bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Posterior cerebral artery infarction associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in children
Authors: Li Jian , Miao Hongjun , Wang Jun , Chen Dongmei , Wu Lihui , Fang Yongjun
Published: January 2023

Acute ischemic stroke is a rare neurological complication of mycoplasma (MP) infection in children. We present two children with a MP respiratory infection who experienced posterior cerebral circulation stroke, which is particularly rare, and review the relevant literature. Both cases were pre-school children who initially acquired a respiratory illness then developed neurological signs including coma and seizure. Chest radiography revealed pneumonic infiltration with pleural effusion or pleural response. Anti-MP IgM antibody was positive. MP DNA was detected in the sputum using polymerase chain reaction analysis. Cerebrospinal fluid biochemical and pathological testing and MP DNA analysis were negative. D-dimer concentration was elevated. Neuroimaging showed posterior circulation occlusion and infarction. Clinical symptoms improved after treatment with erythromycin, anticoagulation, and thrombolysis; however, neurological sequelae remained and follow-up imaging revealed permanent effects. In our literature review, we identified 25 patients (including the two presented here) who developed an ischemic stroke as a complication of MP infection, 14 males and 11 females. Median age was six years (range, zero to 13) and average time between respiratory symptoms and stroke onset was 9 days. Nineteen strokes (76%) involved the anterior cerebral circulation; middle cerebral artery stroke was most prevalent (68%). Hemiparesis and seizure were the most common neurologic signs. Evidence of MP infection was found in the cerebrospinal fluid of five children. Coagulopathy affected nearly half. The most common treatments were macrolide antibiotics, immunoglobulin, glucocorticoid, and aspirin. Three patients (11%) died during follow-up, all from early respiratory deterioration. Thirteen children had varying degrees of permanent neurological sequelae. Cerebral infarction is a rare complication of MP infection in children and has a poor prognosis. Early identification of stroke risk factors and early intervention may improve outcomes.
A Model of Band Gaps and Ionicity in Crystal
Authors: Pathak Mritunjai Kumar , Dutta Madhu Sudan , Gorai Sanjay Kumar , Gupta Ashok Kumar , Sinha Rajendra Nath , Mahto Parmanand
Published: January 2023

A new and simple model of homopolar and heteropolar band gaps and ionicity is presented which overcomes the discrepancies of PVL (Philips, Van Vechten and Levine) theory and also of the other scales, results of which are not in conformity with the findings of hardness/bulk modulus reported in recent years. The proposed model requires the knowledge of bond length as the only input parameter and avoids the demand of additional parameters obtained from the detailed crystal structure as required in PVL theory. It has been applied to group-IV and IV-IV, IV-VI, III-V, II-VI and I-VII semiconductors of Zinc blende/wurtzite and rocksalt structures and group II-VI and I-VII ionic compounds of rocksalt and cesium chloride structures. It has also been utilised to evaluate ionicity of boron-boron bonds in B12 icosahedra. One critical and two sub-critical ionicities have also been proposed in this study. Besides, a new relation is proposed for direct evaluation of heteropolar band gap in terms of homopolar band gap of the materials studied. Results of the new model are in conformity with the trend of bulk modulus/ hardness reported and also of bond length. The proposed model has further been extended to ternary (I-III-VI2 and II-IV-V2) semiconductors and multibond high Tc – Superconductor, YBa2Cu3O7. Results obtained are quite reasonable.
Radiomics nomogram for preoperative differentiation of pulmonary mucinous adenocarcinoma from tuberculoma in solitary pulmonary solid nodule
Authors: Zhang Junjie , hao ligang , qi mingwei , xu qian , zhang ning , feng hui , shi gaofeng
Published: January 2023

Objective: To develop and validate predictive models using clinical parameters, radiomic features and a combination of both for preoperative differentiation of pulmonary nodular mucinous adenocarcinoma (PNMA) from pulmonary tuberculoma (PTB).
Method：A total of 124 and 53 patients with PNMA and PTB, respectively，were retrospectively analyzed from January 2017 to November 2022 in The Forth Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University. A total of 1037 radiomic features were extracted from the contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT). Patients were randomly divided into training group and test group at a ratio of 7:3. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm was used for radiomic feature selection. Three radiomics prediction models were applied: Logistic Regression (LR), Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Random Forest (RF). The best performing model was adopted, and the radiomics score (Radscore) was then computed. The clinical model was developed using logistic regression. Finally, a combined model was established based on clinical factors and radiomics features. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) value and decision curve analysis were used to evaluate the predictive value of developed models.
Results：Combined clinical and radiomics models established by Logistic Regression method had the best performance. The ROC-AUC (also decision curve analysis) of combined model were 0.940 and 0.990 in the training group and test group, respectively, which showed a good predictive performance for differentiation of PNMA from PTB. Briser Score of the combined model were 0.132 and 0.068 in the training group and test group, respectively.
Conclusion: The combined model incorporating radiomics features and clinical parameters may have potential value for preoperative differentiation of PNMA from PTB.
Alleviating iatrogenic effects of paclitaxel via anti-inflammatory treatment
Authors: Zhang Mengwei , Lotfollahzadeh Saran , Elzinad Nagla , Yang Xiaosheng , Elsadawi Murad , Gower Adam , Belghasem Mostafa , Shazly Tarek , Kolachalama Vijaya B. , Chitalia Vipul
Published: January 2023

Background
Paclitaxel is touted as an essential medicine due to its extensive use as a chemotherapeutic for various cancers and an antiproliferative agent for restenosis. Due to recent concerns related to long-term mortality, paclitaxel (PTX)-based endovascular therapy is now surrounded by controversies.
Objective
Examine the inflammatory mediators driven by the systemic administration of PTX and explore the means to suppress these effects.
Methods
RNAseq analysis, cell and mouse models.
Results
RNAseq analysis of primary human endothelial cells (ECs) treated with PTX demonstrated transcriptional perturbations of a set of pro-inflammatory mediators, including monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and CD137, which were validated in EC lysates. These perturbations were abrogated with dexamethasone, a prototypic anti-inflammatory compound. The media of ECs pre-treated with PTX showed a significant increase in MCP-1 levels, which were reverted to baseline levels with DEX treatment. A group of mice harvested at different time points after PTX injection were analyzed for immediate and delayed effects of PTX. A 3-fold increase in MCP-1 was noted in blood and aortic ECs after 12 hours of PTX treatment. Similar changes in CD137 and downstream mediators such as tissue factor, VCAM-1 and E-selectin were noted in aortic ECs.
Conclusions
Our study shows that systemic PTX exposure upregulates atherothrombotic markers, and co-delivery of DEX can subdue the untoward toxic effects. Long-term studies are needed to probe the mechanisms driving systemic complications of PTX-based therapies and evaluate the clinical potential of DEX to mitigate risk.
The five-item modified frailty index predicts long-term outcomes in elderly patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery
Authors: Ogata Toshiro , Sadakari Yoshihiko , Nakane Hiroyuki , Koikawa Kazuhiro , Kanno Hiroki , Kohata Ryo , Endo Kayoko , Tsukahara Takao , Shimonaga Koichiro , Kaneshiro Kazuhisa , Hirokata Gentaro , Aoyagi Takeshi , Tsutsumi Chiyo , Taniguchi Masahiko
Published: January 2023

Background.Frailty has been globally recognized as a predictor of adverse postoperative outcomes. A frailty assessment using the five-factor modified frailty index (5-mFI) has recently gained traction; however, long-term outcomes are unknown in colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery. This study aimed to investigate whether the 5-mFI predicted long-term survival and cause of death based on severity of frailty in elderly patients with CRC surgery, as well as to determine risk factors for mortality.Methods.A total of 299 patients underwent CRC surgery with curative intent between January 2013 and December 2017. Patients were divided into three groups based on 5-mFI score: group 1 (5-mFI: 0, 1; n=164) with no frailty, group 2 (5-mFI: 2; n=91) with moderate frailty, and group 3 (5-mFI≥3; n=44) with severe frailty. Clinicopathological variables, including comorbidity, 5-mFI, prognostic nutrition index, operative/postoperative data, and outcome, including cause of death, were compared among the three groups. To identify factors associated with death from CRC and non-CRC-related causes, univariate and multivariate analyses using the Cox regression model were performed.Results.The immediate postoperative morbidity of patients with Clavien-Dindo grades of III or greater (9.1%) in group 3 was not significantly different from that in group 1 (9.1%) or group 2 (14.3%); however, the 30-day mortality rate (4.5%) in group 3 was significantly higher. Long-term disease-free survival was similar among frailty groups, suggesting that CRC surgery provides oncological benefit to patients irrespective of frailty. The 5-year survival rates in groups 1, 2, and 3 were 83.5%, 71.2%, and 47.9%, respectively, showing a significantly lower survival rate as frailty advanced. Sixty percent of deaths in frail patients were primarily from respiratory failure and cardiovascular diseases. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that advanced age, higher 5-mFI, and longer postoperative hospital stay were risk factors for mortality unrelated to CRC. Multivariate analysis also revealed that advanced tumor stage, CEA>5 ng/ml, undifferentiated tumor and R1 resection were risk factors for CRC death.Conclusion.The 5-mFI can be a predictor of postoperative short- and long-term outcomes and risk factors for mortality unrelated to CRC. In addition, long-term survival was shown to be negatively associated with the 5-mFI score.
The urine urease activity as a lab method to diagnose kidney stone formation in children with urolithiasis
Authors: Sagymbayeva Assel , Merkusheva Natalya , Bulegenova Minira , Abekenov Bakitzhan , Musabalina Anar , Kussainov Abay
Published: January 2023

Objective: To study the clinical efficiency of the urine Urease Activity (UA) test to diagnose kidney stones formation in children with urolithiasis. The prospective observational study was conducted at the Scientific Centre of Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery (Almaty, Kazakhstan). This study included 80 patients: 40 patients with urolithiasis and 40 conditionally healthy children. The urine UA, standard urinalysis, and special methods of urine examination have been carried out for all patients. The clinical efficiency of the urine UA test was determined after comparison it with other lab tests and severity of urolithiasis among the different subgroups. The urine UA was correlated with the standard urinalysis. Patients with the high UA, between 110 and 400 mmol/l, also had the high numbers of WBC 187 [32-292], RBC 17 [3-34], and bacteria >105. These patients had most severe symptoms of urolithiasis including an inflammation. At the same time, low UA (0-50 mmol/l) were recorded for the patients with the mild symptoms. High level of UA was observed only in urine samples with phosphate and ammonium biurate crystals. The main bacterial pathogens in these cases were Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The values of UA were determined for the different types of crystals and uropathogens as well.
Conclusion: The urine UA is the clinically efficient test for the diagnosis of kidney stone formation and reflects the presence of active urease-forming bacteria in urine, that contributes to the formation of the infected stones.
Tigecycline causes loss of cell viability mediated by mitochondrial OXPHOS and RAC1 in hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Authors: Koch Dominik Thomas , Yu Haochen , Beirith Iris , Schirren Malte , Drefs Moritz , Liu Yunfei , Knoblauch Mathilda , Koliogiannis Dionysios , Sheng Weiwei , De Toni Enrico N. , Bazhin Alexandr V. , Renz Bernhard W. , Guba Markus O. , Werner Jens , Ilmer Matthias
Published: January 2023

Background: Despite recent advances in locoregional, systemic, and novel checkpoint inhibitor treatment, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still associated with poor prognosis. The feasibility of potentially curative liver resection (LR) and transplantation (LT) is limited by underlying liver disease and a shortage of organ donors. Especially after LR, we are dealing with high recurrence rates, and circulating tumor cells are a major cause of extrahepatic recurrence. Tigecycline, a commonly used glycylcycline antibiotic, has been shown to have antitumorigenic effects and could be used as a perioperative and adjuvant therapeutic strategy to target circulating tumor cells. We aimed at investigating the effect of tigecycline on HCC cell lines and its mechanisms of action.
Methods: Huh7, HepG2 cells, and immortalized hepatocytes underwent incubation with clinically relevant tigecycline concentrations, and the influence on proliferation, migration, and invasion was assessed in two- and three-dimensional in vitro assays, respectively. Bioinformatic analysis was used to identify specific targets of tigecycline. The expression of RAC1 was detected using western blot and RT-PCR. 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) was utilized to measure reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation upon tigecycline treatment. FACS was used to detect alterations in the cell cycle and changes in mitochondrial function were detected via seahorse analysis.
Results: Tigecycline treatment resulted in a significant reduction of mitochondrial function, which preceded the observed loss of HCC cell viability. The sensitivity of HCC cells to tigecycline treatment was higher than that of immortalized non-cancerous THLE-2 hepatocytes, indicating a selective antitumoral efficacy. Tigecycline inhibited both migration and invasion. Bioinformatic analysis identified RAC1 as a possible target for tigecycline and the expression of this molecule was increased in both HCC as a result of tigecycline treatment. Tigecycline also caused decreased ROS production and an S-phase cell cycle arrest.
Conclusion: Our study provides evidence for the antiproliferative effect of tigecycline in HCC. We show for the first time that this effect, likely to be mediated by reduced OXPHOS, is associated with increased expression of RAC1. The selective effect of tigecycline on HCC cells versus normal hepatocytes represents the rationale for the possible use of this agent in cancer treatment.
Health impacts of a disaster among older adults and its association with endemic disease: Evidence from Longitudinal Ageing Survey of India (LASI), 2017-18
Authors: Dwivedi Sumit Narayan , Shri Neha , Singh Saurabh
Published: January 2023

Background: The emergence of infectious diseases in the era of globalization and urbanization has become a bottleneck in efforts aimed at reducing the burden associated with various communicable and non-communicable diseases. Moreover, the risk of having an infectious disease is further exacerbated by climate change, and natural disasters, combined with severe poverty and poor access to health services. This study aims to identify the risk factors affecting the emergence of endemic diseases among the Indian older adult population with an emphasis on individual health impacted by disasters.
Data & Methods: This study utilizes data from the first wave of the Longitudinal Ageing Survey of India, 2017-18 with an eligible sample of 66,606 individuals aged 45 years and above. Binary logistic regression analysis and the Fairlie decomposition technique were used to understand the factors affecting endemic disease and to predict the contribution toward rural-urban inequality in disease prevalence.
Results: Overall prevalence of endemic disease in the country was 26% with the burden of these diseases being substantially higher among females, rural residents, and unimproved water and sanitation. The prevalence of endemic disease was 48% among individuals whose health was affected by the disaster and 25% among those whose health was not affected by the disaster. The Odds Ratio (ORs) of having endemic disease among disaster-affected older adultswas found to be uniformly higher in rural areas [OR: 2.6 (2.2,3.0)] than in urban areas [OR: 1.84 (1.4,2.5)]. In the adjusted model, the risk of endemic disease among disaster-affected older adults in rural areas was 2.17 times and 1.42 times higher in urban areas than individuals without any health impact of a disaster.
Conclusion: Efforts aimed at education on hygiene and hand-washing, and provisions of safe water and sanitation will significantly contribute to reducing the public health burden. Preparedness in disaster-prone areas, training the health and local community, efficient resource allocation, and identification and management of the particular disease will help minimize disease transmission.
Thirty-five-year timber harvesting disturbance effects on composition and biomass of Nyssa-Taxodium forested wetlands, southwest Alabama, USA
Authors: Every Cora , Aust Michael , Carter David R. , Coates T. Adam , Schilling Erik B.
Published: January 2023

Thirty-five years post-harvest, effects of harvest disturbances upon tree composition and aboveground biomass were evaluated in a Nyssa aquatica (water-tupelo)-Taxodium distichum (baldcypress) bottomland. The study site, along the Tensaw River, is within the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta in southwest Alabama. Nine replications of four disturbances were evaluated: no harvest reference (REF), clearcutting with helicopter removal (HELI), HELI combined with skidder extraction simulation (SKID), and HELI combined with broadcast spray (glyphosate) of sprouts and seedlings for two years (GLYPH). Thirty-five years post-treatment, species, diameter at breast height (DBH; 1.37 m) and total tree height were measured at monumented sample plots and converted to aboveground biomass. Clip plots were installed for herbaceous and woody stems shorter than DBH. Results indicate that HELI and SKID treatments remain on a trajectory to produce species composition and volume similar to REF. GLYPH lacked adequate coppice regeneration and regenerated from seedbanks and flood and wind disseminated seed, thus the treatment has succeeded from an herbaceous freshwater marsh to an open woodland/savanna community. The GLYPH treatment emphasizes the importance of coppice for rapid tree regeneration and the need for coppice success on sites having altered hydrology. This research further demonstrates the capacity for long-term recovery of forested wetland ecosystems following harvest. Furthermore, several site/stand factors favored stand regeneration, including adequate initial stocking of species capable of stump sprouting, intact hydrology with annual sediment deposits, shrink-swell soils, nearby seed sources and flood tolerances of original species acted collectively to favor rapid recovery from both HELI and SKID disturbances.
Weakly supervised detection and classification of basal cell carcinoma using graph-transformers on whole slide images
Authors: Yacob Filmon , Siarov Jan , Villiamsson Kajsa , Suvilehto Juulia T , Sjöblom Lisa , Kjellberg Magnus , Neittaanmäki Noora
Published: January 2023

The high incidence rates of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) cause a significant burden at pathology laboratories. The standard diagnostic process is time-consuming and prone to inter-pathologist variability. Despite the application of deep learning approaches in grading of other cancer types, there is limited literature on the application of vision transformers to BCC on whole slide images (WSIs). A total of 1831 WSIs from 479 BCCs, divided into training and validation (1434 WSIs from 369 BCCs) and testing (397 WSIs from 110 BCCs) sets, were weakly annotated into four aggressivity subtypes. We used a combination of a graph neural network and vision transformer to 1) detect the presence of tumor (two classes), 2) classify the tumor into low and high-risk subtypes (three classes), and 3) classify four aggressivity subtypes (five classes). Using an ensemble model comprised of the models from cross-validation, accuracies of 93.5%, 86.4%, and 72% were achieved on two, three, and five class classifications, respectively. These results show high accuracy in both tumor detection and grading of BCCs. The use of automated WSI analysis could increase workflow efficiency and possibly overcome inter-pathologist variability.
Nutrient uptake status and peanuts yield as a consequence of the cobalt and chelated zinc applications under different irrigation schemes
Authors: Elshamly Ayman M.S. , Nassar Saad M.A.
Published: January 2023

Water stress is the most detrimental stress which has significantly affected the yield particularly in arid climates. It is quite important to provide peanuts with a suitable supplement that can enhance its resistance and yield. Therefore, the current study aims to study the efficacy of cobalt and zinc on peanuts growth, yield, nutrient contents, and water use under full and limited irrigation conditions. For this purpose, a split- split plot experiment was conducted in 2021 and 2022. Three levels of peanuts gross water requirements (GWR) (100, 80 and 60%) were allocated in the main plots. In the sub plots, the plants were treated with cobalt (0 and 7.5 mg l-1). While the sub-sub plots were divided to tested the impacts of chelated zinc as (foliar and soil applications).
Under GWR60% we detected marked reductions in yield and it was found that the adoption of separate soil applications of zinc under these conditions or foliar applications of zinc under GWR100&80%, had a significant impact on the most examined traits. However, compared to the control, adopting GWR60% and applying separate cobalt application thereof have significantly led to a lowest decline in iron, copper, yield and water use. Moreover, it was found adoption of foliar zinc applications in a combination with cobalt under GWR60% improved yield.
This study recommend adopting GWR60% and treating plants with combined applications of foliar zinc+ soil application of cobalt, which could help plants overcome the negative impacts of water stress and achieve the highest yield and water use.
WITHDRAWN: SIRT6 inhibits platelet activation and thrombosis by regulating PCSK9/MAPK signaling
Authors: Liu Yanli , Xin Guang , Li Fan , Wang Yilan , Li Shiyi , Dong Yuman , Zhang Kun , Feng Lijuan , Zhang Boli , Huang Wen
Published: January 2023

SIRT6 regulate metabolism related cardiovascular disease, however, whether SIRT6 is involved in thrombosis remains unclear. Immunoblotting result showed that the expression of SIRT6 in activated platelets was significantly lower than resting platelets. By using laser speckle with the mice receiving saline or SIRT6 agonist injection, we demonstrated that SIRT6 are required for platelet thrombus formation following FeCl3-induced arteriolar injury. To confirm a mechanistic role for SIRT6 in regulating platelet function and arterial thrombosis, we used SIRT6 knockout mice (SIRT6-/-) to verify the effect of SIRT6 deficiency on platelet activation and thrombosis in vitro and vivo. The results showed that SIRT6 deletion significantly increased platelet aggregation, release of dense particles as well α-particles, integrin αIIBβ3 activation and thrombosis, then SIRT6 abolished the effects of platelet activation and thrombosis. In a FeCl3-induced thrombosis model, we found that compared with WT mice, SIRT6-/- mice showed a significant contraction in time to occlusion. To eliminate the contribution of cells other to thrombosis formation, adoptive transfer experiments were carried out using isolated platelets, further indicated the importance of platelet SIRT6 in thrombosis. Mechanologically, we demonstrated that SIRT6 inhibits the potential of extracellular signal regulated kinase MAPK, which is associated with the PCSK9 and CD36 to enhance platelet activation. Taken together, these findings reveal the important role of SIRT6 in platelet function and thrombosis, and suggest that SIRT6 is a potential target for anti-thrombotic therapeutic intervention.
Genome Characterization of a Turkish Bovine Rotavirus Field Isolate by Shotgun Metagenomics
Authors: AKSOY Emel , Azkur Ahmet Kursat
Published: January 2023

Bovine rotavirus (BRV) which is the leading viral agent of neonatal calf diarrhea. In recent years, the use of shotgun metagenomics has emerged as a powerful tool for the detection and characterization of viruses. In the present study, BRV was isolated on MA-104 cells from feces of a neonatal calf with diarrhea and shotgun metagenomics was performed in order to obtain whole genome of BRV isolate. From nine sequenced segments, five segments encoding VP1, VP6, NSP3, NSP4, and NSP5/6 proteins was sequenced in full-length and four segments encoding the VP2, VP3, VP7, and NSP2 proteins was sequenced partially and are deposited in GenBank. Sequences of 9 out of 11 segments of BRV can be gained from metagenomics and the BRV isolate which is named as “RVA/Cow-tc/TUR/KIRSEHIR/2019/G10P[X]” is genotyped as G10-P[X]-I2-R2-C2-M2-AX-N2-T6-E2-H3. The VP1 and VP7 nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the present virus are conserved among Turkish BRV strains. Moreover, the VP2 gene/protein was genetically close to a number of RVA strains of cat and dog. Interestingly, for the NSP4 gene/protein, many equine rotaviruses from Japan and feline rotaviruses were found to be similar to KIRSEHIR strain. Although the highest nucleotide identity for NSP5/6 gene was with buffalo rotaviruses, amino acid identity and similarity were highest with human rotaviruses. Additionally, the study found that the present virus had some variations in its amino acid sequences and findings from amino acid sequence identity and similarity are almost compatible with nucleotide sequences. Our results suggested that the present bovine RVA field isolate might be genetic ancestor of canine, equine and feline rotaviruses and support the findings of previous studies about interspecies transmission.
Comparison of two sedation protocols for long electroretinography in horses using the Koijman electrode
Authors: Corradini Ignacio , López-Murcia María , Barba Marta , Zebarjadian Sina , Rodilla Vicent , Mayordomo-Febrer Aloma
Published: January 2023

Background
Nowadays in addition to work and transport, horses are also used for competition and pleasure riding purposes. For all these activities vision has a critical role. Electroretinography is the most used test to diagnose diseases of the retinal outer segment. There is a wide variety of devices to perform the electroretinography being the main differences in the corneal electrode and the light stimulation. The Koijman electrode has been tested in dogs but not in horses. The main purpose of this study was to compare electroretinography parameters from horses sedated with detomidine alone or in combination with butorphanol, during a standardized protocol using the Koijman electrode and RETI-port® system. Seven mares, were allocated to the detomidine (D) and detomidine-butorphanol (DB) group in a randomised, controlled, crossover study. Friedman's and Willcoxon-signed ranked tests were used to compare the electroretinogram (ERG) parameters. A Student t-test was used to compare differences in the number of artefacts and valid values obtained under both sedation protocols.
Results
Dark adaptation peaked at 16 minutes in both groups. No significant differences in ERG parameters between both groups were observed. During the mixed rod and cone response evaluation under scotopic conditions, most mares made a movement of the head resulting in a high number of artefacts. The DB group showed a non-significant tendency to have fewer artefacts and a longer duration of sedation compared to the D group.
Conclusions
The Koijman electrode and the RETI-port® can be used to perform a standardized long protocol in horses with some adaptations.
Preliminary assessment of the water quality of Rushikulya estuary based on the abundance of pathogenic bacteria
Authors: Panda Bhubaneswari , Sundaray Lokeshwara , Mishra Ankita , Palai Subhadarshani , Padhi Sanjukta Rani , Patro Shesdev , Mohanty Pratap Kumar
Published: January 2023

Present study is the first ever investigation on water quality based on pathogenic bacterial abundance in the Rushikulya estuary, east coast of India. Analysis of water and sediment samples collected from the Rushikulya estuary during monsoon and post-monsoon indicates seasonal variability along with dominance of pathogenic bacteria in sediment as compared to water. Further, higher abundance of pathogenic bacteria during monsoon suggests the significant role of monsoonal discharge. The study reveals a close association between water quality parameters like (BOD, SiO4 and PO4) and abundance of pathogenic bacteria (Total Streptococcus, Fecal Coliform). Meanwhile abundance of E. coli, FC and SHLO, both in water and sediment, were found maximum in Rushikulya estuary when compared to other estuarine ecosystems of India. Considering Rushikulya estuarine environment as one of the world-famous Olive Ridley turtle nesting habitats, deterioration of water quality associated with pathogenic bacterial abundance is a major concern and needs immediate attention.
Realist review of community coalitions and outreach interventions to increase access to primary care for vulnerable populations: a realist review
Authors: Welch Vivian , Pottie Kevin , Gaudet Caroline , Thuku Micere , Mallard Ryan , Spenceley Shannon , Amjed Nida , Wadhwani Arpana , Ghogomu Elizabeth , Scott Cathie , Dahrouge Simone
Published: January 2023

Background: There are meaningful gaps in equitable access to Primary Health Care (PHC), especially for vulnerable populations after widespread reforms in Western countries. The Innovative Models Promoting Access-to-Care Transformation (IMPACT) research program is a Canadian-Australian collaboration that aims to improve access to PHC for vulnerable populations. Relationships were developed with stakeholders in six regions across Canada and Australia where access-related needs could be identified. The most promising interventions would be implemented and tested to address the needs identified. This realist review was conducted to understand how community coalition and outreach (e.g., mobile or pop-up) services improve access for underserved vulnerable residents.
Objective: To inform the development and delivery of an innovative intervention to increase access to PHC for vulnerable populations.
Methods: A realist review was conducted in collaboration with the Local Innovative Partnership (LIP) research team and the IMPACT research members who conducted the review. We performed an initial comprehensive systematic search using MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Library up to October 19, 2015, and updated it on August 8, 2020. Studies were included if they focused on interventions to improve access to PHC using community coalition, outreach services or mobile delivery methods. We included Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs), and systematic reviews. Studies were screened by two independent reviewers and the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework was used for data extraction and framework analysis to obtain themes. The LIP research team was also allowed to suggest additional papers not included at screening.
Results: We included 43 records, comprising 31 RCTs, 11 systematic reviews, and 1 case control study that was added by the LIP research team. We identified three main themes of PHC interventions to promote access for vulnerable residents in a rural/remote setting, including: 1) tailoring of materials and services decreases barriers to primary health care, 2) services offered where vulnerable populations gather increases the “reach” of the interventions, 3) partnerships and collaborations lead to positive health outcomes. In addition, implementation designs and reporting elements should be considered.
Conclusion: Realist reviews can help guide the development of locally adapted primary health care interventions.
Lung infection by P. aeruginosa induces neuroinflammation and blood-brain barrier dysfunction in mice
Authors: Villalba Nuria , Ma Yonggang , Gahan Sarah A. , Joly-Amado Aurelie , Spence Sam , Yang Xiaoyuan , Nash Kevin , Yuan Sarah Y.
Published: January 2023

Background Severe lung infection can lead to brain dysfunction and neurobehavioral disorders. The mechanisms that regulate the lung-brain axis of inflammatory response to respiratory infection are incompletely understood. This study examined the effects of lung infection causing systemic and neuroinflammation as a potential mechanism contributing to blood-brain barrier (BBB) leakage and behavioral impairment. Methods Pneumonia was induced in adult C57BL/6 mice by intratracheal inoculation ofPseudomonas aeruginosa(PA). Solute extravasation, histology, immunofluorescence, RT-PCR, multiphoton imaging and neurological testing were performed in this study. Results Lung infection caused alveolar-capillary barrier injury as indicated by leakage of plasma proteins across pulmonary microvessels and histopathological characteristics of pulmonary edema (alveolar wall thickening, microvessel congestion, and neutrophil infiltration). PA also caused significant BBB dysfunction characterized by leakage of different sized molecules across cerebral microvessels and a decreased expression of cell-cell junctions (VE-cadherin, claudin-5) in the brain. BBB leakage peaked at 24 hours and lasted for 7 days post-inoculation. Additionally, mice with lung infection displayed hyperlocomotion and anxiety-like behaviors. To test whether cerebral dysfunction was caused by PA directly or indirectly, we measured bacterial load in multiple organs. While PA loads were detected in the lungs up to 7 days post-inoculation, bacteria were not detected in the brain as evidenced by negative cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) cultures and lack of distribution in different brain regions or isolated cerebral microvessels. However, mice with PA lung infection demonstrated increased mRNA expression in the brain of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α), chemokines (CXCL-1, CXCL-2) and adhesion molecules (VCAM-1 and ICAM-1) along with CD11b + cell recruitment, corresponding to their increased blood levels of white cells (polymorphonuclear cells) and cytokines. To confirm the direct effect of cytokines on endothelial permeability, we measured cell-cell adhesive barrier resistance and junction morphology in mouse brain microvascular endothelial cell monolayers, where administration of IL-1β induced a significant reduction of barrier function coupled with tight junction (TJ) diffusion and disorganization. Combined treatment with IL-1β and TNFα augmented the barrier injury. Conclusions These results suggest that lung bacterial infection causes cerebral microvascular leakage and neuroinflammation via a mechanism involving cytokine-induced BBB injury.
Self-exclusion and breaching of self-exclusion from gambling – a repeated survey study on the development of a nationwide self-exclusion service
Authors: Håkansson Anders , Komzia Nikoleta
Published: January 2023

Background: Voluntary self-exclusion from gambling is a common harm reduction tool in individuals with a gambling disorder. Previous data have demonstrated that many gamblers breach their own self-exclusion, typically through other online services outside the jurisdiction in which they are self-excluded. The present study aimed to carry out a new follow-up measure – similar to previous studies in the same setting – of self-exclusion and its breaching in Sweden, in order to allow for the follow-up assessment of a nationwide, multi-operator self-exclusion system introduced in Sweden in 2019.
Methods: A web survey to the web panel of a market survey company addressed 1,505 past-year gamblers, who responded to a number of questions about gambling habits, including screening for gambling problems using the Problem Gambling Severity Index and self-exclusion-related items corresponding to previous studies.
Results: Nine percent of past-year gamblers had self-excluded using the Spelpaus service. In logistic regression, self-exclusion was significantly associated with gambling problems, past-year online casino gambling, and absence of online poker gambling. Among self-excluders, 49 percent had ever gambled despite being self-excluded. Among those breaching their self-exclusion, the most common gambling types during self-exclusion were online casino (82 percent), sports betting (47 percent) and lotteries (43 percent).
Discussion: Self-exclusion remains a popular harm reduction tool against problem gambling, more common than in previous studies, mostly in individuals with recent gambling problems and in online casino gamblers. However, breaching self-exclusion is somewhat more common than in previous research. Online casino represents the most common means of self-exclusion breaching. Policy-making in the area needs to further address the risk of breaching one’s self-exclusion and may further address the risk of overseas gambling.
A Two Stage Stochastic Optimization Model for Port Infrastructure Planning
Authors: Bhurtyal Sanjeev , Hernandez Sarah , Eksioglu Sandra , Yves Manzi
Published: January 2023

This paper investigates inland port infrastructure investment planning under uncertain commodity demand conditions. A two-stage stochastic optimization is developed to model the impact of demand uncertainty on infrastructure planning and transportation decisions. The two-stage stochastic model minimizes the total expected costs, including the capacity expansion investment costs associated with handling equipment and storage, and the expected transportation costs. To solve the problem, an accelerated Benders decomposition algorithm is implemented. The Arkansas section of the McClellan -Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System (MKARNS) is used as a testing ground for the model. Results show that commodity volume and, as expected, the percent of that volume that moves via waterways (in ton-miles) increases with increasing investment in port infrastructure. The model is able to identify a cluster of ports that should receive investment in port capacity under any investment scenario. The use of a stochastic approach is justified by calculating the value of the stochastic solution (VSS).
The Middle Stone Age sequence at Klipfonteinrand 1 (KFR1), Western Cape, South Africa
Authors: Mackay Alex , Saktura Rosaria B.K. , O’Driscoll Corey A. , Boyd Kelsey C. , Marwick Ben , Moffat Ian , Jacobs Zenobia
Published: January 2023

The rock shelter site Klipfonteinrand 1 (KFR1), located on the edge of southern Africa’s Fynbos biome, was initially excavated by John Parkington in 1969. Due to difficulties resolving the stratigraphic sequence, the lack of age estimates, and generally poor organic preservation, the Middle Stone Age (MSA) components of the site have received limited attention. In this paper we report on the re-excavation, dating, palaeoecology, and cultural sequence recovered from a trench placed adjacent to Parkington’s original excavation. The refined sequence includes three stratigraphically distinct MSA components: a Howiesons Poort component dating to ~69 ka, and two early MSA components dating to ~85 ka and ~156 ka. These are overlain by two younger components dated to the late Pleistocene and early Holocene. Bedrock morphology at the site is complex, and the oldest component appears to be restricted to a small area of relatively deep (1.9 m) sediment accumulation towards the centre of the sheltered area. Phytoliths suggest limited change in floral communities near the site across the lowest three units – which include parts of Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) 6, 5 and 4 – reflecting the characteristic stability of the Fynbos biome. The stone artefacts in the oldest MSA component include large blades that are absent from the overlying strata, and that may be a distinct element of late MIS 6 technology in the area. Interestingly, neither the early MSA nor early Holocene components we describe here were encountered in the rear trench at the site, 3 m away, which instead produced a sequence dominated by Marine Isotope Stage 2 occupation. KFR1 presents new insights into the archaeology of the early MSA in southern Africa, while also providing a cautionary note on the discontinuous and spatially variable nature of rock shelter occupation in the region.
The role of management science in forming next era semantics
Authors: Neisig Margit
Published: January 2023

The paper outlines in a social system theoretical perspective a position for engaged scholarship in bridging the gulf between theorizing and practice. Partaking as “mid-wifes” for shared semantics in a polycentric network may be one role for engaged scholars to assist. However, for a shared semantic reservoir for “next era” leadership and management to form, one more layer of reflection is needed: how to manage “backwards” from the future. The paper addresses geographic inclusion/exclusion, which seems to be reinforced as digitalization and abstract knowledge are gaining ground, even though bits and abstract knowledge should easily be detached from spatial limitations. Research programs targeting “grand challenges” and “grand solutions” is defined by mega-projects defined and financed by large foundations or other large-scale actors, and well-connected international research centers and research networks are needed to influence this agenda-setting. The paper argues that forming regional polycentric networks (including scientific research scholars) may to a greater extend bridge the global agendas with local and regional issues to not be excluded in a transition process.
Beta-variant recombinant SARS CoV-2 vaccine induces durable cross-reactive antibodies against Omicron variants
Authors: Launay Odile , Gupta Rachna , Machabert Tifany , Konate Eleine , Rousseau Alexandra , Claire Vigne , Beckers Francois , Chicz Roman , Botelho-Nevers Elisabeth , Cachanado Marine , Chidiac Christian , Deplanque Dominique , Dussol Bertrand , Ghezala Inès Ben , Lachatre Marie , Lacombe Karine , Laine Fabrice , Nguyen Liem Binh Luong , Pavese Patricia , Schmidt-Mutter Catherine , Tavolacci Marie-Pierre , Devlin Louis , Coudsy Bogdana , Srid Saranya , Touati Amel , Tartour Eric , Simon Tabassome
Published: January 2023

We previously reported the safety and immunogenicity data from a randomized trial comparing the monovalent (MV) recombinant protein Beta-variant (MVB.1.351) and MV ancestral protein (MVD614) booster vaccines with AS03 adjuvant (Sanofi/GSK) to mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech). First booster of the vaccines was administered in adult participants previously primed with 2 doses of BNT162b2. A subset of these participants with available blood samples collected at Day 0 (D0), at 28 days (D28), and 3 months (M3) post-booster were contacted for additional testing (195/208 participants). The persistence of cross-neutralizing antibodies, including against Omicron BA.1 and BA.4/5, up to 3 months after boosting was evaluated using a validated pseudovirus neutralization assay. The data showed that the MVB.1.351 vaccine induced higher and durable cross-neutralizing antibodies against Omicron subvariants up to 3 months after boosting compared to a MV ancestral and the mRNA BNT162b2 booster vaccine.
WITHDRAWN: Analysis of point-of-care non-invasive Hb monitoring technique using NIR Spectrophotometry with standard invasive techniques
Authors: Kumar Yogesh , Dogra Ayush , Dhiman Varun , Singh Vishavpreet , Kaushik Ajeet , Kumar Sanjeev
Published: January 2023

Non-invasive bio-sensing is indispensable for safer patient care nowadays. In this regard, progressive developments for non-invasive haemoglobin (Hb) sensing used for anaemia diagnosis are based on digital photography or spectrometry, or spectrophotometric techniques. However, the analysis of these ailments by the non-invasive solutions stands challenging due to limiting satisfaction rate in various health conditions. An optimistic Near-Infrared (NIR) based spectrophotometric technique with an effective ML algorithm considering overcomplete influencing factors to overcome such challenges is presented in this manuscript. For this purpose, the data of 121 volunteers (19.27–55.46 years) has been employed to train and test the model using 5-Fold cross-validation with broad reference Hb values (8.2–17.4 g/dL). The highest accuracy is achieved using the mutual info regression feature selection technique with Support Vector Regression (SVR) and 3 input variables. Using this specific combination, cross-validation scores are obtained as; correlation coefficient (r_CV) = 0.796, standard deviation (SD_CV) = 1.069 g/dL, bias (Bias_CV)=-0.128 g/dL and limits of agreements (LoA_CV)= -2.223 to 1.967 g/dL. Moreover, variability between two standard devices is also presented to set the limits of agreement for the proposed technique. The mean scores to get the variability between two standard devices are observed as; r_mean = 0.970, SD_mean = 0.501 g/dL, Bias_mean = 0.209 g/dL and LoA_mean= -0.773 to 1.191 g/dL. Considerable precision in the range of ±1 g/dL is obtained while presenting the linear relationship between two standard devices. Therefore, the proposed technique is insurpassable and can expedite conventions for point-of-care (POC) applications in low-resource settings as well as in surgical sections which demand continuous monitoring.
Exploring the Extraction of Genomic DNA from Cooked meats and their Amplification
Authors: Ahmad Hafiz Hassan , Saleem Muhammad Zafar , Baqi Abdul
Published: January 2023

Mislabeling of meat products is a type of food fraud that can result in economic deception as well as interference with dietary restrictions due to allergens or religious beliefs. The purpose of this study is to describe an efficient DNA extraction method from processed meat. This work devised a procedure for genomic DNA isolation from the cooked meat of mammal species including goat, sheep, cow and buffalo. The predicted PCR products of 658 base pair (bp) were produced by PCR amplification using DNA that was extracted from cooked and processed meat samples. In this research, a high quality DNA was obtained from cooked meat of goat, sheep, cow and buffalo samples and analysis of whole genomic DNA has been carried out in agarose gel. The PCR results showed that the primers employed in this investigation generated bands with sizes between 650 and 700 bp at the annealing temperature of 55°C for all species. The extracted genomic DNA is of high quality to allow precise and accurate PCR amplification of cytochromecoxidase subunit 1 barcode. In this way, potential adulteration in a variety of meat products will be effectively detected using this technique.