bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification of sequence polymorphisms in the D-loop region of mitochondrial DNA as valuable biomarkers for salivary gland tumors: an observational study
Authors: Singh Hanspal , Kumar Somesh , Urs Aadithya B. , Kapoor Seema 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background
Salivary gland tumor frequency in the head and neck region is quite less and mostly benign. However, pathogenesis is associated with oxidative stress in the mitochondria. Hence, we are aiming to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP)/single nucleotide variants (SNV) in the mitochondrial DNA D-loop region of salivary gland tumors (SGT). We analyzed 19 biopsied tissue (formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded) tumors, i.e., pleomorphic adenoma-5, mucoepidermoid carcinoma-6, adenoid cystic carcinoma-5, and polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma-3. This extracted DNA was amplified to visualize the entire D-loop region of the mitochondrial genome of SGT.

Results
The three hotspot mutation were noticed at 16,519 (thymine-cytosine) (number = 10), 73 (adenine-guanine) (number = 8), and 195 (thymine-adenine) (number = 4) in the D-loop in salivary gland tumors. We observed novel synonymous mutation in the 195 region of mitochondrial D-loop, which is a novel as per Mitomap (a human mitochondrial genomic database).

Conclusions
We hypothesized that the biological behavior of SGT is majorly dependent upon the stress level at mitochondria in the D-loop region. SNPs noted in mt-DNA should be noted as a pivotal biomarker for the progression or metastasis of SGT in individuals at risk.
Ultrasonographic detection of enthesitis and its relation to clinical manifestations among Egyptian systemic sclerosis patients
Authors: El-Leithy Sally A. , Hammoda Rasha M. , Othman Amal I. , El-Gharbawy Nermin H. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundSystemic sclerosis is a complex multi-systemic autoimmune disease with a wide range of its clinical manifestations; many systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients develop musculoskeletal manifestations during their course of illness. The aim of the study is to assess the prevalence of sonographically detected entheseal alterations in a case-control study of systemic sclerosis patients and to evaluate the relationship between the presence of these alterations and the clinical systemic manifestations. Patients and controls were evaluated using B mode and power Doppler ultrasonography to detect presence of enthesitis and were scored using Madrid Sonography Enthesitis Index (MASEI).ResultsIn SSc patients, the MASEI score was significantly higher than in control (P< 0.0001). Enthesitis was more prevalent among SSc patients compared to healthy controls, SSc patients with enthesitis had significantly more prevalence of diffuse subtypes (P< 0.001).SSc patients had significantly more prevalence of interstitial pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) (P< 0.001), digital ulcers (P< 0.001), pulmonary hypertension (P< 0.001), and arthralgia and arthritis (P< 0.001). Regarding nailfold capillaroscopy pattern, late pattern was significantly more prevalent among patients with enthesitis (P= 0.008). Age, ESR level, and modified Rodnan skin score were predictors for MASEI score.ConclusionsUltrasound features of enthesopathy were frequently presented in systemic sclerosis patients. The enthesopathy was correlated with inflammation and disease complications.
Did the Universe experience a pressure non-crushing type cosmological singularity in the recent past?
Authors: Odintsov S. D. , Oikonomou V. K. 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
In the recent literature it has been shown that the H
0 tension may be eliminated if an abrupt physics transition changed the Cepheid parameters in the near past of the Universe, nearly 70–150 Myrs ago. In this letter we stress the possibility that this abrupt transition was caused by the smooth passage of our Universe through a pressure finite-time cosmological singularity. Being a non-crushing type singularity the pressure singularity can leave its imprints in the Universe, since it occurs globally and literally everywhere. We discuss how this scenario could easily be realized by F(R) gravity, with the strong energy conditions being satisfied without the need for a scalar field or specific matter fluids. We also stress the fact that the pressure singularity can affect the effective gravitational constant of F(R) gravity. Moreover, we stress the fact that pressure singularities can disrupt the trajectories of bound objects in the Universe, which is also pointed out in the literature, even in the context of general relativity. We also show numerically in a general relativistic framework that elliptic trajectories are distorted and changed to different elliptic trajectories when the Universe passes through the pressure singularity. Such a disruption of the trajectories could have tidal effects on the surface of the Earth, for example on sea waters and oceans, regarding the distortion of Moon's elliptic trajectory. Accordingly, the distortion of Earth's trajectory around the Sun could have affected climatologically the Earth 70–150 Myrs ago.
Effect of a 3-Week Treatment with GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Vasoactive Hormones in Euvolemic Participants
Authors: Vukajlovic Tanja , Sailer Clara O , Asmar Ali , Jensen Boye L , Vogt Deborah R , Christ-Crain Mirjam , Winzeler Bettina 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Context
Glucagon-like-peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) exert cardiovascular benefits by reducing plasma glucose, body weight, and blood pressure. The blood pressure–lowering effect may be mediated by angiotensin II (ANG II) suppression and consecutive natriuresis. However, the role of ANG II and other vasoactive hormones on GLP-1 RA treatment has not been clearly defined.

Objective
This work aimed to investigate the effect of a 3-week treatment with the GLP-1 RA dulaglutide on vasoactive hormones, that is, renin, ANG II, aldosterone, mid-regional proatrial natriuretic peptide (MP-proANP), and natriuresis in euvolemic participants.

Methods
Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover trials were conducted at University Hospital Basel, Switzerland. A total of 54 euvolemic participants, including 20 healthy individuals and 34 patients with primary polydipsia, received a subcutaneous injection of dulaglutide (Trulicity) 1.5 mg and placebo (0.9% sodium chloride) once weekly over a 3-week treatment phase.

Results
After a 3-week treatment phase, dulaglutide showed no effect on plasma renin, plasma ANG II, or plasma aldosterone levels in comparison to placebo. Natriuresis remained unchanged or decreased on dulaglutide depending on the measured parameter. Dulaglutide significantly decreased plasma MR-proANP levels (treatment effect: 10.60 pmol/L; 95% CI, –14.70 to –7.90; P &lt; .001) and systolic blood pressure (median: 3 mm Hg; 95% CI, –5 to 0; P = .036), whereas heart rate increased (median: 5 bpm; 95% CI, 3-11; P &lt; .001).

Conclusion
In euvolemic participants, a 3-week treatment of dulaglutide reduced systolic blood pressure independently of plasma renin, ANG II, or aldosterone levels and urinary sodium excretion. The reduction in MR-proANP might be secondary to reduced arterial pulse pressure.
Headache in Pregnancy and Lactation
Authors: Rayhill Melissa 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE OF REVIEW
This article discusses the many tools available for the treatment of pregnant and postpartum patients with headache. Adequate treatment of headache is an essential part of good prenatal and postnatal care.

RECENT FINDINGS
New therapies such as the calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibodies, lasmiditan, direct calcitonin gene-related peptide antagonists, and neuromodulation devices are available for the treatment of headache. This article contextualizes these new therapies in practice as they relate to the treatment of migraine in pregnancy and lactation.

SUMMARY
Headache is common in pregnancy, and neurologists should be prepared to care for pregnant patients with headache. Preconception counseling is an important part of providing safe care to patients of childbearing potential with headache. Identifying potentially dangerous secondary headache syndromes during pregnancy and the puerperium is also essential. The repertoire of available acute and preventive headache treatments is expanding. It is important to discuss the effectiveness and safety of these therapies in the context of individual patient circumstances during pregnancy and lactation in coordination with the patient’s obstetric team.
Neurologic Complications of Obstetric Anesthesia
Authors: Waters Janet F. R. 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE OF REVIEW
The advantages of neuraxial anesthesia over general anesthesia in the obstetric population are well established. Some neurologic conditions have the potential to lower the safety threshold for administration of neuraxial anesthesia, whereas others require special consideration before using general anesthesia. The aim of this article is to help neurologists determine when neuraxial anesthesia can be safely administered and when it is inadvisable.

RECENT FINDINGS
Neuraxial anesthesia can usually be given safely in most pregnant patients with neurologic disease. Patients with mass lesions causing increased intracranial pressure or spinal tumors at the site of neuraxial needle placement and patients on anticoagulant medication are the exceptions. Post–dural puncture headaches and obstetric nerve injuries are the most common complications of neuraxial anesthesia and resolve in most patients. Other complications, including epidural hematoma, meningitis, and epidural abscess, are rare but devastating.

SUMMARY
This article provides a review of neurologic diseases that may affect the decision-making process for anesthesia during delivery. It discusses the neurologic complications that can occur because of obstetric anesthesia and how to recognize them and describes obstetric nerve injuries and how to distinguish these relatively benign injuries from more serious complications.
Health Care and Education Access of Transnational Children in Mexico
Authors: Amuedo-Dorantes Catalina , Juarez Laura 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBetween 2001 and 2018, more than 5.5 million Mexican migrants were removed from the United States or returned to Mexico with their families as immigration enforcement escalated. Learning how this transition affected their children—also referred to as “the invisibles”—is a policy-relevant topic for both the United States and Mexico. Using representative data on 7.6 million Mexican- and U.S.-born children from the 2015 Mexican Intercensal Survey, we provide evidence of the gaps in access to education and health care between these two groups and of the factors potentially responsible for the existing barriers. Relative to children born in Mexico, U.S.-born children are at a considerable disadvantage in terms of health care access, but less so in terms of education. Lack of a Mexican-issued birth certificate is among the persistent factors responsible for the gaps in services. Policies aimed at changing the approach to immigration enforcement in the United States, lessening paperwork requirements in Mexico, and easing access to documentation in both countries could improve transnational children's access to basic services, as well as their present and long-term well-being.
Live imaging of avian epiblast and anterior mesendoderm grafting reveals the complexity of cell dynamics during early brain development
Authors: Yoshihi Koya , Kato Kagayaki , Iida Hideaki , Teramoto Machiko , Kawamura Akihito , Watanabe Yusaku , Nunome Mitsuo , Nakano Mikiharu , Matsuda Yoichi , Sato Yuki , Mizuno Hidenobu , Iwasato Takuji , Ishii Yasuo , Kondoh Hisato 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACT
Despite previous intensive investigations on epiblast cell migration in avian embryos during primitive streak development before stage (st.) 4, this migration at later stages of brain development has remained uninvestigated. By live imaging of epiblast cells sparsely labeled with green fluorescence protein, we investigated anterior epiblast cell migration to form individual brain portions. Anterior epiblast cells from a broad area migrated collectively towards the head axis during st. 5-7 at a rate of 70-110 µm/h, changing directions from diagonal to parallel and forming the brain portions and abutting head ectoderm. This analysis revised the previously published head portion precursor map in anterior epiblasts at st. 4/5. Grafting outside the brain precursor region of mCherry-expressing nodes producing anterior mesendoderm (AME) or isolated AME tissues elicited new cell migration towards ectopic AME tissues. These locally convergent cells developed into secondary brains with portions that depended on the ectopic AME position in the anterior epiblast. Thus, anterior epiblast cells are bipotent for brain/head ectoderm development with given brain portion specificities. A brain portion potential map is proposed, also accounting for previous observations.
Ezrin knockdown reduces procaterol-stimulated ciliary beating without morphological changes in mouse airway cilia
Authors: Kawaguchi Kotoku , Nakayama Shogo , Saito Daichi , Kogiso Haruka , Yasuoka Kasane , Marunaka Yoshinori , Nakahari Takashi , Asano Shinji 
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACT
Mucociliary clearance, which is conducted by beating cilia cooperating with the surface mucous layer, is a major host defense mechanism of the airway epithelium. Ezrin, a crosslinker between membrane proteins and the actin cytoskeleton, is located in microvilli and around the basal bodies in airway ciliary cells. It is also likely that ezrin plays an important role in apical localization of β2 adrenergic receptor (β2AR) in airway ciliary cells. Here, we studied the physiological roles of ezrin by using trachea and airway epithelial cells prepared from ezrin-knockdown (Vil2kd/kd) mice. The trachea and airway ciliary cells of Vil2kd/kd mice presented a normal morphology and basal body orientation, suggesting that ezrin is not directly involved in development and planar cell polarity of cilia. Procaterol stimulates ciliary beating (frequency and amplitude) via β2AR in the airway ciliary cells. In the Vil2kd/kd mice, airway ciliary beating stimulated with procaterol was partly inhibited due to the impairment of cell surface expression of β2AR. These results suggest that ezrin regulates the beating of airway ciliary cells by promoting the apical surface localization of β2AR.
This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Impact of an ultra-low dose unenhanced planning scan on CT coronary angiography scan length and effective radiation dose
Authors: Duerden Laura , O’Brien Helen , Doshi Susan , Charters Pia , King Laurence , Hudson Benjamin. J , Rodrigues Jonathan Carl Luis 
Published: February 2022

Objective Imaged scan length (z-axis coverage) is a simple parameter that can reduce CT dose without compromising image quality. In CT coronary angiography (CTCA), z-axis coverage may be planned using non-contrast calcium score scan (CaCS) to identify the relevant coronary anatomy. However, standardised Agatston CaCS is acquired at 120 kV which adds a relatively high contribution to total study dose and CaCS is no longer routinely recommended in UK guidelines. We evaluate an ultra-low dose unenhanced planning scan on CTCA scan length and effective radiation dose. Methods: An ultra-low dose tin filter (Sn-filter) planning scan (100 kVp, maximum iterative reconstruction) was performed and used to plan the z-axis coverage on 48 consecutive CTCAs (62% men, 62 ± 13 years) compared with 47 CTCA planned using a localiser alone (46% men, 59 ± 12 years) between May and June 2019. Excess scanning beyond the ideal scan length was calculated for both groups. Estimations of radiation dose were also compared between the two groups. Results: Addition of an ultra-low dose unenhanced planning scan to CTCA protocol was associated with reduction in overscanning with no impact on image quality. There was no significant difference in total study effective dose with the addition of the planning scan, which had an average dose–length product of 3 mGy.cm. (total study dose: Protocol A 2.1 mSv vs Protocol B 2.2 mSv, p = 0.92). Conclusion: An ultra-low dose unenhanced planning scan facilitates optimal scan length for the diagnostic CTCA, reducing overscanning and preventing incomplete cardiac imaging with no significant dose penalty or impact on image quality. Advances in knowledge: An ultra-low dose CTCA planning is feasible and effective at optimising scan length.
Medical student Interest in expanded transgender gynecologic education
Authors: Wright Danielle , Campedelli Alexandra 
Published: February 2022

Background: The purpose of this study was to use survey data to better understand medical students’ comfort in taking care of transgender patients and to determine whether this is an area that needs to be expanded upon in their curriculum. Methods: Eight pre-clerkship medical students participated in a virtual two-week course about gynecologic transgender care which included a mix of self-paced learning combined with two days of interactive faculty-led sessions. Students were asked to complete a pre and post course survey evaluating their comfort in caring for transgender individuals. Results: Students’ knowledge about the gynecologic needs of transgender individuals significantly improved after taking the course with the average student rating before and after the course being 2.38 ± 0.74 (p<0.05) and 4.25 ± 0.46 (p<0.05), respectively. In addition, 100% of students “agreed” or “strongly agreed” that this course built their confidence in taking care of transgender patients in the clinical setting. Conclusions: This study highlights a potential gap in medical education while also emphasizing that knowledge on this special population can enhance physician confidence when caring for transgender individuals.
Spatio-temporal distribution of antimalarial drug resistant gene mutations in a Plasmodium falciparum parasite population from Kilifi, Kenya: A 25-year retrospective study
Authors: Omedo Irene , Bartilol Brian , Kimani Domtila , Gonçalves Sónia , Drury Eleanor , Rono Martin K. , Abdi Abdirahman I. , Almagro-Garcia Jacob , Amato Roberto , Pearson Richard D. , Ochola-Oyier Lynette Isabella , Kwiatkowski Dominic , Bejon Philip 
Published: February 2022

Background: Antimalarial drug resistance is a major obstacle to sustainable malaria control. Here we use amplicon sequencing to describe molecular markers of drug resistance in Plasmodium falciparum parasites from Kilifi county in the coastal region of Kenya over a 25-year period. Methods: We performed P. falciparum amplicon sequencing on 1162 malaria-infected blood samples collected between 1994 and 2018 to identify markers of antimalarial drug resistance in the Pfcrt, Pfdhfr, Pfdhps, Pfmdr1, Pfexo, Pfkelch13, plasmepsin 2/3, Pfarps10, Pffd, and Pfmdr2 genes. We further interrogated parasite population structure using a genetic barcode of 101 drug resistance-unrelated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) distributed across the genomes of 1245 P. falciparum parasites. Results: Two major changes occurred in the parasite population over the 25 years studied. In 1994, approximately 75% of parasites carried the marker of chloroquine resistance, CVIET. This increased to 100% in 1999 and then declined steadily, reaching 6.7% in 2018. Conversely, the quintuple mutation form of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine resistance increased from 16.7% in 1994 to 83.6% in 2018. Several non-synonymous mutations were identified in the Kelch13 gene, although none of them are currently associated with artemisinin resistance. We observed a temporal increase in the Pfmdr1 NFD haplotype associated with lumefantrine resistance, but observed no evidence of piperaquine resistance. SNPs in other parts of the genome showed no significant temporal changes despite the marked changes in drug resistance loci over this period. Conclusions: We identified substantial changes in molecular markers of P. falciparum drug resistance over 25 years in coastal Kenya, but no associated changes in the parasite population structure.
Przekład naukowy a obrazowanie: badania wstępne nad subiektywnymi aspektami znaczenia w prozie naukowej z wykorzystaniem kilku tłumaczeń tego samego tekstu źródłowego
Authors: Wiraszka Łukasz 
Published: February 2022

Artykuł przedstawia badania wstępne nad subiektywnymi aspektami znaczenia w przekładzie tekstu naukowego z wykorzystaniem materiału składającego się z jednego tekstu źródłowego w języku angielskim oraz jego pięciu polskich przekładów. Wyniki analizy semantycznej w kategoriach wymiarów obrazowania Ronalda Langackera – narzędzia stworzonego na potrzeby opisu subiektywnych aspektów znaczenia językowego, lecz dotychczas stosowanego głównie do badania semantycznych „detali” w przekładzie literatury pięknej – pokazują, że sposób widzenia określonych treści przez autora ulega w przekładzie naukowym różnym wypaczeniom. Wobec niezaprzeczalnej roli przekładu w rozwoju nauki oraz istotnej funkcji subiektywnych elementów tekstu naukowego można sformułować tezę, że koncepcja ekwiwalencji na poziomie obrazowania (Tabakowska 2001) ma uzasadnione zastosowanie również w przekładzie tekstu naukowego.
Uncovering Characteristic Response Paths of a Population
Authors: Song Yicheng , Sahoo Nachiketa , Srinivasan Shuba , Dellarocas Chrysanthos 
Published: February 2022

We propose an approach for uncovering characteristic response paths of a population from an individual-level multivariate time series data set. The approach is based on a model that accommodates a set of arbitrary distributions for endogenous variables and interstep intervals and variables. The model enables reliable estimation of individual-level parameters by uncovering and statistically pooling clusters of similar individuals. We show that using such a model one can distribute the response of an outcome variable to an impulse over all possible preceding activity sequences. When a few such sequences explain most of the response, they describe the population’s characteristic response paths from the impulse to the outcome. We apply the proposed approach to a customer touchpoint data set from a large multichannel specialty retailer. This application uncovers six customer segments, each with unique characteristic paths to purchase. These paths provide insights into the behavior of customers and the optimal over-time communication strategy for different customer segments. Summary of Contribution: Uncovering users’ paths through physical and virtual spaces has been of considerable interest in the computing and operations research domain. The existing research suggests a demand for visualizing the primary paths of agents through geographic, online, and activity spaces. Thus far, most of the research have developed approaches that are unique to specific domains providing insight into the domain in the process. There is a need for a general statistically robust approach that can be applied to a broad range of domains to uncover variable sequences that lead to outcomes of interest. We propose a computational approach to uncover characteristic response paths of a population from an individual-level multivariate time series data set. The approach is based on a statistical model that accommodates arbitrary and mixed set of distributions for the endogenous variables, accommodates intersession intervals and variables, and reliably estimates individuals’ parameters through statistical pooling by uncovering clusters of similar members. These features make the proposed model suitable for a large variety of real-world datasets. We show that using such a model one can extract characteristic paths over possible activity sequences starting from an impulse leading up to a target variable of interest.