bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early versus delayed amniotomy with immediate oxytocin after Foley catheter cervical ripening in multiparous women with labor induction: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Jamaluddin Arifah , Azhary Jerilee Mariam Khong , Hong Jesrine Gek Shan , Hamdan Mukhri , Tan Peng Chiong
Published: July 2022

Objective

To evaluate immediate oxytocin and early amniotomy compared with delayed amniotomy after Foley catheter cervical ripening in multiparous women on intervention‐to‐delivery interval.

Methods

This randomized trial was conducted in Malaysia in 232 term multiparous women with balloon catheter–ripened cervixes (dilatation ≥3 cm), singleton fetus, cephalic presentation with intact membranes, and reassuring fetal heart rate tracing. They were randomized to immediate titrated intravenous oxytocin infusion and early amniotomy (116) or delayed amniotomy after 4 h of oxytocin (116). Primary outcome was intervention (oxytocin initiation)‐to‐delivery interval.

Results

Oxytocin‐to‐delivery intervals were a median of 4.99 h (interquartile range [IQR], 3.21–7.82 h) versus 6.23 h (IQR, 4.50–8.45 h) (P < 0.001) for the early versus delayed amniotomy arms, respectively. Delivery rate at 4 h and 6 h after oxytocin infusion were 40 of 116 (35%) versus 22 of 116 (19%) (relative risk [RR], 1.82 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.16–2.86], P = 0.011) and 77 of 116 (66%) versus 54 of 116 (47%) (RR, 1.43 [95% CI, 1.13–1.80], P = 0.003) for the early versus delayed amniotomy arms, respectively. Maternal satisfaction on birth process were 7 (IQR, 6–8) versus 7 (IQR, 7–8) (P = 0.006), uterine hyperstimulation rates were 10 of 116 (9%) versus 14 of 116 (12%) (RR, 0.71 [95% CI, 0.33–1.54]) (P = 0.519), and Cesarean delivery rates were 17 of 116 (15%) versus 19 of 116 (16%) (RR, 0.90 [95% CI, 0.49–1.63], P = 0.856) for the early versus delayed amniotomy arms, respectively.

Conclusion

In multiparas at term following cervical ripening by Foley catheter, immediate oxytocin and early amniotomy compared with a scheduled 4‐h delay to amniotomy shortens the interval to birth and decreases uterine hyperactivity in labor but lowers maternal satisfaction. The cesarean delivery rate is not significantly reduced.

Clinical Trial Registration

This study was registered with the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN) on September 29, 2020, with trial identification number: ISRCTN87066007 (https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN87066007). The first participant was recruited on September 29, 2020, after ISRCTN registry confirmation was received.
Maternal asthma in Australian indigenous women and perinatal outcomes: A whole population–linked study
Authors: Brew Bronwyn K. , Gibberd Alison , Marks Guy B. , Murphy Vanessa E. , Jorm Louisa , Chambers Georgina M. , Hartz Donna , Eades Sandra , McNamara Bridgette
Published: July 2022

Objective

To assess the association between maternal asthma and adverse perinatal outcomes in an Australian Indigenous population.

Methods

This prospective cohort study included all Indigenous mother and baby dyads for births from 2001 to 2013 in Western Australia (n = 25 484). Data were linked from Western Australia Births, Deaths, Midwives, Hospital, and Emergency Department collections. Maternal asthma was defined as a self‐reported diagnosis at an antenatal visit or hospitalization or emergency visit for asthma during pregnancy or less than 3 years before pregnancy. Associations with birth, labor, and pregnancy outcomes were assessed using generalized estimating equations. Asthma exacerbation during pregnancy and stratification by remoteness was also assessed.

Results

Maternal asthma was associated with placental abruption (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.59 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.07–2.35]), threatened preterm labor (aOR, 1.58 [95% CI, 1.39–1.79]), and emergency cesarean sections (aOR, 1.27 [95% CI, 1.13–1.44]). These risks increased further with an asthma exacerbation during pregnancy or if the mother was from a remote area. No associations were found for low birth weight, preterm birth, small for gestational age, or perinatal mortality.

Conclusion

Maternal asthma in Indigenous women is associated with an increased risk of emergency cesarean sections, placental abruption, and threatened preterm labor. These risks may be mitigated by improved management of asthma exacerbations during pregnancy.
Impact of an estrogen replacement regimen on live birth rate in frozen–thawed good‐quality embryo transfer
Authors: Şükür Yavuz Emre , Aslan Batuhan , Özmen Batuhan , Sönmezer Murat , Berker Bülent , Atabekoğlu Cem Somer , Aytaç Ruşen ,   MEETUP Team
Published: July 2022

Objective

To assess the impact of an estrogen replacement regimen on frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle outcome.

Methods

In the present retrospective cohort study, data of infertile women undergoing FET with good‐quality embryos were reviewed. The first group received 2 mg of estradiol hemihydrate (EH) once daily for 6 to 7 days, then twice daily for 4 to 5 days, and then three times a day until embryo transfer. The second group received EH twice daily for 7 to 8 days, then three times a day. The third group received EH three times a day constantly. The main outcome measure was live birth rate.

Results

In total, 394 FET cycles were included. The fixed 6‐mg group required the highest estradiol hemihydrate dose. The duration of estrogen treatment was significantly longer in the first group. Maximal endometrial thickness was highest in the second group (10.2 ± 1.3 mm vs. 9.6 ± 1.4 mm vs. 8.6 ± 0.9 mm, respectively; P < 0.001). The clinical pregnancy rates in the groups were 41.1%, 55.2%, and 42.2%, respectively (P = 0.035). Live birth rates were 40.8%, 50.9%, and 48.1%, respectively (P = 0.320).

Conclusion

In FET cycles with hormone replacement therapy, a step‐up 4‐mg regimen provides thicker endometrium with optimal‐dose estrogen in an adequate time frame. The tendency for increased clinical pregnancy and live birth rates is remarkable.
Short-Term Carbohydrate Restriction Impairs Bone Formation at Rest and During Prolonged Exercise to a Greater Degree than Low Energy Availability
Authors: Fensham Nikita C. , Heikura Ida A. , McKay Alannah K.A. , Tee Nicolin , Ackerman Kathryn E. , Burke Louise M.
Published: July 2022

Bone stress injuries are common in athletes, resulting in time lost from training and competition. Diets that are low in energy availability have been associated with increased circulating bone resorption and reduced bone formation markers, particularly in response to prolonged exercise. However, studies have not separated the effects of low energy availability per se from the associated reduction in carbohydrate availability. The current study aimed to compare the effects of these two restricted states directly. In a parallel group design, 28 elite racewalkers completed two 6-day phases. In the Baseline phase, all athletes adhered to a high carbohydrate/high energy availability diet (CON). During the Adaptation phase, athletes were allocated to one of three dietary groups: CON, low carbohydrate/high fat with high energy availability (LCHF), or low energy availability (LEA). At the end of each phase, a 25-km racewalk was completed, with venous blood taken fasted, pre-exercise, and 0, 1, 3 hours postexercise to measure carboxyterminal telopeptide (CTX), procollagen-1 N-terminal peptide (P1NP), and osteocalcin (carboxylated, gla-OC; undercarboxylated, glu-OC). Following Adaptation, LCHF showed decreased fasted P1NP (~26%; p < 0.0001, d = 3.6), gla-OC (~22%; p = 0.01, d = 1.8), and glu-OC (~41%; p = 0.004, d = 2.1), which were all significantly different from CON (p < 0.01), whereas LEA demonstrated significant, but smaller, reductions in fasted P1NP (~14%; p = 0.02, d = 1.7) and glu-OC (~24%; p = 0.049, d = 1.4). Both LCHF (p = 0.008, d = 1.9) and LEA (p = 0.01, d = 1.7) had significantly higher CTX pre-exercise to 3 hours post-exercise but only LCHF showed lower P1NP concentrations (p < 0.0001, d = 3.2). All markers remained unchanged from Baseline in CON. Short-term carbohydrate restriction appears to result in reduced bone formation markers at rest and during exercise with further exercise-related increases in a marker of bone resorption. Bone formation markers during exercise seem to be maintained with LEA although resorption increased. In contrast, nutritional support with adequate energy and carbohydrate appears to reduce unfavorable bone turnover responses to exercise in elite endurance athletes. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Conformational distributions of helical perfluoroalkyl substances and impacts on stability
Authors: Mifkovic Maleigh , Van Hoomissen Daniel J. , Vyas Shubham
Published: July 2022

Per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been widely used the past 70 years in numerous applications due to their chemical and thermal stability. Due to their robust stability, they are environmentally recalcitrant which made them one of the most persistent environmental contaminants. In addition to strong CF bond strength, oleophobicity, hydrophobicity, and high reduction–oxidation (redox) potential of PFAS has led to their inefficient degradation by traditional means. A characteristic of their structure is also their preference to adopt helical conformations along the carbon backbone, contrary to their hydrocarbon analogues. This work investigates the helical nature of perfluoroalkanes through their conformational distributions, especially as a benchmark for determining the impact of polar head groups, heteroatoms, and radical center on helical conformations. Since structure governs reactivity and molecular properties, it is important to assess if minor chemical perturbations in the structure will lead to changes in the conformations. Based on density functional theory calculations and comprehensive conformational distributions, it was concluded that the helicity is a local structural property which changes significantly with the presence of heteroatoms in the perfluoroalkyl chain as well as with the presence of radical centers.
Rational truncation, mutation, and halogenation of bradykinin neuropeptides as potent ACEII inhibitors by integrating molecular dynamics simulations, quantum mechanics calculations, and in vitro assays
Authors: Fu Jun , Chen Shenghui , Ni Zhong
Published: July 2022

Human angiotensin‐converting enzyme‐ii (ACEII) is involved in the brain renin‐angiotensin system and plays a key role in angiotensin metabolism and neural regulation. Here, we systematically investigated the intermolecular interaction of ACEII with its natural inhibitor bradykinin neuropeptide (BNP) at molecular level and found that the residue importance increases from peptide N‐ to C‐terminus; the four C‐terminal residues accumulatively account for ~70% total binding potency for BNP∆N to ACEII, which represent an N‐truncated tetrapeptide (BNP∆N) with comparable ACEII‐inhibitory activity with the full‐length BNP peptide. Mutagenesis analysis imparted that the mutation of BPPb∆N's two C‐terminal residues to phenylalanine (Phe) would largely impair its inhibitory activity, whereas such mutation on the two N‐terminal residues has only a moderate effect on the activity. The two N‐terminal Phe‐mutated tetrapeptides BNP∆N(I−2F) and BNP∆N(K−3F) were then used as templates and the ortho (o)‐, meta (m)‐, para (p)‐positions of the phenyl ring of their Phe residues were systematically substituted with different halogen types. The halogen substitution separately at the m‐position of BNP∆N(I−2F) Phe−2 residue and at the p‐position of BNP∆N(K−3F) Phe−3 residue can form a ternary halogen bonding system with ACEII His353/Lys368 residues and a binary bonding system with ACEII Glu403 residue, respectively. The [Br]Phe‐containing BNP∆N(I−2F‐mBr) and [I]Phe‐containing BNP∆N(K−3F‐pI) were determined to have high affinities for ACEII, which were improved considerably from their unsubstituted counterparts BNP∆N(I−2F) and BNP∆N(K−3F), respectively.
Arylsulfatase I is a prognostic biomarker for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and Pan‐cancer
Authors: Shen Yiming , Wei Zhengyu , Zhou Chongchang , Song Jiangping , Wang Jianing , Wang Jiada , Wu Linrong , Fang Shenzhe , Shen Zhisen
Published: July 2022

Background

Sulfatase gene family members mediate various biological functions in tumor stroma and tumor cell environments. However, the expressions and prognostic value of Arylsulfatase I (ARSI), a sulfatase gene family member, in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) have not been fully established.

Methods

Arylsulfatase I expressions in pan‐cancer were profiled using publicly available databases. Then, univariate Cox regression, Kaplan–Meier, and the Pearson's correlation analyses were performed to determine correlations between ARSI expressions and cancer prognosis, immune cell status, and drug sensitivity. Gene set variation analysis (GSVA) and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were used to assess the potential mechanisms underlying ARSI functions in HNSC.

Results

Arylsulfatase I was highly expressed in 15 cancer types, with significant expressions in HNSC. Elevated ARSI levels were associated with worse prognostic outcomes in HNSC patients. In addition, GSVA and GSEA showed that ARSI was highly involved in tumor cell escape and inflammatory responses. Expressions of ARSI negatively correlated with tumor mutation burden or microsatellite instability and positively correlated with immune‐related genes. Elevated ARSI expressions conferred poor tolerance to daporinad and sinularin, but increased cell sensitivity to dasatinib and XAV939.

Conclusion

Arylsulfatase I is a promising prognostic and therapeutic target for HNSC.
The prevalence of multiple drug resistance Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from patients with urinary tract infections
Authors: Jalil Mays B. , Al Atbee Mohammed Younus Naji
Published: July 2022

Background

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) and bacterial resistance to antibiotics is global health problem and a threat to public health in many countries.

Aims

The study aimed to determine the prevalence of MDR Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in UTI patients.

Materials & methods

The midstream urine samples of 120 patients were collected and cultured as described by the protocols at the respective sample collection sites on MacConkey Blood agar. Samples were tested by using the fully automated VITEK 2 Compact system for Gram‐negative identification and detection of antimicrobial susceptibility of microorganisms.

Results

The most prevalent pathogen was E. coli, which was found in 82 (68.3%) urine samples, followed by K. pneumonia, found in 38 (31.7%) urine samples. As far as antibiotic resistance is concerned, E. coli isolates were found to be highly resistant for ceftriaxone (89.0% of the isolates), ampicillin (86.6%), levofloxacin (82.9%), cefotaxime (79.3%), aztreonam (74.4%), ceftazidime (68.3%) and gentamicin, piperacillin, and trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole, 54.9 and 53.7%, respectively. The E. coli isolates were found to be relatively less resistant to imipenem (2.4%), cefepime (34.1%), and ciprofloxacin (35.4%). For K. pneumonia isolates, high resistance rates were observed for piperacillin (81.6%), levofloxacin (78.9%), ampicillin (76.3%), cefotaxime (73.7%), trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole (71.1%), ceftazidime (65.8%), gentamicin (63.2%), cefepime (50.0%), and aztreonam (44.7%). However, moderate resistance rates were detected for these were found to be less resistant for imipenem (13.2%), ceftriaxone (31.6%), and ciprofloxacin (36.8%).

Conclusion

E. coli and K. pneumoniae from the clinical isolates displayed high resistance to many antibiotics in UTI patients.
The predictive value of fibrinogen‐to‐albumin ratio in the active, severe active, and poor prognosis of systemic lupus erythematosus: A single‐center retrospective study
Authors: Dai Lu‐lu , Chen Cheng , Wu Jie , Cheng Jin‐feng , He Feng
Published: July 2022

Objective

To evaluate the prediction and effect of fibrinogen‐to‐albumin ratio (FAR) on active, severe active, and poor prognosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

One hundred and sixty‐eight patients with SLE who were treated in our hospital were enrolled, the clinical data, laboratory indexes, and disease prognosis of all patients were collected and analyzed.

Results

Triglyceride (TG), FAR, ESR, and anti‐dsDNA (+) were the influencing factors, while complement 3 (C3) was the protective factor of active SLE, the odds ratio (OR) values were 2.968, 3.698, 2.114, 2.727, and 0.652, respectively (p < 0.05). FAR, ESR, and anti‐dsDNA (+) were the influencing factors, while C3 was the protective factor of severe active SLE, the OR values were 3.791, 1.953, 2.187, and 0.742, respectively (p < 0.05). SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI), TG, FAR, and anti‐dsDNA (+) were the influencing factors, while C3 was the protective factor of poor prognosis SLE, the OR values were 3.024, 2.293, 3.012, 2.323, and 0.801, respectively (p < 0.05). FAR and FIB were positively correlated with SLEDAI, while ALB was negatively correlated with SLEDAI, the related coefficient (r) were 0.398, 0.267, −0.270, respectively. The receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis showed that the predictive values of FAR for active, severe active and poor prognosis SLE were 0.769, 0.769, and 0.734, respectively, were significant higher than FIB and ALB (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Fibrinogen‐to‐albumin ratio was an influencing factor of active, severe active, and poor prognosis SLE had higher predictive value than FIB and ALB for the activity and prognosis of SLE.
Genetic analyses of Vietnamese patients with oculocutaneous albinism
Authors: Thuong Ma Thi Huyen , Anh Luong Thi Lan , Nhung Vu Phuong , Ngoc Tran Thi Bich , Lan Hoang Thu , Phuong Doan Kim , Ha Nguyen Hai , Van Hai Nong , Ton Nguyen Dang
Published: July 2022

Background

Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) is an autosomal recessive disease with hypopigmentation in skin, hair, and eyes, causing by the complete absence or reduction of melanin in melanocytes. Many types of OCA were observed based on the mutation in different causing genes relating to albinism. OCA can occur in non‐syndromic and syndromic forms, where syndromic OCA coexists with additional systemic consequences beyond hypopigmentation and visual‐associated symptoms.

Methods

We performed whole exome sequencing in seven affected individuals (P1‐P7) for mutation identification, and then, Sanger sequencing was used for verifications.

Results

Among them, five patients (P1‐P5) have mutations on TYR gene including c.346C > T, c.929insC, c.115 T > C, and c.559_560ins25. The mutation on OCA2 and HPS1 genes was found in patient 6 (P6, OCA2 c.2323G > A) and patient 7 (P7, HPS1 c.972delC), respectively. Confirmation in parents (except the family of the elderly patient, P5) showed that the mother and the father in each family carried one of the variants that were detected in patients. Additionally, the effective genetic counseling was applied in the third pregnancy of a family with two OCA children (P1 and P2).

Conclusion

To our best knowledge, this is the first case with a novel homozygous missense mutation (c.115 T > C, p.W39R) in the TYR gene. This study provides a broader spectrum of mutations linked to the oculocutaneous albinism, an additional scientific basis for diagnosis, and appropriate genetic counseling for risk couples.
Doctoral students' intention to use assessments in their career: The incremental role of self‐reported competence
Authors: Bergquist Becca K. , Keen Megan A. , Ingram Paul B. , Morris Nicole M. , Schmidt Adam T.
Published: July 2022

Objective

Attaining competence in assessment is a necessary step in graduate training and has been defined to include multiple domains of training relevant to this attainment. While important to ensure trainees meet these standards of training, it is critical to understand how and if competence shapes a trainees' professional identity, therein promoting lifelong competency.

Methods

The current study assessed currently enrolled graduate trainees' knowledge and perception of their capabilities related to assessment to determine if self‐reported and performance‐based competence would incrementally predict their intention to use assessment in their future above basic training characteristics and intended career interests.

Results

Self‐reported competence, but not performance‐based competence, played an incremental role in trainees' intention to use assessments in their careers. Multiple graduate training characteristics and practice experiences were insignificant predictors after accounting for other relative predictors (i.e., intended career settings, integrated reports).

Conclusion

Findings are discussed about the critical importance of incorporating a hybrid competency‐capability assessment training framework to further emphasize the role of trainee self‐efficacy in hopes of promoting lifelong competence in their continued use of assessments.
Intergenerational transmission of lifetime stressor exposure in adolescent girls at differential maternal risk for depression
Authors: Murphy Michael L. M. , Sichko Stassja , Bui Theresa Q. , Libowitz Mark R. , Shields Grant S. , Slavich George M.
Published: July 2022

Objective

Adolescent girls who grow up with mothers who are depressed are themselves highly vulnerable to developing depression (i.e., “intergenerational transmission of depression”). Stressor exposure is a strong risk factor for depression, and the transmission of depression risk from mothers to daughters is partly due to mothers experiencing more stressors, increasing daughters' stressor burden. However, research in this area has only assessed recent stressors, making the role of cumulative lifetime stressors unclear.

Method

To address this issue, we recruited 52 dyads of mothers and adolescent daughters, of which 22 daughters were at high maternal risk for depression. Participants completed diagnostic interviews, and daughters additionally self‐reported their depressive symptoms. Participants also completed the Stress and Adversity Inventory, a new‐generation instrument for assessing cumulative lifetime history of acute and chronic stressors based on the contextual threat approach. We tested moderated mediation models evaluating the conditional indirect effects of mothers' lifetime stressors on high‐ versus low‐risk daughters' depressive symptoms through daughters' lifetime stressors.

Results

As hypothesized, mothers of high‐risk (but not low‐risk) adolescent daughters who reported more lifetime acute stressors had daughters who reported more lifetime acute stressors and current depressive symptoms. Moreover, this finding was driven specifically by mothers' stressors occurring after their daughters' births. There was also tentative evidence that high‐risk daughters' lifetime chronic stressors potentiated the impact of daughters' acute stressors on their depressive symptoms.

Conclusion

These findings provide new insights into how stressful contexts are transmitted intergenerationally.
Implementing routine outcome monitoring in the treatment of a patient with obsessive‐compulsive disorder
Authors: Gómez Beatriz , Fernández‐Álvarez Javier , García Fernando
Published: July 2022

This work presents a case study in which Cognitive‐Integrative psychotherapy was used to treat a patient with obsessive‐compulsive disorder with the implementation of routine outcome monitoring (ROM) at Aiglé Foundation in Argentina. The patient, a 34‐year‐old female with a university degree reports having obsessive ideas about dirt or pollution, causing harm to others, and religious and superstitious topics on a daily basis. The therapeutic process carried out during the first 17 psychotherapy sessions is described: construction of the therapeutic alliance, psychoeducation, and main interventions. The purpose of the article is to describe a case in which the measures' results did not show clinically relevant improvement even though the clinical indicators assessed by the therapist and the patient's subjective evaluation were positive. The article, shows the application of ROM during the supervision process, proposes interpretations of these results, and discusses decision‐making processes in the light of this discrepancy.
What determines Hong Kong South Asians' perceptions on COVID‐19 vaccine? Implications on culturally appropriate vaccine messages for ethnic minority community
Authors: Lai Angel Hor‐yan , Wang Johnson Zixin , Singh Akansha , Wong Eliza Lai‐yi , Wang Kailu , Yeoh Eng‐Kiong
Published: July 2022

Guided by the behavioral model of health service use, this study examined the effect of South Asians' perceptions of healthcare, religious belief, and socioeconomic status on their perceived benefits and risks of COVID‐19 vaccines (N = 245). Cross‐sectional survey was used. Logistic regressions results showed that higher levels of perceived involvement in South Asian community health and trust in the healthcare system were associated with higher odds of reporting perceived vaccine benefits. Permanent residents, students (vs. unemployed), and Pakistani (vs. Indians) also perceived the vaccine as beneficial. On the other hand, believing that the body was sacred and being Buddhist (vs. Hindu) were associated with higher odds of perceiving severe vaccination risk. Those who believed that God would cure COVID‐19 and those with higher education tended to perceive the vaccine as having a limited effect. Implications on designing culturally appropriate COVID‐19 vaccines messages in interethnic settings are discussed.
Struggles in the Orthodox Jewish shidduch dating system—A large‐scale qualitative analysis
Authors: Rosenbach Naomi , Sokol Yosef , Rosensweig Chayim , Bernstein Devorah , Salamon Michael J. , Schechter Isaac
Published: July 2022

Marriage is an important life goal and is highly valued among Orthodox Jews. Shidduch dating refers to the arranged dating system that is typically used within the community. Previous research and anecdotal evidence suggest that the shidduch system has become difficult and challenging for many individuals, yet there is a dearth of evidence on the subject. This study set out to explore issues related to dating and marriage within the Orthodox Jewish community using a large sample size. Participants included 889 Orthodox individuals across diverse demographic groups who responded to an optional question within a larger survey inquiring about their thoughts and experiences on the subject. An inductive qualitative analysis was conducted, and this paper focuses on the seven most prevalent themes that emerged. These themes include issues related to superficial criteria in mate selection, gender segregation, perceived surplus of females, pressure to marry before feeling ready, the formal structure of shidduch dating, the exclusion of specific groups from the process and lack of education in areas of intimacy and sexuality. This study is important in promoting clinical awareness regarding the struggles that many Orthodox Jewish daters face and underscores the need for communal change addressing these issues.
Cerebellum neuropathology and motor skill deficits in fragile X syndrome
Authors: Chen Yu‐shan , Guo Liu , Han Man , Zhang Si‐ming , Chen Yi‐qi , Zou Jia , Bai Shu‐yuan , Cheng Gui‐rong , Zeng Yan
Published: July 2022

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a leading form of inherited intellectual disability and single‐gene cause of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and is characterized by core deficits in cognitive flexibility, sensory sensitivity, emotion, and social interactions. Motor deficits are a shared feature of FXS and autism. The cerebellum has emerged as one of the target brain areas affected by neurodevelopmental diseases. Alterations in the cerebellar structure, circuits, and function may be the key drivers of impaired fine and gross motor skills in FXS and fragile X‐associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS). In this review, we briefly examined recent findings in FXS and present a discussion on the literature supporting motor skill deficits in FXS. Subsequently, we focused on neuropathological alterations in the cerebellum in FXS and FXTAS. We highlight studies that have directly examined the function of fragile X mental retardation protein and related epigenetic variations in the cerebellum. Overall, we obtained considerable supporting evidence for the hypothesis that cerebellar dysfunction is evident in FXS and FXTAS; however, compared with studies on other ASD models, studies on motor skills related to fragile X disorders are particularly rare and inconclusive. Hence, future research should address FXS‐related motor and behavioral trajectories and examine the underlying mechanisms at both the cell and circuit levels.
Student conceptions of problem and project based learning in engineering education: A phenomenographic investigation
Authors: Servant‐Miklos Virginie F. C. , Kolmos Anette
Published: July 2022

Background

Problem‐oriented project work, also known as problem and project‐based learning (PBL), is a popular educational approach in engineering education. However, the focus of the literature on the implementation of PBL has been at the course and institutional levels. Scant attention has been paid to the student experience, especially regarding student conceptions of PBL.

Purpose

This is a phenomenographic study of student conceptions of PBL in a Danish engineering program that uses a systemic PBL model.

Design/method

This study follows a phenomenographic qualitative design. Sixteen participants from four different engineering disciplines were asked to share their views and experiences with PBL. The interview transcripts were analyzed to identify emerging variations in the student conceptions of PBL.

Results

The outcome space suggests three levels of students' conceptions of PBL: individual, group and society levels. Within the categories of description, sublevel variations appear: PBL as an unsupportive process and environment, PBL as a supportive process and environment, and PBL as a structured education method. These conceptions were organized hierarchically from a narrow individual to a broader society level.

Conclusions

Student conceptions of PBL as a structured education method echo the literature on the intended learning outcomes of PBL. However, our study shows that conceptions of PBL as personal and social processes fall outside of the scope of current scholarly discussions on PBL. Issues of societal relevance, while prominent in the literature on PBL, do not feature in students' thinking about PBL at this stage. Introducing broader reflection practices informed by exemplarity could address some of these discrepancies.
Synthesis of 13C‐labeled parabens from isotopically enriched phenols using the Houben–Hoesch reaction
Authors: Reber Keith P. , Sivey John D. , Vollmuth Matthew , Gujarati Priyansh D.
Published: July 2022

Parabens are antimicrobial additives found in a wide array of consumer products. However, the halogenated compounds formed from parabens during wastewater disinfection are a potential environmental concern. In order to identify these transformation products and investigate their mechanism of formation, a synthetic route to ethyl parabens labeled with the stable isotope carbon‐13 at specific positions within the benzene ring was developed. This efficient two‐step procedure starts from commercially available 13C‐labeled phenols and involves (1) initial acylation of the phenol via a Houben–Hoesch reaction with trichloroacetonitrile followed by (2) a modified haloform reaction of the resulting trichloromethyl ketone to afford the corresponding 13C‐labeled ethyl parabens in 65%–80% overall yield. The scope of the modified haloform reaction was also investigated, allowing for the synthesis of other parabens derived from primary or secondary alcohols, including 13C‐ and deuterium‐labeled esters. In addition, 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid can be formed directly from the common trichloromethyl ketone intermediate upon treatment with lithium hydroxide. This protocol complements existing methods for preparing 13C‐labeled paraben derivatives and offers the specific advantages of exhibiting complete regioselectivity in the Houben–Hoesch reaction (to form the para‐disubstituted product) and avoiding the need for protecting groups in the modified haloform reaction that forms the paraben esters.
Autoantibodies in Wilson disease: Impact on clinical course
Authors: Antczak‐Kowalska Magdalena , Członkowska Anna , Eyileten Ceren , Palejko Anna , Cudna Agnieszka , Wolska Marta , Piechal Agnieszka , Litwin Tomasz
Published: July 2022

Symptoms of Wilson disease (WD) vary and additional factors such as autoimmunity may play an important role in WD pathogenesis. The presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA), anti‐neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies, neuronal surface antibodies, and onconeural antibodies in WD was investigated using standardized indirect immunofluorescence assays and Western Blot analysis. The presence of all studied autoantibodies was higher in WD patients in comparison to healthy subjects, but there was no statistically significant difference in autoantibodies frequency according to disease manifestation. D‐penicillamine treatment was associated with a higher presence of ANA than zinc sulfate but without an increase in autoimmune diseases rate.
Trypanosoma evansi RoTat 1.2 variant surface antigen mimotopes selected by panning of the random peptide phage‐display library against monoclonal antibodies
Authors: Budania Savita , Dubey Abhishek , Singh Ajit
Published: July 2022

Mimotope peptides of native antigens are valuable for diverse applications such as diagnostics, therapeutics and modern vaccine design. Here, we report for the first time the selection and identification of peptide mimotopes of Trypanosoma evansi RoTat 1.2 variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) for their potential uses in surra diagnostics and multi‐epitope vaccine research. First, we produced the mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), designated as 2E11 (IgG1) and 1C2 (IgG1), against the antigens in T. evansi RoTat 1.2 lysates. We then used 2E11 mAb to immunoprecipitate the target antigen. The immunoprecipitated antigen was then identified to be the VSG by mass spectrometry. Both 2E11 and 1C2 mAbs reacted with the VSG in immunoblots. The surface plasmon resonance immunosensors developed with both the mAbs detected VSG in the parasite lysates as well as in the rodent sera. Further, the mAbs were biotinylated and used in three rounds of panning to select peptide mimotopes from the random peptide phage display library (PhD‐12; New England Biolabs, USA). The phage clones selected against each mAb were amplified and tested by phage capture ELISA for specificity. The peptide coding regions of the selected phages were sequenced and the protein blast search of the deduced amino acid sequences was performed by accessing the non‐redundant protein database at https://blast.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/. The conformational B epitope prediction of the selected mimotope sequences was done by using 3D Pepitope algorithms accessed at: http://pepitope.tau.ac.il/. The potential applications of the selected mimotopes in surra diagnostics and research are being explored.
Interplay between cellular metabolism and DNA viruses
Authors: Zandi Milad , Shokri Somayeh , Mahmoudvand Shahab , Hosseinzadeh Adli Ahmad , Mohammadi Ramin , Haddadi Azita
Published: July 2022

Viruses as intracellular pathogens take over the host metabolism and reprogram to facilitate optimal virus production. DNA viruses can cause alterations in several metabolic pathways, including aerobic glycolysis also known as the Warburg effect, pentose phosphate pathway activation, and amino acid catabolism such as glutaminolysis, nucleotide biosynthesis, lipid metabolism, and amino acid biosynthesis. The available energy for productive infection can be increased in infected cells via modification of different carbon source utilization. This review discusses the metabolic alterations of the DNA viruses that will be the basis for future novel therapeutic approaches.
CXCL1 confers a survival advantage in Kaposi's sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus‐infected human endothelial cells through STAT3 phosphorylation
Authors: Lee Myung‐Ju , Lee Jisu , Kang Su‐Kyung , Wirth Dagmar , Yoo Seung‐Min , Park Changhoon , Lee Myung‐Shin
Published: July 2022

Many cytokines produced by Kaposi's sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus (KSHV)‐infected cells have been shown to participate in the pathogenesis of KSHV. Determination of the exact role of cytokines in Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) pathogenesis is limited, however, by the difficulty to manipulate the target genes in human endothelial cells. In this study, we sought to elucidate the role of cytokines in KSHV‐infected human immortalized endothelial cell line (HuARLT cells) by knockout (KO) of the corresponding target genes using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The cytokine production profile of KSHV‐infected HuARLT cells was analyzed using a protein array, and several cytokines were found to be highly upregulated following KSHV infection. This study focused on CXCL1, which was investigated by knocked out in HuARLT cells. KSHV‐infected CXCL1 KO cells underwent increased cell death compared to KSHV‐infected wild‐type (WT) cells and mock‐infected CXCL1 KO cells. Lytic replication was not observed in KSHV‐infected WT nor CXCL1 KO cells. Phosphorylation of STAT3 was significantly suppressed in KSHV‐infected CXCL1 KO cells. Additionally, inhibitors of STAT3 and CXCL1 induced cell death in KSHV‐infected endothelial cells. Our results show that CXCL1 production is required for the survival of KSHV‐infected endothelial cells, and the CXCL1 to STAT3 phosphorylation signaling pathway may be a therapeutic target for KS.
A soluble DR5‐Fc chimeric protein attenuates inflammatory responses induced by coronavirus MHV‐A59 and SARS‐CoV‐2
Authors: Peng Hong , Zheng Birong , Yang Sidi , Du Jie , Cao Liu , Liu Lihong , Ma Zengyi , Wu Junyu , Li Chunmei , Zhang Hailong , Guo Deyin
Published: July 2022

Mortality in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) patients has been linked to the presence of a “cytokine storm” induced by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection, which involves elevated levels of circulating cytokines and immune‐cell hyperactivation. Targeting cytokines during the management of COVID‐19 patients has the potential to improve survival rates and reduce mortality. Although cytokine blockers and immune‐host modulators are currently being tested in severely ill COVID‐19 patients to cope with the overwhelming systemic inflammation, there is not too many successful cases, thus finding new cytokine blockers to attenuate the cytokine storm syndrome is meaningful. In this paper, we significantly attenuated the inflammatory responses induced by mouse hepatitis viruses A59 and SARS‐CoV‐2 through a soluble DR5‐Fc (sDR5‐Fc) chimeric protein that blocked the TNF‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand–death receptor 5 (TRAIL–DR5) interaction. Our findings indicates that blocking the TRAIL–DR5 pathway through the sDR5‐Fc chimeric protein is a promising strategy to treat COVID‐19 severe patients requiring intensive care unit  admission or with chronic metabolic diseases.
Outcomes after transvenous defibrillator implantation in cardiac sarcoidosis: A systematic review
Authors: Taha Ahmed , Assaf Omar , Champsi Asgher , Nadarajah Ramesh , Patel Peysh A.
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Sarcoidosis is a systemic inflammatory disorder associated with ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) and sudden death in the context of cardiac involvement. Guidelines advocate implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) implantation in specific subcohorts, but there is a paucity of data on outcomes.

Methods and Results

A systematic review was performed to assess outcomes in patients with definite or probable cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) treated with ICD. Observational studies were identified from multiple databases from inception to 21st May 2021. Outcomes of interest included appropriate and inappropriate ICD therapies in addition to all‐cause mortality. Study quality was assessed individually using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS).

Eight studies were identified comprising 530 patients, with follow‐up period of 24–66 months (weighted average 40 months). Mean age was 53.9 years with ejection fraction of 41.3%. Overall incidence of appropriate therapy was 38.1% during follow‐up. Left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) with ejection fraction <40% was a predictor of appropriate therapy in the majority of studies, as were sustained VAs during electrophysiological testing (EP) in one study. There was no interaction with device indication (i.e. primary or secondary). Where documented, inappropriate therapy was primarily driven by atrial arrhythmias. All‐cause mortality was 6.0% over a median follow‐up period of 42 months. Only three studies achieved good quality in the comparability domain of NOS.

Conclusions

Appropriate ICD therapy in patients with CS is commonly associated with LVSD, which can act as a surrogate for scar burden. The utility of EP testing in this setting remains unclear.
Correlation between frontal QRS‐T angle, Tp‐e interval, and Tp‐e/QT ratio to coronary artery severity assessed with SYNTAX score in stable coronary artery disease patients
Authors: Karadeniz Fatma Özpamuk , Altuntaş Emine
Published: July 2022

Background

It is known that a wide frontal QRS‐T(f[QRS‐T]) angle in the electrocardiography (ECG) is associated with poor cardiovascular outcomes. The Tp‐e (the interval from the peak to the end of the T wave) interval and Tp‐e/QTc ratio show the dispersion of repolarization, and increased levels lead to ventricular arrhythmogenesis in congenital channelopathies and coronary heart disease. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between f(QRS‐T), Tp‐e interval, and Tp‐e/QTc ratio and SYNTAX score in stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) patients.

Methods

A total of 403 patients who performed coronary angiography for SCAD were included. The study population was divided into two groups based on the SYNTAX score. Group 1 included 248 patients (high SYNTAX score > 0), and group 2 included 155 patients (low SYNTAX score = 0). SYNTAX score was calculated using an online SYNTAX score calculator from the coronary angiography images of each patient. The f(QRS‐T) angle (QRS angle minus T angle) was calculated from the automated reports of the 12‐lead ECG device. Tp‐e interval and Tp‐e/QTc ratio and other electrocardiographic parameters were recorded.

Results

The mean SYNTAX score in group 1 was 8. F(QRS‐T) angle, Tp‐e duration, Tp‐e/QT, and Tp‐e/QTc were significantly higher in group 1 compared with group 2. In the multivariate regression analysis, F(QRS‐T) angle and Tp‐e duration were independent predictors for SYNTAX scores in SCAD patients.

Conclusions

Our study showed that Tp‐e interval, Tp‐e/QTc ratio, and f(QRS‐T) angle were increased in patients with higher SYNTAX scores in patients with SCAD patients.
Improving the CFSv2 prediction of the Indian Ocean Dipole based on a physical‐empirical model and a deep‐learning approach
Authors: Chen Ping , Sun Bo , Wang Huijun , Yang Lianmei
Published: July 2022

Despite significant advances in seasonal climate forecasts, the reliability of both dynamical and empirical models for the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) prediction is still limited to a lead time of one season or less. In this study, the skill of the NCEP Climate Forecast System version 2 (CFSv2) for the IOD prediction during the period 1982–2014 is evaluated. The results indicate that the model performance for the IOD prediction is the worst in spring among the four seasons, which is manifested in the fact that a skilful prediction of spring IOD event is limited to a lead time of only about 1–2 months. To improve the forecast of spring IOD events, a physical‐empirical (PE) model and a convolutional neural network (CNN) model are established in the present study. The IOD in April–May–June (AMJ) is taken as the predictand, and the CFSv2‐predicted sea surface height (SSH) in AMJ and the observed Laptev sea ice in the preceding December are used as the two predictors. The original CFSv2‐predicted IOD time series has an insignificant correlation with the observed IOD time series with a temporal correlation coefficient (TCC) of 0.03; the PE model (CNN model) can largely improve the IOD prediction with a TCC of 0.74 (0.77) between the PE‐model‐predicted (CNN‐model‐predicted) IOD and the observed IOD during AMJ. Thus, the PE model and the CNN model developed in the present study can be applied to improve the IOD predictions from numerical models in the future.
Microbiological effects of amoxicillin plus metronidazole in the treatment of young patients with Stages III and IV periodontitis: A secondary analysis from a 1‐year double‐blinded placebo‐controlled randomized clinical trial
Authors: Faveri Marcelo , Retamal‐Valdes Belen , Mestnik Maria Josefa , de Figueiredo Luciene Cristina , Barão Valentim Adelino Ricardo , Souza João Gabriel Silva , Duarte Poliana Mendes , Feres Magda
Published: July 2022

Background

Despite the body of evidence supporting the clinical benefits of metronidazole (MTZ) and amoxicillin (AMX) in the treatment of young patients with periodontitis, the microbiological outcomes of this antibiotic protocol have been less explored. This study evaluated the microbiological effects of adjunctive MTZ+AMX in the treatment of young patients with periodontitis.

Methods

Subjects with periodontitis Stages III or IV and ≤30 years old were randomly allocated to receive scaling and root planing (SRP) with placebo (n = 15) or with MTZ (400 mg) and AMX (500 mg) three times a day for 14 days (n = 15). Nine subgingival biofilm samples per subject (three samples from each probing depth (PD) category: ≤3, 4–6, and ≥7 mm) were collected at baseline and 3‐, 6‐, and 12‐months post‐treatment and individually analyzed for 40 bacterial species by checkerboard DNA–DNA hybridization.

Results

Thirty subjects (15/group) with mean ages 27.6 ± 3.5 (control) and 26.8 ± 3.9 (test) were included. At 12 months post‐therapy, the antibiotic group harbored lower proportions of red complex (1.3%) than the placebo group (12.5%) (p < 0.05). SRP + MTZ+AMX was more effective than mechanical treatment in reducing levels/proportions of several pathogens and increasing proportions of Actinomyces species (p < 0.05). Levels/proportions of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans were only reduced in the antibiotic group (p < 0.05). This group also exhibited greater reduction in the number of sites with PD ≥5 mm and higher percentage of subjects reaching the clinical end point for treatment (≤4 sites with PD ≥5 mm) than the control group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

SRP+MTZ+AMX allowed for establishing a long‐term healthier subgingival biofilm community and periodontal clinical condition, than SRP only.