bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
News media coverage of extreme risk protection order policies surrounding the Parkland shooting: a mixed-methods analysis
Authors: Pallin Rocco , Aubel Amanda J. , Knoepke Christopher E. , Pear Veronica A. , Wintemute Garen J. , Kravitz-Wirtz Nicole
Published: November 2021

Background

Following the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, there was a dramatic increase in media coverage of extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs) and in state policy proposals for ERPO laws. This study documents the frequency of news coverage of ERPOs throughout 2018 and examines the narratives used by media outlets to describe this risk-based firearm policy.

Methods

Using a mixed-method descriptive design, we examine the frequency of national news media coverage of ERPO legislation in 2018, before and after the Parkland shooting, and analyze the content of news articles related to a sample of states that considered ERPO legislation after the shooting.

Results

We find a sharp increase in the frequency of articles related to ERPOs following the Parkland shooting and smaller increases in coverage surrounding ERPO policy proposals and other public mass shootings that year. Nearly three-quarters of articles in our content analysis mentioned the Parkland shooting. The news media often mentioned or quoted politicians compared to other stakeholders, infrequently specified uses for ERPOs (e.g., prevention of mass violence, suicide, or other violence), and rarely included evidence on effectiveness of such policies. More than one-quarter of articles mentioned a mass shooting perpetrator by name, and one-third of articles used the term “gun control.”

Conclusions

This study describes the emerging public discourse, as informed by media messaging and framing, on ERPOs as states continue to debate and implement these risk-based firearm violence prevention policies.
Cancer-associated fibroblast heterogeneity is associated with organ-specific metastasis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Pan Xingyi , Zhou Jiaojiao , Xiao Qian , Fujiwara Kenji , Zhang Mengwen , Mo Guanglan , Gong Wei , Zheng Lei
Published: November 2021

Background

Metastasis occurs in the majority of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients at diagnosis or following resection. Patients with liver metastasis and those with lung metastasis have significantly different prognosis. Here, we sought to understand how cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play roles in the development of organ-specific metastasis.

Methods

PDAC tumor cell lines established from the primary tumors with liver and lung metastasis potentials, respectively, in Kras/p53 mutation conditional knock-in (KPC) mice were co-cultured with matched CAFs or mouse mesenchymal stem cells. CAFs were isolated from metastases and subjected to DNA methylation and whole transcriptomic RNA sequencing analysis.

Results

The ability of mouse PDAC tumor cell lines in developing liver or lung-specific metastases was demonstrated in orthotopic models. Tumor cells associated with liver metastasis potential, but not those associated with lung metastasis potential, induced the methylation of metabolism genes including NQO1 and ALDH1a3 and subsequent downregulated mRNA expression of a broader group of metabolism genes in CAFs. DNA methylation and downregulation of metabolism genes in CAFs in liver metastasis, but not those in lung metastasis, appeared to be regulated by DNA methyltransferase. Tumor cells associated with liver metastasis potential, but not those associated with lung metastasis potential, induce inflammatory CAF (iCAF) signatures. CAFs from liver metastasis demonstrated a more homogenous iCAF phenotype, whereas CAFs from lung metastasis maintained the heterogeneity.

Conclusions

PDAC with organ-specific metastatic potentials has different capacities in inducing methylation of metabolism genes in CAFs, modulating CAF phenotypes, and resulting in different levels of heterogeneity of CAFs in different metastatic niches.
Designing a conceptual framework for misinformation on social media: a qualitative study on COVID-19
Authors: Bastani Peivand , Hakimzadeh Seyyed Mostafa , Bahrami Mohammad Amin
Published: November 2021

Objective

This study was aimed to present a conceptual framework about the misinformation surrounding COVID-19 outbreak in Iran. For this purpose, discourse analysis of two of the most common social virtual networks were conducted via a four step approach as follows: defining the research question and selecting the content of analysis, gathering information and theory on the context, content analysis for establishing the themes and patterns and, presenting the results and drawing conclusions.

Results

Cultural factors, demand pressure for information during the crisis, the easiness of information dissemination via social networks, marketing incentives and the poor legal supervision of online content are the main reasons for misinformation dissemination. Disease statistics; treatments and prevention are the main subjective categories of releasing misinformation. The consequences of misinformation dissemination include psychosocial, economic, health status, health system and ethical ones. The most recommended strategies for dealing with the issue could be divided into demand and supply-side strategies.
The role of chest imaging in the diagnosis, management, and monitoring of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Authors: Inui Shohei , Gonoi Wataru , Kurokawa Ryo , Nakai Yudai , Watanabe Yusuke , Sakurai Keita , Ishida Masanori , Fujikawa Akira , Abe Osamu
Published: November 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has posed a major public health crisis all over the world. The role of chest imaging, especially computed tomography (CT), has evolved during the pandemic paralleling the accumulation of scientific evidence. In the early stage of the pandemic, the performance of chest imaging for COVID-19 has widely been debated especially in the context of comparison to real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Current evidence is against the use of chest imaging for routine screening of COVID-19 contrary to the initial expectations. It still has an integral role to play, however, in its work up and staging, especially when assessing complications or disease progression. Chest CT is gold standard imaging modality for COVID-19 pneumonia; in some situations, chest X-ray or ultrasound may be an effective alternative. The most important role of radiologists in this context is to be able to identify those patients at greatest risk of imminent clinical decompensation by learning to stratify cases of COVID-19 on the basis of radiologic imaging in the most efficient and timely fashion possible. The present availability of multiple and more refined CT grading systems and classification is now making this task easier and thereby contributing to the recent improvements achieved in COVID-19 treatment and outcomes. In this article, evidence of chest imaging regarding diagnosis, management and monitoring of COVID-19 will be chronologically reviewed.
Astrocytes and retrograde degeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson’s disease: removing axonal debris
Authors: Morales Ingrid , Puertas-Avendaño Ricardo , Sanchez Alberto , Perez-Barreto Adrian , Rodriguez-Sabate Clara , Rodriguez Manuel
Published: November 2021

Objective

The dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurons (DA cells) in healthy people present a slow degeneration with aging, which produces cellular debris throughout life. About 2%–5% of people present rapid cell degeneration of more than 50% of DA cells, which produces Parkinson’s disease (PD). Neuroinflammation accelerates the cell degeneration and may be critical for the transition between the slow physiological and the rapid pathological degeneration of DA cells, particularly when it activates microglial cells of the medial forebrain bundle near dopaminergic axons. As synaptic debris produced by DA cell degeneration may trigger the parkinsonian neuroinflammation, this study investigated the removal of axonal debris produced by retrograde degeneration of DA cells, paying particular attention to the relative roles of astrocytes and microglia.

Methods

Rats and mice were injected in the lateral ventricles with 6-hydroxydopamine, inducing a degeneration of dopaminergic synapses in the striatum which was not accompanied by non-selective tissue damage, microgliosis or neuroinflammation. The possible retrograde degeneration of dopaminergic axons, and the production and metabolization of DA-cell debris were studied with immunohistochemical methods and analyzed in confocal and electron microscopy images.

Results

The selective degeneration of dopaminergic synapses in the striatum was followed by a retrograde degeneration of dopaminergic axons whose debris was found within spheroids of the medial forebrain bundle. These spheroids retained mitochondria and most (e.g., tyrosine hydroxylase, the dopamine transporter protein, and amyloid precursor protein) but not all (e.g., α-synuclein) proteins of the degenerating dopaminergic axons. Spheroids showed initial (autophagosomes) but not late (lysosomes) components of autophagy (incomplete autophagy). These spheroids were penetrated by astrocytic processes of the medial forebrain bundle, which provided the lysosomes needed to continue the degradation of dopaminergic debris. Finally, dopaminergic proteins were observed in the cell somata of astrocytes. No microgliosis or microglial phagocytosis of debris was observed in the medial forebrain bundle during the retrograde degeneration of dopaminergic axons.

Conclusions

The present data suggest a physiological role of astrocytic phagocytosis of axonal debris for the medial forebrain bundle astrocytes, which may prevent the activation of microglia and the spread of retrograde axonal degeneration in PD.
University academics’ perceptions regarding the future use of telepresence robots to enhance virtual transnational education: an exploratory investigation in a developing country
Authors: Khadri Hanaa Ouda
Published: November 2021

There is a growing interest in employing telepresence robots in different educational contexts due to their great potentials to enhance and improve educational experiences for remote learners. However, there is little use of telepresence robots in virtual transnational education contexts in developing countries. There is a lack of knowledge about university academics’ perceptions regarding the future use of telepresence robots to enhance virtual transnational education contexts. This exploratory research aims to fill this gap by seeking to have evidence-based information on whether telepresence robots as a new emerging technology is perceived among university academics as a useful tool for enhancing virtual transnational education or not. This study also seeks to better understand university academics’ perceptions of obstacles that may hinder them from using telepresence robots and the support that they will need. A sample of 46 Egyptian university academics participated in this study. The results of the study revealed that the academics perceived telepresence robots to have a great potential to enhance virtual transnational education. The academics also perceived telepresence robotics to have positive effects on educational activities. Furthermore, the participants indicated a number of barriers regarding integrating telepresence robotics into the teaching and learning activities and identified the types of support they will need. The uptake of telepresence robots to enhance virtual transnational education could lead to a larger international learner population, better virtual transnational education, and more university revenue. Recommendations for future research are also presented.
Guns, violence, politics: the gyre widens
Authors: Wintemute Garen J.
Published: November 2021

Inter-related sustained upward trends in firearm purchasing, violence, and political extremism are converging to put the USA at risk for disaster and threaten our future as a democracy. This narrative review provides a critical assessment and call to action. It explores each trend separately, considers the effects of their likely and imminent convergence, and suggests possibilities for collective and individual action to prevent or at least reduce those effects.
3D convolutional neural networks-based multiclass classification of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases using PET and SPECT neuroimaging modalities
Authors: Tufail Ahsan Bin , Ma Yong-Kui , Zhang Qiu-Na , Khan Adil , Zhao Lei , Yang Qiang , Adeel Muhammad , Khan Rahim , Ullah Inam
Published: November 2021

Background

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative brain pathology formed due to piling up of amyloid proteins, development of plaques and disappearance of neurons. Another common subtype of dementia like AD, Parkinson’s disease (PD) is determined by the disappearance of dopaminergic neurons in the region known as substantia nigra pars compacta located in the midbrain. Both AD and PD target aged population worldwide forming a major chunk of healthcare costs. Hence, there is a need for methods that help in the early diagnosis of these diseases. PD subjects especially those who have confirmed postmortem plaque are a strong candidate for a second AD diagnosis. Modalities such as positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) can be combined with deep learning methods to diagnose these two diseases for the benefit of clinicians.

Result

In this work, we deployed a 3D Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to extract features for multiclass classification of both AD and PD in the frequency and spatial domains using PET and SPECT neuroimaging modalities to differentiate between AD, PD and Normal Control (NC) classes. Discrete Cosine Transform has been deployed as a frequency domain learning method along with random weak Gaussian blurring and random zooming in/out augmentation methods in both frequency and spatial domains. To select the hyperparameters of the 3D-CNN model, we deployed both 5- and 10-fold cross-validation (CV) approaches. The best performing model was found to be AD/NC(SPECT)/PD classification with random weak Gaussian blurred augmentation in the spatial domain using fivefold CV approach while the worst performing model happens to be AD/NC(PET)/PD classification without augmentation in the frequency domain using tenfold CV approach. We also found that spatial domain methods tend to perform better than their frequency domain counterparts.

Conclusion

The proposed model provides a good performance in discriminating AD and PD subjects due to minimal correlation between these two dementia types on the clinicopathological continuum between AD and PD subjects from a neuroimaging perspective.
Primary hepatic neuroendocrine carcinoma diagnosed by needle biopsy: a case report
Authors: Seki Yusuke , Sakata Hiroki , Uekusa Toshimasa , Momose Hirokazu , Yoneyama Satomi , Hidemura Akio , Tajima Yusuke , Suzuki Hiroyuki , Ishimaru Masahiro
Published: November 2021

Background

Primary hepatic neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) are extremely rare. The rate of recurrence after resection is extremely high, and the prognosis is poor. It is debatable whether chemotherapy or surgical resection is the optimal initial treatment for primary hepatic NECs. Therefore, selecting an appropriate therapeutic approach for patients with primary hepatic NECs remains clinically challenging. We present a case of primary hepatic NEC in a patient who developed recurrence after undergoing surgical resection.

Case presentation

A 78-year-old man with bone metastases of prostate cancer was referred to our department because of a solitary 66-mm tumor in the left lateral segment of the liver, which was detected on annual follow-up by computed tomography after prostate resection. A biopsy and preoperative diagnostic workup identified the lesion as a primary hepatic neuroendocrine carcinoma; therefore, left lateral segmentectomy was performed. Immunohistochemically, the tumor was positive for chromogranin A, synaptophysin, and CD 56, and the Ki-67 index was 40%. This neuroendocrine carcinoma was classified as a large cell type. Adjuvant chemotherapy with carboplatin + etoposide was initially administered a month after surgery. However, lymph node recurrence occurred 4 months after surgery, and the patient died of systemic metastases 15 months after surgical resection.

Conclusions

Due to the lack of availability of abundant quantities of relevant, high-quality data, there is no standard therapy for primary hepatic NECs. Selecting the most appropriate treatment for patients depending on several factors, such as the stage and differentiation of a tumor and a patient’s performance status and clinical course, is consequently preferred. More cases need to be studied to establish the best treatment strategy for primary hepatic NEC.
Impact of perceived interpersonal similarity on attention to the eyes of same-race and other-race faces
Authors: Kawakami Kerry , Friesen Justin P. , Williams Amanda , Vingilis-Jaremko Larissa , Sidhu David M. , Rodriguez-Bailón Rosa , Cañadas Elena , Hugenberg Kurt
Published: November 2021

One reason for the persistence of racial discrimination may be anticipated dissimilarity with racial outgroup members that prevent meaningful interactions. In the present research, we investigated whether perceived similarity would impact the processing of same-race and other-race faces.
Specifically, in two experiments, we varied the extent to which White participants were ostensibly similar to targets via bogus feedback on a personality test. With an eye tracker, we measured the effect of this manipulation on attention to the eyes, a critical region for person perception and face memory. In Experiment 1, we monitored the impact of perceived interpersonal similarity on White participants’ attention to the eyes of same-race White targets. In Experiment 2, we replicated this procedure, but White participants were presented with either same-race White targets or other-race Black targets in a between-subjects design. The pattern of results in both experiments indicated a positive linear effect of similarity—greater perceived similarity between participants and targets predicted more attention to the eyes of White and Black faces. The implications of these findings related to top-down effects of perceived similarity for our understanding of basic processes in face perception, as well as intergroup relations, are discussed.
Angiographic features and transarterial embolization of retained placenta with abnormal vaginal bleeding
Authors: Takaji Ryo , Kiyosue Hiro , Maruno Miyuki , Hongo Norio , Shimada Ryuichi , Ide Satomi , Tokuyama Kohei , Okamoto Mamiko , Kawano Yasushi , Asayama Yoshiki
Published: November 2021

Objectives

To clarify characteristic angiographic features and clinical efficacy of selective transarterial embolization (TAE) of retained placenta with abnormal vaginal bleeding.

Methods

The study cohort comprised 22 patients (mean age, 33.5 years; range, 22–24 years) who underwent selective TAE for retained placenta with abnormal bleeding between January 2018 and December 2020 at our institution. Angiographic images were reviewed by two certified radiologists with consensus. Medical records were reviewed to evaluate the efficacy of TAE. Angiographic features of retained placenta, technical success (disappearance of abnormal findings on angiography), complications, clinical outcomes (hemostatic effects and recurrent bleeding) were evaluated.

Results

Pelvic angiography showed a dilated vascular channel mimicking arteriovenous fistulas or an aneurysm contiguous with dilated uterine arteries in the mid-arterial–capillary phase in 20 patients; it showed contrast brush in the remaining two patients. TAE technical success was achieved in all patients. No major complications were observed in any patients. Fifteen patients were followed up with expectant management after TAE; all but one patient showed no re-bleeding during the follow-up period (mean follow-up interval, 3.4 months; range, 1–17 months). One patient showed minor rebleeding, which resolved spontaneously. Seven patients underwent scheduled hysteroscopic resection within 1 week after TAE, and no excessive bleeding was observed during or after the surgical procedure in all seven patients.

Conclusions

The characteristic angiographic feature of retained placenta is “dilated vascular channel that mimic low flow AVM.” TAE is a safe and effective treatment to manage retained placenta with abnormal bleeding.
Indexing structures for the PLS blockchain
Authors: Shafarenko Alex
Published: November 2021

This paper studies known indexing structures from a new point of view: minimisation of data exchange between an IoT device acting as a blockchain client and the blockchain server running a protocol suite that includes two Guy Fawkes protocols, PLS and SLVP. The PLS blockchain is not a cryptocurrency instrument; it is an immutable ledger offering guaranteed non-repudiation to low-power clients without use of public key crypto. The novelty of the situation is in the fact that every PLS client has to obtain a proof of absence in all blocks of the chain to which its counterparty does not contribute, and we show that it is possible without traversing the block’s Merkle tree. We obtain weight statistics of a leaf path on a sparse Merkle tree theoretically, as our ground case. Using the theory we quantify the communication cost of a client interacting with the blockchain. We show that large savings can be achieved by providing a bitmap index of the tree compressed using Tunstall’s method. We further show that even in the case of correlated access, as in two IoT devices posting messages for each other in consecutive blocks, it is possible to prevent compression degradation by re-randomising the IDs using a pseudorandom bijective function. We propose a low-cost function of this kind and evaluate its quality by simulation, using the avalanche criterion.
Artificial intelligence in arthroplasty
Authors: Purnomo Glen , Yeo Seng-Jin , Liow Ming Han Lincoln
Published: November 2021

Artificial intelligence (AI) is altering the world of medicine. Given the rapid advances in technology, computers are now able to learn and improve, imitating humanoid cognitive function. AI applications currently exist in various medical specialties, some of which are already in clinical use. This review presents the potential uses and limitations of AI in arthroplasty to provide a better understanding of the existing technology and future direction of this field.

Recent literature demonstrates that the utilization of AI in the field of arthroplasty has the potential to improve patient care through better diagnosis, screening, planning, monitoring, and prediction. The implementation of AI technology will enable arthroplasty surgeons to provide patient-specific management in clinical decision making, preoperative health optimization, resource allocation, decision support, and early intervention. While this technology presents a variety of exciting opportunities, it also has several limitations and challenges that need to be overcome to ensure its safety and effectiveness.
Production of fermented tea petal decoction with insights into in vitro biochemical tests, antioxidant assay and GC-MS analysis
Authors: Majumder Soumya , Saha Sumedha , Ghosh Arindam , Acharyya Sukanya , Sarkar Sahadeb , Chakraborty Sourav , Bhattacharya Malay
Published: November 2021

This research work was designed to attempt and propose the first report on production and biochemical characterization of fermented tea flower petal decoction or simply tea petal wine. The tea petal decoction and brewer’s yeast or Saccharomyces cerevisiae were co-cultured for fermentation. Antioxidant activity and chromatographic separation of potential candidates were assessed. Primary investigations for qualitative characters on this fermented broth revealed the presence of steroids, tannin, flavonoids, phenol, cardiac glycosides, coumarin, caffeine etc. Our manufactured fermented broth showed high free radical scavenging activity after 2 months of aging. High DPPH scavenging activities were also observed in solvent fractions of acetone, ethanol and methanol. The antioxidant activity, alcohol percentage and other qualities were seen to be gradually increased during aging. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed the presence of 44 compounds including many potential antioxidant molecules and other bioactive agents. Hopefully, presence of alcohol with medicinally active compounds and antioxidant activity will make it as acceptable as a good wine and tea flower as economically functional.

Graphical abstract
Secondary findings from whole-exome sequencing data in families with familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL)
Authors: Zakeri Mana , Safaiee Mohammad Sadegh , Taheri Forough , Taghizadeh Eskandar , Ferns Gordon A. , Mobarhan Majid Ghayour , Pasdar Alireza
Published: November 2021

Background

During the interpretation of genome sequencing data, some types of secondary findings are identified that are located in genes that do not appear to be related to the causes of the primary disease. Although these are not the primary targets for evaluation, they have a high risk for some diseases different from the primary disease. Therefore, they can be vital for preventing and intervention from such disease.

Results

Here, we analyzed secondary findings obtained from WES in 6 families with FCHL disease who had an autosomal-dominant pattern based on their pedigrees. These finding are found in CDKAL1, ITGA2, FAM111A, WNK4, PTGIS, SCN10, TBX20, DCHS1, ANK2 and ABCA1 genes.

Conclusions

Secondary findings are very important and must be considered different variants from sequencing results in a diagnostic setting. Although we have considered these variants as secondary findings, some of them may be related to the primary disease.
Antioxidant property, haematinic and biosafety effect of Ipomoea batatas lam. leaf extract in animal model
Authors: Gabriel Benjamin Ogunma , Idu MacDonald
Published: November 2021

Background

Plant medicine was dated back for decades and has immensely contributed to the health care system in several countries. This present study evaluated in vitro antioxidant, anti-anaemic and biosafety properties of n-hexane leaf extract of Ipomoea batatas L. in an animal model. The antioxidant property of the extract was expressed by 1, 1-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) with an appropriate method. The extract was orally administered at graded doses (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight) to determine its effect on 40 mg/kg phenylhydrazine hydrochloride-induced anaemia in rats at days 1, 7 and 14 using a standard protocol. Acute and subacute toxicological evaluations were based on initial behaviour, mortality and histological examination of the organs.

Results

The antioxidant study of the extract showed 60.14% in the presence of DPPH and ascorbic acid. The haematological parameters (RBC, HGB, HCT, MCV, MCH and MCHC) significantly increased at p value < 0.05 in the treated groups compared with control groups. Specifically, there is a significant increase in the treatment groups, namely red blood cells (5.93, 6.78, 6.75), haematocrit (40.75, 44.05, 44.63) and haemoglobin (13.35, 14.70, 14.73), when compared with untreated control. Also, the results of the myeloid/erythroid ratio of the treated groups (20: 40, 21.7: 43.4 ratio) and (23. 3: 46.6 ratio) are compared with (15.0: 25.0 ratio) of 40 mg/kg phenylhydrazine and 25: 50 normal control of the bone marrow at day 14. No acute behavioural change or mortality was observed. Histological analysis exhibited normal physiological state of the visceral organs.

Conclusions

These findings support the folklore use of Ipomoea batatas L. leaf extract to reduce oxidative stress, treat anaemia and exhibit its safety at the highest doses of 500 mg/kg body weight.
“Type C appendicular duplication with patent vitello-intestinal duct—an unforeseen association”—a case report
Authors: Rajkiran Raju S. , Prasanna Kumar A. R. , Shubha A. M. , Crasta Julian
Published: November 2021

Background

Gastrointestinal duplications are uncommon occurring in 1 in 5000 live births. Small intestine is commonly involved, while appendicular duplications are extremely rare. Vitelline duct anomalies arise due to failure of involution of the omphalomesenteric duct. Their spectrum ranges from a simple umbilical sinus to completely patent omphalomesenteric fistulae. We report here a rare association of complete appendico-cecal duplication with patent vitello-intestinal duct (PVID).

Case presentation

A 14-year-old girl who presented with complaints of scant, foul smelling, and feculent discharge from umbilicus intermittently since birth was evaluated and diagnosed to have a patent vitello-intestinal duct. At laparotomy, a patent vitello-intestinal tract opening unusually at the ileo-cecal junction was noted. In addition, an appendico-cecal duplication cyst bearing an appendix on the mesenteric side and a 4-cm long orthotopic appendix on the native cecum was found with the duplex cecum sharing a common wall and blood supply. The terminal ileum with the duplication and patent vitello-intestinal duct were excised in toto, and an end-to-end ileo-ascending anastomosis was done. The child is well at 1 year follow-up.

Conclusion

A complete appendico-cecal (Type C) duplication with ectopically inserted patent vitello-intestinal duct is reported here as an unusual association, discussing its management and the probable disarray in the embryological development.
Incidence, etiology, and course of hypercalcemia-induced AKI in a tertiary care center from northern India
Authors: Bhat Nucksheeba Aziz , Mustafa Farhat , Sheikh Rayees Yousuf , Wani Imtiyaz
Published: November 2021

Background

Hypercalcemia is known to cause acute kidney injury (AKI). Literature related to hypercalcemic AKI is predominantly in the form of case reports and case series. The purpose of this study is to find the incidence, etiology, and course of hypercalcemia-induced AKI in a non-critical care setting. To our knowledge, this is the first study done to look for the incidence, etiology, and course of hypercalcemia-induced AKI in a non-critical care setting. This is a prospective observational study conducted in the Department of Medicine in a tertiary care center from Jammu and Kashmir, India, from June 2010 to June 2012. Patients admitted with hypercalcemia were assessed for AKI and evaluated and treated for hypercalcemia. Renal function was monitored during hospitalization and at 1 month of discharge. AKI and hypercalcemia were arbitrarily defined as serum creatinine > 1.5 mg/dl and corrected serum calcium of ≥ 11.5 mg/dl (as per reference hospital lab), respectively.

Results

Thirty patients are included. Hyperparathyroidism and multiple myeloma accounted for 13(43.3%) and 10 (33.3%) cases, respectively. Mean ±SD corrected serum calcium at diagnosis and after treatment at 1 month was 13.56 ± 1.86 mg/dl and 9.49±1.35 mg/dl, respectively; p < 0.001. Mean ±SD serum creatinine at baseline and after treatment of hypercalcemia was 2.87 ±1.68 mg/dl and 1.49±1.34 mg/dl, respectively; p < 0.001. Twenty-three (76.7%) patients had AKI. AKI recovered after treating hypercalcemia in 25 (83.3 %) patients. Mean ± SD days taken for the decrease in serum creatinine to ≤ 1.5 mg/dl was 8.28 ± 4.17 days. Mean ± SD serum creatinine after treatment of hypercalcemia in hyperparathyroidism group versus non-parathyroid group was 0.97 ± 0.35 mg/dl and 1.88 ±1.67 mg/dl, respectively; p value 0.009.

Conclusions

Hypercalcemia is commonly associated with AKI. Primary hyperparathyroidism and multiple myeloma account for the majority of the cases. Hypercalcemic AKI with primary hyperparathyroidism is less common and the outcome is better, as compared to non-hyperparathyroidism-related causes. AKI is reversible in most cases.
Spatiotemporal variations in seismic attenuation during hydraulic fracturing: A case study in a tight oil reservoir in the Ordos Basin, China
Authors: Li Han , Chang Xu , Xie Xiao-Bi , Wang Yibo
Published: November 2021

During hydraulic fracturing (HF) stimulation for unconventional reservoir development, seismic attenuation has a significant influence on high-frequency microseismic data. Attenuation also provides important information for characterizing reservoir structure and changes to it due to HF injections. However, the attenuation effect is typically not considered in microseismic analysis. We have adopted the spectral ratio and centroid-frequency shift methods to estimate the subsurface attenuation (the factor [Formula: see text]) in a tight oil reservoir in the Ordos Basin, China. The P- and S-wave attenuations are calculated using the 3C waveform data recorded by a single-well downhole geophone array during a 12-stage HF stimulation. Both methods provide similar results (with differences in [Formula: see text] of absolute values less than 0.010 for P- and S-waves). For individual events, their median [Formula: see text] values calculated from different geophones are selected to represent the average attenuation. Spatiotemporal variations in attenuation are obtained by investigating [Formula: see text] values along propagating rays linking different source–receiver pairs. The [Formula: see text] values derived at different HF stages reveal significant attenuation in the targeted tight sandstone layer (0.030–0.062 for [Formula: see text] and 0.026−0.058 for [Formula: see text]), and the attenuation is apparently increased by fluid injection activities. We explain the sudden decrease in attenuation near the geophone array as a result of high shale content using log data from a horizontal treatment well. The consistency between the [Formula: see text] values and horizontal well-log data, as well as the HF process, indicates the reliability and robustness of the attenuation results. By studying spatiotemporal variations in attenuation, the changes in subsurface structures may be quantitatively characterized, thereby creating a reliable basis for microseismic modeling and data processing and providing additional information on monitoring the HF process.
Prediction of favorable areas for oil accumulation in outer-source tight reservoirs under the control of lateral migration distance: A case study of the Baikouquan Formation, Mahu Sag, Junggar Basin, China
Authors: Feng Chong , Zhang Jingyuan , Wang Junwei , Wang Xiao , Wang Guoxiang , Ma Mingze , Zhang Yupeng
Published: November 2021

There is a starting pressure gradient (SPG) for oil migration in tight reservoirs (TRs), and the SPG and the migration force jointly control the migration distance of oil. The key factor of oil accumulation in the tight glutenite reservoir (TGR) of the Lower Triassic Baikouquan Formation (T1 b) in the Mahu Sag is whether the oil can be laterally charged into the TRs. To analyze the lateral migration distances of oil in TRs and predict the favorable accumulation areas for oil, we have carried out a physical simulation experiment of oil charging on glutenite reservoirs of T1 b for obtaining the SPG of oil migration and knowing the relationship between SPGs and the reservoirs’ physical property. According to the basin simulation, we have obtained the pressure evolution of the source-rock formation as well as reservoir formation and the physical property evolution of the reservoir. Finally, we have predicated the favorable oil accumulation areas through calculating the distribution characteristics of SPGs as well as the theoretical distances of lateral migration of oil during the key oil accumulation period and considering the theoretical distance of the lateral migration of oil as the main controlling factor. Our results suggest that there is a SPG in the TGR of the T1 b and that there is a power function relationship between the SPG and the permeability. The theoretical lateral migration distance of oil in T1 b during the key oil accumulation period was the farthest in the northern sag, which was gradually shortened to the east, west, and south. In class I favorable areas, the reservoirs have good physical properties where overpressure has developed; in addition, the lateral migration distance of oil is far. Therefore, these are the most favorable areas for oil accumulation.
Longer-term mortality following SARS-CoV-2 infection in people with severe mental illness: retrospective case-matched study
Authors: Chen Shanquan , Fernandez-Egea Emilio , Jones Peter B. , Lewis Jonathan R. , Cardinal Rudolf N.
Published: November 2021

Persisting symptoms and dysfunction after SARS-CoV-2 infection have frequently been observed. However, information on the aftermath of COVID-19 is inadequate. We followed up people with severe mental illness (SMI) infected with SARS-CoV-2, and evaluated their longer-term mortality, using data from Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, UK. We examined the time course and duration of mortality risk from the point of diagnosis. After SARS-CoV-2 infection, people with SMI had a substantially higher risk of death (hazard ratio (HR) = 5.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.56–17.03; P = 0.007) during the first 28 days and during the following 28–60 days (HR = 2.96, 95% CI 1.21–7.26; P = 0.018) than those without infection, but after 60 days the additional risk of death was no longer significant (HR = 2.33, 95% CI 0.83–6.53; P = 0.107).
Randomized Phase III Study of Gefitinib Versus Cisplatin Plus Vinorelbine for Patients With Resected Stage II-IIIA Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer With EGFR Mutation (IMPACT)
Authors: Tada Hirohito , Mitsudomi Tetsuya , Misumi Toshihiro , Sugio Kenji , Tsuboi Masahiro , Okamoto Isamu , Iwamoto Yasuo , Sakakura Noriaki , Sugawara Shunichi , Atagi Shinji , Takahashi Toshiaki , Hayashi Hidetoshi , Okada Morihito , Inokawa Hidetoshi , Yoshioka Hiroshige , Takahashi Kazuhisa , Higashiyama Masahiko , Yoshino Ichiro , Nakagawa Kazuhiko ,   for the West Japan Oncology Group
Published: November 2021

PURPOSE

To investigate the efficacy of gefitinib as an adjuvant therapy for non–small-cell lung cancer patients with EGFR mutation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

IMPACT (WJOG6410L; University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry: UMIN000006252 ), a randomized, open-label, phase III study, included patients with completely resected pathologic stage II-III non–small-cell lung cancer harboring EGFR mutations (exon 19 deletion or L858R) during September 2011 to December 2015. Patients were randomly assigned to receive gefitinib (250 mg once daily) for 24 months or cisplatin (80 mg/m2 on day 1) plus vinorelbine (25 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8; cis/vin) once every 3 weeks for four cycles. The primary end point was disease-free survival (DFS).

RESULTS

Overall, 234 patients were randomly assigned. Among 232 eligible patients (116 each; excluding two who withdrew consent), the median DFS was 35.9 and 25.1 months in the gefitinib and cis/vin groups, respectively. However, Kaplan-Meier curves crossed around 4 years after surgery with no statistically significant difference (stratified log-rank P = .63; hazard ratio by stratified Cox proportional hazards model = 0.92; 95% CI, 0.67 to 1.28). Overall survival (OS) was also not different (stratified log-rank P = .89; hazard ratio = 1.03; 95% CI, 0.65 to 1.65), with the 5-year OS rates being 78.0% and 74.6% in the gefitinib and cis/vin groups, respectively. Treatment-related deaths occurred in 0 and three patients in the gefitinib and cis/vin groups, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Although adjuvant gefitinib appeared to prevent early relapse, it did not prolong DFS or OS. However, similar DFS and OS may justify adjuvant gefitinib in the selected patient subsets, especially those deemed ineligible for platinum-doublet adjuvant therapy; however, this was not a noninferiority trial.
The Proteomic Signature of Recombinant Growth Hormone in Recreational Athletes
Authors: Esefeld Max , Pastor Antoni , de la Torre Rafael , Barroso Osquel , Aikin Reid , Sarwath Hina , Engelke Rudolf , Schmidt Frank , Suhre Karsten
Published: November 2021

Objective

Administration of human growth hormone (hGH) is prohibited in competitive sport and its detection in an athlete’s sample triggers an adverse analytical finding. However, the biological processes that are modulated by recombinant hGH are not well characterized and associated blood serum proteins may constitute new biomarkers for hGH misuse.

Methods

Thirty-five recreational athletes were enrolled in a study to investigate the time- and dose-dependent response of serum protein levels to recombinant hGH administration. Participants were randomly assigned to 4 groups, receiving 1 of 3 different doses of recombinant hGH or a placebo. Bio samples were collected at 22 time points over a period of 13 weeks, starting 4 weeks before treatment, during 3 weeks of treatment, and at 6 weeks’ follow-up. A total of 749 serum samples were analyzed for 1305 protein markers using the SOMAscan proteomics platform.

Results

We identified 66 proteins that significantly associated with recombinant hGH administration and dosage, including well known hGH targets, such as IGF1, but also previously unknown hGH-related proteins (eg, protease inhibitors, WFIKKN1, and chemokines, CCL2). Network analysis revealed changes in specific biological pathways, mainly related to the immune system and glucose metabolism.

Conclusion

Our analysis suggests that hGH administration affects biological processes more strongly than previously acknowledged. Some of the proteins were dysregulated even after hGH treatment and could potentially be developed into biomarkers for hGH misuse. Moreover, our findings suggest new roles for hGH-associated proteins in the etiology of hGH-related diseases and may indicate new risks that may be associated with hGH misuse.
Hopes for Reading in the Era of Globalization
Authors: Falke Cassandra
Published: November 2021

This article identifies in contemporary literary theory a new optimism about the power of literary texts. The medium of this power is not language, ideology, or form but readers open to being changed. Drawing on phenomenology, the article discusses methods for making literary theory students open to and aware of such change, suggesting that hope is the grounding condition for any effective teaching act as well as an effective ground for reading in an era of globalization.
Neosporosis: a neglected abortifacient disease in Egypt, seroprevalence and farmers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices
Authors: GABER A , HEGAZY YM , OREIBY AF , ABDEL WAHAB T , AL-GAABARY MH
Published: November 2021

Neosporosis has emerged as a serious disease of cattle and dogs worldwide, causing abortions, neonatal mortalities and massive economic losses in dairy herds. The current study aimed to investigate the burden of Neospora (N.) caninum infection among cows that aborted and to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) of farmers toward neosporosis in Kafrelsheikh governorate, Egypt. A total of 92 cows that aborted and 25 heifers born from cows that aborted and seropositive for N. caninum infection from 15 dairy herds in different districts of Kafrelsheikh governorate were examined serologically against N. caninum infection using ELISA. A structured questionnaire was built and distributed to 41 farmers in the study area. The overall seroprevalence of N. caninum infection among the examined cows that aborted was 38.04% (35/92). On the other hand, the prevalence of N. caninum infection among the 25 examined heifers born from seropositive cows that aborted was 28% (7/25). The KAPs analysis showed that farmers lack the required information on N. caninum infection and its consequences on dairy farms. The farmers performed risky practices which are responsible for disease entrance and spread on the farm; buy and keeping animals after abortion as well as their heifers. In addition, risk management practices were widespread in dairy farms such as: free movement of dogs, especially stray ones, in 100% of the farms, dogs were able to access and defecate in cattle feed and drinking water sources and had the chance to eat placentas and abortion materials. The current study points out neosporosis as a neglected cause of abortion among cattle in Kafrelsheikh governorate, as well as there is a lack of knowledge and risky practices by the local farmers. These findings may be extrapolated to nearby areas and countries of the same cattle husbandry practices, and veterinary services in such countries should consider neosporosis in their surveillance and control programs.
The supplementation of ovine oocyte maturation medium with triiodothyronine affects the embryo development and apoptotic gene expression
Authors: ASADPOUR R , AHMADNEJAD F , ROSHANGAR L , SABERIVAND A , HAJIBEMANI A
Published: November 2021

Triiodothyronine (T3) plays an essential role in different animal species’ embryonic development. The present research was designed to identify the effect of triiodothyronine on the in vitro ovine embryonic development and the expression of apoptotic genes.A total of 436 immature cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were cultured for 24 h in the oocyte maturation medium supplemented with two concentrations of T3 (T-10 and T-100 ng/mL) or without T3(T-0: control group). Oocyte maturation, cleavage, and blastocyst rates were assessed under an inverted microscope as crucial indicators of embryo development.The relative mRNA abundance of BCL-2-associated X protein (BAX) and anti-apoptotic B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL2) were determined at blastocysts (day 8 after IVF on day 0)by quantitative reverse transcription PCR.The data were analyzed by logistic regression using the GLIMMIX procedure followed by Chi-Square, and one-way ANOVA tests. The higher concentration of T3(100 ng/mL) significantly decreased cumulus expansion and blastocyst rate compared to controls (P<0.001). Additionally, a significantly higher expression level of BAX(P<0.001) and a dramatically lower expression level of BCL2 (P<0.01) were detected in the T-100ng/mL group compared to the controls.However, the relative mRNA level of BCL-2 was significantly higher in the T-10 ng/mL group compared to the control group (P<0.01).It appears that the supplementation of ovine oocyte maturation medium with T3 at high concentration (100 ng/mL) suppresses the ratio of blastocyst formation.
Effects of dietary pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium L.) dietary supplementation on performance, carcass quality, biochemical parameters and duodenal histomorphology of broilers
Authors: ÖLMEZ Μ , YÖRÜK ΜΑ
Published: November 2021

In this study, the effects of (Mentha pulegium L.) dietary supplementation on performance, carcass characteristics, some biochemical parameters, and intestinal histology were investigated in broiler chickens. Four groups were formed as control and groups treated with pennyroyal at different levels (0.25%, 0.50%, and 1.00%). In the experiment. Each group had eight replicates. A total of 192 broilers were used in the study with six broilers in each replicate. Water and feed were ad libitum provided. Adding different levels of pennyroyals to broiler rations significantly affected performance parameters; an increase in final body weight and carcass yield and a decrease in total feed intake and the conversion rate was observed (P<0.05). Serum cholesterol, malondialdehyde, and glutathione values were also affected by the addition of pennyroyal (P<0.05). Pennyroyal was effective in vitro against S. enteritidis, E. coli, S. aureus, S. abortus ovis, B.anthracis sterne strains. Besides, it increased the duodenum villus’ length compared to the control group (P<0.05). On the other hand, pennyroyal did not affect carcass and visceral organ weights, several serum biochemical values (P>0.05). As a result, it was concluded that pennyroyal at the level of 0.50% in ration was effective on health and growth performance of broilers.