bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Familial partial lipodystrophy type 2 and obesity, two adipose tissue pathologies with different inflammatory profiles
Authors: Treiber Guillaume , Gonthier Marie-Paule , Guilleux Alice , Medjane Samir , Bonfanti Oriane , Cogne Muriel , Meilhac Olivier , Nobecourt Estelle
Published: April 2023

Introduction

The transition to metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO) is driven by the limited expandability of adipose tissue (AT). Familial Partial Lipodystrophy type 2 (FPLD2) is an alternative model for AT dysfunction that is suitable for comparison with obesity. While MUO is associated with low-grade systemic inflammation, studies of inflammation in FPLD2 have yielded inconsistent results. Consequently, comparison of inflammation markers between FPLD2 and obesity is of great interest to better understand the pathophysiological defects of FPLD2.

Objective

To compare the levels of inflammatory biomarkers between a population of patients with FPLD2 due to the same ‘Reunionese’ LMNA variant and a population of patients with obesity (OB group).

Methods

Adiponectin, leptin, IL-6, TNF-α and MCP-1 plasma levels were measured by enzyme-linked immuno assays for 60 subjects with FPLD2 and for 60 subjects with obesity. The populations were closely matched for age, sex, and diabetic status.

Results

Metabolic outcomes were similar between the two populations. Adiponectinemia and leptinemia were lower in the FPLD2 group than in the OB group (p < 0.01 for both), while MCP-1 levels were higher in the FPLD2 than in the OB group (p < 0.01). Levels of other inflammatory markers were not significantly different.

Conclusions

Insulin-resistant patients with FPLD2 and obesity share common complications related to AT dysfunction. Inflammatory biomarker analyses demonstrated that MCP-1 levels and adiponectin levels differ between patients with FPLD2 and patients with obesity. These two AT pathologies thus appear to have different inflammatory profiles.
Associations between cardiovascular risk factors, disease activity and cardiorespiratory fitness in patients with inflammatory joint disease: a cross-sectional analysis
Authors: Nordén Kristine Røren , Semb Anne Grete , Dagfinrud Hanne , Hisdal Jonny , Ødegård Sigrid , Sexton Joseph , Fongen Camilla , Skandsen Jon , Blanck Thalita , Metsios George S. , Tveter Anne Therese
Published: April 2023

Background

Inflammatory joint diseases (IJD) are accompanied by an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is a modifiable CVD risk factor and low levels of CRF associate with an elevated CVD risk. This study aimed to investigate the associations between CVD risk factors, disease activity and CRF in patients with IJD and to explore differences between patients with normal versus low levels of CRF.

Methods

CRF was measured as peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) with a cardiopulmonary exercise test. Participants were also evaluated for: Body composition, blood pressure, blood lipids, inflammatory markers and disease activity. Patient-reported use of cigarettes/snuff, medication, disease duration, pain, fatigue, CVD history, habitual physical activity and exercise beliefs and self-efficacy were collected by questionnaire. Cross-sectional associations between CVD risk factors, disease-related factors and CRF were analyzed by multiple linear regression. CRF was categorized to normal CRF (VO2peak ≥ 80%) or low CRF (VO2peak < 80%) according to age- and gender-stratified reference data. Differences in demographic, CVD and disease-related factors between patients with normal versus low CRF were explored.

Results

In 60 Norwegian patients with IJD [34 females, age 59 years (IQR: 52–63)], mean VO2peak was 30.2 (± 6.9) mL/kg/min, corresponding to 83% (± 18) of normative reference values. Age (coefficient: − 0.18 years, p = 0.01) and fat mass (coefficient: − 0.67 %, p < 0.001) were inversely associated with CRF, while physical activity index (coefficient: 0.13 points, p = 0.05) was positively associated with CRF (R2 = 0.66). There were no significant associations between CRF, classical CVD risk factors and disease-related variables. Compared to patients with low CRF (n = 30), patients with normal CRF (n = 30) had higher peak oxygen uptake (+ 9.4 mL/kg/min, p < 0.001), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (+ 0.5 mmol L−1, p < 0.001), and exercise self-efficacy (+ 6.9, p < 0.01) as well as lower fat mass (− 8.7%, p < 0.001), resting heart rate (− 8.0 beats/min, p < 0.01) and triglycerides (− 0.5 mmol L−1, p < 0.01).

Conclusions

In this sample of IJD-patients, age, fatmass and physical activity level were associated with CRF. CRF was lower than reference values and patients with normal CRF presented with a more favorable health profile. There is a continued need for exercise interventions to improve CRF in patients with IJD.

Trial registration: NCT04922840.
Choosing safe and effective anticoagulation to treat idiopathic ovarian vein thrombosis: using first principles of deep vein thrombosis management to treat a rare diagnosis: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Yii Erwin , Yao Hexiang , Yii Ming
Published: April 2023

Background

Ovarian vein thrombosis (OVT) often presents in the post-partum period and is associated with significant complications including inferior vena cava extension, pulmonary embolism, sepsis, and renal obstruction. Idiopathic OVT is rare, and no consensus has been agreed upon regarding its diagnosis and management. This case presents a patient who was diagnosed with idiopathic OVT and was treated with apixaban. A literature review was performed collating reported cases of idiopathic OVT to form a recommendation regarding optimal management and follow up.

Case presentation

A 42-year-old Chinese woman presenting with right lower quadrant pain underwent a CT abdomen after urinary tract obstruction was excluded on ultrasound. She was subsequently diagnosed with an idiopathic 35 mm ovarian vein thrombus (OVT) given no history of primary coagulopathy nor secondary aetiology. A literature review was performed collating 18 case reports with method of diagnosis and management summarized. Treatment alternatives included low molecular weight heparin, warfarin, rivaroxaban and apixaban. Most were diagnosed after work up for suspected renal calculus or appendicitis. Follow up imaging was performed from between 6 weeks to 6 months after initiation of anticoagulation.

Conclusions

Direct oral anticoagulants were an effective treatment for OVT, however warfarin should be commenced in those suspected of antiphospholipid syndrome awaiting confirmation or exclusion of the diagnosis.
VulRep: vulnerability repair based on inducing commits and fixing commits
Authors: Wei Ying , Bo Lili , Wu Xiaoxue , Li Yue , Ye Zhenlei , Sun Xiaobing , Li Bin
Published: April 2023

With the rapid development of the information age, software vulnerabilities have threatened the safety of communication and mobile network, and research on vulnerability repair is urgent. Different from the existing machine learning-based approaches, we propose VulRep, a vulnerability repair approach based on vulnerability introduction, which combines empirical research findings on vulnerability inducing and vulnerability fixing commit with machine learning approaches for vulnerability repair. Firstly, we construct the vulnerability introduction and repair dataset, and generate the AST tree for the code of inducing commit and fixing commit to form a sequence after abstraction processing, and input it into the Transformer model to generate a recommendation list through beam search. After filling in the abstracted code, it is combined with the rules defined by empirical research findings, and the final patch is obtained after verification. Experimental results show that VulRep can improve the performance of repairing vulnerabilities, which illustrates the effectiveness of combined empirical research findings. In addition, we found that our approach is more suitable for repairing type CWE-119 (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer) vulnerabilities and can perform vulnerability repair better.
Microbiota-mediated nitrogen fixation and microhabitat homeostasis in aerial root-mucilage
Authors: Pang Zhiqiang , Mao Xinyu , Zhou Shaoqun , Yu Sheng , Liu Guizhou , Lu Chengkai , Wan Jinpeng , Hu Lingfei , Xu Peng
Published: April 2023

Background

Plants sustain intimate relationships with diverse microbes. It is well-recognized that these plant-associated microbiota shape individual performance and fitness of host plants, but much remains to be explored regarding how they exert their function and maintain their homeostasis.

Results

Here, using pink lady (Heterotis rotundifolia) as a study plant, we investigated the phenomenon of microbiota-mediated nitrogen fixation and elucidated how this process is steadily maintained in the root mucilage microhabitat. Metabolite and microbiota profiling showed that the aerial root mucilage is enriched in carbohydrates and diazotrophic bacteria. Nitrogen isotope-labeling experiments,15N natural abundance, and gene expression analysis indicated that the aerial root-mucilage microbiota could fix atmospheric nitrogen to support plant growth. While the aerial root mucilage is a hotspot of nutrients, we did not observe high abundance of other environmental and pathogenic microbes inside. We further identified a fungus isolate in mucilage that has shown broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities, but solely allows the growth of diazotrophic bacteria. This “friendly” fungus may be the key driver to maintain nitrogen fixation function in the mucilage microhabitat.

Conclusion

The discovery of new biological function and mucilage-habitat friendly fungi provides insights into microbial homeostasis maintenance of microenvironmental function and rhizosphere ecology.
Structured physical exercise for bipolar depression: an open-label, proof-of concept study
Authors: Lafer Beny , Duarte Cicera Claudinea , Greve Julia Maria D’Andrea , dos Santos Silva Paulo Roberto , de Almeida Karla Mathias , Belizario Gabriel Okawa , Neves Lucas Melo
Published: April 2023

Background

Physical exercise (PE) is a recommended lifestyle intervention for different mental disorders and has shown specific positive therapeutic effects in unipolar depressive disorder. Considering the similar symptomatology of the depressive phase in patients with bipolar disorder (BD) and unipolar depressive disorder, it is reasonable to suggest that PE may also be beneficial for bipolar depression. However, there is an absence of studies evaluating the antidepressant effect of a structured PE intervention in BD.

Methods

This is an open-label, single-arm study trial. Fifteen patients with a diagnosis of BD Type I or Type II, presenting a depressive episode were included in the study. After physical and functional evaluation, patients participated in supervised training sessions with aerobics followed by strength exercises, three times per week, for 12 weeks (36 training sessions). Depressive and manic symptoms were assessed at baseline and 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Additionally, quality of Life and functioning were assessed at baseline and 4, 8, and 12 weeks). Finally, we tested cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength and body composition at baseline and week-12.

Results

The mean (± SD) Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score at baseline was 23.6 ± 8.3 points and after 12 weeks of PE the mean score was 10.2 ± 4.8 points. Nine patients (82%) presented an antidepressant response defined as a reduction of more than 50% of depressive symptoms at week 12 with five of those patients (45%) presenting criteria for full remission. A large and significant Cohen’s D Effect Size (pre-post) was verified for MADRS reduction [1.98 (95% Confidence interval = 0.88 to 3.08)]. We did not detect a significant change in manic symptoms, functioning, and quality of life during the 12-week follow-up. At week-12, all patients increased their muscular strength (one repetition maximal test − 1RM) and reduced the percentage of body fat (spectral bioelectrical impedance analysis).

Conclusions

This study, using rigorous criteria and a structured intervention, provides valid pilot data, showing the feasibility of a structured PE intervention for the treatment of depressive symptoms in BD, and suggesting a potential adjunctive antidepressant effect. Moreover, PE showed a positive impact on muscle strength and body composition. This should be further verified by randomized controlled studies.
Risk of magnetic resonance imaging-induced magnet dislocation for different types of cochlear implants: A single-center retrospective study
Authors: Rupp Robin , Balk Matthias , Sievert Matti , Leibl Victoria , Schleder Stephan , Allner Moritz , Iro Heinrich , Hoppe Ulrich , Hornung Joachim , Gostian Antoniu-Oreste
Published: April 2023

Background

When performing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with a cochlear implant (CI), complication rates vary widely in the literature. The primary objective of this retrospective study was to determine the prevalence of complications, in particular magnet dislocation, in patients with CI undergoing 1.5 Tesla (T) MRI. As a secondary objective, the prevalence of magnet dislocation for specific cochlear implant device types was elaborated.

Methods

In a single-center retrospective study, all patients with a cochlear implant presenting for an MRI examination at 1.5 T at our institution between January 1st, 2010 and December 31st, 2020 were included. Implants with axial and diametrical magnets were included in the study. MRI safety measures were applied before imaging. The prevalence of complications was evaluated. Magnet dislocation rates were calculated for device types with at least 20 MRI exposures.

Results

During the study period, 196 MRI examinations were performed in a total of 128 patients, accounting for 149 different implants (21 implanted bilaterally) with a total of 231 implant exposures to MRI (average 1.69 ± 1.57; min. 1, max. 12). Complications were reported in 50 out of 231 cochlear implant exposures (21.6%). Magnet dislocation occurred in a total of 27 cases (11.7%). Dislocation rates were 29.6% for the Cochlear® CI500 series (24 dislocations from 81 exposures), 1.1% for the Cochlear® CI24RE series (1 from 87) and 0% for the MED-EL® Synchrony (0 from 36). The dislocation rate for the CI500 was significantly higher than for the CI24RE (χ2 (1) = 26.86; p < 0.001; ϕ = 0.40) or the Synchrony (χ2 (1) = 13.42; p < 0.001; ϕ = 0.34).

Conclusions

For 1.5 T MRI, the risk of magnet dislocation ranges from 0 to 29.6% and depends on the CI device type. Implants with a diametrical magnet can be considered potentially MRI-safe, whereas in CIs with axial magnets, the CI500 is at high risk of magnet dislocation. Therefore, apart from a strict indication for an MRI and adherence to safety protocols, post-MRI follow-up examination to rule out magnet dislocation is recommended.

Graphical Abstract
Association between the timing of ICU admission and mortality in patients with hospital-onset sepsis: a nationwide prospective cohort study
Authors: Ahn Yoon Hae , Lee Jinwoo , Oh Dong Kyu , Lee Su Yeon , Park Mi Hyeon , Lee Haein , Lim Chae-Man , Lee Sang-Min , Lee Hong Yeul ,   the Korean Sepsis Alliance (KSA) Investigators, Lim Chae-Man , Hong Sang-Bum , Oh Dong Kyu , Suh Gee Young , Jeon Kyeongman , Ko Ryoung-Eun , Cho Young-Jae , Lee Yeon Joo , Lim Sung Yoon , Park Sunghoon , Heo Jeongwon , Lee Jae-myeong , Kim Kyung Chan , Lee Yeon Joo , Chang Youjin , Jeon Kyeongman , Lee Sang-Min , Lim Chae-Man , Hong Suk-Kyung , Cho Woo Hyun , Kwak Sang Hyun , Lee Heung Bum , Ahn Jong-Joon , Seong Gil Myeong , Lee Song-I. , Park Tai Sun , Lee Su Hwan , Choi Eun Young , Moon Jae Young
Published: April 2023

Background

Based on sparse evidence, the current Surviving Sepsis Campaign guideline suggests that critically ill patients with sepsis be admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) within 6 h. However, limited ICU bed availability often makes immediate transfer difficult, and it is unclear whether all patients will benefit from early admission to the ICU. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the association between the timing of ICU admission and mortality in patients with hospital-onset sepsis.

Methods

This nationwide prospective cohort study analyzed patients with hospital-onset sepsis admitted to the ICUs of 19 tertiary hospitals between September 2019 and December 2020. ICU admission was classified as either early (within 6 h) or delayed (beyond 6 h). The primary outcome of in-hospital mortality was compared using logistic regression adjusted for key prognostic factors in the unmatched and 1:1 propensity-score-matched cohorts. Subgroup and interaction analyses assessed whether in-hospital mortality varied according to baseline characteristics.

Results

A total of 470 and 286 patients were included in the early and delayed admission groups, respectively. Early admission to the ICU did not significantly result in lower in-hospital mortality in both the unmatched (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.99–1.85) and matched cohorts (aOR, 1.38; 95% CI, 0.94–2.02). Subgroup analyses showed that patients with increasing lactate levels (aOR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.37–3.23;Pfor interaction = 0.003), septic shock (aOR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.31–3.22;Pfor interaction = 0.019), and those who needed mechanical ventilation (aOR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.24–2.96;Pfor interaction = 0.027) or vasopressor support (aOR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.17–2.44;Pfor interaction = 0.042) on the day of ICU admission had a higher risk of mortality with delayed admission.

Conclusions

Among patients with hospital-onset sepsis, in-hospital mortality did not differ significantly between those with early and delayed ICU admission. However, as early intensive care may benefit those with increasing lactate levels, septic shock, and those who require vasopressors or ventilatory support, admission to the ICU within 6 h should be considered for these subsets of patients.
Otolaryngologists and iatrogenic facial nerve injury: a meta-analysis
Authors: Zamzam Sameh M. , Hassouna Mohamed Salah , Elsawy Mohamed Khairy , Gafaar Shereen Hamdy
Published: April 2023

Background

Iatrogenic facial nerve injury is one of the otolaryngologists’ major fears during surgeries. Despite technological advances, the risk of iatrogenic facial nerve palsy remains high. The aim of this study is to meta-analyse papers published about different iatrogenic causes of facial nerve injury. This is a meta-analysis study carried out at ENT departments of Cairo and MUST universities from April to October 2022. It was structured according to the recommendations of the reporting system for meta-analysis (PRISMA).

Results

A total of 168 manuscripts were revised, and after the comprehensive search, 44 studies met our inclusion criteria; 736 cases out of 15,846 (4.6%) were included. The patients who underwent otolaryngologic surgeries are 716 (97.3%), and those who underwent other related procedures are 20 (2.7%).

Conclusion

Multiple causes of iatrogenic facial nerve injury have been reported. The commonest cause is parotid surgeries (364 cases, 49.5%), and the least common cause is arterial embolization (3 cases, 0.4%). It is more common in females more than males and in adults more than young. The most common injured part is extra-temporal part (199 cases, 27%), and the marginal mandibular branch is the most common injured branch in (160 cases, 21.7%). Geographically, it is more distributed in Germany (175 cases, 23.8%).
Unexplained Cachexia as a Presenting Symptom of Pheochromocytoma in a Geriatric Patient
Authors: Nkodo Amélie , Wu Iris , Hobgood Sarah , Celi Francesco S
Published: April 2023

Pheochromocytomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors that may secrete catecholamines, resulting in a wide array of clinical symptoms. While patients classically present with hypertension, headache, diaphoresis, and flushing, these symptoms are present in only 40% of cases. Here, we describe a 70-year-old woman whose predominant symptom was unexplained severe weight loss over a 12-month period associated with fatigue, anxiety, and palpitations at her endocrinologist and geriatrician visits.

Diagnostic imaging was performed to assess for malignancy and demonstrated a 2.0 cm × 2.0 cm left adrenal mass. The diagnosis of pheochromocytoma was confirmed by elevated plasma normetanephrine levels. After a 2-week alpha blockade with doxazosin, the patient underwent robotic left adrenalectomy.

Following surgery, the patient regained weight, and her hypertension also improved significantly. We hope this uncommon clinical presentation in an older adult characterized by weight loss and frailty will increase the awareness of atypical pheochromocytoma symptomatology, particularly in older individuals.
Intraovarian Platelet-rich Plasma Administration Induced Spontaneous Ovulation in an Anovulatory Woman With PCOS
Authors: Merhi Zaher , Mouanness Marco , Wang Ruoyu , Seckin Serin
Published: April 2023

The use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has become popular as an adjunct to fertility treatment for women with infertility, particularly those with low ovarian reserve and premature ovarian insufficiency. Recent data in a polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) animal model demonstrated that intraovarian PRP administration improved folliculogenesis, ovarian antioxidant potential, and serum hormonal imbalance, suggesting that PRP could be considered a novel technique to alleviate PCOS-induced pathogenesis. With injection of PRP into the ovaries, it has been hypothesized that the infusion of cytokines and growth factors may exhibit a local effect that changes the expression of genes important in folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis, decreases inflammation, and partially restores normal ovarian function. This report is the first to present a case of a long-term amenorrheic woman with PCOS who has been trying to conceive, who resumed spontaneous ovulatory cycles, and had improvement in several aspects of her hormonal imbalance following intraovarian PRP administration. The purpose of this case report is to increase awareness regarding the possible benefits of intraovarian PRP injections for women with PCOS. There is a clear need for larger prospective studies to properly elucidate the effect of intraovarian PRP administration on both the reproductive and metabolic dysfunctions observed in women with PCOS.
Against the Chains of Utility: Antiutilitarian Sacrifice in Cho Sehŭi’s A Little Ball Launched by the Dwarf
Authors: Suh Serk-Bae
Published: April 2023

This article looks at Cho Sehŭi’s novel A Little Ball Launched by the Dwarf (1978) as the epitome of antiutilitarian literature in the 1970s. During the period, the developmental state invoked the rhetoric of sacrifice to justify its demand on the people and society for devotion and commitment to the state-led economic development. This idea of sacrifice lies at the heart of what this article terms “utilitarian ideology.” The utilitarian ideology indicates the set of premises on which the developmental state privileged production over consumption, work over leisure, accumulation over expenditure, and the future over the present. This article highlights a moment of antiutilitarian sacrifice in The Dwarf that defies the instrumental reasoning that lies at the heart of the utilitarian ideology. In doing so, the article does not merely take issue with the state ideology of 1970s South Korea. By drawing from Georges Bataille’s thoughts on sacrifice and literature, the article criticizes utilitarian sacrifice, which not only lay at the core of this ideology but continues to pervade today’s society. In the end, the article locates a new possibility of literature’s relevance to society in the moment of antiutilitarian sacrifice radiating from The Dwarf.
Limbologics
Authors: Chapman Alix
Published: April 2023

This essay argues that limbo is a chronic aspect of black queer life and thus the tools this community has developed in responding to these experiences might offer solutions for dealing with the acceleration of disaster in the twenty-first century. The author offers an analytical category and practice he calls limbologics: the production of indeterminate ontologies, temporal and spatial imaginaries that are created in relation to conditions of encroachment and violence. Through personal narrative, ethnography, and artist interviews Chapman situates black queer performance within limbo as an African Diasporic cosmology and aesthetic. He argues that we must grapple with crisis as limbo because the analogy gives us something we would not get with any other concept. That something is what is needed to move us toward a place where even in the midst of immanent disaster the most marginal of us, and/or unlikely parts of ourselves, can still live. This essay takes important steps in linking the suffering of people during the COVID-19 pandemic; historical legacies of radical Black and queer creativity; and some of the black queer aesthetics thriving in contemporary New Orleans. These practices produce new geographies of hope in the face of uncertainty.
Improving Neurotrauma by Depolarization Inhibition With Combination Therapy: A Phase 2 Randomized Feasibility Trial
Authors: Hartings Jed A. , Dreier Jens P. , Ngwenya Laura B. , Balu Ramani , Carlson Andrew P. , Foreman Brandon
Published: April 2023

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Spreading depolarizations (SDs) are a pathological mechanism that mediates lesion development in cerebral gray matter. They occur in ∼60% of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), often in recurring and progressive patterns from days 0 to 10 after injury, and are associated with worse outcomes. However, there are no protocols or trials suggesting how SD monitoring might be incorporated into clinical management. The objective of this protocol is to determine the feasibility and efficacy of implementing a treatment protocol for intensive care of patients with severe TBI that is guided by electrocorticographic monitoring of SDs.

METHODS:

Patients who undergo surgery for severe TBI with placement of a subdural electrode strip will be eligible for enrollment. Those who exhibit SDs on electrocorticography during intensive care will be randomized 1:1 to either (1) standard care that is blinded to the further course of SDs or (2) a tiered intervention protocol based on efficacy to suppress further SDs. Interventions aim to block the triggering and propagation of SDs and include adjusted targets for management of blood pressure, CO2, temperature, and glucose, as well as ketamine pharmacotherapy up to 4 mg/kg/ hour. Interventions will be escalated and de-escalated depending on the course of SD pathology.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES:

We expect to demonstrate that electrocorticographic monitoring of SDs can be used as a real- time diagnostic in intensive care that leads to meaningful changes in patient management and a reduction in secondary injury, as compared with standard care, without increasing medical complications or adverse events.

DISCUSSION:

This trial holds potential for personalization of intensive care management by tailoring therapies based on monitoring and confirmation of the targeted neuronal mechanism of SD. Results are expected to validate the concept of this approach, inform refinement of the treatment protocol, and lead to larger-scale trials.
Talin and kindlin cooperate to control the density of integrin clusters
Authors: Pernier Julien , Santos Marcelina Cardoso Dos , Souissi Mariem , Joly Adrien , Narassimprakash Hemalatha , Rossier Olivier , Giannone Grégory , Helfer Emmanuèle , Sengupta Kheya , Clainche Christophe Le
Published: April 2023

Focal adhesions are composed of transmembrane integrins, linking the extracellular matrix to the actomyosin cytoskeleton, via cytoplasmic proteins. Adhesion depends on the activation of integrins. Talin and kindlin proteins are intracellular activators of integrins that bind to β-integrin cytoplasmic tails. Integrin activation and clustering through extracellular ligands guide the organization of adhesion complexes. However, the roles of talin and kindlin in this process are poorly understood. To determine the contribution of talin, kindlin, lipids and actomyosin in integrin clustering, we used a biomimetic in vitro system, made of giant unilamellar vesicles, containing transmembrane integrins (herein αIIbβ3), with purified talin (talin-1), kindlin (kindlin-2, also known as FERMT2) and actomyosin. Here, we show that talin and kindlin individually have the ability to cluster integrins. Talin and kindlin synergize to induce the formation of larger integrin clusters containing the three proteins. Comparison of protein density reveals that kindlin increases talin and integrin density, whereas talin does not affect kindlin and integrin density. Finally, kindlin increases integrin–talin–actomyosin coupling. Our study unambiguously demonstrates how kindlin and talin cooperate to induce integrin clustering, which is a major parameter for cell adhesion.
Αντιλήψεις εκπαιδευτικών πρωτοβάθμιας εκπαίδευσης σε σχέση με την πολιτισμικά ευαίσθητη διδασκαλία για την εκπαίδευση μαθητών/τριών με μεταναστευτική εμπειρία
Authors: Πεντέρη Ευθυμία , Ιωσηφίδης Αλέξανδρος
Published: April 2023

Ο ολοένα και αυξανόμενος αριθμός των παιδιών με μεταναστευτικό και προσφυγικό υπόβαθρο στα σχολεία της Ευρώπης έχει οδηγήσει τα εθνικά εκπαιδευτικά συστήματα σε μια επανεξέταση των πρακτικών που εφαρμόζουν. Στόχος είναι να «αγκαλιάσουν» την πολιτισμική, γλωσσική, κοινωνικο-οικονομική και εθνοτική διαφορά, εφαρμόζοντας εκπαιδευτικές πρακτικές που καταπολεμούν τις ανισότητες και ευνοούν την κοινωνική και εκπαιδευτική ένταξη των παιδιών, στο πλαίσιο της κοινωνικοπαιδαγωγικής αποστολής του σχολείου. Το κατά πόσο οι εκπαιδευτικοί αντιμετωπίζουν την εθνοπολιτισμική διαφορά ως στοιχείο εμπλουτισμού της μαθησιακής διαδικασίας για όλα τα παιδιά αποτελεί βασική προϋπόθεση για την ανάπτυξη πρακτικών που ευνοούν τη διαπολιτισμική επικοινωνία. Η εργασία εστιάζει στις αντιλήψεις εκπαιδευτικών πρωτοβάθμιας εκπαίδευσης αναφορικά με διαστάσεις της πολιτισμικά ευαίσθητης διδασκαλίας. Αναπτύχθηκε ερωτηματολόγιο με 14 προτάσεις. Συμμετείχαν 123 εκπαιδευτικοί από διάφορες ειδικότητες. Η παραγοντική ανάλυση οδήγησε σε μια εκδοχή 12 προτάσεων με δύο παράγοντες: α. αξιοποίηση πολιτισμικού και οικογενειακού κεφαλαίου στη μαθησιακή διαδικασία και β. κατανόηση αναγκών παιδιών με διαφορετικό εθνοπολιτισμικό υπόβαθρο. Οι εκπαιδευτικοί φάνηκε να συμφωνούν σε μεγάλο βαθμό με τις προτάσεις του ερωτηματολογίου με τον δεύτερο παράγοντα να συγκεντρώνει υψηλότερη βαθμολογία. Οι μεταβλητές που φάνηκε να επιδρούν στη διαμόρφωση των αντιλήψεων των εκπαιδευτικών ήταν η εμπειρία με μαθητές/τριες με μεταναστευτικό/προσφυγικό υπόβαθρο και η επιμόρφωση σε σχέση με τη διαχείριση της εθνοπολιτισμικής διαφοράς.
Water-energy-food nexus in the Great Lakes Region of Africa: Current status and prospects
Authors: Awandu Willis , Mukolwe Micah M. , Lusweti Elizabeth , Kanda Edwin K.
Published: April 2023

Water-energy-food (WEF) nexus is a concept that aims at integrating these three key economic drivers which are very crucial for the improving the livelihood of the people, general economic sustainable development and social well-being of the world population. The effective utilization and management of these key resources require in-depth planning assessment of symbiosis, competitions and concession with an essential contribution in the nexus. This paper aims at reviewing the WEF in the Great Lakes region of Africa with a focus in Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda. The status and prospects in each country has been assessed and the interconnection between the three fundamental resources together with the effects of climate change towards the security of these resources in the selected countries have been discussed. The review has found out that the selected countries are indeed WEF insecure since the impacts of climate change and poor infrastructure play a vital role in the insecurities highlighted. In the focused countries, it was realized that the existence of weak institutional and legal frameworks, political instability and poor infrastructure indeed hinders the regional attainment of the WEF nexus for sustainable economic development. This therefore calls for a dire need for the adoption of climate change adaptation and mitigation measures in the WEF nexus through an integrated and holistic approach in the Great Lakes Region of Africa.
An Analysis of Carbon-Reduction Pledges of U.S. Oil and Gas Companies
Authors: Desai Hemang , Lam Pauline , Li Bin , Rajgopal Shiva
Published: April 2023

We study carbon-reduction pledges of publicly traded U.S. oil exploration and production (E&P) companies. Of the 69 firms in the sample, 18 have committed to net-zero carbon targets, 14 have announced significant emissions cuts, whereas the remaining 37 firms have not announced any formal commitment to reduce emissions. We find that a firm’s energy production and ownership by BlackRock is positively associated with its decision to announce a net-zero pledge or significant emission cuts. E&P firms are likely to announce such commitments after Engine No. 1 proposed its slate of directors for Exxon’s board. The stock market reacts more negatively to net-zero pledges relative to emission-reduction pledges on average. However, the market reaction is related to the quality and credibility of these pledges. In particular, we find that the negative market reaction to net-zero pledges is mainly driven by firms with post-2030 target years relative to firms that commit to achieving net zero by 2030. We also find that the market reacts more negatively to net-zero pledges when the firm does not show the strength of its commitment via the presence of a board-level committee to monitor the company’s progress toward its emission goals or when the top management’s pay is not linked to specific emission reduction goals.

This paper was accepted by Ranjani Krishnan, accounting.

Funding: The research was funded by Columbia Business School.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.4765 .
Drug-induced liver injury secondary to turmeric use
Authors: Ashika Ajitkumar Ashika Ajitkumar , Mohan Gaurav , Ghose Medha , Yarrarapu Sivanaga , Afiniwala Swara
Published: April 2023

Turmeric is a herbal medication and spice which has been used for thousands of years in traditional Eastern medicine for its flavour, colour, and purported anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antineoplastic and antimicrobial properties. It has recently garnered interest and popularity worldwide for these reasons. While turmeric supplements are generally safe, some reports of toxicity are emerging. Compounds like piperine are added to turmeric to enhance its bioavailability, potentially contributing to its toxicity. Here, we describe a 55-year-old woman with progressive jaundice and elevated bilirubin and liver enzymes but no evidence of acute liver failure. She was treated with N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) for 24 hours and liver function tests (LFTs) were closely monitored. As a downtrend in LFTs was noted and the patient remained asymptomatic, she was discharged with close outpatient follow-up. LFTs eventually normalized 2 months after the initial presentation. Clinicians must keep this differential in mind when evaluating acute liver injury. With our case report, we question the utility of NAC in non-acetaminophen-related liver injury and encourage further studies.
Promoting nutritional education in primary school children
Authors: Rasheed Mehak
Published: April 2023

Background:

Inadequate nutrition knowledge leads to poor dietary choices to the detriment of the overall health of individuals and populations due to the likelihood of the development of various ill health conditions such as obesity and malnutrition. Childhood is the stage that sets a nutritional precedent for life and the attitudes, and beliefs developed in childhood tend to last for the individual's lifespan. Therefore children should be provided with adequate nutritional knowledge to enable longer term healthier food choices.

Aim:

This study aimed to devise an appropriate strategy for the promotion of nutrition education in primary school children and to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention.

Method:

A survey was used to assess the level of nutrition knowledge in children followed by the provision of nutrition education through sessions focusing on adopting easily understandable terms for nutrients and teaching at their level of understanding and education. Techniques such as audiovisual aids and question-and-answer sessions were used to make the sessions entertaining. The outcomes were evaluated through the same survey that was used pre-intervention. Data are presented from a quantitative analysis.

Results:

The outcomes of the first survey showed a major need for providing nutrition education to students as the students were barely aware of nutrients and the functions of foodstuffs and therefore made poor food choices. However, the post-intervention survey showed a significant improvement in nutritional knowledge, and the majority of the students knew how to make healthier food choices.
The New Age of Trauma Resuscitation – Introducing Tranexamic Acid in an Accident & Emergency Department in Karachi Pakistan
Authors: Muzzammil Muhammad , Minhas Muhammad Saeed , Effendi Jahanzeb , Jahanzeb Syed , Ovais Muhammad , Jamil Azeem , Mughal Ayesha , Qadir Abdul
Published: April 2023

Background: In traumatic patients there is increase loss of blood and requires excessive blood transfusion as compared to other diseases. Clinical efficacy and clinical safety of tranexamic acid in decreasing blood loss assess during this study in post traumatic patients. Method: Prospectively conducted randomized doubleblind placebo controlled study carried out. Patients were blindly randomized into two groups to receive either intravenous 1gm tranexamic acid 20 min or similar volume of 0.9% saline as placebo (P). Inclusion criteria was based on pulse rate >110 per min or systolic pressure level <90mmHg, hemorrhage or in danger of serious hemorrhage.Patients’ total blood loss was measured, needs of transfusion and hospital stay recorded. The post traumatic hemoglobin, hematocrit values, serum creatinine, activated thromboplastin time, prothombin time, platelets count and pulmonary embolism symptoms were comparatively evaluated. Results: The total measured blood loss in tranexamic acid group (276 ± 53 mL) when comparing to control group (523 ± 74 mL) was less significantly. The requirement of blood transfusion in comparison was high in the control group and post traumatic hematocrit values were higher with in the tranexamic acid group. After administration of tranexamic acid in traumatic patients there have been no clinically relevant differences within the vital signs and no thromboembolic complications were detected in either group. Conclusion: In traumatic patients, the prophylactic usage of tranexamic acid has effectively decreased blood loss, transfusion needs and hospital stay without any complication or adverse effects of thrombosis. Thus, TXA can be used safely and effectively in trauma subjects. Keywords: trauma, tranexamic acid, blood loss, transfusion, hospital stay.
Declare Independence
Authors: Griffiths Miro
Published: April 2023

This article presents an original and critical interrogation of how disabled activists establish claims and coordinate activities to progress the independent living agenda. The article achieves this by employing Beckett and Campbell’s (2015) concept of ‘oppositional device’, which is used to understand resistance practices and the technologies of power that coalesce around disabled people’s collective action. The article argues that the independent living concept could, similarly, be understood as an oppositional device and this holds potential for furthering the emancipatory claims of disabled people’s social movements. This allows for an understanding of Independent Living Movements as assemblages of technologies that open heterotopias, which engage in the experimentation of what disabled people can be and do through the ideas of independent living. The article draws on empirical data from a study exploring young disabled people’s views and experiences of disability activism across Europe to evidence the claims made.
A Disability Rights Approach to a Constitutional Right to Housing
Authors: Sperrin Áine
Published: April 2023

This article discusses the potential value of a Constitutional Right to Housing in Ireland to the realisation of independent living for disabled people. Article 19 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities promotes the right of choice over where and with whom to live, the right to access supports to realise your choices and to participate equally in society. Ireland’s historic system of institutionalising disabled people is being slowly dismantled, but equally challenging is the lack of available, accessible, and adequate housing in the community. This article outlines how the live issues of defective construction materials, inaccessibility of housing, the invisibility of disabled people’s homelessness, and ongoing institutionalisation are preventing full Article 19 UN CRPD realisation. It will suggest how embedding housing as a Constitutional right will contribute to alleviating these rights violations.
Independent Living in Post-Socialist Countries
Authors: Zaviršek Darja , Fischbach Svenja
Published: April 2023

This article considers how, as a result of the persistence of familialism and paternalism, the legislative changes made in some Central and Eastern European countries (CEE), all of which have ratified the UN CRPD, mainly aim to: (a) incorporate the work of relatives in the home care of people with long-term disabilities and (b) place people who previously lived in large welfare institutions into smaller facilities (either in residential units for at least 25 persons or in group homes). None of these changes enables a radical shift toward independent living, and conversely, independent living as a philosophy and way of life is not yet a real alternative to family-based and paternalistic welfare provision in CEE. By extension, the social model of disability, which promotes dignity, respect, and self-determination to improve the lives of people with disabilities, remains an ‘alternative’ and a ‘radical way of thinking’ rather than being mainstream.
Contested social care - is there a ‘right’ way? How public investments diminish attitudinal differences towards social care in 34 European countries
Authors: Benoit Verena , Euchner Eva-Maria
Published: April 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has uncovered the critical nature of social care for modern societies and the moral dilemmas related to the organisation of care, specifically in terms of frail adults. The scarcity of personnel in nursing homes challenged the possibility of adequate care, spurring debates on both the dignity of dependent people and end-of-life treatments. While ‘classical’ social care policies already stimulate conflicts about the ‘right way’ of caring, non-classical care policies, such as assisted dying, are particularly contested. We advance existing research by analysing public attitudes on both care policies jointly and, hence, integrate the literature on morality policy and social care. Based on multi-level analyses, combining individual-level with macro-level data from 34 countries, we uncover that gender and religious identity drive deviating attitudes in both fields, while long-term care expenditure mitigates scepticism among Catholics but less so among Muslims.
Efficient FMT reconstruction based on L1–αL2 regularization via half-quadratic splitting and a two-probe separation light source strategy
Authors: Luo Xiaoli , Ren Qianqian , Zhang Heng , Chen Cheng , Yang Tao , He Xiaowei , Zhao Wu
Published: April 2023

Fluorescence molecular tomography (FMT) can achieve noninvasive, high-contrast, high-sensitivity three-dimensional imaging in vivo by relying on a variety of fluorescent molecular probes, and has excellent clinical transformation prospects in the detection of tumors in vivo. However, the limited surface fluorescence makes the FMT reconstruction have some ill-posedness, and it is difficult to obtain the ideal reconstruction effect. In this paper, two different emission fluorescent probes and L1−L2 regularization are combined to improve the temporal and spatial resolution of FMT visual reconstruction by introducing the weighting factor α and a half-quadratic splitting alternating optimization (HQSAO) iterative algorithm. By introducing an auxiliary variable, the HQSAO method breaks the sparse FMT reconstruction task into two subproblems that can be solved in turn: simple reconstruction and image denoising. The weight factor α (α>1) can increase the weight of nonconvex terms to further promote the sparsity of the algorithm. Importantly, this paper combines two different dominant fluorescent probes to achieve high-quality reconstruction of dual light sources. The performance of the proposed reconstruction strategy was evaluated by digital mouse and nude mouse single/dual light source models. The simulation results show that the HQSAO iterative algorithm can achieve more excellent positioning accuracy and morphology distribution in a shorter time. In vivo experiments also further prove that the HQSAO algorithm has advantages in light source information preservation and artifact suppression. In particular, the introduction of two main emission fluorescent probes makes it easy to separate and reconstruct the dual light sources. When it comes to localization and three-dimensional morphology, the results of the reconstruction are much better than those using a fluorescent probe, which further facilitates the clinical transformation of FMT.
Distributed twist sensing using frequency-scanning φ-OTDR in a spun fiber
Authors: Chen Can , Zhao Zhiyong , Lin Zhonghong , Yao Yucheng , Xiong Yuxuan , Tong Weijun , Tang Ming
Published: April 2023

In this paper, a novel distributed twist sensor based on frequency-scanning phase-sensitive optical time-domain reflectometry (φ-OTDR) in a spun fiber is proposed and demonstrated. Owing to the unique helical structure of the stress rods in the spun fiber, fiber twist gives rise to the variation of the effective refractive index of the transmitting light, which can be quantitatively retrieved through frequency shift using frequency-scanning φ-OTDR. The feasibility of distributed twist sensing has been verified by both simulation and experiment. For proof of concept, distributed twist sensing over a 136 m spun fiber with a 1 m spatial resolution is demonstrated, and the measured frequency shift shows a quadratic fitting dependence on the twist angle. In addition, the responses of both clockwise and counterclockwise twist directions have also been explored and the experiment result indicates that the twist direction can be discriminated since the frequency shift directions are opposite in the correlation spectrum. The proposed twist sensor possesses some outstanding advantages, including high sensitivity, distributed twist measurement and twist direction recognition capability, etc., which is very promising for specific applications in industry, e.g., structural health monitoring, bionic robots, etc.
Point-coated long-period fiber grating for temperature measurement
Authors: Tian Tian , Li Min , Ma Yiwei , Geng Tao , Yuan Libo
Published: April 2023

In this paper, a temperature sensor based on a point-coated long-period fiber grating (PC-LPFG) is proposed and investigated. This structure is fabricated using a thermal filling method. The point-coating approach effectively increases the coupling efficiency between the sensing unit and the surrounding medium. The polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), with high thermal optical coefficient (TOC) and thermal expansion coefficient (TEC), improves the temperature sensitivity of the PC-LPFG. Experimental results show that the temperature sensitivities of this sensor are 2.948 nm/°C and 6.717 nm/°C in the temperature ranges of 80.4–91°C and 91–97°C, respectively. The hot point-coating method of the PC-LPFG provides a new, to the best of our knowledge, approach to combining optic fiber sensors with high polymer materials.