bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Retrograde open mesenteric stenting and outcomes for acute mesenteric ischemia
Authors: Camazine Maraya , Schesselman Chase , Zachary Iris , Bath Jonathan , Vogel Todd R
Published: August 2024

Objectives

Data regarding retrograde open mesenteric stenting (ROMS) for urgent mesenteric ischemia is limited to small single center and case series, with variable utilization across patient populations and ill-defined outcomes. We aimed to evaluate characteristics and outcomes of patients with acute mesenteric ischemia requiring urgent surgical intervention.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study of patients with mesenteric ischemia requiring urgent surgical intervention from 2018 to 2020 was queried from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database. Study groups were defined as those requiring an open bypass (BYPASS), an open superior mesenteric artery embolectomy (OPEN), or ROMS. Descriptive statistics were used to report variables. Comparisons were mad using t test, chi-squares tests, and multivariate regression reported as odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI) where appropriate.

Results

898 patients with mesenteric ischemia requiring urgent surgical intervention were included: Bypass: 284, OPEN: 363, ROMS: 251. There was no difference in gender or race between groups. Patients requiring ROMS were more likely to be older 70.2 + 11.3versus Bypass 66.81 + 11.6 and OPEN 67.17 + 14.5, p = 0.0035. ROMS patients had the highest Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) 2.9 versus 2.5 Bypass and 2.6 OPEN, p = 0.0292 with the most frequent comorbidities: Diabetes 37% ( p = 0.01), renal disease 24.3% ( p = 0.5), and previous preoperative myocardial infarction 9.2%, p = 0.05; however, the lowest mortality rate was seen within this Group 15.9% versus bypass 19.7%, OPEN 34.5%, p < 0.0001. Patients requiring bypass were more likely to have chronic pulmonary disease 34.5% versus OPEN 24.2% and ROMS 31.5%, p = 0.013, peripheral vascular disease (PVD) 38% versus OPEN 16%, and ROMS 29.9%, p < 0.0001. On multivariate regression, ROMS was associated with 50% decreased incidence of mortality (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.27–0.75). Open SMA embolectomy was associated with nearly 2x mortality rate compared to bypass procedures OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.3–3.0, p < 0.001. Previous MI was also associated with nearly 2x incidence of mortality (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.01–3.6), while pre-existing PVD conferred a protective effect (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.36–0.89). Higher CCI and age were associated with slightly increased risk for mortality OR 1.2 and 1.03, p < 0.05 for both.

Conclusions

In patients with acute mesenteric ischemia, ROMS demonstrated a significant mortality benefit compared to traditional open procedures. Advanced age, history of MI, and open SMA embolectomy were associated with increased mortality. Little data exists regarding ROMS in a real-world population evaluating ROMS, which is a newer technique. These data suggest that ROMS may be a superior alternative to restore mesenteric flow in the acute setting and further prospective studies evaluating ROMS to other procedural types in urgent and elective settings are needed.
The establishment and breakdown of trust in human-bot marketing calls
Authors: Márquez Reiter Rosina , Iveson Mandie
Published: August 2024

In this paper we explore human communicative behaviour in unsolicited commercial telephone calls between human telemarketers and ‘bots’ that exhibit human characteristics. Drawing on a corpus of recorded telephone conversations between telemarketers and a spam-interception service, we examine some of the communicative dimensions through which telemarketers make sense of their interactions with this technology as trust, or rather the illusion of it, is established, severed and restored. The analysis shows how trust is established early in the calls through an authentic human voice, the illusion of progressivity and purported intersubjectivity, including ‘doing-being-human’ excuses. In cases where telemarketers realise they had not been talking to a human, verbal abuse towards the bot, and expressions of surprise and embarrassment oriented to their professional face are articulated as the call is used as a training opportunity to identify bots. The article contributes to understanding some of the technology enabled contemporary communicative practices human beings engage in as part of their everyday lives. It raises questions about how humans negotiate trust and validate authenticity in an increasingly automated and technologically driven world.
Comprehensive analysis of nationwide anticancer drug-related complications in Korea: incidence, types, and cancer-specific considerations in contemporary oncology
Authors: Jeong Jonghyun , Park Soyoung , Heo Kyu-Nam , Park Soh Mee , Min Sangil , Ah Young-Mi , Han Ji Min , Lee Ju-Yeun
Published: August 2024

Background:

The rising global incidence of cancer has increased the demand for chemotherapy, which is a crucial treatment modality. Recent advancements in cancer treatment, including targeted agents and immunotherapy, have introduced complications owing to their specific mechanisms. However, comprehensive studies of the combined complications of these approaches are lacking.

Objectives:

This study aimed to comprehensively assess and analyze the overall incidence of anticancer drug-related complications in a nationwide patient cohort, utilizing a customized National Health Insurance Sharing Service database in Korea.

Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods:

We included patients who were prescribed anticancer drugs (excluding endocrine agents) and diagnosed with cancer. For the type of cancer classification, the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) was used and anticancer drugs were classified based on the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical code. We classified cancer into 18 types based on the ICD-10 code and delineated cancer-related complications into 12 categories. Complications included hematological, gastrointestinal, infectious, cardiovascular, major bleeding, endocrine, neurotoxic, nephrotoxic, dermatological, pulmonary, musculoskeletal, and hepatotoxic effects.

Result:

We included 294,544 patients diagnosed with cancer and administered anticancer drugs between 2016 and 2018, with follow-up continuing until 2021. We identified 486,929 anticancer drug-related complications, with an incidence of 1843.6 per 1000 person-years (PY). Anemia was the most common complication, with a rate of 763.7 per 1000 PY, followed by febrile neutropenia (295.7) and nausea/vomiting (246.9). Several complications peaked during the first months following the initiation of anticancer drug therapy; however, herpes, skin infection, heart failure, and peripheral neuropathy peaked at 6–12 months. Among major cancers, breast cancer had the lowest overall incidence of complications. Targeted therapies revealed lower complication rates than cytotoxic chemotherapy; however, they also required careful monitoring of rash.

Conclusion:

This study highlights the importance of the proactive management of anticancer drug-related complications for patient care improvement.
Strategies, requirements, and challenges of transformation of accounting courses to digital teaching via electronic applications: Insights from KKU accounting faculty
Authors: Ahmed Abu Tomma Musa Mohammed
Published: August 2024

The study examined how accounting education has changed from traditional to digital, emphasizing using electronic applications. It aimed to address potential challenges, provide cutting-edge teaching methodologies, and identify transitional requirements. The findings were based on a survey administered to KKU accounting professors, with an 85.7% response rate. A clear strategic vision, adequate funding, a solid digital infrastructure, faculty training in electronic applications, cooperation with technology professionals, and broad support systems are all critical components of the digital transition. Challenges include a lack of accounting software experience among professors, many students, and the high cost of electronic lab equipment. Digital technologies can achieve a smooth transition, planned electronic education, self-study, virtual enterprise applications, and follow-ups on practical applications to ensure proficiency. The study encourages resource allocation, strategic planning, overcoming transitory challenges (mainly through faculty development), and implementing digital teaching methodologies tailored to the specific needs of accounting education. The study underlines the importance of a strategic approach to digital education in accounting to improve student learning and meet modern educational needs. It accomplishes this by emphasizing the importance of faculty training, resource commitment, clear visions, and digital tactics.
Tourists’ Satisfaction, Experience, and Revisit Intention for Wellness Tourism: E Word-of-Mouth as the Mediator
Authors: Seow Ai Na , Foroughi Behzad , Choong Yuen Onn
Published: August 2024

Wellness tourism has grown popular and augmented the global market due to increasing healthy lifestyles. Based on the expectancy disconfirmation theory, the study aims to determine the antecedents and significance of tourists’ revisit intention for wellness tourism. A quantitative method has been adopted. Data was collected from 361 tourists at wellness centres in Malaysia, and structural equation modelling was used to analyze the measurement and structural model. The majority of respondents are female, aged between 21 and 30, unmarried, with an average monthly income of USD 2,000. The study found that tourists’ satisfaction was influenced by perceived value from social and emotional perspectives, while their experience was shaped by their emotional and quality perception of value content. Rewards had a significant impact on both satisfaction and travel experience. Tourists were more likely to recommend a wellness vacation if they were satisfied, but it was their unique travel experience that triggered revisit intention. E-word-of-mouth played a mediating role and revealed a positive relationship between satisfaction, revisit intention, and word-of-mouth. This study demonstrated the importance of determining the underlying factors to create tourists’ revisit intention. The implications from theoretical and managerial viewpoints provide insights to scholars and practitioners to revitalize the tourism industry after COVID-19.
Exit, or Voice? A Quantitative Investigation of Out Migration Intentionality From Venezuela
Authors: Rodrigues Margarida Soares , Gonzalez Raul , Aldrich Daniel P.
Published: August 2024

Executive Summary

Why some residents around the world facing chronic and acute stressors seek to exit their home communities while others do not, remains an unanswered question. People living in Venezuela face poverty, inflation, and food shortages and hold strong reasons to seek life elsewhere. Using a new survey of 100 residents in two communities in Venezuela — Santa Rita and Maracaibo — we qualitatively and quantitatively capture the intention to leave a failing state along a variety of potential explanatory characteristics at the individual and environmental levels. Testing the relationship with several sets of factors, including social capital, access to critical infrastructure, and anxiety about the political and economic environment, we find that optimism and access to electricity strongly correlate with intention to depart. Venezuelans who hold positive views of the future and have more regular access to electricity indicate less desire to emigrate, while individual and communal resources like social capital and individual resources like access to US dollars have no measurable impact.

These findings bring with them important policy recommendations for NGOs and policymakers alike. Policies that promote optimism and psychological well-being within communities may indirectly contribute to reducing emigration intentions. Moreover, policymakers should be aware of the limits of bonding ties in helping communities experiencing multidimensional shocks. Our findings also point to the limited effectiveness of external resources in fostering a desire to stay and improve local conditions, and instead reinforce the importance of critical conditions at home.
Anatomical Description of the Spring Ligament Articular Facet
Authors: Sawah Amjad , Kasture Sarang , Bond Alastair , Fisher Lauren , Fisher Andrew , Philpott Matthew , Mason Lyndon , Molloy Andy
Published: August 2024

Background:

The spring ligament fibrocartilaginous complex (SLFC), which is essential for stabilizing the medial longitudinal arch, features a little-explored fibrocartilaginous facet within its superomedial aspect, articulating with the talar head. This research aimed to provide a detailed anatomical description of this facet, designated as the spring ligament articular facet (SLAF).

Methods:

Nine normally aligned cadaveric lower limbs were dissected, approaching the SLFC from a superior direction. Following talus disarticulation, high-resolution images of the ligament complex were captured and analyzed. ImageJ software was used to determine the areas and dimensions of the superomedial calcaneonavicular (SMCN) spring and SLAF.

Results:

The fibrocartilage facet exhibited a trapezoid shape in all specimens. The mean area for SMCN spring was 280.39 mm², and for SLAF, it was 200 mm². The proximal-to-distal length for SLAF averaged 11.78 mm at its longest and 5.34 mm at its shortest. Attachment of the SLAF to the calcaneum and the navicular showed robust fibrous structures, with average measurements of 3.75 and 1.75 mm at the medial and lateral calcaneal margins, and 2.75 and 2.98 mm at the medial and lateral navicular margins, respectively.

Conclusion:

This study clearly delineated the individual structural components of the SLFC articulating with the talar head and detailed its dimensions, emphasizing the need for more specific anatomical terminology that respects the intricate anatomy of the SLFC.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, descriptive study.
NAVIGATING DIGITAL TURBULENCE
Authors: Day George S. , Paul J. H. Schoemaker
Published: August 2024

When navigating the uncertainties of digital technologies, vigilant firms gain an edge by paying close attention to what is happening on their periphery and fostering organizational agility, so they are ready to act when the time is right. George Day and Paul Schoemaker examine three key principles that underpin organizational vigilance and show how Adobe’s leaders used them to great effect.1
Managing Mergers and Acquisitions: Perspectives from Human Resources
Authors: Wuorinen Stefan , Burgess Brian A. , Wright Patrick M.
Published: August 2024

Stefan Wuorinen, Brian Burgess, and Patrick Wright present a wide range of considerations and strategies to bolster acquisition success by expanding the influence of human resources on the processes. Using insights drawn from interviews with Fortune 500 Chief Human Resource Officers, they examine the role of HR in acquisitions and provide practical advice for increasing its effectiveness.
Antimetabolite dose intensity and adverse outcomes in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a COG-AALL03N1 report
Authors: Wadhwa Aman , Chen Yanjun , Hageman Lindsey , Angiolillo Anne , Dickens David S. , Neglia Joseph P. , Ravindranath Yaddanapudi , Termuhlen Amanda , Wong F. Lennie , Landier Wendy , Bhatia Smita
Published: August 2024

The association between antimetabolite dose intensity (DI) and adverse events among children receiving maintenance therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) remains unclear, especially in the context of antimetabolite adherence. Using Children’s Oncology Group AALL03N1 data, we examined the association between high DI during the first 4 study months and (i) treatment-related toxicities during the subsequent 2 study months; and (ii) relapse risk. Patients were classified into a high DI phenotype (either 6-mercaptopurine [6-MP] or methotrexate [MTX] DI ≥110% during the first 4 study months, or 6-MPDI or MTXDI 100%-110% at study enrollment and ≥25% increase over the 4 study months) and normal DI phenotype (all others). Only patients with wild-type TPMT and NUDT15 were included. 6-MP adherence data were available for 63.7% of study participants and used to stratify as adherent (median adherence ≥85%) and nonadherent (median adherence <85%) participants. Multivariable analyses were adjusted for sociodemographic and clinical prognosticators. Of the 644 patients, 29.3% were exposed to high DI. High DI was associated with a 2.1-fold greater odds of hematologic toxicity (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.4-3.1; reference: normal DI) in the entire cohort and 2.9-fold higher among adherers (95% CI = 1.6-5.1); odds were comparable among nonadherers (2.1-fold; 95% CI = 0.4-10.1). Although high DI was not associated with relapse in the entire cohort (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.4; 95% CI = 0.8-2.4), it was associated with a greater hazard of relapse among adherent participants (aHR = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.0-5.5) but not among nonadherent participants (aHR = 0.9; 95% CI = 0.2-3.8). Dose escalation above protocol doses during maintenance therapy for ALL should be done cautiously after assessing adherence to prescribed therapy.
Emapalumab therapy for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis before reduced-intensity transplantation improves chimerism
Authors: Verkamp Bethany , Jodele Sonata , Sabulski Anthony , Marsh Rebecca , Kieser Pearce , Jordan Michael B.
Published: August 2024

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a hyperinflammatory disorder driven by interferon gamma (IFN-γ). Emapalumab, an anti–IFN-γ antibody, is approved for the treatment of patients with primary HLH. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is required for curing HLH. Reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) HSCT is associated with improved survival but higher incidences of mixed chimerism and secondary graft failure. To understand the potential impact of emapalumab on post-HSCT outcomes, we conducted a retrospective study of pediatric patients with HLH receiving a first RIC-HSCT at our institution between 2014 and 2022 after treatment for HLH, with or without this agent. Mixed chimerism was defined as <95% donor chimerism and severe mixed chimerism as <25% donor chimerism. Intervention-free survival (IFS) included donor lymphocyte infusion, infusion of donor CD34-selected cells, second HSCT, or death within 5 years after HSCT. Fifty patients met the inclusion criteria; 22 received emapalumab within 21 days before the conditioning regimen, and 28 did not. The use of emapalumab was associated with a markedly lower incidence of mixed chimerism (48% vs 77%; P = .03) and severe mixed chimerism (5% vs 38%; P < .01). IFS was significantly higher in patients receiving emapalumab (73% vs 43%; P = .03). Improved IFS was even more striking in infants aged <12 months, a group at the highest risk for mixed chimerism (75% vs 20%; P < .01). Although overall survival was higher with emapalumab, this difference was not significant (82% vs 71%; P = .39). We show that the use of emapalumab for HLH before HSCT mitigates the risk of mixed chimerism and graft failure after RIC-HSCT.
Enhancing the Robustness of Rib-Groove Filling and Strain Homogeneity in the Isothermal Forging of Titanium Alloy Multi-Rib Components
Authors: Ding Tong , Wei Ke , Hou Yong , Dong Xianjuan , Huang Long , Lee Myoung-Gyu
Published: August 2024

Isothermal forging stands as an effective technology for the production of large-scale titanium alloy multi-rib components. However, challenges have persisted, including die underfilling and strain concentration due to the complex material flow and heterogeneous deformation within the forging die cavity. While approaches centered on optimized billet designs have mitigated these challenges, uncertainties in process parameters continue to introduce unacceptable variations in forming accuracy and stability. To tackle this issue, this study introduced a multi-objective robust optimization approach for billet design, accounting for the multi-rib eigenstructure and potential uncertainties. The approach includes finite element (FE) modeling for analyzing the die-filling and strain inhomogeneity within the multi-rib eigenstructure. Furthermore, it integrated image acquisition perception and feed back technologies (IAPF) for real-time monitoring of material flow and filling sequences within die rib-grooves, validating the accuracy of the FE modeling. By incorporating dimensional parameters of the billet and uncertainty factors, including friction, draft angle, forming temperature, speed, and deviations in billet and die, quantitative analyses on the rib-groove filling and strain inhomogeneity with fluctuation were conducted. Subsequently, a dual-response surface model was developed for statistical analysis of the cavity filling and strain homogeneity. Finally, the robust optimization was processed using a non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) and validated using the IAPF technologies. The proposed approach enables robust design enhancements for rib-groove filling and strain homogeneity in titanium alloy multi-rib components.
HerpesDRG: a comprehensive resource for human herpesvirus antiviral drug resistance genotyping
Authors: Charles O. J. , Venturini C. , Goldstein R. A. , Breuer J.
Published: August 2024

The prevention and treatment of many herpesvirus associated diseases is based on the utilization of antiviral therapies, however therapeutic success is limited by the development of drug resistance. Currently no single database cataloguing resistance mutations exists, which hampers the use of sequence data for patient management. We therefore developed HerpesDRG, a drug resistance mutation database that incorporates all the known resistance genes and current treatment options, built from a systematic review of available genotype to phenotype literature. The database is released along with an R package that provides a simple approach to resistance variant annotation and clinical implication analysis from common sanger and next generation sequencing data. This represents the first openly available and community maintainable database of drug resistance mutations for the human herpesviruses (HHV), developed for the community of researchers and clinicians tackling HHV drug resistance.
Social trust and COVID-19 mortality in the United States: lessons in planning for future pandemics using data from the general social survey
Authors: Marziali Megan E. , Hogg Robert S. , Hu Alexi , Card Kiffer G.
Published: August 2024

Background

The United States has lost many lives to COVID-19. The role of social capital and collective action has been previously explored in the context of COVID-19. The current study specifically investigates the role of social trust at the county level and COVID-19 mortality in the US, hypothesizing that counties with higher social trust will have lower COVID-19 mortality rates.

Methods

We used cross-sectional data from the General Social Survey (GSS). We collected COVID-19 mortality data from the COVID-19 Dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University until October 31, 2021. We obtained county characteristics from the 2019 American Community Survey and supplemented this data source with additional publicly available county-level data, such as measures of income inequality and political leanings. We measured social trust as a single item from the GSS and calculated mean social trust in a county by pooling responses from 2002 to 2018. We then modeled the relationship between mean social trust and COVID-19 mortality.

Results

Results indicate that counties with higher social trust have lower COVID-19 mortality rates. Higher values of mean social trust at the county level are associated with a decrease in COVID-19 mortality (b= -0.25, p-value < 0.001), after adjustment for confounding. The direction of association is consistent in a sensitivity analysis.

Conclusions

Our findings underscore the importance of investment in social capital and social trust. We believe these findings can be applied beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, as they demonstrate the potential for social trust as a method for emergency preparedness.
Purification and characterization of soluble recombinant Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus glycoprotein Gc expressed in mammalian 293F cells
Authors: Makoah Nigel Aminake , Litabe Matefo Millicent , Simo Fredy Brice Nemg , Maboho Katlego Keith , Burt Felicity Jane
Published: August 2024

Background

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne zoonotic disease that presents with severe hemorrhagic manifestations and is associated with significant fatality rates. The causative agent, Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV), is a high-priority pathogen identified by the World Health Organization with no approved vaccine or specific treatment available. In addition, there is a critical need for enhanced diagnostic tools to improve public health awareness, prevention measures, and disease control strategies.

Methods

We designed plasmids to enable the purification of soluble CCHFV glycoprotein Gc expressed in mammalian 293 F cells, followed by purification using affinity and size exclusion chromatography. The purified antigen was analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting to confirm its reactivity to antibodies from CCHF survivors. Additionally, an in-house indirect ELISA was developed using the purified Gc as a coating antigen.

Results

The optimized expression system successfully produced soluble and pure Gc antigen after affinity chromatography. The protein showed specific reactivity with CCHFV-positive serum antibodies in Western blot analysis. The indirect ELISA assay demonstrated high efficacy in distinguishing between CCHFV-positive and -negative serum samples, indicating its potential as a valuable diagnostic tool. Size exclusion chromatography further confirmed the presence of aggregates in our protein preparation.

Conclusions

The purified Gc antigen shows promise for developing direct diagnostic assays for CCHFV. The antigen’s suitability for subunit vaccine development and its application as bait for monoclonal antibody isolation from survivors could be investigated further. This work lays the foundation for future research into the development of rapid diagnostic tests for field deployment.
TopoRoot+: computing whorl and soil line traits of field-excavated maize roots from CT imaging
Authors: Ju Yiwen , Liu Alexander E. , Oestreich Kenan , Wang Tina , Topp Christopher N. , Ju Tao
Published: August 2024

Background

The use of 3D imaging techniques, such as X-ray CT, in root phenotyping has become more widespread in recent years. However, due to the complexity of the root structure, analyzing the resulting 3D volumes to obtain detailed architectural root traits remains a challenging computational problem. When it comes to image-based phenotyping of excavated maize root crowns, two types of root features that are notably missing from existing methods are the whorls and soil line. Whorls refer to the distinct areas located at the base of each stem node from which roots sprout in a circular pattern (Liu S, Barrow CS, Hanlon M, Lynch JP, Bucksch A. Dirt/3D: 3D root phenotyping for field-grown maize (zea mays). Plant Physiol. 2021;187(2):739–57. https://doi.org/10.1093/plphys/kiab311.). The soil line is where the root stem meets the ground. Knowledge of these features would give biologists deeper insights into the root system architecture (RSA) and the below- and above-ground root properties.

Results

We developed TopoRoot+, a computational pipeline that produces architectural traits from 3D X-ray CT volumes of excavated maize root crowns. Building upon the TopoRoot software (Zeng D, Li M, Jiang N, Ju Y, Schreiber H, Chambers E, et al. Toporoot: A method for computing hierarchy and fine-grained traits of maize roots from 3D imaging. Plant Methods. 2021;17(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13007-021-00829-z.) for computing fine-grained root traits, TopoRoot + adds the capability to detect whorls, identify nodal roots at each whorl, and compute the soil line location. The new algorithms in TopoRoot + offer an additional set of fine-grained traits beyond those provided by TopoRoot. The addition includes internode distances, root traits at every hierarchy level associated with a whorl, and root traits specific to above or below the ground. TopoRoot + is validated on a diverse collection of field-grown maize root crowns consisting of nine genotypes and spanning across three years. TopoRoot + runs in minutes for a typical volume size of $$\:40{0}^{3}$$ on a desktop workstation. Our software and test dataset are freely distributed on Github.

Conclusions

TopoRoot + advances the state-of-the-art in image-based phenotyping of excavated maize root crowns by offering more detailed architectural traits related to whorls and soil lines. The efficiency of TopoRoot + makes it well-suited for high-throughput image-based root phenotyping.
Pilot study on the feasibility of shape memory alloy implantation for Vancouver type B1 periprosthetic femoral fractures in a canine model: a step toward advancing treatment modalities
Authors: Kim Hyunsoo , Kang Kyu-Won , Chekalkin Timofey , Park Jang-Woo , Chung Hye-Kyung , Kang Byung-Jae , Choi Sung-Woo
Published: August 2024

Background

Cerclage wiring is commonly used for treating fractures; however, it has several limitations, including mechanical weakness, decreased blood circulation, and technical complexity. In this study, we developed an implant using a shape memory alloy (SMA) and tested its efficacy in treating Vancouver type B1 (VB1) periprosthetic femoral fractures (PFFs) in a canine model.

Methods

The mid-diaphyseal fracture models underwent reduction via the SMA plate (SMA group) or the cerclage cable plate (cable group) method in randomly selected pelvic limbs. An intraoperative evaluation was conducted to assess the surgical time and difficulty related to implant fitting. Clinical assessments, radiography, microcomputed tomography (micro-CT), histological analysis, positron emission tomography (PET)/CT, and galvanic corrosion analysis were conducted for 52 weeks to evaluate bone healing and blood perfusion.

Results

The results for bone healing and blood perfusion were not significantly different between the groups (p > 0.05). In addition, no evidence of galvanic corrosion was present in any of the implants. However, the median surgical time was 75 min (range, 53–82 min) for the SMA group and 126 min (range, 120–171 min) for the cable group, which was a statistically significant difference (p = 0.0286).

Conclusions

This study assessed the ability of a newly developed shape memory alloy (SMA) to treat VB1 periprosthetic femoral fractures (PFFs) in canines for over a 52-week period and revealed outcomes comparable to those of traditional methods in terms of bone healing and mechanical stability. Despite the lower surgical complexity and potential time-saving benefits of this treatment, further research is needed to confirm its efficacy.
Changes in nitric oxide inhibitors and mortality in critically ill patients: a cohort study
Authors: Mortensen Karoline Myglegård , Itenov Theis Skovsgaard , Stensballe Jakob , Hillig Thore , Jensen Claus Antonio Juel , Schønemann-Lund Martin , Bestle Morten Heiberg
Published: August 2024

Background

Optimal balance between macro- and microcirculation in critically ill patients is crucial for ensuring optimal organ perfusion. Nitric oxide (NO) is a regulator of vascular hemostasis and tone. The availability of NO is controlled by asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), and the availability of the NO substrates arginine and homoarginine. We investigated the changes in plasma concentrations of ADMA, SDMA, arginine, and homoarginine days 1–5 of intensive care unit (ICU) admission and the association between the change in concentration days 1–3 and 30-day all-cause mortality.

Methods

Single-center cohort study of adult critically ill patients from the ICU at Copenhagen University Hospital – North Zealand. ADMA, SDMA, arginine, and homoarginine (NO-biomarkers) were measured on days 1–5. Initially, we determined the changes in NO-biomarkers days 1–5 with linear mixed models, and subsequently how the changes in NO-biomarkers days 1–3 were associated with 30-day all-cause mortality. Post-hoc we analyzed the association between plasma concentration at admission and 30-day all-cause mortality.

Results

In total 567 out of 577 patients had plasma samples from days 1–5. Plasma concentrations of ADMA and arginine increased from days 1–5. SDMA concentrations increased from days 1–2, followed by a decrease from days 2–5. Concentrations of homoarginine did not change from days 1–3 but slightly increased from days 3–5. In total 512 patients were alive 3 days after ICU admission. Among these patients, a daily twofold increase in ADMA concentration from days 1–3 was associated with decreased mortality in multivariate analysis (HR 0.45; 95% CI 0.21–0.98; p = 0.046). An increase in SDMA, arginine, or homoarginine was not associated with mortality. Post-hoc we found that a twofold increase in ADMA or SDMA concentrations at admission was associated with mortality (HR 1.78; 95% CI 1.24–2.57; p = 0.0025, and HR 1.41; 95% CI 1.05–1.90; p = 0.024, respectively).

Conclusions

Increasing ADMA concentrations on days 1–3 are inversely associated with mortality, however not with the same strength as high ADMA or SDMA concentrations at admission. We suggest that admission concentrations are the focus of future research on ADMA and SDMA as predictors of mortality or potential therapeutical targets in ICU patients.
Case-control study of the characteristics and risk factors of hot clot artefacts on 18F-FDG PET/CT
Authors: Dzuko Kamga Jacques , Floch Romain , Kerleguer Kevin , Bourhis David , Le Pennec Romain , Hennebicq Simon , Salaün Pierre-Yves , Abgral Ronan
Published: August 2024

Introduction

The pulmonary Hot Clot artifact (HCa) on 18F-FDG PET/CT is a poorly understood phenomenon, corresponding to the presence of a focal tracer uptake without anatomical lesion on combined CTscan. The hypothesis proposed in the literature is of microembolic origin. Our objectives were to determine the incidence of HCa, to analyze its characteristics and to identify associated factors.

Methods

All 18F-FDG PET/CT retrieved reports containing the keywords (artifact/vascular adhesion/no morphological abnormality) during the period June 2021–2023 at Brest University Hospital were reviewed for HCa. Each case was associated with 2 control patients (same daily work-list). The anatomical and metabolic characteristics of HCa were analyzed. Factors related to FDG preparation/administration, patient and vascular history were investigated. Case-control differences between variables were tested using Chi-2 test and OR (qualitative) or Student’s t-test (quantitative).

Results

Of the 22,671 18F-FDG PET/CT performed over 2 years, 211 patients (0.94%) showed HCa. The focus was single in 97.6%, peripheral in 75.3%, and located independently in the right or left lung (51.1% vs. 48.9%). Mean ± SD values for SUVmax, SUVmean, MTV and TLG were 11.3 ± 16.5, 5.1 ± 5.0, 0.3 ± 0.3 ml and 1.5 ± 2.1 g respectively. The presence of vascular adhesion (p < 0.001), patient age (p = 0.002) and proximal venous access (p = 0.001) were statistically associated with the presence of HCa.

Conclusion

HCa is a real but rare phenomenon (incidence around 1%), mostly unique, intense, small in volume (< 1 ml), and associated with the presence of vascular FDG uptake, confirming the hypothesis of a microembolic origin due to probable vein wall trauma at the injection site.
The number of drones to inseminate a queen with has little potential for optimization of honeybee breeding programs
Authors: Du Manuel , Bernstein Richard , Hoppe Andreas
Published: August 2024

Background

Mating control is a crucial aspect of honeybee breeding. Instrumental insemination of queens gives the breeder maximum control over the genetic origin of the involved drones. However, in addition to the drones’ descent, the breeder’s control also extends over the number of drones to use for inseminations. Thus far, this aspect has largely been ignored in attempts to optimize honeybee breeding schemes. The literature provides some comparisons between single drone inseminations (SDI) and multi drone inseminations (MDI) but it is unclear whether the number of drones used in MDI is a relevant parameter for the optimization of honeybee breeding programs.

Methods

By computer simulations, we investigated the effect of the number of drones per inseminated queen in breeding programs that relied on best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) breeding values. We covered a range of 1 to 50 drones per queen and observed the developments of genetic gain and inbreeding over a period of 20 years. Hereby, we focused on insemination schemes that take the drones for one queen from a single colony.

Results

SDI strategies led to 5.46% to 14.19% higher genetic gain than MDI at the cost of 6.1% to 30.2% higher inbreeding rates. The number of drones used in MDI settings had only a negligible impact on the results. There was a slight tendency that more drones lead to lower genetic gain and lower inbreeding rates but whenever more than five drones were used for inseminations, no significant differences could be observed.

Conclusion

The opportunities to optimize breeding schemes via the number of drones used in inseminations are very limited. SDI can be a viable strategy in situations where breeders are interested in genetically homogeneous offspring or precise pedigree information. However, such strategies have to account for the fact that the semen from a single drone is insufficient to fill a queen’s spermatheca, whence SDI queens will not build full-strength colonies. When deciding for MDI, breeders should focus on collecting enough semen for a succesful insemination, regardless of how many drones they need for this purpose.
A framework for natural resource management with geospatial machine learning: a case study of the 2021 Almora forest fires
Authors: Tiwari Arpit , Nanjundan Preethi , Kumar Ravi Ranjan , Soni Vijay Kumar
Published: August 2024

Background

Wildfires have a substantial impact on air quality and ecosystems by releasing greenhouse gases (GHGs), trace gases, and aerosols into the atmosphere. These wildfires produce both light-absorbing and merely scattering aerosols that can act as cloud condensation nuclei, altering cloud reflectivity, cloud lifetime, and precipitation frequency. Uttarakhand province in India experiences frequent wildfires that affect its protected ecosystems. Thus, a natural resource management system is needed in this region to assess the impact of wildfire hazards on land and atmosphere. We conducted an analysis of a severe fire event that occurred between January and April 2021 in the Kumaun region of Uttarakhand, by utilizing open-source geospatial data. Near-real-time satellite observations of pre- and post-fire conditions within the study area were used to detect changes in land and atmosphere. Supervised machine learning algorithm was also implemented to estimate burned above ground biomass (AGB) to monitor biomass stock.

Results

The study found that 21.75% of the total burned area burned with moderate to high severity, resulting in a decreased Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index value (> 0.3), a reduced Normalized Differential Moisture Index value (> 0.4), and a lowered Normalized Differential Vegetation Index (> 0.5). The AGB estimate demonstrated a significant simple determination (r2 = 0.001702) and probability (P < 2.2  10−16), along with a positive correlation (r ≤ 0.24) with vegetation and soil indices. The algorithm predicted that 17.56 tonnes of biomass per hectare burned in the Kumaun forests. This fire incident resulted in increased emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2; ~ 0.8  10−4 kg carbon h−1), methane (CH4; ~ 200  10−9 mol fraction in dry air), carbon monoxide (CO; 2000  1015 molecules cm−2 total column), and formaldehyde (HCHO; 3500  1013 molecules cm−2 total column), along with increased aerosol optical thickness (varying from 0.2 to 0.5).

Conclusions

We believe that our proposed operational framework for managing natural resources and assessing the impact of natural hazards can be used to efficiently monitor near-real-time forest-fire-caused changes in land and atmosphere. This method makes use of openly accessible geospatial data that can be employed for several objectives, including monitoring carbon stocks, greenhouse gas emissions, criterion air pollution, and radiative forcing of the climate, among many others. Our proposed framework will assist policymakers and the scientific community in mitigating climate change problems and in developing adaptation policies.
6-Methyl-5-hepten-2-one promotes programmed cell death during superficial scald development in pear
Authors: Niu Junpeng , Xu Mingzhen , Zhang Xu , Li Luqi , Luo Weiqi , Ma Meng , Zhu Lin , Tian Decai , Zhang Shaoling , Xie Bing , Wang Guodong , Wang Libin , Hui Wei
Published: August 2024

Plants possess the ability to induce programmed cell death (PCD) in response to abiotic and biotic stresses; nevertheless, the evidence on PCD initiation during pear scald development and the involvement of the scald trigger 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one (MHO) in this process is rudimentary. Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd. cv. ‘Dangshansuli’ pear was used to validate such hypothesis. The results showed that superficial scald occurred after 120-d chilling exposure, which accompanied by typical PCD-associated morphological alterations, such as plasmolysis, cell shrinkage, cytosolic and nuclear condensation, vacuolar collapse, tonoplast disruption, subcellular organelle swelling, and DNA fragmentation. These symptoms were aggravated after MHO fumigation but alleviated by diphenylamine (DPA) dipping. Through transcriptome assay, 24 out of 146 PCD-related genes, which were transcribed during cold storage, were identified as the key candidate members responsible for these cellular biological alternations upon scald development. Among these, PbrCNGC1, PbrGnai1, PbrACD6, and PbrSOBIR1 were implicated in the MHO signaling pathway. Additionally, PbrWRKY2, 34 and 39 could bind to the W-box element in the promoter of PbrGnai1 or PbrSOBIR1 and activate their transcription, as confirmed by dual-luciferase, yeast one-hybrid, and transient overexpression assays. Hence, our study confirms the PCD initiation during scald development and explores the critical role of MHO in this process.
Symptoms of anxiety and depression among osteoporotic women
Authors: Feki A. , Sellami I. , Trabelsi B. , Gassara Z. , Ben Djemaa S. , Abbes A. , Ezzeddine M. , Kallel M. H. , Fourati H. , Akrout R. , Mejdoub Y. , Baklouti S.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Osteoporosis (OP) prevalence is on the rise as a result of an ageing population and lifestyle factors such as inactivity. Previous research has reported OP in individuals with depressive symptoms. Furthermore, OP has been shown to be a risk factor for anxiety.

Objectives

In this study, we aimed to describe anxiety and depression symptoms among osteoporotic women in a university hospital in Tunisia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted between January and June 2023 in a university hospital in Tunisia. Women with postmenopausal OP in the rheumatology department were interviewed. A hospital anxiety and depressive scale was used to describe anxiety and depression symptoms among patients. It consists of seven items for depression (HADS-D) and seven items for anxiety (HADS-A). For each component a score ≤ 7 indicated the absence of symptomatology.

Results

Seventy-two women diagnosed with post-menopausal OP participated in the study. The mean age was 72.5 (±1.08). The median duration of menopause was 23 years (IIQ= [10.5-28.5]). All patients were receiving bisphosphonates. Fifty-eight women (80.5%) were identified with depressive symptoms. The median depression score was 17.5 (IIQ= [9-19]). Physical activity was significantly and inversely associated with the presence of depressive symptoms (r= -6.36; p=10-3). Those who were overweight or even obese had significantly more depressive symptoms than those who were not overweight (94%, 57%, p= 0.001).

The median score of anxiety was 16 (IIQ= [9-17]). Sixty-three patients (87.5%) were identified with anxiety symptoms. Physical activity was significantly and inversely associated with the presence of anxiety symptoms (r= -4.89; p=10-3). Women who had bone fractures were significantly more anxious than those without a history of bone fractures (100%, 63%, p<10-3). Patients who were overweight were significantly more anxious than those with normal weight (96%, 57%, p<10-3).

Conclusions

Physical activity and obesity were associated with depression and anxiety among osteoporotic patients. These data are consistent with previous findings That’s why, promoting physical activity and weight loss is essential to preventing mental disorders among osteoporotic women.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared
Spiritual awakening. Substance abuse, dual pathology
Authors: Gordillo Montaño M. J. , Rodriguez Rodriguez L. , Pérez Aparicio C. , Boned Torres S. V.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Kambó is considered an “ancestral medicine” by the indigenous tribes of the western region of the Amazon.

Objectives

Through this clinical case, the aim is to present the particularities of the symptoms and management of patients with consumption of not so common substances, such as Kambo or salvia divinorum, as well as the evolution that will occur in a patient with a previous diagnosis of a Depressive Episode.

Methods

We present the case of a 23-year-old male, Gestalt therapy student. History of tobacco, THC, and recent use of salvia divinorum and Kambo. He began follow-up by psychiatry in a private setting three years ago due to a severe depressive episode, having required treatment with antidepressants, antipsychotics and benzodiazepines, and having been triggered by a serious assault. The episode is resolved and follow-up is discontinued. Family history of depressive syndrome and suicide.

He resumed contact through the Emergency Department, requiring hospital admission due to symptoms compatible with a manic episode with psychotic symptoms. It begins with behavioral alterations and global insomnia that are related to the consumption of some substance, initially unknown to them, making the skin lesions they presented suspect the consumption of kambo.

Results

We assess the risk of consuming these substances, which are sometimes used as alternative therapies, and especially in this type of patient, who is more vulnerable and perhaps seeks a way out of the problems they present.

Conclusions

In our case, it triggered a manic episode with psychotic symptoms, which consisted of delusional ideation of mystical content accompanied by auditory hallucinations. The episode took about a month to subside, despite treatment. Subsequently, there have been more episodes with similar characteristics, and they have not been associated with the consumption of kambó, but have been linked to the consumption of “natural medicinal substances.”

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared