Abstract Background Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is the ninth member of the proprotein convertase family that regulates lipoprotein homeostasis and altered PCSK9 expression was reportedly associated with tumor development and progression. This study assessed PCSK9 expression and functions in human colon cancer and then explored the underlying molecular events. Methods Colon cancer tissues were utilized for analysis of PCSK9 expression for association with clinicopathological factors from patients by immunohistochemistry assay. Manipulation of PCSK9...

Abstract Background From 2014 to 2019, the Centre for Research Excellence in Integrated Quality Improvement (CRE-IQI) was evaluated as an innovation platform focusing on continuous quality improvement in Indigenous Australian primary healthcare. Although social network analysis (SNA) is a recognized method for evaluating the functioning, collaboration and effectiveness of innovation platforms, applied research is limited. This study applies SNA to evaluate the CRE-IQI’s functioning as an innovation platform. Methods Two surveys (2017, 2019) were conducted...

Abstract Introduction The past decade has increasingly seen systems approaches as a featured theme in public health studies and policy documents. This trend is evident in the area of physical activity, which is a significant global health risk factor that is addressed in WHO’s Global Action Plan on Physical Activity. We undertook a comprehensive scoping review to characterize the application of systems approaches to physical activity, to develop a typology of the objectives, themes and...

Abstract Background Genomic analysis indicated that the genomes of ascomycetes might carry dozens of biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs), yet many clusters have remained enigmatic. The ascomycete genus Epicoccum, belonging to the family Didymellaceae, is ubiquitous that colonizes different types of substrates and is associated with phyllosphere or decaying vegetation. Species of this genus are prolific producers of bioactive substances. The epicoccamides, as biosynthetically distinct mannosylated tetramate, were first isolated in 2003 from Epicoccum sp. In...

Rationale:The evidence base for acute post-stroke rehabilitation is inadequate and global guideline recommendations vary.Aim:To define optimal early mobility intervention regimens for ischemic stroke patients of mild and moderate severity.Hypotheses:Compared with a prespecified reference arm, the optimal dose regimen(s) will result in more participants experiencing little or no disability (mRS 0–2) at 3 months post-stroke (primary), fewer deaths at 3 months, fewer and less severe complications during the intervention period, faster recovery of unassisted walking, and...

Abstract Background The reno-protective effect of second-line treatments in type 2 diabetes has been assessed by clinical trials but generalizability to routine clinical practice is still uncertain. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of these treatments, when added to metformin, on the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods A real-world, hospital-based, type 2 diabetes cohort was retrospectively assembled at Ramathibodi Hospital from 2010 to 2019. Patients who received sulfonylureas (SU), thiazolidinediones (TZD), dipeptidyl peptidase-4...

ObjectivesTo audit the transparent and open science standards of health and medical sciences journal policies and explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.DesignRepeat cross-sectional study.Setting19 journals listed in Google Scholar's Top Publications for health and medical sciences.ParticipantsBlood, Cell, Circulation, European Heart Journal, Gastroenterology, Journal of Clinical Oncology, Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Nature Genetics, Nature Medicine, Nature Neuroscience, Neuron, PLoS ONE, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Science Translational Medicine, The British...

ObjectivesTo audit the transparent and open science standards of health and medical sciences journal policies and explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.DesignRepeat cross-sectional study.Setting19 journals listed in Google Scholar's Top Publications for health and medical sciences.ParticipantsBlood, Cell, Circulation, European Heart Journal, Gastroenterology, Journal of Clinical Oncology, Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Nature Genetics, Nature Medicine, Nature Neuroscience, Neuron, PLoS ONE, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Science Translational Medicine, The British...

To develop and validate a scale, the Self-management of Dementia by Carers (SMDC). Mixed-methods were used. First, the domains of the SMDC Scale were identified through a systematic literature review and interviews with expert professionals and carers. Then the following psychometrics were performed: content and face validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity. The final scale had 58-item grouped into 6 factors. The internal consistency and test-retest reliability coefficients were excellent. This scale can...

Abstract Background Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is the ninth member of the proprotein convertase family that regulates lipoprotein homeostasis and altered PCSK9 expression was reportedly associated with tumor development and progression. This study assessed PCSK9 expression and functions in human colon cancer and then explored the underlying molecular events. Methods Colon cancer tissues were utilized for analysis of PCSK9 expression for association with clinicopathological factors from patients by immunohistochemistry assay. Manipulation of PCSK9...

Dynamic treatment regimes are a set of time-adaptive decision rules that can be used to personalize treatment across multiple stages of care. Grounded in causal inference methods, dynamic treatment regimes identify variables that differentiate the treatment effect and may be used to tailor treatments across individuals based on the patient’s own characteristics – thereby representing an important step toward personalized medicine. In this manuscript we introduce Penalized Spline-Involved Tree-based Learning, which seeks to improve upon...

Abstract Background From 2014 to 2019, the Centre for Research Excellence in Integrated Quality Improvement (CRE-IQI) was evaluated as an innovation platform focusing on continuous quality improvement in Indigenous Australian primary healthcare. Although social network analysis (SNA) is a recognized method for evaluating the functioning, collaboration and effectiveness of innovation platforms, applied research is limited. This study applies SNA to evaluate the CRE-IQI’s functioning as an innovation platform. Methods Two surveys (2017, 2019) were conducted...

Abstract Background One of the challenges for countries implementing food policy measures has been the difficulty in demonstrating impact and retaining stakeholder support. Consequently, research funded to help countries overcome these challenges should assess impact and translation into practice, particularly in low-resource settings. However, there are still few attempts to prospectively, and comprehensively, assess research impact. This protocol describes a study co-created with project implementers, collaborative investigators and key stakeholders to optimize and monitor the...

Abstract Background Up to 95% of pregnant women with alcohol and other drug (AOD) problems also smoke tobacco. Challenging psychosocial circumstances and a lack of targeted tobacco interventions contribute to low rates of prenatal abstinence and more effective treatment strategies are required. This study explores smoking in pregnant clients of AOD treatment services from a consumer and healthcare provider perspective to examine characteristics of behaviour change and the acceptability of evidence-based tobacco treatment strategies. Outcomes...

This study characterizes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental and physical health of nurses. Qualitative data (collected using semi-structured interviews) were integrated with quantitative data (collected concurrently using the SF-12 Health Survey). Nurses (N = 30) compared their health prior to and during the first pandemic wave (March–May 2020). Interviews were analyzed thematically; descriptive statistics and t-tests compared pre-pandemic to current SF-12 scores. Qualitative findings demonstrated an impact on nurses’ mental health...

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the effect of dietary patterns during pregnancy on anaemia.Design, Setting and ParticipantsA case–control study with propensity score analysis was conducted among pregnant women selected from five health facilities in North Shewa Zone, Ethiopia from November 2018 to March 2019. A multivariable conditional logistic regression model was applied after propensity score matching to assess the effect of dietary patterns on anaemia, and a p < 0.05 was taken as significant. Four...

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the effect of dietary patterns during pregnancy on anaemia.Design, Setting and ParticipantsA case–control study with propensity score analysis was conducted among pregnant women selected from five health facilities in North Shewa Zone, Ethiopia from November 2018 to March 2019. A multivariable conditional logistic regression model was applied after propensity score matching to assess the effect of dietary patterns on anaemia, and a p < 0.05 was taken as significant. Four...

Abstract Background While a reduction in the global maternal mortality ratio (MMR) has slowed, newer strategies are needed to achieve an ongoing and sustainable reduction of the MMR. Previous studies have investigated the association between health system-related factors such as wealth inequalities, healthcare access and use on maternal mortality. However, a women’s rights-based approach to address MMR has not been studied, excluding the health system-related factors. This study aimed to analyse the association between gender...

The AIRS Test Battery of Singing Skills (ATBSS) is a protocol for acquiring data about a wide range of singing abilities, one of which is the ability to learn an unfamiliar song. This test component presents a song with English lyrics. We examined the role of native language of the singer in this task by comparing the sung productions of the song by native English versus native Chinese students. Following a pilot study that suggested...

The AIRS Test Battery of Singing Skills (ATBSS) is a protocol for acquiring data about a wide range of singing abilities, one of which is the ability to learn an unfamiliar song. This test component presents a song with English lyrics. We examined the role of native language of the singer in this task by comparing the sung productions of the song by native English versus native Chinese students. Following a pilot study that suggested...

Abstract Emerging proof shows that abnormal lipometabolism affects invasion, metastasis, stemness and tumor microenvironment in carcinoma cells. However, molecular markers related to lipometabolism have not been further established in breast cancer. In addition, numerous studies have been conducted to screen for prognostic features of breast cancer only with RNA sequencing profiles. Currently, there is no comprehensive analysis of multiomics data to extract better biomarkers. Therefore, we have downloaded the transcriptome, single nucleotide mutation and copy...

Abstract Emerging proof shows that abnormal lipometabolism affects invasion, metastasis, stemness and tumor microenvironment in carcinoma cells. However, molecular markers related to lipometabolism have not been further established in breast cancer. In addition, numerous studies have been conducted to screen for prognostic features of breast cancer only with RNA sequencing profiles. Currently, there is no comprehensive analysis of multiomics data to extract better biomarkers. Therefore, we have downloaded the transcriptome, single nucleotide mutation and copy...

Abstract Muscle size and composition (muscle volume and muscle fat infiltrate [MFI]) may provide insight into possible mechanisms underpinning chronic idiopathic neck pain, a common condition with no definitive underlying pathology. In individuals with chronic idiopathic neck pain > 3 months and age- and sex-matched asymptomatic controls, muscle volumes of levator scapulae, multifidus including semispinalis cervicis (MFSS), semispinalis capitis, splenius capitis including splenius cervicis (SCSC), sternocleidomastoid and longus colli from C3 through T1 were quantified...

Dynamic treatment regimes are a set of time-adaptive decision rules that can be used to personalize treatment across multiple stages of care. Grounded in causal inference methods, dynamic treatment regimes identify variables that differentiate the treatment effect and may be used to tailor treatments across individuals based on the patient’s own characteristics – thereby representing an important step toward personalized medicine. In this manuscript we introduce Penalized Spline-Involved Tree-based Learning, which seeks to improve upon...

Abstract Purpose Cardiac disease is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality yet there is limited research on women’s experiences and quality of life (QoL) outcomes. The aim of this study is to explore the general and health-related QoL (HRQoL) and mental health outcomes for women who have experienced cardiac disease in pregnancy and the first 12 months postpartum (CDPP). Methods This exploratory descriptive study recruited 43 women with acquired, genetic and congenital CDPP....