bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional Exploration of Conserved Sequences in the Distal Face of Angiotensinogen
Authors: Amioka Naofumi , Wu Chia-Hua , Sawada Hisashi , Ito Sohei , Pettey Alex C. , Wu Congqing , Moorleghen Jessica J. , Howatt Deborah A. , Graf Gregory A. , Kooi Craig W. Vander , Daugherty Alan , Lu Hong S.
Published: December 2022

Background

Angiotensinogen (AGT) is an essential component in the renin-angiotensin system. AGT has highly conserved sequences in the loop and β-sheet regions among species; however, their functions have not been studied.

Methods

Adeno-associated viral vector (AAV) serotype 2/8 encoding mouse AGT with mutations of conserved sequences in the loop (AAV.loop-Mut), β-sheet (AAV.βsheet-Mut), or both regions (AAV.loop/βsheet-Mut) were injected into male hepatocyte-specific AGT deficient (hepAGT-/-) mice in an LDL receptor –/– background. AAV containing mouse wild-type AGT (AAV.mAGT) or a null vector (AAV.null) were used as controls. Two weeks after AAV administration, all mice were fed a Western diet for 12 weeks. To determine how AGT secretion is regulated in hepatocytes, AAVs containing the above mutations were transducted into HepG2 cells.

Results

In hepAGT-/– mice infected with AAV.loop-Mut or βsheet-Mut, plasma AGT concentrations, systolic blood pressure, and atherosclerosis were comparable to those in AAV.mAGT-infected mice. Surprisingly, plasma AGT concentrations, systolic blood pressure, and atherosclerotic lesion size in hepAGT-/– mice infected with AAV.loop/βsheet-Mut were not different from mice infected with AAV.null. In contrast, hepaticAgtmRNA abundance was elevated to a comparable magnitude as AAV.mAGT-infected mice. Immunostaining showed that AGT protein was accumulated trol and AAV containing wild-type mouse AGT as a positive control. We have demonstra ted consistently in this and previous studies tht located in the endoplasmic reticulum.

Conclusions

The conserved sequences in either the loop or β-sheet region individually have no effect on AGT regulation, but the conserved sequences in both regions synergistically contribute to the secretion of AGT from hepatocytes.

HIGHLIGHTS

The loop and β-sheet regions in the distal face of angiotensinogen (AGT) have highly conserved sequences across species.

Mutations on either the loop or β-sheet regions do not affect plasma AGT concentrations, blood pressure, and atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic mice.

The conserved sequences in the loop and β-sheet regions regulate the secretion of AGT from hepatocytes synergistically in vivo and in cultured cells.
Board gender diversity and the acquisition announcement on Friday: evidence from Spain
Authors: Farinós José Emilio , Herrero Begoña , Latorre Miguel Ángel
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the influence of the gender diversity in the corporate board on the decision of announcing a firm acquisition on Friday. Prior evidence found the phenomenon of investor inattention.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 252 cash-financed acquisitions conducted by listed Spanish firms from 2004 to 2018 is analysed. Probit regressions are used.

Findings

Firms with greater gender diversity on the board are less likely to make acquisition announcements of listed targets on Friday, thus avoiding investor inattention. Women directors seem to provide higher quality information and are more concerned about investors.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that analyses the role of women directors in the publication of information on Friday, so it complements studies on the disclosure of quality information by listed companies. The Spanish market is an adequate scenario to analyse the impact of women's participation in business decision-making because Spain was one of the first countries to legislate on gender diversity.
Networking as an entrepreneurial marketing tool: the link between effectuation and word of mouth
Authors: Robledo Sebastian , Vasquez John Eider , Duque3-Méndez Néstor Darío , Duque-Uribe Veronica
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Effectuation has received increased attention in the field of entrepreneurship. However, previous studies have focused on performance rather than on networking and word-of-mouth (WOM) marketing. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to understand the mediating effect of networking on the relationship between effectuation and WOM marketing.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used partial least squares structural equation modeling to investigate the relationship between effectuation and WOM marketing mediated through networking. The research model was assessed using data from a sample of 256 entrepreneurs.

Findings

The results reveal that effectuation positively influences WOM marketing, mediated by networking. This study provides new insights into the precursors of WOM marketing and highlights the importance of networking in this process.

Practical implications

The implications of these findings suggest that entrepreneurs should create networking plans that focus on the maintenance and creation of new customers. This plan could be tracked via email, cell phone or online social data to maintain awareness of the failures and successes of the process and for continual improvement.

Originality/value

A vast number of studies have been conducted on effectuation and networking. However, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, no previous study has investigated the influence of these two variables on WOM marketing. Entrepreneurs face long-term sales challenges, and this study proposes that networking could be a solution, thereby increasing WOM marketing sales.
Show-and-tell or hide-and-seek? Examining organizational cybersecurity incident notifications
Authors: Cram W. Alec , Mouajou-Kenfack Rissaile
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The growing frequency of cybersecurity incidents commonly requires organizations to notify customers of ongoing events. However, the content contained within these notifications varies widely, including differences in the level of detail, apportioning of blame, compensation and corrective action. This study seeks to identify patterns contained within cybersecurity incident notifications by constructing a typology of organizational responses.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a detailed review of 1,073 global cybersecurity incidents occurring during 2020, the authors obtained and qualitatively analyzed 451 customer notifications.

Findings

The results reveal three distinct organizational response types associated with the level of detail contained within the notification (full transparency, guarded and opacity), as well as three response types associated with the benefitting party (customer interest, balanced interest and company interest).

Originality/value

This work extends past classifications of cybersecurity incident notifications and provides a template of possible notification approaches that could be adopted by organizations.
Development of highly soluble and functional buffalo milk protein concentrate 60 by modifying ionic environment and characterisation thereof
Authors: Dudi Kuldeep , Khatkar Sunil Kumar
Published: December 2022

The ionic and protein environment of buffalo skim milk was modified by instant pH drop and its restoration for the development of highly soluble milk protein concentrate‐60 (BuMRate–60@), which resulted in depletion of 88.64% calcium, 89.18% magnesium, 91.69% potassium and 93.96% phosphorous. BuMRate–60@ displayed excellent wetting, rehydration and solubility (97.76%). The Fourier transform infrared spectrometer spectra revealed significant stretching (C‐H and O‐H), N‐H bending and a large extent of H‐bonding. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs presented particles with porous nature and dimples, while transmission electron microscopy confirmed a greater release of minerals with altered casein micelles.
Effect of agricultural extension on cotton farmer's efficiency in arid and semi‐arid areas of Burkina Faso
Authors: Akouwerabou Dénis B.
Published: December 2022

This study shows that farmers in arid and semi‐arid land can improve their efficiency if they have access to agricultural extension services. An exhaustive survey was used to obtain data from 423 cotton producers in the arid zones and 144 of wetlands in Burkina Faso. The method of the directional distance function modeling a multi‐output technology was used. The results show that cotton farmers in the arid zones are not technically more inefficient than those in wetlands. On average, arid zone producers have a technical inefficiency of 0.056 while that of wetland producers is around 0.052. The agricultural extension, defined as receiving visits and advice from technical agents, is important for producers because it helps farmers choose soil and water conservation techniques and fertilizers adapted to the Agro‐climatic conditions of their respective zones. Agriculture extension also helps farmers of the arid zones to reduce their technical inefficiency by advising them to cultivate small agricultural plots. On average, in these zones, the size of an agricultural plot is around 1.03 ha compared to those of wetlands which is about 1.6 ha.
Alternative splicing of a carboxyl/choline esterase gene enhances the fenpropathrin tolerance of Tetranychus cinnabarinus
Authors: Wei Peng , Zeng Xinying , Han Haonan , Yang Yiqing , Zhang Youjun , He Lin
Published: December 2022

Detoxification plays a crucial role in agricultural pests to withstand pesticides, and cytochrome P450s, carboxyl/choline esterases (CCEs), and glutathione‐S‐transferases are the main proteins responsible for their detoxification ability. The activity of CCEs can be upregulated, downregulated, or modified by mutation. However, few studies have examined the role of alternative splicing in altering the properties of CCEs. We identified 2 variants of TcCCE23 in Tetranychus cinnabarinus: a long version (CCE23‐V1) and a short version that is 18 nucleotides shorter than CCE23‐V1 (CCE23‐V2). Whether splicing affects the activity of TcCCE23 remains unclear. Overexpression of CCE23‐V2 in fenpropathrin‐resistant T. cinnabarinus revealed that splicing affected the detoxification of fenpropathrin by CCE23‐V2. The mortality of mites was significantly higher when the expression of CCE23‐V2 was knocked down (43.2% ± 3.3%) via injection of CCE23‐dsRNA (double‐stranded RNA) compared with the control group injected with green fluorescent protein‐dsRNA under fenpropathrin exposure; however, the downregulation of CCE23‐V1 (61.3% ± 6.3%) by CCE23‐small interfering RNA had no such effect, indicating CCE23‐V2 plays a greater role in xenobiotic metabolism than CCE23‐V1. The tolerance of flies overexpressing CCE23‐V2 to fenpropathrin (50% lethal dose [LD50] = 19.47 μg/g) was significantly higher than that of Gal4/UAS‐CCE23‐V1 transgenic flies (LD50 = 13.11 μg/g). Molecular docking analysis showed that splicing opened a “gate” that enlarges the substrate binding cavity of CCE23‐V2, might enhance the ability of CCE23‐V2 to harbor fenpropathrin molecules. These findings suggest that splicing might enhance the detoxifying capability of TcCCE23. Generally, our data improve the understanding of the diversity and complexity of the mechanisms underlying the regulation of CCEs.
Interspecific association of sika deer in terrestrial animal communities of Liancheng National Nature Reserve, China
Authors: SU Tengwei , CUI Guofa , MAN Zihong , LI Wentao , HUANG Zhihao , CHEN Jinfeng , ZHAO Minyan
Published: December 2022

The prevention and control of invasive of alien species is an important work for nature reserves. This study analyzes the development trend of the alien species sika deer in Liancheng National Nature Reserve. From October 2019 to June 2020, 3523 valid photos and videos of terrestrial animals were acquired from 130 camera traps, and sika deer were recorded in 21 photos from 13 traps. The survival of the sika deer population was investigated by means of morphological identification, population structure analysis, species relative abundance indices, and species spatial association analysis. A total of 13 sika deer individuals were identified by camera trapping, including two kids and three subadults representing the reproductive capacity of the population. Spatially, sika deer is not associated with any local species and was outside the spatial association network of terrestrial animals in Liancheng National Nature Reserve, indicating that the sika deer population has not been integrated into the local community and has failed to perform its ecological function. It is worth noting that the reserve provides habitat suitable for sika deer and that the population has adequate reproductive capacity. Due to the lack of large apex predators in the reserve, the population size of ungulates such as sika deer, red deer, and Siberian roe deer may expand and lead to population outbreaks and the associated problems for the ecosystem. To restore large‐ and medium‐sized carnivores and avoid the population outbreak of the species, the present challenges require immediate attention in Liancheng National Nature Reserve.
VEXAS syndrome with severe multisystem involvement: Rapid recovery after splenectomy
Authors: Yildirim Fatih , Erdogan Mustafa , Yalcin Mutlu Melek , Akkuzu Gamze , Ozgur Duygu Sevinç , Karaalioglu Bilgin , Ayer Mesut , Bes Cemal
Published: December 2022

VEXAS (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X‐linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) syndrome is a newly defined disorder in which treatment is still unclear. Herein, a patient with VEXAS syndrome who had atypical findings and an interesting treatment course is presented as a case report. He had fatigue, recurrent fever, pulmonary infiltrates, proteinuria, anemia, leucopenia, transient skin rush and increased acute phase reactants. The patient, who could not tolerate corticosteroid tapering, recovered rapidly after diagnostic splenectomy and the pathological examination of the spleen revealed significant findings.
Depletion of growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) leads to mitochondrial dysfunction and premature senescence in human dermal fibroblasts
Authors: Wedel Sophia , Martic Ines , Guerrero Navarro Lena , Ploner Christian , Pierer Gerhard , Jansen‐Dürr Pidder , Cavinato Maria
Published: December 2022

Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is a stress‐responsive cytokine also known as a mitokine; however, its role in mitochondrial homeostasis and cellular senescence remained elusive. We show here that knocking down GDF15 expression in human dermal fibroblasts induced mitochondrial dysfunction and premature senescence, associated with a distinct senescence‐associated secretory phenotype. Fibroblast‐specific loss of GDF15 expression in a model of 3D reconstructed human skin induced epidermal thinning, a hallmark of skin aging. Our results suggest GDF15 to play a so far undisclosed role in mitochondrial homeostasis to delay both the onset of cellular senescence and the appearance of age‐related changes in a 3D human skin model.
AnthropoAge, a novel approach to integrate body composition into the estimation of biological age
Authors: Fermín‐Martínez Carlos A. , Márquez‐Salinas Alejandro , Guerra Enrique C. , Zavala‐Romero Lilian , Antonio‐Villa Neftali Eduardo , Fernández‐Chirino Luisa , Sandoval‐Colin Eduardo , Barquera‐Guevara Daphne Abigail , Campos Muñoz Alejandro , Vargas‐Vázquez Arsenio , Paz‐Cabrera César Daniel , Ramírez‐García Daniel , Gutiérrez‐Robledo Luis Miguel , Bello‐Chavolla Omar Yaxmehen
Published: December 2022

Aging is believed to occur across multiple domains, one of which is body composition; however, attempts to integrate it into biological age (BA) have been limited. Here, we consider the sex‐dependent role of anthropometry for the prediction of 10‐year all‐cause mortality using data from 18,794 NHANES participants to generate and validate a new BA metric. Our data‐driven approach pointed to sex‐specific contributors for BA estimation: WHtR, arm and thigh circumferences for men; weight, WHtR, thigh circumference, subscapular and triceps skinfolds for women. We used these measurements to generate AnthropoAge, which predicted all‐cause mortality (AUROC 0.876, 95%CI 0.864–0.887) and cause‐specific mortality independently of ethnicity, sex, and comorbidities; AnthropoAge was a better predictor than PhenoAge for cerebrovascular, Alzheimer, and COPD mortality. A metric of age acceleration was also derived and used to assess sexual dimorphisms linked to accelerated aging, where women had an increase in overall body mass plus an important subcutaneous to visceral fat redistribution, and men displayed a marked decrease in fat and muscle mass. Finally, we showed that consideration of multiple BA metrics may identify unique aging trajectories with increased mortality (HR for multidomain acceleration 2.43, 95%CI 2.25–2.62) and comorbidity profiles. A simplified version of AnthropoAge (S‐AnthropoAge) was generated using only BMI and WHtR, all results were preserved using this metric. In conclusion, AnthropoAge is a useful proxy of BA that captures cause‐specific mortality and sex dimorphisms in body composition, and it could be used for future multidomain assessments of aging to better characterize the heterogeneity of this phenomenon.
The combination of CD138/MUM1 dual‐staining and artificial intelligence for plasma cell counting in the diagnosis of chronic endometritis
Authors: Xiong Zhongtang , Zhang Wei , Liu Shaoyan , Liu Kai , Wang Jin , Qin Ping , Liu Yuping , Jiang Qingping
Published: December 2022

Objective

To investigate the utility of combination of CD138/MUM1 dual‐staining (DS) and artificial intelligence (AI) for plasma cell (PC) counting in the diagnosis of chronic endometritis (CE).

Methods

Two hundred ninety‐eight infertile women underwent endometrial biopsy were included. In 100 women, three successive sections were cut from each paraffin‐embedded tissue block for CD138 immunohistochemical (IHC) single‐staining (SS), MUM1 SS and CD138/MUM1 DS. The prevalence of CE and the sensitivity/specificity in the diagnosis of CE with different methods was studied. These sections diagnosed as CE with DS were collected to train artificial intelligence (AI) diagnostic system. In other 198 women, their tissue sections stained with CD138/MUM1 DS were used to test the AI system in the diagnosis of CE.

Results

CD138/MUM1 DS revealed that the cell membranes and nuclei of PCs were simultaneously labelled by CD138 and MUM1, respectively. The positive rate of ECs identified by CD138/MUM1 DS (38%, 38/100) was lower than CD138 SS (52%, 52/100) and MUM1 SS (62%, 62/100) (p < .05). The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of CD138/MUM1 DS in the diagnosis of ECs reached 100%. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy rates of AI diagnostic system of ECs were 100%, 83.3% and 91.4%, respectively. The 17 cases over‐diagnosed as EC with the AI were corrected quickly by pathologists reviewing these false PC pictures listed by the AI.

Conclusion

The combination of CD138/MUM1 DS and AI is a promising method to improve the accuracy and efficiency of CE diagnosis.
India's Response to China's Geoeconomic Rise: Hedging With a Multipronged Engagement
Authors: Yoshimatsu Hidetaka
Published: December 2022

China's geoeconomic assertiveness through the Belt and Road Initiative and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank has a significant impact on countries in various parts of the world, and India is one of the major countries that have received complicated influences from such assertiveness. This article aims to examine India's strategic response to China's increasing geoeconomic presence in South Asia and the Indian Ocean Region. It argues that India has adopted policy options of confrontation and practical cooperation through risk management amid China's growing geoeconomic presence, and has pursued a multi‐pronged engagement, aimed at not taking sides between the United States and China and securing ‘strategic autonomy’. These policy options contributed, as a hedging strategy, to defending and enhancing its dominant regional status in uncertain geostrategic politics. Additionally, India has pursued a hedging‐oriented ideational strategy of diluting the confrontational nature of the US‐led Indo‐Pacific strategy and advancing its ideational vision for the Indo‐Pacific.
Factors associated with lower disease‐specific and generic health‐related quality of life in Rome IV irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Goodoory Vivek C. , Guthrie Elspeth A. , Ng Cho E. , Black Christopher J. , Ford Alexander C.
Published: December 2022

Background

Little is known about associations with reduced quality of life in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or impact of IBS on quality of life compared with other chronic conditions.

Methods

We collected demographic, gastrointestinal and psychological symptoms, healthcare usage, direct healthcare costs, impact on work and activities of daily living data from 752 individuals with Rome IV‐defined IBS. We used the irritable bowel syndrome quality of life (IBS‐QOL) and the EQ‐5D‐5L questionnaires to examine characteristics associated with lower quality of life.

Results

The mean IBS‐QOL among all 752 individuals with Rome IV IBS was 48.4 (SD 22.3) and the mean EQ‐5D score was 0.570 (SD 0.283), the latter being comparable to people with stroke, leg ulcers or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Lower levels of both disease‐specific and generic quality of life were associated with severe IBS symptom scores, abnormal anxiety or depression scores, and higher somatoform symptom‐reporting and gastrointestinal symptom‐specific anxiety scores (p < 0.001 for all analyses). Those with lower quality of life had significantly higher healthcare usage and direct healthcare costs and more impairment in work and activities of daily living (p < 0.01 for all analyses). Avoidance of alcohol, lower educational level, abnormal anxiety, depression or somatoform symptom‐reporting scores, and impairment in social leisure activities, home management or maintaining close relationships were all independently associated with lower quality of life.

Conclusion

IBS has a substantial impact on the quality of life of those affected, and worse than observed in some severe chronic organic conditions.
Medium chain triglycerides improve the growth performance, immune and antioxidant functions, and intestinal health of weaned rabbits
Authors: Wang Bin , Ye Xin , Guo Zhiqiang , Kuang Liangde , Yang Rui , Li Congyan , Guo Zihan , Zheng Jie , Li Yu Ying , Lei Min , Lu Jingzhi , Xie Xiaohong
Published: December 2022

The purpose is to study the effects of different doses of medium chain triglyceride (MCT) on growth performance, immune and oxidative functions, and intestinal health of weaned rabbits. A total of 600 weaned rabbits weighing about 993.26 g and at 35 d of age were randomly divided into five groups. The control group was fed a basal diet containing 2400 mg/kg soybean oil, and the experimental group was substituted with 600, 1200, 1800, and 2400 mg/kg MCT. The whole trial period lasted for 48 d. The results showed that treatment with 2400 mg/kg MCT significantly increased the weaning survival rate and crude fat digestibility (p < 0.05) and dramatically raised the levels of serum immunoglobulin (Ig)A, IgG, IgM, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and total antioxidant capability (p < 0.05). The villus height and crypt depth in 1800 mg/kg MCT group were observably enhanced (p < 0.05). The abundance of Bacteroidetes was significantly increased in 1800 and 2400 mg/kg MCT groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, 1800 and 2400 mg/kg MCT substituting soybean oil in the diet of weaned rabbits can improve the growth performance and intestinal barrier function of weaned rabbits.
Seroprevalence of Coxiella burnetii antibodies in wild deer populations in eastern Australia
Authors: Voss L , Huaman J , Pacioni C , Tolpinrud A , Helbig K , Carvalho TG , Firestone SM
Published: December 2022

Coxiella burnetii causes significant reproduction losses in livestock and the disease Q fever in humans. Transmission of C. burnetii is facilitated by the stability of the bacterium in the environment and the susceptibility of a variety of host species to infection. Consequently, inter‐species transmission occurs frequently through either direct or indirect contact. Wildlife may represent reservoirs of C. burnetii and could therefore be a source of infection for domestic animals. Understanding the prevalence of C. burnetii infections at the wildlife‐livestock interface is important for disease control. This study aimed to investigate the extent of C. burnetii exposure in wild deer in eastern Australia. Serum samples were obtained from 413 wild deer from seven regions in four eastern Australian states from 2017 to 2020. Antibodies were detected using a commercial Q fever antibody kit validated for ruminants. Seroprevalence of C. burnetii antibodies in deer was determined and true prevalence estimated, for each region. The overall seroprevalence of C. burnetii antibodies in wild deer was 3.4% (14 seropositive of 413 deer sampled) with true prevalence estimated to be 4.3% (95% credible interval: 0.6%, 10.9%). Seropositive deer were identified only in Queensland (7/108 seropositive) and northern New South Wales (7/120 seropositive). This geospatial distribution is consistent with seropositivity in other animal species and indicative of the level of C. burnetii in the environment. The low seroprevalence suggests that wild deer are unlikely to be a major reservoir species for C. burnetii in eastern Australia but may still be implicated in inter‐species transmission cycles.
Treatment decision regret in long‐term survivors after radical prostatectomy: a longitudinal study
Authors: Meissner Valentin H. , Simson Barbara W. , Dinkel Andreas , Schiele Stefan , Ankerst Donna P. , Lunger Lukas , Gschwend Jürgen E. , Herkommer Kathleen
Published: December 2022

Objectives

To investigate prevalence, course, and predictors of longitudinal decision regret in long‐term prostate cancer (PCa) survivors treated by radical prostatectomy (RP).

Patients and Methods

A total of 1003 PCa survivors from the multicentre German Familial PCa Database completed questionnaires on average 7 years after RP in 2007 and at follow‐up 13 years later in 2020. Patients completed standardised patient‐reported outcome measures on decision regret, decision‐making, health‐related quality of life, and psychosocial factors. Hierarchical multivariable logistic regression was used to assess predictors of longitudinal decision regret.

Results

Decision regret increased significantly over time (9.0% after 6.9 years in 2007 and 12% after 19 years in 2020; P = 0.009). Favourable localised PCa (odds ratio [OR] 1.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05–3.68), decision regret in 2007 (OR 6.38, 95% CI 3.55–11.47), and a higher depression score (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.03–1.83) were associated with decision regret in 2020. Shared decision‐making (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.33–0.93) was associated with less decision regret.

Conclusion

The findings of the present study underline the perseverance of decision regret in long‐term PCa survivors and the definitive need for involving patients in the decision‐making process to mitigate regret over the long term.
Sustainable functional urethral reconstruction improves early urinary continence after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Jia Zepeng , Chen Zeyu , Chang Yifan , Wu Cheng , Qu Min , Nian Xinwen , Shen Xianqi , Zhang Yun , Tang Shouyan , Wang Yan , Gao Xu
Published: December 2022

Objective

To evaluate the impact of sustainable functional urethral reconstruction (SFUR) on early recovery of urinary continence (UC) after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy.

Patients and Methods

Overall, 96 patients with primary prostate cancer were randomised into the SFUR or standard group (n = 48 each). The primary outcome was the 1‐month UC recovery. Secondary outcomes included short‐term (≤3 months) UC recovery, urinary function, micturition‐related bother, perioperative complications, and oncological outcomes. Kaplan–Meier curves and Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the 3‐month UC recovery. Generalised estimating equations were used to compare postoperative urinary function and micturition‐related bother.

Results

The 1‐month UC recovery rates, median 24‐h pad weights, and median operative time in the SFUR and standard groups were 73% and 49% (P = 0.017), 0 and 47 g (P = 0.001), and 125 and 103 min (P = 0.025), respectively. The UC recovery rates in the SFUR vs standard groups were 53% vs 23% at 1 week (P = 0.003), 53% vs 32% at 2 weeks (P = 0.038), and 93% vs 77% at 3 months (P = 0.025). The median time to UC recovery in the SFUR and standard groups was 5 and 34 days, respectively (log‐rank P = 0.006); multivariable Cox regression supported this result (hazard ratio 1.73, 95% confidence interval 1.08–2.79, P = 0.024). Similar results were observed when UC was defined as 0 pads/day. Urinary function (P = 0.2) and micturition‐related bother (P = 0.8) were similar at all follow‐up intervals. The perioperative complication rates, positive surgical margin rates, and 1‐year biochemical recurrence‐free survival were comparable between both groups (all P > 0.05).

Conclusion

SFUR resulted in earlier UC recovery without compromising postoperative urinary function. Long‐term validation and multicentre studies are required to confirm the results of this novel technique.
Detection of melatonin protective effects in sepsis via argyrophilic nucleolar regulatory region‐associated protein synthesis and TLR4/NF‐κB signaling pathway
Authors: Yilmaz Seher , Doğanyiğit Züleyha , Oflamaz Aslı Okan , Ateş Şükrü , Uçar Sümeyye , Söylemez Evrim Suna Arıkan
Published: December 2022

In this study, the protective effect of melatonin was investigated in lipopolysaccharide induced sepsis model. Twenty‐eight rats were randomly divided: Control, Melatonin, LPS and LPS + Melatonin. After LPS application, surgically remove kidney and liver tissues. The level of malondialdehyde (MDA) an oxidative stress marker and the immunoreactivity of Toll‐like receptor‐4 (TLR4), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), and transcription factor NF‐κB were evaluated immunohistochemically. Expression levels for TLR4, TNF‐α, NF‐kB, IL‐1β (interleukin 1 beta), and IL‐6 (interleukin 6) were evaluated. Additionally, Argyrophilic NOR staining was performed in tissues. Vacuolization and inflammation were more intense in the kidney and liver sections in the LPS group compared to the other groups. It was observed that vacuolization and inflammation were decreased in LPS + Melatonin applied groups. It was determined that glomerular damage was increased in the LPS and LPS‐melatonin groups, but the damage rate LPS‐Melatonin group was decrease in the LPS group. It was determined that the MDA level in tissues of the LPS group was importantly increased compared to other groups. Additionally, TAA/NA ratio statistically significant differences were discovered between the groups. This study supports the potential protective effects of 10 mg/kg melatonin by modulating critical markers of local immune reaction in a model of LPS‐induced sepsis.
The incidence of extraction site incisional hernia after minimally invasive colorectal surgery: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: den Hartog Floris P. J. , van Egmond Sarah , Poelman Marijn M. , Menon Anand G. , Kleinrensink Gert‐Jan , Lange Johan F. , Tanis Pieter J. , Deerenberg Eva B.
Published: December 2022

Aim

Minimally invasive colorectal surgery reduces surgical trauma with better preservation of abdominal wall integrity, but the extraction site is still at risk of incisional hernia (IH). The aim of this study was to determine pooled incidence of IH for each type of extraction site and to compare rates of IH after midline, nonmidline and Pfannenstiel extraction.

Method

A systematic review and meta‐analysis was conducted using the PRISMA guidelines. Single‐armed and multiple‐armed cohort studies and randomized controlled trials regarding minimally invasive colorectal surgery were searched from five databases. Outcomes were pooled and compared with random‐effects, inverse‐variance models. Risk of bias within the studies was assessed using the Cochrane ROBINS‐I and RoB 2 tool.

Results

Thirty six studies were included, with a total 11,788 patients. The pooled extraction site IH rate was 16.0% for midline (n = 4081), 9.3% for umbilical (n = 2425), 5.2% for transverse (n = 3213), 9.4% for paramedian (n = 134) and 2.1% for Pfannenstiel (n = 1449). Nonmidline extraction (transverse and paramedian) showed significantly lower odds ratios (ORs) for IH when compared with midline extraction (including umbilical). Pfannenstiel extraction resulted in a significantly lower OR for IH compared with midline [OR 0.12 (0.50–0.30)], transverse [OR 0.25 (0.13–0.50)] and umbilical (OR 0.072 [0.033–0.16]) extraction sites. The risks of surgical site infection, seroma/haematoma or wound dehiscence were not significantly different in any of the analyses.

Conclusion

Pfannenstiel extraction is the preferred method in minimally invasive colorectal surgery. In cases where Pfannenstiel extraction is not possible, surgeons should avoid specimen extraction in the midline.
Trends in organ donation and transplantation over the past eighteen years in Iran
Authors: Shadnoush Mahdi , Latifi Marzieh , Rahban Habib , Pourhosein Elahe , Shadnoush Alireza , Jafarian Arefeh , Dehghani Sanaz
Published: December 2022

Background

This article will review the trends in organ donation over the past 18 years in Iran.

Material and methods

All donation and transplantation statistics were extracted by reviewing the Organ Procurement and Transplantation database of the Ministry of Health of Iran from 2002 to 2019.

Results

Iran's national deceased donation rate from 2002 to 2019 increased 19.06‐fold from .75 to 14.3 per million population (PMP). After the beginning of the COVID‐19 pandemic, the rate of organ donation in Iran decreased significantly. Although 1 year after the onset of the pandemic, due to the widespread adoption of COVID19 vaccination, the rate of organ donation began to increase again, this system is still under performing. During the years under examination, the rate of deceased kidney donation increased significantly compared to living kidney donation and reached up to 2001 kidney transplantations in 2021. From 2002 to 2019, the rate of liver transplants increased to 12.8. Likewise, the rate of heart transplants increased 8.4‐fold, from 15 to 126 cases during the same time.

Conclussion

Although a personal choice, the process of organ donation involves medical, legal, ethical, organizational, and social aspects. The trend in increasing donation rates over the past years can be attributed to multiple influences, which include rigorous team efforts in the organ donation and transplantation systems, in addition to creating a donation culture and promoting donation through media platforms. Moreover, we can say that the rising rates of deceased donor transplantation also can drive down rates of commercial living donor transplantation.
IMpact of flash glucose Monitoring in pEople with type 2 Diabetes Inadequately controlled with non‐insulin Antihyperglycaemic ThErapy (IMMEDIATE): A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Aronson Ronnie , Brown Ruth E. , Chu Lisa , Bajaj Harpreet S. , Khandwala Hasnain , Abitbol Alexander , Malakieh Nadia , Goldenberg Ronald
Published: December 2022

Aim

To examine the efficacy and patient satisfaction of intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM) in adults using non‐insulin therapies for the management of type 2 diabetes.

Materials and Methods

The IMMEDIATE study was a multisite, open label, randomized controlled trial with follow‐up at 16 weeks. Adults with type 2 diabetes using at least one non‐insulin therapy, with an HbA1c of 7.5% or higher (≥ 58 mmol/mol), were randomized 1:1 to receive an isCGM device plus diabetes self‐management education (isCGM + DSME) or DSME alone. Enrolment occurred from 8 September 2020 to 24 December 2021. The primary outcome was percentage mean time in range (TIR), in the final 2‐week period, measured via blinded CGM.

Results

One hundred and sixteen participants were randomized (mean age, 58 years; diabetes duration, 10 years; mean HbA1c, 8.6% [70 mmol/mol]). At 16 weeks of follow‐up, the isCGM and DSME arm had a significantly greater mean TIR by 9.9% (2.4 hours) (95% CI, −17.3% to −2.5%; P < .01), significantly less time above range by 8.1% (1.9 hours) (95% CI, 0.5% to 15.7%; P = .037), and a greater reduction in mean HbA1c by 0.3% (3 mmol/mol) (95% CI, 0% to 0.7%; P = .048) versus the DSME arm. Time below range was low and not significantly different between groups and hypoglycaemic events were few in both groups. Glucose monitoring satisfaction was higher among isCGM users (adjusted difference −0.5 [95% CI, −0.7 to −0.3], P < .01).

Conclusions

The IMMEDIATE study has shown that among non‐insulin–treated individuals with type 2 diabetes, use of isCGM is associated with an improvement in glycaemic outcomes.
Impact of a multicomponent healthcare intervention on glycaemic control in subjects with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes: The INTEGRA study
Authors: Molló Àngels , Vlacho Bogdan , Gratacòs Mònica , Mata‐Cases Manel , Rubinat Esther , Berenguera Anna , Real Jordi , Puig‐Treserra Ramon , Cos Xavier , Franch‐Nadal Josep , Khunti Kamlesh , Mauricio Dídac ,   the INTEGRA research group
Published: December 2022

Aim

To evaluate whether a specially designed multicomponent healthcare intervention improves glycaemic control in subjects with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes.

Materials and Methods

A cluster, non‐randomized, controlled, pragmatic trial in subjects from 11 primary care centres with type 2 diabetes and HbA1c of more than 9% (> 75 mmol/mol) was conducted. The intervention (N = 225 subjects) was professional and patient‐centred, including a dedicated monographic visit that encouraged therapeutic intensification by physicians. The sham control (N = 181) was identical to that of the intervention group except that the dedicated visit was omitted. The primary outcome was to compare the reductions in HbA1c values between the groups at 12 months of follow‐up.

Results

The mean age at baseline was 59.5 years, mean diabetes duration was 10.7 years and mean HbA1c was 10.3% (89.0 mmol/mol). Patients in the intervention arm achieved significantly greater HbA1c reduction than those in the sham control group at 12 months (mean difference −0.62%, 95% CI = −0.2%, −1.04%; P = .002). A larger percentage of intervention participants achieved an HbA1c of less than 8% (44.8% vs. 25.5%; P = .003) and were more frequently treated with more than three antidiabetic therapies (14.4% vs. 3.5%; P = .0008). Intervention was the only variable associated with higher odds of HbA1c less than 8% (odds ratio = 2.52; 95% CI = 1.54‐4.12; P < .001).

Conclusions

A multicomponent intervention including a dedicated visit oriented at reducing therapeutic inertia by primary care physicians can improve glycaemic control in poorly controlled patients with type 2 diabetes.
Safety and efficacy analyses across age and body mass index subgroups in East Asian participants with type 2 diabetes in the phase 3 tirzepatide studies (SURPASS programme)
Authors: Kiyosue Arihiro , Dunn Julia P. , Cui Xuewei , Hickey Ana , Hirase Tetsuaki , Imaoka Takeshi , Heine Robert J.
Published: December 2022

Aim

To assess the safety and efficacy of tirzepatide in people of East Asian descent based on age and body mass index (BMI).

Materials and Methods

Data of participants enrolled in East Asian countries in the SURPASS‐1, ‐3, ‐4, ‐5, J‐mono and J‐combo phase 3 clinical trials were included. Participants with type 2 diabetes with a baseline HbA1c of 7.0% up to 11.0% and a BMI of 23 kg/m2 or greater or 25 kg/m2 or greater were included. Participants treated with tirzepatide 5, 10 or 15 mg were evaluated to assess the safety and efficacy of tirzepatide in people of East Asian descent (94% from Japan) based on age (< 65 and ≥ 65 years) and BMI (< 25 and ≥ 25 kg/m2). Key safety and efficacy outcomes were assessed.

Results

At baseline, 73% of East Asian participants had a BMI of 25 kg/m2 or greater and 74% were younger than 65 years. At week 52, tirzepatide induced a similar dose‐dependent reduction in HbA1c, waist circumference and BMI across subgroups. Across all BMI and age subgroups, mean absolute HbA1c reductions across the three doses ranged from 2.3% to 3.0%, and mean waist circumference reductions ranged from 4.3 to 9.8 cm. Improvements in absolute insulin sensitivity, assessed by homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, were greater in those with a baseline BMI of ≥ 25 kg/m2. Improvements in lipid profiles were similar across subgroups. While the safety profile of tirzepatide was broadly similar across BMI and age subgroups, drug discontinuation because of adverse events was higher in participants with a baseline age of ≥ 65 years.

Conclusions

This post hoc analysis showed that once‐weekly tirzepatide had a similar safety and efficacy profile across BMI and age subgroups in East Asian participants.
Emerging Ideas. Digital parenting advice: Online guidance regarding children's use of the Internet and social media
Authors: Harris Lauren E. , Jacobs Jerry A.
Published: December 2022

Objective

This research explores online advice to parents for managing children's Internet and social media use to understand what courses of action are recommended for parents.

Background

Parents often play a protectionist role in parenting, including trying to limit their children's Internet use to reduce harms. However, little is known about the advice parents are provided about how to make these decisions.

Methods

We conducted a content analysis of 73 websites offering advice to parents on guiding their children's Internet use. These websites are sponsored by professional associations as well as magazines, blogs, and others.

Results

Privacy, monitoring, limiting use, parent–child communication, and safety were the most common topic areas. We find that sites emphasize the risks of being online roughly twice as often as the opportunities. Only approximately two fifths of the websites addressed the permanence of online sharing or how this may impact future college admissions or employment opportunities.

Conclusion

Advice given to parents focuses on protecting children (privacy, safety, monitoring) much more than teaching children how to navigate social media platforms for their benefit.

Implications

Given the proliferation of social media and the Internet and how online behavior affects opportunities, it is increasingly important to understand what guidance parents are provided to teach children how to develop digital cultural capital in a technologically advanced world.
Bankruptcy in divorce: The litigation tactic of the angry spouse
Authors: Semerdzhiev Angel
Published: December 2022

A matrimonial proceeding on its own is complex and can have far‐reaching implications. Add in a spouse filing for bankruptcy in the midst of the proceeding, and the process becomes even further complicated and quite possibly hostile. This Note analyzes the bad‐faith tactics of debtor spouses filing for bankruptcy in the middle of a divorce proceeding and proposes an amendment to the Bankruptcy Code that permits bankruptcy courts to dismiss bad faith petitions before they negatively impact divorce proceedings.
Vocal individuality measures reveal spatial and temporal variation in roding behaviour in Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola)
Authors: Bristow Thomas G. , McHugh Niamh M. , Heward Christopher J. , Jenkins Dionne L. , Newson Stuart E. , Snaddon Jake L.
Published: December 2022

Use of species‐specific field methods may be required for taxa that are inherently difficult to survey, for example species with cryptic camouflage or secretive behaviour. However, these methods often require more manual effort and therefore cost. Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) is now an established tool to reduce manual effort to monitor species, and analysis of spectrograms provides the means to discriminate individuals by call characteristics. At night, male Eurasian Woodcock Scolopax rusticola make distinct, audible ‘roding’ displays above the tree canopy to advertise to females. Studying this behaviour at an individual level while using PAM presents opportunities to improve monitoring methods of this cryptic, Red‐Listed species. This study evaluates the potential use of vocal individuality measurements in distinguishing Woodcock individuals and interpreting spatial and temporal patterns in their roding displays across woodland sites. Woodcock roding calls were recorded from woodland fragments across two regions comprising 20 sites. A random forest classifier was applied to reduce the time needed to find and manually verify calls. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering algorithms were used on call measurements, describing duration and frequency differences in calls. When clusters formed, they were used to qualitatively assess supposed individual spatial and temporal variation in roding behaviour. The variance of dimensionally reduced measurements was used to interpret local Woodcock abundance and changes over time. Supposed individuals used many sites within a region, and many sites were used by multiple birds. However, sites showed clusters of calls from supposed individuals in different proportions. It was difficult to discriminate individuals using PCA with more than six birds because the degree of call overlap increased. Though the call measurement variance is associated with number of call events, it may provide a suitable method for representing population size without call count bias.
Characterisation of zinc‐chelating peptides derived from scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) mantle and their intestinal transport in everted rat sacs
Authors: Liu Xiaoyang , Sun Jiatong , Li Yue , Yu Xuening , Yin Fawen , Li Deyang , Jiang Pengfei , Nakamura Yoshimasa , Zhou Dayong
Published: December 2022

Recently, food‐derived peptides were frequently studied and used as metal ion chelator against negative effects of trace element absorption induced by various human gastrointestinal environments. In this study, the scallop mantle hydrolysates (SMHs) were produced and characterised to study their intestinal promotion of zinc absorption. During production of hydrolysates, the results of degree of hydrolysis (DH) and proteins solubility suggested that the alcalase was suitable for the production of peptides from scallop mantle proteins where the chelating conditions were settled (30 °C, 10 min and 3 mg mL−1). The molecular distribution of SMH was mainly 1–5 kDa and chelation of zinc with SMH (involved in carboxyl and amine group of SMH) triggered no significant alteration on the secondary structure of SMH. Zinc morphologically altered the surface structures of SMH. Moreover, SMH could successfully carry and transport zinc while the fluorescence staining indicated free zinc accumulated inside the tissue of everted rat sacs. Finally, several representative transported peptides (intact or cleaved) were identified, such as FTGEPGPSGPT, AINDPFIDL and ALPHAILRI. This study provided a theoretical basis for the investigation of absorption of marine animal‐derived peptides as zinc carriers.