bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Law of Security and Title Based Financing 4e
Authors: Gullifer Louise , Bridge Michael , Lomnicka Eva
Published: October 2024

Personal property security is an important subject in commercial practice as it is the key to much of the law of banking and sale. This book examines traditional methods of securing debts (such as mortgages, charges and pledges) on property other than land, describing how these are created, how they must be registered (or otherwise 'perfected') if they are to be valid, the rights and duties of the parties and how the security is enforced if the debt is not paid. This fourth edition has been updated to incorporate recent political and legal developments, including Brexit. The ‘Edinburgh Reforms’, which have followed the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union, promise a thorough overhaul of the consumer credit regime. This edition further assesses the implications of the Business Contract Terms (Assignment of Receivables) Regulations 2018, the outlawing of 'ipso facto' clauses by the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020, and the reduced scope of the EU Insolvency Regulation. The treatment of insolvency matters within the framework of the Cape Town Convention is also considered. Covering both traditional security over personal property and also devices that fulfil a similar economic function, such as retention of title and sales of receivables, the book is an indispensable reference work both for practitioners and academics.
Financial Collateral
Authors: Bridge Michael , Gullifer Louise , Lomnicka Eva
Published: October 2024

This chapter focuses on financial collateral as defined in the Financial Collateral Arrangements (No 2) Regulations (FCARs). It examines the purposes of the FCARs (and the EU Financial Collateral Directive which the FCARs implement) and the legal effects if they apply to a title transfer collateral arrangement or a security collateral arrangement. What counts as ‘financial collateral’ is discussed, including the extent to which digital assets fall within the definition. The criterion of ‘evidenced in writing’ for both these types of arrangements is discussed, and there is extensive critical discussion of the requirement of ‘possession or control’ for a security financial collateral arrangement, including examination of what steps need to be taken in relation to security interests over different types of financial collateral for the collateral taker to have ‘possession or control’ of that collateral.
Possessory Security
Authors: Bridge Michael , Gullifer Louise , Lomnicka Eva
Published: October 2024

This chapter considers possessory security interests, namely, the pledge and the lien. It examines the nature of the pledge and the interests of pledgor and pledgee, and the rights and duties of each party. Different methods of creation of a pledge, including by attornment, and by the transfer of a document of title, are examined, as is when a pledge terminates, including the effect of delivery of pledged goods to the pledgor under a trust receipt. The use of pledges of document of title (including electronic documents) in the financing of international trade is discussed, including the difficult issue of whether there can be a pledge of a bill of lading when the carrier no longer has possession of the goods. There is detailed discussion of pledges of goods in bulk. The chapter also considers possessory liens arising by operation of law and/or by contract. It considers the nature of a lien, the difference between a general and a particular lien, the situations in which a possessory lien arises and when it does not, and the effect of contract on the existence or the effect of a lien. The rights of a lienholder, and the termination of a lien are also discussed. The differences between a pledge and a lien, and the characterization of an interest as one or the other, are analysed. There is also a very brief discussion of statutory liens.
Rights Not Including the Transfer or Retention of Title
Authors: Bridge Michael , Gullifer Louise , Lomnicka Eva
Published: October 2024

This chapter deals with a variety of devices that, though not security, provide at least some of the economic advantages of security. It deals with set-off in its various forms ((legal, equitable, insolvency, contractual), as well as with netting, common law abatement, and the banker’s right to combine accounts. It also treats negative pledge and flawed asset clauses, alongside subordination agreements, taking account of the pari passu rule of insolvency distribution and the prohibition on divesting a debtor of assets upon its insolvency (anti-deprivation). The Quistclose trust is examined to the extent that it provides quasi-security, as well as the character of the maritime lien over sub-freights.
Registration and Other Perfection Requirements
Authors: Bridge Michael , Gullifer Louise , Lomnicka Eva
Published: October 2024

This chapter provides a general account of the requirement that a secured creditor register its mortgages and charges if they are to be opposable to third parties, such as liquidators and administrators. It notes that quasi-security and possessory security, as well as charges over financial collateral, need not be registered. The word ‘perfection’ comes into play to show that registration does not create, but rather preserves, a priority entitlement. Registration under the Companies Act, for example, is not the starting point for determining issues of priority. The chapter also notes that private registration systems exist but that no sanction exists for not using them.
Cost Comparison and Spending on Tobacco Products: Evidence From A Nationally Representative Sample of Adult E-cigarette Users
Authors: Ma Shaoying , Yang Qian , Ahn Sooa , Park Hojin , He Yanyun , Bridges John F P , Shang Ce
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Over 20 states and local jurisdictions in the United States have imposed e-cigarette taxes. It is important to evaluate how adult vapers, including those who also smoke respond to e-cigarette taxation. The purpose of this study is to examine factors associated with adult vapers’ cost comparison between e-cigarettes and cigarettes (ie, which one is perceived to be more expensive) and expenditures (ie, dollars spent) on these two products.

Aims and Methods

We recruited a nationally representative sample of 801 adult e-cigarette users in the United States., who participated in an online survey in April–May 2023. Nested-ordered logit and ordinary least squares regressions were used in the analysis.

Results

On average, adult vapers spent $82.22 per month on e-cigarettes, and dual users spent $118.77 per month on cigarettes. More frequent e-cigarette use, lower state-level e-cigarette taxes, age, and exclusive use of rechargeable tank systems with e-liquids were associated with considering e-cigarettes as less expensive than cigarettes. Exclusive use of tank systems was associated with lower e-cigarette spending. Adults who used e-cigarettes more frequently preferred to report weekly (vs. monthly) spending on e-cigarettes; among dual users, everyday smokers were more likely to think of weekly (vs. monthly) spending on cigarettes compared to someday smokers.

Conclusions

Among U.S. adult vapers, tobacco use frequency, and e-cigarette device type are closely related to cost measures; e-cigarette taxes are associated with cost comparison between e-cigarettes and cigarettes, suggesting potential financial disincentive for vaping. Policymakers may consider imposing differential taxes on e-cigarette product types due to their different costs to consumers.

Implications

This study provides supportive evidence that e-cigarette taxes may impact how vapers compare the costs of e-cigarettes relative to cigarettes. Given different expenditures and cost comparisons by e-cigarette device types, tax, and policy design may need to be taken into consideration of e-cigarette device types. We also found that indoor tobacco use restrictions in shared housing may reduce vaping, and future research is needed. The associations between sociodemographics and cost comparison and expenditures reflect known patterns in price responsiveness and vaping prevalence. Cost comparison and expenditures are related measures, which may further reflect product affordability.
Bottom–up propagation of synoptic wind intensification and relaxation in the planktonic ecosystem of the South Senegalese Upwelling Sector
Authors: Chabert P , Echevin V , Aumont O , Person R , Hourdin C , Pous S , Machu E , Capet X
Published: October 2024

Synoptic intensification or relaxation of upwelling favorable winds are major sources of variability in eastern boundary upwelling systems. This study aims to investigate their impact on the planktonic ecosystem of the South Senegalese Upwelling Sector (SSUS), located south of the Cape Verde peninsula over a wide and shallow continental shelf. Numerical experiments using a three-dimensional coupled physical–biogeochemical model with four plankton functional types simulated the response of the coastal planktonic ecosystem to idealized synoptic (∼10 days) wind intensification and relaxation of the same amplitude. We find that these perturbations induce spatio-temporal oscillations of plankton concentrations. Zooplankton response occurred with a time lag that manifests itself in space as an equatorward/downstream shift in distribution relative to phytoplankton. Overall, the transmission of the synoptic perturbation from the physics to zooplankton is characterized by a damping in relative anomalies. All these elements and the weakness of the asymmetries in the biogeochemical/planktonic ecosystem responses between intensification and relaxation events support the hypothesis that synoptic variability has limited impact on the climatological state of low–latitude upwelling systems such as the SSUS.

PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY

In some coastal regions of the world such as off Senegal, winds preferentially blow alongshore and induce subsurface, cold and nutrient rich waters to rise to the surface layer and favor the development of plankton blooms. These so-called upwelling favorable winds are not steady. Their fluctuations produce dynamical and biogeochemical variability over a broad range of scales. Here, we studied the biogeochemical effect of 10-day (i.e. weather or synoptic) wind fluctuations over the southern Senegal continental shelf. We used a numerical model with a simplified planktonic ecosystem consisting of two phytoplankton and two zooplankton size classes. The wind perturbations modulate ocean physics, the enrichment of the sun-lit surface layer in nutrients and the planktonic ecosystem. The plankton’s response to wind fluctuations exhibited oscillations more complex and relatively less intense than those of the wind. The modest effect of the studied short-term wind fluctuations on plankton found in this study may be specific to low-latitude coastal oceans with wide continental shelves.
A Phylogenomic Backbone for Acoelomorpha Inferred From Transcriptomic Data
Authors: Abalde Samuel , Jondelius Ulf
Published: October 2024

Xenacoelomorpha are mostly microscopic, morphologically simple worms, lacking many structures typical of other bilaterians. Xenacoelomorphs—which include three main groups, namely Acoela, Nemertodermatida, and Xenoturbella—have been proposed to be an early diverging Bilateria, sister to protostomes and deuterostomes, but other phylogenomic analyses have recovered this clade nested within the deuterostomes, as sister to Ambulacraria. The position of Xenacoelomorpha within the metazoan tree has understandably attracted a lot of attention, overshadowing the study of phylogenetic relationships within this group. Given that Xenoturbella includes only six species whose relationships are well understood, we decided to focus on the most speciose Acoelomorpha (Acoela + Nemertodermatida). Here, we have sequenced 29 transcriptomes, doubling the number of sequenced species, to infer a backbone tree for Acoelomorpha based on genomic data. The recovered topology is mostly congruent with previous studies. The most important difference is the recovery of Paratomella as the first off-shoot within Acoela, dramatically changing the reconstruction of the ancestral acoel. Besides, we have detected incongruence between the gene trees and the species tree, likely linked to incomplete lineage sorting, and some signal of introgression between the families Dakuidae and Mecynostomidae, which hampers inferring the correct placement of this family and, particularly, of the genus Notocelis. We have also used this dataset to infer for the first time diversification times within Acoelomorpha, which coincide with known bilaterian diversification and extinction events. Given the importance of morphological data in acoelomorph phylogenetics, we tested several partitions and models. Although morphological data failed to recover a robust phylogeny, phylogenetic placement has proven to be a suitable alternative when a reference phylogeny is available.
Fusarium and Neocosmospora Species Associated with the Decline of Metasequoia glyptostroboides in China
Authors: Liu Duanchong , Zhao Wenxia , Xia Jianping , Cai Sanshan , Huai Wen-Xia , Zhang Ru-bin , Li Bin , Peng Hualan , Zhang Shijun
Published: October 2024

During surveys conducted in 2020, severe symptoms associated with death and decline were observed on >30-year-old Metasequoia glyptostroboides (Chinese redwood) trees in the shelter-forests along Yangtze River in Jingzhou city, Hubei province, China. A previous study showed that Phytophthora acerina was one of the causal agents of the decline of the Chinese redwood. In this study, a total of 147 fungal isolates were obtained from the diseased roots and xylem of trunks of declining M. glyptostroboides trees. Through morphology and multi-locus phylogenetic analysis, these isolates were identified as eight species belonging to the genera Fusarium and Neocosmospora including F. fujikuroi, F. irregulare, F. odoratissimum, F. reticulatum， N. falciformis, N. keratoplastica, N. solani, and N. tonkinensis. Single inoculation and co-inoculation with P. acerina assays of these Fusarium and Neocosmospora species were then performed to test pathogenicity on three-year-old seedlings of M. glyptostroboides. Lesions (i.e., on seedling stems) caused by species of the genera Neocosmopora and Fusarium were smaller than those caused by P. acerina. Co-inoculation of F. fujikuroi and P. acerina, as well as the co-inoculation of F. reticulatum and P. acerina caused larger lesions than inoculations with P. acerina alone. All these species of Fusarium and Neocosmospora were shown to have the potential to be pathogenic to M. glyptostroboides. This study provided evidence that the decline of M. glyptostroboides in Jingzhou is a disease complex.
Angiotensin‐(1–7) improves intestinal microbiota disturbances and modulates fecal metabolic aberrations in acute pancreatitis
Authors: Gu Ruru , Wei Hongtao , Cui Tianyu , Wang Guoxing , Luan Yingyi , Liu Ruixia , Yin Chenghong
Published: October 2024

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a serious health problem that dysregulates intestinal microbiota. Angiotensin (Ang)‐(1–7) plays a protective role in the intestinal barrier in AP, but its effect on intestinal microbiota remains clear. To investigate the impact of Ang‐(1–7) on AP‐induced intestinal microbiota disorder and metabolites. We collected blood and fecal samples from 31 AP patients within 48 h after admission to the hospital, including 11 with mild AP (MAP), 14 with moderately severe AP (MSAP), six with severe AP (SAP). Mice were divided into four groups: control, AP, AP + Ang‐(1–7) via tail vein injection, and AP + Ang‐(1–7) via oral administration. The samples of mice were collected 12 h after AP. Pancreatic and intestinal histopathology scores were analyzed using the Schmidt and Chiu scores. Fecal microbiota and metabolites analysis was performed via 16S rDNA sequencing and nontargeted metabolomics analysis, respectively. In patients, the abundance of beneficial bacteria (Negativicutes) decreased and pathogenic bacteria (Clostridium bolteae and Ruminococcus gnavus) increased in SAP compared with MAP. Ang‐(1–7) levels were associated with changes in the microbiota. There were differences in the intestinal microbiota between control and AP mice. Ang‐(1–7) attenuated intestinal microbiota dysbiosis in AP mice, reflecting in the increase in beneficial bacteria (Odoribacter and Butyricimonas) than AP, as well as pancreatic and intestinal injuries. Oral administration of Ang‐(1–7) reversing AP‐induced decreases in metabolisms: secondary bile acids, emodin, and naringenin. Ang‐(1–7) may improve intestinal microbiota dysbiosis and modulate fecal metabolites in AP, thereby reducing the damage of AP.
Dynamic Instability Is Underestimated on Standing Flexion-Extension Films When Compared With Prone CT Imaging
Authors: Chiang Michael C. , Jiao Albert , Makhni Melvin C. , Mandell Jacob C. , Isaac Zacharia
Published: October 2024

Study Design/Setting:

Single center retrospective cohort study

Objective:

We performed a retrospective study evaluating the incidence and degree of L4-5 anterior spondylolisthesis in patients with standard supine MRI, standing flexion-extension radiographs, and prone CT. We hypothesize that prone CT imaging will provide greater sensitivity for instability compared with conventional flexion extension or supine positions.

Summary of Background Data:

Dynamic lumbar instability evaluated by flexion-extension radiographs may underestimate the degree of lumbar spondylolisthesis. Despite efforts to characterize dynamic instability, significant variability remains in current guidelines regarding the most appropriate imaging modalities to adequately evaluate instability.

Methods:

We assessed single-level (L4-5) anterolisthesis between 2014 and 2022 with standing lateral conventional radiographs (CR), flexion-extension images, prone CT images (CT), or supine MRI images (MRI).

Results:

We identified 102 patients with L4-5 anterolisthesis. The average translation (±SD) measured were 4.9±2.2 mm (CR), 2.5±2.6 mm (CT), and 3.7±2.6 mm (MRI) (P<0.001). The mean difference in anterolisthesis among imaging modalities was 2.7±1.8 mm between CR and CT (P<0.001), 1.8±1.4 mm between CR and MRI (P<0.001), and 1.6±1.4 mm between CT and MRI (P=0.252). Ninety-two of 102 patients (90.2%) showed greater anterolisthesis on CR compared with CT, 72 of 102 (70.6%) comparing CR to MRI, and 27 of 102 (26.5%) comparing CT to MRI. We found that 17.6% of patients exhibited ≥3 mm anterior translation comparing CR with MRI, whereas 38.2% of patients were identified comparing CR with CT imaging (χ2 test P=0.0009, post hoc Fisher exact test P=0.0006 between CR and CT). Only 5.9% of patients had comparable degrees of instability between flexion-standing.

Conclusions:

Prone CT imaging revealed the greatest degree of single L4-5 segmental instability compared with flexion-extension radiographs.
A Continuous and Noninvasive Method to Estimate Pao 2/Fio 2 Ratio
Authors: Beauchamp Francis-Olivier , Sauthier Michaël
Published: October 2024

OBJECTIVES:

To validate a method for continuously estimating the Pao
2/Fio
2 (PF) ratio in all critically ill pediatric patients using only standard continuous data monitoring.

DESIGN:

Retrospective study on a high temporal resolution database.

SETTING:

PICU in Montreal, QC, Canada.

PATIENTS/SUBJECTS:

We included any patients admitted from May 2015 to May 2023 who had an arterial blood gas (ABG) with concurrent continuous pulsed oximetry saturation (Spo
2) values. We used our previously validated mathematical model to determine the magnitude of hypoxemia by computing the estimated ePao
2/Fio
2 (ePF) ratio and comparing it to the Spo
2/Fio
2 (SF), using PF ratio as the reference standard.

INTERVENTIONS:

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:

We analyzed a total of 20,828 ABGs. When Spo
2 was below or equal to 97%, the ePF ratio showed a significantly better hypoxemia classification (none, light/moderate, or severe) than the SF ratio (0.80 vs. 0.72; p < 0.001), a lower fixed bias (16.26 vs. –35.24; p < 0.001), a lower mean absolute error (37.92 vs. 63.93; p < 0.001) and a lower proportional bias (slope of 1.01 vs. 0.81; p < 0.001). ePF ratio has also a better limits of agreement difference from Bland-Altman plot (248.10 vs. 292.45; p < 0.001) and coefficient of determination (0.68 vs. 0.59; p < 0.001). When Spo
2 was above 97%, the ePF ratio had better classification with Kappa (0.53 vs. 0.43; p < 0.001) and lower fixed bias (–0.63 vs. 65.68; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:

The PF ratio based on ePF allows for a continuous estimation of hypoxemia severity with a better performance than the SF ratio.
Omics in IgG4-related disease
Authors: Cai Shaozhe , Chen Yu , Hu Ziwei , Lin Shengyan , Gao Rongfen , Ming Bingxia , Zhong Jixin , Sun Wei , Chen Qian , Stone John H , Dong Lingli
Published: October 2024

Research on IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD), an autoimmune condition recognized to be a unique disease entity only two decades ago, has processed from describing patients’ symptoms and signs to summarizing its critical pathological features, and further to investigating key pathogenic mechanisms. Challenges in gaining a better understanding of the disease, however, stem from its relative rarity–potentially attributed to underrecognition – and the absence of ideal experimental animal models. Recently, with the development of various high-throughput techniques, “omics” studies at different levels (particularly the single-cell omics) have shown promise in providing detailed molecular features of IgG4-RD. While, the application of omics approaches in IgG4-RD is still at an early stage. In this paper, we review the current progress of omics research in IgG4-RD and discuss the value of machine learning methods in analyzing the data with high dimensionality.
Dysautonomia and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome: A Critical Analysis of Dysautonomia: How to Diagnose and Treat
Authors: Weintraub Michael I. , DePace Nicholas L. , Munoz Ramona , Kaczmarski Karolina , Manno Ron , Colombo Joseph
Published: October 2024

A significant number of physicians are unclear of the vast clinical manifestations of dysautonomia and imbalance of the autonomic nervous system, specifically the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems. The major obstacle has been an inability to determine the mechanism of action as well as multisystem dysfunction and a lack of clear-cut testing. Dysautonomia, a pathophysiological malfunction of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves in our bodies, can present as altered clinical functions of heart rate (tachycardia/bradycardia), altered breathing patterns, blood pressure (hypertension/hypotension), sweating, digestion, syncope, etc. These symptoms have caused specialists to miss this diagnosis because of relative nonspecificity. Our current analysis of patients demonstrates significant delays in diagnosis, misdiagnosis, and the development of chronic syndromes because of the above. We demonstrate that monitoring of heart rate and blood pressure with changes in position and respiration can be easily and quickly performed without orthostatic stress and can demonstrate the entities of sympathetic withdrawal, cholinergic excessive aspects as well as tachycardia, blood pressure dips with posture, etc. This analysis takes less than an hour without the need for injections or medication, thus more quickly informing the cardiologist/neurologist of the correct diagnosis. We will attempt to demystify these issues so that clinicians and the scientific community will have a better understanding of this entity and consider a diagnosis of dysautonomia earlier in the differential diagnostic process and start treatment approaches sooner.
Prevalence and associated factors of post-spinal anesthesia transient neurological symptoms in Dessie Referral Hospital from February to April 2021: an institution based cross sectional study
Authors: Timerga Sara , Befkadu Aynalem , Admasu Wosenyeleh , Daniel Tinbite , Agmas Amare , Mihretu Fasil
Published: October 2024

Background:

Spinal anesthesia is the most commonly utilized regional anesthesia for surgical procedures below the umbilicus. However, it has also been implicated as possible cause of neurological complications. Transient neurological symptom (TNS) after spinal anesthesia characterized, by postoperative discomfort within the buttocks or lower extremities are one of the neurological complications associated with spinal anesthesia.

Objective:

To assess the prevalence of and factors associated with TNS.

Methods:

An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was used for patients who underwent elective surgery under spinal anesthesia from 1 February 2021 until 30 April 2021. The sample size was 215. The data collection method included chart review and patient interviews. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 23 computer program. The association between independent factors and the outcome variable was determined by binomial logistic regression, and multiple logistic regression analysis and a p-value of less than 0.05 were considered as statistically significant.

Result:

Of the 215 patients who participated in our study and the prevalence of TNS after spinal anesthesia was 10.2%. Factors that were assessed to be associated with TNS were large body mass index (BMI) (AOR = 2.9 and 95% CI: 1.03–8.43) and lithotomy surgical position (AOR = 3.64 and 95% CI: 1.19–11.08).

Conclusion:

Our study result shaowed that the overall prevalence of TNS after spinal anesthesia was 10.2%. Compared with other studies the prevalence of TNS in our study was lower. A higher BMI and lithotomy surgical position have a significant relationship with the incidence of TNS.
Ethics in Global Plastic Surgery Missions
Authors: Chikoti Rishika , Leon Samantha Joy , Thornburg Danielle , Kandi Lyndsay , Morris Bryn , Rebecca Alanna , Casey William , Howard Michael A. , Teven Chad M.
Published: October 2024

Background:

Delivering ethical care in global plastic surgery is challenging due to the unique complexities of resource-limited settings. Additionally, the rise of medical tourism has highlighted the importance of informed consent and awareness of the potential risks that are associated with seeking medical care in foreign countries. This article aims to consider core medical ethics principles and apply them in the context of delivering global plastic surgery.

Methods:

This article examines the application of the four core medical ethics principles in a framework set forth by Beauchamp and Childress, namely autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice, in the context of delivering plastic surgery in international settings. A literature review was performed, where all potential global plastic surgery articles were reviewed to better understand the application of the four core medical ethics framework in this context.

Results:

Increased communication between visiting surgeons and local healthcare providers; heightened education of surgeons traveling to low-to-middle-income countries regarding local medical practices, resource availability, and cultural norms before providing surgical education; and a greater emphasis on collecting and publishing data analyzing short- and long-term outcomes in low-to-middle-income countries are all likely to improve the success of international medical missions, ensuring that all patients receive medical treatment in a manner that upholds Beauchamp and Childress’ four core medical ethics principles.

Conclusion:

Providing plastic and reconstructive surgery abroad can be done ethically if the four main principles of medical ethics (respect for autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice) are used.
6/0 PROLENE DOUBLE-FLANGED INTRAOCULAR LENS SUTURELESS SCLERAL FIXATION WITH A 27-GAUGE NEEDLE FOR INTRAOCULAR LENS SURGERY
Authors: Pao Shu-I. , Chang Yun-Hsiang , Chen Jiann-Torng
Published: October 2024

Purpose:

To report the initial experience of a modified intraocular lens (IOL) scleral fixation technique using 6/0 prolene in a double-flanged sutureless technique with a 27-gauge needle.

Methods:

Twenty-nine consecutive patients with IOL surgery were retrospectively reviewed between December 2021 and October 2023. Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters, spherical equivalent (SE), astigmatism axial degree, and intraocular pressure were evaluated at baseline and 1, 2, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Surgery-related complications were evaluated during follow-up.

Results:

Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters or SE at 1, 2, 3, and 6 months postoperation was significantly improved compared with baseline levels. Patients with younger (estimate [SE] = 8.011 [2.485], P = 0.006), preoperative lens drop (estimate [SE] = 8.621 [2.906], P = 0.009), idiopathic cataract (estimate [SE] = 6.021 [2.099], P = 0.048), high baseline Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters (estimate [SE] = 15.449 [2.352], P < 0.001), or low baseline SE (estimate [SE] = 6.357 [2.406], P = 0.018) had the greatest improvement in Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters during follow-up. Patients with preoperative lens or IOL dislocation had a greater postoperative SE improvement than those with preoperative lens or IOL subluxation (dislocation vs. subluxation: estimate [SE] = −189.235 [70.692], P = 0.016). There were no cases of vitreous hemorrhage, cystoid macular edema, endophthalmitis, subluxation, or dislocation were observed during the 6-month follow-up.

Conclusion:

This modified IOL scleral fixation technique is a simple, safe, and efficient method that avoids haptic manipulation and slippage, reduces postoperative complications, achieves completely sutureless surgery, and results in an achievement of surgical refractive goals.
The role of neutrophils in pain: systematic review and meta-analysis of animal studies
Authors: Huerta Miguel Á. , Molina-Álvarez Miguel , García Miguel M. , Tejada Miguel A. , Goicoechea Carlos , Ghasemlou Nader , Ruiz-Cantero M. Carmen , Cobos Enrique J.
Published: October 2024

The peripheral inflammatory response is an attractive therapeutic target for pain treatment. Neutrophils are the first circulating inflammatory cells recruited to sites of injury, but their contribution to pain outcomes is unclear. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of original preclinical studies, which evaluated the effect of preemptive neutrophil depletion on pain outcomes (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022364004). Literature search (PubMed, January 19, 2023) identified 49 articles, which were meta-analyzed using a random-effects model. The risk of bias was evaluated using SYRCLE's tool. The pooled effect considering all studies showed that neutrophil depletion induced a consistent pain reduction. Inflammatory, joint, neuropathic, and visceral pain showed significant pain alleviation by neutrophil depletion with medium-large effect sizes. However, muscle and postoperative pain were not significantly alleviated by neutrophil depletion. Further analysis showed a differential contribution of neutrophils to pain outcomes. Neutrophils had a higher impact on mechanical hyperalgesia, followed by nociceptive behaviors and mechanical allodynia, with a smaller contribution to thermal hyperalgesia. Interspecies (mice or rats) differences were not appreciated. Analyses regarding intervention unveiled a lower pain reduction for some commonly used methods for neutrophil depletion, such as injection of antineutrophil serum or an anti–Gr-1 antibody, than for other agents such as administration of an anti-Ly6G antibody, fucoidan, vinblastine, CXCR1/2 inhibitors, and etanercept. In conclusion, the contribution of neutrophils to pain depends on pain etiology (experimental model), pain outcome, and the neutrophil depletion strategy. Further research is needed to improve our understanding on the mechanisms of these differences.
Advancing hypertension management: the role of zilebesiran as an siRNA therapeutic agent
Authors: Siddiqui Erum , Siddiqui Abdul Hannan , Moeed Abdul , Laique Fatima , Najeeb Hala , Al Hasibuzzaman Md.
Published: October 2024

Elevated blood pressure poses a significant global health challenge, affecting over 1.28 billion adults worldwide, with a staggering 46% unaware of their condition. Despite its pervasive impact and association with cardiovascular disease, hypertension remains inadequately controlled, highlighting the urgent need for innovative treatment approaches. This review explores the potential of small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapeutics, focusing on zilebesiran, as a promising strategy for hypertension management. SiRNA therapy represents a groundbreaking approach to selectively modulate protein production, offering targeted intervention in the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying hypertension. Zilebesiran, a siRNA, targets hepatic angiotensinogen (AGT) synthesis through interaction with the asialoglycoprotein receptor, ultimately reducing angiotensin II levels and reducing blood pressure. Zilebesiran demonstrates remarkable pharmacokinetic properties, with sustained efficacy observed after single-dose administration. Clinical trials evaluating zilebesiran have shown significant reductions in blood pressure, with effects lasting up to 24 weeks post-administration. Moreover, combination therapy with angiotensin receptor blockers has demonstrated enhanced efficacy, highlighting the potential for synergistic effects in hypertension management. Importantly, zilebesiran exhibits a favorable safety profile, with manageable adverse events, primarily injection site reactions. Zilebesiran represents a transformative therapy in hypertension management, offering targeted and potent blood pressure reduction with favorable safety and dosing characteristics. Its emergence highlights the ongoing evolution of cardiovascular pharmacology and underscores the importance of innovative approaches to address the global burden of hypertension. Moving forward, concerted efforts in research and clinical practice are necessary to realize the benefits of zilebesiran into hypertension management protocols, ultimately advancing cardiovascular health worldwide.
Investigating public perception on use of ChatGPT in initial consultations prior to healthcare provider consultations
Authors: Hussain Salman , Alherz Mohammad , Albazee Ebraheem , Almhanedi Hamad , Hayat Jafar , Lari Mohammad , Lari Ali
Published: October 2024

Background:

This study investigates public perception of using AI-powered ChatGPT for initial consultations before seeing healthcare providers. It aims to understand AI’s capabilities and how to implement such tools in healthcare settings.

Methods:

A survey containing nineteen questions was distributed to 391 participants aiming to explore public perceptions on the use of ChatGPT prior to initial healthcare consultations via questions pertaining to several domains regarding use of ChatGPT in healthcare. Collected data was summarized and presented through visual depictions. Continuous variables with normal distributions were expressed as median and interquartile range, while categorical variables are represented as numbers and percentages. Statistical significance was assessed using the Mann–Whitney U test for continuous variables and the chi-square test (χ²) for categorical variables.

Results:

The median satisfaction score was 3.00 (IQR: 2.00, 3.00), providing insights into user satisfaction. 42.7% believed AI-powered chatbots adequately addresses healthcare concerns. Comfort levels in sharing health information and confidence (accuracy, reliability) had median scores of 3.00 (IQR: 2.00, 4.00) and 3.00 (IQR: 2.00, 3.00), respectively, on a scale of 1 to 5. 31.2% were willing to try AI in their next consultation, 40.4% were unsure, and 28.4% declined. Notably, 64.5% preferred interacting with a human healthcare provider, and 46.0% expressed that their comfort with AI use depended on the specific healthcare concern.

Conclusion:

The current findings shed light on the importance of understanding the capabilities of ChatGPT. Further research needs to be carried out to better understand how ChatGPT can be implemented in the current era.
Stem Cells Treatment for Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Wang Wei , Wang Ying , Gao Liansheng
Published: October 2024

Background:

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) refers to bleeding in the subarachnoid space, which is a serious neurologic emergency. However, the treatment effects of SAH are limited. In recent years, stem cell (SC) therapy has gradually become a very promising therapeutic method and advanced scientific research area for SAH.

Review Summary:

The SCs used for SAH treatment are mainly bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs), dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), neural stem cells (NSCs)/neural progenitor cell (NPC), and endothelial progenitor cell (EPC). The mechanisms mainly included differentiation and migration of SCs for tissue repair; alleviating neuronal apoptosis; anti-inflammatory effects; and blood–brain barrier (BBB) protection. The dosage of SCs was generally 106 orders of magnitude. The administration methods included intravenous injection, nasal, occipital foramen magnum, and intraventricular administration. The administration time is generally 1 hour after SAH modeling, but it may be as late as 24 hours or 6 days. Existing studies have confirmed the neuroprotective effect of SCs in the treatment of SAH.

Conclusions:

SC has great potential application value in SAH treatment, a few case reports have provided support for this. However, the relevant research is still insufficient and there is still a lack of clinical research on the SC treatment for SAH to further evaluate the effectiveness and safety before it can go from experiment to clinical application.
Dr Richard Davies (1708–1761): Reform, Contagion, Blood and Inflammation
Authors: DeLacy Margaret
Published: October 2024

Though he is nearly forgotten today, Dr Richard Davies (FRS 1738–41) was an innovative medical writer, a controversial educational reformer, and a path-breaking haematologist. His research on the composition of human blood, especially the formation of a ‘buffy coat’ in fevers, anticipated the better-known work of William Hewson and may have contributed a greater understanding of the behaviour of blood in health and disease, the effects of inflammation, and the outcomes of venesection. Davies had hoped that his works would contribute to a larger discussion made possible by a new community of better-educated medical researchers, but his ambition was thwarted, his claim to intellectual property was ridiculed, and his work did not receive the credit it deserved. This article reviews Davies’s life and works and suggests some explanations for his obscurity.
Alfredo Magalhães Ramalho’s scientific correspondence: historical connections between oceanography and marine biology from Portugal (1919–1949)
Authors: Pireddu Pier Luigi , Trindade Monteiro Patricia
Published: October 2024

This article presents Alfredo Magalhães Ramalho’s scientific correspondence between 1919 and 1949, both nationally and internationally. It consists of 181 unpublished letters, exchanged with 30 relevant figures belonging to 11 countries, including France, the UK, Croatia, Japan, Germany, Canada, Sweden, Norway, Morocco, Belgium and Spain. This correspondence shows a network among different research institutions devoted to the marine sciences. This includes biological stations, such as the Istituto Italo-Germanico di Biologia Marina, laboratories and museums, e. g. the British Museum of Natural History. At the national level, the correspondence between Ramalho and Augusto Nobre represents a historical axis between Lisbon and Porto, involving two of the most relevant scientists in the fields of oceanography and marine biology. At the international level, Ramalho corresponded with personalities such as Henry Gascoyne Maurice and other members of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, including for example the oceanographer Vagn Walfrid Ekman. This correspondence represents an archival discovery of the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere in Lisbon, marking a decisive historical scientific moment for both Portuguese and international contexts in the field of marine sciences. This article aims to reconstruct Portugal’s internal and external networks.
James Hutton and the measurement of atmospheric moisture
Authors: Werritty Alan
Published: October 2024

Measuring the amount of water in the air has been one of the most challenging of routine tasks in meteorology. From the 1650s onwards the methods involved either the uptake of moisture by organic materials such as human hair and whalebone (hygrometry) or the measurement of cooling due to loss of latent heat during evaporation (psychrometry). In 1792 James Hutton reported that a thermometer previously moistened by water records a lower temperature when exposed to cooling in the wind. This led to the development of the first condensation hygrometer by John Leslie in 1801 based on wet- and dry-bulb thermometers, whose design was refined and improved throughout the nineteenth century. Determining relative and absolute humidity values from a hygrometer required the use of a psychrometric equation, first developed by James Ivory in 1822 and later refined by Ernst Ferdinand August, James Apjohn and many others. Modern-day determinations of humidity often involve an aspirated psychrometer located in a Stevenson screen, whose origin can be traced directly back to Hutton’s observation of cooling due to evaporation. An extensive review of the literature on psychrometry records only cursory and ill informed acknowledgement of Hutton’s contribution. This article reasserts Hutton’s seminal role in the history of psychrometry.
An unexplored diversity for adaptation of germination to high temperatures in Brassica species
Authors: Tiret Mathieu , Wagner Marie-Helene , Gay Laurene , Chenel Elisa , Dupont Audrey , Falentin Cyril , Maillet Loeiz , Gavory Frederick , Labadie Karine , Ducournau Sylvie , Chevre Anne-Marie
Published: October 2024

Elevated temperatures inhibit the germination of a concerning number of crop species. One strategy to mitigate the impact of warming temperatures is to identify and introgress adaptive genes into elite germplasm. Diversity must be sought in wild populations, coupled with an understanding of the complex pattern of adaptation across a broad range of landscapes. By investigating the landraces, wild, and feral populations of Algeria, Italy, France, Slovenia, Spain, and Tunisia, we assessed the response of germination to temperature increase in an unexplored diversity of 117 accessions of B. rapa and 66 of B. oleracea. Our results show that both species exhibit heat tolerance to the temperature range tested, especially B. rapa with an increase in speed and uniformity of germination time, as well as an increase in germination rate as temperature increased. As for B. oleracea accessions, the ability to germinate under heat conditions depended on the geographical origin; in particular, southern populations showed a higher germination rate than northern populations, possibly in relation to their warmer climates of origin. These findings highlight the complex interplay between domestication, feralization, and current agronomic practices in shaping germination characteristics in Brassica species.
Atomistic Insights into gp82 Binding: A Microsecond, Million-Atom Exploration of Trypanosoma cruzi Host-Cell Invasion
Authors: Rosa Raissa S. L. , Leal da Silva Manuela , Bernardi Rafael C.
Published: October 2024

Chagas disease, caused by the protozoanTrypanosoma cruzi, affects millions globally, leading to severe cardiac and gastrointestinal complications in its chronic phase. The invasion of host cells byT. cruziis mediated by the interaction between the parasite’s glycoprotein gp82 and the human receptor lysosome-associated membrane protein 2 (LAMP2). While experimental studies have identified a few residues involved in this interaction, a comprehensive molecular-level understanding has been lacking. In this study, we present a 1.44-million-atom computational model of the gp82 complex, including over 3,300 lipids, glycosylation sites, and full molecular representations of gp82 and LAMP2, making it the most complete model of a parasite-host interaction to date. Using microsecond-long molecular dynamics simulations and dynamic network analysis, we identified critical residue interactions, including novel regions of contact that were previously uncharacterized. Our findings also highlight the significance of the transmembrane domain of LAMP2 in stabilizing the complex. These insights extend beyond traditional hydrogen bond interactions, revealing a complex network of cooperative motions that facilitateT. cruziinvasion. This study not only confirms key experimental observations but also uncovers new molecular targets for therapeutic intervention, offering a potential pathway to disruptT. cruziinfection and combat Chagas disease.
Trafficking of the Telomerase RNA using a Novel Genetic Approach
Authors: Day Jessica K. , Palmero Brett J. , Allred Amanda L. , Li Junya , Hooda Fatima B. , Witte Graeme , Dejneka Alexandra M. , Sandler Anna M. , Kirk Karen E.
Published: October 2024

Telomeres are specialized nucleoprotein structures situated at eukaryotic chromosome ends, vital for preserving genetic information during cell replication. Telomerase, a holoenzyme composed of telomerase reverse transcriptase and an RNA template component (TER), is responsible for elongating telomeric DNA. The intracellular trafficking of the telomerase RNA varies, either staying in the nucleus or exiting to the cytoplasm, depending on the organism. For example, inSaccharomyces cerevisiae, the RNA template is exported to the cytoplasm, whereas in mammalian cells and protozoa, it remains within the nucleus.Aspergillus nidulans, a filamentous fungus, offers an outstanding model for investigating telomeres and telomerase due to its characterized telomerase components, exceptionally short and tightly regulated telomeres, and innovative heterokaryon rescue technique. To determine the pathway of telomerase RNA trafficking inA. nidulans, we leveraged its unique capabilities to exist in both uni- and multi-nucleate states within a heterokaryon. This involved creating a TER knockoutA. nidulansstrain (TERΔ) and examining the resulting colonies for signs of heterokaryon formation. Heterokaryons would imply the export of TER from one nucleus and its import into aTERΔnucleus. Interestingly, theTERΔstrain consistently failed to produce heterokaryons, instead giving rise to diploid colonies. This surprising finding strongly implies that telomerase assembly predominantly takes place within the nucleus ofA. nidulans, distinguishing it from the biogenesis and trafficking pattern observed in yeast.
Partially characterized topology guides reliable anchor-free scRNA-integration
Authors: He Chuan , Filippidis Paraskevas , Kleinstein Steven , Guan Leying
Published: October 2024

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is an important technique for obtaining biological insights at cellular resolution, with scRNA-seq batch integration a key step before downstream statistical analysis. Despite the plethora of methods proposed, achieving reliable batch correction while preserving the heterogeneity of biological signals that define cell type continues to pose a challenge, with existing methods’ performance varying significantly across different scenarios and datasets. To address this, we propose scCRAFT, an autoencoder model designed to segregate cell-type-related biological signals from batch effects for reliable multi-batch scRNA-seq integration. scCRAFT comprises three key loss components: a reconstruction loss that targets observation reconstruction, a multi-domain adaptation loss aimed at eliminating batch effects, and an innovative dual-resolution triplet loss for preserving topology within each batch, which is introduced as an effective mechanism to counteract the over-correction effect of domain adaptation loss amid heterogeneous cell distributions across batches. We show that scCRAFT effectively manages unbalanced batches, rare cell types, and batch-specific cell phenotypes in simulations, and surpasses state-of-the-art methods in a diverse set of real datasets.