bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Amphibian-derived peptide homodimer OA-GL17d promotes skin wound regeneration through the miR-663a/TGF-β1/Smad axis
Authors: Zhang Yue , Wang Ying , Zeng Lin , Liu Yixiang , Sun Huiling , Li Shanshan , Wang Siyu , Shu Longjun , Liu Naixin , Yin Saige , Wang Junsong , Ni Dan , Wu Yutong , Yang Ying , He Li , Meng Buliang , Yang Xinwang
Published: July 2022

Background

Amphibian-derived peptides exhibit considerable potential in the discovery and development of new therapeutic interventions for clinically challenging chronic skin wounds. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are also considered promising targets for the development of effective therapies against skin wounds. However, further research in this field is anticipated. This study aims to identify and provide a new peptide drug candidate, as well as to explore the underlying miRNA mechanisms and possible miRNA drug target for skin wound healing.

Methods

A combination of Edman degradation, mass spectrometry and cDNA cloning were adopted to determine the amino acid sequence of a peptide that was fractionated from the secretion of Odorrana andersonii frog skin using gel-filtration and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The toxicity of the peptide was evaluated by Calcein-AM/propidium iodide (PI) double staining against human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells), hemolytic activity against mice blood cells and acute toxicity against mice. The stability of the peptide in plasma was also evaluated. The prohealing potency of the peptide was determined by MTS, scratch healing and a Transwell experiment against HaCaT cells, full-thickness injury wounds and scald wounds in the dorsal skin of mice. miRNA transcriptome sequencing analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were performed to explore the molecular mechanisms.

Results

A novel peptide homodimer (named OA-GL17d) that contains a disulfide bond between the 16th cysteine residue of the peptide monomer and the sequence ‘GLFKWHPRCGEEQSMWT’ was identified. Analysis showed that OA-GL17d exhibited no hemolytic activity or acute toxicity, but effectively promoted keratinocyte proliferation and migration and strongly stimulated the repair of full-thickness injury wounds and scald wounds in the dorsal skin of mice. Mechanistically, OA-GL17d decreased the level of miR-663a to increase the level of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and activate the subsequent TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway, thereby resulting in accelerated skin wound re-epithelialization and granular tissue formation.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that OA-GL17d is a new peptide drug candidate for skin wound repair. This study emphasizes the importance of exogenous peptides as molecular probes for exploring competing endogenous RNA mechanisms and indicates that miR-663a may be an effective target for promoting skin repair.
A Decade of GigaScience: Milestones in Open Science
Authors: Edmunds Scott C , Zauner Hans , Nogoy Nicole A , Zhou Hongling , Zhang Hongfang , Goodman Laurie
Published: July 2022

Open Science has gained momentum over the past decade, and embracing that, GigaScience, from its launch a decade ago has aimed at pushing scientific publishing beyond just making articles open access toward making the entire research process open and available as an embedded part of the publishing process. Before the journal's launch in July 2012, the editors aimed to make publishing more than a narrative presentation of work already done into a fully open process. Major milestones include creating our own data repository, embracing FAIR principles, promoting and integrating preprints, and working with other platforms to contribute to a 21st century publishing infrastructure. Almost 10 years after GigaScience’s launch, UNESCO published its Open Science Recommendations. With these in mind, looking back, we are happy to have contributed in various ways to UNESCO's aim to “foster a culture of Open Science and aligning incentives for Open Science” from the very beginning, and, more, to use those recommendations to guide our path into the future: to truly embrace the full spectrum of information, tools, and access to Open Science for all participants in scientific endeavours.
Preliminary Reproducibility Evaluation of a Phage Susceptibility Testing Method Using a Collection of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus Phages
Authors: Cunningham Scott A , Mandrekar Jayawant N , Suh Gina , Patel Robin
Published: July 2022

Background

Increasing antimicrobial resistance combined with a lagging pipeline of novel antimicrobial compounds have resulted in a resurgence of interest in phage therapy. To select optimal phage or phage combinations for patients for whom phage therapy is considered, assessment of activity of a panel of phages against the patients’ bacterial isolate(s) should ideally be performed. Classical phage susceptibility testing methods (i.e., agar overlay) may be laborious, with expertise outside of normal training and competency of medical laboratory science staff needed.

Content

Adaptive Phage Therapeutics™ leveraged a commercially available phenotyping system (Biolog OmniLog®) to generate the PhageBank Susceptibility Test™, which uses a custom data analysis pipeline (PhageSelect™) to measure the delay in reaching log-phase metabolic activity (“hold time”) when a given isolate is challenged with a specific phage. The goal of this study was to preliminarily assess reproducibility of this approach by testing 2 bacterial species at 2 sites, APT and an academic site. Nineteen Escherichia coli phages were tested against 18 bacterial isolates, and 21 Staphylococcus aureus phages, against 11 bacterial isolates. Result comparisons were statistically excellent for E. coli (κ = 0.7990) and good/fair for S. aureus (κ = 0.6360).

The described method provides good/fair to excellent statistical reproducibility for assessment of phage susceptibility of 2 commonly encountered bacterial species.
Racial Capitalism and the Contemporary International Law on Slavery: (Re)membering Hacienda Brasil Verde
Authors: Blackett Adelle
Published: July 2022

Refusal of abject commodification undergirds contemporary international law definitions of slavery and their growing linkage to international economic agreements through injunctions against the use of forced labor. Yet there are screaming silences in ongoing attempts to grapple with the prevalence and significance of contemporary slavery in the global economy. This contribution to the special issue on racial capitalism in international economic law calls for a reckoning with the past in the international law on contemporary slavery. By foregrounding resistances to erasure, and squarely addressing the significance of race to the perpetuation of slavery, this article seeks to harness their promise for a reconstruction of a contemporary law of slavery that understands racialization as offering an essential social justice challenge to the decommodification of labor.
Seismic modelling of the pulsating mercury–manganese star HD 29589
Authors: Niemczura E , Walczak P , Mikołajczyk P , Schöller M , Hummel C A , Hubrig S , Różański T
Published: July 2022

Photometric and spectroscopic time-series of chemically peculiar mercury–manganese (HgMn) stars show variability, which in most cases is interpreted as the effect of binarity or surface spots. Until recently, pulsations have not been detected in these objects. However, the analysis of the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) photometric time-series of a large sample of HgMn stars resulted in a small sample of candidates for pulsating variables. In this paper, we present a thorough analysis of one of them, HD 29589. High-resolution spectroscopic data were used to determine the atmospheric parameters and a detailed chemical composition of the star. The obtained effective temperature, Teff = 14 400 ± 200 K, places this star among the high-temperature HgMn stars. The determined abundance pattern is typical for this class of objects. Interferometric data were used to discuss the properties of the secondary in the HD 29589 system. More than 20 independent frequencies were identified in the TESS time-series of this star, which we interpret as high-order g-modes. We found regular period spacing, which is due to the presence of consecutive prograde dipole modes. The exact matching of the six frequencies in the series and the position of the star in the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram allowed us to constrain the internal structure of HD 29589. We derived the overshooting parameter, fov = 0.028−0.03, mass M = 3.4 M⊙ and metallicity Z = 0.008. A detailed analysis of pulsating HgMn stars will allow us to understand the influence of the chemical peculiarity on the pulsation characteristics of these objects.
Discovery of an optical cocoon tail behind the runaway HD 185806
Authors: Spetsieri Z T , Boumis P , Chiotellis A , Akras S , Derlopa S , Shetye S , Meyer D M-A , Bowman D M , Gvaramadze V V
Published: July 2022

Studies on the circumstellar structures around evolved stars provide vital information on the evolution of the parent star and the properties of the local interstellar medium. In this work, we present the discovery and characterization of an optical cocoon tail behind the star HD 185806. The cocoon apex emission is puzzling, as it is detected in the infrared but shows no signal in the optical wavelength. The H α and [O iii]  fluxes of the nebular structure vary from 2.7 to 8.5 × 10−12 erg s−1 cm−2 and from 0.9 to 7.0 × 10−13 erg s−1 cm−2, respectively. Through high-resolution spectroscopy, we derive the spectral type of the star, construct the position–velocity diagrams of the cocoon tail for the H α, [O iii], and [N ii] emission lines, and determine its velocity in the range of −100–40 km s−1. Furthermore, we use SED fitting and mesa evolutionary models adopting a distance of 900 pc, and classify HD 185806 as a 1.3 M⊙ star, in the transition phase between the RGB and early AGB stages. Finally, we study the morpho-kinematic structure of the cocoon tail using the astronomical software SHAPE. An ellipsoidal structure, with an inclination of ∼19° with respect to the plane of sky is found to better reproduce the observed cocoon tail of HD 185806.
Photometric and spectroscopic study of the burst-like brightening of two Gaia-alerted young stellar objects
Authors: Nagy Zsófia , Ábrahám Péter , Kóspál Ágnes , Park Sunkyung , Siwak Michał , Cruz-Sáenz de Miera Fernando , Fiorellino Eleonora , García-Álvarez David , Szabó Zsófia Marianna , Antoniucci Simone , Giannini Teresa , Giunta Alessio , Kriskovics Levente , Kun Mária , Marton Gábor , Moór Attila , Nisini Brunella , Pál Andras , Szabados László , Zieliński Paweł , Wyrzykowski Łukasz
Published: July 2022

Young stars show variability on different time-scales from hours to decades, with a range of amplitudes. We studied two young stars, which triggered the Gaia Science Alerts system due to brightenings on a time-scale of a year. Gaia20bwa brightened by about half a magnitude, whereas Gaia20fgx brightened by about two and half magnitudes. We analysed the Gaia light curves, additional photometry, and spectra taken with the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo and the Gran Telescopio Canarias. Several emission lines were detected towards Gaia20bwa, including hydrogen lines from H α to H δ, Pa β, Br γ, and lines of Ca ii, O i, and Na i. The H α and Br γ lines were detected towards Gaia20fgx in emission in its bright state, with additional CO lines in absorption, and the Pa β line with an inverse P Cygni profile during its fading. Based on the Br γ lines, the accretion rate was $(2.4\!-\!3.1)\times 10^{-8}\, {\rm M}_\odot$ yr−1 for Gaia20bwa and $(4.5\!-\!6.6)\times 10^{-8}\, {\rm M}_\odot$ yr−1 for Gaia20fgx during their bright state. The accretion rate of Gaia20fgx dropped by almost a factor of 10 on a time-scale of half a year. The accretion parameters of both stars were found to be similar to those of classical T Tauri stars, lower than those of young eruptive stars. However, the amplitude and time-scale of these brightenings place these stars to a region of the parameter space, which is rarely populated by young stars. This suggests a new class of young stars, which produce outbursts on a time-scale similar to young eruptive stars, but with smaller amplitudes.
A search for transit timing variations in the HATS-18 planetary system
Authors: Southworth John , Barker A J , Hinse T C , Jongen Y , Dominik M , Jørgensen U G , Longa-Peña P , Sajadian S , Snodgrass C , Tregloan-Reed J , Bach-Møller N , Bonavita M , Bozza V , Burgdorf M J , Figuera Jaimes R , Helling Ch , Hitchcock J A , Hundertmark M , Khalouei E , Korhonen H , Mancini L , Peixinho N , Rahvar S , Rabus M , Skottfelt J , Spyratos P
Published: July 2022

HATS-18 b is a transiting planet with a large mass and a short orbital period, and is one of the best candidates for the detection of orbital decay induced by tidal effects. We present extensive photometry of HATS-18 from which we measure 27 times of mid-transit. Two further transit times were measured from data from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and three more taken from the literature. The transit timings were fitted with linear and quadratic ephemerides and an upper limit on orbital decay was determined. This corresponds to a lower limit on the modified stellar tidal quality factor of $Q_\star ^{\, \prime } \gt 10^{5.11 \pm 0.04}$. This is at the cusp of constraining the presence of enhanced tidal dissipation due to internal gravity waves. We also refine the measured physical properties of the HATS-18 system, place upper limits on the masses of third bodies, and compare the relative performance of TESS and the 1.54 m Danish Telescope in measuring transit times for this system.
Evolutionary History of Sexual Differentiation Mechanism in Insects
Authors: Chikami Yasuhiko , Okuno Miki , Toyoda Atsushi , Itoh Takehiko , Niimi Teruyuki
Published: July 2022

Alternative splicing underpins functional diversity in proteins and the complexity and diversity of eukaryotes. An example is the doublesex gene, the key transcriptional factor in arthropod sexual differentiation. doublesex is controlled by sex-specific splicing and promotes both male and female differentiation in holometabolan insects, whereas in hemimetabolan species, doublesex has sex-specific isoforms but is not required for female differentiation. How doublesex evolved to be essential for female development remains largely unknown. Here, we investigate ancestral states of doublesex using Thermobia domestica belonging to Zygentoma, the sister group of Pterygota, that is, winged insects. We find that, in T. domestica, doublesex expresses sex-specific isoforms but is only necessary for male differentiation of sexual morphology. This result supports the hypothesis that doublesex initially promoted male differentiation during insect evolution. However, T. domestica doublesex has a short female-specific region and upregulates the expression of vitellogenin homologs in females, suggesting that doublesex may already play some role in female morphogenesis of the common ancestor of Pterygota. Reconstruction of the ancestral sequence and prediction of protein structures show that the female-specific isoform of doublesex has an extended C-terminal disordered region in holometabolan insects but not in nonholometabolan species. We propose that doublesex acquired its function in female morphogenesis through a change in the protein motif structure rather than the emergence of the female-specific exon.
On the stability of stalled RNA polymerase and its removal by RapA
Authors: Portman James R , Qayyum M Zuhaib , Murakami Katsuhiko S , Strick Terence R
Published: July 2022

Stalling of the transcription elongation complex formed by DNA, RNA polymerase (RNAP) and RNA presents a serious obstacle to concurrent processes due to the extremely high stability of the DNA-bound polymerase. RapA, known to remove RNAP from DNA in an ATP-dependent fashion, was identified over 50 years ago as an abundant binding partner of RNAP; however, its mechanism of action remains unknown. Here, we use single-molecule magnetic trapping assays to characterize RapA activity and begin to specify its mechanism of action. We first show that stalled RNAP resides on DNA for times on the order of 106 seconds and that increasing positive torque on the DNA reduces this lifetime. Using stalled RNAP as a substrate we show that the RapA protein stimulates dissociation of stalled RNAP from positively supercoiled DNA but not negatively supercoiled DNA. We observe that RapA-dependent RNAP dissociation is torque-sensitive, is inhibited by GreB and depends on RNA length. We propose that stalled RNAP is dislodged from DNA by RapA via backtracking in a supercoiling- and torque-dependent manner, suggesting that RapA’s activity on transcribing RNAP in vivo is responsible for resolving conflicts between converging polymerase molecular motors.
Unsaintly Composure? The Old English Saint Eustace and Models of Holiness in Early Medieval England
Authors: Kehoe Niamh
Published: July 2022

This article discusses literary models of holiness from early medieval England. It focuses on the behaviours associated with both the iconic and fallible modes of sainthood, using the anonymous Old English Passion of St Eustace as a case study. It outlines how scholarship on early medieval vernacular hagiography has shaped our understanding of sainthood to align ‘saintly’ behaviour with iconic models of holiness, and then argues that the translator of the Old English Eustace recognized the importance of Eustace’s fallibility. A comparison with the Latin source reveals how the translator intentionally cast Eustace as a human, sinful, and fallible saint for rhetorical effect: to model how to cope with everyday hardship and despair, to demonstrate the importance of penance for redemption, and to show the real-life working of God’s grace. In doing so, this article questions modern scholarly parameters of acceptable medieval models of holy behaviour.
Adding Dexamethasone to Adductor Canal Block Combined With iPACK Block Improve Postoperative Analgesia of Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Zeng Yan , Wang Qiuru , Hu Jian , Yang Jing
Published: July 2022

Objective:

Both adductor canal block (ACB) and infiltration between the popliteal artery and capsule of the knee (iPACK) block are mainly sensory blocks, preserving muscle strength and the ability to ambulate. This study was designed to evaluate whether adding dexamethasone to ropivacaine could improve postoperative analgesia after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Materials and Methods:

This prospective double-blind randomized controlled trial included 60 patients who underwent unilateral TKA under general anesthesia. All patients who received ACB and iPACK block were randomly divided into a dexamethasone group (Group D, ropivacaine combined with dexamethasone) and a control group (Group C, ropivacaine only). The primary outcome was the time to first administration of rescue analgesic drugs. The secondary outcomes included the total amount of rescue analgesic drugs and the pain scores at different time points within 72 hours postoperatively; the time to first getting out of bed; the quality of recovery scale (QOR-15 score); and the levels of plasma inflammatory markers (interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein) on postoperative day 1.

Results:

Compared with Group C, the time to first administration of rescue analgesic drugs in Group D was significantly extended by ∼10.5 hours. Patients in Group D had significantly lower pain scores at different postoperative time points and consumed significantly less total morphine within 72 hours postoperatively. In addition, patients in group D reported significantly higher QoR-15 scores on postoperative days 1 and 3, earlier first time of getting out of bed, and significantly lower levels of C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 on postoperative day 1.

Conclusions:

Compared with using ropivacaine alone, ultrasonic-guided ACB combined with iPACK using ropivacaine and dexamethasone could prolong the duration of postoperative analgesia and strength analgesic intensity and promote the early rehabilitation exercise of patients undergoing TKA.
Scandinavian Online Cancer Information as Expressions of Governmentality
Authors: Aasen Elin Margrethe , Dahl Berit Misund , Ottesen Aase Marie , Strunck Jeanne , Erikson Henrik , Dahlborg Elisabeth , Boman Åse , Vestgarden Lisbeth Alnes , Tengelin Ellinor
Published: July 2022

We compared online distributed information provided to patients with cancer in Scandinavian countries through the lens of governmentality. A secondary comparative qualitative analysis was conducted. Discourses in online patient information showed differences in governmentality techniques across the countries: Norway used a paternalist approach, Denmark an educative approach, and Sweden an individualistic approach and expected the patients to make the “right” decisions. Online information for patients with cancer in Denmark and Norway showed high professional and health care system involvement, whereas in Sweden, there was high patient involvement. There was almost no use of the person-centered approach among the online discourses.
Mid-term to Long-term Follow-up Results of Reconstruction for Thumb Radial Polydactyly
Authors: Lee Hyun-Joo , Lee Kang-San , Chung Seung-Ho , Kim Hee-June , Park Kyeong-Hyeon , Kim Poong-Taek , Park Sook-Hyun
Published: July 2022

Background:

Preaxial or radial polydactyly is one of the most common hand congenital anomalies in newborns. Contemporary reconstruction methods include ligament reconstruction, excision of the polydactylous thumb, osteotomy, and other surgical techniques according to the type of polydactyly. The purpose of this study was to report mid-term to long-term reconstruction results for thumb (radial) polydactyly.

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent reconstruction surgery for preaxial polydactyly. Clinical outcomes, including the range of motion (ROM), pain, and complications, were evaluated. We assessed the final radiographs of the reconstructed thumb to identify the potential development of arthritis or other remaining deformities. After excluding cases without a simple radiograph and cases with a short follow-up period of fewer than 5 years, 26 thumbs were included. The surgical technique followed including excision of polydactylout thumb was tailored to the type of polydactyly. If the nail size of the thumbs was similar, the Bilhaut-Cloquet method was preferred.

Results:

The mean age of the patients at the surgery and final follow-up was 14.9 months (range: 8 to 30 mo) and 11.9 years (range: 5.8 to 19.3 y), respectively. The mean follow-up was 128.8 months years (range: 60 to 219 mo), and the mean ROM of the thumb was 32.7 and 57.5 degrees in the distal interphalangeal joint (DIP) and metacarpophalangeal (MP) joint, respectively. Ulnar or radial side instability was prominent in 7 patients in the involved joints (26.9%). One patient underwent interphalangeal (IP) fusion for extension lag with pain. The radiologic evaluation revealed that 2 patients developed radiographic evidence of IP joint arthritis (7.7%). Radial deviation of the MP or IP joint existed in 13 cases (range: 5 to 40 degrees) (50.0%), and ulnar deviation of the MP or IP joint existed in 2 cases (range: 19 to 20 degrees) (7.7%).

Conclusions:

In mid-term to long-term experience, sequelae such as joint instability, joint stiffness, and remaining deformity cannot be neglected. An unstable MP joint may result if the DIP joint remains stiff or has a lower ROM.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV—therapeutic studies.
Minimizing the Risk of Vascular Injury: Anatomy of the Popliteal Artery in the Pediatric Knee
Authors: Mun Frederick , Suresh Sukrit J. , Marrache Majd , Suresh Krishna V. , Ikwuezunma Ijezie , Lee Rushyuan Jay
Published: July 2022

Background:

Displaced pediatric tibial tubercle fractures are commonly stabilized with screws directed posteriorly toward neurovascular structures. Here, we (1) characterize the variation of the popliteal artery among pediatric patients; and (2) recommend a safe screw trajectory for fixation of tibial tubercle fractures.

Methods:

We retrospectively identified 42 patients (42 knees; 29 female) aged 12–17 years with lower-extremity magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at a tertiary academic center. The mean patient age was 14.5 (range: 12–17) years, and the mean body mass index value was 19.1 (range: 14.9–25.1). We included patients with open physes or visible physeal scars and excluded those with prior instrumentation or lower-extremity injury. Using sagittal MRI, we measured the distances from 5 levels each on the anterior and posterior tibial cortex to the popliteal artery (level 1, midpoint of proximal tibial epiphysis; level 2, the proximal extent of the tubercle; level 3, tubercle prominence; level 4, 2 cm distal to the proximal extent of the tubercle; level 5, 4 cm distal to the proximal extent of the tubercle). Using coronal MRI, we measured the width of the tibia at each level and the distance from the lateral-most and medial-most cortex to the artery.

Results:

The popliteal artery was laterally positioned in all knees. The mean distance between the artery and lateral-most aspect of the tibia at each level ranged from 1.9 to 2.4 cm, and from 2.3 to 3.9 cm from the medial-most aspect of the tibia. The mean distance that a screw can advance before vascular injury was 5.1 cm at level 1. The shortest mean distance to the popliteal artery was 1.7 cm, at level 5. There is minimal distance between the posterior tibial cortex and the artery at all levels.

Conclusions:

Understanding the position of the popliteal artery in pediatric patients can help when stabilizing tibial tubercle fractures. Because the artery is close to the posterior cortex, a drill exiting in line with the popliteal artery risks vascular injury. Therefore, we recommend that screws exit within the medial 60% of the tibia.

Level of Evidence:

IV
Endoscopic transcanal transtympanic myringoplasty vs. endoscopic transcanal tympanoplasty: 1-year follow-up study
Authors: Chen Chin-Kuo , Kuo Chin-Lung , Weng Yu-Ting , Hsieh Li-Chun
Published: July 2022

Background:

Endoscopic transcanal transtympanic myringoplasty (ETTM) is a relatively easier technique than endoscopic transcanal tympanoplasty (ETT) for repairing tympanic membrane perforations. No studies have compared the outcomes of these two procedures with tragal perichondrium after 1-year. Furthermore, there is no evidence-based stratification according to variations in perforation size in endoscopic ear surgery. Therefore, we compared the 1-year outcomes of ETTM and ETT stratified according to perforation size.

Methods:

Patients who underwent ETT and ETTM to repair eardrum perforations with a tragal perichondrium graft were identified. Pure-tone audiometric tests and otoscopic examination were performed to assess hearing outcomes and perforation sizes both preoperatively and at least 1 year postoperatively.

Results:

In total, 158 patients (159 ears) were included. ETT was performed on 83 ears, and ETTM was performed on 76 ears. The ETTM procedure time was 10-minutes shorter than that for ETT (p < 0.001). Perforation size was significantly correlated with graft take-rate. For large perforations, the ETT success rate was significantly higher than that of ETTM (91.7% vs. 78.9%). Success rates for small-medium perforations were comparable for both methods (p > 0.05). However, for medium perforations, the graft take-rate of ETT reached a plateau after 6 months, while that of ETTM gradually declined during the 12-month follow-up. Both groups had a comparable mean postoperative air-bone gap gain (p = 0.666).

Conclusion:

ETTM is suitable for repairing small perforations, whereas ETT is preferred for large perforations. Both methods, and particularly ETTM, should be employed cautiously for medium perforations.
Designing a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Virtual Curriculum (PRSVC): Assessment of Medical Student Knowledge, Surgical Skill, and Community Building
Authors: Shen Abra H. , Alfonso Allyson R. , Cuccolo Nicholas G. , Johnson Anna Rose , Lee Bernard T. , Lin Samuel J.
Published: July 2022

Background:

The COVID-19 pandemic displaced medical students from their rotations and into virtual classrooms. We aimed to develop a virtual curriculum with the goals for students to gain knowledge in plastic surgery, to acquire technical skills, and to be able to promote community.

Methods:

We developed a four-week educational curriculum of topics in plastic surgery using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Resident Education Curriculum and an online plastic surgery curriculum. Virtual flipped classroom case discussions and weekly surgical skills workshops were offered. Pre- and post-course surveys were administered, and results analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 25.0.

Results:

303 medical students and recent graduates enrolled in the course in June 2020. 182 students completed the pre-course survey (60% response rate), and of those, 50.0% (n=91) completed the post-course survey for paired comparison. Students reported significant improvement in confidence discussing the relevant anatomy, work-up and surgical approaches to clinical cases, as well as confidence in knowledge of all topic areas (p<0.001). Confidence in suturing and knot-tying techniques significantly improved among workshop participants (p<0.001). Students applying to residency programs this cycle felt significantly more prepared for sub-internships (p<0.001) and significantly more connected to the community of applicants (p<0.001).

Conclusions:

The Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Virtual Curriculum (PRSVC) improved knowledge, surgical skills, and community in the field among medical student participants. This course may serve to provide a framework for structured virtual learning activities for students interested in plastic surgery and may have significant long-lasting utility for students interested in the field.
Five-year Survival after McKeown Compared to Ivor-Lewis Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer
Authors: Junttila Anna , Helminen Olli , Helmiö Mika , Huhta Heikki , Kallio Raija , Koivukangas Vesa , Kokkola Arto , Laine Simo , Lietzen Elina , Meriläinen Sanna , Pohjanen Vesa-Matti , Rantanen Tuomo , Ristimäki Ari , Räsänen Jari V. , Saarnio Juha , Sihvo Eero , Toikkanen Vesa , Tyrväinen Tuula , Valtola Antti , Kauppila Joonas H. ,   on behalf of the FINEGO group
Published: July 2022

Objective:

The aim of study was to compare overall 5-year survival of esophageal cancer patients undergoing transthoracic esophagectomy with either neck or intrathoracic anastomosis, that is, McKeown and Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy.

Background:

No national studies comparing long-term survival after McKeown and ivor-Lewis esophagectomies in the West exist.

Methods:

This population-based nationwide study included all curatively intended transthoracic esophagectomies for esophageal adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma in Finland in 1987 to 2016, with follow-up until December 31, 2019. Cox proportional hazard models provided hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (ci) of all-cause 5-year mortality. The results were adjusted for age, sex, year of the operation, comorbidities, histology, stage, and neoadjuvant treatment. Adjusted model 2 included also tumor location and lymph node yield.

Results:

A total of 990 patients underwent McKeown (n = 278) or Ivor-Lewis (n = 712) esophagectomy The observed overall 5-year survival was 43.1% after McKeown, and 45.9% after Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy. McKeown esophagectomy was not associated with the overall 5-year mortality (adjusted HR 1.11, 95% CI: 0.89-1.38), compared to Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy. Additional adjustment for tumor location and lymphadenectomy further attenuated the point estimate (HR 1.06, 95% CI: 0.85–1.33). Surgical approach was not associated with 90-day mortality rate (adjusted HR 1.15, 95% CI: 0.67–1.97).

Conclusions:

This population-based nationwide study suggests that overall 5-year survival or 90-day survival with McKeown and Ivor-Lewis esopha-gectomy for esophageal cancer are comparable.
Measurement of brown eggs freshness using non-destructive UV/VIS
spectroscopy and viscosity of egg white
Authors: Kim Sanghee
Published: July 2022

The present research aimed to determine the freshness of brown eggs using
non-destructive ultraviolet-visible (UV/VIS) transmission spectroscopy
(λ = 350-1020 nm) and viscosity measurement during
storage for 7 days. As per human visual perception, the eggshell color varied
from light yellow-brown to dark red-brown, distributed near the edge of the
spectral locus of orange to a red region in the CIE 1931 chromaticity diagram.
Quantitatively characterized luminance (CIE Y) values of the eggshell brightness
were 7.77 (darkest) and 49.1 cd/cm2 (brightest). The L* value
(brownness) of the eggshell increased while the a* value
(redness) decreased. The correlation between luminance and transmittance values
was evaluated using a linear regression model which showed a correlation
coefficient of 0.92. The transmittance spectra collected daily showed a gradual
increase from 36.0% (day 1) to 38.8% (day 3). The slope of this increment became
steeper after day 3 and reached 50.8% (day 7). The freshness of the eggs
calculated based on the transmittance value of 100% (day 1) showed an inverse
relation with the storage time and was reduced by 59% (day 7). Egg white
exhibited non-Newtonian shear thinning behavior and showed a reduction in
viscosity by 13.7% reduction on day 7 as compared to that on day 1. Our results
clearly demonstrated that the freshness of the eggs declined with an increase in
storage time. This analytical method of measuring egg freshness has potential
applications in designing an automatic egg selection machine, to identify stale
eggs from the fresh ones on-site in small and medium egg farms by simply
measuring the transmittance of eggshells of varying darkness.
Quality characteristics of plant-based rice milk prepared with
different rice varieties
Authors: Seong Gi-Un , Kim Jungsoo , Kim Jiyoon , Park Sanghyeok , Cho Jun-Hyeon , Lee Ji-Yoon , Lee Sais-Beul , Shin Dongjin , Park Dong-Soo , Moon Kwang-Deog , Kang Ju-Won
Published: July 2022

In recent years, many rice varieties with improved processing quality have been
developed to promote domestic rice consumption along with the increasing
preference for plant-based food and by-products. This study aimed to assess the
quality characteristics of rice milk using a set of rice varieties, including
saeilmi (normal brown rice, NBR; and normal white rice,
NWR), milyang355 (aromatic brown rice, ABR; and aromatic white
rice, AWR) and milyang365 (pigment brown rice, PBR). Among
these, the amylose content ranged from 5.13-23.50%, and the highest crude
protein content was recorded in ABR (7.95%). In addition, brown rice showed a
higher initial pasting temperature than did white rice; however, its viscosity
properties were relatively low. Our data showed that the soluble solid content
of rice milk was 6.5-7.7 °Brix, and viscosity ranged from 2.8-4.8 cP.
Reducing sugar and free sugar content was high in AWR (p<0.05). AWR had a
high L* value, while the particle size and normalized
turbidity were lower than those of ABR, depending on the degree of milling.
Regarding sensory evaluation, ABR was the most preferred and obtained the
highest scores for rice flavor, taste, and texture. In summary, the study
findings provide strong evidence that ABR presents the best processing qualities
and could preferably be used for plant-based rice milk making.
Increased qualities and health functional effects of ganjang fermented in onggi
Authors: Lee So Young , Lee Jong Hyun , Hong Geun Hye , Lim Yang Lee , Kim Jong-Hee , Park Kun-Young
Published: July 2022

The quality and health functional effects of ganjang fermented in onggi and other ordinary containers were studied. The containers employed for ganjang fermentation included non-glazed onggi (onggi without glaze, OWOG), glazed onggi (onggi with glaze, OWG), ceramics (CRM), stainless steel containers (STL), and glass bottles (GLA). Grain-type meju with salt and water was fermented in each container at 37°C for 40 days. The pH decreased slowly and the acidity gradually increased, whereas the amino-type nitrogen content increased, although the ammonia-type nitrogen content was significantly decreased (p<0.05) for ganjang fermented in onggi. The abundance of yeasts, molds, and lactic acid bacteria was significantly increased whereas the total bacteria content decreased in OWOG and OWG during fermentation compared to that in the other types of containers. Ganjang fermented in onggi exhibited better antioxidant, antimutagenic, and anticancer effects than the samples fermented in other container types. Overall, the obtained results indicated that onggi, especially OWOG, was the best container for the fermentation of ganjang to ensure high food quality and health functions.
High temperature treatments to control sugar consumption by yeasts
during makgeolli fermentation
Authors: Kim Chan-Woo , Jeong Seok-Tae , Park Yoo-Deok , Kim Juong-Bin , Lim Bo-Ra , Kang Heui-Yun
Published: July 2022

This study aimed to control sugar consumption during makgeolli
fermnetation using high temperature treatments after 3 days of fermentation at
normal temprature. makgeolli fermentation was performed at
25°C for the initial 3 days and at 34, 37, 40, and 43°C,
respectively, for the next 4 days. When fermented at 25°C (control), the
alcohol content increased up to 16.5%; however the alcohol content of
makgeolli treated at elevated temperatures reduced by 13.8
%. In the control group, typical saccharification and fermentation proceeded
simultaneously, and the reducing sugar content remained low due to sugar
consumption by active yeast. However, at high fermentation temperatures, the
nuruk enzymes functioned normally and saccharification
proceeded well; however the conversion of fermentable sugars to alcohol was
inhibited, possibly due to a decrease in yeasts activity. The viable cell count
of yeasts was 4-6 log CFU/mL regardless of the fermentation temperature. These
results indicate the possibility of producing sweet live-yeast
makgeolli without the addition of artificial sweeteners
through a temperature-controlled makgeolli fermentation.
Increased production of γ-aminobutyric acid
using the extract of Phellinus linteus fruiting body by
Lactobacillus plantarum KS2020
Authors: Lim Jong-Soon , Park Yun-Ho , Jo Beom-Su , Kim Ji-Eun , Lee Sam-Pin
Published: July 2022

The optimal production of γ-aminobutylic acid (GABA) has
been accomplished using the extract of Phellinus linteus
fruiting body (PLF) and Lactobacillus plantarum KS2020. To
optimize the production of GABA through lactic acid fermentation, the medium
composition was optimized for the concentration of glucose, monosodium glutamate
(MSG), and yeast extract. The solid content, pH, acidity of PLF extract was
1.37%, 5.85, and 0.03%, respectively. The content of the minerals Ca, Mg, K, Na,
P, Fe, and Mn in the PLF extract were 3.65, 2.07, 1.95, 1.43, 0.88, 0.05, and
0.01 mg per 100 g, respectively. In case of single lactic acid fermentation with
the PLF extract including 5% MSG as a precursor and 1.5% yeast extract, the pH
and acidity of the fermented PLF extract were 5.96, and 0.25%, respectively, and
the viable cell count was 8.56 log CFU/mL. After 9 days of stationary
fermentation, MSG was converted to highly concentrated GABA. High performance
liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed that, the initial content of GABA
(21.18 mg/100 g) increased to 2,412.34 mg/100 g in the fermented PLF extract. In
conclusion, the fermented PLF extract using L. plantarum KS2020
and MSG as a precursor can be used for the production of high-value functional
food ingredients, such as GABA and probiotics.
Antibacterial activity and stability of Sophora
flavescens and Schisandra chinensis extracts
against Streptococcus mutans KCCM 40105
Authors: Jeong Jae-Hee , Kim Su-Hwan , Lee Chae-Mi , Choi Yu-Ri , Lee Dong-Hun , Lee Chae-Yun , Huh Chang-Ki
Published: July 2022

This study aimed to select natural materials with antibacterial activity against
Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) KCCM
40105 and determine their most efficient extraction conditions. The
antibacterial activity was stable under various treatment conditions. Of the 17
material groups, extracts of Sophora flavescens (SF) and
Schisandra chinensis (SC) showed antibacterial activity
against the S. mutans strain. Measuring the antibacterial
activity based on ethanol concentration revealed that the 30% ethanol extracts
of SF and SC showed the highest antibacterial activity as observed by the
inhibition zones of 10.69 and 14.49 mm, respectively. The minimum inhibitory
concentrations of the 30% ethanol extracts of SF and SC against the S.
mutans strain were 2.0 and 5.0 mg/mL, respectively. Heat stability
was confirmed; however, the 30% ethanol extract of SC was inactive at pH values
≥6.0. The antibacterial activity of the 30% ethanol extract of SF and SC
treated with nine enzymes was the same at 10 ppm and 100 ppm. However, the
activity tended to decrease marginally in the 1,000 ppm concentration treatment
group.
Investigation of microbial contamination levels on ginseng sprouts
and green moss used as domestic packaging material
Authors: Hyun Jeong-Eun , Lee Su-Bin , Jung Do-Young , Choi Song-Yi , Hwang Injun , Lee Theresa , Kim Se-Ri
Published: July 2022

Recently, consumers demand for healthy and fresh foods, including fresh ginseng
and ginseng sprouts has increased. However, evaluation of microbial safety for
ginseng sprouts have not been intensively conducted. The purpose of this study
was to investigate microbial contamination levels on ginseng sprouts produced on
20 different farms and green moss used as packaging material at these farms.
Microbial contamination levels of sanitary indicator microorganisms (total
aerobic bacteria, Escherichia coli, coliform, yeasts, and
molds) and foodborne pathogens (E. coli O157:H7,
Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus,
Listeria monocytogenes, and Bacillus
cereus) were evaluated in ginseng sprouts and green moss. As a
result, the abundance of total aerobic bacteria in ginseng sprouts and green
moss ranged from 5.52-8.08 and 5.74-9.70 log CFU/g, respectively. The average
population of yeasts and molds on ginseng sprouts and green moss were observed
to be > 3 log CFU/g at all the farms. In particular, the average
populations of B. cereus in ginseng sprouts and green moss were
3.56 and 5.88 log CFU/g, respectively. Foodborne pathogens were not detected in
all ginseng sprouts. However, Staphylococcus aureus was
detected in 7 (41%) out of 17 green moss. Therefore, the study findings
highlight the need of developing an effective control strategy for eliminating
hazardous microorganisms, to improve the microbial safety of ginseng
sprouts.
Homeostatic responses to hypoxia by the carotid body and adrenal medulla are based on mutual antagonism between HIF-1α and HIF-2α
Authors: Yuan Guoxiang , Peng Ying-Jie , Reddy Vaddi Damodar , Makarenko Vladislav , Nanduri Jayasri , Khan Shakil A. , Garcia Joseph A. , Kumar Ganesh K. , Semenza Gregg L. , Prabhakar Nanduri R.
Published: July 2022

Respiration and blood pressure (BP) are regulated to maintain optimal delivery of O2 to every cell in the body. Arterial hypoxemia is sensed by the carotid body (CB), which initiates sympathetic reflex arcs to the diaphragm to increase ventilation, and to the adrenal medulla (AM) to increase catecholamine secretion and thereby increase BP. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms have not been fully delineated. Here, we report that the relative activities of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) and HIF-2 determine the set point for the CB and AM, with respect to their maintenance of BP and respiration. In Hif2a+/- mice, which are heterozygous for a knockout allele at the locus encoding HIF-2α, expression of HIF-1α and NADPH oxidase 2 was increased in the CB and AM, resulting in an oxidized intracellular redox state with augmented sensitivity to hypoxia, increased BP, and respiratory abnormalities, which were all normalized by treatment with a HIF-1α inhibitor or a superoxide anion scavenger. By contrast, in Hif1a+/- mice, which are heterozygous for a knockout allele at the locus encoding HIF-1α, the expression of HIF-2α and superoxide dismutase 2 was increased in the CB and AM, resulting in a reduced intracellular redox state with impaired CB and ventilatory responses to chronic hypoxia, which were normalized by treatment with a HIF-2α inhibitor. None of the abnormalities that were observed in Hif1a+/- or Hif2a+/- mice were observed in Hif1a+/-; Hif2a+/- double- heterozygous mice. Our results demonstrate that redox balance in the CB and AM, which is determined by mutual antagonism between HIF-α isoforms, establishes the set point for responses of the CB and AM to hypoxia, and is required for the maintenance of normal BP and respiration.
Delayed generation of functional virus-specific circulating T follicular helper cells correlates with severe COVID-19
Authors: Yu Meng , Charles Afandi , Cagigi Alberto , Christ Wanda , Österberg Björn , Falck-Jones Sara , Azizmohammadi Lida , Åhlberg Eric , Falck-Jones Ryan , Svensson Julia , Nie Mu , Warnqvist Anna , Hellgren Fredrika , Lenart Klara , Cerveira Rodrigo Arcoverde , Ols Sebastian , Lindgren Gustaf , Lin Ang , Maecker Holden , Bell Max , Johansson Niclas , Albert Jan , Sundling Christopher , Czarnewski Paulo , Klingström Jonas , Färnert Anna , Loré Karin , Smed-Sörensen Anna
Published: July 2022

Effective humoral immune responses require well-orchestrated cellular interactions between B and T follicular helper (Tfh) cells. Whether this interaction is impaired and associated with COVID-19 disease severity is unknown. Here, longitudinal acute and convalescent blood samples from 49 COVID-19 patients across mild to severe disease were analysed. We found that during acute infection activated and SARS-CoV-2-specific circulating Tfh (cTfh) cell frequencies expanded with increasing disease severity. The frequency of activated and SARS-CoV-2-specific cTfh cells correlated with plasmablast frequencies and SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers, avidity and neutralization. Furthermore, cTfh cells but not other memory CD4 T cells, isolated from severe patients induced more pronounced differentiation of autologous plasmablast and antibody production in vitro compared to cTfh cells isolated from mild patients. However, the development of virus-specific cTfh cells was delayed in patients that displayed or later developed severe disease compared to those that maintained a mild or moderate disease. This correlated with a delayed induction of high-avidity and neutralizing virus-specific antibodies. Our study therefore suggests that impaired generation of functional virus-specific cTfh cells delays the production of high-quality antibodies to combat the infection at an early stage and thereby enabling progression to more severe COVID-19 disease.
N,N,2,4,6-Pentamethylanilinium hexafluorophosphate–1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxacyclooctadecane (2/1). Corrigendum
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Lian Huo Lin , Chang Yi Qi
Published: July 2022

In the paper by Chang et al. [Acta Cryst. (2014), E70, o72], there is an error in the order of the authors.