bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel 3D-printed patient-specific instrument based on “H-point” for medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy: a cadaver study
Authors: Liu Guo-Bin , Liu Sen , Zhu Chao-Hua , Li Jia , Li Jun , Jia Guo-Xing , Dong Wei , Zhao Feng , Huang Ye
Published: March 2022

Background

Opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) is an effective surgical treatment for knee osteoarthritis. This study aimed to explore the feasibility and accuracy of a novel 3D-printed patient-specific instrument (PSI) based on “H-point” for medial OWHTO in a prospective cadaver study.

Methods

Twenty-six fresh-frozen lower limbs were collected and randomly divided into two groups: PSI group treated with 3D virtual preoperative planning and a novel 3D-printed PSI; control group with the standard technique. 3D models were reversely reconstructed for preoperative surgical planning, guide plate design, and simulated osteotomy. Anatomic features of “H-point,” surgical time, fluoroscopic dose, correction accuracy including tibiofemoral angle (FTA) and posterior tibial slope (TS) angle were measured.

Results

First, H-point was always described as a bony bulge in the posteromedial to the proximal tibia and had a relatively constant relationship with the osteotomy site. Second, the absolute correction error of mFTA and TS were significantly smaller in the PSI group. The effective rate of TS in the PSI group was more concentrated with absolute correction error within 1° and within 2° for 53.3% and 93.3%, compared to 9.1% and 45.5% in the control group. The total operation time, positioning osteotomy time, distraction correction time and fluoroscopy dose in the PSI group were significantly less than those in the control group.

Conclusions

The novel 3D-printed PSI based on H-point is feasibility and accuracy with advantages in terms of TS, surgery time and radiation dose for OWHTO.
Development and validation of derivative UV spectroscopic method for simultaneous estimation of nicotinamide and tretinoin in their binary mixtures and pharmaceutical preparations
Authors: Sarkis Nazira , Sawan Abdulkader
Published: March 2022

An accurate, precise, sensitive, and simple spectroscopic method was developed and validated for simultaneous quantification analysis of tretinoin (TRT) and nicotinamide (NCT) with a ratio of 1:40 (TRT: NCT) in a synthetic mixture from dermal pharmaceutical preparations (solution and cream). Wavelengths were chosen in the first and second-order derivatives which are valid for the determination of NCT with the existence of TRT and excipients of the tested pharmaceutical preparations. Wavelength 253 nm was picked for the first-order derivative. Wavelengths 245 and 269 nm were picked for the second derivative. All previous wavelengths were zero-crossing points for TRT and its pharmaceutical preparations. Zero-order spectroscopy was used to determine TRT at the wavelength 348 nm, where no interference with NCT or any substance in the previous pharmaceutical preparation. The linearity range was studied and found to be 20–120 μg/mL and 0.5–5.0 μg/mL for NCT and TRT respectively. The correlation coefficient was 0.9995–0.9999 for NCT and 0.9998–0.9999 for TRT. The limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) of NCT were 1.510 μg/mL and 4.590 μg/mL respectively at the wavelength 269 nm of the second-order derivative.
Morphological and molecular identification reveals a high diversity of Anopheles species in the forest region of the Cambodia–Laos border
Authors: Zhang Canglin , Luo Chunhai , Yang Rui , Yang Yaming , Guo Xiaofang , Deng Yan , Zhou Hongning , Zhang Yilong
Published: March 2022

Background

To develop an effective malaria vector intervention method in forested international border regions within the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), more in-depth studies should be conducted on localAnophelesspecies composition and bionomic features. There is a paucity of comprehensive surveys of biodiversity integrating morphological and molecular species identification conducted within the border of Laos and Cambodia.

Methods

A total of 2394 adult mosquitoes were trapped in the Cambodia–Laos border region. We first performed morphological identification ofAnophelesmosquitoes and subsequently performed molecular identification using 412 recombinant DNA–internal transcribed spacer 2 (rDNA-ITS2) and 391 mitochondrial DNA–cytochrome c oxidase subunit 2 (mtDNA-COII) sequences. The molecular and morphological identification results were compared, and phylogenetic analysis of rDNA-ITS2 andmtDNA-COIIwas conducted for the sequence divergence among species.

Results

Thirteen distinct species ofAnopheleswere molecularly identified in a 26,415 km2border region in Siem Pang (Cambodia) and Pathoomphone (Laos). According to the comparisons of morphological and molecular identity, the interpretation of local species composition for dominant species in the Cambodia–Laos border (An. dirus,An. maculatus,An. philippinensis,An. kochiandAn. sinensis) achieved the highest accuracy of morphological identification, from 98.37 to 100%. In contrast, the other species which were molecularly identified were less frequently identified correctly (0–58.3%) by morphological methods. The average rDNA-ITS2 andmtDNA-COIIinterspecific divergence was respectively 318 times and 15 times higher than their average intraspecific divergence. The barcoding gap ranged from 0.042 to 0.193 for rDNA-ITS2, and from 0.033 to 0.047 formtDNA-COII.

Conclusions

The Cambodia–Laos border hosts a high diversity ofAnophelesspecies. The morphological identification ofAnophelesspecies provides higher accuracy for dominant species than for other species. Molecular methods combined with morphological analysis to determine species composition, population dynamics and bionomic characteristics can facilitate a better understanding of the factors driving malaria transmission and the effects of interventions, and can aid in achieving the goal of eliminating malaria.

Graphical Abstract
Canine microfilaraemia in some regions of Iran
Authors: Hosseini Seyed Hossein , Manshori-Ghaishghorshagh Fateme , Ramezani Mohammad , Nayebzadeh Hassan , Ahoo Mohammad Bagher , Eslamian Ahdieh , Soltani Minoo , Jamshidi Shahram , Bezerra-Santos Marcos Antonio , Jalousian Fatemeh , Sazmand Alireza , Otranto Domenico
Published: March 2022

Background

Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens are vector-borne zoonotic parasites which affect mainly dogs and humans worldwide. In Iran, information about the distribution of those nematodes is scant in several regions. Therefore, we investigated the prevalence of these filarial parasites in stray dogs from five Iranian provinces where no information about these parasites is available.

Methods

Blood samples were collected from 344 stray dogs in five provinces of Iran (i.e. Mazandaran, Gilan, Esfahan, Qazvin and Loresan). The presence of microfilariae was assessed using direct smear, modified Knott’s test, molecular detection of filarial DNA (cox1 gene) and Wolbachia endosymbiont of parasitic nematodes (ftsZ gene) by conventional PCR (cPCR). All of the PCR products were sequenced and phylogenetic analysis was performed.

Results

In total, 75 dogs (21.8%) were found to be positive for D. immitis by cPCR. Infection was detected in all provinces, with the highest prevalence in Gilan province (22/28; 78.6%). Acanthocheilonema reconditum was diagnosed in five dogs (1.4%) from three provinces (i.e. Esfahan, Mazandaran, Gilan). Two dogs were infected with both parasites and three were only infected with A. reconditum. Dirofilaria repens infection was not found in the examined population. Representative sequences of the D. immitis cox1 gene from dogs from the northern provinces (Mazandaran, Gilan, Qazvin) were grouped together and distinctly separate from the ones from western and central provinces (Lorestan and Esfahan), suggesting that different nematode populations are present in the country.

Conclusion

The data reported herein fill existing gaps in knowledge about canine filarial infection in two Iranian provinces and record the highest prevalence of D. immitis ever reported in the country (i.e. 78.6%). A geographical review of the literature about Dirofilaria spp. and A. reconditum infections in dogs and humans has also been summarized, indicating that D. immitis and D. repens are distributed in 22 of 31 provinces in Iran, whereas A. reconditum is present in fewer regions. Effective control strategies are advocated for owned dogs, and a national program for the management of stray dogs is needed to minimize the risk of infection in animals and humans.

Graphical Abstract
Evaluating type and amount of dietary protein in relation to metabolic syndrome among Iranian adults: cross-sectional analysis of Fasa Persian cohort study
Authors: Jamshidi Ali , Farjam Mojtaba , Ekramzadeh Maryam , Homayounfar Reza
Published: March 2022

Background and aim

Metabolic syndrome is characterized by several conditions including abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, impaired glucose levels, and hypertension; which all are directly associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study aimed to evaluate the association of the amount and source of dietary protein with the risk of metabolic syndrome and its components in adult men and women.

Material and method

This study was performed using Persian cohort data, Fasa branch, which included 3660 men and 5262 women. Individuals were divided into five groups for total dietary proteins, plant proteins, and animal proteins using the quintiles, and the odds of incidence for metabolic syndrome and each component was evaluated.

Results

A higher intake of total protein was associated with lower odds of having metabolic syndrome (OR: 0.24 95% CI 0.18–0.33, P-trend < 0.001 in men, OR: 0.42 95% CI 0.34–0.51, P-trend < 0.001 in women) and all of its components. men (OR: 0.35 95% CI 0.25–0.48, P-trend < 0.001) and women (OR: 0.41 95% CI 0.33–0.52, P-trend < 0.001) in the highest quintile of plant protein intake had a reduced prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components. An increased animal protein intake was associated with a lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome (P-trend < 0.001), a declined risk of having elevated triglycerides (P-trend = 0.016) in men, and a reduced risk of having abdominal obesity in men (P-trend < 0.001) and women (P-trend < 0.001).

Conclusion

A higher consumption of total protein and plant protein was associated with a lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components. Increased consumption of animal protein seemed to be related to a lower prevalence abdominal obesity. Also, only in men, animal protein was associated with decreased risk of having metabolic syndrome.
Bacterial microbiome of faecal samples of naked mole-rat collected from the toilet chamber
Authors: Chua Kah-Ooi , Fatima Iqra , Lau Yin Yin , Hong Kar Wai , Yin Wai-Fong , Mardaryev Andrei , Chan Kok-Gan , Chang Chien-Yi
Published: March 2022

Objective

The naked mole rats (NMRs, Heterocephalus glaber) are subterranean rodents that belong to the family Bathyergidae. They gained the attention of the scientific community for their exceptionally long lifespan of up to 30 years and have become an animal model of biomedical research on neurodegenerative diseases, aging and cancer. NMRs dig and survive in a maze of underground tunnels and chambers and demarcate toilet chambers for defecation and urination. Due to their coprophagic behaviours, we believed that the toilet chamber might play a role in maintaining optimal health of the NMRs. A 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was performed to characterize the bacterial microbiome of faecal samples collected from the toilet chamber of a laboratory NMR colony.

Results

Four faecal samples were collected at different time points from the same toilet chamber of a laboratory NMR colony for analysis. The 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing revealed that bacterial phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were the dominant taxa in the bacterial microbiome of NMRs. The relative abundance of the bacterial taxa shifted substantially between time points, indicating a dynamic microbiome in the toilet chamber. The data provided an insight to the faecal microbiome of NMRs in the toilet chamber.
Giant anogenital tumor of Buschke–Löwenstein in a patient living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: a case report
Authors: Kowo Mathurin , Nzoume Nsope Mengang Jude-Marcel , Simeni Njonnou Sylvain Raoul , Kouotou Emmanuel Armand , Atangana Paul Jean Adrien , Ankouane Andoulo Firmin
Published: March 2022

Background

Buschke–Löwenstein tumor is a giant condyloma acuminata infection that is characterized by degeneration, invasion, and recurrence. It is associated with human papilloma virus infection. It develops around the genital and perineal area, sometimes causing a large budding ulcerated lesion. Although human immunodeficiency virus infection is frequent in Africa, there are few descriptions of Buschke–Löwenstein tumor diagnosis and its management. Screening for other sexually transmitted infections must be systematic among these patients.

Case presentation

We report herein the case of a 21-year-old African origin male patient who developed a perineal swelling. Physical examination showed evidence of a huge exophytic tumor made up of budding pinkish vegetations, with serrated crests, a ‘’butterfly wing’’ structure, and a cauliflower-like appearance crowned with centrifugal circinate lesions. Multiple condylomatous lesions of the anal margin were also present. The patient tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus (cluster of differentiation 4 count of 119 cells/mm3) and hepatitis B infections. Real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed human papilloma virus-16 and other high-risk human papilloma virus deoxyribonucleic acid. The diagnosis of Buschke–Löwenstein tumor was made on mass biopsy, and the patient underwent multidisciplinary intervention (surgery, podophyllin application, and antiretroviral therapy). Medium-term evolution was, however, fatal due to opportunistic infection.

Conclusion

Buschke–Löwenstein tumor is a rare tumor associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection. It is more frequent in male human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients. There is a need to screen for other sexually transmitted infections. In most cases, the treatment is surgical, in association with local therapies. However, recurrences are common.
Influence of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae natural infection on the respiratory microbiome diversity of finishing pigs
Authors: Sonalio Karina , Almeida Henrique M. S. , Mechler-Dreibi Marina L. , Storino Gabriel Y. , Haesebrouck Freddy , Maes Dominiek , de Oliveira Luís Guilherme
Published: March 2022

Mycoplasma (M.) hyopneumoniaeinteracts with the respiratory microbiota and facilitates colonization of other pathogens. The present study investigated the pulmonary and nasal microbiota ofM. hyopneumoniae-infected andM. hyopneumoniae-free pigs. Sixty-six pigs from three commercial herds were selected at the end of the finishing phase: 44 originated from twoM. hyopneumoniae-positive herds and 22 from aM. hyopneumoniae-negative farm. At the slaughterhouse, samples of nasal turbinate (NT) and bronchus-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected. DNA was extracted with a commercial kit and the infection status was confirmed by qPCR. All samples from the same herd were pooled, and next-generation sequencing based on the hypervariable region V3–V4 of the 16 s bacterial rDNA was performed. Data analysis included the taxonomic analysis, Alpha diversity indexes, and Principal coordinates analysis (Pcoa) using Jaccard, Bray–Curtis, Weighted Unifrac, and Unweighted Unifrac distances. All pigs from the infected herds tested PCR positive forM. hyopneumoniae, whereas all pigs from the negative farm were negative. There was a greater diversity of microorganisms in BALF when compared to NT samples in all the farms. BALF samples from infected animals showed higher abundance ofM. hyopneumoniaethan NT samples and a predominance ofPasteurella multocidaamong the main species identified, which was also abundant in theM. hyopneumoniae-free herd. PCoa diagrams indicated that for most of the samples, dissimilarity on bacterial composition was observed, regardless of infection status and sample type. Therefore, the lung microbiota was modulated byM. hyopneumoniaeinfection, which could play a role in the pathogenesis ofM. hyopneumoniae-disease.
Comparative analysis of Streptococcus suis genomes identifies novel candidate virulence-associated genes in North American isolates
Authors: Estrada April A. , Gottschalk Marcelo , Gebhart Connie J. , Marthaler Douglas G.
Published: March 2022

Streptococcus suis is a significant economic and welfare concern in the swine industry. Pan-genome analysis provides an in-silico approach for the discovery of genes involved in pathogenesis in bacterial pathogens. In this study, we performed pan-genome analysis of 208 S. suis isolates classified into the pathogenic, possibly opportunistic, and commensal pathotypes to identify novel candidate virulence-associated genes (VAGs) of S. suis. Using chi-square tests and LASSO regression models, three accessory pan-genes corresponding to S. suis strain P1/7 markers SSU_RS09525, SSU_RS09155, and SSU_RS03100 (>95% identity) were identified as having a significant association with the pathogenic pathotype. The proposed novel SSU_RS09525 + /SSU_RS09155 + /SSU_RS03100 + genotype identified 96% of the pathogenic pathotype strains, suggesting a novel genotyping scheme for predicting the pathogenicity of S. suis isolates in North America. In addition, mobile genetic elements carrying antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) and VAGs were identified but did not appear to play a major role in the spread of ARGs and VAGs.
Legendre spectral collocation method for distributed and Riesz fractional convection–diffusion and Schrödinger-type equation
Authors: Abdelkawy M. A. , Jeelani Mdi Begum , Alnahdi Abeer S. , Taha T. M. , Soluma E. M.
Published: March 2022

The numerical analysis of the temporal distributed and spatial Riesz fractional problem (TDSRFP) is presented in this work. To address the two independent variables, the suggested technique employs a completely spectral Legendre collocation approach. For the current model, our technique is proven to be more accurate, efficient, and practical. The results confirmed that the spectral scheme is exponentially convergent.
Occupational and community risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among employees of a long-term care facility: an observational study
Authors: Lenggenhager Lauriane , Martischang Romain , Sauser Julien , Perez Monica , Vieux Laure , Graf Christophe , Cordey Samuel , Laubscher Florian , Nunes Tomás Robalo , Zingg Walter , Cori Anne , Harbarth Stephan , Abbas Mohamed
Published: March 2022

Background

We investigated the contribution of both occupational and community exposure for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among employees of a university-affiliated long-term care facility (LTCF), during the 1stpandemic wave in Switzerland (March–June 2020).

Methods

We performed a nested analysis of a seroprevalence study among all volunteering LTCF staff to determine community and nosocomial risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity using modified Poison regression. We also combined epidemiological and genetic sequencing data from a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak investigation in a LTCF ward to infer transmission dynamics and acquisition routes of SARS-CoV-2, and evaluated strain relatedness using a maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree.

Results

Among 285 LTCF employees, 176 participated in the seroprevalence study, of whom 30 (17%) were seropositive for SARS-CoV-2. Most (141/176, 80%) were healthcare workers (HCWs). Risk factors for seropositivity included exposure to a COVID-19 inpatient (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] 2.6; 95% CI 0.9–8.1) and community contact with a COVID-19 case (aPR 1.7; 95% CI 0.8–3.5). Among 18 employees included in the outbreak investigation, the outbreak reconstruction suggests 4 likely importation events by HCWs with secondary transmissions to other HCWs and patients.

Conclusions

These two complementary epidemiologic and molecular approaches suggest a substantial contribution of both occupational and community exposures to COVID-19 risk among HCWs in LTCFs. These data may help to better assess the importance of occupational health hazards and related legal implications during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Unveiling how vitrification affects the porcine blastocyst: clues from a transcriptomic study
Authors: Almiñana C. , Dubuisson F. , Bauersachs S. , Royer E. , Mermillod P. , Blesbois E. , Guignot F.
Published: March 2022

Background

Currently, there is a high demand for efficient pig embryo cryopreservation procedures in the porcine industry as well as for genetic diversity preservation and research purposes. To date, vitrification (VIT) is the most efficient method for pig embryo cryopreservation. Despite a high number of embryos survives in vitro after vitrification/warming procedures, the in vivo embryo survival rates after embryo transfer are variable among laboratories. So far, most studies have focused on cryoprotective agents and devices, while the VIT effects on porcine embryonic gene expression remained unclear. The few studies performed were based on vitrified/warmed embryos that were cultured in vitro (IVC) to allow them to re–expand. Thus, the specific alterations of VIT, IVC, and the cumulative effect of both remained unknown. To unveil the VIT-specific embryonic alterations, gene expression in VIT versus (vs.) IVC embryos was analyzed. Additionally, changes derived from both VIT and IVC vs. control embryos (CO) were analyzed to confirm the VIT embryonic alterations. Three groups of in vivo embryos at the blastocyst stage were analyzed by RNA–sequencing: (1) VIT embryos (vitrified/warmed and cultured in vitro), (2) IVC embryos and (3) CO embryos.

Results

RNA–sequencing revealed three clearly different mRNA profiles for VIT, IVC and CO embryos. Comparative analysis of mRNA profiles between VIT and IVC identified 321, differentially expressed genes (DEG) (FDR < 0.006). In VIT vs. CO and IVC vs. CO, 1901 and 1519 DEG were found, respectively, with an overlap of 1045 genes. VIT-specific functional alterations were associated to response to osmotic stress, response to hormones, and developmental growth. While alterations in response to hypoxia and mitophagy were related to the sum of VIT and IVC effects.

Conclusions

Our findings revealed new insights into the VIT procedure-specific alterations of embryonic gene expression by first comparing differences in VIT vs. IVC embryos and second by an integrative transcriptome analysis including in vivo control embryos. The identified VIT alterations might reflect the transcriptional signature of the embryo cryodamage but also the embryo healing process overcoming the VIT impacts. Selected validated genes were pointed as potential biomarkers that may help to improve vitrification.
Structured regularization based velocity structure estimation in local earthquake tomography for the adaptation to velocity discontinuities
Authors: Yamanaka Yohta , Kurata Sumito , Yano Keisuke , Komaki Fumiyasu , Shiina Takahiro , Kato Aitaro
Published: March 2022

We propose a local earthquake tomography method that applies a structured regularization technique to determine sharp changes in Earth’s seismic velocity structure using arrival time data of direct waves. Our approach focuses on the ability to better image two common features that are observed in Earth’s seismic velocity structure: sharp changes in velocities that correspond to material boundaries, such as the Conrad and Moho discontinuities; and gradual changes in velocity that are associated with pressure and temperature distributions in the crust and mantle. We employ different penalty terms in the vertical and horizontal directions to refine the earthquake tomography. We utilize a vertical-direction (depth) penalty that takes the form of the$${l}_{1}$$l1-sum of the$${l}_{2}$$l2-norms of the second-order differences of the horizontal units in the vertical direction. This penalty is intended to represent sharp velocity changes caused by discontinuities by creating a piecewise linear depth profile of seismic velocity. We set a horizontal-direction penalty term on the basis of the$${l}_{2}$$l2-norm to express gradual velocity tendencies in the horizontal direction, which has been often used in conventional tomography methods. We use a synthetic data set to demonstrate that our method provides significant improvements over velocity structures estimated using conventional methods by obtaining stable estimates of both steep and gradual changes in velocity. We also demonstrate that our proposed method is robust to variations in the amplitude of the velocity jump, the initial velocity model, and the number of observed arrival times, compared with conventional approaches, and verify the adaptability of the proposed method to dipping discontinuities. Furthermore, we apply our proposed method to real seismic data in central Japan and present the potential of our method for detecting velocity discontinuities using the observed arrival times from a small number of local earthquakes.

Graphical Abstract
N6-methyladenosine-related lncRNAs is a potential marker for predicting prognosis and immunotherapy in ovarian cancer
Authors: Nie Xin , Tan Jichun
Published: March 2022

Background

With a lack of specific symptoms, ovarian cancer (OV) is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. This coupled with inadequate prognostic indicators and treatments with limited therapeutic effect make OV the deadliest type of gynecological tumor. Recent research indicates that N6-methyladenosine (m6A) and long-chain non-coding RNA (lncRNA) play important roles in the prognosis of OV and the efficacy of immunotherapy.

Results

Using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) OV-related data set and the expression profiles of 21 m6A-related genes, we identified two m6A subtypes, and the differentially expressed genes between the two. Based on the differentially expressed lncRNAs in the two m6A subtypes and the lncRNAs co-expressed with the 21 m6A-related genes, single-factor cox and LASSO regression were used to further isolate the 13 major lncRNAs. Finally, multi-factor cox regression was used to construct a m6A-related lncRNA risk score model for OV, with good performance in patient prognosis. Using risk score, OV tumor samples are divided into with high- and low-score groups. We explored the differences in clinical characteristics, tumor mutational burden, and tumor immune cell infiltration between the two groups, and evaluated the risk score’s ability to predict the benefit of immunotherapy.

Conclusion

Our m6A-based lncRNA risk model could be used to predict the prognosis and immunotherapy response of future OV patients.
Parameter optimization of rubber cylinder of expansion liner hanger based on numerical simulation
Authors: Chen Yong , Liu Xin , Yi Hao , He Chuan , Xiao Guoping , Tan Jinjin , Wu Haochen , Su Anqiao
Published: March 2022

The expansion liner hanger has great advantages over the traditional slip liner hanger. Therefore, scholars at home and abroad have carried out extensive research on the expansion liner hanger, but there are few researches on the optimization design of the rubber cylinder of the expansion liner hanger. How to select the size and material of the rubber cylinder is very important to the suspension performance of the expansion liner hanger. Based on the Ø245 mm × Ø178 mm expansion liner hanger as the research object, the condition of the changes under the wall thickness and friction coefficient, using the finite element analysis software of rubber cylinder elongation rate, stress conditions are numerically simulated. The results show that when the wall thickness of the rubber cylinder is t = 1.5 mm, the elongation rate of the rubber cylinder is 2.14 mm, and then the elongation rate of the rubber cylinder increases rapidly with the increase of the wall thickness, and the growth of elongation rate slows down when the wall thickness is t ≥ 3.0 mm. The contact stress of the inner and outer walls of the rubber cylinder increases with the increase of the wall thickness, and the contact stress of the inner wall of the rubber cylinder fluctuates, and the fluctuation tends to be gentle when t ≥ 2.5 mm, and the residual stress of the rubber cylinder is uniformly distributed when t ≥ 2.5 mm. When different friction coefficients (0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3) were taken between the rubber cylinder and the outer casing, the elongation rate of the rubber cylinder was negatively correlated with the friction coefficient, and the average contact stress on the wall was positively correlated with the friction coefficient. The results of this paper provide guidance for the design and material optimization of the rubber cylinder in the expansion liner hanger.
Falling Insulin Requirement in Pregnant Women With Diabetes Delivering Preterm: Prevalence, Predictors, and Consequences
Authors: Søholm Julie C , Do Nicoline C , Vestgaard Marianne , Ásbjörnsdóttir Björg , Nørgaard Sidse K , Pedersen Berit W , Storgaard Lone , Nielsen Birgitte B , Holmager Pernille , Ringholm Lene , Damm Peter , Mathiesen Elisabeth R
Published: March 2022

Context

Falling insulin requirements often lead to considerations of whether a pregnancy can continue safely or if delivery is indicated.

Objective

To evaluate prevalence and predictors of falling insulin requirements in pregnant women with preexisting diabetes delivering preterm and to explore the relationship to fetal asphyxia and neonatal morbidity.

Methods

A prospective cohort study of 101 consecutive singleton pregnant women with preexisting diabetes delivering preterm < 37 weeks (68 type 1 and 33 type 2 diabetes) where the prevalence of falling insulin requirements (≥20%) before delivery was recorded.

Results

In total, 27% (27/101) experienced falling insulin requirements of median 30% (interquartile range 24-40) before delivery. In all women with type 1 diabetes, the prevalence was 37% (25/68), whereas it was 43% (24/56) in those with indicated preterm delivery and 6% (2/33) among women with type 2 diabetes. In women with type 1 diabetes and indicated preterm delivery, falling insulin requirements were first identified at 34 + 5 (33 + 6-35 + 4) weeks + days and delivery occurred 3 (1-9) days later. Gestational age at delivery, prevalence of suspected fetal asphyxia, and neonatal morbidity were similar in women with and without falling insulin requirements. Neither glycemic control, nausea, or preeclampsia was associated with falling insulin requirement.

Conclusion

Falling insulin requirements often preceded preterm delivery in women with type 1 diabetes, foremost when preterm delivery was indicated, but was not related to fetal asphyxia or neonatal morbidity. Whether falling insulin requirements in late pregnancy are a warning sign of placental insufficiency or mainly reflects variations in normal physiology needs further investigation.
Acute Deletion of the FOXO1-dependent Hepatokine FGF21 Does not Alter Basal Glucose Homeostasis or Lipolysis in Mice
Authors: Sostre-Colón Jaimarie , Gavin Matthew J , Santoleri Dominic , Titchenell Paul M
Published: March 2022

The hepatic transcription factor forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) is a critical regulator of hepatic and systemic insulin sensitivity. Previous work by our group and others demonstrated that genetic inhibition of FOXO1 improves insulin sensitivity both in genetic and dietary mouse models of metabolic disease. Mechanistically, this is due in part to cell nonautonomous control of adipose tissue insulin sensitivity. However, the mechanisms mediating this liver-adipose tissue crosstalk remain ill defined. One candidate hepatokine controlled by hepatic FOXO1 is fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21). Preclinical and clinical studies have explored the potential of pharmacological FGF21 as an antiobesity and antidiabetic therapy. In this manuscript, we performed acute loss-of-function experiments to determine the role of hepatocyte-derived FGF21 in glucose homeostasis and insulin tolerance both in control and mice lacking hepatic insulin signaling. Surprisingly, acute deletion of FGF21 did not alter glucose tolerance, insulin tolerance, or adipocyte lipolysis in either liver-specific FGF21KO mice or mice lacking hepatic AKT-FOXO1-FGF21, suggesting a permissive role for endogenous FGF21 in the regulation of systemic glucose homeostasis and insulin tolerance in mice. In addition, these data indicate that liver FOXO1 controls glucose homeostasis independently of liver-derived FGF21.
A Brief History ofO!
Authors: Sadowski Witold
Published: March 2022

In the poetry of many nations, the interjection O! is a marker of poeticalness, a marker that contributes to the factors distinguishing poetry from colloquial speech. O! is treated not so much as an expression derived from the language in which a given poem was written (i.e., English, Italian, Polish, etc.) as a common lexeme within an international poetic language. In different countries, the interjection O! is understood in similar ways and does not require translation, even if the other parts of the poem are rendered in distinct languages. Despite the importance of the interjection in world literature, research into the semantics of O! has been limited in scope. The aim of this article is to trace the main stages of development that O! has undergone in European poetry from antiquity until the present day. The article initially discusses the semantic variants of the interjection in ancient Greek and Latin poetry. These derive from two functions of O!, functions that are described within the context of the Bakhtinian concepts of the addressee and superaddressee. Subsequently, the process in which the autonomy of this lexeme was shaped with regard to vernacular languages is considered. The examples illustrating this process have been taken from Bulgarian, English, French, German, Italian, Occitan, and Polish poetry.
Narrative Forms of Adaptation, Retreat, and Mitigation in Richard Ford'sLet Me Be Frank with You
Authors: Ameel Lieven
Published: March 2022

This article examines narrative engagement with strange weather and rising waters in Richard Ford's Let Me Be Frank with You (2014). It applies three terms from climate policy—adaptation, retreat, and mitigation—as heuristic concepts to approach the formal responses in the novel to a catastrophic event, Hurricane Sandy, while also considering the broader implications for the interplay between narrative form and radical climate change. The focus is on narrative forms such as catalogs, gaps in language and in the storyworld, and plotted instances of compassion. By drawing from environmental policy terms, this article suggests an analogy between how literary fiction functions and how human populations are described as behaving in the language of policy. Literature is adapting in formal terms to a changing climate; it is retreating from the effects of climate disruption, by way of a diluted language; and it is trying to find ways to soften and mitigate those effects—with mitigation approached in its first, now largely obsolete meaning of the word, as compassion. Exploring such analogies, this article emphasizes literary form's participation in a broader discursive and material meshwork of human relationships with the transforming environment, in dialogue with science and policy communications.
The cell polarity determinant Dlg1 facilitates epithelial invagination by promoting tissue-scale mechanical coordination
Authors: Fuentes Melisa A. , He Bing
Published: March 2022

Epithelial folding mediated by apical constriction serves as a fundamental mechanism to convert flat epithelial sheets into multilayered structures. It remains unknown whether additional mechanical inputs are required for apical constriction-mediated folding. Using Drosophila mesoderm invagination as a model, we identified an important role for the non-constricting, lateral mesodermal cells adjacent to the constriction domain (‘flanking cells’) in facilitating epithelial folding. We found that depletion of the basolateral determinant Dlg1 disrupts the transition between apical constriction and invagination without affecting the rate of apical constriction. Strikingly, the observed delay in invagination is associated with ineffective apical myosin contractions in the flanking cells that lead to overstretching of their apical domain. The defects in the flanking cells impede ventral-directed movement of the lateral ectoderm, suggesting reduced mechanical coupling between tissues. Specifically disrupting the flanking cells in wild-type embryos by laser ablation or optogenetic depletion of cortical actin is sufficient to delay the apical constriction-to-invagination transition. Our findings indicate that effective mesoderm invagination requires intact flanking cells and suggest a role for tissue-scale mechanical coupling during epithelial folding.
Evolutionary divergence of Firre localization and expression
Authors: Much Christian , Smallegan Michael J. , Hwang Taeyoung , Hanson Skylar D. , Dumbović Gabrijela , Rinn John L.
Published: March 2022

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are rapidly evolving and thus typically poorly conserved in their sequences. How these sequence differences affect the characteristics and potential functions of lncRNAs with shared synteny remains unclear. Here we show that the syntenically conserved lncRNA Firre displays distinct expression and localization patterns in human and mouse. Single molecule RNA FISH reveals that in a range of cell lines, mouse Firre (mFirre) is predominantly nuclear, while human FIRRE (hFIRRE) is distributed between the cytoplasm and nucleus. This localization pattern is maintained in human/mouse hybrid cells expressing both human and mouse Firre, implying that the localization of the lncRNA is species autonomous. We find that the majority of hFIRRE transcripts in the cytoplasm are comprised of isoforms that are enriched in RRD repeats. We furthermore determine that in various tissues, mFirre is more highly expressed than its human counterpart. Our data illustrate that the rapid evolution of syntenic lncRNAs can lead to variations in lncRNA localization and abundance, which in turn may result in disparate lncRNA functions even in closely related species.
COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy among Iraqi general population between beliefs and barriers: An observational study
Authors: Shareef Laith G. , Fawzi Al-Hussainy Ali , Majeed Hameed Sajid
Published: March 2022

Background: Vaccine apprehension poses a serious threat to global health. While there has been a tremendous global effort to create a vaccine against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), little is known about its reception in  Iraq. Therefore, we sought to examine COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, hesitation, and related elements in the Iraqi population.

Methods: Between the 19th of May and the 22nd of September 2021, a descriptive, cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted employing a quantitative approach. Respondents from both sexes aged 18 years and above who live in Iraq and agreed to participate were included. An anonymized online structured questionnaire was designed based on data from prior research on vaccine  hesitation in general,  and COVID-19 vaccination reluctance specifically.

Results: A total of 1221 eligible participants from various regions in Iraq actively participated in the short web-based questionnaire. The overall acceptance rate of the COVID-19 vaccine was 56.2%, with a greater acceptance rate among younger male participants (p<0.05). Marital status had no significant association (p=0.834). Urbanization influenced the acceptance rate significantly (p=0.002). The barriers to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine were exemplified by the vaccine not being evaluated for a sufficient period in 51.4% of the responses, as well as concerns about future side effects in 76.6% of the responses and a lack of efficacy in 55.7% of the responses. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine received 39.6% preference and participants confidence, followed by the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine at 18.1% and the Sinopharm vaccine at 14.6%.

Conclusions: COVID-19 vaccination apprehension was discovered in almost half of the study population. Lack of understanding about vaccination eligibility, anxiety about adverse events and vaccine efficacy, and distrust in the government were independently predictive of vaccine hesitation.
Health literacy and behaviors influencing blood sugar level control among type 2 diabetes patients in primary care units, Thailand: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Singsalasang Atthawit , Nguanjairak Rachanon , Salawonglak Tongtip
Published: March 2022

Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) remains a significant cause of death globally. In addition, T2DM is among the top five chronic diseases which leads to mortality in the Thai population. Patients with T2DM need a wide self-management protocol.  However, patients with low health literacy experience difficulty in recognizing health-related information and have difficulties in expressing their status to health care providers, resulting in poor self-management which results in worsening of the health condition. This study aimed to identify the health literacy among patients with type 2 diabetes to determine its association between factors with blood sugar level control in the patients who are treated in primary care units.

Methods: A total of 605 subjects were randomly selected from four districts of Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Northeastern Thailand. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and a review of their charts. A descriptive statistical analysis was used to describe characteristics of the subjects. In addition, multiple logistic regression was used for the association to estimate effect sizes in terms of an odds ratio with the 95% confidence interval.

Results: Of the total 605 respondents, 90.90% of the subjects had a sufficient level of health literacy about diabetes. The present study found the subjects who had sufficient health literacy were significantly associated with blood sugar level control (Adjusted Odds Ratio, (AOR)=2.27; 95% CI: 1.10-4.74; p =0.026). A strongly significant association with blood sugar level control was found with diet behaviors (AOR = 9.71; 95% CI: 5.98-15.77; p<0.001) and exercise behaviors (AOR = 14.50; 95% CI: 8.66-24.27; p<0.001).

Conclusions: Health literacy on the changing health related behaviors among the T2DM patients is significantly associated with controlling blood sugar level. Hence, health practitioners should enhance the health literacy on self-care among T2DM patients which will help to control T2DM in an effective manner.
Prospects for the use of janus kinase inhibitors in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis. Literature review
Authors: Fleyshman A.
Published: March 2022

The Janus kinase inhibitors are oral targeted synthetic basic anti-inflammatory drugs that exert their influence on the intracellular signaling system, preventing the activation of inflammatory processes. Now, there are a sufficient number of janus kinase inhibitors that have found application not only in rheumatology, but also in other specialties (gastroenterology, dermatology, hematology, oncology and even veterinary medicine). Thanks to janus kinase inhibitors, suppression of the intracellular signaling pathway of several cytokines simultaneously became available, as a result of which it became possible to exert a complex pathogenic effect. This explains the wide range of applications of these drugs in many areas of medicine. In rheumatology, janus kinase inhibitors are finding new and new applications in the treatment of not only rheumatoid arthritis, but also other diseases. This article presents studies on ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis, the results of which demonstrate high rates regarding the use of janus kinase inhibitors for the treatment of these diseases.
Price Discrimination with Fairness Constraints
Authors: Cohen Maxime C. , Elmachtoub Adam N. , Lei Xiao
Published: March 2022

Price discrimination strategies, which offer different prices to customers based on differences in their valuations, have become common practice. Although it allows sellers to increase their profits, it also raises several concerns in terms of fairness (e.g., by charging higher prices (or denying access) to protected minorities in case they have higher (or lower) valuations than the general population). This topic has received extensive attention from media, industry, and regulatory agencies. In this paper, we consider the problem of setting prices for different groups under fairness constraints. We first propose four definitions: fairness in price, demand, consumer surplus, and no-purchase valuation. We prove that satisfying more than one of these fairness constraints is impossible even under simple settings. We then analyze the pricing strategy of a profit-maximizing seller and the impact of imposing fairness on the seller’s profit, consumer surplus, and social welfare. Under a linear demand model, we find that imposing a small amount of price fairness increases social welfare, whereas too much price fairness may result in a lower welfare relative to imposing no fairness. On the other hand, imposing fairness in demand or consumer surplus always decreases social welfare. Finally, no-purchase valuation fairness always increases social welfare. We observe similar patterns under several extensions and for other common demand models numerically. Our results and insights provide a first step in understanding the impact of imposing fairness in the context of discriminatory pricing.

This paper was accepted by Jayashankar Swaminathan, operations management.

Funding: A. N. Elmachtoub was supported by the Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation [Grants 1763000 and 1944428].

Supplemental Material: The data files and online appendix are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.4317 .
Use of Midodrine in Heart Failure: Two Case Reports and a Review of the Literature
Authors: Hajjiah Adnan , Maadarani Ossama , Bitar Zouheir , Hanna Boutros , Elshabasy Ragab , Abdelfatah Mohamed , Gohar Mohammad
Published: March 2022

Hypotension in patients with heart failure is much more frequent in daily clinical practice than the 10–15% reported in clinical trials. In patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), hypotension frequently limits the initiation and up-titration of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT). Midodrine is a peripheral alpha-1 agonist and a vasopressor anti-hypotensive agent approved for the treatment of orthostatic hypotension. We describe two cases where midodrine was prescribed in patients with HFrEF and hypotension.
New Public Management and the Centralization of Educational Assessment Policy in Brazil: The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Educational Field
Authors: de-Paula Alisson Slider do Nascimento , Rodrigues Maria Beatriz do Nascimento , Soares Thiago Tavares
Published: March 2022

This text aims to analyze the conditionalities of the New Public Management for the educational assessment policy in Brazil and the deepening of educational inequality with the outbreak of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Certainly, within the trajectory of educational policies, Brazil has a clear relationship with the conservative way in which the State and society were shaped. In the current scenario of the New Public Management, the new educational policy dictates an economic logic in the pedagogical factor, which uses business management methods for results, transforming it as a solution to measure the quality of teaching, for which it uses evaluation mechanisms. Aspects linked to the New Public Management such as efficiency, efficacy and effectiveness permeate the rationality of educational policy and, consequently, of the evaluative logic. Indeed, the centrality of the assessment conditioned the logic of curriculum standardization. These curriculum guidance indicators denote training based on skills and abilities that contribute to training that meets market demands.