bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Salvage Treatments for Poor Voice Outcomes Following Autologous Fat Injection Laryngoplasty
Authors: Lin Yu-Hsuan , Wang Chi-Te
Published: December 2022

Objective:

Fat injection laryngoplasty (FIL) is a common procedure used to correct glottic insufficiency. Nevertheless, few studies have discussed potential treatments for cases with poor voice recovery after FIL.

Methods:

Eighteen patients with unfavorable vocal outcomes from FIL were analyzed. Each of these patients presented persistent dysphonia for more than 2 months following FIL, together with bulging vocal folds and poor mucosal wave. We applied microsurgery as the standard treatment to remove excessive fat. Vocal fold steroid injection (VFSI) was administered to patients that were hesitant or declined to undergo microsurgery. Voice outcomes were evaluated using the Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10), grade-roughness-breathiness (GRB) scores, and smoothed cepstral peak prominence (CPPs).

Results:

Six patients underwent microsurgery directly, 6 patients received only VFSIs as a salvage treatment, and the remaining 6 patients received 1 to 3 courses of VFSIs before the decision to undergo microsurgery. Pathology reports were available for 10 patients, and contained 5 instances of adipose tissues, 3 of fat necrosis, 1 of chronic inflammation, and 1 of fibrosis. Seventeen patients reported satisfactory or improved outcomes. We found remarkable improvements in VHI-10, GRB, and CPPs (all P < .05) after salvage treatments for FIL. Subgroup analyses showed comparable voice outcomes for patients undergoing direct microsurgery, VFSI alone, and VFSI followed by microsurgery ( P > .05).

Conclusions:

This study demonstrated that fat overinjection and/or fibrotic change in the injected vocal folds may cause poor voice outcomes after FIL. Both microsurgery and VFSI could be applied as salvage treatments with good voice recovery profiles.

Level of evidence:

Level 4.
Foster caring as ‘professional parenting’: A grounded theory of the relationships between parent and professional in long-term foster care
Authors: Hollett Megan , Hassett Alex , Lumsden Virginia
Published: December 2022

Whilst it has been suggested that fostering involves being both a parent and a professional, little is known about how foster carers manage these roles. This study aimed to develop an explanatory theory and model of the processes involved in fostering looked after children and the relationship between the roles of parent and professional. Ten foster carers offering intended long-term placements to looked after children and five social care professionals who provide support to foster carers were interviewed. Data were analysed using grounded theory. A preliminary model was developed which suggested that the relationship between the two roles changed over time. Many described initially identifying with the parental role before experiencing challenges that necessitated also taking a professional one. Over time, these separate roles appeared to blend and become interconnected, such that foster carers became ‘professional–parents’. These findings extend our understanding of the complexity of the foster carer role and may link to existing role theories. They may also have important clinical implications for the support and training of foster carers, particularly in the early stages of the fostering journey. Further research, including the use of more diverse samples, is needed to extend these findings.
Market Formation in Assam: Nature of Trade in and around the Brahmaputra Valley, C. 1826–1905
Authors: Sharma Nabanita
Published: December 2022

The British East India Company (EIC) and other European traders entered Assam for trade. The region thrived on traditional places of exchange. These were haats (markets at the village and district level held at regular intervals), duars, fairs and chawkeys (trading posts of Ahom-age). The Treaty of Yandabo (1826) marked the entry of EIC in parts of Assam. Regimental towns, documented as bazaars in government records, appeared in the nineteenth century. By the end of the nineteenth century, census towns also emerged. These towns accommodated regular markets, periodic haats, fairs and other trading places. This article is based on primary sources of Buranjis, travelogues, military reports, journals, memoirs and archival records. The theoretical works of Walter Christaller (1966) and Philip D. Curtin (1984) and works of literature have been used to understand the growth and operation of marketplaces. This article finds that modern bazaars were connected to the traditional haats, fairs and chawkeys. Bazaars served the colonial regime by acting as the agent of the colonial commercial economy. The colonial regime also often used traditional market places to further their commercial interests. The haats and fairs supplemented the overall commerce of the region and acted as nodes in the commercial networks in the region.
Contribution to the Validation of the Expectancy-Value Scale for Primary School Students
Authors: Peixoto Francisco , Radišić Jelena , Krstić Ksenija , Hansen Kajsa Yang , Laine Anu , Baucal Aleksandar , Sõrmus Maarja , Mata Lourdes
Published: December 2022

Grounded in ‘expectancy-value’ theory, this paper reports on the psychometric properties of an instrument intended to measure students’ motivation in mathematics. The participants were 2045 third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students from Estonia, Finland, Norway, Portugal, Serbia and Sweden. The Expectancy-Value Scale (EVS) was found to be suitable for early grades of primary education in measuring competence self-perceptions and subjective task values relative to the mathematics field. The results indicate a good model fit aligned with the expectancy-value theory. The EVS dimensions showed good reliability, and scalar invariance was established. However, findings also indicated high correlations between some of the EVS dimensions, which is well documented for students at this age. The findings are discussed relative to the ‘expectancy-value’ theory framework and students’ age.
Maps of desire: Edward Tolman's drive theory of wants
Authors: Torracinta Simon
Published: December 2022

Wants and desires are central to ordinary experience and to aesthetic, philosophical, and theological thought. Yet despite a burgeoning interest in the history of emotions research, their history as objects of scientific study has received little attention. This historiographical neglect mirrors a real one, with the retreat of introspection in the positivist human sciences of the early 20th century culminating in the relative marginalization of questions of psychic interiority. This article therefore seeks to explain an apparent paradox: the attempt to develop a comprehensive theory of ‘why … we want what we want’ in the 1940s by esteemed American ‘neo-behaviorist’ psychologist Edward Tolman – a proponent of a methodology famous for its prohibition on appeals to unobservable mental phenomena. Though chiefly known today for his theory of ‘cognitive maps’, Tolman also sought to map the contours of desire as such, integrating Freudian and behaviorist models of the ‘drives’ to develop a complex iconography of the universal structures of motivation. Close attention to Tolman's striking maps offers a compelling limit case for what could and could not be captured within an anti-mentalist framework, and illuminates an important precursor to theories of motivational ‘affect’ in the postwar cognitive and neurosciences. His work upsets a standard chronology that centers on the ‘cognitive revolution’ of the 1960s, and points to the significance of psychoanalysis to an earlier turn to cognitivism. Tolman concluded his theory pointed ‘in the direction of more socialism’ – a reminder of the politically labile anti-essentialism of behaviorism's commitment to mental plasticity.
A Qualitative Examination of School Counselors’ Experiences of Sextortion Cases of Female Students in Israel
Authors: Dolev-Cohen Michal , Nezer Inbar , Zumt Anwar Abu
Published: December 2022

Sextortion (a portmanteau of “sexual” and “extortion”) is a relatively new phenomenon of sexual exploitation, which occurs when a person threatens another with the distribution of sexual content on the Internet, to obtain more pictures or videos, money, or have some other demand met. The current study examined how school counselors in Israel perceive the phenomenon of online sextortion. To this end, we conducted a qualitative study based on 20 semi-structured in-depth interviews with school counselors working in middle schools and high schools in Israel, who treated adolescent girls blackmailed over the Internet on sexual grounds. Findings indicate that the school counselors had difficulty in identifying and defining the cases they treated as instances of sextortion, and that in their view the harm was slight. Findings also indicate that school counselors associated the causes of sextortion with the victims and their backgrounds. We found differences between the Arab and secular and national-religious state education in the way Jewish counselors treated the victims and involved additional actors such as the victim’s parents and the police. This underscores the importance of providing educational staff with adequate knowledge and tools that are culturally suited to the victims.
Acceptance and commitment therapy for autistic adults: A randomized controlled pilot study in a psychiatric outpatient setting
Authors: Pahnke Johan , Jansson-Fröjmark Markus , Andersson Gerhard , Bjureberg Johan , Jokinen Jussi , Bohman Benjamin , Lundgren Tobias
Published: December 2022

Autistic adults are at risk of stress-related psychiatric disorders and reduced life quality due to social, cognitive, and perceptual challenges. Mental health interventions adapted to autistic adults are scarce. Acceptance and commitment therapy has preliminarily indicated health benefits in autistic adults, although it has not been robustly evaluated. Overall, 39 adults (21 males; 21–72 years) with autism spectrum disorder and normal intellectual ability ( IQ M = 108.5; SD = 13.5) were randomized to 14 weeks of adapted acceptance and commitment therapy group treatment (NeuroACT) or treatment as usual. The intervention was feasible. Perceived stress and quality of life (primary outcomes), alongside psychological inflexibility, cognitive fusion, cognitive and behavioral avoidance, and autistic mannerism were statistically significantly improved in NeuroACT compared with treatment as usual ( d = 0.70–0.90). Clinically significant changes in perceived stress and quality of life were in favor of NeuroACT. Between-group altered depression, anxiety, sleep problems, one quality of life measure, functional impairment, social aspects of autism, and executive difficulties were statistically non-significant. Dropout was slightly higher in NeuroACT. NeuroACT may be a promising treatment for autistic adults with co-existing stress and reduced quality of life. More extensive studies are warranted to evaluate NeuroACT further.

Lay abstract

Autistic adults are often stressed and feel depressed or anxious. However, mental health programs that are suited for autistic adults are few. Acceptance and commitment therapy is a psychotherapy method that seems to help people feel better, although not thoroughly evaluated in autistic individuals. In this study, 20 autistic adults had 14 weeks of acceptance and commitment therapy group treatment suited for autism (NeuroACT), while 19 autistic adults had ordinary care. The acceptance and commitment therapy group treatment program seemed logical and reasonable to the participants. Also, when comparing the participants in the NeuroACT group with those in the ordinary care group, the NeuroACT participants reported less stress and higher quality of life. Compared to the ordinary care group, they could also manage distressing thoughts better, perceived themselves as more flexible, and did not avoid stressful situations as much as before. However, there was no significant difference between the groups in depression, anxiety, sleep problems, social aspects of autism, everyday functioning, or executive challenges. Slightly more NeuroACT participants did not finish the treatment than ordinary care participants. In conclusion, the NeuroACT program may be a treatment for autistic adults who feel stressed and have reduced quality of life. More studies are needed to see how helpful the NeuroACT program is for autistic adults.
‘We are doing damage control’: Government stakeholder perspectives of educational and other services for children with autism spectrum disorder in South Africa
Authors: Pillay Sarosha , Duncan Madeleine , de Vries Petrus J
Published: December 2022

Autism spectrum disorder is a growing public health concern in low-and middle-income countries that has prompted a World Health Organization resolution on ‘ comprehensive and coordinated efforts for management of autism spectrum disorder’. Despite being a signatory of the resolution, South Africa does not have any national policies to guide the management of autism spectrum disorder services. This study explored the perspectives of key government stakeholders on educational and other services for children with autism spectrum disorder in the Western Cape Province of South Africa and their proposed solutions to meet the needs of autistic children and their families. The overarching theme that emerged was ‘We are doing damage control’. Government stakeholders acknowledged that autism spectrum disorder services were falling between the ‘cracks’ caused by competing societal demands on government resources. Participants shared perspectives about autism spectrum disorder services in three categories: a cracked society, siloed service systems and gap-filling strategies. Findings from this study highlighted the need for collaborative efforts between government departments and civil society to develop a strategy for autism spectrum disorder in line with the World Health Organization resolution. Multistakeholder engagement to break down barriers, strengthen systems and develop innovative solutions to improving services for children with autism spectrum disorder and their families is recommended.

Lay abstract

Autism spectrum disorder is a growing public health concern in low- and middle-income countries like South Africa where there are no plans or policies in place for autism spectrum disorder management. Many children with autism spectrum disorder in South Africa are out of schools and waiting for school placement to become available. This study explored the perspectives of key government stakeholders on educational and other services for children with autism spectrum disorder in the Western Cape Province of South Africa and their suggestion for improving services for these children and their families. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with government stakeholders from the Western Cape Department of Education, Department of Health and the Department of Social development. The main theme that emerged was ‘We are doing damage control’. Government stakeholders acknowledged that autism spectrum disorder services were being overlooked because of other demands on government resources. Finding from this study highlighted the need for government departments to work together to develop a strategy for autism spectrum disorder management. Engagement between government and civil society to break down barriers, strengthen systems and develop solutions to improving access to services for children with autism spectrum disorder and their families is recommended.
The Value of Scientific Publications in Surgical Device Innovation
Authors: Song Alfred , Rensi Stefano E. , Tarquinio Abigail G. , Cahan Eli , de Ruijter Vivian E. , Wall James K.
Published: December 2022

Background

Clinical trials represent a significant risk in the commercialization of surgical technologies. There is incentive for companies to mitigate their regulatory risk by targeting 510K over Premarket Approval (PMA) pathways in order to limit the scope, complexity and cost of clinical trials. As such, not all companies will publish clinical data in the scientific literature.

Purpose

We set out to investigate the relationship between scientific publication by surgical device companies and the impact it has on company valuation. We hypothesize that publishing in the scientific literature correlates with success of the surgical device companies as measured by funding.

Research Design

We first obtained a list of surgical device startup companies and their financial deals using the Pitchbook database. Those companies were then cross referenced with the FDA database and the Dimensions database for product registrations and peer reviewed publications, respectively. Analysis was then performed using these query results.

Study Sample and Data Collection

We obtained a list of US surgical device startups financing deals closed between 2010 and 2020 from the Pitchbook database. We queried the Pitchbook for deal dates from January 1, 2010 to January 1, 2020 for deal types spanning early stage investment to IPO. Deals were limited to those conducted in the United States and to the surgical device industry. We queried the FDA database for product registration information associated with each of the companies involved in the deals. We tabulated the number of journal articles associated with surgical device companies using the Dimensions Search API as well as a manual confirmation.

Results

Five hundred thirty five (535) deals from 222 companies were found in Pitchbook that met our criteria. Querying the FDA database resulted in 578 registrations associated with these companies. Publications per company ranged widely.

Conclusions

Companies that are able to generate a more numerous publications had correspondingly higher valuations during funding rounds. A subset of outstanding companies were analyzed and at least four factors affect: direct value of publications, indirect valve of publications, survivorship bias, and adoption share; each of which will be discussed in this manuscript.
Feasibility of Nerve Transfer to Palmaris Longus in Forearm-Level TMR: Anatomic Study and Clinical Series
Authors: Hysong Alexander A. , Melamed Eitan , Delarosa Matthew R. , Daley Dane N. , Loeffler Bryan J. , Gaston R. Glenn
Published: December 2022

Background:

Targeted muscle re-innervation (TMR) is increasingly being used for treatment of postamputation pain and myoelectric prosthesis (MYP) control. Palmaris longus (PL) is a potential target following transradial amputation. The purpose of this study was to determine the branching pattern of the median nerve (MN) as it pertains to the PL motor branch entry point (MEP) and to present clinical results of patients who had PL used as a target.

Methods:

Eight cadaveric arms were dissected and branching patterns of the MN were documented. Additionally, we reviewed adult patients from a prospectively collected database who underwent TMR using PL. We recorded patient-reported outcomes and signal strength generated by the PL.

Results:

The average distance from the medial epicondyle to PL MEP was 53 mm. All palmaris motor branches passed through a chiasm within the flexor digitorum superficialis muscle belly, which was a mean of 18 mm away from the MN proper. Patients with long-term follow-up reported an average Pain visual analog scale of 3.3 and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand of 46.2. All but one patient were using an MYP, and all generated at least 10 mV of signal from the PL, which is ample signal for surface electrode detection and MYP control. There were no postoperative neuromas and only one patient-reported postoperative phantom limb pain.

Conclusions:

Palmaris longus is a suitable target for TMR. Our objective measurements and anatomic relationships may help surgeons consistently find the PL’s motor branch. Our series of patients reveal sufficient signal strength and acceptable clinical outcomes following TMR using the PL.
Observation on the clinical efficacy and side effects of EGFR-TKI ± chemotherapy in the treatment of EGFR mutation-positive advanced lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zheng Jianping , Cui Tongjian , Li Ting
Published: December 2022

Objective

To assess the clinical efficacy and side effects of EGFR-TKI with or without chemotherapy in the treatment of EGFR mutation-positive advanced lung adenocarcinoma.

Methods

A total of 103 IIIB or IV EGFR mutation-positive lung adenocarcinoma patients admitted to the oncology department of Fujian Provincial Hospital from January 2017 to October 2020 were selected. According to genetic mutation status, patients were divided into the following groups: 19del alone, 19del combined with TP53 or other co-mutations, L858R mutation alone, and L858R mutation combined with TP53 or other co-mutations. Targeted drugs or targeted drugs combined with chemotherapy were respectively administered in the four groups. In patients with simple 19 deletion, only targeted drugs with no combined therapy were applied, resulting in seven total groups. The difference between short-term treatment and long-term treatment effects and the occurrence of adverse reactions was calculated and compared.

Results

There was no statistical significance of difference in the incidence of adverse reactions in seven groups ( p > 0.05). The short-term disease control rate of the combination group was higher than the targeted drug group with the difference yielding statistical significance ( p < 0.001). The short-term objective response rate of the combination group was higher than the targeted drug group, also yielding statistical significance ( p < 0.001). By October 2020, the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 16 months in the EGFR-TKI-targeted combined with chemotherapy group and 10 months in the single-drug EGFR-TKI group, and the PFS time was longer in the combination group than in the single targeted drug group, the difference being statistically significant ( p = 0.001).

Conclusions

In the treatment of advanced lung adenocarcinoma patients with EGFR-gene sensitive mutations, compared with single EGFR-TKI-targeted therapy, EGFR-TKI-targeted drug combined chemotherapy can control the disease progression more effectively, and does not increase adverse reactions.
World-making, desire, and the future
Authors: Ramírez Margaret M.
Published: December 2022

In this commentary responding to Sutherland's paper, I insist that human geographers must be explicit about the geographies we theorize from so as to avoid universalizing narratives. Engaging the work of Robyn Maynard and Leanne Betsamosake Simpson, I consider what forms of world-making are unaccounted for when post-capitalism is the sole analytic employed to envision the future. Then, I engage with Sutherland's explorations of hauntology and the atmospheric to consider how capitalism is haunted by colonial histories and how social movements evolve over time. Lastly, I respond to Sutherland's attention to desire, culture, and capitalism in his piece, drawing on the work of Brandi Summers to illustrate how capitalism's reliance on the ‘fungibility of people/place’ is also a deeply racialized logic. In sum, I question if post-capitalism is expansive enough to hold our collective imaginings of the future.
Surgical Experience With Crossed and Anomalous Origin of the Pulmonary Arteries From the Pulmonary Trunk: A Single Center Report of 24 Cases
Authors: Said Sameh M , Hoggard Eric , Narasimhan Shanti
Published: December 2022

Background

Anomalies of the pulmonary origin of the pulmonary arteries are uncommon; however, the true incidence is unknown and may be underestimated. We sought to review our experience with this unusual pathology and examine its surgical implications.

Methods

We reviewed medical records between 2011 and 2022.

Results

A total of 24 patients were identified. Genetic syndromes were present in 12 patients (50%). The patients were divided into two main groups. Those with septal defects (14 patients,58.3%), and those without (10 patients, 41.7%). Aortic arch hypoplasia with/without coarctation was present in nine patients (37.5%). Pulmonary arterial branch hypoplasia and/or obstruction was present in six patients (25%) with resultant preoperative systemic or suprasystemic right ventricular pressure. Four patients (16.7%) underwent pulmonary artery branch and/or right ventricular outflow tract interventions prior to surgery. All patients underwent surgical interventions for their associated cardiac defects. The crossed pulmonary arteries were uncrossed for those four patients (16.7%) who required concomitant pulmonary arterioplasties and pulmonary arterial branch rehabilitation and who had elevated right ventricular pressures preoperatively. No early or late mortalities. One Alagille's syndrome underwent liver transplant prior to discharge. Late transcatheter interventions were needed in four (16.7%) during the follow-up period, while four patients required repeat aortic arch augmentation for recurrent arch obstruction.

Conclusions

Anomalous origin of the pulmonary arteries from the pulmonary trunk including crossed pulmonary arteries is an uncommon anomaly that may be underrecognized. It can occur in isolation or in association with other heart defects. Recognition of this malpositional anomaly is important as it has specific surgical and/or transcatheter implications.
When Penalty Fails: Modeling Contractual Misincentives With Evidence From Portugal ITO Agreements
Authors: Nepomuceno Thyago Celso Cavalcante , Nepomuceno Késsia Thais Cavalcanti , Poleto Thiago , de Carvalho Victor Diogho Heuer , Costa Ana Paula Cabral Seixas
Published: December 2022

A misincentive is characterized as an incentive producing the opposite effect of motivating or preventing some specific action. In some circumstances, contract penalties such as sanctions and fines on late delivery or low-quality software encourage the irregularities instead of preventing them from occurring. The present study models misincentive behaviors in Information Technology Outsourcing (ITO) transactions as a Principal-Agent problem. Considering the non-linear relationship in software vendors’ cost structure and the client’s sensitivity to the product/service quality and delivery time, we offer theoretical modeling elucidating the best responses on agreements under incomplete and asymmetric information. Some empirical evidence of contractual misincentives is reported in outsourcing arrangements between private institutions and public administrations in Portugal. The contracts were divided into three categories: pure contracts with no incentive clauses, contracts with no explicit monetary penalties, and contracts under explicit sanctions. The results suggest that the knowledge of the penalty reduces the Agent’s uncertainty about the Principal’s cost structure and might lead them to intentionally delay the delivery of the technology.
A lightweight hierarchical convolution network for brain tumor segmentation
Authors: Wang Yuhu , Cao Yuzhen , Li Jinqiu , Wu Hongtao , Wang Shuo , Dong Xinming , Yu Hui
Published: December 2022

Background

Brain tumor segmentation plays a significant role in clinical treatment and surgical planning. Recently, several deep convolutional networks have been proposed for brain tumor segmentation and have achieved impressive performance. However, most state-of-the-art models use 3D convolution networks, which require high computational costs. This makes it difficult to apply these models to medical equipment in the future. Additionally, due to the large diversity of the brain tumor and uncertain boundaries between sub-regions, some models cannot well-segment multiple tumors in the brain at the same time.

Results

In this paper, we proposed a lightweight hierarchical convolution network, called LHC-Net. Our network uses a multi-scale strategy which the common 3D convolution is replaced by the hierarchical convolution with residual-like connections. It improves the ability of multi-scale feature extraction and greatly reduces parameters and computation resources. On the BraTS2020 dataset, LHC-Net achieves the Dice scores of 76.38%, 90.01% and 83.32% for ET, WT and TC, respectively, which is better than that of 3D U-Net with 73.50%, 89.42% and 81.92%. Especially on the multi-tumor set, our model shows significant performance improvement. In addition, LHC-Net has 1.65M parameters and 35.58G FLOPs, which is two times fewer parameters and three times less computation compared with 3D U-Net.

Conclusion

Our proposed method achieves automatic segmentation of tumor sub-regions from four-modal brain MRI images. LHC-Net achieves competitive segmentation performance with fewer parameters and less computation than the state-of-the-art models. It means that our model can be applied under limited medical computing resources. By using the multi-scale strategy on channels, LHC-Net can well-segment multiple tumors in the patient’s brain. It has great potential for application to other multi-scale segmentation tasks.
Genome-wide characterization of the Triplophysa dalaica slc4 gene family and expression profiles in response to salinity changes
Authors: Zhou Chuanjiang , Hu Bo , Tang Yongtao , Chen Xin , Ma Zhigang , Ding Qiqi , Nie Guoxing
Published: December 2022

Background

The solute carrier 4 (SLC4) gene family is involved in a variety of physiological processes in organisms and is essential for maintaining acid-base balance in the body. The slc4 genes have been extensively studied in mammals, and they play important roles in intracellular and extracellular pH regulation and in the secretion and uptake of HCO3− and other ions (Na+ and Cl−) between transepithelial cells in different tissues. This study identified and characterized the entire slc4 gene family of Triplophysa dalaica.

Results

Fifteen slc4 genes were identified in the whole genome of Triplophysa dalaica in this study, including five copies of Na+-independent Cl−/HCO3− transporters, eight members of Na+-dependent HCO3− transporters, and two genes coding Na+-coupled borate transporters. The chromosomal location information, isoelectric points, and molecular weights of the 15 slc4 genes were analyzed. The results for gene structure, domain analysis, and phylogenetic relationships of this gene family showed that the slc4 genes (except for slc4a9, which is missing in teleosts) are significantly expanded in teleosts compared to higher vertebrates. This phenomenon suggests that the slc4 gene family played an important role in the transition from aquatic to terrestrial animals. RT-PCR results showed that different slc4 genes showed diversified expression patterns in the tissues of T. dalaica. For osmotic pressure regulating organs, slc4a1b, slc4a4b, slc4a7, and slc4a11a were highly expressed in gills. In the kidney, slc4a1a, slc4a3, and slc4a10b were highly expressed, suggesting that the slc4 genes play a specific role in the salinity adaptation of T. dalaica. Our study has deciphered the biological roles of the slc4 genes in maintaining ionic and acid-base homeostasis in teleost fishes and provides a foundation for future exploration of the highly differentiated gene family in Triplophysa.

Conclusions

The results are relevant for the breeding of alkali-tolerant varieties in saline-alkali areas for aquaculture. Our findings have important implications for the adaptation process of freshwater species to saline-alkali water.
Isolation, characterization and genome analysis of an orphan phage FoX4 of the new Foxquatrovirus genus
Authors: Holtappels D. , Fortuna K. J. , Vallino M. , Lavigne R. , Wagemans J.
Published: December 2022

The growing interest in the therapeutic application of bacteriophages leads to a drastic increase in the number of sequenced genomes. Luckily, recent insights in phage taxonomy facilitate the classification of phages in a comprehensive and data-driven manner as recently proposed by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses. In this research, we present the taxonomical classification of a novel, narrow host range Xanthomonas phage FoX4, isolated from a Brussels sprouts field in Belgium infested with Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris. The phage has a limited ability to lyse a bacterial culture, yet adsorbs efficiently to its host. Based on its genome sequence and low similarity to previously described phages, the phage comprises the novel phage genus Foxquatrovirus.
Copper selects for siderophore-mediated virulence in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Lear Luke , Hesse Elze , Buckling Angus , Vos Michiel
Published: December 2022

Background

Iron is essential for almost all bacterial pathogens and consequently it is actively withheld by their hosts. However, the production of extracellular siderophores enables iron sequestration by pathogens, increasing their virulence. Another function of siderophores is extracellular detoxification of non-ferrous metals. Here, we experimentally link the detoxification and virulence roles of siderophores by testing whether the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa displays greater virulence after exposure to copper. To do this, we incubated P. aeruginosa under different environmentally relevant copper regimes for either two or twelve days. Subsequent growth in a copper-free environment removed phenotypic effects, before we quantified pyoverdine production (the primary siderophore produced by P. aeruginosa), and virulence using the Galleria mellonella infection model.

Results

Copper selected for increased pyoverdine production, which was positively correlated with virulence. This effect increased with time, such that populations incubated with high copper for twelve days were the most virulent. Replication of the experiment with a non-pyoverdine producing strain of P. aeruginosa demonstrated that pyoverdine production was largely responsible for the change in virulence.

Conclusions

We here show a direct link between metal stress and bacterial virulence, highlighting another dimension of the detrimental effects of metal pollution on human health.
Chloroplast gene expression level is negatively correlated with evolutionary rates and selective pressure while positively with codon usage bias in Ophioglossum vulgatum L
Authors: Hao Jing , Liang Yingyi , Ping Jingyao , Li Jinye , Shi Wanxin , Su Yingjuan , Wang Ting
Published: December 2022

Background

Characterization of the key factors determining gene expression level has been of significant interest. Previous studies on the relationship among evolutionary rates, codon usage bias, and expression level mostly focused on either nuclear genes or unicellular/multicellular organisms but few in chloroplast (cp) genes. Ophioglossum vulgatum is a unique fern and has important scientific and medicinal values. In this study, we sequenced its cp genome and transcriptome to estimate the evolutionary rates (dN and dS), selective pressure (dN/dS), gene expression level, codon usage bias, and their correlations.

Results

The correlation coefficients between dN, dS, and dN/dS, and Transcripts Per Million (TPM) average values were -0.278 (P = 0.027 < 0.05), -0.331 (P = 0.008 < 0.05), and -0.311 (P = 0.013 < 0.05), respectively. The codon adaptation index (CAI) and tRNA adaptation index (tAI) were significantly positively correlated with TPM average values (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Our results indicated that when the gene expression level was higher, the evolutionary rates and selective pressure were lower, but the codon usage bias was stronger. We provided evidence from cp gene data which supported the E-R (E stands for gene expression level and R stands for evolutionary rate) anti-correlation.
Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of peach multiple organellar RNA editing factors reveals the roles of RNA editing in plant immunity
Authors: Zhang Aidi , Xiong Yuhong , Fang Jing , Liu Kangchen , Peng Huixiang , Zhang Xiujun
Published: December 2022

Background

Multiple organellar RNA editing factor (MORF) genes play key roles in chloroplast developmental processes by mediating RNA editing of Cytosine-to-Uracil conversion. However, the function of MORF genes in peach (Prunus persica), a perennial horticultural crop species of Rosaceae, is still not well known, particularly the resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses that threaten peach yield seriously.

Results

In this study, to reveal the regulatory roles of RNA editing in plant immunity, we implemented genome-wide analysis of peach MORF (PpMORF) genes in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. The chromosomal and subcellular location analysis showed that the identified seven PpMORF genes distributed on three peach chromosomes were mainly localized in the mitochondria and chloroplast. All the PpMORF genes were classified into six groups and one pair of PpMORF genes was tandemly duplicated. Based on the meta-analysis of two types of public RNA-seq data under different treatments (biotic and abiotic stresses), we observed down-regulated expression of PpMORF genes and reduced chloroplast RNA editing, especially the different response of PpMORF2 and PpMORF9 to pathogens infection between resistant and susceptible peach varieties, indicating the roles of MORF genes in stress response by modulating the RNA editing extent in plant immunity. Three upstream transcription factors (MYB3R-1, ZAT10, HSFB3) were identified under both stresses, they may regulate resistance adaption by modulating the PpMORF gene expression.

Conclusion

These results provided the foundation for further analyses of the functions of MORF genes, in particular the roles of RNA editing in plant immunity. In addition, our findings will be conducive to clarifying the resistance mechanisms in peaches and open up avenues for breeding new cultivars with high resistance.
Inferences for current chronic graft-versus-host-disease free and relapse free survival
Authors: Zhang Xu , Solomon Scott R. , Sizemore Connie
Published: December 2022

This paper provides the methodologies of a new summary curve that measures the dynamic outcome following allogenic hematopoietic cell transplantation. This new summary curve computes the probabilities that a patient is alive in remission and free of severe-to-moderate chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) over time. The probability is called Current chronic GVHD-free, Relapse-Free Survival (CGRFS). Based on a multistate model depicting the possible states that a patient may experience after transplant, CGRFS can be formulated as a linear combination of five survival functions. This method is known as the model-free approach. In this paper we provide the inferences of the model-free approach, including estimation of CGRFS, precision evaluation and comparison of CGRFS between two independent samples.
Association between community environment and dependency among the elderly people from a service provision perspective
Authors: Pan YiYang , Chen Yuan , Cui PingYu , Waili Nuremaguli , Li Ying
Published: December 2022

Background

The incidence of dependency is high among the elderly people worldwide and increases with increasing life expectancy. The purpose of this study was to establish from the perspective of resource demand the association between community environmental resources and dependency among the elderly people.

Methods

This study is a cross-sectional design based on community from 22 locations in China. A multistage sampling method was used to select the study objects. The questionnaires were used to collect the survey data by face-to-face interviews. A total of 950 individuals completed the survey, and 913 individuals were available for this analysis. Dependency and community environment were measured using the standard instruments. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the community environment factors associated with dependency. Cluster analysis was used and demonstrated that dependency was mainly associated with community primary preventive care service resources.

Results

In the group aged under 70 years, the utilization of electronic health records and the need for health assessments, and rehabilitation equipment rentals were significantly associated with the levels of dependency scores: the OR was 2.81, 2.25 and 2.13 (P < 0.05), respectively. In the group aged 70 years and over, a short-term care home was strongly associated with levels of dependency: the OR was 4.01 (P = 0.002). The daycare and nursing service, transportation service, and regular lectures on health knowledge were associated with levels of dependency: the OR was 2.41, 1.86 and 1.93 (P < 0.05). In the group with low social support, an emergency call or monitoring system, transportation services, the need for health assessment, and regular lectures on health knowledge were significantly associated with levels of dependency: the OR was 2.42, 2.19, 1.89 and 1.98 (P < 0.05), respectively.

Conclusions

Community environment resources were significantly associated with dependency. These results suggest that the dependent on local environment resources may consider as the resource needs among elderly people.
HIV infection disclosure, treatment self-efficacy and quality of life in HIV-infected MSM receiving antiretroviral therapy
Authors: Jia Wenwen , Jiao Kedi , Ma Jing , Liao Meizhen , Wang Chunmei , Kang Dianmin , Lin Yuxi , Yan Yu , Li Yijun , Cheng Chunxiao , Meng Jing , Wang Lina , Yang Xuan , Cao Yanwen , Zhao Zhonghui , Wang Xinting , Ma Wei
Published: December 2022

Background

Research on the relationship between disclosure of HIV status to male sexual partners (HIV disclosure) and quality of life (QOL) revealed complex and even contradictory results. The impact of HIV disclosure on various domains of QOL and the mediation effect between them are unclear. The purposes of this study were to explore the impact of HIV disclosure on QOL among men who have sex with men (MSM), and whether HIV treatment self-efficacy mediated these relationships.

Methods

The data came from a baseline survey on the design of a randomized control trial conducted in Shandong, China. A total of 579 MSM patients were included. SPSS 24.0 was used to conduct independent samples t test, one-way analysis of variance and nonparametric tests and the PROCESS macro was used to conduct mediation analysis.

Results

Among 579 participants, 16.06% disclosed their HIV infection status to their male sexual partners. The effect of HIV disclosure on QOL was mediated by treatment self-efficacy. Self-efficacy played partial mediating role in social relationships, meaning that HIV disclosure had both direct and indirect effects on this factor. In the overall QOL and domains of physical, psychological, independence, and environment, HIV disclosure had an indirect effect only through self-efficacy and no significant effect on the spirituality domain.

Conclusions

The results emphasize the importance of HIV disclosure and self-efficacy on the QOL of MSM patients and suggest that health care providers should assist MSM patients in deciding whether to disclose their HIV status during daily medical services.
A rare case of acute liver failure with intrahepatic cholestasis due to dengue hemorrhagic fever: CytoSorb® and plasma exchange aided in the recovery: case report
Authors: Gunasekera Arosha Minori , Eranthaka Udeshan , Priyankara Dilshan , Kalupahana Ranjith
Published: December 2022

Background

Dengue haemorrhagic fever is a severe form of acute dengue infection characterized by leakage of plasma through capillaries into body spaces resulting in circulatory insufficiency leading to shock. Despite varying degrees of liver involvement occurring in acute dengue infection, intrahepatic cholestasis is very rare in the literature with only two cases reported so far. We report a challenging case of a middle-aged woman with DHF complicated by acute liver failure, coagulopathy, acute renal failure and prolonged intrahepatic cholestasis. She was successfully managed in the intensive care unit with supportive therapy, Cytosorb® and therapeutic plasma exchange.

Case presentation

A 54-year-old Sri Lankan obese woman with multiple comorbidities presented with fever, headache, vomiting and generalized malaise for 3 days and was diagnosed with dengue haemorrhagic fever. Despite the standard dengue management, she clinically deteriorated due to development of complications such as, acute liver injury, intrahepatic cholestasis and acute renal injury. Acute liver failure was evidenced by transaminitis, lactic acidosis, coagulopathy with pervaginal bleeding and severe encephalopathy necessitating elective intubation and mechanical ventilation. She was immediately transferred to intensive care facilities where she underwent supportive management for liver failure, continuous renal replacement therapy coupled with cytosorb and therapeutic plasma exchange with which she made a remarkable recovery.

Conclusion

Acute liver failure with a prolonged phase of intrahepatic cholestasis is a very rare complication of acute dengue illness which is sparsely documented in medical literature so far. This patient was managed successfully with supportive therapy, aided by cytoSorb hemo-adsorption and therapeutic plasma exchange.
Exploring the acceptability and experience of receiving diabetes and pregnancy care via telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study
Authors: Kozica-Olenski S. L. , Soldatos G. , Marlow L. , Cooray S. D. , Boyle J. A.
Published: December 2022

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the delivery of diabetes in pregnancy care and general maternity care. This study aimed to explore the experiences and acceptability of telehealth use in diabetes in pregnancy care during the COVID-19 pandemic, from the perspectives of pregnant women and their clinicians. The secondary aim was to explore the experiences of pregnant women receiving general maternity care via telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

In-depth qualitative semi-structured interviews were undertaken and analysed via thematic inductive approaches. The Nonadoption, Abandonment, and Challenges to the Scale-Up, Spread, and Sustainability of Health and Care Technologies Framework (NASSS) was applied.

Results

Eigthteen interviews were conducted with culturally and linguistically diverse pregnant women and 4 clinicians (endocrinologists and dietitians). All interviewees were satisfied with telehealth as a positive alternative to face-to-face consultations for diabetes care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Numerous benefits of delivering diabetes care via telehealth were discussed and themes centred around greater access to care, economic benefits and improved safety. Most barriers concerned the adopters (clinicians), yet, feasible and realistic suggestions to overcome barriers were voiced. The scope for technology adaptation and ongoing embedment into routine diabetes care was described. Overall, a hybrid flexible delivery model, predominantly consisting of telephone consultations, with some face-to-face consultations for initial diabetes appointments was recommended for future care. The use of telehealth in replacement of face-to-face appointments for general maternity care was perceived as reducing care quality.

Conclusion

In this study, telehealth was viewed as acceptable to women and clinicians for diabetes in pregnancy care, supporting the ongoing delivery of a hybrid service model of telehealth and face-to-face care. These findings provide valuable information to improve diabetes in pregnancy services to meet the needs of women during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.