousal, elevated resting heart rate, mediated this effect. Across genders, the diagnosis of JHS at age 18 years was associated with the presence of depressive disorder (adjusted OR: 3.53 (95% CI: 1.67 to 7.40); p=0.001), anxiety disorder (adjusted OR: 3.14 (95% CI: 1.52 to 6.46); p=0.002), level of anxiety (B=8.08,t(3278)=3.95; p<0.001) and degree of psychiatric symptomatology (B=5.89,t(3442)=5.50; p<0.001).ConclusionsVariant collagen, indexed by joint hypermobility, is linked to the emergence of depression and anxiety in adolescence, an effect mediated by autonomic factors in males. Recognition of this association may motivate further evaluation, screening and interventions to mitigate development of psychiatric disorders and improve health outcomes.
Outcomes for necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) in babies born at the threshold of viability: a case–control study
Authors: Vallant Natalie , Haffenden Verity , Peatman Oliver , Khan Hammad , Lee Geraint , Thakkar Hemanshoo , Yardley Iain 
Published: December 2022

BackgroundThe threshold for active management of babies born prematurely in the UK is currently 22 weeks. The optimal management strategy for necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) in babies born at or near this threshold remains unclear.AimTo review our institutional experience of babies born <24 weeks diagnosed with NEC, identify risk factors for NEC, and compare outcomes with a control cohort.MethodsAll infants born <24 weeks gestation January 2015–December 2021 were identified. Babies diagnosed with NEC were defined as cases and babies with no NEC diagnosis as controls. Patient demographics, clinical features, complications and outcomes were extracted from the medical record and compared between cases and controls.ResultsOf 56 babies, 31 (55.3%) were treated for NEC. There was no difference in NEC-specific risk factors between cases and controls. 17 babies (30.4%) underwent surgery, of these, 11/17 (64.7%) presented with a C reactive protein rise and 11/17 (64.7%) a fall in platelet count. Pneumatosis intestinalis (3/17 (17.7%)) or pneumoperitoneum (3/17 (17.7%)) were present in only a minority of cases. Abdominal ultrasound demonstrated intestinal perforation in 8/8 cases. The surgical complication rate was 5/17 (29.4%). There was no difference in the incidence of intraventricular haemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia and survival to discharge between the groups.ConclusionsThe diagnosis of NEC in infants born <24 weeks gestation is challenging with inconsistent clinical and radiological features. Ultrasound scanning is a useful imaging modality. Mortality was comparable regardless of a diagnosis of NEC. Low gestational age is not a contraindication to surgical intervention in NEC.
Decrease in cortical vein opacification predicts outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Dodd William S , Dayton Orrin , Lucke-Wold Brandon , Reitano Christian , Sorrentino Zachary , Busl Katharina M 
Published: December 2022

BackgroundThe pathophysiology of brain injury after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) remains incompletely understood. Cerebral venous flow patterns may be a marker of hemodynamic disruptions after aneurysm rupture. We hypothesized that a decrease in venous filling after aSAH would predict cerebral ischemia and poor outcome.ObjectiveTo examine the hypotheses that venous filling as measured by the cortical venous opacification score (COVES) would (1) decrease after aSAH and (2) that decreased COVES would be associated with higher rates of hydrocephalus, vasospasm, delayed cerebral iscemia (DCI), and poor functional evaluation at outcome.MethodsIn this retrospective observational cohort study of consecutive patients with aSAH admitted to our tertiary care center between 2016 and 2018, we measured the COVES at admission and at subsequent CT angiography (CTA). We collected clinical variables and compared hydrocephalus, vasospasm, DCI, and outcome at discharge in patients with decrease in COVES with patients with stable COVES.ResultsA total of 22 patients were included in the analysis. COVES decreased from first CTA to second CTA in 11 (50%) patients, by an average of 1.1 points (P=0.01). Patients whose COVES decreased between admission and follow-up imaging were more likely to develop DCI (58% vs 0%, P=0.03) and have a poor outcome at discharge (100% vs 55%, P=0.03) than patients who had no change in COVES. aSAH severity was not associated with initial COVES, and there was no association between change in COVES and development of hydrocephalus or vasospasm.ConclusionsDevelopment of decreased venous filling on CTA is associated with poor outcome after aSAH. This association suggests that venous hemodynamics may be reflective of, or contribute to, the pathophysiological mechanisms of brain injury after aSAH. Larger prospective studies are necessary to substantiate our findings.
Airflow limitation and mortality during cancer screening in the National Lung Screening Trial: why quantifying airflow limitation matters
Authors: Young Robert P , Ward Ralph C , Scott Raewyn J , Gamble Greg D , Silvestri Gerard 
Published: December 2022

ImportanceCurrent eligibility criteria for lung cancer (LC) screening are derived from randomised controlled trials and primarily based on age and smoking history. However, the individual benefits of screening are highly variable and potentially attenuated by co-morbidities such as advanced airflow limitation (AL).ObjectiveTo examine the relationship between the presence and severity of AL and screening outcomes.MethodsThis was a secondary analysis of 18 463 high-risk smokers, a substudy from the National Lung Screening Trial, who underwent pre-bronchodilator spirometry at baseline and median follow-up of 6.1 years. We used descriptive statistics and a competing risk proportional hazards model to examine differences in screening outcomes by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease severity group.ResultsThe risk of developing LC increased with worsening AL (effect size=0.34, p<0.0001), as did the risk of dying of LC (effect size=0.35, p<0.0001). While those with severe AL (Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease, GOLD grade 3–4) had the highest risk of LC and the highest LC mortality, they also had fewer adenocarcinomas (effect size=−0.20, p=0.008) and a lower surgery rate (effect size=−0.16, p=0.014) despite comparable staging, and greater non-LC mortality relative to LC mortality (effect size=0.30, p<0.0001). In participants with no AL, screening with CT was associated with a significant reduction in LC deaths relative to chest X-ray (30.3%, 95% CI 4.5% to 49.2%, p<0.05). The clinically relevant but attenuated reduction in those with AL (18.5%, 95% CI −8.4% to 38.7%, p>0.05) could be attributed to GOLD 3–4, where no appreciable mortality reduction was observed.ConclusionDespite a greater risk of LC, severe AL was not associated with any apparent reduction in LC mortality following screening.
Heavy-light hybrid mesons with different spin-parities
Authors: Barsbay B. , Azizi K. , Sundu H. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe spectroscopic parameters of the heavy-light hybrid mesons with different spin-parities and different quark contents are investigated in the framework of the QCD sum rule method. The mass and current coupling of these states are calculated by taking into account the quark, gluon and mixed vacuum condensates up to dimension 10. The obtained results are compared with the existing QCD Laplace sum rule predictions. The results of mass and current coupling for all the considered channels are obtained to be stable and reliable. Our results can be useful for future experimental searches as well as theoretical studies of different parameters related to the hybrid mesons and their decays and interactions with other particles.
Why do Funds Make More When They Trade More?
Authors: Kim Jaden Jonghyuk , Lee Jung Hoon , Venkatesan Shyam 
Published: December 2022

In this paper, we introduce a conditional measure of skill, the correlation between funds’ residual trades, net of common trading motives, and future news about the stocks traded. Using this measure, we show that the average mutual fund manager in the cross-section has stock-picking skill. This result is robust to different benchmarks and is mainly driven by the manager’s ability to predict a firm’s cash-flow news. This skill has short-term persistence and is distinctly related to traditional measures of performance. Importantly, consistent with Berk and Green [2004, Mutual Fund Flows and Performance in Rational Markets, Journal of Political Economy 112(6), 1269–1295] fund flows are increasing with respect to managerial skill after controlling for fund performance.
Synthetic Biology in the Engineering of CAR-T and CAR-NK Cell Therapies: Facts and Hopes
Authors: Clubb Justin D. , Gao Torahito A. , Chen Yvonne Y. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe advent of modern synthetic-biology tools has enabled the development of cellular treatments with engineered specificity, leading to a new paradigm in anticancer immunotherapy. T cells have been at the forefront of such development, with six chimeric antigen receptor–modified T-cell products approved by the FDA for the treatment of hematologic malignancies in the last 5 years. Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes with potent cytotoxic activities, and they have become an increasingly attractive alternative to T-cell therapies due to their potential for allogeneic, “off-the-shelf” applications. However, both T cells and NK cells face numerous challenges, including antigen escape, the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and potential for severe toxicity. Many synthetic-biology strategies have been developed to address these obstacles, most commonly in the T-cell context. In this review, we discuss the array of strategies developed to date, their application in the NK-cell context, as well as opportunities and challenges for clinical translation.
Mutant NPM1 Hijacks Transcriptional Hubs to Maintain Pathogenic Gene Programs in Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Wang Xue Qing David , Fan Dandan , Han Qinyu , Liu Yiman , Miao Hongzhi , Wang Xinyu , Li Qinglan , Chen Dong , Gore Haley , Himadewi Pamela , Pfeifer Gerd P. , Cierpicki Tomasz , Grembecka Jolanta , Su Jianzhong , Chong Shasha , Wan Liling , Zhang Xiaotian 
Published: December 2022

AbstractNucleophosmin (NPM1) is a ubiquitously expressed nucleolar protein with a wide range of biological functions. In 30% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the terminal exon of NPM1 is often found mutated, resulting in the addition of a nuclear export signal and a shift of the protein to the cytoplasm (NPM1c). AMLs carrying this mutation have aberrant expression of the HOXA/B genes, whose overexpression leads to leukemogenic transformation. Here, for the first time, we comprehensively prove that NPM1c binds to a subset of active gene promoters in NPM1c AMLs, including well-known leukemia-driving genes—HOXA/B cluster genes and MEIS1. NPM1c sustains the active transcription of key target genes by orchestrating a transcription hub and maintains the active chromatin landscape by inhibiting the activity of histone deacetylases. Together, these findings reveal the neomorphic function of NPM1c as a transcriptional amplifier for leukemic gene expression and open up new paradigms for therapeutic intervention.Significance:NPM1 mutation is the most common mutation in AML, yet the mechanism of how the mutant protein results in AML remains unclear. Here, for the first time, we prove mutant NPM1 directly binds to active chromatin regions and hijacks the transcription of AML-driving genes.See related article by Uckelmann et al., p. 746.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 517
Immunosuppressive Extracellular Vesicles in CLL
Authors: Zhong Wenqun , Guo Wei 
Published: December 2022

Cancer cells need to evade the immune system for their progression. In this issue of Blood Cancer Discovery, Gargiulo and colleagues report that in a mouse model of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, small extracellular vesicles inhibit antitumor immunity by altering CD8 T-cell transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome.See related article by Gargiulo et al., p. 54 (9).