bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protective Effect and Possible Mechanisms of Tripterygium Glycosides in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Lin Zhou , Chen Mangmang , Chen Xuewu , Chen Jiaru , Zhang Wei
Published: March 2022

Objective. The safety and efficacy of Tripterygium glycosides (TG) were assessed for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in accordance with the existing literatures. Materials and Methods. Electronic literature was searched from Chinese VIP databases, Cochrane Library, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Wanfang Web of Science, EMBASE, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and the PubMed for the studies with the publication from the beginning to December 2021. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included only. The major variables of result comprised erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), Spinal Pain Visual Analog Score (SP-VAS), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI). Moreover, the secondary variables of result covered the overall clinical effective rate following the adverse drug reaction (ADR). We carried out the meta-analysis with the use of STATA 12.0 and RevMan 5.3. We used GRADE pro3.6.1 software to assess the quality of evidence. Results. In general, we covered 15 randomized controlled trials with the focus of 1186 patients. As proven by our meta-analysis, TG as adjuvant therapy or monotherapy decreased the BASDAI, BASFI, SP-VAS, serum CRP, and ESR than control in patients suffering from AS. Additionally, TG treatment visibly improved the overall effective rate in AS. Nevertheless, TG was not found to significantly increase the rate of ADR in contrast to the control. Conclusion. As indicated by our result, TG may be an option to treat AS. In this paper, we recommended strict trials with high quality and large samples sizes for confirming the finding here.
Global Perspective of Plant-Based Cosmetic Industry and Possible Contribution of Sri Lanka to the Development of Herbal Cosmetics
Authors: Nadeeshani Dilhara Gamage Dehel Gamage , Dharmadasa Rathnayaka Mudiyanselage , Chandana Abeysinghe Don , Saman Wijesekara Rathnayaka Gamlathge , Prathapasinghe Gamika A. , Someya Takao
Published: March 2022

The global consumption of plant-based cosmetics has shown spectacular growth in recent years because of rising consumer awareness regarding the long-term health benefits of natural ingredients. As the global demand for herbal cosmetics increases, there are ample opportunities for Sri Lanka as a tropical Asian country to expand its productions and global exports along with its unique biodiversity and inherited traditional knowledge. Therefore, the present review attempts to give an overview of the widely used medicinal plants in the global herbal cosmetic industry and strengths, challenges, and possible solutions for the development of the herbal cosmetic industry of Sri Lanka. Information was collected using electronic search (using Pub Med, Science Direct, Web of Science, Google Scholar, TEEAL, and Scopus) for articles published in peer-reviewed journals, industrial reports, market surveys, and library search for local books on ethnobotany. Important plant-derived ingredients used in the global herbal cosmetic industry are essential oils, colorants, oils, fats, and waxes. The traditional usage of 108 medicinal plant species (belonging to 58 families) in cosmetic treatments was identified from the local books of Sri Lanka. Of these, 49 plant species were reported as new ingredients for the herbal cosmetic industry. However, the lack of ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological surveys to identify the cosmetic potential plants, insufficient or absence of continuous supply of raw materials for production in line with the existing demand, the lack of quality control of raw materials and finished cosmetic products, improper systematic cultivation systems for medicinal plants, poor postharvest practices, and the lack of innovations are major challenges encountered in Sri Lanka for the development of the herbal cosmetic industry. In conclusion, addressing these vital knowledge gaps is a timely requirement of the country for the sustainable development of the herbal cosmetic industry in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, assembling of the multidisciplinary cooperation of botanists, chemists, toxicologists, researchers, and biologists is crucial to analyze the interesting functional properties, efficacy, and effectiveness of documented medicinal plants with cosmetic potential.
Tanshinone ΙΙA-Incubated Mesenchymal Stem Cells Inhibit Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation of N9 Cells through TREM2 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Huang Nanqu , Huang Juan , Feng Fei , Ba Zhisheng , Li Yuanyuan , Luo Yong
Published: March 2022

Our previous study found that incubating mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) with tanshinone IIA (TIIA) before transplantation could significantly increase the inhibitory effect of MSC on neuroinflammation. Here, we investigated the possible mechanism of this effect. N9 cells and MSC were inoculated at a ratio of 1 : 1 into a Transwell coculture system. MSC were inoculated into the upper chamber, and N9 cells were inoculated into the lower chamber. In this experiment, N9 cells were treated with 1 μg/mL lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 24 hours to induce inflammation, MSC were treated with 10 μM TIIA for 48 hours to prepare TIIA-incubated MSC (TIIA-MSC), and TREM2 siRNA was used to silence the TREM2 gene in MSC. The changes in IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were evaluated by Western blotting. We found that LPS significantly increased the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. While both MSC and TIIA-MSC downregulated the levels of (

P
=
0.092

,

P
=
0.002

), IL-6 (

P
=
0.014

,

P
<
0.001

), and TNF-α (

P
=
0.044

,

P
=
0.003

), TIIA-MSC downregulated IL-6 more significantly (

P
=
0.026

). In addition, silencing TREM2 reduced the ability of TIIA-MSC to attenuate IL-6 (

P
=
0.005

) and TNF-α (

P
=
0.033

). These data suggest that the enhanced anti-inflammatory effect of TIIA-MSC on LPS-induced N9 cells may be mediated through the TREM2 signaling pathway.
Successful Treatment of Epstein-Barr Virus-Induced Necrotizing Retinitis with Intravitreous Ganciclovir, Foscarnet, and Methotrexate
Authors: Cho Junsang , Bhavsar Abdhish R. , Cho Daniel H. , Sattarova Victoria , Abel Anne S. , Zadroga Rebecca
Published: March 2022

This is a report of an immunocompromised 49-year-old renal transplant patient with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-induced necrotizing retinitis (NR). The patient with NR underwent diagnostic vitrectomy. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of the vitreous fluid was positive for EBV (25,000 IU/mL) and negative for all other organisms. The patient was treated with intravitreous ganciclovir and foscarnet. After only mild clinical improvement in retinitis and an increased quantitative EBV PCR (69,000 IU/mL), intravitreous methotrexate was added to the aforementioned intravitreous antiviral injections. After eight rounds of ganciclovir/foscarnet and three injections of methotrexate, the NR resolved, the quantitative EBV PCR decreased to 29 IU/mL, and the patient’s visual acuity improved. To our knowledge, this is only the second case report to demonstrate efficacy of intravitreous methotrexate in an immunocompromised patient with EBV-induced NR. Intravitreous methotrexate combined with ganciclovir and foscarnet may be an effective treatment strategy for patients with PCR-positive EBV-induced NR that does not respond to conventional antiviral therapy.
Genetically Confirmed Edwardsiella tarda Peritonitis was Associated with Improper Caregiver’s Hand Hygiene during Peritoneal Dialysis Bag Exchange
Authors: Chieochanthanakij Rutchanee , Manuprasert Wasin , Udomsantisuk Nibondh , Pearson Lachlan J. , Kanjanabuch Talerngsak
Published: March 2022

Edwardsiella tarda is a Gram-negative bacillus and is responsible for waterborne disease. This is the first case report of peritoneal dialysis (PD)-associated peritonitis caused by genetically confirmed E. tarda, which was transmitted from the caregiver’s hand during PD bag exchange. Aside from that, the caregiver was a fishmonger and a gastrointestinal carrier of the pathogen. Prior to the onset of peritonitis, the caregiver reported that she did not wash her hands every time when performing the PD bag exchange. Although extraintestinal edwardsiellosis usually poses a poor outcome, PD-associated peritonitis with this species is paradoxical if diagnosed early, and treatment is promptly provided, as presented here. This case emphasizes the importance of hand hygiene in preventing environment-bound infection in patients on PD and demonstrates the unusual route of infection, contamination during PD bag exchange.
Avoiding “False Positive” and “False Negative” Immunohistochemical Results in Breast Pathology
Authors: Li Zaibo , Dabbs David J.
Published: March 2022

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) plays an important role in the evaluation of breast pathology specimens to provide both diagnostic and prognostic/therapeutic information. Although most IHCs used in breast pathology can be easily interpreted, pitfalls do exist, especially in some uncommon scenarios. This review intends to focus on the challenging areas such as the interpretation of myoepithelial cell markers in differentiating benign proliferation and in situ carcinoma from invasive carcinoma, lobular cell markers in differentiating lobular from ductal carcinoma, cytokeratin and other markers in diagnosing metaplastic carcinoma, and breast tissue origin markers in diagnosing breast primary carcinoma. The challenges in interpreting prognostic and predictive markers will be also discussed.
A Therapeutic Extracorporeal Device for Specific Removal of Pathologic Asymmetric Dimethylarginine from the Blood
Authors: Lee Young , Steinbach Sarah M.L. , Basile David , Singh Jaipal
Published: March 2022

Introduction: Blood levels of uremic toxin, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), are strongly associated with mortality in sepsis, renal failure, and cardiovascular and renal disease patients. Methods: An extracorporeal approach to reduce pathological ADMA was developed. The dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) was immobilized on agarose beads to prepare a cartridge. The efficacy of cartridge for ADMA lowering in blood was investigated. Results: The DDAH beads and cartridge reduced ADMA from solution or plasma. The magnitude of ADMA removal was dependent on the quantity of DDAH linked to the beads and the flow rate. When tested in association with plasmapheresis, the DDAH-cartridge was highly effective in ADMA removal from the blood and improved the arginine/ADMA ratio in a pig model. Conclusion: A new, safe, and effective extracorporeal approach to lower ADMA was developed which may have application in improving outcomes in patients with vascular complications and risk of mortality associated with high ADMA.
Streptococcus pneumoniae Impairs Maturation of Human Dendritic Cells and Consequent Activation of CD4+ T Cells via Pneumolysin
Authors: Paulikat Antje D. , Tölken Lea A. , Jachmann Lana H. , Burchhardt Gerhard , Hammerschmidt Sven , Siemens Nikolai
Published: March 2022

Influenza A Virus (IAV), Staphylococcus aureus (staphylococci), and Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococci) are leading viral and bacterial causes of pneumonia. Dendritic cells (DCs) are present in the lower respiratory tract. They are characterized by low expression of co-stimulatory molecules, including CD80 and CD86 and high capacity of antigen uptake. Subsequently, DCs upregulate co-stimulatory signals and cytokine secretion to effectively induce T-cell priming. Here, we investigated these processes in response to bacterial and viral single as well as coinfections using human monocyte-derived (mo)DCs. Irrespective of single or coinfections, moDCs matured in response to IAV and/or staphylococcal infections, secreted a wide range of cytokines, and activated CD4+, CD8+ as well as double-negative T cells. In contrast, pneumococcal single and coinfections impaired moDC maturation, which was characterized by low expression of CD80 and CD86, downregulated expression of CD40, and a mild cytokine release resulting in abrogated CD4+ T-cell activation. These actions were attributed to the cholesterol-dependent cytotoxin pneumolysin (Ply). Infections with a ply-deficient mutant resulted in restored moDC maturation and exclusive CD4+ T-cell activation. These findings show that Ply has important immunomodulatory functions, supporting further investigations in specific modalities of Ply-DC interplay.
Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgical Submucosal Dissection: An Efficient Treatment Option for Giant Superficial Neoplastic Lesions of the Rectum
Authors: Kouladouros Konstantinos , Baral Jörg
Published: March 2022

Introduction: The resection of giant superficial neoplastic lesions of the rectum (>5 cm) is challenging even for experienced specialists. Endoscopic mucosal resection, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), and transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) have all been used for the treatment of such tumors. However, because of their individual disadvantages, the ideal technique for the treatment of these lesions has yet to be determined. Transanal endoscopic microsurgical submucosal dissection (TEM-ESD) is a recently developed hybrid technique that combines the advantages of conventional TEM and flexible ESD. The aim of our study was to assess the feasibility and outcomes of TEM-ESD for the resection of giant superficial rectal neoplasms. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed all cases of TEM-ESD performed in the Department of Surgery of the Municipal Hospital of Karlsruhe between 2010 and 2020 and isolated 43 patients with superficial rectal lesions >5 cm according to the postoperative histology report. The diagnostic, perioperative, histological, and follow-up data of the patients were analyzed in the form of a retrospective, observational cohort study. Results: We identified 43 cases matching our criteria, including 35 adenomas and 8 occult adenocarcinomas. The median size of the lesions was 75 mm and the median operating time was 81.5 min. En bloc resection was possible in all cases, and histologically complete en bloc resection was confirmed in 29 cases. Five patients presented with postoperative bleeding, 2 of which were treated conservatively, 2 were treated endoscopically, and 1 required revision surgery. The median follow-up period was 15 months. There was no recurrence among patients with adenomas, 1 recurrence of a low-risk carcinoma, and 1 recurrence after the resection of a high-risk carcinoma in a patient that refused further treatment. During the follow-up period, 3 patients developed a stenosis, which was treated endoscopically. Conclusions: TEM-ESD is a feasible and safe therapeutic option for the treatment of giant superficial rectal neoplasms.
Ungual Spitz Nevus: Description of Dermoscopic Data
Authors: Ruiz-Arriaga León Felipe , Ramírez-Hobak Lourdes , del Valle Diana Dinorah , Toussaint-Caire Sonia , De-Anda Juárez Mariana Catalina , Fonte-Ávalos Verónica , Vega-Memije María Elisa
Published: March 2022

Introduction: Spitz nevus is an uncommon, benign melanocytic proliferation that primarily appears on face, trunk or lower extremities of children. This lesion may share clinical and microscopical characteristics with melanoma, making it a diagnostic and management challenge. Case Report: A 13-year old male presented with an asymptomatic chronic dermatosis located on the third left-hand nail. Cutaneous examination revealed a homogeneous dark brown melanonychia which extended up to the cuticle. Upon dermoscopy, longitudinal bands measuring less than 3 mm wide of heterogeneous colors ranging from light to dark brown, and positive Hutchinson’s sign were observed. Discussion/Conclusion: We report the second case of a Spitz nevus ungually localized which strongly resembled an ungual melanoma with a positive Hutchinson’s sign upon dermoscopy. Describing the infrequent presentation and location of the Spitz nevus poses an opportunity to establish diagnostic and management criteria in the near future.
Ocular Symptoms and Rosacea: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Sinikumpu Suvi-Päivikki , Vähänikkilä Hannu , Jokelainen Jari , Tasanen Kaisa , Huilaja Laura
Published: March 2022

Background: The symptoms of ocular rosacea are often non-specific and there is no dependable diagnostic test for the disease, which may cause difficulties in diagnostics. The aim of this study was to examine the association between clinical findings of rosacea and self-reported ocular symptoms in a general population of middle-aged subjects. Methods: A clinical whole-body examination by a dermatologist was performed for 1,932 subjects belonging to the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 Study. The presence of ocular symptoms was self-reported. The difference between rosacea and ocular symptoms was tested. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify associations between rosacea and ocular symptoms. Results: The prevalence of rosacea was 15.1% (n = 292); in the subjects with rosacea, erythematoteleangiectatic rosacea was found in 83.2% (n = 242), papulopustular in 15.4% (n = 45), ocular in 0.03% (n = 1), and phymatic in 0.1% (n = 3). Ocular symptoms in rosacea subjects were common, with dryness (32.3%), tearing (29.4%), foreign-body sensation (21.8%), and photophobia (20.5%) being the most common ones. Foreign-body sensation was reported significantly more often in those with rosacea compared to those without (p < 0.04). In logistic regression analyses, after adjusting, the subjects with rosacea had a 1.5-fold increased risk for decreased visual acuity in the dark (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.01–2.14) compared to those without rosacea. Conclusion: Eye symptoms are common in subjects with rosacea. All patients with rosacea should be asked about ocular symptoms and both skin and eyelids should be examined even if the cutaneous findings are mild.
A Biomaterial Model to Assess the Effects of Age in Vascularization
Authors: Silberman Justin , Boehlein Jessica , Abbate Talia , Moore Erika
Published: March 2022

As humans age, there is an increased risk for developing age-associated diseases. Many of these diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, involve dysfunction in the vasculature. Cardiovascular disease stems from endothelial cell dysfunction and reduction in vascularization. Macrophages, prominent innate immune cells involved in orchestrating inflammation and wound healing, have a significant influence on vascularization. While much recent work has investigated the crosstalk between endothelial cells and macrophages, it is still not well defined. The interactions between the cell types are even less understood in specific disease states such as advanced age. Understanding how age influences macrophage/endothelial cell interaction is essential for understanding cardiovascular disease development in the elderly. In the polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based hydrogel system, we model the effects of age on vascularization by encapsulating endothelial cells, pericytes, and human donor macrophages. We created a biomaterial model system in which macrophages, either from young (<35 years old) or old (>65 years old) donors, interact with the modeled vasculature, termed microvessels. Confocal image analysis of vessel density, vessel length, and branch points were used to quantify microvessel growth depending on the age of the macrophage donor. Alongside this, soluble factor secretion and gene expression were evaluated using ELISA and NanoString to showcase biological mechanisms based on the age of each donor. Endothelial cells cultured with macrophages from old donors have reduced microvessel density. There also is reduced soluble factor secretion by the macrophages from old donors, which likely influenced microvessel growth. Altogether, we establish our PEG-based hydrogel vascular model as a system to evaluate patient-specific cell function as well as proposed mechanisms for how age influences microvessels.
Quercetin Inhibits Glioblastoma Growth and Prolongs Survival Rate through Inhibiting Glycolytic Metabolism
Authors: Wang Leilei , Ji Suzhen , Liu Zhifeng , Zhao Jinglin
Published: March 2022

Introduction: Quercetin has been reported to have antitumor activity of a wide range of cancers, including breast, lung, colon, prostate. Here, we investigated the protective role of quercetin in glioblastoma (GBM), which causes a higher risk of morbidity and mortality, and explored the antitumor effects of quercetin on GBM using the U87MG and T98G cells and GBM mouse models. Methods: Cell viability and colony formation assays were performed by CCK-8 and clone-formation assays. GBM xenograft mouse model was established to evaluate the tumor burden of mice treated with or without quercetin. To investigate spontaneous locomotor activity and survival rate of mice, orthotopic transplantation was performed through brain stereotaxic injection of U87 cells. Seahorse and Western blot were performed to examine the alteration of glycolytic metabolism GBM. Results: We found that quercetin administration inhibited GBM cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis in vitro. Quercetin suppressed GBM growth, restored spontaneous locomotor activity, and improved survival rate without toxicity to peripheral organs in vivo. Moreover, quercetin inhibited glycolytic metabolism in tumor tissue. Discussion/Conclusion: Mechanistically, quercetin inhibited proliferation and angiogenesis, promoted cancer cell apoptosis, and finally improved locomotor activity and survival by inhibiting the glycolytic metabolism in GBM tissues, suggesting that quercetin is a potential drug for the treatment of GBM.
Validating an Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy Diagnosis Using Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance: The Dilated Cardiomyopathy Precision Medicine Study
Authors: Haas Garrie J. , Zareba Karolina M. , Ni Hanyu , Bello-Pardo Erika , Huggins Gordon S. , Hershberger Ray E. , Hershberger Ray E. , Kinnamon Daniel D. , Jordan Elizabeth , Haas Garrie J. , Huggins Gordon S. , Fishbein Daniel P. , Gottlieb Stephen S. , Wheeler Matthew T. , Hofmeyer Mark , Tang W.H. Wilson , Owens Anjali T. , Moore Charles K. , Jimenez Javier , Trachtenberg Barry H. , Sweitzer Nancy K. , Shah Palak , Lowes Brian D. , Stoller Douglas , Smart Frank , Morris Alanna A. , Wilcox Jane E. , Katz Stuart , Pan Stephen , Ewald Gregory A. , Aaronson Keith D. , Wang Jessica J. , Pamboukian Salpy , Judge Daniel P. , Kransdorf Evan P. , Garg Sonia , Desvigne-Nickens Patrice , Troendle James , Fu Yi-Ping , Hindorff Lucia
Published: March 2022

Background:

Coronary angiography to identify coronary artery disease has been foundational to distinguish the cause of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), including the assignment of idiopathic or ischemic cardiomyopathy. Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) with cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) has emerged as an approach to identify myocardial scar and identify etiology.

Methods:

The DCM Precision Medicine Study included patients with left ventricular dilation and dysfunction attributed to idiopathic DCM, after expert clinical review excluded ischemic or other cardiomyopathies. Ischemic cardiomyopathy was defined as coronary artery disease with >50% narrowing at angiography of ≥1 epicardial coronary artery. CMR was not required for study inclusion, but in a post hoc analysis of available CMR reports, patterns of LGE were classified as (1) no LGE, (2) ischemic-pattern LGE: subendocardial/transmural, (3) nonischemic LGE: midmyocardial/epicardial.

Results:

Of 1204 idiopathic DCM patients evaluated, 396 (32.9%) had a prior CMR study; of these, 327 (82.6% of 396) had LGE imaging (mean age 46 years; 53.2% male; 55.4% White); 178 of the 327 (54.4%) exhibited LGE, and 156 of the 178 had LGE consistent with idiopathic DCM. The remaining 22 had transmural or subendocardial LGE. Of these 22, coronary angiography was normal (13), showed luminal irregularities (3), a distant thrombus (1), coronary artery disease with <50% coronary artery narrowing (1), or was not available (4).

Conclusions:

Of 327 probands enrolled in the DCM Precision Medicine Study cohort who had LGE-CMR data available, an ischemic-pattern of LGE was identified in 22 (6.7%), all of whom had idiopathic DCM as adjudicated by expert clinical review.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT03037632.
AIM‐AF: A Physician Survey in the United States and Europe
Authors: Camm A. John , Blomström‐Lundqvist Carina , Boriani Giuseppe , Goette Andreas , Kowey Peter R. , Merino Jose L. , Piccini Jonathan P. , Saksena Sanjeev , Reiffel James A.
Published: March 2022

Background

Guideline recommendations are the accepted reference for selection of therapies for rhythm control of atrial fibrillation (AF). This study was designed to understand physicians’ treatment practices and adherence to guidelines.

Methods and Results

The AIM‐AF (Antiarrhythmic Medication for Atrial Fibrillation) study was an online survey of clinical cardiologists and electrophysiologists that was conducted in the United States and Europe (N=629). Respondents actively treated ≥30 patients with AF who received drug therapy, and had received or were referred for ablation every 3 months. The survey comprised 96 questions on physician demographics, AF types, and treatment practices. Overall, 54% of respondents considered guidelines to be the most important nonpatient factor influencing treatment choice. Across most queried comorbidities, amiodarone was selected by 60% to 80% of respondents. Other nonadherent usage included sotalol by 21% in patients with renal impairment; dofetilide initiation (16%, United States only) outside of hospital; class Ic agents by 6% in coronary artery disease; and dronedarone by 8% in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Additionally, rhythm control strategies were frequently chosen in asymptomatic AF (antiarrhythmic drugs [AADs], 35%; ablation, 8%) and subclinical AF (AADs, 38%; ablation, 13%). Despite guideline algorithms emphasizing safety first, efficacy (48%) was selected as the most important consideration for AAD choice, followed by safety (34%).

Conclusions

Despite surveyed clinicians recognizing the importance of guidelines, nonadherence was frequently observed. While deviation may be reasonable in selected patients, in general, nonadherence has the potential to compromise patient safety. These findings highlight an underappreciation of the safe use of AADs, emphasizing the need for interventions to support optimal AAD selection.
Effect of Time to Treatment With Antiarrhythmic Drugs on Return of Spontaneous Circulation in Shock‐Refractory Out‐of‐Hospital Cardiac Arrest
Authors: Rahimi Mahbod , Dorian Paul , Cheskes Sheldon , Lebovic Gerald , Lin Steve
Published: March 2022

Background

The effects of amiodarone and lidocaine on the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in relation to time to treatment in patients with out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest is not known. We conducted a post hoc analysis of the ROC ALPS (Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium Amiodarone, Lidocaine, Placebo) randomized controlled trial examining the association of time to treatment (drug or placebo) with ROSC at hospital arrival.

Methods and Results

In the trial, adults with nontraumatic out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest with initial refractory ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia after at least 1 defibrillation were randomly assigned to receive amiodarone, lidocaine, or placebo. We used logistic regression to examine the association of time to treatment (911 call to study drug administration) with ROSC. An interaction term between treatment and time to treatment was included to determine the potential effect of time on treatment effects. Overall, 1112 (36.7%) patients had ROSC at hospital arrival (350 in the amiodarone arm, 396 in the lidocaine arm, and 366 in the placebo arm). The proportion of patients who had ROSC decreased as time to drug administration increased, in patients treated with amiodarone (odds ratio, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.90–0.94 per minute increase), lidocaine (odds ratio, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.93–0.96), and placebo (odds ratio, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.93–0.96). With shorter times to drug administration, the proportion with ROSC was higher in amiodarone versus placebo recipients.

Conclusions

The probability of ROSC decreased as time to drug administration increased. The effect of amiodarone but not lidocaine to restore ROSC declined with longer times to drug administration, potentially attributable to its adverse hemodynamic effects.
Vascular Response to Spreading Depolarization Predicts Stroke Outcome
Authors: Binder Nadine Felizitas , Glück Chaim , Middleham William , Alasoadura Michael , Pranculeviciute Nikolete , Wyss Matthias Tasso , Chuquet Julien , Weber Bruno , Wegener Susanne , El Amki Mohamad
Published: March 2022

Background:

Cortical spreading depolarization (CSD) is a massive neuro-glial depolarization wave, which propagates across the cerebral cortex. In stroke, CSD is a necessary and ubiquitous mechanism for the development of neuronal lesions that initiates in the ischemic core and propagates through the penumbra extending the tissue injury. Although CSD propagation induces dramatic changes in cerebral blood flow, the vascular responses in different ischemic regions and their consequences on reperfusion and recovery remain to be defined.

Methods:

Ischemia was performed using the thrombin model of stroke and reperfusion was induced by r-tPA (recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator) administration in mice. We used in vivo electrophysiology and laser speckle contrast imaging simultaneously to assess both electrophysiological and hemodynamic characteristics of CSD after ischemia onset. Neurological deficits were assessed on day 1, 3, and 7. Furthermore, infarct sizes were quantified using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride on day 7.

Results:

After ischemia, CSDs were evidenced by the characteristic propagating DC shift extending far beyond the ischemic area. On the vascular level, we observed 2 types of responses: some mice showed spreading hyperemia confined to the penumbra area (penumbral spreading hyperemia) while other showed spreading hyperemia propagating in the full hemisphere (full hemisphere spreading hyperemia). Penumbral spreading hyperemia was associated with severe stroke-induced damage, while full hemisphere spreading hyperemia indicated beneficial infarct outcome and potential viability of the infarct core. In all animals, thrombolysis with r-tPA modified the shape of the vascular response to CSD and reduced lesion volume.

Conclusions:

Our results show that different types of spreading hyperemia occur spontaneously after the onset of ischemia. Depending on their shape and distribution, they predict severity of injury and outcome. Furthermore, our data show that modulating the hemodynamic response to CSD may be a promising therapeutic strategy to attenuate stroke outcome.
The Meaning of Psalm 73:24b: Revisiting an Old Crux from the Perspective of Verbal Valency
Authors: Smith Stephen
Published: March 2022

Due to its apparently ambiguous semantics and syntax, Ps 73:24b remains an unresolved crux in Psalms studies. This article brings valency theory to bear upon this cryptic clause. Attention to the valency patterns occurring with the clause’s verb (לקח) presents a contextually compelling solution to its grammatical and semantic difficulties, suggesting that the language of Ps 73:24b may not be ambiguous after all.
Justice, Righteousness, and the Davidic Dispute in Jeremiah and Ezekiel
Authors: Liebermann Rosanne
Published: March 2022

The books of Jeremiah and Ezekiel both use the phrase עשׂה מִשְׁפָט וּצְדָקָה (“doing justice and righteousness”) to discuss the responsibilities of the Davidic king and the future of Judah in light of the disruptive events of the early sixth century BCE. The tradition of linking the terms מִשְׁפָט and צְדָקָה with kingship is widespread in the Hebrew Bible and has strong ancient Near Eastern parallels. Yet the books of Jeremiah and Ezekiel employ the two words as part of an idiomatic phrase, reflecting their divergent interpretations of the role and identity of the future Davidic king and, relatedly, what עשׂה מִשְׁפָט וּצְדָקָה entails. While the two books’ disagreements can be explained to some extent by their different settings (Judah and Egypt versus Babylonia), their distinct preferences for one Davidic line over another are suggestive of opposing political allegiances that may have contributed to neither book acknowledging the other’s existence.
Objects of Catholic Conversion in Colonial Buganda: A Study of the Miraculous Medal
Authors: Bennett Alison
Published: March 2022

Adorned with an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary and other Christian emblems and text, the miraculous medal has been an important object of Catholic intercessory prayer since the mid-nineteenth century. The religious and social history of the medal in Europe is relatively well known. However, few scholars have connected the medal’s emergence with the spread of the European mission in the wake of nineteenth-century colonial expansion. This article uses the medal to shed new light on the material, corporeal, and gendered aspects of the Catholic Christianization of present-day Buganda, where it fulfilled a variety of functions for missionaries and Baganda alike. For missionaries it served as a key item for proselytizing and propaganda. For some Baganda, meanwhile, it played pivotal roles in a newly emerging form of local religious identity politics. Object analysis of an extant version from Buganda also reveals the medal’s material diversity and offers important insight into local agency in the reception and reshaping of Catholic objects. Thus when viewed in non-European contexts, miraculous medals were far more dynamic and multifaceted than has previously been understood.
Healing Borders and the Mapping of Referral Systems
Authors: Michael Matthew
Published: March 2022

The outbreak of COVID 19 and other global pandemics readily shows the importance of ethno-cultural channels of communication. However, modern discourses on medical referrals have narrowly focused their attention on the diverse challenges of referral services in biomedical establishments, but have generally ignored the cultural mechanics and religious dynamism in the contemporary operations of ethno-medical referrals in sub-Saharan Africa. Departing from these studies, the present paper underscores the active networks of referrals in African healing shrines that appropriate the diverse resources and expertise of different healing spaces in their treatments of sick clients. Using an ethnographical approach, the paper investigates the mechanics of ethno-medical referrals from the perspectives of more than 250 sick clients in African healing shrines, over 50 practitioners in ethno-medical shrines, several doctors and nurses, and church workers/Christian healers in Nigeria and Ghana respectively. The findings of this research suggest that there are lively networks of referrals between African healing shrines, hospitals, and Christian healing/prayerhouses, which dramatically turned these diverse healing spaces into an animated transborder space of creative negotiation.
Factors Influencing Eritreans Joining the Pentecostal Faith Movement
Authors: Teklemariam Amanuel Abraha
Published: March 2022

Pentecostalism, a relatively new faith movement that emphasizes Christian religious movement, including speaking in tongues, baptism in the Holy Spirit, and exercising all spiritual gifts (Allison 2021), is subject to various persecutions in the independent state of Eritrea, located in the Horn of Africa. Despite the unfriendly environment Pentecostalism encounters, it is beginning to attract many followers. This qualitative research study investigates factors influencing Eritrean Pentecostals abandoning their parental religions in favor of Pentecostalism.

This study employed a grounded theory design. Data were collected using in-depth interviews with eight study participants. The study examines the genesis of Pentecostalism in Eritrea and reactions from authority figures (parents, government, and church clergy) in response to those who joined the Pentecostal faith movement. The study reveals six themes that show the reasons for joining the Pentecostalism faith movement. The researcher derived four primary conclusions from the study, leading to recommendations for a deeper understanding of an individual’s faith and allowed youth to actively participate in their preferred religious denomination. Finally, other research areas for further studies are provided.
Attitude and Perception of Ghanaians toward the Church
Authors: Bawa Joseph , Ayim Anthony , Bastimi Bossman
Published: March 2022

Although a secular state by legislation, Ghana is highly considered a religious one with a significant number of the population being Christians. Using Christians in some selected municipalities in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana, this study examines the opinions of believers toward Ghanaian churches. Through a quantitative method, the study revealed that prayer service is the least important practice of the church liked by Christians. In addition, majority of Christians disliked their churches because of unfaithful pastors, long sermons and late closure of church services. Again, the study revealed that churches concentrate on the message of personal prosperity more than repentance toward salvation. They have an overly monetized and materialistic leaning in their sermons. The study recommends the need for churches in Ghana to leverage on the importance of research on regular basis to ascertain the opinions of the members to give churches the right direction to develop.
The Protevangelium of James
Authors: Johnson Samuel B.
Published: March 2022

In view of persistently unresolved questions over whether the assorted segments of the Protevangelium of James can be read as a unified narrative, this study proposes a new account of the work’s complete thematic unity. Taking the Nativity as the Protevangelium’s overarching concern, I suggest that its narrative arises principally from the dramatic relationship between purity and divine indwelling characteristic of the Tabernacle narrative (Ex 25–40, Lev 1–16). As the Protevangelium begins to reach its final form during the second century CE, it becomes ordered around narrating the Christ Child as the locus of divine indwelling, a view which binds together the otherwise discordant opening chapters on Mary’s upbringing and closing chapters on Zechariah’s martyrdom. The Protevangelium invites its readers to consider how the God of Israel could indwell human conception and birth, while neither abolishing the Priestly law nor permitting his unapproachable Presence to suffer diminishment.
The Formation and Instability of Coalition Governments in Kenya
Authors: Etyang Oita
Published: March 2022

Coalition governments have become a common feature of liberal democracies world over. Although relatively new in the African context, it is apparent that they are becoming a common feature in Africa’s political systems. In Kenya, the first coalition government emerged after 2002 when the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) trounced the Kenya African National Union (KANU) in the 2002 general elections. Since then, two other coalition governments have been formed. This paper interrogates the rationale for the formation of the three coalition governments. It is clear from the paper that coalition governments have not been driven by ideological considerations but office seeking reasons. Further, lack of ideological consideration coupled with weak coalition management structures have largely contributed to intermittent wrangles and instability in the coalition governments. The paper draws upon secondary and primary data sources. Primary data was collected through key informant interviews with targeted respondents who were considered knowledgeable in the subject area.
A Clockwork Orange
Authors: Baldassarri Fabrizio
Published: March 2022

In the early modern time citrus fruits unpredictably drew enormous attention, not only in mythology or artistic knowledge, but also in natural philosophy and medicine. Embedded within two lesser-known texts belonging to the sciences, in this article I analyse diverse sources to appraise the richness and plurality of approaches to citrus fruits that pool different ways of constructing a complex knowledge of plants. First, I explore the classificatory attempts of Renaissance botanists. Second, I discuss the experimental investigation in the enchantment for monstrosities and teratologies in Della Porta’s natural magic and Aldrovandi’s naturalism. Then, I present the more structured obsession displayed by Giovanni Battista Ferrari. Finally, I investigate the natural philosophical systematization of citrus in Gassendi’s corpuscularianism and Descartes’ mechanics. In outlining a combination of frameworks, the study of citrus fruits surfaces as a suitable case study to assess the complex knowledge of plants in early modern Europe.
The Jewish Messenger in America’s Chinese Exclusion Debates, 1869–1902
Authors: Zhang Tao
Published: March 2022

In the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, both the Jews and the Chinese faced virulent racist prejudices in the United States. To prove their Americanness and win recognition, many Jews chose to side with mainstream Americans and support Chinese exclusion. But The Jewish Messenger, a New York-based Jewish newspaper, trod a different path. It confronted Chinese exclusion head-on, portraying it as a menace to American honor. In its view, support for the Chinese would equal defending the country that both Jewish and non-Jewish exclusionists claimed was under fatal threat from Chinese immigrants. In this way, the periodical illuminated a path that Jews could walk to prove their Americanness without sacrificing their sense of righteousness.
Climate, Illumination, and the Style of Western and Eastern Paintings
Authors: Motoyoshi Isamu
Published: March 2022

Classical painting styles are remarkably different between Europe and East Asia. Classic, post-Renaissance European paintings are approaching photorealism with its rich expressions of shading and highlights whereas paintings from northeast Asia consist of motifs drawn in faint shades and dark contours. Given recent findings that artwork follows the statistical regularities of natural scenes, it is sensible to hypothesize that western and eastern painting styles reflect the visual environment of the respective province. Here, we propose that the different climates of Europe and Asia produced different natural light environments that changed the visual appearance of objects, which in turn influenced painting style. Analysis of meteorological data and optical simulations show that directional lightfields in Mediterranean climates produce object images with variegated shading and sharp highlights. Cloudy and diffused monsoon-like lightfields, in comparison, produce line-shaped shading only around the deepest concavities and remove highlights as well as cast shadows. Image statistics analysis suggests that western and eastern painting styles mimic such differences in visual appearance. The style of classical artworks that have been appreciated in a particular cultural realm could partially mirror the implicit structure of images as constrained by the natural light environment of the corresponding habitat.
The Ice Particle and Aggregate Simulator (IPAS). Part III: Verification and Analysis of Ice–Aggregate and Aggregate–Aggregate Collection for Microphysical Parameterization
Authors: Przybylo Vanessa M. , Sulia Kara J. , Lebo Zachary J. , Schmitt Carl G.
Published: March 2022

The Ice Particle and Aggregate Simulator (IPAS) is used to theoretically represent the aggregation process of ice crystals. Aggregates have a variety of formations based on initial ice particle size, shape, and falling orientation, all of which influence water phase partitioning. Aggregate dimensional properties and density changes are calculated for monomer–monomer (MON–MON), monomer–aggregate (MON–AGG), and aggregate–aggregate (AGG–AGG) collection to be used by ice-microphysical models for improvement in aggregation parameterizations. Aggregates are chosen from a database of 9 744 000 preformed combinations to be further collected (see Part II). AGG–AGG collection results in more extreme and a smaller range of aggregate aspect ratios than MON–AGG collection. A majority of aggregates are closer to prolate than oblate spheroids, regardless of collection type, except for quasi-horizontally oriented particles that have extreme aspect ratios to begin with. MON–AGG collection frequently results in an increase in density upon collection, whereas MON–MON and AGG–AGG collection almost always result in particle density decreases, with extreme reductions near 99% for MON–MON collection. MON–MON collection results in the greatest decreases in density but then quickly becomes unaffected by the addition of more monomers due to inherent size differences between monomers and aggregates. Finally, a holistic analysis to in situ observations of cloud particle images is presented. IPAS 2D aspect ratios surround a median value of 0.6 and closely follow that of previous studies while varying by no more than ≈12% on average from observed aggregates.
Gulf Stream Position, Width, and Orientation Estimated from HF Radar Radial Velocity Maps off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
Authors: Muglia Mike , Seim Harvey , Taylor Patterson
Published: March 2022

A method to extract characteristics of the Gulf Stream (GS) surface flow field using high-frequency radar (HFR)–derived currents is described. Radial velocity measurements, from radar installations near Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, serve as input, chosen because of the greater spatial and temporal coverage provided compared to total velocity fields. The landward GS edge, jet axis, orientation, and cyclonic shear zone (CSZ) width are identified along bearings within the radar footprint. The method is applied to observations from two radar installations from November 2014 and provides GS estimates with daily temporal resolution. Results along eight bearings provide a consistent representation of GS variability dominated by the passage of meanders. Average distance to the GS edge along bearings varies from 50 to 100 km; distance estimate quality degrades with range from the radars. Monthly mean GS jet axis locations from satellite sea surface height (SSH) and the algorithm are consistent. Cross correlations between estimates of GS characteristics in the same region vary from 0.37 to 0.73 for the GS edge. Estimates of radar distance to the GS edge are negatively correlated with current velocity measurements nearest the surface from a moored 150-kHz acoustic Doppler current profiler and vary between −0.58 and −0.71. GS CSZ width metrics range from mean values of 29–31 km. Daily GS orientation estimates are affected by the crossing angle of the radial bearing relative to the GS. Lags from the cross correlations of monthly mean properties suggest meander propagation speed estimates increase from 43.2 km day−1 south of the cape, to 136.8 km day−1 just east of it.