bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcomes of radial head fractures treated with pre-curved metacarpal plate
Authors: Yang Xiang , Zhuang Jiang , Xiaosong Zhi , Huasong Wang
Published: May 2023

Objective

To explore the clinical outcomes of MasonII/III radial head fractures without the neck involvement treated with pre-curved metacarpal plates.

Methods

Ninety cases of Mason typeII/III radial head fractures without the neck involvement were retrospectively collected from the department of orthopaedics of our hospital from September 2015 to May 2021. Group A (n = 44) underwent open reduction and internal fixation with pre-curved metacarpal plate, and Group B (n = 46) were fixed by traditional T-shaped plates. The operation time and the incision length were recorded during the operation. The Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score, visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, range of motion (ROM) and post-operative complications were evaluated at the last follow-up.

Results

All the patients were followed up for at least 12 months. There were no significant difference between two groups regarding operation time (54.2 ± 12.1 v.s 51.3 ± 7.2, mins), MEPS (88.9 ± 4.2 v.s 87.8 ± 4.4), DASH score (7.3 ± 4.6 v.s 9.0 ± 4.0), VAS (1.6 ± 0.8 v.s 1.7 ± 0.7), and ROM. However, the incision length was shorter in Group A (5.6 ± 0.5 v.s 6.6 ± 0.5, cm, P < 0.01). The postoperative complication rate was also lower in Group A (1/44 v.s 8/46, P = 0.02).

Conclusion

Masson II/III radial head fractures without the neck involvement treated with pre-curved metacarpal plates could achieve satisfactory outcomes comparable to traditional T-shaped plates. Moreover, the invasiveness and postoperative complications are less in patients with pre-curved metacarpal plates.

Level of evidence

III, retrospective comparison study.
A comparative study of the curriculum in master degree of medical education in Iran and some selected countries
Authors: Farmad Somayeh Akbari , Esfidani Ali , Shahbazi Sara
Published: May 2023

Background

When training efficient human resources for the health system, it is necessary to train appropriate student teaching and assessment methods and necessary skills for educational planning and evaluation. Therefore, studies and efforts to train human resources in the field of Iranian medical education have begun since 1994. The aim of the present study is a comparative study of the curriculum in master’s degree of medical education in Iran and some selected countries.

Methods

This is applied, descriptive and comparative research. Data were collected by electronic search on the website of the selected universities. Each of these selected educational curricula, the newest curriculum of the studied universities at the time of the present research, was translated into fluent Persian and studied in detail. The model used in the present study is the famous Polish Bereday model. A quota sampling method was used and universities were selected at a 1:10 ratio from each classified area. Institutions that offered master’s degrees in medical education were chosen in each region using the World Health Organization (WHO) classification based on QS World University Rankings (2020). The data collection instrument was a researcher-made checklist, which was used to extract the relevant data available on the website of selected universities. This checklist consisted of eight items, which included course title, course length, mission, vision, goals, admission process, teaching methods (online, In-person, and both), educational strategies, teaching methods, and student assessment. These eight items were compared at selected universities.

Results

The samples included seven selected universities including Kebangsaan University in Asia, the University of Toronto in Canada, the University of Michigan in America, the University of Bern and Imperial College in Europe, Monash University in Australia, and Iranian universities. Student admission in Iran is carried out through a centralized exam; therefore, most faculties do not have the option to select students and criteria for student selection. The course length in all universities is between 1–3 years (depending on part-time/full-time) and most of the studied universities offer this field as modular degree courses.

Conclusions

The characteristics of the curriculum for the master’s degree of medical education in Iran and selected countries showed the differences and similarities of this course among the top universities of different continents. Unlike other countries, the curriculum for a master’s degree in medical education in Iran is offered in a centralized manner in eight universities of Tehran, Shahid Beheshti, Iran, Isfahan, Shiraz, Tabriz, Kerman, and Mashhad.
Publication rates of congress abstracts is associated with abstract quality: Evaluation of Turkish National Medical Education Congresses and Symposia between 2010 and 2014 using MERSQI
Authors: Sarı Elif , Nteli Chatzioglou Gkionoul , Aydın Çiğdem Yılmaz , Sarı Ferhat , Tokat Taşkın , Gürses İlke Ali
Published: May 2023

There are many parameters that could be used to evaluate the quality of scientific meetings such as publication rates of meeting abstracts as full-text articles after the meeting or scoring with validated quality scales/tools that evaluate individual papers, project proposals, or submitted abstracts. This study aimed to determine the full-text publication rates for abstracts presented at Turkish National Medical Education Congresses and Symposia and to assess the quality of given abstracts. Abstracts presented at national medical education congresses and symposia between 2010 and 2014 in Türkiye were evaluated. Initially, the abstracts were evaluated if they were published as full-text articles in international and national peer-reviewed journals following the meeting. Secondly, the quality of presented abstracts was assessed with the Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument (MERSQI) scale. Overall publication rate for the abstracts was 11.3%. The publication rate of oral and poster presentations were 26.6% and 8.1%, respectively. Oral presentations had a statistically higher publication rate than poster presentations (p = .000). The mean MERSQI score for abstracts was 7.73 ± 2.59. The oral presentations had higher MERSQI mean scores than poster presentations (8.28 ± 2.46 vs. 7.61 ± 2.6; p = .032). Similarly, published abstracts had a significantly higher score compared to unpublished abstracts (10.07 ± 2.74 vs. 7.43 ± 2.41; p = .000). Interestingly, there was no statistical difference between the mean MERSQI scores of the published oral and poster presentations (9.33 ± 2.45 vs. 10.61 ± 2.72; p = .101). This study showed that the main factor for a meeting abstract to be published as a full-text article is the scientific quality of the study. The quality of presentations at annual medical education meetings in Türkiye were low compared with international meetings which did not improve over five years. An institutional policy that would set quality standards for medical education research and increase the awareness of researchers on the topic might help improve the design, execution, and reporting of such studies in Türkiye. The MERSQI could be a valuable tool to monitor the quality of submitted abstracts and to increase the awareness of novice researchers on high quality research.
MPC-n (IgG) improves long-term cognitive impairment in the mouse model of repetitive mild traumatic brain injury
Authors: Zhang Chaonan , Wei Cheng , Huang Xingqi , Hou Changxin , Liu Chuan , Zhang Shu , Zhao Zilong , Liu Yafan , Zhang Ruiguang , Zhou Lei , Li Ying , Yuan Xubo , Zhang Jianning
Published: May 2023

Background

Contact sports athletes and military personnel who suffered a repetitive mild traumatic brain injury (rmTBI) are at high risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as advanced dementia and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). However, due to the lack of specific biological indicators in clinical practice, the diagnosis and treatment of rmTBI are quite limited.

Methods

We used 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC)-nanocapsules to deliver immunoglobulins (IgG), which can increase the delivery efficiency and specific target of IgG while reducing the effective therapeutic dose of the drug.

Results

Our results demonstrated that MPC-capsuled immunoglobulins (MPC-n (IgG)) significantly alleviated cognitive impairment, hippocampal atrophy, p-Tau deposition, and myelin injury in rmTBI mice compared with free IgG. Furthermore, MPC-n (IgG) can also effectively inhibit the activation of microglia and the release of inflammatory factors.

Conclusions

In the present study, we put forward an efficient strategy for the treatment of rmTBI-related cognitive impairment and provide evidence for the administration of low-dose IgG.
A polo-like kinase inhibitor identified by computational repositioning attenuates pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Imakura Takeshi , Sato Seidai , Koyama Kazuya , Ogawa Hirohisa , Niimura Takahiro , Murakami Kojin , Yamashita Yuya , Haji Keiko , Naito Nobuhito , Kagawa Kozo , Kawano Hiroshi , Zamami Yoshito , Ishizawa Keisuke , Nishioka Yasuhiko
Published: June 2023

Background

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal fibrotic lung disease with few effective therapeutic options. Recently, drug repositioning, which involves identifying novel therapeutic potentials for existing drugs, has been popularized as a new approach for the development of novel therapeutic reagents. However, this approach has not yet been fully utilized in the field of pulmonary fibrosis.

Methods

The present study identified novel therapeutic options for pulmonary fibrosis using a systematic computational approach for drug repositioning based on integration of public gene expression signatures of drug and diseases (in silico screening approach).

Results

Among the top compounds predicted to be therapeutic for IPF by the in silico approach, we selected BI2536, a polo-like kinase (PLK) 1/2 inhibitor, as a candidate for treating pulmonary fibrosis using an in silico analysis. However, BI2536 accelerated mortality and weight loss rate in an experimental mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis. Because immunofluorescence staining revealed that PLK1 expression was dominant in myofibroblasts while PLK2 expression was dominant in lung epithelial cells, we next focused on the anti-fibrotic effect of the selective PLK1 inhibitor GSK461364. Consequently, GSK461364 attenuated pulmonary fibrosis with acceptable mortality and weight loss in mice.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that targeting PLK1 may be a novel therapeutic approach for pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting lung fibroblast proliferation without affecting lung epithelial cells. In addition, while in silico screening is useful, it is essential to fully determine the biological activities of candidates by wet-lab validation studies.
A liposomal carbohydrate vaccine, adjuvanted with an NKT cell agonist, induces rapid and enhanced immune responses and antibody class switching
Authors: Jia Ji-Xiang , Peng Sen-Lin , Kalisa Ndayambaje Yvan , Chao Qiang , Zhou Zhifang , Gao Xiao-Dong , Wang Ning
Published: June 2023

Background

Congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDGs) are genetic diseases caused by gene defects in glycan biosynthesis pathways, and there is an increasing number of patients diagnosed with CDGs. Because CDGs show many different clinical symptoms, their accurate clinical diagnosis is challenging. Recently, we have shown that liposome nanoparticles bearing the ALG1-CDG and PMM2-CDG biomarkers (a tetrasaccharide: Neu5Ac-α2,6-Gal-β1,4-GlcNAc-β1,4-GlcNAc) stimulate a moderate immune response, while the generated antibodies show relatively weak affinity maturation. Thus, mature antibodies with class switching to IgG are desired to develop high-affinity antibodies that may be applied in medical applications.

Results

In the present study, a liposome-based vaccine platform carrying a chemoenzymatic synthesized phytanyl-linked tetrasaccharide biomarker was optimized. The liposome nanoparticles were constructed by dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC) to improve the stability and immunogenicity of the vaccine, and adjuvanted with the NKT cell agonist PBS57 to generate high level of IgG antibodies. The results indicated that the reformulated liposomal vaccine stimulated a stronger immune response, and PBS57 successfully induce an antibody class switch to IgG. Further analyses of IgG antibodies elicited by liposome vaccines suggested their specific binding to tetrasaccharide biomarkers, which were mainly IgG2b isotypes.

Conclusions

Immunization with a liposome vaccine carrying a carbohydrate antigen and PBS57 stimulates high titers of CDG biomarker-specific IgG antibodies, thereby showing great potential as a platform to develop rapid diagnostic methods for ALG1-CDG and PMM2-CDG.

Graphical Abstract
The association between study conditions and hair cortisol in medical students in Germany – a cross-sectional study
Authors: Heming Meike , Angerer Peter , Apolinário-Hagen Jennifer , Nater Urs Markus , Skoluda Nadine , Weber Jeannette
Published: May 2023

Background

Medical students often experience high levels of stress due to adverse study conditions, which may have adverse health consequences. Hair cortisol concentration (HCC) has been described as a physiological marker for chronic stress and might thus help to identify students under stress and examine the study conditions being responsible for long-term physiological stress responses. This study therefore investigated the association between study conditions and HCC in a sample of medical students.

Methods

Fifty-five students from a medical school in Germany completed a paper-based questionnaire and had hair samples collected between July 2020 and July 2021. Study conditions were assessed with student versions of questionnaires based on the Job-Demand-Control-Support model (StrukStud, 25 items) and Effort-Reward Imbalance model (Student ERI, nine items). HCC of two centimeters closest to the scalp were determined by a cortisol luminescence immunoassay. Linear multiple regression analyses were performed to examine associations between study conditions and HCC.

Results

Demands (B = 0.23, p = 0.002), effort (B = 0.12, p = 0.029) and the effort-reward-ratio (B = 0.28, p = 0.007) were positively associated with HCC in separate regression analyses, adjusted for age and sex. Only the association between demands and HCC remained significant when all components of the respective questionnaire were considered in the same model (B = 0.22, p = 0.003).

Conclusion

The results suggest that adverse study conditions may be associated with activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis stress response as reflected by increased HCC. Longitudinal research is needed to confirm these cross-sectional results and examine effects of more prolonged stress due to adverse study conditions.
Non-destructive pre-symptomatic detection of gray mold infection in kiwifruit using hyperspectral data and chemometrics
Authors: Haghbin Najmeh , Bakhshipour Adel , Zareiforoush Hemad , Mousanejad Sedigheh
Published: June 2023

Application of hyperspectral imaging (HSI) and data analysis algorithms was investigated for early and non-destructive detection of Botrytis cinerea infection. Hyperspectral images were collected from laboratory-based contaminated and non-contaminated fruits at different day intervals. The spectral wavelengths of 450 nm to 900 nm were pretreated by applying moving window smoothing (MWS), standard normal variates (SNV), multiplicative scatter correction (MSC), Savitzky–Golay 1st derivative, and Savitzky–Golay 2nd derivative algorithms. In addition, three different wavelength selection algorithms, namely; competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS), uninformative variable elimination (UVE), and successive projection algorithm (SPA), were executed on the spectra to invoke the most informative wavelengths. The linear discriminant analysis (LDA), developed with SNV-filtered spectral data, was the most accurate classifier to differentiate the contaminated and non-contaminated kiwifruits with accuracies of 96.67% and 96.00% in the cross-validation and evaluation stages, respectively. The system was able to detect infected samples before the appearance of disease symptoms. Results also showed that the gray-mold infection significantly influenced the kiwifruits’ firmness, soluble solid content (SSC), and titratable acidity (TA) attributes. Moreover, the Savitzky–Golay 1st derivative-CARS-PLSR model obtained the highest prediction rate for kiwifruit firmness, SSC, and TA with the determination coefficient (R2) values of 0.9879, 0.9644, 0.9797, respectively, in calibration stage. The corresponding cross-validation R2 values were equal to 0.9722, 0.9317, 0.9500 for firmness, SSC, and TA, respectively. HSI and chemometric analysis demonstrated a high potential for rapid and non-destructive assessments of fungal-infected kiwifruits during storage.
First clinical experience with posterior lumbar interbody fusion using a thermal-sprayed silver-containing hydroxyapatite-coated cage
Authors: Morimoto Tadatsugu , Tsukamoto Masatsugu , Aita Katsuhiro , Fujita Nobuyuki , Mawatari Masaaki
Published: May 2023

Background

To investigate the possibility of silver (Ag)-induced adverse events and the degree of bone fusion in posterior lumbar interbody fusion surgery using an Ag-containing hydroxyapatite (HA) lumbar interbody cage.

Methods

An Ag-HA cage consisting of highly osteoconductive HA interfused with Ag was developed, and we applied it clinically at three university-affiliated hospitals from April 2020 to December 2020. During the 12-month postoperative observation period, Ag-related adverse events, neuropathy, and postoperative complications were investigated as indicators of safety, while clinical improvement and the fusion status were investigated as indicators of efficacy. Clinical improvement was defined as improvement beyond the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) in the numerical rating scale (NRS; 1.6) for low back and lower limb pain and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI; 12.8).

Results

We performed lumbar interbody fusion using an Ag-HA cage for 48 patients (female, n = 25; mean age, 67.5 years). The mean preoperative NRS was 6.4 (standard deviation, 1.9), while the mean preoperative ODI was 44 [12]. No adverse effects (i.e., argyria) were identified during the 12-month observation period. Surgical site infection occurred in one case, although the implant was preserved via immediate debridement. In total, 39 (81%) participants showed clinical improvement beyond MCID for both NRS and ODI. Bone fusion was achieved at 45 levels (88%) at 6 months and 48 levels (91%) at 12 months postoperatively.

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that Ag-HA cages can be safely used in spinal fusion procedures and have the potential to prevent postoperative infections, prevent deterioration of the quality of life, and result in favorable outcomes. Larger-scale and longer-term follow-up studies will be required to corroborate these conclusions.

Trial registration UMIN 000039964 (date: April 01, 2020).
The epidemiology, clinical presentation and treatment outcomes in CNS actinomycosis: a systematic review of reported cases
Authors: Meena Durga Shankar , Kumar Deepak , Sharma Mukesh , Malik Manika , Ravindra Akshatha , Santhanam N. , Bohra Gopal Krishana , Garg Mahendra Kumar
Published: June 2023

Background

CNS actinomycosis is a rare chronic suppurative infection with non-specific clinical features. Diagnosis is difficult due to its similarity to malignancy, nocardiosis and other granulomatous diseases. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, diagnostic modalities and treatment outcomes in CNS actinomycosis.

Methods

The major electronic databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus) were searched for the literature review by using distinct keywords: "CNS" or "intracranial" or "brain abscess" or "meningitis" OR "spinal" OR "epidural abscess" and "actinomycosis." All cases with CNS actinomycosis reported between January 1988 to March 2022 were included.

Results

A total of 118 cases of CNS disease were included in the final analysis. The mean age of patients was 44 years, and a significant proportion was male (57%). Actinomycosis israelii was the most prevalent species (41.5%), followed by Actinomyces meyeri (22.6%). Disseminated disease was found in 19.5% of cases. Most commonly involved extra-CNS organs are lung (10.2%) and abdomen (5.1%). Brain abscess (55%) followed by leptomeningeal enhancement (22%) were the most common neuroimaging findings. Culture positivity was found in nearly half of the cases (53.4%). The overall case-fatality rate was 11%. Neurological sequelae were present in 22% of the patients. On multivariate analysis, patients who underwent surgery with antimicrobials had better survival (adjusted OR 0.14, 95% CI 0.04–0.28, p value 0.039) compared to those treated with antimicrobials alone.

Conclusion

CNS actinomycosis carries significant morbidity and mortality despite its indolent nature. Early aggressive surgery, along with prolonged antimicrobial treatment is vital to improve outcomes.
Predictors of post-intubation hypotension in trauma patients following prehospital emergency anaesthesia: a multi-centre observational study
Authors: Price James , Moncur Lyle , Lachowycz Kate , Major Rob , Sagi Liam , McLachlan Sarah , Keeliher Chris , Steel Alistair , Sherren Peter B. , Barnard Ed B. G.
Published: June 2023

Background

Post-intubation hypotension (PIH) after prehospital emergency anaesthesia (PHEA) is prevalent and associated with increased mortality in trauma patients. The objective of this study was to compare the differential determinants of PIH in adult trauma patients undergoing PHEA.

Methods

This multi-centre retrospective observational study was performed across three Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) in the UK. Consecutive sampling of trauma patients who underwent PHEA using a fentanyl, ketamine, rocuronium drug regime were included, 2015–2020. Hypotension was defined as a new systolic blood pressure (SBP) < 90 mmHg within 10 min of induction, or > 10% reduction if SBP was < 90 mmHg before induction. A purposeful selection logistic regression model was used to determine pre-PHEA variables associated with PIH.

Results

During the study period 21,848 patients were attended, and 1,583 trauma patients underwent PHEA. The final analysis included 998 patients. 218 (21.8%) patients had one or more episode(s) of hypotension ≤ 10 min of induction. Patients > 55 years old; pre-PHEA tachycardia; multi-system injuries; and intravenous crystalloid administration before arrival of the HEMS team were the variables significantly associated with PIH. Induction drug regimes in which fentanyl was omitted (0:1:1 and 0:0:1 (rocuronium-only)) were the determinants with the largest effect sizes associated with hypotension.

Conclusion

The variables significantly associated with PIH only account for a small proportion of the observed outcome. Clinician gestalt and provider intuition is likely to be the strongest predictor of PIH, suggested by the choice of a reduced dose induction and/or the omission of fentanyl during the anaesthetic for patients perceived to be at highest risk.
Ultrasound-guided supraclavicular block versus Bier block for emergency reduction of upper limb injuries: a protocol for an open-label, non-inferiority, randomised controlled trial
Authors: Tsao Henry , Tang Christopher , Trembath Mark , Jones Philip , Snelling Peter J.
Published: May 2023

Background

Closed reduction of upper limb fractures and/or dislocations are common in the emergency department (ED), which involves physically re-aligning the injured part prior to immobilisation. As this is painful, numerous techniques are available to provide regional anaesthesia to ensure patient tolerance. A Bier block (BB) is typically performed as part of routine care. An alternative technique gaining interest in the ED is ultrasound-guided supraclavicular block (UGSCB), which involves injecting local anaesthetic around the brachial plexus at the supraclavicular fossa under ultrasound guidance. It is unclear whether UGSCB is effective and safe when performed in the ED.

Methods

SUPERB (SUPraclavicular block for Emergency Reduction versus Bier block) is a prospective open-label, non-inferiority randomised controlled trial that compares the effectiveness of UGSCB versus BB for closed reduction of upper limb fractures and/or dislocations. Adult patients presenting with an upper limb fracture and/or dislocation that requires emergent closed reduction in the ED will be eligible. After screening, participants will be randomised to either UGSCB or BB. Once regional anaesthesia is obtained, closed reduction of the injured part will be performed and appropriately immobilised. The primary outcome is maximal pain experienced during closed reduction measured via a visual analogue scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes include baseline and post-reduction pain, patient satisfaction, total opioid requirement in ED, ED length of stay, adverse events and regional anaesthesia failure.

Discussion

Existing evidence suggests UGSCB is effective when performed in the operating theatre by trained anaesthetists. SUPERB will be the first randomised controlled trial to elucidate the effectiveness and safety of UGSCB in the ED. The findings have the potential to provide an alternative safe and effective option for the management of upper extremity emergencies in the ED.

Trial registration

This trial has been registered on 21 October 2022 with Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12622001356752).
Co-infection patterns in the ectoparasitic community affecting the Iberian ibex Capra pyrenaica
Authors: Fernández-Muñoz María J. , Castillo-Contreras Raquel , Pérez Jesús M. , Granados José E. , Márquez Francisco J. , López-Montoya Antonio J.
Published: May 2023

Background

Sarcoptic mange is one of the main parasitic diseases affecting the Iberian ibexCapra pyrenaica. Scabietic animals suffer a decline in body condition and reproductive fitness and in severe cases may die. Although several previous studies of the pathology of this disease and the physiological changes it produces in ibex have been carried out in recent years, our knowledge of the relationship betweenSarcoptes scabieiand other ectoparasites of this host is still limited.

Methods

We analysed 430 Iberian ibex skin samples. Ectoparasites were removed, counted and identified. Mite (S. scabiei) numbers were obtained after digesting the skin samples in a 5% KOH solution. We modelled mite numbers in terms of host sex and age, site, year, season and the presence of other ectoparasites such as ticks and lice using generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) and ectoparasite co-occurrence patterns using two different models: the probabilistic model species co-occurrence and the generalized linear latent variable model (GLLVM).

Results

The ectoparasite community was mainly composed ofS. scabiei, six ticks (Haemaphysalis sulcata,Haemaphysalis punctata,Rhipicephalus bursa,Rhipicephalus turanicus,Dermacentor marginatusandIxodes ricinus) and two lice (Bovicola crassipesandLinognathus stenopsis). Adult male ibex harboured more mites than females. Mite numbers varied greatly spatially and seasonally and increased with the presence of other parasites. Some positive co-occurrence relationships between pairs of different ectoparasites were observed, particularly between ticks. The presence ofS. scabieinegatively affected lice andH. sulcatanumbers.

Conclusions

Sarcoptic mange has spread above all in ibex populations in and around the Mediterranean Basin, where it is now found in almost a third of its host’s range. Mite numbers varied seasonally and spatially and were higher in male hosts. The presence ofS. scabieihad a negative effect on lice numbers but favoured the presence of ticks.

Graphical Abstract
Fluralaner systemic treatment of chickens results in mortality in Triatoma gerstaeckeri, vector of the agent of Chagas disease
Authors: Durden Cassandra , Tian Yuexun , Knape Koyle , Klemashevich Cory , Norman Keri N. , Carey John B. , Hamer Sarah A. , Hamer Gabriel L.
Published: June 2023

Background

Chagas disease remains a persistent vector-borne neglected tropical disease throughout the Americas and threatens both human and animal health. Diverse control methods have been used to target triatomine vector populations, with household insecticides being the most common. As an alternative to environmental sprays, host-targeted systemic insecticides (or endectocides) allow for application of chemicals to vertebrate hosts, resulting in toxic blood meals for arthropods (xenointoxication). In this study, we evaluated three systemic insecticide products for their ability to kill triatomines.

Methods

Chickens were fed the insecticides orally, following which triatomines were allowed to feed on the treated chickens. The insecticide products tested included: Safe-Guard® Aquasol (fenbendazole), Ivomec® Pour-On (ivermectin) and Bravecto® (fluralaner). Triatoma gerstaeckeri nymphs were allowed to feed on insecticide-live birds at 0, 3, 7, 14, 28 and 56 days post-treatment. The survival and feeding status of the T. gerstaeckeri insects were recorded and analyzed using Kaplan–Meier curves and logistic regression.

Results

Feeding on fluralaner-treated chickens resulted 50–100% mortality in T. gerstaeckeri over the first 14 days post-treatment but not later; in contrast, all insects that fed on fenbendazole- and ivermectin-treated chickens survived. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-QQQ) analysis, used to detect the concentration of fluralaner and fenbendazole in chicken plasma, revealed the presence of fluralaner in plasma at 3, 7, and 14 days post-treatment but not later, with the highest concentrations found at 3 and 7 days post-treatment. However, fenbendazole concentration was below the limit of detection at all time points.

Conclusions

Xenointoxication using fluralaner in poultry is a potential new tool for integrated vector control to reduce risk of Chagas disease.

Graphical Abstract
Glycyrrhinic acid and probiotics alleviate deoxynivalenol-induced cytotoxicity in intestinal epithelial cells
Authors: Xu Xiaoxiang , Chang Juan , Wang Ping , Liu Chaoqi , Zhou Ting , Yin Qingqiang , Yan Guorong
Published: May 2023

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is one of the most prevalent mycotoxin contaminants, which posing a serious health threat to animals and humans. Previous studies have found that individually supplemented probiotic or glycyrrhinic acid (GA) could degrade DON and alleviate DON-induced cytotoxicity. The present study investigated the effect of combining GA with Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae) and Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) using orthogonal design on alleviating IPEC-J2 cell damage induced by DON. The results showed that the optimal counts of S. cerevisiae and E. faecalis significantly promoted cell viability. The optimal combination for increasing cell viability was 400 µg/mL GA, 1 × 106 CFU/mL S. cerevisiae and 1 × 106 CFU/mL E. faecalis to make GAP, which not only significantly alleviated the DON toxicity but also achieved the highest degradation rate of DON (34.7%). Moreover, DON exposure significantly increased IL-8, Caspase3 and NF-κB contents, and upregulated the mRNA expressions of Bax, Caspase 3, NF-κB and the protein expressions of Bax, TNF-α and COX-2. However, GAP addition significantly reduced aforementioned genes and proteins. Furthermore, GAP addition significantly increased the mRNA expressions of Claudin-1, Occludin, GLUT2 and ASCT2, and the protein expressions of ZO-1, Claudin-1 and PePT1. It was inferred that the combination of GA, S. cerevisiae, and E. faecalis had the synergistic effect on enhancing cell viability and DON degradation, which could protect cells from DON-induced damage by reducing DON cytotoxicity, alleviating cell apoptosis and inflammation via inhibiting NF-κB signaling pathway, improving intestinal barrier function, and regulating nutrient absorption and transport. These findings suggest that GAP may have potential as a dietary supplement for livestock or humans exposed to DON-contaminated food or feed.
Structural basis of human PRPS2 filaments
Authors: Lu Guang-Ming , Hu Huan-Huan , Chang Chia-Chun , Zhong Jiale , Zhou Xian , Guo Chen-Jun , Zhang Tianyi , Li Yi-Lan , Yin Boqi , Liu Ji-Long
Published: May 2023

Background

PRPP synthase (PRPS) transfers the pyrophosphate groups from ATP to ribose-5-phosphate to produce 5-phosphate ribose-1-pyrophosphate (PRPP), a key intermediate in the biosynthesis of several metabolites including nucleotides, dinucleotides and some amino acids. There are three PRPS isoforms encoded in human genome. While human PRPS1 (hPRPS1) and human PRPS2 (hPRPS2) are expressed in most tissues, human PRPS3 (hPRPS3) is exclusively expressed in testis. Although hPRPS1 and hPRPS2 share 95% sequence identity, hPRPS2 has been shown to be less sensitive to allosteric inhibition and specifically upregulated in certain cancers in the translational level. Recent studies demonstrate that PRPS can form a subcellular compartment termed the cytoophidium in multiple organisms across prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Forming filaments and cytoophidia is considered as a distinctive mechanism involving the polymerization of the protein. Previously we solved the filament structures of Escherichia coli PRPS (ecPRPS) using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) 1.

Results

Order to investigate the function and molecular mechanism of hPRPS2 polymerization, here we solve the polymer structure of hPRPS2 at 3.08 Å resolution. hPRPS2 hexamers stack into polymers in the conditions with the allosteric/competitive inhibitor ADP. The binding modes of ADP at the canonical allosteric site and at the catalytic active site are clearly determined. A point mutation disrupting the inter-hexamer interaction prevents hPRPS2 polymerization and results in significantly reduced catalytic activity.

Conclusion

Findings suggest that the regulation of hPRPS2 polymer is distinct from ecPRPS polymer and provide new insights to the regulation of hPRPS2 with structural basis.
A discrete Gronwall–Halanay-type inequality with infinite delay and its applications to difference equations
Authors: Chen Feichao , Li Desheng
Published: May 2023

We establish a discrete Gronwall–Halanay-type inequality with infinite delay, which is not covered in the existing literature. As an application, a new criterion is obtained for the asymptotic stability of the zero solutions for a class of Volterra difference equations. A concrete example is also given to illustrate the efficiency of the general results.
Roles of survival situation and personality temperament in the relationship between life stress and depression of higher vocational college students
Authors: Cao Dong-Hui , Zheng Lin-Ke
Published: May 2023

Background

Higher vocational college students face more life stress, which can easily result in depression and hinder their healthy growth. This study aimed to explore the roles of survival situation and personality temperament in the relationship between life stress and depression.

Methods

A self-compiled "College Students' Life Stress and Mental Health Questionnaire" was used to survey 4800 students in a Chinese higher vocational college. The questionnaire consisted of five subscales: life stressors scale, stress response scale, depression scale, personality temperament types scale, and survival situations scale. The sample included 4705 students, of whom 3449 (73.30%) were males and 1256 (26.70%) were females, with 990 urban students (21.04%), 3715 rural students (78.96%). The age of the participants ranged from 17 to 33 years. The data were analyzed using SPSS v26, PROCESS v3.3, and AMOS v23.

Results

(1) The depression rate of higher vocational students was 18.10% (with a severe depression rate of 1.60%). Life stress could explain 43.80% of depressive episodes (p < 0.01), (2) Among survival situations, the depression degree and rate of students in adversity were the highest (M = 1.56, 24.10%), (3) Among temperament types, the depression degree and rate of melancholic students were the highest (M = 2.13, 36.05%), (4) Survival situation and personality temperament had significant moderating interaction effects on depression caused by life stress (p < 0.01), students in adversity and depressive temperament were more susceptible, (5) Survival situations moderated three paths of the "life stressors-stress response-depression" partial mediation model, and personality temperament types moderated "stress response-depression" path.

Conclusion

Prosperity and sanguine temperament are protective factors of depression caused by life stress in higher vocational students. Dilemma, adversity and melancholic temperament are risk factors of depression caused by life stress in higher vocational students.
Neurodegenerative pathologies associated with behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia in a community-based autopsy cohort
Authors: Nelson Ruth S. , Abner Erin L. , Jicha Gregory A. , Schmitt Frederick A. , Di Jing , Wilcock Donna M. , Barber Justin M. , Van Eldik Linda J. , Katsumata Yuriko , Fardo David W. , Nelson Peter T.
Published: June 2023

In addition to the memory disorders and global cognitive impairment that accompany neurodegenerative diseases, behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) commonly impair quality of life and complicate clinical management. To investigate clinical-pathological correlations of BPSD, we analyzed data from autopsied participants from the community-based University of Kentucky Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center longitudinal cohort (n = 368 research volunteers met inclusion criteria, average age at death 85.4 years). Data assessing BPSD were obtained approximately annually, including parameters for agitation, anxiety, apathy, appetite problems, delusions, depression, disinhibition, hallucinations, motor disturbance, and irritability. Each BPSD was scored on a severity scale (0–3) via the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q). Further, Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR)-Global and -Language evaluations (also scored on 0–3 scales) were used to indicate the degree of global cognitive and language impairment. The NPI-Q and CDR ratings were correlated with neuropathology findings at autopsy: Alzheimer’s disease neuropathological changes (ADNC), neocortical and amygdala-only Lewy bodies (LBs), limbic predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy neuropathologic changes (LATE-NC), primary age-related tauopathy (PART), hippocampal sclerosis, and cerebrovascular pathologies. Combinations of pathologies included the quadruple misfolding proteinopathy (QMP) phenotype with co-occurring ADNC, neocortical LBs, and LATE-NC. Statistical models were used to estimate the associations between BPSD subtypes and pathologic patterns. Individuals with severe ADNC (particularly those with Braak NFT stage VI) had more BPSD, and the QMP phenotype was associated with the highest mean number of BPSD symptoms: > 8 different BPSD subtypes per individual. Disinhibition and language problems were common in persons with severe ADNC but were not specific to any pathology. “Pure” LATE-NC was associated with global cognitive impairment, apathy, and motor disturbance, but again, these were not specific associations. In summary, Braak NFT stage VI ADNC was strongly associated with BPSD, but no tested BPSD subtype was a robust indicator of any particular “pure” or mixed pathological combination.
Imaging in metastatic breast cancer, CT, PET/CT, MRI, WB-DWI, CCA: review and new perspectives
Authors: Lother Dione , Robert Marie , Elwood Elliot , Smith Sam , Tunariu Nina , Johnston Stephen R.D. , Parton Marina , Bhaludin Basrull , Millard Thomas , Downey Kate , Sharma Bhupinder
Published: May 2023

Background

Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer in women and remains the second leading cause of death in Western countries. It represents a heterogeneous group of diseases with diverse tumoral behaviour, treatment responsiveness and prognosis. While major progress in diagnosis and treatment has resulted in a decline in breast cancer-related mortality, some patients will relapse and prognosis in this cohort of patients remains poor. Treatment is determined according to tumor subtype; primarily hormone receptor status and HER2 expression. Menopausal status and site of disease relapse are also important considerations in treatment protocols.

Main body

Staging and repeated evaluation of patients with metastatic breast cancer are central to the accurate assessment of disease extent at diagnosis and during treatment; guiding ongoing clinical management. Advances have been made in the diagnostic and therapeutic fields, particularly with new targeted therapies. In parallel, oncological imaging has evolved exponentially with the development of functional and anatomical imaging techniques. Consistent, reproducible and validated methods of assessing response to therapy is critical in effectively managing patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Conclusion

Major progress has been made in oncological imaging over the last few decades. Accurate disease assessment at diagnosis and during treatment is important in the management of metastatic breast cancer. CT (and BS if appropriate) is generally widely available, relatively cheap and sufficient in many cases. However, several additional imaging modalities are emerging and can be used as adjuncts, particularly in pregnancy or other diagnostically challenging cases. Nevertheless, no single imaging technique is without limitation. The authors have evaluated the vast array of imaging techniques – individual, combined parametric and multimodal - that are available or that are emerging in the management of metastatic breast cancer. This includes WB DW-MRI, CCA, novel PET breast cancer-epitope specific radiotracers and radiogenomics.
Pilot study to establish the myocardium native T1 mapping reference values in 1.5 Tesla cardiac magnetic resonance of healthy Malaysians
Authors: Abdullah Hazrini , Abdul Kadir Azrina , Sha’rani Muhammad Aizwan , Tan Song Hwee , Othman Norliza
Published: May 2023

Background

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is a powerful and robust imaging modality with the capability for tissue characterisation by quantifying the intrinsic magnetic properties of tissues. The current international consensus recommendation is to determine the local normal T1 mapping value. Recent advancement suggests pooled data or benchmarking of CMR mapping reference values. We present the adult myocardial native T1 mapping value of a common MR acquisition in healthy Malaysians who are predominantly brown skin Asians.

Methods

This is a prospective, cross-sectional study in a single centre. CMR was performed on a 1.5 T MR using 5(3s)3 MOLLI sequence with motion correction, TE = 1.31 ms, TR = 2.78 ms. The analysis of the mid-septal T1 value was done using third-party software (CVi42) and the OsiriX software by two blinded cardiac radiologists.

Results

A total of 51 eligible adults were recruited of which 1 was excluded due to incidental finding of moderate mitral regurgitation. The mean age was 30 years ± 7.0, the majority (64%) was female, the median heart rate was 72 ± 20 bpm and mean the BSA was 1.6 ± 0.1 m2. The ethnicity distribution is Malay 76%, Indian 12%, Chinese 8% and Sabahan 4%. The normal range for mid-septum myocardial T1 using CVi42 was 1012 ± 33 ms and using OsiriX was 1018 ± 37 ms. There is no correlation observed against gender, ethnicity and heart rate. The moderate correlation observed with age is not gender specified. The interobserver reliability was good (coefficient 0.813).

Conclusions

For T1 mapping to be applied clinically, it is imperative to determine the local normal value as recommended by international consensus. The first-ever database on native T1 mapping for 1.5 T CMR reference value for Malaysians who are predominantly brown skin Asians is provided in this pilot study.
Geophysically guided well siting at the Aluto-Langano geothermal reservoir
Authors: Samrock Friedemann , Grayver Alexander , Dambly Marie Luise Texas , Müller Madeleine R. , Saar Martin O.
Published: June 2023

Volcano-hosted high-temperature geothermal reservoirs are powerful resources for green electricity generation. In regions where such resources are available, geothermal energy often provides a large share of a country’s total power generation capacity. Sustainable geothermal energy utilization depends on the successful siting of geothermal wells, which in turn depends on prior geophysical subsurface imaging and reservoir characterization. Electromagnetic resistivity imaging methods have proven to be a key tool for characterizing magma-driven geothermal systems because resistivity is sensitive to the presence of melt and clays that form through hydrothermal alteration. Special emphasis is often given to the “clay cap,” which forms on top of hydrothermal reservoirs along the flow paths of convecting geothermal fluids. As an example, the Aluto-Langano volcanic geothermal field in Ethiopia is covered with 178 densely spaced magnetotelluric (MT) stations. The 3D electrical conductivity model derived from the MT data images the magma body that acts as a heat source of the geothermal system, controlling geothermal convection and formation of alteration zones (commonly referred to as clay cap) atop the geothermal reservoir. Detailed 3D imaging of the clay cap topography can provide direct insight into hydrothermal flow patterns and help identify potential “upflow” zones. At Aluto all productive geothermal wells are drilled into zones of clay cap thinning and updoming, which is indicative of underlying hydrothermal upflow zones. In contrast, nonproductive wells are drilled into zones of clay cap thickening and lowering, which is an indicator for underlying “outflow” zones and cooling. This observation is linked to fundamental characteristics of volcano-hosted systems and can likely be adapted to other geothermal fields where sufficiently detailed MT surveys are available. Therefore, high-resolution 3D electromagnetic imaging of hydrothermal alteration products (clay caps) can be used to infer the hydrothermal flow patterns in geothermal reservoirs and contribute to derisking geothermal drilling projects.