bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcomes of two different unbalanced segregations from a maternal t(4;10)(q33;p15.1) translocation
Authors: Fan Judith , Senaratne T. Niroshini , Liu Jason Y. , Bina Michelle , Martinez-Agosto Julian A. , Quintero-Rivera Fabiola , Wang Jessica J.
Published: March 2023

Background

Unbalanced translocations can cause developmental delay (DD), intellectual disability (ID), growth problems, dysmorphic features, and congenital anomalies. They may arise de novo or may be inherited from a parent carrying a balanced rearrangement. It is estimated that 1/500 people is a balanced translocation carrier. The outcomes of different chromosomal rearrangements have the potential to reveal the functional consequences of partial trisomy or partial monosomy and can help guide genetic counseling for balanced carriers, and other young patients diagnosed with similar imbalances.

Methods

We performed clinical phenotyping and cytogenetic analyses of two siblings with a history of developmental delay (DD), intellectual disability (ID) and dysmorphic features.

Results

The proband, a 38-year-old female, has a history of short stature, dysmorphic features and aortic coarctation. She underwent chromosomal microarray analysis, which identified partial monosomy of 4q and partial trisomy of 10p. Her brother, a 37-year-old male, has a history of more severe DD, behavioral problems, dysmorphic features, and congenital anomalies. Subsequently, karyotype confirmed two different unbalanced translocations in the siblings: 46,XX,der(4)t(4;10)(q33;p15.1) and 46,XY,der(10)t(4;10)(q33;p15.1), respectively. These chromosomal rearrangements represent two possible outcomes from a parent who is a carrier for a balanced translocation 46,XX,t(4;10)(q33;p15.1).

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this 4q and 10p translocation has not been described in literature. In this report we compare clinical features due to the composite effects of partial monosomy 4q with partial trisomy 10p and partial trisomy 4q with partial monosomy 10p. These findings speak to the relevance of old and new genomic testing, the viability of these segregation outcomes, and need for genetic counseling.
An integrated multi-omic approach demonstrates distinct molecular signatures between human obesity with and without metabolic complications: a case–control study
Authors: Mir Fayaz Ahmad , Mall Raghvendra , Ullah Ehsan , Iskandarani Ahmad , Cyprian Farhan , Samra Tareq A. , Alkasem Meis , Abdalhakam Ibrahem , Farooq Faisal , Taheri Shahrad , Abou-Samra Abdul-Badi
Published: March 2023

Objectives

To examine the hypothesis that obesity complicated by the metabolic syndrome, compared to uncomplicated obesity, has distinct molecular signatures and metabolic pathways.

Methods

We analyzed a cohort of 39 participants with obesity that included 21 with metabolic syndrome, age-matched to 18 without metabolic complications. We measured in whole blood samples 754 human microRNAs (miRNAs), 704 metabolites using unbiased mass spectrometry metabolomics, and 25,682 transcripts, which include both protein coding genes (PCGs) as well as non-coding transcripts. We then identified differentially expressed miRNAs, PCGs, and metabolites and integrated them using databases such as mirDIP (mapping between miRNA-PCG network), Human Metabolome Database (mapping between metabolite-PCG network) and tools like MetaboAnalyst (mapping between metabolite-metabolic pathway network) to determine dysregulated metabolic pathways in obesity with metabolic complications.

Results

We identified 8 significantly enriched metabolic pathways comprising 8 metabolites, 25 protein coding genes and 9 microRNAs which are each differentially expressed between the subjects with obesity and those with obesity and metabolic syndrome. By performing unsupervised hierarchical clustering on the enrichment matrix of the 8 metabolic pathways, we could approximately segregate the uncomplicated obesity strata from that of obesity with metabolic syndrome.

Conclusions

The data suggest that at least 8 metabolic pathways, along with their various dysregulated elements, identified via our integrative bioinformatics pipeline, can potentially differentiate those with obesity from those with obesity and metabolic complications.
Fast and easy bioassay for the necrotizing fungus Botrytis cinerea on poplar leaves
Authors: Dreischhoff Steven , Das Ishani Shankar , Häffner Felix , Wolf Anna Malvine , Polle Andrea , Kasper Karl Henrik
Published: March 2023

Background

Necrotizing pathogens pose an immense economic and ecological threat to trees and forests, but the molecular analysis of these pathogens is still in its infancy because of lacking model systems. To close this gap, we developed a reliable bioassay for the widespread necrotic pathogen Botrytis cinerea on poplars (Populus sp.), which are established model organisms to study tree molecular biology.

Results

Botrytis cinerea was isolated from Populus x canescens leaves. We developed an infection system using fungal agar plugs, which are easy to handle. The method does not require costly machinery and results in very high infection success and significant fungal proliferation within four days. We successfully tested the fungal plug infection on 18 poplar species from five different sections. Emerging necroses were phenotypically and anatomically examined in Populus x canescens leaves. We adapted methods for image analyses of necrotic areas. We calibrated B. cinerea DNA against Ct-values obtained by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and measured the amounts of fungal DNA in infected leaves. Increases in necrotic area and fungal DNA were strictly correlated within the first four days after inoculation. Methyl jasmonate pretreatment of poplar leaves decreased the spreading of the infection.

Conclusions

We provide a simple and rapid protocol to study the effects of a necrotizing pathogen on poplar leaves. The bioassay and fungal DNA quantification for Botrytis cinerea set the stage for in-depth molecular studies of immunity and resistance to a generalist necrotic pathogen in trees.
Childhood exposure to armed conflict and nutritional health outcomes in Nigeria
Authors: Makinde Olusesan Ayodeji , Olamijuwon Emmanuel , Mgbachi Ifeanyi , Sato Ryoko
Published: March 2023

Background

Armed conflicts are associated with an increased risk of food insecurity, the leading cause of malnutrition in low-and-middle-income countries. Multiple studies have uncovered significant influences of childhood malnutrition on children’s overall health and development. As a result, it is increasingly important to understand how childhood experience of armed conflict intersects with childhood malnutrition in conflict-prone countries like Nigeria. This study examined the association between different measures of childhood experiences of armed conflicts and the nutritional health outcomes of children aged 36–59 months.

Methods

We used data from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey linked with Uppsala Conflict Data Program Geo-Referenced Events Dataset using geographic identifiers. Multilevel regression models were fitted on a sample of 4226 children aged 36–59 months.

Results

The prevalence of stunting, underweight and wasting was 35%, 20% and 3%, respectively. Armed conflicts were mostly recorded in the North-eastern states of Borno (222 episodes) and Adamawa (24 episodes). Exposure to armed conflicts ranged from 0 (no experience of armed conflict) to 3.75 conflicts per month since the child’s birth. An increase in the frequency of armed conflicts is associated with increased odds of childhood stunting [AOR = 2.52, 95%CI: 1.96–3.25] and underweight [AOR = 2.33, 95%CI: 1.19–4.59] but not wasting. The intensity of armed conflict was only marginally associated with stunting and underweight but not wasting. Longer conflicts that occurred in the last year were also associated with the odds of stunting [AOR = 1.25, 95%CI: 1.17–1.33] and underweight [AOR = 1.19, 95%CI: 1.11–1.26] but not wasting.

Conclusion

Childhood exposure to armed conflict is associated with long-term malnutrition in children aged 36–59 months in Nigeria. Strategies that aim to end childhood malnutrition could target children exposed to armed conflicts.
Pain prevalence and pain management in children and adolescents in an italian third level pediatric hospital: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Marchetti Giuliano , Vittori Alessandro , Cascella Marco , Mascilini Ilaria , Piga Simone , Petrucci Emiliano , Castellano Aurora , Caruso Roberta , Francia Elisa , Stocchi Francesca , Marinangeli Franco , Inserra Alessandro , Picardo Sergio Giuseppe
Published: March 2023

Background

In 2016, we performed a one-day investigation to analyze the prevalence of pain, pain intensity, and pain therapy in the Departments of Surgery and Onco-Hematology of the Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù. To improve the knowledge gap highlighted in the previous study, refresher courses and even personalized audits have been carried out during these years. The purpose of this study is to evaluate if, after 5 years, there have been improvements in the management of pain.

Methods

The study was conducted on 25 January 2020. Pain assessment, pain therapies, pain prevalence and intensity in the preceding 24 h and during the recovery period were recorded. Pain outcomes were compared with previous audit results.

Results

Out of the 63 children with at least one documented pain assessment (starting from 100 eligible), 35 (55.4%) experienced pain: 32 children (50.7%) experienced moderate /severe pain while 3 patients (4%) felt mild pain. In the preceding 24 h, 20 patients (31.7%) reported moderate/severe pain while 10 (16%) reported moderate or severe pain during the interview. The average value of the Pain Management Index (PMI) was − 1.3 ± 0.9 with a minimum of -3 and a maximum of 0. 28 patients (87%) undergoing analgesic therapy for moderate/severe pain had a PMI of less than 0 (undertreated pain), while 3 patients (13%) scored value of 0 or higher (adequate pain therapy), 4 patients (12.5%) received multimodal analgesia with opioids and 2 patients (6%) opioids alone. Time-based therapy was prescribed to 20 patients (62.5%), intermittent therapy was prescribed to 7 patients (22%) and 5 patients (15.5%) did not receive any therapy. The prevalence of pain was higher during hospitalization and 24 h before the interview, while at the time of the interview, the proportion was the same. In this audit, the daily prescription modality of the therapy had some improvements (time-based: 62.5% vs. 44%; intermittent: 22%vs 25%; no therapy: 15.5% vs. 31%).

Conclusion

Pain management in hospitalized children constantly requires special daily attention from health professionals aimed at mitigating the components of intractable pain and resolving those of treatable pain.

Trial registration

: This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number (NCT04209764), registered 24 December 2019, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04209764?term=NCT04209764&draw=2&rank=1.
CRISPR screens identify gene targets at breast cancer risk loci
Authors: Tuano Natasha K. , Beesley Jonathan , Manning Murray , Shi Wei , Perlaza-Jimenez Laura , Malaver-Ortega Luis F. , Paynter Jacob M. , Black Debra , Civitarese Andrew , McCue Karen , Hatzipantelis Aaron , Hillman Kristine , Kaufmann Susanne , Sivakumaran Haran , Polo Jose M. , Reddel Roger R. , Band Vimla , French Juliet D. , Edwards Stacey L. , Powell David R. , Chenevix-Trench Georgia , Rosenbluh Joseph
Published: March 2023

Background

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified > 200 loci associated with breast cancer risk. The majority of candidate causal variants are in non-coding regions and likely modulate cancer risk by regulating gene expression. However, pinpointing the exact target of the association, and identifying the phenotype it mediates, is a major challenge in the interpretation and translation of GWAS.

Results

Here, we show that pooled CRISPR screens are highly effective at identifying GWAS target genes and defining the cancer phenotypes they mediate. Following CRISPR mediated gene activation or suppression, we measure proliferation in 2D, 3D, and in immune-deficient mice, as well as the effect on DNA repair. We perform 60 CRISPR screens and identify 20 genes predicted with high confidence to be GWAS targets that promote cancer by driving proliferation or modulating the DNA damage response in breast cells. We validate the regulation of a subset of these genes by breast cancer risk variants.

Conclusions

We demonstrate that phenotypic CRISPR screens can accurately pinpoint the gene target of a risk locus. In addition to defining gene targets of risk loci associated with increased breast cancer risk, we provide a platform for identifying gene targets and phenotypes mediated by risk variants.
A double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized study to evaluate the efficacy of perioperative dextromethorphan compared to placebo for the treatment of postoperative pain: a study protocol
Authors: Jones Ian A. , Piple Amit S. , Yan Pui Yuk , Longjohn Donald B. , Gilbert Paul K. , Lieberman Jay R. , Gucev Gligor V. , Oakes Daniel A. , Ratto Christina E. , Christ Alexander B. , Heckmann Nathanael D.
Published: March 2023

Background

Pain management is a critical component of comprehensive postsurgical care, as it influences patient safety and outcomes, and inadequate control has been associated with the development of chronic pain syndromes. Despite recent improvements, the management of postoperative pain following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains a challenge. The use of opioid-sparing, multimodal analgesic regimens has broad support, but there is a paucity of high-quality evidence regarding optimal postoperative protocols and novel approaches are needed. Dextromethorphan stands out among both well-studied and emerging pharmacological adjuncts for postoperative pain due its robust safety profile and unique pharmacology. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of multi-dose dextromethorphan for postoperative pain control following TKA.

Methods

This is a single-center, multi-dose, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. A total of 160 participants will be randomized 1:1 to receive either 60 mg oral dextromethorphan hydrobromide preoperatively, as well as 30 mg 8 h and 16 h postoperatively, or matching placebo. Outcome data will be obtained at baseline, during the first 48 h, and the first two follow-up visits. The primary outcome measure will be total opioid consumption at 24 h postoperatively. Secondary outcomes related to pain, function, and quality of life will be evaluated using standard pain scales, the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement (KOOS, JR) questionnaire, the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS-29) questionnaire, and clinical anchors.

Discussion

This study has a number of strengths including adequate power, a randomized controlled design, and an evidence-based dosing schedule. As such, it will provide the most robust evidence to date on dextromethorphan utilization for postoperative pain control following TKA. Limitations include not obtaining serum samples for pharmacokinetic analysis and the single-center study design.

Trial registration

This trial has been registered on the National Institute of Health’sClinicalTrials.gov(NCT number: NCT05278494). Registered on March 14, 2022.
Making a voice heard: evaluation of a new service delivery in augmentative and alternative communication through qualitative interviews with people without natural speech
Authors: Zinkevich Anna , Uthoff Sarah Anna Katharina , Boenisch Jens , Sachse Stefanie Kalén , Schnack Helge , Garbe Carolin , Bernasconi Tobias , Ansmann Lena
Published: March 2023

Objective

Due to communication barriers, people without natural speech who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) are rarely interviewed about their healthcare needs, expectations, and experiences. This qualitative interview study aims to investigate how AAC users evaluate a new service delivery (nSD) in AAC care in Germany.

Results

We conducted 8 semi-structured qualitative interviews with 8 AAC users. The results of the performed qualitative content analysis show a positive evaluation of the nSD among AAC users. Contextual factors were identified that seem to hinder the achievement of the intervention goals. These include caregivers' prejudice and inexperience with AAC and an unfavourable environment in which AAC is used.
Existence of positive solutions for Lidstone boundary value problems on time scales
Authors: Çetin Erbil , Topal Fatma Serap , Agarwal Ravi P.
Published: March 2023

Let$\mathbb{T}\subseteq \mathbb{R}$T⊆Rbe a time scale. The purpose of this paper is to present sufficient conditions for the existence of multiple positive solutions of the following Lidstone boundary value problem on time scales:$$\begin{aligned} &(-1)^{n} y^{\Delta ^{(2n)}}(t) = f\bigl(t, y(t)\bigr), \quad \text{$t\in [a,b]_{ \mathbb{T}}$,} \\ &y^{\Delta ^{(2i)}}(a)= y^{\Delta ^{(2i)}}\bigl(\sigma ^{2n-2i}(b)\bigr)=0,\quad i=0,1,\ldots,n-1. \end{aligned}$$(−1)nyΔ(2n)(t)=f(t,y(t)),t∈[a,b]T,yΔ(2i)(a)=yΔ(2i)(σ2n−2i(b))=0,i=0,1,…,n−1.Existence of multiple positive solutions is established using fixed point methods. At the end some examples are also given to illustrate our results.
Implementation of community-based management of severe acute malnutrition in conflict affected regions: a case of South Kordofan, Sudan
Authors: Sserwanja Quraish , Adam Osman Omer , Mohamed Eissa Hassan , Adam Mohammed Bashir , Mutisya Linet M.
Published: March 2023

Malnutrition is the major cause of mortality and morbidity globally with undernutrition contributing about 45% of all deaths of under five children. Besides the direct effects of protracted conflicts, the macroeconomic crisis that has greatly increased the national inflation rate hence devastating the purchasing power, the COVID-19 outbreak, flooding, and the Desert Locusts have contributed to a food security emergency. Besides being among the most under resourced states, South Kordofan has experienced years of conflict resulting in displacement of people and extensive infrastructure destruction with high rates of malnutrition. The state currently has 230 health facilities and out of these, only 140 are providing outpatient therapeutic programme centres with 28.6% (40) of these being operated by the state ministry of health and the rest by the international non-governmental organizations. Limited resources leading to donor dependence, limited accessibility due to insecurity and floods, poor referral system and gaps in continuity of care, lack of operational and implementation research data and limited integration of management of malnutrition in other health services have negatively affected effective implementation. Ensuring effective and efficient community based management of acute malnutrition, implementation needs action beyond the health sector with a multi-sectoral and integration approach. Federal and state development frameworks should ensure a comprehensive multi-sectoral nutrition policy with strong political commitment and allocation of adequate resources to ensure integrated and quality implementation.
Modelling human lower urinary tract malformations in zebrafish
Authors: Kolvenbach Caroline M. , Dworschak Gabriel C. , Rieke Johanna M. , Woolf Adrian S. , Reutter Heiko , Odermatt Benjamin , Hilger Alina C.
Published: March 2023

Advances in molecular biology are improving our understanding of the genetic causes underlying human congenital lower urinary tract (i.e., bladder and urethral) malformations. This has recently led to the identification of the first disease-causing variants in the gene BNC2 for isolated lower urinary tract anatomical obstruction (LUTO), and of WNT3 and SLC20A1 as genes implicated in the pathogenesis of the group of conditions called bladder-exstrophy-epispadias complex (BEEC). Implicating candidate genes from human genetic data requires evidence of their influence on lower urinary tract development and evidence of the found genetic variants’ pathogenicity. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) has many advantages for use as a vertebrate model organism for the lower urinary tract. Rapid reproduction with numerous offspring, comparable anatomical kidney and lower urinary tract homology, and easy genetic manipulability by Morpholino®-based knockdown or CRISPR/Cas editing are among its advantages. In addition, established marker staining for well-known molecules involved in urinary tract development using whole-mount in situ hybridization (WISH) and the usage of transgenic lines expressing fluorescent protein under a tissue-specific promoter allow easy visualization of phenotypic abnormalities of genetically modified zebrafish. Assays to examine the functionality of the excretory organs can also be modeled in vivo with the zebrafish. The approach of using these multiple techniques in zebrafish not only enables rapid and efficient investigation of candidate genes for lower urinary tract malformations derived from human data, but also cautiously allows transferability of causality from a non-mammalian vertebrate to humans.
Peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis with encapsulated ascites due to Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. massilience and subsp. bolletii: a case series and literature review
Authors: Nagasaka Tomoki , Uchiyama Kiyotaka , Shirai Ryoichi , Mitsuno Ryunosuke , Maruki Tomomi , Hama Eriko Yoshida , Sugita Erina , Kusahana Ei , Sumura Rena , Nakayama Takashin , Kinugasa Satoshi , Morimoto Kohkichi , Ishibashi Yoshitaka , Washida Naoki , Itoh Hiroshi
Published: March 2023

Background

As there is no established standard of care for non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related peritonitis, its treatments have to be case-dependent, which is often difficult. Additionally, several reported cases were accompanied by encapsulated ascites, adhesive ileus, and encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis, suggesting treatment difficulties. We report two cases of PD-related peritonitis with encapsulated ascites due to Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. massilience and subsp. bolletii. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case series to report PD-related peritonitis caused by Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. bolletii.

Case presentation

The first case is that of a 74-year-old male patient who started PD six years ago for end-stage renal failure due to diabetic nephropathy. In February 2021, he presented with signs of infection at the exit-site and swelling of the tunnel. Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. massilience was detected in the culture of the exit-site exudate; thus, he was diagnosed with tunnel infection (caused by NTM). Subsequently, fever, abdominal pain, and increased cell counts in the PD drainage fluid were observed, and he was judged to have NTM peritonitis. His general condition improved after PD catheter removal in addition to antimicrobial treatment and encapsulated ascites drainage. The second case is that of a 52-year-old man who commenced PD for end-stage renal failure due to nephrosclerosis 12 years ago. In May 2022, he was diagnosed with PD-related peritonitis based on signs of infection at the exit-site, encapsulated ascites on computed tomography, and a cloudy PD drainage fluid. Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. bolletii was detected in the culture of the exit-site exudate, which led to the diagnosis of NTM peritonitis. In addition to antimicrobial treatment, PD catheter removal and encapsulated ascites drainage were performed. The patient also had adhesive bowel obstruction due to peritonitis and required decompression therapy with the insertion of a gastric tube.

Conclusions

PD catheter removal and encapsulated ascites drainage might have improved inflammation and treatment outcomes. Additionally, Mycobacterium abscessus might be prone to forming encapsulated cavities and/or intestinal adhesions; however, further accumulation of cases clarifying “subspecies” of Mycobacterium abscessus is necessary to confirm this hypothesis.
Cortical deafness as a sequel of recurrent stroke in patient with prosthetic heart valves and atrial fibrillation: a case report
Authors: Rasyid Al , Mesiano Taufik , Kurniawan Mohammad , Hidayat Rakhmad , Prawiroharjo Pukovisa , Pudianto Angga Pramudita , Jundi Achmad Faisal , Wiyarta Elvan , Harris Salim
Published: March 2023

Background

Cortical deafness is an unusual occurrence caused by injury to the central auditory pathway but not to the hearing organ. This paper reports the first case of cortical deafness as a sequel of recurrent stroke in a patient with prosthetic heart valves and atrial fibrillation in Asia.

Case presentation

A 40-year-old man with a history of atrial fibrillation and valvular heart disease comes with weakness on the right side of the body and slurred speech. Examination showed hemiplegia with increased d-dimer and activated partial thromboplastin time. (APTT). Brain MRI showed multiple subacute infarctions in the temporal lobe. Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) tractography showed no visible auditory tract. Pure tone audiogram and brainstem auditory evoked potential test was normal, but speech reception threshold test was very poor. The patient has been diagnosed with recurrent ischemic stroke with sequel cortical deafness and received anticoagulant therapy and speech therapy. The patient reported minimal subjective impairment 1 month later with no further neurological deterioration.

Conclusions

A multidisciplinary clinical approach is needed in patients with cortical deafness, especially distinguishing it from other central hearing losses.
Do Thank-You Calls Increase Charitable Giving? Expert Forecasts and Field Experimental Evidence
Authors: Samek Anya , Longfield Chuck
Published: March 2023

Calling to thank donors is considered a key fundraising strategy in the charitable giving industry. Yet the effectiveness of thank-you calls remains untested. We conduct field experiments with public television stations and a national nonprofit in which 500,000 new donors were randomized to receive a thank-you call or not. Fundraising professionals predicted that the calls—which followed standard practices in the industry—would increase donor retention by 80 percent. In stark contrast, we found a precisely estimated null effect of calls on donor retention. (JEL C83, C93, D64, D91, L31, L82)
Pay Transparency and the Gender Gap
Authors: Baker Michael , Halberstam Yosh , Kroft Kory , Mas Alexandre , Messacar Derek
Published: March 2023

We examine the impact of public sector salary disclosure laws on university faculty salaries in Canada. The laws, which enable public access to the salaries of individual faculty if they exceed specified thresholds, were introduced in different provinces at different times. Using detailed administrative data covering the majority of faculty in Canada, and an event-study research design that exploits within-province variation in exposure to the policy across institutions and academic departments, we find robust evidence that the laws reduced the gender pay gap between men and women by approximately 20–40 percent. (JEL I23, J16, J31, J44, K31)
Recurrence of Invasive Cervical Resorption after six years of Nonsurgical and Surgical management by Bioceramic-Material
Authors: AlAttas Mustafa Hussein , Edrees Hadeel Yaseen , Mohsin Syed Fareed , Javed Muhammad Qasim
Published: March 2023

Invasive cervical resorption (ICR) is a phenomenon of unknown etiology that results in the loss of hard dental tissue. To have a successful outcome for a tooth affected by ICR, correct diagnosis and management are needed. With the introduction of new biocompatible materials and the advancement of CBCT imaging, these pathologies can be identified and treated with precision, resulting in promising outcomes. This case report aims to present the management of maxillary central incisors diagnosed with external ICR, treated with bioceramic root repair material, and followed-up to six years.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.3.6959

How to cite this: AlAttas MH, Edrees HY, Mohsin SF, Javed MQ. Recurrence of Invasive Cervical Resorption after six years of Nonsurgical and Surgical management by Bioceramic-Material. Pak J Med Sci. 2023;39(3):908-912. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.3.6959

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Postpartum septic shock presenting as symmetrical peripheral gangrene: A rare entity
Authors: Batool Wajeeha , Naveed Shabnam , Khan Sulhera , Ahmed Syed Masroor
Published: March 2023

Symmetric peripheral gangrene (SPG) is a rare clinical entity defined as ischemia of peripheral parts of the body without underlying vaso-occlusive disease. Its pathogenesis is unknown, but it is seen from previous reports that SPG is a sequel of underlying Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC). We report a case of a middle-aged woman who developed high-grade fever followed by painful black discoloration of the digits of four limbs, few days after spontaneous vaginal delivery at home. The patient developed septic shock. However, peripheral pulses were palpable and radiologic and laboratory investigations did not show any evidence of vessel occlusion. The patient had neutrophilic leukocytosis and a deranged clotting profile. Blood culture revealed growth of Staphylococcus Aureus and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa. The patient was diagnosed with SPG due to postpartum sepsis and DIC. She was managed with fluids, antibiotics, aspirin, and heparin but unfortunately, the patient underwent amputation of limbs due to irreversible ischemia. Therefore, prompt diagnosis and management of SPG are crucial to prevent mortality and morbidity.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.3.7277

How to cite this: Batool W, Naveed S, Khan S, Ahmed SM. Postpartum septic shock presenting as symmetrical peripheral gangrene: A rare entity. Pak J Med Sci. 2023;39(3):916-918. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.3.7277

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Mechanistic studies of gold-catalyzed reactions between aromatic nitrogen heterocycles and alkynes using density functional theory calculations
Authors: Στυλιανάκης Ιωάννης
Published: March 2023

Στην παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή επιχειρείται η μελέτη του μηχανισμού αντιδράσεων καταλυόμενων από καταλύτες χρυσού με τη χρήση υπολογισμών DFT (Θεωρίας Πυκνότητας Συναρτησιοειδούς).Mελετήσαμε τις καταλυόμενες από χρυσό (Ι) αντιδράσεις 1) [4+2] προσθήκης των 1,3-διινίων με δακτυλίους πυρολίου και ινδολίου που οδηγούν σε υποκατεστημένα ινδόλια και καρβαζόλια αντίστοιχα 2) την [3+2] προσθήκη αλκινίων στο ανθρανύλιο που οδηγούν στον σχηματισμό 7-ακυλο-ινδολίων και 3) την [3+2] προσθήκη των ανθρανυλίων, των 1,2,4-οξαδιαζολίων ή των 4,5-διυδρο-1,2,4-οξαδιαζολίων και του ιναμιδίου PhC≡C-N(Ts)Me, που παράγει τόπο-εκλεκτικά 2-αμινο-3-φαίνυλο-7-ακυλο ινδόλια, Ν-ακυλο-5-αμινο-ιμιδαζόλια ή Ν-άλκυλο-4-αμινο-ιμιδαζόλια, αντίστοιχα.Στην αντίδραση 1, τα μονοπάτια της αντίδρασης βρέθηκαν περισσότερο περίπλοκα από ότι είχαμε υποθέσει. Στην περίπτωση του σχηματισμού των καρβαζολίων, ένα ανταγωνιστικό μονοπάτι περιλαμβάνει τον σχηματισμό ενός απρόσμενου σπειρανικού ενδιαμέσου που προχωρά μέσω μετάθεσης 1,2-αλκινίου. Η παρούσα μελέτη εξυπηρετεί στο να δώσει έμφαση στη σημασία που έχουν τα στοιχειώδη βήματα ενός μηχανισμού, που συχνά παραβλέπονται ως άσχετα με την κινητική, όπως η απόσπαση πρωτονίου/κατιόντος χρυσού από τα ενδιάμεσα τα αντίδρασης.Στις αντιδράσεις 2 και 3 η παρατηρούμενη τόπο- εκλεκτικότητα φαίνεται να συνδέεται με τον μη αντιστρεπτό σχηματισμό του κομβικής σημασίας ενδιαμέσου α-ιμινο-χρυσού καρβενίου, μέσω της αρχικής τόπο- εκλεκτικής πυρηνόφιλης προσβολής του ατόμου του Ν του ανθρανυλίου στο τμήμα του αλκινίου. Η ακόλουθη απότομη πτώση της ενέργειας σχηματίζει το κομβικής σημασίας καρβένιο του α-ιμινο-χρυσού.Στην περίπτωση του 1,2,4-οξαδιαζόλιου ή του 4,5- διύδρο-1,2,4-οξαδιαζόλιο, αντί για το σχηματισμό ενός πενταμελούς δακτυλίου από το καρβένιο του α-ιμινο-χρυσού, βρέθηκε ένα ανταγωνιστικό μονοπάτι που περιλαμβάνει τον σχηματισμό ενδιαμέσων αποτελούμενων από ένα τετραμελή δακτύλιο συμπυκνωμένο με έναν τριμελή, το οποίο μετά από μετάθεση και διάνοιξη του δακτυλίου οδήγησε στον ιμιδαζολικό δακτύλιο.
The genome sequence of the Early Bumblebee, Bombus pratorum (Linnaeus, 1761)
Authors: Crowley Liam M. , Sivell Olga , Sivell Duncan ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Natural History Museum Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: March 2023

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Bombus pratorum (the Early Bumblebee; Arthropoda; Insecta; Hymenoptera; Apidae). The genome sequence is 285.1 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 18 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 21.5 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 13,746 protein coding genes.
Modeling of the stress-strain state of brickwork of a single-storey non-residential building
Authors: Nikolenko S. , Sazonova Svetlana , Uvarov Vladislav
Published: March 2023

The application of the finite element method (FEM) for the calculation of brick structures of a single-storey building at the design stage is considered. The stress-strain state of the critical masonry of the building is restored. For this purpose, the deformation theory of plasticity of A.A. Ilyushin, the dependence of stresses on deformations according to existing norms for the calculation of brickwork of buildings is applied. The results of full-scale testing using the method of non-destructive testing are analyzed. As a result of monitoring the technical condition of non-existing structures of the building under study, defects that appeared at the stage of construction of the building and during its operation were revealed. The results obtained by the two methods were compared, the degree of wear of masonry building structures was determined, after which recommendations were developed to improve the current technical condition of the brick building under consideration. It is established that after the completion of repair work and during the further operation of the construction object, it is necessary to comply with the requirements for the current constructive prevention of the building on the basis of the requirements of the current normative acts. The possibility of the superstructure of the second floor superstructure on existing structures was also analyzed. It is revealed that at the moment it is impossible to perform the superstructure, since in order to make it possible to perform the superstructure of the second floor, the conditions must be met to strengthen the structures for the safety of the operation of the lower floor with an increase in the load on it due to the support of an additional floor on it.
The use of elements of negative logic in the construction of an energy-efficient combinational device
Authors: Makarenko F. , Yagodkin A. , Denisova Ol'ga , Poluektov Aleksandr , Zarevich Anton , Silonov Vladimir
Published: March 2023

Definitions are given and the difference between positive and negative algebra of logic is indicated. It is noted that when switching from positive logic to negative, the elements of "Schaeffer's Stroke" and "Pierce's Arrow" change places. Similarly, conjunction changes with disjunction. The inverter retains its property regardless of its application in positive or negative logic. The laws and rules valid for the negative algebra of logic are presented. The method of transition from the positive algebra of logic to the negative one is presented. Elements of positive and negative logic are compared. On the basis of logic functions: (AᴧBᴧC)ᴧDvAᴧ(BᴧCᴧD)vAᴧ(BᴧC)ᴧDv(AᴧB)ᴧ(CᴧD), implemented by direct optimized, minimal, options matching device, as well as, the final options in bases 2-NOT-OR (2-AND-NOT), 4-NOT-OR (4-AND-NOT) for negative logic. The voltage table of K155LE1, K155LE3 microcircuits is presented. The truth table of K155LE1, K155LE3 microcircuits in negative logic algebra (as an element AND-NOT or NOT-OR) is presented. Truth tables of K176LE5, K176LE6 microcircuits are shown in positive logic algebra (OR-NOT). The voltage table of K176LE5, K176LE6 microcircuits is shown. The truth table of K176LE5, K176LE6 microcircuits is shown in negative logic algebra (as an AND-NOT or NOT-OR element). elements of negative logic. Conclusion about the results.
A painless fracture of a phalanx of the left hand in a patient with type 1 diabetes – case report
Authors: Oleszko Michal , Wąsiewicz Edward , Fularska Kamila , Kuźniar Aleksandra , Szawica Dominik
Published: March 2023

The aim of our study is to present a case report of a patient who, due to advanced symmetrical peripheral diabetic polyneuropathy, was unaware of the fracture of the fifth finger of the left hand and even tried to restore it to its previous position. The 53-year-old patient with type 1 diabetes at the age of 9, who, due to non-compliance with medical recommendations and poor metabolic control (over the last 15 years, HbA1c has never fallen below 8.1%, reaching 11.1% in May 2017), developed  complications such as: ischemic heart disease, diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy and peripheral neuropathy. In February 2019, in the morning, when unscrewing the fuel filler cap in the car, the patient suffered a finger fracture. He remained unaware of this fact all day due to the lack of any pain symptoms. It was only in the evening that he noticed the wrong placement of the fifth finger on his left hand. On the next day, there was a slight soreness with pressure, and the swelling deepened, which prompted him to visit the emergency room. An X-ray examination was performed there, which showed a fracture of the shaft of the proximal phalanx of the fifth finger of the left hand with angular setting of the fragments. The finger was immobilized in a plaster cast and the patient was referred for further check-up in a specialist outpatient clinic. Fortunately, the attempt to set the finger on his own did not cause any significant complications, and after removing the plaster cast, the patient regained the use of the broken finger. A recent electromyographic study confirmed the existence of a very advanced peripheral neuropathy. In summary, improperly treated, poorly controlled type 1 diabetes has serious consequences. It is very important that people suffering from it conduct regular self-monitoring of blood glucose levels and lead a healthy lifestyle.
Coding Apollo
Authors: Landers Sean , Paiva Homsi Murilo , Ferreira Leticia , Hinners Beth
Published: March 2023

An evocative image of Margaret Hamilton was the impetus: foregrounding the leader of a team that wrote the code; highlighting the connection between labor and the journey to the moon; a visualization of the product of labor that made that journey possible. 

This project connects the code and planning documents that animated the Apollo mission to audio and video of the event, creating a unique time-based public interactive installation.

It questions the distinction between “software” and “hardware”, asserting the mutual and inextricable entanglement between the two factors. 

It highlights the industrial efforts and scientific techniques required to produce a single event.  It produces an experience of infrastructural intelligibility, highlighting the connections amongst diverse elements required to bring the experience of the lunar landing to fruition.
Vec-Tech:
Authors: Jackson Joshua
Published: March 2023

Educational technology in K-12 education is at a crossroads. There continues to be a push to technologize classrooms, but the question is: who is benefiting from this technologization? In this paper, I use Christo Sims’ Disruptive Fixation to examine how technologized spaces and games-based learning privilege a certain type of student while disregarding others. Additionally, I examine how the apparatus of educational technology that is labouring as “disruptions” to old pedagogy in fact entrench disparities between students. Power structures that exist between teachers, students, ed-tech boosters, and implementors tow a line where teachers are little more than middle-managers: technology is foisted on them, and, with little support, they are expected to implement technology and games-based learning into curricula. Students are expected to understand and use technology, and, in theory, this ‘interruption’ to old pedagogy will inspire new ways of learning and prepare students to be agile, adequate knowledge production workers in an ever-changing, continually-technologizing world.
Fiscal Limits and the Pricing of Eurobonds
Authors: Pallara Kevin , Renne Jean-Paul
Published: March 2023

This paper proposes a methodology to price bonds jointly issued by a group of countries—Eurobonds in the euro-area context. We consider two types of bonds; the first is backed by several and joint guarantees (SJGs), and the second features several but not joint guarantees (SNJGs). The pricing of SJG and SNJG bonds reflects different assumptions regarding the pooling of debtors’ fiscal resources. We estimate fiscal limits for the six largest euro-area economies over 2008–2021 and deduce counterfactual Eurobond prices. For the five-year maturity, SNJG bond yield spreads would have been about three times larger than SJG ones over the estimation sample. Hence, issuing SJG bonds could result in gains at the aggregate level. Notwithstanding, our model also predicts that gains may temporarily vanish in periods of acute fiscal stress. We finally envision postissuance redistribution schemes, whereby gains stemming from the issuance of SJG bonds could be shared among participating countries; we argue that these schemes may alleviate the reduction in market discipline resulting from common bonds issuance.

This paper was accepted by David Sraer, finance.

Funding: This work has benefited from financial support from the Swiss National Science Foundation [Grant 182293].

Supplemental Material: The data files and online appendix are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.4740 .
Evaluation of Eye Consultations Requested from the Pediatric Emergency Service: Experience of a Tertiary Center
Authors: SAYIN Osman , UĞUR Cüneyt
Published: March 2023

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the reasons for visits, demographic and clinical characteristics of patients, the methods of approach to these patients who visited the pediatric emergency service and were consulted to ophthalmology.
Material and Methods: The files of patients consulted to the Ophthalmology Clinic from Pediatric Emergency Department were analyzed retrospectively. Age and gender distribution of patients, complaints at the time of visits, clinical characteristics, diagnoses, diagnostic examinations and treatment methods were recorded.
Results: Of the 241 patients, 164 (68.0%) were male and 77 (32.0%) were female. The median age was 11.0 (3.0-15.0) years. According to age groups, the highest number of patients was in the 12-17 age group with 117 (48.5%) patients. The most common complaints were foreign body in eye with 30.3% (n=73), eye redness with 10.8% (n=26), sticky eye with 8.3% (n=20) and eyelid swelling with 8.3% (n=20). The most common diagnoses were foreign body (31.1%, n=75), conjunctivitis (26.1%, n=63) and corneal epithelial defect (10.0%, n=24). Considering the distribution of diagnoses by age groups, conjunctivitis was the most common in the 0-5 and 6-11 age groups, foreign body in the 12-17 age group. While medical treatment was given to 59.3% (n=143) of the patients, intervention under local anesthesia was performed for 29.5% (n=71) of the patients. Of the seven patients that were hospitalized, five of them were treated under general anesthesia and two of them received surgical operations.
Conclusion: Pediatric emergency visits with eye complaints in children were most common between 12-17 years of age and the most common cause was foreign bodies in the eye. All hospitalized patients were 0-5 years old and the most common reason for hospitalization was foreign bodies. Clinicians’ awareness should be increased on common pediatric eye emergencies accordingly.
Dual-band Bandpass Plasmonic Filter Based on Effective Localized Surface Plasmon Resonators
Authors: Zhou Zixiang , Liu Liangliang , Li Xinhua , Shen Jinrui , Han Guodong , Li Zhuo
Published: March 2023

A dual-band bandpass plasmonic filter based on quarter-wavelength effective localized surface plasmon resonators (ELSPRs) is proposed in this work. Compared with conventional microstrip resonators, ELSPRs have a larger unloaded quality factor and compact size, which can be flexibly designed. Since the harmonics of quarter-wavelength ELSPRs are located only at odd times of their dominant mode frequency, we can not only miniaturize the filter but achieve excellent out-of-band rejection performance. For demonstration, we design and fabricate a dual-band bandpass plasmonic filter, whose size is only 0.0396λ2 0 the center frequency is 3.1 GHz and 3.6 GHz, and the relative bandwidth is 10.7% and 7.7% respectively. Measurement results show excellent agreement with the simulations. Our results provide a route for realizing ultra-compact and high-performance functional devices for the fifth generation (5G) applications
Estimation of Soil Electric Properties and Water Content Through PolSAR Target Decomposition
Authors: Ibrahim Mai Z. , Bahnacy Ahmed I. , Hussein Khalid F. A. , Farahat Asmaa E.
Published: March 2023

A new method is proposed to recover the electric properties and water content of ground soil by applying the Target Decomposition (TD) theory for Polarimetric Synthetic Aperture Radar (PolSAR) images. The proposed method depends on the ϵ-σ characteristic curves of the soil which are unique for each soil type at a specific frequency. This method is examined for the clayey type soil which is found in most naturally vegetated land areas. Also, a novel method is developed for the realistic simulation of PolSAR images of natural lands, including forest regions, grasslands, and bare lands being prepared for gardens or crop cultivation. This method is based on the reverse of the PolSAR TD theory. The numerical results presented in this paper are concerned with the characterization of the most common type of clayey soil. Also, some of the numerical results presented in the present paper aim to achieve realistic PolSAR datasets using the inverse TD theory. Finally, some numerical results are presented for quantitative assessment of the method proposed to recover the properties and water content of the clayey soil using the datasets which are obtained through realistic simulations of forested areas, gardens, grasslands, and bare lands being prepared for cultivated plants. It is found, through the numerical investigations and quantitative assessment, that the dielectric constant, electric conductivity and water content of the investigated clayey types of soil are accurately estimated.