bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Studying Trends of Auto-Regulation in Severe Head Injury in Paediatrics (STARSHIP): protocol to study cerebral autoregulation in a prospective multicentre observational research database study
Authors: Agrawal Shruti , Placek Michal M , White Deborah , Daubney Esther , Cabeleira Manuel , Smielewski Peter , Czosnyka Marek , Young Adam , Watson Suzanna , Maw Anna , Hutchinson Peter John
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Studying cerebral autoregulation, particularly PRx (Pressure Reactivity Index), is commonly employed in adult traumatic brain injury (TBI) and gives real-time information about intracranial pathophysiology, which can help in patient management. Experience in paediatric TBI (PTBI) is limited to single-centre studies despite disproportionately higher incidence of morbidity and mortality in PTBI than in adult TBI.

Project

We describe the protocol to study cerebral autoregulation using PRx in PTBI. The project called Studying Trends of Auto-Regulation in Severe Head Injury in Paediatrics is a multicentre prospective ethics approved research database study from 10 centres across the UK. Recruitment started in July 2018 with financial support from local/national charities (Action Medical Research for Children, UK).

Methods and analysis

The first phase of the project is powered to detect optimal thresholds of PRx associated with favourable outcome in PTBI by recruiting 135 patients (initial target of 3 years which has changed to 5 years due to delays related to COVID-19 pandemic) from 10 centres in the UK with outcome follow-up to 1-year postictus. The secondary objectives are to characterise patterns of optimal cerebral perfusion pressure in PTBI and compare the fluctuations in these measured parameters with outcome. The goal is to create a comprehensive research database of a basic set of high-resolution (full waveforms resolution) neuromonitoring data in PTBI for scientific use.

Ethics and dissemination

Favourable ethical approval has been provided by Health Research Authority, Southwest-Central Bristol Research Ethics Committee (Ref: 18/SW/0053). Results will be disseminated via publications in peer-reviewed medical journals and presentations at national and international conferences.

Trial registration number

NCT05688462.
Expert consensus recommendations for the provision of infective endocarditis services: updated guidance from the Joint British Societies
Authors: Sandoe Jonathan A T , Ahmed Fozia , Arumugam Parthiban , Guleri Achyut , Horner Carolyne , Howard Philip , Perry John , Prendergast Bernard D , Schwiebert Ralph , Steeds Richard Paul , Watkin Richard , Wendler Olaf , Chambers John B
Published: March 2023

Infective endocarditis (IE) remains a difficult condition to diagnose and treat and is an infection of high consequence for patients, causing long hospital stays, life-changing complications and high mortality. A new multidisciplinary, multiprofessional, British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (BSAC)-ledWorking Party was convened to undertake a focused systematical review of the literature and to update the previous BSAC guidelines relating delivery of services for patients with IE. A scoping exercise identified new questions concerning optimal delivery of care, and the systematic review identified 16 231 papers of which 20 met the inclusion criteria. Recommendations relating to endocarditis teams, infrastructure and support, endocarditis referral processes, patient follow-up and patient information, and governance are made as well as research recommendations. This is a report of a joint Working Party of the BSAC, British Cardiovascular Society, British Heart Valve Society, British Society of Echocardiography, Society of Cardiothoracic Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland, British Congenital Cardiac Association and British Infection Association.
Germline genetic variants are associated with development of insulin-dependent diabetes in cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors
Authors: Caulfield Jasmine I , Aizenbud Lilach , Perdigoto Ana Luisa , Meffre Eric , Jilaveanu Lucia , Michalek Dominika A , Rich Stephen S , Aizenbud Yariv , Adeniran Adebowale , Herold Kevan C , Austin Matthew R , Kluger Harriet
Published: March 2023

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have dramatically improved survival in patients with cancer but are often accompanied by severe immune-related adverse events (irAEs), which can sometimes be irreversible. Insulin-dependent diabetes is a rare, but life-altering irAE. Our purpose was to determine whether recurrent somatic or germline mutations are observed in patients who develop insulin-dependent diabetes as an irAE.

Methods

We performed RNA and whole exome sequencing on tumors from 13 patients who developed diabetes due to ICI exposure (ICI-induced diabetes mellitus, ICI-DM) compared with control patients who did not develop diabetes.

Results

In tumors from ICI-DM patients, we did not find differences in expression of conventional type 1 diabetes autoantigens, but we did observe significant overexpression of ORM1, PLG, and G6PC, all of which have been implicated in type 1 diabetes or are related to pancreas and islet cell function. Interestingly, we observed a missense mutation in NLRC5 in tumors of 9 of the 13 ICI-DM patients that was not observed in the control patients treated with the same drugs for the same cancers. Germline DNA from the ICI-DM patients was sequenced; allNLRC5mutations were germline. The prevalence ofNLRC5germline variants was significantly greater than the general population (p=5.98×10−6). Although NLRC5 is implicated in development of type 1 diabetes, germlineNLRC5mutations were not found in public databases from patients with type 1 diabetes, suggesting a different mechanism of insulin-dependent diabetes in immunotherapy-treated patients with cancer.

Conclusions

Validation of theNLRC5mutation as a potential predictive biomarker is warranted, as it might improve patient selection for treatment regimens. Furthermore, this genetic alteration suggests potential mechanisms of islet cell destruction in the setting of checkpoint inhibitor therapy.
Core overestimation of CT perfusion in patients with cardiac insufficiency who had a stroke is mediated by impaired collaterals
Authors: He Guangchen , Wei Liming , Lu Haitao , Deng Jiangshan , Wang Feng , Zhu Yueqi
Published: March 2023

Background

We hypothesized that left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) would lead to an ischemic core overestimation in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS), and impaired collateral status might partly mediate this effect.

Objective

A pixel-based analysis of CT perfusion (CTP) and follow-up CT was undertaken to investigate the optimum CTP thresholds for the ischemic core if overestimation was found.

Methods

A total of 208 consecutive patients with AIS with large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation, who received initial CTP evaluation and successful reperfusion, were retrospectively analyzed and divided into an LVSD (left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ratio <50%; n=40) and a normal cardiac function (LVEF≥50%; n=168) group. Ischemic core overestimation was considered when the CTP-derived core was larger than the final infarct volume. We investigated the relationship between cardiac function, probability for core overestimation, and collateral scores using mediation analysis. A pixel-based analysis was undertaken to define the optimum CTP thresholds for ischemic core.

Results

LVSD was independently associated with impaired collaterals (aOR=4.28, 95% CI 2.01 to 9.80, P<0.001) and core overestimation (aOR=2.52, 95% CI 1.07 to 5.72, P=0.030). In mediation analysis, the total effect on core overestimation is composed of the direct effect of LVSD (+17%, P=0.034) and the mediated indirect effect of collateral status (+6%, P=0.020). Collaterals explained 26% of the effect of LVSD on core overestimation. Compared with relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF) thresholds of <35%, <30%, and <20%, a rCBF <25% cut-off point had the highest correlation (r=0.91) and best agreement (mean difference 3.2±7.3 mL) with the final infarct volume to determine the CTP-derived ischemic core in patients with LVSD.

Conclusions

LVSD increased the possibility of ischemic core overestimation on baseline CTP, partly due to impaired collateral status, and a stricter rCBF threshold should be considered.
Cosmic expansion of the universe characterized by anisotropic viscous fluid cosmological models
Authors: Dixit Archana , Chawla Chanchal , Pradhan Anirudh
Published: March 2023

In this paper, the cosmic expansion of the universe filled with viscous fluid has been discussed in Bianchi type-I space-time. To solve Einstein’s field equations, a time-varying deceleration parameter, ( q( t)) yields a time variable scale factor [Formula: see text], with " α" and " n" are positive constants. We also consider a time-varying gravitational constant ( G) via the formulation 8π G = G0 a m , where " G0" and " m" are positive constants. Further, based on the third constraint, two different viscous cosmological models, one by considering the perfect gas equation of state p = ωρ and the other by considering time-varying bulk viscosity coefficient ( ξ( t)), have been constructed. It is mentioned here that this particular choice of scale factor generates a class of accelerating models for n < 1, while for n > 1, the transition of the universe from early deceleration to current acceleration takes place. An important feature of the models is decreasing dark energy candidate, i.e., cosmological constant (Λ) with time, fine-tuning with the results from recent supernovae Ia observations. The various physical parameters involved in the models have been discussed analytically and graphically and are found in good agreement with recent observations. For the physical acceptability of both the models, energy conditions are shown graphically. The models are found to be physically acceptable, particularly in identifying the universe’s transition. We have discussed the statefinder and observed that all the trajectories indicate dark energy candidates as Chaplygin gas and quintessence for different constraints ( α, n). We have also calculated the cosmographic parameters such as jerk, lerk, and maxout to analyze the physical behavior of the DE models.
Low-Phase Noise, Low-Power Four-Stage Ring VCO for OFDM Systems
Authors: Trivedi Parul , Tiwari Brij Bihari
Published: March 2023

This work describes a new design approach for a four-stage ring Voltage-Controlled Oscillator (VCO) for Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) systems, which is ideal for low-phase noise and low-power applications. The phase noise of the proposed ring VCO has been improved by limiting the delay cell’s output current to a relatively narrow portion of the output waveform, and the complementary nature of the delay cell prevents the power from increasing substantially. The proposed VCO is designed and simulated in GPDK 90[Formula: see text]nm CMOS technology using Cadence Virtuoso under 1.0[Formula: see text]V power supply. A tuning frequency range of 112–362[Formula: see text]MHz is obtained with control voltage ranges 0.0–1.0[Formula: see text]V. The proposed ring VCO consumes 1.07[Formula: see text]mW of power. At a 1[Formula: see text]MHz offset frequency, phase noise reduction is achieved to [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]dBc/Hz. The proposed design is also validated by the Process–Voltage–Temperature (PVT) analysis. The proposed VCO has a Figure of Merit (FOM) of [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]dBc/Hz and acquires a total area of 0.00085[Formula: see text]mm2.
Area, Delay, and Energy-Efficient Full Dadda Multiplier
Authors: Munawar Muteen , Shabbir Zain , Akram Muhammad
Published: March 2023

The Dadda algorithm is a parallel structured multiplier, which is quite faster as compared to array multipliers, i.e., Booth, Braun, Baugh-Wooley, etc. However, it consumes more power and needs a larger number of gates for hardware implementation. In this paper, a modified-Dadda algorithm-based multiplier is designed using a proposed half-adder-based carry-select adder with a binary to excess-1 converter and an improved ripple-carry adder (RCA). The proposed design is simulated in different technologies, i.e., Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) 50[Formula: see text]nm, 90[Formula: see text]nm, and 120[Formula: see text]nm, and on different GHz frequencies, i.e., 0.5, 1, 2, and 3.33[Formula: see text]GHz. Specifically, the 4-bit circuit of the proposed design in TSMC’s 50[Formula: see text]nm technology consumes 25[Formula: see text]uW of power at 3.33[Formula: see text]GHz with 76[Formula: see text]ps of delay. The simulation results reveal that the design is faster, more power-energy-efficient, and requires a smaller number of transistors for implementation as compared to some closely related works. The proposed design can be a promising candidate for low-power and low-cost digital controllers. In the end, the design has been compared with recent relevant works in the literature.
Arithmetic Chern–Simons theory with real places
Authors: Lee Jungin , Park Jeehoon
Published: March 2023

The goal of this paper is two-fold: we generalize the arithmetic Chern–Simons theory over totally imaginary number fields studied in [H.-J. Chung, D. Kim, M. Kim, J. Park and H. Yoo, Arithmetic Chern–Simons theory II, preprint (2016), arXiv:1609.03012v3; M. Kim, Arithmetic Chern–Simons theory I, preprint (2015) arXiv:1510.05818v4] to arbitrary number fields (with real places) and provide new examples of non-trivial arithmetic Chern–Simons invariant with coefficient [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] associated to a non-abelian gauge group. The main idea for the generalization is to use cohomology with compact support (see [17]) to deal with real places. Before the results of this paper, non-trivial examples were limited to some non-abelian gauge group with coefficient [Formula: see text] in [H.-J. Chung, D. Kim, M. Kim, J. Park and H. Yoo, Arithmetic Chern–Simons theory II, preprint (2016), arXiv:1609.03012v3] and the abelian cyclic gauge group with coefficient [Formula: see text] in [H.-J. Chung, D. Kim, M. Kim, J. Park and H. Yoo, Arithmetic Chern–Simons theory II, preprint (2016), arXiv:1609.03012v3]. Our non-trivial examples (with non-abelian gauge group and general coefficient [Formula: see text]) will be given by a simple twisting argument based on examples of [F. Bleher, T. Chinburg, R. Greenberg, M. Kakde, G. Pappas and M. Taylor, Cup products in the étale cohomology of number fields, New York J. Math. 24 (2018) 514–542].
High-order partition function correction effect on the nuclear thermal quantities
Authors: Mohamed Belabbas
Published: March 2023

Higher-order approximation based on Taylor expansion over the saddle point is employed to approach the partition function of a hot nucleus in the presence of the like-particle pairing correlations. Analytical expressions have been derived for the correction terms of different thermodynamic quantities such as energy, entropy and heat capacity. Furthermore, the theory has been applied to the schematic and realistic models. It is found that the correction terms are temperature-dependent functions and are more deeply sensitive to the pairing gap in the vicinity of the critical temperature.
On ϕ-P-flat modules and ϕ-von Neumann regular rings
Authors: Mahdou Najib , Oubouhou El Houssaine
Published: March 2023

Let [Formula: see text] be a commutative ring with a nonzero identity and [Formula: see text] an [Formula: see text]-module. Set [Formula: see text], if [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text] then [Formula: see text] is called a [Formula: see text]-torsion module. An [Formula: see text]-module [Formula: see text] is said to be [Formula: see text]-flat, if [Formula: see text] is an exact [Formula: see text]-sequence, for any exact sequence of [Formula: see text]-modules [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is [Formula: see text]-torsion. In this paper, we study some new properties of [Formula: see text]-flat modules. Then we introduce and study the class of [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text]-flat modules which is a generalization of [Formula: see text]-flat modules and [Formula: see text]-flat modules. Finally, we give some new characterizations of the [Formula: see text]-von Neumann regular ring and its transfer to various contexts of constructions such as the amalgamation of rings along an ideal and trivial ring extension.
Character codegrees and element orders in symmetric and alternating groups
Authors: Giannelli Eugenio
Published: March 2023

We verify a conjecture proposed by Qian on character codegrees in the case of symmetric and alternating groups.
A single exponential time algorithm for homogeneous regular sequence tests
Authors: Hashemi Amir , Alizadeh Benyamin M. , Parnian Hossein , Seiler Werner M.
Published: March 2023

Assume that we are given a sequence [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] homogeneous polynomials in [Formula: see text] variables of degree at most [Formula: see text] and the ideal [Formula: see text] generated by this sequence. The aim of this paper is to present a new and effective method to determine, within the arithmetic complexity [Formula: see text], whether [Formula: see text] is regular. This algorithm has been implemented in Maple and its efficiency (compared to the classical approaches for regular sequence test) is evaluated via a set of benchmark polynomials. Furthermore, we show that if [Formula: see text] is regular then we can transform [Formula: see text] into Nœther position and at the same time compute a reduced Gröbner basis for the transformed ideal within the arithmetic complexity [Formula: see text]. Finally, under the same assumption, we establish the new upper bound [Formula: see text] for the maximum degree of the elements of any reduced Gröbner basis of [Formula: see text] in the case that [Formula: see text].
Different solutions to the conformable generalized (3 + 1)-dimensional Camassa–Holm–Kadomtsev–Petviashvili equation arising in shallow-water waves
Authors: Şenol Mehmet , Gençyiğit Mehmet , Sarwar Shahzad
Published: March 2023

This paper employed the [Formula: see text]-expansion, Riccati equation, [Formula: see text]-expansion, and modified Kudryashov methods to find new exact solution sets for the conformable generalized [Formula: see text]-dimensional Camassa–Holm–Kadomtsev–Petviashvili equation. The accuracy of the results has been demonstrated using a variety of graphical representations. These newly obtained solutions can be applied to further research and understand the dynamics of the Camassa–Holm–Kadomtsev–Petviashvili equation, which arises in ocean and water wave theory, hydrodynamics, plasma physics, nonlinear sciences, and engineering. The presented four methods are straightforward, robust, and successful in getting analytical solutions to nonlinear fractional differential equations, as the analytical results indicate.
Multi-peak and rational soliton propagations for (3 + 1)-dimensional generalized Konopelchenko–Dubrovsky–Kaup Kupershmidt model in fluid mechanics, ocean dynamics and plasma physics
Authors: Ahmed Sarfaraz , Seadawy Aly R. , Rizvi Syed T. R. , Hameed Majid
Published: March 2023

This paper retrieves the investigation of rational solitons via symbolic computation with logarithmic transformation and ansatz functions approach for the [Formula: see text]-dimensional generalized Konopelchenko–Dubrovsky–Kaup-Kupershmidt (GKDKK) equation in fluid mechanics, ocean dynamics and plasma physics. We find two categories of M-shaped rational solitons and their dynamics will be revealed through graphs by choosing the suitable values of involved parameters. In addition, two categories of M-shaped rational solitons and their interactions with kink waves will be analyzed. Furthermore, homoclinic breathers, multi-wave and kink cross rational solitons will be investigated. The periodic, rational, dark, bright, Weierstrass elliptic function and positive soliton solutions will also be retrieved with the aid of Sub-ODE approach. Moreover, stability characteristics of solutions will be evaluated.
Three-dimensional structure of liver vessels and spatial distribution of hepatic immune cells
Authors: Xu Mengli , Liu Zheng , Li Xinlin , Wang Xinru , Yuan Xuenan , Han Chenlu , Zhang Zhihong
Published: March 2023

As the largest internal organ of the human body, the liver has an extremely complex vascular network and multiple types of immune cells. It plays an important role in blood circulation, material metabolism, and immune response. Optical imaging is an effective tool for studying fine vascular structure and immunocyte distribution of the liver. Here, we provide an overview of the structure and composition of liver vessels, the three-dimensional (3D) imaging of the liver, and the spatial distribution and immune function of various cell components of the liver. Especially, we emphasize the 3D imaging methods for visualizing fine structure in the liver. Finally, we summarize and prospect the development of 3D imaging of liver vessels and immune cells.
Construction of polyelectrolyte multilayer with anti-oxidative activity via amplified growth
Authors: Wang Shuo , Zhang Congcong , Cao Weijuan
Published: March 2023

Herein, precursor assembly of polyanion with pH sensitive molecule, Bis[2-(4-HydroxyPhenyl)BenzImidazole] (BHPBI), was reported to amplify layer-by-layer (LBL) exponential growth. The promoted polyelectrolyte diffusivity was responsible for the amplified LBL deposition efficiency. The release behavior of BHPBI and the anti-oxidant stress function of the film were both evaluated. The constructed multilayer film was tested to be potential drug loading and delivery system for BHPBI.
On “Machine Consciousness”
Authors: Wallace Rodrick
Published: March 2023

Consciousness in higher animals, by virtue of its 100 ms time constant, is a necessarily greatly simplified and stripped-down version of more complex multiple tunable workspace cognition/ regulation dyads like wound healing, immune function, gene expression, institutional function and the like. These more complex dynamic entities emerged through evolutionary exaptation of the inevitable information crosstalk between coresident cognitive modules. In consequence of the debrided nature of consciousness, it should not be difficult to construct a fast, single workspace “conscious machine” that mimics the human tunable neuronal global workspace system. Tied to a “backbrain” AI that has learned hyperrapid stereotypic pattern responses to some particular set of likely challenges, the result is an elementary “emotional” conscious machine. A clever designer, however, may want to use available high-speed electronics to mimic the more capable multiple-workspace/ workforce systems inherently less susceptible to inattentional blindness and related failings of overfocus and thrashing. Contrary to current social constructions, however, the ultimate utility of such machines remains obscure. Here, we explore these matters in formal detail, restricting argument to the asymptotic limit theorems of information and control theories.
Multi-UAV Cooperative Hunting in Cluttered Environments Considering Downwash Effects
Authors: Fan Shichen , Liu Hugh H.-T.
Published: March 2023

This paper presents a novel solution to the three-dimensional (3D) cooperative hunting of multiple drones that deals with surrounding a target simultaneously while navigating around obstacles in the cluttered dynamic 3D environment. Meanwhile, drones avoid the airflow downwash force created by the spinning propellers on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and their effect on the other UAVs. This solution consists of a 3D Simultaneous Encirclement strategy, the cooperative hunting objective with a novel revised particle swarm optimization (PSO*) path planning algorithm, a flocking theory-inspired obstacle avoidance algorithm, and a cascade PI controller. Simulation results with varying conditions were carried out to validate the effectiveness of the proposed solution by successfully taking care of the downwash effects, and having multiple hunter UAVs hunt and encircle a moving or stationary target in a dynamic or static obstacle-rich cluttered environment.
An Adventure into the World of Soft Matter
Authors: Langevin Dominique
Published: March 2023

Soft matter is a field of condensed matter physics that began to develop in France in the 1970s under the impulse of Pierre-Gilles de Gennes. I had the chance to participate in this adventure, and I describe in this article some of the memorable events. Soft matter is not only linked to physics but also to chemistry and biology, and working in this multidisciplinary field is quite stimulating. My particular expertise deals with liquid surfaces, an area that considerably expanded with the advent of miniaturization, i.e., when surfaces begin to matter. I was able to benefit from the French and European network systems, as well as from many interactions with young students and industrial partners. I show how these favorable conditions contributed to successes in my research.
Identification of Potentially Functional Circular RNA/Long Noncoding RNA-MicroRNA-mRNA Regulatory Networks Associated with Vascular Injury in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus by Integrated Microarray Analysis
Authors: Leng Yi , Wang Ming-zhu , Xie Kang-ling , Cai Ying
Published: March 2023

This research is aimed at figuring out the potential circular RNA (circRNA)/long noncoding RNA- (lncRNA-) microRNA- (miRNA-) mRNA regulatory networks associated with a vascular injury in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) screened in T2DM-related expression datasets were intersected with genes associated with vascular injury in T2DM to obtain candidate DEGs, followed by the construction of an interaction network of DEGs. The upstream miRNAs of candidate genes were predicted by mirDIP, miRWalk, and DIANA TOOLS databases, and the upstream lncRNAs/circRNAs of miRNAs by DIANA-LncBase/circBank database, followed by the construction of circRNA/lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks. Peripheral blood was attained from T2DM patients with macroangiopathy for clinical validation of expression and correlation of key factors. Differential analysis screened 37 candidate DEGs correlated with vascular injury in T2DM. Besides, MAPK3 was a core gene associated with vascular injury in T2DM. Among the predicted upstream miRNAs of MAPK3, miR-4270, miR-92a-2-5p, miR-423-5p, and miR-613 ranked at the top according to binding scores. The upstream lncRNAs and circRNAs of the 4 miRNAs were further predicted, obtaining 11 candidate lncRNAs and 3 candidate circRNAs. Moreover, KCNQ1OT1, circ_0020316, and MAPK3 were upregulated, but miR-92a-2-5p was downregulated in the peripheral blood of T2DM patients with macroangiopathy. Mechanistically, KCNQ1OT1 and circ_0020316 bound to miR-92a-2-5p that inversely targeted MAPK3. Collectively, KCNQ1OT1/circ_0020316-miR-92a-2-5p-MAPK3 coexpression regulatory networks might promote vascular injury in T2DM.
IL18 at the Crossroads between Chronic Inflammation and T-cell Exhaustion in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Stromnes Ingunn M.
Published: March 2023

Chronic inflammation and immune evasion are hallmarks of cancer. Cancer promotes T-cell differentiation toward an exhausted, or dysfunctional state, which contributes to immune evasion. In this issue, Lutz and colleagues show that the proinflammatory cytokine IL18 correlates with poor patient prognosis and promotes CD8+ T-cell exhaustion in pancreatic cancer by enhancing IL2R signaling. This link between proinflammatory cytokines and T-cell exhaustion elucidates consequences of modulating cytokine signaling during cancer immunotherapy.

See related article by Lutz et al. p. 421 (1) .
Hypertriglyceridemia as a Cause of Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy Circuit Clotting: A Case Series
Authors: Abramovitz Blaise William , Oguntuwase Elizabeth , Abo-Zed Abdelrhman , DeSilva Ranil
Published: March 2023

Introduction: Hypertriglyceridemia is a rarely reported cause of early continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) circuit clotting. Methods: We have identified and will present 11 published cases in the literature where hypertriglyceridemia has led to CRRT circuit clotting or dysfunction. Results: The majority of cases (8/11) are related to propofol use leading to hypertriglyceridemia. The other cases (3/11) are due to total parenteral nutrition administration. Conclusion: Due to the propensity of propofol use for critically ill patients in intensive care units, and the rather common occurrence of CRRT circuit clotting, hypertriglyceridemia may be underappreciated and undiagnosed. The exact pathophysiology behind hypertriglyceridemia-induced CRRT clotting has not been fully elucidated, although there are some hypotheses which include fibrin and fat droplet deposition (identified after electron microscopic examination of the hemofilter), increased blood viscosity, and development of a procoagulant state. Premature clotting poses a multitude of problems including inadequate treatment time, increased costs, increasing nursing workload, and patient blood loss. With earlier identification, discontinuation of the inciting agent, and possible therapeutic management, we could expect improvement in CRRT hemofilter patency and decreased costs.
Depression Scores following Ventral Intermediate Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation for Essential Tremor: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Gupta Rishabh , Paulo Danika , Sun Lili , Ye Fei , Dhima Kaltra , Bick Sarah K.
Published: March 2023

Background: Essential tremor (ET) patients present with both motor and non-motor symptoms including depression. Although deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) is used to treat motor symptoms of ET, there is no consensus as to how VIM DBS influences non-motor symptoms, specifically depression. Objective: The objective of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis of available studies investigating change in pre- to postoperative depression scores as measured by Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) in ET patients receiving VIM DBS. Methods: Inclusion criteria were randomized control trials or observational studies of patients undergoing unilateral/bilateral VIM DBS. Non-ET patients, case reports, patients <18 years old, only non-VIM electrode placement, non-English articles, and abstracts were excluded. The primary outcome was change in BDI score from the preoperative time point to the last available follow-up. Pooled estimates of overall effect for BDI standardized mean difference were calculated using random effects models with the inverse variance method. Results: Seven studies divided into eight cohorts for a total of 281 ET patients met inclusion criteria. Pooled preoperative BDI score was 12.44 (95% CI [6.63–18.25]). A statistically significant decrease in depression scores was observed postoperatively (SMD = −0.29, 95% CI [−0.46 to −0.13], p = 0.0006). Pooled postoperative BDI score was 9.18 (95% CI [4.98–13.38]). A supplementary analysis which included an additional study with an estimated standard deviation at last follow-up was conducted. There was also a statistically significant decrease in depression postoperatively (9 cohorts, n = 352, SMD = −0.31, 95% CI [−0.46 to −0.16], p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Both quantitative and qualitative analyses of the existing literature suggest that VIM DBS improves depression postoperatively among ET patients. These results may guide surgical risk-benefit analysis and counseling for ET patients undergoing VIM DBS.
Helicobacter pylori Infection as a Predictor of Treatment Outcomes of Gastric Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Gan Chenxiao , Wu Xueping , Shen Yu , Cao Zhongsheng , Jing Jiyong , Pan Wensheng
Published: March 2023

Background: Helicobacter pylori infection is strongly associated with gastric cancer. However, there is currently no consensus on the association between H. pylori and gastric cancer prognosis. Methods: A systematic search was conducted on studies in PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science up to March 10, 2022. The quality of all included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The hazard ratio (HR) and its 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were extracted to analyze the association between H. pylori infection and prognosis of gastric cancer. In addition, subgroup analysis and publication bias were performed. Results: A total of 21 studies were involved. The pooled HR was 0.67 (95% CI, 0.56–0.79) for overall survival (OS) in H. pylori-positive patients, with the control (HR = 1) being the H. pylori-negative group. In the subgroup analysis, the pooled HR was 0.38 (95% CI, 0.24–0.59) for OS in H. pylori-positive patients who received surgery combined with chemotherapy. The pooled HR for disease-free survival was 0.74 (95% CI, 0.63–0.8) and 0.41 (95% CI, 0.26–0.65) in patients who received surgery combined with chemotherapy. Conclusion: H. pylori-positive gastric cancer patients have a better overall prognosis than H. pylori-negative patients. H. pylori infection has improved the prognosis of patients undergoing surgery or chemotherapy, among which the improvement was most obvious in patients undergoing surgery combined with chemotherapy.
Risk Factors for Ceftriaxone-Associated Pseudolithiasis in Adults
Authors: Matsumi Akihiro , Tomoda Takeshi , Terasawa Hiroyuki , Fujii Yuki , Yamazaki Tatsuhiro , Uchida Daisuke , Matsumoto Kazuyuki , Horiguchi Shigeru , Tsutsumi Koichiro , Kato Hironari
Published: March 2023

Introduction: Ceftriaxone (CTRX) is known to occasionally cause pseudolithiasis. This condition is often observed in children; however, few studies have reported the incidence and risk factors for CTRX-associated pseudolithiasis. Methods: In this single-center retrospective study, we investigated the incidence of and risk factors for CTRX-associated pseudolithiasis in adults. All patients underwent computed tomography to confirm pseudolithiasis before and after CTRX administration. Results: The study included 523 patients. Pseudolithiasis was detected in 89 patients (17%). Data analysis showed that abdominal area-related biliary diseases at the site of infection (odds ratio [OR] 0.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.064–0.53, p = 0.0017), CTRX administration for >3 days (OR 5.0, 95% CI: 2.5–9.9, p < 0.0001), CTRX dose of 2 mg (OR 5.2, 95% CI: 2.8–9.6, p < 0.0001), fasting period >2 days (OR 3.2, 95% CI: 1.6–6.4, p = 0.0010), and estimated glomerular filtration rate <30 mL/min/1.73 m2 (OR 3.4, 95% CI: 1.6–7.5, p = 0.0022) were independent factors for pseudolithiasis. Conclusions: CTRX-associated pseudolithiasis may occur in adults and should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients who develop abdominal pain or liver enzyme elevation after CTRX administration, particularly in patients with chronic kidney disease, in those who are fasting, in and those who receive high-dose CTRX therapy.
Peripheral Vestibular System Involvement in Multiple Sclerosis and Associations with the Disease Severity
Authors: Aydın Cantürk İlknur , Mutlu Berna Özge , Yılmaz Oğuz , Bayazıt Yıldırım Ahmet
Published: March 2023

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that can affect balance, gait, and improve fall risk. The aim of this study was to investigate peripheral vestibular system involvement in MS and associations with the disease severity. Methods: Thirty-five adult patients with MS and 14 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were evaluated using video head impulse test (v-HIT), cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (c-VEMP), ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (o-VEMPs), and sensory organization test (SOT) of computerized dynamic posturography (CDP). The results of both groups were compared, and association with EDSS scores was evaluated. Results: There was no significant difference between the groups regarding v-HIT and c-VEMP results (p > 0.05). There was no association of the v-HIT, c-VEMP, and o-VEMP results with EDSS scores (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference between the o-VEMP results of the groups (p > 0.05) except for N1-P1 amplitudes (p = 0.01). The amplitudes of N1-P1 were significantly lower in the patients compared to controls (p = 0.01). There was no significant difference between the SOT results of the groups (p > 0.05). However, significant differences were found within and between groups when the patients were categorized according to their EDSS scores with a cutoff point of 3 (p < 0.05). There were negative correlations between the EDSS scores and composite (r = −396, p = 0.02) and somatosensory (SOM) scores (r = −487, p = 0.04) of CDP in the MS group. Conclusion: Although central and peripheral balance-related systems are affected in MS, the impact of disease on the peripheral vestibular end organ is subtle. In particular, the v-HIT, which was mentioned previously as a detector of brainstem dysfunction could not be a reliable tool in the detection of brainstem pathologies in MS patients. The o-VEMP amplitudes may be affected in the early stages of the disease, possibly due to the crossed ventral tegmental tract, oculomotor nuclei, or interstitial nucleus of Cajal involvements. An EDSS score >3 seems a cutoff level indicating abnormalities in balance integration.
Translation and Validation of the Self-Assessment Psoriasis Area Severity Index
Authors: Laskowski Marta , Schiöler Linus , Wennberg Ann-Marie , Torén Kjell , Gustafsson Helena
Published: March 2023

Background: The self-assessment psoriasis area severity index (SAPASI) is a patient-administered psoriasis assessment tool for which we present a validated translation from English to Swedish. Methods: Validity was evaluated in this single-centre study using the psoriasis area severity index (PASI) as the standard. Test-retest reliability was assessed using repeated SAPASI measurements. Results: Significant correlations (p < 0.0001) using Spearman’s correlation coefficient (r) were found between PASI and SAPASI scores (r = 0.60) for 51 participants (median baseline PASI 4.4, interquartile range [IQR]: 1.8–5.6) and repeated SAPASI measurements (r = 0.70) among 38 participants (median baseline SAPASI 4.0, IQR: 2.5–6.1). Bland-Altman plots showed generally higher SAPASI scores than PASI scores. Conclusion: The translated version of SAPASI is valid and reliable, although patients generally tend to overrate their disease severity compared to PASI. Keeping this limitation in mind, SAPASI has the potential of being implemented as a time- and cost-efficient assessment tool in a Scandinavian context.
Papai é homem ou mulher? Questões sobre a parentalidade transgênero no Canadá e a homoparentalidade no Brasil
Authors: Souza Érica Renata de
Published: March 2023

Neste artigo apresento uma discussão sobre a categoria transgênero, em especial no contexto canadense, a fim de problematizar a questão da parentalidade transgênero no Canadá e da parentalidade de travestis e transexuais no Brasil. Com base nos dados de campo, o foco está nos transgêneros canadenses que lidam com os constrangimentos sociais e culturais para as suas manifestações afetivas, familiares, parentais e sexuais, analisando essas práticas num diálogo com o cenário brasileiro no que se refere à homoparentalidade. Questiono em que medida não seria relevante também, no Brasil, tanto do ponto de vista acadêmico quanto político, possibilitar a existência discursiva das parentalidades transexual e travesti para além da homoparentalidade. Por fim, analiso as concepções de paternidade que perpassam essas práticas, buscando compreender em que medida elas reconfiguram as representações do pensamento ocidental ao performatizarem a parentalidade na sua relação com o gênero.
Adverse Outcomes Associated With Interleukin-6 in Patients Recently Hospitalized for Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Mooney Leanne , Jackson Colette E. , Adamson Carly , McConnachie Alex , Welsh Paul , Myles Rachel C. , McMurray John J.V. , Jhund Pardeep S. , Petrie Mark C. , Lang Ninian N.
Published: March 2023

Background:

Inflammation may play a role in the pathophysiology of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. We examined whether circulating levels of interleukin-6 identify patients at greater risk of adverse outcomes following hospitalization with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Methods:

We assessed relationships between interleukin-6 (IL-6) tertiles (T1-3) and all-cause death, cardiovascular death, and subsequent heart failure hospitalization (sHFH) in 286 patients recently hospitalized with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Associations between IL (interleukin)-6 and outcomes were examined in a Cox-regression model adjusted for risk factors including BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide). Biomarkers including hsCRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) were assessed.

Results:

The range of IL-6 (pg/mL) in each tertile was T1 (0.71–4.16), T2 (4.20–7.84), and T3 (7.9–236.32). Compared with T1, patients in the highest IL-6 tertile were more commonly male (56% versus 35%) and had higher creatinine (117±45 versus 101±36 μmol/L), hsCRP (11.6 [4.9–26.6]mg/L versus 2.3[1.1–4.2] mg/L). In univariable analysis, rates of all-cause death, cardiovascular death, and sHFH were higher in T3 versus T1. All-cause and cardiovascular death rates remained higher in T3 versus T1 after adjustment (
P
<0.001). One log unit increase in IL-6 was associated with higher risk of all-cause death (hazard ratio, 1.46 [1.17–1.81]), cardiovascular death (hazard ratio, 1.40 [1.10–1.77]), and sHFH (hazard ratio, 1.24 [1.01–1.51]) after adjustment. One log unit increase in hsCRP was associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular death and all-cause death before and after adjustment for other factors but was not associated with risk of sHFH before or after adjustment.

Conclusions:

In patients recently hospitalized with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, IL-6 is an independent predictor of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular death, and sHFH after adjustment for risk factors including BNP. These findings are of particular relevance in the context of current anti–IL-6 drug development.
Locality in Exceptional Tagalog Ā-Extraction
Authors: Hsieh Henrison
Published: March 2023

This article investigates Tagalog Ā-extraction, considering cases conforming with and cases violating the well-known Tagalog extraction restriction. A unified analysis is proposed using properties of the lower phase and ways this boundary can be circumvented. Two mechanisms are available for this purpose. First, arguments may escape the lower phase through independently attested operations. Second, the phase is transparent to clause-peripheral Ā-probes when material from the inflectional domain is absent. This proposal accounts for the expanded range of phenomena considered, which poses problems for the predominant approach to Tagalog Ā-extraction, where Ā-probes must target the highest c-commanded DP.
Selectional Violations in Coordination (A Response to Patejuk and Przepiórkowski 2023)
Authors: Bruening Benjamin
Published: March 2023

Bruening and Al Khalaf (2020) show that selectional violations in coordination are extremely limited (there are exactly two) and exactly match those that are permitted in ellipsis and displacement. Patejuk and Przepiórkowski (2023) criticize Bruening and Al Khalaf’s article on numerous fronts. They do successfully show that conjuncts do not need to match in syntactic category, but their dismissal of the selectional violation data does not succeed. I present additional data, including the results of three large-scale acceptability surveys, that show that the two violations of selectional restrictions are real and are fully general. The two patterns that need an analysis are coordinations of NP&CP appearing where CPs are banned, and Adv&AP appearing in prenominal position where adverbs are banned. I propose a variation on Bruening and Al Khalaf’s analysis that accounts for all of the facts and meets Patejuk and Przepiórkowski’s objections.
A parcellation scheme of mouse isocortex based on reversals in connectivity gradients
Authors: Guyonnet-Hencke Timothé , Reimann Michael W.
Published: March 2023

The brain is composed of several anatomically clearly separated structures. This parcellation is often extended into the isocortex, based on anatomical, physiological, or functional differences. Here, we derive a parcellation scheme based purely on the spatial structure of long-range synaptic connections within the cortex. To that end, we analyzed a publicly available dataset of average mouse brain connectivity, and split the isocortex into disjunct regions. Instead of clustering connectivity based on modularity, our scheme is inspired by methods that split sensory cortices into subregions where gradients of neuronal response properties, such as the location of the receptive field, reverse. We calculated comparable gradients from voxelized brain connectivity data and automatically detected reversals in them. This approach better respects the known presence of functional gradients within brain regions than clustering-based approaches. Placing borders at the reversals resulted in a parcellation into 41 subregions that differs significantly from an established scheme in nonrandom ways, but is comparable in terms of the modularity of connectivity between regions. It reveals unexpected trends of connectivity, such as a tripartite split of somatomotor regions along an anterior to posterior gradient. The method can be readily adapted to other organisms and data sources, such as human functional connectivity.
Eastern red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) avoid chemical cues from snake predators regardless of colour morph or snake individual and size
Authors: Smith Geoffrey R. , Wade Adam B.
Published: March 2023

Plethodontid salamanders often possess the ability to detect and avoid hazards in the environment which may be important for survival. We examined whether the two main colour morphs of Plethodon cinereus differ in their avoidance of cues from a potential predator (Thamnophis sirtalis) and whether P. cinereus avoided cues from T. sirtalis of different sizes (i.e., small vs. large). Plethodon cinereus avoided chemical cues deposited by T. sirtalis on a substrate; but avoidance did not differ between colour morphs of P. cinereus, snake sizes, or individual donor snakes.
Will the Harry Potter Magic Last? Cultural Commodification and Its Contradictions in the Franchising of British Private Schools in China
Authors: Wu Wenxi
Published: March 2023

Transnational education has attained increasing significance at the K-12 school level. This trend is seen in China with the recent expansion of offshore branch campuses that are exported from major Anglophone countries, most notably the UK. In recent years, many British private schools have set up franchised branches in China’s international school market. This paper investigates how these franchised schools manage to forge a distinctive institutional identity in China, using document analysis of 28 British school brands and case studies of two schools. Informed by the theories of the experience economy and commodity-sign, this paper explores how a “British school experience” is created through the reproduction of particular cultural objects and rituals, and is transformed into a new form of commodity prized for its sign value. I argue that this phenomenon represents an advanced stage of commodification in international schooling. This paper also discusses the internal contradictions between cultural commodification and education, as well as the external challenges that have emerged as the schools confront a changing policy context in China’s private education sector.