bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
METTL3-mediated maturation of miR-192-5p targets ATG7 to prevent Schwann cell autophagy in peripheral nerve injury
Authors: Liu Xing , Lv Jun , Tang Weilong , Hu Yuanbai , Wen Yiwei , Shen Hongtao
Published: November 2023

The inhibition of miR-192-5p can promote nerve repair in rats with peripheral nerve injury (PNI) but the precise mechanisms underlying this effect remain unclear. Schwann cell (SC) autophagy mediated by autophagy-related gene (ATG) proteins has a key role in PNI but it is uncertain whether miR-192-5p affects the involvement of SC autophagy in PNI. In this study, we investigated the impact of methyltransferase-like protein 3 (METTL3)/miR-192-5p/ATG7 on SC autophagy in a rat PNI model and in an SC oxygen and glucose deprivation model. The results revealed that METTL3 stimulated miR-192-5p maturation via m6A methylation to depress ATG7 and SC autophagy and aggravate PNI. These findings provide a new target and potential basis for the treatment of patients with PNI.
Handling Difficult Cryo-ET Samples: A Study with Primary Neurons from Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Kim Joseph Y , Yang Jie E , Mitchell Josephine W , English Lauren A , Yang Sihui Z , Tenpas Tanner , Dent Erik W , Wildonger Jill , Wright Elizabeth R
Published: November 2023

Cellular neurobiology has benefited from recent advances in the field of cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET). Numerous structural and ultrastructural insights have been obtained from plunge-frozen primary neurons cultured on electron microscopy grids. With most primary neurons having been derived from rodent sources, we sought to expand the breadth of sample availability by using primary neurons derived from 3rd instar Drosophila melanogaster larval brains. Ultrastructural abnormalities were encountered while establishing this model system for cryo-ET, which were exemplified by excessive membrane blebbing and cellular fragmentation. To optimize neuronal samples, we integrated substrate selection, micropatterning, montage data collection, and chemical fixation. Efforts to address difficulties in establishing Drosophila neurons for future cryo-ET studies in cellular neurobiology also provided insights that future practitioners can use when attempting to establish other cell-based model systems.
Characterization of the Small Intestine in the Southern White-breasted Hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor) Using Histological, Histochemical, Immunohistochemical, and Scanning Electron Microscopic Techniques
Authors: Massoud Diaa , Fouda Maged , Shaldoum Fayez , Alrashdi Barakat M , AbdRabou Mervat Ahmed , Soliman Soha A , Abd-Elhafeez Hanan H , Hassan Mervat , Abumandour Mohamed
Published: November 2023

The present study was designed to investigate the microscopic features of the small intestine in the southern white-breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor). The histochemical profile of the small intestine was investigated using periodic acid Schiff (PAS), alcian blue (AB, pH 2.5), and aldehyde fuchsin. The expression of SOX9 was also evaluated immunohistochemically, and the detailed morphology of intestinal mucosa was studied by using a scanning electron microscope. The intestinal wall was composed of the tunica mucosa, tunica submucosa, tunica muscularis, and tunica serosa. Plica circulares and muscularis mucosa were present only in the duodenum. The jejunal villi were the tallest and the ileal villi were the shortest. From the duodenum to the ileum, the population density of goblet cells decreased significantly. The goblet cells throughout the small intestine reacted positively with PAS and AB. The expression rate of SOX9 was not statistically different between the three parts of the small intestine (p > 0.05). In conclusion, despite the general characteristics of the small intestine in this species of hedgehog, there were some differences when compared with other mammalian and rodent species. These findings provide a baseline for future detailed research on the digestive system of the hedgehog species and other mammalian species.
The donor star radial velocity curve in the cataclysmic variable GY Cnc confirms white dwarf eclipse modelling mass
Authors: Littlefair S P , Rodríguez-Gil Pablo , Marsh T R , Parsons S G , Dhillon V S
Published: November 2023

A large number of white dwarf and donor masses in cataclysmic variables have been found via modelling the primary eclipse, a method that relies on untested assumptions. Recent measurements of the mass of the white dwarf in the cataclysmic variable GY Cnc, obtained via modelling its ultraviolet spectrum, conflict with the mass obtained via modelling the eclipse light curve. Here we measure the radial velocity of the absorption lines from the donor star in GY Cnc to be Kabs = 280 ± 2  km s−1, in excellent agreement with the prediction based on the masses derived from modelling the eclipse light curve. It is possible that the white dwarf mass derived from the ultraviolet spectrum of GY Cnc is affected by the difficulty of disentangling the white dwarf spectrum from the accretion disc spectrum.
A near-infrared variability survey of young planetary-mass objects
Authors: Liu Pengyu , Biller Beth A , Vos Johanna M , Whiteford Niall , Zhang Zhoujian , Liu Michael C , Fontanive Clémence , Manjavacas Elena , Henning Thomas , Kenworthy Matthew A , Bonavita Mariangela , Bonnefoy Mickaël , Bubb Emma , Petrus Simon , Schlieder Joshua
Published: November 2023

We present a photometric variability survey of young planetary-mass objects using the New Technology Telescope in the JS and KS bands. Surface gravity plays an important role in the atmospheric structure of brown dwarfs, as young low-gravity L dwarfs have a higher variability rate than field L dwarfs. In this study, we extend variability studies to young T-type planetary-mass objects and investigate the effects of surface gravity on the variability of L and T dwarfs across a large sample. We conduct continuous monitoring for 18 objects with spectral types from L5 to T8 and detect four new variables and two variable candidates. Combining with previous variability surveys of field and young L and T objects, we find that young objects tend to be more variable than field objects within peak-to-peak variability amplitude ranges of 0.5–10 per cent and period ranges of 1.5–20 h. For the first time, we constrain the variability rate of young T dwarfs to be $56_{-18}^{+20}$ per cent compared to $25_{-7}^{+8}$ per cent for field T dwarfs. Both field and young samples have higher variability rates at the L/T transition than outside the L/T transition. The differences in the variability rates between field and young samples are about 1σ and therefore larger sample sizes are needed to confirm and refine the results. Besides the L/T transition, young L dwarfs with strong variability tend to assemble in a narrow spectral type range of L6–L7.5. This work supports the critical role of surface gravity on the atmospheric structure from L to T spectral types.
Decayless low-amplitude transverse oscillations in short coronal loops as manifestations of driven slow modes
Authors: Lopin I , Nagorny I
Published: November 2023

A recent theoretical study of slow magnetoacoustic oscillations in a curved magnetic slab shows that the principal slow mode causes both dominant longitudinal motions and radial (transverse) kink-like motions of a slab. This modification of wave properties occurs due to the violation of the symmetry of wave motions with respect to the waveguide axis and the slow to fast wave interaction in curved magnetic configurations. In this work, we carry out a comprehensive investigation of the principal slow mode depending on the model parameters. It is shown that the dominance of longitudinal motions in the principal slow mode decreases as both the internal plasma-β and slab aspect ratio increase. The results are used to explain the observed small amplitude decayless transverse oscillations in short coronal loops. In particular, these phenomena are interpreted as direct manifestation of slow mode oscillations in curved coronal loops excited at the footpoints by compressible oscillations of the underlying atmospheric layers. Numerical calculations have shown that the observed velocity range of V = 0.6–5 km s−1 corresponds to radial velocity amplitudes in the principal slow mode, provided that the plasma-β inside the short loops is in the range of βi= 0.3–0.5 and the loop aspect ratio 0.15 ≤ a/R ≤ 0.25. These parameters appear to be typical for low-lying small coronal loops extending from the transition region to the lower corona.
Impact of Galactic dust non-Gaussianity on searches for B-modes from inflation
Authors: Abril-Cabezas Irene , Hervías-Caimapo Carlos , von Hausegger Sebastian , Sherwin Blake D , Alonso David
Published: November 2023

A key challenge in the search for primordial B-modes is the presence of polarized Galactic foregrounds, especially thermal dust emission. Power-spectrum-based analysis methods generally assume the foregrounds to be Gaussian random fields when constructing a likelihood and computing the covariance matrix. In this paper, we investigate how non-Gaussianity in the dust field instead affects CMB and foreground parameter inference in the context of inflationary B-mode searches, capturing this effect via modifications to the dust power-spectrum covariance matrix. For upcoming experiments such as the Simons Observatory, we find no dependence of the tensor-to-scalar ratio uncertainty $\sigma (r)$ on the degree of dust non-Gaussianity or the nature of the dust covariance matrix. We provide an explanation of this result, noting that when frequency decorrelation is negligible, dust in mid-frequency channels is cleaned using high-frequency data in a way that is independent of the spatial statistics of dust. We show that our results hold also for non-zero levels of frequency decorrelation that are compatible with existing data. We find, however, that neglecting the impact of dust non-Gaussianity in the covariance matrix can lead to inaccuracies in goodness-of-fit metrics. Care must thus be taken when using such metrics to test B-mode spectra and models, although we show that any such problems can be mitigated by using only cleaned spectrum combinations when computing goodness-of-fit statistics.
Analyses of Equatorward Auroral Extensions during the Extreme Geomagnetic Storm on 15 July 1959
Authors: Hayakawa Hisashi , Ebihara Yusuke , Pevtsov Alexei A
Published: November 2023

Intense solar eruptions occasionally trigger extreme geomagnetic storms, expand the boundaries of the auroral oval, and facilitate equatorward extensions of the auroral visibility. It is important to analyse such events, to better understand the extremity of space weather and its impact on the technological infrastructure of the modern civilization. However, unlike other extreme geomagnetic storms, little is known about the auroral activity associated with the extreme geomagnetic storm on 15/16 July 1959, the second largest geomagnetic storm in the space age. This study acquired and analysed two Chinese accounts and one Russian account of auroral visibility at low (≤40°) magnetic latitudes (MLATs). These records allowed us to conservatively reconstruct the equatorward boundaries of the auroral visibility and the auroral oval at 27.4° MLAT and 35.4° invariant latitude, respectively. Our analysis chronologically contextualized these auroral records slightly before the peak of the extreme geomagnetic storm. Moreover, their coloration indicates the excitations of, at least, nitrogen at 427.8 nm and oxygen at 557.7 nm at these low MLATs. Our results allow us to contextualize this extreme geomagnetic storm within other extreme events, based on the equatorward boundary of the auroral oval, thereby facilitating the improvement in existing empirical models for correlations of the auroral extension and the storm intensity.
Dust distribution in planetary nebulae
Authors: Pignata R A , Weidmann W A , Schmidt E O , Mudrik A , Mast D
Published: November 2023

Planetary nebulae (PNe) have long been known to consist of gas, molecules, and dust. The vast majority of the work in which properties of the dust of these objects are inferred were carried out through infrared observations. We use a technique that gives information about the dust, without nebular contamination, and regardless of its temperature. The primary objective is to present an atlas of images with the distribution of dust extinction in PNe. We obtained images in narrow-band filter centred on the nebular emission of the Balmer lines H α and H β to derive extinction images. By combining these images we have been able to achieve the distribution of dust in PNe. The atlas contains 29 PNe, representing the most comprehensive and extensive surveys of dust distribution in PNe.
Routine Infectious Disease Consultation Prior to an Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant
Authors: Portillo Vera , Masouridi-Levrat Stavroula , Chalandon Yves , Mappoura Maria , Morin Sarah , Marinosci Annalisa , Giannotti Federica , Mamez Anne-Claire , van Delden Christian , Neofytos Dionysios
Published: November 2023

Background

A transplant infectious disease (TID) assessment is essential to select recipients for an allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) and tailor prophylactic and empirical treatment recommendations.

Methods

We performed a retrospective single-center study to describe our model of care based on a routine TID consultation prior to an allogeneic HCT between 2018 and 2022 in 292 adult (≥18-year-old) consecutive patients. We describe the performance of a TID consultation, arbitrarily defined as major (HCT postponement, procedure, cytomegalovirus [CMV] recipient serology reinterpretation) and minor interventions.

Results

Overall, 765 interventions were observed in 257 of 292 (88%) patients: 88 of 765 (11.5%) major and 677 of 765 (88.5%) minor interventions. Among major interventions, HCT was postponed in 8 of 292 (2.7%) patients and a procedure was requested in 18 of 292 (6.2%) patients. The CMV recipient serostatus was changed from indeterminate/low-titer positive to negative in 60 of 292 (20.5%) patients. Among 677 minor interventions, there were 68 (8.8%) additional consultations with other services requested, 260 (33.7%) additional diagnostic tests requested, 102 (13.2%) additional treatments recommended, 60 (7.8%) non-CMV serology reinterpretations performed, 115 (14.9%) deviations from routine anti-infective prophylaxis, and 72 (9.3%) deviations from routine empirical antibiotic treatment recommendations in case of neutropenic fever.

Conclusions

We are proposing a structured, clearly defined, and comprehensive pretransplant checklist for an effective assessment of infectious disease risks and complications prior to an allogeneic HCT. Further studies or experiences like ours could help to define a global strategy or new models of care to be implemented in HCT centers in the future.
The Use of Wearable Devices in Oncology Patients: A Systematic Review
Authors: Chow Ronald , Drkulec Hannah , Im James H B , Tsai Jane , Nafees Abdulwadud , Kumar Swetlana , Hou Tristan , Fazelzad Rouhi , Leighl Natasha B , Krzyzanowska Monika , Wong Philip , Raman Srinivas
Published: November 2023

Introduction

The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the current literature on wearable technologies in oncology patients for the purpose of prognostication, treatment monitoring, and rehabilitation planning.

Methods

A search was conducted in Medline ALL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, Emcare, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science, up until February 2022. Articles were included if they reported on consumer grade and/or non-commercial wearable devices in the setting of either prognostication, treatment monitoring or rehabilitation.

Results

We found 199 studies reporting on 18 513 patients suitable for inclusion. One hundred and eleven studies used wearable device data primarily for the purposes of rehabilitation, 68 for treatment monitoring, and 20 for prognostication. The most commonly-reported brands of wearable devices were ActiGraph (71 studies; 36%), Fitbit (37 studies; 19%), Garmin (13 studies; 7%), and ActivPAL (11 studies; 6%). Daily minutes of physical activity were measured in 121 studies (61%), and daily step counts were measured in 93 studies (47%). Adherence was reported in 86 studies, and ranged from 40% to 100%; of these, 63 (74%) reported adherence in excess of 80%.

Conclusion

Wearable devices may provide valuable data for the purposes of treatment monitoring, prognostication, and rehabilitation. Future studies should investigate live-time monitoring of collected data, which may facilitate directed interventions.
Thermoprotection by a cell membrane–localized metacaspase in a green alga
Authors: Zou Yong , Sabljić Igor , Horbach Natalia , Dauphinee Adrian N , Åsman Anna , Sancho Temino Lucia , Minina Elena A , Drag Marcin , Stael Simon , Poreba Marcin , Ståhlberg Jerry , Bozhkov Peter V
Published: November 2023

Caspases are restricted to animals, while other organisms, including plants, possess metacaspases (MCAs), a more ancient and broader class of structurally related yet biochemically distinct proteases. Our current understanding of plant MCAs is derived from studies in streptophytes, and mostly in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) with 9 MCAs with partially redundant activities. In contrast to streptophytes, most chlorophytes contain only 1 or 2 uncharacterized MCAs, providing an excellent platform for MCA research. Here we investigated CrMCA-II, the single type-II MCA from the model chlorophyte Chlamydomonas (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii). Surprisingly, unlike other studied MCAs and similar to caspases, CrMCA-II dimerizes both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, activation of CrMCA-II in vivo correlated with its dimerization. Most of CrMCA-II in the cell was present as a proenzyme (zymogen) attached to the plasma membrane (PM). Deletion of CrMCA-II by genome editing compromised thermotolerance, leading to increased cell death under heat stress. Adding back either wild-type or catalytically dead CrMCA-II restored thermoprotection, suggesting that its proteolytic activity is dispensable for this effect. Finally, we connected the non-proteolytic role of CrMCA-II in thermotolerance to the ability to modulate PM fluidity. Our study reveals an ancient, MCA-dependent thermotolerance mechanism retained by Chlamydomonas and probably lost during the evolution of multicellularity.
Phycobilisome protein ApcG interacts with PSII and regulates energy transfer in Synechocystis
Authors: Espinoza-Corral Roberto , Iwai Masakazu , Zavřel Tomáš , Lechno-Yossef Sigal , Sutter Markus , Červený Jan , Niyogi Krishna K , Kerfeld Cheryl A
Published: November 2023

Photosynthetic organisms harvest light using pigment–protein complexes. In cyanobacteria, these are water-soluble antennae known as phycobilisomes (PBSs). The light absorbed by PBS is transferred to the photosystems in the thylakoid membrane to drive photosynthesis. The energy transfer between these complexes implies that protein–protein interactions allow the association of PBS with the photosystems. However, the specific proteins involved in the interaction of PBS with the photosystems are not fully characterized. Here, we show in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 that the recently discovered PBS linker protein ApcG (sll1873) interacts specifically with PSII through its N-terminal region. Growth of cyanobacteria is impaired in apcG deletion strains under light-limiting conditions. Furthermore, complementation of these strains using a phospho-mimicking version of ApcG causes reduced growth under normal growth conditions. Interestingly, the interaction of ApcG with PSII is affected when a phospho-mimicking version of ApcG is used, targeting the positively charged residues interacting with the thylakoid membrane, suggesting a regulatory role mediated by phosphorylation of ApcG. Low-temperature fluorescence measurements showed decreased PSI fluorescence in apcG deletion and complementation strains. The PSI fluorescence was the lowest in the phospho-mimicking complementation strain, while the pull-down experiment showed no interaction of ApcG with PSI under any tested condition. Our results highlight the importance of ApcG for selectively directing energy harvested by the PBS and imply that the phosphorylation status of ApcG plays a role in regulating energy transfer from PSII to PSI.
Prebiotic synthesis of mineral-bearing microdroplet from inorganic carbon photoreduction at air–water interface
Authors: Ge Qiuyue , Liu Yangyang , You Wenbo , Wang Wei , Li Kejian , Ruan Xuejun , Xie Lifang , Wang Tao , Zhang Liwu
Published: November 2023

The origin of life on Earth is an enigmatic and intricate conundrum that has yet to be comprehensively resolved despite recent significant developments within the discipline of archaeology and geology. Chemically, metal-sulfide minerals are speculated to serve as an important medium for giving birth in early life, while yet so far direct evidence to support the hypothesis for the highly efficient conversion of inorganic carbon into praxiological biomolecules remains scarce. In this work, we provide an initial indication that sphalerite, employed as a typical mineral, shows its enormous capability for promoting the conversion of inorganic carbon into elementary biomolecule formic acid (HCOOH) in airborne mineral-bearing aerosol microdroplet, which is over two orders of magnitude higher than that of the corresponding conventional bulk-like aqueous phase medium in the environment (e.g. river, lake, sea, etc.). This significant enhancement was further validated by a wide range of minerals and clays, including CuS, NiS, CoS, CdS, MnS, elemental sulfur, Arizona Test Dust, loess, nontronite, and montmorillonite. We reveal that the abundant interface of unique physical–chemical features instinct for aerosol or cloud microdroplets reduces the reaction energy barrier for the reaction, thus leading to extremely high HCOOH production (2.52 × 1014 kg year−1). This study unfolds unrecognized remarkable contributions of the considered scheme in the accumulation of prebiotic biomolecules in the ancient period of the Earth.
Seasonal patterns of communicable disease incidence and antibiotic prescribing in Moria refugee camp, Greece
Authors: Simonek Tomas , Zahos Helen , Mahroof-Shaffi Siyana , Harkensee Christian
Published: November 2023

Background

Infectious diseases remain a major risk for refugees living in camps. Limited research has been undertaken into the burden and impact of infections in the current refugee crisis around the Mediterranean.

This analysis examines the frequency and incidence rates of common infections, and use of antibiotics at a healthcare facility inside Moria refugee camp on the island of Lesvos, Greece, during the winter and summer seasons of 2019.

Methods

This is a retrospective analysis of routinely, prospectively collected service data from the main acute healthcare facility inside Moria camp.

Results

Of a total of 9601 consultations, 25.16% were for infections (winter: 31.53%, summer: 19.45%). Respiratory, skin and gastrointestinal infections were the most frequent, with incidence rates up to 3.5 times, 50 times and twice as high as those in Western Europe, respectively. Antibiotic prescribing was high (27.7% of all respiratory infections) with high use of broad-spectrum antibiotics (40.2%), raising concerns about induction of antimicrobial resistance.

Conclusions

The burden of infectious diseases in refugee camps remains high throughout all seasons. Antimicrobial stewardship programmes should be adapted to refugee camp settings to prevent the development of unnecessary antimicrobial resistance. Improving living conditions and access to healthcare in refugee camps is likely to reduce infection rates and antimicrobial resistance among refugees.
Keeping the faith: public health resiliency amid the uncertainties
Authors: Tutor Julius B , Leal Melanio L
Published: November 2023

The public health community remains vigilant in sustaining the resiliency it acquired and strengthened. The time comes for us to direct our attention to policy related concerns so as to heighten the momentum in promoting the interest on public health and protection. Pandemic, war, poverty... the battle continues, so as our response, to take heed and believe that we can surpass the challenges and trials of times amid the uncertainties.
A New Value Strategy
Authors: Wang Baolian
Published: November 2023

Traditional value measures performed poorly over the past three decades. We reevaluate the value strategy using a new measure—the ratio of cash-based operating profitability to price (COP/P)—and find a zero-investment portfolio that buys the highest-COP/P stocks and shorts the lowest-COP/P stocks earns monthly returns of 0.78% on a value-weighted basis and 1.04% on an equal-weighted basis. The COP/P effect holds even for large-capitalization stocks and exists even in the post-1990 period, when book-to-market does not predict returns. The COP/P measure subsumes many widely used value measures and the conservative-minus-aggressive investment factor. (JEL G02, G12)
Drivers of eco-innovation: the role of appropriability strategies and complementary assets
Authors: Orjuela-Ramirez Guillermo , Zuluaga-Jimenez Julio Cesar , Urbano David
Published: November 2023

How do eco-innovators protect and profit from their innovations so they have the incentive to undertake an innovation in the first place? The double externality nature of environmental innovations intricates this appropriability problem, as competitors and society might also benefit from the value created by eco-innovation. Based on David Teece’s Profiting from innovation framework, we argue that firms combine appropriability strategies such as patents, industrial secrecy, and complex design with the development of complementary assets to incentivize and secure rent appropriation from eco-innovation. We estimate that formal appropriability mechanisms increase the probability of developing an eco-innovation by 6 per cent, while informal mechanisms increase it by about 15 per cent. Our panel data regression model demonstrates that marketing capability enhances the effect of appropriability mechanisms by differentiating eco-innovation from other technologies. However, this complementarity differs as a firm increases marketing investments, especially in small and Research and Development R&D publicly financed firms.
Reduced REM and N2 sleep, and lower dream intensity predict increased mind-wandering
Authors: Simor Péter , Polner Bertalan , Báthori Noémi , Bogdány Tamás , Sifuentes Ortega Rebeca , Peigneux Philippe
Published: November 2023

Mind-wandering is a mental state in which attention shifts from the present environment or current task to internally driven, self-referent mental content. Homeostatic sleep pressure seems to facilitate mind-wandering as indicated by studies observing links between increased mind-wandering and impaired sleep. Nevertheless, previous studies mostly relied on cross-sectional measurements and self-reports. We aimed to combine the accuracy of objective sleep measures with the use of self-reports in a naturalistic setting in order to examine if objective sleep parameters predict the tendency for increased mind-wandering on the following day. We used mobile sleep electroencephalographic (EEG) headbands and self-report scales over 7 consecutive nights in a group of 67 healthy participants yielding ~400 analyzable nights. Nights with more wakefulness and shorter REM and slow wave sleep were associated with poorer subjective sleep quality at the intraindividual level. Reduced REM and N2 sleep, as well as less intense dream experiences, predicted more mind-wandering the following day. Our micro-longitudinal study indicates that intraindividual fluctuations in the duration of specific sleep stages predict the perception of sleep quality as assessed in the morning, as well as the intensity of daytime mind-wandering the following hours. The combined application of sleep EEG assessments and self-reports over repeated assessments provides new insights into the subtle intraindividual, night-to-day associations between nighttime sleep and the next day’s subjective experiences.
Patterns of individual compliance with anthelmintic treatment for soil-transmitted helminth infections in southern Ethiopia over six rounds of community-wide mass drug administration
Authors: Maddren R , Collyer B , Phillips A E , Rayment Gomez S , Abtew B , Anjulo U , Tadele D , Sharma A , Tamiru A , Liyew E Firdawek , Chernet M , Anderson R M
Published: November 2023

Background

The mainstay of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) control is repeated mass drug administration (MDA) of anthelmintics to endemic populations. Individual longitudinal compliance treatment patterns are important for identifying pockets of infected individuals who remain untreated and serve as infection reservoirs.

Methods

The Geshiyaro Project censused the study population in Wolaita, Ethiopia at baseline in 2018. Individual longitudinal compliance was recorded for six rounds of community-wide MDA (cMDA). The probability distribution of treatment frequency was analysed by age and gender stratifications. Probabilities of transmission interruption for different compliance patterns were calculated using an individual-based stochastic model of Ascaris lumbricoides transmission.

Results

The never-treated (0.42%) population was smaller than expected from a random positive binomial distribution. The observed compliance frequency was well described by the beta-binomial distribution. Preschool-age children (odds ratio [OR] 10.1 [95% confidence interval {CI} 6.63 to 15.4]) had the highest never-treated proportion of the age groups. Conversely, school-age children (SAC) and adults (OR 1.03 [95% CI 0.98 to 1.09]) had the highest always-treated proportion of the age groups.

Conclusions

The study reports the largest dataset of individual longitudinal compliance to cMDA for STH control. Clear pattens are shown in the age-dependent distribution of individual compliance behaviour. The impact of compliance on the probability of elimination is significant, highlighting the importance of recording the full frequency distribution, not just the never-treated proportion.
Interaction of eosinophilic and neutrophilic inflammation in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Sima Yutong , Wang Xiangdong , Zhang Luo
Published: November 2023

Purpose of review

In the past year, the endotype of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) has been studied from a new perspective. Eosinophilic and neutrophilic inflammation are not independent processes in the pathogenesis of CRS. In this review, we will focus on recent research on mixed eosinophilic-neutrophilic inflammation in CRS and discuss the mechanism and potential treatments.

Recent findings

Traditionally, patients with eosinophilic CRS (ECRS) present with severe clinical manifestations, comorbidities, and a higher recurrence rate. Recent studies have found that approximately 40% of patients with ECRS present with neutrophilic infiltration, while patients with predominantly eosinophilic infiltration along with neutrophilic inflammation present with more complex inflammation, clinical manifestations and exhibit refractory characteristics.

The complex inflammatory profile and refractory clinical characteristics of mixed eosinophilic-neutrophilic inflammation in CRS are current challenges for clinicians. We summarize the features of eosinophilic and neutrophilic inflammation and current studies on the mechanisms of mixed eosinophilic-neutrophilic inflammation and suggest potentially effective therapeutic methods. We hope that this review will help with determining precise treatment options for patients.
The Accuracy of the NSQIP Universal Surgical Risk Calculator Compared to Operation-Specific Calculators
Authors: Cohen Mark E. , Liu Yaoming , Hall Bruce L. , Ko Clifford Y.
Published: November 2023

Objective:

To compare the performance of the ACS NSQIP “universal” risk calculator (N-RC) to operation-specific RCs.

Background:

Resources have been directed toward building operation-specific RCs because of an implicit belief that they would provide more accurate risk estimates than the N-RC. However, operation-specific calculators may not provide sufficient improvements in accuracy to justify the costs in development, maintenance, and access.

Methods:

For the N-RC, a cohort of 5,020,713 NSQIP patient records were randomly divided into 80% for machine learning algorithm training and 20% for validation. Operation-specific risk calculators (OS-RC) and OS-RCs with operation-specific predictors (OSP-RC) were independently developed for each of 6 operative groups (colectomy, whipple pancreatectomy, thyroidectomy, abdominal aortic aneurysm (open), hysterectomy/myomectomy, and total knee arthroplasty) and 14 outcomes using the same 80%/20% rule applied to the appropriate subsets of the 5M records. Predictive accuracy was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), the area under the precision-recall curve (AUPRC), and Hosmer-Lemeshow (H-L) P values, for 13 binary outcomes, and mean squared error for the length of stay outcome.

Results:

The N-RC was found to have greater AUROC (P = 0.002) and greater AUPRC (P < 0.001) compared to the OS-RC. No other statistically significant differences in accuracy, across the 3 risk calculator types, were found. There was an inverse relationship between the operation group sample size and magnitude of the difference in AUROC (r = −0.278; P = 0.014) and in AUPRC (r = −0.425; P < 0.001) between N-RC and OS-RC. The smaller the sample size, the greater the superiority of the N-RC.

Conclusions:

While operation-specific RCs might be assumed to have advantages over a universal RC, their reliance on smaller datasets may reduce their ability to accurately estimate predictor effects. In the present study, this tradeoff between operation specificity and accuracy, in estimating the effects of predictor variables, favors the N-R, though the clinical impact is likely to be negligible.
Cor Triatriatum: A Review
Authors: Kilkenny Katherine , Frishman William
Published: November 2023

Cor triatriatum is a rare congenital cardiac anomaly, characterized by a fibromuscular partition dividing the left (cor triatriatum sinister) or, rarely, the right atrium (cor triatriatum dexter). Occurring in 0.1–0.4% of congenital heart disease cases, it exhibits diverse clinical presentations, often mimicking mitral stenosis and left-sided heart failure, while occasionally remaining asymptomatic into adulthood. The embryological origin of cor triatriatum remains controversial. Recent years have seen the emergence of new classification systems that offer enhanced prognostic insights. Transthoracic echocardiography is the diagnostic cornerstone. Surgical resection, preferably under cardiopulmonary bypass, is the mainstay treatment, and is associated with favorable long-term outcomes.
Combined Face and Whole Eye Transplantation: Cadaveric Rehearsals and Feasibility Assessment
Authors: Brydges Hilliard T. , Onuh Ogechukwu C. , Chaya Bachar F. , Tran David L. , Cassidy Michael F. , Dedania Vaidehi S. , Ceradini Daniel J. , Rodriguez Eduardo D.
Published: November 2023

Background:

In properly selected patients, combined face and whole eye transplantation (FWET) may offer a more optimal aesthetic and potentially functional outcome while avoiding the complications and stigma of enucleation and prosthetics. This study presents the most comprehensive cadaveric assessment for FWET to date, including rehearsal allograft procurement on a brain-dead donor.

Methods:

Over a 2-year period, 15 rehearsal dissections were performed on 21 cadavers and one brain-dead donor. After identification of a potential recipient, rehearsals assessed clinical feasibility and enabled operative planning, technical practice, refinement of personalized equipment, and improved communication among team members. Operative techniques are described.

Results:

Facial allograft procurement closely followed previously described face transplant techniques. Ophthalmic to superficial temporal (O-ST) vessel anastomosis for globe survival was assessed. Craniectomy allowed for maximal optic nerve and ophthalmic vessel pedicle length. Appropriate pedicle length and vessel caliber for O-ST anastomosis was seen. Research procurement demonstrated collateral blood flow to the orbit and surrounding structures from the external carotid system as well as confirmed the feasibility of timely O-ST anastomosis. Personalized cutting guides enabled highly accurate bony inset.

Conclusions:

This study formalizes an approach to FWET, which is feasible for clinical translation in judiciously selected patients. O-ST anastomosis seems to minimize retinal ischemia time and allow perfusion of the combined allograft on a single external carotid pedicle. Although restoration of vision likely remains out of reach, globe survival is possible.
Use trends of chlorthalidone and hydrochlorothiazide among United States adults with hypertension: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009–2018
Authors: Hale Genevieve , Puchades Emily , Jacomino Gema , El-Mcharfie Layall , Perez Alexandra
Published: November 2023

Objectives:

To estimate the national prevalence of chlorthalidone and hydrochlorothiazide use among adults diagnosed with hypertension by sociodemographic subgroup, healthcare access status, and clinical factors.

Methods:

Data was extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for 2009–2010 through 2017–2018 survey waves. Patients at least 20 years old, diagnosed with hypertension, and on hydrochlorothiazide or chlorthalidone were included. Uni-variable logistic regression models estimated the odds of being on chlorthalidone compared with hydrochlorothiazide use by sociodemographic and clinical factors. Analyses were adjusted for multi-stage complex survey design and are nationally representative.

Results:

Two thousand five hundred and eighty-five participants were included with 95.2% participants using hydrochlorothiazide and 4.8% using chlorthalidone. Participants over 65 years were more likely to be on chlorthalidone compared with younger counterparts [odds ratio (OR) 1.8; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12–2.88]. Participants with hypokalemia (OR 2.62; 95% CI 1.56–4.42) or hyponatremia [OR 2.298; 95% CI 1.23–4.30) were more likely to be using chlorthalidone compared with patients with normal levels.

Conclusion:

Chlorthalidone, a potent and effective first-line antihypertensive agent and thoroughly studied thiazide diuretic with substantial cardiovascular benefits, continues to be underutilized in patients with hypertension. Findings demonstrated that individuals receiving chlorthalidone were more likely to be 65 years or older and to experience hyponatremia or hypokalemia. Sociodemographic factors, healthcare access and use, clinical factors, and medical conditions did not appear to sway the choice in thiazide diuretic use.
Global Meditation Practices
Authors: Valluri Jyoti , Gorton Karen , Schmer Carol
Published: November 2023

Research has shown that meditation is beneficial for chronic pain, stress, and many physical and mental conditions. The definition of meditation has many forms, is culturally influenced, and is practiced globally. This literature review seeks to report current literature on meditation related to therapeutic outcomes and create a globally informed definition of meditation for health-related purposes. From a western perspective, mindfulness-based stress relief (MBSR) is widely researched. Therefore, 15 studies from peer-reviewed research from 2015 and 2020 were used to examine various forms of meditation and describe a broader range of meditation practices other than MBSR. The different forms of meditation are: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (Portugal), Active Engagement (Portugal), Adapted Mindfulness Program (Brazil), Adapted Mindfulness Program (Brazil), Cognitively-based Compassionate Training, Loving-kindness (United States, US), Mantra Meditation (US), Mindfulness-based stress reduction (US), Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (South Korea), Osho (India), Psychoneuroendocrinoimmunology (Italy), Transcendental Meditation (Italy), Spiritual/Secular (US), Sufi (Pakistan), and Vipassana (Australia). The review was completed using a literature search method, and all meditation approaches report positive therapeutic outcomes for all participants (n = 768). This outcome enabled the creation of a broader therapeutic definition of meditation that can be applied in clinical practice.
The Effect of Moving Meditation Exercise on Depression and Sleep Quality of the Elderly
Authors: Kerkez Müjde , Erci Behice
Published: November 2023

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of moving meditation exercise training on depression level and sleep quality in the elderly individuals. The present research was carried out between March 2021 and June 2022 as a randomized control group pretest-posttest design. The study sample consisted of 114 individuals 65 years of age and older who were registered to 2 family health centers in a province. The Introductory Information Form, Katz Activities of Daily Living Scale (Katz ADL), International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Geriatric Depression Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were used in the study. After the 6-week intervention, participants who were in the moving meditation exercise group had lower depression and had good Sleep Quality intensity scores than those in the control group. The average depression, subjective sleep quality, sleep disorder, and overall sleep quality significantly decreased over time in the moving meditation exercise group (P < .05). Moving meditation exercise may reduce the depression level of elderly individuals and improve sleep quality. These results show that moving meditation exercise can be a supportive method for traditional treatments. In consideration of the growing health economy, it may be recommended that nurses incorporate this exercise in their professional practice and compare long-term results with other complementary practices in the Turkish population.
Novel A-type scleral suture technique for sulcus-fixated intraocular lens tilt
Authors: Lee Ko Eun , Jo Yong Ha , Nam Sanghyu , Jang Joon Hyuck , Lee Hun , Tchah Hungwon , Kim Jae Yong
Published: November 2023

This report describes the first use to the authors' knowledge, of a simple technique for repositioning a tilted intraocular lens (IOL) after scleral fixation. A 76-year-old woman presented with sudden blurred vision in the right eye. She had previously undergone IOL scleral fixation due to traumatic cataract and acute angle-closure glaucoma. IOL tilt was revealed on examination, and repositioning was performed with polypropylene sutures across the pupil from limbus to limbus by forming an A shape to stabilize the IOL and prevent rotation. 6 months after the repositioning surgery, the IOL was well positioned and the patient's corrected distance visual acuity improved from counting fingers to 20/25. This surgical technique was successfully performed for a patient with IOL tilt. It decreased operative time and corneal damage while increasing IOL stability. The procedure was a safe and effective alternative to IOL exchange for a patient with inadequate capsular support.
Usefulness of cone-beam computed tomography-reformatted epidurography in percutaneous epidural adhesiolysis: A pilot study
Authors: Kao Hao-Lun , Huang Guo-Shu , Tang Chi-Tun , Yang Fu-Chi , Chao Kuo-Hua , Huang Han-Bin , Hsu Yi-Chih
Published: November 2023

Background:

Conventional epidurography (CE) is thought to have insufficient usefulness on percutaneous epidural adhesiolysis (PEA). We aimed to evaluate the association between the outcome of PEA and cone-beam computed tomography-reformatted epidurography (CBCT-RE).

Methods:

After ethics board approval and written informed consent were obtained, we performed 30 PEA in 26 participants, and evaluated their post-PEA image findings. Two independent radiologists categorized and recorded the occurrence of contrast in the intracanal ventral and extraforaminal regions on CE, and in the dorsal canal (DC), ventral canal (VC), dorsal foramen (DF), and ventral foramen (VF) on CBCT-RE. Reproducibility was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Baseline characteristics along with contrast distribution patterns of CE and CBCT-RE were analyzed in terms of their association with symptom relief at 1 month after PEA.

Results:

The rate of patients with symptoms relief >50% after PEA was 63.3%. The inter-reader agreement was higher for CBCT-RE (ICC = 0.955) than for CE (ICC = 0.793). Participants with contrast coexisting in VC and DF adjacent to the irritated nerve root on CBCT-RE (p = 0.015) had a significantly better response after PEA than those without contrast at these locations on CBCT-RE, independent of baseline characteristics (adjusted odds ratio: 11.414 [p = 0.012]).

Conclusion:

CBCT-RE with identifying contrast distribution patterns is useful for predicting outcome of PEA.
Athletic Trainer and Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic Opinions of Each Other's Understanding of Essential Emergent Football Injury Situation Tasks
Authors: Reed Amber , Nyland John , Richards Jarod
Published: November 2023

Objective

Improving the role understanding between essential emergency healthcare providers may improve teamwork and efficacy. This study asked licensed athletic trainers (ATs) and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) or paramedics for their opinions of the others' understanding of essential tasks in an emergent football injury situation. The hypothesis was that groups would have differing opinions.

Methods

An electronic survey was emailed to 160 licensed EMTs or paramedics and 45 licensed ATs. All participants were full-time employees with ≥1 year experience at their current position. In addition to demographic questions (age, sex, experience), respondents completed 11, 5-point Likert-scale type questions (end range: “strongly agree” or “strongly disagree”) regarding their opinion of the other profession's understanding of essential tasks in an emergent football injury situation. Participants also answered questions about the amount of control of the injury situation they assumed upon scene arrival and how frequently they partnered with the other profession when covering a game. An α level of P ≤ 0.05 was selected to indicate statistical significance.

Results

Thirty-four EMTs or paramedics (21% return) and 12 ATs (26.7% return) responded. Group demographics did not differ with the exception of the EMT or paramedic group having more men (P = 0.006). Emergency medical technicians/paramedics perceived that ATs better understood facemask removal timing (P = 0.002), facemask removal technique (P = 0.04), and extremity splinting (P = 0.02). Athletic trainers perceived that EMTs/paramedics better understood proper airway management (P < 0.001) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (P < 0.001). EMT/paramedics more strongly perceived control of the injury situation upon scene arrival than ATs (P = 0.005). As AT experience increased, they more strongly agreed that they frequently partnered with EMTs/paramedics (r = 0.84, P < 0.001); however, an insignificant relationship was observed for EMTs/paramedics.

Conclusions

Opinions differed about the other profession's understanding of essential tasks. More experienced ATs partnered more strongly with EMTs/paramedics. Both professional groups would benefit from collaborative workshops or seminars to improve the teamwork needed to optimize an emergent football injury situation. The development and implementation of practices such as these may also improve teamwork and patient-center healthcare at mass participant sporting events such as marathons, triathlons, and road cycling events.