bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical Outcomes and Rotational Correction of First Metatarso-Cuneiform Fusion With First Metatarsal to Second Cuneiform Fixation
Authors: An Tonya W. , Fuller Robert , Rajan Lavan , Cororaton Agnes , Conti Matthew S. , Deland Jonathan T. , Ellis Scott J.
Published: September 2022

Background:

The modified Lapidus procedure (first metatarso-cuneiform fusion) is a powerful technique for correcting triplanar deformity in hallux valgus. Although traditionally fixed with cross-screws (CS), growing awareness of intercuneiform stability and pronation deformity has led to fixation using a plate and first metatarsal–second cuneiform (1MT-2C) screw fixation (PS). We investigated Lapidus patient cohorts using CS vs PS fixation to understand patient-reported outcomes, angular and rotational correction, and complication rates.

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed cases of modified Lapidus for hallux valgus by a single surgeon. Patients were divided into CS or PS groups according to fixation. All patients had preoperative Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) scores and minimum 12 months of follow-up. PROMIS scores in 6 key domains were compared within and between groups. Radiographic assessment of hallux valgus angle and intermetatarsal angle were performed on pre- and postoperative XR. Pronation of the first ray was measured on pre- and postoperative weightbearing computed tomography.

Results:

We compared 42 patients with PS fixation to 43 with CS fixation. Both groups had significant improvement in hallux valgus angle and intermetatarsal angle ( P < .001), with no difference between groups. PS patients experienced a greater correction of first metatarsal pronation, an average reduction of 11 degrees, compared to 8 degrees in the CS group ( P < .039). Both cohorts experienced improvement in PROMIS physical function, pain interference, pain intensity, and global physical function. There were no differences in PROMIS score improvements between the cohorts. The CS group started weightbearing at 6 weeks vs 3.6 weeks for the PS group. Complication and revision rates were similar.

Conclusion:

A plate and 1MT-2C screw fixation provides safe, robust fixation of Lapidus procedure and prevents instability through the intercuneiform joint. We observed similar improvement in PROMIS compared with patients treated with cross-screws. Complications did not increase despite the PS group weightbearing much earlier. PS patients achieved greater first ray rotational correction.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, retrospective cohort study.
Fieldwork in Social Work Education During Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic in India: Disruptions and Discoveries
Authors: Mishra Vishal , Botcha Rambabu , Roy Sanjoy
Published: September 2022

This article explores the discoveries and disruptions of fieldwork in social work during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic by obtaining information from the social work educators in India. By employing an exploratory online survey method, emerging experiences, growing challenges, implemented activities, engagement of learners and solid suggestions are drawn from the study and presented in this article. The findings of this article are useful for the fraternity of social work to adopt and implement online/offline/blended modes of fieldwork for their students in a systematic way and complete the fieldwork requirements during a pandemic situation.
A Unique Association of Left Ventricular Noncompaction With Rheumatic Heart Disease
Authors: Gupta Jaideep Das , Singh Shashikant
Published: September 2022

Left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy (LVNC) is a type of primary genetic cardiomyopathy, which occurs during embryogenesis by the arrest in the ventricular myocardium compaction. LVNC is characterized by prominent wall trabeculations and intertrabecular recesses that communicate with the ventricular cavity. There are 2 types of cardiomyopathy: the first one is associated with other primary cardiac structural abnormalities like malfunctional cardiac valves as mentioned in the case report below and the second type is in which there are no other associated cardiac structural abnormalities also called isolated LV noncompaction cardiomyopathy. We report an association of severe rheumatic mitral valve disease and LV noncompaction with significantly reduced ejection fraction which is rare.
How does civil war begin? The role of escalatory processes
Authors: Lacher Wolfram
Published: September 2022

Correlational and bargaining failure approaches to the eruption of civil war have neglected the role of escalatory processes, whose analysis has to date been largely limited to sociology. Escalating violence involves mechanisms that are self-reinforcing and have a propensity to transform the political landscape by reshaping group boundaries and political identities, and prompting the formation of new actors. This article shows that such mechanisms should be considered as analytically distinct from structural causes and bargaining failures. Escalatory processes—that is, the combinations of these mechanisms—are often crucial to the eruption of full-scale civil war. But their causal significance in civil war onset varies with regard to two criteria: the speed of violent escalation and the extent to which it transforms the actor landscape. These two criteria form the basis for a typology of escalations into civil war that distinguishes civil wars erupting in revolutionary situations from deliberate escalation by organized belligerents and from gradual escalation through rebel group formation and counterinsurgency. I illustrate each ideal type with a case study that serves as a plausibility probe. Accounting for escalatory processes allows to distinguish between contrasting roads to civil war, each of which privileges its own explanatory variables.
Problematizing K-12 “Best Practices” in the gulf cooperation council region
Authors: Romanowski Michael H , Alkhateeb Hadeel , Sellami Abdellatif
Published: September 2022

Emerging from the discourse of business in the 1960s, the concept of “best practices” has gained increasing status in education but has rarely been problematized. This essay aims to problematize the use of K-12 best practices in the Gulf Cooperation Council Region (GCC) since nowhere is the importing of best practices more evident than in the GCC region. Using Foucault’s notion of problematization as the theoretical framework, this essay provides an understanding of how best practices have emerged as a solution to educational change, how these practices are legitimized, and how the use of best practices has evolved into challenges for those relying on best practices to bring about educational change. The discussion centres on five central challenges: (1) educational transfer and profit-making, (2) a false universalism, (3) leapfrogging, (4) language and discourse, and (5) the fidelity of implementation. The essay concludes by addressing the issue of using problematizing as a tool for transformative or reconstructive possibilities.
Movement Experiences in Preschool Music Classes
Authors: Papazachariou-Christoforou Maria
Published: September 2022

Active bodily involvement in music is a key component of musical understanding. Rudolf von Laban developed a movement framework introducing the “effort elements” of time, space, weight, and flow. He proposed that by experiencing combinations of these elements, individuals internalize a movement vocabulary that fosters expressive music performance. In this article, I discuss findings that have confirmed the importance of active bodily engagement in enhancing musical comprehension, and share practical considerations drawn from my experience in conducting preschool music classes based on Laban’s movement framework. The suggested playful activities provide music educators with a new perspective on incorporating movement in preschool music classes.
The proto-oncogene TCL1A deregulates cell cycle and genomic stability in CLL
Authors: Stachelscheid Johanna , Jiang Qu , Aszyk Christoph , Warner Kathrin , Bley Nadine , Müller Tony , Vydzhak Olga , Symeonidis Konstantinos , Crispatzu Giuliano , Mayer Petra , Blakemore Stuart James , Goehring Gudrun , Newrzela Sebastian , Hippler Stephanie , Robrecht Sandra , Kreuzer Karl-Anton , Pallasch Christian , Krüger Marcus , Lechner Axel , Fischer Kirsten , Stilgenbauer Stephan , Beutner Dirk , Hallek Michael , Auguin Daniel , Hüttelmaier Stefan , Bloehdorn Johannes , Vasyutina Elena , Herling Marco
Published: September 2022

Upregulation of the proto-oncogene T-cell leukemia/lymphoma 1A (TCL1A) is causally implicated in various B-cell and T-cell malignancies. High-level TCL1A correlates with aggressive disease features and inferior clinical outcomes. However, the molecular and cell biological consequences of, particularly nuclear, TCL1A are not fully elucidated. We observed here in mouse models of subcellular site-specific TCL1A-induced lymphomagenesis that TCL1A exerts a strong transforming impact via nuclear topography. In proteomic screens of TCL1A-bound molecules in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells and B-cell lymphoma lines, we identified regulators of cell cycle and DNA repair pathways as novel TCL1A interactors, particularly enriched under induced DNA damage and mitosis. By functional mapping and in silico modeling, we specifically identified the mitotic checkpoint protein, cell division cycle 20 (CDC20), as a direct TCL1A interactor. According to the regulatory impact of TCL1A on the activity of the CDC20-containing mitotic checkpoint and anaphase-promoting complexes during mitotic progression, TCL1A overexpression accelerated cell cycle transition in B-cell lymphoma lines, impaired apoptotic damage responses in association with pronounced chromosome missegregation, and caused cellular aneuploidy in Eμ-TCL1A mice. Among hematopoietic cancers, CDC20 levels seem particularly low in CLL. CDC20 expression negatively correlated with TCL1A and lower expression marked more aggressive and genomically instable disease and cellular phenotypes. Knockdown of Cdc20 in TCL1A-initiated murine CLL promoted aneuploidy and leukemic acceleration. Taken together, we discovered a novel cell cycle–associated effect of TCL1A abrogating controlled cell cycle transition. This adds to our concept of oncogenic TCL1A by targeting genome stability. Overall, we propose that TCL1A acts as a pleiotropic adapter molecule with a synergistic net effect of multiple hijacked pathways.
Assembly of von Willebrand factor tubules with in vivo helical parameters requires A1 domain insertion
Authors: Javitt Gabriel , Yeshaya Noa , Khmelnitsky Lev , Fass Deborah
Published: September 2022

The von Willebrand factor (VWF) glycoprotein is stored in tubular form in Weibel-Palade bodies (WPBs) before secretion from endothelial cells into the bloodstream. The organization of VWF in the tubules promotes formation of covalently linked VWF polymers and enables orderly secretion without polymer tangling. Recent studies have described the high-resolution structure of helical tubular cores formed in vitro by the D1D2 and D′D3 amino-terminal protein segments of VWF. Here we show that formation of tubules with the helical geometry observed for VWF in intracellular WPBs requires also the VWA1 (A1) domain. We reconstituted VWF tubules from segments containing the A1 domain and discovered it to be inserted between helical turns of the tubule, altering helical parameters and explaining the increased robustness of tubule formation when A1 is present. The conclusion from this observation is that the A1 domain has a direct role in VWF assembly, along with its known activity in hemostasis after secretion.
Prognostic factors in nonsmall cell lung cancer: insights from the German CRISP registry
Authors: Metzenmacher Martin , Griesinger Frank , Hummel Horst-Dieter , Elender Corinna , Schäfer Harald , de Wit Maike , Kaiser Ulrich , Kern Jens , Jänicke Martina , Spring Lisa , Zacharias Stefan , Kaiser-Osterhues Anja , Groth Annika , Hipper Annette , Zaun Gregor , Dörfel Steffen , Güldenzoph Björn , Müller Lothar , Uhlig Jens , Thomas Michael , Sebastian Martin , Eberhardt Wilfried E.E.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Understanding prognosis, especially long-term outcome, in advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is crucial to inform patients, guide treatment and plan supportive and palliative care.

Methods

Prognostic factors influencing overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in 2082 patients with wild-type (WT)-NSCLC (629 M1a, 249 M1b, 1204 M1c) are reported. Patients were included in the prospective German CRISP registry recruiting in >150 centres. Analysis for pre-therapeutic factors was based on results from Cox proportional hazard models.

Results

Current M-descriptors of the Union for International Cancer Control-8 staging system were validated: M1a and M1b patients had significantly longer median time to events compared to M1c (OS/PFS 16.4/7.2 months, 17.8/6.7 months and 10.9/5.4 months, respectively). OS and PFS were influenced by number and location of metastatic organ systems. M1c and four or more metastatic organs involved had shorter OS and PFS than M1c with one to three organs (OS hazard ratio (HR) 1.69, p<0.001; PFS HR 1.81, p<0.001). M1b-liver metastases had shorter OS/PFS than M1b involving other organs (OS HR 2.70, p=0.006; PFS HR 2.48, p=0.007). Based on number of involved organs (orgsys) and liver metastases, two risk groups (low-risk: M1a, M1b-non-liver, M1c-1-3-orgsys-non-liver; high-risk: M1c-liver, M1b-liver, M1c-4+-orgsys) with significantly different prognoses could be amalgamated (median OS/PFS 14.3/6.5 months and 7.7/4.1 months, respectively). Other favourable factors were female gender and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group stage 0, with age showing no impact. Those with T1- or N0-status were associated with longer OS than T2–4 or N2–3.

Conclusion

In this large observational dataset, we further defined factors for outcome in WT-NSCLC, including increased number of involved metastatic organ systems and liver metastases, as those with overall poorer prognosis and reduced survival chance.
Kinematic, Workspace and Force Analysis of A Five-DOF Hybrid Manipulator R(2RPR)R/SP+RR
Authors: Xu Yundou , Yang Fan , Mei Youen , Zhang Dongsheng , Zhou Yulin , Zhao Yongsheng
Published: September 2022

In the present study, the over-constrained hybrid manipulator R(2RPR)R/SP+RR is considered as the research objective. In this paper, kinematics of the hybrid manipulator, including the forward and inverse position, are analyzed. Then, the workspace is checked based on the inverse position solution to evaluate whether the workspace of the hybrid manipulator meets the requirements, and the actual workspace of the hybrid robot is analyzed. After that, the force analysis of the over-constrained parallel mechanism is carried out, and an ADAMS-ANSYS rigid-flexible hybrid body model is established to verify the simulation. Based on the obtained results from the force analysis, the manipulator structure is designed. Then, the structure optimization is carried out to improve the robot stiffness. Finally, calibration and workspace verification experiments are performed on the prototype, cutting experiment of an S-shaped aluminum alloy workpiece is completed, and the experiment verifies the machining ability of the prototype. This work conducts kinematics, workspace, force analyses, structural optimization design and experiments on the over-constrained hybrid manipulator R(2RPR)R/SP+RR, providing design basis and technical support for the development of the novel hybrid manipulator in practical engineering.
5-Methoxyflavone-induced AMPKα activation inhibits NF-κB and P38 MAPK signaling to attenuate influenza A virus-mediated inflammation and lung injury in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Yang Sushan , Wang Linxin , Pan Xiping , Liang Yueyun , Zhang Yuehan , Li Jing , Zhou Beixian
Published: September 2022

Influenza-related acute lung injury (ALI) is a life-threatening condition that results mostly from uncontrolled replication of influenza virus (IV) and severe proinflammatory responses. The methoxy flavonoid compound 5-methoxyflavone (5-MF) is believed to have superior biological activity in the treatment of cancer. However, the effects and underlying mechanism of 5-MF on IV-mediated ALI are still unclear. Here, we showed that 5-MF significantly improved the survival of mice with lethal IV infection and ameliorated IV-mediated lung edema, lung histological changes, and inflammatory cell lung recruitment. We found that 5-MF has antiviral activity against influenza A virus (IAV), which was probably associated with increased expression of radical S-adenosyl methionine domain containing 2 (RSAD2) and suppression of endosomal acidification. Moreover, IV-infected A549 cells with 5-MF treatment markedly reduced proinflammatory mediator expression (IL-6, CXCL8, TNF-α, CXCL10, CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, GM-CSF, COX-2, and PGE2) and prevented P-IKBα, P-P65, and P-P38 activation. Interestingly, we demonstrated that 5-MF treatment could trigger activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)α in IV-infected A549 cells, as evidenced by activation of the AMPKα downstream molecule P53. Importantly, the addition of AMPKα blocker compound C dramatically abolished 5-MF-mediated increased levels of RSAD2, the inhibitory effects on H1N1 virus-elicited endosomal acidification, and the suppression expression of proinflammatory mediators (IL-6, TNF-α, CXCL10, COX-2 and PGE2), as well as the inactivation of P-IKBα, P-P65, and P-P38 MAPK signaling pathways. Furthermore, inhibition of AMPKα abrogated the protective effects of 5-MF on H1N1 virus-mediated lung injury and excessive inflammation in vivo. Taken together, these results indicate that 5-MF alleviated IV-mediated ALI and suppressed excessive inflammatory responses through activation of AMPKα signaling.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and neurobehavioral function and cognition in adolescents (2010–2011) and elderly people (2014): results from the Flanders Environment and Health Studies (FLEHS)
Authors: van Larebeke Nicolas , Koppen Gudrun , Decraemer Sam , Colles Ann , Bruckers Liesbeth , Den Hond Elly , Govarts Eva , Morrens Bert , Schettgen Thomas , Remy Sylvie , Coertjens Dries , Nawrot Tim , Nelen Vera , Baeyens Willy , Schoeters Greet
Published: September 2022

Background

PFAS are persistent, bioaccumulative compounds repelling water, oil and stains which are widely used. There is mounting evidence linking exposure to a range of adverse health outcomes including renal, hepatic, immunotoxic, reproductive, endocrine disrupting and carcinogenic effects. PFAS possibly also induce neurobehavioral and developmental effects. Within Flanders Environment and Health Studies (FLEHS) internal exposure to PFAS and relevant health effects are assessed since 2008.

Results

Adolescents 14–15 y (2010–2011) living in an industrially contaminated area (without known PFAS contamination) and adults 50–65 y (2014) randomly sampled from the general Flemish population using a stratified clustered multi-stage design, were recruited. For the adolescents perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) were measured in serum, for the adults PFOS, PFOA, perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS). In adolescents the Neurobehavioral Evaluation System (NES3) computerized battery of tests developed to study the neurological effects of an exposure to environmental agents was applied. The adults did the Stroop test, the NES3 Continuous Performance Test and the NES3 Digit Span Test. In adolescents sleepiness, masculinity and femininity were assessed via the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Personal Attributes Questionnaires, respectively. In adolescents PFOA was associated with significantly increased somnolence, and PFOS with a significant inverse association with boys’ femininity and with girls’ masculinity. In adolescents, PFAS were also associated with a marginal decrease in sustained attention (PFOS) and cognitive performance (PFOA) and a significant decrease in short-term memory (PFOS). However, in older adults PFOS was associated with a significant increase in the capacity to pay attention and PFHxS with a significant increase in sustained attention.

Conclusion

Our observations point to neurobehavioral and cognitive effects of PFAS. The neurobehavioral effects might in part result from the changes in sex hormone levels that have been reported to be associated with internal exposure to PFAS. Interestingly, whereas in relation to cognition some adverse effects were recorded for adolescents, for elderly persons our observations rather suggest possible weak positive effects with respect to cognition. Our observations might be in line with the view that PFAS have many, sometimes contrasting health effects.
Mining on Alzheimer’s diseases related knowledge graph to identity potential AD-related semantic triples for drug repurposing
Authors: Nian Yi , Hu Xinyue , Zhang Rui , Feng Jingna , Du Jingcheng , Li Fang , Bu Larry , Zhang Yuji , Chen Yong , Tao Cui
Published: September 2022

Background

To date, there are no effective treatments for most neurodegenerative diseases. Knowledge graphs can provide comprehensive and semantic representation for heterogeneous data, and have been successfully leveraged in many biomedical applications including drug repurposing. Our objective is to construct a knowledge graph from literature to study the relations between Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and chemicals, drugs and dietary supplements in order to identify opportunities to prevent or delay neurodegenerative progression. We collected biomedical annotations and extracted their relations using SemRep via SemMedDB. We used both a BERT-based classifier and rule-based methods during data preprocessing to exclude noise while preserving most AD-related semantic triples. The 1,672,110 filtered triples were used to train with knowledge graph completion algorithms (i.e., TransE, DistMult, and ComplEx) to predict candidates that might be helpful for AD treatment or prevention.

Results

Among three knowledge graph completion models, TransE outperformed the other two (MR = 10.53, Hits@1 = 0.28). We leveraged the time-slicing technique to further evaluate the prediction results. We found supporting evidence for most highly ranked candidates predicted by our model which indicates that our approach can inform reliable new knowledge.

Conclusion

This paper shows that our graph mining model can predict reliable new relationships between AD and other entities (i.e., dietary supplements, chemicals, and drugs). The knowledge graph constructed can facilitate data-driven knowledge discoveries and the generation of novel hypotheses.
Identification of antiparasitic drug targets using a multi-omics workflow in the acanthocephalan model
Authors: Schmidt Hanno , Mauer Katharina , Glaser Manuel , Dezfuli Bahram Sayyaf , Hellmann Sören Lukas , Silva Gomes Ana Lúcia , Butter Falk , Wade Rebecca C. , Hankeln Thomas , Herlyn Holger
Published: September 2022

Background

With the expansion of animal production, parasitic helminths are gaining increasing economic importance. However, application of several established deworming agents can harm treated hosts and environment due to their low specificity. Furthermore, the number of parasite strains showing resistance is growing, while hardly any new anthelminthics are being developed. Here, we present a bioinformatics workflow designed to reduce the time and cost in the development of new strategies against parasites. The workflow includes quantitative transcriptomics and proteomics, 3D structure modeling, binding site prediction, and virtual ligand screening. Its use is demonstrated for Acanthocephala (thorny-headed worms) which are an emerging pest in fish aquaculture. We included three acanthocephalans (Pomphorhynchus laevis, Neoechinorhynchus agilis,Neoechinorhynchus buttnerae) from four fish species (common barbel, European eel, thinlip mullet, tambaqui).

Results

The workflow led to eleven highly specific candidate targets in acanthocephalans. The candidate targets showed constant and elevated transcript abundances across definitive and accidental hosts, suggestive of constitutive expression and functional importance. Hence, the impairment of the corresponding proteins should enable specific and effective killing of acanthocephalans. Candidate targets were also highly abundant in the acanthocephalan body wall, through which these gutless parasites take up nutrients. Thus, the candidate targets are likely to be accessible to compounds that are orally administered to fish. Virtual ligand screening led to ten compounds, of which five appeared to be especially promising according to ADMET, GHS, and RO5 criteria: tadalafil, pranazepide, piketoprofen, heliomycin, and the nematicide derquantel.

Conclusions

The combination of genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics led to a broadly applicable procedure for the cost- and time-saving identification of candidate target proteins in parasites. The ligands predicted to bind can now be further evaluated for their suitability in the control of acanthocephalans. The workflow has been deposited at the Galaxy workflow server under the URLtinyurl.com/yx72rda7.
Isolation and identification of a new biocontrol bacteria against Salvia miltiorrhiza root rot and optimization of culture conditions for antifungal substance production using response surface methodology
Authors: Sa Rongbo , He Song , Han Dongdong , Liu Mengjiao , Yu Yunxia , Shang Rongen , Song Meimei
Published: September 2022

Background

S. miltiorrhiza root rot is a soil-borne disease mainly caused by Fusarium solani and Fusarium oxysporum, which has spread rapidly in China in recent years. To reduce the amount of pesticides to control this plant fungal disease, biological control using endophytic bacteria is a promising method. Many endophytic bacteria show good biocontrol potential against various plant fungal diseases. The aims of this study were to isolate and identify endophytic bacteria with antifungal activity from Salvia miltiorrhiza plant tissue. In order to increase antifungal substances production, the culture conditions of the isolated DS-R5 strain were optimized through response surface methodology.

Results

Thirteen endophytic bacteria with antifungal activity against the target pathogenic fungus were successfully screened. The DS-R5 strain that had the strongest antifungal activity was identified based on morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics, 16S rRNA and gyrB sequence analysis.The results of response surface methodology experiments showed that the optimal values of the three significant factors were as follows: medium volume, 51.0 ml; initial pH, 6.7; fermentation temperature, 33.1 °C. Under these optimal culture conditions, the titer of antifungal substances produced by the DS-R5 strain was 77.6% higher than that under the initial culture conditions.

Conclusions

The antifungal activity of endophytic bacteria from Salvia miltiorrhiza has been demonstrated for the first time, which may benefit future crop quality and production. In addition, response surface methodology can be well applied the optimization of culture conditions for antifungal substance, which lays the foundation for further research on strain DS-R5.
Choice of DNA extraction method affects detection of bacterial taxa from retail chicken breast
Authors: Flint Annika , Laidlaw Anna , Li Leo , Raitt Courtney , Rao Mary , Cooper Ashley , Weedmark Kelly , Carrillo Catherine , Tamber Sandeep
Published: September 2022

Background

Sequence-based methods for the detection of bacteria such as 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and metagenomics can provide a comprehensive view of the bacterial microbiome of food. These methods rely on the detection of gene sequences to indicate the presence of viable bacteria. This indirect form of detection can be prone to experimental artefacts. Sample handling and processing are key sources of variation that require standard approaches. Extracting sufficient quantities of high quality DNA from food matrices is challenging because target bacterial species are usually minor components of the microbiota and foods contain an array of compounds that are inhibitory to downstream DNA applications. Here, three DNA extraction methods are compared for their ability to extract high quality bacterial DNA from retail chicken breast rinses, with or without enrichment. Method performance was assessed by comparing ease of use, DNA yield, DNA quality, PCR amplicon yield, and the detection of bacterial taxa by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing.

Results

All three DNA extraction methods yielded DNA of sufficient quantity and quality to perform quantitative PCR and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. The extraction methods differed in ease of use, with the two commercial kits (PowerFood, PowerSoil) offering considerable time and cost savings over a hybrid method that used laboratory reagents for lysis and commercial column based kits for further purification. Bacterial richness as determined by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing was similar across the three DNA extraction methods. However, differences were noted in the relative abundance of bacterial taxa, with significantly higher abundance of Gram-positive genera detected in the DNA samples prepared using the PowerFood DNA extraction kit.

Conclusion

The choice of DNA extraction method can affect the detection of bacterial taxa by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing in chicken meat rinses. Investigators should be aware of this procedural bias and select methods that are fit for the purposes of their investigation.
Aspergillus flavus YRB2 from Thymelaea hirsuta (L.) Endl., a non-aflatoxigenic endophyte with ability to overexpress defense-related genes against Fusarium root rot of maize
Authors: Rashad Younes M. , Abdalla Sara A. , Shehata Ahmed S.
Published: September 2022

Fusarium root rot, caused by Fusarium solani (Mart.) Sacc., represents one of the most damaging diseases of maize affecting plant growth and yield. In this study, the antagonistic potential of a non-aflatoxigenic endophytic Aspergillus flavus YRB2, isolated from Thymelaea hirsuta (L.) Endl., was tested against F. solani in vitro. In addition, its biocontrol activity against Fusarium root rot of maize was evaluated under greenhouse conditions. Its impacts on plant molecular, pathological, physiological, and growth levels were also studied. Results obtained revealed a potent antagonistic behavior for A. flavus YRB2 against F. solani in vitro, recording 80% growth inhibition. Seventeen secondary metabolites were detected in the n-hexane extract of A. flavus YRB2 filtered culture broth using GC-MS analysis. Among them, various antifungal secondary metabolites were produced, namely palmitic acid, α-linolenic acid, stearic acid, 2, 4-di-tert-butylphenol, diisobutyl phthalate, and heneicosane. In contrast, HPLC analysis showed that no aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, and G2) were detected. Under greenhouse conditions, colonization of maize plants with A. flavus YRB2 exhibited a potential biocontrol activity against Fusarium root rot, recording 73.4% reduction in the disease severity. Triggering of transcriptional expression level of the defense-related genes JERF3 (7.2-fold), CHI II (8-fold), and POD (9.1-fold) was reported, indicating the inducing effect on the plant immunity. In addition, an increment in the antioxidant enzymes POD and PPO, and the total phenolic content in maize roots was also observed in response to this treatment. Moreover, a growth-promoting effect was also observed for colonization of maize plants with A. flavus YRB2. Based on the obtained data, we can conclude that A. flavus YRB2 may represent a promising biocontrol and growth-promoting agent for maize plants against Fusarium root rot. Nevertheless, field evaluation is highly requested before the use recommendation.
Characteristics of auditory steady-state responses to different click frequencies in awake intact macaques
Authors: Nakamura Tomoya , Dinh Trong Ha , Asai Makoto , Nishimaru Hiroshi , Matsumoto Jumpei , Setogawa Tsuyoshi , Ichijo Hiroyuki , Honda Sokichi , Yamada Hiroshi , Mihara Takuma , Nishijo Hisao
Published: September 2022

Background

Auditory steady-state responses (ASSRs) are periodic evoked responses to constant periodic auditory stimuli, such as click trains, and are suggested to be associated with higher cognitive functions in humans. Since ASSRs are disturbed in human psychiatric disorders, recording ASSRs from awake intact macaques would be beneficial to translational research as well as an understanding of human brain function and its pathology. However, ASSR has not been reported in awake macaques.

Results

Electroencephalograms (EEGs) were recorded from awake intact macaques, while click trains at 20–83.3 Hz were binaurally presented. EEGs were quantified based on event-related spectral perturbation (ERSP) and inter-trial coherence (ITC), and ASSRs were significantly demonstrated in terms of ERSP and ITC in awake intact macaques. A comparison of ASSRs among different click train frequencies indicated that ASSRs were maximal at 83.3 Hz. Furthermore, analyses of laterality indices of ASSRs showed that no laterality dominance of ASSRs was observed.

Conclusions

The present results demonstrated ASSRs, comparable to those in humans, in awake intact macaques. However, there were some differences in ASSRs between macaques and humans: macaques showed maximal ASSR responses to click frequencies higher than 40 Hz that has been reported to elicit maximal responses in humans, and showed no dominant laterality of ASSRs under the electrode montage in this study compared with humans with right hemisphere dominance. The future ASSR studies using awake intact macaques should be aware of these differences, and possible factors, to which these differences were ascribed, are discussed.
Non-invasive ventilation for preoxygenation before general anesthesia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Chiang Tsai-Lien , Tam Ka-Wai , Chen Jui-Tai , Wong Chung-Shun , Yeh Chun-Ting , Huang Ting-Yun , Ong Jiann-Ruey
Published: September 2022

Background and objectives

Preoxygenation is crucial for providing sufficient oxygen reservoir to a patient before intubation and enables the extension of the period between breathing termination and critical desaturation (safe apnoea time). Conventionally, face mask ventilation is used for preoxygenation. Non-invasive ventilation is a new preoxygenation method. The study objective was to compare the outcomes of non-invasive ventilation and face mask ventilation for preoxygenation.

Method

PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and the ClinicalTrials.gov registry were searched for eligible studies published from database inception to September 2021. Individual effect sizes were standardized, and a meta-analysis was conducted using random effects models to calculate the pooled effect size. Inclusion criteria were randomised controlled trials of comparing the outcomes of non-invasive ventilation or face mask ventilation for preoxygenation in patients scheduled for surgeries. The primary outcome was safe apnea time, and the secondary outcomes were post-operative complications, number of patients who achieved the expired O2 fraction (FeO2) after 3 min of preoxygenation, minimal SpO2 during tracheal intubation, partial pressure of oxygen in the arterial blood (PaO2) and partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) after preoxygenation, and PaO2 and PaCO2 after tracheal intubation.

Results

13 trials were eligible for inclusion in this study. Significant differences were observed in safe apnoea time, number of patients who achieved FeO2 90% after preoxygenation for 3 min, and PaO2 and PaCO2 after preoxygenation and tracheal intubation. Only in the non-obese subgroup, no significant difference was observed in safe apnoea time (mean difference: 125.38, 95% confidence interval: − 12.26 to 263.03).

Conclusion

Non-invasive ventilation appeared to be more effective than conventional methods for preoxygenation. We recommend non-invasive ventilation based on our results.
Post-cardiopulmonary bypass hypoxaemia in paediatric patients undergoing congenital heart disease surgery: risk factors, features, and postoperative pulmonary complications
Authors: Sun Yuan , Deng Xiao-Ming , Cai Ying , Shen Sai-E , Dong Li-Ya
Published: September 2022

Background

Hypoxemia after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is the quantifiable manifestation of pulmonary dysfunction. This retrospective study was designed to investigate the risk factors for post-cardiopulmonary bypass hypoxaemia and the features of hypoxaemia and pulmonary complications in paediatric congenital heart disease surgery involving CPB.

Methods

Data including demographics, preoperative pulmonary or cardiac parameters, and intraoperative interventions were retrospectively collected from 318 paediatric patients who underwent radical surgery with CPB for congenital heart disease. Among them, the factors that were significant by univariate analysis were screened for multivariate Cox regression. The lowest ratio of arterial oxygen tension and the inspiratory oxygen fraction (PaO2/FiO2), hypoxaemia (PaO2/FiO2 ≤ 300) insult time, duration of hypoxaemia, extubation time, and pulmonary complications were also analysed postoperatively.

Results

The morbidity of post-cardiopulmonary bypass hypoxaemia was 48.4% (154/318). Months (6 < months ≤ 12, 12 < months ≤ 36 and 36 < months compared with 0 ≤ months ≤ 6: HR 0.582, 95% CI 0.388–0.873; HR 0.398, 95% CI 0.251–0.632; HR 0.336, 95% CI 0.197–0.574, respectively; p < 0.01), preoperative intracardiac right-to-left shunting (HR 1.729, 95% CI 1.200–2.493, p = 0.003) and intraoperative pleural cavity entry (HR 1.582, 95% CI 1.128–2.219, p = 0.008) were identified as independent risk factors for the development of post-cardiopulmonary bypass hypoxaemia. Most hypoxaemia cases (83.8%, 129/154) occurred within 2 h, and the rate of moderate hypoxaemia (100 < PaO2/FiO2 ≤ 200) was 60.4% (93/154).

Conclusion

The morbidity of post-cardiopulmonary bypass hypoxaemia in paediatric congenital heart disease surgery was considerably high. Most hypoxaemia cases were moderate and occurred in the early period after CPB. Scrupulous management should be employed for younger infants or children with preoperative intracardiac right-to-left shunting or intraoperative pleural cavity entry.
Fibroblast growth factor 21 is associated with widening QRS complex and prolonged corrected QT interval in patients with stable angina
Authors: Hung Wei-Chin , Yu Teng-Hung , Wang Chao-Ping , Hsu Chia-Chang , Lu Yung-Chuan , Wei Ching-Ting , Chung Fu-Mei , Lee Yau-Jiunn , Wu Cheng-Ching , Tang Wei-Hua
Published: September 2022

Background

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is produced by cardiac cells, may acts in an autocrine manner, and was suggested to has a cardioprotective role in atherosclerosis. Wide QRS complex and heart rate-corrected QT interval (QTc interval) prolongation are associated to dangerous ventricular arrhythmias and cardiovascular disease mortality. Yet, the role of FGF21 in cardiac arrhythmia has never been studied. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between plasma FGF21 and the QRS duration and QTc interval in patients with stable angina.

Methods

Three hundred twenty-one consecutive stable angina patients were investigated. Plasma FGF21 was measured through ELISA, and each subject underwent 12-lead electrocardiography.

Results

FGF21 plasma levels were positively associated with the QRS duration (β = 0.190, P = 0.001) and QTc interval (β = 0.277, P < 0.0001). With increasing FGF21 tertiles, the patients had higher frequencies of wide QRS complex and prolonged QTc interval. After adjusting for patients’ anthropometric parameters, the corresponding odd ratios (ORs) for wide QRS complex of the medium and high of FGF21 versus the low of FGF21 were 1.39 (95% CI 0.51–3.90) and 4.41 (95% CI 1.84–11.59), respectively, and p for trend was 0.001. Furthermore, multiple logistic regression analysis also showed the corresponding odd ratios (ORs) for prolonged QTc interval of the medium and high of FGF21 versus the low of FGF21 were 1.02 (95% CI 0.53–1.78) and 1.93 (95% CI 1.04–3.60) respectively with the p for trend of 0.037. In addition, age- and sex-adjusted FGF21 levels were positively associated with fasting glucose, HbA1c, creatinine, and adiponectin, but negatively associated with albumin, and the estimated glomerular filtration rate.

Conclusions

This study indicates that plasma FGF21 is associated with wide QRS complex and prolonged corrected QT interval in stable angina patients, further study is required to investigate the role of plasma FGF21 for the underlying pathogenesis.
Recurrent generalized seizures as the prominent manifestation in a patient with CADASIL: a case report and literature review
Authors: Pan Liuhua , Chen Yan , Zhao Shanshan
Published: September 2022

Background

Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is an inherited arteriopathy typically caused by mutations in the NOTCH-3 gene. Few detailed descriptions of recurrent generalized seizures in CADASIL has been reported.

Case presentation

This article details a case of recurrent generalized seizures, which eventually be diagnosed as CADASIL with a heterozygous variant, c.1630 C > T (p. Arg544Cys), in exon 11 of the Notch 3 gene. Here, we discussed the possible pathogenesis underlying the epilepsy associated with CADASIL through the brain magnetic resonance imaging changes and the captured epileptiform waves in the electroencephalography during the patient’s follow-up period. Related literatures were also reviewed to discuss the etiology of the epilepsy.

Conclusions

Recurrent generalized seizures may be a presenting neurological manifestation of CADASIL in the absence of other discernible causes. Clinicians should comprehensively seek the possible etiology of patients with recurrent generalized seizures, considering the possible diagnosis of CADASIL.
Tracing coalition changes in knowledge in and engagement with childhood obesity prevention to improve intervention implementation
Authors: Moore Travis R. , Pachucki Mark C. , Hennessy Erin , Economos Christina D.
Published: September 2022

Background

While most coalition research focuses on studying the effects of peer relationship structure, this study examines the coevolution of coalition structure and behavior across three communities in the U.S. with the goal of identifying coalition dynamics that impact a childhood obesity prevention intervention. 

Methods

Over two years (2018–2020), three communities within the U.S. participated in a childhood obesity prevention intervention at different times. This intervention was guided by the Stakeholder-Driven Community Diffusion theory, which describes an empirically testable mechanism for promoting community change. Measures are part of the Stakeholder-driven Community Diffusion (SDCD) survey with demonstrated reliability, which include knowledge of and engagement with childhood obesity prevention and social networks. Data from three coalition-committees and their respective networks were used to build three different stochastic actor-oriented models. These models were used to examine the coevolution of coalition structure with coalition behavior (defined a priori as knowledge of and engagement with obesity prevention) among coalition-committee members and their nominated alters (Network A) and coalition-committee members only (Network B). 

Results

Overall, coalitions decrease in size and their structure becomes less dense over time. Both Network A and B show a consistent preference to form and sustain ties with those who have more ties. In Network B, there was a trend for those who have higher knowledge scores to increase their number of ties over time. The same trend appeared in Network A but varied based on their peers’ knowledge in and engagement with childhood obesity prevention. Across models, engagement with childhood obesity prevention research was not a significant driver of changes in either coalition network structure or knowledge.

Conclusions

The trends in coalition Network A and B’s coevolution models may point to context-specific features (e.g., ties among stakeholders) that can be leveraged for better intervention implementation. To that end, examining tie density, average path length, network diameter, and the dynamics of each behavior outcome (i.e., knowledge in and engagement with childhood obesity prevention) may help tailor whole-of-community interventions. Future research should attend to additional behavioral variables (e.g., group efficacy) that can capture other aspects of coalition development and that influence implementation, and to testing the efficacy of network interventions after trends have been identified.
Comparison of multifidus degeneration between scoliosis and lumbar disc herniation
Authors: Wang Xianzheng , Liu Huanan , Wang Weijian , Sun Yapeng , Zhang Fei , Guo Lei , Li Jiaqi , Zhang Wei
Published: September 2022

Objective

To assess and compare the pathological and radiological outcomes of multifidus degeneration in scoliosis and lumbar disc herniation patients.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review on 24 patients with scoliosis and 26 patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) in the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2017 to March2021. The patients were divided into scoliosis group and LDH group according to the treatment. The MRI fatty infiltration rate (FIR) of multifidus and strength of back muscle were calculated to evaluate muscle condition. Multifidus biopsy samples were obtained during surgery in the affected side at L4 or L5 segment in LDH group and on the concavity side of apical vertebrae in scoliosis group. The biopsy fatty infiltration degree (FID) and FIR in two groups, the FIR of affected and unaffected side in LDH group, and the FIR of concavity and convexity side in scoliosis group were compared. The correlation between concavity-convexity FIR difference and cobb angle in scoliosis group, back muscle strength and FIR in LDH group, FID and FIR in both groups was calculated respectively.

Results

The FIR was higher in scoliosis group than in LDH group, higher in concavity side than convexity side in scoliosis group (both P < 0.05). The FID was higher in scoliosis group than in LDH group (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found between affected and unaffected side in LDH group (P > 0.05). There was a positive correlation between concavity-convexity FIR difference and cobb angle, FIR and FID (both P < 0.01). There was a negative correlation between back muscle strength and FIR (P < 0.01). The biopsy staining results showed that both two groups were found the existence of rimmed vacuoles, nuclear aggregation, and abnormal enzyme activity, indicating that the scoliosis and LDH may be associated with myogenic diseases.

Conclusion

The scoliosis patients showed more serious fatty infiltration than LDH patients and rare pathological findings were found in both diseases.