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Stat Med 2021 Apr 12. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Biostatistics Branch, Division of Cancer and Epidemiology, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland, USA.

Hidden Markov models (HMMs) have been proposed to model the natural history of diseases while accounting for misclassification in state identification. We introduce a discrete time HMM for human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical precancer/cancer where the hidden and observed state spaces are defined by all possible combinations of HPV, cytology, and colposcopy results. Because the population of women undergoing cervical cancer screening is heterogeneous with respect to sexual behavior, and therefore risk of HPV acquisition and subsequent precancers, we use a mover-stayer mixture model that assumes a proportion of the population will stay in the healthy state and are not subject to disease progression. Read More

J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg 2021 Apr 12. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Research and Training in Neurosurgery (CIEN), Rosario University School of Medicine, Samaritan University Hospital, Bogotá, Colombia.

Background:  Scalp arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are a rare vascular disease usually presenting as a progressively increasing pulsating mass in the scalp. These lesions can be associated with mild to severe complications, including congestive heart failure. If ruptures, this pathology constitutes a life-threatening medical emergency because of its potential to cause severe bleeding and acute anemia. Read More

J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg 2021 Apr 12. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Department of International Education, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of science and Technology, Wuhan, China.

Background And Study Objective:  Cranioplasty after microvascular decompression (MVD) is important for preventing postoperative complications such as headache. Autologous particulate bone is a common material for cranioplasty. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of using autologous particulate bone to reconstruct the cranial defect produced by MVD. Read More

Respiration 2021 Apr 12:1-9. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.

Background: The diagnostic yield of peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs) using radial endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) remains challenging without navigation systems. Cone-beam computed tomography-derived augmented fluoroscopy (CBCT-AF) represents a recently developed technique, and its clinical utility remains to be investigated.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic yield of transbronchial biopsy (TBB) using a combination of CBCT-AF and radial EBUS. Read More

Mult Scler Relat Disord 2021 Mar 21;51:102917. Epub 2021 Mar 21.

Department of Neurology, University Hospital "12 de Octubre",Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain; Department of Medicine, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address:

Background: Spinal cord complications associated with coronavirus infectious disease of 2019 (COVID-19) are being widely reported. The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize so far available pieces of evidence documenting de novo novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) mediated spinal cord demyelinating diseases. Indeed, the spinal demyelinating disorders that have been reported in those patients who have suffered from COVID-19 rather than on the people already living with diagnosed or undiagnosed primary demyelinating disorders. Read More

Transplant Cell Ther 2021 Apr 9. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

RM Gorbacheva Research Institute, Pavlov University, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation. Electronic address:

Background: The prognosis of acute leukemia refractory to induction chemotherapy or immunotherapy is dismal. Salvage allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is widely used option for these patients, but only 10-15% of patients are cured by the procedure. Preclinical studies indicate that substitution of posttransplantation cyclophosphomide (PTCY) with bendamustine (PTB) in a prophylaxis regimen may be associated with augmented graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) reaction. Read More

Arthroscopy 2021 Apr 9. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

St. Joseph's University Medical Center, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Paterson NJ 07503; New Jersey Orthopaedic Institute, Wayne NJ 07470.

Purpose: To perform a systematic review of reported terminologies, surgical techniques, preoperative diagnostic measures, and geographic differences in the treatment of core muscle injury (CMI)/athletic pubalgia/inguinal disruption.

Methods: A systematic review was performed by searching PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase to identify clinical studies or articles that described a surgical technique to treat CMI refractory to nonoperative treatment. The search phrase used was "core muscle injury" OR "sports hernia" OR "athletic pubalgia" OR "inguinal disruption". Read More

Food Chem Toxicol 2021 Apr 9:112179. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Sorbonne Paris North University, Inserm, Inrae, Cnam, Nutritional Epidemiology Research Team (EREN), Epidemiology and Statistics Research Centre, University of Paris (CRESS), Bobigny, France.

Purpose: To examine dietary exposure to 25 pesticide residues in several diet groups including omnivores, pesco-vegetarians, vegetarians and vegans while accounting for the farming system (organic or conventional) of plant-based foods consumed.

Methods: Organic and conventional consumption data in combination with data on pesticide residues in plant-based foods were used to derive estimated dietary exposure to pesticide residues. Pesticide residue exposure was estimated based on observed data, and using two scenarios simulated for 100%-conventional and 100%-organic diets in 33,018 omnivores, 555 pesco-vegetarians, 501 vegetarians and 368 vegans from the NutriNet-Santé study. Read More

J Hepatol 2021 Apr 9. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. Electronic address:

Background & Aims: Chronic hepatitis D virus (HDV) infections cause the most severe form of viral hepatitis. HDV requires hepatitis B virus (HBV) envelope proteins for hepatocyte entry, particle assembly and release. Eight HDV and eight HBV genotypes are presently distinguished. Read More

Surg Infect (Larchmt) 2021 Apr 12. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Department of General, Visceral, and Transplantation Surgery, Clinic and University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, IMIB-ARRIXACA, Murcia, Spain.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) represent an economic burden to healthcare systems. The use of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) for SSI prophylaxis remains uncertain. A systematic literature search was conducted in Medline/PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science for relevant studies. Read More

Anal Chem 2021 Apr 12. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Gastroenterology Research Unit, Department of Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand.

Spectroscopic methods are a promising approach for providing a point-of-care diagnostic method for gastrointestinal mucosa associated illnesses. Such a tool is desired to aid immediate decision making and to provide a faster pathway to appropriate treatment. In this pilot study, Raman, near-infrared, low frequency Raman, and autofluoresence spectroscopic methods were explored alone and in combination for the diagnosis of celiac disease. Read More

Int J Cancer 2021 Apr 12. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Division of Health Economics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.

To analyse published evidence on the economic evaluation of risk-based screening (RBS), a full systematic literature review was conducted. After a quality appraisal, we compared the cost-effectiveness of risk-based strategies (low-risk, medium-risk, and high-risk) with no screening and age-based screening. Studies were also analysed for modelling, risk stratification methods, input parameters, data sources, and harms and benefits. Read More

PLoS One 2021 12;16(4):e0249720. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Department of Environmental Sciences, Aquatic Ecology & Water Quality Management Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands.

The massive growth of potentially toxic cyanobacteria in water supply reservoirs, such as Legedadi Reservoir (Ethiopia), poses a huge burden to water purification units and represents a serious threat to public health. In this study, we evaluated the efficiency of the flocculants/coagulants chitosan, Moringa oleifera seed (MOS), and poly-aluminium chloride (PAC) in settling cyanobacterial species present in the Legedadi Reservoir. We also tested whether coagulant-treated reservoir water promotes cyanobacteria growth. Read More

Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg 2021 Apr 16;39(4):303-307. Epub 2021 Mar 16.

Department of Dermatology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.

Actinic cheilitis (AC) is a premalignant lesion of the lips that can evolve into squamous cell carcinoma. Among nonsurgical treatments, photodynamic therapy (PDT) with 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) patch might represent a new noninvasive therapeutic approach for AC. We sought to investigate the potential role of fractional CO laser pretreatment in boosting ALA penetration and distribution into AC treated with PDT. Read More

Am J Sports Med 2021 Apr 12:3635465211003091. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Shoulder and Elbow Service, Funabashi Orthopaedic Sports Medicine and Joint Center, Funabashi, Japan.

Background: Many surgeons prefer bony stabilization including Bristow or Latarjet procedures for shoulder instability in collision athletes, even though several potential complications have been reported. There has been a limited number of studies on the midterm outcomes of arthroscopic soft tissue stabilization for anterior shoulder instability in competitive collision athletes.

Purpose: To assess the outcomes of arthroscopic soft tissue stabilization in combination with selective augmentation procedures for collision athletes with traumatic anterior shoulder instability. Read More

J Phys Chem Lett 2021 Apr 12:3749-3754. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Eduard Zintl Institute of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry, Technical University of Darmstadt, Alarich-Weiss-Straße 8, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany.

Indium oxide (InO) has emerged as a highly active catalyst for methanol synthesis by CO hydrogenation. In this work we elucidate the reduction behavior and oxygen dynamics of cubic InO nanoparticles by Raman and UV-vis spectra in combination with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. We demonstrate that application of UV and visible Raman spectroscopy enables, first, a complete description of the InO vibrational structure fully consistent with theory and, second, the first theoretical identification of the nature of defect-related bands in reduced InO. Read More

Pediatr Blood Cancer 2021 Apr 12:e29031. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.

Background: Approximately 30% of children with medulloblastoma (MB) experience recurrence, which is usually incurable. This study compared the overall survival (OS) of patients receiving temozolomide (TMZ) and irinotecan with that of patients receiving TMZ, irinotecan, and bevacizumab for recurrent MB/central nervous system (CNS) primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET).

Methods: Patients with relapsed/refractory MB or CNS PNET were randomly assigned to receive TMZ (150 mg/m /day PO on days 1-5) and irinotecan (50 mg/m /day IV on days 1-5) with or without bevacizumab (10 mg/kg IV on days 1 and 15). Read More

FEBS J 2021 Apr 12. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain.

Despite its potential clinical relevance, the product of the DMWD (Dystrophia Myotonica, WD Repeat Containing) gene is a largely uncharacterized protein. The DMWD amino acid sequence is similar to that of WDR20, a known regulator of the USP12 and USP46 deubiquitinases (DUBs). Here, we apply a combination of in silico and experimental methods to investigate several aspects of DMWD biology. Read More

Chem Rec 2021 Apr 12. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Catalysis and Fine Chemicals Department, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, Uppal Road, Tarnaka, Hyderabad,, 500007, Telangana, India.

Functional materials composed of Boron-chalcogenophene conjugates have emerged as promising ensemble featuring commendable optoelectronic properties. This review describes the categories, synthetic routes and optoelectronic applications of a range of boron-chalcogenophene conjugates. Conjugation and linking of different types of tri- and tetra-coordinated boron moieties with chalcogenophenes have remained an important strategy for constructing a range of functional materials. Read More

Chemistry 2021 Apr 12. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Fraunhofer IAP: Fraunhofer-Institut fur Angewandte Polymerforschung IAP, Microencapsulation/Polysaccharides, GERMANY.

Combination of several active substances in one carrier is often limited due to the solubility, stability and phase separation issues. These issues are addressed by an innovative capsule design, in which nanocapsules are assembled on the microcapsule surface by electrostatic forces forming a pH responsive hierarchical capsule@capsule system. Here, melamine-formaldehyde (MF) microcapsules with a negative surface charge were synthesized and coated with novel MF-polyethyleneimine (PEI) copolymer to achieve a positive charge of ζ = + 28 mV. Read More

Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2021 Apr 12;4:CD005289. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Division of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen Maternity Hospital, Aberdeen, UK.

Background: Monitoring of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is necessary to detect as well as reduce the incidence and severity of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) whilst achieving the optimal ovarian response needed for assisted reproduction treatment. Traditional monitoring of ovarian hyperstimulation during in vitro fertilisation IVF and ICSI treatment has included transvaginal ultrasonography (TVUS) plus serum estradiol levels. The need for combined monitoring (using TVUS and serum estradiol) during ovarian stimulation in assisted reproduction is controversial. Read More

Neth Heart J 2021 Apr 12. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Department of Vascular Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Introduction: In the Netherlands, the total number of yearly measured lipid profiles exceeds 500,000. While lipid values are strongly affected by age and sex, until recently, no up-to-date age- and sex-specific lipid reference values were available. We describe the translation of big-cohort lipid data into accessible reference values, which can be easily incorporated in daily clinical practice. Read More

Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 2021 Apr 12. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, 7 Greenhouse Rd, Kingston, RI, 02881, USA.

Background And Objective: The use of herbal medicines is common in Africa, and patients often use a combination of herbs and drugs. Concurrent herbal and pharmaceuticals treatments can cause adverse effects through herb-drug interactions (HDI). This study evaluated the potential risk of HDI for five medicinal plants, Vernonia amygdalina, Ocimum gratissimum, Moringa oleifera, Azadirachta indica, and Picralima nitida, using in vitro assays. Read More

Adv Ther 2021 Apr 12. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Craigavon Cardiac Centre, Southern Health and Social Care Trust, Craigavon, Northern Ireland, UK.

Introduction: Despite the challenge of a global pandemic, 2020 has been an invaluable year in cardiology research with numerous important clinical trials published or presented virtually at major international meetings. This article aims to summarise these trials and place them in clinical context.

Methods: The authors reviewed clinical trials presented at major cardiology conferences during 2020 including the American College of Cardiology, European Association for Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions, European Society of Cardiology, Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics and the American Heart Association. Read More

Am J Epidemiol 2021 Apr 12. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, Massachusetts, United States.

We sought to operationalize and validate data-driven approaches to identify transgender individuals in the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) health care system through a retrospective analysis using VA administrative data from 2006 to 2018. Read More

J Vis Exp 2021 Mar 28(169). Epub 2021 Mar 28.

Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University; Institute for Brain Tumors & Key Laboratory of Rare Metabolic Diseases, Nanjing Medical University; Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital; Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province;

The glioma stem cells (GSCs) are a small fraction of cancer cells which play essential roles in tumor initiation, angiogenesis, and drug resistance in glioblastoma (GBM), the most prevalent and devastating primary brain tumor. The presence of GSCs makes the GBM very refractory to most of individual targeted agents, so high-throughput screening methods are required to identify potential effective combination therapeutics. The protocol describes a simple workflow to enable rapid screening for potential combination therapy with synergistic interaction. Read More

Water Sci Technol 2021 Apr;83(7):1677-1690

School of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430000, China E-mail:

Electrochemical water softening has been widely used in industrial circulating cooling water systems; however, their low deposition efficiency is the main drawback that limits usage in medium to large enterprises. In this work, the effect of different parameters on the hardness removal efficiency and energy consumption of the electrochemical water softening system is experimentally studied, and the performance of water softening applied by high frequency electric fields and direct current electric fields are comparative analyzed. The impact factors of the electrochemical water softening system are as follows: initial feed concentration of solute, magnitude of voltage, inter-electrode distance, area of cathode and frequency of power supply. Read More

Antivir Ther 2021 Apr 12. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Background: The World Health Organisation recommends continuation with the failing second-line regimen if third-line option is not available. We investigated treatment outcomes among people living with HIV in Asia who continued with failing second-line regimens compared to those who had treatment modifications after failure.

Methods: Treatment modification was defined as a change of two antiretrovirals, a drug class change, or treatment interruption (TI), all for >14 days. Read More

Wiad Lek 2021 ;74(3 cz 2):722-725

DEPARTMENT OF PROSTHETIC DENTISTRY, BOGOMOLETS NATIONAL MEDICAL UNIVERSITY, KYIV, UKRAINE.

Objective: The aim: To assess the impact of dental status on the quality of life of the adult population in the presence of periodontal disease in combination with musculoskeletal dysfunction in patients with dental anomalies and deformities.

Patients And Methods: Materials and methods: To study this goal, we examined 283 patients who complained of an aesthetic defect of the dentition, combined with the presence of joint pain and periodontal disease of varying severity.

Results: Results: received a complete analysis of factors that significantly affected the quality of life of patients with a lot of diseases of the oral cavity. Read More

Wiad Lek 2021 ;74(3 cz 2):702-707

SHUPYK NATIONAL HEALTHCARE UNIVERSITY OF UKRAINE, KYIV, UKRAINE.

Objective: The aim: Is to characterize the «Medico-sociological map» developed by us to identify systemic and local risk factors for periodontal disease in patients with type I and II diabetes mellitus as a resource to improve the treatment of generalized periodontitis.

Patients And Methods: Materials and methods: We have developed a Medic-sociological map to identify systemic and local risk factors for periodontal disease in patients with type I and type II diabetes mellitus. Methods of accumulation of primary dental and endocrinological information, review and analytical methods. Read More