bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding Protest Violence: From Protesters’ to Non-Participants’ Support for Protest Violence
Authors: Saavedra Patricio , Drury John
Published: July 2024

Protest violence may be one of the most controversial topics in collective action. In this chapter, we provide a comprehensive review of how both protesters and non-participants nevertheless might come to endorse violence as a form of resistance against perceived restrictions on the right to protest in both repressive and less repressive contexts (e.g., democratic systems). Moreover, we shed light on the insufficiency of the pervasive distinction between normative and non-normative collective action that many social psychological works use to characterize street protests. Then, we provide an overview of “Five Dimensions to Unlock Protest Violence” (FiveDi), an interdisciplinary and multi-agent framework drawing upon the Elaborated Social Identity Model of collective action (ESIM), in which protest violence is acknowledged as a meaningful and context-dependent behavior. Finally, we conclude with some recommendations aimed at getting a better understanding of the occurrence and (de-)escalation of protest violence.
Some Critical Notes on the Psychology of Palestinian Resistance: An Interview With Dr. Mai Albzour
Authors: Albzour Mai
Published: July 2024

This chapter presents an interview between the editors and the author about her work on and lived experiences and observations of the breadth of Palestinian resistance. The chapter discusses Palestinians’ varied resistance strategies over the past decades and the role of political and structural factors that influence social psychological processes linked to resistance under repression in this context. The author stresses the importance of considering complex intragroup and intergroup processes and differences in the psychology of resistance, instead of framing it as a binary intergroup issue, and the need to go beyond certain prototypes of resistance. Additionally, the importance of solidarity for resistance in this context, and the need to ground psychological analyses of resistance in history and the social structure, are emphasized.
Introduction
Authors: Mitra Channa Subhadra
Published: July 2024

This introductory chapter provides the key focus of the book, namely urban ethnography, the methodology and the universe of study, the ‘Sheheri’ dhobis of Old Delhi, the concept of biradari, and the history of their community and physical and social location within the city. Various theoretical issues of definition and the problems of identifying a unit within a fluid and unbounded global network system are taken up. Comparable works and various dimensions of urban fieldwork in the contemporary times are discussed. The preferred identity of the dhobis and their aversion to being called Dalit is a point introduced here. The concept of urban resilience strategies of survival of day-to-day life—and those of the boundaries and identification and theorization of units of study and understanding the concept of jati and its preferred use as compared to caste—are also dealt with.
Livelihood, Resources, and Strategies for Survival
Authors: Mitra Channa Subhadra
Published: July 2024

This chapter describes the traditional occupation of the dhobis in terms of the resources, techniques, and skills that they require and their transition from a caste-based jajmani kind of relationship to a modern economy, but one where the dhobi–grahak (client) relationships still maintain some of their earlier moral codes. The informal economy is embedded historically in social norms and values that tend to persist even in the cash-based market economy. The historically derived skills of the dhobis ensure them a space within the larger economy that is almost monopolistic and which serves to nurture their community identity. This chapter describes the dhobi’s relation to their clients with case studies and analyses how the social rationality of the dhobis prevents them from assuming a Dalit identity, preferring rather to stay within a system that ensures them of their livelihood.
Near UV photon upconversion in cast solid with quantum dot
Authors: Sawaguchi Kenta , Inada Kazuki , Eguchi Daichi , Kamada Kenji , Tamai Naoto
Published: July 2024

CdS/ZnS core-shell semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) were hybridized with 1-naphthalenecarboxylic acid, triplet transmitter, by ligand exchange method. UV emission, peaked at 340 nm or longer, was obtained by visible continuous-wave excitation at 405 nm in n-hexane solution of the mixture of the hybridized QD and 2,5-diphenyloxazole (PPO) as UV emitter, based on triplet-triplet annihilation upconversion (TTA-UC) mechanism. The same mixture, but in tetrahydrofuran, gave solid film by solution casting, which showed upconversion emission in the near UV spectral region (380 to 395 nm) by 405-nm excitation.
Digest: Sexually selected traits can affect individual fitness and trait evolution in a butterfly species
Authors: Oliveira Hernani Fernandes Magalhães , Freire-Jr. Geraldo , Bicalho Domingos Fabricius Maia Chaves
Published: July 2024

Wedell and Kemp ([2024]. Examined the importance of female sexual preferences for male UV reflectance on offspring viability and the evolution of male traits in the butterfly Eurema hecabe. Female preferences were found to have multiple consequences, including increased trait value, higher offspring viability, and reduced mutational load. These findings highlight that female sexual preferences for specific male traits can also have further consequences for individual fitness and evolution of specific morphological characteristics.
Community health action and COVID-19 in Barcelona neighbourhoods: responses and challenges
Authors: Porthé Victoria , Fernández Ana , Barbieri Nicolás , Vázquez Noelia , González Inmaculada , Bastida Andrea , Pasarín M Isabel
Published: July 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated pre-existing social, economic and political inequalities. The evidence describes the use of community engagement approaches to support appropriate COVID-19 prevention and control measures. We aimed to delve deeper into the community response to COVID-19 in Barcelona neighbourhoods with different pre-existing levels of development of community health action (CHA). A qualitative phenomenological study was conducted in six Barcelona neighbourhoods with different types of CHAs. The sample included 37 in-depth interviews with community agents with good knowledge of the territory. The content analysis focused on three dimensions: symbolic (conceptions motivating action), substantive (the content and resources of the action) and operational (interactions between agents). Regardless of their CHA typology, all neighbourhoods responded to the needs generated by the pandemic. Symbolic: strong-CHA development, characterized by well-established participatory structures, facilitated responses to the crisis. In medium-CHA neighbourhoods, the emergency exacerbated previous tensions. In emerging-CHA neighbourhoods, previous participatory structures, although not health-specific, favoured the coordination of responses. Substantive: technology influenced the way CHA activities were conducted. Operative: in the strong-CHA neighbourhood, new participants were able to join previous participatory structures. In medium-CHA neighbourhoods, power dynamics hindered coordination. In conclusion, strong CHA can play a key role in addressing the adverse consequences of social and health crisis. Empowering citizens and communities should be a primary objective of public policy that integrates the ‘health-in-all-policies’ approach. This approach entails allocating public resources to strengthen the role of community action and power.
Antigen Titers in Cryptococcal Meningitis: What Determines How Fast They Fall?
Authors: Bennett John E , Williamson Peter R
Published: July 2024

Follow-up of previously healthy patients surviving cryptococcal meningitis found that cryptococcal antigen could be detected for >1 year in serum from 38 of 44 (86%) patients and in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 20 of 31 patients (67%), far beyond the time of culture conversion. The speed of titer decline, measured as the number of days for a 2-fold drop in titer to occur, was slower in serum than in CSF. The speed of decline of antigen titers was much slower in serum and CSF for patients infected with Cryptococcus gattii than Cryptococcus neoformans. The speed of decline in CSF and serum titers was also much slower in patients who had received a ventriculoperitoneal shunt for increased intracranial pressure. The variable and extraordinarily slow rate of clearance in our patients did not appear to reflect differences in disease control but rather differences in species and shunting for increased intracranial pressure.
Research to classrooms: a co-designed curriculum brings All of Us data to secondary schools
Authors: Stark Louisa A , Fenker Kristin E , Krishnan Harini , Malone Molly , Peterson Rebecca J , Cowan Regina , Ensrud Jeremy , Gamboa Hector , Gayed Crstina , Refino Patricia , Tolk Tia , Walters Teresa , Crosby Yong , Baskir Rubin
Published: July 2024

Objectives

We describe new curriculum materials for engaging secondary school students in exploring the “big data” in the NIH All of Us Research Program’s Public Data Browser and the co-design processes used to collaboratively develop the materials. We also describe the methods used to develop and validate assessment items for studying the efficacy of the materials for student learning as well as preliminary findings from these studies.

Materials and Methods

Secondary-level biology teachers from across the United States participated in a 2.5-day Co-design Summer Institute. After learning about the All of Us Research Program and its Data Browser, they collaboratively developed learning objectives and initial ideas for learning experiences related to exploring the Data Browser and big data. The Genetic Science Learning Center team at the University of Utah further developed the educators’ ideas. Additional teachers and their students participated in classroom pilot studies to validate a 22-item instrument that assesses students’ knowledge. Educators completed surveys about the materials and their experiences.

Results

The “Exploring Big Data with the All of Us Data Browser” curriculum module includes 3 data exploration guides that engage students in using the Data Browser, 3 related multimedia pieces, and teacher support materials. Pilot testing showed substantial growth in students’ understanding of key big data concepts and research applications.

Discussion and Conclusion

Our co-design process provides a model for educator engagement. The new curriculum module serves as a model for introducing secondary students to big data and precision medicine research by exploring diverse real-world datasets.
Protein quality of a small mammal prey and its body organs for felids
Authors: Sun Mengmeng , De Cuyper Annelies , Bosch Guido , Dierenfeld Ellen S , Hendriks Wouter H , Janssens Geert P J
Published: July 2024

This study evaluated the protein quality of small mammalian prey and its body organs by analyzing amino acid (AA) composition and digestibility of wild adult rats and their body organs (skin/fur, bone, muscle, intestine, liver, kidney, spleen, brain, heart, and lung) utilizing an in vitro digestion method. The average dry matter (DM) digestibility of whole rats was 89.9%. The digestibility of total AA (TAA), total indispensable AA (TIAA), and total dispensable AA (TDAA) in whole rats was 85.6, 87.0, and 87.6%, respectively. Differences in DM digestibility were observed among rat organs, ranging from 59.0% in bone to 99.8% in muscle (P < 0.001). Highly digestible organs generally exhibited AA digestibility exceeding 90%, except for cysteine (Cys) in the intestine and kidney (83.8% and 88.9%, respectively). The digestibility of AAs in skin/fur ranged from 19.7% for Cys to 81.0% for glycine (Gly). In bone, the digestibility spanned from 56.9% for Gly to 81.1% for tyrosine (Tyr). Additionally, examining the digestible indispensable AA score (DIAAS) gives us an idea of the protein quality of small mammalian prey and their body organs. Our results complement information on AA supply and digestion during prey ingestion by felids.
Phylogenetic assessment within a species complex of a subterranean rodent (Geomys bursarius) with conservation implications for isolated subspecies
Authors: Alexander Nathan , de Flamingh Alida , Cosentino Bradley J , Schooley Robert L
Published: July 2024

Range contraction and expansion from glaciation have led to genetic divergence that may be particularly pronounced in fossorial species with low dispersal. The plains pocket gopher (Geomys bursarius) is a fossorial species that ranges widely across North America but has a poorly understood phylogeny. We used mitogenomes (14,996 base pairs) from 56 individuals across seven subspecies, plus two outgroup species, to assess genetic divergence from minimum spanning trees, measure genetic distances, and infer phylogenetic trees using BEAST. We found G. b. wisconsinensis was monophyletic with recent divergence. Further assessment is needed for G. b. major because it was paraphyletic and exhibited inconsistent groupings with other clades. Importantly, we identified G. b. illinoensis as being genetically distinct and monophyletic likely due to a unique colonization event eastward across the Mississippi River. Because G. b. illinoensis faces continued pressures from niche reduction and habitat loss, we recommend that G. b. illinoensis be considered an evolutionary significant unit warranting conservation actions to promote connectivity and restore suitable habitat. Such conservation efforts should benefit other grassland species including those originating from clades west of the Mississippi River that may also be evolutionary significant units.
Particle acceleration at the bow shock of runaway star LS 2355: non-thermal radio emission but no γ-ray counterpart
Authors: van den Eijnden J , Mohamed S , Carotenuto F , Motta S , Saikia P , Williams-Baldwin D R A
Published: July 2024

Massive stars that travel at supersonic speeds can create bow shocks as their stellar winds interact with the surrounding interstellar medium (ISM). These bow shocks – prominent sites for mechanical feedback of individual massive stars – are predominantly observed in the infrared (IR) band. Confirmed high-energy emission from stellar bow shocks has remained elusive and confirmed radio counterparts, while rising in recent years, remain rare. Here, we present an in-depth multiwavelength exploration of the bow shock driven by LS 2355, focusing on its non-thermal properties. Using the most recent Fermi source catalogue, we rule out its previously proposed association with an unidentified γ-ray source. Furthermore, we use deep Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) observations from the Rapid ASKAP Continuum Survey and the Evolutionary Map of the Universe survey to identify a non-thermal radio counterpart: the third spectrally confirmed non-thermal bow shock counterpart after BD+43°3654 and BD+60°2522. We finally use Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) IR data and Gaia to study the surrounding ISM and update the motion of LS 2355. Specifically, we derive a substantially reduced stellar velocity, $v_* = 7.0\pm 2.5$ km s−1, compared to previous estimates. The observed non-thermal properties of the bow shock can be explained by an interaction between the wind of LS 2355 and a dense H ii region, at a magnetic field close to the maximum magnetic field strength allowed by the compressibility of the ISM. Similar to earlier works, we find that the thermal radio emission of the shocked ISM is likely to be substantially suppressed for it to be consistent with the observed radio spectrum.
The time evolution of the ultraviolet habitable zone
Authors: Spinelli R , Borsa F , Ghirlanda G , Ghisellini G , Haardt F , Rigamonti F
Published: July 2024

For stars hosting Circumstellar Habitable Zone (CHZ) exoplanets, we investigate the time evolution of their ultraviolet habitable zone (UHZ), the annular region around a star where an exoplanet could experience a suitable ultraviolet environment for the presence and emergence of life, and the possible intersection of the UHZ with the CHZ. To estimate their ultraviolet (UV) luminosity evolution, and therefore the evolution of their UHZ, we analyse Swift-UV/Optical telescope observations and adopt the near-UV luminosity evolutionary tracks derived using GALEX observations of young moving groups. We find that an intersection between CHZ and UHZ could exist (or have existed) around all stars of our sample at different epochs, except for the coldest M-dwarfs (temperature $\lesssim 2800$ K, e.g. Trappist-1). For hotter M-dwarfs the formation of ribonucleic acid precursors through cyanosulfidic chemistry triggered by near-UV radiation could occur during the first $\simeq$1–2 Gyr. The radial extension and time duration of the CHZ–UHZ intersection increase with the stellar effective temperature and the exoplanet atmospheric transmissivity at near-UV wavelengths. Within our sample, Proxima Centauri represents a golden target for the quest of life outside the Solar system because it experienced a long-lasting and more extended, compared to similar M-dwarfs, CHZ–UHZ intersection.
CilioGenics: an integrated method and database for predicting novel ciliary genes
Authors: Pir Mustafa S , Begar Efe , Yenisert Ferhan , Demirci Hasan C , Korkmaz Mustafa E , Karaman Asli , Tsiropoulou Sofia , Firat-Karalar Elif Nur , Blacque Oliver E , Oner Sukru S , Doluca Osman , Cevik Sebiha , Kaplan Oktay I
Published: July 2024

Uncovering the full list of human ciliary genes holds enormous promise for the diagnosis of cilia-related human diseases, collectively known as ciliopathies. Currently, genetic diagnoses of many ciliopathies remain incomplete (1–3). While various independent approaches theoretically have the potential to reveal the entire list of ciliary genes, approximately 30% of the genes on the ciliary gene list still stand as ciliary candidates (4,5). These methods, however, have mainly relied on a single strategy to uncover ciliary candidate genes, making the categorization challenging due to variations in quality and distinct capabilities demonstrated by different methodologies. Here, we develop a method called CilioGenics that combines several methodologies (single-cell RNA sequencing, protein-protein interactions (PPIs), comparative genomics, transcription factor (TF) network analysis, and text mining) to predict the ciliary capacity of each human gene. Our combined approach provides a CilioGenics score for every human gene that represents the probability that it will become a ciliary gene. Compared to methods that rely on a single method, CilioGenics performs better in its capacity to predict ciliary genes. Our top 500 gene list includes 258 new ciliary candidates, with 31 validated experimentally by us and others. Users may explore the whole list of human genes and CilioGenics scores on the CilioGenics database (https://ciliogenics.com/).
Will the fibers of the future be considered fibers?
Authors: Xu Dewen , Liu Ya , Wang Hailiang , Yan Wei , Jiang Changjun , Zhu Meifang
Published: July 2024

This work explores the pivotal breakthroughs and historical developments in fibers over the past century, while also identifying future research directions and emerging trends that promise to shape the future of this field.
Right proximal tibia post-traumatic lipoma following a jogging fall
Authors: Parinyakhup Wachiraphan , Boonriong Tanarat , Boonsri Pattira , Chuaychoosakoon Chaiwat
Published: July 2024

This case report describes a 70-year-old woman who presented with a lump at the right knee. She had had a fall while jogging two years previously, followed by the development of a painless mass at the injury site. The mass had gradually increased in size over time. At presentation the physical examination revealed a soft, ill-defined mass, and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed a well-circumscribed subcutaneous soft tissue mass consistent with a lipoma. Given the asymptomatic nature and well-defined characteristics of the mass, the patient opted for conservative management with observation. This case highlights the importance of considering post-traumatic lipoma in the differential diagnosis of soft tissue masses, particularly in patients with a history of trauma. Such masses should be regularly monitored to allow timely intervention if indicated.
Analysis of Ion Transport Properties of Glycine max HKT Transporters and Identifying a Regulation of GmHKT1;1 by the Non-Functional GmHKT1;4
Authors: Liu Liu , Luo Sheng , Ma Longfei , Zhang Yanli , Wang Tiantian , Wang Jicheng , Liang Xiushuo , Xue Shaowu
Published: July 2024

High-affinity potassium transporters (HKTs) play an important role in plants responding to salt stress, but the transport properties of the soybean HKT transporters at the molecular level are still unclear. Here, using Xenopus oocyte as a heterologous expression system and two-electrode voltage-clamp technique, we identified four HKT transporters, GmHKT1;1, GmHKT1;2, GmHKT1;3 and GmHKT1;4, all of which belong to type I subfamily, but have distinct ion transport properties. While GmHKT1;1, GmHKT1;2 and GmHKT1;3 function as Na+ transporters, GmHKT1;1 is less selective against K+ than the two other transporters. Astonishingly, GmHKT1;4, which lacks transmembrane segments and has no ion permeability, is significantly expressed, and its gene expression pattern is different from the other three GmHKTs under salt stress. Interestingly, GmHKT1;4 reduced the Na+/K+ currents mediated by GmHKT1;1. Further study showed that the transport ability of GmHKT1;1 regulated by GmHKT1;4 was related to the structural differences in the first intracellular domain and the fourth repeat domain. Overall, we have identified one unique GmHKT member, GmHKT1;4, which modulates the Na+ and K+ transport ability of GmHKT1;1 via direct interaction. Thus, we have revealed a new type of HKT interaction model for altering their ion transport properties.
Two calcium sensor-activated kinases function in root hair growth
Authors: Fang Xianming , Liu Beibei , Kong Haiyan , Zeng Jingyou , Feng Yixin , Xiao Chengbin , Shao Qianshuo , Huang Xuemei , Wu Yujun , Bao Aike , Li Jia , Luan Sheng , He Kai
Published: July 2024

Plant pollen tubes and root hairs typically polarized tip growth. It is well established that calcium ions (Ca2+) play essential roles in maintaining cell polarity and guiding cell growth orientation. Ca2+ signals are encoded by Ca2+ channels and transporters and are decoded by a variety of Ca2+-binding proteins often called Ca2+ sensors, in which calcineurin B-like protein (CBL) proteins function by interacting with and activating a group of kinases and activate CBL-interacting protein kinases (CIPKs). Some CBL-CIPK complexes, such as CBL2/3-CIPK12/19, act as crucial regulators of pollen tube growth. Whether these calcium decoding components regulate the growth of root hairs, another type of plant cell featuring Ca2+-regulated polarized growth, remains unknown. In this study, we identified CIPK13 and CIPK18 as genes specifically expressed in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) root hairs. The cipk13 cipk18 double mutants showed reduced root hair length and lower growth rates. The calcium oscillations at the root hair tip were attenuated in the cipk13 cipk18 mutants as compared to the wild-type plants. Through yeast 2-hybrid screens, CBL2 and CBL3 were identified as interacting with CIPK13 and CIPK18. cbl2 cbl3 displayed a shortened root hair phenotype similar to cipk13 cipk18. This genetic analysis, together with biochemical assays showing activation of CIPK13/18 by CBL2/3, supported the conclusion that CBL2/3 and CIPK13/18 may work as Ca2+-decoding modules in controlling root hair growth. Thus, the findings that CIPK12/19 and CIPK13/18 function in pollen tube and root hair growth, respectively, illustrate a molecular mechanism in which the same CBLs recruit distinct CIPKs in regulating polarized tip growth in different types of plant cells.
One-Loop Contributions for A0 → ℓℓ̄V with ℓ ≡ e, μ and V ≡ γ , Z in Higgs Extensions of the Standard Model
Authors: Phan Khiem Hong , Tran Dzung Tri , Nguyen Thanh Huy
Published: July 2024

We present one-loop formulas for the decay of the CP-odd Higgs $A^0 \rightarrow \ell \bar{\ell } V$ with $\ell \equiv e, \mu$ and $V\equiv \gamma , Z$ in Higgs extensions of the Standard Model, considering a two Higgs doublet model with an extra complex (and real) scalar, a two Higgs doublet model as well as a triplet Higgs model. Analytic results for one-loop amplitudes are expressed in terms of the basic Passarino–Veltman functions following the standard notations of LoopTools. As a result, physical results can be generated numerically by using the package. In the phenomenological results, the total decay widths and the differential decay rates with respect to the invariant mass of a lepton pair are analyzed for two typical models such as the two Higgs doublet model and the triplet Higgs model.
Distance to climate targets in agriculture in the EU
Authors: Spiegel Alisa , Heidecke Claudia , Osterburg Bernhard
Published: July 2024

In the European Union (EU), national climate targets are formulated for aggregate sectors under the Effort-Sharing Regulation (ESR), incl. agriculture. We perform a cross-country analysis of current progress of the EU Member States (MSs) in reaching climate targets for 2030 in agriculture. Observing a remarkable heterogeneity within the EU, we allocated EU MSs into two homogeneous clusters: (1) EU MSs with relatively large distances to climate targets and/or poor progress over the years and (2) EU MSs with relatively small distances to climate targets and/or good progress. We discovered that the first cluster is characterised by more ambitious ESR targets, limited ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by increasing efficiency, and a higher share of mitigation measures that have not been implemented yet. These MSs furthermore pursue a wider range of goals, such as increasing biodiversity, ensuring sustainability, which is in line with the multifaceted role of the agricultural sector.
The Framing of Minority Threat and Moralization to Criminalize Behavior: The Case of Cannabis in the Early 20th Century
Authors: Vuolo Mike , Kelly Brian C , Orsini Maria M , Kadowaki Joy
Published: July 2024

Understanding why particular behavior is encoded in law or other systems of rules has been a core topic of sociology since its inception. Although differing rhetorical frames have been identified in policy debates, little research directly links such rhetoric and policy passage. Centering framing theory, we use the case of U.S. cannabis criminalization via mixed-methods content analyses of 9,707 nationwide newspaper articles and event history analysis of state-level criminalization to make several contributions. First, we go beyond describing rhetorical frames, demonstrating that core framing tasks were associated with spatial and temporal state-level cannabis law passage. Second, we emphasize that consolidation of two “master frames,” legal and racial, are particularly pertinent to criminalization and permit incorporation of rhetorical minority threat into framing. Third, an overreliance on population-based minority threat exists in the literature; however, threat can operate absent minority groups. While demonstrating the effect of vilification of Mexican people, we show that a heterogeneous “othering” of cannabis, by attaching threat to numerous minority groups, was significant for cannabis criminalization, regardless of minority groups’ actual presence. In addition to interrogating longstanding assumptions regarding cannabis criminalization, our analyses demonstrate the importance of framing and rhetorical racial threat in the social construction of law.
Libres propos sur l’internationalité dans l’arbitrage OHADA
Authors: Ngono Véronique Carole
Published: July 2024

OHADA arbitration has a special relationship with internationality. While the distinction between domestic and international arbitration has been abolished, thus enshrining legal monism, the uniform rules are intended to encompass the specific features of arbitration induced by factors of internationality. This solution is not only theoretically inadequate, because OHADA is not a State but a group of States, which means that conflicts of law remain, but it also restricts the development of international arbitration. It is therefore essential to combine the desire to apply a single legal regime with the need to take internationality into account, in order to make OHADA arbitration law more attractive.
Perioperative Naltrexone Management: A Scoping Review by the Perioperative Pain and Addiction Interdisciplinary Network
Authors: Goel Akash , Kapoor Bhavya , Wu Mia , Iyayi Mudia , Englesakis Marina , Kohan Lynn , Ladha Karim S. , Clarke Hance A.
Published: July 2024

Substance use disorders, including alcohol use disorder, are a public health concern that affect more than 150 million people globally. The opioid antagonist naltrexone is being increasingly prescribed to treat opioid use disorder, alcohol use disorder, and chronic pain. Perioperative management of patients on naltrexone is inconsistent and remains a controversial topic, with mismanagement posing a significant risk to the long-term health of these patients. This scoping review was conducted to identify human studies in which the perioperative management of naltrexone was described. This review includes a systematic literature search involving Medline, Medline In-Process, Embase, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. Seventeen articles that describe perioperative naltrexone management strategies were included, including thirteen guidelines, one case report, and three randomized trials. Despite its use in patients with alcohol use disorder and chronic pain, no clinical studies, case reports, or guidelines addressed naltrexone use in these clinical populations. All of the guideline documents recommended the preoperative cessation of naltrexone, irrespective of dose, indication, or route of administration. None of these guideline documents were designed on the basis of a systematic literature search or a Delphi protocol. As described by the primary studies, perioperative pain relief varied depending on naltrexone dose and route of administration, time since last naltrexone administration, and underlying substance use disorder. None of the studies commented on the maintenance of recovery for the patient’s substance use disorder in the context of perioperative naltrexone management. The current understanding of the risks and benefits of continuing or stopping naltrexone perioperatively is limited by a lack of high-quality evidence. In patients with risk factors for return to use of opioids or alcohol, the discontinuation of naltrexone should have a strong rationale. Future studies and guidelines should seek to address both acute pain management and maintaining recovery when discussing perioperative naltrexone management strategies.
Cannabis Use and Inhalational Anesthesia Administration in Older Adults
Authors: Sajdeya Ruba , Rouhizadeh Masoud , Cook Robert L. , Ison Ronald L. , Bai Chen , Jugl Sebastian , Gao Hanzhi , Mardini Mamoun T. , Zandbiglari Kimia , Adiba Farzana I. , Dasa Osama , Winterstein Almut G. , Price Catherine C. , Pearson Thomas A. , Seubert Christoph N. , Tighe Patrick J.
Published: July 2024

Background:

Cannabis use is associated with higher intravenous anesthetic administration. Similar data regarding inhalational anesthetics are limited. With rising cannabis use prevalence, understanding any potential relationship with inhalational anesthetic dosing is crucial. We compared average intraoperative isoflurane/sevoflurane minimum alveolar concentration equivalents between older adults with and without cannabis use.

Methods:

The electronic health records of 22,476 surgical patients ≥65 years old at the University of Florida Health System between 2018-2020 were reviewed. The primary exposure was cannabis use within 60 days of surgery, determined via i) a previously published natural language processing algorithm applied to unstructured notes and ii) structured data, including International Classification of Disease codes for cannabis use disorders and poisoning by cannabis, laboratory cannabinoids screening results, and RxNorm codes. The primary outcome was the intraoperative time-weighted average of isoflurane/sevoflurane minimum alveolar concentration equivalents at one-minute resolution. No a priori minimally clinically important difference was established. Patients demonstrating cannabis use were matched 4:1 to non-cannabis use controls using a propensity score.

Results:

Among 5,118 meeting inclusion criteria, 1,340 patients (268 cannabis users and 1,072 nonusers) remained after propensity score matching. The median and interquartile range (IQR) age was 69 (67, 73) years; 872 (65.0%) were male, and 1,143 (85.3%) were non-Hispanic White. The median (IQR) anesthesia duration was 175 (118, 268) minutes. After matching, all baseline characteristics were well-balanced by exposure. Cannabis users had statistically significantly higher average minimum alveolar concentrations than nonusers [mean±SD: 0.58±0.23 versus 0.54±0.22, respectively; mean difference=0.04; 95% confidence limits, 0.01 to 0.06; p=0.020].

Conclusion:

Cannabis use was associated with administering statistically significantly higher inhalational anesthetic minimum alveolar concentration equivalents in older adults, but the clinical significance of this difference is unclear. These data do not support the hypothesis that cannabis users require clinically meaningfully higher inhalational anesthetics doses.
Learning Outcomes and Educational Effectiveness of Social Media as a Continuing Professional Development Intervention for Practicing Surgeons: A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis
Authors: Ghasroddashti Arashk , Sorefan-Mangou Fatimah , Fernandes Rosephine Del , Williams Erin , Choi Ken , Zevin Boris
Published: July 2024

Objective:

The objective of this systematic review was to assess the learning outcomes and educational effectiveness of social media as a continuing professional development intervention for surgeons in practice.

Background:

Social media has the potential to improve global access to educational resources and collaborative networking. However, the learning outcomes and educational effectiveness of social media as a continuing professional development (CPD) intervention are yet to be summarized.

Methods:

We searched MEDLINE and Embase databases from 1946 to 2022. We included studies that assessed the learning outcomes and educational effectiveness of social media as a CPD intervention for practicing surgeons. We excluded studies that were not original research, involved only trainees, did not evaluate educational effectiveness, or involved an in-person component. The 18-point Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument (MERSQI) was used for quality appraisal. Learning outcomes were categorized according to Moore’s Expanded Outcomes Framework (MEOF).

Results:

A total of 830 unique studies revealed 14 studies for inclusion. The mean MERSQI score of the included studies was 9.0 ± 0.8. In total, 3227 surgeons from 105 countries and various surgical specialties were included. Twelve studies (86%) evaluated surgeons’ satisfaction (MEOF level 2), 3 studies (21%) evaluated changes in self-reported declarative or procedural knowledge (MEOF levels 3A and 3B), 1 study (7%) evaluated changes in self-reported competence (MEOF level 4), and 5 studies (36%) evaluated changes in self-reported performance in practice (MEOF level 5). No studies evaluated changes in patient or community health (MEOF levels 6 and 7).

Conclusions:

The use of social media as a CPD intervention among practicing surgeons is associated with improved self-reported declarative and procedural knowledge, self-reported competence, and self-reported performance in practice. Further research is required to assess whether social media use for CPD in surgeons is associated with improvements in higher level and objectively measured learning outcomes.
Organ Involvement Related to Death in Critically Ill Patients With Leptospirosis: Unsupervised Analysis in a French West Indies ICU
Authors: Camous Laurent , Pommier Jean-David , Tressières Benoît , Martino Frederic , Picardeau Mathieu , Loraux Cecile , Valette Marc , Chaumont Hugo , Carles Michel , Demoule Alexandre , Breurec Sebastien
Published: July 2024

OBJECTIVES:

To identify distinct phenotypes of critically ill leptospirosis patients upon ICU admission and their potential associations with outcome.

DESIGN:

Retrospective observational study including all patients with biologically confirmed leptospirosis admitted to the ICU between January 2014 and December 2022. Subgroups of patients with similar clinical profiles were identified by unsupervised clustering (factor analysis for mixed data and hierarchical clustering on principal components).

SETTING:

All patients admitted to the ICU of the University Hospital of Guadeloupe on the study period.

PATIENTS:

One hundred thirty critically ill patients with confirmed leptospirosis were included.

INTERVENTIONS:

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:

At ICU admission, 34% of the patients had acute respiratory failure, and 26% required invasive mechanical ventilation. Shock was observed in 52% of patients, myocarditis in 41%, and neurological involvement in 20%. Unsupervised clustering identified three clusters—“Weil’s Disease” (48%), “neurological leptospirosis” (20%), and “multiple organ failure” (32%)—with different ICU courses and outcomes. Myocarditis and neurological involvement were key components for cluster identification and were significantly associated with death in ICU. Other factors associated with mortality included shock, acute respiratory failure, and requiring renal replacement therapy.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE:

Unsupervised analysis of critically ill patients with leptospirosis revealed three patient clusters with distinct phenotypic characteristics and clinical outcomes. These patients should be carefully screened for neurological involvement and myocarditis at ICU admission.
Effect of Subgroups on Study Outcomes in Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma Undergoing Upfront Systemic Treatment
Authors: Colloca Giuseppe Antonio , Venturino Antonella
Published: July 2024

Objectives:

Immunotherapy improved the outcome of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma, but not all studies are in agreement, nor is it clear whether certain subgroups have really benefited. This study aims to perform an updated meta-analysis of trials comparing upfront immunotherapy-based regimens versus tyrosin-kinase inhibitors, and some exploratory analyses.

Methods:

After a systematic review, randomized trials of immunotherapy-based regimens versus tyrosin-kinase inhibitors were selected. A meta-analysis assessed the relationship between treatment arm and overall survival. Based on the resulting heterogeneity, a further investigation of 11 variables by meta-regression and an exploration of subgroups were planned.

Results:

Eight studies were selected. From the meta-analysis, the overall survival improvement for the immunotherapy-based arms was consistent (HR: 0.77, CI: 0.68-0.88), although heterogeneity between studies was significant (Q=16.37; P=0.0373; I
2=51.1%). After meta-regression, the effect of the experimental arm was more pronounced in the elderly and lost among patients with HCV-related liver disease. Subgroups suggested a favorable effect of immunotherapy in patients with HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma, extrahepatic dissemination, and elevated alpha-fetoprotein.

Conclusion:

The study results confirm the significant overall survival improvement after immunotherapy-based regimens but suggest different effects on the outcome depending on age, etiology of liver disease, and tumor burden.
Short-term exposures to temperature and risk of sudden cardiac death in women: A case-crossover analysis in the Nurses’ Health Study
Authors: Hart Jaime E. , Hu Cindy R. , Yanosky Jeff D. , Holland Isabel , Iyer Hari S. , Borchert William , Laden Francine , Albert Christine M.
Published: July 2024

Background:

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a major source of mortality and is the first manifestation of heart disease for most cases. Thus, there is a definite need to identify risk factors for SCD that can be modified on the population level. Short-term exposures to temperature have been implicated as a potential risk factor. Our objective was to determine if short-term temperature exposures were associated with increased risk of SCD in a US-based time-stratified case-crossover study.

Methods:

A total of 465 cases of SCD were identified among participants of the prospective Nurses’ Health Study (NHS). Control days were selected from all other matching days of the week within the same month as the case day. Average ambient temperature on the current day (Lag0) and preceding 27 days (Lags1–27) was determined at the residence level using 800-m resolution estimates. Conditional logistic distributed lag nonlinear models (DLNMs) were used to assess the relative risk (RR) of the full range of temperature exposures over the lag period.

Results:

Warmer exposures in the days before event and colder temperatures 21–28 days prior were associated with increased risks of SCD. These results were driven by associations in regions other than the Northeast and among married women.

Conclusions:

Both warm and cold ambient temperatures are suggestively associated with risks of SCD among middle-aged and older women living across the United States.
Retrospective text and qualitative analyses of patient experience and management of vasomotor symptoms due to menopause: voices from the PatientsLikeMe community
Authors: Shepherd Jessica A. , Shiozawa Aki , Schild Arianne L. , Singh Deepshikha , Mancuso Shayna A.
Published: July 2024

Objective

Vasomotor symptoms (VMS) due to menopause cause substantial burden and distress. Some women join online communities to share experiences and treatment outcomes through peer-to-peer interactions. This study describes women's experiences with VMS and symptom management on the PatientsLikeMe online support group.

Methods

Mixed-methods research included women aged 40 to 65 years in the PatientsLikeMe community who were recruited using convenience sampling. Text from online posts by members was analyzed retrospectively using natural language processing. Relevant data, including numbers and percentages of women and frequencies of mentions, were summarized descriptively. Qualitative semistructured interviews were conducted; data, notes, and recordings were transcribed and deidentified and thematic analyses were performed.

Results

Demographic information was available from 1,614 accounts included in retrospective text analyses. Women had a mean age of 56.7 years; most were White (87.8%) and not Hispanic/Latino (90.2%). Hot flashes and night sweats were most commonly mentioned symptoms (n = 146). Of 16 women who were interviewed, 14 met the inclusion criteria, and their responses were included in the analysis. VMS impacted life quality in terms of physical (43%) and mental well-being (36%), social activities (21%), and productivity (14%). Symptom management included temperature regulation (43%), lifestyle changes (36%), over-the-counter Estroven (29%), hormone therapy (21%), and contraceptives (21%). Half of the women were surprised by symptom intensity and duration; many felt unheard by their healthcare providers.

Conclusions

VMS have a substantial negative impact on multiple aspects of women's life. Management strategies for these symptoms vary widely, and many women feel unprepared for navigating the complex challenges of menopause.
Acellular Piscine Dermis for Pediatric Hand Burn Reconstruction
Authors: Shahriari Shawhin R.K. , Harrison Joshua L. , Clarke Tegan N. , Muka Theodore N. , Garcia Julian H. , Huang Samantha M. , Whisonant Cees T. , Borah Gregory , Wu Eugene CH
Published: July 2024

Pediatric hand burns are difficult to treat, with thin tissue with critical structures close to the skin and the small scale of the anatomy of children’s hands. Additionally, pediatric burns can be challenging due to the concern for donor-site morbidity and the paucity of donor sites when reconstructing these wounds. In this report, we discuss the successful application of a piscine-derived acellular dermal matrix in a 13-month-old child with deep partial thickness and full-thickness burns to the right upper extremity. She had excellent long term cosmetic results and function by 3 years postoperatively, including full extension and flexion of all digits in her right hand.
Comparative Effectiveness Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Peripheral Nerve Repair Using Direct Repair and Connector-assisted Repair
Authors: Leis Amber , Smetana Brandon S. , Strohl Adam B. , Styron Joseph F.
Published: July 2024

Background:

This clinical literature systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to assess differences in outcomes between nerves repaired with direct repair (DR) and connector-assisted repair (CAR).

Methods:

A systematic literature review for DR and CAR was performed. Studies from 1980 through August 2023 were included if DR or CAR repairs were performed in upper extremities with nerve gaps less than 5 mm and reported sensory Medical Research Council Classification (MRCC) outcomes or equivalent. Comparative analyses were planned for meaningful recovery (MR) rate (at both S3 and S3+ or better), postsurgical neuroma, cold intolerance, altered sensation, pain, and revision rate.

Results:

There were significant differences in MR rates for CAR and DR. At the MRCC S3 threshold, 96.1% of CAR and 81.3% of DR achieved MR (P < 0.0001). At the MRCC S3+ threshold, 87.1% of CAR and 54.2% of DR achieved this higher threshold of MR (P < 0.0001). There were no differences in neuroma rate or pain scores in our dataset. Altered sensation (dysesthesia, paresthesia, hyperesthesia, or hypersensitivity) was not discussed in any CAR studies, so no analysis could be performed. The revision rate for both procedures was 0%. The proportion of patients with cold intolerance was 46.2% in the DR studies, which was significantly higher than the 10.7% of patients in the CAR group.

Conclusions:

Significantly more patients achieved sensory MR and fewer had cold intolerance when the CAR technique, instead of the DR technique, was performed to repair peripheral nerve injuries.