bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Circulating Soluble CD163, Associations With Cardiovascular Outcomes and Mortality, and Identification of Genetic Variants in Older Individuals: The Cardiovascular Health Study
Authors: Durda Peter , Raffield Laura M. , Lange Ethan M. , Olson Nels C. , Jenny Nancy Swords , Cushman Mary , Deichgraeber Pia , Grarup Niels , Jonsson Anna , Hansen Torben , Mychaleckyj Josyf C. , Psaty Bruce M. , Reiner Alex P. , Tracy Russell P. , Lange Leslie A.
Published: October 2022

Background

Monocytes/macrophages participate in cardiovascular disease. CD163 (cluster of differentiation 163) is a monocyte/macrophage receptor, and the shed sCD163 (soluble CD163) reflects monocyte/macrophage activation. We examined the association of sCD163 with incident cardiovascular disease events and performed a genome‐wide association study to identify sCD163‐associated variants.

Methods and Results

We measured plasma sCD163 in 5214 adults (aged ≥65 years, 58.7% women, 16.2% Black) of the CHS (Cardiovascular Health Study). We used Cox regression models (associations of sCD163 with incident events and mortality); median follow‐up was 26 years. Genome‐wide association study analyses were stratified on race. Adjusted for age, sex, and race and ethnicity, sCD163 levels were associated with all‐cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.08 [95% CI, 1.04–1.12] per SD increase), cardiovascular disease mortality (HR, 1.15 [95% CI, 1.09–1.21]), incident coronary heart disease (HR, 1.10 [95% CI, 1.04–1.16]), and incident heart failure (HR, 1.18 [95% CI, 1.12–1.25]). When further adjusted (eg, cardiovascular disease risk factors), only incident coronary heart disease lost significance. In European American individuals, genome‐wide association studies identified 38 variants on chromosome 2 near
MGAT5
(top result rs62165726,
P
=3.3×10
−18
),19 variants near chromosome 17 gene
ASGR1
(rs55714927,
P
=1.5×10
−14
), and 18 variants near chromosome 11 gene
ST3GAL4
. These regions replicated in the European ancestry ADDITION‐PRO cohort, a longitudinal cohort study nested in the Danish arm of the Anglo‐Danish‐Dutch study of Intensive Treatment Intensive Treatment In peOple with screeNdetcted Diabetes in Primary Care. In Black individuals, we identified 9 variants on chromosome 6 (rs3129781
P
=7.1×10
−9
) in the
HLA
region, and 3 variants (rs115391969
P
=4.3×10
−8
) near the chromosome 16 gene
MYLK3
.

Conclusions

Monocyte function, as measured by sCD163, may be predictive of overall and cardiovascular‐specific mortality and incident heart failure.
Metamazarredia is Rosacris is Mazarredia (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae)—a long-awaited sequel to a taxonomic dilemma
Authors: KASALO NIKO
Published: October 2022

The monotypic genus Rosacris, described by Bolívar (1931) remained largely unnoticed until a couple of new specimens were noticed by Skejo (2016), which prompted his examination of the genus and the conclusion that R. antennata syn. nov. probably represents a nymph of Metamazarredia fuscipes (Stål, 1877). By not conducting taxonomic acts, Skejo (2016) left behind an important dilemma: are the two species actually synonymous with each other? This paper reexamines the available material and concludes that the aforementioned observation was correct. Mazarredia (Rosacris) fuscipes comb. nov. represents the current combination used for the two synonymous species as the generic name of Rosacris stat. nov. has priority over Metamazarredia syn. nov., but the specific epithet “antennata” does not. Rosacris stat. nov. is considered a subgenus of Mazarredia Bolívar, 1887 because it shares many differences with the nominal subgenus, differing only by having a vertex twice as wide as an eye, and possibly by having some antennal segments widened and the median carina of the pronotum being slightly elevated in its anterior part. Mazarredia (Rosacris) sobria (Walker, 1871) comb. nov. is transferred to the subgenus Rosacris due to its wide vertex and the anteriorly elevated median carina. The genus Mazarredia includes many species and needs revision.
Antarctic Warming during Heinrich Stadial 1 in a Transient Isotope-Enabled Deglacial Simulation
Authors: Zhu Chenyu , Zhang Jiaxu , Liu Zhengyu , Otto-Bliesner Bette L. , He Chengfei , Brady Esther C. , Tomas Robert , Wen Qin , Li Qing , Zhu Chenguang , Zhang Shaoqing , Wu Lixin
Published: October 2022

Heinrich Stadial 1 (HS1) was the major climate event at the onset of the last deglaciation associated with rapid cooling in Greenland and lagged, slow warming in Antarctica. Although it is widely believed that temperature signals were triggered in the Northern Hemisphere and propagated southward associated with the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC), understanding how these signals were able to cross the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) barrier and further warm up Antarctica has proven particularly challenging. In this study, we explore the physical processes that lead to the Antarctic warming during HS1 in a transient isotope-enabled deglacial simulation iTRACE, in which the interpolar phasing has been faithfully reproduced. We show that the increased meridional heat transport alone, first through the ocean and then through the atmosphere, can explain the Antarctic warming during the early stage of HS1 without notable changes in the strength and position of the Southern Hemisphere midlatitude westerlies. In particular, when a reduction of the AMOC causes ocean warming to the north of the ACC, increased southward ocean heat transport by mesoscale eddies is triggered by steeper isopycnals to warm up the ocean beyond the ACC, which further decreases the sea ice concentration and leads to more absorption of insolation. The increased atmospheric heat then releases to the Antarctic primarily by a strengthening zonal wavenumber-3 (ZW3) pattern. Sensitivity experiments further suggest that a ∼4°C warming caused by this mechanism superimposed on a comparable warming driven by the background atmospheric CO2 rise is able to explain the total simulated ∼8°C warming in the West Antarctica during HS1.
The Impact of Electronic Health Record Interventions on Patient Access to Post-Hospital Discharge Prescriptions
Authors: Wei Wenfei , Felippi Rafael , Abbasi Ghalib , Pinn Theresa , Rose Kelly St. , Rana Isha
Published: October 2022

Purpose: Assess the impact of electronic health record interventions on patient access to post-hospital discharge prescriptions. Methods: Five interventions were implemented in the electronic health record to improve patient access to prescriptions after discharge from hospital: electronic prior authorization, alternative medication suggestions, order sets, mail order pharmacy alerts, and medication interchange instructions. This was a retrospective cohort study of patient responses from discharges during 6 months before the first intervention implementation and 6 months after the last intervention implementation documented in the electronic health record and a transition-in-care platform. Primary endpoint was the proportion of discharges with patient-reported issues that would have been prevented by the studied interventions out of number of discharges with at least one prescription, analyzed using Chi-squared test (level of significance .05). Results: Discharges with patient-reported issues that would have been prevented by the studied interventions decreased from 1.68 to 1.07 out of 1000 discharges with prescriptions ( P < .001). Conclusion: Interventions in the electronic health record reduced barriers faced by patients to picking up prescriptions post-discharge from hospital, potentially leading to improved patient satisfaction and improved health outcomes. Important factors to consider for electronic health record intervention implementation are workflow development and intrusiveness of clinical decision support. Multiple targeted electronic health record interventions can improve patients’ access to prescriptions after discharge from hospital.
The effect of body shape and swimsuit type on the comfort of Chinese women wearing swimsuits
Authors: Jiang Ao , Yao Xiang , Cheung Vien , Taylor Lindsey Waterton , Tang Haowen , Fang Zhixiong
Published: October 2022

Among the fitness and body shaping exercises of Chinese women, swimming has become an increasingly popular sporting activity. Swimsuits are fundamental to participation in this sport and paramount to achieving the wearers’ aim of participation. A survey of 3348 Chinese women showed that body fit is central to the purchase of a swimsuit, whether one piece or two piece, with the two-piece swimsuit proving the most popular in terms of comfort. This survey revealed that the comfort of a swimsuit is relative to the design variables of the swimsuit style, the material/body cover factor and, informed by the female form, body size and body shape. This is particularly pertinent in both the right and left anterior mammary regions and also the left lateral mammary region for the female wearer to stay comfortable during swimming when she moves in the water. This study investigated the factors that affect the comfort of women wearing swimsuits when they swim. The two-piece swimsuit was considered the most comfortable. It was also found that swimsuits negatively affect women’s chest area. These results present important considerations for swimsuit manufacturers.
In search of the ‘buffering’ effect in the job demands–control model: The role of teamwork HRM practices and occupations
Authors: Zou Min , Zhou Ying , Williams Mark
Published: October 2022

The job demands–control/support (JDC/JDCS) models are highly influential in the HRM and employee well-being literature. Despite the high face validity, however, research has failed to find convincing empirical support for the ‘buffer’ hypothesis suggested by the JDC/JDCS models. In this article the authors explore this issue from three perspectives. First, they test the controversial ‘buffer’ hypothesis using a large nationally representative matched employer–employee sample from Britain. Second, they examine the role of teamwork HRM practices as a moderator of the buffering effect of job control against job demands on employee well-being. Finally, incorporating occupational level data into the analysis, the authors further explore the moderating effects of teamwork under different occupation-specific work intensity. The analysis suggests that there is strong evidence supporting the ‘buffering’ hypothesis. Also, it was found that teamwork moderates the buffering effect for employee intrinsic job satisfaction. Finally, the moderating effect of teamwork differs between occupations with different levels of work intensity.
Content validity and reliability of an instrument to investigate serendipitous retrieval of information: Information Encountering and its Subsequent Keeping and Sharing Behaviour Scale (IEKSBS)
Authors: Awan Waqar Ahmad , Ameen Kanwal , Soroya Saira
Published: October 2022

Good quantitative survey research is based on valid and reliable instruments. However, when it comes to information encountering (IE) and its keeping (IK) and sharing (IS) behaviours, there was currently no instrument available to accurately measure it. Therefore, this study was designed to prepare a valid and reliable instrument to investigate IE and its subsequent behaviours. This comprised of its preferred keeping tools, communication channels, purposes of sharing, motivators to share and constraints in sharing. Three already available instruments in the information behaviours lacked the distinguished type of information. These instruments were merged after seeking permission from their original authors. The merged instrument was validated for content and reliability. The data for reliability checking were collected twice: first, at the time of the pilot study and second, at the time of the final study. A multi-stage purposive total population sampling technique was used to collect the data from the sample. The subsequent instrument proved to be reliable for the investigation of IE, IK and IS behaviours. The process of making an instrument valid and reliable is complex. Therefore, the steps taken to establish content validity and reliability of the instrument are presented in detail in this article. The instrument is attached in the end for future studies and research.
Childhood maltreatment and provision of support and strain to family relationships in adulthood: The role of social anxious and depressive symptoms
Authors: Fitzgerald Michael , Morgan Amy A
Published: October 2022

Childhood maltreatment (CM) often occurs within the family system and can complicate familial relationships across the lifespan. Mental health problems may be one possible pathway linking CM to willingness to provide support and provisions of strain to family members. We advance this line of research by examining the degree to which CM shapes adults' understanding of how individual’s willingness to provide support to their family as well as enacted strain towards family members. Data were from the study of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS). Among the participants ( n = 568), the majority were White (91.2%), female (56.9%), and had a mean age of 51.5. Structural equation modeling was used to test the relationship between CM, depressive and social anxiety symptoms, and support and strain. Results indicate two key findings: (1) Maltreatment is directly related to higher provisions of strain and lower perceived availability to support family members; (2) Symptoms of depression and social anxiety mediated the effect from maltreatment to enactments of strain towards family members, whereas the same finding did not hold for availability of support. Only depressive symptoms were identified as a pathway. Because families frequently are a source of CM, yet may remain connected in adulthood, these findings offer nuanced implications for addressing mental health and family wellbeing among who have experienced CM.
“But you don’t look sick:” Memorable messages of emerging adulthood autoimmune disease
Authors: Gunning Jacqueline N.
Published: October 2022

Background: Experiencing the onset of autoimmune disease in emerging adulthood is disruptive and difficult to make sense of because youth and illness are not expected to co-exist. As a result, emerging adults with autoimmune disease are susceptible to messages that discredit and deny their health experiences. Though communication research has explored dismissive and disenfranchising communication in the face of chronic illness, a need for how to disrupt and replace this harmful or inadequate messaging remains. Purpose: Building upon prior memorable messages research that centers the call “I wish,” asking individuals not only about messages received but messages desired, the present study identifies harmful and helpful memorable messages in the face of autoimmune disease onset and diagnosis. Research Design: Guided by Cooke-Jackson & Rubinsky’s (2021) theory of memorable messages and call for research on message disruption, the present study explores the messages 25 assigned female at birth (AFAB) individuals with autoimmune disease received during their illness journeys using individual, semi-structured interviews. Results: Findings reveal messages of dismissal, blame, and presumed psychosis (e.g., “it’s all in your head,” “but you look healthy”) as characterizing the diagnostic journey. Participants identify messages of belief, support, and interest (e.g., “I believe you,” “you are not alone,” “help me understand”) as being helpful while navigating their disease. Conclusion: Findings illuminate how family members, friends, health care providers, intimate partners, and relational others can effectively support emerging adults navigating a difficult and disruptive health experience. Limitations and future directions are discussed.
Surgical outcomes and optimal approach to treatment of aortic valve endocarditis with aortic root abscess – systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Harris William M , Sinha Shubhra , Caputo Massimo , Angelini Gianni D , Vohra Hunaid A
Published: October 2022

Background

Data on the postoperative outcomes for patients with infective endocarditis complicated by an aortic root abscess is sparse due to the condition’s low incidence and high mortality rates. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate existing data on the impact of aortic root abscesses on the postoperative outcomes and to inform optimal surgical approach.

Methods

The online databases MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane library were searched from 1990 to 2022 for studies comparing cohorts of surgically managed infective endocarditis patients with and without an aortic root abscess. Data was extracted by two independent investigators and aggregated in a random-effects model. Risk of bias was assessed using an adapted version of the Newcastle-Ottawa scale.

Results

Six clinical studies were included in the meta-analysis ( n 1982). The abscess group was associated with increased in-hospital mortality (OR 1.74 95%: CI 1.18–2.56) and late mortality (HR 1.27 95% CI:1.03–1.58). The reoperation meta-analysis was complicated by high rates of heterogeneity (I2 = 59%) and found no significant differences in reoperation between abscess and no abscess groups (HR=1.48: 95% CI:0.92–2.40). Post-hoc scatter graph showed a strong linear relationship (r 0.998), suggesting hospitals with higher rates of aortic root replacement achieve lower rates of reoperation for aortic root abscess patients compared with patch reconstruction.

Conclusions

The presence of an aortic root abscess in aortic valve endocarditis is associated with elevated early and late mortality despite modern standards of care. Additionally, aortic root replacement should be considered to have a favourable postoperative profile for use in this context.
The Role of Negative Parental Influences and Criminal Thinking in Juvenile Offending Behaviors
Authors: Humphrey Branna , Edwards Bradley D. , Pealer Jennifer
Published: October 2022

Previous research has established that juveniles who experience negative parental influence are more likely to engage in problem and offending behavior. Less attention has been given to the possibility that criminal thinking styles might partially explain this relationship. This study examined the negative parental influences and criminal thinking styles of 1,354 juvenile offenders to establish that both negative parental influences and criminal thinking are significantly associated with juvenile problem and offending behavior. Further, the analysis showed that juvenile criminal thinking (proactive, reactive, and general) might mediate the relationship between negative parental influences and problem behavior. Implications for such findings are discussed.
Niloticin binds to MD-2 to promote anti-inflammatory pathway activation in macrophage cells
Authors: Chen Guirong , Liu Chang , Zhang Mingbo , Wang Xiaobo , Xu Yubin
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Niloticin is an active compound isolated from Cortex phellodendri with uncharacterized anti-inflammatory activity. We assessed the drug potential of niloticin and examined its ability to target myeloid differentiation protein 2 (MD-2) to ascertain the mechanism for its anti-inflammatory activity.

Methods

The Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database was used to evaluate niloticin. Bio-layer interferometry and molecular docking technologies were used to explore how niloticin targets MD-2, which mediates a series of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-dependent inflammatory responses. The cytokines involved in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-TLR4/MD-2-NF-κB pathway were evaluated using ELISA, RT-qPCR, and western blotting.

Results

Niloticin could bind to MD-2 and had no evident effects on cell viability. Niloticin treatment significantly decreased the levels of NO, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β induced by LPS ( p < 0.01). IL-1β, IL-6, iNOS, TNF-α, and COX-2 mRNA expression levels were decreased by niloticin (all p < 0.01). Compared with that in the control group, the increase in TLR4, p65, MyD88, p-p65, and iNOS expression levels induced by LPS were suppressed by niloticin (all p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that niloticin has therapeutic potential and binds to MD-2. Niloticin binding to MD-2 antagonized the effects of LPS binding to the TLR4/MD-2 complex, resulting in the inhibition of the LPS-TLR4/MD-2-NF-κB signaling pathway.
Asymmetric Effects of Foreign Direct Investment on Economic Growth: Fresh Evidence from India Using NARDL Simulation
Authors: Alam Waseem , Ikram Firdos , Kumar Pushp , Haseeb Mohammad , Ali Nazim
Published: October 2022

The present article aims to examine the asymmetric effects of foreign direct investment (FDI) on economic growth in India during 1991–2019. Along with FDI, financial development, inflation and trade openness are used as control variables. To check the influence of these variables on economic growth, this study employed the non-linear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) model. The results indicate that a positive shock in FDI inflows positively influences India’s economic growth while negative FDI inflows have a negative influence. Also, the Wald test establishes the asymmetric effect of FDI on gross domestic product (GDP) growth both in the short-run and long run. Moreover, financial development and inflation rate significantly reduce the pace of economic growth in both the long run and the short run. However, trade openness boosts economic growth only in the long run. Based on these empirical findings, several policy implications are designed to increase the pace of economic growth.
When Groups of Different Sizes Collide: Effects of Targeted Verbal Aggression on Intragroup Functioning
Authors: Klonek Florian E. , Gerpott Fabiola H. , Handke Lisa
Published: October 2022

When competing for scarce resources, groups can behave aggressively toward one another. Realistic conflict theory suggests that intergroup hostility internally ties groups together, thus improving intragroup functioning. In contrast, conflict spillover theory suggests that aggressive behaviors between groups can permeate to the intragroup level and thus worsen intragroup functioning. We reconcile these two opposite perspectives by introducing the relative group size as a moderator that determines when and how targeted verbal aggression from one group harms or improves intragroup functioning in the targeted group. We tested our hypotheses using a sample of in-situ observations of transcribed plenary discussions in the German national parliament and compared intergroup targeted verbal aggression by distinguishing targeted verbal aggression from two social groups (i.e., a new populist smaller party vs. a larger group of veteran parliament members). We measured targeted verbal aggression as a form of hostile intergroup behavior from each social group using computerized text analyses. We analyzed intragroup functioning using a measure of verbal mimicry. Our results show support for our hypotheses. We discuss theoretical and practical implications for the verbal aggression and intergroup relations literature.
Family Intervention in the Treatment of Female Juvenile Delinquency: A Qualitative Study in the Collectivist Society of Malaysia
Authors: Sumari Melati , Baharudin Dini Farhana , Yahya Fatahyah , Abu Shahim Mohd Radhi
Published: October 2022

Aims: The current study explores the benefits of a family intervention program on families and their adolescent children who were convicted as juveniles. Adolescents and their families shared their experiences in joining the program, especially the improvement they made while in the program. Demographics: Research participants included eight adolescents, six mothers, and two fathers. Settings: The program took place in Malaysia's adolescents’ rehabilitation center. Methodology: Data were collected through an in-depth interview with participants. Analysis: Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Findings: Findings revealed five main themes: (1) awareness and insight; (2) Understanding risk and protective factors of delinquency; (3) the opportunity to learn roles in the family; (4) Learning to improve communication skills; and (5) Learning to forgive. Implications: The study provides insight into the importance of family involvement in delinquent adolescents’ rehabilitation and the need to consider the family system approach in counseling delinquent adolescents.
Ovarian Mucinous Carcinoma with a Yolk sac Tumor-Like Component: A Report of Three Cases with a Literature Review for Prognostic Analysis
Authors: Tsujimura Marina , Fujimoto Masakazu , Minamiguchi Sachiko , Miyamoto Taito , Ueda Akihiko , Hamanishi Junzo , Mandai Masaki , Haga Hironori
Published: October 2022

The most common subtype of ovarian carcinoma associated with somatically derived yolk sac tumor (YST) is endometrioid carcinoma. Only two cases of ovarian mucinous carcinomas associated with YST have been reported; herein, we present three additional patients, along with a review of previous literature and our pathology archives to analyze the tumor prognosis. The patients’ ages ranged from 38 to 53 years. Two patients had FIGO stage 1 tumors, and one patient had a stage 3 tumor. Two patients died of the disease within a year, and one patient survived with distant metastasis (32 months after surgery). In all three tumors, the YST-like component comprised less than 5% of the total tumor area. Together with the two previously reported mucinous carcinomas with a YST-like component, the prognosis of the five mucinous carcinomas with a YST-like component were compared with that of 19 conventional mucinous carcinomas resected at our hospital. The survival curves were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. As a result, the overall survival rate of patients with mucinous carcinomas with a YST-like component was significantly lower than that of patients with conventional mucinous carcinomas ( P = .0014). Our study indicates that the presence of a YST-like component in mucinous carcinomas would be a strong prognostic indicator.
Early patient-reported outcomes of cataract surgery with implantation of the trifocal liberty 677MY intraocular lens: A pilot study
Authors: Villarrubia Cuadrado Alberto , Sánchez Ventosa Álvaro , Palacín Miranda Elisa , López Pérez Maria Dolores , González-Cruces Timoteo , Morales López Pablo , Piñero David P , Cano-Ortiz Antonio
Published: October 2022

Purpose

To report our first clinical and patient-reported outcomes in the early postoperative period with a new model of trifocal diffractive intraocular lens (IOL).

Methods

Pilot prospective analysis of the results of 26 eyes of 13 patients (age, 44–79 years) undergoing cataract surgery with implantation of the trifocal diffractive IOL Liberty 677MY (Medicontur Medical Engineering Ltd., Zsámbék, Hungary). The following clinical outcomes were evaluated during the first postoperative month: measurement of distance, intermediate and near visual acuity, binocular defocus curve, and level of spectacle independence, patient satisfaction, perception of photic phenomena, and difficulty in performing several vision-related daily tasks by means of a questionnaire.

Results

Mean binocular LogMAR uncorrected distance, intermediate and near visual acuities were −0.03 ± 0.13, 0.21 ± 0.16, and 0.16 ± 0.09, respectively. Furthermore, 100.0%, 84.6% and 92.3% of patients achieved a binocular corrected distance, distance-corrected intermediate and distance-corrected near visual acuity of 20/32 or better, respectively. In the defocus curve, visual acuities were better than 0.2 logMAR for defocus levels between +1.00 and −3.00 D. Spectacle independence was referred by all patients, with any of them reporting dissatisfaction with the outcome of the surgery. The postoperative vision did not lead to difficulties in the daily life in 92.3% of patients. Bothersome halos, glare or starbursts were only reported by only 7.7% of patients.

Conclusions

The trifocal IOL evaluated provides a successful visual rehabilitation with minimal photic phenomena associated, leading to high levels of spectacle independence and patient satisfaction.
Staphylococcus aureus Nasopharyngeal Carriage and Antimicrobial Resistance among Adults with Sickle Cell Disease at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana
Authors: Dayie Nicholas TKD , Sekoh Deborah NK , Tetteh-Quarcoo Patience B , Dayie Alberta D , Osei Mary-Magdalene , Kotey Fleischer CN , Donkor Eric S
Published: October 2022

Background:

Sickle cell disease (SCD) patients are an important risk group for Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus) carriage and infections. Little is, however, known about the nasopharyngeal carriage epidemiology of the pathogen in this vulnerable population.

Aim:

The aim of this study was to evaluate S. aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) nasopharyngeal carriage prevalence, carriage determinants, and antimicrobial resistance among SCD adults in Ghana.

Methodology:

Nasopharyngeal swabs, obtained from 200 SCD adults recruited at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, were cultured for S. aureus, and these isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing via the Kirby-Bauer method.

Results:

The prevalence of S. aureus carriage was 41.5% (n = 83), and that of MRSA carriage was 1.0% (n = 2). Moreover, carriage of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) was the only determinant of S. aureus carriage identified (OR = 0.012, P < .0001). However, neither this variable nor the other features of the participants emerged as a determinant of MRSA carriage. The antimicrobial resistance rates decreased across penicillin (98.8%, n = 82), tetracycline (54.2%, n = 45), gentamicin (32.5%, n = 27), ciprofloxacin (21.7%, n = 18), erythromycin (18.1%, n = 15), clindamycin (10.8%, n = 9), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (10.8%, n = 9), teicoplanin (1.2%, n = 1), and linezolid (0.0%, n = 0), and the multidrug resistance rate was 45.8% (n = 38).

Conclusion:

The nasopharyngeal carriage prevalence of S. aureus in the current study was high, while that of MRSA was low. The isolates were highly resistant to several of the antibiotics tested, but not teicoplanin and linezolid, making these antibiotics suitable for treatment of S. aureus infections among the SCD population.
Who Controls the Immigration Bureaucracy? The Relative Influence of the Three Branches Over Asylum Policy Implementation
Authors: Stobb Maureen , Miller Banks , Kennedy Joshua
Published: October 2022

At the center of contentious debates concerning U.S. asylum policy are immigration judges, bureaucrats who decide life and death cases on a daily basis. Congress, the executive and the courts compete for influence over these key actors — administrative judges distinct from those examined in much of the bureaucratic control literature. They are hired, fired, promoted or demoted by executive officials; face congressional oversight; and must follow circuit law. We argue that, because of the fear of reversal, immigration judges will look most to the courts in the decision-making process. Our results support our theory. Examining over 900,000 immigration judges’ decisions, we find that, although IJs are influenced by a fear of pushback from the elected branches, the impact is conditional on circuit preferences. Our findings inform scholarly understanding of judicial behavior and bureaucratic accountability, and support the pursuit of judicial independence and due process in immigration courts.
Paraoxonase 1 rs662 polymorphism, its related variables, and COVID-19 intensity: Considering gender and post-COVID complications
Authors: Ghoreshi Zohreh-Al-Sadat , Abbasi-jorjandi Mojtaba , Asadikaram Gholamreza , Sharif-zak Mohsen , Seyedi Fatemeh , Khaksari Haddad Mohammad , Zangouey Mohammadreza
Published: October 2022

In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of paraoxonase 1 (PON1) rs662 polymorphism, arylesterase (ARE) activity, and the serum lipid profile in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in different stages of the disease considering post-COVID outcomes. A total of 470 COVID-19 patients (235 female and 235 male patients) were recruited into the study, and based on the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, the patients were divided into three groups: moderate, severe, and critical. PON1 rs662 polymorphism was determined by the Alw 1 enzyme followed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Moreover, serum levels of triglycerides (TG), cholesterol (Chol), high-density lipoprotein–cholesterol (HDL-c), and low-density lipoprotein–cholesterol (LDL-c), as well as the level of the ARE activity of PON1 in the sera of patients were measured at the time of infection and one and three months after hospitalization. There was a significant relationship between the G allele and the severity of the disease. In addition, the probability of death in homozygous individuals (GG) was higher than in heterozygous patients (GA), and it was higher in heterozygous patients than in wild-type individuals (AA). There was also a significant relationship between the decrease in serum lipids and the intensity of COVID-19. On the contrary, at the onset of the disease, the HDL-c level and serum ARE activity were reduced compared to one and three months after COVID-19 infection. The findings of this study indicated the significant impact of PON1 rs662 polymorphism on ARE activity, lipid profiles, disease severity, and mortality in COVID-19 patients.
An innovative decisive framework for optimized agri-automobile evaluation and HRM pattern recognition via possibility fuzzy hypersoft setting
Authors: Rahman Atiqe Ur , Saeed Muhammad , Garg Harish
Published: October 2022

In multi-attribute decision-making system, decision-makers have to face two kinds of situations: (i) the opted parameters are likely to be classified into their respective parametric-valued sub-collections and (ii) the acceptance degree for approximate opinions of decision-makers is required to be assessed by possibility setting. The literature related to fuzzy soft sets is unable to provide any model which can tackle such situations collectively. Therefore, this study aims to address this scarcity through the development of a novel structure, that is, possibility fuzzy hypersoft set ([Formula: see text]-set). Firstly, the algebraic properties and set-theoretic operations of [Formula: see text]-set are characterized by mathematical illustration. Secondly, two algorithms based on AND and OR-operations of [Formula: see text]-set are proposed and authenticated through application in multi-attribute decision-making real-world problems for the evaluation of agri-automobile and then their suitability is judged through vivid comparison. Thirdly, similarity measures between [Formula: see text]-sets are formulated and validated with the help of application in recruitment-based pattern recognition and its significance is assessed through comparison with most relevant models. Lastly, the advantageous aspects of the proposed structure are analyzed by its comparison with possibility fuzzy soft set-like models by observing some important evaluating features.
Real-world evidence of subcutaneous treprostinil use in pulmonary arterial hypertension in Argentina
Authors: Lescano Adrián , Giacommi Guillermo , Botta Cristian E. , Soricetti Julieta , Rodriguez Manuel , Vargas Mielles Paul , Diez Fabián
Published: October 2022

Introduction:

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a progressive haemodynamic disease with high morbidity and mortality. Of the different treatments available, the prostacyclin analogues are the drugs of choice for high-risk patients, with treprostinil being the most commonly used drug in Argentina.

Methodology:

The objective of this study is to perform a retrospective evaluation of the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous treprostinil in regular clinical practice in Argentina in 51 patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension after 12 months of follow-up.

Results:

The results showed that treatment with subcutaneous treprostinil is associated with a significant improvement in different clinical efficacy parameters: 65% reduction in advanced functional class ( p < 0.0001), 130-m increase in the 6-min walk test ( p < 0.0001), 65% reduction in the pro B-type natriuretic peptide value (–531 pg/dL; p < 0.0001), significant reduction of 15.7% in pulmonary vascular resistance [–1.3 wood units (WU); p < 0.0001], improved cardiac index with an increase of 16.7% (+0.4 L/min/m2; p = 0.002), as well as a high survival rate (92%) and a 44% incidence of combined events (mortality, heart failure, syncope and/or lung transplantation), without a significant increase in previously reported adverse events. The risk stratification evaluation according to ESC/ERS guidelines showed a significant decrease in the proportion of patients at high risk after the treatment period ( p = 0.004).

Conclusions:

These real-world results corroborate the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous treprostinil, even at high doses, and open up the possibility of improving its current use in clinical practice as a first-line therapy, especially in high-risk patient profiles.
Circulating tumour DNA biomarkers in savolitinib-treated patients with non-small cell lung cancer harbouring MET exon 14 skipping alterations: a post hoc analysis of a pivotal phase 2 study
Authors: Yu Yongfeng , Ren Yongxin , Fang Jian , Cao Lejie , Liang Zongan , Guo Qisen , Han Sen , Ji Zimei , Wang Ye , Sun Yulan , Chen Yuan , Li Xingya , Xu Hua , Zhou Jianying , Jiang Liyan , Cheng Ying , Han Zhigang , Shi Jianhua , Chen Gongyan , Ma Rui , Fan Yun , Sun Sanyuan , Jiao Longxian , Jia Xiaoyun , Wang Linfang , Lu Puhan , Xu Qian , Luo Xian , Su Weiguo , Lu Shun
Published: October 2022

Background:

Savolitinib, a selective MET inhibitor, showed efficacy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), including pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma (PSC), harbouring MET exon 14 skipping alteration ( METex14).

Objective:

To analyse post hoc, the association between circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) biomarkers and clinical outcomes, including resistance, with savolitinib.

Design:

A multicentre, single-arm, open-label phase 2 study.

Methods:

All enrolled patients with baseline plasma samples were included. Outcomes were objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) by baseline METex14 and post-treatment clearance, coexisting gene alterations at baseline and disease progression.

Results:

Among 66 patients with baseline ctDNA sequencing, 46 (70%) had detectable METex14. Frequent coexisting baseline gene alterations included TP53 and POT1 mutations. Patients with detectable baseline METex14 exhibited worse PFS [hazard ratio (HR), 1.77; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.88–3.57; p = 0.108] and OS (HR, 3.26; 95% CI, 1.35–7.89; p = 0.006) than those without, despite showing a numerically higher ORR. Among 24 patients with baseline detectable METex14 and evaluable postbaseline samples, 13 achieved METex14 clearance post-treatment. Median time to first clearance was 1.3 months (range, 0.7–1.5). METex14 post-treatment clearance was associated with better ORR (92.3%; 95% CI, 64.0–99.8 versus 36.4%; 95% CI, 10.9–69.2; p = 0.0078), PFS (HR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.2–1.3; p = 0.1225) and OS (HR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.1–1.0; p = 0.0397) versus non-clearance. Among 22 patients with disease progression, 10 acquired pathway alterations (e.g. in RAS/RAF and PI3K/PTEN) alone or with secondary MET mutations (D1228H/N and Y1230C/H/S).

Conclusion:

ctDNA biomarkers may allow for longitudinal monitoring of clinical outcomes with savolitinib in patients with METex14-positive PSC and other NSCLC subtypes. Specifically, undetectable baseline METex14 or post-treatment clearance may predict favourable clinical outcomes, while secondary MET mutations and other acquired gene alterations may explain resistance to savolitinib.

Registration:

The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02897479) on 13 September 2016.
Association between Common Variants in VEGFA Gene and the Susceptibility of Primary Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Saetan Natthaphon , Honsawek Sittisak , Tanavalee Aree , Ngarmukos Srihatach , Yuktanandana Pongsak , Poovorawan Yong
Published: October 2022

Objectives

This study aimed to analyze the relationship between vascular endothelial growth factor A ( VEGFA) gene polymorphisms, plasma VEGFA, and the susceptibility of knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Design

A total of 404 subjects, 202 knee OA subjects and 202 healthy volunteers, were enrolled into the study. Four distinct polymorphisms of the VEGFA gene were evaluated using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism: −2578C/A (rs699947), −1154G/A (rs1570360), −634C/G (rs2010963), and +936C/T (rs3025039). Plasma VEGFA levels were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

The most common nucleotides in both knee OA subjects and healthy controls were CC for −2578C/A, GG for −1154G/A, CG for −634C/G, and CC for +936C/T in the VEGFA gene. Genotype distribution and allele frequencies of VEGFA −2578C/A, −1154G/A, −634C/G, and +936C/T single nucleotide polymorphisms did not differ between OA patients and the controls. Plasma VEGFA levels showed no difference between OA patients and the controls. In contrast, plasma VEGFA levels of −634C/C genotype were significantly higher in OA patients than in the controls ( P = 0.035). According to the −2578A/A genotype, patients with early stage OA had a higher odds ratio than those with advanced stage OA ( P = 0.023).

Conclusions

VEGFA −2578C/A (rs699947), −1154G/A (rs1570360), −634C/G (rs2010963), and +936C/T (rs3025039) polymorphisms may not be responsible for OA susceptibility in the Thai population. However, the OA patients with A/A genotype at the −2578C/A seemed to have a lower potential risk of developing severe OA than those with the C/A and C/C genotypes. These findings would help elucidate and facilitate a better understanding of the genetic fundamentals of OA.
Noncanonical β-catenin interactions promote leukemia-initiating activity in early T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Panelli Patrizio , De Santis Elisabetta , Colucci Mattia , Tamiro Francesco , Sansico Francesca , Miroballo Mattia , Murgo Emanuele , Padovano Costanzo , Gusscott Sam , Ciavarella Michele , Chavez Elizabeth A. , Bianchi Fabrizio , Rossi Giovanni , Carella Angelo M. , Steidl Christian , Weng Andrew P. , Giambra Vincenzo
Published: October 2022

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a T-cell malignancy characterized by cell subsets and enriched with leukemia-initiating cells (LICs). β-Catenin modulates LIC activity in T-ALL. However, its role in maintaining established leukemia stem cells remains largely unknown. To identify functionally relevant protein interactions of β-catenin in T-ALL, we performed coimmunoprecipitation followed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Here, we report that a noncanonical functional interaction of β-catenin with the Forkhead box O3 (FOXO3) transcription factor positively regulates LIC-related genes, including the cyclin-dependent kinase 4, which is a crucial modulator of cell cycle and tumor maintenance. We also confirm the relevance of these findings using stably integrated fluorescent reporters of β-catenin and FOXO3 activity in patient-derived xenografts, which identify minor subpopulations with enriched LIC activity. In addition, gene expression data at the single-cell level of leukemic cells of primary patients at the time of diagnosis and minimal residual disease (MRD) up to 30 days after the standard treatments reveal that the expression of β-catenin– and FOXO3-dependent genes is present in the CD82+CD117+ cell fraction, which is substantially enriched with LICs in MRD as well as in early T-cell precursor ALL. These findings highlight key functional roles for β-catenin and FOXO3 and suggest novel therapeutic strategies to eradicate aggressive cell subsets in T-ALL.
Simultaneous Enhancement of iron Deficiency Tolerance and Iron Accumulation in Rice by Combining the Knockdown of OsHRZ Ubiquitin Ligases with the Introduction of Engineered Ferric-chelate Reductase
Authors: Kobayashi Takanori , Maeda Keisuke , Suzuki Yutaro , Nishizawa Naoko K.
Published: October 2022

Iron is an essential micronutrient for living organisms, but its solubility is extremely low under alkaline conditions. Plants often suffer from iron deficiency chlorosis in calcareous soils, which consist of approximately 30% of the world’s cultivated area, severely limiting plant productivity. Iron deficiency anemia is also a widespread problem in humans, especially in Asian and African people who take up iron mainly from staple foods containing low iron concentrations. Transgenic manipulation of genes involved in plant iron uptake, translocation, and storage has made improvements in enhancing iron deficiency tolerance or iron accumulation in edible parts, but these two properties have been characterized separately. We previously produced transgenic rice lines, with concomitant improvement of iron deficiency tolerance and grain iron accumulation by knocking-down OsHRZ ubiquitin ligases, which negatively regulate iron deficiency response and iron accumulation in rice. In the present report, we aimed to further improve the iron deficiency tolerance and grain iron accumulation of OsHRZ knockdown rice by the simultaneous introduction of the engineered ferric-chelate reductase gene Refre1/372 under the control of the OsIRT1 promoter for further enhancement of iron uptake. We obtained several transgenic rice lines with repressed OsHRZ expression and induced Refre1/372 expression. These lines showed a variable degree of iron deficiency tolerance in calcareous soils, with increased iron accumulation in brown seeds under both iron-deficient and iron-sufficient soil cultures. Selected OsHRZ knockdown plus Refre1/372 lines showed similar or better growth compared with that of singly introduced OsHRZ knockdown or Refre1/372 lines in calcareous soils under both non-submerged and submerged conditions. After submerged calcareous soil cultivation, these OsHRZ knockdown plus Refre1/372 lines accumulated 2.5–4.3 times and 17–23 times more iron concentrations than that of non-transformants in brown rice and straw, respectively, which was comparable or superior to a single OsHRZ knockdown line. Our results indicate that the combined introduction of OsHRZ knockdown and OsIRT1 promoter-Refre1/372 is highly effective in further improving the iron deficiency tolerance without compromising the iron accumulation of the OsHRZ knockdown effects.
Densest subgraph-based methods for protein-protein interaction hot spot prediction
Authors: Li Ruiming , Lee Jung-Yu , Yang Jinn-Moon , Akutsu Tatsuya
Published: October 2022

Background

Hot spots play an important role in protein binding analysis. The residue interaction network is a key point in hot spot prediction, and several graph theory-based methods have been proposed to detect hot spots. Although the existing methods can yield some interesting residues by network analysis, low recall has limited their abilities in finding more potential hot spots.

Result

In this study, we develop three graph theory-based methods to predict hot spots from only a single residue interaction network. We detect the important residues by finding subgraphs with high densities, i.e., high average degrees. Generally, a high degree implies a high binding possibility between protein chains, and thus a subgraph with high density usually relates to binding sites that have a high rate of hot spots. By evaluating the results on 67 complexes from the SKEMPI database, our methods clearly outperform existing graph theory-based methods on recall and F-score. In particular, our main method, Min-SDS, has an average recall of over 0.665 and an f2-score of over 0.364, while the recall and f2-score of the existing methods are less than 0.400 and 0.224, respectively.

Conclusion

The Min-SDS method performs best among all tested methods on the hot spot prediction problem, and all three of our methods provide useful approaches for analyzing bionetworks. In addition, the densest subgraph-based methods predict hot spots with only one residue interaction network, which is constructed from spatial atomic coordinate data to mitigate the shortage of data from wet-lab experiments.