bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gradient and Acceleration of Decline in Physical and Cognitive Functions in Older Adults: A Disparity Analysis
Authors: Ip Edward H , Chen Shyh-Huei , Rejeski W Jack , Bandeen-Roche Karen , Hayden Kathleen M , Hugenschmidt Christina E , Pierce June , Miller Michael E , Speiser Jaime L , Kritchevsky Stephen B , Houston Denise K , Newton Robert L , Rapp Stephen R , Kitzman Dalane W
Published: May 2022

Background

Substantive previous work has shown that both gait speed and global cognition decline as people age. Rates of their decline, as opposed to cross-sectional measurements, could be more informative of future functional status and other clinical outcomes because they more accurately represent deteriorating systems. Additionally, understanding the sex and racial disparity in the speed of deterioration, if any, is also important as ethnic minorities are at an increased risk of mobility disability and dementia.

Method

Data from 2 large longitudinal intervention studies were integrated. Rates of decline were derived from individual-level measures of gait speed of 400-m walk and scores on the Modified Mini Mental State Examination (3MSE). We also assessed age-associated declines and accelerations in changes across the ages represented in the studies (age range 53–90).

Results

The mean rate of decline in 400-m gait speed across individuals was 0.03 m/s per year, and multivariable analysis showed a significant acceleration in decline of −0.0013 m/s/y2 (p < .001). Both race and sex moderated the rate of decline. For global cognition, the mean rate of decline was 0.05 of a point per year on the 3MSE scale, and acceleration in the rate of decline was significant (−0.017 point/y2, p < .001), but neither sex nor race moderated the decline.

Conclusion

Rate of decline in physical but not cognitive function appears moderated by sex and race. This finding, as well as rates and accelerations of decline estimated herein, could inform future intervention studies.

Clinical Trials Registration Number

NCT00017953 (Look AHEAD); NCT01410097 (Look AHEAD ancillary); NCT00116194 (LIFE).
Wither the Trade Regime?
Authors: Goldstein Judith
Published: May 2022

Democratic governance, liberal values, and the open trading regime are facing interconnected existential challenges. For most of the post-WWII period, they were “legs to the same stool.” Today, the connections among the three have frayed, and this has implications for the future of the liberal international economic order. While the trade regime successfully incorporated smaller autocratic states, the rise of China and increasing tension among signatories to the WTO has challenged the rule-based trading system. This essay argues that even with these divisions among the memberships, all trading nations, including China, need the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)/WTO. Trade requires market predictability; exporters and their home governments require some means to adjudicate conflict. The GATT/WTO remains the best, and perhaps the only, organization that can facilitate such coordination and finesse the changing nature of the international system to assure an open world economy.
How to Pay Attention to the Words We Use: The Reflexive Review as a Method for Linguistic Reflexivity
Authors: Alejandro Audrey , Knott Eleanor
Published: May 2022

Despite the imperative to pay attention to the words we use as a routine dimension of research, the methodological and pedagogical tools illustrating how to work on our own use of language are largely missing within and beyond international relations (IR). To address this gap, we develop a method—the “Reflexive Review”—which adds a linguistic and reflexive dimension to the common practice of a literature review. This method is accessible for researchers who are neither linguistic specialists nor working on language and can be integrated within a standalone research project. First, we review the existing traditions used in IR to investigate language—quantitative text analysis, conceptual analysis, discourse analysis, deconstruction, and problematization—and assess their interest and limits regarding linguistic reflexivity. Second, we introduce four methodological steps for conducting the Reflexive Review, by reviewing literature to: (1) build a list of “priority words” that may need reflexive attention; (2) look for metalinguistic statements to synthesize how the literature has explicitly discussed these words; (3) identify patterns of word use, as collectively shared meanings that coexist and that we should become aware of; and (4) compare the identified uses of language with our own. Third, we demonstrate the Reflexive Review in practice based on a word commonly used in IR: “local.” We identify four patterns of the word use of “local” in IR literature as: a class of actors, a level of analysis, community, and experiences of the everyday. In sum, we demonstrate how a Reflexive Review enables us to implement reflexivity in practice and make more conscious linguistic choices, to support more nuanced, ethical, and rigorous analysis and empirical work.
Optimal managements of elderly patients with glioblastoma
Authors: Arakawa Yoshiki , Mineharu Yohei , Uto Megumi , Mizowaki Takashi
Published: May 2022

Optimizing the management of elderly patients with glioblastoma is an ongoing task in neuro-oncology. The number of patients with this tumor type is gradually increasing with the aging of the population. Although available data and practice recommendations remain limited, the current strategy is maximal safe surgical resection followed by radiotherapy in combination with temozolomide. However, survival is significantly worse than that in the younger population. Surgical resection provides survival benefit in patients with good performance status. Hypofractionated radiotherapy decreases toxicities while maintaining therapeutic efficacy, thus improving treatment adherence and subsequently leading to better quality of life. The intensity of these treatments should be balanced with patient-specific factors and consideration of quality of life. This review discusses the current optimal management in terms of efficacy and safety, as well as future perspectives.
Field-grown ictB tobacco transformants show no difference in photosynthetic efficiency for biomass relative to the wild type
Authors: Ruiz-Vera Ursula M , Acevedo-Siaca Liana G , Brown Kenny L , Afamefule Chidi , Gherli Hussein , Simkin Andrew J , Long Stephen P , Lawson Tracy , Raines Christine A
Published: May 2022

In this study, four tobacco transformants overexpressing the inorganic carbon transporter B gene (ictB) were screened for photosynthetic performance relative to the wild type (WT) in field-based conditions. The WT and transgenic tobacco plants were evaluated for photosynthetic performance to determine the maximum rate of carboxylation (Vc, max), maximum rate of electron transport (Jmax), the photosynthetic compensation point (Γ*), quantum yield of PSII (ΦPSII), and mesophyll conductance (gm). Additionally, all plants were harvested to compare differences in above-ground biomass. Overall, transformants did not perform better than the WT on photosynthesis-, biomass-, and leaf composition-related traits. This is in contrast to previous studies that have suggested significant increases in photosynthesis and yield with the overexpression of ictB, although not widely evaluated under field conditions. These findings suggest that the benefit of ictB is not universal and may only be seen under certain growth conditions. While there is certainly still potential benefit to utilizing ictB in the future, further effort must be concentrated on understanding the underlying function of the gene and in which environmental conditions it offers the greatest benefit to crop performance. As it stands at present, it is possible that ictB overexpression may be largely favorable in controlled environments, such as greenhouses.
A new look at the frequency-dependent damping of slow-mode waves in the solar corona
Authors: Kolotkov Dmitrii Y , Nakariakov Valery M
Published: May 2022

Being directly observed in the Doppler shift and imaging data and indirectly as quasi-periodic pulsations in solar and stellar flares, slow magnetoacoustic waves offer an important seismological tool for probing many vital parameters of the coronal plasma. A recently understood active nature of the solar corona for magnetoacoustic waves, manifested through the phenomenon of wave-induced thermal misbalance, led to the identification of new natural mechanisms for the interpretation of observed properties of waves. A frequency-dependent damping of slow waves in various coronal plasma structures remains an open question, as traditional wave damping theories fail to match observations. We demonstrate that accounting for the back-reaction caused by thermal misbalance on the wave dynamics leads to a modification of the relationship between the damping time and oscillation period of standing slow waves, prescribed by the linear theory. The modified relationship is not of a power-law form and has the equilibrium plasma conditions and properties of the coronal heating/cooling processes as free parameters. It is shown to readily explain the observed scaling of the damping time with period of standing slow waves in hot coronal loops. Functional forms of the unknown coronal heating process, consistent with the observed frequency-dependent damping, are seismologically revealed.
Dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI may contribute in prediction of stereotactic radiosurgery outcome in brain metastases
Authors: Starck Lea , Skeie Bente Sandvei , Moen Gunnar , Grüner Renate
Published: May 2022

Background

Following stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), predicting treatment response is not possible at an early stage using structural imaging alone. Hence, the current study aims at investigating whether dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC)-MRI estimated prior to SRS can provide predictive biomarkers in response to SRS treatment and characterize vascular characteristics of pseudo-progression.

Methods

In this retrospective study, perfusion-weighted DSC-MRI image data acquired with a temporal resolution of 1.45 seconds were collected from 41 patients suffering from brain metastases. Outcome was defined based on lesion volume changes in time (determined on structural images) or death. Motion correction and manual lesion delineation were performed prior to semi-automated, voxel-wise perfusion analysis. Statistical testing was performed using linear regression and a significance threshold at P = .05. Age, sex, primary cancers (pulmonary cancer and melanoma), lesion volume, and dichotomized survival time were added as covariates in the linear regression models (ANOVA).

Results

Relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) and relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF) were found to be significantly lower prior to SRS treatment in patients with increasing lesion volume or early death post-SRS (P ≤ .01).

Conclusion

Unfavorable treatment outcome may be linked to low perfusion prior to SRS. Pseudo-progression may be preceded by a transient rCBF increase post-SRS. However, results should be verified in different or larger patient material.
Supratherapeutic Tacrolimus Concentrations With Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients Requiring Hospitalization: A Case Series Using Rifampin for Reversal
Authors: Rose Dusten T , Gandhi Saurin M , Bedard Rachael A , Mondy Kristin E , Chu Alexander L , Gamble Kelly C , Gee Amanda T , Kundra Monica A , Williams Amber L , Lee Brian K
Published: May 2022

Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir was recently granted emergency use authorization for mild to moderate coronavirus disease 2019. Drug–drug interactions between ritonavir and tacrolimus are underappreciated by nontransplant providers. We describe 2 solid organ transplant recipients prescribed nirmatrelvir/ritonavir for outpatient use who developed tacrolimus toxicity requiring hospitalization and were managed with rifampin for toxicity reversal.
CalScope: Monitoring Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Seroprevalence From Vaccination and Prior Infection in Adults and Children in California May 2021–July 2021
Authors: Mehrotra Megha L , Lim Esther , Lamba Katherine , Kamali Amanda , Lai Kristina W , Meza Erika , Szeto Irvin , Robinson Peter , Tsai Cheng-ting , Gebhart David , Fonseca Noemi , Martin Andrew B , Ley Catherine , Scherf Steve , Watt James , Seftel David , Parsonnet Julie , Jain Seema
Published: May 2022

Background

Understanding the distribution of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies from vaccination and/or prior infection is critical to the public health response to the pandemic. CalScope is a population-based serosurvey in 7 counties in California.

Methods

We invited 200 000 randomly sampled households to enroll up to 1 adult and 1 child between April 20, 2021 and June 16, 2021. We tested all specimens for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid and spike proteins, and each participant completed an online survey. We classified participants into categories: seronegative, antibodies from infection only, antibodies from infection and vaccination, and antibodies from vaccination only.

Results

A total of 11 161 households enrolled (5.6%), with 7483 adults and 1375 children completing antibody testing. As of June 2021, 33% (95% confidence interval [CI], 28%–37%) of adults and 57% (95% CI, 48%–66%) of children were seronegative; 18% (95% CI, 14%–22%) of adults and 26% (95% CI, 19%–32%) of children had antibodies from infection alone; 9% (95% CI, 6%–11%) of adults and 5% (95% CI, 1%–8%) of children had antibodies from infection and vaccination; and 41% (95% CI, 37%–45%) of adults and 13% (95% CI, 7%–18%) of children had antibodies from vaccination alone.

Conclusions

As of June 2021, one third of adults and most children in California were seronegative. Serostatus varied regionally and by demographic group.
Tandem Gene Duplication of Dioxygenases Drives the Structural Diversity of Steroidal Glycoalkaloids in the Tomato Clade
Authors: Akiyama Ryota , Watanabe Bunta , Kato Junpei , Nakayasu Masaru , Lee Hyoung Jae , Umemoto Naoyuki , Muranaka Toshiya , Saito Kazuki , Sugimoto Yukihiro , Mizutani Masaharu
Published: May 2022

Cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) contains α-tomatine, a steroidal glycoalkaloid (SGA), which functions as a defense compound to protect against pathogens and herbivores; interestingly, wild species in the tomato clade biosynthesize a variety of SGAs. In cultivated tomato, the metabolic detoxification of α-tomatine during tomato fruit ripening is an important trait that aided in its domestication, and two distinct 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases (DOXs), a C-23 hydroxylase of α-tomatine (Sl23DOX) and a C-27 hydroxylase of lycoperoside C (Sl27DOX), are key to this process. There are tandemly duplicated DOX genes on tomato chromosome 1, with high levels of similarity to Sl23DOX. While these DOX genes are rarely expressed in cultivated tomato tissues, the recombinant enzymes of Solyc01g006580 and Solyc01g006610 metabolized α-tomatine to habrochaitoside A and (20R)-20-hydroxytomatine and were therefore named as habrochaitoside A synthase (HAS) and α-tomatine 20-hydroxylase (20DOX), respectively. Furthermore, 20DOX and HAS exist in the genome of wild tomato S. habrochaites accession LA1777, which accumulates habrochaitoside A in its fruits, and their expression patterns were in agreement with the SGA profiles in LA1777. These results indicate that the functional divergence of α-tomatine-metabolizing DOX enzymes results from gene duplication and the neofunctionalization of catalytic activity and gene expression, and this contributes to the structural diversity of SGAs in the tomato clade.
Solar Burns to the Reconstructed Breast: A Rare Complication following Breast Reconstruction
Authors: Romanelli Michael R. , Daugherty Timothy H.F. , Sommer Nicole Z.
Published: May 2022

Background:

Burns to the breast are a rare complication after breast reconstruction. Decreased sensation and radiation therapy may contribute to the development of burns. Solar burns may also be related to wearing dark-colored clothing. This literature review aims to analyze the incidence of solar burns on alloplastic and autologous breast reconstruction following mastectomy. Also included is the first published report of a delayed breast burn years after alloplastic reconstruction.

Methods:

A PubMed literature search of articles was performed using the search formula “burns” AND “breast reconstruction.” Abstracts were evaluated for relevance based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Pertinent reference bibliographies were then screened for additional relevant resources.

Results:

The PubMed search resulted in 598 articles, of which 12 met inclusion criteria with 22 cases of solar burns to reconstructed breasts (23 including the addition of our case report). Five occurred following alloplastic reconstruction with 80% of these patients radiated and 100% wearing dark clothing. The remaining 18 patients had autologous reconstruction with 50% wearing dark clothing. Twenty-two percent of patients in the autologous group required surgical debridement as compared to 40% of the alloplastic group.

Conclusions:

Solar burns in autologous and alloplastic breast reconstruction, while rare, pose significant complications in the reconstructed breast and appear to be exacerbated by radiation and dark-colored clothing. Patients should be counseled accordingly with discussion of this potential risk in a comprehensive informed consent, and precautions should be recommended to avoid this type of injury.
A Simplified Abdominal Wall Model to Teach Complex Abdominal Wall Reconstruction
Authors: Bilezikian Jordan A. , Hope William W.
Published: May 2022

A simplified and functional abdominal wall model is necessary for surgical education. The utility of such a model encompasses medical student, resident, and fellow education. This is especially relevant in the fields of general surgery and plastic surgery. An abdominal wall model helps with a more complete understanding of abdomen access, hernia repair, and complex abdominal wall reconstruction. Although several models have been proposed, they are expensive and limitations exist due to access, costly repairs, maintenance, and part replacements. There is currently no consensus or widely adopted model used in surgical training programs. We present a simplified abdominal wall model that is inexpensive and easily reproducible.
Mister Rogers (1928-2003) Through the Holistic “Health & Wellness” Lens
Authors: Bijaoui Nadia Judith , Aboul-Enein Basil H. , Deranek Jennifer , Blankinship Lisa Ann , Kruk Joanna
Published: May 2022

In the 1960s, Fred Rogers created Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood (MRN), a television shows for children. Although Rogers may not have been aware that his series carried the potential for a public health model, such an observation becomes apparent in contemporary terms. This transdisciplinary narrative explores MRN through the lens of holistic “health & wellness.” Several themes come in perspective as they relate to health as defined by the World Health Organization for present and future communities. Targeting a young population, Rogers focuses on emotional nurturing and health with safety for all and within a happy and healthy community—themes that are the core of public health. Through the “health & wellness” lens, the footprints for a child's behavioral and social model are evident; a model particularly relevant to present and future generations with emotional growth, health, and community spirit as essential. In MRN, children are learning through the visual and audio arts, self-esteem, caring, and positive behaviors for personal and social health. Through this lens, besides the footprints to an educational model, another evidence manifests itself, which is the timeless impact of the content of Rogers' life lessons that are constantly adjusting to the next audience of this age group by updating its format in parallel with an advancing technology, which supports the validity of MRN' potential for a holistic public health model toward complete physical, mental, spiritual, and social well-being, and as previously proposed by the World Health Organization.
The Long-Term Outcomes of Prepubertal Depression and Internalizing Problems: A Scoping Review
Authors: Sands Adam , van Dijk Milenna T. , Abraham Eyal , Yangchen Tenzin , Talati Ardesheer , Weissman Myrna M.
Published: May 2022

Learning objectives

After participating in this activity, learners should be better able to:

• Discuss whether prepubertal depression shows longitudinal continuity with depression in adulthood.

• Summarize existing literature on adult emotional and functional outcomes of prepubertal depression and internalizing problems.

Background

Adolescent- and young adult–onset depression are common, recurrent, and can cause significant distress and psychosocial impairment across the life span, but recognition of prepubertal internalizing problems and depression, along with their prevalence, clinical course, and long-term outcomes, remains elusive.

Objective

To examine whether prepubertal depression, which can manifest differently from adult depression, shows longitudinal continuity with depression in adulthood, and to summarize existing literature on adult emotional and functional outcomes of prepubertal depression and internalizing problems.

Methods

A scoping review was conducted for peer-reviewed cohort articles published between 2000 and 2020 using PubMed and PsycINFO. From 4309 identified references, 17 articles were included.

Results

Prepubertal depression confers increased risk of recurrence of depression in adulthood, with similar findings for prepubertal internalizing problems. No studies found prepubertal depression or internalizing problems predicting adult substance abuse, and no studies asked about adult bipolar diagnoses. More research is needed to draw clear conclusions regarding their implications for other psychiatric, medical, or psychosocial outcomes.

Conclusion

The reviewed studies provide limited evidence that prepubertal depression onset predicts adult depression. The small evidence base and heterogeneous methodological assessments may limit, however, the ability to draw meaningful conclusions about the long-term course of prepubertal-onset depression. Well-designed studies with longer follow-up and multiple assessments in adulthood are needed to clarify and assess the potential effects of prepubertal depression on adult health and functioning. This information will eventually become available as the samples in recently initiated longitudinal cohort studies of children mature further.
Controversies in the Interpretation of Liquid Biopsy Data in Lymphoma
Authors: Pirosa Maria Cristina , Borchmann Sven , Jardin Fabrice , Gaidano Gianluca , Rossi Davide
Published: May 2022

The rapid evolution of genomic technologies over the last years has led to the development of different methods for the detection, measurement and analysis of cell-free DNA fragments (cfDNA) which are shed into the bloodstream by apoptotic cells and circulate at a low concentration in plasma. In cancer patients, the proportion of tumor-derived cfDNA is defined as circulating tumor DNA. This analysis, commonly known as liquid biopsy, allows to access tumor DNA through a simple blood sampling and therefore without the need of an invasive tissue biopsy. For this reason, this tool may have several clinical applications in terms of diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of minimal residual disease. However, there are still several critical issues that need to be resolved. In this review, we will discuss some of the controversies around this method and its potential clinical applications.
Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis With Immunoglobulin G4 Involvement in Lacrimal Sac Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Lam Helena , Maltry Amanda C. , Harrison Andrew R. , Mokhtarzadeh Ali
Published: May 2022

Lacrimal sac squamous cell carcinoma is a rare but life-threatening disease that is often a delayed diagnosis secondary to difficulty in differentiating from other causes of dacrocystitis and acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Chronic inflammation, including that of an underlying autoimmune disease, prior instrumentation, and poor wound healing, may be risk factors in the development to lacrimal sac squamous cell carcinoma. The authors present the first case of lacrimal sac squamous cell carcinoma associated with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis and immunoglobulin G4 positivity. Rather than an overlap syndrome between antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis and immunoglobulin G4-related disease, high immunoglobulin G4 positivity may be considered an inflammatory marker of disease severity in the setting of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis and underlying malignancy. Inflammation-mediated tumorangiogenesis should be considered in the development of malignancy and red flags of chronic uncontrolled inflammation should warrant a lower threshold for further workup.
Risk and Lag-time for Development of Lacrimal Gland Carcinoma Expleomorphic Adenoma: Observations and Conjectural Study
Authors: Rose Geoffrey E. , Vahdani Kaveh , Lewis Joanna , Rose Anna M.
Published: May 2022

Aims:

To estimate the proportion of de novo lacrimal gland pleomorphic adenomas (PAs) and carcinomas expleomorphic adenomas (CEPAs), together with age at presentation and first symptom. Conjectural models of tumor growth are considered.

Methods:

Retrospective review of patients with orbital lobe PA or CEPA. The presenting age was examined for conformation to a Gaussian distribution and the cumulative distribution function derived for both tumor types. The risk of CEPA with age was estimated by logistic regression.

Results:

About one-sixth (27/172; 16%) of these primary orbital lobe tumors were CEPAs, with 145 PAs (76/145 male; 52%) and 27 CEPAs (12/27 male; 44%). The mean presenting age for PAs was 48.3 years (median 47.7; range 11–84 years) and 57.7 years for CEPAs (median 61.2, range 27–91 years) (p = 0.0062), and the standard deviations for each group are almost identical (16.3 for PAs, 15.9 for CEPAs; p = 0.92). Five (3.4%) PAs and 1 (3.7%) CEPA were asymptomatic: otherwise, the median symptom duration was 24 months for both PAs and CEPAs (U test: p = 0.65). The odds of CEPA rises significantly with age, increasing 1.04-fold annually (p = 0.0079).

Conclusion:

The almost identical measures of dispersion for the presenting ages of PA and CEPA suggests that, once malignant transformation occurs, there might be a relatively constant period before it is evident. CEPAs present about a decade after PAs, this unexpectedly later presentation for the malignancy possibly being explained by a gradual replacement of the PA by the newly arising carcinoma within the preceding benign tumor.
Biplanar-pivoted V-Y Flap for Reconstruction of Medial Canthal Defects
Authors: Karthik Naveen , Hwang Catherine J. , Perry Julian D.
Published: May 2022

Purpose:

To determine the safety and effectiveness of a biplanar-pivoted V-Y flap design in reconstructing medial canthal defects of all sizes.

Methods:

Retrospective review of patients who underwent repair of medial canthal region defects with the biplanar-pivoted V-Y flap from January 2016 to May 2021. Variables collected included age, gender, surgical indication, defect sizes and location, flap(s) and/or graft(s) used, and follow-up time. Outcome measures included complications, patient satisfaction with cosmesis, ability to close the defect with minimal wound tension, and additional surgeries.

Results:

Eighteen cases of medial canthal, nasal sidewall, and nasojugal fold area reconstruction were performed using a biplanar-pivoted V-Y flap in 18 patients. The cohort included 7 males and 11 females with a mean age of 72.4 years (range, 52–92 years) and mean follow-up time of 4.4 months (range, 1–14 months). Mean defect size was 2.0 × 1.4 cm (range, 0.5–5.5 cm). Eight patients received concomitant full-thickness skin grafts, five patients underwent simultaneous rotational flap repair, one patient underwent simultaneous nasoglabellar myocutaneous flap repair, and one patient received a simultaneous traditional, nonbiplanar V-Y plasty of the upper eyelid. All defects were closed with no wound tension. No cases of infection, hemorrhage, or wound dehiscence occurred during follow-up. Complications included mild ectropion (2 patients) and mild tip necrosis (1 patient). No patients elected for reoperation. No trapdoor deformity was observed. No patients underwent reoperation for local tumor recurrence.

Conclusions:

The extended mobility of the biplanar-pivoted V-Y flap provides excellent closure of defects involving the medial canthal region with minimal surgical complications.
Sex differences in pain-related behaviors and clinical progression of disease in mouse models of colonic pain
Authors: Francis-Malavé Adela M. , Martínez González Santiago , Pichardo Caren , Wilson Torri D. , Rivera-García Luis G. , Brinster Lauren R. , Carrasquillo Yarimar
Published: May 2022

Previous studies have reported sex differences in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease, including differences in visceral pain perception. Despite this, sex differences in behavioral manifestations of visceral pain and underlying pathology of the gastrointestinal tract have been largely understudied in preclinical research. In this study, we evaluated potential sex differences in spontaneous nociceptive responses, referred abdominal hypersensitivity, disease progression, and bowel pathology in mouse models of acute and persistent colon inflammation. Our experiments show that females exhibit more nociceptive responses and referred abdominal hypersensitivity than males in the context of acute but not persistent colon inflammation. We further demonstrate that, after acute and persistent colon inflammation, pain-related behavioral responses in females and males are distinct, with increases in licking of the abdomen only observed in females and increases in abdominal contractions only seen in males. During persistent colon inflammation, males exhibit worse disease progression than females, which is manifested as worse physical appearance and higher weight loss. However, no measurable sex differences were observed in persistent inflammation-induced bowel pathology, stool consistency, or fecal blood. Overall, our findings demonstrate sex differences in pain-related behaviors and disease progression in the context of acute and persistent colon inflammation, highlighting the importance of considering sex as a biological variable in future mechanistic studies of visceral pain as well as in the development of diagnostics and therapeutic options for chronic gastrointestinal diseases.
Traumatic testicular dislocation
Authors: Chiu Yi-Chen , Lin Yen-Ko
Published: May 2022

Introduction:

Traumatic testicular dislocation is an uncommon complication of blunt scrotal injury and is easily overlooked because of the presence of other severe accompanying injuries. In most cases, an operation is needed for the prevention of malignant change or infertility.

Patient concerns and diagnosis:

We report a case of traumatic testicular dislocation with pelvic fracture and internal bleeding in a 27-year-old male with testis rupture after a motorcycle collision.

Interventions and outcomes:

He received emergent right radical orchiectomy, and a series of operations for femoral and pelvic fractures were performed after his condition stabilized in the intensive care unit. After 1 month postsurgery, no obvious genitourinary complications were noted.

Conclusion:

We suggest scrotum examination in all trauma patients, particularly if a pelvic injury is suspected or in case of a high risk of a motorcycle collision, to avoid missing the diagnosis and prevent severe complications
Efficacy and safety of external therapy of TCM for primary dysmenorrhea
Authors: Zhu Haiyu , Guan Hongyi , Ding Tingwei , Bi Yunpeng , Zhuo Yue , Chen Yuanyuan , Li Tie , Wang Zhihong
Published: May 2022

Background:

Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is a painful disease that severely affects the daily lives of young women. External therapy using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is widely used in the clinical treatment of this disease and has achieved a good effect. There are many kinds of TCM external therapies, but the effectiveness, safety, and advantages of various methods have not been confirmed by high-quality meta-analyses. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of representative TCM external therapies in patients with PD.

Methods:

Published randomized controlled trials that assessed the efficacy of these interventions in patients with PD were included. We searched the following electronic databases: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, China Science and Technology Journal, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database and other sources. The main outcomes included menstrual pain intensity and the clinical effectiveness rate. The secondary outcomes were the quality of life and safety. The meta-analysis will be performed using the Review Manager version 5.3 software.

Results:

We will provide more practical results investigating the efficacy of external TCM therapy with high clinical frequency for PD patients in several respects, including the improvement of menstrual pain intensity, quality of life, and safety.

Conclusion:

This review systematically reviews the effectiveness and safety of common TCM external therapies for PD and provides clinicians with the best treatment options.

Ethics and dissemination:

This systematic review aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of external TCM therapy for PD. Since all data included were published, the systematic review did not require ethical approval.

Registration number:

CRD42021297078.
Prospective intraindividual comparison of 18F-PSMA-7Q and 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT in patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer
Authors: Liu Yachao , Zhang Xiaojun , Liu Jiajin , Zhang Jinming , Xu Baixuan
Published: May 2022

Objective

Fluorine 18 (18F)-2-(3-{1-Carboxy-5-[(6-[(18)F]fluoro-pyridine-3-carbonyl)-amino]-pentyl}-ureido)-pentanedioic acid (DCFPyL) is an early 18F-labeled prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) targeted PET tracer that has shown promise in the diagnostic workup of prostate cancer and was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. 18F-PSMA-7Q is a novel 18F-labeled PSMA-ligand PET tracer designed and synthesized by our team. This study compared the tracer-specific positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) characteristics of 18F-PSMA-7Q with those of 18F-DCFPyL in patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer.

Methods

Ten patients received similar doses of 18F-DCFPyL and 18F-PSMA-7Q 48 h apart and were imaged 1 h after injection on the same PET/CT scanner. Normal-organ biodistribution and tumor uptake were quantified using maximum and mean standardized uptake values (SUVmax and SUVmean), and all lesions were assigned a molecular imaging PSMA (miPSMA) score based on Prostate Cancer Molecular Imaging Standardized Evaluation criteria.

Results

Seventeen lesions were detected in the 10 patients by both 18F-DCFPyL and 18F-PSMA-7Q. No statistically significant difference was observed when comparing the SUVmax and SUVmean of 18F-DCFPyL and 18F-PSMA-7Q in the lesions and parotid gland. The κ value for the miPSMA scores of the lesions between the two tracers was 0.907, indicating excellent agreement.

Conclusion

18F-PSMA-7Q can be used in clinical research as reliably as 18F-DCFPyL. The limited urinary excretion of 18F-PSMA-7Q may represent a potential advantage over 18F-DCFPyL for detection of lesions in the pelvis, which need to be verified by further studies.
Development and Validation of the Veterans Health Administration Patient Safety Culture Survey
Authors: Mohr David C. , Chen Charity , Sullivan Jennifer , Gunnar William , Damschroder Laura
Published: May 2022

Rationale, Aims, and Objectives

Patient safety culture (PSC) is an important concept in healthcare organization, and measuring it can lead to improved patient safety event reporting. We sought to test and validate an abbreviated version of a PSC measure within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

Methods

An initial set of 34 items was identified to represent the VHA Patient Safety Culture Survey (VHA-PSCS). The items were administered as part of an annual survey administration in June 2019 (N = 205,117, 66.1% response rate). We derived a split-half sample and conducted exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis to identify factors. We examined reliability along with construct and criterion validity of the VHA-PSCS in relation to other workplace attitudes and behaviors.

Results

The final instrument includes 20 items with 4 scales derived from factor analysis: (a) risk identification and just culture; (b) error transparency and mitigation; (c) supervisor communication and trust; and (d) team cohesion and engagement. Reliability was supported based on Cronbach α coefficients and split-half testing. For criterion validity, Spearman correlations were greater than 0.40 between VHA-PSCS scales and employee satisfaction and intrinsic work experience. Correlations were greater than 0.20 between VHA-PSC scales and intent to leave, burnout, and self-rated reporting of error incidents.

Conclusions

The VHA-PSCS reflects 4 dimensions of patient safety. The instrument can be used to benchmark and compare progress of VHA’s PSC transformation across the organization and within medical centers, to strengthen patient safety event reporting, investigation, and quality of care.
Fibrella aquatilis sp. nov., Fibrella rubiginis sp. nov. and Fibrella forsythiae sp. nov., isolated from freshwater, rusty iron and forsythia flower
Authors: Kang Heeyoung , Kim Haneul , Bae Seokhyeon , Joh Kiseong
Published: May 2022

Three novel strains, designated as HMF5036T, HMF5335T and HMF5405T, were isolated from freshwater, rusty iron and forsythia flower, in Yong-in, Republic of Korea, respectively. They were Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic, non-motile, reddish-pigmented and rod-shaped bacteria. The predominant fatty acids of three strains were C16 : 1
 ω5c and summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1
 ω7c and/or C16 : 1
 ω6c). They were found to contain MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone. The major polar lipids are phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified aminophospholipid and an unidentified lipid. Strains HMF5036T, HMF5335T and HMF5405T exhibited the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 91.8, 92.6 and 93.6 % to

Fibrella aestuarina

BUZ 2T and less than 88.7 % to other members of the family

Spirosomaceae

. Similarity values among the three isolates ranged from 94.9 to 96.6 %. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences of the three isolates revealed that they formed a distinct clade within the family

Spirosomaceae

. The genome sizes of strains HMF5036T, HMF5335T and HMF5405T were 6.8, 6.4 and 7.8 Mbp, and their DNA G+C contents were 54.9, 54.0 and 52.1 mol%, respectively. The average nucleotide identity, digital DNA–DNA hybridization and amino acid identity values between three isolates and

F. aestuarina

BUZ 2T were 73.8–82.2, 19.6–25.4 and 75.0–87.5 %, respectively. These values were lower than the recommended threshold values for species delimitation. Based on the results of the phenotypic, genotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic investigations, three novel species, Fibrella aquatilis sp. nov., Fibrella rubiginis sp. nov. and Fibrella forsythiae sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains are HMF5036T (=KCTC 82476T=NBRC 115092T), HMF5335T (=KCTC 82477T=NBRC 115093T) and HMF5405T (=KCTC 82478T=NBRC 115094T), respectively.
Copranaerobaculum intestinale gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel anaerobic bacterium isolated from human faeces
Authors: Feng Jun-Hui , Chang Yu-Xiao , Li Liang-Hui , Li Meng-Meng , Huang Zong-Yu , Han Ni , Li Wen-Jun , Yang Rui-Fu , Qu Ping-Hua , Bi Yu-Jing
Published: May 2022

A novel obligate anaerobic organism, designated DONG20-135T, was isolated from human faeces collected in Beijing, PR China. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile and non-spore-forming. Growth occurred at 25‒45 °C (optimum, 30‒35 °C), a pH range of 6–9 (optimum, pH 8) and in the presence of 0‒3.5 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0.5‒1.5 %). The major fatty acids were C16 : 0, C18 : 1
 ω9c and C10 : 0, the polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, four glycolipids, six aminolipids, three aminophospholipids and four unidentified lipids. No respiratory quinones were detected. The cell-wall peptidoglycan of the strain was A1γ type, containing meso-diaminopimelic acid. The 16S rRNA gene sequences shared a lower identity (<92.7 % similarity) with the described species. The phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and the protein-concatamer tree showed that strain DONG20-135T formed a distinct lineage within the family

Erysipelotrichaceae

. The genomic DNA G + C content was 42.2 mol%. Based on the results of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genomic analyses, strain DONG20-135T represents a novel genus of the family

Erysipelotrichaceae

, for which the name Copranaerobaculum intestinale gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed (=KCTC 15868T=CGMCC 1.17357T).
In vitro longitudinal lumbar spinal cord preparations to study sensory and recurrent motor microcircuits of juvenile mice
Authors: Özyurt Mustafa Görkem , Ojeda-Alonso Julia , Beato Marco , Nascimento Filipe
Published: May 2022

In vitro spinal cord preparations have been extensively used to study microcircuits involved in the control of movement. By allowing precise control of experimental conditions coupled with state-of-the-art genetics, imaging and electrophysiological techniques, isolated spinal cords from mice have been an essential tool in detailing the identity, connectivity and function of spinal networks. The majority of the research has arisen from in vitro spinal cords of neonatal mice, which are still undergoing important postnatal maturation. Studies from adults have been attempted in transverse slices, however, these have been quite challenging due to the poor motoneuron accessibility and viability, as well as to the extensive damage to the motoneuron dendritic trees. In this work, we describe two types of coronal spinal cord preparations with either the ventral or the dorsal horn ablated, obtained from mice of different postnatal ages, spanning from pre-weaned to one month old. These semiintact preparations allow recordings of sensory-afferent and motor-efferent responses from lumbar motoneurons using whole cell patch-clamp electrophysiology. We provide details of the slicing procedure and discuss the feasibility of whole-cell recordings. The in vitro dorsal and ventral horn-ablated spinal cord preparations described here are an useful tool to study spinal motor circuits in young mice that have reached the adult stages of locomotor development.

New & Noteworthy

In the past 20 years, most of the research into the mammalian spinal circuitry has been limited to in vitro preparations from embryonic and neonatal mice. We describe two in vitro longitudinal lumbar spinal cord preparations from juvenile mice, that allow the study of motoneuron properties and respective afferent or efferent spinal circuits through whole-cell patch-clamp. These preparations will be useful to those interested in the study of microcircuits at mature stages of motor development.
Single-Cell RNAseq Analysis Reveals Robust, Anti-PD-1-Mediated Increase of Immune Infiltrate in Metastatic Castration-Sensitive Prostate Cancer
Authors: Hawley Jessica E. , Obradovic Aleksandar Z. , Dallos Matthew C. , Lim Emerson A. , Runcie Karie , Ager Casey R. , McKiernan James , Anderson Christopher B. , Decastro Joel , Weintraub Joshua , Virk Renu , Lowy Israel , Hu Jianhua , Chaimowitz Matthew G. , Guo Xinzheng V. , Zhang Ya , Worley Jeremy , Stein Mark N. , Califano Andrea , Drake Charles G.
Published: May 2022

Compared to other malignancies, the tumor microenvironment (TME) of primary and castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is relatively devoid of immune infiltrates. While androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) induces a complex immune infiltrate in localized prostate cancer, both in animal models and humans, the TME composition of metastatic, castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) is relatively unknown and the effects of ADT and other treatments are poorly characterized in this context. To address this challenge, we analyzed metastatic sites from patients enrolled on a phase 2 clinical trial (NCT03951831), in which men were treated with standard-of-care chemo-hormonal therapy with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy, at the single cell level. Longitudinal protein activity-based analysis of TME subpopulations identified immune subpopulations conserved across multiple metastatic sites, their dynamic, treatment-mediated evolution, and associated clinical response features. Our study revealed a therapy-resistant, transcriptionally distinct tumor subpopulation, which comprises an increasing number of cells in treatment-refractory patients, and identified several druggable targets in both tumor and immune cells as candidates to advance treatment and improve outcomes for patients with mCSPC.
Crystal structures and Hirshfeld surface analyses of hypoxanthine salts involving 5-sulfosalicylate and perchlorate anions
Authors: Sathya Udhayasuriyan , Nirmalram Jeyaraman Selvaraj , Gomathi Sundaramoorthy , Perdih Franc , Jegan Jennifer Samson , Abdul Razak Ibrahim
Published: May 2022

Two salts of 1,9-dihydropurin-6-one (hypoxanthine), namely, 6-oxo-1,9-dihydropurin-7-ium 5-sulfosalicylate dihydrate, C5H5N4O+·C7H5O6S−·2H2O, (I), and 6-oxo-1,9-dihydropurin-7-ium perchlorate monohydrate, C5H5N4O+·ClO4
−·H2O, (II), have been synthesized and characterized using single-crystal X-ray diffraction and Hirshfeld analysis. In both salts, the hypoxanthine molecule is protonated at the N7 position of the purine ring. In salt (I), the cation and anion are connected through N—H...O interactions. The protonated hypoxanthine cations of salt (I) form base pairs with another symmetry-related hypoxanthine cation through N—H...O hydrogen bonds with an R
2
2(8) ring motif, while in salt (II), the hypoxanthine cations are paired through a water molecule via N—H...O and O—H...N hydrogen bonds with an R
3
3(11) ring motif. The packings within the crystal structures are stabilized by π–π stacking interactions in salt (I) and C—O...π interactions in salt (II). The combination of several interactions leads to the formation of supramolecular sheets extending parallel to (010) in salts (I) and (II). Hirshfeld surface analysis and fingerprint plots reveal that O...H/H...O contacts play the major role in the crystal packing of each of the salts, with a 54.1% contribution in salt (I) and 62.3% in salt (II).
Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of 3-benzoyl-6-(1,3-dioxo-1-phenylbutan-2-yl)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-4-phenylcyclohexane-1,1-dicarbonitrile
Authors: Naghiyev Farid N. , Khrustalev Victor N. , Dobrokhotova Ekaterina V. , Akkurt Mehmet , Khalilov Ali N. , Bhattarai Ajaya , Mamedov İbrahim G.
Published: May 2022

The central cyclohexane ring of the title compound, C32H28N2O4, adopts a chair conformation, with puckering parameters Q
T = 0.618 (2) Å, θ = 176.72 (19)° and φ = 290 (3)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked by O—H...O, C—H...O and C—H...N hydrogen bonds, forming layers parallel to (100). These layers are linked by weak C—H...π interactions and van der Waals forces. A Hirshfeld surface analysis indicates that the contributions from the most prevalent interactions are H...H (41.2% contribution), C...H/H...C (20.3%), O...H/H...O (17.8%) and N...H/H...N (10.6%).