bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Grafting of Methacrylic Acid to Loomstate Viscose Fabric Using a Potassium Permanganate/Potassium Chlorate System
Authors: Abdel-Hafiz S.A. , Rafie M.H. El , Hassan S.M. , Hebeish A.
Published: March 2023

Loomstate viscose fabric was graft polymerized with methacrylic acid using a KMnO4/KClO3 redox system. The polymerization reaction was studied with respect to graft yield, homopolymer, total conversion and graft efficiency. It was found that the polymerization reaction depends on the concentrations of potassium permanganate, potassium chlorate, and methacrylic acid, as well as on material to liquor ratio, reaction time and temperature of polymerization.
The YGetIt? Program: A Mobile Application, PEEP, and Digital Comic Intervention to Improve HIV Care Outcomes for Young Adults
Authors: Aladin Beatrice , Thompson Mark , Addison Diane , Havens Jessica , McGowan Joseph , Nash Denis , Smith Cheryl
Published: March 2023

Introduction. In New York State (NYS), young adults account for the largest number of new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections and struggle to seek and remain in HIV care. Digital interventions and access to peer support have demonstrated positive influences on the HIV care continuum and health outcomes. The New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH) developed YGetIt? (YGI) that combines a mobile application, GET!, peer navigation (PEEPs), and a compelling digital comic series, “Tested,” to facilitate the timely entry of young people into HIV care, to prevent vulnerable youth from dropping out of care, and to achieve sustained viral load suppression among those in care. This article describes the development and early implementation of the YGI digital intervention. Intervention Design. GET! provided a high level of confidentiality and security, ease of access, and Wi-Fi accessibility. YGI enrolled 113 HIV-positive participants from a clinical setting who were individually randomized at a 1:1 ratio to receive access to GET! plus PEEPs ( n = 53) or the app alone ( n = 60). Lessons learned. For recruitment, staff and organization buy-in was essential to the success of the intervention, and building relationships was critical. GET! development was an iterative process. Peer Engagement Educator Professionals (PEEPs) who were tech savvy, representative of the priority population, and had shared life experience with participants were most impactful. Interest in apps declines over time and participants in the APP alone arm were less engaged. Conclusion. GET! is a communication and engagement tool that supports HIV care and may serve as a model for like digital interventions.
Perceived Benefits and Barriers to Implementing Occupational Health Recommendations Among Immigrant-Owned Nail Salons in the Greater Philadelphia Region
Authors: Huỳnh Trân B , (Tina) Nguyễn Dương , Vũ Nga , Carroll-Scott Amy , Wong Chanina , Freeland Catherine , Parvanta Claudia
Published: March 2023

Introduction. Immigrant nail salon owners and employees face multiple barriers to accessing occupational health training and services. We formed an academic-community-based organization–business owner partnership—unique in that all partners were culturally congruent—to develop a pilot intervention program for the nail salon community. Methods. Eighteen individuals (nine salon owners and nine employees) from the Greater Philadelphia region received the training in their native language and provided feedback through in-depth qualitative interviews. Interview guide was developed using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Themes of perceived benefits and barriers were identified and aligned with relevant CFIR constructs to gain better understanding of the implementation challenges. Results. Reported benefits of program were improved knowledge of the workplace hazards and safety practices, and the potential to attract more customers and retain employees. Perceived barriers to implementing recommended practices were limited availability of safer products and high cost, challenges communicating with customers, lack of engagement from some owners, organizational management practices affecting employees’ motivation, and limited partnership with local government to assist small immigrant-owned businesses. Conclusions. Our study revealed multiple factors that pit long-term health protection of nail salon workers against the economic viability of the businesses that employ them. Our research highlights the need to (1) advocate for federal policies making safer products to be more accessible to the masses, (2) establish local policy and culturally appropriate technical support programs that engage community-based organizations, and (3) develop economic opportunities and mentorship for immigrant entrepreneurs to operate profitable healthy salons.
Precision of Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI) Tool for the Diagnosis of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Among People with Type 2 Diabetes—A Study from South India
Authors: Viswanathan Vijay , Ahmed Khan Balkhiwala , Nachimuthu Sukanya , Kumpatla Satyavani
Published: March 2023

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is one of the risk factors for foot-related complications among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Hence, we aimed to validate the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI) tool against biothesiometer with a cut-off value of ≥25 V and also to determine the cut-off point of MNSI score for the diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy among people with T2DM in India. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 357 people with T2DM in a tertiary care centre for diabetes in Chennai, South India. The eligible study participants underwent testing with a biothesiometer and the MNSI tool was administered. The patient version tool of MNSI was translated to the local language, Tamil. The MNSI scores (1, 1.5, 2, and 2.5) were compared with biothesiometer value. For the MNSI scores of less than 1, 1.5, 2, and 2.5, sensitivities were 97.6%, 97.6%, 96.8%, and 77.8% and specificities were 76.6%, 77.9%, 85.7%, and 88.3% respectively. The cut-off value of MNSI score was derived as two with AUC of 0.934. The sensitivity was 96.8% and the specificity was 85.7% with 89.6% accuracy. The high sensitivity indicates the positive cases are diagnosed correctly. There is no validated tool available for detection of DPN in Indian population. The Indian version of MNSI tool was found to be effective for screening diabetic neuropathy among people with T2DM. The MNSI tool was found to be reliable, convenient, and non-invasive for diagnosis of DPN and can be used in routine clinical settings.
N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate Packing of a Gastroduodenal Artery Pseudoaneurysm due to Distal Pancreatectomy After Subtotal Esophagectomy
Authors: Shibata Eisuke , Takao Hidemasa , Abe Osamu
Published: March 2023

We describe the successful n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) packing of a large gastroduodenal artery pseudoaneurysm after distal pancreatectomy in a patient with a history of subtotal esophagectomy and gastric tube reconstruction. The pseudoaneurysm was considered to be caused by direct injury to the gastroduodenal artery (GDA). However, embolization of the GDA was not possible in this case because due to prior esophageal surgery, the main blood vessel supplying the gastric tube was the right epigastric artery from the GDA. Packing a pseudoaneurysm with NBCA is a treatment option when preservation of the parent artery is required.
Venous Thromboembolism in a Patient with Interrupted Inferior Vena Cava and Compressed Azygos Continuation: A Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Kwan Kristine JS , Li Hai-Lei , Chan Yiu Che , Huang Jian-Xiong , Cui Dong-Zhe , Cheng Stephen WK
Published: March 2023

We report an unusual case of a 40-year-old male patient who experienced painful swelling of the left lower limb that persisted for 1 week. Imaging modalities not only confirmed the diagnosis of acute iliofemoral venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (PE), but also an incidental finding of interrupted inferior vena cava (IVC). This congenital anomaly is uncommon but rarely associated with venous thromboembolism (VTE). The azygos continuation was compressed by the descending aorta against the 11th thoracic vertebrae, which was identified as the cause of VTE. He was treated successfully with anticoagulation and compression therapy. The patient was discharged with lifelong oral Rivaroxaban and remained asymptomatic. In the literature, only 9 cases of interrupted IVC-associated PE were identified but none was due to significant venous compression.
Coercion with Morality: Chinese Police Officers’ Gendered Policing Strategies in Domestic Violence Cases
Authors: Yang Wenqi
Published: March 2023

Scholars have established China’s pro-mediation policies in policing domestic violence public security offense cases. However, the mediation process remains obscure. This ethnographic study revealed that officers adopted a gender-based morality to press female and male victims into accepting mediation. Specifically, the police moralized victims’ choices and urged male victims to forgive their wives to protect their masculinity while asking female victims to forgive their husbands to protect their children’s well-being. This work advances the scholarship on domestic violence intervention by showing how such a gendered policing strategy disempowers victims of both genders and results in another form of victim-blaming.
Knowledge atlas analysis of virtual vascular interventional studies
Authors: Qingfu Hu , Zongkai Yu , Zhenhua Wang , Zhenshuang Du
Published: March 2023

Objective

To examine the research status, hot spots, and development trend of virtual vascular intervention simulation training in order to organize the knowledge and support its practice.

Methods

Publications on virtual vascular intervention and respective teaching evaluation (2001–2021) were retrieved from Web of Science. Citespace 5.2.R2 and Carrot2 software was used to perform the bibliometric and visual analysis on virtual vascular intervention research networks.

Results

Of the 1543 articles retrieved, 1520 were relevant to virtual vascular intervention research. Studies on vascular intervention emerged from 2002 with an upward trend being observed from 2010. The trend peaked between 2019 and 2020 with ∼140 published articles (9.21%) during the period. Spain published most studies ( n = 146) followed by USA ( n = 99) and England ( n = 49). COMPUT EDUC ( n = 177; 14.47%) journal publishing the highest number of articles. Among 705 authors, GARRISON D R, MAYER RE, DEDE C, COOK DA had highest publications. The frequent keywords used were “Virtual reality” ( n = 105) and “education” ( n = 105). Low cooperation between countries, authors’ networks, and relatively stable academic team was noted making clinical application of virtual vascular intervention weak.

Conclusion

Considerable growth was observed in vascular intervention therapy using VR technology in the last 20 years. With consistent efforts like strengthening cross-institutional and multidisciplinary collaboration networks, VR based simulation training capability can be increased that in turn can improve the outcomes of complex vascular interventions.
The return of the hero-leader? Volodymyr Zelensky’s international image and the global response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Authors: Zachara-Szymańska Małgorzata
Published: March 2023

This article focuses on the notion of heroic leadership as it has been applied as an analytical framework to Volodymyr Zelensky’s leadership during the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. It presents an overview of Zelensky’s leadership strategies and their domestic and international reception and puts them in the wider context of the ways in which power is exercised in the global arena. It is argued that the authority and influence of Zelensky – the hero-leader – is the result of a reciprocal relationship between leader and followers, constructed out of the fear and desperation of warfare. One of the fundamental analytical tools in International Relations studies – the notion of soft and hard power – has been applied to Zelensky’s way of affecting the behaviors of others in order to shape their preferences and obtain his desired options. The perception of him as heroic has become the main instrument of the country’s power of attraction, which in turn enabled the president to expand his leadership. In this context the article reveals the mechanisms employed to build international recognition for Ukraine and build support for its resistance to the Russian invasion.
Far-right digital memory activism: Transnational circulation of memes and memory of Yugoslav wars
Authors: Ristić Katarina
Published: March 2023

The terrorist attacks in Norway in 2011 and New Zealand in 2019 have revealed that the far-right worldwide uses the memory of the Yugoslav wars for online mobilization. Scholars working on memory activism usually deal with the liberal, self-critical memory emerging from the bottom-up activism of human rights groups while neglecting the activism of the far-right. This article fills the gap by addressing the global circulation of two memes, Remove Kebab and Pepe the Frog, as examples of far-right memory activism. In order to address the transnational circulation of memes as memory activism, this article employs the concept of ‘traveling memory’ while relying on multimodal discourse analysis to unveil the processes of memetic transformation, imitation, iconization and narrativization. The analysis reveals an alternative memory of Yugoslav wars that depicts Serbia as the first case of ‘white genocide’ in Europe, reversing the roles of war criminals and victims while propagating violence and celebrating genocide. The article argues that memory studies can no longer ignore memory production of far-right communities and, at the same time, outlines the method for examining far-right digital memory activism, revealing a whole set of mnemonic practices developed among the anonymous fringe communities of the far-right.
Street-connectedness through a COVID-19 lens: Exploring media representations of street-connected children to understand their societal positionality
Authors: Weatherill Emmy , Corcoran Su Lyn , Ng Shuang Yin Cheryl
Published: March 2023

The 2017 general comment (GC21) to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) on children in street situations, provides a framework of legal guidance for governments developing policies aimed at protecting street-connected children and sets up the rationale for more awareness raising and public education to counter negative and deficit attitudes towards street-connectedness. Within this framework, the media has a role to play in either challenging conceptualisations of street-connected children as out-of-place within the public and predominantly adult domain described by urban streets, or in reinforcing ideological constructions of citizenship and normalised notions of childhood that result in negative stereotypes of these children. GC21 recommends that interventions targeted at street-connected children should be ethically responsible – adopting child rights approaches aimed at using accurate data/evidence that upholds the dignity of children, their personal integrity, and their right to life. As such, these approaches should also extend to how organisations engage with and utilise the media to represent street-connected children. Focusing on media representations of street-connected children during the six pandemic-affected months of February to July 2020, this paper provides a review of the content of the sources to provide an insight into the structural barriers that face street-connected children because of how they are positioned in society, during the pandemic and in general, and the extent to which the media reinforces or counters the rescue or removal narratives that can lead to inappropriate intervention responses.
Alopecia areata and subsequent Marie Antoinette syndrome following COVID-19 infection and vaccination: A case report
Authors: AlZahrani Fatmah , Perlau Michaela J , Fiorillo Loretta
Published: March 2023

Numerous cutaneous manifestations related to the COVID-19 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) viral infection have been reported in literature. In this case report, we describe two acute hair-associated manifestations—the first being alopecia areata and the second is a case of Marie Antoinette syndrome or Canities subita where all the scalp hair has become white almost overnight. Both entities of hair changes were seen in the same patient.
The complex relationships between economic inequality and biodiversity: A scoping review
Authors: Kubiszewski Ida , Ward Caroline , Pickett Kate E. , Costanza Robert
Published: March 2023

Biodiversity change and increasing within-country economic inequalities represent two of the greatest global challenges of the Anthropocene. The most marginalized in society are often the most vulnerable to biodiversity change but there is no consensus on the relationships between biodiversity change and rising economic inequalities. To address this gap, we conducted a systematic scoping review of the literature and found 27 studies that explicitly examined the relationships between economic inequality and biodiversity. These were predominantly quantitative but also included qualitative, scenario, and review papers. The majority of studies (21/27) found evidence to suggest that more unequal regions had lower levels of biodiversity, and also that wealthier areas had higher levels of biodiversity. However, few studies investigated the causal mechanisms underlying the reported relationships, and there was little consistency in the metrics used to measure either inequality or biodiversity. Future research needs to focus on testing, or in-depth explorations, of causal mechanisms, with both quantitative and qualitative approaches needed. It is crucial that we understand how economic inequality and biodiversity interact if we are to meet the aims of reducing economic inequality and preventing further biodiversity loss.
On the Meme Train to Sylt: Memetic Becoming and Ambivalent Identification Online
Authors: Milner Ryan M. , Wolff Paul
Published: March 2023

In June 2022, the German government implemented a transit policy offering travelers an unlimited ticket to ride the country’s regional train system all summer long for a mere 9€. Conservative pundits and commentators decried the policy, worrying that the rabble would use their 9€ tickets to overwhelm posh tourist destinations like the island of Sylt in the North of Germany. An overwhelming invasion never materialized, but a fair share of raucous punks did set up shop in Sylt’s public squares in the days after the ticket became available. Just as significant as the physical “invasion” of Sylt were the flurry of memes produced surrounding the Sylt controversy. Through memes, social media participants simultaneously mocked conservative worry about Sylt and punk presence on Sylt. All this memetic play inspired participants to become. Through a mix of identification and disidentification, memes hailed participants into political stances characterized by specific modes of expression. Sylt memery was lulzy, agonistic, and ephemeral. In other words, it was indicative of the broader ambivalence that characterizes public participation inflected by the internet culture. The Sylt story therefore holds lessons about the potentials and pitfalls of collective expression on social media. Memetic becoming, at best, can help people speak truth to power. At worst, it can inspire only a nihilistic smirk as the pixels speed across the screen.
Time Transfers by Age and Gender in 28 Countries
Authors: Vargha Lili , Binder-Hammer Bernhard , Donehower Gretchen
Published: March 2023

Transfers of services that are produced through unpaid care work (such as cooking, cleaning, shopping, household maintenance, and direct care) sustain our societies. Yet they differ considerably between genders and across countries. This visualization highlights the cross-country differences in giving and receiving unpaid household services (time transfers) by gender and age for 28 countries. It demonstrates how much more unpaid care work is done by women compared with men across the lifecycle in all countries. The visualization also shows that the highest amount of time transfers is received by the youngest generations.
The Sisyphean cycle of inequitable state production: State, space, and a drainage project in Pakistan
Authors: Siddiqi Ayesha
Published: March 2023

This paper examines the cycle of a hydraulic infrastructure producing an unequal state, using space, every flood year, for what seems like perpetuity. Instead of theorising “elite capture” of the state, as a significant factor in producing inequality in postcolonial states the argument being advanced here is purposefully different. It argues that in carefully re-distributing flood risk, socio-technical interventions use space to (re) produce an unequal state effect at various scales. Thus, hydraulic infrastructures produce “dominant” and “peripheral” space, every flood year, continuing Sisyphean cycles of unequal state production. Drawing on evidence from the southern province of Sindh, in Pakistan, this paper examines a drainage project as a technique of government through which the state continues its production of inequality using “dominant” and “peripheral” space. These spaces of privilege and marginality—at a municipal, provincial, national and beyond level—are produced by the state and are then also complicit in producing the state. The argument in this paper demonstrates that in being subjected to previous productions of space, and the materialities of past interventions, while producing new ones, the production of state power in the postcolony is also scripted by broader unequal histories of power.
Push and back: The ripple effect of EU border externalisation from Croatia to Iran
Authors: Augustova Karolina , Farrand-Carrapico Helena , Obradovic-Wochnik Jelena
Published: March 2023

Pushbacks have become a key feature of EU migration controls since 2015. As this article argues, practices of pushbacks stretch from EU spaces, such as Croatia, to its external borders and neighbouring countries, reaching as far as Iran. Although pushback tactics and their consequences are widely discussed in public, activist, policy debates, and by refugees themselves; academic literature has a limited engagement with pushbacks and their effects. To address this gap, we set up the concepts of “push” and “back” to question the ripple effect of informal and violent border controls that occurs transversely in multiple geopolitical contexts and timelines of migratory journeys. The article draws on ethnographic fieldwork in two border locations: the Croatian border with Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Turkey-Iran border. We argue that the EU’s governance of its external border encourages identical practices of “push” to different locations. We show that “pushes” generate multi-layered violence enmeshed in the local security (and at times militarized) contexts when people are “back”; or forcibly returned to their starting locations. The analysis of “push” and “back” contributes to the literature on the EU externalisation of migration governance and border violence, which we examine through informal and violent border practices inside and outside of the EU.
Snapshots from an information war: Propaganda, intertextuality, and audience design in the Russia–Ukraine conflict
Authors: Patrona Marianna
Published: March 2023

This article argues for a novel conceptualization of propaganda as powerful (multimodal) discourse and forms of sociocultural practice that are both vertical (from elite actors to the populace) and horizontal (originating from and/or circulating among popular actors). Drawing upon the concept of audience design, the article examines the use of intertextuality and affective rhetoric as tactical resources in a set of political performances delivered during the first phase of the Russia–Ukraine war (March 2022) that erupted following the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022. Through critical discourse analysis of political speeches delivered by the war leaders of Ukraine and the US, as well as multimodal analysis of two social media videos, it is shown that discursive aspects of the information war include meticulous audience design through intertextual references that achieve “cultural resonance” with western media, while also leveraging the affective domain, through carefully framed emotional appeals targeted at multiple audiences. The article calls attention to the role of online news for recontextualizing and amplifying key messages from these political performances as a key aspect of propaganda, and offers insights into the rhetorical construction of strategic narratives during information war in the current diverse and hybrid media landscape.
Reducing carbon footprint by switching to reusable soft-mist inhalers
Authors: Janson Christer , Hernando Platz Jaime , Soulard Stéphane , Langham Sue , Nicholson Lindsay , Hartgers-Gubbels Elisabeth Sophia
Published: March 2023

Objective

Inhalation therapy is the cornerstone of COPD, together with non-pharmacological treatments. Long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs), alone or in combination with long-acting β-agonists (LABAs), are commonly used. Pressurised metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs), dry powder inhalers (DPIs) and soft-mist inhalers (SMIs) are used, each with different carbon footprints. This study aimed to assess the carbon footprint of hypothetically replacing LAMA or LAMA/LABA inhalers with an SMI, Respimat Reusable, within the same therapeutic class.

Methods

An environmental impact model was established to assess the change in carbon footprint of replacing pMDIs/DPIs with Respimat Reusable within the same therapeutic class (LAMA or LAMA/LABA) across 12 European countries and the USA over 5 years. Inhaler use for country and disease-specific populations was derived from international prescribing data and the associated carbon footprint (CO2equivalents (CO2e)) was identified from published sources.

Results

Over 5 years and across all countries, replacing LAMA inhalers with Spiriva Respimat Reusable reduced CO2e emissions by 13.3–50.9%, saving 93–6228 tonnes of CO2e in the different countries studied. Replacing LAMA/LABA inhalers with Spiolto Respimat Reusable reduced CO2e emissions by 9.5–92.6%, saving 31–50 843 tonnes of CO2e. In scenario analyses, which included total replacement of DPIs/pMDIs, consistent CO2e savings were estimated. Sensitivity analyses showed that results were sensitive to changes in several parameters including varying assumptions around reusability of inhalers and potential CO2e impact.

Conclusion

Replacement of pMDIs and DPIs with Respimat Reusable within the same therapeutic class would result in substantial reductions in CO2e emissions.
Investigation and outcomes in patients with nonspecific pleuritis: results from the International Collaborative Effusion database
Authors: Sundaralingam Anand , Aujayeb Avinash , Jackson Karl A. , Pellas Emilia I. , Khan Irfan I. , Chohan Muhammad T. , Joosten Roos , Boersma Anton , Kerkhoff Jordy , Bielsa Silvia , Porcel Jose M. , Rozman Ales , Marc-Malovrh Mateja , Welch Hugh , Symonds Jenny , Anevlavis Stavros , Froudrakis Marios , Mei Federico , Zuccatosta Lina , Gasparini Stefano , Gonnelli Francesca , Dhaliwal Inderdeep , Mitchell Michael A. , Fjaellegaard Katrine , Petersen Jesper K. , Ellayeh Mohamed , Rahman Najib M. , Burden Tom , Bodtger Uffe , Koegelenberg Coenraad F.N. , Maskell Nick A. , Janssen Julius , Bhatnagar Rahul
Published: March 2023

Introduction

We present findings from the International Collaborative Effusion database, a European Respiratory Society clinical research collaboration. Nonspecific pleuritis (NSP) is a broad term that describes chronic pleural inflammation. Various aetiologies lead to NSP, which poses a diagnostic challenge for clinicians. A significant proportion of patients with this finding eventually develop a malignant diagnosis.

Methods

12 sites across nine countries contributed anonymised data on 187 patients. 175 records were suitable for analysis.

Results

The commonest aetiology for NSP was recorded as idiopathic (80 out of 175, 44%). This was followed by pleural infection (15%), benign asbestos disease (12%), malignancy (6%) and cardiac failure (6%). The malignant diagnoses were predominantly mesothelioma (six out of 175, 3.4%) and lung adenocarcinoma (four out of 175, 2.3%). The median time to malignant diagnosis was 12.2 months (range 0.8–32 months). There was a signal towards greater asbestos exposure in the malignant NSP group compared to the benign group (0.63versus0.27, p=0.07). Neither recurrence of effusion requiring further therapeutic intervention nor initial biopsy approach were associated with a false-negative biopsy. A computed tomography finding of a mass lesion was the only imaging feature to demonstrate a significant association (0.18versus0.01, p=0.02), although sonographic pleural thickening also suggested an association (0.27versus0.09, p=0.09).

Discussion

This is the first multicentre study of NSP and its associated outcomes. While some of our findings are reflected by the established body of literature, other findings have highlighted important areas for future research, not previously studied in NSP.
Does hiatal hernia impact gastro-oesophageal reflux-related chronic cough?
Authors: Truba Olga , Żuchowska Joanna , Grabczak Elżbieta M. , Białek-Gosk Katarzyna , Rybka-Frączek Aleksandra , Krenke Rafał , Dąbrowska Marta
Published: March 2023

Background

Hiatal hernia may coexist with gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR)-related chronic cough. This study aimed to evaluate whether the presence of hiatal hernia was related to chronic cough severity and the response to antireflux therapy.

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of data on adults with GOR-related chronic cough managed in our cough centre between 2017 and 2021. Patients who had undergone chest computed tomography (CT) and in whom follow-up data were available were included. The presence and size of hiatal hernia were assessed based on thorax CT scanning. Patients were treated with modification of diet and proton pump inhibitors. The response to treatment was assessed by the change in quality of life (QOL) measured by Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) and cough severity was measured by 100-mm visual analogue scale.

Results

45 adults (28 female, 17 male) were included. Hiatal hernia was demonstrated in 12 (26.6%) patients. Patients with hiatal hernia did not differ from those without hiatal hernia in clinical characteristics, cough duration and severity and cough-related QOL. We found moderate positive correlations between maximal sagittal diameter of hiatal hernia and cough severity (ρ=0.692, p=0.013) and duration (ρ=0.720, p=0.008). Patients without hiatal hernia responded better to antireflux therapy, with significant LCQ improvement. A strong negative correlation between sagittal diameter of hiatal hernia gate and increase in LCQ (ρ= −0.764, p=0.004) was demonstrated.

Conclusion

The presence of hiatal hernia identified in chest CT may impact cough severity, duration and response to antireflux treatment in patients with GOR-related chronic cough. Further prospective studies are justified to confirm significance of hiatal hernia in the management of chronic cough.
The association between diabetes and abdominal aortic aneurysms in men: results of two Danish screening studies, a systematic review, and a meta-analysis of population-based screening studies
Authors: Larsen Katrine Lawaetz , Kavaliunaite Egle , Rasmussen Lars Melholt , Hallas Jesper , Diederichsen Axel , Steffensen Flemming Hald , Busk Martin , Frost Lars , Urbonaviciene Grazina , Lambrechtsen Jess , Egstrup Kenneth , Lindholt Jes Sanddal
Published: March 2023

Background

A paradoxical protective effect of diabetes on the development and progression of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) has been known for years. This study aimed to investigate whether the protective role of diabetes on AAAs has evolved over the years.

Methods

A cross-sectional study, a systematic review and meta-analysis. This study was based on two large, population-based, randomised screening trials of men aged 65–74; VIVA (2008–2011) and DANCAVAS (2014–2018), including measurement of the abdominal aorta by ultrasound or CT, respectively. Analyses were performed using multiple logistic regressions to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) for AAAs in men with diabetes compared to those not having diabetes. Moreover, a systematic review and meta-analysis of population-based screening studies of AAAs to visualise a potential change of the association between diabetes and AAAs. Studies reporting only on women or Asian populations were excluded.

Results

In VIVA, the prevalence of AAA was 3.3%, crude OR for AAA in men with diabetes 1.04 (95% confidence interval, CI, 0.80-1.34), and adjusted OR 0.64 (CI 0.48-0.84). In DANCAVAS, the prevalence of AAA was 4.2%, crude OR 1.44 (CI 1.11-1.87), and adjusted OR 0.78 (CI 0.59-1.04). Twenty-three studies were identified for the meta-analysis (N = 224 766). The overall crude OR was 0.90 (CI 0.77-1.05) before 2000 and 1.16 (CI 1.03-1.30) after 1999. The overall adjusted OR was 0.63 (CI 0.59-0.69) before 2000 and 0.69 (CI 0.57-0.84) after 1999.

Conclusion

Both the crude and adjusted OR showed a statistically non-significant trend towards an increased risk of AAA by the presence of diabetes. If this represents an actual trend, it could be due to a change in the diabetes population.

Trial registration

DANCAVAS: Current Controlled Trials: ISRCTN12157806. VIVA: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00662480.
Efficacy of azithromycin in treating Ureaplasma urealyticum: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Fan Weibin , Wang Qisheng , Liang Zuyu , Wang Jinyu , Zhang Lin
Published: March 2023

Background

Ureaplasma urealyticum is the most prevalent genital mycoplasma isolated from the urogenital tract of females, but there is no unified treatment plan. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of azithromycin in treating Ureaplasma urealyticum.

Methods

From the earliest to June 2022, published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on azithromycin treatment of Ureaplasma urealyticum were retrieved by searching PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. Two reviewers independently extracted the data. We utilized the Cochrane risk-of-bias assessment technique to assess the quality of included RCTs. The data were analyzed using the R language (version 4.0.4) software.

Results

Seven RCTs were finally included, involving 512 participants (240 in the experimental group, 272 in the control group). The experimental group was treated with azithromycin monotherapy, while the control group was treated with doxycycline or a placebo. Meta-analysis results suggested that azithromycin has a comparable therapeutic effect on Ureaplasma urealyticum in comparison to that of controls (risk ratio [RR] = 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.94–1.12). Subgroup analysis showed that the dose and duration of azithromycin may don’t affect its efficacy.

Conclusion

Regarding the meta-analysis that we performed based on existing clinical studies, azithromycin is quite effective in treating Ureaplasma urealyticum.
SNHG18 inhibits bladder cancer cell proliferation by increasing p21 transcription through destabilizing c-Myc protein
Authors: Ke Meixia , Sun Ning , Lin Zhenni , Zhang Peipei , Hu Yan , Wu Shuilian , Zheng Zhijian , Lu Yongyong , Jin Honglei
Published: March 2023

Background

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been confirmed to play important roles in various cancers including bladder cancer (BC). The precise expression pattern of lncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 18 (SNHG18) in BC and its mechanisms of action have not been fully explored.

Materials and methods

The expression of SNHG18 was evaluated by RT-qPCR in bladder cancer clinical samples and human bladder cancer cell lines, and stable cell lines overexpressing SNHG18 were constructed. The effect of SNHG18 on the proliferation of bladder cancer cells was detected by soft agar colony formation test, ATP activity test and subcutaneous tumorigenesis model in nude mice. The specific mechanism of SNHG18 inhibition of bladder cancer proliferation was studied by flow cytometry, western blotting, dual luciferase reporter gene assay and protein degradation assay.

Results

We found that SNHG18 is significantly downregulated in BC tissues and cell lines. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that SNHG18 expression is positively correlated with survival in BC patients. Ectopic overexpression of SNHG18 significantly inhibited the proliferation of BC cells in vitro and in vivo. Further mechanistic investigations demonstrated that SNHG18 inhibited c-Myc expression by modulating the ubiquitination-proteasome pathway and that c-Myc is the critical transcription factor that mediates SNHG18 inhibition of BC growth by directly binding to the p21 promoter, which was attributed with significant p21 accumulation.

Conclusions

SNHG18 promotes the transcription and expression of p21 by inhibiting c-Myc expression, leading to G0-G1 arrest and inhibiting the proliferation of bladder cancer cells. These findings highlight a novel cell cycle regulatory mechanism involving the SNHG18/c-Myc/p21 pathway in BC pathogenesis and could potentially lead to new lncRNA-based diagnostics and/or therapeutics for BC.
Anti-inflammatory activity of non-selective PDE inhibitor aminophylline on the lung tissue and respiratory parameters in animal model of ARDS
Authors: Kosutova Petra , Mikolka Pavol , Mokra Daniela , Calkovska Andrea
Published: March 2023

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common complication of critical illness characterized by lung inflammation, epithelial and endothelial dysfunction, alveolar-capillary leakage, and worsening respiratory failure. The present study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of non-selective phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor aminophylline. New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups: animals with respiratory failure defined as PaO2/FiO2 ratio (P/F) below < 26.7 kPa, and induced by saline lung lavage (ARDS), animals with ARDS treated with intravenous aminophylline (1 mg/kg; ARDS/AMINO), and healthy ventilated controls (Control). All animals were oxygen ventilated for an additional 4 h and respiratory parameters were recorded regularly. Post mortem, the lung tissue was evaluated for oedema formation, markers of inflammation (tumor necrosis factor, TNFα, interleukin (IL)-1β, -6, -8, -10, -13, -18), markers of epithelial damage (receptor for advanced glycation end products, RAGE) and endothelial injury (sphingosine 1-phosphate, S1P), oxidative damage (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, TBARS, 3-nitrotyrosine, 3NT, total antioxidant capacity, TAC). Aminophylline therapy decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, markers of epithelial and endothelial injury, oxidative modifications in lung tissue, reduced lung oedema, and improved lung function parameters compared to untreated ARDS animals. In conclusion, non-selective PDE inhibitor aminophylline showed a significant anti-inflammatory activity suggesting a potential of this drug to be a valuable component of ARDS therapy.
Ferroptosis is involved in deoxynivalenol-induced intestinal damage in pigs
Authors: Liu Meng , Zhang Lei , Mo Yixin , Li Jiahuan , Yang Jiacheng , Wang Juan , Karrow Niel Alexander , Wu Hao , Sun Lvhui
Published: March 2023

Background

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a widespread issue for feed and food safety, leading to animal and human health risks. The objective of this study was to determine whether ferroptosis is involved in DON-induced intestinal injury in piglets. Three groups of 21-day-old male weanling piglets (n = 7/group) were fed a control diet, or diet adding 1.0 or 3.0 mg DON/kg. At week 4, serum and small intestines were collected to assay for biochemistry, histology, redox status and ferroptosis-related genes expression. In addition, the involvement of ferroptosis and the role of FTL gene in DON-induced cell death were further verified in the IPEC-J2 cells.

Results

Compared to the control, dietary supplementation of DON at 1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg induced different degrees of damage in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum, and increased (P < 0.05) serum lipopolysaccharide concentration by 46.2%–51.4%. Dietary DON supplementation at 1.0 and (or) 3.0 mg/kg increased (P < 0.05) concentrations of malondialdehyde (17.4%–86.5%) and protein carbonyl by 33.1%–92.3% in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum. In addition, dietary supplemented with DON upregulated (P < 0.05) ferroptotic gene (DMT1) and anti-ferroptotic genes (FTL and FTH1), while downregulated (P < 0.05) anti-ferroptotic genes (FPN, FSP1 and CISD1) in the duodenum of the porcine. Furthermore, the in vitro study has demonstrated that deferiprone, a potent ferroptotic inhibitor, mitigated (P < 0.05) DON-induced cytotoxicity in porcine small intestinal IPEC-J2 cells. Additionally, deferiprone prevented or alleviated (P < 0.05) the dysregulation of ferroptosis-related genes (ACSL4 and FTL) by DON in IPEC-J2 cells. Moreover, specific siRNA knockdown FTL gene expression compromised the DON-induced cell death in IPEC-J2 cells.

Conclusions

In conclusion, this study revealed that ferroptosis is involved in DON-induced intestinal damage in porcine, and sheds a new light on the toxicity of DON to piglets.
Supranutrition of microalgal docosahexaenoic acid and calcidiol improved growth performance, tissue lipid profiles, and tibia characteristics of broiler chickens
Authors: Kalia Sahil , Magnuson Andrew D. , Sun Tao , Liu Guanchen , Kim Woo Kyun , Johnson Zackary , Lei Xin Gen
Published: March 2023

Background

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and calcidiol could be enriched in chicken for improving public nutrition and health. It remains unclear if supranutritional levels of DHA and calcidiol impair growth performance or metabolism of broiler chickens. This study was to determine singular and combined effects of high levels of supplemental DHA-rich microalgal biomass or oil and calcidiol on growth performance, concentrations of triglycerides, cholesterol, and nonesterfied fatty acids in plasma, liver, breast, and thigh, and biophysical properties of tibia.

Methods

In Exp. 1, 144 day-old Cornish chicks were divided into 4 groups (6 cages/treatment, 6 birds/cage), and were fed a corn-soybean meal basal diet (BD), BD + 10,000 IU calcidiol/kg (BD + Cal), BD + 1% DHA-rich Aurantiochytrium (1.2 g DHA/kg; BD + DHA), and BD + Cal + DHA for 6 weeks. In Exp. 2, 180 day-old chicks were divided into 5 groups, and were fed: BD, BD + DHA (0.33% to 0.66% oil, 1.5 to 3.0 g DHA/kg), BD + DHA + EPA (1.9% to 3.8% eicosapentaenoic acid-rich Nannochloropsis sp. CO18, 0.3 to 0.6 g EPA/kg), BD + DHA + calcidiol (6000 to 12,000 IU/kg diet), and BD + DHA + EPA + Cal for 6 weeks.

Results

Birds fed BD + Cal diet in Exp. 1 and BD + DHA + EPA diet in Exp. 2 had higher (P < 0.05) body weight gain (10%–11%) and gain:feed ratio (7%), and lower (P < 0.05) total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in plasma (18%–54%), liver (8%–26%), breast (19%–26%), and thigh (10%–19%), respectively, over the controls. The two diets also improved (P < 0.05) tibial breaking strength (8%–24%), total bone volume (2%–13%), and (or) bone mineral density (3%–19%) of chickens.

Conclusion

Supranutrition of dietary calcidiol and DHA alone or together did not produce adverse effects, but led to moderate improvements of growth performance, lipid profiles of plasma and muscle, and bone properties of broiler chickens.
Key mechanism of enzymatic dehairing technology for leather-making: permeation behaviors of protease into animal hide and the mechanism of charge regulation
Authors: Gao Mengchu , Song Jinzhi , Zhang Xu , Zhang Chunxiao , Peng Biyu , Chattha Sadaqat Ali
Published: March 2023

Enzymes have been widely used as alternatives to conventional chemicals in cleaner leather processes due to their advantages of meeting increasing environmental demands. Especially, enzymatic unhairing based on protease has been applied to leather-making for a long time, however, it still has the key problem of slow permeation in the animal hide, resulting in slow unhairing rate, poor hair removal effect, excessive proteolysis of hide collagen, and decreased leather quality. Aiming at the key problem of bio-unhairing technology, fluorescent labeling technique and confocal laser scanning microscopy were used to investigate the protease permeation behaviors into the animal hide based on well-prepared labeled proteases, as well as the quantitative analysis of the protease amount in different hide layers. The results show that the protease mainly permeates the bovine hide through transfollicular routes from the hair side, and although the intercellular-interfibrillar pathway also exists, it does not play an important role. Additionally, the protease permeation behaviors into the hide are greatly impacted by the charge states of the hide and protease proteins, depending on the isoelectric points (pI) of the proteins and solution pH values. When the solution pH is not between the pI values of the two proteins, the similarly charged protease can quickly and deeply penetrate the hide because of the electrostatic repulsion. The established mechanism provides a theoretical basis for developing an efficient enzymatic unhairing technology for leather-making, and this can also be applied to other processes involving the enzyme permeation into the hide or leather.

Graphical Abstract
Pro-Con Debate: Videolaryngoscopy Should Be Standard of Care for Tracheal Intubation
Authors: Aziz Michael F. , Berkow Lauren
Published: March 2023

In this Pro-Con commentary article, we discuss whether videolaryngoscopy (VL) should be the standard of care for tracheal intubation. Dr Aziz makes the case that VL should be the standard of care, while Dr Berkow follows with a challenge of that assertion. In this debate, we explore not only the various benefits of VL, but also its limitations. There is compelling evidence that VL improves first-pass success rates, reduces the risk of intubation failure and esophageal intubation, and has benefits in the difficult airway patient. But VL is not without complications and does not possess a 100% success rate. In the case of failure, it is important to have back-up plans for airway management. While transition of care from direct laryngoscopy (DL) to VL may result in improved airway management outcomes, the reliance on VL may degrade other important clinical skills when they are needed most. If VL is adapted as the standard of care, airway managers may no longer practice and retain competency in other airway techniques that may be required in the event of VL failure. While cost is a barrier to broad implementation of VL, those costs are normalizing. However, it may still be challenging for institutions to secure purchase of VL for every intubating location, as well as back-up airway devices. As airway management care increasingly transitions from DL to VL, providers should be aware of the benefits and risks to this practice change.