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Eur J Cardiovasc Nurs 2021 Apr;20(2):96-105

Laboratory of Biomechanical Engineering, Department of Applied Mechanics, College of Architecture & Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.

Objective: The role of sauna bathing in cardiovascular function treatment has been increasingly explored, but insufficient attention has been paid to its efficacy. We performed a meta-analysis to provide more evidence for the efficacy of sauna treatment in cardiovascular nursing.

Methods: Sixteen peer-reviewed journal articles were screened to summarize the efficacy of the sauna on cardiovascular function. Read More

J Bone Joint Surg Am 2021 Apr;103(8):668-680

The Edinburgh Shoulder Clinic, New Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.

Background: The prevalence of nonunion after a proximal humeral fracture (PHF) and the risk factors for its occurrence are poorly defined. We aimed to estimate the rate of nonunion in nonoperatively treated patients and to produce a clinical model for its prediction.

Methods: Two thousand two hundred and thirty adult patients (median age, 72 years [range, 18 to 103 years]; 75. Read More

Acta Haematol 2021 Apr 13:1-11. Epub 2021 Apr 13.

Department of Hematology, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.

Background: Although the use of cord blood transplantation (CBT) is becoming more frequent in acute leukemia, considering the relationship between the low stem cell dose and graft failure, whether use of CBT for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) is appropriate remains uncertain.

Methods: A retrospective registry-based analysis of clinical outcomes and immune reconstitution was conducted for 105 AYAs and 187 children with acute leukemia who underwent single-unit CBT using myeloablative conditioning (MAC) without antithymocyte globulin (ATG).

Results: Outcomes were similar between AYAs and children, except for nonrelapse mortality (NRM) and recovery rates of neutrophils and platelets. Read More

J Phys Condens Matter 2021 Apr 13. Epub 2021 Apr 13.

Department of Physics, Karnatak University, Karnatak Science College, Dharwad 580 001, Karnataka, Dharwad, 580001, INDIA.

Potassium permanganate (KMnO4) filled polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) - polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) polymeric blend films have been prepared by solution casting technique, with filler levels (FL) varying from 0.01 up to 4.70 mass %. Read More

Leg Med (Tokyo) 2021 Apr 7;51:101877. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Department of Law, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Macerata, Macerata, Italy.

Heroin-related mortality is a complex phenomenon involving several factors that make an individual more susceptible to opioid toxicity. Among these, pre-existing pathological conditions play an important role. The current paper reviewed 51 autopsied cases performed over the last 30 years, each subject ("frequent heroin user") having taken heroin intravenously alone before death. Read More

Soc Sci Med 2021 Mar 27;277:113875. Epub 2021 Mar 27.

Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.

Financial barriers are a key limitation to accessing health services, such as tuberculosis (TB) care in resource-poor settings. In Ghana, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), established in 2003, officially offers free TB care to those enrolled. Using data from the first Ghana's national TB patient cost survey, we address two key questions 1) what are the key determinants of costs and affordability for TB-affected households, and 2) what would be the impact on costs for TB-affected households of expanding NHIS to all TB patients? We reported the level of direct and indirect costs, the proportion of TB-affected households experiencing catastrophic costs (defined as total TB-related costs, i. Read More

Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol 2021 Apr 10:101694. Epub 2021 Apr 10.

Section of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Electronic address:

Objectives: A low serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level is an uncommon finding in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). The precise prevalence of this finding and whether low ALP expression influences CLD remain to be determined. The objectives of this study were: (1) to document the prevalence of low serum ALP levels in adult CLD patients and (2) compare features of CLD in patients with low versus normal or elevated serum ALP levels. Read More

Toxicol In Vitro 2021 Apr 10:105171. Epub 2021 Apr 10.

Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. Electronic address:

Using the chemical doxorubicin (DOX), the objective of the present study was to evaluate the impact of dose metrics selection in the new approach method of integrating physiologically-based kinetic (PBK) modelling and relevant human cell-based assays to inform a priori the point of departure for human health risk. We reviewed the literature on the clinical consequences of DOX treatment to identify dosing scenarios with no or mild cardiotoxicity observed. Key concentrations of DOX that induced cardiomyocyte toxicity in vitro were derived from studies of our own and others. Read More

Prev Med 2021 Apr 10:106550. Epub 2021 Apr 10.

Department of Social Psychology, University of Valencia, Av. Blasco Ibáñez, 21, 46010, Valencia, Spain.

We conducted a small-area ecological longitudinal study to analyze neighborhood contextual influences on the spatio-temporal variations in intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) risk in a southern European city over an eight-year period. We used geocoded data of IPVAW cases with associated protection orders (n = 5867) in the city of Valencia, Spain (2011-2018). The city's 552 census block groups were used as the neighborhood units. Read More

Exp Eye Res 2021 Apr 10:108574. Epub 2021 Apr 10.

Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA; Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.

Purpose: Chronic corneal endothelial cell (CEC) loss results in corneal edema and vision loss in conditions such as pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (PBK), Fuchs' dystrophy, and corneal graft failure. Low CEC density has been associated with an elevation of intraocular pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interferon (INF)-γ. These cytokines are capable of triggering pyroptosis, a programmed cell death mechanism mediated by the inflammasome, prompting the activation of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1β, the perpetuation of inflammation, and subsequent damage of corneal endothelial tissue. Read More

Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2021 Apr 13. Epub 2021 Apr 13.

Imperial College London, Anaesthetics & Intensive Care, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland;

Rationale: Mechanical ventilation is a mainstay of intensive care but contributes to the mortality of patients through ventilator induced lung injury. Extracellular Cyclophilin A is an emerging inflammatory mediator and metalloproteinase inducer, and the gene responsible for its expression has recently been linked to COVID-19 infection.

Objectives: Here we explore the involvement of extracellular Cyclophilin A in the pathophysiology of ventilator-induced lung injury. Read More

J Athl Train 2021 Apr 13. Epub 2021 Apr 13.

Context: Secondary schools that offer school-sponsored athletic events should follow best-practice guidelines to provide policies that promote student health and safety.

Objective: To assess emergency preparedness from the perspective of athletic administrators (AAs) in [State] secondary schools.

Design: Cross-sectional study. Read More

Mol Hum Reprod 2021 Apr 12. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Laboratory of Basic Medicine, Dongfang Hospital (900th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Team), Xiamen University, Fuzhou, 350025, China.

Acephalic spermatozoa syndrome (ASS) is a rare teratozoospermia that leads to male infertility. Previous work suggested a genetic origin. Variants of Sad1 and UNC84 domain containing 5 (SUN5) are the main genetic cause of ASS, however its pathogenesis remains unclear. Read More

PLoS One 2021 13;16(4):e0249795. Epub 2021 Apr 13.

Department of Pediatric Emergency, Changhua Christian Children Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan.

Introduction: Stress is a major health issue in adolescents owing to the important transitions experienced during this period. Aromatherapy is an effective method for the reduction of stress in adolescents.

Purpose: The aims of this study were to examine the effect of aromatherapy on the regulation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) along with stress relief and to explore the effect of aromatherapy on adolescents with different levels of stress. Read More

Bratisl Lek Listy 2021 ;122(5):357-361

Background: In this study, we aimed to determine whether neutrophil / lymphocyte ratio (NLR), obtained by dividing the number of neutrophils by the number of lymphocytes, and uric acid (UA) levels in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients vary compared with healthy controls and to establish correlations among these changes themselves as well as between such changes and MS subtypes, immunomodulatory drug use, the duration of the disease and prognosis.

Methods: 150 patients who presented to our hospital and were diagnosed with MS and 150 healthy volunteers were retrospectively included in our study. EDSS score (Expanded Disability Status Scale) was used to assess the disability of the patients. Read More

J Agric Food Chem 2021 Apr 13. Epub 2021 Apr 13.

Institute of Food Sciences and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan.

The overweight and obese population has skyrocketed, resulting in a high incidence of metabolic disorders. (AS) contains a variety of beneficial components, such as sulfur-containing polysaccharides (dietary fiber) and astaxanthin, which is considered to have anti-obesity potential. In this study, we investigated the effects and possible mechanisms of dietary AS on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity in mice. Read More

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2021 Apr 13. Epub 2021 Apr 13.

Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou 215123, China.

The ecofriendly combustion synthesis (ECS) and self-combustion synthesis (ESCS) have been successfully utilized to deposit high- aluminum oxide (AlO) dielectrics at low temperatures and applied for aqueous InO thin-film transistors (TFTs) accordingly. The ECS and ESCS processes facilitate the formation of high-quality dielectrics at lower temperatures compared to conventional methods based on an ethanol precursor, as confirmed by thermal analysis and chemical composition characterization. The aqueous InO TFTs based on ECS and ESCS-AlO show enhanced electrical characteristics and counterclockwise transfer-curve hysteresis. Read More

Water Environ Res 2021 Apr 13. Epub 2021 Apr 13.

Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, USA.

Practitioner Points: Phosphorus recycling and reuse are imperative, and the water industry has an important role to play in this effort. Technologies capable of removing phosphorus to ultra-low levels and subsequent recovery for phosphorus reuse are needed. Inorganic ion exchange resins and organic bioadsorbents are promising for phosphorus removal and recovery as part of the waste-to-resource paradigm. Read More

Pulm Ther 2021 Apr 13. Epub 2021 Apr 13.

Allergy Department, 2nd Pediatric Clinic, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.

Introduction: The leukotriene pathway may be implicated in the induction of virus-induced inflammation. Respiratory epithelial cells may express low levels of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) and release leukotrienes (LTs) C4, D4, and E4, upon exposure to viruses or other stimuli. Enhanced expression of 5-LO pathway proteins after rhinovirus (RV) infection has previously been described. Read More

Int J Hematol 2021 Apr 13. Epub 2021 Apr 13.

Department of Hematology and Oncology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2, Yamadaoka, Suita City, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.

High pre-treatment serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) levels are associated with poor overall survival (OS) of patients with newly diagnosed follicular lymphoma (FL). We evaluated the usefulness of pre-treatment sIL-2R levels in selecting a treatment regimen for advanced-stage FL with low tumor burden (FL-LTB). This retrospective, multicenter observational study enrolled consecutive patients who received a rituximab-containing regimen for newly diagnosed advanced stage FL-LTB (grade 1-3a) between 2008 and 2018. Read More

Environ Geochem Health 2021 Apr 13. Epub 2021 Apr 13.

Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208, Matosinhos, Portugal.

Civilian and military shooting range facilities cause environmental issues in several countries due to the accumulation of Potentially Toxic Elements; as a result of weathering of ammunitions accumulated into the soils. The contents and distribution of Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were analyzed in 12 soils in an abandoned clay target shooting range at two different depths (0-15 and 15-30 cm). Single extractions (CaCl and DTPA) and Tessier sequential extraction were conducted to assess the PTE mobility and the PTE distribution in the different soil geochemical fractions at both depths. Read More

J Youth Adolesc 2021 Apr 13. Epub 2021 Apr 13.

Department of Psychology, Fordham University, New York, NY, USA.

Ethnic-racial identity, ethnic-racial socialization, and racialized experiences are fundamental to the development of youth of color. However, most prior studies have examined their developmental impact in isolation. The present study fills this gap using a person-centered approach to elucidate patterns of ethnic-racial identity, socialization, and model minority experiences among 145 Asian American adolescents (M = 14. Read More

JAMA Netw Open 2021 Apr 1;4(4):e215493. Epub 2021 Apr 1.

Centre for Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ontario Tech University, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada.

Importance: Claims that spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) can improve immune function have increased substantially during the COVID-19 pandemic and may have contributed to the rapid spread of both accurate and inaccurate information (referred to as an infodemic by the World Health Organization).

Objective: To identify, appraise, and synthesize the scientific literature on the efficacy and effectiveness of SMT in preventing the development of infectious disease or improving disease-specific outcomes in patients with infectious disease and to examine the association between SMT and selected immunological, endocrine, and other physiological biomarkers.

Evidence Review: A literature search of MEDLINE, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, the Index to Chiropractic Literature, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Embase was conducted from inception to April 15, 2020. Read More

JAMA Netw Open 2021 Apr 1;4(4):e215723. Epub 2021 Apr 1.

Department of Endocrinology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China.

Importance: Maternal thyrotropin levels during gestation have a profound effect on pregnancy outcomes; however, few studies to date have evaluated the importance of preconception thyrotropin levels.

Objective: To investigate the associations between preconception thyrotropin levels and pregnancy outcomes.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This population-based cohort study enrolled Chinese women aged 20 to 49 years from the National Free Prepregnancy Checkups Project in China. Read More

JAMA 2021 Apr;325(14):1443-1463

RTI International-University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Evidence-based Practice Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Importance: Low serum vitamin D levels have been associated with adverse clinical outcomes; identifying and treating deficiency may improve outcomes.

Objective: To review the evidence about screening for vitamin D deficiency in adults.

Data Sources: PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and trial registries through March 12, 2020; bibliographies from retrieved articles, outside experts, and surveillance of the literature through November 30, 2020. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2021 Apr;100(15):e25022

Department of VIP Medical Services, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China.

Abstract: Previous studies showed that microRNA (miR)-449a may function as a tumor suppressor. However, the expression pattern and value of circulating miR-449a in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to measure circulating miR-449a level of CRC patients and evaluate its value for predicting prognosis. Read More

Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc 2021 Mar;55(2):171-176

Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Demiroğlu Bilim University, İstanbul, Turkey.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the malpractice claims experienced by orthopedic and traumatology physicians and to determine their effects on burnout, job satisfaction, and clinical practice.

Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted on orthopedic and traumatology specialists between May 2019 and February 2020. Data collection was carried out via e-survey at "turk-ortopedi" mail group, which is an electronic communication network of orthopedic and traumatology physicians. Read More

J Am Chem Soc 2021 Apr 13. Epub 2021 Apr 13.

Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.

Owing to the diversity of composition and excellent transport properties, the ternary I-III-VI type diamond-like chalcopyrite compounds are attractive functional semiconductors, including as thermoelectric materials. In this family, CuInTe and CuGaTe are well investigated and achieve maximum values of ∼1.4 at 950 K and an average of 0. Read More

Low Urin Tract Symptoms 2021 Apr 13. Epub 2021 Apr 13.

Department of Urology, St. Luke's International Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.

Objectives: To investigate the incidence of and risk factors for febrile complications (FCs) in patients undergoing holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP).

Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 847 consecutive patients who underwent HoLEP in our hospital from June 2006 to December 2018. FCs were defined as a body temperature ≥38. Read More

Tree Physiol 2021 Apr 13. Epub 2021 Apr 13.

Plant Sciences, UC Davis, USA.

Variable winter temperatures cause a year-to-year discrepancy in the phenology of deciduous trees. It implies that an intrinsic 'winter clock' synchronizes bloom with the progression of winter to spring. The carbohydrate-temperature (C-T) model established a mechanistic association between carbohydrate metabolism in dormant trees and hourly winter temperatures. Read More