bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Concurrent two surgeon approach for bilateral synchronous percutaneous nephrolithotomy: Initial experience at a University Teaching Hospital
Authors: Singh Anshuman , Kulshreshtha Mayank , Reddy Suraj Jayadeva , Hegde Padmaraj , Chawla Arun , Raj Kothuri Sricharan
Published: January 2023

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) has long been considered the bench-mark intervention for complicated urinary stones and has undergone important advancements since it was first described. Given the proven safety and efficacy of PNL, simultaneous bilateral PNL has been attempted for bilateral renal calculi to cut down on total procedure costs. To further cut down on operative time, concurrent bilateral synchronous PNL (BS-PNL) has been performed involving two surgeons, each operating concurrently on one renal unit. We performed a retrospective study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of BS-PNL in patients who consented for the procedure. Mean operative time taken from percutaneous access to skin closure was 78 min which was lower than that taken during the single surgeon approach for simultaneous bilateral PNL. Two (12%) out of 16 renal units required multiple punctures for stone clearance. Sheath size varied between 26Fr to 30Fr depending on the stone burden. Mean duration of hospital stay was 2 days. Fourteen (88%) out of 16 renal units had complete stone clearance. Fifteen (94%) out of 16 renal units had a double J stent placed for drainage. Only two patients had complications in the form of postoperative fever. In the background of already proven safety and efficacy of SB-PNL, the concurrent two surgeon approach appears to be feasible and safe with additional advantage of reduced operative time. However, the number of patients in this series were limited and a bigger and preferably multi-institutional study would be required before we can come to a definitive conclusion.
Delegating migration control to local welfare actors: Reporting obligations in practice
Authors: Bruzelius Cecilia , Ratzmann Nora , Reiss Lea
Published: January 2023

Most research on the social policy–migration control link focuses on indirect control, that is, denying access to welfare. This article instead draws attention to how welfare institutions are made directly involved in migration control through duties to report certain categories of migrants to migration authorities. We ask how these obligations are put into practice and how local governments shape this process. In so doing, we place special emphasis on local organisational fields – that is, the close horizontal connection between public and non-public actors involved in basic needs provision. The article builds on exploratory research across four German cities, drawing on 61 interviews conducted in 2019–2020 with welfare actors catering to basic needs (housing/shelter, healthcare, social assistance, social counselling) and document research. Based on this, we, first, explore patterns of reporting practices and provide a typology of different responses, ranging from elaborate circumvention strategies to over-compliance. Second, we analyse the domino effects of reporting obligations, namely how welfare actors that are exempted from reporting adopt their practices too, with consequences both for migrants' welfare access and for other authorities' ability to report. Finally, we discuss how local governments can shape reporting practices, demonstrating how some cities actively sanction circumvention strategies. The last part identifies venues for further research.
Diversity patterns of plant functional types in the Holocene of Central India: A case study on the Lonar Crater Lake pollen record
Authors: Utescher Torsten , Prasad Sushma , Riedel Nils , Stebich Martina
Published: January 2023

Diversity of Plant Functional Types (PFTs) along a sediment core drilled in Lonar Crater Lake, Central India, is analysed, based on previously published pollen data for a total of 115 depth levels and covering the past 9.2 kyr. Our results support concepts of a dominantly humid period persisting until ca. 5 ka, succeeded by a significantly drier phase with weaker monsoon, including various prominent drying pulses. Throughout the Holocene, plant diversity at Lonar was composed of a variable proportion of herbaceous PFTs (ca. 40–60%) and mainly angiosperm woody PFTs. Changes in herbaceous diversity account for a considerable part of the observed PFT data variability. PCA analysis reveals a total of four partly alternating diversity associations (DAs) interpretable in terms of vegetation spanning from drier Savanna and dry deciduous forest to (semi-) evergreen woody vegetation, mainly recorded in older strata. It is shown that the succession of the DAs is largely triggered by climate change inferred from other proxies. Correlation analysis with geochemical data testifies that the diversity signal obtained is largely unaffected by sedimentary processes and detrital inflow, highlighting the potential of this archive to reflect ‘true’ diversity signals, rather than artefacts of sedimentary processes. While warm and humid conditions promoted diversity, drying and weak monsoon tended to cause diversity loss. In contrast, the relative diversity of dry herbs increased during drier periods. Short-term variability in our data is evident in varying diversity percentages of single PFTs and their ratios. Changing ratios of dry on mesic herbs, the relation of shrub and tree diversity, tropical on temperate PFTs, and total plant diversity are likely related to solar cycles. Evidence for recurrent cooling episodes through solar forcing comes from the observed coincidence of Grand Solar Minima and minima in the tropical/temperate PFT ratio.
Late-Holocene maize cultivation, fire, and forest change at Lake Ayauchi, Amazonian Ecuador
Authors: Åkesson Christine M , McMichael Crystal NH , León-Yánez Susana , Bush Mark B
Published: January 2023

A high-resolution paleoecological record provides a 2690 year-long fossil pollen and charcoal history from Lake Ayauchi, Ecuador, in lowland Amazonia. The record begins with a landscape that is already partially deforested and in which maize is being grown. Dated charcoal fragments from local soils coincide with fire events and peaks of land clearance seen in the lake sediment record. After c. AD 550 grass pollen becomes less abundant, as a broad array of forest types show small increases in abundance. Between c. AD 750 and 1280, Zea mays pollen was at its most abundant. Although maize cultivation continued until the AD 1700s, forest pollen abundance showed a significant increase at c. AD 1260. Another transition at c. AD 1420, which saw a transition from dominance by early successional taxa and an increase in mid-successional elements, suggests the onset of reduced human activity at the site. Fossil maize is found in a lower proportion of samples, disappearing altogether for a century in the late 1700s. Forest taxa increase in abundance and charcoal disappears from the record at c. AD 1790. These data suggest a complex social history prior to and following European arrival with phases of forest clearing and episodes of apparent regrowth at c. AD 500, 950, and 1260. Increased forest pollen after c. AD 1260 and a reduction in maize pollen abundance suggests some abandonment, with a second, relatively late, depopulation following European Conquest (c. AD 1790). Evidence is not found supporting reforestation associated with European arrival.
Anesthetic Challenges in a Patient of Morquio Syndrome Associated with Acromegaly
Authors: Singh Nidhi , Sarna Rashi , Tripathi Manjul , Chauhan Rajeev , Kumar Sanjay
Published: January 2023

Morquio syndrome is one of the rare storage disorders associated with excessive deposition of keratin sulfate and chondroitin-6-sulfate in bones, cartilages, heart valves, and cornea. Although most individuals with this syndrome appear normal at birth; skeletal abnormalities often develop within the first year of life. Restricted breathing, joint stiffness, and cardiac abnormalities are also common. The multisystem involvement in these patients poses unique anesthestic challenges and there is a paucity of literature regarding the anesthetic management of patients with this condition. We report a successful management of a rare case of 34 years old male with Morquio syndrome who presented an association of acromegaly and was planned for surgical resection of the tumor under general anesthesia. Such rare disorders primarily require thorough knowledge about the disease, its presentation and management strategies for a better outcome. Keeping in mind the multisystem involvement a proper teamwork and coordination of various specialities becomes an utmost importance.
Urogenital Malformations: Current Questions and Dilemmas
Authors: Krishna Anurag , Soni Arun , Kaur Avneet
Published: January 2023

The incidence of an antenatally detected genitourinary abnormality is 0.5% of all pregnancies assessed, and rarely is antenatal intervention indicated. The most common urological abnormality diagnosed antenatally is hydronephrosis and carries an excellent prognosis. In majority (> 50%) the antenatally detected dilatation is transient and resolves spontaneously. Currently any intrauterine manipulation or surgery should be reserved for a fetus that has bilateral involvement that is progressive, destructive, and associated with oligohydramnios. If bilateral renal agenesis, bilateral multicystic kidneys, or bilateral infantile polycystic kidneys are demonstrated early in gestation, the obstetrician and parents may choose to terminate the pregnancy because these conditions are not compatible with extrauterine life. Malformations like megaureter, ectopic kidney, ureteric duplication, unilateral renal agenesis/multicystic kidney and bladder exstrophy have a good prognosis. This review aims to outline the current management strategies in patients diagnosed with urogenital malformations in the antenatal and neonatal period.
Surgical Neonate: The ABC of Care
Authors: Upadhyay Amit , Gupta Gaurav
Published: January 2023

Variability and changing pathophysiological factors make each newborn surgical patient unique and necessitate that management be individualized and flexible. Because the outcome depends on the type of disease and time of presentation, early diagnosis followed by prompt customized care should be provided.

This article emphasizes the management of a surgical neonate and covers in addition to preoperative and intraoperative care, the optimal surgical care for individual surgical entities along with post operative care.
Transient Neonatal Dermatoses- Mostly Physiological
Authors: Pahwa Manish , Pahwa Pooja , Jain R.K.
Published: January 2023

Skin rashes are common in the neonate and can cause parental anxiety. Many of these are transient and physiological, but some may require additional work up to rule out a more serious disorder. Hence it is important for the pediatrician to recognize these physiological states that can present in a normal neonate. Mongolian spots, milia, miliaria, Epstein pearls, physiological scaling of the skin and seborrheic dermatitis are some of the commonest skin lesions. Cutis marmorata and harlequin color change are transient vascular phenomena seen in neonates. Acne neonatorum, erythema toxicum neonatorum and transient neonatal pustular melanoses are transient vesiculopustular rashes that can be diagnosed clinically. However neonates with unusual presentations or signs of systemic illness should be evaluated for fungal, particularly candidial, viral, and bacterial infections.
Impact of Prenatal Care on Newborn Complications for Infants with Cleft Lip with or Without Cleft Palate
Authors: Loomis-Goltl Evy , Briley Patrick , Kotlarek Katelyn J.
Published: January 2023

Objective

To determine the association between prenatal care and cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL ± P) and examine differences in newborn complications among infants diagnosed with CL ± P as a function of prenatal care

Design

Population-based retrospective cohort study

Setting

2018 United States National Vital Statistics System—Natality component (NVSS-N) was used to examine nationwide birth certificate data

Participants

3,414,338 infants from the 2018 National Vital Statistics System, of which 1,699 had CL ± P

Main Outcome Measure

Diagnosis of CL ± P and presence of newborn complications as a function of prenatal care

Results

Significant differences were found among various infant- and mother-specific variables when baseline comparisons were made between infants with and without CL ± P. After controlling for baseline differences, results indicated decreased odds of a diagnosis of CL ± P in cases where overall adequate prenatal care was obtained (OR = .841; 95% CI .757, .934), including prenatal care beginning in the 1st trimester (OR = .839; 95% CI .750, .939) and an adequate number of prenatal visits received (OR = .864; 95% CI .764, .976). Of infants with CL ± P, reduced odds of the infant admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (OR = .777; 95% CI .613, .985) or transferred (OR = .601; 95% CI .407, .888) were apparent when adequate prenatal care was received.

Conclusion

Results suggest adequate prenatal care not only reduces the likelihood of CL ± P in infants but may also decrease the severity of negative outcomes in infants diagnosed with CL ± P. These findings emphasize necessity for adequate prenatal care.
Organochlorine pesticides, oxidative stress biomarkers, and leukemia: a case–control study
Authors: Rafeeinia Arash , Asadikaram Gholamreza , Karimi Darabi Mehrnaz , Abolhassani Moslem , Moazed Vahid , Abbasi-Jorjandi Mojtaba
Published: January 2023

Exposure to pesticides has been linked to an elevated risk of leukemia. The present research aimed to evaluate the relationship between organochlorine (OC) pesticides and biomarkers of oxidative stress in leukemia patients. This work was conducted on 109 patients with leukemia and 109 healthy controls. The serum concentrations of seven derivatives of OCs including alpha-HCH, beta-HCH, gamma-HCH, 2,4-DDT, 4,4-DDT, 2,4-DDE, and 4,4-DDE along with acetylcholinesterase (AChE), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), paraoxonase-1 (PON1), and catalase (CAT) activities as well as total antioxidant capacity (TAC), nitric oxide (NO), protein carbonyl (PC), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured in all the subjects. Levels of OCs were remarkably higher in leukemia patients compared to the controls (p < 0.05). In addition, levels of SOD, AChE, GPx, PON-1, and TAC were remarkably lower in leukemia patients compared to controls (p < 0.05). In contrast, MDA, NO, and PC concentrations were higher in leukemia patients than in the controls (p < 0.05). Moreover, the serum level of 4,4-DDE was negatively associated with GPx activity (p = 0.038). Our findings suggest that OCs may play a role in the development of leukemia by disrupting the oxidant/antioxidant balance.
Endoscope-navigation-assisted orbital decompression for graves’ orbitopathy
Authors: Zhang Shuo , Wu Yu , Wang Yang , Sun Rou , Sun Jing , Fan Xianqun , Li Yinwei , Zhou Huifang
Published: January 2023

Purpose

To compare the surgical outcomes of endoscope-navigation (EN)-assisted orbital decompression and non-EN-assisted orbital decompression for Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) and to assess the potential clinical advantage of EN in orbital decompression surgery.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study was performed on 227 orbits of 147 GO patients who underwent EN-assisted orbital decompression (185 orbits) or non-EN-assisted orbital decompression (42 orbits). Assessment included proptosis reduction, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), diplopia, ocular restriction and surgical complications.

Results

The proptosis reduction in the EN group was 0.9 mm greater than that in the non-EN group in the entire cohort ( p  =  0.004) and 1.0 mm greater than that in the non-EN group in the propensity score matching cohort ( p  =  0.025) at 2 years postoperatively. In all, 78.2% of orbits with sight-threatening GO in the EN group and 52.6% of orbits in the non-EN group showed BCVA improvement ( p  =  0.026). The proportion of patients with improvement in diplopia was significantly greater in the EN group than in the non-EN group ( p  =  0.026).

Conclusions

EN offers anatomical localization and deep-seated tissue visualization in orbital decompression and significantly improves the surgical outcomes for GO.
What do second language speakers really need for real-world interaction? A needs analysis of L2 Chinese interactional competence
Authors: Dai David Wei
Published: January 2023

A primary undertaking in communicative language teaching is to ensure second language (L2) speakers develop the ability to interact in real-world communicative events, a skill known as interactional competence (IC). Thus far, there have been few needs analysis studies conducted on L2 IC, posing challenges when ascertaining whether the teaching and testing of L2 IC are empirically grounded. Henceforth, the researcher carried out a needs analysis to systematically investigate the IC learning needs of speakers of L2 Chinese, which in itself represents an under-investigated target language in present-day needs analysis literature. A considered methodology was utilized to elicit triangulated information from 18 participants. Content analysis of the elicited data identified seven IC learning categories: (1) social actions, (2) sociopragmatic knowledge, (3) pragmalinguistic knowledge, (4) interactional structure, (5) content knowledge, (6) linguistic resources, and (7) nonverbal resources. Results revealed disaffiliative social actions (e.g. complaining) to be most challenging. The management of social actions was mediated by speakers’ sociopragmatic knowledge (e.g. social distance) and pragmalinguistic knowledge (e.g. formality devices). Other learning categories such as interactional structure (e.g. topic development) and nonverbal resources (e.g. gaze) contributed to successful interaction at a more foundational level. Based on these findings, this article proposes a three-tier IC needs model to conceptualize the hierarchical interrelationships among the seven categories. In addition, the researcher generated lists of IC learning needs for each category and subcategory to assist language educators with developing targeted IC teaching and assessment tasks. The IC needs model and needs lists constitute a pedagogical toolkit for the systematic incorporation of IC in task-based language teaching, language curricula and language programs. This article also discusses how methodological considerations and innovations formulated in the study can contribute to needs analysis research in general.
Faecal indicator bacteria on indoor floors linked to exterior sidewalk contamination in New York City
Authors: Leri Alessandra C , Khan Marjan
Published: January 2023

Although sources of faecal pathogens abound in urban environments, faecal bacteria on city streets remain largely unquantified. The extent to which faecal pathogens transfer between outdoor and indoor environments is also poorly understood. We use defined substrate analysis to quantify enterococci and coliform faecal indicator bacteria (FIB) on interior floor surfaces in a New York City institutional building, on shoe soles of building occupants and on exterior sidewalks. Enterococci and faecal coliforms are ubiquitous on interior floors, varying with foot traffic and floor surface type. Mean enterococci counts are highest in the heavily trafficked building entryway compared with less trafficked interior locations, and counts are significantly higher on carpets than on adjacent uncarpeted flooring. Enterococci and faecal coliforms appear on shoe soles of building occupants as well. Susceptibility of shoe sole bacteria to antimicrobial agents is commensurate with that of cultivated E. coli, E. faecalis and S. aureus strains. In pooled rainwater on city sidewalks, enterococci average 31,000 per 100 mL. Overall, our evidence indicates ubiquity of FIB on sidewalks, a translocation pathway via shoe soles and accumulation on indoor floor surfaces, particularly carpeted areas. These findings present ample opportunity for human exposure to faecal pathogens in the indoor environment.
Object Lessons in a time of tolerable suboptimisation
Authors: Bliss James
Published: January 2023

The present contribution reflects on the stakes of Robyn Wiegman's Object Lessons (2012) in the wake of a long era of austerity in American higher education. It reflects further on the history of discourses on the relationship between the practice of criticism and radical politics.
Couchsurfing in China: Guanxi networks and trust building
Authors: Huang Xiang , Cui Qingming , Chen Zhao
Published: January 2023

Trust building is a core issue in couchsurfing; however, existing research has mainly focused on trust formation in Western culture and ignored other cultural contexts. This article examines couchsurfing practices in China and explores the influence of Chinese guanxi on trust formation. The results show that the general process of trust building between Chinese couchsurfers is similar to that of Western surfers, but there are also some important cultural differences, including the mandatory identity authentication required by the Chinese couchsurfing website, which builds trust in the social system. In China, gift-giving practices and social gatherings are also important in building guanxi to gain lasting trust. Finally, the guanxi between friends and acquaintances can greatly facilitate surfers’ ability to find accommodation resources and build trust. Guanxi generates a novel trust formation model based on personal networks in shared hospitality in contrast to the much-researched system trust and interpersonal trust.
Where spirituality and religion meet gender and sexuality: Toward a research agenda for intersectional marketing theory
Authors: Rinallo Diego , Santana Jannsen , Zanette Maria Carolina , Appau Samuelson , Coffin Jack , Eckhardt Giana M. , Eichert Christian A. , Husemann Katharina C. , Kedzior Richard , Moufahim Mona , Rodner Victoria , Stevens Lorna
Published: January 2023

During a roundtable discussion at the 2022 GENMAC Conference, a group of researchers specializing in religiosity and spiritual consumption, using examples from their own fieldwork, reflected on how (i) researchers’ subject positioning—including their gender and sexuality—shape fieldwork in multifaceted manners; (ii) investigations of religious/spiritual fields would benefit from a heightened sensitivity to issues of gender and sexuality; and (iii) greater sensitivity to aspects of religion and/or spirituality can help gender and sexuality scholars better understand consumers and markets. Based on the above, in this commentary paper, we call for intersectional reflexivity, attention to vulnerability and discomfort during fieldwork, and critical sensitivity to the religious “context of context” during theorization. Furthermore, we argue that specific spiritual/religious imaginaries can foster new research approaches that can contribute to more nuanced fieldwork and theorization in marketing and consumer research.
Kidney autotransplantation as a key solution for a BEVAR type IIIb endoleak
Authors: Mendes Daniel , Machado Rui , Almeida Rui
Published: January 2023

Objectives

Target vessel endoleaks are one of the most common causes of revision procedures after a fenestrated or branched endovascular aneurysm repair. Usually, a redo stenting is an effective therapy, however, not always feasible. We present a case of a hybrid treatment for a type IIIb endoleak using the renal autotransplantation technique.

Methods

A 60-year-old man with a thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm has been treated with a custom-made branched endoprosthesis. Occlusion of the bridging stent to the right renal artery with total infarction of the right kidney was identified one week later and conservatively managed. After four years, a type IIIb endoleak was identified. Endovascular treatment was attempted unsuccessfully. So, the endoleak was corrected using a hybrid strategy with the kidney autotransplantation technique.

Results

A left kidney autotransplantation followed by an aortic stent-graft relining with a tubular graft has been done uneventfully, in a phased manner. Postoperative computed tomography angiography confirmed the patency of vascular reconstructions with no endoleaks. No adverse events occurred during one year of follow-up.

Conclusion

Our case highlights kidney autotransplantation as a viable solution for a hybrid treatment of target vessel endoleaks and shows that this technique can assist complex endovascular aortic reconstructions.
Mediated public diplomacy and peace journalism: International public news agencies on the Syrian crisis
Authors: Ersoy Metin , İşeri Emre
Published: January 2023

As the liberal international order has been falling, the heteropolar order coupled with politics of uncertainty has been rising. In this context, illiberal regimes of status-seeking powers have realized the value of public diplomacy to promulgate their versions of the “reality.” Those illiberal regimes’ adoption of public diplomacy tools (incl. international public news agencies) has generated discussions on theoretical and practical approaches to the field at the intersection of political science/international relations, media, and communication studies. Against this backdrop, this paper aims to contribute to the emerging literature on public diplomacy of non-Western illiberal democracies. With the assumption that those regimes' illiberal democratic characteristics will be reflected in their public agencies' coverage styles (e.g., monologic, conflictive, and unbalanced), the article raises the following question: How do illiberal democracies utilize international public agencies as public diplomacy channels? To answer this question, it compares framing strategies (peace/war journalism) of the Russian TASS and the Turkish Anatolian Agency public agencies during the Syrian crisis. The findings reveal that those illiberal regimes’ public agencies have reported the crisis as a state-centric monolog in conflict with the West by distrupting the global public good (i.e., peace).
TRK inhibitor in a patient with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer and NTRK fusions identified via cell-free DNA analysis
Authors: Medford Arielle J. , Oshry Lauren , Boyraz Baris , Kiedrowski Lesli , Menshikova Sofia , Butusova Anna , Dai Charles S. , Gogakos Tasos , Keenan Jennifer C. , Occhiogrosso Rachel H. , Ryan Phoebe , Lennerz Jochen K. , Spring Laura M. , Moy Beverly , Ellisen Leif W. , Bardia Aditya
Published: January 2023

Tissue-agnostic indications for targeted therapies have expanded options for patients with advanced solid tumors. The Food and Drug Administration approvals of the programmed death-ligand 1 inhibitor pembrolizumab and the TRK inhibitors larotrectinib and entrectinib provide rationale for next-generation sequencing (NGS) in effectively all advanced solid tumor patients given potential for clinical responses even in otherwise refractory disease. As proof of concept, this case report describes a 64-year-old woman with triple-negative breast cancer refractory to multiple lines of therapy, found to have a rare mutation on NGS which led to targeted therapy with meaningful response. She initially presented with metastatic recurrence 5 years after treatment for a localized breast cancer, with rapid progression through four lines of therapy in the metastatic setting, including immunotherapy, antibody–drug conjugate-based therapy, and chemotherapy. Germline genetic testing was normal. Ultimately, NGS evaluation of cell-free DNA via an 83-gene assay (Guardant Health, Inc.) identified two NTRK3 fusions: an ETV6-NTRK3 fusion associated with the rare secretory breast carcinoma, and CRTC3-NTRK3, a novel fusion partner not previously described in breast cancer. Liver biopsy was sent for whole exome sequencing and RNA-seq analysis of tissue (BostonGene, Inc., Boston, MA, USA), which provided orthogonal confirmation of both the ETV6-NTRK3 and CRTC3-NTRK3 fusions. She was started on the TRK inhibitor larotrectinib with a marked clinical and radiographic response after only 2 months of therapy. The patient granted verbal consent to share her clinical story, images, and data in this case report. This case demonstrates the significant potential benefits of NGS testing in advanced cancer and the lessons we may learn from individual patient experiences.
Raspberry Ketone Protects Kidney Damage in Diabetic Nephropathy by Improving Kidney Mitochondrial Dysfunction
Authors: Ma Jiawang , Wang Xin , Xu Meng , Chang Ying , Dong Mingxin , Sun Chengbiao , Wang Yan , Zhang Jianxu , Xu Na , Liu Wensen
Published: January 2023

Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress play essential roles in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN). The respiratory oxygen consumption and oxidative stress status of kidney mitochondria are closely associated with the development of DN. In this study, raspberry ketone (RK), the predominant bioactive component extracted from raspberry, was applied to treat the established DN mice model. This study investigated whether RK protects the kidneys of high-fat and high-sugar/streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats by inhibiting oxidative stress and ameliorating mitochondrial dysfunction. Besides, the DN mice models were established by injecting high-fat and high-sugar/STZ (130 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection). The animals were randomly divided into the control group (normal saline, ig), DN group (normal saline, ig), DN + RK group (200 mg/kg RK + normal saline, ig), DN + RK group (400 mg/kg RK + normal saline, ig), and DN + Metformin (Met) (200 mg/kg Met + normal saline, ig). Regular monitoring of fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels was observed in mice. After 10 weeks of drug treatment, the kidneys of mice in each group were analyzed using ultrasound, and the mice were euthanized humanely. Kidney weight (KW)/body weight (BW) and kidney injury, mitochondrial function, and oxidative stress indicators were determined. The histopathological changes in renal tissue were observed after hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. The results recommended that RK has a renoprotective function on DN mice by improving mitochondrial dysfunction and inhibiting oxidative stress.
Long-acting injectable antiretroviral therapy: will it change the future of HIV treatment?
Authors: Brizzi Marisa , Pérez Sarah E. , Michienzi Sarah M. , Badowski Melissa E.
Published: January 2023

The treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has greatly advanced over the past few decades from complex regimens, with high toxicities, multiple daily dosing, and incomplete viral suppression to more simplified, highly effective, daily oral regimens. Although these advancements greatly improved access and tolerability, the need for daily antiretroviral (ARV) administration remained until recently. With long-acting (LA) injectable ARV options emerging, patients may choose how they want to receive treatment. By eliminating the barrier of daily medication adherence, LA injectable ARV formulations have the potential to not only improve health outcomes for the individual, but also the community by reducing HIV transmission. At the time of this writing cabotegravir/rilpivirine (LA-CAB/RPV) is the only LA injectable ARV regimen approved as a complete regimen for the treatment of HIV in adults and adolescents (⩾35 kg and ⩾12 years of age) who are virologically suppressed. However, additional studies of LA-CAB/RPV in expanded populations, and of other LA ARVs, are underway. The goal of this article was to summarize clinical data and review pertinent clinical considerations for the use of LA-CAB/RPV in the management of HIV.
How College Students Interpret and Use Social Media as a Potential Source of Sexual Consent Communication
Authors: Smith Andrea M. , Ortiz Rebecca R.
Published: January 2023

This study investigated how social media use, specifically exposure to and posting of sexualized and party-related content on social media and interpretations of that content as sexual consent communication, related to college students’ intentions to engage in sexual consent communication. A national sample of U.S. college students ( N = 954) completed the relevant measures in an online survey. Results indicated that the more college students reported exposure to sexualized and party-related content on social media, the more likely they were to report posting similar content and believe in harmful consent myths (i.e., that a person’s sexual consent can be assumed by looking at their social media profiles). Posting sexualized and party-related content on social media was also related to lesser intentions to engage in consent communication. These findings provide evidence for the importance of considering social media use in how college students understand sexual consent communication that may be used to inform future sexual consent education on college campuses.
A Space of One’s Own? The Tensions of Being Visible on Instagram for Turkish Female Athletes
Authors: Kavasoğlu İrem , Eratlı Şirin Yeliz , Uğurlu Aylin
Published: January 2023

In this study, we seek to understand how Turkish female athletes who are active on Instagram experience cyber violence, the cultural context of that violence, and the ways in which athletes negotiate and struggle with violence via a critical feminist approach. We analyze data obtained via individual, in-depth interviews with 15 athletes using the thematic analysis method. The findings show that active use of Instagram brings with it experiences of cyber sexual harassment and online and offline stalking. Turkey’s neo-conservative, religious, and patriarchal gender regime does not allow the interviewees to post freely on Instagram. Findings also reveal the presence of digital emotional labor, which is an important part of the athletic labor of femininity, in the struggle of participants to use Instagram as their own safe and free space. Consequently, although the participants have a fear of being exposed to violence in the real world due to their cyber violence experiences, or even fear death from time to time due to their Instagram posts, they nevertheless strive to use this space freely and break the control over their bodies.
Compressibility of Osteochondral Autograft Transfer Donor Grafts: A Comparison of Different Donor Regions and How Much Shortening Occurs of Plugs After Impaction
Authors: Massey Patrick A. , Kushner Rachel , Miller Cole , Lowery Michael , Barton Richard S. , Solitro Giovanni F.
Published: January 2023

Background:

Osteochondral autograft transfer (OAT) is a useful technique for full-thickness cartilage lesions of the distal femur. Various techniques recommend harvesting a plug 2 mm longer than the recipient hole to allow for graft impaction. Grafts with limited compressibility may not sit flush when impacted.

Purpose:

To compare the compressibility/shortening of OAT donor plug regions from the distal femur of human cadaveric knees after impaction.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

A total of 20 cadaveric knees (mean age, 70.3 ± 8.4 years) were divided into 4 donor regions: medial intercondylar (IC) notch, lateral IC notch, medial trochlea, and lateral trochlea. Each region was subdivided into 4 zones: far superior (FSZ), middle superior (MSZ), middle inferior (MIZ), and far inferior (FIZ). A total of 320 grafts (6-mm diameter, 15-mm depth) were extracted, and a custom-built machine was used to strike the graft 5 times using a predetermined energy of 0.11 J. The graft length was measured initially and after each impact. Statistical analysis of the compressibility for each of the 4 regions and all 16 zones was performed utilizing analysis of variance, with post hoc testing using the Fisher’s least significant difference.

Results:

Compression in the lateral IC notch, medial IC notch, medial trochlea, and lateral trochlea was 2.4 ± 1.5, 2.1 ± 0.7, 3.1 ± 2.2, and 2.1 ± 0.6 mm, respectively, with significant differences between the 4 regions ( P < .01) and the most compression in the medial trochlea ( P < .01). Subgroup analysis showed that the lateral trochlea had higher compressibility for FIZ versus MIZ ( P = .02) and the lateral IC notch had higher compressibility for FSZ versus FIZ and MIZ ( P < .05 for both).

Conclusion:

Compressibility varied between OAT donor sites in the distal femur. OAT donor grafts showed the highest compressibility in the medial trochlea (3.1 mm) and lateral IC notch FSZ (3.0 mm).

Clinical Relevance:

The lateral trochlea, medial IC notch, and the lower zones of the lateral IC notch grafts should not be oversized more than 2 mm in length, as these grafts may not compress adequately.
COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and shaming on TikTok: A multimodal appraisal analysis
Authors: Van Poucke Margo
Published: January 2023

This paper explores the issues of vaccine hesitancy and shaming which arose in response to the implementation of World Health Organization COVID-19 recommendations, on the social media platform of TikTok. By extending Appraisal theory to include the use of visual attitudinal appraisals, the study examines how TikTok users employ the semiotic resources at their disposal within the overarching context of the pandemic. A total of 254 videos expressing pro- and anti-vaccination viewpoints, predominantly posted by American and Australian users, between 1 January 2021 and 31 January 2022, were extracted from the social media application and subjected to a computer-assisted multimodal appraisal analysis. It is shown how speakers from both groups primarily aim to elicit a strong emotional response from like-minded users, promoting polarisation. The findings further reveal an ideological clash between the objective structure of governmental healthcare protocols and the subjective orientation of the anti-vaccination group’s habitus. Since the pro-vaccination group’s own subjectivities hinder the effective sharing of information on COVID-19 via TikTok, the paper recommends the use of non-judgemental language and gestures in videos targeting a vaccine-hesitant audience.
Peripheral blood monocyte status is a predictor for judging occurrence and development on sepsis in older adult population: a case control study
Authors: Gao Qian , Yang Li , Teng Fei , Guo Shu‑Bin
Published: January 2023

Background

Peripheral blood monocytes are important immune modulatory cells that change during aging. Previous studies on sepsis and monocytes did not distinguish between age groups, especially in the older adult population. The mechanisms of monocyte subsets and function are not well-understood in the aging context with sepsis.

Methods

Monocyte subsets were measured using flow cytometry in 80 sepsis patients and 40 healthy controls. Plasma cytokine levels were measured using cytokine antibody arrays.

Results

The percentage of MO3 (CD14 + CD16 + +)/monocytes was higher in sepsis patients than in controls (P = 0.011), whereas the percentage of MO1 (CD14 +  + CD16 −)/monocytes was higher in septic shock patients and 28-day death group than in those without shock and 28-day survival group (P = 0.034, 0.038). Logistic regression analysis showed that the percentage of MO3/monocytes (OR = 1.120, P = 0.046) and plasma level of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 (OR = 1.006, P = 0.023) were independently associated with the occurrence of sepsis, whereas the percentage of MO1/monocytes (OR = 1.255, P = 0.048) was independently associated with septic shock. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of MO3/monocyte percentage in combination with MCP-1 plasma level (AUC = 0.799) for predicting sepsis was higher than that of each parameter alone (P < 0.001). The AUC of MO1/monocyte percentage with the value 0.706 (P = 0.003) was lower than the AUC of SOFA (sequential organ failure assessment) score with the value 0.966 (P < 0.001) for predicting septic shock, but the value of the two AUCs were similar for predicting 28-day mortality (AUC = 0.705, 0.827; P = 0.020, P < 0.001). The AUC of MO1/monocytes percentage in combination with SOFA score for predicting 28-day mortality was higher than that of each parameter alone (AUC = 0.867, P < 0.001). Using a cut-off of 58.5% (for MO1/monocytes determined by ROC) could discriminate between survivors and non-survivors on Kaplan–Meier curves for 28-day mortality with a positive predictive value of 77.4%.

Conclusion

The MO3/monocyte percentage and plasma MCP-1 level were independent predictors of sepsis occurrence, whereas the percentage of MO1/monocytes was an independent predictor of prognosis in the Chinese Han older adult population.

Trial registration

Registration number: ChiCTR2200061490, date of registration: 2022–6-26 (retrospectively registered).
Integrated single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing analysis identifies a cancer-associated fibroblast-related gene signature for predicting survival and therapy in gastric cancer
Authors: Zhou Zhiyang , Guo Sixuan , Lai Shuhui , Wang Tao , Du Yao , Deng Junping , Zhang Shun , Gao Ge , Zhang Jiangnan
Published: January 2023

As the dominant component of the tumor microenvironment, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), play a vital role in tumor progression. An increasing number of studies have confirmed that CAFs are involved in almost every aspect of tumors including tumorigenesis, metabolism, invasion, metastasis and drug resistance, and CAFs provide an attractive therapeutic target. This study aimed to explore the feature genes of CAFs for potential therapeutic targets and reliable prediction of prognosis in patients with gastric cancer (GC). Bioinformatic analysis was utilized to identify the feature genes of CAFs in GC by performing an integrated analysis of single-cell and transcriptome RNA sequencing using R software. Based on these feature genes, a CAF-related gene signature was constructed for prognostic prediction by LASSO. Simultaneously, survival analysis and nomogram were performed to validate the prognostic predictive value of this gene signature, and qRT–PCR and immunohistochemical staining verified the expression of the feature genes of CAFs. In addition, small molecular drugs for gene therapy of CAF-related gene signatures in GC patients were identified using the connectivity map (CMAP) database. A combination of nine CAF-related genes was constructed to characterize the prognosis of GC, and the prognostic potential and differential expression of the gene signature were initially validated. Additionally, three small molecular drugs were deduced to have anticancer properties on GC progression. By integrating single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing analyses, a novel gene signature of CAFs was constructed. The results provide a positive impact on future research and clinical studies involving CAFs for GC.
Mental health professionals’ expectations and efforts to include employment for people with moderate to severe mental illness in treatment settings
Authors: Finne Joakim , Holt Karin
Published: January 2023

Background

Research suggests that employment is an important factor for recovery and improved quality of life for people with mental illnesses. Mental health professionals often serve as gatekeepers for employment interventions, yet little is known about their expectations about employment for people with mental illness in Norway. The purpose of this study is to examine mental health professionals’ expectations and efforts to include employment for people with moderate to severe mental illness in treatment settings.

Methods

Two hundred seven mental health professionals were recruited from municipal mental health services, specialized clinics, social media, and professionals’ networks across Norway. Participants completed a survey package comprising demographic questions, current practices and a revised version of the self-reported measure Expectations for the Employability of People with Serious Mental Illness (EESMI), a validated measure consisting of three subscales.

Results

Results suggested overall favorable expectations of employment for people with moderate to severe mental illness. Analyses revealed that patients participating more frequently in collaborative meetings predicted more favorable expectations about employment among mental health professionals compared to less frequent meetings. In addition, findings suggest that psychiatrist hold more negative expectations about employment in comparison to the other educational groups. Lastly, more than half of mental health professionals reported that they have integrated discussions about employment, and routines to address work-oriented activity in consultations with patients, however, there are substantial variations in routines for addressing work or work-oriented activity as a topic in consultations with patients.

Conclusions

These results suggest that efforts are being made to integrate employment in treatment settings for people with mental illness in Norway; however, more work is needed to remove barriers and facilitate evidence-based approaches.
Barriers to simultaneous multilocus integration in Bacillus subtilis tumble down: development of a straightforward screening method for the colorimetric detection of one-step multiple gene insertion using the CRISPR-Cas9 system
Authors: Ferrando Jordi , Filluelo Oriana , Zeigler Daniel R. , Picart Pere
Published: January 2023

Background

Despite recent advances in genetic engineering tools for effectively regulating and manipulating genes, efficient simultaneous multigene insertion methods have not been established in Bacillus subtilis. To date, multilocus integration systems in B. subtilis, which is one of the main industrial enzyme producers and a GRAS (generally regarded as safe) microbial host, rely on iterative rounds of plasmid construction for sequential insertions of genes into the B. subtilis chromosome, which is tedious and time consuming.

Results

In this study, we present development and proof-of-concept of a novel CRISPR-Cas9-based genome-editing strategy for the colorimetric detection of one-step multiple gene insertion in B. subtilis. First, up to three copies of the crtMN operon from Staphylococcus aureus, encoding a yellow pigment, were incorporated at three ectopic sites within the B. subtilis chromosome, rendering engineered strains able to form yellow colonies. Second, a single CRISPR-Cas9-based plasmid carrying a highly specific single guide RNA (sgRNA) targeting crtMN operon and a changeable editing template was constructed to facilitate simultaneous insertion of multiple gene-copies through homology-directed repair (HDR). Upon transformation of engineered strains with engineered plasmids, strains harboring up to three gene copies integrated into the chromosome formed white colonies because of the removal of the crtMN operon, clearly distinguishable from yellow colonies harboring undesired genetic modifications. As a result, construction of a plasmid-less, marker-free, high-expression stable producer B. subtilis strain can be completed in only seven days, demonstrating the potential that the implementation of this technology may bring for biotechnology purposes.

Conclusions

The novel technology expands the genome-editing toolset for B. subtilis and means a substantial improvement over current methodology, offering new application possibilities that we envision should significantly boost the development of B. subtilis as a chassis in the field of synthetic biology.