bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The influence of sex on early post‐operative atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery
Authors: Veen Danny , Schram‐Serban Corina , de Groot Natasja M. S.
Published: November 2022

Background

Early post‐operative atrial fibrillation (EPOAF) occurs more frequently in male (M) patients. However, most patients included in EPOAF studies were also M. The aim of the present study was to compare, in a matched M and F population, the occurrence of EPOAF episodes and EPOAF characteristics using continuous rhythm monitoring (CRM) during the first five post‐operative days.

Methods

Our study population consisted of 30 F patients matched with 30 M patients admitted for elective cardiac surgery. After cardiac surgery, patients were continuously monitored for a maximum of 5 days, and the burden of EPOAF episodes was quantified.

Results

No significant differences in the onset, number, burden, total duration, shortest, median and longest EPOAF episode were detected between M and F patients. However, EPOAF occurred more frequently on the third post‐operative day (F: 16 vs. M: 7; p = .013).

Conclusions

Except for the occurrence of the EPOAF on the third post‐operative day. EPOAF characteristics did not differ between M and F patients.
Insulin resistance disrupts white matter microstructure and amplitude of functional spontaneous activity in bipolar disorder
Authors: Mazza Elena , Calesella Federico , Paolini Marco , di Pasquasio Camilla , Poletti Sara , Lorenzi Cristina , Falini Andrea , Zanardi Raffaella , Colombo Cristina , Benedetti Francesco
Published: November 2022

Background

Bipolar disorder (BD) is linked to several structural and functional brain alterations. In addition, BD patients have a three‐fold increased risk of developing insulin resistance, which is associated with neural changes and poorer BD outcomes. Therefore, we investigated the effects of insulin and two derived measures (insulin resistance and sensitivity) on white matter (WM) microstructure, resting‐state (rs) functional connectivity (FC), and fractional amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuation (fALFF).

Methods

BD patients (n = 92) underwent DTI acquisition, and a subsample (n = 22) underwent rs‐fMRI. Blood samples were collected to determine insulin and glucose levels. The Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA‐IR) and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) were computed. DTI data were analyzed via tract‐based spatial statistics and threshold‐free cluster enhancement. From rs‐fMRI data, both ROI‐to‐ROI FC matrices and fALFF maps were extracted.

Results

Insulin showed a widespread negative association with fractional anisotropy (FA) and a positive effect on radial diffusivity (RD) and mean diffusivity (MD). HOMA‐IR exerted a significant effect on RD in the right superior longitudinal fasciculus, whereas QUICKI was positively associated with FA and negatively with RD and MD in the left superior longitudinal fasciculus, left anterior corona radiata, and forceps minor. fALFF was negatively modulated by insulin and HOMA‐IR and positively associated with QUICKI in the precuneus. No significant results were found in the ROI‐to‐ROI analysis.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that WM microstructure and functional alterations might underlie the effect of IR on BD pathophysiology, even if the causal mechanisms need to be further investigated.
Instrumental Variable Estimation of the Causal Hazard Ratio
Authors: Wang Linbo , Tchetgen Tchetgen Eric , Martinussen Torben , Vansteelandt Stijn
Published: November 2022

Cox's proportional hazards model is one of the most popular statistical models to evaluate associations of exposure with a censored failure time outcome. When confounding factors are not fully observed, the exposure hazard ratio estimated using a Cox model is subject to unmeasured confounding bias. To address this, we propose a novel approach for the identification and estimation of the causal hazard ratio in the presence of unmeasured confounding factors. Our approach is based on a binary instrumental variable, and an additional no-interaction assumption in a first-stage regression of the treatment on the IV and unmeasured confounders. We propose, to the best of our knowledge, the first consistent estimator of the (population) causal hazard ratio within an instrumental variable framework. A version of our estimator admits a closed-form representation. We derive the asymptotic distribution of our estimator and provide a consistent estimator for its asymptotic variance. Our approach is illustrated via simulation studies and a data application.
Quantitative analysis of drug distribution in heterogeneous tissues using dual‐stacking capillary electrophoresis–mass spectrometry
Authors: Koganemaru Shigehiro , Kawai Takayuki , Fuchigami Hirobumi , Maeda Naoyuki , Koyama Kumiko , Kuboki Yasutoshi , Mukohara Toru , Doi Toshihiko , Yasunaga Masahiro
Published: November 2022

Background and Purpose

Intratumour heterogeneity frequently leads to drug resistance, which is a major issue in drug discovery. Drug distribution is one of the key factors for elucidating the resistance mechanism; however, quantitative and regional drug measurement is challenging. Here, we developed a novel ultra‐sensitive analytical method and applied it to HER3‐targeting antibody–drug conjugate patritumab deruxtecan (HER3‐DXd), aiming to explore its payload (DXd) distribution within heterogeneous tissues.

Experimental Approach

The developed analytical method is named LDMS‐CE‐MS, a capillary electrophoresis‐mass spectrometry (CE‐MS) coupled with a novel sample preconcentration/separation method called “large‐volume dual‐sample stacking by micelle collapse and sweeping (LDMS)”. First, the analytical performance of LDMS‐CE‐MS for DXd detection was evaluated. Subsequently, we evaluated the bystander effect of HER3‐DXd, where tumour tissues were excised from xenograft models and clinical specimens after administration of HER3‐DXd. HER3‐high expression, adjacent, and HER3‐low expression regions were then sampled by laser microdissection to quantify the released DXd.

Key Results

LDMS concentrated DXd by 1000‐fold and separated it from the hydrophilic bio‐matrix through continuous capture and release by the charged micelles, allowing quantification at sub‐attomole‐level. DXd concentrations decreased in the order of antigen‐high expression > adjacent > antigen‐low expression regions in the tumour xenograft model, whereas in clinical specimens, adjacent and antigen‐high expression regions had approximately the same concentration. These distributions represent a bystander effect.

Conclusions and Implications

Our LDMS‐CE‐MS successfully visualized the attomole‐level drug distributions in heterogeneous clinical specimens. This new platform opens a new era of quantitative pharmacokinetic analysis, facilitating drug discovery and development.
Ligand‐independent EphA2 contributes to chemoresistance in small‐cell lung cancer by enhancing PRMT1‐mediated SOX2 methylation
Authors: Liang Shumei , Wang Qiuping , Wen Yang , Wang Yu , Li Man , Wang Qiongyao , Peng Juan , Guo Linlang
Published: November 2022

Chemoresistance is the crux of clinical treatment failure of small‐cell lung cancer (SCLC). Cancer stem cells play a critical role in therapeutic resistance of malignant tumors. Studies have shown that the role of erythropoietin‐producing hepatocellular A2 (EphA2) in tumors is complex. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that ligand‐independent activation of EphA2 modulates chemoresistance by enhancing stemness in SCLC. We verified that EphA2 was activated in chemoresistance sublines in a ligand‐independent manner rather than a ligand‐dependent manner. Ligand‐independent EphA2 enhanced the expression of stemness‐associated biomarkers (CD44, Myc, and SOX2), accelerated epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and reinforced self‐renewal to drive the chemoresistance of SCLC, while the P817H mutant EphA2 neutralized intrinsic function. Co‐immunoprecipitation (co‐IP) and GST‐pull down experiments were conducted to verify that EphA2 directly interacted with PRMT1. Moreover, EphA2 increased the expression and activity of PRMT1. Whereafter, PRMT1 interacted with and methylated SOX2 to induce stemness and chemoresistance in SCLC. Pharmacological inhibition of EphA2 showed a synergistic anti‐tumor effect with chemotherapy in preclinical models, including patient‐derived xenograft (PDX) models. These findings highlight, for the first time, that the EphA2/PRMT1/SOX2 pathway induces chemoresistance in SCLC by promoting stemness. EphA2 is a potential therapeutic target in SCLC treatment.
Periodontitis and risk of immune‐mediated systemic conditions: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Larvin Harriet , Kang Jing , Aggarwal Vishal R. , Pavitt Susan , Wu Jianhua
Published: November 2022

Introduction

The aim of this review is to examine and quantify the long‐term risk of immune‐mediated systemic conditions in people with periodontitis compared to people without periodontitis.

Methods

Medline, EMBASE and Cochrane databases were searched up to June 2022 using keywords and MeSH headings. The ‘Risk of Bias in Non‐Randomised Studies of Interventions’ tool was used to assess bias. Cohort studies comparing incident metabolic/autoimmune/inflammatory diseases in periodontitis to healthy controls were included. Meta‐analysis and meta‐regression quantified risks and showed impact of periodontitis diagnosis type and severity.

Results

The search retrieved 3354 studies; 166 studies were eligible for full‐text screening, and 30 studies were included for review. Twenty‐seven studies were eligible for meta‐analysis. The risks of diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoporosis were increased in people with periodontitis compared to without periodontitis (diabetes—relative risk [RR]: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.13–1.33; RA—RR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.07–1.52; osteoporosis—RR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.12–1.75). Risk of diabetes showed gradient increase by periodontitis severity (moderate—RR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.11–1.31; severe—RR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.10–1.63).

Conclusion

People with moderate‐to‐severe cases of periodontitis have the highest risk of developing diabetes, while the effect of periodontal severity on risk of other immune‐mediated systemic conditions requires further investigation. More homologous evidence is required to form robust conclusions regarding periodontitis‐multimorbidity associations.
Parents' experiences with child protection during pregnancy and post‐birth
Authors: Trew Sebastian , Taplin Stephanie , O'Donnell Melissa , Marriott Rhonda , Broadhurst Karen
Published: November 2022

Limited research has directly sought the input of parents involved in the child protection system during pregnancy and with their infants. As the focus of these policies and practices, parents have a unique and important insight not available to others, so it is vital to obtain their input. As part of a larger Australian study, qualitative interviews were undertaken with 13 parents asking about their views and experiences. Parents predominantly became involved with child protection services during pregnancy through a prenatal report. Parents who previously had their newborn removed from their care described it as sudden and unexpected, leaving them distressed and unsupported post‐removal, with a growing list of requirements for them to see their baby or for restoration to be considered. Domestic violence was a particular issue of concern for some mothers who expressed distress that their partners, perpetrators of violence, were allowed access to their infant with fewer requirements than for them. Improvements recommended by the parents included greater communication and preparation for the removal, better recognition of improvements in their situations and increased supports to be provided to parents both pre‐ and post‐removal. Parental experiences provide an important guide to improving child protection practice with these families.
An insight into new glycotherapeutics in glial inflammation: Understanding the role of glycosylation in mitochondrial function and acute to the chronic phases of inflammation
Authors: Patil Vaibhav , Bohara Raghvendra , Winter Carla , Kilcoyne Michelle , McMahon Siobhan , Pandit Abhay
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Glycosylation plays a critical role during inflammation and glial scar formation upon spinal cord injury (SCI) disease progression. Astrocytes and microglia are involved in this cascade to modulate the inflammation and tissue remodeling from acute to chronic phases. Therefore, understating the glycan changes in these glial cells is paramount.

Method and results

A lectin microarray was undertaken using a cytokine‐driven inflammatory mixed glial culture model, revealing considerable differential glycosylation from the acute to the chronic phase in a cytokine‐combination generated inflamed MGC model. It was found that several N‐ and O‐linked glycans associated with glia during SCI were differentially regulated. Pearson's correlation hierarchical clustering showed that groups were separated into several clusters, illustrating the heterogenicity among the control, cytokine combination, and LPS treated groups and the day on which treatment was given. Control and LPS treatments were observed to be in dense clusters. This was further confirmed with lectin immunostaining in which GalNAc, GlcNAc, mannose, fucose and sialic acid‐binding residues were detected in astrocytes and microglia. However, the sialyltransferase inhibitor inhibited this modification (upregulation of the sialic acid expression), which indeed modulates the mitochondrial functions.

Conclusions

The present study is the first functional investigation of glycosylation modulation in a mixed glial culture model, which elucidates the role of the glycome in neuroinflammation in progression and identified potential therapeutic targets for future glyco therapeutics in neuroinflammation.
A review of attentional bias modification trainings for depression
Authors: Li Guo , Cai Xueli , Yang Qian , Cui Qian , Huang Lihui , Jing Xiujuan , Wang Yifeng
Published: November 2022

Negative attentional bias is a basic character of depression. The attentional bias modification training (ABMT), being a highly promising and easy‐to‐use depression intervention technique, has attracted much attention to alleviate depressive symptoms in recent years. However, the effectiveness of ABMT programs was mixed across studies, since it remained unclear the underlying mechanisms of ABMT on alleviating depressive symptoms. We systematically analyzed the main ABMT paradigms to clarify possible mechanisms of effective training and reasons of ineffective training. Valid ABMT programs might alleviate depressive symptoms through regulating self‐related rumination or two subcomponents of attentional bias: facilitated attention and impaired attentional disengagement. The reasons for the invalidity of ABMT mainly included the suboptimal design of training procedures, mixed effects of participants' personal characteristics, and the unclear relationship between attentional bias and depression. The ABMT is promising for alleviating depressive symptoms, but training procedures are required to be improved to obtain stable training effects.
BRAF V600E immunohistochemistry as a useful tool in the diagnosis of melanomas with ambiguous morphologies and immunophenotypes
Authors: Rothrock Aimi T. , Hameed Nadia , Cho Woo Cheal , Nagarajan Priyadharsini , Ivan Doina , Torres‐Cabala Carlos A. , Prieto Victor G. , Curry Jonathan L. , Aung Phyu P.
Published: November 2022

We report three melanoma cases in which BRAF V600E immunohistochemistry (IHC) was valuable for diagnosis. Patient 1: In a patient with a history of primary melanoma on the chest and metastatic melanoma to right breast after undergoing multiple local and systemic therapies, a lung metastasis exhibited chondroid differentiation, aberrant myofibroblastic marker expression, and rare pancytokeratin positivity, without melanocytic marker expression. Patient 2: After targeted and immunotherapy for primary melanoma on the scalp as well as regional and distant metastatic melanoma, an omental metastasis showed CDX2‐positive glandular structures that were negative for melanocytic markers. It was initially misdiagnosed as primary gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma. Patient 3: A patient with history of melanoma showing epithelioid morphology on the right thigh presented with multiple soft tissue nodules on skin, lymph nodes and internal organs after being lost to follow‐up for 4 years. A biopsy specimen from the right thigh showed spindled cells with scattered pancytokeratin cocktail positivity and ambiguous staining for melanocytic markers. For melanomas with ambiguous morphologies and/or immunophenotypes in each of the three patients, BRAF V600E expression by IHC was maintained in both primary and metastatic melanoma specimens examined. These cases highlight the utility of BRAF V600E IHC in the diagnosis of melanoma.
Substance use and posttraumatic stress disorder: 12‐month outcomes among adults experiencing chronic homelessness in Australia
Authors: Taylor Kathryn M. , Mackelprang Jessica L. , Meyer Denny , Flatau Paul , Thielking Monica
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Substance use disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are highly prevalent among individuals who experience homelessness. However, evaluations of interventions that combine housing and mental health services have reported inconsistent mental health and substance use outcomes when compared to usual services. We investigated 12‐month change in substance use severity and PTSD symptom severity among adults experiencing chronic homelessness and tested whether observed differences were associated with housing, support from mental health services or the Journey to Social Inclusion (J2SI) program.

Methods

A randomised controlled trial compared the J2SI program with standard service provision (N = 135). Secondary analyses compared those who obtained housing or received mental health services with those who did not. Primary outcomes were alcohol and illicit substance use severity (alcohol, smoking and substance involvement screening test) and PTSD symptom severity (six‐item PTSD checklist).

Results

There was significant improvement at 12 months in alcohol use severity, illicit substance use severity and PTSD symptoms in the overall sample. Having seen a mental health professional in the previous 12 months was associated with a significant reduction in alcohol and illicit substance use severity but was not associated with changes in PTSD symptom severity. Being housed at 12 months was associated with significantly higher alcohol use severity.

Discussion and Conclusions

Findings highlight the importance of access to mental health care for people with a history of chronic homelessness. Research is needed to develop and test therapeutic and housing approaches to reduce PTSD symptom severity among people with experience of homelessness.
The governance shock doctrine: Civic space in the pandemic
Authors: McGee Rosie
Published: November 2022

Motivation

Emergencies heighten societies' need to be governed. Accordingly, the COVID‐19 pandemic put systems of public governance under severe pressure across the globe. Civic freedoms were widely curtailed for public health reasons. Scarce resources needed to be allocated swiftly, with little opportunity for debate.

Purpose

In settings characterized by authoritarianism, violent conflict, and restricted civic space, relations between governments, civil society, and citizens at best tend to be fragile and fraught even in “normal” times. What happens when these settings are rocked by a profound shock such as the onset of a global pandemic?

Methods and approach

This article is based on research on civic space and civic action shortly after the onset of the pandemic in three such settings—Mozambique, Nigeria, and Pakistan. Civil society advocates in each country tracked and interpreted events in real time, debated their responses, supplemented their own knowledge through key informant interviews, and compared experiences across countries.

Findings

I argue that the three governments' responses to the COVID‐19 pandemic constitute a “governance shock doctrine,” based on the premise that shocks bring responses from the powerful that advance certain agendas. This patterned phenomenon, visible across the three countries, consists of “securitization” of the public health emergency, suppression of dissent, extension and centralization of executive powers, curtailment of press freedoms, and tightened regulation of civic space, including online space. Civic activism navigated or combated these attacks in various ways.

Policy implications

Measures adopted in emergency situations tend to persist, threatening to lock civil society into living with pandemic‐era restrictions. Preventing this should be a global priority, and especially important where authoritarianism already looms. An energetic mobilization among national and international actors to reassert and protect civic space is needed if the erosion of civil liberties and normalization of autocratic governance wrought by the political‐military apparatus in so many countries during the COVID‐19 pandemic is not to become permanent, and if the inspired and progressive innovations in organic civic activism over the 2020–2021 crisis period are to survive and flourish.
Role of myocardial performance index (MPI) and cerebro‐placental ratio (CPR) in predicting adverse perinatal outcome
Authors: Jain Aayush , Sharma K. Aparna , Dadhwal Vatsla , Perumal Vanamail
Published: November 2022

Introduction

This study aimed to evaluate the association of the Myocardial Performance Index (MPI) and Cerebro‐Placental Ratio (CPR) in predicting adverse perinatal outcomes in fetuses who are appropriately‐grown (AGA), small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) and growth restricted (FGR).

Methods

Singleton pregnancies were recruited after 24 weeks. The patients were recruited after having been classified as AGA (AC/EFW > 10th centile), SGA (AC/EFW—3rd–10th centile without doppler abnormalities), and FGR (AC/EFW < 3rd centile or 3rd–10th centile with doppler abnormalities). A total of 103 cases comprising 48 AGA, 11 SGA, and 44 FGRfetuses were recruited. The Pulsatility Index of the Umbilical artery, Middle cerebral artery, Ductus Venosus, and Aortic Isthmus was obtained. MPI and CPR were calculated too. The primary outcome was to evaluate the predictive value of MPI and CPR for the composite adverse perinatal outcome.

Results

The mean gestational age of recruitment was 30 weeks. The OR for Composite Adverse Perinatal Outcome in FGR group for MPI > .47 and CPR < 1.67 was 3.48 (95% CI: 1.00–12.24, p‐value < .05) with sensitivity and specificity of 65% each and 11.08 (95% CI: 2.62–46.83, p‐value = .001) with the sensitivity of 82% and specificity of 70%, respectively. When combined together, MPI and CPR yielded an OR of 58.5 (95% CI: 4.58–746.57, p‐value = .002) with a sensitivity of 56.5% and specificity of 95% in the FGR group.

Conclusions

MPI in conjunction with CPR can be used together to predict adverse perinatal outcomes in FGR.
Organelle homeostasis: from cellular mechanisms to disease
Authors: Burbridge Emma , Adrain Colin
Published: November 2022

The major criterion that distinguishes eukaryotes from prokaryotes is the presence of organelles in the former. Organelles provide a compartment in which biochemical processes are corralled within bespoke biophysical conditions and act as storage depots, powerhouses, waste storage/recycling units and innate immune signalling hubs. A key challenge faced by organelles is to define, and then retain, their identity; this is mediated by complex proteostasis mechanisms including the import of an organelle‐specific proteome, the exclusion of non‐organellar proteins and the removal of misfolded proteins via dedicated quality control mechanisms. This Special Issue on Organelle Homeostasis provides an engaging, eclectic, yet integrative, perspective on organelle homeostasis in a range of organelles including those from the secretory and endocytic pathways, mitochondria, the autophagy‐lysosomal pathway and the nucleus and its sub‐compartments. Some lesser‐known organelles including migrasomes (organelles that are released by migrating cells) and GOMED (a Golgi‐specific form of autophagy) are also introduced. In the spirit of the principles of organelle biology, we hope you find the reviews in this Issue both encapsulating and captivating, and we thank the authors for their excellent contributions.
Evaluation of tensile fatigue behavior of carbon fiber reinforced polymer modified by single‐wall carbon nanotubes
Authors: Eremin Alexander , Burkov Mikhail , Lyubutin Pavel
Published: November 2022

The fatigue behavior of epoxy‐based carbon fiber reinforced composite with additional modification by single‐wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) has been investigated. Neat carbon fiber reinforced polymer and four types of specimens with different SWCNT weight content were tested: 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, and 0.5 wt%. To evaluate damage accumulation and fatigue behavior of open‐hole specimens, digital image correlation was implemented. The strain fields were obtained at predefined lifetimes and the stiffness evolution during cyclic tension‐tension loading was analyzed. Composites were studied using scanning electron microscopy to reveal peculiarities of structure, damage, and fracture. Achieved improvement of fatigue properties was discussed in terms of enhanced interlaminar strength and matrix stiffness. The addition of 0.2% of CNT increases the ultimate tensile strength by 7.3%, failure strain by 7.5%, while the elastic modulus is nearly unaffected. The fatigue durability is increased by 3.4 times.
Using thermodynamics to obtain geochemical information from genomes
Authors: Dick Jeffrey M. , Boyer Grayson M. , Canovas Peter A. , Shock Everett L.
Published: November 2022

Thermodynamic characterization of the relative stabilities of chemical compounds is a pillar of conceptual models in various fields of geosciences. Analogous models applied to genomes can yield new information about the relationship between genomes and their geochemical environments. In this perspective article, we present a chemical and thermodynamic analysis of prokaryotic lineages that have been the target of previous phylogenomic studies of evolutionary adaptation to varying redox conditions. The thermodynamic model development begins by quantifying the effects of hydrogen activity (aH2) and temperature on the relative stabilities of organic compounds with different carbon oxidation state. When applied to proteins instead of metabolites, the same techniques can be used to identify combinations of aH2 and temperature at which reference proteomes for Class I or Class II methanogens are relatively stable. The calculated aH2 values are compatible with reported measurements for habitats of methanogens ranging from highly reducing submarine hydrothermal systems to less reducing environments including methanogenic sediments. In contrast to the transition between the two classes of methanogenic archaea, that between basal and terrestrial groups of Thaumarchaeota (denoting the origin of ammonia‐oxidizing archaea) occurs at a less‐reducing redox boundary. These examples reveal the consequences of energy minimization driving evolution and show how geochemical calculations involving biomolecules can be used to quantify and better understand the coevolution of the geosphere and biosphere.
Safety and efficacy of switching to pemafibrate from bezafibrate in patients with chronic liver disease
Authors: Tamai Hideyuki , Okamura Jumpei
Published: November 2022

Aim

Although fibrates were developed as lipid‐lowering drugs, their efficacy against liver dysfunction in patients with cholestatic liver diseases, such as primary biliary cholangitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and fatty liver disease, has also been reported. Although fibrates act on some peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptors (PPARs), pemafibrate is a novel selective PPAR‐α modulator. The present study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of switching from bezafibrate to pemafibrate in patients with chronic liver disease.

Methods

We analyzed 58 patients with chronic liver disease who switched from bezafibrate to pemafibrate because of minor adverse effects and/or incomplete response.

Results

This study included 41 patients with cholestatic liver disease and 17 patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease. Reasons for switching to pemafibrate were renal function decline in 31 patients, hemoglobin decline in 17 patients, creatine kinase (CK) elevation in 11 patients, incomplete response of liver dysfunction in 39 patients, and incomplete response of hyperlipidemia in 13 patients. After 3 months, although no significant change in CK was seen, hemoglobin and estimated glomerular filtration rate were significantly increased, and creatinine was significantly decreased. Significant decreases in hepatobiliary enzymes were seen in patients with cholestatic liver diseases, but not in patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease. No significant changes in serum lipids were observed. No patients discontinued pemafibrate due to adverse events.

Conclusions

Switching to pemafibrate could improve adverse effects due to bezafibrate, and appeared effective against liver dysfunction in cholestatic liver disease patients with incomplete response to bezafibrate.
A long‐term follow‐up study of diabetic foot ulcer using micronized acellular dermal matrix
Authors: Byeon Je Yeon , Hwang Yong Seon , Choi Hwan Jun , Kim Jun Hyuk , Lee Da Woon
Published: November 2022

Treating a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) extending to the tendon or bone can be a challenge for physicians. Recent studies have shown positive results of micronized acellular dermal matrix (ADM) treatment for treating DFU. However, studies on such ADM with a long‐term follow‐up are rare. Thus, the objective of this study was to retrospectively analyse patients treated with micronized ADM with a long‐term follow‐up to assess the effectiveness of the treatment and determine the recurrence rate. The rate of success of complete healing was 62.96% and the time of complete healing was 86.96 days in this study. The recurrence rate of DFUs was 41.17% in the overall group. However, it was only 23.52% in the micronized ADM group. The average duration of recurrence was 720.50 ± 505.12 days. The recurrence rate was 50% in weight bearing areas such as the plantar and heel. It was 12.5% in toes and non‐weight bearing areas. In conclusion, micronized ADM can be used to effectively treat DFUs that have invaded ligaments or bones. A close follow‐up of weight bearing area wounds will allow us to identify and treat recurrence early.
Elevated soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor is associated with renal dysfunction in a Chlorocebus atheiopsCOVID‐19 model
Authors: Gonzalez Alexis A. , Olsen Emily L. , Killeen Stephanie Z. , Blair Robert V. , Seshan Surya V. , Jaimes Edgar A. , Roy Chad J. , Prieto Minolfa C.
Published: November 2022

Increases of soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) were measured in both urine and plasma of a Chlorocebus aethiops (African green monkey; AGM) mucosal infected with SARS‐CoV‐2. The data indicate that elevated suPAR may be associated with renal dysfunction and pathology in the context of COVID‐19.
Capability Development in Infrequent Organizational Processes: Unveiling the Interplay of Heuristics and Causal Knowledge
Authors: Vuori Natalia , Laamanen Tomi , Zollo Maurizio
Published: November 2022

We investigated the role of heuristics in decision‐making in infrequent and heterogeneous organizational processes. In our multiple‐case study, we tracked individual managers' knowledge, how managers collectively articulated and codified knowledge, and how they used it in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) decision‐making. We developed a process model that explains (a) the evolution and the interplay between heuristics and causal knowledge and (b) the implications of these processes for decision‐making. More precisely, we found that some managers possessed and used rough heuristics – heuristics developed via limited or non‐existent firsthand experience. Because rough heuristics were often faulty, they led to errors if used in a different context. In contrast, other managers possessed and used causal knowledge – knowledge explaining causal regularities in the environment. Causal knowledge was associated with higher quality decision‐making and better performance in subsequent acquisitions. The problem that our focal companies faced was that causal knowledge often evaporated during attempts at collective articulation and codification, causing the conversion of causal knowledge into rough heuristics. We contribute to the organizational heuristics literature by improving our understanding of the role of heuristics in infrequent and heterogeneous organizational processes. At a more general level, we contribute to the capabilities development literature by identifying three paths that capabilities development can take. We also offer important implications for managers.
Climatic niche divergence explains angiosperm diversification across clades in China
Authors: Wu Gui‐Lin , Chen De‐Xiang , Zhou Zhang , Ye Qing , Baselga Andrés , Liu Hui , Wen Yin , Nong Shou‐Qian
Published: November 2022

Diversification rates are critically important for understanding patterns of species richness among clades. However, the effects of climatic niche width on plant diversification rates remain to be elucidated. Based on the phylogenetic, climatic, and distributional information of angiosperms in China, a total of 26 906 species from 182 families were included in this study. We aimed to test relationships between diversification rate and climatic niche width and climatic niche width related variables (including climatic niche divergence, climatic niche position, geographic extent, and climatic niche evolutionary rate) using phylogenetic methods. We found that climatic niche divergence had the largest unique contribution to the diversification rate, while the unique effects of climatic niche width, climatic niche position, geographic extent, and climatic niche evolutionary rate on the diversification rate were negligible. We also observed that the relationship between diversification rate and climatic niche divergence was significantly stronger than the null assumption (artefactual relationship between diversification and clade‐level climatic niche width by sampling more species). Our study supports the hypothesis that wider family climatic niche widths explain faster diversification rates through a higher climatic niche divergence rather than through higher geographic extent, higher climatic niche evolutionary rate, or separated climatic niche position. Hence, the results provide a potential explanation for large‐scale diversity patterns within families of plants.
Whorling‐sclerosing meningioma invading skull bone and subcutaneous tissue with an incidental toxoplasmosis: A case report
Authors: Alabbas Zeina , Tamer Yamani , Jneidi Mhammad , Issa Rana
Published: November 2022

Whorling‐sclerosing meningioma (WSM) is a rare type of meningothelial tumor. Worldwide, only 31 cases have been reported. The diagnosis of this rare meningioma subtype is based principally on microscopic findings, wherein up to 70% of the tumor tissue should be formed by thick whorls of collagen. Notably, there is still disagreement about whether to consider this entity a benign meningioma (grade 1) or a meningioma with higher malignant potential (grade 2 or even grade 3). In fact, the paucity of reported WSM cases and, consequently, the lack of information about their follow up make their diagnosis and treatment challenging. Herein, we document the first case of WSM in Syria in a 75‐year‐old woman with an incidental finding of Toxoplasma gondii. Although WSM has not been mentioned in the recent World Health Organization classification of central nervous system tumors, it should be recognized to avoid incorrect diagnosis and spare the patients unnecessary radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Current and future perspectives on the utility of provocative tests of anal sphincter function: A state‐of‐the‐art summary
Authors: O'Connor Alexander , Byrne Caroline M. , Vasant Dipesh H. , Sharma Abhiram , Liao Donghua , Klarskov Niels , Kiff Edward S. , Telford Karen
Published: November 2022

Background

The maintenance of fecal continence depends upon coordinated interactions between the pelvic floor, anorectum, and anal sphincter complex orchestrated by central and peripheral neural activities. The current techniques to objectively measure anorectal function rely on fixed diameter catheters placed inside the anal canal with a rectal balloon to obtain measurements of anal resting and squeeze function, and rectal compliance. Until recently it had not been possible to measure the distensibility of the anal canal, or in other words its ability to resist opening against an increasing pressure, which has been proposed as the main determinant of a biological sphincter's function. Anal acoustic reflectometry (AAR) and the functional lumen imaging probe (FLIP) are two novel, provocative techniques that dynamically assess the anal sphincter complex under volume‐controlled distension. In doing so, both provide information on the viscoelastic properties of the anal canal and offer new insights into its function.

Purpose

This review details the current and potential future applications of AAR and FLIP and highlights the unanswered questions relevant to these new technologies.
Diagnosis of Coxiella burnetii Prosthetic Joint Infection Using mNGS and ptNGS: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Huang Changyu , Ding Haiqi , Lin Yiming , Zhang Zeyu , Fang Xinyu , Chen Yanshu , Chen Yang , Zhang Chaofan , Li Wenbo , Zhang Wenming , Huang Zida
Published: November 2022

Background

Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii) is the causative agent of Q fever and is found worldwide; however, prosthetic joint infections caused by C. burnetii are rarely seen. Because of advances in molecular diagnostic techniques, prosthetic joint infection (PJI) caused by C. burnetii can now be diagnosed.

Case Presentation

A 77‐year‐old male who had undergone total knee arthroplasty had a displaced prosthesis and periprosthetic osteolysis; he had no obvious signs of infection, and microbiological culture was negative. However, C. burnetii was detected by metagenomic next‐generation sequencing (mNGS) and pathogen‐targeted next‐generation sequencing (ptNGS). Finally, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed the diagnosis of C. burnetii prosthetic joint infection (PJI). After revision surgery (one‐stage revision) and oral antibiotics (doxycycline and moxifloxacin hydrochloride), the patient's symptoms disappeared, and he regained the ability to walk. During the 6‐month follow‐up, the patient's knee showed no signs of swelling, pain or the recurrence of infection, and he experienced no significant complications. We also present a review of the literature for other cases of C. burnetii PJI.

Conclusions

The symptoms of C. burnetii PJI may be different from those of Q fever, which may lead to misdiagnosis. mNGS and ptNGS may be helpful for the identification of C. burnetii. Once the diagnosis of C. burnetii PJI is confirmed, doxycycline in combination with a fluoroquinolone can be effectively administered after revision surgery.
Learning from each other: The hidden benefit of practice variation
Authors: Conway Jennifer , Bansal Neha , Amdani Shahnawaz , Auerbach Scott
Published: November 2022

It has long been recognized that there is significant variation in the way that centers approach clinical management and problems within pediatric transplantation. This has recently been highlighted in two publications by the PHTS showing practice variation in both surveillance for cardiac allograft vasculopathy and diagnosis of acute rejection. These differences in practice are important to recognize and serve as the foundation for collaborative learning, developing research questions, and implementing quality improvement initiatives. To further understand the practice variation within the society, and to begin the process of learning from each other, the society has developed a Clinical Approach Working Group, whose task is to tackle issues seen in transplant and integrate current literature with clinical protocols and experience from the individual sites. The early work of this group has results in the series of Clinical approach articles presented in this issue of Pediatric Transplantation.
Clinical approach to vasoplegia in the transplant patient from the Pediatric Heart Transplant Society
Authors: Deshpande Shriprasad R. , Bearl David W. , Eghtesady Pirooz , Henderson Heather T. , Auerbach Scott , Jeewa Aamir , Bansal Neha , Amdani Shahnawaz , Richmond Marc E. , Sacks Loren D. , Shih Renata , Townsend Madeleine , Conway Jennifer
Published: November 2022

This manuscript outlines a clinical approach to vasoplegia incorporating the current state of knowledge regarding vasoplegia in pediatric patients immediately post‐transplant and to identify modifiable factors both pre‐ and post‐transplant that may reduce post‐operative morbidity, end‐organ dysfunction, and mortality. Centers participating in the Pediatric Heart Transplant Society (PHTS) were asked to provide their internal protocols and rationale for vasoplegia management, and applicable adult and pediatric data were reviewed. The authors synthesized the above protocols and literature into the following description of clinical approaches to vasoplegia highlighting areas of both broad consensus and of significant practice variation.
Clinical approach to antibody‐mediated rejection from the pediatric heart transplant society
Authors: Amdani Shahnawaz , Henderson Heather , Everitt Melanie D. , Beasley Gary , Shih Renata , Exil Vernat , Alejos Juan , Wallis Gonzalo , Azeka Estela , Nandi Deipanjan , Profita Elizabeth , Spinner Joseph , Magnetta Defne , Martinez Hugo , Fenton Matthew , Conway Jennifer , Urschel Simon
Published: November 2022

Objective

This document is designed to outline the definition, pathogenesis, diagnostic modalities and therapeutic measures to treat antibody‐mediated rejection in children postheart transplant

Methods

Literature review was conducted by a Pediatric Heart Transplant Society (PHTS) working group to identify existing pediatric and adult studies on antibody‐mediated rejection (AMR). In addition, the centers participating in PHTS were asked to submit their approach to diagnosis and management of pediatric AMR. This document synthesizes information gathered from both these sources to highlight a practical approach to diagnosing and managing a child with AMR postheart transplant. This document may not represent the practice at all centers in the PHTS and serves as a starting point to understand an approach to this clinical scenario.
Electoral Effect of Protracted Presidential Primaries
Authors: Kelly Thomas
Published: November 2022

Divisive presidential primaries have become common in the United States following the McGovern—Fraser reforms. Both politicians and political scientists have argued that parties that experience divisive primaries may be disadvantaged in the general election, with several political scientists demonstrating a relationship between a nominee receiving a smaller share of the primary vote and a smaller share of the general election vote. However, demonstrating that divisive primaries cause worse general election results is difficult because candidate weakness or other factors may cause poor performance in both primary and general elections. I use a linear regression model to estimate the effect of divisive presidential primaries on general election outcomes. I compare near‐border counties in states that did not experience contested primaries to near‐border counties in states that did experience contested primaries. I find that there is generally a penalty for parties that experience divisive primaries, but the effect varies over election cycles.
The influence of hybrid sediment gravity flows on distribution and composition of trace‐fossil assemblages: Ordovician succession of the north‐eastern Alborz Range of Iran
Authors: Bayet‐Goll Aram , Sharafi Mahmoud , Daraei Mehdi , Nasiri Yaghub
Published: November 2022

The distribution of conventional subichnofacies in deep‐water fan systems (i.e. Ophiomorpha rudis–Paleodictyon–Nereites‐subichnofacies) depends on the presence of fully turbulent non‐cohesive flows such as low‐density turbidites and high‐density turbidites. However, changes in flow state between laminar and turbulent conditions can affect the distribution style of conventional subichnofacies. This study deals with the effects of environmental or ecological stressors as a result of hybrid sediment gravity flows (hybrid event beds) on distribution and composition of trace fossils in the deep‐marine depositional system of the Ordovician Ghelli Formation in the north‐eastern Alborz Range. The spatial distribution and sedimentological character of hybrid sediment gravity flows, in particular their abundance in the down‐dip parts of lobe‐related facies associations, are interpreted as products of longitudinal and lateral transformation from turbidity currents to debris flows promoted by incorporation of significant claystone and mudstone clasts into the flow by seafloor erosion and flow bulking. Seven trace‐fossil assemblages were recognized in the channel and lobe‐related facies associations. The observed spatial distribution of trace‐fossil assemblages in the interpreted frontal and lateral lobe fringes, somewhat contrasts with conventional subichnofacies distribution models. The development of cohesive flows and rapid emplacement of turbidite, banded and debrite beds could be accompanied by fluctuations in physico‐chemical conditions and, hence, the time available for colonization and the lifestyle of producers. This study suggests that, compared to the archetypal models of the subichnofacies in down‐dip parts of lobe‐related facies associations, ichnodiversity and density of bioturbation are drastically reduced, and trace fossils are limited to simple, shallow‐tier feeding strategies. Commonly, the presence of cohesive flows may have forced the producers in the Paleodictyon and Nereites‐subichnofacies to migrate into lateral lobe fringe with more participation of low‐density turbidites. This study shows that, in addition to sedimentological and architectural criteria, ichnological criteria can also be used to distinguish between frontal and lateral lobe‐fringe deposits in unconfined systems.