bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A putative E3 ubiquitin ligase substrate receptor degrades transcription factor SmNAC to enhance bacterial wilt resistance in eggplant
Authors: Yan Shuangshuang , Wang Yixi , Yu Bingwei , Gan Yuwei , Lei Jianjun , Chen Changming , Zhu Zhangsheng , Qiu Zhengkun , Cao Bihao
Published: November 2023

Bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is a severe soil-borne disease globally, limiting the production in Solanaceae plants. SmNAC negatively regulated eggplant resistance to Bacterial wilt (BW) though restraining salicylic acid (SA) biosynthesis. However, other mechanisms through which SmNAC regulates BW resistance remain unknown. Here, we identified an interaction factor, SmDDA1b, encoding a substrate receptor for E3 ubiquitin ligase, from the eggplant cDNA library using SmNAC as bait. SmDDA1b expression was promoted by R. solanacearum inoculation and exogenous SA treatment. The virus-induced gene silencing of the SmDDA1b suppressed the BW resistance of eggplants; SmDDA1b overexpression enhanced the BW resistance of tomato plants. SmDDA1b positively regulates BW resistance by inhibiting the spread of R. solanacearum within plants. The SA content and the SA biosynthesis gene ICS1 and signaling pathway genes decreased in the SmDDA1b-silenced plants but increased in SmDDA1b-overexpression plants. Moreover, SmDDB1 protein showed interaction with SmCUL4 and SmDDA1b and protein degradation experiments indicated that SmDDA1b reduced SmNAC protein levels through proteasome degradation. Furthermore, SmNAC could directly bind the SmDDA1b promoter and repress its transcription. Thus, SmDDA1b is a novel regulator functioning in BW resistance of solanaceous crops via the SmNAC-mediated SA pathway. Those results also revealed a negative feedback loop between SmDDA1b and SmNAC controlling BW resistance.
Neutrophil Virucidal Activity Against SARS-CoV-2 Is Mediated by Neutrophil Extracellular Traps
Authors: dos Ramos Almeida Cícero José Luíz , Veras Flávio Protásio , Paiva Isadora Marques , Schneider Ayda Henriques , da Costa Silva Juliana , Gomes Giovanni Freitas , Costa Victor Ferreira , Silva Bruna Manuella Souza , Caetite Diego Brito , Silva Camila Meirelles Souza , Salina Ana Caroline Guerta , Martins Ronaldo , Bonilha Caio Santos , Cunha Larissa Dias , Jamur Maria Célia , da Silva Luís Lamberti Pinto , Arruda Eurico , Zamboni Dario Simões , Louzada-Junior Paulo , de Oliveira Renê Donizeti Ribeiro , Alves-Filho José Carlos , Cunha Thiago Mattar , de Queiroz Cunha Fernando
Published: November 2023

Background

Inflammation in the lungs and other vital organs in COVID-19 is characterized by the presence of neutrophils and a high concentration of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which seems to mediate host tissue damage. However, it is not known whether NETs could have virucidal activity against SARS-CoV-2.

Methods

We investigated whether NETs could prevent SARS-CoV-2 replication in neutrophils and epithelial cells and what the consequence of NETs degradation would be in K18-humanized ACE2 transgenic mice infected with SARS-CoV-2.

Results

Here, by immunofluorescence microscopy, we observed that viral particles colocalize with NETs in neutrophils isolated from patients with COVID-19 or healthy individuals and infected in vitro. The inhibition of NETs production increased virus replication in neutrophils. In parallel, we observed that NETs inhibited virus abilities to infect and replicate in epithelial cells after 24 hours of infection. Degradation of NETs with DNase I prevented their virucidal effect in vitro. Using K18-humanized ACE2 transgenic mice, we observed a higher viral load in animals treated with DNase I. However, the virucidal effect of NETs was not dependent on neutrophil elastase or myeloperoxidase activity.

Conclusions

Our results provide evidence of the role of NETosis as a mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 viral capture and inhibition.
A multilevel analysis of social determinants of skilled birth attendant utilisation among married and cohabiting women of Madagascar
Authors: Armah-Ansah Ebenezer Kwesi , Bawa Benedicta , Dindas John , Budu Eugene , Ahinkorah Bright Opoku , Ameyaw Edward Kwabena
Published: November 2023

Background

Maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in Madagascar is 392 deaths per 100 000 live births, and this is a major public health concern. One of the strategies for reducing MMR and achieving target 3.1 of the Sustainable Development Goals (i.e. reducing the global MMR below 70 per 100 000 live births) is the utilisation of skilled birth attendants (SBAs). This analysis examined the prevalence and social determinants of SBA utilisation among married and cohabiting women of Madagascar.

Methods

Data from the 2021 Madagascar Demographic and Health Surveys was analysed on a weighted sample of 6997 married and cohabiting women. A multilevel regression was carried out to determine the social determinants of utilising SBAs. The results are presented as odds ratios (ORs) associated with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and a p-value <0.05 to determine the significant associations.

Results

The prevalence of SBAs among married and cohabiting women of Madagascar was 64.4% (95% CI 0.62 to 0.68). In model 3 of the multilevel regression, women 35–39 y of age (adjusted OR [aOR] 1.86 [95% CI 1.30 to 2.60]), women with secondary/higher education (aOR 1.67 [95% CI 1.32 to 2.10]), women whose partners had secondary/higher education (aOR 1.58 [95% CI 1.25 to 1.99]), cohabiting women (aOR 1.33 [95% CI 1.07 to 1.65]), women who had four or more antenatal care visits (aOR  2.05 [95% CI 1.79 to 2.35]), female household head (aOR 1.44 [95% CI 1.06 to 1.95]), Muslims (aOR 1.58 [95% CI 0.71 to 3.53]), those of the richest wealth index (aOR 4.32 [95% CI 2.93 to 6.36]) and women who lived in communities with high literacy levels (aOR 2.17 [95% CI 1.57 to 3.00]) had higher odds of utilisation of SBA.

Conclusion

This current analysis revealed low SBA utilisation among married and cohabiting women in Madagascar. The analysis points to the fact that understaffing and inaccessibility of health facilities remain major contributors to the low utilisation of SBAs. The findings call on the government and stakeholders in Madagascar to consider implementing programs that will empower women and focus on disadvantaged groups. These programs could include providing free maternal healthcare services to all pregnant women and intensifying health education programs that target women and their partners with no formal education.
Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia Associated with COVID-19 Infection in a Patient with High Cardio-metabolic Risk
Authors: Osyodlo Galyna V , Husieva Svitlana A , Svicharova Svitlana V , Savichan Kyrylo V
Published: November 2023

The article analyses data on the occurrence of hematological abnormalities in severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 infection. Among these hematological abnormalities, the majority of patients develop a hypercoagulable state associated with thromboembolic complications and poor prognosis. Approximately one-third of patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 infection are diagnosed with mild to severe thrombocytopenia. Another hematological autoimmune disease observed in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 is autoimmune hemolytic anemia. A clinical case with the development of autoimmune hemolytic anemia in the setting of coronavirus infection was described. The diagnosis was based on the presence of anemia, reticulocytosis, a significant decrease in haptoglobin levels, and a positive antiglobulin test (Coombs test). Given the comorbidity, the risks of adverse effects of severe coronavirus disease were high, despite this, it was possible to achieve clinical and hematological remission of autoimmune hemolytic anemia by prescribing pathogenetic therapy with anti-CD-20 monoclonal antibody (rituximab), recombinant erythropoietin and glucocorticoid hormones. This clinical case demonstrates the possibility of successful treatment of patients with severe hemolytic anemia. Special attention should be paid to the discrepancy between the severity of the condition and objective data. This case demonstrates the need for a more in-depth approach to each patient with anemia associated with coronavirus disease infection, namely, in the presence of anemic syndrome, it is imperative to include a full range of laboratory tests.
Seasonal Association With Hypothermia in Combat Trauma
Authors: Eisenhauer Ian , April Michael D , Rizzo Julie A , Fisher Andrew D , Maddry Joseph K , Bebarta Vikhyat S , Schauer Steven G
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Hypothermia increases mortality in trauma populations and frequently occurs in military casualties due to the nature of combat environments. The association between hypothermia and the time of year when injured remains unclear. We sought to determine the association between seasonal changes in temperature and hypothermia among combat casualties.

Materials and Methods

This observational study was a secondary analysis of a previously described Department of Defense Trauma Registry dataset which included U.S. military and Coalition casualties who received prehospital care from January 2007 to March 2020 in Afghanistan and Iraq. We tested for associations between hypothermia (<36.2°C) and seasonal ambient temperatures by constructing multivariable logistic regression models. Summer was defined as June through August and winter as December through February. We assumed that the combat operations occurred in the area near the point of first contact with the deployed military treatment facilities. This study was determined to be exempt from Institutional Review Board oversight.

Results

There were 5,821 that met inclusion for this study. Within the multivariable logistic regression model, we adjusted for injury severity score, mechanism of injury, and imputed transport time, finding that combat casualties were 2.28 (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval 1.93-2.69) times more likely to develop hypothermia in the winter versus summer. When using temperature as a continuous outcome, casualties had a lower emergency department temperature during the winter (parameter estimate −0.133°C, P < 0.001) after adjusting for confounders. In casualties experiencing hypothermia, mortality was higher (4% versus 1%, P < 0.001), and composite median injury severity score values were higher (10 versus 5, P < 0.001). Among hypothermic casualties, serious injuries were significantly more common (all P < 0.001) to the head (15% versus 7%), thorax (15% versus 7%), abdomen (9% versus 6%), extremities (35% versus 22%), and skin (4% versus 2%).

Conclusions

We found a seasonal variation in the occurrence of hypothermia in a large cohort of trauma casualties. Despite adjustment for multiple known confounders, our findings substantiate probable ambient temperature variations to trauma-induced hypothermia. Furthermore, our findings, when taken in the context of other studies on the efficacy of current hypothermia prevention and treatment strategies, support the need for better methods to mitigate hypothermia in future cold-weather operations.
An improved method to measure 12C/13C and 14N/15N abundance ratios: revisiting CN isotopologues in the Galactic outer disc
Authors: Sun Yichen , Zhang Zhi-Yu , Wang Junzhi , Lin Lingrui , Papadopoulos Padelis P , Romano Donatella , Feng Siyi , Sun Yan , Zhang Bo , Matteucci Francesca
Published: November 2023

The variations of elemental abundance and their ratios along the Galactocentric radius result from the chemical evolution of the Milky Way discs. The $\rm ^{12}C/^{13}C$ ratio in particular is often used as a proxy to determine other isotopic ratios, such as $\rm ^{16}O/^{18}O$ and $\rm ^{14}N/^{15}N$. Measurements of $\rm ^{12}CN$ and $\rm ^{13}CN$ (or $\rm C^{15}N$) – with their optical depths corrected via their hyper-fine structure lines – have traditionally been exploited to constrain the Galactocentric gradients of the CNO isotopic ratios. Such methods typically make several simplifying assumptions (e.g. a filling factor of unity, the Rayleigh–Jeans approximation, and the neglect of the cosmic microwave background) while adopting a single average gas phase. However, these simplifications introduce significant biases to the measured $\rm ^{12}C/^{13}C$ and $\rm ^{14}N/^{15}N$. We demonstrate that exploiting the optically thin satellite lines of 12CN constitutes a more reliable new method to derive $\rm ^{12}C/^{13}C$ and $\rm ^{14}N/^{15}N$ from CN isotopologues. We apply this satellite-line method to new IRAM 30-m observations of 12CN, 13CN, and C15N N = 1 → 0 towards 15 metal-poor molecular clouds in the Galactic outer disc (Rgc > 12 kpc), supplemented by data from the literature. After updating their Galactocentric distances, we find that $\rm ^{12}C/^{13}C$ and $\rm ^{14}N/^{15}N$ gradients are in good agreement with those derived using independent optically thin molecular tracers, even in regions with the lowest metallicities. We therefore recommend using optically thin tracers for Galactic and extragalactic CNO isotopic measurements, which avoids the biases associated with the traditional method.
Probing star formation in five of the most massive spiral galaxies observed through ASTROSAT UltraViolet Imaging Telescope
Authors: Ray Shankar , Dhiwar Suraj , Bagchi Joydeep , Pandge M B
Published: November 2023

We present highly resolved and sensitive imaging of the five nearby massive spiral galaxies (with rotation velocities $\rm \gt 300\, km\, s^{-1}$) observed by the UltraViolet Imaging Telescope onboard India’s multiwavelength astronomy satellite ASTROSAT, along with other archival observations. These massive spirals show a far-ultraviolet star formation rate in the range of ∼ 1.4 – 13.7 ${\rm M}_{\odot } \, \mathrm{yr}^{-1}$ and fall in the ‘Green Valley’ region with a specific star formation rate within ∼ 10−11.5 – 10−10.5 yr−1. Moreover, the mean star formation rate density of the highly resolved star-forming clumps of these objects is in the range 0.011 – 0.098 ${\rm M}_{\odot }\, \mathrm{ yr}^{-1}\, \mathrm{kpc}^{-2}$, signifying localized star formation. From the spectral energy distributions, under the assumption of a delayed star formation model, we show that the star formation of these objects had peaked in the period of ∼ 0.8 – 2.8 Gyr after the ‘Big Bang’ and the object that has experienced the peak sooner after the ‘Big Bang’ show relatively less star-forming activity at z ∼ 0 and falls below the main-sequence relation for a stellar content of $\rm \gtrsim 10^{11} \, {\rm M}_{\odot }$. We also show that these objects accumulated much of their stellar mass in the early period of evolution with ∼ 31 – 42 per cent of the total stellar mass obtained in a time of (1/16) – (1/5)th the age of the Universe. We estimate that these massive objects convert their halo baryons into stars with efficiencies falling between ∼ 7 and 31 per cent.
EMBL’s European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) in 2023
Authors: Thakur Matthew , Buniello Annalisa , Brooksbank Catherine , Gurwitz Kim T , Hall Matthew , Hartley Matthew , Hulcoop David G , Leach Andrew R , Marques Diana , Martin Maria , Mithani Aziz , McDonagh Ellen M , Mutasa-Gottgens Euphemia , Ochoa David , Perez-Riverol Yasset , Stephenson James , Varadi Mihaly , Velankar Sameer , Vizcaino Juan Antonio , Witham Rick , McEntyre Johanna
Published: November 2023

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory's European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) is one of the world's leading sources of public biomolecular data. Based at the Wellcome Genome Campus in Hinxton, UK, EMBL-EBI is one of six sites of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Europe's only intergovernmental life sciences organisation. This overview summarises the latest developments in the services provided by EMBL-EBI data resources to scientific communities globally. These developments aim to ensure EMBL-EBI resources meet the current and future needs of these scientific communities, accelerating the impact of open biological data for all.
Occupational asthma induced by fish exposure
Authors: Añibarro B , Feijoo L , de las Cuevas N , Seoane F J
Published: November 2023

Occupational asthma triggered by inhaling fish-derived aerosols is estimated to affect 2–8% of exposed individuals. This primarily affects workers in the fish processing industry. Fishmongers, rarely experience this issue, as recent research found no significant difference in asthma rates compared to a control group.

We report the case of a fishmonger who presented with a 1-year history of rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma. The patient attributed these symptoms to his occupational exposure within the fish market environment, which worsened in the cold storage warehouse.

Symptoms improved during holidays. Diagnosis involved skin-prick tests, sIgE (ImmunoCAP-specific IgE) measurements, and bronchial challenge tests, confirming occupational asthma from fish bioaerosol exposure. Parvalbumins, common fish proteins, share structural similarities, leading to cross-reactivity in fish allergy sufferers. In this case, sensitivity to rGad c1 (cod parvalbumin) was identified as the primary trigger for the patient’s asthma, and responsible for sensitizations observed across various tested fish species.
Haemostatic Support in Postpartum Haemorrhage: A Review of the Literature and Expert Opinion
Authors: Hofer S. , Blaha J. , Collins P.W. , Ducloy-Bouthors A.S. , Guasch E. , Labate F. , Lança F. , Nyfløt L.T. , Steiner K. , Van de Velde M.
Published: November 2023

(Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2023;40:29–38)

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) remains a significant issue for maternal health in both low- and high-income countries, with 25% of maternal deaths worldwide attributed to PPH as the leading cause of death related to pregnancy. Beyond maternal mortality, serious morbidity related to PPH can include coagulopathy, anemia, need for blood transfusion, Sheehan’s syndrome, psychological trauma, and renal impairment. Current management strategies are effective in preventing PPH and maternal death, but there is a lack of consensus on the definition of PPH and the most favorable treatment pathway for achieving hemostasis. Herein a clinically relevant definition of PPH is proposed along with practical guidance to increase the likelihood of positive outcomes through efficient and goal-directed therapy.
Association Between History of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes and Coronary Artery Disease Assessed by Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography
Authors: Sederholm Lawesson S. , Swahn E. , Pihlsgård M. , Andersson T. , Angerås O. , Bacsovics Brolin E. , Bergdahl E. , Blomberg M. , Christersson C. , Gonçalves I. , Gunnarsson O.S. , Jernberg T. , Johnston N. , Leander K. , Lilliecreutz C. , Pehrson M. , Rosengren A. , Sandström A. , Sandström A. , Sarno G. , Själander S. , Svanvik T. , Thunström E. , Wikström A.K. , Timpka S.
Published: November 2023

(JAMA. 2023;329:393–404)

Some lifestyle and genetic risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD) are common between women and men, but others affect only women, such as preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, preterm delivery, and other adverse pregnancy complications and outcomes. Each of these has been linked to an increased risk in CAD, which has long been a leading cause of death. Risk factors for CAD associated with pregnancy outcomes are often overlooked because they tend to occur in younger women who may have otherwise good cardiovascular health. One method used to analyze and diagnose risks related to CAD is coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography; it is a noninvasive technique used to visualize the coronary arteries and screen for occlusion or other markers of subclinical CAD. Previous research has been unclear about the effect of cardiovascular complications during pregnancy on overall later cardiovascular health. This study aimed to understand associations between subclinical CAD as examined by coronary CT angiography and a history of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Effects of Race and Ethnicity on Perinatal Outcomes in High-income and Upper-middle-income Countries: An Individual Participant Data Meta-analysis of 2,198,655 Pregnancies
Authors: Sheikh J. , Allotey J. , Kew T. , Fernández-Félix B.M. , Zamora J. , Khalil A. , Thangaratinam S. ,   IPPIC Collaborative Network
Published: November 2023

(Lancet. 2022;400:2049–2062)

Health disparities and inequalities for pregnant patients effect short-term and long-term outcomes, potentially for generations. Existing studies on the effects of race and ethnicity for parturients have been country specific. This study aimed to investigate the effects of health disparities and inequalities globally from under-represented and underserved ethnic and racial groups, especially those in high- and upper-middle-income countries, and to determine how disparities vary geographically.
Computerized Cardiotocography Analysis During Labor - A State-of-the-Art Review
Authors: Ben M'Barek I. , Jauvion G. , Ceccaldi P.F.
Published: November 2023

(Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2023;102:130–137)

Cardiotocography (CTG) is commonly used to screen for fetal wellbeing during pregnancy by recording fetal heart rate (FHR) and uterine contractions. CTG is also used during delivery to detect and manage fetal hypoxia. Since its introduction in the 1960s, CTG signal interpretation by providers continues to have significant intraobserver and interobserver variability, and CTG monitoring benefits are questioned compared to simpler methods. Now, computer-aided systems automatically process the CTG signals. This review analyzes computerized CTG, particularly recently published research using approaches taken by machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) in recent years.
Factors Associated With a Maternal Lower-limb Neurological Deficit After Vaginal Delivery
Authors: Tournier A. , Doremieux A.C. , Drumez E. , Labreuche J. , Cassim F. , Gonzales M. , Garabedian C. , Subtil D.
Published: November 2023

(Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2023;102:51–58)

Women experience lower-limb neurological deficit following vaginal delivery at a rate of 0.1% to 2%. The manifestation varies between transient with resolution within weeks to significant discomfort and prolonged disability. To better understand risk factors that contribute to this occurrence, maternal characteristics were assessed including neurological history, maternal obesity, nulliparity, gestational age >41 weeks, labor positions, prolonged labor duration, large newborn weight, instrumental delivery, epidural analgesia, and cephalopelvic disproportion. Better understanding of the mechanism of this injury may allow for prevention.
Impact of Simulation Training on the Management of Shoulder Dystocia and Incidence of Permanent Brachial Plexus Birth Injury: An Observational Study
Authors: Kaijomaa M. , Gissler M. , Äyräs O. , Sten A. , Grahn P.
Published: November 2023

(BJOG. 2023;130:70–77)

During complicated deliveries, brachial plexus birth injury (BPBI) is likely to occur. BPBI is caused by traction to the cervical and thoracic nerve roots. Shoulder dystocia (SD) is the greatest risk factor for permanent BPBI. Simulation-based training has been suggested to prepare healthcare professionals for deliveries involving BPBI and SD, but the outcomes and results of this training are inconsistent and uncommon.
Effect of Intrapartum Azithromycin Versus Placebo on Neonatal Sepsis and Death: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Roca A. , Camara B. , Bognini J.D. , Nakakana U.N. , Somé A.M. , Beloum N. , Rouamba T. , Sillah F. , Danso M. , Jones J.C. , Graves S. , Jagne I. , Getanda P. , Darboe S. , Tahita M.C. , Ndure E. , Franck H.S. , Edmond S.Y. , Dondeh B.L. , Nassa W.G.J. , Garba Z. , Bojang A. , Njie Y. , Bottomley C. , Tinto H. , D'Alessandro U. ,   PregnAnZI-2 Working Group
Published: November 2023

(JAMA. 2023;329:716–724)

Approximately 40% of childhood deaths occur during the first 28 days following birth. A major cause of these deaths is sepsis. Azithromycin has been introduced as a possible solution to reduce the number of deaths occurring in infants. This study aimed to assess the use of oral azithromycin doses given to mothers during labor to reduce neonatal sepsis following delivery.
Long-term Childhood Outcomes for Babies Born at Term Who were Exposed to Antenatal Corticosteroids
Authors: Osteen S.J. , Yang Z. , McKinzie A.H. , Teal E. , Tepper R.S. , Rhoads E. , Quinney S.K. , Haneline L.S. , Haas D.M.
Published: November 2023

(Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2023;228:80)

Antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) are recommended for mothers at risk for preterm delivery to reduce infant mortality and increase lung maturation. It is possible that ACS can decrease lung function for individuals later in life. This study aimed to compare the difference in lung function for individuals ages 5 and above whose mothers received ACS and those whose mothers did not.
The Delivery of Obstetric Anesthetic Care in UK Maternity Units: A Survey of Practice in 2021
Authors: Bamber J.H. , Lucas D.N. , Russell R.
Published: November 2023

(Int J Obstet Anesth. 2023;53:103618)

Anesthesiologists play an integral role in the care provided to patients in maternity units by administering peripartum anesthesia and analgesia and sharing the responsibility of safe care. Yet the efficacy of their role is dependent on the organization of anesthesia services and how they are resourced. As the information on how obstetric anesthetic resources are lacking in the United Kingdom, the aim of this survey was to determine current obstetric anesthesia service delivery and staffing resources in the United Kingdom to guide care teams and achieve key national recommendations and benchmarks.
Outpatient Treatment With Gabapentin in Women With Severe Acute Pain after Cesarean Delivery is Ineffective: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial
Authors: Fowler C. , Chu A.W. , Guo N. , Ansari J.R. , Shafer S.L. , Flood P.D.
Published: November 2023

(Anesth Analg. 2023;136:1122–1132)

Cesarean delivery (CD) is a common major surgery but frequently recoveries are uncomplicated. However, in some cases high pain levels during recovery last longer than expected, leading to continued postpartum opioid use. This circumstance is rare, but serious in those who experience it. One common method to reduce opioid use in this population is the prescription of gabapentin, though questions have been raised about its effectiveness. This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of gabapentin in stopping opioid use, reducing pain, and aiding in functional recovery for women who have continued pain after CD.
Improved outcomes of kidney after liver transplantation after the implementation of the safety net policy
Authors: Attieh Rose Mary , Ibrahim Ramez M. , Ghali Peter , Keaveny Andrew , Croome Kristopher , Hodge David , White Launia , Wadei Hani M.
Published: November 2023

The number of kidney after liver transplants (KALT) increased after the implementation of the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) safety net policy, but the effects of the policy on KALT outcomes remain unknown. Using the UNOS database, we identified KALT between 60 and 365 days from liver transplant from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2020. The main outcome was 1- and 3-year patient, liver, and kidney graft survival. Secondary outcomes included 6-month and 1-year acute rejection (AR) of liver and kidney, and 1-year kidney allograft function. Of the 256 KALT, 90 were pre-policy and 166 post-policy. Compared to pre-policy, post-policy 1- and 3-year liver graft survival was higher (54% and 54% vs. 86% and 81%, respectively, p<0.001), while 1- and 3-year kidney graft survival (99% and 75% vs. 92% and 79%, respectively, p=0.19), and 1- and 3-year patient survival (99% and 99% vs. 95% and 89%, respectively, p=0.11) were not significantly different. Subgroup analysis revealed similar trends in patients with and without renal failure at liver transplant. Liver AR at 6 months was lower post-policy (6.3% vs. 18.3%, p=0.006) but was similar (10.5% vs. 13%, p=0.63) at 1 year. Kidney AR was unchanged post-policy at 6 months and 1 year. Creatinine at 1 year did not differ post-policy versus pre-policy (1.4 vs. 1.3 mg/dL, p=0.07) despite a higher proportion of deceased donors, higher Kidney Donor Profile Index, and longer kidney cold ischemia time post-policy (p<0.05 for all). This 3-year follow-up after the 2017 UNOS policy revision demonstrated that the safety net implementation has resulted in improved liver outcomes for patients who underwent KALT with no increased AR of the liver or the kidney allografts.
Isaacs syndrome with LGI1 and CASPR2 antibodies after HPV vaccination: A case report
Authors: Yang Bufan , Wei Wei , Duan Jingfeng , Xiao Pei , Jing Yu , Tang Yufeng
Published: November 2023

Rationale:

Isaacs syndrome is peripheral nerve hyperexcitability characterized by spontaneous muscle twitching and rigidity and is often associated with antibodies to CASPR2 (contactin-associated protein-like 2) and LGI1 (leucine-rich glioma-inactivated 1). But it is a rare Isaacs syndrome with LGI1 and CASPR2 antibodies after human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination.

Patient concerns:

The patient presented with limb pain, muscle twitching, numbness in the extremities and around the mouth, and hand rash after the second dose of HPV vaccine.

Diagnoses:

Laboratory tests indicated positive for LGI1 antibodies, CASPR2 antibodies, anti-phosphatidylserine/prothrombin antibodies and anti-sulfatide antibodies, TPO and ATG, IgG E. The patient post-M-wave discharges were seen on F-wave examination of the posterior tibial nerve in both lower limbs. We diagnosis the patient with Isaacs syndrome.

Interventions:

Treatment with the intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment, after 5 days of IVIG therapy (0.4 mg/kg/day), the rash on the hand disappeared, the pain was relieved, the sleep improved.

Outcomes:

After 3 Courses of treatment, the clinical manifestations of the nervous system disappeared and negative responsibility antibodies profile.

Lessons:

This case report suggests a possible adverse reaction to HPV vaccination, which could be treated by attempting several periods of IVIG therapy. The underlying immune mechanisms need to be studied with further extensive data.
A bibliometric analysis of intra-articular injection therapy for knee osteoarthritis from 2012 to 2022
Authors: Lu Zhiyong , Xie Liangyu , Liu Wenbo , Li Ziteng , Chen Yuanzhen , Yu Gongchang , Shi Bin
Published: November 2023

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is the most common joint disease worldwide and, with the progression of an aging population, is one of the most important causes of disability worldwide. Its main symptoms include articular cartilage damage, periarticular pain, swelling, and stiffness. Intra-articular (IA) injections offer many advantages over systemic administration and surgical treatment, including direct action on the target joint to improve local bioavailability, reduce systemic toxicity, and lower costs. This study analyzed KOA intra-articular injection treatment and its hot literature and research horizons using bibliometric methodologies and graphical tools to aid future research. We performed a bibliometric analysis of 2360 publications in the Web of Science core collection using CiteSpace software. The United States (28.26% of publications) and China (18%) had the biggest publications. Rush University was the most active institution, but Boston University had the greatest citation/publication rate (65.77), suggesting a high literature standard. The majority of publications were in Osteoarthritis and cartilage. Bannuru RR was the most referenced author, while Filardo, Giuseppe was the most productive author. Studies in platelet-rich plasma (PRP), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and microsphere formulation are likely to be future research hotspots. The current scientometric study provides an overview of KOA intra-articular injection therapy studies from 2012 to 2022. This study outlines the current research hotspots and potential future research hotspots in the field of intra-articular injection treatment for KOA and may serve as a resource for researchers interested in this topic.
Investigating the Relationship Between COVID-19 and Celiac Disease. A Dual Research Approach
Authors: Tiberti Claudio , Bonamico Margherita , Nenna Raffaella , Petrarca Laura , Trovato Chiara Maria , Pietropaoli Nicoletta , Fassino Valeria , Midulla Fabio , Lenzi Andrea , Oliva Salvatore , Montuori Monica
Published: November 2023

Background:

Most evidence on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, has been obtained from web- or telephone-based surveys. In particular, few laboratory data, often incomplete, have been reported on the frequency of COVID-19-related serology at celiac disease (CD) diagnosis or on the effects of COVID-19 on the development of CD-specific autoimmunity.

Objectives:

The objective of this retrospective cross-sectional case/control study was to: (1) evaluate the frequency of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies in 78 children and adolescents at CD diagnosis (CD, 44 females, median age 7.4 years); (2) evaluate the frequency of IgA-anti-transglutaminase antibodies (IgA-tTGAbs) in 97 nonceliac patients (50 females, median age 9.0 years) who contracted SARS-CoV-2 infection during the pandemic (February–April 2021). As a control (CTRL) group, we analyzed 141 healthy subjects (79 females, median age 9.8 years) enrolled during the pandemic.

Methods:

SARS-CoV-2 IgM- and IgG-antibodies were detected by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassays. IgA-tTGAbs were detected by a fluid-phase radioimmunoassay.

Results:

Six out of 78 (7.7%) CD patients tested positive for SARS-CoV-2Abs, with a frequency not significantly different from CTRL subjects (9.2%). None of the 97 nonceliac COVID-19 patients tested positive for IgA-tTG antibodies.

Conclusion:

These 2 distinct research approaches showed (1) similar frequencies of SARS-CoV-2 immunoreactivities in CD patients and CTRL subjects and, (2) no ability of SARS-CoV-2 to induce a CD-specific immune response, at least in the 3–4 months following SARS-CoV-2 infection.
A Rare Clinical Presentation With a Difficult Imaging Diagnosis of an Intra-articular Clear Cell Sarcoma of the Knee
Authors: Kawasaki Tomonori , Ichikawa Jiro , Imada Hiroki , Onohara Kojiro , Torigoe Tomoaki
Published: November 2023

Clear cell sarcoma, a highly aggressive cell sarcoma with melanotic differentiation, typically occurs in the tendon and aponeuroses of the lower extremities and rarely develops in the intra-articular region. Herein, we present an extremely rare case of clear cell sarcoma originating from the intra-articular knee and suspected as benign tumors due to the benign-looking findings on MRI and PET/CT. The image results in our case were completely consistent with a tenosynovial giant cell tumor, resulting in the misdiagnosis. For differential diagnosis, especially malignant melanoma, histopathology, including IHC and FISH, was indispensable.
Genotyping of Acinetobacter baumannii isolates from a tertiary care hospital in Cochin, South India
Authors: Rajan Vineeth , Vijayan Ardhra , Puthiyottu Methal Ambili , Lancy Justus , Sivaraman Gopalan Krishnan
Published: November 2023

Acinetobacter baumannii

poses a significant challenge in healthcare settings across the globe, with isolates exhibiting carbapenem resistance at unprecedented rates. Here, we characterized a collection of

A. baumannii

isolates (n=64) recovered during the period September 2020 – November 2021 at a teaching hospital in Cochin, South India. The species identity of the isolates was confirmed with bla
OXA-51-like PCR. The major carbapenemase determinants identified were bla
OXA-23-like (45, 70.3 %) and bla
NDM-1 (31, 48.4 %); co-occurrence of these genes was also observed in 27 (42.2 %) isolates. Other resistance genes identified included bla
PER (34, 53.1 %), aac(6')-Ib-cr (42, 65.6 %), qnrS (25, 39.1 %), sul1 (32, 50 %), sul2 (33, 51.6 %), strA/strB (36, 56.3 %), aphA1-Iab (35, 54.7 %) and tetB (32, 50 %). Mapping PCR revealed the insertion element, ISAbaI upstream of bla
OXA-23-like in all isolates possessing this gene. Concerning disinfectant resistance, all isolates carried the quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) resistance gene, qacEΔ1. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of benzalkonium chloride was high among the isolates and ranged from 8 to 128 µg ml−1. However, low MICs were observed for chlorhexidine and triclosan, with the majority (54, 80.6 %) of isolates showing an MIC of 2 µg ml−1 for chlorhexidine and all isolates exhibiting MICs of ≤0.125 µg ml−1 for triclosan. Further, all isolates were strong biofilm-producers, as assessed by the crystal violet-based microtitre plate assay. The ApaI-pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) revealed the multi-clonal nature of the isolates, with 16 clusters and 16 unique pulsotypes identified at a cut-off of 80 %. In short, this study provides useful data on the molecular features of

A. baumannii

from this region, which could be helpful to assess the local epidemiology of this pathogen and also to devise infection control strategies.
Antibiotic Utilisation Patterns in Tanzania: A Retrospective Longitudinal Study Comparing Pre- and Post-COVID-19 Pandemic Using Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority Data
Authors: Sangeda Raphael Z. , William Sahani M. , Masatu Faustine Cassian , Bitegeko Adonis , Mwalwisi Yonah Hebron , Nkiligi Emmanuel Alphonse , Horumpende Pius Gerald , Fimbo Adam M.
Published: November 2023

Synopsis

Background

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing public health concern globally, and misuse of antibiotics is a major contributor.

Objective

This study investigated antibiotic utilisation patterns before and after the COVID-19 pandemic in Tanzania using data from the Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA).

Methods

This retrospective longitudinal study analysed secondary data. The study compared antibiotics consumption in defined daily doses (DDD) per 1000 inhabitants per day (DID) in two distinct eras: 2018-2019 as the pre-COVID-19 era and 2020-2021 as the post-COVID-19 era. Data was reorganised using Microsoft Power BI, and statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS software.

Results

The study analysed 10,614 records and found an overall increase in antibiotics consumption from 2018 to 2021. When we divided the consumption of antibiotics into a pre- and post-COVID time period, with the pre-COVID period being 2018 and 2019 and the post-COVID period being 2020 and 2021, we found that the consumption was 61.24 DID in the post-COVID era and 50.32 DID in the pre-COVID era. Levofloxacin had the highest percentage increase in use, with a 700% increase in DID after the pandemic. Azithromycin had a 163.79% increase, while cefotaxime had a 600% increase. In contrast, some antibiotics exhibited a decrease in usage after the pandemic, such as nalidixic acid, which had a 100% decrease, and cefpodoxime, 66.67% decrease.

Conclusion

The increase in antibiotic consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the importance of implementing effective antimicrobial stewardship strategies to prevent AMR, especially during pandemics.
DIGEST: An online tool for designing of multiple reaction monitoring assays
Authors: Gautam Prutyay , Singh Praveen , Mrinal  , Bhaskar Akash , Sacher Sukriti , Dagar Yashesh , Basak Trayambak , Sengupta Shantanu , Ray Arjun
Published: November 2023

Targeted proteomics using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) assays enables fast and sensitive detection of a preselected set of target peptides. This technique utilizes the specificity of precursors to product transitions for quantitative analysis of multiple proteins in a single sample. The success of an MRM experiment depends on the selection of transitions however, given the existing resources, accurately predicting signal intensity of peptides and their fragmentation patterns ab initio is challenging task. We present an alternative for rapid design of MRM transitions for proteomics research: DIGEST. Our method predicts the b and y ions with +1 and +2 charge produced in a collision cell of a mass spectrometer from peptides of multiple proteotypically digested proteins. Additionally, by using the existing knowledge of the fundamental rules for designing transitions, the tool provides optimal MRM transitions, negating the need to undertake prior “discovery” MS studies. We demonstrate that our algorithm is directed toward the selection of MRM precursor and product-ions pairs, and can avoid the pitfalls of interference due to cross-contamination of samples by selecting ion combinations that uniquely map to target peptides. Comparison with SRMAtlas showed that DIGEST successfully predicted the peptide and production pairs in the majority of cases. We believe that DIGEST will facilitate rapid design of MRM assays with increased specificity, reducing the overall time required to design an MRM assay for routine mass-spectrometry. DIGEST is available as a web-based tool athttps://digest.raylab.iiitd.edu.in/
Do deleterious mutations promote the evolution of recombination suppression between X and Y chromosomes?
Authors: Olito Colin , Charlesworth Brian
Published: November 2023

An interesting new model has recently been proposed for the evolution of suppressed recombination between newly evolving X and Y chromosomes, where males are heterozygous for a locus determining sex and females are homozygous (the same principles apply to systems with female heterogamety, with the role of the two sexes reversed). The model appeals to the selective advantage that accrues to a recombination suppressor (e.g., an inversion), which arises on a male-determining haplotype that carries a smaller number of deleterious mutations than average and remains completely associated with the sex determining locus. The underlying logic of the model rests on the idea that, because such an inversion cannot become homozygous, it is “sheltered” from selection against any deleterious recessive mutations it may carry, in contrast to an autosomal inversion. It has been claimed that computer simulations of this process show that the probability that a new inversion becomes fixed within the population of Y chromosomes is substantially higher than expected under selective neutrality, and higher than that for a comparable autosomal inversion. However, analytical population genetic models of some special cases cast doubt on the magnitude of the selective advantage claimed for Y-linked inversions under this process, demanding re-evaluation of the simulation results. The published estimates of fixation probabilities of Y-linked inversions were in fact calculated after excluding inversions that were lost in the first 20 generations. This generates a substantial bias towards high fixation probabilities and obscures comparisons with neutrality. If all simulation runs are included, most parameter sets yield estimates of fixation probabilities that are close to neutral expectation, unless deleterious mutations are close to being completely recessive. The proposed sheltering mechanism is unlikely to provide a robust selective advantage to inversions suppressing recombination between evolving X and Y (or Z and W) chromosomes.
Escaping herbivory through chemical novelty? Field performance and herbivore attack in the cardenolide-producing crucifer plantErysimum cheiranthoides
Authors: Wang Kunqi , van Bergen Erik , Züst Tobias
Published: November 2023

1.

Plants in the Brassicaceae produce glucosinolates as potent defences against generalist herbivores, but many specialists have evolved the ability to tolerate or even deactivate these compounds. As a possible co-evolutionary response to attack by specialists, plants in the genusErysimumgained the ability to produce cardenolide defences in addition to glucosinolates.

2.

We grew the dually defendedE. cheiranthoidesand the glucosinolate-defendedBrassica nigraside-by-side in agricultural fields surrounded by other Brassicaceae crops. Over the course of two field seasons, we monitored focal plants to characterise their associated herbivore community, and we quantified herbivore damage and measured plant growth. In the second year, we additionally manipulated herbivore density and plant competition to identify direct and indirect effects on plant fitness.

3.

Both plant species were attacked by a diverse community of specialist herbivores already present on surrounding Brassicaceae crops. Most herbivores strongly favouredB. nigra, reaching higher densities and causing intense damage that largely suppressed growth of this plant. The same herbivores attackedE. cheiranthoides, but at much lower densities that caused little damage and did not impact plant growth.

4.

In accordance with differential susceptibilities to herbivores, herbivore removal benefittedB. nigraby reducing damage and increasing plant growth, while it had no positive effect onE. cheiranthoides. In fact, herbivore removal had an indirect negative effect onE. cheiranthoideswhen growing in conspecific pairs, as these plants suffered from increased competition by previously herbivore-suppressedB. nigra.

Synthesis: Our results agree with a successful escape ofE. cheiranthoidesfrom specialist herbivory, as even though plants are still attacked when herbivores are abundant, these herbivores cause little damage and cause no reduction in fitness. However, the escape from herbivory has likely come at loss of competitive ability in the absence of herbivores, which would explain why despite its key innovation,E. cheiranthoideshas been unable to gain dominance in any plant community.
Logistic PCA explains differences between genome-scale metabolic models in terms of metabolic pathways
Authors: Zehetner Leopold , Széliová Diana , Kraus Barbara , Hernandez Bort Juan A. , Zanghellini Jürgen
Published: November 2023

Genome-scale metabolic models (GSMMs) offer a holistic view of biochemical reaction networks, enabling in-depth analyses of metabolism across species and tissues in multiple conditions. However, comparing GSMMs against each other poses challenges as current dimensionality reduction algorithms or clustering methods lack mechanistic interpretability, and often rely on subjective assumptions. Here, we propose a new approach utilizing logisitic principal component analysis (LPCA) that efficiently clusters GSMMs while singling out mechanistic differences in terms of reactions and pathways that drive the categorization.

We applied LPCA to multiple diverse datasets, including GSMMs of 222Escherichia-strains, 343 budding yeasts (Saccharomycotina), 80 human tissues, and 2943Firmicutesstrains. Our findings demonstrate LPCA’s effectiveness in preserving microbial phylogenetic relationships and discerning human tissue-specific metabolic profiles, exhibiting comparable performance to traditional methods like t-distributed stochastic neighborhood embedding (t-SNE) and Jaccard coefficients. Moreover, the subsystems and associated reactions identified by LPCA align with existing knowledge, underscoring its reliability in dissecting GSMMs and uncovering the underlying drivers of separation.

Author’s summary

Genome-scale metabolic models (GSMMs) are comprehensive representations of all the biochemical reactions that occur within an organism, enabling insights into cellular processes. Our study introduces logisitic principal component analysis (LPCA) to explore and compare these biochemical networks across different species and tissues only based on the presence or absence of reactions, summarized in a binary matrix. LPCA analyzes these binary matrices of specific biochemical reactions, identifying significant differences and similarities. We applied LPCA to a range of datasets, including bacterial strains, fungi, and human tissues. Our findings demonstrate LPCA’s effectiveness in distinguishing microbial phylogenetic relationships and discerning tissue-specific profiles in humans. LPCA also offers precise information on the biochemical drivers of these differences, contributing to a deeper understanding of metabolic subsystems. This research showcases LPCA as a valuable method for examining the complex interplay of reactions within GSMMs, offering insights that could support further scientific investigation into metabolic processes.