bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A rapid classification tool for deformities in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) embryos
Authors: Bartlett Alanah D. , Lavery J. Michelle , Nafziger Jennifer , Cunjak Richard A.
Published: May 2022

Deformities in fish embryos are important for their survival in later life stages. However, a consistent way to refer to and classify salmonid embryo deformities does not exist. Expanding on reports of alevin deformities, we developed a classification tool for distinguishing the deformities observed in a collection of preserved Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) embryos. Deformities were classified based on the deformed body part and a qualitative subtype. This classification tool uses external morphology, requires minimal equipment and can be applied from the first appearance of optic vesicles to hatch.
From prehab to rehab: Nutritional support for people undergoing pancreatic cancer surgery
Authors: Bibby Neil , Rajai Azita , O'Reilly Derek A.
Published: May 2022

Background

There is an urgent need to identify and treat potentially modifiable factors that may improve quality of life and influence survival of people with pancreatic cancer. The present study aimed to assess nutritional status at diagnosis and in the early and later stages of postoperative recovery and to evaluate the feasibility of optimising nutritional status and symptoms in patients undergoing surgery, as part of a multidisciplinary prehabilitation intervention.

Methods

Nutritional data collection and intervention took place at four time points: (1) baseline at diagnosis; (2) prior to surgery; (3) first postoperative review (within 6 weeks); and (4) at 6–12 months postoperatively. The ‘Patient Generated Subjective Global Assessment’ (PG‐SGA) tool was used to undertake a detailed nutritional assessment and the modified ‘Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale’ (GISRS) was completed for all patients. Handgrip strength was measured by dynamometry.

Results

During the period between April 2016 and April 2018, 137 patients scheduled for pancreatic cancer surgery were included who had a baseline dietetic assessment and at least one further review. Baseline assessment demonstrated that malnutrition was highly prevalent, with 62.3% experiencing more than 5% and 29.2% experiencing more than 10% weight loss over the prior 6 months. With dietetic assessment and support for at least 14 days, these patients gained a mean 1.8% body weight during this period and a mean improved handgrip of 7.9%. Symptoms also improved, with absolute change in PG‐SGA scores reduced by a mean of 6.19 and a 6.3 reduction of GISRS.

Conclusions

Dietetic assessment and intervention for all patients undergoing pancreatic resection ensures timely identification of nutritional deficiencies and correction of avoidable causes of weight loss, such as pancreatic enzyme insufficiency.
Exploring key developmental phases and phase‐specific genes across the entirety of anther development in maize
Authors: Han Yingjia , Hu Mingjian , Ma Xuxu , Yan Ge , Wang Chunyu , Jiang Siqi , Lai Jinsheng , Zhang Mei
Published: May 2022

Anther development from stamen primordium to pollen dispersal is complex and essential to sexual reproduction. How this highly dynamic and complex developmental process is controlled genetically is not well understood, especially for genes involved in specific key developmental phases. Here we generated RNA sequencing libraries spanning 10 key stages across the entirety of anther development in maize (Zea mays). Global transcriptome analyses revealed distinct phases of cell division and expansion, meiosis, pollen maturation, and mature pollen, for which we detected 50, 245, 42, and 414 phase‐specific marker genes, respectively. Phase‐specific transcription factor genes were significantly enriched in the phase of meiosis. The phase‐specific expression of these marker genes was highly conserved among the maize lines Chang7‐2 and W23, indicating they might have important roles in anther development. We explored a desiccation‐related protein gene, ZmDRP1, which was exclusively expressed in the tapetum from the tetrad to the uninucleate microspore stage, by generating knockout mutants. Notably, mutants in ZmDRP1 were completely male‐sterile, with abnormal Ubisch bodies and defective pollen exine. Our work provides a glimpse into the gene expression dynamics and a valuable resource for exploring the roles of key phase‐specific genes that regulate anther development.
Neurolymphomatosis in follicular lymphoma: an autopsy case report
Authors: Ando Takashi , Kamoshita Sonoko , Riku Yuichi , Ito Ai , Ozawa Yukiyasu , Miyamura Koichi , Fujino Masahiko , Ito Masafumi , Goto Yoji , Mano Kazuo , Akagi Akio , Miyahara Hiroaki , Katsuno Masahisa , Yoshida Mari , Iwasaki Yasushi
Published: May 2022

Neurolymphomatosis is a neurological manifestation of lymphoma that involves the cranial or spinal peripheral nerves, nerve roots, and plexus with direct invasion of neoplastic cells. Neurolymphomatosis is rare among patients with low‐grade lymphoma. We report an autopsied case of neurolymphomatosis that arose from follicular lymphoma. A 49‐year‐old woman who presented with pain of her neck and shoulder and numbness of her chin. Computed tomography revealed enlarged lymph nodes in her whole body, and biopsy from the axillary lymph node revealed grade 2 follicular lymphoma. Although the patient underwent chemotherapy, she gradually developed muscle weakness in the upper limbs and sensory disturbances of the trunk and limbs. 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET) revealed increased tracer uptake of the cervical nerve roots. Repeated FDG‐PET after additional therapy revealed progression of disease within the nerve roots and brachial plexus, whereas gadolinium‐contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed weak enhancement of the cervical nerve roots without formation of mass lesions. She died after a total disease duration of 12 months. Postmortem observations revealed invasion of lymphoma cells into the cervical nerve roots, dorsal root ganglia, and subarachnoid spaces of the spinal cord. Neurolymphomatosis was prominent at the segments of C6–Th2. Combined loss of axons and myelin sheaths was observed in the cervical nerve roots and posterior columns. Lymphoma cells also invaded the cranial nerves. The subarachnoid and perivascular spaces of the brain demonstrated focal invasion of the lymphoma. Mass lesions were not observed in the central nervous system. The lymphoma cells did not show histological transformation to higher grades, and the density of the centroblasts remained at grade 2. Our report clarifies that low‐grade follicular lymphoma can manifest as neurolymphomatosis and central nervous system invasion in the absence of transformation toward higher histological grades. FDG‐PET may be more sensitive to non‐mass‐forming lesions, including neurolymphomatosis, than gadolinium‐contrast MRI.
The neostriatum in polyglutamine diseases: preferential decreases in large neurons in dentatorubral‐pallidoluysian atrophy and Machado‐Joseph disease and in small neurons in Huntington disease
Authors: Oyanagi Kiyomitsu , Shimizu Hiroshi , Yamada Mitsunori , Kakita Akiyoshi
Published: May 2022

The presence of polyglutamine‐immunoreactive deposits in neurons of the neostriatum has been reported in dentatorubral‐pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA), Machado‐Joseph disease (MJD), and Huntington disease (HD). However, among these diseases, precise quantitative investigations on neurons have been performed only for HD. Changes in the number of neurons and the immunohistological features of polyglutamine deposits in the caudate head and putamen were examined in six patients with DRPLA, three with MJD, and four with HD. In the neostriatum in DRPLA, the numbers of large and small neurons were reduced to 33–38% and 48–68% relative to controls, respectively, whereas the corresponding figures in MJD were 19–26% and 65–76%, respectively, and those in HD were 34–35% and 12–16%, respectively. In DRPLA, 2–55% of neurons remaining in the neostriatum showed diffuse nuclear accumulation of polyglutamine, in contrast to 3–20% in MJD and a few percent in HD. These findings indicate that, in the neostriatum, a decrease in the number of small neurons is predominant in HD, whereas a decrease in the number of large neurons is predominant in DRPLA and MJD. Thus, it is suggested that disease processs differ among polyglutamine diseases.
Neuropathic pain due to compression of cervical medial branch by cervical Juxtafacet cyst: A case report
Authors: Chun Yoon Mok , Boudier‐Revéret Mathieu , Lee Sang Ho , Chang Min Cheol
Published: May 2022

In the current report, we describe an interesting case of cervical juxtafacet that developed outside the intervertebral foramen, compressing the cervical medial branch and causing neuropathic pain in the posterior inferior neck pain. A 61‐year‐old woman visited a local pain clinic due to neuropathic pain with a tingling and burning nature (numeric rating scale [NRS]: 5 out of 10) on the left posterior inferior neck area for 4 months. Paresthesia was observed in the left posterior inferior neck area. On cervical radiography, segmental instability was observed at the C3–4 and C4–5 levels. Moreover, on the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cervical spine, a cyst (size: 1.3 cm × 0.7 cm × 1 cm) was outside the intervertebral foramen, contacting the left C4–5 facet joint and left C5 articular pillar. We thought that the compression of the left C5 medial branch by the cyst could cause the patient's pain. We conducted computed tomography (CT)‐guided percutaneous needle aspiration of a cervical juxtafacet cyst. An 18‐gauge needle was advanced under the guidance of CT into the largest portion of the cyst through a posterolateral oblique approach. Gelatinous mucoid fluid (approximately 0.5 cc) was aspirated. Immediately after the aspiration, 80% of the patient's pain was disappeared, and dysesthesia was completely disappeared. At the 1‐, 3‐, and 6‐month follow‐ups, the patient reported slight pain (NRS: 1) on the left posterior inferior neck. Cervical juxtafacet cysts can develop outside of the intervertebral foramen and spinal canal. Percutaneous needle aspiration can be a useful therapeutic tool for the treatment of such cysts.
Non-Separable Spatio-Temporal Models via Transformed Multivariate Gaussian Markov Random Fields
Authors: Prates Marcos O. , Azevedo Douglas R. M. , MacNab Ying C. , Willig Michael R.
Published: May 2022

Models that capture spatial and temporal dynamics are applicable in many scientific fields. Non-separable spatio-temporal models were introduced in the literature to capture these dynamics. However, these models are generally complicated in construction and interpretation. We introduce a class of non-separable transformed multivariate Gaussian Markov random fields (TMGMRF) in which the dependence structure is flexible and facilitates simple interpretations concerning spatial, temporal and spatio-temporal parameters. Moreover, TMGMRF models have the advantage of allowing specialists to define any desired marginal distribution in model construction without suffering from spatio-temporal confounding. Consequently, the use of spatio-temporal models under the TMGMRF framework leads to a new class of general models, such as spatio-temporal Gamma random fields, that can be directly used to model Poisson intensity for space–time data. The proposed model was applied to identify important environmental characteristics that affect variation in the abundance of Nenia tridens, a dominant species of gastropod in a well-studied tropical ecosystem, and to characterize its spatial and temporal trends, which are particularly critical during the Anthropocene, an epoch of time characterized by human-induced environmental change associated with climate and land use.
Reweighting the OHS and GHS to improve data quality: Representativeness, household counts, and small households
Authors: Thornton Amy , Wittenberg Martin
Published: May 2022

The October Household Surveys (OHS) (1994–1999) and the General Household Surveys (GHS) (2002–present) collected by StatsSA comprise South Africa's only nationally representative time series with information on both people and households for (almost) every year of the post‐apartheid period. However, the quality of these data has been compromised by how the survey weights have been calibrated. We document these problems and their implications in detail and then use cross‐entropy estimation to recalibrate the survey weights for a stacked version of these surveys between 1995 and 2011 to address these weaknesses. The first issue with the weights is that calibration procedure breaks with sampling practise by calibrating person and household weights separately. This creates conceptual problems because the data are not properly representative of the population. It also creates statistical problems, including that a series of total population and household counts cannot be reliably extracted from the series, which is typically a first‐order output for such a time series. Second, the series of household counts extracted from the GHS is probably too low. Third, no compensation is made by the survey weights for the chronic undersampling of small households over the entire period. Our new weights make headway in resolving these issues.
Radio‐cephalic fistula recovered with drainage to median basilic vein by straightening of the forearm cephalic vein: A case report
Authors: Costa Luísa Lemos , de Matos António Norton , Almeida Paulo , Teles Paulo , Loureiro Luís , Campos Luís , Delgado Elisabete , Oliveira Debora , Campos Tiago , Inácio Marta , Fernandes Filipa , Coutinho Sara , Ventura Ana , Pereira Susana , Castro Ana , Xavier Eva , Sousa Clemente Neves
Published: May 2022

The distal arteriovenous fistula (AVF) has less complications and better patency than the proximal fistula, when it works properly. The complications of outflow of the fistula are complex, and it is necessary to analyze all solutions to solve the problem. We introduce a novel approach to solve outflow problems of a radio‐cephalic AVF by straightening of the forearm cephalic vein with drainage into the median basilic vein.
Maladaptive personality traits may link childhood trauma history to current internalizing symptoms
Authors: Bach Bo , Bo Sune , Simonsen Erik
Published: May 2022

Research supports a strong relationship between childhood maltreatment and internalizing psychopathology (e.g., anxiety and depression), and features of personality are assumed to explain some of this relationship. In this study, we proposed a model in which maladaptive traits mediate the effect of childhood trauma history on internalizing symptoms in adult individuals. A mixed sample (N = 462) composed of 142 psychiatric patients and 320 community‐dwelling individuals completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), the Personality Inventory for DSM‐5 (PID‐5), and the Symptom Checklist (SCL‐27) for internalizing psychopathology. The effect of childhood traumas explained 34% of the variance in internalizing symptoms while controlling for the influence of age and gender. The traits accounted for 78% of this effect, which was predominantly exerted through the domains of Negative Affectivity, Detachment, and Psychoticism, and specifically through the facets of Depressivity, Suspiciousness, Anxiousness, Perceptual Dysregulation, and Distractibility. This finding provides preliminary support for the proposed model indicating that the aforementioned maladaptive trait domains potentially function as mediating links by which childhood traumas are translated into internalizing symptoms in adulthood. However, these findings must be interpreted with caution due to the cross‐sectional and retrospective mono‐method design of this study. Clinical implications are discussed in relation to transdiagnostic treatment and the potential value of specifying trait domain specifiers in ICD‐11 and DSM‐5 models of personality disorders.
The geometry of Gaussian double Markovian distributions
Authors: Boege Tobias , Kahle Thomas , Kretschmer Andreas , Röttger Frank
Published: May 2022

Gaussian double Markovian models consist of covariance matrices constrained by a pair of graphs specifying zeros simultaneously in the matrix and its inverse. We study the semi‐algebraic geometry of these models, in particular their dimension, smoothness, and connectedness as well as algebraic and combinatorial properties.
Characterizing the metabolic role of STAT3 in canine osteosarcoma
Authors: Gardner Heather L. , Fenger Joelle M. , Roberts Ryan D. , London Cheryl A.
Published: May 2022

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) dysregulation has been characterized in canine OS, with previous data suggesting that constitutive STAT3 activation contributes to survival and proliferation in OS cell lines in vitro. Recently, the contribution of STAT3 to tumour metabolism has been described across several tumour histologies, and understanding the metabolic implications of STAT3 loss may elucidate novel therapeutic approaches with synergistic activity. The objective of this work was to characterize metabolic benchmarks associated with STAT3 loss in canine OS. STAT3 expression and activation was evaluated using western blotting in canine OS cell lines OSCA8 and Abrams. STAT3 was deleted from these OS cell lines using CRISPR‐Cas9, and the effects on proliferation, invasion and metabolism (respirometry, intracellular lactate) were determined. Loss of STAT3 was associated with decreased basal and compensatory glycolysis in canine OS cell lines, without modulation of cellular proliferation. Loss of STAT3 also resulted in diminished invasive capacity in vitro. Interestingly, the absence of STAT3 did not impact sensitivity to doxorubicin in vitro. Our data demonstrate that loss of STAT3 modulates features of aerobic glycolysis in canine OS impacting capacities for cellular invasions, suggesting a role for this transcription factor in metastasis.
Patient preferences and experiences of participation in surgical cancer care
Authors: Drott Jenny , Fomichov Victoria , Nordén Maria , Larsson Anna Lindhoff , Sandström Per , Björnsson Bergthor , Eldh Ann Catrine
Published: May 2022

Background

Quality cancer care necessitates opportunities for patient participation, supposedly recognizing the individual's preferences and experiences for being involved in their health and healthcare issues. Previous research shows that surgical cancer patients wish to be more involved, requiring professionals to be sensitive of patients' needs.

Aims

To explore preference‐based patient participation in surgical cancer care.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted. The Patient Preferences for Patient Participation tool (4Ps) was used, which includes 12 attributes of preferences for and experiences of patient participation. Data were analyzed with descriptive and comparative statistical methods.

Results

The results are based on a total of 101 questionnaires. Having reciprocal communication and being listened to by healthcare staff were commonly deemed crucial for patient participation. While 60% of the patients suggested that taking part in planning was crucial for their participation, they had experienced this only to some extent. Learning to manage symptoms and phrasing personal goals were items most often representing insufficient conditions for preference‐based patient participation.

Linking Evidence to Action

To support person‐centered surgical care, further efforts to suffice preference‐based participation are needed, including opportunities for patients to share their experiences and engage in the planning of healthcare activities.
Investigation and Characterization of Cell Aggregation During and After Inkjet-Based Bioprinting of Cell-Laden Bioink
Authors: Xu Heqi , Martinez Salazar Dulce Maria , Shahriar Md , Xu Changxue
Published: May 2022

Recently, 3D bioprinting techniques have been broadly recognized as a promising tool to fabricate functional tissues and organs. The bioink used for 3D bioprinting consists of biological materials and cells. Because of the dominant gravitational force, the suspended cells in the bioink sediment resulting in the accumulation and aggregation of cells. This study primarily focuses on the quantification of cell sedimentation-induced cell aggregation during and after inkjet-based bioprinting. The major conclusions are summarized as follows: (1) as the printing time increases from 0 min to 60 min, the percentage of the cells forming cell aggregates at the bottom of the bioink reservoir increases significantly from 3.6% to 54.5%, indicating a severe cell aggregation challenge in 3D bioprinting, (2) during inkjet-based bioprinting, at the printing time of only 15 min, more than 80% of the cells within the nozzle have formed cell aggregates. Both the individual cells and cell aggregates tend to migrate to the vicinity of the nozzle centerline mainly due to the weak shear-thinning properties of the bioink, and (3) after the bioprinting process, the mean cell number per microsphere increases significantly from 0.38 to 1.05 as printing time increases from 0 min to 15 min. The maximum number of cells encapsulated within one microsphere is ten, and 29.8% of the microspheres with cells encapsulated have contained small or large cell aggregates at the printing time of 15 min.
In Vivo
Evidence of Single
13
C and
15
N Isotope–Labeled Methanotrophic Nitrogen-Fixing Bacterial Cells in Rice Roots
Authors: Hara Shintaro , Wada Naohisa , Hsiao Sliver Sung-Yun , Zhang Meng , Bao Zhihua , Iizuka Yoshiyuki , Lee Der-Chuen , Sato Shusei , Tang Sen-Lin , Minamisawa Kiwamu
Published: May 2022

Atmospheric methane concentrations have been continually increasing, causing methane to become a considerable environmental concern. Methanotrophy may be the key to regulating methane fluxes.
Complete Genome Sequence of Bacillus frigoritolerans JHS1
Authors: Shin Jun Hyeuk , Bömeke Mechthild , Poehlein Anja , Hollensteiner Jacqueline
Published: May 2022

Bacillus frigoritolerans
JHS1 was isolated from the soil of a tomato plant (
Solanum lycopersicum
). The genome consists of one circular chromosome (5,552,463 bp) and a plasmid (16,118 bp) with an overall GC content of 40.57%. Using TYGS for taxonomic classification, strain JHS1 was assigned to the species
Bacillus frigoritolerans
.
Complete Genome Sequence of Clover Yellow Mosaic Virus Isolated from White Clover in Japan
Authors: Suzuki Masato , Iwabuchi Nozomu , Fujimoto Yuji , Suzuki Takumi , Matsumoto Oki , Motohashi Tomohiro Neil , Miyazaki Akio , Maejima Kensaku , Namba Shigetou , Yamaji Yasuyuki
Published: May 2022

Clover yellow mosaic virus (ClYMV) infecting white clover was isolated in Japan, and the complete genome sequence was determined.
Evidence for a more extensive Greenland Ice Sheet in southwestern Greenland during the Last Glacial Maximum
Authors: Sbarra Christopher M. , Briner Jason P. , Graham Brandon L. , Poinar Kristin , Thomas Elizabeth K. , Young Nicolás E.
Published: May 2022

The maximum extent and elevation of the Greenland Ice Sheet in southwestern Greenland during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM, 26–19.5 ka) is poorly constrained. Yet, the size of the Greenland Ice Sheet during the LGM helps to inform estimates of past ice-sheet sensitivity to climate change and provides benchmarks for ice-sheet modeling. Reconstructions of LGM ice extents vary between an inner continental shelf minimum, a mid-shelf position, and a maximum extent at the shelf break. We use three approaches to resolve LGM ice extent in the Sisimiut sector of southwestern Greenland. First, we explore the likelihood of minimum versus maximum Greenland Ice Sheet reconstructions using existing relative sea-level data. We use an empirical relationship between marine limit elevation and distance to LGM terminus established from other Northern Hemisphere Pleistocene ice sheets as context for interpreting marine limit data in southwestern Greenland. Our analysis supports a maximum regional Greenland Ice Sheet extent to the shelf break during the LGM. Second, we apply a simple 1-D crustal rebound model to simulate relative sea-level curves for contrasting ice-sheet sizes and compare these simulated curves with existing relative sea-level data. The only realistic ice-sheet configuration resulting in relative sea-level model-data fit suggests that the Greenland Ice Sheet terminated at the shelf break during the LGM. Lastly, we constrain the LGM ice-sheet thickness using cosmogenic 10Be, 26Al, and 14C exposure dating from two summit areas, one at 381 m above sea level at the coast, and another at 798 m asl 32 km inland. Twenty-four cosmogenic radionuclide measurements, combined with results of our first two approaches, reveal that our targeted summits were likely ice-covered during the LGM and became deglaciated at ca. 11.6 ka. Inventories of in situ 14C in bedrock at one summit point to a small degree of inherited 14C and suggest that the Greenland Ice Sheet advanced to its maximum late Pleistocene extent at 17.1 ± 2.5 ka. Our results point to a configuration where the southwestern part of the Greenland Ice Sheet reached its maximum LGM extent at the continental shelf break.
Assessment of Current Risks of Excessive Heavy Metal Accumulation in Soils Based on the Concept of Critical Loads: A Review
Authors: Koptsik S. V. , Koptsik G. N.
Published: May 2022

At the international level, the concept of critical loads developed under the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution directed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe is actively used to assess the risks of excessive inputs of pollutants into ecosystems. The review considers the main principles of the concept of critical loads and methods of its application for assessing the current risks of excessive accumulation of heavy metals (HMs) in soil as a component of terrestrial ecosystems from the standpoint of ecotoxicological effects (on plants, soil invertebrates, and microorganisms). Under this concept, the critical concentrations of Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn for soils are for the first time estimated using the functions of critical concentrations taking into account the properties of soils (primarily, acidity and the contents of organic matter and clay). The main attention is paid to the rationale and development of the models for assessment of the critical concentrations and transfer functions connecting the concentrations of HM compounds in soils and soil solutions. The current environmental risks of excessive HM accumulation are assessed by comparing them with their critical concentrations. Current challenges and future prospects for analyzing the current environmental risks based on the concept of critical loads include the reduction in the uncertainty of estimates, combined effect of different metals in a multicomponent pollution, field validation of processes and modeling results, and the impacts of climate change and land use.
Identification of Heavy Metal Compounds in Technogenically Transformed Soils Using Sequential Fractionation, XAFS Spectroscopy, and XRD Powder Diffraction
Authors: Pinskii D. L. , Minkina T. M. , Bauer T. V. , Nevidomskaya D. G. , Shuvaeva V. A. , Mandzhieva S. S. , Tsitsuashvili V. S. , Burachevskaya M. V. , Chaplygin V. A. , Barakhov A. V. , Veligzhanin A. A. , Svetogorov R. D. , Khramov E. V. , Iovcheva A. D.
Published: May 2022

The transformation of technogenic Cu and Zn compounds in technogenically transformed soils (Spolic Technosols) with high and very high concentrations of metals formed at the site of a natural tailings pond in the floodplain of the Seversky Donets River, the main tributary of the Don River (Rostov oblast, Russia) has been studied. The Technosols are compared to an unpolluted meadow-chernozemic soil (Fluvisol) outside the impact zone. The state of Cu and Zn is assessed using three sequential extraction schemes—Miller’s, Tessier’s, and BCR, as well as synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and analysis of synchrotron X-ray absorption spectrometry (XAFS) spectra. It is shown that the distribution of metals in soil is largely related to their properties, such as electronegativity, hydrolyzability, and softness parameter. As is observed, Cu mainly concentrates in the residual fraction (to 42%) and in the fraction associated with organic matter (up to 27%). The mobility of Zn in the studied soils is higher than that of Cu. Its main part (up to 56%) is in the residual fraction and the fraction associated with Fe and Mn oxides (up to 48%), especially with Fe(III) crystalline compounds. The combination of a three-stage BCR scheme with XAFS and XRD techniques is used for the first time. Most of the peaks in diffraction patterns of soil samples after the first and second extraction stages correspond to the authigenic sulfur-containing minerals, namely, wurtzite (ZnS with a hexagonal structure), sphalerite (cubic ZnS), covellite (CuS), and bornite (Cu5FeS4). Wurtzite is present in the exchangeable and reducible fractions. These fractions also contain chalcocite (Cu2S). Sulfides are most abundant in soil sample after extraction of the oxidizable fraction, while phyllosilicates are prevalent in the sample after extraction of the reducible fraction. X-ray absorption spectroscopy demonstrates molecular structural changes in the Zn and Cu compounds in heavily polluted soils, suggesting the transformation of metals under different environmental conditions, which is important for assessment of the soil protective function.
External iliac vein to inferior vena cava bypass as an alternative management for external iliac vein stenosis and thrombosis in renal transplant recipients
Authors: Hendarso Muhammad Radityo , Ghinorawa Tanaya , Aribowo Haryo , Soerohardjo Indrawarman
Published: May 2022

An man in his early 40s suffered from end-stage renal disease and underwent living donor renal transplantation. Doppler ultrasonography before surgery showed a normal iliac artery and vein without any thrombus. There was clear evidence of urine production intraoperatively. On the 5th postoperative day, there was no improvement in his renal function, and painless right leg oedema was noted. The clinical workup revealed pitting oedema without loss of arterial pulsation, discolouration or focal tenderness in the right leg. Serial Doppler ultrasonography examination showed thrombus progression from the right popliteal vein to the right external iliac vein around renal vein anastomosis despite anticoagulant administration with a downtrend of diuresis and worsening renal function. This condition led the patient to undergo surgical exploration on the 10th day post-transplantation. We decided to perform a thrombectomy and bypass the right external iliac vein to the inferior vena cava.
Coexistence of pan-hypogammaglobulinaemia and primary ciliary dyskinesia
Authors: S Kumar Swasthi , Ray Animesh , Kabra Sushil Kumar , Sinha Sanjeev
Published: May 2022

A patient, an adolescent male, presented to us with complaints of recurrent respiratory tract infections since childhood. Differentials considered were cystic fibrosis (CF), bronchial asthma with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) and primary immunodeficiency disorders. Sweat chloride test, total IgE andAspergillus fumigatusspecific serum IgE and IgG levels were normal ruling out CF and ABPA. Nasal nitric oxide (NO) screening test showed reduced NO levels, and high-speed video microscopy of nasal scrapings showed stiff beating cilia with reduced ciliary beat frequency confirming the diagnosis of PCD. Immunodeficiency workup showed reduced serum IgG, IgA and IgM, when repeated on two separate occasions when the patient was not harbouring any active infection, suggestive of pan-hypogammaglobulinaemia. Thus, a diagnosis of coexistent PCD and pan-hypogammaglobulinaemia was made. Detection of immunodeficiency disorders is important in patients with PCD as they may benefit from immunoglobulin replacement.
Parosteal lipoma of the radius with posterior interosseous nerve palsy
Authors: Gomes João , Germanova Liuba , Mega Manuel , Monteiro Ana Rita
Published: May 2022

Parosteal lipoma is a rare benign soft tissue mesenchymal tumour that may impair limb motor function when located adjacent to neurovascular structures. We report a case of a woman in her 80s with a long-standing lesion in the forearm and consequent sensory and motor function changes. She was admitted for an elective excision of the lipoma. Postoperative evolution was favourable, with marked improvement of limb function. Our aim in sharing this case is to create awareness of these rare deep-seated lipomas that might originate nerve palsy and should therefore be excised as soon as possible to avoid neurological damage.
Metastatic cancer masquerading as miliary tuberculosis in an immunocompetent young adult
Authors: Ng Peng Yun , Kadam Mustafa , Batista Craig
Published: May 2022

A healthy, immunocompetent South Asian man in his mid-20s, with a medical history of gastric ulcer, presented to Accident & Emergency with pleuritic chest pain, shortness of breath, fever, night sweats, weight loss, dry cough and asymptomatic iron deficiency anaemia. Following his initial assessment and investigations (chest X-ray, CT and blood tests), a diagnosis of miliary tuberculosis (TB) was made and empirical antimicrobial treatment started. However, subsequent microbiological testing, including urine, blood, induced sputum and lymph node sampling, was negative. Being interpreted as non-diagnostic, the antimicrobial therapy was continued. Following a clinical deterioration while on treatment, the patient’s case was re-evaluated and further investigations, including a repeat CT and a liver biopsy, confirmed a diagnosis of stage IV (T1aN3bM1) gastric carcinoma. Our case highlights the diagnostic challenges in differentiating metastatic cancer from miliary TB. We also focus on possible cognitive biases that may have influenced the initial management decisions.
Development of retinal atrophy after subretinal gene therapy with voretigene neparvovec
Authors: Reichel Felix Friedrich , Seitz Immanuel , Wozar Fabian , Dimopoulos Spyridon , Jung Ronja , Kempf Melanie , Kohl Susanne , Kortüm Friederike Charlotte , Ott Saskia , Pohl Lisa , Stingl Krunoslav , Bartz-Schmidt Karl Ulrich , Stingl Katarina , Fischer M. Dominik
Published: May 2022

Background/aims

Voretigene neparvovec (VN) is the first and only subretinal gene therapy approved by the Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency. Real-world application has started in 2018 in patients with vision impairment due to biallelic retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)65mutation-associated inherited retinal degenerations. Herein, we evaluated the development of retinal atrophy within in a single-centre patient cohort treated with VN.

Methods

13 eyes of eight patients treated with VN were retrospectively analysed for areas of retinal atrophy over a period of 6–24 months following surgery. Ultrawide field images were used to measure the area of atrophy. Fundus autofluorescence imaging is presented as an instrument for early detection of signs of retinal atrophy in these patients.

Results

Atrophic changes beyond the retinotomy site were observed in all eyes. Areas of atrophy developed within the area of detachment (bleb) in all eight patients and outside the bleb in three patients. Changes in autofluorescence preceded the development of retinal atrophy and were already evident 2 weeks after surgery in the majority of patients. The areas of atrophy increase with time and progression continued over year 1. Functional outcomes remained stable (VA, FST, visual field).

Conclusion

Subretinal injection of VN can lead to RPE atrophy with consequent photoreceptor loss in and outside of the bleb area. Fundus autofluorescence is an important tool to monitor atrophic changes in patients after gene therapy. Interestingly, while areas of atrophy also included central areas, the functional benefits of the treatment did not appear to be affected and remained stable.
Short term, relative effectiveness of four doses versus three doses of BNT162b2 vaccine in people aged 60 years and older in Israel: retrospective, test negative, case-control study
Authors: Gazit Sivan , Saciuk Yaki , Perez Galit , Peretz Asaf , Pitzer Virginia E , Patalon Tal
Published: May 2022

Objective

To examine the relative effectiveness of a fourth dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA (BNT162b2) vaccine compared with three vaccine doses over the span of 10 weeks.

Design

Retrospective, test negative, case-control study, with a matched analysis and an unmatched multiple tests analysis.

Setting

Nationally centralised database of Maccabi Healthcare Services, an Israeli national health fund for 2.5 million people; from 10 January 2022 (seven days after the fourth dose was first given to eligible individuals) to 13 March 2022, an omicron dominant period in Israel.

Participants

97 499 Maccabi Healthcare Services members aged 60 years and older, who were eligible to receive a fourth vaccine dose and obtained at least one polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test during the study.

Main outcome measures

Breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infection, defined as a positive PCR test performed seven or more days after inoculation with the BNT162b2 vaccine; and breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infection resulting in severe covid-19 disease, defined as hospital admission or death related to covid-19.

Results

27 876 participants received the fourth BNT162b2 vaccine dose and 69 623 received three doses only. Of 106 participants who died during the follow-up period, 77 had had their third doses only and 23 had had their fourth doses during the first three weeks after inoculation. In the first three weeks, a fourth dose provided additional protection against both SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe disease relative to three doses of the vaccine. However, relative vaccine effectiveness against infection quickly decreased over time, peaking during the third week at 65.1% (95% confidence interval 63.0% to 67.1%) and falling to 22.0% (4.9% to 36.1%) by the end of the 10 week follow-up period. Unlike relative effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 infection, the relative effectiveness of a fourth dose against severe covid-19 was maintained at a high level (>72%) throughout follow-up. However, severe disease was a relatively rare event, occurring in <1% of study participants who received four doses or three doses only.

Conclusions

A fourth dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine appears to have provided additional protection against both SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe covid-19 disease relative to three vaccine doses. However, relative effectiveness of the fourth dose against infection appears to wane sooner than that of the third dose.
16S rRNA nanopore sequencing for the diagnosis of ocular infection: a feasibility study
Authors: Omi Masatoshi , Matsuo Yoshiyuki , Araki-Sasaki Kaoru , Oba Shimpei , Yamada Haruhiko , Hirota Kiichi , Takahashi Kanji
Published: May 2022

Objective

We conducted a feasibility study to verify the effectiveness of 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene analysis using the nanopore sequencer MinION for identifying causative bacteria in several types of ocular infections.

Methods and Analysis

Four cases of corneal ulcers, one case of endophthalmitis and one case of a conjunctival abscess were included in this study. DNA was extracted from corneal scraping, vitreous samples and secretions from the conjunctival abscess. We conducted 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing using MinION and metagenomic DNA analysis. The efficacy of bacterial identification was verified by comparing the conventional culture method with smear observations.

Results

16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis with MinION identified the causative organisms promptly with high accuracy in approximately 4 hours, from ophthalmic specimens. The results of the conventional culture method and 16S rRNA gene sequencing were consistent in all cases. In four of the six cases, a greater variety of organisms was found in the 16S rRNA gene analysis than in bacterial culture.

Conclusion

Using our workflow, 16S rRNA gene analysis using MinION enabled rapid and accurate identification possible in various kinds of bacterial ocular infections.
Quantifying the intensity of adverse events with ibuprofen and oxycodone: an observational cohort study
Authors: Ali Samina , Gourlay Katie , Yukseloglu Aran , Rosychuk Rhonda J , Ortiz Silvia , Watts Rick , Johnson David W , Carleton Bruce , Le May Sylvie , Drendel Amy L
Published: May 2022

Objective

To quantify the frequency and intensity of adverse events (AEs), commonly known as side effects, experienced by children receiving either ibuprofen or oxycodone for pain management following an acute fracture. Secondary objectives were to quantify functional outcome impairment and describe demographic and clinical characteristics associated with AEs.

Design

Observational cohort study.

Setting

Paediatric emergency department.

Patients

Patients (n=240) aged 4–16 years diagnosed with an acute fracture.

Intervention

Prescribed either ibuprofen (n=179) or oxycodone (n=61) for pain.

Main outcome measures

Families were called for the first 3 days after discharge to report the presence and intensity of AEs and their child’s functional outcomes (ability to eat, sleep, play or attend school).

Results

On day 1, children using oxycodone were more likely to report any AE (χ21=13.5, p<0.001), nausea (χ21=17.0, p<0.001), vomiting (χ21=11.2, p<0.001), drowsiness (χ21=13.7,p<0.001), constipation (χ21=8.9, p=0.003) and dizziness (χ21=19.1, p<0.001), compared with those using ibuprofen. Children receiving oxycodone reported greater severity of abdominal pain (oxycodone: mean 5.4 SD 3.1; ibuprofen mean 2.5 SD 1.4, F113=6.5, p=0.02) on day 1 and worse intensity of constipation (oxycodone: mean 4.9 SD 2.1; ibuprofen mean 3.2 SD 2.2, F133=4.5, p=0.04) over all 3 days. Use of oxycodone was associated with an increased odds of experiencing an AE on day 1 (OR=1.31 (95% CI 1.13 to 1.52)). Higher pain scores (OR=1.50 (95% CI 1.12 to 2.01)), lower extremity fracture (OR=1.25 (95% CI 1.07 to 1.47)) and undergoing ED sedation (OR=1.16 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.34)) were associated with missing school. Higher pain scores (OR=1.50 (95% CI 1.14 to 1.97)) and lower extremity fractures (OR=1.23 (95% CI 1.07 to 1.43)) were also associated with less play.

Conclusions

Oxycodone is associated with more frequent AEs overall, higher intensity gastrointestinal AEs and greater functional limitations compared with ibuprofen. Lower extremity fractures cause more functional limitations than upper extremity fractures. Clinicians should consider these differences when providing fracture pain care for children.
The Northern Crocodile: first report ofBorealosuchus(Eusuchia; Crocodylia) from Saskatchewan's lower Ravenscrag Formation (earliest Paleocene) with implications for biogeography
Authors: Lindblad Kaitlin T. , Moreno-Bernal Jorge W. , McKellar Ryan C. , Velez Maria I.
Published: May 2022

Two specimens of Borealosuchus collected from the lower facies of the Ravenscrag Formation (earliest Paleocene) in southern Saskatchewan are described. One largely complete individual featuring a partial skull, mandible, and postcrania can be unambiguously assigned to Borealosuchus griffithi Wu et al. 2001 a. The other specimen consisting of skull and partial postcranial fragments is referred to Borealosuchus sternbergii Gilmore, 1910 based on diagnostic cranial features. These specimens confirm the earliest occurrence of this clade in the province of Saskatchewan and expand the known stratigraphic and geographic range of their respective species. The discovery of Borealosuchus griffithi and Borealosuchus sternbergii in proximity to each other within the same deposits suggests temporal and spatial range overlap in the Big Muddy area during the earliest Paleocene, hinting at possible niche partitioning or other ecological relationships between members of the same genus.
Optimality Conditions for E-Convex Interval-Valued Programming Problem Using gH-Symmetrical Derivative
Authors: Rastogi Sachin , Iqbal Akhlad , Rajan Sanjeev
Published: May 2022

Taking into consideration gH-symmetrical derivative, we discuss Fritz John type optimality conditions for E-convex functions in interval-valued optimization problems. By a suitable example, we show that gH-symmetrical derivative is an extension of gH-derivative. We use LU type of order relation in this context.
Large momentum transfer optics: A means to probe the interplay between gravity and quantum mechanics
Authors: Agrawal Shraddha
Published: May 2022

A consistent description of gravity in quantum mechanics and general relativity is becoming increasingly accessible to table-top experiments. In this paper, I introduce the experimental technique of large momentum transfer optics as a means to probe gravity at microscopic scales. I argue, with the help of recent experimental observations, that large momentum transfer optics is the best experimental technique to do so. I conclude with possible future directions using large momentum transfer optics.
An Integrated Method for Solving the Two-Sided Assembly Line Balancing Problems
Authors: Wei Nai-Chieh , Liu Shu-Fen , Chen Cheng-Hao , Xu Yo-Xuan , Shih Yi-Yu
Published: May 2022

The problems of parallel two-sided assembly lines balancing (TALB) are nonpolynomial (NP-hard) problems that belong to the field of combinatorial optimization. In most cases, these problems can be resolved with algorithms. To this end, this research adopts colored Petri nets (CPN) and a minimal spanning tree (MST) to address the type I problems for two-sided assembly line balancing problem (TALBP). This research proposes a three-step method. In the first step, a reachability tree chart is built to show potential tasks order assignment. In the second step, the color firing mechanism is employed to determine if the colored conditions are satisfied. The final step uses a MST and a least-time prioritized rule to select the proper tasks for assignment efficiently. These steps will be performed repetitively until all the tasks are properly assigned. Since the whole assignment process is based on graphical and paradigm methods, it can be adopted to lessen the burdens of complex calculations. The end of the research will present the comparison results between the examples from the literature and the method proposed in this research. As indicated by the research findings, employing CPN and an MST for TALBPs (type-I) can obtain even favorable and consistent results over legacy methods, and further optimize workstation design and enhance balance efficiency.
Two-wavelet theory in Weinstein setting
Authors: Saoudi Ahmed
Published: May 2022

In this paper, we establish the concept of a two-wavelet in Weinstein setting. Then we introduce and demonstrate the resolution of the identity formula for the continuous Weinstein wavelet transform. In the end, we show few results on Calderón’s-type reproducing kernels in the context of the two-wavelet transform in Weinstein setting.