bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnosis of economic sectors based on structural shifts in business entities
Authors: Marynenko Nataliia , Hats Liubov , Artemenko Liudmyla
Published: October 2022

Results of the assessment of the economy sectors development as a whole and by regional distribution are presented in the article. Methods of analysis and synthesis, analytical generalizations, graphical and statistical, as well as mathematical modeling are used. The main trends of changes in the quantitative and qualitative indicators of assessment are identified. In terms of the share of profitable enterprises, the situation has a positive trend in the construction sector of the economy and is observed in large and medium-sized enterprises. In the segment of small business, the activity of enterprises of the assessed sectors of the economy is characterized by an increase in the share of unprofitable financial results of economic entities, due to the lack of opportunities to compete with large and medium-sized businesses. An increase in the service sector in 2020 was recorded due to the regrouping of development in the direction of increasing the possibility of conducting economic activity in intermediary spheres with a simultaneous decline in the priority of sectors that directly create the consumer product. It is proposed to diagnose the effectiveness of the economic entities functioning by factors, taking into account structural changes in the size of the business and their impact on the resulting indicator. The results of the assessment are presented, taking into account structural changes in the types of business by size, by quantitative indicators of assessment. The obtained assessment results make it possible to state the slowing down of the processes of economic development by quantitative factors of impact, taken into account in terms of the trend of changes that occurred in the period 2016-2020. The determined changes in the factor of priority of business choice by size are characterized by a declining trend of deviations in all its areas, but in small business there have been slight positive changes in the direction of increasing sales.
Formation of traditions of financial support of activity and banking development on the Ternopil region’s lands
Authors: Vladymyr Olha
Published: October 2022

The article considers the peculiarities of the formation of traditions of financial support of private business and public associations in the lands of Ternopil region. The main trends in the formation and development of banking in the Western lands of Ukraine, including Ternopil region, are described. The main types of financial and credit companies that operated in the lands of Ternopil region in the late XVIII - early XX centuries are considered. It has founded out which banks were among the first in the city of Ternopil and region. It is investigated which institutions now function in the buildings of the first banks. The main reasons and purpose of creation of financial and credit societies by territorial communities at the end of XVIII - the beginning of XX centuries are substantiated. The role of rural cooperatives and banks in the life of Ukrainians during the Polish and Austro-Hungarian occupation is considered. The analysis of transformations of financial and credit institutions of Western Ukraine and Ternopil region after the Second World War and the arrival of the Soviet occupation regime is carried out. The main trends in the development of banking after Ukraine's independence have been studied. (The way which the structure of the banking system was presented in Ternopil region was considered). How the structure of the banking system was presented in Ternopil region is considered. The main directions and areas of activity that commercial banks have lent in large amounts, as well as those industries that are constantly underfunded by both the state and the banking sector are identified. The impact of the reform of the banking system of Ukraine in 2014-2015 on the economic activity of banking and entrepreneurial business of Ternopil region is considered. Negative tendencies in the change of the structure of bank capital were revealed – not in favor of national capital. The existence of risks of growth of foreign capital share in the banking sector of the national economy is substantiated. The main problems of development of credit unions under modern conditions (in the current circumstances) are revealed. The existence of interrelation and interdependence between the share of the national component in the capital of financial institutions and the level of development of strategically important economic and social state-building processes is proved. The main problems and ways to solve them are identified in order to expand the opportunities for financial support of national businesses and local communities.
Gangrena de Fournier: conhecimento de enfermeiros sobre a doença e suas experiências no cuidado aos pacientes
Authors: Alves Anny Michelle  Rodrigues da Silva , Morais Jéssica Lorena Palmeira de , Nóbrega Luciana Maria Bernardo , Lima Karinna de Abreu , Rodrigues Francileide de Araújo , Oliveira Jacira dos Santos , Vasconcelos Josilene de Melo Buriti
Published: October 2022

Objetivo: Analisar o conhecimento de enfermeiros de um hospital de ensino sobre a gangrena de Fournier e as suas experiências no cuidado aos pacientes acometidos pela doença. Métodos: Estudo transversal, descritivo, de abordagem quantitativa, realizado em um hospital de ensino, no Nordeste do Brasil. Participaram do estudo 63 enfermeiros que responderam a um questionário. Os dados foram analisados por meio de estatística descritiva, utilizando-se o Software gratuito R. Resultados: Os enfermeiros (63/100%) nunca participaram de capacitação referente a gangrena de Fournier, corroborando o conhecimento insuficiente sobre a patologia e aspectos do cuidado ao paciente, principalmente sobre a prevalência da doença em relação ao gênero, tratamentos adjuvantes (terapia hiperbárica e a vácuo), procedimentos cirúrgicos complementares (citostomia e colostomia). Mencionaram dificuldades para cuidar dos pacientes (33/52,38%), a carência de recursos materiais, lacunas de conhecimento sobre a síndrome de Fournier, falta de experiência no cuidado a pacientes com a doença. Conclusão: O estudo aponta a necessidade de programas de capacitação para os enfermeiros, considerando fragilidades de conhecimento identificadas, que implicarão na melhoria da assistência ao paciente com gangrena de Fournier.
Envelhecer em instituição de longa permanência para idosos: estudo sobre a perspectiva Aging in place
Authors: Salgueiro Claudia Daniele Barros Leite , Dias Cristina Maria de Souza Brito
Published: October 2022

O presente estudo buscou evidenciar o perfil dos trabalhos publicados, em âmbito nacional e internacional, no período de 2003 a 2017, com o levantamento feito a partir do Portal Regional da Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde (BVS), direcionando para periódicos indexados nas bases Medline, Lilacs e Index Psicologia – Periódicos técnico-científicos. Trata-se de uma revisão sobre o Envelhecimento em Instituições de Longa Permanência para Idosos (ILPIs) a partir da perspectiva do Envelhecimento no Local, ou Aging in Place (AIP). Entre as questões biopsicossociais discutidas nos artigos estão: 1) Fatores e motivos que influenciam na decisão de residir em instituição; 2) Os sentimentos e os significados de envelhecer em casa ou em ILPI; e 3) Envelhecimento na própria residência ou em ILPI: família, envolvimento social e identificação com o lar. Os autores encontraram ampla discussão na literatura internacional sobre a perspectiva do Aging in Place (AIP) em uma Instituição de Longa Permanência para Idosos (ILPI) e em sua própria casa. Observou-se um enfoque na reflexão sobre aspectos biopsicossociais, familiares, sociais (protagonismo) e ambientais (identificação e pertencimento), bem como na avaliação da qualidade de vida de idosos residentes em casa própria ou em ILPI. No entanto, não há estudos nacionais que vinculem a perspectiva do envelhecimento no local, vivenciada em instituição de longa permanência.
A revisão de escopo como estratégia de equiparência de candidatos à pós-graduação stricto sensu nas profissões da área da saúde
Authors: André Júlio César , Brienze Vânia Maria Sabadotto , Soler Zaida Aurora Sperli Geraldes
Published: October 2022

A evasão de discentes de níveis avançados de ensino acadêmico constitui-se via de regra como um ato voluntário decorrente, principalmente, de um desempenho acadêmico insatisfatório e da não integração social ao novo ambiente, especificamente no primeiro ano do curso. Assim, o abandono da pós-graduação ocorre por questões pessoais e acadêmicas e entre os principais motivos pessoais está o despreparo do próprio discente [2]. Mas este é um dos principais. Candidatar-se ao programa às vésperas do fechamento do edital e não ter uma definição exata do tema da pesquisa, apresentando um projeto vago, sem fundamentação teórica adequada, são outros, que se menores, são sem sombra de dúvidas impactantes...
Therapeutic Nuclear Medicine - Need of the hour
Authors: Hussain Raihan
Published: October 2022

Abstract not available

Pulse volumel.11 January-December 2018-2019 p.1-3
Liikuntaa opettavien opettajien ja kouluterveydenhoitajien yhteistyö oppilaiden toimintakyvyn edistämisessä ja Move!-järjestelmän hyödyntämisessä
Authors: Salin Kasper , Huhtiniemi Mikko , Jaakkola Timo
Published: October 2022

Tämän tutkimuksen tarkoituksena on tutkia liikuntaa opettavien opettajien ja kouluterveydenhoitajien käsityksiä moniammatillisesta yhteistyöstä toimintakyvyn edistämiseen ja Move!-mittauksiin liittyen. Kummatkin toimijat ovat keskeisiä oppilaiden toimintakyvyn edistämisessä sekä perusopetuksen opetussuunnitelmaan sisältyvän Move!-järjestelmän hyödyntämisessä. Tutkimus toteutettiin kyselytutkimuksena erikseen kouluterveydenhoitajille (N=192) ja liikuntaa opettaville opettajille (N=359). Määrällisten kysymysten analysoinnissa hyödynnettiin t-testiä sekä yksisuuntaista varianssianalyysiä ja laadullisen aineiston analyysissä teoriaohjaavaa sisällönanalyysiä. Tulosten mukaan korkeintaan noin puolet opettajista ja kouluterveydenhoitajista oli tehnyt toimintakykymittausten suunnitteluun, palautteen antamiseen ja tulosten hyödyntämiseen liittyvää yhteistyötä. Lisäksi opettajien ja kouluterveydenhoitajien käsitykset yhteistyön toteutumisesta vaihtelivat. Keskeisimmäksi yhteistyön toteutumiseen vaikuttavaksi tekijäksi nousi yhteinen aika ja kohtaamiset. Opettajien ja kouluterveydenhoitajien perus- ja täydennyskoulutuksissa tulisi jatkossa kiinnittää entistä enemmän huomiota moniammatillisen yhteistyön edistämiseen ja molempien ammattitaidon hyödyntämiseen oppilaiden toimintakyvyn tukemisessa.
Sosyal Hizmette Kuram ve Uygulama: Sosyal Çalışmacıların Uygulamada Kuramsal Bilgi Kullanımları
Authors: Kuruhalil İsmail , İpek Melek
Published: October 2022

Kuramsal bilgi, profesyonel ve etik değerlere bağlı bilimsel uygulama gerçekleştirmede sosyal çalışmacılar için rehber niteliğindedir. Kuramla uygulama birlikteliğinin sağlanması ve kuram bilgisinin uygulamaya aktarımı öteden beri sosyal hizmetin temel tartışma konuları arasında yer almıştır. Bu çalışma; İstanbul’da kamu kurumları, yerel yönetimler ve sivil toplum kuruluşlarında çalışan 20 sosyal çalışmacının uygulamada kuramsal bilgi kullanımları ve bunu etkileyen koşulları irdelemektedir. Çalışma sonunda elde edilen bulgular kuram kullanımının sosyal çalışmacının ilgisi, çalışma biçimi, kurumsal yapı, yöneticiler, müracaatçı kitlesinin yoğunluğu, deneyim süresi, bürokrasi ve yönetsel koşullar zemininde şekillendiğini ortaya koymaktadır. Sosyal çalışmacılar en sık güçlendirme, ekolojik yaklaşım ve sistem kuramını kullanmakta, ancak hızlı ve sonuç odaklı çalışma koşulları kuramsal bilgi kullanımını sınırlamaktadır Bulgular, sosyal çalışmacıların kuramsal bilgiyi çoğunlukla içselleştirmiş bir şekilde farkında olmadan kullandıklarına; az sayıda sosyal çalışmacınınsa kuramsal bilgiyi farkındalıkla bilinçli bir tercih olarak uygulamada kullandıklarına işaret etmektedir.
Gençlik ve Spor Bakanlığı’na Bağlı Gençlik Merkezi Üyelerinin Öz Yeterlilik Düzeylerinin İncelenmesi: Ankara İli Örneği
Authors: Ulutepe Hilal
Published: October 2022

Bu çalışma, Gençlik ve Spor Bakanlığı’na bağlı gençlik merkezleri üyelerinin öz yeterlilik düzeylerini belirlemeyi ve çeşitli değişkenlerin öz yeterlilik üzerindeki etkisini ortaya koymak amacıyla, Eylül 2020-Aralık 2020 tarihleri arasında Ankara’daki gençlik merkezlerine üye olan toplam 406 genç ile yürütülmüştür. Araştırmada veriler çevrimiçi görüşme yöntemi kullanılarak toplanmış, verilerin elde edilmesinde Sosyo-demografik Bilgi Formu ile İlhan ve Yıldırım (2010) tarafından Türkçe’ ye uyarlanan “Genel Özyeterlilik Ölçeği” kullanılmıştır. Elde edilen veriler SPSS 25.0 yazılımı kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Katılımcıların genel özyeterlilik düzeyleri, sosyo-demografik değişkenler ve gençlik merkezi ile etkileşimlerine ilişkin değişkenlere göre incelenmiş; eğitim düzeyi, en uzun süre yaşanılan yer, çalışma durumu, algılanan gelir, ebeveyn birliktelik durumu, ebeveyn eğitim durumu, ebeveyn çalışma durumu, birlikte yaşanılan kişi, kardeş sayısı, gençlik merkezine gitme sıklığı, faaliyete katılma nedeni, katılım gösterilen faaliyet türü değişkenlerinin üyelerin öz yeterlilikleri üzerinde anlamlı farklılığa neden olmadığı, gençlik merkezi üyesi gençlerin cinsiyet, faaliyetlere katılım düzeyi, üyelik süresi, üye olma nedeni, faaliyetler sonucunda elde edilen kazanım değişkenlerine ilişkin ortalamaların anlamlı şekilde farklılaştığı bulunmuştur. Araştırma sonuçlarından yola çıkarak gelişimi destekleyici çeşitli alanlarda programların yürütülmesi, gençlerin programların planlama aşamasına katılımının desteklenmesi, gençlerin öz yeterlilik konusunda bilinçlendirilmesi önerilmiştir.
Embryo mortality in a captive-bred, Critically Endangered amphibian
Authors: Davidson MJ , Bushell R , Ploeg R , Marenda M , Halliday C , Goodall D , Gilbert D , Kosch TA , Skerratt LF , Berger L
Published: October 2022

The Critically Endangered southern corroboree frog Pseudophryne corroboree is dependent upon captive assurance colonies for its continued survival. Although the captive breeding programme for this species has largely been successful, embryonic mortality remains high (40-90% per year). This study aimed to investigate the causes of mortality in P. corroboree embryos in the captive collection at Melbourne Zoo. During the 2021 breeding season, we investigated 108 abnormal embryos to determine the impact of infections and anatomical deformities on survival and used culture and molecular methods to identify microbes. Overall, 100% of abnormal embryos had fungal infections, and of these, 41.6% also had anatomical deformities. The mortality rate in abnormal embryos was 89.8%; however, we detected no difference in survival in any of the 3 observed fungal growth patterns or between deformed and non-deformed embryos. Sanger sequencing of the ITS region identified fungal isolates belonging to the genus Ilyonectria, the first record in a vertebrate host, and another as a Plectosphaerella sp., which is the first record of infection in an embryo. Dominant bacteria identified were of the genera Herbaspirillum and Flavobacterium; however, their role in the mortality is unknown. Fungal infection and deformities have a significant impact on embryo survival in captive-bred P. corroboree. In a species which relies on captive breeding, identifying and reducing the impacts of embryonic mortality can inform conservation efforts and improve reintroduction outcomes.
Increased abundance and range expansion of harlequin ducks Histrionicus histrionicus wintering in Eastern Canada
Authors: Gutowsky SE , Robertson GJ , Mallory ML , McLellan NR , Gilliland SG , Paquet J , d’Entremont AA , Ronconi RA
Published: October 2022

The eastern population of harlequin duck Histrionicus histrionicus in Canada has been designated a species of special concern since 2001 and as endangered from 1991 to 2001, largely due to low and declining wintering numbers detected in the 1980s. Our objectives were to summarize the current state of knowledge of harlequin duck abundance and distribution in Eastern Canada, and assess trends in wintering abundance across regions over the past 30+ years. Abundance estimates were generated from targeted surveys with thorough spatial coverage of major wintering areas on insular Newfoundland (NL), Nova Scotia (NS), and New Brunswick (NB) between 2015 and 2018, complemented by regional trends estimated from Christmas Bird Count (CBC) data collected at 12 sites across the same wintering range between 1988 and 2021. Overall, targeted surveys indicated that numbers have increased and distributions have expanded beyond historically surveyed regions, particularly in NS. This was supported by trends from CBC data, with steep average increases (mean λ > 1.05) on most CBC circles in Eastern Canada since 1988 or later. Using localized annual rates of mean population change from CBC data to project counts from dedicated surveys, we suggest wintering areas in the provinces of NL, NS, and NB may currently be supporting a combined total of 5682 birds (95% CI 5065-6354) in 2022, well exceeding the recovery target of 3000 individuals listed in the 2007 management plan. Our findings indicate that the eastern population is in recovery, but also emphasize that a consistent, dedicated monitoring program would enable managers to confidently evaluate management actions, and to respond most effectively should regional trends slow or reverse.
Scalp Sarcoidosis with Systemic Involvement: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Starace Michela , Brandi Nicolò , Baraldi Carlotta , Piraccini Bianca Maria , Alessandrini Aurora
Published: October 2022

Scalp sarcoidosis is generally uncommon and it may present itself with varying morphologies; therefore, it is important to differentiate this disease from other forms of cicatricial and non-cicatricial causes of alopecia. Trichoscopy and histopathology are essential to rule out other skin diseases and to confirm diagnosis. Treatment options include topical, oral, and intralesional corticosteroids; immunosuppressive agents; and hydroxychloroquine, in order to arrest the progression of alopecia. Here, the authors present a case of scalp sarcoidosis with systemic involvement, in which dermoscopy gives important clues for its diagnosis. The authors have also reviewed the literature and identified 46 cases of sarcoidosis that induced alopecia.
Acne Therapy Across Time in the USA
Authors: De Bedout Valeria , Keri Jonette
Published: October 2022

Acne vulgaris is the most common skin condition affecting the American population. The present review evaluates the topical and systemic therapies available in the USA for the management of acne reporting their relevance, efficacy, tolerability, and safety. This review also discusses alternative treatments such as light therapy, diet, and probiotics. Further research on acne therapy is needed given the high prevalence, and thus, the immense economic burden that the condition poses in our society.
Computation and Analysis of Combinatorial Geometric Series and Binomial Series
Authors: Annamalai Chinnaraji
Published: October 2022

Nowadays, the growing complexity of mathematical and computational modelling demands the simplicity of mathematical and combinatorial equations for solving today’s scientific problems and challenges. This paper presents the summation of binomial series and combinatorial geometric series and its theorems, lemmas, and corollaries. These ideas can enable the scientific researchers to solve the real life problems.
Olfactory and neurological outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 from acute infection to recovery
Authors: Desai Deesha D. , Yu Sophie E. , Salvatore Brock , Goldberg Zoe , Bowers Eve M. R. , Moore John A. , Phan BaDoi , Lee Stella E.
Published: October 2022

Educational objective

To investigate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on sinonasal quality of life, olfaction, and cognition at different stages of viral infection and evaluate the association between olfaction and cognition in this population cohort.

Objectives

While olfactory dysfunction (OD) is a frequently reported symptom of COVID-19 (98% prevalence), neurocognitive symptoms are becoming more apparent as patients recover from infection. This study aims to address how different stages of infection [active infection (positive PCR test, symptomatic) vs. recovered (7 days post-symptoms)] compared to healthy control patients influence sinonasal quality of life, olfactory function, and cognition.

Study design

Prospective, longitudinal, case-control.

Methods

Participants completed the SNOT-22, University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) and validated cognitive examinations to assess degree of smell loss and neurocognitive function at baseline and at 1 and 3 months for the active group and 3 months for the recovered group. Self-reported olfactory function and overall health metrics were also collected.

Results

The recovered group had the lowest average UPSIT score of 27.6 compared to 32.7 (active) and 32.6 (healthy control). 80% (n = 24) of the recovered patients and 56.3% (n = 9) of the active patients suffered from smell loss. In follow-up, the active group showed improvement in UPSIT scores while the recovered group scores worsened. In terms of neurocognitive performance, recovered patients had lower processing speed despite an improving UPSIT score.

Conclusion

SARS-CoV-2 infection was found to impact olfactory function in a delayed fashion with significant impact despite recovery from active infection. Although olfactory function improved, decrements in cognitive processing speed were detected in our cohort.
A brief survey of tools for genomic regions enrichment analysis
Authors: Chicco Davide , Jurman Giuseppe
Published: October 2022

Functional enrichment analysis or pathway enrichment analysis (PEA) is a bioinformatics technique which identifies the most over-represented biological pathways in a list of genes compared to those that would be associated with them by chance. These biological functions are found on bioinformatics annotated databases such as The Gene Ontology or KEGG; the more abundant pathways are identified through statistical techniques such as Fisher’s exact test. All PEA tools require a list of genes as input. A few tools, however, read lists of genomic regions as input rather than lists of genes, and first associate these chromosome regions with their corresponding genes. These tools perform a procedure called genomic regions enrichment analysis, which can be useful for detecting the biological pathways related to a set of chromosome regions. In this brief survey, we analyze six tools for genomic regions enrichment analysis (BEHST, g:Profiler g:GOSt, GREAT, LOLA, Poly-Enrich, and ReactomePA), outlining and comparing their main features. Our comparison results indicate that the inclusion of data for regulatory elements, such as ChIP-seq, is common among these tools and could therefore improve the enrichment analysis results.
Bioengineered polyester nanoparticles for the synergistic treatment of androgenic alopecia via the suppression of 5α-reductase and knockdown of androgen receptor
Authors: Chen Xiangru , Yan Peiyu , Zhang Wenqiang , He Xin , Jiang Rihua , Li Yulin , Sun Jing , Jiang Jinlan
Published: October 2022

Androgenic alopecia (AGA) is a common disease that negatively affects patients’ physical and mental health. AGA can be treated with drugs that improve the perifollicular microenvironment, such as 5α-reductase inhibitors (e.g., dutasteride [DUT]), androgen receptor blockers, and minoxidil. However, the efficacy of these treatments is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to show that nanoparticles are effective as stable carriers with high curative benefits and little adverse effects. The in vitro study showed that PLGA-DUT/siAR@DPCM NPs could deliver both DUT and siAR to dermal papilla cells. They could successfully suppress 5α-reductase and knock down androgen receptor, respectively, and thereby promote cell proliferation. In the in vivo study, PLGA-DUT/siAR@DPCM NPs showed a significant therapeutic effect in an AGA mouse model. They successfully penetrated the stratum corneum and showed a clear targeting effect on hair follicles and surrounding tissues. PLGA-DUT/siAR@DPCM NPs could enable the targeted delivery of DUT and siAR through percutaneous penetration, enhancing phagocytosis and decreasing adverse effects. Thus, they have great potential in the clinical treatment of AGA.
Effect of different landing actions on knee joint biomechanics of female college athletes: Based on opensim simulation
Authors: Chen Liang , Jiang Ziang , Yang Chen , Cheng Rongshan , Zheng Size , Qian Jingguang
Published: October 2022

Background: The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the most injurious parts of the knee in the biomechanical environment during landing actions. The purpose of this study was to compare the lower limb differences in movement patterns, muscle forces and ACL forces during drop landing (DL), drop vertical jump (DVJ) and forward vertical jump (FVJ).

Methods: Eleven basketball and volleyball female college athletes (Division II and I) were recruited. Landing actions of DL, DVJ and FVJ, kinematics and dynamics data were collected synchronously using a motion capture system. OpenSim was used to calculate the ACL load, knee joint angle and moment, and muscle force.

Results: At initial contact, different landing movements influenced knee flexion angle; DL action was significantly less than FVJ action (p = 0.046). Different landing actions affected quadriceps femoris forces; FVJ was significantly greater than DL and DVJ actions (p = 0.002 and p = 0.037, respectively). However, different landing movements had no significant effects on other variables (knee extension moment, knee valgus angle and moment, hamstring and gastrocnemius muscle forces, and ACL forces) (p > 0.050).

Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the knee valgus, knee valgus moment, and the ACL forces between the three landing actions. However, knee flexion angle, knee extension moments sagittal factors, and quadriceps and gastrocnemius forces are critical factors for ACL injury. The DL action had a significantly smaller knee flexion angle, which may increase the risk of ACL injury, and not recommended to assess the risk of ACL injuries. The FVJ action had a larger knee flexion angle and higher quadriceps femoris forces that were more in line with daily training and competition needs. Therefore, it is recommended to use FVJ action in future studies on risk assessment of ACL injuries and injury prevention in female college athletes.
Biomechanical influence of T1 tilt alteration on adjacent segments after anterior cervical fusion
Authors: Wei Wei , Du Xianping , Li Na , Liao Yunjie , Li Lifeng , Peng Song , Wang Wei , Rong Pengfei , Liu Yin
Published: October 2022

Background: Anterior cervical fusion (ACF) has become a standard treatment approach to effectively alleviate symptoms in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy and radiculopathy. However, alteration of cervical sagittal alignment may accelerate degeneration at segments adjacent to the fusion and thereby compromise the surgical outcome. It remains unknown whether changes in T1 tilt, an important parameter of cervical sagittal alignment, may cause redistribution of biomechanical loading on adjacent segments after ACF surgery.

Objective: The objective was to examine the effects of T1 tilt angles on biomechanical responses (i.e.range of motion (ROM) and intradiscal VonMises stress) of the cervical spine before and after ACF.

Methods: C2–T1 FE models for pre- and postoperative C4–C6 fusion were constructed on the basis of our previous work. Varying T1 tilts of −10°, −5°, 0°, 5°, and 10° were modeled with an imposed flexion–extension rotation at the T1 inferior endplate for the C2–T1 models. The flexion–extension ROM and intradiscal VonMises stress of functional spinal units were compared between the pre- and postoperative C2–T1 FE models of different T1 tilts.

Results: The spinal segments adjacent to ACF demonstrated higher ROM ratios after the operation regardless of T1 tilt. The segmental ROM ratio distribution was influenced as T1 tilt varied and loading conditions, which were more obvious during displacement-control loading of extension. Regardless of T1 tilt, intradiscal VonMises stress was greatly increased at the adjacent segments after the operation. As T1 tilt increased, intradiscal stress at C3–C4 decreased under 30° flexion and increased under 15° extension. The contrary trend was observed at the C6–C7 segment, where the intradiscal stress increased with the increasing T1 tilt under 30° flexion and decreased under 15° extension.

Conclusion: T1 tilt change may change biomechanical loadings of cervical spine segments, especially of the adjacent segments after ACF. Extension may be more susceptible to T1 tilt change.
Elongator promotes neuritogenesis via regulation of tau stability through acly activity
Authors: Shilian Michal , Even Aviel , Gast Hila , Nguyen Laurent , Weil Miguel
Published: October 2022

The six subunits (Elp1 to Elp6) Elongator complex promotes specific uridine modifications in tRNA’s wobble site. Moreover, this complex has been indirectly involved in the regulation of α-tubulin acetylation in microtubules (MTs) via the stabilization of ATP-Citrate Lyase (Acly), the main cytosolic source of acetyl-CoA production in cells, a key substrate used for global protein acetylation. Here, we report additional evidence that Elongator activity is important for proper cytoskeleton remodeling as cells lacking expression of Elp1 show morphology impairment; including distinct neurite process formation and disorganization and instability of MTs. Here, we show that loss of Elongator results in a reduction of expression of the microtubule associated protein Tau (MAPT). Tau, is a well-known key MT regulator in neurons whose lysines can be competitively acetylated or ubiquitylated. Therefore, we tested whether Tau is an indirect acetylation target of Elongator. We found that a reduction of Elongator activity leads to a decrease of lysine acetylation on Tau that favors its proteasomal degradation. This phenotype was prevented by using selective deacetylase or proteasomal inhibitors. Moreover, our data demonstrate that Acly’s activity regulates the mechanism underlying Tau mediated neurite morphology defects found in Elp1 KD since both Tau levels and neurites morphology are restored due to Acly overexpression. This suggests a possible involvement of both Tau and Acly dysfunction in Familial Dysautonomia (FD), which is an autosomal recessive peripheral neuropathy caused by mutation in the ELP1 gene that severely affects Elp1 expression levels in the nervous system in FD patients in a similar way as found previously in Elp1 KD neuroblastoma cells.
Aberrant regulation of autophagy disturbs fibrotic liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy
Authors: Lian Yuan-E. , Bai Yan-Nan , Lai Jian-Lin , Huang Ai-Min
Published: October 2022

Reports indicate that autophagy is essential for maintaining hepatocyte proliferative capacity during liver regeneration. However, the role of autophagy in fibrotic liver regeneration is incompletely elucidated. We investigated the deregulation of autophagic activities in liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy using a CCl4-induced fibrosis mouse model. The baseline autophagic activity was significantly increased in the fibrotic liver. After 50% partial hepatectomy (PHx), liver regeneration was remarkably decreased, accompanied by increased hepatocyte size and binuclearity ratio. Moreover, the expression of autophagy-related proteins was functionally deregulated and resulted in a reduction in the number of autophagosome and autophagosome–lysosome fusions. We further showed upregulation of autophagy activities through verapamil administration, improved hepatocyte proliferation capacity, and restricted cellular hypertrophy and binuclearity ratio. In conclusion, we demonstrated that the impairment of liver regeneration is associated with aberrant autophagy in fibrotic liver and that enhancing autophagy with verapamil may partially restore the impaired liver regeneration following PHx.
Lrig1 regulates the balance between proliferation and quiescence in glioblastoma stem cells
Authors: Ferguson Kirsty M. , Blin Carla , Alfazema Neza , Gangoso Ester , Pollard Steven M. , Marques-Torrejon Maria Angeles
Published: October 2022

Patients with glioblastoma (GBM) face a dismal prognosis. GBMs are driven by glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) that display a neural stem cell (NSC)-like phenotype. These glioblastoma stem cells are often in a quiescent state that evades current therapies, namely debulking surgery and chemo/radiotherapy. Leucine-rich repeats and immunoglobulin-like domains (LRIG) proteins have been implicated as regulators of growth factor signalling across many tissue stem cells. Lrig1 is highly expressed in gliomas and importantly, polymorphisms have been identified that are risk alleles for patients with GBM, which suggests some functional role in gliomagenesis. We previously reported that Lrig1 is a gatekeeper of quiescence exit in adult mouse neural stem cells, suppressing epidermal growth factor receptor signalling prior to cell cycle re-entry. Here, we perform gain- and loss-of-function studies to understand the function of Lrig1 in glioblastoma stem cells. Using a novel mouse glioblastoma stem cell model, we show that genetic ablation of Lrig1 in cultured GBM stem cells results in higher proliferation and loss of quiescence. In vivo, mice transplanted with glioblastoma stem cells lacking Lrig1 display lower survival compared to Lrig1 WT glioblastoma stem cells, with tumours displaying increased proportions of proliferative cells and reduced quiescent subpopulations. In contrast, Lrig1 overexpression in mouse glioblastoma stem cells results in enhanced quiescence and reduced proliferation, with impaired tumour formation upon orthotopic transplantation. Mechanistically, we find that Lrig1-null cells have a deficiency in BMP signalling responses that may underlie their lack of responsiveness to quiescence cues in vivo. These findings highlight important roles for Lrig1 in controlling responsiveness to both epidermal growth factor receptor and BMPR signalling, and hence the proportions of quiescent and proliferative subpopulations in GBMs.
Identification of pyrC gene as an immunosuppressive factor in Francisella novicida infection
Authors: Nakamura Takemasa , Shimizu Takashi , Ikegaya Ryo , Uda Akihiko , Watanabe Kenta , Watarai Masahisa
Published: October 2022

Francisella tularensis, a bacterial causative agent of the zoonosis tularemia, is highly pathogenic to humans. The pathogenicity of this bacterium is characterized by intracellular growth in immune cells, like macrophages, and host immune suppression. However, the detailed mechanism of immune suppression by F. tularensis is still unclear. To identify the key factors causing Francisella-mediated immunosuppression, large-scale screening using a transposon random mutant library containing 3552 mutant strains of F. tularensis subsp. novicida (F. novicida) was performed. Thirteen mutants that caused stronger tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α production in infected U937 human macrophage cells than the wild-type F. novicida strain were isolated. Sequencing analysis of transposon insertion sites revealed 10 genes, including six novel genes, as immunosuppressive factors of Francisella. Among these, the relationship of the pyrC gene, which encodes dihydroorotase in the pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway, with Francisella-mediated immunosuppression was investigated. The pyrC deletion mutant strain (ΔpyrC) induced higher TNF-α production in U937 host cells than the wild-type F. novicida strain. The ΔpyrC mutant strain was also found to enhance host interleukin-1β and interferon (IFN)-β production. The heat-inactivated ΔpyrC mutant strain could not induce host TNF-α production. Moreover, the production of IFN-β resulting from ΔpyrC infection in U937 cells was repressed upon treatment with the stimulator of interferon genes (STING)-specific inhibitor, H-151. These results suggest that pyrC is related to the immunosuppressive activity and pathogenicity of Francisella via the STING pathway.
No dose-response relationship of clarithromycin utilization on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with stable coronary heart disease: Analysis of Taiwan’s national health insurance claims data
Authors: Yu Ben-Hui , Chen Yen-Chun , Li Yi-Da , Chiou Wen-Yen , Chen Yi-Chun
Published: October 2022

Background

Clarithromycin is widely used to treat various bacterial infections and has been reported to have potential cardiovascular risk. However, it is uncertain whether this association was dose dependent and confounded by indication bias in patients with stable coronary heart disease (CHD).

Methods

This cohort study retrospectively analyzed a national health insurance claims data from Taiwan’s 2005 Longitudinal Generation Tracking Database. We used a new-user design and 1:1 propensity score matching. A total of 9,631 eligible clarithromycin users and 9,631 non-users in 2004–2015 were subject to final analysis. All patients were followed-up after receiving clarithromycin or on the matched corresponding date until occurrence of cardiovascular morbidity in the presence of competing mortality, all-cause and cause-specific mortality, or through the end of 2015. The effect of cumulative dose, exposure duration, and indications of clarithromycin on cardiovascular outcomes were also addressed.

Results

Clarithromycin use, compared with non-use, was associated with higher risk for all-cause [adjusted hazard ratios (aHR), 1.43; 95% confidence interval, 1.29–1.58], cardiovascular (1.35; 1.09–1.67), and non-cardiovascular (1.45; 1.29–1.63) mortality, but not for overall cardiovascular morbidity. Further analysis of individual cardiovascular morbidity demonstrated major risk for heart events (1.25; 1.04–1.51) in clarithromycin users than non-users. However, there was no relationship of cumulative dose, exposure duration, and indications of clarithromycin on cardiovascular outcomes. Analyses of the effects over time showed that clarithromycin increased cardiovascular morbidity (1.21; 1.01–1.45), especially heart events (1.39; 1.10–1.45), all-cause (1.57; 1.38–1.80), cardiovascular (1.58; 1.20–2.08), and non-cardiovascular (1.57; 1.35–1.83) mortality during the first 3 years. Thereafter, clarithromycin effect on all outcomes almost dissipated.

Conclusion

Clarithromycin use was associated with increased risk for short-term cardiovascular morbidity (especially, heart events) and mortality without a dose-response relationship in patients with stable CHD, which was not dose dependent and confounded by indications. Hence, patients with stable CHD while receiving clarithromycin should watch for these short-term potential risks.
Long-term outcomes of transcatheter Potts shunt in children with suprasystemic pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Haddad Raymond N. , Levy Maryline , Szezepanski Isabelle , Malekzadeh-Milani Sophie , Bonnet Damien
Published: October 2022

Background

Transcatheter Potts shunt (TPS) is a palliation alternative for children with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Debates on the long-term outcomes remain unsolved.

Objectives

To evaluate long-term clinical and procedural outcomes of TPS intervention.

Methods

Single-center retrospective data review of children with severe PAH who had TPS between 2009 and 2018. Patients who died per-operatively and early post-procedure were excluded. Long-term outcomes of survivors were evaluated.

Results

Out of 13 identified patients (53.8% males), 7 had endovascular stenting of probe/patent arterial ducts, while 6 individuals had aorta-to-pulmonary radiofrequency perforation and covered stent placement. Compared to baseline, the overall clinical condition significantly improved at discharge (p < 0.001) and stayed better at the last visit (p < 0.05) despite frequent clinical worsening events across follow-up. Improvement in functional class across follow-up was significant (p < 0.001). There was, however, no significant improvement in other disease markers (TPASE, 6MWD z-scores, and NT-proBNP levels) or reduction in PAH medications. The median follow-up was 77.4 months (IQR, 70.7–113.4). Survival was 100% at 1 year and 92.3% at 6 years. Freedom from reinterventions was 77% at 1 year and 21% at 6 years. Nine (69.2%) patients had stent reinterventions at a median of 25 months (IQR, 9.5–56) postoperative. Balloon dilatation and restenting were performed in 53.8% and 46.2% of patients, respectively. High-pressure post-dilatation of implanted stents was performed in 53.8% of patients during TPS intervention for incomplete stent expansion and/or residual pressure gradient and was associated with higher rates of reinterventions (p = 0.021). Stent malfunctioning was present in 46.2% of patients at last follow-up. Two patients are listed for heart-lung transplantation.

Conclusion

Survivors of TPS procedures experience significant improvement in functional class that can be durable. Clinical worsening and stent malfunctioning are frequent morbid events indicating recurrent transcatheter reinterventions throughout follow-up. Six-year survival is, however, satisfactory.
Management of high-output cardiac failure caused by head and neck AVMs: Percutaneous suture-assisted ethanol and coil embolotherapy
Authors: Wen Ming-zhe , Li Xin-yu , Shen Yu-chen , Wang Zhen-feng , Zheng Lian-zhou , Wang De-ming , Fan Xin-dong , Su Li-xin , Yang Xi-tao
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The aim of this study was to describe the treatment technique, outcomes, and complications of Schobinger stage IV head and neck arteriovenous malformations (HNAVMs) with associated high-output cardiac failure (HOCF) using ethanol and coils with the percutaneous suture technique.

Methods

From January 2015 to December 2019, 19 patients who had HNAVMs with associated HOCF were treated first with a percutaneous suture of the remarkably dilated dominant drainage vein (RDDOV) and subsequent embolization with coils and ethanol. The percutaneous suture of RDDOV was preferred to be performed, followed by the deployment of coils and the injection of absolute ethanol via transarterial approach, direct puncture approach, or both of them. Treatment outcomes and complication rates were evaluated at follow-up.

Results

A total of 19 patients who experienced HNAVMs with HOCF received 19 percutaneous suture procedures and 84 embolization procedures with ethanol and coils. Complete or >90% shunt reduction of the AVM was achieved in 16 patients. Notably, 19 patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) stage II improved to stage I, and the symptom of dyspnea disappeared after embolization. The symptoms of five patients with bleeding disappeared. All patients presented with cosmetic concerns; Four were cured, and eight had a clearly recognizable improvement. Of note, 19 (100%) patients presented with impairment of daily life, which was resolved. The minor complications were encountered and recovered by the self. No major complications occurred.

Conclusion

This study provides evidence that ethanol and coil embolotherapy is effective and safe in treating HOCF caused by HNAVMs with acceptable complications in these cases. The percutaneous suture technique for RDDOV management can act as an adjunct for embolotherapy.
Ancestral sea gardens supported human settlements for at least 3,800 years on the Northwest Coast of North America
Authors: Holmes Keith , Lepofsky Dana , Smith Nicole F. , Crowell Travis D. , Salomon Anne K.
Published: October 2022

The relationships between clam gardens and human settlement throughout the millennia reflects the inseparable links among human demographics, marine management systems, and the social-ecological contexts in which they are embedded. However, it can be difficult to assign causation between the initiation and development of eco-cultural innovations like clam gardens and the proliferation of human societies due to the temporal uncertainties associated with both. Here, we bring together data on the shape of the local relative sea level curve, clam garden wall elevation as determined by GIS and drone imagery, radiocarbon dates of clam garden walls, and ecological and archaeological field observations, to assign proxy ages for the clam garden walls of different tidal heights in Kanish and Waiatt Bay on northern Quadra Island, British Columbia, Canada. These data, combined with our mapping and dating of settlement sites, demonstrate a temporal relationship between clam garden building effort and the densification of human settlements. In Kanish Bay, where we have high resolution data, clam gardens begin to be constructed in significant numbers at least 3,800 years ago; this corresponds to a time of increased establishment of large human settlements. The corresponding increase in settlements and clam gardens reflects both the need to increase sustainable food production and the larger number of people who could sustain the ecological and social foundations of the production system. The correlation between number and area of clam gardens and the number of new, large settlements continues until ∼2000 years ago. After this time, existing settlements increase in size, but no additional large settlements were established. New clam gardens continue to be built but in seemingly lower numbers. This shift in settlements and clam gardens suggest that a threshold in social-ecological carrying capacity may have been reached in this land- and seascape. In the last few centuries, there is a dramatic decline in the number of clam gardens and evidence of human settlement, corresponding to social and ecological changes associated with European colonization. Taken together, these data demonstrate the strong linkages among Indigenous peoples, their lands and seas, and resilient food systems over the millennia.
Unpacking pre-service teachers’ beliefs and reasoning about student ability, sources of teaching knowledge, and teacher-efficacy: A scenario-based approach
Authors: Ferguson Leila E. , Bråten Ivar
Published: October 2022

The beliefs teachers hold may provide information about their more or less evidence-informed reasoning about educational issues. However, gaining a clear picture of teachers’ beliefs has proven difficult. A promising line of inquiry uses scenario-based approaches to assess teachers’ enacted beliefs. Accordingly, we assessed 75 Norwegian pre-service teachers’ beliefs about student ability, sources of teaching knowledge, and teacher efficacy by analyzing their written responses to authentic classroom scenarios, with these responses also providing information about participants’ reasoning about the scenarios. While participants’ responses seemed to be evidence-informed in many ways, there were also indications of the opposite, such as limited consideration of educational research in pedagogical decision-making. The results contribute uniquely to an understanding of pre-service teachers’ beliefs and reasoning about educational issues. As such, they may help researchers and teacher educators to better understand the beliefs pre-service teachers hold, as well as to facilitate further development of these beliefs. Implications for future research and teacher education are discussed.