bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical evaluation the success rate and complications of fluoroscopically guided removal of tracheal tube metallic stents
Authors: Li Zong-Ming , Jiao De-Chao , Han Xin-Wei , Lu Hui-Bin , Ren Ke-Wei , Yang Hong
Published: March 2021

Background

Long-term placement of airway stents has a high probability of restenosis of the airway due to granulation tissue hyperplasia, and it is difficult to remove the stent. Our aim is to evaluate the success rate and complications of removal of tracheal tube metallic stents under fluoroscopic guidance, and to compare the difference between uncovered stent and covered stent.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 45 cases (31 males and 14 females; age, 12–71 years) of tracheal metallic stent removal performed at our center between January 2014 and December 2019. Covered stents were applied in 36 cases, and uncovered stents were applied in 9 cases. In the covered stent group, 15 patients presented with granulation tissue at both ends; 3 cases, with stent fracture; and 2, with stent intolerance due to severe airway foreign body sensation. In the uncovered stents group, all patients presented with granulation tissue formation; 2 patients, with stent fracture; and 1 patient, with stent intolerance.

Results

A total of 41 (91.1%) stents were successfully removed (34 [94.4%] in the covered stent group and 7 [77.8%] in the uncovered stent group). The average duration of stent placement was 3.2 ± 0.7 and 2.5 ± 1.2 months in the covered stent group and uncovered stent group, respectively. With regard to the complications, hemoptysis occurred in 4 cases (average blood volume lost, 100 ml), tracheal mucosa tear occurred in 5 cases, tracheal collapse requiring emergency airway stent placement occurred in 1 case, and tracheal rupture requiring emergency surgical suture occurred in 1 case. No procedure-related deaths occurred in either group.

Conclusions

It is safe to remove the metal stent of the tracheal tube under the guidance of fluoroscopy, with low complications, and can avoid the long-term placement of the airway stent.
Trans-scapular approach coil localization for scapular-blocked pulmonary nodules: a retrospective study
Authors: Wu Juan , Zhang Min-Ge , Chen Jin , Ji Wen-Bin
Published: March 2021

Background

Preoperative computed tomography (CT)-guided coil localization (CL) is commonly used to facilitate video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)-guided diagnostic wedge resection (WR) of pulmonary nodules (PNs). When a scapular-blocked PN (SBPN) is localized, the trans-scapular CL (TSCL) is commonly performed. In this study, we investigated the safety, feasibility, and clinical efficacy of preoperative CT-guided TSCL for SBPNs.

Materials and methods

From January 2014 to September 2020, a total of 152 patients with PNs underwent CT-guided CL prior to VATS-guided WR. Of these patients, 14 had SBPNs and underwent the TSCL procedure.

Results

A total of 14 SBPNs were localized in the 14 patients. The mean diameter of the 14 SBPNs was 7.4 ± 2.4 mm. The technical success rate of the scapula puncture was 100%. No complications occurred near the scapula. The technical success rate of CL was 92.9%. One coil dropped off when performing the VATS procedure. The mean duration of the TSCL was 14.2 ± 2.7 min. Two patients (14.3%) developed asymptomatic pneumothorax after TSCL. The technical success rate of VATS-guided WR was 92.9%. The patient who experienced technical failure of TSCL directly underwent lobectomy. The mean duration of the VATS was 90.0 ± 42.4 min and the mean blood loss was 62.9 ± 37.2 ml. The final diagnoses of the 14 SBPNs included invasive adenocarcinoma (n = 4), adenocarcinoma in situ (n = 9), and benign disease (n = 1).

Conclusions

Preoperative CT-guided TSCL is a safe and simple procedure that can facilitate high success rates of VATS-guided WR of SBPNs.
NMDA GluN2C/2D receptors contribute to synaptic regulation and plasticity in the anterior cingulate cortex of adult mice
Authors: Chen Qi-Yu , Li Xu-Hui , Lu Jing-Shan , Liu Yinglu , Lee Jung-Hyun Alex , Chen Yu-Xin , Shi Wantong , Fan Kexin , Zhuo Min
Published: March 2021

Introduction

N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) play a critical role in different forms of plasticity in the central nervous system. NMDARs are always assembled in tetrameric form, in which two GluN1 subunits and two GluN2 and/or GluN3 subunits combine together. Previous studies focused mainly on the hippocampus. The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is a key cortical region for sensory and emotional functions. NMDAR GluN2A and GluN2B subunits have been previously investigated, however much less is known about the GluN2C/2D subunits.

Results

In the present study, we found that the GluN2C/2D subunits are expressed in the pyramidal cells of ACC of adult mice. Application of a selective antagonist of GluN2C/2D, (2R*,3S*)-1-(9-bromophenanthrene-3-carbonyl) piperazine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid (UBP145), significantly reduced NMDAR-mediated currents, while synaptically evoked EPSCs were not affected. UBP145 affected neither the postsynaptic long-term potentiation (post-LTP) nor the presynaptic LTP (pre-LTP). Furthermore, the long-term depression (LTD) was also not affected by UBP145. Finally, both UBP145 decreased the frequency of the miniature EPSCs (mEPSCs) while the amplitude remained intact, suggesting that the GluN2C/2D may be involved in presynaptic regulation of spontaneous glutamate release.

Conclusions

Our results provide direct evidence that the GluN2C/2D contributes to evoked NMDAR mediated currents and mEPSCs in the ACC, which may have significant physiological implications.
How to recognize and manage psychosomatic pain in the pediatric emergency department
Authors: Cozzi Giorgio , Lucarelli Annunziata , Borrometi Fabio , Corsini Ilaria , Passone Eva , Pusceddu Sara , Morabito Giuliana , Barbi Egidio , Benini Franca
Published: March 2021

Aim

Children and adolescents affected by somatization and somatic symptom disorder commonly refer to emergency services. Due to the absence of specific guidelines for the emergency setting and to a possible lack of knowledge, these patients are at risk of being unrecognized and mismanaged. This study aims at proposing a clinical practice to approach and manage these patients and their families in the emergency setting.

Methods

This manuscript derived from the work of a research group of italian pediatric emergency physicians and anesthesiologists, with an expertise in pain management, members of the PIPER group. The research group reviewed the literature about psychosomatic pain and somatic symptom disorder and developed a clinical practice specific for the pediatric emergency setting.

Results

The manuscript provides information about the main clinical features shared by patients with psychosomatic pain and about current diagnostic criteria and appropriate management in the emergency setting. Furthermore, it highlights the possible pitfalls in which the emergency physician may run into dealing with these patients.

Conclusion

This clinical practice should be seen as a starting point toward a better understanding of patients with psychosomatic pain and a standardization of care in the pediatric emergency setting.
Effect of timing of intubation on clinical outcomes of critically ill patients with COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis of non-randomized cohort studies
Authors: Papoutsi Eleni , Giannakoulis Vassilis G. , Xourgia Eleni , Routsi Christina , Kotanidou Anastasia , Siempos Ilias I.
Published: March 2021

Background

Although several international guidelines recommend early over late intubation of patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), this issue is still controversial. We aimed to investigate the effect (if any) of timing of intubation on clinical outcomes of critically ill patients with COVID-19 by carrying out a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods

PubMed and Scopus were systematically searched, while references and preprint servers were explored, for relevant articles up to December 26, 2020, to identify studies which reported on mortality and/or morbidity of patients with COVID-19 undergoing early versus late intubation. “Early” was defined as intubation within 24 h from intensive care unit (ICU) admission, while “late” as intubation at any time after 24 h of ICU admission. All-cause mortality and duration of mechanical ventilation (MV) were the primary outcomes of the meta-analysis. Pooled risk ratio (RR), pooled mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using a random effects model. The meta-analysis was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020222147).

Results

A total of 12 studies, involving 8944 critically ill patients with COVID-19, were included. There was no statistically detectable difference on all-cause mortality between patients undergoing early versus late intubation (3981 deaths; 45.4% versus 39.1%; RR 1.07, 95% CI 0.99–1.15, p = 0.08). This was also the case for duration of MV (1892 patients; MD − 0.58 days, 95% CI − 3.06 to 1.89 days, p = 0.65). In a sensitivity analysis using an alternate definition of early/late intubation, intubation without versus with a prior trial of high-flow nasal cannula or noninvasive mechanical ventilation was still not associated with a statistically detectable difference on all-cause mortality (1128 deaths; 48.9% versus 42.5%; RR 1.11, 95% CI 0.99–1.25, p = 0.08).

Conclusions

The synthesized evidence suggests that timing of intubation may have no effect on mortality and morbidity of critically ill patients with COVID-19. These results might justify a wait-and-see approach, which may lead to fewer intubations. Relevant guidelines may therefore need to be updated.
The influence of athletic performance on the highest positions of the final ranking during 2017/2018 Serie A season
Authors: Longo Umile Giuseppe , Sofi Francesco , Candela Vincenzo , Risi Ambrogioni Laura , Pagliai Giuditta , Massaroni Carlo , Schena Emiliano , Cimmino Matteo , D’Ancona Fabrizio , Denaro Vincenzo
Published: March 2021

Background

Our previous study on the 2016/2017 Serie A season showed that a greater likelihood of reaching the top positions in the Italian league “Serie A” seemed to be mainly related to sprint activity, goal attempts, total throws, target shots and assists. Therefore, we aim to evaluate the following season data in the same league to compare, confirm, and improve these results.

Methods

The data of all the matches played during the “Serie A” 2017–2018 season were obtained from the Italian soccer league. The teams’ analysis was performed in terms of total distance covered in km, jogging, running and sprint activities, average speed, and match statistics (total shots, shots on target, goal attempts, assists, turnovers, and steals).

Results

Teams that reached the first four positions revealed a lower percentage of running (65.98 ± 1.51 vs. 66.84 ± 2.18;p < 0.001), a higher percentage of jogging (25.61 ± 1.71 vs. 25.30 ± 1.97;p = 0.037) and sprint activities (8.41 ± 1.04 vs. 7.86 ± 0.82;p < 0.001). Match statistics seem to be statistically different between the first four teams the other teams. The total goals are strongly associated both with the total score at the end of the championship (R = 0.906;p < 0.001) and with the position in the final ranking (R = 0.850;p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that high-level teams have a lower running rate and a higher percentage of jogging and sprinting than other teams.
What are the impact and the optimal design of a physical prehabilitation program in patients with esophagogastric cancer awaiting surgery? A systematic review
Authors: Piraux Elise , Reychler Gregory , de Noordhout Louise Maertens , Forget Patrice , Deswysen Yannick , Caty Gilles
Published: March 2021

Background

Substantial postoperative complications occur after tumor resection for esophagogastric cancers. Physical prehabilitation programs aim to prepare patients for surgery by improving their functional status with the aim of reducing postoperative complications. This systematic review aims to summarize the effects of physical prehabilitation programs on exercise capacity, muscle strength, respiratory muscle function, postoperative outcomes, and health-related quality of life and to determine the optimal design of such a program to improve these outcomes in esophagogastric cancer patients undergoing tumor resection.

Methods

A systematic literature review was conducted using PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Scopus, and PEDro databases to identify studies evaluating the effects of physical prehabilitation program on exercise capacity, muscle strength, respiratory muscle function, postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, mortality, and health-related quality of life in patients with esophagogastric cancer awaiting surgery. Data from all studies meeting the inclusion criteria were extracted. The quality of each selected study was determined using the Downs and Black checklist.

Results

Seven studies with 645 participants were included. The preoperative exercise program consisted of respiratory training alone in three studies, a combination of aerobic and resistance training in two studies, and a combination of respiratory, aerobic, and resistance training in two studies. Training frequency ranged from three times a day to twice a week and each session lasted between 20 and 75 min. Four studies were of fair quality and three of good quality. Some studies reported improvements in maximal inspiratory pressure, inspiratory muscle endurance, postoperative (pulmonary) complications, and length of hospital stay in the preoperative exercise group compared to the control group.

Conclusion

This systematic review reports the current evidence for physical prehabilitation programs in patients with esophagogastric cancer awaiting surgery. However, due to the limited number of randomized controlled trials, the significant heterogeneity of exercise programs, and the questionable quality of the studies, higher quality randomized controlled trials are needed.

Trial registration

PROSPERO Registration Number: CRD42020176353.
Factors related to baseline CD4 cell counts in HIV/AIDS patients: comparison of poisson, generalized poisson and negative binomial regression models
Authors: Farhadian Maryam , Mohammadi Younes , Mirzaei Mohammad , Shirmohammadi-Khorram Nasrin
Published: March 2021

Objective

CD4 Lymphocyte Count (CD4) is a major predictor of HIV progression to AIDS. Exploring the factors affecting CD4 levels may assist healthcare staff and patients in management and monitoring of health cares. This retrospective cohort study aimed to explore factors associated with CD4 cell counts at the time of diagnosis in HIV patients using Poisson, Generalized Poisson, and Negative Binomial regression models.

Results

Out of 4402 HIV patients diagnosis in Iran from 1987 to 2016, 3030 (68.8%) were males, and the mean age was 34.8 ± 10.4 years. The results indicate that the Negative Binomial model outperformed the other models in terms of AIC, log-likelihood and RMSE criteria. In this model, factors include sex, age, clinical stage and Tuberculosis (TB) co-infection were significantly associated with CD4 count (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Given the effect of age, sex, clinical stage and stage of HIV on CD4 count of the patients, adopting policies and strategies to increase awareness and encourage people to seek early HIV testing and care is advantageous.
Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 proteins reveals Orf6 pathogenicity, subcellular localization, host interactions and attenuation by Selinexor
Authors: Lee Jin-Gu , Huang Weiliang , Lee Hangnoh , van de Leemput Joyce , Kane Maureen A. , Han Zhe
Published: March 2021

Background

SARS-CoV-2 causes COVID-19 which has a widely diverse disease profile. The mechanisms underlying its pathogenicity remain unclear. We set out to identify the SARS-CoV-2 pathogenic proteins that through host interactions cause the cellular damages underlying COVID-19 symptomatology.

Methods

We examined each of the individual SARS-CoV-2 proteins for their cytotoxicity in HEK 293 T cells and their subcellular localization in COS-7 cells. We also used Mass-Spec Affinity purification to identify the host proteins interacting with SARS-CoV-2 Orf6 protein and tested a drug that could inhibit a specific Orf6 and host protein interaction.

Results

We found that Orf6, Nsp6 and Orf7a induced the highest toxicity when over-expressed in human 293 T cells. All three proteins showed membrane localization in COS-7 cells. We focused on Orf6, which was most cytotoxic and localized to the endoplasmic reticulum, autophagosome and lysosomal membranes. Proteomics revealed Orf6 interacts with nucleopore proteins (RAE1, XPO1, RANBP2 and nucleoporins). Treatment with Selinexor, an FDA-approved inhibitor for XPO1, attenuated Orf6-induced cellular toxicity in human 293 T cells.

Conclusions

Our study revealed Orf6 as a highly pathogenic protein from the SARS-CoV-2 genome, identified its key host interacting proteins, and Selinexor as a drug candidate for directly targeting Orf6 host protein interaction that leads to cytotoxicity.
Development of an ethogram/guide for identifying feline emotions: a new approach to feline interactions and welfare assessment in practice
Authors: Nicholson Sandra Louise , O’Carroll Roslyn Áine
Published: March 2021

Background

An accurate assessment of feline behaviour is essential in reducing the risk of handler injury and evaluating/improving feline welfare within veterinary practices. However, inexperience and/or suboptimal education in feline behaviour may cause many veterinary professionals to be ill equipped for this. In addition, busy veterinary professionals may not have time to thoroughly search the literature to remediate this deficiency. Upon searching the literature, terms such as aggression and stress predominate, but these do not completely represent the rich mental lives that cats are now understood to have. Emotions have recently emerged as an alternative approach to animal behaviour/welfare assessment. However, few resources describe how to identify them, and positive emotions are particularly neglected. In addition, no simple, broad, and concise guide to feline emotions currently exists within the research literature. Therefore, this research aimed to develop a straightforward and clear reference guide to feline emotions (ethogram) to aid veterinary professionals in interpreting feline behaviour in practice and for use in veterinary education.

Results

Five primary emotions were identified and defined for domestic species (fear, anger/rage, joy/play, contentment and interest). A feline emotions guide (feline emotions ethogram) was created. Three hundred and seventy-two images were captured of feline behaviours indicative of emotional states. Of these, ten of the best quality and most representative images were selected to illustrate the guide (two of each emotional state). The feline emotions guide and its associated images were subsequently validated by two feline behaviour experts.

Conclusions

Following slight modifications, the emotions definitions yielded during the feline ethogram design process may be transferable to other domestic species. The feline emotions ethogram/guide itself may be particularly helpful for distinguishing immediate motivations and customising patient care within short- term veterinary contexts. Hence, its use may improve feline welfare and feline handling/interactions. However, the guide will need to be reliability tested/ tested in the field and may require adaptation as the feline emotions’ knowledge base grows. In addition, novices may benefit from exposure to more images of feline emotional state, particularly those involving mixed emotions. Freely available online images and videos may be sourced and used to supplement the accompanying image bank.
Phylogenetic Core Groups: a promising concept in search of a consistent methodological framework
Authors: Pascual-García Alberto
Published: March 2021

In this comment, we analyse the conceptual framework proposed by Aguirre de Cárcer (Microbiome 7:142, 2019), introducing the novel concept of Phylogenetic Core Groups (PCGs). This notion aims to complement the traditional classification in operational taxonomic units (OTUs), widely used in microbial ecology, to provide a more intrinsic taxonomical classification which avoids the use of pre-determined thresholds. However, to introduce this concept, the author frames his proposal in a wider theoretical framework based on a conceptualization of selection that we argue is a tautology. This blurs the subsequent formulation of an assembly principle for microbial communities, favouring that some contradictory examples introduced to support the framework appear aligned in their conclusions. And more importantly, under this framework and its derived methodology, it is not possible to infer PCGs from data in a consistent way. We reanalyse the proposal to identify its logical and methodological flaws and, through the analysis of synthetic scenarios, we propose a number of methodological refinements to contribute towards the determination of PCGs in a consistent way. We hope our analysis will promote the exploration of PCGs as a potentially valuable tool, helping to bridge the gap between environmental conditions and community composition in microbial ecology.
Metagenomic insights into the taxonomy, function, and dysbiosis of prokaryotic communities in octocorals
Authors: Keller-Costa T. , Lago-Lestón A. , Saraiva J. P. , Toscan R. , Silva S. G. , Gonçalves J. , Cox C. J. , Kyrpides N. , Nunes da Rocha U. , Costa R.
Published: March 2021

Background

In octocorals (Cnidaria Octocorallia), the functional relationship between host health and its symbiotic consortium has yet to be determined. Here, we employed comparative metagenomics to uncover the distinct functional and phylogenetic features of the microbiomes of healthy Eunicella gazella, Eunicella verrucosa, and Leptogorgia sarmentosa tissues, in contrast with the microbiomes found in seawater and sediments. We further explored how the octocoral microbiome shifts to a pathobiome state in E. gazella.

Results

Multivariate analyses based on 16S rRNA genes, Clusters of Orthologous Groups of proteins (COGs), Protein families (Pfams), and secondary metabolite-biosynthetic gene clusters annotated from 20 Illumina-sequenced metagenomes each revealed separate clustering of the prokaryotic communities of healthy tissue samples of the three octocoral species from those of necrotic E. gazella tissue and surrounding environments. While the healthy octocoral microbiome was distinguished by so-far uncultivated Endozoicomonadaceae, Oceanospirillales, and Alteromonadales phylotypes in all host species, a pronounced increase of Flavobacteriaceae and Alphaproteobacteria, originating from seawater, was observed in necrotic E. gazella tissue. Increased abundances of eukaryotic-like proteins, exonucleases, restriction endonucleases, CRISPR/Cas proteins, and genes encoding for heat-shock proteins, inorganic ion transport, and iron storage distinguished the prokaryotic communities of healthy octocoral tissue regardless of the host species. An increase of arginase and nitric oxide reductase genes, observed in necrotic E. gazella tissues, suggests the existence of a mechanism for suppression of nitrite oxide production by which octocoral pathogens may overcome the host’s immune system.

Conclusions

This is the first study to employ primer-less, shotgun metagenome sequencing to unveil the taxonomic, functional, and secondary metabolism features of prokaryotic communities in octocorals. Our analyses reveal that the octocoral microbiome is distinct from those of the environmental surroundings, is host genus (but not species) specific, and undergoes large, complex structural changes in the transition to the dysbiotic state. Host-symbiont recognition, abiotic-stress response, micronutrient acquisition, and an antiviral defense arsenal comprising multiple restriction endonucleases, CRISPR/Cas systems, and phage lysogenization regulators are signatures of prokaryotic communities in octocorals. We argue that these features collectively contribute to the stabilization of symbiosis in the octocoral holobiont and constitute beneficial traits that can guide future studies on coral reef conservation and microbiome therapy.
Facilitating fine-grained intra-urban dengue forecasting by integrating urban environments measured from street-view images
Authors: Liu Kang , Yin Ling , Zhang Meng , Kang Min , Deng Ai-Ping , Li Qing-Lan , Song Tie
Published: March 2021

Background

Dengue fever (DF) is a mosquito-borne infectious disease that has threatened tropical and subtropical regions in recent decades. An early and targeted warning of a dengue epidemic is important for vector control. Current studies have primarily determined weather conditions to be the main factor for dengue forecasting, thereby neglecting that environmental suitability for mosquito breeding is also an important factor, especially in fine-grained intra-urban settings. Considering that street-view images are promising for depicting physical environments, this study proposes a framework for facilitating fine-grained intra-urban dengue forecasting by integrating the urban environments measured from street-view images.

Methods

The dengue epidemic that occurred in 167 townships of Guangzhou City, China, between 2015 and 2019 was taken as a study case. First, feature vectors of street-view images acquired inside each township were extracted by a pre-trained convolutional neural network, and then aggregated as an environmental feature vector of the township. Thus, townships with similar physical settings would exhibit similar environmental features. Second, the environmental feature vector is combined with commonly used features (e.g., temperature, rainfall, and past case count) as inputs to machine-learning models for weekly dengue forecasting.

Results

The performance of machine-learning forecasting models (i.e., MLP and SVM) integrated with and without environmental features were compared. This indicates that models integrating environmental features can identify high-risk urban units across the city more precisely than those using common features alone. In addition, the top 30% of high-risk townships predicted by our proposed methods can capture approximately 50–60% of dengue cases across the city.

Conclusions

Incorporating local environments measured from street view images is effective in facilitating fine-grained intra-urban dengue forecasting, which is beneficial for conducting spatially precise dengue prevention and control.
Two distinct conformers of PrPD type 1 of sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease with codon 129VV genotype faithfully propagate in vivo
Authors: Cali Ignazio , Espinosa Juan Carlos , Nemani Satish K. , Marin-Moreno Alba , Camacho Manuel V. , Aslam Rabail , Kitamoto Tetsuyuki , Appleby Brian S. , Torres Juan Maria , Gambetti Pierluigi
Published: March 2021

Current classifications of sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (sCJD) identify five subtypes associated with different disease phenotypes. Most of these histopathological phenotypes (histotypes) co-distribute with distinct pairings of methionine (M)/valine (V) genotypes at codon 129 of the prion protein (PrP) gene and the type (1 or 2) of the disease-associated PrP (PrPD). Types 1 and 2 are defined by the molecular mass (~ 21 kDa and ~ 19 kDa, respectively) of the unglycosylated isoform of the proteinase K-resistant PrPD (resPrPD). We recently reported that the sCJDVV1 subtype (129VV homozygosity paired with PrPD type 1, T1) shows an electrophoretic profile where the resPrPD unglycosylated isoform is characterized by either one of two single bands of ~ 20 kDa (T120) and ~ 21 kDa (T121), or a doublet of ~ 21–20 kDa (T121−20). We also showed that T120 and T121 in sCJDVV have different conformational features but are associated with indistinguishable histotypes. The presence of three distinct molecular profiles of T1 is unique and raises the issue as to whether T120 and T121 represent distinct prion strains. To answer this question, brain homogenates from sCJDVV cases harboring each of the three resPrPD profiles, were inoculated to transgenic (Tg) mice expressing the human PrP-129M or PrP-129V genotypes. We found that T120 and T121 were faithfully replicated in Tg129V mice. Electrophoretic profile and incubation period of mice challenged with T121−20 resembled those of mice inoculated with T121 and T120, respectively. As in sCJDVV1, Tg129V mice challenged with T121 and T120 generated virtually undistinguishable histotypes. In Tg129M mice, T121 was not replicated while T120 and T121−20 generated a ~ 21–20  kDa doublet after lengthier incubation periods. On second passage, Tg129M mice incubation periods and regional PrP accumulation significantly differed in T120 and T121−20 challenged mice. Combined, these data indicate that T121 and T120 resPrPD represent distinct human prion strains associated with partially overlapping histotypes.
Macrophages and microglia: the cerberus of glioblastoma
Authors: Buonfiglioli Alice , Hambardzumyan Dolores
Published: March 2021

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive and deadliest of the primary brain tumors, characterized by malignant growth, invasion into the brain parenchyma, and resistance to therapy. GBM is a heterogeneous disease characterized by high degrees of both inter- and intra-tumor heterogeneity. Another layer of complexity arises from the unique brain microenvironment in which GBM develops and grows. The GBM microenvironment consists of neoplastic and non-neoplastic cells. The most abundant non-neoplastic cells are those of the innate immune system, called tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). TAMs constitute up to 40% of the tumor mass and consist of both brain-resident microglia and bone marrow-derived myeloid cells from the periphery. Although genetically stable, TAMs can change their expression profiles based upon the signals that they receive from tumor cells; therefore, heterogeneity in GBM creates heterogeneity in TAMs. By interacting with tumor cells and with the other non-neoplastic cells in the tumor microenvironment, TAMs promote tumor progression. Here, we review the origin, heterogeneity, and functional roles of TAMs. In addition, we discuss the prospects of therapeutically targeting TAMs alone or in combination with standard or newly-emerging GBM targeting therapies.
Characterization of electrospun Aronia melanocarpa fruit extracts loaded polyurethane nanoweb
Authors: Woo Ho Woo , Lee Jung Soon
Published: March 2021

In this study, Aronia melanocarpa fruit was extracted with ethanol, distilled water (pH 7), acidified distilled waters (at pH 5 and 3) as the solvent, the total polyphenol content, total flavonoid content, and anti-oxidant activity of the extracts were analyzed. Then, we investigated the possibility of producing nanofibers by the electrospinning process by adding the Aronia melanocarpa fruit extract (AE), which showed the greatest antioxidant effect, to a polyurethane (PU). The electrospinning method used a PU concentration of 10 wt% and 12 wt%, an applied voltage of 10 kV, a tip-to-collector distance of 15 cm, and flowrate of 0.3 mL/h. The analysis confirmed that the total polyphenol, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity of the distilled water extract were the highest at a pH value of 3. As the AE was added and its concentration increased, both the viscosity and the diameter of the nanofibers also increased. At PU concentrations of 10%, 12%, relatively uniform nanofibers without beads were prepared by adding 2 to 3 wt% and 0.5 to 2 wt% of the AE, respectively. At the above conditions, the diameters of the nanofibers that were produced were in the range of 227 to 420 nm, so it was evident that PU/AE nanofibers with various diameters could be prepared by controlling the concentration of PU and AE. In addition, the FT-IR, XRD, and DSC analyses confirmed that hydrogen bonding occurred between the AE and the PU. Thus, the resulting crystallinity, melting point, and reduction in the heat capacity confirmed that the AE was well mixed with the PU polymer.
Influence of implant protrusion length on non-grafting osteotome sinus floor elevation with simultaneous implant: a 3- to 9-year retrospective study
Authors: Yu Yi , Jiang Qiming , Zhang Zhengchuan , Yu Xiaolin , Deng Feilong
Published: March 2021

Background

This study analyzed the influence of implant protrusion length (IPL) on the possible factors that affect the long-term outcomes utilizing non-grafting osteotome sinus floor elevation (OSFE) with simultaneous implant placement, and to explore the optimal range of IPL.

Materials and methods

A retrospective study design was adopted. The clinical and radiographic data of 105 implants in 65 patients were collected after 3–9 (mean 5.04) years follow-up. IPL was divided into three groups (group1, IPL<2mm; group2, 2mm≤IPL<4mm; group3, IPL≥4mm). Endo-sinus bone gain (ESBG), peri-implant marginal bone loss (MBL), bone to implant contact length (BICL), and percentage of ESBG (%ESBG) were used to evaluate non-grafting OSFE. A Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to assess the cumulative survival rate. Multiple linear regression model was used to explore the relationship between the possible influence factors and ESBG. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to explore the correlation of IPL with ESBG, MBL, BICL, and %ESBG.

Results

A total of 102 implants in 62 patients fulfilled the survival criteria, giving the cumulative survival rates of 96.4% and 94.1% for implant-based analysis and patient-based analysis, respectively. The mean ESBG, MBL, and BICL at the latest follow-up were 1.95±0.88 mm, 0.58±0.68 mm, and 5.51±1.47 mm. ESBG was found to be positively correlated to IPL. A significant decreased bone formation efficiency was found when IPL was over 4 mm (P=0.02).

Conclusions

An optimal range of IPL within 4 mm was recommended for better long-term outcomes when applying non-grafting OSFE with simultaneous implant placement.
Digit ratio in the common toad Bufo bufo: the effects of reduced fingers and of age dependency
Authors: Kaczmarski Mikołaj , Kaczmarek Jan M. , Jankowiak Łukasz , Kolenda Krzysztof , Tryjanowski Piotr
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Despite the growing number of studies describing digit ratio patterns in tetrapods, knowledge concerning certain basic issues is still scarce. In lower vertebrates such as tailless amphibians (Anura), the numbering of individual fingers on the forelimbs and their homology with the fingers of other vertebrates pose an unsolved problem. Based on reviewed data on anuran limb development, we argue that the correct finger numbering scheme should be based on the assumption that the first finger, not the fifth finger, was reduced on the forelimbs. We analyzed the digit ratio in the common toad (Bufo bufo, Bufonidae), a species characterized by well-developed sexual dimorphism whereby females are larger than males, using both numbering schemes present in the literature.

Results

We found that the digit ratio on hindlimbs differed significantly between the sexes only in the cases of left 2D:3D, with lower digit ratios in females, and of left 3D:4D, with lower digit ratios in males. We found that sex was the only significant variable for forelimbs, differentiating 2D:3D on the left forelimb, with lower digit ratios in females; 2D:4D on the right forelimb, with lower digit ratios in males; and 3D:4D on both forelimbs, with lower digit ratios in males. These results relate to variant II reflecting the hypothesis that the first digit was reduced during phylogenesis. There was no relationship between the body size (SVL) of individuals and any digit ratio, excluding 2D:4D on the right forelimbs in models with age variables. Additionally, for a subset of data where individual age was known, the models indicated that age was linked to significant differences in 2D:4D and 3D:4D on the left hindlimbs, while age, SVL, and sex influenced 2D:4D on the right forelimbs.

Conclusion

We emphasize the importance of the problem of the correct numbering of forelimb digits in Anura and, under the assumption that it was the fifth digit that was reduced, argue that earlier results on digit ratio in this group should be interpreted with caution. The detected relationship between digit ratio and age in amphibians expands our knowledge, indicating that the age of individuals should be included in future digit ratio studies. This relationship may also apply to studies using digit ratio as a noninvasive indicator of endocrine disruption in amphibians.
The effects of orthognathic surgery on auditory function
Authors: Ghorbani Farhad , Danesteh Hossein , Khoramnia Afshin , Tavanafar Saeid
Published: March 2021

Background

Orthognathic surgery is widely used in treating functional and skeletal problems. Any surgical procedure could cause side effects.

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the potential changes in orthognathic surgery on the hearing function of patients.

Materials and methods

Thirty-one orthognathic surgery candidates were recruited in this study. Patients underwent either single or double jaw surgery. Pure tone audiometry (PTA), tympanometry, and Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Test (ETFT) were performed postoperatively at 24 h, 6 weeks, and 6 months after surgery. Patients were tabulated based on the type of maxilla and mandibular surgical movements (vertical and horizontal).

Results

PTA evaluation, based on horizontal or vertical movements, did not show significant differences, although vertical movements resulted in less change in hearing threshold. In other words, no significant changes occurred in patients’ hearing threshold after surgery. No significant difference was also observed between horizontal and vertical movements in the results of tympanometry. Negative changes were found in the results of ETFT in vertical movements, which returned to pre-surgery values in the final test.

Conclusions

The risk of minor changes in hearing function is probable during the first week after orthognathic surgery, but these negative changes will either totally fade or remain negligible. Patients gave informed consent preoperatively, and reassurance postoperatively is prudent.
CMR for myocardial characterization in ischemic heart disease: state-of-the-art and future developments
Authors: Emrich Tilman , Halfmann Moritz , Schoepf U. Joseph , Kreitner Karl-Friedrich
Published: March 2021

Ischemic heart disease and its sequelae are one of the major contributors to morbidity and mortality worldwide. Over the last decades, technological developments have strengthened the role of noninvasive imaging for detection, risk stratification, and management of patients with ischemic heart disease. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging incorporates both functional and morphological characterization of the heart to determine presence, acuteness, and severity of ischemic heart disease by evaluating myocardial wall motion and function, the presence and extent of myocardial edema, ischemia, and scarring. Currently established clinical protocols have already demonstrated their diagnostic and prognostic value. Nevertheless, there are emerging imaging technologies that provide additional information based on advanced quantification of imaging biomarkers and improved diagnostic accuracy, therefore potentially allowing reduction or avoidance of contrast and/or stressor agents. The aim of this review is to summarize the current state of the art of CMR imaging for ischemic heart disease and to provide insights into promising future developments.
Imaging myocardial ischemia: from emerging techniques to state-of-the-art
Authors: Varga-Szemes Akos , Suranyi Pal
Published: March 2021

The widespread clinical use of cardiovascular imaging inspires constant improvement in imaging technology and post-processing applications. Recent advances in hardware and software have brought about important developments in the assessment of myocardial ischemia such as the rapid evaluation of cardiac volumes and function, ability for detection of subtle myocardial changes, and the combination of anatomic and functional assessment of a coronary artery stenosis via a single modality, which was previously not possible in a noninvasive fashion. These milestones indicate the start of a new era, a paradigm shift that broadens the role of noninvasive imaging. The thematic series Myocardial tissue characterization in ischemic heart disease introduces a set of narrative review and original articles by world renowned authors demonstrating such novel advancements and the state-of-the-art techniques in cardiac imaging.
The association between MDR1 C3435T genetic polymorphism and the risk of multidrug-resistant epilepsy in Egyptian children
Authors: Elmagid Dina Salama Abd , Abdelsalam Maha , Magdy Hend , Tharwat Noha
Published: March 2021

Background

Epilepsy is a chronic disease affecting about 2% of the population and is considered a serious neurological disease. Despite its good prognosis, 20–30% of epileptic patients were not cured of their seizures even with the many trials of antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy. The resistance mechanism is still unclear, maybe due to the effect of the genetic factors on the bioavailability of the drugs. Consequently, the association between therapy resistance and the presence of a gene called “multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1)” had been proposed. Thus, the present study aimed to understand the relationship between the genetic polymorphism of MDR1C3435T and the resistance to AEDs.

Result

A non-significant association was found between MDR1 C3435T single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and drug-resistant epilepsy. However, there was statistical significance in the association between the drug type and the genotype distribution, in cases that were maintained on sodium valproate and MDR1C3435T genotype.

Conclusion

Possible involvement of the MDR1 gene C 3435T polymorphism with sodium valproate resistance clarifies the importance of genetic variability in response to the drug and may help to find novel genetic therapy for epilepsy, by targeting the biological mechanisms responsible for epilepsy in each specific individual. Future studies with bigger sample sizes and in other racial populations will be necessary.
Meta-analysis: COVID-19 diagnosis in chest CT—master key for radiologists
Authors: Hassanipour Soheil , Azadbakht Omid , Dehnavi Zari , Shafiee Mohsen , Badeenezhad Ahmad , Nikbakht Hossein-Ali , Scandarkolaei Parsa Faghani , Bostan Hassan
Published: March 2021

Background

COVID-19 was discovered in February in China. Due to the high prevalence of the disease, early detection and rapid isolation of patients are the vital points for controlling the outbreak. The purpose of this study was to determine the correct location of chest CT scan in the diagnosis of COVID-19.

Main text

The current study is a systematic review and meta-analysis. 2959 papers were found in all national and international databases. The study has been reported based on the PRISMA checklist. All analyses were done by CMA Ver. 2 software. The statistical analysis results show that the GGO observation level in the available shape was 46% in CT scan results, and the consolidation observation level in the general form was 33% in CT scan results. Pleural effusion was 7%, and linear opacity observation level was 24% in CT scan results in the general form. The CT scan test sensitivity level was gained 94.7%, and PCR test sensitivity level was achieved as 94.8%. This level was 89% in the early stage.

Conclusion

The chest CT has about 24% higher diagnostic sensitivity than the PCR test, in the early stage. GGO revealed a declining process and also indicates that GGO is an early symptom of the disease in CT scan. Linear opacity is the reason behind the initial dyspnea in coronavirus suffering patients referring to the medical centers. The extra-pulmonary lesions increase in the last stage of the disease that makes the patient’s worse.
Coordinated fuzzy operation of battery energy storage and resistive brake for mitigation of SSR oscillations
Authors: Fayez Mohamed , Bendary Fahmy , El-Hadidy Mohamed , Mandor Mohamed
Published: March 2021

The work presented herein is focusing on mitigating sub-synchronous-resonance (SSR) oscillatory torque and speed responses developed in power network equipped with series capacitor compensation as an outcome of the network perturbations. The mitigation effect of a battery-energy-storage (BES) controlled via a fuzzy-logic-controller (FLC) is explored. It is also explored accompanied by a fuzzy-bases resistor brake controlled via FLC. The IEEE second benchmark system is selected as a test grid under the MATLAB™/Simulink simulation environment. The signal utilized for the propositioned controller is the alternator rotor speed deviation. The key conclusions of this investigation are the employment of a BES in the discharging mode alone might be utilized to alleviate the SSR relative speed, and torque oscillations, the BES employment accompanied with dynamic resistive brake is supplying faster-decaying rates for the SSR oscillations in observation with the BES employment only.
Solution of large-scale 3D controlled-source electromagnetic modeling problem using efficient iterative solvers
Authors: Qiu Changkai , Yin Changchun , Liu Yunhe , Ren Xiuyan , Chen Hui , Yan Tingjie
Published: March 2021

With geophysical surveys evolving from traditional 2D to 3D models, the large volume of data adds challenges to inversion, especially when aiming to resolve complex 3D structures. An iterative forward solver for the controlled-source electromagnetic (CSEM) method requires less memory than that for a direct solver; however, it is not easy to iteratively solve an ill-conditioned linear system of equations arising from finite-element discretization of Maxwell’s equations. To solve this problem, we have developed efficient and robust iterative solvers for frequency- and time-domain CSEM modeling problems. For the frequency-domain problem, we first transform the linear system into its equivalent real-number format, and then introduce an optimal block-diagonal preconditioner. Because the condition number of the preconditioned linear equation system has an upper bound of [Formula: see text], we can achieve fast solution convergence when applying a flexible generalized minimum residual solver. Applying the block preconditioner further results in solving two smaller linear systems with the same coefficient matrix. For the time-domain problem, we first discretize the partial differential equation for the electric field in time using an unconditionally stable backward Euler scheme. We then solve the resulting linear equation system iteratively at each time step. After the spatial discretization in the frequency domain, or space-time discretization in the time domain, we exploit the conjugate-gradient solver with auxiliary-space preconditioners derived from the Hiptmair-Xu decomposition to solve these real linear systems. Finally, we check the efficiency and effectiveness of our iterative methods by simulating complex CSEM models. The most significant advantage of our approach is that the iterative solvers we adopt have almost the same accuracy and robustness as direct solvers but require much less memory, rendering them more suitable for large-scale 3D CSEM forward modeling and inversion.