Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

J Neurol Sci 2021 Apr 17;425:117445. Epub 2021 Apr 17.

Graduate Institute of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Clinical Big Data Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address:

Background: Accurate estimation of neurological outcomes after in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) provides crucial information for clinical management. This study used artificial neural networks (ANNs) to determine the prognostic factors and develop prediction models for IHCA based on immediate preresuscitation parameters.

Methods: The derived cohort comprised 796 patients with IHCA between 2006 and 2014. Read More

Drug Alcohol Depend 2021 Apr 14;223:108698. Epub 2021 Apr 14.

School of Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, T12 XF62, Ireland; Department of Public Health HSE-South, St. Finbarr's Hospital, Cork, T12XH60, Ireland. Electronic address:

Background: Alcohol consumption is a major public health concern in Ireland. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) disproportionately affects men who have sex with men (MSM). However, little is known about the prevalence of AUD in this group in Ireland specifically, and the characteristics of MSM who may struggle with this. Read More

World Neurosurg 2021 Apr 17. Epub 2021 Apr 17.

Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. Electronic address:

Objective: The predictive value of pre-radiosurgery leucocyte-based prognostic ratios was investigated in a selected cohort of non-small cell lung cancer patients (NSCLC) patients with radiosurgically treated brain metastases (BM) and concomitant immunotherapy (IT) or targeted therapy (TT).

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 166 NSCLC BM patients treated with Gamma Knife Radiosurgery. The Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR), and Lymphocyte-to-Monocyte Ratio (LMR) were assessed within 14 days prior to radiosurgical treatment. Read More

Clin Immunol 2021 Apr 17:108728. Epub 2021 Apr 17.

Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China; Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin 300060, China; National Clinical Research Centre of Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China. Electronic address:

Objective: To investigate the relationship between lncRNA PVT1(PVT1) level and PD-L1 expression and their functions in cisplatin resistant epithelial ovarian cancer (CREOC).

Methods: PVT1 and PD-L1 in ovarian cancer tissues were detected and analyzed. The cells proliferation, apoptosis, invasion abilities and potential mechanism were detected by cell functional experiments and western-blot assay, respectively. Read More

Exp Eye Res 2021 Apr 17:108583. Epub 2021 Apr 17.

Departments of Ophthalmology, USA; Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Division of Research, Charleston, SC, USA; Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA. Electronic address:

Purpose: Age-related macular degeneration is a slowly progressing disease. Studies have tied disease risk to an overactive complement system. We have previously demonstrated that pathology in two mouse models, the choroidal neovascularization (CNV) model and the smoke-induced ocular pathology (SIOP) model, can be reduced by specifically inhibiting the alternative complement pathway (AP). Read More

Ann Clin Psychiatry 2021 May;33(2):80-92

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.

Background: Long-term prescribing of anticholinergic medications (ACM) for antipsychotic-associated extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) is not recommended, yet is widely prevalent. Adverse effects of ACM include memory impairment, dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, urinary retention, and tachycardia, which can seriously impact quality of life. This quality improvement deprescription project sought to reduce chronic ACM use in patients with serious mental illness (SMI). Read More

IEEE Trans Cybern 2021 Apr 20;PP. Epub 2021 Apr 20.

When a multiobjective evolutionary algorithm based on decomposition (MOEA/D) is applied to solve problems with discontinuous Pareto front (PF), a set of evenly distributed weight vectors may lead to many solutions assembling in boundaries of the discontinuous PF. To overcome this limitation, this article proposes a mechanism of resetting weight vectors (RWVs) for MOEA/D. When the RWV mechanism is triggered, a classic data clustering algorithm DBSCAN is used to categorize current solutions into several parts. Read More

Transplant Cell Ther 2021 Mar 2. Epub 2021 Mar 2.

Division of Hematological Malignancies and Cellular Therapy, Department of Medicine, Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, North Carolina. Electronic address:

Preventing chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) remains challenging because the unique cellular and molecular pathways that incite chronic GVHD are poorly understood. One major point of intervention for potential prevention of chronic GVHD occurs at the time of transplantation when acute donor anti-recipient immune responses first set the events in motion that result in chronic GVHD. After transplantation, additional insults causing tissue injury can incite aberrant immune responses and loss of tolerance, further contributing to chronic GVHD. Read More

Int Forum Allergy Rhinol 2021 Apr 20. Epub 2021 Apr 20.

Department of Surgery, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.

Background: Despite the widespread prescription of antibiotics for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), their efficacy remains uncertain. Limited penetration of systemic antibiotics into the sinonasal mucosa has been reported previously by this group. This study aimed to investigate the short-term effects of antibiotics on the sinus and gut microbiota as well as any relationships these had with drug distribution. Read More

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2021 Apr;25(7):3002-3006

Department of Pediatrics, Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi, Japan.

Objective: Hemorrhagic shock and encephalopathy syndrome (HSES) is the most severe form of acute encephalopathy that progresses rapidly, often resulting in death or severe neurological sequelae. We report the case of a 4-year-old girl with HSES with shock and impaired consciousness.

Patient And Methods: Blood test results showed hypercytokinemia, and the 4-year-old patient was immediately admitted to the intensive care unit. Read More

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2021 Apr;25(7):2858-2865

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Diseases, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China.

Objective: Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have immunomodulatory and therapeutic effects on immune system diseases. This study intends to assess the regulatory effect of BMSC targeted therapy on the IL-17+ γδ T cells and Treg cells in allergic rhinitis (AR).

Materials And Methods: BALB/c mice were sensitized by ovalbumin (OVA), while BMSCs were injected intravenously before sensitization and followed by an analysis of nasal symptoms, inflammation, cytokines, and immunoglobulins. Read More

Cardiol Ther 2021 Apr 20. Epub 2021 Apr 20.

University of Utah Health Sciences Center and Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.

Introduction: Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is a progressive, fatal and under-recognized disease. This targeted literature review assessed the extent and consequences of diagnostic delay and misdiagnosis in ATTR-CM.

Methods: The Embase database was searched together with proceedings of eight cardiology conferences to identify publications or abstracts on ATTR-CM. Read More

J Assist Reprod Genet 2021 Apr 20. Epub 2021 Apr 20.

The Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1305 York Avenue, Y720, New York, NY, 10021, USA.

Purpose: To characterize, by specific biomarkers and nucleic acid sequencing, the structural and genomic sperm characteristics of partial (PG) and complete globozoospermic (CG) men in order to identify the best reproductive treatment.

Methods: We assessed spermatozoa from 14 consenting men ultrastructurally, as well as for histone content, sperm chromatin integrity, and sperm aneuploidy. Additional genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic evaluations were carried out to further characterize the CG cohort. Read More

Insights Imaging 2021 Apr 20;12(1):52. Epub 2021 Apr 20.

Centre for Medical Imaging, University College London, 2nd Floor Charles Bell House, 43-45 Foley Street, London, W1W 7TS, UK.

Objectives: National guidelines recommend prostate multiparametric (mp) MRI in men with suspected prostate cancer before biopsy. In this study, we explore prostate mpMRI protocols across 14 London hospitals and determine whether standardisation improves diagnostic quality.

Methods: An MRI physicist facilitated mpMRI set-up across several regional hospitals, working together with experienced uroradiologists who judged diagnostic quality. Read More

Am J Clin Pathol 2021 Apr 20. Epub 2021 Apr 20.

Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OHUSA.

Objectives: Myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasms (MDS/MPN) are a group of rare and heterogeneous hematopoietic disorders that frequently present a diagnostic challenge. Here we present our institutional experience with next-generation sequencing (NGS), together with morphologic, flow cytometric, and cytogenetic evaluation, in the diagnosis of MDS/MPN, with particular emphasis on MDS/MPN unclassifiable (MPN-U).

Methods: We evaluated the morphologic, flow cytometric, cytogenetic, and molecular characteristics of all MDS/MPN cases that underwent NGS at our institution between April 2016 and February 2019. Read More

J R Coll Physicians Edinb 2021 Mar;51(1):24-30

Department of Internal Medicine, Sungai Buloh Hospital, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia.

Background: Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) infection has become a major challenge to clinicians. The aim of this study is to identify the risk factors of acquiring CRE to guide more targeted screening for hospital admissions.

Methods: This is a retrospective case-control study (ratio 1:1) where a patient with CRE infection or colonisation was matched with a control. Read More

Glob Health Action 2021 Jan;14(1):1909267

SAMRC/Centre for Health Economics and Decision Science - Priority Cost Effective Lessons for Systems Strengthening (PRICELESS SA), Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

: Non-communicable diseases are on the rise across sub-Saharan Africa. The region has become a targeted growth market for sugar-sweetened beverages, which are associated with weight gain, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.: To identify politico-economic factors relevant to nutrition-related fiscal policies, and to draw lessons regarding strategies to strengthen sugar-sweetened beverages taxation in the region and globally. Read More

Mult Scler 2021 Apr 20:1352458521996002. Epub 2021 Apr 20.

Health Psychology Section, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.

Background: Fatigue is a common, debilitating symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS) without a current standardised treatment.

Objective: The aim of this systematic review with network meta-analyses was to estimate the relative effectiveness of both fatigue-targeted and non-targeted exercise, behavioural and combined (behavioural and exercise) interventions.

Methods: Nine electronic databases up to August 2018 were searched, and 113 trials ( = 6909) were included: 34 were fatigue-targeted and 79 non-fatigue-targeted trials. Read More

Tumori 2021 Apr 20:3008916211009301. Epub 2021 Apr 20.

Cancer Epidemiology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, Italy.

Objective: To describe smoking behaviours of patients with incident cancer attending an Italian cancer centre and to examine changes in their smoking habits within 12 months from cancer diagnosis, evaluating determinants of smoking cessation.

Methods: A hospital-based prospective cohort included patients hospitalized in an Italian cancer centre (2016-2018). Patients were mostly female (74%) and included a limited proportion of aerodigestive cancers (7%). Read More

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021 Apr;118(15)

Stanford Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305;

Adaptive experimental designs can dramatically improve efficiency in randomized trials. But with adaptively collected data, common estimators based on sample means and inverse propensity-weighted means can be biased or heavy-tailed. This poses statistical challenges, in particular when the experimenter would like to test hypotheses about parameters that were not targeted by the data-collection mechanism. Read More

J Thromb Haemost 2021 Apr 20. Epub 2021 Apr 20.

National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, The Framingham Heart Study, Framingham, USA.

Background: Use of targeted exome-arrays with common, rare variants and functionally enriched variation has led to discovery of new genes contributing to population variation in risk factors. Plasminogen activator-inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), and the plasma product D-dimer are important components of the fibrinolytic system. There have been few large-scale genome-wide or exome-wide studies of PAI-1, tPA and D-dimer. Read More

HIV Med 2021 Apr 19. Epub 2021 Apr 19.

The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of government HIV strategies that aimed to increase HIV testing uptake and frequency among gay and bisexual men (GBM) in New South Wales (NSW), Australia.

Design: We analysed HIV testing data from existing passive and sentinel surveillance systems between 2010 and 2018.

Methods: Six indicators were measured: (1) state-wide total HIV laboratory tests; (2) number of GBM attending publicly-funded clinics; (3) 12-monthly testing uptake; (4) annual testing frequency; (5) HIV testing with a STI diagnosis; and (6) HIV positivity. Read More

Phytochem Anal 2021 Apr 20. Epub 2021 Apr 20.

College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei, China.

Introduction: Accurate species and content identification of major active components in herbals are the guarantee of the safety and effectiveness for medical and commodity purposes.

Objectives: In this study, an integrated strategy used to establish the protoberberine alkaloid profile was applied to explore the differences in composition between the pieces of Tinosporae radix and Fibraurea caulis, both of which had morphological similarities.

Materials And Methods: First, an in-house library including possible protoberberine alkaloids based on different substituents was predicted by systematic literature survey. Read More

J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2021 Apr 19. Epub 2021 Apr 19.

Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 2525 West End Ave, Suite 750, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA.

Introduction: Guided by an intersectional approach, we assessed the association between social categories (individual and combined) on time to linkage to HIV care in Tennessee.

Methods: Tennessee residents diagnosed with HIV from 2012-2016 were included in the analysis (n=3750). Linkage was defined by the first CD4 or HIV RNA test date after HIV diagnosis. Read More

Patient 2021 Apr 20. Epub 2021 Apr 20.

Improving Palliative, Aged and Chronic Care through Clinical Research and Translation (IMPACCT), University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia.

Background: Most health care systems are facing the challenge of providing health services to support the increasing numbers of older people with chronic life-limiting conditions at the end of life. Many policies focus primarily on increasing the proportion of deaths at home.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate preferences for care throughout the latter stages of a life-limiting illness, particularly the importance of location of care, location of death, and the use of life-sustaining measures. Read More

Br J Surg 2021 Apr 19. Epub 2021 Apr 19.

Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.

Background: Recommendations for screening patients with lower-extremity arterial disease (LEAD) to detect asymptomatic carotid stenosis (ACS) are conflicting. Prediction models might identify patients at high risk of ACS, possibly allowing targeted screening to improve preventive therapy and compliance.

Methods: A systematic search for prediction models for at least 50 per cent ACS in patients with LEAD was conducted. Read More