bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between Surgical Patient Selection and Hospital Variation in Failure to Cure in Esophageal Cancer Surgery: A Nationwide Cohort Study
Authors: Voeten Daan M. , Vissers Pauline A.J. , Verhoeven Rob H.A. , van Hillegersberg Richard , van Berge Henegouwen Mark I.
Published: May 2022

Introduction: Failure to cure describes: (1) nonresectional (“open-close”) surgery, (2) non-radical surgery (R1-R2), and/or (3) postoperative mortality. This study aimed to investigate whether hospitals offering surgery to a large proportion of patients have higher failure-to-cure rates than hospitals operating fewer patients. Methods: From the Netherlands Cancer Registry, all cT1–cT4a/cTx-any cN–cM0 esophageal cancer patients diagnosed in 2015–2018 were included. For each center, the expected (E) proportion of patients undergoing surgery was established and divided by the observed (O) proportion. Hospitals were categorized into three groups: (1) hospitals treating relatively many patients with surgery, (2) average hospitals, and (3) hospitals treating relatively few patients with surgery. Multilevel multivariable regression investigated the association between these hospital groups and failure to cure. Results: Some 3,437 (53.2%) of 6,457 patients underwent surgery, ranging from 45 to 64% among 16 hospitals. The failure-to-cure rate was 15.0% (hospital variation [4.6–23.7%]). After categorizing, 1,003 patients underwent surgery in hospitals with low surgery rates (O/E ratio <0.94/corrected percentage <50%), 1,297 patients in average hospitals, and 1,137 patients in hospitals treating many patients surgically (O/E ratio >1.01/corrected percentage >54%). Failure-to-cure rates were 16.8%, 12.2%, and 14.0%, respectively. This was nonsignificant in multilevel analyses (aOR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.38–1.05; aOR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.46–1.24). Discussion/Conclusion: Failure-to-cure rates were similar in hospitals with a high surgery rate and hospitals with a low rate. Increasing the proportion of patients undergoing a resection may offer more patients, a chance for cure.
Defects in the Proteome and Metabolome in Human Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Previs Michael J. , O’Leary Thomas S. , Morley Michael P. , Palmer Bradley M. , LeWinter Martin , Yob Jaime M. , Pagani Francis D. , Petucci Christopher , Kim Min-Soo , Margulies Kenneth B. , Arany Zoltan , Kelly Daniel P. , Day Sharlene M.
Published: May 2022

Background:

Defects in energetics are thought to be central to the pathophysiology of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM); yet, the determinants of ATP availability are not known. The purpose of this study is to ascertain the nature and extent of metabolic reprogramming in human HCM, and its potential impact on contractile function.

Methods:

We conducted proteomic and targeted, quantitative metabolomic analyses on heart tissue from patients with HCM and from nonfailing control human hearts.

Results:

In the proteomic analysis, the greatest differences observed in HCM samples compared with controls were increased abundances of extracellular matrix and intermediate filament proteins and decreased abundances of muscle creatine kinase and mitochondrial proteins involved in fatty acid oxidation. These differences in protein abundance were coupled with marked reductions in acyl carnitines, byproducts of fatty acid oxidation, in HCM samples. Conversely, the ketone body 3-hydroxybutyrate, branched chain amino acids, and their breakdown products, were all significantly increased in HCM hearts. ATP content, phosphocreatine, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and its phosphate derivatives, NADP and NADPH, and acetyl CoA were also severely reduced in HCM compared with control hearts. Functional assays performed on human skinned myocardial fibers demonstrated that the magnitude of observed reduction in ATP content in the HCM samples would be expected to decrease the rate of cross-bridge detachment. Moreover, left atrial size, an indicator of diastolic compliance, was inversely correlated with ATP content in hearts from patients with HCM.

Conclusions:

HCM hearts display profound deficits in nucleotide availability with markedly reduced capacity for fatty acid oxidation and increases in ketone bodies and branched chain amino acids. These results have important therapeutic implications for the future design of metabolic modulators to treat HCM.
Type 1 Angiotensin Receptors on CD11c-Expressing Cells Protect Against Hypertension by Regulating Dendritic Cell–Mediated T Cell Activation
Authors: Lu Xiaohan , Zhang Jiandong , Wen Yi , Ren Jiafa , Griffiths Robert , Rudemiller Nathan P. , Ide Shintaro , Souma Tomokazu , Crowley Steven D.
Published: May 2022

Background:

Type 1 angiotensin (AT
1
) receptors are expressed on immune cells, and we previously found that bone marrow–derived AT
1
receptors protect against Ang (angiotensin) II-induced hypertension. CD11c is expressed on myeloid cells derived from the bone marrow, including dendritic cells (DCs) that activate T lymphocytes. Here, we examined the role of AT
1
receptors on CD11c
+
cells in hypertension pathogenesis.

Methods:

Mice lacking the dominant murine AT
1
receptor isoform, AT
1a,
on CD11c
+
cells (dendritic cell [DC] AT1aR knockout [KO]) and wild-type (WT) littermates were subjected to Ang II-induced hypertension. Blood pressures were measured by radiotelemetry.

Results:

DC AT1aR KO mice had exaggerated hypertensive responses to chronic Ang II infusion with enhanced renal accumulation of effector memory T cells and CD40
+
DCs. CCL5 (C-C motif chemokine ligand 5) recruits T cells into injured tissues, and CCR7 (C-C motif chemokine receptor 7) facilitates DC and T cell interactions in the kidney lymph node to allow T cell activation. DCs from the hypertensive DC AT1aR KO kidneys expressed higher levels of CCL5 and CCR7. mRNA expressions for CCR7 and tumor necrosis factor-α were increased in CD4
+
T cells from the renal lymph nodes of DC AT1aR KO mice. During the second week of Ang II infusion when blood pressures between groups diverged, DC AT1aR KO mice excreted less sodium than WTs. Expressions for epithelial sodium channel subunits were increased in DC AT1aR KO kidneys.

Conclusions:

Following activation of the renin angiotensin system, AT1aR stimulation on DCs suppresses renal DC maturation and T cell activation with consequent protection from sodium retention and blood pressure elevation.
The Fin-De-Siècle Academy and its Discontents: Austin Gough and the Betrayal of the Intellectuals
Authors: Longo Donato
Published: May 2022

This article examines the responses of Australian historian Austin Gough (1926–1997) to the moral and intellectual changes in the academy after 1968 as well as their consequences in the broader society as student radicals attained maturity and obtained positions of power in Australia’s Labor government from 1983 to 1996. An erudite conservative with a matchless flair for polemics and a taste for controversy, Gough’s critiques from 1960 to 1997 are also a chronicle of a crisis in the West as cultural relativism and identitarian perspectives undermined traditional certainties and their foundation in Enlightenment ideas. His experience also challenges our notion of the role and authority of the intellectual in public life at the end of the twentieth century, one hundred years after the intellectual first took center stage during France’s Dreyfus Affair.
The Global Signifi cance of the Russian Revolution: Imperialism and the Socialist Resistance
Authors: Gronowicz Anthony
Published: May 2022

The 1917 Russian Revolution posed an incredible challenge to the Bolsheviks to reconstitute the Russian imperial state as multinational socialist republics while Western and Japanese vulture capitalists sought to crush the Soviets. While still a revolutionary force the USSR provided crucial support to China’s revolutionaries. In the new millennium, China and Russia present a united front for a multilateral world to replace the U.S. and U.K. attempt to enforce a unilateral standard based on a racist belief in their global superiority. The major reason that China and Russia can do so arises from the legacy of the Russian Revolution. For the Russians to succeed today they must engage in a principled anti-imperialist struggle to defend the world from Anglo-Saxon domination. The China–Russia alliance would then have some meaning beyond geo-strategic gains. Their alliance would be burnished through the creation of workers’ states, and would mean that the twenty-first century would have a more successful reprise than the twentieth.
Morphological and molecular characteristics of Geocenamus longus and the first report of G. brevidens from a karst cave (Nematoda: Merliniidae Siddiqi, 1971)
Authors: RYBARCZYK-MYDŁOWSKA KATARZYNA , SIKORA GRZEGORZ , KUBICZ MAGDALENA
Published: May 2022

The taxonomic status of stunt nematodes remains under investigation. Many nematode species belonging to the subfamily Merliniinae still await for more detailed studies, especially for the analyzes on the molecular level. In the presented work, two nematode species belonging to this subfamily were investigated. Characteristics of Geocenamus longus were expanded on the morphological and the rDNA- and mtCOI-derived molecular data. The mitochondrial sequences are for the first time presented for Merliniinae. Additionally, a bisexual population of G. brevidens was reported and characterized from a new, unique underground environment.
First description of the larva of Archineura incarnata (Karsch, 1891) with notes on the biology (Odonata: Calopterygidae)
Authors: YANG GUO-HUI , ORR ALBERT G. , ZHANG HAO-MIAO
Published: May 2022

The final instar larva of the genus Archineura Kirby, 1894 is described for the first time, based on a specimen of the Chinese endemic species Archineura incarnata (Karsch, 1892) collected from Mt. Nankunshan, Guangdong Province, China. The larva is distinguished by several characters, including its moderately slender build combined with the distinctive extremely long legs, long, narrow, uniquely spined outer caudal appendages, a mask strongly expanded anteriorly with a relatively small median cleft, and robust spines at the apex of the labial palp. The mask is most similar to larvae of Echo Selys, 1853, Mnais Selys, 1853 and Psolodesmus MacLachlan, 1870 which are considered its nearest relatives based on molecular analysis, but from which it differs in other characters. The biology of Archineura larvae is discussed briefly.
Avian type localities and the type specimens collected by Johan August Wahlberg in southern Africa
Authors: DEAN W. RICHARD J. , ÅHLANDER ERIK , JOHANSSON ULF S.
Published: May 2022

Avian type specimens collected in southern Africa between 1839–1856 by J.A. Wahlberg for the Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm (Naturhistoriska riksmuseet; NRM) are listed. Each species account discusses collection sites, nomenclature, and taxonomy, and as needed, gives notes from Wahlberg’s journal of travel routes and camp sites that correct or modify type localities.
Enigmatic male dimorphism in the Phlaeothripinae (Thysanoptera, Phlaeothripidae), with description of a new genus and species
Authors: OKAJIMA SHUJI , MASUMOTO MASAMI
Published: May 2022

Nazonothrips toshifumii gen. et sp. n. is described from unidentified fungus in Taiwan. This fungus-feeding species probably belongs to the tribe Plectrothripini of the subfamily Phlaeothripinae. The males of the new species exhibit a strange allometric growth that appears to involve two patterns of variation, but it is not possible to be certain due to the small number of available specimens.
Detailed Mapping and Modeling of Urban Vegetation: What Are the Benefits for Microclimatic Simulations with Town Energy Balance (TEB) at Neighborhood Scale?
Authors: Bernard Émilie , Munck Cécile de , Lemonsu Aude
Published: May 2022

Cities develop a specific climate related to their morphology and the materials that constitute them. The addition of vegetation in urban areas induces cooling and shading effects that can modify local climate and thermal comfort conditions. The Town Energy Balance (TEB) urban canopy model offers several configurations for a more or less fine-tuned consideration of natural covers and associated physical processes in the urban environment. This study aims to evaluate the sensitivity of TEB to the representation of vegetation and the resolution of the chosen databases in the simulation of microclimatic variables, at the scale of a heterogeneous urban neighborhood located in Toulouse, France. First, the effect of the improved description of the vegetation input to the model is highlighted by comparing the results obtained with a readily available national database and then with a very-high-resolution satellite-derived vegetation database. Second, the two vegetation parameterizations, with or without explicit tree stratum, that are available in the TEB model are evaluated and compared. Measurements carried out on specific routes and stop points in a neighborhood of Toulouse allowed microclimatic variables to be evaluated. Results show that refining the vegetation database can somehow improve the modeling of air temperature. As a result of enhancing the vegetation description in the model, that is, physical processes associated with the presence of trees in urban canyons, the air temperature, but also the wind and the thermal comfort index, are better simulated. These results are encouraging for the use of TEB as a decision support tool for urban planning purposes.
Extratropical Transition of Tropical Cyclones in a Multiresolution Ensemble of Atmosphere-Only and Fully Coupled Global Climate Models
Authors: Baker Alexander J. , Roberts Malcolm J. , Vidale Pier Luigi , Hodges Kevin I. , Seddon Jon , Vannière Benoît , Haarsma Rein J. , Schiemann Reinhard , Kapetanakis Dimitris , Tourigny Etienne , Lohmann Katja , Roberts Christopher D. , Terray Laurent
Published: May 2022

Tropical cyclones undergo extratropical transition (ET) in every ocean basin. Projected changes in ET frequency under climate change are uncertain and differ between basins, so multimodel studies are required to establish confidence. We used a feature-tracking algorithm to identify tropical cyclones and performed cyclone phase-space analysis to identify ET in an ensemble of atmosphere-only and fully coupled global model simulations, run at various resolutions under historical (1950–2014) and future (2015–50) forcing. Historical simulations were evaluated against five reanalyses for 1979–2018. Considering ET globally, ensemble-mean biases in track and genesis densities are reduced in the North Atlantic and western North Pacific when horizontal resolution is increased from ∼100 to ∼25 km. At high resolution, multi-reanalysis-mean climatological ET frequencies across most ocean basins as well as basins’ seasonal cycles are reproduced better than in low-resolution models. Skill in simulating historical ET interannual variability in the North Atlantic and western North Pacific is ∼0.3, which is lower than for all tropical cyclones. Models project an increase in ET frequency in the North Atlantic and a decrease in the western North Pacific. We explain these opposing responses by secular change in ET seasonality and an increase in lower-tropospheric, pre-ET warm-core strength, both of which are largely unique to the North Atlantic. Multimodel consensus about climate change responses is clearer for frequency metrics than for intensity metrics. These results help clarify the role of model resolution in simulating ET and help quantify uncertainty surrounding ET in a warming climate.
Direct and Rectified Effects of Tropical Instability Waves on the Eastern Tropical Pacific Mean State in a Regional Ocean Model
Authors: Maillard Lisa , Boucharel Julien , Renault Lionel
Published: May 2022

Tropical instability waves (TIWs) are oceanic features propagating westward along the northern front of the Pacific cold tongue. Observational and modeling studies suggest that TIWs may have a large impact on the eastern tropical Pacific background state from seasonal to interannual time scales through heat advection and mixing. However, observations are coarse or limited to surface data, and modeling studies are often based on the comparison of low- versus high-resolution simulations. In this study, we perform a set of regional high-resolution ocean simulations (CROCO 1/12°) in which we strongly damp (NOTIWs-RUN) or not (TIWs-RUN) TIW propagation, by nudging meridional current velocities in the TIW region toward their monthly climatological values. This approach, while effectively removing TIW mesoscale activity, does not alter the model internal physics in particular related to the equatorial Kelvin wave dynamics. The impact of TIWs on the oceanic mean state is then assessed by comparing the two simulations. While the well-known direct effect of TIW heat advection is to weaken the meridional temperature gradient by warming up the cold tongue (0.34°C month−1), the rectified effect of TIWs onto the mean state attenuates this direct effect by cooling down the cold tongue (−0.10°C month−1). This rectified effect occurs through the TIW-induced deepening and weakening of the Equatorial Undercurrent, which subsequently modulates the mean zonal advection and counterbalances the TIWs’ direct effect. This approach allows quantifying the rectified effect of TIWs without degrading the model horizontal resolution and may lead to a better characterization of the eastern tropical Pacific mean state and to the development of TIW parameterizations in Earth system models.

Significance Statement

Tropical instability waves (TIWs), meandering features at the surface of the equatorial Pacific Ocean, have long been recognized as a key component of the climate system that can even impact marine ecosystems. Yet, they are still hardly simulated in coupled global climate models. Here, we introduce a new framework to isolate and quantify their complex influence on the tropical Pacific background climate. This approach allows revealing a so far overlooked effect of TIWs on the mean circulation and heat transport in this region that should be accounted for in the next generation of global coupled climate models through parameterization or increased resolution.
The Consequences of Surface-Exchange Coefficient Uncertainty on an Otherwise Highly Predictable Major Hurricane
Authors: Nystrom Robert G. , Judt Falko
Published: May 2022

In addition to initial conditions, uncertainty in model physics can also influence the practical predictability of tropical cyclones. In this study, the influence that various magnitudes of uncertainty in the surface exchange coefficients of momentum (Cd) and enthalpy (Ck) can have on an otherwise highly predictable major hurricane (Hurricane Patricia) is compared with that resulting from climatological environmental initial condition uncertainty and the intrinsic limit for this case. As the systematic uncertainty in Cd and Ck is reduced from 40% to 1%, the simulated uncertainty in the intensity and structure is substantially reduced and approaches the intrinsic limit when uncertainty is reduced to 1%. In addition, the forecasted intensity and structure uncertainty only becomes less than that resulting from climatological environmental initial condition uncertainty once the systematic uncertainty in Cd and Ck is reduced to ∼10%, highlighting the strong influence of model error in limiting TC predictability. If Cd and Ck are perturbed stochastically, instead of systematically, it is shown that the influence on the simulated intensity and structure is negligible and nearly identical to the intrinsic limit, regardless of the magnitude of the stochastic Cd and Ck perturbations. While the magnitude of the stochastic Cd and Ck perturbations are comparable to the systematic perturbations, the stochastic perturbations are shown to not substantially perturb the time-integrated inner-core fluxes of momentum or enthalpy that predominantly determine simulated tropical cyclone intensity. Last, it is shown that the kinetic energy error growth behavior varies with the radius, azimuthal wavenumber, and ensemble design.

Significance Statement

The air–sea energy exchange beneath hurricanes is highly uncertain but strongly influences intensity. In this study, the influences of different magnitudes of surface-exchange coefficient uncertainty on the simulated intensity of an intense hurricane is compared with that resulting from environmental initial condition uncertainty and the intrinsic predictability limit. The main takeaway is that current surface-exchange coefficient uncertainties result in larger intensity uncertainty than environmental initial condition uncertainty, and substantial improvements in predictions are possible if current surface-exchange coefficient uncertainties are reduced. Furthermore, it is shown that randomly perturbing the surface-exchange coefficients at each point in space and time is not the best approach to account for the influences of this uncertain physical process on hurricane prediction because it has minimal influence on the simulated intensity.
Complications Following Temporary Bilateral Internal Iliac Artery Ligation for Pelvic Hemorrhage Control in Trauma
Authors: Schellenberg Morgan , Gallegos Hannah , Owattanapanich Natthida , Wong Monica D. , Bardes James M. , Joos Emilie , Vogt Kelly N. , Inaba Kenji
Published: May 2022

Background: Temporary bilateral internal iliac artery ligation (TBIIAL) is an option for surgical control of pelvic hemorrhage after trauma. Concerns persist that complications, particularly gluteal necrosis, following TBIIAL should preclude its use, despite a lack of formal research on TBIIAL complications. This study aimed to define complications following TBIIAL for emergent control of traumatic pelvic bleeding.

Study Design: Patients undergoing TBIIAL after blunt trauma (2008-2020) at our level 1 trauma center were included without exclusions. Demographics, clinical/injury data, and outcomes were collected. Descriptive statistics summarized study variables. Multivariable analysis of factors independently associated with mortality after TBIIAL was performed.

Results: In total, 77 patients undergoing emergent TBIIAL after blunt trauma were identified. Median age was 46 [IQR 29-63] years. Most patients ( n = 70, 91%) were severely injured (ISS ≥16), with 43% undergoing resuscitative thoracotomy prior to TBIIAL. No local complications (gluteal necrosis, iatrogenic injury, fascial dehiscence, surgical site infection) after TBIIAL occurred over the 13-year study period. In the first 28 days after injury, median hospital-, ICU-, and ventilator-free days were 0. Mortality was 70% ( n = 54). On multivariable analysis, older age was the only variable independently associated with in-hospital mortality (OR 1.081, P = .028).

Conclusion: Zero cases of gluteal necrosis, iatrogenic injury to surrounding structures, or surgical site infection/fascial dehiscence of the exploratory laparotomy occurred over the study period. High concern for gluteal necrosis after TBIIAL in severely injured trauma patients is unfounded and should not prevent a surgeon from obtaining prompt pelvic hemorrhage control with this technique among patients in extremis.
Flexible Aid in an Uncertain World: The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Program
Authors: Rocco Philip , Kass Amanda
Published: May 2022

Emergency fiscal transfers to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments have been at the core of the U.S. federal government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The most extensive of these transfer programs is the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (CSLFRF) program, contained in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The CSLFRF is not only larger than prior rounds of emergency aid, it was also designed to address a broader series of crises, address pre-existing inequities, and provide greater discretion to public officials in deciding how to allocate funds. In this article, we consider the extent to which this program represents a departure from what some have called “fend for yourself” federalism. We conclude that while the coordinated effort of intergovernmental organizations resulted in a greater measure of federal fiscal activism and flexibility than might have been anticipated, lingering political conflicts and legacies of austerity will continue to inflect the CSLFRF's implementation.
Nutritional status and feeding regimen of critically ill patients in General Hospital of Agriculture in Hanoi, Vietnam
Authors: Thi Diep Pham , Duy Tuong Pham
Published: May 2022

Background: Fully nutrition support for patients in developing countries like Vietnam is challenging. Aim: To estimate the prevalence of patients with nutritional risk at admission and describe feeding regimen of critically ill patients in a suburban hospital in Hanoi, Vietnam. Methods: An observational study was conducted among 154 patients at department of Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The Nutrition Risk Screening 2002 (NRS2002) and Modified Nutrition Risk in Critically Ill (mNUTRIC) were used for screening nutritional risk at admission. Body Mass Index (BMI), Mild-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC), and personal information were recorded. The feeding regimen of patients was monitored from the first to seventh day. Results: the patients were aged 66.5 ± 15.4 years, with an APACHEII of 13.0 ± 5.5 and SOFA 3.1 ± 2.6: 47.4% were malnutrition by MUAC, 16.2% had a severely low BMI (<17.8), 20.8% had low BMI (17.8 to <20). According to NRS2002 and mNUTRIC, the prevalence of patients with high nutritional risk was 53.9% and 13%, respectively. The proportion of patients receiving less than 25 kcal/kg/day was 84%, 60%, and 47% on the first, the fifth, and the seventh day. Protein intake below 1.3 g/kg/day was 50% on the seventh day. Up to 27.4% of patients had no nutrition support on the first day. Conclusions: ICU patients had nutritional risk with high rate. The feeding regimen for patients achieved a progressive energy and protein intake over the first 7 days.
Fatal gastrointestinal bleeding associated with acute pancreatitis as a complication of Covid-19: a case report
Authors: Mitrovic Milica , Tadic Boris , Jankovic Aleksandra , Rankovic Ivan , Kovac Jelena Djokic
Published: May 2022

Clinical manifestations of Covid-19 vary widely among patients. Recent studies suggest that up to 15% of patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections develop gastrointestinal symptoms. The location of virus–host cell receptors angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and transmembrane serine protease 2 has an important role in the pathophysiology and presentation of disease. They are expressed in the respiratory tract, as well as other organs and tissues including exocrine and endocrine pancreatic cells. These cells are therefore a possible target for the virus, which could explain the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and pancreatic injury. We report a disastrous collateral effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on a 33-year-old man with chronic renal insufficiency and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection, who developed acute pancreatitis. Inflammation progressed rapidly toward necrosis and the development of a peripancreatic pseudoaneurysm which subsequently ruptured, causing death.
Multi-inflammatory Index as a Novel Mortality Predictor in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Gozdas Hasan Tahsin , Kayis Seyit Ali , Damarsoy Tugce , Ozsari Emine , Turkoglu Mustafa , Yildiz Isa , Demirhan Abdullah
Published: May 2022

Aim

Systemic inflammation has a crucial role in the pathogenesis and mortality of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Multi-inflammatory index (MII) is a novel index related with systemic inflammation. In this study, we investigated the relationship between MII and in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of COVID-19 patients followed-up in the ICU of our institution between 01.04.2020 and 01.10.2021. Patients were classified into two groups according to mortality status as survivors and non-survivors. Various inflammatory parameters of the groups were compared and their efficacy in predicting mortality was investigated.

Results

Out of 348 study patients, 86 cases (24.7%) were in the survived group and 262 cases (75.3%) were in the dead group. The median age of the mortal group was significantly higher than that of the survived group (65.5 vs 76, P < .001). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that among all the included inflammatory parameters, MII showed the best efficacy for predicting mortality (OR: 0.999; 95% CI: 0.9991-0.9998; P = .003).

Conclusion

MII, a new combination of Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and C-reactive protein (CRP), is a simple and practical biomarker that can help us in the prediction of mortality in COVID-19 patients followed-up in the ICU.
The role of interpersonal perceptions of social inclusion and personality in momentary self-esteem and self-esteem reactivity
Authors: Bleckmann Eva , Lüdtke Oliver , Mueller Swantje , Wagner Jenny
Published: May 2022

Empirical research has demonstrated that self-esteem is significantly shaped by social interactions and perceptions of social inclusion; however, less is known about individual differences in the reactivity of momentary self-esteem to social inclusion. Zooming into social interactions, we used data from two adolescent samples (overall N > 200) in two different social settings (i.e., a standardized laboratory interaction vs. real-life interactions) to examine the associations between different interpersonal perceptions (i.e., self-, other-, and metaperceptions) of social inclusion and momentary self-esteem. Further, we investigated how these associations are shaped by an individual’s personality (i.e., neuroticism, extraversion, and agreeableness). Multilevel modeling revealed differential associations between interpersonal perceptions and momentary self-esteem, with perceptions formed by the individual (i.e., self- and metaperceptions) more consistently related to momentary self-esteem than perceptions of others. Personality did not emerge as a consistent moderator of these associations but displayed differential effects: Neuroticism dampened self-esteem reactivity in group interactions with unfamiliar interaction partners, but not in dyadic interactions with familiar others. In light of these findings, we discuss the role of the social context and the interaction partner for the dynamic interplay of interpersonal perceptions and the functionality of personality traits.
Study on the solid particle erosion characteristic of top gas pressure recovery turbine under variable working condition
Authors: Cai Liuxi , Wang Shunsen , Li Yun , Mao Jingru , Feng Zhenping
Published: May 2022

Aiming at the problem of particle erosion in top gas pressure recovery turbines, the physical and chemical properties of the sampled gas dust particles are tested in this paper, and particle motion behavior and erosion characteristics in the turbine cascade are investigated by employing a validated numerical method. On this basis, the influence mechanism of adjustable stator angle and rotate speed on the erosion characteristics of blades under variable working conditions is quantitatively explored. Results show that the erosion damage of the first-stage stator S1 and rotor R1 are mainly initiated by particles with different size. The change of adjustable stator angle will change the load and gas enthalpy drop distribution of the cascade, which then affects the impingement velocity and position of the particles. When adjustable stator angle reduces from 44.2 to 25% opening, erosion of S1 trailing edge grows about 20%, while the erosion of R1 trailing edge reduces by 50%. The change of rotating speed will change the relative magnitude of the particle centrifugal force and airflow drag force, which in turn affects the particle’s trajectory and impingement velocity. When rotate speed increases from 3,000 to 4,500 r/min, both the particle impingement velocity and escape rate increase, resulting in doubling of the erosion on blade leading edge and halving of the erosion on blade trailing edge. Finally, for the high rotation speed TRT operating under variable working conditions, some insightful suggestions are given to minimize the erosion damage of the turbine blades.
Substance Abuse: The Scourge in the Indian Community in Durban, South Africa
Authors: Singh Shanta
Published: May 2022

This paper is based on research that aims to ascertain the extent of the problem of substance abuse among people of Indian origin in South Africa. Its origins lie in the recent media reports about a drug known as “sugars” that is being increasingly used in the working class townships of Phoenix and Chatsworth, situated on the outskirts of Durban. Sugars is a mixture of heroin and poisonous chemicals that is used in the killing of rats, viz. Rattex. The purpose of the research was to explore the relationship between substance abuse and criminal behaviour. Data was gleaned from questionnaires, group discussions with scholars in high schools, discussions with individuals at a drug rehabilitation centre, the police and administrators of Anti-Drug Forums in Durban. The results of the study have been revealing and instructive, providing information on a perceived staggering increase in its spread and abuse among school going children. A range of data gathering exercises has produced material that supports media accounts of increasing levels of substance abuse. The paper is predicated on the notion that a sufficiently in-depth analysis of the problem is best understood against the background of historical issues linked to substance abuse internationally and to Indians locally. It ends with the advice that national ministries need to act with a desperate urgency, if they wish to deal with the problem of substance abuse effectively.
The Raika a Nomadic Tribe in Western Rajasthan
Authors: Sharma Pragya
Published: May 2022

Raika are pastoral nomads of Western Rajasthan who move from one place to another in collective camps of hundreds and thousands in search of fodder for animals. In this paper, using secondary data as well as fieldwork in Manpur Bas and Raika-ki-Dahni, two Raika villages in Pali district, an attempt has been made to study the effect of economy on Raika Community. It is found that the culture of Raika is predominantly influenced by their economy of cattle-herding.
Perception of Death in the Minds of Women with AIDS
Authors: Dangmei Thuanchuiliu
Published: May 2022

Death is universal. Every culture has its unique perspective on death. And every individual has his own share of death. But death due to AIDS is what everybody would prefer to avoid. This is due to the fact that people with HIV/AIDS are stigmatized and discriminated. Women who mostly get infected from their husbands become widows. They become burdened with their disease and their responsibility to look after their children. In some cases they are compelled to nurse their sick husbands in spite of own ill-health. There remains constant sense of fear and insecurity in their minds- fear of physical death, fear of their spiritual stand, and fear of their children's future after their death, as also fear of the society's attitude towards their death. The present paper is an attempt to study the perception of death of the women with AIDS. The women under study were from five different communities of Manipur namely, the Meitei, Muslim, Tangkhul, Kuki and Rongmei (Kabul). The paper is organized under four broad themes.
A Study on Prevalence of Sex Chromatin during Different Reproductive Stage of Bengalee Hindu Caste Females
Authors: Mukherjee Koel
Published: May 2022

Human X chromosome has a unique biology that was shaped by its evolution as the sex chromosome shared by males and females. The differential behaviour of the two X chromosome of female cells has biological implications. During the long evolutionary process of humankind, the X chromosome has generated and recruited a disproportionately high number of functional retro-posed genes where as the autosomes experienced tower gene turnover. Recent enquiries have revealed a surprisingly large number of naturally occurring anti-sense transcripts, but their functions remain largely undiscovered. A well documented case occurs in X inactivation, the mechanism by which X-linked gene expression is equalized between XX females and XY males. The anti-sense gene determines X chromosome choice and represses the non-coding silencer. This process of chromosome inactivation (XCI) is a remarkable example of long range, mono-allelic gene silencing and facultative heterochromatin formation. The X chromosome inactivation is initiated from X inactivation centre (XIC), usually found near the centromere. The inactivated X chromosome usually lies along the edge of the interphase nucleus in tightly condensed states. An effect of hormonal factors on the frequency of sex chromatin has been a subject matter of importance since long. The present study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of sex chromatin and its spatial organization within the nucleus among Bengalee Hindu caste females of different age groups. Buccal smear samples were collected from 150 females belonging to five different reproductive stages of their life- pre-menarchial, post menarchal, pregnant, lactating and menopausal 30 samples were chosen from each of these groups. The remits indicated differential prevalence of sex chromatin among the participants at different reproductive stages. The present study demonstrated that the prevalence of sex chromatin was significantly lowest p<0.001) and highest (p<0.001) among the pre-menarchial females and lactating mothers respectively. On the other hand, the menopausal women revealed significantly lower prevalence (p<0.001) of sex chromatin compared to the participants of rest of the reproductive categories. Furthermore, the present study revealed that the spatial organization differ significantly among different reproductive stages. These results suggested possible association between the presence of steroid hormone receptors and the prevalence of sex chromatin.
Female Trans-border Migration: Case of Rwandan Women Migrants in Durban, South Africa
Authors: Joseph Rudigi Rukema , Khan Sultan
Published: May 2022

In the trans-border migration discourse, it would appear that such forms of migration in the main comprise men. Scant attention has been accorded to researching female initiated migration. One of the challenges confronting migration researchers is access to respondents that will share their experiences in fear of being exposed to repatriation or coming into conflict with migratory laws of the host country. This study overcomes such challenges by engaging with fifteen Rwandan female migrants who have self-initiated their migration to South Africa. It recounts whether their decision to migrate to South Africa has been mitigated by economic and social motives and whether such decision to migrate was voluntary. Their experiences in the migration journey and the steps that they take to secure a livelihood are explored. The impact of social networks before and after migration to their host country is analysed.
Boards of Disability Service Provider Organizations for Adults With Intellectual Disability and Their Role in the Delivery of Quality Service
Authors: Wallace Robyn Anne , Rimes Julie , Bitsika Vicki
Published: May 2022

Provision of quality service by disability service providers for adults with intellectual disability is a core responsibility. It is central to access and participation in social, community goods, and services so that individuals are effectively supported in achieving their goals and aspirations and live a long life. Dimensions of quality service encompass how well the individual receives what they want, disability-related regulatory and legislative standards, kindness and professionalism, quality-of-life, and the extent of any breaches. Boards of disability service providers have ultimate responsibility for their organization’s service to ensure quality. They must appreciate and understand quality service dimensions in the context of the disability sector, collect and measure quality service data, hone their skills in weighing up and processing data, respond to user views, and enact improvement measures by way of directions to management. This article reviews board roles, membership, quality service dimensions, and mechanisms by which to obtain input data, process, and deliver outcomes contextualized to the requirements of boards of disability service providers for adults with intellectual disability. Furthermore, this article discusses a novel six-step implementation guide referred to as the SQUARE. That guide describes the functionary and cognitive elements required by boards to conduct effective quality service reviews.
The effect of crisping, misting, and storage temperature on the survival or growth of Listeria monocytogenes and natural psychrotrophic bacteria on romaine lettuce
Authors: Jung Yangjin , Guo Mengqi , Matthews Karl R
Published: May 2022

L. monocytogenes has been linked to fresh produce and detected in the retail environment. This study simulated the retail practices (crisping, misting, and storage) of unbagged whole heads of romaine lettuce to determine the growth of L. monocytogenes and natural psychrotrophic microflora. Three nalidixic acid-resistant strains of L. monocytogenes strains were inoculated to each head of lettuce (≈5 log10 CFU/g). For crisping, 24 heads of romaine lettuce were immersed in tap water or electrolyzed water (EW; free chlorine: 55 ppm) for 5 min, followed by holding at 5 °C for 2 h. The water-crisped (WC), EW crisped (EWC), or non-crisped (NC) lettuces were placed in a commercial refrigerated cabinet for misting at 5 °C. After 24-h misting, heads of lettuce were placed in perforated drain boxes with cover at 5 °C or 15 °C. The tap water and EW crisping achieved 1.3 and 2.9 log10 CFU/g reduction of L. monocytogenes, respectively. Approximately 1 log additional reduction of L. monocytogenes in the non-crisped lettuce was shown after misting ( p < 0.05), but no significant effect of misting on the population of L. monocytogenes was observed on WC or EWC lettuces ( p > 0.05). Regardless of the storage temperature or misting, L. monocytogenes populations remained significantly ( p < 0.05) lower on EWC lettuce than NC and WC lettuce. On days 4 and 7 of storage, the natural psychrotrophic bacteria on lettuce stored at 5 °C was significantly lower than stored at 15 °C, and its population was not affected by crisping and misting. These provide insight into the influence of retail lettuce handling practices on the risk of L. monocytogenes.
Nicotinamide mononucleotide ameliorates acute lung injury by inducing mitonuclear protein imbalance and activating the UPRmt
Authors: Du Shi-Han , Shi Jia , Yu Tian-Yu , Hu Xin-Xin , He Si-Meng , Cao Ying-Ya , Xie Zi-Lei , Liu Sha-Sha , Li Yu-Ting , Li Na , Yu Jian-Bo
Published: May 2022

Mitochondria need to interact with the nucleus under homeostasis and stress to maintain cellular demands and nuclear transcriptional programs. Disrupted mitonuclear interaction is involved in many disease processes. However, the role of mitonuclear signaling regulators in endotoxin-induced acute lung injury (ALI) remains unknown. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is closely related to mitonuclear interaction with its central role in mitochondrial metabolism. In the current study, C57BL/6J mice were administrated with lipopolysaccharide 15 mg/kg to induce endotoxin-induced ALI and investigated whether the NAD+ precursor nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) could preserve mitonuclear interaction and alleviate ALI. After pretreatment with NMN for 7 days, NAD+ levels in the mitochondrial, nucleus, and total intracellular were significantly increased in endotoxemia mice. Moreover, supplementation of NMN alleviated lung pathologic injury, reduced ROS levels, increased MnSOD activities, mitigated mitochondrial dysfunction, ameliorated the defects in the nucleus morphology, and these cytoprotective effects were accompanied by preserving mitonuclear interaction (including mitonuclear protein imbalance and the mitochondrial unfolded protein response, UPRmt). Furthermore, NAD+-mediated mitonuclear protein imbalance and UPRmt are probably regulated by deacetylase Sirtuin1 (SIRT1). Taken together, our results indicated that NMN pretreatment ameliorated ALI by inducing mitonuclear protein imbalance and activating the UPRmt in an SIRT1-dependent manner.
A Theologian's Memoir in Time of Pandemic
Authors: Corpuz Jeff Clyde G.
Published: May 2022

As a theology professor in a Catholic University, we are trained to teach minds, touch hearts, and transform lives. But a professor gains deeper understanding of the importance of teaching theology in time of COVID-19 pandemic. My theology is rooted in my personal religious and spiritual experiences. Therefore, experience led me to construct three themes: “Light of Faith”; “The True, Good and Beautiful”; “Religious and Spiritual Experiences.”
Feasibility of intraoperative MRI for endovascular coiling of intracranial aneurysms: A single centre experience
Authors: Yan Yi , Kaderali Zul , Chowdhury Tumul , Shankar Jai
Published: May 2022

Background

Intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging system (iMRIS) surgical theatre is a highly integrated operating room with an intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) designed originally for brain tumour surgery. Its use in neurointerventional procedures, particularly in the setting of endovascular coiling of intracranial aneurysms, has not been discussed in the literature to date. We present our initial experience about the safety and feasibility of iMRI to assess post operative complications and provide baseline imaging post coiling of intracranial aneurysms.

Methods

Consecutive patients who underwent iMRI between 2015 and 2018 were included in the study. Demographic, clinical details, endovascular technique and surgical outcomes were collected. Details of anesthesia during the procedure were also collected.

Results

Fifteen patients underwent iMRI with MRA to assess post coiling status of their elective endovascular coiling of intracranial aneurysms. The mean age in this cohort was 61 years and 46.7% were male. No immediate complications were seen either from the endovascular procedures or from the iMRI. All iMRI scans were performed as planned with no aborted or truncated scans. The image quality of the iMRI/MRA was adequate to detect the residual aneurysm, if present. There was no residual aneurysm on the angiogram that were not detected on the iMRIs. Of the 15 patients, 10 were safely discharged the following day and other 5 were discharged 2 days after their surgery.

Conclusions

The iMRI is an advantageous tool which can be integrated into neurointerventional workflow resulting in early post peri-procedural feedback and potentially reduced post-operative hospital stay.
A case of recalcitrant silicone granuloma treated with adalimumab: A case report
Authors: Silverberg Orli M , Cyrenne Benoit M , Croitoru David , Sandre Matthew K , Pon Kucy
Published: May 2022

Liquid silicone is a relatively inexpensive injectable used for soft tissue augmentation. Injection of silicone is associated with a risk of delayed granuloma formation associated with elevated levels of tumour necrosis factor-α. We report a case of recalcitrant silicone granulomas following facial injections of silicone successfully treated with tumour necrosis factor-α blockade. Our case, as well as previous reports, demonstrates the effectiveness of this therapy for the treatment of foreign body granulomas from due to silicone.