bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spaces of fluidity: articulating ‘politics of presence’ through place-based activism in Iqrit (Israel)
Authors: Golańska Dorota , Woźniak-Bobińska Marta
Published: February 2023

This article engages with the material geographies of colonialism in Israel/Palestine by looking at the site-specific cultural activities in Iqrit (Israel), a Christian-Arab village depopulated during the 1948 war in the region. We investigate the importance of material infrastructure – and material, bodily encounters with the site – as a basis for the place-based activist memory-work, as well as exposing the ways in which such activities contribute to the advancement of ‘the politics of presence’, understood as a manifestation of a continuous resilience vis-à-vis the discriminatory policy of the state. Our argumentation focuses on the importance of physical presence in specific geographical areas, shedding light on how place-based activities may contravene the expressed state policy by increasing the fluidity of the territory, creating spaces of contestation in which the traditional understandings of state authority partly dissolve. It also explores how the material reconfigurations of the place, and emotional-bodily investment in it, contribute to the semantic instability of the site, turning the place-based memory-work into a future-oriented project with important political aspirations.
Establishing an Academic–Community Partnership to Explore the Potential of Barbers and Barbershops in the Southern United States to Address Racial Disparities in HIV Care Outcomes for Black Men Living With HIV
Authors: Nwakoby Chidiogo , Pierce Leslie J. , Crawford Robert , Conserve Donaldson , Perkins Jessica , Hurt Sharon , Ahonkhai Aima A.
Published: February 2023

Black men comprise most new HIV infections in the Southern United States and have worse HIV outcomes than their non-Black counterparts. We developed an academic–community partnership in Nashville, Tennessee, to explore opportunities to improve HIV outcomes for Black men. We recruited barbers to an HIV training and focus group discussion about prevention and potential barber/barbershop-based strategies to address HIV-related needs for Black men. We assessed HIV knowledge and stigma with validated scales and conducted thematic analysis on discussion transcripts. HIV-related stigma was low (1.8 of 15 points [ SD = 1.69]) among 13 participants of unknown HIV status (12 men and one woman). HIV knowledge increased among eight (67%) participants after receiving a brief HIV didactic. Participants described general health care barriers (e.g., the social norm that Black men do not go to the doctor until they are “damn near dead”), fears about unwanted HIV disclosure when seeking HIV testing or care, and community fears about negative stereotypes associated with HIV. Participants expressed enthusiasm about receiving more HIV-related training and utilizing communication skills and client/community relationships to serve as health educators and navigators. Barbers highlighted opportunities to disseminate HIV information in barbershops and combine HIV interventions with other health issues, such as COVID-19, and suggested that these interventions may help reduce HIV-related stigma. Our findings suggest that barbers and barbershops are an underutilized resource for disseminating HIV-related health information and engaging Black men in HIV and other important prevention and care activities such as COVID-19.
A study on the effect of material type, structure tightness and finishing process on the physical and thermo-physiological properties of sandwich terry socks for winter wear
Authors: Anas Muhammad Sohaib , Abbas Adeel , Awais Habib , Sarwar Muhammad Ehtisham , Hassan Tayyeb Ul , Abbas Huma
Published: February 2023

Compared to other textiles, socks are made at the lowest cost and have the highest consumption rate, making them one of the least-lasting fabric goods in the clothing industry. Socks are available in a wide range of fibers blends, that is, cotton, wool, nylon, acrylic, polyester, olefin, spandex, etc. As an element of footwear, socks act in tandem with the foot and shoe, influencing the temperature and moisture levels of the feet. The comfort of clothing next to the skin in terms of temperature and moisture is gaining more and more attention. Pilling is a serious issue with wool items, and less pilling is required since it negatively impacts the esthetic, comfort, and longevity of the fabric. This research has investigated socks pilling tendency and thermo-physiological comfort properties, that is, air permeability and thermal resistance made by wool/polypropylene blend yarn. Three different combinations of wool/polypropylene yarns on the main and platting side of the socks were used at two different tightness levels. Polyurethane finish has been applied to check the socks’ behavior after the finish application. Statistical analysis showed that finished samples knitted with wool/polypropylene as a main yarn offer the best results against the pilling test while sample code ANL, an unfinished sample, offers the best results regarding air permeability, thermal resistance, and overall moisture management capacity.
Embedding Crimea in Russia(n Empire): Russian views on Crimea in the series ‘Kurt Seyit and Shura/Alexandra’
Authors: Brileva Diliara
Published: February 2023

Despite the Russian viewers’ interest in Turkish TV series, only a few Turkish TV series got aired on a federal channel in Russia. One of them is ‘Kurt Seyit and Shura.’ It was broadcast in Turkey between 4 March and 20 November 2014, coinciding with the beginning and the acute phase of Russia's annexation of Crimea. The historical context of the events depicted in the TV series (especially St Petersburg and Crimea in late imperial Russia) aligns to the highest with the new Russian ideology, which began to consider Crimea a part of modern Russia. Soon the series got translated into Russian and broadcast in Russia on a federal channel. Ironically, for the Russian audience, it exemplified the historical integration of Crimean Tatars in the history of the Russian Empire. The article considers perception of the TV series in Russia as ‘misunderstanding’ between two cultural hegemonies: Turkey and Russia.
Long-term results of first row carpectomy with proximal capitate resurfacing using a pyrocarbon implant
Authors: Pelet Hugo , Delgove Anais , Morchikh Abdelmoujoud , Dunet Bertrand , Harper Luke , Laumonerie Pierre , Abi-Chahla Marie-Laure
Published: February 2023

The functional results of proximal row carpectomy with a proximal capitate resurfacing using a pyrocarbon implant were evaluated in a retrospective, multicentric, multi-operator study. The outcomes of patients operated on at five surgical centres between January 2005 and December 2018 were reviewed. The data were collected by an independent observer during standardized consultations. Based on 30 patients with a mean follow-up of 7 years, the median range of flexion and extension was 65° and the median radioulnar tilt was 45°. The median Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) score was 14 and the improvements in strength and pain were good. Compared with the preoperative values, significant improvements were seen in the flexion and extension range of motion, radioulnar tilt and pain score. No postoperative complications were recorded.

Level of evidence: IV
Estimating and evaluating treatment effect heterogeneity: A causal forests approach
Authors: Zheng Li , Yin Weiwen
Published: February 2023

In this paper, we introduce the causal forests method (Athey et al., 2019) and illustrate how to apply it in social sciences to addressing treatment effect heterogeneity. Compared with existing parametric methods such as the multiplicative interaction model and traditional semi-/non-parametric estimation, causal forests are more flexible for complex data generating processes. Specifically, causal forests allow for nonparametric estimation and inference on heterogeneous treatment effects in the presence of many moderators. To reveal its usefulness, we revisit existing studies in political science and economics. We uncover new information hidden by original estimation strategies while producing findings that are consistent with conventional methods. Through these replication efforts, we provide a step-by-step practice guide for applying causal forests in evaluating treatment effect heterogeneity.
Tiktoking COVID-19 with frontline workers
Authors: Al-Rawi Ahmed , Zemenchik Kiana
Published: February 2023

Introduction/Objective

During the COVID-19 pandemic, frontline workers have taken to social media platforms to discuss a variety of issues that concern their personal and professional lives. In particular, TikTok's increased prominence as a social media channel has proved significant for enhancing the public presence of healthcare workers and their ability to disseminate content to a wider audience. The ways that healthcare workers use TikTok draws attention to the type of health information disseminated to the public through social media platforms. This provides the public with succinct and often visually entertaining information that may not be otherwise distributed to them directly from elsewhere. This study also provides relevant insights into how social media—TikTok in particular—can be used as a tool for disseminating knowledge about COVID-19 related topics and combatting misinformation by using the credibility of frontline workers.

Methods

This study collected a sample of over 2100 TikTok videos posted by healthcare workers that were coded according to the dominant overarching themes.

Results

The themes that arose from this sample were: (1) healthcare workers’ mental health and working conditions, (2) healthcare heroes/appreciation, (3) criticism against official authorities, (4) countering misinformation, (5) humor/satire, and (6) educational content.

Conclusion

Due to the rise in public appreciation for frontline workers, examining the effects of the pandemic through the eyes of frontline workers has drawn attention to their lived realities in various forms. This study provided some insight into how frontline workers use TikTok to disseminate information and education to the public, often relying on their perceived credibility.
Impact of the development of information society on healthcare efficiency: Empirical evidence from 31 Chinese provinces
Authors: Hu Yuanrong , Wang Ying , Lu Shengkang , Li Yongqing
Published: February 2023

The development of information society has deeply changed the style of the healthcare service delivery and medical information access. This study aims to investigate how the information society development affects the efficiency of healthcare system in China, and explore provincial disparities in the impact. Based on the two-stage Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) framework, this paper uses a panel data from 31 Chinese provinces from 2014 to 2017 to estimate efficiency of healthcare service and analyze the influence of the development of information society on efficiency. With the information society index (ISI) increased from 0.423 to 0.488 during the sample period, the healthcare efficiency experienced a slight decrease from 0.892 to 0.869. Moreover, the pure technical efficiency (PTE) is much lower than the scale efficiency (SE), and thus is the key to enhance the overall technical efficiency (TE). The time-fixed Tobit regression analysis suggests that information society development leads to a significant increase in PTE, but results in a decrease in SE, and therefore has little effect on TE. Further analysis reveals that the impact differs sharply between low-efficiency and high-efficiency provinces. For the low-efficiency provinces, the TE increases significantly with the development of the information society, mainly due to a considerable increase in PTE. In contrast, the TE decreases for the high-efficiency provinces, mainly caused by a decrease in SE. This paper highlights the importance of information infrastructure investment in healthcare system and the application of emerging information technologies to breakout the time and space boundaries of healthcare services in improving overall efficiency. In inefficient provinces, it is also necessary to properly control the growth of healthcare inputs.
Impact of treatment with dimethyl fumarate on sleep quality in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: A multicentre Italian wearable tracker study
Authors: Comi Giancarlo , Leocani Letizia , Ferini-Strambi Luigi , Radaelli Marta , Costa Gloria D , Lanzillo Roberta , Lus Giacomo , Bianchi Valentina , Traccis Sebastiano , Capone Fioravante , Grimaldi Luigi ME , Salemi Giuseppe , Cardillo Alessandra , Zipoli Valentina ,   for Hi-Tec Italian Multicentre Study Group
Published: February 2023

Background

Sleep disorders are common in patients with multiple sclerosis and have a bidirectional interplay with fatigue and depression.

Objective

To evaluate the effect of treatment with oral dimethyl fumarate on the quality of sleep in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Methods

This was a multicentre observational study with 223 relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis subjects starting treatment with dimethyl fumarate ( n=177) or beta interferon ( n=46). All patients underwent subjective (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) and objective (wearable tracker) measurements of quality of sleep. Fatigue, depression, and quality of life were also investigated and physical activity was monitored.

Results

Patients treated with dimethyl fumarate had significant improvement in the quality of sleep as measured with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index ( p<0.001). At all-time points, no significant changes in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score were observed in the interferon group. Total and deep sleep measured by wearable tracker decreased at week 12 with both treatments, then remained stable for the total study duration. Depression significantly improved in patients treated with dimethyl fumarate. No significant changes were observed in mobility, fatigue and quality of life.

Conclusion

In patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, the treatment with dimethyl fumarate was associated with improvements in patient-reported quality of sleep. Further randomised clinical trials are needed to confirm the benefits of long-term treatment with dimethyl fumarate.
The Impact of African Firms’ Utilization of Financial and Technology Resource on Innovation: A Simple Mediation
Authors: Mabula Juma Buhimila , Dong Ping Han , James Moshi
Published: February 2023

This study aimed at analyzing the influence of the use of technology on the use of financial services and innovation of SMEs in Africa. The study further analyzes the mediating role of the use of financial services on firm use of technology-innovation relationships among SMEs in Africa. The study utilizes data retrieved from the enterprise survey portal. The analysis employs multiple regression to test the models using SPSS, and the Sobel test further examines mediation. The results reveal a significant positive association of firm use of technology on the use of financial services and innovation. Also, there is a positive association between the use of financial services and SME innovations in Africa. The study found partial mediation of the use of financial services on the use of technology-innovation relationships. The results have implications on African SMEs need to amplify the sensitization and emphasis on fostering the use of technology in innovating new products and processes. While promoting innovation, the use of technology can enhance financial inclusion resulting in wider and deeper financing options for enterprises in Africa, which are deeply hampered by financial and technological vulnerability.
Comparison of the Clinical and Radiological Outcomes of Full-Endoscopic Laminotomy and Conventional Subtotal Laminectomy for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Kim Jung-Hoon , Kim Young-Jin , Ryu Kyeong-Sik , Kim Jin-Sung
Published: February 2023

Study Design

Randomized controlled trial

Objective

The primary objective of this study was to compare the short-term clinical and radiological outcomes of full-endoscopic lumbar laminotomy (FEL) with those of subtotal lumbar laminectomy (STL) for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS).

Methods

In this prospective randomized trial a total of 52 patients were enrolled from May 2016 to September 2021 after providing written informed consent. The authors investigated 45 patients who were followed up for more than 6 months.

Results

There were significant improvements in visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores after the operation in both groups. The FEL group tended to have significantly shorter hospital stay. Interestingly, a statistically significant increase in postoperative lumbar lordosis and segmental angle was observed in the FEL group and both groups, respectively. Spondylolisthesis was exacerbated or newly developed in five of the 21 patients (24%) in the STL group. In contrast, improvement in spondylolisthesis was observed in two of the 24 patients (8%) in the FEL group. There were no complications that resulted in fatal sequelae and no significant difference in the complication rate.

Conclusions

The clinical results of FEL were similar to those of STL. In addition, the results of FEL were superior to those of STL in terms of a decrease in the postoperative length of stay and radiologic instability, such as iatrogenic spondylolisthesis. The results of this study indicate that FEL is a comparable surgical method to STL for LSS.
Pandemics, health diplomacy, and peacebuilding
Authors: Hwang Wonjae , Gates Scott , Lee Sang-Hwan
Published: February 2023

The articles in this special issue address such questions as: How do states approach global health issues? How have they utilized health diplomacy and for what purposes? What are the principal challenges? How do pandemics affect conflict, and vice versa? Has health diplomacy effectively addressed global health concerns particularly in conflict-torn societies? This special issue contributes to our understanding of pandemics, health diplomacy, and peace by highlighting issues associated with responses to global health issues and health diplomacy. The articles offer novel perspectives for analyzing the prospects for global health and security.
Can Gratitude Counter Workplace Toxicity? Exploring the Mediating Role of Psychological Capital (PsyCap)
Authors: Sarkar Ayatakshee , Garg Naval , Srivastava DK , Punia BK
Published: February 2023

Gratitude is essential in positive organizational scholarship and is said to flourish and prosper organization members. This article aims to investigate the role of gratitude in transforming a toxic workplace into a collaborative work environment by exploring the mediating role of psychological capital (Psycap). The results reveal that gratitude practiced by the employees at the workplace can counter workplace toxicity and enhance a collaborative work environment, creating harmony in society. The study proposes the institutionalization of a gratitude-based organizational culture that prevents workplace toxicity and supports a collaborative work environment. The study is one of the pioneer studies that tried to unlock the “black box” through which dispositional gratitude can help build workplace harmony and collaboration.
Innovation and Inter-organizational Network: Systematic Review and Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Ceesay Lamin B.
Published: February 2023

This article presents a systematic review and bibliometric analysis of research linking the inter-organizational business network and innovation research. It also discusses previous research on the subject and identify gaps for future studies. A review was done using the dimensions database. This was undertaken using specific keywords search in the title, abstract, and keywords of papers. The review revealed that the research in the field is growing fast. In fact, the paper has established that the UK, the US, and Italy respectively, have dominated publications in terms of the most influential countries for research in the field of inter-organizational business networks. The content review of papers showed that the papers were mainly trying to address the phenomena (the antecedents, management of the network, and network performance outcomes). These categories are not mutually exclusive but would help us to organize the fragmented literature on the topic. This article reviews and discusses the empirical literature on inter-organizational innovation networks and shows that the field is highly fragmented. While some areas have gained considerable research attention, others have experienced a relative paucity of research, and thus topics for future research are discussed.
Impact of COVID-19 on youth’s mental health in Egypt
Authors: Aboushady Ahmed Taha , Seddik Salma , Zohny Mennatullah , Masoud Mahmoud , Nawwar Ahmed Essam , Mahmoud Omneya Mostafa , Elkaffas Aly Khaled Mohamed Helmy , Mohamed Abubakr Noha , Hegazy Amira Aly
Published: February 2023

Background:

Youth represent 21% of the Egyptian population; such proportion can create a leading demographic power for economic development and transition. However, with the current COVID-19 pandemic, everyone is exposed to more than usual stressors, adding a burden to their mental health and well-being.

Aim:

This study aims to understand the pandemic’s effect on youth’s mental health in Egypt to strengthen the intervention areas needed to tackle such issues.

Methods:

This observational, analytical, cross-sectional study employed internet platforms of Facebook & WhatsApp groups for a web-based survey that included 412 respondents between 15 and 30 years old. RESULTS The median age of the respondents was 22 years. At least 30% reported increased violence in the street and/or household, and 27.4% of the respondents have considered visiting a psychiatrist during the last period.

Conclusion:

It is evident that the current situation is unprecedented and challenging for everyone; however, some populations are more vulnerable than others. Thus, it’s important to support young people to ensure that the whole community can withstand the pandemic. The governments should support and mitigate some of the stresses that can be directly amended, like the education and job security concerns.
Distributed Leadership in Projects: The Contributions of Stakeholders
Authors: Kortantamer Dicle
Published: February 2023

This article examines how stakeholders contribute to leading a project. Using a longitudinal study of a project embedded in a public project portfolio, the article uncovers a leadership configuration in which project portfolio and project actors come together in four patterns: top-down influence, transactional exchange, pooled leadership, and co-leadership. This configuration reveals integrated leadership units, the possibility of senior managers to both constrain and channel project manager contributions, and a wider variety of leadership patterns in horizontal and vertical relationships. These insights offer a more comprehensive account of distributed leadership that contributes to the development of leadership capacity in projects.
A novel concept of photosynthetic soft membranes: a numerical study
Authors: Falciani Gabriele , Bergamasco Luca , Bonke Shannon A. , Sen Indraneel , Chiavazzo Eliodoro
Published: February 2023

We focus on a novel concept of photosynthetic soft membranes, possibly able to allow the conversion of solar energy and carbon dioxide (CO$$_2$$

2

) into green fuels. The considered membranes rely on self-assembled functional molecules in the form of soap films. We elaborate a multi-scale and multi-physics model to describe the relevant phenomena, investigating the expected performance of a single soft photosynthetic membrane. First, we present a macroscale continuum model, which accounts for the transport of gaseous and ionic species within the soap film, the chemical equilibria and the two involved photocatalytic half reactions of the CO$$_2$$

2

reduction and water oxidation at the two gas–surfactant–water interfaces of the soap film. Second, we introduce a mesoscale discrete Monte Carlo model, to deepen the investigation of the structure of the functional monolayers. Finally, the morphological information obtained at the mesoscale is integrated into the continuum model in a multi-scale framework. The developed tools are then used to perform sensitivity studies in a wide range of possible experimental conditions, to provide scenarios on fuel production by such a novel approach.
Multi-round recycling of green waste for the production of iron nanoparticles: synthesis, characterization, and prospects in remediation
Authors: Rónavári Andrea , Balázs Margit , Szilágyi Árpád , Molnár Csaba , Kotormán Márta , Ilisz István , Kiricsi Mónika , Kónya Zoltán
Published: February 2023

Due to the widespread applications of metal nanoparticles (NPs), green synthesis strategies have recently advanced, e.g., methods that utilize extracts made from different plant wastes. A particularly innovative approach to reducing large amounts of available household/agricultural green wastes is their application in nanoparticle generation. Regarding this, the aim of our work was to examine the possibility of upgrading green nanoparticle syntheses from an innovative economic and environmental point of view, namely by investigating the multiple recyclabilities of green tea (GT), coffee arabica (CA), and Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) (VC) waste residues for iron nanoparticle (FeNPs) synthesis. The plant extracts obtained by each extraction round were analyzed individually to determine the amount of main components anticipated to be involved in NPs synthesis. The synthesized FeNPs were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The activity of the generated FeNPs in degrading chlorinated volatile organic compounds (VOC) and thus their future applicability for remediation purposes were also assessed. We have found that VC and especially GT residues could be reutilized in multiple extraction rounds; however, only the first extract of CA was suitable for FeNPs’ generation. All of the obtained FeNPs could degrade VOC with efficiencies GT1-Fe 91.0%, GT2-Fe 83.2%, GT3-Fe 68.5%; CA1-Fe 76.2%; VC1-Fe 88.2%, VC2-Fe 79.7%, respectively, where the number (as in GT3) marked the extraction round. These results indicate that the adequately selected green waste material can be reutilized in multiple rounds for nanoparticle synthesis, thus offering a clean, sustainable, straightforward alternative to chemical methods.

Graphical abstract
Model performance and interpretability of semi-supervised generative adversarial networks to predict oncogenic variants with unlabeled data
Authors: Ren Zilin , Li Quan , Cao Kajia , Li Marilyn M. , Zhou Yunyun , Wang Kai
Published: February 2023

Background

It remains an important challenge to predict the functional consequences or clinical impacts of genetic variants in human diseases, such as cancer. An increasing number of genetic variants in cancer have been discovered and documented in public databases such as COSMIC, but the vast majority of them have no functional or clinical annotations. Some databases, such as CiVIC are available with manual annotation of functional mutations, but the size of the database is small due to the use of human annotation. Since the unlabeled data (millions of variants) typically outnumber labeled data (thousands of variants), computational tools that take advantage of unlabeled data may improve prediction accuracy.

Result

To leverage unlabeled data to predict functional importance of genetic variants, we introduced a method using semi-supervised generative adversarial networks (SGAN), incorporating features from both labeled and unlabeled data. Our SGAN model incorporated features from clinical guidelines and predictive scores from other computational tools. We also performed comparative analysis to study factors that influence prediction accuracy, such as using different algorithms, types of features, and training sample size, to provide more insights into variant prioritization. We found that SGAN can achieve competitive performances with small labeled training samples by incorporating unlabeled samples, which is a unique advantage compared to traditional machine learning methods. We also found that manually curated samples can achieve a more stable predictive performance than publicly available datasets.

Conclusions

By incorporating much larger samples of unlabeled data, the SGAN method can improve the ability to detect novel oncogenic variants, compared to other machine-learning algorithms that use only labeled datasets. SGAN can be potentially used to predict the pathogenicity of more complex variants such as structural variants or non-coding variants, with the availability of more training samples and informative features.
SigB modulates expression of novel SigB regulon members via Bc1009 in non-stressed and heat-stressed cells revealing its alternative roles in Bacillus cereus
Authors: Yeak Kah Yen Claire , Tempelaars Marcel , Wu Jia Lun , Westerveld Wouter , Reder Alexander , Michalik Stephan , Dhople Vishnu M. , Völker Uwe , Pané-Farré Jan , Wells-Bennik Marjon H. J. , Abee Tjakko
Published: February 2023

Background

TheBacillus cereusSigma B (SigB) dependent general stress response is activated via the two-component RsbKY system, which involves a phosphate transfer from RsbK to RsbY. It has been hypothesized that the Hpr-like phosphocarrier protein (Bc1009) encoded bybc1009in the SigB gene cluster may play a role in this transfer, thereby acting as a regulator of SigB activation. Alternatively, Bc1009 may be involved in the activation of a subset of SigB regulon members.

Results

We first investigated the potential role ofbc1009to act as a SigB regulator but ruled out this possibility as the deletion ofbc1009did not affect the expression ofsigBand other SigB gene cluster members. The SigB-dependent functions of Bc1009 were further examined inB. cereusATCC14579 via comparative proteome profiling (backed up by transcriptomics) of wt, Δbc1009and ΔsigBdeletion mutants under heat stress at 42 °C. This revealed 284 proteins displaying SigB-dependent alterations in protein expression levels in heat-stressed cells, including a subgroup of 138 proteins for which alterations were also Bc1009-dependent. Next to proteins with roles in stress defense, newly identified SigB and Bc1009-dependent proteins have roles in cell motility, signal transduction, transcription, cell wall biogenesis, and amino acid transport and metabolism. Analysis of lethal stress survival at 50 °C after pre-adaptation at 42 °C showed intermediate survival efficacy ofΔbc1009cells, highest survival of wt, and lowest survival ofΔsigBcells, respectively. Additional comparative proteome analysis of non-stressed wt and mutant cells at 30 °C revealed 96 proteins with SigB and Bc1009-dependent differences in levels: 51 were also identified under heat stress, and 45 showed significant differential expression at 30 °C. This includes proteins with roles in carbohydrate/ion transport and metabolism. Overlapping functions at 30 °C and 42 °C included proteins involved in motility, and ΔsigBand Δbc1009cells showed reduced motility compared to wt cells in swimming assays at both temperatures.

Conclusion

Our results extend theB. cereusSigB regulon to > 300 members, with a novel role of SigB-dependent Bc1009 in the activation of a subregulon of  > 180 members, conceivably via interactions with other transcriptional regulatory networks.
Dissecting the microbial community structure of internal organs during the early postmortem period in a murine corpse model
Authors: Liu Ruina , Zhang Kai , Li Huan , Sun Qinru , Wei Xin , Li Huiyu , Zhang Siruo , Fan Shuanliang , Wang Zhenyuan
Published: February 2023

Background

Microorganisms distribute and proliferate both inside and outside the body, which are the main mediators of decomposition after death. However, limited information is available on the postmortem microbiota changes of extraintestinal body sites in the early decomposition stage of mammalian corpses.

Results

This study investigated microbial composition variations among different organs and the relationship between microbial communities and time since death over 1 day of decomposition in male C57BL/6 J mice by 16S rRNA sequencing. During 1 day of decomposition, Agrobacterium, Prevotella, Bacillus, and Turicibacter were regarded as time-relevant genera in internal organs at different timepoints. Pathways associated with lipid, amino acid, carbohydrate and terpenoid and polyketide metabolism were significantly enriched at 8 h than that at 0.5 or 4 h. The microbiome compositions and postmortem metabolic pathways differed by time since death, and more importantly, these alterations were organ specific.

Conclusion

The dominant microbes differed by organ, while they tended toward similarity as decomposition progressed. The observed thanatomicrobiome variation by body site provides new knowledge into decomposition ecology and forensic microbiology. Additionally, the microbes detected at 0.5 h in internal organs may inform a new direction for organ transplantation.
A comparison of SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen testing with realtime RT-PCR among symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals
Authors: Sabat Jyotsnamayee , Subhadra Subhra , Rath Sonalika , Ho Lal Mohan , Satpathy Tanushree , Pattnaik Dipankar , Pati Sanghamitra , Turuk Jyotirmayee
Published: February 2023

Background

Identification of SARS-CoV-2 positive patients with rapid and cost-effective test methods is the key for isolating infected individuals, interrupting the transmission chain, and thus, containment of the CoVID-19 disease. In this regard, Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) plays an important role at point of care testing but the low sensitivity attributing towards escape of positive cases is reported as a major disadvantage of RAT which led us to evaluate a RAT kit among symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals suspected of CoVID-19.

Methods

We analyzed 329 parallel nasopharyngeal swabs for RAT (Zydus Cadila, India) at the point of collection in a hospital-based facility and RealTime RT-PCR in the laboratory. The performance parameters were analyzed by evaluating the specificity, sensitivity, Negative Predictive Value (NPV), Positive Predictive Value (PPV), and Kappa coefficient.

Results

The sensitivity and specificity were found to be 75.17% and 98.89% respectively. Positive Predictive value was 98.25% and the negative predictive value was 82.79%. The accuracy between the two techniques was found to be 88.14% with a kappa coefficient of 0.756 (SE: 0.036 and CI at 95%: 0.686 to 0.826) with a good strength of agreement (0.61–0.80) between the two testing techniques. Among the false-negative cases, 22 (59.5%) were asymptomatic having the Cycle Threshold (Ct) range 27 to 32.9 including 12 cases with a history of close contact with the known positive cases (i.e. household contact). The remaining 15 cases (40.5%) were symptomatic having low to moderate Ct values.

Conclusion

It is observed from the results that the false negative result for symptomatic individuals is a matter of concern as it was noted in 4 cases of our study subjects who required hospitalisation later. Also the positives among asymptomatic contacts are important from epidemiological point of view for isolation and curtailing the infection from spreading in a community. These results support the fact that RAT showing sensitivity below 80% can be used for mass screening purposes with provision for additional testing in case of false negative with symptomatic individuals. Also false-negative results should be interpreted cautiously considering the epidemiological link as well as the clinical condition of the patients.
Disease severity in hospitalized COVID-19 patients: comparing routine surveillance with cohort data from the LEOSS study in 2020 in Germany
Authors: Koppe Uwe , Schilling Julia , Stecher Melanie , Rüthrich Maria Madeleine , Marquis Adine , Diercke Michaela , Haselberger Martina , Koll Carolin E. M. , Niebank Michaela , Ruehe Bettina , Borgmann Stefan , Grabenhenrich Linus , Hellwig Kerstin , Pilgram Lisa , Spinner Christoph D. , Paerisch Thomas ,   the LEOSS study group, Spinner Christoph D. , Rüthrich Maria Madeleine , Lanznaster Julia , Borgmann Stefan , Hellwig Kerstin , Vehreschild Maria , Hohmann Christian , Hanses Frank , Wille Kai , Jensen Bjoern-Erik , Hower Martin , Rieg Siegbert , vom Dahl Juergen , Rupp Jan , Roemmele Christoph , Isberner Nora , Rothfuss Katja , Eberwein Lukas , Jung Norma , Westhoff Timm , Dolff Sebastian , Strauss Richard , Voigt Ingo , von Bergwelt-Baildon Michael , Merle Uta , Degenhardt Christian , Beutel Gernot , Walter Lorenz , Göpel Siri , Gruener Beate , Rauschning Dominic , Trauth Janina , Milovanovic Milena , de With Katja , Markart Philipp , Rueddel Jessica , Friedrichs Anette , Kielstein Jan , Tometten Lukas , Heigener David , Wojtecki Lars , Schubert Joerg , Guggemos Wolfgang , Roeseler Stefani , Neufang Mark
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Studies investigating risk factors for severe COVID-19 often lack information on the representativeness of the study population. Here, we investigate factors associated with severe COVID-19 and compare the representativeness of the dataset to the general population.

Methods

We used data from the Lean European Open Survey on SARS-CoV-2 infected patients (LEOSS) of hospitalized COVID-19 patients diagnosed in 2020 in Germany to identify associated factors for severe COVID-19, defined as progressing to a critical disease stage or death. To assess the representativeness, we compared the LEOSS cohort to cases of hospitalized patients in the German statutory notification data of the same time period. Descriptive methods and Poisson regression models were used.

Results

Overall, 6672 hospitalized patients from LEOSS and 132,943 hospitalized cases from the German statutory notification data were included. In LEOSS, patients above 76 years were less likely represented (34.3% vs. 44.1%). Moreover, mortality was lower (14.3% vs. 21.5%) especially among age groups above 66 years. Factors associated with a severe COVID-19 disease course in LEOSS included increasing age, male sex (adjusted risk ratio (aRR) 1.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.53–1.86), prior stem cell transplantation (aRR 2.27, 95% CI 1.53–3.38), and an elevated C-reactive protein at day of diagnosis (aRR 2.30, 95% CI 2.03–2.62).

Conclusion

We identified a broad range of factors associated with severe COVID-19 progression. However, the results may be less applicable for persons above 66 years since they experienced lower mortality in the LEOSS dataset compared to the statutory notification data.
Point of care obstetric ultrasound knowledge retention among mid-wives following a training program: a prospective cohort pilot study
Authors: Mubuuke Aloysius G. , Nassanga Rita
Published: February 2023

Background

Obstetric ultrasound has become a routine part of antenatal care in many parts of the world including low income settings. However, there is a shortage of radiologists and sonographers to perform routine obstetric scans in many areas especially in the rural settings of low income countries, despite having equipment available to do this. As a result, Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) has been suggested to bridge this gap by training other health workers such as midwives to perform basic obstetric ultrasound as part of their clinical care.

Methods

It was a prospective cohort pilot study in which trained midwives in point of care obstetric ultrasound were followed up at 6 months post training to assess their knowledge retention. Eleven trained midwives were purposively selected and followed up for knowledge retention. These were trained for 6 weeks and were given a knowledge assessment immediately after training, then given an assessment at 6 months following training. Data was analyzed using SPSS. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare assessments and perceived knowledge as well as Spearman correlation to test the relationship between the number of scans performed and exam assessments, knowledge and exam assessments, and number of scans and knowledge.

Results

There were eleven midwives, all female with an average age of 42.3 years. The mean exam score (out of 50) was 44.2 at the end of the training and 42.9 at 6-months follow up. The midwives demonstrated higher perceived knowledge at the end of the training when compared to the 6-months follow up. However, this perceived higher knowledge was not statistically significant when correlated with the exam scores either at the end of the training or at the follow up of 6 months.

Conclusion

This pilot study has demonstrated that training midwives in point of care obstetric ultrasound can result into acceptable levels of knowledge retention that assist the midwives to apply this knowledge when making routine clinical decisions in relation to pregnant women.
Suprachoroidal triamcinolone acetonide for the treatment of macular edema associated with retinal vein occlusion: a pilot study
Authors: Ali Boushra M. , Azmeh Arwa M. , Alhalabi Nawras M.
Published: February 2023

Background

Suprachoroidal Drug Delivery has emerged in recent years as a novel promising approach, which may help address the clinical unmet needs in the management of Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO) associated Macular Edema (ME). In this study, we aim to evaluate the feasibility in regard of the potential efficacy and safety of suprachoroidal injection of Triamcinolone Acetonide (TA) using a microinjector as a mono-treatment of ME due to RVO.

Methods

This trial included 16 eyes of 16 patients with RVO associated ME presenting to the department of ophthalmology, Al Mouwasat university hospital, Syria. 4 mg of preserved TA was injected suprachoroidally 4 mm away from the inferotemporal limbus using a patient-customized microinjector. After injection, patients were followed after 1 week then monthly for 3 months.

Primary outcome measures included the percentage of participants with best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) gain≥15 letters and increased intraocular pressure (IOP) ≥ 20 mmHg in months 1,2, and 3, secondary measures included mean change from baseline BCVA, central subfield thickness (CST), and IOP through each of the follow-up points in addition to other measures.

Results

After injection, BCVA gain≥15 letters occurred in 68.7, 62.5, 50, 50% of patients at week 1 and through months 1,2 and 3 respectively, the mean BCVA improved significantly by 16.4, 16, 14.4, and 11.9 letters (p-value< 0.0005) at week 1 and months 1,2 and 3 respectively. This visual gain was associated with a significant reduction of CST by 290.94 ± 181.76 (week-1) (p-value< 0.0005), 274.31 ± 184.60 (month-1) (p-value< 0.0005), 183.50 ± 165.61 (month-2) (p-value = 0.006) and 137,75 ± 156.25 μm (month-3) (p-value = 0.038). We reported one case of increased IOP ≥ 20 mmHg in the first month that decreased in the second month. The mean change of IOP readings was not statistically significant, with an increase ranging from 0.75 mmHg after the first week (p-value = 0.09) and 0.5 mmHg after 3 months (p-value = 0.72).

Conclusion

This study suggests that suprachoroidal TA could be well tolerated and efficacious as a mono-treatment of RVO associated ME. Future clinical trials are required to confirm its longer-term safety and efficacy and to compare this efficacy with the other therapeutic options.

Trial registration

This study was retrospectively registered at clinicaltrials.gov (ID: NCT05038072) on 08/09/2021.

This article was published as a preprint on 22/06/2022. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-1701105/v1.
Development of an implantable collamer lens sizing model: a retrospective study using ANTERION swept-source optical coherence tomography and a literature review
Authors: Kim Taein , Kim Su Jeong , Lee Bo Young , Cho Hye Jin , Sa Beom Gi , Ryu Ik Hee , Kim Jin Kuk , Lee In Sik , Han Eoksoo , Kim Hyungsu , Yoo Tae Keun
Published: February 2023

Background

Optimal sizing for phakic intraocular lens (EVO-ICL with KS-AquaPort) implantation plays an important role in preventing postoperative complications. We aimed to formulate optimal lens sizing using ocular biometric parameters measured with a Heidelberg anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) device.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 892 eyes of 471 healthy subjects treated with an intraocular collamer lens (ICL) and assigned them to either the development (80%) or validation (20%) set. We built vault prediction models using the development set via classic linear regression methods as well as partial least squares and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression techniques. We evaluated prediction abilities based on the Bayesian information criterion (BIC) to select the best prediction model. The performance was measured using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and the mean squared error (MAE) between the achieved and predicted results.

Results

Measurements of aqueous depth (AQD), anterior chamber volume, anterior chamber angle (ACA) distance, spur-to-spur distance, crystalline lens thickness (LT), and white-to-white distance from ANTERION were highly associated with the ICL vault. The LASSO model using the AQD, ACA distance, and LT showed the best BIC results for postoperative ICL vault prediction. In the validation dataset, the LASSO model showed the strongest correlation (r = 0.582, P < 0.001) and the lowest MAE (104.7 μm).

Conclusion

This is the first study to develop a postoperative ICL vault prediction and lens-sizing model based on the ANTERION. As the measurements from ANTERION and other AS-OCT devices are not interchangeable, ANTERION may be used for optimal ICL sizing using our formula. Because our model was developed based on the East Asian population, further studies are needed to explore the role of this prediction model in different populations.
Coexistence of proboscis lateralis and multiple craniofacial, neurological, cardiac and spinal deformities: a one-of-a-kind case report
Authors: Zaidi Asiya Kamber , Arif Aabiya , Butt Mehwish , Tebha Sameer Saleem , Ray Ishita , Yosufi Abubakr , Dehgani-Mobaraki Puya
Published: February 2023

Background

Proboscis lateralis (PL) is an uncommon congenital facial deformity marked by the protrusion of a primitive tubular structure made up of skin and soft tissue that generally emerges from the eye's medial canthus and is associated with some craniofacial deformities. We report the first case of PL with multiple craniofacial, neurological, cardiac, and spinal anomalies.

Case presentation

A full-term female baby delivered by cesarean section cried immediately at birth. The mother reported having a normal pregnancy but has a history of x-ray during her first trimester. The baby was born with a rare presentation of proboscis lateralis which was accompanied by multiple anomalies, including but not limited to bilateral colpocephaly, corpus callosum agenesis, complex cyanotic congenital heart disease, and hemivertebra of the T10 body.

Conclusion

PL is an uncommon congenital condition that causes a variety of craniofacial abnormalities. Multiple additional defects affecting various organ systems should also be evaluated in a person diagnosed with PL.