bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ethacrynic acid is an inhibitor of human factor XIIIa
Authors: Kar Srabani , Vu Kayla , Mottamal Madhusoodanan , Al-Horani Rami A. 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background
Ethacrynic acid (EA) is a loop diuretic that is approved orally and parenterally to manage edema-associated diseases. Nevertheless, it was earlier reported that it is also associated with bleeding upon its parenteral administration. In this report, we investigated the effects of EA on human factor XIIIa (FXIIIa) of the coagulation process using a variety of techniques.

Methods
A series of biochemical and computational methods have been used in this study. The potency and efficacy of human FXIIIa inhibition by EA was evaluated using a bisubstrate-based fluorescence trans-glutamination assay under near physiological conditions. To establish the physiological relevance of FXIIIa inhibition by EA, the effect on FXIIIa-mediated polymerization of fibrin(ogen) as well as the formation of fibrin(ogen) – α2-antiplasmin complex was evaluated using SDS-PAGE experiments. The selectivity profile of EA against other coagulation proteins was assessed by evaluating EA’s effect on human clotting times in the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and the prothrombin time (PT) assays. We also used molecular modeling studies to put forward a putative binding mode for EA in the active site of FXIIIa. Results involving EA were the average of at least three experiments and the standard error ± 1 was provided. In determining the inhibition parameters, we used non-linear regression analysis.

Results
FXIIIa is a transglutaminase that works at the end of the coagulation process to form an insoluble, rigid, and cross-linked fibrin rich blood clot. In fact, inhibition of FXIIIa-mediated biological processes has been reported to result in a bleeding diathesis. Inhibition of FXIIIa by EA was investigated given the nucleophilic nature of the thiol-containing active site of the enzyme and the Michael acceptor-based electrophilicity of EA. In a bisubstrate-based fluorescence trans-glutamination assay, EA inhibited FXIIIa with a moderate potency (IC50 ~ 105 µM) and efficacy (∆Y ~ 66%). In SDS-PAGE experiments, EA appears to significantly inhibit the FXIIIa-mediated polymerization of fibrin(ogen) as well as the formation of fibrin(ogen) – α2-antiplasmin complex which indicates that EA affects the physiological functions of FXIIIa. Interestingly, EA did not affect the clotting times of human plasma in the APTT and the PT assays at the highest concentration tested of 2.5 mM suggesting the lack of effects on the coagulation serine proteases and potentially the functional selectivity of EA with respect to the clotting process. Molecular modeling studies demonstrated that the Michael acceptor of EA forms a covalent bond with catalytic residue of Cys314 in the active site of FXIIIa.

Conclusions
Overall, our studies indicate that EA inhibits the physiological function of human FXIIIa in vitro which may potentially contribute to the bleeding complications that were reported with the association of the parenteral administration of EA.
Quantum hybridization negative differential resistance from non-toxic halide perovskite nanowire heterojunctions and its strain control
Authors: Lee Juho , Khan Muhammad Ejaz , Kim Yong-Hoon 
Published: June 2022

AbstractWhile low-dimensional organometal halide perovskites are expected to open up new opportunities for a diverse range of device applications, like in their bulk counterparts, the toxicity of Pb-based halide perovskite materials is a significant concern that hinders their practical use. We recently predicted that lead triiodide (PbI3) columns derived from trimethylsulfonium (TMS) lead triiodide (CH3)3SPbI3 (TMSPbI3) by stripping off TMS ligands should be semimetallic, and additionally ultrahigh negative differential resistance (NDR) can arise from the heterojunction composed of a TMSPbI3 channel sandwiched by PbI3 electrodes. Herein, we computationally explore whether similar material and device characteristics can be obtained from other one-dimensional halide perovskites based on non-Pb metal elements, and in doing so deepen the understanding of their mechanistic origins. First, scanning through several candidate metal halide inorganic frameworks as well as their parental form halide perovskites, we find that the germanium triiodide (GeI3) column also assumes a semimetallic character by avoiding the Peierls distortion. Next, adopting the bundled nanowire GeI3-TMSGeI3-GeI3 junction configuration, we obtain a drastically high peak current density and ultrahigh NDR at room temperature. Furthermore, the robustness and controllability of NDR signals from GeI3-TMSGeI3-GeI3 devices under strain are revealed, establishing its potential for flexible electronics applications. It will be emphasized that, despite the performance metrics notably enhanced over those from the TMSPbI3 case, these device characteristics still arise from the identical quantum hybridization NDR mechanism.
Laparoscopic surgery for duodenal perforation due to a diverticulum with heterotopic pancreas: a case report
Authors: Tsukihara Shu , Onda Shinji , Son Kyonsu , Ito Daisuke , Kanno Hironori , Morikawa Toshiaki , Hanyu Nobuyoshi , Eto Ken 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background
Heterotopic pancreas (HP) refers to the presence of abnormally located pancreatic tissue without any anatomic or vascular continuity with the main body of the pancreas. HP can occur in the gastrointestinal tract and be complicated by gastrointestinal bleeding, pancreatitis, obstruction, or malignant generation. Specifically, perforation of the gastrointestinal tract because of HP is extremely rare.

Case presentation
A 91-year-old woman was diagnosed with duodenal perforation, and an emergency laparoscopic operation was performed. The operative findings indicated a tumor and duodenal wall perforation. The tumor and the perforated site were resected with a linear stapler. Histopathological examination revealed the presence of HP tissue in the submucosal layer around the diverticulum without any signs of inflammation. The perforated site was not covered by HP tissues, and the duodenal wall might have been weaker than the other areas, which could have caused the internal pressure to increase and led to the perforation.

Conclusions
Preoperative HP diagnosis is difficult, and it is crucial to consider HP as the differential diagnosis in gastrointestinal perforations. The duodenal diverticula can be perforated due to increased internal pressure of the duodenum caused by the imbalanced localization of HP.
A cross-sectional study design to assess the sexual experiences and contraceptive use of adolescents and youths attending high school and college in Jimma town
Authors: Tucho Gudina Terefe , Workneh Netsanet , Abera Mubarek , Abafita Jemal 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBackgroundAdolescents and youths in Ethiopia have limited access to reproductive health services designed to address their needs. Therefore, the study aims to assess adolescents' and youth’s sexual practice, contraceptive use, and behavioral patterns towards safe sexual exercise.MethodsA quantitative cross-sectional study design was used on 374 students selected from high school and vocational colleges to assess their sexual experience and contraceptive use and related perceptions using pre-tested self-administered semi-structured questionnaires. We used descriptive analyses to report their sexual and reproductive health status and logistic regression to examine the association between contraceptive use and other variables.ResultsThe results show that 52.7% of the respondents (students) migrated or moved from rural to urban to continue their high school and college education at urban. 41.7% of the respondents were with less than 18 years, of which 75.9% of them already initiated sexual intercourse. Of all the students who started sexual intercourse (51.1%), only 30.9% used contraceptives, but condom use accounts for 49.2%. Overall, 84.8% of those who practiced sexual intercourse were at risk of acquiring sexually transmitted diseases due to not using a condom. About 3% of the respondents reported unwanted pregnancy experiences, of which 64% of these pregnancies were reported to be aborted.ConclusionAdolescents and youths attending high schools and College are at increased risk of acquiring HIV and unwanted pregnancy due to low levels of contraceptive use. Specifically, a designed youths-friendly reproductive health service is needed to avert related problems and contribute to sustainable development goals.
Near is more: learning efficiency in research and development innovation among interlocking firms
Authors: Lin Yu-En , Yu Jia-Qi , Chih Hsiang-Hsuan , Ho Kung-Cheng 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Research question/issue
This study examines whether geographic proximity produces a proximity preference as interlocking firms observe each other and learn innovative behaviors through information transmission among interlocking directors.

Research findings/insights
We study the performance of A-share-listed companies in China from 2007 to 2017 on the basis of resource dependence theory, agglomeration effect theory, and Porter’s competitive theory. When target firms learn about research and development–related innovation behaviors from interlocking firms closer to them, they experience more efficient learning effects and have improved convergent traits. Moreover, this proximity advantage increases the willingness of the target firm to communicate with and learn from interlocking firms closer to them. Highly developed areas and research and development–intensive industries positively affect the learning efficiency of interlocking firms.

Theoretical/academic implications
Our conclusion is consistent with resource dependence theory; target firms in highly developed areas are more willing to imitate and study nearby interlocking firms to maintain their peer relations, innovation potential, and competitiveness. Our conclusion is also consistent with competition theory, which states that the exchange of information between target firms in highly research and development–intensive industries and distant interlocking firms increases innovation differentiation, innovation potential, and competitiveness, even when such exchange has a high cost.

Practitioner/policy implications
The results support resource dependence theory and peers' effects. The information obtained by interlocking directorates through external social relations guides firm decision-making, and closer distances reveal more obvious effects.
Can investors profit by utilizing technical trading strategies? Evidence from the Korean and Chinese stock markets
Authors: Ni Yensen , Day Min-Yuh , Cheng Yirung , Huang Paoyu 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe idea of this study is derived from observing the profitability of stock investments following the phenomena of continuously rising (or falling) prices of stocks and continuously overbought (or oversold) signals emitted by technical indicators. We employ the standard event study approach and technical trading strategies to explore whether investors would exploit profits in trading the constituent stocks of the Korea Composite Stock Price Index 50 and Shanghai Stock Exchange 50 when the aforementioned continuous phenomena occur. We find that both the Korean and Chinese stock markets are not fully efficient; this finding may enhance the robustness of the existing literature. In addition, we reveal that contrarian strategies are appropriate for the trading stocks listed on the Korean stock market for all the cases investigated in this study. However, momentum strategies are appropriate for the Chinese stock market when continuously rising stock prices and overbought signals are simultaneously observed. These findings imply that the difference in investor behaviors between the Korean and Chinese stock markets might result in dissimilar trading strategies being employed for these two markets.
The impact of carbon emission trading policy on firms’ green innovation in China
Authors: Yu Hongxin , Jiang Yaohui , Zhang Zhaowen , Shang Wen-Long , Han Chunjia , Zhao Yuanjun 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThis study aims to examine the green innovation effect of the carbon emissions pilot policy in China. First, using the difference-in-differences method and regressions of instrumental variables using the data from Chinese listed firms, we verify that the policy promotes green innovation among regulated firms and is more pronounced among state-owned enterprises, firms in the eastern region, and those with lower financing constraints. Furthermore, this positive effect spreads downstream relative to the regulated firms through input–output linkages, but reduces green innovation to upstream firms. Accordingly, such diffusion of innovation is achieved through the price mechanism. The results necessitate the introduction of various derivatives to mobilize the market to reduce the speculative volatility of carbon prices. In addition, relevant supporting policies must be established to encourage corporate innovation to reduce the crowding-out effect owing to emission reduction and the nonmarket factors.
Remimazolam anesthesia for transcatheter mitral valve repair in a patient with mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) syndrome: a case report
Authors: Kitaura Atsuhiro , Kosumi Reiko , Iwamoto Tatsushige , Nakao Shinichi 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background
Mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) syndrome is characterized by cardiac depression, respiratory failure, myopathy, and anesthesia for affected patients is challenging. Although several anesthetics have been safely employed, there are no reports on remimazolam used in those patients.

Case presentation
A 47-year-old male with MELAS syndrome was diagnosed with mitral regurgitation and scheduled for transcatheter mitral valve repair under general anesthesia. Anesthesia was induced with remimazolam and remifentanil (0.3 µg/kg/min). Remimazolam was administered at 12 mg/kg/h until loss of consciousness for approximately 1 min. Anesthesia was maintained with 1.1–1.2 mg/kg/h of remimazolam and 0.1 µg/kg/min of remifentanil without circulatory collapse or severe metabolic acidosis. The tracheal tube was removed in the operating room.

Conclusion
Remimazolam may be a new option for anesthesia for MELAS syndrome patients with depressed heart function.
A practical solution to estimate the sample size required for clinical prediction models generated from observational research on data
Authors: Baeza-Delgado Carlos , Cerdá Alberich Leonor , Carot-Sierra José Miguel , Veiga-Canuto Diana , Martínez de las Heras Blanca , Raza Ben , Martí-Bonmatí Luis 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background
Estimating the required sample size is crucial when developing and validating clinical prediction models. However, there is no consensus about how to determine the sample size in such a setting. Here, the goal was to compare available methods to define a practical solution to sample size estimation for clinical predictive models, as applied to Horizon 2020 PRIMAGE as a case study.

Methods
Three different methods (Riley’s; “rule of thumb” with 10 and 5 events per predictor) were employed to calculate the sample size required to develop predictive models to analyse the variation in sample size as a function of different parameters. Subsequently, the sample size for model validation was also estimated.

Results
To develop reliable predictive models, 1397 neuroblastoma patients are required, 1060 high-risk neuroblastoma patients and 1345 diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) patients. This sample size can be lowered by reducing the number of variables included in the model, by including direct measures of the outcome to be predicted and/or by increasing the follow-up period. For model validation, the estimated sample size resulted to be 326 patients for neuroblastoma, 246 for high-risk neuroblastoma, and 592 for DIPG.

Conclusions
Given the variability of the different sample sizes obtained, we recommend using methods based on epidemiological data and the nature of the results, as the results are tailored to the specific clinical problem. In addition, sample size can be reduced by lowering the number of parameter predictors, by including direct measures of the outcome of interest.
Claw sign of brachial plexopathy on 18F-FDG PET/CT in neurolymphomatosis following successful treatment of lymphoma
Authors: Doran Simon , Lambe Gerard , Nasoodi Afshin 
Published: June 2022

AbstractNeurolymphomatosis is a rare neurological manifestation associated with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Here we present a case of brachial plexus neurolymphomatosis in a patient with relapsed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma exquisitely demonstrated on 18F-FDG PET/CT. It highlights the characteristic imaging features and importance of multimodality imaging in diagnosing neurolymphomatosis.
Biological control of citrus canker pathogen Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri using Rangpur lime endophytic bacteria
Authors: Nugroho Yogi Adhi , Suharjono Suharjono , Widyaningsih Sri 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background
Rangpur lime (RL) is a common rootstock cultivar used worldwide. However, it is known to have a high susceptibility to citrus canker (CC). To meet the increasing demand for healthy citrus seedlings, this research aimed to study the potency of RL endophytic bacteria as a biocontrol agent of the CC pathogen Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri. The isolates were collected from healthy RL leaves and subjected to in vitro and in planta antagonistic tests against XCC, alongside its cell-free supernatant (CFS). Potential isolates were identified according to their 16S rDNA sequence similarities.

Results
As many as 21 isolates were obtained from the leaves of healthy RL trees. Two (B1 and C8) isolates demonstrated promising inhibitory activity against XCC. Based on the in vitro assays, the cell suspensions (CS) of these isolates could effectively inhibit the growth of XCC, with an optimum clear zone diameter of 8.41 and 7.51 mm, respectively. Consistent with CS, their CFSs also displayed similar antagonistic potencies against XCC with the highest clear zone recorded being 7.23 mm and 6.22 mm, respectively. Further investigations revealed that the minimum inhibitory concentration of B1 and C8 CFSs was 25 µg/ml. It was also found that both CFSs were sensitive to high heat and very low pH, but stable in the presence of proteinase-K. In the in vivo assay, both CS and CFS treatments of B1 and C8 could effectively protect the Rangpur lime from CC. Treated plants had significantly lower disease incidences and developed less severe symptoms than the control plants. Based on their 16S rDNA sequence, B1 and C8 were identified as Staphylococcus pasteuri and Staphylococcus warneri, respectively.

Conclusion
It was concluded that Staphylococcus pasteuri and Staphylococcus warneri could be promising biocontrol agents of XCC. These bacterial isolates can be used as an alternative prevention measure to CC as opposed to commonly used chemicals.
Electrolyte’s imbalance role in atrial fibrillation: Pharmacological management
Authors: Rafaqat Saira , Rafaqat Sana , Khurshid Huma , Rafaqat Simon 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe contribution of the perpetuation of atrial fibrillation is caused by electrical remodeling in which calcium, sodium and potassium channels could refer to changes in the ion channel protein expression, development of fibrosis, gene transcription and ion channel redistribution. Calcium and magnesium could influence the risk of atrial fibrillation which is the leading cause of cardiac death, heart failure and ischemic stroke. The elevated serum concentration of calcium had a higher range of in-patient’s mortality, increased total cost of hospitalization and increased length of hospital stay as compared to those without hypercalcemia in atrial fibrillation patients. Moreover, chloride channels could affect homeostasis, atrial myocardial metabolism which may participate in the development of atrial fibrillation. Up to a 50% risk of incidence of AF are higher in which left ventricular hypertrophy, sudden cardiovascular death and overall mortality relate to a low serum magnesium level. Additionally, magnesium prevents the occurrence of AF after cardiac surgery, whereas greater levels of serum phosphorus in the large population-based study and the related calcium–phosphorus products were linked with a greater incidence of AF. Numerous clinical studies had shown the high preoperative risk of AF that is linked with lower serum potassium levels. The conventional risk factor of increased risk of new onset of AF events could independently link with high dietary sodium intake which enhances the fibrosis and inflammation in the atrium but the mechanism remains unknown. Many drugs were used to maintain the electrolyte imbalance in AF patients.
Human herpesvirus 6B infection in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy: a meta-analysis
Authors: Tong Jingyi , Zou Qin , Wang Sheng , Liu Jiaqi , Chen Rong , Chen Yongmin , Zhao Wenjie , Ma Lin , Li Qifu 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background
Whether human herpesvirus 6B (HHV-6B) can affect mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) remains controversial. The present meta-analysis was aimed to evaluate whether HHV-6B is significantly associated with MTLE.

Methods
Six studies were included in this meta-analysis, comprising 183 MTLE patients and 75 controls. In these studies, HHV-6B infection in astrocytes and brain samples of MTLE patients and controls was investigated by polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence.

Results
The frequency of HHV-6B infection detection is significantly higher in the MTLE group than in the control group (OR = 9.42, 95%CI: 3.66–24.25), P < 0.00001). Although febrile convulsion is strongly associated with MTLE, the formation of febrile convulsion leading to MTLE is not associated with HHV-6B infection (OR = 2.68, 95%CI: 0.93–7.73), P = 0.07). Moreover, the HHV-6B-specific antigen is co-localized to cells positive for GFAP that morphologically resemble astrocytes. HHV-6B mainly infects astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and microglia, and could damage the vascular endothelial cells of the central nervous system.

Conclusions
There is an association between HHV-6B infection and MTLE. Future large-scale, multi-center, controlled, prospective studies are required to confirm these findings. In addition, the exact mechanism underlying the effects of HHV-6B infection on MTLE needs to be further investigated.