bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analyze interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α levels in dry eye and the therapeutic effect of cyclosporine A
Authors: Wu Juan , Li Gui-Jun , Niu Jie , Wen Fei , Han Li
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND

Dry eye is a common eye disease. Artificial tears supplements are widely used for the treatment of dry eyes. However, multiple adverse effects have been observed in patients receiving long-term treatment with artificial tears, which may affect the therapeutic effect.

AIM

To analyze the characteristics of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels in patients with dry eye and the therapeutic effect of artificial tears combined with cyclosporine A.

METHODS

A total of 124 dry eye patients treated at The First People’s Hospital of Xining from April 2020 to April 2022 were selected as the observation group, while 20 healthy individuals served as the control group during the same period. Levels of inflammatory markers, including IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, were analyzed. The observation group was further divided into a study group and a control group, each consisting of 62 patients. The control group received artificial tears, whereas the study group received a combination of artificial tears and cyclosporine A. Inflammatory markers, Schirmer’s test (SIT), tear break-up time (TBUT), corneal fluorescein staining (CFS), National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (NEI-VFQ-25) scores, and adverse events (AEs) were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

The observation group exhibited significantly elevated serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in comparison to the healthy group. Following treatment, the study group demonstrated substantial reductions in IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels relative to the control group. Moreover, after treatment, the study group experienced a marked decrease in CFS scores and significant increases in both SIT and BUT levels when compared to the control group. Additionally, significant improvements were observed in the primary symptom of dry eye and secondary symptoms such as photophobia, foreign body sensation, fatigue, red eye, and burning sensation within the study group. Furthermore, post-treatment NEI-VFQ-25 scores across all dimensions exhibited significant enhancements in the study group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). It is noteworthy that significant AEs were reported in both groups throughout the treatment period.

CONCLUSION

Cyclosporine A combined with artificial tears is effective in treating dry eye, yielding enhanced outcomes by improving SIT and TBUT levels, reducing CFS scores, and ameliorating vision-related quality of life.
Clinical study on improving the diagnostic accuracy of adult elbow joint cartilage injury by multisequence magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Ding Wei-Wei , Ding Lei , Li Li , Zhang Pan , Gong Rui , Li Jian , Xu Meng-Ying , Ding Feng , Chen Bing
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND

Due to frequent and high-risk sports activities, the elbow joint is susceptible to injury, especially to cartilage tissue, which can cause pain, limited movement and even loss of joint function.

AIM

To evaluate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) multisequence imaging for improving the diagnostic accuracy of adult elbow cartilage injury.

METHODS

A total of 60 patients diagnosed with elbow cartilage injury in our hospital from January 2020 to December 2021 were enrolled in this retrospective study. We analyzed the accuracy of conventional MRI sequences (T1-weighted imaging, T2-weighted imaging, proton density weighted imaging, and T2 star weighted image) and Three-Dimensional Coronary Imaging by Spiral Scanning (3D-CISS) in the diagnosis of elbow cartilage injury. Arthroscopy was used as the gold standard to evaluate the diagnostic effect of single and combination sequences in different injury degrees and the consistency with arthroscopy.

RESULTS

The diagnostic accuracy of 3D-CISS sequence was 89.34% ± 4.98%, the sensitivity was 90%, and the specificity was 88.33%, which showed the best performance among all sequences (P < 0.05). The combined application of the whole sequence had the highest accuracy in all sequence combinations, the accuracy of mild injury was 91.30%, the accuracy of moderate injury was 96.15%, and the accuracy of severe injury was 93.33% (P < 0.05). Compared with arthroscopy, the combination of all MRI sequences had the highest consistency of 91.67%, and the kappa value reached 0.890 (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Combination of 3D-CISS and each sequence had significant advantages in improving MRI diagnostic accuracy of elbow cartilage injuries in adults. Multisequence MRI is recommended to ensure the best diagnosis and treatment.
Differential expression of plasma cytokines in sepsis patients and their clinical implications
Authors: Liu Hui-Xiu , Wang Yu-Ying , Yang Xue-Feng
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND

Sepsis, which is characterized by acute systemic inflammation and is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality, presents a significant challenge in health care. Some scholars have found that the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) and quick SOFA scores are not ideal for predicting severe sepsis and mortality. Microbial culture takes a long time (2-3 d) and provides no information for early diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, new diagnostic methods for sepsis need to be explored.

AIM

To assess cytokine levels in the plasma of sepsis patients and identify potential biomarkers for diagnosing sepsis.

METHODS

Ten sepsis patients admitted to the emergency department within 24 h of onset were enrolled as the observation group, whereas ten noninfected patients served as the control group. Of the 10 noninfected patients, 9 hypertension combined with cerebral infarction, 1 patients with vertiginous syndrome. Plasma Cytokines were measured using the Bio-Plex Pro™ Human Chemokine Panel 40-plex. Differentially expressed cytokines in plasma of sepsis and nonsepsis patients were analyzed using Gene Ontology (GO) functional enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses.

RESULTS

Interleukin (IL)-16, granulocyte-macrophage granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), CX3CL1, CXCL9, CXCL16, CCL25, and CCL23 plasma levels were significantly increased in sepsis patients. GO analysis revealed that these cytokines were mainly associated with cellular structures such as intermediates, nuclear plaques, adhesion plaques, lateral plasma membranes, and cell matrix junctions. These genes were involved in various molecular functions, such as cytokine activity, receptor ligand activity, and signal receptor activator activity, contributing to various biological functions, such as leukocyte chemotaxis, migration, and chemotaxis. KEGG analysis indicated involvement in cytokine cytokine receptor interactions, chemokine signaling pathways, virus–protein interactions with cytokines and cytokine receptors, and the tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

Elevated serum levels of IL-16, GM-CSF, CX3CL1, CXCL9, CXCL16, CCL25, and CCL23 in sepsis patients suggest their potential as diagnostic biomarkers for sepsis.
Sleep quality in middle-aged and elderly hemodialysis patients: Impact of a structured nursing intervention program
Authors: Tao Ling-Ling , Zeng Cai-Hua , Mei Wen-Juan , Zou Yan-Li
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND

Poor sleep quality is common among hemodialysis patients and can significantly impact their well-being. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured nursing intervention program in improving sleep quality in middle-aged and elderly hemodialysis patients.

AIM

To evaluate the impact of nursing intervention on sleep quality in hemodialysis patients.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, in 2023. This study included 105 middle-aged and elderly hemodialysis patients aged ≥ 45 years who underwent maintenance hemodialysis for at least 3 mo, utilizing the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to identify poor sleepers. Those identified underwent a 12-wk nursing intervention program focusing on education, relaxation techniques, and counseling. Post-intervention, sleep quality was reassessed using the PSQI.

RESULTS

The study found that 68.6% of hemodialysis patients were poor sleepers. Following the 12-wk nursing intervention program, there was a significant decrease in the mean global PSQI score from 8.9 ± 3.2 to 5.1 ± 2.7 (P < 0.001), indicating improved sleep quality. This demonstrated the effectiveness of the structured nursing intervention in enhancing sleep quality for middle-aged and elderly hemodialysis patients.

CONCLUSION

The structured nursing intervention program focusing on sleep hygiene education, relaxation techniques, and counseling effectively improved sleep quality among middle-aged and elderly hemodialysis patients. The significant decrease in the mean global PSQI score post-intervention indicates the positive impact of tailored nursing interventions in addressing poor sleep quality in this patient population. These findings emphasize the importance of implementing targeted nursing interventions to enhance the quality of life for hemodialysis patients by addressing the prevalent issue of poor sleep quality.
Causal associations between intermediate very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol-to-total lipids ratio and peptic ulcer: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Lin Chun-Mei , Meng Qian , Li Ying-Jun , Zhang Shuang-Xi , Luo Qiong-Xi , Dai Zhen-Yu
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND

Previous epidemiologic investigations have consistently demonstrated a strong association between the ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in medium very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and the occurrence of peptic ulcers (PU). However, the precise causal relationship between these factors remains ambiguous. Consequently, this study aims to elucidate the potential correlation between the ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in medium VLDL and the incidence of peptic ulcer.

AIM

To investigate the ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in medium very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) association with PU via genetic methods, guiding future clinical research.

METHODS

Genome-wide association study (GWAS) datasets for the ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in intermediate VLDL and peptic ulcer were retrieved from the IEU OpenGWAS project (https://gwas.mrcieu.ac.uk ). For the forward Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, 72 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified as instrumental variables. These SNPs were selected based on their association with the ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in intermediate VLDL, with peptic ulcer as the outcome variable. Conversely, for the inverse MR analysis, no SNPs were identified with peptic ulcer as the exposure variable and the ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in intermediate VLDL as the outcome. All MR analyses utilized inverse variance weighted (IVW) as the primary analytical method. Additionally, weighted median and MR-Egger methods were employed as supplementary analytical approaches to assess causal effects. Egger regression was used as a supplementary method to evaluate potential directional pleiotropy. Heterogeneity and multiplicity tests were conducted using the leave-one-out method to evaluate result stability and mitigate biases associated with multiple testing.

RESULTS

The genetically predicted ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in medium VLDL was significantly associated with an elevated risk of peptic ulcer (IVW: OR = 2.557, 95%CI = 1.274-5.132, P = 0.008). However, no causal association of peptic ulcer with the ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in medium VLDL was observed in the inverse Mendelian randomization analysis.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, our study reveals a significant association between the ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in medium VLDL and an elevated risk of peptic ulcers. However, further validation through laboratory investigations and larger-scale studies is warranted to strengthen the evidence and confirm the causal relationship between these factors.
Rare giant intradural epidural hemolymphangioma: A case report
Authors: Sun Shou-Feng , Wang Xue-Hua , Yuan Ying-Ying , Shao Yuan-Dong
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND

Hemolymphangioma is a rare, noninvasive benign tumor that originates from vascular and lymphatic malformations. It is usually congenital and can present with varying symptoms depending on its location and size. There are very few reports of hemolymphangiomas within the spinal canal, and giant lesions are exceptionally rare.

CASE SUMMARY

In July 2023, a 64-year-old male with a giant intravertebral epidural hemolymphangioma from thoracic 11 to lumbar 2 (T11-L2) was admitted to the Department of Spine Surgery at the People's Hospital of Binzhou City, China. The patient experienced progressive lumbar and left lower limb pain, numbness, weakness in both lower limbs, and difficulty with urination and defecation. Imaging studies revealed a large cystic mass in the spinal canal at T11-L2. Surgical decompression was performed, and the pathology confirmed hemolymphangioma.

CONCLUSION

Complete resection of hemolymphangiomas has the best prognosis, and final diagnosis relies on pathologic diagnosis. In this case, the mass was removed intact with a pedicle nail rod system, leading to adequate spinal decompression and restoration of spinal stability.
Managing Chemotherapy-Induced Diarrhea: Efficacy of Interventions for Cancer Patients
Authors: Venkateswaramurthy N. , S Aravindhan , P R Elavarasan
Published: July 2024

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for 71% of all deaths worldwide, with cancer being one of the leading causes of mortality in India (9%), where NCDs account for 63% of all fatalities. The incidence of cancer continues to rise, with breast, lung, colon and rectum, prostate, non-melanoma skin cancer, and stomach cancer being the most commonly diagnosed in 2020. Similarly, lung, colon and rectum, liver, stomach, and breast cancer are the most common causes of cancer-related deaths. Chemotherapy is widely used to treat cancer due to the rapid growth and reproduction rate of cancer cells. However, diarrhea is one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy. The management of chemotherapy-induced diarrhea involves a variety of pharmacological interventions, including loperamide and octreotide, as well as the use of probiotics and herbal products. This review provides a comprehensive overview of these treatments and their efficacy, as well as strategies for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced diarrhea
Potential Drug-Drug Interactions with Adefovir Dipivoxil: Clinical Implications and Management Strategies
Authors: M Shankar Ganesh , D Asifsha , N Venkateswaramurthy
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT: This study meticulously investigates the intricate network of drug interactions, specifically focusing on adefovir dipivoxil, a nucleotide analog employed in treating chronic hepatitis B. The comprehensive analysis explores the influence of various drugs, including Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)), histamine H2 receptor antagonists, aminoglycoside antibiotics, and cytochrome P450 enzyme inducers/inhibitors, on the metabolism and elimination of adefovir dipivoxil. The pivotal role of liver enzymes and renal function in the metabolism and excretion of this drug is underscored. The discourse centers on the mechanisms, such as competitive inhibition for renal transporters, enzyme induction/inhibition, and metabolic interference, which can modify the renal elimination of adefovir dipivoxil, potentially leading to toxicity or diminished efficacy. The study highlights that alterations in liver esterase activity and renal function directly impact adefovir dipivoxil exposure. The findings conclude that drugs affecting liver enzymes or renal function significantly influence the metabolism and excretion of adefovir dipivoxil, necessitating vigilant monitoring for potential interactions to optimize the safety and efficacy of adefovir dipivoxil therapy for chronic HBV patients. This review sheds light on critical drug interactions, guiding healthcare professionals to devise safer and more effective treatment regimens for chronic hepatitis B, thereby ensuring improved patient outcomes.
Phytochemicals as Potential DNA Polymerase β Inhibitors for Targeted Ovarian Cancer Therapy: An In-silico Approach
Authors: Patra Anutosh , Choudhuri Indranil , Paria Prasenjit , Samanta Abhishek , Khanra Kalyani , Chakraborty Anindita , Bhattacharyya Nandan
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT: Ovarian cancer poses significant challenges due to limited treatment options and high mortality rates, necessitating innovative therapeutic strategies. Targeting DNA repair pathways, such as DNA polymerase β (Pol β), holds promise for improving treatment outcomes. This study aims to identify phytochemicals from the Super Natural database as natural inhibitors of Pol β activity to enhance ovarian cancer therapy efficacy, particularly when used in combination with damaging agents. Screening a library of 21,105 drug-like molecules alongside 800 compounds from the natural products collection (NatProd, a unique compound library) involved applying Lipinski's Rule of Five, the Golden Triangle rule, and Pfizer’s rule. Following this, compounds predicted to exhibit carcinogenicity, toxicity, and mutagenicity were removed. The outcome of this rigorous screening process yielded 1,104 molecules eligible for structure-based virtual screening. Docking-based virtual screening using two servers was conducted on selected molecules, followed by computer simulations to assess their interaction dynamics and stability with Pol β. Molecular dynamics simulations further evaluated stability and interactions, considering energy, forces, and interaction scores. From these analyses, four promising Pol β inhibitors—SN00158342, SN00305418, SN00004251, and SN00341636—were identified, exhibiting favorable stability profiles, interactions. The binding energiesforSN00158342, SN00305418, SN00004251, and SN00341636 were found to be -22.0327±3.8493, -15.9181±4.5020, -29.7465±6.7833 and -27.3184±5.1579kcal/mol respectively. Utilizing these compounds alongside DNA-damaging agents presents a novel and potentially fruitful approach to improving ovarian cancer treatment outcomes. Overall, this study underscores the potential of phytochemicals as effective Pol β inhibitors, offering a promising avenue for enhancing ovarian cancer therapy effectiveness.
Metabolic Impairment of Natural Killer Cells in Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) Individuals: A Double-Edged Sword Elevating Susceptibility to Infections and Cancer
Authors: Almutairi Saeedah Musaed
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT: Glucose metabolism disturbances, such as the intricate realm of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), cast a captivating spell on the biological landscape of natural killer cells (NK cells). However, the scientific tapestry depicting the abundance and functionality of NK cells in T2DM remains an enigma, with studies yielding inconsistent findings. Some reports have unveiled a decline in peripheral NK cell numbers among T2DM patients compared to their healthy counterparts 1, while others have painted a different picture, suggesting similar levels of NK cells between T2DM patients and controls 2. Intriguingly, patients with diabetes showcased diminished NK cell activity when pitted against control participants 3. Nonetheless, a contrasting study revealed comparable levels of NK cells and their functional prowess between T2DM individuals and the control group 4. In the realm of inflammation, a symphony of cytokines, including the illustrious interleukin 18 (IL-18), takes center stage, orchestrating the proliferation and effector functions of NK cells. Astonishingly, patients afflicted by T2DM exhibit elevated IL-18 levels 5. In a prior investigation of my own, I unraveled the fascinating connection between IL-18 and NK cell biology. It became evident that IL-18 enhances the expression of nutrient transporters on NK cells, thereby bolstering their metabolic fitness an essential prerequisite for cellular division and the execution of their formidable effector functions 6. Hence, these intriguing findings hint at a possible link between the metabolic landscape of NK cells and their response to IL-18, potentially elucidating the discordant outcomes observed in NK cell functionality during the course of T2DM. Diving deeper into the realm of immune cell metabolism holds tremendous promise for therapeutic breakthroughs in the realm of chronic diseases. Recent studies have illuminated the intricate interplay between compromised immune responses and defective cellular metabolism, underscoring the urgent need to unravel the intricate dance between these two realms in the context of chronic diseases.
Recombinant Expression and Purification of Novel COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3)
Authors: Singh Alok , Verma Navneet , Kumar Prevesh , D Diksha , Hasan Iqra
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT: COVID-19, the global pandemic, infected and killed many human beings across the world. The sudden onset and global spread of the disease necessitated the development of an efficient vaccine for mass vaccination. The present study provides the data for the expression and purification of a vaccine candidate against the SARS-CoV2 virus. The beauty of this vaccine is the employment of multiple epitopes targeting the structural and non-structural proteins of the virus, thus inhibiting the viral infection and replication. The study data showed that the recombinant vaccine candidate was sequestered into inclusion bodies in Escherichia coli (E. coli) BL21 (DE3). In order to maximize protein recovery, protein solubilization and refolding was optimized using mild chaotropic agents. Further, anion exchange (AEX) chromatography was used as a negative chromatography to remove other protein impurities and recover the protein of interest in the flow-through. The cation exchange (CEX) chromatography step provided pure protein, but the protein recovery was reduced. The final purified protein showed the presence of NSP9 and RBD when probed with antibodies against these epitopes. The study demonstrated that a multiple epitope vaccine can be successfully expressed using E. coli BL21 (DE3) as the host. However, further studies are required to prove the efficacy of the vaccine candidate.
Exploring the Efficacy of Organic Citrus Formulations for Salinity Amelioration in Contrasting Agro Climatic Regions
Authors: Vaidya Khayali , Sharma Seema B. , Sharma Aparna , Solanki Manish
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT: The world's food supply is currently under threat from saline soils, an issue that is exacerbated by climate change and insufficient rainfall. This study was to find out if introducing an amendment made from citrus peels may lower the salinity of the soil and promote plant development in two distinct agro climatic zones in India. The chosen regions, Zone 13 (which covered the Gujarat Plains and Hills Region) and Zone 1 (which represented the Western Himalayan Region), had varying soil quality and weather. It has been found that the amendment works well in neutral and salted soils to lower soil salinity. In neutral soil (Zone 1), the amendment greatly decreased salinity by 50%, and in saline soil (Zone 13), by 75%. The acidic nature of the amendment effectively neutralized soil salts, hence enhancing the conditions for enhanced nutrient uptake by plant roots. Furthermore, the soil properties were significantly improved by the addition of kitchen garbage. It is expected that increased plant growth and higher agricultural production will result from this improvement in soil quality. Both soil types had reduced soil organic carbon (SOC) concentrations, the study also revealed. Overall, the study suggests that adding citrus peels to soil can be a long-term solution to problems with salt. To evaluate the scalability and practical application of this organic amendment for soil development, more investigation and field testing are necessary. Citrus peel amendment has the ability to alleviate salt problems in soil across a range of agro climatic zones. In addition to improving agricultural output, this strategy supports food security and sustainable farming methods.
The Spectrum of Biochemical and Haematological Alterations in COVID-19 Patients Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital in Karnataka, India
Authors: CS Nagalakshmi , Shaikh Shaheen , Gandham Rajeev , N U Santhosh
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus -2 (SARS-CoV-2), primarily acts on lungs. Most of these patients present with typical respiratory symptoms and signs. SARS-CoV-2, mainly detected by nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swab(s) of suspected subjects. The present study aimed at evaluating and discussing the alterations in biochemical and hematological parameters in COVID-19 patients in a tertiary care hospital. This observational study was conducted in a Tertiary care hospital, Coastal Karnataka, India. In this study, 124 COVID-19 patients were involved. Co-morbidities, such as hypertension was observed in 98 (79%), diabetes in 91 (73.3%), cardiovascular disease in 20 (16.1%), chronic kidney disease in 4 (3.2%) and liver disease in 2 (1.6%) cases. Hypertension and diabetes were more common. Symptoms such as fever was found in 109 cases (87.9%), dry cough in 102 (82.2%), fatigue in 89 (71.7%), chest tightness in 79 (63.7%), myalgia in 67 (54%) and mild shortness of breath in 46 (37%) cases. In this study, hemoglobin (9.4±1.7 %) and platelets (240.1±89.7) were decreased and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (50.7±15.7) significantly increased in severe cases. Mean values of random blood sugar (RBS) was 245.6 ± 126.9 mg/dl, HbA1c 7.9±2.8%, serum urea 82.8±25.2 mg/dl, Creatinine 3.2±1.5 mg/dl, Uric acid 6.8±1.5 mg/dl), Total Bilirubin 1.2±0.6 mg/dl, Alkaline Phosphatase 135.4±38.9 IU/L, C-Reactive protein (CRP) 84.8±7.7 mg/L, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) 644.6±175.1 U/L, Ferritin 828.3±195.4 µg/L, D-Dimer [2680.9 (1899.0-5475.7 ng/ml)] were elevated in severe cases than mild group. In contrast, serum total proteins (6.3±0.7g%) and globulin (2.8±0.5 g%) levels were significantly decreased in severe cases than mild/moderate cases. Study may conclude that presence of co-morbidities, abnormalities in biochemical and hematological parameters, should be regularly monitored, especially in severe / critical COVID-19 patients.
Risk factors for unsuccessful reduction of chronic Monteggia fractures in children treated surgically
Authors: Wang WenTao , Xiong Zhu , Huang DianHua , Li YiQiang , Huang YuLing , Guo YueMing , Andreacchio Antonio , Canavese Federico , Chen ShunYou
Published: July 2024

Aims

To investigate the risk factors for unsuccessful radial head reduction (RHR) in children with chronic Monteggia fractures (CMFs) treated surgically.

Methods

A total of 209 children (mean age 6.84 years (SD 2.87)), who underwent surgical treatment for CMFs between March 2015 and March 2023 at six institutions, were retrospectively reviewed. Assessed risk factors included age, sex, laterality, dislocation direction and distance, preoperative proximal radial metaphysis width, time from injury to surgery, reduction method, annular ligament reconstruction, radiocapitellar joint fixation, ulnar osteotomy, site of ulnar osteotomy, preoperative and postoperative ulnar angulation, ulnar fixation method, progressive ulnar distraction, and postoperative cast immobilization. Independent-samples t-test, chi-squared test, and logistic regression analysis were used to identify the risk factors associated with unsuccessful RHR.

Results

Redislocation occurred during surgery in 48 patients (23%), and during follow-up in 44 (21.1%). The mean follow-up of patients with successful RHR was 13.25 months (6 to 78). According to the univariable analysis, time from injury to surgery (p = 0.002) and preoperative dislocation distance (p = 0.042) were identified as potential risk factors for unsuccessful RHR. However, only time from injury to surgery (p = 0.007) was confirmed as a risk factor by logistic regression analysis. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and chi-squared test confirmed that a time from injury to surgery greater than 1.75 months increased the rate of unsuccessful RHR above the cutoff (p = 0.002).

Conclusion

Time from injury to surgery is the primary independent risk factor for unsuccessful RHR in surgically treated children with CMFs, particularly in those with a time from injury to surgery of more than 1.75 months. No other factors were found to influence the incidence of unsuccessful RHR. Surgical reduction of paediatric CMFs should be performed within the first two months of injury whenever possible.

Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2024;5(7):581–591.
Gaming in the Dark: Colossal Cave Adventure, Kentucky Route Zero , and the Racial Imaginary of the Mammoth Cave System
Authors: LeClerc Jérémie
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT: This article reads the seminal text-based computer videogame Colossal Cave Adventure (1976–77) as a key document to understand videogame and computing history’s fraught relationship with race. It situates its simulation of underground exploration in the context of the actual location that inspired it: Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave system, a destination that was immensely popular with tourists in the mid-nineteenth century, but also relied heavily on the labor of enslaved Black men. This article examines what it means for one of the foundational videogame texts to be modelled after a space historically marked by Black slave labor; it positions Adventure and the programming culture from which it emerged, and in which it was so enthusiastically received, as crucial sites to understand how the ideology of whiteness as an unraced, universal position came to be so enmeshed with videogame and computer culture. The ramifications of Adventure ’s relation to race are explored through a reading of Cardboard Computer’s critically acclaimed videogame Kentucky Route Zero (2012–2020), which pays homage to Adventure by using the Mammoth Cave as a setting for its magical realist exploration of the entanglement of media history, labor, and dispossession in America, but ends up providing a whitewashed account of the labor that shaped the region.
The Global Distribution, Life History, and Taxonomic Description of the Common Oceanic Plastic Bag: Plasticus sacculi sp. nov
Authors: Arasu Prema , Maroni Paige J. , Jamieson Alan J.
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT: The Anthropocene is characterized in geological terms by the stratigraphic inscription of human impact. Donna Haraway refigures the Anthropocene as a boundary event, the surpassing of which requires the formation of trans-genealogical kinships between biotic and abiotic actors. In the interest of such kinships, we turn our attention to plastic, a biogenic material derived from ancient zooplankton and algae, and, as we show, one with its own vibrant life history and phylogeny. Taking an approach informed by Haraway’s “kin-making” and Nicolas Nova’s The Bestiary of the Anthropocene , this article is a taxonomic description of Plasticus gen. nov. sacculi sp. nov., a new deep-sea “species.” Based on a real observation of a plastic bag in the deep sea, we describe the distribution, life history, and phylogeny of Plasticus sacculi .
Atrapado hasta los huesos: el cuerpo mutilado como metáfora de la violencia de la colonialidad del poder en Adiós Ayacucho de Julio Ortega = Trapped to the Bones: The Mutilated Body as a Metaphor of the Violence of Coloniality of Power in Adiós Ayacucho by Julio Ortega
Authors: Campos Claudia Berríos
Published: July 2024

Abstract in English: Peruvian society confronted the most traumatic decades of their republican history during the years 1980–2000, in which the country experienced an internal war known as the Peruvian Armed Conflict. During this period, subversive groups and the Peruvian State clashed in a bloody battle marked by violence and generational trauma, especially affecting Peruvians identified as rural peasants and Indigenous language speakers in Andean communities already structurally marginalized by the government and other groups in power. This article examines the structural violence during the Peruvian Armed Conflict as it is represented in the short novel Adiós Ayacucho (1986), by Peruvian writer Julio Ortega, through the physical and emotional wounds symbolizing the cultural trauma experienced by Indigenous communities. Through the main character's representation, Alfonso Cánepa, an Indigenous peasant and union leader, I will analyze how the torture on his body and his quest to recover his bones can be read as an example of the persistence of coloniality suffered by Indigenous communities in postcolonial societies like Peru. Cánepa's journey to recover his bones after being tortured and murdered by the State Forces can be identified as the result of a resistance to this violence and the vocalization by an Indigenous leader to rewrite the official narratives that try to erase Indigenous agency. I intend to show that the mutilation of the Indigenous body by the State is a strategy to attempt the elimination of indigeneity as an active element of the nation. Through the literary representation of the mutilated body and the quest for recognition of a structural trauma, the main character voices the collective resistance of Indigenous agency to the obliteration of their stories and ways of life.
Sustain
Authors: Horvath Tim
Published: July 2024

Abstract: The Summer 2024 Issue. Ploughshares is an award-winning journal of new writing. Since 1971, Ploughshares has discovered and cultivated the freshest voices in contemporary American literature, and now provides readers with thoughtful and entertaining literature in a variety of formats. Find out why the New York Times named Ploughshares “the Triton among minnows.” The Summer 2024 Issue, guest-edited by Rebecca Makkai, features prose by Dur e Aziz Amna, Ramona Ausubel, Peter Mountford, Khaddafina Mbabazi, DK Nnuro, and more.
My Refugee
Authors: Martinez Juan
Published: July 2024

Abstract: The Summer 2024 Issue. Ploughshares is an award-winning journal of new writing. Since 1971, Ploughshares has discovered and cultivated the freshest voices in contemporary American literature, and now provides readers with thoughtful and entertaining literature in a variety of formats. Find out why the New York Times named Ploughshares “the Triton among minnows.” The Summer 2024 Issue, guest-edited by Rebecca Makkai, features prose by Dur e Aziz Amna, Ramona Ausubel, Peter Mountford, Khaddafina Mbabazi, DK Nnuro, and more.
Memory
Authors: Mbabazi Khaddafina
Published: July 2024

Abstract: The Summer 2024 Issue. Ploughshares is an award-winning journal of new writing. Since 1971, Ploughshares has discovered and cultivated the freshest voices in contemporary American literature, and now provides readers with thoughtful and entertaining literature in a variety of formats. Find out why the New York Times named Ploughshares “the Triton among minnows.” The Summer 2024 Issue, guest-edited by Rebecca Makkai, features prose by Dur e Aziz Amna, Ramona Ausubel, Peter Mountford, Khaddafina Mbabazi, DK Nnuro, and more.
Prolific Donor
Authors: Mountford Peter
Published: July 2024

Abstract: The Summer 2024 Issue. Ploughshares is an award-winning journal of new writing. Since 1971, Ploughshares has discovered and cultivated the freshest voices in contemporary American literature, and now provides readers with thoughtful and entertaining literature in a variety of formats. Find out why the New York Times named Ploughshares “the Triton among minnows.” The Summer 2024 Issue, guest-edited by Rebecca Makkai, features prose by Dur e Aziz Amna, Ramona Ausubel, Peter Mountford, Khaddafina Mbabazi, DK Nnuro, and more.
Recognition
Authors: Nelson Vere Heath
Published: July 2024

Abstract: The Summer 2024 Issue. Ploughshares is an award-winning journal of new writing. Since 1971, Ploughshares has discovered and cultivated the freshest voices in contemporary American literature, and now provides readers with thoughtful and entertaining literature in a variety of formats. Find out why the New York Times named Ploughshares “the Triton among minnows.” The Summer 2024 Issue, guest-edited by Rebecca Makkai, features prose by Dur e Aziz Amna, Ramona Ausubel, Peter Mountford, Khaddafina Mbabazi, DK Nnuro, and more.
Perfect Numbers
Authors: Ausubel Ramona
Published: July 2024

Abstract: The Summer 2024 Issue. Ploughshares is an award-winning journal of new writing. Since 1971, Ploughshares has discovered and cultivated the freshest voices in contemporary American literature, and now provides readers with thoughtful and entertaining literature in a variety of formats. Find out why the New York Times named Ploughshares “the Triton among minnows.” The Summer 2024 Issue, guest-edited by Rebecca Makkai, features prose by Dur e Aziz Amna, Ramona Ausubel, Peter Mountford, Khaddafina Mbabazi, DK Nnuro, and more.
The Hostages
Authors: Calvert Drew
Published: July 2024

Abstract: The Summer 2024 Issue. Ploughshares is an award-winning journal of new writing. Since 1971, Ploughshares has discovered and cultivated the freshest voices in contemporary American literature, and now provides readers with thoughtful and entertaining literature in a variety of formats. Find out why the New York Times named Ploughshares “the Triton among minnows.” The Summer 2024 Issue, guest-edited by Rebecca Makkai, features prose by Dur e Aziz Amna, Ramona Ausubel, Peter Mountford, Khaddafina Mbabazi, DK Nnuro, and more.
Male Pregnancy in Yucatán, 2218: Eduardo Urzaiz's Eugenia
Authors: Castillo Debra A.
Published: July 2024

Abstract: This article studies the 1919 novel Eugenia by the prolific Yucatec writer and medical doctor Eduardo Urzaiz, focusing on gestational surrogacy and its implications as it is represented in this short novel. I argue that Urzaiz's fantasy of mainstreamed assisted reproduction technology and gestational surrogacy echoes current, more dissimulated discussions of what it means for affluent members of society with disposable income to place an order for a designer baby. While eugenics received a bad name after the excesses of the Nazi regime, its underlying principles certainly remain salient, as do the questions raised by contemporary watchdog institutes about what happens when science is not monitored by ethics. Novels like this speculative fiction presciently ask us to interrogate more fundamentally, what ethics are, and from whose limited cultural perspective we make universalist claims.
The Silence and the Fury: Samanta Schweblin's "Dissolved Horror" in Light of Mariana Enriquez's Gothic Horror
Authors: Durante Erica
Published: July 2024

Abstract: In this paper, the works of Argentinean writer Samanta Schweblin are explored, focusing on the concept of dissolved horror as a guiding framework. Dissolved horror describes a unique form of horror that goes beyond the typical extremes of gore and gothic imagery. Instead, it embraces an eerie, peculiar, and intimate lyrical dimension, prompting Schweblin to reshape semantics and challenge traditional narrative conventions in horror storytelling. To analyze Schweblin's aesthetic and poetic approach to dissolved horror, this article draws a parallel with the body of work by Mariana Enriquez. This comparative analysis sheds light on Schweblin's distinct narrative patterns, tropes, and strategies. I trace the literary trajectories of these two prominent writers, rooted in their individual experiences as adolescents exposed to the pervasive climate of fear and the haunting specter of shattered and vanished lives and bodies during the Argentinean military dictatorship. By delving into both authors' poetic affinities and unique creative paths, I aim to contribute to a more precise and thoughtful taxonomy that enables readers to fully comprehend the current and unparalleled Latin American feminine and feminist literary landscape.
The Emergence of Latin American Genre Science Fiction: The Morel Hinge
Authors: Haywood Rachel
Published: July 2024

Abstract: The evolution of science fiction (SF) in Latin America has been affected concurrently by Northern genre norms and local literary and cultural realities, leading to the development of science fictions unique to the region. Modern genre SF was not imported wholesale to Latin America from the North, nor was it created in a vacuum. So how did the genre transition in Latin America in the 1940s from the relative trough in SF production in the interwar period to the Golden Age of the decades that followed? Adolfo Bioy Casares is perhaps the closest thing we have to an influencer and a bellwether of this moment in genre history. Bioy's ability to juxtapose science and science fictions past and present, to balance plot-driven and experimental writing, and to create new genre hybrids make his work emblematic of this turning point in the evolution of Latin American SF, which I am calling the "Morel hinge." This article considers the theoretical underpinnings of the Morel hinge through an examination of four prologues by Borges and Bioy Casares and illustrates it with a discussion of Bioy's 1944 short story "La trama celeste."
El hipnotizador : Alegoría, artificio e historia nacional argentina
Authors: Del Carmen Caña Jiménez María
Published: July 2024

Abstract: In one of the few articles published on El hipnotizador (HBO 2015, 2017), Ada Cristina Machado da Silveira highlights the show's cross-border nature by suggesting that the series exemplifies the feeling of unbelonging central to the migrant experience of the Latino diaspora in transnational contexts, posing that it then participates in the construction of a supposed Latino viewing community (318). For her, the symbolic nature of El hipnotizador finds in the chronotope, heteroglossia, and space-time hybridity an innovative way of approaching an imaginary pan-Latin community (322). This essay suggests that the series can also be read from the perspective of the national through a detailed reading of the signs, symbols and allegories that point to a critical reflection of Argentine history. While the co-production and bilingual nature of the fiction suggest a latinoamericanidad , a careful analysis of the repeated presence of recognizable cultural codes and the intentional aesthetic artificiality of the composition encourages an allegorical reading that calls for reflection of the ideological bases of historical milestones in the country, such as its nineteenth-century national foundation and the most recent Proceso de Reorganización Nacional of the last Argentine military dictatorship.
Anthology Publication at the Gyoseogwan in the Nineteenth Century: The Case of the Guamjip
Authors: Lee Sangbaek
Published: July 2024

Abstract: The Gyoseogwan 校書館 was a prominent national publishing institution in Korea that played a major role in publishing anthologies in late Joseon-period Korea. One such anthology was the Guamjip 龜巖集, the collected works of the distinguished Hamgyeong-do scholar Yi Wonbae 李元培 (1745–1802), published by the Gyoseogwan in 1820. The Hoedangjip 晦堂集, the collected works of Yi’s disciple Hyeon Iksu 玄翼洙 (1766–1827), includes a detailed account of the process of preparing, publishing, distributing, and preserving the Guamjip . In the present study, I examine the Hoedangjip , existing copies of the Guamjip , and various related historical records to explore the conditions of nineteenth-century publishing at the Gyoseogwan, yielding five primary findings. First, I reveal the dedicated work of Yi’s disciple Hyeon as he spent twenty years meticulously preparing and publishing his teacher’s collection, collecting and organizing materials, securing funding, selecting a publication venue, carrying out the publishing process, and distributing and preserving the eventual product. Second, I offer insight into the activities of publishing institutions such as the Gyoseogwan and individual publishers in nineteenthth-century Seoul. Third, I confirm the tradition of separating the main text and appendix in printed publications. Fourth, my analysis of the existing copies of the Guamjip sheds light on publishing quality at the Gyoseogwan in the nineteenth century. Fifth, I reveal that a national storage facility known in Korean as a sago 史庫 was used for the preservation and dissemination of anthologies in the nineteenth century. Until 2023, the understanding of the Gyoseogwan’s publication activities was limited to the status and significance of its publications. The current study thus bears considerable significance as the first to delve into the Gyoseogwan’s nineteenth-century publishing activities and culture.
Integrated erbium-doped waveguide amplifier on lithium niobate on insulator
Authors: Xue Xiaotian , Qiu Jing , Ding Tingting , Ding Wenjun , Wang Jiayu , Tang Yongzhi , Zhang Yuting , Li Hao , Liu Shijie , Zheng Yuanlin , Chen Xianfeng
Published: July 2024

The erbium-doped lithium niobate on insulator (Er:LNOI) has garnered significant attention as it combines outstanding gain property with integration capabilities, making it a promising solution for active devices on the versatile LNOI platform. This also paves a way for the development of appealing erbium-doped waveguide amplifiers. Here, we demonstrate an efficient integrated Er:LNOI micro-waveguide amplifier directly compatible with the lens fiber. In a 5.6-cm-long Er:LNOI micro-waveguide, we demonstrate a maximum internal net gain of 18.8 dB for 1531-nm signal light with 1460-nm pumping. Moreover, the maximum output signal power surpasses 20 mW, thereby confirming the practicality of the Er:LNOI micro-waveguide amplifier.
Fundamental bandwidth limits and shaping of frequency-modulated combs
Authors: Roy Mithun , Xiao Zhenyang , Dong Chao , Addamane Sadhvikas , Burghoff David
Published: July 2024

Frequency-modulated (FM) combs based on active cavities like quantum
cascade lasers have recently emerged as promising light sources in
many spectral regions. Unlike passive modelocking, which generates
amplitude modulation using the field’s amplitude, FM comb formation
relies on the generation of phase modulation from the field’s phase.
They can therefore be regarded as a phase-domain version of passive
modelocking. However, while the ultimate scaling laws of passive
modelocking have long been known—Haus showed in 1975 that pulses
modelocked by a fast saturable absorber have a bandwidth proportional
to effective gain bandwidth—the limits of FM combs have been much less
clear. Here, we show that FM combs based on fast gain media are
governed by the same fundamental limits, producing combs whose
bandwidths are linear in the effective gain bandwidth. Not only do we
show theoretically that the diffusive effect of gain curvature limits
comb bandwidth, but we also show experimentally how this limit can be
increased. By adding carefully designed resonant-loss structures that
are evanescently coupled to the cavity of a terahertz laser, we reduce
the curvature and increase the effective gain bandwidth of the laser,
demonstrating bandwidth enhancement. Our results can better enable the
creation of active chip-scale combs and be applied to a wide array of
cavity geometries.