bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adrenal pheochromocytoma as a rare cause of reversible left ventricular systolic dysfunction and malignant arrhythmias: a case series
Authors: Jenča Dominik , Kubánek Miloš , Kudla Michal , Solar Nevenka , Kautzner Josef 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Background
Pheochromocytoma is a neuroendocrine tumour originating from the chromaffin cells of adrenal glands or sympathetic paraganglia. It produces most frequently norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine. As a result of non-specific and variable clinical presentation, pheochromocytoma is difficult to diagnose.

Case summary
A 37-year-old female without medical history and 57-year-old male patient with diabetes, arterial hypertension, and aortic valve replacement with a mechanical prosthesis were admitted to the hospital after successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation due to ventricular fibrillation. In both patients, coronary angiography demonstrated a normal finding, and echocardiography showed left ventricular (LV) contractile dysfunction with improvement in the subsequent examination. In the first patient, the diagnosis of stress-induced cardiomyopathy was considered as the most probable cause. She was later admitted to hospital due to acute pulmonary oedema with hypertensive crisis. Echocardiography documented reversible LV systolic dysfunction with improvement after 3 days. The course of hospitalization of the male was complicated by multi-organ dysfunction syndrome comprising renal failure, paralytic ileus, and pancreatic irritation, which normalized after 2 weeks. The diagnosis of pheochromocytoma was confirmed by laboratory tests and imaging methods. After pharmacological pre-treatment with doxazosin in both patients and bisoprolol in the female, successful adrenalectomies were performed with no relapse of tumour.

Discussion
We describe an atypical clinical presentation of pheochromocytoma with initial cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation and reversible LV systolic dysfunction. Our cases underline that clinical suspicion of pheochromocytoma as a potentially correctable cause should be raised in unexplained cases of severe heart failure, ventricular arrhythmias, and cardiac arrest.
A new mass spectral library for high-coverage and reproducible analysis of the Plasmodium falciparum–infected red blood cell proteome
Authors: Siddiqui Ghizal , De Paoli Amanda , MacRaild Christopher A , Sexton Anna E , Boulet Coralie , Shah Anup D , Batty Mitchell B , Schittenhelm Ralf B , Carvalho Teresa G , Creek Darren J 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Background
Plasmodium falciparum causes the majority of malaria mortality worldwide, and the disease occurs during the asexual red blood cell (RBC) stage of infection. In the absence of an effective and available vaccine, and with increasing drug resistance, asexual RBC stage parasites are an important research focus. In recent years, mass spectrometry–based proteomics using data-dependent acquisition has been extensively used to understand the biochemical processes within the parasite. However, data-dependent acquisition is problematic for the detection of low-abundance proteins and proteome coverage and has poor run-to-run reproducibility.

Results
Here, we present a comprehensive P. falciparum–infected RBC (iRBC) spectral library to measure the abundance of 44,449 peptides from 3,113 P. falciparum and 1,617 RBC proteins using a data-independent acquisition mass spectrometric approach. The spectral library includes proteins expressed in the 3 morphologically distinct RBC stages (ring, trophozoite, schizont), the RBC compartment of trophozoite-iRBCs, and the cytosolic fraction from uninfected RBCs. This spectral library contains 87% of all P. falciparum proteins that have previously been reported with protein-level evidence in blood stages, as well as 692 previously unidentified proteins. The P. falciparum spectral library was successfully applied to generate semi-quantitative proteomics datasets that characterize the 3 distinct asexual parasite stages in RBCs, and compared artemisinin-resistant (Cam3.IIR539T) and artemisinin-sensitive (Cam3.IIrev) parasites.

Conclusion
A reproducible, high-coverage proteomics spectral library and analysis method has been generated for investigating sets of proteins expressed in the iRBC stage of P. falciparum malaria. This will provide a foundation for an improved understanding of parasite biology, pathogenesis, drug mechanisms, and vaccine candidate discovery for malaria.
Whither the Indo-Pacific? Middle power strategies from Australia, South Korea and Indonesia
Authors: Abbondanza Gabriele 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Against the backdrop of US–China superpower rivalry in the Indo-Pacific, this article assesses the visions and strategies of the region's middle powers, which remain under-examined at present. First, it briefly traces the boundaries of this research by reviewing the contested nature of the Indo-Pacific concept and the definitional complexities of middle power theory. Second, it provides a novel comparative framework to analyse Australia, South Korea and Indonesia as the region's major middle powers, exploring their goals and strategies. The framework consists of: 1) middle power categorization; 2) interconnectedness with the two superpowers; 3) vision for the Indo-Pacific; 4) resulting regional posture; and 5) capacity to implement the country's goals. Third, it assesses the ensuing implications of this analysis for the region's strategic landscape. It finds that Canberra is now firmly aligned with Washington in balancing against China, as epitomized by the Quad and AUKUS; Seoul is cautiously increasing cooperation with the US, though potentially only to protract its strategic ambiguity; and Jakarta is pursuing strategic autonomy for itself and ASEAN, with the ambitious but precarious goal of creating a ‘third way’ for the Indo-Pacific. Consequently, middle powers seem unlikely to provide an alternative platform for the region's direction in the near future, due to a number of internal divisions. By shedding light on such understudied aspects, this article addresses a gap in the scholarly literature and provides a novel contribution to the understanding of both the diverse roles of middle powers and the Indo-Pacific's evolving strategic landscape.
Diasporas as cyberwarriors: infopolitics, participatory warfare and the 2020 Karabakh war
Authors: Chernobrov Dmitry 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
How do diasporas fight online information wars during armed conflicts in their homelands? I explore this question through interviews with 30 young diaspora Armenians in seven nations about their practical experiences of online activism during the 2020 Karabakh war between Armenia and Azerbaijan. I examine their motivations for engaging in social media activism; strategies and methods of promoting the Armenian narrative; vision of the online opponent; and perceived outcomes of their efforts. Besides investigating this recent case of diaspora mobilization during armed conflict, the study offers broader conclusions about social media and participatory warfare, and about the changing roles of diasporas in international relations. I demonstrate how social media enable participatory war that is transnational, monologic, empowering and retaliatory, involving individual and networked tactics, and culturally and politically transformative. Diasporas, traditionally seen as international agents of lobbying, public diplomacy and material assistance, become important decentralized actors in global conflict infopolitics.
Rejectionist Islamism in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Saalfeld Jannis 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
This article contributes to a better understanding of the dynamics of Islamist mobilization in sub-Saharan Africa. Since the late 1980s, several African societies have witnessed significant Islamist violence. Against this background, the article provides a typology of rejectionist Islamism, a strain of Islamism that has left a major imprint both on East and West African settings. While rejectionist Islamist groups share as their common denominator the explicit negation of the nation state's legitimacy, they can be differentiated according to whether they violently challenge the state and are willing to participate in mainstream civil society. Thus, in this article I present four different types of rejectionist Islamism: ‘isolationism’, ‘militant isolationism’, ‘participatory rejectionism’ and ‘militant participatory rejectionism’. Examining rejectionist groups from four African countries, I demonstrate my typology's capacity for facilitating a fine-grained assessment of individual group trajectories over time. Finally, I present findings on the determinants of the violent radicalization of rejectionist Islamist groups.
Conciliation and Mediation in Investor-State Dispute Settlement Provisions: A Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis
Authors: Weeramantry Romesh , Chang Brian , Sherard-Chow Joel 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
The article sets out the results of an extensive review of conciliation and/or mediation in investor-State dispute settlement (ISDS) provisions contained in international investment agreements (IIAs). Out of 3815 IIAs that were initially screened, 2674 (ie 70 per cent) do not refer to such provisions. The research also revealed that while the number of IIAs signed each year with investor-State conciliation provisions have significantly decreased, IIAs signed with investor-State mediation provisions are gradually increasing. The screening identified 1125 IIAs that contain investor-State conciliation provisions, of which 806 (ie 71.6 per cent) provide advance consent to conciliation. In comparison, of the 53 IIAs that were found to contain investor-State mediation provisions, only seven (ie 13.2 per cent) offer advance consent to mediation. Advance consent to ‘conciliation or arbitration’ was identified in 703 IIAs. The authors outline arguments to show that the conjunction ‘or’ in these provisions does not give rise to a fork in the road that precludes an investor’s right to arbitration if it first initiates conciliation proceedings. Only seven IIAs were found to require conciliation and/or mediation as a mandatory precondition to arbitration. The article concludes with recommendations to increase the use of investor-State conciliation and mediation provisions in future IIAs and also to improve the quality of those provisions.
The impact of a bicuspid pulmonary valve in the aortic position after arterial switch for transposition of the great arteries on neoaortic root dimension and function: a propensity score matched analysis
Authors: Jeon Bobae , Choi Eun Seok , Kwon Bo Sang , Yun Tae-Jin , Cha Seul Gi , Baek Jae Suk , Yu Jeong Jin , Park Chun Soo 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study investigated the effect of a bicuspid pulmonary valve on neoaortic root morphology, function, and the clinical outcomes of early survivors after the arterial switch operation using propensity score matching.

METHODS
From 1997 to 2018, a total of 442 patients underwent the arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries. After exclusion of patients who underwent a staged repair, were repaired beyond 1 year of age, died before discharge and who lacked echocardiographic data at discharge, propensity score matching was used for analysis.

RESULTS
Among 352 eligible patients, 18 patients (5.1%) had a bicuspid pulmonary valve. After propensity score matching (1:4), 15 patients with bicuspid valve (bicuspid group) and 60 patients with tricuspid valve (tricuspid group) were enrolled. The median follow-up duration was 9.9 years (4 months∼22.3 years). All-cause reoperation-free survival at 10 years was 93.3% in the bicuspid group and 87.0% in the tricuspid group (P = 0.839), and reoperation for neoaortic valve or root was required in 2 patients in the bicuspid group and 1 in the tricuspid group without intergroup difference. The z-score of the neoaortic annulus did not change in either group, although there was an increasing tendency in the z-score of the neoaortic sinus without intergroup difference (P = 0.690). Deterioration in neoaortic valve function was more prominent in the bicuspid group (p = 0.028).

CONCLUSIONS
The neoaortic sinus might outgrow the norm regardless of the number of neoaortic valve cusps, whereas the neoaortic annulus remained unchanged. Deterioration of valve function was more prominent in the bicuspid group, which suggests that a bicuspid valve might play a significant role in deterioration of neoaortic valve function, without an additional effect on root pathology.
Dictionary-sparse recovery from heavy-tailed measurements
Authors: Abdalla Pedro , Kümmerle Christian 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
The recovery of signals that are sparse not in a given basis, but rather sparse with respect to an over-complete dictionary is one of the most flexible settings in the field of compressed sensing with numerous applications. As in the standard compressed sensing setting, it is possible that the signal can be reconstructed efficiently from a few linear measurements, for example, by the so-called $\ell _1$-synthesis method. However, it has been less well understood which measurement matrices provably work for this setting. Whereas in the standard setting, it has been shown that even certain heavy-tailed measurement matrices can be used in the same sample complexity regime as Gaussian matrices, comparable results are only available for the restrictive class of sub-Gaussian measurement matrices as far as the recovery of dictionary-sparse signals via $\ell _1$-synthesis is concerned. In this work, we fill this gap and establish optimal guarantees for the recovery of vectors that are (approximately) sparse with respect to a dictionary via the $\ell _1$-synthesis method from linear, potentially noisy measurements for a large class of random measurement matrices. In particular, we show that random measurements that fulfill only a small-ball assumption and a weak moment assumption, such as random vectors with i.i.d. Student-$t$ entries with a logarithmic number of degrees of freedom, lead to comparable guarantees as (sub-)Gaussian measurements. Our results apply for a large class of both random and deterministic dictionaries. As a technical tool, we show a bound on the expectation of the sum of squared order statistics under very general assumptions, which might be of independent interest. As a corollary of our results, we also obtain a slight improvement on the weakest assumption on a measurement matrix with i.i.d. rows sufficient for uniform recovery in standard compressed sensing, improving on results by Lecué and Mendelson and by Dirksen, Lecué and Rauhut.
Deformed Cartan Matrices and Generalized Preprojective Algebras I: Finite Type
Authors: Fujita Ryo , Murakami Kota 
Published: March 2022

AbstractWe give an interpretation of the $(q,t)$-deformed Cartan matrices of finite type and their inverses in terms of bigraded modules over the generalized preprojective algebras of Langlands dual type in the sense of Geiß–Leclerc–Schröer [33]. As an application, we compute the first extension groups between the generic kernels introduced by Hernandez–Leclerc [40] and propose a conjecture that their dimensions coincide with the pole orders of the normalized $R$-matrices between the corresponding Kirillov–Reshetikhin modules.
Codelivery of Antigens and Adjuvant in Polymeric Nanoparticles Coated With Native Parasite Membranes Induces Protective Mucosal Immunity Against Giardia lamblia
Authors: Zhou Jiarong , Miyamoto Yukiko , Ihara Sozaburo , Kroll Ashley V , Nieskens Noelle , Tran Vivien N , Hanson Elaine M , Fang Ronnie H , Zhang Liangfang , Eckmann Lars 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
The protozoan pathogen Giardia lamblia is an important worldwide cause of diarrheal disease and malabsorption. Infection is managed with antimicrobials, although drug resistance and treatment failures are a clinical challenge. Prior infection provides significant protection, yet a human vaccine has not been realized. Individual antigens can elicit partial protection in experimental models, but protection is weaker than after prior infection. Here, we developed a multivalent nanovaccine by coating membranes derived from the parasite onto uniform and stable polymeric nanoparticles loaded with a mucosal adjuvant. Intranasal immunization with the nanovaccine induced adaptive immunity and effectively protected mice from G. lamblia infection.
Contribution of Coronavirus-Specific Immunoglobulin G Responses to Complement Overactivation in Patients with Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019
Authors: Castanha Priscila M S , Tuttle Dylan J , Kitsios Georgios D , Jacobs Jana L , Braga-Neto Ulisses , Duespohl Matthew , Rathod Sanjay , Marti Michelle M , Wheeler Sarah , Naqvi Asma , Staines Brittany , Mellors John , Morris Alison , McVerry Bryan J , Shah Faraaz , Schaefer Caitlin , Macatangay Bernard J C , Methe Barbara , Fernandez Christian A , Barratt-Boyes Simon M , Burke Donald , Marques Ernesto T A 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Background
Excessive complement activation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but the mechanisms leading to this response remain unclear.

Methods
We measured plasma levels of key complement markers, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA and antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and seasonal human common cold coronaviruses (CCCs) in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 of moderate (n = 18) and critical severity (n = 37) and in healthy controls (n = 10).

Results
We confirmed that complement activation is systemically increased in patients with COVID-19 and is associated with a worse disease outcome. We showed that plasma levels of C1q and circulating immune complexes were markedly increased in patients with severe COVID-19 and correlated with higher immunoglobulin (Ig) G titers, greater complement activation, and higher disease severity score. Additional analyses showed that the classical pathway was the main arm responsible for augmented complement activation in severe patients. In addition, we demonstrated that a rapid IgG response to SARS-CoV-2 and an anamnestic IgG response to the nucleoprotein of the CCCs were strongly correlated with circulating immune complex levels, complement activation, and disease severity.

Conclusions
These findings indicate that early, nonneutralizing IgG responses may play a key role in complement overactivation in severe COVID-19. Our work underscores the urgent need to develop therapeutic strategies to modify complement overactivation in patients with COVID-19.
A novel Bacteroides metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) and its gene (crxA) in Bacteroides xylanisolvens revealed by genomic sequencing and functional analysis
Authors: Sóki József , Lang Uwe , Schumacher Ulrike , Nagy István , Berényi Ágnes , Fehér Tamás , Burián Katalin , Nagy Elisabeth 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Objectives
We sought to characterize the carbapenem resistance mechanism of Bacteroides xylanisolvens 14880, an imipenem-resistant strain from Germany, and assess its prevalence.

Methods
Antimicrobial susceptibilities were determined using agar dilution or Etest methodology and specific imipenemase activity was detected. The genomic sequence of B. xylanisolvens 14880 was determined and analysed for antibiotic resistance genes and genomic islands. We also used gene transfer to a carbapenem susceptible host, along with 5′-RACE, conventional PCR with capillary sequencing and RT–PCR-based screening.

Results
B. xylanisolvens 14880 displayed resistance to carbapenems and produced high specific imipenemase activity. Its genomic sequence was 6.1 Mbp and a class B1 β-lactamase gene (termed crxA) was detected in it. crxA was carried on a putative genomic island with insertion sequence (IS) elements and a putative GNAT (Gcn5-like acetyltransferase) toxin gene. Promoter localization by 5′-RACE and gene targeting to an imipenem-susceptible Bacteroides host indicated that it is activated by an IS1380-like IS element and it can confer carbapenem resistance. The PCR screening of Bacteroides strains showed that crxA was specific to B. xylanisolvens with a carriage rate of 16.7%.

Conclusions
B. xylanisolvens strains can harbour a carbapenem resistance gene, which has many similarities to the ‘cfiA system’: metallo-β-lactamase (MBL), IS element activation, carriage of a GNAT toxin gene, specific for a unique Bacteroides species with a significant prevalence.
Nitrogen-based Bisphosphonate Use and Ovarian Cancer Risk in Women Aged 50 Years and Older
Authors: Tuesley Karen M , Webb Penelope M , Protani Melinda M , Spilsbury Katrina , Pearson Sallie-Anne , Coory Michael D , Donovan Peter , Steer Christopher , Stewart Louise M , Pandeya Nirmala , Jordan Susan J 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Background
There are few readily modifiable risk factors for epithelial ovarian cancer; preclinical studies suggest bisphosphonates could have chemopreventive actions. Our study aimed to assess the association between use of nitrogen-based bisphosphonate medicine and risk of epithelial ovarian cancer, overall and by histotype.

Methods
We conducted a case-control study nested within a large, linked administrative dataset including all Australian women enrolled for Medicare, Australia’s universal health insurance scheme, between July 2002 and December 2013. We included all women with epithelial ovarian cancer diagnosed at age 50 years and older between July 1, 2004, and December 31, 2013 (n = 9367) and randomly selected up to 5 controls per case, individually matched to cases by age, state of residence, area-level socioeconomic status, and remoteness of residence category (n = 46 830). We used prescription records to ascertain use of nitrogen-based bisphosphonates (ever use and duration of use), raloxifene, and other osteoporosis medicines (no nitrogen-based bisphosphonates, strontium and denosumab). We calculated adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using conditional logistic regression.

Results
Ever use of nitrogen-based bisphosphonates was associated with a reduced risk of epithelial ovarian cancer compared with no use (OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.75 to 0.88). There was a reduced risk of endometrioid (OR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.33 to 0.79) and serous histotypes (OR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.75 to 0.93) but no association with the mucinous or clear cell histotypes.

Conclusion
Use of nitrogen-based bisphosphonates was associated with a reduced risk of endometrioid and serous ovarian cancer. This suggests the potential for use for prevention, although validation of our findings is required.
Synchronous granulosa cell tumor of the ovary and endometrial adenocarcinoma
Authors: Abuali Sarah M , Asarian Armand , Xiao Philip 
Published: March 2022

AbstractGranulosa cell tumors of the ovary are sex cord stromal tumors. Sex cord stromal tumors make up 8% of ovarian tumors. Ninety percent of sex cord stromal tumors of the ovary are granulosa cell tumors. There are two types of granulosa cell tumors: juvenile and an adult type (Jamieson and Fuller. Molecular pathogenesis of granulosa cell tumors of the ovary. Endocr Rev 2012;33:109–44). This article provides a literature review outlining histopathology, immunocytochemistry and cytogenic characteristics of adult granulosa cell tumor of the ovary and a case report of synchronous adult granulosa cell tumor of the ovary and endometrial adenocarcinoma.