bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dermoscopy of Inflammatory Conditions: The Journey So Far
Authors: Ankad Balachandra , Beergouder Savitha L.
Published: November 2022

The use of dermoscopy in general dermatological practice has recently increased. Its non-invasive nature means it is being practiced frequently by dermatologists to diagnose various skin conditions. Dermoscopy, also known as dermatoscopy, allows dermatologists to quickly visualise skin structures up to the papillary dermis level. The skin patterns seen under dermoscopy are usually due to pigment and vascular structures; melanin and haemoglobin play major roles and give different patterns depending on the skin condition and pathological changes. Many inflammatory diseases are encountered by clinicians in daily practice; at times they are indistinguishable to the naked eye and a biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis. Dermoscopy is a useful tool in the diagnosis and differentiation of inflammatory skin conditions and is aptly termed inflammoscopy when used in these situations. Inflammoscopy demonstrates the distinct characteristic patterns of many conditions and aids accurate diagnoses. In this article, the importance of dermoscopy in the diagnosis of relatively common inflammatory conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, lichen planus, pityriasis rosea, pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta, pityriasis lichenoides chronica, and discoid lupus erythematosus, is highlighted. Here, an overview of dermoscopic patterns in each of these conditions is emphasised.
A Rejuvenation Therapy of Medical Needling and 3D-Matrixlift® is Safe and Improves the Elasticity of the Skin
Authors: Jabs Hans-Ulrich
Published: November 2022

The use of platelet-rich plasma and growth factors is emerging as an anti-ageing regimen for the skin. We tested the safety and efficacy of 3D-MatrixLift®, a new treatment regimen for skin rejuvenation that combines medical needling and the application of a stem cell and growth factor-rich solution with irradiation by LED light. A total of 15 participants were enrolled in a single-centre, prospective pilot study. The elasticity parameters of the skin increased significantly after five rounds of treatment, with no signs of adverse effects. 3D-MatrixLift improves the elasticity of the skin and can be used safely in combination with medical needling for skin rejuvenation.
The Changing Landscape of Psoriasis: New Horizons for Oral Therapies
Authors: Battershill Anna
Published: November 2022

Prof Boehncke opened the symposium and highlighted the changing landscape of psoriasis management. On behalf of Prof Mrowietz, who was unable to attend, Prof Boehncke shared the evidence on fumarates in general and oral dimethyl fumarate (DMF) in particular. Dr Weisenseel closed the symposium by discussing the use of fumarates in current clinical practice.
An Optimization of Manufacturing Process of SS304L Using Direct Energy Deposition Method
Authors: Kim Sung Eun , Yoo Sung Chan , Kim Hyun-Gil
Published: November 2022

The direct energy deposition (DED) method is an emerging manufacturing technique that has been recently highlighted due to its capabilities to coat materials with complex geometry for high temperature and highly corrosive environmental applications, such as steam turbine blade. Amongst metallic materials, SS304L has been reported to have superior corrosion resistance in such environments. Therefore, 3D printing of complex-shaped parts using SS304 maybe a promising strategy to introduce 3D printing techniques for nuclear industry application. To obtain robust and stable products that can withstand extreme environments, optimization of the SS304 manufacturing process conditions is required. This study investigated the effects of process parameters including laser power, scan speed, coaxial gas flow, and feeder rate using the DED method with a 4 way nozzle. It was found that laser power has an effect on grain growth behaviors. If the other variables are fixed and the scan speed is above a certain value, then the scan speed does not affect surface oxidation. The feeder rate is related to height. As the feeder rate increases, the height increases. Coaxial gas works to prevent oxidation and damage to the optic components and is not a critical factor in determining the size of the deposited material. These results can be utilized in future studies to accelerate the process design time of other 3D printed materials and future applications using SS304L
Fabricating and Probing Forsterite Li-ion Battery Anode Electrodes
Authors: Kim Dong-Ju , Park Byoung-Nam
Published: November 2022

In an effort to minimize irreversible capacity loss and volume expansion, research on Si nanocomposite materials with a SiOx/Mg2SiO4/SiOx structure through a magnesiothermic reduction process (MTR) has attracted much attention from researchers. Mg2SiO4(forsterite) has been shown to improve the initial coulombic efficiency (ICE) by minimizing the irreversible capacity loss due to pulverization and highvolume expansion of the Si-based anode complexes. In this study, forsterite was synthesized as the main phase by Mg vapor control in the MTR process. We used an electrophoretic deposition system to investigate the intrinsic electrochemical properties of forsterite, which served as a buffer for the improvement of ICE, associated with the lithiation/delithiation process. Importantly, a stable specific capacity of up to 200 mAh/g was achieved during the charging/discharging process, demonstrating its potential use as an anode electrode. We also found that no significant capacity was found by alloying with Si. In other words, there is a lithium storage mechanism unique to forsterite which is not related to the Si alloying reaction in the storage mechanism. The results presented here are the first demonstration of a forsterite lithium-ion battery; forsterite has only been considered as a buffer layer of the Si/SiO composite structure. Furthermore, the finding is of crucial importance as it provides the basis for various approaches to develop reversible and high power li-ion battery anodes by synthesizing the Si composite through MTR.
Navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation: Question of accuracy
Authors: Voitenkov V. B. , Ekusheva E. V. , Maslyukova A. V. , Klimkin A. V. , Bedova M. A.
Published: November 2022

In this literature review and our own data, we provide information about navigational transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). At present, a significant amount of knowledge has been accumulated about the use of TMS, both diagnostic and therapeutic, in real clinical practice. Diagnostic TMS has been studied and developed maximally. Nevertheless, despite the undoubted clinical effect of therapeutic TMS, the question of the need for the most accurate target designation for the greatest effectiveness of treatment remains controversial. A number of publications emphasize and justify the need for such target designation, but others report a positive clinical effect of stimulation regardless of the exact location of the inductor. This undoubtedly makes further research in this area relevant with an assessment of the comparative effectiveness of the most accurate rhythmic TMS with other protocols for its use.
Features of etiopathogenetic factors and course of stroke after coronavirus infection
Authors: Komissarova N. V. , Akbaeva K. A. , Neklyudova A. A. , Sokovnin I. A. , Shuravina D. O.
Published: November 2022

Disorder of coronary circulation is one of the most severe complications of COVID‑19. Strokes that develop against the background of coronavirus infection are more often associated with occlusion of large vessels and have a more severe course. The frequency of strokes associated with COVID‑19, according to different authors, ranges from 1 to 6 %.

Objective. To analyze the etiopathogenetic factors, the course of stroke after a coronavirus infection, and to analyze the possible relationship between the severity of COVID‑19 and the severity of stroke.

Materials and methods. Observation of 110 patients of the neurological department of the First Republican Clinical Hospital of Udmurtia for the period from 2020 to 2021 with confirmed ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke associated with COVID‑19. Statistical data processing was carried out in Microsoft Excel 2013, MedCalc.

Results. Hypertension, atherosclerosis, and cardiac arrhythmia predominated in the structure of comorbidities in the examined patients. In 88.0 % of cases, ischemic stroke was observed in patients after infection, mainly the lesion concerned the carotid basin (55.5 %). Patients more often had focal neurological symptoms, among which hemiparesis and hemiplegia prevailed. Features of the results of laboratory diagnostics is the presence of coagulopathy, renal and hepatic insufficiency: increased levels of fibrinogen, D-dimers, creatinine, urea, proteinuria. According to neuroimaging data, in 54.5 % of cases, the stroke focus was more than 15 mm; duplex scanning of vessels in 95.0 % of cases revealed signs of atherosclerosis of the brachiocephalic arteries, carotid arteries in 54.5 % of cases. Correlation analysis revealed the relationship between the severity of COVID‑19 and the clinical manifestations of stroke. Most of the strokes occurred in the subjects within 1–6 months (40.9 %) after suffering COVID‑19.

Conclusion. In the development of stroke after suffering COVID‑19, coagulopathy, renal liver failure, cardiovascular comorbidities, especially hypertension, and atherosclerosis play a significant role. Stroke severity is correlated with the severity of COVID‑19.
Original method of local stimulation for lumbosacral dorsopathies
Authors: Agasarov L. G.
Published: November 2022

The article is devoted to the mechanisms of action and effectiveness of the original technology, combining the blockade in accordance with Vishnevsky method and pharmacopuncture with the drug Alflutop.

Materials and methods. 90 patients under 65 years of age with exacerbation of lumbosacral dorsopathy, who signed informed consent form were inсluded in observation. Along with clinical characteristics, the results of psychological tests, thermography and zonal rheovasography were evaluated. Patients were divided into 3 groups in which standard treatment was performed. In the 1st control group, they were limited to it, and in others, local stimulation was additionally performed. Methodically, up to 20 loci in the lumbar zone and 6–8 reflexology points in the lower extremities were selected. At the same time, the anesthetic Lidocaine was injected into the points of the lumbar zone, and the drug Alflutop (2nd group) or physiological solution (3rd) was injected into the distal points. The course of stimulation included 10 procedures performed every other day.

Outcomes. Both variants of local stimulation significantly exceeded the effectiveness of basic therapy. However, despite the comparability of the rate of pain symptomatics reduction in these groups, the final level of pain was significantly lower in the case of Alflutop. These data were consistent with a clear tendency to normalize the mental and vascular background in patients of the 2nd group. This phenomenon can be explained by the points of application of medicines: rapid anesthesia due to blockade by anesthetic and the maximum effectiveness provided by pharmacopuncture.
Acute Onset Isolated Abducens Paralysis After Exposure to Arc Welding
Authors: Değirmenci Yıldız , Ayaslı Alper
Published: November 2022

Exposure to welding is associated with many diseases, especially some of the eye injuries. We present a 49-year-old male patient applied to us with the complaints of double vision and blurred vision for a week. The symptoms started after looking welding machine light for a few minutes without protective glasses. After excluding another causes, the diagnosis of idiopathic abducens paralysis was made. As a result of exposure to metals and ultraviolet radiation, conjunctival disorders, presbyopia, refractive errors, corneal damage, and retinal pathologies can be seen in patients. It is also known that UV is a stress factor that will initiate reactions that lead to apoptosis of neurons. We think that exposure to UV rays may have played a role in the possible etiological process in our case.The patient was followed up with conservative treatment and all symptoms resolve within a month.
KAJIAN BENTUK BAHASA ISYARAT â€œPENGKODEANâ€ DALAM KOMUNIKASI ANAK USIA 3 TAHUN
Authors: Perta Jaya Nasa , Azmi Winda
Published: November 2022

The purpose of this study was to describe the form and solution of speech delay in children (using coding language) in communication. This research a descriptive method, with the type of qualitative research. The research was conducted by describing coded language as research data spoken by children as a form of communication. The source of the data in this study was in the form of a code from Raihana Yasmina (age 3 years 10 months). Data were collected by listening and free-to-talk techniques. The data analysis technique was carried out by interpreting the data to test the suitability of the coded language form with an analysis of the communication situation to find the speaker's intent. The findings of this study are, first, there are two forms of coding that are carried out by Raihana, namely by using body parts and using objects around them. Second, the solutions are expert therapy, traditional therapy, and speech habituation.
Portfolio Method in the Evaluation of Intellectual Property Management Processes at the Regional Level
Authors: Aleksandrova Anna
Published: November 2022

Introduction. Currently, a unified methodological concept for assessing the processes of intellectual property development at the regional level has not been formed. The predominant number of methods assessing the development of the sphere are based on the rating assessment of integral indicators. The methodology of strategic mapping is also be­ing applied. This paper proposes a methodological approach to assess­ing the maturity of intellectual property management processes based on the "IP portfolio of the region" model. In the practice of modern man­agement, the portfolio method is used to collect system reflection on the evaluated activity and present its results. In the field of intellectual property, this approach is successfully applied in the corporate prac­tice of RID management. For the purposes of managing the intellectual property sphere at the regional level, this method can be considered as innovative. Methods. The research methodology was based on the ap­plication of general scientific methods, such as: analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction, construction and verification of hypotheses, comparison, modeling. Empirical data were processed using economet­ric models. Logical means of cognition were used in the formulation of conclusions. Results and Discussion. The developed methodological approach makes it possible to assess the maturity of intellectual prop­erty management processes at the level of the subject of the Russian Federation. The subject matter of the objects of the "IP portfolio of the region" includes: objects of patent rights, means of individualization, computer programs, databases. The model is based on a system of co­efficient-type indicators. The scales of ranking of regions based on the estimates of the "IP portfolio of the region" model are substantiated. The source of information for calculating the values of indicators are the databases of Rospatent and Rosstat. Conclusion. The results of the study are of practical significance and can be applied in the develop­ment of intellectual property development policy at the national and regional levels.
Isolation and identification of symbiotic strains in Paris fargesii Franch that promote disease resistance
Authors: Yan Dahao , Wang Xianju , Xi Congfang , Zi Shuhui , Liu Tao
Published: November 2022

Pairs polyphylla var. yunnanensis is a perennial herb, and its rhizomes are used as medicine to invigorate blood circulation, dissipate blood stasis, relieve swelling and pain, clear heat and detoxify the body. However, due to its slow growth, most of the saponin content is low, while the content of saponins is higher in Paris fargesii Franch of the same genus. The isolation and screening of strains from P. fargesii Franch that promote the accumulation of saponin content in P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis is important to improve the growth rate of artificially cultivated P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis and increase its medicinal activity. Plant symbiotic strains are biologically active microorganisms that can promote the growth and development of host plants through direct probiotic effects and indirect disease resistance mechanisms. Here, we isolated four strains of symbiotes, including two bacteria, Bacillus cereus (LgD2) and Bacillus thuringiensis (LgD10), and two fungi, Aspergillus tamari (TPD11) and Fusarium oxysporum (TPB). All of them promoted the biomass, chlorophyll content and photosynthetic efficiency of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis seedlings to different degrees and effectively stimulated the accumulation of saponin content in P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis seedlings to improve the expression of saponin synthesis pathway genes. The symbiotes also promoted the enzymatic activities of the enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and phenylalanine aminolase (PAL), improved the physiological indicators of tobacco plants (plant height, crown width, leaf length and leaf width), reduced the incidence of tobacco black shank, and improved the growth and resistance-related genes of tobacco. In conclusion, the four symbiotic strains TPD11, TPB, LgD10 and LgD2 play an important role in regulating the growth, promoting saponin accumulation, and disease resistance of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis.
Hybrid membrane of flat silk cocoon and carboxymethyl chitosan formed through hot pressing promotes wound healing and repair in a rat model
Authors: Wu Baiqing , Tong Xiaoling , Cheng Lan , Jiang Sha , Li Zhi , Li Zheng , Song Jiangbo , Dai Fangyin
Published: November 2022

Clinical wound management is always a relatively urgent problem. Moreover, wounds, especially severe wounds with excessive tension or excessive movement are prone to tissue infection, necrosis, and other negative effects during healing. Therefore, research has aimed to develop low-cost complementary treatments to address the urgent need for an innovative low-cost dressing that can adapt to high mechanical requirements and complex wound conditions. At present, tissue engineering to produce artificial skin with a structure similar to that of normal skin is one effective method to solve this challenge in the regeneration and repair of serious wounds. The present study hot pressed flat silk cocoons (FSC) with carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) to generate a cross-linked binding without enzymes or cross-linking agents that simulated the 3D structural composites of the skin cuticle. This hybrid membrane showed potential to reduce inflammatory cells and promote neovascularization in skin wound repair. After hot pressing at 130°C and 20 Mpa, the FSC/CMCS composite material was denser than FSC, showed strong light transmission, and could be arbitrarily cut. Simulating the normal skin tissue structure, the hybrid membrane overcame the poor mechanical properties of traditional support materials. Moreover, the combination of protein and polysaccharide simulated the extracellular matrix, thus providing better biocompatibility. The results of this study also demonstrated the excellent mechanical properties of the FSC/CMCS composite support material, which also provided a low-cost and environmentally friendly process for making dressings. In addition, the results of this study preliminarily reveal the mechanism by which the scaffolds promoted the healing of full-thickness skin defects on the back of SD rats. In vivo experiments using a full-thickness skin defect model showed that the FSC/CMCS membranes significantly promoted the rate of wound healing and also showed good effects on blood vessel formation and reduced inflammatory reactions. This bionic support structure, with excellent repair efficacy on deep skin defect wounds, showed potential to further improve the available biomaterial systems, such as skin and other soft tissues.
Cooperation between myofibril growth and costamere maturation in human cardiomyocytes
Authors: Shi Huaiyu , Wang Chenyan , Gao Bruce Z. , Henderson James H. , Ma Zhen
Published: November 2022

Costameres, as striated muscle-specific cell adhesions, anchor both M-lines and Z-lines of the sarcomeres to the extracellular matrix. Previous studies have demonstrated that costameres intimately participate in the initial assembly of myofibrils. However, how costamere maturation cooperates with myofibril growth is still underexplored. In this work, we analyzed zyxin (costameres), α-actinin (Z-lines) and myomesin (M-lines) to track the behaviors of costameres and myofibrils within the cardiomyocytes derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC-CMs). We quantified the assembly and maturation of costameres associated with the process of myofibril growth within the hiPSC-CMs in a time-dependent manner. We found that asynchrony existed not only between the maturation of myofibrils and costameres, but also between the formation of Z-costameres and M-costameres that associated with different structural components of the sarcomeres. This study helps us gain more understanding of how costameres assemble and incorporate into the cardiomyocyte sarcomeres, which sheds a light on cardiomyocyte mechanobiology.
Calpain-mediated proteolysis of vimentin filaments is augmented in giant axonal neuropathy fibroblasts exposed to hypotonic stress
Authors: Phillips Cassandra L. , Fu Dong , Herring Laura E. , Armao Diane , Snider Natasha T.
Published: November 2022

Giant Axonal Neuropathy (GAN) is a pediatric neurodegenerative disease caused by loss-of-function mutations in the E3 ubiquitin ligase adaptor gigaxonin, which is encoded by the KLHL16 gene. Gigaxonin regulates the degradation of multiple intermediate filament (IF) proteins, including neurofilaments, GFAP, and vimentin, which aggregate in GAN patient cells. Understanding how IFs and their aggregates are processed under stress can reveal new GAN disease mechanisms and potential targets for therapy. Here we tested the hypothesis that hypotonic stress-induced vimentin proteolysis is impaired in GAN. In both GAN and control fibroblasts exposed to hypotonic stress, we observed time-dependent vimentin cleavage that resulted in two prominent ∼40–45 kDa fragments. However, vimentin proteolysis occurred more rapidly and extensively in GAN cells compared to unaffected controls as both fragments were generated earlier and at 4-6-fold higher levels. To test enzymatic involvement, we determined the expression levels and localization of the calcium-sensitive calpain proteases-1 and -2 and their endogenous inhibitor calpastatin. While the latter was not affected, the expression of both calpains was 2-fold higher in GAN cells compared to control cells. Moreover, pharmacologic inhibition of calpains with MDL-28170 or MG-132 attenuated vimentin cleavage. Imaging analysis revealed striking colocalization between large perinuclear vimentin aggregates and calpain-2 in GAN fibroblasts. This colocalization was dramatically altered by hypotonic stress, where selective breakdown of filaments over aggregates occurred rapidly in GAN cells and coincided with calpain-2 cytoplasmic redistribution. Finally, mass spectrometry-based proteomics revealed that phosphorylation at Ser-412, located at the junction between the central “rod” domain and C-terminal “tail” domain on vimentin, is involved in this stress response. Over-expression studies using phospho-deficient and phospho-mimic mutants revealed that Ser-412 is important for filament organization, solubility dynamics, and vimentin cleavage upon hypotonic stress exposure. Collectively, our work reveals that osmotic stress induces calpain- and proteasome-mediated vimentin degradation and IF network breakdown. These effects are significantly augmented in the presence of disease-causing KLHL16 mutations that alter intermediate filament organization. While the specific roles of calpain-generated vimentin IF fragments in GAN cells remain to be defined, this proteolytic pathway is translationally-relevant to GAN because maintaining osmotic homeostasis is critical for nervous system function.
Switching of behavioral modes and their modulation by a geometrical cue in the ciliate Stentor coeruleus
Authors: Echigoya Syun , Sato Katsuhiko , Kishida Osamu , Nakagaki Toshiyuki , Nishigami Yukinori
Published: November 2022

Protists ubiquitously live in nature and play key roles in the food web chain. Their habitats consist of various geometrical structures, such as porous media and rigid surfaces, affecting their motilities. A kind of protist, Stentor coeruleus, exhibits free swimming and adhering for feeding. Under environmental and culture conditions, these organisms are often found in sediments with complex geometries. The determination of anchoring location is essential for their lives. However, the factors that induce the behavioral transition from swimming to adhering are still unknown. In this study, we quantitatively characterized the behavioral transitions in S. coeruleus and observed the behavior in a chamber with dead ends made by a simple structure mimicking the environmental structures. As a result, the cell adheres and feeds in narrow spaces between the structure and the chamber wall. It may be reasonable for the organism to hide itself from predators and capture prey in these spaces. The behavioral strategy for the exploration and exploitation of spaces with a wide variety of geometries in their habitats is discussed.
Effect of temperature in the degradation of cannabinoids: From a brief residence in the gas chromatography inlet port to a longer period in thermal treatments
Authors: García-Valverde María Teresa , Sánchez-Carnerero Callado Carolina , Díaz-Liñán Maríadel Carmen , Sánchez de Medina Verónica , Hidalgo-García Jesús , Nadal Xavier , Hanuš Lumír , Ferreiro-Vera Carlos
Published: November 2022

The substantial increase in legalization and subsequent regulation of cannabis has intensified the control and analytical monitoring of cannabis products to assure sample quality and control the cannabinoid content of the crop. In this sense, the restriction on cultivating legal cannabis plants has been limited to 0.2–0.3% of Δ9-THC content, depending on the host country’s laws. Thereby, cannabis flowers containing more than this limit are considered illicit drug-type cultivations and require the obtention of specific permits to work with them. The official method established by the European Commission set the gas chromatography/flame ionization detector (GC-FID) as the proper instrument to analyze the delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) content. In the present work, the potential drawbacks associated with the utilization of the official method for the evaluation of the Δ9-THC content have been described. Thus, the effect of the GC injector port temperature in the degradation of cannabinoids was evaluated, observing the degradation of CBD by 20%, generating Δ9-THC and CBN as by-products. Likewise, 17.2% of Δ9-THC was degraded, producing CBN as a by-product. Therefore, despite the brief residence of cannabinoids in the GC inlet, the effect of temperature is noteworthy and must be considered. Derivatization of cannabinoids should be a mandatory step to prevent the thermal degradation of cannabinoids, assuring the accuracy of the results. Furthermore, the evaluation of cannabinoid degradation thermally treated for longer periods of time was carried out. The kinetic degradation of CBD was evaluated in this way, observing a degradation of 0.22 μg/L per second. At the same time, the kinetics of the appearance of Δ9-THC demonstrates the intermediate nature of this cannabinoid, being degraded at 0.03 s−1 μM−1. The degradation of CBD also produced CBN and CBE as by-products.
Injectable agarose hydrogels and doxorubicin-encapsulated iron-gallic acid nanoparticles for chemodynamic-photothermal synergistic therapy against osteosarcoma
Authors: Ying Hongliang , Wang Haitian , Jiang Guangchuan , Tang Han , Li Lingrui , Zhang Jinrui
Published: November 2022

Osteosarcoma is a malignant bone cancer that usually occurs in children and adolescents. Although chemotherapy, radiotherapy and other methods have been used to treat osteosarcoma, these therapeutic regimens fail to cure this disease completely. Herein, doxorubicin-encapsulated iron–gallic acid (FeGA-DOX) nanoparticles (NPs) were fused with agarose hydrogels (AG) for synergistic therapy of osteosarcoma. Under near-infrared laser irradiation, the local temperature of FeGA-DOX NPs was increased. Therefore, tumour cells were killed using photothermal therapy, and AG dissolved to release FeGA-DOX into the cells. Doxorubicin generates hydrogen peroxide, which is then converted to reactive oxygen species (ROS) via FeGA-DOX by the Fenton reaction, inducing tumour cell apoptosis. ROS induced by chemodynamic therapy compensates for the incomplete cure of osteosarcoma cells. The AG-encapsulated NPs could mediate synergistic chemodynamic and photothermal therapy with self-sufficient H2O2, providing a novel therapeutic strategy for osteosarcoma.
New understanding of gut microbiota and colorectal anastomosis leak: A collaborative review of the current concepts
Authors: Liu Yang , Li Bowen , Wei Yunwei
Published: November 2022

Anastomotic leak (AL) is a life-threatening postoperative complication following colorectal surgery, which has not decreased over time. Until now, no specific risk factors or surgical technique could be targeted to improve anastomotic healing. In the past decade, gut microbiota dysbiosis has been recognized to contribute to AL, but the exact effects are still vague. In this context, interpretation of the mechanisms underlying how the gut microbiota contributes to AL is significant for improving patients’ outcomes. This review concentrates on novel findings to explain how the gut microbiota of patients with AL are altered, how the AL-specific pathogen colonizes and is enriched on the anastomosis site, and how these pathogens conduct their tissue breakdown effects. We build up a framework between the gut microbiota and AL on three levels. Firstly, factors that shape the gut microbiota profiles in patients who developed AL after colorectal surgery include preoperative intervention and surgical factors. Secondly, AL-specific pathogenic or collagenase bacteria adhere to the intestinal mucosa and defend against host clearance, including the interaction between bacterial adhesion and host extracellular matrix (ECM), the biofilm formation, and the weakened host commercial bacterial resistance. Thirdly, we interpret the potential mechanisms of pathogen-induced poor anastomotic healing.
Concurrent acute myocardial infarction and acute ischemic stroke: Case reports and literature review
Authors: Bao Cheng-hong , Zhang Chen , Wang Xiao-min , Pan Yi-bin
Published: November 2022

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and acute ischemic stroke (AIS) are the main causes of disability and mortality worldwide. Although reperfusion therapy is the most effective treatment for the two diseases, it is still a great challenge for treating the two diseases at the same time. Here we share 2 cases: one patient was hospitalized for AMI, developed AIS after receiving percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and suffered from cardiac rupture after alteplase thrombolytic therapy. The other patient was admitted for AIS, who had sudden chest pain during the thrombolytic process of alteplase. Considering AMI, emergency PCI was performed, and he was finally discharged.
Relations of postural change in blood pressure with hypertension-mediated organ damage in middle-aged adults of the Framingham heart study: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Cooper Leroy L. , Rong Jian , Maillard Pauline , Beiser Alexa , Hamburg Naomi M. , Larson Martin G. , DeCarli Charles , Vasan Ramachandran S. , Seshadri Sudha , Mitchell Gary F.
Published: November 2022

Background

Dysregulation of compensatory mechanisms to regulate blood pressure (BP) upon postural change is a phenotype of BP variability and an emerging risk factor for cardiovascular outcomes.

Materials and methods

We assessed postural change in BP (starting 2 min after standing from a supine position), carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), and markers of hypertension-mediated organ damage (HMOD) in the heart, kidney, and brain in Framingham Third Generation, Omni-2, and New Offspring Spouse Cohort participants. We related vascular measures (postural change in BP measures and cfPWV) with HMOD in 3,495 participants (mean age 47 years, 53% women) using multivariable logistic and linear regression models.

Results

In multivariable-adjusted models, we did not observe significant associations of vascular measures with presence of left ventricular hypertrophy, albuminuria, covert brain infarcts, or white matter hyperintensities (Bonferroni-adjusted P-values > 0.05/20 > 0.0025). In multivariable models, greater cfPWV (est. β = 0.11 ± 0.03; P < 0.001), but not postural change in BP measures (Bonferroni-adjusted P-values > 0.05/20 > 0.0025), was associated with higher white matter free water using brain magnetic resonance imaging. In multivariable models, greater postural change in pulse pressure was associated with higher urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (est. β = 0.07 ± 0.02; P < 0.001). No other postural change in BP measure was associated with urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (Bonferroni-adjusted P-values > 0.05/20 > 0.0025). In sex-specific analyses, higher cfPWV was associated with higher urinary albumin-creatinine ratio in men (est. β: 0.11 ± 0.04; P = 0.002) but not in women (est. β: 0.03 ± 0.03; P = 0.44). We also observed marginal to strong effect modification by above vs. at/below median postural change in BP for the association of cfPWV with urinary albumin−creatinine ratio (Bonferroni-adjusted interaction P < 0.001–0.01). Vascular measures were not related to left ventricular mass index or fractional anisotropy (Bonferroni-adjusted P-values > 0.05/20 > 0.0025).

Conclusion

Baroreflex dysfunction is associated with greater subclinical kidney damage. Additionally, relations of higher aortic stiffness with greater kidney damage may be modified by associated baroreflex dysregulation.
Clinical outcomes of COVID-19 infection in congenital heart disease: A single-center experience in Indonesia
Authors: Siagian Sisca Natalia , Oetama Susandy , Pohan Fathy Zuandi , Mendel Brian , Lelya Olfi , Sakti Damba Dwisepto Aulia , Kurniawati Yovi
Published: November 2022

Background

Congenital heart disease (CHD) patients are thought to be vulnerable to COVID-19 complications. In this study, we would like to assess the outcomes and clinical characteristics in COVID-19 CHD patients.

Method

A single-center, observational study was conducted in National Cardiovascular Center Harapan Kita (NCCHK). This study included patients with CHD who were hospitalized for COVID-19. The extracted data were baseline characteristics, clinical findings, supportive examination findings, complications, outcomes, and length of stay of the patients. The data were then analyzed using SPSS 26.0 software.

Result

Twenty-six patients with CHD and COVID-19 infection were included in our study. There were 24 resolved cases and 2 deaths, four patients experienced complications such as renal insufficiency (1), sepsis (2), and multiorgan failure (1). The median length of stay was 13 days. The most common symptoms experienced by the patients were breathlessness (65.4%), cough (57.7%), and fever (42.3%).

Conclusion

We observed a relatively mild COVID-19 clinical course despite prior research showing that patients with cardiovascular comorbidities, such as CHD, have a higher case-fatality rate. This could be because of the smaller sample size, non-standardized diagnosis, severity, treatment, and age group.
Sodium alginate-hydrogel coatings on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for anticoagulation
Authors: Gao Wenqing , Wang Han , Liu Yanwu , Tang Qin , Wu Peng , Lin Tingting , Li Tong , Sun Di
Published: November 2022

Thromboembolism caused by the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) remains common among patients with existing heart diseases and contributes to significant morbidity and mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic. Various surface modification strategies have been proposed, showing that the methacrylated alginate (MA-SA) hydrogel layer is transparent, which aids the observation of the thromboembolism from the inner wall of the tubing. In the combined dynamic and static blood of ECMO tubing inner surface in vitro experiments, it was also demonstrated that the adhesion of blood clots to the surface of vessels was remarkably reduced, and the MA-SA-based hydrogel coating could significantly prolong the activated partial thrombin time and block the endogenous coagulation. The favorable properties of natural polysaccharides of hydrogel coatings make them the best surface material choices to be applied for blood-contacting medical devices and significantly improve anticoagulant performance.
Wave separation analysis-derived indexes obtained from radial and carotid tonometry in healthy pregnancy and pregnancy-associated hypertension: Comparison with pulse wave analysis-derived indexes
Authors: Pereira María M. , Torrado Juan , Bock Joshua , Sosa Claudio , Diaz Alejandro , Bia Daniel , Zócalo Yanina
Published: November 2022

Background

Increased wave reflections assessed by pulse wave analysis (PWA) was proposed as one of the potential culprits of hypertension seen in women with pregnancy-associated hypertension (PAH). However, this statement has never been confirmed with “Wave Separation Analysis” (WSA), a more sophisticated mathematical approach that analyzes the amplitude and interaction between forward and backward aortic pressure waveform components.

Objective

To characterize potential changes in pressure wave components of PAH compared to healthy non-pregnant (NP) women and women with normal pregnancies (HP) by using WSA and compared these findings with PWA-derived indexes; secondarily, to evaluate differences in WSA-derived indexes between subgroups of PAH (i.e., preeclampsia [PE] and gestational hypertension [GH]).

Methods

Using radial and carotid applanation tonometry, we quantified in HP (n = 10), PAH (n = 16), and NP (n = 401): (i) PWA-derived indexes; (ii) WSA-derived indexes: forward (Pf) and backward (Pb) waveform components, backward component arrival time (PbAT), reflection magnitude (RM = Pb/Pf) and index [RIx = Pb/(Pf + Pb)].

Results

While PAH was associated with a higher Pf compared to HP and NP, Pb and PbAT were similar between the groups. Both GH and PE showed a higher Pf compared to HP, but only PE had a trend of presenting with higher Pb and lower PbAT compared to the other groups. Finally, PAH showed a trend of having lower RM and RIx compared to NP and HP, with no differences between GH and PE.

Conclusion

PAH was associated with higher Pf, but not higher Pb, compared to NP and HP, although PE also demonstrated a trend of higher Pb.
Linking music streaming platform advertisements with a digital mental health assessment and interventions
Authors: Balcombe Luke , De Leo Diego
Published: November 2022

Accessibility issues and low rates of help-seeking hinder engagement with mental health resources and treatment. Pragmatic, (cost-)effective solutions are required to increase engagement with efficacious digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) including for hard-to-reach individuals. As an example, music-based interventions have been positively used in health care to reduce stress, anxiety and depression through music medicine, music therapy and recreational use. Although, enhanced mental health awareness from music listening has yet to be converted into engagement with a DMH assessment (DMHA) and DMHIs. Therefore, a new study is proposed to place linked advertisements on Spotify, the most used music streaming platform. MindSpot's vetted DMHA is suitable to use as an example for linking unto because it measures depression, anxiety, general mental well-being problems and psychological distress in Australian adults and provides access to DMHIs. The primary aim is to provide a convenient, robust and scalable consumer pathway to reduce engagement barriers and maximize facilitation to a vetted DMHA and DMHIs. The proposed study is important because it addresses notorious help-seeking difficulties in the adult population (e.g., young people and men). It also expands outreach to the underserved and the unserved and streamlines the integration of digital solutions with mental health services.
Agouti-related protein as the glucose signaling sensor in the central melanocortin circuits in regulating fish food intake
Authors: Han Juan , Liang Xiaofang , Guo Yanzhi , Wu Xiaoliang , Li Ziqi , Hong Tiannuo
Published: November 2022

Agouti-related protein (AgRP) is a neuropeptide synthesized by AgRP/NPY neurons and transcribed as 132 amino acids in humans and 142 amino acids (AgRP1) in Japanese seabass (Lateolabrax maculatus) fish. AgRP neurons are activated by hormonal signals of energy deficits and inhibited by signals of energy surpluses and have been demonstrated to have the ability to sense the dynamics of blood glucose concentrations as the “glucose sensor” in mammals. It is widely recognized that AgRP is an endogenous antagonist of the melanocortin-3 and -4 receptors (MC3R and MC4R) in the hypothalamus, exhibiting potent orexigenic activity and control of energy homeostasis. Most fish, especially carnivorous fish, cannot make efficient use of carbohydrates. When carbohydrates like corn or wheat bran are added as energy sources, they often cause feeding inhibition and metabolic diseases. When fishmeal is replaced by plant protein, this does not completely eliminate carbs, limiting the utilization of carbohydrates and plant proteins in aquaculture. Our previous study showed that AgRP, and not neuropeptide Y (NPY) is the principal protein molecule that correlates well with feeding behavior in Japanese seabass from anorexia to adaptation. The Ghrelin/Leptin-mTOR-S6K1-NPY/AgRP/POMC feed intake regulatory pathway responds to the plant-oriented protein which contains glucose. However, its regulatory function and mechanism are still not clear. This review offers an integrative overview of how glucose signals converge on a molecular level in AgRP neurons of the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. This is in order to control fish food intake and energy homeostasis.
Dynamic evolution of transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) ion channel family with numerous gene duplications and losses
Authors: Morini Marina , Bergqvist Christina A. , Asturiano Juan F. , Larhammar Dan , Dufour Sylvie
Published: November 2022

The transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) ion channel family is involved in multiple sensory and physiological functions including thermosensing and temperature-dependent neuroendocrine regulation. The objective of the present study was to investigate the number, origin and evolution of TRPV genes in metazoans, with special focus on the impact of the vertebrate whole-genome duplications (WGD). Gene searches followed by phylogenetic and synteny analyses revealed multiple previously undescribed TRPV genes. The common ancestor of Cnidaria and Bilateria had three TRPV genes that became four in the deuterostome ancestor. Two of these were lost in the vertebrate ancestor. The remaining two genes gave rise to two TRPV subfamilies in vertebrates, consisting of subtypes 1, 2, 3, 4, 9 and 5, 6, 7, 8, respectively. This gene expansion resulted from the two basal vertebrate WGD events (1R and 2R) and three local duplications before the radiation of gnathostomes. TRPV1, 4 and 5 have been retained in all gnathostomes investigated, presumably reflecting important functions. TRPV7 and 8 have been lost independently in various lineages but are still retained in cyclostomes, actinistians (coelacanth), amphibians, prototherians and basal actinopterygians (Polypteridae). TRPV3 and 9 are present in extant elasmobranchs, while TRPV9 was lost in the osteichthyan ancestor and TRPV3 in the actinopterygian ancestor. The coelacanth has retained the ancestral osteichthyan repertoire of TRPV1, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8. TRPV2 arose in the tetrapod ancestor. Duplications of TRPV5 occurred independently in various lineages, such as cyclostomes, chondrichthyans, anuran amphibians, sauropsids, mammals (where the duplicate is called TRPV6), and actinopterygians (Polypteridae and Esocidae). After the teleost-specific WGD (3R) only TRPV1 retained its duplicate, whereas TRPV4 and 5 remained as single genes. Both 3R-paralogs of TRPV1 were kept in some teleost species, while one paralog was lost in others. The salmonid-specific WGD (4R) duplicated TRPV1, 4, and 5 leading to six TRPV genes. The largest number was found in Xenopus tropicalis with no less than 15 TRPV genes. This study provides a comprehensive evolutionary scenario for the vertebrate TRPV family, revealing additional TRPV types and proposing a phylogeny-based classification of TRPV across metazoans.
The importance of calcium and amorphous silica for arctic soil CO2 production
Authors: Stimmler Peter , Göckede Mathias , Natali Susan M. , Sonnentag Oliver , Gilfedder Benjamin S. , Perron Nia , Schaller Jörg
Published: November 2022

Future warming of the Arctic not only threatens to destabilize the enormous pool of organic carbon accumulated in permafrost soils but may also mobilize elements such as calcium (Ca) or silicon (Si). While for Greenlandic soils, it was recently shown that both elements may have a strong effect on carbon dioxide (CO2) production with Ca strongly decreasing and Si increasing CO2 production, little is known about the effects of Si and Ca on carbon cycle processes in soils from Siberia, the Canadian Shield, or Alaska. In this study, we incubated five different soils (rich organic soil from the Canadian Shield and from Siberia (one from the top and one from the deeper soil layer) and one acidic and one non-acidic soil from Alaska) for 6 months under both drained and waterlogged conditions and at different Ca and amorphous Si (ASi) concentrations. Our results show a strong decrease in soil CO2 production for all soils under both drained and waterlogged conditions with increasing Ca concentrations. The ASi effect was not clear across the different soils used, with soil CO2 production increasing, decreasing, or not being significantly affected depending on the soil type and if the soils were initially drained or waterlogged. We found no methane production in any of the soils regardless of treatment. Taking into account the predicted change in Si and Ca availability under a future warmer Arctic climate, the associated fertilization effects would imply potentially lower greenhouse gas production from Siberia and slightly increased greenhouse gas emissions from the Canadian Shield. Including Ca as a controlling factor for Arctic soil CO2 production rates may, therefore, reduces uncertainties in modeling future scenarios on how Arctic regions may respond to climate change.