bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ALKBH8 as a potential N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) eraser in insects
Authors: Dai Zhenkai , Asgari Sassan 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) machinery functions through three groups of proteins in eukaryotic cells, including m6A writers, erasers and readers. The m6A cellular machinery has mostly been characterised in mammalian species, and the relevant literature on insects is currently scant. While homologues of m6A writers and readers have been reported from insects, no erasers have been described so far. Here, using BLAST search, we searched for potential erasers in insects. While we found homologues of human m6A eraser ALKBH5 in termites, beetles and true bugs, they could not be found in representative dipteran and lepidopteran species. However, a potential m6A eraser, ALKBH8, was identified and experimentally investigated. Our results showed that ALKBH8 can reduce the m6A levels of Aedes aegypti and Drosophila melanogaster RNAs, suggesting that AeALKBH8 could be a candidate m6A eraser in insects.
Genome sequencing provides insights into the evolution of gene families encoding plant cell wall‐degrading enzymes in longhorned beetles
Authors: Shin Na Ra , Okamura Yu , Kirsch Roy , Pauchet Yannick 
Published: April 2023

AbstractWith more than 36,000 species, the longhorned beetles (family Cerambycidae) are a mega‐diverse lineage of mostly xylophagous insects, all of which are represented by the sole sequenced genome of the Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis; Lamiinae). Their successful radiation has been linked to their ability to degrade plant cell wall components using a range of so‐called plant cell wall‐degrading enzymes (PCWDEs). Our previous analysis of larval gut transcriptomes demonstrated that cerambycid beetles horizontally acquired genes encoding PCWDEs from various microbial donors; these genes evolved through multiple duplication events to form gene families. To gain further insights into the evolution of these gene families during the Cerambycidae radiation, we assembled draft genomes for four beetle species belonging to three subfamilies using long‐read nanopore sequencing. All the PCWDE‐encoding genes we annotated from the corresponding larval gut transcriptomes were present in these draft genomes. We confirmed that the newly discovered horizontally acquired glycoside hydrolase family 7 (GH7), subfamily 26 of GH43 (GH43_26), and GH53 (all of which are absent from the A. glabripennis genome) were indeed encoded by these beetles' genome. Most of the PCWDE‐encoding genes of bacterial origin gained introns after their transfer into the beetle genome. Altogether, we show that draft genome assemblies generated from nanopore long‐reads offer meaningful information to the study of the evolution of gene families in insects. We anticipate that our data will support studies aiming to better understand the biology of the Cerambycidae and other beetles in general.
Effects of vitamin C combined with rbFGF on inflammatory factors and oxygen environment in patients with high‐voltage electrical burns
Authors: Zhang Han , Qin Beibei , Zhao Yankai , Zhang Rongpin , Zhang Guihua 
Published: April 2023

AbstractTo investigate the effect of vitamin C combined with recombinant basic fibroblast growth factor (rbFGF) on inflammatory factors and oxygen environment in patients with high‐voltage electrical burns. A retrospective analysis of 98 patients with high‐voltage electrical burns admitted to our hospital from January 2021 to April 2022. A total of 98 patients were divided into research group and control group, including 49 cases treated with vitamin C combined with rbFGF and 49 cases treated with only rbFGF. The disappearance time of clinical symptoms, wound healing rate, area of granulation tissue growth, level of inflammatory factors, oxygen environment were compared between two groups after one and three courses of treatment. After treatment, the disappearance time of erythema, pain, swelling, blisters, exudate symptoms, wound healing time, scab formation time, and hospitalisation time in the research group were significantly better than those in control group (P < .05). There was no significant difference in the wound healing rate and area of granulation tissue growth between the two groups after one course of treatment (P > .05), while it is significantly better than those in control group after three courses of treatment (P < .05). The inflammatory factors, succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) scores in research group were significantly better than that in control group after three courses of treatment (P < .05). Vitamin C combined with rbFGF may be worthy to reduce inflammatory factors, regulate oxygen environment, which can be popularised and applied in clinical practice.
THROAT SWABS IN CHRONIC TONSILLITIS: A TIME‐HONOURED PRACTICE BEST FORGOTTEN
Authors: Robinson AC , Hanif J , Dumbreck LA , Prichard AJ , Manners BT 
Published: April 2023

SUMMARYWe have estimated that in 1995 more than £2 million was spent by the National Health Service on throat swabs used to investigate chronic tonsillitis in the UK. This study was devised to assess the value of this investigation. The surface microflora, obtained using a throat swab, was compared with the microflora of the deep tonsil in 30 cases of chronic tonsillitis. None of the throat swabs grew pathogenic organisms, while in 16 cases, heavy growths of recognised pathogens were grown from the tonsillar tissue. This paper demonstrates that throat swabs have little value in the management of chronic tonsillitis, and if the investigation was omitted in this condition, a substantial saving could be made.
ROUTINE USE OF ULTRASOUND 24 HOURS BEFORE LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY CAN PREDICT THE NEED FOR INTRAOPERATIVE CHOLANGIOGRAM: RESULTS OF A 12‐MONTH PROSPECTIVE AUDIT
Authors: Goodwin AT , Tully J , Charlesworth C , Swift RI , Chadwick SJD 
Published: April 2023

SUMMARYIntraoperative cholangiograms and exploration of the common bile duct (CBD) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy are technically more demanding than during open cholecystectomy. This has led to many surgeons using a selective policy for cholangiography. In this study we prospectively assessed whether biliary ultrasound (CBD diameter ≥6 mm) or one or more abnormal liver function tests (LFTs) performed in the 24 hours preoperatively could predict the need for cholangiography. Forty‐five patients were studied (14 male, 31 female), mean age 47.8 years. All patients with one or both tests abnormal preoperatively (19 patients) underwent intraoperative cholangiograms. Seven CBD stones were identified (16%). There was no evidence of CBD stones in patients not undergoing cholangiography at a median follow‐up of 18 months. In patients with stones, three underwent open CBD exploration, and four underwent endoscopic retrograde choledochopancreatography (ERCP) and sphincterotomy in the early postoperative period without complications. CBD diameter ≥6 mm is a useful predictor of CBD stones. These may be treated successfully by postoperative ERCP.
PROLONGATION OF PROTHROMBIN TIME WITH THE USE OF INDOMETHACIN AND WARFARIN
Authors: Chan TYK 
Published: April 2023

SUMMARYA patient with a greatly prolonged international normalised ratio (INR) during the combined use of warfarin and indomethacin is described. In patients on warfarin, non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should be avoided as far as possible. If NSAIDs are absolutely necessary, patients should be closely monitored for prolongation of INR and bleeding.
MISDIAGNOSES IN A CHINESE NARCOLEPTIC PATIENT WITH DELAYED ONSET OF CATAPLEXY
Authors: Chung WS , Wing YK , Chiu HFK , Lee TS , Chen CN 
Published: April 2023

SUMMARYNarcolepsy is a chronic condition that usually afflicts the patient for decades. It is more common than is generally appreciated. However, it is likely to be misdiagnosed because doctors are unfamiliar with some of the symptoms. Its significant socioeconomic impact on the patient's quality of life warrants prompt medical attention.
A RANDOMISED, DOUBLE‐BLIND, PARALLEL‐GROUP COMPARISON OF VENLAFAXINE AND DOTHIEPIN IN GERIATRIC PATIENTS WITH MAJOR DEPRESSION
Authors: Mahapatra SN , Hackett D 
Published: April 2023

SUMMARYThis randomised, double‐blind study conducted at nine sites in the UK and the Netherlands compared the safety and antidepressant efficacy of venlafaxine and dothiepin. Ninety‐two geriatric patients (aged 64‐87 years) with major depression were randomly assigned to receive either venlafaxine or dothiepin for up to 43 days. The dose of venlafaxine or dothiepin was titrated up to a maximum of 150 mg per day for the first 15 days, and thereafter could range from 50 to 150 mg per day. Adjusted mean scores on the MADRS and the HAM‐D decreased significantly (p 0.05) from baseline to the end of the study in both groups. A response to therapy was observed in 60% of patients in the venlafaxine group and 53% of patients in the dothiepin group on the MADRS, and in 60% of patients in both groups on the HAM‐D. Suicidal ideation scores on the MADRS were significantly (p=0.042) lower in the venlafaxine group at week 6. Treatment‐emergent study events were the primary reason for withdrawal in only 7% of venlafaxine‐treated patients and 8% of dothiepin‐treated patients. The results confirm the efficacy and tolerability of venlafaxine for treating major depression in the elderly.
HELICOBACTER PYLORI ERADICATION ‐ COMPARISON OF THREE DRUG REGIMENS AND SYMPTOMATIC ASSESSMENT IN DUODENITIS AND ANTRAL GASTRITIS
Authors: Tan WC , Hogan J , Purkayastha S Kar , Lombard M , Krasner N 
Published: April 2023

SUMMARYHelicobacter pylori (Hp) eradication in peptic ulcer disease is associated with a greatly reduced recurrence rate. The optimal drug regimen for Hp eradication remains uncertain. It is also unclear if eradication of Hp in duodenitis and antral gastritis improves symptoms. The aims of this study were to compare the efficacy of three drug regimens in the eradication of Hp and to assess if Hp eradication improved symptoms in patients with duodenitis and antral gastritis. Patients (n=79) found to have duodenal ulcer, duodenitis and/or antral gastritis with a positive urease test (CLO) at endoscopy were allocated to one of three regimens: A. omeprazole 20 mg b.d. and clarithromycin 500 mg t.d.s. for two weeks (n=27), B. De‐Nol 240 mg b.d. for four weeks, metronidazole 400 mg t.d.s. and amoxicillin 500 mg t.d.s. for one week (n=26), and C. omeprazole 20 mg b.d. and amoxicillin 500 mg t.d.s. for two weeks (n=26). In conclusion, traditional ‘triple’ therapy with bismuth and two antibiotics achieved the highest Hp eradication rate and was best tolerated. Recolonisation with Hp was uncommon after eradication. Dyspeptic symptoms improved with Hp eradication in duodenitis and antral gastritis.
AUDIT OF OXYGEN THERAPY
Authors: Gravil JH , O'Neill VJP , Stevenson RD 
Published: April 2023

SUMMARYWe audited the use of oxygen in our hospital. Over three days we found 119 patients using oxygen, 21 wearing their mask incorrectly or not at all. The commonest indication was chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Forty patients had no record of arterial gas analysis. Of those who had, 29 did not require oxygen and the average time from last arterial gas analysis was 5.7 days and only eight patients were being monitored with an oximeter. Taking into account the risk of exacerbating carbon dioxide retention and the problems that arise when discharging a patient who has been receiving oxygen therapy for the duration of their admission, we feel oxygen therapy should only be administered with the knowledge of the arterial gases and with frequent reassessment during therapy.
AUDIT OF ONCE‐DAILY DOSING GENTAMICIN THERAPY IN NEUTROPENIC FEVER
Authors: Cooke RPD , Grace RJ , Gover PA 
Published: April 2023

SUMMARYDuring a 12‐month study, 42 adult patients with febrile neutropenia (granulocytes <1 × 109/l) were treated with once‐daily gentamicin (5 mg/kg). Serum gentamicin trough levels were measured 24 hours after the first dose, then twice weekly if <1 mg/l. Gentamicin was halved if the trough level was 1‐2 mg/l and usually stopped if >2 mg/l. One hundred and sixty samples were assayed: 122 (76%) <1 mg/l, 27 (17%) I‐2 mg/l and 11 (7%) >2 mg/l. All 1‐2 mg/l samples and three of the >2 mg/l samples (taken at the wrong time) reverted to <1 mg/l with dosage adjustment. The protocol proved simple and effective with a low incidence of gentamicin‐associated nephrotoxicity (7%) and no sepsis‐related deaths.
HENOCH‐SCHONLEIN PURPURA ASSOCIATED WITH RANITIDINE
Authors: Prajapati C , Casson IF 
Published: April 2023

SUMMARYRanitidine is one of the widely prescribed H2 receptor antagonists in the treatment of peptic ulcer. It is well tolerated and has few side‐effects. Vasculitic rash occurring in association with ranitidine has been described.1 We report a case of a 39‐year‐old man who developed a purpuric rash, polyarthritis, abdominal pain, melaena and impaired renal function characteristic of Henoch‐Schonlein purpura, following treatment with ranitidine.
SLIPPING RIB SYNDROME: AN OVERLOOKED CAUSE OF CHEST AND ABDOMINAL PAIN
Authors: Lum‐Hee N , Abdulla AJJ 
Published: April 2023

SUMMARYSlipping rib syndrome is a poorly recognised cause of chest and abdominal pain. It occurs principally in the middle‐aged but may occur at any age. It is equally common in men and women and is frequently confused with other serious causes of chest and abdominal pain. Patients are often subjected to extensive and sometimes invasive needless investigation for unexplained symptoms. Greater awareness of this syndrome among clinicians could save both patient and doctor time and unnecessary concern. Two case reports are presented.
A CASE OF RELAPSING PSITTACOSIS ASSOCIATED WITH A STROKE
Authors: Vassallo M , Shepherd RJ 
Published: April 2023

SUMMARYPsittacosis, caused by Chlamydia psittaci, is mainly associated with an atypical pneumonia. We report a case of psittacosis where onset of respiratory symptoms was soon followed by the onset of focal neurological signs, a very uncommon feature. Despite adequate treatment with erythromycin, the patient relapsed when re‐exposed to a sick pet bird. A prolonged course of doxycycline led to resolution of the pneumonia, but it is important to recall that successful management must also include the elimination of the precipitating cause of the infection.
COMPARATIVE EFFICACY AND TOLERABILITY OF NISOLDIPINE COAT CORE AND HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE IN MILD‐TO‐MODERATE HYPERTENSION
Authors: Fodor JG 
Published: April 2023

SUMMARYThis study compared the efficacy and tolerability of nisoldipine coat core (CC) 10‐40 mg o.d. and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) 25‐50 mg o.d. Patients with mild‐to‐moderate essential hypertension received either nisoldipine CC 10 mg o.d. or HCTZ 25 mg o.d. Treatment was titrated at two‐weekly intervals as necessary. The primary efficacy endpoint was a defined reduction in diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Response rates were similar for both the nisoldipine CC‐ and HCTZ‐treated groups (74% and 70%, respectively). Secondary efficacy endpoints were reductions in both diastolic and systolic blood pressures (SBP). At treatment endpoint, the change from baseline in SBP was 16.2 mmHg for the nisoldipine CC group and 14.9 mmHg for the HCTZ group. Both drugs were well tolerated, and adverse events were generally minor and typical of these antihypertensive agents. Drug‐related adverse events were greater in the nisoldipine CC‐ than the HCTZ‐treated patients (50% and 37%, respectively). Nisoldipine CC was shown to demonstrate antihypertensive efficacy similar to HCTZ in the treatment of mild‐to‐moderate hypertension.
THE IMPACT OF PRE‐CLERKING CLINICS ON SURGICAL OPERATION CANCELLATIONS: A PROSPECTIVE AUDIT
Authors: Jones AR , Sandison AJP , Owen WJ 
Published: April 2023

SUMMARYPre‐clerking of all patients undergoing elective general surgical operations was introduced at our hospital in an attempt to reduce an unacceptably high operation cancellation rate. A prospective audit has been performed on the effect of this policy on the cancellation rate. Before the introduction of pre‐clerking there was a marked seasonal variation in the number of patients who failed to attend for surgery, which could be explained by absence on holiday. This seasonal variation disappeared after the start of pre‐clerking clinics, but there has been no reduction in the number of cancellations for medical reasons.
SUICIDE ATTEMPT DUE TO METOCLOPRAMIDE‐INDUCED AKATHISIA
Authors: Chow LY , Chung D , Leung V , Leung TF , Leung CM 
Published: April 2023

SUMMARYAkathisia as a side‐effect of metoclopramide has received increasing attention in consultation‐liaison psychiatry in recent years. A case of metoclopramide‐induced akathisia resulting in a suicide attempt is reported in order to highlight the suffering of such patients and the factors that lead to misdiagnosis.
APATHETIC THYROTOXICOSIS
Authors: Feroze M , May H 
Published: April 2023

SUMMARYA previously fit 37‐year‐old woman was admitted with acute left ventricular failure, atrial fibrillation and a left‐sided thromboembolic stroke. Her ventricular rate progressively increased despite full digitalisation. She had a cardiac arrest and was successfully resuscitated. Investigations revealed evidence of hyperthyroidism and she was treated for thyrotoxic crisis. She has made a complete recovery from the hemiparesis and is now in sinus rhythm. She denied any symptoms of hyperthyroidism. This patient had apathetic thyroid crisis, which is exceedingly rare in the young.
ORAL DISOPYRAMIDE IN THE TREATMENT OF RECURRENT NEUROCARDIOGENIC SYNCOPE
Authors: Bhaumick SK , Morgan S , Mondal BK 
Published: April 2023

SUMMARYIn neurocardiogenic syncope the normal compensatory response on assuming an upright posture is interrupted after several minutes and replaced by a paradoxical withdrawal of sympathetic activity and increased parasympathetic activity. The resulting reduction in blood pressure is severe, sympathetic activity is inhibited, plasma norepinephrine levels do not increase and the heart rate decreases. The defect is a paradoxical interruption of sympathetic excitation associated with parasympathetic excitation, causing profound vasodilatation and bradycardia. Disopyramide has been shown not only to treat the bradycardia but also to control the hypotension.
THERAPEUTIC EQUIVALENCE OF DICLOFENAC SUSTAINED‐RELEASED 75 MG TABLETS AND DICLOFENAC ENTERIC‐COATED 50 MG TABLETS IN THE TREATMENT OF PAINFUL OSTEOARTHRITIS
Authors: Le Loët X , Dreiser R‐L , Le Gros V , Febvre N 
Published: April 2023

SUMMARYEfficacy and tolerability of diclofenac sustained‐released (SR) 75 mg tablets taken b.i.d. were compared with that of enteric‐coated diclofenac sodium 50 mg tablets given t.i.d. in a seven‐day, randomised, double‐blind, double‐dummy, parallel groups study in 294 outpatients suffering from painful femorotibial or hip osteoarthritis. Primary efficacy criteria were spontaneous joint pain assessed on serial visual analogue scales during the first 36 hours and after 48 hours of treatment. The two treatments had equivalent efficacy since all the 90% confidence intervals of differences between means for pain intensity between the two groups were included within the interval (‐10 mm; +10 mm). Rates of overall efficacy judged good to excellent ranged from 74.3‐78.5% in both groups. One or more drug‐related adverse events, mainly gastrointestinal, was reported by 24.5% and 27.2% of patients in diclofenac SR 75 mg and diclofenac 50 mg groups, respectively. Percentage of good compliance (i.e. >90%) was higher with diclofenac SR 75 mg (p<0.001).
FOSINOPRIL NATIONAL SURVEY: A POST‐MARKETING SURVEILLANCE STUDY OF FOSINOPRIL (STARILTM) IN GENERAL PRACTICE IN THE UK
Authors: Edwards C , Blowers DA , Pover GM 
Published: April 2023

SUMMARYThis open, non‐comparative, PMS study of fosinopril (StarilTM) involved 12,067 hypertensive patients assessed at baseline and after two and six months of treatment; 10,791 patients provided evaluable data with 5.2 months average treatment totalling 4667 patient‐years. Adverse events were reported in 24% of patients, the most common being mild‐to‐moderate cough (6.05%). Events considered possibly related to fosinopril were reported in 15% of patients, the frequency being lower in younger patients, males and those receiving fosinopril monotherapy. Patient well‐being improved during the study. At the end of the study, most patients were taking fosinopril 10 mg once daily. Mean reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressures were ‐11.0% and ‐11.7%, respectively; 71.3% of patients were ‘responders’. No important differences were observed between subgroups. This study found fosinopril to be effective, well tolerated in a broad range of hypertensive patients, and with no previously unrecognised adverse events reported.
SUBGLOTTIC STENOSIS SECONDARY TO TUBERCULOSIS
Authors: Almeyda J , Tolley NS , Ghufoor K , Mochoulis G 
Published: April 2023

SUMMARYAlthough the incidence of laryngeal tuberculosis has been declining over the past 30 years, it should still be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with laryngeal pathology. In contrast to the pre‐chemotherapy era, few, if any, signs of pulmonary tuberculosis are seen in such cases, and presentation is similar to either chronic non‐specific laryngitis or carcinoma. The subglottis is a site rarely involved in laryngeal tuberculosis. Tissue biopsy and culture are diagnostic and a full course of antituberculous chemotherapy usually resolves the condition. Airway insufficiency due to fibrosis, however, often necessitates surgical Intervention. We present a case where the only laryngeal manifestation of tuberculosis was subglottic stenosis.
OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA IN A CHEESE PACKER
Authors: Fawcett IW 
Published: April 2023

SUMMARYOccupational asthma is an increasingly common clinical problem.1 A worker who develops asthma for the first time when starting work in a new environment may be straightforward to diagnose. However, when asthma occurs after a latent period following initial exposure, or when a pre‐existing asthmatic develops work‐related symptoms, the occupational link may be less easy to appreciate. This case report concerns a cheese factory worker with pre‐existing asthma who experienced severe symptoms when a new process was introduced for drying grated cheese and was able to return to work only after the process was modified. The drying agent responsible has not been previously reported as a cause of asthma.
PRIMARY HYPOTHYROIDISM WITH HYPER‐PROLACTINAEMIA AND PITUITARY ENLARGEMENT MIMICKING A PITUITARY MACROADENOMA
Authors: Özbey N , Sariyildiz E , Yilmaz L , Orhan Y , Sencer E , Molvalilar S 
Published: April 2023

SUMMARYHyperprolactinaemia can occur in patients with hypothyroidism. A 32‐year‐old woman with primary hypothyroidism presented with amenorrhoea and galactorrhoea of two years' duration. She had hyperprolactinaemia, low basal morning cortisol levels and evidence of a pituitary macroadenoma on magnetic resonance imaging. Therapy with L‐thyroxine resulted in induction of regular menses, resolution of galactorrhoea, normalisation of hormone levels and disappearance of the image of pituitary macroadenoma. It seems that enlargement of the pituitary due to thyrotroph and/or lactotroph cell hyperplasia secondary to hypothyroidism is responsible for this ‘pseudotumour’ image on radiological study. Recovery of her low basal cortisol values during treatment could also be explained by the dissolution of the pressure effect of enlarged pituitary in addition to the regression of hypothyroidism. In subjects with primary hypothyroidism and hyperprolactinaemia and pituitary enlargement, thyroid hormone replacement should be a first line treatment preceding pituitary surgery and bromocriptine use.