bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A game worth playing: The formation of a journalistic Illusio in late nineteenth century France and the USA
Authors: Powers Matthew , Vera-Zambrano Sandra
Published: February 2023

This article examines the formation of a belief in journalism as a worthwhile career in France and the United States. Using journalists’ memoirs, early textbooks and novels depicting journalism, we show that a life in news became appealing in the late nineteenth century due to the novel mixture of material and symbolic rewards on offer. Promising pay for work that seemed adventurous and exciting, with opportunities for expression, the potential for influence and a connection to broader social values (e.g., fighting injustice, informing citizens), the possibility of these rewards formed the basis of a highly similar illusio – i.e. the belief that journalism constituted a social game worthy of one’s energies (Bourdieu, 2000). Highlighting this emergent sense of worth fills a lacuna in historical scholarship, while also inviting questions about how these attractions are given life under contemporary conditions that often frustrate journalists’ efforts to secure these rewards.
Bio-based material integration into computational form-finding tools by introducing tensile properties in the case of bacterial cellulose-based composites
Authors: Turhan Gozde Damla , Varinlioglu Guzden , Bengisu Murat
Published: February 2023

Recent studies in digital design and fabrication processes focus on the potentials of using biological systems in nature as mathematical models or more recently as bio-based materials and composites in various applications. The reciprocal integration between mechanical and digital media for designing and manufacturing bio-based products is still open to development. The current digital form-finding scripts involve an extensive material list, although bio-based materials have not been fully integrated yet. This paper explores a customized form-finding process by suggesting a framework through mechanically informed material-based computation. Bacterial cellulose, an unconventional yet potential material for design, was explored across its biological growth, tensile properties, and the integration of datasets into digital form finding. The initial results of the comparison between digital form finding with conventional materials versus mechanically informed digital form finding revealed a huge difference in terms of both the resulting optimum geometry and the maximum axial forces that the geometry could actually handle. Although this integration is relatively novel in the literature, the proposed methodology has proven effective for enhancing the structural optimization process within digital design and fabrication and for bringing us closer to real-life applications. This approach allows conventional and limited material lists in various digital form finding and structural optimization scripts to cover novel materials once the quantitative mechanical properties are obtained. This method has the potential to develop into a commercial algorithm for a large number of bio-based and customized prototypes within the context of digital form finding of complex geometries.
Dynamics of Soret and Dufour effects on oscillatory flow of couple stress fluid due to stretchable curved surface
Authors: Imran Muhammad , Naveed Muhammad , Abbas Zaheer
Published: February 2023

In this theoretical study, we have discussed the impacts of Soret and Dufour on the flow of time-dependent couple stress fluid across a stretchable curved oscillatory surface with magnetic field. The to and fro motion of the surface causes the flow phenomenon. The boundary layer flow equations depicting the flow phenomena are expressed in mathematical form by means of a curvilinear coordinates system along with some suitable similarity variables. The developed flow equations in the form of partial differential equations are then solved analytically by utilizing a valuable method called the homotopy analysis method (HAM). A detailed examination is performed to evaluate the influence of various involved parameters namely, the non-dimensional radius of curvature, couple stress parameter, magnetic parameter, the relation of the parameter of the surface oscillating frequency to its stretching rate constant and Soret and Dufour numbers on velocity field, pressure distribution, concentration and temperature distribution, rate of heat transfer, coefficient of skin friction, and rate of mass transport via graphs and are explained in detail. It is confirmed that the amplitude of velocity and pressure distribution exhibits reducing behavior with higher values of the couple stress parameter. The concentration and temperature profiles also diminish with varying time instants.
Early Osteoarthritis Questionnaire (EOAQ): a tool to assess knee osteoarthritis at initial stage
Authors: Migliore Alberto , Alekseeva Liudmila , Avasthi Sachin R. , Bannuru Raveendhara R. , Chevalier Xavier , Conrozier Thierry , Crimaldi Sergio , de Campos Gustavo C. , Diracoglu Demirhan , Gigliucci Gianfranco , Herrero-Beaumont Gabriel , Iolascon Giovanni , Ionescu Ruxandra , Jerosch Jörg , Lains Jorge , Maheu Emmanuel , Makri Souz , Martusevich Natalia , Matucci-Cerinic Marco , Pavelka Karen , Petrella Robert J. , Raman Raghu , Tarantino Umberto
Published: February 2023

Background:

Early stage of osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by joint stiffness and pain as well as by subclinical structural changes that may affect cartilage, synovium, and bone. At the moment, the lack of a validated definition of early osteoarthritis (EOA) does not allow to make an early diagnosis and adopt a therapeutic strategy to slow disease progression. Also, no questionnaires are available to evaluate the early stage, and therefore this remains an unmet need.

Objective:

Therefore, the purpose of the technical experts panel (TEP) of ‘International Symposium of intra-articular treatment’ (ISIAT) was to create a specific questionnaire to evaluate and monitor the follow-up and clinical progress of patients affected by early knee OA.

Design:

The items for the Early Osteoarthritis Questionnaire (EOAQ) were identified according to the following steps: items generation, items reduction, and pre-test submission.

Methods:

During the first step, literature has been reviewed and a comprehensive list of items about pain and function in knee EOA was drafted. Then, during the ISIAT (5th edition 2019), the draft has been discussed by the board, which reformulated, deleted, or subdivided some of the items. After the ISIAT symposium, the draft was submitted to 24 subjects affected by knee OA. A score based on the importance and the frequency was created and the items with a score ⩾0.75 were selected. After intermediate evaluation made by a sample of patients, the second and final version of the questionnaire EOAQ was submitted to the whole board for final analysis and acceptance in a second meeting (29 January 2021).

Results:

After an exhaustive elaboration, the final version of the questionnaire contains two domains (Clinical Features and Patients Reported Outcome) with respectively 2 and 9 questions, for a total of 11 questions. Questions mainly explored the fields of early symptoms and patients reported outcomes. Marginally, the need of the symptoms treatment and the use of painkillers were investigated.

Conclusions:

Adoption of diagnostic criteria of early OA is strongly encouraged and a specific questionnaire for the whole management of the clinical features and patients’ outcome might really improve the evolution of OA in the early stages of the disease, when the treatment is expected to be more effective.
For-profit versus non-profit cybersecurity posture: breach types and locations in healthcare organisations
Authors: Ignatovski Martin
Published: February 2023

Background

The implementation of emerging technologies has resulted in an increase of data breaches in healthcare organisations, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Health information and cybersecurity managers need to understand if, and to what extent, breach types and locations are associated with their organisation’s business type.

Objective

To investigate if breach type and breach location are associated with business type, and if so, investigate how these factors affect information systems and protected health information in for-profit versus non-profit organisations.

Method

The quantitative study was performed using chi-square tests for association and post-hoc comparison of column proportions analysis on an archival data set of reported healthcare data breaches from 2020 to 2022. Data from the Department of Health and Human Services website was retrieved and each organisation classified as for-profit or non-profit.

Results

For-profit organisations experienced a significantly higher number of breaches due to theft, and non-profit organisations experienced a significantly higher number of breaches due to unauthorised access. Furthermore, the number of breaches that occurred on laptops and paper/films was significantly higher in for-profit organisations.

Conclusion

While the threat level of hacking techniques is the same in for-profit and non-profit organisations, certain breach types are more likely to occur within specific breach locations based on the organisation’s business type. To protect the privacy and security of medical information, health information and cybersecurity managers need to align with industry-leading frameworks and controls to prevent specific breach types that occur in specific locations within their environments.
Successful long-term outcome with radiation and prednisolone following a postoperative feline vertebral angiomatosis relapse
Authors: Leonardi Hugo , Poirier Valérie , Iverson Melanie , Samarani Francesca
Published: February 2023

Case summary

A 1-year-old male castrated domestic shorthair cat was presented to the Ontario Veterinary College for a week-long history of lethargy and reluctance to walk. CT and MRI revealed a monostotic T5 compressive vertebral lesion that was excised in surgery via pediculectomy. Histology and advanced imaging were consistent with feline vertebral angiomatosis. The cat relapsed both clinically and on CT 2 months postoperatively and was therefore treated with an intensity-modulated radiation therapy protocol (45 Gy over 18 fractions) and tapering doses of prednisolone. On follow-up CT and MRI at 3 and 6 months post-radiation, the lesion was static and then improved at 19 months post-radiation, with no signs of pain reported.

Relevance and novel information

To our knowledge, this is the first described case of a postoperative relapse of feline vertebral angiomatosis treated with radiation therapy and prednisolone with a successful long-term follow-up.
Public Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Toward COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study in Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR), India
Authors: Gautam Upma , Bajpai Tewari Deeksha
Published: February 2023

To assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices of people toward coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in National Capital Territory of Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR), India. Various nations, including India, devised strategies to impose lockdowns and movement restrictions on their citizens in order to mitigate the effects of COVID-19. Cooperation and compliance by the populace are crucial to the effectiveness of such measures. People’s knowledge, attitudes, and behavior toward such diseases are crucial in determining the adaptability of a society to such changes. Using Google Forms, a self-designed semi-structured questionnaire was created. This study is cross-sectional. Participants were eligible to participate if they were over the age of 18 and presently resided in the study area. The questionnaire included demographic variables such as gender, age, location, occupation, and income level. A total of 1,002 people completed the survey. A 48.80% of the respondents in the study group were females. The mean knowledge score was 13.14 (Maximum Score = 17), while the mean attitude score was 27.24 (Maximum Score = 30). Most of the respondents (96%) had adequate knowledge about the disease’s symptoms. A 91% of the respondents had an average attitude score. A 74.85% of respondents accepted that they had avoided large social events. Gender had a negligible impact on the average knowledge score, while the score differed significantly across education levels and occupation categories. Consistent dissemination of messages regarding the virus, its spread, control measures implemented, and precautions expected from the public aids in reassuring the public and reducing their anxiety regarding the virus.
Evaluating the Instructional Efficacies of Conceptual Change Models on Students’ Conceptual Change Achievement and Self-Efficacy in Particulate Nature Matter in Physics
Authors: Ugwuanyi Christian Sunday , Ezema Marcus Jideofor , Orji Emmanuel Ifeanyi
Published: February 2023

This study determined the efficacies of cognitive conflict and 5E instructional models on students’ conceptual change achievement and self-efficacy in particulate nature of matter concepts in physics. In this study, non-equivalent groups quasi-experimental design was used. A sample of 195 senior secondary school year 1 students (SSI) with an average age of ( M = 14.64, SD = 3.34) was used. Particulate Nature of Matter Conceptual Change Test (PNMCCT), and Particulate Nature of Matter Self-Efficacy Scale (PNMSES) were used to collect data. The SES was adapted and consists of 30 items of four-point Likert-type. A trial test was done on 20 SS1 physics students using the validated instrument. The estimate of internal consistency of .86 and a temporal stability of .99 were obtained for PNMCCT while an estimate of internal consistency of .71 was obtained for PNMSES. Before treatment, the initial conceptual change achievement and self-efficacy of the subjects were established using PNMCCT and PNMSES. After the treatment, the PNMCCT and PNMSES instruments were administered to the subjects as a posttest. Mean was used to answer the research questions while analysis of covariance was used to test the hypotheses at a 5% level of significance. The result showed that students’ conceptual change achievement and self-efficacy were significantly enhanced after exposure to 5E instructional treatment than that of cognitive conflict. Thus, it was recommended that the 5E instructional model should be adopted by physics teachers for the effective improvement of physics students’ self-efficacy in schools.
A Comparative Study on the Effort of Human Translation and Post-Editing in Relation to Text Types: An Eye-Tracking and Key-Logging Experiment
Authors: Cui Ying , Liu Xiao , Cheng Yuqin
Published: February 2023

With the increasing utilization of Machine Translation, it is worth exploring in what areas it actually reduces translators’ effort. This study focuses on the English-Chinese language pair and compares the effort of human translation (HT) and that of post-editing (PE) in relation to text types, covering advertising, news, legal, and literary texts, via an eye-tracking and key-logging experiment and a follow-up questionnaire survey. It refers to Krings’ framework and explores effort in terms of temporal, cognitive, and technical dimensions. Data were obtained from 33 Chinese student translators, and data analyses lead to the following conclusions. First, PE involves less effort than HT, and PE increases productivity and improves translation quality. Second, the tendency that PE involves less effort is seen in the advertising, news, and literary text types, but the measures of effort show variation for the legal text. Third, the objective measures, including Seconds per Target Word, Edits per Target Word, Pause Count per Target Word, Pause Duration per Target Word, Source Fixation Duration per Source Word, and Source Fixation Count per Source Word, are reliable and well correlated with subjective measures.
Status and Trends of Research on China’s Third Front Construction in English Language and Brief Comparison With Chinese Counterpart
Authors: Liao Hong , Li Xiang
Published: February 2023

Third Front construction was a massive defensive industrialization and economic campaign in response to the threat of war from both the Soviet Union and the United States in the 1960s in the remote and isolated hinterlands of China, which remained a top secret for many years before 1980s. Academic community has been making growing efforts in exploring its origin, history, development and influence ever since. As the largest industrial relocation in modern Chinese history, it is crucial for understanding the complexity of China today. Based on the bibliometric analysis of the retrieved and pruned 370 bibliographic references from Google Scholar, this article identified the major references, leading authors, contributing journals, productive countries or territories and cooperating institutions, as well as hot topics and emerging trends of the research on Third Front construction. By adopting VOSviewer as the visualizing tool, the paper found that Third Front construction continues to be a hot research topic with growing trend from the perspectives of historical background, macro-policy, industrial development, third-front cities and modern development of the Third Front construction in China. It also revealed the potential research trends in urbanization, industrial heritage and Cold War related to Third Front construction. Meanwhile, the paper made a brief comparison between the research on China’s third front construction in English and Chinese languages. The findings could be of theoretical values to the academic community for the revelation of the knowledge landscape of Third Front construction and the entry point to the modern history of China.
The Lived Experiences of Nurses Caring for Patients With COVID-19 in Arabian Gulf Countries: A Multisite Descriptive Phenomenological Study
Authors: Nasaif Husain , Aldiabat Khaldoun , Alshammari Muna , Albloushi Monirah , Alblooshi Sumaya Mohammed , Yaqoob Shafeeqa
Published: February 2023

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, several studies worldwide have explored nurses’ experiences of caring for COVID-19 patients in various healthcare settings. However, these studies were conducted in context, culture, and healthcare systems that differ greatly from the Arabian Gulf context. This descriptive phenomenological study aimed to understand nurses’ lived experiences caring for patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in Arabian Gulf countries. Individual virtual interviews were conducted with 36 nurses from five countries and were analyzed using Giorgi’s methodology. Four main themes were identified: (1) living with doubts, (2) living through the chaos of challenges, (3) moving toward professional resilience, and (4) reaching the maximum level of potential. The findings from this study hopefully will guide health organizations in this region in developing strategies and policies to support and prepare nurses for future outbreaks.
Neighbourhood-level pedestrian navigation using the construal level theory
Authors: Thompson Sargoni Obi , Manley Ed
Published: February 2023

Pedestrian navigation decisions take place simultaneously at multiple spatial scales. Yet most models of pedestrian behaviour focus either on local physical interactions or optimisation of routes across a road network. We present a novel hierarchical pedestrian route choice framework that integrates dynamic, perceptual decisions at the street level with abstract, network-based decisions at the neighbourhood level. The framework is based on construal level theory which states that decision makers construe decisions based on their psychological distance from the object of the decision. We implement this route choice framework in a spatial agent-based model in which pedestrian and vehicle agents complete trips in an urban environment. Using global sensitivity analysis techniques, we demonstrate the interaction between route choice components representing decision making at different spatial and temporal scales. Additionally, through comparison to a least cost network model, we demonstrate the increased route heterogeneity produced by this approach. This work could form the basis of an alternative method for producing pedestrian route alternatives. The granularity and scale of the modelled pedestrian trajectories could also help improve appraisals of street infrastructure.
Peripheral metabolism of lipoprotein-amyloid beta as a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease: potential interactive effects of APOE genotype with dietary fats
Authors: D’Alonzo Zachary J. , Lam Virginie , Takechi Ryu , Nesbit Michael , Vaccarezza Mauro , Mamo John C. L.
Published: February 2023

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder pathologically characterized by brain parenchymal abundance of amyloid-beta (Aβ) and the accumulation of lipofuscin material that is rich in neutral lipids. However, the mechanisms for aetiology of AD are presently not established. There is increasing evidence that metabolism of lipoprotein-Aβ in blood is associated with AD risk, via a microvascular axis that features breakdown of the blood-brain barrier, extravasation of lipoprotein-Aβ to brain parenchyme and thereafter heightened inflammation. A peripheral lipoprotein-Aβ/capillary axis for AD reconciles alternate hypotheses for a vascular, or amyloid origin of disease, with amyloidosis being probably consequential. Dietary fats may markedly influence the plasma abundance of lipoprotein-Aβ and by extension AD risk. Similarly, apolipoprotein E (Apo E) serves as the primary ligand by which lipoproteins are cleared from plasma via high-affinity receptors, for binding to extracellular matrices and thereafter for uptake of lipoprotein-Aβ via resident inflammatory cells. The epsilon APOE ε4 isoform, a major risk factor for AD, is associated with delayed catabolism of lipoproteins and by extension may increase AD risk due to increased exposure to circulating lipoprotein-Aβ and microvascular corruption.
Clinic study on macular epiretinal membrane in patients under the age of 40 years
Authors: Wang Nan , Peng Aohua , Li Shengguo , Ding Chun
Published: February 2023

Background

To describe the risk factors and clinical characteristics of macular epiretinal membrane (MEM) disease in patients up to the age of 40 years and to evaluate the therapeutic effect of IVTA on MEM.

Methods

Clinical records were reviewed and the etiology of each case and the age distribution data were collected in this retrospective, cohort study. The clinical characteristics of MEM and the factors affecting VA were analyzed. Additionally, we contrasted the effects of MEM peeling with and without intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide on visual acuity (VA) and central foveal thickness (CFT).

Results

In young patients, the incidence of partial posterior vitreous detachment (P-PVD) was considerably higher in IMEM than SMEM (P = 0.007). Furthermore, patients with stage 3 MEM had lower BCVA values than patients with stage 4 MEM (P < 0.001). Patients who live in urban had lower BCVA values than patients in rural (P < 0.001). Patients with IS/OS integrity had lower BCVA values than patients without IS/OS integrity (P < 0.001). The BCVA values in patients with IMEM were significantly lower than those of patients with SMEM (P < 0.001). BCVA was associated most commonly with etiology (P = 0.001), followed by region (P = 0.002). All patients had a decrease in logMAR Vas and CFT, but the combination of intraoperative IVTA resulted in a more significant decrease in logMAR Vas (P = 0.007) and CFT (P = 0.046).

Conclusion

In young patients, the incidence of P-PVD was significantly higher in IMEM cases than in SMEM cases. The region, MEM stage, IS/OS integrity, and etiology influenced VA. Etiology was associated most commonly with BCVA. In individuals under 40, the combination of intraoperative IVTA resulted in a more significant decrease in logMAR Vas and CFT.
Chronic endometritis increases the recurrence of endometrial polyps in premenopausal women after hysteroscopic polypectomy
Authors: Qu Dacheng , Liu Yue , Zhou Honggui , Wang Zhibiao
Published: February 2023

Background

The reported recurrence rate of endometrial polyps (EPs) after hysteroscopic polypectomy varied widely, and the factors influencing the recurrence of EPs are still controversial. Furthermore, the known definite independent risk factors are almost unchangeable, such as the number of EPs and previous polypectomy history. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of chronic endometritis (CE) on the recurrence of EPs in premenopausal women who underwent hysteroscopic polypectomy.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted at a university-affiliated hospital. Premenopausal women who underwent hysteroscopic polypectomy were enrolled, and those with definite confounding factors for polyp recurrence were excluded, including endometriosis and previous polypectomy history. A total of 233 women were enrolled in this study, including 64 (27.5%) cases with CE and 169 (72.5%) cases without CE. CE was diagnosed via immunohistochemical detection of CD138 on the endometrial specimen. Comparison of the recurrence rate of EPs was performed in women with or without CE at each monitoring stage (i.e., at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months) after hysteroscopic polypectomy.

Results

The recurrence rates of EPs at one year in patients with and without CE were 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 15.8–37.4%) and 9.5% (95% CI 5.0–14.0%), respectively, with an overall recurrence rate of 14.2% (95% CI 9.7–18.7%). The hazard ratio (HR) for EPs recurrence in the EPs with CE cohort versus the EPs without CE cohort was 3.08 (95% CI 1.56–6.09) (P = 0.001). Similarly, the recurrence rate of EPs was significantly higher in women with CE than in those without CE at each monitoring stage (i.e., 3, 6 and 9 months). CE and multiple EPs were risk factors for EPs recurrence. The HR for EPs recurrence in the EPs with CE cohort compared with the EPs without CE cohort was 3.06, after adjustment for the number of EPs.

Conclusions

CE was a harmful factor for the recurrence of EPs in premenopausal women after hysteroscopic polypectomy. Thus, routine screening for CE during hysteroscopic polypectomy was needed. Frequent monitoring was needed for multiple EPs as the number of EPs also contributed to polyp recurrence.
Emergency separation of conjoined twins in a tertiary hospital in Indonesia: three case reports
Authors: Ramlan Andi Ade Wijaya , Zahra Raihanita , Rinaldhy Kshetra , Kapuangan Christopher , Rahendra  , Ferdiana Komang Ayu , Yani Ahmad
Published: February 2023

Background

Emergency separation of conjoined twins is performed when one twin is already dead or dying and threatens the survival of the other. The particular decision to perform an emergency separation of conjoined twins provides an ethical dilemma that needs special attention. Adding to the complexity of surgical and postsurgical management in emergency separation, ethical and sociocultural aspects further complicate decision-making.

Case presentation

From 1987 to 2022, 18 conjoined twin separations were performed in our centre. This paper describes three conjoined twin emergency separations. In the first case of thoracoomphalopagus babies at nine days of age, one baby was diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis with frequent desaturation and seizures, and the other baby was healthy. Emergency separation was performed on the twelfth day of age; unfortunately, neither baby survived the surgery. In the second case, emergency separation was performed on the 110th day of life due to sepsis in one baby. The nonseptic twin passed away six hours after surgery, while the septic twin died 12 days after surgery due to wound dehiscence and abdominal sepsis. The third case was of an omphalopagus conjoined twin with a parasitic twin. The healthy baby was deemed nonviable but found to be healthy upon birth. Immediate emergency separation was performed at 2 h of age. The living baby survived the surgery but passed away two months later.

Conclusions

When separation is deemed necessary to save one twin, it becomes difficult to apply standard ethical medical reasoning. The decision to separate results in most cases in very high-risk surgeries with poor outcomes during surgery and postsurgery. Compounded by the complexity of the case, sociocultural and religious aspects further add to the dynamics of decision-making. A multidisciplinary team must work together with a health ethics committee and navigate through this ethical conundrum with the patient and family at its decision-making centre to decide on the best plan of care.
Insights into organoid-based modeling of COVID-19 pathology
Authors: Boroojerdi Mohadese Hashem , Al Jabry Tariq , Mirarefin Seyed Mohamad Javad , Albalushi Halima
Published: February 2023

Since December 2019, various types of strategies have been applied due to the emergent need to investigate the biology and pathogenesis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to discover a functional treatment. Different disease modeling systems, such as mini-organ technology, have been used to improve our understanding of SARS-CoV-2 physiology and pathology. During the past 2 years, regenerative medicine research has shown the supportive role of organoid modeling in controlling coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) through optimal drug and therapeutic approach improvement. Here, we overview some efforts that have been made to study SARS-CoV-2 by mimicking COVID-19 using stem cells. In addition, we summarize a perspective of drug development in COVID-19 treatment via organoid-based studies.
Intragenomic rearrangements involving 5′-untranslated region segments in SARS-CoV-2, other betacoronaviruses, and alphacoronaviruses
Authors: Patarca Roberto , Haseltine William A.
Published: February 2023

Background

Variation of the betacoronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has been the bane of COVID-19 control. Documented variation includes point mutations, deletions, insertions, and recombination among closely or distantly related coronaviruses. Here, we describe yet another aspect of genome variation by beta- and alphacoronaviruses that was first documented in an infectious isolate of the betacoronavirus SARS-CoV-2, obtained from 3 patients in Hong Kong that had a 5′-untranslated region segment at the end of the ORF6 gene that in its new location translated into an ORF6 protein with a predicted modified carboxyl terminus. While comparing the amino acid sequences of translated ORF8 genes in the GenBank database, we found a subsegment of the same 5′-UTR-derived amino acid sequence modifying the distal end of ORF8 of an isolate from the United States and decided to carry out a systematic search.

Methods

Using the nucleotide and in the case of SARS-CoV-2 also the translated amino acid sequence in three reading frames of the genomic termini of coronaviruses as query sequences, we searched for 5′-UTR sequences in regions other than the 5′-UTR in SARS-CoV-2 and reference strains of alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-coronaviruses.

Results

We here report numerous genomic insertions of 5′-untranslated region sequences into coding regions of SARS-CoV-2, other betacoronaviruses, and alphacoronaviruses, but not delta- or gammacoronaviruses. To our knowledge this is the first systematic description of such insertions. In many cases, these insertions would change viral protein sequences and further foster genomic flexibility and viral adaptability through insertion of transcription regulatory sequences in novel positions within the genome. Among human Embecorivus betacoronaviruses, for instance, from 65% to all of the surveyed sequences in publicly available databases contain inserted 5′-UTR sequences.

Conclusion

The intragenomic rearrangements involving 5′-untranslated region sequences described here, which in several cases affect highly conserved genes with a low propensity for recombination, may underlie the generation of variants homotypic with those of concern or interest and with potentially differing pathogenic profiles. Intragenomic rearrangements thus add to our appreciation of how variants of SARS-CoV-2 and other beta- and alphacoronaviruses may arise.
Can artificial intelligence help for scientific writing?
Authors: Salvagno Michele , Taccone Fabio Silvio , Gerli Alberto Giovanni
Published: February 2023

This paper discusses the use of Artificial Intelligence Chatbot in scientific writing. ChatGPT is a type of chatbot, developed by OpenAI, that uses the Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) language model to understand and respond to natural language inputs. AI chatbot and ChatGPT in particular appear to be useful tools in scientific writing, assisting researchers and scientists in organizing material, generating an initial draft and/or in proofreading. There is no publication in the field of critical care medicine prepared using this approach; however, this will be a possibility in the next future. ChatGPT work should not be used as a replacement for human judgment and the output should always be reviewed by experts before being used in any critical decision-making or application. Moreover, several ethical issues arise about using these tools, such as the risk of plagiarism and inaccuracies, as well as a potential imbalance in its accessibility between high- and low-income countries, if the software becomes paying. For this reason, a consensus on how to regulate the use of chatbots in scientific writing will soon be required.
Priming locomotor training with transspinal stimulation in people with spinal cord injury: study protocol of a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Skiadopoulos Andreas , Famodimu Grace O. , Solomon Shammah K. , Agarwal Parul , Harel Noam Y. , Knikou Maria
Published: February 2023

Background

The seemingly simple tasks of standing and walking require continuous integration of complex spinal reflex circuits between descending motor commands and ascending sensory inputs. Spinal cord injury greatly impairs standing and walking ability, but both improve with locomotor training. However, even after multiple locomotor training sessions, abnormal muscle activity and coordination persist. Thus, locomotor training alone cannot fully optimize the neuronal plasticity required to strengthen the synapses connecting the brain, spinal cord, and local circuits and potentiate neuronal activity based on need. Transcutaneous spinal cord (transspinal) stimulation alters motoneuron excitability over multiple segments by bringing motoneurons closer to threshold, a prerequisite for effectively promoting spinal locomotor network neuromodulation and strengthening neural connectivity of the injured human spinal cord. Importantly, whether concurrent treatment with transspinal stimulation and locomotor training maximizes motor recovery after spinal cord injury is unknown.

Methods

Forty-five individuals with chronic spinal cord injury are receiving 40 sessions of robotic gait training primed with 30 Hz transspinal stimulation at the Thoracic 10 vertebral level. Participants are randomized to receive 30 min of active or sham transspinal stimulation during standing or active transspinal stimulation while supine followed by 30 min of robotic gait training. Over the course of locomotor training, the body weight support, treadmill speed, and leg guidance force are adjusted as needed for each participant based on absence of knee buckling during the stance phase and toe dragging during the swing phase. At baseline and after completion of all therapeutic sessions, neurophysiological recordings registering corticospinal and spinal neural excitability changes along with clinical assessment measures of standing and walking, and autonomic function via questionnaires regarding bowel, bladder, and sexual function are taken.

Discussion

The results of this mechanistic randomized clinical trial will demonstrate that tonic transspinal stimulation strengthens corticomotoneuronal connectivity and dynamic neuromodulation through posture-dependent corticospinal and spinal neuroplasticity. We anticipate that this mechanistic clinical trial will greatly impact clinical practice because, in real-world clinical settings, noninvasive transspinal stimulation can be more easily and widely implemented than invasive epidural stimulation. Additionally, by applying multiple interventions to accelerate motor recovery, we are employing a treatment regimen that reflects a true clinical approach.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04807764. Registered on March 19, 2021.
Cloning and expression of an anti-cancerous cytokine: human IL-29 gene in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Akram Maham , Khan Mohsin Ahmad , Ahmed Nadeem , Bhatti Rashid , Pervaiz Rabbia , Malik Kausar , Tahir Saad , Abbas Rabia , Ashraf Fareeha , Ali Qurban
Published: February 2023

Green algae, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, with low cultivation cost, absence of endotoxins and insusceptibility to human pathogens is emerging as a potential system for the future production of recombinant proteins. The recent development of molecular tools enabling recombinant protein expression in algae chloroplast has provided new research and advance opportunities for developing low-cost therapeutic proteins. In the present study, algae chloroplast expression system was evaluated for the recombinant production of an anti-cancerous therapeutic protein, Interleukin 29 (IL29). The IL29 gene was cloned into algae chloroplast expression vector (pSRSapI). After the transformation, the positive clones were screened for homoplasmy and the presence of the IL29 gene by spot test and PCR analysis, respectively. The expressed SDS-PAGE and western blotting assay characterized IL-29. The algae expressed IL-29 was biologically active in an anti-proliferating bioassay using HepG2 cells. The results suggest that the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii expression system is convenient, low-cost, eco-friendly, and safe to express IL29.
Pharmacists’ involvements and barriers in the provision of health promotion services towards noncommunicable diseases: Community-based cross-sectional study in Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Sendekie Ashenafi Kibret , Dagnaw Abera Dessie , Dagnew Ephrem Mebratu
Published: February 2023

Background

Community drug retail outlets (CDROs) are among the initial healthcare facilities where pharmacists play a crucial role in preventing and managing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Therefore, this study assessed pharmacists’ level of involvement and barriers in the provision of health promotion for noncommunicable diseases at CDROs in Northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

A community-based multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted among community pharmacists in Northwest Ethiopia from April to June 2022. Data was collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire, and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 26. The level of involvement mean score difference among pharmacists was investigated using an independent samples t-test and a one-way ANOVA. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between pharmacists’ level of involvement and other variables. A p-value < 0.05 at a 95% confidence interval (CI) was considered statistically significant.

Results

A total of 285 (94.4%) participants participated in the study out of 302 approached samples. Overall, more than half (58.9%) of the participants showed a high level of involvement in health promotion. Pharmacists who had a degree and/or above (AOR = 0.03, 95% CI: 0.01–0.63; p < 0.001) and served a lower number of clients per day (AOR = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.04–94; p = 0.042) were less likely to have low involvement in health promotion services. Pharmacists who worked fewer hours per day (AOR = 3.65, 95% CI: 1.79–7.48; p = 0.005) were more likely to have low involvement. Lack of an appropriate area in the CDROs (52.1%) and lack of coordination with other healthcare providers (43.6%) were the most reported barriers to the provision of health promotion.

Conclusion

Most pharmacists were found to have a high level of involvement in health promotion activities. A lack of an appropriate area in the CDROs and a lack of coordination with other healthcare providers were among the most reported barriers. Pharmacists might benefit from training to increase their educational backgrounds, and barriers could be addressed to enhance the pharmacist involvement.
Can radiologic parameters used to detect cervical spinal instability be used in patients with ankylosing spondylitis?
Authors: Teuber Henrik , Halvachizadeh Sascha , Muthirakalayil Melvin , Yin Luxu , Eisenkrein Harry , Hildebrand Frank , Kobbe Philipp , Sprengel Kai , Mica Ladislav , Alkadhi Hatem , Pape Hans-Christoph , Pfeifer Roman
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Cervical spinal instability can be difficult to detect in the shock room setting even with the utilization of computed tomography (CT) scans. This may be especially true in patients with cervical degenerative disease, such as ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence AS has on various radiologic parameters used to detect traumatic and degenerative instability of the cervical spine, to assess if CT imaging in the shock room is diagnostically appropriate in this patient population.

Methods

A matched, case–control retrospective analysis of patients with AS and controls without AS admitted at two level-1 trauma centers was performed. All patients were admitted via shock room and received a polytrauma CT. Twenty-four CT parameters of atlanto-occipital dislocation/instability, traumatic and degenerative spondylolisthesis, basilar invagination, and prevertebral soft tissue swelling were assessed. Since the study was assessing normal values, study patients were included if they had no injury to the cervical spine. Study patients were matched by age and sex.

Results

A total of 78 patients were included (AS group, n = 39; control group, n = 39). The evaluated cervical radiologic parameters were largely within normal limits and showed no significant clinical or morphologic differences between the two groups.

Conclusion

In this analysis, CT measurements pertaining to various cervical pathologies were not different between patients with and without AS. Parameters to assess for atlanto-occipital dislocation/instability, spondylolisthesis, or basilar invagination in the trauma setting may reliably be used in patients with AS.
Is there a causal nexus between COVID-19 infection, COVID-19 vaccination, and Guillain-Barré syndrome?
Authors: Zheng Xiaoxiao , Fang Yong , Song Yanna , Liu Shan , Liu Kangding , Zhu Jie , Wu Xiujuan
Published: February 2023

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an immune-mediated inflammatory polyradiculoneuropathy, which commonly leads to a very high level of neurological disability. Especially, after the global outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, the causation between GBS and SARS-CoV-2 infection and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination have aroused widespread concern. In the review, we analyzed the impacts of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination on GBS globally, aiming to further understand the characteristics of GBS associated with COVID-19. Based on the electrophysiological data, patients suffering from GBS related to COVID-19 manifested as an acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP). Moreover, we summarized the current findings, which may evidence GBS linking to SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination, and discussed the underlying mechanisms whether and how the SARS-CoV-2 virus and COVID-19 vaccination can induce GBS and its variants.
Role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in PDGF-BB-mediated astrogliosis in traumatic brain injury rats associated with ERK1/2 signaling pathway inhibition
Authors: Xiu Guanghui , Li Xiuling , Li Qiang , Yin Yunyu , Tang Qiqi , Li Jintao , Ling Jiaying , Ling Bin , Yang Ying
Published: February 2023

Background

Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) plays positive roles in the therapy of traumatic brain injury (TBI); however, the mechanism underlying its effects on TBI is largely unknown. The study aims to elucidate the molecular mechanism implicated with the interaction between platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling pathway, which may play critical roles during HBO treatment both in the astrocyte scratching model in vitro and rat TBI model in vivo.

Methods

Changes in neurological function and wound healing were evaluated using the neurological severity scores (NSS) scale, immunohistochemistry, western blotting, and qRT-PCR, respectively.

Results

The results showed that PDGF-BBi (PDGB interfered with small RNA) dramatically improves neuronal viability in vitro when transfected into the scratched astrocytes derived from the cerebral cortex of neonatal rats. Moreover, in vivo experiments revealed that HBO therapy substantially elevated the NSS scores and simultaneously reduced the mortality in TBI rats, as indicated by the NSS scales. Notably, HBO therapy was found to possess the ability to inhibit glial cell proliferation, promote the regeneration of neurons and synapses, and ultimately facilitate the wound healing, as revealed by immunohistochemistry and glial scar formation found in TBI rats. Importantly, HBO markedly decreased the expression levels of PDGF-BB and ERK1/2. It can clearly be seen that downregulated PDGF-BB and ERK1/2 levels were corresponding with the status of significant amelioration of the therapeutic effect of HBO. Conversely, the upregulation of PDGF-BB and ERK1/2 levels was in line with the opposite effect.

Conclusion

It has been concluded that HBO therapy may play its active role in TBI treatment dependent on astrogliosis inhibition, which may be achieved by downregulating the ERK1/2 signaling pathway mediated by PDGF-BB.
A novel tapered guide extension catheter facilitated successful completion of complex percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Liao Jianquan , Wu Runda , Ma Yuanji , Zhang Meng , Chen Yaolin , Yao Kang , Ge Junbo
Published: February 2023

Background

Guide extension catheters (GEC) are widely applied to cope with insufficient backup support in complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In the study, we aim to evaluate the feasibility and safety with a novel 5-4F tapered GEC used in complex lesion.

Methods

The single-center retrospective study enrolled a total of 615 patients, in whom the 5F or 5-4F Expressman GEC was used to facilitate PCI procedure. Demographic and procedural data were collected.

Results

5F GEC was used in 295 patients and 5-4F tapered GEC in 320 patients. The average age was 63.6 ± 11.0 years and 81.6% of the patients were male. Severe calcification and chronic total occlusion (CTO) were the commonest indication for the GEC use. The 5-4F tapered GEC was frequently used in active greeting technique (AGT) during CTO intervention procedure than 5F GEC (6.1% vs. 13.1%, p < 0.001). The average depth of intubation was 41.5 ± 19.6 mm for the 5-4F tapered GEC and 24.4 ± 15.1 mm for 5F GEC (p < 0.001). The rate of successful device delivery with 5-4F GEC was higher than 5F GEC (95.6% vs. 98.4%, p = 0.037). Pressure damping with 5F GEC occurred frequently than 5-4F GEC (7.4% vs. 2.5%, p < 0.05). Similarly, the incidence of intraoperative hypotension was higher in 5F GEC than 5-4F GEC (4.7% vs.1.9%, p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The novel 5-4F tapered GEC was superior to the 5F GEC in facilitating successful completion of PCI in the majority of patients with complex lesions via transradial approach.