bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Appropriation Remedy under the Financial Collateral Arrangements Regulations
Authors: O'Dea Geoff
Published: May 2022

An examination of the appropriation remedy under the Financial Collateral Arrangements Regulations, including as an alternative to pre-packaged administration and receivership sales. In particular, the chapter considers in detail the requirements of the legislation in order for the right to arise and provides practical guidance as to how the right should be exercised. The analysis of the remedy includes an examination of the terms in the legislation and also determinations from case law. In addition, the chapter considers the validity of the legislation before Brexit. The chapter examines various issues and challenges that may arise in connection with an appropriation, such as a valuation of the collateral (enterprise value versus other forms of valuation), the treatment of contingent liabilities, whether or not the equity of redemption is extinguished, appropriation before or after a valuation is obtained, and how the secured liabilities are affected by the appropriation. The chapter also summarizes the disapplication of certain provisions of insolvency legislation when the appropriation remedy is invoked and considers the benefits of the use of appropriation by secured creditors.
The morphophonology of ellipsis
Authors: Sailor Craig
Published: May 2022

This paper attempts to pinpoint the derivational timing of ellipsis by examining how it interacts with other phenomena whose timing is better understood. It is demonstrated that for morphophonological processes such as external sandhi and allomorphy, material adjacent to an ellipsis site cannot “see” ellipsis internal material. Under the mainstream [E]-based approach to ellipsis, this result indicates that the silence characterizing ellipsis arises early at PF, consistent with non-application of Vocabulary Insertion (and inconsistent with phonological deletion). However, it would also follow straightforwardly if ellipsis sites were sent to the interfaces alone, the moment they are licensed in the syntax (Aelbrecht 2010). This approach involving the Segregated Transfer of ellipsis sites is pursued here: beyond the mounting syntactic evidence supporting it, it is shown to be preferable on these post-syntactic grounds as well, requiring fewer assumptions to capture these novel findings.
Representations of Wisdom in Rus
Authors: Kriza Ágnes
Published: May 2022

The second ‘Image’ part of the book places the Wisdom image in the context of late Byzantine and medieval Russian art, and investigates the validity of the claims of the first ‘Word’ part about the meaning of the Novgorod Sophia icon. This chapter surveys two major sophiological themes of medieval Russian painting with a female or genderless figure of Wisdom: ‘Wisdom has built her house’ illustrating Proverbs 9:1–5 and the representations of Evangelists inspired by Wisdom. These iconographies appeared in late fourteenth-century Novgorod painting for the first time and are apparently intertwined. The link between them is created by the Sophiology of the fourth-century church father, Athanasius of Alexandria who distinguishes between two—created and uncreated—wisdoms which are distinct but united in the Person of Christ. However, this Novgorodian interest in representations of Sophia was driven primarily not by Christological debates, but by the fact that Novgorod’s main church, built between 1045 and 1050, is dedicated to St Sophia, the Wisdom of God.
The Novgorod Sophia Icon as a Deesis
Authors: Kriza Ágnes
Published: May 2022

The structure of the Novgorod Sophia icon is similar to that of the Deesis, a fundamental image of Byzantine art showing Christ flanked by the Theotokos and John the Baptist. This chapter unravels the ecclesiological meaning of the Deesis, hitherto overlooked in scholarship, to explore the ecclesiological content of the Novgorod Sophia icon. The Wisdom icon derives from a later version of the Deesis, the so-called Royal Deesis, which shows Christ and the Theotokos in imperial insignia. The second half of the chapter examines the link of late-Byzantine Royal Deesis with the Western image of the Coronation of Virgin, both showing the Mother of God in royal attributes. It stresses the polemical dialogue between the two images, highlighting the anti-Greek tenet of the Western iconography and the corresponding anti-Latin agenda of the Byzantine one. By integrating the Royal Deesis, the Novgorod Sophia icon amalgamates all these polemical ecclesiological undertones of the Byzantine image. But by placing a sophiological iconography into the ecclesiological structure of the Deesis, the Novgorod Sophia also modified the ecclesiological message of the Royal Deesis. As a result, the Wisdom icon visualizes the same ‘sophiological synthesis’ which found expression in the Sophia commentary.
Depicting Orthodoxy in Rus
Authors: Kriza Ágnes
Published: May 2022

An outline of the history of mural and icon-painting in Novgorod demonstrates that the pictorial references in icons to church constructions, interiors, and their mural decorations had a long-standing tradition in Novgorod. Over time, these references became more and more explicit, so that they identified the Christian Church recognizably and exclusively with Byzantine Orthodoxy. The first half of the chapter analyses church decoration and the second icon-painting of Novgorod, thus seeking to explore the direct iconographic roots of the Wisdom icon. The chapter discusses the meaning of the prepared throne (Hetoimasia) in the Novgorod Sophia image, its light symbolism, and the development of anti-Latin ecclesiological iconographies in Novgorod.
Sophia, the Divine Wisdom, and the Union of Florence
Authors: Kriza Ágnes
Published: May 2022

The last, ‘History’ part studies the historical context of the creation of the Novgorod Sophia iconography by arguing that its creation was a Novgorodian response to the union of the Catholic and Orthodox churches signed in Florence in 1439. The historical exploration begins with an outline of the fifteenth-century history of Novgorod and, in particular, the city’s reaction to the Union of Florence. It is followed by the analysis of two letters of Vasilii II, the grand prince of Moscow (from 1441 and 1451), in which the Russian ruler in the name of the Rus Church rejects the church union with the Latins. These texts, which de facto also announced the jurisdictional independence of the Rus Church from the Patriarchate of Constantinople, convey a novel Russian ecclesiology which is based not on the Byzantine idea of five equal Patriarchates (Pentarchy), but on the concept of Hagia Sophia. The Hagia Sophia is the symbol of the true faith, the opposition to the Latins, and the succession between the Byzantine and Rus Churches, respectively. It is this idea of Hagia Sophia which is expressed visually and verbally by the ‘sophiological synthesis’ of the Novgorod Sophia icon and its commentary.
Evfimii II, Archbishop of Novgorod
Authors: Kriza Ágnes
Published: May 2022

At the time of the union of Florence, Evfimii II was the Archbishop of Novgorod whose patronage shows a clear change of direction at the end of the 1430s. While scholars explain this turn differently, this chapter provides various evidence proposing that it was the ecclesiastical union that transformed Evfimii’s patronage in this period. The rejection of the union by the Rus Church had wide-reaching implications for Novgorod which supported the anti-unionist separatist policy of Moscow Grand Prince rather than remaining under the jurisdiction of the ‘Latin’ Constantinople and belonging to the unionist Kievan metropolitans seated in the territory of Lithuania. By surveying Evfimii’s commissions and initiatives in the fields of architecture, painting, applied arts, literature, and liturgy, the earliest examples of the Novgorod Sophia iconography are investigated in the context of the ecclesiastical and political situation as well as the artistic milieu of Novgorod.
Insurance
Authors: Brodie Marc
Published: May 2022

This chapter tackles one of the other key areas usually believed to show working-class rejection of state interference in their lives—the development of their own friendly societies and opposition to any government regulation of these. However, a greater problem experienced by the poorer members of friendly societies was a lack of trust in the better-off working-class leaders of their societies, and a feeling that they were often unfairly dealt with by these organizations. Their opposition to government regulation was largely based upon such interference perversely giving more power to society leaders over members. Ordinary members adopted a range of measures to counter these problems, including moving to ‘dividing’ societies which they felt were safer for their money, and also beginning to support the direct state provision of insurance.
The Use of Force against Individuals in War under International Law
Authors: Yip Ka Lok
Published: May 2022

Is it legal to kill, or capture and confine, someone in war? Is this relevant or wise to ask in the reality of war? What does ‘legal’ actually mean in the labyrinth of overlapping international laws? This book explores the meaning, relevance, and wisdom of questioning the ‘legality’ of the use of force against individuals in war by reconnecting legal thought with the social world. Weaving together law, social theories, and actual practices, the book presents an interdisciplinary study of the laws regulating warfare. The book uncovers different conceptions of ‘legality’ that generate tensions among different international laws regulating warfare and highlights the limits of legal techniques in addressing these tensions. Accepting these tensions serves not to denigrate the law itself but to invite a deeper level of engagement with it—through the lens of social theories. Drawing on the insight that every social action results from an interaction between human agency and social structures, the book argues that in regulating warfare, one distinct body of international law, the law of armed conflicts, accommodates the diminished agency of human beings operating in highly structured conditions while other bodies of international law harbour the potential to transform these very structured conditions. Thus, assimilating these laws, whether in court or in real-world practices, fundamentally conflates their underlying social ontologies.
General Introduction
Authors: Yip Ka Lok
Published: May 2022

This general introduction anticipates the challenges to the meaning, relevance, and wisdom of speaking about the ‘legality’ of the use of force against individuals in war. It introduces the book’s combined methodology of doctrinal analysis, social theorizing, and empirical case study to answer these challenges. Each method serves as a lens to a distinct dimension of the problem tackled in the book and together they form a methodological framework that triangulates the phenomena explored and the findings reached. Each method is contextualized in the preview of the content of each chapter.
The Territorial Principle
Authors: Gallant Kenneth S.
Published: May 2022

The territorial principle—that a state has authority to legislate and adjudicate concerning acts, things and events in its territory—is the dominant form of criminal jurisdiction exercised today. Most consider it the “master principle” of jurisdiction. This chapter considers justifications for it, its historical development, especially in common law countries, and a few reasons for thinking it is not the master principle in a moral or philosophical sense. The chapter then considers issues of “localization”—the problem of deciding where a crime “occurs.”
The Passive Personality Principle
Authors: Gallant Kenneth S.
Published: May 2022

The passive personality principle bases criminal jurisdiction on the status of the victim of crime as a national of the state exercising jurisdiction. Until recently, it had been used mostly by civil law states and was frequently objected to by common law states when used against their nationals. Today, largely due to treaty practice, most common law states use passive personality jurisdiction in cases of terrorism or where their nationals are attacked because of their nationality. Many still do not accept it as an acceptable basis of jurisdiction for other crimes.
Jurisdiction and Legality
Authors: Gallant Kenneth S.
Published: May 2022

Pursuant to the principle of legality, an internationally recognized human right, an act must have been criminal under applicable law at the time and in the circumstances of the act. Applicability here means applicability under the international law of prescriptive and adjudicative jurisdiction. This is the rule of transnational legality. This chapter develops the rule by showing the parallel purposes and structures of the principles of jurisdiction and legality, both in national and transnational cases. It shows how the international law rules of jurisdiction serve as the rules of recognition of legitimate applicability of criminal law in transnational cases, and how the requirement of legitimate applicability unifies the doctrines of jurisdiction and legality. The second half of the chapter discusses evidence of state, international court, human rights court, and other practice and opinio juris for or against transnational legality as a matter of customary international law and treaty law, as well as scholarly writings on the issue. It concludes that the rule of transnational legality is most likely law in the process of formation, and with the hope that it will crystallize into customary international law.
On the Economic Significance of Stock Return Predictability
Authors: Cederburg Scott , Johnson Travis L , O’Doherty Michael S
Published: May 2022

We study the effects of time-varying volatility and investment horizon on the economic significance of stock market return predictability from the perspective of Bayesian investors. Using a vector autoregression framework with stochastic volatility (SV) in market returns and predictor variables, we assess a broad set of twenty-six predictors with both in-sample and out-of-sample designs. Volatility and horizon are critically important for assessing return predictors, as these factors affect how an investor learns about predictability and how she chooses to invest based on return forecasts. We find that statistically strong predictors can be economically unimportant if they tend to take extreme values in high volatility periods, have low persistence, or follow distributions with fat tails. Several popular predictors exhibit these properties such that their impressive statistical results do not translate into large economic gains. We also demonstrate that incorporating SV leads to substantial utility gains in real-time forecasting.
Sociodemographic and Biological Factors of Health Disparities of Mothers and Their Very Low Birth-Weight Infants
Authors: Cho June , Chien Lung-Chang , Holditch-Davis Diane
Published: May 2022

Background:

Black mothers and their very low birth-weight infants in the United States have increased risk of adverse neonatal and maternal health outcomes compared with White mothers and infants. Disparities in adverse birth outcomes associated with sociodemographic factors are difficult to quantify and modify, limiting their usefulness in assessing intervention effects.

Purpose:

To test hypotheses that (1) the biological factors of maternal testosterone and cortisol are associated with sociodemographic factors and (2) both factors are associated with neonatal health and maternal mental health and healthy behaviors between birth and 40 weeks' gestational age.

Methods:

We used a descriptive, longitudinal design. Eighty-eight mothers and very low birth-weight neonates were recruited from a tertiary medical center in the United States. Data on sociodemographic factors and neonatal health were collected from medical records. Maternal mental health and healthy behaviors were collected with questionnaires. Maternal salivary testosterone and cortisol levels were measured using enzyme immunoassays. Data were analyzed primarily using general linear and mixed models.

Results:

High testosterone and/or low cortisol levels were associated with younger age, less education, enrollment in a federal assistance program, being unmarried, being Black, poorer neonatal health, and delayed physical growth. Low cortisol level was related to higher levels of depressive symptoms. Black mothers had fewer healthy behaviors than White mothers.

Implications for Practice and Research:

Findings confirm that biological factors are associated with sociodemographic factors, and both are associated with neonatal health and maternal mental health and healthy behaviors. We propose using sociodemographic and biological factors concurrently to identify risk and develop and evaluate ante- and postpartum interventions.

Video abstract available at
https://journals.na.lww.com/advancesinneonatalcare/Pages/videogallery.aspx?autoPlay=false&videoId=59
Cardiac Angiosarcomas
Authors: Bishop Andrew J. , Zheng Jing , Subramaniam Aparna , Ghia Amol J. , Wang Chenyang , McGovern Susan L. , Patel Shreyaskumar , Guadagnolo B. Ashleigh , Mitra Devarati , Farooqi Ahsan , Reardon Michael J. , Kim Betty , Guha-Thakurta Nandita , Li Jing , Ravi Vinod
Published: May 2022

Purpose:

We evaluated a cohort of patients with cardiac angiosarcomas (CA) who developed brain metastases (BM) to define outcomes and intracranial hemorrhage (IH) risk.

Methods:

We reviewed 26 consecutive patients with BM treated between 1988 and 2020 identified from a departmental CA (n=103) database. Causes of death were recorded, and a terminal hemorrhage (TH) was defined as an IH that caused death or prompted a transfer to hospice.

Results:

The prevalence of BM was 25% (n=26/103). A total of 23 patients (88%) had IH, including 21 (81%) at initial BM diagnosis, of which 18 (86%) required hospitalization. The median platelet count at the time of IH was 235k (interquartile range, 108 to 338k).

Nearly all patients died of disease (n=23, 88%) and most patients died from TH (n=13, 57%). TH occurred at BM presentation in 6 (46%) patients, whereas 3 (23%) had TH from known but untreated lesions, 2 (15%) had continued uncontrolled IH during radiation therapy, and 2 (15%) from new BM. Platelet count <50k was not associated with TH (P=0.25).

Subsequent IH occurred in 9 patients (35%), and importantly, no patients who completed radiation therapy (n=10) for BM died from TH.

Conclusion:

Patients with CA frequently develop BM, and the risk of IH is high, resulting in an alarming rate of TH despite normal platelet counts. Therefore, early diagnosis and intervention are warranted. We recommend surveillance brain imaging, and importantly, once BM is detected, prompt local therapy is warranted to try and mitigate the risk of TH.
Efficacy and Safety of Standard Corneal Cross-Linking Procedures Performed With Short Versus Standard Riboflavin Induction: A Save Sight Keratoconus Registry Study
Authors: Benito-Pascual Blanca , Kandel Himal , Abbondanza Marco , Mills Richard , Sullivan Laurence , Watson Stephanie L.
Published: May 2022

Purpose:

The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness and safety of short versus standard riboflavin induction times in cross-linking (CXL) for keratoconus.

Methods:

A retrospective comparative study was conducted with data from the Save Sight Keratoconus Registry. Inclusion criteria were epithelium-off technique, standard UVA CXL protocol (3 mW/cm2 for 30 minutes), riboflavin induction for 15 minutes (short) or 30 minutes (standard), and 1 year of follow-up data after CXL. Outcome measures included changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), keratometry in the steepest meridian (K2), maximum keratometry (Kmax), thinnest pachymetry (TCT), and adverse events. Analysis was conducted using mixed-effects regression models adjusted for age, sex, visual acuity, keratometry, pachymetry, practice, and eye laterality.

Results:

Two hundred eighty eyes (237 patients; mean, 27.3 ± 10.5 years old; 30% female) were included. The riboflavin induction time was short in 102 eyes (82 patients) and standard in 178 eyes (155 patients). The baseline characteristics (sex, mean age, BCVA, keratometry, and pachymetry [TCT]) were similar between the groups. At the 1-year follow-up visit, no statistically significant differences were observed in flattening in K2 and improvement in BCVA. Greater Kmax flattening [−1.5 diopters (D) vs. −0.5D, P = 0.031] and a greater proportion of >2% increase in TCT (23.5 vs. 11.3, P = 0.034) and haze (29 vs. 15, P = 0.005) were observed with short riboflavin induction.

Conclusions:

Short and standard riboflavin induction times achieved similar degrees of flattening in K2 and improvement in vision. Greater improvements in Kmax and TCT were seen with short riboflavin times; however, this group had higher rates of haze.
Combination pharmacotherapy for the treatment of neuropathic pain in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Balanaser Marielle , Carley Meg , Baron Ralf , Finnerup Nanna B. , Moore R. Andrew , Rowbotham Michael C. , Chaparro Luis E. , Gilron Ian
Published: May 2022

Neuropathic pain causes substantial morbidity and healthcare utilization. Monotherapy with antidepressants or anticonvulsants often fails to provide relief. Combining different drugs sometimes provides improved analgesia and/or tolerability. More than half of patients receive 2 or more analgesics, and combination trials continue to emerge. This review comprehensively searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE for relevant trials. Included studies are double-blind randomized controlled trials evaluating combinations of 2 or more drugs vs placebo or at least one monotherapy in adults with neuropathic pain. Outcomes included measures of efficacy and adverse effects. Risk of bias was assessed. Meta-analyses compared combination to monotherapy wherever 2 or more similar studies were available. Forty studies (4741 participants) were included. Studies were heterogenous with respect to various characteristics, including dose titration methods and administration (ie, simultaneous vs sequential) of the combination. Few combinations involved a nonsedating drug, and several methodological problems were identified. For opioid–antidepressant, opioid–gabapentinoid, and gabapentinoid–antidepressant combinations, meta-analyses failed to demonstrate superiority over both monotherapies. In general, adverse event profiles were not substantially different for combination therapy compared with monotherapy. Despite widespread use and a growing number of trials, convincing evidence has not yet emerged to suggest superiority of any combination over its respective monotherapies. Therefore, implementing combination therapy—as second- or third-line treatment—in situations where monotherapy is insufficient, should involve closely monitored individual dosing trials to confirm safety and overall added benefit. Further research is needed, including trials of combinations involving nonsedating agents, and to identify clinical settings and specific combinations that safely provide added benefit.
Severe Hyponatremia During First Cycle of Cyclophosphamide/Doxorubicin Chemotherapy
Authors: Jamhour Christopher , Haddad Abdo , Daw Hamed
Published: May 2022

Syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone release (SIDAH) is a condition characterized by an unregulated release of anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) resulting in increased water retention and decreased plasma osmolarity. Without regulation, ADH release will cause a significant decrease in plasma sodium concentration and can present with cramping, nausea, vomiting, and in severe cases, seizures, and potentially falling into a comatose state. The causes of SIADH are variable and range from infections, some malignancies to some medications. We report a rare case of SIADH resulting from a single cycle of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide chemotherapy in a 66-year-old female with left and right, estrogen receptor positive breast cancer who experienced seizures resulting from a dramatic drop in sodium levels.
Hedgehog Signaling Pathway Proteins in Prognosis of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma and Its Differentiation From Chronic Pancreatitis
Authors: Winter Katarzyna , Dzieniecka Monika , Strzelczyk Janusz , Wągrowska-Danilewicz Małgorzata , Danilewicz Marian , Zatorski Hubert , Małecka-Wojciesko Ewa
Published: May 2022

Objectives

The Hedgehog signaling pathway (Hh) probably plays a role in development and progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Methods

In our study, 114 patients (83 with PDAC and 31 with chronic pancreatitis [CP]) after pancreatic surgery were enrolled. The immunoexpression of Sonic hedgehog (Shh), Smoothened (Smo), and Glioblastoma transcription factor 1 (Gli1) and Ki-67 were detected in tissue specimens.

Results

Mean (standard deviation) immunoexpression of all Hh pathway molecules was significantly higher in PDAC than in CP patients: Shh, 2.24 (0.57) versus 1.17 (0.25) (P < 0.01); Smo, 2.62 (0.34) versus 1.21 (0.23) (P < 0.01); and Gli1, 1.74 (0.74) versus 1.15 (0.72) (P < 0.01). Patients with a lower expression level (z score <0) of Shh and Ki-67 have longer overall survival when compared with z score >0 (15.97 vs 8.53 months [P = 0.0087] and 15.20 vs 5.53 months [P = 0.0004], respectively). In addition, Shh sensitivity in PDAC detection was 84.3%; specificity, 93.5%; positive predictive value, 97.2%; and negative predictive value, 69%.

Conclusions

Our results suggest the prognostic role of the Hh pathway in PDAC and a role in the differential diagnosis with CP.
Critical Considerations in Bioluminescence Imaging of Transplanted Islets
Authors: Komatsu Hirotake , Kobayashi Eiji , Gonzalez Nelson , Rawson Jeffrey , Ortiz Jose , Donohue Cecile , Ku Hsun Teresa , Kandeel Fouad , Mullen Yoko
Published: May 2022

Objectives

In pancreatic islet transplantation studies, bioluminescence imaging enables quantitative and noninvasive tracking of graft survival. Amid the recent heightened interest in extrahepatic sites for islet and stem cell–derived beta-like cell transplantations, proper understanding the nature of bioluminescence imaging in these sites is important.

Methods

Islets isolated from Firefly rats ubiquitously expressing luciferase reporter gene in Lewis rats were transplanted into subcutaneous or kidney capsule sites of wild-type Lewis rats or immunodeficient mice. Posttransplant changes of bioluminescence signal curves and absorption of bioluminescence signal in transplantation sites were examined.

Results

The bioluminescence signal curve dynamically changed in the early posttransplantation phase; the signal was low within the first 5 days after transplantation. A substantial amount of bioluminescence signal was absorbed by tissues surrounding islet grafts, correlating to the depth of the transplanted site from the skin surface. Grafts in kidney capsules were harder to image than those in the subcutaneous site. Within the kidney capsule, locations that minimized depth from the skin surface improved the graft detectability.

Conclusions

Posttransplant phase and graft location/depth critically impact the bioluminescence images captured in islet transplantation studies. Understanding these parameters is critical for reducing experimental biases and proper interpretation of data.
Pan-TRK Immunohistochemistry and NTRK Gene Fusions in Primary Carcinomas of the Liver
Authors: Zhang Dongwei , Liao Xiaoyan
Published: May 2022

Gene fusions involving NTRK are not common in solid tumors. The aim of this study was to investigate the TRK protein expression and molecular characteristics of gene fusions in primary liver carcinomas. A total of 110 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) and 69 intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas were retrieved for tissue microarray (TMA) construction and clinicopathologic characterization. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for pan-TRK was initially performed on TMA slides and evaluated for staining intensity. Twelve (10.9%) of 110 HCC showed weak cytoplasmic TRK expression by IHC on TMA, while all others, including 69 intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas, were negative for TRK. The TRK expression did not correlate with patient’s age, sex, tumor differentiation, or tumor stage. The 12 cases were then validated by IHC on whole sections but all turned out to be negative. Further, RNA sequencing analysis did not detect any NTRK fusions in all 12 HCC cases; however, it did identify many fusions frequently involving genes that encode mitochondrial and ribosomal proteins, microRNAs, and some transcription factors. A few fusions were recurrent, including MT-ATP6/MT-ATP8 fusion (n=9, 75%), Ig κ light chain gene IGKV/IGKJ fusion (n=5, 41.7%), and histocompatibility complex gene HLA-C/HLA-B fusion (n=4, 33.3%). In summary, NTRK fusion is very rare in primary liver carcinomas. IHC on TMA for TRK expression yields high false positive results, which should be validated on whole sections and confirmed by molecular genetic studies such as RNA sequencing. Many fusions involving genes other than NTRK are detected in HCC, the significance of which warrants further studies.
Telemedicine and Plastic Surgery: Principles from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Health Policy Committee
Authors: Gfrerer Lisa , Eberlin Kyle R. , Figura Laura , Freedman Michael , Hadeed Josef , Ver Halen Jon , Perdikis Galen , Zielinski Marta , Patel Ashit
Published: May 2022

In the wake of the recent coronavirus disease of 2019 public health emergency, care delivery by means of telemedicine using audiovisual virtual platforms has become an important tool for patient communication. There are many logistic, medicolegal, and practical aspects of telemedicine that should be considered by the practicing plastic surgeon. Successful virtual patient interactions require an understanding of medical licensure requirements to perform telemedicine visits in a certain region. In addition, it is imperative to be familiar with specific liability and malpractice concerns, in addition to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act regulations before conducting electronic visits. During consultations, providers should be aware of proper physician conduct and the potential role of chaperones. Furthermore, appropriate visit documentation, in addition to telemedicine billing and coding, has to be ensured. Lastly, plastic surgeons should adhere to the rules of controlled substance prescription by means of telemedicine platforms. This article describes these salient topics surrounding telemedicine visits that are faced by plastic surgeons and discusses strategies to optimize and ensure safe use of virtual platforms.
Update on the Personal and Professional Well-Being of Surgical Residents in New England
Authors: Esposito Andrew C , Coppersmith Nathan A , White Erin M , Papageorge Marianna V , DiSiena Michael , Hess Donald T , LaFemina Jennifer , Larkin Anne C , Miner Thomas J , Nepomnayshy Dmitry , Palesty John , Rosenkranz Kari M , Seymour Neal E , Trevisani Gino , Whiting James F , Oliveira Kristin D , Longo Walter E , Yoo Peter S
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUND:

Surgical culture has shifted to recognize the importance of resident well-being. This is the first study to longitudinally track regional surgical resident well-being over 5 years.

STUDY DESIGN:

An anonymous cross-sectional, multi-institutional survey of New England general surgery residents using novel and published instruments to create three domains: health maintenance, burnout, and work environment.

RESULTS:

Overall, 75% (15 of 20) of programs participated. The response rate was 44% (250 of 570), and 53% (133 of 250) were women, 94% (234 of 250) were 25 to 34 years old, and 71% (178 of 250) were in a relationship. For health maintenance, 57% (143 of 250) reported having a primary care provider, 26% (64 of 250) had not seen a primary care provider in 2 years, and 59% (147 of 250) endorsed being up to date with age-appropriate health screening, but only 44% (109 of 250) were found to actually be up to date. Only 14% (35 of 250) reported exercising more than 150 minutes/week. The burnout rate was 19% (47 of 250), with 32% (81 of 250) and 25% (63 of 250) reporting high levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, respectively. For program directors and attendings, 90% of residents reported that they cared about resident well-being. Eighty-seven percent of residents believed that it was acceptable to take time off during the workday for a personal appointment, but only 49% reported that they would personally take the time.

CONCLUSIONS:

The personal health maintenance of general surgery residents has changed little over the past five years, despite an overwhelming majority of residents reporting that attendings and program directors care about their well-being. Further study is needed to understand the barriers to improvement of resident wellbeing.
Screening and detection of electron beam-irradiated mandarin oranges
during storage by e-tongue, PSL, and ESR techniques
Authors: Nam Hyun-A , Chung Namhyuk , Jo Yunhee , Shafi Afshan , Akram Kashif , Kwon Joong-Ho
Published: May 2022

Food irradiation is an effective quarantine treatment for fresh agricultural
commodities. This study aimed to use different analytical methods, such as the
electronic tongue (e-tongue), photostimulated luminescence (PSL), and electron
spin resonance (ESR), to determine the screening and/or detection properties of
electron beam-irradiated mandarin oranges at 0, 0.4 and 1 kGy during 15 days of
storage at 4°C. Principal component analysis (PCA) based on e-tongue
profiles could potentially discriminate irradiated orange samples from
nonirradiated ones for up to 10 days of storage. Calculating PSL ratios also
aided in screening the irradiation status of the oranges until 15 days of
storage. ESR spectroscopy with various pretreatments (freeze drying/FD, vacuum
drying/VD, ethanol extraction & vacuum drying/EVD) increased the signal
intensity of radiation-induced cellulose radicals in the samples. Such a process
enabled their detection for up to 5 days of storage for 0.4 kGy-irradiated
orange samples and 15 days for 1 kGy-irradiated samples, respectively, where the
irradiated orange samples showed superior detection results in the order of EVD
⟩ VD ⟩ FD in the pretreatment method.
Physicochemical qualities of doenjang stew sauce
prepared with fermented Rhus verniciflua extract during
storage, and its comparison with commercial available products in the
physiological activities
Authors: Kang Hyeon-Jin , Yim Eun-Jung , Jo Seung-Wha , Park Seul-Ki , Jeong Do-Youn
Published: May 2022

Doenjang stew sauce was prepared with fermented Rhus
verniciflua extract, and changes in its physicochemical quality
were measured while stored at 25, 35, and 45°C for 8 weeks. The
Rhus verniciflua doenjang stew sauce (RDS) was compared
with commercially available products in antioxidant, antidiabetic (AGI) and
antiobesity (PLI) activities. No aerobic bacteria, coliforms, and fungi were
detected during storage, and the pH decreased and titratable acidity tended to
increase with the storage period. On the other hand, the sugar content and
salinity did not significantly change during storage. As regards chromaticity, a
and b values decreased with the storage period, while L and
ΔE values did not significantly change with storage.
The pH, titratable acidity, and a and b values, which showed significant changes
with the storage period, were selected as quality indicators. Based on the
forecasted distribution day by annual temperature, the shelf life of
Rhus verniciflua doenjang stew sauce (RDS), based on pH
with the shortest shelf life among quality indicators, was predicted to be 13.38
months. A comparison of antioxidant activity of RDS and commercial
doenjang stew sauce (DS) revealed that DPPH and ABTS
radical-scavenging activities were significantly higher, at 71.17% and 78.20%,
respectively. AGI and PLI activities were also significantly higher, at 55.99%
and 35.98%, respectively.
Changes in nutritional and bioactive constituents of liquid
fermentation of kujippong (Maclura
tricuspidata) fruits by Armellaria
mellea
Authors: Kim Dae-Woon , Kim Tae-Young , Kim Young-Hoi , Kim Myung-Kon
Published: May 2022

Ripe fruit of Maclura tricuspidata has been traditionally used
as a raw material for the preparation of fermented foods such as wine and
vinegar in Korea. This studies were carried out to investigate changes of
nutritional (soluble solids, free sugars and free and total amino acid
composition) and bioactive constituents (phenolic compounds and parishin
derivatives) during the liquid fermentation of M. tricuspidata
fruits with Armillaria mellea (honey mushroom). The soluble
solid, free sugars and free amino acids were gradually decreased during
fermentation while meaningful changes of pH and total amino acids did not
observed even after 10 day fermentation. The content of phenolic acids,
particularly chlorogenic acid and parishin derivatives were decreased while that
of caffeic acid and 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol (4-HBA) were increased during the 10
day fermentation period. The crude enzyme preparation from liquid culture of
A. mellea biotransformed parishin A into 4-HBA via parishin
B, parishin C and gastrodin with high transformation ratio. Based on the results
above, we discovered that parishin A and its derivatives are transformed into
4-HBA via parishin B, parishin C and gastrodin by esterase and
β-glucosidase secreted by the mushroom mycelia
during fermentation.
Comparison of quality characteristics of commercially available
ale-type and lager-type beers
Authors: Choi Jeong Sil , Kwon Ye Seul , Jeong Seok Tae , Kang Heui Yun , Kang Ji Eun
Published: May 2022

We analyzed the physicochemical properties of commercially available
top-fermented beer (ale) and bottom-fermented beer (lager) marketed in Korea to
compare the quality characteristics. The following characteristics of beer were
analyzed for their soluble solid content, pH, total acid content, alcohol
content, volatile acid content, reducing sugar content, amino acidity, and
color. As results, the pH ranged from 4.01 to 4.77, 0.10-0.23 (%) for total acid
and 0.25-1.47 (mL/10 mL) for amino acidity. The alcohol content was in the range
of 3.10-5.70 (%) for ale and 3.80-5.20 (%) for lager. The volatile acid content
was in the range of 28.67-97.93 (mg/L) for ale and 32.80-78.87 (mg/L) for lager.
Regarding the color, the EBC value of the ale beers was in the 4.78-93.98 range,
and that of lager beers were in the 5.48-11.98 range. Comparison of the quality
characteristics of the two types of beer, revealed differences in pH, amino
acidity, total acid content, reducing sugar content, and color. In particular,
total acid content (t=−3.782, p⟨0.05), reducing sugar content
(t=−11.744, p⟨0.05), and color (t=−2.882, p⟨0.05) of
ale beer showed significantly higher than those of lager beer.
Physicochemical characteristics and free amino acid content of
germinated brown rice, high yield milyang356, during
germination
Authors: Seong Gi-Un , Seo Woo-Duck , Yang Ji-Yeong , Kang Ju-Won , Kwon Young-Ho , Lee So-Myeong , Lee Sais-Beul , Lee Jong-Hee , Park Dong-Soo , Cho Jun-Hyeon , Lee Ji-Yoon
Published: May 2022

We investigated the germination rate, color values, physicochemical properties,
antioxidant capacity, and amino acid content of germinated brown rice varieties
(milyang356, nampyeong, and
dasan), and their statistical correlation were analyzed.
Milyang356 rice was characterized by the highest
germination percentage and total color difference value (3.89) at 24 h. In all
varieties, the amylose and crude protein content increased on the 1st day of
germination but decreased over time (p<0.05). The paste viscosity value
significantly decreased over time in all varieties. DPPH and ABTS scavenging
activities decreased or increase over time depending on the variety. By
contrast, the total phenol and flavonoid content increased with time in all
varieties. Furthermore, the total free amino acid and GABA content increased
gradually with the germination time. The essential amino acid content was
highest on day 3 of germination in milyang356 (276.9 mg/100 g)
and dasan varieties (344.1 mg/100 g). The total phenol content
showed a negative correlation with L* value (r=−0.778) and a
strong positive correlation with ΔE (r=0.927). Considering its paste
viscosity, and high essential amino acid and GABA content, we conclude that
germinated brown rice milyang356 is suitable as a functional
medical material, such as a health supplement.
Identification of genetic markers for the discrimination of Bacillus thuringiensis within the Bacillus cereus group, in the context of foodborne outbreaks
Authors: Fichant Arnaud , Felten Arnaud , Gallet Armel , Firmesse Olivier , Bonis Mathilde
Published: May 2022

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), belonging to the Bacillus cereus (Bc) group, is commonly used as a biopesticide worldwide, due to its ability to produce insecticidal protein crystals during sporulation. The use of Bt, especially subspecies aizawai and kurstaki, to control pests such as Lepidoptera generally involves spraying mixtures containing spores and crystals on crops intended for human consumption. Recent studies have suggested that the consumption of commercial Bt strains may be responsible for foodborne outbreaks (FBOs). However, its genetic proximity to Bc strains has hindered the development of routine tests to discriminate Bt from other Bc, especially Bacillus cereus sensu stricto (Bc ss), also responsible for FBOs. Here, to develop tools for the detection and the discrimination of Bt in food, we carried out a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on 286 complete genomes of Bc group strains to identify and validate in silico new molecular markers specific to different Bt subtypes. The analyses led to the determination and the validation in silico of 128 molecular markers specific to Bt, its subspecies aizawai, kurstaki and four previously described proximity clusters associated with these subspecies. We developed a command line tool (https://github.com/afelten-Anses/Bt_typing) based on a 14-marker workflow for in silico Bt identification of a putative Bc genome with the aim of facilitating the discrimination of Bt from other Bc and between Bt subspecies, especially in the context of FBOs. Collectively, these data provide key elements for investigating Bc/Bt-associated FBOs and for monitoring Bt in food.
Cultural specialization as a double-edged sword: division into specialized guilds might promote cultural complexity at the cost of higher susceptibility to cultural loss
Authors: Ben-Oren Yotam , Kolodny Oren , Creanza Nicole
Published: May 2022

The transition to specialization of knowledge within populations could have facilitated the accumulation of cultural complexity in humans. Specialization allows populations to increase their cultural repertoire without requiring that members of that population increase their individual capacity to accumulate knowledge. However, specialization also means that domain-specific knowledge can be concentrated in small subsets of the population, making it more susceptible to loss. Here we use a model of cultural evolution to demonstrate that specialized populations can be more sensitive to stochastic loss of knowledge than populations without subdivision of knowledge, and that demographic and environmental changes have an amplified effect on populations with knowledge specialization. Finally, we suggest that specialization can be a double-edged sword; specialized populations may have an advantage in accumulating cultural traits but may also be less likely to expand and establish themselves successfully in new demes due to the increased cultural loss that they experience during the population bottlenecks that often characterize such expansions.
Quaternary Ammonium Salt-Modified Isabgol (Psyllium) Scaffold as an Antibacterial Dressing for Improved Wound Healing
Authors: Vasudha T K , Patel Anand Kumar , Muthuvijayan Vignesh
Published: May 2022

Chronic wounds require suitable treatment and management strategies for proper healing. Among other causes, infection delays the healing of wounds and increases the risk of wound-related complications. Healing of chronic wounds requires an ingenious biomaterial that is biocompatible and anti-infective to achieve effective wound management. In this study, a wound dressing with inherent antibacterial and biocompatible properties was developed to assist the healing process. Natural polysaccharide Isabgol was chemically modified with Epoxy propyl trimethyl ammonium chloride to render antibacterial activity to the material. This is the first report of such chemical modification of this polymer for biomedical applications. The modified material was freeze-dried to obtain scaffolds. 13C NMR and FTIR analysis confirmed the modification of the Isabgol polymer chains with EPTMAC. The scaffold exhibits an organized porous structure that allows the exchange of gases and nutrients through the matrix, as confirmed by SEM analysis. The material possesses excellent swelling properties up to 17 times its initial weight that allows it to absorb wound exudates and maintain a moist environment at the wound site. The scaffold is biodegradable, and thermally and mechanically stable. The material is anti-infective and can prevent infections at the wound site, which is one of the major causes of delayed wound healing. The developed scaffolds have been proven to be biocompatible and suitable for use in blood contact applications. Finally, since Isabgol is a low-cost raw material, the quaternary ammonium-modified Isabgol scaffold can be an affordable wound dressing material.
Inferring cell-type-specific causal gene regulatory networks during human neurogenesis
Authors: Aygün Nil , Liang Dan , Crouse Wesley L. , Keele Gregory R. , Love Michael I. , Stein Jason L.
Published: May 2022

Background

Genetic variation influences both chromatin accessibility, assessed in chromatin accessibility quantitative trait loci (caQTL) studies, and gene expression, assessed in expression QTL (eQTL) studies. Genetic variants can impact either nearby genes (local eQTLs) or distal genes (trans eQTLs). Colocalization between caQTL and eQTL, or local- and distant-eQTLs suggests that they share causal variants. However, pairwise colocalization between these molecular QTLs does not guarantee a causal relationship. Mediation analysis can be applied to assess the evidence supporting causality versus independence between molecular QTLs. Given that the function of QTLs can be cell-type-specific, we performed mediation analyses to find epigenetic and distal regulatory causal pathways for genes within two major cell types of the developing human cortex, progenitors and neurons.

Results

We found that expression of 168 and 38 genes were mediated by chromatin accessibility in progenitors and neurons, respectively. We also found that the expression of 781 and 200 downstream genes were mediated by upstream genes in progenitors and neurons. Moreover, we discovered that a genetic locus associated with inter-individual differences in brain structure showed evidence for mediation of SLC26A7 through chromatin accessibility, identifying molecular mechanisms of a common variant association to a brain trait.

Conclusions

In this study, we identified cell-type-specific causal gene regulatory networks whereby the impacts of variants on gene expression were mediated by chromatin accessibility or distal gene expression. Identification of these causal paths will enable identifying and prioritizing actionable regulatory targets perturbing these key processes during neurodevelopment.