bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the geometrical parameters of collector mesh on the fog collection efficiency
Authors: Zefrehei Atieh Almasi , Sheikhzadeh Mohammad , Pishevar Ahmad Reza
Published: March 2022

Fog collectors have gained increasing attention as an efficient solution to overcome the water scarcity concerns in arid and semiarid environments. Besides the rapid advances made in various collector designs, the role of geometrical characteristics of the fog collector meshes is not fully understood. Therefore, the main objective of the present research is to address this issue and investigate the effects of textile features on the efficiency of conventional meshes which has not been discussed in previous works. The collection efficiencies of various conventional structures (plain-woven, plain-knitted, and 3-D spacer) with different characteristics (fiber diameter, fiber spacing, fiber arrangement, shading coefficient, and test direction) were investigated using a custom-made fog collecting device. The weight of collected water over time and the onset time were measured to assess the performance of different samples. Moreover, a simple simulation of a plain-woven structure was developed using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to perform further analysis. The results revealed that in the woven structure, the collection efficiency was improved by changing the shading coefficient to an optimum value and simultaneous decreasing fiber diameter. In the spacer fabrics, the position and arrangement of the spacer fibers posed considerable effects on the collection efficiency. 3-D spacer meshes showed highest value of collection efficiencies and onset time in comparison to the other examined meshes. The results of simulation of woven structures were also validated by comparing computed and measured collection efficiencies.
Pathological examination of blended and co-electrospinning hybrid polycaprolactone/polyurethane nanofibers for soft tissue engineering applications
Authors: Kazemzadeh Gholamhosein , Jirofti Nafiseh , Mohebbi-Kalhori Davod , Sarhaddi Farkhonde , Taheri Reza
Published: March 2022

The main objective of soft tissue engineering (STE) is to improve the quality of life by replacing damaged tissues with synthetic scaffolds. Collagen is the key structural protein of the native extracellular matrix with nano-scale diameter. Accordingly, this study focused on the fabrication of the blended and co-electrospinning hybrid synthetic polycaprolactone/polyurethane (PCL/PU) nanofibers scaffolds and investigates their in-vivo biocompatibility for the development of their clinical applications in STE. The body reactions were evaluated by examination of the edema, foreign body granulomatous reaction, granulation tissue formation, inflammation, calcification, fibroblastic change, and necrosis as the most important healing effects in pathology examination. The blended and co-electrospinning PCL/PU structures were successfully carried out in the nano-scale range without any beads. According to the histopathological examination of PCL, the scant, mild and mild to moderate, and acute and chronic have been reported for edema, foreign body granulomatous reaction, and inflammation, respectively. Also, severe (for edema), moderate (for foreign body granulomatous reaction), and mild to moderate chronic (for inflammation) were observed for PU. In blended PCL/PU nanofibers, decreasing of the edema and foreign body granulomatous reaction and increasing of the granulation tissue formation and inflammation were observed with the increasing composite ratio of PCL from 25 to 75%. Also in the co-electrospinning hybrid PCL/PU nanofibers, increasing edema, granulation tissue formation, and inflammation were observed by increasing the composite ratio of PU from 25 to 75%. Present study suggested that blended hybrid PCL75/PU25 nanofibers are a promising candidate as synthetic nanofibers scaffolds for STE applications.
Targeted Strategies for Recruitment and Engagement of Latinx Immigrants in Longitudinal Biobehavioral Research
Authors: Mansfield Lisa N. , Nagy Gabriela A. , Solorzano Rosa , Carreño Michelle , Mercado Emerson Maralis , Solis Guzman Maria Luisa , Gonzalez-Guarda Rosa M.
Published: March 2022

Introduction: Racial/ethnic minority communities are underrepresented in research. Medical mistrust and mistreatment, discrimination, and a lack of diverse research workforce may influence recruitment and engagement. Engaging Latinx immigrants for research presents unique recruitment challenges, especially for biobehavioral research which is not well explored. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of targeted strategies for recruiting young adult, Latinx immigrants. Methods: Recruitment occurred from 2018 to 2019 in an ongoing, longitudinal, community-engaged research study examining risk and resilience factors for health outcomes in Latinx immigrants. Strategies included active recruitment (e.g., community-based events and public events) and passive recruitment (e.g., word-of-mouth and radio and flyer advertisements). Logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the influence of type of recruitment on participant enrollment. Results: The study enrolled 391 participants of 701 interested individuals (55%). Greater odds of enrollment were among participants recruited through radio and flyer advertisements (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=2.90, 95% CI [1.59, 5.27], p=.001), word-of-mouth (AOR=2.50, 95% CI [1.55, 4.03], p<.000), or community-based organization events (AOR=1.68, 95% CI [1.19, 2.38], p=.003). Conclusions: Passive recruitment strategies through trusted sources increased the odds of enrollment of Latinx immigrants in biobehavioral research. Future recruitment efforts should leverage trusted sources to disseminate recruitment materials addressing barriers to recruiting Latinx participants for research.
Predisposing factors for the deformation of parent artery of anterior circulation saccular aneurysm after stent-assisted embolization: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Lu Yuzhao , Ding Cong , Tan Song , Zhou Xiaobing , Wang Yang
Published: March 2022

Background

It has been previously reported in several studies that deformation of parent artery (DPA) occurs after stent-assisted coil embolization (SACE) for intracranial aneurysms (IAs).

Objective

To investigate the predisposing factors of stent-induced DPA, as well as its effect on the follow-up of aneurysm embolization.

Methods

Clinical and imaging data were collected from 198 patients (201 aneurysms). Angles of the stent-covered parental artery were measured before treatment and during follow-up. Cases in which the angle had changed more than 5 degrees, were defined as DPA. The related factors of DPA were analyzed. The relation between DPA and follow-up results was also studied.

Results

Univariate analysis revealed that sex (p = 0.014), age (p = 0.017), aneurysm location (p < 0.001), stent type (p < 0.001), aneurysm size (p = 0.019), and pretreatment angle (p = 0.002) correlated with DPA. On the other hand, multivariate analysis revealed that aneurysms located in the anterior communicating artery (ACOA) (OR = 4.559, p = 0.013) and middle cerebral artery (MCA) (OR = 9.474, p < 0.001) were independent predisposing factors for DPA after stent implantation, whereas a braided stent (OR = 0.221, p = 0.030), flow diverter (FD) device (OR = 0.100, p = 0.028) were negative factors to develop DPA. The complete occlusion rate in the DPA group was higher (p = 0.035) than in the non-DPA group.

Conclusions

Aneurysms located in ACOA and MCA are more prone to DPA after SACE than aneurysms at other locations in the anterior circulation, braided stents and FD devices do not predispose to induce vascular deformation. DPA may be beneficial for the long-term cure of IAs after SACE.
The adverse impact of pre-operative anaemia on survival following major lower limb amputation
Authors: Rammell James , Perre Daniel , Boylan Luke , Prentis James , Nesbitt Craig , Elmallah Ahmed , Nandhra Sandip
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Approximately 5000 major lower-limb amputations (MLLA) for PAD occur per-annum in the UK with clinical outcomes being poor for this high-risk cohort of patients. Existing evidence suggests that anaemic surgical patients have an increased 30-day mortality, but this has not been explored in the context of MLLA. Recent prioritization processes suggested that MLLAs are a target area for research into outcome improvement. This cohort study evaluates the impact of anaemia on the outcome of MLLA to understand if optimization might improve outcomes.

Methods

All PAD patients undergoing MLLA during 2015–2018 at a tertiary vascular centre were reviewed. Patients were stratified into groups; non-anaemia (>12 g/dL), mild-anaemia (12-10 g/dL) and severe-anaemia (<10 g/dL) by pre-operative haemoglobin (Hb). Primary outcome was overall survival by Kaplan–Meier. Secondary outcomes included length of stay (LOS), post-operative blood-transfusion, surgical-site infection (SSI) and myocardial infarction (MI). Cox-proportional-hazard and receiver-operator characteristics (ROC) analyses were conducted.

Results

345 patients were followed up over (mean) 23 months. 105 were non-anaemic, 111 mildly anaemic and 129 severely anaemic. Patients with severe-anaemia had a higher incidence of heart and renal failure ( p = 0.003) than those with non- or mild-anaemia. Overall survival worsened significantly with increasing anaemia ( p = 0.001). LOS was significantly longer in mild-anaemia which is 26 (16–43) days, ( p = 0.006) and severe-anaemia of 28 days (17–40), ( p < 0.001) compared to non-anaemia of 18 (10–30) days. Post-operative blood-transfusion (RBC) was required more frequently in 70.5% of severely anaemic patients ( p < 0.001), compared to mildly anaemic (24.3%) and non-anaemic (7.6%) patients, with those receiving RBCs having a significantly worse survival. There was no difference in MI, SSI or wound dehiscence. Anaemia was significantly associated with mortality; (HR 1.7 (1.04–2.78), p = 0.03). A minimum-Hb of 10.4 g/L (by ROC) was identified as a cutoff Hb for an increased risk of mortality.

Conclusion

Pre-operative anaemia is associated with worse outcome following MLLA, with increasing severity of anaemia associated with increasing mortality and RBC transfusion being potentially detrimental. More work is required to prospectively evaluate this relationship in this complex and multi-morbid cohort of patients.
Shock qualification of low-cost blast resistant wheels by in field tests
Authors: Silvestri Paolo , Naselli Giovanna Adele , Cepolina Emanuela Elisa , Zoppi Matteo
Published: March 2022

This paper presents the results obtained during an experimental campaign on blast resistant wheels designed for a low-cost demining machine, derived from an agricultural tractor. Such wheels must fulfil two requirements: first, they have to be able to retain their mechanical integrity in case of blast and still work after one or more explosions, in order to be able to drive the machine out of the minefield without human intervention; second, they must reduce as much as possible the amount of energy transferred to the vehicle, to protect the on-board equipment from the effect of the detonation of a landmine. One of the goals of the experimental activity was to compare two wheels characterized by different designs. Mechanical performance and capacity of the wheels to reduce the energy transferred to the vehicle have been assessed to verify whether the wheels were suitable for the task and to identify which wheel performs best. Physical integrity of both wheels was assessed by visual inspection after each explosion. To evaluate the energy transferred to the vehicle, a measurement of the potential energy transferred, by means of a ballistic pendulum, equipped with an encoder, was performed together with a triaxial acceleration measurement in correspondence of the wheel hub. The triaxial accelerometer measurement was then also used to assess the behaviour of the wheels mounted on the vehicle after tests on the ballistic pendulum. Wheel performances have been quantified using specific features and frequency domain functions, related to the damage induced by the vibration at the interface between the hub and the demining machine. The obtained results suggest that the heaviest wheel performs better both in terms of mechanical integrity and of shock response.
“How a Facebook Update Can Cost You Your Job”: News Coverage of Employment Terminations Following Social Media Disclosures, From Racist Cops to Queer Teachers
Authors: Robards Brady , Graf Darren
Published: March 2022

Social media posts and profiles have become a key part of hiring and firing processes, producing a “hidden curriculum of surveillance.” When hiring, employers routinely engage in “cybervetting” job candidates, making judgments based on their social media presence (or absence), and so too can social media disclosures impact (positively and negatively) employment progression and even result in termination. Where is the line between personal social media use and professional identities? What is the difference between holding people in positions of power to account and invading the privacy of everyday people? What kinds of social media posts get people fired? In this article, we report on a study of 312 news media articles that document stories of people being fired because of a social media post. We divide the corpus into posts made by the individuals who are fired (“self-posts,” n = 264) and posts made by others that resulted in the subject of those posts losing their job (“third party,” n = 48). Racism was the most common reason people were fired in these news stories, followed by other forms of discriminatory behavior (such as queerphobia), offensive content, workplace conflict, political content, acts of violence, and abuse. We examine these narratives through the lens of what van Dijck describes as “professional value,” and ultimately seek to question how these stories normalize the “hidden curriculum of surveillance,” putting additional pressure on employees and young people who are called to act on social media through the prism of future employment.
Clinical significance of serum GPX2 levels in patients with osteoarthritis was suppressed and reduced inflammation of osteoarthritis through STAT3 function
Authors: Du Jinli , Zhang Jieying
Published: March 2022

The main alterations of osteoarthritis are degenerative lesions of articular cartilage and secondary hyperostosis. Despite the unclear pathogenic mechanism, experimental studies have confirmed that the incidence of osteoarthritis is closely associated with inflammation-related substances. In this study, we explored the significance of serum GPX2 levels in patients with osteoarthritis and the mechanism of GPX2 in the anti-inflammation effects in osteoarthritis. As a result, serum GPX2 level was down-regulated and there was a negative correlation between GPX2 levels and IL-1β levels in patients with osteoarthritis. Over-expression of GPX2 decreased the inflammatory levels and down-regulation of GPX2 increased inflammatory levels in vitro. In contrast, GPX2 combined and regulated STAT3 protein expression. Over-expression of GPX2 promoted ubiquitination-STAT3 protein expression to decrease p-STAT3 protein expression in vitro. The inhibition of STAT3 attenuated the anti-inflammation effects of GPX2 in osteoarthritis. Thus, we proposed that GPX2 was down-regulated in patients with osteoarthritis and GPX2 played vital roles in osteoarthritis for clinical diagnosis or therapy.
Neutrophil–Lymphocyte Ratio in Congenital Heart Surgery: What Is Known and What Is New?
Authors: Manuel Valdano , Miana Leonardo A. , Jatene Marcelo B.
Published: March 2022

Operative mortality after repair of congenital heart disease has improved dramatically over the past few decades. Nevertheless, there is always room for the additional mitigation of complications and mortality. Being able to anticipate adverse outcomes is clearly important, especially when using low-cost and easily accessible resources. The neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is defined as the ratio of the absolute neutrophil to lymphocyte count, which can be easily measured using a regular white blood cell count. Recently, preoperative NLR has been shown to be a predictor of outcomes in patients undergoing congenital heart surgery. Although it presented promising results, there are still many gaps to be filled like the normal value for children, the ideal cutoff value to predict adverse outcomes, the wide variation and its correlation with other biomarkers, and if it is a modifiable risk factor. The aim of this review is to understand the prognostic value of preoperative NLR as a biomarker predictor of outcomes in patients undergoing congenital heart surgery based on previous clinical studies and to propose future directions in order to solve the above-mentioned questions.
Impact of a Multidisciplinary Research Team Approach to Prevent Avoidable Mistakes for Neonatal CPB Population
Authors: Patel Krishna , Ündar Akif
Published: March 2022

Significant progress has been made in neonatal cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) over the years. At Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, we have established a multidisciplinary research team that brings clinicians, engineers, scientists, research nurses, neuromonitoring technicians, perfusionists, and students from various departments to help reduce adverse outcomes following CPB in neonates. With the help of this team, we evaluate each CPB component in simulated conditions identical to those used in clinical practice. The objective of this review is to demonstrate the results of these translational projects and present critical mistakes to avoid for neonatal CPB patients.
Endocarditis in Bovine Vein Grafts in the Pulmonary Position Placed Surgically & Percutaneously
Authors: Ahmed Hosam F. , Thangappan Karthik , Haney Li Cai , Zafar Farhan , Lehenbauer David G. , Tweddell James S. , Hirsch Russel , Elminshawy Ahmed , Morales David L.S.
Published: March 2022

Background: Infective endocarditis (IE) is one of the major complications following pulmonary valve replacement (PVR). This analysis hopes to evaluate the incidence, outcomes and possible risk factors of IE associated with trans-catheter and surgical placement of a bovine jugular vein (BJV) graft in the pulmonary position. Methods: In this single-center retrospective study, all records of trans-catheter and surgical PVR from 3/2010 to 12/2019 were reviewed. IE was defined as positive blood cultures, with vegetations seen on echocardiography or sudden increase in peak gradient across the valve or vegetations confirmed at time of valve replacement. Poor dental hygiene:1.dental procedures without S.B.E prophylaxis AND/OR 2.one or more dental cavities, caries, dental abscess. Results: 165 patients had PVR with BJV:107 trans-catheter and 63 surgical. 7%(12/170) of PVRs developed IE(catheter:n = 10, surgery:n = 2) at a median time from valve placement of 38 months. The incidence of IE in the catheter group:3-per-100patient-years and in surgical group:1-per-100patient-years. Multivariate cox regression showed that poor dental hygiene was significantly associated with IE [HR(95% CI):16.9(4.35-66.2)](p value <.001). Kaplan-Meier curves showed a significant difference in freedom from IE between patients with poor and appropriate dental hygiene (p value<.001). Conclusions: There is a 7% incidence of IE with the use of BJV grafts in the pulmonary position at mid-term follow-up. Though the rate in catheter placed BJV seems 3x higher than surgically placed ones, their cohorts are quite different making this comparison flawed. Poor dental hygiene is a strong predictor for post-operative IE and offers a significant opportunity for lowering the rate of infective endocarditis.
Biomechanical Analysis of the Ross Procedure in an Ex Vivo Left Heart Simulator
Authors: Bryan Amelia Y. , Brandon Strong E. , Kidambi Sumanth , Gilligan-Steinberg Shane , Bennett-Kennett Ross , Lee James Y. , Imbrie-Moore Annabel , Moye Stephen C. , Hendrickx-Rodriguez Sebastian , Wang Hanjay , Dauskardt Reinhold H. , Joseph Woo Y. , Ma Michael R.
Published: March 2022

Background

Neo-aortic pulmonary autografts often experience root dilation and valve regurgitation over time. This study seeks to understand the biomechanical differences between aortic and neo-aortic pulmonary roots using a heart simulator.

Methods

Porcine aortic, neo-aortic pulmonary, and pulmonary roots (n  =  6) were mounted in a heart simulator (parameters: 100 mm Hg, 37 °C, 70 cycles per minute, 5.0 L/min cardiac output). Echocardiography was used to study root distensibility (percentage change in luminal diameter between systole and diastole) and valve function. Leaflet motion was tracked with high-speed videography. After 30 min in the simulator, leaflet thickness (via cryosectioning), and multiaxial modulus (via lenticular hydrostatic deformation testing) were obtained.

Results

There were no significant differences between aortic and neo-aortic pulmonary leaflet motion, including mean opening velocity (218 vs 248 mm/s, P  =  .27) or mean closing velocity (116 vs 157 mm/s, P  =  .12). Distensibility was similar between aortic (8.5%, 1.56 mm) and neo-aortic pulmonary (7.8%, 1.12 mm) roots ( P  =  .59). Compared to virgin controls, native pulmonic roots exposed to systemic pressure for 30 min had reduced leaflet thickness (630 vs 385 µm, P  =  .049) and a reduced Young's modulus (3,125 vs 1,089 kPa, P  =  .077). In contrast, the aortic roots exposed to pressure displayed no significant difference in aortic leaflet thickness (1,317 vs 1,256 µm, P  =  .27) or modulus (5,931 vs 3,631 kPa, P  =  .56).

Conclusions

Neo-aortic pulmonary roots demonstrated equivalence in valve function and distensibility but did experience changes in biomechanical properties and morphology. These changes may contribute to long-term complications associated with the Ross procedure.
Successful Pediatric Mechanical Thrombectomy for HeartMate 3-Related Intracranial Thromboembolism
Authors: Proulx Catherine , Floh Alejandro , Jeewa Aamir , Pulcine Elizabeth , Muthusami Prakash , Brandão Leonardo R. , Honjo Osami , Vargas Carolina , Maurich Andrea , Mazwi Mjaye
Published: March 2022

Thromboembolic events post left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) implantation remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Mechanical thrombectomy for the treatment of pediatric intracranial thromboembolic events have been reported in LVADs, but never following HeartMate 3 (HM3) implantation. We present the case of an 8-year-old, 26.5 kg male with dilated cardiomyopathy and decompensated heart failure who presented with extensive intracranial thromboembolism in the early postoperative period following HM3 implantation and underwent successful mechanical thrombectomy with a favorable neurological outcome.
Making Connections to Improve Health Outcomes
Authors: Langevin Helene M.
Published: March 2022

This issue of Global Advances in Health and Medicine sends a vital message about the importance of whole person health. Whole person health rests on the idea that our health involves multiple interconnected factors across physiological systems, as well as biological, behavioral, social, and environmental domains. The urgency of better understanding whole person health is highlighted by the current global health crisis. Yet, biomedical research often favors a reductionist approach. The current emphasis on diseases or single organ systems can fall short when it comes to addressing the interconnected factors that contribute to worse health outcomes. This, coupled with a fragmented health care delivery system, contributes to the challenges that patients face every day in becoming healthier. As part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, our role at the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) is to foster research in this field. NCCIH’s twenty years of research has built a body of knowledge that has established a clear path forward for exploring whole person health in the coming years. Within the framework of our strategic plan, NCCIH is working to build research methods for studying whole person health and explore how this understanding of health can transform the way complementary and integrative health is perceived and implemented within the wider health care delivery system.The collection of papers highlighted in this month’s issue of Global Advances in Health and Medicine sends an important and encouraging signal about the efforts being made to deliver health care in a way that recognizes the importance of whole person health. Each of these studies provides new insights on how stakeholders might approach transforming the delivery of health care, integrating approaches that can improve health outcomes for people.
Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma Presenting as Symptom of AIDS
Authors: Brereton Caroline , Bravo Alexander , Hovenic Whitney
Published: March 2022

The development of metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in an otherwise healthy and young individual should prompt physicians to investigate for an underlying cause of immunosuppression. The following case presents an individual who underwent Mohs surgery of a poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Four months following Mohs surgery, the patient presented with lymphadenopathy and new skin nodules. Metastatic disease or infection were included in the differential diagnosis. An immunosuppression work-up was completed and the patient was diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Treatment with antiretroviral therapy was initiated 1 month prior to treatment of the metastatic disease with an immunomodulator, cemimplimab-rwlc. This contribution highlights the importance of determining the immunological status of a patient who presents with metastatic disease following a complete tumor clearance.
Preventive or Revisionist Challenge During Power Transition? The Case of China–USA Strategic Competition
Authors: Can Ciwan M. , Chan Anson
Published: March 2022

Some scholars argue that established great powers tend to launch preventive wars to halt and reverse power transition processes, while others argue that it is the rising great powers that initiate revisionist challenges. Through the application of the preventive war model and the theory of strategic competition, this article argues that we should identify the initiation of a hegemonic war in the agency of established great powers during power transition processes and that hegemonic confrontations, in the age of nuclear weapons, are limited to the diplomatic domain where great powers will compete for relative strategic influence in the world. The argument is then applied for a re-examination of China–USA relations as this provides a novel ground for testing its explanatory power. Based on our findings, the article further argues that the USA has been the instigator of a preventive strategic competition against China aimed to halt and reverse the ongoing power transition process.
Is Tribe a Homogeneous Category? Evidence From Tripura in North-East India
Authors: Khan Saqib
Published: March 2022

Anthropological–sociological studies since the colonial period in India largely saw tribes as homogeneous, unchanging and undifferentiated groups which were free from conflicts or exploitation. This article critiques this notion of tribe and shows heterogeneity within tribes through an analysis of the social history of Tripura in the north-east region of India and mass movement of tribal organisations like the Ganamukti Parishad therein in the late 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. As a princely State, Tripura showed the presence of socio-economic exploitation and contradiction between social strata in the second half of nineteenth century. In the late 1940s, the GMP formulated a notion of tribe that intersected the categories of peasant and class. It was the result of this formulation that class unity between tribal and non-tribal (Bengali) peasantry was an important pivot in its mass movement during this period. In addition, the development of landed class among Tripura tribes over the last few decades is a new and important feature of the state’s agrarian structure, and was further proof of the development of socio-economic heterogeneity within tribes. This article, thus, argues for a dynamic notion of tribe that changes with time and has close linkages with other categories like peasant and class.
Technique of Choice to Anesthetize Mandibular Nerve in Case of Maxillofacial Fractures
Authors: Sowmya Meleti Venkata , Agrawal Amiya , Jain Deepika , Katrolia Ravi , Sharma Shivani , Ezhilarasi Sundaram
Published: March 2022

Achieving optimum pain control and anesthesia in maxillofacial fracture trauma individuals will be difficult in some scenarios because of change in position of landmarks due to fracture, trismus, and noncompliant nature of patient due to pain. We did a comparative evaluation of efficiency of inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) and Vazirani-Akinosi closed mouth nerve block technique to anesthetize the inferior alveolar nerve in trauma patients with trismus and concluded that IANB is superior to Vazirani-Akinosi in terms of onset and efficacy but its application in trauma patients with reduced mouth opening is limited and Vazirani-Akinosi will be the technique of choice in case of such scenarios.
A multicenter retrospective study of polatuzumab vedotin in patients with large B-cell lymphoma after CAR T-cell therapy
Authors: Gouni Sushanth , Rosenthal Allison C. , Crombie Jennifer L. , Ip Andrew , Kamdar Manali K. , Hess Brian , Feng Lei , Watson Grace , Ayers Amy , Neelapu Sattva S. , Khurana Arushi , Lin Yi , Iqbal Madiha , Merryman Reid W. , Strati Paolo
Published: March 2022

Polatuzumab vedotin (PV) is an antibody–drug conjugate targeting CD79b that is approved for patients with relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL). Patients who relapse after chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy were not included in the registration study, and reports of PV use after CAR T cells are limited. This multicenter retrospective analysis included patients with LBCL who relapsed or progressed after CAR T-cell therapy and subsequently received PV with or without rituximab and bendamustine between July 2019 and May 2021. Response to treatment and progression were assessed based on the 2014 Lugano criteria. Fifty-seven patients were included in the study: 18 (32%) patients were primary refractory to CAR T-cell therapy, and 34 (60%) patients received PV-based therapy immediately after CAR T-cell therapy. PV was combined with rituximab in 54 (95%) patients and administered with bendamustine in 35 (61%) patients. A response was achieved in 25 (44%) patients, including complete remission in 8 (14%). No significant association between baseline characteristics and response was observed. After a median follow-up of 47 weeks (95% confidence interval [CI], 40-54), 46 (81%) patients had disease progression or died, and the median progression-free survival was 10 weeks (95% CI, 5-15). On a multivariate analysis, bone marrow involvement (hazard ratio, 5.2; 95% CI, 1.8-15; P = .003) and elevated lactate dehydrogenase levels (hazard ratio, 5.0; 95% CI, 1.4-16; P = .01) were associated with shorter progression-free survival. Studies aimed at better characterizing the intrinsic mechanism of resistance and identifying optimal consolidation strategies for these patients are warranted.
Alkali-activation of cellulose nanofibrils to facilitate surface chemical modification under aqueous conditions
Authors: Yokota Shingo , Nishimoto Airi , Kondo Tetsuo
Published: March 2022

In this study, we developed a surface-activation technique for cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) using mild-alkali and aqueous conditions. CNFs were initially processed using the aqueous counter collision (ACC) method to produce Janus-type amphiphilic CNFs with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic faces on the surface of a single nanofibril (ACC-CNF). Selective functionalization of the hydroxy groups on the hydrophilic faces creates an opportunity to develop novel nano-building blocks that introduce heterogeneous and tailored surface characteristics into the design of nanomaterials. In this study, alkaline conditions were used to activate the hydroxy groups on the surface of ACC-CNFs as a pre-treatment for the partial crystalline transformation from cellulose I to cellulose II. We found that alkali treatment with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solutions (concentration range 1–7 wt%) did not fully transform the structure of ACC-CNFs into cellulose II, nor change the morphology of nanofibrils, as seen from their wide-angle X-ray diffraction patterns and atomic force microscopy images. We also found that the hydroxy groups at the surface region of the ACC-CNFs were sufficiently reactive under the moderate alkali and aqueous conditions to undergo subsequent carboxymethylation. Therefore, alkali treatment of ACC-CNFs with a 1–7 wt% NaOH solution rendered the surface of the ACC-CNFs as sufficiently reactive for chemical modification without morphological changes. This simple method for surface activation of CNFs can be useful in the development of future sustainable and novel materials for a variety of applications.
The use of monoclonal antibody therapy in pediatric patients with COVID-19: a retrospective case series
Authors: Santos Jesse De Los , Bhisitkul Donna , Carman Matthew , Wilson Kayla , Hasara Shannon , Homa Karen , Reyes Pedro , Bugajski Andrew , Barbera Andrew
Published: March 2022

Background

Monoclonal antibody (MCA) therapies have been utilized under emergency use authorization (EUA) for high-risk pediatric patients with mild to moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the outpatient setting since late 2019. The purpose of this study was to describe the use of MCA therapy in pediatric patients in the pediatric emergency department (ED) at a large community hospital.

Methods

This was a retrospective case series of high-risk pediatric patients 12 to 17 years of age who received MCA therapy in the pediatric ED between December 8, 2020 and June 3, 2021. The primary outcome was to describe the patient characteristics, clinical presentation, and safety profile of the pediatric population that received MCA therapy. The secondary outcome was to describe the incidence of hospitalizations or ED visits up to 28 days following therapy.

Results

A total of 44 patients were included in the analysis. The median number of days of symptoms was 4 with 41% of patients having symptoms between 0 and 3 days at time of MCA administration. Only one patient experienced a mild adverse event that did not require epinephrine administration. Two patients returned to the ED for reevaluation during the study follow-up period. No patients required admission within 28 days post-therapy.

Conclusions

The administration of MCA therapy in high-risk pediatric patients in the pediatric ED was well-tolerated with subjective improvement noted in COVID-19 symptoms post-therapy. Further studies are necessary to determine the role MCA therapy may play in reducing morbidity from COVID-19 infection in high-risk pediatric patients.
abc4pwm: affinity based clustering for position weight matrices in applications of DNA sequence analysis
Authors: Ali Omer , Farooq Amna , Yang Mingyi , Jin Victor X. , Bjørås Magnar , Wang Junbai
Published: March 2022

Background

Transcription factor (TF) binding motifs are identified by high throughput sequencing technologies as means to capture Protein-DNA interactions. These motifs are often represented by consensus sequences in form of position weight matrices (PWMs). With ever-increasing pool of TF binding motifs from multiple sources, redundancy issues are difficult to avoid, especially when every source maintains its own database for collection. One solution can be to cluster biologically relevant or similar PWMs, whether coming from experimental detection or in silico predictions. However, there is a lack of efficient tools to cluster PWMs. Assessing quality of PWM clusters is yet another challenge. Therefore, new methods and tools are required to efficiently cluster PWMs and assess quality of clusters.

Results

A new Python package Affinity Based Clustering for Position Weight Matrices (abc4pwm) was developed. It efficiently clustered PWMs from multiple sources with or without using DNA-Binding Domain (DBD) information, generated a representative motif for each cluster, evaluated the clustering quality automatically, and filtered out incorrectly clustered PWMs. Additionally, it was able to update human DBD family database automatically, classified known human TF PWMs to the respective DBD family, and performed TF motif searching and motif discovery by a new ensemble learning approach.

Conclusion

This work demonstrates applications of abc4pwm in the DNA sequence analysis for various high throughput sequencing data using ~ 1770 human TF PWMs. It recovered known TF motifs at gene promoters based on gene expression profiles (RNA-seq) and identified true TF binding targets for motifs predicted from ChIP-seq experiments. Abc4pwm is a useful tool for TF motif searching, clustering, quality assessment and integration in multiple types of sequence data analysis including RNA-seq, ChIP-seq and ATAC-seq.
Research on agroforestry systems and biodiversity conservation: what can we conclude so far and what should we improve?
Authors: Boinot Sébastien , Barkaoui Karim , Mézière Delphine , Lauri Pierre-Eric , Sarthou Jean-Pierre , Alignier Audrey
Published: March 2022

Through a meta-analysis, Mupepele et al. (BMC Ecol Evol 21:1–193, 2021) assessed the effects of European agroforestry systems on biodiversity, estimated by species richness or species diversity. They showed that the effects of silvoarable and silvopastoral systems depend on the systems they are compared to and the taxa studied. Further, they found that only silvoarable systems increased species richness or diversity, compared to cropland. The authors conclude that agroforestry systems have weak effects on biodiversity and that landscape context or land-use history are probably more important than the practice of agroforestry in itself. However, we draw attention to important shortcomings in this meta-analysis, which downplay the potential of agroforestry for biodiversity conservation in agricultural landscapes. We hope that the meta-analysis by Mupepele et al. (BMC Ecol Evol 21:1–193, 2021), and our comments, will contribute to improving the quality of research on agroforestry systems and biodiversity conservation.
Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses uncover the drought adaption landscape of Phoebe zhennan
Authors: Xie Na , Li Bo , Yu Jing , Shi Ruxia , Zeng Qin , Jiang Yunli , Zhao Dan
Published: March 2022

Background

Phoebe zhennan S.Lee (nanmu) is listed as a threatened tree species in China, whose growth and development, especially during the seedling stage, can be severely limited by drought. Previous studies on nanmu responses to drought stress involved physiological and biochemical analyses, while the molecular mechanisms remained unclear. Therefore, it is of great significance to carry out molecular biology research on the drought resistance of nanmu and reveal the genetic background and molecular regulation mechanism of nanmu drought resistance.

Results

Drought stress enhanced the soluble sugar (SS), free proline(PRO), superoxide anion (O2·−), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) contents as well as the peroxidase (POD) and monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR) activities of nanmu. However, glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity was sensitive to drought stress. Further transcriptomic and proteomic analyses revealed the abundant members of the differentially expressed genes(DEGs) and differentially expressed proteins(DEPs) that were related to phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis, hormone biosynthesis and signal transduction, chlorophyll metabolism, photosynthesis, and oxidation-reduction reaction, which suggested their involvement in the drought response of nanmu. These enhanced the osmotic regulation, detoxification, and enzyme-induced and non-enzyme-induced antioxidant ability of nanmu. Moreover, 52% (447/867) of proteins that were up-regulated and 34% (307/892) down-regulated ones were attributed to the increase and decrease of transcription abundance. Transcript up (TU) and protein up (PU) groups had 447 overlaps, while transcript down (TD) and protein down (PD) groups had 307 overlaps, accounting for 54% of up and 35% of down-regulated proteins. The lack of overlap between DEGs and DEPs also suggested that post-transcriptional regulation has a critical role in nanmu response to drought.

Conclusions

Our research results provide significant insights into the regulatory mechanisms of drought stress in nanmu.
Validation of the PreOperative Score to predict Post-Operative Mortality (POSPOM) in Dutch non-cardiac surgery patients
Authors: Stolze Annick , van de Garde Ewoudt M. W. , Posthuma Linda M. , Hollmann Markus W. , de Korte-de Boer Dianne , Smit-Fun Valérie M. , Buhre Wolfgang F. F. A. , Boer Christa , Noordzij Peter G. ,   on behalf of the TRACE Study investigators, Buhre Wolfgang F. F. A. , Boer Christa , de Korte-de Boer Dianne , Stolze Annick , Posthuma Linda M. , Smit-Fun Valérie M. , van Kuijk Sander , Noordzij Peter G. , Rinia Myra , Hering Jens-Peter , Veld Bas in’t , Scheffer Gert-Jan , Dirksen Carmen , Boermeester Marja , Bonjer Jaap , Dejong Cees , Hollmann Markus W.
Published: March 2022

Background

Standardized risk assessment tools can be used to identify patients at higher risk for postoperative complications and death. In this study, we validate the PreOperative Score to predict Post-Operative Mortality (POSPOM) for in-hospital mortality in a large cohort of non-cardiac surgery patients. In addition, the performance of POSPOM to predict postoperative complications was studied.

Methods

Data from the control cohort of the TRACE (routine posTsuRgical Anesthesia visit to improve patient outComE) study was analysed. POSPOM scores for each patient were calculated post-hoc. Observed in-hospital mortality was compared with predicted mortality according to POSPOM. Discrimination was assessed by receiver operating characteristic curves with C-statistics for in-hospital mortality and postoperative complications. To describe the performance of POSPOM sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive values, and positive predictive values were calculated. For in-hospital mortality, calibration was assessed by a calibration plot.

Results

In 2490 patients, the observed in-hospital mortality was 0.5%, compared to 1.3% as predicted by POSPOM. 27.1% of patients had at least one postoperative complication of which 22.4% had a major complication. For in-hospital mortality, POSPOM showed strong discrimination with a C-statistic of 0.86 (95% CI, 0.78–0.93). For the prediction of complications, the discrimination was poor to fair depending on the severity of the complication. The calibration plot showed poor calibration of POSPOM with an overestimation of in-hospital mortality.

Conclusion

Despite the strong discriminatory performance, POSPOM showed poor calibration with an overestimation of in-hospital mortality. Performance of POSPOM for the prediction of any postoperative complication was poor but improved according to severity.
Systematic review and meta-analysis: the advantage of endoscopic Mayo score 0 over 1 in patients with ulcerative colitis
Authors: Viscido Angelo , Valvano Marco , Stefanelli Gianpiero , Capannolo Annalisa , Castellini Chiara , Onori Eugenia , Ciccone Antonio , Vernia Filippo , Latella Giovanni
Published: March 2022

Background

Mucosal healing (MH) evaluated by endoscopy is a novel target of therapy in UC as it is associated with improved long-term outcomes. It is defined based on the Mayo endoscopic score (MES), but it is still to define whether a value of MES 0 or 1 should be the target. The purpose of this paper is to present the results of a systematic review with meta-analysis which compares long-term outcomes of patients in steroid-free clinical remission with MES 0 with those with MES 1.

Methods

A systematic electronic search of the literature was performed using Medline, Scopus, and CENTRAL through December 2020 (PROSPERO n:CRD42020179333). The studies concerned UC patients, in steroid-free clinical remission, with MES of 0 or 1, and with at least 12-months of follow-up.

Results

Out of 4611 citations, 15 eligible studies were identified. Increases in clinical relapse among patients with MES 1 were observed in all the studies included in this review, suggesting that MES of 1 have a higher risk of relapse than a score of 0. MES 0 patients displayed a lower risk of clinical relapse (OR 0.33; 95% CI 0.26–0.43; I2 13%) irrespective of the follow-up time (12-months or longer). On the other hand, no differences were found comparing MES 0 versus MES 1 about the risk of hospitalization or colectomy.

Conclusions

MES 0 is associated with a lower rate of clinical relapse than is MES 1. For this reason, MES 0, rather than MES 0–1, should be considered the therapeutic target for patients with UC.
m1A methylation modification patterns and metabolic characteristics in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Tong Chengcheng , Wang Wei , He Chiyi
Published: March 2022

Background

The dysregulation of RNA methylation has been demonstrated to contribute to tumorigenicity and progression in recent years. However, the alteration of N1-methyladenosine (m1A) methylation and its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear.

Methods

We systematically investigated the modification patterns of 10 m1A regulators in HCC samples and evaluated the metabolic characteristics of each pattern. A scoring system named the m1Ascore was developed using principal component analysis. The clinical value of the m1Ascore in risk stratification and drug screening was further explored.

Results

Three m1A modification patterns with distinct metabolic characteristics were identified, corresponding to the metabolism-high, metabolism-intermediate and metabolism-excluded phenotypes. Patients were divided into high- or low-m1Ascore groups, and a significant survival difference was observed. External validation confirmed the prognostic value of the m1Ascore. A nomogram incorporating the m1Ascore and other clinicopathological factors was constructed and had good performance for predicting survival. Two agents, mitoxantrone and doxorubicin, were determined to be potential therapeutic drugs for the high-risk group.

Conclusion

This study provided novel insights into m1A modification and metabolic heterogeneity in cancer, promoted risk stratification in the clinic from the perspective of m1A modification, and further guided individual treatment strategies.
Multi-site infection by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a six-year old girl: a case report
Authors: Xiao Pei , Liu Jing , Yang Xue , Wang Yixue , Chen Weiming , Wang Chuanqing , Liu Qian , Shen Quanli , Lu Guoping , Yan Gangfeng
Published: March 2022

Background

Community-acquired Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is an emerging pathogen that leads to severe outcomes, especially in pediatric patients with multiple sites infection.

Case presentation

We report a case of multiple sites and life-threatening infection caused by CA-MRSA in a 6-year-old girl who manifested sepsis, myelitis, purulent arthritis, purulent meningitis, hydropericardium, pneumonia, and empyema. The girl exhibited good response to the combination therapy of linezolid and rifampicin after treatment failure of vancomycin with maximum dose due to its serum concentration unable to reach therapeutic goal. We performed pleural effusion and hydropericardium effusion drainage and treated left lower limb infection using interdisciplinary approaches.

Conclusion

This case highlights the need to be aware of CA-MRSA infection, which requires accurate diagnosis, identification of infected sites, appropriate antibiotic treatment, and surgical debridement.