bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Price and reimbursement of advanced therapeutic medicinal products in Europe: are assessment and appraisal diverging from expert recommendations?
Authors: Ronco Virginia , Dilecce Myriam , Lanati Elena , Canonico Pier Luigi , Jommi Claudio
Published: March 2021

Background

Advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) represent an important cornerstone for innovation in healthcare. However, uncertainty on the value, the high average cost per patient and their one-shot nature has raised a debate on their assessment and appraisal process for pricing and reimbursement (P&R) purposes. This debate led experts providing for recommendations on this topic. Our primary objective is to investigate the ATMPs P&R process in the main five European countries and to understand if this process is consistent with published P&R expert recommendations. We also investigated the current ATMP pipelines to understand if future ATMPs will create challenges for their P&R process.

Methods

P&R framework for ATMPs in the European Major five (EU5) countries was investigated through a literature search on PubMed, institutional websites of National Health Authorities and grey literature. The ATMPs pipeline database was populated from a clinical trial database (clinicaltrials.gov), relying on inclusion and exclusion criteria retrieved from the literature.

Results

Reimbursement status of ATMPs is different across the EU5 countries, with the exception of CAR-Ts which are reimbursed in all countries. Standard P&R process in place for other medicinal products is extended to ATMPs, with the exception of some cases in Germany. List prices, where available, are high and, tend to be aligned across countries. Outcome-based Managed Entry Agreements (MEAs) have been extensively used for ATMPs. Extra-funds for hospitals managing ATMPs were provided only in Germany and, as additional fund per episode, in France. The accreditation process of hospitals for ATMPs management was in most countries managed by the national authorities. As far as ATMPs pipeline is concerned, ATMPs in development are mostly targeting non-rare diseases.

Conclusions

Expert recommendations for ATMPs P&R were partially applied: the role of outcome-based MEAs has increased and the selection process of the centres authorized to use these treatments has been enhanced; additional funding for ATMPs management to accredited centres has not been completely considered and annuity payment and broader perspective in cost considerations are far from being put in place. These recommendations should be considered for future P&R negotiations to pursue rational resource allocation and deal with budget constraints.
National Preclinical Sepsis Platform: developing a framework for accelerating innovation in Canadian sepsis research
Authors:   Sepsis Canada’s National Preclinical Sepsis Platform, Mendelson Asher A. , Lansdell Casey , Fox-Robichaud Alison E. , Liaw Patricia , Arora Jaskirat , Cailhier Jean-François , Cepinskas Gediminas , Charbonney Emmanuel , dos Santos Claudia , Dwivedi Dhruva , Ellis Christopher G. , Fergusson Dean , Fiest Kirsten , Gill Sean E. , Hendrick Kathryn , Hunniford Victoria T. , Kowalewska Paulina M. , Krewulak Karla , Lehmann Christian , Macala Kimberly , Marshall John C. , Mawdsley Laura , McDonald Braedon , McDonald Ellen , Medeiros Sarah K. , Muniz Valdirene S. , Osuchowski Marcin , Presseau Justin , Sharma Neha , Sohrabipour Sahar , Sunohara-Neilson Janet , Vázquez-Grande Gloria , Veldhuizen Ruud A. W. , Welsh Donald , Winston Brent W. , Zarychanski Ryan , Zhang Haibo , Zhou Juan , Lalu Manoj M.
Published: March 2021

Despite decades of preclinical research, no experimentally derived therapies for sepsis have been successfully adopted into routine clinical practice. Factors that contribute to this crisis of translation include poor representation by preclinical models of the complex human condition of sepsis, bias in preclinical studies, as well as limitations of single-laboratory methodology. To overcome some of these shortcomings, multicentre preclinical studies—defined as a research experiment conducted in two or more research laboratories with a common protocol and analysis—are expected to maximize transparency, improve reproducibility, and enhance generalizability. The ultimate objective is to increase the efficiency and efficacy of bench-to-bedside translation for preclinical sepsis research and improve outcomes for patients with life-threatening infection. To this end, we organized the first meeting of the National Preclinical Sepsis Platform (NPSP). This multicentre preclinical  research collaboration of Canadian sepsis researchers and stakeholders was established to study the pathophysiology of sepsis and accelerate movement of promising therapeutics into early phase clinical trials. Integrated knowledge translation and shared decision-making were emphasized to ensure the goals of the platform align with clinical researchers and patient partners. 29 participants from 10 independent labs attended and discussed four main topics: (1) objectives of the platform; (2) animal models of sepsis; (3) multicentre methodology and (4) outcomes for evaluation. A PIRO model (predisposition, insult, response, organ dysfunction) for experimental design was proposed to strengthen linkages with interdisciplinary researchers and key stakeholders. This platform represents an important resource for maximizing translational impact of preclinical sepsis research.
Unintended changes in ocular biometric parameters during a 6-month follow-up period after FS-LASIK and SMILE
Authors: Wang Junjie , Lopes Bernardo T. , Li Hechen , Vinciguerra Riccardo , Cao Si , Wu Songan , Zhu Rong , Wang Qinmei , Zheng Xiaobo , Bao Fangjun , Elsheikh Ahmed
Published: March 2021

Background

Corneal refractive surgery has become reliable for correcting refractive errors, but it can induce unintended ocular changes that alter refractive outcomes. This study is to evaluate the unintended changes in ocular biometric parameters over a 6-month follow-up period after femtosecond laser-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) and small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE).

Methods

156 consecutive myopic patients scheduled for FS-LASIK and SMILE were included in this study. Central corneal thickness (CCT), mean curvature of the corneal posterior surface (Kpm), internal anterior chamber depth (IACD) and the length from corneal endothelium to retina (ER) were evaluated before and after surgery over a 6-month period.

Results

Both the FS-LASIK and SMILE groups (closely matched at the pre-surgery stage) experienced flatter Kpm, shallower IACD and decreased ER 1 week post-surgery (P < 0.01), and these changes were larger in FS-LASIK than in SMILE group. During the 1 week to 6 months follow up period, Kpm, IACD and ER remained stable unlike CCT which increased significantly (P < 0.05), more in the FS-LASIK group.

Conclusions

During the follow up, the posterior corneal surface became flatter and shifted posteriorly, the anterior chamber depth and the length from the corneal endothelium to retina decreased significantly compared with the pre-surgery stage. These unintended changes in ocular biometric parameters were greater in patients undergoing FS-LASIK than SMILE. The changes present clear challenges for IOL power calculations and should be considered to avoid affecting the outcome of cataract surgery.
A subcentimeter duodenal neuroendocrine neoplasm with a liver metastasis upgraded to G3: a case report
Authors: Kitada Tomoya , Masui Toshihiko , Kasai Yosuke , Uchida Yuichiro , Ogiso Satoshi , Ito Takashi , Ishii Takamichi , Seo Satoru , Katsuragawa Hiroyuki , Uemoto Shinji
Published: March 2021

Background

Although duodenal neuroendocrine neoplasms (DuNENs) usually have indolent phenotypes, some DuNENs exhibit aggressive clinical manifestations. Tumor size > 1 cm, lymph node metastasis, and high grade have been associated with poor prognosis. However, preoperative risk evaluation is often difficult, because Ki-67 index on biopsy is frequently underestimated due to the intratumor heterogeneity. Here, we present a case of a subcentimeter DuNEN with a low Ki-67 index on endoscopic biopsy, who developed lymph node metastasis and high-grade liver metastasis.

Case presentation

The patient was a 52-year-old female who presented an epigastric pain. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed a duodenal submucosal lesion with a size of 8 mm. The endoscopic biopsy showed DuNEN with a Ki-67 index of 3.3% (G2 categorized by the World Health Organization 2019 classification). We performed an open partial duodenectomy with adjacent lymph node dissection. Pathological examination of the resected specimens revealed a Ki-67 index of 13.5% (G2) in the “hot spot” and lymph node metastasis. A hepatic low-density area detected on preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography appeared to be a liver metastasis on postoperative gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. Subsequently, we performed a laparoscopic partial hepatectomy. Pathological examination of the liver specimen showed a metastatic neuroendocrine tumor with a Ki-67 index of 27.5% (NET-G3). The patient has been alive for 14 months since the hepatectomy.

Conclusions

This case shows the possibility of high malignant potential of DuNEN even if the primary lesion is < 1 cm and has a low Ki-67 index on biopsy.
Blood chemistry of West African dwarf goats fed treated maize cob- and maize husk-based diets with mixture of microorganisms
Authors: Ibhaze Gladys Abiemwense , Ogunjemite Gbenga Enobong , Fajemisin Adebowale Noah
Published: March 2021

Background

Twenty-four West African Dwarf (WAD) goats with average weight of 6.57 ± 0.56 kg were used in investigating the effect of microbial-treated maize cob and husk diets on blood profile. The goats were assigned to six dietary treatments replicated four times in a completely randomized design. Chopped maize cobs and husks were sterilized for 60 min to eliminate any form of contamination and then inoculated with mixture of 15 ml each of Lactobacillus delbrueckii and Neurospora crassa and incubated anaerobically for 5 days and then air-dried. The treated maize cob and husk were incorporated in the diets at the rate of 0% (diet), 20% (diet B), 30% (diet C) [maize cob diets], and 0% (diet D), 20% (diet E), 30% (diet F) [maize husk diets], respectively. The animals were acclimatized for two weeks while the experimental period lasted for 56 days. A completely randomized design was adopted.

Results

The results showed that the dietary treatments significantly (P < 0.05) influenced the erythrocyte sedimentation rate which ranged from 0.50 to 1.00 mm/hr. Significant (P < 0.05) differences were observed in the globulin (28.16 g/dl diet A—59.26 g/dl diet B), aspartate aminotransferase (48.00 u/l diet E—128. 25 u/l diet C) and alanine aminotransferase (8.20 u/l diet A—33.33 u/l diet D). Serum electrolytes values were significantly (P < 0.05) influenced by dietary treatments.

Conclusion

Based on the findings of this study, microbial-treated maize cob and husk diets supported erythropoiesis did not induce any liver damage and the serum electrolytes of the animals were improved. Hence, microbial-treated maize cob and husk can be a suitable alternative feed source at 30% incorporation in a complete diet for WAD goats as adverse implications on the health of the animals was not observed.
A novel Arabidopsis phyllosphere resident Protomyces species and a re-examination of genus Protomyces based on genome sequence data
Authors: Wang Kai , Sipilä Timo , Overmyer Kirk
Published: March 2021

Protomyces is an understudied genus of yeast-like fungi currently defined as phytopathogens of only Umbelliferae and Compositae. Species relationships and boundaries remain controversial and molecular data are lacking. Of the 82 named Protomyces, we found few recent studies and six available cultures. We previously isolated Protomyces strains from wild Arabidopsis thaliana, a member of Brassicaceae, a family distant from accepted Protomyces hosts. We previously sequenced the genomes of all available Protomyces species, and P. arabidopsidicola sp. nov. strain C29, from Arabidopsis. Phylogenomics suggests this new species occupied a unique position in the genus. Genomic, morphological, and physiological characteristics distinguished P. arabidopsidicola sp. nov. from other Protomyces. Nuclear gene phylogenetic marker analysis suggests actin1 gene DNA sequences could be used with nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer sequences for rapid identification of Protomyces species. Previous studies demonstrated P. arabidopsidicola sp. nov. could persist on the Arabidopsis phyllosphere and Protomyces sequences were discovered on Arabidopsis at multiple sites in different countries. We conclude that the strain C29 represents a novel Protomyces species and propose the name of P. arabidopsidicola sp. nov. Consequently, we propose that Protomyces is not strictly associated only with the previously recognized host plants.
Investigating the effect of COVID-19 dissemination on symptoms of anxiety and depression among university students
Authors: Vigo Daniel , Jones Laura , Munthali Richard , Pei Julia , Westenberg Jean , Munro Lonna , Judkowicz Carolina , Wang Angel Y. , Van den Adel Brianna , Dulai Joshun , Krausz Michael , Auerbach Randy P. , Bruffaerts Ronny , Yatham Lakshmi , Gadermann Anne , Rush Brian , Xie Hui , Pendakur Krishna , Richardson Chris
Published: March 2021

Background

Evidence about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of specific subpopulations, such as university students, is needed as communities prepare for future waves.

Aims

To study the association of proximity of COVID-19 with symptoms of anxiety and depression in university students.

Method

This trend study analysed weekly cross-sectional surveys of probabilistic samples of students from the University of British Columbia for 13 weeks, through the first wave of COVID-19. The main variable assessed was propinquity of COVID-19, defined as ‘knowing someone who tested positive for COVID-19’, which was specified at different levels: knowing someone anywhere globally, in Canada, in Vancouver, in their course or at home. Proximity was included in multivariable linear regressions to assess its association with primary outcomes, including 30-day symptoms of anxiety and/or depression.

Results

Of 1388 respondents (adjusted response rate of 50%), 5.6% knew someone with COVID-19 in Vancouver, 0.8% in their course and 0.3% at home. Ten percent were overwhelmed and unable to access help. Knowing someone in Vancouver was associated with an 11-percentage-point increase in the probability of 30-day anxiety symptoms (s.e. 0.05, P ≤ 0.05), moderated by gender, with a significant interaction of the exposure and being female (coefficient −20, s.e. 0.09, P ≤ 0.05). No association was found with depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

Propinquity of COVID-19 cases may increase the likelihood of anxiety symptoms in students, particularly among men. Most students reported coping well, but additional support is needed for an emotionally overwhelmed minority who report being unable to access help.
COVID-19-related prescribing challenge in intellectual disability
Authors: Rauf Bushra , Sheikh Hafsa , Majid Hassan , Roy Ashok , Pathania Rani
Published: March 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions are expected to affect the mental health of the population, especially people with intellectual disability and/or autism spectrum disorder, because of a variety of biological and psychosocial reasons.

Aims

This study aimed to estimate if COVID-19 restrictions are associated with a change in number of total consultations carried out by psychiatrists and prescription of psychotropic medication in people with intellectual disability and/or autism spectrum disorder, within a community intellectual disability service.

Method

A quantitative observational study was conducted, involving retrospective and prospective data collection before and during lockdown. Data was collected on a spreadsheet and emailed to all psychiatrists working within the Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust-wide community intellectual disability service. Variables included total consultations, medication interventions, types of medications used, multidisciplinary team input and clinical reasons for medication interventions. Data was analysed separately for child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) and adult intellectual disability teams, and for the whole service.

Results

During the lockdown period, total consultations in the community intellectual disability service increased by 19 per week and medication interventions increased by two per week. Multidisciplinary team input increased in CAMHS from 0.17 to 0.71 per week and in adult intellectual disability from 5.7 to 6.5 per week. Hypnotics and benzodiazepines were the most commonly prescribed psychotropic medications during the lockdown period.

Conclusions

COVID-19-related lockdown resulted in an increase in medication interventions, total consultations and involvement of multidisciplinary teams to manage mental health and behavioural issues in people with intellectual disability and/or autism spectrum disorder.
Exercise Barriers and Adherence to Recommendations in Patients With Cancer
Authors: Ng Amy H. , Ngo-Huang An , Vidal Marieberta , Reyes-Garcia Ariadne , Liu Diane D. , Williams Janet L. , Fu Jack B. , Yadav Rajesh , Bruera Eduardo
Published: March 2021

PURPOSE:

The American College of Sports Medicine exercise guidelines for cancer survivors encourage a combination of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity and 2-3 weekly sessions of strength training. Cancer survivors often experience more barriers to meeting recommended guidelines because of side effects from cancer treatments. Our aim was to measure the cancer survivors’ adherence and barriers with these recommendations.

METHODS:

Two hundred adult cancer survivors completed surveys (Stanford Patient Education Research Center Exercise Behaviors Survey and an exercise barrier scale) reporting their physical activity, barriers to physical activity, and symptom assessment.

RESULTS:

A total of 68/200 participants (34%) reported adhering to the recommended physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes or more per week. Those who adhered to the guidelines reported fewer barriers to exercise (mean of 2.44 compared with 4.15 barriers, P < .0001). Female participants ( P = .01), higher number of barriers, and feeling of poor well-being were less likely to report at least 60 or 150 minutes of exercise time. Lack of interest ( P = .003) and self-discipline ( P = .001) were reported as barriers. These participants were more likely to report high symptom burden of pain ( P = .007) and fatigue ( P = .005). Participants who reported < 60 minutes of exercise reported lack of enjoyment ( P = .03), lack of equipment ( P = .01), and symptoms of poor appetite, poor well-being, and increased dyspnea.

CONCLUSION:

Although recommendations are given for exercise, adherence to recommendations is low. Issues of motivation, including lack of interest and self-discipline, and symptoms of pain and fatigue were some of the main reported barriers to adhering to the recommended exercise guidelines. Therefore, interventions aimed at increasing motivation and treating symptoms could improve cancer survivor adherence to recommended exercise guidelines.
Differential Impact of ALK Mutations in Neuroblastoma
Authors: O'Donohue Tara , Gulati Nitya , Mauguen Audrey , Kushner Brian H. , Shukla Neerav , Rodriguez-Sanchez M. I. , Bouvier Nancy , Roberts Stephen , Basu Ellen , Cheung Nai-Kong , Modak Shakeel
Published: March 2021

PURPOSE

The tyrosine kinase receptor anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) can be abnormally activated in neuroblastoma, and somatic ALK mutations occur in 6%-10% of patients. The differential clinical impact of these mutations has not been clearly elucidated.

METHODS

Data on patients with neuroblastoma harboring ALK mutations were retrospectively analyzed. ALK sequencing was performed by whole-genome sequencing, hybrid-based capture of targeted exomes, or hotspot ALK mutation profiling. The differential impact of ALK mutation site on clinical characteristics, response to treatment, and survival was analyzed. In a subgroup of patients with locoregional neuroblastoma diagnosed after 2014, the impact of all ALK mutations was compared with wild-type ALK.

RESULTS

Of 641 patients with neuroblastoma with ALK status analyzed on at least one tumor sample, 103 (16%) had tumors harboring ALK mutations. Mutations existed across all ages (birth to 67.8 years), stages (30% locoregional and 70% metastatic), and risk groups (20%, 11%, and 69% with low-, intermediate-, and high-risk disease, respectively). Mutation sites included F1174 (51%), R1275 (29%), R1245 (10%), and others (10%). Mutation site was not prognostic for progression-free survival or overall survival in the entire cohort, high-risk subgroup, or locoregional subgroup. Locoregional tumors with any ALK mutation were generally invasive: L2 by International Neuroblastoma Research Group staging in 30/31 patients with a 2-year progression-free survival (59%, 95% CI, 37.4 to 80.5) that was inferior to historical controls. This observation was corroborated in the post-2014 subgroup in which gross total resection was less likely for ALK-mutated tumors.

CONCLUSION

Somatic ALK mutations are present across all stages and risk groups of neuroblastoma. No specific mutation carries differential prognostic significance. Locoregional neuroblastoma has an invasive phenotype when harboring somatic ALK mutations in this population.
Serial Monitoring of Circulating Tumor DNA by Next-Generation Gene Sequencing as a Biomarker of Response and Survival in Patients With Advanced NSCLC Receiving Pembrolizumab-Based Therapy
Authors: Thompson Jeffrey C. , Carpenter Erica L. , Silva Benjamin A. , Rosenstein Jamie , Chien Austin L. , Quinn Katie , Espenschied Carin R. , Mak Allysia , Kiedrowski Lesli A. , Lefterova Martina , Nagy Rebecca J. , Katz Sharyn I. , Yee Stephanie S. , Black Taylor A. , Singh Aditi P. , Ciunci Christine A. , Bauml Joshua M. , Cohen Roger B. , Langer Corey J. , Aggarwal Charu
Published: March 2021

PURPOSE

Although the majority of patients with metastatic non–small-cell lung cancer (mNSCLC) lacking a detectable targetable mutation will receive pembrolizumab-based therapy in the frontline setting, predicting which patients will experience a durable clinical benefit (DCB) remains challenging.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with mNSCLC receiving pembrolizumab monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapy underwent a 74-gene next-generation sequencing panel on blood samples obtained at baseline and at 9 weeks. The change in circulating tumor DNA levels on-therapy (molecular response) was quantified using a ratio calculation with response defined by a > 50% decrease in mean variant allele fraction. Patient response was assessed using RECIST 1.1; DCB was defined as complete or partial response or stable disease that lasted > 6 months. Progression-free survival and overall survival were recorded.

RESULTS

Among 67 patients, 51 (76.1%) had > 1 variant detected at a variant allele fraction > 0.3% and thus were eligible for calculation of molecular response from paired baseline and 9-week samples. Molecular response values were significantly lower in patients with an objective radiologic response (log mean 1.25% v 27.7%, P < .001). Patients achieving a DCB had significantly lower molecular response values compared to patients with no durable benefit (log mean 3.5% v 49.4%, P < .001). Molecular responders had significantly longer progression-free survival (hazard ratio, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.13 to 0.50) and overall survival (hazard ratio, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.12 to 0.64) compared with molecular nonresponders.

CONCLUSION

Molecular response assessment using circulating tumor DNA may serve as a noninvasive, on-therapy predictor of response to pembrolizumab-based therapy in addition to standard of care imaging in mNSCLC. This strategy requires validation in independent prospective studies.
Cord Blood IGF-I, Proinsulin, Leptin, HMW Adiponectin, and Ghrelin in Short or Skinny Small-for-Gestational-Age Infants
Authors: He Hua , Zhu Wen-Ting , Nuyt Anne Monique , Marc Isabelle , Julien Pierre , Huang Rong , Dubois Lise , Wei Shu-Qin , Zhang Jun , Levy Emile , Fraser William D , Luo Zhong-Cheng
Published: March 2021

Context

Small-for-gestational-age (SGA) is an indicator of poor fetal growth “programming” an elevated risk of type 2 diabetes in adulthood. Little is known about early-life endocrine characteristics in SGA subtypes. Stunting (short) and wasting (skinny) are considered distinct SGA phenotypes in neonatal prognosis.

Objectives

This work aimed to assess whether SGA infants with stunting or wasting have similar alterations in neonatal endocrine metabolic health biomarkers.

Methods

This was a nested case-control study based on the 3D (Design, Develop, and Discover) birth cohort in Canada. The study subjects were 146 SGA (birth weight < 10th percentile) and 155 optimal-for-gestational age (OGA, 25th-75th percentiles) infants. Stunting was defined as birth length less than the 10th percentile, and wasting as body mass index less than the 10th percentile for sex and gestational age, respectively. Main outcome measures included cord plasma concentrations of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), proinsulin, leptin, high-molecular-weight (HMW) adiponectin, and ghrelin.

Results

Comparing to OGA infants adjusted for maternal and neonatal characteristics, SGA infants with either stunting only or wasting only had lower cord plasma IGF-I and leptin concentrations. HMW adiponectin concentrations were lower in SGA infants with wasting only (P = .004), but similar in SGA infants with stunting only (P = .816). Only SGA infants with both stunting and wasting had substantially lower proinsulin (P < .001) and higher ghrelin concentrations (P < .001) than OGA infants.

Conclusion

This study is the first to demonstrate that SGA infants with wasting only are characterized by low HMW adiponectin concentrations, whereas those with stunting only are not. SGA with both stunting and wasting are characterized by low proinsulin and high ghrelin concentrations.
Thinking about Religion through Wittgenstein
Authors: Asad Talal
Published: March 2021

This essay is an attempt at thinking through Wittgenstein's philosophy in order to clarify some aspects of what people call “religion.” Central to it is an exploration of the polarity between belief and practice and an attempt to reframe that polarity in terms of the mutually interconnected processes of being and learning. It seeks to address the old question of persuadability, of what makes for conviction and effective critique, particularly in relation to faith in God and in “another world.” It then attempts to apply Wittgenstein's insights to fundamental disagreements in the Islamic tradition over the proper understanding of apparently contradictory representations of God in the Qurʾan. Finally, it takes up the question of what Wittgenstein called “the craving for generality,” and thus the part abstraction plays in the progressive thrust of our secular, capitalist form of life.
Being a Feminist in the Fallist Movement in Contemporary South Africa
Authors: Mazibuko Mbali
Published: March 2021

This short essay offers reflective feminist insight into the Fees Must Fall Movement of 2015–16 that was led by students and workers at universities in South Africa. It considers the ways in which Black feminist life is negotiated and embodied in a contemporary student-worker movement that remains oriented by and toward hegemonic hypermasculinities. This text further argues that Black feminist intervention and mobilization is distinct from women's movements as they happened under apartheid. Feminist organizing is principled in particular ways, and these ways are evidenced by Black feminist interventions within the Fees Must Fall (FMF) movement. This essay demonstrates how intersectionality functions as more than a diagnostic tool. Intersectionality and how it is imagined and used in the contemporary South African feminist context does not only recognize multiple and interlocking oppressions. Intersectionality is also in itself a methodology. Intersectionality as demonstrated by feminists and the LGBTIQA community of the FMF movement is a methodological choice that requires that various forms of protest and intervention be used simultaneously to challenge systemic oppressions. Centering intersectionality as methodology works to disrupt archaic perspectives on what is and is not activism, thought, or feminist work. Relying on the intellectual work of student-activists in the movement, otherwise known as “fallists,” and memory and story-telling as methodological tools, this essay begins to imagine how we can think, research, and write in ways that memorialize and archive our lives, our histories, and our collective imaginaries.
स्वर्ग नहीं, बिल्क जेल
Authors: तोड़ पिंजरा
Published: March 2021

सार

अक्टूबर 2019 में, दिल्ली में महिला छात्राओं के लिए सुरक्षित, खिफायती एवं गैर-भेदभावपूर्ण आवास सुनिश्चित करने की ओर काम करने वाले महिला संगठन पिंजरा तोड़ ने अन्य छात्र संगठनों के साथ कश्मीर की लगातार घेराबंदी के खिलाफ दिल्ली विशवविद्याला के आर्ट्स फैकल्टी में एक संयुक्त विरोध और सार्वजनिक बैठक का आयोजन किया। संबंधित पर्चे में पिंजरा तोड़ ने नरेंद्र मोदी के कश्मीर को "स्वर्ग" बनाने की कॉर्पोरेट योजनाओं और उनके पूंजीवादी एवं उग्र-राष्ट्रवादी पहलुओं पर सवाल उठाये। इसके अलावा, कश्मीर से निकलने वाली भयानक कहानियों पर चर्चा की: नाबालिगों और नौजवानों की हिरासत और यातना, मध्यरात्रि छापे और सेना बलों द्वारा महिलाओं के खिलाफ यौन हिंसा का निरंतर खतरा और धमकियां। आपातकाल की वर्तमान स्थिति को भारतीय राज्य द्वारा कश्मीर की जनता और उनके लोकतांत्रिक आकांक्षाओं के उत्पीड़न के एक लंबे और क्रूर इतिहास की निरंतरता के रूप में व्यक्त किया गया है। कश्मीरी लोगों के संघर्ष के समर्थन में, पिंजरा तोड़ ने तमाम मांगे प्रस्तुत की, जिसमें शामिल हैं: भारत के संविधान में अनुच्छेद 370 और 35A की पुनर्बहाली; किसी

भी नीतिगत निर्णय में कश्मीरी लोगों की लोकप्रिय भागीदारी सुनिश्चित की जाए; सभी राजनीतिक नेताओं, सामाजिक कार्यकर्ताओं, युवाओं और बच्चों को रिहा किया जाए; और सभी विश्वविद्यालयों में जिन कश्मीरी छात्रों की पढ़ाई बाधित हुई थी उनके लिए विशेष प्रावधान किए जाए।
#DisarmUC
Authors: Buchanan Blu , Miller Amara
Published: March 2021

As scholar-activists, the authors explore efforts of police disarmament within the context of an emerging social movement sweeping the University of California system. The Disarm UC coalition challenges the myth of policing as necessary for the production of a “safe” society, especially in an era in which fear-mongering has helped to naturalize far-right and authoritarian systems of control. Instead, this article asks how policing is always already a violent system within the American academy and how these historical precursors normalize the current militarization and mobilization of lethal force within universities. Such normalized violence reproduces historical inequities within academia and has material consequences for students and workers. Finally, the authors explore how social movements like Disarm UC disrupt police violence within the university, producing new social and material conditions for change.
COLA, COVID, and 50/500 Years of Struggle
Authors:   University of California, Berkeley, Ethnic Studies Graduate Collective
Published: March 2021

This short dispatch reflects on the recent cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) student movement at the University of California. We outline a short history of student labor activism at the University of California, Berkeley, and juxtapose it with the struggles that have come out of the Department of Ethnic Studies since 1969. We discuss the context of COLA and how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the aims, goals, and development of the movement from an ethnic studies perspective.
Feeding behaviour and the operculum in Olividae (Gastropoda): the case of Callianax biplicata (G. B. Sowerby I, 1825)
Authors: Kelly Molly , Schroeder Linda , Mullendore Daniel L. , Dattilo Benjamin F. , Peters Winfried S.
Published: March 2021

Olividae are marine gastropods living as predators or scavengers on soft sediments. The complex prey handling behaviour of large predatory species includes the storage of food in a pouch formed temporarily by bending and contraction of the posterior foot. Such metapodial pouches had been observed only in Olividae that lack an operculum, prompting the hypothesis that the folding of the metapodium into a pouch biomechanically required the absence of the operculum. Here we report metapodial pouch formation in an operculate olivid, Callianax biplicata (formerly Olivella biplicata). Since the operculum is too small to close the shell aperture in mature C. biplicata, a protective function seems unlikely. The operculum may rather serve as an exoskeletal point for muscle attachment, but may also represent a ‘vestigial organ’ in the process of evolutionary reduction, or an ontogenetic remnant functional at early life stages but not at maturity. Consequently, our observations refute the notion that only inoperculate olivids can form pouches, but not necessarily the idea that the ability to form a metapodial pouch evolved in parallel with operculum reduction
Heroism as the highest therapeutic possibility based on Antoni Kępiński
Authors: Mnich Artur
Published: March 2021

Heroizm jest jedną z najbardziej oryginalnych koncepcji Antoniego Kępińskiego zawartą w jego dziełach. Z powodu trudno dostępnych źródeł informacji napotyka pewne problemy interpretacyjne. Celem artykułu jest wskazanie heroizmu i pojęć z nim związanych (postawy heroicznej, tendencji heroicznej czy proporcji heroicznej) jako najwyższą możliwość terapeutyczną. Autor dokładnie przeanalizował piśmiennictwo w zakresie objaśnień tematu przez samego Kępińskiego, także innych autorów (np. Kokoszki), oraz również uzyskał informacje od współpracowników Kępińskiego. Przeprowadził analizę tych treści z zastosowaniem ramy interpretacyjnej opartej o koncepcję potencjalności nadrzędnej podmiotu – ludzkiego ja, które działa i przeżywa to działanie. Koncepcja ta pochodzi z fenomenologii realistycznej Wojtyły, która wnosi pewną interpretacyjną nowość w postaci fenomenologicznie ujętej woli. W wyniku tego można ustalić zasadniczy związek pomiędzy heroizmem a nadrzędną potencjalnością, który określa istota wolności. Końcowa dyskusja potwierdza tytułową tezę. Dzięki temu poszerza się i uzupełnia wiedza o badanym czynniku terapeutycznym, który zyskuje nowy potencjał dla praktyki terapeutycznej i jej badań. Praca ta jest pracą poglądową i może stanowić podstawę do dalszego rozwoju badanego tematu w oparciu o zastosowaną ramę interpretacyjną.
Patients’ and professionals’ beliefs about the impact of social stigmatization on treatment of gambling-related disorders
Authors: Dąbrowska Katarzyna , Wieczorek Łukasz
Published: March 2021

Cel pracy

Prowadzone dotychczas badania wykazały, że negatywne stereotypy dotyczące osób z zaburzeniami hazardowymi, a szczególnie przekonanie, że osoby te ponoszą osobistą odpowiedzialność za swoją chorobę, mogą znacząco przyczyniać się do stygmatyzacji tych osób. Wstyd i strach przed stygmatyzacją utrudniają decyzję o podjęciu leczenia.
Omawiane badanie diagnozuje przekonania respondentów o wpływie stygmatyzacji osób z zaburzeniami hazardowymi na społeczne postrzeganie leczenia zaburzeń hazardowych oraz przekonania respondentów o wpływie stygmatyzacji na podejmowanie leczenia, czy poszukiwanie pomocy. Ponadto badanie diagnozuje, czy leczenie może pomóc w ograniczeniu stygmatyzacji, czy profesjonaliści w jakiś sposób uwzględniają to zagadnienie w swojej praktyce?

Metoda

W pierwszej połowie 2015 r. przeprowadzono 90 wywiadów indywidualnych z osobami z zaburzeniami hazardowymi, pracownikami socjalnymi, terapeutami zatrudnionymi w placówkach leczenia uzależnień, lekarzami pierwszego kontaktu oraz psychiatrami.

Wyniki

Społeczna reakcja na fakt rozpoczęcia leczenia zależy od tego, czy zaburzenia hazardowe postrzegane są w kategoriach problemu medycznego, czy raczej w kategoriach moralnych. Przychylniejsze reakcje wobec informacji o podjęciu leczenia przejawiają głównie znaczący inni, którzy zgodnie z terminologią Goffmana są zorientowani. Leczenie oznacza konieczność ujawnienia swojego problemu i stawienia czoła stygmatyzacji. Szczególnie kobiety są stygmatyzowane z powodu zaburzeń hazardowych. Omawiane badanie pokazało, że leczenie pozwala pozbyć się poczucia winy poprzez zdobycie wiedzy na temat zaburzeń hazardowych.

Wnioski

Podjęcie problemu stygmatyzacji na wczesnych etapach leczenia może przyczynić się do ciągłości leczenia. Specjaliści powinni być świadomi swoich uprzedzeń, ponieważ ich stygmatyzujące postawy mogą wpływać na wyniki leczenia
Editorial
Authors: Dudek Dominika , Sobański Jerzy , Klasa Katarzyna
Published: March 2021

bez streszczenia
Interpretaciones de la redundancia en la gramática y en el léxico
Authors: Bosque Ignacio
Published: March 2021

Interpretaciones de la redundancia en la gramática y en el léxico La redundancia en el lenguaje se ha analizado desde hace años en la teoría de la información sin utilizar recursos propiamente gramaticales. También se ha censurado en la lengua común, a la vez que se ha admitido tradicionalmente como privilegio de los escritores. En este artículo se muestra que la redundancia está incardinada en el sistema gramatical del español, en el que adquiere diversas interpretaciones. Se explica en estas páginas la relación que existe entre la redundancia y la estructura informativa de la oración, así como las diversas formas en que laprimera puede reinterpretarse como una forma de concordancia léxica. Se prestaespecial atención a la redundancia que se observa en los procesos de incorporaciónde preposiciones como prefijos, así como a la que existe en ciertas estructuras queexpresan sintácticamente el pasado. También se analizan los numerosos epítetosque admite la lengua no literaria en estructuras adjetivales y adverbiales, y seinterpretan como estructuras en las que la sintaxis puede hacer visibles ciertoscomponentes semánticos de las piezas léxicas que los hablantes desean resaltar.
La traducción pedagógica como vehículo entre lenguas tipológicamente diferentes
Authors: Guerrero García Sandra
Published: March 2021

La traducción pedagógica como vehículo entre lenguas tipológicamente diferentes Desde que Talmy propusiese por primera vez una clasificación de las lenguas en función de sus patrones de lexicalización hasta nuestros días, la descripción del movimiento sigue sin contar con herramientas didácticas que faciliten al estudiante de lenguas extranjeras la adquisición de los mecanismos necesarios para poder describir movimientos en la L2. Partiendo de investigaciones previas de diversos autores donde se comprueba la dificultad y la ausencia de conocimiento por parte del estudiante a la hora de codificar el movimiento, este trabajo expondrá actividades que hacen uso de la traducción pedagógica como vehículo facilitador para el aprendizaje del movimiento de estudiantes anglófonos de español con el fin de evitar la fosilización de errores y siendo estas aplicables a cualquier lengua.
Las destrezas discursivas de las construcciones condicionales en el Libro de los exenplos por A.B.C.: el dístico rimado
Authors: Montero Cartelle Emilio
Published: March 2021

La deriva de la sintaxis hacia nuevos planteamientos y maneras de análisis es el reflejo y la consecuencia de la evolución de la lingüística, en general, y de la textual, en concreto. Tras años centrada en el sistema, en sus componentes y en sus relaciones, se ha abierto a su realización y a la construcción del discurso. Los textos, por su parte, han dejado de verse como simples suministradores de datos y como objetos aislados. Se han convertido en el resultado de un acto de comunicación y remiten a clases, a moldes o esquemas que convencionalizan los modos de disponer y organizar el contenido y la elección de los recursos. El acercamiento con estas premisas a la condicionalidad, es decir, a cualquier expresión que denote dicho valor, busca contemplar su operatividad informativa y acometer su contribución a la progresión temática (coherencia) y a la conexión de sus componentes (cohesión). Es, en realidad, una exigencia de las particularidades del Libro de los exenplos por A.B.C., cuya naturaleza didáctica lo preside y mediatiza todo, desde su finalidad hasta su configuración discursiva, pasando por las unidades que lo integran, la selección de las técnicas lingüísticas que actualiza y los interlocutores a los que se dirige. El estudio del dístico rimado confirmará estos aspectos. Se sirve de estructuras condicionales diferentes a las documentadas en las conclusiones y en el cuerpo del exemplo y, cuando no es así, las utiliza con funciones muy distintas.
Managing Self-Replicating Innovative Goods
Authors: Hu Bin , Sun Zhankun
Published: March 2021

Inspired by self-replicating three-dimensional printers and innovative agricultural and husbandry goods, we study optimal production and sales policies for a manufacturer of self-replicating innovative goods with a focus on the unique “keep-or-sell” trade-off—namely, whether a newly produced unit should be sold to satisfy demand and stimulate future demand or added to inventory to increase production capacity. We adopt the continuous-time optimal control framework and marry a self-replication model on the production side to the canonical innovation-diffusion model on the demand side. By analyzing the model, we identify a condition that differentiates Strong and Weak Replicability regimes, wherein production and sales, respectively, take priority over the other and fully characterize their distinct optimal policies. These insights prove robust and helpful in several extensions, including backlogged demand, liquidity constraints, stochastic innovation diffusion, launch inventory decision, and exogenous demand. We also find that social marketing strategies are particularly well suited for self-replicating innovative goods under Strong Replication.

This paper was accepted by Victor Martínez de Albéniz, operations management.
Nurse-led development of a rapid-access clinic and referral pathway for suspected inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Campbell Rachel
Published: March 2021

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can have a similar presentation to irritable bowel syndrome, microscopic colitis and other differential diagnoses. Making a diagnosis is complex and typically involves multiple stages, including faecal calprotectin (FC) testing. In 2016, a rapid-access clinic and referral pathway for suspected IBD was developed by an IBD clinical nurse specialist to decrease the time from referral to diagnosis, reduce emergency admissions and outpatient referrals and improve patient experience. Over an 18-month period, a retrospective quantitative evaluation of 400 patients and small survey of 10 patients confirmed that the rapid-access clinic had had a positive impact on outcomes and that the service was sustainable. The results also led to a revision of the referral pathway, which raised the initial FC cut-off point and provided additional information for primary care professionals. This led to a small increase in the proportion of referrals that led to an IBD diagnosis, from 28% to 32%. The rapid-access clinic demonstrated the value of service development led by IBD nurses.
Peptic ulcer disease: a cross-sectional study of symptoms and risk factors among students at Jimma University, Ethiopia
Authors: Bayana Ebissa , Olani Adugna , Biratu Yonas , Negash Ayelu , Gelan Melkamu , Eba Abdisa , Nigatu Desalegn , Amsalu Bonsa
Published: March 2021

Background:

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD), which includes gastric and duodenal ulcers, is a common condition with symptoms including epigastric or abdominal pain. It is multifactorial, with physiological, demographic and environmental risk factors, some of which make it more prevalent in developing countries.

Aims:

This study aims to assess the symptoms of and risk factors for PUD among students at Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.

Methods:

This institutional based cross-sectional study design used a self-administered questionnaire to collect data for analysis. This included logistic regression analysis, in which a p-value of <0.05 at 95% CI indicated statistical significance.

Findings:

Of the 240 respondents, 41.3% had symptoms indicative of PUD. Most students developed symptoms after enrolling at university and primarily managed them with medication. PUD-like symptoms were found to be associated with year of study, frequent Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs use, smoking, prolonged fasting and anxiety.

Conclusions:

PUD is highly prevalent in this setting. Therefore, the university may wish to raise awareness of PUD and aim to reduce anxiety among students.
Different together: 25 years of European success
Authors: Beilenhoff Ulrike
Published: March 2021

Ulrike Beilenhoff reflects on the ongoing achievements of Europe's professional organisation for nurses working in gastrointestinal endoscopy and related fields
The current status of daycase hip and knee arthroplasty within the English National Health Service: a retrospective analysis of hospital episode statistics data
Authors: Wainwright TW
Published: March 2021

Introduction

A high volume of total hip, total knee and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty procedures, an ageing population and continuing financial pressures within the English NHS mean that strategies to reduce length of hospital stay are attractive. Enhanced recovery after surgery protocols are one such intervention, and have advanced so that daycase arthroplasty is now possible. This study examines the current rate of daycase arthroplasty within the English NHS.

Materials and Methods

Hospital episode statistics data from all English NHS providers of arthroplasty procedures were analysed. Activity, daycase rate, length of stay and readmission rates were recorded. All total hip, knee and unicompartmental knee operations undertaken within the time period 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019 were examined.

Results

Length of stay was analysed for 162,966 patients; 74,665 (46%) were total hip arthroplasty, 79,252 (49%) were total knee arthroplasty and 9,049 were unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (5%). Mean length of stay was 4.08 days for total hip, 4.11 days for total knee and 2.64 days for unicompartmental knee arthroplasties. Daycase rate for total hip arthroplasty was 0.55%, 0.52% for total knee arthroplasty and 5.44% for unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. The percentage of patients staying in hospital for longer than four days (a length of stay of five days or more) was 18.61% of total hip arthroplasty spells, 20.54% of total knee arthroplasty spells and 5.48% of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty spells.

Discussion

This large observational study of unselected patients undergoing hip and knee arthroplasty demonstrates that the national daycase rate for arthroplasty across providers in the NHS is low. Mean length of stay remains higher than selected international comparators.