bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Choroidal Macrovessel Diagnosed on Multimodal Imaging, including Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography
Authors: Mopuru Renuka , Liu T.Y. Alvin , Arevalo J. Fernando
Published: March 2022

Choroidal macrovessel (CM) is a rare anomalous vascular lesion in the choroid. In this case report, we describe a 72-year-old Caucasian man diagnosed with an incidental heavily branching CM in the macula of his right eye based on multimodal imaging, including enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (OCT), swept-source OCT angiography, and indocyanine green angiography. Multimodal imaging is valuable in demonstrating the distinctive appearance of this entity and differentiating it from more vision-threatening differential diagnoses, such as ophthalmomyiasis interna, choroidal neoplasms, retinochoroidal anastomosis, and inflammatory conditions.
Delayed Visual Loss in a Patient with Snake Bite: Case Report of an Unusual Neuro-Ophthalmic Presentation
Authors: Kuikel Sandip , Rimal Suman , Ojha Rajeev , Sitaula Sanjeeta , Karn Ragesh , Gajurel Bikram , Rajbhandari Reema , Gautam Niraj , Paudel Sunanda , Shrestha Aashish
Published: March 2022

Neurotoxin-related optic neuritis (ON) after snake bite is uncommon. Here, we present a case of a 70-year-old female who developed bilateral painless loss of vision after she received treatment with anti-snake venom (ASV). She had only perception of light on assessment of visual acuity on admission which then improved drastically after administration of intravenous methylprednisolone (MP) after making the provisional diagnosis of ON on the basis of history and clinical findings of the patient. Imaging and visual-evoked potential could not be done initially, and they were done after the administration of intravenous MP which had normal findings. ASV, though being a lifesaving treatment, has been sometimes associated with ON.
Percutaneous Egression: What Do We Know?
Authors: Sun Qisi , Purvis Caitlin G. , Iqbal Sahir N. , Emmerich Veronica K. , Feldman Steven R. , Maibach Howard
Published: March 2022

Background: The process by which drugs leave the bloodstream to enter the skin compartments is important in determining appropriate routes of delivery and developing more efficacious medications. We conducted a general literature review on percutaneous egression mechanisms. Summary: Studies demonstrate that the stratum corneum (SC) is a compartment for systemically delivered drugs. Upon reviewing the available literature, it became apparent that there may be multiple mechanisms of percutaneous egression dependent upon drug physiochemical properties. These mechanisms include, but are not limited to, desquamation, sebum secretion, sweat transport, and passive diffusion. While drugs often utilize one major pathway, it is possible that all mechanisms may play a role to varying extents. Key Messages: Available literature suggests that hydrophilic substances tended to travel from blood to the upper layers of the skin via sweat, whereas lipophilic substances utilized sebum secretion to reach the SC. Upon reaching the skin surface, the drugs spread laterally before penetrating back into the skin as if they were topically administered. More data are warranted to identify additional percutaneous egression mechanisms, precise drug action sites, and accelerate drug development.
Role of Reticulated Platelets in Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Bongiovanni Dario , Han Jiaying , Klug Melissa , Kirmes Kilian , Viggiani Giacomo , von Scheidt Moritz , Schreiner Nina , Condorelli Gianluigi , Laugwitz Karl-Ludwig , Bernlochner Isabell
Published: March 2022

Human platelets differ considerably with regard to their size, RNA content and thrombogenicity. Reticulated platelets (RPs) are young, hyper-reactive platelets that are newly released from the bone marrow. They are larger and contain more RNA compared to older platelets. In comparison to more mature platelets, they exhibit a significantly higher thrombogenicity and are known to be elevated in patients with an increased platelet turnover such as, diabetics and after acute myocardial infarction. Several studies have shown that RPs correlate with an insufficient antiplatelet response to aspirin and specific P2Y
12
receptor inhibitors. In addition, RPs are promising novel biomarkers for the prediction of adverse cardiovascular events in cardiovascular disease. However, the reason for RPs intrinsic hyper-reactivity and their association with ischemic events is not completely understood and the biology of RPs is still under investigation. We here present a structured review of preclinical and clinical findings concerning the role of RPs in cardiovascular disease.
Plaque Evaluation by Ultrasound and Transcriptomics Reveals BCLAF1 as a Regulator of Smooth Muscle Cell Lipid Transdifferentiation in Atherosclerosis
Authors: Rykaczewska Urszula , Zhao Quanyi , Saliba-Gustafsson Peter , Lengquist Mariette , Kronqvist Malin , Bergman Otto , Huang Zhiqiang , Lund Kent , Waden Katarina , Pons Vila Zara , Caidahl Kenneth , Skogsberg Josefin , Vukojevic Vladana , Lindeman Jan H.N. , Roy Joy , Hansson Göran K. , Treuter Eckardt , Leeper Nicholas J. , Eriksson Per , Ehrenborg Ewa , Razuvaev Anton , Hedin Ulf , Matic Ljubica
Published: March 2022

Background:

Understanding the processes behind carotid plaque instability is necessary to develop methods for identification of patients and lesions with stroke risk. Here, we investigated molecular signatures in human plaques stratified by echogenicity as assessed by duplex ultrasound.

Methods:

Lesion echogenicity was correlated to microarray gene expression profiles from carotid endarterectomies (n=96). The findings were extended into studies of human and mouse atherosclerotic lesions in situ, followed by functional investigations in vitro in human carotid smooth muscle cells (SMCs).

Results:

Pathway analyses highlighted muscle differentiation, iron homeostasis, calcification, matrix organization, cell survival balance, and
BCLAF1
(BCL2 [B-cell lymphoma 2]-associated transcription factor 1) as the most significant signatures.
BCLAF1
was downregulated in echolucent plaques, positively correlated to proliferation and negatively to apoptosis. By immunohistochemistry, BCLAF1 was found in normal medial SMCs. It was repressed early during atherogenesis but reappeared in CD68+ cells in advanced plaques and interacted with BCL2 by proximity ligation assay. In cultured SMCs,
BCLAF1
was induced by differentiation factors and mitogens and suppressed by macrophage-conditioned medium.
BCLAF1
silencing led to downregulation of BCL2 and SMC markers, reduced proliferation, and increased apoptosis. Transdifferentiation of SMCs by oxLDL (oxidized low-denisty lipoprotein) was accompanied by upregulation of BCLAF1, CD36, and CD68, while oxLDL exposure with
BCLAF1
silencing preserved MYH (myosin heavy chain) 11 expression and prevented transdifferentiation.
BCLAF1
was associated with expression of cell differentiation, contractility, viability, and inflammatory genes, as well as the scavenger receptors
CD36
and
CD68
. BCLAF1 expression in CD68+/BCL2+ cells of SMC origin was verified in plaques from MYH11 lineage-tracing atherosclerotic mice. Moreover,
BCLAF1
downregulation associated with vulnerability parameters and cardiovascular risk in patients with carotid atherosclerosis.

Conclusions:

Plaque echogenicity correlated with enrichment of distinct molecular pathways and identified
BCLAF1
, previously not described in atherosclerosis, as the most significant gene. Functionally, BCLAF1 seems necessary for survival and transdifferentiation of SMCs into a macrophage-like phenotype. The role of BCLAF1 in plaque vulnerability should be further evaluated.
Plasma Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 as a Predictor for Fosinopril Therapeutic Efficacy in Pediatric Primary Hypertension
Authors: Lin Yao , Cui Yaxi , Yuan Yue , Gao Lu , Li Qirui , Huang Xiaolan , Liu Yanyan , Shi Lin
Published: March 2022

Background

Plasma fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) has been reported to be a predictive biomarker for therapeutic effectiveness of angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors in heart failure. Higher plasma FGF23 levels have been shown in pediatric primary hypertension, but the predictive value of FGF23 for angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors’ effectiveness in pediatric primary hypertension has not been documented.

Methods and Results

This is a prospective study. An exploratory study with 139 patients was first conducted to determine the cutoff value of FGF23 for the prediction of treatment responsiveness. After receiving fosinopril for 4 weeks, of all 139 patients, 91 responded, while 48 did not respond to the treatment, and the responders had a significantly higher baseline plasma FGF23 level than nonresponders (
P
<0.01). Multiple regression analysis revealed a significant impact of baseline plasma FGF23 levels on fosinopril responsiveness (
P
<0.05). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the plasma FGF23 predicted the effectiveness of fosinopril treatment with an area under the curve of 0.784 (95% CI, 0.704–0.863) for a sensitivity and a specificity of 67.0% and 89.6%, respectively, for a cutoff value of 62.08 RU/mL. Subsequently, another group of 40 patients were recruited for validation. The blood pressure control rate in those (n=22) with baseline plasma FGF23 >62.08 RU/mL was significantly higher than that in children (n=18) with FGF23 ≤62.08 RU/mL (
P
<0.05).

Conclusions

Plasma FGF23 might be a valuable biomarker to guide fosinopril therapy for primary hypertension in children.
ChGn‐2 Plays a Cardioprotective Role in Heart Failure Caused by Acute Pressure Overload
Authors: Haryono Andreas , Ikeda Koji , Nugroho Dhite Bayu , Ogata Takehiro , Tsuji Yumika , Matoba Satoaki , Moriwaki Kensuke , Kitagawa Hiroshi , Igarashi Michihiro , Hirata Ken‐ichi , Emoto Noriaki
Published: March 2022

Background

Cardiac extracellular matrix is critically involved in cardiac homeostasis, and accumulation of chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycans (CS‐GAGs) was previously shown to exacerbate heart failure by augmenting inflammation and fibrosis at the chronic phase. However, the mechanism by which CS‐GAGs affect cardiac functions remains unclear, especially at the acute phase.

Methods and Results

We explored a role of CS‐GAG in heart failure using mice with target deletion of ChGn‐2 (chondroitin sulfate N‐acetylgalactosaminyltransferase‐2) that elongates CS chains of glycosaminoglycans. Heart failure was induced by transverse aortic constriction in mice. The role of CS‐GAG derived from cardiac fibroblasts in cardiomyocyte death was analyzed. Cardiac fibroblasts were subjected to cyclic mechanical stretch that mimics increased workload in the heart. Significant CS‐GAGs accumulation was detected in the heart of wild‐type mice after transverse aortic constriction, which was substantially reduced in ChGn‐2
‐/‐
mice. Loss of ChGn‐2 deteriorated the cardiac dysfunction caused by pressure overload, accompanied by augmented cardiac hypertrophy and increased cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Cyclic mechanical stretch increased ChGn‐2 expression and enhanced glycosaminoglycan production in cardiac fibroblasts. Conditioned medium derived from the stretched cardiac fibroblasts showed cardioprotective effects, which was abolished by CS‐GAGs degradation. We found that CS‐GAGs elicits cardioprotective effects via dual pathway; direct pathway through interaction with CD44, and indirect pathway through binding to and activating insulin‐like growth factor‐1.

Conclusions

Our data revealed the cardioprotective effects of CS‐GAGs; therefore, CS‐GAGs may play biphasic role in the development of heart failure; cardioprotective role at acute phase despite its possible unfavorable role in the advanced phase.
Layered Plaque in Organic Lesions in Patients With Coronary Artery Spasm
Authors: Nishi Takeshi , Kume Teruyoshi , Yamada Ryotaro , Okamoto Hiroshi , Koto Satsohi , Yamashita Masahiro , Ueno Masahiko , Kamisaka Kyo , Sasahira Yoshitaka , Enzan Ayano , Sudo Yasuyuki , Tamada Tomoko , Koyama Terumasa , Imai Koichiro , Neishi Yoji , Uemura Shiro
Published: March 2022

Background

Coronary artery spasm plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of coronary plaques. We sought to investigate the plaque characteristics of co‐existing organic lesions in patients with coronary artery spasm in comparison to those without coronary artery spasm by intracoronary optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Methods and Results

We included 39 patients who presented with a symptom suspected of coronary spastic angina and had an organic lesion, defined as ≥plaque burden of 50% assessed by OCT. Coronary artery spasm was diagnosed by positive acetylcholine provocation test, or by spontaneous spasm detected during coronary angiography. A total of 51 vessels with an organic lesion were identified. Of these, coronary artery spasm was observed in 30 vessels (spasm), while not in 21 vessels (non‐spasm). Organic lesions in the spasm vessels, compared with those in the non‐spasm vessels, had a higher prevalence of layered plaque (93% versus 38%,
P
<0.001), macrophages (80% versus 43%,
P
=0.016), and intraplaque microchannels (73% versus 24%,
P
<0.001), and lower prevalence of macrocalcification (23% versus 62%,
P
=0.009) as assessed by OCT.

Conclusions

Layered plaque, macrophages, and intraplaque microchannels, were frequently observed in organic lesions in patients with coronary artery spasm. These findings suggest that coronary artery spasm induces local thrombus formation as well as active inflammatory response, therefore increasing the risk of rapid plaque progression and ischemic events in patients with coronary artery spasm.
A review of the tribe Hyperaspidini (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) from the Indian region
Authors: POORANI J.
Published: March 2022

The tribe Hyperaspidini is represented by a single genus, Hyperaspis Chevrolat 1837, in the Indian subcontinent and only six species are known at present. Two species distributed in the Indian mainland, Hyperaspis leechi Miyatake 1961 and H. maindroni Sicard 1929, and one species from Nepal, H. marginaloides Canepari 1997, are reviewed and illustrated with notes on their diagnosis, biology and distribution. An updated checklist of the species known from the Indian subcontinent is provided.
A revision of Eastern Palaearctic Anthobium Leach, 1819 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Anthophagini). VI. Fortepunctatum group
Authors: SHAVRIN ALEXEY V.
Published: March 2022

The Fortepunctatum species group is established for two new Anthobium species from China: A. fortepunctatum sp. n. (Gansu, Shaanxi) and A. flavoguttatum sp. n. (Sichuan). The group is defined, briefly discussed, and a key to species is given. Both species are described and illustrated, and their geographical distribution is mapped.
Rediscovery of the social wasp Mischocyttarus (Kappa) tapuya Schulz, with description of the female, larva and nest (Vespidae, Polistinae)
Authors: SILVEIRA ORLANDO T. , PEREIRA JEFERSON F. , PINHEIRO MILEUDIANE O. , AMORIM DANIELLE A. , SANTOS JOSÉ N. A. DOS JUNIOR
Published: March 2022

Mischocyttarus tapuya was originally described from a single male specimen collected in a forest near Belém, state of Pará, Brazil, in the year of 1893, and had never been found again. We recently collected a colony of this species in an urban forest locality near Belém, and here describe the previously unknown female, mature larva, and nest of this social wasp.
“American Defenders Against an Illegal Invasion”: Dual Racialization Processes in Collective Identity Formation
Authors: Hummel Joshua R.
Published: March 2022

This paper considers how the anti-immigrant organization Americans for Legal Immigration PAC (ALIPAC) uses discourse about immigrants and immigration to construct and maintain its collective identity. Although previous approaches to collective identity within organizations primarily center the organizations themselves, studies concerned with anti-immigrant discourse instead emphasize how the organizations that use such discourse racialize members of non-white (especially Latinx) groups as “illegal” residents of the United States who threaten the safety and economic well-being of Americans. Drawing from these two literatures to consider how anti-immigrant organizations construct collective identity, this study investigates how ALIPAC uses presentations its opposition and its membership together to shape the collective identity associated with the organization itself. Using a content analysis, 153 documents released by ALIPAC during 2005 and 2018, the study finds that ALIPAC uses a dual racialization process to racialize immigrants as criminal outsiders who, with assistance from political elites, have overwhelmed the United States and white Americans as victims of these criminal outsiders. From this dual racialization, ALIPAC identifies itself as a defender of American citizens against an immigrant invasion. These results illustrate how racialization and collective identity construction are relational processes understood through a group’s presentations of itself and its opposition.
Medical Deportations and Racial Narratives of the Burdensome Migrant
Authors: Park Lisa Sun-Hee
Published: March 2022

Hospitals across the U.S. are quietly removing severely injured and chronically ill migrants to other nations. It is a reality that exists in practice but not in policy and is experienced by hundreds, potentially thousands, of low-income uninsured migrants. There is no formal accounting or regulation of this practice and federal immigration authorities remain silent regarding this practice despite the fact that alien removals, or deportations, are solely within their jurisdiction. Focusing on a case study, this paper analyzes migrant narratives embedded within news media accounts and legal analyses of medical deportations to address how this controversial practice is rationalized by health care providers. In these accounts, a racialized narrative of migrants as public burdens was clearly evident. This paper argues that such narratives have the power to transform actions legally defined as illegal—such as medical deportations—into a reasonable practice. In this way, social “cost” is racialized into individual debt, allowing for seemingly extraordinary disciplinary actions that are contrary to normative policy and ethics.
Effects of Delayed Hip Fracture Surgery on Severely Ill Patients: Defining the Time to Medical Optimization
Authors: Darbandi Aria Darius , Saadat Ghulam H. , Alsoof Daniel , Rebic Ante , Siddiqi Ahmed , Butler Bennet A. , Bokhari Faran
Published: March 2022

Background

Patients with multiple comorbidities often have delayed hip fracture surgery due to medical optimization. The goal of this study is to identify the allowable time for medical optimization in severely ill hip fracture patients.

Methods

The 2016-2019 NSQIP database was used to identify patients over age 60 with ASA classification scores 3 and 4 for severe and life-threatening systemic diseases. Patients were divided into immediate (<24 hours), early (24-48 hours), or late (>48 hours) groups based on time to surgery (TTS). Risk-adjusted multivariable logistic regressions were conducted to compare relationships between 30-day postoperative outcomes and TTS.

Results

43,071 hip fracture cases were analyzed for the purposes of this study. Compared to patients who underwent surgery immediately, patients who had surgeries between 24 and 48 hours were associated with higher rates of pneumonia (OR 1.357, CI 1.194-1.542), UTIs (OR 1.155, CI 1.000-1.224), readmission (OR 1.136, CI 1.041-1.240), postoperative LOS beyond 6 days (OR 1.249, CI 1.165-1.340), and mortality (OR 1.205, CI 1.084-1.338). Patients with surgeries delayed beyond 48 hours were associated with higher rates of CVA (OR 1.542, CI 1.048-2.269), pneumonia (OR 1.886, CI 1.611-2.209), UTIs (OR 1.546, CI 1.283-1.861), readmission (OR 1.212, CI 1.074-1.366), postoperative LOS beyond 6 days (OR 1.829, CI 1.670-2.003), and mortality (OR 1.475, CI 1.286-1.693) compared to patients with immediate surgery.

Discussion

Severely ill patients with the hip fracture may have a 24-hour window for medical optimization. Hip fracture surgery performed beyond 48 hours is associated with higher complication rates and mortality among those who are severely ill. Further prospective studies are warranted to examine the effects of early surgical intervention among severely ill patients.
COVID-19 Pandemic in Africa, “Copy-and-Paste” Policies, and the Biomedical Hegemony of “Cure”
Authors: Arukwe Nnanna Onuoha
Published: March 2022

The whole world was virtually not prepared for COVID-19. The medical remedy was understandably unavailable. So, Europeans, Americans, and similar regions of the world fell back on their traditional approaches to disruptive events of the type that COVID-19 represents. Many African countries would be largely led to mechanically copy the template of these other regions to varying degrees irrespective of the often starkly different economic, political, and social milieus that confront them. This article examines the policy response to the COVID-19 pandemic by African political office holders and the politics of COVID-19 remedy in Africa as scenes for the enactment of cultural racism and biomedical imperialism. Relying on the theoretical frameworks of cultural racism and postcolonialism, the article interrogates what happened with Africa’s policy response and attempts to find a home-grown remedy to the global COVID-19 pandemic as reflections of the underlying patterns of relationalities that determine the behavior of those in leadership positions under normal times—a pattern that only appears in stark relief under the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fabrication, characterization, and simulation of hybrid flax-sisal fiber reinforced epoxy composite for prosthetic limb socket application
Authors: Kitila Luna Geo , Wolla Desalegn Wogaso
Published: March 2022

Prosthetic limb socket is the major part of prosthetic leg and arm. It provides comfortable connection, transfers load, ensures stability between the residual limb and the device. This study aims to investigate tensile, flexural, compression, impact, and water absorption properties of hybrid flax-sisal fiber reinforced epoxy composite. The research also targets to explore its application for prosthetic limb socket. Hand-layup with light compression molding method is utilized to fabricate the composite material from 3 mm fiber length and with fiber-matrix volume % of 40–60, 35–65, and 30–70. Both fibers are treated with 5%NaOH to modify surface properties. Different mechanical tests are conducted to determine composite’s performance on specimens prepared according to ASTM standards. The result shows that the treated composite with flax fiber 25vol%-sisal fiber 15vol%-epoxy vol60% has superior mechanical and physical properties with tensile strength of 68.40 MPa, flexural strength of 145.7 MPa, compression strength of 45.64 MPa, impact energy of 10.83 J, and water absorption percentage of 3.66%. In addition, using ANSYS 2020, prosthetic socket is modeled for the optimum fiber-matrix composition of the composite and it is observed that maximum equivalent von mises stress of 2.214 MPa and deformation of 0.0064 mm. Based on the results and analysis, the selected hybrid flax-sisal-epoxy composite has the potential to be further used as an alternative material for prosthetic socket application.
Synergistic effect of ultrasonically assisted exfoliated MWCNTs by ZrO2 nanoparticles on thermo-mechanical and anti-corrosive properties of epoxy nanocomposites
Authors: Rathi Ankit , Kundalwal Shailesh I
Published: March 2022

Exploiting the boundless potential of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) is the critical issue in developing multifunctional nanocomposites. In this study, the MWCNTs are exfoliated by ZrO2 nanoparticles using the ultrasonication technique. The obtained MWCNT/ZrO2 hybrid nanofiller is infused in the epoxy matrix to produce multifunctional nanocomposites with superior thermo-mechanical and anti-corrosive properties. The physical, morphological, and structural properties of MWCNT/ZrO2 hybrid nanofiller are successfully studied by using XRD crystallography, Raman spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy analysis. The chemical interaction between the MWCNT/ZrO2 hybrid nanofiller with the epoxy (EP) matrix is evaluated using FTIR spectroscopy. Results indicated that the corrosion protection performance of mild steel coated with MWCNT/ZrO2 hybrid epoxy nanocomposite (MNC) is considerably increased at 1.0 wt.% of MWCNT/ZrO2 hybrid nanofiller by reducing the corrosion rate from 8.82 MPY to 56 × 10−3 MPY. Furthermore, the tensile strength and lap shear strength of MNC with the same loading content is improved by 67.8% and 58.04%, respectively, compared to neat EP. The field emission scanning electron microscopy images of tensile fracture surfaces of MNC (1.0 wt.%) confirm the cluster-free uniform dispersion of MWCNTs in the EP matrix.
Residual mechanical performance of lightweight fiber-reinforced geopolymer mortar composites incorporating expanded clay after elevated temperatures
Authors: Aljanabi Maysam , Çevik Abdulkadir , Niş Anıl , Bakbak Derya , Kadhim Sarah
Published: March 2022

This research provides an experimental investigation on the properties of fiber reinforced composite materials consisting of lightweight expanded clay aggregates (LECA) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers. The influence of temperature (room temperature, 250°C, and 500°C) on the lightweight geopolymer mortar (LWGM) composite materials is also explored. LECA is used as a partial replacement to river sand with 60% and 80%. The base material utilized for LWGM is slag activated by a mixture of sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide solutions. The fresh properties in terms of workability and density were performed. A series of experiments, such as compression, flexural and uniaxial tensile strength tests, were executed to assess the mechanical properties of LWGM composite materials. In addition, the microscopic variations due to the elevated temperature were also evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to understand the macro-scale behavior of the samples. The results indicated that increasing the level of LECA replacement caused a reduction in the density and compressive strength of the LWGM. Also, incorporating a 1% PVA fiber volume fraction significantly enhanced the flexural and uniaxial tensile behavior of LWGM composite materials. The compressive strength enhancements were observed at 250°C due to further geopolymerization, while compressive strength reductions were obtained at 500°C due to the vapor impact and difference in thermal expansion. In addition, the load-carrying capacity of all samples increased, and displacement capacity decreased under flexural tests at 250°C. However, the ductile behavior of the PVA incorporating specimens changed to brittle due to the melting of PVA fibers.
Do Struggling Adult Readers Monitor Their Reading? Understanding the Role of Online and Offline Comprehension Monitoring Processes During Reading
Authors: Tighe Elizabeth L. , Kaldes Gal , Talwar Amani , Crossley Scott A. , Greenberg Daphne , Skalicky Stephen
Published: March 2022

Comprehension monitoring is a meta-cognitive skill that is defined as the ability to self-evaluate one’s comprehension of text. Although it is known that struggling adult readers are poor at monitoring their comprehension, additional research is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying comprehension monitoring and their role in reading comprehension in this population. This study used a comprehension monitoring task with struggling adult readers, which included online eye movements (reread and regression path durations) and an offline verbal protocol (oral explanations of key information). We examined whether eye movements predicted accuracy on the passages’ reading comprehension questions, a norm-referenced reading assessment, and an offline verbal protocol after controlling for age and traditional component skills (i.e., decoding, oral language, working memory). Regression path duration uniquely predicted accuracy on the questions; however, decoding and oral vocabulary were the most salient predictors of the norm-referenced reading comprehension measure. Regression path duration also predicted the offline verbal protocol, such that those who exhibited longer regression path duration were also better at explaining key information. These results contribute to the literature regarding struggling adults’ reading component skills, eye movement behaviors involved in processing connected text, and future considerations in assessing comprehension monitoring.
Recycling furnace slag and fly ash from industrial byproducts to produce slag/ash based zeolite as a new adsorbent material
Authors: Chi Jen-Hao , Wu Chung-Hao , Huang Yi-Hao , Shu Chi-Min
Published: March 2022

This study recycling the industrial byproducts of furnace slag and fly ash to produce slag/ash based zeolite. A scanning electron microscopic/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopic (SEM/EDS) analysis of this zeolite indicates a high SiO2 content of 53.94%, an Al2O3 content of 23.20%, a silicon-to-aluminum ratio of 2.049, a density of 2.88 g/cm3, and a water content of 0.13% while the zeolite appears as a porous crystalline structure. Results of weighing experiments revealed effective adsorption of liquid salad oil and highly volatile organic solvents after reusing the zeolite up to 6 times. When an adsorbed liquid pollutant was desorbed and the heating temperature exceeded 170 °C and 350 °C, the samples exhibited two exothermic reactions, respectively, the mean maximum enthalpy were 0.427 and 0.461 mW, and the mean per gram of accumulated heat were 80.92 and 45.64 J/g. For all samples, the mean maximum loss of mass rate was 9.26%. Analogously, for gaseous pollutants, the samples exhibited an exothermic reaction when the heating temperature exceeded 180 °C; the average maximum enthalpy was 0.395 mW, the average per gram of accumulated heat was 119.60 J/g, and the average maximum loss of mass rate was 4.79%. This slag/ash based zeolite has the advantages of low cost, high thermal stability, reusability, etc., and can be used as a new adsorbent material for indoor ventilation equipment.
Pyopneumothorax of unusual aetiology
Authors: Leo Sneha , Narasimhan Meenakshi , Imran Khan M
Published: March 2022

A 50-year old diabetic male presented with cough, breathlessness, fever, and chest pain. Clinical and radiological evaluation revealed a right-sided pyopneumothorax. Surgical drainage with tube thoracostomy was performed. Pleural fluid cultures grew Enterococcus fecium as a sole organism. Our patient was treated with vancomycin and amikacin with an excellent clinical response. Enterococci are rarely implicated in the lower respiratory tract and pleural infections and are not usually considered if initiating empirical treatment. Their intrinsic resistance to empirically used antibiotics may complicate the course of the disease. Hence initial Gram staining and expeditious microbiological isolation with susceptibility testing is warranted in all cases. Gram-positive aerobes, notably staphylococcus followed by streptococcus and pneumococcus, are the commonly encountered organisms in pleural infections.
Colonial Regimes of Mental Health, Substance Use, Drug Treatment, and Recovery: A Locally Contextualized, Anticolonial Response
Authors: Laenui Pōkā , Williams Izaak L.
Published: March 2022

Documented in this article is the anticolonial treatment modality developed by a community-based behavioral health center on the island of O‘ahu, Hawai‘i—situated in a predominately Native Hawaiian community reacting to and affected by American colonial control of the Hawaiian Islands since 1893. We tie Haraway’s concept of “situated knowledges” to the methodology of Clarke’s “situational analysis” as a conceptual framing and a methodological approach in engaging the work of decolonizing health concepts and treatment regimens commonly taken for granted. Enfolding within that process the conceptual mapping for an indigenously informed way of thinking that emphasizes the relationship between colonizing “systems of care”—which emerge out of a sociocultural context of cultural domination that has broken down communally embedded Indigenous identities through individualism and exclusion or othering (i.e., hereafter abbreviated DIE)—and the need for decolonizing social processes that are in greater harmony with the rise of Hawaiian national consciousness (‘Olu‘olu) through communalistic notions of care (Lokahi) and nurturing cultural identities in balance with secular and non-secular relations anchored in historical and contemporary contexts (Aloha; i.e., hereafter abbreviated OLA). By increasing the convergence of OLA with the cultural mainstream of DIE as a unifying reference point applied to other Hawaiian and indigenous groups in both theory and praxis, this article is both a contribution to the social science of treatment, and to the literature on decolonizing drugs and alcohol.
A Retrospective Analysis of Multiple Affected Salivary Gland Diseases: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Benefits of Interventional Sialendoscopy
Authors: Borner Urs , Anschuetz Lukas , Caversaccio Marco , von Werdt Moritz , Panosetti Eugène , Keghian Jérôme , Remacle Marc
Published: March 2022

Objectives

Multiple affected salivary gland diseases are rare compared to single gland diseases and represent a major diagnostic challenge. These cases are commonly neglected in the scientific literature, despite the considerable suffering of these patients. The aim of this retrospective study was to report disease characteristics, diagnostic pathways, and therapeutic options, including sialendoscopic treatment of multiple affected salivary gland disorders.

Methods

Patients experiencing multiple affected salivary gland diseases treated between 2013 and 2020 were consecutively identified. Data regarding demographics, clinical presentation, disease characteristics, treatment, complications, and follow-up were analyzed retrospectively.

Results

In total, 71 patients were identified with these diseases and included obstructive disease without sialolithiasis (n = 22), inflammation (n = 15), immune disease (n = 19), radioiodine-induced sialadenitis (RAI) (n = 5), sialadenosis (n = 2), and juvenile recurrent parotitis (JRP) (n = 8). Diagnostic and therapeutic sialendoscopy was performed on 113 salivary glands in 42 patients, leading to completely (n = 27, 64.3%) or partially (n = 11, 26.2%) improved symptoms in most cases. In total, 4 patients did not improve after interventional therapy.

Conclusions

Multiple affected salivary gland diseases are rare and diagnostically challenging. Interventional sialendoscopy offers an effective and safe therapeutic option and should be considered in this specific cohort.
Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica in the setting of COVID-19
Authors: Al Omari Ahmad , Al-Qarqaz Wisam , Khresat Mohammd , Sataloff Robert T.
Published: March 2022

Tracheobronchopathia osteoplastica (TO) is a rare, benign disease of unknown etiology, primarily affecting the major tracheobronchial tree, characterized by irregular nodular calcifications of the cartilaginous component of the inner wall of the tracheobronchial tree while sparing the posterior wall, leading to progressive narrowing of the airway. We report the case of a 60-year-old male otherwise healthy nonsmoker, who complained of chronic breathing discomfort and recurrent chest infections and was found to have TO according to radiographic, microlaryngoscopic, and biopsy findings. He experienced a flare up with worsening of disease progression after years of being in stable condition, after his infection with SARS-CoV-2.
The comparation of different oral corticosteroids withdrawal methods for nasal polyp surgery
Authors: Fu Lisheng , Xiang Rong , Zhang Wei , Tao Zezhang , Tong Huan , Xu Yu
Published: March 2022

Objectives: To compare the efficacy and adverse events of different oral corticosteroids (OCSs) withdrawal methods for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyp after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Methods: This was a randomized prospective study conducted from Oct 2019 to Jan, 2021. 35 patients who underwent ESS were randomly divided into 2 groups. Regular group (n = 18) received 0.4mg/kg/day of methylprednisolone orally for 10 days, tapering group (n = 17) received 0.4mg/kg/day of methylprednisolone orally for 7 days, followed by progressive reduction of 8 mg of methylprednisolone per week for 3 weeks. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score, the Lund-Kennedy endoscopy (LKE) score, and the E score were assessed preoperatively and at half and 1, 2, and 12 months postoperatively. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS. Results: There was no statistical difference in the baseline characteristics between the 2 groups. The postoperative VAS scores and LKE scores of patients were significantly improved from those preoperatively (P-values < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the LKE score, E score, and VAS score between the 2 groups both preoperatively and postoperatively (P-values > 0.05). There was no statistical difference in adverse events between the 2 groups (P-values > 0.05). Conclusions: The combination of OCSs and ESS can improve the clinical symptoms of patients and the recovery of nasal mucosa. There was no difference between the 2 drug withdrawal methods in efficacy and adverse events. Drug withdrawal gradually is more complicated therefore, in clinical practice, OCSs withdrawal directly would be the better option for patients.
Nd:YAG Laser Treatment of Massive Tongue Venous Malformation: A Case Report
Authors: Gocal Wiktoria , Hilal Elias , Tragon Tyson
Published: March 2022

Venous malformations (VM) are slow-flow vascular lesions that result from morphogenesis errors. Composed of dysfunctional veins lacking smooth muscle cells, VMs grow slowly and may initially be managed by observation. Treatment is indicated for lesions that cause functional impairment. One treatment option is laser therapy, which is very effective due to its tissue penetration and relative selectivity. The Nd:YAG laser has been shown to treat small and moderately sized mucosal vascular lesions; in this case, it was applied in a staged approach for treatment of a massive venous malformation of the tongue. A 66-year-old male presented with a venous malformation involving the tongue and lower lip, the lesion estimated to be 10 x 14 x 15 cm in size. The Nd:YAG laser was used in three separate stages to photocoagulate the venous lesion. Follow-up for recurrence is ongoing, but currently shows complete malformation ablation with a 36.2% volume reduction after treatment. The Nd:YAG laser is an effective tool in the treatment of large vascular lesions. Successful laser application in a staged approach for the treatment of a venous malformation of this size and complexity further supports its clinical value. Monitoring for possible recurrence of the venous malformation should be ongoing.
Transoral Endoscopic Resection of Oropharyngeal Pedunculated Giant Fibrolipoma Using Harmonic Scalpel: A Case Report
Authors: Tarifi Amjed A. , Al-qutiesh Bara’ H. , Badran Khaled H. , Al-mallah Heba H. , Medina Jesus E.
Published: March 2022

Lipoma is the most common soft tissue benign tumor in the body. It can occur in the head and neck area as well. Fibrolipoma is a variant of lipoma that contains fibrous tissue. Fibrolipomas of the head and neck are relatively rare, and their presentation depends largely on their size and location; some slowly growing tumors might go unnoticed until they reach significant size and become symptomatic. Here, we report a case of 64-year-old male who presented with large pedunculated oropharyngeal fibrolipoma that originated from the posterior oropharyngeal wall and extended downward into the postcricoid area and cervical esophagus. It was excised transorally using rigid endoscope, and ACE Harmonic scalpel was utilized to excise this 16.7 cm long mass. The postoperative pain was minimal, the surgical site showed complete healing, and oral diet was resumed easily in 5 days.
Predictors of who Serves as an Alzheimer’s Disease Research Participant’s Study Partner and the Impact of their Relationship on Study Partners’ Reports on Participants
Authors: Stites Shana D. , Largent Emily A. , Gill Jeanine , Gurian Anna , Harkins Kristin , Karlawish Jason
Published: March 2022

Background: Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease related dementias (AD/ADRD) research typically requires participants to enroll with a “study partner” (SP). Little is known about what predicts who steps into the SP role or whether the SP’s relationship to the participant affects their reports of disease severity.Methods: Health and Retirement Study data (HRS), collected prior to the Aging, Demographics and Memory Study (ADAMS), was used to identify sociocultural factors that predict who serves as a SP in ADAMS. SP-reported outcomes were compared between three types of participant-SP relationships: spousal, adult child, and other.Results: Spouses (35%) and adult children (39%) were similarly likely to serve as SPs. Factors predicting who served differed. In multivariable analyses, adult children rated participants less impaired than spouses on measures of memory, judgment, and organizational abilities ( p < .05). Conclusions: The participant-SP relationship has independent effects on the SP’s reports of the severity of cognitive impairments.
The interchangeability of liking and friend nominations to measure peer acceptance and friendship
Authors: Guimond Fanny-Alexandra , Altman Robert , Vitaro Frank , Brendgen Mara , Laursen Brett
Published: March 2022

Two studies examine the convergence between measures of friendship and measures of liking in the assessment of friendship and peer acceptance. In the first study, 551 (301 boys and 250 girls) Canadian primary school children (ages 8–11) nominated friends and liked-most classmates. In the second study, 282 (127 boys and 155 girls) US primary school children (ages 9–11) nominated friends and rated classmates on a sociometric preference scale. The results revealed considerable convergence in the assessment of friendship. Most first, second, and third ranked friends were also nominated and rated as liked-peers, suggesting that when measures of liking are used to identify friends, few top-ranked friendships are overlooked. There was less convergence in assessments of peer acceptance. Peer acceptance scores derived from friend nominations were more strongly correlated with peer acceptance scores derived from liking nominations than with those derived from sociometric preference ratings. We conclude that liking nominations accurately capture friendships, particularly best friendships. Friend nominations may be a suitable substitute for assessments of liking, but they are a poor substitute for assessments of sociometric preference.
Quantification of Hepatocellular Mitoses in a Toxicological Study in Rats Using a Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Heinemann Fabian , Lempp Charlotte , Colbatzky Florian , Deschl Ulrich , Nolte Thomas
Published: March 2022

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have been recognized as valuable tools for rapid quantitative analysis of morphological changes in toxicologic histopathology. We have assessed the performance of CNN-based (Halo-AI) mitotic figure detection in hepatocytes in comparison with detection by pathologists. In addition, we compared with Ki-67 and 5-bromodesoxyuridin (BrdU) immunohistochemistry labeling indices (LIs) obtained by image analysis. Tissues were from an exploratory toxicity study with a glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) inhibitor. Our investigations revealed that (1) the CNN achieved similarly accurate but faster results than pathologists, (2) results of mitotic figure detection were comparable to Ki-67 and BrdU LIs, and (3) data from different methods were only moderately correlated. The latter is likely related to differences in the cell cycle component captured by each method. This highlights the importance of considering the differences of the available methods upon selection. Also, the pharmacology of our test item acting as a GSK-3 inhibitor potentially reduced the correlation. We conclude that hepatocyte cell proliferation assessment by CNNs can have several advantages when compared with the current gold standard: it relieves the pathologist of tedious routine tasks and contributes to standardization of results; the CNN algorithm can be shared and iteratively improved; it can be performed on routine histological slides; it does not require an additional animal experiment and in this way can contribute to animal welfare according to the 3R principles.
Scientific and Regulatory Policy Committee Brief Communication: 2019 Survey on Use of Digital Histopathology Systems in Nonclinical Toxicology Studies
Authors: Forest Thomas , Aeffner Famke , Bangari Dinesh S. , Bawa Bhupinder , Carter Jonathan , Fikes James , High Wanda B. , Hayashi Shim-mo , Jacobsen Matthew , McKinney LuAnn , Rudmann Daniel , Steinbach Thomas , Schumacher Vanessa , Turner Oliver C. , Ward Jerrold M. , Willson Cynthia J.
Published: March 2022

Histopathologic evaluation and peer review using digital whole-slide images (WSIs) is a relatively new medium for assessing nonclinical toxicology studies in Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) environments. To better understand the present and future use of digital pathology in nonclinical toxicology studies, the Society of Toxicologic Pathology (STP) formed a working group to survey STP members with the goal of creating recommendations for implementation. The survey was administered in December 2019, immediately before the COVID-19 pandemic, and the results suggested that the use of digital histopathology for routine GLP histopathology assessment was not widespread. Subsequently, in follow-up correspondence during the pandemic, many responding institutions either began investigating or adopting digital WSI systems to reduce employee exposure to COVID-19. Therefore, the working group presents the survey results as a pre-pandemic baseline data set. Recommendations for use of WSI systems in GLP environments will be the subject of a separate publication.
Music education in the digital age: Challenges associated with sound homogenization in music aimed at adolescents
Authors: Faure-Carvallo Adrien , Gustems-Carnicer Josep , Guaus Termens Enric
Published: March 2022

Adolescent music preferences revolve around so-called popular music, specifically that which is highly manipulated by audio and music production technologies and aimed at the mass market. These processes can result in music genres that lean toward sound homogenization, a phenomenon that could gradually restrict adolescents’ access to the acoustic richness of other music styles that have emerged throughout history. The objective of this work was to analyze the music genres favored by a sample of Spanish adolescents ( n = 464), based on their acoustic qualities (timbre, rhythm, and dynamics). The results of the automatic analysis indicated a great deal of overlap in terms of sound, which corroborated the homogeneous character of the genres. This calls for an approach to secondary music education that helps preserve musical richness and stylistic variety in the classroom.