bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anterior cruciate ligament microfatigue damage detected by collagen autofluorescence in situ
Authors: Kim Jinhee , Baek So Young , Schlecht Stephen H. , Beaulieu Mélanie L. , Bussau Lindsay , Chen Junjie , Ashton-Miller James A. , Wojtys Edward M. , Banaszak Holl Mark M.
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Certain types of repetitive sub-maximal knee loading cause microfatigue damage in the human anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) that can accumulate to produce macroscopic tissue failure. However, monitoring the progression of that ACL microfatigue damage as a function of loading cycles has not been reported. To explore the fatigue process, a confocal laser endomicroscope (CLEM) was employed to capture sub-micron resolution fluorescence images of the tissue in situ. The goal of this study was to quantify the in situ changes in ACL autofluorescence (AF) signal intensity and collagen microstructure as a function of the number of loading cycles.

Methods

Three paired and four single cadaveric knees were subjected to a repeated 4 times bodyweight landing maneuver known to strain the ACL. The paired knees were used to compare the development of ACL microfatigue damage on the loaded knee after 100 consecutive loading cycles, relative to the contralateral unloaded control knee, through second harmonic generation (SHG) and AF imaging using confocal microscopy (CM). The four single knees were used for monitoring progressive ACL microfatigue damage development by AF imaging using CLEM.

Results

The loaded knees from each pair exhibited a statistically significant increase in AF signal intensity and decrease in SHG signal intensity as compared to the contralateral control knees. Additionally, the anisotropy of the collagen fibers in the loaded knees increased as indicated by the reduced coherency coefficient. Two out of the four single knee ACLs failed during fatigue loading, and they exhibited an order of magnitude higher increase in autofluorescence intensity per loading cycle as compared to the intact knees. Of the three regions of the ACL - proximal, midsubstance and distal - the proximal region of ACL fibers exhibited the highest AF intensity change and anisotropy of fibers.

Conclusions

CLEM can capture changes in ACL AF and collagen microstructures in situ during and after microfatigue damage development. Results suggest a large increase in AF may occur in the final few cycles immediately prior to or at failure, representing a greater plastic deformation of the tissue. This reinforces the argument that existing microfatigue damage can accumulate to induce bulk mechanical failure in ACL injuries. The variation in fiber organization changes in the ACL regions with application of load is consistent with the known differences in loading distribution at the ACL femoral enthesis.
Needle arthroscopy in anatomical reconstruction of the lateral ankle: a report of three cases with a parallel comparison to the standard arthroscopy procedure
Authors: Lopes R. , Noailles T. , Padiolleau G. , Bouguennec N. , Vieira T. D.
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This study evaluates the use of the needle arthroscopy in anatomical reconstruction of the lateral ankle. We hypothesized that the needle arthroscopy would allow anatomical reconstruction to be performed under arthroscopy.

Methods

Three patients underwent treatment of chronic ankle instability. The comparative procedure was performed in the following four steps: 1) anteromedial articular exploration (medial/lateral gutter/anterior chamber/syndesmosis); 2)creation of the talar tunnel via the anteromedial arthroscopic approach; 3) anterolateral fibular tunneling; and 4) positioning of the graft by the anteromedial arthroscopic approach.

For each of these steps, the planned procedure using the needle arthroscope was compared to the standard arthroscope. For each step, the planned procedure using the needle arthroscopy was compared to the standard arthroscope and the act was classified based on level of difficulty: facilitated, similar, complicated and impossible.

Results

The exploration of the medial and lateral gutter, the creation of the tunnel of the talus and graft positioning were not accomplished using the needle arthroscope. While the syndesmosis visualization was facilitated by the needle arthroscope in comparison to the standard arthroscope.

Conclusion

The anatomical reconstruction of the lateral ankle, using the needle arthroscopy-only approach, was impossible in all three cases, regarding: ankle joint exploration, creation of the tunnel of the talus and graft positioning. The needle arthroscope should not be considered as a "mini arthroscope" but as a new tool with which it is necessary to rethink procedures to take advantage of the benefits of this instrument.
Return to sports after ACL injury 5 years from now: 10 things we must do
Authors: Gokeler Alli , Grassi Alberto , Hoogeslag Roy , van Houten Albert , Lehman Tim , Bolling Caroline , Buckthorpe Matthew , Norte Grant , Benjaminse Anne , Heuvelmans Pieter , Di Paolo Stefano , Tak Igor , Villa Francesco Della
Published: July 2022

Background

The outcome after ACL reconstruction (ACLR) is in general disappointing with unacceptable number of athletes that do not return to pre-injury level of sports, high re-injury rates, early development of osteoarthritis and shorter careers. Athletes after ACLR have high expectation to return to sports which is in contrast with the current outcomes. The aim of this manuscript is to present an overview of factors that are needed to be incorporated and to personalize the rehabilitation process for an athlete who has undergone an ACLR.

Level of evidence

4.
Effectuality study of a 3D motion correction algorithm in C-arm CTs of severely impaired image quality during transarterial chemoembolization
Authors: Becker Lena S. , Dewald Cornelia L. A. , von Falck Christian , Werncke Thomas , Maschke Sabine K. , Kloeckner Roman , Wacker Frank K. , Meyer Bernhard C. , Hinrichs Jan B.
Published: July 2022

Background

To evaluate effectivity of a 3D-motion correction algorithm in C-Arm CTs (CACT) with limited image quality (IQ) during transarterial chemoembolization (TACE).

Methods

From 1/2015–5/2021, 644 CACTs were performed in patients during TACE. Of these, 27 CACTs in 26 patients (18 m, 8f; 69.7 years ± 10.7 SD) of limited IQ were included. Post-processing of the original raw-data sets (CACTOrg) included application of a 3D-motion correction algorithm and bone segmentation (CACTMC_no_bone). Four radiologists (R1-4) compared the images by choosing their preferred dataset and recommending repeat acquisition in case of severe IQ-impairment. R1,2 performed additional grading of intrahepatic vessel visualization, presence/extent of movement artifacts, and overall IQ.

Results

R1,2 demonstrated excellent interobserver agreement for overall IQ (ICC 0.79,p < 0.01) and the five-point vessel visualization scale before and after post-processing of the datasets (ICC 0.78,p < 0.01). Post-processing caused significant improvement, with overall IQ improving from 2.63 (CACTOrg) to 1.39 (CACTMC_no_bone;p < 0.01) and a decrease in the mean distance of identifiable, subcapsular vessels to the liver capsule by 4 mm (p < 0.01). This proved especially true for datasets with low parenchymal and high hepatic artery contrast. A good interobserver agreement (ICC = 0.73) was recorded concerning the presence of motion artifacts, with significantly less discernible motion after post-processing (CACTOrg:1.31 ± 1.67, CACTMC_no_bone:1.00 ± 1.34, p < 0.01). Of the 27 datasets, ≥ 23 CACTMC_no_bone were preferred, with identical datasets chosen by the readers to show benefit from the algorithm.

Conclusion

Application of a 3D-motion correction algorithm significantly improved IQ in diagnostically limited CACTs during TACE, with the potential to decrease repeat acquisitions.
Arterial enhancement fraction in evaluating the therapeutic effect and survival for hepatocellular carcinoma patients treated with DEB-TACE
Authors: Chai Bin , Xiang Dongqiao , Wang Wei , Ren Yanqiao , Wang Fuquan , Wang Jihua , Zhou Guofeng , Zheng Chuansheng
Published: July 2022

Background

Arterial enhancement fraction (AEF), derived from triphasic CT scans, is considered to indirectly reflect the ratio of hepatic arterial perfusion to total perfusion. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively investigate the relationship between AEF and treatment response and survival in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treated with drug-eluting bead (DEB) TACE.

Methods

AEF of primary lesion (AEFpre) and residual tumor (AEFpost) in 158 HCC patients were obtained from triphasic liver CT examinations pre- and post-treatment. Wilcoxon-signed rank test was used to compare the AEFpre and AEFpost for different response groups. Survival curves for overall survival (OS) in patients with different AEF were created by using Kaplan-Meier method. Cox regression analyses were used to determine the association between AEF and OS.

Results

There was no correlation between AEFpre and treatment response. After DEB-TACE, AEFpost was significantly lower than AEFpre either in the partial response group (38.9% vs. 52.7%, p <  0.001) or in the stable disease group (49.3% vs. 52.1%, p = 0.029). In the progression disease group, AEFpost was numerically higher than AEFpre (55.5% vs. 53.0%, p = 0.604). Cox regression analyses showed that risk of death increased in patients with AEFpre > 57.95% (HR = 1.66, p = 0.019) or AEFpost > 54.85% (HR = 2.47, p <  0.001), and the risk reduced in patients with any reduction in tumor AEF (decrease ratio ≥ 0) and with increased AEF but not exceeding the ratio of 0.102 (increase ratio <  0.102) (HR = 0.32, p <  0.001).

Conclusions

The change in AEF of viable tumor is correlated with response of HCC to DEB-TACE. In addition, the AEF could be a helpful predictor in future studies on the embolization treatment for HCC.
Verification of the effect of acquisition time for SwiftScan on quantitative bone single-photon emission computed tomography using an anthropomorphic phantom
Authors: Shiiba Takuro , Sekikawa Yuya , Tateoka Shinji , Shinohara Nobutaka , Inoue Yuuki , Kuroiwa Yasuyoshi , Tanaka Takashi , Kihara Yasushi , Imamura Takuroh
Published: July 2022

Background

SwiftScan single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is a recently released scanning technique with data acquired when the detector is stationary and when it moves from one view to the next. The influence of scan time for using SwiftScan on quantitative bone SPECT remains unclear. This study aimed to clarify the effect of the scan time for SwiftScan SPECT on the image quality and quantification of bone SPECT compared to step and shoot mode (SSM) using 99mTc-filled anthropomorphic phantom (SIM2 bone phantom).

Materials and methods

Phantom SPECT/computed tomography (CT) images were acquired using Discovery NM/CT 860 (GE Healthcare) with a low-energy high-resolution sensitivity collimator. We used the fixed parameters (subsets 10 and iterations 5) for reconstruction. The coefficient of variation (CV), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), full width at half maximum (FWHM), and quantitative value of SwiftScan SPECT and SSM were compared at various acquisition times (5, 7, 17, and 32 min).

Results

In the short-time scan (< 7 min), the CV and CNR of SwiftScan SPECT were better than those of SSM, whereas in the longtime scan (> 17 min), the CV and CNR of SwiftScan SPECT were similar to those of SSM. The FWHMs for SwiftScan SPECT (13.6–14.8 mm) and SSM (13.5–14.4 mm) were similar. The mean absolute errors of quantitative values at 5, 7, 17, and 32 min were 38.8, 38.4, 48.8, and 48.1, respectively, for SwiftScan SPECT and 41.8, 40.8%, 47.2, and 49.8, respectively, for SSM.

Conclusions

SwiftScan on quantitative bone SPECT provides improved image quality in the short-time scan with quantification similar to or better than SSM. Therefore, in clinical settings, using SwiftScan SPECT instead of the SSM scan protocol in the short-time scan might provide higher-quality diagnostic images than SSM. Our results could provide vital information on the use of SwiftScan SPECT.
Feasibility of positron range correction in 82-Rubidium cardiac PET/CT
Authors: Jensen Malte , Bentsen Simon , Clemmensen Andreas , Jensen Jacob Kildevang , Madsen Johanne , Rossing Jonas , Laier Anna , Hasbak Philip , Kjaer Andreas , Ripa Rasmus Sejersten
Published: July 2022

Background

Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) using positron emission tomography (PET) tracers is an essential tool in investigating diseases and treatment responses in cardiology. 82Rubidium (82Rb)-PET imaging is advantageous for MPI due to its short half-life, but cannot be used for small animal research due to the long positron range. We aimed to correct for this, enabling MPI with 82Rb-PET in rats.

Methods

The effect of positron range correction (PRC) on 82Rb-PET was examined using two phantoms and in vivo on rats. A NEMA NU-4-inspired phantom was used for image quality evaluation (%standard deviation (%SD), spillover ratio (SOR) and recovery coefficient (RC)). A cardiac phantom was used for assessing spatial resolution. Two rats underwent rest 82Rb-PET to optimize number of iterations, type of PRC and respiratory gating.

Results

NEMA NU-4 metrics (no PRC vs PRC): %SD 0.087 versus 0.103; SOR (air) 0.022 versus 0.002, SOR (water) 0.059 versus 0.019; RC (3 mm) 0.219 versus 0.584, RC (4 mm) 0.300 versus 0.874, RC (5 mm) 0.357 versus 1.197. Cardiac phantom full width at half maximum (FWHM) and full width at tenth maximum (FWTM) (no PRC vs. PRC): FWTM 6.73 mm versus 3.26 mm (true: 3 mm), FWTM 9.27 mm versus 7.01 mm. The in vivo scans with respiratory gating had a homogeneous myocardium clearly distinguishable from the blood pool.

Conclusion

PRC improved the spatial resolution for the phantoms and in vivo at the expense of slightly more noise. Combined with respiratory gating, the spatial resolution achieved using PRC should allow for quantitative MPI in small animals.
Feasibility and acceptability of transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation for the treatment of bladder storage symptoms among people with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Al Dandan Hawra B. , Galvin Rose , Robinson Katie , McClurg Doreen , Coote Susan
Published: July 2022

Background

Neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction is an abnormality in the presence of underlying neurologic disease. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated that storage phase symptoms are the predominant symptoms among people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) is a non-invasive treatment for bladder storage symptoms; however, the potential efficacy of stimulation among PwMS is based on a small number of studies with the absence of high-quality evidence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and safety of TTNS in PwMS using an affordable transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit.

Methods

A total of 23 participants with MS enrolled in the study. The primary outcomes included recruitment/retention rate, completion of the outcomes and the intervention, adherence to the protocol, adverse events, and acceptability of the intervention. The primary outcomes were assessed using diaries and a satisfaction questionnaire. The secondary outcomes included changes in urinary symptoms and quality of life assessed using a set of validated outcome measures including a 3-day bladder diary, PPIUS, ICIQ-OAB, and KHQ at baseline and post-intervention.

Results

Twenty participants completed the study. Three participants (13.04%) withdrew. All 20 participants completed the 6-week intervention and all the outcome measures (100%), with no reported adverse events. Participants were satisfied and found the unit acceptable. Three-day bladder diary showed changes in urinary frequency from a daily median of 10 times to 8 times and daily median urgency changed from 6 times at baseline to 2 times post-intervention. PPIUS showed changes in daily median sever urgency from 3 points (IQR=4) to 1 point (IQR=1) post-intervention. ICIQ-OAB total scores changed from 8 points (IQR=2.25) to 4 points (IQR=2.5) post-intervention. Median and mean scores of KHQ showed a clinical meaningful change of QoL in part-two and part-three of the questionnaire.

Conclusions

TTNS is feasible, safe, and acceptable for PwMS. Changes of urinary symptoms scores and QoL post-intervention suggested improvements. Future implications need to consider the treatment protocol including frequency of treatment sessions, duration of treatment, and the electrical stimulation parameters as well as the outcome measures followed in the current study for the implementation of the future pilot RCT.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04528784. Registered on 27 August 2020. https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/prs/app/action/LoginUser?ts=1&cx=-jg9qo4.
Different routes to liking: how readers arrive at narrative evaluations
Authors: Mak Marloes , Faber Myrthe , Willems Roel M.
Published: July 2022

When two people read the same story, they might both end up liking it very much. However, this does not necessarily mean that their reasons for liking it were identical. We therefore ask what factors contribute to “liking” a story, and—most importantly—how people vary in this respect. We found that readers like stories because they find them interesting, amusing, suspenseful and/or beautiful. However, the degree to which these components of appreciation were related to how much readers liked stories differed between individuals. Interestingly, the individual slopes of the relationships between many of the components and liking were (positively or negatively) correlated. This indicated, for instance, that individuals displaying a relatively strong relationship between interest and liking, generally display a relatively weak relationship between sadness and liking. The individual differences in the strengths of the relationships between the components and liking were not related to individual differences in expertize, a characteristic strongly associated with aesthetic appreciation of visual art. Our work illustrates that it is important to take into consideration the fact that individuals differ in how they arrive at their evaluation of literary stories, and that it is possible to quantify these differences in empirical experiments. Our work suggests that future research should be careful about “overfitting” theories of aesthetic appreciation to an “idealized reader,” but rather take into consideration variations across individuals in the reason for liking a particular story.
Speaking with a KN95 face mask: a within-subjects study on speaker adaptation and strategies to improve intelligibility
Authors: Gutz Sarah E. , Rowe Hannah P. , Tilton-Bolowsky Victoria E. , Green Jordan R.
Published: July 2022

Mask-wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted a growing interest in the functional impact of masks on speech and communication. Prior work has shown that masks dampen sound, impede visual communication cues, and reduce intelligibility. However, more work is needed to understand how speakers change their speech while wearing a mask and to identify strategies to overcome the impact of wearing a mask. Data were collected from 19 healthy adults during a single in-person session. We investigated the effects of wearing a KN95 mask on speech intelligibility, as judged by two speech-language pathologists, examined speech kinematics and acoustics associated with mask-wearing, and explored KN95 acoustic filtering. We then considered the efficacy of three speaking strategies to improve speech intelligibility: Loud, Clear, and Slow speech. To inform speaker strategy recommendations, we related findings to self-reported speaker effort. Results indicated that healthy speakers could compensate for the presence of a mask and achieve normal speech intelligibility. Additionally, we showed that speaking loudly or clearly—and, to a lesser extent, slowly—improved speech intelligibility. However, using these strategies may require increased physical and cognitive effort and should be used only when necessary. These results can inform recommendations for speakers wearing masks, particularly those with communication disorders (e.g., dysarthria) who may struggle to adapt to a mask but can respond to explicit instructions. Such recommendations may further help non-native speakers and those communicating in a noisy environment or with listeners with hearing loss.
Neuropsychological performance in patients with focal drug-resistant epilepsy and different factors that affect their performance
Authors: Kishk Nirmeen A. , Farghaly Marwa , Nawito Amani , Shamloul Reham Mohamed , Moawad Mona K.
Published: July 2022

Background

Drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) accounts for nearly 30% of patients with epilepsy, which is associated with high incidence of cognitive comorbidity. The aim of this work was to study the role of neuropsychological assessment in patients with epilepsy, and different factors that affect their performance in patients with multiple factors (focal onset DRE).

Methods

118 patients were recruited from Kasr Alainy hospital, epilepsy outpatient clinic with focal DRE. The patients’ demographic and clinical data were collected, Electroencephalograph (EEG) interictal/ictal (when available), and brain imaging (MRI epilepsy protocol). Neuropsychological assessment by Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-IV), proposed neurocognitive assessment battery and mood assessment was done. Their performance in neuropsychological assessment was correlated with the collected data. Concordance between different assessment modalities and brain lesion were done.

Results

Among recruited patients, 67.3% of patients showed Full-scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ) was less than average. FSIQ score significantly correlated with years of education, and number of anti-seizure medications (ASMs). Neurocognitive assessment battery could achieve cognitive profile of the patients but with poor lateralizing value. Executive function was the most affected cognitive domain. History of status epilepticus significantly affect FSIQ and executive function performance. Fifty-six percent of patients had depression. Among the analyzed factors, FSIQ and lesional brain imaging significantly affected neurocognitive performance of studied patients. Clinical semiology had better concordance in lateralization (74.7%) and localization (69.5%) with brain imaging compared to ictal EEG. Among patients who had ictal EEG recording, 36.4% patients (25% were temporal lobe) had complete concordance, while 38.6% patients had partial concordance.

Conclusions

Among analyzed factors, FSIQ was the most significant determinant of studied population’s neurocognitive performance. Clinical semiology were the best correlated with brain lesion. Complete concordance was best detected at the temporal lobe.
Flux ceramic tiles based on Egyptian trachyte
Authors: Ismail A. I. M. , Elmaghraby M. S. , Shalaby B. N. A.
Published: July 2022

Background

The present title is aiming to study the effects of trachyte additions on the sinterability of the ceramic tiles. Four batches were designed with different trachyte/clay ratios from 10 to 40% and 3% of bentonite.

Results

Chemical and phase composition of the raw materials were investigated using XRF and XRD techniques as well as petrographic examination. The prepared batches were fired from 1140 to 1280 °C, their densification parameters and phase compositions as well as microstructure were investigated. Petrographically, the studied trachytic rocks are fine to medium grained, grayish to dark gray, massive rocks, built up, essentially, of alkali feldspars phenocrysts, mainly sanidine and albite, with less frequent pyroxenes and amphiboles, held together in fine to very fine-grained groundmass. The XRD patterns of the fired batches exhibited mullite and quartz as the main mineral phases.

Conclusions

The densification parameters declared that by rising temperature, the bulk density increased in batches of lower trachyte contents and apparent porosity decreased, while in batches of higher trachyte contents exhibited slight increase. It is evident that the main factors controlling the formation present mullite crystallization are: (A) trachyte/clay content which, consequently, affects the Al2O3/SiO2, (B) alkali contents and (C) firing temperature.
Phytochemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Breonadia salicina (Vahl) Hepper and J.R.I.Wood (Rubiaceae)
Authors: Iliyasu Uwaisu , Ibrahim Hajara , Katsayal Umar Adamu , Muhammad Sani Ismaila , Shehu Sani , Setzer William N. , Sharifi-Rad Javad , Abdull Razis Ahmad Faizal
Published: July 2022

Background

Medicinal plants have been the mainstay for the treatment of various diseases since antiquity. The importance of ethnomedicinal plants in drug discovery and development can never be overemphasized. Breonadia salicina (Vahl) Hepper and J.R.I.Wood (Rubiaceae) is a medium to a large plant that is widely distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions; the leaf, stem bark, and the root have been used in folk medicine for the treatment of cancer, arthritis, inflammation, wound infections, fever, diarrhoea, and vomiting. Studies showed that the plant contains several phytochemical compounds, some of which were isolated in their pure form from various parts of the plant. The compounds isolated include ursolic acid, α-amyrin, stigmasterol, and sitosterol. Other essential compounds isolated were 7-(β-d-apiofuranosyl-(1 → 6)-β-d-glucopyranosyl) umbelliferone (Adicardin), 7-hydroxycoumarin, and 6-hydroxy-7-methoxycoumarin. Literature works on B. salicina are limited, and information regarding its nutritional value is lacking. However, the leaf of the plant is used as food preservative.

Main body

This review is a compilation of information obtained from scholarly databases including ScienceDirect, ResearchGate, Sci-Hub, Wiley Online Library, and Google Scholar using search keywords related to the topic of the review. The articles were selected based on the year of publication, which was from 2010 to 2021, but some older references were still be included in this review because some data in recent articles were cited from older sources. This review focuses on the ethnomedicinal uses of this plant as well as the underpinning experimental evidence of its pharmacological activities such as antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-trypanasomal activities.

Conclusion

There is a need to explore the potentials of this plant by initially isolating and characterizing the bioactive compounds and then subsequently evaluating its various pharmacological activities and be considered for further development to a novel therapeutic compound.
Impact of transit time on the reproductive capacity of Euprymna scolopes as a laboratory animal
Authors: Cecere Andrew G. , Miyashiro Tim I.
Published: July 2022

Background

The Hawaiian bobtail squid Euprymna scolopes hosts various marine bacterial symbionts, and these symbioses have served as models for the animal-microbe relationships that are important for host health. Within a light organ, E. scolopes harbors populations of the bacterium Vibrio fischeri, which produce low levels of bioluminescence that the squid uses for camouflage. The symbiosis is initially established after a juvenile squid hatches from its egg and acquires bacterial symbionts from the ambient marine environment. The relative ease with which a cohort of wild-caught E. scolopes can be maintained in a mariculture facility has facilitated over 3 decades of research involving juvenile squid. However, because E. scolopes is native to the Hawaiian archipelago, their transport from Hawaii to research facilities often represents a stress that has the potential to impact their physiology.

Results

Here, we describe animal survival and reproductive capacity associated with a cohort of squid assembled from two shipments with markedly different transit times. We found that the lower juvenile squid counts generated by animals with the longer transit time were not due to the discrepancy in shipment but instead to fewer female squid that produced egg clutches at an elevated rate, which we term hyper-reproductivity. We find that hyper-reproductive females were responsible for 58% of the egg clutches laid.

Conclusions

The significance of these findings for E. scolopes biology and husbandry is discussed, thereby providing a platform for future investigation and further development of this cephalopod as a valuable lab animal for microbiology research.
Alpha-mangostin counteracts hyperuricemia and renal dysfunction by inhibiting URAT1 renal transporter in insulin resistance rat model
Authors: Soetikno Vivian , Murwantara Andriyani , Jusuf Ahmad Aulia , Louisa Melva
Published: July 2022

Background

Alpha-mangostin (AM) has been shown to have hypoglycemic activity. This study aimed to analyze the effects of AM at a dose of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg to alleviate hyperuricemia and renal dysfunction on high-fat/high-glucose diet and low dose streptozotocin (HF/HG/STZ) injection-induced IR rat model. IR was induced in male Wistar rats by giving a HF/HG diet for 11 weeks and single injection of STZ (35 mg/kg, i.p.), then divided randomly into IR rats, IR rats treated with AM 100 and 200 mg/kgBW given by gavage for 8 weeks. At the end of the 11th week, all rats were killed, and the kidneys were taken to be analyzed for urate transporters 1 (URAT1) and glucose transporters 9 (GLUT9). We also assessed serum uric acid, proteinuria, BUN, creatinine clearance, HOMA-IR, and fasting blood glucose (FBG).

Results

We have found the significant increase in HOMA-IR and FBG levels of the IR rats, in comparison with its control groups, which were decreased significantly after AM administration at both doses. URAT1 and GLUT9 mRNA and protein expressions in kidney in the IR + AM at both doses groups also decreased compared those in the IR without treatment group, though the decrease in GLUT9 did not appear to be statistically significant. Consequently, hyperuricemia and renal dysfunction were attenuated by AM treatment at both doses.

Conclusion

After considering all findings, AM might be a potential candidate to ameliorate IR-induced hyperuricemia and renal dysfunction at least in part by modulating the renal URAT1.
46 XY, Female. Complete androgen insensitivity syndrome: a case report
Authors: Grądzik Anna , Gorajek Anna , Kudan Małgorzata , Osiejewska Aleksandra , Mikut Karolina
Published: July 2022

Introduction: Androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) is an inherited disorder of sexual development caused by mutations in the androgen receptor encoding gene.

Case report: A female patient born in 1984, at the age of 17, was diagnosed with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome, during the diagnosis of primary amenorrhea. She was assigned grade 7 in the Quigley scale. Cytogenetic analysis showed a 46 XY karyotype. Gynecological examination revealed a blind ending vagina and a lack of uterus. Physical examination revealed normal breast development and scanty pubic and axillary hair. The patient kept seeing herself as a woman. At the age of 18, the patient underwent laparoscopic gonadectomy. After the procedure, the patient was under medical supervision and was taking orally 1 mg of estradiol daily. At the age of 24 patient was diagnosed with. The patient received sodium alendronate and ibandronic acid. The level of FSH was 35.50 mlU / ml and LH was 13.05 mlU/ml.

Discussion: Quigley grades 6 and 7 correspond to complete androgen insensitivity. The genitals are completely feminized and newborns at birth are assigned as females. The diagnosis is usually established during the diagnostics of primary amenorrhea. CAIS is associated with high risks of gonad carcinogenesis and therefore a gonadectomy must be performed. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is required after gonadectomy in order to maintain secondary sexual characteristics. Due to the high risk of osteoporosis patient requires calcium and vitamin D supplementation and bone density control. The prognosis is good, and gonadectomy and HRT usually give satisfactory long-term results.
Eating disorders in children and adolescents - the current state of knowledge
Authors: Mandera-Grygierzec Amanda , Kostrzewska Paulina , Szuster Ewa , Pawlikowska-Gorzelańczyk Anna , Lebioda Aneta
Published: July 2022

Introduction. Eating disorders (ED) are a group of severe mental health disorders with high prevalence, mortality and associated morbidity. The most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder. 
Objective. The aim of the study was to evaluate prevalence, risk factors, clinical manifestation as well as complications for proper diagnostic and treatment of eating disorders. 
 Materials and method. The literature review included articles from Google Scholar databases and PubMed. Articles published in 2013 or later were mainly considered. 
Brief description of the state of knowledge. The prevalence of eating disorders vary according to gender. There are a variety of risk factors that can be divided into family history, individual and possible triggers. The most common risk factors include family history of mental disorders. Studies have shown that premorbid overweight is more frequent in male. In the diagnosis of eating disorders, the ICD-10 and DSM-5 classification is used. Complications of this disease can manifest itself from various systems of the body. Proper cooperation between the pediatrician and the patient is very important. Treatment of eating disorders focuses on psychotherapy, especially family-based treatment. Worse results are obtained due to underdiagnosis and late initiation of treatment. 
Summary. Pediatricians are the first healthcare professionals which have contact with young patients, so education about the first symptoms and consequences of not receiving appropriate treatment is essential.
First study on the effect of transforming growth factor beta 1 and insulin-like growth factor 1 on the chondrogenesis of elephant articular chondrocytes in a scaffold-based 3D culture model
Authors: Tangyuenyong Siriwan , Kongdang Patiwat , Sirikaew Nutnicha , Ongchai Siriwan
Published: July 2022

Background and Aim: Osteoarthritis (OA) is recognized as a degenerative joint disease that leads to chronic pain and low quality of life in animals. Captive elephants, the largest land mammals with a long lifespan, are more prone to develop OA due to restricted spaces and insufficient physical activity. This study aimed to investigate the effect of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) on elephant chondrogenesis in a scaffold culture of articular chondrocytes.

Materials and Methods: Elephant chondrocytes-seeded gelatin scaffolds were cultured in chondrogenic media with or without 10 ng/mL of TGF-β1 or IGF-1 alone or 5–10 ng/mL of their combination for up to 21 days. The mRNA expression of cartilage-specific anabolic genes, ACAN and COL2A1, was analyzed using a real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The amounts of sulfated glycosaminoglycans (sGAGs) in conditioned media and contents in cultured scaffolds were determined through dimethylmethylene blue assay. Cell morphology, accumulation of proteoglycans, and details of the cultured scaffolds were determined using hematoxylin-eosin staining, safranin O staining, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively.

Results: TGF-β1 alone significantly upregulated ACAN gene expression but not COL2A1, while IGF-1 alone did not enhance both ACAN and COL2A1 genes. The combination significantly upregulated both mRNA expression levels of ACAN and COL2A1 gene at day 14. The sGAGs accumulation and contents in the treatment groups, except IGF-1 tended to be higher than the controls, concomitantly with the production of the extracellular matrix, showed the formation of a cartilage-like tissue through histological and SEM analyses.

Conclusion: Together, our results suggest that the single treatment of TGF-β1 has a selective effect on ACAN gene, while the combined growth factors seem to be an advantage on elephant chondrogenesis. This three-dimensional culture model is probably helpful for developing cartilage regeneration in vitro and is further applied in tissue engineering for OA treatment in vivo.
Carbon electrode sensitivity enhancement for lead detection using polypyrrole, ionic liquid, and nafion composite
Authors: Saputra Zanu , Manurung Robeth Viktoria , Debataraja Aminuddin , Nugraha Muhammad Iqbal , Lu Tien-Fu
Published: July 2022

This paper concerns enhancing a lead detection sensor using a combination of polypyrrole (PPy), Nafion (N), and ionic liquid (IL) with thick-film or screen-printing technology on sensitive material-based carbon electrodes. Electrode characterization using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) was conducted to see the morphology of sensitive materials, showing that the spherical particles were distributed evenly on the electrode surface. Analysis using energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) shows that the element's atomic composition is 84.92 %, 8.81 %, 6.26 %, and 0.01 % for carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and bismuth, respectively. Potentiostat measurement with the ambient temperature of 25 °C on a standard lead solution with concentration ranging from 0.05 to 0.5 mg/l yields an average output voltage ranging from 2.16 to 2.27 V. It can be concluded that the sensor is able to detect lead with a sensitivity of 0.21 V in each addition of solution concentration (mg/l) and give an 84 % concentration contribution to the voltage.
Study Comparing Effect of Single Dose Antibiotic Prophylaxis versus Conventional Antibiotic Coverage in Clean, Elective Surgeries – A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Maramreddy Lokesh Reddy  , Tharun Ganapathy Chitrambalam  , Sundeep Selvamuthukumaran  , Parivallal Damodaran  , Abhinav Bharadwaj Rajkumar
Published: July 2022

BACKGROUND

Postoperative wound infection remains the most common complication of surgery. With the fear of developing wound infection after surgery, many surgeons administer antibiotics for 7 -10 days even in clean uncontaminated cases. This practice is not only expensive to the patients but also can lead to hospital-acquired infections. We wanted to assess the effectiveness and efficacy of single-dose antibiotics in clean elective surgical cases in this study.

METHODS

A prospective interventional study was conducted in the General Surgery department, SRM Medical College Research Centre, Kattankulathur for a period of 18 months between May 2018 and October 2019. In this study, 143 patients were selected according to the inclusion criteria. All the data findings were recorded and analysed.

RESULTS

Out of 143 patients presented with clean cases, 72 cases were included in the study group and 71 cases in the control group as per the inclusion criteria. In the present study, the incidence of postoperative infection was equal i.e., 6 % in both groups. However, the grade of infection varied. The difference was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on my study I would like to conclude that it is recommendable to use single-dose antibiotic prophylaxis for clean surgical cases, as per the study results there is not much difference in the occurrence of SSI when compared to multiple doses.
Estudo preliminar da composição, riqueza e similaridade de comunidades de macrófitas aquáticas (Tonantins, Amazonas)
Authors: Coelho Neto Miguel Gomes , Souza Luciane Lopes de
Published: July 2022

Estudos da composição, riqueza e similaridade de macrófitas aquáticas em diferentes lagos amazônicos são ferramentas importantes para conservar a diversidade de espécies presentes nessa região. O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar as espécies que compõe as comunidades de macrófitas aquáticas e analisar comparativamente estas comunidades dos lagos (Tinequara e Eumaca Comprido) localizados no município de Tonantins, Estado do Amazonas.  O método aplicado para identificação dos espécimes foi a análise morfológica, através de fotografias e baseada em cartilhas e chaves. Para avaliar o grau de similaridade entre as comunidades foi utilizado o índice de Jaccard. Os resultados obtidos revelaram 11 famílias de macrófitas aquáticas, sendo que houve maior riqueza de espécies das famílias: Araceae, Pontederiaceae, Salviniaceae, com 14 espécies registradas. As formas biológicas presentes foram flutuantes livre emersa (64%), herbácea fixa com caules flutuantes (22%), herbácea emergente e flutuante livre submersa com 7% cada. A similaridade de espécies foi de 50% entre as comunidades dos lagos. O presente estudo revela conhecimentos prévios e inéditos sobre características ecológicas das comunidades de macrófitas aquáticas na região amazônica, o que pode ser um primeiro passo para futuros projetos de conservação.
Molecular Biodiversity of Bacteria Isolated from Medicago sativa Rhizosphere in Haʼil
District, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Abdel Moneim Sulieman  , Abdelmalik  Idris Idris  , Nawaf  Alshammari  , Naimah   Alanazi  , Meshari  Al-Azmi  , Walid   Hamadou  , Gamal Albadri  , Hassan  Khamisabadi
Published: July 2022

Worldwide biodiversity is impacted strikingly by global environmental change, and thus its impact is
reflected in all life aspects. Identifying microorganisms in environmental samples, particularly soil could
be a valuable interest to study their effect on soil quality and plant growth. Through this study, we
conducted a molecular characterization of bacteria found in the rhizosphere of Medicago sativa plants
grown in Hai'l soil and we highlighted their main properties. The analysis of sequences revealed that the
main bacterial isolates were Pseudarthrobacter, Metabacillus, Priestia, and Massilia species. According
to the sequence analyses and the phylogeny tree results, some of the identified bacteria were classified at
the species level: one of the pseudarthrobacter isolates was identified clearly as Pseudarthrobacter
phenanthrenivorans; Metabacillus isolates grouped with Metabacillus sediminilitoris and the two Priestia
isolates closely related to Priestia aryabhattai. We concluded that Hai'l soil is a niche of diverse bacteria
with a high interest in soil environment and ecosystems. Further studies are required for further
classification of all identified bacteria and to define their specific role in the environment.
MiR-218 Affects the Invasion and Metastasis of Cervical Cancer Cells by Inhibiting
the Expression of SFMBT1 and DCUNIDI
Authors: Huan Li  , Xuzhuo An  , Qiaoshan Fu
Published: July 2022

As the second most common gynecological tumor in the world, cervical cancer has always been a
female killer. Some studies have shown that miR-218 can inhibit the invasion and migration of cervical
cancer cells through two target genes, SFMBT1and DCUNIDI. On this basis, this paper presents the
study that miR-218 affects the invasion and migration of cervical cancer cells by inhibiting the
expression of target genes, SFMBT1 and DCUNIDI. In this paper, we used the control experiment to
study. In the fluorescence experiment, we confirmed that SFMBT1 and DCUNIDI are indeed the
downstream target genes of miR-218. After that, we down-regulated or up-regulated the expression of
SFMBT1 and DCUNIDI in cervical cancer cells through specific small interfering RNA and overexpression
plasmids, so we carried out cell migration and cell invasion experiments. The results of the
cell invasion experiment showed that the average value of cell invasion ability of the miR-218 group
was 286 and 218, that of SFMBT1-siRNA1 was 264, that of DCUNIDI-siRNA1 was 179, that of
SFMBT1-siRNA 2 was 245, that of DCUNIDI-siRNA2 was 196, and that of SFMBT1 + miR-218 was
401. The average cell invasiveness of DCUNIDI + miR-218 was 672.
Expression Level of Keratin 7 in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer and Malignant
Metastasis of Benign Epithelial Ovarian Tumors
Authors: Minghui Lin  , Jinhua Wang  , Shaoyu Wang  , Yuxiu Huang
Published: July 2022

It was to investigate the diagnostic value of keratin 7 (KRT7) in malignant metastasis of epithelial
ovarian cancer and benign epithelial ovarian tumors. From January 2018 to January 2019, 30 fresh
tissues of benign epithelial ovarian tumors, 30 fresh tissues of borderline tumors, 30 fresh tissues of
metastatic ovarian were collected in The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, and 30
fresh tissues of normal ovarian tissues were collected as the control group. Federation of gynecology
and obstetrics (FIGO) staging criteria: 25 cases of stage I, 26 cases of stage II, 16 cases of stage III, and
23 cases of stage IV. The relative expression of KRT7 was detected by real-time fluorescence
quantitative PCR, and the relationship between KRT7 expression and epithelial ovarian cancer grading
was analyzed. The results showed that the positive expression rate of KRT7 was 12.1% in normal
ovarian tissues, 28.4% in benign epithelial ovarian tumors, 53.5% in borderline tumors, and 24.2% in
metastatic ovarian cancer. With the increase of tumor stage malignancy, the relative expression of
KRT7 decreased significantly, but there was no significant difference between stage I and stage II, stage
III and stage IV (P > 0.05). The difference between stage I and stage III, and stage IV was significant (P
< 0.05). Patients with epithelial ovarian cancer had a significant difference compared with the control
group (P < 0.05). In summary, compared with the control group, the expression of KRT7 in patients
with benign epithelial ovarian tumors and borderline tumors was significantly decreased. The expression
level of KRT7 in benign epithelial ovarian tumors was lower than that in borderline tumors. The
expression of KRT7 was related to the occurrence, development, and deterioration of ovarian cancer,
which provided a basis for targeted therapy of tumors.
Effects of Thoracic Paravertebral Block on Inflammatory Response, Stress Response,
Hemodynamics and Anesthesia Resuscitation in Gallbladder Carcinoma
Authors: Dunhua Liu  , Haiyan Liu  , Jun Wu  , Bing Gong
Published: July 2022

The study aimed to explore the effects of the ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) on
the inflammatory response, stress response, hemodynamics and anesthesia resuscitation in gallbladder
carcinoma. Eighty gallbladder carcinoma patients undergoing open cholecystectomy in Heilongjiang
Provincial Hospital from February 2016 to April 2019 were selected and divided into observation group
(n=40) and control group (n=40) using a random number table. All patients underwent open
cholecystectomy under general anesthesia and tracheal intubation. Patient-controlled intravenous
analgesia was adopted after the operation in the control group, while right TPVB was performed before
general anesthesia in the observation group. The changes in inflammatory factors and oxidative stress
factors were compared between the two groups, the anesthesia resuscitation indexes, and the changes in
the bispectral index (BIS) and Ramsay score during anesthesia resuscitation were recorded, and the
changes in the hemodynamic indexes in perianesthesia and anesthesia resuscitation-related
complications were analyzed. At 15 min after anesthesia, the observation group had lower levels of
inflammatory factors high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) (p<0.05),
malondialdehyde (MDA) (p<0.05) and a higher level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) (p<0.05) than the
control group. The anesthesia resuscitation time was shorter in the observation group than that in the
control group (p<0.05). At 10 min, 20 min and 30 min after anesthesia, both BIS and Ramsay scores
were significantly higher in the observation group than those in the control group (p<0.05). Moreover,
the proportion of circulatory function-related complications and anesthesia resuscitation-related
complications were lower in the observation group than that in the control group (p<0.05). The NRS
score in the observation group was lower than that in the control group after anesthesia (p<0.05). TPVB
in perianesthesia for gallbladder carcinoma patients can effectively lower the body's inflammatory and
stress responses, promote anesthesia resuscitation, reduce complications in perianesthesia, and relieve
postoperative pain.