bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expression of fatty acid related gene promotes astaxanthin heterologous production in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Sun Jin-peng , Wei Xue-hong , Cong Xiao-mei , Zhang Wen-hua , Qiu Le-Xin , Zang Xiao-nan
Published: March 2023

Natural astaxanthin is a high-value ketone carotenoid mainly derived from Haematococcus pluvialis, which is an excellent antioxidant for human consumption. To study the role of lipids in accumulation of astaxanthin, the H. pluvialis-derived astaxanthin synthesis pathway genes (β-carotene ketolase gene, BKT and β-carotene hydroxylase gene, BCH) and fatty acid elongation gene (mitochondrial trans-2-enoyl-coa reductase gene, MECR) were heterologously co-expressed in C. reinhardtii. Zeaxanthin, the precursor of astaxanthin synthesis, was significantly increased after BKT and BCH were expressed. In contrast, the α-carotene that competes with astaxanthin synthesis for lycopene decreased significantly. This redistribution of carbon flow was conducive to the synthesis of astaxanthin. In addition, the transformant only expressed astaxanthin metabolism related genes (BKT, BCH) would lead to an increase in total lipid, a decrease in monounsaturated fatty acids and an increase in polyunsaturated fatty acids. On this basis, the expression of MECR gene further increased the total lipid, and the relative content of different fatty acids also changed. The astaxanthin content of algal strains transformed with BKT and BCH genes was nearly 50% higher than that of the wild type. On this basis, the astaxanthin content of transformants expressing MECR gene related to long-chain fatty acid synthesis was increased by 227.5%. In this study, an astaxanthin production model similar to H. pluvialis by combining carotenoid metabolism and fatty acid metabolism was constructed in C. reinhardtii. The results suggest that the increase in astaxanthin is indeed linked to the regulation of fatty acid metabolism, and this link may involve the type of fatty acids and the dynamics of astaxanthin ester in cells. The strategy of promoting the synthesis of fatty acids has potential to achieve efficient production of astaxanthin in C. reinhardtii.
Breast-conserving surgery without axillary surgery and radiation versus mastectomy plus axillary dissection in elderly breast cancer patients: A retrospective study
Authors: Zhong Ying , Wang Zhe , Xu Yali , Zhou Yidong , Mao Feng , Shen Songjie , Sun Qiang
Published: March 2023

Background

The high relative mortality rate in elderly breast cancer patients is most likely the result of comorbidities rather than the tumor load. Foregoing axillary lymph node dissection or omitting radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) does not affect the prognosis of elderly breast cancer patients. We sought to assess the safety of breast-conserving surgery without axillary lymph node dissection as well as breast and axillary radiotherapy (BCSNR) in elderly patients with early-stage breast cancer.

Methods

We retrospectively included 541 consecutive breast cancer patients aged over 70 years with clinically negative axillary lymph nodes in one clinical center. Of these patients, 181 underwent mastectomy plus axillary lymph node dissection (MALND) with negative axillary cleaning and 360 underwent BCSNR.

Results

After a median follow-up of 5 years, there was no significant difference between the BCSNR and MALND groups in either distant recurrence-free survival (DRFS) (p=0.990) or breast cancer-specific survival (p=0.076). Ipsilateral axillary disease was found in 11 (3.1%) patients in the BCSNR group and 3 (1.7%) patients in the MALND group; this difference was not significant (p=0.334). We did not observe a significant difference in distant recurrence between the groups (p=0.574), with 25 (6.9%) patients in the BCSNR group experiencing distant recurrence compared to 15 (8.3%) patients in the MALND group. Our findings did show a significant difference in ipsilateral breast cancer recurrence (IBTR), with 31 (8.6%) patients in the BCSNR group experiencing IBTR compared to only 2 (1.1%) patients in the MALND group (p=0.003).

Conclusion

BCSNR is a safe treatment option for elderly breast cancer patients with clinically negative axillary lymph nodes.
Multimodal ultrasonography findings of extramammary granular cell tumors: Two case reports
Authors: Zhu Meng , Xu Huan , Chen Yujuan , Peng Yulan
Published: March 2023

Extramammary masses are infrequently encountered in breast examinations. They may occur in the chest wall and axilla as neighbors of the breast. It is important to determine the nature of the lesion. However, some benign tumors, such as granular cell tumors (GCTs), also show malignant characteristics, which leads to misdiagnosis. To the best of our knowledge, multimodal ultrasound features of GCT have not been elucidated. We report two cases of women with GCTs encountered upon breast cancer screening; the tumor was not located in breast tissue. The first patient was a 37-year-old woman who presented with a slow-growing mass in the right breast and the GCT was located in the pectoralis major muscle. The second patient was a 52-year-old woman who presented with a palpable left axillary mass and the GCT was located in the axilla. Mammography failed to detect the masses in the two patients upon breast cancer screening. However, two-dimensional ultrasonography revealed a solid heterogeneous hypoechoic mass. Shear wave elastography showed that the masses had an increased hardness compared with the surrounding tissue. Further contrast-enhanced ultrasonography showed that the contrast patterns of the two masses were different. In case one, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography showed an inhomogeneous annular high enhancement, and the dynamic curve showed rapid enhancement and regression. In case two, contrast enhanced ultrasound showed slight enhancement around the lesion but no enhancement inside. Postoperative pathology confirmed that the GCT was benign in both cases. The patients showed no signs of recurrence at the 2-year follow-up. Here, we report two cases and present the multimodal ultrasonography findings of this tumor for the first time. Radiologists and surgeons should be aware of these imaging manifestations and include them in their differential diagnoses.
Role of curcumin in ischemia and reperfusion injury
Authors: Bi Minglei , Li Danyi , Zhang Jin
Published: March 2023

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is an inevitable pathological process after organic transplantations. Although traditional treatments restore the blood supply of ischemic organs, the damage caused by IRI is always ignored. Therefore, the ideal and effective therapeutic strategy to mitigate IRI is warrented. Curcumin is a type of polyphenols, processing such properties as anti-oxidative stress, anti-inflammation and anti-apoptosis. However, although many researches have been confirmed that curcumin can exert great effects on the mitigation of IRI, there are still some controversies about its underlying mechanisms among these researches. Thus, this review is to summarize the protective role of curcumin against IRI as well as the controversies of current researches, so as to clarify its underlying mechanisms clearly and provide clinicians a novel idea of the therapy for IRI.
Characterization of an Aplysia vasotocin signaling system and actions of posttranslational modifications and individual residues of the ligand on receptor activity
Authors: Xu Ju-Ping , Ding Xue-Ying , Guo Shi-Qi , Wang Hui-Ying , Liu Wei-Jia , Jiang Hui-Min , Li Ya-Dong , Fu Ping , Chen Ping , Mei Yu-Shuo , Zhang Guo , Zhou Hai-Bo , Jing Jian
Published: March 2023

The vasopressin/oxytocin signaling system is present in both protostomes and deuterostomes and plays various physiological roles. Although there were reports for both vasopressin-like peptides and receptors in mollusc Lymnaea and Octopus, no precursor or receptors have been described in mollusc Aplysia. Here, through bioinformatics, molecular and cellular biology, we identified both the precursor and two receptors for Aplysia vasopressin-like peptide, which we named Aplysia vasotocin (apVT). The precursor provides evidence for the exact sequence of apVT, which is identical to conopressin G from cone snail venom, and contains 9 amino acids, with two cysteines at position 1 and 6, similar to nearly all vasopressin-like peptides. Through inositol monophosphate (IP1) accumulation assay, we demonstrated that two of the three putative receptors we cloned from Aplysia cDNA are true receptors for apVT. We named the two receptors as apVTR1 and apVTR2. We then determined the roles of post-translational modifications (PTMs) of apVT, i.e., the disulfide bond between two cysteines and the C-terminal amidation on receptor activity. Both the disulfide bond and amidation were critical for the activation of the two receptors. Cross-activity with conopressin S, annetocin from an annelid, and vertebrate oxytocin showed that although all three ligands can activate both receptors, the potency of these peptides differed depending on their residue variations from apVT. We, therefore, tested the roles of each residue through alanine substitution and found that each substitution could reduce the potency of the peptide analog, and substitution of the residues within the disulfide bond tended to have a larger impact on receptor activity than the substitution of those outside the bond. Moreover, the two receptors had different sensitivities to the PTMs and single residue substitutions. Thus, we have characterized the Aplysia vasotocin signaling system and showed how the PTMs and individual residues in the ligand contributed to receptor activity.
In silico characterization of differentially expressed short-read nucleotide sequences identified in dieback stress-induced transcriptomic analysis reveals their role as antimicrobial peptides
Authors: Ijaz Siddra , Haq Imran Ul , Malik Riffat , Nadeem Ghalia , Ali Hayssam M. , Kaur Sukhwinder
Published: March 2023

We investigated the in silico characterization of short-length nucleotide sequences that were differentially expressed in dieback stress-induced transcriptomic analysis. They displayed homology with C-terminal flanking peptides and defensins-like proteins, revealing their antimicrobial activity. Their predicted fingerprints displayed protein signatures related to antimicrobial peptides. These short-length RGAs have been shown to possess structural motifs such as APLT P-type ATPase, casein kinase II (CK2), protein kinase 3, protein kinase C (PKC), and N-glycosylation site that are the attributes of disease resistance genes. The prediction of arginine and lysine residues in active binding sites in ligand docking analysis prophesied them as antimicrobial peptides due to their strong relation with antimicrobial activity. The in silico structural–functional characterization has predicted their role in resistance against microbial pathogens. Moreover, the predicted antimicrobial peptide regions showed their homology with the signature domain of PR-5-like protein and AMP family Thaumatin
Ideations of social sustainability? Concepts and cleavages of cohesion in Germany
Authors: Marej Katarina
Published: March 2023

The UN 2030 Agenda calls for the development and promotion of societies that pursue not only ecological and economic, but also socio-political sustainability goals. Yet, the political as well as academic discourse on that is marginal. Conducting an empirical case study in Germany, this article examines existing political ideations about societal integration and thus cohesion and discusses ideational obstacles to the development of a socially sustainable society. First, the concept of ideations is made accessible for empirical analysis by distinguishing cognitive and affective elements with symbolic, sentimental, programmatical and ideological foundations. The focus is not on the implementation of specific policies, but on the negotiation processes of the ideational foundations of integration governance. The following critical discourse analysis elaborates central aspects of ‘constitutional patriotism' and ‘Leitkultur.' It traces their emergence and characteristics and thereby reveals how different historical contexts and political interests of the actors influence the emergence and dissemination of ideations. Furthermore, it demonstrates how formerly opposing positions converge, emphasizing the impact of ideational processes on changing governance trends. Subsequently, inherent elements of cultural racism and hegemony, religion and ‘values,' and emotion politics are critically discussed as obstacles to developing decolonial ideations about integration. Accordingly, the widespread appreciation of patriotism and national pride as a foundation for successful integration is questioned. The conclusion diagnoses that republican elements are gaining influence with the tendency to individualize, paternalize, and depoliticize integration. Shared cognitive and emotional ideations are intended to ensure support for democracy, but the extent to which these policies themselves exhibit undemocratic tendencies must be critically observed. The two ideations examined are therefore not or only partially suitable for promoting social sustainability.
Inequalities in health complaints: 20-year trends among adolescents in Scotland, 1998–2018
Authors: Inchley Joanna C. , Willis Malachi , Mabelis Judith , Brown Judith , Currie Dorothy B.
Published: March 2023

This study examined trends in inequalities in health complaints among early adolescents in Scotland from 1998 to 2018. We analysed data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey conducted in Scotland in 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018. A self-report questionnaire was administered in schools to a nationally representative sample of 11-, 13-, and 15-year-olds (n = 29,250). Health complaints were measured using a scale comprising four psychological symptoms (feeling low, feeling nervous, irritability and sleep difficulties) and four somatic symptoms (headache, backache, stomachache and dizziness). Socio-economic status was measured using the Family Affluence Scale. Between 1998 and 2018, there were significant increases in the proportion of girls and boys reporting feeling low, feeling nervous, sleep difficulties and backache. Prevalence of the eight individual health complaints was higher among girls and adolescents from lower affluence families. Socio-economic inequalities increased over time, such that declines in mental health were greatest among low affluence adolescents. The data show worsening trends in health complaints among Scottish adolescents between 1998 and 2018, particularly for girls and adolescents from low affluence families. Increasing inequalities in mental health highlight the need to address the underlying social and structural determinants of adolescent mental health.
The effects of positive leadership on quality of work and life of family doctors: The moderated role of culture
Authors: Sun Wei , Huang Xianhong , Chen Xingyu , Wu Yan , Huang Zhen , Pang Yichen , Peng Can , Zhang Yunjie , Zhang Hao
Published: March 2023

Background

Quality of work and life (QWL) of family doctors is highly valued in improving access and equity of healthcare; however, the current low level of QWL in many countries and regions needs to be improved urgently.

Methods

This study explored the effect of positive leadership on the QWL of family doctors, as well as the moderating role of culture, via analysis of data from 473 valid questionnaires of family doctors in China as a sample using SEM, hierarchical linear regression, and a simple slope test.

Results

The empirical results show that positive leadership promoted the QWL of family doctors by improving their achievement motivation and coordinating supportive resources. In addition, our hierarchical linear regression analysis found that the interactive items of positive leadership and culture had a positive effect on achievement motivation (β(a)  = 0.192), QWL (β(b)  = 0.215) and supportive resources (β(c)  = 0.195). Meanwhile, culture had a moderated mediating effect on the relationship between positive leadership and QWL via the achievement motivation of family doctors and supportive resources.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that the interaction among multiple factors, including environmental factors, individual physiological features and culture, may influence the impact of positive leadership on the QWL of family doctors. The possible reasons of these findings and theoretical and practical implications are discussed in this study.
Virtual reality-assisted language learning: A follow-up review (2018–2022)
Authors: Hua Congchao , Wang Jia
Published: March 2023

Virtual reality (VR) is considered an emerging technology in language education in a previously published review article, which reviews 26 articles on VR-assisted language learning (VRALL) published between 2015 and 2018. VR technology has been developing rapidly and receiving much more attention in language learning, especially in the post-pandemic era. Therefore, following up, this paper tracks the new trends of VRALL by reviewing 38 empirical studies published between 2018 and 2022. The main findings are: (1) the scope of research on VRALL has expanded in terms of number of studies, type of participants, research focus, language and language skill, and type of VR technology investigated; (2) more cognitive and affective benefits as well as drawbacks of VRALL have been reported than before. Implications are drawn for practitioners and researchers in the field of VRALL.
Successful switching from risperidone to cariprazine in a schizophrenic patient with pronounced functional deficit. Case report
Authors: Sahlsten Schölin Johan , Rodriguez Cruz José , Hjorth Stephan
Published: March 2023

A 22-year-old male was admitted to an in-patient psychiatric unit for treatment, after a period of 2 years of increasing psychotic symptoms corresponding to a very severe case of schizophrenia across the entire scale of symptom disorder domains along with some drug abuse comorbidity. Previous treatments with olanzapine (OLA) and risperidone (RIS) had been at best partly successful toward his positive symptoms with no, or even worsening effects on the negative symptomatology. Given the gravity of the latter symptoms and functional impairment of our patient, he might thus have been a candidate for clozapine (CLZ) treatment. It was however decided to switch his antipsychotic treatment to cariprazine (CAR), an agent with a novel pharmacological and clinical profile, because of its favorable pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic, and tolerability/safety properties. In a follow-up on the patient 6 months after discharge he is not fully recovered, but the recovery attained reflects a marked functional improvement compared to before the RIS-to-CAR switch. The remarkable response to CAR observed may, speculatively, be in line with the suggestion that CAR could offer an alternative, safer, and more tolerable monotherapy approach (vs. CLZ) for patients with severe negative symptoms and functional deficiency resistant to standard antipsychotic treatment. He appears to occasionally still be taking drugs, but no worsening of positive symptoms has been noted. Whether or not he could reach full recovery if he would abstain entirely from drugs of abuse remains an open question.
The impact of grandchild care on depressive symptoms of grandparents in China: The mediating effects of generational support from children
Authors: Hong Yue , Xu Wei , Zhao Lijuan
Published: March 2023

Objectives

Despite extensive studies about the direct effect of grandchild care on caregiver depression in China, understanding of its internal influencing mechanism has been limited. After controlling for socioeconomic factors, this study investigated whether the experience of caring for grandchildren had a long-term impact on the depression levels of grandparents, either directly or indirectly through generational support from adult children.

Methods

The subjects of this study were a total of 9,219 adults over 45 who participated in the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Surveys in 2015 and 2018. We adopted a lag-behind variable to examine the impact of grandchild care on depressive symptoms of grandparents. The proposed mediation model was analyzed using bootstrap modeling, and the KHB method was conducted further to examine differences in the effects of generational support.

Results

The experience of caring for grandchildren had a significant negative correlation with the depression level of Chinese grandparents. Moreover, children's support significantly mediated the impact of parenting experience on grandparents' depression. Significantly, instrumental support mediated the effect to the greatest extent, while emotional support from children contributed the least. The intermediary effect has urban–rural heterogeneity.

Conclusion

These findings indicated that grandchild care significantly inhibited the depression level of Chinese grandparents through increased intergenerational support from adult children. The implications of the study's findings were discussed.
Barriers and enablers of 1.5° lifestyles: Shallow and deep structural factors shaping the potential for sustainable consumption
Authors: Hirth Steffen , Kreinin Halliki , Fuchs Doris , Blossey Nils , Mamut Pia , Philipp Jeremy , Radovan Isabelle ,   The EU1.5°Lifestyles Consortium
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Transforming consumption and lifestyles toward sustainability cannot be achieved by individual behavior change alone but requires changes in the structures in which this behavior is embedded. However, “structure” is a blurry concept and scholars use it in a multitude of ways. What often remains implicit in studies on structural phenomena are different types of structures, how they may or may not restrict the agency of individuals in particular ways, and how these restrictions support sustainable consumption patterns at the societal level. To move beyond the current state of research, this article systematizes political, economic, technological, and societal structural factors the literature identifies as impactful regarding the sustainability of consumption and lifestyles compatible with the targets of the Paris Agreement.

Methods

We draw on a systematic review of existing research and use empirical observations to develop conceptual terms that revisit the structure-agency dilemma and offer ways going forward about (un)sustainable consumption.

Results

We do so based on the material or ideational, as well as shallow or deep nature of these factors. Thereby, the article throws light on the deep and opaque material and ideational structural factors lying underneath and shaping the sustainability impact of the more visible, shallow structural factors typically considered in public debates about sustainability governance.

Discussion

The article, thus, highlights the need to consider and address these deep structural factors for any effective pursuit of transformation.
Mutations in genes encoding innate immune molecules identified in bladder cancer samples as potential biomarkers for immunotherapy with BCG and agonists
Authors: de Queiroz Nina Marí Gual Pimenta , Mambelli Fabio , Silva Bruno Marques , Oliveira Sergio Costa
Published: March 2023

Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) immunotherapy for the treatment of bladder cancer (BC) depends on the recognition of bacteria by extracellular toll-like receptors (TLRs) or the detection of mycobacterial DNA by endosomal TLRs or the cGAS-STING pathway. Agonists related to these innate immune pathways have been developed as adjuvants to potentiate the effects of immunotherapy. As innate immune pathways are important for the action of BCG and other agonists proposed for BC therapy, we decided to investigate the presence of mutations in the main receptors of these pathways. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was screened to identify BC-related mutations (apart from oncogenes), targeting, in particular, TLRs, the adaptor molecule MyD88, and the cGAS-STING (cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes) immune pathway. Among 1,724 BC entries, 103 mutations were identified in 80 affected cases in the cohort. TLR9 and TLR10 ranked among the most frequent mutated genes observed in the affected cases in our search (13 mutations each). Through all analyzed data, the search for MYD88 gene recovered only 1 mutation input in the database. Mutations in the STING and cGAS genes were found in one and four cases, respectively. We also evaluated clinical data, including the pathologic stage of BC, and gene expression from 103 mutations entries. This article attempts to highlight the relevance of mutations in genes coding for innate immune molecules in BC samples as potential biomarkers to predict individual disease outcome, and specifically to help find the appropriate treatment for each person in the future.
The evolution of a spot–spot-type solar active region which produced a major solar eruption
Authors: Liu Lijuan
Published: March 2023

Solar active regions are the main sources of large solar flares and coronal mass ejections. It is found that the active regions producing large eruptions usually show compact, highly sheared polarity inversion lines. A scenario named “collisional shearing” is proposed to explain the formation of this type of polarity inversion lines and the subsequent eruptions, which stresses the role of collision and shearing induced by relative motions of different bipoles in their emergence. However, in observations, if not considering the evolution stage of the active regions, about one-third of the active regions that produce large solar eruptions govern a spot–spot-type configuration. In this work, we studied the full evolution of an emerging AR, which showed a spot–spot-type configuration when producing a major eruption, to explore the possible evolution gap between the “collisional shearing” process in flux emergence and the formation of the spot–spot-type, eruption-producing AR. We tracked the AR from the very beginning of its emergence until it produced the first major eruption. It was found that the AR was formed through three bipoles emerging sequentially. The bipoles were arranged in parallel on the photosphere, shown as two clusters of sunspots with opposite-sign polarities, so that the AR exhibited an overall large bipole configuration. In the fast emergence phase of the AR, the shearing gradually occurred due to the proper motions of the polarities, but no significant collision occurred due to the parallel arrangement of the bipoles nor did the large eruption occur. After the fast emergence phase, one large positive polarity started to show signs of decay. Its dispersion led to the collision to a negative polarity which belonged to another bipole. A huge hot channel spanning the entire AR was formed through precursor flarings around the collision region. The hot channel erupted later, accompanied by an M7.3-class flare. The results suggest that in the spot–spot-type AR, along with the shearing induced by the proper motions of the polarities, a decay process may lead to the collision of the polarities, driving the subsequent eruptions.
Effects of hypersplenism on the outcome of hepatectomy in hepatocellular carcinoma with hepatitis B virus related portal hypertension
Authors: Chen Xiao , Wang Dong , Dong Rui , Yang Tao , Huang Bo , Cao Yanlong , Lu Jianguo , Yin Jikai
Published: March 2023

Background

Although hepatectomy plus splenectomy is not regularly recommended for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal hypertension related hypersplenism due to the high risk accompanied with surgical procedures for now. Many researchers still believe that hypersplenism is a controversial adverse prognostic factor for HCC patients. Thus, the primary objective of the study was to determine the effects of hypersplenism on the prognosis of these patients during and after hepatectomy.

Methods

A total of 335 patients with HBV-related HCC who underwent surgical resection as primary intervention were included in this study and categorized into three groups. Group A consisted of 226 patients without hypersplenism, Group B included 77 patients with mild hypersplenism, and Group C contained 32 patients with severe hypersplenism. The influence of hypersplenism on the outcome during the perioperative and long-term follow-up periods was analyzed. The independent factors were identified using the Cox proportional hazards regression model.

Results

The presence of hypersplenism is associated with longer hospital stays, more postoperative blood transfusions, and higher complication rates. The overall survival (OS, P = 0.020) and disease-free survival (DFS, P = 0.005) were significantly decreased in Group B compared to those in Group A. Additionally, the OS (P = 0.014) and DFS (P = 0.005) were reduced in Group C compared to those in Group B. Severe hypersplenism was a significant independent prognostic variable for both OS and DFS.

Conclusion

Severe hypersplenism prolonged the hospital stay, increased the rate of postoperative blood transfusion, and elevated the incidence of complications. Furthermore, hypersplenism predicted lower overall and disease-free survivals.
Recurrent renal secondary hyperparathyroidism caused by supernumerary mediastinal parathyroid gland and parathyromatosis: A case report
Authors: Li Longfei , He Chenchen , Cheng Guangming , Cao Junying , Wang Chunhui , Tang Yufu , Zhang Wei
Published: March 2023

Background

Surgical parathyroidectomy (PTX) is necessary for patients with severe and progressive secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) refractory to medical treatment. Recurrence of SHPT after PTX is a serious clinical problem. Both supernumerary mediastinal parathyroid gland and parathyromatosis are the rare causes of recurrent renal SHPT. We report a rare case of recurrent renal SHPT due to supernumerary mediastinal parathyroid gland and parathyromatosis.

Case presentation

A 53-year-old man underwent total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation due to the drug-refractory SHPT 17 years ago. In the last 11 months, the patient experienced symptoms including bone pain and skin itch, and the serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) level elevated to 1,587 pg/ml. Ultrasound detected two hypoechoic lesions located at the dorsal area of right lobe of the thyroid gland, and both lesions presented as characteristics of hyperparathyroidism in contrast-enhanced ultrasound. 99mTc-MIBI/SPECT detected a nodule in the mediastinum. A reoperation involved a cervicotomy for excising parathyromatosis lesions and the surrounding tissue and a thoracoscopic surgery for resecting a mediastinal parathyroid gland. According to a histological examination, two lesions behind the right thyroid lobe and one lesion in the central region had been defined as parathyromatosis. A nodule in the mediastinum was consistent with hyperplastic parathyroid. The patient remained well for 10 months with alleviated symptoms and stabilized iPTH levels in the range of 123–201 pg/ml.

Conclusion

Although rare, recurrent SHPT may be caused by a coexistence of both supernumerary parathyroid glands and parathyromatosis, which should receive more attention. The combination of imaging modalities is important for reoperative locations of parathyroid lesions. To successfully treat parathyromatosis, all the lesions and the surrounding tissue must be excised. Thoracoscopic surgery is a reliable and safe approach for the resection of ectopic mediastinal parathyroid glands.
Elastic properties of the non-mixing copper donor assisted material in friction stir welding of aluminum alloys using nanoindentation
Authors: Ojha M. , Al-Allaq A. H. , Mohammed Y. S. , Bhukya S. N. , Wu Z. , Elmustafa A. A.
Published: March 2023

Friction stir welding of high-strength materials such as steels is the impeded by the lack of the vast heat input needed to start the process. Contact friction is considered the most dominant source of heat generation for FSW steels which tends to cause severe wear conditions of the tool hear. To relieve the extreme wear conditions that occur on the tool heads because of FSW steels, we introduce the non-mixing Cu donor stir material to friction stir welding of aluminum alloys. The elastic properties of the Cu donor assisted friction stir welded aluminum alloys are measured using nanoindentation. The hardness and elastic modulus were measured for two regions, the base metal (BM) and the stir zone (SZ). The measurements were conducted for 20% and 60% Cu non-heat treated (NHT) and heat-treated (HT) samples. The nanomechanical properties were measured using nanoindentation with the continuous stiffness method (CSM) in depth control. The HT samples are softer than the NHT samples as expected. However, the 20% Cu NHT and HT samples depicted the same hardness at the SZ. Similar results were observed for the 60% Cu donor stir samples. It therefore concluded that the SZ is softer than the BM for the 20% and 60% Cu donor stir material as expected. The hardness of the weld at the SZ is similar to the hardness of the Al6061-T6 plate, suggesting that the Cu donor stir material did not impact the hardness properties of the Al6061-T6 plate due to the depletion of the Cu donor stir material during the welding process, an important result of the concept of the donor material. The elastic moduli of the Cu donor stir welded samples vary between 75~85 GPa at a depth of indentation of ~4600 nm, which are different from the elastic moduli of Cu 110 (117.2 GPa) and similar to the elastic modulus of aluminum alloys (68.9 GPa), an important outcome.
Ruminal fermentation pattern of acidosis-induced cows fed either monensin or polyclonal antibodies preparation against several ruminal bacteria
Authors: Pacheco Rodrigo D. L. , Souza Johnny M. , Marino Carolina T. , Bastos João Paulo S. T. , Martins Cyntia L. , Rodrigues Paulo H. M. , Arrigoni Mario D. B. , Millen Danilo D.
Published: March 2023

This study was designed to evaluate a spray-dried multivalent polyclonal antibody preparation (PAP) against lactate-producing bacteria as an alternative to monensin (MON) to control ruminal acidification. Holstein cows (677 ± 98 kg) fitted with ruminal cannulas were allocated in an incomplete Latin square design with two 20 days period. Cows were randomly assigned to control (CTL), PAP, or MON treatments. For each period, cows were fed a forage diet in the first 5 days (d−5 to d−1), composed of sugarcane, urea and a mineral supplement, followed by a 74% concentrate diet for 15 days (d 0 to d 14). There were no treatment main effects (P> 0.05) on dry matter intake (DMI) and microbial protein synthesis. However, there was a large peak (P< 0.01) of intake on d 0 (18.29 kg), followed by a large decline on d 1 (3.67 kg). From d2, DMI showed an increasing pattern (8.34 kg) and stabilized around d 8 (12.96 kg). Higher mean pH was measured (P< 0.01) in cattle-fed MON (6.06 vs. PAP= 5.89 and CTL = 5.91). The ruminal NH3-N concentration of CTL-fed cows was lower (P< 0.01) compared to those fed MON or PAP. The molar concentration of acetate and lactate was not affected (P> 0.23) by treatments, but feeding MON increased (P= 0.01) propionate during the first 4 days after the challenge. Feeding MON and PAP reduced (P= 0.01) the molar proportion of butyrate. MON was effective in controlling pH and improved ruminal fermentation of acidosis-induced cows. However, PAP was not effective in controlling acidosis. The acidosis induced by the challenge was caused by the accumulation of SCFAs. Therefore, the real conditions for evaluation of this feed additive were not reached in this experiment, since this PAP was proposed to work against lactate-producing bacteria.
Osteosarcoma miatt maxilla- és mandibularezekált páciens komplex maxillo-faciális rehabilitációs protetikai ellátása
Authors: Kelemen Anikó , Hermann Péter , Kádár László
Published: March 2023

Az oropharingeális daganatok okozta halálozásban Magyarország vezető helyet foglal el nemcsak Európában, hanem világviszonylatban is. A garat- és szájüregi rákok „járványszerű” terjedése a 2000-es évek környékén tetőzött. Azóta,habár csökkenő mértéket öltenek a halálozási esetszámok, az oropharingeális daganatok világviszonylatban mégisa 7. helyen állnak előfordulási gyakoriságukban és 9. helyen a rák okozta halálozásokban.A fej-nyak tájéki daganatok ellátása komplex feladat, melynek kezelését több szakterület képviselői végzik. A szájüreg területén végrehajtott sebészi kimetszést követő helyreállítás a rehabilitációs fogászati ellátás keretében dolgozóprotetikusok feladata. Az esetbemutatásban szereplő hölgy páciensünk 25 évesen, 1997-ben osteosarcoma miatt mandibularezekción esett át, a műtét után interim fogpótlás készült, majd fél évvel később végleges rehabilitációs fogpótlást kapott. Tíz évvel később újabb, malignus csontdaganat miatt mandibularezekción esett át. 2018-ban ismét felkerestea Semmelweis Egyetem Fogpótlástani Klinikáját, ahol fogazatának szanálását követően teljes szájrehabilitáció keretében obturátoros kombinált fogpótlás és alsó teleszkópos overdenture típusú fogpótlás készült számára.
Framework for Evaluating Potential Causes of Health Risk Factors Using Average Treatment Effect and Uplift Modelling
Authors: Galatro Daniela , Trigo-Ferre Rosario , Nakashook-Zettler Allana , Costanzo-Alvarez Vincenzo , Jeffrey Melanie , Jacome Maria , Bazylak Jason , Amon Cristina H.
Published: March 2023

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of blood cancer that affects both adults and children. Benzene exposure has been reported to increase the risk of developing AML in children. The assessment of the potential relationship between environmental benzene exposure and childhood has been documented in the literature using odds ratios and/or risk ratios, with data fitted to unconditional logistic regression. A common feature of the studies involving relationships between environmental risk factors and health outcomes is the lack of proper analysis to evidence causation. Although statistical causal analysis is commonly used to determine causation by evaluating a distribution’s parameters, it is challenging to infer causation in complex systems from single correlation coefficients. Machine learning (ML) approaches, based on causal pattern recognition, can provide an accurate alternative to model counterfactual scenarios. In this work, we propose a framework using average treatment effect (ATE) and Uplift modeling to evidence causation when relating exposure to benzene indoors and outdoors to childhood AML, effectively predicting causation when exposed indoors to this contaminant. An analysis of the assumptions, cross-validation, sample size, and interaction between predictors are also provided, guiding future works looking at the universalization of this approach in predicting health outcomes.
Network Modeling of Murine Lymphatic System
Authors: Grebennikov Dmitry , Savinkov Rostislav , Zelenova Ekaterina , Lobov Gennady , Bocharov Gennady
Published: March 2023

Animal models of diseases, particularly mice, are considered to be the cornerstone for translational research in immunology. The aim of the present study is to model the geometry and analyze the network structure of the murine lymphatic system (LS). The algorithm for building the graph model of the LS makes use of anatomical data. To identify the edge directions of the graph model, a mass balance approach to lymph dynamics based on the Hagen–Poiseuille equation is applied. It is the first study in which a geometric model of the murine LS has been developed and characterized in terms of its structural organization and the lymph transfer function. Our study meets the demand for quantitative mechanistic approaches in the growing field of immunoengineering to utilize or exploit the lymphatic system for immunotherapy.
Comfort and Support Values Provided by Different Pillow Materials for Individuals with Forward Head Posture
Authors: Türkmen Ceyhun , Esen Serdar Yılmaz , Erden Zafer , Düger Tülin
Published: March 2023

Based on the pressure distributions in the head, neck, and upper body and the spine support values, this study aims to recommend the most suitable pillow for those with forward head posture (FHP) according to different sleeping positions. This descriptive cross-sectional study recruited thirty healthy 18- to 55-year-old men and women with body mass indexes of less than 30 kg/m2. Participants tried five different pillows (viscose, fiber, cotton, goose feather, and wool) on a medium-firm hybrid mattress at room temperature with a humidity of 45–55%. Participants tried the pillows first in the supine position, then side-lying, and finally in the prone position. A pressure-mapping system was utilized to measure the pressure distributions of the head and shoulder areas in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and the amount of support provided by the pillow to these regions in square centimeters (cm2). When the comfort and support parameters of different pillow materials were compared among all participants, for the supine position, Pillow B and Pillow E provided higher head comfort (p < 0.001), while Pillow A and Pillow E provided higher shoulder support (p = 0.044). In the side-lying position, Pillow B provided higher head comfort (p < 0.001) and Pillow C (p = 0.003) higher shoulder comfort. In the prone position, Pillow B and Pillow E provided higher head comfort (p < 0.001), while Pillow E also provided higher shoulder support (p = 0.002). This study showed pillow materials affect the spine comfort and support of the participants, and these values may vary according to different spinal alignments, such as FHP. According to the preferred sleeping position, the pillow material that supports the spine and its comfort and support values may also change.
Are There Wheat Cultivars Allowing Enhanced Carbon Allocation to Soils?
Authors: Chaplot Vincent , Mathew Isack , Clulow Alistair , Shimelis Hussein
Published: March 2023

The transfer of atmospheric carbon (C) in soils is a possible strategy for climate change mitigation and for restoring land productivity. While some studies have compared the ability of existing crops to allocate C into the soil, the genetic variations between crop genotypes have received less attention. The objective of this study was to compare the allocation to the soil of atmospheric C by genetically diverse wheat genotypes under different scenarios of soil water availability. The experiments were set up under open-field and greenhouse conditions with 100 wheat genotypes sourced from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre and grown at 25% (drought stressed) and 75% (non-stressed) field capacity, using an alpha lattice design with 10 incomplete blocks and 10 genotypes per block. The genotypes were analyzed for grain yield (GY), plant shoot and root biomass (SB and RB, respectively) and C content, and stocks in plant parts. Additionally, 13C pulse labeling was performed during the crop growth period of 10 selected genotypes for assessing soil C inputs. The average GY varied from 75 to 4696 g m−2 and total plant biomass (PB) from 1967 to 13,528 g m−2. The plant C stocks ranged from 592 to 1109 g C m−2 (i.e., an 87% difference) under drought condition and between 1324 and 2881 g C m−2 (i.e., 117%) under well-watered conditions. Atmospheric C transfer to the soil only occurred under well-drained conditions and increased with the increase in the root to shoot ratio for C stocks (r = 0.71). Interestingly, the highest transfer to the soil was found for LM-26 and LM-47 (13C/12C of 7.6 and 6.5 per mille, respectively) as compared to LM-70 and BW-162 (0.75; 0.85). More is to be done to estimate the differences in C fluxes to the soil over entire growing seasons and to assess the long-term stabilization of the newly allocated C. Future research studies also need to identify genomic regions associated with GY and soil C transfer to enable the breeding of “carbon-superior” cultivars.
Using a Data Mining Method to Explore Strategies for Improving the Social Interaction Environment Quality of Urban Neighborhood Open Spaces
Authors: Zhang Jiaming , Wang Guanqiang , Xiong Lei
Published: March 2023

With the intensification of population aging and the increasing awareness of public health protection in the post-epidemic era, the renewal of the old urban community neighborhood space is facing many new challenges and problems. Neighborhood Public Open Space (POS) is the main place for people to carry out various social activities in community life. The quality of the social interaction environment that a neighborhood POS can provide can have a vital impact on people’s well-being, as well as their physical and mental health. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to identify and clarify the key physical environmental design attributes/features of the old urban community neighborhood POS, and to explore the relationship between them from the perspective of creating a high-quality social environment. Through the investigation of relevant cases in Shenzhen and Guangzhou, China, the classification performance of each case on the key physical and environmental elements is used as the conditional attribute, and the quality of the social interaction environment in the current situation of each case is used as the decision making attribute to conduct a data mining analysis. Using rough set theory, this study screened out four important elements: greenbelt form planning (C1); ped and bike system (C2); space organization and zoning planning (C6); Public facilities (C8). Moreover, this study also presents a set of hierarchical decision rules to describe the classification status of the matching physical environmental design elements when the social interaction environment reaches a high quality in the neighborhood POS. This study provides local policy makers with key current situation assessment and diagnostic tools in urban-built environmental renewal projects. The results of this study can help designers draw up the renovation design plans of neighborhood POS on the basis of efficiently obtaining the practical experience of relevant cases, and then create a high-quality social interaction environment.
Aging Determination of Series-Connected Lithium-Ion Cells Independent of Module Design
Authors: Hein Thiemo , Oeser David , Ziegler Andreas , Montesinos-Miracle Daniel , Ackva Ansgar
Published: March 2023

In this work, a battery consisting of eight commercial NMC/graphite cells connected in series was cycled to 60% of its initial capacity. During the test, special care was taken to ensure that the results were not influenced by either the module assembly or the module design. For this purpose, the cells were virtually connected in a laboratory environment with the help of the test device as if they were operated together in a battery. Extrinsic influences that affect cell aging were thus reduced to a minimum. Differential Voltage Analysis (DVA), Electrochemical Impedance Spectrum (EIS), and relaxation measurements were performed to analyze the aging behavior of each cell. The results show that despite a theoretically perfect module design, Cell-to-Cell Variations (CtCV) occurred during aging. The shifting Depth of Discharge (DoD) values among the cells further amplify CtCV. Lithium plating was also observed in the faster aging cells after cyclic aging, suggesting that this aging effect contributes significantly to the development of CtCV. After the aging test, the battery was equipped with an active balancing system that maximizes capacity utilization. More important, the balancing charges which are calculated iteratively within the used balancing algorithm show a strong correlation to the pure capacity losses and thus provide a new way to determine the capacity values of each cell individually without disassembling the battery.