bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Revealing the microbial composition changes and relationship with Fusarium caused by rot disease in the Crocus sativus L.
Authors: Song Jia , Xi Xiaoyuan , Qian Xiaodong , Li Jing , Tao Yuanyuan , Li Liqin , Zhou Guifen
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Rot disease caused by Fusarium poses a formidable threat to the growth of saffron (Crocus sativus L.), resulting in substantial damage to both yield and quality. It is paramount to delve into the root causes of rot disease in saffron to optimize both yield and quality. Existing preventive and treatment modalities have exerted deleterious effects on corms and the natural environment. Consequently, the quest for efficacious and eco-friendly methods such as biological control agents has become an urgent imperative.

Methods

The disparate distribution of microbial communities between rhizospheric microorganisms and saffron serves as the foundational exploration for uncovering the underlying causes of rot disease. Samples from various saffron organs and rhizosphere soil were gathered, and the sequencing data from the microbial communities were interpreted using 16S rRNA and ITS gene sequencing methods. This facilitated an in-depth examination of the composition and changes of microorganisms in both healthy and diseased saffron plants.

Results

The findings indicated rot disease reduced the abundance and diversity of microorganisms in saffron, and the fungal co-occurrence networks were less stable and their communities were more sensitive to rot disease than the bacterial community. Fusarium was the predominant genus in diseased samples, accounting for 99.19% and 89.77% of the communities in diseased leaves and corms. With corms and leaves displaying heightened susceptibility to infection compared to other plant organs. Some of the beneficial bacterial taxa enriched in the diseased plants were also identified in networks, they showed an antagonistic relationship with Fusarium, suggesting a potential for these bacteria to be used in biologically based control strategies against rot disease. These insights could prove invaluable for the development of biocontrol agents aimed at combating this plant ailment.

Conclusion

These findings significantly advance our understanding of saffron-microbiome interactions and could provide fundamental and important data for improving saffron yield and quality in the process of sustainable development.
Role of Th2, Th17 and Treg Cells and relevant cytokines in pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis
Authors: Guo Li-Ping , Yan Min , Niu Rui-Bing , Liu Lei , Yang Jing-Ru , Chen Rui-Lian , Duan Bao-Sheng , Li Cui-Cui , Li Jian-Xiong
Published: July 2024

Objective

To explore the role of different cells and molecules in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis (AR) with positive Artemisia allergen by detecting their expression levels.

Methods

From January 2021 to December 2022,200 AR patients diagnosed in the Otolaryngology Clinic of Ordos Central Hospital were selected as the AR group, and 50 healthy people who underwent physical examination in the hospital during the same period were randomly selected as the healthy control (HC) group. The levels of GATA-3mRNA, RORγtmRNA and FoxP3mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). The proportions of Th2, Th17 and Treg cells were detected by flow cytometry. The concentrations of IL-4, IL-5, IL-17 and IL-10 in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The differences of transcription gene level, immune cell ratio and cytokine concentration between the two groups were analyzed.

Results

There was no difference in age and gender between the two groups. The levels of GATA-3mRNA and RORγtmRNA transcription genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, the percentage of Th2, Th17 and Treg immune cells, the levels of eosinophils and basophils in peripheral blood, the concentrations of IL-4, IL-5, IL-17, IL-10 cytokines and IgE in serum of AR patients were significantly higher than those in HC group (P < 0.05). IL-4 and IL-17 were positively correlated with total IgE level.

Conclusion

The secretion of immune cells and cytokines in peripheral blood of AR patients is abnormal. Th2, Th17, Treg specific transcription factors and related cells and cytokines are involved in the occurrence and development of allergic rhinitis.
Severe distributive shock, neutrophilic dermatosis, and ST-elevation myocardial infarction in the setting of azathioprine hypersensitivity syndrome
Authors: Su Samuel , Wang Yu Ming , Zaborniak Karver , Hamza Sate , Jassal Davinder S. , Blouw Marcus
Published: July 2024

Background

Azathioprine is a purine synthesis inhibitor used as an immunosuppressive therapy for many immune-mediated diseases. Azathioprine hypersensitivity reaction is a rare, life-threatening adverse reaction characterized by a range of multisystem manifestations including fever, abdominal pain, arthralgias, erythematous cutaneous eruption, acute renal failure, neutrophilia, and more rarely, distributive shock. Although acute heart failure has been rarely described in association with azathioprine hypersensitivity syndrome, myocardial infarction has, to our knowledge, never been associated with this entity.

Case Presentation

We describe a case of a 59-year-old male with Crohn’s disease who developed severe azathioprine hypersensitivity syndrome that included distributive shock, neutrophilic dermatosis, and acute coronary syndrome with ST-elevation. Clinical improvement was seen after cessation of azathioprine and administration of glucocorticoid therapy.

Conclusion

Prompt recognition of azathioprine hypersensitivity syndrome, which can manifest as shock and neutrophilic dermatosis, is key to ensure rapid azathioprine cessation.
Fluid accumulation syndrome in sepsis and septic shock: pathophysiology, relevance and treatment—a comprehensive review
Authors: Pfortmueller Carmen Andrea , Dabrowski Wojciech , Wise Rob , van Regenmortel Niels , Malbrain Manu L. N. G.
Published: July 2024

In this review, we aimed to comprehensively summarize current literature on pathophysiology, relevance, diagnosis and treatment of fluid accumulation in patients with sepsis/septic shock. Fluid accumulation syndrome (FAS) is defined as fluid accumulation (any degree, expressed as percentage from baseline body weight) with new onset organ-failure. Over the years, many studies have described the negative impact of FAS on clinically relevant outcomes. While the relationship between FAS and ICU outcomes is well described, uncertainty exists regarding its diagnosis, monitoring and treatment. A stepwise approach is suggested to prevent and treat FAS in patients with septic shock, including minimizing fluid intake (e.g., by limiting intravenous fluid administration and employing de-escalation whenever possible), limiting sodium and chloride administration, and maximizing fluid output (e.g., with diuretics, or renal replacement therapy). Current literature implies the need for a multi-tier, multi-modal approach to de-resuscitation, combining a restrictive fluid management regime with a standardized early active de-resuscitation, maintenance fluid reduction (avoiding fluid creep) and potentially using physical measures such as compression stockings.

Trial registration: Not applicable.

Graphical Abstract
Recognition of target domain Japanese speech using language model replacement
Authors: Mori Daiki , Ohta Kengo , Nishimura Ryota , Ogawa Atsunori , Kitaoka Norihide
Published: July 2024

End-to-end (E2E) automatic speech recognition (ASR) models, which consist of deep learning models, are able to perform ASR tasks using a single neural network. These models should be trained using a large amount of data; however, collecting speech data which matches the targeted speech domain can be difficult, so speech data is often used that is not an exact match to the target domain, resulting in lower performance. In comparison to speech data, in-domain text data is much easier to obtain. Thus, traditional ASR systems use separately trained language models and HMM-based acoustic models. However, it is difficult to separate language information from an E2E ASR model because the model learns both acoustic and language information in an integrated manner, making it very difficult to create E2E ASR models for specialized target domain which are able to achieve sufficient recognition performance at a reasonable cost. In this paper, we propose a method of replacing the language information within pre-trained E2E ASR models in order to achieve adaptation to a target domain. This is achieved by deleting the “implicit” language information contained within the ASR model by subtracting the source-domain language model trained with a transcription of the ASR’s training data in a logarithmic domain. We then integrate a target domain language model through addition in the logarithmic domain. This subtraction and addition to replace of the language model is based on Bayes’ theorem. In our experiment, we first used two datasets of the Corpus of Spontaneous Japanese (CSJ) to evaluate the effectiveness of our method. We then we evaluated our method using the Japanese Newspaper Article Speech (JNAS) and CSJ corpora, which contain audio data from the read speech and spontaneous speech domain, respectively, to test the effectiveness of our proposed method at bridging the gap between these two language domains. Our results show that our proposed language model replacement method achieved better ASR performance than both non-adapted (baseline) ASR models and ASR models adapted using the conventional Shallow Fusion method.
Epigenetic modification of PHLDA2 is associated with tumor microenvironment and unfavorable outcome of immune checkpoint inhibitor-based therapies in clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhao Junjie , Pan Xiuyi , Wang Zilin , Chen Yuntian , Liu Dingbang , Shen Yu , Wei Xinyuan , Xu Chenhao , Zhang Xingming , Hu Xu , Chen Junru , Zhao Jinge , Tang Bo , Sun Guangxi , Shen Pengfei , Liu Zhenhua , Zeng Hao , Liang Jiayu
Published: July 2024

Background

A substantial proportion of patients with metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) cannot derive benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) plus anti-angiogenic agent combination therapy, making identification of predictive biomarkers an urgent need. The members of pleckstrin homology-like domain family A (PHLDA) play critical roles in multiple cancers, whereas their roles in ccRCC remain unknown.

Methods

Transcriptomic, clinical, genetic alteration and DNA methylation data were obtained for integrated analyses from TCGA database. RNA sequencing was performed on 117 primary tumors and 79 normal kidney tissues from our center. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis, gene set enrichment analysis were performed to explore transcriptomic features. Data from three randomized controlled trials (RCT), including CheckMate025, IMmotion151, JAVELIN101, were obtained for validation.

Results

Members of PHLDA family were dysregulated in pan-cancer. Elevated PHLDA2 expression was associated with adverse clinicopathologic parameters and worse prognosis in ccRCC. Aberrant DNA hypomethylation contributed to up-regulation of PHLDA2. An immunosuppressive microenvironment featured by high infiltrates of Tregs and cancer-associated fibroblasts, was observed in ccRCC with higher PHLDA2 expression. Utilizing data from three RCTs, the association of elevated PHLDA2 expression with poor therapeutic efficacy of ICI plus anti-angiogenic combination therapy was confirmed.

Conclusions

Our study revealed that elevated PHLDA2 expression regulated by DNA hypomethylation was correlated with poor prognosis and immunosuppressive microenvironment, and highlighted the role of PHLDA2 as a robust biomarker for predicting therapeutic efficacy of ICI plus anti-angiogenic agent combination therapy in ccRCC, which expand the dimension of precision medicine.
Early predictive value of ultrasound measurements of rectus femoris cross-sectional area to diagnose ICU-acquired weakness in patients undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Yao Huiming , Zhang Jie , Jiang Rong , Xie Qian , Zhou Chaoqi , Yang Yuting , Zeng Zhenguo , Zhang Wei
Published: July 2024

Background

The diagnosis of ICU-acquired weakness (ICUAW) may be delayed due to the complexity of critically ill patients. This study aimed to investigate the value of ultrasound measurements of rectus femoris cross-sectional area (RFCSA) in predicting ICUAW in patients undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation.

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study of patients undergoing mechanical ventilation for at least 48 h. RFCSA was measured using ultrasound in patients upon ICU admission and followed until discharge. Using the Medical Research Council score as the gold standard, we evaluated the diagnostic value of ultrasound measurements in predicting ICUAW. Kaplan–Meier curves were constructed to evaluate and compare the length of ICU stay and duration of invasive mechanical ventilation between patients with and without ICUAW.

Results

Among the 76 patients, 34 (44.7%) were diagnosed with ICUAW using the Medical Research Council score as the gold standard. The RFCSA atrophy rate between day 1 and day 3 was significantly higher in the ICUAW group (7.9 ± 2.8% vs. 4.3 ± 2.1%, p < 0.001). By utilizing a cutoff point of 6.9%, we discovered that the RFCSA atrophy rate exhibited excellent diagnostic accuracy in predicting ICUAW, with a sensitivity of 76.5% and specificity of 92.9%. In ICUAW patients diagnosed based on an RFCSA atrophy rate, the proportion of patients with an ICU stay longer than 14 days was 42.9%, which was significantly higher compared to 22.9% in the non-ICUAW group (HR: 1.768; 95% CI 1.128–2.772; p = 0.006). Similarly, the proportion of patients continuing mechanical ventilation at 14 days was 28.6% versus 4.2% between the two groups (HR: 1.988; 95% CI 1.266–3.120; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Ultrasound measurements of RFCSA provide a reliable method for diagnosing ICUAW and indicating prognosis in patients undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation.
Sustained metabolic dysregulation and the emergence of diabetes: associations between HbA1c and metabolic syndrome components in Tunisian diabetic and nondiabetic groups
Authors: Wisniewski Adriana , DeLouize Alicia M. , Walker Tian , Chatterji Somnath , Naidoo Nirmala , Kowal Paul , Snodgrass J. Josh
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS), diabetes, and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) have been a major focus of research in recent decades as the prevalence of these conditions continues to rapidly increase globally. However, the timing and patterns of development from metabolic risk factors to disease states are less well understood and are especially critical to understand in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and populations undergoing epidemiological transitions.

Methods

Nationally representative sociodemographic, anthropometric, and point-of-care biomarker data from the 2016 Tunisian Health Examination Survey (n = 8170) were used to determine the prevalence of diabetes and MetS components in Tunisia and to investigate associations between glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and MetS components (blood pressure [BP], HDL cholesterol [HDL], triglycerides [TG], and waist circumference [WC]) in participants aged 15-97 years old. To better understand how sustained metabolic dysregulation and disease states impact these associations, diabetic and nondiabetic groups were analyzed separately.

Results

The overall prevalence of diabetes based on measured HbA1c was 18.2%. The diabetic groups had a higher prevalence of each individual MetS component, and significantly higher (BP, TG, WC, and HbA1c) and lower (HDL) values than the nondiabetic groups. Yet, there were a higher number of significant associations between HbA1c and MetS components found in nondiabetic women and men when compared to diabetic women and men. HbA1c was positively associated with the cumulative number of MetS components, irrespective of diabetes status in men and women.

Conclusions

The prevalence of both diabetes and MetS components (particularly low HDL cholesterol and elevated TG) is high among the Tunisian population. More MetS components were associated with HbA1c in nondiabetic individuals, showing a strong connection between the development of MetS components and diabetes. However, once the diabetes disease state manifests, there is more variability in the relationships. These results show the potential for HbA1c to be an indicator of metabolic health below clinical disease cutoffs, which may allow insights into the physiological changes that precipitate the emergence of diabetes.
Understanding the public stigma of mental illness: a mixed-methods, multi-level, exploratory triangulation study
Authors: Walsh Daniel , Foster Juliet
Published: July 2024

Background

This study examines the role of themata in understanding mental health-related stigma. It is motivated by the need for alternative theoretical-methodological approaches beyond the dominant frameworks in education and contact-based anti-stigma public health efforts, which have shown mixed effects. Specifically, it addresses the need for a more nuanced framework in stigma research, one that is sensitive to the dialogues through which people relate themselves to mental health and stigma in context.

Methods

The research employs an exploratory mixed-methods approach, including the analysis of 529 news reports, 20 focus group discussions, and 19 one-to-one interviews, all concerning representations of shared living arrangements with someone perceived to have experiences of mental illness. Thematic analysis and natural language processing are used within a convergent triangulation design to analyze the data.

Results

We found that mental health and illness were communicated through an overarching Self/Other thema and five subordinate themata: normal/abnormal, harm/non-harm, bounded/non-bounded, and moral/immoral. Despite familiarity with psychological distress and ‘modern’ explanations of mental illness, concerns about social identity motivated representations of mental illness as a predominantly permanent, negative form of personhood marked by abnormality, harm, distance, and immorality. Additionally, concerns about personal vulnerability, including historically rooted fears of contagion, motivated distancing representations of mental illness, rather than neutral portrayals.

Conclusions

Themata have under-developed theoretical and methodological potential for addressing mental health-related stigma, particularly in their ability to describe the dynamic ways in which culture motivates people to both resist and reproduce stigma, partly through ambivalences, absences, tensions, and ambiguities in representation. A critical discussion is provided on how themata may support ecological strategies in mental health campaigns over generic models, emphasizing the need to understand group knowledge and contact dynamics to mitigate adverse effects. Themata Public Health Unintended Consequences Mixed Methods Behaviour Change Natural Language Processing.
Introducing Mplots: scaling time series recurrence plots to massive datasets
Authors: Shahcheraghi Maryam , Mercer Ryan , Rodrigues João Manuel de Almeida , Der Audrey , Gamboa Hugo Filipe Silveira , Zimmerman Zachary , Mauck Kerry , Keogh Eamonn
Published: July 2024

Time series similarity matrices (informally, recurrence plots or dot-plots), are useful tools for time series data mining. They can be used to guide data exploration, and various useful features can be derived from them and then fed into downstream analytics. However, time series similarity matrices suffer from very poor scalability, taxing both time and memory requirements. In this work, we introduce novel ideas that allow us to scale the largest time series similarity matrices that can be examined by several orders of magnitude. The first idea is a novel algorithm to compute the matrices in a way that removes dependency on the subsequence length. This algorithm is so fast that it allows us to now address datasets where the memory limitations begin to dominate. Our second novel contribution is a multiscale algorithm that computes an approximation of the matrix appropriate for the limitations of the user’s memory/screen-resolution, then performs a local, just-in-time recomputation of any region that the user wishes to zoom-in on. Given that this largely removes time and space barriers, human visual attention then becomes the bottleneck. We further introduce algorithms that search massive matrices with quadrillions of cells and then prioritize regions for later examination by either humans or algorithms. We will demonstrate the utility of our ideas for data exploration, segmentation, and classification in domains as diverse as astronomy, bioinformatics, entomology, and wildlife monitoring.
Renoprotective effect of a novel combination of 6-gingerol and metformin in high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy in rats via targeting miRNA-146a, miRNA-223, TLR4/TRAF6/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway and HIF-1α
Authors: Aboismaiel Merna G. , Amin Mohamed N. , Eissa Laila A.
Published: July 2024

Background

MiRNA-146a and miRNA-223 are key epigenetic regulators of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/tumor necrosis factor-receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6)/NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome pathway, which is involved in diabetic nephropathy (DN) pathogenesis. The currently available oral anti-diabetic treatments have been insufficient to halt DN development and progression. Therefore, this work aimed to assess the renoprotective effect of the natural compound 6-gingerol (GR) either alone or in combination with metformin (MET) in high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced DN in rats. The proposed molecular mechanisms were also investigated.

Methods

Oral gavage of 6-gingerol (100 mg/kg) and metformin (300 mg/kg) were administered to rats daily for eight weeks. MiRNA-146a, miRNA-223, TLR4, TRAF6, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) (p65), NLRP3, caspase-1, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) mRNA expressions were measured using real-time PCR. ELISA was used to measure TLR4, TRAF6, NLRP3, caspase-1, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-1-beta (IL-1β) renal tissue levels. Renal tissue histopathology and immunohistochemical examination of fibronectin and NF-κB (p65) were performed.

Results

6-Gingerol treatment significantly reduced kidney tissue damage and fibrosis. 6-Gingerol up-regulated miRNA-146a and miRNA-223 and reduced TLR4, TRAF6, NF-κB (p65), NLRP3, caspase-1, TNF-α, IL-1β, HIF-1α and fibronectin renal expressions. 6-Gingerol improved lipid profile and renal functions, attenuated renal hypertrophy, increased reduced glutathione, and decreased blood glucose and malondialdehyde levels. 6-Gingerol and metformin combination showed superior renoprotective effects than either alone.

Conclusion

6-Gingerol demonstrated a key protective role in DN by induction of miRNA-146a and miRNA-223 expression and inhibition of TLR4/TRAF6/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling. 6-Gingerol, a safe, affordable, and abundant natural compound, holds promise for use as an adjuvant therapy with metformin in diabetic patients to attenuate renal damage and stop the progression of DN.
Methanomethylovorans are the dominant dimethylsulfide-degrading methanogens in gravel and sandy river sediment microcosms
Authors: Tsola S. L. , Prevodnik A. A. , Sinclair L. F. , Sanders I. A. , Economou C. K. , Eyice Ö.
Published: July 2024

Background

Rivers and streams are important components of the global carbon cycle and methane budget. However, our understanding of the microbial diversity and the metabolic pathways underpinning methylotrophic methane production in river sediments is limited. Dimethylsulfide is an important methylated compound, found in freshwater sediments. Yet, the magnitude of DMS-dependent methanogenesis nor the methanogens carrying out this process in river sediments have been explored before. This study addressed this knowledge gap in DMS-dependent methanogenesis in gravel and sandy river sediments.

Results

Significant methane production via DMS degradation was found in all sediment  microcosms. Sandy, less permeable river sediments had higher methane yields (83 and 92%) than gravel, permeable sediments (40 and 48%). There was no significant difference between the methanogen diversity in DMS-amended gravel and sandy sediment microcosms, which Methanomethylovorans dominated. Metagenomics data analysis also showed the dominance of Methanomethylovorans and Methanosarcina. DMS-specific methyltransferase genes (mts) were found in very low relative abundances whilst the methanol-, trimethylamine- and dimethylamine-specific methyltransferase genes (mtaA, mttB and mtbB) had the highest relative abundances, suggesting their involvement in DMS-dependent methanogenesis.

Conclusions

This is the first study demonstrating a significant potential for DMS-dependent methanogenesis in river sediments with contrasting geologies. Methanomethylovorans were the dominant methylotrophic methanogen in all river sediment microcosms. Methyltransferases specific to methylotrophic substrates other than DMS are likely key enzymes in DMS-dependent methanogenesis, highlighting their versatility and importance in the methane cycle in freshwater sediments, which would warrant further study.
Advancements in hybrid energy storage systems for enhancing renewable energy-to-grid integration
Authors: Adeyinka Adekanmi Miracle , Esan Oladapo Christopher , Ijaola Ahmed Olanrewaju , Farayibi Peter Kayode
Published: July 2024

The global energy sector is currently undergoing a transformative shift mainly driven by the ongoing and increasing demand for clean, sustainable, and reliable energy solutions. However, integrating renewable energy sources (RES), such as wind, solar, and hydropower, introduces major challenges due to the intermittent and variable nature of RES, affecting grid stability and reliability. Hybrid energy storage systems (HESS), which combine multiple energy storage devices (ESDs), present a promising solution by leveraging the complementary strengths of each technology involved. This comprehensive review examines recent advancements in grid-connected HESS, focusing on their components, design considerations, control strategies, and applications. It provides a detailed analysis of technological progress in various ESDs and the critical role of power conversion, control, energy management, and cooling systems in optimizing HESS performance. Highlighting case studies of some notable and successful HESS implementations across the globe, we illustrate practical applications and identify the benefits and challenges encountered. By addressing these challenges, HESS can significantly enhance the efficiency and reliability of RES, supporting the shift towards a sustainable and resilient energy infrastructure. The paper concludes by identifying future research directions, highlighting the development of intelligent control systems, sustainable materials, and efficient recycling processes to ensure the widespread adoption and long-term viability of HESS.
Enormous ectopic liver tissue at the gastrohepatic ligament: a rare entity at Muhimbili National Hospital, Tanzania
Authors: Swallow Andrew Yesaya , Mwanga Ali Hamisi , Chamshama Douglas , Mchele Godfrey , Ringo Yona , Kitembo Kibwana , Lutege William , Naif Azza , Mosha Innocent
Published: July 2024

Background

Ectopic liver tissue (ELT) is a developmental abnormality in which liver tissue develops at an extrahepatic site without connection to the true liver. It is a rare entity with an incidence of 0.24–0.56% according to data described in laparoscopic or autopsy studies. The detailed mechanism behind the development of ELT is poorly understood. ELT predominantly has an asymptomatic nature, even by means of radiological studies the diagnosis of ELT without surgery or autopsy is difficult. ELT has been reported mostly to be found frequently on the gallbladder and rarely on the gastrohepatic ligament. ELT has increased the potential risk of HCC which makes the resection crucial. Due to its variations anatomically, ELT recognition should gain clinical importance and surgeons need to be aware of these possible disparities.

Case presentation.

We present a 59-year-old female from Western Tanzania was presented to us with 2-month history of painless upper abdominal swelling. An abdominal CT scan was performed, and it revealed a large mass located at the gastrohepatic region with blood supply mainly from the left hepatic artery and omentum. Technically difficult excision of 17 × 12 cm tumor at gastrohepatic ligament was performed, with uneventful recovery. Post-operative histology results revealed capsulated hepatic parenchyma without the biliary components and limited sinusoids with tissue degeneration. To date, no complications happened during follow-up for one year.

Conclusion

ELT is a rare entity with a predominantly asymptomatic nature. Preoperatively diagnosis is difficult even with images. It has anatomical variation and is hardly found along the gastrohepatic ligament. ELT has increased the potential risk of HCC which makes the resection crucial. Increased awareness of this congenital anomaly may result in increased detection rates.
Impact of the deletion glutathione S-transferase (class Mu) on lung cancer risk among smokers
Authors: Hamdy Gehan , Gharib Ahmed , Emara Nahed Abdel Moneim , Attia Eman Mahmoud Hassan , Hussein Mohamed Fathy , Elkorashy Reem Ibrahim , Gomaa Nada Ezzeldin
Published: July 2024

Background

The results of several studies assessing the effect of the glutathione S-transferase class Mu 1 (GSTM1) null variant on the genetic susceptibility of tobacco-related cancers have been conflicting. In this work, we aim to identify the impact of the deletion of GSTM1 on lung cancer risk among smokers.

Methods

This study was conducted on 20 patients diagnosed with primary lung cancer and 20 healthy individuals as a control group. They were subject to full medical history taking, complete clinical examination, and GSTM1 genotyping by PCR.

Results

Both studied groups were matched for age, sex, and smoking status. No statistically significant difference was exhibited between the frequency of GSTM1 positive and GSTM1 null in the studied population. No risk of lung cancer associated with GSTM1 null genotype was demonstrated between the patients and control group (n = 14/20 cases) (p = 0.110, OR = 2.852, 95% CI 0.777–10.467). Additionally, there was no association between the risk of lung cancer and the presence of the gene either in smokers (p = 1, OR = 1.8 and 95% CI 0.124–26.196) or non-smokers; (p = 0.063, OR = 4.4 and 95% CI 0.889–21.78). No statistically significant risk was found between the frequencies of GSTM1 null and the various histopathological types of lung malignancy.

Conclusion

The results of this work demonstrated no association between the occurrence of the GSTM1 null variant, even when stratified for smoking status, and the risk of lung cancer.
Risk Factors for Adverse Outcomes in Children With Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Authors: Yousif Maha F , Dolak Katie D , Adhikari Soumya , White Perrin C
Published: July 2024

Objective

Develop a multivariable model to identify children with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and/or hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS) at increased risk of adverse outcomes and apply it to analyze adverse outcomes during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Retrospective review of clinical data from 4565 admissions (4284 with DKA alone, 31 [0.7%] only HHS, 250 [5.4%] hyperosmolar DKA) to a large academic children's hospital from January 2010 to June 2023. Data from 2010-2019 (N = 3004) were used as a training dataset, and 2020-2021 (N = 903) and 2022-2023 (N = 658) data for validation. Death or intensive care unit stays > 48 hours comprised a composite “Adverse Outcome” group. Risks for this composite outcome were assessed using generalized estimating equations.

Results

There were 47 admissions with Adverse Outcomes (1.5%) in 2010-2019, 46 (5.0%) in 2020-2021, and 16 (2.4%) in 2022-2023. Eight patients died (0.18%). Maximum serum glucose, initial pH, and diagnosis of type 2 diabetes most strongly predicted Adverse Outcomes. The proportion of patients with type 2 diabetes was highest in 2020-2021. A multivariable model incorporating these factors had excellent discrimination (area under receiver operator characteristic curve [AUC] of 0.948) for the composite outcome in the training dataset, and similar predictive power (AUC 0.960 and 0.873) in the 2020-2021 and 2022-2023 validation datasets, respectively. In the full dataset, AUC for death was 0.984.

Conclusion

Type 2 diabetes and severity of initial hyperglycemia and acidosis are independent risk factors for Adverse Outcomes and explain the higher frequency of Adverse Outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Risks decreased in January 2022 to June 2023.
Riesgo nutricional y limitación funcional a un mes de egreso en pacientes con COVID-19 en un hospital de tercer nivel.
Authors: Avila Rozo Fabián Andrés , Pérez Cubaque José Fredy , Otalora Rivera Carolina , García Pineda Laura Camila , Checa Rubio María Esther , Medina-Parra Jorge , Merchán Chaverra Ricardo Alfonso
Published: July 2024

Introducción. El alta hospitalaria de los pacientes con COVID-19 no implica una recuperación total. El COVID prolongado afecta el 50 a 70% de los casos hospitalizados y tiene implicaciones físicas y económicas.
Objetivo. Identificar la prevalencia de limitación funcional y los factores asociados al riesgo nutricional a un mes de egreso en pacientes atendidos por COVID-19.
Metodología. Estudio descriptivo transversal realizado en adultos con COVID-19 (julio 2020 a febrero 2021), se realizó seguimiento telefónico 30 días del egreso. Se realizó un modelo de regresión logística, en el que se consideró el riesgo nutricional al ingreso hospitalario como variable dependiente y las variables clínicas del seguimiento a 30 días como factores explicativos.
Resultados. Se incluyeron 852 pacientes, 65,22% de sexo femenino con mediana de 56 años, 21.59% fueron admitidos en UCI. El modelo de regresión logística mostró que los factores asociados que se encontraron fue presentar dificultad para pasar los alimentos (OR: 5,40 [2,11 – 13,9]), tener pérdida de peso al ingreso hospitalario (OR: 2,13 [1,07 – 4,24]), presentar disminución de la fuerza (OR: 2,69 [1,63 – 4,44]) y tener dificultad para realizar actividades de la vida cotidiana (OR: 1.92 [1,03 – 3,58]).
Conclusión. La prevalencia del riesgo nutricional a los 30 días de egreso en pacientes con COVID-19 fue del 15,72%; los factores asociados que se encontraron fue presentar dificultad para pasar los alimentos, tener pérdida de peso al ingreso hospitalario, presentar disminución de la fuerza en miembros superiores e inferiores y tener dificultad para realizar actividades de la vida cotidiana.
Financiamiento: Clínicas Colsanitas y Fundación Universitaria Sanitas
Ionizing Radiation Induces Senescence and Differentiation of Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells
Authors: Havelek Radim , Soukup T. , Ćmielová J. , Seifrtová M. , Suchánek J. , Vávrová J. , Mokrý J. , Muthná D. , Řezáčová M.
Published: July 2024

Head and neck cancer is one of the most common cancers in Europe. Many current anti-cancer treatments, including ionizing radiation, induce apoptosis via DNA damage. Unfortunately, such treatments are non-selective to cancer cells and produce similar toxicity in normal cells, including adult stem cells. One of the fundamental properties of an adult stem cell is that it does not have any tissue-specific structures that allow it to perform specialized functions. However, under certain stimuli, unspecialized adult stem cells can give rise to specialized cells to generate replacements for cells that are lost during one’s life or due to injury or disease. Nevertheless, specialization of stem cells must be controlled by specific milieu and also initiated at the proper time, making the entire process beneficial for tissue recovery and maintaining it for a long time. In this paper we assess whether irradiated dental pulp stem cells have maintained open their options to mature into specialized cells, or whether they have lost their unspecialized (immature) state following irradiation. Our findings showed radiation-induced premature differentiation of dental pulp stem cells towards odonto-/osteoblast lineages in vitro. Matrix calcification was visualized from Day 6 or Day 9 following irradiation of cells expressing low or high levels of CD146, respectively.
Immunodominant Semen Proteins II: Contribution of Seminal Proteins to Female Immune Infertility
Authors: Brázdová Andrea , Vermachová M. , Zídková J. , Sénéchal H. , Poncet P. , Ulčová-Gallová Z. , Peltre G.
Published: July 2024

Seminal fluid is a protective medium for sperm, but it also represents potential immunogenic structures for the female immune system. Antiseminal antibodies may threaten early fertilization. The aim of our work is to detect and identify seminal proteins that are related to female isoimmunization. In this report, we quantified serum anti-seminal IgG antibodies. Seminal proteins were analysed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by immunoblotting. To identify IgG-binding proteins of interest, a proteomic approach was selected. The dominant seminal antigens were detected within the relative molecular mass ranging from 25 to 85 kDa and the isoelectric point from 5 to 7. The detected proteins were further identified as prostate-specific antigen, prostatic acid phosphatase, zinc-α-2-glycoprotein and zinc finger protein 778. Since these proteins were recognized by IgGs produced by infertile women and not by fertile women, we presume that major seminal antigens may play an important role in the pathogenesis of female immune infertility. Our study suggests the pattern of seminal proteins for further therapeutic attempts in the diagnosis of female immune infertility.
RHOA, SEMA3B, and CKAP2 Expression in Leukaemia of Different Types: the Results of a Pilot Experiment
Authors: Klimov Eugene A. , Selivanova N. L. , Razumnova G. I. , Rudko O. I. , Golovatenko-Abramov P. K.
Published: July 2024

The transcriptional activity of RHOA, SEMA3B, and CKAP2 genes was assessed in blood samples of leukaemia patients and healthy donors. In the blood of healthy donors, RHOA and CKAP2 gene expression was not detected, and low SEMA3B gene expression was observed. Significant elevation of expression of all the three genes was shown in the case of acute myelogenous leukaemia. In cases of remission of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndrome, no expression of all three genes was detected. The long isoform of the CKAP2 gene was highly expressed in most analysed types of leukaemia.
Fake News and Asset Price Dynamics
Authors: Mignot Sarah , Pellizzari Paolo , Westerhoff Frank
Published: July 2024

We explore the impact of fake news on asset price dynamics within the asset-pricing model of Brock and Hommes (Brock, W. A., and C. H. Hommes. 1998. “Heterogeneous Beliefs and Routes to Chaos in a Simple Asset Pricing Model.” Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control 22 (8): 1235–74). By polluting the information landscape, fake news interferes with agents’ perception of the dividend process of the risky asset. Our analysis reveals that fake news decreases the steady-state price of the risky asset by making it even more risky. Moreover, fake news increases the market share of agents who use the destabilizing technical trading rule by rendering fundamental trading more difficult and costly. Instead of converging toward its steady state, the risky asset’s price may thus be subject to wild fluctuations. As it turns out, these fluctuations are concentrated below the risky asset’s steady-state price. We also show that fake news campaigns may allow certain agents to realize fraudulent profits.
Fused deposition 3D printing of bonsai tree guiding mold based on acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer
Authors: Wang Chen , Li Jingyao , Wang Tianyi , Chu Qing , Wang Xiaowen
Published: July 2024

Bonsai is a kind of classical art in China and Japan. The traditional method of bonsai shaping of miniature trees is technical and usually requires experienced horticulturists to successfully carry out the process. In order to let ordinary people feel the fun of bonsai shaping, this paper proposes a fast bonsai shaping method, i.e., by use of a plastic guiding mold with customized shape, which is processed by fused deposition 3D printing technology. The tree seedling is bundled onto the mold, and the shape of the mold guides the growth of the tree seedling, thus achieving the purpose of bonsai shaping. In order to further improve the bending properties of the bonsai guiding mold, this paper investigated the main 3D printing parameters of ABS filament. The results showed that with the decrease of printing speed, the increase of extrusion temperature, and the increase of hot bed temperature, the bending strength and elastic modulus of ABS specimens increased, and the bending properties was enhanced; the optimal printing speed was 50 mm/s, the extrusion temperature was 230 °C, and the hot bed temperature was 80 °C. The mechanical properties of the bonsai guiding mold manufactured based on the optimal process parameters were better, the print quality was higher, and it had high practical value.
Mental Health a Policing Challenge for the United Kingdom and the Netherlands
Authors: O’Hagan Andrew , Quinn Lola
Published: July 2024

Mental health is becoming a serious problem. Statistically, one in four people in the United Kingdom experience a mental illness annually. Countries throughout Europe and indeed the World are also experiencing crisis relating to mentally ill patients. The United Kingdom and the Netherlands are two such countries. It has been noted by police forces within the Netherlands that many people experiencing a mental health problem will commit petty crime in which the police have to deal with. Within the Netherlands, an epidemiological study reveals the truths behind what the police have to deal with along with how they deal with the mentally ill. This is then used to compare to how the United Kingdom’s Police Forces deal with the mentally ill so that police in the Netherlands can deal with the crisis more efficiently and rapidly.
Defendant’s Mens rea or Attractiveness: Which Influences Mock Juror Decisions?
Authors: Taylor Sandie , Lui Yeun ling , Workman Lance
Published: July 2024

Mock juror studies have been used to help elucidate our understanding of how people come to make decisions concerning the extent of guilt of an accused. One area of debate concerns the relative merits of evidential and non-evidential information in this decision making process. In the current study, 155 (79 males, 74 females) participants read one of three versions of a fictitious transcript of a theft/handling court case, varying in the defendant’s intent only (but indirectly addressing differences of motive). A photograph of the defendant, attractive or unattractive, was attached to each transcript. ‘Mock jurors’ made decisions of extent of guilt, sentence and probability of intent. Results indicate a significant difference for the variable of intent for extent of guilt (F(2,135)=3.799, p<0.05), sentence (F(2,135)=7.438, p<0.001) and probability of intent (F(2,135)=4.993, p<0.01). No attractive-leniency effect was found for extent of guilt (F(1,135)=0.069, p>0.05), sentence (F(1,135)=0.107, p>0.05) and probability of intent (F(1,135)=0.377, p>0.05). Equally no sex of juror difference was found for extent of guilt (F(1,135)=0.001, p>0.05), sentence (F(1,135)=0.292, p>0.05) and probability of intent (F(1,135)=0.028, p>0.05). As intent increased, mock jurors were less lenient (ignoring the motive for the act). They appear to give the benefit of the doubt to the defendant who pleads not guilty, even when the only evidential information missing is admittance to theft/handling despite detail consistency across transcripts.
Understanding the psychopath: investigative strategies. a follow-up on understanding the violent personality: antisocial personality disorder, psychopathy, & sociopathy explored (Johnson, 2019)
Authors: Johnson Scott Allen
Published: July 2024

Identifying and dealing with the psychopathic offender is challenging. Psychopathic individuals live lives that can be chronically unstable on one extreme to appearing stable on the other. Their anti social behavior may or may not have been revealed as they are good at not getting caught for their criminal behavior or at least at times not caught for several years or even decades of engaging in deviant and antisocial behavior. Psychopaths are callous and engage in the remorseless use of others and live a chronically antisocial lifestyle. The psychopath has the job of fooling investigators, of effectively blaming victims, and of portraying themselves in a favorable light. The goal for investigators is to pay attention to the indicators of a lack of emotionality and a sense of faking emotional reactions as well as to paying attention to the language the offender uses. This article updates what we have learned about psychopaths.1 Certain personality factors have been correlated to violence in general, including sex crimes. Those with personality traits including, but not limited to narcissism, antisocial, psychopathic and other deviant traits may simply not be concerned with the risks involved in violent crime or may become aroused to hurting or taking advantage of other and to the risk of getting caught. In addition, such individuals may give little if any regard to the consequences or punishments for their behavior.2s,3 Those who engage in the more severe form of psychological abuse of gaslighting appear more likely to present with psychopathic traits: high degrees of cunningness, being able to calmly con others (lie, manipulate- even towards law enforcement), and their apparent lower degree of anxiety or fear expressed when others are present.
Diabetic nephropathy: Current treatments and tissue engineering strategies
Authors: Bill Tawil , William Kwak
Published: July 2024

Kidney complications are extremely common in diabetic patients, affecting around 40% of those with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and is the leading cause of end-stage kidney disease. Due to increasingly processed foods and sedentary habits, diabetic nephropathy (DN) continues to grow in prevalence all over the world. In just the 21st century alone, the number of cases for chronic kidney disease nearly doubled. Kidney complications come in many forms such as hyperglycemia, glomerulosclerosis, proteinuria, and hypertension to name a few. Despite the severity of DN, a cure does not currently exist. At the later stages of diabetic nephropathy, dialysis and renal transplantation remain the only options and even the most advanced tissue engineering products have just entered early clinical trials. This paper provides an overview of the underlying causes of DN, a list of current treatments, and tissue engineering products in development.