bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inflation targeting in Ukraine: some aspects, results and conclusions
Authors:   SI “Institute for Economics and Forecasting of NAS of Ukraine”, KORABLIN Serhii
Published: July 2023

Introduction. The large-scale war against Ukraine caused a radical change in its economic policy, including in the monetary sphere. However, this did not affect the plans of the National Bank of Ukraine to return to the inflation targeting (IT) regime after the end of the martial law period. Problem Statement. The introduction of IT in Ukraine was caused by chronic exchange rate and inflation problems that occurred despite many attempts to fix the exchange rate of the hryvnia to the US dollar. However, its application in Ukraine did not fully take into account the international experience accumulated by that time. In addition, the challenges caused by the start of military aggression against Ukraine did not receive the necessary attention. Purpose. Analysis of some features and results of inflation targeting in Ukraine. Determination of possible areas of improvement of its monetary policy. Methods. Abstract-logical method, methods of comparisons, graphical and statistical analysis, theoretical generalization are used. Results. The conceptual provisions of IT in Ukraine have left without proper attention the world experience gained during the overcoming of the global financial crisis of 2008-2009, as well as the corona crisis caused by COVID-19. In addition, the challenges caused by the start of military aggression against Ukraine in 2014 were not taken into account. As a result, the practical properties of IT in Ukraine corresponded to its rigid version, which was common before the crisis of 2008-2009. Conclusions. The transition of leading central banks to flexible IT was a forced move caused by their inability to promote economic growth by supporting price stability alone. This led to the expansion of the target orientation of monetary policy, as a result of which it began to focus not just on price stability, but "a rational balance between the stability of inflation and the stability of the use of resources." In Ukraine, this qualitative transformation did not attract due attention. As a result, a number of problematic issues arose regarding the determination of the disinflation schedule, the speed of institutional reforms, target inflation, potential rates of economic growth, the effectiveness of using one (main) monetary instrument, the timeliness and validity of currency liberalization, the inability of the central bank to comply with IT without attracting stabilization loans from international organizations.
Unconventional inflation and anti-inflationary partnership
Authors:   The National Institute for Strategic Studies, ZHALILO Yaroslav
Published: July 2023

Introduction. In the last decade, the global economy has seen an intensification of inflation trends, the nature of which goes beyond the standard duality of demand-driven and cost-driven inflation. This puts the significant limitations on the performance of conventional anti-inflationary tools and pushes to active studying of the given phenomenon. Problem Statement The task becomes relevant to specify the institutional changes, necessary to overcome the structural disproportions, responsible for the inflationary trends in modern economy. Purpose. To specify the factors of price growth of non-monetary nature, and to determine the ways to overcome their impact based on the institutional modernization of the national economy. Methods. General scientific and special methods have been used, such as: analysis, synthesis, induction, method of theoretical generalization, deduction, transition from abstract to concrete. Results. The specific features of unconventional inflation have been determined as having the institutional nature. Based on the study of modern anti-inflationary strategies of developed countries, the need has been proven to recover the institutional framework of monetary transmission based on the implementation of wider scope of public policy tools. The effectiveness of partner actions facing unconventional inflations has been proven. The main features of anti-inflationary partnership have been determined. The direction of actions has been prescribed for main partners: the National Bank, commercial banks, the government, business, local self-governance, bodies , ordinary people. Conclusions. The phenomenon of unconventional inflation, that has become globally widespread in recent years, necessitates significant widening the range of the tools of anti-inflationary policy, and the involvement of a comprehensive range of stakeholders, capable to mitigate the impact of inflation drivers. Their partner interaction according to the defined priority directions can ensure the synergy in the impact on the unconventional inflation factors due to strengthening the adaptive capacity to institutionally determined changes in assets’ prices.
First finding of the family Amathillopsidae (Amphipoda: Amphilochidea) in the gulf of Mexico, with the description of a new species
Authors: Varela Carlos , Fenolio Danté , Bracken-Grissom Heather D.
Published: July 2023

The genus Amathillopsis Heller, 1875 represents a group of 13 species of amphipods that live predominantly in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Many amathillopsids inhabit both mesopelagic, bathyal, and abyssal zones. We describe Amathillopsis colemani n. sp., a new species of marine deepwater amphipod collected at 1200 meters depth. This is the first record of the family Amathillopsidae for the Gulf of Mexico. The new species possesses similar characteristics to other members of the genus. Still, it differs from all other species in terms of the presence of eyes, accessory flagellum of antenna 1 unarticulate, telson notched, and characters in the lacinia mobilis of the mandible. The finding of A. colemani n. sp., emphasizes that new species of amphipods exist in deep-sea habitats and that associations between crustaceans and deep-sea invertebrates need further investigation.
Observations of unusual behavior in two invasive carnivores in the Dominican Republic: arboreal foraging in the Small Indian Mongoose (Urva auropunctata) and semi-aquatic hunting in the Domestic Cat (Felis catus)
Authors: Landestoy T. Miguel A. , Reyes Francis O. , Hernández-Rodríguez Isabela
Published: July 2023

We report unusual foraging events in two of the most invasive terrestrial predators in the world that are well established in the Caribbean islands: the Small Indian Mongoose (Urva auropunctata), locally known as jurón, and the Domestic Cat (Felis catus). The former is well known to be a ground-dwelling species, whereas the latter usually avoids water. We documented tree-climbing in the mongoose and semi-aquatic hunting in a domestic cat. The observations were recorded in southern Dominican Republic, on the island of Hispaniola.
Geometric deep learning as a potential tool for antimicrobial peptide prediction
Authors: Fernandes Fabiano C. , Cardoso Marlon H. , Gil-Ley Abel , Luchi Lívia V. , da Silva Maria G. L. , Macedo Maria L. R. , de la Fuente-Nunez Cesar , Franco Octavio L.
Published: July 2023

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are components of natural immunity against invading pathogens. They are polymers that fold into a variety of three-dimensional structures, enabling their function, with an underlying sequence that is best represented in a non-flat space. The structural data of AMPs exhibits non-Euclidean characteristics, which means that certain properties, e.g., differential manifolds, common system of coordinates, vector space structure, or translation-equivariance, along with basic operations like convolution, in non-Euclidean space are not distinctly established. Geometric deep learning (GDL) refers to a category of machine learning methods that utilize deep neural models to process and analyze data in non-Euclidean settings, such as graphs and manifolds. This emerging field seeks to expand the use of structured models to these domains. This review provides a detailed summary of the latest developments in designing and predicting AMPs utilizing GDL techniques and also discusses both current research gaps and future directions in the field.
Autonomous motion and control of lower limb exoskeleton rehabilitation robot
Authors: Gao Xueshan , Zhang Pengfei , Peng Xuefeng , Zhao Jianbo , Liu Kaiyuan , Miao Mingda , Zhao Peng , Luo Dingji , Li Yige
Published: July 2023

Introduction: The lower limb exoskeleton rehabilitation robot should perform gait planning based on the patient’s motor intention and training status and provide multimodal and robust control schemes in the control strategy to enhance patient participation.

Methods: This paper proposes an adaptive particle swarm optimization admittance control algorithm (APSOAC), which adaptively optimizes the weights and learning factors of the PSO algorithm to avoid the problem of particle swarm falling into local optimal points. The proposed improved adaptive particle swarm algorithm adjusts the stiffness and damping parameters of the admittance control online to reduce the interaction force between the patient and the robot and adaptively plans the patient’s desired gait profile. In addition, this study proposes a dual RBF neural network adaptive sliding mode controller (DRNNASMC) to track the gait profile, compensate for frictional forces and external perturbations generated in the human-robot interaction using the RBF network, calculate the required moments for each joint motor based on the lower limb exoskeleton dynamics model, and perform stability analysis based on the Lyapunov theory.

Results and discussion: Finally, the efficiency of the APSOAC and DRNNASMC algorithms is demonstrated by active and passive walking experiments with three healthy subjects, respectively.
Using multiple measures of language dominance and proficiency in Farsi-English bilingual children
Authors: Komeili Mariam , Tavakoli Parvaneh , Marinis Theodoros
Published: July 2023

This paper aims to identify effective means of measuring dominance and proficiency in bilingual children. Thirty-seven Farsi-English Heritage language speaking children from 6;1 to 11;6 were assessed on their vocabulary, morphosyntax, and narrative microstructure skills in both languages to address whether there is a difference between their proficiency in Farsi as a heritage and English as a majority language, how the scores on the vocabulary, morphosyntax, and narrative microstructure tasks relate to one another, and based on the results of each task in both languages if any of the children are at risk for a Developmental Language Disorder. Vocabulary was assessed using the LITMUS- Cross-Linguistic Lexical Task (CLT), morphosyntax using the LITMUS-Sentence Repetition (SR) tasks, and Narrative microstructure using the LITMUS-Multilingual Assessment Instrument for Narratives (MAIN). Individual language proficiency was identified via an in-depth profile analysis for each participant who looked at their performance on all experimental tasks in both languages. The data demonstrated that on the vocabulary and narrative tasks the participants were more dominant in English than in Farsi, while on the sentence repetition task there were no significant differences between the two languages. Correlation analyses showed that vocabulary scores were strongly correlated to the sentence repetition scores and the microstructure scores. The English and Farsi sentence repetition scores also correlated moderately with the microstructure scores within each language. Profile analysis showed that no child within the study scored < 1.5 or 2 standard deviations below the mean on more than two tasks in both languages. However, interesting patterns emerged indicating that some participants had a greater proficiency in one language vs. the other language. The results from this study showed that measuring language within a single domain (e.g., morphosyntax) is not enough to identify a bilingual child's language dominance and/or proficiency. Instead, an in-depth profile analysis and language assessments across various language domains need to be done in order to appropriately measure language dominance and proficiency. Consequently, this study supports the importance of measuring language across multiple domains in studies of bilingual children. The clinical significance of appropriately identifying language dominance and proficiency was also shown, as such information would allow clinicians to make more appropriate clinical decisions.
Long-Term Follow-Up In Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Patients With Documented Isolated Trigger
Authors: Palamà Zefferino , Robles Antonio Gianluca , Paoletti Matteo , Nesti Martina , De Ruvo Ermenegildo , Scarà Antonio , Borrelli Alessio , De Masi De Luca Gabriele , Rillo Mariano , Calò Leonardo , Cavarretta Elena , Romano Silvio , Sciarra Luigi
Published: July 2023

Aims

Supraventricular tachycardias may trigger atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) inducibility in patients referred for AF ablation and to evaluate the effects of SVT ablation on AF recurrences.

Methods and results

249 patients (mean age: 54 ± 14 years) referred for paroxysmal AF ablation were studied. In all patients, only AF relapses had been documented in the clinical history. 47 patients (19%; mean age: 42 ± 11 years) had inducible SVT during the electrophysiological study and underwent an ablation targeted only at SVT suppression. Ablation was successful in all 47 patients. The ablative procedures were: 11 slow-pathway ablations for atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia; 6 concealed accessory pathway ablations for atrioventricular re-entrant tachycardia; 17 focal ectopic atrial tachycardia ablations; 13 with only one arrhythmogenic pulmonary vein. No recurrences of SVT were observed during the follow-up (32 ± 18 months). 4 patients (8.5%) showed recurrence of at least one episode of AF. Patients with inducible SVT had less structural heart disease and were younger than those without inducible SVT.

Conclusion

A significant proportion of candidates for AF ablation are inducible for an SVT. SVT ablation showed a preventive effect on AF recurrences. Those patients should be selected for simpler ablation procedures tailored only to the triggering arrhythmia suppression.
Redefining QRS transition to confirm left bundle branch capture during left bundle branch area pacing
Authors: Briongos-Figuero Sem , Estévez Paniagua Álvaro , Sánchez Hernández Ana , Muñoz-Aguilera Roberto
Published: July 2023

Background

QRS transition criteria during dynamic manoeuvers are the gold-standard for non-invasive confirmation of left bundle branch (LBB) capture, but they are seen in <50% of LBB area pacing (LBBAP) procedures.

Objective

We hypothesized that transition from left ventricular septal pacing (LVSP) to LBB pacing (LBBP), when observed during lead penetration into the deep interventricular septum (IVS) with interrupted pacemapping, can suggest LBB capture.

Methods

QRS transition during lead screwing-in was defined as shortening of paced V6-R wave peak time (RWPT) by ≥10 ms from LVSP to non-selective LBBP (ns-LBBP) obtained during mid to deep septal lead progression at the same target area, between two consecutive pacing manoeuvres. ECG-based criteria were used to compared LVSP and ns-LBBP morphologies obtained by interrupted pacemapping.

Results

Sixty patients with demonstrated transition from LVSP to ns-LBBP during dynamic manoeuvers were compared to 44 patients with the same transition during lead screwing-in. Average shortening in paced V6-RWPT was similar among study groups (17.3 ± 6.8 ms vs. 18.8 ± 4.9 ms for transition during dynamic manoeuvres and lead screwing-in, respectively; p = 0.719). Paced V6-RWPT and aVL-RWPT, V6-V1 interpeak interval and the recently described LBBP score, were also similar for ns-LBBP morphologies in both groups. LVSP morphologies showed longer V6-RWPT and aVL-RWPT, shorter V6-V1 interpeak interval and lower LBBP score punctuation, without differences among the two QRS transition groups. V6-RWPT < 75 ms or V6-V1 interpeak interval > 44 ms criterion was more frequently achieved in ns-LBBP morphologies obtained during lead screwing-in compared to those obtained during dynamic manoeuvres (70.5% vs. 50%, respectively p = 0.036).

Conclusions

During LBBAP procedure, QRS transition from LVSP to ns-LBBP can be observed as the lead penetrates deep into the IVS with interrupted pacemapping. Shortening of at least 10 ms in paced V6-RWPT may serve as marker of LBB capture.
The scientific evolution of social justice leadership in education: structural and longitudinal analysis of the existing knowledge base, 2003–2022
Authors: Karakose Turgut , Tülübaş Tijen , Papadakis Stamatios
Published: July 2023

This study aims to delineate the intellectual and conceptual architecture of social justice leadership (SJL) research in education by reviewing the strategic themes that emerged during its scientific evolution. The study combines bibliometric performance and science mapping analysis of 135 articles on “SJL in education” retrieved from the Scopus database. SciMAT software (version 1.1.04) was used for the study since it allows for sequential analysis. Our analysis comprised three periods: Period 1 (2003–2012), Period 2 (2013–2017), and Period 3 (2018–2022). Studies during the first period mostly centered around transformative leadership, social justice, and equity themes, while the research focus during the second period moved toward the roles of principals in enabling justice. During the third period, the analysis revealed more variety in the themes addressed by scholars. Instructional leadership roles of principals and the outcomes of social justice leadership, such as equity and well-being for different groups vulnerable to injustices, were the most prominent themes addressed during the last period. The study’s findings enable us to reflect on this research field’s well-or underdeveloped aspects. They would help guide research interest into the under-investigated or emerging themes of SJL, which would eventually increase our understanding of the practice and outcomes of SJL in the educational context.
Hormonal contraceptive exposure relates to changes in resting state functional connectivity of anterior cingulate cortex and amygdala
Authors: Hidalgo-Lopez Esmeralda , Noachtar Isabel , Pletzer Belinda
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Hormonal contraceptives (HCs), nowadays one of the most used contraceptive methods, downregulate endogenous ovarian hormones, which have multiple plastic effects in the adult brain. HCs usually contain a synthetic estrogen, ethinyl-estradiol, and a synthetic progestin, which can be classified as androgenic or anti-androgenic, depending on their interaction with androgen receptors. Both the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the amygdala express steroid receptors and have shown differential functionality depending on the hormonal status of the participant and the use of HC. In this work, we investigated for the first time the relationship between ACC and amygdala resting state functional connectivity (rs-FC) and HC use duration, while controlling for progestin androgenicity.

Methods

A total of 231 healthy young women participated in five different magnetic resonance imaging studies and were included in the final analysis. The relation between HC use duration and (i) gray matter volume, (ii) fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations, and (iii) seed-based connectivity during resting state in the amygdalae and ACC was investigated in this large sample of women.

Results

In general, rs-FC of the amygdalae with frontal areas, and between the ACC and temporoparietal areas, decreased the longer the HC exposure and independently of the progestin’s androgenicity. The type of HC’s progestin did show a differential effect in the gray matter volume of left ACC and the connectivity between bilateral ACC and the right inferior frontal gyrus.
Transient low T3 syndrome in patients with COVID-19: a new window for prediction of disease severity
Authors: Zhong Mingyao , Gao Yue , Hu Hongling , Zhu Xuan , Gan Lulu , Li Ling , Xiang Cheng , Yan Yimin , Dai Zhe
Published: July 2023

Objective

To investigate the relationship of low T3 syndrome with disease severity in patients with COVID-19.

Methods

The clinical data of 145 patients with COVID-19 were retrospectively collected, and patients were divided into a low T3 group and a normal T3 group. Logistic regression models were used to assess predictive performance of FT3. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to evaluate the use of low T3 syndrome in predicting critical disease. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to analyze the impact of low T3 syndrome on mortality.

Results

The prevalence of low T3 level among COVID-19 patients was 34.48%. The low T3 group was older, and had lower levels of hemoglobin, lymphocytes, prealbumin, and albumin, but higher levels of white blood cells, neutrophils, CRP, ESR, and D-dimer (all p<0.05). The low T3 group had greater prevalences of critical disease and mortality (all p <0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the Lymphocytes, free T3 (FT3), and D-dimer were independent risk factors for disease severity in patients with COVID-19. ROC analysis showed that FT3, lymphocyte count, and D-dimer, and all three parameters together provided reliable predictions of critical disease. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed the low T3 group had increased mortality (p<0.001). Six patients in the low T3 group and one patient in the normal T3 group died. All 42 patients whose T3 levels were measured after recovery had normal levels after discharge.

Conclusion

Patients with COVID-19 may have transient low T3 syndrome at admission, and this may be useful for predicting critical illness.
RETRACTED: An acridone-derived fluorescent off-on probe for detection and in vivo imaging of nitroreductase
Authors: Liu Meicen , Chen Guanyu , Xu Lilan , Chen Tingting , Chen Wenqian , Chen Jinghua , Zhang Xi
Published: July 2023

Understanding the functions of enzymes in various physiological processes is important, but the design of signaling probes for fast analysis of enzymatic activity is particularly challenging. Herein, a fluorescence-enhanced probe, 10-methyl-2-nitro-acridone (MNA), was synthesized and applied to analyze nitroreductase (NTR) activity in vitro and in vivo. The detection mechanism is based on the nitro group in MNA reacting toward NTR with high reactivity and generating 10-methyl-2-amino- acridone (MAA) accompanied by an obvious fluorescence signal enhancement at 525 nm emission. The probe shows low cytotoxicity, fast response, and high selectivity and sensitivity with a limit of detection as low as 150 ng·mL−1. The probe was also employed for two-photon fluorescence imaging of NTR in zebrafish in vivo revealing the distribution of NTR. Versus existing NTR probes, the proposed probe shows favorable analytical performance including near-infrared light excitation with no other byproducts produced after the reaction. The superior properties of this signaling probe allow it to become a fluorescence imaging candidate in other biosystems.
Aggressive intraoperative warming and postoperative pulmonary complications in elderly patients recovering from esophageal cancer surgery: sub-analysis of a randomized trial
Authors: Lu Xiaofei , Jiang Qiliang , Qiu Yuwei , Tang Wei , Sessler Daniel I. , Wu Jingxiang
Published: July 2023

Background

Elderly patients having esophagectomies often become hypothermic which may promote complications. We tested the hypothesis that aggressive warming to a core temperature of 37°C reduces postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in elderly patients having esophageal cancer resections.

Methods

This study was a pre-defined sub-study of a multi-center, parallel group, superiority trial (PROTECT). Patients aged >65 years and having elective radical resection of esophageal cancer in a single center were randomly allocated into either aggressive warming group (target intraoperative core temperatures of 37°C) or routine thermal management group (target intraoperative core temperatures of 35.5°C). The primary endpoint was the incidence of PPCs. Secondary endpoints included duration of chest tube drainage and other postoperative complications.

Results

A total of 300 patients were included in the primary analysis. PPCs occurred in 27 (18%) of 150 patients in the aggressive warming group and 31 (21%) of 150 patients in the routine thermal management group. The relative risk (RR) of aggressive versus routine thermal management was 0.9 (95% CI: 0.5, 1.4; p = 0.56). The duration of chest drainage in patients assigned to aggressive warming was shorter than that assigned to routine thermal management: 4 (3, 5) days vs. 5 (4, 7) days; hazard ratio (HR) 1.4 [95% CI: 1.1, 1.7]; p = 0.001. Fewer aggressively warmed patients needed chest drainage for more than 5 days: 30/150 (20%) vs. 51/150 (34%); RR:0.6 (95% CI: 0.4, 0.9; p = 0.03). The incidence of other postoperative complications were similar between the two groups.

Conclusion

Aggressive warming does not reduce the incidence of PPCs in elderly patients receiving esophagectomy. The duration of chest drainage was reduced by aggressive warming. But as a secondary analysis of a planned sub-group study, these results should be considered exploratory.

Clinical trial registration

https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=37099, ChiCTR1900022257.
Virtual reality for pain management: an umbrella review
Authors: Viderman Dmitriy , Tapinova Karina , Dossov Mukhit , Seitenov Serik , Abdildin Yerkin G.
Published: July 2023

Background and objective

Virtual reality is a promising pain control strategy for various pain conditions. This umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses aims to evaluate the analgesic effects of virtual reality.

Methods

We searched for the relevant reviews in Scopus, PubMed and Cochrane library. Our primary outcome was pain, with secondary outcomes including disability, general health status, patient satisfaction, depression, balance, fear of movement, and adverse events. The quality of included articles was evaluated using the AMSTAR-2 tool.

Results

21 systematic reviews and meta-analyses with 274 studies and 17,680 patients were included in this review. All the reviews concluded benefits of virtual reality in managing pain conditions, including chronic and pain.

Discussion and conclusions

This umbrella review demonstrates successful application of virtual reality in pain control, including perioperative, periprocedural, and chronic pain settings. Virtual reality can be used as an alternative therapy for pain management in children and adults.
Ascorbic acid modulates the structure of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence factor pyocyanin and ascorbic acid-furanone-30 combination facilitate biofilm disruption
Authors: Das Theerthankar , Das Biswanath , Young Brandon Clark , Aldilla Vina , Sabir Shekh , Almohaywi Basmah , Willcox Mark , Manefield Mike , Kumar Naresh
Published: July 2023

The production of pyocyanin by Pseudomonas aeruginosa increases its virulence, fitness and biofilm formation. Pyocyanin is also a redox molecule and we hypothesize that ascorbic acid being an antioxidant will interact with pyocyanin. The main objective of this study was to investigate the potential interaction of ascorbic acid with pyocyanin, and also to investigate the impact of ascorbic acid in combination with Furanone-30 on quorum sensing and biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa. When incubated with ascorbic acid, hyperchromic and hypsochromic shifts in pyocyanin absorbance peaks at 385 nm and 695 nm were observed. In the presence of dehydroascorbic acid and citric acid, these shifts were absent, indicating that the intrinsic antioxidant property of ascorbic acid was probably essential in binding to pyocyanin. NMR spectroscopy showed shifts in 1H NMR pyocyanin peaks between 8.2 to 5.8 ppm when incubated in the presence of ascorbic acid. Density Functional Theory (DFT) supported potential interactions between the –CH2OH or –OH moieties of ascorbic acid with the –C=O moiety of pyocyanin. The pyocyanin-ascorbic acid complex impaired pyocyanin binding to DNA. Ascorbic acid combined with furanone-30 elevated quorum-sensing inhibition in P. aeruginosa, which was directly associated with significantly reduced P. aeruginosa virulence, adhesion, aggregation and biofilm formation and enhanced antibiotic-mediated bacterial killing. This study demonstrated that the antioxidant ascorbic acid directly binds to pyocyanin, modulates its structure and results in disruption of biofilm formation and associated tolerance to antibiotics.
Novel next generation sequencing panel method for the multiple detection and identification of foodborne pathogens in agricultural wastewater
Authors: Park Dong-Geun , Kwon Joon-Gi , Ha Eun-Su , Kang Byungcheol , Choi Iseul , Kwak Jeong-Eun , Choi Jinho , Lee Woojung , Kim Seung Hwan , Kim Soon Han , Park Jeongwoong , Lee Ju-Hoon
Published: July 2023

Detecting and identifying the origins of foodborne pathogen outbreaks is a challenging. The Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) panel method offers a potential solution by enabling efficient screening and identification of various bacteria in one reaction. In this study, new NGS panel primer sets that target 18 specific virulence factor genes from six target pathogens (Bacillus cereus, Yersinia enterocolitica, Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and Vibrio vulnificus) were developed and optimized. The primer sets were validated for specificity and selectivity through singleplex PCR, confirming the expected amplicon size. Crosscheck and multiplex PCR showed no interference in the primer set or pathogenic DNA mixture. The NGS panel analysis of spiked water samples detected all 18 target genes in a single reaction, with pathogen concentrations ranging from 108 to 105 colony-forming units (CFUs) per target pathogen. Notably, the total sequence read counts from the virulence factor genes showed a positive association with the CFUs per target pathogen. However, the method exhibited relatively low sensitivity and occasional false positive results at low pathogen concentrations of 105 CFUs. To validate the detection and identification results, two sets of quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) analyses were independently performed on the same spiked water samples, yielding almost the same efficiency and specificity compared to the NGS panel analysis. Comparative statistical analysis and Spearman correlation analysis further supported the similarity of the results by showing a negative association between the NGS panel sequence read counts and qPCR cycle threshold (Ct) values. To enhance NGS panel analysis for better detection, optimization of primer sets and real-time NGS sequencing technology are essential. Nonetheless, this study provides valuable insights into applying NGS panel analysis for multiple foodborne pathogen detection, emphasizing its potential in ensuring food safety.
Transforming Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli surveillance through whole genome sequencing in food safety practices
Authors: Nouws Stéphanie , Verhaegen Bavo , Denayer Sarah , Crombé Florence , Piérard Denis , Bogaerts Bert , Vanneste Kevin , Marchal Kathleen , Roosens Nancy H. C. , De Keersmaecker Sigrid C. J.
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a gastrointestinal pathogen causing foodborne outbreaks. Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) in STEC surveillance holds promise in outbreak prevention and confinement, in broadening STEC epidemiology and in contributing to risk assessment and source attribution. However, despite international recommendations, WGS is often restricted to assist outbreak investigation and is not yet fully implemented in food safety surveillance across all European countries, in contrast to for example in the United States.

Methods

In this study, WGS was retrospectively applied to isolates collected within the context of Belgian food safety surveillance and combined with data from clinical isolates to evaluate its benefits. A cross-sector WGS-based collection of 754 strains from 1998 to 2020 was analyzed.

Results

We confirmed that WGS in food safety surveillance allows accurate detection of genomic relationships between human cases and strains isolated from food samples, including those dispersed over time and geographical locations. Identifying these links can reveal new insights into outbreaks and direct epidemiological investigations to facilitate outbreak management. Complete WGS-based isolate characterization enabled expanding epidemiological insights related to circulating serotypes, virulence genes and antimicrobial resistance across different reservoirs. Moreover, associations between virulence genes and severe disease were determined by incorporating human metadata into the data analysis. Gaps in the surveillance system were identified and suggestions for optimization related to sample centralization, harmonizing isolation methods, and expanding sampling strategies were formulated.

Discussion

This study contributes to developing a representative WGS-based collection of circulating STEC strains and by illustrating its benefits, it aims to incite policymakers to support WGS uptake in food safety surveillance.
Improvement of growth, yield and associated bacteriome of rice by the application of probiotic Paraburkholderia and Delftia
Authors: Islam Tofazzal , Fatema  , Hoque M. Nazmul , Gupta Dipali Rani , Mahmud Nur Uddin , Sakif Tahsin Islam , Sharpe Andrew G.
Published: July 2023

Plant probiotic bacteria enhance growth and yield of crop plants when applied at the appropriate time and dose. Two rice probiotic bacteria, Paraburkholderia fungorum strain BRRh-4 and Delftia sp. strain BTL-M2 promote growth and yield of plants. However, no information is available on application of these two bacteria on growth, yield, and diversity and population of bacteriome in roots and rhizosphere soils of the treated rice plants. This study aimed to assess the effect of BRRh-4 and BTL-M2 application on growth, yield and bacteriome in roots and rhizosphere soil of rice under varying doses of N, P and K fertilizers. Application of BRRh-4 and BTL-M2 strains significantly (p < 0.05) increased seed germination, growth and yield of rice compared to an untreated control. Interestingly, the grain yield of rice by these bacteria with 50% less of the recommended doses of N, P, and K fertilizers were statistically similar to or better than the rice plants treated with 100% doses of these fertilizers. Targeted amplicon (16S rRNA) sequence-based analysis revealed significant differences (PERMANOVA, p = 0.00035) in alpha-diversity between the root (R) and rhizosphere soil (S) samples, showing higher diversity in the microbial ecosystem of root samples. Additionally, the bacteriome diversity in the root of rice plants that received both probiotic bacteria and chemical fertilizers were significantly higher (PERMANOVA, p = 0.0312) compared to the rice plants treated with fertilizers only. Out of 185 bacterial genera detected, Prevotella, an anaerobic and Gram-negative bacterium, was found to be the predominant genus in both rhizosphere soil and root metagenomes. However, the relative abundance of Prevotella remained two-fold higher in the rhizosphere soil metagenome (52.02%) than in the root metagenome (25.04%). The other predominant bacterial genera detected in the rice root metagenome were Bacillus (11.07%), Planctomyces (4.06%), Faecalibacterium (3.91%), Deinococcus (2.97%), Bacteroides (2.61%), and Chryseobacterium (2.30%). On the other hand, rhizosphere soil metagenome had Bacteroides (12.38%), Faecalibacterium (9.50%), Vibrio (5.94%), Roseomonas (3.40%), and Delftia (3.02%). Interestingly, we found the presence and/or abundance of specific genera of bacteria in rice associated with the application of a specific probiotic bacterium. Taken together, our results indicate that improvement of growth and yield of rice by P. fungorum strain BRRh-4 and Delftia sp. strain BTL-M2 is likely linked with modulation of diversity, structures, and signature of bacteriome in roots and rhizosphere soils. This study for the first time demonstrated that application of plant growth promoting bacteria significantly improve growth, yield and increase the diversity of bacterial community in rice.
Development and validation of a nomogram model for predicting unfavorable functional outcomes in ischemic stroke patients after acute phase
Authors: Yan Chengjie , Zheng Yu , Zhang Xintong , Gong Chen , Wen Shibin , Zhu Yonggang , Jiang Yujuan , Li Xipeng , Fu Gaoyong , Pan Huaping , Teng Meiling , Xia Lingfeng , Li Jian , Qian Kun , Lu Xiao
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Prediction of post-stroke functional outcome is important for personalized rehabilitation treatment, we aimed to develop an effective nomogram for predicting long-term unfavorable functional outcomes in ischemic stroke patients after acute phase.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed clinical data, rehabilitation data, and longitudinal follow-up data from ischemic stroke patients who underwent early rehabilitation at multiple centers in China. An unfavorable functional outcome was defined as a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 3–6 at 90 days after onset. Patients were randomly allocated to either a training or test cohort in a ratio of 4:1. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify the predictors for the development of a predictive nomogram. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate predictive ability in both the training and test cohorts.

Results

A total of 856 patients (training cohort: n = 684; test cohort: n = 172) were included in this study. Among them, 518 patients experienced unfavorable outcomes 90 days after ischemic stroke. Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment classification (p = 0.024), antihypertensive agents use [odds ratio (OR) = 1.86; p = 0.041], 15-day Barthel Index score (OR = 0.930; p < 0.001) and 15-day mRS score (OR = 13.494; p < 0.001) were selected as predictors for the unfavorable outcome nomogram. The nomogram model showed good predictive performance in both the training (AUC = 0.950) and test cohorts (AUC = 0.942).

Conclusion

The constructed nomogram model could be a practical tool for predicting unfavorable functional outcomes in ischemic stroke patients underwent early rehabilitation after acute phase.
Arteriolosclerosis CSVD: a common cause of dementia and stroke and its association with cognitive function and total MRI burden
Authors: Hua Min , Ma Ai-Jin , Liu Zhi-Qing , Ji Li-Li , Zhang Jin , Xu Yuan-Feng , Chen Wen-Ya , Mao Lun-Lin
Published: July 2023

Objective

Arteriolosclerosis cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is a common type of CSVD. This study aimed to explore the factors associated with cognitive function and total MRI burden related to the disease.

Methods

The demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, cognitive function score, Barthel Index (BI), blood test index, and follow-up results of arteriolosclerosis CSVD patients treated for the first time in our hospital from January 2014 to August 2022 were collected. White matter hyperintensity (WMH) Fazekas score, total MRI burden, and cerebral atrophy grade were evaluated according to brain MRI findings. Factors associated with CSVD cognitive function were analyzed by binary logistic regression. The correlative factors related to the total MRI burden of CSVD were analyzed by ordered multiple logistic regression.

Results

A total of 146 patients were included in this study, of which 132 cases (90.4%) had hypertension. There were 108 patients (74.0%) with cognitive dysfunction, 97 patients (66.4%) with balance and gait disorders, and 83 patients (56.8%) with moderate-to-severe dependence in daily life (BI ≤ 60 points). Of 146 patients, 79 (54.1%) completed clinical and imaging follow-ups for a median of 3 years. The number of patients with cognitive impairment and BI ≤ 60 points after follow-up significantly increased compared with the first admission (P < 0.001). There were also significant differences in total MRI burden (P = 0.001), WMH Fazekas score, and cerebral atrophy grade (P < 0.001). Mean age (P = 0.012), median deep WMH Fazekas score (P = 0.028), and median deep (P < 0.001) and superficial (P =0.002) cerebral atrophy grade of patients with cognitive impairment at first admission were all higher than those with non-cognitive impairment. Multivariate analysis showed that deep cerebral atrophy was independently and significantly associated with cognitive impairment of CSVD (P = 0.024), and hypertension was significantly and independently associated with total MRI burden (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

The disease course of arteriolosclerosis CSVD may be related to cognitive function and total MRI burden. Deep cerebral atrophy was an independent risk factor for cognitive dysfunction in arteriolosclerosis CSVD, and hypertension was an independent risk factor for total MRI burden.
Case report: Rehabilitation course in thrombocytopenia, anasarca, fever, reticulin fibrosis/renal failure, and organomegaly syndrome complicated by cerebral infarction in the left parabolic coronary region
Authors: Hashizaki Takamasa , Nishimura Yukihide , Kinoshita Tokio , Minami Kohei , Kawanishi Makoto , Umemoto Yasunori , Tajima Fumihiro
Published: July 2023

Although thrombocytopenia, anasarca, fever, reticulin fibrosis/renal failure, and organomegaly (TAFRO) syndrome was first reported in 2010, its pathogenesis and prognosis are still unknown. Moreover, reports on rehabilitation in patients with TAFRO are limited. In severe cases, dyspnea and muscle weakness could impede improvements in activities of daily living (ADL). However, reports on exercise intensity showed no worsening of TAFRO within the load of 11–13 on the Borg scale. Herein, we describe the rehabilitation and progress in a 61-year-old woman with TAFRO syndrome complicated by cerebral infarction from early onset to discharge. After cerebral infarction onset in the perforating artery, she was admitted to the intensive care unit due to decreased blood pressure and underwent continuous hemodiafiltration. Two weeks following transfer to a general ward, the patient started gait training using a brace due to low blood pressure, respiration, and tachycardia. After initiating gait training, increasing the amount of training was difficult due to a high Borg scale of 15–19, elevated respiratory rate, and worsening tachycardia. Furthermore, there was little improvement in muscle strength on the healthy side after continuous training, owing to long-term steroid administration. On day 100 after transfer, the patient was discharged home with a T-cane gait at a monitored level. The patient had severe hemiplegia due to complications with severe TAFRO syndrome delaying early bed release and gait training; tachycardia; and respiratory distress. Additionally, delayed recovery from muscle weakness on the non-paralyzed side made it difficult for the patient to walk and perform ADLs. Despite these issues, low-frequency rehabilitation was useful. However, low-frequency rehabilitation with gait training, using a Borg scale 15–19 orthosis, did not adversely affect the course of TAFRO syndrome.
Case report: Coexistence of Labbe vein thrombosis and autoimmune encephalitis with two different antibodies
Authors: Yang Lu , Zhang Dongqing
Published: July 2023

Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis is an autoimmune encephalitis well- known to pediatric neurologists. The characteristic combination of symptoms and detection of NMDA receptor antibody can confirm the diagnosis. Most children respond well to immunosuppressive therapy. Anti-GABAB receptor encephalitis usually occurs in adult patients. Most patients present clinically with symptoms of limbic encephalitis. Cases in pediatric patients are rare. Cerebral venous thrombosis also has a very low incidence in children without underlying diseases. Patients usually present with headaches, convulsions, and focal deficits. Anticoagulants are the first choice treatment. We report a boy initially diagnosed with Labbe vein thrombosis and later tested positive for both NMDA and GABAB receptors. Anticoagulants did not relieve the boy's symptoms, and immunosuppressive therapy achieved good results. The antibody titers were significantly reduced or even turned negative. Although the Labbe vein was not recanalized at four months follow-up, the brain lesion was significantly absorbed. We learn from this case that a child can be inflicted with cerebral venous thrombosis and autoimmune encephalitis simultaneously. Child patients respond well to treatment.
Influence of motivation on rehabilitation outcomes after subacute stroke in convalescent rehabilitation wards
Authors: Yoshida Taiki , Otaka Yohei , Kitamura Shin , Ushizawa Kazuki , Kumagai Masashi , Yaeda Jun , Osu Rieko
Published: July 2023

Background

The motivation for rehabilitation is important in encouraging stroke patients to participate in rehabilitation; however, its relationship with outcomes is not well known. In addition, changes in patient motivation during hospitalization have not been examined.

Aim

To examine the relationship between motivation and rehabilitation outcomes for subacute stroke patients and to investigate the changes in motivation.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Subacute rehabilitation hospital.

Population

The study enrolled a consecutive sample of patients (n = 201) with stroke admitted to a subacute rehabilitation ward from October 2017 to March 2019.

Methods

The functional independence measure and motivation in stroke patients for rehabilitation scale was evaluated at admission; at one, two, and three months after admission; and at discharge. The effectiveness and efficiency of the functional independence measure were calculated as rehabilitation outcomes. The effect of motivation on outcomes and the change in motivation in stroke patients for rehabilitation scale scores over time were analyzed using a linear mixed model.

Results

The median (interquartile range) converted motivation in stroke patients for rehabilitation scale scores (converted to a range of 0–100) at admission; one, two, and three months after admission; and discharge was 86 (76–95), 83 (77–94), 81 (74–95), 81 (71–93), and 84 (75–95), respectively. The median (interquartile range) of effectiveness and efficiency of the functional independence measure from admission to discharge was 0.82 (0.68–0.91) and 0.41 (0.30–0.59), respectively. Motivation in stroke patients for rehabilitation scale scores were not significantly associated with the effectiveness and efficiency of the functional independence measure (p > 0.05). Motivation in stroke patients for rehabilitation scale scores were significantly lower at two (β = −3.1, 95% confidence interval [−5.3, −0.9], p = 0.005) and three (β = −4.4, 95% confidence interval [−7.3, −1.6], p = 0.002) months after admission than at admission.

Conclusion

Motivation might not directly affect rehabilitation outcomes assessed by the functional independence measure. Furthermore, many participants remained highly motivated, although their motivation decreased at one or three months after admission.

Clinical rehabilitation impact

Assumptions that rehabilitation is ineffective because of low motivation may not be correct. To examine the influence on outcomes, both motivation and daily activities should be considered.