bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La prise en compte du facteur temps dans l’arbitrage OHADA
Authors: Kamgaing Pierre-Claver
Published: December 2022

Le temps est devenu à la fois une composante et un critère d’évaluation de la qualité de la justice. De ce fait, les systèmes de règlement des différends les plus efficaces sont ceux qui sont capables de trancher les litiges dans un délai raisonnable. L’arbitrage, parce qu’elle se déroule au sein de l’État, ne se soustrait à l’exigence de célérité consacrée par plusieurs textes aussi bien à l’échelle internationale que nationale. En effet, si l’arbitrage a la longue réputation d’être plus rapide que la justice étatique, il arrive parfois que les procédures arbitrales s’éternisent, causant ainsi un préjudice aux justiciables. C’est la raison pour laquelle le législateur OHADA n’a eu de cesse d’améliorer le rapport de l’arbitrage au temps. Une illustration importante est donnée par l’Acte uniforme révisé, entré en vigueur le 23 février 2018, dont le but avoué est de favoriser la célérité de la procédure arbitrale. Cette loi encadre non seulement la marche de l’instance par de nombreux délais, mais elle consacre également le principe de loyauté processuelle. Partant de là, la prise en compte du facteur temps se traduit d’une part par l’encadrement du temps nécessaire à la résolution du différend et d’autre part par la lutte contre le temps perdu. La présente réflexion dresse ainsi le bilan de la mise en œuvre de l’objectif de célérité dans l’arbitrage OHADA et suggère d’éventuelles réformes.
Disease-Induced Assemblage of the Rhizosphere Fungal Community in Successive Plantings of Wheat
Authors: Yin Chuntao , Schlatter Daniel C. , Hagerty Christina H. , Hulbert Scot H. , Paulitz Timothy C.
Published: December 2022

Plant is one of the primary drivers of microbial communities in the rhizosphere. The consistent presence of the same plant species over time such as monocropping in agriculture can drive significant changes in plant-associated microbiomes. Most of the studies with monocropping have focused on bacteria, which are involved in the natural suppression of a number of soilborne diseases, including Rhizoctonia root rot and take-all. However, few studies have examined how monocropping and root rot pathogens jointly affect the structure of fungal communities in the rhizosphere. In this greenhouse study, rhizosphere fungal communities from successive wheat plantings infected with the fungal pathogen Rhizoctonia solani AG8 were characterized using MiSeq sequencing targeting the internal transcribed spacer 1 region of the ribosomal RNA gene. Sequence analyses revealed that distinct fungal groups clustered by planting cycles with or without strain AG8 inoculation but infection with strain AG8 enhanced the separation of fungal communities. Clusters of fungal communities were also observed in strain-AG8-infected and noninfected rhizospheres, whereas there was no difference in fungal communities between the rhizospheres with the least root disease and those with the worst root disease. Planting cycles significantly reduced fungal α diversity. The most abundant fungal genus was Mortierella which increased in relative abundance with planting cycles in strain-AG8-infected samples. In contrast, fungal genera that included Pseudogymnoascus, Gibberella, Fusarium, Fusicolla, Exophiala, and Waitea were reduced in relative abundance with successive plantings and strain AG8 infection. Together, this study revealed how fungal communities change with successive wheat growth under the pressure of a soilborne fungal pathogen.
Baseline Sensitivity and Resistance Mechanism of Colletotrichum Isolates on Tea-Oil Trees of China to Tebuconazole
Authors: Zhu Yuanye , Ma Mengting , Zhang Shengpei , Li He
Published: December 2022

Colletotrichum fungi could cause anthracnose, a destructive disease in tea-oil trees. The sterol demethylation inhibitor (DMI) tebuconazole has been widely used in controlling plant diseases for many years. However, the baseline sensitivity of Colletotrichum isolates on tea-oil trees to tebuconazole has not been determined. In this study, the sensitivity to tebuconazole of 117 Colletotrichum isolates from tea-oil trees of seven provinces in southern China was tested. The mean effective concentration resulted in 50% mycelial growth inhibition (EC50), 0.7625 μg/ml. The EC50 values of 100 isolates (83%) were lower than 1 μg/ml, and those of 20 isolates (17%) were higher than 1 μg/ml, which implied that resistance has already occurred in Colletotrichum isolates on tea-oil trees. The EC50 values of the most resistant and sensitive isolates (named Ca-R and Cc-S1, respectively) were 1.8848 and 0.1561 μg/ml, respectively. The resistance mechanism was also investigated in this study. A gene replacement experiment indicated that the CYP51A/B gene of resistant isolates Ca-R and Cf-R1 cannot confer Cc-S1 full resistance to DMI fungicides, although three single point mutants, Cc-S1 CYP51A-T306A and Cc-S1CYP51A-R478K, exhibited decreased sensitivity to DMI fungicides. This result suggested that resistance of Colletotrichum isolates was partly caused by mutations in CYP51A. Moreover, the expression level of CYP51A/B was almost identical among Ca-R, Cf-R1, Cc-S1, and Cc-S1 CYP51A point mutants, which indicated that the resistance was irrelevant to the expression level of CYP51A, and other nontarget-based resistance mechanisms may exist. Our results could help to guide the application of DMI fungicides and be useful for investigating the mechanism of resistance.
It Is Up to Faculty: An Exploration of Registered Nurse-to-Bachelor of Science in Nursing Student Intent for Faculty Role
Authors: VanRiel Yolanda M. , Gazza Elizabeth A. , Phillips Beth Cusatis
Published: December 2022

AIM

The aim of this study was to explore registered nurse (RN)-to-bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) students’ intent to pursue a faculty role.

BACKGROUND

The nursing faculty shortage is predicted to worsen as faculty reach retirement age. The shortage affects enrollment into nursing programs because of lack of qualified faculty. Increasing the number of faculty available is critical to maintain nurses needed to care for citizens.

METHOD

Using a qualitative descriptive approach, RN-to-BSN students were asked about their intent to become faculty later in their career.

RESULTS

Eight RNs pursuing their BSN were interviewed. Five themes emerged from interviews: modeling the role, positive and negative; planting the seed; perceiving rather than knowing; seeing the light bulb go on; and weighing the pros and cons.

CONCLUSION

Nursing faculty can influence RN-to-BSN students’ intent to become faculty and can attract students to the role by conveying enthusiasm, being collegial, and maintaining clinical relevance.
Facilitators and Inhibitors of LPN-to-RN Student Transition: A Cross-Sectional National Survey
Authors: Cornine Amanda E. , Crawford Sybil L. , Sullivan-Bolyai Susan
Published: December 2022

AIM

The aim of the study was to describe the transition conditions (facilitators and inhibitors) encountered by licensed practical nurses in registered nurse educational programs (LPN-to-RN students).

BACKGROUND

LPN-to-RN students are important because they may increase diversity and numbers of RNs. However, no prior study has examined transition experiences of LPN-to-RN students across the United States.

METHOD

A cross-sectional survey of LPN-to-RN students was conducted using Meleis et al.’s transition theory.

RESULTS

Students (n = 873) from 131 nursing programs responded. The most common facilitators were personal motivation and believing the content taught was valuable; the most common inhibitors were juggling multiple responsibilities and personal stress levels. Several significant relationships between transition conditions and program/student characteristics were identified.

CONCLUSION

Faculty in LPN-to-RN programs can increase support for students by refining their own actions and addressing potential challenges when LPN and non-LPN nursing students share classes.
Self-Compassion and Resilience in a National Sample of Nursing Students Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Lancaster Rachelle , Englund Heather , Anibas Morgan , Vande Berg Cassidy
Published: December 2022

Nationwide, nursing students experienced multiple interruptions in learning because of the pandemic. Little is known about the impact of COVID-19 on resilience and self-compassion. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used to examine pandemic-related factors, resilience, and self-compassion using the Brief Resilience and Self-Compassion scales. The majority of participants (n = 259, 73.4 percent) described declining mental health. There was a moderate relationship between resilience, self-compassion, and age (r = .30, n = 353, p = .00/r = .290, n = 353, p < .01). Resilience and self-compassion are integral to student success. Strategies to support students’ mental and physical health are discussed.
Academic Productivity of Equity-Deserving Physician Scholars During COVID-19: A Scoping Review
Authors: Soklaridis Sophie , Black Georgia , LeBlanc Constance , MacKinnon Kinnon R. , Holroyd-Leduc Jayna , Clement Fiona , Schrewe Brett , Ross Heather J. , Calleja Sabine , Stergiopoulos Vicky , Taylor Valerie H. , Kuper Ayelet
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic presented new barriers and exacerbated existing inequities for physician scholars. While COVID-19’s impact on academic productivity among women has received attention, the pandemic may have posed additional challenges for scholars from a wider range of equity-deserving groups, including those who hold multiple equity-deserving identities. To examine this concern, the authors conducted a scoping review of the literature through an intersectionality lens.

Method

The authors searched peer-reviewed literature published March 1, 2020, to December 16, 2021, in Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, and PubMed. The authors excluded studies not written in English and/or outside of academic medicine. From included studies, they extracted data regarding descriptions of how COVID-19 impacted academic productivity of equity-deserving physician scholars, analyses on the pandemic’s reported impact on productivity of physician scholars from equity-deserving groups, and strategies provided to reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on academic productivity of physician scholars from equity-deserving groups.

Results

Of 11,587 unique articles, 44 met inclusion criteria, including 15 nonempirical studies and 29 empirical studies (22 bibliometrics studies, 6 surveys, and 1 qualitative study). All included articles focused on the gendered impact of the pandemic on academic productivity. The majority of their recommendations focused on how to alleviate the burden of the pandemic on women, particularly those in the early stages of their career and/or with children, without consideration of scholars who hold multiple and intersecting identities from a wider range of equity-deserving groups.

Conclusions

Findings indicate a lack of published literature on the pandemic’s impact on physician scholars from equity-deserving groups, including a lack of consideration of physician scholars who experience multiple forms of discrimination. Well-intentioned measures by academic institutions to reduce the impact on scholars may inadvertently risk reproducing and sustaining inequities that equity-deserving scholars faced during the pandemic.
Preprints in Health Professions Education: Raising Awareness and Shifting Culture
Authors: Maggio Lauren A. , Fleerackers Alice
Published: December 2022

A preprint is a version of a research manuscript posted by its authors to a preprint server before peer review. Preprints are associated with a variety of benefits, including the ability to rapidly communicate research, the opportunity for researchers to receive feedback and raise awareness of their research, and broad and unrestricted access. For early-career researchers, preprints also provide a mechanism for demonstrating research progress and productivity without the lengthy timelines of traditional journal publishing. Despite these benefits, few health professions education (HPE) research articles are deposited as preprints, suggesting that preprinting is not currently integrated into HPE culture. In this article, the authors describe preprints, their benefits and related risks, and the potential barriers that hamper their widespread use within HPE. In particular, the authors propose the barriers of discordant messaging and the lack of formal and informal education on how to deposit, critically appraise, and use preprints. To mitigate these barriers, several recommendations are proposed to facilitate preprints in becoming an accepted and encouraged component of HPE culture, allowing the field to take full advantage of this evolving form of research dissemination.
Use of standardized letters of recommendation for orthopaedic surgery residency: a national survey study
Authors: Samade Richard , Kogan Monica , Porter Scott E. , Patt Joshua C. , Samora Julie B.
Published: December 2022

Background:

Standardized letters of recommendation (SLORs) were introduced to facilitate the comparison of applicants for orthopaedic surgery residency positions, but concerns have arisen regarding the prevalence of their use and potential limitations.

Methods:

An 11-question electronic survey was sent to all letter of recommendation (LOR) authors and program coordinators who were identified as having completed or prepared a SLOR during the 2020 orthopaedic surgery residency match cycle. A total of 740 LOR authors and 218 program coordinators were invited via initial and reminder electronic mail messages.

Results:

The survey response rate was 18.1% for LOR authors and 25.2% for program coordinators. The proportion of LORs written that were SLORs significantly increased from prior to the 2020 match cycle to the 2020 match cycle (72.7% to 90.2%, ratio =1.240, P<0.001). There was not a significant increase in the proportion of LORs that were SLORs prepared by program coordinators (83.7% to 77.6%, ratio =0.927, P=0.375). A majority of LOR authors and program coordinators were aware of electronic (82.1% and 76.5%, respectively) and paper SLORs (91.0% and 88.2%, respectively).

Conclusions:

This study found that SLOR usage increased among LOR authors. However, a parallel increase in SLOR preparation was not reported by program coordinators.

Level of Evidence:

Level III
Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: Will Cardiac Magnetic Imaging Impact on Diagnosis, Treatment, and Outcomes?: Explaining the Need for Advanced Imaging to Clinical Stakeholders
Authors: Moreyra Camila , Moreyra Eduardo , Rozich John D.
Published: December 2022

Clinicians frequently equate symptoms of volume overload to heart failure (HF) but such generalization may preclude diagnostic or etiologic precision essential to optimizing outcomes. HF itself must be specified as the disparate types of cardiac pathology have been traditionally surmised by examination of left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) as either HF with preserved LVEF (HFpEF-LVEF >50%) or reduced LVEF of (HFrEF-LVEF <40%). More recent data support a third, potentially transitional HF subtype, but therapy, assessment, and prognosis have been historically dictated within the corresponding LV metrics determined by echocardiography. The present effort asks whether this historically dominant role of echocardiography is now shifting slightly, becoming instead a shared if not complimentary test. Will there be a gradual increasing profile for cardiac magnetic resonance as the attempt to further refine our understanding, diagnostic accuracy, and outcomes for HFpEF is attempted?
Assessing health literacy and subsequent implementation of an animated video to enhance understanding for patients with nephrolithiasis
Authors: Prabhu Anand , Bylund Jason , Bell John Roger , Bhalodi Amul , Harris Andrew
Published: December 2022

Background

The use of visual aids to enhance patient learning is becoming increasingly common in medicine. Patients with a better understanding of surgical procedures tend to have better long-term outcomes due to the active seeking of help when complications occur postsurgery. We hypothesized that showing patients an animation of ureteroscopy with instructions on how to address potential complications would increase their understanding of the perioperative nature of ureteroscopy.

Methods and materials

Fifty patients were selected between May and August 2019. The group consisted of patients who had recently undergone ureteroscopy for nephrolithiasis or who would undergo ureteroscopy in the near future. Patients were given a prevideo assessment, followed by video and postvideo assessments. The prevideo and postvideo assessments were multiple choice and identical, except for 3 additional questions at the end of the postvideo assessment asking about patient opinions regarding the video. Patients were unaware that they would be completing a postvideo assessment until they had finished watching the video.

Results

When asked about the symptoms of a urinary tract infection postprocedure, 72% of patients answered incorrectly, with 58% choosing “go to the emergency department immediately,” in the prevideo assessment versus 6% in the postvideo assessment (p < 0.05). If bleeding was a possible side effect of the procedure, 20% versus 0% answered incorrectly (p < 0.05). When asked about stent placement after surgery, 6% versus 0% answered incorrectly. One hundred percent of patients in both assessments answered correctly that stones would be removed and a scope was inserted into the urethra. Ninety-four percent of patients noted the video was presented in a very clear way, 80% noted that the video increased their understanding of the procedure “a lot,” and 82% noted the video increased the quality of their visit “a lot.”

Conclusions

Using an animated video to explain ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy is beneficial.
Effects of nutritional interventions on the severity of depressive and anxiety symptoms of women in the menopausal transition and menopause: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression
Authors: Grigolon Ruth B. , Ceolin Gilciane , Deng Yan , Bambokian Alexander , Koning Elena , Fabe Jennifer , Lima Maiara , Gerchman Fernando , Soares Claudio N. , Brietzke Elisa , Gomes Fabiano A.
Published: December 2022

Importance

Depression and anxiety may significantly affect women during the menopausal transition. In addition to traditional treatment strategies such as hormone therapy, antidepressants, and psychotherapy, nutritional interventions have been increasingly studied, but there is no consensus about their role in this patient population.

Objective

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of nutritional interventions on the severity of depressive (DS) and anxiety (AS) symptoms in women during the menopausal transition or menopausal years.

Evidence Review

Electronic search using databases PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase to identify articles indexed until January 31, 2021, focusing on randomized placebo-controlled trials documenting the effect of diet, food supplements, and nutraceuticals on DS and AS.

Findings

Thirty-two studies were included (DS, n = 15; AS, n = 1; DS and AS combined, n = 16). We found two studies that demonstrated data combined with other interventions: one with lifestyle interventions (vitamin D plus lifestyle-based weight-loss program) and another with exercise (omega 3 plus exercise). The pooled effect size favored the intervention group over placebo for both DS and AS (DS: standardized mean difference, −0.35 [95% confidence interval, −0.68 to −0.03; P = 0.0351]; AS: standardized mean difference, −0.74 [95% CI, −1.37 to −0.11; P = 0.0229]). There was significant heterogeneity in the pooled results, which can be attributed to differences in assessment tools for depression and anxiety as well as the variety of nutritional interventions studied. The subgroup analysis showed a statistically significant effect of menopausal status (perimenopausal or menopausal) but not the type or duration of nutritional intervention. Older age was the only significant predictor of the effect size of nutritional interventions in the meta-regression.

Conclusions and Relevance

Nutritional interventions are promising tools for the management of mood/anxiety symptoms in women during the menopausal transition and in postmenopausal years. Because of significant heterogeneity and risk of bias among studies, the actual effect of different approaches is still unclear.
Health Disparities in Patients Seeking Physiological Surgical Treatment for Lymphedema
Authors: Shakir Afaaf , Coalson Elam , Beederman Maureen , Froimson Jill R. , Chang David W.
Published: December 2022

Background:

Previous studies have demonstrated racial disparities in breast cancer treatment and secondary lymphedema. However, no studies have yet examined the effects of race and socioeconomic status on physiological surgical treatment for lymphedema. The authors aimed to evaluate whether disparities exist within patients seeking physiological surgical lymphedema treatment.

Methods:

A retrospective review was performed of patients presenting for physiological surgical treatment of lymphedema from 2013 to 2019. Data on demographics, medical history, socioeconomic factors, lymphedema, and treatments were collected.

Results:

A total of 789 patients (712 women and 77 men) seeking physiological surgical treatment of lymphedema were selected. Their mean age was 54.4 ± 13.4 years. A total of 620 patients (78.5%) self-reported as White, 120 (15.2%) as Black, 17 (2.2%) as Asian, five (0.6%) as Hispanic, and eight (2.4%) as multiracial. A total of 566 patients (71.7%) met criteria for surgical candidacy. White race was associated with increased rates of surgical candidacy compared with Black race (46.6% versus 77.2%; P < 0.0001). Compared with White patients, Black patients presented with a longer symptom duration (11.07 versus 6.99 years; P < 0.001), had a higher body mass index (mean, 34.5 versus 28.1; P < 1 × 10–10), had a higher International Society of Lymphology stage (P < 0.05), and were less likely to have maximized medical treatment for lymphedema (30.8% versus 55.4%; P < 0.01).

Conclusions:

This study demonstrates racial disparities in patients seeking physiological surgical treatment for lymphedema. Black patients present later with more severe disease, receive less nonsurgical treatment before consultation, and are less likely to meet criteria for physiological surgery. Improved patient and provider education on lymphedema and appropriate diagnosis and nonsurgical treatment is of primary importance to address this disparity.
Congenital Lower Extremity Anomaly Pathology and Reconstruction: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Shah Hemali , Cotofana Sebastian , Lifchez Scott D. , Bialowas Christie
Published: December 2022

With the advent of the subspecialty of orthoplastic surgery, there has been a greater involvement of plastic surgeons in limb reconstruction, congenital anomalies, and salvage procedures. Understanding embryology helps plastic surgeons better understand how to reconstruct lower extremity congenital defects and how development of the lower limb affects what can be done to reconstruct the adult lower limb. There is significant discussion in the literature regarding embryology and development of craniofacial structures and the upper extremity; however, the development of the lower limb remains largely unexplored. This review aims to elucidate the embryologic development of the lower limb, congenital anomalies that may present to the plastic surgeon, and reconstructive options.
The Medial Femoral Condyle Flap: A Novel Versatile Tool for Complex Microvascular Maxillofacial Reconstruction
Authors: Ismail Tarek , Kurlander David E. , Lee Z-Hye , Lunger Alexander , Shuck John W. , Largo Rene D. , Chang Edward I.
Published: December 2022

The medial femoral condyle flap is well-described for reconstruction of small bone defects of the upper and lower extremities. There are limited case reports of its use in other anatomic sites, particularly for reconstruction of complex head and neck defects. In the setting of previous radiation and contaminated fields, vascularized bone is generally preferred to bone grafts, cadaveric allografts, or synthetic implants. The authors present a case series of complex craniofacial defects involving the midface that were reconstructed using medial femoral condyle flaps, focusing on the type of defect and lessons learned from their early experience to promote awareness of this flap among microsurgeons, who may wish to consider the potential of this flap and incorporate its use into their armamentarium.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, IV.
Evaluation of Disk Potentiation Test (DPT) and Double Disk Synergy Test (DDST) for The Detection of Metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) in Clinical Isolates of Bangladesh
Authors: Das Sumon Kumar , Sheikh Afzal , Ara Nikhat , Biswas Suma Mita , Chowdhury Abhinandan , Zahra Fatimah Az , Keya Chaman Ara
Published: December 2022

Objective

Increasing the emergence of Metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) producing gram-negativeEnterobacteriaceaeand their dexterous horizontal transmission of the gene among other strains, demands rapid and accurate detection. This study was conducted to determine a suitable MBL detection method that could promptly identify the distribution of MBL-producing Gram-negative isolates at hospital settings in Bangladesh.

Methods

A total of 103 gram-negative bacilli were identified from various clinical samples at a tertiary care hospital in Dhaka city. MBL producers were detected by two phenotypic methods; Disk Potentiation Test (DPT) and the Double Disk Synergy Test (DDST) based on β-lactam chelator combinations where EDTA/SMA has been used as inhibitor and Imipenem, Ceftazidime as substrates.

Results

All 103 isolates which were identified asEscherichia coli spp, Klebsiella spp, Pseudomonas spp, Acinetobacter spp, Proteus spp, Providencia sppwere found to be multidrug-resistant in antibiogram test. All the mentioned isolates showed complete resistance (100%) to Imipenem, Meropenem, and Amoxiclav. The highest carbapenem-resistant etiological agents isolated wereAcinetobacter spp40 (38.8%) followed byPseudomonas spp27 (26.2%),Klebsiella spp26 (25.2%),Escherichia coli8(7.8%),Proteus spp1(1%) andProvidencia spp1(1%). DPT method detected significantly (p=0.000009) higher number of MBL-producers (n=61, 59.2% & n=56, 54.4%) compared to the DDST method (n=43, 41.7%, n=38, 36.9% & n=15, 14.6%).

Conclusion

This study depicts that DPT is a more sensitive method than DDST and could be recommended for identifying MBL-producing bacteria in Bangladeshi hospitals for the proper management of patients, and to reduce time constraints as well as treatment costs.
Integrated microbiome and metabolome analysis reveals the interaction between intestinal flora and serum metabolites as potential biomarkers in hepatocellular carcinoma patients
Authors: Li Xiaoyue , Gu Xinyu , Li Liqiu , Xiang Liangliang , Jiang Zhaodi , Zhang Yufeng , Li Shujie , Yi Changhua , Li Junwei , Yi Yongxiang
Published: December 2022

Globally, liver cancer poses a serious threat to human health and quality of life. Despite numerous studies on the microbial composition of the gut in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), little is known about the interactions of the gut microbiota and metabolites and their role in HCC. We examined the composition of the gut microbiota and serum metabolic profiles in 68 patients with HCC, 33 patients with liver cirrhosis (LC), and 34 healthy individuals (NC) using a combination of metagenome sequencing and liquid chromatography‒mass spectrometry (LC‒MS). The composition of the serum metabolites and the structure of the intestinal microbiota were found to be significantly altered in HCC patients compared to non-HCC patients. We used LEfSe and metabolic pathway enrichment analysis to identify two key species (Odoribacter splanchnicusandRuminococcus bicirculans) and five key metabolites (ouabain, taurochenodeoxycholic acid, glycochenodeoxycholate, theophylline, and xanthine) associated with HCC, which we then combined to create panels for HCC diagnosis. We discovered that the diagnostic performance of the metabolome was superior to that of the microbiome, and a panel comprised of key species and key metabolites outperformed AFP in terms of diagnostic value. Spearman’s rank correlation test was used to determine the relationship between the intestinal flora and serum metabolites and their impact on hepatocarcinogenesis and progression. A random forest model was used to assess the diagnostic performance of the different histologies alone and in combination. The panel we developed was very close to the AUC values of the best omics. In summary, this study describes the characteristics of HCC patients’ intestinal flora and serum metabolism, demonstrates that HCC is caused by the interaction of intestinal flora and serum metabolites, and suggests that two key species and five key metabolites may be potential markers for the diagnosis of HCC.
Joint modeling HIV and HPV using a new hybrid agent-based network and compartmental simulation technique
Authors: Zhao Xinmeng , Gopalappa Chaitra
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Persons living with HIV have a disproportionately higher burden of HPV-related cancers. Causal factors include both behavioral and biological. While pharmaceutical and care support interventions help address biological risk of coinfection, as social conditions are common drivers of behaviors, structural interventions are key part of behavioral interventions. Joint modeling sexually transmitted diseases (STD) can help evaluate optimal intervention combinations for overall disease prevention. While compartmental modeling is sufficient for faster spreading HPV, network modeling is suitable for slower spreading HIV. However, using network modeling for jointly modeling HIV and HPV can generate computational complexities given their vastly varying disease epidemiology and disease burden across sub-population groups.

Methods

We applied a recently developed mixed agent-based compartmental (MAC) simulation technique, which simulates persons with at least one slower spreading disease and their immediate contacts as agents in a network, and all other persons including those with faster spreading diseases in a compartmental model, with an evolving contact network algorithm maintaining the dynamics between the two models. We simulated HIV and HPV in the U.S. among heterosexual female, heterosexual male, and men who have sex with men (men only and men and women) (MSM), sub-populations that mix but have varying HIV burden, and cervical cancer among women. We conducted numerical analyses to evaluate the contribution of behavioral and biological factors to risk of cervical cancer among women with HIV.

Results

The model outputs for HIV, HPV, and cervical cancer compared well with surveillance estimates. Behavioral factors significantly contributed to risk of HIV-HPV co-infection, and biological factors further exacerbated cancer burden among persons with HIV, with the fraction attributed to each factor sensitive to disease burden.

Conclusions

This work serves as proof-of-concept of the MAC simulation technique for joint modeling related diseases with varying epidemiology in sub-populations with varying disease burden. Future work can expand the model to simulate sexual and care behaviors as functions of social conditions, and further, jointly evaluate behavioral, structural, and pharmaceutical interventions for overall STD prevention.
Study COVID-19 Severity of Patients Admitted to Emergency Room (ER) with Chest X-ray Images
Authors: Stubblefield Jonathan , Saldivar Christopher , De Feria Anna , Riddle James , Shivkumar Abhijit , Causey Jason , Qualls Jake , Fowler Jennifer , Huang Xiuzhen
Published: December 2022

We have conducted a study of the COVID-19 severity with the chest x-ray images, a private dataset collected from our collaborator St Bernards Medical Center. The dataset is comprised of chest x-ray images from 1,550 patients who were admitted to emergency room (ER) and were all tested positive for COVID-19. Our study is focused on the following two questions: (1) To predict patients hospital staying duration, based on the chest x-ray image which was taken when the patient was admitted to the ER. The length of stay ranged from zero hours to 95 days in the hospital and followed a power law distribution. Based on our testing results, it is hard for the prediction models to detect strong signal from the chest x-ray images. No model was able to perform better than a trivial most-frequent classifier. However, each model was able to outperform the most-frequent classifier when the data was split evenly into four categories. This would suggest that there is signal in the images, and the performance may be further improved by the addition of clinical features as well as increasing the training set. (2) To predict if a patient is COVID-19 positive or not with the chest x-ray image. We also tested the generalizability of training a prediction model on chest x-ray images from one hospital and then testing the model on images captures from other sites. With our private dataset and the COVIDx dataset, the prediction model can achieve a high accuracy of 95.9%. However, for our hold-one-out study of the generalizability of the models trained on chest x-rays, we found that the model performance suffers due to a significant reduction in training samples of any class.
Incidence Rate of Post Coronary Artery Shunt Complications; Age Dependent!
Authors: Marzoog Basheer Abdullah , Vanichkina Ekaterina
Published: December 2022

Background

Several complications reported after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), such as postoperative arrythmia and postoperative stroke.

Aims

The study aimed to assess the role of age advancement in the incidence rate of post coronary artery shunt complications.

Objectives

Aging is a pathophysiological process that experience every living cell and starts from the early period of development, before even born.

Materials and methods

A retrospective analysis of 290 patients who underwent a coronary artery bypass graft at Mordovia republic hospital for the period 2017-2021. The sample was subdivided into two groups, the first group 126 patients (mean age: min; max, 55.21:41.00;60.00) and the second group 163 (M age: min; max, 66.11: 61.00; 80.00). For statistical analysis, we used the T test, the one-way ANOVA test, ROC analysis, and the Pearson correlation test using the Statistica 12 programme.

Results

Post-CABG arrythmia developed in elderly patients, p<0.012528. Subsequently, after CABG arrythmia, the ICU and total hospitalisation days, p< 0.000000; p< 0.000072, respectively. Elderly people are at higher risk of psychosis after CABG surgery, p <0.007379. psychosis significantly increases hospitalisation days in the ICU, p < 0.000140. Postoperative stroke occurs more frequently in elderly people, p < 0.037736. Subsequently, postoperative stroke increases the ICU hospitalization days, p <0.000747. The number of ITAs used is less in the elderly, p < 0.016145. In terms of correlation, exist a direct association between age and ICU / total hospitalization days/number of complications, r= 0.189046, 0.141415, 0.138565; respectively.

Conclusions

The number of complications is determined by age, CPB time, aortic cross-clamp time, the days of hospitalisation in the ICU and the total days of hospitalisation. Elderly people undergoing CABG are at higher risk of psychosis, arrythmia, longer total and ICU hospitalization days, and stroke.

Others

Total hospitalization days depend on the presence of arrythmia, which is commonly seen in elderly patients > 63 years old.

Graphical abstract

Graphical abstract:

With age, the number of shunts increases in the first group <60 years old.
Assessment of venous thromboembolism risk and use of anticoagulant thromboprophylaxis in CHUK, Rwanda: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Abimana Emile , Ntabanganyimana Etienne , Ndahimana Raphael , Osee Sebatunzi R , Masaisa Florence
Published: December 2022

Background

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is common and preventable disease among non-surgical hospitalized patients. Its incidence is high and alarming. Acute medical patients have VTE risk during and after hospitalization. Padua prediction score is a risk model created to identify high VTE risk patients among non-surgical hospitalized patients.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional survey of 107 patients admitted in Internal Medicine wards that were assessed as acute ill patients at Emergency Department, in a period of 4 weeks. The demographic and clinical data were collected using a designed questionnaire. VTE risk was defined as having a Padua Prediction score of ≥4 points. Statistical analysis was done to determine prevalence. The patients at high VTE risk received thromboprophylaxis.

Results

Of one hundred and seven eligible patients included. 84% were found with high VTE risk. Among physiologically unstable patients, 60% of the patients were classified in red color during the time of triage, this means, they were severely sick and needing resuscitation. Among leading diagnosis, severe pneumonia was predominant (29%). Severe pneumonia and uncontrolled DM showed significant association with high VTE risk. 11.1% of high VTE risk patients were taking anticoagulant thromboprophylaxis prior to the recruitment.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated a high prevalence of VTE risk among acute ill medical patients and underuse of anticoagulants thromboprophylaxis in potential patients at Kigali University Teaching Hospital, CHUK. Padua prediction score should be implemented for early detection of patients at-risk of VTE in severely ill patients and start anticoagulant thromboprophylaxis on time for reducing mortality and morbidity.
Epithelia delimits glial apical polarity against mechanical shear to maintain glia-neuron - architecture
Authors: Martin Cecilia G. , Bent James S. , Singhvi Aakanksha
Published: December 2022

For an organ to maintain proper architecture and function, its different component cell-types must coordinate their cell-shapes with each other through life. While cell-intrinsic developmental mechanisms driving homotypic cell-cell coordination are known, how heterotypic cells collectively regulate cell-shape is less-clear. We report that, in a sense-organ, epithelial cells delimit and maintain polarity domains of contacting glia, and thereby, associated neuron shapes throughout life. Briefly, Hsp co-chaperone UNC-23/BAG2 keeps epithelial apical domains from deforming with animal movement. Epithelial apical domains stretch aberrantly and progressively in adultunc-23mutant animals, which in an FGFR-dependent manner, dislocates glial apical cytoskeleton proteins SMA-1/βH-Spectrin and actin. This alters glial apical polarity and cell shape, and concomitantly, associated neuron-ending shape. Notably, UNC-23 acts temporally at a developmental critical period to maintain glia-neuron shape in adults, and spatially within a defined anatomical zone. Lastly, intervention in either epithelia, glia or neuron ameliorate or phenocopyunc-23neural defects. Epi/endothelia resist mechanical stress and contact glia-neuron units across central/peripheral nervous systems and species, and all components of the identified molecular pathway are conserved and disease-relevant. Thus, we posit that analogous epithelia-glia mechanobiological coupling may broadly regulate glia-neuron shapes through animal life.
Context-dependence of T-loop mediated long-range RNA tertiary interactions
Authors: Hansen Lisa N. , Kletzien Otto A. , Urquijo Marcus , Schwanz Logan T. , Batey Robert T.
Published: December 2022

The architecture and folding of complex RNAs is governed by a limited set of highly recurrent structural motifs that form long-range tertiary interactions. One of these motifs is the T-loop, which was first identified in tRNA but is broadly distributed across biological RNAs. While the T-loop has been examined in detail in different biological contexts, the various receptors that it interacts with are not as well defined. In this study, we use a cell-based genetic screen in concert with bioinformatic analysis to examine three different, but related, T-loop receptor motifs found in the flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and cobalamin (Cbl) riboswitches. As a host for different T-loop receptors, we employed theenv8 class-II Cbl riboswitch, an RNA that uses two T-loop motifs for both folding and supporting the ligand binding pocket. A set of libraries was created in which select nucleotides that participate in the T-loop/T-loop receptor (TL/TLR) interaction were fully randomized. Library members were screened for their ability to support Cbl-dependent expression of a reporter gene. While T-loops appear to be variable in sequence, we find that the functional sequence space is more restricted in the Cbl riboswitch, suggesting that TL/TLR interactions are context dependent. Our data reveal clear sequence signatures for the different types of receptor motifs that align with phylogenic analysis of these motifs in the FMN and Cbl riboswitches. Finally, our data suggest the functional contribution of various nucleobase-mediated long-range interactions within the riboswitch subclass of TL/TLR interactions that are distinct from those found in other RNAs.

Highlights

The T-loop motif frequently mediates tertiary interactions in RNA

Activity-based screen used to explore T-loop mediate interactions in riboswitches

Results from the screen were consistent with phylogenetic analysis

T-loop/T-loop recepto­­­­r interactions are context dependent
Honey contamination from plant protection products approved for cocoa cultivation: a systematic review of existing research and methods
Authors: Boakye Richard G. , Stanley Dara A. , White Blanaid
Published: December 2022

Cocoa (Theobroma cocoa), which is the key ingredient of chocolate, is an important economic crop plant which supports the livelihoods of an estimated forty to fifty million people directly involved in its cultivation. Many cocoa producing countries, especially those from the developing world, rely on the income from cocoa export to support their economies. The plant is, however, prone to disease and pest attacks and therefore requires the application of large volumes of pesticides to guarantee satisfactory productions. Even though pesticides help protect the cocoa plant from disease and pest attacks, unintended effects of environmental contamination are also a possibility. Honey, a product of nectar collected by honeybees from flowers during foraging, may be a useful proxy for the extent to which landscapes are exposed to pesticides and the degree of pesticide accumulation in the environment. The overreaching question is: to what extent has the effect of pesticides imputed for cocoa production on honey received attention in research? In this present study, we conducted a systematic approach to quantify existing studies on honey contamination from plant protection products approved for cocoa cultivation. We observed that one hundred and sixty-nine different compounds, comprising some recommended and other unapproved compounds for cocoa cultivation, were detected in 81% of the reviewed 104 publications. Our results further point to the neonicotinoids as the most detected class of pesticides, with imidacloprid particularly being the single most detected compound. However, the most remarkable observation made from this study points to disproportionate studies of honey contamination from pesticides conducted in cocoa and non-cocoa producing countries with only 19% of the publications taking place in the latter. To bridge the gap, we suggest prioritising increased research in cocoa growing countries to ameliorate the significant gaps in knowledge owing to limited studies emanating from these geographic regions.
An Activity-Based Nanosensor for Minimally-Invasive Measurement of Protease Activity in Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Kudryashev Julia A. , Madias Marianne I. , Kandell Rebecca M. , Lin Queenie X. , Kwon Ester J.
Published: December 2022

Current screening and diagnostic tools for traumatic brain injury (TBI) have limitations in sensitivity and prognostication. Aberrant protease activity is a central process that drives disease progression in TBI and is associated with worsened prognosis; thus direct measurements of protease activity could provide more diagnostic information. In this study, we engineered a nanosensor that releases a measurable signal into the blood and urine in response to activity from the TBI-associated protease calpain. Readouts from our nanosensor were designed to be compatible with ELISA and lateral flow assays, clinically-relevant assay modalities. In a mouse model of TBI, we demonstrated greater sensitivity of the nanosensor with the addition of targeting ligands to hyaluronic acid. In evaluation of mice with mild or severe injuries, our nanosensor identified mild TBI with a higher sensitivity than the clinical biomarker GFAP. This nanosensor technology allows for measurement of TBI-associated proteases without the need to directly access brain tissue, and has the potential to complement existing TBI diagnostic tools.
Identification of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase as a potential target for anti-monkeypox virus agents
Authors: Hishiki Takayuki , Morita Takeshi , Akazawa Daisuke , Ohashi Hirofumi , Park Eun-Sil , Kataoka Michiyo , Mifune Junki , Shionoya Kaho , Tsuchimoto Kana , Ojima Shinjiro , Azam Aa Haeruman , Nakajima Shogo , Yoshikawa Tomoki , Shimojima Masayuki , Kiga Kotaro , Maeda Ken , Suzuki Tadaki , Ebihara Hideki , Takahashi Yoshimasa , Watashi Koichi
Published: December 2022

Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is a neglected zoonotic pathogen that caused a worldwide outbreak in May 2022. Given the lack of an established therapy, the development of an anti-MPXV strategy is of vital importance. To identify drug targets for the development of anti-MPXV agents, we screened a chemical library using an MPXV infection cell assay and found that gemcitabine, trifluridine, and mycophenolic acid (MPA) inhibited MPXV propagation. These compounds showed broad-spectrum anti-orthopoxvirus activities and presented lower 90% inhibitory concentrations (0.032-1.40 μM) than brincidofovir, an approved anti-smallpox agent. These three compounds have been suggested to target the post-entry step to reduce the intracellular production of virions. Knockdown of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), the rate-limiting enzyme of guanosine biosynthesis and a target of MPA, dramatically reduced MPXV DNA production. Moreover, supplementation with guanosine recovered the anti-MPXV effect of MPA, suggesting that IMPDH and its guanosine biosynthetic pathway regulate MPXV replication. By targeting IMPDH, we identified a series of compounds with stronger anti-MPXV activity than MPA. These evidences propose that IMPDH is a potential target for the development of anti-MPXV agents.

Importance

Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus, and a worldwide outbreak occurred in May 2022. The smallpox vaccine has recently been approved for clinical use against monkeypox in the United States. Although brincidofovir and tecovirimat are drugs approved for the treatment of smallpox by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, their efficacy against monkeypox has not been established. Moreover, these drugs may present negative side effects. Therefore, new anti-monkeypox virus agents are needed. This study revealed that gemcitabine, trifluridine, and mycophenolic acid inhibited monkeypox virus propagation, exhibited broad-spectrum anti-orthopoxvirus activities. We also suggested inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase as a potential target for the development of anti-monkeypox virus agents. By targeting this molecule, we identified a series of compounds with stronger anti-monkeypox virus activity than mycophenolic acid.