bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flock optimization induced deep learning for improved diabetes disease classification
Authors: Balasubramaniyan Divager , Husin Nor Azura , Mustapha Norwati , Sharef Nurfadhlina Mohd , Mohd Aris Teh Noranis
Published: April 2023

Diabetic disease classification requires a precise understanding of the clinical inputs and their intensity as observed through different stages. Automated and machine‐centric classification requires validated data handling and non‐converging inputs. For improving the classification precision impacted due by complex computations, this article introduces an assimilated method incorporating flock optimization and conventional deep learning. Deep learning trains the classification system through the best‐fit solution generated by the flock optimization. The features from the input data are first identified for which an initial population is initiated. The identified features are classified based on their leap‐up behaviour; this behaviour is induced if the data feature modifies the actual representation. If the data feature shows up over‐fitting behaviour, then it is classified as abnormal and is discarded. Therefore the objective function is to identify the best‐fitting data feature from the maximum flock members showing similar leap‐up behaviour. This output is used for training the deep learning paradigm for classifying precision‐less and high features. The precision is determined using existing classified data that matches better the flock output. If the classified data is under less precision, then the leap‐up behaviours' objective is tuned to eliminate over‐fitting inputs. Therefore, the variable features are thwarted for preventing precision degradation for varying diabetics' clinical observed data. The introduced system maximize the recognition accuracy by 8.47% and minimize the complexity by 7.65%.
The role of transformational leadership in enhancing competitive advantage for E‐business analysis in organisational practices
Authors: Saleh Sarhang Salahadin , Auso Khairi Ali
Published: April 2023

This research examines the connection between the adoption of e‐commerce and leadership ideologies. The purpose of the study is to evaluate leaders' perspectives toward using e‐commerce and to determine the sorts of management styles that are associated with the level of e‐commerce adoption. Becoming a successful leader in the economic world of today is a difficult task. Businesses which have already adopted new business concepts nowadays often have a greater benefit and fulfil more clients than businesses that operate in the traditional way. The personality and leadership style of a manager directly affect the business ecology, according to experience. To improve the organisation's efficiency in practice, various methods are widely used to promote employees' personal development based on the “generating learning” and “organisational knowledge” systems. This study investigates the role of leadership in enhancing competitive advantage for E‐business analysis in organisational practices that has been done at the Near East University in Cyprus. The study provided questionnaires among the university's teaching staff to know the role of leadership in the eyes of the academic staff. The results showed that transformational leadership influences the competitive advantage, proved by the data collected from the Near East University in Cyprus, which contributes to increasing the competitiveness of the university and its sustainable development.
Emotions, perspectives, and English language teacher identity construction: A phenomenographic‐narrative study
Authors: Nazari Mostafa , Karimpour Sedigheh
Published: April 2023

Despite the recent surge of interest in language teacher emotions, little research has examined the role of cognitive and social dimensions of teachers’ emotions in their identity construction. Adopting a phenomenographic‐narrative approach, the present qualitative study examined the connection between English language teachers’ perspectives, emotions, and identities. Seventeen Iranian English teachers were first presented with four emotionally charged prompts, which involved teachers with anger, sadness, fear, and happiness emotions, to examine their appraisal of the prompts. The teachers were then interviewed to explore how they made sense of the prompts relative to their own identity construction. The findings indicated that the teachers associated prompt‐related teachers’ emotions with personal–psychological, pedagogical, and institutional reasons underlying power relations and competing discourses shaping their own emotions and identities. Moreover, the teachers narrated stories that were perceived as dynamically shaping their identities through the reflective potential of such experiences. The study concludes with implications for the connection between language teachers’ cognitions and emotions, and the role of these factors in their identity construction.
STILL'S DISEASE
Authors: Ansell B M
Published: April 2023

George Frederic Still (1868‐1941) was one of 12 children, three of whom died in their first year of life and two later in childhood. He was brought up in Highbury, London. He obtained a scholarship to Merchant Taylor's School and then a further scholarship to Caius College, Cambridge, where he achieved a first class honours in the Classical Tripos. He studied medicine at Guy's Hospital, London, qualifying in 1893. His first appointment was as a house physician at Guy's. He then went to the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street, London, firstly as a house physician and then as a medical registrar and pathologist. It was from here that, in November 1896, Dr Archibald Garrod read Still's classic paper entitled ‘On a form of chronic joint disease in children’ to the Royal Medical and Chirurgical Society. The paper was published in their transactions the following year1 and was also the subject of Still's Cambridge MD thesis.
WHICH PACEMAKER?
Authors: Sulke A N
Published: April 2023

INTRODUCTION The first fully implantable cardiac pacemaker was inserted by Elmqvist and Senning in 19591 into an electrical engineer suffering from complete atrioventricular (AV) block. He is still alive today. Since then, and more specifically in the last decade, cardiac pacing has been transformed by technological innovation, and has resulted in devices that no longer merely prevent the incidence of syncope and sudden death in patients with complete heart block, but actually restore appropriate chronotropic response to exercise, and maintain normal conduction between, and contraction of, the cardiac chambers. Modern ‘physiological’ pacemakers are thus designed to restore a normal quality of life to patients requiring cardiac pacing.
PYODERMA GANGRENOSUM WITH LARGE CIRCUMFERENTIAL PERIANAL SKIN LOSS IN A CHILD
Authors: Burgess N A , Lari J L
Published: April 2023

SUMMARY Pyoderma gangrenosum is an uncommon skin disorder characterised by deep ulcers surrounded by a violaceous over‐hanging edge. Although in many instances there is no clear association with any underlying disease, pyoderma gangrenosum has been described in ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, polyarthritis, diabetes mellitus and myeloma. Pyoderma gangrenosum may also be seen as a rare manifestation of myeloproliferative disease including leukaemia. In children, as in our case, it may be the presenting feature.
YERSINIA ENTEROCOLITICA INFECTION OF A PROSTHETIC KNEE JOINT
Authors: Oni J A , Kangesu T
Published: April 2023

SUMMARY Yersinia enterocolitica is a very common organism which is mainly associated with gastrointestinal symptoms. It has not previously been associated with early or late infection of a prosthetic joint replacement. We report a case of late infection, seven years after an uncomplicated knee replacement. This case demonstrates the ability of the organism to breach the joint capsule. There may well be an inherent under‐diagnosis of Y enterocolitica in infected prostheses due to the difficulty in the past of culturing the organism.
A COMPARISON OF CONTROLLED RELEASE METOCLOPRAMIDE AND DOMPERIDONE IN THE TREATMENT OF NAUSEA AND VOMITING
Authors: Roy P , Patel N H , Miller A J
Published: April 2023

SUMMARY Dopamine antagonists are effective anti‐emetics. Domperidone does not readily cross the blood‐brain barrier and is less likely to cause central nervous system side‐effects than metoclopramide. However, a direct comparison of the safety and efficacy of the two drugs has not hitherto been made.

Ninety‐five patients, with symptoms of nausea and vomiting due to a variety of oesophageal or gastric disorders, were recruited into a randomised, double‐blind, three‐part, parallel‐group comparative study of controlled release metoclopramide 15 mg (Gastrobid Continus tablets, Napp Laboratories) given twice daily, and domperidone 10 mg or 20 mg given three times daily. Assessments for nausea, vomiting, reflux symptoms and adverse events were made on entry to the study. Patients were randomly allocated to one of the three treatment regimes for a period of seven days, throughout which daily symptomatology and use of escape medication were recorded on a diary card. At the end of the treatment period, nausea, vomiting and reflux symptoms, adverse events and a global assessment of patients' symptom control were recorded by the investigator.

Both controlled release metoclopramide and high and low dose domperidone significantly reduced symptoms of belching, flatulence, distension, heartburn, regurgitation, reflux, nausea and vomiting compared to baseline. There were no significant differences between the three treatments in efficacy or in the number and severity of side‐effects.
AN OVERVIEW OF EXPERIENCE WITH KETOCONAZOLE SHAMPOO
Authors: Ive F A
Published: April 2023

SUMMARY The spectrum of disease known as dandruff/seborrhoeic dermatitis has been shown to be due to infection of the skin by the Pityrosporon species of fungus. Ketoconazole shampoo has been shown to suppress effectively both the organism's growth and the symptoms and signs of the clinical disorder.
MYOCARDIAL PRECONDITIONING: MECHANISMS AND MAN
Authors: Edwards RJ , Marber
Published: April 2023

SUMMARY Myocardial preconditioning describes the profound myocardial protection that follows a short episode of sublethal ischaemia. Adenosine is produced in ischaemic myocardium and is thought to be an important trigger of the protective mechanism. The exact pathway awaits full elucidation but activation of G proteins and subsequently protein kinase C appear to be important signals. End effectors responsible for delaying cell death include opening of K+ATP ion channels and the transcription of a family of cytoprotective proteins. Absolute proof that preconditioning occurs in man is still awaited, although cross clamping of the aorta during cardiac surgery, balloon inflation during coronary angioplasty, warm‐up angina and preinfarction angina are surrogate models supporting its existence. A clearer understanding of the protective mechanisms involved could lead to the development of novel therapeutic agents that could save the infarcting myocardium.
TISSUE ENGINEERED SKIN: APLIGRAF, A BI‐LAYERED LIVING SKIN EQUIVALENT
Authors: Trent JF , Kirsner RS
Published: April 2023

SUMMARY Driven by the need for a readily available, non‐immunological tissue that possesses many of the characteristics of normal human skin, tissue‐engineered skin has been developed. For over a decade, laboratory grown or processed skin has been under investigation and, in some cases, available as an alternative to autologous grafts. Apligraf, derived from neonatal foreskin and bovine type I collagen, is the first bi‐layered living skin equivalent approved in the US and other countries for use in venous ulcers. Apligraf is effective both in the treatment of refractory venous ulcers and for acute wounds such as surgical excision sites and split thickness donor sites. Apligraf is safe and is not clinically rejected. Its ultimate fate is not known, so it may well work to aid healing in a variety of ways including graft ‘take’ and as a stimulus for healing.
AMIODARONE IN CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE
Authors: Singh S
Published: April 2023

SUMMARY Originally developed as an antianginal agent, amiodarone was soon found to have antiarrhythmic properties and to be a non‐competitive inhibitor of α and β‐adrenergic receptors. Many trials studying the use of amiodarone in patients with heart failure have now been performed and are reviewed in this article. The trials appear to show that amiodarone possesses significant antiarrhythmic activity, even in heart failure patients. The drug appears to be well tolerated and proarrhythmia is uncommon. Based on the findings of a large Argentinian randomised trial (GESICA) and the Congestive Heart Failure Survival Trial of Antiarrhythmic Therapy (CHF STAT), it would appear there is a role for amiodarone in patients with non‐ischaemic cardiomyopathy, but prospective studies are required to confirm this. The benefit of amiodarone in patients with non‐ischaemic cardiomyopathy might be related to the beta‐blocking effect that is seen with the use of conventional beta‐blockers. Further studies, including the Sudden Cardiac Death Heart Trial (SCD HeFT), should help determine the role of amiodarone in heart failure patients.
ENDOMETROID ADENOCARCINOMA OF THE OVARY WITH A PARANEOPLASTIC SYNDROME
Authors: Coventry P , Balasubramanian R
Published: April 2023

SUMMARY We present a case of paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration complicating ovarian cancer.
AUTOIMMUNE THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA IN A SPLENECTOMISED PATIENT
Authors: Bhattacharyya A , Sharma SC
Published: April 2023

SUMMARY Splenectomy remains a treatment in patients with autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (ATP) who fail to respond adequately to conservative treatment. We report on a 78‐year‐old man who developed ATP after splenectomy performed six years earlier for iatrogenic injury to the spleen during hemicolectomy. Incidentally, he suffered from colonic and prostatic malignancies. To our knowledge, such a case has not been reported before. We discuss the mechanism of thrombocytopenia in ATP and its association with various malignancies.
SECOND CARPOMETACARPAL JOINT DISLOCATION: AN IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION?
Authors: Santini AJA , Douglas DL
Published: April 2023

SUMMARY We report a case of a seemingly anatomically impossible dislocation of the second carpometacarpal joint treated by closed manipulation, and a review the literature. Isolated second carpometacarpal joint dislocation is rare, whereas dislocations of the first, fourth and fifth joints are more common. A true lateral X‐ray is necessary if the injury is suspected clinically. We recommend that closed reduction under local anaesthetic is attempted, although the patient should be warned that subsequent open reduction may be necessary if closed reduction fails. Chronic unreduced dislocations do not produce serious disabilities in the hand.
Be prepared: How training and emergency type affect evacuation behaviour
Authors: Liu Ruying , Zhu Runhe , Becerik‐Gerber Burcin , Lucas Gale M. , Southers Erroll G.
Published: April 2023

Background

Video‐based training has been widely adopted by private organizations and public authorities to educate occupants on various types of building emergencies. However, the effectiveness of video‐based training for preparing occupants for building emergencies has not been rigorously studied nor has the impact of emergency type been investigated on training effectiveness.

Objectives

This study examines whether video‐based training is an effective method to prepare occupants for building emergencies and how the effectiveness differs in the context of different building emergencies.

Methods

We simulated fire and active shooter emergencies in a virtual office building and conducted evacuation experiments to examine participants' emergency responses using both objective and subjective metrics. A total of 108 participants were recruited and responded to the fire or active shooter incident with or without video‐based training.

Results and Conclusions

The results revealed that participants with video‐based training more often chose to follow other recommendations when responding to building emergencies instead of simply following others. Results from ANOVA showed that training increased participants' self‐efficacy significantly, especially for those in the active shooter group. Moreover, participants in the active shooter simulation had a higher level of response efficacy than those in the fire emergency simulation. Our results also demonstrated the influence of emergency type on participants' final decisions and considerations of the recommendations.

Implications

Our results suggested that video‐based training is effective in improving participants' emergency preparedness and changing their behaviour patterns to a certain extent such as reducing following behaviour and encouraging safe evacuations. Additionally, statistically significant interactions between video‐based training and emergency types suggested that training effectiveness should be considered in accordance with the emergency type.
Online proctored exams and digital inequalities during the pandemic
Authors: Hartnett Maggie , Butler Philippa , Rawlins Peter
Published: April 2023

Background

The emergence of the COVID‐19 and the resulting global pandemic has ushered in far‐reaching changes for countries across the world, not least of which are changes to their education systems. With traditional location‐based exams no longer possible at universities, the uptake of online proctored exams (OPE) has occurred at a pace not seen prior to the pandemic. Students' experiences of online proctored exams during the pandemic are reasonably well‐understood in terms of digital access and ease of use of the technology. However, less is known about students' perceptions of digital confidence and competence to complete an online exam, both of which are important digital equity considerations.

Objectives

This study investigates students' digital confidence and competence to undertake online proctored exams to determine whether issues of equity exist for students.

Methods

This study reports the results of a survey (N = 761) of one university's students' experiences of end‐of‐semester online proctored exams in New Zealand.

Results

Most students were positive about online exams, felt reasonably confident to complete an exam, and had the necessary digital access (i.e., devices, internet) and competence to succeed. However, digital inequalities were found between students' perceptions of digital competence based on ethnicity. While more time learning online equated to increasing self‐reported digital competence for most ethnic groups, this was not the case for Pacific learners.

Takeaways

Perceptions of low digital competence can contribute to digital inequalities. Educators can support learners to develop positive perceptions of digital competence by teaching digital literacy skills.
Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals sex bias in expression patterns of genes related to sex steroids and immunity in the skin of spinyhead croaker Collichthys lucidus
Authors: Zhou Li , Liu Fujiang , Chen Junnan , Yang Ran , Li Jinshou , Wang Zhiyong , Cai Mingyi
Published: April 2023

Fish skin is the first barrier against external invasion, and also an important interface for communication between males and females during reproduction. Nonetheless, sexual dimorphism in the physiology of fish skins is still poorly understood. Herein, transcriptomes of skin were comparatively analysed between males and females in spinyhead croaker, Collichthys lucidus. Totally, 170 differentially expressed genes (DEG) were detected, including 79 female‐biased genes and 91 male‐biased genes. Gene ontology (GO) annotation items of the DEGs were mainly enriched in biological process items (86.2%), including regulation of biological processes, responses to chemical and biological stimuli, transport and secretion, movement, immune response, tissue development, etc. In KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathway enrichment analysis, the male‐biased genes were enriched in pathways including those related to immunity such as the TNF signalling pathway and IL‐17 signalling pathway, whereas the female‐biased genes were enriched in pathways including those related to female steroids such as ovarian steroidogenesis and oestrogen signalling pathway. In addition, odf3 was found to be a male‐specific expression gene, being a candidate marker for phenotypic sex. Thus, the sexual difference in gene expression in fish skin in spawning season was uncovered by transcriptome analysis for the first time, providing new insights into sexual dimorphism in the physiology and functions of fish skin.
The origin and compositions of melt inclusions in an Al2SiO5‐free paragneiss from the Namche Barwa Complex in the Eastern Himalayan Syntaxis
Authors: Liu Qiang , Liu Penglei , Li Xin , Zhang Junfeng
Published: April 2023

Melt inclusions (MIs) in high‐temperature metamorphic rocks provide a unique window into crustal anatexis in collisional orogenic belts and have been widely used to characterize compositions of anatectic melts as well as melting mechanisms. In this study, MIs hosted by peritectic garnet were for the first time identified in an Al2SiO5‐free graywacke‐type paragneiss from the Namche Barwa Complex, the Eastern Himalaya, Southeast Tibet. These MIs occur as nanogranites in the rims of porphyroblastic garnet, exhibit negative crystal shapes with an average diameter of ~12 μm and consist of a mineral assemblage of biotite + quartz + plagioclase + K‐feldspar ± muscovite. Re‐homogenization experiments of these nanogranites were conducted at a pressure of 1.5 GPa and temperatures of 800°C, 850°C and 900°C and produced homogeneous glasses at 850°C. The homogenized glasses are strongly peraluminous and calc‐alkalic in composition, with 66.43–71.31 wt.% SiO2, 12.64–15.06 wt.% Al2O3, high alkaline (5.41–7.22 wt.%) and low ferromagnesian (2.72–4.46 wt.%) contents. They are lower in silica and CaO but higher in K2O compared with MI produced by fluid‐present melting of metasedimentary rocks, thus indicating fluid‐absent melting. These glasses are also characterized by enrichment of large ion lithophile elements (particularly Cs and Rb), depletion of Ba and Sr, low contents of light rare earth elements (3.6 to 33.7 ppm), high Rb/Sr ratios (6.19–37.3) and low Nb/Ta ratios (2.55–18.7). In combination with phase equilibrium modelling, these compositional features suggest that a sequential dehydration melting of muscovite and biotite was responsible for the production of MI during prograde metamorphism of the studied paragneiss. By compiling MI data published in the literature, we show that dehydration melting of metasedimentary rocks from the Himalayan orogen can produce initial melts with various peraluminous and granitic compositions.
Relations between youths' community violence exposure and their physical aggression: The protective role of adults
Authors: Coleman Jasmine N. , Mehari Krista , Farrell Albert D.
Published: April 2023

The purpose of this study was to examine whether adults moderated the relations between youths' community violence exposure and subsequent physical aggression. Participants were 2575 middle school students (Mage = 12.3, SD = 1.00; 52% female) in the southeastern U.S. who completed surveys collected in the fall, winter, spring, and summer. The sample was predominantly African American (72%). High adult support was associated with weaker relations between exposure to violence in the fall and aggression in the winter among male adolescents. High adult support was related to weaker relations between victimization in the fall and aggression in the winter among female adolescents. Strategies promoting supportive adult relationships may benefit male adolescents by buffering the adverse impact of community violence exposure.
MRI‐Related Risk Factors for Distal Radioulnar Joint Instability
Authors: He Xin , Chen Fei , Li Jian , Dong Xiaoman , Zhang Hanzhi , Guo Lin
Published: April 2023

Objective

Instability of the dorsal radioulnar ligament (DRUL) is caused by multiple factors from bony and soft tissue structures. Studies of DRUJ instability based on MRI have rarely been reported. This study aims to investigate related instability factors in the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) after trauma based on MRI imaging.

Methods

The MRI imaging was performed on 121 post‐traumatic patients with or without DRUJ instability from April 2021 to April 2022. All patients demonstrated pain or attenuated wrist ligamentous tissue quality with physical examination. The interesting variables, including age, sex, the distal radioulnar transverse shape, the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC), DRUL, the volar radioulnar ligament (VRUL), distal interosseus membrane (DIOM), the extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU), and pronator quadratus (PQ), were analyzed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression model. The different variables were compared in radar plots and bar chart.

Results

An average age of 121 patients was 42.16 ± 16.07 years. The 50.4% DRUJ instability existed in all patients and the distal oblique bundle (DOB) presented in 20.7% of patients. The TFCC (p = 0.03), present DIOM (p = 0.001), and PQ (p = 0.006) were identified to be significant in final multivariable logistic model. The percentage of patients with ligament injuries were general higher in DRUJ instability group. The patients with absent DIOM had a higher rate in DRUJ instability, TFCC, and ECU injury. There was higher stability in shape of C‐type, intact TFCC, and present DIOM.

Conclusion

DRUJ instability is closely associated with TFCC, DIOM, and PQ. It could provide a potential for early detection of potential instability risk and taking necessary preventive measures.
Intra‐Operative Neurophysiological Monitoring in Patients with Thoracic Spinal Stenosis: Its Feasibility and High‐Risk Factors for New Neurological Deficit
Authors: Liu Wanyou , Li Yinkun , Qiu Junyin , Shi Benlong , Liu Zhen , Sun Xu , Zhu Zezhang , Qiu Yong
Published: April 2023

Objective

Considering the high risk of postoperative neurological complications for patients with thoracic spinal stenosis (TSS), intra‐operative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) has been used for detecting possible iatrogenic injury timely. However, the IONM waveforms are often unreliable. This article is designed to determine the test performance of somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) and motor evoked potentials (MEP) during surgical thoracic decompression in patients with TSS, and to investigate the risk factors associated with deteriorated neurologic function at immediate postoperation.

Methods

Patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion from February 2009 to December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into the deteriorated neurologic function (DNF) group and the improved/intact neurological function (INF) group based on the postoperative neurological status. Demographic parameters such as gender, age, height, weight, etiology and IONM data were compared between groups. Demographics and IONM data between DNF and INF groups were compared by independent t or nonparametric tests. The incidence of abnormal SEP was analyzed by Chi‐square test.

Results

A total of 108 patients (63 males, 45 females) with an average age of 53.5 ± 14.0 years were included. The SEP and MEP records were available in 94 and 98 patients, with the overall success rates being 87.0% and 90.7%, respectively. The sensibilities and specificities were 100% and 88.2% for SEP, 100% and 98.8% for MEP, respectively. There were 17 patients in DNF group and 91 patients in INF group. High weight (79.1 ± 14.6 vs 69.7 ± 15.7 kg, P = 0.024), high inter‐side difference of MEP amplitude (899.1 ± 997.5 vs 492.3 ± 512.4 μV, P = 0.013) and high incidence of abnormal SEP (94.1% vs 64.8%, P = 0.024) were observed in the DNF group. Fourteen (82.4%) patients in the DNF group showed improvement in neurological status during follow‐up.

Conclusions

The overall success rates were 87.0% for SEP and 90.7% for MEP in patients with TSS.
Enabling boundary spanners in public–private collaboration: The impact of support and role autonomy on reducing role stress
Authors: Satheesh Shreya Anna , van Meerkerk Ingmar , Verweij Stefan , Busscher Tim , Arts Jos
Published: April 2023

Boundary spanners are pivotal in developing effective public–private collaboration in public infrastructure projects. As boundary spanners have to account for different interests, perspectives, and ways of working in public–private collaborations, engaging in boundary‐spanning activities often comes with role stress, which can negatively impact their job performance. However, despite the significant levels of role stress associated with boundary spanning, there is a dearth of empirical studies on the role stress of boundary spanning public managers and how it can be reduced. In this study, we empirically investigate the reciprocal relationship between role stressors and boundary spanning and test if supporting organizational conditions can alleviate role stressors. The findings show that especially role conflict is detrimental for boundary‐spanning activities. We further find that top‐management support can diminish both role conflict and role ambiguity and that co‐worker support can help in reducing the role ambiguity of boundary spanning public managers.
Perioperative hypertension and anesthetic management in patients undergoing resection of neuroblastoma
Authors: Liu Jia , Zurakowski David , Weldon Christopher , Umaretiya Puja , Holzman Robert , Lin Yuan‐Chi
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial pediatric tumor, accounting for 5–8% of all childhood cancers. Neuroblastomas arise from catecholamine‐secreting neural crest cells and their metabolites, vanillylmandelic acid and homovanillic acid, that are readily detected in urine. Although rarely seen in clinical practice, case reports exist documenting severe intraoperative hypertension. However, data on the incidence of intraoperative hypertension are lacking.

Methods

This report is a single‐center retrospective review of patients with neuroblastoma who underwent surgical resection (n = 102) at Boston Children's Hospital from July 1, 2012 to February 28, 2021. Significant intraoperative hypertension was defined as maximum systolic blood pressure greater than 95th percentile +12 mmHg based on normative blood pressure data. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test, Wilcoxon rank‐sum test, and logistic regression.

Results

The overall incidence of intraoperative hypertension was 13% (n = 13/102). Higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status was associated with intraoperative hypertension. Antihypertensive medications were administered intraoperatively in 9% of cases (n = 9), and the use was significantly associated with intraoperative hypertension. Of patients with preoperative urine catecholamine data (n = 82), all 10 patients who had intraoperative hypertension were noted to have elevated preoperative urine catecholamines. Intraoperative hypertension was not associated with postoperative hypertension, postoperative hypotension, or increased intensive care unit length of stay.

Discussion/Conclusion

Intraoperative hypertension in patients with neuroblastoma remains a relatively uncommon occurrence; however, it does occur at a frequency higher than previously described. While intraoperative hypertension is associated with an increased use of antihypertensive medications in the operating room, it is not associated with adverse perioperative outcomes.
A novel HLA‐DPB1 allele, HLA‐DPB1*1447:01, identified by next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Rakhmanov Mirzokhid , Bernheiden Martin , Verboom Murielle , Emmerich Florian
Published: April 2023

HLA‐DPB1*1447:01 differs from HLA‐DPB1*04:01:01 by a single nucleotide in exon 2 from A to C at position 134.
Mitigating Extra‐Firm Risk Environments – The Case of Turkish Firms in Germany
Authors: Völlers Philip
Published: April 2023

Recent studies claim that the extra‐firm environment as a causal driver for configuration processes in global production networks is understudied. The case of Turkish cross‐border foreign direct investment into Germany is analysed to facilitate a better understanding of how transnationally embedded firms perceive and respond to extra‐firm risk environments. The global production network lens frames the discussion, applying the analytical categories of embeddedness, risk and value. Qualitative interviews with 15 Turkish firm managers in Germany and 24 experts in the field of Turkish‐German business relations were conducted. The analysis shows that transnationally embedded Turkish firms respond to extra‐firm risks by deepening their territorial embeddedness in the host country. While mimicking domestic firms on the level of societal embeddedness, Turkish firms dissociate from risk narratives related to their home country and valorise their association with the German embeddedness context on the firm and network level.
PRIMING OF CHIKENS WITH LIVE AND INACTIVATED IBС VACCINE
Authors: Babak V.A. , Gusev A.A.
Published: April 2023

The research gives the results of the experiments to study the effect of priming the chickens with a live and inactivated vaccine against the IBC virus, and subsequent immunization with a live vaccine. The research demonstrates the results of the study of optimal schemes of birds’ immunization with live and inactivated vaccines, when the greatest specific effect is achieved.

It has been established that priming chickens that do not contain antibodies against IBC with both live and inactivated vaccines causes the formation of intense immunity in them, which indicates a mature immune system capable of actively responding to a foreign antigen in the first days of life.

Priming chickens with a live vaccine based on the background of maternal antibodies is not accompanied by the synthesis of antibodies, unlike priming with an inactivated vaccine, which leads to the formation of insignificant humoral immunity.

Vaccination chickens containing maternal antibodies with live vaccine, primed with both live and inactivated vaccine depends on the content of specific antibodies in their body and is more effective when the level of antibodies in their body is low.
BIOLOGICAL FEATURES OF THE SARS-COV-2 VIRUS FROM DOMESTIC ANIMALS IN THE TERRITORY OF THE RK
Authors: Sadikalieva S.O. , Shayakhmetov E.A. , Nurpeisova A.S. , Shoraуeva K.A. , Abay Zh.S. , Omurtaу A.D. , Kopeev S.K. , Nakhanov A.K. , Terebay A.A. , Myrzakhmetova B.Sh. , Kozhabergenov N.S. , Abduraimov Ye.O.
Published: April 2023

There are limited data in the literature on the infection of domestic animals with SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, this article investigated biological samples (28 samples) taken from domestic animals on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan as part of a monitoring study.
Using the ALPREP kit, total RNA was isolated by magnetic sorption, and using the ALSENSE-SARS-Cov-2 - RT-qPCR kit, the SARS-Cov-2 virus was detected from 7 samples. The SARS-Cov-2 virus was cultivated by the in vitro method on a Vero cell culture, and the biological activity of the accumulated virus-containing suspension was determined by the Reed and Muench method. A micrograph was taken on an electron microscope, which was used to determine the virus's size, shape and structure.
As a result, a virus-containing suspension with the biological activity of 5.83±0.08 TCD50/cm3 was obtained on a Vero cell culture.
The data obtained again indicates that domestic animals can also suffer from coronavirus and be carriers of this disease. It is becoming increasingly clear that the virus can infect and multiply in the organs of various farm and domestic animals.
Individual Solutions in Motor Learning: Combining Different Analyses
Authors: Profeta Vitor Leandro da Silva , Campos Claisyellen Silva
Published: April 2023

Different individuals learn different solutions to the same perceptual-motor task regardless of the fact that they may undergo the same practice conditions. In the current study, we characterized individual solutions to a perceptual-motor task. Eighteen self-declared right-handed participants were requested to intercept a moving target controlling a virtual ball using a computer mouse. Target speed varied across trials. Participants visited the lab 2 days in a row. They practiced 250 trials on Day 1 and 50 trials on Day 2. We assessed participants’ preferred speed and maximum speed on both days. We combined a qualitative description of solutions on the task space and the quantitative growth curve analysis to address individual differences. Results indicated an overall trend to increase the ball release speed to handle the task constraints. Moreover, the local shape of the solution manifold constrained individuals’ solutions. Contrary to our expectations, neither individual preferred speed nor individual maximum speed improved model fit.
Direct imaging and astrometric detection of a gas giant planet orbiting an accelerating star
Authors: Currie Thayne , Brandt G. Mirek , Brandt Timothy D. , Lacy Brianna , Burrows Adam , Guyon Olivier , Tamura Motohide , Liu Ranger Y. , Sagynbayeva Sabina , Tobin Taylor , Chilcote Jeffrey , Groff Tyler , Marois Christian , Thompson William , Murphy Simon J. , Kuzuhara Masayuki , Lawson Kellen , Lozi Julien , Deo Vincent , Vievard Sebastien , Skaf Nour , Uyama Taichi , Jovanovic Nemanja , Martinache Frantz , Kasdin N. Jeremy , Kudo Tomoyuki , McElwain Michael , Janson Markus , Wisniewski John , Hodapp Klaus , Nishikawa Jun , Hełminiak Krzysztof , Kwon Jungmi , Hayashi Masahiko
Published: April 2023

Direct imaging of gas giant exoplanets provides information on their atmospheres and the architectures of planetary systems. However, few planets have been detected in blind surveys with direct imaging. Using astrometry from the Gaia and Hipparcos spacecraft, we identified dynamical evidence for a gas giant planet around the nearby star HIP 99770. We confirmed the detection of this planet with direct imaging using the Subaru Coronagraphic Extreme Adaptive Optics instrument. The planet, HIP 99770 b, orbits 17 astronomical units from its host star, receiving an amount of light similar to that reaching Jupiter. Its dynamical mass is 13.9 to 16.1 Jupiter masses. The planet-to-star mass ratio [(7 to 8) × 10
−3
] is similar to that of other directly imaged planets. The planet’s atmospheric spectrum indicates an older, less cloudy analog of the previously imaged exoplanets around HR 8799.
Oldest evidence of abundant C
4
grasses and habitat heterogeneity in eastern Africa
Authors: Peppe Daniel J. , Cote Susanne M. , Deino Alan L. , Fox David L. , Kingston John D. , Kinyanjui Rahab N. , Lukens William E. , MacLatchy Laura M. , Novello Alice , Strömberg Caroline A. E. , Driese Steven G. , Garrett Nicole D. , Hillis Kayla R. , Jacobs Bonnie F. , Jenkins Kirsten E. H. , Kityo Robert M. , Lehmann Thomas , Manthi Fredrick K. , Mbua Emma N. , Michel Lauren A. , Miller Ellen R. , Mugume Amon A. T. , Muteti Samuel N. , Nengo Isaiah O. , Oginga Kennedy O. , Phelps Samuel R. , Polissar Pratigya , Rossie James B. , Stevens Nancy J. , Uno Kevin T. , McNulty Kieran P.
Published: April 2023

The assembly of Africa’s iconic C
4
grassland ecosystems is central to evolutionary interpretations of many mammal lineages, including hominins. C
4
grasses are thought to have become ecologically dominant in Africa only after 10 million years ago (Ma). However, paleobotanical records older than 10 Ma are sparse, limiting assessment of the timing and nature of C
4
biomass expansion. This study uses a multiproxy design to document vegetation structure from nine Early Miocene mammal site complexes across eastern Africa. Results demonstrate that between ~21 and 16 Ma, C
4
grasses were locally abundant, contributing to heterogeneous habitats ranging from forests to wooded grasslands. These data push back the oldest evidence of C
4
grass–dominated habitats in Africa—and globally—by more than 10 million years, calling for revised paleoecological interpretations of mammalian evolution.
Rethink reporting of evaluation results in AI
Authors: Burnell Ryan , Schellaert Wout , Burden John , Ullman Tomer D. , Martinez-Plumed Fernando , Tenenbaum Joshua B. , Rutar Danaja , Cheke Lucy G. , Sohl-Dickstein Jascha , Mitchell Melanie , Kiela Douwe , Shanahan Murray , Voorhees Ellen M. , Cohn Anthony G. , Leibo Joel Z. , Hernandez-Orallo Jose
Published: April 2023

Aggregate metrics and lack of access to results limit understanding
A brief history and future prospects of contraception
Authors: Anderson Deborah J. , Johnston Daniel S.
Published: April 2023

Modern contraception ushered in an era of improved family planning, but more than 60 years after approval of “the pill,” product gaps and unmet needs still exist. Nearly 250 million women worldwide who want to delay or avoid pregnancy do so ineffectively or not at all, and the principal mechanism of male contraception, condoms, has not changed in 100 years. As a result, about half of the pregnancies that occur globally each year are unintended. Increasing contraceptive options and uptake will curtail abortions, empower women and men, promote healthy families, and moderate population growth that overtaxes the environment. This Review addresses the history of contraception, shortcomings in contraceptive methods, promising approaches for male and female contraception, and simultaneous protection against unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
The perfumer before Pasteur
Elixir: A Parisian Perfume House and the Quest for the Secret of Life
Theresa Levitt
Harvard University Press, 2023. 320 pp.
Authors: Gordin Michael D.
Published: April 2023

A historian recounts the odorous origins of the first evidence for molecular structure
An ancient bacterial gene set the stage for human sight
Authors: Pennisi Elizabeth
Published: April 2023

Some 500 million years ago, early vertebrates acquired bacterial DNA that gave rise to a key vision gene
Outer Membrane Vesicles Transmitting
bla
NDM-1
Mediate the Emergence of Carbapenem-Resistant Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Tang Bin , Yang Awen , Liu Peilin , Wang Zhiqian , Jian Zijuan , Chen Xia , Yan Qun , Liang Xianghui , Liu Wenen
Published: April 2023

Dissemination of hypervirulent and carbapenem-resistant
Klebsiella pneumoniae
(CRKP) has been reported worldwide, posing a serious threat to antimicrobial therapy and public health. Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) act as vectors for the horizontal transfer of virulence and resistance genes.
Flagellar Genes Are Associated with the Colonization Persistence Phenotype of the Drosophila melanogaster Microbiota
Authors: Morgan Sarah J. , Chaston John M.
Published: April 2023

Despite the growing body of research on the microbiota, the mechanisms by which the microbiota colonizes a host can still be further elucidated. This study identifies bacterial genes that are associated with the colonization persistence phenotype of the microbiota in
Drosophila melanogaster
, which reveals specific bacterial factors that influence the establishment of the microbiota within its host.
Providing Oxygen during Intubation in the NICU Trial (POINT): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial in the neonatal intensive care unit in the USA
Authors: Herrick Heidi M , O'Reilly Mackenzie , Lee Sura , Wildenhain Paul , Napolitano Natalie , Shults Justine , Nishisaki Akira , Foglia Elizabeth E
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Nearly half of neonatal intubations are complicated by severe desaturation (≥20% decline in pulse oximetry saturation (SpO2)). Apnoeic oxygenation prevents or delays desaturation during intubation in adults and older children. Emerging data show mixed results for apnoeic oxygenation using high-flow nasal cannula (NC) during neonatal intubation. The study objective is to determine among infants ≥28 weeks’ corrected gestational age (cGA) who undergo intubation in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) whether apnoeic oxygenation with a regular low-flow NC, compared with standard of care (no additional respiratory support), reduces the magnitude of SpO2decline during intubation.

Methods and analysis

This is a multicentre, prospective, unblinded, pilot randomised controlled trial in infants ≥28 weeks’ cGA who undergo premedicated (including paralytic) intubation in the NICU. The trial will recruit 120 infants, 10 in the run-in phase and 110 in the randomisation phase, at two tertiary care hospitals. Parental consent will be obtained for eligible patients prior to intubation. Patients will be randomised to 6 L NC 100% oxygen versus standard of care (no respiratory support) at time of intubation. The primary outcome is magnitude of oxygen desaturation during intubation. Secondary outcomes include additional efficacy, safety and feasibility outcomes. Ascertainment of the primary outcome is performed blinded to intervention arm. Intention-to-treat analyses will be conducted to compare outcomes between treatment arms. Two planned subgroup analyses will explore the influence of first provider intubation competence and patients’ baseline lung disease using pre-intubation respiratory support as a proxy.

Ethics and dissemination

The Institutional Review Boards at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania have approved the study. Upon completion of the trial, we intend to submit our primary results to a peer review forum after which we plan to publish our results in a peer-reviewed paediatric journal.

Trial registration number

ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT05451953).
Apoptosis: aJanus bifronsin T-cell immunotherapy
Authors: Lee Yong Gu , Yang Nicholas , Chun Inkook , Porazzi Patrizia , Carturan Alberto , Paruzzo Luca , Sauter Christopher Tor , Guruprasad Puneeth , Pajarillo Raymone , Ruella Marco
Published: April 2023

Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of cancer. In particular, immune checkpoint blockade, bispecific antibodies, and adoptive T-cell transfer have yielded unprecedented clinical results in hematological malignancies and solid cancers. While T cell-based immunotherapies have multiple mechanisms of action, their ultimate goal is achieving apoptosis of cancer cells. Unsurprisingly, apoptosis evasion is a key feature of cancer biology. Therefore, enhancing cancer cells’ sensitivity to apoptosis represents a key strategy to improve clinical outcomes in cancer immunotherapy. Indeed, cancer cells are characterized by several intrinsic mechanisms to resist apoptosis, in addition to features to promote apoptosis in T cells and evade therapy. However, apoptosis is double-faced: when it occurs in T cells, it represents a critical mechanism of failure for immunotherapies. This review will summarize the recent efforts to enhance T cell-based immunotherapies by increasing apoptosis susceptibility in cancer cells and discuss the role of apoptosis in modulating the survival of cytotoxic T lymphocytes in the tumor microenvironment and potential strategies to overcome this issue.