bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Longing as learning, learning as longing: Insights and improvisations in a year of disrupted studies
Authors: Kociatkiewicz Jerzy , Kostera Monika
Published: July 2022

Whether a harbinger of a new era or an anomaly, the year 2020 confronted students and teachers alike with the necessity of reassessing and reformulating teaching and learning possibilities and practicalities. In this very subjective text, we examine some of our own experiences of higher education under lockdown and physical distancing conditions. In an apparent paradox, the changed conditions simultaneously added more stress and uncertainty to the students’ learning process while also providing the learners with more confidence to question the established norms. Against the background of ongoing systemic collapse, we explore our own and our students’ stories and poems chronicling learning in a time of crisis and constraint. Drawing on critiques of modern consumer capitalism underpinning management education, we use the experience of a ruptured semester to propose a reinterpretation of management learning as rooted in the paradoxes of desire and longing: for success, career, but also for enlightenment, revelation, social change and togetherness. We ask the reader to embrace the poetic and libidinal aspects of desire and longing as central to the transformative potential of the learning encounter and propose to reconstitute the basis for education as rooted in desire and longing: for contact, for learning, for revelation.
Mechanisms of central brain atrophy in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Klistorner Samuel , Barnett Michael H , Klistorner Alexander
Published: July 2022

Background:

Change in ventricular volume has been suggested as surrogate measure of central brain atrophy (CBA) applicable to the everyday management of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.

Objectives:

We investigated the contribution of inflammatory activity (including the severity of lesional tissue damage) to CBA.

Methods:

Fifty patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) were enrolled. Lesional activity during 4 years of follow-up was analysed using custom-build software, which segmented expanding part of the chronic lesions, new confluent lesions and new free-standing lesions. The degree of lesional tissue damage was assessed by change in mean diffusivity (MD). Volumetric change of lateral ventricles was used to measure CBA.

Results:

During follow-up, ventricles expanded on average by 12.6% ± 13.7% (mean ±  SD). There was a significant increase of total lesion volume, 69.3% of which was due to expansion of chronic lesions. Correlation between volume of combined lesional activity and CBA ( r2 = 0.67) increased when lesion volume was adjusted by the degree of tissue damage severity ( r2 = 0.81). Regression analysis explained 90% of CBA variability, revealing that chronic lesion expansion was by far the largest contributor to ventricular enlargement.

Discussion:

CBA is almost entirely explained by the combination of the volume and severity of lesional activity. The expansion of chronic lesions plays a central role in this process.
Unfinished Lives and Multiple Deaths: Bodies, Buddhists and Organ Donation
Authors: Zivkovic Tanya Maria
Published: July 2022

This article examines an Australian campaign to increase organ and tissue donation for transplantation. It analyses the use of the gift rhetoric to promote community awareness and resources, target migrant groups, and recruit cultural and religious leaders to endorse organ and tissue donation as an altruistic act. In unpacking this ‘gift of life’ approach to organ donation, it explores the convergence of medical and religious bodies and pushes beyond uniform determinations of death to reveal how multiple deaths transpire in organ donation. Drawing on recent advances in the anthropology of becoming as a critical lens to examine death and organ donation, it examines how the ‘unfinishedness’ of donor bodies produces new possibilities for understanding donation. This article thus attends to the situated, layered and contradictory sensibilities that open up multiple and malleable understandings of the donation of body parts.
Rethinking marginalization and heritage language vitality in multilingual families
Authors: Ding Seong Lin
Published: July 2022

Aims and objectives:

In the context of the complicated minority–majority language reality in Malaysia, this study seeks to address the issue of heritage language (HL) vitality among multilingual Hakka families in East Malaysia. It draws attention to powerful/dominant language(s) and to the idea that marginalization could be an important factor in language vitality.

Design/methodology:

The study was conducted through semistructured interviews with 52 Hakka families from 2 selected Hakka communities (Bau and Menggatal) in East Malaysia.

Data and analysis:

This study adopted the family language policy (FLP) approach and the frame analysis perspectives. Based on the data collected through interviews, three frames were developed, that is, the frames of choice/choiceless, security/insecurity, and power/powerless.

Findings/conclusion:

Families may not always have a ‘genuine choice’ or agency without ‘impositions’ in deciding the family language(s) and the language(s) that they wish to preserve and transmit due to their socioeconomic ‘needs’. Choiceless-, insecurity-, and powerlessness-focused frames reveal the deeper struggles and challenges that surface in the Hakkas’ attempts to comply with and negotiate in relation to dominant discourses in a wider multilingual context that, paradoxically, does not truly embrace small languages and multilingualism.

Originality:

By drawing attention to a very different perspective, that is, the role of marginalization in HL vitality, this study shows how and why the marginalization of HL matters in influencing FLPs and the maintenance or shift of HLs.

Significance/implications:

The theoretical development of language vitality or shift is worth reconsidering given that existing theories or models may not be well suited to lesser-known cultures and small languages. This study thus enriches the compatibility of existing theories with less-studied communities.
Covid-19 Policy Convergence in Response to Knightian Uncertainty
Authors: Sayers Anthony M. , Scholtz Christa , Armstrong Dave , Kam Christopher , Alcantara Christopher
Published: July 2022

Domestic policy responses to COVID-19 were remarkably consistent during the early days of the pandemic. What explains this policy convergence? Our formal model suggests that the novel character of COVID-19 produced a period of maximum policy uncertainty, incentivizing political actors to converge on a common set of policies to minimize their exposure to electoral punishment. This convergence is likely to break down as policy feedback produces opinion divergence among experts and the public and as politicians recalculate the costs and benefits of various policy responses and under some conditions facing incentives to adopt extreme policies.
Microstructure and Macrostructure Measures of Written Narrative, Expository, and Persuasive Language Samples
Authors: Karasinski Courtney M.
Published: July 2022

This investigation identified dimensions of narrative, persuasive, and expository writing in Grades 1 to 12 and assessed the contribution of speech-language pathologists’ (SLPs) indices to scores on teachers’ 6 traits rubric. Findings could facilitate development of effective intervention programs for writing. A corpus of narrative, expository, and persuasive writing samples ( N = 418) was analyzed for microstructure and macrostructure. Each genre revealed five dimensions. Writing quality included the 6 traits. Accuracy contained errors of spelling, capitalization, and punctuation. Complexity encompassed mean length of T-unit and clausal density. Productivity included total number of words and number of different words for all genres, plus macrostructure for persuasion. Genre included macrostructure measures for narration and exposition and use of compromises for persuasion. Productivity scores predicted 6 traits for narration and persuasion, highlighting the important contribution of vocabulary to writing. Accuracy predicted 6 traits only for narration. Indices of genre-specific macrostructure predicted 6 traits total for all three genres.
YAP signaling is involved in WDR1-regulated proliferation and migration of non-small-cell lung cancer cells
Authors: An Ran , Wang Junyan , Chen Xuan , Xu Ruifeng , Hu Jisheng , Liu Zhongying , Wei Chanjuan , Zhang Chenxi , Yuan Baiyin
Published: July 2022

As a major co-factor of F-actin depolymerization, WD-repeat domain 1 (WDR1) affects the cellular microenvironment by cytoskeleton remodeling, thereby influencing cell molecular behavior. Our previous study showed that WDR1 activates YAP (Yes-associated protein) signaling in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, but the mechanism remains unclear. We discovered that knockdown WDR1 in NSCLC cells decreased the expression of YAP and the nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio. Disruption of cortical stress by drugs significantly inhibited YAP nuclear trafficking and enhanced YAP phosphorylation. In WDR1-knockdown NSCLC cells, inhibition of Hippo pathway reduced the nuclear exclusion of YAP and phosphorylated YAP. Our data suggest that WDR1-mediated cortical stress might be involved in regulating YAP signaling, thereby affecting the proliferation and migration of NSCLC cells.
Could We Generalize Surgical Candidacy Beyond Focal Epilepsy With Neurostimulation?
Authors: Englot Dario J.
Published: July 2022

[Box: see text]
Correlation of Ionized Magnesium with the Parameters of Oxidative Stress as Potential Biomarkers in Patients with Anxiety and Depression: A Pilot Study
Authors: Opanković Ana , Milovanović Srđan , Radosavljević Branimir , Čavić Milena , Besu Žižak Irina , Bukumirić Zoran , Latas Milan , Medić Branislava , Vučković Sonja , Srebro Dragana , Savić Vujović Katarina
Published: July 2022

Background

Magnesium (Mg) is the second most abundant intracellular cation. Ionized Mg is the only active form of Mg. The concentration of ionized Mg could be a potentially novel biomarker for anxiety and depression.

Aim

The aim of this study was to assess the serum concentration of ionized Mg and its correlation with biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation in patients with anxiety and depression.

Methods

In this study included 93 respondents were divided into 3 groups: C (control group—18 respondents); A (patients with anxiety disorder, dissociative/conversion disorders and somatoform disorders—36 patients); D (patients with depression—39 patients). Clinical diagnosis was based on ICD-10 criteria. Blood samples were used for standard laboratory analysis, ionized Mg analysis, oxidative stress, and inflammatory parameters.

Results

Statistical significance was recorded between healthy volunteers and patients (anxiety/depression) in ionized Mg values. In anxious patients, malondialdehyde (MDA) had a positive correlation between the parameters of oxidative stress with ionized Mg. In depressive patients, MDA had a positive correlation, and glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1) a negative correlation with the concentration of ionized Mg.

Conclusion

Ionized Mg and its correlation with parameters of oxidative stress could be potential biomarkers in anxious and depressive patients.
Research on trajectory planning of sub-assembly and unit-assembly robot in shipbuilding industry
Authors: Xu Yicun , Ji Yujie , Yang Jiong , Cheng Lei , Wang Haonan , Sun Hongwei , Liu Chao , Zhang Benshun
Published: July 2022

In shipbuilding, welds in sub-assemblies and unit-assemblies are long and various type. The robot arm needs the gantry movement to cooperate with the welding operation. However, there are joint redundancy and double-arm coordination problems, which cause difficulties in the welding trajectory planning. This paper proposes a strategy of decoupling the dual-arm system into a single-arm system for separate planning and prioritizing joint motion, and conducts welding trajectory planning research based on Matlab’s Simscape Multibody. Firstly, the 3D model of the welding workstation is established, its structure, the operation mode of the joint link and the degree of freedom are analyzed. The 17-DOF welding workstation is decoupled into a single-arm 9-DOF system, a kinematic model is established, kinematic analysis is carried out. The Matlab robot toolbox is used for simulation verification. Then the discretization of weld types and poses in sub-assemblies and unit-assemblies workpieces is analyzed. Finally, the welding workstation and workpiece model are imported into Simscape Multibody of Matlab to simulate the trajectory planning of different types of welds. The simulation results prove the effectiveness of the strategy and have certain reference significance for on-site welding in shipbuilding.
Do serve distance and net height modify serve biomechanics in young tennis players?
Authors: Fadier Maxime , Touzard Pierre , Lecomte Chloé , Bideau Benoit , Cantin Nicolas , Martin Caroline
Published: July 2022

The aim of this study was to determine whether decreasing serving distance and net height would immediately influence serve biomechanics and performance in young intermediate tennis players. Ten young tennis players (9 to 12 years) performed maximal effort flat serves from three court conditions (“red”, “orange” and “green”: serving distance at 6.40, 9.00 and 11.89 m from the net and net height at 0.80 m, 0.80 m and 0.91m, respectively). A radar measured ball speed while serve kinetics and kinematics were calculated with a 20-camera optical motion capture system. Repeated measures ANOVAs were used to analyze the effect of the three conditions on ball speed, serve kinematics and kinetics. No significant differences in shoulder and elbow kinetics were observed between the three conditions. Ball speed, maximal flexion angle of the back knee and maximal angular velocities of back knee extension and trunk flexion significantly improved when players served from the red conditions in comparison with green ones. This study shows that reducing serve distance and net height may be an effective coaching strategy to immediately increase ball speed, leg drive and trunk flexion in young tennis players.
Comparison between high-flow nasal cannula and noninvasive ventilation in COVID-19 patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Peng Yun , Dai Bing , Zhao Hong-wen , Wang Wei , Kang Jian , Hou Hai-jia , Tan Wei
Published: July 2022

Background:

High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) and noninvasive ventilation (NIV) are important treatment approaches for acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF) in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. However, the differential impact of HFNC versus NIV on clinical outcomes of COVID-19 is uncertain.

Objectives:

We assessed the effects of HFNC versus NIV (interface or mode) on clinical outcomes of COVID-19.

Methods:

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, MedRxiv, and BioRxiv for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies (with a control group) of HFNC and NIV in patients with COVID-19-related AHRF published in English before February 2022. The primary outcome of interest was the mortality rate, and the secondary outcomes were intubation rate, PaO2/FiO2, intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS), hospital LOS, and days free from invasive mechanical ventilation [ventilator-free day (VFD)].

Results:

In all, 23 studies fulfilled the selection criteria, and 5354 patients were included. The mortality rate was higher in the NIV group than the HFNC group [odds ratio (OR) = 0.66, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.51–0.84, p = 0.0008, I2 = 60%]; however, in this subgroup, no significant difference in mortality was observed in the NIV-helmet group (OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 0.63–2.32, p = 0.57, I2 = 0%) or NIV-continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) group (OR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.51–1.17, p = 0.23, I2 = 65%) relative to the HFNC group. There were no differences in intubation rate, PaO2/FiO2, ICU LOS, hospital LOS, or days free from invasive mechanical ventilation (VFD) between the HFNC and NIV groups.

Conclusion:

Although mortality was lower with HFNC than NIV, there was no difference in mortality between HFNC and NIV on a subgroup of helmet or CPAP group. Future large sample RCTs are necessary to prove our findings.

Registration:

This systematic review and meta-analysis protocol was prospectively registered with PROSPERO (no. CRD42022321997).
The incidence and treatment of symptomatic acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis following total shoulder arthroplasty
Authors: Hannah Stephen D , Bell Simon N , Coghlan Jennifer A
Published: July 2022

Background

Acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) Osteoarthritis (OA) is very common in the general population. Despite this, there is little mention of concomitant glenohumeral and ACJ arthropathy in the literature, and no documented incidence of symptomatic ACJ OA post total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). We present the incidence and timescale of the problem, and the response to treatments.

Methods

Patients who had developed ACJ-related symptoms following a TSA were retrieved from a prospectively collected database. It was determined that these symptoms were not related to the prosthesis or other non-ACJ pathology.

Results

There were 230 primary anatomic total shoulder replacements carried out over a 9-year period, with 219 with adequate follow-up for analysis. Thirty-five (16%) developed a symptomatic ACJ. The majority developed symptoms within the first two years however there was one patient who developed symptoms eight years later. Twenty six percent of patients responded to a period of rest. Seventy one percent had a cortisone injection in the ACJ and in 44% of patients this was effective. Twelve (34%) patients had an arthroscopic excision of distal clavicle with good resolution of the symptoms.

Discussion

ACJ symptoms following a total shoulder replacement appears more common than thought and can be treated successfully.
Target Identification-Based Analysis of Mechanism of Betulinic Acid-Induced Cells Apoptosis of Cervical Cancer SiHa
Authors: Wang Dan , Xu Mengjin , Li Fan , Gao Yi , Sun Hao
Published: July 2022

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common female malignancy with high morbidity and mortality, which urgently needs novel anti-cancer drugs. Accumulating investigations have focused on the antitumor activity of betulinic acid (BA), which is a natural compound with low toxicity and high efficiency. Although the effect of BA on SiHa cells is obvious, the specific mechanism is seldom studied. Target identification is an important part of research on the internal mechanism of action. In this current study, an integrated method based on literature collection, target prediction, enrichment analysis, network analysis, and western blotting experiments was performed to identify the potential key targets of BA-induced apoptosis. Then, combined with the identified potential key targets, the specific mechanism of BA-induced cervical cancer SiHa cells apoptosis was elucidated. Our present study demonstrated that BA significantly reduces the viability of cervical cancer SiHa cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In addition, 8 potential key targets (AKT1, CASP8, LMNA, TNF, BCL2, CASP3, PARP1, and XIAP) were obtained through our integrated target identification method. Meanwhile, western blotting showed that within a certain concentration range, the expression of cleaved-caspase 3, cleaved-PARP, and cytochrome c increased with the BA concentration, while XIAP was almost unchanged. Therefore, the effect of BA on cervical cancer is noticeable. BA-induced SiHa cells apoptosis is a multi-molecule coordinated process. In this process, BA is not only a participant in either the extrinsic or intrinsic pathways, but also a regulator of apoptosis effector molecules of the CASP3/PARP1 axis.
Strategy and business model evolution at Adobe: Competing in digital media software industry
Authors: Bansal Jitendra , Balodi Krishna C , Jain Rajesh , Datta Sagnika
Published: July 2022

The digital media software (DMS) industry is an important yet relatively underexplored industry in terms of dynamics, evolution, market potential and growth opportunities. Using Adobe as an exemplar, this case highlights the evolution of the DMS industry with a focus on Adobe’s key business segments, business model and business strategy – product diversification and inorganic expansion – specifically capturing Adobe’s response to changing market needs. Why Adobe made an important yet risky strategic decision to transition from the time-tested perpetual licence price model to a cloud and subscription-based pricing model is the primary focus of this case. We cover the contextual imperatives that caused this strategic shift and the repercussions of the strategic decision on Adobe’s overall performance and future growth trajectory. This case attempts to familiarize readers with the dynamics of the DMS industry and allow them to assess Adobe’s customer value proposition and business models by utilizing concepts and frameworks from the strategy, technological innovation and platform business domains.
Predicting death risk analysis in fully vaccinated people using novel extreme regression-voting classifier
Authors: Saad Eysha , Sadiq Saima , Jamil Ramish , Rustam Furqan , Mehmood Arif , Choi Gyu Sang , Ashraf Imran
Published: July 2022

Vaccination for the COVID-19 pandemic has raised serious concerns among the public and various rumours are spread regarding the resulting illness, adverse reactions, and death. Such rumours can damage the campaign against the COVID-19 and should be dealt with accordingly. One prospective solution is to use machine learning-based models to predict the death risk for vaccinated people by utilizing the available data. This study focuses on the prognosis of three significant events including ‘not survived’, ‘recovered’, and ‘not recovered’ based on the adverse events followed by the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Extensive experiments are performed to analyse the efficacy of the proposed Extreme Regression- Voting Classifier model in comparison with machine learning models with Term Frequency-Inverse Document Frequency, Bag of Words, and Global Vectors, and deep learning models like Convolutional Neural Network, Long Short Term Memory, and Bidirectional Long Short Term Memory. Experiments are carried out on the original, as well as, a balanced dataset using Synthetic Minority Oversampling Approach. Results reveal that the proposed voting classifier in combination with TF-IDF outperforms with a 0.85 accuracy score on the SMOTE-balanced dataset. In line with this, the validation of the proposed voting classifier on binary classification shows state-of-the-art results with a 0.98 accuracy.
Revision Surgery After Spinal Fusion in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Authors: Dong Yulei , Wang Shengru , Tang Ning , Zhao Hong , Yu Bin , Zhang Jianguo
Published: July 2022

Study design

Retrospective Aanalysis of a Large Cohort of Cases.

Objectives

To explore the rate and cause of revision surgery after spinal fusion in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis(AIS).

Methods

The patients diagnosed with AIS who underwent spinal fusion surgery in a single center from 2002 to 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients were followed up at least 2 years. The causes of revision surgery were analyzed and the incidence of revision surgery was counted.

Results

A total of 1816 AIS patients were included in the study. After an average of 8.5 years (range 3-18 years) follow-up, a total of 51 patients underwent 54 revision operations. The overall revision rate is 2.8%. The revision rate of combined approach (anterior and posterior) and anterior approach was 6.6% (8/122), and the revision rate of posterior approach was 2.5% (43/1694). The most common causes of revision were malposition of implants/implants failure (37%), followed by poor wound healing/ infection (23%). Spinal decompensation, adding on and proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) accounted for 20%. The compensatory curve continued to worsen after selective fusion accounted for 14% and finally the discomfort with the implants accounted for 6%.

Conclusions

The overall revision rate of spinal fusion for AIS is 2.8%. The implants and incision problems were the most common causes of revision surgeries.
Injuries Affecting Intercollegiate Water Polo Athletes: A Descriptive Epidemiologic Study
Authors: Schroeder Grant G. , McClintick Daniel J. , Trikha Rishi , Kremen Thomas J.
Published: July 2022

Background:

There are few data on injuries suffered by collegiate water polo athletes.

Purpose:

To describe the epidemiology of injuries suffered by National College Athletic Association (NCAA) male and female water polo players by using injury surveillance data over a 5-year period.

Study Design:

Descriptive epidemiology study.

Methods:

Deidentified data on all water polo injuries and illnesses recorded in the Pac-12 Sports Injury Research Archive from July 2016 through June 2021 were obtained and analyzed. Three men’s and 4 women’s teams were observed for the entire 5-year period, and 1 men’s and 1 women’s team was observed from July 2018 through June 2021.

Results:

During the observation period, 729 injuries were recorded in the database, with no differences in overall injury rates between male and female athletes (relative risk [RR] = 1.0; 95% CI, 0.9-1.2); 33.7% of injuries required a physician encounter, and 3.6% required surgery. The shoulder was the most injured body part, making up 20.6% of all injuries, followed by the head/face (18.8%) and hand/wrist/forearm (11.7%). Shoulder tendinopathy was the most common shoulder injury diagnosis (4.5% of all injuries). Concussion was the most common injury diagnosis overall, making up 11.4% of injuries, and 81.9% of concussions occurred outside of competition. Male athletes were significantly more likely than female athletes to have a concussion in an off-season practice (RR, 3.25; 95% CI, 1.2-8.8) and via contact with another player (RR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.3-6.4). Half of the 26 surgical procedures occurring over the observation period were for chronic joint trauma of the groin/hip/pelvis/buttock, with 9 of those 13 being for femoroacetabular impingement specifically.

Conclusion:

Among NCAA water polo athletes, the shoulder was the most injured body part; however, shoulder injuries rarely required missed time from sport or necessitated surgical intervention. Concussions were the most common injury diagnosis, had the worst return-to-play outcomes among common diagnoses, and were mostly sustained outside of competition. Femoroacetabular impingement was found to be the dominant diagnosis for which surgical intervention was required.
Nurses’ Experiences of Caring for Patients With Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 in the Initial Stage of the Pandemic
Authors: Mattsson Janet , Hedlund Elin , George-Svahn Lisa , Scheers-Andersson Elina , Mazaheri Monir , Björling Gunilla
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Nursing staff have faced various challenges during the global pandemic of COVID-19 such as nursing shortages. The great number of COVID-19 patients requiring hospitalization placed heavy demands on healthcare staff to maintain patient safety and to work according to constantly changing guidelines to prevent the spread of infection.

Objective

The objective was to describe nurses’ experiences of caring for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 in the initial phase of the pandemic.

Methods

The study has a qualitative design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven nurses in primary care and hospital care during the initial stage of the pandemic. Qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach was used.

Results

The nurses expressed that the working routines changed very quickly at the onset of the pandemic. A triage system was implemented to care for patients with symptoms of COVID-19 to prevent transmission between patients. A major change was the constant use of personal protective equipment in patient care. The nurses also experienced a sense of inadequacy regarding the care of the patients and became emotionally affected and exhausted.

Conclusion

The nurses experienced that many patients worsened clinically, leading to exhausting and difficult nursing care situations. They also experienced increasing responsibility since new protective equipment and procedures needed to be quickly implemented according to frequently changing recommendations, causing the nurses to feel uncertain about how to maintain patient safety. Support from colleagues was crucial to cope throughout the initial stage of the pandemic.
Medial Patellofemoral Reconstruction With a Hamstring Allograft
Authors: Huddleston Hailey P. , Dandu Navya , Bodendorfer Blake M. , Yanke Adam B.
Published: July 2022

Background:

Lateral patellar instability is common in young, active patients. Patients who fail conservative treatment may benefit from medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction.

Indications:

Recurrent lateral patellar instability.

Technique Description:

Examination assesses patellar translation, eversion and range of instability. Diagnostic arthroscopy is performed for loose bodies, cartilage damage, trochlear dysplasia, and tracking. A longitudinal incision is made from superomedial to mid-body of the patella. The plane between the capsule and retinaculum is developed for palpation of the medial epicondyle and adductor tubercle. Electrocautery and rongeur are used to create a trough on the patella from centromedially to superomedially. Two suture anchors are placed at the proximal and distal trough. Fluoroscopy is utilized to identify Schöttle point with a perfect lateral radiograph. A 3-centimeter incision is made, and blunt dissection connects the 2 incisions in the developed plane. A guidepin is advanced at Schöttle point, and suture anchor sutures are shuttled through the plane, posterior to the guidepin. There should be loosening of tension with knee flexion. A semitendinosus allograft is whipstitched with terminal tapering. The whipstitched end is tunneled around the guidepin and brought back to the patella, so that both ends have an excess of 20 to 25 millimeters, and excess graft is trimmed from the free end prior to whipstitching. The doubled graft is sized. The midportion of the tendon is tagged and passed through both anchors. The graft is tensioned to the patellar trough and the graft ends are advanced through the developed plane. The femoral tunnel is reamed, and the graft is tensioned into the tunnel after nitinol wire placement with the knee in full extension. Isometry and lateral patellar translation are assessed, aiming for 1 quadrant with firm endpoint. The patella is proximalized and the tensioned graft is secured with an interference screw.

Results:

MPFL reconstruction is successful for the majority of patients, with 1.2% reporting instability, 3.6% apprehension, and 3.1% reoperation. Possible complications include patellar fracture, patellofemoral pain, and knee stiffness (loss of range of motion).

Discussion/Conclusion:

Lateral patellar instability is common, and MPFL reconstruction is typically successful for the majority of patients.
Local residents’ immediate responses to the 2018 Indonesia earthquake and tsunami
Authors: Wang Haizhong , Lindell Michael K , Siam Mohammad Rayeedul Kalam , Chen Chen , Husein Rahmawati
Published: July 2022

This study analyzes 488 household residents’ responses to the 2018 Indonesia M7.5 earthquake and tsunami. Comparison of this event with past earthquake and tsunami events, such as the 2009 Samoa (M8.1), 2011 Christchurch (M6.3), and 2011 Tohoku (M9.0) events, identifies commonalities and differences among people’s responses to these events. The results show that many Palu respondents failed to recognize strong earthquake ground motion as an environmental cue to a tsunami, but this was partially offset by an informal peer warning network. Most of the warnings only mentioned one of the six recommended message elements—the tsunami hazard. However, this brief message might have been adequate for many people if they could infer the certainty, severity, and immediacy of the threat, and appropriate evacuation modes, routes, and destinations. Unlike two comparison cases, some Palu respondents actually began their evacuation later than they expected the tsunami to strike. This might be due to spending too much time milling (seeking additional information, relaying warnings, reuniting families, and preparing to evacuate)—given the tsunami’s extremely rapid onset. This finding underscores the need for coastal emergency managers to promote evacuation preparedness for near-field tsunamis in which households pack Grab and Go kits in advance, warn others while evacuating, and plan in advance where to reunite household members who must evacuate separately.
Erythroblastic islands foster granulopoiesis in parallel to terminal erythropoiesis
Authors: Romano Laurel , Seu Katie G. , Papoin Julien , Muench David E. , Konstantinidis Diamantis , Olsson André , Schlum Katrina , Chetal Kashish , Chasis Joel Anne , Mohandas Narla , Barnes Betsy J. , Zheng Yi , Grimes H. Leighton , Salomonis Nathan , Blanc Lionel , Kalfa Theodosia A.
Published: July 2022

The erythroblastic island (EBI), composed of a central macrophage surrounded by maturing erythroblasts, is the erythroid precursor niche. Despite numerous studies, its precise composition is still unclear. Using multispectral imaging flow cytometry, in vitro island reconstitution, and single-cell RNA sequencing of adult mouse bone marrow (BM) EBI-component cells enriched by gradient sedimentation, we present evidence that the CD11b+ cells present in the EBIs are neutrophil precursors specifically associated with BM EBI macrophages, indicating that erythro-(myelo)-blastic islands are a site for terminal granulopoiesis and erythropoiesis. We further demonstrate that the balance between these dominant and terminal differentiation programs is dynamically regulated within this BM niche by pathophysiological states that favor granulopoiesis during anemia of inflammation and favor erythropoiesis after erythropoietin stimulation. Finally, by molecular profiling, we reveal the heterogeneity of EBI macrophages by cellular indexing of transcriptome and epitope sequencing of mouse BM EBIs at baseline and after erythropoietin stimulation in vivo and provide a searchable online viewer of these data characterizing the macrophage subsets serving as hematopoietic niches. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that EBIs serve a dual role as niches for terminal erythropoiesis and granulopoiesis and the central macrophages adapt to optimize production of red blood cells or neutrophils.
Antimicrobial resistance and genomic analysis of staphylococci isolated from livestock and farm attendants in Northern Ghana
Authors: Egyir Beverly , Dsani Esther , Owusu-Nyantakyi Christian , Amuasi Grebstad Rabbi , Owusu Felicia Amoa , Allegye-Cudjoe Emmanuel , Addo Kennedy Kwasi
Published: July 2022

Background

The emergence of antimicrobial resistant bacteria in food producing animals is of growing concern to food safety and health. Staphylococci are common inhabitants of skin and mucous membranes in humans and animals. Infections involving antibiotic resistant staphylococci are associated with increased morbidity and mortality, with notable economic consequences. Livestock farms may enable cross-species transfer of antibiotic resistant staphylococci. The aim of the study was to investigate antimicrobial resistance patterns of staphylococci isolated from livestock and farm attendants in Northern Ghana using phenotypic and genotypic methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed on staphylococci recovered from livestock and farm attendants and isolates resistant to cefoxitin were investigated using whole genome sequencing.

Results

One hundred and fifty-two staphylococci comprising S. sciuri (80%; n = 121), S. simulans (5%; n = 8), S. epidermidis (4%; n = 6), S. chromogens (3%; n = 4), S. aureus (2%; n = 3), S. haemolyticus (1%; n = 2), S. xylosus (1%; n = 2), S. cohnii (1%; n = 2), S. condimenti (1%; n = 2), S. hominis (1%; n = 1) and S. arlettae (1%; n = 1) were identified. The isolates showed resistance to penicillin (89%; n = 135), clindamycin (67%; n = 102), cefoxitin (19%; n = 29), tetracycline (15%; n = 22) and erythromycin (11%; n = 16) but showed high susceptibility to gentamicin (96%; n = 146), sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim (98%; n = 149) and rifampicin (99%; n = 151). All staphylococci were susceptible to linezolid and amikacin. Carriage of multiple resistance genes was common among the staphylococcal isolates. Genome sequencing of methicillin (cefoxitin) resistant staphylococci (MRS) isolates revealed majority of S. sciuri (93%, n = 27) carrying mecA1 (which encodes for beta-lactam resistance) and the sal(A) gene, responsible for resistance to lincosamide and streptogramin. Most of the MRS isolates were recovered from livestock.

Conclusion

The study provides insights into the genomic content of MRS from farm attendants and livestock in Ghana and highlights the importance of using whole-genome sequencing to investigate such opportunistic pathogens. The finding of multi-drug resistant staphylococci such as S. sciuri carrying multiple resistant genes is of public health concern as they could pose a challenge for treatment of life-threatening infections that they may cause.
The analysis of genetic structure and characteristics of the chloroplast genome in different Japanese apricot germplasm populations
Authors: Huang Xiao , Coulibaly Daouda , Tan Wei , Ni Zhaojun , Shi Ting , Li Hantao , Hayat Faisal , Gao Zhihong
Published: July 2022

Background

Chloroplast (cp) genomes are generally considered to be conservative and play an important role in population diversity analysis in plants, but the characteristics and diversity of the different germplasm populations in Japanese apricot are still not clear.

Results

A total of 146 cp genomes from three groups of wild, domesticated, and bred accessions of Japanese apricot were sequenced in this study. The comparative genome analysis revealed that the 146 cp genomes were divided into 41 types, and ranged in size from 157,886 to 158,167 bp with a similar structure and composition to those of the genus Prunus. However, there were still minor differences in the cp genome that were mainly caused by the contraction and expansion of the IR region, and six types of SSR in which mono-nucleotide repeats were the most dominant type of repeats in the cp genome. The genes rpl33 and psbI, and intergenic regions of start-psbA, rps3-rpl22, and ccsA-ndhD, showed the highest nucleotide polymorphism in the whole cp genome. A total of 325 SNPs were detected in the 146 cp genomes, and more than 70% of the SNPs were in region of large single-copy (LSC). The SNPs and haplotypes in the cp genome indicated that the wild group had higher genetic diversity than the domesticated and bred groups. In addition, among wild populations, Southwest China, including Yunnan, Tibet, and Bijie of Guizhou, had the highest genetic diversity. The genetic relationship of Japanese apricot germplasm resources in different regions showed a degree of correlation with their geographical distribution.

Conclusion

Comparative analysis of chloroplast genomes of 146 Japanese apricot resources was performed to analyze the used to explore the genetic relationship and genetic diversity among Japanese apricot resources with different geographical distributions, providing some reference for the origin and evolution of Japanese apricot.
Development of dual reporter vector system for estimating translational activity of regulatory elements
Authors: Suhorukova Aleksandra V. , Tyurin Alexander A. , Pavlenko Olga S. , Mustafayev Orkhan N. , Sinelnikov Igor G. , Goldenkova-Pavlova Irina V.
Published: July 2022

Background

For the needs of modern biotechnology, a quantitative approach to the control of regulatory elements at all stages of gene expression has long become indispensable. Such a control regime is impossible without a quantitative analysis of the role of each regulatory element or pattern used. Therefore, it seems important to modify and develop the accuracy, reproducibility, and availability of methods for quantifying the contribution of each regulatory code to the implementation of genetic information.

Results

A new vector system for transient expression in plants is described; this system is intended for quantitative analysis of the contribution of regulatory elements to transcription and translation efficiencies. The proposed vector comprises two expression cassettes carrying reporter genes (of the Clostridium thermocellum thermostable lichenase and E. coliβ-glucuronidase) under the control of different promoters. Herewith we also propose a new method for quantification of the effect of tested regulatory elements on expression, which relies on assessment of the enzyme activities of reporter proteins taking into account the transcription of their genes.

Conclusions

In our view, this approach makes it possible to precisely determine the amounts of reporter proteins and their transcripts at all stages of expression. The efficiency of the proposed system has been validated by the analysis of the roles of known translation enhancers at the stages of transcription and translation.
Retraction Note: Routine point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) assessment of gastric antral content in traumatic emergency surgical patients for prevention of aspiration pneumonitis: an observational clinical trial
Authors: Shorbagy Mohamed S. , Kasem Amr A. , Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. , Mahrose Ramy
Published: July 2022

This article has been retracted. Please see the Retraction Notice for more detail: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12871-022-01759-6.
EnSite NavX mapping system guided implantation of a dual-chamber permanent pacemaker in a 41-year-old pregnant woman with a 4-year follow-up
Authors: Wang Peng , Wei Guang-Sheng , Wang Jun-Hua , Cao Yan-Jie , Zhu Wei-Wei , Shen Hang , Zhang Zhi-Yue , Ai Li , Wang Meng
Published: July 2022

Background

X-ray fluoroscopy has been the primary cardiac imaging modality in permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) operations, but it inevitably results in radiation exposure for both operators and patients. Fluoroscopy is considered a contraindication, especially in certain circumstances, such as gestation, during which the fetus is most sensitive to radiation exposure. Therefore, measures to avoid radiation exposure are necessary, and a more safe and feasible approach is needed for this procedure. Since the EnSite NavX mapping system (ENMS) can create the required geometric contours of those relevant cardiac structures and chambers, it can be used as an alternative to X-ray fluoroscopy in PPI. In addition, because the displacement of atrial leads is a common complication of PPI, lead displacement may occur more readily without fluoroscopic guidance. Therefore, reliable measures are required to prevent leads from displacement.

Case introduction

A 41-year-old woman at the 15th week of gestation was referred to our department with recurrent episodes of syncope and amaurosis fugax for 2 years. Holter monitoring showed sinus rhythm, Mobitz Type II atrioventricular block and high-grade atrioventricular block with ventricular arrest up to 4945 ms. A dual-chamber PPI was performed successfully for the patient under the guidance of the ENMS instead of fluoroscopy. Displacement of atrial lead was effectively avoided by bending the top of atrial lead before implantation and making it a U-shape during operation, which left space for possible subsequent external pulling stress.

Conclusions

For PPI, ENMS is a feasible and reliable alternative to traditional X-ray fluoroscopy, especially when performing operations on pregnant patients. By bending the top of the active-fixation atrial lead into a U-shape during operation, the displacement of atrial lead may be avoided.
Accommodating heterogeneous missing data patterns for prostate cancer risk prediction
Authors: Neumair Matthias , Kattan Michael W. , Freedland Stephen J. , Haese Alexander , Guerrios-Rivera Lourdes , De Hoedt Amanda M. , Liss Michael A. , Leach Robin J. , Boorjian Stephen A. , Cooperberg Matthew R. , Poyet Cedric , Saba Karim , Herkommer Kathleen , Meissner Valentin H. , Vickers Andrew J. , Ankerst Donna P.
Published: July 2022

Background

We compared six commonly used logistic regression methods for accommodating missing risk factor data from multiple heterogeneous cohorts, in which some cohorts do not collect some risk factors at all, and developed an online risk prediction tool that accommodates missing risk factors from the end-user.

Methods

Ten North American and European cohorts from the Prostate Biopsy Collaborative Group (PBCG) were used for fitting a risk prediction tool for clinically significant prostate cancer, defined as Gleason grade group ≥ 2 on standard TRUS prostate biopsy. One large European PBCG cohort was withheld for external validation, where calibration-in-the-large (CIL), calibration curves, and area-underneath-the-receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) were evaluated. Ten-fold leave-one-cohort-internal validation further validated the optimal missing data approach.

Results

Among 12,703 biopsies from 10 training cohorts, 3,597 (28%) had clinically significant prostate cancer, compared to 1,757 of 5,540 (32%) in the external validation cohort. In external validation, the available cases method that pooled individual patient data containing all risk factors input by an end-user had best CIL, under-predicting risks as percentages by 2.9% on average, and obtained an AUC of 75.7%. Imputation had the worst CIL (-13.3%). The available cases method was further validated as optimal in internal cross-validation and thus used for development of an online risk tool. For end-users of the risk tool, two risk factors were mandatory: serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and age, and ten were optional: digital rectal exam, prostate volume, prior negative biopsy, 5-alpha-reductase-inhibitor use, prior PSA screen, African ancestry, Hispanic ethnicity, first-degree prostate-, breast-, and second-degree prostate-cancer family history.

Conclusion

Developers of clinical risk prediction tools should optimize use of available data and sources even in the presence of high amounts of missing data and offer options for users with missing risk factors.
Effects of endoscopic injection sclerotherapy for esophagogastric varices on portal hemodynamics and liver function
Authors: Shigefuku Ryuta , Takahashi Hideaki , Watanabe Tsunamasa , Hattori Nobuhiro , Ikeda Hiroki , Matsunaga Kotaro , Ehira Takuya , Suzuki Tatsuya , Matsumoto Nobuyuki , Okuse Chiaki , Iwasa Motoh , Nakagawa Hayato , Itoh Fumio , Suzuki Michihiro
Published: July 2022

Objectives

To identify patients suitable for endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) by evaluating their portal hemodynamics and liver function.

Methods

We selected 58 patients with esophagogastric varices (EGV) and liver cirrhosis (LC) related to either hepatitis C virus (C) (n = 19), hepatitis B virus (n = 2), alcohol (AL) (n = 20), C + AL (n = 6), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (n = 6), others (n = 3), or non-LC (n = 2). All patients underwent EIS. We measured their portal venous tissue blood flow (PVTBF) and hepatic arterial tissue blood flow (HATBF) using xenon computed tomography before and after EIS. We classified them into increased group and decreased group according to the PVTBF to identify the predictors that contribute to PVTBF increase post-EIS.

Results

Low value of indocyanine green retention at 15 min (ICG-R15), the absence of paraesophageal veins, and low baseline PVTBF/HATBF (P/A) ratio predicted increased PVTBF in the multivariate logistic analysis (odds ratio (OR) 10.46, p = 0.0391; OR 12.45, p = 0.0088; OR 13.57, p = 0.0073). The protein synthetic ability improved 1 year post-EIS in increased group. Cox proportional hazards regression identified alcohol drinking (hazard ratio; 3.67, p = 0.0261) as an independent predictor of EGV recurrence.

Conclusions

Patients with low ICG-R15, low P/A ratio, and the absence of paraesophageal veins were probable predictors of PVTBF improvement post-EIS. In addition, the improvement of hepatic hemodynamics likely enhanced liver function following EIS.