bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Preoperative Paradoxical GH Response to Oral Glucose Load Predicts a Low Risk of Recurrence in Acromegaly
Authors: Losa Marco , Garbin Enrico , Calcagnile Riccardo , Voltan Giacomo , Ceccato Filippo , Scaroni Carla , Occhi Gianluca , Mortini Pietro
Published: June 2024

Context

A paradoxical growth hormone (GH) response to oral glucose load (oral glucose tolerance test [OGTT]) in acromegaly is associated with a milder phenotype.

Objective

To study whether the GH response to the OGTT predicts the risk of recurrence after initial surgical cure.

Methods

Retrospective, observational study at 2 tertiary care centers. We investigated 254 patients with acromegaly who were cured by surgery. All patients underwent an OGTT at diagnosis before pituitary surgery. A peak to basal GH ratio ≥120% within 90 minutes was used to distinguish paradoxical (GH-Par) from nonparadoxical responses (GH-NPar) in patients with acromegaly. Cox analysis was used to investigate whether the paradoxical GH response to OGTT was associated with the risk of disease recurrence

Results

A paradoxical GH response to OGTT occurred in 87 patients (34.3%, termed GH-Par group). Recurrence of acromegaly occurred in 3 patients in the GH-Par group (3.4%) and in 20 patients in the GH-NPar group (12.0%). In the multivariate analysis, the paradoxical GH response to OGTT was significantly associated with a low risk of recurrence (HR 0.18, 95% CI 0.05-0.63; P = .007). Basal GH level at diagnosis was the only other variable associated with the risk of disease recurrence (HR 1.58, 95% CI 1.01-2.47; P = .04).

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates that a paradoxical GH response to OGTT in the preoperative setting predicts a lower risk of disease recurrence after initial surgical cure. The pattern of GH responsiveness to OGTT is, therefore, useful to predict the long-term outcome of patients with acromegaly.
Randomized Double-Blind Study of the Effect of Injectate Temperature on Intrathecal Bupivacaine Dose Requirement in Spinal Anesthesia for Cesarean Delivery
Authors: Zhao Yan-Ping , Zhang Xu-Feng , Qian Jing , Xiao Fei , Chen Xin-Zhong
Published: June 2024

BACKGROUND:

Increasing the temperature of intrathecal local anesthetics has been shown to increase the speed of onset and block height of spinal anesthesia. However, how this influences dose requirement has not been fully quantified. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the effective dose for anesthesia for cesarean delivery in 50% of patients (ED50) of intrathecal bupivacaine given at temperatures of 37 °C (body temperature) or 24 °C (room temperature).

METHODS:

Eighty healthy parturients having elective cesarean delivery under combined spinal-epidural anesthesia were randomly assigned to receive intrathecal hyperbaric bupivacaine stored at 37 °C (body temperature group) or 24 °C (room temperature group). The first subject in each group received a bupivacaine dose of 10 mg. The dose for each subsequent subject in each group was varied with an increment or decrement of 1 mg based on the response (effective or noneffective) of the previous subject. Patients for whom the dose was noneffective received epidural supplementation after data collection with lidocaine 2% as required until anesthesia was sufficient for surgery. Values for ED50 were calculated using modified up-down sequential analysis with probit analysis applied as a backup sensitivity analysis. These values were compared and the relative mean potency was calculated.

RESULTS:

The ED50 (mean [95% confidence interval, CI]) of intrathecal hyperbaric bupivacaine was lower in the body temperature group (6.7 [5.7–7.6] mg) compared with the room temperature group (8.1 [7.7–8.6] mg) (P < .05). The relative potency ratio for intrathecal bupivacaine for the room temperature group versus the body temperature group was 0.84 (95% CI, 0.77–0.93).

CONCLUSIONS:

Warming hyperbaric bupivacaine to body temperature reduced the dose requirement for spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery by approximately 16% (95% CI, 7%–23%).
Characterization of Cwc2, U6 snRNA, and Prp8 interactions destabilized by Prp16 ATPase at the transition between the first and second steps of splicing
Authors: Meissner Jadwiga , Eysmont Katarzyna , Matylla-Kulińska Katarzyna , Konarska Maria M.
Published: June 2024

The spliceosome performs two consecutive transesterification reactions using one catalytic center, thus requiring its rearrangement between the two catalytic steps of splicing. The Prp16 ATPase facilitates exit from the first-step conformation of the catalytic center by destabilizing some interactions important for catalysis. To better understand rearrangements within theSaccharomyces cerevisiaecatalytic center, we characterize factors that modulate the function of Prp16: Cwc2, N-terminal domain of Prp8, and U6-41AACAAU46region. Alleles of these factors were identified through genetic screens for mutants that correctcsdefects ofprp16-302alleles. Several of the identified U6,cwc2, andprp8alleles are located in close proximity of each other in cryo-EM structures of the spliceosomal catalytic conformations. Cwc2 and U6 interact with the intron sequences in the first step, but they do not seem to contribute to the stability of the second-step catalytic center. On the other hand, the N-terminal segment of Prp8 not only affects intron positioning for the first step, but it also makes important contacts in the proximity of the active site for both the first and second steps of splicing. By identifying interactions important for the stability of catalytic conformations, our genetic analyses indirectly inform us about features of the transition-state conformation of the spliceosome.
Atacama Large Aperture Submillimeter Telescope (AtLAST) science: The hidden circumgalactic medium
Authors: Lee Minju , Schimek Alice , Cicone Claudia , Andreani Paola , Popping Gergo , Sommovigo Laura , Appleton Philip N. , Bischetti Manuela , Cantalupo Sebastiano , Chen Chian-Chou , Dannerbauer Helmut , De Breuck Carlos , Di Mascolo Luca , Emonts Bjorn H.C. , Hatziminaoglou Evanthia , Pensabene Antonio , Rizzo Francesca , Rybak Matus , Shen Sijing , Lundgren Andreas , Booth Mark , Klaassen Pamela , Mroczkowski Tony , Cordiner Martin A. , Johnstone Doug , van Kampen Eelco , Liu Daizhong , Maccarone Thomas , Saintonge Amelie , Smith Matthew , Thelen Alexander E. , Wedemeyer Sven
Published: June 2024

Our knowledge of galaxy formation and evolution has incredibly progressed through multi-wavelength observational constraints of the interstellar medium (ISM) of galaxies at all cosmic epochs. However, little is known about the physical properties of the more diffuse and lower surface brightness reservoir of gas and dust that extends beyond ISM scales and fills dark matter haloes of galaxies up to their virial radii, the circumgalactic medium (CGM). New theoretical studies increasingly stress the relevance of the latter for understanding the feedback and feeding mechanisms that shape galaxies across cosmic times, whose cumulative effects leave clear imprints into the CGM. Recent studies are showing that a – so far unconstrained – fraction of the CGM mass may reside in the cold (T < 104 K) molecular and atomic phase, especially in high-redshift dense environments. These gas phases, together with the warmer ionised phase, can be studied in galaxies from z ∼ 0 to z ∼ 10 through bright far-infrared and sub-millimeter emission lines such as [C ii] 158µm, [O iii] 88 µm, [C I] 609µm, [C i] 370µm, and the rotational transitions of CO. Imaging such hidden cold CGM can lead to a breakthrough in galaxy evolution studies but requires a new facility with the specifications of the proposed Atacama Large Aperture Submillimeter Telescope (AtLAST). In this paper, we use theoretical and empirical arguments to motivate future ambitious CGM observations with AtLAST and describe the technical requirements needed for the telescope and its instrumentation to perform such science.
The genome sequence of a cased caddisfly, Molanna angustata Curtis, 1834
Authors: Coleman Derek ,   Natural History Museum Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Management, Samples and Laboratory team,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: Sequencing Operations,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Core Informatics team,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: June 2024

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Molanna angustata (cased caddisfly; Arthropoda; Insecta; Trichoptera; Molannidae). The genome sequence is 994.9 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 27 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the Z sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 14.92 kilobases in length.
Minimally Invasive Osteotomy for Correction of Post-Traumatic Tibia Internal Rotation Deformity: A Case Report
Authors:   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India, Gupta Ansh , Negi Deepak Kumar ,   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India, Thami Tarkik ,   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India, Nishani Manjunath ,   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India, Ghosh Akash Kumar ,   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
Published: June 2024

Introduction: Intramedullary nailing is a commonly performed surgery for tibia diaphysis fractures. However, in selected cases, this procedure can get complicated with rotational malalignment if not checked carefully intra-operatively. Case Report: A 29 year-old male sustained polytrauma and was treated with intramedullary nailing for bilateral femur and right-side tibia fractures. Postoperatively, the patient noticed extreme in-toeing suggesting an internal rotation deformity, which caused great difficulty in walking. The patient was planned for a revision surgery to correct the internal rotation deformity, 6 months after the index surgery. A minimally invasive metaphyseal osteotomy was performed, away from his fracture site by drilling multiple holes. The distal locking bolts of the interlocking nail were removed, and two K wires used to achieve the desired correction angle. After rotating the distal fragment, locking bolts were reinserted in new holes. We kept the patient on our regular follow-up till he achieved sound union at the osteotomy site, after which we allowed him unrestricted activities. Conclusion: The presence of an intramedullary nail can hence help the surgeon in correcting such isolated rotational deformities without getting into the hassle of implant removal to achieve the same. Keywords: Minimally invasive osteotomy, tibia malrotation deformity, polytrauma.
What the Physician Needs to Know about Charcot Arthropathy and Ankle Fracture Treatment Dilemma: A Case Report and a Possible Medical Approach and Treatment Algorithm
Authors:   Orthopaedic Department, General Hospital of Thessaloniki ", Tsatlidou Maria ,   Papageorgiou",   , 56429 Thessaloniki, Greece,, Vasiliadis Angelo V ,   [1] 2nd Orthopaedic Department, General Hospital of Thessaloniki "Papageorgiou", 56429 Thessaloniki, Greece, [2] Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, Croix-Rousse Hospital, 69002 Lyon, France., Metaxiotis Dimitrios ,   Orthopaedic Department, General Hospital of Thessaloniki "Papageorgiou", 56429 Thessaloniki, Greece,
Published: June 2024

Introduction: Charcot arthropathy consists of a rapid and destructive complication of the joints following the loss of innervation caused by many complicated etiologies. Diabetic neuropathy has become the most common etiological factor. Case Report: We present a case of a 64-year-old female patient with a history of chronic renal failure on hemodialysis, hypertension, hypothyroidism, and Type 2 diabetes, complicated with neuropathy and Charcot disease, who referred to our department. Initially, the patient was managed with a restraint orthotic device due to a bimalleolar ankle fracture. An unsuccessful treatment and the presence of a pressure ulcer with pus-like drainage on the lateral malleolus 2 months later led to the decision for a below-knee amputation. Conclusion: High clinical suspicion by the attending physician may reduce the risk of complications and lead to proper treatment with better outcomes. Keywords: Charcot arthropathy, bimallelolar fracture, diagnosis, treatment, amputation.
A Rare Case of Hallux Saltans Treated using Ultrasound-guided Intralesional Steroid Injection: A Case Report
Authors:   Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Wythenshawe Hospital (Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust) Southmoor Road, Manchester, M23 9LT, United Kingdom., Rohan Rohan , Sundarapandian Rajkumar ,   Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Wythenshawe Hospital (Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust) Southmoor Road, Manchester, M23 9LT, United Kingdom., Pillai Anand Pillai ,   Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Wythenshawe Hospital (Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust) Southmoor Road, Manchester, M23 9LT, United Kingdom.
Published: June 2024

Introduction: Stenosing tenosynovitis is a condition characterized by the inflammation and constriction of the tendons within a fibro-osseous tunnel. Case Report: We present a case of a 38-year-old man who presented with hallux saltans, a rare manifestation of this condition which was successfully treated with intralesional steroid injection. The patient experienced significant relief from pain and improved function following the procedure. Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of considering stenosing tenosynovitis as a potential cause of hallux saltans and the efficacy of non-surgical interventions in its management. Keywords: Stenosing tenosynovitis, hallux saltans, intralesional steroid injection, tarsal tunnel, posterior process of talus.
Neglected Posterior Dislocation Hip Post Acetabulum Fixation: Case Report
Authors:   Medical student, Agha Khan University Hospital Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan., Maqbool Ali , Alshehri Turki ,   Department Of Trauma And Orthopaedic Surgery, Armed Forces Hospital Southern Region, Khamis Mushait, Saudi Arabia., Altheeb Saeed Ali ,   Department Of Trauma And Orthopaedic Surgery, Armed Forces Hospital Southern Region, Khamis Mushait, Saudi Arabia., Qaysi Abdulaziz Atiah ,   Department Of Trauma And Orthopaedic Surgery, Armed Forces Hospital Southern Region, Khamis Mushait, Saudi Arabia., Maqbool M R M ,   Department Of Trauma And Orthopaedic Surgery, Armed Forces Hospital Southern Region, Khamis Mushait, Saudi Arabia.
Published: June 2024

Introduction: An acetabular fracture is a relatively uncommon injury. An acetabular fracture can occur in conjunction with a posterior hip dislocation. Oni defined neglected hip dislocation as dislocation lasting more than 1 week after injury. Case Report: We present a 31-year-old male involved in a road traffic accident 6 months ago. He had 5 cm of shortening on examination, and the sciatic nerve was intact. The patient had post-traumatic arthritis and was counseled for total hip arthroplasty (THA) and its complications. Conclusion: Neglected posterior dislocation of the hip after acetabular fracture fixation is rare these days. It is a time-sensitive medical emergency that must be reduced within 6 h to avoid its complications, especially avascular necrosis and post-traumatic arthritis. Keywords: Neglected, hip dislocation, acetabulum fixation.
Alkaptonuria with Fracture Neck of Femur – A Case Report
Authors:   Department of Orthopaedics, Consultant, Mission India Hospital, Khadgaon, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India,, John Ann Salome ,   Department of Occupational Therapy, Umri Christian Hospital, Yavatmal, Maharashtra, India,, Chandy V J ,   Department of Orthopaedics, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.
Published: June 2024

Introduction: Alkaptonuria is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder found in 2–5/million live births. It results in dark brown pigmentation of connective tissues including cartilage and joint capsule that can often lead to arthropathy of large joints. However, bone fractures are unusual. This article describes a fracture neck of the femur in a patient with undiagnosed alkaptonuria managed at a rural center. Case Report: A 60-year-old daily wage laborer with previously pain-free hips presented with sudden onset pain in the left hip while walking with no prior history of trauma. Radiographs showed a displaced fracture of the neck of the left femur. She underwent Left hip hemiarthroplasty. Intraoperatively, her soft-tissue including the joint capsule and the femoral head had dark brown pigmentation. Postoperatively, her urine was tested and the same turned black supporting the clinical diagnosis of alkaptonuria. At her 1-year follow-up, she had a painless, stable, and mobile hip. Conclusion: We report a rare and unique case of neck of femur fracture in a patient with alkaptonuria treated with hemiarthroplasty in a resource-limited hospital in rural India. It is essential to consider the possibility of this condition when we come across a patient with an atypical fracture presentation. This article also presents an overview of alkaptonuria with a discussion on etiopathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management. Keywords: Hemiarthroplasty, ochronosis, black pigment, homogentisic acid.
Osteonecrosis of the Humeral Head 3 Years Following Fracture Fixation of a 4-Part Proximal Humerus Fracture: A Case Report
Authors:   NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital, 301 E 17th Street, New York,, Owuor Hans , Schwartz Luke B ,   [1] NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital, 301 E 17th Street, New York, [2] Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, 8900 Van Wyck Expressway, Queens, New York., Ganta Abhishek ,   [1] NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital, 301 E 17th Street, New York, [2] Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, 8900 Van Wyck Expressway, Queens, New York., Konda Sanjit ,   [1] NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital, 301 E 17th Street, New York, [2] Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, 8900 Van Wyck Expressway, Queens, New York., Egol Kenneth A ,   [1] NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital, 301 E 17th Street, New York, [2] Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, 8900 Van Wyck Expressway, Queens, New York.
Published: June 2024

Introduction: Osteonecrosis (ON) of the humeral head is defined as “avascular” when the death of bone is due to a disrupted blood supply. It is a known complication following proximal humeral fractures and can lead to poor long-term outcomes and even additional revision surgeries. Case Report: Patient AP developed symptomatic ON, 3 years following repair of a 4-part valgus impacted proximal humerus fracture. The point of interest in this case is the length of time from injury at which she developed symptomatic ON. Following surgical repair, she was seen at standard intervals, 6 weeks, 3-, 6-, and 12- month follow-ups and demonstrated an excellent recovery. By the 1 year follow-up appointment, she had obtained a range of motion in her left shoulder of 170° forward elevation and 60° in external rotation. At this point, she was able to discontinue physical therapy and was radiographically and clinically healed. However, 2 years after, she began experiencing sudden onset of pain with shoulder ROM and progressive limitation. She was diagnosed with an ON of her proximal humerus. The patient was prescribed a 3-month course of corticosteroid, 3 months following her operation for a gynecological-related issue. However, with strong progress being made 9 months after this prescription, and problems occurring over 2 years after taking the medication, it is unclear whether the ON was related to her fracture pattern or developed as a result of the corticosteroid usage or a combination of the 2 due to a “double hit.” Conclusion: This case review points out the potential need for continued monitoring even after radiographic and clinical healing is achieved in these injuries. Keywords: blood supply, delayed presentation, osteonecrosis, proximal humerus fracture, corticosteroid
High-speed high-power free-space optical communication via directly modulated watt-class photonic-crystal surface-emitting lasers
Authors: Morita Ryohei , Ishimura Shota , Inoue Takuya , Nishimura Kosuke , Takahashi Hidenori , Tsuritani Takehiro , De Zoysa Menaka , Ishizaki Kenji , Suzuki Masatoshi , Noda Susumu
Published: June 2024

Photonic crystal surface-emitting lasers (PCSELs), which use a two-dimensional photonic crystal as the laser cavity, can achieve both high output powers and narrow beam divergence angles owing to single-mode lasing over a large area. High-speed, high-power, direct modulation of PCSELs is expected to realize compact and power-saving optical transmitters without bulky lens systems and fiber amplifiers for free-space optical communications. In this paper, we realize high-speed, high-power, free-space optical communication via directly modulated watt-class photonic-crystal surface-emitting lasers. We first numerically investigate the intrinsic (optical) and parasitic (electrical) frequency response characteristics of watt-class PCSELs with large lasing areas, and we show that several-GHz-class direct modulation is feasible even in watt-class PCSELs. Then, we fabricate a 500-µm-diameter PCSEL and simultaneously realize watt-class continuous-wave operation and several-GHz-class direct modulation. Finally, by directly modulating the developed PCSEL with a quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) signal, we demonstrate free-space optical communication with over 10 Gbit/s high-speed transmission and virtual 5-km-class long-distance transmission even without using a transmitter lens.
Validity of dried blood spot testing for sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections: A narrative systematic review
Authors: Cholette François , Périnet Simone , Neufeld Bronwyn , Bryson Maggie , Macri Jennifer , Sibley Kathryn M. , Kim John , Driedger S. Michelle , Becker Marissa L. , Sandstrom Paul , Meyers Adrienne F. A. , Paquette Dana
Published: June 2024

Testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) using dried blood spot (DBS) specimens has been an integral part of bio-behavioural surveillance in Canada for almost two decades, though less is known regarding the use of DBS in surveillance of other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBI). A systematic review was conducted using a peer-reviewed search strategy to assess the current evidence regarding the validity of STBBI testing using DBS specimens. Eligibility criteria included studies reporting use of DBS specimens for STBBI testing with either commercially available or “in-house” tests in populations 15 years of age or older. Studies reporting a measure of validity such as sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were eligible for inclusion. Quality of studies and risk of bias were assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool. A total of 7,132 records were identified. Of these, 174 met the criteria for inclusion. Among the studies that reported validity measures, a substantial proportion demonstrated high sensitivity (≥90%) in 62.5% of cases (N= 334/534 sensitivity measurements), and high specificity (≥90%) was observed in 84.9% of instances (N= 383/451 specificity measurements). However, the quality of the studies varied greatly. Our findings support the validity of the use of DBS specimens in STBBI testing where sufficient evidence was available, but validity is highly dependent on thorough method development and validation.
Co-circulation of two Alphaviruses in Burkina Faso: Chikungunya and O’nyong nyong viruses
Authors: Tinto Bachirou , Bicaba Brice , Kagoné Thérèse Samdapawindé , Kayiwa John , Rabe Ingrid , Merle Corinne Simone Collette , Zango Alidou , Ayouba Ahidjo , Salinas Sara , Kania Dramane , Simonin Yannick
Published: June 2024

Background

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and O’nyong nyong virus (ONNV) are phylogenetically related alphaviruses in the Semliki Forest Virus (SFV) antigenic complex of the Togaviridae family. There are limited data on the circulation of these two viruses in Burkina Faso. The aim of our study was to assess their circulation in the country by determining seroprevalence to each of the viruses in blood donor samples and by retrospective molecular and serological testing of samples collected as part of national measles and rubella surveillance.

Methodology/Principal findings

All blood donor samples were analyzed on the Luminex platform using CHIKV and ONNV E2 antigens. Patient samples collected during national measles-rubella surveillance were screened by an initial ELISA for CHIKV IgM (CHIKjj Detect IgM ELISA) at the national laboratory. The positive samples were then analyzed by a second ELISA test for CHIKV IgM (CDC MAC-ELISA) at the reference laboratory. Finally, samples that had IgM positive results for both ELISA tests and had sufficient residual volume were tested by plaque reduction neutralization testing (PRNT) for CHIKV and ONNV. These same patient samples were also analyzed by rRT-PCR for CHIKV. Among the blood donor specimens, 55.49% of the samples were positive for alphaviruses including both CHIKV and ONNV positive samples. Among patient samples collected as part of national measles and rubella surveillance, 3.09% were IgM positive for CHIKV, including 2.5% confirmed by PRNT. PRNT failed to demonstrate any ONNV infections in these samples. No samples tested by RT-qPCR. had detectable CHIKV RNA.

Conclusions/Significance

Our results suggest that CHIKV and ONNV have been circulating in the population of Burkina Faso and may have been confused with malaria, dengue fever or other febrile diseases such as measles or rubella. Our study underscores the necessity to enhance arbovirus surveillance systems in Burkina Faso.
One-year mortality and morbidities of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome compared with other diseases: A nationwide cohort study in South Korea
Authors: Heo Namwoo , Heo Seok-Jae , Park Yoon Soo , Yi Seonju , Lee Hyunju , Lee Hyo-jung , Kim Yong Chan
Published: June 2024

Background

The long-term mortality and morbidity of patients with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) remain unclear.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study was conducted using the National Health Insurance Service dataset on hospitalized patients with SFTS aged ≥20 years between 2016 and 2021 (n = 1,217). Each SFTS case was matched with three controls hospitalized for non-SFTS-related diseases using propensity score matching. The all-cause mortality of patients with SFTS was evaluated during the one-year follow-up and compared with that of controls. Post-discharge events were investigated to determine the effects of SFTS on post-acute sequelae.

Results

Finally, 1,105 patients with SFTS and 3,315 controls were included. Patients with SFTS had a higher risk of death during the one-year follow-up than that of controls (hazard ratio [HR], 2·26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1·82–2·81). Thirty-day mortality was significantly higher in the SFTS group (HR, 3·99; 95% CI, 3·07–5·19) than in the control group. An increased risk of death after 31–365 days was observed among controls, though this difference was significant only among patients in their 80s (HR, 0·18; 95% CI, 0·06–0·57). For post-discharge events, patients in the SFTS group exhibited a higher risk of readmission (HR, 1·17; 95% CI, 1·04–1·32) and emergency room visit (HR, 2·32; 95% CI, 1·96–2·76) than those in the control group.

Conclusion

SFTS induces a higher risk of short-term mortality and post-acute sequelae in hospitalized patients during a one-year follow-up than non-SFTS-related diseases. Our results provide guidance for the management of SFTS.
Risk score models for urinary tract infection hospitalization
Authors: Alizadeh Nasrin , Vahdat Kimia , Shashaani Sara , Swann Julie L. , Özaltιn Osman Y.
Published: June 2024

Annually, urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect over a hundred million people worldwide. Early detection of high-risk individuals can help prevent hospitalization for UTIs, which imposes significant economic and social burden on patients and caregivers. We present two methods to generate risk score models for UTI hospitalization. We utilize a sample of patients from the insurance claims data provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to develop and validate the proposed methods. Our dataset encompasses a wide range of features, such as demographics, medical history, and healthcare utilization of the patients along with provider quality metrics and community-based metrics. The proposed methods scale and round the coefficients of an underlying logistic regression model to create scoring tables. We present computational experiments to evaluate the prediction performance of both models. We also discuss different features of these models with respect to their impact on interpretability. Our findings emphasize the effectiveness of risk score models as practical tools for identifying high-risk patients and provide a quantitative assessment of the significance of various risk factors in UTI hospitalizations such as admission to ICU in the last 3 months, cognitive disorders and low inpatient, outpatient and carrier costs in the last 6 months.
MRET: Modified Recursive Elimination Technique for ranking author assessment parameters
Authors: Mustafa Ghulam , Rauf Abid , Tanvir Afzal Muhammad
Published: June 2024

In scientific research, assessing the impact and influence of authors is crucial for evaluating their scholarly contributions. Whereas in literature, multitudinous parameters have been developed to quantify the productivity and significance of researchers, including the publication count, citation count, well-known h index and its extensions and variations. However, with a plethora of available assessment metrics, it is vital to identify and prioritize the most effective metrics. To address the complexity of this task, we employ a powerful deep learning technique known as the Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) classifier for the classification and the ranking purposes. By leveraging the MLP’s capacity to discern patterns within datasets, we assign importance scores to each parameter using the proposed modified recursive elimination technique. Based on the importance scores, we ranked these parameters. Furthermore, in this study, we put forth a comprehensive statistical analysis of the top-ranked author assessment parameters, encompassing a vast array of 64 distinct metrics. This analysis gives us treasured insights in between these parameters, shedding light on the potential correlations and dependencies that may affect assessment outcomes. In the statistical analysis, we combined these parameters by using seven well-known statistical methods, such as arithmetic means, harmonic means, geometric means etc. After combining the parameters, we sorted the list of each pair of parameters and analyzed the top 10, 50, and 100 records. During this analysis, we counted the occurrence of the award winners. For experimental proposes, data collection was done from the field of Mathematics. This dataset consists of 525 individuals who are yet to receive their awards along with 525 individuals who have been recognized as potential award winners by certain well known and prestigious scientific societies belonging to the fields’ of mathematics in the last three decades. The results of this study revealed that, in ranking of the author assessment parameters, the normalized h index achieved the highest importance score as compared to the remaining sixty-three parameters. Furthermore, the statistical analysis results revealed that the Trigonometric Mean (TM) outperformed the other six statistical models. Moreover, based on the analysis of the parameters, specifically the M Quotient and FG index, it is evident that combining these parameters with any other parameter using various statistical models consistently produces excellent results in terms of the percentage score for returning awardees.
Unsupervised model for structure segmentation applied to brain computed tomography
Authors: dos Santos Paulo Victor , Scoczynski Ribeiro Martins Marcella , Amorim Nogueira Solange , Gonçalves Cristhiane , Maffei Loureiro Rafael , Pacheco Calixto Wesley
Published: June 2024

This article presents an unsupervised method for segmenting brain computed tomography scans. The proposed methodology involves image feature extraction and application of similarity and continuity constraints to generate segmentation maps of the anatomical head structures. Specifically designed for real-world datasets, this approach applies a spatial continuity scoring function tailored to the desired number of structures. The primary objective is to assist medical experts in diagnosis by identifying regions with specific abnormalities. Results indicate a simplified and accessible solution, reducing computational effort, training time, and financial costs. Moreover, the method presents potential for expediting the interpretation of abnormal scans, thereby impacting clinical practice. This proposed approach might serve as a practical tool for segmenting brain computed tomography scans, and make a significant contribution to the analysis of medical images in both research and clinical settings.
Whether academics’ job performance makes a difference to burnout and the effect of psychological counselling—comparison of four types of performers
Authors: Lei Miao , Alam Gazi Mahabubul , Bashir Karima , Pingping Gui
Published: June 2024

Treating burnout as an independent variable while performance is the dependent variable, earlier studies revealed that job burnout experienced by academics adversely affects how well they perform. Whether performance may contribute to the emergence of burnout is yet to be analyzed—it is an issue investigated in this paper. Readjusting the nature of the variables, this quantitative study adopted group regression and it discovered that the performance of academics instead regulates their burnout without making performance a consequence of burnout—a new dynamic that challenges the earlier assumption. Following this earlier belief, counselling strategy to boost the employees’ psyche was deemed to be the main post-measurement tool to deal with the burnout crisis. With respect to both tenets (current and earlier), psychological counselling was treated as a moderating variable to check whether it is important enough in removing the burnout felt by employees so that they subsequently could function better. It is further discovered that although psychological counselling removes employees’ burnout to some extent, it failed to transform them into better-functioning people. This study suggests a pre-measurement counselling strategy will ensure academics are competently engaged since ensuring competency is a fundamental aspect of eliminating a job burnout crisis. The sustained competency of employees will eventually prevent burnout and may halt the transmission of a burnout crisis at large—it adds to this study’s theoretical contribution to the topic.
Authenticity and Authorship in Pacific Island Encounters: New Lives of Old Imaginaries, Jeannette Mageo and Bruce Knauft (eds) (2021)
Authors: Schieder Dominik
Published: June 2024

Review of: Authenticity and Authorship in Pacific Island Encounters: New Lives of Old Imaginaries, Jeannette Mageo and Bruce Knauft (eds) (2021)

New York and Oxford: Berghahn Books, 246 pp.,

ISBN 978 1 80073 054 0 (hbk), US$135
‘Where is the suitable trail’: Politics and piety in portrait photographs of Emma Rooke, 1864–66
Authors: Cornish Emily
Published: June 2024

This article analyses how photographs of Queen Emma Kalanikaumakaʻamano Kaleleonālani Naʻea Rooke made between 1864 and 1866 were connected to her pursuit of a pono (proper, virtuous) path forward for herself and her people after the deaths of her son and husband. The article opens with the mele makena (lament) ‘No Waiʻaleʻale Ke Aloha’, which invites new ways of thinking about portrait photographs of Queen Emma in the wake of these tremendous personal and political losses. Following this it addresses the connections between photographs of Emma and Hawaiian mourning and memorialization before delving into a discussion of the ways photography was entangled with her political and religious goals. These goals included establishing the Anglican mission in Hawaiʻi and developing a lifelong friendship with Queen Victoria. There are notable similarities within photographs of these two queens suggesting that photography enabled Queen Emma to tap into the mana (power) associated with Queen Victoria and Christian feminine power. The careful cultivation of her self-image in portrait photographs became a significant form of empowerment for Emma. The final section continues discussing this photographic co-mingling through the lens of international fellowship. It considers how Queen Emma used gifts of photography to create a kin-like relationship between herself and Queen Victoria, recalling the discussions of religion and mourning addressed in previous parts of the article.
Tuitcionario de difamaciones contra las comunidades lingüísticas minoritarias/minorizadas de España
Authors: Llamedo Pandiella Gonzalo
Published: June 2024

En este estudio se presenta un análisis de las principales tendencias discursivas con las que se denigra en Twitter a las comunidades lingüísticas minoritarias/minorizadas de España. A tal efecto, se comparte un listado de expresiones y términos peyorativos de grupo resultante del análisis de tuits reales, recabados entre los meses de mayo de 2021 y junio de 2022. Para describir cómo operan estas secuencias en el discurso, se incluye una muestra de treinta y cinco tuits en los que figuran numerosos términos representativos de dicho listado, con la finalidad de contextualizar las intenciones de los usuarios y las relaciones intertextuales que se crean en el seno de Twitter. Los resultados revelan la amplia dimensión que toma el fenómeno de difamación contra las comunidades lingüísticas subordinadas en las redes sociales. Asimismo, ofrecen una aproximación novedosa al notable rendimiento que presenta la innovación léxica en la creación de estrategias discursivas orientadas a la ofensa lingüística.
Materialización de la violencia simbólica. Análisis desde el ACD en el caso de la problemática habitacional en la CABA
Authors: Marchese Mariana C.
Published: June 2024

Sobre la base del concepto violencia invisible, que incluye tres formas de violencia: simbólica, estructural y normalizada (Bourgois, 2009), este artículo se detiene en la primera con el objetivo de presentar datos lingüístico-discursivos concretos sobre cómo es ejercida en el contexto de la problemática habitacional que atraviesan las personas en situación de pobreza habitantes de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (CABA). Los corpus analizados son historias de vida, discursos legales, una noticia periodística en formato digital y los comentarios digitales producidos a partir de ella. Todos ellos, relacionados con la problemática habitacional de las personas en situación de pobreza que habitan la CABA. El paradigma de investigación es interpretativista y el enfoque es el Análisis Crítico del Discurso. La metodología es inductiva y cualitativa con triangulación de datos (Pardo, 2011) y el método utilizado es el Método de Abordajes Lingüísticos Convergentes para el ACD (MALC) (Marchese, 2012), que incorpora el estudio de procesos y de roles participantes según Halliday y Matthiessen (2004). En esta línea analítica, el trabajo da cuenta de la existencia de un patrón lingüístico-discursivo respecto de la distribución de procesos y de roles participantes asignados a dichas personas. Este patrón atraviesa los corpus mencionados y manifiesta cómo se materializa la violencia simbólica y cómo su ejercicio contribuye a restar a las personas en situación de pobreza posibilidades de autogestión y resiliencia.
Metáforas de protesta frente a las políticas migratorias
Authors: Torre Cantalapiedra Eduardo
Published: June 2024

Hacia septiembre de 2021, miles de migrantes realizaron diversos actos de protesta por la gestión migratoria en la ciudad de Tapachula (México) que les dificultaba o imposibilitaba atravesar el territorio mexicano. Este artículo analiza los usos metafóricos del discurso de protesta de migrantes y sus defensores en Tapachula –o en su caso, el discurso crítico de los periodistas–, ante las políticas migratorias del gobierno mexicano, prestando especial atención a su funcionalidad en dicho discurso. Se sigue la propuesta teórica de Lakoff y Johnson para analizar las metáforas conceptuales presentes en las noticias referentes a la migración en Tapachula como herramientas del lenguaje propicias para la persuasión; textos periodísticos que fueron publicados entre agosto y octubre de 2021 son recuperados de la prensa digital nacional e internacional. Encontramos que en el discurso de protesta –que exige la libre movilidad, que denuncia los malos tratos que reciben de las autoridades, que evidencia las malas condiciones de vida de los migrantes en Tapachula, entre otros– se detectan una variedad de metáforas conceptuales de protesta que dan soporte a cada una de las reivindicaciones. Entre todas destaca el uso de la metáfora conceptual ESTAR EN TAPACHULA es ESTAR ENCARCELADO, que resulta idónea no solo para expresar su desacuerdo con las acciones de las autoridades migratorias y exigir el derecho humano a la libre movilidad, sino para favorecer que sus reclamaciones sean más persuasivas en pro de ganar legitimidad y que se produzcan cambios en la política migratoria mexicana.
A Diamond Universe
Authors: GUY Bernard
Published: June 2024

Cosmology is currently facing some major challenges. In addition to dark matter and dark energy, the issue of ‘impossible’ galaxies has been brought to the fore by the James Webb Telescope. Something simple eludes us, and the various problems mentioned are interrelated. Our proposition is that, on the cosmological scale, it is appropriate to take a value of the speed of light cc  lower than its standard value c0 in vacuum. This defines an optical index cc =c0./cc We account for this ‘refringence’ by a Shapiro effect extended to the scale of the universe (use of Schwarzschild metric), described by its average density ρu and its equivalent gravitational radius Ru. Remarkably, universes with indices greater than two are entirely conceivable, and their characteristics are close to those we determine for our own. The velocities  of celestial objects are estimated from redshifts in ratios of the type v/c, where the speed  of light is usually taken to be equal to . With an equal  ratio v/c (all things considered, only the v/c ratio has any meaning), dividing c0 by a certain factor  lowers the velocities v without postulating the existence of dark matter nor dark energy. Taking into account the problems cited earlier suggests a value of α close to 2.4. We are led to a lengthening of the age of the universe: it could reach 33 billion years. This would allow it to host in its relatively young phases objects that are already old and structured.
LOGÍSTICA REVERSA E O USO RACIONAL DE MEDICAMENTOS: ATUAÇÃO DO FARMACÊUTICO
Authors: Martins Guida Mariana , Leandro dos Santos Brenda , Oliveira de Araújo Júlia , Araújo Lira das Chagas Nathália , Pereira da Silva Sarah , Leal de Sousa Eugenio , Moraes Pintel Ramos Hayssa , Nogueira Resende Cruvinel Vanessa , Da Silva Emília Vitória , Galato Dayani , Milward de Azevedo Meiners Micheline Marie
Published: June 2024

Embora os medicamentos sejam produtos destinados ao diagnóstico, prevenção e tratamento de problemas de saúde, quando usados e descartados de forma inadequada podem causar danos à saúde humana e ao meio ambiente2.Mesmo o Brasil possuindo a Política Nacional de Resíduos Sólidos, somente em junho de 2020foi regulamentado o sistema de logística reversa para medicamentos domiciliares, que se aplica aos fabricantes, importadores, distribuidores e às farmácias e drogarias, estabelecendo as responsabilidades e procedimentos que cada um têm neste processo e visa mitigar o impacto negativo do descarte incorreto de resíduos no meio ambiente.No presente trabalho serão discutidos conceitos básicos relativos ao uso racional de medicamentos e a logística reversa, abordando os avanços dos últimos anos e a atuação e responsabilidade do farmacêutico a partir da regulamentação atual.
Book review of: Schmid, Christian (2022): Henri Lefebvre and the Theory of the Production of Space
Authors: Perrone Camilla
Published: June 2024

Buchrezension
Identification, GC-MS analysis and antibacterial activity of endophytic fungi isolated from Trigonella foenum-graecum leaf
Authors: Murshid Gazi Md. Monjur , Sohrab Md. Hossain , Masud Mohammad Mehedi , Mazid Md. Abdul
Published: June 2024

The present study was designed to identify the endophytic fungi isolated from leaves of Trigonella foenum-graecum (local name: Fenugreek or Methi) from Bangladesh, followed by a GC-MS analysis of fungal culture filtrates to explore major components present in the ethyl acetate extract and finally to assess their putative antibacterial activity. Two pure fungal extracts, entitled TFLE-1 and TFLE-2 were isolated from the leaf of T. foenum-graecum followed by extraction with ethyl acetate. The fungal strains, TFLE-1 and TFLE-2 were identified as Fusarium lichenicola and Trichoderma euskadiense respectively as per microscopic and molecular identification. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of a total of 47 bioactive compounds among which 2-((4-methylpentan-2-yloxy)carbonyl)benzoic acid (15.33%), pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-1,4-dione, hexahydro-3-(2-methylpropyl) (12.42%), benzeneethanamine, 4-benzyloxy-2-fluoro-beta-hydroxy-5-methoxy (3.45%) for TFLE-1 and pentatriacontane (8.61%), diethyl trisulfide (2.90%) and benzene,3-heptynyl (2.78%) for TFLE-2 were the major ones. On antibacterial activity, by disc-diffusion method, the fungal strain T. euskadiense (code: TFLE-2) showed prominent antibacterial activity against both gram (+) and gram (-) multiple-resistant bacteria while compared to the standard drug kanamycin; values were found statistically significant (p?0.05). The findings of the study indicated presence of potentially bioactive endophytic fungal extracts obtained from the leaves of T. foenum-graecum cultivated in Bangladesh.
Epicotyl morphophysiological dormancy and a rare case of epigeal cryptocotylar seed germination in Goniothalamus wynaadensis (Bedd.) Bedd., a tropical threatened endemic tree species of the Western Ghats
Authors: Jayan Anjali , Sreekala A. K.
Published: June 2024

Goniothalamus wynaadensis (Bedd.) Bedd. is a threatened indigenous tree species found in the Western Ghats and possesses significant medicinal value. This species belongs to the primitive family Annonaceae. However, there is a lack of information regarding seed germination in this species. We conducted experiments on seed germination using various media and found that the species exhibits epicotyl morpho-physiological dormancy (eMPD), marking the first such record in Annonaceae. GA3 at a concentration of 500 ppm and warm stratification at 20 °C for one week proved effective in enhancing embryo growth and radicle emergence. The epicotyl emergence was observed only at 30±2 °C. Because warm stratification promotes both radicle and shoot emergence in G. wynaadensis, the level of eMPD is non-deep and simple. Hence, dormancy in G. wynaadensis can be described as C1b Bb (radicle)- C1b Bb (epicotyl); i.e., the embryo is underdeveloped and grows before radicle emergence and epicotyl emergence under warm temperatures (Bb) and both the radicle and epicotyl have non-deep simple physiological dormancy broken by warm temperatures (C1b). Consequently, G. wynaadensis seed dormancy is phenologically well- adapted to the seasonal climate of Wayanad. Additionally, the species was found to display epigeal cryptocotylar seed germination—a rare occurrence in the development of angiosperm seedlings and this is the first record of such a phenomenon in the genus Goniothalamus.