bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-Term Cardiovascular outcomes Differ Across Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease Subtypes
Authors: Lee Hokyou , Lim Tae Seop , Kim Seung Up , Kim Hyeon Chang
Published: April 2022

Background & Aims: The new metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) criteria include three distinct subtypes: MAFLD with diabetes mellitus (DM), overweight/obese (OW), or lean/normal weight with metabolic dysfunction. We investigated whether long-term cardiovascular disease outcomes differ across the MAFLD subtypes.Methods: From a nationwide health screening database, we included 8,412,730 participants (48.6% male) aged 40-64 years, free of cardiovascular disease history, between 2009 and 2010. Participants were categorized into non-MAFLD, OW-MAFLD, lean-MAFLD, and DM-MAFLD. The primary outcome was a composite cardiovascular disease event, including myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, heart failure, or cardiovascular disease-related death. The presence of advanced liver fibrosis was estimated using a BARD score ≥2. Results: Among the study participants, 3,087,640 (36.7%) had MAFLD, among which 2,424,086 (78.5%), 170,761 (5.5%), and 492,793 (16.0%) had OW-MAFLD, lean-MAFLD, and DM-MAFLD, respectively. Over a median follow-up period of 10.0 years, 169,433 new cardiovascular disease events occurred. With the non-MAFLD group as reference, multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for cardiovascular disease events were 1.16 (1.15-1.18), 1.23 (1.20-1.27), and 1.82 (1.80-1.85) in the OW-MAFLD, lean-MAFLD, and DM-MAFLD groups, respectively. Participants with lean-MAFLD or DM-MAFLD had a higher cardiovascular disease risk than those with OW-MAFLD, irrespective of metabolic abnormalities or comorbidities. The presence of advanced liver fibrosis was significantly associated with a higher cardiovascular disease risk in each MAFLD subtype.Conclusion: Long-term cardiovascular disease outcomes differed across the MAFLD subtypes. Further studies are required to investigate whether preventive or therapeutic interventions should be optimized according to the MAFLD subtypes.
Soluble factors in COVID mRNA Vaccine-Induced Myocarditis Causes Cardiomyoblast Hypertrophy and Cell injury: A Case Report
Authors: Paredes-Vazquez Jose Gildardo , Rubio-Infante Nestor , Garza Hector Lopez-de la , Brunck Marion E G , Guajardo-Lozano Jaime Alberto , Ramos Martin R , Vazquez-Garza Eduardo , Torre-Amione Guillermo , Garcia-Rivas Gerardo , Jerjes-Sanchez Carlos
Published: April 2022

Background: Inflammation affecting the heart and surrounding tissues is a clinical condition recently reported following COVID mRNA vaccination. Assessing trends of these events related to immunization will improve vaccine safety surveillance and best practices for forthcoming vaccine campaigns. However, the causality is unknown, and the mechanisms associated with cardiac myocarditis are not understood. Case presentation: After the first dose, we reported an mRNA vaccine-induced perimyocarditis in a young patient with a history of recurrent myocardial inflammation episodes and progressive loss of cardiac performance. We tested this possible inflammatory cytokine-mediated cardiotoxicity after vaccination in the acute phase, and we found a significant elevation of MCP-1, IL-18, and IL-8 inflammatory mediators. Still, at the recovery phase, these cytokines decreased considerably. We used cardiomyoblast in culture to test the effect of serum on cell viability, observing that serum from the acute phase reduced the cell viability to 75%. We did not detect this cellular injury in the sera from the patient in the recovery phase. We also tested serum-induced hypertrophy, a phenomenon presented in myocarditis, and heart failure. We found that acute phase-serum has hypertrophy effects, increasing 25% of the treated cardiac cells' surface and significantly increasing B-type natriuretic peptide. However, we did not observe the hypertrophic effect in the recovery phase or sera from healthy controls. Conclusion: Our results opened the possibility of the inflammatory cytokine or serum soluble mediators-mediated toxicity associated effects. In this regard, identifying anti-inflammatory compounds that reduce inflammatory cytokines could be helpful to avoid vaccine-induced myocardial inflammation.
RNF185 is required for K27-linked polyubiquitination to downregulate Ebola virus glycoprotein GP1,2 expression by reticulophagy
Authors: Zhang Jing , Wang Bin , Johnson Silas , Richard Schwartz , Zheng Yong-Hui
Published: April 2022

Reticulophagy reduces Zaire Ebolavirus (EBOV) glycoprotein GP1,2 expression, and thus increases viral fitness. Reticulophagy degrades endoplasmic reticulum (ER) subdomains containing misfolded proteins to restore the ER proteostasis, but whether degraded cargo proteins are polyubiquitinated is still unknown. Here, we show that the calnexin-calreticulin cycle promoted EBOV-GP1,2 misfolding via PDIA3/ERp57, and that misfolded GP1,2 was degraded via reticulophagy dependent on ATG3, ATG5, and SQSTM1/p62. EBOV-GP1,2 degradation also required its lysine 673 (K673), which served as a substrate for K27-linked ubiquitination. Although E3 ubiquitin ligases RNF26, RNF185, MARCH8, and TRIM25 either degraded or polyubiquitinated EBOV-GP1,2, only RNF185 had both activities. Thus, RNF185 polyubiquitinates misfolded EBOV-GP1,2 in the ER and then SQSTM1/p62 recruits polyubiquitinated GP1,2 into autophagosomes for autophagic degradation. We conclude that ubiquitin is required for reticulophagy, which has played a major role in other autophagic pathways. In addition, EBOV infection should be blocked by enhanced GP1,2 degradation via reticulophagy.
Endoscopic Surgery Versus Drainage of Hematoma under Robot CAS-R-2 for Treatment of Basal Ganglia Hemorrhage
Authors: Zou Dongdong , Chen Xin , Zhang Pengqi , Lu Youming , Zhang Aijun , Yuan Lei , Wei Fance
Published: April 2022

Aims: To compare Endoscopic Surgery and Robot CAS-R-2 drainage for surgical treatment of basal ganglia hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage. Methods: Fifty consecutive basal ganglia hemorrhage patients were reviewed retrospectively. The primary and secondary outcomes were 6-months mortality and 6-months modified Rankin Scale score, which were assessed by a multivariate logistic regression mode.Results: Compared with the Robot CAS-R-2 group, the 6-month prognosis was significantly higher in the endoscopic evacuation group (OR 5.912, 95% CI 1.014-34.459). Preoperative hematoma volume (OR = 0.931, 95% CI 0.875-0.990) and IVH (OR = 0.578, 95% CI0.396-0.844) were independent predictors for 6-month prognosis. No significant difference in the mortality was found in the two groups (OR 0.501, 95% CI 0.192-1.308).Conclusion: Endoscopic hematoma removal significantly improved the 6-month prognosis compared with the drainage of hematoma under Robot CAS-R-2.
Formation of synthetic RNA protein granules using engineered phage-coat-protein -RNA complexes
Authors: Granik Naor , Katz Noa , Willinger Or , Goldberg Sarah , Amit Roee
Published: April 2022

Liquid-solid transition, also known as gelation, is a specific form of phase separation in which the interacting molecules cross-link to form a highly interconnected compartment with solid – like dynamical properties. Here, we utilize RNA hairpin coat-protein binding sites to form synthetic RNA based gel-like granules via liquid-solid phase transition. we show both in-vitro and in-vivo that hairpin containing synthetic long non-coding RNA (slncRNA) molecules granulate into bright localized puncta. We further demonstrate that upon introduction of the coat-proteins, less-condensed gel-like granules form with the RNA creating an outer shell with the proteins mostly present inside the granule. Moreover, by tracking puncta fluorescence signals over time, we detected addition or shedding events of slncRNA-CP nucleoprotein complexes. Consequently, our granules constitute a genetically encoded storage compartment for protein and RNA with a programmable controlled release profile that is determined by the number of hairpins encoded into the RNA. Our findings have important implications for both the potential regulatory role that naturally occurring granules play and for the broader biotechnology and gene-expression sectors.
Interventions supporting cancer patients in making decisions regarding participation in clinical trials - a systematic review
Authors: Hillersdal Line , Nielsen Zandra Engelbak , Nørmark Ane Taudorf , Knop Ann Soeegaard , Piil Karin
Published: April 2022

Objective: Existing research on the perspectives of patients with cancer and health care professionals indicates that patient decision making on cancer clinical trial participation is a complex process and that Patients’ reasoning may be poorly understood, possibly compromising their decision to participate. This systematic narrative review describes interventions that support patients in their decision to participate and assesses the qualities of the interventions, measures used and related outcomes. Methods: Six databases were systematically searched and only studies evaluating interventions that support the decision making of adult patients with cancer to enter a cancer clinical trial were included. Ten articles met the criteria. Results: The research focus of the included studies reflected the multifactorial nature of what constitutes support for patient decision making in terms of entering a cancer clinical trial. However, most interventions were based on the hypothesis that more information leads to support in decision making, and did not take other factors, such as the relationship to the clinical staff or relatives, the patients’ strong hope for therapeutic benefit or other existential needs into account. The interventions were primarily based on a specific tool, executed once, which seems to imply that decisions need only to be supported once and not at several time points throughout the decision process, and did not assess the importance of a patient’s family- or social relations. Moreover, few interventions focused on the patients’ counselling experience or assessed patient preferences in relation to decision making. Conclusions: The findings show a lack of research on interventions to support patients’ decision making that takes other factors, apart from improving knowledge of trials, into account, such as patients' relationship to the clinical staff or relatives, patients’ strong hope for therapeutic benefit or other existential needs. Limited evidence exists on the effectiveness of decision support interventions to improve the experience of support in adult patients with cancer. Interventions that take the social context of decision processes into account need to be developed and assessed.
Comparison of canine owner profile according to food choice: An online preliminary survey in France.
Authors: Hoummady sara , Fantinati Marco , Maso Djerene , Bynens Aurélie , Banuls Damien , Santos Natalia Ribeiro Dos , Roche Mélanie , Priymenko Nathalie
Published: April 2022

Background
Nowadays, more people are treating dogs as family members. This reflects their increased attention towards their nutrition, with renewed interest for non-conventional diets such as Biologically Appropriate Raw Food/ Bones and Raw Food in United States (BARF) or homemade. In previous studies, owners feeding their dog non-conventional diets reported lower levels of trust in veterinary advice. The aim of the study was to identify differences in lifestyle between owners feeding dogs non-conventional diets and those feeding conventional diets (i.e., dry/wet pet food) to give further insight for improving communication between veterinarians and owners.
Results
A total of 426 surveys were usable. Fifteen percent of the participants lived in the metropole of Paris and had more than one dog (mean 1.72 dogs). Thirty-eight percent of the survey respondents stated that their dogs were fed exclusively with non-conventional diets, while 55% declared using conventional diets alone (not considering treats). The study canine population was for the most part neutered (63%) and purebred (68%). Amongst owners feeding conventional diets exclusively, 47% determined how much food to feed by consulting the feeding guidelines on the packaging, and only 28% said that the amount of food was prescribed by their veterinarian or veterinary nurse. Out of the participants feeding non-conventional diets, 65% declared that the information for formulating the recipes was gathered on the internet or in non-veterinary books. When compared with owners feeding exclusively conventional diets, those feeding non-conventional diets were living more frequently outside the metropole of Paris, had fewer children (0.23 ± 0.57 vs 0.37 ± 0.78; p = 0.03) and had more frequently other animals. They also dewormed less often their pets, walked their dog more each day (91 vs 78%; p < 0.001) and without leash for more than 6 h per week (46 vs 31%; p = 0.003).
Conclusions
This survey described differences in the habits of owners feeding dogs non-conventional diets in comparison with those feeding conventional diets. Data suggest that owners using non-conventional diets may be more attentive to the ethological needs of their dog which could be a starting point for practitioners for achieving better client-veterinarian communication.
Multitrack and multianchor point screw technique combined with the Wiltse approach for lesion debridement in the treatment of lumbar tuberculosis
Authors: Yuan Yu-fei , Ren Zhi-xin , Li Yan-bao , Zhang Cun , Li Guan-jun , Liu Bing-zhi , Li Xiao-dong , Li Jian-fei , Miao Jie
Published: April 2022

Backgroud: To study the safety and efficacy of the multitrack and anchor point screw technique combined with the Wiltse approach for lesion debridement in the treatment of lumbar tuberculosis. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 13 patients with lumbar spinal tuberculosis in our department from October 2014 to January 2021 who underwent unilateral multitrack multianchor screw fixation combined with contralateral Wiltse approach lesion debridement. Preoperative and final follow-up C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), preoperative, 3 months after operation, final follow-up low back pain visual analogue scale (VAS), and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were used for statistical analysis. The American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grades were recorded before surgery, 3 months after surgery, and at the final follow-up for all patients to evaluate the clinical effect of the surgery. Results: The average age of the 13 patients was 60.15±10.31 years old, the average operation time was 150.92±37.32 minutes, and the average blood loss was 415.39±151.91 mL; CRP (3.05±1.82 mg/L) and ESR (5.57±3.70 mm/h) returned to normal, and the difference was statistically significant compared with those before the operation (P<0.01). The VAS score for low back pain in all patients was significantly decreased. The VAS scores for low back pain were 2.23±0.73 and 0.54±0.66 at 3 months after the operation and at the last follow-up, respectively, compared with 7.54±0.97 before the operation, and the difference was statistically significant. (P<0.01). The average preoperative ODI score was 80.31%±3.35% and decreased to 29.08%±1.94% and 19.54%±2.18% at 3 months after the operation and at the last follow-up, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant. (P<0.01). The symptoms of all patients with neurological dysfunction were relieved, and the ASIA grade increased by 1-2 grades at the last follow-up. The mean follow-up time for all patients was 18.23±4.69 months, and the mean bone fusion time was 8.85±2.51 months. There were no internal fixation-related complications, no tuberculosis sinus formation, and no recurrence of lumbar tuberculosis. Two patients were cured of postoperative pneumonia by antibiotic treatment. Conclusion: The multitrack multianchor point screw fixation technique combined with contralateral Wiltse approach debridement is an effective and safe method for the treatment of lumbar tuberculosis.
Electronic structures and stability of double-walled armchair (n,n)@(m,m) SiC nanotubes
Authors: Movlarooy Tayebeh , Motaharinejad Mehdi , HessamiPilehrood Saeid
Published: April 2022

In this work, we have investigated the stability and electronic properties of armchair double-walled SiC nanotubes (DWSiCNTs) based on density functional theory (DFT) with the SIESTA package. The calculation has been performed on the armchair (4,4)@(n,n) and (5,5)@(n,n) DWSiCNTs with (n = 7 to15). The stability calculation of DWSiCNTs shows that the armchair DWSiCNTs with difference chirality of 4, (n,n)@(n + 4,n + 4) and inter-wall distance of 3.65 Å are the most stable structures. Considering the electronic band structure points that all armchair nanotubes are semiconductors with indirect bandgap. Moreover, it is revealed that the value of the bandgap increases by increasing inter-wall distances, and the process of change at higher inter-wall distances be almost constant. In addition, the bandgap of double-walled SiC nanotubes is smaller than that of their single-walled nanotubes. The consequences of this investigation can certainly be helpful in future experimental studies.
Barriers to childhood tuberculosis case detection and management in Cambodia: the perspectives of healthcare providers and caregivers
Authors: An Yom , Teo Alvin Kuo Jing , Huot Chan Yuda , Tieng Sivanna , Khun Kim Eam , Pheng Sok Heng , Leng Chhenglay , Deng Serongkea , Song Ngak , Nop Sotheara , Nonaka Daisuke , Yi Siyan
Published: April 2022

Background: Childhood tuberculosis (TB) case detection remains low in many high-burden countries, including Cambodia. Healthcare providers and caregivers play a critical role in improving childhood TB screening and treatment. This study aimed to determine the barriers to childhood TB detection and management from the perspectives of healthcare providers and caregivers in Cambodia. Method: We conducted this qualitative study between November and December 2020. In-depth interviews were done with 16 healthcare providers purposively selected from four operational districts and 28 caregivers of children with TB and children in close contact with bacteriological confirmed pulmonary TB residing under the coverage of the selected health centers. Data were analyzed using thematic analyses. Results: Mean ages of healthcare providers and caregivers were 40.19 years (standard deviation [SD] 11.89) and 47.93 years (SD 14.63), respectively. Male was predominant among healthcare providers (93.75%), whereas three-fourths of caregivers were female, and 28.57% of caregivers were grandparents. Inadequate TB staff, limited knowledge on childhood TB, poor collaboration among healthcare providers in different units on TB screening and management, limited quality of TB diagnostic tools, and interruption of supplies of childhood TB medicines due to maldistribution from higher levels to health facilities were the key barriers to childhood TB case detection and management. Caregivers reported transportation costs to and from health facilities, out-of-pocket expenditure, time-consuming, and no clear explanation from healthcare providers as barriers to childhood TB care-seeking. Aging of caregivers with poor physical conditions, lack of collaboration from caregivers, ignorance of healthcare provider's advice, and parent movement were also identified as barriers to childhood TB case detection and management. Conclusions: The national TB program should further invest in staff development, such as developing a national strategy for human resources for TB and increasing staff motivation, including performance-linked incentives provision. Appropriate TB diagnostic tools (e.g., rapid molecular diagnostic systems and scale-up of functional X-ray machines) should also be rolled out. To avoid drug supply interruptions, childhood TB drug management at all levels should be strengthened, such as drug forecasting, a clear mechanism for drug distribution, and drug monitoring. Increasing community awareness about TB should also be prioritized to increase community participation.
Investigation and modification of a CSSM-based elastic–thermoviscoplastic model for clay
Authors: Fathalikhani Marziyeh , Graham James , Kurz David , Maghoul Pooneh
Published: April 2022

This paper examines the accuracy of a new elastic-thermoviscoplastic (E-TVP) constitutive model developed based on Critical State Soil Mechanics. The model can be used for simulating the temperature dependent, and strain-rate dependent behavior of clay soils. The study compares the E-TVP behavior of a single soil element with previously published thermo-mechanical experimental results performed on saturated clay specimens at different temperatures. Suggestions regarding unloading and reloading at constant temperatures as well as thermal consolidation under constant loads are presented. A modification for unloading-reloading adds a new criterion to the volumetric thermoviscoplastic strain rate formulation. A physics-based term is added to the current specific volume of the soil to include the viscous effect induced by temperature change. These modifications improve the convergence of laboratory data and simulated model responses. Comparisons of results from an earlier E-TVP model and the newly improved model provide evidence of improved predictive capabilities.
Reliability and validity of the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index in a sample of patients with Frozen Shoulder
Authors: Venturin Davide , Giannotta Gabriele , Pellicciari Leonardo , Rossi Alex , Pennella Denis , Goffredo Michela , Poser Antonio
Published: April 2022

Background: The Shoulder and Pain Disability Index (SPADI) is a broadly used outcome measure. The aim of this study is to explore its psychometric properties in a sample of idiopathic frozen shoulder patients.Methods: The SPADI was administered to 124 patients with idiopathic frozen shoulder. The SPADI scores were compared with Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (DASH), Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), and 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Structural validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, measurement error, and construct validity were analyzed.Results: The CFA showed good values of all indicators for both pain and disability subscale (CFI=0.999; TLI=0.997; RMSEA=0.030). A remarkably good internal consistency (α for pain=0.859; α for disability=0.895) was shown for both the subscales. Moreover, high test-retest reliability value was found (ICC for pain=0.989 [95% CI=0.975-0.995]; ICC for disability=0.990 [95% CI=0.988-0.998], together with SEM value of 4.52% and 2.82% and MDC value of 12.54% and 7.81% for pain and disability subscale, respectively. Construct validity was satisfactory, as ≥75% of the expected correlations were met for each subscale.Conclusion: The SPADI demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties and resulted to be reliable and valid in a sample of idiopathic frozen shoulder patients.
Discovery of a 0.6 Mpc Diffuse HI Structure Associated with Stephan's Quintet
Authors: Xu Cong , Cheng Cheng
Published: April 2022

Stephan's Quintet (SQ) is unique among compact groups of galaxies because of a very rare event currently occurring to it: a high velocity (~1000 km/s) intruder is colliding into a debris field in the intragroup medium (IGM) ^1. The debris has been produced by previous interactions among other members of the group, although the exact details and timing remains to be understood. Here we report the discovery of a very large diffuse atomic hydrogen (HI) structure (size ~ 0.6 Mpc) revealing new clues for the early history of the group (> 1 Gyr ago). This is the largest of such structures ever found in the vicinity of a group. Thanks to the size of the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST), its exceptionally sensitive and large-format 19-beam receiver ^2, our observations achieved the HI column density sensitivity limit of 1 sigma = 4.2 ×10^(16) cm^(-2) per channel (20 km/s) when smoothed to 4’ angular resolution. This is one of the deepest extragalactic HI observations ever made.
Shared and non-shared sIgA-coated and uncoated bacteria in intestine of mother-infant pairs
Authors: Ding Mengfan , Chen Haiqin , Yu Renqiang , Ross R. Paul , Stanton Catherine , Zhang Hao , Yang Bo , Chen Wei
Published: April 2022

Background
The infant gut microbiota is critical for promoting and maintaining early life health. Bacteria coated by secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) may help commensal bacteria colonize the gastrointestinal tract. The study aimed to analyze the composition of sIgA-coated and sIgA-uncoated bacterial communities at genus level, and lactobacilli and bifidobacterial communities at species level in human breast milk (HBM), infant, and maternal feces.
Results
Eleven pregnant women were recruited successfully. HBM, infant feces during colostrum, transition, and mature stages, and maternal feces within the mature stage were collected. sIgA-coated and sIgA-uncoated bacteria were separated with magnetic-activated cell sorting. Then 16S rRNA sequencing, bifidobacterial groEL gene sequencing, and lactobacilli groEL gene sequencing were performed to analyze the bacterial community. The richness of sIgA-coated bacteria was significantly higher than that of sIgA-uncoated bacteria in HBM. PCoA revealed that the compositions of sIgA-coated and sIgA-uncoated bacteria were different among HBM, infant and maternal feces. The dominant sIgA-coated bacteria in those samples were Escherichia/shigella and the dominant sIgA-uncoated bacteria was Pseudomonas. Higher relative abundance of sIgA-uncoated Bifidobacterium was found in the three lactation stages in infant feces compared to the corresponding HBM, and a higher relative abundance of sIgA-uncoated Faecalibacterium was found in maternal feces compared to HBM and infant feces. For the bifidobacterial community, PCoA analysis revealed a significantly different Bifidobacterium composition only in the sIgA-uncoated segments of infant feces and maternal feces. sIgA-coated and sIgA-uncoated B. longum subsp. infantis and B. pseudocatenulatum was dominant in infant feces and maternal feces, respectively. Additionally, the relative abundance of sIgA-uncoated B. longum subsp. infantis was significantly higher in infant feces compared to that in maternal feces. For the Lactobacillus community, the composition was significantly different in infant and maternal feces, while at species level, L. paragasseri and L. mucosae were dominant in infant and maternal feces, respectively.
Conclusion
HBM, infant, and maternal feces showed distinct diversity and composition of both sIgA-coated and sIgA-uncoated bacteria at genus level. Infant and maternal feces showed similar diversity and similar composition of Bifidobacterium at species level. The same Bifidobacterium species could be detected both in sIgA-coated and sIgA-uncoated form.
Thermal vibrational convection in a rotating plane layer
Authors: Kozlov Victor , Rysin Kirill , Vjatkin Aleksei
Published: April 2022

The influence of rotation on the thermal vibrational convection of liquid in a horizontal plane layer is studied experimentally. The convection in the layer is excited by the vibrations of circular polarization in the horizontal plane. The research is carried out in a liquid layer heated from above, under conditions of a strong stabilizing effect of gravity. In this case, the vibrational convection is excited at a relatively high intensity of vibrations and manifests itself in the development of short-wavelength convective structures in the form of beads. It is found that the rotation has a stabilizing effect and increase the vibrational convection excitation threshold. A map of convective stability is plotted on the plane of dimensionless parameters: vibrational parameter, and dimensionless velocity of rotation, for different values of the gravitational Rayleigh number. The results are compared with the classic case of gravitational convection in a rotating layer. It is shown that, similarly to the case of gravitational convection, rotation has a stabilizing effect on vibroconvective stability; the threshold value of the vibration parameter increases with the dimensionless velocity. It is found that at large negative values of the gravitational Rayleigh number, when cellular convective structures of vibroconvective nature are characterized by large wave numbers, in the studied area of the dimensionless frequency, rotation has little effect on the wave number of spatial convective structures, but changes their shape.
Novel bacterial group potentially dominates sulfur cycling in the dark ocean
Authors: Baltar Federico , Martínez-Pérez Clara , Amano Chie , Vial Marion , Robaina-Estevez Semidan , Reinthaler Thomas , Zhao Zihao , Logares Ramiro , Herndl Gerhard , Morales Sergio , González José
Published: April 2022

The dark ocean (>200 m depth) is the largest habitat on Earth. Dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) fixation in the oxygenated waters of the dark ocean is in the same order of magnitude as heterotrophic microbial biomass production 1,2. Recent evidence suggests sulfur oxidation could be a major energy source for deep ocean microbes 3. However, the global relevance and the identity of the major players in sulfur oxidation in the oxygenated deep-water column remain elusive. Here we combined single-cell genomics, community metagenomics, metatranscriptomics and single-cell activity measurements to present a novel, ubiquitous mixotrophic bacterial group (UBA868) dominating the total expression of RuBisCO genes (up to 40%) and of key sulfur oxidation (soxB and rdsrA) genes (up to 100%) in the global dark ocean. Our study also underscores the unrecognized importance of mixotrophic microbes, such as UBA868, in the biogeochemical cycles of the deep ocean.
Inhibition of granulation hyperplasia and scar tissue formation by rapamycin-eluting stents in benign airway stenosis: an animal study
Authors: Chen Feng , Zhang Jie , Qiu Xiao‑Jian , Wang Ting
Published: April 2022

Objective To study the inhibitory effect of rapamycin-eluting stents on the proliferation of granulation tissue and formation of scar tissue in a canine model with benign tracheal stenosis.Methods A benign airway stenosis model of Beagle dogs was created by compressing the trachea with endotracheal intubation and a high-pressure balloon. Six Beagle dogs with comparable degrees of tracheal stenosis were randomly divided into two groups: the rapamycin-eluting stent (RES) group and bare metal stent (BMS) group. Before stent insertion, all the tracheal stenosis were evaluated carefully and dilated with a tracheal balloon. Then, rapamycin-eluting stents and bare metal stents were inserted in the stenosis of Beagle dogs in the RES group and BMS group, respectively. Endoscopic evaluation was performed every 2 weeks after the operation. The degree of inflammation in the airway mucosa and granulation tissue formation in and at both ends of the stents were recorded. After a 12-week observation period, all the Beagle dogs were euthanized, and the tracheas were dissected. Further microscopic evaluation of granulation tissue proliferation and scar tissue formation was undertaken. Results The scores of mucosal airway inflammation in the RES group were lower than those in the BMS group. The rate of tracheal stenosis caused by granulation tissue proliferation and scar tissue formation in the RES group was significantly decreased in comparison with the BMS group, during the follow-up period. All the Beagle dogs were euthanized after 12 weeks and the tracheal tissue around the stents was dissected for fixation and hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining. The degree of granulation tissue proliferation and scar tissue formation in the RES group was significantly lower than that in the BMS group under the microscope.Conclusions Rapamycin-eluting stents may reduce local airway mucosal inflammation and inhibit granulation tissue proliferation and scar tissue formation in dogs with benign airway stenosis and do so to a higher degree than bare metal stents.
Magnetic and thermodynamic substantiation of the efficiency of three-component Ho1-xErxNi2 (x = 0.25, 0.5, 0.75) Laves-phases
Authors: Ćwik Jacek , Koshkidko Jurii , Nenkov Konstantin , Tereshina-Chitrova Evgenia , Małecka Małgorzata , Weise Bruno , Kowalska Karolina
Published: April 2022

A wide variety of intriguing and exciting effects observed in solids results from the coupling of their magnetic sublattice with an applied magnetic field. In particular, it concerns the magneto-thermodynamic phenomenon well-known as the magnetocaloric effect (MCE), which manifests itself in the absorption and emission of heat by a solid under an external magnetic field change. To date, significant efforts have been put into searching for materials with advanced magnetocaloric properties, which show promise as refrigerants that might ensure the reliable and efficient cooling technology being alternative to the conventional gas-compression-based technology. To fulfill the expectations, new compounds with improved and tailored MCE characteristics are designed and efficient procedures for their manufacturing are developed. A great deal of attention has been paid to searching for magnetic refrigerants in view of industrial applications. Systems showing large MCEs at low temperatures are of importance due to their potential utilization in refrigeration for gas liquefaction. We find that the Laves-phase rare-earth-nickel solid solutions give the possibility of reaching high magnetocaloric potentials in a wide temperature range, which is demonstrated by an example of the Ho1xErxNi2 compositions used as components of magnetocaloric composites.
Impact of Delayed Gastric Emptying After Pancreatoduodenectomy on Postoperative Nutritional Status: A Substudy of Prospective, Multicenter Randomized Study
Authors: Mizumoto Takuya , Toyama Hirochika , Matsumoto Ippei , Asari Sadaki , Goto Tadahiro , Nanno Yoshihide , Ishida Jun , So Shinichi , Urade Takeshi , Fukushima Kenji , Gon Hidetoshi , Tsugawa Daisuke , Komatsu Shohei , Kuramitsu Kaori , Yanagimoto Hiroaki , Kido Masahiro , Ajiki Tetsuo , Fukumoto Takumi
Published: April 2022

Purpose
The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for delayed gastric emptying (DGE) and the impact of DGE on postoperative nutritional status after subtotal stomach-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (SSPPD). The pathophysiology of DGE after SSPPD is still unknown, and the precise impact of DGE on various nutritional markers has been scarcely reported.
Methods
The risk factors for DGE were analyzed using a database created for a previously reported randomized controlled trial (UMIN000005827). To investigate the impact of DGE, data on patient nutrition were analyzed.
Results
Data from 196 patients were analyzed. DGE occurred in 30 patients (15.3%). Hand-sewn gastrojejunostomy was found to be significantly associated with DGE (P = 0.005). Serum levels of albumin (3.16 g/dL in patients with DGE versus 3.4 g/dL in patients without DGE) and total cholesterol (125.1 mg/dL in patients with DGE versus 147.2 mg/dL in patients without DGE) in DGE patients were lower at postoperative month (POM) one. There was no statistically significant difference in any of the nutritional parameters at POM three or later. On multivariate analysis, preoperative serum albumin < 3.5 mg/dL (Odds ratio, 3.27; P = 0.002) and DGE (Odds ratio, 2.68; P = 0.043) were significantly associated with decreased serum albumin level (< 3.5 mg/dL) at POM one.
Conclusion
DGE after SSPPD may be associated with hand-sewn gastrojejunostomy. DGE impairs patients’ nutrition for the first postoperative month. However, its effect is limited to no more than three months.
Short-term complications after onlay versus preperitoneal mesh repair of umbilical hernias: a prospective randomized double-blind trial
Authors: Fonseca Mariana Kumaira , Tarso Lissandro , Gus Jader , Cavazzola Leandro Totti
Published: April 2022

PURPOSE: To compare the incidence of surgical site occurrences (SSOs) following onlay versus preperitoneal mesh placement in elective open umbilical hernia repairs.METHODS: This study presents a secondary analysis of a randomized double-blind trial conducted on female patients with primary umbilical hernias admitted to a general hospital, in a residency training program setting. Fifty-six subjects were randomly assigned to either onlay (n=30) or preperitoneal (n=26) mesh repair group. Data on baseline demographics, past medical history, perioperative details, postoperative pain (visual analogue scale, VAS), wound-related complications and recurrence were assessed using a standardized protocol.RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were observed between groups regarding patients’ demographics, comorbidities or defect size. Operative time averaged 67.5 (28 – 110) minutes for onlay and 50.5 (31 – 90) minutes for preperitoneal repairs, p=.03. The overall rate of SSOs was 21.4% (n=12), mainly in the onlay group (33% vs 7.7%; p=0.02, 95% CI 0.03 – 0.85) and mostly due to seromas. There were no between-group significant differences in postoperative VAS scores at all timepoints. After a maximum follow-up of 48 months, one recurrence was reported in the onlay group. By logistic regression, the onlay technique was the only independent risk factor for SSOs. CONCLUSION: The presented data identified a decreased wound morbidity in preperitoneal umbilical hernia repairs, thus providing a good level of evidence for recommendations regarding mesh place selection in future guidelines. Further cases from this ongoing study and completion of follow-up are expected to also compare both techniques in terms of long-term outcomes.
RKIP suppresses influenza A virus-induced airway inflammatory response via the ERK/MAPK pathway
Authors: Ye Jing-Jing , Wei Si-Liang , Wei Yuan-Yuan , Zhang Da-Wei , Sun Li , Wu Hui-Mei , Shen Ji-Long , Yu Li , Wang Yong , Fei Guang-He
Published: April 2022

Objective
RKIP has been demonstrated as an inflammatory inhibiting mediator and involved in many diseases. However, the potential mechanism of RKIP on the inflammatory response induced by IAV was unclear.
Methods
The expression of RKIP and the change of inflammatory response were detected in BEAS-2B, DHBE and pNHBE cells infected by IAV. Locostatin was co-cultured with cells to downregulate the expression of RKIP. RKIP was overexpressed by transfecting lentivirus. And a small molecule inhibitor, SCH772984, specifically inhibited the activation of the ERK/MAPK pathway. C57BL/6 mice were also infected with IAV to further confirm our hypothesis in vivo.
Results
The expression of RKIP decreased inflammatory response was triggered by IAV infection in airway epithelial cells characterized by increased inflammatory cytokines and cell cycle arrest. Meanwhile, the ERK/MAPK pathway was activated by IAV infection. The results also showed that the down-expression of RKIP aggravated the airway inflammatory response. Conversely, overexpression of RKIP effectively alleviated the airway inflammatory response induced by IAV.
Conclusions
This study demonstrated RKIP played a protect role in airway epithelial cells against the inflammation via the ERK/MAPK pathway. Collectively, our findings suggested that RKIP negatively regulates airway inflammation and could be a promising therapeutic strategy for airway inflammatory related diseases induced by IAV.
Case of COVID mRNA Vaccine linked Antiphospholipid Syndrome
Authors: Balbona Eduardo J
Published: April 2022

There have been several reports of thrombotic adverse events after administration of the mRNA COVID vaccine [1] [2]. The onset of autoimmune disease has also been reported following viral illness as well as following vaccination [3]. The antiphospholipid syndrome is an autoimmune hypercoagulable state that can result in thrombotic events such as deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolus, and stroke [4]. The antiphospholipid syndrome has also been reported following natural Covid infection [5]. Herein we present a case of “antiphospholipid syndrome” following COVID mRNA vaccination and associated with life threatening thrombosis.
Systems spatiotemporal dynamics of traumatic brain injury at single cell resolution reveals humanin as a therapeutic target
Authors: Arneson Douglas , Zhang Guanglin , Ahn In Sook , Ying Zhe , Diamante Graciel , Cely Ingrid , Palafox-Sanchez Victoria , Gomez-Pinilla Fernando , Yang Xia
Published: April 2022

Background
The etiology of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) remains elusive due to the tissue and cellular heterogeneity of the affected brain regions that underlie cognitive impairments and subsequent neurological disorders. This complexity is further exacerbated by disrupted circuits within and between cell populations across brain regions and the periphery, which occur at different timescales and in spatial domains.
Methods
We profiled three tissues (hippocampus, frontal cortex, and blood leukocytes) at the acute (24-hr) and subacute (7-day) phases of mTBI at single cell resolution.
Results
We demonstrated that the coordinated gene expression patterns across cell types were disrupted and re-organized by TBI at different timescales with distinct regional and cellular patterns. Gene expression-based network modeling implied astrocytes as a key regulator of the cell-cell coordination following mTBI in both hippocampus and frontal cortex across timepoints, and mt-Rnr2, which encodes the mitochondrial peptide humanin, as a potential target for intervention based on its broad regional and dynamic dysregulation following mTBI. Treatment of a murine mTBI model with humanin reversed cognitive impairment caused by mTBI through the restoration of metabolic pathways within astrocytes.
Conclusions
Our results offer a systems-level understanding of the dynamic and spatial regulation of gene programs by mTBI and pinpoint key target genes, pathways, and cell circuits that are amenable to therapeutics.
Intra-Regional Medical Tourism Demand in Malaysia: A Qualitative Study of Indonesian Medical Tourists’ Rationale and Preferences
Authors:   Faculty of Hotel and Tourism Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selangor, Malaysia, Md Zain Nur Adilah , Connell John ,   School of Geosciences, University of Sydney, Australia, Mohd Zahari Mohd Salehuddin ,   Faculty of Hotel and Tourism Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selangor, Malaysia, Hanafiah Mohd Hafiz ,   Faculty of Hotel and Tourism Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selangor, Malaysia
Published: April 2022

Background: This study aims to explore the Indonesian tourists’ demand for medical tourism services in Malaysia. The study also investigates the Indonesian medical tourists’ profiles and their preference for Malaysia for medical treatment services. Methods: This study conducted interviews with 49 potential patients from Indonesia who received cardiac treatment at the National Heart Institute (IJN) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Results: The findings indicate that the key motives of Indonesian tourists travelling to Malaysia for medical treatment are their disappointment with medical practices and inadequate expertise in Indonesia. Besides, they are motivated by peer recommendations, medical expertise, transparency, administration and hospitality in Malaysia. The study findings show that Indonesian medical tourists can be acknowledged as an elite group with stable and above-average income. Conclusion: Results from the study enable medical tourism marketers to better target and segments their potential medical tourists and develop a strategic medical tourism marketing roadmap. This study shows that the high demand for medical tourism is related to Malaysia’s availability of niche medical services. Besides, this paper expands the understanding of medical tourists’ decision-making and argues its implications for Malaysian health policy and healthcare delivery for the medical tourism industry sustainability.
Healthcare Professionals’ Ethical Responsibility in COVID-19 Vaccination Decision-Making
Authors:   Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah (PAPRSB) Institute of Health Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Brunei Darussalam, Zolkefli Yusrita
Published: April 2022

Healthcare professionals’ decision about whether to receive COVID-19 vaccination is grounded in fundamental ethical bases. This paper considers some of the ethical responsibilities surrounding vaccination. While healthcare professionals have the right to refuse the vaccine, they are urged to reflect on three key responsibilities in making the decision: i) professional responsibility; ii) social responsibility and iii) personal responsibility within the ethical dimension. This paper also argues that, in promoting vaccine acceptance, healthcare organisations have a greater institutional responsibility to be transparent and keep their staff informed about the vaccine to the best of their ability. A balanced and harmonised ethical responsibility of healthcare professionals must be critically considered in making vaccination decisions.
Association of Variants in COMT, RASSF1 and GPM6A with the Risk of Paranoid Schizophrenia Patients in Prof HB Saanin Psychiatric Hospital, West Sumatra, Indonesia
Authors:   Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia, Yunaini Luluk , Khairat Edwina ,   Master’s Programme in Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
Published: April 2022

Background: Schizophrenia is a multifactorial disease in which genetic factors play a greater role than other factors. The genes of importance in schizophrenia patients are the genes that encode for neurotransmitters associated with low minor allele frequency (MAF) scores. This study was aimed to determine the association of genetic variations in catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT), Ras association domain family member 1 (RASSF1) and glycoprotein M6A (GPM6A) with the risk of paranoid schizophrenia (PS) in patients admitted to Prof HB Saanin Psychiatric Hospital, West Sumatra, Indonesia. Methods: Genotyping analysis through polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and PCR-amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) was performed in 100 PS patients and 100 healthy controls. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were used to compare the frequencies of genotype and allotype between the PS and control groups. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated to determine the relative risk of PS with respect to genetic variations. Results: Polymorphism rs13142920 in GPM6A was associated with significantly elevated risk of PS (P = 0.020; OR = 1.60 [95% CI: 1.08, 2.39]). However, COMT rs4680 and RASSF1 rs2073499 polymorphisms were not significantly associated with PS. Conclusion: The GPM6A rs13142920 polymorphism holds great potential as a genetic marker in PS patients.