bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variability in low-flow oxygen delivery by nasal cannula evaluated in neonatal and infant airway replicas
Authors: Sabz Mozhgan , Tavernini Scott , Pillay Kineshta , Christianson Cole , Noga Michelle , Finlay Warren H. , Rouhani Hossein , Martin Andrew R.
Published: December 2022

Background

The nasal cannula is considered a trusted and effective means of administering low-flow oxygen and is widely used for neonates and infants requiring oxygen therapy, despite an understanding that oxygen concentrations delivered to patients are variable.

Methods

In the present study, realistic nasal airway replicas derived from medical scans of children less than 3 months old were used to measure the fraction of oxygen inhaled (FiO2) through nasal cannulas during low-flow oxygen delivery. Parameters influencing variability in FiO2were evaluated, as was the hypothesis that measured FiO2values could be predicted using a simple, flow-weighted calculation that assumes ideal mixing of oxygen with entrained room air. Tidal breathing through neonatal and infant nasal airway replicas was controlled using a lung simulator. Parameters for nasal cannula oxygen flow rate, nasal airway geometry, tidal volume, respiratory rate, inhalation/exhalation, or I:E ratio (ti/te), breath waveform, and cannula prong insertion position were varied to determine their effect on measured FiO2. In total, FiO2was measured for 384 different parameter combinations, with each combination repeated in triplicate. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to assess the influence of parameters on measured FiO2.

Results

Measured FiO2was not appreciably affected by the breath waveform shape, the replica geometry, or the cannula position but was significantly influenced by the tidal volume, the inhalation time, and the nasal cannula flow rate.

Conclusions

The flow-weighted calculation overpredicted FiO2for measured values above 60%, but an empirical correction to the calculation provided good agreement with measured FiO2across the full range of experimental data.
Glioblastoma cells have increased capacity to repair radiation-induced DNA damage after migration to the olfactory bulb
Authors: Degorre Charlotte , Sutton Ian C. , Lehman Stacey L. , Shankavaram Uma T. , Camphausen Kevin , Tofilon Philip J.
Published: December 2022

Background

The invasive nature of GBM combined with the diversity of brain microenvironments creates the potential for a topographic heterogeneity in GBM radioresponse. Investigating the mechanisms responsible for a microenvironment-induced differential GBM response to radiation may provide insights into the molecules and processes mediating GBM radioresistance.

Methods

Using a model system in which human GBM stem-like cells implanted into the right striatum of nude mice migrate throughout the right hemisphere (RH) to the olfactory bulb (OB), the radiation-induced DNA damage response was evaluated in each location according to γH2AX and 53BP1 foci and cell cycle phase distribution as determined by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. RNAseq was used to compare transcriptomes of tumor cells growing in the OB and the RH. Protein expression and neuron–tumor interaction were defined by immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy.

Results

After irradiation, there was a more rapid dispersal of γH2AX and 53BP1 foci in the OB versus in the RH, indicative of increased double strand break repair capacity in the OB and consistent with the OB providing a radioprotective niche. With respect to the cell cycle, by 6 h after irradiation there was a significant loss of mitotic tumor cells in both locations suggesting a similar activation of the G2/M checkpoint. However, by 24 h post-irradiation there was an accumulation of G2 phase cells in the OB, which continued out to at least 96 h. Transcriptome analysis showed that tumor cells in the OB had higher expression levels of DNA repair genes involved in non-homologous end joining and genes related to the spindle assembly checkpoint. Tumor cells in the OB were also found to have an increased frequency of soma–soma contact with neurons.

Conclusion

GBM cells that have migrated to the OB have an increased capacity to repair radiation-induced double strand breaks and altered cell cycle regulation. These results correspond to an upregulation of genes involved in DNA damage repair and cell cycle control. Because the murine OB provides a source of radioresistant tumor cells not evident in other experimental systems, it may serve as a model for investigating the mechanisms mediating GBM radioresistance.
Augmented reality for stroke rehabilitation during COVID-19
Authors: Yang Zhen-Qun , Du Dan , Wei Xiao-Yong , Tong Raymond Kai-Yu
Published: December 2022

Background

The lack of the rehabilitation professionals is a global issue and it is becoming more serious during COVID-19. An Augmented Reality Rehabilitation System (AR Rehab) was developed for virtual training delivery. The virtual training was integrated into the participants’ usual care to reduce the human trainers’ effort so that the manpower scarcity can be eased. This also resulted in the reduction of the contact rate in pandemics.

Objective

To investigate the feasibility of the AR Rehab-based virtual training when integrated into the usual care in a real-world pandemic setting, by answering questions of whether the integrated trials can help fulfill the training goal and whether the trials can be delivered when resources are limited because of COVID-19.

Methods

Chronic stroke participants were randomly assigned to either a centre-based group (AR-Centre) or a home-based group (AR-Home) for a trial consisting of 20 sessions delivered in a human–machine integrated intervention. The trial of the AR-Centre was human training intensive with 3/4 of each session delivered by human trainers (PTs/OTs/Assistants) and 1/4 delivered by the virtual trainer (AR Rehab). The trial of the AR-Home was virtual training intensive with 1/4 and 3/4 of each session delivered by human and virtual trainers, respectively. Functional assessments including Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) and Lower Extremity (FMA-LE), Functional Ambulation Category (FAC), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Barthel Index (BI) of Activities of Daily Living (ADL), and Physical Component Summary (SF-12v2 PCS) and Mental Component Summary (SF-12v2 MCS) of the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12v2), were conducted before and after the intervention. User experience (UX) using questionnaires were collected after the intervention. Time and human resources required to deliver the human and virtual training, respectively, and the proportion of participants with clinical significant improvement were also used as supplementary measures.

Results

There were 129 patients from 10 rehabilitation centres enrolled in the integrated program with 39 of them were selected for investigation. Significant functional improvement in FMA-UE (AR-Centre: p = 0.0022, AR-Home: p = 0.0043), FMA-LE (AR-Centre: p = 0.0007, AR-Home: p = 0.0052), SF-12v2 PCS (AR-Centre: p = 0.027, AR-Home: p = 0.036) were observed in both groups. Significant improvement in balance ability (BBS: p = 0.0438), and mental components (SF-12v2 MCS: p = 0.017) were found in AR-Centre group, while activities of daily living (BI: p = 0.0007) was found in AR-Home group. Contact rate was reduced by 30.75–72.30% within AR-All, 0.00–60.00% within AR-Centre, and 75.00–90.00% within AR-Home.

Conclusion

The human–machine integrated mode was effective and efficient to reduce the human rehabilitation professionals’ effort while fulfilling the training goals. It eased the scarcity of manpower and reduced the contact rate during the pandemics.
Incidence of growth disturbance after distal tibia physeal fracture in children
Authors: Chen Hui , Chen Zhao , Chen Peisheng , Zheng Zibing , Lin Jinrun
Published: December 2022

Background

To analyze the growth disturbance after distal tibia physeal fracture in children.

Methods

Data about children with distal tibia physeal fractures between September 2015 to September 2018 were collected, including age, gender, affected side, Salter–Harris classification, initial maximal displacement, with or without fibula fracture, open or closed reduction, the method of fixation, time to surgery, blood loss, duration of operation, and complications. Patients were placed in the growth disturbance group when leg length discrepancy was equal to or greater than 1.5 cm, or when they had more than 5 degrees of varus or valgus deformity. Others were placed in the no-growth disturbance group.

Results

A total of 143 patients (96 boys and 47 girls) were enrolled in this study. The length of the follow-up periods averaged 29.34 ± 7.46 months (26 to 61 months). Among the total of 143 patients, the incidence of growth disturbance was 15.39% (22/143). The no-growth disturbance group consisted of 121 patients (84 boys and 37 girls), with a mean age of 11.50 ± 3.20 years, and there were 68, 52, and 1 injuries to the left, right, and bilateral sides, respectively. The average maximal displacement was 5.51 ± 3.18 mm, and 27.27% (33/121) of patients also had a fibula fracture. The growth disturbance group contained 22 patients (12 boys and 10 girls) with a mean age of 9.32 ± 3.56 years, and there were 12, 10, and 0 injuries on the left, right, and bilateral sides, respectively. The average maximal displacement was 5.77 ± 4.89 mm, and 45.45% (10/22) of patients also had a fibula fracture. There was a significant difference in age (p = 0.004) and fibula fracture (p = 0.011) between the two groups. More patients had Salter–Harris types III and IV fractures in the growth disturbance group than in the no-growth disturbance group (p = 0.043).

Conclusions

Children with Salter–Harris types III and IV fractures, younger children, and children with fibula fractures all have a higher incidence of growth disturbance after distal tibia physeal fractures.

Level of evidence

Level III-Prognostic study.
Socio-economic factors influencing the adoption of low carbon technologies under rice production systems in China
Authors: Chen Zhong-Du , Chen Fu
Published: December 2022

Background

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) production, such as farmers’ livelihood and the soil quality, has been identified to be strong influenced by climate change in China. However, the benefits of low carbon technologies (LCTs) are still debatable in rice production for farmers, which have been identified to tackle agricultural challenges. The choice of potential LCTs relevant to the case study is based on a literature review of previous empirical studies. Thus, the objectives of the study were to (1) investigate the public perception and preferences of LCTs in rice production of China, and (2) analyze the influences of the factors on farmer’s decision in adopting LCTs in rice production. There were 555 farmer surveys from eight representative rice production counties in HP province of southern China, both the Poisson estimators and multivariate probit (MVP) approach were applied in the study.

Results

Our results show that water-saving irrigation, integrated pest management techniques and planting green manure crops in winter season were the three major LCTs adapted by farmers in rice production. The intensity and probability of LCTs adoptions were influenced by the main factors including farmers’ education level, climate change awareness, machinery ownership, technical support and subsidies. There is a significant correlation among the LCTs, and the adoption of the technologies is interdependent, depicting either complementarities or substitutabilities between the practices.

Conclusions

This study suggests that policies enhance the integration of LCTs would be central to farmers’ knowledge, environmental concerns, technical service and financial support in rice production systems in China.
Targeting cell death pathways for cancer therapy: recent developments in necroptosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and cuproptosis research
Authors: Tong Xuhui , Tang Rong , Xiao Mingming , Xu Jin , Wang Wei , Zhang Bo , Liu Jiang , Yu Xianjun , Shi Si
Published: December 2022

Many types of human cells self-destruct to maintain biological homeostasis and defend the body against pathogenic substances. This process, called regulated cell death (RCD), is important for various biological activities, including the clearance of aberrant cells. Thus, RCD pathways represented by apoptosis have increased in importance as a target for the development of cancer medications in recent years. However, because tumor cells show avoidance to apoptosis, which causes treatment resistance and recurrence, numerous studies have been devoted to alternative cancer cell mortality processes, namely necroptosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and cuproptosis; these RCD modalities have been extensively studied and shown to be crucial to cancer therapy effectiveness. Furthermore, evidence suggests that tumor cells undergoing regulated death may alter the immunogenicity of the tumor microenvironment (TME) to some extent, rendering it more suitable for inhibiting cancer progression and metastasis. In addition, other types of cells and components in the TME undergo the abovementioned forms of death and induce immune attacks on tumor cells, resulting in enhanced antitumor responses. Hence, this review discusses the molecular processes and features of necroptosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and cuproptosis and the effects of these novel RCD modalities on tumor cell proliferation and cancer metastasis. Importantly, it introduces the complex effects of novel forms of tumor cell death on the TME and the regulated death of other cells in the TME that affect tumor biology. It also summarizes the potential agents and nanoparticles that induce or inhibit novel RCD pathways and their therapeutic effects on cancer based on evidence from in vivo and in vitro studies and reports clinical trials in which RCD inducers have been evaluated as treatments for cancer patients. Lastly, we also summarized the impact of modulating the RCD processes on cancer drug resistance and the advantages of adding RCD modulators to cancer treatment over conventional treatments.
Whole exome sequencing identifies two novel variants in PHEX and DMP1 in Malaysian children with hypophosphatemic rickets
Authors: Tavana Nahid , Ting Tzer Hwu , Lai Kaitao , Kennerson Marina L. , Thilakavathy Karuppiah
Published: December 2022

Background

Hypophosphatemic rickets (HR) is a genetic disease of phosphate wasting that is characterized by defective bone mineralization. The most common cause of the disease is mutations in the phosphate regulating gene with homologies to endopeptidases on the X chromosome (PHEX) gene. The aims of this study were to identify the gene variants responsible for HR in three cases of Malaysian origin from three independent families and to describe their clinical, biochemical, and radiological features.

Methods

Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed on all patients and their parents, followed by Sanger sequencing validation. Bioinformatics tools were used to provide supporting evidence for pathogenicity of variants. To confirm that a mutation is de novo, paternity test was carried out. High resolution melting curve analysis was performed to assess the allele frequency in normal controls for mutations that were found in the patients.

Results

The patients showed typical characteristics of HR including lower limb deformity, hypophosphatemia, and elevated alkaline phosphatase. WES revealed two variants in thePHEXgene and one variant in the dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) gene. Two of the three variants were novel, including c.1946_1954del (p.Gly649_Arg651del) inPHEXand c.54 + 1G > A inDMP1. Our data suggests that the novel p.Gly649_Arg651del variant is likely pathogenic for HR disease.

Conclusions

This study extends the variant spectrum of thePHEXandDMP1genes. Our findings indicate that WES is an advantageous approach for diagnosis of genetic diseases which are heterogeneous.
Prognostication after cardiac arrest: how EEG and evoked potentials may improve the challenge
Authors: Benghanem Sarah , Pruvost-Robieux Estelle , Bouchereau Eléonore , Gavaret Martine , Cariou Alain
Published: December 2022

About 80% of patients resuscitated from CA are comatose at ICU admission and nearly 50% of survivors are still unawake at 72 h. Predicting neurological outcome of these patients is important to provide correct information to patient’s relatives, avoid disproportionate care in patients with irreversible hypoxic–ischemic brain injury (HIBI) and inappropriate withdrawal of care in patients with a possible favorable neurological recovery. ERC/ESICM 2021 algorithm allows a classification as “poor outcome likely” in 32%, the outcome remaining “indeterminate” in 68%. The crucial question is to know how we could improve the assessment of both unfavorable but also favorable outcome prediction. Neurophysiological tests, i.e., electroencephalography (EEG) and evoked-potentials (EPs) are a non-invasive bedside investigations. The EEG is the record of brain electrical fields, characterized by a high temporal resolution but a low spatial resolution. EEG is largely available, and represented the most widely tool use in recent survey examining current neuro-prognostication practices. The severity of HIBI is correlated with the predominant frequency and background continuity of EEG leading to “highly malignant” patterns as suppression or burst suppression in the most severe HIBI. EPs differ from EEG signals as they are stimulus induced and represent the summated activities of large populations of neurons firing in synchrony, requiring the average of numerous stimulations. Different EPs (i.e., somato sensory EPs (SSEPs), brainstem auditory EPs (BAEPs), middle latency auditory EPs (MLAEPs) and long latency event-related potentials (ERPs) with mismatch negativity (MMN) and P300 responses) can be assessed in ICU, with different brain generators and prognostic values. In the present review, we summarize EEG and EPs signal generators, recording modalities, interpretation and prognostic values of these different neurophysiological tools. Finally, we assess the perspective for futures neurophysiological investigations, aiming to reduce prognostic uncertainty in comatose and disorders of consciousness (DoC) patients after CA.
Backward reachability approach to state-constrained stochastic optimal control problem for jump-diffusion models
Authors: Moon Jun
Published: December 2022

In this paper, we consider the stochastic optimal control problem for jump-diffusion models with state constraints. In general, the value function of such problems is the discontinuous viscosity solution of the associated Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equation since the regularity cannot be guaranteed at the boundary of the state constraint. By adapting the stochastic target theory, we obtain an equivalent representation of the original value function by means of the backward reachable set. We then show that this backward reachable can be characterized by the zero-level set of the auxiliary value function for the unconstrained stochastic control problem, which includes two additional unbounded controls as a consequence of the martingale representation theorem. We prove that the auxiliary value function is the unique continuous viscosity solution of the associated HJB equation, which is the second-order nonlinear partial integro-differential equation (PIDE). Our paper provides an explicit way to characterize the original (possibly discontinuous) value function as a zero-level set of the continuous solution of the auxiliary HJB equation. The proof of the existence and uniqueness requires a new technique due to the unbounded control sets and the presence of the singularity of the corresponding Lévy measure in the nonlocal operator of the HJB equation.
A novel vehicular task deployment method in hybrid MEC
Authors: Xu Xifeng , Xia Yunni , Zeng Feng , Li Fan , Xie Hong , Fu Xiaodong , Wang Mengdi
Published: December 2022

With the skyrocketing need for low-latency services on the Internet of Vehicles (IoV) and elastic cross-layer resource provisioning, multi-access edge computing (MEC) is considered a high-potent solution, which evolves from cloud and grid computing to meet the above needs in IoV scenarios. Instead of considering single-point and monolithic IoV tasks, in this paper, we consider the IoV applications to be with structural properties and the supporting environment to be with a hybrid cloud-edge architecture. We develop a scheduling method that offloads tasks to the eNode or cloud according to their estimations of latest starting time. Simulative results clearly demonstrate that our method beat existing solutions in terms of average completion time, average waiting time, and in-time completion rate.
Burden of COVID-19 on primary care in Belgium: a prospective nationwide observational study from March to August 2020
Authors: Vaes Bert , Vos Bénédicte , Foidart Maxime , De Schreye Robrecht , Schrans Diego , Philips Hilde , Aertgeerts Bert , Doggen Kris
Published: December 2022

Background

The COVID-19 outbreak had an important impact on general practice, for example the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) and the switch to telephone consultations. We installed a monitoring instrument and reported the burden the COVID-19 pandemic placed on Belgian general practitioners (GPs) during the first wave of the pandemic.

Methods

We conducted an observational longitudinal prospective study from the 19th of March until the 17th of August 2020. Daily data were collected by using a structured electronic form integrated into the GPs’ electronic medical records (EMRs). Data were collected on the GPs’ need for support and workload, epidemiological indicators and the availability of PPE. Reports with graphical presentations were made for GP circles and primary care zones, and governments of different administrative levels had access to all data to guide their policy.

Results

A total of 3.769 different GP centres participated, which included more than 10.000 GPs. Throughout the first three weeks, 20% declared they had insufficient resources (personnel and material) for the following week. Approximately 10% continued to report this during the entire study. The majority reported being able to complete their daily tasks without loss of quality. During the first week, 30% indicated an increased workload. Afterwards, this number decreased and stabilized to an average of 10–20%. More than 70% of the consultations in March 2020 were conducted by telephone. This percentage declined in April and stabilized at approximately 30% in June 2020. Consultations due to respiratory symptoms peaked at 4000/100,000 inhabitants at the beginning of the outbreak, then decreased over time along with the COVID-19 incidence. We noticed a lack of disinfectant hand gel, surgical masks and FFP2 masks, the latter remaining problematic in the long term.

Conclusion

We introduced an instrument in Belgian EMR systems to monitor the burden on GPs during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The lack of PPE and increased workload were considered to be the main obstacles. A large number of the GP offices switched to teleconsultations to provide healthcare. Our monitoring instrument provided information for policy makers to intervene on a local level.
Providing substance use disorder treatment in correctional settings: knowledge gaps and proposed research priorities—overview and commentary
Authors: Zaller Nickolas D. , Gorvine Margaret M. , Ross Jon , Mitchell Shannon Gwin , Taxman Faye S. , Farabee David
Published: December 2022

This manuscript is the product of the authors’ discussions, literature overview, and consultation with experts in the field, and identifies important gaps in the evidence base for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment effectiveness within criminal justice (CJ) settings. Lacking from the extant literature are longitudinal investigations of treatment related outcomes during and after incarceration. Such studies could provide rich contextual data about treatment delivery and effectiveness across the CJ continuum, and would provide important insight into individual characteristics (e.g., motivation, treatment modality preferences, treatment completion rates, etc.) as well as institutional and environmental factors (e.g., appropriate staffing, space limitations for individual treatment sessions, distribution of medications, etc.). We also identified the importance of reproducibility within CJ research, and the unfortunate reality of too many single studies conducted in single (or relatively few) correctional facilities. Some of this has been because the studies designed to produce that evidence are not prioritized for funding, which has continually placed researchers in a position where we cannot make firm conclusions or recommendations based on available evidence. The importance of replicating the foundational studies in this field cannot be overstated. We hope this article spurs other researchers to join in the healthy process of questioning the existing state of the CJ-based SUD treatment research, what should be re-examined, and how we can lay a stronger foundation for the future.
Ammonia emission from sandy loam soil amended with manure compost and urea
Authors: Adegoke Toluwase Oreoluwa , Moon Tae-il , Ku Hyun-Hwoi
Published: December 2022

Urea is a renowned nitrogen (N) fertilizer widely used in plant N nutrition owing to its high N concentration (46%). The effect of the N application rate on ammonia (NH3) emission into the environment and soil properties is yet to be unraveled. The rate of NH3 emission from sandy loam soil amended with manure compost (T1: 5000 kg ha−1) and urea at different application rates (100, 200, and 400 kg N ha−1 designated as T2, T3, and T4, respectively) with 3 replications was evaluated in an incubation experiment. Ammonia emission was rapid at the early stage of the experiment followed by an equilibrium decrease that tends toward zero at the end of the incubation. Ammonia emissions of 16.50, 52.15, and 75% of applied N in T2, T3, and T4 were observed on day 49. Ammonia emission increased linearly (y = 0.7823x−32.169, R2 = 0.95**) in response to N application rates. T1 conserves more NH4+ (20.79 mg kg−1) in the soil, followed by T2 (11.8 mg kg−1) and T3 (11.7 mg kg−1). T2 and T3 reduced the soil pH to optimal for microbial activities and nutrient availability, while T4 promoted soil acidity. A balanced combination of compost and urea mitigates NH3 volatilization and improves soil fertility. In conclusion, applying compost (5000 kg ha−1) with urea at 100 kg N ha−1 or 200 kg N ha−1 is recommended for NH3 volatilization mitigation, nitrification inhibition, and efficient NH4+ retention in the soil.
Oil prices, labour market adjustment and dynamic quantile connectedness analysis: evidence from Greece during the crisis
Authors: Palaios Panagiotis , Papapetrou Evangelia
Published: December 2022

This paper examines the spillover effects transmission mechanism between oil prices, oil price uncertainty and oil price volatility on labour market in Greece, using static and dynamic quantile connectedness methodology (Diebold and Yilmaz Diebold and Yilmaz, Int J Forecast 28:57–66, 2012; Ando et al. Ando T, Greenwood-Nimmo N, Shin Y (2018) ‘Quantile connectedness: Modelling tail behavior in the topology of financial networks’, Working Paper. https://ssrn.com/abstract=3164772.). There is empirical evidence that the oil price variable is the most influential node of the energy variables on hirings and firings, suggesting the endogeneity of the labour market variables. Rolling estimation analysis based on the quantile VAR to capture the volatility spillovers across the whole conditional distribution shows a large variation of the total connectedness index, which is responsive to exogenous adverse and beneficial shocks. Further, our results point to a strong effect due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the state intervention to sustain the pandemic on the labour market. Overall, the analysis reveals a substantial higher time-varying connectedness of the system at the tails of the distribution, indicating that changes in energy markets asymmetrically affect the Greek labour market in recessionary and flourishing states of the economy, rather than normal times.
Dietary supplementation with 0.4% L-arginine between days 14 and 30 of gestation enhances NO and polyamine syntheses and water transport in porcine placentae
Authors: Herring Cassandra M. , Bazer Fuller W. , Johnson Gregory A. , Seo Heewon , Hu Shengdi , Elmetwally Mohammed , He Wenliang , Long Daniel B. , Wu Guoyao
Published: December 2022

Background

Most embryonic loss in pigs occurs before d 30 of gestation. Dietary supplementation with L-arginine (Arg) during early gestation can enhance the survival and development of conceptuses (embryo/fetus and its extra-embryonic membranes) in gilts. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown.

Methods

Between d 14 and 30 of gestation, each gilt was fed daily 2 kg of a corn- and soybean-meal based diet (12% crude protein) supplemented with either 0.4% Arg (as Arg-HCl) or an isonitrogenous amount of L-alanine (Control). There were 10 gilts per treatment group. On d 30 of gestation, gilts were fed either Arg-HCl or L-alanine 30 min before they were hysterectomized, followed by the collection of placentae, embryos, fetal membranes, and fetal fluids. Amniotic and allantoic fluids were analyzed for nitrite and nitrate [NOx; stable oxidation products of nitric oxide (NO)], polyamines, and amino acids. Placentae were analyzed for syntheses of NO and polyamines, water and amino acid transport, concentrations of amino acid-related metabolites, and the expression of angiogenic factors and aquaporins (AQPs).

Results

Compared to the control group, Arg supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the number of viable fetuses by 1.9 per litter, the number and diameter of placental blood vessels (+ 25.9% and + 17.0% respectively), embryonic survival (+ 18.5%), total placental weight (+ 36.5%), the total weight of viable fetuses (+ 33.5%), fetal crown-to-rump length (+ 4.7%), and total allantoic and amniotic fluid volumes (+ 44.6% and + 75.5% respectively). Compared to control gilts, Arg supplementation increased (P < 0.05) placental activities of GTP cyclohydrolase-1 (+ 33.1%) and ornithine decarboxylase (+ 29.3%); placental syntheses of NO (+ 26.2%) and polyamines (+ 28.9%); placental concentrations of NOx (+ 22.5%), tetrahydrobiopterin (+ 21.1%), polyamines (+ 20.4%), cAMP (+ 27.7%), and cGMP (+ 24.7%); total amounts of NOx (+ 61.7% to + 96.8%), polyamines (+ 60.7% to + 88.7%), amino acids (+ 39% to + 118%), glucose (+ 60.5% to + 62.6%), and fructose (+ 41.4% to + 57.0%) in fetal fluids; and the placental transport of water (+ 33.9%), Arg (+ 78.4%), glutamine (+ 89.9%), and glycine (+ 89.6%). Furthermore, Arg supplementation increased (P < 0.05) placental mRNA levels for angiogenic factors [VEGFA120 (+ 117%), VEGFR1 (+ 445%), VEGFR2 (+ 373%), PGF (+ 197%), and GCH1 (+ 126%)] and AQPs [AQP1 (+ 280%), AQP3 (+ 137%), AQP5 (+ 172%), AQP8 (+ 165%), and AQP9 (+ 127%)].

Conclusion

Supplementing 0.4% Arg to a conventional diet for gilts between d 14 and d 30 of gestation enhanced placental NO and polyamine syntheses, angiogenesis, and water and amino acid transport to improve conceptus development and survival.
Xanthine oxidase and aldehyde oxidase contribute to allopurinol metabolism in rats
Authors: Tayama Yoshitaka , Sugihara Kazumi , Sanoh Seigo , Miyake Katsushi , Kitamura Shigeyuki , Ohta Shigeru
Published: December 2022

Background

Allopurinol is used to treat hyperuricemia and gout. It is metabolized to oxypurinol by xanthine oxidase (XO), and aldehyde oxidase (AO). Allopurinol and oxypurinol are potent XO inhibitors that reduce the plasma uric acid levels. Although oxypurinol levels show large inter-individual variations, high concentrations of oxypurinol can cause various adverse effects. Therefore, it is important to understand allopurinol metabolism by XO and AO. In this study we aimed to estimate the role of AO and XO in allopurinol metabolism by pre-administering Crl:CD and Jcl:SD rats, which have known strain differences in AO activity, with XO inhibitor febuxostat.

Methods

Allopurinol (30 or 100 mg/kg) was administered to Crl:CD and Jcl:SD rats with low and high AO activity, respectively, after pretreatment with or without febuxostat. The serum concentrations of allopurinol and oxypurinol were measured, and the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) was calculated from the 48 h serum concentration-time profile. In vivo metabolic activity was measured as the ratio AUCoxypurinol /AUCallopurinol.

Results

Although no strain-specific differences were observed in the AUCoxypurinol/AUCallopurinol ratio in the allopurinol (30 mg/kg)-treated group, the ratio in Jcl:SD rats was higher than that in Crl:CD rats after febuxostat pretreatment. Contrastingly, the AUC ratio of allopurinol (100 mg/kg) was approximately 2-fold higher in Jcl:SD rats than that in Crl:CD rats. These findings showed that Jcl:SD rats had higher intrinsic AO activity than Crl:CD rats did.

However, febuxostat pretreatment substantially decreased the activity, as measured by the AUC ratio using allopurinol (100 mg/kg), to 46 and 63% in Crl:CD rats and Jcl:SD rats, respectively, compared to the control group without febuxostat pretreatment.

Conclusions

We elucidated the role of XO and AO in allopurinol metabolism in Crl:CD and Jcl:SD rats. Notably, AO can exert a proportionately greater impact on allopurinol metabolism at high allopurinol concentrations. AO’s impact on allopurinol metabolism is meaningful enough that individual differences in AO may explain allopurinol toxicity events. Considering the inter-individual differences in AO activity, these findings can aid to dose adjustment of allopurinol to avoid potential adverse effects.
Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma with multiple pulmonary metastases following lung cancer surgery: a case report
Authors: Kamio Hidenori , Onizuka Hiromi , Yoshida Yusaku , Omi Yoko , Isaka Tamami , Nagashima Yoji , Horiuchi Kiyomi , Okamoto Takahiro
Published: December 2022

Background

Distant metastasis is extremely rare for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) without lymph node metastasis or extrathyroidal extension, for which active surveillance (AS) is indicated. The evaluation of distant metastases in low-risk PTMC is controversial. A case of PTMC in which AS would have been performed if chest CT and lung surgery had not been performed is reported.

Case presentation

The patient was a 71-year-old woman undergoing follow-up in the Department of Thoracic Surgery at our hospital for multiple frosted glass shadows in both lung fields for one and a half years. To make a definitive diagnosis, thoracoscopic right middle lobectomy and left upper partial lobectomy were performed 4 and 6 months earlier, respectively. In both resected specimens, lung adenocarcinoma and small metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) were found. The patient was transferred to our department for a thorough examination for PTC. Ultrasonography was performed to search for the primary lesion, and it showed an irregular hypoechoic mass of 4 mm and 6 mm in the middle of the right lobe of the thyroid gland. The patient was diagnosed with PTC. Its clinical stage was T1a (m) N0 M1 (stage IVC). Total thyroidectomy and prophylactic central node dissection were performed. The pathological diagnosis was PTC (typical type) pT1a (m) N0. Postoperatively, she received radioactive iodine therapy.

Conclusions

We experienced an extremely rare case and struggled to determine a treatment plan. We might be aware that lung metastases could develop in low-risk PTMC.
Gender-related differences in the association of serum levels of vitamin D with body mass index in northern Iranian population: the PERSIAN Guilan Cohort Study (PGCS)
Authors: Joukar Farahnaz , Asgharnezhad Mehrnaz , Naghipour Mohammadreza , Mojtahedi Kourosh , Salari Arsalan , Mansour-Ghanaei Alireza , Mansour-Ghanaei Fariborz
Published: December 2022

Background

Vitamin D (VD) insufficiency has now become a global problem throughout the world. The association between increasing body mass index (BMI) and VD insufficiency has attracted great attention in recent researches. The aim was to study if BMI was independently associated with serum 25-hydroxy VD in a large population-based study, specify by gender.

Methods

Data on 9520 adults 35 years and older participating in PERSIAN Guilan Cohort Study (PGCS) were used. Serum levels of 25-hydroxy VD less than 20 ng/mL (50 nmol/L) was used as a measure of VD inadequacy. Multiple logistic and linear regression analyses were used to estimate the strength of the association between VD and BMI before and after adjusting for demographic factors and lifestyle variables.

Results

After adjustment in male population, overweight (adjusted OR = 1.2, P < 0.05) and obese (adjusted OR = 1.4, P > 0.05) individuals were more likely to have VD inadequacy than normal weight counterparts. Moreover, there was a weak inverse linear association between BMI and serum 25 (OH) D levels in males (β = -0.14, P value > 0.05). In contrast, no significant associations between BMI and serum 25 (OH (D levels were observed in females. In male population, higher BMI were associated with lower serum vitamin 25 (OH) D levels.

Conclusions

However, association between BMI and VD level was not observed in female population. The suggestion of current study for public health was special consideration to serum VD levels in over weight and obese males.
Fasting and weight loss: mobile application-based approach
Authors: Valinskas Sarunas , Aleknavicius Kasparas , Nakrys Marius , Jonusas Justinas
Published: December 2022

Background

The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of intermittent fasting (IF) guidance, delivered through a smartphone application, in terms of engagement and weight loss.

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart-review study of all consecutive users with overweight or obesity of the DoFasting mobile application, which integrates IF solutions for people looking to lose weight. Users with overweight and obesity at the beginning of application use, who met the inclusion criteria (entered their gender, height, and starting weight; had more than one weight entry; used the app for at least a month; had at least one active day per week with valid app-related activities) and used the application for weight loss were included in the study.

Results

The final study cohort comprised 22,022 consecutive users. The short-term cohort comprised 17,221 users (8585 females and 8636 males), while 4801 users (2983 females and 1818 males) were in the long-term cohort. Long-term active users of the application lost a statistically significant amount of weight over the study period and lost more than inactive users did (2.2 [3.5] vs 1.4 [3.2], p < 0.0001; the results are shown in kilograms as medians with the interquartile range in brackets). Active and long-term users were also more likely to reduce their BMI class (p < 0.05) in comparison to non-active short-term users. A multiple regression model showed that the total length of use and active days were the most significant predictors of weight loss. In-app activities such as total fasting hours, weight logging, completing challenges, and providing feedback were also statistically significant predictors of weight loss with varying contributions.

Conclusion

We found that the DoFasting mobile application that implements IF is an effective tool for weight loss if used actively and sufficiently.

Trial registration

This retrospective chart review study was approved by BRANY IRB in January 2022 (study ID.: 22‐08‐034‐939).
A perspective on the use of the cervical flexion rotation test in the physical therapy management of cervicogenic headaches
Authors: Paquin Jean-Philippe , Dumas Jean-Pierre , Gérard Thomas , Tousignant-Laflamme Yannick
Published: December 2022

Background

The Cervical Flexion-Rotation Test (CFRT) is widely used in the assessment of upper cervical spine mobility impairments and in the diagnosis of cervicogenic headache (CGH) by physiotherapist. Many studies investigated its different properties, and the results show that the CFRT has good construct validity in the measurement of C1-C2 rotation as well as good to excellent reliability.

Purpose

In this theoretical paper, we explore the value and point out two methodological issues associated to the CFRT, one related to the procedures and another related to its diagnostic accuracy.

Results

Our analysis indicate that there are many confounding factors that could affect the CFRT cut-off’s accuracy, which are likely to overestimate the diagnosis properties of CFRT. Potential solutions are discussed. Moreover, the gold standard (manual examination) used to examine the validity of the CFRT for the diagnosis of CGH appears to be far from perfect - we could argue that the diagnostic properties of the CFRT for CGH might be biased and the likelihood ratios are likely to be overestimated. However, it could be relevant to explore if results of the CFRT could be considered as a treatment-effect modifier. Maybe the CFRT could be more valuable as a prognostic factor?

Conclusion

The quality of evidence supporting the validity of the CFRT is most likely biased. In the absence of a better gold standard, maybe the CFRT could be a more valuable test to establish the patient’s prognosis and help the clinician to choose the most appropriate treatment options.
Effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on the biology of Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)
Authors: Eskin Ata , Nurullahoğlu Zahide Ulya
Published: December 2022

Background

Because of its ability to absorb UV radiation and possess catalytic, antibacterial, and semiconducting properties, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are increasingly being used in consumer goods. Because nanoparticles are used so often, accurate methods for determining any associated toxicity are crucial. The greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is a suitable experimental model organism due to immune defense of the larvae is very strong. Also, larvae are a good model for carrying out toxicity studies. In this study, to determine the effects of zinc oxide NPs (ZnO NPs) on the biology (larval development time, the weight of the last stage larvae, the pupal development time, the pupal weight, the eclosion rate, the maturation period, the adult weights, the adult longevity, and the percentage of adults) of G. mellonella, zinc oxide NPs were added to the larvae diet (honeycomb) at different doses (100, 500, 1000, 3000, and 5000 ppm).

Results

Results showed that pupal weights significantly decreased at 1000, 3000, and 5000 ppm doses of zinc oxide NPs when compared with control. Adult weight increased at 100 ppm zinc oxide NPs and the adult longevity of G. mellonella in the group exposed to 5000 ppm zinc oxide NP was longer than the control group. Finally, total male longevity extended in 500, 1000, 3000, and 5000 ppm zinc oxide NPs groups when compared to the control group.

Conclusions

The findings of this study contribute to evidence that the negative effects of ZnO NPs on biological properties on G. mellonella. In addition, the study reveals the adverse effects of zinc oxide NPs on a model experimental organism and provides an idea for researchers working on this subject in terms of new studies that can be done in future.
Endovascular therapies for hepatic artery stenosis post liver transplantation
Authors: Khati I. , Jacquier A. , Cadour F. , Bartoli A. , Graber M. , Hardwigsen J. , Tradi F. , Barral P.-A.
Published: December 2022

Purpose

To evaluate primary patency at 12 months after endovascular therapies in hepatic artery stenosis.

Methods

A retrospective review of all endovascular interventions for hepatic artery stenosis (HAS) after liver transplantation that occurred between June 2013 and November 2020 was performed at a single institution in France. Follow up occurred from 1 month to 4 years (median 15 months). The treatment consisted of dilation with a balloon or stent. We analyzed short-term (technical success and complications) and long-term outcomes (liver function, arterial patency, graft survival at 12 months (GS), and reintervention). We also compared percutaneous balloon angioplasty (PBA) with stent placement. PBA alone was used if < 30% residual stenosis of the hepatic artery was achieved. Stenting was performed if there was greater than 30% residual stenosis and in the case of complications (dissection or rupture).

Results

A total of 18 stenoses were suspected on the basis of routine surveillance duplex ultrasound imaging (peak systolic velocity > 200 cm/s, systolic accelerating time > 10 ms and resistive index < 0.5), all of which were confirmed by angio CT, but only 17 were confirmed by angiography.

Seventeen patients were included (14 males, mean age 57 years; and three females, mean age 58 years).

Interventions were performed in 17 cases (95%) with PBA only (5/17), stent only (5/17) or both (4/17).

Immediate technical success was 100%. Major complications occurred in 1 of 17 cases (5.8%), consisting of target vessel dissection. The analysis of the three (groups PBA only, stent only or both) showed the same procedural success (100%), GS (100%) and normal liver function after the procedures but different rates of complications (20% vs. 0% vs. 0%), arterial patency at 12 months (60% vs. 80% vs. 85%) (p = 0.4), early stenosis (40% vs. 80% vs. 0%) or late stenosis (60% vs. 20% vs. 100%) and requirement for reintervention (40% vs. 20% vs. 14%) (p = 0.56).

Conclusion

This study suggests that PBA, stent, or both procedures show the same primary patency at 12 months.

It is probably not a definitive answer, but these treatments are safe and effective for extending graft survival in the context of graft shortages.
Identification of a novel C6 protein encoded by tomato leaf curl China virus
Authors: Wang Zhiyuan , Wang Yaqin , Lozano-Duran Rosa , Hu Tao , Zhou Xueping
Published: December 2022

Begomoviruses cause significant losses to a wide range of crops worldwide, and a great progress has been made in characterizing some noncanonical proteins encoded by begomoviruses. In the present study, a novel viral protein, C6, was detected in Nicotiana benthamiana plants infected with tomato leaf curl China virus (ToLCCNV). Sequence analyses revealed that the C6 ORF is on the complementary strand of approximately 36% reported begomovirus sequences with conserved amino acid sequence. ToLCCNV C6 specifically localizes to mitochondria. Analysis of deletion mutants showed that C6 possesses an internal mitochondrial targeting signal. Overall, these data uncover a novel begomovirus-encoded protein targeting distinct plant cell organelles.
The impulsive online shopper: effects of COVID-19 burnout, uncertainty, self-control, and online shopping trust
Authors: Zhao Shunying , Yang Qiang , Im Hohjin , Ye Baojuan , Zeng Yadi , Chen Zhinan , Liu Lu , Huang Dawu
Published: December 2022

Consumerism during the COVID-19 pandemic has been characterized by impulsive buying. Using the theoretical lens of uncertainty avoidance and ego-depletion to identify the mediating mechanisms and moderating factors for online impulse buying, we surveyed young consumers across two relevant periods for high consumerism—the week preceding the 2021 Chinese Spring Festival (Study 1; February 4–9, 2021, n = 1495) and the weeks during and after the festival (Study 2; February 12 to March 2, 2021, n = 923). Perception of COVID-19 variant uncertainty was both directly and indirectly (via online shopping trust) positively associated with online impulse buying. COVID-19 burnout was consistently indirectly associated with online impulse buying via self-regulation and self-appraised impulsivity but inconsistently directly associated. Self-regulation was surprisingly positively associated with online impulse buying, possibly reflecting evidence of already depleted resources from prolonged regulatory exertion among high self-regulators. Self-appraised impulsivity negatively interacted with perception of COVID-19 variant uncertainty, suggesting that as trait impulsivity increases, individuals are less incentivized by peripheral drivers of online impulse buying.