bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Innovation and Continuous Improvement
Authors: Jones Peter , Robinson Peter
Published: September 2023

This chapter looks into innovation and continuous improvement. It explores the different levels of novelty in developing new products or services while outlining the approaches to new product development (NPD) and new service development (NSD) processes. Additionally, the chapter cites the principles and practice of continuous improvement based on the continuous review of process performance and the systematic adjustment of processes to enhance performance. It also includes the learning organization as a template for organizations in terms of policies and procedures on learning. Also, open innovation is defined as the formal discipline and practice of leveraging the discoveries of others as input for the innovation process through formal and informal relationships.
Corporate Social Responsibility
Authors: Blowfield Michael , Murray Alan
Published: September 2023

Corporate Social Responsibility has three parts. Part 1 looks at the meaning and origins of corporate social responsibility. This includes an introduction, the origins, and sustainable development. Corporate social responsibility in developing economies is also covered. Part 2 examines managing and implementing corporate social responsibility. It asks how corporate social responsibility is managed. It looks at governance, reporting, stakeholder engagement and responsibility reporting, socially responsible investment, and corporate social responsibility in smaller enterprises. The third part looks at the impact, critics, and the future of corporate social responsibility.
Strategic Marketing
Authors: West Douglas , Ford John , Ibrahim Essam , Montecchi Matteo
Published: September 2023

Strategic Marketing provides an in-depth analysis of strategic marketing as it exists today. This new edition includes case studies and examples including the rise of Disney＋, the use of artificial intelligence in marketing, and small-scale innovators in India. The text examines the latest research and explores socio-political issues, such as the Black Lives Matter movement and the global COVID-19 pandemic, underlining the importance of such to marketers. The text is made up of four parts. The first part asks: where are we now? It provides the tools by which to look at the current situation for the strategic marketeer. The second part then looks at where we want to be. It considers segmentation, targeting, and positioning and also branding strategies. The next part is about how to get to where we want to be. This part includes detailed analysis of product innovation, pricing and distribution strategies, marketing communications, and social and ethical strategies. The last part asks: did we get there? It examines strategy and metrics.
Introduction to International Human Resource Management
Authors: Crawley Eileen , Swailes Stephen , Walsh David
Published: September 2023

Introduction to International Human Resource Management consists of two main parts. The first part is about the context of international human resource management (IHRM). It starts by defining key concepts before looking at the wider context of IHRM and key academic models, theories, and debates. It considers why culture is an important aspect to consider in the context of IHRM and introduces the institutional approach. The second part looks at the challenges of HRM in multi-national enterprises. This includes discussions on recruitment and selection, international reward management, performance management, training and development, and how to manage diversity. The second part also looks at corporate social responsibility and ethical issues, the employment relationship, global talent management, and the dark side of international employment.
Prevalence and predictors of traditional medicine use among persons with diabetes in Africa: a systematic review
Authors: Ekpor Emmanuel , Osei Eric , Akyirem Samuel
Published: September 2023

The utilization of traditional medicine (TM) is prevalent among the general population in Africa; however, its use among individuals with diabetes in the region remains underdocumented. This review aimed to synthesize the available literature to identify the prevalence and predictors of TM use among persons with diabetes in Africa. A systematic search was conducted across multiple databases, including MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and AMED, covering studies published from 2000 to April 2023. Of 1560 records identified, 24 articles met the inclusion criteria. The prevalence of TM use varied significantly, ranging from 12.4% to 77.1%, with a median prevalence of 50%. TM was commonly used concurrently with conventional medicine (CM) (35.4–88.4%), with a majority (63.8–91.3%) not disclosing TM use to healthcare providers. Female gender, long diabetes duration, use of oral antiglycaemic medication and family history of diabetes emerged as the most common factors that predicted the use of TM. This review highlights the widespread use of TM among individuals with diabetes in Africa, often in conjunction with CM. The high prevalence of undisclosed TM use emphasizes the urgent need for healthcare providers to actively inquire about TM use during clinical consultations to address potential herb–drug interactions and adverse effects.
Kinematic signatures of a low-mass planet with a moderately inclined orbit in a protoplanetary disk
Authors: Kanagawa Kazuhiro D , Ono Tomohiro , Momose Munetake
Published: September 2023

A planet embedded in a protoplanetary disk produces a gap by disk–planet interaction. It also generates velocity perturbation of gas, which can also be observed as deviations from the Keplerian rotation in the channel map of molecular line emission, called kinematic planetary features. These observed signatures provide clues to determine the mass of the planet. We investigated the features induced by a planet with an inclined orbit through three-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations. We found that a smaller planet, with an inclination of ∼10○–20○, can produce kinematic features as prominent as those induced by a massive coplanar planet. Despite the kinematic features being similar, the gap is shallower and narrower compared with the case in which the kinematic features are formed by a coplanar planet. We also found that the kinematic features induced by an inclined planet were fainter for rarer CO isotopologues because the velocity perturbation is weaker at the position closer to the midplane, which was different in the case with a coplanar massive planet. This dependence on the isotopologues is distinguished if the planet has an inclined orbit. We discussed two observed kinematic features in the disk of HD 163296. We concluded that the kink observed at 220 au can be induced by an inclined planet, while the kink at 67 au is consistent to that induced by a coplanar planet.
Nuclear factor OsNF-YC5 modulates rice seed germination by regulating synergistic hormone signaling
Authors: Jin Xinkai , Li Xingxing , Xie Zizhao , Sun Ying , Jin Liang , Hu Tingzhang , Huang Junli
Published: September 2023

Regulation of seed dormancy/germination is of great importance for seedling establishment and crop production. Nuclear factor-Y (NF-Y) transcription factors regulate plant growth and development, as well as stress responses; however, their roles in seed germination remain largely unknown. In this study, we reported that NF-Y gene OsNF-YC5 knockout increased, while its overexpression reduced, the seed germination in rice (Oryza sativa L.). ABA-induced seed germination inhibition assays showed that the osnf-yc5 mutant was less sensitive but OsNF-YC5-overexpressing lines were more sensitive to exogenous ABA than the wild type. Meanwhile, MeJA treatment substantially enhanced the ABA sensitivity of OsNF-YC5-overexpressing lines during seed germination. Mechanistic investigations revealed that the interaction of OSMOTIC STRESS/ABA-ACTIVATED PROTEIN KINASE 9 (SAPK9) with OsNF-YC5 enhanced the stability of OsNF-YC5 by protein phosphorylation, while the interaction between JASMONATE ZIM-domain protein 9 (OsJAZ9) and OsNF-YC5 repressed OsNF-YC5 transcriptional activity and promoted its degradation. Furthermore, OsNF-YC5 transcriptionally activated ABA catabolic gene OsABA8ox3, reducing ABA levels in germinating seeds. However, the transcriptional regulation of OsABA8ox3 by OsNF-YC5 was repressed by addition of OsJAZ9. Notably, OsNF-YC5 improved seed germination under salinity conditions. Further investigation showed that OsNF-YC5 activated the high-affinity K+ transporter gene (OsHAK21) expression, and addition of SAPK9 could increase the transcriptional regulation of OsHAK21 by OsNF-YC5, thus substantially reducing the ROS levels to enhance seed germination under salt stress. Our findings establish that OsNF-YC5 integrates ABA and JA signaling during rice seed germination, shedding light on the molecular networks of ABA-JA synergistic interaction.
Single-cell RNA-sequencing profiles reveal the developmental landscape of theManihot esculentaCrantz leaves
Authors: Zang Yuwei , Pei Yechun , Cong Xinli , Ran Fangfang , Liu Liangwang , Wang Changyi , Wang Dayong , Min Yi
Published: September 2023

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is an important crop with a high photosynthetic rate and high yield. It is classified as a C3–C4 plant based on its photosynthetic and structural characteristics. To investigate the structural and photosynthetic characteristics of cassava leaves at the cellular level, we created a single-cell transcriptome atlas of cassava leaves. A total of 11,177 high-quality leaf cells were divided into 15 cell clusters. Based on leaf cell marker genes, we identified 3 major tissues of cassava leaves, which were mesophyll, epidermis, and vascular tissue, and analyzed their distinctive properties and metabolic activity. To supplement the genes for identifying the types of leaf cells, we screened 120 candidate marker genes. We constructed a leaf cell development trajectory map and discovered 6 genes related to cell differentiation fate. The structural and photosynthetic properties of cassava leaves analyzed at the single cellular level provide a theoretical foundation for further enhancing cassava yield and nutrition.
Plasticity of wood and leaf traits related to hydraulic efficiency and safety is linked to evaporative demand and not soil moisture in rubber (Hevea brasiliensis)
Authors: Waite Pierre-André , Leuschner Christoph , Delzon Sylvain , Triadiati Triadiati , Saad Asmadi , Schuldt Bernhard
Published: September 2023

The predicted increase of drought intensity in South-East Asia has raised concern about the sustainability of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis Müll. Arg.) cultivation. In order to quantify the degree of phenotypic plasticity in this important tree crop species, we analysed a set of wood and leaf traits related to the hydraulic safety and efficiency in PB260 clones from eight small-holder plantations in Jambi province, Indonesia, representing a gradient in local microclimatic and edaphic conditions. Across plots, branch embolism resistance (P50) ranged from −2.14 to −2.58 MPa. The P50 and P88 values declined, and the hydraulic safety margin increased, with an increase in the mean annual vapour pressure deficit (VPD). Among leaf traits, only the changes in specific leaf area were related to the differences in evaporative demand. These variations of hydraulic trait values were not related to soil moisture levels. We did not find a trade-off between hydraulic safety and efficiency, but vessel density (VD) emerged as a major trait associated with both safety and efficiency. The VD, and not vessel diameter, was closely related to P50 and P88 as well as to specific hydraulic conductivity, the lumen-to-sapwood area ratio and the vessel grouping index. In conclusion, our results demonstrate some degree of phenotypic plasticity in wood traits related to hydraulic safety in this tropical tree species, but this is only in response to the local changes in evaporative demand and not soil moisture. Given that VPD may increasingly limit plant growth in a warmer world, our results provide evidence of hydraulic trait changes in response to a rising evaporative demand.
Cerebral Vasospasm After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Respective Short-Term Effects of Induced Arterial Hypertension and its Combination With IV Milrinone: A Proof-of-Concept Study Using Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound
Authors: Lakhal Karim , Fresco Marion H. , Hivert Antoine , Rozec Bertrand , Cadiet Julien
Published: September 2023

OBJECTIVES:

It is unclear whether IV milrinone relaxes spasmed cerebral arteries and therefore reduces cerebral blood mean velocity (Vmean). In patients treated for cerebral vasospasm, we aimed to assess and delineate the respective impacts of induced hypertension and its combination with IV milrinone on cerebral hemodynamics as assessed with transcranial Doppler.

DESIGN:

Observational proof-of-concept prospective study.

SETTING:

ICU in a French tertiary care center.

PATIENTS:

Patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage who received induced hypertension (mean arterial blood pressure [MBP] of 100–120 mm Hg) and IV milrinone (0.5 µg/kg/min) for moderate-to-severe cerebral vasospasm. We excluded patients who underwent invasive angioplasty or milrinone discontinuation within 12 hours after the diagnosis of vasospasm.

INTERVENTIONS:

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:

Vmean was measured at vasospasm diagnosis (TDIAGNOSIS), after the induction of hypertension (THTN), and 1 (THTN+MILRINONE_H1) and 12 hours after the adjunction of IV milrinone (THTN+MILRINONE_H12). Thirteen patients were included. Median Vmean was significantly lower (p < 0.01) at THTN+MILRINONE_H1 (99 [interquartile range (IQR) 89; 134] cm.s−1) and THTN+MILRINONE_H12 (85 [IQR 73–127] cm/s) than at TDIAGNOSIS (136 [IQR 115–164] cm/s) and THTN (148 [IQR 115–183] cm/s), whereas TDIAGNOSIS and THTN did not significantly differ. In all patients but one, Vmean at THTN+MILRINONE_H1 was lower than its value at TDIAGNOSIS (p = 0.0005). Vmean-to-MBP and Vmean-to-cardiac output (CO) ratios (an assessment of Vmean regardless of the level of MBP [n = 13] or CO [n = 7], respectively) were, respectively, similar at TDIAGNOSIS and THTN but were significantly lower after the adjunction of milrinone (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS:

The induction of arterial hypertension was not associated with a significant decrease in Vmean, whereas the adjunction of IV milrinone was, regardless of the level of MBP or CO. This suggests that IV milrinone may succeed in relaxing spasmed arteries.
“One Health” outlook in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Akilimali Aymar , Biamba Chrispin , Fasawe Ayoola S. , Cakwira Hugues , Oduoye Malik Olatunde , Ojo-Akosile Tolulope , Adewunmi Rhoda O. , Nkundakozera Marie , Bisimwa Jospin , Kioma Josline , Banga Styves , Masimango Gaston , Irenge Christian Ahadi , Aborode Abdullahi Tunde
Published: September 2023

“One Health” was created to promote successful collaboration to benefit human, animal, plant, and environmental health and the planet’s future. To accomplish this, a worldwide, cross-disciplinary approach is necessary. Even though it has been warmly embraced everywhere and by every international organization, its application in Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), faces severe challenges. Factors like low socioeconomic position, shortage of health experts, and scarcity of medical supplies limit the implementation and application of One Health in rural and urban parts of DR Congo. Efforts have been adopted to achieve One Health through collaboration among local communities from varying socioeconomic backgrounds, including a diverse indigenous population and social institutions in DR Congo. This present article hence discusses how One Health concept can be initiated and developed in Africa, taking the example of DR Congo.
The role of the intestine in metabolic dysregulation in murine Wilson disease
Authors: Sarode Gaurav V. , Mazi Tagreed A. , Neier Kari , Shibata Noreene M. , Jospin Guillaume , Harder Nathaniel H.O. , Caceres Amanda , Heffern Marie C. , Sharma Ashok K. , More Shyam K. , Dave Maneesh , Schroeder Shannon M. , Wang Li , LaSalle Janine M. , Lutsenko Svetlana , Medici Valentina
Published: September 2023

Background:

The clinical manifestations of Wilson disease (WD) are related to copper accumulation in the liver and the brain, but little is known about other tissue involvement regarding metabolic changes in WD. In vitro studies suggested that the loss of intestinal ATP7B affects metabolic dysregulation in WD. We tested this hypothesis by evaluating the gut microbiota and lipidome in 2 mouse models of WD and by characterizing a new mouse model with a targeted deletion of Atp7b in the intestine.

Methods:

Cecal content 16S sequencing and untargeted hepatic and plasma lipidome analyses in the Jackson Laboratory toxic-milk and the Atp7b null global knockout mouse models of WD were profiled and integrated. Intestine-specific Atp7b knockout mice (Atp7b
ΔIEC) were generated and characterized using targeted lipidome analysis following a high-fat diet challenge.

Results:

Gut microbiota diversity was reduced in animal models of WD. Comparative prediction analysis revealed amino acid, carbohydrate, and lipid metabolism functions to be dysregulated in the WD gut microbial metagenome. Liver and plasma lipidomic profiles showed dysregulated triglyceride and diglyceride, phospholipid, and sphingolipid metabolism in WD models. However, Atp7b
ΔIEC mice did not show gut microbiome differences compared to wild type. When challenged with a high-fat diet, Atp7b
ΔIEC mice exhibited profound alterations to fatty acid desaturation and sphingolipid metabolism pathways as well as altered APOB48 distribution in intestinal epithelial cells.

Conclusions:

Gut microbiome and lipidome underlie systemic metabolic manifestations in murine WD. Intestine-specific ATP7B deficiency affected both intestinal and systemic response to a high-fat challenge but not the microbiome profile, at least at early stages. WD is a systemic disease in which intestinal-specific ATP7B loss and diet influence the phenotype and the lipidome profile.
The empirical dietary inflammatory pattern score and the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and cirrhosis
Authors: Ibrahim Maryam K. , Wilechansky Robert M. , Challa Prasanna K. , Zhang Xuehong , Giovannucci Edward , Stampfer Meir , Chan Andrew T. , Simon Tracey G.
Published: September 2023

Background:

Diet plays an important role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Inflammation is a potential mechanism linking diet to NAFLD development and its progression to cirrhosis.
1
We analyzed data from a large, prospective cohort of US women to examine the influence of dietary inflammatory potential on the long-term risk of developing NAFLD and cirrhosis.

Methods:

We prospectively followed 96,016 women in the Nurses’ Health Study II cohort (1995–2017) who were free of chronic liver disease, including NAFLD, at baseline. The inflammatory potential of the diet was ascertained using an established, food-based empirical dietary inflammatory pattern score. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios and 95% CIs for incident NAFLD and cirrhosis.

Results:

Over 2,085,947 person-years of follow-up, we documented 4389 cases of incident NAFLD and 102 cases of incident cirrhosis. Increasing cumulative average empirical dietary inflammatory pattern (EDIP) score was significantly and positively associated with incident NAFLD (multivariable-adjusted HR 1.31 per each 1-U increase in EDIP score, p-trend < 0.0001) and cirrhosis (p-trend of 0.034). Our findings also were consistent when examining recent diets using simple updated EDIP scores. In analyses of specific EDIP components, we observed an increased risk of incident NAFLD and cirrhosis with higher consumption of certain proinflammatory components of the EDIP score.

Conclusions:

Dietary patterns with a higher proinflammatory potential may be associated with a higher risk of developing both NAFLD and cirrhosis. Reducing the inflammatory potential of diet may potentially provide an effective strategy for preventing the development of NAFLD and progression to cirrhosis.
Left ventricular hypertrophy and mortality in ethnic minority groups in the UK: e-ECHOES study
Authors: Shantsila Eduard , Shantsila Alena , Williams Nefyn , Lip Gregory Y.H. , Gill Paramjit S.
Published: September 2023

Objectives:

Hypertension is the key modifiable cardiovascular risk factor but is underdiagnosed, and its scale in South Asian and African-Caribbean communities is unknown. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a measure of target organ damage in uncontrolled hypertension. The study assesses LVH prevalence in South Asian and African-Caribbean communities and its impact on mortality.

Method:

This study is based on the large prospective UK community Ethnic-Echocardiographic Heart of England Screening Study (E-ECHOES, age ≥45 years). Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was calculated using echocardiography to establish LVH. The predictive value of LVH all-cause and cardiovascular mortality was assessed using Cox regression.

Results:

The study included 3200 South Asians (age 59 ± 10 years, 52% women, 45% had a history of hypertension, 5.8 ± 1.0-year follow-up). LVH was found in 1568 (49%), of whom 45% did not have hypertension diagnosis. On Cox regression, LVH was independently associated with all-cause mortality [hazard ratio 1.38, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.01–1.88], cardiovascular mortality (hazard ratio 2.64, 95% CI 1.21–3.73). The projected overall hypertension prevalence was 82%, undiagnosed hypertension prevalence 37%. The study included 1858 African-Caribbeans (age 62 ± 12, 45% women, 45% had history of hypertension, 5.1 ± 0.9-year follow-up). LVH was found in 1186 (64%), of whom 32% did not have hypertension diagnosis. LVH was borderline associated with all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 1.57, 95% CI 1.01–2.44), but not cardiovascular mortality (hazard ratio 1.82, 95% CI 0.80–4.16). The projected overall hypertension prevalence was 78.5%, and undiagnosed hypertension prevalence was 20.8%.

Conclusion:

UK South Asians and African-Caribbeans have a high prevalence of hypertension, which is often underdiagnosed and poorly controlled.
PARADOXICAL EXACERBATION OF SCLEROUVEITIS AFTER RITUXIMAB INFUSION
Authors: Vergouwen Daphne P. C. , Hermans Maud A. W. , Sels Lise
Published: September 2023

Purpose:

To report on an unexpected side effect of rituximab, a B-cell–targeting monoclonal agent, in a patient with severe sclerouveitis, leading to severe visual loss.

Methods:

Observational case report.

Results:

A 61-year-old female patient was treated with rituximab for a severe sclerouveitis occurring with granulomatosis with polyangiitis. Initially, sclerouveitis responded partly to a high dose of oral corticosteroids. However, her sclerouveitis recurred after 2 months during tapering below 20 mg daily. The days following the rituximab infusions, aggravation of the intraocular inflammation was seen, endangering visual acuity. No evidence for an infection or other cause was found. High doses of oral corticosteroids were started within one week, whereafter the ocular inflammation resolved. For persisting hypotony and chorioretinal detachment, a combined pars plana vitrectomy with phacoemulsification and silicone oil tamponade was performed. The retina remained attached under oil tamponade with partial improvement of the best-corrected visual acuity to finger counting.

Conclusion:

Ophthalmologist should be aware of the possibility of this paradoxical local reaction to rituximab infusion, particularly in bilateral and/or severe cases, which carry a risk of a poor outcome.
Severe Lupus Nephritis with Thrombotic Microangiopathy: A Case Report
Authors: Hu Xiaoxuan , Qiu Jiamei , Su Guobin , Hou Haijing
Published: September 2023

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), a vascular lesion in lupus nephritis (LN), is rare but can be life-threatening. Early recognition and prompt treatment have significant impacts on clinical outcomes. A 28-year-old female with clinical manifestations of thrombocytopenia, severe anemia, and renal failure was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus. However, the platelet count declined continuously, and hemolysis persisted even after pulse infusion of glucocorticoid. A disintegrin and metalloprotease with a thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13 (ADAMTS13) activity test (50.3%) and kidney biopsies confirmed the diagnosis of LN combined with TMA. After timely plasmapheresis, the serum creatinine level returned to normal and stabilized over the follow-up of six years. Patients with LN presenting with a continuous decline in platelet count, even after intensive glucocorticoid and immunosuppressant therapy, should pay attention to the potential occurrence of TMA. Timely ADAMTS13 activity testing and kidney biopsies assist in early diagnosis, and plasmapheresis may improve patient outcomes.
Blood Flow Restriction Training in Patients With Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy: A Randomized, Assessor-Blinded, Controlled Trial
Authors: Kara Dilara , Ozcakar Levent , Demirci Serdar , Huri Gazi , Duzgun Irem
Published: September 2023

Objectives:

To investigate the effects of low-load blood flow restriction (BFR) training on shoulder muscle thickness, rotator cuff (RC) strength, and shoulder symptoms in patients with RC tendinopathy.

Design:

A randomized, assessor-blinded, controlled trial.

Settings:

Physiotherapy clinic at a university.

Participants:

Twenty-eight patients were randomized into an 8-week (2 times/week) shoulder rehabilitation, that is, BFR or non-BFR group.

Interventions:

BFR training.

Main outcome measures:

(1) RC, deltoid, scapula retractor, and biceps muscle thicknesses and shoulder internal rotation (IR) and external rotation (ER) strengths. (2) Shoulder pain/function.

Results:

The BFR group had a greater increase in biceps muscle thickness (P = 0.002) and shoulder IR strength at 60 degrees/s (P = 0.040) than the non-BFR group. No differences between the 2 groups were observed in other measurements. Significant improvements in supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and scapula retractor muscle thicknesses and in shoulder ER and IR strengths were observed over time in both the groups (all P < 0 .05). Also, shoulder pain decreased and shoulder function increased over time in both the groups (all P < 0 .05).

Conclusions:

Low-load BFR training resulted in a greater increase in biceps thickness and shoulder IR strength compared with the non-BFR group in patients with RC tendinopathy. However, there was no superiority of either exercise training regarding the RC, scapula retractor, deltoid muscle thicknesses, or improvements in shoulder ER strength and shoulder pain/function.

Clinical Trial Registry Name and Registration Number:

The study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov named Blood Flow Restriction Training in Patients with Shoulder Pain and the registration number is NCT04333784.
Health Status of US Patients With One or More Health Conditions
Authors: Zhang Xin , Vermeulen Karin M. , Krabbe Paul F.M.
Published: September 2023

Background:

Most existing research studying health status impacted by morbidity has focused on a specific health condition, and most instruments used for measuring health status are neither patient-centered nor preference-based. This study aims to report on the health status of patients impacted by one or more health conditions, measured by a patient-centered and preference-based electronic patient-reported outcome measure.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with one or more health conditions in the United States. A novel generic, patient-centered, and preference-based electronic patient-reported outcome measure: Château Santé-Base, was used to measure health status. Individual health state was expressed as a single metric number (value). We compared these health-state values between sociodemographic subgroups, between separate conditions, between groups with or without comorbidity, and between different combinations of multimorbidity.

Results:

The total sample comprised 3913 patients. Multimorbidity was present in 62% of the patients. The most prevalent health conditions were pain (50%), fatigue/sleep problems (40%), mental health problems (28%), respiratory diseases (22%), and diabetes (18%). The highest (best) and lowest health-state values were observed in patients with diabetes and mental health problems. Among combinations of multimorbidity, the lowest values were observed when mental health problems were involved, the second lowest values were observed when fatigue/sleep problems and respiratory diseases coexisted.

Conclusions:

This study compared health status across various single, and multiple (multimorbidity and comorbidity) health conditions directly, based on single metric health-state values. The insights are valuable in clinical practice and policy-making.
Genotypic variations of the CYP2D6 gene in patients with breast cancer treated with tamoxifen: case series
Authors: Sua Luz Fernanda , Castillo Andrés Orlando , Rodriguez Lisa Ximena , Fernández-Trujillo Liliana
Published: September 2023

Tamoxifen plays a key role in hormone therapy for patients with breast cancer. However, studies have reported inconsistent responses to the drug because of different factors. Among these, allelic variants of cytochrome P450 genes are important. This study aims to determine the polymorphic variants of CYP2D6 gene in patients with breast cancer who underwent tamoxifen hormone therapy, classifying them according to their phenotypes as poor, intermediate, extensive, or ultrarapid metabolizers and describing clinical outcomes, such as time to relapse and overall survival (OS). This was a case series study conducted in 47 patients diagnosed with breast cancer, between 2015 and 2018. Whole-blood samples were collected, and DNA was extracted. CYP2D6 gene alterations were assessed. The mean age was 61 ± 11 years. Ductal carcinoma occurred in 85%, of which 42% was grade 2. The predominant stages of breast cancer were IIB in 26% and stage I in 32%. Extensive phenotype metabolizers were identified in 92%, poor in 6%, and intermediate in 2% of participants. Relapse was reported in 30% of participants, with metastatic relapse in 86%, which was more frequently identified in poor metabolizers. The OS at 5 and 10 years was 91%, regardless of phenotype. OS was 90% at 5 and 10 years for extensive metabolizers. Although the sample size was very small to make significant comparisons, it was observed that both poor and extensive metabolizing patients experienced some form of relapse. The OS of patients with the extensive metabolizer phenotype in this study is similar to that reported worldwide.
Design and testing of a simple quick connect for a prosthetic liner tether
Authors: Coburn Kendrick C. , Weissinger Mathew J. , Krout Adam J. , Hafner Brian J. , Garbini Joseph L. , Allyn Katheryn J. , Sanders Joan E.
Published: September 2023

Background:

A limitation of tether lanyards is that fastening and unfastening the tether from the liner, which needs to be performed to clean or replace the liner, is difficult for some users.

Objective:

The purpose of this research was to create a quick connect that allows users to easily attach and detach the tether from the liner.

Study Design:

Mechanical testing and pilot study.

Methods:

A slide-and-lock mechanism was used. To operate the quick connect, the prosthesis user turns open the lock, slides it onto a short pin extending from the liner, and releases the mechanism, causing it to spring back to the locked position.

Results:

Mechanical tests demonstrated that the system well-tolerated tensile loads of 25,000 cycles at 100 N and single cycles at 350 N. Five transtibial users trialed the system and took between 2 and 30 s to fasten and unfasten the quick connect. They found the quick connect intuitive to use, secure, relatively quiet, and stable. However, they preferred their traditional pin lock over the quick connect system, mainly because the quick connect required a multistep procedure (twist-align-slide) that they considered more complex than operating the locking pin to which they were accustomed.

Conclusions:

In its current form, the quick connect is likely to be used by limited community ambulators who struggle with the pin lock donning procedure. It also has potential use with powered tethers that use a motor to adjust tether length.
A content comparison of 4 commonly used adult upper limb amputee outcome measurements with application of the refinements of International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health linking rules
Authors: Gül Hatice , Demirdel Senem , Yıldırım Şahan Tezel , Anaforoğlu Külünkoğlu Bahar , Baş Sevilay Seda , Çerezci Duygu Senay , Çınar Murat Ali , Keklicek Hilal , Bayramlar Kezban
Published: September 2023

Introduction:

The application of the refinements of linking rules to the outcome measurement methods provides an opportunity to obtain information concerning what the available instruments actually measure and how the instrument measures certain outcomes. The purpose of the study was to analyze the content of 4 commonly used upper limb amputee scales using the refined International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) linking rules.

Methods:

The Upper Extremity Functional Status module of the Orthotics and Prosthetics User Survey (OPUS-UEFS), Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience Scales, Southampton Hand Assessment Procedure (SHAP), and Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand were analyzed by 2 health professionals for a content comparison based on ICF categories. The Kappa statistic was used to calculate the degree of agreement between 2 professionals.

Results:

The scale questions were linked with 43 different ICF codes in this study. Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience Scale addresses all ICF domains. All items of SHAP and most items of OPUS-UEFS were linked to the activity-participation domain. Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand items were linked with activity-participation and body function domains. The perspectives of OPUS-UEFS and SHAP are descriptive. The perspectives of Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand were descriptive and appraisal. The perspectives of Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience Scale subscales were descriptive, appraisal, and needs or dependency. Estimated kappa values ranged from 0.44 to 0.91 for ICF codes.

Conclusions:

Most concepts in the scales were frequently linked to the activity-participation domain. We think that the results of this study will be a useful guide to clinicians and researchers in selecting relevant and appropriate outcome measurements for upper limb amputee rehabilitation.
Improvement in quality of life of transfemoral amputees: Comparison between 2 types of transfemoral sockets and their influence on functionality and user comfort - A case report
Authors: Bartolomeu Nicole , Gonzalez Juan , Valentim Fábio , Reis e Silva Miguel , Ramos Natália , Jacinto Jorge
Published: September 2023

Among the components of lower limb prostheses, a perfectly adapted prosthetic socket is crucial to a successful rehabilitation process. Thus, developing a more comfortable socket could improve the quality of life for transfemoral (TF) amputees. The objective of this case report was to compare 2 TF sockets by evaluating the relationship between socket stiffness and user comfort and their influence on functionality to improve the quality of life of TF amputees. The participant received 2 different sockets: (A) flexible Flixt® socket; (B) conventional socket. He used each socket for 90 days, and after that was submitted to an evaluation at the Gait Laboratory (kinematic and dynamic analyses), completed the Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire, and performed Timed Up and Go test, 6-Minute March Test (6MWT), 10-Meter Walk Test, and Amputee Mobility Predictor test. After results were analyzed, the socket that obtained the best degree of satisfaction was assigned to the amputee participant. Combined measures showed that socket B does not considerably change the kinematic parameters neither dynamics parameters namely at stance phase. At Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire results, socket A had a better rating than socket B. The results of the Timed Up and Go test, 6MWT, 10-Meter Walk Test, and Amputee Mobility Predictor test obtained identical values, except for the 6MWT. This case report shows evidence of participant satisfaction improvement when using the flexible socket. The study also demonstrates that both sockets are quite effective.
Lung Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Ohno Yoshiharu , Ozawa Yoshiyuki , Nagata Hiroyuki , Ueda Takahiro , Yoshikawa Takeshi , Takenaka Daisuke , Koyama Hisanobu
Published: September 2023

Since lung magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) became clinically available, limited clinical utility has been suggested for applying MRI to lung diseases. Moreover, clinical applications of MRI for patients with lung diseases or thoracic oncology may vary from country to country due to clinical indications, type of health insurance, or number of MR units available. Because of this situation, members of the Fleischner Society and of the Japanese Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine have published new reports to provide appropriate clinical indications for lung MRI. This review article presents a brief history of lung MRI in terms of its technical aspects and major clinical indications, such as (1) what is currently available, (2) what is promising but requires further validation or evaluation, and (3) which developments warrant research-based evaluations in preclinical or patient studies. We hope this article will provide Investigative Radiology readers with further knowledge of the current status of lung MRI and will assist them with the application of appropriate protocols in routine clinical practice.
Indwelling central venous catheter infection with Chryseobacterium shandongenes, successful eradication in a five-year-old with Cystic Fibrosis.
Authors: Rowan Anthony , Verbruggen Tiarnan Fallon , O'Connell Nuala , Stapleton Patrick J , Dunne Colum , Linanne Barry , Butler Daryl
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Chryseobacterium shandogenes is a Gram-negative Flavobacterium bacillus with intrinsic multi-drug resistant properties

Case Presentation

: Herein, we present the first case report of human C. shandogenes infection, relating to an implantable portal and catheter (port-a-cath) central line in a five-year-old female with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). The infection was identified using Bruker MALDI-TOF Biotyper with BDAL (v12) of blood, which was cultured due to pyrexia and rigor following port-a-cath access. This report details the effective eradication of C. shandogenes infection from the port-a-cath device using initial empirical gentamicin and followed by targeted ciprofloxacin locks and systemic antibiotics.

Conclusion

: we demonstrated successful eradication of C. shandongenes from a port-a-cath device, including the MIC required in this case. The result was eradication of central access infection preventing progression to bacteremia/septicemia and preserving central access in a child with CF and established respiratory disease.
Endocannabinoid and psychological responses to acute resistance exercise in trained and untrained adults
Authors: Sirotiak Zoe , Gallagher Brandon T. , Smith-Hernandez Courtney A. , Showman Lucas J. , Hillard Cecilia J. , Brellenthin Angelique G.
Published: September 2023

Objective

This study examined the effects of acute resistance exercise on circulating endocannabinoid (eCB) and mood responses in trained and untrained healthy adults. Methods: Thirty-two healthy adults (22.1 ± 2.9 years) were recruited from trained (reporting resistance exercise at least twice per week for ≥ previous three months) and untrained (performing no resistance exercise for ≥ previous three months) groups. Participants completed three sets of resistance exercise (16 repetitions at 50% 1-repetition max, 12 repetitions at 70% 1-repetition max, 8 repetitions at 80% 1-repetition max). Mood states, affect, and circulating eCB concentrations were evaluated before and after resistance exercise.

Results

There were significant decreases in AEA, PEA, and OEA levels following acute resistance exercise (p <0.05), with no significant group differences or group by time interactions. 2-AG did not change significantly. Positive affect increased significantly following resistance exercise (p =0.009), while negative affect decreased (p <0.001). Depression, anger, confusion, and total mood disturbance decreased significantly (p <0.05), while vigor increased significantly following resistance exercise (p =0.005). There were no significant group differences or group by time interactions for any psychological outcomes.

Conclusion

These results indicate that acute resistance exercise may reduce eCB and related lipid concentrations, which is opposite to the increase in lipids typically observed with acute aerobic exercise. Furthermore, psychological improvements occur after resistance exercise regardless of decreases in eCBs, supporting the notion that psychological changes with exercise likely occur through a wide variety of biological and environmental mechanisms.
SMARTdb: An Integrated Database for Exploring Single-cell Multi-omics Data of Reproductive Medicine
Authors: Liu Zekai , Yuan Zhen , Guo Yunlei , Wang Ruilin , Guan Yusheng , Wang Zhanglian , Chen Yunan , Wang Tianlu , Jiang Meining , Bian Shuhui
Published: September 2023

Single-cell multi-omics sequencing has greatly accelerated reproductive research in recent years, and the data are continually growing. However, utilizing these data resources is challenging for wet-lab researchers. A comprehensive platform for exploring single-cell multi-omics data related to reproduction is urgently needed. Here we introduce SMARTdb (single-cell multi-omics atlas of reproduction), which is an integrative and user-friendly platform for exploring molecular dynamics of reproductive development, aging, and disease, covering multi-omics, multi-species, and multi-stage data. We have curated and analyzed single-cell transcriptome and epigenome data of over 2.0 million cells from 6 species across whole lifespan. A series of powerful functionalities are provided, such as “Query gene expression”, “DIY expression plot”, “DNA methylation plot”, and “Epigenome browser”. With SMARTdb, we found that the male germ-cell-specific expression pattern ofRPL39LandRPL10Lis conserved between human and other model animals. Moreover, DNA hypomethylation and open chromatin may regulate the specific expression pattern ofRPL39Lcollectively in both male and female germ cells. In summary, SMARTdb is a powerful platform for convenient data mining and gaining novel insights into reproductive development, aging, and disease. SMARTdb is publicly available athttps://smart-db.cn.
Unlocking the Genetic Landscape: Enhanced Insights into Sweet Sorghum Genomes through Comprehensive superTranscriptomic Analysis
Authors: Nikhil Shinde , Mohideen Habeeb Shaikh , Raja NS
Published: September 2023

Sweet sorghum has gained global significance as a versatile crop for food, fodder, and biofuel. Department of Agriculture, USA declared sorghum a sweet alternative for corn and sugarcane for biofuel production. Its cultivated varieties, along with their wild counterparts, contribute to the core genetic pool. We harnessed 223 publicly available RNA-seq datasets from sweet sorghum to construct the superTranscriptome and analyze gene structure. This approach yielded 45,864 Representative Transcript Assemblies (RTA) that showcased intriguing Presence-Absence Variation (PAV) across 15 existing sorghum genomes, even incorporating one wild progenitor. We identified 301 superTranscripts exclusive to sweet sorghum, encompassing elements such as hexokinases, cytochromes, select lncRNAs, and histones. Moreover, this study enriched sweet sorghum annotations with 2,802 newly identified protein-coding genes, including 559 encoding diverse transcription factors (TFs). This study unveiled 10,059 superTranscripts associated with various non-coding RNAs. The Rio variety displayed elevated expression of light-harvesting complexes (LHCs) and reduced expression of Metallothioneins during internode growth, suggesting the influence of photosynthesis and metal ion transport on sugar accumulation. Intriguingly, specific lncRNAs exhibited significant expression shifts in Rio during internode development, possibly implying their role in sugar accumulation. We validated the superTranscriptome against the Sweet Sorghum Reference Genome (SSRG) using Differential Exon Usage (DEU) and Differential Gene Expression (DGE), which yielded superior estimations. This study underscores the superTranscriptome’s utility in unraveling fundamental sorghum mechanisms, enhancing genome annotations, and offering a potential alternative to the reference genome.

Significance Statement

The comprehensive superTranscriptome of seven sweet sorghum genotypes revealed 45,864 genes, including 28.27% novel ones, predominantly comprising non-coding RNAs. Distributing core, dispensable, and cloud genes across 15 sorghum genomes differentiated common genes from cultivar-specific ones. superTranscriptome enhanced the annotation of 14 sorghum genomes with new genes/exons and effectively utilized RNA-seq data to annotate reference genomes. It identified presence/absence variations and non-coding genes and could be a potential alternative to the reference genome.
Adult Mouse Leptomeninges Exhibit Regional and Age-related Cellular Heterogeneity Implicating Mental Disorders
Authors: Allen Christina A. , Goderie Susan K. , Liu Mo , Kiehl Thomas R. , Farjood Farhad , Wang Yue , Boles Nathan C. , Temple Sally
Published: September 2023

The leptomeninges envelop the central nervous system (CNS) and contribute to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) production and homeostasis. We analyzed the meninges overlying the anterior or posterior forebrain in the adult mouse by single nuclear RNA-sequencing (snucRNA-seq). This revealed regional differences in fibroblast and endothelial cell composition and gene expression. Surprisingly, these non-neuronal cells co-expressed genes implicated in neural functions. The regional differences changed with aging, from 3 to 18 months. Cytokine analysis revealed specific soluble factor production from anterior vs posterior meninges that also altered with age. Secreted factors from the leptomeninges from different regions and ages differentially impacted the survival of anterior or posterior cortical neuronal subsets, neuron morphology, and glia proliferation. These findings suggest that meningeal dysfunction in different brain regions could contribute to specific neural pathologies. The disease-associations of meningeal cell genes differentially expressed with region and age were significantly enriched for mental and substance abuse disorders.