Association Between Altmetrics and Traditional Bibliometrics in the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association and The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery.

BACKGROUND: As the dissemination of scientific knowledge pervades social media, appraising impact with traditional bibliometrics led to the creation of alternative metrics, termed altmetrics. Lacking existent foot and ankle surgery literature altmetric analysis, we analyzed the 10 most-cited articles in the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association (JAPMA) and The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery (JFAS) in 2013 and 2017. METHODS: Citation count, Altmetric Attention Score (AAS), Mendeley Reads, and professional society-affiliated Twitter ages were collected and analyzed with descriptive statistics. Pearson correlation coefficient identified relationships between traditional and nontraditional metrics. RESULTS: The 40 articles showed a high median and large range in total citations for JAPMA (13.5 [range, 5-27]) and JFAS (28 [range, 5-69]). Media AAS Mendeley Reads also showed a high median with wide range for both JAPMA (32.5 [range, 0-135]) and JFAS (25 [range, 0-113)]. No significant correlation between total citations and AAS was seen in 2013 (r = -0.205; P = .388) or 2017 (r = -0.029; P = .903). The correlation between total citation count and Mendeley reads was significant in 2017 (r = 0.646; P = .002) but not in 2013 (r = -0.078; P = .744). Although cumulative AAS increased from 2013 to 2017 by 68.75%, with Twitter contributing most to both periods, there existed no significant correlation with Twitter age and the correlation coefficient between AAS and total citations (r = 0.655; P = .173). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this investigation show the utility and predictivity of alternative metrics in complementing traditional bibliometrics and encourage the promotion of publications through journal-specific social media.

New Parasitic Records of Aves: Phasianidae (Alectoris Chukar) in Malakand Division Northern, Pakistan.

More than 24,000 species of helminth parasitize wild birds worldwide, and this number is expanding as interest in wildlife parasitology increases. The objective of the current study was to update the baseline of helminthological surveys conducted on chukar partridges (Alectoris chukar) in northern Pakistan. After reviewing the available literature, a parasite-host association checklist was developed. Nematodes (53.8 %) were the most commonly reported parasite, followed by cestodes (15.3 %) and trematodes (15.3 %) respectively. Seventy (70) chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar) distributed across the Malakand division of northern Pakistan were screened for parasitosis during the period from October 2020 to the end of December 2021. Blood samples of all the specimens were screened for haemoprotozoa, the digestive tract was examined for protozoans and helminths. The examined birds were infected with nine different helminth parasite species identified as cestodes (4 species), trematodes (2 species) and 3 species of nematodes. 29 out of 70 birds were infected, with the male and female infection rates being 36 % and 52.1 %, respectively, with a total prevalence of 41.3 %. Among the infected birds 10 (34.4 %) contained cestodes, 2 (6.8 %) contained trematodes and 17 (58.6 %) contained nematodes. Of which Ascaridia galli and Capillaria phasianina recorded the highest prevalence (10 %). While Amoebotaenia cuneate, Choanotaenia infundibulum, Hypoderaeum conoideum, Lyperosomum longicauda recorded the least (1.4 %) respectively. Reporting of Raillietina echinobothrida, Amoebotaenia cuneate and Lyperosomum longicauda constitute new host records. A. cuneate is a new record in the parasitological list in the country. In terms of host's sexuality, the overall figures show no significant changes in infection indices.

Variability in Thyroid Cancer Multidisciplinary Team Meeting Recommendations Is Not Explained by Standard Variables: Outcomes of a Single Centre Review.

Multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings are the mainstay of the decision-making process for patients presenting with complex clinical problems such as papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Adherence to guidelines by MDTs has been extensively investigated; however, scarce evidence exists on MDT performance and variability where guidelines are less prescriptive. We evaluated the consistency of MDT management recommendations for T1 and T2 PTC patients and explored key variables that may influence therapeutic decision making. A retrospective review of the prospective database of all T1 and T2 PTC patients discussed by the MDT was conducted between January 2016 and May 2021. Univariate analysis (with Bonferroni correction significance calculated at p < 0.006) was performed to establish clinical variables linked to completion thyroidectomy and Radioactive iodine (RAI) recommendations. Of 468 patients presented at thyroid MDT, 144 pT1 PTC and 118 pT2 PTC met the selection criteria. Only 18% (n = 12) of pT1 PTC patients initially managed with hemithyroidectomy were recommended completion thyroidectomy. Mean tumour diameter was the only variable differing between groups (p = 0.003). pT2 patients were recommended completion thyroidectomy in 66% (n = 16) of instances. No measured variable explained the difference in recommendation. pT1 patients initially managed with total thyroidectomy were not recommended RAI in 71% (n = 55) of cases with T1a status (p = 0.001) and diameter (p = 0.001) as statistically different variables. For pT2 patients, 60% (n = 41) were recommended RAI post-total thyroidectomy, with no differences observed among groups. The majority of MDT recommendations were concordant for patients with similar measurable characteristics. Discordant recommendations for a small group of patients were not explained by measured variables and may have been accounted for by individual patient factors. Further research into the MDT decision-making process is warranted.

Using Google Trends to Identify Seasonal Variation in Foot and Ankle Pathology.

BACKGROUND: Google Trends proves to be a novel tool to ascertain the level of public interest in pathology and treatments. From anticipating nascent epidemics with data-driven prevention campaigns to identifying interest in cosmetic or bariatric surgery, Google Trends provides physicians real-time insight into the latest consumer trends. METHODS: We used Google Trends to identify temporal trends and variation in the search volume index of four groups of keywords that assessed practitioner-nomenclature inquiries, in addition to podiatric-specific searches for pain, traumatic injury, and common podiatric pathology over a 10-year period. The Mann-Kendall trend test was used to determine a trend in the series, and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to determine whether there was a significant difference between summer and winter season inquiries. Significance was set at P ≤ .05. RESULTS: The terms "podiatrist" and "foot doctor" experienced increasing Search Volume Index (SVI) and seasonal variation, whereas the terms "foot surgeon" and "podiatric surgeon" experienced no such increase. "Foot pain," "heel pain," "toe pain," and "ankle pain" experienced a significant increase in SVI, with "foot pain" maintaining the highest SVI at all times. Similar results were seen with the terms "foot fractures," "bunion," "ingrown toenail," and "heel spur." These terms all experienced statistically significant increasing trends; moreover, the SVI was significantly higher in the summer than in the winter for each of these terms. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show the utility in illustrating seasonal variation in Internet interest of pathologies today's podiatrist commonly encounters. By identifying the popularity and seasonal variation of practitioner- and pathology-specific search inquiries, resources can be allocated to effectively address current public inquiries. With this knowledge, providers can learn what podiatric-specific interests are trending in their local communities and market their practice accordingly throughout the year.

Arthroscopic, Single-Incision, and Double-Incision Approaches to Flexor Hallucis Longus Tendon Transfer Following Achilles Tendon Rupture: A Literature Review.

Achilles tendon rupture is a common athletic injury that results in a painful and antalgic gait. Flexor hallucis longus tendon transfer through arthroscopic, single-incision, or double-incision techniques is used as a treatment approach to address this rupture; however, no studies have compared postoperative complications between these three techniques. A systematic search of published articles was conducted using keywords "Achilles rupture," "flexor hallucis tendon," "transfer," and "recovery." Articles were then selected based on their title, abstract, and content following full-text review. From each article's reported surgical outcomes, a comparison was made between arthroscopic and single- and double-incision postoperative complications using a χ2 test with significance set at a value of P < .05 followed by post hoc analysis. The arthroscopic approach maintained the lowest rate of postoperative complications, followed by the single- and double-incision techniques. A significant difference in the number of postoperative complications was found between all incisional approaches. The pairwise comparisons, however, could not identify which incisional approaches significantly differed between each other. A reduction in postoperative complications places arthroscopy and the single-incision techniques as the preferred approaches for flexor hallucis longus tendon transfer following an Achilles tendon rupture. Although current literature shows arthroscopy to be superior to single- and double-incision methods, this review demonstrates the need for a greater number of published cases using arthroscopy to establish significance regarding postoperative complications.

Using social network tools to facilitate cultural adjustment of self-initiated Malaysian female expatriate nurses in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: This research study aims to:(1) identify and explore the social network communication tools used to facilitate the adjustment process of Malaysian female expatriate nurses working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (hereafter "the Kingdom" or "SA") who are accompanied by neither their spouses nor families and (2) determine how these tools facilitate their adjustment to their new environment. Emphasis is placed on this particular group of respondents primarily due to the dearth of research conducted on female expatriate nurses. METHOD: We conducted a preliminary study using semi-structured interviews with sixteen (16) Malaysian female expatriate nurses working in SA to obtain a broader understanding of their experiences with cross-cultural adaptation and their use of social media tools to connect with their families and friends in their home country. RESULTS: This study uncovers numerous social media communication tools being used by female expatriate nurses to help curb their loneliness and lessen the culture shock of living and working in a foreign country. Continuous engagement with these tools helps Malaysian female expatriate nurses maintain their emotional stability, thereby enabling them to remain mentally strong and ultimately prolonging their stay in SA. CONCLUSIONS: This study's outcomes contribute significantly to the knowledge of the government, various organizations, and aspiring female expatriate nurses in the healthcare industry because the results can assist female expatriate nurses during the adjustment period, enabling them to work efficiently and successfully in the host country.

Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Resident-Authored Publications in The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery: A Systematic Review.

Since its introduction into the medical community, the Podiatric Medicine and Surgery residency has strived to graduate the most advanced and learned foot and ankle surgeons. From increasing length of training, to assuring didactics and education are sufficiently incorporated into the residency, the Council on Podiatric Medical Education has overseen this transition. One area of interest, podiatric medicine and research, remains central to this training and contributes to the field of foot and ankle surgery through journal publications. The purpose of this review was to identify Podiatric Medicine and Surgery resident-authored publication rates, trends, and geographic distribution. All published case reports, original research articles, review articles, and tips, quips, and pearls in The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery from January 2009 to December 2018 were reviewed. Podiatric Medicine and Surgery residents comprised 8% of all authors. Residents contributed to and published as first authors in 22% and 11% of all manuscripts, respectively. An increasing trend in resident authors, resident-authored manuscripts, and resident-first-authored manuscripts was observed. From before the mandated 3-year residency to after, the proportion of resident-authored manuscripts to all manuscripts declined from 9.99% to 7.21%; however, among these resident-authored publications, the rate of first-authorship increased from 45.32% to 51.36%. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first and only study to examine publication rates among foot and ankle surgery residents.

Correction to: Screening and computational analysis of colorectal associated non-synonymous polymorphism in CTNNB1 gene in Pakistani population.

Following publication of the original article [1], the authors have flagged that the article has published with an error in the order of the affiliations.

Multiple Risk Factors: A Challenge in the Management of Autism.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is an emerging health problem involving 1 out of every 68 children. The incidence rate of autism has increased 3 folds during the last 3 decades. Due to the illusive picture of aetiology, a considerable number of autistic children fail to receive proper behavioural and medicational treatment. The present study provides a cumulative account of autism risk factors. Several factors including the gene expression and gene mutations, environmental pollution, metal ion accumulation, exposure to pesticides, immune deficiencies, viral infections, mother's age, health, mental status, mother's interactions with the foetus, vaccination of mother and children, and modulations in gut microbiota have been debated. These risk factors may contribute to the development of autism either independently or synergistically leading to a broad spectrum of characteristics observed in autistic patients. The variable quantitative influence of a wide spectrum of risk factors may result in a unique set of features in each autistic individual. However, the exact mechanism behind the combined impact of various aetiological factors is poorly understood hindering the adaptation of specified and effective therapies.

LC-MS/MS-based metabolic profiling of Escherichia coli under heterologous gene expression stress.

Escherichia coli is frequently exploited for genetic manipulations and heterologous gene expression studies. We have evaluated the metabolic profile of E. coli strain BL21 (DE3) RIL CodonPlus after genetic modifications and subjecting to the production of recombinant protein. Three genetically variable E. coli cell types were studied, normal cells (susceptible to antibiotics) cultured in simple LB medium, cells harboring ampicillin-resistant plasmid pET21a (+), grown under antibiotic stress, and cells having recombinant plasmid pET21a (+) ligated with bacterial lactate dehydrogenase gene grown under ampicillin and standard isopropyl thiogalactoside (IPTG)-induced gene expression conditions. A total of 592 metabolites were identified through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry analysis, feature and peak detection using XCMS and CAMERA followed by precursor identification by METLIN-based procedures. Overall, 107 metabolites were found differentially regulated among genetically modified cells. Quantitative analysis has shown a significant modulation in DHNA-CoA, p-aminobenzoic acid, and citrulline levels, indicating an alteration in vitamin K, folic acid biosynthesis, and urea cycle of E. coli cells during heterologous gene expression. Modulations in energy metabolites including NADH, AMP, ADP, ATP, carbohydrate, terpenoids, fatty acid metabolites, diadenosine tetraphosphate (Ap4A), and l-carnitine advocate major metabolic rearrangements. Our study provides a broader insight into the metabolic adaptations of bacterial cells during gene manipulation experiments that can be prolonged to improve the yield of heterologous gene products and concomitant production of valuable biomolecules.

A novel method for evaluating the effect of pollution on the human skin under controlled conditions.

BACKGROUND: Generally considered as a major risk factor for various respiratory diseases, air pollution can also have a significant impact on the skin. To date, there is a plethora of cosmetics products with "anti-pollution" claims. However, these claims have not been fully substantiated with robust scientific evidence and currently there is no standardized method in place for validating the anti-pollution efficacy of cosmetics products. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This article discusses an innovative Controlled Pollution Exposure System (CPES) which allows quantified administration of pollutants on the skin and analysis of their direct impact. Using CPES, human subjects were exposed to ambient dust and ozone and sebum were sampled and analyzed for biomarkers. RESULTS: Following exposure of human subjects' skin to either ambient dust(100-450 µg/cm3 ) or ozone(100-1000 ppb), analysis of sebum revealed a significant decrease in squalene concentration, and significant increases in squalene monohydroperoxide and malondialdehyde concentration. CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate cutaneous oxidative stress induced by ambient dust and ozone. The findings also demonstrate the efficacy of CPES to accurately measure the direct effect of controlled gaseous and particulate pollutants on human skin and indicate that squalene, squalene monohydroperoxide and malondialdehyde may serve as potent biomarkers for evaluating potential anti-pollution claims of cosmetics products.

Using Three-Dimensional Printing to Enhance Cross-Sectional Anatomy Instruction.

BACKGROUND: The increased use of external interventions to diagnose and treat podiatric medical pathologies has warranted a greater understanding of the lower extremity in the transverse plane. Films, prosections, and plastinated cross sections have long been used alongside traditional instruction to assist students in anatomical studies. These methods, however, often fail to provide the tactile component of anatomical dissection and may obscure or exclude the requisite structures for identification by medical students. Such teaching techniques prove costly, time sensitive, and dated compared with the relatively less expensive and customizable nature of three-dimensional (3-D) printing. METHODS: Limb length was measured on a cadaveric specimen, and eight cross sections of equal width were excised. Manual sketches of these sections were then digitized and 3-D printed. RESULTS: Three-dimensional printing provides a safe and reproducible means to construct customizable cross sections of the lower extremity. Moreover, this method proves to be relatively inexpensive. CONCLUSIONS: Advancing traditional didactic teaching with the use of cost-effective 3-D printing can facilitate the visuospatial comprehension of lower-extremity anatomy. The evolution of 3-D printing enhances the clinical skills essential for the interpretation of imaging studies as well as planning for surgical procedures such as external fixation application.

Stress-Driven Discovery of Novel Cryptic Antibiotics from a Marine Fungus Penicillium sp. BB1122.

Standard laboratory cultures have long been known to hinder activation of specific gene clusters which in turn hamper production of secondary metabolites with unique properties due to lack of innovation or the inability to trigger cryptic gene clusters' expression. Due to challenges related to the avoidance of the isolation of replicated metabolites, resistance-developing pathogens are to be addressed by the scientific community worldwide in order to progress with novel and potent compounds which could further be developed in the future for pharmaceutical usage. This study reports the isolation of novel cryptic antibiotics from a marine fungus Penicillium sp. BB1122 collected from Zhoushan coast by applying the "metal-stress" strategy, here referring to the heavy metal cobalt (6 mM). High-performance liquid chromatography-guided isolation of four novel and four known compounds belonging to the polyketide class has been carried out where their relative as well as absolute configurations have been determined using spectroscopic analysis techniques as well as by the comparison of theoretically calculated ECD spectrum and the experimental ECD spectrum, respectively. The structures of novel compounds 7 and 8 represent the first example of 2,5-dioxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane pyrone backbone bearing a migrated polyene chain. The novel compounds 7, 8, and 5 exhibited impressive antibiotic properties against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) with MIC value of around 0.5 and 1 µg/mL, respectively. Moreover, the new compounds 1, 7, and 8 displayed potent antibiotic activities with MIC values of around 4 µg/mL against the pathogenic Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Moreover, the MBC of the different potent compounds ranged from 1 to 128 µg/mL against MRSA, P. aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. In addition, the cytotoxic activities were also evaluated where new antibiotics 7 and 8 were not obviously harmful toward normal liver cell lines LO2, showing IC50 values above 100 µg/mL. As a consequence, the results from this study unveiled that cobalt stress is an effective strategy to discover novel antibiotics from microorganisms.

FROM Qutn TO Bt COTTON: DEVELOPMENT, ADOPTION AND PROSPECTS. A REVIEW.

Cotton has unique history of domestication, diversification, and utilization. Globally it is an important cash crop that provides raw material for textile industry. The story of cotton started from human civilization and the climax arrived with the efforts of developing transgenic cotton for various traits. Though conventional breeding brought steady improvement in developing resistance against biotic stresses but recent success story of gene transferfrom Bacillus thuringiensis into cotton showed game changing effects on cotton cultivation. Amongst various families of insecticidal proteins Bt Cry-toxins received more attention because of specificity against receptors on the cell membranes of insect midgut epithelial cells. Rapid Bt cotton adoption by farmers due to its economic and environmental benefits has changed the landscape of cotton cultivation in many countries. But the variable expression of Bt transgene in the newly developed Bt cotton genotypes in tropical environment is questionable. Variability of toxin level in different plant parts at various life stage of plant is an outcome of genotypic interaction with environmental factors. Temporal gene expression of Cry1Ac is also blamed for the epigenetic background in which transgene has been inserted. The presence of genotypes with sub-lethal level of Bt toxin might create resistance in Lepidopteron insects, limiting the use of Bt cotton in future, with the opportunityfor other resistance development strategies to get more attention like gene stacking. Until the farmers get access to more recent technology, best option is to delay the development of resistance by applying Insect Resistance Management (IRM) strategies.

Determination of hepatitis C virus genotypes circulating in different districts of Punjab (Pakistan).

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a principal cause of severe liver diseases worldwide and a possible source of significant morbidity and fatality in the long term. Information on the genotype is more significant because it has prognostic value in the response to antiviral therapy. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the frequency of various HCV genotypes circulating in the different districts of Punjab and to show the pattern distribution of HCV genotypes in different age groups and sexes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 542 HCV-positive patients were selected from various districts of the province and were subjected to an HCV genotype-specific assay. Among 542 positive patients, 300 (55.35%) were men and 242 (44.65%) were women. There were 245 (45.20%), 61 (11.25%), 56 (10.33%), 56 (10.33%), 53 (9.77%), 27 (5%), 20 (3.69%), 16 (3%), and eight (1.47%) HCV-positive patients from Lahore, Sargodha, Multan, Toba Tek Singh, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Mandi Bahauddin Gujranwala, and Sahiwal districts, respectively. RESULTS: Of a total of 542 serum samples analyzed, 476 (88%) were successfully genotyped whereas 66 (12%) samples were undetermined genotypes. Among the typable genotypes, 1a was found in 37 (7%), 1b in 18 (3%), 3a in 386 (71%), and genotype 3b in five (1%) patients. Thirty patients (6%) were identified to be infected with mixed HCV genotypes. Genotypes 3a (P=0.0001), 1a (P=0.001), and untypable genotypes (P=0.03) were circulating significantly in all the studied districts. All the genotypes were distributed evenly in male and female patients. The most affected age range of patients was 21-40 years as compared with teenage and older age groups. CONCLUSION: The study found a significantly high prevalence of HCV among the patients of Punjab. In addition, genotype 1a was found to be a significantly and rapidly increasing genotype in the study area. It appears that HCV-3a (the most prevalent genotype) may be replaced by genotype 1a. If this occurs, it will make the present scenario more complex in terms of response to therapy and economic burden on the health sector of Pakistan. HCV infection is more common in the age group of 21-40 years. All the genotypes were distributed at the same frequency in men and women.

Variations of the origin of the arcuate artery.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the origin of the arcuate artery. METHODS: This cadaveric study was performed on 20 feet from ten cadavers of both sexes (age range, 61-94 years). RESULTS: The results indicate that the arcuate artery originated from the dorsalis pedis artery in 13 of 20 specimens (65%) and from the lateral tarsal artery in 6 of 20 (30%), and a variation in origination was noted in 1 of 20 specimens (5%). CONCLUSIONS: This cadaveric study demonstrates that the arcuate artery can originate from the dorsalis pedis artery, the lateral tarsal artery, and one other variant. The dorsal arterial network of the lower extremity is important to consider during the overall clinical and surgical assessment of a patient.

Regulation of cotton fiber elongation by xyloglucan endotransglycosylase/hydrolase genes.

Ligon lintless mutant (li1li1) with super-short fibers (5-8 mm in length) and its wild type (Li1Li1) with normal fibers (30 mm in length) were used to study the function of xyloglucan endotransglycosylase/hydrolase (XTH) genes during fiber elongation in cotton. Wild-type cotton attained the fiber elongation stage earlier (5 days post-anthesis, DPA), than the Ligon lintless mutant (12 DPA) with a higher fiber elongation velocity of about 1.76 mm/day. Xyloglucan contents in Ligon lintless mutant fibers were 5-fold higher than the wild type during 9-15 DPA. It was also observed that the activity of XTH in wild-type cotton fibers was about 2-fold higher than that of the Ligon lintless mutant with a peak at 12 DPA. DNA blot analysis indicated that the XTH gene in the Ligon lintless mutant and its wild type belonged to a multiple allelic series. However, RNA blot analysis and quantitative real-time PCR exhibited an earlier expression (10 DPA) of XTH in wild type as compared to delayed (15 DPA) expression in the Ligon lintless mutant. The study also revealed that 9-15 DPA might be a key phase for upregulation of fiber elongation via increasing XTH activity. Higher XTH activity can cleave down the xyloglucan-cellulose chains thus loosening fiber cell wall and promoting fiber cell elongation in wild type as compared to its mutant.

Phenolics and physico-chemical characteristics of persimmon during post-harvest storage.

Garden picked mature but unripe fresh persimmon fruits were unipackaged in different thicknesses of polyethylene (PE) and stored at room (18.5-30 degrees C) and refrigerated temperature (6 +/- 1 degrees C). Maximum mean methanol extractable sinapine (0.168%), catechin (1.51%), and leucoanthocyanidine (10.94 delta A550/g) were recorded in the unipackaged samples kept at room temperature during 6 weeks storage, whereas the minimum values for water extractable phenolics (sinapin, catechin and procyanidin) were recorded in unipackaged samples under refrigerated temperature. The mean maximum weight loss of 12.58 and 7.90% was recorded in control samples kept at room temperature and low temperature, respectively. The weight loss for unipackaged in different thicknesses of PE ranged between 0.93-0.96% and 0.43-0.45% for samples kept at room and low temperature, respectively. Changes in texture values were significantly faster in control than unipackaged samples (P < 0.05). Low temperature combined with unipackaging in PE film performed better for the maintenance of overall fruit quality during post-harvest storage.