bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intraoperative transfusion practice and associated outcomes following neonatal surgery in a middle‐income country: A 5‐year single center retrospective review
Authors: Govender Kushal , Kemp Ellen , Motshabi Chakane Palesa
Published: June 2023

Background

Neonates undergoing surgery are at greater risk of requiring packed red blood cell transfusion. Pediatric transfusion practices vary widely between countries and institutions, especially in the management of neonates.

Aims

The aim of this study was to describe the use of intraoperative blood product transfusion during neonatal surgery in current clinical practice at our institution.

Methods

A retrospective contextual, descriptive, and comparative study was conducted at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital. A total of 1078 anesthetic records of neonates who underwent surgery from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2019 were reviewed. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data.

Results

Blood products were transfused during 374 (34.7%) neonatal surgeries. Packed red blood cells, platelet concentrate, and fresh frozen plasma were administered during 327 (30.3%), 133 (12.3%), and 85 (7.9%) of the total 1078 surgeries, respectively. The median (interquartile range) volume of packed red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma, platelets, and clear fluid administered was 15 (10–21.8) mL/kg, 12.3 (10–23.5) mL/kg, 13.6 (10–20.5) mL/kg, and 19 (9.1–28.8) mL/kg, respectively. Very low weight, low preoperative hemoglobin, long total anesthetic time, emergency surgery, and major surgery were independently associated with blood product transfusion. Gestational age at birth, blood product transfusion, emergency surgery, and major surgery were independently associated with the composite adverse outcomes. The median preoperative hemoglobin was 11.8 g/dL.

Conclusions

Intraoperative blood product transfusion occurred at a much higher rate with a high median pre‐transfusion hemoglobin compared to other studies.
Pediatric pyoderma gangrenosum with pulmonary involvement: A case report
Authors: Martín‐Zamora Ana Camila , Miranda‐Solis Lisa Natalia , Hidalgo‐Matlock Benjamin
Published: June 2023

Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare disease in childhood. Extra‐cutaneous manifestations are uncommon in pyoderma gangrenosum, even more so in children, with only a few cases reported in the literature. We present the case of a pediatric patient with pyoderma gangrenosum and associated pulmonary involvement. In this case, the diagnosis was delayed leading to late initiation of therapy, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a high level of suspicion for this diagnosis.
Dissociating attentional capture from action cancellation during the inhibition of bimanual movement
Authors: Weber Simon , Salomoni Sauro E. , Kilpatrick Callum , Hinder Mark R.
Published: June 2023

Inhibiting ongoing responses when environmental demands change is a critical component of motor control. Experimentally, the stop signal task (SST) represents the gold standard response inhibition paradigm. However, an emerging body of evidence suggests that the SST conflates two dissociable sources of inhibition, namely an involuntarily pause associated with attentional capture and the (subsequent) voluntary cancellation of action. The extent to which these processes also occur in other response tasks is unknown. Younger n = 24 (20–35 years) and older n = 23 (60–85 years) adults completed tasks involving rapid unimanual or bimanual responses to visual stimuli. A subset of trials required cancellation of one component of an initial bimanual response (i.e., selective stop task; stop left response, continue right response) or enacting an additional response (e.g., press left button as well as right button). Critically, both tasks involved some infrequent stimuli baring no behavioral imperative (i.e., they had to be ignored). EMG recordings of voluntary responses during stopping tasks revealed bimanual covert responses (muscle activation, which was suppressed before a button press ensued), consistent with a pause process, following both stop and ignore stimuli, before the required response was subsequently enacted. Critically, we also observed the behavioral consequences of a similar involuntary pause in trials where action cancellation was not part of the response set. Notably, the period over which movements were susceptible to response delays from additional stimuli was longer for older adults than younger adults. The findings demonstrate that an involuntary attentional component of inhibition significantly contributes to action cancellation processes.
Intradialytic techniques for automatic and everyday access monitoring
Authors: Schneditz Daniel , Ribitsch Werner , Keane David F.
Published: June 2023

Vascular access dysfunction is associated with reduced delivery of dialysis, unplanned admissions, patient symptoms, and loss of access, making assessment of vascular access a fundamental part of routine care in dialysis. Clinical trials to predict the risk of access thrombosis based on accepted reference methods of access performance have been disappointing. Reference methods are time‐consuming, affect the delivery of dialysis, and therefore cannot repeatedly be used with every dialysis session. There is now a new focus on data continuously and regularly collected with every dialysis treatment, directly or indirectly associated with access function, and without interrupting or affecting the delivered dose of dialysis. This narrative review will focus on techniques that can be used continuously or intermittently during dialysis, taking advantage of methods integrated into the dialysis machine and which do not affect the delivery of dialysis. Examples include extracorporeal blood flow, dynamic line pressures, effective clearance, dose of delivered dialysis, and recirculation which are all routinely measured on most modern dialysis machines. Integrated information collected throughout every dialysis session and analyzed by expert systems and machine learning has the potential to improve the identification of accesses at risk of thrombosis.
Postoperative injectable opioid use and incidence of surgical site complications after use of liposomal bupivacaine in canine gastrointestinal foreign body surgery
Authors: Rahn Alexander P. , Moore George E. , Risselada Marije
Published: June 2023

Objective

To compare postoperative analgesic use and postoperative complications between dogs that received liposomal bupivacaine (LB) during surgical gastrointestinal foreign body (GIFB) removal and those that did not.

Study design

Retrospective study.

Animals

Two hundred five dogs.

Methods

Medical records for all dogs with GIFB removal at the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital between May 2017 and August 2021 were searched. Incomplete records and dogs with less than 2 weeks’ veterinary follow up were excluded. Data collected included: patient information, time until surgery, intraoperative findings, surgical data (including perforation at time of surgery, linear vs. solid, enterotomy vs. enterectomy), use of LB (including time and manner of administration), time to extubation after surgery, in‐hospital postoperative analgesic use and duration, and postoperative complications. Fentanyl was noted as used/not used, quantified as mean hourly rate over 12 h intervals. All analyses were performed using commercial statistical software with p < .05 as the significance level.

Results

Dogs that received LB were heavier (n = 65, median 28.5 kg) than those that did not (n = 140, median 24.4 kg) (p = .005). Postoperative fentanyl use (p < .05 between 13 and 72 h) and hourly rates (p < .05 between 13 and 48 h) were less, and postoperative time in the intensive care unit (ICU) (p < .001) and hospital were shorter (p < .001) in dogs receiving LB. Postoperative wound complications were seen in 7/65 dogs (10.8%, 95% CI = 4.4–21.0%) with LB and 4/140 (2.9%, 95% CI = 0.8–7.2%) without LB (p = .039).

Conclusion

Use of LB was associated with reduced postoperative analgesic use, and shortened ICU and hospital stay but also with wound complications.

Clinical significance

Caution should be used when using LB in (clean) contaminated surgeries.
Dynamics of Cynodon dactylon and weed community composition in different cover crops in a vineyard
Authors: Recasens Jordi , Valencia‐Gredilla Francisco , Cabrera‐Pérez Carlos , Baraibar Bàrbara , Royo‐Esnal Aritz
Published: June 2023

The implementation of cover crops in vineyards is an environment‐friendly soil management technique that has several advantages, including weed suppression. The effectiveness of the management depends on the characteristics of both the weed community and the cover crop species. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the dynamics of Cynodon dactylon patches and the rest of the weed community composition under five different cover crops (four grasses and one dicotyledonous species) in a commercial vineyard in Spain: (1) the perennial Festuca arundinacea and the annual species (2) Hordeum vulgare, (3) Vulpia ciliata, (4) a mixture of Bromus species and (5) Medicago rugosa. The annual species were sown in November every year after tillage (from 2015 to 2018) and shredded in June, while F. arundinacea was sown in 2015 and shredded in June and in November every year. Results showed that cover crop species affected C. dactylon soil coverage and frequency across the field. After three seasons, F. arundinacea and H. vulgare were the best cover crops which controlled C. dactylon, resulting in the lowest weed coverage of 4.6% and 3.0% respectively. Although the expansion of the weed was restrained by cover crops, the soil tillage prior to sowing the annual species spreads the rhizomes and stolons to weed free areas of the field. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) showed that the weed community composition varied depending on the cover crop species, revealing the importance of its management in the weed assemblage.
Cefepime Population Pharmacokinetics, Antibacterial Target Attainment, and Estimated Probability of Neurotoxicity in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Bilal Muhammad , Zoller Michael , Fuhr Uwe , Jaehde Ulrich , Ullah Sami , Liebchen Uwe , Büsker Sören , Zander Johannes , Babouee Flury Baharak , Taubert Max
Published: June 2023

Cefepime has been reported to cause concentration-related neurotoxicity, especially in critically ill patients with renal failure. This evaluation aimed to identify a dosing regimen providing a sufficient probability of target attainment (PTA) and the lowest justifiable risk of neurotoxicity in critically ill patients.
Development and Laboratory Evaluation of a Simple, Field-Applicable Coproantigen Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Diagnosis of Taeniasis in Northern Peru
Authors: Castillo Yesenia , Wardle Melissa T. , Gamboa Ricardo , Elizalde Mayra , Vilchez Percy , Rodriguez Silvia , Gilman Robert H. , Gonzalez Armando E. , O’Neal Seth E. , Garcia Hector H.
Published: June 2023

Coproantigen detection by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (coAg ELISA) is a vital tool for detecting and treating cases of
Taenia solium
taeniasis. However, the assay’s procedures require costly materials and sophisticated equipment, which are typically inaccessible in rural settings where the disease is endemic.
Dual impacts of a glycan shield on the envelope glycoprotein B of HSV-1: evasion from human antibodies
in vivo
and neurovirulence
Authors: Fukui Ayano , Maruzuru Yuhei , Ohno Shiho , Nobe Moeka , Iwata Shuji , Takeshima Kosuke , Koyanagi Naoto , Kato Akihisa , Kitazume Shinobu , Yamaguchi Yoshiki , Kawaguchi Yasushi
Published: June 2023

Identification of the mechanisms of viral evasion from human antibodies is crucial both for understanding viral pathogenesis and for designing effective vaccines. Here we show in cell cultures that an N-glycan shield on the herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) envelope glycoprotein B (gB) mediated evasion from neutralization and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity due to pooled γ-globulins derived from human blood. We also demonstrated that the presence of human γ-globulins in mice and immunity to HSV-1 induced by viral infection in mice significantly reduced replication in their eyes of a mutant virus lacking the glycosylation site but had little effect on the replication of its repaired virus. These results suggest that an N-glycan shield on a specific site of HSV-1 envelope gB mediated evasion from human antibodies
in vivo
and from HSV-1 immunity induced by viral infection
in vivo
. Notably, we also found that an N-glycan shield on a specific site of HSV-1 gB was significant for HSV-1 neurovirulence and replication in the central nervous system of naïve mice. Thus, we have identified a critical N-glycan shield on HSV-1 gB that has dual impacts, namely evasion from human antibodies
in vivo
and viral neurovirulence.

IMPORTANCE

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) establishes lifelong latent and recurrent infections in humans. To produce recurrent infections that contribute to transmission of the virus to new human host(s), the virus must be able to evade the antibodies persisting in latently infected individuals. Here, we show that an N-glycan shield on the specific site of the envelope glycoprotein B (gB) of HSV-1 mediates evasion from pooled γ-globulins derived from human blood both in cell cultures and mice. Notably, the N-glycan shield on the specific site of gB was also significant for HSV-1 neurovirulence in naïve mice. Considering the clinical features of HSV-1 infection, these results suggest that the glycan shield not only facilitates recurrent HSV-1 infections in latently infected humans by evading antibodies but is also important for HSV-1 pathogenesis during the initial infection.
The Signal Peptidase FoSpc2 Is Required for Normal Growth, Conidiation, Virulence, Stress Response, and Regulation of Light Sensitivity in Fusarium odoratissimum
Authors: Yang Shuai , Zhuo Yanghong , Lin Yaqi , Huang Meimei , Tang Wei , Zheng Wenhui , Lu Guodong , Wang Zonghua , Yun Yingzi
Published: June 2023

In this study, we identified four components of SPase in the banana wilt pathogen
Fusarium
odoratissimum
and characterized the SPase FoSpc2. Loss of
FoSPC2
affected the secretion of extracellular enzymes, suggesting that SPase without FoSpc2 may have a lower efficiency in managing the maturation of the extracellular enzymes in
F. odoratissimum
.
Lutetium Cyclopentadienyl Complex with the 2,6-Di-tert-Butylanthracene Dianion
Authors: Roitershtein D. M. , Lyssenko K. A. , Nifant’ev I. E. , Minyaev M. E.
Published: June 2023

The reaction of 2,6-di(tert-butyl)anthracene with potassium graphite and monocyclopentadienyllutetium dichloride tetrahydrofuranate in THF gave the anthracenide complex [(η5-C5H5)Lu(η2-2,6-tBu2C14H8)(THF)2] (I), which was studied by X-ray diffraction (CCDC no. 2215512). Complex I crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P212121. The structural rigidity of the Lu(O)2Cp(anthracene) crystallographic node was demonstrated. The retention of the structure of complex I in solution was confirmed by NMR techniques.
Case of transient global amnesia-like syndrome after recreational cold-water swimming
Authors: Ffrench Ruby , Smith Matthew D , Henderson Emily
Published: June 2023

We document a case of a transient global amnesia (TGA)-like syndrome following open water swimming. This case was atypical for TGA, in that symptoms were prolonged and ischaemic infarct was considered within the differential. MRI did not demonstrate any changes associated with acute ischaemia although did show a mild degree of small vessel change. With amnesia taking greater than 24 hours to resolve, we have labelled this case to be a TGA-like syndrome, provoked by the commonly reported TGA precipitant of cold water immersion. The possibility of a tiny, strategic infarct causing these symptoms was considered and antiplatelet therapy commenced.
Gender and caste inequalities in primary healthcare usage by under-5 children in rural Nepal: an iterative qualitative study into provider perspectives and the potential role of implicit bias
Authors: Joshi Saugat , Karki Alisha , Rushton Simon , Koirala Bikash , Basnet Srijana , Rijal Barsha , Karki Jiban , Pohl Gerda , Baidya Manish , Chater Tim , Green Dan , Lee Andrew
Published: June 2023

Objective

This study explored provider perspectives on: (1) why inequalities in health service usage persist; and (2) their knowledge and understanding of the role of patient experience and implicit bias (also referred to as unconscious bias).

Design

A three stage, iterative qualitative study was conducted involving two rounds of in-depth interviews and a training session with healthcare staff. Interview transcripts were analysed using a reflexive thematic approach in relation to the study’s aims.

Setting

Participants were recruited from rural hill districts (Mugu, Humla, Bajura, Gorkha and Sindhupalchok) of Nepal.

Participants

Clinical staff from 22 rural health posts.

Results

Healthcare providers had high levels of understanding of the cultural, educational and socioeconomic factors behind inequalities in healthcare usage in their communities. However, there was less knowledge and understanding of the role of patient experience—and no recognition at all of the concept of implicit bias.

Conclusion

It is highly likely that implicit bias affects provider behaviours in Nepal, just as it does in other countries. However, there is currently not a culture of thinking about the patient experience and how that might impact on future usage of health services. Implicit bias training for health students and workers would help create greater awareness of unintended discriminatory behaviours. This in turn may play a part in improving patient experience and future healthcare usage, particularly among disadvantaged groups.
Behaviours that contribute to pharmacist professionalism: a scoping review
Authors: Mill Deanna , Page Amy Theresa , Johnson Jacinta , Lloyd Renae , Salter Sandra , Lee Kenneth , Seubert Liza , Clifford Rhonda Marise , D’Lima Danielle
Published: June 2023

Objectives

Clearly understanding and describing professional behaviours of pharmacists allows the profession, researchers and policy-makers to observe and monitor the professionalism of pharmacists, and design interventions to improve it where needed. The primary objective of this review was to identify which behaviours are discussed to contribute to professionalism in registered pharmacists in peer-reviewed literature. The secondary objective was to review the identified behaviours using a behavioural specification framework to understand how they are expressed.

Design

A scoping literature review was conducted.

Data sources

An electronic database search of Scopus, Embase, PsycINFO, PsychArticles, Emcare and Medline limited to articles published in English from 1 January 2000 to 21 October 2022 was conducted.

Eligibility criteria

Eligible articles contributed behaviourally relevant content with reference to registered pharmacists’ professionalism.

Data extraction and synthesis

Extracted behaviourally relevant content was subject to researcher’s familiarisation, then deductive coding to one of two overarching definitions of technical or non-technical behaviour. Data were then inductively coded through assignment of a descriptive code to identify categories of professional behaviour within these two overarching types of behaviour.

Results

Seven articles were identified and included in the final analysis. From the extracted behaviourally relevant content, 18 categories of behaviours were identified. All articles identified behaviours in categories titled ‘establishes effective relationships’ and ‘complies with regulations codes and operating procedures’. Identified behaviours were often broadly described and merged with descriptions of influences on them and broader outcomes that they contribute to.

Conclusions

Behaviours described to contribute to pharmacists’ professionalism in the literature are broad and non-specific.
A generalized application of the catch-curve regression with comparisons of adult mortality and year-class strength between hatchery-stocked and wild-reared lake trout in US waters of Lake Huron
Authors: He Ji X. , Madenjian Charles P. , Wills Todd C.
Published: June 2023

The recently developed approach to estimating the instantaneous total mortality of coded-wire-tagged lake trout ( Salvelinus namaycush) is generally applicable to catch-at-age data. We further formalized the technique to objectively incorporate the year-class and year effects into the model structure of catch-curve regression. We used this new method to compare adult mortality and year-class strength between the hatchery-stocked and wild-reared lake trout in US waters of Lake Huron, one of the Laurentian Great Lakes. Model comparisons showed no difference in adult mortality between the hatchery-stocked and wild-reared lake trout. Based on 95% confidence intervals, the estimate of adult mortality using the simple catch-curve regression with average number-at-age was not statistically different from the estimate using the linear mixed model with individual number-at-age of multiple year-classes and sampling years. The linear mixed model, however, also quantified lake trout year-class strength and indicated that since 2003, the increases in recruitment of wild-reared lake trout did not fully compensate for the rapid declines in recruitment of hatchery-stocked lake trout in Lake Huron.
The full Lorentz-violating vacuum polarization tensor: Low- and high-energy limits
Authors: Felipe J. C. C. , Petrov A. Yu. , Baêta Scarpelli A. P. , Vieira A. R.
Published: June 2023

In this paper, we compute the full vacuum polarization tensor in the fermion sector of Lorentz-violating quantum electrodynamics (QED). It turns out to be that even if we assume momentum routing invariance of the Feynman diagrams, it is not possible to fix all surface terms and find an ambiguity-free vacuum polarization tensor. The high- and low-energy limits of this tensor are obtained explicitly. In the high-energy limit, only [Formula: see text] coefficients contribute to the result. In the low-energy limit, we find that Lorentz-violating-induced terms depend on [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] coefficients and vanish at [Formula: see text]. At small [Formula: see text], we succeeded to obtain implications for condensed matter systems, explicitly, for the Hall effect in Weyl semi-metals.
Injectivity in the category of measurable S-acts
Authors: Hezarjaribi Masoomeh , Habibi Zohreh
Published: June 2023

In this paper, we define measurable [Formula: see text]-acts on monoids and construct a new category, namely Meas Act-[Formula: see text]. We investigate the behavior of this category with respect to product, coproduct, pushout, pullback, equalizer and coequalizer. Next, we study the injectivity and complete injectivity in category Meas Act-[Formula: see text] and show any measurable [Formula: see text]-act can be embedded into complete injectivity. Moreover, we investigate the Skornjakov’ theorem for measurable S-acts.
Neutral Theory and Plankton Biodiversity
Authors: Behrenfeld Michael J. , Bisson Kelsey M.
Published: June 2023

The biodiversity of the plankton has been interpreted largely through the monocle of competition. The spatial distancing of phytoplankton in nature is so large that cell boundary layers rarely overlap, undermining opportunities for resource-based competitive exclusion. Neutral theory accounts for biodiversity patterns based purely on random birth, death, immigration, and speciation events and has commonly served as a null hypothesis in terrestrial ecology but has received comparatively little attention in aquatic ecology. This review summarizes basic elements of neutral theory and explores its stand-alone utility for understanding phytoplankton diversity. A theoretical framework is described entailing a very nonneutral trophic exclusion principle melded with the concept of ecologically defined neutral niches. This perspective permits all phytoplankton size classes to coexist at any limiting resource level, predicts greater diversity than anticipated from readily identifiable environmental niches but less diversity than expected from pure neutral theory, and functions effectively in populations of distantly spaced individuals.
Detection and Calibration of Low-Energy Nuclear Recoils for Dark Matter and Neutrino Scattering Experiments
Authors: Xu Jingke , Barbeau P.S. , Hong Ziqing
Published: June 2023

Detection of low-energy nuclear recoil events plays a central role in searches for particle dark matter interactions with atomic matter and studies of coherent neutrino scatters. Precise nuclear recoil calibration data allow the responses of these dark matter and neutrino detectors to be characterized and enable in situ evaluation of an experiment's sensitivity to anticipated signals. This article reviews the common methods for detection of nuclear recoil events and the wide variety of techniques that have been developed to calibrate detector response to nuclear recoils. We summarize the main experimental factors that are critical for accurate nuclear recoil calibrations, investigate mitigation strategies for different backgrounds and biases, and discuss how the presentation of calibration results can facilitate comparison between experiments. Lastly, we discuss the challenges for future nuclear recoil calibration efforts and the physics opportunities they may enable.
Anatomical and Biomechanical Characteristics of Peroneus Longus Tendon: Applications in Knee Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Surgery
Authors: Nguyen Hoang Quan , Nguyen Manh Khanh
Published: June 2023

Introduction. The peroneus longus tendon is used in many orthopedic surgeries to regenerate the external ligaments of the knee. This study aims to evaluate some anatomical, biomechanical, and load-bearing properties of the peroneus longus tendon for use in cruciate ligament reconstruction. Materials and Methods. The study design is a cross-sectional description. The study subjects were 20 samples of the peroneus longus tendon from fresh carcasses. The leg is still intact, not crushed, is well preserved, and it has never been used in research. Results. The average length of the peroneus longus tendon was 29.25 ± 2.1 cm, and the average distance from the peroneus longus tendon to the deep peroneal nerve was 71.1 ± 8.63 mm. The peroneus longus tendon did not have an accessory ligament, the maximum tension of the peroneus longus tendon was 1170.4 ± 203 N, and the maximum length at break was 14.29 ± 3.88 mm. Conclusion. Removing the peroneus longus tendon will not affect the surrounding anatomical components. The maximum breaking force and the diameter of the peroneus longus tendon are similar to other graft materials, such as the hamstring tendon and patellar tendon.
Analysis on Mechanical Behavior of Relay Vertical Rotation for Steel Arch Tower
Authors: Li Xiaopeng , Zhou Junlong , Xie Penglin , Li Linting , Zhao Xu , Qiang Weiliang
Published: June 2023

The vertical rotation method is a special option for steel tower construction in fabricated bridge. The tall tower is prefabricated on the ground and then pulled to its designed position using steel wires. Traditional vertical rotation method always uses a taller temporary structure to provide an upward pull force to lift the rotation member; however, the temporary structure would spend much time, cost, and work high above the ground. For instance, the Jinwu Bridge tower’s weight was so heavy that the ordinary rotating method was not feasible. Therefore, a relay traction system with two auxiliary struts was employed to rotate the tower. The chief strut was first rotated to an inclined angle of 60° by an assistant strut to decrease the lateral component force of tension. Then, the tower was pulled from horizontal to vertical by the chief strut. Furthermore, a numerical model was established to analyze the mechanical behavior of the inner force, stress, and deformation of the chief strut, assistant strut, and tower. The study identified critical conditions such as the reverse of axial force for the assistant strut, intervention of back cables, and release of cable tension. The relay traction system effectively reduced initial pulling stress, spending less cost and time. Besides, the analysis method can be an innovate reference for other vertical rotating projects.
Two-Dimensional FEM Approach of Metabolic Effect on Thermoregulation in Human Dermal Parts During Walking and Marathon
Authors: Shrestha Dev Chandra , Acharya Saraswati , Gurung Dil Bahadur
Published: June 2023

The physiological mechanisms conduction, convection, and radiation exchange the heat energy in bi-directional routes between the body and the temperature field. Metabolism and evaporation are the uni-directional routes for the exchange of heat energy. In the metabolic process, the body creates internal heat energy, whereas the body loses excess heat energy through the evaporation process and maintains the body temperature. This study has shown steady and unsteady state temperature distribution in three skin layers: epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue, during walking and marathon. The results have analyzed that each skin layer temperature is higher during a marathon compared with walking due to more metabolic effects. The computation has been carried out for the two-dimensional Pennes’ bio-heat equation using a finite element approach. The generated results have been exhibited graphically.
Supplementary Table 1 from Adjuvant Therapy with Oncolytic Adenovirus Delta-24-RGDOX After Intratumoral Adoptive T-cell Therapy Promotes Antigen Spread to Sustain Systemic Antitumor Immunity
Authors: Jiang Hong , Shin Dong Ho , Yi Yanhua , Fan Xuejun , Gumin Joy , He Jiasen , Gillard Andrew G. , Lang Frederick F. , Gomez-Manzano Candelaria , Fueyo Juan
Published: June 2023

Antibody information
Supplementary Figure 6 from Adjuvant Therapy with Oncolytic Adenovirus Delta-24-RGDOX After Intratumoral Adoptive T-cell Therapy Promotes Antigen Spread to Sustain Systemic Antitumor Immunity
Authors: Jiang Hong , Shin Dong Ho , Yi Yanhua , Fan Xuejun , Gumin Joy , He Jiasen , Gillard Andrew G. , Lang Frederick F. , Gomez-Manzano Candelaria , Fueyo Juan
Published: June 2023

Frequency of adoptive pmel-1 T-cells (A) or endogenous OVA-specific CTLs (B) in CD8+ leukocytes from treated (Tumor 1) and untreated (Tumor 2) s.c. tumors. Leukocytes from the tumors in the treatment groups as depicted in Fig. 3A were profiled with flow cytometry. Thy1.1+ or OVA-Tet+ CD8+ T-cells were gated as pmel-1 T-cells or OVA-specific CTLs respectively. Shown are represent dot plots of flow cytometry. Leukocytes were from grouped tissue (4 to 7 mice/group) and processed in triplicate. The numbers in the upright corner of the dot plots indicate percentage of CD8+ leukocytes. RGDOX: Delta-24-RGDOX; T cells: pmel-1 T-cells.
Data from Adjuvant Therapy with Oncolytic Adenovirus Delta-24-RGDOX After Intratumoral Adoptive T-cell Therapy Promotes Antigen Spread to Sustain Systemic Antitumor Immunity
Authors: Jiang Hong , Shin Dong Ho , Yi Yanhua , Fan Xuejun , Gumin Joy , He Jiasen , Gillard Andrew G. , Lang Frederick F. , Gomez-Manzano Candelaria , Fueyo Juan
Published: June 2023

Cancer cell heterogeneity and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) pose a challenge in treating solid tumors with adoptive cell therapies targeting limited tumor-associated antigens (TAA), such as chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy. We hypothesize that oncolytic adenovirus Delta-24-RGDOX activates the TME and promote antigen spread to potentiate the abscopal effect of adoptive TAA-targeting T cells in localized intratumoral treatment. Herein, we used C57BL/6 mouse models with disseminated tumors derived from B16 melanoma cell lines to assess therapeutic effects and antitumor immunity. gp100-specific pmel-1 or ovalbumin (OVA)-specific OT-I T cells were injected into the first subcutaneous tumor, followed by three injections of Delta-24-RGDOX. We found TAA-targeting T cells injected into one subcutaneous tumor showed tumor tropism. Delta-24-RGDOX sustained the systemic tumor regression mediated by the T cells, leading to improved survival rate. Further analysis revealed that, in mice with disseminated B16-OVA tumors, Delta-24-RGDOX increased CD8+ leukocyte density within treated and untreated tumors. Importantly, Delta-24-RGDOX significantly reduced the immunosuppression of endogenous OVA-specific CTLs while increasing that of CD8+ leukocytes and, to a lesser extent, adoptive pmel-1 T cells. Consequently, Delta-24-RGDOX drastically increased the density of the OVA-specific CTLs in both tumors, and the combination synergistically enhanced the effect. Consistently, the splenocytes from the combination group showed a significantly stronger response against other TAAs (OVA and TRP2) than gp100, resulted in higher activity against tumor cells. Therefore, our data demonstrate that, as an adjuvant therapy followed TAA-targeting T cells in localized treatment, Delta-24-RGDOX activates TME and promotes antigen spread, leading to efficacious systemic antitumor immunity to overcome tumor relapse.
Significance:
Adjuvant therapy with oncolytic viruses promotes antigen spread to potentiate localized intratumoral adoptive T-cell therapy with limited TAA targets, leading to sustainable systemic antitumor immunity to overcome tumor relapse.
Impact of Obesity on Self-Esteem and Academic Performance among Medical Students in Al-Rayan Colleges, Al-Madinah
Authors: Youssef Magda , Shariff Safa , Albalawi Raghad , Aljohani Bayan , Masoud Razan , Al-hadidi Shahad
Published: June 2023

Introduction: Obesity is a worldwide concern and affects not only physical but also mental health. It is a complex condition that requires an understanding of its biological, psychological, behavioral interactions to develop effective interventions and policies. Objectives: The aim of the study was to explore the frequency of obesity among medical students at Al-Rayan Colleges and investigate its impact on self-esteem and academic performance and to determine any gender differences in these results. Methods: Data were collected via a questionnaire distributed to all medical students at Al-Rayan Colleges which consisted of questions assessing body mass index (BMI), academic performance, and self-esteem using the Rosenberg self-esteem scale (SES). Results: 250 medical students (104 males and 146 females) participated in this study, with a response rate of 72.9%. The results showed that the frequency of overweight and obesity was 23.1%, 16.3% in males and 24.7%, 11.6% in females. A significant negative correlation between obesity and self-esteem was found in females (r = −0.219, p = 0.014). No correlation was found between obesity and academic performance. BMI was a predictor factor for self-esteem, especially in females. Conclusions: Obesity is a persistent problem in medical students and negatively affects self-esteem, especially in females.
Topical Tofacitinib as Effective Therapy in Patients with Plaque Psoriasis Responsive to Systemic Drugs but with Resistant Nail Psoriasis
Authors: Berbert Ferreira Rachel , Berbert Ferreira Sineida , Neves Neto Afonso Cesar , Caparroz-Assef Silvana Maria , Brichta Lars , Damiani Giovanni , Iorizzo Matilde
Published: June 2023

Introduction: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that may also involve nails. Unfortunately, topical treatments available are limited and often responsible for side effects and/or lack of compliance due to the necessary prolonged use to see results. Intralesional treatment instead is often unwanted or unaccepted by patients. Lack of efficacy is, moreover, always a possible outcome. Novel modalities for the therapy of nail psoriasis are thus needed and always welcomed. Case Presentation: We then aimed to develop a topical 2% tofacitinib formulation expected to facilitate nail penetration and use in patients with recalcitrant forms of nail psoriasis unwilling to accept other routes of administration of treatment besides the topical one. Conclusion: These preliminary data, despite the use in 3 patients only, suggest a potential use of topical tofacitinib 2% for nail psoriasis. Further studies on bigger groups are however necessary to confirm the present encouraging results and establish the effectiveness and safety also in more severe cases or in the pediatric population.
Racism and Capitalism: A Contingent or Necessary Relationship?
Authors: Post Charles
Published: June 2023

Anti-racist debate today remains polarised between ‘class reductionist’ (any attempt to address racial disparities reinforces capitalist class relations) and ‘liberal identity’ (disparities in racial representation can be resolved without questioning class inequality) politics. Both positions share a common perspective – racial oppression and class exploitation are the products of distinctive social dynamics whose relationship is historically contingent. This essay is an initial step toward characterising a structurally necessary relationship between capitalism and racial oppression. The essay draws upon Anwar Shaikh and Howard Botwinick’s elaboration of Marx’s political economy, and Ellen Wood’s analysis of the specificity of capitalist imperialism.
Investment Treaty Law and Matters of Recognition: Locating the Concerns of Local Communities
Authors: Perrone Nicolás M.
Published: June 2023

This article reconsiders the political economy of investment treaty law. It starts by focusing on the broad consensus of investors, capital-exporting and capital-importing countries, and international organizations. These constituencies diverge over matters of distribution and, to certain extent, representation. Yet, they likely agree on matters of recognition. They see many regions and local communities simply as backward or traditional. Foreign investment gets represented as a road towards modernization. However, many of the local communities disagree. Locals are not systematically opposed to investment. Rather, they are likely to have legitimate concerns beyond those of the usual constituencies of investment treaty law. They want local institutions by which to articulate their positions, and they want investment projects to be embedded within local culture and traditions. Matters of recognition complicate the job of arbitrators, calling into question whether investor-State dispute settlement (ISDS) is an appropriate mechanism to govern foreign investment involving local communities.
How Australia’s Middle Power Identity Has Informed Its Behaviour at the BBNJ Negotiations
Authors: Beringen Ethan
Published: June 2023

The negotiations for a new international legally binding instrument to conserve and sustainably utilise marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) have been the subject of much analysis and commentary since their commencement. Yet there is still relatively little consideration of what can be learnt about state behaviour from the BBNJ negotiations. This article engages in an analysis of Australia’s behaviour as a case study of the often-overlooked category of middle power states. Hence, this article is envisioned as an exploratory study into middle powers in international environmental negotiations, with the goal of prompting further exploration of both the BBNJ negotiations specifically, as well as the role of different kinds of states in the creation of international environmental law. The overarching question being asked here is “How has Australia’s middle power identity informed its behaviour at the BBNJ negotiations?”
An investigation of patch occupancy and dispersal by third to final instar nymphs of Brachytrupes megacephalus Lefèbvre, 1827 (Orthoptera: Gryllidae: Gryllinae) across the sand dune biotope at the Għadira Nature Reserve, Malta
Authors: CASSAR LOUIS-F. , GAUCI ADAM , GAUCI MARK , ATTARD DAVID , TOMAKOVA VERA
Published: June 2023

Dispersal patterns of third, fourth and fifth instar nymphs of the stenoecious gryllid, Brachytrupes megacephalus (Lefèbvre, 1827), are investigated on the sand dune within the Għadira Nature Reserve, a remnant habitat patch forming part of the core area that supports the largest population of the species in Malta. Field investigations were carried out over a period of 11 weeks during a specific 75 minute time window, when nymphs are known to engage in subaerial activity at the mouth of their respective burrow. Climatic variables are examined in relation to abundance, while dispersal patterns are presented. The study shows that the predominant movement of nymphs across the terrain is northward, mainly to the northwest and the north-northeast. The present contribution also provides a summary of recommendations for conservation of the species, including an interdisciplinary approach to habitat management at multiple spatial scales.
Biological behavior of the extract of green walnut husks on gastric cancer MGC80-3 cells
Authors: Li Jing , Wang Weiguang , Li Baowei , Wu Guogang , Gao Junfeng , Guo Hong
Published: June 2023

Stomach cancer (SC) is a relatively common cancer in my country, with a high mortality rate, which seriously threatens our health. This article studied the effect of Green walnut husks (GWH) extract on the biological behaviors and NF-κB protein levels of gastric cancer
MGC80-3 cells, and provided evidence and support for the research and treatment of gastric cancer. Cell proliferation was measured by Thiazole blue and apoptosis by flow cytometry. Cell migration was analyzed by scratch experiment and the levels of NF-κB, NF-κBp65
and COX-2 in MGC80-3 cells were examined by Western blot and QRC-PCR. It was found that GWH extract inhibited cell proliferation and increased apoptosis. GWH extract significantly downregulated NF-κB, NF-κBp65 and COX-2. The growth process of cancer cells is related
to biological behaviors such as cell proliferation and apoptosis. By inhibiting the biological behavior of cancer cells, inhibitory proteins can effectively inhibit gastric cancer. In summary, GWH extract has a great influence on gastric cancer MGC80-3 cells and the NF-κB protein
expression.
Platelet concentrates in periodontal tissue engineering: An updated review
Authors: Hussein Fatma Fathi , Elmarssafy Lama Hussein
Published: June 2023

Periodontitis is one of the common dental diseases that cause loss of teeth and adversely affects mastication and consequently the quality of life. Therefore, arresting the progression of periodontal diseases and the reconstruction of damaged tissues is the main concern. There are several strategies and (bio) materials already have been tried to achieve this goal, but the main obstacle was to find a unique biomaterial that can fulfill the tissue engineering criteria to ensure successful and reliable regenerative outcomes. Platelet-derived biomaterials (platelet concentrates) are widely used natural autologous biomaterials and show promising implementation due to their desired results in wound healing and tissue regeneration.
Association of hyperuricemia combined with sarcopenia on ASCVD risk
Authors: Nie Guqiao , Wan Jingjing , Jiang Lei , Zhang Meng , Yan Fengqin , Peng Wen
Published: June 2023

Background

Hyperuricemia and sarcopenia are both strongly linked to an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), and this study was designed to look into the interactive effects of hyperuricemia on ASCVD risk.

Methods

This study collected information from patients (N = 2647) who underwent health check-ups at the Health Care Building of Wuhan Union Hospital between January 2019 and December 2020. Skeletal muscle mass was measured using bioelectrical impedance methods. The Asian Working Group on Sarcopenia diagnostic criteria were used to classify patients with sarcopenia. ASCVD risk was calculated using the Framingham Heart Study, and ASCVD risk ≥ 20% was considered high risk ASCVD. IBM SPSS 25.0 and GraphPad prism 8.0 software were used for data analysis and graphing.

Results

The prevalence of hyperuricemia and sarcopenia was 23.57% and 15.34%, respectively. The occurrence of cardiovascular risk factors such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and low HDL-Cemia was significantly higher in subjects with hyperuricemia combined with sarcopenia (OR = 1.734, 3.064, 1.61, 8.77 and 1.691 respectively, p < 0.05); Hyperuricemia and high-risk ASCVD were independently associated (OR = 1.355, 95% CI = 1.000–1.838, p = 0.04). Although there was no significant association between sarcopenia and high-risk ASCVD after controlling for confounders (OR = 1.274, 95% CI = 0.828–1.959, p = 0.271), sarcopenia combined with hyperuricemia significantly increased high-risk ASCVD (OR = 3.229, 95% CI 1.544–6.751, p = 0.002).

Conclusion

Hyperuricemia is independently associated with high-risk ASCVD; Sarcopenia and high-risk ASCVD did not show an independent relationship, but there was a synergistic effect of the two on ASCVD risk, which may imply that managing both hyperuricemia and sarcopenia may have a greater cardiovascular benefit.
Integrated analysis of intratumoral biomarker and tumor-associated macrophage to improve the prognosis prediction in cancer patients
Authors: Wang Ming-Da , Xiang Hao , Hong Tian-Yu , Mierxiati Abudurexiti , Yan Fei-Hu , Zhang Ling , Wang Chao
Published: June 2023

Background

The lack of effective and accurate predictive indicators remains a major bottleneck for the improvement of the prognosis of patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hepatitis B virus X (HBx) has been widely suggested as a critical pathogenic protein for HBV-driven liver carcinogenesis, while tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) infiltration is also closely related to the tumorigenesis and progression of HCC. However, few studies have determined whether combining HBx expression with TAM populations could increase the accuracy of prognostic prediction for HBV-related HCC.

Methods

The study cohort enrolling 251 patients with HBV-related HCC was randomly split into a training and a validation group (ratio 1:1). The expression levels of HBx and TAM marker CD68 in HCC samples were detected by immunohistochemistry. Kaplan–Meier curves, Cox regression and Harrell’s concordance index (C-index) analysis were conducted to evaluate the prognostic significance of these indicators alone or in combination.

Results

The expression level of HBx was strongly correlated with CD68+ TAM infiltration in HCC tissues. Elevated HBx or CD68 expression indicated poorer overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) after hepatectomy, and both of them were independent risk factors for postoperative survival. Meanwhile, patients with both high HBx and CD68 levels had worst clinical outcomes. Moreover, integrating HBx and CD68 expression with clinical indicators (tumor size and micro-vascular invasion) showed the best prognostic potential with highest C-index value for survival predictivity, and this proposed model also performed better than several conventional classifications of HCC.

Conclusion

Combining the expression of intratumoral HBx, CD68+ TAM population and clinical variables could enable better prognostication for HBV-related HCC after hepatectomy, thus providing novel insights into developing more effective clinical prediction model based on both molecular phenotypes and tumor-immune microenvironment.