bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emerging Research Trends in Marketing: A Review of Australasian Marketing Journal
Authors: Thaichon Park , Quach Sara , Ngo Liem Viet
Published: July 2022

This article reviews papers published in the Australasian Marketing Journal (AMJ) from 2015 to 2022 (Issue 2). About 276 papers were considered in our analysis. Adopting text mining, we reveal the key terms associated with research published in AMJ over the last 6 years. We employ a topic modeling procedure to find 15 topics that have been featured in the Journal and to depict the trends in topics over time. For example, in 2021 and 2022, there has been a big increase in “Digital,” “Artificial Intelligence,” “Sustainability,” “Online Engagement,” and “Purchase Intention” topics, in line with the AMJ’s desire to capture the current industry and academic trends. A citation analysis shows the growth of articles and citations of papers published in AMJ and reveals some of the most cited papers. It is demonstrated that methodological articles are more likely to receive a high number of citations. We conclude by suggesting emerging topics and future research directions.
Vulnerability among older people ageing with deafblindness
Authors: Simcock Peter , Manthorpe Jill , Tinker Anthea
Published: July 2022

Vulnerability is an underexamined concept in social work. Scholarly activity principally concentrates on policy analysis and theoretical debate; less attention is given to lived experience of vulnerability from the perspectives of particular groups, impoverishing understanding of the phenomenon. This article presents findings from the first United Kingdom-based study of the lived experience of vulnerability from the perspectives of older deafblind adults. Adopting a qualitative design, data were collected via 18 semistructured interviews with eight participants (aged between 49 and 83), undertaken between October 2014 and July 2016. Data were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Findings

Participants interpret vulnerability as layered, describing what they feel vulnerable about, what they feel vulnerable to, and when they feel vulnerable. The latter layer is predominant: vulnerability experiences are time-limited, and situation and setting specific. Situational and pathogenic sources of vulnerability include the responses of other people, particularly the experience of being misunderstood or perceived as incapable. The layers of vulnerability are not discrete: they can be combined and avoidance of one vulnerability can exacerbate another.

Applications

Findings strengthen arguments against categorizing particular groups, including deafblind people, as permanently and immutably vulnerable. Such categorization, focused solely on impairment, provides an inadequate understanding of experience. Policymakers should consider adopting a layered approach to defining vulnerability. Assessment of these layers and how they interact may offer social workers an enhanced understanding of deafblind people's experiences and assist in determining what matters to them. Assessment should explore coping strategies, and assumptions of incapability based on impairment be rejected.
Tunnel safety: A pilot study investigating drivers’ fixation characteristics when approaching tunnel entrance at different driving speeds
Authors: Qin L , Yang D-S , Weng Y-N , Leon AS , Shi X-H
Published: July 2022

This study presents the results of a driving experiment study on spatiotemporal characteristics of drivers’ fixation when entering a tunnel portal with different driving speeds. The study was performed during the daytime in a relatively long tunnel. Six experienced drivers were recruited to participate in the driving experiment. Experimental data of pupil area and fixation point position (from 200 m before the tunnel to the tunnel portal) were collected by non-intrusive eye-tracking equipment for three predetermined vehicle speeds (40 km/h, 60 km/h and 80 km/h). Fixation maps (color-coded maps showing distributed data) were created from fixation point position data to quantify visual behaviour changes. The results demonstrated that vehicle speed has a significant impact on pupil area and fixation zones. Fixation area and average pupil area had a significant negative correlation with vehicle speed during the daytime. Moreover, drivers concentrated more on the tunnel entrance portal, front road pavement and car control wheeling. The results revealed that the relationship between pupil area and vehicle speed fitted an exponential function. Limitations and future directions of the study are also discussed.
Correlation of Optical Surface Respiratory Motion Signal and Internal Lung and Liver Tumor Motion: A Retrospective Single-Center Observational Study
Authors: Wang Guangyu , Song Xinyu , Li Guangjun , Duan Lian , Li Zhibin , Dai Guyu , Bai Long , Xiao Qing , Zhang Xiangbin , Song Ying , Bai Sen
Published: July 2022

Purpose: Surface-guided radiation therapy (SGRT) application has limitations. This study aimed to explore the relationship between patient characteristics and their external/internal correlation to qualitatively assess the external/internal correlation in a particular patient. Methods: Liver and lung cancer patients treated with radiotherapy in our institution were retrospectively analyzed. The external/internal correlation were calculated with Spearman correlation coefficient (SCC) and SCC after support vector regression (SVR) fitting (SCCsvr). The relationship between the external/internal correlation and magnitudes of motion of the tumor and external marker (Ai, Ae), tumor volume Vt, patient age, gender, and tumor location were explored. Results: The external/internal motions of liver and lung cancer patients were strongly correlated in the S-I direction, with mean SCCsvr values of 0.913 and 0.813. The correlation coefficients between the external/internal correlations and the patients’ characteristics (Ai, Ae, Vt, and age) were all smaller than 0.5; Ai, Ae and liver tumor volumes were positively correlated with the strength of the external/internal correlation, while lung tumor volumes and patient age were negative. The external/internal correlations in males and females were roughly equal, and the external/internal correlations in patients with peripheral lung cancers were stronger than those in patients with central lung cancers. Conclusion: The external/internal correlation shows great individual differences. The effects of Ai, Ae, Vt, and age are weakly to moderately correlated. Our results suggest the necessity of individualized assessment of patient's external/internal motion correlation prior to the application of SGRT technique for breath motion monitoring.
Safety of Transcarotid Revascularization in Patients with a Contraindication to Dual Antiplatelets
Authors: Olvera Alejandro , Tanaka Akiko , Madison Mackenzie K. , Motaganahalli Raghu L. , Fajardo Andres , Keyhani Arash , Keyhani Kourosh , Wang S. Keisin
Published: July 2022

Objective

Current carotid artery stenting practice guidelines recommend dual antiplatelets to reduce major adverse cardiovascular events during and after transcarotid revascularization (TCAR). However, some patients are poor candidates for this regimen, due to preexisting need for anticoagulation, allergies, and/or risk of major bleeding. Therefore, this investigation was performed to review outcomes associated with patients undergoing TCAR while on alternative medication regimens to determine safety and efficacy.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed of a combined database created by the combination of institutional carotid revascularization archives maintained at 2 high-volume TCAR health systems. Patients taking dual antiplatelets were compared to those on nontraditional medications with respect to demographics and perioperative and long-term outcomes.

Results

Between our 2 member institutions, 729 TCAR procedures, consisting of 549 patients on dual antiplatelets and 180 on alternative treatments, qualified for study inclusion and analyzed. The cohort not taking dual antiplatelets presented with a heavier comorbidity burden by Charlson Comorbidity Index (5.3 ± 2.2 vs 6.1 ± 2.2, P < .01). Additionally, these patients underwent higher risk revascularization procedures, as they had a higher proportion of symptomatic lesions (34.6% vs 43.0%, P = .03). Despite these deviations in baseline characteristics, similar outcomes between groups were observed in the 30-day perioperative period with respect to stroke (2.2% vs 2.8%, P = .58), death (1.3% vs 1.1%, P > .99), and myocardial infarction (.4% vs 0%, P > .99). Similarly, rates of reintervention (1.6% vs 1.1%, P > .99), hematoma formation (2.4% vs 2.2%, P > .99), and stent thrombosis (.5% vs .6%, P > .99) were consistent, regardless of antiplatelet status. At follow-up of 25.4 and 29.1 months, respectively, for the dual antiplatelet and alternative treatment cohorts, no deviations with respect to reintervention, stroke, myocardial infarction, or stent thrombosis were noted. However, there was an increased risk of death (5.4% vs 13.5%, P = .02) in the alternative regimen group.

Conclusion

In this small series of TCARs, patients not maintained on dual antiplatelets did not experience more perioperative adverse events after TCAR. However, more studies, in larger series, are required to verify and validate these findings.
The Role of Nutrition in Cancer Prevention - Should You Listen to Your Doctor or Influencer?
Authors: Kassam Shireen , Freeman Laura
Published: July 2022

A significant proportion of cancers could be prevented by adopting healthy lifestyle behaviours. In addition, healthy lifestyle factors can have a positive impact on cancer outcomes and survival. Yet, most physicians, including oncologists, do not dedicate a significant amount of time addressing these factors with their patients, who instead look to mainstream media and other non-medical sources for information. This has led to an increase in the number of ‘influencers’ in the wellness space who can accumulate a large and captive audience. At times, this has caused friction amongst healthcare professionals who feel that ‘influencers’ may overstate the potential benefits. The reality is that most people, physicians and the public alike, fail to recognise the immense power that lifestyle interventions hold. Rather than shy away from addressing these issues, we should be empowering our patients to take back control over their health. Here, we provide a personal perspective on why addressing lifestyle factors within cancer care is so important and that we can indeed work together with ‘influencers’ to amplify the message.
Gendered Analysis of Hindutva Imaginaries: Manipulation of Symbols for Ethnonationalist Projects
Authors: Pande Mrinal
Published: July 2022

Since the 1980s, feminist scholars have explored the dynamic linkages between nationalism and gender. Case studies have shown representations of women as reproducers, transmitters of culturally sanctioned behaviour, signifiers of ethnic groups and markers of national identity and honour. The emergence of social media created a new digital arena for the circulation of tropes related to gender and nationalism, and the recent rise of Hindu nationalism in India was reflected and perpetuated in social media. This article explores several memes in the intersecting discourse of gender and Hindu nationalism and investigates memes, tweets, Facebook posts and hashtags that were used on social media during the general elections held in India in 2019. Such media content reveals the extent to which nationalist projects relied on gender norms. Although there is no fixed pattern in terms of how gender shapes memes and digital images, we can identify gendered ideologies of nationalism that embrace patriarchal forms of social organization. The article shows that current online discourses of Hindu nationalism often perpetuate patterns of heteronormative, hegemonic masculinity embedded in satire and jokes. Though women's participation and visibility are on the rise in the Global South, sexism and misogyny manifest as mediatized satire in political memes.
Factors That Help or Hinder the Development of Talent in Physics: A Qualitative Study of Gifted Finnish Upper Secondary School Students
Authors: Makkonen Taina , Lavonen Jari , Tirri Kirsi
Published: July 2022

This qualitative study examined factors that gifted Finnish upper secondary school physics students ( N = 24) identified as helping or hindering their talent development in physics. In-depth interviews captured students’ descriptions of critical incidents regarding their physics talent development at home, school, and in leisure time. The results show that most of the critical experiences the students identified were related to fostering talent development. Parental physics-specific support, motivated and gifted peers, digital and traditional physics-related media, certain teacher characteristics, and some instruction- and curriculum-based opportunities were among the factors the students considered supportive. The results also reveal several factors relating to family, school, and leisure time that hinder talent development. Moreover, the analysis highlights the students’ low interest in physics competitions. The findings can be used by administrators, teachers, and parents to identify the opportunities that best support the talent development of gifted physics students.
COVID-19 vaccine side effect: age and gender disparity in adverse effects following the first dose of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine among the vaccinated population in Eastern Ethiopia: a community-based study
Authors: Alemayehu Astawus , Demissie Abebaw , Yusuf Mohammed , Abdullahi Yasin , Abdulwehab Remzia , Oljira Lemessa , Feleke Dereje
Published: July 2022

Objective:

The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a major threat to community health, and vaccinations are a safe and effective way to reduce disease loads around the world. This study aimed to assess the age and gender disparity in adverse effects following the first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine among the vaccinated population in Eastern Ethiopia.

Methods:

A community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 832 randomly selected individuals from December 1st to 20th, 2021, in eastern Ethiopia. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews using a pretested structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the SPSS V26. Descriptive summary statistics were done. A chi-square test statistic was computed to assess the difference in adverse effects between age groups and both genders.

Result:

Out of 832 study participants who had taken the first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine, 96.3% of them felt at least one adverse effect. The magnitude of adverse reactions was higher among male participants. The reported adverse reactions were significantly higher in the age group of 50–60 years with comorbidity than those of <50 and >60 years of age.

Conclusion:

Overall, there is a significant age and gender difference in adverse effects following the first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, adverse reactions were higher among people with comorbidity in the age group of 50–60 years. The Harari Regional Health Bureau should provide training for frontline healthcare workers on early recognition and response to adverse effects of the COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, information and education should be provided to the community as a whole regarding recognition and the appropriate measures to be taken.
Time pressures under international crises reconsidered: Integrating real and experimental time
Authors: Hoshiro Hiroyuki
Published: July 2022

This study discusses the relationship between the time pressure faced by policymakers when an international military-security crisis breaks out and the consequences of the crisis. If a policy is decided too quickly, decision-makers do not have the ability to consider enough alternatives and information, which lowers the chances of averting a crisis. Moreover, if too much time is taken in deliberating, an international crisis may heat up and the chance to potentially come up with an optimal policy at the right time may be missed. The article takes a mixed methods approach using quantitative data and three case studies. The International Crisis Behavior (ICB, version 13) dataset was used to identify the time spent in making policy decisions to respond to an international crisis and the consequences of the crisis, for the period 1918–2013. Also, three actual international crises were analyzed: Russia's annexation of Crimea and Donbas, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the Korean War. The quantitative results and the case analyses indicate that a third alternative, a medium time span, allows for careful deliberation and sufficient information gathering to occur, and decision-makers may thereby avoid an international crisis.
Electoral competition and government health expenditure in electoral autocracies: A pessimistic view
Authors: Lee Jeong-Woo
Published: July 2022

Does electoral competition affect expenditures on the provision of public goods in electoral autocracies? Previous studies firmly agree that multiparty elections are critical to autocratic survival. Accordingly, studies argue that multiparty elections lead to an increase in health expenditure in electoral autocracies. In addition to the literature, less explored is the effect of electoral competition on the expenditure. If oppositions can run elections with a higher level of electoral competition and threaten the dictator's winning over elections, would autocrats provide more public goods to citizens? This paper raises a pessimistic view on this question and argues that the impact of electoral competition does not affect government health expenditure. Empirical findings with 291 cases of 70 electoral autocracies from 2000 to 2018 and an illustrative case study of Armenia demonstrate that autocrats are less likely to provide health and education expenditures to citizens even though they face higher competition during elections.
Does Ligamentous Laxity Protect Against Chondral and Osteochondral Injuries in Patients With Patellofemoral Instability?
Authors: Redler Lauren H. , Dennis Elizabeth R. , Mayer Gabrielle M. , Kalbian Irene L. , Nguyen Joseph T. , Shubin Stein Beth E. , Strickland Sabrina M.
Published: July 2022

Background:

Many patients undergoing medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction for patellofemoral instability have chondral or osteochondral injuries requiring treatment.

Hypothesis:

In patients undergoing MPFL reconstruction for patellofemoral instability, those with ligamentous laxity (LAX) would be less likely to have chondral or osteochondral defects requiring surgical intervention compared with those with no laxity (NLX).

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

Included were 171 patients with patellofemoral instability (32 men, 139 women; mean age, 22 years [range, 11-57 years]) who underwent MPFL reconstruction between 2005 and 2015. Patients with a Beighton-Horan score ≥5 were considered LAX (n = 96), while patients with scores <5 were considered NLX (n = 75). Preoperative magnetic resonance images were evaluated to determine the presence, size, and location of chondral or osteochondral injury as well as the grade according to the Outerbridge classification. Documented anatomic measurements included tibial tubercle–trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance, Caton-Deschamps Index (CDI) for patellar height, and the Dejour classification for trochlear dysplasia.

Results:

Of the 171 patients, 58 (34%) required a surgical intervention for a chondral or osteochondral defect: chondroplasty (29/58; 50%), particulated juvenile cartilage implantation (18/58; 31%), microfracture (16/58; 28%), osteochondral fracture fixation (2/58; 3.4%), and osteochondral allograft (2/58; 3.4%). While there was no statistical difference in the proportion of patellar chondral or osteochondral injuries between patients with NLX (58%) versus LAX (67%) ( P = .271), there was a significantly higher rate of patellar grade 3 or 4 injuries in the NLX (74%) versus LAX (45%) group ( P = .004). Similarly, there was no difference in femoral chondral or osteochondral injury rates between groups ( P = .132); however, femoral grade 3 or 4 injuries were significantly higher in the NLX (67%) versus the LAX (13%) group ( P = .050). After adjusting for age, sex, radiographic parameters (TT-TG distance and CDI), and trochlear morphology, patients with LAX were 75% less likely to have had a grade 3 or 4 patellar cartilage injury compared with patients with NLX ( P = .006).

Conclusion:

For patients who sustained patellar or femoral chondral or osteochondral injuries, compared with their counterparts with NLX, patients with LAX were less likely to have severe (grade 3 or 4) injuries requiring surgical intervention.
In vivo genome-wide CRISPR screening in murine acute myeloid leukemia uncovers microenvironmental dependencies
Authors: Mercier Francois E. , Shi Jiantao , Sykes David B. , Oki Toshihiko , Jankovic Maja , Man Cheuk Him , Kfoury Youmna S. , Miller Elizabeth , He Shutao , Zhu Alexander , Vasic Radovan , Doench John , Orthwein Alexandre , Michor Franziska , Scadden David T.
Published: July 2022

Genome-wide CRISPR screens have been extremely useful in identifying therapeutic targets in diverse cancers by defining genes that are essential for malignant growth. However, most CRISPR screens were performed in vitro and thus cannot identify genes that are essential for interactions with the microenvironment in vivo. Here, we report genome-wide CRISPR screens in 2 in vivo murine models of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) driven by the KMT2A/MLLT3 fusion or by the constitutive coexpression of Hoxa9 and Meis1. Secondary validation using a focused library identified 72 genes specifically essential for leukemic growth in vivo, including components of the major histocompatibility complex class I complex, Cd47, complement receptor Cr1l, and the β-4-galactosylation pathway. Importantly, several of these in vivo–specific hits have a prognostic effect or are inferred to be master regulators of protein activity in human AML cases. For instance, we identified Fermt3, a master regulator of integrin signaling, as having in vivo–specific dependency with high prognostic relevance. Overall, we show an experimental and computational pipeline for genome-wide functional screens in vivo in AML and provide a genome-wide resource of essential drivers of leukemic growth in vivo.
Evaluating the impact of eligibility criteria in first-line clinical trials for follicular lymphoma: a MER/LEO cohort analysis
Authors: Luan Danny , Fatola Tolulope , Toure Ahmed , Flowers Christopher R. , Link Brian , Friedberg Jonathan W. , Cohen Jonathon B. , Kahl Brad , Lossos Izidore S. , Nastoupil Loretta , Maurer Matthew J. , Cerhan James R. , Martin Peter
Published: July 2022

Cancer clinical trial eligibility criteria may create patient populations studied in trials that do not reflect the patient populations treated in the real-world setting. Follicular lymphoma (FL) is an indolent lymphoma with heterogeneous presentations across a broad range of individuals, resulting in many acceptable management strategies. We evaluated how first-line clinical trial eligibility criteria impacted the demographic makeup and outcomes of patients with FL for whom systemic therapy might be considered. We compared the characteristics of 196 patients with FL from a single institution to eligibility criteria from 10 first-line FL trials on clinicaltrials.gov. Next, we tabulated eligibility criteria from 24 first-line FL protocols and evaluated their impact on 1198 patients with FL with stages II to IV disease from the prospective Molecular Epidemiology Resource (MER) and Lymphoma Epidemiology of Outcomes (LEO) cohort studies. We found that 39.8% and 52.7% of patients with FL might be excluded from clinical trials based on eligibility criteria derived from clinicaltrials.gov and protocol documents, respectively. Patients excluded because of renal function, prior malignancy, and self-reported serious health conditions tended to be older. Expanding stage requirement from III-IV to II-IV, and platelet requirement from ≥150 000 to ≥75 000 increased population size by 21% and 8%, respectively, in MER and by 16% and 13%, respectively, in LEO, without impacting patient demographics or outcomes. These data suggest that management of older individuals with FL may not be fully informed by recent clinical trials. Moreover, liberalizing stage and platelet criteria might expand the eligible population and allow for quicker trial accrual without impacting outcomes.
MRI-based random survival Forest model improves prediction of progression-free survival to induction chemotherapy plus concurrent Chemoradiotherapy in Locoregionally Advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Pei Wei , Wang Chen , Liao Hai , Chen Xiaobo , Wei Yunyun , Huang Xia , Liang Xueli , Bao Huayan , Su Danke , Jin Guanqiao
Published: July 2022

Background

The present study aimed to explore the application value of random survival forest (RSF) model and Cox model in predicting the progression-free survival (PFS) among patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LANPC) after induction chemotherapy plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy (IC + CCRT).

Methods

Eligible LANPC patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan before treatment were subjected to radiomics feature extraction. Radiomics and clinical features of patients in the training cohort were subjected to RSF analysis to predict PFS and were tested in the testing cohort. The performance of an RSF model with clinical and radiologic predictors was assessed with the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) and Delong test and compared with Cox models based on clinical and radiologic parameters. Further, the Kaplan-Meier method was used for risk stratification of patients.

Results

A total of 294 LANPC patients (206 in the training cohort; 88 in the testing cohort) were enrolled and underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans before treatment. The AUC value of the clinical Cox model, radiomics Cox model, clinical + radiomics Cox model, and clinical + radiomics RSF model in predicting 3- and 5-year PFS for LANPC patients was [0.545 vs 0.648 vs 0.648 vs 0.899 (training cohort), and 0.566 vs 0.736 vs 0.730 vs 0.861 (testing cohort); 0.556 vs 0.604 vs 0.611 vs 0.897 (training cohort), and 0.591 vs 0.661 vs 0.676 vs 0.847 (testing cohort), respectively]. Delong test showed that the RSF model and the other three Cox models were statistically significant, and the RSF model markedly improved prediction performance (P < 0.001). Additionally, the PFS of the high-risk group was lower than that of the low-risk group in the RSF model (P < 0.001), while comparable in the Cox model (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

The RSF model may be a potential tool for prognostic prediction and risk stratification of LANPC patients.
Lower urinary tract symptoms in an elderly women caused by degeneration of the pubic symphysis
Authors: He Kaixing , Wang Jinguo , Zhao Haixiao , Gao Jialin
Published: July 2022

Background

Lower urinary tract symptoms are very common in elderly women, and transvaginal delivery and multiple deliveries have been confirmed to be risk factors. Transvaginal delivery and multiple deliveries may lead to an increase in pubic symphysis degeneration.

Case presentation

A 79-year-old woman consulted a urologist because of worsening lower urinary tract symptoms such as frequent urination and urodynia. Color ultrasound and cystoscopy suggested the possibility of a bladder mass. A lump on the anterior wall of the bladder was observed although the surface mucosa was normal. Physical examination showed obvious tenderness in the posterior area of the pubic symphysis. Further urological computed tomography (CT) and pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a nodular bony protuberance in the posterior part of the pubic symphysis, which was more obvious than before, with compression changes near the anterior wall of bladder. Open pelvic surgery showed that nodular bone tissue originating from the pubic symphysis significantly oppressed the anterior wall of the bladder behind the pubic symphysis. After resection of the nodule, the lower urinary tract symptoms were relieved significantly.

Conclusions

Pubic symphysis degeneration caused by transvaginal delivery may be an important cause of lower urinary tract symptoms in women. Pelvic CT or MRI is necessary to diagnosis this condition.
Population genetics of Cryptosporidium parvum subtypes in cattle in Poland: the geographical change of strain prevalence and circulation over time
Authors: Kaupke Agnieszka , Rzeżutka Artur
Published: July 2022

Background

Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum) is a cosmopolitan parasite that infects various livestock animals including cattle. Microsatellite typing tools for identification of C. parvum subtypes are currently employed to better understand the species-specific epidemiology of cattle cryptosporidiosis. The aim of this study was to analyse the population genetics of C. parvum strains infecting cattle and recognise geographical distribution and time-span correlations in subtype prevalence in Poland. In total, 1601 faecal samples were collected from 2014 to 2018 from healthy cattle from dairy, meat and mixed breeds at the age of 1 week to 4 months. The 267 farms visited were randomly selected and represented all Polish provinces. PCR–RFLP based identification of C. parvum at the 18 small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) locus was performed, followed by strain subtyping by GP60-PCR. 

Results

The overall prevalence of C. parvum in Polish cattle was estimated at 6.2% (100/1601). Animals below the age of 1 month were the major host for this parasite. Excluding one breed, that of dairy-meat mixed, there were no significant differences observed between breed and presence of C. parvum infections (95% TPIAll breeds: 1.67–73.53%; POPR = 0.05—0.95). Infected animals were detected in 15 out of 16 Polish provinces, with significant regional prevalence diffrences (Kruskal–Wallis rank sum test, Kruskal–Wallis χ2 = 13.46, p < 0.001). When the population genetics of C. parvum strains were analysed, 11 parasite subtypes from the IIa and IId genetic families were identified. Compared to other parasite strains, IIaA17G1R1 and IIaA17G2R1 appeared at statistically significantly higher frequency (F-test, F = 3.39; p = 0.0003). The prevalence of C. parvum subtypes in cattle was breed-related (Chi-squared test, χ2 = 143.6; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The analysis of the population genetics of C. parvum subtypes showed that strains from the IIa subtype family predominated in the tested cattle population. However, relations in changes of subtype prevalence and circulation over time were observed. They were associated with the disappearance of some strains and emergence of new variants from the same genetic family in different geographical locations.
Low frequency vibrating magnetic field-triggered magnetic microspheres with a nanoflagellum-like surface for cancer therapy
Authors: Guo Yuliang , Yang Wenxuan , Pu Guangjin , Zhu Chunjiao , Zhu Yifan , Li Ji , Huang Yuqiao , Wang Bo , Chu Maoquan
Published: July 2022

Background

The magneto-mechanical force killing cancer cells is an interesting and important strategy for cancer therapy.

Results

Novel magnetic microspheres composed of a Fe3O4 nanocore, a bovine serum albumin (BSA) matrix, and a rod-like SiO2 nanoshell, which had flagellum-like surface for force-mediated cancer therapy were developed. One such magnetic microsphere (Fe3O4/BSA/rSiO2) at a cancer cell (not leave the cell surface) under a low frequency vibrating magnetic field (VMF) could generate 6.17 pN force. Interestingly, this force could induce cancer cell to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). The force and force-induced ROS could kill cancer cells. The cell killing efficiency of Fe3O4/BSA/rSiO2 exposed to a VMF was enhanced with increasing silica nanorod length, and the microspheres with straight nanorods exhibited stronger cell killing ability than those with curled nanorods. Fe3O4/BSA/rSiO2 triggered by a VMF could efficiently inhibit mouse tumor growth, while these microspheres without a VMF had no significant effect on the cell cycle distribution, cell viability, tumor growth, and mouse health.

Conclusions

These microspheres with unique morphological characteristics under VMF have great potential that can provide a new platform for treating solid tumors at superficial positions whether with hypoxia regions or multidrug resistance.
HDAC1 regulates inflammation and osteogenic differentiation of ankylosing spondylitis fibroblasts through the Wnt-Smad signaling pathway
Authors: Zeng Yong , He Rui , Liu Yong , Luo Ting , Li Qing , He Yu , Fang Miao , Wang Taiping
Published: July 2022

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a refractory autoimmune disease, whose typical pathology is the development of inflammation to ossification and ankylosis. Histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) is considered to be a key factor involved in inflammatory gene transduction, but its role in AS remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the role and possible mechanism of HDAC1 in AS based on the Wnt-Smad pathway. Fibroblasts were isolated from hip synovial tissues of AS patients, adeno-associated virus (AAV) was used to regulate the expression of HDAC1, DKK-1 and SIS3 was used to inhibit Wnt and Smad, respectively. The expressions of Wnt-Smad pathway-related proteins were analyzed by WB, and the TRP ion channel proteins were analyzed by immunofluorescence and WB. The proliferation of AS fibroblasts was detected by CCK-8, the expression of inflammatory cytokines was detected by ELISA, and the effects of HDAC1 on osteogenic differentiation of AS fibroblasts were investigated by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, intracellular calcium concentration, mineralization and osteogenic proteins expressions. Results showed that HDAC1 significantly affected the protein expressions of the Wnt-Smad pathway in AS fibroblasts, and Wnt inhibitor DKK-1 and Smad3 inhibitor SIS3 could significantly reverse the effect of HDAC1 on the Wnt-Smad pathway. In addition, HDAC1 significantly activated the TRP ion channel and promoted the proliferation, inflammatory response and osteogenic differentiation of AS fibroblasts. DKK-1 or SIS3 treatment significantly inhibit the effect of HDAC-1 on AS fibroblasts, suggesting that the Wnt-Smad pathway is involved in the regulation of AS by HDAC1. In conclusion, HDAC1 promotes the proliferation, inflammatory response and osteogenic differentiation of AS fibroblasts through the Wnt-Smad pathway.
Identification of novel candidate biomarkers and immune infiltration in polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Na Zhijing , Guo Wen , Song Jiahui , Feng Di , Fang Yuanyuan , Li Da
Published: July 2022

Background

In this study, we aimed to identify novel biomarkers for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and analyze their potential roles in immune infiltration during PCOS pathogenesis.

Methods

Five datasets, namely GSE137684, GSE80432, GSE114419, GSE138518, and GSE155489, were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were selected from the train datasets. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator logistic regression model and support vector machine-recursive feature elimination algorithm were combined to screen potential biomarkers. The test datasets validated the expression levels of these biomarkers, and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated to analyze their diagnostic value. Quantitative real-time PCR was conducted to verify biomarkers’ expression in clinical samples. CIBERSORT was used to assess differential immune infiltration, and the correlations of biomarkers with infiltrating immune cells were evaluated.

Results

Herein, 1265 DEGs were identified between PCOS and control groups. The gene sets related to immune response and adaptive immune response were differentially activated in PCOS. The two diagnostic biomarkers of PCOS identified by us were HD domain containing 3 (HDDC3) and syndecan 2 (SDC2; AUC, 0.918 and 0.816, respectively). The validation of hub biomarkers in clinical samples using RT-qPCR was consistent with bioinformatics results. Immune infiltration analysis indicated that decreased activated mast cells (P = 0.033) and increased eosinophils (P = 0.040) may be a part of the pathogenesis of PCOS. HDDC3 was positively correlated with T regulatory cells (P = 0.0064), activated mast cells (P = 0.014), and monocytes (P = 0.024) but negatively correlated with activated memory CD4 T cells (P = 0.016) in PCOS. In addition, SDC2 was positively correlated with activated mast cells (P = 0.0021), plasma cells (P = 0.0051), and M2 macrophages (P = 0.038) but negatively correlated with eosinophils (P = 0.01) and neutrophils (P = 0.031) in PCOS.

Conclusion

HDDC3 and SDC2 can serve as candidate biomarkers of PCOS and provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of immune regulation in PCOS.
Oral glucose tolerance testing at 1 h and 2 h: relationship with glucose and cardiometabolic parameters and agreement for pre-diabetes diagnosis in patients with morbid obesity
Authors: Guerreiro Vanessa , Maia Isabel , Neves João Sérgio , Salazar Daniela , Ferreira Maria João , Mendonça Fernando , Silva Maria Manuel , Borges-Canha Marta , Viana Sara , Costa Cláudia , Pedro Jorge , Varela Ana , Lau Eva , Freitas Paula , Carvalho Davide ,   AMTCO Group
Published: July 2022

Background

One hour plasma glucose concentration (1hPG) during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) may be an alternative to 2-h plasma glucose concentration (2hPG) in the identification of individuals at increased risk of hyperglycaemia, although its role is not fully understood.

Aim

We aim to investigate the relationship of these measures with other glucose parameters, as well as their relationship with cardiometabolic risk markers and the level of agreement for prediabetes mellitus diagnosis, in a sample of patients with morbid obesity.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 656 patients with morbid obesity without diagnosed diabetes. To define prediabetes with 2hPG, 2022 American Diabetes Association guidelines criteria were used, while for 1hPG, glucose ≥ 155 mg/dL was considered. Cohen’s Kappa coefficient was used to assess the agreement between both measures of prediabetes mellitus diagnosis.

Results

A Cohen’s Kappa coefficient of 0.405 (p < 0.001) was obtained. The 1hPG were positively correlated with homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (ρ = 0.281, p < 0.001), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (ρ = 0.581, p < 0.001), glycated haemoglobin (Hb1AC) (ρ = 0.347, p < 0.001) and were negatively correlated with homeostatic model assessment for cell-β function (HOMA-β) (ρ = −0.092, p = 0.018). 2hPG were also correlated with the same parameters, except for HOMA-β.

Conclusion

A fair agreement between 1 and 2hPG was verified. 1hPG criteria may be a useful indicator of β-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance in patients with morbid obesity without diabetes diagnosis.
The effect of karate interventions on the motor proficiency of female adolescents with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) from high and low socio-economic status
Authors: Ghadiri Farhad , O’Brien Wesley , Soltani Sana , Faraji Marzieh , Bahmani Moslem
Published: July 2022

Background

There is not a general consensus on the best type of intervention to improve the motor proficiency (MP) of adolescents with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). Considering the effect of socio-economic status (SES) in relation to the MP of adolescents with DCD, it is necessary to examine this issue further. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Karate-Do interventions on the MP of adolescents with DCD from high/low SES.

Methods

Participants included 16 adolescent girls (12 to 13 years old) with DCD, and their classification into high/low SES groups was done by using appropriate previously validated questionnaire. A short form of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Second Edition (BOT-2), was used to assess fine motor precision, fine motor integration, manual dexterity, upper limb coordination, bilateral coordination, balance, strength, speed, agility, and overall MP level of the participants. Both high/low-SES groups completed a specifically prescribed Karate-Do intervention program for 8 consecutive weeks (3 sessions per week with each session lasting for 75 min).

Results

Results from this 8-week intervention showed that the pattern of change in manual dexterity, bilateral coordination, strength and the total MP score improved over time in both groups with varied socioeconomic backgrounds. Specifically, the high-SES group performed significantly better than their low-SES counterparts during the 8-week Karate-Do intervention (p< 0.05).

Conclusions

Following participants’ completion of the Karate-Do intervention, the existence of significant changes in the MP of adolescents’ with DCD at high/low SES confirmed our hypothesis. Compared to the low-SES group, adolescents with high SES displayed superior MP following the intervention. It seems that karate (kata) training serves as a good alternative for rehabilitation MP programs, however, an important issue concerning social infrastructure is to create a suitable exercise environment for adolescents at lower SES. Until the SES achievement gap in female adolescent MP is stable, future work is warranted to discover more practical and meaningful interventions.
The future as aesthetic experience: imagination and engagement in future studies
Authors: van Lente Harro , Peters Peter
Published: July 2022

In this paper, we examine the question how future studies can productively engage with the future by considering how art is engaging. This question is pertinent, as doubts about the future are increasingly urgent, while the need to engage with the future is not sufficiently addressed by the quantitative growth of future studies. In the case of climate change, for example, the future consequences of global temperature increase are well-known, but do not invoke action accordingly. While some see the use of art as an effective means to engage with the future, others criticise such usage as reducing art to an instrumental value, at the expense of aesthetic values. This raises fundamental questions about how art and imagination can be engaging and what this implies for future studies.

To address the issue, we resort to a pragmatist understanding of art. We present a reading of the work of John Dewey (1859–1952). In hisArt as Experience, Dewey claimed that art can be seen as a “mode of prediction not found in charts and statistics”. He presents the experience of art as a reciprocal process that is imaginative: in our engagement with art, we experience the artwork, while the experience also produces us. The aesthetic experience is transformative. This mutual coming into existence is not a planned creation, but insinuates an open future as well as an open past.

As a next step, we review the production of futures in future studies, using Dewey’s understandings on how imagination and the future connect in the aesthetic experience. First, we look at methods to produce futures: extrapolations, Delphi Surveys, surveys, simulations and scenarios. Second, we evaluate how the produced futures engage their audience, distinguishing between narratives, symbols, graphs and images.

We conclude that while futures studies have been successful in showing routes to the future, they also have difficulties to relate to futures in a more open, imaginative and responsible way. They are informative but not transformative. The difficulty of future studies to engage, hinders responsible responses.
Terminal complement pathway activation drives synaptic loss in Alzheimer’s disease models
Authors: Carpanini Sarah M. , Torvell Megan , Bevan Ryan J. , Byrne Robert A. J. , Daskoulidou Nikoleta , Saito Takashi , Saido Takaomi C. , Taylor Philip R. , Hughes Timothy R. , Zelek Wioleta M. , Morgan B. Paul
Published: July 2022

Complement is involved in developmental synaptic pruning and pathological synapse loss in Alzheimer’s disease. It is posited that C1 binding initiates complement activation on synapses; C3 fragments then tag them for microglial phagocytosis. However, the precise mechanisms of complement-mediated synaptic loss remain unclear, and the role of the lytic membrane attack complex (MAC) is unexplored. We here address several knowledge gaps: (i) is complement activated through to MAC at the synapse? (ii) does MAC contribute to synaptic loss? (iii) can MAC inhibition prevent synaptic loss? Novel methods were developed and optimised to quantify C1q, C3 fragments and MAC in total and regional brain homogenates and synaptoneurosomes from WT and AppNL−G−F Alzheimer’s disease model mouse brains at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age. The impact on synapse loss of systemic treatment with a MAC blocking antibody and gene knockout of a MAC component was assessed in Alzheimer’s disease model mice. A significant increase in C1q, C3 fragments and MAC was observed in AppNL−G−F mice compared to controls, increasing with age and severity. Administration of anti-C7 antibody to AppNL−G−F mice modulated synapse loss, reflected by the density of dendritic spines in the vicinity of plaques. Constitutive knockout of C6 significantly reduced synapse loss in 3xTg-AD mice. We demonstrate that complement dysregulation occurs in Alzheimer’s disease mice involving the activation (C1q; C3b/iC3b) and terminal (MAC) pathways in brain areas associated with pathology. Inhibition or ablation of MAC formation reduced synapse loss in two Alzheimer’s disease mouse models, demonstrating that MAC formation is a driver of synapse loss. We suggest that MAC directly damages synapses, analogous to neuromuscular junction destruction in myasthenia gravis.