bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of a Resident-Driven Research Club on Scholarly Activity in an Academic Internal Medicine Residency Program During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Olanipekun Titilope , Abe Temidayo , Effoe Valery , Charaf Christine , Ivonye Chinedu , Bakinde Nicolas
Published: November 2023

OBJECTIVES

Traditional journal clubs have been shown to be insufficient in improving residents’ scholarly productivity, often due to the inability to sustain residents’ interest and participation. Additionally, the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic restrictions caused a decline in academic scholarly productivity across residency programs. We evaluated the impact of a resident-led research club called ‘journal café' on residents’ scholarly productivity by comparing scholarly output between the journal café members and non-members during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

The journal café was established in the 2012/2013 academic year by internal medicine residents of a university residency program in Atlanta, Georgia, to foster self-directed collaboration among residents based on shared interests in academic research. The journal café runs independently of the residency program’s journal club. We categorized IM residents at our institution into journal café members and non-members and collected data on their research productivity during residency training and the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey was conducted between April and June 2021 and analyzed data presented using frequencies, tables, and appropriate charts.

RESULTS

Sixty-eight residents (29 journal café members and 39 non-members) completed the survey (response rate of 85%). A significantly higher number of journal café members reported having five or more research publications (55.1% vs 7.1%, P < .001) and scientific presentations (48.3% vs 2.6%, P < .001) compared with non-members. Additionally, more journal café members published COVID-19-related research in peer-reviewed journals compared with non-members (68% vs 32%, n  =  19). Finally, most of the residents cited the opportunity of a platform to share and brainstorm on research ideas as the reason for joining the journal café.

CONCLUSION

We found an association between journal café participation and increased scholarly activity, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Independent resident-led research clubs supported by the residency program may complement the traditional journal clubs and enhance residents’ participation in research.
Weightbearing Computed Tomography vs Conventional Tomography for Examination of Varying Degrees of Lisfranc Injures: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Talaski Grayson M. , Baumann Anthony N. , Walley Kempland C. , Anastasio Albert T. , de Cesar Netto Cesar
Published: November 2023

Background

Lisfranc injuries, if not accurately diagnosed, can result in chronic pain and instability. Previous studies have examined ultrasonographs, radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and conventional computed tomography (CT) scan to differentiate Lisfranc instability, but they focused on a healthy/injured scale without differentiating subtle injury. Weightbearing CT (WBCT) has emerged as a diagnostic tool for detecting subtle Lisfranc injuries. This systematic review aimed to compare WBCT with conventional CT in diagnosing Lisfranc injury, and the ability to differentiate injuries of varying severities.

Methods:

The review encompassed PubMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science databases from inception until July 5, 2023. Inclusion criteria involved studies on CT and/or WBCT for Lisfranc injuries and nonoperative studies. Exclusion criteria composed case reports, commentaries, postoperative imaging studies, pediatric patients, studies with nonobjective radiographic measurements, studies exclusively focused on injury classification, and studies with fewer than 5 patients because of poor statistical power. Data extraction focused on radiographic measurements of the Lisfranc complex, categorized into conventional CT, partial WBCT, and total WBCT.

Results:

Out of the initially retrieved 489 articles, 9 met the inclusion criteria. Several studies consistently demonstrate that WBCT provides a higher level of accuracy in measuring the Lisfranc area, offering enhanced sensitivity to detect subtle alterations in joint structure. Moreover, WBCT exhibits superior sensitivity in distinguishing between healthy Lisfranc joints and those with injuries, particularly when identifying dorsal ligament damage. This imaging modality allows for the detection of significant variations in critical measurements like first-second metatarsal (M1-M2) distance, first cuneiform (C1)-M2 distance, and joint volumes, enabling a more comprehensive assessment of Lisfranc joint health especially with subtle instability.

Conclusion

This review evaluates the extant literature on WBCT’s utility in diagnosing Lisfranc injuries and compares its effectiveness to CT in distinguishing between injuries of varying severity. WBCT, with reliable measurement techniques, appears more adept at detecting subtle Lisfranc instability compared to CT, likely by allowing the assessment of injury under load.
A seismologically consistent surface rupture length model for unbounded and width-limited events
Authors: Lavrentiadis Grigorios , Wang Yongfei , Abrahamson Norman A , Bozorgnia Yousef , Goulet Christine A
Published: November 2023

A new surface-rupture-length (SRL) relationship as a function of magnitude [Formula: see text], fault thickness, and fault dip angle is presented in this article. The objective of this study is to model the change in scaling between unbounded and width-limited ruptures. This is achieved through the use of seismological-theory-based relationships for the average displacement scaling and the aid of dynamic fault rupture simulations to constrain the rupture width scaling. The empirical data set used in the development of this relationship is composed of [Formula: see text] events ranging from [Formula: see text] 5 to [Formula: see text] and SRL 1.1 to 432 km. The dynamic rupture simulations data set includes [Formula: see text] events ranging from [Formula: see text] 4.9 to 8.2 and [Formula: see text] 1 to 655 km. For the average displacement [Formula: see text] scaling, three simple models and two composite models were evaluated. The simple average displacement models are a square root of the rupture area [Formula: see text], a down-dip width [Formula: see text], and a rupture length [Formula: see text] proportional model. The two composite models have a [Formula: see text] scaling for unbounded ruptures and transition to [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] scaling for width-limited events, respectively. The empirical data favors a [Formula: see text] scaling for the entire regime (unbounded and width-limited ruptures) followed by a [Formula: see text] scaling for unbounded that changes to [Formula: see text] scaling for width-limited ruptures. The selected models exhibit better predictive performance compared to linear [Formula: see text] type models, especially in the large magnitude range, which is dominated by width-limited events. A comparison with published SRL models shows consistent scaling for different fault types and tectonic environments.
Analysis of the barriers to multimodal freight transport and their mitigation strategies
Authors: Karam Ahmed , Jensen Anders Julius Klejs , Hussein Mohamed
Published: November 2023

Multimodal Freight Transport (MFT) has been introduced as a solution for reducing the external costs of freight transport while achieving cost improvements. Despite the MFT benefits, its share has been low in practice, and transport by trucks remains the most preferred transport mode. A few works have recently investigated this issue by discussing various barriers to MFT. However, little conceptual work comprehensively examines the barriers that organizations may face during MFT applications. To address this gap, this paper has reviewed 104 studies and identified 31 barriers and possible strategies for overcoming them. To clarify the nature of these barriers, we developed a conceptual barrier framework that positions the identified barriers within the overall MFT chain. This framework categorizes the barriers into six categories: MFT terminal, MFT network, management, regulations and subsidies, delivery characteristics, and interoperability. The findings provide decision-makers and practitioners with theoretical and practical insights into the barriers to transition toward MFT and will assist them in implementing MFT successfully.
Dnali1 is required for sperm motility and male fertility in mice
Authors: Zhou Yiling , Wang Yaling , Chen Jingwen , Wu Bangguo , Tang Shuyan , Zhang Feng , Liu Chunyu , Wang Lingbo
Published: November 2023

Background

The sperm flagellum is an evolutionarily conserved specialized organelle responsible for sperm motility and male fertility. Deleterious mutations in genes involved in the sperm flagellum assembly can often cause sperm motility defects and male infertility. The murine Dnali1 gene encodes a protein that is known to interact with the cytoplasmic dynein heavy chain 1.

Results

A Dnali1-mutated mouse model was generated by inducing a nonsense mutation in the Dnali1 gene. The Dnali1-mutated male mice presented impaired sperm motility and were completely infertile. Although no obviously abnormal sperm morphology was observed in Dnali1-mutated male mice, the ultrastructural structure of sperm flagellum was disrupted, displaying as an asymmetrical distribution of the longitudinal columns (LCs). Notably, infertile Dnali1-mutated male mice were able to obtain offspring via ICSI.

Conclusions

Our results uncover a role of DNALI1 in sperm motility and male fertility in mice, and demonstrate that ICSI overcomes Dnali1-associated male infertility, thus providing guidance for the diagnosis and genetic counseling of DNALI1-associated human infertility.
DeepHLAPred: a deep learning-based method for non-classical HLA binder prediction
Authors: Huang Guohua , Tang Xingyu , Zheng Peijie
Published: November 2023

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) is closely involved in regulating the human immune system. Despite great advance in detecting classical HLA Class I binders, there are few methods or toolkits for recognizing non-classical HLA Class I binders. To fill in this gap, we have developed a deep learning-based tool called DeepHLAPred. The DeepHLAPred used electron-ion interaction pseudo potential, integer numerical mapping and accumulated amino acid frequency as initial representation of non-classical HLA binder sequence. The deep learning module was used to further refine high-level representations. The deep learning module comprised two parallel convolutional neural networks, each followed by maximum pooling layer, dropout layer, and bi-directional long short-term memory network. The experimental results showed that the DeepHLAPred reached the state-of-the-art performanceson the cross-validation test and the independent test. The extensive test demonstrated the rationality of the DeepHLAPred. We further analyzed sequence pattern of non-classical HLA class I binders by information entropy. The information entropy of non-classical HLA binder sequence implied sequence pattern to a certain extent. In addition, we have developed a user-friendly webserver for convenient use, which is available at http://www.biolscience.cn/DeepHLApred/. The tool and the analysis is helpful to detect non-classical HLA Class I binder. The source code and data is available at https://github.com/tangxingyu0/DeepHLApred.
Modulation of GABA by sodium butyrate ameliorates hypothalamic inflammation in experimental model of PCOS
Authors: Eepho Oony-Iye , Bashir Al-Amin M. , Oniyide Adesola A. , Aturamu Ayodeji , Owolabi Olutunmise V. , Ajadi Isaac O. , Fafure Adedamola A. , Ajadi Mary B. , Areloegbe Stephanie E. , Olaniyi Kehinde S.
Published: November 2023

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a known endocrine disorder that has affected many women of childbearing age, and is accompanied by various neurodegenerative conditions. Hence, this study investigates the impact of butyrate in reversing hypothalamic-related disorder, possibly through γ aminobutyric acid (GABA) in a rat model of PCOS. Eight-week-old female Wistar rats were allotted into four groups (n = 5), which include control, butyrate, letrozole, and letrozole + butyrate groups. PCOS was induced by administering 1 mg/kg of letrozole (oral gavage) for 21 days. After confirmation of PCOS, 200 mg/kg of butyrate (oral gavage) was administered for 6 weeks. Rats with PCOS were characterized by elevated levels of plasma insulin and testosterone. Increases in plasma and hypothalamic triglyceride levels, inflammatory biomarker (SDF-1), apoptotic marker (caspase-6), and decreased plasma GnRH were observed. Additionally, a decrease in hypothalamic GABA was revealed. Nevertheless, the administration of butyrate attenuated these alterations. The present study suggests that butyrate ameliorates hypothalamic inflammation in an experimental model of PCOS, a beneficial effect that is accompanied by enhanced GABA production.
Resection of the primary tumor improves the prognosis of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine neoplasms with liver metastases: mutual validation based on SEER database and institutional data
Authors: Liu Yifan , Wang Zhixiong , Lin Qi , Cui Ruizhe , Tang Wei , Li Guanghua , Wang Zhao
Published: November 2023

Background

Gastrointestinal Neuroendocrine Neoplasms (GI-NENs) often result in liver metastases, and the role of Primary Tumor Resection (PTR) in managing GI-NENs with liver metastases (GI-NENLM) is still debated. This study aimed to investigate the potential benefits of PTR in treating GI-NENLM by analyzing data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER) and the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University (FAH).

Methods

The SEER Registry 17 database and the FAH clinical pathology database were used to collect clinicopathology data for GI-NENLM diagnosed between 2010 and 2019 and between 2011 and 2022, respectively. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to match the clinicopathological characteristics of patients from both cohorts. Inverse probability weighting (IPTW) was used to weigh the PTR and non-PTR groups. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS).

Results

After matching, 155 patients from the SEER database were matched to the FAH cohort. PTR was significantly associated with better prognosis in PSM-matched/unmatched SEER cohorts (P < 0.01) and in the FAH cohort even after eliminating selection bias using IPTW (p < 0.01). Subgroup analysis suggests that the cohort consisting of patients aged 55 years or older, individuals with colorectal primary tumors, those at the T1 disease stage, and those without extrahepatic metastasis may potentially benefit from PTR. Interaction analysis showed no significant interaction between PTR and other clinical and pathological factors except for age.

Conclusion

The employment of PTR in patients with GI-NENLM is significantly correlated with individual survival benefits. We support performing PTR on carefully evaluated patients.
Genomic analysis reveals HDAC1 regulates clinically relevant transcriptional programs in Pancreatic cancer
Authors: Wright Carter A. , Gordon Emily R. , Cooper Sara J.
Published: November 2023

Novel strategies are needed to combat multidrug resistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We applied genomic approaches to understand mechanisms of resistance in order to better inform treatment and precision medicine. Altered function of chromatin remodeling complexes contribute to chemoresistance. Our study generates and analyzes genomic and biochemical data from PDAC cells overexpressingHDAC1, a histone deacetylase involved in several chromatin remodeling complexes. We characterized the impact of overexpression on drug response, gene expression, HDAC1 binding, and chromatin structure using RNA-sequencing and ChIP-sequencing for HDAC1 and H3K27 acetylation. Integrative genomic analysis shows thatHDAC1overexpression promotes activation of key resistance pathways including epithelial to mesenchymal transition, cell cycle, and apoptosis through global chromatin remodeling. Target genes are similarly altered in patient tissues and show correlation with patient survival. We also demonstrate that direct targets of HDAC1 that also show altered chromatin are enriched near genes associated with altered GTPase activity. HDAC1 target genes identified using in vitro methods and observed in patient tissues were used to develop a clinically relevant nine-transcript signature associated with patient prognosis. Integration of multiple genomic and biochemical data types enables understanding of multidrug resistance and tumorigenesis in PDAC, a disease in desperate need of novel treatment strategies.
Progression of obstructive sleep apnoea after renal denervation is not associated with hypertension exaggeration
Authors: Korostovtseva Lyudmila S. , Ionov Mikhail V. , Shcherbakova Elizaveta A. , Bochkarev Mikhail V. , Emelyanov Igor V. , Yudina Yulia S. , Mironova Svetlana A. , Zverev Dmitry A. , Lebedev Dmitry S. , Vakhrushev Aleksandr D. , Avdonina Natalia G. , Zvartau Nadezhda E. , Mikhaylov Evgeny N. , Sviryaev Yurii V. , Konradi Aleksandra O.
Published: November 2023

Purpose

In a cohort, observational prospective trial, we assessed the long-term dynamics of sleep-disordered breathing in patients with resistant hypertension after renal denervation and their association with blood pressure change at remote follow-up.

Materials and methods

Twenty-eight patients with stable hypertension who were recruited for endovascular radiofrequency renal denervation in 2012–2019 and had valid both baseline and follow-up sleep study, were included in the analysis. All patients underwent physical examination, anthropometry, office and ambulatory blood pressure measurements, blood and urine tests, kidney visualization, and full polysomnography before and within 12–36 months after renal denervation.

Results

The average follow-up comprised 30.1 ± 8.4 months. At long-term follow-up, no significant changes in creatinine level, estimated glomerular filtration rate, body mass index were registered. There was a significant increase in sleep apnea severity indices: the mean change in apnea-hypopnea index comprised 9.0(-21.1;25.2) episodes/h, in oxygen desaturation index 6.5(-16.8;35.9) episodes/h, in the average SpO2 -1.7(-5.6;1.9)%. Over 12-month follow-up, there were no significant differences in blood pressure response in patients with and without sleep apnea. The baseline apnea-hypopnea and oxygen desaturation indices and the mean SpO2 were associated with the circadian blood pressure profile at follow-up, but did not correlate with the blood pressure response.

Conclusions

Although the severity of sleep apnea worsens at > 12 months follow-up after renal denervation, this is not associated with hypertension exaggeration.
The practice of breast self-examination and associated factors among female healthcare professionals working in selected hospitals in Kigali, Rwanda: a cross sectional study
Authors: Wolde Mulugeta Tenna , Okova Rosemary , Habtu Michael , Wondafrash Mekitie , Bekele Abebe
Published: November 2023

Background

Breast self-examination (BSE) is considered one of the main screening methods in detecting earlier stages of breast cancer. It is a useful technique if practiced every month by women above 20 years considering that breast cancer among women globally contributed to 685,000 deaths in 2020. However, the practice of breast self-examination among healthcare professionals is low in many developing countries and it is not well known in Rwanda. Therefore, this research was intended to measure the level of breast self-examination practice and its associated factors among female healthcare professionals working in selected hospitals in Kigali, Rwanda.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 221 randomly selected female healthcare professionals in four district hospitals in Kigali, Rwanda. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used as data collection instrument. The predictor variables were socio-demographic and obstetrics variables, knowledge on breast cancer and breast self-examination as well as attitude towards breast cancer and breast self-examination. Sample statistics such as frequencies, proportions and mean were used to recapitulate the findings in univariate analysis. Multiple logistic regression analysis was employed to identify statistically significant variables that predict breast self-examination practice. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence level were reported. P-value < 0.05 was used to declare statistical significance.

Results

Breast self-examination was practiced by 43.5% of female healthcare professionals. This prevalence is low compared to other studies. Attitude towards breast self-examination and breast cancer was the only predictor variable that was significantly associated with breast self-examination practice [AOR = 1.032; 95% CI (1.001, 1.065), p-value = 0.042]. However, number of pregnancy and number of children were not significantly associated with BSE practice in the multi-variate analysis. In addition, there was a positive linear link between knowledge and attitude, with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.186 (p = 0.005).

Conclusions

The breast self-examination practice among healthcare professionals was found to be low. Attitude towards breast cancer and breast self-examination was positively associated with BSE practice. Moreover, attitude and knowledge were positively correlated. This suggests the need for continuous medical education on breast self-examination and breast cancer to increase the knowledge & BSE practice level of female healthcare professionals.
Anthropological overview of kangaroo care in community settings in Madagascar
Authors: Brazy-Nancy Emilia , Mattern Chiarella , Rakotonandrasana Brigitte Irene , Andrianarisoa Vonimboahangy Rachel , Norolalao Patricia , Al-Rashid Azzah
Published: November 2023

The management of preterm births remains a major challenge in Madagascar, given the lack of equipped facilities in rural areas, and the absence of precise data concerning the incidence of such births. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the kangaroo method (skin-to-skin contact) for the management of preterm infants. In this article, we examine the conditions for success and the obstacles facing kangaroo care in community settings in Madagascar. We performed a qualitative research, collecting data from the districts of Antananarivo and Mahajanga in 2021. In total, 54 semi-structured interviews and two focus group sessions were conducted with the parents of preterm infants and healthcare professionals.

The obstacles identified by the research included incomplete and inaccurate knowledge, leading to heterogeneity in the practice of kangaroo care: arbitrary duration, lack of kangaroo care at night, exclusive breastfeeding, and only partially practiced skin-to-skin contact. We found that the conditions for success depended on: (1) the healthcare system, (2) local interpretations of pregnancy, and (3) the structure of the infant’s family. Failings of the medical system, cultural habits going against kangaroo care, and “nuclear” and/or “single parent” family structures undermine the application of this practice, jeopardizing upscaling efforts. We hope that the results of this research will guide community strategies for the management of preterm infants and kangaroo care.
Machine-learning predictions for acute kidney injuries after coronary artery bypass grafting: a real-life muticenter retrospective cohort study
Authors: Jia Tianchen , Xu Kai , Bai Yun , Lv Mengwei , Shan Lingtong , Li Wei , Zhang Xiaobin , Li Zhi , Wang Zhenhua , Zhao Xin , Li Mingliang , Zhang Yangyang
Published: November 2023

Background

Acute kidney injury (AKI) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery is associated with poor outcomes. The objective of this study was to apply a new machine learning (ML) method to establish prediction models of AKI after CABG.

Methods

A total of 2,780 patients from two medical centers in East China who underwent primary isolated CABG were enrolled. The dataset was randomly divided for model training (80%) and model testing (20%). Four ML models based on LightGBM, Support vector machine (SVM), Softmax and random forest (RF) algorithms respectively were established in Python. A total of 2,051 patients from two other medical centers were assigned to an external validation group to verify the performances of the ML prediction models. The models were evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC), Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit statistic, Bland-Altman plots, and decision curve analysis. The outcome of the LightGBM model was interpreted using SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP).

Results

The incidence of postoperative AKI in the modeling group was 13.4%. Similarly, the incidence of postoperative AKI of the two medical centers in the external validation group was 8.2% and 13.6% respectively. LightGBM performed the best in predicting, with an AUC of 0.8027 in internal validation group and 0.8798 and 0.7801 in the external validation group. The SHAP revealed the top 20 predictors of postoperative AKI ranked according to the importance, and the top three features on prediction were the serum creatinine in the first 24 h after operation, the last preoperative Scr level, and body surface area.

Conclusion

This study provides a LightGBM predictive model that can make accurate predictions for AKI after CABG surgery. The LightGBM model shows good predictive ability in both internal and external validation. It can help cardiac surgeons identify high-risk patients who may experience AKI after CABG surgery.
Acute management of fractures in primary care - a cost minimisation analysis
Authors: Vabo Stein , Kjerstad Egil , Hunskaar Steinar , Steen Knut , Brudvik Christina , Morken Tone
Published: November 2023

Background

In Norway, primary healthcare has first-line responsibility for all medical emergencies, including traumas and fractures. Normally, patients with suspected fractures are referred to specialist care in hospitals. However, the cooperating municipalities of Bykle and Valle have X-ray facilities and handle minor fractures locally. The aim of this study was to estimate the costs of X-ray diagnosis and initial treatment of fractures at the local primary care centre compared with initial transport and treatment in hospital.

Methods

We conducted a cost minimisation analysis by comparing expected costs of initial examination with X-ray and treatment of patients with fractures or suspected fractures at two possible sites, in the local municipality or at the hospital. A cost minimisation analysis is an economic evaluation based on the assumption that the outcomes of the two treatment procedure regimens are equal. Costs were estimated in Euros (EUR) using 2021 mean exchange rates.

Results

In 2019, we identified a total of 403 patients with suspected fractures in the two municipalities. Among these, 12 patients bypassed the primary care system as they needed urgent hospital care. A total of 391 injured patients were assessed with X-ray at the primary health care centres, 382 received their initial treatment there, and nine were referred to hospital. In an alternative hospital model, without X-ray and treatment possibilities in the municipality, the 382 patients would have been sent directly to hospital for radiological imaging and treatment. The total cost was estimated at EUR 367,756 in the hospital model and at EUR 69,835 in the primary care model, a cost saving of EUR 297,921.

Conclusion

Based on cost minimisation analysis, this study found that radiological diagnosis of suspected fractures and initial treatment of uncomplicated fractures in primary care cost substantially less than transport to and treatment in hospital.
The function of wing bullae in mayflies (Insecta: Ephemeroptera) reveals new insights into the early evolution of Pterygota
Authors: Domínguez Eduardo , van de Kamp Thomas , Mikó István , Cuezzo M. Gabriela , Staniczek Arnold H.
Published: November 2023

Background

Mayflies are basal winged insects of crucial importance for the understanding of the early evolution of Pterygota. Unlike all other insects, they have two successive winged stages, the subimago and the imago. Their forewings feature so-called bullae, which are desclerotized spots in the anterior main veins. Up to now, they have been considered to play a major role in wing bending during flight.

Results

We investigated bullae by multiple methods to reveal their structure and arrangement and to gain new information on the evolution of insect flight. Bullae are mostly present in the anterior negative wing veins, disrupting the otherwise rigid veins. High-speed videography reveals that mayfly wings do not bend during flight. Likewise, different arrangements of bullae in different species do not correlate with different modes of flying. Observations on the moulting of subimagines unravel that they are essential for wing bending during the extraction of the imaginal wing from the subimaginal cuticle. Bullae define predetermined bending lines, which, together with a highly flexible wing membrane enriched with resilin, permit wing bending during subimaginal moulting. Bullae are only absent in those species that remain in the subimaginal stage or that use modified modes of moulting. Bullae are also visible in fossil mayflies and can be traced back to stemgroup mayflies of the Early Permian, the 270 million years old Protereismatidae, which most probably had bullae in both fore- and hind wings.

Conclusions

Bullae in mayfly wings do not play a role in flight as previously thought, but are crucial for wing bending during subimaginal moulting. Thus, the presence of bullae is a reliable morphological marker for a subimaginal life stage, confirming the existence of the subimago already in Permian Protereismatidae. A thorough search for bullae in fossils of other pterygote lineages may reveal wheather they also had subimagines and at what point in evolution this life stage was lost. In mayflies, however, the subimago may have been retained due to selective advantages in connection with the transition from aquatic to terrestrial life or due to morphological requirements for a specialized mating flight.
The impact of the new acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) criteria on Berlin criteria ARDS patients: a multicenter cohort study
Authors: Zhao Lina , Su Fuhong , Zhang Nannan , Wu Hening , Shen Yuehao , Liu Haiying , Li Xuguang , Li Yun , Xie Keliang
Published: November 2023

Objective

The European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) recently recommended changes to the criteria of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), patients with high-flow oxygen were included, however, the effect of these changes remains unclear. Our objectives were to evaluate the performance of these new criteria and to compare the outcomes of patients meeting the new ARDS criteria with those meeting the Berlin ARDS criteria.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort. The patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) were diagnosed with ARDS. Patients were classified as meeting Berlin criteria ARDS (n = 4279), high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) criteria ARDS (n = 559), or new criteria ARDS (n = 4838).

Results

In comparison with HFNO criteria ARDS and new criteria ARDS, patients with Berlin criteria ARDS demonstrated lower blood oxygen levels assessed by PaO2/FiO2, SpO2/FiO2, and ROX (SpO2/FiO2/respiratory rate) (p < 0.001); and higher severity of illness assessed by the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluations (APACHE II), Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS II) (p < 0.001), (p < 0.001), and longer ICU and hospital stays (p < 0.001). In comparison with the HFNO criteria, patients meeting Berlin criteria ARDS had higher hospital mortality (10.6% vs. 16.9%; p = 0.0082), 28-day mortality (10.6% vs. 16.5%; p = 0.0079), and 90-day mortality (10.7% vs. 17.1%; p = 0.0083). ARDS patients with HFNO did not have severe ARDS; Berlin criteria ARDS patients with severe ARDS had the highest mortality rate (approximately 33%). PaO2/FiO2, SpO2/FiO2, and ROX negatively correlated with the SOFA and APACHE II scores. The SOFA and APACHE II scores had high specificity and sensitivity for prognosis in patients with new criteria ARDS.

Conclusion

The new criteria of ARDS reduced the severity of illness, length of stay in the ICU, length of hospital stays, and overall mortality. SOFA and APACHE II scores remain important in assessing the prognosis of patients with new criteria ARDS.

Trial registration

Registration number: ChiCTR2200067084.
What is available to support pain management in Parkinson’s: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Parkinson Mark , Ryan Cormac , Avery Leah , Hand Annette , Ramaswamy Bhanu , Jones Julie , Lindop Fiona , Silverdale Monty , Baker Katherine , Naisby Jenni
Published: November 2023

Objective

A scoping review will be undertaken to examine and map the available evidence that has been produced in relation to pain management in Parkinson’s, with a focus on behavioural interventions, resources and/or how professionals support people with Parkinson’s self-management of pain.

Methods

This review will be based on the methodological framework given by Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005), including enhancements by Levac et al., Peters et al. and the Joanna Briggs Institute. We will include studies from PubMed, SCOPUS, CINAHL, MEDLINE Web of Science, APA PsycINFO and ASSIA from January, 2010 onwards. Both quantitative and qualitative data will be analysed separately to identify the characteristics of support for pain management available, orientation of the approach and any identifiable behaviour change components and their outcomes. The COM-B behaviour change model and Theoretical Domains Framework will provide a theoretical framework for synthesising evidence in this review.

Conclusion

This scoping review will help to explore studies focusing on the evidence supporting a range of interventions relating to the management of pain experienced by people living with Parkinson’s. The focus will be on describing what is available to support self-management, identify what behaviour change components have been used and their effectiveness, identify barriers and enablers to pain management and explore gaps in current provision of pain management. This review will identify implications and priorities for the follow-up phases to the larger ‘Pain in Parkinson’s’ Project which is designed to support clinicians and individuals living with Parkinson’s.
Targeted delivery of organic small-molecule photothermal materials with engineered extracellular vesicles for imaging-guided tumor photothermal therapy
Authors: Dong Yafang , Xia Peng , Xu Xiaolong , Shen Jing , Ding Youbin , Jiang Yuke , Wang Huifang , Xie Xin , Zhang Xiaodong , Li Weihua , Li Zhijie , Wang Jigang , Zhao Shan-Chao
Published: November 2023

Imaging-guided photothermal therapy (PTT) for cancers recently gathered increasing focus thanks to its precise diagnosis and potent therapeutic effectiveness. Croconaine (CR) dyes demonstrate potential in expanding utility for near infrared (NIR) dyes in bio-imaging/theranostics. However, reports on CR dyes for PTT are scarce most likely due to the short of the efficacious delivery strategies to achieve specific accumulation in diseased tissues to induce PTT. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are multifunctional nanoparticle systems that function as safe platform for disease theragnostics, which provide potential benefits in extensive biomedical applications. Here, we developed a novel delivery system for photothermal molecules based on a CR dye that exerts photothermal activity through CDH17 nanobody-engineered EVs. The formed CR@E8-EVs showed strong NIR absorption, excellent photothermal performance, good biological compatibility and superb active tumor-targeting capability. The CR@E8-EVs can not only visualize and feature the tumors through CR intrinsic property as a photoacoustic imaging (PAI) agent, but also effectively retard the tumor growth under laser irradiation to perform PTT. It is expected that the engineered EVs will become a novel delivery vehicle of small organic photothermal agents (SOPTAs) in future clinical PTT applications.
Targeting ferroptosis in melanoma: cancer therapeutics
Authors: Khorsandi Khatereh , Esfahani HomaSadat , Ghamsari Saeedeh Keyvani- , lakhshehei Parisa
Published: November 2023

Melanoma is an aggressive kind of skin cancer; its rate has risen rapidly over the past few decades. Melanoma reports for only about 1% of skin cancers but leads to a high majority of skin cancer deaths. Thus, new useful therapeutic approaches are currently required, to state effective treatments to consistently enhance the overall survival rate of melanoma patients. Ferroptosis is a recently identified cell death process, which is different from autophagy, apoptosis, necrosis, and pyroptosis in terms of biochemistry, genetics, and morphology which plays an important role in cancer treatment. Ferroptosis happens mostly by accumulating iron and lipid peroxides in the cell. Recently, studies have revealed that ferroptosis has a key role in the tumor’s progression. Especially, inducing ferroptosis in cells can inhibit the tumor cells’ growth, leading to back warding tumorigenesis. Here, we outline the ferroptosis characteristics from its basic role in melanoma cancer and mention its possible applications in melanoma cancer treatment.
Standard of care in advanced HIV disease: review of HIV treatment guidelines in six sub-Saharan African countries
Authors: Scheier Thomas C. , Youssouf Nabila , Mosepele Mosepele , Kanyama Cecilia , Adekanmbi Olukemi , Lakoh Sulaiman , Muzoora Conrad K. , Meintjes Graeme , Mertz Dominik , Eikelboom John W. , Wasserman Sean
Published: November 2023

Background

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends an evidence-based package of care to reduce mortality and morbidity among people with advanced HIV disease (AHD). Adoption of these recommendations by national guidelines in sub-Saharan Africa is poorly documented. We aimed to review national guidelines for AHD management across six selected countries in sub-Saharan Africa for benchmarking against the 2021 WHO recommendations.

Methods

We reviewed national guidelines from six countries participating in an ongoing randomized controlled trial recruiting people with AHD. We extracted information addressing 18 items of AHD diagnosis and management across the following domains: [1] Definition of AHD, [2] Screening, [3] Prophylaxis, [4] Supportive care, and [5] HIV treatment. Data from national guideline documents were compared to the 2021 WHO consolidated guidelines on HIV and an agreement score was produced to evaluate extent of guideline adoption.

Results

The distribution of categories of agreement varied for the national documents. Four of the six countries addressed all 18 items (Malawi, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Uganda). Overall agreement with the WHO 2021 guidelines ranged from 9 to 15.5 out of 18 possible points: Malawi 15.5 points, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone 14.5 points, South Africa 13.5 points, Uganda 13.0 points and Botswana with 9.0 points. Most inconsistencies were reported for the delay of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in presence of opportunistic diseases. None of the six national guidelines aligned with WHO recommendations around ART timing in patients with tuberculosis. Agreement correlated with the year of publication of the national guideline.

Conclusion

National guidelines addressing the care of advanced HIV disease in sub-Saharan Africa are available. Besides optimal timing for start of ART in presence of tuberculosis, most national recommendations are in line with the 2021 WHO standards.
Exploring the underlying mechanisms of fisetin in the treatment of hepatic insulin resistance via network pharmacology and in vitro validation
Authors: Li Tian , Ling Junjun , Du Xingrong , Zhang Siyu , Yang Yan , Zhang Liang
Published: November 2023

Objective

To characterize potential mechanisms of fisetin on hepatic insulin resistance (IR) using network pharmacology and in vitro validation.

Methods

Putative targets of fisetin were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology database, whereas the potential genes of hepatic IR were obtained from GeneCards database. A protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed according to the intersection targets of fisetin and hepatic IR using the Venn diagram. The biological functions and potential pathways related to genes were determined using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses. Cell experiments were also conducted to further verify the mechanism of fisetin on hepatic IR.

Results

A total of 118 potential targets from fisetin were associated with hepatic IR. The areas of nodes and corresponding degree values of TP53, AKT1, TNF, IL6, CASP3, CTNNB1, JUN, SRC, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and HSP90AA1 were larger and could be easily found in the PPI network. Furthermore, GO analysis revealed that these key targets were significantly involved in multiple biological processes that participated in oxidative stress and serine/threonine kinase activity. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was a significant pathway involved in hepatic IR. Our in vitro results demonstrated that fisetin treatment increased the expressions of EGFR and IRS in HepG2 and L02 cells under normal or IR conditions. Western blot results revealed that p-AKT/AKT levels were significantly up-regulated, suggesting that fisetin was involved in the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway to regulate insulin signaling.

Conclusion

We explored the pharmacological actions and the potential molecular mechanism of fisetin in treating hepatic IR from a holistic perspective. Our study lays a theoretical foundation for the development of fisetin for type 2 diabetes.
A central limit theorem for a classical gas
Authors: Zessin Hans , Poghosyan Suren
Published: November 2023

For a class of translation-invariant pair potentials ϕ in $(\mathbb{R}^{d},z\lambda )$
(

R
d

,
z
λ
)
satisfying a stability and regularity condition, we choose z so small that the associated collection $\mathcal{ G}(\phi,z\lambda )$
G
(
ϕ
,
z
λ
)
of Gibbs processes contains at least the stationary process G, which is a Gibbs process in the sense of DLR and is given by the limiting Gibbs process with empty boundary conditions. Using an abstract version of the method of cluster expansions and Dobrushin’s approach to the central limit theorem, we present a central limit theorem for the particle numbers of G.
Seismically-induced landslide probabilistic hazard mapping of Aba Prefecture and Chengdu Plain region, Sichuan Province, China for future seismic scenarios
Authors: Shao Xiaoyi , Ma Siyuan , Xu Chong , Cheng Jia , Xu Xiwei
Published: November 2023

The purpose of this work is to carry out seismically induced landslide probabilistic hazard mapping for future seismic scenarios of Aba Prefecture and Chengdu Plain region, Sichuan Province, China. Nine earthquake events that occurred in the regions and neighboring areas are selected, which include a total of 251,260 landslide records. This work used 12 influencing factors including elevation, slope, aspect, relief, topographic wetness index (TWI), topographic position index (TPI), peak ground motion, distance to active faults, vegetation coverage, distance to roads, lithology, and annual rainfall to establish the LR model. Based on the probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) method, the distribution of predicted seismic motion under four earthquake scenarios is calculated including frequent, occasional, rare, and very rare earthquake occurrence. Using the PGA distribution of the four scenarios as input peak ground motion parameters, we calculated the occurrence probability of coseismic landslides in the entire Aba Prefecture and Chengdu Plain region under the action of different ground motions. The result shows that the high-hazard areas are mainly concentrated in the Longmenshan fault zone, and the southern area of Kangding is also a potential high-hazard area for landsliding. Meanwhile, as the probability of exceedance decreases, the probability of corresponding earthquake-induced landslides hazard probability and the area of high-hazard regions also significantly increase. Especially, the Pengguan complex rock mass in the southwest of the Longmenshan fault zone is the potential high-hazard area for coseismic landslides.
A coral-associated actinobacterium mitigates coral bleaching under heat stress
Authors: Li Jie , Zou Yiyang , Li Qiqi , Zhang Jian , Bourne David G. , Lyu Yuanjiao , Liu Cong , Zhang Si
Published: November 2023

Background

The positive effects of exposing corals to microorganisms have been reported though how the benefits are conferred are poorly understood. Here, we isolated an actinobacterial strain (SCSIO 13291) from Pocillopora damicornis with capabilities to synthesize antioxidants, vitamins, and antibacterial and antiviral compounds supported with phenotypic and/or genomic evidence. Strain SCSIO 13291 was labeled with 5 (and − 6)-carboxytetramethylrhodamine, succinimidyl ester and the labeled cell suspension directly inoculated onto the coral polyp tissues when nubbins were under thermal stress in a mesocosm experiment. We then visualized the labelled bacterial cells and analyzed the coral physiological, transcriptome and microbiome to elucidate the effect this strain conferred on the coral holobiont under thermal stress.

Results

Subsequent microscopic observations confirmed the presence of the bacterium attached to the coral polyps. Addition of the SCSIO 13291 strain reduced signs of bleaching in the corals subjected to heat stress. At the same time, alterations in gene expression, which were involved in reactive oxygen species and light damage mitigation, attenuated apoptosis and exocytosis in addition to metabolite utilization, were observed in the coral host and Symbiodiniaceae populations. In addition, the coral associated bacterial community altered with a more stable ecological network for samples inoculated with the bacterial strain.

Conclusions

Our results provide insights into the benefits of a putative actinobacterial probiotic strain that mitigate coral bleaching signs. This study suggests that the inoculation of bacteria can potentially directly benefit the coral holobiont through conferring metabolic activities or through indirect mechanisms of suppling additional nutrient sources.