bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of vitrectomy combined with intravitreal antibiotics for severe post-traumatic endophthalmitis
Authors: Yu Jiaxuan , Sun Xiaolei , Shan Tianhui , Zhang Dawei , Liu Chunli , Yuan Gongqiang , Zhang Jingjing
Published: July 2023

PURPOSE:

To explore clinical efficacy of vitrectomy combined with intravitreal antibiotics in treating severe endophthalmitis following open-globe trauma in patients.

Methods:

The records of all patients received vitrectomy combined with intravitreal for the severe post-traumatic endophthalmitis with light perception or worse between 2010 and 2022 were rertospectively reviewed. Patients received vitrectomy combined with intravitreal antibiotics, repeated intravitreal antibiotics with/without vitreous aspiration, and retinal repair after the infection was controlled. Efficacy of severe post-traumatic endophthalmitis were analyzed.

Results:

121 patients (121 eyes) were included in this study. The mean BCVA improved from 4.03±0.18 logMAR to 1.75 ± 1.41 logMAR(P < 0.001) at the end of the follow-up period, which increased in 106 eyes (87.60%). Infection was successfully controlled in all eyes, 88 eyes within 2 operations. Pathogens including Streptococci(OR=6.68,P＜0.001), fungi(OR=15.23,P＜0.001) and mixed infection(OR=6.67,P＜0.05) were related to the number of operations. Finally, 60(49.59%) eyes received silicone oil filling and 25 received gas tamponade, the remaining 36 no tamponade, complete vitrectomy were performed in all eyes with intraocular tamponade. All eyes for gas tamponade and no tamponade had been remained stable without RD and PVR after 6-month follow-up. The rate of recurrent RD after silicone oil tamponade was 4.96%(6 eyes), including 1.65%(2 eyes) of PVR, these eyes underwent reoperation of RD repair.

Conclusion:

Vitrectomy combined with intravitreal antibiotics may be an effective treatment option for severe post-traumatic endophthalmitis.
Use of a Backflush Needle with a Silicone Tip Cannula to Embed Lamellar Hole-associated Epiretinal Proliferation
Authors: Fukushima Masaki , Hayashi Atsushi , Kusaka Shunji , Kamei Motohiro , Tsuboi Kotaro
Published: July 2023

Purpose:

For the treatment of lamellar macular hole (LMH), the recent development of a lamellar hole-associated epiretinal proliferation (LHEP) embedding technique is likely to improve functional and anatomical results. However, the peeling of LHEP is often technically challenging. We have developed a new technique using a backflush needle with a silicone tip cannula that seems safer and more effective for use in LHEP embedding.

Methods:

A 25-gauge vitrectomy system with an enhancing visual acuity (EVA) system (D.O.R.C., Zuidland, Netherlands) was used in all cases. After core vitrectomy, triamcinolone acetonide (Wakamoto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) was used to visualize the membrane. A 25-gauge backflush needle with a silicone tip cannula was used to remove the thin preretinal membrane centripetally, leaving an LHEP on the edge of the hole. Brilliant blue G (ILM Blue®; D.O.R.C.) was then used to stain the ILM.

Results:

This technique was used in 6 eyes with LMH. In all cases, peeling and embedding of the LHEP was effectively performed without damaging the ILM or causing retinal hemorrhage. No other intra- or postoperative complications were experienced.

Conclusion:

Using a silicone-tipped backflush needle with passive aspiration was a simple and effective technique for peeling and embedding of LHEPs in this small series.
Psychological treatments for the management of pain after musculoskeletal injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Aaron Rachel V. , Rassu Fenan S. , Wegener Stephen T. , Holley Amy L. , Castillo Renan C. , Osgood Greg M. , Fisher Emma
Published: July 2023

Musculoskeletal injury is a leading cause of pain and disability worldwide; 35% to 75% of people experience persistent pain for months and years after injury. Psychological treatments can reduce pain, functional impairment, and psychological distress but are not widely used after injury. This systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO ID: CRD42021236807) aimed to synthesize the literature testing psychological treatments for pain after musculoskeletal injury. We searched EMBASE, MEDLINE, PubMed, PsycINFO, and CENTRAL from inception to May 2022. We extracted participant, treatment, and injury characteristics and primary (eg, pain intensity, functional impairment, depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms) and secondary (treatment feasibility and acceptability) outcomes. Twenty-four randomized controlled trials (N = 1966) were included. Immediately posttreatment, people who received psychological treatments (versus any control) reported lower pain intensity (standardized mean differences [SMD] = −0.25, 95% confidence interval [−0.49, −0.02]), functional impairment (SMD = −0.32 [−0.55, −0.09]), and symptoms of depression (SMD = −0.46 [−0.64, −0.29]), anxiety (SMD = −0.34 [−0.65, −0.04]), and PTSD (SMD = −0.43 [−0.70, −0.15]); at 6-month follow-up, only depression symptoms were significantly lower. Included trials varied widely in treatment and injury characteristics. The certainty of evidence was low or very low for most effects and heterogeneity moderate to substantial. Most studies had risk of bias domains judged to be high or unclear. Owing to very low certainty of results, we are unsure whether psychological therapies reduce pain and functional impairment after musculoskeletal injury; they may result in improved depression immediately posttreatment and at follow-up. More research is needed to identify treatments that result in enduring effects.
Prevalence of Hospital-Onset Bacteremia Pre- and Post-Implementation of a Needleless Blood Sampling Device From Existing Peripheral Catheters
Authors: Yu Kalvin C. , Ai ChinEn , Jung Molly , Johnson Heather , Smith Scott , LaJoie Judith , Denny Gerald
Published: July 2023

Repeated access of peripheral intravenous (IV) devices theoretically increases the risk of bacterial exposure. PIVO™ (VelanoVascular) is a needleless, single-use device that enables blood sampling from an existing peripheral IV. The goal of this retrospective observational exploratory study was to evaluate the influence of PIVO use on rates of hospital-onset bacteremia and fungemia (HOB) by comparing HOB rates in the year before and after PIVO introduction in hospitals implementing PIVO and over similar time periods in “control” hospitals with no PIVO. Two hospitals implementing PIVO (Hospital 1, a large community hospital; Hospital 2, a tertiary oncology center), and 71 control hospitals were included. During the 1-year period before and after PIVO introduction, HOB rates decreased in hospitals 1 and 2 by 31.9% and 41.8%, respectively. Control hospitals that did not use PIVO had a 12.4% decrease in HOB rates. Multivariable logistic regression analyses found that PIVO was associated with a lower risk (Hospital 1 odds ratio [OR]: 0.63; 95% CI, 0.42-0.94) or no change (Hospital 2 OR: 1.05; 95% CI, 0.72-1.52) in HOB rates. Control hospitals also showed no change in HOB rates between the 2 time periods. These data do not support concerns about increased risk of bacteremia with PIVO.
Comparison of a 2.7-mm and 3.5-mm locking compression plate for ulnar fractures: a biomechanical evaluation
Authors: Wahbeh Jenna M. , Kelley Benjamin V. , Shokoohi Cyrus , Park Sang-Hyun , Devana Sai K. , Ebramzadeh Edward , Sangiorgio Sophia N. , Jeffcoat Devon M.
Published: July 2023

Objectives:

Implant prominence after ulnar fracture fixation may be mitigated by the use of lower profile plates. The biomechanical strength and stability of 2.7-mm and 3.5-mm locking compression plates for fixation were compared.

Methods:

Two fracture conditions, transverse (N = 10) and oblique (N = 10), were evaluated in an in vitro study. Half of the specimens for each condition were fixed with 2.7-mm plates and the other half with 3.5-mm plates, all fixed with conventional dynamic compression mechanisms. Specimens were loaded under ±2 Nm of cyclic axial torsion, then under 10 Nm of cyclic cantilever bending, and bending to failure. Interfragmentary motion and strain were analyzed to determine construct stability as a function of fracture pattern and plate size.

Results:

Interfragmentary motion was significantly larger in all constructs fixed with 2.7-mm plates, compared with 3.5-mm plates (P < 0.01). The 2.7-mm constructs with transverse fractures had the greatest motion, ranging between 5° and 10° under axial rotation and 5.0–6.0 mm under bending. Motions were the lowest for 3.5-mm constructs with oblique fractures, ranging between 3.2 and 4.2 mm under bending and 2°–3.5° for axial rotation. For oblique fractures, the bending moment at ultimate failure was 31.4 ± 3.6 Nm for the 2.7-mm constructs and 10.0 ± 1.9 Nm for 3.5-mm constructs (P < 0.01). Similarly, for transverse fractures, the bending moment was 17.9 ± 4.0 Nm for the 2.7-mm constructs and 9.7 ± 1.3 Nm for the 3.5-mm constructs (P < 0.01).

Conclusions:

Although 3.5-mm plates were more effective at reducing fracture motion, they were consistently associated with refracture at the distal-most screw hole under load to failure. By contrast, 2.7-mm plates plastically deformed despite excessive loads, potentially avoiding a subsequent fracture.

Level of Evidence:

Level V.
Lung Nodule Detection With Modern Low-Field MRI (0.55 T) in Comparison to CT
Authors: Hinsen Maximilian , Nagel Armin M. , May Matthias S. , Wiesmueller Marco , Uder Michael , Heiss Rafael
Published: July 2023

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of modern low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for lung nodule detection and to correlate nodule size measurement with computed tomography (CT) as reference.

Materials and Methods

Between November 2020 and July 2021, a prospective clinical trial using low-field MRI at 0.55 T was performed in patients with known pulmonary nodules from a single academic medical center. Every patient underwent MRI and CT imaging on the same day. The primary aim was to evaluate the detection accuracy of pulmonary nodules using MRI with transversal periodically rotated overlapping parallel lines with enhanced reconstruction in combination with coronal half-Fourier acquired single-shot turbo spin-echo MRI sequences. The secondary outcome was the correlation of the mean lung nodule diameter with CT as reference according to the Lung Imaging Reporting and Data System. Nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman rank correlation coefficient, and Bland-Altman analysis were applied to analyze the results.

Results

A total of 46 participants (mean age ± SD, 66 ± 11 years; 26 women) were included. In a blinded analysis of 964 lung nodules, the detection accuracy was 100% for those ≥6 mm (126/126), 80% (159/200) for those ≥4–<6 mm, and 23% (147/638) for those <4 mm in MRI compared with reference CT. Spearman correlation coefficient of MRI and CT size measurement was r = 0.87 (P < 0.001), and the mean difference was 0.16 ± 0.9 mm.

Conclusions

Modern low-field MRI shows excellent accuracy in lesion detection for lung nodules ≥6 mm and a very strong correlation with CT imaging for size measurement, but could not compete with CT in the detection of small nodules.
Professor Thomas Gibson and the Nobel Prize
Authors: Lineaweaver William
Published: July 2023

Professor Thomas Gibson collaborated in seminal clinical studies that contributed to a Nobel Prize later being awarded to Professor Peter Medawar.
Immediate Nipple Reconstruction With Areolar Flaps After Nipple Excision
Authors: Sanchez Daisy , Bloomquist Erica , Wright Heather , Barnavon Yoav
Published: July 2023

Nipple-sparing mastectomies (NSMs) have become a common surgical approach in the management of invasive breast cancers and ductal carcinoma in situ, and as a risk-reducing approach in genetically predisposed patients. The current standard of care in the management of positive nipple margin after NSM is total excision of the nipple-areola complex. In this article, we aimed to present a case series describing a novel approach to positive nipple margins with nipple-only excision and immediate nipple reconstruction using areolar flaps in patients who underwent NSM for noninvasive tumors. We conducted a retrospective review of patients who underwent NSM and were found to have positive nipple margins and underwent subsequent nipple excision with immediate areolar flap reconstruction. We identified 6 patients who underwent NSM and were found to have nipple margins—5 for ductal carcinoma in situ and 1 for invasive ductal carcinoma. These patients underwent nipple excision with immediate reconstruction using “sickle” flaps. We concluded that if nipple excision and immediate reconstruction with areolar sickle flaps can be performed, it results in good aesthetic outcomes without compromising oncologic results.
New Approach for Superthin Anterolateral Thigh Flap Elevation
Authors: Bali Zülfükar Ulaş , Aksoy Alper , Tuluy Yavuz , Parspanci Aziz , Keçeci Yavuz , Yoleri Levent
Published: July 2023

Background

Anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps are widely used for soft tissue reconstructions. They have several advantages, most notably a long pedicle, an appropriate pedicle caliber, low donor site morbidity, and the possibility of 2 teams working simultaneously. However, conventional, thick ALT flaps used for reconstructions of head and neck and lower extremity defects may cause postoperative range of motion limitations and cosmetic problems. The aim of this study was to develop and propose strategies to facilitate the harvest of superthin ALT flaps and minimize technical difficulties. This article provides step-by-step instructions for simple, quick, and reliable dissections of superthin ALT flaps.

Methods

This study retrospectively analyzed data from 60 free superthin ALT flaps used for soft tissue reconstructions in 56 patients between January 2018 and February 2019. Superthin flaps were elevated just above the superficial Scarpa's fascia using a vertical approach.

Results

Thirty-eight of the patients were operated on for lower extremity wounds, 16 were for head and neck defects, and 6 were for upper extremity wounds. The mean follow-up period was 7 months. The median hospital stay was 10 days. Total flap loss was observed in 4 cases (6.6%), and partial flap loss was observed in another 4 cases (6.6%).

Conclusions

The superthin elevated ALT flap is a reliable and effective option for the reconstruction of soft tissue defects. In our vertical approach, the wide field of view of the flap perforator provides easy dissection, making it easier to elevate the superthin ALT flap.
Real Face Analysis of Masculinity-Femininity, Facial Ratios, and Attractiveness
Authors: Villavisanis Dillan F. , Blum Jessica D. , Liou Latham , Cho Daniel Y. , Swanson Jordan W. , Bartlett Scott P. , Taylor Jesse A.
Published: July 2023

Background

Previous studies have evaluated the influence of facial features in determining male and female sex using prototypical renderings or artificially altered faces in relatively small sample sizes. Using a large set of human photographs and raters, this study hypothesized that certain anatomic facial ratios are associated with perceptions of masculinity/femininity, can interact to predict sex, and are associated with ratings of attractiveness differently in males and females.

Methods

Ratings of masculinity-femininity and binary self-identification (male or female) were compared with facial anatomic ratios from 827 frontal facial photographs. Ratios were used to characterize facial feature relativity, where higher ratio scores indicated relatively more facial feature representation.

Results

Femininity was associated with prominent middle third ratio, nose length, lip vermillion height, eye height, and eye width ratios; masculinity was associated with prominence of the upper and lower facial thirds, nose width, chin height, and philtrum height ratios (all P < 0.01). Subgroup analysis demonstrated many of these relationships persisted when evaluating masculinity in females and femininity in males. Misgendering in males was associated with greater middle third ratio and upper lip ratio, whereas misgendering in females was associated with increased nose width ratio.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates associations of femininity with increased horizontal middle third representation, and masculinity was associated with increased upper and lower horizontal representation. These facial ratios interact to predict male and female sex, which could have implications for optimizing facial feminization/masculinization outcomes and building algorithms for artificial intelligence analysis of faces.
How Does Surgeons’ Autonomic Physiology Vary Intraoperatively? A Real-time Study of Cardiac Reactivity
Authors: del Rosario Kareena , West Tessa V. , Mendes Wendy Berry , Basir Kunduzi  , Mamode Nizam , Gogalniceanu Petrut
Published: July 2023

Objective:

Physiologic responses of surgery team members under varying levels of intraoperative risk were measured.

Background:

Measurement of intraoperative physiological responses provides insight into how operation complexity, phase of surgery, and surgeon seniority impact stress.

Methods:

Autonomic nervous system responses (interbeat intervals, IBIs) were measured continuously during operations. Role (attending surgeon, surgical resident, operating room nurse), risk of operation (high, low), and primary operator (attending surgeon, resident) predicted IBI reactivity. Physiologic synchrony captured the degree of correspondence between individuals’ physiologic responses within timepoint.

Results:

10,005 observations of IBI reactivity were recorded in 26 participants during 16 high-risk (renal transplant and laparoscopic donor nephrectomy) and low-risk (arteriovenous fistula formation) operations. Attending surgeons showed greater IBI reactivity (faster heart rate) than residents and nurses during high-risk operations and while actively operating (ps < .001). Residents showed lower reactivity during high-risk (relative to low-risk) operations (P < .001) and similar reactivity regardless of whether they or the surgeon was operating (P = .10). Nurses responded similarly during low and during high-risk operations (P = .102) but were more reactive when the resident was operating compared to the surgeon (P < .001). In high-risk operations, attending surgeons had negative physiologic covariation with residents and nurses (P <.001). In low-risk operations, only attending surgeons and nurses were synchronized (P < .001).

Conclusion:

Attending surgeons’ physiologic responses were well-calibrated to operative demands, and residents’ and nurses’ responses were not, suggesting that risk sensitivity is an adaptive response to stress that surgeons acquire.
Treatment for Urinary Incontinence in Women Older Than 65 Years
Authors: Lane Giulia I. , Erekson Elisabeth , Austin Andrea , Carmichael Donald , Minassian Vatche A. , Grodstein Francine , Bynum Julie PW
Published: July 2023

Importance

Urinary incontinence (UI) is common among women older than 65 years and negatively affects quality of life. However, the prevalence of UI treatment and determinants of treatment are largely unknown.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to identify rates of UI treatment and factors associated with treatment in older women with self-reported UI.

Study Design

This is a retrospective cohort analysis of a data set linking UI symptoms from the Nurses’ Health Study to Medicare claims. We evaluated use of pharmacotherapy, noninvasive, and procedural treatments for UI within 1 year before symptom survey. For pharmacotherapy, we used multivariable logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (ORs) of UI treatment.

Results

Of the 67,587 Nurses’ Health Study respondents, 15,088 had linkage to Medicare, subscribed to part D, and answered UI questions. Of these, 8,332 (55.2%) women reported UI, and 10.9% with UI had a Medicare claim for treatment; pharmacotherapy represented 94.6% of all treatments.

On regression analysis, women with more severe and longer-term UI had higher odds of treatment (severe vs slight UI: OR, 3.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.2–4.3) (longer vs new UI: OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.5–2.3). Women with mixed (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.9–3.2) or urgency UI (OR, 3.0; 95% CI, 2.2–3.9) had greater odds of treatment compared with women with stress UI.

Conclusions

We estimate that only approximately 1 in 9 older women with self-reported UI underwent treatment within the year before reporting symptoms, of which pharmacotherapy was the most common UI intervention, and women with more severe and longer duration of symptoms were most often treated.
Streptomyces marispadix sp. nov., isolated from marine beach sediment
Authors: Santos José Diogo Neves dos , Vitorino Inês Rosado , Kallscheuer Nicolai , Srivastava Akash , Krautwurst Sebastian , Marz Manja , Jogler Christian , Lobo-da-Cunha Alexandre , Catita José , Gonçalves Hugo , González Ignacio , Reyes Fernando , Lage Olga Maria
Published: July 2023

A novel actinomycetal strain, designated M600PL45_2T, was isolated from marine sediments obtained from Ingleses beach, Porto, on the Northern Coast of Portugal and was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic characterisation study. The here described Gram-reaction-positive strain is characterised by the production of a brown pigment in both solid and liquid medium and forms typical helical hyphae that differentiate into smooth spores. The results of a phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that M600PL45_2Thas a high similarity to two members of the genusStreptomyces,Streptomyces bathyalisASO4wetT(98.51 %) andStreptomyces daqingensisNEAU ZJC8T(98.44 %). The genome of M600PL45_2Thas a size of 6 695 159 bp, a DNA G+C content of 70.71 mol% and 5538 coding sequences. M600PL45_2Tgrows at 15–37 °C and with a maximal growth rate between 25 °C and 30 °C. Growth at pH 6.0 to 9.0 with the optimal range between 6.0 and 7.5 was observed. M600PL45_2Tshowed a high salinity tolerance, growing with 0–10 % (w/v) NaCl, with best growth with 1–3% (w/v) NaCl. Major cellular fatty acids are iso-C15:0(25.03 %), anteiso-C15:0(17.70) and iso-C16:0(26.90 %). The novel isolate was able to grow in media containing a variety of nitrogen and carbon sources. An antimicrobial activity screening indicated that an extract of M600PL45_2Thas inhibitory activity againstStaphylococcus aureus. On the basis of the polyphasic data, M600PL45_2T(= CECT 30365T= DSM 114036T) is introduced as the type strain of a novel species, that we namedStreptomyces marispadixsp. nov.
Limits of parasitoid-mediated host population density suppression: Implications for biological control
Authors: Singh Abhyudai
Published: July 2023

Parasitoid wasps are increasingly being used to control insect pest populations, where the pest is the host species parasitized by the wasp. Here we use the discrete-time formalism of the Nicholson-Bailey model to investigate a fundamental question - are there limits to parasitoid-driven suppression of the host population density while still ensuring a stable coexistence of both species? Our model formulation imposes an intrinsic self-limitation in the host’s growth resulting in a carrying capacity in the absence of the parasitoid. Different versions of the model are considered with parasitism occurring at a developmental stage that is before, during, or after the growth-limiting stage. For example, the host’s growth limitation may occur at its larval stage due to intraspecific competition, while the wasps attack either the host egg, larval or pupal stage. For slow-growing hosts, models with parasitism occurring at different life stages are identical in terms of their host suppression dynamics but have contrasting differences for fast-growing hosts. In the latter case, our analysis reveals that wasp parasitism occurring after host growth limitation yields the lowest pest population density conditioned on stable host-parasitoid coexistence. For ecologically relevant parameter regimes we estimate this host suppression to be roughly 10-20% of the parasitoid-free carrying capacity. We further expand the models to consider a fraction of hosts protected from parasitism (i.e., a host refuge). Our results show that for a given host reproduction rate there exists a critical value of protected host fraction beyond which, the system dynamics are stable even for high levels of parasitism that drive the host to arbitrary low population densities. In summary, our systematic analysis sheds key insights into the combined effects of density-dependence in host growth and parasitism refuge in stabilizing the host-parasitoid population dynamics with important implications for biological control.
Prominent contributions of selective neuronal subtypes to pediatric drug-resistant focal dysplasia
Authors: Zhang Yujie , Li Lin , Zhu Fengjun , Zhang Xinyang , Xia Dan , Zhong Cheng , Liang Shuli , Cao Dezhi , Zou Huafang , duan Jing , Shu Yousheng , Yao Yi , Song Jianming , Hu Songnian , Liao Jianxiang , Zhou Qiang
Published: July 2023

About 75% cases of epilepsy begin during childhood, and 10 - 30% of pediatric epilepsy patients are resistant to drug treatment. The predominant seizure type in children is focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) which is highly associated with drug-resistant epilepsy, but its underlying cause is poorly understood. We performed single-cell RNA sequencing and patch-clamp recording on fresh brain tissues obtained from pediatric FCD patients shortly after surgery to reveal critical factors contributing to FCD.

We report that known epilepsy genes or significant transcriptomic alterations occur in only a few neuronal subgroups, suggesting that epilepsy-associated neurons cluster into only a few neuronal subtypes. These epilepsy-subtypes displayed significant epilepsy-related transcriptomic alterations, especially in the genes associated with excitation/inhibition balance and neuron functional signal pathways. Among eight epilepsy-subtypes, L2_4_CUX2_YWHAH and PVALB_RGS5 subtypes showed the most prominent alterations in FCD patient tissues. Supporting PV-neurons being important, recording from fast-spiking/parvalbumin-containing neurons in acute FCD patient brain slices revealed reduced excitatory synaptic inputs, implicating lower activity in these neurons and fewer synaptic inputs onto them. A higher percentage of mitochondria genes, and likely higher activity in the pathways associated with oxidative phosphorylation and ATP biosynthetic process, was observed in the epilepsy-subtypes, suggesting a high energy expenditure in them. Interestingly, the activity of the above two pathways in most epilepsy-subtypes was lower in the FCD patients, suggesting these subtypes may be more vulnerable to energy deficit in epilepsy.

Altogether, transcriptomics is significantly altered in only a few neuronal subtypes in pediatric FCD patient brains. These selective epilepsy-subtypes may play prominent roles in the genesis of pediatric drug-resistant seizure and targeting them may provide new treatment options.
Molecular signatures of hyperexcitability and lithium responsiveness in bipolar disorder patient neurons provide alternative therapeutic strategies
Authors: Khayachi Anouar , Abuzgaya Malak , Liu Yumin , Jiao Chuan , Dejgaard Kurt , Schorova Lenka , Kamesh Anusha , He Qin , Cousineau Yuting , Pietrantonio Alessia , Farhangdoost Nargess , Castonguay Charles-Etienne , Chaumette Boris , Alda Martin , Rouleau Guy A. , Milnerwood Austen J.
Published: July 2023

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a multifactorial psychiatric illness affecting about 1% of the world population. The first line treatment, lithium (Li), is effective in only a subset of patients and its mechanism of action remains largely elusive. In the present study, we used iPSC-derived neurons from BD patients responsive (LR) or not (LNR) to lithium and combined electrophysiology, calcium imaging, biochemistry, transcriptomics, and phosphoproteomics to report mechanistic insights into neuronal hyperactivity in BD, and Li’s mode of action. We show a selective rescue of neuronal hyperactivity by Li in BD LR neurons through changes in Na+currents. The whole transcriptome sequencing revealed altered gene expression in BD neurons in pathways related to glutamatergic transmission, and Li selectively altered those involved in cell signaling and ion transport/channel activity. We found the therapeutic effect of Li in BD LR patients was associated with Akt signaling and confirmed that an Akt activator mimics Li effect in BD LR neurons. Further, we showed that AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) reduces neural network activity and sodium currents in BD LNR patients. These findings suggest the potential for novel treatment strategies in BD, such as Akt activators in BD LR cases, and the use of AMPK activators for BD LNR patients.
Exploring the Role of MMP9 and its Association with TGFβ Signalling in Patients with Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy-Hippocampal Sclerosis
Authors: Paul Debasmita , Srivastava Arpna , Banerjee Jyotirmoy , Tripathi Manjari , Doddamani Ramesh , Lalwani Sanjeev , Siraj Fouzia , Sharma Meher Chand , Chandra Poodipedi Sarat , Dixit Aparna Banerjee
Published: July 2023

Inflammation and blood brain barrier (BBB) damage are associated with epileptogenesis in Mesial Temporal lobe epilepsy with Hippocampal sclerosis (MTLE-HS). Animal studies have predicted the role of Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) in extracellular matrix (ECM) modulation, BBB leakage and neuro-inflammation, while Transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) signalling in astrocytes potentiates hyper-excitability leading to seizure generation. We hypothesize whether changes in activity and expression of MMP9, and the ratio of MMP9 and its inhibitor, Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1), have a role in epileptogenesis in the patients with MTLE-HS through zona occludens 1 (ZO1) modulation. We also proposed the role of astrocytic TGFβ signalling in these patients. mRNA expression of MMP9 and TIMP1 was significantly up-regulated. The ratio of MMP9 to its inhibitor TIMP1 was greater than one, suggesting activation of MMP9, further confirmed by gelatin zymography. MMP9 activity as well as immunoreactivity was higher in patients with MTLE-HS as compared to non-seizure controls, whereas the immunoreactivity of ZO1 was significantly lower in the patients. The downstream TGFβ signalling effector molecules, SMAD3 and pSMAD3 immunoreactivity were also significantly higher in MTLE-HS patients and both molecules showed co-localisation with astrocytes in the hippocampal region. Further, we showed preliminary data about interaction of MMP9 and TGFβ1 in these patients as evidenced by a co-immunoprecipitation assay. This study highlighted the MMP9 and astrocytic TGFβ signalling mediated potential mechanism of epileptogenesis in MTLE-HS patients.
Traditional medicinal use is linked with apparency, not specialized metabolite profiles in the order Caryophyllales
Authors: Crum Alex H. , Philander Lisa , Busta Lucas , Yang Ya
Published: July 2023

A better understanding of the relationship between plant specialized metabolism and traditional medicinal use has the potential to aid in bioprospecting and the untangling of cross-cultural plant use patterns. However, given the limited information available for metabolites in most plant species, associating medicinal properties with a metabolite can be difficult. The order Caryophyllales has a unique pattern of lineages of tyrosine- or phenylalanine-dominant specialized metabolism, represented by mutually exclusive anthocyanin and betalain pigments, making the group ideal to work around a lack of detailed knowledge of specific metabolites. We compiled a list of medicinal species in selected tyrosine- or phenylalanine-dominant families of Caryophyllales across the globe (Nepenthaceae, Polygonaceae, Simmondsiaceae, Microteaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Amaranthaceae, Limeaceae, Molluginaceae, Portulacaceae, Cactaceae, and Nyctaginaceae) by searching scientific literature until no new uses were recovered, and tested for phylogenetic clustering of medicinal uses using a “hot nodes” approach. To test potential non-metabolite drivers of medicinal use, like how often humans encounter a species (apparency), we repeated the same analysis in North American species across the entire order and performed phylogenetic generalized least squares regression (PGLS) with occurrence data from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). We hypothesized families with Tyr-enriched metabolism would show clustering of different types of medicinal use compared to the ancestral Phe-enriched metabolism. Instead, weedy, wide-ranging clades in Polygonaceae and Amaranthaceae are overrepresented across nearly all types of medicinal use. Therefore, we found that apparency is a better predictor of medicinal use than metabolite profiles, although metabolism type may still be a contributing factor.
Novel data preprocessing techniques in an expanded dataset improve machine learning model accuracy for a non-invasive blood glucose monitor
Authors: Klyve Dominic , Pandya Kinara , Ward Carl , Shelton Barry
Published: July 2023

To determine the accuracy of a novel sensor designed to measure blood glucose (BG) non-invasively using Radio Frequency (RF) waves, we present results from a study that validates the stability of a machine learning model on an expanded dataset. In this study, we trained a Light Gradient-Boosting Machine (lightGBM) model to predict BG values using 3,311 observations from over 330 hours of data collected from 13 healthy participants, where an observation is defined as data collected from 13 sweeps from the novel Bio-RFID™ sensor paired with a single Dexcom G6® value as reference.
Helical motors and formins synergize to compact chiral filopodial bundles: a theoretical perspective
Authors: Maxian Ondrej , Mogilner Alex
Published: July 2023

Chiral actin bundles have been shown to play an important role in cell dynamics, but our understanding of the molecular mechanisms which combine to generate chirality remains incomplete. We numerically simulate a crosslinked filopodial bundle under the actions of helical myosin motors and/or formins and examine the collective buckling and twisting of the actin bundle. We find that the myosin spinning action effectively “braids” the bundle, compacting it, generating buckling, and enhancing crosslinking. Stochastic fluctuations of actin polymerization rates also contribute to filament buckling and bending of the bundle. Faster turnover of transient crosslinks attenuates the buckling and enhances coiling and compaction of the bundle. Formin twisting action by itself is not effective in inducing filopodial coiling and compaction, but co-rotating formins synergize with helical motors to coil and compact the actin bundle. We discuss implications of our findings for mechanisms of cytoskeletal chirality.
Diffusion-enhanced characterization of 3D chromatin structure reveals its linkage to gene regulatory networks and the interactome
Authors: He Yueying , Xue Yue , Wang Jingyao , Huang Yupeng , Liu Lu , Huang Yanyi , Gao Yi Qin
Published: July 2023

The interactome networks at the DNA, RNA, and protein levels are crucial for cellular functions, and the diverse variations of these networks are heavily involved in the establishment of different cell states. We have developed a diffusion-based method, Hi-C to geometry (CTG), to obtain reliable geometric information on the chromatin from Hi-C data. CTG produces a consistent and reproducible framework for the 3D genomic structure and provides a reliable and quantitative understanding of the alterations of genomic structures under different cellular conditions. The genomic structure yielded by CTG serves as an architectural blueprint of the dynamic gene regulatory network, based on which cell-specific correspondence between gene–gene and corresponding protein–protein physical interactions, as well as transcription correlation, is revealed. We also find that gene fusion events are significantly enriched between genes of short CTG distances and are thus close in 3D space. These findings indicate that 3D chromatin structure is at least partially correlated with downstream processes such as transcription, gene regulation, and even regulatory networking through affecting protein–protein interactions.
NaMo: transformation from flagship to parent brand
Authors: Kulkarni Medha , Dam Leena B. , Pawar Bharat
Published: July 2023

Learning outcomes

After working through the case, the students should be able to understand Indian political economy and the brand building process of NaMo; identify the media mix strategies used to build the brand NaMo in India; evaluate possible future growth strategies for brand NaMo; and compare and contrast brand NaMo with business brands.

Case overview/synopsis

Narendra Modi popularly called as NaMo was the current Prime Minister of India. He belonged to Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) which won India’s general elections in two consecutive terms 2014 and 2019. NaMo was recognised worldwide for his prudence in leading the country to greater heights of achievement. NaMo started his political journey as the worker of BJP at a tender age. His rise in political career was akin to flagship brand overtaking the parent brand. All the steps taken in the past to position himself as a cult brand, will it fortify to NaMo’s victory in 2024 general elections? Business firms may follow NaMo’s strategies. What can the business brands emulate from NaMo to market and position themselves? Can political success be transpired to business success?

Complexity academic level

This case is designed for use in a graduate-/postgraduate-level marketing course in segments on brand management, brand expansion and the marketing strategies of a market leader. The case can also be used in a brand management course to discuss brand management models (e.g. Keller’s brand resonance pyramid and brand value chain). This case has particular application for classes that focus on brand equity, STP for any brand (segmentation, targeting and positioning) and brand value chain. The case looks in detail at the Indian political market and brand building process of NaMo and examines competitive moves since its inception. This case can be used in brand management, media management courses. The dilemma can be explained as part of a marketing course for postgraduate and executive programmes.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS 8: Marketing.
Qoruz: riding the influencer marketing wave
Authors: Pereira Mundkur Jacqueline
Published: July 2023

Learning outcomes

After working through the case and the assignment questions, students will be able to understand the current practices and importance of influencer marketing strategies within overall marketing strategies; appreciate both the debate and dissonance that surround influencer performance measures; outline the key elements of Qoruz.com’s investments and efforts that brought them success; understand the strategic intent and justify the logic of operationalisation of Qoruz.com by creating two different SBUs after they launched a vastly improved tech platform; and evaluate potential strategies that Qoruz.com could use to move ahead and cement its supremacy in the influencer marketing space.

Case overview / synopsis

Interest in influencer marketing which found many takers during the pandemic was expected to intensify and form the core of many brand strategies. Coupled with this heightened interest and increased budget overlay, demands from brands and agencies alike for clearer ROI linkages and KPIs that have better correlation with business goals, have gained momentum. Qoruz, an early entrant in the influencer marketing space in India, attributed their success to their focus on product innovation and service quality. From a predominantly narrow service offering providing analytics that facilitated decision-making for influencer marketing campaigns, their recently launched multi-feature platform enabled them to expand their services and consolidate their position. However, today, in an increasing volatile market, drawn by the high growth trajectory of the influencer marketing space, many players had jumped in and tried to introduce technology-based platforms with almost similar features while aggressively playing the price card. With the monetary and economic conditions under pressure and constantly changing demands of clients, Qoruz.com found itself faced with a dilemma to protect their first mover advantage. The co-founders of Qoruz realised that to give confidence to their loyal client base, and really cement their leadership, they would need to urgently take stock and relook at their strategy afresh relying on their deep experience of the industry, loyalty of their customers and their tech-centric DNA to build a holistic and ambitious strategy.

Complexity academic level

This case is designed for use by graduate and under-graduate level students in marketing management and strategic management courses.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 11: Strategy.
Deterministic and probabilistic analysis of Ukrainian residential property market evolution in turbulent 2019-2022 years
Authors: Yakubovsky Valery , Bychkov Oleksiy , Zhuk Kateryna
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the influence of Covid-19, current war and other factors on the dynamics of real estate prices in Ukraine from 2019Q2 to 2022Q4. More specifically, the authors examine the extent of the influence of Covid-19 and war on the real estate market in Ukraine.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors monitor and accumulate information flows from the existing real estate market with their subsequent in-depth math-stat processing to examine dynamics and drivers of Ukrainian real estate prices evolution.

Findings

The study finds that the Ukrainian residential property market has experienced an average growing trend from June 2019 to December 2022, despite the strong influence of pandemic and war. The analysis shows that the impact of these factors varies across different regions and property types, with some areas and property types being more affected than others. The study also identifies the main drivers of the market evolution, including cost-sensitive factors such as floor level, overall area, housing conditions and geographical location.

Research limitations/implications

This research is oriented to analyze evolution of residential property market in Ukraine in 2019–2022 years characterized by influence of such disturbing factors as pandemic and military actions.

Practical implications

Results gained are essential for any type of Ukrainian residential market analytics implementation including but not limited to investment analysis, valuation services, collateral, insurance and taxation purposes, etc. In broader sense, it can be also useful for comparison with same type market development in other geographical arears.

Social implications

Initial data base collected and constantly monitored covers all different regions of the country that gives a broad view on the overall market development influenced by pandemic and war.

Originality/value

The lack of a reliable database of the purchase and sale of residential properties remains one of the biggest obstacles in obtaining reliable data on their market value. This considerably complicates the process of carrying out a valuation and reduces the accuracy and reliability of the results of such work. This is especially important for market which evolves in times of unrest being influenced by such strongly disturbing factors as pandemic and military actions. The originality of the study lies in the development of a complete probabilistic processing of the initial database, which provides a reliable and accurate assessment of the market evolution. The results achieved could be used by various stakeholders, such as property owners, investors, valuers, insurers, regulators and other interested customers, to make informed decisions and mitigate risks in the turbulent Ukrainian real estate market.
The mediating role of occupational stress: a missing link between organisational intelligence traits and digital government service quality
Authors: Ramakrishnan Subashini , Wong Meng Seng , Chit Myint Moe , Mutum Dilip S.
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the mediating role of occupational stress in addressing the missing gap between organisational intelligence (OI) traits and digital government service quality.

Design/methodology/approach

By employing multistage cluster sampling, a total of 394 responses from the Malaysian service providers at federal government agencies were obtained. For data analysis, the partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) approach with a disjoint two-stage approach was employed to assess the proposed higher-order model. The analysis was carried out to examine how occupational stress mediates the relationship between OI traits at each component level and digital service quality.

Findings

Occupational stress mediates the relationship between OI traits at the third-order component level and digital service quality. At the second-order component level, only the employee-oriented OI traits exhibit a significant indirect effect on the digital government service quality. Narrowing down to the first order component level, two OI traits, namely “Alignment and Congruence”, and “Heart” demonstrate significant indirect effects in the mediation analysis.

Originality/value

By incorporating the organisational model of stress (OMS) with public service-dominant logic (PSDL), this paper takes an approach to revitalise the stressors and individual-level performance used in a traditional work setting. Precisely, it examines how digital service quality is influenced by today's high-performing public organisation stressors (OI traits) along with non-technical element (occupational stress). More importantly, digital government service quality was examined from a less emphasised perspective, namely the supply side or service providers’ standpoint in sustaining the digital government service performance.
Environmental stringency and competitive export strengths: a study in context of environmentally sensitive goods in G20
Authors: Mahajan Alisha , Majumdar Kakali
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Trade of environmentally sensitive goods (ESGs) is often exposed to countries with less stringent regulations suggesting that those countries have comparative advantage in the polluting sector. The Group of Twenty (G20) members are among the highest polluters, globally. Different stringency policies are enacted time to time in G20 to control environment pollution. However, the impact of policy stringency on export performance of ESGs is seldom examined. The paper aims to address some of the issues concerning this matter.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study aims to address the short run and long-run association between Revealed Comparative Advantage of ESGs and Environmental Policy Stringency Index for the period of 1990–2019 in G20. Periodic fluctuations and time adjustment mechanism are also studied. Second Generation Panel Cointegration, Vector Error Correction, Impulse Response Function and Variance Decomposition methods are employed to address the objectives.

Findings

Result is evident that more exposure to stringent environmental regulations reduces the comparative advantage of ESGs in the long run. But there is no evidence of the short-run relationship between the variables. The possible reason could be that new regulations enacted prove fruitful in the long run.

Originality/value

The novelty of the study is to focus on inter linkages between stringency and global export competitiveness in G20, almost nonexistent in the past studies. The study also provides a road map to policymakers to find out potential ways for sustainable development by balancing environmental stringency measures and international trade.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-08-2022-0560