bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort.: a review of its phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology
Authors: Kong Qinghe , Niu Yingshuo , Feng Hao , Yu Xiaofei , Wang Bingkang , Liu Xue , Chen Yueru , Wang Fulin , Tian Jingzhen , Zhou Honglei
Published: August 2024

Background

Conioselinum anthriscoides (H. Boissieu) Pimenov & Kljuykov, also known as Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. is a perennial Umbelliferae herb, whose dried rhizome commonly called Chuanxiong Rhizoma. Chuanxiong Rhizoma is widely used in TCM, especially for cardiocerebrovascular and gynecological diseases. However, these studies are scattered and there is no review that can centralize the results of these studies. The authors summarized this review by collecting research results on the chemical, pharmacological, and toxicological of Chuanxiong Rhizoma published in various publications over the past 20 years.

Aims

The purpose of this review is to summarize the current experimental studies on Chuanxiong Rhizoma and explore its mechanism of action.

Methods

Web of Science, PubMed, CBM, CNKI, Medline, Embase, Elsevier, Springer, Wiley Online Library, Scholar, and other databases were searched, and nearly one hundred experimental studies were collected to summarize this review.

Results and Discussion

Chuanxiong Rhizoma is composed of essential oil, terpenes, alkaloids, polysaccharide, organic acids, ceramides, and cerebrosides. It has the functions of promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, antibacterial, antiviral, and calming the mind to sleep. Now it can be used to treat cardiocerebrovascular and gynecological diseases, neurodegenerative disease, psoriasis, rectal cancer, osteoporosis, and osteoarthritis.

Conclusions

In the past 20 years, a large number of research data have confirmed that Chuanxiong Rhizoma contains rich effective metabolites, has huge medicinal potential, and has a wide range of effective treatments.
Same, yet different: towards understanding nutrient use in hemp- and drug-type Cannabis
Authors: Wee Y Benjamin , Berkowitz Oliver , Whelan James , Jost Ricarda
Published: August 2024

Cannabis sativa L., one of the oldest cultivated crops, has a complex domestication history due to its diverse uses for fibre, seed, oil, and drugs, and its wide geographic distribution. This review explores how human selection has shaped the biology of hemp and drug-type Cannabis, focusing on acquisition and utilization of nitrogen and phosphorus, and how resulting changes in source–sink relations shape their contrasting phenology. Hemp has been optimized for rapid, slender growth and nutrient efficiency, whereas drug-type cultivars have been selected for compact growth with large phytocannabinoid-producing female inflorescences. Understanding these nutrient use and ontogenetic differences will enhance our general understanding of resource allocation in plants. Knowledge gained in comparison with other model species, such as tomato, rice, or Arabidopsis can help inform crop improvement and sustainability in the cannabis industry.
The Violence of Economies of Dispossession in Frank J. Webb’s The Garies and Their Friends
Authors: Seger Maria
Published: August 2024

This article reads Frank J. Webb’s The Garies and Their Friends (1857) as imagining how extralegal violence might advance economies of dispossession—those mechanisms through which capitalism racializes property, subjection, and expropriation to facilitate accumulation—in free Black communities. This claim extends work in critical ethnic studies on economies of dispossession by turning our attention to the nineteenth century. It also complements Carla L. Peterson’s reading of the novel’s imagination of Black resistance to racial capitalism with attention to the novel’s precise analysis of how racial capitalism might function. The Garies and Their Friends conceptualizes how quotidian economies of dispossession (namely, hampering intergenerational wealth transfer and proto-gentrification) rely on blatantly racist forms of extralegal violence to manufacture catastrophes that orchestrate and manage the devaluation and dispossession of Black property for accumulation by the white elite. Put another way, it illustrates how racialized and racializing extralegal violence advanced economies of dispossession through a traditional inheritance plot and an innovative displacement and proto-gentrification plot. In the novel, extralegal violence, alongside the law and legal violence, furthers dispossession by attempting to enact strict definitions of race and to regulate privately owned space. Thus, the novel points to how extralegal violence attempted to definitively contain and perform shifting and undefinable notions of race across the nineteenth century. Ultimately, attention to a more varied set of nineteenth-century forms of dispossession, alongside slavery and settler colonialism, sheds light on how capitalism’s expansion has always depended on the predation, fraud, and thievery facilitated by racialization, then as now.
CSST strong lensing preparation: forecasting the galaxy–galaxy strong lensing population for the China space station telescope
Authors: Cao Xiaoyue , Li Ran , Li Nan , Li Rui , Chen Yun , Ding Keyi , Shan Huanyuan , Zhan Hu , Zhang Xin , Du Wei , Cao Shuo
Published: August 2024

Galaxy–galaxy strong gravitational lensing (GGSL) is a powerful probe for the formation and evolution of galaxies and cosmology, while the sample size of GGSLs leads to considerable uncertainties and potential bias. The China Space Station Telescope (CSST, to be launched in late 2026) will conduct observations across 17 500 square degrees of the sky, capturing images in the $ugriz$ bands with a spatial resolution comparable to that of the Hubble Space Telescope. We ran a set of Monte Carlo simulations to predict that the CSST’s wide-field survey will observe $\sim$160 000 galaxy–galaxy strong lenses over its lifespan, increasing the number of existing galaxy–galaxy strong lens samples by three orders of magnitude. This is comparable to the capabilities of the $\it Euclid$ telescope but with the added benefit of additional colour information. Specifically, the CSST can detect strong lenses with Einstein radii about $0.64\pm 0.42 ^{\prime \prime }$, corresponding to the velocity dispersions of $217.19 \pm 50.55 \, \text{km/s}$. These lenses exhibit a median magnification of $\sim$5. The apparent magnitude of the unlensed sources in the g band is $25.87 \pm 1.19$. The signal-to-noise ratio of the lensed images covers a range of ${\sim} 20$ to ${\sim} 1000$, allowing us to determine the Einstein radius with an accuracy ranging from ${\sim} 1~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ to ${\sim} 0.1~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$, ignoring various modelling systematics. Our estimates indicate that CSST can observe rare systems like double source-plane and spiral galaxy lenses. The above selection functions of the CSST strong lensing observation help optimize the strategy of finding and modelling GGSLs.
Impact of nuclear matter properties on the nucleosynthesis and the kilonova from binary neutron star merger ejecta
Authors: Ricigliano Giacomo , Jacobi Maximilian , Arcones Almudena
Published: August 2024

Material expelled from binary neutron star (BNS) mergers can harbour r-process nucleosynthesis and power a kilonova (KN), both intimately related to the astrophysical conditions of the ejection. In turn such conditions indirectly depend on the equation of state (EOS) describing matter inside the neutron star. Therefore, in principle the above observables can hold valuable information on nuclear matter, as the merger gravitational wave signal already does. In this work, we consider the outcome of a set of BNS merger simulations employing different finite-temperature nuclear EOSs. The latter are obtained from a Skyrme-type interaction model where nuclear properties, such as the incompressibility and the nucleon effective mass at saturation density, are systematically varied. We post-process the ejecta using a reaction network coupled with a semi-analytic KN model, to assess the sensitivity on the input EOS of the final yields and the KN light curves. Both of them are found to be non-trivially influenced by the EOS, with the overall outcome being dominated by the heterogeneous outflows from the remnant disc, hosting a variable degree of neutron-rich material. The dynamical ejecta can be more directly related to the EOS parameters considered; however, we find their role in the yields production and the KN emission too entangled with the other ejecta components, in order to infer solid correlations. This result highlights the strong degeneracy that intervenes between the merger outcome and the behaviour of the intrinsic nuclear matter, and places itself as a limit to the employment of EOS-constraining approaches of such kind.
Impact of vegetation albedo on the habitability of Earth-like exoplanets
Authors: Bisesi E , Murante G , Provenzale A , Biasiotti L , von Hardenberg J , Ivanovski S , Maris M , Monai S , Silva L , Simonetti P , Vladilo G
Published: August 2024

Vegetation can modify the planetary surface albedo via the Charney mechanism, as plants are usually darker than the bare surface of the continents. We updated ESTM (Earth-like surface temperature model) to incorporate the presence, distribution and evolution of two dynamically competing vegetation types that resemble grasslands and trees (the latter in the double stages of life: adults and seedlings). The newly developed model was applied to estimate how the climate-vegetation system reaches equilibrium across different rocky planetary configurations, and to assess its impact on temperature and habitability. With respect to a world with bare granite continents, the effect of vegetation-albedo feedback is to increase the average surface temperature. Since grasses and trees exhibit different albedos, they affect temperature to different degrees. The ultimate impact on climate depends on the outcome of the competition between these vegetation types. The change in albedo due to vegetation extends the habitable zone and enhances the overall planetary habitability beyond its traditional outer edge. This effect is especially relevant for planets that have a larger extension of continents than Earth. For Earth, the semimajor axis d  = 1.04 au represents the turning point where vegetation enhances habitability from h  = 0.0 to 0.485 (in the grass-dominance case), to h  = 0.584 (in the case of coexistence between grasses and trees), and to h  = 0.612 (in the tree-dominance case). This illustrates the transition from a snowball state to a planet with intermediate habitability at the outer edge of the circumstellar habitability zone.
The sizes of bright Lyman-break galaxies at z ≃ 3–5 with JWST PRIMER
Authors: Varadaraj R G , Bowler R A A , Jarvis M J , Adams N J , Choustikov N , Koekemoer A M , Carnall A C , McLeod D J , Dunlop J S , Donnan C T , Grogin N A
Published: August 2024

We use data from the JWST Public Release IMaging for Extragalactic Research survey to measure the size scaling relations of 1668 rest-frame UV-bright Lyman-break galaxies (LBGs) at $z=3\!-\!5$ with stellar masses $\mathrm{log}_{10}({\it M}_{\star}/{\rm M}_{\odot }) \gt 9$. The sample was selected from seeing-dominated ground-based data, presenting an unbiased sampling of the morphology and size distributions of luminous sources. We fit Sérsic profiles to eight NIRCam bands and also measure a non-parametric half-light radius. We find that the size distributions with both measurements are well-fit by a lognormal distribution at all redshifts, consistent with disc formation models where size is governed by host dark-matter halo angular momentum. We find a size–redshift evolution of $R_{\rm e} = 3.51(1+z)^{-0.60\pm 0.22}$ kpc, in agreement with JWST studies. When considering the typical (modal) size over $z=3\!-\!5$, we find little evolution with bright LBGs remaining compact at $R_{\rm e}\simeq 0.7{-}0.9$ kpc. Simultaneously, we find evidence for a build-up of large ($R_{\rm e} \gt 2$ kpc) galaxies by $z=3$. We find some evidence for a negatively sloped size–mass relation at $z=5$ when Sérsic profiles are used to fit the data in F200W. The intrinsic scatter in our size–mass relations increases at higher redshifts. Additionally, measurements probing the rest-UV (F200W) show larger intrinsic scatter than those probing the rest-optical (F356W). Finally, we leverage rest-UV and rest-optical photometry to show that discy galaxies are well established by $z=5$, but are beginning to undergo dissipative processes, such as mergers, by $z=3$. The agreement of our size–mass and size–luminosity relations with simulations provides tentative evidence for centrally concentrated star formation at high redshift.
Gravity or turbulence? – VI. The physics behind the Kennicutt–Schmidt relation
Authors: Ballesteros-Paredes Javier , Zamora-Avilés Manuel , Román-Zúñiga Carlos , Palau Aina , Cervantes-Sodi Bernardo , Gutiérrez-Dávila Karla , Camacho Vianey , Jiménez-Andrade Eric , Gazol Adriana
Published: August 2024

We explain the large variety of star formation laws in terms of one single, simple law that can be inferred from the definition of the star formation rate and basic algebra. The resulting equation, ${\rm SFR}= {\epsilon _\mathrm{ff}}\ M_\mathrm{collapse}/{\tau _{\rm ff}}$, although it has been presented elsewhere, is interpreted in terms of clouds undergoing collapse rather than being turbulence supported, an idea that different groups have pursued this century. Under such assumption, one can explain the constancy of ${\epsilon _\mathrm{ff}}$, the different intra-cloud correlations observed in Milky Way’s molecular clouds, as well as the resolved and unresolved extragalactic relationships between SFR and a measurement of the mass in CO, HCN, and CO + HI. We also explain why the slope of the correlation changes when the orbital time ${\tau _{\rm orb}}$ is considered instead of the free-fall time, and why estimations of the free-fall time from extragalactic observations skew the correlation, providing a false sublinear correlation. We furthermore show that the apparent nearly linear correlation between the star formation rate and the dynamical equilibrium pressure in the mid-plane of the galaxies, $P_{\rm DE}$, is just a consequence of $P_{\rm DE}$ values being dominated by the variation of the column density of molecular gas. All in all, we argue that the star formation law is driven by the collapse of cold, dense gas, which happens to be primarily molecular in the present Universe, and that the role of stellar feedback is just to shut down the star formation process, not to shape the star formation law.
JWST PRIMER: a new multifield determination of the evolving galaxy UV luminosity function at redshifts z ≃ 9 – 15
Authors: Donnan C T , McLure R J , Dunlop J S , McLeod D J , Magee D , Arellano-Córdova K Z , Barrufet L , Begley R , Bowler R A A , Carnall A C , Cullen F , Ellis R S , Fontana A , Illingworth G D , Grogin N A , Hamadouche M L , Koekemoer A M , Liu F -Y , Mason C , Santini P , Stanton T M
Published: August 2024

We present a new determination of the evolving galaxy ultraviolet (UV) luminosity function (LF) over the redshift range $8.5< z< 15.5$ using a combination of several major Cycle-1 JWST imaging programmes – Public Release IMaging for Extragalactic Research, JWST Advanced Deep Extragalactic Survey, and Next Generation Deep Extragalactic Exploratory Public Survey. This multifield approach yields a total of $\simeq 370$ arcmin2 of JWST/NIRCam imaging, reaching (5-$\sigma$) depths of $\simeq 30$ AB mag in the deepest regions. We select a sample of 2548 galaxies with a significant probability of lying at high redshift ($p(z> 8.5)> 0.05$) to undertake a statistical calculation of the UV LF. Our new measurements span $\simeq 4$ mag in UV luminosity at $z=9-12.5$, placing new constraints on both the shape and evolution of the LF at early times. Our measurements yield a new estimate of the early evolution of cosmic star-formation rate density ($\rho _{\rm {SFR}}$) confirming the gradual decline deduced from early JWST studies, at least out to $z \simeq 12$. Finally we show that the observed early evolution of the galaxy UV LF (and $\rho _{\rm {SFR}}$) can be reproduced in a ${\rm \Lambda }$cold dark matter Universe, with no change in dust properties or star-formation efficiency required out to $z \simeq 12$. Instead, a progressive trend towards younger stellar population ages can reproduce the observations, and the typical ages required at $z \simeq$ 8, 9, 10, and 11 all converge on $\simeq 380-330$ Myr after the big bang, indicative of a rapid emergence of early galaxies at $z \simeq 12 - 13$. This is consistent with the first indications of a steeper drop-off in $\rho _{\rm {SFR}}$ we find beyond $z \simeq 13$, possibly reflecting the rapid evolution of the halo mass function at earlier times.
Idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease-TAFRO after COVID-19: A case report
Authors: Shiina Tatsuro , Yamamoto Eriko Kashihara , Yamada Hirotaka , Sendo Sho , Kanzawa Maki , Saegusa Jun
Published: August 2024

TAFRO syndrome, a rare disease characterised by thrombocytopaenia, anasarca, fever, reticulin fibrosis, and organomegaly, is thought to be caused by hypercytokinaemia. It is a heterogeneous clinical entity, and a recent comprehensive international definition defined TAFRO syndrome with lymph node histopathology consistent with idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD) as iMCD-TAFRO. Herein, we present a rare case of iMCD-TAFRO following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. A 62-year-old Japanese woman, initially diagnosed with COVID-19, developed a persistent fever and fluid retention, prompting the diagnosis of iMCD-TAFRO. Following the initiation of prednisolone and cyclosporine, her symptoms gradually resolved. Therefore, we discuss the potential pathophysiological link between COVID-19 and iMCD-TAFRO, emphasising the role of cytokine storms. This case report highlights the importance of recognising the spectrum of inflammatory states after COVID-19 and differentiating iMCD-TAFRO after COVID-19 from the COVID-19 cytokine storm syndrome.
Performing Te: Gesture and Timbre in Fujikura Dai’s neo for Solo Shamisen
Authors: Momii Toru
Published: August 2024

This article proposes an intercultural analysis of gesture and timbre in Fujikura Dai’s neo for solo shamisen (2014). I analyze neo through the concept of te, a term used by shamisen players to refer to 1) recurring melodic patterns; and 2) their characteristic fingerings, hand positions, and performance techniques. My analysis of neo highlights how a performer’s use of te can shape the form of a piece. Through aural and visual analysis of performances by shamisen player Honjoh Hidejirō, I demonstrate how the form of neo unfolds through changes in te. Weaving together the embodied knowledge of shamisen players, Japanese and U.S./Canadian theories of fretboard topography, and performance analysis, my consideration of te serves as an intercultural mode of analysis that reflects Fujikura’s and Honjoh’s backgrounds in Western art music, shamisen performance, and rock.
DDInter 2.0: an enhanced drug interaction resource with expanded data coverage, new interaction types, and improved user interface
Authors: Tian Yao , Yi Jiacai , Wang Ningning , Wu Chengkun , Peng Jinfu , Liu Shao , Yang Guoping , Cao Dongsheng
Published: August 2024

Drug interactions pose significant challenges in clinical practice, potentially leading to adverse drug reactions, reduced efficacy, and even life-threatening consequences. As polypharmacy becomes increasingly common, the risk of harmful drug interactions rises, underscoring the need for comprehensive and user-friendly drug interaction resources to ensure patient safety. To address these concerns and support healthcare professionals in optimizing drug therapy, we present DDInter 2.0, a significantly expanded and enhanced update to our drug interaction database. This new version incorporates additional interaction types, including drug-food interactions (DFIs), drug-disease interactions (DDSIs), and therapeutic duplications, providing a more complete resource for clinical decision-making. The updated database covers 2310 drugs, with 302 516 drug–drug interaction (DDI) records accompanied by 8398 distinct, high-quality mechanism descriptions and management recommendations. DDInter 2.0 also includes 857 DFIs, 8359 DDSIs and 6033 therapeutic duplication records, each supplemented with detailed information and guidance. Furthermore, the enhanced user interface and advanced filtering options in this second release facilitate easy access to and analysis of the comprehensive drug interaction data. By providing healthcare professionals and researchers with a more complete and user-friendly resource, DDInter 2.0 aims to support clinical decision-making and ultimately improve patient outcomes. DDInter 2.0 is freely accessible at https://ddinter2.scbdd.com.
Assembling bacterial puzzles: piecing together functions into microbial pathways
Authors: Chung Henri C , Friedberg Iddo , Bromberg Yana
Published: August 2024

Functional metagenomics enables the study of unexplored bacterial diversity, gene families, and pathways essential to microbial communities. However, discovering biological insights with these data is impeded by the scarcity of quality annotations. Here, we use a co-occurrence-based analysis of predicted microbial protein functions to uncover pathways in genomic and metagenomic biological systems. Our approach, based on phylogenetic profiles, improves the identification of functional relationships, or participation in the same biochemical pathway, between enzymes over a comparable homology-based approach. We optimized the design of our profiles to identify potential pathways using minimal data, clustered functionally related enzyme pairs into multi-enzymatic pathways, and evaluated our predictions against reference pathways in the KEGG database. We then demonstrated a novel extension of this approach to predict inter-bacterial protein interactions amongst members of a marine microbiome. Most significantly, we show our method predicts emergent biochemical pathways between known and unknown functions. Thus, our work establishes a basis for identifying the potential functional capacities of the entire metagenome, capturing previously unknown and abstract functions into discrete putative pathways.
Aggressive high-grade NF2 mutant meningiomas downregulate oncogenic YAP signaling via the upregulation of VGLL4 and FAT3/4
Authors: Parrish Abigail G , Arora Sonali , Thirimanne H Nayanga , Rudoy Dmytro , Schmid Sebastian , Sievers Philipp , Sahm Felix , Holland Eric C , Szulzewsky Frank
Published: August 2024

Background

Meningiomas are the most common primary central nervous system tumors in adults. Although generally benign, a subset is of higher grade and ultimately fatal. Around half of all meningiomas harbor inactivating mutations in NF2, leading to deregulation of oncogenic YAP1 activity. While benign NF2 mutant meningiomas exhibit few genetic events in addition to NF2 inactivation, aggressive high-grade NF2 mutant meningiomas frequently harbor a highly aberrant genome. It is unclear if NF2 mutant meningiomas of different grades are equally reliant on YAP activity.

Methods

We analyzed bulk and single-cell RNA-Seq data from a large cohort of human meningiomas for the expression of YAP1 target genes and Hippo effectors as well as in vitro cell line experiments.

Results

Aggressive NF2 mutant meningiomas harbor decreased expression levels of YAP1 target genes and increased expression levels of the YAP1 antagonist VGLL4 and the upstream regulators FAT3/4 compared to their benign counterparts. Decreased expression of YAP1 target genes as well as high expression of VGLL4 and FAT3/4 is significantly associated with an increased risk of recurrence. In vitro, overexpression of VGLL4 resulted in the downregulation of YAP activity in benign NF2 mutant meningioma cells, confirming the direct link between VGLL4 expression and decreased levels of YAP activity observed in aggressive NF2 mutant meningiomas.

Conclusions

Our results shed new insight into the biology of benign and aggressive NF2 mutant meningiomas and may have important implications for the efficacy of therapies targeting oncogenic YAP1 activity in NF2 mutant meningiomas.
Cannabis Use and Subsequent Cigarette Discontinuation Among U.S. Adults in the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study, Waves 1–5
Authors: Sedani Ami E , Frank-Pearce Summer G , Beebe Laura A , Campbell Janis E , Peck Jennifer D , Chou Ann F , Cohn Amy M
Published: August 2024

Introduction

This study examined the association between the current co-use of cannabis and cigarettes in the past 30 days and subsequent cigarette discontinuation (past 30-day point-prevalence abstinence) among U.S. adults with established cigarette use in the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study. Additionally, we investigated the impact of co-use on the subsequent discontinuation of all combustible tobacco products.

Aims and Methods

A total of 26 381 observations contributed by 8218 adults with established cigarette use (ie, smoked ≥100 cigarettes in their lifetime, and currently smoking cigarettes every day or some days) from waves 1–5 of the PATH Study were included in the analysis. Weighted generalized estimating equations (GEE) models were used to evaluate the association between current co-use at baseline (waves 1–4) with the outcomes assessed at the subsequent wave (cigarette and combustible tobacco discontinuation at waves 2–5). Final models included: Demographic characteristics (age, sex, race and ethnicity, and educational attainment), behavior characteristics (intention to quit, internalizing symptoms, externalizing symptoms, and substance use problems), and wave-pair.

Results

Over one-third (35.91%) of the adults currently smoking cigarettes self-reported co-use during the study period. Cannabis use among adults with established cigarette use increased over time. Co-use was associated with decreased odds of cigarette smoking discontinuation at follow-up, after adjusting for covariates (aOR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.72, 0.93; p = .0018). Similar effect sizes were observed for the discontinuation of all combustible tobacco products (aOR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.65, 0.86; p < .0001).

Conclusions

Cannabis use among adults with established cigarette use was inversely related to subsequent cigarette discontinuation, suggesting that co-use may reduce the likelihood of successful tobacco cessation.

Implications

Findings demonstrate that cannabis use may lead to lower odds of discontinuation among adults with established cigarette use; therefore, individuals who co-use cigarettes and cannabis may need additional tobacco cessation support. Notably, this study observed an increase in the co-use of cigarettes and cannabis, emphasizing the need for researchers and public health programs to shift their focus toward understanding and addressing concurrent substance use among adults who smoke cigarettes.
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Long-Acting Rilpivirine and Cabotegravir for Treatment of HIV-1 Infection—A Case Series of Five Patients With One Virologic Failure After Development of Two-Class Resistance
Authors: Gerstenberg Jacob , Klinker Hartwig , Baier Michael , von Braun Amrei , Seybold Ulrich , Helbig Carlotta , Däumer Martin , Korn Klaus , Stephan Christoph , Schleenvoigt Benjamin T
Published: August 2024

Virologic failure of long-acting rilpivirine/cabotegravir is rare but may result in severely limited treatment options. Known risk factors cannot predict all cases. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) may help identify patients at risk, but reliable thresholds are missing. We report retrospective TDM in a cohort of 5 patients, including 1 virological failure.
Incentivizing news consumption on social media platforms using large language models and realistic bot accounts
Authors: Askari Hadi , Chhabra Anshuman , von Hohenberg Bernhard Clemm , Heseltine Michael , Wojcieszak Magdalena
Published: August 2024

Polarization, misinformation, declining trust, and wavering support for democratic norms are pressing threats to the US Exposure to verified and balanced news may make citizens more resilient to these threats. This project examines how to enhance users’ exposure to and engagement with verified and ideologically balanced news in an ecologically valid setting. We rely on a 2-week long field experiment on 28,457 Twitter users. We created 28 bots utilizing GPT-2 that replied to users tweeting about sports, entertainment, or lifestyle with a contextual reply containing a URL to the topic-relevant section of a verified and ideologically balanced news organization and an encouragement to follow its Twitter account. To test differential effects by gender of the bots, the treated users were randomly assigned to receive responses by bots presented as female or male. We examine whether our intervention enhances the following of news media organizations, sharing and liking of news content (determined by our extensive list of news media outlets), tweeting about politics, and liking of political content (determined using our fine-tuned RoBERTa NLP transformer-based model). Although the treated users followed more news accounts and the users in the female bot treatment liked more news content than the control, these results were small in magnitude and confined to the already politically interested users, as indicated by their pretreatment tweeting about politics. In addition, the effects on liking and posting political content were uniformly null. These findings have implications for social media and news organizations and offer directions for pro-social computational interventions on platforms.
Long-term efficacy of MAS825, a bispecific anti-IL1β and IL-18 monoclonal antibody, in two patients with systemic JIA and recurrent episodes of macrophage activation syndrome
Authors: Caorsi Roberta , Bertoni Arinna , Matucci-Cerinic Caterina , Natoli Valentina , Palmeri Serena , Rosina Silvia , Penco Federica , Malattia Clara , Consolaro Alessandro , Viola Stefania , Papa Riccardo , Corcione Anna , Volpi Stefano , Ravelli Angelo , Gattorno Marco
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Systemic JIA (sJIA), a multifaceted autoinflammatory disorder, can be complicated by life-threatening conditions such as macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) and interstitial lung disease. The management of these conditions presents a therapeutic challenge, underscoring the need for innovative treatment approaches.

Objectives

To report the possible role of MAS825, a bispecific anti-IL1β and IL-18 monoclonal antibody, in the treatment of multi-drug-resistant sJIA.

Methods

We report two patients affected by sJIA with severe and refractory MAS and high serum IL-18 levels, responding to dual blockade of IL-1β and IL-18.

Results

The first patient is a 20-year-old man, presenting a severe MAS complicated by thrombotic microangiopathy, following SARS-CoV-2 infection. He was treated with MAS825, with quick improvement. Eighteen months later, the patient is still undergoing biweekly treatment with MAS825, associated with MTX, ciclosporin and low-dose glucocorticoids, maintaining good control over the systemic features of the disease. The second patient, a 10-year-old girl, presented a severe MAS case, complicated by posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, following an otomastoiditis. The MAS was not fully controlled despite treatment with i.v. high-dose glucocorticoids, anakinra and ciclosporin. She began biweekly MAS825, which led to a prompt amelioration of MAS parameters. After 10 months, the patient continues to receive MAS825 and is in complete remission.

Conclusion

In light of the pivotal role of IL-1β and IL-18 in sJIA, MAS and interstitial lung disease, MAS825 might represent a possible valid and safe option in the treatment of drug-resistant sJIA, especially in the presence of high serum IL-18 levels.
Low incidence of late-onset giant cell arteritis during the first year in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica–a repeated imaging study
Authors: Nielsen Andreas Wiggers , Hauge Ellen-Margrethe , Hansen Ib Tønder , Nielsen Berit Dalsgaard , Kjær Søren Geill , Blegvad Jesper , Rewers Kate , Møller Sørensen Christian , Gormsen Lars Christian , Keller Kresten Krarup
Published: August 2024

Objective

The objective was to investigate the incidence of late-onset giant cell arteritis (GCA) within the first year in patients diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR).

Methods

In this prospective study, treatment-naïve individuals with a new clinical diagnosis of PMR and without GCA symptoms underwent baseline assessments, including vascular ultrasonography and 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT). To prevent biased inclusion, rapid referral clinics were established for all patients suspected of PMR. Additionally, the patients underwent GCA monitoring during clinical visits at weeks 8 and 10, which involved vascular ultrasonography and FDG-PET/CT scans. After one year, a follow-up visit was performed to confirm the PMR diagnosis and perform vascular ultrasonography.

Results

A final PMR diagnosis was assigned to 62 patients, excluding two patients with concurrent subclinical GCA and PMR at baseline, corresponding to a baseline prevalence of subclinical GCA of 3%. During the one-year follow-up, two PMR patients developed late-onset GCA corresponding to an incidence rate of 32 per 1000 person-years. One patient developed GCA 14 weeks after the PMR diagnosis, exhibiting cranial symptoms and positive vascular ultrasonography. The other patient presented with subclinical large vessel GCA at the one-year visit detected with vascular ultrasonography and confirmed by FDG-PET/CT.

Conclusion

This study is the first to demonstrate a low incidence rate of late-onset GCA in PMR patients within the first year, employing repeated imaging to exclude GCA at baseline and diagnose GCA during follow-up. Additionally, it provides evidence of a low prevalence of subclinical GCA across the entire PMR population.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.Gov, NCT04519580
Comparative B cell epitope profiling in Japanese and North American cohorts of MDA5+ dermatomyositis patients reveals a direct association between immune repertoire and pulmonary mortality
Authors: Yamaguchi Koichi , Poland Paul , Zhu Lei , Moghadam-Kia Siamak , Aggarwal Rohit , Maeno Toshitaka , Uchiyama Akihiko , Motegi Sei-ichiro , Oddis Chester V , Ascherman Dana P
Published: August 2024

Objectives

Anti-melanoma differentiation–associated gene 5 antibody–positive (MDA5+) DM patients exhibit clinical features that vary by geographical and ethnic/genetic distribution. The objective of this study was to investigate whether B cell epitope profiles and corresponding clinical features distinguished two independent cohorts of MDA5+ DM.

Methods

ELISA-based methods were used to determine the relationship between antibody recognition of 155 overlapping amino acid MDA5 subfragments and clinical features of 17 MDA5+ DM patients from Japan. Associations between clinical features and standardized anti-MDA5 subfragment antibody titres were assessed via Brunner Munzel testing and compared with the clinical/serological profiles of an independent North American cohort. Receiver operater characteristic (ROC) analyses and Kaplan–Meier curves were used to further assess the relationship between anti-MDA5 fragment antibody levels and specific clinical features/outcomes.

Results

Clinical characterization of a Japanese cohort of 17 MDA5+ DM patients revealed a high prevalence of arthritis (47%) and interstitial lung disease (ILD) (100%). Serological profiling demonstrated predominant antibody recognition of MDA5 fragments A (aa 1–155), B (aa 130–284) and E (aa 517–671) in a pattern that was distinct from North American MDA5+ patients (n = 24), whose sera preferentially recognized fragment H (aa 905–1026). Statistical analysis revealed a striking association between anti-fragment A antibody levels and rapidly progressive ILD (RP-ILD) among Japanese patients (P < 0.01). ROC and Kaplan–Meier curves also demonstrated a strong relationship between anti-fragment A antibody levels, RP-ILD, and pulmonary death in combined cohort analyses.

Conclusions

Japanese and North American MDA5+ DM patients manifest markedly different B cell epitope profiles that are associated with higher prevalence of RP-ILD and worse clinical outcome among Japanese patients.
Protection of Athletes’ Rights in International Sports Organizations
Authors: Yaroshenko Oleg , Kaganovska Tetyana , Sheverdina Viktoriia , Sliusar Andrey , Rozhnov Oleh
Published: August 2024

The protection of athletes’ rights in international sports organizations is important and relevant in the modern world. This concerns numerous aspects, including the protection of athletes’ dignity, physical and psychological health, equality and non-discrimination, fair competition, transparency and accountability in the management of sports organizations, and the promotion of sport itself. These aspects, as well as the role of sport in society, the development of sport and its impact on other areas of life, make the study of athletes’ rights protection an essential task that helps to shape a fair and ethical sporting environment in the modern world. In this article, the authors reviewed various aspects of athletes’ rights protection in international sports organizations, analyzed their history and development, studied international standards and documents regulating this issue, and considered specific athletes’ rights, including through the analysis of practical cases. They also examined the challenges and problems faced by athletes and proposed measures to improve the situation and strengthen the protection of their rights. This article aims to emphasize the importance of ensuring the rights of athletes as a prerequisite for the stable and fair development of modern sport, as well as a necessary component of the global sports community.
Does increased local female representation result in expanded childcare provisions? Implications from Japan
Authors: Yamada Anju
Published: August 2024

Does increased female representation in local politics and administration translate into increased childcare provisions? This question is important for examining subnational variations in welfare regimes and the degree of defamilization. Previous studies have shown that female representatives are interested in ‘women’s issues’ and influence the introduction and accessibility of policies that benefit women. However, there are significant research gaps. First, the analytical units are biased towards the national level. Second, few studies have simultaneously examined political and administrative representation. Third, the impact of sexism on gender representation remains overlooked. To address these gaps, this study focused on Japan, where female representation has increased in recent years and where society is moving away from sexist values. Specifically, this study investigated the effects of local female representation in politics and administration, particularly in municipalities where there is an increased demand for childcare services. A unique municipality-level dataset was created and a multilevel analysis was conducted. Surprisingly, the results did not provide significant evidence that increased local female representation correlates with increased local childcare provisions. While caution is warranted given that the sexism variable is prefecture-based, the results underscore the impact of sexism and female representation on the increase in childcare supply.
Antiaggregation Versus Anticoagulation for Stroke, Bleeding, and Mortality in Patients With Blunt Carotid Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Sanjuan Juan , Cuellar Bahamón Ana María , Marmolejo María del Mar , Sendoya Jesús E. , Yamid Quintero Yesid , García-Perdomo Herney Andrés
Published: August 2024

To assess the effectiveness and safety of antiplatelet therapy compared with anticoagulation therapy in preventing stroke occurrence following blunt carotid injuries. A comprehensive search was conducted on Medline, Central, and Embase using mesh criteria, yielding 1236 articles. Additionally, 3 studies met the inclusion criteria. Two review authors independently extracted data from randomized controlled trials, controlled clinical trials, and nonrandomized studies comparing anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapies for carotid blunt trauma. Primary outcomes included stroke, transient ischemic attack, and mortality, with secondary outcomes encompassing major extracranial bleeding events. Drug dosage, treatment duration, and follow-up data were extracted and analyzed. Only 1 randomized trial was identified, and 3 studies met all exclusion and inclusion criteria (comprising 796 patients). The odds of stroke [1.13, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.30–4.24], transient ischemic attack (1.01, 95% CI, 0.14–6.59), and major bleeding (0.94, 95% CI, 0.02–2.77) resulted in no significant differences between the 2 interventions. Nevertheless, additional studies with robust designs and strong evidence are required to assess antiplatelet and anticoagulation drugs, dosing, timing, and outcomes in patients with carotid blunt trauma, ultimately enabling the formulation of recommendations.
Engineered Skin Substitutes in Dermatologic Surgery: A Systematic Review
Authors: Zhu Harrison , Lewis Daniel J. , Haynes Dylan , Wang Leo L.
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND

Artificial skin substitutes are a flexible alternative to autografting in Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS), but the characteristics and clinical outcomes of skin substitutes are not well defined.

OBJECTIVE

Summarize clinical data of skin substitutes in MMS for cutaneous malignancy.

METHODS

A MEDLINE/Embase/Web of Science search was conducted. Articles with original data on outcomes after skin substitute use in MMS for cutaneous malignancy were included. Articles not in English or without original data were excluded. Bias was assessed using the Oxford CEBM Levels of Evidence Table. Outcomes were synthesized using weighted averages. This study was prospectively registered in PROSPERO.

RESULTS

Of 1,007 articles, 40 met eligibility for inclusion. In total, 898 patients who underwent MMS and received a skin substitute were included. Xenografts were most commonly used (n = 613). Semi-synthetic grafts (∼$<1/cm2) and xenografts (∼$10/cm2) are most affordable. Overall, outcomes were excellent for all skin substitutes, with a small proportion of patients experiencing correctable complications.

CONCLUSION

Skin substitutes are highly effective in MMS, with enormous potential. While the data demonstrate positive outcomes, they predominately draw from small, retrospective studies or case reports. There is also a scarcity of data comparing skin substitutes with each other or controls. Prospective studies are recommended.
Meaning and Joy at Work and Nurse Self-Care Practices
Authors: Glasofer Amy , Carlino-Filippone Raelle , O’Malley Kimberly , Brown Epstein Helen-Ann , Galosi Gina , Larsen Deborah , Lynch Maggie , Politsky Susan , Racobaldo Andrea , DSouza Precy , Krieg Riley , Pilong Kristin , Bocchese Steven , Iannaco Dodi , Patterson Jaclyn
Published: August 2024

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement Framework for Improving Joy at Work includes self-care as a strategy to support happy, healthy, and productive people; however, this relationship has not previously been empirically demonstrated. The purpose of this study was to describe self-care practices and levels of meaning and joy in work (MJW) in a sample of registered nurses and to explore the relationship between self-care and MJW. Registered nurses (n = 122) from a regional health system completed a survey during a nursing recognition event. Measures included a Demographic Questionnaire, the Meaning and Joy in Work Questionnaire (MJWQ), and the Brief Mindful Self-Care Scale (Brief MSCS). The mean MJWQ score was 4.29 on a scale of 1 to 5, and the mean Brief MSCS score was 3.05. There was a significant relationship between MJWQ and Brief MSCS scores (r = 0.43, P < .001). These results indicate that supporting self-care in nurses may improve MJW.
PENTOSAN POLYSULFATE MACULOPATHY–ASSOCIATED CYSTOID MACULAR EDEMA RESPONSIVE TO INTRAVITREAL STEROIDS
Authors: Pant Praruj , Grewal Dilraj S.
Published: August 2024

Purpose:

To report a case of angiographically silent cystoid macular edema (CME) secondary to pentosan polysulfate sodium (PPS) maculopathy responsive to intravitreal steroids.

Methods:

Observational case report.

Results:

A 52-year-old female patient with a history of 4 years of PPS use for interstitial cystitis presented with PPS maculopathy that developed CME 2.5 years after drug cessation and had associated progression of pigmentary and atrophic changes. Her CME was nonresponsive to topical ketorolac and dorzolamide, but was responsive to intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide and subsequently intravitreal dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex) with reduction in central subfield thickness and improvement in visual acuity.

Conclusion:

Cystoid macular edema secondary to PPS maculopathy may be angiographically silent yet responsive to intravitreal steroids alone without the use of vascular endothelial growth factor agents. There is potential for both anatomic and functional improvements in such cases demonstrating the value of such treatment. Cystoid macular edema may be a delayed finding that can develop despite drug cessation. Steroid monotherapy should be further evaluated as possible first-line management for PPS maculopathy-associated CME.
Mitomycin Intravascular Chemoembolization for Corneal Neovascularization
Authors: Velazquez Daniel Chavez , Ortiz-Morales Gustavo , Vera-Duarte Guillermo Raul , Navas Alejandro , Ramirez-Miranda Arturo , Graue-Hernandez Enrique O.
Published: August 2024

Purpose:

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of mitomycin C intravascular chemoembolization (MICE) for corneal neovascularization (CNV).

Methods:

This is a prospective, nonrandomized, interventional study. Patients with stable CNV irrespective of the underlying etiology were enrolled in the study. 0.1% mitomycin C was injected intravascularly in CNV at the slit lamp under topical anesthesia. To evaluate the regression of vessels, the ImageJ software was used to trace and quantify vasculature by a pixel count in standardized clinical slit-lamp photographs.

Results:

Eight eyes from 8 patients with corneal neovascularization and lipid keratopathy were studied. The mean age at treatment was 37 ± 12.75 (range 17–64) years. The median follow-up was 419.5 days (74–1166 days). Herpes simplex keratitis was the main underlying etiology (75%). The visual axis was compromised in 75%, and 100% had stromal scarring. The mean pixel count before MICE was 5983.41 ± 5004.96 pixels. After the treatment, the mean pixel count was 2060.38 ± 3142.96 pixels (delta: 3923.03, P = 0.029). No complications were recorded during the follow-up period. No recurrence of the CNV was observed at the last follow-up. Two eyes (25%) underwent a successful keratoplasty 4 months after MICE.

Conclusions:

MICE effectively reduced neovascularization with no immediate safety concerns, though its impact on vision and long-term safety requires further investigation with larger, longer term studies.