bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship between Disease Characteristics and Circulating Interleukin 6 in a Well-Characterized Cohort of Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Mercader-Salvans Julia , García-González María , Gómez-Bernal Fuensanta , Quevedo-Abeledo Juan C. , de Vera-González Antonia , González-Delgado Alejandra , López-Mejías Raquel , Martín-González Candelaria , González-Gay Miguel Á. , Ferraz-Amaro Iván
Published: September 2023

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a proinflammatory cytokine that mediates pleiotropic functions in immune responses and inflammatory diseases. The literature lacks studies, with a clinical perspective, on the relationship between IL-6 serum levels and the characteristics of the disease in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In the present work, we aimed to analyze the association between circulating IL-6 and disease manifestations in a well-characterized series of patients with SLE. Serum IL-6 levels and disease activity (SLEDAI-2K), severity (Katz) and damage index (SLICC-DI), complete lipid profile, and subclinical carotid atherosclerosis were evaluated in 284 patients with SLE. In addition, a complete characterization of the complement system was performed in samples from patients with SLE. A multivariate linear regression analysis was carried out to study the relationship between clinical and laboratory characteristics of the disease and IL-6 levels. Age (beta coef. 0.07 [95%CI 0.01–0.1] pg/mL, p = 0.014), C-reactive protein (beta coef. 0.21 [95%CI 0.16–0.25] pg/mL, p < 0.01), and male gender (beta coef. 2 [95%CI 0.3–0.5] pg/mL, p = 0.024), were positively associated with higher IL-6 levels in SLE patients. Most disease characteristics and damage and activity indices did not show significant relationships with IL-6. However, after multivariate analysis, IL-6 was associated with lower serum levels of HDL cholesterol (beta coef. −0.04 [95%CI −0.08–(−0.1)] pg/mL, p = 0.011), and apolipoprotein A1 (beta coef. −0.02 [95%CI −0.04–(−0.001)] pg/mL, p = 0.035). In contrast, the alternative complement cascade, C1inh, and C3a were all positively and independently associated with higher serum levels of IL-6. Moreover, stratification of the Systematic Coronary Risk Assessment 2 (SCORE2) results according to different categories of cardiovascular risk was associated with higher circulating serum IL-6 levels (beta coef. 0.2 [95%CI 0.02–0.4], pg/mL, p = 0.028). In conclusion, in a large series of SLE patients, IL-6 was not associated with disease-related features of SLE, including damage, severity, or activity indices. However, an association was found between serum IL-6 levels and circulating C3a and cardiovascular risk. Our study emphasizes the importance that IL-6 could have in cardiovascular disease and complement system disruption of SLE patients. Therapies targeting IL-6 could have a role in these two clinical manifestations of patients with SLE.
Investigating the Impact of Selective Modulators on the Renin–Angiotensin–Aldosterone System: Unraveling Their Off-Target Perturbations of Transmembrane Ionic Currents
Authors: Lu Te-Ling , Wu Sheng-Nan
Published: September 2023

The renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) plays a crucial role in maintaining various physiological processes in the body, including blood pressure regulation, electrolyte balance, and overall cardiovascular health. However, any compounds or drugs known to perturb the RAAS might have an additional impact on transmembrane ionic currents. In this retrospective review article, we aimed to present a selection of chemical compounds or medications that have long been recognized as interfering with the RAAS. It is noteworthy that these substances may also exhibit regulatory effects in different types of ionic currents. Apocynin, known to attenuate the angiotensin II-induced activation of epithelial Na+ channels, was shown to stimulate peak and late components of voltage-gated Na+ current (INa). Esaxerenone, an antagonist of the mineralocorticoid receptor, can exert an inhibitory effect on peak and late INa directly. Dexamethasone, a synthetic glucocorticoid, can directly enhance the open probability of large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels. Sparsentan, a dual-acting antagonist of the angiotensin II receptor and endothelin type A receptors, was found to suppress the amplitude of peak and late INa effectively. However, telmisartan, a blocker of the angiotensin II receptor, was effective in stimulating the peak and late INa along with a slowing of the inactivation time course of the current. However, telmisartan’s presence can also suppress the erg-mediated K+ current. Moreover, tolvaptan, recognized as an aquaretic agent that can block the vasopressin receptor, was noted to suppress the amplitude of the delayed-rectifier K+ current and the M-type K+ current directly. The above results indicate that these substances not only have an interference effect on the RAAS but also exert regulatory effects on different types of ionic currents. Therefore, to determine their mechanisms of action, it is necessary to gain a deeper understanding.
Comparative Analysis of Transcriptome and Proteome Revealed the Common Metabolic Pathways Induced by Prevalent ESBL Plasmids in Escherichia coli
Authors: Huang Chuan , Pham Hoa-Quynh , Zhu Lina , Wang Rui , Law Oi-Kwan , Lin Shu-Ling , Nie Qi-Chang , Zhang Liang , Wang Xin , Lau Terrence Chi-Kong
Published: September 2023

Antibiotic resistance has emerged as one of the most significant threats to global public health. Plasmids, which are highly efficient self-replicating genetic vehicles, play a critical role in the dissemination of drug-resistant genes. Previous studies have mainly focused on drug-resistant genes only, often neglecting the complete functional role of multidrug-resistant (MDR) plasmids in bacteria. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive investigation of the transcriptomes and proteomes of Escherichia coli J53 transconjugants harboring six major MDR plasmids of different incompatibility (Inc) groups, which were clinically isolated from patients. The RNA-seq analysis revealed that MDR plasmids influenced the gene expression in the bacterial host, in particular, the genes related to metabolic pathways. A proteomic analysis demonstrated the plasmid-induced regulation of several metabolic pathways including anaerobic respiration and the utilization of various carbon sources such as serine, threonine, sialic acid, and galactarate. These findings suggested that MDR plasmids confer a growth advantage to bacterial hosts in the gut, leading to the expansion of plasmid-carrying bacteria over competitors without plasmids. Moreover, this study provided insights into the versatility of prevalent MDR plasmids in moderating the cellular gene network of bacteria, which could potentially be utilized in therapeutics development for bacteria carrying MDR plasmids.
Local and Bayesian Survival FDR Estimations to Identify Reliable Associations in Whole Genome of Bread Wheat
Authors: Sadeqi Mohammad Bahman , Ballvora Agim , Léon Jens
Published: September 2023

Estimating the FDR significance threshold in genome-wide association studies remains a major challenge in distinguishing true positive hypotheses from false positive and negative errors. Several comparative methods for multiple testing comparison have been developed to determine the significance threshold; however, these methods may be overly conservative and lead to an increase in false negative results. The local FDR approach is suitable for testing many associations simultaneously based on the empirical Bayes perspective. In the local FDR, the maximum likelihood estimator is sensitive to bias when the GWAS model contains two or more explanatory variables as genetic parameters simultaneously. The main criticism of local FDR is that it focuses only locally on the effects of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in tails of distribution, whereas the signal associations are distributed across the whole genome. The advantage of the Bayesian perspective is that knowledge of prior distribution comes from other genetic parameters included in the GWAS model, such as linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis, minor allele frequency (MAF) and call rate of significant associations. We also proposed Bayesian survival FDR to solve the multi-collinearity and large-scale problems, respectively, in grain yield (GY) vector in bread wheat with large-scale SNP information. The objective of this study was to obtain a short list of SNPs that are reliably associated with GY under low and high levels of nitrogen (N) in the population. The five top significant SNPs were compared with different Bayesian models. Based on the time to events in the Bayesian survival analysis, the differentiation between minor and major alleles within the association panel can be identified.
An EGCG Derivative in Combination with Nimotuzumab for the Treatment of Wild-Type EGFR NSCLC
Authors: Huang Yanping , Cuan Xiangdan , Zhu Weiwei , Yang Xingying , Zhao Yunli , Sheng Jun , Zi Chengting , Wang Xuanjun
Published: September 2023

Inhibiting the tyrosine kinase activity of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) using small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) or monoclonal antibodies is often ineffective in treating cancers harboring wild-type EGFR. Given the fact that EGFR possesses a kinase-independent pro-survival function, more effective inhibition of EGFR-mediated signals is therefore necessary. In this study, we investigated the effects of using a combination of low-dose nimotuzumab and theasinensin A to evaluate whether the inhibitory effect of nimotuzumab on NCI-H441 cancer cells was enhanced. Here, theasinensin A, a novel epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) derivative, was identified and its potent anticancer activity against wild-type EGFR NSCLC was demonstrated in vitro; the anticancer activity was induced through degradation of EGFR. Mechanistic studies further revealed that theasinensin A bound directly to the EGFR extracellular domain, which decreased interaction with its ligand EGF in combination with nimotuzumab. Theasinensin A significantly promoted EGFR degradation and repressed downstream survival pathways in combination with nimotuzumab. Meanwhile, treatment with theasinensin A and nimotuzumab prevented xenograft growth, whereas the single agents had limited effect. Thus, the combination therapy of theasinensin A with nimotuzumab is a powerful candidate for treatment of wild-type EGFR cancers.
The First Quarter Century of the Dense Alignment Surface Transmembrane Prediction Method
Authors: Cserző Miklós , Eisenhaber Birgit , Eisenhaber Frank , Magyar Csaba , Simon István
Published: September 2023

The dense alignment surface (DAS) transmembrane (TM) prediction method was first published more than 25 years ago. DAS was the one of the earliest tools to discriminate TM proteins from globular ones and to predict the sequence positions of TM helices in proteins with high accuracy from their amino acid sequence alone. The algorithmic improvements that followed in 2002 (DAS-TMfilter) made it one of the best performing tools among those relying on local sequence information for TM prediction. Since then, many more experimental data about membrane proteins (including thousands of 3D structures of membrane proteins) have accumulated but there has been no significant improvement concerning performance in the area of TM helix prediction tools. Here, we report a new implementation of the DAS-TMfilter prediction web server. We reevaluated the performance of the method using a five-times-larger, updated test dataset. We found that the method performs at essentially the same accuracy as the original even without any change to the parametrization of the program despite the much larger dataset. Thus, the approach captures the physico-chemistry of TM helices well, essentially solving this scientific problem.
Influence of Clinical Factors on miR-3613-3p Expression in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Gil-Kulik Paulina , Petniak Alicja , Kluz Natalia , Wallner Grzegorz , Skoczylas Tomasz , Ciechański Aleksander , Kocki Janusz
Published: September 2023

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer-related death globally. Because of a tendency to be an asymptomatic primary tumor and therefore resulting in late detection, most CRC patients are diagnosed in the advanced stage. Several miRNAs have the potential to become novel noninvasive biomarkers measured as diagnostic and prognostic indicators of CRC to guide surgical therapies and promote the understanding of the carcinogenesis of CRC. Since the change of miR-3613-3p was associated with several types of cancer other than colorectal cancer, there is a lack of functional evidence and the results are inconsistent. We conducted a pilot microarray study in which we noted a decreased expression of miR-3613-3p in colorectal cancer cells, then we confirmed the expression of miR-3613-3p by qPCR on a group of 83 patients, including 65 patients with colorectal cancer, 5 with a benign tumor and 13 from the control group. We noted that in both malignant and benign tumors, miR-3613-3p is downgraded relative to the surrounding tissue. As a result of the study, we also observed colorectal tumor tissue and surrounding tissue in patients with colorectal cancer who received radiotherapy before surgery, which showed a significantly higher expression of miR-3613-3p compared to patients who did not receive radiotherapy. In addition, we noted that the tissue surrounding the tumor in patients with distant metastases showed a significantly higher expression of miR-3613-3p compared to patients without distant metastases. The increased expression of miR-3613-3p in patients after radiotherapy suggests the possibility of using this miR as a therapeutic target for CRC, but this requires confirmation in further studies.
miR-383-5p Regulates Preadipocyte Proliferation and Differentiation by Targeting RAD51AP1
Authors: Wang Meigui , Shao Jiahao , Zhang Xiaoxiao , Liu Zheliang , Tang Tao , Chen Guanhe , Xia Siqi , Zhao Kaisen , Kang Zhe , Sun Wenqiang , Jia Xianbo , Wang Jie , Lai Songjia
Published: September 2023

Obesity has become a major health problem worldwide, and increasing evidence supports the importance of microRNAs (miRNAs) in its pathogenesis. Recently, we found that miR-383-5p_1 is highly expressed in the perirenal fat of high-fat-fed rabbits, but it is not yet known whether miR-383-5p is involved in lipid metabolism. Here, we used transcriptome sequencing technology to screen 1642 known differentially expressed genes between miR-383-5p mimic groups and miR-383-5p negative control groups. Gene Ontology Resource (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were enriched in the pathway related to lipid metabolism, and glycine biosynthesis, the NOD receptor signal pathway and nonalcoholic fatty liver were significantly enriched. Afterwards, our research results indicated that miR-383-5p can promote the proliferation and differentiation of rabbit preadipocytes, and there is a direct targeting relationship with RAD51AP1. Mechanistically, miR-383-5p directly interacts with the lipid metabolism and participates in adipogenesis and lipid accumulation by targeting RAD51AP1. In conclusion, our data highlight a physiological role for miRNA in lipid metabolism and suggest the miR-383-5p/RAD51AP1 axis may represent a potential mechanism for controlling lipid accumulation in obesity.
CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated CtBP1 Gene Editing Enhances Chemosensitivity and Inhibits Metastatic Potential in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Akhtar Javed , Imran Muhammad , Wang Guanyu
Published: September 2023

Innovative therapeutic strategies for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) are urgently required due to the limited effectiveness of standard chemotherapies. C-Terminal Binding Protein 1 (CtBP1) has been implicated in various cancers, including ESCC. However, the precise expression patterns and functional roles of CtBP1 in ESCC remain inadequately characterized. In this study, we aimed to investigate CtBP1 expression and its role in the resistance of ESCC to paclitaxel, an effective chemotherapeutic agent. Western blotting and immunofluorescence were applied to assess CtBP1 expression in the TE-1 and KYSE-50 cell lines. We observed the marked expression of CtBP1, which was associated with enhanced proliferation, invasion, and metastasis in these cell lines. Further, we successfully generated paclitaxel resistant ESCC cell lines and conducted cell viability assays. We employed the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system to disable the CtBP1 gene in ESCC cell lines. Through the analysis of the drug dose–response curve, we assessed the sensitivity of these cell lines in different treatment groups. Remarkably, CtBP1-disabled cell lines displayed not only improved sensitivity but also a remarkable inhibition of proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. This demonstrates that CtBP1 may promote ESCC cell malignancy and confer paclitaxel resistance. In summary, our study opens a promising avenue for targeted therapies, revealing the potential of CtBP1 inhibition to enhance the effectiveness of paclitaxel treatment for the personalized management of ESCC.
Effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy and Purified Natural Latex (Hevea brasiliensis) Protein on Injured Sciatic Nerve in Rodents: Morpho-Functional Analysis
Authors: Dias Fernando José , Cury Diego Pulzatto , Dias Paula Elisa , Borie Eduardo , Alarcón-Apablaza Josefa , Lezcano María Florencia , Martínez-Rodríguez Paulina , Vargas Daniel , Gutiérrez Brandon , Fazan Valéria Paula Sassoli
Published: September 2023

The present study analyzed the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and the purified natural latex protein (Hevea brasiliensis, F1 protein) on the morpho-function of sciatic nerve crush injuries in rats. One-hundred and eight male Wistar rats were randomly allocated to six groups (n = 18): 1. Control; 2. Exposed (nerve exposed); 3. Injury (injured nerve without treatment); 4. LLLT (injured nerve irradiated with LLLT (15 J/cm2, 780 nm)); 5. F1 (injured nerve treated with F1 protein (0.1%)); and 6. LLLT + F1 (injured nerve treated with LLLT and F1). On the 1st, 7th, 14th, and 56th days after injury, a functional sensory analysis of mechanical allodynia and mechanical hyperalgesia and a motor analysis of grip strength and gait were performed. After 3, 15, and 57 days, the animals were euthanized for morphometric/ultrastructural analyses. The treatments applied revealed improvements in morphometric/ultrastructural parameters compared to the injured group. Sensory analyses suggested that the improvements observed were associated with time progression and not influenced by the treatments. Motor analyses revealed significant improvements in grip strength from the 7th day in the LLLT group and in gait from the 56th day in all treated groups. We concluded that even though the morphological analyses showed improvements with the treatments, they did not influence sensory recovery, and LLLT improved motor recovery.
What the COVID-19 Pandemic Taught Medical Educators in the Caribbean about Online Clinical Teaching
Authors: Reid Sandra D. , Sa Bidyadhar , Giddings Stanley , Rafeek Reisha , Singh Shala , Harnarayan Patrick , Farnon Niall
Published: September 2023

The pandemic forced final year clinical students in six health-profession programs in a Caribbean University to suddenly transition from a clinical learning environment to an exclusively online environment for clinical instruction. The change in curriculum delivery allowed students to compare teaching of clinical skills using clinical and online learning environments. In June 2020, 278 students (78% response rate) completed a survey rating the online teaching experience. Students from each discipline also participated in a focus group discussion. Of the sample, 88% of students felt that the online environment was enthusiastic and stimulating but did not view it as satisfactory for skills transfer; 77% felt connected with their teachers but deprived of the social connectedness, peer support, and vicarious learning afforded by face-to-face instruction. Clinical students perceived the online environment as a convenient and beneficial platform to deliver didactic components of the clinical curriculum, thus providing downtime for students and ensuring equitable exposure of all students to all teachers. In the post-pandemic era, medical teachers should make the effort to maintain and refine online approaches, not just for use in times of emergency, but for integration into curriculum delivery strategies to improve the clinical learning environment and student satisfaction, while maintaining the hands-on method of clinical instruction.
BGP Dataset-Based Malicious User Activity Detection Using Machine Learning
Authors: Park Hansol , Kim Kookjin , Shin Dongil , Shin Dongkyoo
Published: September 2023

Recent advances in the Internet and digital technology have brought a wide variety of activities into cyberspace, but they have also brought a surge in cyberattacks, making it more important than ever to detect and prevent cyberattacks. In this study, a method is proposed to detect anomalies in cyberspace by consolidating BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) data into numerical data that can be trained by machine learning (ML) through a tokenizer. BGP data comprise a mix of numeric and textual data, making it challenging for ML models to learn. To convert the data into a numerical format, a tokenizer, a preprocessing technique from Natural Language Processing (NLP), was employed. This process goes beyond merely replacing letters with numbers; its objective is to preserve the patterns and characteristics of the data. The Synthetic Minority Over-sampling Technique (SMOTE) was subsequently applied to address the issue of imbalanced data. Anomaly detection experiments were conducted on the model using various ML algorithms such as One-Class Support Vector Machine (One-SVM), Convolutional Neural Network–Long Short-Term Memory (CNN–LSTM), Random Forest (RF), and Autoencoder (AE), and excellent performance in detection was demonstrated. In experiments, it performed best with the AE model, with an F1-Score of 0.99. In terms of the Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (AUROC) curve, good performance was achieved by all ML models, with an average of over 90%. Improved cybersecurity is expected to be contributed by this research, as it enables the detection and monitoring of cyber anomalies from malicious users through BGP data.
Atypically Shaped Setae in Gall Mites (Acariformes, Eriophyoidea) and Mitogenomics of the Genus Leipothrix Keifer (Eriophyidae)
Authors: Chetverikov Philipp E. , Bolton Samuel J. , Craemer Charnie , Gankevich Vladimir D. , Zhuk Anna S.
Published: September 2023

The setae in Eriophyoidea are filiform, slightly bent and thickened near the base. Confocal microscopy indicates that their proximal and distal parts differ in light reflection and autofluorescence. Approximately 50 genera have atypically shaped setae: bifurcated, angled or swollen. These modifications are known in the basal part of prosomal setae u′, ft′, ft″, d, v, bv, ve, sc and caudal setae h2. We assessed the distribution of atypically shaped setae in Eriophyoidea and showed that they are scattered in different phylogenetic lineages. We hypothesized that the ancestral setae of eriophyoid mites were bifurcated before later simplifying into filiform setae. We also proposed that hypo-furcating setae are a synapomorphy that unites Eriophyoidea with Nematalycidae. We analyzed four new mitochondrial genomes of Leipothrix, the largest genus with bifurcated d, and showed that it is monophyletic and has a unique mitochondrial gene order with translocated trnK. We exclude Cereusacarus juniperensis n. comb. Xue and Yin, 2020 from Leipothrix and transfer five Epitrimerus spp. to Leipothrix: L. aegopodii (Liro 1941) n. comb., L. femoralis (Liro 1941) n. comb., L. geranii (Liro 1941) n. comb., L. ranunculi (Liro 1941) n. comb., and L. triquetra (Meyer 1990) n. comb.
A Method for Identification of Biotype-Specific Salivary Effector Candidates of Aphid
Authors: Wang Duoqi , Yang Qinglan , Hu Xiaoyue , Liu Biao , Wang Yongmo
Published: September 2023

Polyphagous aphids often consist of host-specialized biotypes that perform poorly in non-native hosts. The underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Host-specialized biotypes may express biotype-specific salivary effectors or elicitors that determine aphid hosts. Here, we tried three strategies to identify possible effectors in Malvaceae- (MA) and Cucurbitaceae-specialized (CU) biotypes of the cotton-melon aphid Aphis gossypii Glover. The whole-aphid RNA-seq identified 765 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and 139 of them were possible effectors; aphid-head RNA-seq identified 523 DEGs were identified, and 98 of them were possible effectors. The homologous genes of published aphid effectors were not differentially expressed between CU and MA. Next, quantitative proteomic analyses of saliva identified 177 possible proteins, and 44 of them were different proteins. However, none of the genes of the 44 proteins were differentially expressed, reflecting the discrepancy between transcriptome and proteome data. Finally, we searched for DEGs of the 177 salivary proteins in the aphid-head transcriptomes, and the salivary proteins with expression differences were regarded as effector candidates. Through this strategy, 11 effector candidates were identified, and their expression differences were all confirmed by RT-qPCR. The combinatorial analysis has great potential to identify biotype-specific effector candidates in aphids and other sap-sucking insects.
Arsenophonus: A Double-Edged Sword of Aphid Defense against Parasitoids
Authors: Heidari Latibari Minoo , Moravvej Gholamhossein , Rakhshani Ehsan , Karimi Javad , Arias-Penna Diana Carolina , Butcher Buntika A.
Published: September 2023

It is widely accepted that endosymbiont interactions with their hosts have significant effects on the fitness of both pests and beneficial species. A particular type of endosymbiosis is that of beneficial associations. Facultative endosymbiotic bacteria are associated with elements that provide aphids with protection from parasitoids. Arsenophonus (Enterobacterales: Morganellaceae) is one such endosymbiont bacterium, with infections being most commonly found among the Hemiptera species. Here, black cowpea aphids (BCAs), Aphis craccivora Koch (Hemiptera: Aphididae), naturally infected with Arsenophonus, were evaluated to determine the defensive role of this bacterium in BCAs against two parasitoid wasp species, Binodoxys angelicae and Lysiphlebus fabarum (both in Braconidae: Aphidiinae). Individuals of the black cowpea aphids infected with Arsenophonus were treated with a blend of ampicillin, cefotaxime, and gentamicin (Arsenophonus-reduced infection, AR) and subsequently subjected to parasitism assays. The results showed that the presence of Arsenophonus does not prevent BCAs from being parasitized by either B. angelicae or L. fabarum. Nonetheless, in BCA colonies parasitized by B. angelicae, the endosymbiont delayed both the larval maturation period and the emergence of the adult parasitoid wasps. In brief, Arsenophonus indirectly limits the effectiveness of B. angelicae parasitism by decreasing the number of emerged adult wasps. Therefore, other members of the BCA colony can survive. Arsenophonus acts as a double-edged sword, capturing the complex dynamic between A. craccivora and its parasitoids.
“I Just Want You to Hear That Term”: Characterizing Language Used in Fetal Cardiology Consultations
Authors: Schweiberger Kelsey , Harris Kelly W. , Kavanaugh-McHugh Ann , Soudi Abdesalam , Arnold Robert M. , Merlin Jessica S. , Kasparian Nadine A. , Chang Judy C.
Published: September 2023

The way clinicians communicate with parents during pregnancy about congenital heart disease (CHD) can significantly influence parental understanding of and psychological response to the diagnosis. A necessary first step to improving communication used in fetal cardiology consultations is to understand and describe the language currently used, which this paper aims to do. Nineteen initial fetal cardiology consultations with parents were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and coded by two independent coders. A codebook was inductively developed and applied to all transcripts. The finalized coding was used to characterize fetal cardiologists’ language. We identified four discourse styles employed in fetal cardiology consultations: small talk, medical, plain, and person-centered. Plain language was used to define and emphasize the meaning of medical language. Person-centered language was used to emphasize the baby as a whole person. Each consultation included all four discourse styles, with plain and medical used most frequently. Person-centered was used less frequently and mostly occurred near the end of the encounters; whether this is the ideal balance of discourse styles is unknown. Clinicians also used person-centered language (as opposed to disease-centered language), which is recommended by medical societies. Future studies should investigate the ideal balance of discourse styles and the effects of clinician discourse styles on family outcomes, including parents’ decision-making, psychological adjustment, and quality of life.
Comment on Crettenand et al. Is Continuous Wound Infiltration a Better Option for Postoperative Pain Management after Open Nephrectomy Compared to Thoracic Epidural Analgesia? J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12, 2974
Authors: Beilstein Christian Marco , Wuethrich Patrick Yves
Published: September 2023

We have read with great interest the retrospective study recently published by Crettenand et al. in this journal [...]
Human Albumin Infusion in Critically Ill and Perioperative Patients: Narrative Rapid Review of Meta-Analyses from the Last Five Years
Authors: Wiedermann Christian J.
Published: September 2023

Background: Human albumin, a vital plasma protein with diverse molecular properties, has garnered interest for its therapeutic potential in various diseases, including critical illnesses. However, the efficacy of albumin infusion in critical care and its associated complications remains controversial. To address this, a review of recent meta-analyses was conducted to summarize the evidence pertaining to albumin use in critical illness. Methods: Adhering to the rapid review approach, designed to provide a concise synthesis of existing evidence within a short timeframe, relevant meta-analyses published in the last five years were identified and analyzed. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases of systematic reviews were searched using pre-defined search terms. Eligible studies included meta-analyses examining the association between albumin infusion and outcomes in critically ill and perioperative patients. Results: Twelve meta-analyses were included in the review, covering diverse critical illnesses and perioperative scenarios such as sepsis, cardiothoracic surgery, and acute brain injury. The analyses revealed varying levels of evidence for the effects of albumin use on different outcomes, ranging from no significant associations to suggestive and convincing. Conclusions: Albumin infusion stabilizes hemodynamic resuscitation endpoints, improves diuretic resistance, and has the potential to prevent hypotensive episodes during mechanical ventilation in hypoalbuminemic patients and improve the survival of patients with septic shock. However, caution is warranted due to the methodological limitations of the included studies. Further high-quality research is needed to validate these findings and inform clinical decision-making regarding albumin use in critical care.
The Effects of Combined Motor Control and Isolated Extensor Strengthening versus General Exercise on Paraspinal Muscle Morphology, Composition, and Function in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Fortin Maryse , Rye Meaghan , Roussac Alexa , Montpetit Chanelle , Burdick Jessica , Naghdi Neda , Rosenstein Brent , Bertrand Cleo , Macedo Luciana , Elliott James , Dover Geoffrey , DeMont Richard , Weber Michael , Pepin Véronique
Published: September 2023

Low back pain (LBP), a globally widespread and persistent musculoskeletal disorder, benefits from exercise therapy. However, it remains unclear which type leads to greater changes in paraspinal muscle health. This study aimed to (1) compare the effects of a combined motor control and isolated lumbar extension exercise (MC+ILEX) versus a general exercise (GE) intervention on paraspinal muscle morphology, composition, and function, and (2) examine whether alterations in paraspinal muscle health were correlated with improvements in pain, function, and quality of life. Fifty participants with chronic LBP were randomly assigned to each group and underwent a 12-week supervised intervention program. Magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound assessments were acquired at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks to examine the impact of each intervention on erector spinae (ES) and multifidus (MF) muscle size (cross-sectional area, CSA), composition, and function at L4-L5 and L5-S1. Self-reported questionnaires were also acquired to assess participant-oriented outcomes. Our findings indicated that the MC+ILEX group demonstrated greater improvements in MF and ES CSA, along with MF thickness at both levels (all p < 0.01). Both groups significantly improved in pain, function, and quality of life. This study provided preliminary results suggesting that an MC+ILEX intervention may improve paraspinal morphology while decreasing pain and disability.
Remimazolam for Pediatric Procedural Sedation: Results of an Institutional Pilot Program
Authors: Hirano Tatsuya , Kimoto Yoshitaka , Kuratani Norifumi , Cavanaugh David , Mason Keira P.
Published: September 2023

Remimazolam, an ultra-short-acting benzodiazepine sedative, was first approved in 2020 in Japan as a general anesthetic for adults. However, its utilization in pediatric settings remains unexplored and, to date, is confined to isolated case reports due to a lack of specific pediatric labeling. The primary objective of our study was to evaluate the safety profile of remimazolam when used for procedural sedation in children following dosages established in adult protocols. Additional parameters, including dosage per kg of body weight, duration of the procedure, efficacy (measured as successful completion of the procedure), the necessity for supplemental medications, and changes in physiological parameters, such as the heart rate (HR) and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), were assessed. Our study encompassed 48 children with an average age of 7.0 years. The objective Tracking and Reporting Outcomes of Procedural Sedation tool indicated no adverse events. In our cohort, propofol and ketamine were used as adjunctive treatments in 8 and 39 patients, respectively, with successful completion of all procedures. Notable hemodynamic variability was observed, with 88.4% of patients experiencing a ≥20% change (increase or decrease) and 62.8% experiencing a ≥30% change in MAP. Additionally, a ≥20% change in HR was observed in 54.3% of patients, and a ≥30% change was observed in 34.8% of patients. Nevertheless, none of the patients required pharmacological intervention to manage these hemodynamic fluctuations. Our findings suggest that remimazolam, when supplemented with propofol or ketamine, could offer a safe and effective pathway for administering procedural sedation in pediatric populations.
Sickle Cell Disease: Current Understanding and Future Options
Authors: Varelas Christos , Gavriilaki Eleni
Published: September 2023

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a prevalent inherited hemoglobin disorder encompassing a cluster of congenital hemolytic anemias, each distinguished by the prevalence of sickle hemoglobin (HbS) [...]
Cognitive Archeology and the Attentional System: An Evolutionary Mismatch for the Genus Homo
Authors: Bruner Emiliano
Published: September 2023

Brain evolution is a key topic in evolutionary anthropology. Unfortunately, in this sense the fossil record can usually support limited anatomical and behavioral inferences. Nonetheless, information from fossil species is, in any case, particularly valuable, because it represents the only direct proof of cerebral and behavioral changes throughout the human phylogeny. Recently, archeology and psychology have been integrated in the field of cognitive archeology, which aims to interpret current cognitive models according to the evidence we have on extinct human species. In this article, such evidence is reviewed in order to consider whether and to what extent the archeological record can supply information regarding changes of the attentional system in different taxa of the human genus. In particular, behavioral correlates associated with the fronto-parietal system and working memory are employed to consider recent changes in our species, Homo sapiens, and a mismatch between attentional and visuospatial ability is hypothesized. These two functional systems support present-moment awareness and mind-wandering, respectively, and their evolutionary unbalance can explain a structural sensitivity to psychological distress in our species.
Research on Dynamic Response of Pipeline under the Reeling Process and Laying Process
Authors: Ju Ming , Jiang Yang , Yun Feihong , Chai Hongwei , Chen Xi , Zhang Mingxuan , Wang Liquan
Published: September 2023

During the process of laying submarine pipelines using the R-lay (short for reel-lay) method, the interaction between the pipeline and the laying equipment undergoes continual fluctuations, leading to bending in the pipeline induced by the stochastic dynamics of various external loads. Considering the challenge in forecasting the dynamic behavior of pipeline bending moments and ovality throughout this procedure, we constructed a finite element-based shell element model for a 6-inch pipeline. In this paper, a multi-step simulation approach was used to replicate the pipeline laying process, and the dynamic response in pipeline bending moments and ovality during the winding, unwinding, and straightening processes was analyzed. Additionally, the effects of the pipeline’s diameter–thickness ratio and material properties on the dynamic response process were also studied. The results show that the dynamic response in bending moments and ovality is closely related to the curvature of the pipeline; a brief peak will appear at the critical point where the pipeline deforms, and the peak is related to the different bending stages of the pipeline, with the winding stage having a greater impact on the peak than the unwinding stage. During the unwinding process, a reverse bending moment will occur. The dynamic response of pipeline bending moments and ovality is influenced to some extent by the pipeline’s diameter–thickness ratio and material properties, with the diameter–thickness ratio demonstrating a more conspicuous impact.
Wave Forcing Assessment at Regional Scale in a Climate Change Scenario: The Sardinia Case Study
Authors: Pasquali Davide , Bruschi Antonello , Lisi Iolanda , Risio Marcello Di
Published: September 2023

In recent decades, the world’s population is progressively shifting towards coastal areas, and it is estimated that it could reach 1 billion by 2050. On the other hand, meteocean forcings show increasing modification in terms of the occurrence and frequency of energetic events related to climate change trends. Then, the definition of adaptation strategies is crucial to managing coastal areas, especially in the most densely populated or highly valued tourist and environmental areas. Meaningful long-term strategies should then be based on quantitative estimation of future scenarios in a changing climate. Although most of the studies in the literature focus on extreme events, this paper aims to assess, through synthetic indicators, whether and how average and mild energy conditions related to wave climate will vary considering the current situation compared to future projections. The study is based on the analysis of wave data. The projection of average and mild energy conditions can indeed influence, just for example, the long-term morphodynamics of sandy beaches and the quality of bathing waters. Data extracted from the Copernicus database are considered. The methodology has been applied to the case of Sardinia island at a regional scale. Then, the aim of this paper is twofold: on the one hand, a method is proposed to evaluate the variation of average and mild wave conditions; on the other hand, it aims to apply the method to the case study of the Sardinia coastal area to highlight its feasibility. Results confirm that variations are expected. In the analyzed case study, it emerges that, on average, the long-term evolution of the wave climate shows a tendency toward intensification, while a decrease in the frequency of calm conditions is estimated. The average annual number of events undergoes an increase. Moreover, changes in wave directional sectors are observed, which, from being unimodal, are estimated to exhibit bimodal characteristics in particular on the west coast of the island.
Sporothrix brasiliensis: Epidemiology, Therapy, and Recent Developments
Authors: Xavier Melissa Orzechowski , Poester Vanice Rodrigues , Trápaga Mariana Rodrigues , Stevens David A.
Published: September 2023

Sporotrichosis caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis is an emergent mycosis that is now a worldwide concern. One important step to sporotrichosis control is its correct treatment. However, limitations abound; thus, new antifungals, mainly focused on S. brasiliensis, are urgently needed. We performed a systematic review (following the PRISMA guideline) focused on (1) the global distribution of human and animal sporotrichosis by S. brasiliensis, especially outside of Brazil; (2) appraising therapies tested against this pathogen. We identified sporotrichosis caused by S. brasiliensis reported in five countries (Paraguay, Chile, Argentina, the United Kingdom, and the United States) in addition to Brazil, occurring on three continents, highlighting the epidemiological scenario in Argentina with an important increase in reported cases in recent years. Regarding the antifungal activity of drugs, 25 articles described the in vitro action of 20 unique chemicals and eight repurposed drugs against S. brasiliensis. Only five studies reported in vivo activity against S. brasiliensis (five drugs) using invertebrate and vertebrate models. Sporotrichosis caused by S. brasiliensis has a global impact and it is no longer specifically a Brazilian problem. We review the need for understanding the disease epidemiology, education of clinicians and of the populace, organization of health care delivery to respond to a spreading epidemic, and research on therapy for sporotrichosis.
The Perceived Relationship between Risk Culture and Operational Risk Management Practices of Ghanaian Banks
Authors: Grebe Gerhard Philip Maree , Marx Johan
Published: September 2023

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) joined the Basel Consultative Group (BCG) of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) in 2021 and is proceeding with the implementation of the Basel III international regulatory framework for Ghanaian banks. The purpose of this study was to assess the perceived relationship between risk culture and aspects of operational risk management among Ghanaian banks. This study followed a positivist paradigm and made use of a survey among the risk management staff members of Ghanaian banks. The data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics, such as the Mann–Whitney U test and a multiple regression model. This study found significant perceived relationships (at the 5% level of significance) between risk culture and monitoring and reporting procedures, the three lines of defence (3LOD), compliance, internal auditing, disclosure of operational risk information, and guidance from the banking regulator. The respondents reported the following challenges with their banks’ risk culture (in order of priority): training and development, communication, reporting and disclosure, roles and responsibilities, performance appraisal, and technological and environmental barriers. Recommendations for addressing these challenges are provided.
Peat Formation in Rewetted Fens as Reflected by Saturated n-Alkyl Acid Concentrations and Patterns
Authors: Jandl Gerald , Negassa Wakene , Eckhardt Kai-Uwe , Leinweber Peter
Published: September 2023

The conversion of cultivated fen peat soils into rewetted soils can mitigate global climate change. Specifically, carbon in newly formed peat can store atmospheric CO2 for a long time in soil, but alterations in the quality of soil organic matter are not well known. To shed light on the complex processes of peat degradation or new formation under dry or rewetting conditions, we investigated and quantified saturated n-alkyl acids as an indicator compound class of peatlands response to the contrasting management practices. The concentrations of saturated n-alkyl acids from two soil layers of the drained and rewetted were determined in two soil layers of drained and rewetted fenland types such as Alder Carr forest, coastal peatland, and percolation mire. The analytical methods were solvent extraction, methylation with tetramethylammonium hydroxide, and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The saturated n-alkyl acid distribution pattern showed that the concentrations of long C-chain lengths were larger by factors of up to 28 relative to the short C-chain lengths. The effect of rewetting was reflected by the ratios of the summed concentrations of long (n-C21:0 to n-C34:0) to short (n-C10:0 to n-C20:0) C-chain saturated n-alkyl acids for drained and rewetted peat soil samples. These ratios were consistently lower in samples from the rewetted sites, indicating a higher input of microbial bio- and necromass to soil organic matter, likely from algae and anaerobic bacteria, under rewetting. The results suggest that the enrichment of microbial biomass and necromass in rewetted soils may be an important contributor to the formation of new peat in fenlands, irrespective of fenland type.
The Distributional Effects Associated with Land Finance in China: A Perspective Based on the Urban–Rural Income Gap
Authors: Wang Zixing , Zhang Meirong
Published: September 2023

Land finance has become an important way of generating fiscal incomes in developing countries, while the urban–rural income gap (URIG) in developing countries remains high. However, existing research has not paid much attention to the connection between land finance and the URIG. Therefore, this study used a fixed-effects model to test this relationship for 275 prefecture-level cities in China from 2014 to 2017. To identify the effects of the potential omitted variables, this study conducted additional robustness checks using placebo tests. The results showed that land finance significantly widened the URIG, and this finding was maintained after a set of tests. Further study found that the effect of land finance on the URIG showed significant heterogeneity. Land grants by tender, listing, and auction significantly widened the URIG, while land grants by agreement did not affect the URIG; the effect of land finance on the URIG was more significant in Eastern and Middle regions, but not marked in Western regions; and land finance had no impact on the URIG in large and medium-sized cities, while it had a significant impact in small cities. Based on the above results, this study offers recommendations to improve land fiscal policy and urban-biased development strategies, which aim to promote the equalization of the basic rights and interests of urban and rural residents and reduce the URIG.