bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reconquest, Reconstruction, Resumption: Churching Poland after the Second World War
Authors: Bjork James
Published: April 2024

This article examines how the Roman Catholic Church in Poland navigated the enormous increase in church buildings at its disposal at the end of the Second World War. This expansion was largely due to the mass acquisition of post-German churches in lands transferred from Germany to Poland. But rapid reconstruction of most of the churches destroyed during the war as well as the resumption of new construction also played a role. Although access to increased worship space might seem to have been a boon for Poland’s postwar Catholic Church, the appropriation, reconstruction and completion of thousands of church buildings presented the church with an array of challenges. Refounding local Polish religious life in post-German, and often post-Protestant, houses of worship raised difficult questions about how various constituencies in newly formed communities could be made to feel at home in their new surroundings. Trade-offs between the expectations and customs of divergent groups were exacerbated by the prominence within the postwar church of Catholics who were themselves post-German, having spent the war categorized as German before being recategorized as Polish after 1945. Close attention to how Polish Catholics encountered new sacred spaces and one another reveals the complex negotiations and balancing acts required to form an ostensibly homogeneous religious-national community.
The effects of immortalization on the N-glycome and proteome of CDK4-transformed lung cancer cells
Authors: Alvarez Michael Russelle S , Moreno Patrick Gabriel , Grijaldo-Alvarez Sheryl Joyce B , Yadlapati Anirudh , Zhou Qingwen , Narciso Michelle P , Completo Gladys Cherisse , Nacario Ruel C , Rabajante Jomar F , Heralde Francisco M , Lebrilla Carlito B
Published: April 2024

Biological experiments are often conducted in vitro using immortalized cells due to their accessibility and ease of propagation compared to primary cells and live animals. However, immortalized cells may present different proteomic and glycoproteomic characteristics from the primary cell source due to the introduction of genes that enhance proliferation (e.g. CDK4) or enable telomere lengthening. To demonstrate the changes in phenotype upon CDK4-transformation, we performed LC-MS/MS glycomic and proteomic characterizations of a human lung cancer primary cell line (DTW75) and a CDK4-transformed cell line (GL01) derived from DTW75. We observed that the primary and CDK4-transformed cells expressed significantly different levels of sialylated, fucosylated, and sialofucosylated N-glycans. Specifically, the primary cells expressed higher levels of hybrid- and complex-type sialylated N-glycans, while CDK4-transformed cells expressed higher levels of complex-type fucosylated and sialofucosylated N-glycans. Further, we compared the proteomic differences between the cell lines and found that CDK4-transformed cells expressed higher levels of RNA-binding and adhesion proteins. Further, we observed that the CDK4-transformed cells changed N-glycosylation after 31 days in cell culture, with a decrease in high-mannose and increase in fucosylated, sialylated, and sialofucosylated N-glycans. Identifying these changes between primary and CDK4-transformed cells will provide useful insight when adapting cell lines that more closely resemble in vivo physiological conditions.
Durability of the First Biologic in Children and Adults With Ulcerative Colitis: A Nationwide Study from the epi-IIRN
Authors: Atia Ohad , Friss Chagit , Focht Gili , Magen Rimon Ramit , Ledderman Natan , Greenfeld Shira , Ben-Tov Amir , Loewenberg Weisband Yiska , Matz Eran , Gorelik Yuri , Chowers Yehuda , Dotan Iris , Turner Dan
Published: April 2024

Background

In this nationwide study, our objective was to compare the durability of first-line biologics in ulcerative colitis (UC), categorized into monotherapy and combotherapy with immunomodulators.

Methods

We utilized data from the nationwide epi-IIRN cohort from 2005 to 2020. Durability was defined as consistent treatment without surgery. Comparisons were based on stringent propensity score-matching.

Results

We included 15 111 patients with UC, of whom 2322 (15%) received biologics, with a median follow-up of 7.0 years (interquartile range, 3.8-11.0). The durability rate was similar between pediatric-onset and adults after 1 and 5 years from initiation of treatment (72% and 43% vs 71% and 43%, respectively; P = .8). Durability of adalimumab vs infliximab after 1 or 5 years was similar, whether prescribed as monotherapy (65%/46% vs 63%/33%, respectively; n = 182 matched pairs, P = .3) or combotherapy (78%/56% vs 91%/58%, respectively; n = 46 matched pairs, P = .4). Durability of infliximab was higher as combotherapy (85%/50%) vs monotherapy (69%/42%; n = 174 matched pairs, P = .007), while it was similar for adalimumab (80%/52% vs 74%/52%; n = 53 matched pairs, P = .4). The durability rate was similar for vedolizumab monotherapy (77%/56%) compared with adalimumab monotherapy (69%/52%; n = 125 matched patients, P = .1), and infliximab monotherapy (73%/55% vs 62%/44%; n = 78 matched patients, P = .1). However, combotherapy of antitumor necrosis factors (TNFs) had longer durability than vedolizumab (85%/50% vs 75%/43%, respectively; n = 131 matched pairs, P = .02).

Conclusion

After 5 years of treatment, 43% of the patients with UC sustained their first biologic, with similar durability in pediatric and adult-onset onset disease. Anti-TNFs had similar durability to vedolizumab and superior durability when prescribed as combotherapy.
Modeling bycatch abundance in tropical tuna purse seine fisheries on floating objects using the Δ method
Authors: Dumont Agathe , Duparc Antoine , Sabarros Philippe S , Kaplan David M
Published: April 2024

Bycatch rates are essential to estimating fishery impacts and making management decisions, but data on bycatch are often limited. Tropical tuna purse seine (PS) fisheries catch numerous bycatch species, including vulnerable silky sharks. Even if bycatch proportion is relatively low, impacts on pelagic ecosystems may be important due to the large size of these fisheries. Partial observer coverage of bycatch is a major impediment to assessing impacts. Here we develop a generic Δ modeling approach for predicting catch of four major bycatch species, including silky sharks, in floating object-associated fishing sets of the French Indian Ocean PS fleet from 2011 to 2018 based on logbook and observer data. Cross-validation and variable selection are used to identify optimal models consisting of a random forest model for presence–absence and a negative binomial general-additive model for abundance when present. Though models explain small to moderate amounts of variance (5–15%), they outperform a simpler approach commonly used for reporting, and they allow us to estimate total annual bycatch for the four species with robust estimates of uncertainty. Interestingly, uncertainty relative to mean catch is lower for top predators than forage species, consistent with these species having similar behavior and ecological niches to tunas.
Why should scientists lead? To underpin policy on marine and polar ecosystems
Authors: Misund Ole Arve
Published: April 2024

I recount my personal history, beginning as a young fisherman, becoming an academic fisheries biologist, and ultimately a leader of institutions dedicated to marine and polar research, higher education, and advising policymakers. After my dissertation in the early 1990s, I embarked on an active research career at the Institute of Marine Research (IMR) in Bergen, Norway, developing a sonar method to estimate the abundance of schooling, pelagic fish. My career then transitioned to middle leadership—15 years as Section Leader and Research Director at IMR—followed by >10 years as a top leader for The University Centre in Svalbard, the National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research, and finally the Norwegian Polar Institute. I describe the major challenges, opportunities, and processes these leadership roles have entailed. I hope to send a positive message about the influential role of science, and the necessity of clear communication of results and advice at a time when there is a sense of urgency.
Public Opinion and Drone Exports: Evidence from a Conjoint Experiment in the United States
Authors: Lushenko Paul
Published: April 2024

Drones are now a mainstay in war. Yet not all countries can manufacture armed and networked drones, heightening global demand. While some drone-manufacturing countries have adopted permissive export policies, U.S. policymakers have been more restrictive, citing international legal commitments and domestic export controls. In this study, I consider drone exports as a question of both political economy and public opinion. I derive and test hypotheses about public support for drone exports through a conjoint survey experiment administered in the United States. I find that perceived alignment between the recipient country and United States, as well as the intended use of drones, are the most important factors shaping public support for drone exports. Export control measures are less relevant to public opinion. These findings offer the first experimental evidence about public opinion for drone exports, which have implications for the political economy of security and policies relating to the export of military technologies.
Breakdown of a concavity property of mutual information for non-Gaussian channels
Authors: Kireeva Anastasia , Mourrat Jean-Christophe
Published: April 2024

Let $S$ and $\tilde S$ be two independent and identically distributed random variables, which we interpret as the signal, and let $P_{1}$ and $P_{2}$ be two communication channels. We can choose between two measurement scenarios: either we observe $S$ through $P_{1}$ and $P_{2}$, and also $\tilde S$ through $P_{1}$ and $P_{2}$; or we observe $S$ twice through $P_{1}$, and $\tilde{S}$ twice through $P_{2}$. In which of these two scenarios do we obtain the most information on the signal $(S, \tilde S)$? While the first scenario always yields more information when $P_{1}$ and $P_{2}$ are additive Gaussian channels, we give examples showing that this property does not extend to arbitrary channels. As a consequence of this result, we show that the continuous-time mutual information arising in the setting of community detection on sparse stochastic block models is not concave, even in the limit of large system size. This stands in contrast to the case of models with diverging average degree, and brings additional challenges to the analysis of the asymptotic behavior of this quantity.
Correction to the paper “The polynomial sieve and equal sums of like polynomials” (IMRN, Vol. 2015, No. 7, 1987–2019)
Authors: Browning Tim D
Published: April 2024

This paper corrects an error in an earlier work of the author.
Absent Objects and the Study of Material Religion
Authors: Patterson Sara M , Newell Quincy D
Published: April 2024

This article explores how absent objects continue to work on religious communities using two case studies: the gold plates from which Joseph Smith said he translated the Book of Mormon, and the first 116 manuscript pages of that translation. Neither of these objects are available to believers now, but they played and continue to play an outsized role in the early history of the Mormon tradition, but in different ways. Based on these case studies, this article argues that scholars of material religion need to attend to the absence of objects in their explorations of how religious assemblages operate.
Exploratory factor analysis of the Illness Intrusiveness Rating Scale for parents of children with atypical genital appearance due to differences of sex development (DSD)
Authors: DeLone Alexandra M , Fisher Rachel S , Traino Katherine A , Basile Nathan L , Buchanan Cindy L , Cheng Earl Y , Poppas Dix P , Baraldi Amanda N , Wisniewski Amy B , Mullins Larry L
Published: April 2024

Objective

Illness intrusiveness refers to the subjective cognitive appraisal of a chronic health condition interfering in daily, valued activities and may be highly relevant for parents of children with atypical genital appearance due to differences of sex development (DSD). However, a measure of illness intrusiveness has not been validated for this population. The current study aimed to evaluate the factor structure of the Illness Intrusiveness Scale for Parents (IIS-P) and examine convergent validity.

Methods

Participants included 102 parents (Mage = 33.39 years, SD = 6.48; 58% mothers) of 65 children (<2 years old) diagnosed with DSD participating in a larger, longitudinal study. Parents completed the IIS-P as well as self-report measures of stigma, and anxious and depressive symptoms. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted.

Results

EFA results supported a 1-factor intrusiveness solution (α = .93), as well as a 2-factor solution measuring intrusiveness on daily living (α = .92) and community connectedness (α = .85). The 1-factor solution and both factors of the 2-factor solution demonstrated significant convergent validity with stigma as well as anxious and depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

Support emerged for both 1- and 2-factor solutions of the IIS-P in parents of children with DSD. The decision to evaluate illness intrusiveness as a total score or to examine the subscales of daily living and community connectedness should be tailored to the unique aims of researchers and clinicians. Future research should conduct a confirmatory factor analysis with both 1- and 2-factor models with larger, more diverse samples of caregivers.
Serum microRNA‑122 for assessment of acute liver injury in patients with extensive skeletal muscle damage
Authors: Zhang Yu , Ong Chui Mei , Lynch Kara , Waksman Javier , Wu Alan H B
Published: April 2024

Background

Serum level of microRNA-122 (miR-122) has been reported as a sensitive diagnostic biomarker for detecting liver injury, comparable to the aminotransferases. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities are increased in other conditions, such as acute skeletal muscle injury (ASMI). We determined whether miR-122 is nonspecifically increased in patients suffering from ASMI.

Methods

We measured ALT, AST, creatine kinase (CK), and miR-122 in 3 groups: healthy controls (n = 24), patients with ASMI (total n = 29, 11 with recreational drug use and 18 without recreational drug use), and patients with acute liver injury (ALI; n = 14).

Results

Levels of ALT, AST, and CK increased 83%, 97%, and 100% for patients with ASMI and 100% for all 3 enzymes in ALI patients. In contrast, miR-122 increased in 34% of patients with ASMI (44.4% with recreational drug use and 18.2% without recreational drug use) and 100% of ALI patients. In 2 drug-induced liver injury cases, miR-122 increased about 12-24 hours before ALT and AST.

Conclusion

Recreational drug misuse is associated with both rhabdomyolysis and drug-induced liver injury (DILI). The traditional liver function markers AST and ALT were nonspecifically increased in the majority of patients with ASMI. miR-122 is only increased in patients at risk for DILI and demonstrates superior specificity for liver injury.
Rapid Freezing and Cryo-SEM–EDS Imaging of Foraminifera (Unicellular Eukaryotes) Using a Conductive Viscous Cryogenic Glue
Authors: Okada Satoshi , Richirt Julien , Tame Akihiro , Nomaki Hidetaka
Published: April 2024

Spatial distribution of water-soluble molecules and ions in living organisms is still challenging to assess. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) via cryogenic scanning electron microscopy (cryo-SEM) is one of the promising methods to study them without loss of dissolved contents. High-resolution cryo-SEM–EDS has challenges in sample preparation, including cross-section exposure and sample drift/charging due to insulative surrounding water. The former becomes problematic for large and inseparable organisms, such as benthic foraminifera, a unicellular eukaryote playing significant roles in marine ecosystems, which often exceed the size limit for the most reliable high-pressure freezing. Here we show graphite oxide dispersed in sucrose solution as a good glue to freeze, expose cross-section by cryo-ultramicrotome, and analyze elemental distribution owing to the glue's high viscosity, adhesion force, and electron conductivity. To demonstrate the effectiveness and applicability of the glue for cryo-SEM–EDS, deep-sea foraminifer Uvigerina akitaensis was sampled during a cruise and plunge frozen directly on the research vessel, where the liquid nitrogen supply is limited. The microstructures were preserved as faithfully in cryo-SEM images as those with the conventional resin-substituted transmission electron micrograph. We found elements colocalized within the cytoplasm originating from water-soluble compounds that can be lost with conventional dehydrative fixation.
Sub-surface Imaging of Porous GaN Distributed Bragg Reflectors via Backscattered Electrons
Authors: Sarkar Maruf , Adams Francesca , Dar Sidra A , Penn Jordan , Ji Yihong , Gundimeda Abhiram , Zhu Tongtong , Liu Chaowang , Hirshy Hassan , Massabuau Fabien C P , O’Hanlon Thomas , Kappers Menno J , Ghosh Saptarsi , Kusch Gunnar , Oliver Rachel A
Published: April 2024

In this article, porous GaN distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs) were fabricated by epitaxy of undoped/doped multilayers followed by electrochemical etching. We present backscattered electron scanning electron microscopy (BSE-SEM) for sub-surface plan-view imaging, enabling efficient, non-destructive pore morphology characterization. In mesoporous GaN DBRs, BSE-SEM images the same branching pores and Voronoi-like domains as scanning transmission electron microscopy. In microporous GaN DBRs, micrographs were dominated by first porous layer features (45 nm to 108 nm sub-surface) with diffuse second layer (153 nm to 216 nm sub-surface) contributions. The optimum primary electron landing energy (LE) for image contrast and spatial resolution in a Zeiss GeminiSEM 300 was approximately 20 keV. BSE-SEM detects porosity ca. 295 nm sub-surface in an overgrown porous GaN DBR, yielding low contrast that is still first porous layer dominated. Imaging through a ca. 190 nm GaN cap improves contrast. We derived image contrast, spatial resolution, and information depth expectations from semi-empirical expressions. These theoretical studies echo our experiments as image contrast and spatial resolution can improve with higher LE, plateauing towards 30 keV. BSE-SEM is predicted to be dominated by the uppermost porous layer’s uppermost region, congruent with experimental analysis. Most pertinently, information depth increases with LE, as observed.
Differentiating risk: The association between relationship type and risk of repeat victimization of domestic abuse
Authors: Weir Ruth
Published: April 2024

Much of the literature on domestic abuse focuses on those in intimate partner relationships or ex-partners, however, in the UK the Home Office definition also includes those in familial relationships. The Domestic Abuse, Stalking, and Harassment and Honour-Based Violence Risk Assessment assumes homogeneous risk factors across all relationships. This paper therefore examines the risk factors for repeat victimization of domestic abuse by relationship type between the victim and perpetrator in a UK police force. Using police-recorded domestic abuse incident and crime data, a logistic regression model found that the most similar repeat victimization risk profiles for 14,519 victims were amongst partners and ex-partners, with both relationships demonstrating the greatest degree of gender asymmetry, compared with other familial relationships. Physical violence was the strongest predictor of repeat victimization and was a statistically significant predictor for ex-partners, partners, and all familial relationships. Coercive behaviour was also a significant predictor for all relationships apart from partners, but not at the same magnitude as physical abuse. Recognizing the difference in risk by relationship type may assist the police in deciding the most appropriate response and interventions to reduce the risk of further harm.
Correlation Between Cortical Thickness Abnormalities of the Olfactory Sulcus and Olfactory Identification Disorder and Persistent Auditory Verbal Hallucinations in Chinese Patients With Chronic Schizophrenia
Authors: Ren Honghong , Li Zongchang , Li Jinguang , Zhou Jun , He Ying , Li Chunwang , Wang Qianjin , Chen Xiaogang , Tang Jinsong
Published: April 2024

Background and Hypothesis

Persistent auditory verbal hallucinations (pAVHs) and olfactory identification impairment are common in schizophrenia (SCZ), but the neuroimaging mechanisms underlying both pAVHs and olfactory identification impairment are unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether pAVHs and olfactory identification impairment in SCZ patients are associated with changes in cortical thickness.

Study Design

In this study, cortical thickness was investigated in 78 SCZ patients with pAVHs (pAVH group), 58 SCZ patients without AVHs (non-AVH group), and 83 healthy controls (HC group) using 3T magnetic resonance imaging. The severity of pAVHs was assessed by the Auditory Hallucination Rating Scale. Olfactory identification deficits were assessed using the Odor Stick Identification Test for Japanese (OSIT-J). In addition, the relationship between the severity of pAVHs and olfactory identification disorder and cortical thickness abnormalities was determined.

Study Results

Significant reductions in cortical thickness were observed in the right medial orbital sulcus (olfactory sulcus) and right orbital sulcus (H-shaped sulcus) in the pAVH group compared to both the non-AVH and HC groups (P < .003, Bonferroni correction). Furthermore, the severity of pAVHs was found to be negatively correlated with the reduction in cortical thickness in the olfactory sulcus and H-shaped sulcus. Additionally, a decrease in cortical thickness in the olfactory sulcus showed a positive correlation with the OSIT-J scores (P < .05, false discovery rate correction).

Conclusions

Cortical thickness abnormalities in the olfactory sulcus may be a common neuroimaging mechanism for pAVHs and olfactory identification deficits in SCZ patients.
Morphine Preconditioning Alleviates Ischemia/Reperfusion-induced Caspase-8–dependent Neuronal Apoptosis Through cPKCγ-NF-κB-cFLIPL Pathway
Authors: Huang Yaru , Chi Wenying , Li Yan , Zhang Chengzhen , Li Junfa , Meng Fanjun
Published: April 2024

Background:

Perioperative cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury is a major contributor to postoperative death and cognitive dysfunction in patients. It was reported that morphine preconditioning (MP) can mimic ischemia/hypoxia preconditioning to protect against ischemia/reperfusion injury. However, the mechanism of MP on the ischemia/reperfusion-induced neuronal apoptosis has not been fully clarified.

Methods:

The middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) model of mice and the oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) model in primary cortical neurons were used to mimic ischemic stroke. In vivo, the infarct size was measured by using TTC staining; NDSS, Longa score system, and beam balance test were performed to evaluate the neurological deficits of mice; the expression of the protein was detected by using a western blot. In vitro, the viability of neurons was determined by using CCK-8 assay; the expression of protein and mRNA were assessed by using western blot, RT-qPCR, and immunofluorescent staining; the level of apoptosis was detected by using TUNEL staining.

Results:

MP can improve the neurological functions of mice following MCAO/R (P<0.001, n=10 per group). MP can decrease the infarct size (P<0.001, n=10 per group) and the level of cleaved-caspase-3 of mice following MCAO/R (P<0.01 or 0.001, n=6 per group). MP can increase the levels of cPKCγ membrane translocation, p-p65, and cFLIPL, and decrease the levels of cleaved-caspase-8, 3 in neurons after OGD/R or MCAO/R 1 d (P<0.05, 0.01 or 0.001, n=6 per group). In addition, MP could alleviate OGD/R-induced cell apoptosis (P<0.001, n=6 per group).

Conclusion:

MP alleviates ischemia/reperfusion-induced Caspase 8-dependent neuronal apoptosis through the cPKCγ-NF-κB-cFLIPL pathway.
Association Between Opioid-Related Mortality and History of Surgical Procedure: A Population-Based Case-Control Study
Authors: Alsabbagh Mhd Wasem , Beazely Michael A. , Spasik Leona
Published: April 2024

Objective:

This study examined whether there is an association between opioid-related mortality and surgical procedures.

Methods:

A case-control study design using deceased controls compared individuals with and without opioid death and their exposure to common surgeries in the preceding 4 years. This population-based study used linked death and hospitalization databases in Canada (excluding Quebec) from January 01, 2008 to December 31, 2017. Cases of opioid death were identified and matched to 5 controls who died of other causes by age (±4 years), sex, province of death, and date of death (±1 year). Patients with HIV infection and alcohol-related deaths were excluded from the control group. Logistic regression was used to determine if there was an association between having surgery and death from an opioid-related cause by estimating the crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). Covariates included sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, and the number of days of hospitalization in the previous 4 years.

Results:

We identified 11,865 cases and matched them with 59,345 controls. About 11.2% of cases and 12.5% of controls had surgery in the 4 years before their death, corresponding to a crude OR of 0.89 (95% CI: 0.83–0.94). After adjustment, opioid mortality was associated with surgical procedure with OR of 1.26 (95% CI: 1.17–1.36).

Conclusions:

After adjusting for comorbidities, patients with opioid mortality were more likely to undergo surgical intervention within 4 years before their death. Clinicians should enhance screening for opioid use and risk factors when considering postoperative opioid prescribing.
5-Year Follow-Up of a Physician Performance Feedback Report Intervention to Reduce Overuse and Excess Cost: A National Cohort Study
Authors: Dun Chen , Walsh Christi M. , Hicks Caitlin W. , Stasko Thomas , Vidimos Allison T. , Leshin Barry , Billingsley Elizabeth M. , Coldiron Brett M. , Bennett Richard G. , Marks Victor J. , Otley Clark , Rogers Howard W. , Goldman Glenn D. , Albertini John G. , Makary Martin A.
Published: April 2024

BACKGROUND

Mohs micrographic surgery efficiently treats skin cancer through staged resection, but surgeons' varying resection rates may lead to higher medical costs.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the cost savings associated with a quality improvement.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The authors conducted a retrospective cohort study using 100% Medicare fee-for-service claims data to identify the change of mean stages per case for head/neck (HN) and trunk/extremity (TE) lesions before and after the quality improvement intervention from 2016 to 2021. They evaluated surgeon-level change in mean stages per case between the intervention and control groups, as well as the cost savings to Medicare over the same time period.

RESULTS

A total of 2,014 surgeons performed Mohs procedures on HN lesions. Among outlier surgeons who were notified, 31 surgeons (94%) for HN and 24 surgeons (89%) for TE reduced their mean stages per case with a median reduction of 0.16 and 0.21 stages, respectively. Reductions were also observed among outlier surgeons who were not notified, reducing their mean stages per case by 0.1 and 0.15 stages, respectively. The associated total 5-year savings after the intervention was 92 million USD.

CONCLUSION

The implementation of this physician-led benchmarking model was associated with broad reductions of physician utilization and significant cost savings.
The Impact of an Evidence-Based Bundle on Cesarean Section-Related Surgical Site Infections: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Gan Aditya , Khursheed Romana , Savanur Mahadevi , Dalal Anita , Maldar Arif
Published: April 2024

Objective

To compare the effectiveness of an evidence-based bundle in minimizing cesarean section (CS)-related surgical site infections (SSIs) with that of standard routine care.

Methods

This was a single-center, parallel, and randomized clinical trial conducted at KAHER’s Dr. Prabhakar Kore Charitable Hospital, Belagavi, India, from January 2021 to December 31, 2021. Three hundred twenty women undergoing CS delivery were selected and allocated into two groups (1:1) using simple randomization with fixed allocation. An evidence-based surgical bundle (a combination of more than three perioperative interventions) was used for the intervention group, whereas the control group received routine standard perioperative care. The primary outcome was the incidence of SSI (superficial, deep, and organ or space SSIs) within 6 weeks postpartum in both groups. Categorical and continuous data were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests with a significance threshold set at P < 0.05.

Results

In this study, 16 and 17 participants each from the control and intervention groups, respectively, were lost to follow-up, resulting in a total of 144 and 143 study participants included in the respective groups. Twenty-eight (19.4%) and 14 (9.8%) women developed SSI in the control and intervention groups, respectively (P = 0.02). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was the most common cause of SSI in both groups (63.6% (7/11) and 100% (3/3) in the control and intervention groups, respectively).

Conclusion

The use of the evidence-based bundle for CS-related SSI prevention effectively decreased the incidence of SSI by half compared to standard routine practice. Implementing the use of this bundle in routine perioperative care will reduce the cost of CS and improve health outcomes in CS.

Trial registration

Clinical Trials Registry-India (www.ctri.nic.in). Registration number: CTRI/2020/11/029246.
A meta-analysis of the incidence of acne vulgaris in patients treated with GLP-1 agonists
Authors: Ogunremi Oluwafunke O. , Ismail Sana F. , Dhami Ramneek K. , Newton Jazmin S. , Kindle Scott A. , Kozmenko Valeriy
Published: April 2024

Background:

With the emerging popularity of GLP-1 receptor agonists, patients are noticing acne vulgaris side effects that are seemingly related to the concurrent treatment with the drug. Due to the correspondence between these drugs’ relatively recent emergence in the U.S. market and their high demand, it is important to investigate what is currently known in the literature so that patients can be properly informed.

Objective:

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship, or lack thereof, between glucagon like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist usage and acne-related side effects in patients.

Methods:

A web-based analysis of 6 GLP-1 receptor agonists (3 with a once-weekly dosing schedule, and 3 with a once-daily dosing schedule) was conducted on PubMed online database. Boolean criteria were used to narrow the search. Included in the meta-analysis were 45 research articles that fulfilled the search criteria.

Results:

The results of the search showed that from the following long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonists, dulaglutide, exenatide extended release, and semaglutide (Wegovy), no conclusive acne side effects were reported. In addition, the results also showed that from the following short-acting GLP-1 receptor agonists, liraglutide, lixisenatide, and semaglutide (Rybelsus), no conclusive acne side effects were reported.

Limitations:

Limitations of this study include a limited amount of literature regarding the relationship between GLP-1 agonists and acne vulgaris.

Conclusion:

It is unlikely that GLP-1 agonists themselves are directly responsible for the acne that some patients may develop during treatment. Rather, it is more probable that the weight loss yielded by treatment with these drugs may induce intrinsic physiologic and hormonal changes that induce or exacerbate acne vulgaris in such patients.
Effect of extended precision nursing on neurobehavioral function and pregnancy outcome in patients with threatened abortion
Authors: Shen Lijun , Wei Chunqing , Wu Yalian , Wu Yayuan , Zheng Ying
Published: April 2024

This study aimed to assess the impact of continuous precision nursing on neurobehavioral function and pregnancy outcomes in patients experiencing threatened abortion. A total of 130 patients with early threatened abortion admitted to our hospital between October 2020 and January 2023 were selected and categorized into 2 groups based on intervention methods. The control group received routine nursing intervention, whereas the observation group received continuous precision nursing intervention. Changes in affective status scores, SF-36 scores, knowledge mastery scores, and satisfaction scores in the neurobehavioral function test before and after intervention were recorded in both groups. Additionally, pregnancy outcomes, obstetric adverse reaction rates, and neonatal conditions were documented. Following intervention, scores for tension–anxiety, depression–dejection, anger–hostility, vigor–activity, fatigue–inertia, and confusion–bewilderment gradually decreased in both groups, with significantly lower scores observed in the observation group compared to the control group (P < .05). SF-36 scores in 8 dimensions, including physical functioning, role-physical, bodily pain, and overall health rating, showed a gradual increase in both groups, with the observation group scoring higher than the control group (P < .05). Knowledge mastery and satisfaction scores also increased significantly after intervention, with the observation group surpassing the control group (P < .05). The observation group exhibited lower rates of abortion and premature birth, along with a higher rate of full-term pregnancy compared to the control group, with statistically significant differences (P < .05). Furthermore, the observation group displayed lower rates of adverse reactions and low birth weight infants, with significant differences compared to the control group (P < .05). No significant differences were observed in neonatal mortality and neonatal intensive care unit transfer rates between the observation and control groups (P > .05). Continuous precision nursing contributes to improved pregnancy outcomes for patients with threatened miscarriage within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. This comprehensive care approach is associated with enhanced knowledge retention, protection of neurological function, and an overall improvement in quality of life.
Comparison of sacubitril/valsartan with olmesartan for hypertension: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Sun Ying , Yang Hua
Published: April 2024

Introduction:

The efficacy of sacubitril/valsartan versus olmesartan remains controversial for the control of hypertension. We conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the influence of sacubitril/valsartan versus olmesartan on the control of hypertension.

Methods:

We have searched PubMed, Embase, Web of science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases through July 2023 for randomized controlled trials assessing the effect of sacubitril/valsartan versus olmesartan on the control of hypertension. This meta-analysis is performed using the random-effect model or fixed-effect model based on the heterogeneity.

Results:

Seven randomized controlled trials and 3677 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with olmesartan treatment for hypertension, sacubitril/valsartan treatment was associated with substantially decreased systolic blood pressure (mean difference [MD] = −4.58; 95% confidence interval [CI] = −7.90 to −1.25; P = .007), diastolic blood pressure (MD = −1.70; 95% CI = −3.24 to −0.17; P = .03), and pulse pressure (MD = −2.31; 95% CI = −4.41 to −0.21; P = .03), as well as improved systolic blood pressure control (odds ratio [OR] = 1.65; 95% CI = 1.15 to 2.38; P = .006), but had no influence on diastolic blood pressure control (OR = 1.33; 95% CI = 0.93 to 1.88; P = .11) or adverse events (OR = 1.06; 95% CI = 0.90 to 1.24; P = .51).

Conclusions:

Sacubitril/valsartan is better than olmesartan for the reduction of blood pressure for patients with hypertension.
Network pharmacology and molecular docking analysis on the mechanism of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook in the treatment of Sjögren syndrome
Authors: Wang Zelin , Xu Yanan , Liang Shufen
Published: April 2024

Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. F (TWH) has significant anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects, and is widely used in the inflammatory response mediated by autoimmune diseases. However, the multi-target mechanism of TWH action in Sjögren syndrome (SS) remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the molecular mechanism of TWH in the treatment of SS using network pharmacology and molecular docking methods. TWH active components and target proteins were screened from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform. SS-related targets were obtained from the GeneCards database. After overlap, the therapeutic targets of TWH in the treatment of SS were screened. Protein-protein interaction and core target analysis were performed by STRING network platform and Cytoscape software. In addition, the affinity between TWH and the disease target was confirmed by molecular docking. Finally, the DAVID (visualization and integrated) database was used for Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis of overlapping targets. The Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform database shows that TWH contains 30 active components for the treatment of SS. Protein-protein interaction and core target analysis suggested that TNF, MMP9, TGFB1, AKT1, and BCL2 were the key targets of TWH in the treatment of SS. In addition, the molecular docking method confirmed that the bioactive molecules of TWH had a high affinity with the target of SS. Enrichment analysis showed that TWH active components were involved in multiple signaling pathways. Pathways in cancer, Lipid and atherosclerosis, AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications is the main pathway. It is associated with a variety of biological processes such as inflammation, apoptosis, immune injury, and cancer. Based on data mining network pharmacology, and molecular docking method validation, TWH is likely to be a promising candidate for the treatment of SS drug, but still need to be further verified experiment.
Causal role of immune cells in inflammatory bowel disease: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Chen Haoyu , Li Qi , Gao Tianyu , Wang Yuhua , Ren Xuetong , Liu Shaowei , Zhang Shixiong , Zhou Pingping , Lyu Jingjing , Bai Haiyan , Wang Yangang
Published: April 2024

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by an inflammatory response closely related to the immune system, but the relationship between inflammation and IBD remains unclear. We performed a comprehensive 2-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to determine the causal relationship between immune cell characteristics and IBD. Using publicly available genetic data, we explored the relationship between 731 immune cell characteristics and IBD risk. Inverse-variance weighting was the primary analytical method. To test the robustness of the results, we used the weighted median-based, MR-Egger, simple mode, and mode-based methods. Finally, we performed a reverse MR analysis to assess the possibility of reverse causality. We identified suggestive associations between 2 immune cell traits and IBD risk (P = 4.18 × 10–5 for human leukocyte antigen-DR on CD14+ monocytes, OR: 0.902; 95% CI: 0.859–0.947; for CD39+ CD4+ T cells, P = 6.24 × 10–5; OR: 1.042; 95% CI: 1.021–1.063). Sensitivity analysis results of these immune cell traits were consistent. In reverse MR analysis, we found no statistically significant association between IBD and these 2 cell traits. Our study demonstrates the close connection between immune cells and IBD using MR, providing guidance for future clinical and basic research.
Efficacy of acupoint injection of metoclopramide for post-chemotherapy vomiting: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ai Manna , Cai Yahong , Zeng Ying , Xiong Dan
Published: April 2024

Background:

Vomiting is one of the most common adverse events of chemotherapy. The purpose of this study was to systematically review the clinical efficacy of acupoint injection of metoclopramide in the treatment of post-chemotherapy vomiting.

Methods:

We searched 4 general English databases and 4 conventional Chinese databases, all with a time frame from database creation to December 2022. The retrieved clinical trials of acupoint injection of metoclopramide for post-chemotherapy vomiting were then subjected to meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis.

Results:

A total of 12 studies were included, with a total sample size of 965 cases. Meta-analysis showed that acupoint injection of metoclopramide was effective in improving anti-vomiting effective rate [odds ratio = 5.67, 95% confidence interval = (3.80,8.47), P < .00001] compared with intramuscular/intravenous injection, and trial sequential analysis showed that this benefit was conclusive. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that acupoint injection significantly improved the anti-vomiting effective rate at doses of 10 mg qd, 20 mg qd, and 30 mg qd, as well as at durations of 1 day and 5 days. Subgroup analysis also indicated that injection at the Zusanli acupoint significantly increased the anti-vomiting effective rate, while injection at the Neiguan acupoint had an anti-vomiting effective rate comparable to that of the control group. Harbord regression showed no significant publication bias (P = .730).

Conclusion:

Acupoint injection of metoclopramide for post-chemotherapy vomiting is more effective than intramuscular and intravenous injections and is not limited by dose or duration of treatment, which may be the preferred way of administration.
Megalosplenia as an initial manifestation of multiple myeloma with a novel CYLD gene mutation: A case report and literature review
Authors: Zhang Jinjing , Zhang Rui
Published: April 2024

Introduction:

Megalosplenia in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) is extremely rare, posing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to its unusual location and clinical manifestations and lack of optimal therapeutic strategies.

Case presentation:

A 65-year-old female who was previously healthy presented with a history of ecchymosis on her right leg accompanied by progressive fatigue for 2 weeks. She was admitted to our center in July 2019 due to thrombocytopenia. The patient presented with megalosplenia, anemia, monoclonal protein (λ-light chain type) in the serum and urine, and 45.6% malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow. Splenectomy was performed due to persistent splenomegaly after 3 cycles of the bortezomib plus dexamethasone regimen, and immunohistochemistry results indicated λ-plasmacytoma of the spleen. The same cytogenetic and molecular abnormalities, including t(14;16), 14q32 amplification, 16q32 amplification, 20q12 amplification, and a novel CYLD gene mutation, were identified using fluorescence in situ hybridization and next-generation sequencing in both bone marrow and spleen samples. Therefore, a diagnosis of MM (λ-light chain type, DS III, ISS III, R-ISS III, high-risk) with spleen infiltration was proposed. The patient did not achieve remission after induction treatment with bortezomib plus lenalidomide and dexamethasone or salvage therapy with daratumumab plus ixazomib and dexamethasone. However, she ultimately did achieve very good partial remission with a regimen of bendamustine plus lenalidomide and dexamethasone. Unfortunately, she died of pneumonia associated with chemotherapy.

Conclusion:

To our knowledge, only 8 cases of spleen plasmacytoma at MM diagnosis have been described previously. Extramedullary myeloma patients with spleen involvement at diagnosis are younger and that the condition is usually accompanied by splenic rupture with aggressive clinical features and poor prognosis. Further studies are needed to explore pathogenesis and effective therapies to prolong the survival of such patients.
Liver regeneration of living donor after liver donation for transplantation: Disparity in the left and right remnant liver
Authors: Wang Wei-Cheng , Wu Tsung-Han , Hung Hao-Chien , Lee Jin-Chiao , Cheng Chih-Hsien , Wang Yu-Chao , Lee Chen-Fang , Wu Ting-Jung , Chou Hong-Shiue , Chan Kun-Ming , Lee Wei-Chen
Published: April 2024

Donor safety is crucial for living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), and sufficient liver regeneration significantly affects outcomes of living donors. This study aimed to investigate clinical factors associated with liver regeneration in living donors. The study retrospectively reviewed 380 living donors who underwent liver donation at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Linkou. The clinical characteristics and medical parameters of donors were analyzed and compared according to liver donation graft type. There were 355 donors (93.4%) with right hemi-liver donations and 25 donors (6.6%) with left hemi-liver donations. Left hemi-liver donors had a higher body mass index (BMI) and a larger ratio of remnant liver volume (RLV) to total liver volume (TLV). However, the 2 groups showed no significant difference in the liver regeneration ratio. The type of remnant liver (P < .001), RLV/body weight (P = .027), RLV/TLV (P < .001), serum albumin on postoperative day 7 and total bilirubin levels on postoperative day 30 were the most significant factors affecting liver regeneration in living donors. In conclusion, adequate liver regeneration is essential for donor outcome after liver donation. The remnant liver could eventually regenerate to an adequate volume similar to the initial TLV before liver donation. However, the remnant left hemi-liver had a faster growth rate than the remnant right hemi-liver in donors.
A nursing report on a corneal contact lens wearer receiving keratoplasty due to corneal ulcer and perforation caused by Pythium insidiosum infection: A case report
Authors: Lu Shui-hua , Qiao Dan-ni , Dong Pei-fang
Published: April 2024

Background:

To report the nursing experience of a case of corneal contact lens wearer receiving the 2nd keratoplasty due to corneal ulcer and perforation caused by Pythium insidiosum infection.

Methods:

A 30-year-old female patient had blurred vision after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty for a right corneal ulcer. At the 5th week, the right eye appeared the symptoms, such as redness and pain. The anterior segment photography was performed on the eye, and the result showed that the epithelium was missing in the right eye lesion area, and a large number of longitudinal and transversal streaks were visible from the epithelium to the stroma, with fungus filaments to be discharged. Upon macro-genome sequencing of the corneal secretion, a P. insidiosum infection was observed. Then, the patient underwent the keratoplasty, and 3 weeks later, the corneal implant showed a tendency to dissolve, the sutures were partially loosened, and the eye was almost blind. Subsequently, the patient was admitted to our hospital and subject to the 2nd penetrating keratoplasty of the right eye (allograft). After surgery, linezolid and azithromycin injections were given through intravenous drip and local drip of the eye for anti-inflammation, and tacrolimus eye drops for antirejection.

Results:

Postoperatively, the patient showed signs of recovery with slight corneal edema and visible pupil, leading to discharge with improved vision. The corneal implant was normal 1 week after surgery and the vision of the right eye was hand move/before eye at the 6th month of follow-up. Continuous care and removal of sutures 3 months post-surgery contributed to a successful outcome, with the patient achieving hand motion vision 6 months after the procedure.

Conclusion:

Corneal ulcer caused by P. insidiosum infection not only needs timely and effective keratoplasty intervention, but also requires perfect nursing measures.