bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Femoral head fracture with large crushed defect in weight-bearing area treated with autologous osteochondral transplantation (repositionplasty): A case report
Authors: Shon Hyun-Chul , Lim Eic-Ju , Yang Jae-Young , Jeon Seung-Jun
Published: December 2022

Rationale:

Femoral head fracture is a rare type of fracture commonly associated with hip dislocation. Femoral head fracture treatments include conservative treatment, fragment excision, open reduction, internal fixation, and arthroplasty. In cases of young patients, open reduction and internal fixation are preferred over arthroplasty. Pipkin type 2 fractures are treated with open reduction and internal fixation in most cases because the fracture line extends upward of the fovea and includes the femoral head-acetabular weight-bearing joint surface. However, if the fracture is severely comminuted or crushed, good results are difficult to obtain with open reduction and internal fixation.

Patient concerns:

A 23-years-old male patient presented to the emergency room with right hip pain after 4-m fall

Diagnosis:

In initial image work up, he was diagnosed with right posterior hip dislocation and a Pipkin type 2 femoral head fracture with an ipsilateral superior ramus fracture. After manual reduction, simple radiography and computed tomography showed reduction of the hip joint and a large osteochondral defect of approximately 6 cm2 in the weight-bearing area on the superomedial side of the femoral head

Interventions:

This was treated with a novel surgery named autologous osteochondral transplantation (repositionplasty), devised by the authors

Outcomes:

The congruent reduction was confirmed by radiography and computed tomography immediately after the surgery. At 5 years postoperatively, the Harris Hip Score was 100 points and no discomfort, femoral head collapse, osteonecrosis, or traumatic arthritis were observed on follow-up radiographs

Lessons:

We think this method “repositionplasty” will be a good treatment method for young patients with a large defect in the weight-bearing part of the femoral head who cannot undergo open reduction and internal fixation.
Dimensions of sleep characteristics and predictors of sleep quality among heart failure patients: A STROBE compliant cross-sectional study in Jordan
Authors: Gharaibeh Besher , Al-Absi Ilham , Abuhammad Sawsan , Gharaibeh Monther
Published: December 2022

Awareness of poor sleep quality and sleep disturbances, as some of the factors that affect negatively quality of life for patients with the different classes of heart failure (HF) would enable health care providers to offer more comprehensive care. The purposes of this study were to describe sleep quality and predictors of disturbances in sleep in heart failure patients in Jordan. An explanatory cross- sectional design was employed to examine sleep quality, dimensions of sleep characteristics, types of disturbances in sleep within the different classes of HF in Jordan. Data were collected from 2 cardiac clinics and 2 medical clinics at 3 hospitals in Jordan. The most common types of disturbances in sleep in all classes of HF were waking up for urination, waking in the middle of the night or early morning, waking up due to cough and snoring, and difficulty to fall asleep within the 30 minutes. However, waking up due to feeling cold or hot were rarely reported in all classes of patients with HF. Regression analysis revealed that significant correlations were found between sleep quality and gender, disease duration, number of medications currently taken and ejection fraction (P < .05). Our findings indicated that sleep quality and disturbances in sleep were worsening with the increase of the New York heart association functional classification sheet class. Moreover, sleep quality had a significant association with gender, disease duration, ejection fraction, and the number of medications currently taken.
Variances of quantifying of Virchow–Robin spaces detecting the different functional status of glymphatic system in simple febrile seizures affected by seizures duration
Authors: Li Xin , Ruan Cailian , Wu Yifan , Musa Mazen , Zibrila Abdoulaye Issotina , Zhang Zhengxiang , Salimeen Mustafa
Published: December 2022

The Virchow–Robin spaces (VRs) in the cerebral glymphatic system play a vital role in waste clearance from the brain. Simple febrile seizures (SFS) are a common type of seizures marked by an inappropriate fluid exchange. The mechanism of evident differences in glymphatic function among SFS with varying seizure duration is unknown. Therefore, the goal of this study was to see whether there were any variations in glymphatic function among SFS based on seizures duration. We retrospectively studied 30 children with SFS lasting more than 5 minutes (SFS > 5M), 40 children with SFS lasting 5 minutes or less (SFS ≤ 5M), and 35 healthy controls aged 6 to 60 months who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A custom-designed automated method that used T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) to segment the visible VRs. The VRs metrics were measured and compared studied groups. The VRs metrics, seizure duration the time gap between seizure onset and MRI scan were studied as well. VRs counts were lower (P < .001) in the SFS ≤ 5M (445.80 ± 66.10) and the control (430.77 ± 182.55) groups in comparison to SFS > 5M (642.70 ± 100.62). Similar results were found for VRs volume (VRsvol_SFS > 5M, 8514.63 ± 835.33mm3, VRsvol_SFS ≤ 5M, 6390.43 ± 692.74 mm3, VRsvol_control, 6048.37 ± 111.50 mm3; P < .001). However, in the SFS ≤ 5M, VRs measurements were lower than in the SFS > 5M (P < .001). VRs measurements were positively connected with seizure duration and inversely correlated with the course following seizure onset and MRI scan time in both SFS groups. SFS are positively correlated to glymphatic dysfunction since they cause enlarged VRs; additionally, VRs can be used as a biomarker in SFS > 5M and contribute to the mechanism.
Facial Fractures and Their Relation to Head and Cervical Spine Injuries in Hospitalized Bicyclists
Authors: Galteland Pål , Næss Ingar , Døving Mats , Sehic Amer , Utheim Tor Paaske , Skaga Nils Oddvar , Eken Torsten , Helseth Eirik , Ramm-Pettersen Jon
Published: December 2022

Bicyclists are vulnerable road users. The authors aimed to characterise facial fractures and their association with head and neck injuries in bicyclists admitted to a Scandinavian Level 1 trauma center with a catchment area of ~3 million inhabitants. Data from bicycle-related injuries in the period 2005 to 2016 were extracted from the Oslo University Hospital trauma registry. Variables included were age; sex; date of injury; abbreviated injury scale (AIS) codes for facial skeletal, head and neck injuries; and surgical procedure codes for treatment of facial fractures. Anatomical injury was classified according to AIS98. A total of 1543 patients with bicycle-related injuries were included. The median age was 40 years (quartiles 53, 25), and 1126 (73%) were men. Overall, 652 fractures were registered in 339 patients. Facial fractures were observed in all age groups; however, the proportion rose with increasing age. Bicyclists who suffered from facial fractures more often had a concomitant head injury (AIS head >1) than bicyclists without facial fractures (74% vs. 47%), and the odds ratio for facial fracture(s) in the orbit, maxilla and zygoma were significantly increased in patients with AIS head >1 compared to patients with AIS head=1. In addition, 17% of patients with facial fractures had a concomitant cervical spine injury versus 12% of patients without facial fractures. This results showed that facial fractures were common among injured bicyclists and associated with both head and cervical spine injury. Thus, a neurological evaluation of these patients are mandatory, and a multidisciplinary team including maxillofacial and neurosurgical competence is required to care for these patients.
Making a move: Using simulation to identify latent safety threats before the care of injured patients in a new physical space
Authors: Kotagal Meera , Falcone Richard A. , Daugherty Margot , Merkt Brant , Klein Gina L. , McDonough Shawn , Boyd Stephanie D. , Geis Gary L. , Kerrey Benjamin T.
Published: December 2022

BACKGROUND

In today's rapidly changing health care environment, hospitals are expanding into newly built spaces. Preserving patient safety by identifying latent safety threats (LSTs) in advance of opening a new physical space is key to continued excellent care. At our level 1 pediatric trauma center, the hospital undertook a 5-year project to build a critical care tower, including a new emergency department with five trauma bays. To allow for identification and mitigation of LSTs before opening, we performed simulation-based clinical systems testing.

METHODS

Eight simulation scenarios were developed, based on actual patient presentations, incorporating a variety of injury patterns. Scenarios included workflow and movement from the helipad and squad entrance as well as to radiology, the operating room, and the pediatric intensive care unit. A multiple resuscitation scenario was also designed to test the use of all five bays simultaneously. Multidisciplinary high-fidelity simulations were conducted in the new tower. Key trauma and emergency department stakeholders facilitated all sessions, using a structured framework for systems integration debriefing framework and failure mode and effect analysis to identify and prioritize LSTs, respectively.

RESULTS

Eight sessions were conducted for 2 months. A total of 201 staff participated, including trauma surgeons, respiratory therapists, nurses, emergency physicians, x-ray technicians, pharmacists, emergency medical services, and operating room staff. In total, 118 LSTs (average of 14.8/session) were identified. Latent safety threats were categorized. An action plan for mitigation was developed after applying failure mode and effects analysis prioritization scores (based on severity, probability, and ease of detection).

CONCLUSION

Systems-focused trauma simulations identified a large number of LSTs before the opening of a new critical care building. Identification of LSTs is feasible and facilitates mitigation before actual patient care begins, improving patient safety.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic/Care Management; Level IV.
Dynamics of Humoral and Cellular Responses in Renal Transplant Recipients Receiving 3 Doses of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccine
Authors: Arias-Cabrales Carlos , Folgueiras Montserrat , Faura Anna , Eguia Jorge , Padilla Eduardo , Hurtado Sara , Ribera Laura , Echeverria-Esnal Daniel , Pérez-Sáez María José , Redondo-Pachón Dolores , Burballa Carla , Buxeda Anna , Llinàs-Mallol Laura , Cao Higini , Barbosa Francesc , Rovira Xavier , Cima Florencia , Pascual Julio , Crespo Marta
Published: December 2022

Background.

The original SARS-CoV-2 vaccination regimen (2 doses) induces insufficient short-term response in kidney transplant (KT) recipients. This study assessed the response to a third dose and the long-term immunogenicity after 2 doses in KT.

Methods.

We analyzed the dynamics of the humoral and cellular response by monitoring SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies against the Spike-protein (IgG-Spike) and QuantiFERON SARS-CoV-2 IFN-γ release assay 6 mo after the second dose (T2) and 28 d after the third dose of mRNA vaccines (T3) to KT and controls (dialysis patients and healthy individuals).

Results.

At T2, the percentage of IgG-Spike+ KT and dialysis patients decreased (KT 65.8%–52.6%, hemodialysis 92.6–81.5%, and peritoneal dialysis 100%–90%), whereas 100% of healthy controls remained positive. About the cellular response, the percentage of responders decreased in all groups, especially in KT (22.4%–9.2%, P = 0.081). At T3, 92% of KT, 94%–98% of dialysis patients, and 100% of healthy controls were IgG-Spike+. In terms of antibody titers, patients and controls showed a reduction between T2 and T3 and about 80% of dialysis patients and 100% of controls achieved high titers after the third dose (>1479.5 Binding Antibody Units/mL), whereas this percentage was only 50% in KT. With respect to the cellular response, only KT displayed a significant rise after the third dose.

Conclusions.

The third dose of mRNA vaccine improves both humoral and cellular responses, but less effectively in KT compared with dialysis patients and healthy controls.
MicroRNA-4776-5p acts as a radiosensitizer and predicts the prognosis of patients with head and neck cancer receiving radiotherapy
Authors: Lai Yo-Liang , Wang Chun-Chieh , Lin Yung-Lun , Shen Pei-Chun , Tsai Meng-Hsin , Chen Fang-Hsin , Cheng Wei-Chung
Published: December 2022

Head and neck cancer is the leading cancer worldwide. Radiation therapy plays important role of treatment for head and neck cancer. MicroRNAs have been shown to be related to tumor progression and radiosensitivity. However, the mechanisms are still largely unknown and evidence are still limited. In the current study, we sought to identify the miRNA related the radiosensitivity of head and neck tumor cell, which leading to the disappointed prognosis of patients with head and neck cancer receiving radiation therapy. The miRNA expression profiles and clinical information of patients with head and neck cancer were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas. The identification of miRNA was carried out through an integrated bioinformatics analysis. The miRNA identified in previous approach was validated throughin vitroandin vivostudies. MiR-4776-5p was finally identified as the role of radio-sensitizer and predicts the prognosis of patients with head and neck cancer receiving radiotherapy. 11 of 16 genes targeted by the miR-4776-5p have been discovered to regulate the mechanisms related to radiosensitivity using functional annotation.
Cohort study of fever neonates with confirmed community infection of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron: A study Protocol
Authors: Li Jicheng , He Wenwen , Qi Yujie , Meng Yao , Peng Xiaoxia , Hei Mingyan
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Reports on neonatal coronavirus disease (COVID) have been focused on vertical transmission. There was little information on prevalence of neonates with COVID till up to 18 months of age. It is well known that breastfeeding is beneficial for the growth and development of infants. We hypothesized that breastfeeding will be beneficial for a better prevalence of neonatal COVID. The objective of this study is to explore the prognosis of fever neonates with confirmed community infection of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron, and to clarify whether human milk breastfeeding is beneficial for reducing the rate of severe SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infection in neonates.

Methods and analysis

This is a prospective single centre cohort study. Study period is from December, 2022 to December 2024. Inclusion criteria are: (1) Age ≤ 28 days or corrected age ≤ 44 weeks. (2) Fever. (3) Both tests (throat swab) of nucleic acid and antigen of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron were positive. (4) Parents signed the consents. Exclusion criteria is confirmed brain malformations. Patients will be classified into breastfeeding, mixed feeding, and formula feeding groups. The estimate sample size will be 200. The throat swab of infants will be collected for SARS-CoV-2 omicron nucleic acid ad antigen examination. Neonatal COIVD patients will be treated in the Out-Patient Department or admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit according to the severity of infection. All patients will be followed at 3/6/12/18M of age. The endpoint to study was at 18 months of age. Data will be collected by Case Record Form and Electronic Data Capture from the History of In-hospital System. The primary outcome was the rate of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection.SPSS 20.0software will used for statistical analysis.

Ethics and dissemination

It is approved by local Institute of Ethics Review Board (#[2022]-E-240-Y).

Registration

It is registered in the Chinese Clinical Trail Registry (http://www.chictr.org.cn) (ChiCTR2200067148)

Strengths and limitations of this study

This is a prospective single centre cohort study for fever neonates with confirmed community infection of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron.

Patients are categorized into breastfeeding group, mixed feeding group, and formula group.

The primary outcome is rate of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The secondary outcomes include in-hospital outcomes and follow-up outcomes at 3M/6M/12//18M.

Limitation are the observational nature and the single centre data.
Cytokine-expression patterns reveal coordinated immunological programs associated with persistent MRSA bacteremia
Authors: Chin Jackson L. , Tan Zhixin Cyrillus , Chan Liana C. , Ruffin Felicia , Parmar Rajesh , Ahn Richard , Taylor Scott , Bayer Arnold S. , Hoffmann Alexander , Fowler Vance G. , Reed Elaine F. , Yeaman Michael R. , Meyer Aaron S. ,   the MRSA Systems Immunobiology Group
Published: December 2022

Methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) bacteremia is a common, life-threatening infection that imposes up to 30% mortality even when appropriate therapy is used. Despitein vitroefficacy, antibiotics often fail to resolve the infectionin vivo, resulting in persistent MRSA bacteremia. Recently, several genetic, epigenetic, and proteomic correlates of persistent outcomes have been identified. However, the extent to which single variables or composite patterns operate as independent predictors of outcome or reflect shared underlying mechanisms of persistence is unknown. To explore this question, we employed a tensor-based integration of host transcriptional and proteomic data across a well-characterized cohort of patients with persistent and resolving MRSA bacteremia outcomes. Tensor-based data integration yielded high correlative accuracy with persistence and revealed immunologic signatures shared across both the transcriptomic and proteomic datasets. We find that elevated proliferation of mature granulocytes associates with resolving bacteremia outcomes. In contrast, patients with persistent bacteremia heterogeneously exhibit correlates of granulocyte dysfunction or immature granulocyte proliferation. Collectively, these results suggest that transcriptional and proteomic correlates of persistent versus resolving bacteremia outcomes are complex and may not be disclosed by conventional modeling. However, a tensor-based integration approach can help to reveal consensus molecular mechanisms in an interpretable manner.

Significance Statement

While antibacterial therapies effectively resolve MRSAin vitro, these treatments often fail to clear MRSA bacteremiain vivo, suggesting that host-pathogen interactions are essential to persistent MRSA bacteremia. Recent studies have identified genetic, transcriptomic, and proteomic determinants of MRSA persistence. These determinants independently, however, provide insufficient mechanistic insight and it is unclear if they indicate unique or overlapping persistence mechanisms. Here, we use tensor-based decomposition to jointly analyze cytokine and transcriptomic measurements from patients with MRSA bacteremia. Results indicate that persistence mechanisms integrated across biological modalities reflect diverging mechanisms of persistent bacteremia. Ultimately, these results may help to identify future therapeutic targets for treating persistent MRSA bacteremia.
Fecal Microbiota Restoration Modulates the Microbiome in Inflammation-Driven Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Gates Travis J , Yuan Ce , Shetty Mihir , Kaiser Thomas , Nelson Andrew C , Chauhan Aastha , Starr Timothy K , Staley Christopher , Subramanian Subbaya
Published: December 2022

Chronic inflammation of the colon (colitis) is a known risk factor for inflammatory-driven colorectal cancers (idCRC), and intestinal microbiota has been implicated in the etiology of id-CRC. Manipulation of the microbiome is a clinically viable therapeutic approach to limiting id-CRC. To understand the microbiome changes that occur over time in id-CRC, we used a mouse model of idCRC with the treatment of azoxymethane (AOM) and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) and measured the microbiome over time using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. We included cohorts where the microbiome was restored using cage bedding swapping and where the microbiome was depleted using antibiotics to compare to untreated animals. We identified consistent increases inAkkermansiain mice receiving horizontal microbiome transfer (HMT), while the control cohort had consistent longitudinal increases inAnaeroplasmaandAlistipes. Additionally, fecal lipocalin-2 (Lcn-2) concentrations were elevated in unrestored animals compared to restored and antibiotic-treated counterparts following HMT. These observations suggest a potential role forAkkermansia, Anaeroplasma, and Alistipesin regulating colonic inflammation in id-CRC.
Data-driven model of glycolysis shows that allostery maintains high ATP levels while mass action controls flux and energy of ATP hydrolysis
Authors: Choe Mangyu , Einav Tal , Phillips Rob , Titov Denis V.
Published: December 2022

Glycolysis is a conserved metabolic pathway that produces ATP and biosynthetic precursors. Here, we use mathematical modeling to investigate how the control of mammalian glycolytic enzymes through allostery and mass action accomplishes various tasks of ATP homeostasis, such as controlling the rate of ATP production, maintaining high and stable ATP levels, and ensuring that ATP hydrolysis generates a net excess of energy. Our model uses data-derived enzyme rate equations, recapitulates the key tasks of glycolytic ATP homeostasis, and accurately predicts absolute concentrations of glycolytic intermediates and isotope tracing kinetics in live cells. We find that allosteric regulation of hexokinase (HK) and phosphofructokinase (PFK) by ATP, ADP, inorganic phosphate and glucose-6-phosphate (G6P), the surplus of lower glycolysis enzymes, and a large non-adenine phosphate pool are essential to robustly maintain high ATP levels and to prevent uncontrolled accumulation of phosphorylated intermediates of upper glycolysis. Meanwhile, mass action alone is sufficient to control ATP production rate and maintain high energy of ATP hydrolysis. Our results suggest a revision of the textbook view that the function of allosteric regulation of HK, PFK and PK is to control the net flux through glycolysis in response to variable ATP demand.
An efficient method to generate fluorescent amyloid fibrils
Authors: Prajapati Kailash Prasad , Ansari Masihuzzaman , Yadav Deepak Kumar , Anand Bibin Gnanadhason , Mittal Shikha , Kar Karunakar
Published: December 2022

Studies on fluorophore-tagged peptides help in elucidating the molecular mechanism of amyloidogenesis including their cellular internalization and crosstalk potential. Despite several advantages, unavoidable difficulties including expensive and tedious synthesis-protocols exist in fluorophore-based tools. Importantly, covalently-tagged fluorophores could introduce structural constraints which may influence the conformation of the monomeric and aggregated forms of protein. To resolve this problem, we describe a robust yet simple method to make fluorescent amyloid fibrils through non-covalent incorporation of fluorophores into amyloid fibrils. We used aggregation protocol in which a small amount of fluorophore is incorporated into the amyloids, and this protocol does not alter the aggregation kinetics and the characteristic β-sheet-conformers of the generated amyloid fibrils. We have successfully prepared fluorescent amyloid fibrils of Insulin, Lysozyme and Aβ1-42, and the noncovalently incorporated fluorophores remained intact in the amyloid fibrils without leaching, even after serial-dilutions and prolonged-storage. Further, this method enables successful monitoring of cellular-internalization of the fluorescent amyloids into SH-SY5Y and A549 cells, and it also detects FRET-signals during interfibrillar interactions. The findings establish a simple and affordable protocol to prepare fluorescent amyloid structures, which may significantly help amyloid researchers working on bothin vitroand animal model systems.
Metabolic Engineering OfLactococcus LactisFor The Production Of Heparosan
Authors: Guhan Siddharth , Raj Naveen , Sivaprakasam Senthilkumar , Jeeva Pandeeswari
Published: December 2022

Heparosan is a precursor molecule for the widely used anticoagulant heparin, which also has other uses such as certain drug delivery applications and as a scaffold for tissue engineering in biomaterials. Traditionally, pathogenic bacteria such asE.Colihave been used as a host to produce heparosan as an alternative to animal and chemoenzymatic synthesis. Using GRAS status organisms likeLactococcus Lactisas the host for production of heparosan provides a safe alternative as well as being a well-established organism for genetic manipulation and reengineering. In this study, a functional heparosan synthesis pathway was successfully expressed inLactococcus Lactisby the expression ofE.coliK5 genes KfiA and KfiC, along with the overexpression of ugd, glmu and pgma genes present natively in the host organism. The genes were activated using the tightly controlled NICE expression system. The genes were cloned into plasmid p8148 and transformed into two strains,Lactococcus LactisNZ9000 andLactococcus LactisNZ9020, totaling six different recombinant strains were created using these two hosts and various combinations of the heterologous genes. The recombinantLactococcus LactisSH6 strain, expressing the genesugd-KfiA-KfiC-pgma yielded a maximum concentration of 754 mg/l in batch bioreactor experiments and the titer was increased to 1263 mg/l in fed-batch fermentation. NMR imaging successfully determined that the structure of the product derived fromLactococcus Lactiswas indeed similar toE.coliheparosan. The molecular weight of heparosan varied from 10-20 KDa, indicating its potential use for chemoenzymatic heparin biosynthesis.
Pre-clinical in vitro and in vivo characterization of a maternal vaccination before conception to protect against severe neonatal infections caused byEscherichia coliK1
Authors: Sereme Youssouf , Schrimp Cécile , Lefebvre-Wloszczowski Esther , Agapoff Maeva , Faury Helène , Marchand Yunhua Chang , Agiron-Ardila Elisabeth , Panafieu Emilie , Blec Frank , Coureuil Mathieu , Frappy Eric , Bonacorsi Stephane , Skurnik David
Published: December 2022

Preterm birth remains the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality today. Genetic, immunological, and infectious substrates are suspected. Preterm infants are at higher risk of severe neonatal infections and the main cause of bacterial infection in this population isEscherichia coliK1. Unfortunately, women with history of preterm birth have a high risk of recurrence. Therefore, these women constitute a target population for a vaccine, to date non-existent, againstE. coliK1 to prevent these infections.

In this study, we characterize the immunological and microbiological properties in adult female mice of a live attenuated vaccine candidate and the protection it conferred to newborn mice against severe infection caused byE. coliK1. We show that ourE. coliK1 ΔaroA vaccine induces a strong immunity driven by polyclonal bactericidal antibodies. In our model of meningitis, pups born from mothers immunized before conception were strongly protected against different strains ofE. coliK1 both in early-onset and late-onset diseases.

Given the very high rate of mortality and neurological sequalae in neonatal meningitis caused byE. coliK1, this pre-clinical study provides a proof-of-concept for the development of a vaccine strategy againstE. coliK1 severe infection in women at risk of preterm birth.
Understanding prefrontal cortex functions by decoding its molecular, cellular and circuit organization
Authors: Bhattacherjee Aritra , Zhang Chao , Watson Brianna , Djekidel Mohamed Nadhir , Moffitt Jeffrey R. , Zhang Yi
Published: December 2022

The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is functionally one of the most complex regions of mammalian brain. Unlike other cortical areas that process single sensory modalities (like vision, touch, smell, etc.), the PFC integrates information across brain regions to regulate diverse functions ranging from cognition, emotion, executive action to even pain sensitivity. However, it is unclear how such diverse functions are organized at the cellular and circuit levels within the anatomical modules of the PFC. Here we employed spatially resolved single-cell transcriptome profiling to decode PFC’s organizational heterogeneity. The results revealed that PFC has very distinct cell type composition relative to all neighboring cortical areas. Interestingly, PFC also adopts specialized transcriptional features, different from all neighbors, with differentially expressed genes regulating neuronal excitability. The projections to major subcortical targets of PFC emerge from combinations of neuron subclusters determined in a target-intrinsic fashion. These cellular and molecular features further segregated within subregions of PFC, alluding to the subregion-specific specialization of several PFC functions. Finally, using these unique cellular, molecular and projection properties, we identified distinct cell types and circuits in PFC that engage in pathogenesis of chronic pain. Collectively, we not only present a comprehensive organizational map of the PFC, critical for supporting its diverse functions, but also reveal the cluster and circuit identity of a pathway underlying chronic pain, a rapidly escalating healthcare challenge limited by molecular understanding of maladaptive PFC circuits.

Major points

PFC adopts unique cellular composition, distinct from other cortical areas

Selective transcriptomic features emerge in PFC to support its divergent functional portfolio

Subcortical projections of PFC assume target-intrinsic specification for innervating clusters

A molecularly defined L5 projection neuron cluster (to PAG) potentially mediates chronic pain pathogenesis
Distinct spatial patterns of neural and physiology-related activity in the human periaqueductal grey during anticipatory social stress
Authors: Theriault J.E. , Fischbach A. , Kragel P.A. , Wager T.D. , Wald L.L. , Bianciardi M. , Choi J.-K. , Zhang J. , Quigley K.S. , Barrett L.F. , Satpute A.B.
Published: December 2022

Periaqueductal gray (PAG) columns mediate affective experience, physiological regulation, and survival-related behavior; yet, only 7T imaging can resolve these small structures in humans. In a social stress task, participants prepared a speech, and we observed (a) bilateral ventrolateral PAG activity, relative to baseline, and (b) distinct spatial patterns of correlation between PAG activity and physiological response (i.e., cardiac interbeat interval, reparation rate, and tonic electrodermal activity).
A case report on cataract surgery in eyes with bilateral inferior iridoschisis
Authors: Alzuhairy Sultan
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to report a case of bilateral inferior iridoschisis who underwent cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation successfully with the help of iris hooks or pupillary expanders.

Design/methodology/approach

A 71-year-old male presented with inferior iridoschisis in both eyes, history of angle closure glaucoma (ACG), cataract and shallow anterior chamber (AC) angles inferiorly. A localized area of iris stroma is cleaved in two with anterior atrophic portion disintegrating into fibrils from the posterior stroma, and muscle layer is termed as iridoschisis. Iridoschisis is a rare condition associated with fibrillary iris degeneration, narrow drainage angles and cataract.

Findings

Preoperative and postoperative ocular examination, including visual acuity, intraocular pressure and degrees of iris damage, was evaluated. Cataract surgery was performed under topical anesthesia with flexible iris hooks. There were no intraoperative complications whereas marked corneal edema was shown at immediate postoperative period but subsided completely in two weeks’ time. Visual acuity improved from 20/60 to 20/25.

Practical implications

This case report demonstrates that while iridoschisis care during cataract surgery has been reported to be difficult, cataract extraction was managed using iris hooks.

Originality/value

This paper reports the successful management of cataract in a patient with bilateral inferior iridoschisis.
Exploratory study of the impact of the supply chain on integrated product-service systems design
Authors: Barrar Hicham , Ruiz-Benitez Rocio
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Manufacturing firms (MFs) nowadays are struggling to design and maintain an integrated product-service offer. This paper aims to explore the role of the supply chain (SC) in the design of the Product-Service System (PSS). In particular, the study focuses on the Design for Supply Chain (DfSC) approach in order to understand its role and contribution to the Design for Product Service Supportability (DfPSSu) approach in supporting PSS design.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the multiple-case study approach, this paper used in-depth-interviews method to collect primary data from four multinational car manufacturers and two academic researchers.

Findings

The study reveals how a better design of the SC is required for the development of a service supportability approach that, in turn, facilitates the design of the PSS. Additionally, Internet of Things (IoT) technologies support MFs to analyse the ongoing development of the PSS business model. Finally, a better design of PSS is essential for strengthening the integration of Product and Service Offerings.

Practical implications

This study suggests that MFs can build dynamic SC capabilities to deal with fundamental changes that occurred when adopting servitization.

Originality/value

This paper is among the first attempts to study the design process of the PSS business model in a real business context taking into account different design strategies.
Greenhouse gas emissions and stock market volatility: an empirical analysis of OECD countries
Authors: Noh Jung Hee , Park Heejin
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study aims to explore empirical evidence of the impact of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on stock market volatility.

Design/methodology/approach

Using panel data of 35 Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries from 1992 to 2018, we conduct both fixed effects panel model and Prais-Winsten model with panel-corrected standard errors.

Findings

The authors document that there is a significant positive relationship between GHG emissions and stock market volatility. The results remain robust after controlling for potential endogeneity problems.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature in that it provides additional empirical evidence for the financial risk posed by climate change.
Do family companies invest more in internal audit function (IAF) than non-family companies?
Authors: Ali Al-Qadasi Adel
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Motivated by the growing interest of governance regulators and researchers on internal audit function (IAF), this study examines the influence of family ownership on the levels of investment in IAF.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of Malaysian listed companies for the period 2009 to 2016 is used. To test our hypothesis, the authors use pooled panel data regression based on two-way cluster-robust standard errors (firm and year).

Findings

The findings show that family ownership is negatively related to investment in IAF; in particular, investment in IAF is lower for family companies than non-family companies.

Originality/value

This study contributes to existing knowledge of IAF, and it provides significant insights for regulators and managers into the variation in governance structures between family and non-family companies, particularly in emerging markets in which substantial family ownership is common.
The effect of empowering leadership on job performance among frontline employees: does power distance orientation matter?
Authors: Vuong Bui Nhat , Hieu Vo Thi
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The objective of this research is to investigate how empowering leadership (EL) could promote employees' knowledge sharing (KS) and innovative work behavior (IWB), which, in turn, improve their job performance (JP). Besides, the moderating role of power distance orientation (PDO) will be considered as well.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed a self-reported questionnaire from 460 frontline employees at Vietnamese commercial banks and the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) via the SmartPLS 3.0 to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The findings showed that there was a positive influence of EL on JP; this was mediated partially through KS and IWB. Additionally, the first research was the one that revealed that employees with high PDO dampened the positive effects of EL on KS and IWB.

Practical implications

The result of this study suggests that managers should evolve EL to heighten employees' JP.

Originality/value

The findings explored correlations between a system of variables. Besides, the main results of this research also demonstrated that EL played a crucial role in KS, IWB and JP.
Bi-objective optimization-based multi-criteria decision-making framework for disassembly line balancing and employee assignment problem
Authors: Deniz Nurcan , Ozcelik Feristah
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Although disassembly balancing lines has been studied for over two decades, there is a gap in the robotic disassembly. Moreover, combination of problem with heterogeneous employee assignment is also lacking. The hazard related with the tasks performed on disassembly lines on workers can be reduced by the use of robots or collaborative robots (cobots) instead of workers. This situation causes an increase in costs. The purpose of the study is to propose a novel version of the problem and to solve this bi-objective (minimizing cost and minimizing hazard simultaneously) problem.

Design/methodology/approach

The epsilon constraint method was used to solve the bi-objective model. Entropy-based Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) and Preference Ranking Organization methods for Enrichment Evaluation (PROMETHEE) methods were used to support the decision-maker. In addition, a new criterion called automation rate was proposed. The effects of factors were investigated with full factor experiment design.

Findings

The effects of all factors were found statistically significant on the solution time. The combined effect of the number of tasks and number of workers was also found to be statistically significant.

Originality/value

In this study, for the first time in the literature, a disassembly line balancing and employee assignment model was proposed in the presence of heterogeneous workers, robots and cobots to simultaneously minimize the hazard to the worker and cost.
The future of public sector accounting research. A polyphonic debate
Authors: Grossi Giuseppe , Steccolini Ileana , Adhikari Pawan , Brown Judy , Christensen Mark , Cordery Carolyn , Ferry Laurence , Lassou Philippe , McDonald III Bruce , Raudla Ringa , Sicilia Mariafrancesca , Vinnari Eija
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this polyphonic paper is to report on interdisciplinary discussions on the state-of-the-art and future of public sector accounting research (PSAR). The authors hope to enliven the debates of the past and future developments in terms of context, themes, theories, methods and impacts in the field of PSAR by the exchanges they include here.

Design/methodology/approach

This polyphonic paper adopts an interdisciplinary approach. It brings into conversation ideas, views and approaches of several scholars on the actual and future developments of PSAR in various contexts, and explores potential implications.

Findings

This paper has brought together scholars from a plurality of disciplines, research methods and geographical areas, showing at the same time several points of convergence on important future themes (such as accounting as a mean for public, accounting, hybridity and value pluralism) and enabling conditions (accounting capabilities, profession and digitalisation) for PSA scholarship and practice, and the richness of looking at them from a plurality of perspectives.

Research limitations/implications

Exploring these past and future developments opens up the potential for interesting theoretical insights. A much greater theoretical and practical reconsideration of PSAR will be fostered by the exchanges included here.

Originality/value

In setting out a future research agenda, this paper fosters theoretical and methodological pluralism in the interdisciplinary research community interested in PSAR in various contexts. The discussion perspectives presented in this paper constitute not only a basis for further research in this relevant accounting area on the role, status and developments of PSAR but also creative potential for practitioners to be more reflective on their practices and also intended and united outcomes of such practices.
Battles over ‘unruly bodies’: Practitioners’ interpretations of eating disorders and the utility of psychiatric labelling
Authors: Fixsen Alison , Ridge Damien , Ponsford Olivia , Holder Mesha , Saran Gurjeet
Published: December 2022

Our article offers a critical appraisal of psychiatric medical constructions of eating disorders (EDs) by highlighting the complexity of professional discourses, power plays, claims and counterclaims in ongoing struggles over ‘unruly bodies.’ Inductive thematic analysis of data from five studies was undertaken, covering thirty semi‐structured interviews with UK health‐care professionals working in the ED field. Professionals engaged in various struggles over eating disorders, which were compounded by the labelling process itself. Although person‐centredness was valued, encounters with ED patients were frequently framed as outstandingly problematic in terms of treatment resistance, with clients’ unruliness spurred on by ED competitiveness on social media and in‐hospital rivalries. Paradoxically, the labelling of eating disorders created further expectations in terms of achieving specific weight levels and diagnostic labels, reportedly resulting in lay competition over who was sickest, which was mirrored by treatment priorities within an overstretched public health system. Narratives also highlighted interesting tensions between professionals rationalising their work with patients and acknowledging themselves as potentially vulnerable to societal pressures promoting EDs. Arguably, while lay narratives around EDs continue to be framed by authorities as unruly behaviours in deviant individuals, the gap between officially sanctioned and illicit ED discourses will only grow.
Planned oesophagectomy after chemoradiotherapy versus salvage oesophagectomy following definitive chemoradiotherapy: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Petric Josipa , Handshin Samuel , Bright Tim , Watson David I.
Published: December 2022

Background

Oesophageal cancer is the eighth most common cancer and sixth leading cause of cancer‐related mortality worldwide. Salvage oesophagectomies are associated with an increased risk of mortality, although recent data suggests that long‐term survival rates following salvage oesophagectomy are similar to planned oesophagectomy. The aim was therefore to meta‐analyse outcomes for patients undergoing salvage versus planned oesophagectomies to assess the differences in short‐term mortality and long‐term survival.

Methods

A systematic review of Medline, Scopus, Web of Science and PubMed was performed to identify relevant studies. Data were extracted and compared by meta‐analysis, using odds ratio and mean differences with 95% confidence intervals.

Results

Nineteen studies meeting inclusion criteria were included in the meta‐analysis, which compared patients in the planned oesophagectomy group (n = 23 555) to patients in the salvage oesophagectomy group (n = 2227). There were significant differences between the groups in terms of rates of postoperative mortality (5.7% salvage oesophagectomy versus 3.1% planned oesophagectomy, P = 0.0004), anastomotic leak (20.6% salvage oesophagectomy versus 14.5% planned oesophagectomy, P < 0.00001), pulmonary complications (37.1% salvage oesophagectomy versus 24.2% planned oesophagectomy, P < 0.0001) and R0 margin (87.6% salvage oesophagectomy versus 91.3% planned oesophagectomy, P < 0.0001). There was no statistical difference between long‐term survival rates at 5 years with 39.2% for salvage and 42.6% for planned oesophagectomy (P = 0.28).

Conclusions

Salvage oesophagectomies do offer a meaningful chance of long‐term survival (at 5 years) for select patients with oesophageal cancer, but the elevated risk of post‐operative complications and mortality following salvage oesophagectomy should be recognized.
Comparing left ventricular assist device inflow cannula angle between median sternotomy and thoracotomy using 3D reconstructions
Authors: Pearman Madeleine , Emmanuel Sam , Jansz Paul , Watson Alasdair , Connellan Mark , Iyer Arjun , Barua Sumita , Hayward Christopher Simon
Published: December 2022

Background

Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation via thoracotomy has many potential advantages compared to conventional sternotomy, including improved inflow cannula (IFC) positioning. We compared the difference in IFC angles, postoperative, and long‐term outcomes for patients with LVADs implanted via thoracotomy and sternotomy.

Methods

A single‐center, retrospective analysis of 14 patients who underwent thoracotomy implantation was performed and matched with 28 patients who underwent sternotomy LVAD implantations for a total of 42 patients. Inclusion required a minimum LVAD support duration of 30 days and excluded concomitant procedures. A postoperative CT‐chest was used to measure the angle the between the IFC and mitral valve in two‐dimensions and results were compared with three‐dimensional reconstruction using the same CT chest. Outcome data were extracted from medical records.

Results

There was no significant difference in gender, INTERMACS score, BMI, or age between the two groups. Median cardiopulmonary bypass time was longer in the thoracotomy group compared to the sternotomy group, 107 min (86–122) versus 76 min (56–93), p < 0.01. 3D reconstructions revealed less deviation of the IFC away from the mitral valve in devices implanted via thoracotomy compared to sternotomy, median (IQR) angle 16.3° (13.9°–21.0°) versus 23.2° (17.9°–26.4°), p < 0.01. Rates of pump thrombosis, stroke, and gastrointestinal bleeding were not significantly different.

Conclusions

Devices implanted via thoracotomy demonstrated less deviation away from mitral valve. However, there was no difference in morbidity between the two approaches. 3D reconstruction of the heart is an innovative technique to measure angulation and is clinically advantageous when compared to 2D imaging.
The development of cognitive reflection
Authors: Shtulman Andrew , Young Andrew G.
Published: December 2022

What do cows drink? The correct answer is water, but many are tempted to say milk. The disposition to override an intuitive response (milk) with a more analytic response (water) is known as cognitive reflection. Tests of cognitive reflection predict a wide range of skills and abilities in adults. In this article, we discuss the construction of a developmental version of the cognitive reflection test and explore how it predicts rational thinking and normative thinking dispositions in elementary school‐aged children, independent of age, executive function, and cultural context. We also explore how the test predicts children's mastery of counterintuitive concepts in science and mathematics. Findings suggest that cognitive reflection may be a prerequisite for developing, and improving, analytic thought, thus highlighting the value of studying cognitive reflection from a developmental perspective.