bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does Time to Imaging and Surgery for Distal Radius Fractures Vary based on Geographic Socioeconomic Disadvantage?
Authors: Rahman Rafa , Xu Amy L. , Dhanjani Suraj A. , Zhang Bo , Nayar Suresh K. , Humbyrd Casey J. , LaPorte Dawn
Published: February 2022

Background:

While disparities in aspects of distal radius fracture (DRF) management and orthopedics at large have been studied, disparities in time to DRF evaluation and treatment are unknown. We sought to determine if geographic socioeconomic disadvantage is associated with time to imaging in the emergency department (ED) and time to surgery for DRFs.

Methods:

We performed a time-to-event analysis of 105 patients undergoing DRF surgery after ED triage within our hospital system between January 1, 2015, and January 1, 2020. Area Deprivation Index (ADI) national percentile was used as the metric of geographic socioeconomic disadvantage for each patient’s ZIP code of residence. We performed Cox regression analysis to determine hazard ratios to undergo DRF imaging and surgery for patients in each ADI group, adjusting for potential confounders, α = 0.05.

Results:

There was no association between geographic socioeconomic disadvantage and time to DRF imaging, after adjusting for confounders. However, compared to patients from the least disadvantaged areas, patients from the most disadvantaged areas (ADI Quartiles 3 and 4) had an adjusted hazard ratio for surgery of 0.55 [0.32, 0.94] ( P = .03), and were thus 45% [6%, 68%] less likely to undergo surgery for DRF at any time following ED triage.

Conclusions:

Operative patients from more socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods see disparities in time to surgery for DRF. Equitable access to timely surgical care is needed and may be improved with increased access to orthopedic surgeons, patient education, support in navigating the health system, and improved continuity of fracture care.

Level of Evidence:

Level III
Togetherness in Separation: Practical Considerations for Doing Remote Qualitative Interviews Ethically
Authors: Engward Hilary , Goldspink Sally , Iancu Maria , Kersey Thomas , Wood Abigail
Published: February 2022

This discussion paper considers some of the practical and ethical aspects of doing qualitative interviews using synchronous online visual technologies within a shifting research context. It is argued that the immediate access to potential participants and subsequent data collection necessitate adjustment to the ways in which qualitative researchers understand and apply ethics, accountability, and responsibility in their data collection processes. We examine the parallels between interviewing face-to-face and interviewing using technology from a practical and integral perspective. In the online environment researchers require a heightened sensitivity and awareness of their attitudes, knowledge, and skills before, during and after the interview to ensure that the process is safe, rigorous and meaningful for collecting comprehensive qualitative data. To do this, we consider how to plan, conduct and end online interviews using voice over internet protocol.
‘We can’t be perfect all the time’: Life with HIV before antiretrovirals: A narrative analysis of early published stories by women with HIV in the United Kingdom
Authors: Shepherd Jane
Published: February 2022

Objectives:

The experiences of women like me, diagnosed with HIV before the development of effective antiretrovirals, tend to be neglected and overlooked. Research, policy and services can better serve us if our lived experiences are known and understood within a contextual framework. This small study revisited published personal experience stories by women diagnosed with HIV before 1992 in order to examine what the women said and why.

Methods:

Due to limited data, a single published collection of 12 stories was chosen, Positively Women: Living with AIDS. Narrative analysis was used to make some overarching sense of identified themes, plots and genres within the women’s accounts. This method allows for a deep contextual reading. I adopted an inductive and reflexive approach using my lived experience to weave in contextual detail and analysis.

Findings:

In their search for sense-making, the women often expressed their life with HIV as transformative. Speaking out and peer support helped women construct a more positive identity and develop strategies for survival that were influenced by ideas contextually situated in an emerging public health crisis. However, women also felt defined and confined by their status, and others spoke of a conflict in living up to an emerging HIV subjecthood that was adherent to wellness regimes, self-improvement and positive thinking.

Conclusion:

The analysis brings to light some of the contradictions and conflicts within these early HIV narratives. Contextually examining women’s narratives from the perspective of lived experience offers new readings and fresh insights into wider cultural narratives that may resonate with today’s stories of living with HIV.
Chronic pelvic pain in women
Authors: Nicolson Karen , Gillespie Gail
Published: February 2022

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a common and complex condition. It affects up to 24% of women worldwide (1:6) and has a prevalence rate similar to asthma or back pain. The International Association for the study of Pain defines it as: ‘chronic or persistent pain perceived in structures related to the pelvis of either men or women. It is often associated with negative cognitive, behavioural, sexual, and emotional consequences as well as with symptoms suggestive of lower urinary tract, sexual, bowel, pelvic floor or gynaecological dysfunction.’ CPP lasts over 6 months and causes functional problems to the lives of sufferers.
Evaluation of early scoring predictors for expedited care in patients with emphysematous pyelonephritis
Authors: Chawla Arun , Bhaskara Sunil Pillai , Taori Ravi , de la Rosette Jean J.M.C.H , Laguna Pilar , Pandey Akhilesh , Mummalaneni Sitaram , Hegde Padmaraj , Rao Shwetapriya , K Prakashini
Published: February 2022

Introduction:

Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN), an acute necrotizing infection of the kidney and surrounding tissues, is associated with considerable mortality. We evaluated how existing critical care scoring systems could predict the need for intensive care unit (ICU) management for these patients. We also analyzed if CT-imaging further enhances these predictive systems.

Patients and Methods:

A retrospective analysis of 90 consecutive patients diagnosed clinico-radiologically with EPN from January 2011 to September 2020. Five scoring systems were evaluated for their predictive ability for the need for ICU management and mortality risk: National Early Warning Score (NEWS), Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS), ‘quick’ Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (qSOFA), Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome score (SIRS), and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (SOFA). CT images were classified as per Huang & Tseng and evaluated as stand-alone or added to the different predictive models. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted for each critical care score and CT-Class using logistic regression, to obtain the area under curve (AUC) value for comparison of ICU admission predictability. Patients were analyzed up till discharge.

Results:

Ninety patients were diagnosed with EPN. Twenty-six patients required ICU management and nine patients died. The best scoring system to predict the need of early ICU management is NEWS (AUC 0.884). CT Class had no independent predictive power, nor did it add significantly to improvement in most of the early warning scoring systems, but rather guided us to the need for radiological, endourological or surgical intervention.

Conclusion:

In patients with EPN, the NEWS scoring system predicts best the requirement of ICU care. It aids in triage of patients with EPN to appropriate early management and reduce mortality risk.
A spatial-based explanation for institutional trust in Georgia: Evidence from the maternal healthcare system
Authors: Badashvili Medea , Byelousova Anastasiya , Gupta Parth , Liu Amy H , Pizzi Elise , Sanchez Michael , Shengelia Lela , Unapkoshvili Mariana , Wang Lyndsey , Wierschke Katherina
Published: February 2022

When an institution is not easily accessible—for example, it is geographically far—it can be hard for institutional trust to develop. The institution is not only unavailable, but it can also be seen as inappropriate, non-affordable, unapproachable, and unacceptable. In this paper, we examine whether reducing distance to medical facilities and professionals can improve trust in the maternal healthcare system. We do so by focusing on developments in Georgia. Since 2013, the government has aggressively closed the distance to service access not by building more facilities or hiring more staff per se, but by upgrading and funding existing facilities and professionals in a national network to better coordinate service provisions at the local levels. Employing an original survey, we match GPS coordinates to measure distance and use regression analysis to demonstrate how ensuring every woman has access to maternal healthcare at the right place at the right time has improved institutional trust in the system. The implications highlight results that are generalizable beyond both the country and maternal healthcare.
Strike as an extraordinary circumstance
Authors: Verheyen Wouter , Pecinovsky Pieter
Published: February 2022

In the Airhelp v SAS case (23 March 2021, C-28/20), the Court of Justice reconciled the interests of workers and passengers by stating that an announced strike by airline employees did not constitute an extraordinary circumstance in the sense of Article 5.3 Regulation 261/2004. This gave passengers a right to compensation and the Court safeguarded the right to strike in the event of a social dispute. The Court thereby invoked the right to collective action in Article 28 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. This case law was also confirmed in the Eurowings ruling (6 October 2021, C 613/20) concerning a secondary strike.
The bias of Twitter as an agenda-setter on COVID-19: An empirical research using log data and survey data in Japan
Authors: Tanihara Tsukasa
Published: February 2022

This study investigates the bias of Twitter as an agenda-setter during COVID-19. Specifically, we analyze the agenda-setting function of Twitter (Study 1) and characteristics of information disseminators on Twitter, agenda-builders (Study 2), related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In Study 1, we examined rank correlations between the media agendas on COVID-19 and public agendas. The results indicated that Twitter agendas resonate with those who have liberal tendencies. In Study 2, we used data from the Internet survey to identify the political attitudes of agenda-builders who tweet or retweet on COVID-19. The results of the model analyses indicated that people with liberal tendencies, motivated by their political attitude, created original tweets, and some of those tweets were then retweeted by flaming-oriented people driven by a sense of justice. This seems to be how information about COVID-19 spreads on Twitter in Japan.
Construct and Criterion Validity of the Dutch Workaholism Scale (DUWAS) Within the South African Financial Services Context
Authors: de Beer Leon T. , Horn Janlé , Schaufeli Wilmar B.
Published: February 2022

This research investigated the construct and criterion validity of the English version of the Dutch Work Addiction Scale (DUWAS) within the South African financial services context ( n = 345). A quantitative research approach with a cross-sectional design was utilized to determine the psychometric properties of the Dutch Work Addiction Scale (DUWAS-10). Confirmatory factor analysis was used with a latent variable modeling approach for the construct validity and a structural path model for criterion validity. One of the working compulsively items did not perform well and was omitted to establish a 9-item scale. Additionally, due to problematic discriminant validity between the working compulsively and working excessively factors, the results did not corroborate the expected two-factor structure. However, a revised second-order structure of the DUWAS showed an acceptable fit to the data indicating that an overall workaholism score is appropriate in this context. Furthermore, the results showed that workaholism had positive relationships with work overload, work hours, and burnout but negatively related to work engagement and organizational commitment. All in all, evidence suggested that an adapted 9-item version of the DUWAS performed well.
Measuring Muscle Activity in the Trunk, Pelvis, and Lower Limb Which Are Used to Maintain Standing Posture in Patients With Adult Spinal Deformity, With Focus on Muscles that Contract in the Compensatory Status
Authors: Yamato Yu , Nojima Osamu , Banno Tomohiro , Hasegawa Tomohiko , Yoshida Go , Oe Shin , Arima Hideyuki , Mihara Yuki , Nagafusa Tetsuyuki , Yamauchi Katsuya , Matsuyama Yukihiro
Published: February 2022

Study Design

Prospective single-center study.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the muscle activity of the trunk, pelvis, and lower limb, which are used to maintain a standing posture in elderly patients with spinal deformities. We also elucidated the mechanism of compensation against spinal deformity in terms of muscle activity.

Methods

Any patient scheduled to undergo surgery for adult spinal deformity was included. Surface electromyography and radiography were performed preoperatively. The following four representative alignments were defined as compensations: 1. pelvic retroversion, 2. reduction in thoracic kyphosis, 3. hyperextension of the lumbosacral junction, and 4. knee flexion. Individual muscle activity was compared with and without compensation. The patients were stratified into three groups according to the severity of spinal compensation, and differences in muscle activity were compared.

Results

This study included 76 patients (7 men and 69 women, average age 69.4 years). Our results revealed that pelvic retroversion and knee flexion were compensations that required trunk muscle activity. In contrast, reduction of thoracic kyphosis and hyperextension of the lumbosacral junction did not require much trunk muscle activity. There was a significant difference in the muscle activity of the pelvis and lower limbs according to the severity of the deformity.

Conclusions

In terms of muscle activity, compensation for regional alignment changes in the adjacent spine is economical. However, extra-spinal compensations, such as pelvic retroversion and knee flexion, are non-economical. According to compensation recruitment, the muscle activity of the pelvis and lower limbs increased with the severity of the spinal deformity.
Supine and Dynamic Extension Radiographs as the Strongest Predictors of Post-operative Alignment in Minimally Invasive Lumbar Spine Surgery
Authors: Barber Lauren A. , Lafage Renaud , Muzammil Hamna , Shinn Daniel J. , Kim Jeong H. , Lafage Virginie , Iyer Sravisht
Published: February 2022

Study Design

Institutional review board-approved retrospective cohort study.

Objectives

Failure to achieve alignment goals may result in accelerated adjacent segment degeneration and poorer outcomes. In “open” spine surgery, intraoperative tools can fine tune alignment; minimally invasive spine surgery techniques may not allow for this type of intraoperative adjustment. The aim of this study was to identify pre-operative radiographic parameters that accurately predict post-operative alignment after minimally invasive lumbar spine surgery. We hypothesized that pre-operative supine and extension sagittal alignment would predict post-operative standing alignment.

Methods

50 consecutive patients underwent lateral or anterior lumbar interbody fusion with or without percutaneous posterior instrumentation by a single-surgeon. Sagittal alignment parameters were evaluated on pre-operative standing scoliosis radiographs, dynamic radiographs, supine CT scout, and 6-week post-operative standing radiographs. Demographic and perioperative data were analyzed.

Results

The mean age was 67.8 years. The mean BMI was 29.7. On average, 3 levels were instrumented (range, 2–6). Surgical time was 4.5 ± 1.8 hours. Following surgery, global lordosis increased from 44.7 ± 17° to 48.6 ± 16° ( P = .001). However, there was no significant difference between the pre-operative supine (48.5 ± 15°), pre-operative extension (49.2 ± 18°), or 6-week post-operative standing radiographs (48.6 ± 16°). There were strong correlations between post-operative alignment and pre-operative supine (r = .825) and extension (r = .851) alignment.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that pre-operative supine and extension radiographs could be a gold standard for minimally invasive lumbar spine surgery alignment correction as they predict post-operative alignment. The extension alignment was the strongest predictor of post-operative alignment.
ACL Tears in the National Football League From 2013 to 2020: Analysis of the 2020 Season After Delays and Schedule Changes From the Early COVID-19 Pandemic Relative to Prior Seasons
Authors: Allahabadi Sachin , Gatto Andrew P. , Pandya Nirav K.
Published: February 2022

Background:

The impact of fatigue and preseason preparation on anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears in the National Football League (NFL) are not well described. The 2020 NFL season did not include the standard preseason in response to changes secondary to the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Purpose:

To evaluate the association of game play on ACL tears in NFL athletes and to determine if differences in ACL tear epidemiology were present based on season of play from 2013 to 2020.

Study Design:

Descriptive epidemiology study.

Methods:

ACL tears in NFL athletes were identified using publicly available data. Games played and snap counts at the time of injury were recorded for each athlete sustaining game-related injuries. Tear rates were determined, and injuries were also calculated per 1000 athlete-exposures. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.

Results:

Overall, 379 ACL tears were identified, including 256 (67.6%) during game play and 118 (31.1%) during practice. Practice-based injuries were significantly higher in the preseason versus the remainder of the season. Games and snaps at the time of injury did not differ by year. The incidence rate of preseason injuries was significantly greater relative to in-season injuries (IRR = 2.68; 95% CI, 2.18-3.29; P < .00001). There was an elevated incidence rate of in-season injuries in 2020 relative to 2014-2019 combined (IRR = 1.49; 95% CI, 0.98-2.19; P = .048). In 2013 to 2019, the most frequent month of injury was the first month of the preseason in August (119/334 tears; 35.6%), whereas in 2020, the most frequent month was September (13/41 tears, 31.7%). The proportion of tears in September 2020 was not different from the proportion of tears in August 2013 to 2019.

Conclusion:

There was an increased proportion of in-season ACL tears in the 2020 NFL season relative to 2014 to 2019; this is attributable to a frameshift in the consistent trend of injuries in the 1st month to return of competitive play, with 2020 being in the regular season in September as opposed to the preseason in August.
Impact of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury on European Professional Soccer Players
Authors: Mazza Daniele , Viglietta Edoardo , Monaco Edoardo , Iorio Raffaele , Marzilli Fabio , Princi Giorgio , Massafra Carlo , Ferretti Andrea
Published: February 2022

Background:

The impact of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) on the performance and career of professional soccer players has not been extensively investigated.

Purpose:

To evaluate in professional European soccer players (1) the ACL injury incidence, (2) the return-to-play (RTP) rate and time after ACLR, (3) career survival and athlete performance in the first 3 postoperative seasons after RTP, (4) factors likely related to different outcomes after ACLR, and (5) any related differences between the top 8 European soccer leagues.

Study Design:

Descriptive epidemiology study.

Methods:

Included were professional soccer players in the top 8 European Soccer leagues (Serie A [Italy], Premier League [England], Ligue 1 [France], LaLiga [Spain], Bundesliga [Germany], Jupiler Pro League [Belgium], Liga NOS [Portugal], and Premier Liga [Russia]) who sustained an ACL injury during seasons 2014 to 2015, 2015 to 2016, and 2016 to 2017. Data were retrieved from publicly available online sources. Outcomes were evaluated based on player age (<25 years, 25-30 years, and >30 years), position (goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, and forward), affected side (dominant vs nondominant), and league.

Results:

Overall, 195 players sustained an ACL injury, for a mean annual ACL injury incidence of 1.42%. The RTP rate was 95%, with a mean RTP time of 248 ± 136 days. Within the third postoperative season, 66 players (36%) competed in a lower level national league, and 25 (13.6%) ended their careers; a significant reduction in the mean minutes played per season was found in all 3 postoperative seasons. Player age correlated significantly with reduction in performance or recovery from an ACL injury. No significant correlation was found between postoperative player performance and affected side, position, league, or time to RTP.

Conclusion:

A substantial ACL injury incidence was found in top European elite soccer players; however, a high RTP rate in a reasonable time was seen after ACLR. Nevertheless, professional soccer players experienced a short-term decline in their performance.
Policy Enactment During a Pandemic: How One School Responded to COVID-19 in Negotiation With a Nonprofit Partner
Authors: Dorner Lisa M. , Harris Kelly , Willoughby Blake
Published: February 2022

Policymaking is not linear or neutral, nor is it ever made or enacted in isolation, especially not during a crisis. Framed by theories on the contextual, interactive nature of policy enactment, this year-long, ethnographic study examined how an urban elementary school and nonprofit organization worked to address challenges made visible by the COVID-19 pandemic. Analyses explored how negotiations among the school, its nonprofit partner, and district shaped pandemic policy responses. Data included 35 transcriptions and eight field notes from stakeholder interviews and principal–partner meetings, and 128 external stakeholder artifacts. Findings showcase the policy enactment of family–school communication and access to remote learning, and limitations of the partnership due to structural and racialized processes. The discussion presents implications for educational policymaking in response to crises, highlighting the need to understand the external contexts and racialized discourses that are part of shaping those responses to be dynamic and “nonlinear.”
Modified Recession Wedge Trochleoplasty
Authors: Dandu Navya , Knapik Derrick M. , Darwish Reem Y. , Yanke Adam B.
Published: February 2022

Background:

Trochlear dysplasia represents one of the main anatomic risk factors for patellar instability, with risk of failure and unfavorable clinical outcomes in patients with unaddressed dysplasia undergoing patellar stabilization.

Indications:

Patients with trochlear dysplasia characterized by supratrochlear prominence (DeJour B or D) and recurrent patellar instability, especially following failed soft tissue or bony stabilization. This technique addresses an anterior trochlea without pathologic convexity, as convexity may require conversion to other techniques for groove deepening (eg, DeJour “thick flap” or Schottle “thin flap”).

Technique Description:

A 6-cm lateral parapatellar arthrotomy is created. A marking pen is used to identify the native center of the trochlea, as well as the location of the planned resection and bony hinge point laterally. An osteotome is used to remove a wedge of bone proximally, such that the posterior aspect of the osteotomy is in line with the anterior femoral cortex. A resection guide is then used to perforate the lateral cortex, with care to avoid damaging the cartilage, and carried laterally and distally to ensure the bony cuts are connected, creating the bony flap. To ensure that all bony bridges are eliminated, the arthroscope is placed into the osteotomy to visualize reduction of the trochlea with manual pressure. A knotless PEEK anchor loaded with 8 loaded sutures is then placed on the roof of the trochlear notch. Sutures are then secured using anchors placed at the center of the trochlea, at the superolateral corner and far lateral edge of the trochlea to reduce the osteotomy, with 2 to 3 sutures placed in each anchor depending on surgeon preference.

Results:

Trochleoplasty has been reported to decrease the rate of recurrent patellar dislocation while improving mean Kujala score and knee function. Benefits of trochleoplasty must be balanced against the high rate of potential complications, primarily pain and decreased knee range of motion, secondary to the technical challenges and steep learning curve inherent to effectively performing the procedure.

Discussion/Conclusion:

Patients with recurrent patellar instability with trochlear dysplasia and failed prior stabilization may experience improved stability and outcomes following trochleoplasty.
Vascular Variations in the Central Neck and Their Implications on Tracheostomy: Literature Review and Case Report
Authors: Mcewen Ellie C. , Hoffman Miranda C. C. , Hoffman Gary R.
Published: February 2022

Tracheostomy is a commonly performed procedure in the setting of head and neck cancer surgery, and generally performed with minimal morbidity and mortality. Iatrogenic injury to the brachiocephalic artery is an extremely rare event that can occur during the undertaking of a tracheostomy. Aberrant vascular anatomy can predispose to this catastrophic complication. Although not frequently encountered in clinical practice, vascular anomalies of the aortic arch branches can occur in up to 20% of the population. This review of the literature discusses the common branching, positional, and numerical variations of the aortic—brachiocephalic arterial anatomy in the root and central neck, and the implications of these vascular variants on the undertaking of a routine tracheostomy. The authors outline a case of catastrophic hemorrhage during a routine trache xostomy in a 69-year-old patient with a bovine aortic arch anomaly. The intraoperative sequalae, emergency management, imaging findings, and future implications of such an occurrence are discussed. The paper provides a timely reminder to surgeons to raise awareness of the variability of the vascular anatomy in the neck and the operative implications of surgical undertakings in the root of the neck.
Genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screening identifies determinant of panobinostat sensitivity in acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Jiang Chuang , Qian Maoxiang , Gocho Yoshihiro , Yang Wentao , Du Guoqing , Shen Shuhong , Yang Jun J. , Zhang Hui
Published: February 2022

Epigenetic alterations, including histone acetylation, contribute to the malignant transformation of hematopoietic cells and disease progression, as well as the emergence of chemotherapy resistance. Targeting histone acetylation provides new strategies for the treatment of cancers. As a pan-histone deacetylase inhibitor, panobinostat has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of multiple myeloma and has shown promising antileukemia effects in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, the underlying drug resistance mechanism in ALL remains largely unknown. Using genome-wide Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated (Cas)9 (CRISPR/Cas9) screening, we identified mitochondrial activity as the driver of panobinostat resistance in ALL. Mechanistically, ectopic SIRT1 expression activated mitochondrial activity and sensitized ALL to panobinostat through activating mitochondria-related apoptosis pathway. Meanwhile, the transcription level of SIRT1 was significantly associated with panobinostat sensitivity across diverse tumor types and thus could be a potential biomarker of panobinostat response in cancers. Our data suggest that patients with higher SIRT1 expression in cancer cells might benefit from panobinostat treatment, supporting the implementation of combinatorial therapy with SIRT1 or mitochondrial activators to overcome panobinostat resistance.
Molecular and cytogenetic characterization of myelodysplastic syndromes in cell-free DNA
Authors: Garcia-Gisbert Nieves , Garcia-Ávila Sara , Merchán Brayan , Salido Marta , Fernández-Rodríguez Concepción , Gibert Joan , Fernández-Ibarrondo Lierni , Camacho Laura , Lafuente Marta , Longarón Raquel , Espinet Blanca , Vélez Patricia , Pujol Ramon M. , Andrade-Campos Marcio , Arenillas Leonor , Salar Antonio , Calvo Xavier , Besses Carles , Bellosillo Beatriz
Published: February 2022

Molecular and cytogenetic studies are essential for diagnosis and prognosis in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs). Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) analysis has been reported to be a reliable noninvasive approach for detecting molecular abnormalities in MDS; however, there is limited information about cytogenetic alterations and monitoring in cfDNA. We assessed the molecular and cytogenetic profile of a cohort of 70 patients with MDS by next-generation sequencing (NGS) of cfDNA and compared the results to sequencing of paired bone marrow (BM) DNA. Sequencing of BM DNA and cfDNA showed a comparable mutational profile (92.1% concordance), and variant allele frequencies (VAFs) strongly correlated between both sample types. Of note, SF3B1 mutations were detected with significantly higher VAFs in cfDNA than in BM DNA. NGS and microarrays were highly concordant in detecting chromosomal alterations although with lower sensitivity than karyotype and fluorescence in situ hybridization. Nevertheless, all cytogenetic aberrations detected by NGS in BM DNA were also detected in cfDNA. In addition, we monitored molecular and cytogenetic alterations and observed an excellent correlation between the VAFs of mutations in BM DNA and cfDNA across multiple matched time points. A decrease in the cfDNA VAFs was detected in patients responding to therapy, but not in nonresponding patients. Of note, cfDNA analysis also showed cytogenetic evolution in 2 nonresponsive cases. In summary, although further studies with larger cohorts are needed, our results support the analysis of cfDNA as a promising strategy for performing molecular characterization, detection of chromosomal aberrations and monitoring of patients with MDS.
Quercetin mitigates rheumatoid arthritis by inhibiting adenosine deaminase in rats
Authors: El-Said Karim Samy , Atta Amira , Mobasher Maysa A. , Germoush Mousa O. , Mohamed Tarek M. , Salem Maha M.
Published: February 2022

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory joint disease characterized by synovial proliferation and bone destruction. Adenosine deaminase (ADA) is a key inflammatory enzyme that increases joint stiffness and pain in RA. In this study, we evaluated the in-silico, and in vivo inhibitory effect of quercetin isolated from Egyptian Fenugreek on ADA enzyme activity. We also determined the combinatorial effect of quercetin on methotrexate mediated anti-inflammatory efficacy and toxicity. In-silico molecular docking was conducted and confirmed in an in vivo RA rat model. The results showed that the inhibition constant of quercetin on joint ADA by docking and in-vitro was 61.9 and 55.5 mM, respectively. Therefore, quercetin exhibits anti-inflammatory effect in a rat RA model as evidenced by reducing the specific activity of ADA in joint tissues, lower jaw volume, enhance body weight, downregulate ADA gene expression, reduce levels of RA cytokines interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, also, rheumatoid factor, C-reactive protein, and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide RA biomarker levels. These findings demonstrate that the purified quercetin has a promising anti-inflammatory effect against RA disease through its inhibitory effects on the ADA enzyme. Furthermore, isolated quercetin improved the anti-inflammatory efficacy of methotrexate, reduced its toxic effects by increasing antioxidant enzymes and reducing oxidative stress.
Dynamic Characteristics of High-speed Water-Lubricated Spiral Groove Thrust Bearing Based on Turbulent Cavitating Flow Lubrication Model
Authors: Lin Xiaohui , Wang Shun , Jiang Shuyun , Zhang Shaowen
Published: February 2022

The water-lubricated bearings are usually the state of turbulent cavitating flow under high-speed conditions. And the distribution of cavitation bubbles and the interface effect between the two phases have not been included in previous studies on high-speed water-lubricated bearings. In order to study the influence of interface effect and cavitation bubble distribution on the dynamic characteristics of high-speed water-lubricated spiral groove thrust bearings (SGTB).A turbulent cavitating flow lubrication model based on two-phase fluid and population balance equation of bubbles was established in this paper. Stiffness and the damping coefficients of the SGTB were calculated using the perturbation pressure equations. An experimental apparatus was developed to verify the theoretical model. Simulating and experimental results show that the small-sized bubbles tend to generate in the turbulent cavitating flow when at a high rotary speed, and the bubbles mainly locate at the edges of the spiral groove. The simulating results also show that the direct stiffness coefficients are increased due to cavitation effect, and cross stiffness coefficients and damping coefficients are hardly affected by the cavitation effect. Turbulent effect on the dynamic characteristics of SGTB is much stronger than the cavitating effect
Improved Multi-Bandwidth Mode Manifold for Enhanced Bearing Fault Diagnosis
Authors: Du Guifu , Jiang Tao , Wang Jun , Jiang Xingxing , Zhu Zhongkui
Published: February 2022

Variational mode decomposition (VMD) has been proved to be useful for extraction of fault-induced transients of rolling bearings. Multi-bandwidth mode manifold (Triple M, TM) is one variation of the VMD, which units multiple fault-related modes with different bandwidths by a nonlinear manifold learning algorithm named local tangent space alignment (LTSA). The merit of the TM method is that the bearing fault-induced transients extracted contain low level of in-band noise without optimization of the VMD parameters. However, the determination of the neighborhood size of the LTSA is time-consuming, and the extracted fault-induced transients may have the problem of asymmetry in the up-and-down direction. This paper aims to improve the efficiency and waveform symmetry of the TM method. Specifically, the multi-bandwidth modes consisting of the fault-related modes with different bandwidths are first obtained by repeating the recycling VMD (RVMD) method with different bandwidth balance parameters. Then, the LTSA algorithm is performed on the multi-bandwidth modes to extract their inherent manifold structure, in which the natural nearest neighbor (Triple N, TN) algorithm is adopted to efficiently and reasonably select the neighbors of each data point in the multi-bandwidth modes. Finally, a weight-based feature compensation strategy is designed to synthesize the low-dimensional manifold features to alleviate the asymmetry problem, resulting in a symmetric TM feature that can represent the real fault transient components. The major contribution of the improved TM method for bearing fault diagnosis is that the pure fault-induced transients are extracted efficiently and are symmetrical as the real. One simulation analysis and two experimental applications in bearing fault diagnosis validate the enhanced performance of the improved TM method over the traditional methods. This research proposes a bearing fault diagnosis method which has the advantages of high efficiency, good waveform symmetry and enhanced in-band noise removal capability.
Embedment properties of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) treated with resin impregnation
Authors: Ogawa Keita , Fukuta Satoshi , Kobayashi Kenji
Published: February 2022

To strengthen the embedment properties of wood, this study applied the resin impregnation technique, which fills the resin into wood cells. The urethane prepolymer and acrylic monomer were selected in this study. A mechanical test by a round steel bar loaded to the wood specimen was conducted. The characteristics showed higher values in the resin-impregnated groups than in the control specimen group, especially in the stiffness. The urethane- and acryl-impregnated group showed 3.78 and 2.27 times the stiffness values of the control groups in the parallel-loaded condition, and 1.94 and 1.24 times those of the control group in the perpendicularly loaded condition, respectively. Although the stiffness was significantly increased, there was a lack of ductility, which seems to be a serious problem for construction application.
TIME, to move forward? comment on “a universal outcome measure for headache treatments, care-delivery systems and economic analysis”
Authors: Gil-Gouveia Raquel
Published: February 2022

The paper from Steiner et al. suggests that an outcome measure expressed in time units may be an adequate method to assess the impact of headache disorders, regardless of diagnosis or health care setting, proving useful for cost-benefit analysis and health policy definition. Using time lost to each attack – weighted by disability – may prove to be a reliable measure to establish the effectiveness of acute treatment, but if considering also the attack frequency it could evaluate the effects of preventive strategies. A measure such as the Headache Gauge, which translates the proportion of time lost to headache -related disability, has proven to be applicable also in routine clinical practice as well, and can be tested in clinical trials and populational analysis. There are practical limitations, such as disability assessment and the need for prospective data collection to avoid recall bias but it seems consensual that impairment related to primary headache disorders is primarily driven by the TIME stolen from the perfect health status.
Exosomal lncRNA TUG1 from cancer-associated fibroblasts promotes liver cancer cell migration, invasion, and glycolysis by regulating the miR-524-5p/SIX1 axis
Authors: Lu Le , Huang Jingjing , Mo Jiantao , Da Xuanbo , Li Qiaoxin , Fan Meng , Lu Hongwei
Published: February 2022

Background

Increasing evidence suggests that taurine upregulated gene 1 (TUG1) is crucial for tumor progression; however, its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the underlying mechanisms are not well characterized.

Methods

The expression levels of TUG1, miR-524-5p, and sine oculis homeobox homolog 1 (SIX1) were determined using quantitative real-time PCR. The regulatory relationships were confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Cell proliferation and invasion were assessed using Cell Counting Kit 8 and transwell assays. Glucose uptake, cellular levels of lactate, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were detected using commercially available kits. Silencing of TUG1 or SIX1 was performed by lentivirus transduction. Protein levels were measured by immunoblotting.

Results

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs)-secreted exosomes promoted migration, invasion, and glycolysis in HepG2 cells by releasing TUG1. The promotive effects of CAFs-secreted exosomes were attenuated by silencing of TUG1. TUG1 and SIX1 are targets of miR-524-5p. SIX1 knockdown inhibited the promotive effects of miR-524-5p inhibitor. Silencing of TUG1 suppressed tumor growth and lung metastasis and therefore increased survival of xenograft model mice. We also found that TUG1 and SIX1 were increased in HCC patients with metastasis while miR-524-5p was decreased in HCC patients with metastasis.

Conclusions

CAFs-derived exosomal TUG1 promoted migration, invasion, and glycolysis in HCC cells via the miR-524-5p/SIX1 axis. These findings may help establish the foundation for the development of therapeutics strategies and clinical management for HCC in future.
How to measure the impact of citizen science on environmental attitudes, behaviour and knowledge? A review of state-of-the-art approaches
Authors: Somerwill Luke , Wehn Uta
Published: February 2022

The effects of citizen science are wide ranging, influencing science, society, the economy, the environment, as well as individual participants. However, in many citizen science projects, impact evaluation is still overly simplistic. This is particularly the case when assessing the impact of participation in citizen science on the environmental attitudes, behaviour and knowledge of citizen scientists. In an attempt to bridge the gap between the state of the art in relevant scientific fields and citizen science, this systematic literature review identified best practices and approaches in the field of environmental psychology for measuring environmental attitudes, behaviour and knowledge. From the literature, five relevant and validated approaches were identified that can be used to measure changes in attitudes, behaviour and knowledge in citizen science projects. This would allow for improved understanding of the impacts of citizen science, as well as for improved project evaluation as a whole.
Co-axial electrospraying of injectable multi-cancer drugs nanocapsules with polymer shells for targeting aggressive breast cancers
Authors: Khan Mujibur , Hasan Md. Mahmudul , Barnett Anne , Piranlioglu Raziye , Rashid Mohammad , Alptekin Ahmet , Arbab Ali
Published: February 2022

Background

There is growing potential for nanocarrier-based drug delivery in cancer. However, an incomplete understanding of nano–bio interactions and the challenges regarding processing and fabrication in scale-up engineering techniques, controls over drug release, efficacy, and cytotoxicity to the human cell are the major challenges for its clinical success. The purpose of the study was to develop an electrospraying processing of injectable nanonized encapsulated chemotherapeutics to target primary and metastatic breast cancer tumor microenvironment for precise and controlled delivery.

Results

A novel coaxial electrospraying of multiple cancer drugs (paclitaxel and GW2580) as core and polycaprolactam (PCL) as the shell has been developed to produce multi-cancer drug nanocapsules. Using electrospraying process, we have successfully made nanocapsules containing paclitaxel to target breast cancer cells and GW2580, a colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) inhibitor to target CSF1R+ myeloid cells in the tumor microenvironments (TME). The UV–vis drug release test for 14 days shows a prolonged and sustained release pattern of both the drugs. In vitro and in vivo results showed the effects of nanocapsules containing multiple drugs in controlling the growth of tumor cells and increased survival of the animal bearing breast cancers.

Conclusion

Nanonized multi-cancer drugs were encapsulated in a PCL shell. The drug doses ratio and the polymer-to-drug ratio were controlled by engineered process parameters. The studies showed the importance of making nanocapsules containing nanocrystals of multiple drugs, which will pave the way of making multiple drug combinations in a controlled manner and capsules can be designed for sustained release of the drugs after accumulation into the TME. TME-directed therapy can be a norm in future cancer treatment strategies. These injectable nanocapsules will allow cancer site-specific precision and controlled delivery to cure primary and metastatic breast cancer and to overcome the chemotherapy resistance.
Global invasion history of the emerging plant pathogen Phytophthora multivora
Authors: Tsykun Tetyana , Prospero Simone , Schoebel Corine N. , Rea Alexander , Burgess Treena I.
Published: February 2022

Background

global trade in living plants and plant material has significantly increased the geographic distribution of many plant pathogens. As a consequence, several pathogens have been first found and described in their introduced range where they may cause severe damage on naïve host species. Knowing the center of origin and the pathways of spread of a pathogen is of importance for several reasons, including identifying natural enemies and reducing further spread. SeveralPhytophthoraspecies are well-known invasive pathogens of natural ecosystems, includingPhytophthora multivora.Following the description ofP. multivorafrom dying native vegetation in Australia in 2009, the species was subsequently found to be common in South Africa where it does not cause any remarkable disease. There are now reports ofP. multivorafrom many other countries worldwide, but not as a commonly encountered species in natural environments.

Results

a global collection of 335 isolates from North America, Europe, Africa, Australia, the Canary Islands, and New Zealand was used to unravel the worldwide invasion history ofP. multivora,using 10 microsatellite markers for all isolates and sequence data from five loci from 94 representative isolates. Our population genetic analysis revealed an extremely low heterozygosity, significant non-random association of loci and substantial genotypic diversity suggesting the spread ofP. multivorareadily by both asexual and sexual propagules. TheP. multivorapopulations in South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand show the most complex genetic structure, are well established and evolutionary older than those in Europe, North America and the Canary Islands.

Conclusions

according to the conducted analyses, the world invasion ofP. multivoramost likely commenced from South Africa, which can be considered the center of origin of the species. The pathogen was then introduced to Australia, which acted as bridgehead population for Europe and North America. Our study highlights a complex global invasion pattern ofP. multivora, including both direct introductions from the native population and secondary spread/introductions from bridgehead populations.
Insights into glucosinolate accumulation and metabolic pathways in Isatis indigotica Fort.
Authors: Zhang Tianyi , Liu Rui , Zheng Jinyu , Wang Zirong , Gao Tian’e , Qin Miaomiao , Hu Xiangyang , Wang Yuanyuan , Yang Shu , Li Tao
Published: February 2022

Background

Glucosinolates (GSLs) play important roles in defending against exogenous damage and regulating physiological activities in plants. However, GSL accumulation patterns and molecular regulation mechanisms are largely unknown in Isatis indigotica Fort.

Results

Ten GSLs were identified in I. indigotica, and the dominant GSLs were epiprogoitrin (EPI) and indole-3-methyl GSL (I3M), followed by progoitrin (PRO) and gluconapin (GNA). The total GSL content was highest (over 20 μmol/g) in reproductive organs, lowest (less than 1.0 μmol/g) in mature organs, and medium in fresh leaves (2.6 μmol/g) and stems (1.5 μmol/g). In the seed germination process, the total GSL content decreased from 27.2 μmol/g (of seeds) to 2.7 μmol/g (on the 120th day) and then increased to 4.0 μmol/g (180th day). However, the content of indole GSL increased rapidly in the first week after germination and fluctuated between 1.13 μmol/g (28th day) and 2.82 μmol/g (150th day). Under the different elicitor treatments, the total GSL content increased significantly, ranging from 2.9-fold (mechanical damage, 3 h) to 10.7-fold (MeJA, 6 h). Moreover, 132 genes were involved in GSL metabolic pathways. Among them, no homologs of AtCYP79F2 and AtMAM3 were identified, leading to a distinctive GSL profile in I. indigotica. Furthermore, most genes involved in the GSL metabolic pathway were derived from tandem duplication, followed by dispersed duplication and segmental duplication. Purifying selection was observed, although some genes underwent relaxed selection. In addition, three tandem-arrayed GSL-OH genes showed different expression patterns, suggesting possible subfunctionalization during evolution.

Conclusions

Ten different GSLs with their accumulation patterns and 132 genes involved in the GSL metabolic pathway were explored, which laid a foundation for the study of GSL metabolism and regulatory mechanisms in I. indigotica.