bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification and characterization of two CRISPR-Cas systems associated with the mosquito microbiome
Authors: hegde Shivanand , Rauch Hallie E , Hughes Grant L , Shariat Nikki
Published: July 2023

The microbiome profoundly influences many traits in medically relevant vectors such as mosquitoes, and a greater functional understanding of host-microbe interactions may be exploited for novel microbial-based approaches to control mosquito-borne disease. Here, we characterized two novel CRISPR-Cas systems in Serratia Sp. Ag1, that was isolated from the gut of an Anopheles gambiae mosquito. Two distinct CRISPR-Cas systems were identified in Serratia Ag1, CRISPR1 and CRISPR2. Based on cas gene composition, CRISPR1 is classified as a Type I-E CRISPR-Cas system and has a single array, CRISPR1. CRISPR2 is a Type I-F system with two arrays, CRISPR2.1 and CRISPR2.2. RT-PCR analyses show that all cas genes from both systems are expressed during logarithmic growth in culture media. The direct repeat sequence of CRISPRs 2.1 and 2.2 are identical and found in the arrays of other Serratia spp, including S. marcescens and S. fonticola, whereas CRISPR1 was not. We searched for potential spacer targets and revealed an interesting difference between the two systems: only 9% of CRISPR1 (Type I-E) targets are in phage sequences and 91% are in plasmid sequences. Conversely, ~66% of CRISPR2 (Type I-F), targets are found within phage genomes. Our results highlight the presence of CRISPR loci in gut-associated bacteria of mosquitoes and indicate interplay between symbionts and invasive mobile genetic elements over evolutionary time.
Human Plasma Proteomic Profile of Clonal Hematopoiesis
Authors: Yu Zhi , Vromman Amélie , Nguyen Ngoc Quynh H. , Schuermans Art , Rentz Thiago , Vellarikkal Shamsudheen K. , Uddin Md Mesbah , Niroula Abhishek , Griffin Gabriel , Honigberg Michael C. , Lin Amy E. , Gibson Christopher J. , Katz Daniel H. , Tahir Usman , Fang Shi , Haidermota Sara , Ganesh Shriienidhie , Antoine Tajmara , Weinstock Joshua , Austin Thomas R. , Ramachandran Vasan S. , Peloso Gina M. , Hornsby Whitney , Ganz Peter , Manson JoAnn E. , Haring Bernhard , Kooperberg Charles L. , Reiner Alexander P. , Bis Joshua C. , Psaty Bruce M. , Min Yuan-I , Correa Adolfo , Lange Leslie A. , Post Wendy S. , Rotter Jerome I. , Rich Stephen S. , Wilson James G. , Ebert Benjamin L. , Yu Bing , Ballantyne Christie M. , Coresh Josef , Sankaran Vijay G , Bick Alexander G. , Jaiswal Siddhartha , Gerszten Robert E. ,   NHLBI Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine, Libby Peter , Gupta Rajat M , Natarajan Pradeep
Published: July 2023

Plasma proteomic profiles associated with subclinical somatic mutations in blood cells may offer novel insights into downstream clinical consequences. Here, we explore such patterns in clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP), which is linked to several cancer and non-cancer outcomes, including coronary artery disease (CAD). Among 61,833 ancestrally diverse participants (3,881 with CHIP) from NHLBI TOPMed and UK Biobank with blood-based DNA sequencing and proteomic measurements (1,148 proteins by SomaScan in TOPMed and 2,917 proteins by Olink in UK Biobank), we identified 32 and 345 unique proteins from TOPMed and UK Biobank, respectively, associated with the most prevalent driver genes (DNMT3A,TET2, andASXL1). These associations showed substantial heterogeneity by driver genes, sex, and race, and were enriched for immune response and inflammation pathways. Mendelian randomization in humans, coupled with ELISA in hematopoieticTet2-/- vs wild-type mice validation, disentangled causal proteomic perturbations fromTET2CHIP. Lastly, we identified plasma proteins shared between CHIP and CAD.
Major data analysis errors invalidate cancer microbiome findings
Authors: Gihawi Abraham , Ge Yuchen , Lu Jennifer , Puiu Daniela , Xu Amanda , Cooper Colin S. , Brewer Daniel S. , Pertea Mihaela , Salzberg Steven L.
Published: July 2023

We re-analyzed the data from a recent large-scale study that reported strong correlations between microbial organisms and 33 different cancer types, and that created machine learning predictors with near-perfect accuracy at distinguishing among cancers. We found at least two fundamental flaws in the reported data and in the methods: (1) errors in the genome database and the associated computational methods led to millions of false positive findings of bacterial reads across all samples, largely because most of the sequences identified as bacteria were instead human; and (2) errors in transformation of the raw data created an artificial signature, even for microbes with no reads detected, tagging each tumor type with a distinct signal that the machine learning programs then used to create an apparently accurate classifier. Each of these problems invalidates the results, leading to the conclusion that the microbiome-based classifiers for identifying cancer presented in the study are entirely wrong. These flaws have subsequently affected more than a dozen additional published studies that used the same data and whose results are likely invalid as well.
Flavinated SDHA Underlies the Change in Intrinsic Optical Properties of Oral Cancers
Authors: Marumo Tomoko , Maduka Chima V. , Ural Evran , Apu Ehsanul Hoque , Chung Seock-Jin , van den Berg Nynke S. , Zhou Quan , Martin Brock A. , Rosenthal Eben L. , Shibahara Takahiko , Contag Christopher H.
Published: July 2023

The molecular basis of reduced autofluorescence in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells relative to normal cells has been speculated to be due to lower levels of free flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD). This speculation, along with differences in the intrinsic optical properties of extracellular collagen, lie at the foundation of the design of currently-used clinical optical detection devices. Here, we report that free FAD levels may not account for differences in autofluorescence of OSCC cells, but that the differences relate to FAD as a co-factor for flavination. Autofluorescence from a 70 kDa flavoprotein, succinate dehydrogenase A (SDHA), was found to be responsible for changes in optical properties within the FAD spectral region with lower levels of flavinated SDHA in OSCC cells. Since flavinated SDHA is required for functional complexation with succinate dehydrogenase B (SDHB), decreased SDHB levels were observed in human OSCC tissue relative to normal tissues. Accordingly, the metabolism of OSCC cells was found to be significantly altered relative to normal cells, revealing vulnerabilities for both diagnosis and targeted therapy. Optimizing non-invasive tools based on optical and metabolic signatures of cancers will enable more precise and early diagnosis leading to improved outcomes in patients.
Metagenomics untangles metabolic adaptations of Antarctic endolithic bacteria at the fringe of habitability
Authors: Coleine Claudia , Albanese Davide , Ray Angelique E. , Delgado-Baquerizo Manuel , Stajich Jason E. , Williams Timothy J. , Larsen Stefano , Tringe Susannah , Pennacchio Christa , Ferrari Belinda C. , Donati Claudio , Selbmann Laura
Published: July 2023

Background

Endolithic niches offer an ultimate refuge, supplying buffered conditions for microorganisms that dwell inside rock airspaces. Yet, survival and growth strategies of Antarctic endolithic microbes residing in Earths’ driest and coldest desert remains virtually unknown.

Results

From 109 endolithic microbiomes, 4,539 metagenome-assembled genomes were generated, 49.3% of which were novel candidate bacterial species. We present evidence that trace gas oxidation and atmospheric chemosynthesis may be the prevalent strategies supporting metabolic activity and persistence of these ecosystems at the fringe of life and the limits of habitability.

Conclusions

These results represent the foundation to untangle adaptability at the edge of sustainability on Earth and on other dry Earth-like planetary bodies such as Mars.
Tetra-μ3-selenido-1:2:3κ3
Se;1:2:4κ3
Se;1:3:4κ3
Se;2:3:4κ3
Se-tetrakis[(η5-methylcyclopentadienyl)molybdenum(III)](6 Mo—Mo)
Authors: Ouchi Akito , Takase Tsugiko , Inomata Shinji
Published: July 2023

The title cluster compound, [Mo4(η5-C5H4Me)4(μ3-Se)4], was synthesized from the reaction of [Mo(η5-C5H4Me)(CO)3]2 with grey selenium in refluxing xylene solution under a nitrogen atmosphere. The complete cluster is generated by a crystallographic twofold axis and contains an Mo4Se4 cubane-like core surrounded by four η5-methylcyclopentadienyl ligands. In the core, the four molybdenum atoms are connected to each other to form a tetrahedron, with a selenium atom capping each face. The Mo—Mo bond lengths vary from 2.9857 (5) to 3.0083 (3) Å and the Mo—Se separations range from 2.4633 (4) to 2.4693 (5) Å.
Navigating through turbulence: Jet Airways’ acquisition failure and recapitalisation strategy
Authors: Jain Harshika , Dhamija Sanjay
Published: July 2023

Learning outcomes

The case aims to understand and analyse the capital structure decisions made by a profit-making, growing organisation which aimed to be India’s premier airline and the market leader. The company that had pursued a high debt policy, to take advantage of the financial leverage that it would get, was now facing problems in an operating environment that proved to be challenging. A decline in operating profit, coupled with high-interest costs and an uncertain environment with cutthroat competition, had caused the company to plunge into losses. Attempts to deleverage by equity infusion were proving to be difficult. The case can be used in MBA, Executive Education and doctoral programmes. The learning objectives of this case are: to analyse the capital structure of the company, to interpret the relationship between financial leverage and risk, to assess the pecking order theory, to analyse the nuances of the aviation sector and the factors influencing the profitability of the companies in the aviation industry, to estimate the risks and the rewards associated with foreign currency loans, to evaluate the magnifying impact of the financial leverage and to propose deleveraging methods like sale and leaseback, debt conversion to equity and devise a revival strategy for the company.

Case overview/synopsis

The case discusses the dilemma faced by Naresh Goyal, promoter and chairman of Jet Airways (India) Limited. At the initial stage, Jet Airways, like many other companies in its growth phase, relied on borrowed funds to meet its investment needs. However, over-reliance on borrowed funds with just one equity infusion resulted in a high leverage ratio and an aggressive capital structure. Moreover, the company operated in a sector that was highly regulated, with competition that was cutthroat and a cost structure that was volatile. A high operating risk, coupled with high financial leverage, pushed the company into incurring losses. Having run out of cash, Jet Airways eventually defaulted on loan repayments to its lenders. Facing the eventuality of losing control of the company to lenders or to a strategic investor, Goyal was trying to figure out a way to save the company from insolvency and liquidation. It was becoming increasingly difficult for Goyal to keep Jet Airways, the company he had nurtured like a baby, airborne.

Complexity academic level

The case can be taught in both online and offline modes of delivery in a 90-minute session. Post-covid, the delivery mode of classes has changed. In online sessions, it may be a challenging task to ensure student participation.

Supplementary material

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 1: Accounting and Finance.
Organisational resilience, ambidexterity and performance: the roles of information technology competencies, digital transformation policies and paradoxical leadership
Authors: Trieu Hoa D.X. , Nguyen Phuong V. , Tran Khoa Tien , Vrontis Demetris , Ahmed Zafar
Published: July 2023

Purpose

In the current highly volatile and uncertain economic environment, recovery strategies that emphasise attributes and skills are essential for an enterprise to recover and adapt to disruptions. Based on the resource-based view (RBV), this study aims to understand how organisational resilience functions and its outcomes. Specifically, this study establishes links between organisational resilience and internal capabilities in information technology (IT) applications, exploitation-exploration activities and organisational leadership, which are represented by IT competencies, organisational ambidexterity and paradoxical leadership, respectively. The study also analyses the role of government digital transformation policies after the COVID-19 pandemic as an external resource.

Design/methodology/approach

This study provides empirical evidence of the dynamic relationships between organisational resilience, ambidexterity and performance under the interactions IT competencies, digital transformation policies and paradoxical leadership by using data collected from 336 small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Vietnam and the partial least squares-structural equation modelling technique.

Findings

IT competencies and organisational ambidexterity strengthen organisational resilience, reduce missed opportunities and increase organisations’ responsiveness to market volatility. Increasing organisational ambidexterity and resilience enhances the business performance of SMEs. Paradoxical leadership favours organisational ambidexterity and resilience and their outcomes. Digital transformation policies from the government can support SMEs’ IT competencies and resilience.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study based on the RBV is the first to show how integrating external resources with dynamic capabilities such as organisational ambidexterity and resilience can help SMEs build and maintain a sustainable competitive advantage in highly uncertain environments. This research emphasises the vital role of organisational resilience in improvising changes in working processes in response to unexpected events and the importance of a strategy for developing the capability to anticipate a wide variety of situations and seize opportunities quickly.
Whether organizational citizenship behavior is triggered by employee CSR perception and spiritual values: the moderating role of Islamic work ethics
Authors: Raza Syed Ali , Khan Komal Akram , Hakim Faiza
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The study aims to inspect the impact of employees’ perception of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and their spiritual values on their affective commitment and job satisfaction, which in turn may promote organizational citizenship behavior. Furthermore, this study examines the moderating effect of Islamic work ethics to identify whether they strengthen or weaken the proposed associations.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey instrument was devised to collect data from employees. The statistical analysis of the data was conducted using the Smart PLS software. Additionally, the research uses the “Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM)” technique.

Findings

The findings of the study suggest that employees’ perception of CSR exhibits a positive association with affective commitment and job satisfaction. Likewise, employees’ spiritual values demonstrate a positive and significant correlation with affective commitment and job satisfaction. Finally, the outcomes reveal that affective commitment and job satisfaction play a major role in fostering organizational citizenship behavior. Moreover, Islamic work ethics positively and significantly moderate the relationship between employee CSR perception and affective commitment and between employee CSR perception and job satisfaction.

Originality/value

This research study endeavors to fill the gaps in the current literature by investigating two crucial aspects of employees: their perception of CSR and spiritual values. Additionally, the study includes Islamic work ethics as a moderator to provide a more comprehensive understanding of how these factors contribute to fostering organizational citizenship behavior. This work highlights the significance of spiritual values and social responsibilities in employees’ lives and how Islamic work ethics shape their behavior accordingly.
Sensitivity enhancement through geometry modification of 3D printed conductive PLA-based strain sensors
Authors: S.K. Dhinesh , Kallippatti Lakshmanan Senthil Kumar
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to increasing the gauge factor, reducing the hysteresis error and improving the stability over cyclic deformations of a conductive polylactic acid (CPLA)-based 3D-printed strain sensor by modifying the sensing element geometry.

Design/methodology/approach

Five different configurations, namely, linear, serpentine, square, triangular and trapezoidal, of CPLA sensing elements are printed on the thermoplastic polyurethane substrate material individually. The resistance change ratio of the printed sensors, when loaded to a predefined percentage of the maximum strain values over multiple cycles, is recorded. Finally, the thickness of substrate and CPLA and the included angle of the triangular strain sensor are evaluated for their influences on the sensitivity.

Findings

The triangular configuration yields the least hysteresis error with high accuracy over repeated loading conditions, because of its uniform stress distribution, whereas the conventional linear configuration produces the maximum sensitivity with low accuracy. The thickness of the substrate and sensing element has more influence over the included angle, in enhancing the sensitivity of the triangular configuration. The sensitivity of the triangular configuration exceeds the linear configuration when printed at ideal sensor dimensional values.

Research limitations/implications

The 3D printing parameters are kept constant for all the configurations; rather it can be varied for improving the performance of the sensor. Furthermore, the influences of stretching rate and nozzle temperature of the sensing material are not considered in this work.

Originality/value

The sensitivity and accuracy of CPLA-based strain sensor are evaluated for modification in its geometry, and the performance metrics are enhanced using the regression modelling.
Interdigital flexible tactile sensor based on Velostat
Authors: Fang Haifeng , Wei Yangyang , Dong Shuo
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Tactile sensation is an important sensory function for robots in contact with the external environment. To better acquire tactile information about objects, this paper aims to propose a three-layer structure of the interdigital flexible tactile sensor.

Design/methodology/approach

The sensor consists of a bottom electrode layer, a middle pressure-sensitive layer and a top indenter layer. First, the pressure sensitive material, structure design, fabrication process and circuit design of the sensor are introduced. Then, the calibration and performance test of the designed sensor is carried out. Four functions are used to fit and calibrate the relationship between the output voltage of the sensor and the contact force. Finally, the contact force sensing test of different weight objects and the flexible test of the sensor are carried out.

Findings

The performance test results show that the sensitivity of the sensor is 0.93 V/N when it is loaded with 0–3 N and 0.23 V/N when it is loaded with 3–5 N. It shows good repeatability, and the cross-interference between the sensing units is generally low. The contact force sensing test results of different weight objects show that the proposed sensor performs well in contact force. Each part of the sensor is a flexible material, allowing the sensor to achieve bending deformation, so that the sensor can better perceive the contact signs of the grasped object.

Practical implications

The sensor can paste the surface of the paper robot’s gripper to measure the contact force of the grasping object and estimate the contour of the object.

Originality/value

In this paper, a three-layer interdigital flexible tactile sensor is proposed, and the structural parameters of the interdigital electrode are designed to improve the sensitivity and response speed of the sensor. The indenter with three shapes of the prism, square cylinder and hemisphere is preliminarily designed and the prism indenter with better conduction force is selected through finite element analysis, which can concentrate the external force in the sensing area to improve the sensitivity. The sensor designed in this paper can realize the measurement of contact force, which provides a certain reference for the field of robot tactile.
Data-driven electronic packaging structure inverse design with an adaptive surrogate model
Authors: Liu Shaoyi , Xue Song , Lian Peiyuan , Huang Jianlun , Wang Zhihai , Ping Lihao , Wang Congsi
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The conventional design method relies on a priori knowledge, which limits the rapid and efficient development of electronic packaging structures. The purpose of this study is to propose a hybrid method of data-driven inverse design, which couples adaptive surrogate model technology with optimization algorithm to to enable an efficient and accurate inverse design of electronic packaging structures.

Design/methodology/approach

The multisurrogate accumulative local error-based ensemble forward prediction model is proposed to predict the performance properties of the packaging structure. As the forward prediction model is adaptive, it can identify respond to sensitive regions of design space and sample more design points in those regions, getting the trade-off between accuracy and computation resources. In addition, the forward prediction model uses the average ensemble method to mitigate the accuracy degradation caused by poor individual surrogate performance. The Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm is then coupled with the forward prediction model for the inverse design of the electronic packaging structure.

Findings

Benchmark testing demonstrated the superior approximate performance of the proposed ensemble model. Two engineering cases have shown that using the proposed method for inverse design has significant computational savings while ensuring design accuracy. In addition, the proposed method is capable of outputting multiple structure parameters according to the expected performance and can design the packaging structure based on its extreme performance.

Originality/value

Because of its data-driven nature, the inverse design method proposed also has potential applications in other scientific fields related to optimization and inverse design.
Plant traits modulate grassland stability during drought and post‐drought periods
Authors: Luo Wentao , Shi Yuan , Wilkins Kate , Song Lin , Te Niwu , Chen Jiaqi , Zhang Hongxiang , Yu Qiang , Wang Zhengwen , Han Xingguo , Collins Scott L.
Published: July 2023

Grasslands are subject to climate change, such as severe drought, and an important aspect of their functioning is temporal stability in response to extreme climate events. Previous research has explored the impacts of extreme drought and post‐drought periods on grassland stability, yet the mechanistic pathways behind these changes have rarely been studied.

Here, we implemented an experiment with 4 years of drought and 3 years of recovery to assess the effects of drought and post‐drought on the temporal stability of above‐ground net primary productivity (ANPP) and its underlying mechanisms. To do so, we measured community‐weighted mean (CWM) of six plant growth and nine seed traits, functional diversity, population stability and species asynchrony across two cold, semiarid grasslands in northern China. We also performed piecewise structural equation models (SEMs) to assess the relationships between ANPP stability and its underlying mechanisms and how drought and post‐drought periods alter the relative contribution of these mechanisms to ANPP stability.

We found that temporal stability of ANPP was not reduced during drought due to grasses maintaining productivity, which compensated for increased variation of forb productivity. Moreover, ANPP recovered rapidly after drought, and both grasses and forbs contributed to community stability during the post‐drought period. Overall, ANPP stability decreased during the combined drought and post‐drought periods because of rapid changes in ANPP from drought to post‐drought. SEMs revealed that the temporal stability of ANPP during drought and post‐drought periods was modulated by functional diversity and community‐weighted mean traits directly and indirectly by altering species asynchrony and population stability. Specifically, the temporal stability of ANPP was positively correlated with functional divergence of plant communities. CWMs of seed traits (e.g. seed width and thickness), rather than plant growth traits (e.g. specific leaf area and leaf nutrient content), stabilized grassland ANPP. Productivity of plant communities with large and thick seeds was less sensitive to precipitation changes over time.

These results emphasize the importance of considering both the functional trait distribution among species and seed traits of dominant species since their combined effects can stabilize ecosystem functions under global climate change scenarios.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Low‐ and high‐intensity fire in the riparian savanna: Demographic impacts in an avian model species and implications for ecological fire management
Authors: Teunissen Niki , McAlpine Hamish , Cameron Skye F. , Murphy Brett P. , Peters Anne
Published: July 2023

Climate change is driving changes in fire frequency and intensity, making it more urgent for conservation managers to understand how species and ecosystems respond. In tropical monsoonal savannas—Earth's most fire‐prone landscapes—ecological fire management aims to prevent intense wildfires late in the dry season through prescribed low‐intensity burns early in the dry season. Riparian habitats embedded within tropical savannas represent critical refuges for biodiversity, yet are particularly fire‐sensitive. Better understanding of the impact of fire—including prescribed burns—on riparian habitats is therefore key but requires long‐term detailed post‐fire monitoring of species' demographic rates, as effects may persist and/or be delayed.

We analyse impacts of (prescribed) low‐intensity and (prescribed but escaped) high‐intensity fire in northern Australian riparian and adjacent savanna habitat. We quantify multi‐year impacts on density, survival, reproduction and dispersal of an endangered riparian bird, the western purple‐crowned fairy‐wren (Malurus coronatus coronatus), in a well‐studied individually marked population.

Following low‐intensity fire, bird density was reduced by >20% in burnt compared to adjacent unburnt riparian habitat for ≥2.5 years. This was a result of reduced breeding success and recruitment for 2 years immediately following fire, rather than mortality or dispersal of adults.

In contrast, high‐intensity fire (in a dry year) resulted in a sharp decline in population density by 50% 2–8 months after fire, with no signs of recovery after 2.5 years. The decline in density was due to post‐fire adult mortality, rather than dispersal. Breeding success of the (few) remaining individuals was low but not detectably lower than in unburnt areas, likely because breeding success was poor overall due to prevailing dry conditions.

Synthesis and applications. Even if there is no or very low mortality during fire, and no movement of birds away from burnt areas, both low‐ and high‐intensity fire in the riparian zone reduce population density. However, the mechanism by which this occurs, and recovery time, differs with fire intensity. To minimise impacts of fire on riparian zones in tropical savannas, we suggest employing low‐intensity prescribed burns under optimal conditions shortly after the breeding season.
Pericardial irradiation dose may be strongly associated with grade 4 lymphopenia and affect prognosis in patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer receiving definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Chen Xianyan , Tian Xiaoman , Zhang Xuanwei , Deng Qianyue , Wang Min , Zhou Xiaojuan , Xu Yong , Zhou Lin , Zou Bingwen , Liu Yongmei , Ao Rui , Lu You , Gong Youling
Published: July 2023

Background

The immune system may influence prognosis, and lymphopenia is a frequent side effect of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Radical irradiation for locally advanced esophageal cancer (LA‐EC) exposes significant vascular and heart volumes. In this study, we hypothesized that lymphopenia is linked to cardiac and pericardial doses and affects patient prognosis.

Methods and Materials

We identified 190 LA‐EC patients who received radical CCRT. Multivariate analysis (MVA) was performed to correlate clinical factors and dosimetric parameters with overall survival (OS). We collected lymphocyte‐related variables and ratios before and during CCRT. MVA was performed to correlate hematologic toxicity with OS. The relationship between dosimetric parameters and G4 lymphopenia was determined using logistic stepwise regression. Finally, a nomogram of G4 lymphopenia was developed and validated externally.

Results

Median follow‐up time for all patients was 27.5 months. On MVA for OS, higher pericardial V30 (PV30) was linked to worse survival (HR: 1.013, 95% CI: 1.001–1.026, p = 0.039). The median OS stratified by PV30 > 55.3% and PV30 ≤ 55.3% was 24.0 months and 54.0 months, respectively (p = 0.004). G4 lymphopenia was shown to be linked with worse OS in the MVA of hematological toxicity with OS (HR: 2.042, 95% CI: 1.335–3.126, p = 0.001). Thirty of the 100 patients in the training set had G4 lymphopenia. Logistic stepwise regression was used to identify variables associated with G4 lymphopenia, and the final model consisted of stage‐IVA (p = 0.017), platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio during CCRT (p = 0.008), Heart V50 (p = 0.046), and PV30 (p = 0.048). Finally, a nomogram predicting G4 lymphocytopenia were constructed and externally validated. The ROC curve showed an AUC for internal validation of 0.775 and external validation of 0.843.

Conclusion

Higher doses of pericardial radiation might affect LA‐EC patients' prognosis by inducing G4 lymphopenia during CCRT. Further prospective studies are warranted to confirm these findings, especially in the era of immune‐checkpoint inhibitor treatment.
Strategies that support cultural safety for First Nations people in aged care in Australia: An integrative literature review
Authors: Deravin Linda Michelle , Bramble Marguerite , Anderson Judith , Mahara Nicole
Published: July 2023

Objective

The 2019 Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety highlighted the need for First Nations peoples to have improved, culturally safe care. This paper is a call to action for First Nations peoples to be involved in developing culturally safe care and services to be embedded within Australian aged care services.

Methods

The first screening examined the Australian literature (peer‐reviewed articles published since 2010 in English) detailing key aspects relevant to Cultural Safety for First Nations peoples supported by aged care services in Australia. The second screening assessed whether the findings of these studies aligned with the key aspects of Cultural Safety of First Nations peoples in aged care.

Results

The initial literature search yielded 198 papers, of which 13 met the inclusion criteria for the final review. Topics that required further interrogation included barriers to communication, racism and discrimination, impacts on health outcomes, health‐care workforce education needs and the importance of cultural connections to Country and kin. These topics influenced the perception of First Nations peoples feeling culturally safe when supported by aged care services.

Conclusions

The literature identified a need to recruit more First Nations peoples into the aged care workforce, involve more First Nations family and community members in aged care and retain a consistent workforce overall. Together these strategies were seen to address the barriers that continue to affect aged care provision for First Nations peoples.
Pandemic preparedness and the road to international fascism
Authors: Bell David
Published: July 2023

The World Health Organization's broad definition of health embraces physical, mental and social well‐being. Expressed in its 1946 constitution alongside concepts of community participation and national sovereignty, it reflected an understanding of a world emerging from centuries of colonialist oppression and the public health industry's shameful facilitation of fascism. Health policy would be people‐centered, closely tied to human rights and self‐determination. The COVID‐19 response has demonstrated how these ideals have been undone. Decades of increasing funding within public‐private partnerships have corroded the basis of global public health. The COVID‐19 response, intended for a virus that overwhelmingly targeted the elderly, ignored norms of epidemic management and human rights to institute a regime of suppression, censorship, and coercion reminiscent of the power systems and governance that were previously condemned. Without pausing to examine the costs, the public health industry is developing international instruments and processes that will entrench these destructive practices in international law. Public health, presented as a series of health emergencies, is being used once again to facilitate a fascist approach to societal management. The beneficiaries will be the corporations and investors whom the COVID‐19 response served well. Human rights and individual freedom, as under previous fascist regimes, will lose. The public health industry must urgently awaken to the changing world in which it works, if it is to adopt a role in saving public health rather than contributing to its degradation.
Beyond the Grid: The Micropolitics of Off‐Grid Energy in Qandu‐Qandu, South Africa
Authors: Bobbins Kerry , Caprotti Federico , de Groot Jiska , Pailman Whitney , Moorlach Mascha , Schloemann Hendrik , Densmore Alex , Finlay Kimenthrie , Fischat Ellen , Siwali Siseko
Published: July 2023

In this paper, we argue using smart technologies beyond the grid disrupts the access and use of existing energy sources, with profound impacts on everyday social life. We show how off‐grid smart energy solutions constitute their own politics when considering existing conceptualisations of urban infrastructures in geography and the social sciences. To expose its politics, or “micropolitics”, we consider how tensions occur at the interface between infrastructures, where there are additions and modifications. We draw on an empirical example of Qandu‐Qandu, an informal settlement in South Africa, to highlight how the placement, technical capabilities, and flexible financing options associated with off‐grid solar energy create micropolitics with profound implications for everyday life. To conclude, we reflect on the value of using disruptions for understanding and enhancing equity in off‐grid settings, contributing to the broader sustainability transitions narrative, and its “liveliness”.
Major congenital heart defects are rarely diagnosed after newborns' hospital discharge with modern screening
Authors: Papunen I. , Poutanen T. , Ylänen K.
Published: July 2023

Aim

Our aim was to assess undiagnosed congenital heart defects (CHD) after newborns' hospital discharge in patients with a murmur or CHD suspicion, to find out the signs that predict CHDs and to estimate the costs of the examinations.

Methods

We reviewed retrospective medical records of patients (n = 490) referred for the evaluation of CHD suspicion during 2017–2018.

Results

The median age of the patients was 2.5 (IQR 0.5–7.4) years. Sixty‐three (13%) patients had an abnormal echocardiography. Neither ductal‐dependent nor cyanotic CHDs were found. Cardiac interventions were performed for 14 out of 63 (22%) patients. Clinical signs indicating CHDs were murmur grade ≥3 (10/11 [91%] vs. 53/479 [11%], p < 0.001) and harsh murmur (15/44 [34%] vs. 48/446 [11%], p < 0.001). Abnormal electrocardiography did not indicate CHD (8/40 [20%] vs. 55/447 [12%], p = 0.165). The total cost of the examinations was 259 700€. The share of the cost of studies assessed as benign was 59%.

Conclusion

Only a few CHDs were found after newborn hospital discharge among patients who received foetal and newborn screening and were examined due to CHD suspicion. The high number of benign murmurs in children leads to many referrals, resulting in unnecessary healthcare costs.
Evaluation of effects of indoxyl sulfate and parathyroid hormone on CYP3A activity considering the influence of CYP3A5 gene polymorphisms
Authors: Oda Ayako , Suzuki Yosuke , Yoshijima Chisato , Sato Haruki , Tanaka Ryota , Ono Hiroyuki , Tatsuta Ryosuke , Ando Tadasuke , Shin Toshitaka , Itoh Hiroki , Ohno Keiko
Published: July 2023

Aims

Indoxyl sulfate and parathyroid hormone (PTH), which accumulate in chronic kidney disease (CKD), have been reported to reduce cytochrome P450(CYP)3A activity. Homozygotes of the CYP3A5*3 allele have reduced CYP3A5 activity compared to carriers of at least one CYP3A5*1 allele. 4β‐Hydroxycholesterol (4β‐OHC) has been established as an endogenous substrate reflecting CYP3A activity. 4β‐OHC is produced through hydroxylation by CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 and by autoxidation of cholesterol, whereas 4α‐hydroxycholesterol (4α‐OHC) is produced solely by autoxidation of cholesterol. This study focused on CKD patients and evaluated the effects of plasma indoxyl sulfate and intact‐PTH concentrations on plasma 4β‐OHC concentration, 4β‐OHC/total cholesterol ratio and 4β‐OHC–4α‐OHC, with consideration of the influence of CYP3A5 polymorphism.

Methods

Sixty‐three CKD patients were analysed and divided into CYP3A5 carrier group (n = 26) and non‐carrier group (n = 37).

Results

Plasma indoxyl sulfate significantly correlated inversely with 4β‐OHC concentration and with 4β‐OHC–4α‐OHC in both the CYP3A5*1 carrier group (r = −0.42, P = .034; r = −0.39, P = .050, respectively) and the non‐carrier group (r = −0.45, P = .0054; r = −0.39, P = .019, respectively). However, multiple regression analysis did not identify plasma indoxyl sulfate concentration as a significant independent factor associated with any of the CYP3A activity indices. There was no significant correlation between plasma intact‐PTH concentration and any of the CYP3A activity indices.

Conclusions

The present results suggest that plasma indoxyl sulfate and intact‐PTH concentrations do not have clinically significant effects on CYP3A activity in patients with CKD.
Case report: Rare case of donor cell‐derived T‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in a female patient after receiving an allo‐transplant from her male sibling
Authors: Eadie Laura N. , Rehn Jacqueline A. , Schutz Caitlin E. , Heatley Susan L. , Kutyna Monika M. , Hiwase Devendra K. , White Deborah L. , Yeung David T.
Published: July 2023

Donor‐derived haematological neoplasms, in which recipients present with haematological malignancies that have evolved from transplant donor stem cells, have previously been described for myelodysplastic syndrome, myeloproliferative neoplasms, acute myeloid leukaemia and less often, leukaemias of lymphoid origin. Here we describe a rare and complex case of donor‐derived T‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia with a relatively short disease latency of less than 4 years. Through genomic and in vitro analyses, we identified novel mutations in NOTCH1 as well as a novel activating mutation in STAT5B; the latter targetable with the clinically available drugs, venetoclax and ruxolitinib.
Persons with profound and multiple learning disabilities as subjects of knowledge: Exploring the possibilities of empathy
Authors: Skarsaune Synne Nese
Published: July 2023

Background

Persons with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) risk exclusion, both in research and as members of society. Because of their embodied communication, they face the challenges in being understood. Oftentimes, others speak on their behalf making inferences on what their perspective might be.

Methods

Empathy is suggested as an approach to grasp the perspective of a person with profound and multiple learning disabilities through engaging with embodied communication. The account of empathy suggested by Stein will be unfolded through an ethnographic study including persons with profound and multiple learning disabilities and their professional supporters. Given this background, the intent is to discuss the potential empathy can have in recognising persons with these disabilities as subjects of knowledge.

Findings and Conclusions

The characteristics of persons with profound and multiple learning disabilities provide energy to empathic situations in ways that advocate for the possibility of being recognised as subjects of knowledge. This is related to the competencies of the individual, ambiguous communication and the dependency relations in which they are involved. It is of utmost importance to respect the alterity of the other.
Quantifying the trade‐reducing effect of embargoes: Firm‐level evidence from Russia
Authors: Miromanova Anna
Published: July 2023

In 2014, Russia responded to sanctions imposed by a coalition of Western countries with a retaliatory import embargo. I draw on this unique case study and a customs data set on firm‐level import transactions to investigate the ramifications of Russia's counter‐sanctions on firm‐level foreign trade. Using detailed data and a triple‐difference estimation strategy, I examine micro‐level dynamics and heterogeneities that aggregate data alone do not reveal. I identify the effects of the embargo on the extensive margin (the probability that a firm imports a particular product from a given country in a particular time period) and the intensive margin (the value of a firm's import transaction) of firm‐level trade, as well as its effects on logged unit values. The main findings of this study show that the embargo had statistically significant negative impacts on extensive and intensive margins of firm‐level trade. I also pinpoint evidence of multiple exemptions from the embargo and a large degree of heterogeneity of firm‐level responses to the embargo based on firm attributes, such as firm size and government connection.
Supra‐Blan2t score as a multisystem‐based risk score to predict poor 3‐month outcome in acute ischemic stroke patients with intravenous thrombolysis
Authors: Jin Huijuan , Peng Qiwei , Li Min , Sun Shuai , Zhou Jinghua , Hu Jichuan , Huang Ming , Chen Xinglong , Li Yanan , Zhou Yifan , Wan Yan , Hong Candong , Chen Shengcai , Hu Bo
Published: July 2023

Aim

To develop and validate a novel weighted score integrating multisystem laboratory and clinical variables to predict poor 3‐month outcome (mRS score of 3–6) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) therapy.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data from Trial of Revascularization Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke study. The Supra‐Blan2t score was derived using the data on age, the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, history of atrial fibrillation, blood sugar level, neutrophil count, direct bilirubin level, platelet–lymphocyte ratio, and TnI level in the derivation cohort of 433 patients, and validated in a cohort of 525 patients. Furthermore, we compared the performance of the Supra‐Blan2t score with DRAGON, TURN, and SPAN‐100 scores.

Results

The discrimination capacity in the derivation and validation cohorts was good for poor 3‐month outcome (the area under the curve was 0.821 and 0.843, respectively). The cumulative incidence of poor 3‐month outcome significantly increased across risk categories in the derivation (low‐risk, 9.2%; medium‐risk, 17.4%; and high‐risk, 58.8%) and validation cohorts (12.7%, 36.5%, and 73.6%, respectively). The performance of the Supra‐Blan2t score was similar to or superior to DRAGON, TURN, and SPAN‐100 scores.

Conclusion

The Supra‐Blan2t score, based on easily available multisystem laboratory and clinical variables, reliably predicted poor 3‐month functional outcome in AIS patients treated with IVT therapy featuring good calibration and discrimination.
Tactile estimation of hedonic and sensory properties during active touch: An electroencephalography study
Authors: Henderson Jessica , Mari Tyler , Hewitt Danielle , Newton‐Fenner Alice , Hopkinson Andrew , Giesbrecht Timo , Marshall Alan , Stancak Andrej , Fallon Nicholas
Published: July 2023

Perceptual judgements about our physical environment are informed by somatosensory information. In real‐world exploration, this often involves dynamic hand movements to contact surfaces, termed active touch. The current study investigated cortical oscillatory changes during active exploration to inform the estimation of surface properties and hedonic preferences of two textured stimuli: smooth silk and rough hessian. A purpose‐built touch sensor quantified active touch, and oscillatory brain activity was recorded from 129‐channel electroencephalography. By fusing these data streams at a single trial level, oscillatory changes within the brain were examined while controlling for objective touch parameters (i.e., friction). Time–frequency analysis was used to quantify changes in cortical oscillatory activity in alpha (8–12 Hz) and beta (16–24 Hz) frequency bands. Results reproduce findings from our lab, whereby active exploration of rough textures increased alpha‐band event‐related desynchronisation in contralateral sensorimotor areas. Hedonic processing of less preferred textures resulted in an increase in temporoparietal beta‐band and frontal alpha‐band event‐related desynchronisation relative to most preferred textures, suggesting that higher order brain regions are involved in the hedonic processing of texture. Overall, the current study provides novel insight into the neural mechanisms underlying texture perception during active touch and how this process is influenced by cognitive tasks.
Treatment‐responsive glycogen storage myopathy in a patient with POEMS syndrome: A new monoclonal gammopathy‐associated myopathy
Authors: Soontrapa Pannathat , Tracy Jennifer A. , Gonsalves Wilson I. , Liewluck Teerin
Published: July 2023

Background

Myopathies associated with monoclonal gammopathy are relatively uncommon and underrecognized, treatable myopathies, and include sporadic late onset nemaline myopathy, light chain amyloid myopathy, and a recently described vacuolar myopathy with monoclonal gammopathy and stiffness (VAMGS). Herein, we report a new subtype of monoclonal gammopathy‐associated myopathy (MGAM) in a polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M protein, and skin changes (POEMS) patient.

Method

Case report.

Results

A 51‐year‐old woman presented with a 6‐month history of progressive bilateral foot drop, lower limb edema, and a 15‐lb weight loss. She denied muscle stiffness. Neurologic exam showed severe distal weakness, mild proximal weakness, and length‐dependent sensory deficits. Laboratory studies revealed biclonal gammopathy (IgG kappa and IgA lambda), thrombocytosis, and elevated vascular endothelial growth factor. Creatine kinase was normal. Electrodiagnostic studies identified mixed demyelinating and axonal polyradiculoneuropathy and a superimposed proximal myopathy. Gluteus medius biopsy demonstrated scattered fibers with glycogen‐filled vacuoles, similar to VAMGS, with additional rare myofibers containing polyglucosan bodies. She was diagnosed with POEMS syndrome and concomitant glycogen storage myopathy. Next‐generation sequencing of glycogen storage and polyglucosan body myopathy‐related genes was unrevealing. Proximal weakness resolved after autologous stem cell transplant.

Conclusions

This patient expands a spectrum of MGAM. Recognition of this condition and other subtypes of MGAM is of utmost important because they are treatable.