bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bordered welfare in Australia: Income management as a bordering technology of neoliberal and colonial governance
Authors: Weber Leanne , Maher Sara , Newitt Robyn
Published: May 2024

In this article we investigate the imposition of compulsory income management on racialised categories of welfare recipient in Australia, identify the contribution made by neoliberalism and settler colonialism in shaping that policy, and characterise income management as a form of ‘bordered welfare’. We begin by acknowledging that key features of neoliberal governance include an ideological aversion to the provision of welfare and the shifting of responsibility onto individuals to promote their own financial security and wellbeing. This has been accompanied by punitive approaches to welfare provision for those perceived to be deficient neoliberal citizens and a commitment to using financial levers, including the welfare system, to shape all manner of human behaviour. We trace the contours of the income management system and report the views of Aboriginal organisations and community leaders about their differential treatment as welfare recipients, noting that restrictions on financial autonomy are a well-documented form of surveillance and control historically directed towards Aboriginal Peoples in Australia. We conclude that this system operates as a form of bordered welfare that classifies certain categories of Aboriginal people as deficient citizens, subjecting them to differential, and detrimental, treatment driven by the ideologies and technologies of both neoliberalism and settler colonialism.
Framing the war on Tigray: The case of CNN and Al Jazeera
Authors: Nigussie Hagos , Kiflu Gebru Kahsay
Published: May 2024

This paper examined the framing of the war on Tigray on CNN and Al Jazeera from November 4, 2020, to June 28, 2021. Content analysis was used for the data analysis. The results revealed that, while CNN relied on eyewitnesses, including humanitarian workers and local people, Al Jazeera primarily relied on official sources to cover the war. CNN predominantly focussed on crimes against humanity and hunger, whereas Al Jazeera covered crimes against humanity. While CNN focussed on the responsibility and human interest frames, Al Jazeera focussed on the responsibility and morality frames. Both media largely focussed on the responsibility frame, emphasising that perpetrators should be liable for war crimes, crimes against humanity, aggression, and atrocities on civilians in different parts of Tigray, all of which epitomise genocide.
Elites, bodies, and gender: Women’s appearance as class distinction
Authors: Monier Anne , Mears Ashley
Published: May 2024

Despite the importance of both gender and elites in contemporary social life, few empirical works examine gender among the elite. With a focus on embodiment, we develop a gendered theory of elite display, grounded in ethnographic observations of two elite spaces in which women are prominent: VIP clubs and philanthropy galas in the U.S. and Europe. Using a Goffmanian perspective, we examine the micro-dynamics through which elite bodies express status, in particular for women. We argue that, in elite social spaces, women’s bodies signify wealth, and their bodily rituals and displays concretize status distinctions. To do so, we analyze the management of bodies backstage, frontstage, and off-stage, showing that a hallmark of elite display is the careful obfuscation of differences and gaps between backstage and frontstage spaces, which serves to naturalize the status superiority of elites.
The benefits and challenges of artificial intelligence image generators for architectural ideation: Study of an alternative human-machine co-creation exchange based on sketch recognition
Authors: Baudoux Gaëlle
Published: May 2024

This paper deals with creative co-design between human and machine. It presents an alternative design method based on an emerging technology of sketch interpretation to support co-creation and collaborative creativity in architecture. This technology embraces spontaneity in design by generating inspirational images linked to the architect’s sketches. Our research aims to determine the benefits and challenges of this alternative instrumentation. We are developing a Wizard of Oz test method by immersing several designers in a studio instrumented by this human-machine co-creation technology. We analyze quantitatively and qualitatively the single-designer ideation activity of these subjects. We then investigate the integration of this co-creation instrumentation within the framework of a team design involving several architects. This confirms known benefits such as speeding-up and freeing-up of ideation and highlights the need for designers to evaluate sketched ideas by means of images simulating their real-life rendering, as well as the need for inspiration to materialize the premises of ideas that are still vague.
Economic Hardship and Welfare Policy Preferences: What Can the COVID-19 Pandemic Tell Us?
Authors: Bastiaens Ida , Beesley Celeste
Published: May 2024

We explore how individual perceptions of the nature of economic hardships correlate with preferences over different types of welfare state responses (i.e. universal or means-tested, temporary or permanent, cash transfers and medical services) in a U.S. survey. We utilize differing public opinion about the length of the COVID-19 pandemic’s economic disruptions and whether it causes nationwide economic instability or unevenly affects the population. Respondents who view the pandemic’s economic hardship as temporary should be less likely to support permanent welfare policies and, due to costs, those who view the pandemic as having targeted effects should be less likely to support universal programs. Unexpectedly, our findings indicate that if Americans believe the effects are temporary, they are less supportive of any new program. If Americans believe that the pandemic’s effects are targeted, they are, as expected, less supportive of universal programs, but are also less likely to support doing nothing, indicating that equity concerns may influence preferences. Patterns of support are very similar for services and transfers.
Social Support Mediates the Association Between Abilities and Participation After Stroke
Authors: Anthony Melissa , Hattori Robin , Nicholas Marjorie L. , Randolph Samantha , Lee Yejin , Baum Carolyn M. , Connor Lisa Tabor
Published: May 2024

Stroke survivors face participation restrictions, yet little is known regarding how social support affects the association between an individual’s abilities and participation. Through a Person–Environment–Occupation–Performance (PEOP) model lens, social support was examined as a potential mediator between ability and participation in cognitively and mobility-demanding activities for stroke survivors with aphasia (persons with aphasia [PWA]) and without aphasia (persons without aphasia [PWOA]). A cross-sectional design, including PWA ( n = 50) and PWOA ( n = 59) examined associations among person factors (physical impairment, cognition), an environmental factor (social support), and occupational participation through cognitively- and mobility-demanding activity subscales of the Activity Card Sort. Cognition was associated with participation in cognitively demanding activities for both groups, though social support was a mediator only for PWA. Physical impairment was associated with participation in mobility-demanding activities for PWOA, though social support did not mediate that relationship. Social support is key to PWA participating in cognitively demanding activities post-stroke.
Applying PEOP to Develop an Intervention Framework for Employment in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Munsell Elizabeth G. S. , Bines Kelcey , Foster Erin , Rafferty Miriam
Published: May 2024

Employment intervention is essential for supporting people with Parkinson’s disease (PwPD), who leave the workforce on average 5 years earlier than those without Parkinson’s disease (PD). We developed a framework for occupational therapists (OTs) to address employment for PwPD. Our qualitative analysis employed data source triangulation of environmental scan of resources and publications, electronic medical records data, and focus groups with clinicians and PwPD. The framework underwent expert panel review by OTs and researchers who are knowledgeable of current evidence-based practices for PD. The framework is based on the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) Model and PEOP Occupational Therapy Process and comprised of four parts: PEOP features of PD relevant to employment, performance changes experienced by PwPD, a process to evaluate and address employment, and intervention ideas. This framework serves as an impetus to explore evidence-based, scalable, proactive intervention approaches to address employment in PwPD.
Participation in Critical Dialogues With Illustrative Images Increases Knowledge About COVID-19 Prevention: A Mixed Methods Longitudinal Approach
Authors: Pinto Rogério M. , Windsor Liliane , Benoit Ellen
Published: May 2024

This intervention study uses community-based participatory research (CBPR) and longitudinal design to examine changes in COVID-19 prevention knowledge over time (3 time points) among racially minoritized participants ( n = 38). The intervention comprised critical dialogues alongside an illustration used to engage participants in conversations about socioeconomic conditions affecting acquisition of COVID-19 knowledge. Quantitative data showed that COVID-19 prevention knowledge was higher for participants who completed the intervention. Qualitative data were used to illustrate the context under which participants experienced COVID-19 pandemic, how they received COVID-19 prevention information, and how they engaged in decision-making around COVID-19 protective behaviors. Contributions to mixed method research: The combination of CBPR, repeated measures, and critical dialogues (with and art form) in intervention research.
Potential Application of Hydrops MR Imaging: A Systematic Review
Authors: Young Yi-Ho , Lin Kao-Tsung
Published: May 2024

Background

Diagnostic dilemma between clinical Meniere’s disease and radiological endolymphatic hydrops (EH) has emerged since the introduction of hydrops magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The aim of this study is to explore the potential application of hydrops MRI on diagnosing the EH.

Methods

This review was developed from peer-reviewed articles published in those journals listed on journal of citation reports. The MEDLINE database of the US National Library of Medicine, Scopus, and Google Scholar were used to collect articles based on the guidelines (PRISMA 2020 statement) for reporting reviews.

Results

Initially, 470 articles were retrieved from 1983 to 2023, and 80 relevant articles were ultimately selected. The sensitivity (69%-92%) and specificity (78%-96%) values varied from each laboratory for detecting EH via hydrops MRI, probably due to candidate selection and the grading system employed.

Conclusion

The application of hydrops MRI allows (1) differentiation between EH and sudden sensorineural hearing loss; (2) determination of the affected side of EH; and (3) confirmation of the diagnosis of EH concomitant with other disorders. Notably, not all differentials for EH can be visualized on MR images. One of the existing gaps to be filled is that updated hydrops MRI fails to identify distortion, that is, rupture, collapse, fistula, or fibrosis of the inner ear compartments, akin to what histopathological evidence can demonstrate. Hence, enhanced ultrahigh resolution of hydrops MRI is required for demonstrating fine structures of the inner ear compartments in the future.
The Enhanced Anti-anxiety Potentiality and Relevant Material Basis for the Extracts of Bile Processed Coptidis Rhizoma
Authors: Chen Long , Wang Ruifeng , Chen Lin , Zhang Zhenkai , Zhang Bingxian , Wang Yongxiang , Feng Weisheng , Zheng Xiaoke , Li Kai , Zhou Ning
Published: May 2024

Objective

Bile-processed Coptidis Rhizoma (CR) exhibits stronger cold properties and central effect. However, the commonly used bile includes pig/cattle/sheep bile. It is currently unclear which kind of bile performs the best synergistic effect, and the enhanced efficacy is mainly contributed by what components. In this work, a comparative study on pig/cattle/sheep bile processed CR (pCR/cCR/sCR) was carried out.

Materials and Methods

Firstly, the anxiety model of sthenic heat type was established. Then, pharmacological research involving general state observation, biochemical examination (succinate dehydrogenase, glucokinase, corticosterone, adrenocor ticotropic hormore), pathological evaluation (liver and hippocampus tissue), and behavioral tests (elevated plus maze, open field test) was implemented. Finally, chemical assessment involving high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprints of pCR/cCR/sCR extracts and mass spectrograms of pig/cattle/sheep bile were performed in combination.

Results

cCR performed the most prominent enhancement in improving hyperactive energy metabolism in liver and abnormal hyperactivity of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis axis. As for chemical assessment, HPLC fingerprints of pCR/cCR/sCR extracts indicated that alkaloid components detected in cCR extracts were relatively low, mass spectrograms of pig/cattle/sheep bile suggested that bile acids in cattle bile were relatively abundant, and the contents of taurocholic acid, glycocholic acid, and glycodeoxycholic acid were particularly high.

Conclusion

Cattle bile could be specified as the processing excipient for bile-processed CR, and the high levels of taurocholic acid, glycocholic acid, and glycodeoxycholic acid mainly contributed to the enhanced efficacy of cCR.
Development and Validation of the Jawline Subject Satisfaction Scale
Authors: Enright Kaitlyn M. , Sampalis John S. , Andriessen Anneke , Nikolis Andreas
Published: May 2024

Introduction: Research in aesthetic medicine commonly includes evaluations of subject satisfaction with treatment results. However, conventional analytic methods typically generate statistically imprecise ordinal scores. To overcome this limitation, researchers have begun employing the Rasch model, an analytical framework grounded in item response theory. The Rasch model permits scale modifications capable of enhancing measurement accuracy. This study focuses on using the Rasch model to evaluate a scale measuring subject satisfaction following aesthetic treatments to the jawline. Objective: To develop and validate a multiitem, self-administered questionnaire measuring patient satisfaction with aesthetic treatment of the jawline. Methods: A 10-item questionnaire [The Jawline Subject Satisfaction Scale (JS3)] was devised to measure subject satisfaction following aesthetic treatments of the jawline. Each question was responded to using a 5-point Likert scale, with response selections ranging from “very much satisfied” to “very much dissatisfied” or “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree.” The scale's psychometric properties (reliability and separation for items and persons, item and person fit statistics, and unidimensionality and local independence) were validated using a Rasch model based on a dataset collected from a sample of forty subjects. Results: The results of the Rasch analysis revealed high internal consistency of the JS3, with a person reliability estimate of 0.86 and an item reliability estimate of 0.96. The separation estimates for persons and items were 2.50 and 4.72, respectively, demonstrating the scale's ability to differentiate between high and low responders and validating the instrument's construct. All infit and outfit values fell within the established range (0.5-1.5), and the data fit the model of unidimensionality and local independence. Raw score transformations into logits were conducted, which were then converted to Rasch measurements. These measurements are available for use in practice for conducting standard statistical analyses evaluating treatment and/or group effects. Conclusions: The application of the Rasch model produced a valid and reliable scale (ie, JS3) for measuring satisfaction with the appearance of the jawline following aesthetic treatments.
Variations Between Physical Banking and Internet Banking Usage amid COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Sheikh Bilal Ahmad , Khan Omer Fayaz
Published: May 2024

The usage of banking functions through Internet is comfortable and time saving process, since the usage rates of different banking functions through Internet banking mechanism are very low. The present study aims to evaluate the variations between physical banking and internet banking and explores the problems faced by banking customers in using internet banking amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary data for the present study were collected from banking customers, who were identified on a random basis from three different areas of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The total sample size was 1,200, comprising a breakup of 400 for each of the sampling areas of central Kashmir, south Kashmir and north Kashmir. Internet banking adoption is changing the physical usage of non-financial products and financial products worldwide. Today, a click of the mouse and mobile banking offer a lot of transactions regarding electronic non-financial products and electronic financial products. Still, the adoption rates of these products are very low. The present study has examined the situation of electronic banking adoption amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and hence, it is found that maximum number of customers are non-users of electronic non-financial products and electronic financial products. Amid the pandemic, the reason for non-usage of technology banking by a majority of customers was lack of awareness, technological barriers and security concerns. They also used physical banking activities and did not follow social distancing as suggested by the Government of India during March 2020. Therefore, it is the basic responsibility of the banking industry to motivate their customers and address their concerns regarding the usage of electronic non-financial products and electronic financial products, as the maximum number of banking customers are non-users of electronic non-financial products and electronic financial products. If the banking industry will address the concerns of banking customers regarding the usage of technology banking, then only a country like India with a huge population can have technological banking and environment-friendly banking and can face situations like the COVID-19 pandemic in future.
Perceptual Consequences of Cochlear Deafferentation in Humans
Authors: Bramhall Naomi F. , McMillan Garnett P.
Published: May 2024

Cochlear synaptopathy, a form of cochlear deafferentation, has been demonstrated in a number of animal species, including non-human primates. Both age and noise exposure contribute to synaptopathy in animal models, indicating that it may be a common type of auditory dysfunction in humans. Temporal bone and auditory physiological data suggest that age and occupational/military noise exposure also lead to synaptopathy in humans. The predicted perceptual consequences of synaptopathy include tinnitus, hyperacusis, and difficulty with speech-in-noise perception. However, confirming the perceptual impacts of this form of cochlear deafferentation presents a particular challenge because synaptopathy can only be confirmed through post-mortem temporal bone analysis and auditory perception is difficult to evaluate in animals. Animal data suggest that deafferentation leads to increased central gain, signs of tinnitus and abnormal loudness perception, and deficits in temporal processing and signal-in-noise detection. If equivalent changes occur in humans following deafferentation, this would be expected to increase the likelihood of developing tinnitus, hyperacusis, and difficulty with speech-in-noise perception. Physiological data from humans is consistent with the hypothesis that deafferentation is associated with increased central gain and a greater likelihood of tinnitus perception, while human data on the relationship between deafferentation and hyperacusis is extremely limited. Many human studies have investigated the relationship between physiological correlates of deafferentation and difficulty with speech-in-noise perception, with mixed findings. A non-linear relationship between deafferentation and speech perception may have contributed to the mixed results. When differences in sample characteristics and study measurements are considered, the findings may be more consistent.
Intravenous thrombolysis in patients with recent intake of direct oral anticoagulants: A target trial analysis after the liberalization of institutional guidelines
Authors: Bücke Philipp , Jung Simon , Kaesmacher Johannes , Goeldlin Martina B , Horvath Thomas , Prange Ulrike , Beyeler Morin , Fischer Urs , Arnold Marcel , Seiffge David J , Meinel Thomas R
Published: May 2024

Introduction:

This study aimed to report the safety and efficacy of off-label intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) with alteplase after sequentially liberalizing our institutional guidelines allowing IVT for patients under direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) regardless of plasma levels, time of last intake, and without prior anticoagulation reversal therapy.

Patients and methods:

We utilized the target-trial methodology to emulate hypothetical criteria of a randomized controlled trial in our prospective stroke registry. Consecutive DOAC patients (06/2021–11/2023) otherwise qualifying for IVT were included. Safety and efficacy outcomes (symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage [ICH], any radiological ICH, major bleeding, 90-day mortality, 90-day good functional outcome [mRS 0–2 or return to baseline]) were assessed using inverse-probability-weighted regression-adjustment comparing patients with versus without IVT.

Results:

Ninety eight patients fulfilled the target-trial criteria. IVT was given in 49/98 (50%) patients at a median of 178 (interquartile range 134–285) min after symptom onset with median DOAC plasma level of 77 ng/ml (15 patients had plasma levels > 100 ng/ml; 25/49 [51%] were treated within 12 h after last DOAC ingestion). Endovascular therapy was more frequent in patients without IVT (73% vs 33%). Symptomatic ICH occurred in 0/49 patients receiving IVT and 2/49 patients without IVT (adjusted difference −2.5%; 95% CI −5.9 to 0.8). The rates of any radiological ICH were comparable. Patients receiving IVT were more likely to have good functional outcomes.

Discussion and conclusion:

After liberalizing our approach for IVT regardless of recent DOAC intake, we did not experience any safety concerns. The association of IVT with better functional outcomes warrants prospective randomized controlled trials.
Complex associations between multidimensional land use mix and walking: Walk more or farther?
Authors: Xu Tiantian , Ta Na , Chai Yanwei , Wu Jiayu
Published: May 2024

Land Use Mix (LUM) has attracted attention for its potential to promote walking; however, the LUM-walking association was not universally positive. Existing research, potentially confounded by diverse LUM connotations and walking metrics, prompted our effort to establish a comprehensive framework. This framework aims to clarify LUM’s influence on walking, including various LUM indicators (mix in quantity, distance, function), multiple walking indicators (frequency, time, distance), distinct geographical background (residence, workplace), and travel types (weekly travel, weekday-exclusive travel). Besides, China’s unique context provide an opportunity to mitigate residential self-selection effects. We found that the proximity (LUM in distance) is the sole environmental factor driving increased walking frequency. While the LUM in quantity or function could enhance resident convenience by diversifying services, it occasionally diminishes walking distance and duration, potentially conflicting with public health considerations. Conversely, although exposure to high-functional mixed, low-compatibility environments may increase walking time and distance, it is more likely a compensatory behavior aimed at avoiding the negative externalities such as pollution and noises. Additionally, the placement of public transit stops will not only help ease traffic congestion but also encourage walking.
Post-Overdose Extended-Release Buprenorphine Initiation Facilitated by a Partnership Between Emergency Medical Services and an Outpatient Substance Use Disorder Observation Unit
Authors: Taylor Jessica L. , Gott Jacqueline , Weisenthal Karrin , Colicchio Paige , Dyer Sophia , Komaromy Miriam S.
Published: May 2024

Background:

People who experience a nonfatal opioid overdose and receive naloxone are at high risk of subsequent overdose death but experience gaps in access to medications for opioid use disorder. The immediate post-naloxone period offers an opportunity for buprenorphine initiation. Limited data indicate that buprenorphine administration by emergency medical services (EMS) after naloxone overdose reversal is safe and feasible. We describe a case in which a partnership between a low-barrier substance use disorder (SUD) observation unit and EMS allowed for buprenorphine initiation with extended-release injectable buprenorphine after naloxone overdose reversal.

Case:

A man in his 40’s with severe opioid use disorder and numerous prior opioid overdoses experienced overdose in the community. EMS was activated and he was successfully resuscitated with intranasal naloxone, administered by bystanders and EMS. He declined emergency department (ED) transport and consented to transport to a 24/7 SUD observation unit. The patient elected to start buprenorphine due to barriers attending opioid treatment programs daily. His largest barrier was unsheltered homelessness. His severe opioid withdrawal symptoms were successfully treated with 16/4 mg sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone and 300 mg extended-release injectable buprenorphine (XR-buprenorphine), without precipitated withdrawal. Two weeks later, he reported no interval fentanyl use.

Discussion:

We describe the case of a patient successfully initiated onto XR-buprenorphine in the immediate post-naloxone period via a partnership between an outpatient low-barrier addiction programs and EMS. Such partnerships offer promise in expanding buprenorphine access and medication choice, particularly for the high-risk population of patients who decline ED transport.
The Effects of Modeling and Sequence on the Expressivity of Young Voices
Authors: Hurley Craig R. , Atkins Rebecca L.
Published: May 2024

Choral method textbooks include various strategies on when and how to introduce expression in song acquisition including vocal modeling. In two previous studies, participants who learned expressive elements early in a song-learning sequence (infused-expression) performed those elements more accurately than those who learned them at the end of the sequence (post-expression). However, the infused-expression sequence had an expressive model throughout, whereas the post-expression sequence had an expressive model only at the beginning and end. The purpose of this study was to remove the modeling variance between sequences. Middle schoolers learned two songs with an expressive model throughout, using two different sequences (infused-expression and post-expression). We found no significant difference in expressive accuracy between sequences. When students learned a song with an expressive model, regardless of sequence, students sang with expression. Teachers should consider always modeling with expression regardless of whether or not the objective of the rehearsal is about expressive elements.
Deep PIM kinase substrate profiling reveals new rational cotherapeutic strategies for acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Joglekar Tejashree , Chin Alexander , Voskanian-Kordi Alin , Baek Seungchul , Raja Azim , Rege Apurv , Huang Weiliang , Kane Maureen , Laiho Marikki , Webb Thomas R. , Fan Xiaoxuan , Rubenstein Michael , Bieberich Charles J. , Li Xiang
Published: May 2024

Provirus integration site for Moloney murine leukemia virus (PIM) family serine/threonine kinases perform protumorigenic functions in hematologic malignancies and solid tumors by phosphorylating substrates involved in tumor metabolism, cell survival, metastasis, inflammation, and immune cell invasion. However, a comprehensive understanding of PIM kinase functions is currently lacking. Multiple small-molecule PIM kinase inhibitors are currently being evaluated as cotherapeutics in patients with cancer. To further illuminate PIM kinase functions in cancer, we deeply profiled PIM1 substrates using the reverse in-gel kinase assay to identify downstream cellular processes targetable with small molecules. Pathway analyses of putative PIM substrates nominated RNA splicing and ribosomal RNA (rRNA) processing as PIM-regulated cellular processes. PIM inhibition elicited reproducible splicing changes in PIM-inhibitor–responsive acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines. PIM inhibitors synergized with splicing modulators targeting splicing factor 3b subunit 1 (SF3B1) and serine-arginine protein kinase 1 (SRPK1) to kill AML cells. PIM inhibition also altered rRNA processing, and PIM inhibitors synergized with an RNA polymerase I inhibitor to kill AML cells and block AML tumor growth. These data demonstrate that deep kinase substrate knowledge can illuminate unappreciated kinase functions, nominating synergistic cotherapeutic strategies. This approach may expand the cotherapeutic armamentarium to overcome kinase inhibitor–resistant disease that limits durable responses in malignant disease.
Treatment strategies and outcome in relapsed peripheral T-cell lymphoma: results from the Netherlands Cancer Registry
Authors: Brink Mirian , Huisman Francien , Meeuwes Frederik O. , van der Poel Marjolein W. M. , Kersten Marie José , Wondergem Mariëlle , Böhmer Lara , Woei-A-Jin F. J. Sherida H. , Visser Otto , Oostvogels Rimke , Jansen Patty M. , Diepstra Arjan , Snijders Tjeerd J. F. , Huls Gerwin , Vermaat Joost S. P. , Plattel Wouter J. , Nijland Marcel
Published: May 2024

Optimal treatment in patients with refractory or relapsed peripheral T-cell lymphomas (R/R T-NHLs) is unknown. In this population-based study, outcomes in R/R peripheral T-cell lymphoma not otherwise specified (PTCL NOS), angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL), and anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive (ALK+) and ALK-negative (ALK–) anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) were evaluated. Patients with PTCL NOS, AITL, ALK+ ALCL, and ALK– ALCL (≥18 years) diagnosed in 2014 to 2019 were identified using the Netherlands Cancer Registry. End points were overall response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). The 2-year PFS of 821 patients was 57%. Among 311 patients with a relapse, 243 received second-line treatment: 44% received salvage chemotherapy, 20% received brentuximab vedotin (BV), and 36% received other treatment. In third-line treatment, BV was most commonly used (38%). ORR after second-line treatment was 47%. Two-year PFS and OS after relapse were 25% and 34%, respectively. The risk of second relapse was negatively affected by early relapse (<12 months after diagnosis), whereas BV reduced this risk compared with salvage chemotherapy. Reduced risk of relapse was independent of histological subtype. The best outcomes were observed for patients treated with salvage chemotherapy receiving consolidative autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) (2-year OS 68%), patients treated with BV achieving a second complete remission (2-year OS 74%) and patients with allogeneic SCT (2-year OS 60%). The risk of second relapse was significantly lower for patients with R/R T-NHL treated with BV compared with patients treated with salvage chemotherapy, and this was irrespective of subtype. Therefore, the use of salvage chemotherapy for patients with R/R T-NHL is challenged.
The CNS relapse in T-cell lymphoma index predicts CNS relapse in patients with T- and NK-cell lymphomas
Authors: Bhansali Rahul S. , Ellin Fredrik , Relander Thomas , Cao Miao , Li Wenrui , Long Qi , Ganesan Nivetha , Stuver Robert , Horwitz Steven M. , Wudhikarn Kitsada , Hwang Steven R. , Bennani N. Nora , Chavez Julio , Sokol Lubomir , Saeed Hayder , Duan Frank , Porcu Pierluigi , Pullarkat Priyanka , Mehta-Shah Neha , Zain Jasmine M. , Ruiz Miguel , Brammer Jonathan E. , Prakash Rishab , Iyer Swaminathan P. , Olszewski Adam J. , Major Ajay , Riedell Peter A. , Smith Sonali M. , Goldin Caroline , Haverkos Bradley , Hu Bei , Zhuang Tony Z. , Allen Pamela B. , Toama Wael , Janakiram Murali , Brooks Taylor R. , Jagadeesh Deepa , Hariharan Nisha , Goodman Aaron M. , Hartman Gabrielle , Ghione Paola , Fayyaz Fatima , Rhodes Joanna M. , Chong Elise A. , Gerson James N. , Landsburg Daniel J. , Nasta Sunita D. , Schuster Stephen J. , Svoboda Jakub , Jerkeman Mats , Barta Stefan K.
Published: May 2024

Little is known about risk factors for central nervous system (CNS) relapse in mature T-cell and natural killer cell neoplasms (MTNKNs). We aimed to describe the clinical epidemiology of CNS relapse in patients with MTNKN and developed the CNS relapse In T-cell lymphoma Index (CITI) to predict patients at the highest risk of CNS relapse. We reviewed data from 135 patients with MTNKN and CNS relapse from 19 North American institutions. After exclusion of leukemic and most cutaneous forms of MTNKNs, patients were pooled with non-CNS relapse control patients from a single institution to create a CNS relapse–enriched training set. Using a complete case analysis (n = 182), including 91 with CNS relapse, we applied a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox regression model to select weighted clinicopathologic variables for the CITI score, which we validated in an external cohort from the Swedish Lymphoma Registry (n = 566). CNS relapse was most frequently observed in patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (25%). Median time to CNS relapse and median overall survival after CNS relapse were 8.0 and 4.7 months, respectively. We calculated unique CITI risk scores for individual training set patients and stratified them into risk terciles. Validation set patients with low-risk (n = 158) and high-risk (n = 188) CITI scores had a 10-year cumulative risk of CNS relapse of 2.2% and 13.4%, respectively (hazard ratio, 5.24; 95% confidence interval, 1.50-18.26; P = .018). We developed an open-access web-based CITI calculator (https://redcap.link/citicalc) to provide an easy tool for clinical practice. The CITI score is a validated model to predict patients with MTNKN at the highest risk of developing CNS relapse.
Protein features fusion using attributed network embedding for predicting protein-protein interaction
Authors: Cao Mei-Yuan , Zainudin Suhaila , Daud Kauthar Mohd
Published: May 2024

Background

Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) hold significant importance in biology, with precise PPI prediction as a pivotal factor in comprehending cellular processes and facilitating drug design. However, experimental determination of PPIs is laborious, time-consuming, and often constrained by technical limitations.

Methods

We introduce a new node representation method based on initial information fusion, called FFANE, which amalgamates PPI networks and protein sequence data to enhance the precision of PPIs’ prediction. A Gaussian kernel similarity matrix is initially established by leveraging protein structural resemblances. Concurrently, protein sequence similarities are gauged using the Levenshtein distance, enabling the capture of diverse protein attributes. Subsequently, to construct an initial information matrix, these two feature matrices are merged by employing weighted fusion to achieve an organic amalgamation of structural and sequence details. To gain a more profound understanding of the amalgamated features, a Stacked Autoencoder (SAE) is employed for encoding learning, thereby yielding more representative feature representations. Ultimately, classification models are trained to predict PPIs by using the well-learned fusion feature.

Results

When employing 5-fold cross-validation experiments on SVM, our proposed method achieved average accuracies of 94.28%, 97.69%, and 84.05% in terms of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Homo sapiens, and Helicobacter pylori datasets, respectively.

Conclusion

Experimental findings across various authentic datasets validate the efficacy and superiority of this fusion feature representation approach, underscoring its potential value in bioinformatics.
Genomic regions, candidate genes, and pleiotropic variants associated with physiological and anatomical indicators of heat stress response in lactating sows
Authors: de Oliveira Letícia Fernanda , Veroneze Renata , Sousa Katiene Régia Silva , Mulim Henrique A. , Araujo André Campelo , Huang Yijian , Johnson Jay S. , Brito Luiz F.
Published: May 2024

Background

Heat stress (HS) poses significant threats to the sustainability of livestock production. Genetically improving heat tolerance could enhance animal welfare and minimize production losses during HS events. Measuring phenotypic indicators of HS response and understanding their genetic background are crucial steps to optimize breeding schemes for improved climatic resilience. The identification of genomic regions and candidate genes influencing the traits of interest, including variants with pleiotropic effects, enables the refinement of genotyping panels used to perform genomic prediction of breeding values and contributes to unraveling the biological mechanisms influencing heat stress response. Therefore, the main objectives of this study were to identify genomic regions, candidate genes, and potential pleiotropic variants significantly associated with indicators of HS response in lactating sows using imputed whole-genome sequence (WGS) data. Phenotypic records for 18 traits and genomic information from 1,645 lactating sows were available for the study. The genotypes from the PorcineSNP50K panel containing 50,703 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were imputed to WGS and after quality control, 1,622 animals and 7,065,922 SNPs were included in the analyses.

Results

A total of 1,388 unique SNPs located on sixteen chromosomes were found to be associated with 11 traits. Twenty gene ontology terms and 11 biological pathways were shown to be associated with variability in ear skin temperature, shoulder skin temperature, rump skin temperature, tail skin temperature, respiration rate, panting score, vaginal temperature automatically measured every 10 min, vaginal temperature measured at 0800 h, hair density score, body condition score, and ear area. Seven, five, six, two, seven, 15, and 14 genes with potential pleiotropic effects were identified for indicators of skin temperature, vaginal temperature, animal temperature, respiration rate, thermoregulatory traits, anatomical traits, and all traits, respectively.

Conclusions

Physiological and anatomical indicators of HS response in lactating sows are heritable but highly polygenic. The candidate genes found are associated with important gene ontology terms and biological pathways related to heat shock protein activities, immune response, and cellular oxidative stress. Many of the candidate genes with pleiotropic effects are involved in catalytic activities to reduce cell damage from oxidative stress and cellular mechanisms related to immune response.
Comprehensive identification of maize ZmE2F transcription factors and the positive role of ZmE2F6 in response to drought stress
Authors: Cao Yang , Wang Kexin , Lu Fengzhong , Li Qi , Yang Qingqing , Liu Bingliang , Muhammad Hayderbinkhalid , Wang Yingge , Fu Fengling , Li Wanchen , Yu Haoqiang
Published: May 2024

Background

The early 2 factor (E2F) family is characterized as a kind of transcription factor that plays an important role in cell division, DNA damage repair, and cell size regulation. However, its stress response has not been well revealed.

Results

In this study, ZmE2F members were comprehensively identified in the maize genome, and 21 ZmE2F genes were identified, including eight E2F subclade members, seven DEL subfamily genes, and six DP genes. All ZmE2F proteins possessed the DNA-binding domain (DBD) characterized by conserved motif 1 with the RRIYD sequence. The ZmE2F genes were unevenly distributed on eight maize chromosomes, showed diversity in gene structure, expanded by gene duplication, and contained abundant stress-responsive elements in their promoter regions. Subsequently, the ZmE2F6 gene was cloned and functionally verified in drought response. The results showed that the ZmE2F6 protein interacted with ZmPP2C26, localized in the nucleus, and responded to drought treatment. The overexpression of ZmE2F6 enhanced drought tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis with longer root length, higher survival rate, and biomass by upregulating stress-related gene transcription.

Conclusions

This study provides novel insights into a greater understanding and functional study of the E2F family in the stress response.
SEEI: spherical evolution with feedback mechanism for identifying epistatic interactions
Authors: Tang De-yu , Mao Yi-jun , Zhao Jie , Yang Jin , Li Shi-yin , Ren Fu-xiang , Zheng Junxi
Published: May 2024

Background

Detecting epistatic interactions (EIs) involves the exploration of associations among single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and complex diseases, which is an important task in genome-wide association studies. The EI detection problem is dependent on epistasis models and corresponding optimization methods. Although various models and methods have been proposed to detect EIs, identifying EIs efficiently and accurately is still a challenge.

Results

Here, we propose a linear mixed statistical epistasis model (LMSE) and a spherical evolution approach with a feedback mechanism (named SEEI). The LMSE model expands the existing single epistasis models such as LR-Score, K2-Score, Mutual information, and Gini index. The SEEI includes an adaptive spherical search strategy and population updating strategy, which ensures that the algorithm is not easily trapped in local optima. We analyzed the performances of 8 random disease models, 12 disease models with marginal effects, 30 disease models without marginal effects, and 10 high-order disease models. The 60 simulated disease models and a real breast cancer dataset were used to evaluate eight algorithms (SEEI, EACO, EpiACO, FDHEIW, MP-HS-DHSI, NHSA-DHSC, SNPHarvester, CSE). Three evaluation criteria (pow1, pow2, pow3), a T-test, and a Friedman test were used to compare the performances of these algorithms. The results show that the SEEI algorithm (order 1, averages ranks = 13.125) outperformed the other algorithms in detecting EIs.

Conclusions

Here, we propose an LMSE model and an evolutionary computing method (SEEI) to solve the optimization problem of the LMSE model. The proposed method performed better than the other seven algorithms tested in its ability to identify EIs in genome-wide association datasets. We identified new SNP–SNP combinations in the real breast cancer dataset and verified the results. Our findings provide new insights for the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

Availability and implementation: https://github.com/scutdy/SSO/blob/master/SEEI.zip.
Potential fungicidal and antiaflatoxigenic effects of cinnamon essential oils on Aspergillus flavus inhabiting the stored wheat grains
Authors: Gwad Manar M. Abdel , El-Sayed Ashraf S. A. , Abdel-Fattah Gamal M. , Abdelmoteleb Mohamed , Abdel-Fattah Ghada G.
Published: May 2024

Wheat is one of the essential crops for the human and animal nutrition, however, contamination with aflatoxigenic fungi, due to the improper storage conditions and high humidity, was the main global threats. So, preventing the growth of aflatoxigenic fungi in stored wheat grains, by using different essential oils was the main objective of this work. Aspergillus flavus EFBL-MU12 PP087400, EFBL-MU23 PP087401 and EFBL-MU36 PP087403 isolates were the most potent aflatoxins producers inhabiting wheat grains. The effect of storage conditions of wheat grains “humidity, temperature, incubation period, and pH” on growth of A. flavus, was assessed by the response surface methodology using Plackett-Burman design and FCCD. The highest yield of aflatoxins EFBL-MU12 B1 and B2 by A. flavus grown on wheat grains were 145.3 and 7.6 μg/kg, respectively, at incubation temperature 35°C, 16% moisture contents, initial pH 5.0, and incubated for 14 days. The tested oils had a powerful antifungal activity for the growth and aflatoxins production by A. flavus in a concentration-dependent manner. Among these oils, cinnamon oil had the highest fungicidal activity for A. flavus at 0.125%, with about 85-90 % reduction to the aflatoxins B1 and B2, conidial pigmentation and chitin contents on wheat grains. From the SEM analysis, cinnamon oils had the most deleterious effect on A. flavus with morphological aberrations to the conidial heads, vegetative mycelia, alteration in conidiophores identity, hyphae shrank, and winding. To emphasize the effect of the essential oils on the aflatoxins producing potency of A. flavus, the molecular expression of the aflatoxins biosynthetic genes was estimated by RT-qPCR. The molecular expression of nor-1, afLR, pKsA and afLJ genes was suppressed by 94-96%, due to cinnamon oil at 0.062% compared to the control. Conclusively, from the results, cinnamon oils followed by the peppermint oils displayed the most fungicidal activity for the growth and aflatoxins production by A. flavus grown on wheat grains.
A new model of portal vein thrombosis in rats with cirrhosis induced by partial portal vein ligation plus carbon tetrachloride and intervened with rivaroxaban
Authors: Guo Yanan , Dong Sisi , Li Meng , Tao Yanyan , Lv Jing , Liu Chenghai
Published: May 2024

Background and aims

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a common complication of liver cirrhosis that can aggravate portal hypertension. However, there are features of both PVT and cirrhosis that are not recapitulated in most current animal models. In this study, we aimed to establish a stable animal model of PVT and cirrhosis, intervene with anticoagulant, and explore the related mechanism.

Methods

First, 49 male SD rats received partial portal vein ligation (PPVL), and 44 survival rats were divided into 6 groups: PPVL control group; 4-week, 6 -week, 8-week, and 10-week model group; and the rivaroxaban (RIVA)-treated group. The rats were intoxicated with or without carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) for 4–10 weeks. Seven normal rats were used as the normal controls. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels and parameters for blood coagulation were all assayed with kits. Liver inflammation, collagen deposition and hydroxyproline (Hyp) levels were also measured. The extrahepatic macro-PVT was observed via portal vein HE staining, etc. The intrahepatic microthrombi was stained via fibrin immunohistochemistry. The portal blood flow velocity (PBFV) and diameter were detected via color Doppler ultrasound. Vascular endothelial injury was evaluated by von Willebrand Factor (vWF) immunofluorescence. Fibrinolytic activity was estimated by western blot analysis of fibrin and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1).

Results

After PPVL surgery and 10 weeks of CCl4 intoxication, a rat model that exhibited characteristics of both cirrhosis and extra and intrahepatic thrombi was established. In cirrhotic rats with PVT, the PBFV decreased, both factors of pro- and anti-coagulation decreased, but with relative hypercoagulable state, vascular endothelial injured, and fibrinolytic activity decreased. RIVA-treated rats had improved coagulation function, increased PBFV and attenuated thrombi. This effect was related to the improvements in endothelial injury and fibrinolytic activity.

Conclusions

A new rat model of PVT with cirrhosis was established through partial portal vein ligation plus CCl4 intoxication, with the characteristics of macrothrombi at portal veins and microthrombi in hepatic sinusoids, as well as liver cirrhosis. Rivaroxaban could attenuate PVT in cirrhosis in the model rats. The underlying mechanisms of PVT formation in the rat model and pharmacological action of rivaroxaban are related to the regulation of portal blood flow, coagulant factors, and vascular endothelial cell function.