bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Olanzapine-induced oculogyric crisis in a patient with mania without psychotic symptoms: a case report
Authors: Yogi Tek N. , Bhusal Amrit , Limbu Suren , B.C. Pooja , labh Sujal , Kafle Rijan
Published: October 2023

Introduction and importance:

Oculogyric crisis (OGC), marked by upward eye deviation, is rare and linked to diverse causes, including drugs and neurological conditions. This study details a 16-year-old male’s OGC onset after olanzapine treatment for an initial mania episode, highlighting the need to recognize this potential side effect.

Case presentation:

A 16-year-old male with nonpsychotic mania was treated with olanzapine and sodium valproate. On day 30, he developed OCG due to olanzapine, managed with medication. After discharge, similar ocular symptoms emerged. Gradual olanzapine tapering alongside anticholinergic administration led to symptom relief. The Young Mania Rating Scale score decreased; psychoeducation was provided to the patient and family.

Discussion:

This study presents an exceptional case of olanzapine-induced OGC, a rare dystonic eye movement reaction. The patient’s presentation matched OGC criteria, confirmed by a high Adverse Drug Reaction Probability Scale score. Unusually, symptoms appeared 30 days postolanzapine initiation. A thorough assessment ruled out alternative causes. Mechanisms, possibly related to dopamine-choline balance and receptor sensitivity, remain uncertain. Despite atypical antipsychotics’ lower risk, olanzapine’s moderate D2 receptor binding led to this unusual response. Management involved dose reduction and anticholinergic therapy.

Conclusion:

This case report highlights the rare occurrence of olanzapine-induced OCG in a patient with nonpsychotic mania. Effective management requires proper history taking, examination, regular follow-up, monitoring, and appropriate medication use. The case demonstrates the need for caution when increasing olanzapine dose in manic patients with untreated mental illness and a history of neurological symptoms.
Thanatophoric dysplasia in nonadherent to antenatal care in low middle income country: a rare case reports
Authors: Shrestha Abhigan Babu , Chapagain Sanskriti , Umar Tungki Pratama , Yadav Randhir Sagar , Shrestha Shumneva , Bhandari Kiran , Sedai Ranjana , Poudel Aryan , Mahat Chadani , Sharma Shreeya , Bhandari Alish
Published: October 2023

Introduction and importance:

Thanatophoric dysplasia is a rare, fatal, and sporadic form of skeletal dysplasia caused by a mutation in fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3). It is characterized by a conical thorax, platyspondyly (flat vertebral bodies), and macrocephaly. This disorder can be diagnosed antenatally as early as 13 weeks of gestation.

Case presentation:

The authors reported a case of thanatophoric dysplasia on USG in a 19 year old young consanguineous female in her second trimester of pregnancy. Ultrasound examination showed a clover leaf-shaped skull, a widened anterior fontanel, a coarse and edematous face, a flattened nasal bridge, a short neck, a low set of ears, shortening of both upper and lower limbs with short fingers, bowed thighs and legs, and a relatively narrow thorax.

Clinical discussion:

Lung hypoplasia, polyhydramnios, and hydrops in affected individuals lead to a poor prognosis. Hence, timely intervention should be done to avoid a poor prognosis. However, a mix of sonographic, genetic, histological, and autopsy studies are applied to make the most accurate diagnosis.

Conclusion:

The authors reported this case due to the rarity of this condition and the need for a systematic and multidisciplinary approach.
Classification of Post-Pancreatectomy Readmissions and Opportunities for Targeted Mitigation Strategies
Authors: Boyev Artem , Azimuddin Ahad , Prakash Laura R. , Newhook Timothy E. , Maxwell Jessica E. , Bruno Morgan L. , Arvide Elsa M. , Dewhurst Whitney L. , Kim Michael P. , Ikoma Naruhiko , Lee Jeffrey E. , Snyder Rebecca A. , Katz Matthew H.G. , Tzeng Ching-Wei D.
Published: October 2023

Objective:

Within a learning health system paradigm, this study sought to evaluate reasons for readmission to identify opportunities for improvement.

Summary Background Data:

Post-pancreatectomy readmission rates have remained constant despite improved index hospitalization metrics.

Methods:

We performed a single-institution case-control study of consecutive pancreatectomy patients (October 2016 - April 2022). Complications were prospectively graded in biweekly faculty and advanced practice provider meetings. We analyzed risk factors during index hospitalization and categorized indications for 90-day readmissions.

Results:

A total of 835 patients, median age 65 years and 51% (427/835) males, underwent 64% (534/835) pancreatoduodenectomies, 34% (280/835) distal pancreatectomies, and 3% (21/835) other resections. 24% (204/835) of patients were readmitted. Primary indication for readmission was technical in 51% (105/204), infectious in 17% (35/204), and medical/metabolic in 31% (64/204) of patients. Procedures were required in 77% (81/105) and 60% (21/35) of technical and infectious readmissions, respectively, while 66% (42/64) of medical/metabolic readmissions were managed non-invasively. During the index hospitalization, benign pathology (OR 1.8, P=0.049), biochemical pancreatic leak (OR 2.3, P=0.001), bile/gastric/chyle leak (OR 6.4, P=0.001), organ-space infection (OR 3.4, P=0.007), undrained fluid on imaging (OR 2.4, P=0.045), and increasing white blood cell count (OR 1.7, P=0.045) were independently associated with odds of readmission.

Conclusions:

Most readmissions following pancreatectomy were technical in origin. Patients with complications during index hospitalization, increasing white blood cell count, or undrained fluid before discharge were at highest risk for readmission. Pre-discharge risk-stratification of readmission risk factors and augmentation of in-clinic resources may be strategies to reduce readmission rates.
Coupled-mode separation of multiply scattered wavefield components in two-dimensional waveguides
Authors: Ivansson Sven M.
Published: October 2023

For a waveguide that is invariant in one of the horizontal directions, this paper presents a mathematically exact partial-wave decomposition of the wavefield for assessment of multiple scattering by horizontally displaced medium anomalies. The decomposition is based on discrete coupled-mode theory and combination of reflection/transmission matrices. In particular, there is no high-frequency ray approximation. Full details are presented for the scalar case with plane-wave incidence from below. An application of interest concerns ground motion induced by seismic waves, which may be severely amplified by local medium anomalies such as alluvial valleys. Global optimization techniques are used to design an artificial medium termination at depth for a normal-mode representation of the field. A derivation of a horizontal source array to produce an incident plane wave gives, as a by-product, an extension of a previous Fourier-transform relation involving Bessel functions. Like purely numerical methods, such as finite differences and finite elements, the method can handle all kinds of (two-dimensional) anomaly shapes.
The biogeographic history of neosuchian crocodiles and the impact of saltwater tolerance variability
Authors: Groh Sebastian S. , Upchurch Paul , Day Julia J. , Barrett Paul M.
Published: October 2023

Extant neosuchian crocodiles are represented by only 24 taxa that are confined to the tropics and subtropics. However, at other intervals during their 200 Myr evolutionary history the clade reached considerably higher levels of species-richness, matched by more widespread distributions. Neosuchians have occupied numerous habitats and niches, ranging from dwarf riverine forms to large marine predators. Despite numerous previous studies, several unsolved questions remain with respect to their biogeographic history, including the geographical origins of major groups, e.g. Eusuchia and Neosuchia itself. We carried out the most comprehensive biogeographic analysis of Neosuchia to date, based on a multivariate K-means clustering approach followed by the application of two ancestral area estimation methods (BioGeoBEARS and Bayesian ancestral location estimation) applied to two recently published phylogenies. Our results place the origin of Neosuchia in northwestern Pangaea, with subsequent radiations into Gondwana. Eusuchia probably emerged in the European archipelago during the Late Jurassic/Early Cretaceous, followed by dispersals to the North American and Asian landmasses. We show that putative transoceanic dispersal events are statistically significantly less likely to happen in alligatoroids. This finding is consistent with the saltwater intolerant physiology of extant alligatoroids, bolstering inferences of such intolerance in their ancestral lineages.
Evidence for vocal signatures and voice-prints in a wild parrot
Authors: Smeele Simeon Q. , Senar Juan Carlos , Aplin Lucy M. , McElreath Mary Brooke
Published: October 2023

In humans, identity is partly encoded in a voice-print that is carried across multiple vocalizations. Other species also signal vocal identity in calls, such as shown in the contact call of parrots. However, it remains unclear to what extent other call types in parrots are individually distinct, and whether there is an analogous voice-print across calls. Here we test if an individual signature is present in other call types, how stable this signature is, and if parrots exhibit voice-prints across call types. We recorded 5599 vocalizations from 229 individually marked monk parakeets (
Myiopsitta monachus
) over a 2-year period in Barcelona, Spain. We examined five distinct call types, finding evidence for an individual signature in three. We further show that in the contact call, while birds are individually distinct, the calls are more variable than previously assumed, changing over short time scales (seconds to minutes). Finally, we provide evidence for voice-prints across multiple call types, with a discriminant function being able to predict caller identity across call types. This suggests that monk parakeets may be able to use vocal cues to recognize conspecifics, even across vocalization types and without necessarily needing active vocal signatures of identity.
Metamaterials with Poisson's ratio discontinuity by means of fragmentation–reconstitution rotating units
Authors: Lim Teik-Cheng
Published: October 2023

This paper presents for the first time two types of metamaterials based on the fragmentation–reconstitution of rotating units in order to produce Poisson's ratio discontinuity at the original state. For both metamaterials, each rotating unit takes the form of a rhombus that comprises eight sub-units. During on-axis stretching, each rhombus fragments into eight rotating sub-units. When the prescribed strain is reversed, these eight sub-units reconstitute back into a single rotating rhombus such that they rotate as a rigid body. Using geometrical construction, the incremental Poisson's ratio was established at the original state. In the case of large deformation, the finite Poisson's ratio was formulated in conjunction with the maximum allowable rotations for full stretching along both axes and for full compression. The family of on-axes Poisson's ratio versus rotational angles for various shape descriptors displays a fork-shaped distribution with discontinuity at the original state. Two major distinguishing factors of these metamaterials—property discontinuity at the original state with constant and variable Poisson's ratio under compression and tension, respectively—allow them to function in ways that cannot be fully performed by conventional materials or even by auxetic materials and metamaterials.
Methylacidiphilum caldifontis gen. nov., sp. nov., a thermoacidophilic methane-oxidizing bacterium from an acidic geothermal environment, and descriptions of the family Methylacidiphilaceae fam. nov. and order Methylacidiphilales ord. nov.
Authors: Awala Samuel Imisi , Gwak Joo-Han , Kim Yongman , Seo Chanmee , Strazzulli Andrea , Kim Song-Gun , Rhee Sung-Keun
Published: October 2023

Strain IT6T, a thermoacidophilic and facultative methane-oxidizing bacterium, was isolated from a mud–water mixture collected from Pisciarelli hot spring in Pozzuoli, Italy. The novel strain is white when grown in liquid or solid media and forms Gram-negative rod-shaped, non-flagellated, non-motile cells. It conserves energy by aerobically oxidizing methane and hydrogen while deriving carbon from carbon dioxide fixation. Strain IT6T had three complete pmoCAB operons encoding particulate methane monooxygenase and genes encoding group 1d and 3b [NiFe] hydrogenases. Simple carbon–carbon substrates such as ethanol, 2-propanol, acetone, acetol and propane-1,2-diol were used as alternative electron donors and carbon sources. Optimal growth occurred at 50–55°C and between pH 2.0–3.0. The major fatty acids were C18 : 0, C15 : 0 anteiso, C14 : 0 iso, C16 : 0 and C14 : 0, and the main polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, aminophospholipid, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, some unidentified phospholipids and glycolipids, and other unknown polar lipids. Strain IT6T has a genome size of 2.19 Mbp and a G+C content of 40.70 mol%. Relative evolutionary divergence using 120 conserved single-copy marker genes (bac120) and phylogenetic analyses based on bac120 and 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain IT6T is affiliated with members of the proposed order ‘Methylacidiphilales’ of the class Verrucomicrobiia in the phylum

Verrucomicrobiota

. It shared a 16S rRNA gene sequence identity of >96 % with cultivated isolates in the genus '

Methylacidiphilum

' of the family 'Methylacidiphilaceae’, which are thermoacidophilic methane-oxidizing bacteria. ‘

Methylacidiphilum

sp.’ Phi (100 %), ‘Methylacidiphilum infernorum’ V4 (99.02 %) and ‘

Methylacidiphilum

sp.’ RTK17.1 (99.02 %) were its closest relatives. Its physiological and genomic properties were consistent with those of other isolated ‘

Methylacidiphilum

’ species. Based on these results, we propose the name Methylacidiphilum caldifontis gen. nov., sp. nov. to accommodate strain IT6T (=KCTC 92103T=JCM 39288T). We also formally propose that the names Methylacidiphilaceae fam. nov. and Methylacidiphilales ord. nov. to accommodate the genus

Methylacidiphilum

gen. nov.
A Phase III Randomized Clinical Trial: The Impact of Paclitaxel-Based Neoadjuvant Laparoscopic Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (NLHIPEC) Followed by Sequential Intravenous Chemotherapy in Advanced High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer Patients - Interim Analysis of Safety and Immediate Efficacy from the C-HOC Trial
Authors: Wang Qun , Liu Hua , Shen Yuhong , Shen Lifei , Feng Weiwei
Published: October 2023

Objective

This study evaluates the potential superiority of combining paclitaxel-based neoadjuvant laparoscopic hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (NLHIPEC) with sequential intravenous neoadjuvant chemotherapy over intravenous neoadjuvant chemotherapy (IV NACT) alone in Chinese patients with Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IIIC-IVB high-grade serous ovarian/fallopian tube carcinoma (HGSOC). This interim analysis focuses on the safety and immediate efficacy of both regimens to determine the feasibility of a planned phase III trial.

Methods

In a single-center, open-label, phase III trial, FIGO stage IIIC-IVB HGSOC patients (FAGOTTI score ≥8 during laparoscopic exploration) unsuitable for optimal cytoreduction in primary debulking surgery (PDS) were randomized 2:1 during laparoscopic exploration. The NLHIPEC group received one cycle of intraperitoneal neoadjuvant laparoscopic hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (paclitaxel) followed by three cycles of intravenous chemotherapy (paclitaxel plus carboplatin), while the IV NACT group received only three cycles of intravenous chemotherapy. Both groups subsequently underwent interval debulking surgery (IDS). This partial analysis focuses on comparing adverse effects of chemotherapy, postoperative complications, and pathological chemotherapy response scores (CRS) after IDS.

Results

Among 65 enrolled patients, 39 NLHIPEC and 21 IV NACT patients underwent IDS. Grade 3-4 chemotherapy-related adverse effects were primarily hematological with no significant differences between two groups. The NLHIPEC group exhibited a higher proportion of CRS 3 (20.5% vs. 4.8%; P=0.000). R0 resection rates in IDS were 69.2% (NLHIPEC) and 66.7% (IV NACT). R2 resection occurred in 2.6% (NLHIPEC) and 14.3% (IV NACT) cases. No reoperations or postoperative deaths were reported, and complications were managed conservatively.

Conclusions

Combining NLHIPEC with IV NACT in treating ovarian cancer demonstrated safety and feasibility, with no increased chemotherapy-related adverse effects or postoperative complications. NLHIPEC improved tumor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, potentially enhancing progression-free survival (PFS). However, the final overall survival results are pending, determining if NLHIPEC combined with IV NACT is superior to IV NACT alone Keyword: high-grade serous ovarian/fallopian tubecarcinoma (HGSOC); paclitaxel; neoadjuvant chemotherapy;hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC); chemotherapy response score (CRS).
Improving epileptogenic zone estimation using Bayesian inference on neural field models
Authors: Vattikonda Anirudh Nihalani , Woodman Marmaduke M. , Lemarechal Jean-Didier , Daini Daniele , Hashemi Meysam , Bartolomei Fabrice , Jirsa Viktor
Published: October 2023

Epilepsy remains a significant medical challenge, particularly in drug-resistant cases where surgical intervention may be the only viable treatment option. Identifying the epileptogenic zone, the brain region responsible for seizure initiation, is a critical step in surgical planning. Combining dynamical system models and the neuroimaging data of epileptic patients in a Bayesian framework has previously been shown to be a promising approach to identify the epileptogenic zone. However, previous studies employed coupled neural mass models to describe the whole brain seizure dynamics and hence could only provide a highly coarse spatially estimate of the epileptogenic zone. In this study we propose an extension of the Bayesian virtual epileptic patient framework to a neural field model which could improve the spatial resolution by several orders. Performing model inversion using neural field models is a challenging task since: (i) it is computationally expensive to compute gradients over a neural field simulation and (ii) parameter space can be very high dimensional. We demonstrate that using pseudo-spectral methods and spherical harmonic transforms it is feasible to perform Bayesian model inversion on a neural field extension of the reduced Epileptor model. We found that the neural field extension not only improves the spatial resolution but also significantly reduces the number of false positives.
Misidentification ofPlasmodiummixed-infections leads to an overestimation of falciparum malaria
Authors: Deora Nimita , Pande Veena , Sinha Abhinav
Published: October 2023

Despite the fact that malaria elimination is nearing in several countries, we continue to struggle with accurate diagnosis and thus treatment. The purpose of this study was to determine the rate ofPlasmodiumspecies misidentification (MI) by microscopy (MS). The study was based on previously published reports in which MS-PCR pairs were analysed to identifyPlasmodiummisidentification rates (by MS). Region- and species-wise misidentification rates were also estimated.

A total of 2706 MS-PCR pairs were extracted from 16 different locations across 11 Indian states. MS-PCR pair analysis revealed 15% misidentification rate (408/2706). Surprisingly, microscopy misidentified more than 98% of mixed infections (400/405) as mono-infections (almost all asP. falciparummono infections). The study identifies Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh as major contributors (>20%) toPlasmodiumspecies misidentification by microscopy. These findings suggest that we are overestimatingP. falciparumburden, potentially wasting elimination resources, and underestimating non-falciparum species. The study also addresses an important issue concerning analysis of misidentification & sub-microscopic infection data (SMI). The proposed analysis (for MI and SMI) will aid in deciphering MI and SMI data in a more granular manner, generating actionable data for elimination programmes in various countries.
Gene Therapy for Cardiomyopathy associated with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in a Pig Model
Authors: Bähr Andrea , Hoppmann Petra , Bozoglu Tarik , Stirm Michael , Luksch Ina , Ziegler Tilman , Hornaschewitz Nadja , Shrestha Samjhana , Shashikadze Bachuki , Stöckl Jan , Raad Nour , Blum Helmut , Krebs Stefan , Fröhlich Thomas , Baumgartner Christine , Nowak-Imialek Monika , Walter Maggie , Weber Christian , Engelhardt Stefan , Moretti Alessandra , Klymiuk Nik , Wurst Wolfgang , Laugwitz Karl-Ludwig , Hajjar Roger J. , Wolf Eckhard , Kupatt Christian
Published: October 2023

Background

Genetic cardiomyopathies caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene(DMD)are only partially responsive to current pharmacological heart failure treatments, although dilated and arrhythomogenic phenotypes of cardiomyopathy are frequent.

Objective

In this study, we tested whether a normalization of Ca2+-handling by forced expression of SERCA2a in cardiomyocytes mitigates heart failure and arrhythmogenesis in a pig model for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

Methods and results

Male offspring of pigs lackingDMDexon 52 are characterized by heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF, EF 34.5±1.8% vs. 49.2±1.0% in control hearts), arrhythmogenesis due to large apical regions of reduced voltage amplitude and sudden cardiac death with a lifespan of usually less than 4 months. Slow antegrade intracoronary infusion of AAV1.SERCA2a (3×1013virus genomes (vg) per pig) improved left ventricular ejection fraction (EF 47.3±2.0%, p<0.05) to a similar extent as germline editing ofDMDΔ52 toDMDΔ51-52, inducing a Becker dystrophy (BMD) genotype (EF 46.7±3.8%). Moreover, AAV.SERCA2a significantly reduced myocardial inflammation and fibrosis and areas of reduced AP amplitude.

Conclusions

InDMDpigs, 3×1013vg/heart of GMP-grade AAV1.SERCA2a sufficed to normalize left ventricular function and improved electrical vulnerability of the heart. Hence, AAV.SERCA2a may serve as a treatment option for DMD cardiomyopathy.
SABRE: Self-Attention Based model for predicting T-cell Receptor Epitope Specificity
Authors: Wang Zicheng , Shen Yufeng
Published: October 2023

T cell receptors (TCR) recognize antigens on the surface of T cells, which is the critical event in the adaptive immune response to infection and vaccination. The ability to determine TCR-antigen recognition would benefit research in basic immunology and therapeutics. High-throughput experimental approaches for determining TCR-antigen specificity have produced valuable data, but the TCR-antigen pairing space is astronomically more significant than what can reached by experiments. Here, we describe a computational method for predicting TCR-antigen recognition, SABRE (Self-Attention-based Transformer Model for predicting T-cell Receptor-Epitope specificity). SABRE captures sequence properties of matching TCR and antigen pairs by selfsupervised pre-training using known pairs from curated databases and large-scale experiments. It then fine-tunes by supervised learning to predict TCRs that can recognize each antigen. We showed that SABRE’s AUROC reaches 0.726 ± 0.008 for predicting TCR-epitope recognition. We meticulously designed a training and testing scheme to evaluate the model’s performance on unseen TCR species: 60% of the data was allocated for training, 20% for validation, and the remaining 20% exclusively for testing. Notably, this testing set comprised entirely of TCRs not present in the training phase, ensuring a genuine assessment of the model’s ability to generalize to novel data.
Hypoxia increases the methylated histones to prevent histone clipping and redistribution of heterochromatin during Raf-induced senescence
Authors: Chang Soojeong , Moon Ramhee , Yim Sujin , Nam Dowoon , Lee Sang-Won , Choi Seunghyuk , Paek Eunok , Hur Junho K. , Nam Youhyun , Chang Rakwoo , Park Hyunsung
Published: October 2023

Hypoxia increases histone methylation by inhibiting O2- and α-ketoglutarate- dependent histone lysine demethylases (KDMs). This study is the first to demonstrate how the hypoxic increment of methylated histones cross-talks with other epigenetic changes, such as histone clipping, and heterochromatin redistribution (senescence-associated heterochromatin foci, SAHF) found during oncogene-induced senescence (OIS). Raf activation in primary human fibroblasts IMR90 increased cathepsin L (CTSL)-mediated clipping of histone 3 (H3), H2B and H4 at H3 A21/T22, H2B T19/K20, and H4 G11/K12, respectively. Hypoxia protected H3 from CTSL by increasing histone methylation, especially at H3K23me3 without reducing the activity of CTSL. The maintenance of methylated histones is sufficient for protecting histones from CTSL, not sufficient but necessary for inhibiting SAHFs. Expression of cleaved H3 induces senescence even under hypoxia, suggesting that hypoxia disrupts this positive feedback loop of OIS by increasing histone methylation. Thus, hypoxia protects histones and chromatin from dramatic epigenetic changes by increasing histone methylation.

Highlights

✓

Raf activation in primary fibroblasts increases cathepsin L-mediated cleavage of H3, H2B, and H4.

✓

Hypoxia inhibits OIS-induced histone clipping by maintaining methylated histones.

✓

Cleaved H3 induces senescence, even under hypoxia.
The longest intron rule
Authors: Dvorak Pavel , Hlavac Viktor , Hanicinec Vojtech , Rao Bhavana Hemantha , Soucek Pavel
Published: October 2023

Despite the fact that long introns mean an energy and time burden for eukaryotic cells, they play an irreplaceable role in the diversification and regulation of protein production. A general feature is the accumulation of the longest introns closer to the start of protein-coding genes. Our work aimed to more closely characterize the genes in which the longest intron is only located in the second or third third of the gene. Data on the lengths of all introns in genes were extracted from the genomes of 4 vertebrates (human, mouse, chicken and zebrafish), nematode worm and yeast. With the genes divided according to the relative position of the longest intron, gene set enrichment analyses were performed, the results of which were then confronted with the results of randomly generated gene sets of the same size. The analyses show that among the genes associated with biological processes of ion transport across membranes, cell signaling or the development of multicellular organisms, there is a greater representation of genes with the longest intron in the first third. Conversely, among the genes associated with the processes of RNA processing and ribosome biogenesis, there are more genes with the longest intron in the second or third third. It is a newly discovered characteristic with more general validity among multicellular organisms.
Behavioural and Social Predictors of COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake among Persons with Disabilities in Kenya
Authors: Josphat Martin , Moraro Rogers , Omogi Jarim , Alasmari Abrar , Kanyangi Lennah , Mwema Rehema , Simiyu Sheillah , Kosgei Sarah
Published: October 2023

The uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine by persons with disabilities remains largely unknown in low-and middle-income countries. This evidence gap necessitates disability-focused research to inform improvements in access and inclusion in the last mile of COVID-19 vaccination programs and to support future programs for other vaccine-preventable diseases. We aimed to identify behavioural and social predictors of COVID-19 uptake among persons with disabilities in Kenya. This was a convergent parallel mixed method study that involved questionnaires (792), key informants interviews, and focus group discussions among persons with disabilities and key stakeholders (government actors and professional associations). Data were analysed using STATA statistical analysis software (version 14). Chi-square (X2) and Fisher’s exact tests were used to test for differences in categorical variables; multivariate regression analysis was employed to ascertain the factors that influence uptake of COVID-19 among persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Kenya. Approximately 59% of persons with disabilities reported to be fully vaccinated, with significant disparities noted among those with cognition (34.2%) and self-care (36.6%) impairments. Confidence in vaccine benefits (Adjusted odds ration [OR]; 11.3, 95% CI; 5.2-24.2), health worker recommendation (OR; 2.6, 95% CI; 1.8-3.7), employment (OR; 2.1, 95% CI; 1.4-3.1), perceived risk (OR; 2.0, 95% CI; 1.3-3.1), age and area of residence were statistically significant predictors of vaccine uptake among PWDs. The primary reasons for low uptake included perceived negative vaccine effects and lack of adequate information. No association was found between having a primary caregiver and/or assistive device, with COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Subsequent vaccination deployments should map and reach PWDs through relevant institutions of PWDs, and localized vaccination campaigns. Related communication strategies should leverage on behaviour change techniques that inspire confidence in vaccines, and on the credibility and trust in health workers to improve vaccine uptake.
The 21-base pair deletion mutant Calpain 3 does not inhibit wild-type Calpain 3 activity
Authors: Maitra Swati , Oh Seungjae , Choe Yun-Jeong , Kim JiHye , Kim Nam Chul
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Calpain 3 is one of the calpain protease family members, which is a calcium-dependent proteolytic enzyme predominantly expressed in skeletal muscle. Loss-of-function mutations in the Calpain 3 gene have been related to autosomal recessiveLimb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy 1(LGMDR1), a common form of muscular dystrophy. Recently, the heterozygous 21-bp deletion mutation of the Calpain 3 gene has been reported to cause autosomal dominantLimb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy 4(LGMDD4). According to its dominant inheritance pattern, it has been suggested that the deletion mutant proteins act in a dominant-negative manner. Therefore, we examined whether the mutant protein can suppress the activity of wild-type Calpain 3 and has any dominant toxicity in cell culture andin vivo Drosophilamodels.

Methods

A human cell culture (HeLa cells) model with the transient transfection of human wild-type and mutant Calpain 3 andin vivo Drosophilamodels overexpressing wild-type and mutantDrosophilaCalpain A and B were utilized in this study to assess dominant effects of Calpain 3 21-bp deletion mutant. Western blot analysis was used to determine protein stability and catalytic activity in cell culture. External eye morphology and muscle integrity were examined to observe dominant toxicity inDrosophilamodels.

Results

The 21-bp deletion mutation of Calpain 3 resulted in catalytic inactivation, which did not inhibit wild-type Calpain 3 autolytic and catalytic activity against Calpastatin in HeLa cells. In addition, the mutant protein was normally processed by wild-type Calpain 3. Overexpression of wild-type and deletion mutant Calpain 3 in theDrosophilaeye and muscles did not exhibit significant developmental and age-related dominant toxicity.

Discussion

We provide evidence that mutant Calpain 3 does not suppress wild-type Calpain 3 activity. Rather, it is a mutant lacking autocatalytic processing activity like many other loss-of-function Calpain 3 mutants causing LGMDR1. Our results implicate that the stability of the heteromeric mutant and wild-type Calpain 3 complexes may be affected without inhibiting the wild-type activity per se. However, a more thorough investigation is necessary to understand the molecular mechanism and dominant inheritance of the heterozygous 21-bp deletion mutation in LGMDD4.
Transposons contribute to the functional diversification of the head, gut, and ovary transcriptomes acrossDrosophilanatural strains
Authors: Coronado-Zamora Marta , González Josefa
Published: October 2023

Transcriptomes are dynamic, with cells, tissues, and body parts expressing particular sets of transcripts. Transposable elements (TEs) are a known source of transcriptome diversity; however, studies often focus on a particular type of chimeric transcript, analyze single body parts or cell types, or are based on incomplete TE annotations from a single reference genome. In this work, we have implemented a method based on de novo transcriptome assembly that minimizes the potential sources of errors while identifying a comprehensive set of gene–TE chimeras. We applied this method to the head, gut, and ovary dissected from fiveDrosophila melanogasternatural strains, with individual reference genomes available. We found that ∼19% of body part–specific transcripts are gene–TE chimeras. Overall, chimeric transcripts contribute a mean of 43% to the total gene expression, and they provide protein domains for DNA binding, catalytic activity, and DNA polymerase activity. Our comprehensive data set is a rich resource for follow-up analysis. Moreover, because TEs are present in virtually all species sequenced to date, their role in spatially restricted transcript expression is likely not exclusive to the species analyzed in this work.
The rate of de novo structural variation is increased in in vitro–produced offspring and preferentially affects the paternal genome
Authors: Lee Young-Lim , Bouwman Aniek C. , Harland Chad , Bosse Mirte , Costa Monteiro Moreira Gabriel , Veerkamp Roel F. , Mullaart Erik , Cambisano Nadine , Groenen Martien A.M. , Karim Latifa , Coppieters Wouter , Georges Michel , Charlier Carole
Published: October 2023

Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs), including in vitro maturation and fertilization (IVF), are increasingly used in human and animal reproduction. Whether these technologies directly affect the rate of de novo mutation (DNM), and to what extent, has been a matter of debate. Here we take advantage of domestic cattle, characterized by complex pedigrees that are ideally suited to detect DNMs and by the systematic use of ART, to study the rate of de novo structural variation (dnSV) in this species and how it is impacted by IVF. By exploiting features of associated de novo point mutations (dnPMs) and dnSVs in clustered DNMs, we provide strong evidence that (1) IVF increases the rate of dnSV approximately fivefold, and (2) the corresponding mutations occur during the very early stages of embryonic development (one- and two-cell stage), yet primarily affect the paternal genome.
Ethnic fashion designers, entrepreneurs and family businesses: an African marketing perspective
Authors: Singh Satyendra
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The purpose of the perspective article is to review relevant literature on family business and ethnic fashion and establish links across identity (defined as culture, tradition, heritage and status) and fashion (color, design, pattern and fabric/texture) and internationalization (foreign market entry), and develop a conceptual model using the identity theory and qualitative method.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a qualitative study by design. We used a systematic research and ethnographic method for this study. Specifically, the author used the participant observation aspect of ethnography to collect information and images relating to ethnic fashion. Ethnography is a well-established methodology widely used in social sciences research, including fashion.

Findings

The study's conceptual model proposes that (1) ethnic fashion mediates the identity-internationalization relationship, (2) knowledge transfer moderates the identity-ethnic fashion relationship and (3) family business size moderates the ethnic fashion-internationalization relationship. It is also revealed that a person's status can be judged by their dress and fashion in under two minutes.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited to the African continent, though it has 54 countries with a current population of about 1.5 billion people, which is expected to be roughly 2.5 billion by 2050.

Practical implications

Implications of the study for the entrepreneurs and family businesses are that they should realize the opportunities presented by ethnic African fashion and tap into the most crucial key to success—local design, color, fabric and patterns associated with meaning and messages. Cross-cultural collaborations and digital innovations can help the internationalization of African fashion while preserving local heritage and identity. Another implication is that quality and consistency in branding are equally essential to be on par with intentional luxury brands.

Social implications

The social implication of the study is that culture and fashion are correlated and influence designers' creations, reflecting and conveying identity, status and societal values. Fashion allows people to express their identity, individuality and values. The proper fashion and outfit can boost mood, self-esteem and confidence, resulting in healthy social interaction and mental health. Fashion can also raise social issues (e.g. inclusiveness, diversity and gender by featuring various models and designs) and environmental issues (e.g. sustainable practices local and ethical production).

Originality/value

The paper synthesizes ethnic fashion in the context of family businesses in Africa, highlights specific examples of ethnic fashion of African people with the potential for internationalization and proposes future fashion perspectives for family businesses. It adds value in that it focuses on fashion family businesses in the African continent.
Transforming entrepreneurial research: leveraging library research services and technology innovations for rapid information discovery
Authors: Gupta Varun , Gupta Chetna
Published: October 2023

Purpose

With the aid of libraries, the research paper aims to assist businesses in swiftly and accurately acquiring knowledge and insights from scholarly literature to guide their inventive and decision-making processes. The foundation for achieving the goal is Connected Papers technology.

Design/methodology/approach

The author's professional expertise in performing literature reviews using connected papers technology as well as using other ways, and corresponding with entrepreneurs and librarians impacted the article's research methodology.

Findings

The use of Connected Papers technology in the library context for helping entrepreneurs is discussed. Libraries and entrepreneurs could benefit from using Connected Papers technology to quickly compile pertinent data from scholarly literature to solve business challenges. According to the paper, adopting this technology can speed up information gathering and drastically reduce the time needed for business owners to search through bibliographic data-bases. Using this technology can help entrepreneurs at various phases of their entrepreneurial journeys and give libraries a productive way to assist business owners with their information needs.

Originality/value

This paper's novelty comes from its examination of the usage of connectedpapers.com technology to compile data from scholarly literature to assist entrepreneurs in solving their business problems. The useful piece of advice this paper offers entrepreneurs and librarians is what makes it valuable. By using connectedpapers.com technology, businesses may be able to get critical information from scholarly literature to foster a series of experimentation quickly and effectively. Also, librarians can help their patrons with systematic re-views and other research services by using this application.
Permission granted: professional development to promote social studies content integration
Authors: Brant Cathy A.R. , Stanger Ross
Published: October 2023

Purpose

In this article, the authors, a university elementary social studies methods faculty member and a district social studies supervisor, discuss the creation of sustained professional development (PD) for elementary teachers on integrated social studies instruction.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors detail the development of a PD sequence that included two 45-minute whole-group PD sessions and two days of individual and small-group school-day coaching for each school in the district. The ultimate goal of this PD was to provide the classroom teachers with the pedagogical content knowledge to meaningfully integrate social studies and English language arts (ELA) in their classrooms.

Findings

The collaboration between the university faculty member and the district administrator allowed for the development of meaningful, sustained PD for the classroom teachers.

Originality/value

This work has implications related to the development of PD to integrate social studies and ELA for university faculty working with teachers in school-based settings and for school administrators seeking to provide more PD for their teachers.
Diverse forest management strategies support functionally and temporally distinct bee communities
Authors: Chase Marissa H. , Charles Brian , Harmon‐Threatt Alexandra , Fraterrigo Jennifer M.
Published: October 2023

Forests worldwide support insect biodiversity and the ecosystem services provided by insects such as pollination. As forest health declines, management that emulates historical disturbance regimes has the potential to restore and maintain forest ecosystem functioning; however, we lack understanding of how these practices affect key mutualists like bees and the ecosystem services they provide.

To fill this knowledge gap, we investigated the functional response of bee communities to temperate deciduous forest management practices that emulate historical disturbances (burning, thinning and the combination of the two). We also investigated whether seasonality has any effect on this relationship.

Bee functional diversity was highest in spring compared to summer, and management did not affect this relationship. Instead, different management strategies aligned with specific bee functional traits and these relationships varied throughout the year. Managed and unmanaged areas differed in the distribution of nesting and floral resources and, as a result, altered bee functional trait composition. Thinned plots with increased floral resources promoted smaller bees with limited dispersal capacity, in addition to primitively eusocial and cavity‐excavating bees. Unmanaged habitat supported vulnerable bee groups such as cleptoparasites and specialists. Burning by itself or in combination within thinning may have eliminated crucial nesting resources such as deadwood that bees depend on in forests.

Synthesis and applications: Our findings demonstrate that managing temperate forests by emulating historical disturbances can support a functionally diverse bee community and highlight the need to consider temporal variation in the environmental drivers of forest bee communities. To support year‐round bee diversity, forest management strategies should prioritize floral resources and leave behind deadwood to increase bee nesting resources, as well as maintain unmanaged habitat within the forest landscape. Overall, our study reinforces the importance of using a range of forest management strategies to enhance bee functional diversity and associated ecosystem services.
Increased proportion of CD226 + CD14 + monocytes correlates with clinical features and laboratory parameters in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome
Authors: Zhao Ping , Cheng Wei , Liu Cuiping , Peng Cheng , Shen Yu , Yang Yanhong , Sun Chao , Chang Xin , Wu Jian
Published: October 2023

Objectives

CD226 is widely expressed on the surface of immune cells as a co‐stimulatory receptor, which is involved in the development of many autoimmune diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the proportion of CD226 on CD14 + monocytes in the peripheral circulation of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) and the clinical significance of pSS.

Methods

The proportion of CD226 on the surface of CD14 + monocytes was measured by flow cytometry in 45 pSS patients and 25 healthy controls (HC). The correlations between the proportion of CD226 + CD14 + monocytes and the clinical features and laboratory parameters of pSS were analyzed. Meanwhile, we analyzed the change in proportion of CD226 + CD14 + monocytes before and after treatment, and the clinical significance of pSS was evaluated.

Results

The proportion of CD226 on CD14 + monocytes markedly increased in pSS patients compared to HC (p < .01). We found the proportion of CD226 + CD14 + monocytes was positively correlated with the disease activity and severity of pSS patients. The proportion of CD226 + CD14 + monocytes in pSS patients with decayed tooth, fatigue, interstitial lung disease (ILD), low WBC, high IgG, anti‐Ro60, and anti‐SSB positive increased compared to that in negative patients (p < .05). Furthermore, the proportion of CD226 + CD14 + monocytes was significantly higher in active patients than in nonactive patients (p < .01). Additionally, the proportion of CD226 + CD14 + monocytes decreased in seven pSS patients after treatment (p < .01).

Conclusion

Our study suggested that an increased CD226 proportion on CD14 + monocytes was associated with the clinical manifestations, disease activity, and prognosis of pSS patients. CD226+ CD14 + monocytes may present a potential target and a biomarker for the prognosis and therapy of pSS patients.
Complete dissection of right paratracheal lymph nodes (stations 2R and 4R) is critical to improve the prognosis of lung cancer patients: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Zhao Kejia , Mei Jiandong , Hu Binbin , Guo Chenglin , Wei Shiyou , Yang Xudong , Yang Zhenyu , Zhang Jian , Ku Yin , Zheng Yao , Wu Di , Li Shasha , Mao Yonghong , Ding Yu , Liu Lunxu
Published: October 2023

Background

The optimal extent of mediastinal lymph node dissection is still under debate. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic impact of complete dissection of right paratracheal lymph nodes (LNs) in right‐sided non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and evaluate the potential patient population who will particularly benefit from right paratracheal node dissection (RPND).

Methods

Between January 2009 and December 2019, we retrospectively reviewed 2650 patients with primary right‐sided NSCLC who underwent pulmonary surgery with lymphadenectomy in the Western China Lung Cancer Database. A total of 2447 patients received both 2R and 4R LNs dissection (complete RPND group), 162 patients received only 2R or 4R LNs dissection (incomplete RPND group), and 41 patients received neither 2R nor 4R LNs dissection (no RPND group). Overall survival (OS) was analyzed.

Results

The metastasis rates in stations 2R and 4R were 6.5% and 8.0%, respectively. In stage N2 patients, the frequency of involvement of stations 2R/4R was 74.8%. The complete RPND group had a significantly better survival than the incomplete and no RPND group (5‐year OS, 79.5% vs. 72.7% vs. 65.5%; p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, status of RPND (incomplete RPND vs. complete RPND: HR 1.45, 95% CI: 1.10–1.90; p = 0.009; no RPND vs. complete RPND: HR 2.25, 95% CI: 1.37 to 3.69; p = 0.001), age, gender, tumor size, histological type, pTNM stage, pT stage, pN stage, and adjuvant treatment were independent factors for OS.

Conclusions

Complete RPND brings survival benefits to patients with right‐sided NSCLC. We suggest complete RPND as a standard procedure for patients with right‐sided NSCLC.