bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Consensus-based guidelines for the provision of palliative and end-of-life care for people living with epidermolysis bullosa
Authors: Popenhagen Mark P. , Genovese Paola , Blishen Mo , Rajapakse Dilini , Diem Anja , King Alex , Chan Jennifer , Pellicer Arasa Eduard , Baird Simone , Ferreira da Rocha Anna Carolina , Stitt Gideon , Badger Kellie , Zmazek Vlasta , Ambreen Faiza , Mackenzie Caroline , Price Harper , Roberts Toni , Moore Zena , Patton Declan , Murphy Paul , Mayre-Chilton Kattya
Published: September 2023

Background

Inherited epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a cluster of rare, genetic skin and mucosal fragility disorders with multi-system and secondary effects, in which blistering and erosions occur in response to friction/mechanical trauma. Considering the incurable and potentially life-limiting nature of the condition and the challenges posed by its symptoms, a palliative approach to EB-related care is necessary. However, knowledge and experience related to the provision of EB palliative care is minimal. Evidence-based, best care guidelines are needed to establish a base of knowledge for practitioners to prevent or ease suffering while improving comfort at all stages of the illness, not just the end of life.

Methods

This consensus guideline (CG) was begun at the request of DEBRA International, an international organization dedicated to improvement of care, research, and dissemination of knowledge for EB patients, and represents the work of an international panel of medical experts in palliative care and EB, people living with EB, and people who provide care for individuals living with EB. Following a rigorous, evidence-based guideline development process, the author panel identified six clinical outcomes based on the results of a survey of people living with EB, carers, and medical experts in the field, as well as an exhaustive and systematic evaluation of literature. Recommendations for the best clinical provision of palliative care for people living with EB for each of the outcomes were reached through panel consensus of the available literature.

Results

This article presents evidence-based recommendations for the provision of palliative healthcare services that establishes a base of knowledge and practice for an interdisciplinary team approach to ease suffering and improve the quality of life for all people living with EB. Any specific differences in the provision of care between EB subtypes are noted.

Conclusions

Because there is yet no cure for EB, this evidence-based CG is a means of optimizing and standardizing the IDT care needed to reduce suffering while improving comfort and overall quality of life for people living with this rare and often devastating condition.
Targeted next-generation sequencing for detection of PIK3CA mutations in archival tissues from patients with Klippel–Trenaunay syndrome in an Asian population
Authors: Sasaki Yuki , Ishikawa Kosuke , Hatanaka Kanako C. , Oyamada Yumiko , Sakuhara Yusuke , Shimizu Tadashi , Saito Tatsuro , Murao Naoki , Onodera Tomohiro , Miura Takahiro , Maeda Taku , Funayama Emi , Hatanaka Yutaka , Yamamoto Yuhei , Sasaki Satoru
Published: September 2023

Background

Klippel–Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) is a rare slow-flow combined vascular malformation with limb hypertrophy. KTS is thought to lie on the PIK3CA-related overgrowth spectrum, but reports are limited. PIK3CA encodes p110α, a catalytic subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) that plays an essential role in the PI3K/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. We aimed to demonstrate the clinical utility of targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) in identifying PIK3CA mosaicism in archival formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues from patients with KTS.

Results

Participants were 9 female and 5 male patients with KTS diagnosed as capillaro-venous malformation (CVM) or capillaro-lymphatico-venous malformation (CLVM). Median age at resection was 14 years (range, 5–57 years). Median archival period before DNA extraction from FFPE tissues was 5.4 years (range, 3–7 years). NGS-based sequencing of PIK3CA achieved an amplicon mean coverage of 119,000x. PIK3CA missense mutations were found in 12 of 14 patients (85.7%; 6/8 CVM and 6/6 CLVM), with 8 patients showing the hotspot variants E542K, E545K, H1047R, and H1047L. The non-hotspot PIK3CA variants C420R, Q546K, and Q546R were identified in 4 patients. Overall, the mean variant allele frequency for identified PIK3CA variants was 6.9% (range, 1.6–17.4%). All patients with geographic capillary malformation, histopathological lymphatic malformation or macrodactyly of the foot had PIK3CA variants. No genotype–phenotype association between hotspot and non-hotspot PIK3CA variants was found. Histologically, the vessels and adipose tissues of the lesions showed phosphorylation of the proteins in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, including p-AKT, p-mTOR, and p-4EBP1.

Conclusions

The PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in mesenchymal tissues was activated in patients with KTS. Amplicon-based targeted NGS could identify low-level mosaicism from low-input DNA extracted from FFPE tissues, potentially providing a diagnostic option for personalized medicine with inhibitors of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.
The impact of PECS II blockade in patients undergoing minimally invasive cardiac surgery—a prospective, randomized, controlled, and triple-blinded trial
Authors: Hoerner Elisabeth , Stundner Ottokar , Naegele Felix , Fiala Anna , Bonaros Nikolaos , Mair Peter , Holfeld Johannes , Gasteiger Lukas
Published: September 2023

Background

Classic neuraxial techniques, such as thoracic epidural anesthesia, or alternative approaches like the paravertebral block, are not indicated in cardiac surgery due to increased bleeding risk. To provide satisfactory analgesia without the need for excessive opioid use, novel ultrasound techniques gained popularity and are of growing interest. The pectoralis nerve block II (PECS II) has been shown to provide good postoperative analgesia in modified radical mastectomy and might also be suitable for minimally invasive cardiac surgery.

Methods

In a single center, prospective, triple-blinded, two-group randomized trial, 60 patients undergoing elective, unilateral minimal invasive cardiac surgery will be randomized to receive a PECS II with 30 ml of ropivacaine 0.5% (intervention group) or sodium chloride 0.9% (placebo group). The primary outcome parameter is the overall opioid demand given as intravenous morphine milligram equivalents (MME) during the first 24 h after extubation. Secondary endpoints are the visual analog scale (VAS) 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24 h after extubation, the Overall Benefit of Analgesia Score (OBAS) after 24 h, the interval until extubation, and intensive care unit (ICU) discharge within 24 h, as well as the length of hospital stay (LOS).

Discussion

This prospective randomized, controlled, and triple-blinded trial aims to assess if a PECS II with ropivacaine 0.5% helps to decrease the opioid demand in the first 24 h and increases postoperative pain control after minimally invasive cardiac surgery.

Trial registration

www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu; EudraCT Nr: 2021–005452-11; Lukas Gasteiger MD, November 18, 2021.
Bartonella infections are prevalent in rodents despite efficient immune responses
Authors: Rodríguez-Pastor Ruth , Hasik Adam Z. , Knossow Nadav , Bar-Shira Enav , Shahar Naama , Gutiérrez Ricardo , Zaman Luis , Harrus Shimon , Lenski Richard E. , Barrick Jeffrey E. , Hawlena Hadas
Published: September 2023

Background

Pathogens face strong selection from host immune responses, yet many host populations support pervasive pathogen populations. We investigated this puzzle in a model system ofBartonellaand rodents from Israel’s northwestern Negev Desert. We chose to study this system because, in this region, 75–100% of rodents are infected withBartonellaat any given time, despite an efficient immunological response. In this region,Bartonellaspecies circulate in three rodent species, and we tested the hypothesis that at least one of these hosts exhibits a waning immune response toBartonella, which allows reinfections.

Methods

We inoculated captive animals of all three rodent species with the sameBartonellastrain, and we quantified the bacterial dynamics andBartonella-specific immunoglobulin G antibody kinetics over a period of 139 days after the primary inoculation, and then for 60 days following reinoculation with the same strain.

Results

Contrary to our hypothesis, we found a strong, long-lasting immunoglobulin G antibody response, with protective immunological memory in all three rodent species. That response prevented reinfection upon exposure of the rodents to the sameBartonellastrain.

Conclusions

This study constitutes an initial step toward understanding how the interplay between traits ofBartonellaand their hosts influences the epidemiological dynamics of these pathogens in nature.

Graphical Abstract
The first report on Hepatozoon canis in dogs and wolves in Poland: clinical and epidemiological features
Authors: Tołkacz Katarzyna , Kretschmer Milena , Nowak Sabina , Mysłajek Robert W. , Alsarraf Mustafa , Wężyk Dagmara , Bajer Anna
Published: September 2023

Background

Canine hepatozoonosis caused by Hepatozoon canis is a common infection in dogs, with frequent case reports from the Mediterranean region and more recently from several Central European countries, such as Hungary and Germany. Despite the high prevalence of H. canis in red foxes, no infections have been reported to date in dogs in Poland. We describe here the first autochthonous cases of H. canis infection in dogs, including their clinical features, and report the prevalence of H. canis in grey wolves from different regions of Poland.

Methods

Thin smears prepared from blood samples collected from dogs were evaluated by microscopic examination. A total of 60 wolves and 47 dogs were tested. Infections were confirmed by PCR and sequencing.

Results

Gamonts of H. canis were found in > 50% of the neutrophils of two dogs and in < 10% of the neutrophils in another five dogs. Molecular typing by PCR sequencing of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene fragment confirmed infections in 11 dogs from different regions of Poland, in 2.7% of dogs attending veterinary practices in central Poland and in 35% of wolves from various geographical regions of Poland. Clinical features manifested mostly in older dogs, and the most common signs were anaemia and apathy. Young dogs usually remained asymptomatic.

Conclusions

This is the first report of H. canis infection in dogs and wolves in Poland. Although the exact vector of the parasite is not known, veterinary practitioners should be aware of this new parasitosis and should consider appropriate diagnostics to confirm/exclude this infection. Further studies are needed to understand the transmission routes of H. canis in domestic and wild canids in Poland.

Graphical Abstract
Revealing the developmental origin and lineage predilection of neural progenitors within human bone marrow via single-cell analysis: implications for regenerative medicine
Authors: Changmeng Zhang , Hongfei Wang , Cheung Martin Chi-Hang , Chan Ying-Shing , Shea Graham Ka-Hon
Published: September 2023

Background

Human bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) are an easily accessible and expandable progenitor population with the capacity to generate neural cell types in addition to mesoderm. Lineage tracing studies in transgenic animals have indicated Nestin + BMSCs to be descended from the truncal neural crest. Single-cell analysis provides a means to identify the developmental origin and identity of human BMSC-derived neural progenitors when lineage tracing remains infeasible. This is a prerequisite towards translational application.

Methods

We attained transcriptomic profiles of embryonic long bone, adult human bone marrow, cultured BMSCs and BMSC-derived neurospheres. Integrated scRNAseq analysis was supplemented by characterization of cells during culture expansion and following provision of growth factors and signalling agonists to bias lineage.

Results

Reconstructed pseudotime upon the integrated dataset indicated distinct neural and osteogenic differentiation trajectories. The starting state towards the neural differentiation trajectory consisted of Nestin + /MKI67 + BMSCs, which could also be diverted towards the osteogenic trajectory via a branch point. Nestin + /PDGFRA + BMSCs responded to neurosphere culture conditions to generate a subpopulation of cells with a neuronal phenotype according to marker expression and gene ontogeny analysis that occupied the end state along the neural differentiation trajectory. Reconstructed pseudotime also revealed an upregulation of BMP4 expression during culture of BMSC-neurospheres. This provided the rationale for culture supplementation with the BMP signalling agonist SB4, which directed progenitors to upregulate Pax6 and downregulate Nestin.

Conclusions

This study suggested BMSCs originating from truncal neural crest to be the source of cells within long bone marrow possessing neural differentiation potential. Unravelling the transcriptomic dynamics of BMSC-derived neural progenitors promises to enhance differentiation efficiency and safety towards clinical application in cell therapy and disease modelling.
A bioavailable form of curcumin suppresses cationic host defence peptides cathelicidin and calprotectin in a murine model of collagen-induced arthritis
Authors: Hemshekhar Mahadevappa , Lloyd Dylan , El-Gabalawy Hani , Mookherjee Neeloffer
Published: September 2023

Curcumin, a component of the South-Asian spice turmeric, elicits anti-inflammatory functions. We have previously demonstrated that a highly bioavailable formulation of cucurmin, Cureit/Acumin™ (CUR), can suppress disease onset and severity, in a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse model. In a previous study, we have also shown that the abundance of antimicrobial host defence peptides, specifically cathelicidin (CRAMP) and calprotectin (S100A8 and S100A9), is significantly increased in the joint tissues of CIA mice. Elevated levels of cathelicidin and calprotectin have been associated with the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, in this study, we examined the effect CUR administration on the abundance of cathelicidin and calprotectin in the joints, in a CIA mouse model. Here, we demonstrate that daily oral administration of CUR significantly reduces the elevated levels of CRAMP and calprotectin to baseline in the joints of CIA mice. We also show a linear correlation between the abundance of these peptides in the joints with serum inflammatory cytokines TNFα, IFNγ, and MCP-1. Overall, our results suggest that oral administration of a bioavailable CUR can suppress cathelicidin and calprotectin in the joints and regulate both local (joints) and systemic (serum) inflammation, in inflammatory arthritis.
Dissemination of endometrial cancer MRI staging guidelines among young radiologists: an ESUR Junior Network survey
Authors: Stanzione Arnaldo , Hornia Eduardo Alvarez , Moreira Ana Sofia Linhares , Russo Luca , Andrieu Pamela Causa , Carnelli Carlos , Cuocolo Renato , Brembilla Giorgio , Zawaideh Jeries Paolo ,   for the ESUR Junior Network Committee, Alessandrino Francesco , Bonanno Nathania , Bura Vlad , de Rooij Maarten , Konidari Marianna , Panico Camilla , Palm Viktoria , Pecoraro Martina , Ponsiglione Andrea , Sharaf Doaa E. , Sofia Carmelo , Wu Chen-Jiang
Published: September 2023

Objectives

Imaging guidelines could play an important role in the training of radiologists, but the extent of their adoption in residency programs is unclear. With this survey, the European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR) Junior Network aimed to assess the dissemination of the ESUR guidelines on endometrial cancer MRI staging (EC-ESUR guidelines) among young radiologists.

Methods

An online questionnaire targeted to last year radiology residents and radiologists in the first year of their career was designed. It included 24 questions, structured in 4 sections (i.e., background, general, acquisition protocol, interpretation, and reporting). The survey was active between April and May 2022, accepting answers worldwide. Answers were solicited with a social media campaign and with the support of national scientific societies. Subgroup analysis was performed based on variables such as subspecialty of interest and number of EC-ESUR guidelines consultations using the Wilcoxon rank sum test.

Results

In total, 118 participants completed the questionnaire, of which 94 (80%) were from Europe and 46 (39%) with a special interest in urogenital radiology. Overall, 68 (58%) stated that the guidelines were not part of their residency teaching programs while 32 (27%) had never even consulted the guidelines. Interest in urogenital radiology as a subspecialty and EC-ESUR guidelines consultations were associated with greater confidence in supervising scan acquisition, interpreting, and reporting EC MRI staging exams.

Conclusion

Four years after publication, the adoption of EC-ESUR guidelines in residency programs is heterogeneously low. Despite a possible selection bias, our findings indicate that active promotion of EC-ESUR guidelines is required.

Key points

• The adoption of ESUR guidelines on endometrial cancer in radiology residency programs is heterogeneous.

• Almost one third of respondents stated they had never even consulted the guidelines.

• Confidence toward guidelines was higher in those who were exposed to more endometrial cancer MRI staging scans.

• Reading the guidelines was associated with a greater confidence in protocol acquisition, interpretation, and reporting.

• Active efforts to promote their dissemination are required.
Design of reverse converters for the general RNS 3-moduli set {2k, 2n − 1, 2n + 1}
Authors: Patronik Piotr , Piestrak Stanisław J.
Published: September 2023

This paper presents a new design method of the reverse (residue-to-binary) converter for the flexible 3-moduli residue number system (RNS) set$$\{ 2^k, 2^n-1, 2^n+1 \}$${2k,2n-1,2n+1}, wherekandnare a pair of arbitrary integers$$\ge 2$$≥2. The basic equation of the reverse converter is formulated in two alternative forms, each of which consists of two separate parts: one depending on input variables of the converter, and the other being a single constant. The constant can be either added inside the reverse converter or shifted out to the residue datapath channels, in most cases at no hardware cost or extra delay. From the set of basic functions, which are essentially different than those of the only two known general converters proposed for this moduli set, four versions of a converter can be designed for any pair ofkandn. Experimental results obtained using the commercial 65-nm low-power design kit and industrial synthesis tools for all dynamic ranges from 8 to 40 bits suggest that, compared to the state-of-the-art designs, at least one version of the newly proposed converters is superior w.r.t. delay, power consumption, and area, for all dynamic ranges considered. The savings for the best versions (these with constants moved to the datapath channels) are up to 12.7% for the area and from 2.5% to 14% (5.8 % on average) for the delay, while the power consumption is reduced up to 23.2% (5.6% on average).
Smartphone and Instagram use, body dissatisfaction, and eating disorders: investigating the associations using self-report and tracked data
Authors: Rozgonjuk Dmitri , Ignell Johanna , Mech Franziska , Rothermund Eva , Gündel Harald , Montag Christian
Published: September 2023

Background

Previous research has linked smartphone and Instagram use to higher body dissatisfaction (BD) as well as eating disorder (ED) symptomatology. However, these studies have typically been limited to using self-report measures for technology use which, as shown by scientific literature, might not be reliable. In the present work, we combine self-reported assessments as well as tracked smartphone and Instagram use.

Methods

The effective sample comprised N = 119 women (34 with ED diagnosis history) who were queried about BD and ED symptomatology, and who provided the data about their smartphone and Instagram use duration for each day of the previous week.

Results

The study results show that women with an ED diagnosis history scored higher on both BD as well as ED scales. Although women with an ED diagnosis history had higher smartphone screen time, there were no statistically significant differences in Instagram screen time. Tracked smartphone use duration was positively correlated with both BD and ED symptomatology, but the role of Instagram use needs to be further elucidated.

Conclusions

The results of this study show that while BD and ED symptomatology are correlated with smartphone use, it may be that Instagram use is not the main contributor to that relationship.
Abnormal accumulation of extracellular vesicles in hippocampal dystrophic axons and regulation by the primary cilia in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Jang Jaemyung , Yeo Seungeun , Baek Soonbong , Jung Hyun Jin , Lee Mi Suk , Choi Seung Hee , Choe Youngshik
Published: September 2023

Dystrophic neurites (DNs) are abnormal axons and dendrites that are swollen or deformed in various neuropathological conditions. In Alzheimer’s disease (AD), DNs play a crucial role in impairing neuronal communication and function, and they may also contribute to the accumulation and spread of amyloid beta (Aβ) in the brain of AD patients. However, it is still a challenge to understand the DNs of specific neurons that are vulnerable to Aβ in the pathogenesis of AD. To shed light on the development of radiating DNs, we examined enriched dystrophic hippocampal axons in a mouse model of AD using a three-dimensional rendering of projecting neurons. We employed the anterograde spread of adeno-associated virus (AAV)1 and conducted proteomic analysis of synaptic compartments obtained from hippocampo-septal regions. Our findings revealed that DNs were formed due to synaptic loss at the axon terminals caused by the accumulation of extracellular vesicle (EV). Abnormal EV-mediated transport and exocytosis were identified in association with primary cilia, indicating their involvement in the accumulation of EVs at presynaptic terminals. To further address the regulation of DNs by primary cilia, we conducted knockdown of the Ift88 gene in hippocampal neurons, which impaired EV-mediated secretion of Aβ and promoted accumulation of axonal spheroids. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we identified the septal projecting hippocampal somatostatin neurons (SOM) as selectively vulnerable to Aβ with primary cilia dysfunction and vesicle accumulation. Our study suggests that DNs in AD are initiated by the ectopic accumulation of EVs at the neuronal axon terminals, which is affected by neuronal primary cilia.

Graphical abstract
Spatial pattern and influencing factors of land border cultural heritage in China
Authors: Zhang Shengrui , Chi Lei , Zhang Tongyan , Ju Hongrun
Published: September 2023

This paper provides an analysis of China’s land border cultural heritage, aiming to offer guidance for its protection and development. The study compiled a comprehensive database of heritage sites and analyzed their mathematical characteristics based on quantity, type, and quality. The spatial pattern of the cultural heritage was described using kernel density analysis, spatial variability, and spatial correlation, while the driving mechanism was measured based on Geo-Detector model. The findings revealed that the land border areas of China have a total of 1227 cultural heritage, comprising two main types and 18 subtypes. National cultural heritage accounted for 22.74%, with ancient city ruins being the largest type of cultural heritage. The Southwest and Northeast regions of China exhibited high-high clusters and low-low clusters, respectively. Moreover, the study identified history of administrative succession, evolution of historical and cultural, altitude, distance from the city, population density, minority population ratio, urbanization process, and per capita GDP as significant factors impacting the spatial pattern of land border cultural heritage in China. Based on these findings, the study suggests that the government should invest more in border cultural heritage, improve transportation infrastructure in border areas, ensure dynamic inheritance and protection of cultural heritage, and promote the joint development of different types of cultural heritage. The research results will provide data support and decision-making reference for the sustainable development of cultural heritage in land border areas, and can provide a new perspective for the management of cultural heritage in similar areas.
Role of dexmedetomidine in modifying immune paralysis in patients with septic shock: randomized controlled trial
Authors: Elayashy Mohamed , Elsayed Eman A. , Mukhtar Ahmed M. , Kasem Sahar , Elmetwally Sara A. , Habib Sara , Abdelfattah Walaa , Ghaith Doaa , Hussein Amr
Published: September 2023

Background

Immune paralysis can be defined as a hypoinflammatory state associated with the incapacity of the immune system to release proinflammatory mediators despite the clearance of pathogens by antimicrobials. Persistent immune paralysis leads to failure to eradicate primary infections with a substantial increase in the risk of multiorgan dysfunction and mortality. The state of immune paralysis is caused mainly by the diminished ability of monocytes to release proinflammatory cytokines in response to endotoxin. This phenomenon is known as endotoxin tolerance. This study aimed to assess the role of dexmedetomidine in modifying immune paralysis in septic shock patients.

Methods

Twenty-four patients with septic shock were randomized into two groups of 12 patients. A continuous intravenous infusion of dexmedetomidine started at 0.15 µg kg−1 hr−1 and adjusted by 0.15 µg kg−1 h−1 to a maximum of 0.75 µg kg−1 h−1 (10 ml h−1), while midazolam was started at 1 mg h−1 (2 mL hr−1) and adjusted by 1 mg h−1 to a maximum of 5 mg h−1 (10 mL h−1). All infusions were adjusted by increments of 2 mL/hr−1 to maintain blinding. Serum levels of CD42a+/CD14+, HLADR+/CD14+, CRP, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α were measured at baseline (T1), 12 h (T2), and 24 h (T3).

Results

Treatment with dexmedetomidine yielded no significant difference in CD42a+/CD14+, HLADR+/CD14, CD24b-MFI, HLADR-MFI, IL6 and TREM1 at all time points when compared with midazolam treatment. There was no significant difference in TLR levels between the two groups. Cardiac output in the dexmedetomidine group showed a significant decrease at 6, 12 and 24 h (P = 0.033, 0.021, and 0.005, respectively) compared with that in the midazolam group.

Conclusion

Our results indicated that dexmedetomidine did not affect CD42a+/CD14+ and HLA-DR+/CD14+ expression in septic patients. Furthermore, cytokine production and inflammatory biomarkers did not change with dexmedetomidine infusion.

Trial registration Clinical trial.gov registry (NCT03989609) on June 14, 2019, https://register.clinicaltrials.gov.
Functional rehabilitation of the maxillary sinus after modified endoscopic sinus surgery for displaced dental implants
Authors: Sodnom-Ish Buyanbileg , Eo Mi Young , Lee Ju Young , Seo Mi Hyun , Kim Soung Min
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Dental implants may become displaced into the maxillary sinus due to insufficient primary stability, changes in nasal air pressure, or surrounding bone resorption and should be removed as soon as possible. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the modified endoscopic sinus surgery (MESS) approach for removal of displaced dental implants.

Methods

From September 2010 to November 2021, we studied 15 cases with displaced implants in the maxillary sinus. The patient characteristics, medical history, clinical and imaging results, and post-removal outcomes were retrospectively assessed.

Results

The symptoms included sinusitis (100%), pain (26.6%), postnasal drip (6.6%), nasal obstruction (26.6%), and oroantral communication (26.6%). Two cases were managed through the crestal approach (13.3%), while two cases were treated with the Caldwell–Luc procedure (13.3%). One case was addressed using functional endoscopic sinus surgery (6.7%), while 10 cases were managed with the MESS approach (66.7%). MESS allows functional rehabilitation of mucociliary clearance by the cilia in the sinus membrane. Implant displacement into the maxillary sinus can be classified as early, late, or delayed displacement.

Conclusions

MESS is a reliable treatment option that can identify migrated dental implants in any part of the sinus with endoscopic assistance for functional rehabilitation of the maxillary sinus without postoperative sequelae.
Laparoscopic intervention for late-onset perforating peritonitis due to a ventriculoperitoneal shunt: a case report and literature review
Authors: Morinaga Takeshi , Nakahara Osamu , Tsuji Akira , Kuramoto Kunitaka , Iizaka Masayoshi , Hayashida Shintaro , Ohya Yuki , Hitoshi Yasuyuki , Inomata Yukihiro
Published: September 2023

Background

Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement is commonly performed to treat hydrocephalus and complications are not uncommon. We report here a case of generalized peritonitis caused by migration of the abdominal end of a VP shunt catheter into the bowel after multiple VP shunt revisions over 30 years. Laparoscopic surgery was successfully performed for the peritonitis and the VP shunt system subsequently reconstructed without complications.

Case presentation

The patient was a 49-year-old woman who had a VP shunt placed for obstructive hydrocephalus at the age of 13 years. The shunt system required seven revisions because of various malfunctions, including two occasions where a nonfunctioning shunt catheter was left inside the abdomen for safety reasons. Approximately 1 year after the seventh revision, she developed abdominal pain and fever. Abdominal computed tomography suggested that the shunt catheter had migrated into the small intestine and caused an intra-abdominal abscess. We performed emergency exploratory laparoscopy, which revealed perforation of the small intestine by the tip of a nonfunctioning shunt catheter. A growing abscess was found around the perforated intestinal wall, causing bacterial ascites. After the functioning shunt catheter was pulled out from the abdomen, the nonfunctioning catheter that had perforated the intestinal wall was removed. The functioning shunt catheter was then connected to the cerebrospinal fluid drainage system to manage her severe hydrocephalus. Finally, the contaminated abdominal cavity was copiously irrigated with saline solution and a peritoneal drain placed. Twenty-five days later, she underwent another VP shunt surgery in which a VP shunt catheter was placed. She was discharged 45 days after the surgery for peritonitis without complications.

Conclusion

In cases of peritonitis with a history of VP shunt placement, perforation by a VP shunt catheter is possible, though rare. A delay in treatment could lead to a potentially fatal complication, such as septic shock. Laparoscopic surgery enabled a faster, more hygienic, and minimally invasive operation for managing this rare but serious complication of VP shunt placement.
Transcatheter aortic valve-in-surgical aortic valve for a patient with repeated healed endocarditis: a case report
Authors: Takei Yusuke , Suzuki Ryujiro , Shibasaki Ikuko , Tokura Michiaki , Nasuno Takahisa , Yazawa Hiroko , Wada Mayo , Saito Fumiya , Toyoda Shigeru , Fukuda Hirotugu
Published: September 2023

Background

Transcatheter valve replacement is contraindicated in patients with active infective endocarditis. However, few reports suggest that it could be beneficial for high-risk surgical patients with healed infective endocarditis. Here, we report a case of a surgical transcatheter aortic valve in a patient with healed repeated prosthetic valve endocarditis using a stentless valve.

Case presentation

A 79-year-old female who underwent the Bentall procedure using a stentless valve and coronary artery bypass grafting for annuloaortic ectasia 22 years ago was hospitalized for stage II bioprosthetic valve failure. The patient had a history of prosthetic valve endocarditis three times: the first and second prosthetic valve endocarditis occurred 15 years ago, and the third prosthetic valve endocarditis occurred 3 years ago. The causative organisms were Campylobacter fetus and Enterococcus faecalis. With appropriate antibiotic therapy, the lesion was localized and healed completely without valve destruction; however, the patient developed rapid aortic regurgitation. Based on a review of the patient’s history of prosthetic valve endocarditis, the absence of signs of infection, and clinical findings of transesophageal echocardiography and computed tomography, a diagnosis of structural valve deterioration with healed infective endocarditis was made. Subsequently, a transcatheter aortic valve in a surgical aortic valve using a balloon-expandable type was performed, because the patient had a high surgical risk of 12.7%. The patient’s postoperative course was uneventful. At the 1-year follow-up, there were no signs of infection or valve abnormalities.

Conclusions

Transcatheter valve replacement can be a treatment option for high-risk surgical patients with healed limited lesions in infective endocarditis.
Authorship and citation patterns of highly cited biomedical researchers: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Perneger Thomas
Published: September 2023

Background

Scientific productivity is often evaluated by means of cumulative citation metrics. Different metrics produce different incentives. The H-index assigns full credit from a citation to each coauthor, and thus may encourage multiple collaborations in mid-list author roles. In contrast, the Hm-index assigns only a fraction 1/k of citation credit to each of k coauthors of an article, and thus may encourage research done by smaller teams, and in first or last author roles. Whether H and Hm indices are influenced by different authorship patterns has not been examined.

Methods

Using a publicly available Scopus database, I examined associations between the numbers of research articles published as single, first, mid-list, or last author between 1990 and 2019, and the H-index and the Hm-index, among 18,231 leading researchers in the health sciences.

Results

Adjusting for career duration and other article types, the H-index was negatively associated with the number of single author articles (partial Pearson r -0.06) and first author articles (-0.08), but positively associated with the number of mid-list (0.64) and last author articles (0.21). In contrast, all associations were positive for the Hm-index (0.04 for single author articles, 0.18 for first author articles, 0.24 for mid-list articles, and 0.46 for last author articles).

Conclusion

The H-index and the Hm-index do not reflect the same authorship patterns: the full-credit H-index is predominantly associated with mid-list authorship, whereas the partial-credit Hm-index is driven by more balanced publication patterns, and is most strongly associated with last-author articles. Since performance metrics may act as incentives, the selection of a citation metric should receive careful consideration.
The association of compassionate care and coping with disease among patients undergoing hemodialysis
Authors: Nikpey Shayan , Ghafourifard Mansour , Ghahramanian Akram
Published: September 2023

Background

Compassionate care is one of the concepts that is important to the care of patients with chronic diseases, especially for patients undergoing hemodialysis who deal with all kinds of problems and sufferings. This study aimed to measure the level of compassionate care from the perspective of hemodialysis patients and to assess the relationship between compassionate care and coping with the disease.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 240 patients undergoing hemodialysis in two hemodialysis centers. The participants were selected by random sampling method. Data were collected by the Schwartz Center Compassionate Care Scale (SCCCS) and the Brief COPE scale. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS (version 26) software using ANOVA, t test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient.

Results

The mean score of compassionate care from the perspective of patients on hemodialysis was 101.20 ± 17.47 out of 120. Among coping strategies, problem-focused strategies which are considered efficient were used more than other emotional-focused and avoidance coping strategies. Moreover, there was a significant and positive relationship of compassionate care with problem-focused and emotional-focused strategies (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

According to the results, providing compassionate care for patients on hemodialysis could help them to cope with their disease. Moreover, the results showed that providing compassionate care is associated with positive coping strategies. Therefore, it is suggested for healthcare working in the hemodialysis units provide high-quality compassionate care and help the patients and their families to cope with their chronic diseases.
Understanding the health risks and emerging concerns associated with the use of long-term proton pump inhibitors
Authors: Morris Nathan , Nighot Meghali
Published: September 2023

Background

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the most efficacious and common medications for gastric acid suppression. However, PPIs continue to perpetuate safety concerns due to the availability as an over-the-counter medication. This uncontrolled use of PPIs has recently been shown to be associated with the increased health risks.

Main body of the abstract

The inhibition of gastric acid production by irreversibly binding to and inhibiting the H+/K+ ATPase enzyme system can cause structural and physiologic changes in the GI microbiome, GI physiology, and pH. With the recent guideline updates from American Gastroenterological Association regarding deprescription of PPIs, this review focuses on the complications of long-term use of PPIs on various systems, gut microbiome, intestinal barrier and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Short conclusion

If PPI use in IBD patients is associated with increased risk of other adverse outcomes, considering the PPI-associated mineral, electrolyte and microbial alterations also needs rigorous evaluation.
Neonatal anthropometric measurements and its relation to maternal anthropometry and demographics
Authors: Tosson Angie M. S. , Sherif Islam K. , Sharaf Marwa Fouad , Elmazzahy Esraa Ahmed
Published: September 2023

Abtsract

Background

Healthy pregnancy and maternal health status influence fetal growth. Studies linking maternal and neonatal anthropometry showed confounding results.

Objectives

To study the relationship between maternal and neonatal anthropometry.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 491 full-term healthy newborns born to healthy mothers with uncomplicated pregnancy. Neonatal and maternal anthropometric measurements as well as detailed perinatal history were recorded.

Results

Third trimester weight, body mass index (BMI), and mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) were positively related to neonatal birth weight (BW), length and head circumference (HC) (p < 0.001 for all of them except for MUAC with length, p = 0.021). Maternal education was inversely related to BW (p = 0.031) and positively related to HC (p = 0.001). Consanguinity had a positive relation to HC (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Maternal 3rd trimester weight, MUAC, BMI, education, and consanguinity can be related to different neonatal anthropometric measurements.
Relation between morphological features of initial breast MRI and breast cancer molecular subtypes
Authors: Temerik Safaa Mohammed , Elwahab Saeda Mohamed Abd , Wahman Mohammed Mostafa , Ahmed Mohammed Youssef , Elwanis Mostafa Elsayed Abd
Published: September 2023

Background

Because different gene receptors might cause each case of breast cancer, the disease is classified as a heterogeneous form because it can be subdivided into molecular subtypes. These molecular subtypes are different in disease manifestation, therapeutic response, and prognosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has many applications in breast cancer's initial diagnosis and assessment of treatment response. The purpose of this research was to determine whether or not there is a correlation between specific morphological aspects of breast MRI in breast cancer and specific breast cancer subtypes and their impact on treatment decisions.

Results

There was an insignificant difference between different mass shapes and different molecular subtypes (P > 0.05). One hundred percent of triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) were rounded. Molecular subtypes and the spiculated mass border diverged significantly statistically (P = 0.023). The percentage of the hormonal receptor (HR)-positive breast cancers with a spiculated border (80%) was greater than TNBC (0%) and distinctively different (P = 0.044). Surgical alternatives were observed to correlate significantly with the MRI mass border type (P = 0.030). There was an insignificant difference between molecular subtypes and tumor size (P = 0.602), lymph nodes (P = 0.283), multicentricity (P = 0.386), and curve type (P = 0.107).

Conclusions

MRI breast imaging has an important role in diagnostic and prognostic settings. The morphological results of MRI can be a helpful tool in distinguishing between the various subtypes of breast cancer. There was a statistically significant difference between different molecular subtypes and the spiculated mass border (P = 0.023). There was a statistically significant difference between the type of breast cancer surgery and the mass border (P = 0.030).
A stable Q-compensated reverse-time migration method using a modified fractional viscoacoustic wave equation
Authors: Zhang Yabing , Chen Tongjun , Zhu Hejun , Liu Yang
Published: September 2023

Seismic wave propagation inside the earth is usually accompanied by amplitude dissipation and velocity dispersion. It is essential to accurately characterize these effects and make the corresponding compensations in seismic reverse-time migration (RTM) and the following interpretation. Due to the approximation of [Formula: see text] in the derivation, the conventional fractional viscoacoustic wave equation in strongly attenuative media is unsatisfactory. This paper develops a modified viscoacoustic wave equation by combining the relationship between angular frequency and complex wavenumber. The numerical simulation demonstrates its advantage of high accuracy in describing constant- Q effects, especially in strongly attenuative media with small Q values. A truncated Taylor-series expansion algorithm and a pseudospectral method are developed to solve this equation during wave propagation. To address the issue of numerical instability in Q-compensated RTM ( Q-RTM), a stabilized technology with regularization is further developed. Unlike the conventional filtering method implemented in the wavenumber domain, our approach only adds an explicit regularization term, which can be directly computed in the space domain. Furthermore, this regularization depends on velocities and quality factors, significantly improving its applicability in complicated structures. Noise-free data tests demonstrate that our Q-RTM method can effectively correct phase distortion, compensate for amplitude attenuation, and produce high-resolution migrated images without any cutoff-frequency artifacts caused by filtering. Noisy data experiments further verify the antinoise performance and robustness of our method.
Sparse time-frequency analysis of seismic data via convolutional neural network
Authors: Liu Naihao , Lei Youbo , Yang Yang , Wang Zhiguo , Liu Rongchang , Gao Jinghuai , Wei Tao
Published: September 2023

Time-frequency (TF) analysis is commonly used to reveal the local properties of seismic signals, such as frequency and spectral contents varying with time/depth. Aiming to realize a highly localized TF representation of seismic signals, researchers treated the TF analysis as an inverse problem, and the regularization is adopted in the objective functions. Traditionally, the TF sparse inversion process is solved by the Lasso regression. It has been proven that the Lasso regression needs a large number of iterations to reach a high accurate solution for the convex problem. Recently, convolutional neural network (CNN) has been successfully used to solve the convex problem due to their high computational efficiency and strong nonlinear characterization ability. We use CNN to solve the sparse TF inversion, and our method is called STFA-CNN. The objective function in the neural network architecture consists of two portions. The first one is to minimize the difference between the local forward and backward Fourier transform of seismic signals. The second is minimizing the regularization ([Formula: see text] norm) of TF results. To demonstrate the effectiveness of our method, we apply it to synthetic and real seismic data. We further use the calculated TF spectra to compute the attenuation of seismic waveforms and apply the attenuation attribute to predict the hydrocarbons of a seismic survey acquired over the Ordos Basin, northwest of China.
Ets-1 transcription factor regulates glial cell regeneration and function in planarians
Authors: Chandra Bidushi , Voas Matthew G. , Davies Erin L. , Roberts-Galbraith Rachel H.
Published: September 2023

Glia play multifaceted roles in nervous systems in response to injury. Depending on the species, extent of injury and glial cell type in question, glia can help or hinder the regeneration of neurons. Studying glia in the context of successful regeneration could reveal features of pro-regenerative glia that could be exploited for new human therapies. Planarian flatworms completely regenerate their nervous systems after injury – including glia – and thus provide a strong model system for exploring glia in the context of regeneration. Here, we report that planarian glia regenerate after neurons, and that neurons are required for correct glial numbers and localization during regeneration. We also identify the planarian transcription factor-encoding gene ets-1 as a key regulator of glial cell maintenance and regeneration. Using ets-1 (RNAi) to perturb glia, we show that glial loss is associated with altered neuronal gene expression, impeded animal movement and impaired nervous system architecture – particularly within the neuropil. Importantly, our work reveals the inter-relationships of glia and neurons in the context of robust neural regeneration.
HOPS-dependent lysosomal fusion controls Rab19 availability for ciliogenesis in polarized epithelial cells
Authors: Hoffman Huxley K. , Prekeris Rytis
Published: September 2023

Primary cilia are sensory cellular organelles crucial for organ development and homeostasis. Ciliogenesis in polarized epithelial cells requires Rab19-mediated clearing of apical cortical actin to allow the cilium to grow from the apically docked basal body into the extracellular space. Loss of the lysosomal membrane-tethering homotypic fusion and protein sorting (HOPS) complex disrupts this actin clearing and ciliogenesis, but it remains unclear how the ciliary function of HOPS relates to its canonical function in regulating late endosome–lysosome fusion. Here, we show that disruption of HOPS-dependent lysosomal fusion indirectly impairs actin clearing and ciliogenesis by disrupting the targeting of Rab19 to the basal body, and that this effect is specific to polarized epithelial cells. We also find that Rab19 functions in endolysosomal cargo trafficking in addition to having its previously identified role in ciliogenesis. In summary, we show that inhibition of lysosomal fusion leads to the abnormal accumulation of Rab19 on late endosomes, thus depleting Rab19 from the basal body and thereby disrupting Rab19-mediated actin clearing and ciliogenesis in polarized epithelial cells.