bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toxocariasis-associated urinary system diseases: a systematic review of reported cases
Authors: Ardekani Ali , Roshanshad Amirhossein , Hosseini Seyed Ali , Magnaval Jean-François , Abdollahi Ali , Rostami Ali
Published: October 2021

Background

Toxocariasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati. Toxocara species can involve many organs, such as the brain, heart and lungs, however, the urinary system involvement of toxocariasis is largely unknown.

Methods

We performed a systematic review to identify cases infected with urinary tract toxocariasis.

Results

We identified seven cases that were eligible to be reviewed. Among the included citations, four studies reported bladder involvement and three reported kidney involvement. Fever, urinary, and abdominal presentations were amongst the most important clinical symptoms. Eosinophilic cystitis and nephrotic syndrome were the most common diagnoses.. The treatment regimen included a combination of anthelmintic drugs and steroids.

Conclusions

In cases of urinary tract presentations accompanied by eosinophilia or histopathologic findings suggestive of parasitic infection, toxocariasis should be included in the list of differential diagnoses, especially in endemic areas.
Differential Gene Expression of Brachypodium distachyon Roots Colonized by Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus and the Role of BdCESA8 in the Colonization
Authors: Yang Xuan , Hill Kathleen A. , Austin Ryan S. , Tian Lining
Published: October 2021

Alternatives to synthetic nitrogen fertilizer are needed to reduce the costs of crop production and offset environmental damage. Nitrogen-fixing bacterium Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus has been proposed as a possible biofertilizer for monocot crop production. However, the colonization of G. diazotrophicus in most monocot crops is limited and deep understanding of the response of host plants to G. diazotrophicus colonization is still lacking. In this study, the molecular response of the monocot plant model Brachypodium distachyon was studied during G. diazotrophicus root colonization. The gene expression profiles of B. distachyon root tissues colonized by G. diazotrophicus were generated via next-generation RNA sequencing, and investigated through gene ontology and metabolic pathway analysis. The RNA sequencing results indicated that Brachypodium is actively involved in G. diazotrophicus colonization via cell wall synthesis. Jasmonic acid, ethylene, gibberellin biosynthesis. nitrogen assimilation, and primary and secondary metabolite pathways are also modulated to accommodate and control the extent of G. diazotrophicus colonization. Cellulose synthesis is significantly downregulated during colonization. The loss of function mutant for Brachypodium cellulose synthase 8 (BdCESA8) showed decreased cellulose content in xylem and increased resistance to G. diazotrophicus colonization. This result suggested that the cellulose synthesis of the secondary cell wall is involved in G. diazotrophicus colonization. The results of this study provide insights for future research in regard to gene manipulation for efficient colonization of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in Brachypodium and monocot crops.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Ending Sexual Harassment in Science: Designing and Administering a Survey That Can Lead to an Improved Organizational Climate
Authors: Valantine Hannah A. , Le Fauve Charlene E. , Morris Kathryn A. , Riley William T.
Published: October 2021

Workplace harassment, particularly sexual harassment, has substantial negative implications for individuals and organizations and for scientific advancement. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is uniquely positioned to lead the effort to prevent sexual harassment in the scientific community and mitigate its detrimental effects. Recognizing the need for benchmark data, NIH developed and validated the 2019 NIH Workplace Climate and Harassment Survey. The goal was to use best practices in survey design methods to create an instrument for rigorous assessment of harassment incidence and organizational climate predictors of sexual harassment in scientific research environments. This article summarizes the processes used to design and administer the NIH survey and provides brief descriptions of 3 products of the process developed to guide scientific institutions wishing to embark on a data-driven approach to assess and prevent harassment: a document detailing survey development and methods, a survey implementation guide, and the key findings obtained from the survey, including recommendations for interventions targeting the organizational climate at NIH and limitations of the survey. The survey identified that 1 in 5 respondents had experienced sexual harassment in the 12 months preceding their participation in the survey and that women, sexual and gender minorities, younger respondents, trainees/students, and individuals with a disability were more likely to have experienced sexual harassment. Those who had experienced sexual harassment during that period were also more likely to have experienced incivility, bullying, and intimidating behaviors in the workplace. NIH intends to use the survey findings as a quality assurance and quality improvement guide to inform future activities to prevent and address harassment across NIH.
Perioperative Pulmonary Atelectasis: Part II. Clinical Implications
Authors: Lagier David , Zeng Congli , Fernandez-Bustamante Ana , Vidal Melo Marcos F.
Published: October 2021

The development of pulmonary atelectasis is common in the surgical patient. Pulmonary atelectasis can cause various degrees of gas exchange and respiratory mechanics impairment during and after surgery. In its most serious presentations, lung collapse could contribute to postoperative respiratory insufficiency, pneumonia, and worse overall clinical outcomes. A specific risk assessment is critical to allow clinicians to optimally choose the anesthetic technique, prepare appropriate monitoring, adapt the perioperative plan, and ensure the patient’s safety. Bedside diagnosis and management have benefited from recent imaging advancements such as lung ultrasound and electrical impedance tomography, and monitoring such as esophageal manometry. Therapeutic management includes a broad range of interventions aimed at promoting lung recruitment. During general anesthesia, these strategies have consistently demonstrated their effectiveness in improving intraoperative oxygenation and respiratory compliance. Yet these same intraoperative strategies may fail to affect additional postoperative pulmonary outcomes. Specific attention to the postoperative period may be key for such outcome impact of lung expansion. Interventions such as noninvasive positive pressure ventilatory support may be beneficial in specific patients at high risk for pulmonary atelectasis (e.g., obese) or those with clinical presentations consistent with lung collapse (e.g., postoperative hypoxemia after abdominal and cardiothoracic surgeries). Preoperative interventions may open new opportunities to minimize perioperative lung collapse and prevent pulmonary complications. Knowledge of pathophysiologic mechanisms of atelectasis and their consequences in the healthy and diseased lung should provide the basis for current practice and help to stratify and match the intensity of selected interventions to clinical conditions.
The Prognostic Value of Total Tumor Volume Response Compared With RECIST1.1 in Patients With Initially Unresectable Colorectal Liver Metastases Undergoing Systemic Treatment
Authors: Wesdorp Nina J. , Bolhuis Karen , Roor Joran , van Waesberghe Jan-Hein T. M. , van Dieren Susan , van Amerongen Martin J. , Chapelle Thiery , Dejong Cornelis H. C. , Engelbrecht Marc R. W. , Gerhards Michael F. , Grunhagen Dirk , van Gulik Thomas M. , Hermans John J. , de Jong Koert P. , Klaase Joost M. , Liem Mike S. L. , van Lienden Krijn P. , Molenaar I. Quintus , Patijn Gijs A. , Rijken Arjen M. , Ruers Theo M. , Verhoef Cornelis , de Wilt Johannes H. W. , Swijnenburg Rutger-Jan , Punt Cornelis J. A. , Huiskens Joost , Kazemier Geert
Published: October 2021

Objectives:

Compare total tumor volume (TTV) response after systemic treatment to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST1.1) and assess the prognostic value of TTV change and RECIST1.1 for recurrence-free survival (RFS) in patients with colorectal liver-only metastases (CRLM).

Background:

RECIST1.1 provides unidimensional criteria to evaluate tumor response to systemic therapy. Those criteria are accepted worldwide but are limited by interobserver variability and ignore potentially valuable information about TTV.

Methods:

Patients with initially unresectable CRLM receiving systemic treatment from the randomized, controlled CAIRO5 trial (NCT02162563) were included. TTV response was assessed using software specifically developed together with SAS analytics. Baseline and follow-up computed tomography (CT) scans were used to calculate RECIST1.1 and TTV response to systemic therapy. Different thresholds (10%, 20%, 40%) were used to define response of TTV as no standard currently exists. RFS was assessed in a subgroup of patients with secondarily resectable CRLM after induction treatment.

Results:

A total of 420 CT scans comprising 7820 CRLM in 210 patients were evaluated. In 30% to 50% (depending on chosen TTV threshold) of patients, discordance was observed between RECIST1.1 and TTV change. A TTV decrease of >40% was observed in 47 (22%) patients who had stable disease according to RECIST1.1. In 118 patients with secondarily resectable CRLM, RFS was shorter for patients with less than 10% TTV decrease compared with patients with more than 10% TTV decrease (P = 0.015), while RECIST1.1 was not prognostic (P = 0.821).

Conclusions:

TTV response assessment shows prognostic potential in the evaluation of systemic therapy response in patients with CRLM.
Intravenous Infusion of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promotes the Survival of Random Pattern Flaps in Rats
Authors: Nakagawa Tsugufumi , Sasaki Masanori , Kataoka-Sasaki Yuko , Yotsuyanagi Takatoshi , Radtke Christine , Kocsis Jeffery D. , Honmou Osamu
Published: October 2021

Background:

Surgical reconstruction options of soft-tissue defects often include random pattern skin flaps. Flap survival depends on flap size and rotation arc and can be challenging regarding flap perfusion, leading to wound healing complications, insufficient wound coverage, and even flap loss. Therefore, novel approaches that promote skin flap survival are required. Bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells intravenous infusion is therapeutically effective in various experimental disease models by means of multimodal and orchestrated mechanisms including anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, and by means of microvasculature reestablishment.

Methods:

A modified McFarlane-type rodent skin flap model was used. After skin flap surgery, intravenous infusion of mesenchymal stem cells or vehicle was performed. In vivo optical near-infrared imaging using indocyanine green was performed, followed by histologic analysis, including hematoxylin and eosin and Masson trichrome staining, and gene expression analysis.

Results:

The flap survival area was greater in the mesenchymal stem cell group. In vivo optical near-infrared perfusion imaging analysis suggested that skin blood perfusion was greater in the mesenchymal stem cell group. Ex vivo histologic analysis demonstrated that the skin structure was more clearly observed in the mesenchymal stem cell group. The dermal thickness was greater in the mesenchymal stem cell group, according to the Masson trichrome staining results. The authors observed a higher expression of fibroblast growth factor 2 mRNA in the tissues of the mesenchymal stem cell group using quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction.

Conclusion:

These results suggest that intravenous infusion of bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells promotes skin survival of random pattern flaps, which is associated with increased blood perfusion and higher expression of fibroblast growth factor 2.
Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling of Nasal Obstruction and Associations with Patient-Reported Outcomes
Authors: Barbarite Eric , Gadkaree Shekhar K. , Melchionna Simone , Zwicker David , Lindsay Robin W.
Published: October 2021

Background:

Nasal obstruction is a common problem, with significant impact on quality of life. Accurate diagnosis may be challenging because of the complex and dynamic nature of the involved anatomy. Computational fluid dynamics modeling has the ability to identify specific anatomical defects, allowing for a targeted surgical approach. The goal of the current study is to better understand nasal obstruction as it pertains to disease-specific quality of life by way of a novel computational fluid dynamics model of nasal airflow.

Methods:

Fifty-three patients with nasal obstruction underwent computational fluid dynamics modeling based on computed tomographic imaging. Nasal resistance was compared to demographic data and baseline subjective nasal patency based on Nasal Obstructive Symptom Evaluation scores.

Results:

Mean Nasal Obstructive Symptom Evaluation score among all patients was 72.6. Nasal Obstructive Symptom Evaluation score demonstrated a significant association with nasal resistance in patients with static obstruction (p = 0.03). There was a positive correlation between Nasal Obstructive Symptom Evaluation score and nasal resistance in patients with static bilateral nasal obstruction (R
2 = 0.32) and poor correlation in patients with dynamic bilateral obstruction caused by nasal valve collapse (R
2 = 0.02). Patients with moderate and severe bilateral symptoms had significantly higher nasal resistance compared to those with unilateral symptoms (p = 0.048).

Conclusions:

Nasal obstruction is a multifactorial condition in most patients. This study shows correlation between simulated nasal resistance and Nasal Obstructive Symptom Evaluation score in a select group of patients. There is currently no standardized diagnostic algorithm or gold standard objective measure of nasal airflow; however, computational fluid dynamics may better inform treatment planning and surgical techniques on an individual basis.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Risk, V.
Overcoming the Patent Gap: A Guide to Patenting for Plastic Surgeons
Authors: Kisyova Rumi , Kannan Ruben Yap , Nadkarni Prakash , Chandawarkar Rajiv Yatin
Published: October 2021

Background:

Patenting protects innovation, fosters academic incentives, promotes competition, and generates new revenue for clinician-inventors and their institutions. Despite these benefits, and despite plastic surgery’s history of innovation, plastic surgery–related patent applications are few. The goal of this article was to use unpublished data and formulate a robust discussion.

Methods:

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s boolean search was investigated between the timeline of 1975 and June 23, 2020, to identify patents related to the key phrases to contrast patent (both, issued and filed) tally in each specialty. Queries for two key phrases related to plastic surgery and a core plastic surgical activity, both with and without the added term “plastic surgery,” were performed.

Results:

Total patents with “cardiology” outnumber those with “plastic surgery” by 22,450 versus 7749 (i.e., almost 3:1). The overwhelming number of patents with “cosmetic” are non–plastic-surgery related: 87,910 total versus 2782 for those with plastic surgery. The corresponding numbers for “wound healing” are 36,359 versus 2703. Reasons for the patent gap between clinical innovations in plastic surgery and number of patents in our field are identified. Clear steps to bridge this gap are delineated that include a step-by-step process for patenting, from idea creation through commercialization. The authors propose “breakthrough to bank,” a framework wherein academic medical centers can create an environment of innovative freedom, establish the infrastructure for technological transfer of intellectual property, and generate a pipeline toward commercial applications.

Conclusions:

Innovation and inventions are important hallmarks for the progress of plastic surgery. Using a stepwise process, it may be possible to convert ideas into patents.
Subfascial versus Subglandular Breast Augmentation: A Randomized Prospective Evaluation Considering a 5-Year Follow-Up
Authors: Graf Ruth M. , Junior Ivan Maluf , de Paula Dayane R. , Ono Maria C. C. , Urban Linei A. B. D. , Freitas Renato S.
Published: October 2021

Background:

Subfascial breast augmentation is becoming popular because of a better understanding of breast anatomy. However, because the subglandular approach is also another popular method, it is critical to assess the influence of the superficial fascia of the pectoralis major muscle on the subfascial and subglandular pockets to determine if one method is superior to another. This study investigated whether there are clinical/radiological differences between subfascial and subglandular pockets following primary breast augmentation.

Methods:

Twenty patients were recruited, and each was randomly sorted to the subfascial and/or subglandular pocket per breast. Both patients and surgeons were blinded. Differences were evaluated through five independent surgeons and by magnetic resonance imaging scans. Subsequently, 1-year and 5-year follow-ups were conducted.

Results:

The results of the 5-year follow-up considering the aesthetics of the breast contour were significantly different between groups, with more good and excellent evaluations in the subfascial group. Regarding breast shape, there were also statistical differences, also with more good and excellent evaluations in the subfascial group. For breast consistency, subglandular had 84.20 percent of patients classified into Baker I and II, whereas subfascial had 100 percent. Magnetic resonance imaging scans showed a smaller implant base in the subglandular pockets, which was a significant result. There were no significant differences in implant projection. Comparison of the number of folds revealed significant differences between groups, with more folds in the subglandular group.

Conclusion:

Statistical differences between methods were found regarding breast shape and contour, capsular contracture, implant base, and the number of folds, showing that subfascial breast augmentation is superior to subglandular breast augmentation.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, II.
Identifying value-creating aspects in luxury hotel services via third-party online reviews: a cross-cultural study
Authors: Tsiotsou Rodoula H.
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to identify critical value-creating elements of luxury services expressed in ratings and reviews posted on third-party sites and examine cross-cultural differences. To this end, the research analyzed online ratings and reviews of luxury hotels posted on TripAdvisor from customers of four European regions (East, North, South and West).

Design/methodology/approach

Eight hundred thirty-eight online user-generated ratings and reviews of luxury hotels were analyzed quantitatively using MANOVA and qualitatively using text analysis.

Findings

The study findings support (a) that product and physical evidence are the most critical experiential elements of luxury hotels' offerings and (b) cultural differences among tourists from various regions of Europe in their hotel ratings and reviews. Specifically, Eastern and Northern Europeans are more generous in their review ratings than western and southern Europeans. Moreover, eastern Europeans value the hotel's physical evidence/environment whereas western Europeans prioritize the core product (room and food) followed by the physical environment/servicescape. Southern Europeans and Northern Europeans value most the personnel, followed by the physical environment and the core product, respectively.

Practical implications

Cultural differences provide several implications with regard to luxury services segmentation, social media management, service marketing mix development and hotel promotion.

Originality/value

The value of this study originates from studying post–purchase customer behavior in luxury services from a cross-cultural perspective. Moreover, identifying critical aspects of value-creating customer experience in a luxury context adds to the available literature.
PLI cancellation in ECG signal using intrinsic time scale decomposition with adaptive gain control
Authors: B. Sai Bharadwaj , Chennupati Sumanth Kumar
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this manuscript is to detect heart fault using Electrocardiogram. Mutually low and high frequency noises such as electromyography (EMG) and power line interference (PLI) degrades the performance of ECG signals.

Design/methodology/approach

The ECG record depicts the procedural electrical movement of the heart, which is non-invasive foot age obtained by placing surface electrodes on designated locations of the patient’s skin. The main concept of this manuscript is to present a novel filtering method to cancel the unwanted noises in ECG signal. Here, intrinsic time scale decomposition (ITD) is introduced to suppress the effect of PLI from ECG signals.

Findings

In the existing ITD, the gain control parameter is a constant value; however, in this paper it is an adaptive feature that varies according to certain constraints. Simulation outcomes show that the proposed method effectively reduces the effect of PLI and quantitatively express the effectiveness with different evaluation metrics.

Originality/value

The results found by the proposed method are compared with Fourier decomposition technique and eigen value decomposition methods (EDM) to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
The cross-impact of corruption and consumer culture
Authors: Burmakin Vladislav , Dudareva Marianna , Egorov Andrey , Latysheva Valentina , Salimova Svetlana
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the relationship between corruption and consumption culture from the perspective of their mutual influence on the example of the Russian Federation.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology was based on the use of theoretical, empirical and experimental approaches aimed at studying the mutual influence of indicators of corruption and factors that may be associated with it.

Findings

The performed analysis revealed that the total number of crimes registered under corruption-related articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (Article 285 – Abuse of Power, Article 290 – Receiving a Bribe, Article 291 – Giving a Bribe) is in moderate correlation with monthly consumer spending per capita and the volume of taxes, fees and other obligatory payments to the budget.

Originality/value

The practical application of the research results is possible in formation of recommendations for improving anti-corruption legislation and effective measures to prevent its causes.
Deblending and merging of 3D multi‐sweep seismic blended data
Authors: Jeong Woodon , Tsingas Constantinos , Almubarak Mohammed S.
Published: October 2021

Seismic blended source acquisition, also referred to as simultaneous source acquisition, is a cost‐effective technology that achieves a significant reduction in acquisition cycle time and increases seismic crew field productivity. The dispersed source array is a blended acquisition field technique that simultaneously employs sources emitting different types of sweeps (i.e. multi‐sweep), in terms of frequency bandwidth and length, which ultimately will result in a full broadband seismic data. In this paper, deblending of 3D multi‐sweep seismic blended data and the subsequent merging of the data volumes having different frequency bandwidths will be discussed. In specific data domains where the signal component is coherent, interference shots (i.e. blending noise) are randomly distributed in the data space according to its own shot firing time. Therefore, the deblending process, which separates interference shots from a signal component, becomes a noise attenuation problem. A sparse inversion methodology is applied in the frequency–wavenumber–wavenumber (f–kx–ky) domain to attenuate blending noise. By applying this deblending methodology to both dispersed source array's low‐ and mid‐high‐frequency bandwidths, we obtained high‐quality deblending results. For both frequency bandwidths of the deblended dispersed source array data, additional effort was made to combine the two datasets to a single broadband data volume. Consequently, deblending and merging of the dispersed source array blended data generated a broadband, deblended and well‐balanced seismic volume suitable for further processing and reservoir characterization applications.
Does regulatory under‐compliance with governance standards lead to bank instability? An exploration using Indian data
Authors: Gulati Rachita
Published: October 2021

The paper looks at whether under‐compliance with governance standards leads to bank instability. The empirical analysis is executed using a novel and unique panel dataset on the governance of Indian banks from 2009 to 2018. The study gauges the governance compliance on 48 norms, covering six key dimensions of corporate governance: board effectiveness, audit function, risk management, remuneration, shareholder rights and information, and disclosure and transparency. A measure of bank stability is obtained using 14 important financial ratio indicators, encompassing five critical dimensions of stability: soundness, asset quality, profitability, management efficiency and liquidity. The composite indices for both governance compliance and bank stability are constructed using the innovative non‐parametric constrained “Benefit‐of‐the‐Doubt (BoD)” approach. The governance compliance‐stability nexus is tested econometrically using the panel ordered probit regression. Empirical results are found to be robust and suggest that governance compliance emphatically explains bank stability in India. The most significant policy implication, which emerges from the empirical findings, is that any sort of regulatory under‐compliance with selected governance norms by banks would be costly and may have a destabilising effect on the banking system.
When our Paths Cross Again: The Supreme Court's Management of Related Asylum and Child Abduction Claims in G v G
Authors: Walsh Kieran , Atkins Sarah
Published: October 2021

This case note examines how the Supreme Court approached the complex problem of overlapping legal proceedings involving asylum claims and child abduction. It analyses the purposive approach taken by the Supreme Court in G v G to the determination of how a child, who has not independently claimed asylum, should be understood to have done so, and the ramifications of this for the child's legal status in any claim for their return under the Hague Convention on Child Abduction. It further seeks to address the novel approach by which the Supreme Court dealt with this problem. By formulating draft standard directions for the handling of such cases, the Court brought into focus questions about the limits of the judicial function of promoting good governance.
The Effectiveness of Harnessing Human Rights: The Struggle over the Ilısu Dam in Turkey
Authors: Tezcür Güneş Murat , Schiel Rebecca , Wilson Bruce M.
Published: October 2021

Under what conditions can a human rights‐based approach be successfully utilized? This article argues that the efficacy of a human rights discourse is, in large part, determined by the nature of the arena in which rights are claimed. Utilizing process tracing, involving content analysis and in‐depth interviews, the article examines the decades‐long struggle to block the construction of a large dam in southeastern Turkey. The analysis focuses on the struggle's three core dimensions: (a) international activism to influence foreign financial stakeholders; (b) domestic activism targeting the government; and (c) regional conflict over international water flows. Each of these dimensions is characterized by vastly different degrees of discursive rights consensus and leverage. In the international dimension, activists achieved both discursive consensus and leverage and were able to successfully thwart the Turkish government's goal of building a major dam. However, this ultimately proved to be a pyrrhic victory when the Turkish government secured domestic financing for the project. The loss of leverage in the domestic arena rendered anti‐dam activists’ rights discourse ineffectual. Finally, the lack of regional consensus on water sharing and Iraq's lack of leverage enabled Turkey to complete the dam.
Kynurenine inhibits melanogenesis in human melanocyte‐keratinocyte co‐cultures and in a reconstructed 3D skin model
Authors: Ferreira Branquinho Maryana Stephany , Silva Maysa Braga Barros , Castilho Gabriela Ansanelo , Cavalcante Jacqueline , Barros Silvia Berlanga de Moraes , Clara Renan Orsati , Maria‐Engler Silvya Stuchi , Campa Ana
Published: October 2021

Kynurenine (KYN), the most abundant metabolite of tryptophan, is classically associated with immune tolerance and tumor immune escape. In the last years, KYN is in the spotlight in other biological processes. Here, we showed that KYN inhibited tyrosinase expression and melanin content in primary human melanocyte and keratinocyte co‐cultures. Furthermore, KYN decreased melanosome content in a 3D human skin reconstruction model. In these experiments, we used tyrosine + NH4Cl to induce pigmentation. We compared the inhibitory effect of KYN on melanogenesis with the already known inhibitory effect promoted by IFN‐γ. Since increased KYN production depends on the IFN‐γ‐inducible enzyme indoleamine‐2,3‐dioxygenase (IDO), we propose that part of the effect of IFN‐γ on melanogenesis involves KYN production. From that, we tested if, during melanogenesis, changes in tryptophan metabolism would occur. For this purpose, we measured tryptophan, KYN and downstream products along with pigmentation. There were no significant changes in Trp metabolism, except for the high consumption of kynurenic acid. Our data identify the skin as a potential target for the action of KYN relevant for skin physiology and pigmentation. The results are discussed concerning the high production of KYN in skin inflammatory disorders and cancer.
Internet of healthcare things security vulnerabilities and jamming attack analysis
Authors: Sharma Kavita
Published: October 2021

With the advent of the internet in the recent past, communication and transferring data are no longer challenging. The internet of things (IoT) and many other mobile devices are another paradigm that has evolved lately and plays a significant role in communications. Smart healthcare has been a field of incredible change and growth in the age of smart houses, smart communities and the digital era. Technological expertise and electronics devices have fused, resulting in the internet of healthcare things (IoHT). It is considered to be one of the most required technological progress. However, the IoHT devices, wireless transmission of sensitive patient data poses some obvious security concerns. In addition, with the widespread use of IoHT devices, the foremost challenge is to manage and ensuring security while using IoHT for clinical applications. In this paper, the security and privacy challenges and associated threats in the domain of IoHT are thoroughly reviewed. A real‐time collaborative jamming detection algorithm is proposed, which caters to all the significant challenges being faced. A jamming attack is a sub‐type of denial of service (DoS) attack due to free Wi‐Fi access points (APs) that executes on both mobile devices and Wi‐Fi AP. The proposed algorithm investigates the strength of the received signal and the ratio of packet loss in the mobile devices, whereas the number of connected clients disrupted by the jammer is considered Wi‐Fi AP. The approach aims to mitigate the causes of false alarms by connecting the originator present in the network, interfering with communication between the mobile devices and the Wi‐Fi AP. This approach can be used to detect the presence of a jammer, which may hamper mobile device communication and prevent confidential information, that can be acquired via fake Wi‐Fi AP.
The curious case of SARM1: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in cell death and immunity?
Authors: Sarkar Ankita , Kumari Nripa , Mukherjee Piyali
Published: October 2021

Sterile alpha and toll/interleukin‐1 receptor motif‐containing protein 1 (SARM1) was first identified as a novel ortholog of Drosophila protein CG7915 and was subsequently placed as the fifth member of the human TIR‐containing adaptor protein. SARM1 holds a unique position in this family where, unlike other members, it downregulates NFκB activity in response to immunogenic stimulation, interacts with another member of the family, TRIF, to negatively regulate its function, and it also mediates cell death responses. Over the past decade, SARM1 has emerged as one of the primary mediators of programmed axonal degeneration and this robust regulation of axonal degeneration—especially in models of peripheral neuropathy and traumatic injury—makes it an attractive target for therapeutic intervention. The TIR domain of SARM1 possesses an intrinsic NADase activity resulting in cellular energy deficits within the axons, a striking deviation from its other family members of human TLR adaptors. Interestingly, the TIR NADase activity, as seen in SARM1, is also observed in several prokaryotic TIR‐containing proteins where they are involved in immune evasion once within the host. Although the immune function of SARM1 is yet to be conclusively discerned, this closeness in function with the prokaryotic TIR‐domain containing proteins, places it at an interesting juncture of evolution raising questions about its origin and function in cell death and immunity. In this review, we discuss how a conserved immune adaptor protein like SARM1 switches to a pro‐neurodegenerative function and the evolutionarily significance of the process.
Estimating discard survival of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) in the UK commercial hook‐and‐line fishery
Authors: Lamb Philip D , Randall Peter , Weltersbach Marc Simon , Andrews Barnaby , Hyder Kieran
Published: October 2021

Despite the implementation of technical management measures to facilitate stock recovery of European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax (L.), the survival rate of discarded hook‐and‐line caught sea bass remains unknown. This makes the effectiveness of management measures that result in discarding difficult to assess. Therefore, a questionnaire was distributed to 421 UK‐based commercial hook‐and‐line fishers (65 respondents) to characterise how sea bass are caught, handled and released. Responses suggested fishing was selective with a reported estimated mean discard rate of 12.9% (±3.3% SE). Low rates of foul and deep hooking, and short periods of air exposure were reported. Combined with data from a post‐release mortality experiment using hook‐and‐line caught captive sea bass, a fleet‐wide discard survival rate of 89.3% (±2.6% SE) was calculated for the UK commercial hook‐and‐line sea bass fishery. This survival rate suggests that technical management measures, for example minimum conservation reference sizes and catch limits, could be effective tools for managing the sea bass hook‐and‐line fishery.
Du Rana Plaza au COVID‐19: handicaps et atouts pour un nouveau système de gouvernance du travail dans les chaînes d'approvisionnement mondiales de l'habillement
Authors: FRENKEL Stephen J. , SCHUESSLER Elke S.
Published: October 2021

En 2013, la tragédie du Rana Plaza mettait en lumière les défaillances de la réglementation du travail dans les chaînes d'approvisionnement mondiales de l'habillement. Qu'en est‐il aujourd'hui, à l'ère du COVID‐19? Et les travailleurs, comment s'en sortent‐ils? Pour les auteurs, le système de gouvernance du travail (SGT), concept qu'ils définissent précisément, reste insuffisant, malgré le renforcement des règles de sécurité, et, sous l'angle des salaires, du temps de travail et des relations avec l'encadrement, la situation ne s'est guère améliorée. Cependant, la pandémie, facteur aggravant, pourrait jouer un rôle de détonateur en vue d'un renforcement du SGT. Les auteurs font plusieurs recommandations à cet effet.
Del Rana Plaza a la COVID‐19. Deficiencias y oportunidades de renovación del sistema de gobernanza del trabajo en las cadenas mundiales de suministro de la confección
Authors: FRENKEL Stephen J. , SCHUESSLER Elke S.
Published: October 2021

El derrumbe del Rana Plaza en 2013 puso de relieve la deficiente regulación laboral en las cadenas mundiales de valor del sector de la confección. Ocho años después, en plena pandemia por COVID‐19, los autores se plantean, utilizando el concepto de sistema de gobernanza del trabajo (SGT), qué ha cambiado y con qué consecuencias para los trabajadores. Con datos de entrevistas, observan mejoras en la seguridad de los edificios, pero no en salarios, horas de trabajo y derechos procedimentales. La pandemia ha exacerbado las deficiencias, pero podría convertirse en un nuevo evento focalizador para mejorar el sistema, para lo cual se formulan propuestas de políticas.
Using ethnodrama to support parents in sense‐making after prenatal or neonatal diagnosis of a child's disabling condition
Authors: Eaton Jacqueline , Cheek‐O'Donnell Sydney , Johnson Erin , Clark Lauren
Published: October 2021

Background/Aims

This study describes the process of developing video vignettes to meet the parent‐expressed need for balanced, meaningful messages about what life may be like for parents who have a child with a disability. Each vignette teaches a general audience salient concepts derived from a grounded theory of the parental process of Rescuing Hope after a child's diagnosis with a developmental disability.

Methods

Using ethnodrama methodology, we completed a secondary analysis of 21 interviews with parents who learned of their child's diagnosis of Down syndrome.

Results

Understanding the grounded theory of Rescuing Hope has the potential to help parents construct meaning and purpose as they adapt to parenting a child with a disability.

Discussion

The short dramatic vignettes may be placed across platforms, settings and partnerships, with relevance for teachers, clinicians, family members, caregivers. Designed for wide distribution, video vignettes may reach the people who most need sense‐making support.
Age at menarche and risk of adverse obstetric outcomes during the first childbirth in Japan: The Japan Environment and Children's Study
Authors: Kanno Aya , Kyozuka Hyo , Murata Tsuyoshi , Isogami Hirotaka , Yamaguchi Akiko , Fukuda Toma , Yasuda Shun , Suzuki Daisuke , Sato Akiko , Ogata Yuka , Shinoki Kosei , Hosoya Mitsuaki , Yasumura Seiji , Hashimoto Koichi , Nishigori Hidekazu , Fujimori Keiya ,   the Japan Environment and Children's Study Group
Published: October 2021

Aim

Age at menarche is used as a risk indicator of gestational diabetes mellitus, preterm birth, and fetal growth. However, little is known regarding the age impact on obstetric outcomes among nulliparous women. This study investigated whether menarche age was correlated with obstetric outcomes among nulliparous women.

Methods

We analyzed the data obtained for 37 645 singleton pregnancies between 2011 and 2014 in the Japan Environment and Children's Study. Age at menarche was categorized into the ≤9‐, 10‐, 11‐, 12‐, 13‐, 14‐, and ≥15‐year‐old groups (n = 363, 3155, 8390, 11 164, 6713, 5446, and 2414, respectively). We calculated the relative risk for cases of preterm birth <37 weeks, low birthweight <2500 g, small for gestational age, early and late‐onset hypertension disorders of pregnancy, and early‐ and late‐diagnosed (diagnosed < or ≧ 24 weeks) gestational diabetes mellitus using a reference of 12 years at menarche.

Results

Women with an age at menarche ≤9 years showed an increased incidence of developing early‐diagnosed gestational diabetes mellitus (relative risk: 2.42; 95% confidence interval: 1.05–5.60). A high body mass index before pregnancy increased the risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus.

Conclusions

Age at menarche helped in assessing the risk of early‐diagnosed gestational diabetes mellitus among nulliparous women. Future studies are needed to clarify the underlying mechanisms. This study is the first to use data from the largest prospective birth cohort study of Japan and to investigate the relationship between menarche age and obstetric outcomes among nulliparous women.
Outcome of superficial brachial axial pattern flaps used to close skin defects in dogs: 16 cases (1996‐2019)
Authors: Villedieu E. , Nolff M. C. , Del Magno S. , Emmerson T. , Field E. , Hattersley R. , De La Puerta B. , Ragni R. A. , Baines S. J.
Published: October 2021

Objectives

To report the complication rate, type of complications and outcome of the superficial brachial axial pattern flap when used for closure of skin defects in dogs.

Materials and Methods

Medical records of dogs treated with a superficial brachial axial pattern flap for closure of a skin defect were reviewed. Information regarding signalment, reason for axial pattern flap use, skin flap size, flap healing, postoperative complications and need for revision surgery was collected.

Results

Sixteen dogs were included in the study. Indications for the superficial brachial axial pattern flap included closure following tumour removal (15/16, 94%) and management of a non‐healing wound on the olecranon (1/16, 6%). Postoperative complications occurred in all dogs and included partial dehiscence (7/16, 44%), partial flap necrosis (6/16. 38%), seroma formation (5/16, 31%), flap oedema (3/16, 19%) and complete flap necrosis (2/16, 13%). Eight flaps (50%) healed without open wound management or additional surgery. Five dogs required open wound management without additional surgery, and three dogs (19%) required revision surgery.

Clinical Significance

Use of the superficial brachial axial pattern flap was associated with a high rate of complications. Most complications were managed without additional surgery and all wounds eventually healed, in some cases after prolonged open wound management.
Is there a firm size‐wage gap after economic transition? – An examination of for‐profit and not‐for‐profit firms in Estonia
Authors: Caudill Steven B. , Kroncke Charles O. , Mixon Franklin G.
Published: October 2021

The labor economics and industrial organization literature is replete with studies showing a positive relationship between firm size and employees’ wages. However, no work to date has examined, particularly with regard to the inverse probability weighting approach taken in this study, whether this effect is present in a post‐communist country shortly after economic transition. This study fills that void by testing for a firm size‐wage effect in Estonia after it declared independence from the Soviet Union. In doing so, we employ a large micro‐dataset from the Estonian Labor Force Survey and find that, holding several job, industry, and city characteristics constant, a statistically significant firm size‐wage gap exists across workers employed by all types of firms, and separately for those employed across both for‐profit and not‐for‐profit firms in Estonia after its economic transition.
Deep learning–based artificial intelligence model for identifying swallow types in esophageal high‐resolution manometry
Authors: Kou Wenjun , Galal Galal Osama , Klug Matthew William , Mukhin Vladislav , Carlson Dustin A. , Etemadi Mozziyar , Kahrilas Peter J. , Pandolfino John E.
Published: October 2021

Background

This study aimed to build and evaluate a deep learning, artificial intelligence (AI) model to automatically classify swallow types based on raw data from esophageal high‐resolution manometry (HRM).

Methods

HRM studies on patients with no history of esophageal surgery were collected including 1,741 studies with 26,115 swallows labeled by swallow type (normal, hypercontractile, weak‐fragmented, failed, and premature) by an expert interpreter per the Chicago Classification. The dataset was stratified and split into train/validation/test datasets for model development. Long short‐term memory (LSTM), a type of deep‐learning AI model, was trained and evaluated. The overall performance and detailed per‐swallow type performance were analyzed. The interpretations of the supine swallows in a single study were further used to generate an overall classification of peristalsis.

Key Results

The LSTM model for swallow type yielded accuracies from the train/validation/test datasets of 0.86/0.81/0.83. The model's interpretation for study‐level classification of peristalsis yielded accuracy of 0.88 in the test dataset. Among model misclassification, 535/698 (77%) swallows and 25/35 (71%) studies were to adjacent categories, for example, normal to weak or normal to ineffective, respectively.

Conclusions and Inferences

A deep‐learning AI model can automatically and accurately identify the Chicago Classification swallow types and peristalsis classification from raw HRM data. While future work to refine this model and incorporate overall manometric diagnoses are needed, this study demonstrates the role that AI will serve in the interpretation and classification of esophageal HRM studies.
The Effect of Laminectomy with Instrumented Fusion Carried into the Thoracic Spine on the Sagittal Imbalance in Patients with Multilevel Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament
Authors: Sun Kaiqiang , Zhang Shikai , Yang Benzhao , Sun Xiaofei , Shi Jiangang
Published: October 2021

Objective

To determine if there is a difference in either the cervical alignment or the clinical outcomes in cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) patients who underwent laminectomy with instrumented fusion (LIF) ending at C6, C7, or proximal thoracic spine for the treatment of multilevel OPLL, and to find out the appropriate distal fusion level.

Methods

This was a single‐center retrospective study. In total, 36 patients with cervical OPLL who underwent three or more level LIF in our institution between January 2015 and January 2017 were enrolled. They were divided into three groups according to their distal ends: C6 (nine females and 11 males, 60.45 ± 9.68 years old), C7 (four females and six males, 61.60 ± 10.29 years old), and T‐group (two females and four males, 64.33 ± 8.12 years old). Radiographic (compression level, classification of OPLL, occupying rate, C2‐7 cobb angle, C2‐7 sagittal vertical axis, and fusion level) and clinical outcomes (NDI score, operative time, and blood loss) were compared. Predictors of postoperative sagittal imbalance were also identified according to if the postoperative C2‐7 SVA was greater than 40 mm. The sensitivity and specificity of preoperative parameters predicting postoperative cervical stability were evaluated via the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

Results

All patients were followed up at least 1 year. The blood loss in T group was significantly more than C6 or C7 group. The length of fusion level became significantly longer when the caudal level extended to the thoracic spine. The age, preoperative SVA, and NDI score at follow‐up were significantly greater in the imbalance group. At the final follow‐up, the cervical lordosis tended to be straight and the C2‐7 SVA tended to be greater when the caudal level of fusion was extended to upper thoracic segment. Further ROC curve analysis suggested that patients’ age had a sensitivity of 75.00%, specificity of 79.17% for cervical stability, and the AUC was 0.844 (P < 0.01), with the cutoff value for age being 66.5 years old. For preoperative SVA, the sensitivity was 58.30%, and specificity was 91.70%, with the AUC of 0.778 (P < 0.01). The cutoff value for preoperative SVA was 30.4 mm.

Conclusion

Although posterior fusion terminating in the thoracic spine was not superior to the cervical spine for patients with multilevel OPLL, for elderly patients (>67 years) with great preoperative SVA (>30 mm), terminating at C6 was recommended to limit the invasion of cervical extensor muscles, provided the decompression was adequate.