bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Existential aspects documented in older people’s patient records in the context of specialized palliative care: a retrospective review
Authors: Sjöberg Marina , Rasmussen Birgit H. , Edberg Anna-Karin , Beck Ingela
Published: November 2022

Background

Documentation of older people’s end-of-life care should cover the care given and provide an overview of their entire situation. Older people approaching the end of life often have complex symptoms, live with bodily losses, and face an unknown future in which existential aspects come to the forefront. Knowledge of the existential aspects recorded in palliative care documentation is sparse and merits improvement. This knowledge is relevant to the development of more holistic documentation and is necessary in order to promote reflection on and discussion of documentation of the sensitive existential considerations arising in palliative care. The aim of this study was to describe the documentation of existential aspects in the patient records of older people receiving specialized palliative care.

Methods

Data were obtained from a retrospective review of the free-text notes in 84 records of randomly selected patients aged ≥75 years enrolled in specialized palliative care units who died in 2017. The notes were analysed using an inductive qualitative content analysis.

Results

The notes documented existential aspects in terms of connotations of well-being and ill-being. Documented existential aspects were related to the patients’ autonomy concerning loss of freedom and self-determination, social connectedness concerning loneliness and communion, emotional state concerning anxiety and inner peace, and state of being concerning despair and hope. The notes on existential aspects were, however, not recorded in a structured way and no care plans related to existential aspects were found.

Conclusions

Existential aspects concerning both ill-being and well-being were sparsely and unsystematically documented in older people’s patient records, but when notes were extracted from these records and analysed, patterns became evident. Existential aspects form an important basis for delivering person-centred palliative care. There is a need to develop structured documentation concerning existential aspects; otherwise, patients’ thoughts and concerns may remain unknown to healthcare professionals.
A community based study on haemoglobinopathies and G6PD deficiency among particularly vulnerable tribal groups in hard-to-reach malaria endemic areas of Odisha, India: implications on malaria control
Authors: Dixit Sujata , Das Arundhuti , Rana Ramakanta , Khuntia Hemant K. , Ota Akhil B. , Pati Sanghamitra , Bal Madhusmita , Ranjit Manoranjan
Published: November 2022

Background

Haemoglobinopathies and G6PD deficiency are inherited disorders found mostly in malaria-endemic areas among different tribal groups of India. However, epidemiological data specific to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), important for planning and implementing malaria programmes, is limited. Therefore, the present community-based study aimed to assess the prevalence of haemoglobinopathies and G6PD deficiency among the 13 PVTGs found in the state of Odisha, reporting the maximum malaria cases in the country.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2018 to February 2019 in 12 districts, home to all 13 PVTGs, in an estimated sample size of 1461, selected two-stage sampling method. Detection of haemoglobinopathies was done by the variant analyser. Screening of G6PD deficiency was carried out using DPIP method followed by quantification using spectrophotometry. The PCR–RFLP technology was used to determine variant of G6PD deficiency and haplotype analysis of sickle cell, while ARMS-PCR and GAP-PCR was used for detecting the mutation pattern in β-thalassaemia and α-thalassaemia respectively. The diagnosis of malaria was done by Pf-PAN RDT as point of care, followed by nPCR for confirmation and Plasmodium species identification.

Results

The prevalence of sickle cell heterozygotes (AS) was 3.4%, sickle cell homozygous (SS) 0.1%, β-thalassaemia heterozygotes 0.3%, HbS/β-thalassaemia compound heterozygote 0.07%, HbS-α-thalassaemia 2.1%, G6PD deficiency 3.2% and malaria 8.1%. Molecular characterization of βS revealed the presence of Arab-Indian haplotype in all HbS cases and IVS 1–5 G → C mutation in all β-thalassaemia cases. In case of α-thal, αα/α-3.7 gene deletion was most frequent (38%), followed by αα/α-4.2 (18%) and α-3.7/α-3.7 (4%). The frequency of G6PD Orissa (131C → G) mutation was found to be 97.9% and G6PD Mediterranean (563C → T) 2.1%. Around 57.4% of G6PD deficient individuals and 16% of the AS were found to be malaria positive.

Conclusion

The present study reveals wide spread prevalence of sickle cell anaemia, α-thalassaemia, G6PD deficiency and malaria in the studied population. Moderate to high prevalence of G6PD deficiency and malaria warrants G6PD testing before treating with primaquine (PQ) for radical cure of Plasmodium vivax. Screening and counselling for HbS is required for the PVTGs of Odisha.
Intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) MRI in pediatric patients with synovitis of the knee joint: a prospective pilot study
Authors: Huch Britta , Stumpf Kilian , Bracher Anna-Katinka , Rasche Volker , Vogele Daniel , Schütz Catharina , Janda Aleš , Beer Meinrad , Neubauer Henning
Published: November 2022

Background

Diagnosing synovial inflammation by administration of gadolinium-based contrast agents is limited by invasiveness and possible side effects, especially in children and adolescents.

Purpose

We investigated diagnostic accuracy of diffusion-weighted (DWI) MRI with intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) imaging compared to contrast-enhanced MRI for detecting synovitis of the knee in a population of pediatrics and young adults. In addition we compared quantitative measures of synovial diffusion and perfusion to a group of healthy volunteers.

Methods

In this prospective study, 8 pediatric patients with 10 symptomatic knees (6 girls and 2 boys, mean age 13 years) with known or suspected synovitis underwent pre- and post-contrast 3.0 T MRI of the knee joint and additional DWI sequences between October 2016 and July 2019. For comparison we enrolled 5 healthy young adults (2 women and 3 men, median age 27 years) with contrast-free MRI of both knees. Post-contrast T1w images and DWI images at b = 1000s/mm2 with apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps of patients were separately rated by two independent and blinded readers with different levels of experience for the presence or absence and degree of synovitis along with the level of confidence. We measured signal intensity on DWI of synovium, joint effusion and muscle with regions of interests and calculated the IVIM-parameters tissue diffusion coefficient (D) and perfusion fraction (f) for patients and volunteers.

Results

All patients showed at least some synovial contrast enhancement, 8 (80%) children knees were diagnosed with synovitis on contrast-enhanced (= ce)-T1w, the diagnostic standard. Ratings by the first and second reader on ce-T1w and DWI showed full agreement (kappa = 1) in diagnosing synovitis and substantial agreement (k = 0,655) for the degree of synovial enhancement. Interobserver agreement on DWI showed fair agreement (k = 0,220) between both readers. Diagnostic confidence was lower on DWI. Mean D- and f-values of muscle was comparable between patients and volunteers. Effusion mean D was higher, mean f was lower, synovial mean D was lower, mean f higher in patients than in volunteers. All differences were statistically significant (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Diffusion-weighted MRI with IVIM imaging remains a promising, though reader-dependent alternative to i.v. contrast-enhanced imaging in pediatric patients to reliably diagnose, or rule out, synovitis of the knee joint. We detected significantly restricted synovial diffusion and increased perfusion in patients compared to healthy volunteers.

Trial registration

Ethical Comitee University Hospital Ulm, Nr. 320/16.
Long-acting reversible contraceptives use among adolescent girls and young women in high fertility countries in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Sambah Francis , Aboagye Richard Gyan , Seidu Abdul-Aziz , Tengan Charles Lwanga , Salihu Tarif , Ahinkorah Bright Opoku
Published: November 2022

Background

Given the instrumental role long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) play in reducing unintended pregnancies, there is a need to understand the factors that predict their use among adolescent girls and young women in high fertility countries. Our study examined the prevalence and predictors of LARCs use among adolescent girls and young women in high fertility countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Materials and methods

We pooled data from the women’s files of the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) from 2010 to 2020 of the top ten high fertility countries in sub-Saharan Africa, which are part of the DHS programme. The total sample was 5854 sexually active adolescent girls and young women aged 15–24 who were using modern contraceptives at the time of the survey. Descriptive and multilevel logistic regression models were used in the analyses. The results were presented using percentages and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with their respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

At the descriptive level, the overall prevalence of LARCs utilisation was 17.6% in the ten countries, with the lowest of 1.7% in Angola and the highest of 55.8% in Mali. Adolescent girls and young women who were married had a lower likelihood of LARCs utilisation than those who were never married [AOR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.45, 0.88]. Adolescent girls and young women who wanted no more children had higher odds of LARCs use compared to those who wanted more children [AOR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.09, 2.26]. Adolescent girls and young women with one to three births [AOR = 6.42, 95% CI = 4.27, 9.67], and those with four or more births [AOR = 7.02, 95% CI = 3.88, 12.67] were more likely to use LARCs compared to those who had no children. Countries in sub-Saharan Africa with lower probability of utilizing LARCs were Angola, Niger and Mozambique, whereas adolescent girls and young women in Mali had higher probability of utilizing LARCs.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that LARCs utilisation among adolescent girls and young women is low in high fertility countries in sub-Saharan Africa. To reduce the rates of unplanned pregnancies and induced abortions, it is imperative that adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa are educated on the advantages of utilising LARCs. Additionally, governments, policymakers, and stakeholders in sub-Saharan Africa should raise awareness by executing health promotion measures to enhance the demand for LARCs among adolescent girls and young women. Achieving these would not only prevent unplanned pregnancies and induced abortions, but also help meet the United Nation’s health and well being for all as enshrined in Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 5.
Daphnoretin relieves IL-1β-mediated chondrocytes apoptosis via repressing endoplasmic reticulum stress and NLRP3 inflammasome
Authors: Zhou Jianbo , Wang Qinzhi
Published: November 2022

Background

Osteoarthritis (OA), mainly caused by severe joint degeneration, is often accompanied by joint pain and dysfunction syndrome. Inflammatory mediators and apoptosis play key roles in the evolution of OA. It is reported that daphnoretin has significant antiviral and anti-tumor values. The present study aims at investigating the role of daphnoretin in OA.

Methods

The OA mouse model was constructed by performing the destabilization of the medial meniscus through surgery, and the OA cell model was induced in ATDC5 chondrocytes with IL-1β (10 ng/mL) in vitro. Chondrocyte viability and apoptosis were measured by 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo (-z-y1)-3,5-di-phenytetrazoliumromide (MTT), Caspase-3 activity, and flow cytometry. The levels of COX-2, iNOS, TNF-α, IL-6, Bax, Bcl2, cleaved-Caspase3, endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) proteins (GRP78, CHOP, ATF6, and Caspase-12), and NLRP3-ASC-Caspase1 inflammasome were determined by quantitative real-time PCR or western blot. The concentrations of TNF-α, IL-6, and PGE2 were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The content of nitrates was detected by the Griess method. In vivo, morphologic differences in knee joint sections and the thickness of the subchondral bone density plate in mice were observed by hematoxylin–eosin (H&E) staining and safranin O-fast green staining.

Results

Daphnoretin effectively choked IL-1β-induced chondrocyte apoptosis and facilitated cell viability. Daphnoretin dose-dependently abated ERS, inflammatory mediators, and the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes in IL-1β-induced chondrocytes. What’s more, in vivo experiments confirmed that daphnoretin alleviated OA progression in a murine OA model by mitigating inflammation and ERS.

Conclusion

Daphnoretin alleviated IL-1β-induced chondrocyte apoptosis by hindering ERS and NLRP3 inflammasome.

Graphical abstract
Association between serum ferritin and bone mineral density in US adults
Authors: Peng Peng , Xiao Fangjun , Gao Shihua , Fang Weihua , Lin Tianye , He Wei , Wei Qiushi
Published: November 2022

Background

The association between serum ferritin and bone mineral density (BMD) is still controversial. This study aims to investigate the association of serum ferritin level with BMD in US adults.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study consisting of 8445 participants from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Serum ferritin and lumbar spine BMD were used as independent variables and dependent variables, respectively. We evaluated the association between serum ferritin and lumbar spine BMD through a weighted multivariable linear regression model. Subgroup and interaction analysis was also performed in this study.

Results

After adjusting for other confounding factors, serum ferritin was negatively correlated with lumbar spine BMD [β =  − 0.090, 95% CI (− 0.135, − 0.045)]. Further subgroup analysis found that the strongest negative association mainly exists in females aged over 45 years [β =  − 0.169, 95% CI (− 0.259, − 0.079)], and this association is not significant in other groups.

Conclusions

The results found that the association between serum ferritin and lumber spine BMD differed by gender and age. Increased level of serum ferritin may indicate a higher risk of osteoporosis or osteopenia in females aged over 45 years.
An alternative posterior ascending pulmonary artery treatment in lobectomy with inflammatory lymph node infiltration
Authors: Iijima Yoshihito , Ishikawa Masahito , Iwai Shun , Yamagata Aika , Motono Nozomu , Yamada Sohsuke , Uramoto Hidetaka
Published: November 2022

Background

Lobectomy may be a challenging treatment option in lung cancer with inflammatory lymph node infiltration. Moreover, the en-masse lobectomy technique, which involves the simultaneous ligation or stapling of pulmonary vessels and bronchi at the hilar area, is controversial.

Case presentation

We report the case of a 75-year-old woman who presented with lung cancer and lymph node infiltration from the posterior ascending pulmonary artery (A2) to the superior pulmonary artery (A6). A nodule was observed in her right upper lobe on chest computed tomography while treating her for a myocardial infarction 3 months prior; hence, a radical lobectomy was planned. Her main pulmonary artery could be constricted using surgical tape, but this was not possible in the peripheral pulmonary artery of the ascending A2 due to widespread lymph node infiltration. Intraoperative frozen sections confirmed the absence of metastases in the hilar lymph nodes. Pulmonary angioplasty was aborted because the cardiac function had not fully recovered from the previous procedure. The ascending A2 and upper lobe bronchus were collectively treated using an auto-stapler. Two months postoperatively, computed tomography showed no pulmonary artery aneurysm.

Conclusions

This report highlights that the en-masse technique may be recommended as an alternative for A2 treatment during lobectomy in cases with inflammatory lymph node infiltration. Surgeons should consider switching to thoracotomy, in such cases, to avoid fatal intraoperative complications.
Molecular combing and its application in clinical settings
Authors: Wang Yiping , Kumar Kishore Ramesh , Liehr Thomas
Published: November 2022

Molecular combing technology (MCT) is an effective means for stretching DNA molecules and making them thus accessible for in situ studies. MCT uses the force exerted in the process of liquid flow via surface tension to stretch DNA molecules and spread them on solid surfaces, i.e. glass cover slips. Many DNA molecules can be stretched at the same time in parallel and neatly arranged side-by-side, making the approach convenient for statistical analysis. Accordingly, DNA replication and transcription can be studied at the single molecule level. In this paper, the principle, experimental methods, important applications, advantages and shortcuts of MCT in medical field are presented and discussed.
A randomised controlled trial to compare clinical and cost-effectiveness of an online parent-led treatment for child anxiety problems with usual care in the context of COVID-19 delivered in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in the UK (Co-CAT): a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Taylor Lucy , Giles Sophie , Howitt Sophie , Ryan Zoe , Brooks Emma , Radley Lucy , Thomson Abigail , Whitaker Emily , Knight Fauzia , Hill Claire , Violato Mara , Waite Polly , Raymont Vanessa , Yu Ly-Mee , Harris Victoria , Williams Nicola , Creswell Cathy
Published: November 2022

Background

In the context of COVID-19, NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and other children’s mental health services have faced major challenges in providing psychological treatments that (i) work when delivered remotely and (ii) can be delivered efficiently to manage increases in referrals as social distancing measures have been relaxed. Anxiety problems are a common reason for referral to CAMHS, children with pre-existing anxiety problems are particularly vulnerable in the context of COVID-19, and there were concerns about increases in childhood anxiety as schools reopened. The proposed research will evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a brief online parent-led cognitive behavioural treatment (CBT) delivered by the OSI (Online Support and Intervention for child anxiety) platform with remote support from a CAMHS therapist compared to ‘COVID-19 treatment as usual’ (C-TAU) in CAMHS and other children’s mental health services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

We will conduct a two-arm, multi-site, randomised controlled non-inferiority trial to evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of OSI with therapist support compared to CAMHS and other child mental health services ‘COVID-19 treatment as usual’ (C-TAU) during the COVID-19 outbreak and to explore parent and therapists’ experiences.

Discussion

If non-inferiority is shown, the research will provide (1) a solution for efficient psychological treatment for child anxiety disorders while social distancing (for the COVID-19 context and future pandemics); (2) an efficient means of treatment delivery as ‘normal service’ resumes to enable CAMHS to cope with the anticipated increase in referrals; and (3) a demonstration of rapid, high-quality evaluation and application of online interventions within NHS CAMHS to drive forward much-needed further digital innovation and evaluation in CAMHS settings. The primary beneficiaries will be children with anxiety disorders and their families, NHS CAMHS teams, and commissioners who will access a potentially effective, cost-effective, and efficient treatment for child anxiety problems.

Trial registration

ISRCTN ISRCTN12890382. Registered prospectively on 23 October 2020.
Adaptation of a microbial community to demand-oriented biological methanation
Authors: Khesali Aghtaei Hoda , Püttker Sebastian , Maus Irena , Heyer Robert , Huang Liren , Sczyrba Alexander , Reichl Udo , Benndorf Dirk
Published: November 2022

Background

Biological conversion of the surplus of renewable electricity and carbon dioxide (CO2) from biogas plants to biomethane (CH4) could support energy storage and strengthen the power grid. Biological methanation (BM) is linked closely to the activity of biogas-producingBacteriaand methanogenicArchaea. During reactor operations, the microbiome is often subject to various changes, e.g., substrate limitation or pH-shifts, whereby the microorganisms are challenged to adapt to the new conditions. In this study, various process parameters including pH value, CH4production rate, conversion yields and final gas composition were monitored for a hydrogenotrophic-adapted microbial community cultivated in a laboratory-scale BM reactor. To investigate the robustness of the BM process regarding power oscillations, the biogas microbiome was exposed to five hydrogen (H2)-feeding regimes lasting several days.

Results

Applying various “on–off” H2-feeding regimes, the CH4production rate recovered quickly, demonstrating a significant resilience of the microbial community. Analyses of the taxonomic composition of the microbiome revealed a high abundance of the bacterial phylaFirmicutes,BacteroidotaandThermotogotafollowed by hydrogenotrophicArchaeaof the phylumMethanobacteriota. Homo-acetogenic and heterotrophic fermentingBacteriaformed a complex food web with methanogens. The abundance of the methanogenicArchaearoughly doubled during discontinuous H2-feeding, which was related mainly to an increase in acetoclasticMethanothrixspecies. Results also suggested thatBacteriafeeding on methanogens could reduce overall CH4production. On the other hand, using inactive biomass as a substrate could support the growth of methanogenicArchaea. During the BM process, the additional production of H2by fermentingBacteriaseemed to support the maintenance of hydrogenotrophic methanogens at non-H2-feeding phases. Besides the elusive role ofMethanothrixduring the H2-feeding phases, acetate consumption and pH maintenance at the non-feeding phase can be assigned to this species.

Conclusions

Taken together, the high adaptive potential of microbial communities contributes to the robustness of BM processes during discontinuous H2-feeding and supports the commercial use of BM processes for energy storage. Discontinuous feeding strategies could be used to enrich methanogenicArchaeaduring the establishment of a microbial community for BM. Both findings could contribute to design and improve BM processes from lab to pilot scale.
Universal clinical Parkinson’s disease axes identify a major influence of neuroinflammation
Authors: Sandor Cynthia , Millin Stephanie , Dahl Andrew , Schalkamp Ann-Kathrin , Lawton Michael , Hubbard Leon , Rahman Nabila , Williams Nigel , Ben-Shlomo Yoav , Grosset Donald G. , Hu Michele T. , Marchini Jonathan , Webber Caleb
Published: November 2022

Background

There is large individual variation in both clinical presentation and progression between Parkinson’s disease patients. Generation of deeply and longitudinally phenotyped patient cohorts has enormous potential to identify disease subtypes for prognosis and therapeutic targeting.

Methods

Replicating across three large Parkinson’s cohorts (Oxford Discovery cohort (n = 842)/Tracking UK Parkinson’s study (n = 1807) and Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (n = 472)) with clinical observational measures collected longitudinally over 5–10 years, we developed a Bayesian multiple phenotypes mixed model incorporating genetic relationships between individuals able to explain many diverse clinical measurements as a smaller number of continuous underlying factors (“phenotypic axes”).

Results

When applied to disease severity at diagnosis, the most influential of three phenotypic axes “Axis 1” was characterised by severe non-tremor motor phenotype, anxiety and depression at diagnosis, accompanied by faster progression in cognitive function measures. Axis 1 was associated with increased genetic risk of Alzheimer’s disease and reduced CSF Aβ1-42 levels. As observed previously for Alzheimer’s disease genetic risk, and in contrast to Parkinson’s disease genetic risk, the loci influencing Axis 1 were associated with microglia-expressed genes implicating neuroinflammation. When applied to measures of disease progression for each individual, integration of Alzheimer’s disease genetic loci haplotypes improved the accuracy of progression modelling, while integrating Parkinson’s disease genetics did not.

Conclusions

We identify universal axes of Parkinson’s disease phenotypic variation which reveal that Parkinson’s patients with high concomitant genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease are more likely to present with severe motor and non-motor features at baseline and progress more rapidly to early dementia.
A desmoid tumor with fluorodeoxyglucose accumulation arising from the anastomotic site of postoperative gastric cancer: a case report
Authors: Kawashima Kento , Hiramatsu Kazuhiro , Kato Takehito , Fukaya Masahide , Aoba Taro , Arimoto Atsuki , Yamaguchi Takayuki
Published: November 2022

Background

Desmoid tumors are extremely rare borderline benign and malignant tumors that do not exhibit accumulation on fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography–computed tomography. In the present study, we report a rare case of a desmoid tumor with fluorodeoxyglucose accumulation at the anastomotic postoperative gastric cancer site.

Case presentation

A 68-year-old Japanese man underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for early-stage gastric cancer in 2019. The pathological diagnosis was stage IA cancer, and no adjuvant chemotherapy was administered. Two years after surgery, a soft mass appeared on the greater curvature side of the anastomosis on computed tomography. Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography–computed tomography revealed fluorodeoxyglucose accumulation, which suggested a malignancy; therefore, surgery was performed for diagnostic treatment. The histopathological findings led to the diagnosis of a desmoid tumor. The patient has not experienced recurrence to date.

Conclusions

In the present study, we encountered a desmoid tumor arising from the anastomotic site of a postoperative gastric cancer. This case is rare as fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography–computed tomography showed fluorodeoxyglucose accumulation in the desmoid tumor, and a preoperative diagnosis could not be reached. We hope that further studies will improve the accuracy of preoperative diagnosis.
Insufficiency fracture of the supra-acetabulum that required differentiation from a pathological fracture secondary to a malignant bone tumor: a case report
Authors: Morinaga Sei , Yamamoto Norio , Hayashi Katsuhiro , Takeuchi Akihiko , Miwa Shinji , Igarashi Kentaro , Yonezawa Hirotaka , Asano Yohei , Saito Shiro , Tsuchiya Hiroyuki
Published: November 2022

Background

The supra-acetabulum is a common site for malignant bone tumors, which can be difficult to differentiate from insufficiency fractures. We report a rare case of a stress fracture of the supra-acetabulum that required differentiation from a malignant bone tumor.

Case presentation

A 74-year-old Japanese man presented to the hospital because of right hip joint pain. X-rays showed no obvious abnormalities. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an abnormality in the right supra-acetabulum, and he was referred to our department. A linear, low-signal region and its surrounding equal signal region were observed at the same site in the T1-weighted image, and a linear low-signal region and high signal region were observed in the surrounding area in the T2-weighted image. On the contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, the lesion was still unclear and the whole area was gradually enhanced. A computed tomography-guided needle biopsy was performed, but no tumor cells were observed, therefore the lesion was presumed to be a fracture healing. The bone density was 66% for the lumbar spine (young adult mean, L2–4), and blood biochemistry showed an increase in alkaline phosphatase and total type I procollagen N-terminal propeptide.

Conclusion

This case was diagnosed as an insufficiency fracture of the supra-acetabulum in a male patient with primary osteoporosis by biopsy specimen. Initially, a pathological fracture associated with a malignant lesion was considered. On magnetic resonance imaging, the boundary around the fracture line was unclear and a signal change that was gradually enhanced by gadolinium was observed. This is likely to be bone marrow edema associated with the stress fracture, and we believe this to be a useful finding that may help in differentiating a stress fracture from a pathological fracture secondary to a malignant lesion.
Sustainable energy recovery from thermal processes: a review
Authors: Chen Weidong , Huang Zhifeng , Chua Kian Jon
Published: November 2022

Background

With the increasing concerns on the energy shortage and carbon emission issues worldwide, sustainable energy recovery from thermal processes is consistently attracting extensive attention. Nowadays, a significant amount of usable thermal energy is wasted and not recovered worldwide every year. Meanwhile, discharging the wasted thermal energy often causes environmental hazards. Significant social and ecological impacts will be achieved if waste thermal energy can be effectively harnessed and reused. Hence, this study aims to provide a comprehensive review on the sustainable energy recovery from thermal processes, contributing to achieving energy security, environmental sustainability, and a low-carbon future.

Main text

To better understand the development of waste thermal energy utilization, this paper reviews the sustainable thermal energy sources and current waste energy recovery technologies, considering both waste heat and cold energy. The main waste heat sources are prime movers, renewable heat energy, and various industrial activities. Different waste heat recovery technologies to produce electricity, heating, and cooling are analyzed based on the types and temperatures of the waste heat sources. The typical purposes for waste heat energy utilization are power generation, spacing cooling, domestic heating, dehumidification, and heat storage. In addition, the performance of different waste heat recovery systems in multigeneration systems is introduced. The cold energy from the liquified natural gas (LNG) regasification process is one of the main waste cold sources. The popular LNG cold energy recovery strategies are power generation, combined cooling and power, air separation, cryogenic CO2 capture, and cold warehouse. Furthermore, the existing challenges on the waste thermal energy utilization technologies are analyzed. Finally, potential prospects are discussed to provide greater insights for future works on waste thermal energy utilization.

Conclusions

Novel heat utilization materials and advanced heat recovery cycles are the key factors for the development of waste high-temperature energy utilization. Integrated systems with multiply products show significant application potential in waste thermal energy recovery. In addition, thermal energy storage and transportation are essential for the utilization of harnessed waste heat energy. In contrast, the low recovery rate, low utilization efficiency, and inadequate assessment are the main obstacles for the waste cold energy recovery systems.
In vitro antibacterial, antioxidant activities, molecular docking, and ADMET analysis of phytochemicals from roots of Hydnora johannis
Authors: Degfie Teshome , Endale Milkyas , Tafese Tarekegn , Dekebo Aman , Shenkute Kebede
Published: November 2022

Hydnora johannisis a medicinal plant traditionally used to treat various ailments. Chemical investigation of the dichloromethane (DCM)/methanol (MeOH) (1:1) roots extract ofHydnora johannisafforded three compounds (1–3), reported herein for the first time from the species. The structures of the isolated compounds1–3were elucidated using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis and comparison with literature data. The highest zone of inhibition value was measured for DCM/MeOH extract (10.75 ± 0.25 mm) againstStaphylococcus aureusat concentration of 0.25 mg/mL, promising in comparison to the standard amoxicillin (16.0 ± 0.0 mm, 0.25 mg/mL). At concentration of 0.25 mg/mL, the largest mean inhibition zone of 12.0 ± 0.0 mm was measured for compound2againstPseudomonas aeruginosa, comparable to the standard drug amoxicillin (16.0 ± 0.0 mm, 0.25 mg/mL). Compound2displayed better binding affinity with minimum binding energy of − 8.7 kcal/mol (PqsA), − 7.6 kcal/mol (DNA gyrase), and − 7.4 kcal/mol (S aureusPK) than amoxicillin (− 7.3, − 6.1, and − 7.0 kcal/mol, respectively). This suggests that compound2may act as potential inhibitor of the tested bacterial proteins. Compound1satisfies the Lipinski’s rule of five with zero violations. Compound2obey the MW (452.4 g/mol) and iLogP (< 5) rules, and compound3obey the NHD (4) and NHA (6) rules. Compounds2recorded iLogP value less enough than five (1.55), implying its optimal lipophilicity. Compounds1and3satisfy the veber’s rule (NRB < 12, and TPSA < 140 unit). Compound2and3exhibited negligible acute toxicity (LD50 > 5000, Toxicity class > 5. Compound2demonstrated maximum scavenging activity (67.87%) with IC50value of 0.190 µg/mL, compared to ascorbic acid (78.21%) with IC50value of 0.014 µg/mL at concentration of 12.5 µg/mL. Overall, the in vitro antibacterial activity of the extracts and compounds, molecular docking analysis and radical scavenging activity results of the isolated compounds suggest DCM/MeOH crude extract and compound2are promising antibacterial agents whereas compound2and3are promising antioxidants which corroborates with the traditional uses of the roots ofH. johannis.
FMO3 deficiency of duck leads to decreased lipid deposition and increased antibacterial activity
Authors: Li Xingzheng , Song Jianlou , Shi Xuefeng , Huang Mingyi , Liu Lei , Yi Guoqiang , Yang Ning , Xu Guiyun , Zheng Jiangxia
Published: November 2022

Background

Most duck eggs possess a fishy odor, indicating that ducks generally exhibit impaired trimethylamine (TMA) metabolism. TMA accumulation is responsible for this unpleasant odor, and TMA metabolism plays an essential role in trimethylaminuria (TMAU), also known as fish odor syndrome. In this study, we focused on the unusual TMA metabolism mechanism in ducks, and further explored the unclear reasons leading to the debilitating TMA metabolism.

Methods

To achieve this, transcriptome, proteome, and metagenome analyses were first integrated based on the constructed duck populations with high and low TMA metabolism abilities. Additionally, further experiments were conducted to validate the hypothesis regarding the limited flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3) metabolism ability of ducks.

Results

The study demonstrated that liver FMO3 and cecal microbes, including Akkermansia and Mucispirillum, participated in TMA metabolism in ducks. The limited oxidation ability of FMO3 explains the weakening of TMA metabolism in ducks. Nevertheless, it decreases lipid deposition and increases antibacterial activity, contributing to its survival and reproduction during the evolutionary adaptation process.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated the function of FMO3 and intestinal microbes in regulating TMA metabolism and illustrated the biological significance of FMO3 impairment in ducks.
Blood neutrophil extracellular traps: a novel target for the assessment of mammary health in transition dairy cows
Authors: Jiang Luyi , Sun Huizeng , Gu Fengfei , He Jin , Zhao Fengqi , Liu Jianxin
Published: November 2022

Background

Mammary health is important for transition dairy cows and has been well recognized to exert decisive effects on animal welfare. However, the factors influencing mammary health are still unclear. Differential somatic cell count (DSCC) could reflect the mastitis risk since it is the percentage of neutrophils plus lymphocytes in total somatic cells and could be reflective of mammary health of dairy cows. This work aimed to investigate the assessment and prognosis of the health of transition cows based on blood neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs).

Results

Eighty-four transition Holstein dairy cows were selected. The serum was sampled in all the animals at week 1 pre- and postpartum, and milk was sampled at week 1 postpartum. Based on the DSCC in milk at week 1, cows with lower (7.4% ± 4.07%, n = 15) and higher (83.3% ± 1.21%, n = 15) DSCCs were selected. High DSCC cows had higher levels of red blood cell counts (P < 0.05), hemoglobin (P = 0.07), and hematocrit (P = 0.05), higher concentrations of serum oxidative variables [(reactive oxygen species (P < 0.05), malondialdehyde (P < 0.05), protein carbonyl (P < 0.05), and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (P = 0.07)], higher levels of serum and milk NETs (P < 0.05) and blood-milk barrier indicators, including serum β-casein (P = 0.05) and milk immunoglobulin G2 (P = 0.09), than those of low DSCC cows. In addition, lower concentrations of serum nutrient metabolites (cholesterol and albumin) (P < 0.05) and a lower level of serum deoxyribonuclease I (P = 0.09) were observed in high DSCC cows than in low DSCC cows. Among the assessments performed using levels of the three prepartum serum parameters (NETs, deoxyribonuclease I and β-casein), the area under the curve (0.973) of NETs was the highest. In addition, the sensitivity (1.00) and specificity (0.93) were observed for the discrimination of these cows using NETs levels with a critical value of 32.2 ng/mL (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The formation of NETs in blood in transition dairy cows may damage the integrity of the blood-milk barrier and thereby increase the risk for mastitis in postpartum cows.
Body composition and energy expenditure in anorexia nervosa: preliminary data of outpatients with recovering and active disease
Authors: dos Reis Tâmara Oliveira , de Magalhães Oliveira Fernanda , Kattah Fabiana Martins , Pena Natalia Fenner , Soares Maria Marta Sarquis , da Gama Torres Henrique Oswaldo
Published: November 2022

Background

In Anorexia Nervosa (AN) recovery, body mass index (BMI) may not reflect body composition. To investigate recovery, bioelectrical impedance (BIA) parameters and energy expenditure were investigated in patients with active and recovering AN, with emphasis on phase angle (PA), a BIA parameter.

Methods

BMI, PA, indirect BIA parameters (fat free mass, fat mass, total body water, fat free mass index, fat mass index) and resting metabolic rate (RMR) were obtained. Data from subjects distributed to active AN (ANact, n = 9), recovered AN (ANrec, n = 9) and healthy individuals (HI) (n = 16) were compared employing univariate methods and ordinal logistic regression.

Results

In univariate comparison, the BMI would not distinguish recovered individuals; this distinction was observed for the PA (p =  < 0,001). PA showed a good capacity to discriminate, between ANrec and HI (AUC = 0.792; CI = 0.564- 1.000; p = 0.017). In 2 models of ordinal logistic regression PA (OR = 0.123; 95% CI 0.030; 0.503 and OR = 0.091; 95% CI 0.016; 0.528) remained as a significant independent variable, indicating that increases in PA are related to higher probabilities of moving from ANact, to ANrec and to HI group. Bivariate regression indicated the presence of a relationship between PA and (R2 = 0.266, p = 0.002).

Conclusions

Changes in body composition and energy expenditure were observed in recovered anorexics with normal BMI. PA can play an important role in the assessment of recovering anorexic patients.
Drivers of polar bear behavior and the possible effects of prey availability on foraging strategy
Authors: Togunov Ron R. , Derocher Andrew E. , Lunn Nicholas J. , Auger-Méthé Marie
Published: November 2022

Background

Change in behavior is one of the earliest responses to variation in habitat suitability. It is therefore important to understand the conditions that promote different behaviors, particularly in areas undergoing environmental change. Animal movement is tightly linked to behavior and remote tracking can be used to study ethology when direct observation is not possible.

Methods

We used movement data from 14 polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in Hudson Bay, Canada, during the foraging season (January–June), when bears inhabit the sea ice. We developed an error-tolerant method to correct for sea ice drift in tracking data. Next, we used hidden Markov models with movement and orientation relative to wind to study three behaviors (stationary, area-restricted search, and olfactory search) and examine effects of 11 covariates on behavior.

Results

Polar bears spent approximately 47% of their time in the stationary drift state, 29% in olfactory search, and 24% in area-restricted search. High energy behaviors occurred later in the day (around 20:00) compared to other populations. Second, olfactory search increased as the season progressed, which may reflect a shift in foraging strategy from still-hunting to active search linked to a shift in seal availability (i.e., increase in haul-outs from winter to the spring pupping and molting seasons). Last, we found spatial patterns of distribution linked to season, ice concentration, and bear age that may be tied to habitat quality and competitive exclusion.

Conclusions

Our observations were generally consistent with predictions of the marginal value theorem, and differences between our findings and other populations could be explained by regional or temporal variation in resource availability. Our novel movement analyses and finding can help identify periods, regions, and conditions of critical habitat.
Antivirus isoindolinone alkaloids with rare oxocyclopenta[f]isoindole frameworks isolated from the stems of flue cured tobacco
Authors: Hu Qiu-Fen , Ma Yue-Yu , Liu Hua-Yin , Dai Jia-Meng , Yang Feng-Xian , Zhang Jian-Duo , Wang Jin , Li Xue-Mei , Liu Xin , Li Jing , Li Yin-Ke , Wang Wei-Guang , Zhou Min , Yang Guang-Yu
Published: November 2022

Background

Since Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco) has important significance to humans for their medicinal uses, to find antivirus activities inhibitors from tobacco, increase its medicinal value, and comprehensive utilization of its by-products, our group had investigated the chemical constituents of the stems of Y-202, a cultivar of tobacco which high resistance to tobacco mosaic virus (TMV).

Results

Four new isoindolinone-type alkaloids, nicoisoindoles A–D (1–4), along with four known isoindole derivatives (5–8) were isolated. Compounds 1–4 represent a new subclass of isoindolinone alkaloids with rare cyclopenta[f]isoindole-1-one frameworks. Among them, nicoisoindole C (3) possesses an unusual N-2-(5-methoxy-6-methylpyridin-2-yl) ethyl moiety, while nicoisoindole D (4) has a novel a N-(3-methyl-6-oxo-1,6-dihydropyridin-2-yl)methyl substituent. Interestingly, compounds 1, 3, and 4 showed high anti-TMV activities with inhibition rates of 43.8%, 58.8%, and 67.8% at the concentration of 20 μM, and IC50 values of 23.6, 19.5 and 15.4 μM, respectively, even more potent than that of positive control.

Conclusions

The successful isolation and structure identification of new oxocyclopenta[f]isoindole-1-ones provide materials for the screening of antivirus activities inhibitors, and contribute to the development and utilization of the waste from tobacco cultivation.

Graphical Abstract
Akatsuki LIR observing system simulation experiments evaluated by thermal tides in the Venus atmosphere
Authors: Sugimoto Norihiko , Fujisawa Yukiko , Komori Nobumasa , Ando Hiroki , Kouyama Toru , Takagi Masahiro
Published: November 2022

Impacts of temperature assimilation on Venusian thermal tides are investigated by the observing system simulation experiments assuming Akatsuki Longwave Infrared Camera (LIR) observations. Synthetic temperature data are prepared by a Venusian general circulation model (VGCM) to test if LIR temperature data resolves a discrepancy in the structure of thermal tides between observations and the VGCM. They are assimilated at 70 km altitude with several combinations of frequency and horizontal region. The result shows that the three-dimensional structure of thermal tides is significantly improved not only in temperature but also in horizontal wind, even if observations are available only at a limited frequency of 6-hourly or on the dayside. The zonal–mean zonal wind and temperature fields are also modified at 60–80 km altitudes globally through the vertical momentum transport of thermal tides. It would be promising to assimilate Akatsuki LIR observations to produce realistic objective analysis of the Venus atmosphere.
Mask-wearing selectivity alters observers’ face perception
Authors: Freud Erez , Di Giammarino Daniela , Camilleri Carmel
Published: November 2022

Face masks became prevalent across the globe as an efficient tool to stop the spread of COVID-19. A host of studies already demonstrated that masks lead to changes in facial identification and emotional expression processing. These changes were documented across ages and were consistent even with the increased exposure to masked faces. Notably, mask-wearing also changes the state of the observers in regard to their own bodies and other agents. Previous research has already demonstrated a plausible association between observers’ states and their perceptual behaviors. Thus, an outstanding question is whether mask-wearing would alter face recognition abilities. To address this question, we conducted a set of experiments in which participants were asked to recognize non-masked faces (Experiment 1), masked faces (Experiment 2) and novel objects (Experiment 3) while they were either masked or unmasked. Mask wearing hindered face perception abilities but did not modulate object recognition ability. Finally, we demonstrated that the decrement in face perception ability relied on wearing the mask on distinctive facial features (Experiment 4). Together, these findings reveal a novel effect of mask-wearing on face recognition. We discuss these results considering the plausible effect of somatosensory stimulation on visual processing as well as the effect of involuntary perspective taking.
Fistulous communication with bowel loop: a rare presentation of intra-abdominal seminoma
Authors: Rajasimman Aishvarya Shri , Sahoo Biswajit , Alagappan Alamelu , Das Prabhodha Kumar , Mishra Pritinanda , Bag Nerbadyswari Deep
Published: November 2022

Background

The complications associated with abdominal testis include torsion, rupture, and malignant transformation.

Case presentation

A 40-year-old man presented with complaints of left-sided abdominal mass and abdominal pain. On contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT), there was a well-defined heterogeneously enhancing mass lesion in the lower abdomen with calcification showing fistulous communication to the adjacent ileal loops. The lesion was seen supplied by the left gonadal artery raising suspicion for testicular origin. On performing a scrotal ultrasound, the left testis was found absent. A radiological diagnosis of abdominal testicular neoplasm was made.

Conclusions

Histopathological examination proved the lesion to be a germ cell tumor, consistent with seminoma.