bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-acting cilostazol versus isosorbide mononitrate for patients with vasospastic angina: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kang Min Gyu , Ahn Jong-Hwa , Hwang Jin-Yong , Hwang Seok-Jae , Koh Jin-Sin , Park Yongwhi , Bae Jae Seok , Chun Kook Jin , Kim Jeong Su , Kim June Hong , Chon Min Ku
Published: April 2024

Background

Cilostazol has a vasodilatory function that may be beneficial for patients with vasospastic angina (VSA). We conducted a randomized, open-label, controlled trial to compare the efficacy and safety of long-acting cilostazol and isosorbide mononitrate (ISMN) for VSA.

Methods

The study included patients with confirmed VSA between September 2019 and May 2021. Participants were randomly assigned to receive long-acting cilostazol (test group, 200 mg once daily) or conventional ISMN therapy (control group, 20 mg twice daily) for 4 weeks. The clinical efficacy and safety were evaluated using weekly questionnaires.

Results

Forty patients were enrolled in the study (long-acting cilostazol, n = 20; ISMN, n = 20). Baseline characteristics were balanced between the two groups. Long acting cilostazol showed better angina symptom control within the first week compared to ISMN [reduction of pain intensity score, 6.0 (4.0–8.0) vs. 4.0 (1.0–5.0), P = 0.005; frequency of angina symptom, 0 (0–2.0) vs. 2.0 (0–3.0), P = 0.027, respectively]. The rate of neurological adverse reactions was lower in the cilostazol group than in the ISMN group (headache or dizziness, 40 vs. 85%, P = 0.009; headache, 30 vs. 70%, P = 0.027).

Conclusion

Long-acting cilostazol provided comparable control of angina and fewer adverse neurologic reactions within 4 weeks compared to ISMN. Long-acting cilostazol provides more intensive control of angina within 1 week, suggesting that it may be an initial choice for the treatment of VSA.
Health Care Access and Utilization and the Latino Health Paradox
Authors: Barajas Clara B. , Rivera-González Alexandra C. , Vargas Bustamante Arturo , Langellier Brent A. , Lopez Mercado Damaris , Ponce Ninez A. , Roby Dylan H. , Stimpson Jim P. , De Trinidad Young Maria-Elena , Ortega Alexander N.
Published: April 2024

Background:

The Latino health paradox is the phenomenon whereby recent Latino immigrants have, on average, better health outcomes on some indicators than Latino immigrants who have lived in the United States longer and US-born Latinos and non-Latino Whites. This study examined whether the paradox holds after accounting for health care access and utilization.

Methods:

The 2019-2020 National Health Interview Survey data were used. The main predictors included population groups of foreign-born and US-born Latinos (Mexican or non-Mexican) versus US-born non-Latino Whites. Predicted probabilities of health outcomes (self-reported poor/fair health, overweight/obesity, hypertension, coronary heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and depression) were calculated and stratified by length of residence in the United States (<15 or ≥15 years) among foreign-born Latinos and sex (female or male). Multivariable analyses adjusted for having a usual source of care other than the emergency department, health insurance, a doctor visit in the past 12 months, predisposing and enabling factors, and survey year.

Results:

After adjusting for health care access, utilization, and predisposing and enabling factors, foreign-born Latinos, including those living in the United States ≥15 years, had lower predicted probabilities for most health outcomes than US-born non-Latino Whites, except overweight/obesity and diabetes. US-born Latinos had higher predicted probabilities of overweight/obesity and diabetes and a lower predicted probability of depression than US-born non-Latino Whites.

Conclusions:

In this national survey, the Latino health paradox was observed after adjusting for health care access and utilization and predisposing and enabling factors, suggesting that, although these are important factors for good health, they do not necessarily explain the paradox.
TFE3-Rearranged PEComa/PEComa-like Neoplasms
Authors: Argani Pedram , Gross John M. , Baraban Ezra , Rooper Lisa M. , Chen Suping , Lin Ming-Tseh , Gocke Christopher , Agaimy Abbas , Lotan Tamara , Suurmeijer Albert J.H. , Antonescu Cristina R.
Published: April 2024

Since their original description as a distinctive neoplastic entity, ~50TFE3-rearranged perivascular epithelioid cell tumors (PEComas) have been reported. We herein report 25 newTFE3-rearranged PEComas and review the published literature to further investigate their clinicopathologic spectrum. Notably, 5 of the 25 cases were associated with a prior history of chemotherapy treatment for cancer. This is in keeping with prior reports, based mainly on small case series, with overall 11% ofTFE3-rearranged PEComas being diagnosed postchemotherapy. The median age of our cohort was 38 years. Most neoplasms demonstrated characteristic features such as nested architecture, epithelioid cytology, HMB45 positive, and muscle marker negative immunophenotype.SFPQwas the most commonTFE3fusion partner present in half of the cases, followed byASPSCR1andNONOgenes. Four of 7 cases in our cohort with meaningful follow-up presented with or developed systemic metastasis, while over half of the reported cases either recurred locally, metastasized, or caused patient death. Follow-up for the remaining cases was limited (median 18.5 months), suggesting that the prognosis may be worse. Size, mitotic activity, and necrosis were correlated with aggressive behavior. There is little evidence that treatment with MTOR inhibitors, which are beneficial againstTSC-mutated PEComas, is effective againstTFE3-rearranged PEComas: only one of 6 reported cases demonstrated disease stabilization. As co-expression of melanocytic and muscle markers, a hallmark of conventionalTSC-mutated PEComa is uncommon in the spectrum ofTFE3-rearranged PEComa, an alternative terminology may be more appropriate, such as “TFE3-rearranged PEComa-like neoplasms,” highlighting their distinctive morphologic features and therapeutic implications.
The Association of Emotion Regulation and Somatic Symptoms
Authors: Petzke Tara M. , Witthöft Michael
Published: April 2024

Objective

People with functional somatic symptoms have difficulties in various stages of the emotion regulation (ER) process. As an adaptive and flexible use of ER strategies is a core tenet of emotional health, having difficulties in this area is often assumed to be the key mechanism behind functional somatic symptoms. Following a dimensional population-based sampling approach, we investigated ER abilities across a broad range of people and tested possible associations with somatic symptom reporting, habitual ER use, and various subclinical constructs (such as alexithymia and anxiety).

Methods

In a sample ofN= 254 persons, somatic symptom distress (Patient Health Questionnaire-15, Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology somatoform spectrum), trait ER facets (Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, Emotion Reactivity Scale), and the ER abilities (suppression and reappraisal) were assessed. Correlations (frequentist and Bayesian), ANOVAs, and structural equation models were used to analyze the data.

Results

Correlational and structural equation model analyses revealed that general symptom severity (both on the somatoform Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology and Patient Health Questionnaire-15) was not significantly associated with ER effectiveness, general arousal, or general valence. The sensory components of pain symptoms (r= −0.708,p= .023) and health anxiety (r= −0.443,p= .028) were significantly negatively associated with effective ER.

Conclusions

ER effectiveness seems independent of general somatic symptom distress. We make recommendations for clinical interventions in light of these complex findings.
Quantifying Tendon Degeneration Using Magic Angle Insensitive Ultra-Short Echo Time Magnetization Transfer
Authors: Feuerriegel Georg C. , Marth Adrian A. , Goller Sophia S. , Hilbe Monika , Sommer Stefan , Sutter Reto
Published: April 2024

Objectives

The aim of this study was to qualitatively and quantitatively assess changes in bovine flexor tendons before and after collagen degradation and at different angles in relation to the static B0 field using 3-dimensional ultra-short echo time (UTE) magnetization transfer (MT) imaging within a clinically feasible acquisition time.

Materials and Methods

Eight bovine flexor tendons were examined at 3 T magnetic resonance imaging including 3-dimensional UTE MT and UTE T2* research application sequences (acquired within 4:04 and 6:38 minutes, respectively) before and after enzyme-induced degradation. The tendons were divided into 2 groups: group 1 (controls) treated with phosphate-buffered saline and group 2 treated with collagenase I to induce collagen degeneration. Magnetic resonance imaging was repeated at 0, 27, 55, and 90 degrees to the B0 field. To calculate quantitative tissue properties, all tendons were semiautomatically segmented, and changes in quantitative UTE T2* and UTE MT ratios (MTRs) were compared at different angles and between groups. In addition to descriptive statistics, the coefficient of variation was calculated to compare UTE MT and UTE T2* imaging.

Results

Ultra-short echo time MTR showed a significantly lower coefficient of variation compared with UTE T2* values, indicating a more robust imaging method (UTE MTR 9.64%–11.25%, UTE T2* 18.81%–24.06%, P < 0.001). Both methods showed good performance in detecting degenerated tendons using histopathology as reference standard, with UTE MT imaging having a better area under the curve than UTE T2* mapping (0.918 vs 0.865). Falsely high UTE T2* values were detected at the 55 degrees acquisition angle, whereas UTE MTR values were robust, that is, insensitive to the MAE.

Conclusions

Ultra-short echo time MT imaging is a reliable method for quantifying tendon degeneration that is robust to the MAE and can be acquired in a clinically reasonable time.
Pathophysiologic Mapping of Chronic Liver Diseases With Longitudinal Multiparametric MRI in Animal Models
Authors: Baskaya Ferhan , Lemainque Teresa , Klinkhammer Barbara , Koletnik Susanne , von Stillfried Saskia , Talbot Steven R. , Boor Peter , Schulz Volkmar , Lederle Wiltrud , Kiessling Fabian
Published: April 2024

Objectives

Chronic liver diseases (CLDs) have diverse etiologies. To better classify CLDs, we explored the ability of longitudinal multiparametric MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) in depicting alterations in liver morphology, inflammation, and hepatocyte and macrophage activity in murine high-fat diet (HFD)– and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)–induced CLD models.

Materials and Methods

Mice were either untreated, fed an HFD for 24 weeks, or injected with CCl4 for 8 weeks. Longitudinal multiparametric MRI was performed every 4 weeks using a 7 T MRI scanner, including T1/T2 relaxometry, morphological T1/T2-weighted imaging, and fat-selective imaging. Diffusion-weighted imaging was applied to assess fibrotic remodeling and T1-weighted and T2*-weighted dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI and dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI using gadoxetic acid and ferucarbotran to target hepatocytes and the mononuclear phagocyte system, respectively. Imaging data were associated with histopathological and serological analyses. Principal component analysis and clustering were used to reveal underlying disease patterns.

Results

The MRI parameters significantly correlated with histologically confirmed steatosis, fibrosis, and liver damage, with varying importance. No single MRI parameter exclusively correlated with 1 pathophysiological feature, underscoring the necessity for using parameter patterns. Clustering revealed early-stage, model-specific patterns. Although the HFD model exhibited pronounced liver fat content and fibrosis, the CCl4 model indicated reduced liver fat content and impaired hepatocyte and macrophage function. In both models, MRI biomarkers of inflammation were elevated.

Conclusions

Multiparametric MRI patterns can be assigned to pathophysiological processes and used for murine CLD classification and progression tracking. These MRI biomarker patterns can directly be explored clinically to improve early CLD detection and differentiation and to refine treatments.
Gastric Fundus Splenosis Mimicking Malignancy on FDG PET/CT
Authors: Guo Linlin , Shen Guohua
Published: April 2024

A 17-year-old man presented with dull pain in the left upper abdomen for 1 month. Initial CT and gastroscopy revealed a mass in the gastric fundas, protruding into the lumen. Based on findings of a fine-needle biopsy, an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor was suspected. Subsequent PET/CT showed increased FDG uptake in the gastric fundas as well as hepatogastric ligament, para-aortic region. Eventually, he underwent surgical resection, and histopathologic findings confirmed the diagnosis of splenosis.
68Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT Imaging of Mesenteric Aggressive Fibromatosis
Authors: Wei Jing , Chen Xiaoliang
Published: April 2024

Aggressive fibromatosis is a relatively rare disease. We describe 68Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT findings in a case of histologically proved mesenteric aggressive fibromatosis. 68Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT revealed a mass in the mesentery with increased FAPI activity. This case indicates that FAPI PET may be useful for evaluation of aggressive fibromatosis.
Juxtaglomerular Cell Tumor Mimicking Renal Cell Carcinoma on 99mTc-MIBI SPECT/CT
Authors: Wu Haibo , Lu Lingdan , Dong Aisheng , Han Yan
Published: April 2024

Juxtaglomerular cell tumor or reninoma is an extremely rare, typically benign, renin-secreting tumor of the kidney that causes secondary hypertension. We describe 99mTc-MIBI SPECT/CT findings in a case of juxtaglomerular cell tumor. The renal tumor showed isodensity and photopenia on 99mTc-MIBI SPECT/CT. This case indicates that juxtaglomerular cell tumor can appear cold on 99mTc-MIBI SPECT/CT, mimicking renal cell carcinoma.
68Ga-DOTATATE and 18F-FDG PET Imaging of a Rare Chordoid Meningioma With Intracranial Recurrence and Extracranial Metastases
Authors: Smith Mathew V. , Lang Harrison J. , Donev Kliment , Bendok Bernard R. , Yang Ming
Published: April 2024

Chordoid meningiomas, rare meningioma variants, are characterized by their histopathological features and clinical behavior resembling that of other chondroid/myxoid neoplasms. We present a case of pathology-proven chordoid meningioma imaged with both 68Ga-DOTATATE and 18F-FDG PET images during a complicated postoperative course with multiple episodes of local recurrence and, ultimately, extracranial metastasis. This case underscores the aggressive behavior of chordoid meningiomas while highlighting how molecular imaging plays an important role in clinical monitoring and guidance of management.
Profile of Facial Trauma Victims of Motorcycle Accidents: A Prospective Study
Authors: Aires Carolina Chaves Gama , Vasconcellos Ricardo José de Holanda , Araújo Heitor Tavares de , Pereira Rebeca Valeska Soares , Souza Rosa Rayanne Lins de , Andrade Emanuel Savio de Souza , Vasconcelos Belmiro Cavalcanti do Egito
Published: April 2024

Objective:

To outline the profile of patients with facial trauma, victims of motorcycle accidents, treated at the Hospital da Restauração, Recife/PE, Brazil, from December 2020 to July 2021.

Methods:

The collection was carried out through questionnaire and analysis of medical records. Data were analyzed descriptively, as well as Pearson’s chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test.

Results:

Among the patients, 88.6% were male, 47.5% were between 18 and 29 years old, and 59.6% lived in rural areas; 72.15% of the victims used the motorcycle for work and 43.52% were working at the time of the accident. Most victims did not have a national motorcycle license (62%) and were not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident (60%), with 37.6% wearing a full-face helmet, 16.5% an open helmet, and 5.9% an articulated full-face helmet. Soft tissue injuries were the most prevalent. Zygomatic complex fractures were the most common facial fractures and were significantly associated with helmet use and type.

Conclusions:

Most victims of motorcycle accidents are young adult men, without a regular driver’s license and residing in rural areas. Preventive and educational actions and continuous traffic inspections are necessary to minimize these accidents.
Correcting Different Degrees of Droopy Nose, an Overview of Techniques and Strategies at Tertiary Facial Plastic Center. A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Alenazi Abdulaziz Saud , Alrabiah Hamad F. , Bafaqeeh Sameer
Published: April 2024

Background:

The variety of noses in the mixed Saudi population keeps rhinoplasty surgeons on their toes. The main treatment goal for drooping nose tips is the first rotation of the nasal tip superiorly. Although droopy nose is a common disease in Saudi Arabia, none of the previous studies recognized the general features of droopy nose.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis of 352 patients with nasal drooping nose from 2016 to 2022. The main outcome measurements were general characteristics of nasal tip ptosis, and the most common surgical techniques used to treat nasal tip ptosis in a tertiary hospital.

Results:

Analysis of 352 patients with droopy nose showed that 29.0% were between 25 and 29 years old, and 56.3% were female patients. The most common characteristic seen with droopy nasal tip was a significant dorsal hump in 64.8% of patients, followed by amorphous, boxy, and bulbous nasal tip in 33.5%. Significant dorsal hump and bifid tip were more common between 18 and 24. Meanwhile, amorphous, boxy, and bulbous nasal tip were more common in female individuals. The surgical techniques mostly addressed the underlying cause, which was tip grafting (83.0%), lateral osteotomy (77.3%), hump removal (66.5%), lateral crura method (61.9%), and septal extension graft (40.9%).

Conclusions:

The research concluded that the surgeon should be familiar with the patient’s underlying cause of nasal tip ptosis and use surgical techniques accordingly. To get a pleased long-term outcome, it is often essential to repair the inferiorly rotated tip using more than one surgical approach.
Visualization Mapping and Current Trends of Facial Contouring Procedures: A Bibliometric Analysis Based on Web of Science
Authors: Li Xin , Luo Yucheng , Zhang Yan
Published: April 2024

Background:

Facial contouring procedures become popular in recent years, but there has been no bibliometric analysis focused on this field.

Objective:

Construct visualization maps and analyze the hotspots and current trends in this field using bibliometric analysis.

Methods:

Publications on facial contouring procedures were extracted from the Web of Science Core Collection database from 2003 to 2022. VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and “Bibliometrix” R package were used to analyze data.

Results:

Seven hundred and twenty-one publications on facial contouring procedures between 2003 and 2022 were included. The United States was the leading country both in publications (206) and citations (3941). Shanghai Jiao Tong University was the institution with the greatest contribution (35 publications with 379 citations). Hu J (17 publications) from China had the most outputs, while the most cited author was Rohrich RJ (321 citations) from the United States. The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery (135 documents) published the most research, and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery was the most cited journal (2755 citations). The most cited article focused on virtual surgical planning in mandibular reconstruction. Keywords co-occurrence analysis identified five clusters centered on “reconstruction,” “augmentation,” “reduction malarplasty,” “face rejuvenation,” and “orthognathic surgery,” separately. “Hyaluronic acid,” “facial feminization,” and “orthognathic surgery” might be related to trend topics.

Conclusions:

The research on facial contouring procedures is booming. In the past 2 decades, hotspots in this field included: facial defects reconstruction, facial augmentation cosmetology, facial skeletal contour plasty, and facial rejuvenation surgery. The following aspects may be trend frontiers: precision and personalization, combined treatments, transgender facial contour, and facial contour shaping with fat and hyaluronic acid.
Is barbed better? Evaluation of triclosan-coated barbed suture on wound complications following emergency laparotomy
Authors: Dilday Joshua , McGillen Patrick , Park Stephen , Gallagher Shea , Lee Heewon , Schellenberg Morgan , Matsushima Kazuhide , Inaba Kenji , Martin Matthew J.
Published: April 2024

INTRODUCTION

Emergent laparotomy is associated with significant wound complications including surgical site infections (SSIs) and fascial dehiscence. Triclosan-coated barbed (TCB) suture for fascial closure has been shown to reduce local complications but primarily in elective settings. We sought to evaluate the effect of TCB emergency laparotomy fascial closure on major wound complications.

METHODS

Adult patients undergoing emergency laparotomy were prospectively evaluated over 1 year. Patients were grouped into TCB versus polydioxanone (PDS) for fascial closure. Subanalysis was performed on patients undergoing single-stage laparotomy. Primary outcomes were SSI and fascial dehiscence. Multivariate analysis identified independent factors associated with SSI and fascial dehiscence.

RESULTS

Of the 206 laparotomies, 73 (35%) were closed with TCB, and 133 (65%) were closed with PDS. Trauma was the reason for laparotomy in 73% of cases; damage-control laparotomy was performed in 27% of cases. The overall rate of SSI and fascial dehiscence was 18% and 10%, respectively. Operative strategy was similar between groups, including damage-control laparotomy, wound vac use, skin closure, and blood products. Surgical site infection events trended lower with TCB versus PDS closure (11% vs. 21%, p = 0.07), and fascial dehiscence was significantly lower with TCB versus PDS (4% vs. 14%, p < 0.05). Subanalysis of trauma and nontrauma cases showed no difference in SSI or fascial dehiscence. Multivariable analysis found that TCB decreased the likelihood of fascial dehiscence (odds ratio, 0.07; p < 0.05) following emergency laparotomy. Increased odds of fascial dehiscence were seen in damage-control laparotomy (odds ratio, 3.1; p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Emergency laparotomy fascial closure with TCB showed significantly decreased rates of fascial dehiscence compared with closure with PDS and a strong trend toward lower SSI events. Triclosan-coated barbed suture was independently associated with decreased fascial dehiscence rates after emergency laparotomy.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic/Care Management; Level III.
Contemporary diagnosis and management of colorectal injuries: What you need to know
Authors: Fields Adam , Salim Ali
Published: April 2024

Colorectal injuries are commonly encountered by trauma surgeons. The management of colorectal injuries has evolved significantly over the past several decades, beginning with wartime experience and subsequently refining with prospective randomized studies. Colon injuries were initially nonoperative, evolved toward fecal diversion for all, and then became anatomic based with resection and primary anastomosis with selective diversion, and now primary repair, resection with primary anastomosis, and delayed anastomosis after damage-control laparotomy are all commonplace. Rectal injuries were also initially considered nonoperative until diversion came into favor. Diversion in addition to direct repair, presacral drain placement, and distal rectal washout became the criterion standard for extraperitoneal rectal injuries until drainage and washout fell out of favor. Despite a large body of evidence, there remains a debate on the optimal management of some colorectal injuries. This article will focus on how to diagnose and manage colorectal injuries. The aim of this review is to provide an evidence-based summary of the contemporary diagnosis and management of colorectal injuries.
Plasma proteomics profile-based comparison of torso versus brain injury: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Tachino Jotaro , Togami Yuki , Matsumoto Hisatake , Matsubara Tsunehiro , Seno Shigeto , Ogura Hiroshi , Oda Jun
Published: April 2024

BACKGROUND

Trauma-related deaths and posttraumatic sequelae are a global health concern, necessitating a deeper understanding of the pathophysiology to advance trauma therapy. Proteomics offers insights into identifying and analyzing plasma proteins associated with trauma and inflammatory conditions; however, current proteomic methods have limitations in accurately measuring low-abundance plasma proteins. This study compared plasma proteomics profiles of patients from different acute trauma subgroups to identify new therapeutic targets and devise better strategies for personalized medicine.

METHODS

This prospective observational single-center cohort study was conducted between August 2020 and September 2021 in the intensive care unit of Osaka University Hospital in Japan. Enrolling 59 consecutive patients with blunt trauma, we meticulously analyzed plasma proteomics profiles in participants with torso or head trauma, comparing them with those of controls (mild trauma). Using the Olink Explore 3072 instrument (Olink Proteomics AB, Uppsala, Sweden), we identified five endotypes (α–ε) via unsupervised hierarchical clustering.

RESULTS

The median time from injury to blood collection was 47 minutes [interquartile range, 36–64 minutes]. The torso trauma subgroup exhibited 26 unique proteins with significantly altered expression, while the head trauma subgroup showed 68 unique proteins with no overlap between the two. The identified endotypes included α (torso trauma, n = 8), β (young patients with brain injury, n = 5), γ (severe brain injury postsurgery, n = 8), δ (torso or brain trauma with mild hyperfibrinolysis, n = 18), and ε (minor trauma, n = 20). Patients with torso trauma showed changes in blood pressure, smooth muscle adaptation, hypermetabolism, and hypoxemia. Patients with traumatic brain injury had dysregulated blood coagulation and altered nerves regeneration and differentiation.

CONCLUSION

This study identified unique plasma protein expression patterns in patients with torso trauma and traumatic brain injury, helping categorize five distinct endotypes. Our findings may offer new insights for clinicians, highlighting potential strategies for personalized medicine and improved trauma-related care.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic and Epidemiological; Level III.
Electroacupuncture reduces oxidative stress response and improves secondary injury of intracerebral hemorrhage in rats by activating the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ/nuclear factor erythroid2-related factor 2/γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase pathway
Authors: Luo Weigang , Bu Wei , Chen Hequn , Liu Wanhu , Lu Xudong , Zhang Guisong , Liu Cuicui , Li Xiaohui , Ren Huiling
Published: April 2024

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a severe stroke subtype. Secondary injury is a key factor leading to neurological deficits after ICH. Electroacupuncture (EA) can improve the neurological function after ICH, however, its internal mechanism is still unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate whether EA could ameliorate secondary injury after ICH through antioxidative stress and its potential regulatory mechanism. A rat model of ICH was established by injecting autologous blood into striatum. After the intervention of EA and EA combined with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) blocker, Zea-longa scores, modified neurological severity scores and open field tests were used to evaluate the neurological function of the rats. Flow cytometry detected tissue reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Tissue tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The protein expressions of PPAR γ, nuclear factor erythroid2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-GCS) were detected by Western blot. Immunohistochemistry was used to observe the activation of microglia. The demyelination degree of axon myelin was observed by transmission electron microscope. Compared with the model group, EA intervention improved neurological function, decreased ROS and TNF-α levels, increased the protein expression of PPARγ, Nrf2 and γ-GCS, and reduced the activation of microglia, it also alleviated axonal myelin sheath damage. In addition, the neuroprotective effect of EA was partially attenuated by PPARγ blocker. EA ameliorated the neurological function of secondary injury after ICH in rats, possibly by activating the PPARγ/Nrf2/γ-GCS signaling pathway, reducing microglia activation, and inhibiting oxidative stress, thus alleviating the extent of axonal demyelination plays a role.
Emodin relieves morphine-stimulated BV2 microglial activation and inflammation through the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway
Authors: Li Shimei , Tang Songjiang , Dai Lina , Jian Zhonglu , Li Xi
Published: April 2024

The objective of this study is to disclose the role of emodin, a natural anthraquinone derivative that has been proposed to suppress microglial activation and inflammation, in morphine tolerance. Here, cell counting kit-8 method assayed the viability of BV2 microglial cells treated by ascending concentrations of emodin. In emodin-pretreated BV2 microglial cells challenged with morphine with or without transfection of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) overexpression plasmids, transwell assay measured cell migration. Immunofluorescence staining and western blot detected the expression of microglial markers. Inflammatory levels were subjected to ELISA and western blot. BODIPY 581/591 C11 assay estimated lipid reactive oxygen species activity. Iron assay kit examined total iron content. Western blot tested the expression of ferroptosis- and TLR4/nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB)/NOD-like receptor 3 (NLRP3) pathway-associated proteins. Molecular docking predicted the binding affinity of emodin to TLR4. Emodin was noted to obstruct the migration, activation, inflammatory response, and ferroptosis of BV2 microglial cells induced by morphine. In addition, emodin had a high binding affinity with TLR4 and inactivated TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway in morphine-challenged BV2 microglial cells. Upregulation of TLR4 partially countervailed the protective role of emodin against morphine-elicited BV2 microglial cell migration, activation, inflammation, and ferroptosis. Accordingly, emodin might target TLR4 and act as an inactivator of TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway, thus inhibiting BV2 microglial activation and inflammation to mitigate morphine tolerance.
Asian elephant calf physiology and mahout perspectives during taming in Myanmar
Authors: Crawley Jennie A. H. , Nandar Hnin , Zaw Htet T. , Lahdenperä Mirkka , Franco dos Santos Diogo J. , Seltmann Martin W. , Brown Janine L. , Goodsell Robert M. , Oo Zaw M. , Htut Win , Nyein U. K. , Aung Htoo H. , Lummaa Virpi
Published: April 2024

A quarter of Asian elephants are captive, with greater than 90% of these tamed and cared for by handlers (mahouts) in Asia. Although taming is a much-discussed welfare issue, no studies to our knowledge have empirically assessed its impact on calves, and dialogue surrounding taming often lacks perspectives of those involved. Here, we interviewed mahouts involved in taming and monitored five physiological measures (faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGMs), serum cortisol, glucose, creatine kinase (CK) and heterophil:lymphocyte (H:L)) over the first 10 days of taming and following six months in 41 calves undergoing taming and 16 control individuals. These measures assess the duration and intensity of stress during taming. Interviews suggested mahouts had major concerns for their safety when discussing changing taming practices, an important consideration for future management. Calf physiological measures were elevated by 50–70% (FGMs/cortisol/glucose), 135% (H:L) and greater than 500% (CK) over the first few days of taming, indicative of elevated stress, not seen to the same extent in control adults. Some measures stabilized sooner (glucose/cortisol/CK/FGM: 7–10 days) than others (H:L: one–two months), indicating mostly acute stress. Our findings inform the welfare of approximately 15 000 captive elephants around the world. Future studies should compare taming in different populations and consider calf and mahout welfare.
Quasi-integrability and nonlinear resonances in cold atoms under modulation
Authors: Gupta Rahul , Jain Manan , Jain Sudhir R.
Published: April 2024

Quantum dynamics of a collection of atoms subjected to phase modulation has been carefully revisited. We present an exact analysis of the evolution of a two-level system (represented by a spinor) under the action of a time-dependent matrix Hamiltonian. The dynamics is shown to evolve on two coupled potential energy surfaces (PESs): one of them is binding, while the other one is scattering type. The dynamics is shown to be quasi-integrable with nonlinear resonances. The bounded dynamics with intermittent scattering at random moments presents a scenario reminiscent of Anderson and dynamical localization. We believe that a careful analytical investigation of a multi-component system that is classically non-integrable is relevant to many other fields, including quantum computation with multi-qubit systems.
Patagonian partnerships: the extinct
Dusicyon avus
and its interaction with prehistoric human communities
Authors: Abbona Cinthia C. , Lebrasseur Ophélie , Prevosti Francisco J. , Peralta Eva , González Venanzi Lucio , Frantz Laurent , Larson Greger , Gil Adolfo F. , Neme Gustavo A.
Published: April 2024

The southern Mendoza province, located in the northern region of Patagonia, was inhabited by hunter-gatherer groups until historic times. Previous archaeological studies have reported canid remains among faunal assemblages, which were assumed to be part of the human diet. However, the taxonomic identification and significance of these canids within human groups have raised questions. In this study, we used ancient DNA analysis, morphological examination and stable isotope analysis (δ
13
C
col
and δ
15
N) to re-evaluate the taxonomic assignment of a canid discovered at the Late Holocene burial site of Cañada Seca. Previous morphological identifications suggested that it belonged to the genus
Lycalopex
, but our results conclusively demonstrate that the individual belongs to the extinct fox species
Dusicyon avus
. This finding expands
Dusicyon avus’
known geographical distribution to Patagonia’s northern extremity. Furthermore, statistical predictions based on genetic divergence undermine the hypothesis that hybridization between
Canis
and
Dusicyon
, facilitated by the introduction of domestic dogs, played a role in the extinction of
Dusicyon
species. On the other hand, our findings indicate that a
Dusicyon avus
individual shared a similar diet and was probably buried alongside humans, suggesting a close relationship between the two species during their lives and deaths.
Oldest record of Machimosaurini (Thalattosuchia, Teleosauroidea): teeth and scavenging traces from the Middle Jurassic (Bajocian) of Switzerland
Authors: Scheyer Torsten M. , Johnson Michela M. , Bastiaans Dylan , Miedema Feiko , Maxwell Erin E. , Klug Christian
Published: April 2024

The Jurassic period was a time of major diversification for Mesozoic marine reptiles, including Ichthyosauria, Plesiosauria and thalattosuchian Crocodylomorpha. The latter originated in the Early Jurassic and thrived during the Late Jurassic. Unfortunately, the Middle Jurassic, a crucial time in their evolution, has a poor fossil record. Here, we document the first evidence of macrophagous/durophagous Machimosaurini-tribe teleosauroid thalattosuchians from the late Bajocian (
ca
169 Ma) in the form of three robust tooth crowns with conical blunt shapes and anastomosed pattern of thick enamel ridges towards the apex, associated with the skeleton of a large ichthyosaur lacking preserved tooth crowns. The tooth crowns were found on the posterior section of the lower jaw (left angular), a lacrimal and the axis neural arch of the ichthyosaur. In addition, some of the distal sections of the posterior dorsal ribs of the ichthyosaur skeleton exhibit rounded bite marks and some elongated furrows that fit in size and shape with the Machimosaurini teeth. These marks, together with the absence of healing in the rib bone are interpreted here as the indicators of peri- to post-mortem scavenging by a Machimosaurini teleosauroid after the large ichthyosaur carcass settled on the floor of a shallow ocean.
Predicting chronic kidney disease progression using small pathology datasets and explainable machine learning models
Authors: Reddy Sandeep , Roy Supriya , Choy Kay Weng , Sharma Sourav , Dwyer Karen M , Manapragada Chaitanya , Nakisa Bahareh
Published: April 2024

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) poses a major global public health burden, with approximately 7 million affected. Early identification of those in whom disease is likely to progress enables timely therapeutic interventions to delay advancement to kidney failure. This study developed explainable machine learning models leveraging pathology data to accurately predict CKD trajectory, targeting improved prognostic capability even in early stages using limited datasets. Key variables used in this study include age, gender, most recent estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), mean eGFR, and eGFR slope over time prior to incidence of kidney failure. Supervised classification modelling techniques included decision tree and random forest algorithms selected for interpretability. Internal validation on an Australian tertiary centre cohort (n=706; 353 with kidney failure and 353 without) achieved exceptional predictive accuracy, with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC-AUC) reaching 0.94 and 0.98 on the binary task of predicting kidney failure for decision tree and random forest, respectively. To address the inherent class imbalance, centroid-cluster-based under-sampling was applied to the Australian dataset. To externally validate the performance of the model, we applied the model to a dataset (n=597 adults) sourced from a Japanese CKD registry. To overcome risks of overfitting on small sample sizes, transfer learning was subsequently employed by fine-tuned machine learning models on 15% of the external dataset (n=89) before evaluating the remaining 508 patients. This external validation demonstrated performant results with an ROC-AUC of 0.88 for the decision tree and 0.93 for the random forest model. Decision tree model analysis revealed the most recent eGFR and eGFR slope as the most informative variables for prediction in the Japanese cohort, aligning with the underlying pathophysiology. The research highlights the utility of deploying explainable machine learning techniques to forecast CKD trajectory even in the early stages utilising limited real-world datasets.
A simple risk score for chronic kidney disease using administrative data: A population-based cohort study
Authors: Tonelli Marcello , Wiebe Natasha
Published: April 2024

Background

We did this study to develop and validate a risk score for new chronic kidney disease (CKD), focusing on predictors that are typically available in Canadian administrative health datasets.

Methods

This was a retrospective population-based cohort study using data from the Alberta Kidney Disease Network database: 3,558,192 adult participants were followed from April 1, 2007 to March 31, 2019. We developed a simple score to predict reduced glomerular filtration rate using bootstrapping (100 iterations with replacement) and internally validated the score using the original dataset.

Findings

The final score had a maximum total of 9 points: age 50-70 years, moderate albuminuria, hypertension, diabetes and heart failure all received a single point, and age >70 years and severe albuminuria received three points. The C-statistic of the score for incident CKD was 0.9272 and the Brier score was 0.0053, indicating excellent discrimination. Graphical analysis demonstrated that predicted risk closely aligned with the observed risk of developing CKD, indicating a well-calibrated model.

Interpretation

We have derived and internally validated a risk score for new CKD which is suitable for application to routinely collected Canadian administrative health data.

Funding

David Freeze chair in health services research
Compositeness of
Tcc
and
X(3872)
by considering decay and coupled-channels effects
Authors: Kinugawa Tomona , Hyodo Tetsuo
Published: April 2024

The compositeness of weakly bound states is discussed using the effective field theory from the viewpoint of the low-energy universality. We introduce a model with coupling of the single-channel scattering to the bare state, and study the compositeness of the bound state by varying the bare state energy. In contrast to the naive expectation that the near-threshold states are dominated by the molecular structure, we demonstrate that a noncomposite state can always be realized even with a small binding energy. At the same time, however, it is shown that a fine tuning is necessary to obtain the noncomposite weakly bound state. In other words, the probability of finding a model with the composite dominant state becomes larger with the decrease of the binding energy, in accordance with the low-energy universality. For the application to exotic hadrons, we then discuss the modification of the compositeness due to decay and coupled-channels effects. We quantitatively show that these contributions suppress the compositeness, because of the increase of the fraction of other components. Finally, as examples of near-threshold exotic hadrons, the structures of Tcc and X(3872) are studied by evaluating the compositeness. We find the importance of the coupled-channels and decay contributions for the structures of Tcc and X(3872), respectively.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Double Higgs boson production via photon fusion at muon colliders within the triplet Higgs model
Authors: Samarakoon Bathiya , Figy Terrance M.
Published: April 2024

In this paper, we present predictions for scattering cross section the of Higgs boson pair production via photon fusion at future muon colliders, focusing specifically the production processes μ+μ−→γγ→h0h0,A0A0. We investigated the impact of three choices the photon structure functions on cross-section predictions for a range model input parameters within the theoretical framework of the Higgs triplet model [; ; ; ].

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Assessing knowledge organization systems from a gender perspective: Wikipedia taxonomy and Wikidata ontologies
Authors: Centelles Miquel , Ferran-Ferrer Núria
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Develop a comprehensive framework for assessing the knowledge organization systems (KOSs), including the taxonomy of Wikipedia and the ontologies of Wikidata, with a specific focus on enhancing management and retrieval with a gender nonbinary perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs heuristic and inspection methods to assess Wikipedia’s KOS, ensuring compliance with international standards. It evaluates the efficiency of retrieving non-masculine gender-related articles using the Catalan Wikipedian category scheme, identifying limitations. Additionally, a novel assessment of Wikidata ontologies examines their structure and coverage of gender-related properties, comparing them to Wikipedia’s taxonomy for advantages and enhancements.

Findings

This study evaluates Wikipedia’s taxonomy and Wikidata’s ontologies, establishing evaluation criteria for gender-based categorization and exploring their structural effectiveness. The evaluation process suggests that Wikidata ontologies may offer a viable solution to address Wikipedia’s categorization challenges.

Originality/value

The assessment of Wikipedia categories (taxonomy) based on KOS standards leads to the conclusion that there is ample room for improvement, not only in matters concerning gender identity but also in the overall KOS to enhance search and retrieval for users. These findings bear relevance for the design of tools to support information retrieval on knowledge-rich websites, as they assist users in exploring topics and concepts.
The mediating effect of bank risk on the relationship between diversification strategies and discretionary loan loss provisions
Authors: Ben Rejeb Mouna , Merzki Nozha
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effect of income and asset diversification on earnings management using discretionary loan loss provisions (LLP) in banks, and the role of risk level in mediating this effect.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of banks operating in Middle East and North Africa countries was used to test the mediation model of Baron and Kenny (1986) with different measures of diversification and risk.

Findings

The results show that bank income and asset diversification have unique and combined effects on earnings management. The results also support the idea that a risk-mediating effect contributes to explaining this relationship among banks. Specifically, bank diversification strategies positively affect LLP-based earnings management by increasing bank risk. This result is relevant for conventional banks. However, only a direct and positive effect of diversification strategies on LLP-based earnings management can be observed in Islamic banks, and the indirect effect is not supported.

Originality/value

This study extends previous research by examining the unique and combined effects of income and asset diversification strategies on earnings management in the banking sector. Specifically, it provides new evidence that diversification strategies increase LLP-based earnings management, both directly and indirectly, through bank risk.
Allocating marketing funds: a multi-goal approach
Authors: Baidya Mehir , Maity Bipasha , Ghose Supriyo
Published: April 2024

Purpose

There has been a lot of research on how to set marketing budgets, but the overlooked aspect was how allocating funds influences business performance in a multi-goal context. This study aims to examine the relationship between business performance, the process of allocating funds to multiple goals and the interaction among the goals.

Design/methodology/approach

Ratio data were generated through “a constant sum scale” from a sample of 362 managers from the B2C sector, besides data on after-tax revenue for two years. The data file was created. Then, a factor analysis was performed on the data. Furthermore, an econometric model with interaction terms was fitted to the data.

Findings

The results show that allocating funds to multiple marketing goals – demand generation, customer experience, brand image, marketing competency and purchase intention – influences business performance. Furthermore, a goal’s impact on business performance is higher when coupled with other goals than in isolation.

Practical implications

The findings of the study should assist managers in increasing revenue while spending less on marketing and shifting funds from less efficient goals and pairs of goals to highly efficient ones.

Originality/value

By extending the relevant theory on the relationship between the process of marketing fund allocation, multiple goals and business performance, this study contributes to the literature on marketing.