bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extracellular vesicles, from the pathogenesis to the therapy of neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Xia Xiaohuan , Wang Yi , Zheng Jialin C.
Published: December 2022

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small bilipid layer-enclosed vesicles that can be secreted by all tested types of brain cells. Being a key intercellular communicator, EVs have emerged as a key contributor to the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Huntington’s disease through delivery of bioactive cargos within the central nervous system (CNS). Importantly, CNS cell-derived EVs can be purified via immunoprecipitation, and EV cargos with altered levels have been identified as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of NDs. Given the essential impact of EVs on the pathogenesis of NDs, pathological EVs have been considered as therapeutic targets and EVs with therapeutic effects have been utilized as potential therapeutic agents or drug delivery platforms for the treatment of NDs. In this review, we focus on recent research progress on the pathological roles of EVs released from CNS cells in the pathogenesis of NDs, summarize findings that identify CNS-derived EV cargos as potential biomarkers to diagnose NDs, and comprehensively discuss promising potential of EVs as therapeutic targets, agents, and drug delivery systems in treating NDs, together with current concerns and challenges for basic research and clinical applications of EVs regarding NDs.
Who discovers the firearm suicide decedent: an epidemiologic characterization of survivor-victims
Authors: Barnard Leslie M. , Leavitt Colton , Spark Talia L. , Leary Jacob B. , Wallace Erik A.
Published: December 2022

Background

Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States, with over half of cases involving firearms. Despite research indicating negative effects of exposure to suicide, there is little research on who typically finds the body of the suicide decedent. Understanding who finds the body of the suicide decedent may be important to understand trauma and mental health effects.

Findings

Of the 332 people who died by suicide in El Paso County, Colorado, 182 (55%) used firearms. Those who died by firearm suicide were more likely to be male (83.5% vs. 67.3%) have military affiliation (39.0% vs. 19.3%) and were less likely to have a known mental health diagnosis (47.3% vs. 64.7%) compared to those who died from other means. Most suicide decedents were found by a family member or friend (60.2%). The remaining decedents were found by a stranger/acquaintance (21.0%) or a first responder (22.4%) One-fifth of suicides involved forced witnessing (19%) and the majority were already deceased when the body was discovered (73.2%).

Conclusions

While most suicide decedents are discovered by a family member or a friend, it is unknown what the bereavement and trauma-related outcomes are among people who discover a suicide decedent who has died by violent means, especially by firearms. Further studies exploring who discovers suicide decedents and targeted postvention strategies for supporting impacted family, friends, first responders, and strangers are needed.
Preoperative administration of local infiltration anaesthesia decreases perioperative blood loss during total knee arthroplasty – a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Lapidus Oscar , Baekkevold Mathilde , Rotzius Pierre , Lapidus Lasse J. , Eriksson Karl
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Local infiltration anaesthesia (LIA) consisting of ropivacaine, epinephrine and ketorolac administered at the end of surgery has become the gold standard for postoperative analgesia as it provides improved postoperative pain relief compared to other methods. The use of LIA has retrospectively been shown to be associated with decreased perioperative blood loss. However, no randomised controlled trials have examined the effect of of preoperative LIA on blood loss. This study aimed to compare pre- vs perioperative LIA during TKA surgery, with a primary outcome of perioperative blood loss.

Methods

The present study was performed as a prospective single-center randomised controlled trial. A total of 100 patients undergoing primary TKA between October 2016 and March 2018 were randomised to receive either pre- or perioperative LIA. Perioperative blood loss was measured, as well as pre- and postoperative haemoglobin levels. Postoperative pain was estimated at intervals approximately 24, 48 and 72 hours after surgery; analgesic drug consumption was recorded for each patient, as well as the total length of stay as an in-patient.

Results

Ninety six patients received either pre- or perioperative LIA as part of the intervention and control group respectively. Average blood loss was 39% lower in the intervention group at 130 ml vs 212 ml in the control group (p=0.002). No significant difference in haemoglobin drop, postoperative pain or length of hospital stay was found.

Conclusions

Preoperative LIA resulted in a 39% decrease in perioperative blood loss during TKA surgery compared to perioperative administration while providing non-inferior postoperative pain relief.
Effects of changes in inspired oxygen fraction on urinary oxygen tension measurements
Authors: Osawa Eduardo A. , Cutuli Salvatore L. , Yanase Fumitaka , Iguchi Naoya , Bitker Laurent , Maciel Alexandre T. , Lankadeva Yugeesh R. , May Clive N. , Evans Roger G. , Eastwood Glenn M. , Bellomo Rinaldo
Published: December 2022

Background

Continuous measurement of urinary PO2 (PuO2) is being applied to indirectly monitor renal medullary PO2. However, when applied to critically ill patients with shock, its measurement may be affected by changes in FiO2 and PaO2 and potential associated O2 diffusion between urine and ureteric or bladder tissue. We aimed to investigate PuO2 measurements in septic shock patients with a fiberoptic luminescence optode inserted into the urinary catheter lumen in relation to episodes of FiO2 change. We also evaluated medullary and urinary oxygen tension values in Merino ewes at two different FiO2 levels.

Results

In 10 human patients, there were 32 FiO2 decreases and 31 increases in FiO2. Median pre-decrease FiO2 was 0.36 [0.30, 0.39] and median post-decrease FiO2 was 0.30 [0.23, 0.30], p = 0.006. PaO2 levels decreased from 83 mmHg [77, 94] to 72 [62, 80] mmHg, p = 0.009. However, PuO2 was 23.2 mmHg [20.5, 29.0] before and 24.2 mmHg [20.6, 26.3] after the intervention (p = 0.56). The median pre-increase FiO2 was 0.30 [0.21, 0.30] and median post-increase FiO2 was 0.35 [0.30, 0.40], p = 0.008. PaO2 levels increased from 64 mmHg [58, 72 mmHg] to 71 mmHg [70, 100], p = 0.04. However, PuO2 was 25.0 mmHg [IQR: 20.7, 26.8] before and 24.3 mmHg [IQR: 20.7, 26.3] after the intervention (p = 0.65). A mixed linear regression model showed a weak correlation between the variation in PaO2 and the variation in PuO2 values. In 9 Merino ewes, when comparing oxygen tension levels between FiO2 of 0.21 and 0.40, medullary values did not differ (25.1 ± 13.4 mmHg vs. 27.9 ± 15.4 mmHg, respectively, p = 0.6766) and this was similar to urinary oxygen values (27.1 ± 6.17 mmHg vs. 29.7 ± 4.41 mmHg, respectively, p = 0.3192).

Conclusions

Changes in FiO2 and PaO2 within the context of usual care did not affect PuO2. Our findings were supported by experimental data and suggest that PuO2 can be used as biomarker of medullary oxygenation irrespective of FiO2.
Detection of prostate cancer bone metastases with fast whole-body 99mTc-HMDP SPECT/CT using a general-purpose CZT system
Authors: Arvola Samuli , Seppänen Marko , Timonen Kirsi L. , Rautio Pentti , Ettala Otto , Anttinen Mikael , Boström Peter J. , Noponen Tommi
Published: December 2022

Background

We evaluated the effects of acquisition time, energy window width, and matrix size on the image quality, quantitation, and diagnostic performance of whole-body 99mTc-HMDP SPECT/CT in the primary metastasis staging of prostate cancer.

Methods

Thirty prostate cancer patients underwent 99mTc-HMDP SPECT/CT from the top of the head to the mid-thigh using a Discovery NM/CT 670 CZT system with list-mode acquisition, 50-min acquisition time, 15% energy window width, and 128 × 128 matrix size. The acquired list-mode data were resampled to produce data sets with shorter acquisition times of 41, 38, 32, 26, 20, and 16 min, narrower energy windows of 10, 8, 6, and 4%, and a larger matrix size of 256 × 256. Images were qualitatively evaluated by three experienced nuclear medicine physicians and quantitatively evaluated by noise, lesion contrast and SUV measurements. Diagnostic performance was evaluated from the readings of two experienced nuclear medicine physicians in terms of patient-, region-, and lesion-level sensitivity and specificity.

Results

The originally acquired images had the best qualitative image quality and lowest noise. However, the acquisition time could be reduced to 38 min, the energy window narrowed to 8%, and the matrix size increased to 256 × 256 with still acceptable qualitative image quality. Lesion contrast and SUVs were not affected by changes in acquisition parameters. Acquisition time reduction had no effect on the diagnostic performance, as sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve were not significantly different between the 50-min and reduced acquisition time images. The average patient-level sensitivities of the two readers were 88, 92, 100, and 96% for the 50-, 32-, 26-, and 16-min images, respectively, and the corresponding specificities were 78, 84, 84, and 78%. The average region-level sensitivities of the two readers were 55, 58, 59, and 56% for the 50-, 32-, 26-, and 16-min images, respectively, and the corresponding specificities were 95, 98, 96, and 95%. The number of equivocal lesions tended to increase as the acquisition time decreased.

Conclusion

Whole-body 99mTc-HMDP SPECT/CT can be acquired using a general-purpose CZT system in less than 20 min without any loss in diagnostic performance in metastasis staging of high-risk prostate cancer patients.
Nanomedicine‐boosting icaritin-based immunotherapy of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Lu Yi , Gao Yue , Yang Huan , Hu Yong , Li Xin
Published: December 2022

Traditional treatments for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), such as surgical resection, transplantation, radiofrequency ablation, and chemotherapy are unsatisfactory, and therefore the exploration of powerful therapeutic strategies is urgently needed. Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising strategy for advanced HCC treatment due to its minimal side effects and long-lasting therapeutic memory effects. Recent studies have demonstrated that icaritin could serve as an immunomodulator for effective immunotherapy of advanced HCC. Encouragingly, in 2022, icaritin soft capsules were approved by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China for the immunotherapy of advanced HCC. However, the therapeutic efficacy of icaritin in clinical practice is impaired by its poor bioavailability and unfavorable in vivo delivery efficiency. Recently, functionalized drug delivery systems including stimuli-responsive nanocarriers, cell membrane-coated nanocarriers, and living cell-nanocarrier systems have been designed to overcome the shortcomings of drugs, including the low bioavailability and limited delivery efficiency as well as side effects. Taken together, the development of icaritin-based nanomedicines is expected to further improve the immunotherapy of advanced HCC. Herein, we compared the different preparation methods for icaritin, interpreted the HCC immune microenvironment and the mechanisms underlying icaritin for treatment of advanced HCC, and discussed both the design of icaritin-based nanomedicines with high icaritin loading and the latest progress in icaritin-based nanomedicines for advanced HCC immunotherapy. Finally, the prospects to promote further clinical translation of icaritin-based nanomedicines for the immunotherapy of advanced HCC were proposed.
Prognostic factors in patients with septic disseminated intravascular coagulation treated with thrombomodulin: the effect of reduced thrombomodulin dose; a single-center, retrospective, observational study
Authors: Nishita Yoshihiro , Taga Masatoshi , Sakurai Masaru , Iinuma Yoshitsugu , Masauji Togen
Published: December 2022

Background

Human soluble recombinant thrombomodulin (TM alfa), a treatment for septic Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), is recommended for patients with severe renal dysfunction in reduced doses. However, no studies have examined yet how dose reduction affects clinical efficacy. In this study, we investigated the significance of the TM alfa dose as a prognostic factor in clarifying the clinical background factors related to the clinical effect of TM alfa in patients with septic DIC.

Methods

This study involved 102 patients with septic DIC admitted to a single-center intensive care unit between April 2013 and March 2020, receiving TM alfa. The following factors were retrospectively collected from the medical records of the target patients: (1) patient background, (2) sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, (3) Japanese Association for Acute Medicine DIC diagnostic criteria score, (4) DIC treatment information, (5) TM alfa dose per bodyweight (normal dose: 0.06 mg/kg or reduced dose: 0.02 mg/kg), (6) DIC resolution within 7 days after the start of TM alfa administration (DIC resolution), (7) all deaths within 30 days after the start of TM alfa administration (30-days-all-cause mortality), (8) presence or absence of new hemorrhagic side effects after the start of TM alfa administration. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess factors associated with DIC resolution and 30-days-all-cause mortality.

Results

The SOFA score (odds ratio: 95% confidence interval, 0.76: 0.66–0.89), pneumonia (0.24: 0.08–0.75), and reduced dose administration of TM alfa (0.23: 0.08–0.66) were independent of and negatively related to the DIC resolution. For the 30-days-all-cause mortality, the SOFA score (1.66: 1.31–2.09), pneumonia (9.50: 2.49–36.25), and TM alfa dose reduction (3.52: 1.06–11.69) were independent, poor prognostic factors. We found no association between the hemorrhagic side effects and the TM alfa dose per bodyweight.

Conclusions

The reduced dose of TM alfa for patients with severe renal dysfunction was observed to be an influential factor for DIC resolution and 30-day all-cause mortality, as were SOFA scores and pneumonia. Further studies are required in the future to verify this finding.
Pharmacist’s interventions in factors contributing to medication errors reduces medication errors in self-management of patients in the rehabilitation ward
Authors: Suzuki Ryohei , Uchiya Takako , Sakai Takamasa , Takahashi Masaaki , Ohtsu Fumiko
Published: December 2022

Background

The number of medications, number of administrations per day, dosing frequency on indicated day, and medication from multiple prescriptions are the medication factors prone to medication errors in self-management that have been previously reported. However, whether pharmacists actually intervene in medication factors that affect medication error occurrences in self-management is unclear. Therefore, we conducted this study to clarify these issues.

Method

This study included patients who underwent self-management in the rehabilitation ward of Higashinagoya National Hospital. From April 2019 to March 2020, a one-pharmacist period existed, and from April 2020 to March 2021, a two-pharmacist period existed. The number of patient instructions and interventions were expected to increase with an increase in the number of pharmacists. Considering this to be an environment of differential interventions by pharmacists, a pre-post-test design was conducted with all self-managed patients in both the time periods. The primary and secondary endpoints were the proportion of medication error occurrences and proportion of pharmacist’s interventions in medication factors, respectively.

Result

The proportions of medication error occurrences during the one-pharmacist and two-pharmacist periods were 41% (71/173) and 28% (51/180) (relative risk 0.690, 95% confidential interval 0.515–0.925), respectively. The proportion of pharmacist’s interventions in medication factors in the one-pharmacist period was 13% (22/173) and 22% (40/180) in the two-pharmacist period; there was an increase in the proportion of pharmacist’s interventions in medication factors in the two-pharmacist period.

Conclusion

The proportion of medication error occurrences was significantly lower in the two-pharmacist period than that in the one-pharmacist period. This can be attributed to the increase in the proportion of pharmacist’s interventions in medication factors. Therefore, an environment in which pharmacists could intervene in the medication factors to prevent medication errors in advance is necessary.
Disparities in fruit and vegetable intake at the intersection of gender and education in northern Sweden: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Vogt Thomas , Gustafsson Per E.
Published: December 2022

Background

Even though the existence of inequalities in fruit and vegetable consumption has been well established, it is not clear how it is patterned across intersections of multiple social positions and identities. This study aims to investigate disparities in fruit and vegetable intake between groups at the intersection of education and gender in northern Sweden, and to estimate the discriminatory accuracy of the intersectional groups.

Methods

Cross-sectional data from the 2018 Health on Equal Terms survey conducted in four regions in northern Sweden was used (N = 21,853). Four intersectional groups were created: high and low educated men, and high and low educated women. Prevalence differences corresponding to joint, referent, and excess intersectional inequalities, were estimated for three outcomes: inadequate fruit and vegetable intake combined, inadequate fruit intake, and inadequate vegetable intake. The discriminatory accuracy of the intersectional groups was estimated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve.

Results

Low educated men had the highest prevalence of inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables combined (81.4%), fruits (83.4%), and vegetables (84.9%), while high educated women had the lowest (47.7, 60.2, and 51.8%, respectively). The joint disparities between high educated women and low educated men were both significant and substantial for all outcomes (34.6 percentage points (pp.), 25.2 pp., and 31.2 pp., adjusted), although differences in magnitude were noted between fruit and vegetable intake. The joint disparities were mostly explained by the two referent disparities for gender and education. The excess intersectional disparity - the part of the joint disparity not explained by either referent disparity – was negative for all three outcomes (-5.5 pp., − 4.2 pp., and − 4.6 pp. respectively, adjusted). The discriminatory accuracy of the intersectional groups was moderate (0.67, 0.65, and 0.68 respectively).

Conclusions

An intersectional approach can provide a more detailed view of inequalities in fruit and vegetable consumption between groups combining several social positions. The moderate discriminatory accuracy observed here suggests that interventions and policies aiming to reduce diet inequalities should not solely be targeted at certain groups, but also be universal.
A simple twist technique for lens-sparing one-handed peripheral vitrectomy in phakic patients: a learning approach for junior surgeons
Authors: Petrovski Goran , Lytvynchuk Lyubomyr , Stieger Knut , Petrovski David
Published: December 2022

The evolution of vitrectomy has led to improved suturless techniques and minimally invasive surgery. Nevertheless, the procedure requires great bimanual dexterity and poses risk for lens touch, especially in the hands of less experienced junior surgeons. We hereby present a twist technique which allows for one-handed (right or left) peripheral vitrectomy without the need for one or several hand-switches with the vitreous cutter and avoids lens touch. The technique can be used as a learning approach for junior vitreoretinal surgeons.
Hyperfunctioning parathyroid gland and skeletal involvement on [18F]fluorocholine PET/CT: one look with two views
Authors: Nappi Carmela , Piscopo Leandra , Klain Michele , Mainolfi Ciro Gabriele , Vergara Emilia , Adamo Daniela , Mignogna Michele Davide , Cuocolo Alberto
Published: December 2022

Hyperparathyroidism is an endocrine disorder that may be associated with other metabolic diseases. Non-invasive imaging techniques including [99mTc]Tc-sestamibi single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and [18F]fluorocholine positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) play a key role on management of patients with hyperparathyroidism. We report for the first time a case of a patient with evidence of both hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue and multiple lytic bone lesions on [18F]fluorocholine PET/CT imaging. The present case report highlights the potential role of whole-body [18F]fluorocholine PET/CT for the identification of both parathyroid adenoma and multiple bone lesions in a single diagnostic setting.
Role of GATA3 as a potential adjunct marker in the differential diagnosis of Paget’s disease of the nipple
Authors: Jovino Neves Santos Tércia , De Brot Marina , Martins Bezerra Stephania , Rodrigues Buniatti Samuel , Piana de Andrade Victor , Soares Fernando Augusto , Alves de Castro João Víctor , Bueno de Toledo Osório Cynthia Aparecida
Published: December 2022

Aims

Paget’s disease of the nipple (PDN) is a rare type of cancer of the nipple-areola complex. We examined GATA3 protein expression in PDN to determine its potential value as an adjunct marker in the differential diagnosis with other nipple lesions.

Methods and results

Chart review documented clinicopathological data. H&E slides were re-evaluated and immunohistochemistry (IHC) for GATA3 was performed. Amongst 3614 breast cancer patients, 74 had PDN and 41 cases were selected for our study (mean age, 55 years). Amid PDN cases, 4 (10%) patients showed PDN alone, 22 (65%) had an underlying ductal carcinoma in situ and 15 (37%) had invasive breast carcinomas (IBC), including 11 invasive carcinoma of no special type, 2 lobular, 1 mucinous and 1 micropapillary carcinoma. Additionally, 9 cancers were classified as luminal B, 4 as HER2 overexpression and 2 as luminal A. GATA3 expression was detected in all 41 PDN cases and in all underlying cancers. Furthermore, IHC for S-100, HMB45 and Melan-A was performed in PDN-only, ensuing negative results. Positivity for cytokeratin 7 or AE1/AE3 was demonstrated in all cases and HER2 overexpression was seen in 2/4 lesions. GATA3 expression was noted in all lesions, including one CK7-negative case.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that GATA3 is consistently expressed in PDN. Although not entirely specific, positivity for GATA3 reinforces the non-melanocytic nature of PDN and its mammary origin, thus representing a potential adjunct tool for the diagnosis of PDN in tricky situations, particularly PDN variants or unusual lesions.
A comprehensive bibliometric analysis of Catha edulis (Vahl) Endli (Khat) research (1961–2021)
Authors: Abdelwahab Siddig Ibrahim , Mohamed Manal Mohamed Elhassan Taha
Published: December 2022

Background

The use of Khat (Catha edulis) causes health, psychological, and socioeconomic burdens, and many scientific studies have been conducted on this abused plant. A careful review using bibliometric methods is required to increase the usefulness of this research and contribute to curbing the Khat problem. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the intellectual structure, diffusion of knowledge, emerging literature, and impact of collaboration in Khat research using bibliometric analysis.

Main body

The Scopus database was used to extract scientific papers published from 1961 to 2021 and search for titles and abstracts published in English. The VOSviewer software and MS Excel were used for citation, co-citation, and co-authorship analyses. Bibliographic coupling was calculated using the fractional counting method. There were 996 papers published in 60 years, 159 researchers, and 80 countries that met the criteria for inclusion. The top publishing countries, in order, are Ethiopia, the USA, Saudi Arabia, the UK, and Yemen. The USA provided the most prominent financial support for Khat’s research. 32.1% of research is in the medical field, with eleven more diverse research fields. The top-publishing researcher with the highest total link strength is Mustafa al’Absi from Minnesota Medical School, USA. A bibliometric mapping of citations revealed 113 articles with more than 50 citations, diffused across various research areas. The Journal of Ethnopharmacology is the top-cited source. Ethiopia is the most collaborative country. Molecular mechanisms of Khat toxicity on gene and protein levels are emerging. A network visualization map of terms' occurrence in titles and abstracts resulted in four research themes.

Conclusion

The current study encourages researchers from various fields to inaugurate new platforms and direct the research toward evidence-based cessation programs.
TALE-induced immunity against the bacterial blight pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae in rice
Authors: Xu Xiameng , Li Ying , Xu Zhengyin , Yan Jiali , Wang Yong , Wang Yijie , Cheng Guanyun , Zou Lifang , Chen Gongyou
Published: December 2022

Transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs) are proteins produced by plant pathogenic Xanthomonas spp. TALEs exhibit a conserved structure and have the ability to directly bind to the promoter region of host target genes where they activate transcription. TALEs in Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), the causal agent of bacterial blight (BB) in rice, play important roles in triggering resistance (ETI) and susceptibility (ETS) for rice immunity. This review briefly describes rice resistance breeding in China, TALE properties and their roles, BB resistance (R) and susceptibility (S) genes in rice, the arms-race between TALEs and TALE-targets, and strategies for breeding disease-resistant crops. A systematic overview of the complex roles of TALEs are presented along with ongoing efforts to breed crops with durable and broad-spectrum resistance to the pathogenic bacterium.
Genomic landscape of mature B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas — an appraisal from lymphomagenesis to drug resistance
Authors: Panda Devasis , Das Nupur , Thakral Deepshi , Gupta Ritu
Published: December 2022

Background

Mature B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas are one of the most common hematological malignancies with a divergent clinical presentation, phenotype, and course of disease regulated by underlying genetic mechanism.

Main body

Genetic and molecular alterations are not only critical for lymphomagenesis but also largely responsible for differing therapeutic response in these neoplasms. In recent years, advanced molecular tools have provided a deeper understanding regarding these oncogenic drives for predicting progression as well as refractory behavior in these diseases. The prognostic models based on gene expression profiling have also been proved effective in various clinical scenarios. However, considerable overlap does exist between the genotypes of individual lymphomas and at the same time where additional molecular lesions may be associated with each entity apart from the key genetic event. Therefore, genomics is one of the cornerstones in the multimodality approach essential for classification and risk stratification of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas.

Conclusion

We hereby in this review discuss the wide range of genetic aberrancies associated with tumorigenesis, immune escape, and chemoresistance in major B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas.
An assessment of ensemble learning approaches and single-based machine learning algorithms for the characterization of undersaturated oil viscosity
Authors: Akano Theddeus T. , James Chinemerem C.
Published: December 2022

Background

Prediction of accurate crude oil viscosity when pressure volume temperature (PVT) experimental results are not readily available has been a major challenge to the petroleum industry. This is due to the substantial impact an inaccurate prediction will have on production planning, reservoir management, enhanced oil recovery processes and choice of design facilities such as tubing, pipeline and pump sizes. In a bid to attain improved accuracy in predictions, recent research has focused on applying various machine learning algorithms and intelligent mechanisms. In this work, an extensive comparative analysis between single-based machine learning techniques such as artificial neural network, support vector machine, decision tree and linear regression, and ensemble learning techniques such as bagging, boosting and voting was performed. The prediction performance of the models was assessed by using five evaluation measures, namely mean absolute error, relative squared error, mean squared error, root mean squared error and root mean squared log error.

Results

The ensemble methods offered generally higher prediction accuracies than single-based machine learning techniques. In addition, weak single-based learners of the dataset used in this study (for example, SVM) were transformed into strong ensemble learners with better prediction performance when used as based learners in the ensemble method, while other strong single-based learners were discovered to have had significantly improved prediction performance.

Conclusion

The ensemble methods have great prospects of enhancing the overall predictive accuracy of single-based learners in the domain of reservoir fluid PVT properties (such as undersaturated oil viscosity) prediction.
Novel variants associated with adiponectin-related traits in Awassi ewes
Authors: AL-Jaryan Israa L. , AL-Thuwaini Tahreer M. , Al-Jebory Hashim H.
Published: December 2022

Background

Adipose tissue secretes adiponectin (ADIPOQ), a hormone related to fat oxidation, glucose metabolism, and reproduction. The polymorphism of adiponectin is associated with productive traits in domestic animals. Thus, this study investigated the association of adiponectin gene polymorphism with lipid profile and reproductive hormones in Awassi ewe. In this study, 200 ewes between the ages of 2.5 and 5 years, neither pregnant nor lactating, were included. To determine the lipid profile and reproductive hormones, sera were separated from the blood. DNA extraction, genotyping, and sequencing reactions were used to verify the variants in the amplified fragments (exon 1).

Results

Three genotypes, CC, CA, and AA, were identified from 368 bp amplicons (exon 1). A sequencing reaction revealed a novel mutation, c.198473337C > A, in the CA genotype. The results revealed significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) in cholesterol and HDL levels in the AA genotype than CC and CA genotypes. The AA genotype had higher estradiol and progesterone levels (50.52 ± 0.64) (pg/ml) and (7.10 ± 0.04) (ng/ml), respectively, than those with the CC and CA genotypes.

Conclusions

These results conclude that the ADIPOQ gene affects lipid profiles and sex hormone levels in Awassi sheep. Choosing sheep that are polymorphic for the ADIPOQ gene should be a future study, as this gene could be linked to high prolificacy.
The efficacy and safety of dexmedetomidine in preventing emergence delirium in paediatric patients following ophthalmic surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Alassaf Hind M. , Sobahi Amal M. , Alshahrani Nasser S.
Published: December 2022

Background

The leading cause of emergence delirium (ED) in children postoperatively is the exposure to inhalational anaesthetics. ED can occur immediately after waking from anaesthesia, making patients generally uncooperative and agitated. Dexmedetomidine has sedative and analgesic effects and helps to reduce agitation and delirium and improve hemodynamic stability and the recovery of respiratory function; in addition to decreasing pain intensity, it is also well known for helping reduce nausea and vomiting.

Objectives

This updated systematic review meta-analysis investigate and summarise currently available evidence on the use of dexmedetomidine to prevent ED, reduce postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and decrease the need for rescue analgesia in paediatric patients undergoing ophthalmic surgery.

Methods

The medical databases EMBASE, PubMed and Cochrane Library were searched for randomised controlled trials published between January 2020 and August 2022 that used Dexmedetomidine in paediatric patients undergoing ophthalmic surgery. The protocol was prospectively registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022343622). The review was accomplished according to the ‘Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses’, and the meta-analysis was conducted by using RevMan5.4. These studies examine the efficacy of dexmedetomidine in preventing ED in children undergo ophthalmic surgery. The Cochrane ROB-1 was used to assess risk of bias (ROB).

Results

Eight studies comprised of 629 participants, of which 315 received dexmedetomidine and 314 placebos were examined. PAED score identified ED following surgery. A review and meta-analysis indicated that dexmedetomidine reduces ED incidence (RR = 0.39; 95% CI 0.25–0.62). Similarly, it reduces the use of rescue analgesia (RR = 0.38; 95% CI 0.25–0.57). However, dexmedetomidine did not help prevent PONV since no difference was found between groups (RR = 0.33; 95% CI 0.21–0.54).

Conclusion

This review showed that dexmedetomidine helped to reduce ED incidence in paediatric patients after ophthalmic surgery and reduced the need for rescue analgesia compared to placebo or other medications.
Acute Recurrent Pancreatitis in a Child With INS-Related Monogenic Diabetes and a Heterozygous Pathogenic CFTR Mutation
Authors: Son Rachel G , Kandasamy Balamurugan , Bowden Tiana , Azzam Ruba K , Oakes Scott A , Philipson Louis H , Greeley Siri Atma W
Published: December 2022

Given the close anatomical and physiological links between the exocrine and endocrine pancreas, diseases of 1 compartment often affect the other through mechanisms that remain poorly understood. Pancreatitis has been associated with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, but its association with monogenic diabetes is unknown. Patients heterozygous for pathogenic CFTR variants are cystic fibrosis carriers and have been reported to have an increased risk of acute pancreatitis. We describe a 12-year-old patient with monogenic neonatal diabetes due to a pathogenic heterozygous paternally inherited mutation of the insulin gene (INS), c.94 G > A (p.Gly32Ser), who experienced 3 recurrent episodes of acute pancreatitis over 7 months in conjunction with poor glycemic control, despite extensive efforts to improve glycemic control in the past 4 years. Intriguingly, the maternal side of the family has an extensive history of adult-onset pancreatitis consistent with autosomal dominant inheritance and the proband is heterozygous for a maternally inherited, CFTR variant c.3909C > G (p.Asn1303Lys). Paternally inherited monogenic neonatal diabetes may have promoted earlier age-of-onset of pancreatitis in this pediatric patient compared to maternal relatives with adult-onset acute pancreatitis. Further study is needed to clarify how separate pathophysiologies associated with INS and CFTR mutations influence interactions between the endocrine and exocrine pancreas.
Louis Pasteur continues to shape the future of microbiology
Authors: Mostowy Serge
Published: December 2022

Louis Pasteur made seminal discoveries in microbiology, immunology and vaccinology that transformed clinical science and saved millions of lives. Since the 19th century, our ability to study infectious disease has undergone radical changes due to newly emerging technologies and infection models. In this Editorial, I consider Pasteur's impact on our ability to understand and combat infectious disease in the context of two modern-day pandemics: coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). During the COVID-19 pandemic, we witnessed remarkable ambition to understand severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and to innovate effective vaccines to prevent disease. For the comparatively overlooked pandemic of AMR, we require the same level of urgency to develop alternative approaches to combat antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains that cause millions of deaths annually. Pasteur's statement “chance only favours the mind which is prepared” is a principle that captures ‘l'esprit Pasteur’. This principle should continue to guide modern-day research on infectious disease, and for this we need to support the development of predictive disease models and cutting-edge mechanistic research that prepare us for discovery and therapeutic impact.
Σημαντικότητα οργανωσιακής δικαιοσύνης: Η σχέση οργανωσιακής δικαιοσύνης με την εργασιακή ικανοποίηση και το εργασιακό άγχος
Authors: Σταμόπουλος Κωνσταντίνος
Published: December 2022

Η οργανωσιακή δικαιοσύνη είναι η αντίληψη των εργαζομένων σχετικά με την αμεροληψία με την οποία τους μεταχειρίζονται στον εργασιακό τους χώρο. Αποτελεί ένα σημαντικό παράγοντα που επηρεάζει τόσο την εργασιακή ικανοποίηση όσο και το εργασιακό άγχος. Στην παρούσα έρευνα διαπιστώθηκε ότι υπάρχει στατιστικά πολύ σημαντική θετική συσχέτιση της οργανωσιακής δικαιοσύνης με την εργασιακή ικανοποίηση (<0,01) και στατιστικά πολύ σημαντική αρνητική συσχέτιση με το εργασιακό άγχος (<0,01). Οι τρεις κατευθύνσεις της οργανωσιακής δικαιοσύνης (διανεμητική, διαδικαστική και αλληλεπιδραστική) επηρεάζουν την εργασιακή ικανοποίηση και το εργασιακό άγχος. Όπως έδειξαν τα αποτελέσματα μεταξύ των τριών κατευθύνσεων, η αλληλεπιδραστική δικαιοσύνη επηρεάζει λιγότερο την ικανοποίηση και το άγχος των εκπαιδευτικών.
Neural crest cell-placodal neuron interactions are mediated by Cadherin-7 and N-cadherin during early chick trigeminal ganglion assembly
Authors: Halmi Caroline A. , Wu Chyong-Yi , Taneyhill Lisa A.
Published: December 2022

Background: Arising at distinct positions in the head, the cranial ganglia are crucial for integrating various sensory inputs. The largest of these ganglia is the trigeminal ganglion, which relays pain, touch and temperature information through its three primary nerve branches to the central nervous system. The trigeminal ganglion and its nerves are composed of derivatives of two critical embryonic cell types, neural crest cells and placode cells, that migrate from different anatomical locations, coalesce together, and differentiate to form trigeminal sensory neurons and supporting glia. While the dual cellular origin of the trigeminal ganglion has been known for over 60 years, molecules expressed by neural crest cells and placode cells that regulate initial ganglion assembly remain obscure. Prior studies revealed the importance of cell surface cadherin proteins during early trigeminal gangliogenesis, with Cadherin-7 and neural cadherin (N-cadherin) expressed in neural crest cells and placode cells, respectively. Although cadherins typically interact in a homophilic (i.e., like) fashion, the presence of different cadherins expressed in neural crest cells and placode cells raises the question as to whether heterophilic cadherin interactions may also be occurring. Given this, the aim of the study was to understand whether Cadherin-7 and N-cadherin were interacting during initial trigeminal ganglion formation.

Methods: To assess potential interactions between Cadherin-7 and N-cadherin, we used biochemistry and innovative imaging assays conducted in vitro and in vivo, including in the forming chick trigeminal ganglion.

Results: Our data revealed a physical interaction between Cadherin-7 and N-cadherin.

Conclusions: These studies identify a new molecular basis by which neural crest cells and placode cells can aggregate in vivo to build the trigeminal ganglion during embryogenesis.
Case Report: Wellens syndrome in acute total occlusion saved by collateral
Authors: Alsagaff Mochamad Yusuf , Putra Tony Santoso , Khrisna Bagus Putra Dharma , Nugraha Ricardo Adrian
Published: December 2022

Background: It is important and challenging to distinguish between acute myocardial infarction and Wellens syndrome due to its time to intervention. Difficulties in differentiating between subtypes could mean the patients are overtreated or receive undertreatment.

Case report: A 57-year-old man was referred to our emergency ward with acute onset of chest pain. Electrocardiographic (ECG) changes were suggestive of Wellens syndrome type A. Nitroglycerin was administrated, the patient's chest pain disappeared, and we planned an early invasive strategy. He had a previous documented ECG before he went for catheterization and based on the second ECG changes were suggestive of an ST elevation. As the result of the invasive strategy, it was found that there was single-vessel disease, near total occlusion in the middle of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) with collateral from the right coronary artery. After two days of observation in the Intensive Cardiovascular Care Unit (ICCU), the patient improved and was transferred to the Low Care Unit.

Conclusions: The case highlights Wellens syndrome in acute total occlusion with collateral artery.
Importance of social support for Indonesian stroke patients with depression
Authors: Yamanie Nizar , Lamuri Aly , Felistia Yuli , Soedirham Oedojo , Purnomo Windhu , Sjaaf Amal Chalik , Miftahussurur Muhammad
Published: December 2022

Background: Approximately one-third of stroke survivors experience depression at some point, which is linked to poor functional results and high mortality rate. Social support from family, friends, and the community is an intervening variable in stroke outcomes aside from the rehabilitation treatments that patients receive. This study assessed the importance of social support for stroke patients with depression and its relationship with patient rehabilitation.

Methods: This quantitative study used a cross-sectional approach on stroke patients and their families based on data from the Social Security Administrator for Health (BPJS Kesehatan). One hundred and four participants were recruited using purposive sampling by including stroke patients who have used National Health Insurance (JKN) for stroke medications.

Results: We found that instrumental, emotional, interactive, and information support contribute to lowering depressive symptoms. Instrumental support in the form of food availability, money, goods, and services had the highest coefficient value for reducing depression. Emotional support in the form of care and compassion had the second highest value in reducing depression. Further, interaction and informational support remain critical components of social support in reducing depression.  

Conclusion: The support system plays a key role in decreasing the depression level in stroke survivors. The family and neighborhood have a significant impact on accelerating the rehabilitation process of stroke patients by providing support.
The genome sequence of the white admiral, Limenitis camilla (Linnaeus, 1764)
Authors: Vila Roger , Lohse Konrad , Hayward Alex , Laetsch Dominik R. ,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective, Wahlberg Niklas ,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: December 2022

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Limenitis camilla (the white admiral; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Nymphalidae). The genome sequence is 435 megabases in span. Most of the assembly (99.97%) is scaffolded into 31 chromosomal pseudomolecules, corresponding to 29 autosomes plus the W and Z sex chromosomes. The complete mitochondrial genome was also assembled and is 15.2 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 12,489 protein coding genes.
THE NEED FOR INNOVATION IN SMALL ENTERPRISES: ANALYSIS OF THE STRUCTURE AND MAJOR TRENDS OF CHANGE
Authors: Kirillova Elena A. , Dli Maxim I. , Masyutin Svyatoslav A. , Halin Vladimir G.
Published: December 2022

Innovations are becoming an integral basis for the development of modern enterprises and organizations. At the same time, small business sector is of particular importance in the structure of production and economic activity, where various changes in external and internal conditions are most clearly and quickly manifested. The purpose of the article is to identify key factors and assess their impact on the innovative activity of small enterprises taking into account these changes. The study analyzed the innovative activities of small enterprises of the subjects of the Russian Federation, described their role in this activity, highlighted strengths and problem areas caused, among other things, by the pandemic and measures to combat it. Based on innovation activity analysis data in Russian regions, which are sufficiently differentiated by the initial set of resources and abilities, identification of key factors determining the effectiveness of this activity implementation in the region was carried out. The degree of their influence on these changes in the spatial and temporal aspect is also considered, the main directions and parameters of changes are identified. The influence of region economic activities specialization structure on innovation activities effectiveness of small enterprises in terms of costs and the number of organizations involved is investigated.
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY OF ENTERPRISES
Authors: Demareva Elena E.
Published: December 2022

This article discusses the issues of assessing the level of industrial safety of enterprises in terms of the efficiency of industrial enterprises, requiring an increase in production efficiency, ensuring the efficiency of products and services by mastering the ways of effective production management, the achievements of scientific and technological progress.

Purpose: The article discusses key performance indicators as methods of industrial safety of an enterprise and a tool for analyzing and evaluating the level of a company’s performance.

Method, methodology of the work: The article used theoretical materials, economic and mathematical methods, statistical methods of analysis.

Results: The most informative parameters were obtained, showing some aspects of the analysis of key performance indicators of industrial enterprises.

Scope of the results: The results obtained can be successfully applied in different areas of the economy for different economic entities, it is possible to use both for young firms and for organizations with sufficient experience.