bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cutaneous metastasis of carcinomatous component of ovarian carcinosarcoma: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Li Jinhang , Cao Chen , Liu Peng , Yan Zhifeng , Xing Deyin , Liu Aijun
Published: October 2022

Skin metastasis of ovarian cancer is extremely rare. We report an unusual case of ovarian carcinosarcoma with cutaneous metastasis of carcinomatous component that displayed distinct clinical manifestation. A 48-year-old woman presented to the dermatologist complaining of a new onset of erythematous, plaque-like skin rash with multiple small nodules on the left inner thigh, the area measuring 8 × 5cm. While the patient had no history of dermatologic conditions, she underwent a total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, omentectomy, and lymph node dissection 16 months ago with a pathology confirmed stage IIIC ovarian carcinosarcoma. Of note, the carcinomatous component, mainly adenocarcinoma with hybrid features of seromucinous, endometrioid and minor high-grade serous carcinoma, involved bilateral fallopian tubes, omentum, and parametrium with extensive lymph node metastases. A skin biopsy specimen revealed an adenocarcinoma involving epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue with nodular contours, consistent with metastatic carcinomatous component of carcinosarcoma. Both carcinomatous component of primary ovarian carcinosarcoma and metastatic adenocarcinoma in the skin demonstrated Pax8, WT-1, and ER positivity and a mutation pattern of p53. The patient passed away 15 months after identification of skin metastasis. This case represents a unique example of cutaneous metastasis of ovarian carcinosarcoma with distinct clinical manifestation and detailed histopathological description. Alertness to the possibility of cutaneous metastasis, in combination with clinical history, morphological and immunohistochemical findings, is critical for a definitive classification.
Analysis of changes in “mitral valve reserve” after coronary artery bypass grafts in patients with functional mitral regurgitation
Authors: Ceresa Fabrizio , Micari Antonio , Rubino Antonino Salvatore , Mammana Liborio , Pipitone Vito , Vizzari Giampiero , Costa Francesco , Patanè Francesco
Published: October 2022

Introduction

The treatment of moderate functionalmitral regurgitation (FMR) during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is still debated. Our primary end point was to assess the improvement of “mitral valve reserve” (MVR) after CABG alone as a clinical demonstration of left ventricular (LV) recovery.

Materials and methods

Between June 2019 and June 2021, we prospectively enrolled 104 consecutive patients undergoing CABG with moderate FMR. Inclusion criteria were inferior-posterior-lateral wall hypokinesia and revascularization of the circumflex or right coronary artery. MVR was calculated as the ratio between anterior and posterior leaflets’ straight length. All patients were followed for 1 year. The improvement of MVR has been considered as a reduction of the ratio between anterior and posterior leaflets straight length.

Results

Compared to baseline, mean MVR was significantly reduced both at 6 (2.24 ± 0.95 vs. 1,91 ± 0.6; p = 0,047) and 12 months follow-up (2.24 ± 0.95 vs. 1,69 ± 0.49; p = 0,006). Left ventricular (LV) reverse remodeling, meant as improvement of LV ejection fraction and reduction of LV end-systolic volume index and mitral anulus diameter were evaluated at 6 months and 1 year. Mitral regurgitation grade were also significantly reduced at 6 months (p < .001).

Conclusion

The benefits of myocardial revascularization in term of improvement of mitral regurgitation’s degree can be explained by the changes of MVR. The patients with FMR, who could have more advantages from CABG alone, should be the ones who have LVESVi just moderately increased.
Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) and sand fly-borne pathogens in the Greater Mekong Subregion: a systematic review
Authors: Hustedt John , Prasetyo Didot Budi , Fiorenzano Jodi M. , von Fricken Michael E. , Hertz Jeffrey C.
Published: October 2022

Phlebotomine sand flies are proven or suspected vectors of several pathogens of importance, including leishmaniasis, bartonellosis and sand fly fevers. Although sand flies have a worldwide distribution, there has been limited research published on sand flies and sand fly-borne pathogens throughout the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS). This review followed the PRISMA guidelines to determine the biodiversity and presence of phlebotomine sand flies and their associated pathogens in the GMS, specifically Cambodia, Thailand, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos), Malaysia and Vietnam. A total of 1472 records were identified by searching electronic databases, scanning reference lists of articles and consulting experts in the field. After screening of title and abstracts, 178 records remained and were further screened for original data (n = 34), not having regional data (n = 14), duplication of data (n = 4), records not available (n = 4) and no language translation available (n = 2). A total of 120 studies were then included for full review, with 41 studies on sand fly-related disease in humans, 33 studies on sand fly-related disease in animals and 54 entomological studies focused on sand flies (5 papers contained data on > 1 category), with a majority of the overall data from Thailand. There were relatively few studies on each country, with the exception of Thailand, and the studies applied different methods to investigate sand flies and sand fly-borne diseases, impacting the ability to conduct meaningful meta-analysis. The findings suggest that leishmaniasis in humans and the presence of sand fly vectors have been reported across several GMS countries over the past 100 years, with local transmission in humans confirmed in Thailand and Vietnam. Additionally, localMundiniaspecies are likely transmitted by biting midges. Findings from this study provide a framework for future investigations to determine the geographic distribution and risk profiles of leishmaniasis and other associated sand fly-borne disease throughout the GMS. It is recommended that researchers expand surveillance efforts across the GMS, with an emphasis placed on entomological surveys, syndromic and asymptomatic monitoring in both humans and animals and molecular characterization of sand flies and sand fly-borne pathogens, particularly in the understudied countries of Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos.

Graphical abstract
Identification of Streptococcus gallolyticus in tumor samples of Iranian patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer
Authors: Kamali Negin , Talebi Bezmin Abadi Amin , Abadi Bezmin , Rahimi Farid , Forootan Mojgan
Published: October 2022

Objective

Clinical outcomes of infection by S. gallolyticus have not been investigated extensively. We aimed to determine the prevalence of S. gallolyticus in tumor specimens obtained from Iranian patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Polymerase chain reaction was used to confirm the presence of S. gallolyticus in patients’ tissue samples.

Results

Of 176 patients, 65 were diagnosed with colorectal cancer whereas 111 did not have any colon disease. No correlation was found between age, colonization with S. gallolyticus, gender, or risk factors. Overall, 72 (40%) patients carried S. gallolyticus; only 29% of the patients without colorectal cancer were positive for S. gallolyticus. Diagnosis of colorectal cancer and presence of S. gallolyticus significantly correlated (P = 0.006; odds ratio = 1.46; 95% CI = 1.21–3.87). Among the patients with colorectal cancer, 39 (60%) were positive with S. gallolyticus (P = 0.006) whereas 33 of 111 (29.7%) control subjects were positive for S. gallolyticus (P > 0.05); thus, 70.3% of the control subjects were not infected with S. gallolyticus. We found a high prevalence of S. gallolyticus among an Iranian cohort of patients with colorectal cancer. Despite previous reports, we report a positive correlation between colorectal cancer and S. gallolyticus colonization.
Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid treated with concurrent chemoradiation and palliative immunotherapy: a case report
Authors: Hsieh Meng-Lun , Besch Brian M. , Peterson Jo Elle G. , Henson Christina
Published: October 2022

Background

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid is a very rare malignancy with aggressive growth and poor prognosis. There is currently no consensus for treatment modality, however, most patients with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid are treated with surgery and adjuvant chemoradiation.

Case presentation

We report a rare case of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid in a 68-year-old White male who underwent chemoradiation and palliative immunotherapy after declining surgery. He was treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy to 70 Gy in 35 fractions, with concurrent carboplatin–paclitaxel and palliative pembrolizumab. Local thyroid disease recurrence occurred at 6 months post-chemoradiation, and the patient died at 16 months post-chemoradiation.

Conclusions

This is the first case report demonstrating the use of pembrolizumab as palliative therapy for primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid. Our study also highlights the importance of chemoradiation in decreasing primary mass size and immunotherapy in preventing metastatic disease progression.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for cardiogenic shock: a meta-analysis of mortality and complications
Authors: Rajsic Sasa , Treml Benedikt , Jadzic Dragana , Breitkopf Robert , Oberleitner Christoph , Popovic Krneta Marina , Bukumiric Zoran
Published: October 2022

Background

Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (va-ECMO) is an advanced life support for critically ill patients with refractory cardiogenic shock. This temporary support bridges time for recovery, permanent assist, or transplantation in patients with high risk of mortality. However, the benefit of this modality is still subject of discussion and despite the continuous development of critical care medicine, severe cardiogenic shock remains associated with high mortality. Therefore, this work aims to analyze the current literature regarding in-hospital mortality and complication rates of va-ECMO in patients with cardiogenic shock.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the most recent literature to analyze the outcomes of va-ECMO support. Using the PRISMA guidelines, Medline (PubMed) and Scopus (Elsevier) databases were systematically searched up to May 2022. Meta-analytic pooled estimation of publications variables was performed using a weighted random effects model for study size.

Results

Thirty-two studies comprising 12756 patients were included in the final analysis. Between 1994 and 2019, 62% (pooled estimate, 8493/12756) of patients died in the hospital. More than one-third of patients died during ECMO support. The most frequent complications were renal failure (51%, 693/1351) with the need for renal replacement therapy (44%, 4879/11186) and bleeding (49%, 1971/4523), bearing the potential for permanent injury or death. Univariate meta-regression analyses identified age over 60 years, shorter ECMO duration and presence of infection as variables associated with in-hospital mortality, while the studies reporting a higher incidence of cannulation site bleeding were unexpectedly associated with a reduced in-hospital mortality.

Conclusions

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is an invasive life support with a high risk of complications. We identified a pooled in-hospital mortality of 62% with patient age, infection and ECMO support duration being associated with a higher mortality. Protocols and techniques must be developed to reduce the rate of adverse events. Finally, randomized trials are necessary to demonstrate the effectiveness of va-ECMO in cardiogenic shock.
Research designs and instruments to detect physiotherapy overuse of low-value care services in low back pain management: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Kühn Lukas , Lindert Lara , Choi Kyung-Eun
Published: October 2022

Background

The provision of low-value care services in low back pain management is a problem of global scope. Inappropriate imaging, overmedication, and overused invasive therapies are prevalent in physician services. Yet, little is known about overused low-value physiotherapy services. Most studies addressing physiotherapy overuse in low back pain management arose from countries in which physiotherapy is established in primary care. However, measures and instruments addressing physiotherapy overuse limitedly fit legislative conditions of health systems in which physiotherapy is a service of secondary care. Thus, this scoping review’s purpose is to map existing research designs and instruments aiming to detect overused low-value physiotherapy services taking specific healthcare settings and aspects of medical overuse into account.

Methods

The development of this scoping review is guided by the Arksey and O’Malley framework. A two-step, peer-reviewed search strategy in accordance with the PRESS checklist will be conducted on MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science, and CINHAL. Additionally, gray literature will be searched on Google Scholar. Preprints of empirical studies will be included. Initially, two reviewers will independently screen articles for eligibility by title and abstract. A third reviewer will mediate discrepancies. Uncertainties will be eliminated by a full-text analysis or by contacting the corresponding authors. A four-step analytical process will guide result reporting focusing on major research questions outlined in this protocol. Numerical and narrative tables, graphics, and narrative summaries will be the methods to summarize and collate results. In the final step, the German health system will serve as an exemplary setting and frame to practically apply results.

Discussion

Results of this scoping review will help researchers to systematically select overuse measures referring to aspects of the overuse typology, specific healthcare settings, and physiotherapy services. It will further provide information on the limitations of present studies and will give advice on how to address them. Moreover, this review will illustrate to what degree existing studies succeed to comprehensively cover the concept of the overuse typology.

Systematic review registration

This protocol has been registered on the open science framework (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/PMF2G).
The high-order smooth interpolated reproducing kernel particle method for elastodynamics problems
Authors: Gu Jinpeng , Qin Yixiao , Li Zhonghua
Published: October 2022

Combining the interpolation reproducing kernel particle method (IRKPM) with the integral weak form of elastodynamics, we present a high-order smooth interpolated reproducing kernel particle method for an elastodynamics plane problem. The shape function of IRKPM not only has the interpolation property at any point but also has a high-order smoothness not lower than that of the kernel function. This new method overcomes the difficulties of most meshless methods in dealing with essential boundary conditions and ensures high numerical accuracy. For time domain integration, we use the classical Newmark average acceleration method. By numerical examples we demonstrate that the proposed method has the advantages of higher accuracy, smaller scale of solving problem, and direct application of boundary conditions.
Warming and elevated nitrogen deposition accelerate the invasion process of Solidago canadensis L.
Authors: Ren Guangqian , Yang Bin , Cui Miaomiao , Dai Zhicong , Xiang Yan , Zhang Haiyan , Li Guanlin , Li Jian , Javed Qaiser , Du Daolin
Published: October 2022

Background

Invasive species can threaten native diversity and alter ecosystem processes while interacting with other components of global environmental change. Invasive plants are becoming increasingly problematic and this can be stimulated by changes in the environment. However, existing studies have primarily investigated the effects of environmental change on a specific stage of plant invasion rather than the continuous invasion process.

Methods

A space-for-time substitution experiment was performed to investigate how warming and nitrogen deposition affects the invasion process of a plant. Specifically, different ratios of invasive Solidago canadensis L. to native Artemisia argyi Levl. et Van were employed as a proxy to represent successive levels of invasion. A total of seven treatments were applied in the experiment: ambient (CK), N addition (+ 5, + 12 g m−2 year−1), warming (+ 1.15, + 1.86 °C) and their interaction (5 g N m−2 year−1 + 1.15 °C, 12 g N m−2 year−1 + 1.86 °C). The growth performance and competitiveness of S. canadensis were investigated.

Results

The competitiveness of Solidago canadensis decreased linearly with its invasion degree (p < 0.05). Non-linear regression showed that S. canadensis invasion levels of 53%, 53%, 68%, 55% and 58% were the critical thresholds for shifting the direction or magnitude of chlorophyll, leaf nitrogen, leaf shape index, diameter, and root/shoot ratio, respectively. Compared with the ambient treatment (CK, no warming and no N addition), the diameter, height, biomass and relative competitiveness of S. canadensis were each limited by warming, to a certain extent, whereas these and the above parameters were significantly increased by nitrogen deposition. The interaction of increased temperature and nitrogen deposition led to significant increases in the growth and competitiveness of S. canadensis, and this effect was detected in every stage of the invasion, throughout the invasion process.

Conclusions

Environmental change might have a continuous, progressive, and augmentative effect on the phenotypic traits of S. canadensis. This study provides fairly robust evidence that environmental change promotes the invasion process of S. canadensis in general, not simply in specific stages. In the future, rather than focusing on specific stages, experimental studies should consider examining invasion on a broader scale.
Susceptibility of dairy cows to subacute ruminal acidosis is reflected in both prepartum and postpartum bacteria as well as odd- and branched-chain fatty acids in feces
Authors: Yang Hong , Heirbaut Stijn , Jing Xiaoping , De Neve Nympha , Vandaele Leen , Jeyanathan Jeyamalar , Fievez Veerle
Published: October 2022

Background

The transition period is a challenging period for high-producing dairy cattle. Cows in early lactation are considered as a group at risk of subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA). Variability in SARA susceptibility in early lactation is hypothesized to be reflected in fecal characteristics such as fecal pH, dry matter content, volatile and odd- and branched-chain fatty acids (VFA and OBCFA, respectively), as well as fecal microbiota. This was investigated with 38 periparturient dairy cows, which were classified into four groups differing in median and mean time of reticular pH below 6 as well as area under the curve of pH below 6. Furthermore, we investigated whether fecal differences were already obvious during a period prior to the SARA risk (prepartum).

Results

Variation in reticular pH during a 3-week postpartum period was not associated with differences in fecal pH and VFA concentration. In the postpartum period, the copy number of fecal bacteria and methanogens of unsusceptible (UN) cows was higher than moderately susceptible (MS) or susceptible (SU) cows, while the genera Ruminococcus and Prevotellacea_UCG-001 were proportionally less abundant in UN compared with SU cows. Nevertheless, only a minor reduction was observed in iso-BCFA proportions in fecal fatty acids of SU cows, particularly iso-C15:0 and iso-C16:0, compared with UN cows. Consistent with the bacterial changes postpartum, the lower abundance of Ruminococcus was already observed in the prepartum fecal bacterial communities of UN cows, whereas Lachnospiraceae_UCG-001 was increased. Nevertheless, no differences were observed in the prepartum fecal VFA or OBCFA profiles among the groups. Prepartum fecal bacterial communities of cows were clustered into two distinct clusters with 70% of the SU cows belonging to cluster 1, in which they represented 60% of the animals.

Conclusions

Inter-animal variation in postpartum SARA susceptibility was reflected in post- and prepartum fecal bacterial communities. Differences in prepartum fecal bacterial communities could alert for susceptibility to develop SARA postpartum. Our results generated knowledge on the association between fecal bacteria and SARA development which could be further explored in a prevention strategy.

Graphical abstract
Müller cell degeneration and microglial dysfunction in the Alzheimer’s retina
Authors: Xu Qinyuan Alis , Boerkoel Pierre , Hirsch-Reinshagen Veronica , Mackenzie Ian R. , Hsiung Ging-Yuek Robin , Charm Geoffrey , To Elliott F. , Liu Alice Q. , Schwab Katerina , Jiang Kailun , Sarunic Marinko , Beg Mirza Faisal , Pham Wellington , Cui Jing , To Eleanor , Lee Sieun , Matsubara Joanne A.
Published: October 2022

Amyloid beta (Aβ) deposits in the retina of the Alzheimer’s disease (AD) eye may provide a useful diagnostic biomarker for AD. This study focused on the relationship of Aβ with macroglia and microglia, as these glial cells are hypothesized to play important roles in homeostasis and clearance of Aβ in the AD retina. Significantly higher Aβ load was found in AD compared to controls, and specifically in the mid-peripheral region. AD retina showed significantly less immunoreactivity against glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and glutamine synthetase (GS) compared to control eyes. Immunoreactivity against ionized calcium binding adapter molecule-1 (IBA-1), a microglial marker, demonstrated a higher level of microgliosis in AD compared to control retina. Within AD retina, more IBA-1 immunoreactivity was present in the mid-peripheral retina, which contained more Aβ than the central AD retina. GFAP co-localized rarely with Aβ, while IBA-1 co-localized with Aβ in more layers of control than AD donor retina. These results suggest that dysfunction of the Müller and microglial cells may be key features of the AD retina.
Rapid cyclic fluctuations in blood pressure during two surgeries associated with pheochromocytoma: a case report
Authors: Watanabe Tomoyuki , Miyoshi Hirotsugu , Nakamura Ryuji , Otsuki Sachiko , Saeki Noboru , Tsutsumi Yasuo M.
Published: October 2022

Background

We measured catecholamine levels during periodic blood pressure fluctuations in patients with pheochromocytoma.

Case presentation

A 43-year-old man presented with periodic blood pressure fluctuations during surgery for a renal pelvic tumor. His blood levels of catecholamines (ng/mL) changed dramatically over a short time during blood pressure fluctuations: adrenaline 0.36 to 3.22, noradrenaline 0.47 to 1.98, and dopamine 0.02. After the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma, oral treatment with doxazosin 2 mg/day was administered, and left adrenalectomy was performed 4 months after the initial surgery. Periodic circulation fluctuations occurred after tracheal intubation at the time of anesthesia induction, but the degree of fluctuation was smaller than that of the first surgery.

Conclusions

The data suggest that the periodic blood pressure fluctuations in pheochromocytoma patients are caused by changes in blood catecholamine levels. Our data suggests that alpha blockers may also be effective against the cyclic fluctuations that occur in patients with pheochromocytoma.
Menstrual hygiene management considerations during Ebola response: a qualitative exploration
Authors: Sommer Marni , Utami Denita , Gruer Caitlin
Published: October 2022

There is increased recognition within humanitarian response practice about the importance of addressing the menstruation-related needs of women and girls in emergencies. To date, however, menstruation has been minimally considered during Ebola virus disease (EVD) response efforts. Reasons for integrating menstrual hygiene management (MHM) into EVD response include suspicions and alarm arising from associating menstrual blood as a symptom of EVD and the need to assure that menstruating patients have menstrual products materials and supplies. The aim of this qualitative study was to understand how menstruation is, or should be, addressed most appropriately during EVD outbreak response. Data collection was conducted from June to August 2020 and included a global document review and semi-structured key informant interviews with cross-sectoral humanitarian and EVD experts (n = 21). Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Four themes were prominent across the data: (1) limited guidance for addressing menstruation in EVD outbreak response, (2) Inconsistent access to female-friendly toilets, (3) unmet need for menstrual materials, and (4) overlooked menstrual challenges of EVD response staff. Key gaps in current EVD response include an insufficiency of clear guidelines and standards, limited best practices for ensuring consistent access to female-friendly toilets and menstrual materials, and insufficient attention to the menstrual needs of EVD response staff. While there have been efforts to address the menstruation-related needs of patients, communities, and response staff within some EVD outbreak zones, the full range of MHM considerations has infrequently been incorporated. Important lessons from this exercise may be useful for the mainstreaming of menstruation into EVD response during future response efforts.
Clinical prediction models assessing response to radiotherapy for rectal cancer: protocol for a systematic review
Authors: Karageorgou Margarita , Hughes David M. , Myint Arthur Sun , Pritchard D. Mark , Bonnett Laura J.
Published: October 2022

Background

Rectal cancer has a high prevalence. The standard of care for management of localised disease involves major surgery and/or chemoradiotherapy, but these modalities are sometimes associated with mortality and morbidity. The notion of ‘watch and wait’ has therefore emerged and offers an organ-sparing approach to patients after administering a less invasive initial treatment, such as X-ray brachytherapy (Papillon technique). It is thus important to evaluate how likely patients are to respond to such therapies, to develop patient-tailored treatment pathways. We propose a systematic review to identify published clinical prediction models of the response of rectal cancer to treatment that includes radiotherapy and here present our protocol.

Methods

Included studies will develop multivariable clinical prediction models which assess response to treatment and overall survival of adult patients who have been diagnosed with any stage of rectal cancer and have received radiotherapy treatment with curative intent. Cohort studies and randomised controlled trials will be included. The primary outcome will be the occurrence of salvage surgery at 1 year after treatment. Secondary outcomes include salavage surgery at at any reported time point, the predictive accuracy of models, the quality of the developed models and the feasibility of using the model in clinical practice.

Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE and CINAHL will be searched from inception to 24 February 2022. Keywords and phrases related to rectal cancer, radiotherapy and prediction models will be used. Studies will be selected once the deduplication, title, abstract and full-text screening process have been completed by two independent reviewers. The PRISMA-P checklist will be followed. A third reviewer will resolve any disagreement. The data extraction form will be pilot-tested using a representative 5% sample of the studies reviewed. The CHARMS checklist will be implemented. Risk of bias in each study will be assessed using the PROBAST tool. A narrative synthesis will be performed and if sufficient data are identified, meta-analysis will be undertaken as described in Debray et al.

Discussion

This systematic review will identify factors that predict response to the treatment protocol. Any gaps for potential development of new clinical prediction models will be highlighted.

Trial registration

CRD42022277704.
Wave propagation in thermo-poroelasticity: A finite-element approach
Authors: Santos Juan Enrique , Carcione José M. , Savioli Gabriela Beatriz , Ba Jing
Published: October 2022

We have developed continuous and discrete-time finite-element (FE) methods to solve an initial boundary-value problem for the thermo-poroelasticity wave equation based on the combined Biot/Lord-Shulman (LS) theories to describe the porous and thermal effects, respectively. In particular, the LS model, which includes a Maxwell-Vernotte-Cattaneo relaxation term, leads to a hyperbolic heat equation, thus avoiding infinite signal velocities. The FE methods are formulated on a bounded domain with absorbing boundary conditions at the artificial boundaries. The dynamical equations predict four propagation modes, a fast P (P1) wave, a Biot slow (P2) wave, a thermal (T) wave, and a shear (S) wave. The spatial discretization uses globally continuous bilinear polynomials to represent solid displacements and temperature, whereas the vector part of the Raviart-Thomas-Nedelec of zero order is used to represent fluid displacements. First, a priori optimal error estimates are derived for the continuous-time FE method, and then an explicit conditionally stable discrete-time FE method is defined and analyzed. The explicit FE algorithm is implemented in one dimension to analyze the behavior of the P1, P2, and T waves. The algorithms can be useful for a better understanding of seismic waves in hydrocarbon reservoirs and crustal rocks, whose description is mainly based on the assumption of isothermal wave propagation.
Cost Study of the PlasmaJet Surgical Device Versus Conventional Cytoreductive Surgery in Patients With Advanced-Stage Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Nieuwenhuyzen-de Boer Gatske M. , Geraerds Alexandra J.L.M. , van der Linden Marieke H. , van Doorn Helena C. , Polinder Suzanne , van Beekhuizen Heleen J.
Published: October 2022

PURPOSE

Adjuvant use of Neutral Argon Plasma (PlasmaJet Surgical Device) during cytoreductive surgery (CRS) for advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer improves surgical outcomes. The aim of this study is to examine the costs of adjuvant use of the PlasmaJet during surgery compared with conventional CRS in advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The patients were randomly assigned to surgery with or without the PlasmaJet. Analysis of the intra- and extramural health care costs was performed. Costs were divided into three categories: costs of the diagnostic phase (T1), inpatient care up to discharge including costs of surgery (T2), and outpatient care including chemotherapy until 6 weeks after the last cycle of chemotherapy (T3).

RESULTS

Overall, 327 patients underwent CRS (surgery with PlasmaJet: n = 157; conventional surgery: n = 170). The mean total health costs were significantly higher for CRS with adjuvant use of PlasmaJet compared with conventional CRS (€19,414 v €18,165, P = .017). Costs are divided into costs of the diagnostic phase (€2,034 v €1,974, P = .890), costs of inpatient care (€10,956 v €9,556, P = .003), and costs of outpatient care (€6,417 v €6,628, P = .147).

CONCLUSION

Mean total health care costs of the use of PlasmaJet in CRS were significantly higher than those for conventional CRS. This difference is fully explained by the additional surgery costs of the use of PlasmaJet. However, surgery with the use of the PlasmaJet leads to a significantly higher percentage of complete CRS and a halving of stomas. A cost-effectiveness analysis will be performed once survival data are available (funded by ZonMw, Trial Register NL62035.078.17).
Measuring deviation from Skumanich braking index in active stars observed by Kepler mission
Authors: de Freitas D. B. , Cavalcante F. J. , Santiago T. M.
Published: October 2022

The aim of this work is to determine the deviation of the value of magnetic braking index q from Skumanich q = 3 canonical value for giant and main-sequence stars. In this context, the present work attempts to analytically calculate the braking index based on the balance of gravitational and centrifugal forces, a determining factor for understanding the delicate mechanisms that control the spin-down of stars in these evolutionary phases. In the present study, we used a wide sample of stellar targets from the Kepler mission with well-defined mass, radius, and rotation period. As a result, Kepler stellar parameters provide rather precise values of q index limited in the range

, which is consistent with the predictions of the model of magnetic stellar wind. Our results show conclusively that, within the model used in this work, any significant deviation of the braking index away from the value q = 3 occurs at masses higher than the Kraft break.
Intestinal Calcium Absorption Decreases After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Despite Optimization of Vitamin D Status
Authors: Wu Karin C , Cao Sisi , Weaver Connie M , King Nicole J , Patel Sheena , Kim Tiffany Y , Black Dennis M , Kingman Hillary , Shafer Martin M , Rogers Stanley J , Stewart Lygia , Carter Jonathan T , Posselt Andrew M , Schafer Anne L
Published: October 2022

Context

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), now the most commonly performed bariatric operation, is a highly effective treatment for obesity. While Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is known to impair intestinal fractional calcium absorption (FCA) and negatively affect bone metabolism, LSG's effects on calcium homeostasis and bone health have not been well characterized.

Objective

We determined the effect of LSG on FCA, while maintaining robust 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels and recommended calcium intake.

Design, setting, participants

Prospective pre-post observational cohort study of 35 women and men with severe obesity undergoing LSG.

Main outcomes

FCA was measured preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively with a gold-standard dual stable isotope method. Other measures included calciotropic hormones, bone turnover markers, and bone mineral density (BMD) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and quantitative computed tomography.

Results

Mean ± SD FCA decreased from 31.4 ± 15.4% preoperatively to 16.1 ± 12.3% postoperatively (P < 0.01), while median (interquartile range) 25OHD levels were 39 (32-46) ng/mL and 36 (30-46) ng/mL, respectively. Concurrently, median 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D level increased from 60 (50-82) pg/mL to 86 (72-107) pg/mL (P < 0.01), without significant changes in parathyroid hormone or 24-hour urinary calcium levels. Bone turnover marker levels increased substantially, and areal BMD decreased at the proximal femur. Those with lower postoperative FCA had greater areal BMD loss at the total hip (ρ = 0.45, P < 0.01).

Conclusions

FCA decreases after LSG, with a concurrent rise in bone turnover marker levels and decline in BMD, despite robust 25OHD levels and with recommended calcium intake. Decline in FCA could contribute to negative skeletal effects following LSG.
Practices for Addressing Affective Difficulty in the Writing Classroom
Authors: McCabe Rachel
Published: October 2022

Any attempt to control the content and conversations of first-year composition classrooms has become increasingly complicated by social media and technology. Building on the types of textual difficulty explored by scholars like Mariolina Rizzi Salvatori and Patricia Donahue, Jeffrey Berman, and Alan Purves, this article considers the challenges presented to contemporary college-level readers by affectively difficult texts such as David Lynch's 1986 film Blue Velvet. The article also explores the potential responses students express to difficult texts and encourages flexibility in the assumptions made about these reactions. By working through the importance of these questions, the author ultimately examines the potential benefits and best strategies of using difficult fictional texts in the writing classroom to help students investigate the nuances of verbal and written conversations such as those created by the #MeToo movement.
The Inaudacity of Hope
Authors: Walker Paul
Published: October 2022

Writing assessment and social justice rely largely on success-trajectory narratives, which sideline productive failure as a means of resisting normative futurity-based modes of education and policy. This essay offers an alternative perspective on failure in writing assessment and social justice by illustrating how relying on rhetoric as a hope and means for positive change can undermine aims of social justice and a critical education. By examining the queer (non)possibilities for assessment and acceptance without dependence on constant improvement and success, instructors may find more inclusive ways of thinking about the value of rhetoric's role in a generative acceptance of difference.
Class Politics and the Filmmaker's Craft in Mike Leigh's Peterloo
Authors: Wells Richard
Published: October 2022

This essay offers a close examination of director Mike Leigh's Peterloo, which recounts the struggle for parliamentary reform in Great Britain between the battle of Waterloo and the Peterloo massacre of 1819. Peterloo succeeds, the essay contends, because of Leigh's approach to the craft of filmmaking. If we take Peterloo on its own terms, that is, with an understanding of the unique form of creative labor that went into it, we get a better sense of what we can learn from it, about class politics, about power, about the complicated and difficult formation of democratic movements such as that which brought those many thousands to St. Peter's Field in 1819.
Heterologous expression of a lycophyte protein enhances angiosperm seedling vigor
Authors: Koh Samuel W. H. , Diaz-Ardila Harold Nicholay , Bascom Carlisle S. , Berenguer Eduardo , Ingram Gwyneth , Estelle Mark , Hardtke Christian S.
Published: October 2022

Seedling vigor is a key agronomic trait that determines juvenile plant performance. Angiosperm seeds develop inside fruits and are connected to the mother plant through vascular tissues. Their formation requires plant-specific genes, such as BREVIS RADIX (BRX) in Arabidopsis thaliana roots. BRX family proteins are found throughout the euphyllophytes but also occur in non-vascular bryophytes and non-seed lycophytes. They consist of four conserved domains, including the tandem BRX domains. We found that bryophyte or lycophyte BRX homologs can only partially substitute for Arabidopsis BRX (AtBRX) because they miss key features in the linker between the BRX domains. Intriguingly, however, expression of a BRX homolog from the lycophyte Selaginella moellendorffii (SmBRX) in an A. thaliana wild-type background confers robustly enhanced root growth vigor that persists throughout the life cycle. This effect can be traced to a substantial increase in seed and embryo size, is associated with enhanced vascular tissue proliferation, and can be reproduced with a modified, SmBRX-like variant of AtBRX. Our results thus suggest that BRX variants can boost seedling vigor and shed light on the activity of ancient, non-angiosperm BRX family proteins.
Specialized germline P-bodies are required to specify germ cell fate in Caenorhabditis elegans embryos
Authors: Cassani Madeline , Seydoux Geraldine
Published: October 2022

In animals with germ plasm, specification of the germline involves ‘germ granules’, cytoplasmic condensates that enrich maternal transcripts in the germline founder cells. In Caenorhabditis elegans embryos, P granules enrich maternal transcripts, but surprisingly P granules are not essential for germ cell fate specification. Here, we describe a second condensate in the C. elegans germ plasm. Like canonical P-bodies found in somatic cells, ‘germline P-bodies’ contain regulators of mRNA decapping and deadenylation and, in addition, the intrinsically-disordered proteins MEG-1 and MEG-2 and the TIS11-family RNA-binding protein POS-1. Embryos lacking meg-1 and meg-2 do not stabilize P-body components, misregulate POS-1 targets, mis-specify the germline founder cell and do not develop a germline. Our findings suggest that specification of the germ line involves at least two distinct condensates that independently enrich and regulate maternal mRNAs in the germline founder cells.

This article has an associated ‘The people behind the papers’ interview.
The GATA factor ELT-3 specifies endoderm in Caenorhabditis angaria in an ancestral gene network
Authors: Broitman-Maduro Gina , Sun Simo , Kikuchi Taisei , Maduro Morris F.
Published: October 2022

Endoderm specification in Caenorhabditis elegans occurs through a network in which maternally provided SKN-1/Nrf, with additional input from POP-1/TCF, activates the GATA factor cascade MED-1,2→END-1,3→ELT-2,7. Orthologues of the MED, END and ELT-7 factors are found only among nematodes closely related to C. elegans, raising the question of how gut is specified in their absence in more distant species in the genus. We find that the C. angaria, C. portoensis and C. monodelphis orthologues of the GATA factor gene elt-3 are expressed in the early E lineage, just before their elt-2 orthologues. In C. angaria, Can-pop-1(RNAi), Can-elt-3(RNAi) and a Can-elt-3 null mutation result in a penetrant ‘gutless’ phenotype. Can-pop-1 is necessary for Can-elt-3 activation, showing that it acts upstream. Forced early E lineage expression of Can-elt-3 in C. elegans can direct the expression of a Can-elt-2 transgene and rescue an elt-7 end-1 end-3; elt-2 quadruple mutant strain to viability. Our results demonstrate an ancestral mechanism for gut specification and differentiation in Caenorhabditis involving a simpler POP-1→ELT-3→ELT-2 gene network.
DUX4 expression activates JNK and p38 MAP kinases in myoblasts
Authors: Brennan Christopher M. , Hill Abby S. , St. Andre Michael , Li Xianfeng , Madeti Vijaya , Breitkopf Susanne , Garren Seth , Xue Liang , Gilbert Tamara , Hadjipanayis Angela , Monetti Mara , Emerson Charles P. , Moccia Robert , Owens Jane , Christoforou Nicolas
Published: October 2022

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is caused by misexpression of the DUX4 transcription factor in skeletal muscle that results in transcriptional alterations, abnormal phenotypes and cell death. To gain insight into the kinetics of DUX4-induced stresses, we activated DUX4 expression in myoblasts and performed longitudinal RNA sequencing paired with proteomics and phosphoproteomics. This analysis revealed changes in cellular physiology upon DUX4 activation, including DNA damage and altered mRNA splicing. Phosphoproteomic analysis uncovered rapid widespread changes in protein phosphorylation following DUX4 induction, indicating that alterations in kinase signaling might play a role in DUX4-mediated stress and cell death. Indeed, we demonstrate that two stress-responsive MAP kinase pathways, JNK and p38, are activated in response to DUX4 expression. Inhibition of each of these pathways ameliorated DUX4-mediated cell death in myoblasts. These findings uncover that the JNK pathway is involved in DUX4-mediated cell death and provide additional insights into the role of the p38 pathway, a clinical target for the treatment of FSHD.
The efficacy of negative pressure wound therapy after hepatopancreatobiliary surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ren Bei , Jiang Xiaojuan , Chen Jin , Mo Junjun
Published: October 2022

Objective: To evaluate the comparative influence of NPT and standard surgical dressing administration on incidence risk for surgical site infections, complications, and hospital readmission after hepatopancreatobiliary surgery.

Methods: Five databases were systematically searched according to PRISMA guidelines. These databases included Web of Science, MEDLINE, CENTRAL, EMBASE, and Scopus for eligible studies published prior to March 2021. With eligible studies, we conducted a random-effects meta-analysis to evaluate comparative outcomes such as superficial surgical infection, deep surgical infection, seroma incidence, hematoma incidence, and hospital re-admission in patients receiving NPT or standard surgical dressings after hepatopancreatobiliary surgery. 

Results: The search strategy yielded 963 studies, with six studies meeting inclusion criteria. Odds of superficial surgical site infection (OR: 1.58), deep surgical site infection (1.43), seroma complication (1.64), hematoma complication (0.40) were insignificantly different between patients receiving NPT and standard surgical dressing. The odds of hospital re-admission rate (2.37), however, were elevated in patients receiving standard surgical dressing relative to those receiving NPT.

Conclusion: This meta-analysis shows that NPT usage slightly reduces risk of hospital readmission as compared to standard surgical dressing. We did not observe any significant effect of NPT on superficial, deep surgical infections, seroma, and haematoma outcomes following hepatopancreatobiliary surgery. These findings may aid clinicians in stratifying risk and selecting treatment strategy in patients undergoing hepatopancreatobiliary surgery.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.8.6601

How to cite this:Ren B, Jiang X, Chen J, Mo J. The efficacy of negative pressure wound therapy after hepatopancreatobiliary surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(8):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.8.6601

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Incentives and disincentives to private sector reporting on family planning in Kenya: why these matter, and how they may change over time
Authors: Appleford Gabrielle , Mumbia Daniel , Emmart Priya
Published: October 2022

Background: This study sought to understand private sector reporting on family planning in Kenya’s health information system (KHIS). We approached this through three lenses: governance, procedural and technical. Our study looked at these areas of interest in Kenya, complemented by deeper exploration in Nairobi County.

Methods: The study used mixed methods drawing on analysis from the KHIS and surveys, complemented by desk review. The qualitative research entailed group discussions with public sector personnel while more in-depth qualitative interviews were done with public and private sector respondents. A framework matrix was developed for the qualitative analysis. The study was approved by the Ministry of Health in March 2022 and conducted over the period March - May 2022. 

Results: From a governance lens, private sector respondents recognised the importance of registry and reporting as a government policy requirement. From a procedural lens, private sector respondents saw reporting procedures as duplicative and parallel processes as reports are not generated through digitised information systems. From a technical lens, private sector reporting rates have improved over time however other data quality issues remain, which include over- and under-reporting of family planning services into KHIS. Secondary analysis for Nairobi County shows that the private facility contribution to family planning has declined over time while family planning access through pharmacies have grown over the same period; there is no visibility on this shift within the KHIS. Changes in private sector family service provision have implications for assumptions underpinning modern contraceptive modelled estimates and programmatic decision-making.

Conclusions: There is limited monitoring of the incentives and disincentives for reporting by private health facilities into the KHIS. These have changed over time and place. Sustained private sector engagement is important to align incentives for reporting as is greater visibility on the role of pharmacies in family planning.