bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells ameliorate experimental colitis by normalizing the gut microbiota
Authors: Yang Fan , Ni Beibei , Liu Qiuli , He Fangping , Li Li , Zhong Xuemei , Zheng Xiaofan , Lu Jianxi , Chen Xiaoyan , Lin Huizhu , Xu Ruixuan , He Yizhan , Zhang Qi , Zou Xiaoguang , Chen Wenjie
Published: September 2022

Background

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic non-specific inflammatory bowel disease. Current CD therapeutics cannot fundamentally change the natural course of CD. Therefore, it is of great significance to find new treatment strategies for CD. Preclinical and clinical studies have shown that mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are a promising therapeutic approach. However, the mechanism by which MSCs alleviate CD and how MSCs affect gut microbes are still unclear and need further elucidation.

Methods

We used 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) to induce experimental colitis in mice and analysed the microbiota in faecal samples from the control group, the TNBS group and the TNBS + MSC group with faecal 16S rDNA sequencing. Subsequent analyses of alpha and beta diversity were all performed based on the rarified data. PICRUStII analysis was performed on the 16S rRNA gene sequences to infer the gut microbiome functions.

Results

MSC Treatment improved TNBS-induced colitis by increasing survival rates and relieving symptoms. A distinct bacterial signature was found in the TNBS group that differed from the TNBS + MSC group and controls. MSCs prevented gut microbiota dysbiosis, including increasing α-diversity and the amount of Bacteroidetes Firmicutes and Tenericutes at the phylum level and decreasing the amount of Proteobacteria at the phylum level. MSCs alleviated the increased activities of sulphur and riboflavin metabolism. Meanwhile some metabolic pathways such as biosynthesis of amino acids lysine biosynthesis sphingolipid metabolism and secondary bile acid biosynthesis were decreased in the TNBS group compared with the control group and the TNBS + MSC group

Conclusions

Overall, our findings preliminarily confirmed that colitis in mice is closely related to microbial and metabolic dysbiosis. MSC treatment could modulate the dysregulated metabolism pathways in mice with colitis, restoring the abnormal microbiota function to that of the normal control group. This study provides insight into specific intestinal microbiota and metabolism pathways linked with MSC treatment, suggesting a new approach to the treatment of CD.
The potential of plant extracts in cell therapy
Authors: Li Caifeng , Cui Zhao , Deng Shiwen , Chen Peng , Li Xianyu , Yang Hongjun
Published: September 2022

Cell therapy is the frontier technology of biotechnology innovation and the most promising method for the treatment of refractory diseases such as tumours. However, cell therapy has disadvantages, such as toxicity and poor therapeutic effects. Plant extracts are natural, widely available, and contain active small molecule ingredients that are widely used in the treatment of various diseases. By studying the effect of plant extracts on cell therapy, active plant extracts that have positive significance in cell therapy can be discovered, and certain contributions to solving the current problems of attenuation and adjuvant therapy in cell therapy can be made. Therefore, this article reviews the currently reported effects of plant extracts in stem cell therapy and immune cell therapy, especially the effects of plant extracts on the proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells and nerve stem cells and the potential role of plant extracts in chimeric antigen receptor T-cell immunotherapy (CAR-T) and T-cell receptor modified T-cell immunotherapy (TCR-T), in the hope of encouraging further research and clinical application of plant extracts in cell therapy.
Pandemic clone USA300 in a Brazilian hospital: detection of an emergent lineage among methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates from bloodstream infections
Authors: Augusto Mariana Fernandes , da Silva Fernandes Débora Cristina , de Oliveira Tamara Lopes Rocha , Cavalcante Fernanda Sampaio , Chamon Raiane Cardoso , Ferreira Adriana Lúcia Pires , Nouér Simone Aranha ,   Infection Control Group HUCFF/UFRJ, Rangel Ana Pereira , Castiñeiras Anna Carla , Gonçalez Christiany Moçali , Freire Joana , Guimarães Luiz Felipe , Batista Raquel , dos Santos Kátia Regina Netto
Published: September 2022

Background

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the leading causes of bloodstream infections (BSI) worldwide. In Brazil, the hospital-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus USA100/SCCmecII lineage replaced the previously well-established clones. However, the emergence of community-associated (CA) MRSA lineages among hospitalized patients is an increasing issue.

Methods

Consecutive S. aureus isolates recovered from BSI episodes of patients admitted between January 2016 and December 2018 in a Brazilian teaching hospital were tested for antimicrobial resistance, their genotypic features were characterized, and the clinical characteristics of the patients were evaluated.

Results

A total of 123 S. aureus isolates were recovered from 113 patients. All isolates were susceptible to linezolid, teicoplanin and vancomycin and 13.8% were not susceptible to daptomycin. Vancomycin MIC50 and MIC90 of 2 mg/L were found for both MRSA and MSSA isolates. The MRSA isolation rate was 30.1% (37/123), and 51.4% of them carried the SCCmec type II, followed by SCCmecIV (40.5%). Among the 37 MRSA isolates, the main lineages found were USA100/SCCmecII/ST5 and ST105 (53.7%) and USA800/ST5/SCCmecIV (18.9%). Surprisingly, six (16%) CA-MRSA isolates, belonging to USA300/ST8/SCCmecIVa that carried PVL genes and the ACME cassette type I, were detected. These six patients with USA300 BSI had severe comorbidities, including cancer, and most had a Charlson score ≥ 5; furthermore, they were in wards attended by the same health professionals. MRSA isolates were associated with hospital acquired infections (p = 0.02) in more elderly patients (p = 0.03) and those diagnosed with hematologic cancer (p = 0.04). Among patients diagnosed with MRSA BSI, 19 (54.3%) died.

Conclusions

The pandemic MRSA USA300 was detected for the first time in the Brazilian teaching hospital under study, and its cross-transmission most probably occurred between patients with BSI. This lineage may already be circulating among other Brazilian hospitals, which highlights the importance of carrying out surveillance programs to fight multidrug resistant and hypervirulent isolates.
Temporo-spatial variations in resistance determinants and clonality of Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains from Romanian hospitals and wastewaters
Authors: Gheorghe-Barbu Irina , Barbu Ilda Czobor , Popa Laura Ioana , Pîrcălăbioru Grațiela Grădișteanu , Popa Marcela , Măruțescu Luminița , Niță-Lazar Mihai , Banciu Alina , Stoica Cătălina , Gheorghe Ștefania , Lucaciu Irina , Săndulescu Oana , Paraschiv Simona , Surleac Marius , Talapan Daniela , Muntean Andrei Alexandru , Preda Mădălina , Muntean Mădălina-Maria , Dragomirescu Cristiana Cerasella , Popa Mircea Ioan , Oțelea Dan , Chifiriuc Mariana Carmen
Published: September 2022

Background

Romania is one of the European countries reporting very high antimicrobial resistance (AMR) rates and consumption of antimicrobials. We aimed to characterize the AMR profiles and clonality of 304 multi-drug resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii (Ab) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) strains isolated during two consecutive years (2018 and 2019) from hospital settings, hospital collecting sewage tanks and the receiving wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) located in the main geographical regions of Romania.

Methods

The strains were isolated on chromogenic media and identified by MALDI-TOF-MS. Antibiotic susceptibility testing and confirmation of ESBL- and CP- producing phenotypes and genotypes were performed. The genetic characterization also included horizontal gene transfer experiments, whole-genome sequencing (WGS), assembling, annotation and characterization.

Results

Both clinical and aquatic isolates exhibited high MDR rates, especially the Ab strains isolated from nosocomial infections and hospital effluents. The phenotypic resistance profiles and MDR rates have largely varied by sampling point and geographic location. The highest MDR rates in the aquatic isolates were recorded in Galați WWTP, followed by Bucharest. The Ab strains harbored mostly blaOXA-23, blaOXA-24, blaSHV, blaTEM and blaGES, while Pa strains blaIMP, blaVIM, blaNDM, blaVEB, blaGES and blaTEM, with high variations depending on the geographical zone and the sampling point. The WGS analysis revealed the presence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) to other antibiotic classes, such as aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, sulphonamides, fosfomycin, phenicols, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole as well as class 1 integrons. The molecular analyses highlighted: (i) The presence of epidemic clones such as ST2 for Ab and ST233 and ST357 for Pa; (ii) The relatedness between clinical and hospital wastewater strains and (iii) The possible dissemination of clinical Ab belonging to ST2 (also proved in the conjugation assays for blaOXA-23 or blaOXA-72 genes), ST79 and ST492 and of Pa strains belonging to ST357, ST640 and ST621 in the wastewaters.

Conclusion

Our study reveals the presence of CP-producing Ab and Pa in all sampling points and the clonal dissemination of clinical Ab ST2 strains in the wastewaters. The prevalent clones were correlated with the presence of class 1 integrons, suggesting that these isolates could be a significant reservoir of ARGs, being able to persist in the environment.
Critical illness and bone metabolism: where are we now and what is next?
Authors: Cai Yun , Kang Fuxin , Wang Xiaozhi
Published: September 2022

Critical illness refers to the clinical signs of severe, variable and life-threatening critical conditions, often accompanied by insufficiency or failure of one or more organs. Bone health of critically ill patients is severely affected during and after ICU admission. Therefore, clinical work should focus on ICU-related bone loss, and early development and implementation of related prevention and treatment strategies: optimized and personalized nutritional support (high-quality protein, trace elements and intestinal prebiotics) and appropriate physiotherapy and muscle training should be implemented as early as possible after ICU admission and discharge. At the same time, the drug regulates excessive metabolism and resists osteoporosis.
Stimbiotic supplementation modulated intestinal inflammatory response and improved broilers performance in an experimentally-induced necrotic enteritis infection model
Authors: Lee Ji Hwan , Lee Byongkon , Rousseau Xavière , Gomes Gilson A. , Oh Han Jin , Kim Yong Ju , Chang Se Yeon , An Jae Woo , Go Young Bin , Song Dong Cheol , Cho Hyun Ah , Cho Jin Ho
Published: September 2022

Background

Two experiments were conducted to establish an optimal NE challenge model and evaluate the efficacy of stimbiotic (STB) supplementation in necrotic enteritis (NE) challenged broilers. In Exp. 1, a total of 120 Arbor Acres (AA) broilers (45.0 ± 0.21 g) were randomly assigned to 6 treatments in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement. Vaccine treatments included non-challenge (0), × 10 the recommended dose (× 10) or × 20 the recommended dose (× 20) by the manufacturer. Clostridium perfringens (CP) treatments were non-challenge (No) or 3 mL of 2.2 × 107 CFU CP challenge (Yes). In Exp. 2, a total of 72 AA broilers (40.17 ± 0.27 g) were randomly assigned to 6 treatments in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement. Dietary treatments included non-additive (CON), 100 mg/kg STB (STB) and 100 mg/kg STB on top of a typical commercial blend including an essential oil, probiotics, and enzyme (CB). Challenge treatments included non-NE challenge (No) and NE challenge (Yes) as established in Exp. 1.

Results

In Exp. 1, CP and vaccine challenge decreased (P < 0.05) body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG) and feed intake (FI), and increased (P < 0.05) the number of broilers with diarrhea and intestinal lesions. The oral administration of × 20 recommended dose of vaccines coupled with 3 mL of 2.2 × 107 CFU CP resulted in (P < 0.01) a significantly increased incidence of wet litter and intestinal lesions. Thus, this treatment was chosen as the challenge model for the successful inducement of NE in Exp. 2. In Exp. 2, the NE challenge negatively affected (P < 0.01) growth performance, ileal morphology, immunoglobulin contents in blood, caecal microbiota in the caecum, footpad dermatitis, intestinal lesion scores, tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α) and endotoxin in the serum compared with the non-NE challenged birds. The supplementation of STB and CB in diets enhanced (P < 0.05) growth performance, intestinal microbiota, and blood profiles by stimulating ileal morphology (VH and VH:CD) and propionate production in the cecum, and there were no differences in measured variables between STB and CB supplemented birds.

Conclusion

Overall, these results indicate that STB supplementation was able to reduce the inflammatory response and improve the performance of NE challenged birds, and the supplementation of STB alone was as effective as a typical commercial blend containing a number of other additives.
An innovative three-layer strategy in response to a quartan malaria outbreak among forest goers in Hainan Island, China: a retrospective study
Authors: Li Yuchun , Huang Yingjuan , Chen Renqiang , Huang Weizhen , Xu Huanzhi , Ye Rongshen , Huang Shaoling , Zhen Ji , Wen Xiaodan , Wang Guoyi , Liu Yong , Li Haishan , Zheng Zaichun , Wang Jian , Wang Guoshen , Chen Chong , Zeng Wen , Meng Feng , Huang Xiaoming , Wang Guangze , Yang Bing , Chen Yan
Published: September 2022

Background

An outbreak of Plasmodiummalariae infection among forest goers in Sanya City of Hainan Island, China was reported in 2015. In response to this outbreak, an innovative three-layer strategy (TLS) targeted forest goers was adapted based on the 1-3-7 approach.

Main text

Key elements of TLS are: (i) The village with five malaria cases and adjacent villages were set as the first layer. All residents including forest goers were taken as the high-risk population (HRP). Active case detection (ACD) by blood smear microscopy and PCR was selected as the primary measure, and passive case detection (PCD) as complementary measure. One case was identified under TLS implementation. (ii) The township with cases (Gaofeng Town) and the nearby towns were chosen as the second layer. Only forest goers were screened by ACD, while PCD as a routine screening method. 7831 blood smears collected by ACD and PCD and tested with negative results. (iii) The city with cases (Sanya City) and others 12 counties/county-level cities were selected as the third layer. Malaria cases were monitored passively. A total of 77,555 blood slides were screened by PCD with zero positive sample. For each layer, the malaria vector mosquitoes were monitored using light traps, cattle-baited/human-bait traps.Anophelesminimus (dominant species), An.sinensis and An.dirus were captured. Vector control measures mainly include insecticide residual spraying and long-lasting insecticide nets. The capacity of clinicians, public health practitioners and laboratory technicians has been improved through training. During 2016‒2018, TLS and chemoprophylaxis were implemented in the same areas. In the first layer, all residents were monitored by ACD, and malaria chemoprophylaxis were distributed, 89.5% of forest goers were using chemoprophylaxis against malaria. The blood smears (3126 by ACD plus 1516 by PCD) were with zero positive results. Chemoprophylaxis and ACD were offered to forest goers once a year, and PCD in residents as a complementary measure in the second and third layer, 77.8% and 95.1% of forest goers received chemoprophylaxis. In each layer, vector surveillance and control of malaria and trainings for medical staff were still in place.

Conclusions

TLS was effective in blocking the outbreak by P.malariae among forest goers in Hainan in malaria elimination stage. However, whether it could prevent the malaria resurgence in the post-elimination phase needs to be further assessed.

Graphical Abstract
The effectiveness of pregabalin with or without agomelatine in the treatment of chronic low back pain: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial
Authors: Mahdavi Seyed Mani , Shariati Behnam , Shalbafan Mohammadreza , Rashedi Vahid , Yarahmadi Masoomeh , Ghaznavi Alireza , Amiri Shayan
Published: September 2022

Background

Although various pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments are available for the chronic low back pain (CLBP), there is no consensus on the best optimal treatment for this condition. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of co-administration of pregabalin and agomelatine versus pregabalin with placebo to treat CLBP.

Methods

Forty-six CLBP patients without the surgical indication referred to the outpatient orthopedic clinic of Rasoul-e-Akram Hospital, Tehran, Iran, were randomly divided into two study groups: Group A [pregabalin (75 mg twice per day) + placebo] and Group B [pregabalin (75 mg twice per day) + agomelatine (25 mg per night)]. Patients were evaluated at weeks 0, 4, and 8. Outcome measures were the Persian versions of the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) interference scale, Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36), and General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) were used.

Results

At weeks 4 and 8 after the intervention, all evaluated measures showed significant improvement in both study groups (P < 0.01). The mean improvement of GHQ-28 was 3.7 ± 1.22 in group A and 13.1 ± 4.71 in group B. This difference was statistically significant (P = 0.003). Other outcomes did not vary substantially between the two research groups. Agomelatine treatment was well tolerated, with no significant adverse effects seen in patients. Liver tests of all patients were routine during the study period. Major adverse effect was not seen in any patient. The prevalence of Minor side effects was not significantly different between two study groups.

Conclusion

Compared with the pregabalin and placebo, co-administration of pregabalin and agomelatine had no added effect on improving pain scores in CLBP patients. However, the patients’ general health was significantly improved after the combined administration of pregabalin and agomelatine.

Trial registration

The study protocol was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials before starting the study (NO.IRCT20200620047852N1, Registration date: 23/06/2020).
Posterior fossa ependymoma H3 K27-mutant: an integrated radiological and histomolecular tumor analysis
Authors: Mariet Cassandra , Castel David , Grill Jacques , Saffroy Raphaël , Dangouloff-Ros Volodia , Boddaert Nathalie , Llamas-Guttierrez Francisco , Chappé Céline , Puget Stéphanie , Hasty Lauren , Chrétien Fabrice , Métais Alice , Varlet Pascale , Tauziède-Espariat Arnault
Published: September 2022

Posterior fossa group A ependymomas (EPN_PFA) are characterized by a loss of H3 K27 trimethylation due to either EZHIP overexpression or H3 p.K27M mutation, similar to H3 K27-altered diffuse midline gliomas (DMG), but in reverse proportions. Very little data is available in the literature concerning H3 K27M-mutant EPN_PFA. Here, we retrospectively studied a series of nine pediatric tumors initially diagnosed as H3 K27M-mutant EPN_PFA to compare them to EZHIP-overexpressing EPN_PFA in terms of radiology, follow-up, histopathology, and molecular biology (including DNA-methylation profiling). Seven tumors clustered within EPN_PFA by DNA-methylation analysis and t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding. Among the two remaining cases, one was reclassified as a DMG and the last was unclassified. H3 K27M-mutant EPN_PFA cases were significantly older than their counterparts with an EZHIP overexpression. Radiological and histopathological central review of our seven H3 K27M-mutant EPN_PFA cases found them to be similar to their counterparts with an EZHIP overexpression. Sequencing analyses revealed HIST1H3B (n = 2), HIST1H3C (n = 2), H3F3A (n = 1), and HIST1H3D (n = 1) K27M mutations (no sequencing analysis available for the last case which was immunopositive for H3K27M). Consequently, HIST1H3C/D mutations are more frequently observed in EPN_PFA than in classic pontine DMG, H3K27-mutant. Overall survival and event-free survival of EZHIP-overexpressing and H3 K27M-mutant EPN_PFA were similar. After surgery and radiation therapy, 5/7 patients were alive at the end of the follow-up. In summary, the diagnosis of EPN_PFA must include tumor location, growth pattern, Olig2 expression, and DNA-methylation profiling before it can be differentiated from DMG, H3 K27-altered.
Early bone formation around immediately placed two-piece tissue-level zirconia implants with a modified surface: an experimental study in the miniature pig mandible
Authors: Glauser Roland , Schupbach Peter
Published: September 2022

Purpose

To histologically examine early bone formation around transmucosal implants and to evaluate the influence of surface characteristics on early peri-implant bone healing using a miniature pig model. For this, commercially available dental implants with a rough zirconia (YTZP) surface were compared to surface-modified Ti control implants at 4 and 8 weeks after placement.

Methods

Immediately following the extraction of six mandibular premolars, 20 two-piece, tissue-level, screw-shaped YTZP implants (Patent™ Standard Zirconia Implant ø4.1 × 11 mm) with a modified rough blasted before sintering surface were inserted in four adult miniature pigs. In addition, four titanium (Ti) tissue-level implants (Straumann® Standard RN ø4.1 × 10 mm Roxolid®) with a moderate surface (SLActive®), one per animal, were placed as control implants. A histological analysis was performed on the hard tissues after 4 and 8 weeks of transmucosal healing.

Results

The results show a high rate of osseointegration of the test YTZP dental implants at 4 and 8 weeks following insertion. At 4 weeks, a bone-to-implant contact ratio (BIC) of 73.7% (SD ± 16.8) for the test implants (n = 10) and 58.5% for the first control implant was achieved. The second control implant had to be excluded from analysis. At 8 weeks, a BIC of 82.4% (SD ± 16.9) for the test implants (n = 9) and 93.6% (SD ± 9.1) (n = 2) for the control implant was achieved. No statistical difference was observed comparing 4 and 8 weeks YTZP data (p = 0.126).

Conclusions

The results indicate a predictable osseointegration of immediate zirconia implants with a modified YTZP implant surface and a high degree of BIC present at 4 weeks following insertion. After 8 weeks of healing both the zirconia implants and the Ti implants show a BIC indicating full osseointegration. Further studies involving a larger sample size with more time points are needed to confirm these results.
Number sense: the mediating effect between nonverbal intelligence and children’s mathematical performance
Authors: Zhou Hui , Tan Qiutong , Ye Xiaolin , Miao Lujia
Published: September 2022

The study explored the mediating effect of number sense between nonverbal intelligence and children’s mathematical performance. The sample consisted of 131 pupils in Shaoxing City of China from grades 1, 3, and 5. The students completed measures of nonverbal intelligence, number sense, basic arithmetic ability, mathematical performance, rapid automatized naming, and working memory. Results show that although all variables significantly relate with each other (all p < .01), only nonverbal intelligence, number sense, and basic arithmetic ability significantly affect children’s mathematical performance (all p < .01). According to multiple-mediation model, nonverbal intelligence significantly predicts children’s mathematical performance through number sense and basic arithmetic ability. These findings suggest that domain-specific mathematical skills play a prominent role in children’s mathematical performance in primary school, rather than domain-general cognitive functions. Educators should pay attention to develop children’s number sense in order to improve children’s mathematical ability.
Biocidal potential of indigenous isolates of Entomopathogenic Nematodes (EPNs) against tobacco cutworm, Spodoptera litura Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Tomar Preety , Thakur Neelam
Published: September 2022

Background

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) have been regarded as the most convenient strategy for insect pest management. The native strains of EPNs: Heterorhabditis bacteriophora EUPT-SD, H. bacteriophora EUPT-R, H. bacteriophora EUPT-KN, H. bacteriophora EUPT-K and H. bacteriophora EUPT-H isolated from mid-Himalayan region of Himachal Pradesh were tested in laboratory for their multiplication and virulence against 3rd and 4th larval instars of the tobacco cutworm, Spodoptera litura Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), the serious polyphagous pest affecting a wide range of agricultural crops worldwide.

Results

All the EPN strains were effective against 3rd and 4th larval instars of S. litura. Insect mortality reached 90–96% after 96 h at nematode concentrations of 150 infective juveniles (IJs)/ml. The insect mortality was also recorded at low concentrations of IJs, but the most exposure period was required. High virulence was shown by H. bacteriophora EUPT-SD 96 and 94%, followed by H. bacteriophora EUPT-R 92 and 90%, H. bacteriophora EUPT-KN 92 and 90%, H. bacteriophora EUPT-K 92 and 90% and H. bacteriophora EUPT-H 92 and 90%, respectively, against 3rd and 4th larval instars in terms of reproductive potential and killing. All the insects were alive in the absolute control.

Conclusion

Utilization of EPNs for the management of S. litura may be the best method to overcome the insect resistance problems and to manage the population of this insect pest. It may be an effective method and may be a partial substitute of synthetic insecticides, thus minimizing the excessive use of synthetic chemicals. The results demonstrated the potential of indigenous EPNs isolates against S. litura, but before further recommendation, multiplication field trials need to be conducted to confirm their efficacy at farm level.
Systematic Review of Traumatic Thoracic Spondyloptosis and Presentation of a Novel Approach for Management With Quad Rod Construct
Authors: Anokwute Miracle C. , House Hanna , Huh Andrew , Ordaz Josue , McVeigh Luke , Stockwell David W.
Published: September 2022

BACKGROUND:

Traumatic thoracic spondyloptosis (TTS) is a rare but devastating spinal injury often secondary to high-impact trauma. TTS is typically managed with surgical fusion and stabilization.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate current surgical management of TTS while presenting a novel surgical technique for reduction and fusion.

METHODS:

We performed a systematic review of surgical management of TTS using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of Individual Participant Data guidelines with 2 independent reviewers. We identified patient demographics, level of spondyloptosis, American Spinal Injury Association grade, level of spinal fusion, surgical approach, type of construct used, and reduction of fracture.

RESULTS:

Seventeen articles with 37 patients with TTS managed surgically were identified. The male:female ratio was 31:6. The average age was 33 years (±15). Motorized injury including motor vehicle accident, road traffic accident, and motor vehicle collision (16 patients, 43%) and fall including fall from height, stairs, train, or standing (16 patients, 43%) were equivalent. The middle (15 patients 40%) and lower (18 patients, 49%) thoracic regions were similar for the level of spondyloptosis. Thirty-four patients (92%) were American Spinal Injury Association A. Thirty-six patients (97.3%) underwent posterior only surgery and 1 (2.7%) underwent a combined posterior–anterior approach. There were 29 (78%) dual rod constructs and 8 (22%) dual rod with connectors or crosslinks. Complete reduction was obtained in 24 (65%) patients, incomplete in 11 (30%), and 2 (5%) patients were not reported. Two of our patients underwent novel quad rod reconstruction with complete reduction.

CONCLUSION:

Surgical management of TTS is typically posterior only with complete fracture reduction. We have presented a novel quad rod approach for reduction of TTS.
Middle Fossa Approach for Resection of a Petrous Apex Cholesterol Granuloma: 2-Dimensional Operative Video
Authors: Weisskopf Peter A. , Turcotte Evelyn L. , Rahme Rudy J. , Bendok Bernard R.
Published: September 2022

Cholesterol granulomas (CGs) are the most common cyst of the petrous apex.
1
The management options for CG include observation and surgical resection. Surgery is complicated by the proximity of these lesions to critical neurological and vascular structures, as with many skull base lesions; however, if left untreated, their growth may lead to mass effect resulting in conductive hearing loss, cranial nerve dysfunction, tinnitus, and/or chronic headaches.
2,3

In this video, we present the case of 52-year-old woman who presented with medically refractory right retro-orbital headaches. MRI revealed a large, right-sided petrous apex cystic structure consistent with a CG. Computed tomography of the head demonstrated bony remodeling. Given the large size of the cyst and the patient's symptoms, surgery was proposed, and the patient agreed. We performed a middle fossa craniotomy and elevated the dura from the floor of the middle fossa, working posteriorly from the petrous ridge and extending anteriorly. The cyst was exposed and decompressed, and its wall was then dissected off. After all cystic components were removed, the cavity was packed with abdominal fat, which is believed to prevent cyst reaccumulation. Postoperative MRI demonstrated good resection, and the patient reported complete resolution of her headaches.

The patient consented to the procedure as shown in this operative video and gave informed written consent for use of her images in publication.
Regulation of Archease by the mTOR-vATPase axis
Authors: Francis Deanne , Burguete Alondra S. , Ghabrial Amin S.
Published: September 2022

Larval terminal cells of the Drosophila tracheal system generate extensive branched tubes, requiring a huge increase in apical membrane. We discovered that terminal cells compromised for apical membrane expansion – mTOR-vATPase axis and apical polarity mutants – were invaded by the neighboring stalk cell. The invading cell grows and branches, replacing the original single intercellular junction between stalk and terminal cell with multiple intercellular junctions. Here, we characterize disjointed, a mutation in the same phenotypic class. We find that disjointed encodes Drosophila Archease, which is required for the RNA ligase (RtcB) function that is essential for tRNA maturation and for endoplasmic reticulum stress-regulated nonconventional splicing of Xbp1 mRNA. We show that the steady-state subcellular localization of Archease is principally nuclear and dependent upon TOR-vATPase activity. In tracheal cells mutant for Rheb or vATPase loci, Archease localization shifted dramatically from nucleus to cytoplasm. Further, we found that blocking tRNA maturation by knockdown of tRNAseZ also induced compensatory branching. Taken together, these data suggest that the TOR-vATPase axis promotes apical membrane growth in part through nuclear localization of Archease, where Archease is required for tRNA maturation.
Γνωστική και θυμική πολυμέρεια της ειδησεογραφικής πλαισίωσης των μετακινούμενων πληθυσμών
Authors: Χατζηκωνσταντίνου Μιχαήλ
Published: September 2022

Η παρούσα μελέτη εξετάζει τη γνωστική και θυμική πολυμέρεια (diversity) των ειδήσεων μέσω της θεώρησης της ειδησεογραφικής πλαισίωσης (news framing). Ως μελέτη περίπτωσης επελέγη η αποκαλούμενη «προσφυγική κρίση» στην Ελλάδα. Ειδικότερα διερευνήθηκαν: α) επιδράσεις της πολυμέρειας των ειδησεογραφικών πλαισιώσεων στις στάσεις των πολιτών για τους πρόσφυγες/μετανάστες και β) επιρροές στην πολυμέρεια των ειδησεογραφικών πλαισιώσεων από τη σύγκλιση κυβέρνησης και αξιωματικής αντιπολίτευσης υπέρ της άσκησης πολιτικών αποτροπής και εγκλεισμού μετά την υπογραφή της Κοινής Δήλωσης («συμφωνία») Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης – Τουρκίας για το προσφυγικό ζήτημα (από τον Μάρτιο του 2016 και μέχρι τις αποκαλύψεις που αφορούσαν τις δραματικές συνθήκες διαβίωσης των προσφύγων στη Μόρια της Λέσβου τον Σεπτέμβριο του 2018). Για τις ανάγκες της έρευνας αναπτύχθηκε ένα σύνθετο μοντέλο της πλαισίωσης των ειδήσεων που την εκλαμβάνει ως μια λειτουργία η οποία απαρτίζεται από τους γνωστικούς και θυμικούς μηχανισμούς της ανάδειξης, της κατηγοριοποίησης και της συνάρθρωσης καθώς και της μετάδοσης σθένους, της ερμηνείας/αξιολόγησης/αποτίμησης και της ενεργοποίησης σχημάτων. Οι ερευνητικές υποθέσεις ελέγχθηκαν μέσω της διεξαγωγής πειράματος με τη χρήση του εργαλείου καταγραφής συγκινήσεων Geneva Emotion Wheel (GEW) και μέσω ανάλυσης περιεχομένου σε ειδησεογραφικές ιστοσελίδες εφημερίδων και δελτία τηλεοπτικών ειδήσεων. Στο επίκεντρο βρέθηκε η ενεργοποίηση των ηθικών συναισθημάτων της ενσυναίσθησης (empathy), της συμπάθειας (sympathy) και της συμπόνιας (compassion) για τους προσφυγικούς/μεταναστευτικούς πληθυσμούς. Εντοπίστηκαν επιδράσεις της πολυμέρειας των ειδησεογραφικών πλαισιώσεων στις στάσεις του κοινού για τους μετακινούμενους πληθυσμούς ενώ παρεμβλήθηκε ρυθμιστικά η ενεργοποίηση συγκινήσεων. Επίσης, καταδείχθηκε ότι η υπογραφή της Κοινής Δήλωσης ΕΕ-Τουρκίας συνδέθηκε με σημαντικές μεταβολές στη γνωστική πολυμέρεια της ειδησεογραφικής κάλυψης των μετακινούμενων πληθυσμών, ως αποτέλεσμα του «πολιτικού παραλληλισμού» (ή πολιτικής επαλληλίας) που χαρακτηρίζει το Μεσογειακό Μοντέλο του Πολωμένου Πλουραλισμού της Νότιας Ευρώπης. Συμπερασματικά, η υπογραφή της συμφωνίας μετατόπισε τις ειδησεογραφικές πλαισιώσεις (για τους μετακινούμενους πληθυσμούς) εγγύτερα στη «Σφαίρα της Συναίνεσης» ή έστω στη «Σφαίρα της Αποδεκτής Αντιπαράθεσης», κατά Hallin, εξοβελίζοντας από τον δημόσιο διάλογο τις πλαισιώσεις που απεικόνιζαν την μετακίνηση πληθυσμών ως ευκαιρία για τις χώρες υποδοχής.
On structural and descriptive complexity of hard counting problems the decision version of which is easy
Authors: Χαλκή Αγγελική
Published: September 2022

Η κλάση πολυπλοκότητας #P, την οποία εισήγαγε ο Valiant, περιέχει τις μετρητικές εκδοχές προβλημάτων της κλάσης NP. Σε αυτή τη διατριβή, εστιάζουμε στη #PE, την κλάση των συναρτήσεων της #P που έχουν αντίστοιχο πρόβλημα απόφασης στην P. Kυρίως μας ενδιαφέρει η υποκλάση της #PE, που ονομάζεται TotP και περιέχει συναρτήσεις της #PE που είναι επιπλέον αυτοαναγώγιμες. Η TotP έχει τρεις ενδιαφέροντες χαρακτηρισμούς και είναι μια εύρωστη κλάση, δηλ. έχει χρήσιμες ιδιότητες κλειστότητας και φυσικά πλήρη προβλήματα όπως θα συζητήσουμε.Μελετάμε την TotP από διαφορετικές οπτικές γωνίες: 1) Εξετάζουμε τα TotP-πλήρη προβλήματα ως προς φειδωλές αναγωγές, δηλ. τα πιο δύσκολα και αντιπροσωπευτικά προβλήματα της κλάσης TotP. Aποδεικνύουμε ότι το πρόβλημα Size-of-subtree δεν μπορεί να λυθεί σε υποεκθετικό χρόνο αν ισχύουν εκδοχές της Υπόθεσης Εκθετικού Χρόνου (ETH). 2) Η ακριβής και αποδοτική επίλυση ενός μετρητικού προβλήματος είναι πολύ σπάνια. Υπάρχει έντονο ερευνητικό ενδιαφέρον για την ταξινόμηση των μετρητικών προβλημάτων ως προς τη δυνατότητα επίλυσης τους με τη χρήση προσεγγιστικών αλγορίθμων. Σε αυτήν την αναζήτηση, οι ιδιότητες των προβλημάτων της TotP είναι σημαντικές. Αναφερόμαστε στη σχέση της κλάσης TotP με την κλάση των προσεγγίσιμων μετρητικών προβλημάτων. Ορίζουμε τρία προβλήματα, καθε ένα από τα οποία έχει αντίστοιχο πρόβλημα απόφασης στην κλάση RP, για το οποίο δε γνωρίζουμε αν ανήκει στην P. Δείχνουμε ότι ένα από αυτά, το πρόβλημα #NonZerosForPIT, είναι προσεγγίσιμο. 3) Εξετάζουμε το πρόβλημα #Exact Matchings, το οποίο επίσης έχει πρόβλημα απόφασης στην κλάση RP, ως προς τον ακριβή υπολογισμό του και την προσεγγισιμότητά του. Το πρόβλημα αυτό γενικεύει τη μέτρηση τέλειων ταιριασμάτων σε γράφους που περιέχουν μαύρες και κόκκινες ακμές. 4) Δίνουμε λογικούς χαρακτηρισμούς κλάσεων μετρητικών προβλημάτων. Αρχικά, δύο εύρωστων υποκλάσεων της TotP και προσδιορίζουμε τη σχέση τους με την κλάση FPRAS. Θεωρούμε ότι πιο σημαντικό βήμα είναι ότι παρέχουμε ένα λογικό χαρακτηρισμό της TotP. Για να εκφράσουμε την αυτοαναγωγιμότητα των προβλημάτων της TotP, προσθέτουμε αναδρομή ορισμένη σε συναρτήσεις με ορίσματα δευτεροβάθμιες μεταβλητές, στη λογική QSO, το οποίο θεωρούμε ότι έχει ανεξάρτητο ενδιαφέρον. 5) Διερευνούμε την ισχύ που μας προσφέρει η μέτρηση όλων των μονοπατιών κάποιας NPTM (μη ντετερμινιστικής μηχανής Turing πολυωνυμικού χρόνου). Αυτό το ενδιαφέρον προκύπτει από τον ορισμό της TotP: περιέχει συναρτήσεις που μετράνε το πλήθος όλων των μονοπατιών NPTMs. H διερεύνηση αυτή μας οδήγησε στη μελέτη κλάσεων αλλά και συγκεκριμένων προβλημάτων απόφασης που ορίζονται μέσω προβλημάτων της TotP, όπως για παράδειγμα το πρόβλημα DiffPerfMatch=1, που δεδομένων δύο γράφων πρέπει να αποφασίσουμε αν η διαφορά του πλήθους των τέλειων ταιριασμάτων σ'αυτούς τους γράφους είναι 0 ή 1.
Μελέτη της επίδρασης της ατμοσφαιρικής ρύπανσης στην ανθρώπινη υγεία
Authors: Χρυσοχού Ειρήνη
Published: September 2022

Η παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή έχει ως θέμα τη μελέτη της επίδρασης της ατμοσφαιρικής ρύπανσης στην ανθρώπινη υγεία. Σε αυτό το πλαίσιο, πραγματοποιήθηκε η μελέτη ενώσεων της αέριας φάσης της ατμόσφαιρας σε τριάντα τρία (33) διαφορετικά σημεία σε περιοχές της Ελλάδας κατά τη διάρκεια ενός έτους καθώς και ο προσδιορισμός οργανικών ενώσεων (Πολυκυκλικών Αρωματικών Υδρογονανθράκων και Υδροξυλιωμένων παραγώγων τους) και μετάλλων/μεταλλοειδών στον ορό αίματος ασθενών με αιματολογικά και καρδιαγγειακά νοσήματα. Ο προσδιορισμός των ενώσεων τις αέριας φάσης καθώς και των οργανικών ενώσεων στον ορό πραγματοποιήθηκε με την τεχνική της Αέριας Χρωματογραφίας συζευγμένης με Φασματομετρία Μαζών, ενώ ο προσδιορισμός των μετάλλων/μεταλλοειδών στον ορό πραγματοποιήθηκε με χρήση φασματομετρίας επαγωγικά συζευγμένουπλάσματος. Στη συνέχεια πραγματοποιήθηκε ανάπτυξη και επικύρωση μεθόδου προσδιορισμού Αμινοπολυκυκλικών Αρωματικών Υδρογονανθράκων, βιοδεικτών της έκθεσης σε ατμοσφαιρικούς ρύπους, σε δείγματα ούρων μέσω υγρής χρωματογραφίαςσυζευγμένης με τετραπολικό φασματόμετρο μαζών με αναλυτή «χρόνου πτήσης». Από τη στατιστική επεξεργασία των αποτελεσμάτων, σχετικά με τα επίπεδα των ρύπων της αέριας φάσης υποδεικνύει τη σημαντική επιβάρυνση της ποιότητας της ατμόσφαιρας ιδιαίτερα τους ψυχρούς μήνες, ενώ μέσω της χρήσης υπολογιστικών μεθόδων εκτιμήθηκε η επικινδυνότητα των ρύπων αυτών, με τον κίνδυνο του καρκίνου να υπερβαίνει σε αρκετές περιπτώσεις τα προτεινόμενα όρια του WHO και του USEPA. Παρατηρήθηκαν σημαντικές διακυμάνσεις στα επίπεδα των αναλυτών τόσο στον ορό ασθενών με λευχαιμία αλλά και σε αυτούς με καρδιαγγειακά νοσήματα συγκριτικά με τους αντίστοιχους υγιείς δότες, με τη συνήθεια του καπνίσματος αλλά και τον τόπο κατοικίας να αποτελούν κρίσιμο παράγοντα ως προς την αφθονία των αναλυτών στον ορό των ασθενών. Τέλος, η εφαρμογή της μεθόδουπροσδιορισμού αμινοπολυκυκλικών αρωματικών υδρογονανθράκων σε δείγματα ούρων του γενικού πληθυσμού, υπέδειξε σημαντική αφθονία των ενώσεων αυτών, με το κάπνισμα να επηρεάζει σημαντικά τα επίπεδα της 2-ναφθυλαμίνης και του 1-άμινοπυρενίου στον οργανισμό.
Η Ρεγαδενοσόνη (Regadenoson) ως φαρμακολογικός παράγοντας κόπωσης για τη σπινθηρογραφική απεικόνιση της αιμάτωσης του μυοκαρδίου σε ασθενείς, υποψήφιους για ενδιάμεσου έως υψηλού κινδύνου μη-καρδιακή επέμβαση
Authors: Σταύρου Πέτρος
Published: September 2022

Εισαγωγή: Η διπυριδαμόλη είναι ο παλαιότερος εγκεκριμένος στεφανιαίος αγγειοδιαστολέας από τον Οργανισμό Τροφίμων και Φαρμάκων (FDA), που χρησιμοποιείται για τη φαρμακευτική κόπωση στα πλαίσια του σπινθηρογραφήματος αιμάτωσης μυοκαρδίου. Προκαλεί έμμεσα αγγειοδιαστολή, αυξάνοντας τα επίπεδα της αδενοσίνης στην κυκλοφορία. Η ρεγαδενοσόνη, από την άλλη, είναι ο πρώτος εγκεκριμένος από τον FDA εκλεκτικός αγωνιστής των υποδοχέων A2A της αδενοσίνης, υπεύθυνους για τη στεφανιαία αγγειοδιαστολή. Τα κύρια πλεονεκτήματά της είναι το απλοποιημένο και σύντομο πρωτόκολλό της, καθώς και η δυνατότητα ασφαλούς χορήγησης της σε ασθενείς με βρογχικό άσθμα ή χρόνια αποφρακτική πνευμονοπάθεια μέτριας σοβαρότητας. Η παρούσα μελέτη έχει ως στόχο την ανεύρεση τυχόν πλεονεκτημάτων της ρεγαδενοσόνης, όσον αφορά τη συχνότητα των ανεπιθύμητων ενέργειων και την ανοχή του φαρμάκου, έναντι της διπυριδαμόλης.Μέθοδοι: Πρόκειται για τυχαιοποιημένη ελεγχόμενη μελέτη 200 ασθενών με προγραμματισμένη μη καρδιοχειρουργική επέμβαση μεσαίου έως υψηλού κινδύνου, εκ των οποίων 100 υποβλήθηκαν σε φαρμακευτική κόπωση με ρεγαδενοσόνη (ομάδα μελέτης) και υπόλοιποι κοπώθηκαν με διπυριδαμόλη (ομάδα ελέγχου). Αποτελέσματα: Το ποσοστό των παρενεργειών ήταν σημαντικά υψηλότερο στην ομάδα της ρεγαδενοσόνης σε σύγκριση με την ομάδα της διπυριδαμόλης (53% έναντι 36%, p=0,023), αν και η διάρκεια των περισσότερων ήταν μικρότερη στην ομάδα της ρεγαδενοσόνης. H δύσπνοια (p<0,001) και οι γαστρεντερικές διαταραχές (p=0,001) ήταν σημαντικά πιο συχνές στην ομάδα της ρεγαδενοσόνης. Η χορήγηση αμινοφυλλίνης σε ασθενείς που ανέπτυξαν οποιαδήποτε ανεπιθύμητη ενέργεια ήταν παρόμοια και στις δύο ομάδες (p>0,05). Κατόπιν πολυπαραγοντικής λογαριθμιστικής παλινδρόμησης η διαφορά στη συχνότητα των ανεπιθύμητων ενεργειών, στο σύνολό τους, μεταξύ των δύο ομάδων δεν ήταν πλέον σημαντική (λόγος σχετικών πιθανοτήτων = 1,96, 95% διάστημα εμπιστοσύνης = 0,88-3,25. p=0,11).Συμπέρασμα: Στο δείγμα της μελέτης μας, το οποίο αποτελούταν από εξεταζόμενους, που είχαν προγραμματισμένο σπινθηρογράφημα αιμάτωσης μυοκαρδίου στα πλαίσια προεγχειρητικού ελέγχου, οι δύο αγγειοδιαστολείς, δεν είχαν σημαντικές διαφορές στη συχνότητα των ήπιων ανεπιθύμητων ενεργειών και της χορήγησης αμινοφυλλίνης, με τη ρεγαδενοσόνη, όμως, να διατηρεί το πλεονέκτημα της ταχύτερης αποδρομής των συμπτωμάτων. Ωστόσο, η διπυριδαμόλη παραμένει μια χαμηλού κόστους και καλά ανεκτή εναλλακτική λύση φαρμακευτικής αγγειοδιαστολής.
Quality assessment of systematic literature on uterine fibroids: a systematic review
Authors: Okesola Mary , Okesola Julius , Ogunlana Olubanke , Afolabi Israel
Published: September 2022

Background: A systematic literature review (SLR) is a research methodology that examines data and findings of other authors relative to specified research questions (RQ), collects multiple research studies, and summarises them to answer a research question using rigorous methods. Many SLRs have been published on uterine fibroids (UFs) in the last two decades but there is a dearth of knowledge on assessment of the quality to determine the reliability of results.

Methods: This study employed the SLR method to identify available SLRs published on UFs. Dybå and Dingsøyr quality standards and dichotomous grading scales were employed to determine the quality of primary studies. On February 3rd, 2022, an auto search was conducted twice over Citeseer, EBSCO, ACM, Springer Link, IEE Computer society digital library, and Scopus using 17 search strings. Two teams independently screened papers and compared notes with the inclusion/exclusion criteria. 11 criterial were adapted to evaluate the quality of the SLR’s.

Results: 33 SLRs were subjected to data extraction after inclusion/exclusion criteria. Answers to our primary research question was positive as the aims and contexts of the SLRs are generally clear and the methodologies employed are all inclusive. The research outputs of the primary studies are valid and justifiable as their research statements were clear and findings unambiguous. Although some studies failed some quality criteria, answers to all RQs were affirmative as the percentage scores of the studies on each of the quality conditions is favourably high.

Conclusions: The auto search may be incomplete because some qualified SLRs may have been missed as the choice of search strings was limited and may have omitted terminologies. Notwithstanding, with average quality scores of 83% in reporting, 81.2% in rigour, and 79% in credibility, this study concludes that majority of the meta-analysis published so far on UF are valid and reliable.
Noninvasive fungal rhinosinusitis: a case series
Authors: Masmoudi Mohamed , Chelli Jihene , Ben Mabrouk Asma , Chebil Ezer , Thabet Wadii , Hasnaoui Mehdi , Mighri Khalifa
Published: September 2022

Introduction: Fungal rhinosinusitis (FRS) remains a rare disease. The noninvasive forms are hard to diagnose. The management protocols remain controversial. We aim to describe the clinical, radiological and pathological features of noninvasive FRS and present our management protocol and follow-up results.

Patients and methods: This descriptive study was conducted in the ear-nose-throat department of the university hospital, Taher Sfar in Mahdia, Tunisia. All patients who responded to the definition of noninvasive FRS (fungal balls and allergic fungal sinusitis) were included. The study was conducted over a three year period (May 2017 – April 2021).

Results: Eleven patients were included in this study: four cases of fungal balls and seven cases of allergic fungal sinusitis. Patients presented with symptoms of chronic recurrent rhinosinusitis with no response to conventional treatments. Computed tomodensitometry scan showed opacification of the paranasal sinuses in all patients. Other signs were heterogeneous opacities, local calcifications and thinning of the bony walls of the sinuses.

Histopathological findings were inflammatory polyps in all cases of allergic FRS with the presence of fungal hyphae in 42.8% of the cases.

All patients underwent surgery after a median delay of 12 [6–24] months of the symptom’s onset. The used procedures were endoscopic middle meatal antrostomy for all patients, ethmoidectomy (81.8%) and sphenoidotomy (36.4%). None received systemic antifungals or corticosteroids with a favorable outcome in all cases.

Conclusion: Symptoms of noninvasive FRS are nonspecific. The scan images contribute to the diagnosis, but the perioperative findings and the histopathological results remain crucial.  The management is mainly surgical.