bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Soluble CD27 is an intrathecal biomarker of T-cell-mediated lesion activity in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Cencioni Maria T. , Magliozzi Roberta , Palmisano Ilaria , Suwan Keittisak , Mensi Antonella , Fuentes-Font Laura , Villar Luisa M. , Fernández-Velasco José I. , Migallón Noelia Villarrubia , Costa-Frossard Lucienne , Monreal Enric , Ali Rehiana , Romozzi Marina , Mazarakis Nicholas , Reynolds Richard , Nicholas Richard , Muraro Paolo A.
Published: April 2024

Objective

Soluble CD27 is a promising cerebrospinal fluid inflammatory biomarker in multiple sclerosis. In this study, we investigate relevant immune and neuro-pathological features of soluble CD27 in multiple sclerosis.

Methods

Protein levels of soluble CD27 were correlated to inflammatory cell subpopulations and inflammatory cytokines and chemokines detected in cerebrospinal fluid of 137 patients with multiple sclerosis and 47 patients with inflammatory and non-inflammatory neurological disease from three independent cohorts. Production of soluble CD27 was investigated in cell cultures of activated T and B cells and CD27-knockout T cells. In a study including matched cerebrospinal fluid and post-mortem brain tissues of patients with multiple sclerosis and control cases, levels of soluble CD27 were correlated with perivascular and meningeal infiltrates and with neuropathological features.

Results

We demonstrate that soluble CD27 favours the differentiation of interferon-γ-producing T cells and is released through a secretory mechanism activated by TCR engagement and regulated by neutral sphingomyelinase. We also show that the levels of soluble CD27 correlate with the representation of inflammatory T cell subsets in the CSF of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and with the magnitude of perivascular and meningeal CD27 + CD4 + and CD8 + T cell infiltrates in post-mortem central nervous system tissue, defining a subgroup of patients with extensive active inflammatory lesions.

Interpretation

Our results demonstrate that soluble CD27 is a biomarker of disease activity, potentially informative for personalized treatment and monitoring of treatment outcomes.
A modified action framework to develop and evaluate academic-policy engagement interventions
Authors: Mäkelä Petra , Boaz Annette , Oliver Kathryn
Published: April 2024

Background

There has been a proliferation of frameworks with a common goal of bridging the gap between evidence, policy, and practice, but few aim to specifically guide evaluations of academic-policy engagement. We present the modification of an action framework for the purpose of selecting, developing and evaluating interventions for academic-policy engagement.

Methods

We build on the conceptual work of an existing framework known as SPIRIT (Supporting Policy In Health with Research: an Intervention Trial), developed for the evaluation of strategies intended to increase the use of research in health policy. Our aim was to modify SPIRIT, (i) to be applicable beyond health policy contexts, for example encompassing social, environmental, and economic policy impacts and (ii) to address broader dynamics of academic-policy engagement. We used an iterative approach through literature reviews and consultation with multiple stakeholders from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and policy professionals working at different levels of government and across geographical contexts in England, alongside our evaluation activities in the Capabilities in Academic Policy Engagement (CAPE) programme.

Results

Our modifications expand upon Redman et al.’s original framework, for example adding a domain of ‘Impacts and Sustainability’ to capture continued activities required in the achievement of desirable outcomes. The modified framework fulfils the criteria for a useful action framework, having a clear purpose, being informed by existing understandings, being capable of guiding targeted interventions, and providing a structure to build further knowledge.

Conclusion

The modified SPIRIT framework is designed to be meaningful and accessible for people working across varied contexts in the evidence-policy ecosystem. It has potential applications in how academic-policy engagement interventions might be developed, evaluated, facilitated and improved, to ultimately support the use of evidence in decision-making.
Pamiparib as consolidation treatment after concurrent chemoradiotherapy of limited-stage small cell lung cancer: a single-arm, open-label phase 2 trial
Authors: Mao Jiuang , Ni Jianjiao , Chu Li , Chu Xiao , Xu Dayu , Yang Xi , Zhu Zhengfei
Published: April 2024

Background

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is highly invasive with poor prognosis, and its treatment has historically been hindered due to the absence of targetable driver genomic alterations. However, the high genomic instability and replication stress in SCLC have made poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) inhibitors a focus of research. Pamiparib is an orally available PARP1/2 inhibitor with high selectivity, strong PARP trapping activity, and excellent brain penetration. Utilizing pamiparib as consolidation maintenance therapy in limited-stage SCLC holds promise for improving survival outcomes and offering a viable therapeutic approach.

Methods

This single-arm, open-label phase II trial will enroll patients aged 18–75 years with histologically/cytologically confirmed, limited-stage SCLC who have not progressed following definitive platinum-based cCRT and have an ECOG PS of 0 or 1. Patients will be excluded if they have histologically confirmed mixed SCLC or NSCLC, or have undergone previous tumor resection, or can be treated with surgery or stereotactic body radiation therapy/stereotactic ablative radiation therapy. Participants will receive pamiparib 40 mg twice daily every 3 weeks within 2 to 6 weeks after cCRT for up to 1 year or until disease progression according to RECIST v1.1. The primary endpoint is the 1-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate assessed by investigators per RECIST v1.1. Secondary endpoints include PFS, objective response rate, and duration of response assessed by investigators per RECIST 1.1, overall survival, time to distant metastasis, and safety.

Discussion

The study will provide valuable data on the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of pamiparib as a consolidation therapy after cCRT in patients with LS-SCLC. The correlation between molecular typing or gene expression profile of the disease and curative response will be further explored.

Trial registration

NCT05483543 at clinicaltrials.gov.
Are enlarged peroneal tubercle and accessory anterolateral talar facet associated with calcaneal spur?
Authors: Kasai Yuichi , Paholpak Permsak , Wisanuyotin Taweechok , Sukitthanakornkul Nuttharada , Hanarwut Parika , Chaiyamoon Arada , Iamsaard Sitthichai , Nishimura Akinobu
Published: April 2024

Background

As the anatomical variations of the foot, enlarged peroneal tubercle (EPT) and accessory anterolateral talar facet (AALTF) have attracted the attention of foot surgeons in recent years. However, EPT and AALTF have not been examined for a relationship with calcaneus spur (CS) as a common osteophyte.

Methods

The subjects were 369 individuals who died in northeastern Thailand and were preserved as skeletal specimens. The authors examined for the presence of left and right EPT, AALTF, and calcaneus spur (CS). We divided the EPT (+) group with EPT and the EPT (-) group without it and also divided the AALTF (+) group with AALTF and the AALTF (-) group without it. The age at death and the presence of CS were compared statistically between the EPT (+) and EPT (-) groups and between the AATLF (+) and AALTF (-) groups.

Results

Out of the total 369 cases, EPT was found in 117 cases (31.7%), AALTF was positive in 91 cases (24.7%), and CS was found in 194 cases (52.3%). In comparison between EPT (+) and EPT (-) groups, CS was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) in the EPT (+) group, but there was no significant difference in age at death. In comparison between AALTF (+) and AALTF (-) groups, there was no significant difference in age at death or CS.

Conclusion

This study showed a strong relationship between EPT and CS, and the prevalence of EPT and AALTF by age in Thailand was first reported. We believe it helps to know the pathogenesis and biomechanism of EPT and AALTF.

Trial registration

Not applicable.
Neo-epitope detection identifies extracellular matrix turnover in systemic inflammation and sepsis: an exploratory study
Authors: Fan YiWen , Moser Jill , van Meurs Matijs , Kiers Dorien , Sand Jannie Marie Bülow , Leeming Diana Julie , Pickkers Peter , Burgess Janette K. , Kox Matthijs , Pillay Janesh
Published: April 2024

Background

Sepsis is associated with high morbidity and mortality, primarily due to systemic inflammation-induced tissue damage, resulting organ failure, and impaired recovery. Regulated extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover is crucial for maintaining tissue homeostasis in health and in response to disease-related changes in the tissue microenvironment. Conversely, uncontrolled turnover can contribute to tissue damage. Systemic Inflammation is implicated to play a role in the regulation of ECM turnover, but the relationship between the two is largely unclear.

Methods

We performed an exploratory study in 10 healthy male volunteers who were intravenously challenged with 2 ng/kg lipopolysaccharide (LPS, derived from Escherichia coli) to induce systemic inflammation. Plasma samples were collected before (T0) and after (T 1 h, 3 h, 6 h and 24 h) the LPS challenge. Furthermore, plasma was collected from 43 patients with septic shock on day 1 of ICU admission. Circulating neo-epitopes of extracellular matrix turnover, including ECM degradation neo-epitopes of collagen type I (C1M), type III (C3M), type IV (C4Ma3), and type VI (C6M), elastin (ELP-3) and fibrin (X-FIB), as well as the ECM synthesis neo-epitopes of collagen type III (PRO-C3), collagen type IV (PRO-C4) and collagen type VI (PRO-C6) were measured by ELISA. Patient outcome data were obtained from electronic patient records.

Results

Twenty-four hours after LPS administration, all measured ECM turnover neo-epitopes, except ELP-3, were increased compared to baseline levels. In septic shock patients, concentrations of all measured ECM neo-epitopes were higher compared to healthy controls. In addition, concentrations of C6M, ELP-3 and X-FIB were higher in patients with septic shock who ultimately did not survive (N = 7) compared to those who recovered (N = 36).

Conclusion

ECM turnover is induced in a model of systemic inflammation in healthy volunteers and was observed in patients with septic shock. Understanding interactions between systemic inflammation and ECM turnover may provide further insight into mechanisms underlying acute and persistent organ failure in sepsis.
Selective omission of sentinel lymph node biopsy in mastectomy for ductal carcinoma in situ: identifying eligible candidates
Authors: Bae Soong June , Kook Yoonwon , Jang Ji Soo , Baek Seung Ho , Moon Sohyun , Kim Jung Hyun , Lee Seung Eun , Kim Min Ji , Ahn Sung Gwe , Jeong Joon
Published: April 2024

Background

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is recommended for patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) undergoing mastectomy, given the concerns regarding upstaging and technical difficulties of post-mastectomy SLNB. However, this may lead to potential overtreatment, considering favorable prognosis and de-escalation trends in DCIS. Data regarding upstaging and axillary lymph node metastasis among these patients remain limited.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed patients with DCIS who underwent mastectomy with SLNB or axillary lymph node dissection at Gangnam Severance Hospital between January 2010 and December 2021. To explore the feasibility of omitting SLNB, we assessed the rates of DCIS upgraded to invasive carcinoma and axillary lymph node metastasis. Binary Cox regression analysis was performed to identify clinicopathologic factors associated with upstaging and axillary lymph node metastasis.

Results

Among 385 patients, 164 (42.6%) experienced an invasive carcinoma upgrade: microinvasion, pT1, and pT2 were confirmed in 53 (13.8%), 97 (25.2%), and 14 (3.6%) patients, respectively. Seventeen (4.4%) patients had axillary lymph node metastasis. Multivariable analysis identified age ≤ 50 years (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 12.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18–137.51; p = 0.036) and suspicious axillary lymph nodes on radiologic evaluation (adjusted OR, 9.31; 95% CI, 2.06–41.99; p = 0.004) as independent factors associated with axillary lymph node metastasis. Among patients aged > 50 years and/or no suspicious axillary lymph nodes, only 1.7–2.3%) experienced axillary lymph node metastasis.

Conclusions

Although underestimation of the invasive component was relatively high among patients with DCIS undergoing mastectomy, axillary lymph node metastasis was rare. Our findings suggest that omitting SLNB may be feasible for patients over 50 and/or without suspicious axillary lymph nodes on radiologic evaluation.
How inclusive were UK-based randomised controlled trials of COVID-19 vaccines? A systematic review investigating enrolment of Black adults and adult ethnic minorities
Authors: Herieka Hibba , Babalis Daphne , Tzala Evangelia , Budhathoki Shyam , Johnson Nicholas A.
Published: April 2024

Objectives

To establish if Black adults and adult ethnic minorities, defined as any group except White British, were represented in UK-based COVID-19 vaccination randomised controlled trials (RCTs) when compared to corresponding UK population proportions, based on 2011 census data.

Design

Systematic review of COVID-19 Randomised Controlled Vaccine Trials

Setting

United Kingdom

Participants

Randomised Controlled Trials of COVID-19 vaccines conducted in the UK were systematically reviewed following PRISMA guidelines. MeSH terms included “Covid-19 vaccine”, “Ad26COVS1”, and “BNT162 Vaccine” with keywords such as [covishield OR coronavac OR Vaxzevria OR NVX-CoV2373] also used. Studies that provided (A) participant demographics and (B) full eligibility criteria were included. The following key data was extracted for analysis: number of participants analysed, number of Black adults and number of adult minority ethnicity participants.

Primary and Secondary Outcome Measures

The primary outcome is the mean percentage of Black adults randomised to COVID-19 vaccine trials deemed eligible within this review. The secondary outcome is the mean percentage of adult ethnic minorities randomised.

Results

The final review included 7 papers and a total of 87 sets of data collated from trial sites across the UK. The standard mean percentage of Black adults included in the trials (0.59%, 95% CI: 0.13% - 1.05%) was significantly lower compared to the recorded Black adult population (2.67%) indicating that they were under-served in UK based COVID-19 vaccine RCTs (p < 0.001). Adult ethnic minority presence (8.94%, 95% CI: 2.07% - 15.80%) was also lower than census data (16.30%), indicating they were also under-served (p = 0.039).

Conclusion

The findings show that COVID-19 vaccine trials failed to adequately randomise proportionate numbers of Black adults and adult minority ethnicities. More inclusive practices must be developed and implemented in the recruitment of underserved groups to understand the true impact of COVID-19.
The Hamas massacre of Oct 7, 2023, and its aftermath, medical crimes, and the Lancet commission report on medicine, Nazism, and the Holocaust
Authors: Reis Shmuel P. , Wald Hedy S.
Published: April 2024

Background

The report of the Lancet Commission on medicine, Nazism, and the Holocaust, released in November 2023, calls for this history to be required for all health professions education, to foster morally courageous health professionals who speak up when necessary.

Main body

The report was released a month after Hamas’ October 7 invasion of Israel, with the accompanying massacre of over 1200 people, taking of civilian hostages, and gender-based violence. These acts constitute crimes against humanity including genocide. Post-October 7, war in Gaza resulted, with a legitimate objective of Israel defending itself within international law. The authors discuss an accompanying Statement to the report condemning Hamas crimes and denouncing the perpetrators’ use of their own civilians as human shields, including in healthcare facilities, and with the Hamas attack unleashing immense and ongoing suffering in Israel and beyond. With some exceptions, the medical literature shows a marked absence of condemnation of Hamas atrocities and includes unsubstantiated criticisms of Israel’s military. A significant surge in global antisemitism including on university campuses since October 7, 2023, has occurred; and health professionals, according to the Commission, have a special responsibility to fight antisemitism and discrimination of all kinds. In this context, the authors discuss the controversy and criticism regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion education programs (“DEI”) including such programs failing to protect Jews on campuses, especially as the U.S. President Biden’s “The U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism,” released in May 2023, calls for the inclusion of issues of antisemitism and religious discrimination within all DEI education programs. The authors support an evidence-based approach to the Hamas massacre, its aftermath and its relevance to health professionals both within medicine and their global citizenship, including refuting the international community accusations and anti-Israel libel.

Conclusions

The report of the Lancet Commission on medicine, Nazism, and the Holocaust has striking relevance to the Hamas massacre of October 7, 2023 and its aftermath. This is further conveyed in an accompanying Statement, that describes the report’s implications for contemporary medicine, including: 1) provision of skills required to detect and prevent crimes against humanity and genocide; (2) care for victims of atrocities; (3) upholding the healing ethos central to the practice of medicine; and (4) fostering history-informed morally courageous health professionals who speak up when necessary.
MSCO: Mobility-aware Secure Computation Offloading in blockchain-enabled Fog computing environments
Authors: Thangaraj Veni , Raja Sree Thankaraja
Published: April 2024

Fog computing has evolved as a promising computing paradigm to support the execution of latency-sensitive Internet of Things (IoT) applications. The mobile devices connected to the fog environment are resource constrained and non-stationary. In such environments, offloading mobile user’s computational task to nearby fog servers is necessary to satisfy the QoS requirements of time-critical IoT applications. Moreover, the fog servers are also susceptible to numerous attacks which induce security and privacy issues.Offloading computation task to a malicious fog node affects the integrity of users’ data. Despite the fact that there are many integrity-preserving strategies for fog environments, the majority of them rely on a reliable central entity that might have a single point of failure. Blockchain is a promising strategy that maintains data integrity in a decentralized manner. The state-of-art blockchain offloading mechnanisms have not considered the mobility during secure offloading process. Besides, it is necessary to ensure QoS constraints of the IoT applications while considering mobility of user devices. Hence, in this paper, Blockchain assisted Mobility-aware Secure Computation Offloading (MSCO) mechanism is proposed to choose the best authorized fog servers for offloading task with minimal computational and energy cost. To address the optimization issue, a hybrid Genetic Algorithm based Particle Swarm Optimization technique is employed. Experimental results demonstrated the significant improvement of MSCO when compared to the existing approaches in terms of on average 11 % improvement of total cost which includes the parameters of latency and energy consumption.
Does the health information system in Jordan support equity to improve health outcomes? Assessment and recommendations
Authors: Alnawafleh Ahmad H. , Rashad Hoda
Published: April 2024

Background

This study is based on extensive evidence-based assessments. The aim of this paper is to evaluate how well Jordan’s health information system (HIS) incorporates social determinants of health inequity (SDHI) and to propose suggestions for future actions.

Methods

An extensive evidence-based assessment was performed. A meta-synthesis of the inclusion of the SDHI in the HIS in Jordan was conducted. After searching and shortlisting, 23 papers were analyzed using Atlas.ti 9.0 employing thematic analysis technique.

Results

The HIS in Jordan is quite comprehensive, comprising numerous data sources, various types of information, and data from multiple producers and managers. Nevertheless, the HIS confronts several obstacles and fails to ensure the timely and secure publication of available data. The assessment of the inclusion of the SDHI in the HIS showed that the HIS allows for the measurement of progress in relation to social policies and actions but has a very limited database for supporting the inclusion of health inequity measures. One reason for the difficulty in identifying fairness is that certain crucial information necessary for this task cannot be obtained through the available institutional HIS or population survey tools. Additionally, relevant modules for fairness may be missing from population surveys, possibly due to a failure to fully utilize the capabilities of the institutional HIS.

Conclusion

There are opportunities to make use of Jordan’s dedication to fairness and its already established strong HIS. Some social determinants of health exist in the HIS, but much more data, information, and effort are needed to integrate the SDHI into the Jordanian HIS. A proposal from a regional initiative has put forward a comprehensive set of indicators for integrating SDHI into HIS, which could aid in achieving health equity in Jordan.
Replication study identified EFEMP1 association with varicose vein predisposition among Indians
Authors: Mehra Rohit , Patra Vikram , Dhillan Rishi , Sharma Anuka , Kashyap Sonal , Rastogi Garima , Gupta Love , Singh Reena , Chopra Chirag , Sharma Varun
Published: April 2024

Background

Varicose vein is a chronic condition that affects the lower extremities of the human body. Several factors have been implicated in the development of this disease, viz age, gender, weight, height and prolonged standing. Recently, genome-wide studies have identified genetic biomarkers that are associated with varicose veins in different ethnic groups. Such genetic studies are lacking in South Asians specifically in Indians where the prevalence of varicose veins is high, and it is important to replicate these variants in the stated population. The study aimed to replicate the association of genetic variants associated with varicose veins in this target population, which were found to be associated with the other ethnic groups.

Methodology

The studied cohort is of the Indian population comprising unrelated 104 varicose veins cases and 448 non-varicose vein controls. The samples were genotyped using the Illumina Global Screening Array. Using the genomic data from UK BioBank and 23andMe studied cohorts; eight genetic variants were selected to replicate in our dataset. The allelic association was performed to identify the effective allele and risk was estimated using odds ratio and p-value as level of significance. Multifactor Dimensionality Reduction was used to estimate the cumulative effect of variants in Indians.

Result

Variant rs3791679 of EFEMP1 was found to be associated with varicose veins in Indians. After observing the association of the EFEMP1 with varicose veins, we further ensued to identify all genetic variants within EFEMP1 to uncover the additional variants associated with this trait. Interestingly, we identified six new variants of EFEMP1 gene that have shown association. Moreover, the cumulative effect of all associated variations was estimated and the risk was 2.7 times higher in cases than controls whereas independently their effect ranges from 0.37–1.58.

Conclusion

This study identifies EFEMP1 as a potential gene related to the risk of varicose veins in Indians. It also highlights that evaluating the maximum number of variants of a gene rather than focusing solely on replicating single variations offers a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the genetic factors contributing to a complex trait like varicose veins.
“We wish we had the option”: a qualitative study of women’s perspectives and experiences with contraception in a provincial prison in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Jones Reilly , Lemberg-Pelly Sasha , Dineley Brigid , Jurgutis Jessica , Kouyoumdjian Fiona G , Liauw Jessica
Published: April 2024

Background

Evidence suggests that women who are incarcerated desire access to contraception while incarcerated, and that this need is not currently being met. Our objective in this study was to explore the perspectives and experiences of women in prisons regarding contraception and contraception access using data from focus groups with women in a provincial prison. We analyzed focus group data collected in a provincial prison in Ontario, Canada using content analysis and a constructivist epistemology.

Results

We conducted three focus groups, each approximately one hour in length. Discussions revolved around (1) knowledge and decision making about contraception, (2) accessing contraception, and (3) ideas for increasing access to contraception in the prison setting. Decision making about contraception was mainly related to concerns about side effects, consistent access to care, impacts on future fertility, and autonomy around decision-making. Participants discussed a wide range of experiences with contraception. Ideas for increasing access to contraception included information sessions, inclusion of discussions about contraception as a component of admission and release planning, and time spent in prison as a crucial juncture for decision-making about contraception.

Conclusions

More qualitative research is needed to better understand the needs of women in prisons related to contraception. The findings of this study suggest that programs should focus on consistency and continuity of access to care, education opportunities, and integration of discussions about contraception into official admission and release procedures.
A case of multidrug-resistant intractable pylephlebitis and intra-abdominal abscess due to perforated appendicitis successfully treated with open abdominal management
Authors: Norimatsu Yu , Takemura Nobuyuki , Yoshikawa Kaoru , Ito Kyoji , Inagaki Fuyuki , Mihara Fuminori , Yamada Kazuhiko , Kokudo Norihiro
Published: April 2024

Background

Pylephlebitis, a rare and lethal form of portal venous septic thrombophlebitis, often arises from infections in regions drained by the portal vein. Herein, we report a case of peritonitis with portal vein thrombosis due to acute severe appendicitis, managed with intensive intraperitoneal drainage via open abdominal management (OAM).

Case presentation

A 19-year-old male with severe appendicitis, liver abscesses, and portal vein thrombosis developed septic shock and multi-organ failure. After emergency interventions, the patient was admitted to the intensive care unit. Antibiotic treatment based on cultures revealing multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli and Bacteroides fragilis and anticoagulation therapy (using heparin and edoxaban) was initiated. Despite continuous antibiotic therapy, the laboratory results consistently showed elevated levels of inflammatory markers. On the 13th day, open abdominal irrigation was performed for infection control. Extensive intestinal edema precluded wound closure, necessitating open-abdominal management in the intensive care unit. Anticoagulation therapy was continued, and intra-abdominal washouts were performed every 5 days. On the 34th day, wound closure was achieved using the anterior rectus abdominis sheath turnover method. The patient recovered successfully and was discharged on the 81st day.

Conclusions

Alongside appropriate antibiotic selection, early surgical drainage and OAM are invaluable. This case underscores the potential of anticoagulation therapy in facilitating safe surgical procedures.
Heterogeneity in the volatility spillover of cryptocurrencies and exchanges
Authors: Wu Meiyu , Wang Li , Yang Haijun
Published: April 2024

This study examines the volatility spillovers in four representative exchanges and for six liquid cryptocurrencies. Using the high-frequency trading data of exchanges, the heterogeneity of exchanges in terms of volatility spillover can be examined dynamically in the time and frequency domains. We find that Ripple is a net receiver on Coinbase but acts as a net contributor on other exchanges. Bitfinex and Binance have different net spillover effects on the six cryptocurrency markets. Finally, we identify the determinants of total connectedness in two types of volatility spillover, which can explain cryptocurrency or exchange interlinkage.
Privacy and security of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) data and network: a comprehensive review
Authors: Ajiboye Priscilla Oyeladun , Agyekum Kwame Opuni-Boachie Obour , Frimpong Emmanuel Asuming
Published: April 2024

The traditional electrical grid has to be digitally improved as digitalization and effective integration of renewable energy bring better efficiency, intelligence, and safety into the grid; hence, the transition from the traditional grid to a smart grid. A smart grid is a modernized and digitalized standard electrical infrastructure that has a key component known as the advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). AMI, also known as smart metering, is a key technological enabler of the smart grid that allows automatic collection and reporting of power-consumed data via two-way communication networks. However, the collected power consumption data is confidential; hence, its privacy must be maintained. Similarly, for the benefit of the smart grid to be consistently maximized, the AMI data and network security must always be intact despite the evolving threats and attacks targeted at it.

This paper provides a comprehensive review of the existing vulnerabilities/attacks, security and privacy challenges associated with the smart metering data and network system, its open issues, and future direction. The major contributions of this review paper lie in the AMI vulnerabilities, AMI state-of-the-art security schemes with their pros and cons, its communication protocols analysis, and its emerging security measures. This gave enumerated recommendations for the efficiency improvement of AMI security in terms of its latency reduction while implementing efficient security measures in its future work.
3-[18F]Fluoro-para-hydroxyphenethylguanidine (3-[18F]pHPG) PET—A Novel Imaging Modality for Paraganglioma
Authors: Else Tobias , Wong Ka Kit , Frey Kirk A , Brooks Allen F , Viglianti Benjamin L , Raffel David M
Published: April 2024

Context

Functional positron emission tomography (PET) imaging for the characterization of pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PCC/PGL) and for detection of metastases in malignant disease, offers valuable clinical insights that can significantly guide patient treatment.

Objective

This work aimed to evaluate a novel PET radiotracer, 3-[18F]fluoro-para-hydroxyphenethylguanidine (3-[18F]pHPG), a norepinephrine analogue, for its ability to localize PCC/PGL.

Methods

3-[18F]pHPG PET/CT whole-body scans were performed on 16 patients (8 male:8 female; mean age 47.6 ± 17.6 years; range, 19-74 years) with pathologically confirmed or clinically diagnosed PCC/PGL. After intravenous administration of 304 to 475 MBq (8.2-12.8 mCi) of 3-[18F]pHPG, whole-body PET scans were performed at 90 minutes in all patients. 3-[18F]pHPG PET was interpreted for abnormal findings consistent with primary tumor or metastasis, and biodistribution in normal organs recorded. Standardized uptake value (SUV) measurements were obtained for target lesions and physiological organ distributions.

Results

3-[18F]pHPG PET showed high radiotracer uptake and trapping in primary tumors, and metastatic tumor lesions that included bone, lymph nodes, and other solid organ sites. Physiological biodistribution was universally present in salivary glands (parotid, submandibular, sublingual), thyroid, heart, liver, adrenals, kidneys, and bladder. Comparison [68Ga]DOTATATE PET/CT was available in 10 patients and in all cases showed concordant distribution. Comparison [123I]meta-iodobenzylguanidine [123I]mIBG planar scintigraphy and SPECT/CT scans were available for 4 patients, with 3-[18F]pHPG showing a greater number of metastatic lesions.

Conclusion

We found the kinetic profile of 3-[18F]pHPG PET affords high activity retention within benign and metastatic PCC/PGL. Therefore, 3-[18F]pHPG PET imaging provides a novel modality for functional imaging and staging of malignant paraganglioma with advantages of high lesion affinity, whole-body coregistered computed tomography, and rapid same-day imaging.
Wassily Leontief's Research Program: Science, Beliefs, Institutions
Authors: Carret Vincent
Published: April 2024

Wassily Leontief met with decades of success for the development of input-output analysis, and yet he remained a staunch critic of the economics profession throughout his life. To understand his success, its limits, and the origins of his discontent, this article separates the scientific activities of input-output from the system of belief built around it, and from the institutions set up to advance Leontief's research program. This leads to considering the interaction of input-output with other research programs through three poles: the scientific debate, the collision of belief systems about the world, and an institutional fight for funds and researchers. The end result is a picture of how Leontief managed to build a successful research program in which scientific inquiry led to beliefs about the world that were able to justify building institutions promoting input-output, in an environment of competition and cooperation.
The Challenge in 2000−2009 to Phillips-Curve-Based Accounts of UK Economic Policy: Comment on Cristiano
Authors: Nelson Edward
Published: April 2024

A series of research papers that appeared from 2000 to 2009 made the case that the UK authorities in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s eschewed Phillips-curve-based analysis and that, consequently, the UK Great Inflation of the 1970s should not be regarded as resulting from policymakers’ pursuit of a perceived long-run inflation/unemployment trade-off. The position advanced in these 2000−2009 papers was that, instead, UK economic policy until 1979 subscribed to a nonmonetary perspective on inflation. This perspective implied UK authorities’ rejection of Phillips-curve-type trade-off analysis, but it also meant that they misjudged the importance of monetary policy in inflation control, thereby compounding the country's inflation problem. When this series of papers began to appear at the start of the 2000s, the trade-off-centered interpretation of the US Great Inflation was highly prevalent and was also being applied to the UK Great Inflation. By late in the decade, however, the case—as outlined in the 2000−2009 papers—against Phillips-curve-based accounts of historical policy conduct had gained notable acceptance among central bankers and academic researchers who discussed the UK Great Inflation. This article corrects erroneous statements that the challenge to Phillips-curve-based accounts of historical UK policymaker behavior only appeared in research starting in the 2010s.
Nineteenth-Century French Liberal Economists and Women's Work: The Dark Side of Industrialization
Authors: Sigot Nathalie
Published: April 2024

This article reconstructs the debates on the woman question in which nineteenth-century French liberal economists participated: it aims at showing that their analysis contradicted their conviction that, in Bastiat's words, “men's interests, when left to themselves, tend to . . . work together for progress and the general good.” Indeed, French liberals are usually labeled optimistic: they denounced the pessimistic and fatalist character of the “English school of economics” based on Ricardo's rent theory and Malthus's law of population. On the contrary, they attempted to prove that economic development improved the situation of all, especially that of workers. However, their optimism did not extend to their analysis of the situation of women: most of them recognized that women were not benefiting from the general improvement in terms of wages, labor conditions, and social mobility. The article then shows that the reasons they gave to explain the bad situation of women present many challenges, linked respectively to the issue of state intervention and wage theory. Moreover, it is unlikely that the only solution they proposed for improving it, that is, the promotion of female education, could have worked.
Traversing Disciplinary Boundaries, Globalizing Indigeneities
Authors: Georgis Mariam
Published: April 2024

The author’s work spans the disciplinary boundaries of political science, Middle East studies, Indigenous studies, and their subfields. Broadly situated within critical theoretical bodies of knowledge, she focuses on an Indigenous nation in what is today known as Iraq. Her work is grounded within particular and fragmented locations that blur various lines and multiple layers of coloniality. This article offers a critical reflection of the invisibility in working on Indigeneity in southwest Asia within the structural imperatives of the academy. It takes up each of these themes by examining the fields of international relations and Iraqi studies to show how the story of Assyrians is invisible or unintelligible across these fields of political science and Middle East studies. Moreover, what the Assyrian story tells us about these disciplines and the multiplicity of coloniality (Patel 2019) is also rendered invisible. Despite the absence of Assyrians from Indigenous studies, the author sees this field as a site from which to potentially globalize Indigeneities. Specifically, she uses Indigenous feminism to construct a more nuanced framework into Assyrian histories, a framework that uses the lens of colonialism, land theft, erasure, and genocide to reframe the Assyrian experience as a remnant of the colonial global order.
Introduction
Authors: Morgan Jennifer L. , Weinbaum Alys Eve
Published: April 2024

This essay introduces the special issue with a critique of Cedric Robinson’s heuristic, “racial capitalism,” and a discussion of our titular intervention: “reproductive racial capitalism.” The essay is necessarily grounded in the reproductive crisis of the present day. It centers the histories and afterlives of hereditary racial slavery and the radical contestations and refusals of its logics. Overall, it argues that contemporary racial capitalism is always already reproductive. Reproductive labor and the experiences of conception, gestation, parturition, and childrearing are the heart and engine of both slave racial capitalism and contemporary forms of reproductive racial capitalism. They are also the sites from which reproductive racial capitalism and its exploitative conditions were contested under slavery, are being challenged in the present moment, and yet might be altogether refused in the future.
What Cecilia Knew
Authors: Zhang S. J.
Published: April 2024

This article explores how, in 1784 New Orleans, Cecilia Conway—a recaptured maroon woman—asserted that she was pregnant and thereby leveraged the power of her reproductive labor. Her claims about her body briefly slowed down the system of capital punishment activated in response to her marronage by altering the trajectory of the state-sanctioned sexual violence inflicted on her. The conversations between Cecilia and the prison’s authorities that this article unearths constitute an original archive of Cecilia’s assertions while accounting for their heavily mediated and yet remarkable presence. By centering the details of Cecilia’s life, this article helps recast the threat of marronage in colonial Louisiana from simply one of male-led armed rebellion to one of reproduction, thorny kinship networks, and a potential maroon society.
Mapping the global interactome of the ARF family reveals spatial organization in cellular signaling pathways
Authors: Quirion Laura , Robert Amélie , Boulais Jonathan , Huang Shiying , Bernal Astrain Gabriela , Strakhova Regina , Jo Chang Hwa , Kherdjemil Yacine , Faubert Denis , Thibault Marie-Pier , Kmita Marie , Baskin Jeremy M. , Gingras Anne-Claude , Smith Matthew J. , Côté Jean-François
Published: April 2024

The ADP-ribosylation factors (ARFs) and ARF-like (ARL) GTPases serve as essential molecular switches governing a wide array of cellular processes. In this study, we used proximity-dependent biotin identification (BioID) to comprehensively map the interactome of 28 out of 29 ARF and ARL proteins in two cellular models. Through this approach, we identified ∼3000 high-confidence proximal interactors, enabling us to assign subcellular localizations to the family members. Notably, we uncovered previously undefined localizations for ARL4D and ARL10. Clustering analyses further exposed the distinctiveness of the interactors identified with these two GTPases. We also reveal that the expression of the understudied member ARL14 is confined to the stomach and intestines. We identified phospholipase D1 (PLD1) and the ESCPE-1 complex, more precisely, SNX1, as proximity interactors. Functional assays demonstrated that ARL14 can activate PLD1 in cellulo and is involved in cargo trafficking via the ESCPE-1 complex. Overall, the BioID data generated in this study provide a valuable resource for dissecting the complexities of ARF and ARL spatial organization and signaling.
Cytosolic RNA binding of the mitochondrial TCA cycle enzyme malate dehydrogenase (MDH2)
Authors: Noble Michelle , Chatterjee Aindrila , Sekaran Thileepan , Schwarzl Thomas , Hentze Matthias W
Published: April 2024

Several enzymes of intermediary metabolism have been identified to bind RNA in 2 cells, with potential consequences for the bound RNAs and/or the enzyme. In this 3 study, we investigate the RNA-binding activity of the mitochondrial enzyme malate 4 dehydrogenase 2 (MDH2), which functions in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and 5 the malate-aspartate shuttle. We confirmed in cellulo RNA-binding of MDH2 using 6 orthogonal biochemical assays and performed enhanced crosslinking and 7 immunoprecipitation (eCLIP) to identify the cellular RNAs associated with endogenous 8 MDH2. Surprisingly, MDH2 preferentially binds cytosolic over mitochondrial RNAs, 9 although the latter are abundant in the milieu of the mature protein. Subcellular 10 fractionation followed by RNA-binding assays revealed that MDH2-RNA interactions 11 occur predominantly outside of mitochondria. We also found that a cytosolically-12 retained N-terminal deletion mutant of MDH2 is competent to bind RNA, indicating that 13 mitochondrial targeting is dispensable for MDH2-RNA interactions. MDH2 RNA 14 binding increased when cellular NAD+ levels (MDH2’s co-factor) was 15 pharmacologically diminished, suggesting that the metabolic state of cells affects RNA 16 binding. Taken together, our data implicate an as yet unidentified function of MDH2 17 binding RNA in the cytosol.
Φυσικό και ψηφιακό περιβάλλον
Authors: Παπασαράντου Χρυσάνθη
Published: April 2024

Τα τελευταία χρόνια η αυξανόμενη παρουσία της τεχνολογίας και των τεχνολογικών μέσων στην καθημερινή ζωή, έχει οδηγήσει σε μια ανάγκη επαναπροσδιορισμού της αρχιτεκτονικής και των μεθόδων προσέγγισης του σχεδιασμού, και ειδικά χώρων που σχετίζονται με την άτυπη εκπαίδευση (μουσειακοί χώροι, εκθεσιακοί χώροι κ.α.). Πρόκειται για ένα φαινόμενο ‘υβριδοποίησης’ των χώρων αυτών που απορρέει από μια ανάγκη ‘εκμοντερνισμού’ τους μέσω της ενίσχυσης της διαδραστικής τους φύσης. Παρατηρείται μια μετατόπιση στην σχεδιαστική φιλοσοφία των συγκεκριμένων χώρων η οποία δίνει έμφαση στη δημιουργία περιβαλλόντων που ταλαντεύονται μεταξύ φυσικής και ψηφιακής κατάστασης, με το ανθρώπινο σώμα (των επισκεπτών) να αποτελεί τον συνδετικό κρίκο μεταξύ των δύο αυτών πραγματικοτήτων. Απώτερο στόχος των μεθόδων αυτών είναι η καλύτερη επικοινωνία του περιεχομένου τους μέσα από την παραγωγή ιδιαίτερων αντιληπτικών και βιωματικών εμπειριών. Βάσει αυτών των παρατηρήσεων, επιχειρείται η ανάπτυξη ενός νέου ορισμού ο οποίος είναι ικανός να περιγράψει τις ιδιαίτερες αυτές εμπειρίες υπό το πρίσμα ενσώματων και χωρικών παραμέτρων. Ο νέος αυτός ορισμός ονομάζεται Ενσώματη Μεικτή Παρουσία, και επιχειρεί όχι μόνο να αποτελέσει ένα εναλλακτικό εννοιολογικό πλαίσιο, αλλά και ένα εναλλακτικό σχεδιαστικό πλαίσιο προσέγγισης των μεικτών-υβριδικών περιβαλλόντων.
Antidiabetic potential of Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) Seed Oil in streptozotocin induced diabetic rat
Authors: Dalginli KY , Kilicle PA , Atakisi O , Ozturkler M , Uluman E
Published: April 2024

Chia seed oil (CSO) is a natural carotenoid that has active pharmacological properties and has been the most popular in recent years. The aim this study was to investigate the hypoglycemic antioxidative/nitrosative, oxidative DNA damage and adenosine deaminase effects of chia seed oil on streptozotocin induced diabetes in rats. Sprague Dawley, adult, male rats were used in the study. Animals were divided into the following groups: Group I (Control, n=7), Group II (Chia Group, Chia seed oil (CSO) was applied by oral gavage at 1g/kg for 14 days, n=7), Group III ((Diabetes (DM) Group, Streptozotocin (STZ) was applied as 50 mg/kg i.p. single dose (n=7)), and Group IV (DM+CSO Group, STZ 50 mg/kg i.p. single dose +CSO was applied by oral gavage at 1g/kg for 14 days after diabetes was induced, (n=7)). Physiological parameters (body weight, blood glucose) were evaluated. STZ exposure increased serum TOS, OSI and NO levels, which are markers associated with oxidative damage, while PON enzyme activities decreased compared to the control group and did not change TAS levels. Moreover, 8-OHdG level and ADA activity were increased in the diabetic groups. In addition, it was found to regulate body weight and increased glucose in the diabetic group.Our results show that Chia treatment effectively counteracts oxidative stress-mediated free radicals damage caused by diabetes and may serve as a therapeutic agent in reducing oxidative damage in diabetic subjects.
Corneal Diseases in Cats: A Retrospective Study of 477 Cases (2015-2020)
Authors: Demir A , Sensoy S
Published: April 2024

Corneal diseases are common in cats. If not diagnosed and treated in time, they can cause vision loss or even eye loss.This retrospective study aimed to introduce corneal disorders in cats, briefly explaining the therapeutic management of these disorders, and exploring the possibility of breed, age, and sex predisposition. In the study, a total of 477 cats, referred to the clinics of Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and Department of Surgery between 2015-2020 with ophthalmological complaints and diagnosed with and treated for corneal disorders, were retrospectively evaluated. The most commonly encountered corneal disease was corneal ulcers (n=208, 43.60%), followed in descending order by corneal sequestrum (n=71, 14.8%), and corneal opacities (n=57, 11.9%) due to infection-associated symblepharon. Overall prevalence rates of ulcerative keratitis and non-ulcerative keratitis were 59.6% and 35.9%, respectively, in the study’s entire cat population. The congenital corneal diseases, such as persistent pupillary membrane (PPM) and corneal opacity due to endothelial dystrophy and acquired corneal disorders, such as corneal degeneration, scarring, and endothelial degeneration, were less frequently monitored conditions. In this study, it was seen that some corneal diseases in cats are more common in cats of certain breeds and ages, and corneal diseases are diseases that can be treated with early diagnosis. It has been noted that certain diseases are of infectious origin and are more likely to be treatable conditions.