bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treatment of Progressive Hemifacial Atrophy by Cartilage Graft and Free Adipofascial Flap Combined with 3D Planning and Printing
Authors: He Lin , Liu Xiangyu , Khatter Neil J. , Yu Xueyuan , Washington Kia M. , Shu Maoguo
Published: April 2023

Background:

Progressive hemifacial atrophy (PHA) is a rare disease characterized by progressive atrophy of skin, soft tissue, muscles, and underlying bone structures. For severe PHA patients with obvious bone deformities, skeletal framework reconstruction is needed in addition to soft tissue augmentation. We propose a new combinatorial surgical method utilizing rib cartilage graft and free adipofascial flap for restoring facial symmetry. To improve the surgical accuracy, preoperative 3D planning and printing was used.

Methods:

Twelve patients with severe facial atrophy were included in our study.3D facial image analyzing were performed preoperatively to quantify the facial asymmetry. Rib cartilages were harvested and sculptured to the appropriate shape created by 3D planning and fixed to the atrophic bone. The circumflex scapular artery based adipofascial flap was transplanted to repair soft tissue deficiency. A residual small monitor flap was left with the adipofascial flap. A revision surgery was performed to perfect the repair if the contour was suboptimal six-month post operatively.

Results:

The adipofascial flaps survived in all 12 patients. All patients achieved good healing without complications. 1 more year after surgery, the rib cartilage was still in position and rarely absorbed. The morphological and volumetric difference between affected side and unaffected side was improved significantly post-operatively. All patients were satisfied with the results and no more additional surgeries were required.

Conclusion:

The combinatorial surgery of rib cartilage graft and free adipofascial flap in the setting of 3D planning and printing can be a good choice in restoring facial symmetry in severe cases of PHA.

Level of evidence:

Therapeutic, V
Human adenovirus lung disease: outbreaks, models of immune-response-driven acute lung injury and pandemic potential
Authors: Radke Jay R. , Cook James L.
Published: April 2023

Purpose of review

An overview of epidemic, human adenovirus (HAdV) lung infections with proposed studies of the viral/host immune response interface to better understand mechanisms of immunopathogenesis, for development of improved responses to a potential HAdV pandemic.

Recent findings

Emergent HAdV strains 7, 3, 4, 14 are the most common types associated with infection outbreaks. Recent outbreaks have revealed increased community spread, beyond epidemic group settings. The ongoing circulation of these virulent HAdV strains might allow for further HAdV adaptation, with increased HAdV spread and disease severity in the population that could theoretically result in expansion to a pandemic level.

Public health screening has revealed spread of HAdV outbreak strains to the general community. Despite expanded awareness of viral respiratory diseases during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, there has been limited, systematic monitoring of HAdV infection in the population. The shift in clinical laboratories to a focus on molecular diagnostics and away from classical methods of viral characterization has reduced the distribution of outbreak HAdV strains to the research community to study mechanisms of pathogenesis. This change risks reduced development of new preventive and therapeutic strategies that could be needed in the event of more widespread HAdV epidemics.
Putting Medical Boots on the Ground: Lessons from the War in Ukraine and Applications for Future Conflict with Near Peer Adversaries
Authors: Epstein Aaron , Lim Robert , Johannigman Jay , Fox Charles J , Inaba Kenji , Vercruysse Gary A , Thomas Richard W , Martin Matthew J , Konstantyn Gumeniuk , Schwaitzberg Steven D
Published: April 2023

In the past 20 years of the Global War on Terror (GWOT), the United States has seen substantial improvements in its system of medical delivery in combat. However, throughout that conflict, enemy forces did not have parity with the weaponry, capability, nor personnel of the United States and Allied forces. War against countries like China and Russia, who are considered near-peer adversaries in terms of capabilities, will challenge battlefield medical care in many different ways. This paper reviews the experience of a medical team, Global Surgical and Medical Support Group (GSMSG), that has been providing assistance, training, medical support, and surgical support to Ukraine since the Russian invasion began in February 2022. The team has extensive experience in medicine, surgery, austere environments, conflict zones, and building partner nation capacities. This paper compares and contrasts the healthcare systems of this war against the systems utilized during the GWOT. The lessons learned here could help the United States anticipate challenges and successfully plan for the provision of medical care in a future conflict against an adversary with capabilities close to its own.
Vasoplegic syndrome in cardiovascular surgery; evaluating effects of Sevoflurane and Glibenclamide in a porcine model
Authors: Winter Andreas , Nepper Pascal , Hermann Marcus , Bayer Franziska , Rieß Stephanie , Marinos Spiros , Van Linden Arnaud , Holubec Tomas , Steinbicker Andrea , Zacharowski Kai , Walther Thomas , Emrich Fabian
Published: April 2023

Background

Vasoplegic syndrome is frequently observed during cardiac surgery and resembles a complication of high mortality and morbidity. There is a clinical need for therapy and prevention of vasoplegic syndrome during complex cardiac surgical procedures. Therefore, we investigated different strategies in a porcine model of vasoplegia.

Methods

We evaluated new medical therapies and prophylaxis to avoid vasoplegic syndrome in a porcine model. After induction of anesthesia, cardiopulmonary bypass was established through median sternotomy and central cannulation. Prolonged aortic cross-clamping (120 min) simulated a complex surgical procedure. The influence of sevoflurane-guided anesthesia (sevoflurane group) and the administration of glibenclamide (glibenclamide group) were compared to a control group, which received standard anesthesia using propofol. Online hemodynamic assessment was performed using PiCCO®measurements. In addition, blood and tissue samples were taken to evaluate hemodynamic effects and the degree of inflammatory response.

Results

Glibenclamide was able to break through early vasoplegic syndrome by raising the blood pressure and systemic vascular resistance as well as less need of norepinephrine doses. Sevoflurane reduced the occurrence of the vasoplegic syndrome in the mean of stable blood pressure and less need of norepinephrine doses.

Conclusion

Glibenclamide could serve as a potent drug to reduce effects of vasoplegic syndrome. Sevoflurane anesthesia during cardiopulmonary bypass shows less occurrence of vasoplegic syndrome and therefore could be used to prevent it in high-risk patients.

Clinical Perspective; what is new?

to our knowledge, this is the first randomized in vivo study evaluating the hemodynamic effects of glibenclamide after the onset of vasoplegic syndrome

furthermore according to literature research, there is no study showing the effect of sevoflurane-guided anesthesia on the occurrence of a vasoplegic syndrome

Clinical Perspective; clinical implications?

to achieve better outcomes after complex cardiac surgery there is a need for optimized drug therapy and prevention of the vasoplegic syndrome
Cross-kingdom conservation of Arabidopsis RPS24 function in 18S rRNA maturation
Authors: Cabezas-Fuster Adrián , Micol-Ponce Rosa , Sarmiento-Mañús Raquel , Ponce María Rosa
Published: April 2023

All 81 ribosomal proteins (RPs) that form the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) 80S ribosome are encoded by several paralogous genes. For example, the nearly identical RPS24A and RPS24B proteins are encoded byRPS24AandRPS24B, respectively. Here we explored the functions of RPS24A and RPS24B in Arabidopsis. Their encoding genes exhibit combined haploinsufficiency, as at least two wild-type copies of eitherRPS24AorRPS24Bare required for plant viability and at least three are required for normal plant development. Loss-of-function of either gene caused a pointed-leaf phenotype, a typical phenotype of null or hypomorphic recessive alleles of genes encoding ribosome biogenesis factors (RBFs) or RPs. We also found that RPS24A and RPS24B act as RBFs during early stages of 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) maturation, as loss of RPS24A or RPS24B function reduced the 18S/25S rRNA ratio. An RPS24B-GFP fusion protein predominantly localized to the nucleolus, as expected. Therps24b-2mutation strengthened the phenotypes of the RBF mutantsmRNA transporter4-2andsmall organ4-3, which are defective in 5.8S rRNA maturation. This synergistic interaction might be an effect of increased 45S rDNA transcription, which we also observed in therps24mutants. Therefore, the Arabidopsis RPS24 proteins act as RBFs during 18S rRNA maturation, like their human and yeast putative orthologs. Only two plant RPs were previously shown to act not only as structural components of the ribosome but also as RBFs. We provide evidence that RPS24 proteins also regulate 45S rDNA transcription, which has not been described for their yeast or human orthologs.
Blood and cerebellar abundance ofATXN3splice variants in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3/Machado-Joseph disease
Authors: Raposo Mafalda , Hübener-Schmid Jeannette , Tagett Rebecca , Ferreira Ana F. , Vieira Melo Ana Rosa , Vasconcelos João , Pires Paula , Kay Teresa , Garcia-Moreno Hector , Giunti Paola , Santana Magda M. , Pereira de Almeida Luis , Infante Jon , van de Warrenburg Bart P. , de Vries Jeroen J. , Faber Jennifer , Klockgether Thomas , Casadei Nicolas , Admard Jakob , Schöls Ludger , Riess Olaf ,   European Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3/Machado-Joseph disease Initiative (ESMI) study group, Costa Maria do Carmo , Lima Manuela
Published: April 2023

Background

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3)/Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) is an autosomal dominant polyglutamine disease. SCA3/MJD causative gene,ATXN3, is known to undergo alternative splicing (AS) and 54 transcripts are currently annotated. Differences in the toxicity of ataxin-3 protein isoforms, harbouring on its C-terminus two or three ubiquitin interacting motifs (UIMs), were previously uncovered, raising the hypothesis that specificATXN3splice variants play key roles in promoting the selective toxicity displayed in SCA3/MJD.

Methods

Using RNA-seq datasets we identified and determined the abundance of annotatedATXN3transcripts in blood (n=60) and cerebellum (n=12) of SCA3/MJD subjects and controls.

Results

Globally, the number and the abundance of individualATXN3transcripts were higher in the cerebellum than in the blood. While the most abundant transcript in the cerebellum was a protein with a coding sequence not defined of unknown function (ATXN3-208), the transcript with the highest abundance in blood was the reference transcript (ATXN3-251) which translates into an ataxin-3 isoform harboring three UIMs. Noteworthy, the abundance ofATXN3-251 andATXN3-214, two out of the four transcripts that encode full-length ataxin-3 protein isoforms but differ in the C-terminus were strongly related with tissue expression specificity:ATXN3-251(3UIM) was expressed in blood 50-fold more than in cerebellum, whereasATXN3-214 (2UIM) was expressed in the cerebellum 20-fold more than in blood.

Conclusions

These findings provide new insights into the elucidation ofATXN3AS in different tissues, contributing for a better understanding of SCA3/MJD pathogenesis and providing information for the development of future effectiveATXN3mRNA-lowering therapies.
A comparative analysis of the antiviral response in two bat species reveals conserved and divergent innate immune pathways
Authors: Schneor Lilach , Kaltenbach Stefan , Fridman Sivan , Nissan Yomiran , Shuler Gal , Fraimovitch Evgeny , Kolodziejczyk Aleksandra A. , Weinberg Maya , Donati Giacomo , Teeling Emma C. , Yovel Yossi , Hagai Tzachi
Published: April 2023

Bats host a range of viruses that cause severe disease in humans without displaying clinical symptoms to these infections. The mechanisms of bat adaptation to these viruses are a continuous source of interest but remain largely unknown. To understand the landscape of bat antiviral response in a comprehensive and comparative manner, we studied this response in two bat species - the Egyptian fruit bat and the insectivore Kuhl’s pipistrelle, representing the two major bat subordinal clades. We profiled the transcriptional response to dsRNA – that triggers a rapid innate immune response – in skin fibroblasts from a large cohort of replicates from each bat species, using RNA-sequencing, and compared bat response with responses in primates and rodents. Both bat species upregulate a similar set of genes, many of which are known to be involved in the antiviral response across mammals. However, a subset of these genes is transcriptionally divergent in response between the two bat species.

These transcriptionally divergent genes also evolve rapidly in coding sequence across the bat clade and have particular regulatory and functional characteristics, including specific promoter architectures and association with expression programs thought to underlie tolerance and resistance in response to viral infection. In addition, using single-cell transcriptomics, we show that transcriptionally divergent genes display high expression variability between individual cells. A focused analysis of dsRNA-sensing pathways further points to significant differences between bat and human in basal expression of genes important for triggering antiviral responses. Finally, a survey of genes recently lost or duplicated in bats points to a limited set of antiviral genes that have undergone rapid gene loss or gain in bats, with the latter group resulting in paralogs displaying divergence in both coding sequence and expression in bat tissues. Our study reveals a largely conserved regulatory program of genes upregulated in response to viral infection across bats and other mammals, and points to a set of genes that evolved rapidly in bats through multiple evolutionary mechanisms. This divergence can contribute to bat adaptation to viral infection and provides directions to understanding the mechanisms behind it.
Effect of consumer self-discrepancy on materialism and impulse buying: the role of subjective well-being
Authors: Pupelis Linas , Šeinauskienė Beata
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study aims to explore how and why self-discrepancy affects materialism and impulsive buying and the extent to which subjective well-being mediates the relationship between self-discrepancy, materialism and impulsive buying.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have tested the hypothesis with a convenience sample (N = 434) from Lithuania. Descriptive analysis, principal components analysis (PCA), serial mediation hypothesis tested with model 81 from regression-based path analysis modeling tool PROCESS Macro for IBM® SPSS® Statistics 24.7 statistical software.

Findings

The serial and parallel mediation analysis results indicated that greater self-discrepancy was related to poorer life satisfaction, which was related to greater materialism centrality, which promoted greater impulsive buying. Also, the greater the self-discrepancy, caused more occurrence of negative affect, which relates to increased materialism happiness, which triggers impulsive buying. Self-discrepancy was negatively associated with the frequency of positive affect, which was positively related to materialism, which stimulates impulsive buying.

Research limitations/implications

The study was dominated by younger respondents. The survey was conducted during the lockdown of the Covid-19 virus pandemic.

Originality/value

There is little empirical evidence to support the reasoning behind why self-discrepancy predicts a higher degree of materialism, which increases impulsive buying. This study suggests the mechanism of how subjective well-being affects relationships of self-discrepancy on materialism and impulsive buying.
Building “causal realism” in experimental studies within hospitality and tourism
Authors: Butcher Kenneth , Yodsuwan Chachaya
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the current status of experimental research within hospitality and tourism. This paper further aims to develop practical ideas for enhancing the adoption of a cause and effect mindset in researchers.

Design/methodology/approach

A mini-review of the level of experimental designs and best-practice ideas published by the top 12 journals in hospitality and tourism over a five-year period was conducted.

Findings

Although the absolute number of experimental studies is growing, the ratio of experimental studies to overall publications remains low at 6.4%. To increase the take-up of experimental design, a broader typology of field experiments is presented. Practical steps to increase causal reality are provided under the categories of purpose; scenario development; scenario testing; and sample characteristics.

Research limitations/implications

The methodological advances suggested in this paper can contribute to more robust theory development and testing. The recommendations offer guidance to a new generation of researchers seeking to add causal value to their studies, researchers collaborating with scholars from other discipline areas and hospitality managers seeking stronger evidence of cause and effect.

Originality/value

This paper identifies key obstacles to the take-up of experimental design and the contemporary status of experimental design. A novel typology of five experimental designs that distinguish the difference between experimental and correlational designs in terms of explanatory power is presented, together with a comprehensive list of best practice suggestions to increase causal reality in scenario design.
From muddiness to madness: an examination of decent work and mental health in the Ghanaian mining industry
Authors: Amponsah-Tawiah Kwesi , Mensah Justice , Boakyewaa Ruth , Asare Grace
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Building on the emerging literature on the psychology of working theory, this study aims to examine the impact of decent work on employees’ mental health as well as the association between the dimensions of decent work on employees’ mental health.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative data were collected from 260 employees working in the Ghanaian mining industry.

Findings

Data analysis showed a positive significant relationship between decent work and employee mental health. Furthermore, access to health care, adequate compensation and hours that allow for free time and rest related positively and significantly with employee mental health. However, the relationships between physical and interpersonal safe working conditions, organizational values that complement family and social values and employee mental health were not significant.

Originality/value

The findings extend the emerging literature relative to the influence of decent work on mental health in developing country context, specifically, sub-Saharan Africa where concerns for decent work have become extremely relevant because of the experience of extreme poverty and unemployment that characterize the region.
Assessment of Sustainable Development Goals through Industry 4.0 and reconfigurable manufacturing system practices
Authors: Pansare Rajesh , Yadav Gunjan , Garza-Reyes Jose Arturo , Raosaheb Nagare Madhukar
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), introduced in 2015, connect several manufacturing strategies and promote sustainable practices in an organization. Manufacturing companies are struggling to meet changing market demands while also addressing social and biological issues. The current study aims to develop a framework that can assist practitioners and managers contribute to the attainment of the SDGs through the adoption of reconfigurable manufacturing system (RMS) practices and Industry 4.0 technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

An extensive literature review was carried out to identify RMS-Industry 4.0 practices and their interconnection, as well as their contribution to achieving the SDGs. The stepwise weight assessment ratio analysis (SWARA) method was then used to compute the weights of the selected RMS-Industry 4.0 practices, whereas the weighted aggregated sum product assessment (WASPAS) method was used to prioritize performance metrics. The developed framework's robustness was tested using a sensitivity analysis across five different organizations.

Findings

The findings show that advanced technologies practices have the most importance, followed by customization and rapid adjustment of capacity and functionality practices. The sensitivity analysis revealed the robustness of the developed framework as well as its adaptability among the chosen organizations.

Practical implications

This research will assist in the adoption of RMS and includes recent technologies that can help in the attainment of industrial SDGs. Managers will also be able to evaluate RMS in the context of industrial SDGs. Researchers and practitioners can now address the various RMS-Industry 4.0 practices while keeping the social and environmental aspects in mind.

Originality/value

No previous research has investigated the SDGs through the nexus effect of Industry 4.0 and RMS practices.
Impact of entrepreneurial leadership on supply chain performance: the mediating role of supply chain resilience
Authors: Haq Muhammad Zia ul , Aslam Haris
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to discern the role of entrepreneurial leadership (EL) – a dynamic capability – in increasing supply chain performance (SCP), through building supply chain resilience (SCR). The study further suggests that the presence of supply chain orientation (SCO) within a firm will enhance the relationship between EL and SCR.

Design/methodology/approach

Dynamic capabilities view is used to develop the hypotheses and a survey method is used to collect data from manufacturing firms in Pakistan. The hypothesized model is tested using structural equation modeling (SEM).

Findings

The results in general confirm the hypothesized model. The findings suggest that SCR mediates the relationship between EL and SCP. The results also confirm that SCO moderates the relationship between EL and SCR.

Originality/value

This paper contributes by studying the pivotal role of EL in building SCR and sustaining a competitive advantage in an uncertain environment.
Performance and microstructural investigations of processed lateritic fine aggregates in blended cement mortars exposed to elevated temperatures
Authors: Basavana Gowda S.N. , Yaragal Subhash , Rajasekaran C. , Goudar Sharan Kumar
Published: April 2023

Purpose

In recent years, fire accidents in engineering structures have often been reported worldwide, leading to a severe risk to life and property safety. The present study is carried out to evaluate the performance of Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS) and fly ash–blended laterized mortars at elevated temperatures.

Design/methodology/approach

This test program includes the replacement of natural river sand with lateritic fine aggregates (lateritic FA) in terms of 0, 50 and 100%. Also, the ordinary Portland cement (OPC) was replaced with fly ash and GGBS in terms of 10, 20, 30% and 20, 40 and 60%, respectively, for producing blended mortars.

Findings

This paper presents results related to the determination of residual compressive strengths of lateritic fine aggregates-based cement mortars with part replacement of cement by fly ash and GGBS exposed to elevated temperatures. The effect of elevated temperatures on the physical and mechanical properties was evaluated with the help of microstructure studies and the quantification of hydration products.

Originality/value

A sustainable cement mortar was produced by replacing natural river sand with lateritic fine aggregates. The thermal strength deterioration features were assessed by exposing the control specimens and lateritic fine aggregates-based cement mortars to elevated temperatures. Changes in the mechanical properties were evaluated through a quantitative microstructure study using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. The phase change of hydration products after exposure to elevated temperatures was qualitatively analyzed by greyscale thresholding of SEM images using Image J software.
Transformational leadership and work engagement as mediators on nurses’ job performance in healthcare clinics: work environment as a moderator
Authors: Hasan Amal Abdullah , Ahmad Syed Zamberi , Osman Abdullah
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the mediating effect of transformational leadership (TL) and work engagement (WE) on health-care clinic nurses’ performance and the crucial role of these variables in the work environment (WEV).

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 353 nurses working across various health-care clinics in the United Arab Emirates. This study used descriptive correlational statistics from the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, the Pearson correlation coefficient, confirmatory factor analysis for model validity, Cronbach’s alpha for reliability and path analysis to determine the results.

Findings

The relationship between TL and job performance among nurses in health-care clinics was strongly influenced by WE. In addition, a moderate WEV increased the positive influence of TL on job accomplishment. Furthermore, there were no statistically significant differences between the participants’ demographics characteristics and the main variables of the study.

Practical implications

Health-care management can support and enhance nurses’ job performance through TL, create a more structured WEV and support WE.

Originality/value

This study involves a specific investigation into WE as a mediator, WEV as a moderator and the effect of TL on nurses’ job performance.
Perceived benefits of modern cooking technologies: a study of beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana
Authors: Angoori Sukhvinder , Kumar Sanjeev
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This paper examine beneficiary women's awareness of the harmful effects of traditional cooking fuels and the benefits of cleaner cooking fuel (LPG) in the Indian state of Haryana after the inception of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana.

Design/methodology/approach

Descriptive statistics, factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, Mann–Whitney U test and Kruskal–Wallis H test were used for the data analysis.

Findings

The paper finds that the women of the scheduled caste were highly aware of the hazards of traditional cooking fuel. They perceived that the usage of LPG led to significant health and environmental improvements. However, the refilling was low among the respondents. So, the only low awareness was not the cause of the low refilling of LPG among Ujjwala beneficiaries.

Research limitations/implications

Technological advancement, accessibility and successful adoption require convergence with socio-economic and institutional aspects. It was evident that focus on technology might not necessarily serve developmental purposes if it is not integrated correctly with socio-economic and institutional factors. These should have conversed with the household's needs, preferences, affordability, social structures, policy support and delivery mechanism, as it was observed that, in different cases, high-end technologies have limited access.

Originality/value

This study shows that the low awareness is not the barrier to the adoption of cleaner cooking technologies in India. So, the policymakers have to revive and further investigate the real cause of the low adoption of cleaner cooking technologies in India.
Developing a metabolic model‐based fed‐batch feeding strategy for Pichia pastoris fermentation through fine‐tuning of the methanol utilization pathway
Authors: Boojari Mohammad Amin , Rajabi Ghaledari Fatemeh , Motamedian Ehsan , Soleimani Mehdi , Shojaosadati Seyed Abbas
Published: April 2023

Pichia pastoris is a commonly used microbial host for recombinant protein production. It is mostly cultivated in fed‐batch mode, in which the environment of the cell is continuously changing. Hence, it is vital to understand the influence of feeding strategy parameters on the intracellular reaction network to fine‐tune bioreactor performance. This study used dynamic flux balance analysis (DFBA) integrated with transcriptomics data to simulate the recombinant P. pastoris (Muts) growth during the induction phase for three fed‐batch strategies, conducted at constant specific growth rates (μ‐stat). The induction phase was split into equal time intervals, and the correlated reactions with protein yield were identified in the three fed‐batch strategies using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Subsequently, principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to cluster induction phase time intervals and identify the role of correlated reactions on metabolic differentiation of time intervals. It was found that increasing fluxes through the methanol dissimilation pathway increased protein yield. By adding a methanol assimilation pathway inhibitor (HgCl2) to the shake flask medium growing on glycerol: methanol mixture (10%: 90%, v/v), the protein titre increased by 60%. As per DFBA, the higher the methanol to biomass flux ratio (Rmeoh/Δx), the higher the protein yield. Finally, a novel feeding strategy was developed to increase the amount of Rmeoh/Δx compared to the three feeding strategies. The concentration of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH), used as the model protein, increased by 16% compared to the optimal culture result obtained previously (800 mg L−1 to 928 mg L−1), while production yield improved by 85% (24.8 mg gDCW−1 to 46 mg gDCW−1).
Pretreatment absolute lymphocyte count is an independent predictor for survival outcomes for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and pembrolizumab: An analysis from a prospective cohort
Authors: Qi Wei‐Xiang , Wang Xiaoyan , Li Chengqiang , Li Shuyan , Li Huan , Xu Feifei , Chen Jiayi , Zhao Shengguang , Li Hecheng
Published: April 2023

Background

The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between pretreatment inflammatory biomarkers (IBs) and survival outcomes for patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (neo‐CRT) and pembrolizumab.

Methods

Clinical variables and IBs (absolute monocyte count [AMC], absolute lymphocyte count [ALC], platelet count [PLT], neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio [NLR], platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio [PLR], lymphocyte‐to‐monocyte ratio [LMR], pan‐immune inflammation value [PIV], systemic immunoinflammatory index [SII], systemic immunoreactivity index [SIRI] and prognostic nutritional index [PNI]) were collected. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to identify the independent factors for outcomes of ESCC.

Results

A total of 51 patients were included. Of these, 35 patients achieved pathological complete response (pCR) after neo‐CRT and pembrolizumab (pCR: 68.6%). With a median follow‐up of 20 months, the two‐year PFS and OS of the cohort was 64% and 91%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that ALC (overall response [OR] 4.4, p = 0.051) and PLT (OR 6.7, p = 0.023) were two independent predictors for achieving pCR among ESCC treated with neo‐CRT and pembrolizumab. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that ALC (HR 0.27, p = 0.028) and SIRI (HR 3.13, p = 0.048) were two independent predictors associated with PFS. Kaplan Meier analysis demonstrated that the PFS of ESCC with high baseline ALC was significantly better than those with low ALC (2‐year PFS: 77% vs. 47%, p = 0.027), but not for overall survival (2‐year OS: 96% vs. 87%, p = 0.46).

Conclusions

This retrospective analysis based on a prospective cohort for the first time demonstrates that pretreatment ALC is an independent predictor for achieving pCR and favorable outcomes of ESCC treated with neo‐CRT and pembrolizumab.
Editorial: safety of topical steroids designed specifically for eosinophilic oesophagitis – new data bring new questions. Authors' reply
Authors: Hirano Ikuo , Dellon Evan S. , Gupta Sandeep K. , Katzka David A. , Collins Margaret H. , Wojtowicz Abigail M. , Terreri Brian , Zhang Wenwen , Boules Mena , Bhatia Siddharth , Desai Nirav K.
Published: April 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Hirano et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17430 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17442.
Letter: Does irritable bowel syndrome have a greater impact in Western, compared with Asian, patients?
Authors: Chuah Kee‐Huat , Mahadeva Sanjiv
Published: April 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Goodoory et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17356 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17497.
Editorial: empirical pharmacological management of gastroparesis—a cautionary tale
Authors: Jones Karen L. , Rayner Christopher K. , Horowitz Michael
Published: April 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Sanger and Andrews paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17466.
Real‐world outcomes of switching from adalimumab originator to adalimumab biosimilar in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: The ADA‐SWITCH study
Authors: Casanova María José , Nantes Óscar , Varela Pilar , Vela‐González Milagros , Rivero Montserrat , Sierra‐Gabarda Olivia , Riestra Sabino , Barreiro‐de Acosta Manuel , Martín‐Rodríguez María del Mar , Gargallo‐Puyuelo Carla Jerusalén , Reygosa Cristina , Muñoz Roser , de la Filia‐Molina Irene García , Núñez‐Ortiz Andrea , Kolle Lilyan , Calafat Margalida , Huguet José María , Iglesias‐Flores Eva , Martínez‐Pérez Teresa de Jesús , Bosch Orencio , Duque‐Alcorta José María , Frago‐Larramona Santiago , Van Domselaar Manuel , González‐Cosano Víctor Manuel , Bujanda Luis , Rubio Saioa , Mancebo Alejo , Castro Beatriz , García‐López Santiago , de Francisco Ruth , Nieto‐García Laura , Laredo Viviana , Gutiérrez‐Casbas Ana , Mesonero Francisco , Leo‐Carnerero Eduardo , Cañete Fiorella , Ruiz Lucía , Gros Beatriz , del Moral‐Martínez María , Rodríguez Cristina , Chaparro María , Gisbert Javier P.
Published: April 2023

Background and Aims

Data on the outcomes after switching from adalimumab (ADA) originator to ADA biosimilar are limited. The aim was to compare the treatment persistence, clinical efficacy, and safety outcomes in inflammatory bowel disease patients who maintained ADA originator vs. those who switched to ADA biosimilar.

Methods

Patients receiving ADA originator who were in clinical remission at standard dose of ADA originator were included. Patients who maintained ADA originator formed the non‐switch cohort (NSC), and those who switched to different ADA biosimilars constituted the switch cohort (SC). Clinical remission was defined as a Harvey–Bradshaw index ≤4 in Crohn's disease and a partial Mayo score ≤2 in ulcerative colitis. To control possible confounding effects on treatment discontinuation, an inverse probability treatment weighted proportional hazard Cox regression was performed.

Results

Five hundred and twenty‐four patients were included: 211 in the SC and 313 in the NSC. The median follow‐up was 13 months in the SC and 24 months in the NSC (p < 0.001). The incidence rate of ADA discontinuation was 8% and 7% per patient‐year in the SC and in the NSC, respectively (p > 0.05). In the multivariate analysis, switching from ADA originator to ADA biosimilar was not associated with therapy discontinuation. The incidence rate of relapse was 8% per patient‐year in the SC and 6% per patient‐year in the NSC (p > 0.05). Six percent of the patients had adverse events in the SC vs. 5% in the NSC (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Switching to ADA biosimilar did not impair patients' outcomes in comparison with maintaining on the originator.
Early diagnosis of subclinical left ventricular dysfunction in postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Maiello Maria , Cecere Annagrazia , Ciccone Marco M. , Palmiero Pasquale
Published: April 2023

Objective

Heart failure is the most frequent cause of death among patients affected by rheumatoid arthritis(RA), in which high prevalence is independent of traditional risk factors. An early diagnosis of subclinical heart failure may be made by assessing left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) by Doppler Echocardiography. Our study aims to early identify LVDD in RA patients.

Methods

We enrolled 207 consecutive postmenopausal women (PMW) with normal electrocardiography and physical examination with a confirmed diagnosis of RA, for over one year, 200 PMW free from RA served as the control group (CG). All women underwent M‐mode and two‐dimensional Doppler echocardiography.

Results

A total of 72 women were affected by LVDD among 207 women with RA (34.8%), 46 among 200 women in the CG (23%), chi‐squared 6.8, OR 1.8, confidence interval (CI) 95%, p < 0.009. For our RA women, the chance of being affected by LVDD has almost doubled. There were 70 women affected by LVDD among 72 hypertensive women with RA (97.2%). A total of 32 women were affected by LVDD among 98 hypertensive women in the CG (32.7%), chi‐squared 72.1, OR 7.2, CI 95%, p < 0.009. Among hypertensive PMW in our population, the chance of being affected by LVDD has more than tripled. All LVDD subjects had abnormal diastolic function for all different degrees.

Conclusion

We propose that PMW, affected by RA, have a significantly higher prevalence than CG of LVDD without clinical evidence of heart disease. Since the prevalence is even higher if they are hypertensive, we suggest a Doppler echocardiography examination for all women with a diagnosis of RA.
Impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on exercise tolerance and patient outcomes with Phase III cardiac rehabilitation in Japan: A multicenter study
Authors: Kitayama Tatsuro , Mikami Kenta , Usui Naoto , Emori Ryo , Tsuji Taishi , Maruyama Yasuyuki , Harada Tadanori
Published: April 2023

This study aimed to determine how behavioural restrictions due to the emergency declaration following the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic affect exercise tolerance and its outcomes in patients in Phase III cardiac rehabilitation programme. This is a multicenter retrospective cohort study. Participants in outpatient cardiac rehabilitation programmes and cardiopulmonary exercise testing before and after the emergency declarations were included. A total of 90 participants were included (median age 75.0 years, 69% male), and the changes in physical function and exercise tolerance were compared before and after the emergency declaration. Patients were divided into a decline‐in‐peak oxygen uptake (VO2) group and a nondecline‐in‐peak VO2 group. Comparison before and after the emergency declaration showed that the anaerobic threshold declined significantly and peak VO2 exhibited a downward trend. The decline‐in‐peak VO2 group consisted of 16 patients (17%) with better exercise tolerance, multiple comorbidities, and declined lower extremity muscle strength. These patients also had a higher rate of subsequent composite events (hazard ratio, 5.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.4–18.8, p = 0.01). Before and after the emergency declaration, the patient's exercise tolerance may decline, leading to a poor prognosis. This study suggests the importance of maintaining exercise tolerance during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
‘Going global’ and pollution in home country: Evidence from Chinese industrial firms
Authors: Lin Xi , He Ling‐Yun
Published: April 2023

The relationship between international investment and the environment is always concerned around the world, but the literature mainly focuses on the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) (especially from developed countries to developing countries). Currently, many developing countries have regarded outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) as a critical task of economic development and encourage firms to ‘Going global’. After OFDI, how do firms' pollution emissions change? In this study, we employ the data of Chinese industrial firms to empirically answer this question. In particular, we combine inverse probability weighted matching with a difference‐in‐difference approach to identify the causal effect of OFDI on firm‐level pollution emissions. Our result indicates that OFDI leads to the reduction in both emission intensity and emission levels. This pollution reduction is driven by improving abatement technology and decreasing energy intensity. It potentially implies that OFDI reduces pollution emissions mainly through the ‘reverse technology spillover’ effect rather than ‘pollution transfer’ effect. In addition, pollution reductions caused by OFDI are prominent for local production OFDI and resource exploitation OFDI, OFDI to high‐income countries as well as capital‐intensive industries. Overall, this study not only provides an initial evidence for the relationship between OFDI and the environment at the firm level but also provides enlightenments for international investment and sustainable development.
Long‐term outcome in patients with mantle cell lymphoma following high‐dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation
Authors: Metzner Bernd , Müller Thomas H. , Casper Jochen , Kimmich Christoph , Köhne Claus‐Henning , Petershofen Eduard , Renzelmann Andrea , Thole Ruth , Voss Andreas , Dreyling Martin , Hoster Eva , Klapper Wolfram , Pott Christiane
Published: April 2023

Background

Long‐term clinical and molecular remissions in patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) have been evaluated in only a few studies.

Design and Methods

Sixty‐five patients with MCL received ASCT (54 first‐line ASCT, 10 second‐line ASCT, and 1 third‐line ASCT). In the case of long‐term remission (≥5 years; n = 27), peripheral blood was tested for minimal residual disease (MRD) by t(11;14)‐ and IGH‐PCR at the last follow‐up.

Results

Ten‐year overall survival (OS), progression‐free survival (PFS), and freedom from progression (FFP) after first‐line ASCT were 64%, 52%, and 59% versus after second‐line ASCT 50%, 20%, and 20%, respectively. Five‐year OS, PFS, and FFP for the first‐line cohort were 79%, 63%, and 69%, respectively. Five‐year OS, PFS, and FFP after second‐line ASCT were 60%, 30%, and 30%, respectively. Treatment‐related mortality (3 months after ASCT) was 1.5%. So far 26 patients developed sustained long‐term clinical and molecular complete remissions of up to 19 years following ASCT in first treatment line.

Conclusion

Sustained long‐term clinical and molecular remissions are achievable following ASCT.
Cytokine profile of the epidermis is region specific and may determine the characteristics of inflammation
Authors: Szabó Lilla , Dajnoki Zsolt , Somogyi Orsolya , Gáspár Krisztián , Hendrik Zoltán , Szabó Imre Lőrinc , Szöllősi Attila Gábor , Dinya Tamás , Törőcsik Dániel , Kapitány Anikó , Szegedi Andrea
Published: April 2023

Recent data indicate that distinct skin areas show different microbial/chemical milieu. Keratinocytes (KC) respond to these stimuli by producing cytokine mediators. Therefore, we aimed to determine KC‐derived cytokine expression in distinct healthy skin regions (gland‐poor [GP], sebaceous gland‐rich [SGR] and apocrine gland‐rich [AGR]), and their changes in skin diseases of the given regions (atopic dermatitis [AD], papulopustular rosacea [PPR] and psoriasis). Cytokines were analysed at the mRNA and protein levels, and literature analysis was performed for functional categorization. The three regions showed characteristically different cytokine patterns. GP was featured by an IL‐25/IL‐33/IL‐36RA/IL‐38/IL‐18 cytokine milieu, SGR was characterized by IL‐23/IL‐17C/IL‐18, and AGR skin exhibited a mixed IL‐25/IL‐33/IL‐23/IL‐18 profile. Literature analyses revealed different homeostatic and proinflammatory roles of these cytokine patterns (Th2 related in GP, Th17 related in SGR and mixed Th2/Th17 in AGR). In skin diseases which are primarily epidermal cytokine‐driven (AD, PPR), the level of the regionally characteristic cytokines were further elevated, in contrast to the autoantigen‐driven psoriasis, where the cytokine pattern was independent from the localization. Healthy skin regions are equipped with different KC‐derived cytokine profiles, which may influence each region's capability of mediator production in certain types of dermatoses.
Review of audio deepfake detection techniques: Issues and prospects
Authors: Dixit Abhishek , Kaur Nirmal , Kingra Staffy
Published: April 2023

In the past years, multimedia content has improved in realism and plausibility owing to the development of deep learning techniques, particularly the generative adversarial networks and variational auto‐encoders. Though digital content, especially digital movies shot from a certain viewpoint gives a true representation of reality, yet the ubiquitous usage of content manipulation techniques casts doubt on its veracity. Deepfaking an AI based tampering technique, is able to map facial and acoustic features of a source person onto the target with an intention to make target say or enact the things that has not happened in real. Numerous approaches have been proposed in the literature for detection of image and video deepfakes. With technological advancement, researchers have also started to examine audio deepfakes and ways to detect them. As there is currently no comprehensive overview of audio deepfake generation and detection techniques, this paper aims to provide a survey of the relevant literature in this area. This survey paper intends to help research fraternity about the available audio generation and detection approaches for design of reliable detection models in future to classify fake and real audios.