bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Personalized Treatment of Periodontitis in a Patient with McArdle’s Disease: The Benefits from Probiotics
Authors: Cannizzaro Salvatore , Maiorani Carolina , Scribante Andrea , Butera Andrea
Published: March 2023

Introduction. McArdle’s disease is a severe glycogen storage disease characterized by intolerance to exercise; patients have a syndrome of muscle intolerance to stress, associated with myalgia, cramps, fatigue, and muscle weakness. Periodontal disease is a multifactorial pathology of the supporting tissues of the teeth: one of the main factors is the formation of bacterial biofilm; its control favors the prevention and the maintenance of good health of the oral cavity; and some systemic pathologies can worsen the periodontal disease and hinder its therapy. This case report concerns a woman with McArdle’s disease diagnosed with periodontal disease. Material and Methods. A 54-year-old female patient with McArdle’s disease has been diagnosed with Stage 3 generalized periodontitis, Grade B. At the baseline, the patient had 82 pockets with probing pocket depth (PPD) equal to or greater than 4 mm. The patient was instructed in the correct methods of oral hygiene and was advised toothpaste and mouthwash based on probiotics; subsequently, a debridement was performed to remove etiological factors using Dental-Biofilm Detection Topographic Technique (D-BioTECH). Results. After 60 days, the number of pockets was reduced from 82 to 14 overall with

PPD
≥
4
 
mm

and from 50 to 2 pockets with

PPD
≥
5
 
mm

. Full mouth bleeding score (FMBS) increased from 48% to 15% and full mouth plaque score (FMPS) from 73% to 15%. Conclusions. In this case, the use of a correct brushing method combined with the D-BioTECH has reduced the disease state, with the use of probiotics at home to restore and maintain a healthy oral microbiome.
Unilateral Pulmonary Agenesis about a Case Revealed by an Acute Respiratory Infection in a Young Infant
Authors: Kissou S. Aimée , Adjaba Souleymane B. W. , Tamini Jacqueline , Traore Hélène
Published: March 2023

Pulmonary agenesis is a rare congenital anomaly of unknown cause, consisting of a complete absence of the lung parenchyma, bronchi, and vascularization. It may or not be associated with other malformations. The authors report a case of right pulmonary agenesis diagnosed in a four-month-old infant who had no previous pathological history and was growing well. The circumstance of discovery was respiratory distress during an infectious episode. The diagnosis was suspected on a standard chest X-ray and confirmed on a chest CT scan. There are no other associated defects. The evolution was good after antibiotic therapy. While bilateral pulmonary agenesis is incompatible with life, the unilateral form may remain unrecognized until adulthood. The prognosis depends mainly on the importance of the associated malformations.
A Coupled Inductor-Based Bidirectional DC-DC Converter with Step-Up Step-Down Operation for Electric Vehicle Applications
Authors: Malik Muhammad Zeeshan , Zhang Shiqing , Hong Yuanyuan , Alwahkyan Ayham Riyad A’Yesh , Ali Amjad , Farooq Ajmal
Published: March 2023

A coupled-inductor-based high step-up high step-down DC-DC converter with bidirectional capability suitable for electric vehicle (EV) applications is proposed in this paper. The voltage gain in both step-up and step-down operations is increased by a two-winding coupled inductor. The current ripple in the low-voltage port is low making it suitable for renewable energy sources. In addition, the low number of components causes the efficiency of the proposed converter to be competitive with similar topologies in the literature. Due to the use of only three bidirectional switches with low voltage stress, the cost and volume of the converter are reduced. To demonstrate the performance of the proposed bidirectional converter, an analysis of the operation modes in the steady state is presented. Also, a comparison between the suggested converter and other similar converters in the literature is provided. The results of these comparisons show that the proposed converter has a lower number of components and higher efficiency than the others. In addition, lower voltage stress and noticeable voltage gain in comparison with others are further results of these comparisons. Eventually, the experimental results in step-up and step-down operations are presented. In step-up operation, the experimental prototype is tested under fs = 50 kHz, VLow = 20 V, VHigh = 110 V, rated power = 120 W, with 94.60% efficiency. Furthermore, VHigh is considered 100 V with VLow = 33 V and 94.43% efficiency at 50 W rated power in step-down mode operation.
HDAC3 Inhibition Promotes Antitumor Immunity by Enhancing CXCL10-Mediated Chemotaxis and Recruiting of Immune Cells
Authors: Li Lili , Hao Shumin , Gao Meiling , Liu Junxiao , Xu Xin , Huang Jianfei , Cheng Genhong , Yang Heng
Published: March 2023

It is generally believed that histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, which represent a new class of anticancer agents, exert their antitumor activity by directly causing cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis of tumor cells. However, in this study, we demonstrated that class I HDAC inhibitors, such as Entinostat and Panobinostat, effectively suppressed tumor growth in immunocompetent but not immunodeficient mice. Further studies with Hdac1, 2, or 3 knockout tumor cells indicated that tumor-specific inactivation of HDAC3 suppressed tumor growth by activating antitumor immunity. Specifically, we found that HDAC3 could directly bind to promotor regions and inhibit the expression of CXCL9, 10, and 11 chemokines. Hdac3-deficient tumor cells expressed high levels of these chemokines, which suppressed tumor growth in immunocompetent mice by recruiting CXCR3+ T cells into the tumor microenvironment (TME). Furthermore, the inverse correlation between HDAC3 and CXCL10 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma tumor tissues also suggested HDAC3 might be involved in antitumor immune regulation and patient survival. Thus, our studies have illustrated that HDAC3 inhibition suppresses tumor growth by enhancing immune cell infiltration into the TME. This antitumor mechanism may be helpful in guiding HDAC3 inhibitor–based treatment.
Successful Multidisciplinary Management of Aortic Valve Repair in Severe Hemophilia B with Extended Half-Life Recombinant Factor IX Concentrate
Authors: Milano Giulia , Banov Laura , Svahn Johanna , Gucciardo Marco , Marotta Fernando , Molinari Angelo Claudio
Published: March 2023

Successful management of surgery in severe coagulation disorders depends on adequate replacement of the deficient factors from intervention until wound healing. Extended half-life (EHL) recombinant factor IX (rFIX) has been increasingly used in hemophilia B (HB) patients. Monitoring of blood levels of EHL rFIX allows to obtain pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters in order to optimize and personalize therapeutic scheme. We describe a case of a young male with severe HB who successfully underwent aortic valve repair. This is the first reported open-heart surgery in a patient with severe HB using EHL rFIX. The success was based on accurate PK evaluation and on meticulous preoperative planning and close cooperation among surgeons, hemophilia specialists, and laboratory team despite the long distance between hemophilia center and surgical clinic.
Sopros de vida e destruição: composição e decomposição de pessoas
Authors: Lolli Pedro
Published: March 2023

Partindo de uma experiência etnográfica específica na região do Noroeste Amazônico, entre os Yuhupdeh, comumente referidos como Maku, pretendo refletir sobre uma questão de ordem geral – as ações de cura xamânicas ameríndias e sua relação com a composição e decomposição de pessoas. Devido à amplitude dessas práticas, o presente texto se restringe a acompanhar e analisar dois momentos etnográficos: a execução de fórmulas verbais, conhecidas regionalmente como benzimentos, e a sua transformação na forma escrita.
“Devemos imaginar a antropologia antropologicamente” Entrevista com Jimmie Durham
Authors: Moiroux Sophie
Published: March 2023

“Devemos imaginar a antropologia  antropologicamente” Entrevista com Jimmie Durham
Da periferia ao centro: trajetórias de pesquisa em Antropologia Urbana.
Authors: Pereira Alexandre Barbosa
Published: March 2023

MAGNANI, José Guilherme Cantor. Da periferia ao centro: trajetórias de pesquisa em Antropologia Urbana. São Paulo: Editora Terceiro Nome, 2012, 349 pp.
How Many People Were Killed by Windblown Dust Events in the United States?
Authors: Tong Daniel , Feng Irene , Gill Thomas E. , Schepanski Kerstin , Wang Julian
Published: March 2023

Windblown dust events, including dust storms and smaller blowing dust events, pose severe risks to public health and transportation safety. In the United States, the statistics of fatalities caused by dust events remains elusive. We developed a new dataset by merging dust fatality data from NOAA Storm Events Database and the Department of Transportation Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). There was a total of 232 deaths from windblown dust events from 2007 to 2017. This number is much larger than that reported by the NOAA Natural Hazard Statistics, which assigns some dust fatalities to high winds and thunderstorms (∼45%) and does not include many events in FARS. Dust fatalities are most frequent over the Southwest, consistent with the spatial distribution of dust storm occurrences. Other high-risk regions include the Colorado Plateau, Columbia Plateau in Washington and Oregon, the High Plains where the disastrous “Dust Bowl” occurred, and the Corn Belt where blowing dust from croplands presents a driving hazard. All six most deadly dust wrecks (three deaths or more) involved semi trucks and five of them were caused by dust storms along Interstate 10. There exist two “hotspots” for dust fatalities: 1) the “Deadliest 10 Miles” between Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona, and 2) Lordsburg Playa in New Mexico, where active dust mitigation projects have been managed by state transportation agencies. In most years, dust events caused comparable life losses to that from other weather hazards such as hurricanes, thunderstorms, lightning, and wildfires. This work presents new evidence that dust is an underappreciated weather hazard.
Media representations of China amid COVID-19: a corpus-assisted critical discourse analysis
Authors: Yu Yating , Tay Dennis , Yue Qian
Published: March 2023

Although there has been an increasing number of studies investigating media representations of the COVID-19 outbreak around the world, less international attention has been given to Chinese media outlets’ coverage of the COVID-19 outbreak than that of their western counterparts. This study employs corpus-assisted critical discourse analysis to investigate how China is linguistically represented in a state-run English-language news media. The analysis reveals that China is respectively represented as a victim, a fighter, and a cooperative/supportive country with ideological implications for global solidarity and humanitarianism. This study sheds light on the effective use of discursive strategies in promoting international cooperation and building a national image amid a global health crisis. The value of using corpus-assisted critical discourse analysis to examine national image is also highlighted.
Anti-CD19 CAR T-cell consolidation therapy combined with CD19+ feeding T cells and TKI for Ph+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Chen Li-Yun , Gong Wen-Jie , Li Ming-Hao , Zhou Hai-Xia , Xu Ming-Zhu , Qian Chong-Sheng , Kang Li-Qing , Xu Nan , Yu Zhou , Qiao Man , Zhang Tong-Tong , Zhang Ling , Tian Zheng-Long , Sun Ai-Ning , Yu Lei , Wu De-Pei , Xue Sheng-Li
Published: March 2023

We conducted a single-arm, open-label, single-center phase 1 study to assess the safety and efficacy of multicycle-sequential anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy in combination with autologous CD19+ feeding T cells (FTCs) and tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) as consolidation therapy in patients under the age of 65 years with de novo Ph-positive CD19+ B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Participants were given induction chemotherapy as well as systemic chemotherapy with TKI. Afterward, they received a single cycle of CD19 CAR T-cell infusion and another 3 cycles of CD19 CAR T-cell and CD19+ FTC infusions, followed by TKI as consolidation therapy. CD19+ FTCs were given at 3 different doses. The phase 1 results of the first 15 patients, including 2 withdrawals, are presented. The most common adverse events were cytopenia (13/13) and hypogammaglobinemia (12/13). There was no incidence of cytokine release syndrome above grade 2 or immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome or grade 4 nonhematological toxicities. All 13 patients achieved complete remission, including 12 patients with a complete molecular response (CMR) at the data cutoff. The relapse-free survival was 84%, and the overall survival was 83% with a median follow-up of 27 months. The total number of CD19-expressing cells decreased with an increasing CMR rate. CD19 CAR T cells survived for up to 40 months, whereas CD19+ FTCs vanished in 8 patients 3 months after the last infusion. These findings could form the basis for the development of an allo-HSCT–free consolidation paradigm. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT03984968.
Brentuximab vedotin after autologous transplantation in pediatric patients with relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Forlenza Christopher J. , Rosenzweig Jaclyn , Mauguen Audrey , Buhtoiarov Ilia , Cuglievan Branko , Dave Hema , Deyell Rebecca J. , Flerlage Jamie E. , Franklin Anna K. , Krajewski Jennifer , Leger Kasey J. , Marks Lianna J. , Norris Robin E. , Pacheco Martha , Willen Faye , Yan Adam Paul , Harker-Murray Paul D. , Giulino-Roth Lisa
Published: March 2023

Outcomes for children and adolescents with relapsed and refractory Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) are poor, with ∼50% of patients experiencing a subsequent relapse. The anti-CD30 antibody–drug conjugate brentuximab vedotin improved progression-free survival (PFS) when used as consolidation after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in adults with high-risk relapsed/refractory HL. Data on brentuximab vedotin as consolidative therapy after ASCT in pediatric patients with HL are extremely limited, with data of only 11 patients reported in the literature. We performed a retrospective analysis of 67 pediatric patients who received brentuximab vedotin as consolidation therapy after ASCT for the treatment of relapsed/refractory HL to describe the experience of this regimen in the pediatric population. This is the largest cohort reported to date. We found that brentuximab vedotin was well tolerated with a safety profile similar to that of adult patients. With a median follow-up of 37 months, the 3-year PFS was 85%. These data suggest a potential role for the use of brentuximab vedotin as consolidation therapy after ASCT for children with relapsed/refractory HL.
Similarities and differences in the rhizosphere biota among different ephemeral desert plants in Gurbantünggüt Desert
Authors: Yang Yang , Liu Weiguo , Huang Tingwen , Yang Yaru
Published: March 2023

Background

The interactions between rhizosphere microbial community and ephemeral desert plants strongly affect the ecological protection, restoration and reconstruction in deserts. Ephemeral desert plants as the pioneer plants in the succession are widely distributed in deserts. However, how the ephemeral desert plants assemble their rhizosphere microbiota to adapt to arid and semi-arid environments has been little explored. Here, we used high-throughput sequencing techniques to compare rhizosphere bacterial communities and functions with different ephemeral desert plants composition from Gurbantünggüt Desert in western China.

Results

These plants had the same dominant bacterial phyla, which approximately counted 98% of the total bacterial communities. But the bacterial communities had significant differences (P < 0.05) in the composition, structure, diversity and functions of all groups. When comparing every two groups, similarities appeared in the composition, structure and functions of rhizosphere microbiota, and within each group, it is more likely that the rhizosphere bacterial communities of closely related ephemeral desert plants tend to be consistent. Additionally, the rhizosphere bacterial taxa had more similarities in predicted functions. And the predicted functions were correlated with the dominant bacterial phyla.

Conclusions

Overall, to adapt to the arid and semi-arid environments, the rhizosphere bacterial communities of ephemeral desert plants appear similarities based on having differences. This finding will help to understand the importance of how plants and soil microorganisms cooperate in the process of adaption to arid and semi-arid environments.
Gene expression during the formation of resting spores induced by nitrogen starvation in the marine diatom Chaetoceros socialis
Authors: Pelusi Angela , Ambrosino Luca , Miralto Marco , Chiusano Maria Luisa , Rogato Alessandra , Ferrante Maria Immacolata , Montresor Marina
Published: March 2023

Background

Dormancy is widespread in both multicellular and unicellular organisms. Among diatoms, unicellular microalgae at the base of all aquatic food webs, several species produce dormant cells (spores or resting cells) that can withstand long periods of adverse environmental conditions.

Results

We present the first gene expression study during the process of spore formation induced by nitrogen depletion in the marine planktonic diatom Chaetoceros socialis. In this condition, genes related to photosynthesis and nitrate assimilation, including high-affinity nitrate transporters (NTRs), were downregulated. While the former result is a common reaction among diatoms under nitrogen stress, the latter seems to be exclusive of the spore-former C. socialis. The upregulation of catabolic pathways, such as tricarboxylic acid cycle, glyoxylate cycle and fatty acid beta-oxidation, suggests that this diatom could use lipids as a source of energy during the process of spore formation. Furthermore, the upregulation of a lipoxygenase and several aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) advocates the presence of oxylipin-mediated signaling, while the upregulation of genes involved in dormancy-related pathways conserved in other organisms (e.g. serine/threonine-protein kinases TOR and its inhibitor GATOR) provides interesting avenues for future explorations.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that the transition from an active growth phase to a resting one is characterized by marked metabolic changes and provides evidence for the presence of signaling pathways related to intercellular communication.
A novel cuproptosis-related gene model predicts outcomes and treatment responses in pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Authors: Liu Qixian , Li Ruiyu , Wu Huanwen , Liang Zhiyong
Published: March 2023

Background

Cuproptosis is recently emerging as a hot spot in cancer research. However, its role in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) has not yet been clarified. This study aimed to explore the prognostic and therapeutic implications of cuproptosis-related genes in PAAD.

Methods

Two hundred thirteen PAAD samples from the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) were split into training and validation sets in the ratio of 7:3. The Cox regression analyses generated a prognostic model using the ICGC cohort for training (n = 152) and validation (n = 61). The model was externally tested on the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) (n = 80) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets (n = 176). The clinical characteristics, molecular mechanisms, immune landscape, and treatment responses in model-defined subgroups were explored. The expression of an independent prognostic geneTSC22D2was confirmed by public databases, real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), western blot (WB), and immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Results

A prognostic model was established based on three cuproptosis-related genes (TSC22D2,C6orf136,PRKDC). Patients were stratified into high- and low-risk groups using the risk score based on this model. PAAD patients in the high-risk group had a worse prognosis. The risk score was statistically significantly correlated with most clinicopathological characteristics. The risk score based on this model was an independent predictor of overall survival (OS) (HR = 10.7,p < 0.001), and was utilized to create a scoring nomogram with excellent prognostic value. High-risk patients had a higherTP53mutation rate and a superior response to multiple targeted therapies and chemotherapeutic drugs, but might obtain fewer benefits from immunotherapy. Moreover, elevatedTSC22D2expression was discovered to be an independent prognostic predictor for OS (p < 0.001). Data from public databases and our own experiments showed thatTSC22D2expression was significantly higher in pancreatic cancer tissues/cells compared to normal tissues/cells.

Conclusion

This novel model based on cuproptosis-related genes provided a robust biomarker for predicting the prognosis and treatment responses of PAAD. The potential roles and underlying mechanisms ofTSC22D2in PAAD need further explored.
A preliminary research on transcultural capacity in global public health: from the view of public health professionals
Authors: Ning Feng , Xin Liu , Quan Wang , Xiaohui Liang , Xiaoping Dong
Published: March 2023

Background

Transcultural capacity is a key component of consolidated global public health assistance cooperation (GPHAC). The aim of this study is to investigate the transcultural capacity perceptions of public health professionals from China’s disease control and prevention system after relative training in order to provide a reference for enhancing transcultural capacity during the practice of GPHAC.

Methods

A cross sectional qualitative survey in which self-administrated questionnaire with 5 open ended questions was used. The questionnaire was disseminated on the completion of an online training for China’s senior public health professions on transcultural capacity in GPHAC. Descriptive statistics, word frequency analysis and content analysis were used to analyze the questionnaire data.

Results

Totally, 45 participants took part in this training, 25 of them voluntarily participated in this survey. The participants demonstrated the need for transcultural competence in public health services and suggested improvement in the course content arising from their wealth of knowledge and practical experience in the field. 96% of the participants considered that the training course was “very necessary” and “meaningful”. The most interested topics were “Overview of transcultural adaptation and GPHAC”, “Transcultural adaptation and response” and “African culture and health”. The contents about “Country-specific analysis on cultural factors in public health”, “rapid transcultural adaptation” and “more specific practical experiences in diverse cultural backgrounds” were suggested to be added in future training. The participants considered that transcultural capacity ensured the smooth progress of GPHAC and they both could complement each other, transcultural adaptation was the premise of gaining trust and reaching cooperation, it can be conducive to the health assistance professionals to integrate into local cultural life, facilitating their foreign assistance work to be effective and efficient, and impart experiences well. The participants hoped to put the concept into action.

Conclusion

The importance of transcultural competence in GPHAC is becoming a consensus of public health professionals. Enhanced transcultural competence reflected in the attitude of public health as well as other health workers would promote GPHAC and would foster efficient emergency health response management among many countries.
Prevalence of frailty and its association with oral hypofunction in older adults: a gender perspective
Authors: Cruz-Moreira Karla , Alvarez-Cordova Ludwig , González-Palacios Torres Carla , Chedraui Peter , Jouvin José , Jiménez-Moleón José Juan , Barrios-Rodríguez Rocío
Published: March 2023

Background

Previous studies have indicated an association between oral hypofunction and frailty in community-dwelling older adults. However, this issue has not been evaluated in institutionalized older patients. We aimed to determine the prevalence of physical frailty in this particularly vulnerable group and evaluate its association with oral hypofunction, analyzing possible differences by gender.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted in private and public care homes in Guayaquil (Ecuador) from January 2018 until December 2019. Participants were classified as robust, pre-frail, and frail according to the Fried's frailty phenotype. Oral hypofunction was defined as the presence of at least three positive items in the following list: poor oral hygiene, oral dryness, reduced occlusal force, decreased masticatory function, and deterioration of swallowing function. The relationships between frailty and oral hypofunction were analyzed using logistic regression models for the whole sample and stratified by gender. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA 15.0 software (Stata Corp. LP, College Station, TX, USA).

Results

Among the 589 participants analyzed (65% women), the median age was 72 years (interquartile range: 66–82). Pre-frailty and frailty were presented in 66.7% and 28.9% of them respectively. Weakness was the most frequent item (84.6%). There was a significant relationship between frailty and oral hypofunction in women. In the overall sample, the frequency of frailty was 2.06 times higher (95% CI 1.30–3.29) in patients with oral hypofunction, and this association was maintained in women (ORa: 2.18; 95% CI 1.21–3.94). Reduced occlusal force and decreased swallowing function were items significantly associated with the presence of frailty (ORa: 1.95; 95% CI 1.18–3.22 and ORa: 2.11; 95% CI 1.39–3.19, respectively).

Conclusion

The prevalence of frailty and pre-frailty was high among institutionalized older people and was associated with the presence of hypofunction, especially in women. Decreased swallowing function was the most strongly item associated with frailty.
Childhood asthma diagnoses declined during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
Authors: Horton Daniel B. , Neikirk Amanda L. , Yang Yiling , Huang Cecilia , Panettieri Reynold A. , Crystal Stephen , Strom Brian L. , Parlett Lauren E.
Published: March 2023

Background

Prior studies have documented declines in pediatric asthma exacerbations and asthma-related health care utilization during the COVID-19 pandemic, but less is known about the incidence of asthma during the pandemic.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of children under age 18 without a prior diagnosis of asthma within a large US commercial claims database. Incident asthma was defined using a combination of diagnosis codes, location of services, and medication dispensing. Crude quarterly rates of asthma diagnosis per 1000 children were calculated, and the incidence rate ratio and 95% confidence interval were estimated for newly diagnosed asthma during versus before the pandemic using negative binomial regression, adjusted for age, sex, region, and season.

Results

Compared with 3 years prior to the pandemic, crude incident diagnosis rates of asthma decreased by 52% across the first four quarters of the US pandemic. The covariate-adjusted pandemic-associated incidence rate ratio was 0.47 (95% confidence interval 0.43, 0.51).

Conclusions

New diagnoses of childhood asthma in the US declined by half during the first year of the pandemic. These findings raise important questions whether pandemic-related changes in infectious or other triggers truly altered the incidence of childhood asthma beyond the well-described disruptions in healthcare access.
Hidden colon adenocarcinoma diagnosed from mouth metastasis: case report and literature review
Authors: de Almeida Lança Maria Leticia , Carvalho Yasmin Rodarte , Almeida Janete Dias , Kaminagakura Estela
Published: March 2023

Background

We report an unusual case of metastatic colon adenocarcinoma to the maxilla as an initial clinical sign of the disease, this being the second case reported in the palate. In addition, we show an extensive review of the literature, with clinical cases of adenocarcinoma with metastasis to the mouth.

Case presentation

An 80-year-old man complained of “swelling on the palate” with a 3-week evolution time. He reported suffering from constipation and high blood pressure. The intraoral examination revealed a pedunculated, red, and painless nodule on the maxillary gingiva. Under the diagnostic hypotheses of squamous cell carcinoma and malignant neoplasm of the salivary gland, an incisional biopsy was performed. Microscopically, the columnar epithelium was observed forming papillary areas, neoplastic cells with prominent nucleoli, hyperchromatic nuclei, atypical mitotic figures, and mucous cells, being positive for CK 20, suggesting the provisional diagnosis of metastatic adenocarcinoma, probably of gastrointestinal origin. The patient was submitted to endoscopy and colonoscopy exams, and a lesion in the sigmoid region of the colon was observed. After a colon biopsy, a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma was confirmed, establishing the final diagnosis of metastatic neoplasia of colon adenocarcinoma to the oral lesion. The literature review revealed 45 clinical cases of colon adenocarcinoma with metastasis to the oral cavity. To the best of our knowledge, it is the second case on the palate.

Conclusions

Colon adenocarcinoma with metastasis to the oral cavity is rare but should be included in the differential diagnosis of neoplasms of the oral cavity, even when there are no known primary tumors in some cases, and this may be the first indication of the presence of a tumor.
Near-infrared fluorescence-assisted thoracoscopic diverticulectomy of esophageal diverticulum: a case report
Authors: Xu Hao , Guan Tian , Fan Rongrong , Yang Fan , Li Yun , Zhou Jian
Published: March 2023

Background

Esophageal diverticulum is a rare condition that requires treatment only when symptoms are present. Surgery has been considered to be the only curative option for symptomatic cases. The most popular procedure is diverticulectomy. Clear and intact exposure of the diverticulum’s neck is the basis for safe and effective diverticulectomy.

Case presentation

We herein report a case of a 57 year-old woman with an epiphrenic diverticulum. VATS diverticulectomy was scheduled. To better identify the diverticulum neck, we injected indocyanine green (ICG) into the diverticulum through the endoscopic channel, and the diverticulum wall and neck were clearly visible under near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence. With the help of this method, diverticulectomy was successfully performed.

Conclusion

This case shows that NIR fluorescence with ICG is safe, simple and reliable and can be used for diverticulectomy.
Increased incidence of adult-onset Still’s disease in association with COVID-19 vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Gottschalk Maxime N. , Heiland Max , Nahles Susanne , Preissner Robert , Petri William A. , Wendy Stephanie , Preissner Saskia
Published: March 2023

Background

Adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD) is a multi-system, auto-inflammatory disease characterized by fever, arthralgia, typical rash, leukocytosis, sore throat, and liver dysfunction, among other symptoms. Retrospective studies about the frequencies of AOSD have shown that this disease is very rare. However, there has been an increased scientific interest in the last 2 years, as numerous case studies on AOSD have been published. These case studies describe the occurrence of AOSD after SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or COVID-19 vaccination.

Methods

We analyzed the incidence of AOSD to examine a potential association between AOSD and SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or COVID-19 vaccination. The TriNetX dataset consists of 90 million patients. We found 8474 AOSD cases, which we analyzed regarding SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or vaccination status. We also analyzed the cohorts considering demographic data, lab values, co-diagnoses and treatment pathways.

Results

We divided the AOSD cases into four cohorts: primary cohort (AOSD), Cov cohort (AOSD + SARS-CoV-2 infection), Vac cohort (AOSD + COVID-19 vaccination) and Vac + Cov cohort (AOSD + COVID-19 vaccination + SARS-CoV-2 infection). For the primary cohort, we found an annual incidence of 0.35 per 100.000. We found an association between AOSD and SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or COVID-19 vaccination. According to the numerical analysis, the incidence of AOSD doubled for the Cov cohort and Vac cohort. Moreover, the incidence of AOSD was 4.82 times higher for Vac + Cov cohort. The lab values for inflammatory markers were increased. Co-diagnoses such as rash, sore throat, and fever appeared in all AOSD cohorts, with the highest occurrences in the AOSD + COVID-19 vaccination + SARS-CoV-2 infection cohort. We identified several lines of treatments, mainly in association with adrenal corticosteroids.

Conclusions

This research supports the assumption of an association between AOSD and SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or COVID-19 vaccination. However, AOSD remains a rare disease and the usage of vaccines to fight the COVID-19 pandemic should not be questioned because of the increased incidence of AOSD.
An eco-friendly separation-based framework for quantitative determination and purity testing of an antihypertensive ternary pharmaceutical formulation
Authors: Marzouk Hoda M. , Ayish Nada S. , El-Zeany Badr A. , Fayed Ahmed S.
Published: March 2023

Designing new, verified methodologies with a focus on sustainability, analytical efficiency, simplicity, and the environment has become a major priority for pharmaceutical quality control units. In this way, sustainable and selective separation-based methodologies were designed and validated for the concurrent estimation of amiloride hydrochloride (AML), hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) and timolol maleate (TIM) in their fixed dose formulation (Moducren® Tablets) along with hydrochlorothiazide potential impurities, salamide (DSA) and chlorothiazide (CT). The first method is a high performance thin layer chromatographic method (HPTLC-densitometry). The first developed method employed silica gel HPTLC F254 plates as stationary phase using a chromatographic developing system composed of ethyl acetate–ethanol–water–ammonia (8.5:1:0.5:0.3, by volume). The separated drug bands were densito-metrically measured at 220.0 nm for AML, HCT, DSA and CT and at 295.0 nm for TIM. The linearity was assessed over a wide concentration range, 0.5–10 µg/band, 1.0–16.0 µg/band and 1.0–14 µg/band for AML, HCT and TIM, in order and 0.05–1.0 µg/band for each of DSA and CT. The second method is capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). The electrophoretic separation was achieved using background electrolyte (BGE), borate buffer 40.0 mM with pH 9.0 ± 0.2, at applied voltage of + 15 kV with on-column diode array detection at 200.0 nm. The method linearity was reached over the concentration range of 20.0–160.0 µg/mL, 10.0–200.0 µg/mL, 10.0–120.0 µg/mL for AML, HCT and TIM, respectively and 10.0–100.0 µg/mL for DSA. The suggested methods were optimized to achieve best performance and validated agreeing with the ICH guidelines. Assessment of methods’ sustainability and greenness was performed using different greenness assessment tools.

Graphical Abstract
A novel heterogeneous acid–base nano-catalyst designed based on graphene oxide for synthesis of spiro-indoline-pyranochromene derivatives
Authors: Khabnadideh Soghra , Khorshidi Khashayar , Amiri-Zirtol Leila
Published: March 2023

Nano graphene oxide/3-aminopyridine has been introduced as a new, efficient and robust heterogeneous organic catalyst for synthesis of spiro-indoline-pyranochromene derivatives. Nano graphene oxide/3-aminopyridine was provided in an easy and green way from GO. Firstly, graphene oxide (GO) was synthesized and then 3-aminopyridine was immobilized with covalent bonds on its surface as a nitrogenous organic compound, in this step we didn’t use any organic or toxic substance. This bonding was easily performed due to the presence and reactivity of the epoxy groups in the GO structure. Because of its vast-surface nano-layers, GO could be effective in appropriate dispersion of 3-aminopyridine on its surface and increasing the catalyst performance. The new catalyst was analysed using different microscopic and spectroscopic techniques such as Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Our results showed that the distance between GO plates was increased in the presence of the modifying agent. This is due to the placement of the organic compound between the GO sheets. Finally, the ability of our new nano-catalyst in the synthesis of some spiro-indoline-pyranochromene and dihydropyranochromene derivatives was evaluated and acceptable results were obtained. Eight analogous of spiro-indoline-pyranochromene (4a-4 h) were synthesized in high yields and characterized. Using 3-aminopyridine as an organic and efficient catalyst, its stabilization by a simple method on GO, recycling of the catalyst up to 7 times and obtaining a highly pure product were the points that made the present work more attractive.

Graphical Abstract
Impact of dietary fat levels and fatty acid composition on milk fat synthesis in sows at peak lactation
Authors: Zhe Li , Krogh Uffe , Lauridsen Charlotte , Nielsen Mette Olaf , Fang Zhengfeng , Theil Peter Kappel
Published: March 2023

Background

Dietary fat is important for energy provision and immune function of lactating sows and their progeny. However, knowledge on the impact of fat on mammary transcription of lipogenic genes, de novo fat synthesis, and milk fatty acid (FA) output is sparse in sows. This study aimed to evaluate impacts of dietary fat levels and FA composition on these traits in sows. Forty second-parity sows (Danish Landrace × Yorkshire) were assigned to 1 of 5 dietary treatments from d 108 of gestation until weaning (d 28 of lactation): low-fat control diet (3% added animal fat); or 1 of 4 high-fat diets with 8% added fat: coconut oil (CO), fish oil (FO), sunflower oil (SO), or 4% octanoic acid plus 4% FO (OFO). Three approaches were taken to estimate de novo milk fat synthesis from glucose and body fat.

Results

Daily intake of FA was lowest in low-fat sows within fat levels (P < 0.01) and in OFO and FO sows within high-fat diets (P < 0.01). Daily milk outputs of fat, FA, energy, and FA-derived carbon reflected to a large extent the intake of those. On average, estimates for de novo fat synthesis were 82 or 194 g/d from glucose according to method 1 or 2 and 255 g de novo + mobilized FA/d according to method 3. The low-fat diet increased mammary FAS expression (P < 0.05) and de novo fat synthesis (method 1; P = 0.13) within fat levels. The OFO diet increased de novo fat synthesis (method 1; P < 0.05) and numerically upregulated mammary FAS expression compared to the other high-fat diets. Across diets, a daily intake of 440 g digestible FA minimized milk fat originating from glucose and mobilized body fat.

Conclusions

Sows fed diets with low-fat or octanoic acid, through upregulating FAS expression, increased mammary de novo fat synthesis whereas the milk FA output remained low in sows fed the low-fat diet or high-fat OFO or FO diets, indicating that dietary FA intake, dietary fat level, and body fat mobilization in concert determine de novo fat synthesis, amount and profiles of FA in milk.
Adjusting phosphate feeding regimen according to daily rhythm increases eggshell quality via enhancing medullary bone remodeling in laying hens
Authors: Yan Jiakun , Wang Jiajie , Chen Jie , Shi Hao , Liao Xujie , Pan Chong , Liu Yanli , Yang Xin , Ren Zhouzheng , Yang Xiaojun
Published: March 2023

Background

Body phosphorus metabolism exhibits a circadian rhythm over the 24-h daily cycle. The egg laying behavior makes laying hens a very special model for investigating phosphorus circadian rhythms. There is lack of information about the impact of adjusting phosphate feeding regimen according to daily rhythm on the phosphorus homeostasis and bone remodeling of laying hens.

Methods and results

Two experiments were conducted. In Exp. 1, Hy-Line Brown laying hens (n = 45) were sampled according the oviposition cycle (at 0, 6, 12, and 18 h post-oviposition, and at the next oviposition, respectively; n = 9 at each time point). Diurnal rhythms of body calcium/phosphorus ingestions and excretions, serum calcium/phosphorus levels, oviduct uterus calcium transporter expressions, and medullary bone (MB) remodeling were illustrated. In Exp. 2, two diets with different phosphorus levels (0.32% and 0.14% non-phytate phosphorus (NPP), respectively) were alternately presented to the laying hens. Briefly, four phosphorus feeding regimens in total (each included 6 replicates of 5 hens): (1) fed 0.32% NPP at both 09:00 and 17:00; (2) fed 0.32% NPP at 09:00 and 0.14% NPP at 17:00; (3) fed 0.14% NPP at 09:00 and 0.32% NPP at 17:00; (4) fed 0.14% NPP at both 09:00 and 17:00. As a result, the regimen fed 0.14% NPP at 09:00 and 0.32% NPP at 17:00, which was designed to strengthen intrinsic phosphate circadian rhythms according to the findings in Exp. 1, enhanced (P < 0.05) MB remodeling (indicated by histological images, serum markers and bone mineralization gene expressions), elevated (P < 0.05) oviduct uterus calcium transportation (indicated by transient receptor potential vanilloid 6 protein expression), and subsequently increased (P < 0.05) eggshell thickness, eggshell strength, egg specific gravity and eggshell index in laying hens.

Conclusions

These results underscore the importance of manipulating the sequence of daily phosphorus ingestion, instead of simply controlling dietary phosphate concentrations, in modifying the bone remodeling process. Body phosphorus rhythms will need to be maintained during the daily eggshell calcification cycle.

Graphical Abstract
Microbiota and functional analyses of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in root-knot nematode parasitism of plants
Authors: Li Ye , Lei Shaonan , Cheng Zhiqiang , Jin Lingyue , Zhang Ting , Liang Lian-Ming , Cheng Linjie , Zhang Qinyi , Xu Xiaohong , Lan Canhua , Lu Chaojun , Mo Minghe , Zhang Ke-Qin , Xu Jianping , Tian Baoyu
Published: March 2023

Background

Root-knot nematodes (RKN) are among the most important root-damaging plant-parasitic nematodes, causing severe crop losses worldwide. The plant rhizosphere and root endosphere contain rich and diverse bacterial communities. However, little is known about how RKN and root bacteria interact to impact parasitism and plant health. Determining the keystone microbial taxa and their functional contributions to plant health and RKN development is important for understanding RKN parasitism and developing efficient biological control strategies in agriculture.

Results

The analyses of rhizosphere and root endosphere microbiota of plants with and without RKN showed that host species, developmental stage, ecological niche, and nematode parasitism, as well as most of their interactions, contributed significantly to variations in root-associated microbiota. Compared with healthy tomato plants at different developmental stages, significant enrichments of bacteria belonging to Rhizobiales, Betaproteobacteriales, and Rhodobacterales were observed in the endophytic microbiota of nematode-parasitized root samples. Functional pathways related to bacterial pathogenesis and biological nitrogen fixation were significantly enriched in nematode-parasitized plants. In addition, we observed significant enrichments of the nifH gene and NifH protein, the key gene/enzyme involved in biological nitrogen fixation, within nematode-parasitized roots, consistent with a potential functional contribution of nitrogen-fixing bacteria to nematode parasitism. Data from a further assay showed that soil nitrogen amendment could reduce both endophytic nitrogen-fixing bacteria and RKN prevalence and galling in tomato plants.

Conclusions

Results demonstrated that (1) community variation and assembly of root endophytic microbiota were significantly affected by RKN parasitism; (2) a taxonomic and functional association was found for endophytic nitrogen-fixing bacteria and nematode parasitism; and (3) the change of nitrogen-fixing bacterial communities through the addition of nitrogen fertilizers could affect the occurrence of RKN. Our results provide new insights into interactions among endophytic microbiota, RKN, and plants, contributing to the potential development of novel management strategies against RKN.
Management of PDA device closure complicated by severe hemolysis by transcatheter retrieval and deployment of new device
Authors: Rashid Aamir , Lone Ajaz , Rather Hilal , Hafeez Imran
Published: March 2023

Background

Hemolysis after Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) device closure is rare. Although in most cases, hemolysis settles on its own; however, in some cases it may not settle spontaneously and may require additional procedures like putting additional coils, gel foam or thrombin instillation, balloon occlusion, or removing it surgically. We report a case of adult PDA device closure who persisted with hemolysis and was managed by transcatheter retrieval.

Case presentation

A 52-year-old gentleman presented to us with a diagnosis of large PDA with operable hemodynamics. Descending thoracic aortic Angio showed a large 11 mm PDA. Transcatheter device closure was done in the same sitting with a 16 × 14 Amplatzer Ductal Occluder I(ADO) device,;however, after device release, the aortic end of the device was not fully formed and there was residual flow. The next morning patient started with gross hematuria with persistent residual flow. We tried to manage with conservative means including hydration, and blood transfusion; however, residual flow persisted for 10 days and his hemoglobin dropped from 13 gm/dl preprocedural to 7 gm/dl, creatinine increased from 0.5 mg/dl to 1.9 mg/dl, bilirubin increased to 3.5 mg/dl & urine showed hemoglobinuria. As the patient continued to deteriorate it was planned to retrieve the device by transcatheter approach. 10 French amplatzer sheath was parked in the pulmonary artery near the ductus. We tried with a combination of multiple catheters and Gooseneck snare (10 mm) and finally, we successfully retrieved with a combination of Multipurpose (MP) catheter and 10 mm Gooseneck snare. After that, we closed the defect successfully with a double disk device (muscular Ventricular septal defect 14 mm Amplatzer). The patient’s hematuria settled and was discharged after 2 days with normal hemoglobin and creatinine.

Conclusions

Patent ductus arteriosus ADO 1 device should not be released if the aortic end of the disk is not fully formed Patient should be carefully monitored for hemolysis if evidence of residual shunt and given supportive treatment. If conservative treatment fails, residual flow needs to be eliminated. Transcatheter retrieval although technically challenging is a feasible treatment. A muscular VSD device is a good alternative to the usual PDA device to close PDA, especially in adults.
PyRadGUI: A GUI based radiomics extractor software
Authors: Sherkhane Umesh B. , Jha Ashish Kumar , Mithun Sneha , Jaiswar Vinay , Traverso Alberto , Wee Leonard , Rangarajan Venkatesh , Dekker Andre
Published: March 2023

Radiomics is the method of extracting high throughput mathematical and statistical features from medical images. These features have the potential to characterize the underlying pathology of the disease that is inappreciable to a trained human eye. There are several open-source and licensed tools to extract radiomic features such as pyradiomics, LIFEx, TexRAD, and RaCat. Although pyradiomics is a widely used radiomics package by researchers, this software is not very user-friendly and can be run using a command line. We have developed and validated the GUI tool, PyRadGUI to make the radiomics software easy to operate. This software adheres to IBSI radiomic feature definition and implements the radiomic pipeline in batch processing to extract radiomic features from multiple patient’s data and stores it in a comma separated value (CSV). We validated PyRadGUI software with the existing pyradiomic pipeline.