bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Genetic Diversity, Micromorphology and Antimicrobial Activity in Nepeta cataria L.
Authors: Tiwari Gunjan , Chaturvedi Trishna , Kumar Gupta Anil , Kishori Lal Raj , Swaroop Verma Ram , Kumar Srivastava Ramesh , Singh Pooja , Gangwar Bhavana , Darokar M. P. , Singh Dhawan Sunita
Published: January 2023

The mosquito repellent Nepetalactone rich Nepeta cataria L. (catmint) plant has a variety of therapeutic and industrial potential. Reports on the genetic diversity of N. cataria germplasm are minimal globally and need attention for adding a new variety into commercial cultivation. The present study, therefore, assessed the genetic diversity among thirteen half‐sib genotypes of N. cataria using agro economic and phytochemical traits. The experimental set has shown substantial variation for agro economic traits studied. Among all the studied populations, fresh herb‐based essential oil content ranged from 0.1 % to 0.3 %, with a grand mean of 1.67 %. However, the estimated oil yield ranged from 44.4 kg/h to 120.73 kg/h with an average of 71.34 kg/h. Among the eleven phytochemical constituents detected in different concentrations in the essential oil of experimental sets, 4aα,7α,7aα‐Nepetalactone (67.9–87.5 %) constituted the significant proportion of essential oil. Altogether, based on mean comparison, the population NC8 was found to be promising for estimated oil yield and 4aα,7α,7aα‐Nepetalactone content. The greater heritability estimates (h2bs) and genetic advance as percent of mean (GAM) were observed for important economic parameters, i. e., oil content, herb yield, and oil yield. The cluster analysis revealed the least interactions between various agro economic and phytochemical variables. The microscopic study of trichome showed a positive correlation of abaxial leaf surface with essential oil content. The promising antimicrobial potential of catmint oil was also observed against human health‐related pathogens. The results infer from our study provide valuable insight for genetic improvement and product development in the catmint germplasm.
50+ years later, prosthetic valve endocarditis still confounds
Authors: Block Peter C.
Published: January 2023

Key Points

Prosthetic valve endocarditis is a rare but important complication of transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Treatment of prosthetic valve endocarditis in patients who are status‐post transcatheter aortic valve replacement is difficult due to antibiotic resistance, and outcomes indicate a mortality >10%.

In the absence of clinical trials of effective prophylactic antibiotics at the time of transcatheter aortic valve replacement, a careful search for infection both pre‐ and post‐transcatheter aortic valve replacement is critical to prevent infection and treat infection early.
Cusp‐overlap versus coplanar view in transcatheter aortic valve implantation with self‐expandable valves: A meta‐analysis of comparative studies
Authors: Sá Michel Pompeu , Van den Eynde Jef , Jacquemyn Xander , Erten Ozgun , Dokollari Aleksander , Sicouri Serge , Ramlawi Basel
Published: January 2023

Background

Permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) is a common complication after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The cusp‐overlap view (COV) was adopted to reduce PPI risk after TAVI with self‐expandable valves (SEVs); however, the evidence remains scarce. We performed a systematic review with meta‐analysis comparing COV and the standard coplanar view (CPV) technique to evaluate their effectiveness and safety.

Methods

Following the PRISMA statement, data were extracted from studies published by August 2022 and found in PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL/CCTR, ClinicalTrials.gov, SciELO, LILACS, and Google Scholar. The primary outcome of interest was post‐procedural PPI and the secondary outcomes were new left bundle branch block (LBBB), moderate/severe paravalvular leak (PVL), valve dislocation (pop‐out); need of second transcatheter heart valve, 30‐day mortality, stroke, conversion to surgery, coronary obstruction, implantation depth (mm), and post‐TAVI mean gradients (mmHg).

Results

Eleven studies met our eligibility criteria and included 1464 patients in the COV group and 1743 patients in the CPV group. Patients who underwent TAVI with COV had lower risk of PPI (odds ratio 0.48; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.33–0.70; p = 0.001) and higher implantation depths with COV (mean difference −0.83; 95% CI −1.2 to −0.45; p < 0.001). We did not observe any statistically significant differences in the rates of new LBBB, moderate/severe PVL, valve dislocation, need of second transcatheter heart valve, 30‐day mortality, stroke, conversion to surgery, coronary obstruction, and post‐TAVI mean gradients (mmHg).

Conclusion

In TAVI with SEVs, the application of COV is associated with lower risk of PPI compared with the standard CPV without increasing risk for adverse outcomes.
Necrotizing fasciitis and septic shock due to streptococcal toxic shock syndrome in an elderly patient: A case report
Authors: Kurachi Akiko , Ishida Yusuke , Nakazawa Koichi , Okada Toshio , Kishida Takumi , Uchino Hiroyuki
Published: January 2023

Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) has a high mortality rate, and most patients die within a few days of onset. We report an elderly patient with STSS, necrotizing fasciitis and septic shock caused by group G streptococcus who was successfully treated with multidisciplinary therapy.
Radiological manifestation of optic nerve infarction in a patient with invasive mucormycosis secondary to diabetic ketoacidosis in Pakistan
Authors: Tabassum Shehroze , Naeem Aroma , Shakir Afshan , Afzal Faiza , Ohadi Laya
Published: January 2023

A 35 years old male patient presented in the hospital with complaints of left‐sided facial swelling, blindness in the left eye, and left eye proptosis. He had a concomitant history of diabetic ketoacidosis. Magnetic resonance imaging was advised, which revealed infected tissue of the left cheek, optic nerve infarction, intracranial extension, and leptomeningeal involvement by the disease process.
Treatment of unexplained facial numbness with stellate ganglion blockade: A case report
Authors: Imaizumi Uno , Beppu Satoshi , Sanuki Takuro
Published: January 2023

To date, there is no established treatment for facial numbness or dysesthesia of unspecified causes. Herein, we report a case of unexplained facial numbness and confirmed hypesthesia that achieved clinical response to stellate ganglion blockade (SGB). SGB might be an effective treatment of psychological stress‐related facial numbness of unknown origin.
Hydrocracking of a Long Chain Alkyl‐Cycloalkane: Role of Porosity and Metal‐Acid Balance
Authors: Brito Larissa , Payan François , Albrieux Florian , Guillon Emmanuelle , Martens Johan A. , Pirngruber Gerhard D.
Published: January 2023

Hydroisomerization and hydrocracking of octylcyclohexane (C14H28) were performed over Pt and NiMoS‐supported catalysts, at 300 °C and 60 bar, with a molar H2to hydrocarbon ratio of 7 mol/mol. The feed, composed of 5 wt.% phenyloctane dissolved in n‐heptane, was initially hydrogenatedin situover a pre‐catalyst, Pt or NiMoS/Al2O3. The C14naphthene underwent isomerization and cracking under high hydrogen pressure over the bifunctional catalysts, whose acid function was represented by large‐pore zeolities (USY, Beta) or amorphous silica‐alumina (SA). For the Pt‐catalysts, Beta was slightly more active than USY. Both zeolites produced a similar product pattern. Sulfide catalysts were less well equilibrated than Pt ones and hence less active. They led to some over‐cracking, but the cracking selectivity of our naphthene reactant was much less sensitive to the metal‐acid balance than the cracking selectivity of n‐alkanes. The comparison of reactivity of octylcyclohexane with n‐hexadecane and perhydrophenanthrene is also discussed.
Facile Synthesis of Bis‐pentafluoroarylated Anthracene Derivatives for N‐type Organic‐Field‐Effect Transistor Applications
Authors: Sato Ryota , Yasuda Takeshi , Hiroto Takanobu , Kanbara Takaki , Kuwabara Junpei
Published: January 2023

Diphenylanthracene (DPA) and its derivatives are promising semiconducting materials for p‐type organic‐field‐effect transistors (OFETs). In this study, to develop n‐type semiconducting materials with an anthracene core, pentafluorobenzene was introduced into anthracene by C−H direct arylation, enabling the synthesis of various bis(pentafluorophenyl)anthracene (DPA−F) derivatives. The high reactivity of the pentafluorobenzene C−H bond allows direct arylation for synthesizing DPA−F derivatives in a single step. The introduction of strong electron‐withdrawing pentafluorophenyl groups provides the anthracene derivatives with n‐type semiconducting properties, in contrast to the p‐type properties of the parent DPAs. Among the synthesized compounds, 2,6‐bis(pentafluorophenyl)anthracene shows a high electron mobility of 0.12±0.02 cm2/Vs and an on/off ratio>106 in OFETs. The high crystallinity results in the smooth electron transport. This study provides a facile synthetic method for n‐type semiconducting materials and insights into the molecular design of the positional effects of aromatic substituents on anthracene.
Base‐Controlled Palladium‐Catalyzed Intramolecular ‘One Substrate ‐ Five Reactions’ of 5‐Benzyl‐1‐(2‐halobenzyl)‐2‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐3(2H)‐ones
Authors: Liu Can , Zhu Xianjin , Liu Yong , Yang Haijun , Fu Hua
Published: January 2023

Achieving site‐selectivity and chemoselectivity is enormously challenging for substrates with multi‐reactive sites in organic reactions. One kind of model substrates, 5‐benzyl‐1‐(2‐halobenzyl)‐2‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐3(2H)‐ones with six reactive sites were chosen as the examples to probe their intramolecular four kinds of five reactions including C(sp3)−H arylation, C(sp2)−H arylation, reductive Heck reaction, and domino Heck reaction/alkylation of aryl C(sp2)−H bonds through variation of the reaction conditions. Screening of the reaction conditions showed that the different bases controlled the palladium‐catalyzed intramolecular site‐selectivity and chemoselectivity of the substrates: (i) Cesium carbonate (Cs2CO3) promoted the benzyl C(sp3)−H arylation of the substrates providing dihydropyrazolo[1,5‐b]isoquinolin‐2(1H)‐ones at 100 °C, and isomerization of the dihydropyrazolo[1,5‐b]isoquinolin‐2(1H)‐ones gave isoquinoline derivatives at a higher temperature (140 °C); (ii) Sodium acetate (NaOAc) mediated the aryl C(sp2)−H arylation of the substrates affording seven‐membered biphenyl N‐heterocycles; (iii) Sodium dichloroacetate (Cl2HCCO2Na) facilitated occurrence of the reductive Heck reaction of the substrates affording 1H‐pyrazolo[5,1‐a]isoindol‐2(8H)‐ones; (iv) Sodium trifluoroacetate (F3CCO2Na) assisted performance of the domino Heck reaction/aryl C(sp2)−H alkylation of the substrates leading to the spiro heterocycles. The ‘one substrate ‐ multiple reactions ‐ multiple products’ strategy greatly reduces cost, increases diversity of products, provides more opportunity for screening of pharmaceutical molecules, and enriches modern organic synthetic chemistry.
The clinical value of progesterone receptor expression in luminal breast cancer: A study of a large cohort with long‐term follow‐up
Authors: Lashen Ayat G. , Toss Michael S. , Mongan Nigel P. , Green Andrew R. , Rakha Emad A.
Published: January 2023

Background

The routine assessment of progesterone receptor (PR) expression in breast cancer (BC) remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the role of PR expression in luminal BC, with emphasis on the definition of positivity and its prognostic significance as compared to Ki67 expression.

Methods

A large cohort (n = 1924) of estrogen receptor (ER)‐positive/HER2‐negative BC was included. PR was immunohistochemically (IHC) stained on full face sections and core needle biopsies (CNB) where the optimal scoring cutoff was evaluated. In addition, the association of PR with other clinicopathological factors, cellular proliferation, disease outcome, and response to adjuvant therapy were analyzed.

Results

Although several cutoffs showed prognostic significance, the optimal cutoff to categorize PR expression into two clinically distinct prognostic groups on CNB was 10%. PR negativity showed a significant association with features of aggressive tumor behavior and poor outcome. Multivariate analyses indicated that the association between PR negativity and poor outcome was independent of tumor grade, size, node stage, and Ki67. PR negativity showed independent association with shorter survival in patients who received endocrine therapy whereas Ki67did not.

Conclusion

PR IHC expression provides independent prognostic value superior to Ki67. Routine assessment of PR expression in BC using 10% cutoff in the clinical setting is recommended.

Plain Language Summary

In this study, we have established an optimal approach to determine the prognostic value of progesterone receptor expression in estrogen receptor‐positive breast cancer patients.

To do this, the levels of progesterone receptor were measured in a large cohort of estrogen receptor‐positive breast cancer patients.

We have refined the definition of progesterone receptor positivity in estrogen receptor‐positive breast cancer.

We show that progesterone receptor expression adds prognostic and predictive value of endocrine therapy in estrogen receptor‐positive breast cancer patients, and our results show that the absence of progesterone receptor is associated with poorer outcomes independent of tumor grade, size, node stage, and Ki67 expression.
Sentiment analysis based on frequency of color names on social media
Authors: Guo Boshuo , Westland Stephen , Lai Peihua
Published: January 2023

This study explores the temporal changes in sentiment associated with eight color names over an 18‐month period at four observation points. We focus on the valence aspect of sentiment. We collected four datasets, each separated by 6 months, and each containing 18 000 mentions of each of the eight color names in English from Twitter users around the world. We calculated the weighted average sentiment score of each instance when a color is mentioned. We find that purple and pink are the most positive in average sentiment score in all observation points, whereas brown, red, and orange are ranked as the lowest in average sentiment score. In terms of relative rank in sentiment value associated with the color names, we find the three consecutive datasets of July 2020, January 2021 and July 2021 are more consistent with one another, while the January 2022 dataset is more different from the earlier three datasets. This finding indicates that the temporal consistency in color‐associated sentiment might maintain within 1 year, while evolve and show more difference in a longer timeline. This study is useful to marketing professionals by revealing that color names are associated with sentiment and that these associations can be monitored using social media data regularly. We suggest that marketers can use our method to analyse the color‐associated sentiment of color names regularly, maybe on an annual basis, in order to choose color names wisely.
Maternal and cord blood betatrophin (angiopoietin‐like protein 8) in pregnant women with gestational diabetes and normoglycemic controls: A systematic review, meta‐analysis, and meta‐regression
Authors: Pérez‐López Faustino R. , Yuan Junhua , Sánchez‐Prieto Manuel , López‐Baena María T. , Pérez‐Roncero Gonzalo R. , Varikasuvu Seshadri Reddy
Published: January 2023

Aims

This systematic review and meta‐analysis examined maternal and cord blood betatrophin levels in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and normoglycemic controls.

Material and Methods

PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, LILACS, WangFang, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure were searched for literature from inception until May 2022. The primary outcomes were maternal and cord blood betatrophin levels. A random‐effect meta‐analysis was used to estimate the pooled results. The mean differences (MDs) or standardised MDs (SMD) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. I2 tests were used to evaluate the heterogeneity. The quality of studies was evaluated using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale.

Results

Betatrophin levels were reported in 22 studies with a total of 3034 pregnant women, and in seven studies including cord blood from 456 infants. Women with GDM display higher betatrophin levels than the normoglycemic controls (SMD = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.38–1.31) during the second half of the pregnancy. The sensitivity analysis indicated that no single study had significantly influenced the betatrophin overall outcomes. There was heterogeneity between the studies as evidenced by high I2 values. Meta‐regression analysis indicated a significant regression coefficient for maternal betatrophin and glycosilated haemoglobin. There was no significant difference in cord blood betatrophin in infants from women with and without GDM (SMD = 0.34, 95% CI: −0.15–0.83). Women with GDM also had significantly higher insulin, glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin, HOMA‐IR, LDL‐cholesterol, HDL‐cholesterol, triglycerides, and body mass index compared with the normoglycemic controls.

Conclusions

Maternal betatrophin levels were higher in women with GDM than in the normoglycemic controls. There was no difference in cord blood betatrophin.

Systematic Review Registration

PROSPERO CRD42022311372.
Crystal Structure, Characterization, and Luminescence Properties of Mn4+‐Doped K3Nb2O4F5
Authors: Zimmerhofer Fabian , Seibald Markus , Stoll Christiane , Baumann Dominik , Wurst Klaus , Huppertz Hubert
Published: January 2023

In this paper, we present the high‐pressure/high‐temperature synthesis and characterization of the potassium fluoridooxidoniobate K3Nb2O4F5. Single‐crystal analysis revealed that the phase crystallizes in the trigonal space group
m (hR18) with a=5.799(2), c=21.371(4) Å, V=622.4(4) Å3 and Z=3 at T=299 K exhibiting a structure type closely related to that of Ba2RbFe2F9. The assignment of the anion positions to oxygen and fluorine is based on crystallographic data and BLBS/CHARDI calculations. Further characterization via EDX spectroscopy was carried out, corroborating the ratio of K to Nb. Doping of the title compound with Mn4+ was achieved in a secondary step using a ball‐mill, resulting in a red phosphor material, which was additionally analyzed by luminescence spectroscopy. The emission maximum is located at λmax=630 nm.
Assessing the informational content of card transactions for nowcasting retail trade: Evidence for Latvia
Authors: Brinke Anete , Fadejeva Ludmila , Siliverstovs Boriss , Vilerts Kārlis
Published: January 2023

We use a novel card transaction data maintained at the Central Bank of Latvia to assess their informational content for nowcasting retail trade in Latvia. During the COVID‐19 pandemic in Latvia, the retail trade turnover dynamics underwent drastic changes reflecting the various virus containment measures introduced during three separate waves of the pandemic. We show that the nowcasting model augmented with card transaction data successfully captures the turbulence in retail trade turnover induced by the COVID‐19 pandemic. The model with card transaction data outperforms all benchmark models in the out‐of‐sample nowcasting exercise and yields a notable improvement in forecasting metrics. We conduct our nowcasting exercise in forecast‐as‐you‐go manner or in real‐time squared; that is, we use real‐time data vintages, and we make our nowcasts in real time as soon as card transaction data become available for the target month.
Macro‐financial effects of monetary policy easing
Authors: Apostolakis George N. , Giannellis Nikolaos , Papadopoulos Athanasios P.
Published: January 2023

This study examines the impact of Fed monetary policy shocks on financial stress, inflation, and output growth, considering several advanced and emerging economies. To that end, it uses shadow rates as a proxy measure of unconventional monetary policy actions and a financial stress index as an indicator of financial instability. We apply a global vector autoregressive model and present the outcome of impulse response functions and forecasts of macroeconomic and financial stress variables. Our results show that US output and inflation are positively affected in response to a domestic negative monetary policy shock, whereas financial stress is unresponsive to the same shock. This policy also has international effects, as we find significant spillovers with the US interest rate shock impacting inflation abroad. The findings of this study are useful to policymakers and investors.
Quantitative tectonic geomorphic study from bedrock rivers of the Fold and Thrust Belt in the Bengal Basin
Authors: Shrestha Niroj , Gani Nahid D.
Published: January 2023

Research on the Bengal Basin, the most important sedimentary basin in the world that supports ~200 million people, is primarily focused on its geologic evolution and anthropogenic effects, yet the basin is poorly studied in terms of geomorphic response to tectonic activity. The eastern part of the Bengal Basin is characterized by the Chittagong Tripura Fold Belt (CTFB) and the Indo‐Burman Range (IBR), which have structurally deformed into a series of mostly compressional fold and thrust belts including strike–slip faults because of the ongoing subduction‐related convergence between the Eurasian Plate and the Indian Plate. A network of river channels incising through thick sedimentary rocks and crossing and/or flowing parallel to this fold and thrust Belt. The active tectonic deformation caused by the structures and ongoing compression‐related activity remains enigmatic due to the sparse dataset, thick vegetation cover, outcrop paucity, and the Basin's complex geology. In this paper, we investigate river response to ongoing tectonics in the CTFB and western IBR by analysing channel geomorphic metrics (ksn, χ, and knickpoints) coupled with river profile forms derived from 30 m resolution NASADEM. Our results reveal (1) several convex and double‐concave reaches of major rivers and their tributaries that primarily indicate the transient state of the rivers; (2) a total of 219 upstream propagating knickpoints including distinct knickzones in profile reaches, suggesting river profile adjustment; (3) two different ksn zones in the CTFB and IBR with high ksn zone to the east and low ksn zone to the west, where ksn values range from 0 to 4905. These zones are thought to be associated with the differential uplift rate of the two east‐dipping thrust fault systems, the Kaladan Fault and Chittagong Cox's Bazar Fault (CCF); and (4) the χ‐ map (values ranging from 0.47 to 19,631.75) shows an occasional transient state of drainage divides where divides are migrating to the east, west, and north‐east, and χ versus elevation plots exhibiting disequilibrium state of the rivers suggesting that these drainage basins are likely adjusting with tectonic activities. Thus, our empirical observation suggests that the major rivers and their tributaries are in a transient state related to the region's overall ongoing tectonics.
Recreational cannabis and opioid distribution
Authors: Raman Shyam , Maclean Johanna Catherine , Bradford W. David , Drake Coleman
Published: January 2023

Twenty‐one U.S. states have passed recreational cannabis laws as of November 2022. Cannabis may be a substitute for prescription opioids in the treatment of chronic pain. Previous studies have assessed recreational cannabis laws' effects on opioid prescriptions financed by specific private or public payers or dispensed to a unique endpoint. Our study adds to the literature in three important ways: by (1) examining these laws' impacts on prescription opioid dispensing across all payers and endpoints, (2) adjusting for important opioid‐related policies such as opioid prescribing limits, and (3) modeling opioids separately by type. We implement two‐way fixed‐effects regressions and leverage variation from eleven U.S. states that adopted a recreational cannabis law (RCL) between 2010 and 2019. We find that RCLs lead to a reduction in codeine dispensed at retail pharmacies. Among prescription opioids, codeine is particularly likely to be used non‐medically. Thus, the finding that RCLs appear to reduce codeine dispensing is potentially promising from a public health perspective.
Serum leptin levels in patients with chronic kidney disease and hypertensive heart disease: An observational cross‐sectional study
Authors: Ofori Emmanuel K. , Adekena Christian N. , Boima Vincent , Asare‐Anane Henry , Yorke Ernest , Nyarko Eric N. Y. , Mohammed Bismark N. , Quansah Emmanuel , Jayasinghe Sisitha U. , Amanquah Seth D.
Published: January 2023

Background and Aim

Adipocytes secrete a peptide hormone called leptin, which plays a crucial role in controlling appetite and energy expenditure. Alterations in leptin concentrations are associated with CKD‐related cardiovascular problems such as hypertensive heart disease (HHD). Despite the link, data on the precise function of leptin in people with CKD and HHD is scant.

Methods

An observational cross‐sectional study involving a total of 108 participants (72 CKD patients with HHD and 36 healthy controls). Their demographic and anthropometric information was collected using a standardized questionnaire. Certain clinical measures such as blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) were assessed. Fasting blood samples were analyzed for levels of plasma glucose (FPG), lipids, creatinine, and leptin. Data were analyzed with SPSS v23.

Results

Leptin, FPG, creatinine and triglyceride levels were all significantly higher in CKD patients with HHD compared to controls (p < 0.01 for all). Furthermore, advanced CKD status (being in stage 5), having a 6‐year diagnosis of HHD, being female, having a higher BMI, and elevation in levels of HDL and FPG contributed significantly to the variance in serum leptin levels in the case group (β = 0.37, 0.22, 0.19, 0.18, 0.27, 0.28; p < 0.05 for all). In the control group, the female gender had the biggest unique effect on circulating leptin levels, followed by BMI and eGFR (β = 0.71, 0.34, −0.22; p < 0.01 for all).

Conclusion

Patients with CKD who also had HHD reported considerably higher circulating leptin levels. Significantly higher blood leptin levels were shown to be associated with CKD stage 5 in the case group. These results are consistent with the role of leptin in the metabolic complexity seen in CKD patients. There needs to be more research into treatments that aim to lower leptin levels in CKD patients with HHD.
Alvarado or RIPASA? Which one do you use to diagnose acute appendicitis?: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Heiranizadeh Naeimeh , Mousavi Beyuki Seyyed Mohammad Hossein , kargar Saeed , Abadiyan Aryana , Mohammadi Hamid Reza
Published: January 2023

Background and Aims

Acute appendicitis is one of the most common causes of lower abdominal pain, which is considered a general surgical emergency worldwide. The present study aimed to compare the diagnostic value of Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Appendicitis (RIPASA) and Alvarado score systems in diagnosing acute appendicitis.

Methods

A prospective cross‐sectional study was conducted at Shahid Sadoughi and Shahid Rahnemoon Hospitals in Yazd between September 2020 and February 2020. The statistical population consisted of all of the patients referred to the Accident and Emergency department with right iliac fossa (RIF) pain. All patients were scored using Alvarado and RIPASA scoring system. sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were computed by using SPSS statistical software. An receiver operating characteristic curve were plotted.

Results

In present study, one hundred suspected patients with appendicitis who underwent appendectomy were evaluated. The mean age of our study population was 25.2 ± 12.1 years, and the gender distribution was 57% males and 43% females. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of RIPASA were 86.6%, 66.7%, 92.2%, and 52.2%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of Alvarado score were 67.1%, 72.2%, 91.7%, 32.5%, respectively. The diagnostic accuracy was 68% for Alvarado score and 83% for RIPASA. The area under the curve for RIPASA (0.87) was more than that for Alvarado score (0.77).

Conclusion

The RIPASA score system had higher sensitivity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy than the Alvarado one. It is recommended for the physician and surgeon to evaluate patients with RIF pain using the RIPASA score.
(Glycan Binding) Activity‐Based Protein Profiling in Cells Enabled by Mass Spectrometry‐Based Proteomics
Authors: Vilen Zak , Reeves Abigail E. , Huang Mia L.
Published: January 2023

The presence of glycan modifications at the cell surface and other locales positions them as key regulators of cell recognition and function. However, due to the complexity of glycosylation, the annotation of which proteins bear glycan modifications, which glycan patterns are present, and which proteins are capable of binding glycans is incomplete. Inspired by activity‐based protein profiling to enrich for proteins in cells based on select characteristics, these endeavors have been greatly advanced by the development of appropriate glycan‐binding and glycan‐based probes. Here, we provide context for these three problems and describe how the capability of molecules to interact with glycans has enabled the assignment of proteins with specific glycan modifications or of proteins that bind glycans. Furthermore, we discuss how the integration of these probes with high resolution mass spectrometry‐based technologies has greatly advanced glycoscience.
Accessory cavitated uterine malformation: Enhancing awareness about this unexplored perpetrator of dysmenorrhea
Authors: Mondal Rana , Bhave Priya
Published: January 2023

An accessory cavitated uterine mass (or malformation) (ACUM) is an isolated cystic uterine lesion located at the lateral aspect of the myometrium just below the insertion of the round ligament. Often the source of severe dysmenorrhea and pelvic pain, this condition is classified as a Müllerian abnormality. Understanding ACUMs, recognizing their clinical appearance, diagnosing an ACUM with ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging, and advising patients about conservative, medicinal, and surgical treatment options is important to all clinicians. Although ACUM primarily presents with severe dysmenorrhea but can have other clinical symptoms, we have provided a few sample cases to help clinicians prepare for ACUM encounters. We also reviewed the other published literature available on ACUM regarding clinical presentation, etiology, and management. Last but not least, based on our research and the work of others, we offer a set of characteristics that will be useful in diagnosing and treating ACUM. ACUM diagnosis is crucial in clinically suspicious circumstances, and early treatment significantly enhances patients' quality of life.
Mucinous cystadenoma of the renal parenchyma presenting as a Bosniak IIF complex renal cyst
Authors: Nate Takanori , Hatano Koji , Kato Taigo , Kawashima Atsunari , Abe Toyofumi , Fukuhara Shinichiro , Uemura Motohide , Kiuchi Hiroshi , Imamura Ryoichi , Nonomura Norio
Published: January 2023

Introduction

A primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenoma should be surgically resected because of the risk of malignant transformation. However, mucinous cystadenoma of the renal parenchyma is very rare, and preoperative imaging mimics complicated renal cysts.

Case presentation

A 72‐year‐old woman presented with a right renal mass on computed tomography that was followed up as a Bosniak IIF complicated renal cyst. One year later, the right renal mass gradually increased in size. Abdominal computed tomography showed an 11 × 10 cm mass in the right kidney. A laparoscopic right nephrectomy was performed because cystic carcinoma of the kidney was suspected. Pathologically, the tumor was diagnosed as mucinous cystadenoma of the renal parenchyma. Eighteen months after resection, the disease has not recurred.

Conclusion

Here, we experienced a case of a renal mucinous cystadenoma as a slowly enlarging Bosniak IIF complex renal cyst.
Estimating worldwide benefits from improved bananas resistant to Fusarium Wilt Tropical race 4
Authors: de Figueiredo Silva Felipe , Kaplan Scott , Tobar Freddy Arturo Magdama , Potts Matthew D. , Martinez Ramon Leonardo Espinel , Zilberman David
Published: January 2023

We assess the economic welfare implications of developing and introducing a gene‐edited banana with resistance against an emerging plant disease, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense Tropical race 4, on global banana production. Using a model incorporating disease dynamics and diffusion of a technological solution, we find that a 5‐year delay in adoption results in discounted losses of $94 billion. Consumers always lose from delay, while the impact on producers depends on timing and severity of the disease. The results suggest that regulatory delay significantly decreases return on investment from research, and acceptance of a technological solution may depend on the distribution of benefits and costs across stakeholders.
IFNL3/4 polymorphisms as a two‐edged sword: An association with COVID‐19 outcome
Authors: Matic Sanja , Milovanovic Dragan , Mijailovic Zeljko , Djurdjevic Predrag , Sazdanovic Predrag , Stefanovic Srdjan , Todorovic Danijela , Popovic Suzana , Vitosevic Katarina , Vukicevic Vladimir , Vukic Milena , Vukovic Nenad , Milivojevic Nevena , Zivanovic Marko , Jakovljevic Vladimir , Filipovic Nenad , Baskic Dejan , Djordjevic Natasa
Published: January 2023

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has been ranked among the most fatal infectious diseases worldwide, with host's immune response significantly affecting the prognosis. With an aim to timely predict the most likely outcome of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, we investigated the association of IFNL3 and IFNL4 polymorphisms, as well as other potentially relevant factors, with the COVID‐19 mortality. This prospective observational case‐control study involved 178 COVID‐19 patients, hospitalized at Corona Center or Clinic for Infectious Diseases of University Clinical Centre Kragujevac, Serbia, followed up until hospital discharge or in‐hospital death. Demographic and clinical data on all participants were retrieved from the electronic medical records, and TaqMan assays were employed in genotyping for IFNL3 and IFNL4 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), namely rs12980275, rs8099917, rs12979860, and rs368234815. 21.9% and 65.0% of hospitalized and critically ill COVID‐19 patients, respectively, died in‐hospital. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed increased Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), N/L, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level to be associated with an increased likelihood of a lethal outcome. Similarly, females and the carriers of at least one variant allele of IFNL3 rs8099917 were almost 36‐fold more likely not to survive SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. On the other hand, the presence of at least one ancestral allele of IFNL4 rs368234815 decreased more than 15‐fold the likelihood of mortality from COVID‐19. Our results suggest that, in addition to LDH level, N/L ratio, and CCI, IFNL4 rs368234815 and IFNL3 rs8099917 polymorphisms, but also patients' gender, significantly affect the outcome of COVID‐19.
ELISPOT assays with pp65 peptides or whole HCMV antigen are reliable predictors of immune control of HCMV infection in seropositive kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Zavaglio Federica , Rivela Francesca , Cassaniti Irene , Arena Francesca , Gabanti Elisa , Asti Anna L. , Lilleri Daniele , Rampino Teresa , Baldanti Fausto , Gregorini Marilena
Published: January 2023

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection represents a major complication for solid organ transplant recipients. The aim of this study was to verify if the measurement of HCMV‐specific T‐cells could help to identify patients protected against HCMV disease cytokine flow cytometry using infected dendritic cells as stimulus (CFC‐iDC, which discriminates between CD4+ and CD8+ T cells), and ELISPOT, using infected cell lysate (ELISPOT‐iCL) or pp65 (ELISPOT‐pp65) as stimulus, were adopted. Among the 47 kidney transplant recipients (KTR) enrolled, 29 had a self‐resolving HCMV infection (Controllers) and 18 required antiviral treatment (Non‐Controllers). HCMV‐specific T‐cell frequency at the peak of HCMV infection identified Controllers and Non‐Controllers, although the diagnostic performance of CD8+ CFC‐iDC (area under the curve [AUC] of the receiver‐operator characteristic curve: 0.65) was lower than that of CD4+ CFC‐iDC (AUC: 0.83), ELISPOT‐iCL (AUC: 0.83) and ELISPOT‐pp65 (AUC: 0.80). CFC‐iDC detected a protective immune reconstitution significantly earlier (median time: 38 days) than ELISPOT‐iCL and ELISPOT‐pp65 (median time: 126 and 133 days, respectively). Time to protective immune reconstitution in Non‐Controllers was significantly longer than in Controllers with the ELISPOT and the CD4+ CFC‐iDC assays, but not with CD8+ CFC‐iDC. The majority of patients did not require antiviral treatment after protective immune reconstitution, with the exception of five patients according to CFC‐iDC assay, one patient according to ELISPOT‐iCL assay and three patients according to ELISPOT‐pp65 assay. Monitoring the HCMV‐specific immunological reconstitution with is effective in discriminating KTR at risk of or protected from HCMV disease and the ELISPOT assays are suitable for implementation in the clinical setting.
It is time to improve the acceptance of COVID‐19 vaccines among people with chronic diseases: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhao Yang , Du Juan , Li Zhen , Xu Zhe , Wu Yaxin , Duan Wenshan , Wang Wenjing , Zhang Tong , Xu Junjie , Wu Hao , Huang Xiaojie
Published: January 2023

This study aims to investigated COVID‐19 vaccine acceptance among people with chronic diseases and the factors correlating with their vaccination hesitancy. The articles were searched in PubMed, Ovid, EMBASE, and web of science databases between December 2019 and October 2022. Cross‐sectional studies, including the acceptance of the COVID‐19 vaccine by patients with chronic diseases (≥18 years old), were included in this study. The outcomes included the proportion and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of chronic disease patients willing to be vaccinated and the odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI of correlating factors. The source of heterogeneity was analyzed through meta‐regression and subgroup analysis. We included 31 studies involving 57 875 patients with chronic disease. The overall COVID‐19 vaccine acceptance among patients with chronic disease was 0.65 (95% CI, 0.59–0.72). The acceptance among the elderly patients was 0.53 (95% CI, 0.26–0.80). South America had the highest COVID‐19 vaccine acceptance rate and Asia the lowest, while on a country level, the United Kingdom had the highest acceptance rate among patients with chronic diseases. People with rheumatic immune diseases had the lowest rate of COVID‐19 vaccine acceptance. Concerns about vaccine safety had a statistically different effect on acceptance. Overall, the health systems ought to focus on educating specific groups of individuals on the benefits of COVID‐19 vaccination and addressing safety concerns.
The bright side of trust‐less relationships: A dyadic investigation of the role of trust congruence on supplier knowledge acquisition across borders
Authors: Wang Lei , Zhang Chun , Narayanan Sriram
Published: January 2023

Trust is considered essential to interfirm knowledge acquisition across borders. However, recent studies indicate that interfirm collaboration can thrive even in low trust situations. This study proposes that low trust can facilitate supplier knowledge acquisition (SKA) across borders if it is aligned with the other party's trust. Rather than high trust from a single party, trust congruence—similar levels of trust from buyers and suppliers regardless of their levels—may be more predictive of successful knowledge acquisition across borders. We further propose that different types of trust congruence have distinct effects on SKA across borders. Last, we propose that the influence of trust congruence on SKA is conditional on the presence of effective knowledge appropriability mechanisms (KAMs) and institutional distance between buyer and supplier home countries in cross‐border transactions. Data are collected from 648 managers working for 162 matched dyads of manufacturing suppliers in China and buyers from 24 OECD countries. The findings support the propositions and suggest that supply chain managers should pay attention to aligning trust levels with their partners in cross‐border transactions, and especially do so when lacking effective KAMs and when buyers and suppliers are from similar institutional environments.
Zinc concentration and bioavailability of Chinese steamed bread prepared from foliar zinc‐biofortified wheat grain
Authors: Wang Shaoxia , Shi Cailing , Tian Xiaohong , Liu Qing
Published: January 2023

BACKGROUND

Increasing the concentration of zinc (Zn) in a widely consumed staple food, such as Chinese steamed bread (CSB), is a promising strategy for alleviating Zn malnutrition in humans. The aim of this study, which was based on a 2‐year field experiment, was to evaluate the effectiveness of spraying Zn fertilizer combined with commonly applied (i) pesticides and/or (ii) KH2PO4 (PK) to increase the concentration of Zn and its bioavailability in wheat grain and the CSB derived from it.

RESULTS

All the foliar Zn applications (foliar Zn alone or combined with pesticides and PK) significantly increased the concentration of Zn in grain and derived CSB by 69.1% and 63.1%, respectively. Milling caused an 86–88% loss of Zn, while the process of producing CSB caused an 11–26% increase in the concentration of Zn. A net gain of 2.5–8.3 mg Zn kg−1 of CSB was achieved owing to foliar applications of Zn. The concentration of phytic acid (PA) decreased dramatically during milling (89–90%) and the production of CSB (69–72%). As a result, the Zn bioavailability was greater in the CSB than in grain. Foliar applications of Zn also increased the estimated Zn bioavailability of CSB to be as high as 5.5–7.8 mg, which is adequate for human nutrition. Enrichment with Zn had no adverse effects on the quality of CSB.

CONCLUSION

The mixture of foliar Zn with pesticides and PK represents a useful approach to improve the bioavailable Zn of CSB without altering its quality. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis of circular RNAs in asphyxial newborns with acute kidney injury
Authors: Pan Jing‐Jing , Yang Yang , Chen Xiao‐Qing , Shi Jia , Wang Mu‐Zi , Tong Mei‐Ling , Zhou Xiao‐Guang
Published: January 2023

As one kind of novel noncoding RNA, circular RNAs (circRNAs) are involved in different biological processes. Although growing evidences have supported the important role of circRNAs in renal diseases, the mechanism remains unclear in neonatal acute kidney injury (AKI). High‐throughput sequencing analysis was used to investigate the expression of circRNAs between hypoxia‐induced AKI neonates and controls. Bioinformatics analysis was conducted to predict the function of differentially expressed circRNAs. Finally, the differentially expressed circRNAs were screened and determined by quantitative real‐time PCR (qPCR). (1) A total of 296 differentially expressed circRNAs were identified (Fold change >2 and p < 0.05). Of them, 184 circRNAs were markedly upregulated, and 112 were significantly downregulated in the AKI group. (2) The pathway analysis showed that ubiquitin‐mediated proteolysis, renal cell carcinoma, Jak‐STAT, and HIF‐1 signaling pathways participated in AKI. (3) Top five upregulated and five downregulated circRNAs with higher fold changes were selected for qPCR validation. Hsa_circ_0008898 (Fold Change = 5.48, p = 0.0376) and hsa_circ_0005519 (Fold Change = 4.65, p = 0.0071) were significantly upregulated, while hsa_circ_0132279 (Fold Change = −4.47, p = 0.0008), hsa_circ_0112327 (Fold Change = −4.26, p = 0.0048), and hsa_circ_0017647 (Fold Change = −4.15, p = 0.0313) were significantly downregulated in asphyxia‐induced AKI group compared with the control group. This study could contribute to future research on neonatal AKI and facilitate the identification of novel therapeutic targets.
Biophysical interactions control the progression of harmful algal blooms in Chesapeake Bay: A novel Lagrangian particle tracking model with mixotrophic growth and vertical migration
Authors: Xiong Jilian , Shen Jian , Qin Qubin , Tomlinson Michelle C. , Zhang Yinglong J. , Cai Xun , Ye Fei , Cui Linlin , Mulholland Margaret R.
Published: January 2023

Climate change and nutrient pollution contribute to the expanding global footprint of harmful algal blooms. To better predict their spatial distributions and disentangle biophysical controls, a novel Lagrangian particle tracking and biological (LPT‐Bio) model was developed with a high‐resolution numerical model and remote sensing. The LPT‐Bio model integrates the advantages of Lagrangian and Eulerian approaches by explicitly simulating algal bloom dynamics, algal biomass change, and diel vertical migrations along predicted trajectories. The model successfully captured the intensity and extent of the 2020 Margalefidinium polykrikoides bloom in the lower Chesapeake Bay and resolved fine‐scale structures of bloom patchiness, demonstrating a reliable prediction skill for 7–10 d. The fully coupled LPT‐Bio model initialized/calibrated by remote sensing and controlled by ambient environmental conditions appeared to be a powerful approach to predicting transport pathways, identifying bloom hotspots, resolving concentration variations at subgrid scales, and investigating responses of HABs to changing environmental conditions and human interference.
The impact of enterprise digital transformation on financial performance—Evidence from Mainland China manufacturing firms
Authors: Yonghong Li , Jie Shao , Ge Zhan , Ru Zhou
Published: January 2023

Focusing on digital transformation of manufacturing enterprises, this paper investigates the relationship between digital transformation and financial performance of manufacturing enterprises through descriptive statistical analysis, correlation analysis, multilayer linear regression analysis, and group testing of the impact of digital transformation stages on the financial performance of enterprises, taking listed manufacturing companies that implement digital transformation as a sample. The research results show that there is a significant positive impact of digital transformation on financial performance of manufacturing enterprises; the more digitalized the information technology (IT) architecture is when enterprises undergo digital transformation, the closer to hybrid cloud platform + agile manufacturing, the higher the inventory turnover rate and total asset turnover rate of enterprises will be; in the early stage of digital transformation of enterprises, the profitability performance of enterprises will be reduced. However, as the digitalization process of enterprises deepens, the net sales margin and total asset return of enterprises will gradually increase, which may be due to the reason that the impact of enterprise digital transformation on profitability performance has a certain lag.