bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The intercalated disc: a unique organelle for electromechanical synchrony in cardiomyocytes
Authors: Nielsen Morten S. , van Opbergen Chantal J. M. , van Veen Toon A. B. , Delmar Mario
Published: February 2023

The intercalated disc (ID) is a highly specialized structure that connects cardiomyocytes via mechanical and electrical junctions. Although described in some detail by light microscopy in the 19th century, it was in 1966 that electron microscopy images showed that the ID represented apposing cell borders and provided detailed insight into the complex ID nanostructure. Since then, much has been learned about the ID and its molecular composition, and it has become evident that a large number of proteins, not all of them involved in direct cell-to-cell coupling via mechanical or gap junctions, reside at the ID. Furthermore, an increasing number of functional interactions between ID components are emerging, leading to the concept that the ID is not the sum of isolated molecular silos but an interacting molecular complex, an “organelle” where components work in concert to bring about electrical and mechanical synchrony. The aim of the present review is to give a short historical account of the ID’s discovery and an updated overview of its composition and organization, followed by a discussion of the physiological implications of the ID architecture and the local intermolecular interactions. The latter will focus on both the importance of normal conduction of cardiac action potentials as well as the impact on the pathophysiology of arrhythmias.
Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms Syndrome in a Child with Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Abushahin Ahmed , Toma Haneen , Hamad Sara G. , Abu-Hasan Mutasim
Published: February 2023

Background. Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESSs) syndrome is an idiosyncratic drug-induced reaction that rarely occurs in children but can lead to serious complications. It manifests most commonly with fever, extensive skin eruptions, and eosinophilia. Symptoms typically develop two to six weeks after the initiation of the inciting drug. Visceral organ involvement especially the liver can also occur and if not recognized early and the inciting drug is not stopped immediately, it can lead to liver failure. Therefore, early diagnosis is important but can be very challenging because of disease rarity, lack of a diagnostic test, and its overlap with other common pediatric allergic and infectious conditions. Case Presentation. A 2.5-year-old boy with known diagnosis of cystic fibrosis, bilateral bronchiectasis, pancreatic insufficiency, and chronic airway colonization with Pseudomonas aeruginosa was admitted to our hospital with acute pulmonary exacerbation of CF lung disease. He was treated with intravenous piperacillin-tazobactam and intravenous amikacin in addition to airway clearance. On day 18 of treatment, the patient developed high grade fever followed by diffuse erythematous and pruritic maculopapular rash. Blood tests showed high eosinophilia, high C-reactive protein (CRP), and high liver enzymes levels. The clinical features and the laboratory findings were consistent with the DRESS syndrome. Therefore, all antibiotics were discontinued. Progressive resolution of the symptoms was observed within two days. Laboratory abnormalities were also normalized in the follow-up clinic visit 4 months later. Conclusion. Our case demonstrates the importance of early recognition of the DRESS syndrome in children who develop fever and skin rashes with eosinophilia while undergoing long-term antibiotic treatment. Prompt discontinuation of the offending drug is the cornerstone therapy and results in the resolution of symptoms and prevention of serious complications.
Optimization and Chemical Characterization of Biosurfactant Produced from a Novel Pseudomonas guguanensis Strain Iraqi ZG.K.M
Authors: Ghazi Faisal Zeena , Sallal Mahdi Mayaada , Alobaidi Khalid H.
Published: February 2023

Microbial surfactants are widely used in medical, pharmaceutical, agricultural, industrial, food, and cosmetics applications. In the present study, 85 indigenous bacteria were isolated from petroleum-contaminated soils of the Al Dourah refinery, electric power station, and electric generators in Baghdad, Iraq. Twenty nine isolates gave positive results in both blood agar and blue agar medium and were secondarily screened. One isolate was selected as a potent biosurfactant producer and molecularly identified and recorded in the NCBI GenBank nucleotide sequence database as Pseudomonas guguanensis strain Iraqi ZG.K.M. In optimized conditions, this strain can produce about 3.01 g/l of biosurfactant. The product could reduce the surface tension from 72 to 38 ± 0.33 mN/m and have E24% of 52 ± 0.33%. This biosurfactant was preliminarily specified to be a glycolipid and characterized as a rhamnolipid with anionic nature, usually to be a monorhamnolipid as evident from TLC, FTIR, and GC-MS analyses.
lncRNA MEG3 Promotes PDK4/GSK-3β/β-Catenin Axis in MEFs by Targeting miR-532-5p
Authors: Yang Yuan-Yuan , Deng Yi-Xuan , Yao Xin-Tong , Luo Hong-Hong , He Wen-Ge , Cao Xuan-Ling , Chen Rong-Chun , He Bai-Cheng , Jiang Hai-Tao , Wang Jing
Published: February 2023

Studies reported the positive and negative osteogenic effects of MEG3 in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). This study aims at clarifying the osteogenic potential of MEG3 and the underlying mechanism. Bone morphogenetic protein 9- (BMP9-) transfected MSCs were recruited as an osteogenic model in vitro, and ectopic bone formation were used in vivo to explore the effect of MEG3 on osteogenesis. We found that overexpression of MEG3 facilitated BMP9-induced osteogenic markers, ALP activities, and matrix mineralization. However, knockdown of MEG3 attenuated BMP9-induced osteogenic markers. MEG3 increased the phosphorylation of GSK-3β and the protein level of β-catenin. Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4) can also combine with GSK-3β and increase the latter phosphorylation. Moreover, MEG3 increased the mRNA level of PDK4. The ceRNA analysis showed that MEG3 may regulate the expression of PDK4 via microRNA 532-5p (miR-532-5p). The MEG3-enhanced GSK-3β/β-catenin axis can be attenuated by miR-532-5p, and miR-532-5p inhibitor partly rescued endogenous PDK4 and MEG3-mediated expression of PDK4. MEG3 may potentiate PDK4 and GSK-3β/β-catenin by inhibiting miR-532-5p.
Early Development of the Spinal Vertebrae and Appendicular Skeleton in Miichthys miiuy Larvae
Authors: Zhou Fengfang , Huang Weiqing , Shan Xiujuan , Shi Lei , Liu Zheng
Published: February 2023

We investigate the early developmental characteristics of the skeletal system in Miichthys miiuy larvae using a double staining method on the whole larval skeletons (aged 1–30 days). We systematically observed and described the morphological development of both the spinal vertebrae and appendicular skeleton. The results showed that there were 25 spinal vertebrae in M. miiuy, which consist of 12 abdominal vertebrae and 13 coccyges; The development of spinal vertebrae began at 12 days after hatching (dah), with the emergence of ossified neural and haemal arches, where ossification appeared at 17 dah; and the appendicular skeletons were developed from the pectoral fins to ventral fins. The coracoid-scapula cartilage was clearly observable at three dah, and fin rays were clearly differentiated at 21 dah. The cartilage of appendicular of the ventral fins was formed until 19 dah, and the ventral fins were completely ossified at 21 dah. Subsequently, the caudal, dorsal, and anal fins appeared at 10, 13, and 14 dah, respectively. Additionally, the appendicular skeleton associated with the movement of M.miiuy was completely developed by 28 dah. Finally we observed that there are four types of spinal vertebrae abnormalities during the early development of M.miiuy, which included spinal bulging, splitting of vertebrae, and supernumerary and bifurcated haemal and neural spines. Skeletal length and age (in days) were highly correlated (r2 = 0.942). There was a strong relationship between total length and skeletal length (r2 = 0.979) and between body length and skeletal length (r2 = 0.9779).
Energetic and Exergetic Performance Investigation of Different Topologies for Hybrid Fuel Cell Vehicles
Authors: Kök Ceyda , Mert Suha O.
Published: February 2023

The use of green energy has increased day by day. Environmentally friendly hybrid electric vehicles with low CO2 emissions have gained public attention. However, most battery electric vehicles are still having range problems, and emission values of hybrid electric vehicles are still not at the desired levels. Thus, fuel cell vehicles have gained some attention as good alternatives. The primary energy source for these vehicles is fuel cells, which are used in conjunction with batteries and supercapacitors to increase system performance. The combination of fuel cell + battery, fuel cell + supercapacitor, and fuel cell + battery + supercapacitor systems are currently the most popular topologies in this technology. The performance of these topologies is related to the overall energy efficiency and exergy efficiency of the vehicle model. Energy and exergy are two basic terminologies used to determine system performance and quality. Exergy determines the thermodynamic losses that cannot be determined using energy formulations alone. Thereby, it is very important to use both terminologies together to examine the performance of topologies and to determine any system losses. For this purpose, in this study, fuel cell + battery, fuel cell + supercapacitor, and fuel cell + battery + supercapacitor topologies were prepared and applied for Urban Dynamometer Driving Schedule (UDDS), Highway Fuel Economy Test Cycle (HWFET), New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), and Federal Test Procedure (FTP) driving cycles. Comparisons of these topologies in fuel consumption, power performance, and energy and exergy efficiencies were performed for the driving cycles. Also, energy flow, during the driving cycle, has showed and interpreted for the fuel cell vehicle that is designed and analyzed.
Data Mining Evidences Variabilities in Glucose and Lipid Metabolism among Fish Strains: A Case Study on Three Genotypes of Gibel Carp Fed by Different Carbohydrate Sources
Authors: Song Xuerong , Liu Haokun , Jin Junyan , Han Dong , Zhu Xiaoming , Yang Yunxia , Xie Shouqi
Published: February 2023

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the application of common carbohydrate sources, cornstarch (CS), wheat starch (WS), and wheat flour (WF), to different gibel carp genotypes, Dongting, CASIII, and CASV. The results of the growth and physical responses were analysed by data visualization and unsupervised machine learning. As revealed by a self-organizing map (SOM) and the cluster of growth and biochemical indicators, CASV had superior growth and feed utilization and better regulation of postprandial glucose, followed by CASIII, while Dongting showed a high level of plasma glucose with poor growth performance. CS, WS, and WF were differently utilized by the gibel carp, and WF was associated with greater zootechnical performance based on higher specific growth rate (SGR), feed efficiency (FE), protein retention efficiency (PRE), and lipid retention efficiency (LRE), induced hepatic lipogenesis, increased liver lipids, and enhanced muscle glycogen. Spearman’s correlation analysis of the physiological responses indicated that plasma glucose had a significantly negative correlation with growth, feed utilization, glycogen storage, and plasma cholesterol level, and it was positively related to liver fat content in gibel carp. Transcriptional variabilities were observed: CASIII showed increased expression of pklr, which is involved in hepatic glycolysis, and pck and g6p, which are involved in gluconeogenesis. Interestingly, Dongting showed upregulation of genes involved in glycolysis and fatty acid oxidation in muscle. Furthermore, there were numerous interactions between carbohydrate sources and strains for growth, metabolites, and transcriptional control, confirming the existence of genetic polymorphisms in carbohydrate use in gibel carp. Globally, CASV showed relatively better growth and carbohydrate utilization, and wheat flour seemed to be more efficiently utilized by gibel carp.
Translating Science into Survival: Report on the Sixth International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference
Authors: De Martino Mara , Pancholi Neha J. , Brodsky Arthur N.
Published: February 2023

From September 28 to October 1, 2022, in New York City, the Sixth International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference was hosted jointly by the Cancer Research Institute (CRI), the American Association for Cancer Research, and the European Network for Cancer Immunotherapy. The four-day event covered the latest advances in cancer immunology and immunotherapy.
Medulloblastoma Development in a Patient with a Constitutional Balanced t(5;22)(q35.1;q11.2) Involving the NF2 Gene
Authors: Nunes Sofia , Faria Claudia C. , Pimentel José , Roque Rafael Fidalgo , Alaiz Helena , Salazar Isabel , Pereira Teresa , Ferreira Filipa , Roque Lúcia
Published: February 2023

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is a brain tumor predisposing syndrome caused by inactivating alterations of the NF2 gene mapped at chromosome 22q. Currently, no genetic information exists on medulloblastomas occurring in NF2 patients. We herein report on the genetic alterations observed in a girl in which the NF2 gene was de novo altered due to a constitutional translocation: t(5;22)(q35.1;q11.2). This girl had a particularly aggressive disease course. At the age of 4, she had already been diagnosed with three lesions classified as schwannomas and a meningioma. At 10 years old, she developed a medulloblastoma. She died at the age of 14 due to a refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML). From the genetic point of view, we observed that (1) the NF2 gene was rearranged in all patient samples: blood, tumor, and leukemic cells; (2) loss of 3′ region of NF2 and the downstream regions of chromosome 22 were only detected in medulloblastoma cells; (3) the known cancer AML-related gene: NPM1 which is mapped at 5q35.1 was not the target of any alteration in our patient. Our data suggest that inactivation of the NF2 gene was relevant for the medulloblastoma pathogenesis. Furthermore, we know that malignant cancers are the result of a multi-epi-genetic sequence of events, and although, unquestionably limited to the genetic findings in one case. We may hypothesize, that as described for a fraction of medulloblastomas, the alteration of a gene mapped at 5q might also have been relevant for medulloblastoma development in our patient.
Bronchoscopic Measurement of Collateral Ventilation: State of the Art
Authors: Saccomanno Jacopo , Hübner Ralf-Harto , Witzenrath Martin , Doellinger Felix , Dittrich A. Susanne , Kontogianni Konstantina , Herth Felix , Brock Judith Maria
Published: February 2023

Endoscopic lung volume reduction procedure with valves is a well-studied treatment option for advanced lung emphysema to target lung hyperinflation in carefully selected patients with COPD. Before valve implantation, collateral ventilation (CV) of the target lobe needs to be assessed to obtain an optimal treatment effect. The analysis of CV according to current standards occurs via an in vivo assessment with the Chartis®system (PulmonX Inc., Redwood City, CA, USA) and a computed tomography (CT) scan of the thorax with interlobar fissure analysis. The focus of this review is to provide detailed information about the Chartis®procedure and interpretation of Chartis® phenotypes. As a main tool in the assessment of CV and being a safe procedure, the Chartis® assessment should be performed by default to confirm interlobar fissure analysis in most emphysema patients. Based on the obtained results, lung volume reduction therapy options should be discussed in an interdisciplinary emphysema conference.
Evidence for Thalamic Responsive Neurostimulation in Treatment of Adult and Pediatric Epilepsy
Authors: Vessell Meena , Willett Andrew , Chapman Brittany , Bina Robert , Ball Tyler , Mutchnick Ian , Neimat Joseph S.
Published: February 2023

Responsive neurostimulation (RNS) has well-established efficacy in patients with identifiable seizure foci. Emerging evidence suggests the feasibility of expanding this treatment to patients with nonfocal or multifocal epileptic profiles with thalamic targeting. Our institution performed two successful implantations of thalamic RNS (tRNS) targeting the centromedian nucleus of the thalamus (CMT), and 1-year postoperative outcomes are provided. Additionally, a literature review of all reported tRNS was conducted. Publications were excluded if they did not include demographic data and/or epilepsy outcomes at follow-up. In the literature, 19 adult and 3 pediatric cases were identified. These cases were analyzed for outcome, indications, previous operations, and surgical practice variations. Both of our patients had failed multiple previous pharmacological and neurosurgical interventions for epilepsy. Case #1 underwent tRNS with bilateral CMT stimulation. Case #2 underwent tRNS with simultaneous right CMT and right insular stimulation, although an additional lead was placed in the left CMT and left capped for potential future use. Each has achieved ≥90% reduction in seizure burden and approach seizure freedom. 71% of patients in the literature review had multifocal, bilateral, or cryptogenic seizure onset. Three patients were implanted for Lennox Gastaut (2 of 3 are pediatric). 16 patients underwent an average of 1.6 failed procedures prior to successful tRNS implantation. Taken together, the 21 adult patients reviewed have experienced an average seizure reduction of 77% at the latest follow-up. 95% of the adult patients reported in the literature experienced >50% reduction in seizure activity following tRNS and 52% experienced ≥90% reduction in seizure burden following tRNS. Pediatric patients have experienced 70–100% improvement.
Elevated Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1-Induced Female Rats Perpetuate the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Phenotype: Pathological Mechanism of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Fu Yuling , Sun Qian , Zhu Kemiao , Hu Chaofeng
Published: February 2023

Objectives: This study was designated to establish a polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) rat model with recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-1 (RH-IGF-1). We made assessment on the characteristics of hyperinsulinemia and hyperandrogenism in the rat model. Design: This study performed the characteristics of PCOS upon RH-IGF-1 injection and evaluated the disease process of PCOS syndrome caused by the insulin-resistant pathological condition of IGF-1 based on the comparative study of in vivo test. Setting: The experiment was conducted in the experimental research center of Yinzhou NO.2 hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China. Materials and Methods: Thirty-four female Sprague Dawley immature rats aged 21 days were randomly divided into two groups. Those treated with RH-IGF-1 2 mg/100 g daily were in RH-IGF-1 group (n = 20), and those with 0.9% sodium chloride 0.2 mL/100 g daily were in the saline group (n = 14). The experiment was carried out in two stages. In stage I, rats were anesthetized upon the first estrous cycle in the saline group with tissue and blood samples collected (n = 7), and rats in the RH-IGF-1-treated group were anesthetized on the 5th day after vaginal opening (VO) (n = 10). In stage II, rats in the saline group were anesthetized after three complete cycles (n = 7), meanwhile, while on the 15th day after VO (n = 10) for those in the RH-IGF-1 group. Results: We have found that compared with the control group, rats injected with RH-IGF-1 expressed an early VO, disordered estrous cycle, polycystic ovaries, and significantly increased ovarian weight/body weight ratio. And from the perspective of hormone secretion, their androgen increased significantly and the insulin resistance index also elevated distinctly, possessing main characteristics similar to PCOS. Limitations: In this study, we were limited by the inability to examine IGF-1 in hypothalamus. IGF-1 in hypothalamus and in vitro experiments would be taken into consideration for further study in the future. Conclusions: These findings suggest that IGF-1 may be a key factor in the pathogenesis of PCOS, and the increase of androgen may be the pathological result, not the cause of PCOS.
Patterns and Outcomes of Intensive Care on Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients in the US
Authors: Santos Daniel , Maillie Luke , Dhamoon Mandip S.
Published: February 2023

Background:

Up to 20% of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients may benefit from intensive care unit (ICU)-level care; however, there are few studies evaluating ICU availability for AIS. We aim to summarize the proportion of elderly AIS patients in the United States who are admitted to an ICU and assess the national availability of ICU-level care in AIS.

Methods:

We performed a retrospective cohort study using de-identified Medicare inpatient datasets from January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2019 for US individuals aged ≥65 years. We used validated
International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision
, Clinical Modification codes to identify AIS admission and interventions. ICU-level care was identified by revenue center code. AIS patient characteristics and interventions were stratified by receipt of ICU-level care, comparing differences through calculated standardized mean difference score due to large sample sizes.

Results:

From 2016 through 2019, a total of 952 400 admissions by 850 055 individuals met criteria for hospital admission for AIS with 19.9% involving ICU-level care. Individuals were predominantly >75 years of age (58.5%) and identified as white (80.0%). Hospitals on average admitted 11.4% (SD 14.6) of AIS patients to the ICU, with the median hospital admitting 7.7% of AIS patients to the ICU. The ICU admissions were younger and more likely to receive reperfusion therapy but had more comorbid conditions and neurologic complications. Of the 5084 hospitals included, 1971 (38.8%) reported no ICU-level AIS care. Teaching hospitals (36.9% versus 1.6%,
P
<0.0001) with larger AIS volume (
P
<0.0001) or in larger metropolitan areas (
P
<0.0001) were more likely to have an ICU available.

Conclusions:

We found evidence of national variation in the availability of ICU-level care for AIS admissions. Since ICUs may provide comprehensive care for the most severe AIS patients, continued effort is needed to examine ICU accessibility and utility among AIS.
Methods to Enhance Causal Inference for Assessing Impact of Clinical Informatics Platform Implementation
Authors: Gaies Michael , Olive Mary K. , Owens Gabe E. , Charpie John R. , Zhang Wenying , Pasquali Sara K. , Klugman Darren , Costello John M. , Schwartz Steven M. , Banerjee Mousumi
Published: February 2023

Background:

Hospitals are increasingly likely to implement clinical informatics tools to improve quality of care, necessitating rigorous approaches to evaluate effectiveness. We leveraged a multi-institutional data repository and applied causal inference methods to assess implementation of a commercial data visualization software in our pediatric cardiac intensive care unit.

Methods:

Natural experiment in the University of Michigan (UM) Cardiac Intensive Care Unit pre and postimplementation of data visualization software analyzed within the Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care Consortium clinical registry; we identified N=21 control hospitals that contributed contemporaneous registry data during the study period. We used the platform during multiple daily rounds to visualize clinical data trends. We evaluated outcomes—case-mix adjusted postoperative mortality, cardiac arrest and unplanned readmission rates, and postoperative length of stay—most likely impacted by this change. There were no quality improvement initiatives focused specifically on these outcomes nor any organizational changes at UM in either era. We performed a difference-in-differences analysis to compare changes in UM outcomes to those at control hospitals across the pre versus postimplementation eras.

Results:

We compared 1436 pre versus 779 postimplementation admissions at UM to 19 854 (pre) versus 14 160 (post) at controls. Admission characteristics were similar between eras. Postimplementation at UM we observed relative reductions in cardiac arrests among medical admissions, unplanned readmissions, and postoperative length of stay by −14%, −41%, and −18%, respectively. The difference-in-differences estimate for each outcome was statistically significant (
P
<0.05), suggesting the difference in outcomes at UM pre versus postimplementation is statistically significantly different from control hospitals during the same time.

Conclusions:

Clinical registries provide opportunities to thoroughly evaluate implementation of new informatics tools at single institutions. Borrowing strength from multi-institutional data and drawing ideas from causal inference, our analysis solidified greater belief in the effectiveness of this software across our institution.
Efficacy and Safety of Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty for Patients With Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension and Comorbid Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Fujii Hiroyuki , Taniguchi Yu , Yoneda Sachiyo , Miwa Keisuke , Matsuoka Yoichiro , Yanaka Kenichi , Tsuboi Yasunori , Emoto Noriaki , Hirata Kenichi
Published: February 2023

Background

Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) is a promising treatment modality for nonoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). However, BPA for atypical CTEPH with concurrent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains controversial owing to the risk of exacerbation of ventilation‐perfusion mismatch. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of BPA for CTEPH with moderate or severe COPD.

Methods and Results

Data from 149 patients with CTEPH, who underwent BPA from March 2011 to June 2021, were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided based on COPD comorbidity: the COPD group (n=32, defined as forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity <70% and forced expiratory volume in 1 second <80% predicted) and the non‐COPD group (n=101); patients with mild COPD (n=16) were excluded. Hemodynamic and respiratory parameters were compared between the groups. Hemodynamics improved similarly in both groups (reduction in pulmonary vascular resistance): −55.6±29.0% (COPD group) and −58.9±21.4% (non‐COPD group);
P
=nonsignificant. Respiratory function and oxygenation improved in the COPD group (forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity [61.8±7.0% to 66.5±10.2%,
P
=0.02] and arterial oxygen partial pressure [60.9±10.6 mm Hg to 69.3±13.6 mm Hg,
P
<0.01]). Higher vital capacity (
P
=0.024) and higher diffusing capacity for lung carbon monoxide (
P
=0.028) at baseline were associated with greater improvement in oxygenation in the multivariable linear analysis. Lung injury per BPA session was 1.6% in the COPD group.

Conclusions

The efficacy and safety of BPA for nonoperable CTEPH in patients with comorbid COPD were similar to those in patients without COPD. Oxygenation and forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity improved in patients with COPD. BPA should be considered in patients with CTEPH with concurrent COPD.
High‐Mobility Group Box 1–Signaling Inhibition With Glycyrrhizin Prevents Cerebral T‐Cell Infiltration After Cardiac Arrest
Authors: Boissady Emilie , Abi Zeid Daou Yara , Faucher Estelle , Kohlhauer Matthias , Lidouren Fanny , El Hedjaj Cynthia , Chateau‐Joubert Sophie , Hocini Hakim , Hue Sophie , Ghaleh Bijan , Tissier Renaud
Published: February 2023

Background

High‐mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a major promotor of ischemic injuries and aseptic inflammatory responses. We tested its inhibition on neurological outcome and systemic immune response after cardiac arrest (CA) in rabbits.

Methods and Results

After 10 minutes of ventricular fibrillation, rabbits were resuscitated and received saline (control) or the HMGB1 inhibitor glycyrrhizin. A sham group underwent a similar procedure without CA. After resuscitation, glycyrrhizin blunted the successive rises in HMGB1, interleukin‐6, and interleukin‐10 blood levels as compared with control. Blood counts of the different immune cell populations were not different in glycyrrhizin versus control. After animal awakening, neurological outcome was improved by glycyrrhizin versus control, regarding both clinical recovery and histopathological damages. This was associated with reduced cerebral CD4
+
and CD8
+
T‐cell infiltration beginning 2 hours after CA. Conversely, granulocytes' attraction or loss of microglial cells or cerebral monocytes were not modified by glycyrrhizin after CA. These modifications were not related to the blood–brain barrier preservation with glycyrrhizin versus control. Interestingly, the specific blockade of the HMGB1 receptor for advanced glycation end products by FPS‐ZM1 recapitulated the neuroprotective effects of glycyrrhizin.

Conclusions

Our findings support that the early inhibition of HMGB1‐signaling pathway prevents cerebral chemoattraction of T cells and neurological sequelae after CA. Glycyrrhizin could become a clinically relevant therapeutic target in this situation.
Abstract 32: Neighborhood Deprivation And Polygenic Contribution To Acute Ischemic Stroke: Results From The
All Of Us
Research Program
Authors: Rivier Cyprien , Acosta Julian , Renedo Daniela , Sheth Kevin N , Falcone Guido J
Published: February 2023

Background:
The interaction between social determinants of health and genetic risk factors in causing acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is poorly understood. We hypothesize that community deprivation, a geographic metric that captures several social determinants of health, modifies the effect of genetic variation on risk of AIS.

Methods:
We analyzed data from
All of Us
, a large population study that aims to enroll one million Americans. We ascertained AIS cases using Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership codes. We evaluated community deprivation using the deprivation index, an aggregate variable derived from six metrics of the American Community Survey that was divided into tertiles. We modeled the polygenic contribution to AIS through a polygenic risk score that included 530 known genetic risk variants for cardiometabolic risk factors. We used multivariable logistic regression to model AIS risk as a function of community deprivation and polygenic risk, using product terms to test for interaction.

Results:
Out of 372,397 participants currently enrolled in
All of Us
, 147,492 had available genetic and deprivation index data, including 3,201 (2.2%) strokes. Both community deprivation and the polygenic risk score were independently associated with AIS risk (both p<0.05). We found a significant interaction between community deprivation and polygenic risk (interaction p=0.02, Figure): the polygenic risk score was significantly associated with AIS risk in areas with low community deprivation (OR 1.08, 95%CI 1.02-1.15; p=0.01) but was not associated with this risk in areas of intermediate and high deprivation (both p>0.05).

Conclusion:
Among study participants enrolled in All of Us, those living in areas of low community deprivation were more susceptible to the effects of polygenic variation. We speculate that in areas with high deprivation, several social determinants of health known to lead to higher risk of AIS dilute the contribution of genetic risk factors.
Recategorising research: Mapping from FoR 2008 to FoR 2020 in Dimensions
Authors: Porter Simon J. , Hawizy Lezan , Hook Daniel W.
Published: February 2023

In 2020 the Australia New Zealand Standard Research Classification Fields of Research Codes (ANZSRC FoR codes) were updated by their owners. This has led the sector to need to update their systems of reference and has caused suppliers working in the research information sphere to need to update both systems and data. This paper focuses on the approach developed by Digital Science’s Dimensions team to the creation of an improved machine-learning training set, and the mapping of that set from FoR 2008 codes to FoR 2020 codes so that the Dimensions classification approach for the ANZSRC codes could be improved and updated.
A Climatology of Easterly Wind Lake-Effect and Lake-Enhanced Precipitation Events over the Western Lake Superior Region
Authors: Sandstrom Joshua D. , Cordeira Jason M. , Hoffman Eric G. , Metz Nicholas D.
Published: February 2023

Lake-effect precipitation is convective precipitation produced by relatively cold air passing over large and relatively warm bodies of water. This phenomenon most often occurs in North America over the southern and eastern shores of the Great Lakes, where high annual snowfalls and high-impact snowstorms frequently occur under prevailing west and northwest flow. Locally higher snow or rainfall amounts also occur as a result of lake-enhanced synoptic precipitation when conditionally unstable or neutrally stratified air is present in the lower troposphere. Although likely less common, lake-effect and lake-enhanced precipitation can also occur with easterly winds, impacting the western shores of the Great Lakes. This study describes a 15-yr climatology of easterly lake-effect (ELEfP) and lake-enhanced (ELEnP) precipitation [conjointly, easterly lake collective precipitation (ELCP)] events that developed in east-to-east-northeasterly flow over western Lake Superior from 2003 to 2018. ELCP occurs infrequently but often enough to have a notable climatological impact over western Lake Superior, with an average of 14.6 events per year. The morphology favors both single shore-parallel ELEfP bands due to the convex western shoreline of Lake Superior and mixed-type banding due to ELEnP events occurring in association with “overrunning” synoptic-scale precipitation. ELEfP often occurs in association with a surface anticyclone to the north of Lake Superior. ELEnP typically features a similar northerly displaced anticyclone and a surface cyclone located over the upper Midwest that favor easterly boundary layer winds over western Lake Superior.
The Edge Intensification of Eastern Pacific ITCZ Convection
Authors: Masunaga Hirohiko
Published: February 2023

Tropical precipitation is climatologically most intense at the heart of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), but this is not always true in instantaneous snapshots. Precipitation is amplified along the ITCZ edge rather than at its center from time to time. In this study, satellite observations of column water vapor, precipitation, and radiation as well as the thermodynamic field from reanalysis data are analyzed to investigate the behavior of ITCZ convection in light of the local atmospheric energy imbalance. The analysis is focused on the eastern Pacific ITCZ, defined as the areas where column water vapor exceeds 50 mm over a specified width (typically 400–600 km) in the domain of 20°S–20°N, 180°–90°W. The events with a precipitation maximum at the southern and northern edges of the ITCZ are each averaged into composite statistics and are contrasted against the reference case with peak precipitation at the ITCZ center. The key findings are as follows. When precipitation peaks at the ITCZ center, suppressed radiative cooling forms a prominent positive peak in the diabatic forcing to the atmosphere, counteracted by an export of moist static energy (MSE) owing to a deep vertical advection and a large horizontal export of MSE. When convection develops at the ITCZ edges, to the contrary, a positive peak of the diabatic forcing is only barely present. An import of MSE owing to a shallow ascent on the ITCZ edges presumably allows an edge intensification to occur despite the weak diabatic forcing.
Southern Hemisphere Response to the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation in the CMIP5/6 Models
Authors: Rao Jian , Garfinkel Chaim I. , Ren Rongcai , Wu Tongwen , Lu Yixiong
Published: February 2023

Using 25 quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO)-resolving models from phases 5 and 6 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5/6), this study systematically explores the Southern Hemisphere (SH) extratropical response to the QBO. The observed maximum stratospheric polar vortex–weakening response to the 20-hPa easterly QBO appears in the austral spring, which is reproduced qualitatively by seven models. The Eliassen–Palm (EP) flux convergence associated with enhanced upward propagation of waves from the SH midlatitude troposphere is also reasonably simulated following easterly QBO in these seven models. The Brewer–Dobson (BD) circulation response, especially its deep branch, has a large bias among models. The anomalous upwelling of the deep branch of the BD circulation and the cold anomalies are confined to midlatitudes above 20 hPa in reanalyses, while this deep branch is simulated to expand to the Antarctic stratosphere with unrealistically cold anomalies for some models. Models with a decent stratospheric pathway tend to simulate the observed negative Southern Annular Mode (SAM)-like response in the troposphere. Further, the largest enhanced convection center is observed over the tropical Indo-Pacific Ocean and simulated by 12 models, most of which also simulate a more reasonable height anomaly pattern in the troposphere. The near-surface response to the QBO also resembles the SAM pattern with warm anomalies over eastern Antarctic, which are simulated by only five models. Seven models simulate the observed wet signals in the midlatitude southern Indo-Pacific Ocean, where an anomalous low develops. Overall, models with a better reproduction of the SH stratospheric polar vortex response exhibit a more reasonable near-surface response, though for all models the response is too weak.

Significance Statement

The equatorial stratospheric quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) has been widely reported to influence the Northern Hemisphere. This paper focuses on the possible impact of the QBO on the Southern Hemisphere (SH) using 25 models. The maximum QBO signal in the Antarctic stratosphere forms in austral spring when the climatological vortex intensity has weakened relative to austral winter. The timing and magnitude of the QBO signal is simulated with different degrees of success by the 25 models, and those with a reasonable polar vortex response tend to better simulate the near-surface response. The QBO has another pathway for the extratropical circulation change via modifying tropical convection, and models also simulate a large spread in the tropical convection change associated with the QBO.
M2 Internal Tide Energetics and Behaviors in the Subpolar North Pacific
Authors: You Jia , Xu Zhenhua , Li Qun , Zhang Peiwen , Yin Baoshu , Hou Yijun
Published: February 2023

Energetic internal tides in the Pacific Ocean generated from multiple sources are the subject of many studies, although the subpolar North Pacific (SNP) is known as a high-latitude hotspot that remains less explored. The present study is the first detailed investigation on M2 internal tide energetics and dynamics in the SNP by high-resolution numerical simulations. The M2 internal tides in the SNP mainly originate from the Aleutian Ridge (area-integrated 5.51 GW and averaged ∼10−3 W m−2 of barotropic-to-baroclinic conversion rate), wherein the Amukta Pass is the most significant source. The Amukta Pass radiates northward 0.55 GW (averaged 2.3 kW m−1) to the Bering Sea and southward 1.40 GW (averaged 3.7 kW m−1) to the North Pacific. The subsequent south–north asymmetric radiation pattern is consistent with satellite altimeter detection. In the Bering basin, multiwave superposition in the near field between the Amukta Pass and adjacent sources generates two standing wave patterns. After approaching the Bering Sea slope, remote internal tides from Aleutian Ridge enhance local generation and dissipation. The dissipation field is relatively similar to the generation map, which is explained by the higher local dissipation efficiency q (>1/2) and the faster energy attenuation than in the midlatitudes. The simulated dissipation rates compare favorably with the estimate from fine-scale parameterization, indicating the dominance of internal tidal mixing. The averaged dissipation rate in SNP is O(10−10) W kg−1, and the depth-integrated dissipation rates reach O(10−1) W m−2 near the Amukta Pass. It is important to understand the unique physics and dissipative process of high-latitude internal tides to fully characterize the redistribution of global tidal energy and associated mixing.
Swimming in Pools: Collusion in the Salmon Market
Authors: Asmat Danial , Levenstein Margaret C. , Suslow Valerie Y. , Wang Zhihan (Helen)
Published: February 2023

We study the events alleged in recent Norwegian salmon industry antitrust cases to explore the relationship between vertical integration, public price indexes, and collusion. The salmon market provides an intriguing opportunity to study these issues, as there was a vertical merger followed by a reformulation of the methodology by which prices were reported for a new price index. We explore whether the confluence of the merger and the creation of the Nasdaq price index is associated with evidence consistent with collusion.

JEL codes: L13, L41, L42, Q22
Vers un catholicisme du ressenti ? Les virtuoses et la recomposition d’une religiosité catholique au Québec en ce début de XXIe siècle
Authors: Meunier E.-Martin , Perreault Jean-Philippe
Published: February 2023

Since 2001, several indicators of religiosity in Quebec show a loss of the dominant configuration of cultural Catholicism since the 1960s. The arrival of new generations is one of the causes of this transformation. A new regime of religiosity is at stake, of which the rise of the non-religious is one of the visible manifestations. But this is only one pole. At the other end of the spectrum are also strongly committed and churchgoers Catholics, with an assumed and asserted religious identity. The life stories of these new “virtuosos”, collected as part of a research project on cultural Catholicism in Quebec, reveal the contours of this reshaping and its narrative framework. By describing and analyzing it, this article seeks to grasp what this figure of the virtuoso tells us about contemporary Quebec Catholicism. In this context, a new form of Catholic religiosity centered on feeling is emerging.
Provider Perspectives of Transitions of Care at a Tertiary Care Children’s Hospital With a Hospitalist-Run Discharge Clinic
Authors: Nelson Abigail , Stuckey Heather , Snyder Bethany , Van Scoy Lauren J , Daymont Carrie , Irvin Christine , Wasserman Emily , Beck Michael
Published: February 2023

Children’s hospitals are discharging patients to home with increasingly complex outpatient needs, making safe transitions of care (ToCs) of vital importance. Our study involved a survey of both outpatient providers and pediatric hospitalists associated with our medical center to better describe providers’ views on the ToC process. The survey included questions assessing views on patient care responsibilities, resource availability, our hospitalist-run postdischarge clinic (PDC), and comfort with telemedicine. Our hospitalists generally believed that primary care providers (PCPs) did not have adequate access to important ToC elements, whereas PCPs felt their access was adequate. Both provider types felt it was the inpatient team’s responsibility to manage patient events between discharge and PCP follow-up and that a hospitalist-run PDC may reduce interim emergency room visits. This study challenges perceptions about the ToC process in children and describes a generalizable approach to assessing provider perceptions surrounding the ToC within individual health systems.
Convenzioni matrimoniali, emancipazione e consenso femminile in epoca medioevale: La voce della Compiuta Donzella di Firenze
Authors: Graziuso Valentina
Published: February 2023

Dando voce al lamento di una giovane donna obbligata dal padre a sposarsi contro la propria volontà, i celebri versi della Compiuta Donzella di Firenze portano alla luce alcune delle dinamiche oppressive e problematiche del mondo femminile, in un contesto socialmente e culturalmente dominato da uomini. Esplorando le ragioni che avrebbero indotto una giovane donna del Duecento a difendere il proprio diritto al consenso coniugale, si ipotizza che la stessa avrebbe avuto modo di conoscere l’esistenza della clausola matrimoniale con la quale il giurista bolognese Giovanni Graziano riconosceva l’importanza del consenso reciproco da parte dei coniugi come condizione essenziale alle nozze. Questo studio parte dall’idea che i versi della rimatrice fiorentina acquistano un grande valore se interpretati sulla base delle dinamiche politiche e sociali della sua epoca e in relazione agli altri componimenti del manoscritto, tralasciando la tanto discussa questione dell’identità biologica che si cela dietro il suo nome. Parole chiave: Compiuta Donzella di Firenze, consenso femminile, Decreto Graziano, matrimonio medievale, uguaglianza di genere.
Labor Migration as a Source of Institutional Change: Danish and Australian Construction Sectors Compared
Authors: Arnholtz Jens , Wright Chris F.
Published: February 2023

In this article, the authors examine the role of labor immigration as a source of institutional change. They use a “most different systems” comparative case study analysis of the Danish and Australian construction sectors to examine the impact of increased labor migration on skill-sourcing practices in countries with distinct national skill formation and industrial relations institutions. Drawing on 73 interviews with industry stakeholders, the authors find that labor migration has produced liberalizing pressures in both Denmark and Australia, albeit in ways that differ from each other. The article contributes to comparative institutional scholarship by illustrating how labor migration can promote or support institutional change in a liberalizing direction by disincentivizing coordinated skill formation. Findings suggest that while national institutions mediate external pressures, such as labor migration, such pressures may affect the incentive structures that can either maintain or erode national institutions.
What determines public affairs researchers’ motivations for policy impact? Results from an exploratory study
Authors: Nelson John P. , Lindsay Spencer
Published: February 2023

Although public policy and public administration are intuitively practical fields of scholarship, much public affairs research never affects practice. Previous studies have shown that one major predictor of whether a given research study or researcher achieves impact is the researcher's motivation to do so. Using data from a survey of 409 authors of articles in major public affairs journals, we present and test models of the determinants of researchers’ use motivations with regard to specific research studies and over the course of their careers. Results indicate that previous experience as a practitioner is positively associated with perceived career-long use motivation and rewards for use associated with tenure and promotion, although not with annual evaluations. In addition, project-specific use motivation is positively associated with perceived career-long use motivation, academic age, a study suggestion made by a practitioner, and methodological contribution. Motivations based on a desire to appear productive or on suggestions from researcher colleagues are negatively associated with study-specific use.

Points for practitioners

Academic motivation to affect policymaking is positively associated with rewards associated with tenure and promotion, although not with year-end evaluations. Longer-serving researchers, and those with practitioner experience, report greater motivation to affect practice through their research.