bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cutaneous vascular structure and perfusion in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis
Authors: Luengas-Martinez Andrea , Kamaly-Asl Anna , Chaudhry Iskander H , Brenchley Paul E C , Young Helen S 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Background
Vascular dysfunction is a significant contributor to the pathophysiology of psoriasis. Some individuals have variation within the gene for vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), which confers an increased risk of developing psoriasis and having a severe disease phenotype, and may determine responsiveness to treatment.

Aim
To determine whether patients with psoriasis have alterations in cutaneous microvascular anatomy and physiology due to expression of VEGF and whether laser Doppler imaging has utility in the assessment of this.

Methods
Twelve adult volunteers with Type 1 chronic plaque psoriasis underwent laser Doppler imaging of plaque and uninvolved skin. Skin biopsies were taken from the areas imaged for immunohistochemistry, including blood and lymphatic vessel markers, and VEGF-A isotype analysis (VEGF-A121, VEGF-A165 and VEGF-D). Venous blood was collected for DNA extraction, VEGF-A genotyping and peripheral blood mononuclear cell culture.

Results
Mean blood vessel area (P &lt; 0·01), number of blood vessels (P &lt; 0·001), number of lymphatic vessels (P &lt; 0·001) and blood flow (P &lt; 0·001) was significantly increased in psoriasis plaques, as was expression of VEGF-A121 (P &lt; 0·01), VEGF-A165 (P &lt; 0·04) and VEGF-D (P &lt; 0·01). Blood flow within psoriasis plaques was independent of their increased vascularity (P &lt; 0·01) and may be associated with baseline productivity of VEGF. The number of blood vessels within uninvolved skin in patients with psoriasis was associated with the VEGF-A (rs833061) genotype (P = 0·01), in a relationship suggesting an allele dosing effect.

Conclusion
Noninvasive imaging of blood flow may help determine the cutaneous vascular signature for individual patients. This may be a useful prognostic indicator of psoriasis susceptibility and severity, and thus support selection of treatments.
Distribution of problematic localized facial infantile haemangiomas and their response to propranolol: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Chang Lei , Chen Qianyi , Zhou Lucia , Chang Shih-Jen , Gao Wei , Yu Zhang , Chen Jialin , Li Hanyu , Qiu Yajing , Lin Xiaoxi 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Background
The distribution and response to propranolol of problematic facial infantile haemangiomas (IHs) has rarely been described in the literature.

Aim
To map problematic facial IHs and observe their response to propranolol.

Methods
Eligible patients were categorized according to focal location and cohorts corresponding to these (buccal, medial, zygomatic, lateral and multiregional) were created. The primary efficacy variable was regression score ranging from 1 to 4, calculated using results of colour Doppler ultrasonography.

Results
In total, 104 patients met the inclusion criteria. There were 32 (30·8%) IHs located in the buccal area, 12 (11·5%) in the medial area, 49 (47·1%) in the lateral area and 1 (1·0%) in the zygomatic area, with 10 (9·6%) IH cases having multiregional lesions. We found that the distribution pattern of most IHs matched the surface projection of the trunk of the external carotid and the facial arteries. Further analysis showed that the median regression score in the buccal and medial groups were significantly lower than those in the lateral and multiregional groups.

Conclusion
Treatment of buccal and medial haemangiomas tends to be more challenging and their distribution pattern mainly reflects the direction of the facial vessels.
The impact of using a multistrain probiotic supplement on gastrointestinal function in children and adolescents with severe recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa
Authors: Yerlett Natalie , Petrof Gabriela , Bageta Maria , Balboa Pablo Lopez , Martinez Anna E 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Background
Children and adolescents with severe recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB-S) often have severe constipation in addition to gastrointestinal dysbiosis, due to frequent antibiotic use and reduced oral diet. Constipation is treated with long-term use of high daily doses of macrogol gel (Movicol Paediatric PlainTM or LaxidoTM). Constipation is refractory to increases in fibre and fluids, and impacts severely on quality of life.

Aim
To study the initial impact and efficacy of using a multistrain probiotic supplement daily for 12 weeks in patients with RDEB-S. The authors sought to determine the impact of such a supplement on gastrointestinal symptoms, stool consistency and the use of macrogol gel to treat constipation, as well as understanding patient reaction, palability and ease of use.

Methods
Patients were identified through the epidermolysis bullosa tertiary multidisciplinary team clinic in July 2021. Patients were included if they had a diagnosis of RDEB-S, prescribed at least one sachet of macrogol gel and provided written consent to take part. Patients were provided, proprietary liquid multistrain probiotic supplement (Symprove™) with a high bacterial count, at a dose of 1 mL kg–1 once a day. Each patient completed an anonymous, nine-question, electronic survey to document symptoms and report overall findings at the start and end of a 12-week trial period.

Results
Four patients with RDEB-S (two boys and two girls; age range 7–14 years) who met the inclusion criteria were approached to take part. All patients had chronic constipation requiring daily macrogol gel use (range 2–5 sachets per day). Three out of four (75%) completed the 12-week course. At baseline (before supplementation commenced), all three (100%) patients reported poor oral appetite, constipation, flatulence, abdominal bloating and pain, and frequent skin infections requiring oral antibiotics, with two of the three (66%) patients also having nausea. After 12 weeks of supplementation, all three patients (100%) reported a significant improvement in abdominal pain and bloating, nausea, stool consistency, stool frequency, flatulence and increased appetite. Two of the three patients (66%) were able to reduce their macrogol gel usage and the third patient (33%) was able to stop macrogol gel usage altogether during the study period. All three patients said they would choose to continue using the supplement if it was available.

Conclusion
We have shown in this case series that giving a multistrain probiotic supplement in patients with RDEB-S has the potential to improve stool consistency and reduce or prevent the need for chronic macrogol gel use. Future larger-scale, placebo-controlled trials are needed to confirm these results.
Technology-enhanced learning interventions on skin of colour dermatology for dermatology trainees and fellows: are they effective or sustainable?
Authors: Puri Shivani , Guckian Jonathan , Elshimy Noha 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Recent shifts towards synchronous online learning and raised awareness of ethnic inequalities in health have resulted in the establishment of frequent ‘one-off’ technology-enhanced learning (TEL) initiatives on diversity issues. There is little established evidence regarding the efficacy or sustainability of such interventions. We designed a prospective cohort pilot study including 14 dermatology registrars and fellows and delivered a TEL programme focusing on central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia and keloid scarring. Information was collected on the existing competence and confidence of our cohort about managing these conditions, as well as the short-term and long-term impact of our intervention. Following our programme, participant knowledge improved transiently, but was not sustainable 6 weeks later. Over half of participants were not confident in adopting newly acquired knowledge on skin of colour into practice. Results demonstrate a disparity between how effective one-off education initiatives are perceived vs. actual benefit. More systemic solutions may be warranted.
Alopecia areata and risk of atopic and autoimmune conditions: population-based cohort study
Authors: Holmes Susan , Harries Matthew , Macbeth Abby E , Chiu Wing S , de Lusignan Simon , Messenger Andrew G , Tziotzios Christos 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Background
Alopecia areata (AA) has features of both autoimmune and atopic pathogenesis, but information on the risk of people with AA developing autoimmune and atopic conditions is limited.

Objective
To assess the prevalence and incidence of atopic and autoimmune conditions in people with AA.

Methods
This was a population-based cohort study of 8051 adults with newly diagnosed AA (AA group) and 32 204 adults in the matched control group, using the UK Oxford-Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) Research and Surveillance Centre (RSC) network primary care database, 2009–2018 (trial registration number: NCT04239521). Baseline prevalence of common atopic and autoimmune conditions, and risk of new-onset atopic and autoimmune disease, were estimated.

Results
Atopic and autoimmune conditions were more prevalent in the AA group than the control group (atopic 37.2% vs. 26.7%, autoimmune 11.5% vs. 7.9%). The AA group were 43% more likely to develop any new-onset atopic condition [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.43. 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28–1.61] and 45% more likely to develop any autoimmune condition (aHR 1.45, 95% CI 1.28–1.66) compared with the control group. When examining individual conditions, the AA group were at increased risk of atopic dermatitis (aHR 1.91, 95% CI 1.67–2.19), allergic rhinitis (aHR 1.32, 95% CI 1.14–1.54), autoimmune hypothyroidism (aHR 1.65, 95% CI 1.35–2.02), systemic lupus erythematosus (aHR 4.51, 95% CI 1.88–10.82) and vitiligo (aHR 2.39, 95% CI 1.49–3.82). There was no evidence for a higher incidence of other conditions examined.

Conclusion
People with AA have an increased burden of atopic and autoimmune comorbidity. This supports previous work suggesting that both T helper cell (Th)1 and Th2 immune responses may be implicated in the pathogenesis of AA.
Evaluating the nature and prevalence of glucocorticoid-induced type 2 diabetes mellitus in patients with autoimmune bullous diseases
Authors: Johal Joslin S , Cowan Timothy L , Murrell Dedee F 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Glucocorticoid use in patients with autoimmune bullous disease is associated with significant morbidity, and in some cases, excess mortality. The hyperglycaemic complications arising from glucocorticoid use have been well-documented and range from mild hyperglycaemia to diabetic ketoacidosis. Patients with pre-existing glucose intolerance or type 2 diabetes mellitus are at increased risk of developing complications. Several other factors have been investigated for their association with steroid-induced hyperglycaemia, including patient age, sex, family history, dose, regimen and duration of therapy. Findings in the current literature, however, are largely conflicting and evidence is limited by methodological weaknesses. Glucocorticoids should be used with caution, and patients using steroids should be closely monitored for adverse effects.
Proportionality Balancing under General International Law: the Case of Article 25(1)(b) of ARSIWA
Authors: Liu Yang 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Article 25(1)(b) of ARSIWA provides that a plea of necessity defence must not seriously impair an essential interest of the State or States towards which the obligation exists, or of the international community as a whole. This requires a balancing between the interest of the invoking State and that of the victim State or the international community. However, how to conduct such a balancing has not been adequately addressed in practice on in literature. This article adopts the approach of proportionality balancing under domestic public law and certain branches of international law and applies it to the context of Article 25(1)(b). Specifically, this article draws from the principle of balancing by Robert Alexy, who advocates balancing not the interests per se, but the change in respective interests caused by the intervening event. This article argues that such an approach avoids the value judgments that should be reserved for States and provides for a workable solution to operationalize Article 25(1)(b). Through a critical review of judicial and arbitral decisions, this article further explores how such an approach to proportionality balancing may be applied in the context of Article 25(1)(b) in practice, which can be broken down to three balancing pairs, depending on the party against which the necessity plea is invoked: State versus State, individual versus State, and State versus international community.
Organizationhood in the Light of Asian Minimalism
Authors: Schifano Adrien 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Asian practice of organizationhood challenges traditionally acknowledged theoretical frameworks of international institutional law. Organizationhood is usually construed as based on a set of criteria, among which are 1) creation by an international treaty, and, 2) possession of organs are upheld by a number of scholars. Yet examining a sample of fifteen Asian international organizations proves this definition too restrictive, if not dysfunctional. The conventional criterion is directly contradicted by most of these organizations displaying the marks of an international personality despite having been created with no treaty. This, in turn, impairs the efficient operation of the organic criterion since organs of these organizations do not differ in appearance from States organs acting jointly. Asian minimalism thus suggests that the classical conception of organizationhood is too narrow to subject all entities that behave as international organizations to international law through the attribution of such a status, and that broadening this concept would allow it to better ensure the effectiveness of international law.
‘Beginning wherever you wish’: Sappho, Homer and the HomericHymn to Demeterin Theresa Hak Kyung Cha’sDictée
Authors: Johnston Paul G 
Published: January 2023

AbstractTheresa Hak Kyung Cha’s Dictée expresses, in experimental and avant-garde form, the fragmented, disrupted and multilinguistic experiences of its author and her family against the tumultuous backdrop of twentieth-century Korean history. In the decades since its publication, the text has become established as a cornerstone of Asian American literary studies. This essay reads Dictée through the lens of its engagement with the ancient Greek classics, identifying how Cha responds to Sappho, Homer and the Homeric Hymn to Demeter in the context of her subversive and irreverent poetics. It demonstrates the important role that the Western classical tradition plays in Dictée as a structural and communicative resource for Cha’s expression of her migratory identity as a Korean refugee in the United States. Cha engages with some of ancient Greece’s most canonical texts from a direction that is radically askew from the typical approaches of classical scholarship, mediated in part by twentieth-century writers like James Joyce and Monique Wittig, advancing understandings of classical material that are feminist, anti-imperial and non-Eurocentric. Dictée should be recognized not just as a landmark of Asian American literature, but also as one of the most original creative responses to Greco-Roman antiquity of the late twentieth century.
Mechanical extraction of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator leads with a dwell time of more than 10 years: insights from a single high-volume centre
Authors: Ząbek Andrzej , Boczar Krzysztof , Ulman Mateusz , Holcman Katarzyna , Kostkiewicz Magdalena , Pfitzner Roman , Dębski Maciej , Musiał Robert , Lelakowski Jacek , Małecka Barbara 
Published: January 2023

AbstractAimsTo analyze and compare the effectiveness and safety of transvenous lead extraction (TLE) of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) leads with a dwell time of &gt;10 years (Group A) vs. younger leads (Group B) using mechanical extraction systems.Methods and resultsBetween October 2011 and July 2022, we performed TLE in 318 patients. Forty-six (14.4%) extracted ICD leads in 46 (14.5%) patients that had been implanted for &gt;10 years. The median dwell time of all extracted ICD leads was 5.9 years. Cardiovascular implantable electronic device-related infection was an indication for TLE in 31.8% of patients. Complete ICD leads removal and complete procedural success in both groups were similar (95.7% in Group A vs. 99.6% in Group B, P = 0.056% and 95.6% in Group A vs. 99.6% in Group B, P = 0.056, respectively). We did not find a significant difference between major and minor complication rates in both groups (6.5% in Group A vs. 1.5% in Group B and 2.2% in Group A vs. 1.8% in Group B, P = 0.082, respectively). One death associated with the TLE procedure was recorded in Group B.ConclusionThe TLE procedures involving the extraction of old ICD leads were effective and safe. The outcomes of ICD lead removal with a dwell time of &gt;10 years did not differ significantly compared with younger ICD leads. However, extraction of older ICD leads required more frequent necessity for utilizing multiple extraction tools, more experience and versatility of the operator, and increased surgery costs.
Comparative understanding and preference of Nutri-Score and NutrInform Battery in a sample of Spanish consumers
Authors: Fialon Morgane , Babio Nancy , Salas-Salvadó Jordi , Galan Pilar , Kesse-Guyot Emmanuelle , Touvier Mathilde , Deschasaux-Tanguy Mélanie , Sarda Barthélémy , Hercberg Serge , Khoury Nadine , Nabec Lydiane , Julia Chantal 
Published: January 2023

AbstractBackgroundInterpretive front-of-pack labels (FoPLs) are supported by World Health Organization as an important policy tool to promote healthy diets. At present, various FoPLs formats co-exist in the European Union (EU). However, as part of the Farm to Fork strategy published in 2020, the European Commission stated that it would propose a single mandatory FoPL. The aim of this study was to analyze Spanish consumers’ preference and objective understanding of Nutri-Score and NutrInform, two FoPLs that are currently the subject of debate in the EU.MethodsIn a representative sample of 1026 Spanish adults (50% women, mean age ± SD = 46 ± 14 years), objective understanding was assessed by asking participants to identify the healthiest food products in three food categories (breakfast products, breakfast cereals and added fats). The preference dimensions were tested by asking participants about the perceived helpfulness of the FoPL in discriminating the nutritional quality of food products (subjective understanding) and their overall assessment of the FoPL’s ease of use, informativeness, trust and liking (perception).ResultsIn terms of objective understanding, Nutri-Score was significantly associated with an increase in consumers’ ability to identify healthier food products across all food categories compared with NutrInform [OR (odds ratio) = 19.1 [14.2–25.7], P &lt; 0.0001]. On the preference dimension, Nutri-Score was perceived as significantly easier to use and was more liked than NutrInform (standardized principal component analysis dimension, respectively, 0.32 ± 1.58 vs. −0.29 ± 1.66, P &lt; 0.0001 and 0.080 ± 1.18 vs. −0.072 ± 1.17, P = 0.039).ConclusionsThis study provides new evidence to support Nutri-Score in comparison with NutrInform in Spanish consumers, on both objective understanding and preference aspects.
Spoligotyping of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex using on-Chip PCR
Authors: Lapa Sergey , Kuzmin Alexey , Chernousova Larisa , Mikhailovich Vladimir 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Aims
The aim of this study was to develop a rapid PCR-based method for spoligotyping of Mycobacteria in the microarray format and to compare it to conventional spoligotyping by hybridization.

Methods and results
The method employs the on-Chip PCR technique with primers specific for 43 spacers that separate direct repeats (DRs) in the DR region of mycobacterial DNA. The primers were immobilized on gel-based microarrays, and PCR was performed directly on the chips. The PCR fluorescence images were acquired and processed using a portable fluorescence analyzer equipped with dedicated software. Analysis takes 1.5–2 hours and can be carried out on clinical samples without additional handling. The analytical sensitivity of the method was 103 copies of target DNA. The spoligotyping results of 51 samples produced by the proposed method and by conventional reverse hybridization approach were in full concordance.

Conclusions
High throughput capacity, computerized data analysis, compact equipment, and reliable results make the on-Chip PCR an attractive alternative to intra- and interspecific spoligotyping of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex bacteria.

Significance and Impact of Study
Fast microarray-based spoligotyping technique using on-Chip PCR was developed.
Association between melanin deposits in gill tissue and microbiome across different hatchery reared Atlantic salmon
Authors: Quezada-Rodriguez Petra R , Taylor Richard S , Jantawongsri Khattapan , Nowak Barbara F , Wynne James W 
Published: January 2023

AbstractAimsTo investigate the relationship between microbial community profiles and gill pathology during a production cycle of Atlantic salmon in two commercial hatcheries.Methods and ResultsRelationships between gill histology, environmental conditions, and microbiome were determined using high-throughput data, including 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing data, histopathology data, and water quality parameters. Hatchery A used riverine water and operated a mixed system of recirculation aquaculture system (RAS) and flowthrough. Hatchery B was used bore water and operated a RAS. Melanin deposits, hyperplastic, and inflammatory lesions were observed histologically in the gills. A higher prevalence of melanin deposits was detected and correlated to a change in beta diversity of bacterial communities in early time points (fingerling and parr stages). High abundance of Sphaerotilus sp.,Pseudomonas sp.,Nitrospira sp.,Exiguobacterium sp.,Deinococcus sp.,and Comamonas sp. was correlated with a high prevalence of melanin in filaments. Bacterial diversity increased as the fish cohort transitioned from RAS to flowthrough in hatchery A.ConclusionsUnder commercial conditions, the commensal community of gill bacteria was related to melanin prevalence.
Protective effects of anti-CfaB-EtpA-LTB IgY antibody against adherence and toxicity of enterotoxigenicEscherichia coli(ETEC)
Authors: Mohammadkhani Fatemeh , Mousavi Gargari Seyed Latif , Nazarian Shahram , Mafi Maryam 
Published: January 2023

AbstractAimProduction of IgY antibodies against CfaB-EtpA-LTB (CEL) chimeric protein and evaluation of its protective effects against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) by in vivo and in vitro investigation.Methods and resultsIndirect ELISA and immunoblotting methods were applied to assess the immunogenicity and specificity of IgYs and also to evaluate the efficacy of IgYs in binding prevention and neutralizing the heat-labile (LT) toxin of ETEC bacteria. The results indicated that the anti-CEL IgY at a concentration of 2 mg ml−1 could decrease the bacterial adhesion to HT-29 cells by 74% compared to the control group.At a concentration of 750 μg ml−1, the IgY antibody managed to neutralize the disruptive LT toxin effect on the Y1 cell line. At a concentration of 2 mg ml−1, 81% reduction was observed in the fluid accumulation in the ileal loop assay.ConclusionAccording to our findings, passive immunotherapy with anti-CEL IgY can prevent bacterial colonization and toxicity, thus facilitating in controlling the enteric diseases caused by ETEC infection.