bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
OCULAR DECOMPRESSION RETINOPATHY WITH BRANCH RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION MTHF-R GENETIC MUTATION
Authors: Benlahbib Manal , Huang Lydie J. , Cohen Salomon Yves , Souied Eric H.
Published: April 2022

Purpose:

An atypical case of a sectorial decompression retinopathy with branch retinal vein occlusion following trabeculectomy was reported and was diagnosed with optical coherence tomography angiography for which systemic genetic assessment revealed a MTHF-R mutation.

Method:

Single case report.

Results:

A 68-year-old woman diagnosed with an uncontrolled bilateral creeping angle glaucoma went through an uncomplicated trabeculectomy in both eyes. Best-corrected visual acuity was 20/20. Intraocular pressure changed from 28 mmHg preoperatively to 5 mmHG postoperatively in the right eye. On the first postoperative day, best-corrected visual acuity was 20/32 with intraocular pressure measured to 5 mmHg. Fundus examination revealed sectorial temporal hemorrhages with tortuous temporal superior retinal vein arcade and choroidal folds. Fluorescein angiography evidenced a slight delay in venous filling along the supratemporal arcade. Three months later, optical coherence tomography angiography showed macular capillary loops in the superotemporal area of the retina. This sectorial decompression retinopathy was evocative of a branch retinal vein occlusion. At 6 months, best-corrected visual acuity returned to 20/20, with full regression of the hemorrhages. Systemic workup was normal, but genetic assessment revealed a MTHF-R mutation.

Conclusion:

Retinal vein occlusion can be considered as a feature of ocular decompression retinopathy. The present case is the first case to associate branch retinal vein occlusion secondary to ocular decompression retinopathy to a MTHF-R mutation.
Working Conditions and the Components of Burnout Among Nursing Staff in a Public Hospital in Mexico City
Authors: MOLINA ZAVALA Brenda I. , ZAMORA-MACORRA Mireya , MARTÍNEZ ALCÁNTARA Susana
Published: April 2022

Background

Working conditions in public hospitals in Mexico City are highly demanding. The need for healthcare is pressing, materials and instruments are scarce, and exposure to pain and suffering is constant. These adverse conditions have an adverse impact on the physical and mental health of healthcare professionals. The nursing staffs are among those who are most affected, and they frequently experience burnout syndrome or one of its several dimensions, including emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment.

Purpose

The aim of this research was to analyze the relationship among working conditions, related stress, and the dimensions of burnout syndrome in a tertiary care public hospital in Mexico City.

Methods

A cross-sectional design was applied on a random sample of 190 nurses in a public hospital in Mexico City. Working conditions and burnout syndrome were evaluated using standardized instruments. Adjusted prevalence ratios were calculated. Three clusters, one for each burnout dimension, were generated and then evaluated using a correspondence analysis with labor characteristics.

Results

One quarter (25%) of the participants self-reported a sense of personal accomplishment, and 12% reported emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. The labor variables that were found to be associated with the dimensions of burnout were workload, performing potentially hazardous work, and conducting tedious tasks. Positive conditions were shown to decrease the prevalence of burnout in all three dimensions.

Conclusions/Implications for Practice

Working conditions for nursing staff impact the mental health of nurses and affect the quality of the healthcare they provide. The set of work demands and stressors to which they are exposed should be controlled and modified to ensure a healthy work environment.
Injection granuloma mimicking soft tissue sarcoma following seasonal influenza vaccine administration
Authors: Toci Gregory R. , LiBrizzi Christa L. , Bressner Jarred A. , Levin Adam Scott , Morris Carol D.
Published: April 2022

Rationale:

Soft tissue masses are common within the general population with a minority diagnosed as soft tissue neoplasms. Differing between benign and malignant soft tissue processes can be a challenge given the overlapping clinical and imaging characteristics. We present the case of a 69-year-old female referred to the Orthopaedic Oncology Service for evaluation of a suspected soft tissue sarcoma in the upper arm.

Patient Concerns:

She reported a mass localized over the deltoid with associated tenderness 1 month after influenza vaccination.

Diagnosis:

After thorough consideration of the patient's clinical course, history, advanced imaging, and physical examination, the diagnosis of injection granuloma associated with recent influenza vaccination was considered.

Interventions:

Biopsy was deferred and close interval follow-up with clinical and imaging evaluation revealed a resolving process.

Outcomes:

The patient was followed until complete resolution of all symptoms, which occurred 5 months after initial presentation.

Lessons:

It was hypothesized that due the patient's body habitus, the injection contents intended for intramuscular administration remained in the subcutaneous tissues and elicited a granulomatous reaction. This case highlights several important factors for physicians to consider in the work up of suspicious masses for which injection granuloma is on the differential diagnosis.
Efficacy of GMI, a fungal immunomodulatory protein, for head and neck cancer patients with chemotherapy-related oral mucositis
Authors: Lu Hsueh-Ju , Li Che-Hsing , Kang Yu-Ting , Wu Chi-Mei , Wu Chih-Hsien , Ko Jiunn-Liang , Wu Ming-Fang
Published: April 2022

Background:

Cancer patients usually suffer from intensive chemotherapy-related oral mucositis (OM), yet limited effective treatment can rapidly alleviate OM severity.

Methods:

This prospective study examined the efficacy of Reishimmune-S containing one fungal immunomodulatory protein, GMI on OM in patients with head and neck cancer. Patients with head and neck cancer and the diagnosis of chemotherapy-related OM were enrolled randomizedly to receive standard supportive care with/without Reishimmune-S 500 mg/day orally for consecutive 14 days. Due to intolerance to standard supportive care alone in the control arm, only the experimental arm with Reishimmune-S supplementation was analyzed in our trial. OM grading was evaluated as the primary outcome on day 1, 8, and 15. Secondary outcomes were absolute neutrophil counts and quality of life assessed by the EORTC-QLQ-H&N 35 questionnaire on day 1, 8, and 15.

Results:

Reishimmune-S supplement significantly reduced OM grading both at day 8 and 15. Trouble with social contact and weight loss conditions were also improved by Reishimmune-S. Reishimmune-S did not significantly affect absolute neutrophil counts during the 15-day follow-up.

Conclusion:

Reishimmune-S supplement potentially alleviates the severity of chemotherapy-mediated OM.
A prenatal case of Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome type 1 with a 0.26-Mb deletion fragment at Xq26.2 inherited from mother
Authors: Sha Jing , Tan Fangfang , Liu Ying , Xu Zaochun , Wang Xuezhen , Zhai Jingfang
Published: April 2022

Rationale:

The purpose of this report was to explore how to manage the fetus of Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome type 1 (SGBS1) and to provide a definite diagnosis to guide the following genetic counseling for the pregnancy.

Patient concerns:

A 24-year-old women, gravida 1, para 0, was 172 cm tall with weight 65 kg. She was referred to our center for counseling due to second-trimester ultrasound screening anomalies at 22 + 5 weeks of gestation age. Meanwhile the ultrasound examination indicated the overgrowth of the fetus. She and her husband were healthy and nonconsanguineous without family history.

Diagnoses:

The karyotype and copy number variations sequencing (CNV-seq) combined with fetal ultrasound manifestation confirmed the diagnosis of SGBS1.

Interventions:

No treatment for the fetus.

Outcomes:

Pregnancy was terminated.

Lessions:

Once fetal overgrowth and other malformation are revealed in prenatal ultrasound, although without polyhydramnios and organomegaly, SGBS1 should be considered and further genetic testing such as CNV-seq and whole exon sequencing should be conducted to help clinicians provide a definite diagnosis to guide the following genetic counseling and the next pregnancy.
Diagnostic value of a liver biopsy in patients with an acute liver failure or acute liver injury
Authors: Hunyady Peter , Herrmann Eva , Bojunga Joerg , Friedrich-Rust Mireen , Pathil Anita , Zeuzem Stefan , Mihm Ulrike
Published: April 2022

Objectives

The diagnostic value of liver biopsy in patients with acute liver injury or acute liver failure (ALI/ALF) was investigated.

Methods

Data from the initial event and follow-up visits were retrospectively analyzed in all patients with a liver biopsy during ALI/ALF from January 2010 to May 2020 at the University Hospital Frankfurt, Germany.

Results

The cohort comprised 66 patients. Post-biopsy hemorrhage occurred in 2 of 66 but was self-limited. In five patients suspected liver involvement by a systemic extrahepatic disease was confirmed and excluded in eight patients. In 4 of 66 patients, the etiology of ALI/ALF remained unknown. Liver biopsy hinted at the etiology of ALI/ALF in 2 of 6 patients with rare diagnoses (hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: 2 of 66; ischemic liver injury: 1 of 66, ALI/ALF due to a systemic infection: 3 of 66). In 31 of 34 patients with drug-induced liver injury (DILI), histopathology suggested DILI; in further 2 patients, DILI was among the differential diagnoses. However, DILI was also the histopathologically preferred diagnosis in 12 of 15 patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Only in 3 of 15 patients, histopathology was considered compatible with AIH. Serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and autoantibodies during ALI/ALF were higher in patients with AIH than with DILI. Patients with AIH did not show a more pronounced biochemical response to corticosteroids in the first 10 days of treatment than patients with DILI.

Conclusions

Liver biopsy is indispensable when liver involvement by an extrahepatic disease is suspected. To distinguish AIH from DILI in ALI/ALF, serum IgG, and autoantibodies seem more helpful than liver biopsy; long-term follow-up is needed in these patients.
Transesophageal endoscopic ultrasound in the diagnosis of the lung masses: a multicenter experience with fine-needle aspiration and fine-needle biopsy needles
Authors: Mangiavillano Benedetto , Spatola Federica , Facciorusso Antonio , De Nucci Germana , Ligresti Dario , Henry Eusebi Leonardo , Lisotti Andrea , Auriemma Francesco , Lamonaca Laura , Paduano Danilo , Crinò Stefano , Scarlata Simone , Troncone Edoardo , Del Vecchio Blanco Giovanna , Manes Giampiero , Traina Mario , Bertani Alessandro , Ofosu Andrew , Binda Cecilia , Fabbri Carlo , Muscatiello Nicola , Fusaroli Pietro , Repici Alessandro , Carrara Silvia
Published: April 2022

Background and aim

Intraparenchymal lung masses inaccessible through bronchoscopy or endobronchial ultrasound guidance pose a diagnostic challenge. Furthermore, some fragile or hypoxic patients may be poor candidates for transbronchial approaches. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration/biopsy (EUS-FNA/FNB) offers a potential diagnostic approach to lung cancers adjacent to the esophagus. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility, accuracy, and safety of trans-esophageal EUS-FNA/FNB for tissue sampling of pulmonary nodules.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data from patients with pulmonary lesions who underwent EUS-FNA/FNB between March 2015 and August 2021 at eight Italian endoscopic referral centers.

Results

A total of 47 patients (36 male; mean age 64.47 ± 9.05 years) were included (22 EUS-FNAs and 25 EUS-FNBs). Overall diagnostic accuracy rate was 88.9% (76.3–96.2%). The sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy were superior for EUS FNB sampling versus EUS-FNA (100% vs. 78.73%); P = 0.05, and (100% vs. 78.57%); P = 0.05, respectively. Additionally, sample adequacy was superior for EUS-FNB sampling versus EUS-FNA (100% vs. 78.5%); P = 0.05. Multivariate logistic regression analysis for diagnostic accuracy showed nodule size at the cutoff of 15 mm (OR 2.29, 1.04–5.5, P = 0.05) and use of FNB needle (OR 4.33, 1.05–6.31, P = 0.05) as significant predictors of higher diagnostic accuracy. There were no procedure-related adverse events.

Conclusion

This study highlights the efficacy and safety of EUS-FNA/FNB as a minimally invasive procedure for diagnosing and staging peri-esophageal parenchymal lung lesions. The diagnostic yield of EUS-FNB was superior to EUS-FNA.
The association between patients' illness perceptions and longitudinal clinical outcome in patients with low back pain
Authors: Fors Maria , Öberg Birgitta , Enthoven Paul , Schröder Karin , Abbott Allan
Published: April 2022

Introduction:

Illness perception is suggested to influence outcome in patients with low back pain (LBP). It is unknown if specific illness perceptions are of more importance for longitudinal outcomes, including development of self-management strategies.

Objectives:

This study explores whether patients' initial illness perceptions were associated with disability, pain, health-related quality of life, and self-care enablement outcomes in patients with LBP after 3 and 12 months.

Methods:

Four hundred sixty-seven consecutive patients seeking physiotherapeutic primary care for LBP were eligible to participate in this prospective cohort study, providing data at baseline and after 3 and 12 months (mean age 45 years, 56% women). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to explore whether patients' illness perceptions at baseline were associated with outcome in the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Numeric Rating Scale–LBP (NRS-LBP), EuroQol Five Dimensions, and Patient Enablement Instrument (PEI).

Results:

Stronger beliefs that the back problem will last a long time at baseline were associated with worse outcome in ODI, NRS-LBP, and PEI at 3 and 12 months and in EuroQol Five Dimensions at 12 months. Negative beliefs regarding treatment's ability to improve LBP were associated with worse outcome in NRS-LBP and PEI at 3 and 12 months and in ODI at 12 months.

Conclusions:

Illness perceptions regarding prognosis and treatment's ability to improve symptoms were the most prominent perceptions explaining several longitudinal clinical outcomes. These expectations should be addressed in an early stage in the delivery of interventions for LBP. These expectations were also important for patients' development of coping and self-management strategies.
Postoperative pain treatment after spinal fusion surgery: a systematic review with meta-analyses and trial sequential analyses
Authors: Geisler Anja , Zachodnik Josephine , Køppen Kasper , Chakari Rehan , Bech-Azeddine Rachid
Published: April 2022

Patients undergoing spinal surgery are at high risk of acute and persistent postoperative pain. Therefore, adequate pain relief is crucial. This systematic review aimed to provide answers about best-proven postoperative analgesic treatment for patients undergoing lumbar 1- or 2-level fusions for degenerative spine diseases. We performed a search in PubMed, Embase, and The Cochrane Library for randomized controlled trials. The primary outcome was opioid consumption after 24 hours postoperatively. We performed meta-analyses, trial sequential analyses, and Grading of Recommendations assessment to accommodate systematic errors. Forty-four randomized controlled trials were included with 2983 participants. Five subgroups emerged: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), epidural, ketamine, local infiltration analgesia, and intrathecal morphine. The results showed a significant reduction in opioid consumption for treatment with NSAID (P < 0.0008) and epidural (P < 0.0006) (predefined minimal clinical relevance of 10 mg). Concerning secondary outcomes, significant reductions in pain scores were detected after 6 hours at rest (NSAID [P < 0.0001] and intrathecal morphine [P < 0.0001]), 6 hours during mobilization (intrathecal morphine [P = 0.003]), 24 hours at rest (epidural [P < 0.00001] and ketamine [P < 0.00001]), and 24 hours during mobilization (intrathecal morphine [P = 0.03]). The effect of wound infiltration was nonsignificant. The quality of evidence was low to very low for most trials. The results from this systematic review showed that some analgesic interventions have the capability to reduce opioid consumption compared with control groups. However, because of the high risk of bias and low evidence, it was impossible to recommend a “gold standard” for the analgesic treatment after 1- or 2-level spinal fusion surgery.
Diagnostic Feasibility of Magnetic Resonance Elastography Radiomics Analysis for the Assessment of Hepatic Fibrosis in Patients With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Sim Ki Choon , Kim Min Ju , Cho Yongwon , Kim Hyun Jin , Park Beom Jin , Sung Deuk Jae , Han Yeo Eun , Han Na Yeon , Kim Tae Hyung , Lee Yoo Jin
Published: April 2022

Objective

The aim of the study was to investigate the diagnostic feasibility of radiomics analysis using magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) to assess hepatic fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Methods

One hundred patients with suspected NAFLD were retrospectively enrolled. All patients underwent a liver parenchymal biopsy. Magnetic resonance elastography was performed using a 3.0-T scanner. After multislice segmentation of MRE images, 834 radiomic features were analyzed using a commercial program. Radiologic features, such as median and mean values of the regions of interest and variable clinical features, were analyzed. A random forest regressor was used to extract important radiomic, radiological, and clinical features. A random forest classifier model was trained to use these features to classify the fibrosis stage. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was evaluated using a classifier for fibrosis stage diagnosis.

Results

The pathological hepatic fibrosis stage was classified as low-grade fibrosis (stages F0–F1, n = 82) or clinically significant fibrosis (stages F2–F4, n = 18). Eight important features were extracted from radiomics analysis, with the 2 most important being wavelet-high high low gray level dependence matrix dependence nonuniformity-normalized and wavelet-high high low gray level dependence matrix dependence entropy. The median value of the multiple small regions of interest was identified as the most important radiologic feature. Platelet count has been identified as an important clinical feature. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the classifier using radiomics was comparable with that of radiologic measures (0.97 ± 0.07 and 0.96 ± 0.06, respectively).

Conclusions

Magnetic resonance elastography radiomics analysis provides diagnostic performance comparable with conventional MRE analysis for the assessment of clinically significant hepatic fibrosis in patients with NAFLD.
Kinematic Tibiofibular Syndesmotic Measurements as Indicators of Tibiotalar Osteoarthritis: Exploratory Analysis Using 4-Dimensional Computed Tomography
Authors: Haj-Mirzaian Arya , Shakoor Delaram , Hafezi-Nejad Nima , de Cesar Netto Cesar , Dalili Danoob , Mousavian Alireza , Schon Lew C. , Demehri Shadpour
Published: April 2022

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between 4-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT)–derived measurements of tibiofibular syndesmosis during active dorsiflexion-plantarflexion motion and the presence of tibiotalar osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

Sixteen ankle joints underwent 4DCT imaging during active dorsiflexion-plantarflexion. Syndesmotic anterior distance (SAD) and syndesmotic translation (ST) were obtained by a foot-and-ankle surgeon. We used Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grading to determine tibiotalar OA.

Results

Of 16 scanned ankles, 12 ankles had KL ≥2 at the tibiotalar joint. In these ankles, SAD (−0.4, P = 0.02) and ST (−0.9, P = 0.006) measurements significantly changed during the dorsiflexion-plantarflexion motion. Changes in SAD measurements were significantly correlated with the KL grades (correlation coefficient: −0.688, P = 0.003); however, the changes in ST measurements were not significantly correlated with the KL grade.

Conclusions

Our exploratory cross-sectional analysis shows that SAD measurement changes during motion using 4DCT are correlated with the tibiotalar OA grading. This measurement may be used but requires confirmation in larger studies including patients with actual syndesmotic injuries.
Fluid-Filled Dehiscences in the Anterior Cranial Fossa Floor: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study
Authors: Tsutsumi Satoshi , Ono Hideo , Ishii Hisato
Published: April 2022

Objective

To date, only limited information regarding the anterior cranial fossa floor (AFF) and the appearance of sites of dehiscence and potential channels has been available. We aimed to evaluate this region with thin section magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Patients and Methods

A total of 65 patients underwent thin-sliced coronal T2-weighted MRI. The AFF was divided into 3 parts for analysis: the anterior, middle, and posterior.

Results

Dehiscences were identified in 84.6% of 65 patients with apparently transmitting channels. In 49.2% of the patients, the dehiscences were located in the anterior part, whereas they were located in the middle and posterior parts in 52.3% and 12.3%, respectively. The morphology and number of these dehiscences were highly variable. In 12.3%, channels in the dehiscences were distributed extradural. Statistically, dehiscences were more frequently identified on the left side in any part of the AFF.

Conclusions

With thin-sliced, coronal T2-weighted MRI, dehiscences were frequently identified in the anterior two-thirds of the AFF. Further study is warranted to determine the role of AFF channels and dehiscences, including possibly for cerebrospinal fluid drainage.
Retinal Input to the Primate Lateral Geniculate Nucleus Revealed by Injection of a Different Label Into Each Eye
Authors: Spahr Zachary R. , Economides John R. , Horton Jonathan C.
Published: April 2022

The primate lateral geniculate nucleus has long been a favorite structure among anatomists because of its striking lamination. It has been shown that each lamina receives input from a different eye using various single label techniques but never by double labeling. Here, we illustrate the organization of retinal inputs to the lateral geniculate nucleus by injection of cholera toxin-B conjugated to Alexa Fluor-488 into the right eye and cholera toxin-B conjugated to Alexa Fluor-594 into the left eye.
The Impact of Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy on the Quality of Life of Patients and Their Relatives: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Chen Benson S. , Holzinger Erik , Taiel Magali , Yu-Wai-Man Patrick
Published: April 2022

Background:

Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is an inherited mitochondrial disease characterized by severe bilateral vision loss and chronic visual impairment. The objective of this study was to comprehensively explore the impact of LHON on the lives of patients and their relatives at the time of diagnosis and now.

Methods:

Qualitative study design with 8 focus group interviews conducted in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States, involving 17 individuals with m.11778G>A mutation and their relatives. Separate focus groups for patients and their relatives were facilitated by a moderator in French, German, or English. Qualitative analysis of interviews using a pre-defined analytical framework.

Results:

Participants reported feeling devastated by the diagnosis of LHON after a lengthy and worrisome diagnostic journey. Patients were frustrated by the loss of autonomy, which also affected their relatives. Participants described challenges across several domains: physical capabilities, emotional well-being, interpersonal relationships, work and studies, finances, and recreational activities. Access to disability allowances, vision aids, and funded or subsided idebenone varied by country, resulting in unequal financial impact. Patients are hopeful for therapy that would restore autonomy and improve their ability to enjoy a fulfilling life, while alleviating the demands placed on their relatives.

Conclusions:

The impact of LHON extends beyond vision-related activity limitations. Addressing the psychosocial impact of LHON and helping patients and their relatives adapt and cope with vision loss are vital. As part of this, an accurate and timely diagnosis is important to enable early intervention. Further investigation of specific unmet needs is required.
Nocardioides alcanivorans sp. nov., a novel hexadecane-degrading species isolated from plastic waste
Authors: Mitzscherling Julia , MacLean Joana , Lipus Daniel , Bartholomäus Alexander , Mangelsdorf Kai , Lipski André , Roddatis Vladimir , Liebner Susanne , Wagner Dirk
Published: April 2022

Strain NGK65T, a novel hexadecane degrading, non-motile, Gram-positive, rod-to-coccus shaped, aerobic bacterium, was isolated from plastic polluted soil sampled at a landfill. Strain NGK65T hydrolysed casein, gelatin, urea and was catalase-positive. It optimally grew at 28 °C, in 0–1% NaCl and at pH 7.5–8.0. Glycerol, d-glucose, arbutin, aesculin, salicin, potassium 5-ketogluconate, sucrose, acetate, pyruvate and hexadecane were used as sole carbon sources. The predominant membrane fatty acids were iso-C16:0 followed by iso-C17:0 and C18:1
ω9c. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and hydroxyphosphatidylinositol. The cell-wall peptidoglycan type was A3γ, with ll-diaminopimelic acid and glycine as the diagnostic amino acids. MK 8 (H4) was the predominant menaquinone. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain NGK65T belongs to the genus

Nocardioides

(phylum

Actinobacteria

), appearing most closely related to

Nocardioides daejeonensis

MJ31T (98.6%) and

Nocardioides dubius

KSL-104T (98.3%). The genomic DNA G+C content of strain NGK65T was 68.2%. Strain NGK65T and the type strains of species involved in the analysis had average nucleotide identity values of 78.3–71.9% as well as digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between 22.5 and 19.7%, which clearly indicated that the isolate represents a novel species within the genus

Nocardioides

. Based on phenotypic and molecular characterization, strain NGK65T can clearly be differentiated from its phylogenetic neighbours to establish a novel species, for which the name Nocardioides alcanivorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NGK65T (=DSM 113112T=NCCB 100846T).
Muscle pathology of antisynthetase syndrome according to antibody subtypes
Authors: Tanboon Jantima , Inoue Michio , Hirakawa Shinya , Tachimori Hisateru , Hayashi Shinichiro , Noguchi Satoru , Okiyama Naoko , Fujimoto Manabu , Suzuki Shigeaki , Nishino Ichizo
Published: April 2022

Antisynthetase syndrome is recently recognized as one of the major entities of autoimmune myositis. The prototype of antisynthetase syndrome is anti-Jo-1 antibody associated syndrome while the syndromes associated with non-Jo-1 antisynthetase antibodies are clinically and pathologically less recognized. Identifying a non-Jo-1 antisynthetase syndrome patient could be challenging because the full panel serology test may not be available at the time of diagnosis in addition to technical difficulty especially for anti-OJ antibody detection. This study aimed to characterize the muscle pathology and explore the utility of myofiber HLA-DR expression for the diagnosis of antisynthetase syndrome.

We retrospectively compared 212 muscle biopsies from antisynthetase syndrome patients regarding four pathology domains and histology of interests usingttest and Fisher’s exact test as appropriate. We further compared the myofiber HLA-DR expression pattern in antisynthetase syndrome with 602 muscle biopsies with other autoimmune myositis and 140 muscle biopsies with other myopathies potentially containing myositis-like pathology and calculated sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value to identify the most diagnostic pattern for antisynthetase syndrome.

The most common myopathological pattern in antisynthetase syndrome was necrotizing myopathy (46.2%). Perifascular necrosis was present in 28.3% of antisynthetase syndrome. Anti-OJ and anti-EJ antisynthetase syndrome were associated with high muscle fiber scores. Anti-OJ also showed high inflammatory domain score. If muscle biopsies suspicious for dermatomyositis by sarcoplasmic myxovirus resistance protein A immunohistochemical expression and those with inclusion body myositis clinicopathology were excluded, myofiber HLA-DR expression was the most diagnostic of antisynthetase syndrome with 95.4% specificity, 61.2% sensitivity, 85.9% positive predictive value, and 84.2% negative predictive value. HLA-DR expression in perifascicular fibers was highly specific to anti-Jo-1 antisynthetase syndrome.

Anti-OJ antisynthetase syndrome has more prominent myopathology than the other antisynthetase syndrome subtypes. Presence of myofiber HLA-DR expression in a clinicopathologically approved non-dermatomyositis and non-inclusion body myositis muscle biopsy is highly indicative of antisynthetase syndrome. Presence of HLA-DR expression suggests the involvement of type II interferon in the pathogenesis in antisynthetase syndrome subpopulation although the detailed mechanism and the reason for preferential perifascicular localization are yet to be identified.
Did Norwegian adolescents suffer more violence and sexual abuse during the Covid-19 pandemic? Violence and sexual abuse rates the year before the pandemic compared to rates one year into the pandemic
Authors: Augusti Else-Marie , Myhre Mia Cathrine , Wentzel-Larsen Tore , Hafstad Gertrud Sofie
Published: April 2022

Background

The Covid-19 pandemic is a public health crisis which may cause unintended additional societal costs such as child maltreatment. Considerable concern is raised as to whether the pandemic has led to an increase in violence and sexual abuse against children.

Objective

The present study objective is to provide rates of violence and sexual abuse against adolescents the year before the pandemic compared to one year into the pandemic.

Participants and setting

Two samples of Norwegian 12-16-year-olds were approached. A representative pre-pandemic sample of 9240 adolescents (M age= 14.11), and a sample recruited one year into the pandemic resulting in 3540 responses (M age (SD) = 14.5).

Methods

An online survey was administered during school hours including established measures of violence and sexual abuse exposure. Sociodemographic characteristics were assessed.

Results

There was 1.4 percentage point increase in sexual abuse by an adult, and a 3.9 percentage point decrease in psychological violence by a parent during the pandemic compared to the year before the pandemic. Otherwise, violence and sexual abuse rates remained stable across these two time periods. Risk factors for violence and sexual abuse were amplified during the pandemic.

Conclusion

Norway, a high-income welfare state, imposed measures to counteract the burden of the pandemic mitigation actions for adolescents. This might partly explain the absence of the feared increase in violence towards adolescents. The disproportionate risk for violence and sexual abuse for some groups of adolescents is however concerning, and should be followed up over time.
High sensitivity of a novel rapid test for the diagnosis of clinical and subclinical Plasmodium falciparum infections in a high transmission setting in Burundi
Authors: Niyukuri David , Sinzinkayo Denis , Troth Emma , Oduma Colins , Barengayabo Mediatrice , Ndereyimana Mireille , Holzschuh Aurel , Vera-Arias Claudia A. , Gebre Yilekal , Badu Kingsley , Nyandwi Joseph , Baza Dismas , Juma Elizabeth , Koepfli Cristian
Published: April 2022

Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are a key tool for the diagnosis of malaria infections among febrile and subclinical individuals. Low-density infections, and deletions of the P. falciparum hrp2/3 genes (encoding for the HRP2 and HRP3 proteins detected by many RDTs) present challenges for RDT-based diagnosis. The novel Rapigen Biocredit three-band Plasmodium falciparum HRP2/LDH RDT was evaluated among 444 febrile and 468 subclinical individuals in a high transmission setting in Burundi. Results were compared to the AccessBio CareStart HRP2 RDT, and qPCR with a sensitivity of <0.1 parasites/µL blood. Sensitivity among clinical patients was 80.0% (250/313, either of HRP2/LDH positive), compared to 73.2% (229/313) for CareStart (P=0.048). Among subclinical infections, sensitivity was 72.3% (162/224) compared to 58.5% (131/224) for CareStart (P=0.003), and reached 88.3% (53/60) in children <15 years. No (0/362) hrp2 and 2/366 hrp3 deletions were observed. In conclusion, the novel RDT showed improved sensitivity for the diagnosis of P. falciparum.
Fibroblast Growth Factor-23 and Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases: a Mendelian Randomisation study
Authors: Donovan Killian , Herrington William G. , Paré Guillaume , Pigeyre Marie , Haynes Richard , Sardell Rebecca , Butterworth Adam S. , Folkersen Lasse , Gustafsson Stefan , Wang Qin , Baigent Colin , Mälarstig Anders , Holmes Michael , Staplin Natalie
Published: April 2022

Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) is associated with a range of cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular diseases in conventional epidemiological studies, but substantial residual confounding may exist. Mendelian randomisation approaches can help control for such confounding. SCALLOP consortium data on 19,195 participants were used to generate an FGF-23 genetic score. Data from 337,448 UK Biobank participants were used to estimate associations between higher genetically-predicted FGF-23 concentration and the odds of any atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (n=26,266 events), of any non-atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (n=12,652), and of non-cardiovascular diseases previously linked to FGF-23. Measurements of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and left ventricular mass (LVM) were available in a subset. Associations with cardiovascular outcomes were also tested in three large case-control consortia: CARDIOGRAMplusC4D (coronary artery disease, n=181,249 cases), MEGASTROKE (stroke, n=34,217), and HERMES (heart failure, n=47,309). We identified 34 independent variants for circulating FGF-23 which formed a validated genetic score. There were no associations between genetically-predicted FGF-23 and any of the cardiovascular or non-cardiovascular outcomes. In UK Biobank, the odds ratio for any atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease per 1-SD higher genetically-predicted logFGF-23 was 1.03 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.98-1.08), and for any non-atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease was 1.01 (0.94-1.09). The odds ratios in the case-control consortia were 1.00 (0.97-1.03) for coronary artery disease, 1.01 (0.95-1.07) for stroke, and 1.00 (0.95-1.05) for heart failure. In those with imaging, logFGF-23 was not associated with CIMT or LVM index. This suggests that previously reported observational associations of FGF-23 with risk of atherosclerotic and non-atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases are unlikely to be causal.
ALFF response interaction with learning during feedback in individuals with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Dobryakova Ekaterina , Hafiz Rakibul , Iosipchuk Olesya , Sandry Joshua , Biswal Bharat
Published: April 2022

Amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) is defined as changes of BOLD signal during resting state (RS) brain activity. Previous studies identified differences in RS activation between healthy and multiple sclerosis (MS) participants. However, no research has investigated the relationship between ALFF and learning in MS. We thus examine this here. Twenty-five MS and 19 healthy participants performed a paired-associate word learning task where participants were presented with extrinsic or intrinsic performance feedback. Compared to healthy participants, MS participants showed higher local brain activation in the right thalamus. We also observed a positive correlation in the MS group between ALFF and extrinsic feedback within the left inferior frontal gyrus, and within the left superior temporal gyrus in association with intrinsic feedback. Healthy participants showed a positive correlation in the right fusiform gyrus between ALFF and extrinsic feedback. Findings suggest that while MS participants do not show a feedback learning impairment compared to the healthy participants, ALFF differences might suggest a general maladaptive pattern of task unrelated thalamic activation and adaptive activation in frontal and temporal regions. Results indicate that ALFF can be successfully used at capturing pathophysiological changes in local brain activation in MS in association with learning through feedback.
2-Hydroxyethylammonium [2-(2,6-dichloroanilino)phenyl]acetate monohydrate
Authors: Obidova Nodira , Ashurov Jamshid , Izotova Lidiya , Ibragimov Bakhtiyar
Published: April 2022

In the solid-state structure of the title compound derived from diclofenac, C2H8NO+·C14H10Cl2NO2
−·H2O, the asymmetric unit contains one cation, one anion and a water molecule, all in general positions. A complex network of hydrogen bonds is present in the crystal structure.
Cobbler's kids: public relations reputation among PR students
Authors: Barlik Jacek
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to find out whether public relations (PR) students feel ready and adequately prepared for their future jobs and how they cope with the reputational and ethical issues of the public relations industry, also during the pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey research among public relations students in Poland was conducted twice, in 2019 and 2021, to explore their opinions on the applicability of public relations studies, career prospects for PR students in the industry and their approach to perennial reputational problems of PR. The 2021 survey also looked into challenges for the public relations education created by the pandemic, including lack of students' direct interactions with teachers and prevalence of online instruction methods.

Findings

The study shows that most public relations students feel confident about their career choices and appreciate their level of preparedness at PR schools for real-life assignments in the public relations industry. In addition, students are aware of the ethical and reputational issues of their chosen trade, and they tend to advocate for the field among friends and families and even rectify widespread misconceptions about PR. The role of public relations during the COVID-19 pandemic – according to respondents – has grown significantly, thus creating new, exciting opportunities for public relations professionals, though not necessarily for PR students or graduates.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to research on public relations education, its effectiveness, widely discussed reputational and ethical issues plaguing the field, relationships of educators and students with the PR industry and the role of PR students as advocates for their trade.
The dark figure of violence committed by discharged psychiatric inpatients
Authors: Hardin Kaitlin , Scurich Nicholas
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Official criminal justice statistics (e.g. arrest rates) underestimate the frequency of crime because not all crime gets reported to authorities, a phenomenon known as the “dark figure of crime.” The present study aims to examine the dark figure of violence committed by discharged psychiatric patients.

Design/methodology/approach

Multiple reporting modalities permitted a direct comparison between patients whose violence was officially detected to those whose violence was self-reported but not officially detected, along with differences in the nature of violent acts.

Findings

Only 5% of violent individuals were officially detected, 26% of violent individuals were both officially detected and self-reported their violent behavior, while 68% of violent individuals self-reported their violent behavior and were not officially detected. The type of violent acts did not vary as a function of whether they were officially detected or self-reported. However, differences were observed for the location of violence, the relationship to the victim and whether an injury resulted. Older individuals, those with prior arrests and those with higher psychopathy scores are some of the factors associated with an increased likelihood of officially detected violence.

Research limitations/implications

The data were collected from three sites in the USA. Generalizing the specific findings to other locations and countries ought to be done cautiously.

Practical implications

Studies ought to include multiple methods to measure violence. Self-report seems to be especially important to the extent one is concerned with measuring actual violence rather than violence that gets detected by legal authorities.

Originality/value

This study highlights an important limitation of relying exclusively on official criminal justice statistics when studying violence or recidivism in the community.
Developing supply chain immunity for future pandemic disruptions
Authors: Handfield Robert , Apte Aruna , Finkenstadt Daniel J.
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The study discusses a rationale for a new type of capability called supply chain immunity that is required to address slow-moving, persistent and dispersed pandemics similar to COVID-19 in the future. The authors’ work on the COVID-19 emergency response suggests flaws in the medical and healthcare supply chain systems, due to reliance on overseas manufacturing and insufficient strategic stockpile.

Design/methodology/approach

In seeking to understand the characteristics of supply chain immunity and how it is related to the need for a renewed strategic national stockpile, the authors adopted an inductive observational approach of engaged scholarship, based on their team’s extensive involvement in the national COVID-19 healthcare response during March–June 2020.

Findings

The study analysis, based on visibility, velocity and global independence, establishes a new type of supply chain immunity, along with the requirements for development of this capability. The framework for immunity proposed in this article provides general guidelines that an emergency responder would probably use in an informal fashion. The immunity framework is validated through references to current work on COVID-19 supply chain preparedness.

Originality/value

The understanding of readiness for pandemic operations using the metaphor of supply chain immunity is unique. It contains important observations on the development of capabilities – specifically, the outcome of an aligned medical and supply chain intelligence, a clinical standards organization and a materials management monitoring system. The authors’ insights are supported not only by literature but also due to direct engagement with academic scholars, Department of Defense (DoD) personnel, supply risk platforms and government officials involved in the COVID-19 pandemic response.
Race, class, gender and social entrepreneurship: extending the positionality of icons
Authors: Schachter Hindy Lauer
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to add information on how women's voices enriched American social entrepreneurship in the Progressive era. While most discussions of women as social entrepreneurs have centered on white middle class women, this article profiles two female agents for change and innovation who came out of the white working class and Boston's Black elite, respectively. These additions provide an analysis of female participation that takes account of issues of intersectionality and positionality, important concepts in contemporary critical theory.

Design/methodology/approach

This article extends our understanding of women's role as social entrepreneurs in the early twentieth century by offering biographies of Rose Schneiderman and Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin based on extensive examination of sources from Progressive era documents to contemporary scholarly analyses. Inclusion of Progressive era sources enables the narrative to suggest how these social entrepreneurs were viewed in their own day.

Findings

Biographies of Rose Schneiderman and Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin indicate the broad range of women who developed new organizations to serve traditionally marginalized populations in the Progressive era. The article shows the types of obstacles each woman faced; it enumerates strategies they used to further their aims as well as recording some of the times they could not surmount class- or race-based obstacles placed in their paths.

Originality/value

At a time when issues of intersectionality and positionality have become more prominent in management discourse, this article expands the class and race backgrounds of women specifically proposed as icons of social entrepreneurship. It represents an early attempt to link these concepts with the study of entrepreneurship.
The virality of advertising content
Authors: Kaur Balpreet , Paul Justin , Sharma Rishi Raj
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The study aims to examine “Advertisement content likeability” and its relationships with consumers' purchase and sharing intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

Second-order factor analysis was applied. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to measure the moderating effects of technology adoption model, knowledge sharing and Internet maven traits on advertising content's virality.

Findings

Results indicate the dimensional structure of ad content likeability that is relevant in predicting consumers' sharing and purchase intentions. Furthermore, the moderating effects of technology acceptance factors (perceived usefulness and ease-of-use), knowledge sharing motives (altruism, reputation and expected reciprocal benefits) and senders' Internet maven characteristics were also found on “Ad content likeability” and “sharing intentions.”

Originality/value

The study expands the theoretical horizon of factors that significantly increase an advertisement's velocity to become more viral.