bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genotoxicity induced by medicinal plants
Authors: Bardoloi Arpita , Soren Amar Deep 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background
The use of medicinal plants in curing diseases is an ancient culture still in use in many parts of the world. Many plants have been proven to have precise ethno-pharmacological relevance. On the contrary, many folkloric plants have also been found to possess DNA damaging effects. Hence, assessing the safety profile of medicinal herbs before being approved for use must be undertaken.

Main text
This review focuses on medicinal plants exerting genotoxicity effect within through in vivo studies on the bone marrow, erythrocyte or other organs on animal models and in vitro studies on bacterial cells or mammalian cell lines such as mammalian lymphocytes, human hepatoma cell line or HepG2, mouse lung fibroblast cell lines or human adenocarcinoma cell lines. This review has found that several medicinal plants possess genotoxic potentials and are not safe to use. The common methodologies several authors have used include the comet assay, micronucleus assay, bacterial reverse mutation assay, Ames test or Salmonella/microsome assay.

Conclusion
Plants that have been proven to be genotoxic are not reduced to a particular family, while groups including Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae, Rosaceae, Lamiaceae and Apocynaceae appear to be frequent. To avoid any mutation in its users, genotoxicity assessment of therapeutic plants appears to be required.
Self-reported hay fever diagnosis and associations with sociodemographic characteristics among adults and children in the United States
Authors: Zamil Jenna , Mohan Anjana , Majd Zahra , Chen Hua 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background
Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) is a common condition that causes unpleasant respiratory symptoms. The objective of this cross-sectional study is to examine the trends of hay fever self-reported diagnosis among adults and children in the United States from 2013 to 2018 and its associations with sociodemographic characteristics. Survey data from the National Health Interview (NHIS) were used to identify children and adults with hay fever. Chi-square tests were used to evaluate the group differences by sociodemographic characteristics within each year examined. Trends in self-reported hay fever as well as trends for each sociodemographic characteristic over the study period were charted.

Results
All sociodemographic characteristics examined in both adults and children showed statistically significant group differences. Females were the highest risk sex group among adults while males were the highest risk sex group among children. Hay fever was more likely to be found among those with two or more races, non-Hispanics, those with higher education level and wealth, and residents from the western United States.

Conclusions
The findings of this study can help identify subpopulations at higher risk of hay fever, which can aid in developing targeted interventions to help individuals experiencing hay fever alleviate their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
Irish secondary school science teachers’ perspectives on addressing the COVID-19 crisis as socioscientific issues
Authors: Chadwick Ruth , McLoughlin Eilish 
Published: April 2022

AbstractDevelopment of scientific literacy is a crucial aim of science education across the globe and research suggests that this can be realized through student exploration of socioscientific issues. While the COVID-19 crisis, emergency school closures and restrictions to in-class teaching, had negative impacts on teaching and on student learning and wellbeing, it also presents an opportunity to explore authentic socioscientific issues. This research explores teachers’ perspectives on addressing the COVID-19 crisis as socioscientific issues in secondary science education. This qualitative study surveyed 266 Irish secondary school science teachers about their experiences during the COVID-19 crisis. Thematic analysis was used to identify the reasons why teachers did and did not address the COVID-19 crisis as SSI. These findings were triangulated with findings from follow-up interviews. The majority of teachers in this study addressed the COVID-19 crisis as SSI. The COVID-19 crisis was explored within the curriculum, through project work and research, and through classroom discussion. Teachers described four barriers to exploring the COVID-19 crisis with their students: The COVID-19 crisis was not part of the curriculum; The lack of F2F contact made judging students’ reactions challenging; There was already too much focus on the COVID-19 crisis in everyday life and concerns over student wellbeing while discussing the sensitive topic of the COVID-19 crisis. Teachers noted that addressing the COVID-19 crisis led to benefits to student learning, health, wellbeing and hygiene.
Prognostic factors impacting survival rates of hypopharyngeal cancer with nomogram prediction: a SEER-based study
Authors: Tawfik Gehad Mohamed , Vuong Nguyen Lam , Zayan Ahmad Helmy , Abdelaal Abdelaziz , Tieu Thuan Minh , Sang To Kim , Ebied Amr , Shafik Amr G. , Huy Nguyen Tien 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background
We analyzed prognostic factors of hypopharyngeal carcinoma and developed a nomogram to predict survival rates in non-metastatic (M0) patients.

Subjects and methods
We included 4068 hypopharyngeal carcinoma patients identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program database between 2004 and 2015 in a retrospective cohort study. We analyzed prognostic factors of hypopharyngeal carcinoma using cause-specific and overall survival rates. We developed a nomogram to predict patients’ survival rates by multivariate Cox regression.

Results
Five-year survival rates of all stages between 2004 and 2010 were 25–35%. Radiotherapy pre- and post-surgery was the best modality of treatment according to 1-year and 5-year survival rates. The worst survival was in the posterior wall of the hypopharynx significantly (HRs [95% CI], P) (1.238 [1.045–1.466], P = 0.013). The highest survival rate was for the combination of surgery and radiotherapy pre- and post-surgery compared to radiation pre-surgery (0.532 [0.231–1.225], P = 0.138). Our nomogram revealed a better predictive probability over the 6th AJCC-TNM classification for predicting 5-year overall survival.

Conclusions
The worst survival was old age hypopharyngeal carcinoma patients, with the primary site in the posterior wall of the hypopharynx. The best survival was linked to receiving radiotherapy pre- and post-surgery. Our nomogram revealed a better predictive probability over TNM classification for predicting 1- and 5-year overall survival, which enables clinicians to make better treatment recommendations.
Lung herniation post-removal of thoracostomy tube
Authors: Priyadarshi Megha , Meena Ved Prakash , Ray Animesh 
Published: April 2022

AbstractA 30-year-old gentleman presented with complaints of fever, productive cough, and shortness of breath for 10 days. On presentation, he had a right intercostal drainage tube (ICD) in situ in view of chest radiograph findings where hydropneumothorax was suspected. He had a past history of pulmonary tuberculosis 3 years back for which he self-discontinued anti-tubercular therapy after 3 months. He was also diagnosed 2 years back with right pulmonary aspergilloma for which he was receiving anti-fungal therapy. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) of the chest suggested right destroyed lung with multiple cavitations, ICD inserted in the right-sided lung cavity, and intracavitatory aspergilloma in the left lung. Hence, it was confirmed that the patient had a lung abscess with pus in a large cavity in the right lung which on chest radiograph had mimicked hydropneumothorax. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with a case of chronic cavitatory pulmonary aspergillosis, and the thoracostomy tube was removed. Post-tube removal, the patient developed lung herniation from the suture site which was confirmed on a CT scan for which the patient was successfully managed conservatively. Follow-up at 3 months did not reveal any evidence of lung herniation.
Future of Teleoncology: Trends and Disparities in Telehealth and Secure Message Utilization in the COVID-19 Era
Authors: Neeman Elad , Lyon Liisa , Sun Hongxin , Conell Carol , Reed Mary , Kumar Deepika , Kolevska Tatjana , Kotak Dinesh , Sundaresan Tilak , Liu Raymond 
Published: April 2022

PURPOSE The COVID-19 pandemic created an imperative to re-examine the role of telehealth in oncology. We studied trends and disparities in utilization of telehealth (video and telephone visits) and secure messaging (SM; ie, e-mail via portal/app), before and during the pandemic. METHODS Retrospective cohort study of hematology/oncology patient visits (telephone/video/office) and SM between January 1, 2019, and September 30, 2020, at Kaiser Permanente Northern California. RESULTS Among 334,666 visits and 1,161,239 SM, monthly average office visits decreased from 10,562 prepandemic to 1,769 during pandemic, telephone visits increased from 5,114 to 8,663, and video visits increased from 40 to 4,666. Monthly average SM increased from 50,788 to 64,315 since the pandemic began. Video visits were a significantly higher fraction of all visits ( P < .01) in (1) younger patients (Generation Z 48%, Millennials 46%; Generation X 40%; Baby Boomers 34.4%; Silent Generation 24.5%); (2) patients with commercial insurance (39%) compared with Medicaid (32.7%) or Medicare (28.1%); (3) English speakers (33.7%) compared with those requiring an interpreter (24.5%); (4) patients who are Asian (35%) and non-Hispanic White (33.7%) compared with Black (30.1%) and Hispanic White (27.5%); (5) married/domestic partner patients (35%) compared with single/divorced/widowed (29.9%); (6) Charlson comorbidity index ≤ 3 (36.2%) compared with > 3 (31.3%); and (7) males (34.6%) compared with females (32.3%). Similar statistically significant SM utilization patterns were also seen. CONCLUSION In the pandemic era, hematology/oncology telehealth and SM use rapidly increased in a manner that is feasible and sustained. Possible disparities existed in video visit and SM use by age, insurance plan, language, race, ethnicity, marital status, comorbidities, and sex.
OSPred Tool: A Digital Health Aid for Rapid Predictive Analysis of Correlations Between Early End Points and Overall Survival in Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer Clinical Trials
Authors: Shameer Khader , Zhang Youyi , Prokop Andrzej , Nampally Sreenath , N Imran Khan A. , Weatherall Jim , Iacona Renee Bailey , Khan Faisal M. 
Published: April 2022

PURPOSE Overall survival (OS) is the gold standard end point for establishing clinical benefits in phase III oncology trials. However, these trials are associated with low success rates, largely driven by failure to meet the primary end point. Surrogate end points such as progression-free survival (PFS) are increasingly being used as indicators of biologic drug activity and to inform early go/no-go decisions in oncology drug development. We developed OSPred, a digital health aid that combines actual clinical data and machine intelligence approaches to visualize correlation trends between early (PFS-based) and late (OS) end points and provide support for shared decision making in the drug development pipeline. METHODS OSPred is based on a trial-level data set of 81 reports (35 anticancer drugs with various mechanisms of action; 156 observations) in non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). OSPred was developed using R Shiny, with packages ggplot2, metafor, boot, dplyr, and mvtnorm, to analyze and visualize correlation results and predict OS hazard ratio (HR OS) on the basis of user-inputted PFS-based data, namely, HR PFS, or the odds ratio of PFS at 4 (OR PFS4) or 6 (OR PFS6) months. RESULTS The three main features of the tool are as follows: prediction of HR OS on the basis of user-inputted early end point values; visualization of comparisons of the user's investigational drug with other drugs in the NSCLC setting, including by specific MoA; and creation of a probability density chart, providing point prediction and CIs for HR OS. A working version of the tool for download is linked. CONCLUSION The OSPred tool offers interactive visualization of clinical trial end point correlations with reference to a large pool of historical NSCLC studies. Its focused capability has the potential to digitally transform and accelerate data-driven decision making as part of the drug development process.
Evaporation of liquid coating a fiber
Authors: Corpart M. , Dervaux J. , Poulard C. , Restagno F. , Boulogne F. 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
We investigate theoretically and numerically the diffusion-limited evaporation of a liquid deposited on a fiber in two configurations: a sleeve and an axisymmetric barrel-shaped droplet. For a sleeve, the local flux depends on both the aspect ratio and the smallest length of the problem. By using analytical calculations and 3D finite elements simulations, we predict a divergence of this flux further localized at the edge as the aspect ratio increases. The evaporation of axisymmetric drops on a fiber is studied with numerical simulations. For sufficiently large volumes, we evidence that the evaporation rate is almost independent of the wetting properties of the liquid, even for small contact angles, and that the droplets evaporate as spheres of the same volume.
Characterization of Apparently Paradoxical Thyrotropin Binding Inhibitory Immunoglobulins With Neutral Bioactivity
Authors: Tagami Tetsuya , Moriyama Kenji 
Published: April 2022

Abstract

Context
The thyrotropin (TSH) receptor (TSH-R) autoantibody activity is clinically measured by inhibition of labeled ligand (TSH or M22) binding to the TSH-R (TSH-binding inhibitory immunoglobulin [TBII]) or by stimulation (TSH-R stimulating antibody [TSAb]) or inhibition (TSH-R blocking antibody [TSBAb]) of 3′,5′-cyclic adenosine 5′-monophosphate (cAMP) production in isolated cells.

Objective
We experienced a patient with hypothyroid Graves disease (GD) having strong positive TBII but with almost neutral bioactivities on the TSH-R. The aim of this study is the characterization of this apparently paradoxical TBII (serum sample S).

Methods
We first compared the TBII, TSAb, and TSBAb activities of serum sample S with mixtures of stimulating (S-mAb) and blocking monoclonal Ab (B-mAb). Next, we serially measured cAMPs stimulated by various serum samples in the presence or absence of TSH.

Results
Mixtures of S-mAb and B-mAb did not reproduce the characteristics of serum sample S. Instead, serum sample S had a unique feature that blocked the TSH-stimulated cAMP initially but disappeared the blocking activity thereafter to reach the control level.

Conclusion
We present here the TBIIs with neutral bioactivities found in the patient with autoimmune thyroid disease, which strongly inhibit TSH binding to the TSH-R but exerts neither TSAb nor TSBAb activity. Differences in the methods of detecting TRAb between TBII in vitro and bioassay may cause the discrepancy. Although serum sample S may be an extreme example, a variety of TRAb that not only stimulates or blocks but also interferes with TSH-R binding for only a short time may exist in the serum samples of GD patients.
Using Social Networks to Sample Migrants and Study the Complexity of Contemporary Immigration: An Evaluation Study
Authors: Merli M. Giovanna , Mouw Ted , Le Barbenchon Claire , Stolte Allison 
Published: April 2022

AbstractWe test the effectiveness of a link-tracing sampling approach—network sampling with memory (NSM)—to recruit samples of rare immigrant populations with an application among Chinese immigrants in the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina. NSM uses the population network revealed by data from the survey to improve the efficiency of link-tracing sampling and has been shown to substantially reduce design effects in simulated sampling. Our goals are to (1) show that it is possible to recruit a probability sample of a locally rare immigrant group using NSM and achieve high response rates; (2) demonstrate the feasibility of the collection and benefits of new forms of network data that transcend kinship networks in existing surveys and can address unresolved questions about the role of social networks in migration decisions, the maintenance of transnationalism, and the process of social incorporation; and (3) test the accuracy of the NSM approach for recruiting immigrant samples by comparison with the American Community Survey. Our results indicate feasibility, high performance, cost-effectiveness, and accuracy of the NSM approach to sample immigrants for studies of local immigrant communities. This approach can also be extended to recruit multisite samples of immigrants at origin and destination.
The benefits, limitations and opportunities of preclinical models for neonatal drug development
Authors: Campion Sarah , Inselman Amy , Hayes Belinda , Casiraghi Costanza , Joseph David , Facchinetti Fabrizio , Salomone Fabrizio , Schmitt Georg , Hui Julia , Davis-Bruno Karen , Van Malderen Karen , Morford LaRonda , De Schaepdrijver Luc , Wiesner Lutz , Kourula Stephanie , Seo Suna , Laffan Susan , Urmaliya Vijay , Chen Connie 
Published: April 2022

ABSTRACT
Increased research to improve preclinical models to inform the development of therapeutics for neonatal diseases is an area of great need. This article reviews five common neonatal diseases – bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity, necrotizing enterocolitis, perinatal hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy and neonatal sepsis – and the available in vivo, in vitro and in silico preclinical models for studying these diseases. Better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of specialized neonatal disease models will help to improve their utility, may add to the understanding of the mode of action and efficacy of a therapeutic, and/or may improve the understanding of the disease pathology to aid in identification of new therapeutic targets. Although the diseases covered in this article are diverse and require specific approaches, several high-level, overarching key lessons can be learned by evaluating the strengths, weaknesses and gaps in the available models. This Review is intended to help guide current and future researchers toward successful development of therapeutics in these areas of high unmet medical need.
Adipose tissue-specific ablation of PGC-1β impairs thermogenesis in brown fat
Authors: Funda Jiří , Villena Josep A. , Bardova Kristina , Adamcova Katerina , Irodenko Illaria , Flachs Pavel , Jedlickova Ivana , Haasova Eliska , Rossmeisl Martin , Kopecky Jan , Janovska Petra 
Published: April 2022

ABSTRACT
Impaired thermogenesis observed in mice with whole-body ablation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1β (PGC-1β; officially known as PPARGC1B) may result from impaired brown fat (brown adipose tissue; BAT) function, but other mechanism(s) could be involved. Here, using adipose-specific PGC-1β knockout mice (PGC-1β-AT-KO mice) we aimed to learn whether specific PGC-1β ablation in adipocytes is sufficient to drive cold sensitivity. Indeed, we found that warm-adapted (30°C) mutant mice were relatively sensitive to acute cold exposure (6°C). When these mice were subjected to cold exposure for 7 days (7-day-CE), adrenergic stimulation of their metabolism was impaired, despite similar levels of thermogenic uncoupling protein 1 in BAT in PGC-1β-AT-KO and wild-type mice. Gene expression in BAT of mutant mice suggested a compensatory increase in lipid metabolism to counteract the thermogenic defect. Interestingly, a reduced number of contacts between mitochondria and lipid droplets associated with low levels of L-form of optic atrophy 1 was found in BAT of PGC-1β-AT-KO mice. These genotypic differences were observed in warm-adapted mutant mice, but they were partially masked by 7-day-CE. Collectively, our results suggest a role for PGC-1β in controlling BAT lipid metabolism and thermogenesis.
This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Clinical efficacy of conbercept plus micropulse laser (577 nm) treatment in macular edema secondary to non-ischemic central retinal vein occlusion
Authors: Li Li , Ren Qian , Sun Zhaohui , Yu Hua 
Published: April 2022

Objectives: To observe the clinical efficacy and complications of conbercept combined with a 577-nm micropulse laser in patients with macular edema (ME) secondary to non-ischemic central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO).
Methods: A total of 153 patients who were diagnosed with non-ischemic CRVO-induced ME and treated by Shijiazhuang People’s Hospital during January 2019 and January 2021 were included in this study. The patients were divided into a control group and an experimental group by choice of treatment. The control group was treated by conbercept alone, while the experimental group underwent laser treatment on this basis. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was determined by the internationally standardized logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) chart and the central macular thickness (CMT) was measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT) before and at one and three months after treatment. Complications such as conjunctival hemorrhage and elevated intraocular pressure (if any) were recorded during the 3-month follow-up period.
Results: Conbercept could improve the BCVA and CMT of patients with non-ischemic CRVO (P <0.05, respectively), and the combined use of conbercept with micropulse laser treatment yielded greater improvements in these measures compared with the pre-treatment condition (P <0.05, respectively); moreover, the differences between the control group and the experimental group were statistically significant (all P <0.05). The two groups had similar complication rates and did not record any serious adverse reactions.
Conclusions: Conbercept combined with 577-nm micropulse laser treatment can benefit patients with non-ischemic CRVO-induced ME by improving their visual acuity and relieve ME symptoms. As a regimen of impressive clinical efficacy, it is of great value for wide application in clinical practice.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.5.5231
How to cite this:Li L, Ren Q, Sun Z, Yu H. Clinical efficacy of conbercept plus micropulse laser (577 nm) treatment in macular edema secondary to non-ischemic central retinal vein occlusion. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(5):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.5.5231
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.