bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acute oral toxicity of zein nanoparticles with encapsulated gamma oryzanol in Sprague Dawley rats
Authors: Rodsuwan Ubonphan , Thisayakorn Krittiya , Thumthanaruk Benjawan , Vatanyoopaisarn Savitri , Uttapap Dudsadee , Zhong Qixin , Rungsardthong Vilai
Published: September 2021

Gamma oryzanol (GO) is well known for its antioxidant activity and health-promoting benefits. The gamma oryzanol-loaded zein nanoparticles (GOZNs) were successfully prepared in our previous study. In the present work, the acute oral toxicity of GOZNs was evaluated based on OECD guideline 420. GOZNs were fabricated by the liquid-liquid dispersion and lyophilized. The samples displayed a mean diameter of 311.20±3.01 nm and high loading capacity of 311.22±7.97 to 322.69±5.67 mg-GO/g-powder after 42-day storage at -18oC. Healthy female Sprague Dawley rats (8 weeks of age) were used for the experiments. Five female rats were administered a single dose of 2,000 mg GO/kg body weight via the oral route. Observations of toxicity signs were recorded for the first 24 hours, and the changes in the general physical conditions were monitored for 14 days before the gross necropsy on day 15. The results show that Sprague Dawley rats exhibited normal growth, and neither mortality nor acute toxicity signs were observed throughout the study period. The findings revealed that GOZNs did not have acute toxicity and were safe when administered orally in Sprague Dawley rats for short periods with LD50 > 2,000 mg/kg.
Optimization of Enzyme Assisted Extraction of Chondroitin Sulfate from Bohadschia argus by Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Ruensodsai Thanagorn , Panakkal Elizabeth Jayex , Teerapornnarong Prawpan , Rodiahwati Wawat , Sriariyanun Malinee , Rattanaporn Kittipong
Published: September 2021

Chondroitin sulfate is currently one of the bioactive compounds obtained from different natural materials with high benefit in human medical treatment and pharmaceutical. However, the natural concentration of chondroitin sulfate in high cost raw material is low and this situation makes the commercialization become difficult. This study focused on production of chondroitin sulfate isolated from Bohadschia argus using enzyme-assisted extraction methodology. Optimization experiments were conducted based on Response Surface Methodology (RSM) using Box–Behnken design (BBD). Three important extraction parameters, including enzyme concentration (X1: 0.05-0.5 %), Time (X2: 0.25–3 h), and temperature (X3: 55–65 °C) were varied to obtain maximum chondroitin sulfate yields. The RSM optimized model obtained from statistical analysis presented the high correlation coefficiency (R2) at 0.7508, advocating the significance of the model. The optimum extraction conditions were selected as enzyme concentration of 0.48% with extraction time of 1.01 h. at an extraction temperature of 56.53°C. Under these conditions, the experimental yield of chondroitin sulfate was 415.59 mg/100g dry, which is in good agreement with the value predicted by the model.
Neutron star structure with nuclear force mediated by hypothetical X17 boson
Authors: Petousis Vlasios , Veselský Martin , Leja Jozef
Published: September 2021

A reported 17 MeV boson, which has been proposed as an explanation to the 8Be and 4He anomaly, is investigated in the context of its possible influence to neutron stars structure. Implementing a mX =17 MeV to the nuclear equation of state using different incompressibility values K0=245 MeV and K0=260 MeV and solving Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff equations, we estimate an upper limit of MTOV ≈ 2.4M⊙ for a non rotating neutron star with span in radius R between 11.5 km to 14 km. Moving away from pure -NN with admixture of 10% protons and simulating possible softening of equation of state due to hyperons, we see that our estimated limits fit quite well inside the newest reported studies, coming from neutron stars merger event, GW190814
Total kinetic energy release in the fast neutron induced fission of actinide nuclei
Authors: Pica Ashley , Chemey Alexander , Loveland Walter
Published: September 2021

The total kinetic energy (TKE) release in the fast neutron-induced fission of various actinide nuclei was measured for neutron energies for En=2.6-100 MeV at the Weapons Neutron Research facility of the Los Alamos National Laboratory. The data are compared to the GEF model of the fission process. The variances of the TKE distributions appear to decrease with increasing Z and A of the fissioning systems.
Study of the reaction 70Zn (15 MeV/nucleon) + 64Ni with the MAGNEX spectrometer for the production of neutron-rich isotopes
Authors: Koulouris S. , Souliotis G. A. , Cappuzzello F. , Carbone D. , Pakou A. , Agodi C. , Brischetto G. , Calabrese S. , Cavallaro M. , Ciraldo I. , Fasoula O. , Klimo J. , Palli K. , Sgouros O. , Soukeras V. , Spatafora A. , Torresi D. , Veselsky M.
Published: September 2021

We describe our efforts to study the production of neutron-rich isotopes from peripheral reactions of medium-mass heavy ions with the MAGNEX spectrometer at the INFN-LNS in Catania, Italy. Experimental data were obtained for the 70Zn+64Ni reaction at 15 MeV/nucleon. For the analysis of the data, we developed a new procedure for the reconstruction of both the atomic number Z and the ionic charge q of the ions, which is then followed by the identiﬁcation of the mass. Preliminary results and the analysis plan will be discussed.
Texas A&M US Nuclear DATA Program
Authors: Nica Ninel
Published: September 2021

Nuclear data evaluation is an independent century-long expert activity accompanying the development of the nuclear physics science. Its goal is to produce periodic surveys of the world literature in order to recommend and maintain the set of the best nuclear data parameters of common use in all basic and applied sciences. After WWII the effort extended and while it became more international it continued to be supported mainly by the US for the benefit of the whole world. The Evaluated Nuclear Structure Data File (ENSDF) is the most comprehensive nuclear structure database worldwide maintained by the United States National Nuclear Data Center(NNDC)at Brookhaven National Laboratory(BNL)and echoed by the IAEA Vienna Nuclear Data Services. Part of the US Nuclear Data Program since 2005 the Cyclotron Institute is one of the important contributors to ENSDF. Since 2018 we became an international evaluation center working in a consortium of peers hosted traditionally by prestigious national institutes as well as universities. In this paper the main stages of the evaluation work are presented in order to facilitate a basic understanding of the process as a guide for our potential users. Our goals are to maintain a good productivity vs. quality performance assuring the currency of the data and participating in the effort of modernizing the structure of ENSDF databases in order to make them compatible with the data-centric paradigms of the future.
Neue Therapieansätze in der LDL-Cholesterin-Absenkung?
Authors: Schettler Volker J. J.
Published: September 2021

Erhöhte LDL-C-Konzentrationen (LDL-C: Low-Density-Lipoprotein-Cholesterin) sind weiterhin zweifellos ein kausaler Risikofaktor für kardiovaskuläre Ereignisse (ASCVD) 1. In der Vergangenheit konnte mehrfach in großen randomisierten prospektiven Studien gezeigt werden, dass durch therapeutische LDL-C-Absenkungen parallel weitere kardiovaskuläre Ereignisse vermindert werden 2. Aus all diesen Studien konnten nun in Abhängigkeit vom kardiovaskulären Risikoprofil LDL-C-Zielwerte definiert werden.
Verbandsarbeit lebt von seinen aktiven Mitgliedern
Authors: Hünninghaus Sarah
Published: September 2021

Da sich immer wieder etwas an der Konstellation des Vorstandes des fnb e. V. verändert, haben wir uns gedacht, dass wir uns einmal vorstellen. Da wir in den letzten Monaten immer mehr auf den sozialen Medien vertreten sind, hatten wir die Idee, diese Plattformen auch für die Vorstellung zu nutzen. Seit nunmehr einigen Monaten gibt es nicht nur unsere Homepage und unsere Seite auf Facebook, sondern es gibt uns auch bei Instagram.
Schmerztherapie bei nichtoperativen Patienten im Krankenhaus – Therapieansätze und Behandlungskompetenz im Schmerzdienst
Authors: Erlenwein Joachim , Petzke Frank
Published: September 2021

Patienten nichtoperativer Abteilungen machen in den meisten Krankenhäusern einen relevanten Anteil an Patienten mit Schmerzen aus. Ziel dieses Beitrags ist es, eine Übersicht zu Therapieansätzen und Konzepten bei den nichtoperativen Schmerzentitäten für die Tätigkeit im Schmerzdienst oder im Bereitschaftsdienst zu geben.
Auf dem Weg zur sexuellen Selbstbestimmung: Das Engagement der Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) für Menschen mit Beeinträchtigungen
Authors: Scharmanski Sara , Paschke Stefanie , Tomse Mirjam , Brockschmidt Laura
Published: September 2021

Jeder Mensch hat das Recht auf den Zugang zu evidenzbasierten Informationen zur Sexualaufklärung, Verhütung und Familienplanung. Im Sinne eines ganzheitlichen Verständnisses von sexueller und reproduktiver Gesundheit fördert die Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) mit ihren Maßnahmen das Recht auf eine selbstbestimmte Sexualität von Menschen mit Beeinträchtigungen. Der vorliegende Praxisbeitrag stellt diese Aktivitäten und Materialien zusammenfassend dar.
Sexuelle Selbstbestimmung für Menschen mit Behinderungen
Authors: Specht Ralf
Published: September 2021

Sexuelle Selbstbestimmung wurde Menschen mit Behinderungen lange nicht zugestanden. Gleichzeitig wurde auch die Tatsache, dass Menschen mit Behinderungen ein mehrfach erhöhtes Risiko haben, Opfer sexueller Gewalt zu werden, fast gänzlich ignoriert. Das ändert sich zum Glück in zunehmendem Maße. Das kurz als „Behindertenrechtskonvention“ bekannte „Übereinkommen über die Rechte von Menschen mit Behinderungen“ der Vereinten Nationen verbrieft seit 2009 das Recht auf Selbstbestimmung als Menschenrecht auch in Deutschland. Dies gilt nicht zuletzt für den Lebensbereich der Sexualität, obwohl dieser nicht explizit genannt wird. Der vorliegende Praxisbeitrag skizziert – auch mit historischen Rückblicken – die aktuelle Situation und gibt Handlungsempfehlungen insbesondere für die institutionelle Praxis.
Sexualisierte Gewalt gegen Kinder und Jugendliche mit Behinderungen: Erweiterter Forschungsstand seit 2014 und praktische Konsequenzen
Authors: Chodan Wencke , Häßler Frank , Reis Olaf
Published: September 2021

Einleitung Kinder und Jugendliche mit Behinderungen stellen eine Hochrisikogruppe dar, die signifikant häufiger von sexualisierter Gewalt betroffen ist als Kinder und Jugendliche ohne Behinderungen.

Forschungsziele Das vorliegende narrative Review aktualisiert den Überblick über die internationale Forschungslage zu Prävalenz, Risikofaktoren und Interventionen von und bei sexualisierter Gewalt gegen Kinder und Jugendliche mit Behinderungen.

Methoden Durch systematische Recherchen in Pubmed, PsycINFO und verschiedenen Suchmaschinen wurden 39 Publikationen extrahiert, die seit 2014 das Themenfeld der sexualisierten Gewalt gegen Kinder und Jugendliche mit Behinderungen beleuchten und damit einen Reviewartikel von 2014 aktualisieren.

Ergebnisse Die eingeschlossenen 39 Artikel wurden in die Bereiche Epidemiologie (Prävalenz n = 17, Risikofaktoren n = 5, Folgen sexualisierter Gewalt n = 2), Versorgung (Prävention n = 7, Intervention n = 6) und Verschiedenes (n = 2) unterteilt. Eine aktuelle Metaanalyse unterstreicht das erhöhte Risiko für Kinder und Jugendliche mit Behinderungen im Vergleich zu Gleichaltrigen ohne Behinderungen, von sexualisierter Gewalt betroffen zu werden. Zwei neu entwickelte, strukturierte und evaluierte Präventionsprogramme treten diesem Risiko entgegen. Für die Versorgung von Kindern und Jugendlichen nach dem Erleben von sexualisierter Gewalt gibt es lediglich für Kinder und Jugendliche mit Hörbehinderungen eine Publikation mit konkreten Hinweisen; für alle anderen Behinderungsformen ließ sich auch seit 2014 kein evaluiertes Programm auffinden.

Schlussfolgerung Implikationen für künftige Forschung zu sexualisierter Gewalt gegen Kinder und Jugendliche mit Behinderungen und deren Versorgung werden diskutiert.
Does Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Have an Additive Effect on Disability, Pain and Abdominal and Lumbar Muscle Thickness in Chronic Low Back Pain? – A Randomized Controlled Double-Blind Study
Authors: Atli Ecenur , Coskunsu Dilber Karagozoglu , Turan Zeynep , Taskiran Ozden Ozyemisci
Published: September 2021

Objective To examine the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) combined with core stabilization exercises (CSE) in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP).

Methods Thirty-six patients (mean age 33.6±12.6 years) with CLBP were randomly assigned to 4 weeks (12 sessions) of NMES group (NMES combined with CSE) (n=18) vs. Control group (sham NMES and CSE) (n=18). After the 4 weeks, same exercises were given as home exercise program without NMES. The outcome measures were Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) and ultrasonography. Ultrasonography was used for measuring transversus abdominis (TrA), internal oblique (IO), external oblique (EO) muscles thickness and lumbar multifidus muscle thickness and area. Assessments were performed at baseline and 4th week and eighth week follow-up.

Results In both groups, the change of ODI, VAS and NHP values of the first measurement according to the values of the 4th week and the eighth week were found statistically significant (p=0.001; p<0.01). There were no statistically significant differences in ODI, VAS and NHP scores between the 4th week and the eighth week in both groups (p>0.05). None of NMES and control group measurements with US showed a statistically significant increase in the TrA, IO, EO thickness and multifidus thickness and area (p>0.05).

Conclusions It was shown that NMES can be tolerated by patients with CLBP, but the addition of simultaneus NMES to CSE had no contribution to the clinical outcome measures.
Platelet Activation and Reactivity in a Large Cohort of Patients with Gaucher Disease
Authors: Revel-Vilk Shoshana , Naamad Mira , Frydman Dafna , Freund Michael R. , Dinur Tama , Istaiti Majdolen , Becker-Cohen Michal , Falk Roni , Broide Eti , Michelson Alan D. , Frelinger Andrew L. , Zimran Ari
Published: September 2021

Objectives Patients with Gaucher disease (GD) are at increased risk of bleeding and have varying degrees of thrombocytopenia, making the analysis of platelet function difficult. This study aimed to provide a clinically relevant quantitative assessment of platelet function and determine its relationship with bleeding and GD-related data.

Methods Unstimulated and stimulated platelet function was measured by whole blood flow cytometry of platelet surface-activated αIIbβ3 integrin (detected with monoclonal antibody PAC1), P-selectin (CD62P), and lysosomal-associated membrane protein (LAMP3/CD63) in 149 GD patients.

Results GD patients had a higher level of unstimulated CD63 expression than healthy subjects, which was mildly correlated with glucosylsphingosine (lyso-Gb1) levels (r = 0.17, p-value = 0.042). Splenectomized GD patients had a higher level of unstimulated αIIbβ3 integrin and P-selectin expression. Reduced platelet reactivity (−2 standard deviation of reference range) was found in 79 (53%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 44–61%) patients, of whom 10 (6.7%, 95% CI: 3.3–12%) had more severe platelet dysfunction. In a multivariate model, only lyso-Gb1 levels were associated with the more severe platelet dysfunction. Fifty-four (49%) of 128 adult patients who completed the bleeding tendency questionnaire reported positive bleeding history. In a multivariate logistic model, older age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.01–1.1) and low P-selectin reactivity (OR: 2.03, 95% CI: 1.25–3.35) were associated with more than one bleeding manifestation.

Conclusion Flow cytometry enables the study of platelet function in thrombocytopenic GD patients. A platelet degranulation defect, but not αIIbβ3 integrin activation defect, is associated with clinical bleeding. In vivo increased CD63 expression may be related to GD-related inflammation.
Ligament Balancing and Constraint in Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Crawford David A. , Lombardi Adolph V.
Published: September 2021

Ligament balancing in revision knee arthroplasty is crucial to the success of the procedure. The medial collateral ligament and lateral ligament complex are the primary ligamentous structures that provide stability. Revisions can be performed with nonconstrained cruciate-retaining, posterior cruciate substituting, or anterior-stabilized/ultracongruent inserts when there are symmetrical flexion/extension gaps and intact collateral ligaments. When the collateral ligaments are insufficient either due to attenuation or incompetence from bone loss, a more constrained knee system is needed. Constrained condylar knees provide increased stability to both varus/valgus and rotation forces with a nonlinked construct. This increased constraint, however, does lead to increased stress at the implant–bone interface which requires more robust metaphyseal fixation. In cases of significant soft tissue disruption, severe flexion/extension gap mismatch or extensor mechanism disruption, a rotating hinge knee is needed to restore stability. Advances in revision implant design have led to improved outcomes and longer survivorship then earlier iterations of these implants. Surgeons should always strive to use the least constraint needed to achieve stability but must have a low threshold to increase constraint when ligament integrity is compromised.
The Epidemiology of Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Tarazi John M. , Chen Zhongming , Scuderi Giles R. , Mont Michael A.
Published: September 2021

With an expected increase in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) procedures, revision TKA (rTKA) procedures continue to be a burden on the United States health care system. The evolution of surgical techniques and prosthetic designs has, however, provided a paradigm shift in the etiology of failure mechanisms of TKA. This review can shed light on the current reasons for revision, which may lead to insights on how to improve outcomes and lower future revision risks. We will primarily focus on the epidemiology of rTKA in the present time, but we will also review this in the context of various time periods to see how the field has evolved. We will review rTKAs: 1) prior to 1997; 2) between 1997 and 2000; 3) between 2000 and 2012; and 3) in the modern era since 2012. We will further subdivide each of the sections into reasons for early (first 2 years after index procedure) versus late revisions (greater than 2 years after index procedure). In doing so, it was determined that prior to 1997, the most prevalent causes of failure were infection, patella failure, polyethylene wear, and aseptic loosening. After a major shift of failure mechanisms was described by Sharkey et al, polyethylene wear and aseptic loosening became the leading causes for revision. However, with the improved manufacturing technology and implant design, polyethylene wear was replaced with aseptic loosening and infection as the leading causes of failure between 2000 and 2012. Since that time, in the modern era of TKA, mechanical loosening and infection have taken over the most prevalent causes for failure. Hopefully, with continued developments in component design and surgical techniques, as well as increased focus on infection reduction methods, the amount of rTKA procedures will decline.
Validity of Pediatric Early Warning Score in Predicting Unplanned Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Readmission
Authors: Zoham Mojdeh Habibi , Mohammadpour Masoud , Yaghmaie Bahareh , Hadizadeh Amere , Eskandarizadeh Zahra , Beigi Effat H.
Published: September 2021

Despite the fact that unscheduled readmission to pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) has significant adverse consequences, there is a need for a predictive tool appropriate for use in the clinical setting. The aim of this study was to assess the ability of the modified Brighton pediatric early warning score (PEWS) to identify children at high risk for early unplanned readmission. In this retrospective cohort study, all patients aged 1 month to 18 years of age discharged from PICUs of two tertiary children's hospitals during the study interval were enrolled. Apart from demographic data, the association between PEWS and early readmission, defined as readmission within 48 hours of discharge, was analyzed by multivariable logistic regression. From 416 patients, 27 patients had early PICU readmission. Patients who experienced readmission were significantly younger than the controls. (≤12 months, 70.4 vs. 39.1%, p = 0.001) Patients who were admitted from the emergency room (66.7 and 33.3% for emergency department (ED) and floor, respectively, p = 0.012) had higher risk of early unplanned readmission. PEWS at discharge was significantly higher in patients who experienced readmission (3.07 vs. 0.8, p < 0.001). A cut-off PEWS of 2, with sensitivity 85.2% and specificity 78.1%, determined the risk of unplanned readmission. Each 1-point increase in the PEWS at discharge significantly increases the risk of readmission (odds ratio [OR] = 3.58, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [2.42–5.31], p < 0.001). PEWS can be utilized as a useful predictive tool regarding predicting unscheduled readmission in PICU. Further large-scale studies are needed to determine its benefits in clinical practice.
Pulsatile Lavage Improves Tibial Cement Penetration and Implant Stability in Medial Unicompartmental Arthroplasty: A Cadaveric Study
Authors: Eckert Johannes A. , Bitsch Rudi G. , Schroeder Stefan , Schwarze Martin , Jaeger Sebastian
Published: September 2021

Cemented unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) shows good survivorship and function. However, implant failure, causing the need for revision, can occur. Aseptic loosening is still among the most common reasons for revision. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of preimplantation lavage technique on tibial cement penetration depth, tibial cement volume, and load to fracture in the tibial component of mobile-bearing UKA. In 10 pairs of fresh frozen human tibiae, cemented UKA was implanted by an experienced surgeon. Tibial components were then implanted, left and right tibiae were randomly allocated to group A or B. Prior to implantation, irrigation was performed with either syringe lavage or pulsatile jet lavage in a standardized manner. Cement surface was 4170.2 mm2 (3271.6–5497.8 mm2) in the syringe lavage group, whereas the jet lavage group showed 4499.3 mm2 (3354.3–5809.1 mm2); cement volume was significantly higher as well (4143.4 mm3 (2956.6–6198.6 mm3) compared with 5936.9 mm3 (3077.5–8183.1 mm3)). Cement penetration depth was 2.5 mm (1.7–3.2 mm) for the jet lavage, and 1.8 mm (1.2–2.4 mm) for the syringe lavage. The mean fracture load was 4680 N in the jet lavage group and 3800 N in the syringe lavage group (p = 0.001). Subsidence was significantly higher for syringe lavage. This study suggests a correlation of cement penetration depth and cement volume to implant failure in the tibial component of a UKA using a cadaveric model. The type of bone lavage most likely influences these two key parameters.
Gonyautoxins 2/3 Local Periarticular Injection for Pain Management after Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Double-Blind, Randomized Study
Authors: Hinzpeter Jaime , Barahona Maximiliano , Aliste Julián , Barrientos Cristian , Zamorano Alvaro , Palet Miguel , Catalan Jaime , Campo Miguel del , Lagos Néstor
Published: September 2021

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of periarticular infiltration of gonyautoxin 2/3 (GTX 2/3) and a mixture of levobupivacaine, ketorolac, and epinephrine for pain management after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Forty-eight patients were randomly allocated to receive periarticular infiltration of 40 µg GTX 2/3 (n = 24) diluted in 30 mL of sodium chloride 0.9% (study group) or a combination of 300 mg of levobupivacaine, 1 mg of epinephrine, and 60 mg ketorolac (n = 24) diluted in 150 mL of sodium chloride 0.9% (control group). Intraoperative anesthetic and surgical techniques were identical for both groups. Postoperatively, all patients received patient-controlled analgesia (morphine bolus of 1 mg; lockout interval of 8 minutes), acetaminophen, and ketoprofen for 72 hours. A blinded investigator recorded morphine consumption, which was the primary outcome. Also, the range of motion (ROM) and static and dynamic pain were assessed at 6, 12, 36, and 60 hours after surgery. The incidence of adverse events, time to readiness for discharge, and length of hospital stay were also recorded. The median of total cumulative morphine consumption was 16 mg (range, 0–62 mg) in the GTX 2/3 group and 9 mg (range, 0–54 mg) in control group, which did not reach statistical difference (median test, p = 0.40). Furthermore, static and dynamic pain scores were similar at all time intervals. GTX 2/3 was inferior in range of motion at 6 and 12 hours; nevertheless, we noted no difference after 36 hours. No differences between groups were found in terms of complications, side effects, or length of hospital stay. No significant differences were found between groups in terms of breakthrough morphine requirement. However, local anesthetic use resulted in an increased ROM in the first 12 hours. This prospective randomized clinical trial shows that GTX 2/3 is a safe and efficient drug for pain control after TKA; nevertheless, more studies using GTX 2/3 with larger populations are needed to confirm the safety profile and efficiency. This is level 1 therapeutic study, randomized, double-blind clinical trial.
Localized Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis Originating from the Lateral Meniscus in a 17-year-old: Case Report and Literature Review of Meniscal-Associated Localized PVNS
Authors: Talley-Bruns Rachel C. , Patel Ruby G. , Mangion Jeremy E.
Published: September 2021

Tenosynovial giant cell tumors (TSGCT) are benign tumors originating from the synovial joint, bursa, or tendon sheath. Localized pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS), a subtype of TSGCT, commonly affects the hands and feet and has also been reported in the literature in the knee joint. There is sparse literature on localized PVNS arising specifically from meniscal tissue. We present a case report of a 17-year- old male with symptoms and MRI findings consistent with a lateral meniscus tear. Intraoperatively, the patient was found to have a mass originating from the torn meniscal tissue, which was confirmed by pathology to be a TSGCT. We performed a literature review of intra-articular localized PVNS within the knee presenting as a meniscal tear.
Who is to Blame?
Authors: Lin Chenyang
Published: September 2021

Critical discourse analysis (CDA) has been broadly applied to understand the social implications of discourse, yet few studies have compared different forms of discourse in Chinese media, especially on the topic of race. Referencing the CDA framework, this study compares two sample news items from Mainland China and Taiwan about the killing of George Floyd and the associated social movements, analyzing their presentational forms, sourcing patterns, headlines, lexical and syntactic choices. A racial analysis is also conducted to better comprehend how racism is constructed and potentially reproduced in Chinese media. The results suggest that the two media sources bifurcate in reporting styles – due to respective journalistic environments and regulations – and their attitudes towards the cause of the reported event. However, they both explicitly identify the issue of racism in the US. This study applies CDA in a non-US context to uncover the reporting styles and racial connotations in Chinese news discourse from Mainland China and Taiwan, identifying future directions for racial discourse analysis in Chinese media.
Critical screening parameters and critical behaviors of one-electron systems with screened Coulomb potentials
Authors: Jiao Li Guang , Xie Hui Hui , Liu Aihua , Montgomery H E , Ho Yew Kam
Published: September 2021

The critical screening parameters for one-electron systems screened by Hulthén, Debye–Hückel, and exponential cosine screened Coulomb potentials are calculated with an accuracy close to the precision of numerical arithmetic. The results for a H atom with an infinitely heavy nucleus are reported from the ground to high-lying excited states, and those for arbitrary two-body charged systems are derived from the Zm-scaling law. A thorough comparison of the critical screening parameters for the ground and the first p-wave excited states with previous predictions is made to demonstrate the accuracy of our calculations. The critical behaviors of system-bound and pseudo-continuum eigenenergies for s- and non-s-wave states are shown to follow the quadratic and linear laws, respectively. The variation of the corresponding wave functions is analyzed in detail. For systems with non-zero orbital angular momenta, the bound states convert into shape-type resonances when the screening parameter exceeds the critical value. The resonance energy shares the same linear law as the pseudo-continuum state, while the resonance width varies by an l-dependent power law. It is further shown that the different asymptotic behaviors of the resonance energy and width are consistent with the complex analog of the Hellmann–Feynman theorem.
A low-cost and high-efficiency method for four-inch silicon nano-mold by proximity UV exposure
Authors: Sun Lei , Zou Helin , Sang Shengbo
Published: September 2021

Nano-mold is an essential tool for nano-imprinting. However, large-area nano-mold fabrication relies on expensive equipment or complicated processing. Silicon nano-molds were achieved by proximity ultraviolet lithography and reactive ion etching (RIE). By optimizing the parameters in the processes of exposure, development, and RIE, silicon nano-mold with nano-scale ridges were fabricated with high-precision. The achieved minimum width of nano-ridges was 263 nm. This method is capable of fabricating silicon nano-mold covering four-inch wafer, which is simple, efficient and free from costly equipment.
Quantum sensing of the electron electric dipole moment using ultracold entangled Fr atoms
Authors: Aoki T , Sreekantham R , Sahoo B K , Arora Bindiya , Kastberg A , Sato T , Ikeda H , Okamoto N , Torii Y , Hayamizu T , Nakamura K , Nagase S , Ohtsuka M , Nagahama H , Ozawa N , Sato M , Nakashita T , Yamane K , Tanaka K S , Harada K , Kawamura H , Inoue T , Uchiyama A , Hatakeyama A , Takamine A , Ueno H , Ichikawa Y , Matsuda Y , Haba H , Sakemi Y
Published: September 2021

We propose a method to measure the electron electric dipole moment (eEDM) using ultracold entangled francium (Fr) atoms trapped in an optical lattice, yielding an uncertainty below the standard quantum limit. Among the alkali atoms, Fr offers the largest enhancement factor to the eEDM. With a Fr based experiment, quantum sensing using quantum entangled states could enable a search for the eEDM at a level below 10−30
ecm. We estimate statistical and systematic errors attached to the proposed measurement scheme based on this quantum sensing technique. A successful quantum sensing of the eEDM could enable the exploration of new physics beyond the standard model of particle physics.
The ClearSight System for Postoperative Arterial Blood Pressure Monitoring After Carotid Endarterectomy: A Validation Study
Authors: Fassaert Leonie M M , Plate Joost D J , Westerink Jan , Immink Rogier V , de Borst Gert J
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND

The majority of postoperative events in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA) are of hemodynamic origin, requiring preventive strict postoperative arterial blood pressure (BP) control. This study aimed to assess whether BP monitoring with noninvasive beat-to-beat ClearSight finger BP (BPCS) can replace invasive beat-to-beat radial artery BP (BPRAD) in the postoperative phase.

METHODS

This study was a single-center clinical validation study using a prespecified study protocol. In 48 patients with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis, BPCS and BPRAD were monitored ipsilateral in a simultaneous manner during a 6-hour period on the recovery unit following CEA. Primary endpoints were accuracy and precision of BP derived by ClearSight (Edward Lifesciences, Irvine, CA) vs. the reference standard (Arbocath 20 G, Hospira, Lake Forest, IL) to investigate if BPCS is a reliable noninvasive alternative for BP monitoring postoperatively in CEA patients. Validation was guided by the standard set by the Association for Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), considering a BP-monitor adequate when bias (precision) is <5 (8) mm Hg. Secondary endpoint was percentage under- and overtreatment, defined as exceedance of individual postoperative systolic BP threshold by BPRAD or BPCS in contrast to BPCS or BPRAD, respectively.

RESULTS

The bias (precision) of BPCS compared to BPRAD was −10 (13.6), 8 (7.2) and 4 (7.8) mm Hg for systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure (MAP), respectively. Based on BPCS, undertreatment was 5.6% and overtreatment was 2.4%; however, percentages of undertreatment quadrupled for lower systolic BP thresholds.

CONCLUSIONS

Noninvasive MAP, but not systolic and diastolic BP, was similar to invasive BPRAD during postoperative observation following CEA, based on AAMI criteria. However, as systolic BP is currently leading in postoperative monitoring to adjust BP therapy on, BPCS is not a reliable alternative for BPRAD.
Transarterial chemoembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma before liver transplantation and risk of post-transplant vascular complications: a multicentre observational cohort and propensity score-matched analysis
Authors: Sneiders D , Boteon A P C S , Lerut J , Iesari S , Gilbo N , Blasi F , Larghi Laureiro Z , Orlacchio A , Tisone G , Lai Q , Pirenne J , Polak W G , Perera M T P R , Manzia T M , Hartog H
Published: September 2021

Background

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in patients with hepatocellular cancer (HCC) on the waiting list for liver transplantation may be associated with an increased risk for hepatic artery complications. The present study aims to assess the risk for, primarily, intraoperative technical hepatic artery problems and, secondarily, postoperative hepatic artery complications encountered in patients who received TACE before liver transplantation.

Methods

Available data from HCC liver transplantation recipients across six European centres from January 2007 to December 2018 were analysed in a 1 : 1 propensity score-matched cohort (TACE versus no TACE). Incidences of intraoperative hepatic artery interventions and postoperative hepatic artery complications were compared.

Results

Data on postoperative hepatic artery complications were available in all 876 patients (425 patients with TACE and 451 patients without TACE). Fifty-eight (6.6 per cent) patients experienced postoperative hepatic artery complications. In total 253 patients who had undergone TACE could be matched to controls. In the matched cohort TACE was not associated with a composite of hepatic artery complications (OR 1.73, 95 per cent c.i. 0.82 to 3.63, P = 0.149). Data on intraoperative hepatic artery interventions were available in 825 patients (422 patients with TACE and 403 without TACE). Intraoperative hepatic artery interventions were necessary in 69 (8.4 per cent) patients. In the matched cohort TACE was not associated with an increased incidence of intraoperative hepatic artery interventions (OR 0.94, 95 per cent c.i. 0.49 to 1.83, P = 0.870)

Conclusion

In otherwise matched patients with HCC intended for liver transplantation, TACE treatment before transplantation was not associated with higher risk of technical vascular issues or hepatic artery complications.
Purely laparoscopic explant hepatectomy and hybrid laparoscopic/robotic graft implantation in living donor liver transplantation
Authors: Suh K. S. , Hong S. K. , Lee S. , Hong S. Y. , Suh S. , Han E. S. , Yang S. M. , Choi Y. , Yi N. J. , Lee K. W.
Published: September 2021

This report describes a purely laparoscopic/robotic technique for successful living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Purely laparoscopic explant hepatectomy followed by purely laparoscopic and robotic graft implantation can be performed in LDLT.
Cumulative Childhood Adversity and Long-Term Educational Outcomes in Individuals with Out-of-Home Care Experience: Do Multiples Matter for a Population Defined by Adversity?
Authors: Forsman Hilma , Jackisch Josephine
Published: September 2021

Previous research has demonstrated a graded relationship between cumulative childhood adversity and adverse later outcomes. Individuals with out-of-home care (OHC) experience constitute a population characterised by both childhood and educational disadvantages. Based on a fifty-year follow-up of a Stockholm cohort born in 1953, the purpose of this study was to examine the associations between cumulative childhood adversity and long-term educational outcomes in this group. The cumulative disadvantage perspective suggests that there would be a negative association, while the disadvantage saturation perspective implies that cumulative adversity would be less consequential for disadvantaged individuals. By means of multigroup path analysis, we furthermore asked whether this association may differ in relation to individuals with child welfare contact (CWC) and to the general population (GP). Adjusting for socioeconomic conditions and cognitive ability, cumulative childhood adversity had a negative influence on midlife educational attainment in the GP. However, it did not seem to influence the educational outcomes of neither OHC experienced individuals nor individuals with other types of CWC. The results of this study thus lend support to the disadvantage saturation perspective. Further studies are needed to explore this relationship.
Adaptive divergence in the neglected alpine mossLewinskya killiasii(Orthotrichaceae), an example of vicariance on different rock types in bryophytes
Authors: Kiebacher Thomas , Köckinger Heribert , Kučera Jan
Published: September 2021

We provide an example of ecological vicariance among two epilithic, high mountain taxa of mosses. Phylogenetic analyses using plastid (rps4-trnS, atpB-rbcL, trnL-trnF) and nuclear (EST-115, EST-317, ITS region) markers and morphological data revealed the distinctiveness of the neglected Orthotrichum killiasii, here resurrected from the synonymy of Lewinskya speciosa and newly combined in Lewinskya. Furthermore, our data indicate a speciation process within O. killiasii related to the rock type inhabited (silicate vs. carbonate). We translate this into the recognition of two subspecies, corresponding to O. killiasii s.s. and the recently described O. simonyi. The incongruence between nuclear and plastid markers in some accessions and the partial but rare incongruence between ITS ribotypes and the morphological manifestation in phenotypes indicate incomplete lineage sorting with respect to rather recent segregation and possible gene flow between the two entities.
Astrocytes display cell autonomous and diverse early reactive states in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Taha Doaa M , Clarke Benjamin E , Hall Claire E , Tyzack Giulia E , Ziff Oliver J , Greensmith Linda , Kalmar Bernadett , Ahmed Mhoriam , Alam Aftab , Thelin Eric P , Garcia Nuria Marco , Helmy Adel , Sibley Christopher R , Patani Rickie
Published: September 2021

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a rapidly progressive and fatal disease. Although astrocytes are increasingly recognized contributors to the underlying pathogenesis, the cellular autonomy and uniformity of astrocyte reactive transformation in different genetic forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis remain unresolved.

Here we systematically examine these issues by using highly enriched and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived astrocytes from patients with VCP and SOD1 mutations.

We show that VCP mutant astrocytes undergo cell-autonomous reactive transformation characterized by increased expression of complement component 3 (C3) in addition to several characteristic gene expression changes. We then demonstrate that isochronic SOD1 mutant astrocytes also undergo a cell-autonomous reactive transformation, but that this is molecularly distinct from VCP mutant astrocytes. This is shown through transcriptome-wide analyses, identifying divergent gene expression profiles and activation of different key transcription factors in SOD1 and VCP mutant human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived astrocytes. Finally, we show functional differences in the basal cytokine secretome between VCP and SOD1 mutant human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived astrocytes.

Our data therefore reveal that reactive transformation can occur cell autonomously in human amyotrophic lateral sclerosis astrocytes and with a striking degree of early molecular and functional heterogeneity when comparing different disease-causing mutations. These insights may be important when considering astrocyte reactivity as a putative therapeutic target in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Genome sequencing identifies rare tandem repeat expansions and copy number variants in Lennox–Gastaut syndrome
Authors: Qaiser Farah , Sadoway Tara , Yin Yue , Zulfiqar Ali Quratulain , Nguyen Charlotte M , Shum Natalie , Backstrom Ian , Marques Paula T , Tabarestani Sepideh , Munhoz Renato P , Krings Timo , Pearson Christopher E , Yuen Ryan K C , Andrade Danielle M
Published: September 2021

Epilepsies are a group of common neurological disorders with a substantial genetic basis. Despite this, the molecular diagnosis of epilepsies remains challenging due to its heterogeneity. Studies utilizing whole-genome sequencing may provide additional insights into genetic causes of epilepsies of unknown aetiology. Whole-genome sequencing was used to evaluate a cohort of adults with unexplained developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (n = 30), for whom prior genetic tests, including whole-exome sequencing in some cases, were negative or inconclusive. Rare single nucleotide variants, insertions/deletions, copy number variants and tandem repeat expansions were analysed. Seven pathogenic or likely pathogenic single nucleotide variants, and two pathogenic deleterious copy number variants were identified in nine patients (32.1% of the cohort). One of the copy number variants, identified in a patient with Lennox–Gastaut syndrome, was too small to be detected by chromosomal microarray techniques. We also identified two tandem repeat expansions with clinical implications in two other patients with Lennox–Gastaut syndrome: a CGG repeat expansion in the 5′untranslated region of DIP2B, and a CTG expansion in ATXN8OS (previously implicated in spinocerebellar ataxia type 8). Three patients had KCNA2 pathogenic variants. One of them died of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. The other two patients had, in addition to a KCNA2 variant, a second de novo variant impacting potential epilepsy-relevant genes (KCNIP4 and UBR5). Overall, whole-genome sequencing provided a genetic explanation in 32.1% of the total cohort. This is also the first report of coding and non-coding tandem repeat expansions identified in patients with Lennox–Gastaut syndrome. This study demonstrates that using whole-genome sequencing, the examination of multiple types of rare genetic variation, including those found in the non-coding region of the genome, can help resolve unexplained epilepsies.
Translational Model of Cortical Premotor-Motor Networks
Authors: Kreis Svenja L , Luhmann Heiko J , Ciolac Dumitru , Groppa Sergiu , Muthuraman Muthuraman
Published: September 2021

Deciphering the physiological patterns of motor network connectivity is a prerequisite to elucidate aberrant oscillatory transformations and elaborate robust translational models of movement disorders. In the proposed translational approach, we studied the connectivity between premotor (PMC) and primary motor cortex (M1) by recording high-density electroencephalography in humans and between caudal (CFA) and rostral forelimb (RFA) areas by recording multi-site extracellular activity in mice to obtain spectral power, functional and effective connectivity. We identified a significantly higher spectral power in β- and γ-bands in M1compared to PMC and similarly in mice CFA layers (L) 2/3 and 5 compared to RFA. We found a strong functional β-band connectivity between PMC and M1 in humans and between CFA L6 and RFA L5 in mice. We observed that in both humans and mice the direction of information flow mediated by β- and γ-band oscillations was predominantly from PMC toward M1 and from RFA to CFA, respectively. Combining spectral power, functional and effective connectivity, we revealed clear similarities between human PMC-M1 connections and mice RFA-CFA network. We propose that reciprocal connectivity of mice RFA-CFA circuitry presents a suitable model for analysis of motor control and physiological PMC-M1 functioning or pathological transformations within this network.
Antibody-Free Quantification of Serum Chromogranin A by Targeted Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Weber Darren M , Yang Jane Y , Goldman Scott M , Clarke Nigel J , Taylor Steven W , McPhaul Michael J
Published: September 2021

Background

Chromogranin A (CgA) is a 48 kDa protein that serves as a diagnostically sensitive, but nonspecific, serum biomarker for neuroendocrine tumors. Immunoassays for CgA are not standardized and have a narrow dynamic range, which requires dilution of concentrated specimens. We developed and validated an antibody-free, liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS)-based method for CgA without these limitations.

Methods

CgA was extracted from serum using a mixed-mode anion exchange solid-phase extraction plate, digested with trypsin, and analyzed by LC–MS/MS using well-characterized CgA calibration standards. After validation, the mass spectrometry method was compared with the CISBIO immunoassay using 200 serum specimens previously submitted for CgA analysis. Specimens with discordant results were reanalyzed by high-resolution mass spectrometry- (HRMS) -based methods to assess the contribution of truncated and post-translationally modified forms of CgA.

Results

The assay had a linear range of 50 to 50 000 ng/mL, recoveries between 89% and 115%, and intra- and interassay imprecision <10%. LC–MS/MS assay results showed a Pearson’s correlation of r = 0.953 with the CISBIO immunoassay, with CgA values being a mean 2- to 4-fold higher. Concordance for CgA between the 2 assays was 80.9% (95% CI 72.8%–89.2%), showing substantial agreement. Truncation and posttranslational modification, including 2 phosphorylation sites that had not been previously observed or predicted to our knowledge, did not appear to contribute directly to discordance between the 2 assays.

Conclusion

Quantification of CgA by LC–MS/MS provides an analytically sensitive and reproducible alternative to commercially available immunoassays.
QSDB—a graphical Quorum Sensing Database
Authors: Klein Karsten , Garkov Dimitar , Rütschlin Sina , Böttcher Thomas , Schreiber Falk
Published: September 2021

The human microbiome is largely shaped by the chemical interactions of its microbial members, which includes cross-talk via shared signals or quenching of the signalling of other species. Quorum sensing is a process that allows microbes to coordinate their behaviour in dependence of their population density and to adjust gene expression accordingly. We present the Quorum Sensing Database (QSDB), a comprehensive database of all published sensing and quenching relations between organisms and signalling molecules of the human microbiome, as well as an interactive web interface that allows browsing the database, provides graphical depictions of sensing mechanisms as Systems Biology Graphical Notation diagrams and links to other databases.

Database URL: QSDB (Quorum Sensing DataBase) is freely available via an interactive web interface and as a downloadable csv file at http://qsdb.org.