bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Data from Altered Endosome Biogenesis in Prostate Cancer Has Biomarker Potential
Authors: Johnson Ian R.D. , Parkinson-Lawrence Emma J. , Shandala Tetyana , Weigert Roberto , Butler Lisa M. , Brooks Doug A.
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Prostate cancer is the second most common form of cancer in males, affecting one in eight men by the time they reach the age of 70 years. Current diagnostic tests for prostate cancer have significant problems with both false negatives and false positives, necessitating the search for new molecular markers. A recent investigation of endosomal and lysosomal proteins revealed that the critical process of endosomal biogenesis might be altered in prostate cancer. Here, a panel of endosomal markers was evaluated in prostate cancer and nonmalignant cells and a significant increase in gene and protein expression was found for early, but not late endosomal proteins. There was also a differential distribution of early endosomes, and altered endosomal traffic and signaling of the transferrin receptors (TFRC and TFR2) in prostate cancer cells. These findings support the concept that endosome biogenesis and function are altered in prostate cancer. Microarray analysis of a clinical cohort confirmed the altered endosomal gene expression observed in cultured prostate cancer cells. Furthermore, in prostate cancer patient tissue specimens, the early endosomal marker and adaptor protein APPL1 showed consistently altered basement membrane histology in the vicinity of tumors and concentrated staining within tumor masses. These novel observations on altered early endosome biogenesis provide a new avenue for prostate cancer biomarker investigation and suggest new methods for the early diagnosis and accurate prognosis of prostate cancer.

Implications: This discovery of altered endosome biogenesis in prostate cancer may lead to novel biomarkers for more precise cancer detection and patient prognosis. Mol Cancer Res; 12(12); 1851–62. ©2014 AACR.
FIGURE 2 from Treatment Response, Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes and Clinical Outcomes in Inflammatory Breast Cancer–Treated with Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy
Authors: De Schepper Maxim , Nguyen Ha-Linh , Richard François , Rosias Louise , Lerebours Florence , Vion Roman , Clatot Florian , Berghian Anca , Maetens Marion , Leduc Sophia , Isnaldi Edoardo , Molinelli Chiara , Lambertini Matteo , Grillo Federica , Zoppoli Gabriele , Dirix Luc , Punie Kevin , Wildiers Hans , Smeets Ann , Nevelsteen Ines , Neven Patrick , Vincent-Salomon Anne , Larsimont Denis , Duhem Caroline , Viens Patrice , Bertucci François , Biganzoli Elia , Vermeulen Peter , Floris Giuseppe , Desmedt Christine
Published: January 2024

Association of pCR with clinicopathologic features and treatment in all patients. A–C, Forest plots showing the association of pCR with standard clinicopathologic and treatment variables (A), with sTILs (continuous %; B), and with sTILs (categorical; C) evaluated by regression analyses in all patients.
Clinical Relevance of Lepidoglyphus destructor Sensitisation in Allergic Rhinitis: Nasal Provocation Test as in vivo Assessment
Authors: Matos Semedo Filipa , Martins Catarina , Tomaz Elza , Cardoso Bárbara , Farinha Sofia , Martins Marta , Paula Pires Ana , Inácio Filipe , Taborda-Barata Luís
Published: January 2024

Background: Dust mites are the leading cause of respiratory allergic diseases worldwide. Allergy to storage mites (SMs) has mostly been related to occupational exposures. However, recent studies have shown that sensitisation to SM, such as Lepidoglyphus destructor (Lep d), is of considerable importance also in urban populations, with high prevalence in dust samples of domestic environments. Co-sensitisation between house dust mites (HDMs) and SM is now regarded as very frequent in some regions, and cross-reactivity between them seems to be narrow. Therefore, SM allergenic capacity is increasingly a subject of study. The nasal provocation test (NPT), as an in vivo technique, could be considered the gold standard for the clinical relevance assessment of an allergen, in polysensitised rhinitis patients. Objective: The objective of this study was to analyse the clinical relevance of the SM Lep d, by assessing the relationship between in vivo sensitisation and expression of allergic respiratory disease in an urban setting. Patients and Methods: In our study, we enrolled a total of 32 allergic patients with rhinitis (with or without asthma) with proven sensitisation by skin prick test (SPT) and specific IgE (sIgE) to HDMs and/or SM. Patients underwent NPT with Lep d using subjective (Lebel Symptom Score Scale) and objective measurements (peak nasal inspiratory flow [PNIF]) for assessment of nasal response. Results: Most of the patients with positive SPT and sIgE to Lep d had a positive NPT (24/27; 89%). True Lep d allergy, assessed by a positive NPT, could be predicted by a SPT wheal size >9.7 mm and a sIgE >0.42 kUA/L, with 100%/95.7% sensitivity and 75.0%/83.3% specificity, respectively. Co-sensitisation between Lep d and Der p was high, 75.0%. Asthma was more frequent in the positive Lep d NPT group (54 vs. 12%, p < 0.05). Significantly more patients from this group reported physical exercise, nonspecific irritants, and respiratory infections as relevant triggers of respiratory symptoms (p < 0.01–p < 0.05). Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study to show that sensitisation to Lep d may have clinical relevance in a non-occupational setting. In this group, there seems to be a relationship between allergy to Lep d and severity of respiratory disease, with more bronchial inflammation, when comparing with mite-allergic patients sensitised only to HDM. Therefore, the authors consider that sensitisation to Lep d should be considered when assessing and treating allergic respiratory disease in urban environments.
Prognostic Factors among Patients with Resected Non-Adenocarcinoma of the Lung
Authors: Motono Nozomu , Mizoguchi Takaki , Ishikawa Masahito , Iwai Shun , Iijima Yoshihito , Uramoto Hidetaka
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Few studies have investigated the prognostic factors for non-adenocarcinoma of the lung. We retrospectively evaluated the prognostic factors on the basis of histological type of non-adenocarcinoma of the lung treated by pulmonary resection. Methods: We enrolled 266 patients with non-adenocarcinoma of the lung in this retrospective study: 196 with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and 70 with non-SCC. Results: Relapse-free survival (RFS) did not differ significantly between SCC and non-SCC patients (p = 0.33). For SCC patients, RFS differed significantly between patients who underwent wedge resection and non-wedge resection (p < 0.01) and between patients with Clavien-Dindo grade ≥3a and 0–2 postoperative complications (p < 0.01). For non-SCC patients, RFS rates were significantly different in the groups divided at neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio = 2.40 (p = 0.02), maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) = 8.39 (p < 0.01), between patients with pathological stage (pStage) 0–I and with pStage more than II (p < 0.01). For SCC patients, male sex (p = 0.04), wedge resection (p = 0.01), and Clavien-Dindo grade ≥3a (p = 0.02) were significant factors for RFS in multivariate analysis. For non-SCC patients, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio >2.40 (p < 0.01), SUVmax >8.39 (p = 0.01), and pStage ≥II (p = 0.03) were significant factors for RFS in multivariate analysis. Conclusion: RFS did not differ significantly differently between SCC and non-SCC patients. It is necessary to perform more than segmentectomy and to avoid severe postoperative complications for SCC patients. SUVmax might be an adaptation criterion of adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with non-adenocarcinoma and non-SCC of the lung.
Preconception Blood Pressure and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes: A Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Xiong Wenxue , Han Lu , Tang Xijia , Wang Qiong , Chen Wen , Li Rui , Zhang Hui , Liu Xiaohua , Nie Hua , Qin Weibing , Hu Yang , Zhang Zhirong , Ling Li
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND:

Adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) share clinical features and risk factors with cardiovascular disease and there is an increasing prevalence of hypertension among reproductive women. However, the associations between maternal preconception blood pressure (BP) and APOs remain controversial and inconclusive.

METHODS:

This population-based cohort study used data of 567 127 mother-neonate-father triads from the National Free Preconception Checkup Project in Guangdong Province, China. Maternal BP levels within 1 year before pregnancy were classified using the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists definition of hypertension. The primary outcome was a composite of APOs, including preterm birth, small for gestational age, and perinatal infant death. Log-binomial and marginal structural binomial regressions were employed to estimate adjusted risk ratios and absolute risk differences, respectively.

RESULTS:

Compared with women with normal BP, women with elevated BP (adjusted risk ratio, 1.07 [95% CI, 1.05–1.09]; absolute risk difference, 1.03% [95% CI, 0.72%–1.29%]), hypertension (adjusted risk ratio, 1.25 [95% CI, 1.18–1.32]; and absolute risk difference, 3.42% [95% CI, 1.97%–5.42%]) had a higher risk of a composite of APOs. Compared with women with normal BP, women with elevated BP and hypertension had higher risks of multiple APOs, preterm birth, small for gestational age, and perinatal infant death. However, these associations attenuated with increasing duration of pregnancy preparation and were not statistically significant beyond 90 days of pregnancy preparation.

CONCLUSIONS:

Women with elevated BP or hypertension before pregnancy were associated with an increased risk of APOs. Preconception hypertension screening and control among women should not be ignored by policymakers, clinicians, and the general population.
RapidAI
Compared With Human Readers of Acute Stroke Imaging for Detection of Intracranial Vessel Occlusion
Authors: Slater Lee‐Anne , Ravintharan Nandhini , Goergen Stacy , Chandra Ronil , Asadi Hamed , Maingard Julian , Kuganesan Ahilan , Sum Reuben , Lin Sandra , Gordon Victor , Rajendran Deepa , Lie Yenni , Muthusamy Subramanian , Kempster Peter , Phan Thanh G.
Published: January 2024

Background

Rapid detection of intracranial arterial occlusion in patients with ischemic stroke is important to facilitate timely reperfusion therapy. We compared the diagnostic accuracy of neurologists and radiologists against
RapidAI
(iSchema View, Menlo Park, CA) software for occlusion detection.

Methods

Adult patients who presented to a single comprehensive stroke center over a 5‐month interval with clinical suspicion of ischemic stroke and who underwent multimodality imaging with
RapidAI
interpretation were included. There were 8 assessors: 1 radiologist, 5 neurologists, and 2 radiology trainees. The reference standard was large‐vessel occlusion (LVO) or medium‐vessel occlusion (MVO) diagnosed by a panel of 4 interventional neuroradiologists. Positive likelihood ratio (LR) and negative LR were used to indicate how well readers correctly classified the presence of intracranial occlusions compared with the reference standard. The positive LR and negative LR for each reader were plotted on an LR graph using
RapidAI
LRs as comparator.

Results

The assessors read scans from 500 patients (49.6% men). The positive LR of
RapidAI
for detection of LVO was 8.49 (95% CI, 5.75–12.54), and the negative LR was 0.41 (95% CI, 0.28–0.58). The positive LR for LVO or MVO for
RapidAI
was 5.0 (95% CI, 3.28–7.63), and the negative LR was 0.66 (95% CI, 0.56−0.79). Sensitivity for LVO (0.65–0.96) and for LVO or MVO (0.62–0.94) was higher for all readers compared with
RapidAI
(0.62 and 0.39, respectively). Six of 8 readers had superior specificity to
RapidAI
for LVO (0.75–0.98 versus 0.93) and LVO or MVO (0.55–0.95 versus 0.92).

Conclusions

Experienced readers of acute stroke imaging can identify LVOs and MVOs with higher accuracy than
RapidAI
software in a real‐world setting. The negative LR of
RapidAI
software was not sufficient to rule out LVO or MVO.
Six Years Later: Examining the Academic and Employment Outcomes of the Original and Reinstated Summer Pell Grant
Authors: Liu Vivian Yuen Ting , Zhou Rachel Yang , Matsudaira Jordan
Published: January 2024

The Pell Grant, while offering substantial financial support for low-income students pursuing higher education, historically covered only the costs of two full-time semesters per year and did not include assistance for summer courses. Research has consistently demonstrated that continuous enrollment throughout the academic year enhances college persistence and degree completion. In response to this understanding, the Summer Pell (SP) program was introduced in the summer of 2009, providing eligible low-income students with an additional grant to cover summer tuition and related expenses. However, after a brief period of operation, the SP program was discontinued in 2011, only to be reinstated in 2017. We utilize administrative data obtained from New York City in the context of differences-in-differences analyses spanning both program periods, and find that SP-eligible students exhibited a higher retention rate in the fall of their second year, achieved higher rates of associate's and bachelor's degree attainment, and experienced greater earnings gains up to nine years after college entry compared with SP-ineligible students. Our analysis of heterogeneity further underscores that the benefits of the SP program were pronounced among Black students and older students.
Provoking Politeness
Authors: Goldman Oscar
Published: January 2024

Dialogic interaction plays important generic, poetic, and structural roles within hexametric Latin satire. One aspect of this interaction which has received little prior exegesis is the presence, or lack, of politeness. By adapting and applying existing models which study this sociolinguistic phenomenon, we can perceive not only patterned use of politeness across the genre, but further intertextuality between Latin satire and Roman comedy. Interactions in the works of Horace and Juvenal are illustrative of both shared ‘politeness-motifs’, as well as divergent stylistic adaptations which suit each poet’s literary agenda.
Three new species of Tetrapedia Klug, 1810 (Hymenoptera: Apidae) and a key to the species recorded in Brazil
Authors: ROCHA-FILHO LÉO CORREIA DA , AGUIAR ANTONIO J. C.
Published: January 2024

Three new species of Tetrapedia Klug, 1810 (Apidae) from Central Brazil are described and illustrated: Tetrapedia marina sp. nov., Tetrapedia tereza sp. nov., and Tetrapedia bruno sp. nov. Additionally, a key to the 22 species of Tetrapedia known from Brazil is provided. The lectotype of T. clypeata Friese is designated to establish the species name.
The Impact of “Hot Models” on a CMIP6 Ensemble Used by Climate Service Providers in Canada: Do Global Constraints Lead to Appreciable Differences in Regional Projections?
Authors: Cannon Alex J.
Published: January 2024

Canadian climate service providers offer projections from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) to help inform climate change mitigation and adaptation decisions. CMIP6 includes several “hot” climate models whose sensitivity to greenhouse gas forcings exceeds the likely range inferred from multiple lines of evidence. Global warming estimates assessed in the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) were reduced by applying observational constraints on the historical rate of warming to the CMIP6 ensemble. This study assesses whether globally constrained CMIP6 projections for Canada are appreciably different from unconstrained projections. Two constraints are considered: one that removes models whose transient climate response lies outside the AR6 assessed range (TCRlikely), and the other that weights models to match the assessed distribution of equilibrium climate sensitivity (ECSall). Both constraints lead to appreciably cooler and drier projections than the unconstrained ensemble, with the strongest reductions seen in the upper end of the ensemble range, high-emissions scenario, end-of-century time period, and northern regions of Canada. In this case, constrained projections of annual mean temperature are 2°–3°C cooler than the unconstrained projections, whereas projections of annual total precipitation are typically 20%–40% drier. Appreciable differences are also detected in the ensemble median of temperature extreme indices. Based on these results, it is recommended that a constrained ensemble be considered for regional projections to avoid the “hot model” problem. Alternatively, projections can be communicated conditional on a specified level of global warming, with global constraints then used to inform the timing of the warming level exceedance.
Navigating Multiple Identities for Positive Change Through Organizational Listening
Authors: Fu Jiawei Sophia , Woo DaJung , Cooper Katherine R. , Kwestel Melanie
Published: January 2024

Organizational listening is critical in times of change, especially for organizations that must meet diverse stakeholder interests. Organizations’ views on who they are—whether they are altruistic or self-oriented entities—may shape organizational listening practices in meaningful ways. To explore the undertheorized topic of organizational listening, we conducted a mixed-method sequential explanatory study. Drawing on survey and interview data from 122 U.S. nonprofits, we found an organization’s utilitarian identity for economic value creation is only related to practical motivation to engage in listening, whereas a normative identity for social mission is related to listening motivation, information analysis, and information integration. In addition, we found that organizational listening fully mediates the relationship between organizational identity and organizational change potential and implementation, indicating positive change would most likely occur through soliciting and incorporating stakeholder inputs. These results contribute to theorizing organizational listening and suggest implications for navigating multiple identities in organizational change processes.
Randomized Controlled Trial of Bifrontal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Craving in Alcohol Use Disorder
Authors: Gairola Arundhati , Nischal Anil , Kar Sujita Kumar , Arya Amit , Singh Amit
Published: January 2024

Background:

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a potential neuromodulation option for the management of cravings in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD). This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of tDCS in the management of craving for alcohol and to measure the change in subjective well-being in patients with AUD following tDCS intervention.

Methods:

Patients with AUD aged between 18 and 60 years were randomly assigned to active tDCS intervention and sham tDCS intervention groups, each consisting of 17 patients. Over the course of a week, five tDCS sessions were given, with the anode positioned on the scalp over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortices (DLPFC) area, the cathode over the left DLPFC area, and a 2 mA current. After every session, a tDCS side effects checklist was used. Follow-up assessments were conducted at week 1, week 4, and week 8 of the recruitment using the alcohol urge questionnaire (AUQ) and the World Health Organization (WHO) (five) Well-Being Index (WHO-5).

Results:

A significantly greater reduction in AUQ scores was present in the active tDCS intervention group compared to the sham tDCS intervention at week 1 and week 4, but the difference was not significant at the end of 8 weeks. A significant improvement in WHO-5 scores was found in both groups; however, the difference between the groups was not significant at follow-ups. The side effects observed were mild to moderate in intensity, were short-lived, and did not require any active management.

Conclusions:

The tDCS may be useful in the acute reduction of craving in AUD. It is a safe and well-tolerated intervention modality.
Zirconium dioxide nanoparticles induced cytotoxicity in rat cerebral cortical neurons and apoptosis in neuron-like N2a and PC12 cell lines
Authors: Alavi Mohaddeseh Sadat , Asadpour Elham , Boroushaki Mohammad Taher , Fakharzadeh Moghadam Omid , Sadeghnia Hamid R
Published: January 2024

During recent decades, the application of zirconium dioxide nanoparticles (ZrO2-NP) has been expanded in various fields ranging from medicine to industry. It has been shown that ZrO2-NP has the potential to cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and induce neurotoxicity. In the current study, we investigated the in vivo neurotoxicity, as well as, the cellular mechanism of ZrO2-NP toxicity on two neuronal-like cell lines, PC12 and N2a. PC12 and N2a cells were exposed to increasing concentrations of ZrO2-NP (0-2000 µg/ml) for 48 h. The apoptotic effect of ZrO2-NP was determined using annexin V/propidium iodide double staining (by flow cytometry), and western blot analysis of relative apoptotic proteins, including caspase-3, caspase-9, bax, and bcl2. Based on our results, ZrO2-NP at concentrations of 250-2000 μg/mL increased both early and late-stage apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, the expressions of cleaved-caspase-3 and -9 proteins and the bax/bcl2 ratio were significantly increased. In addition, oral administration of ZrO2-NP (50 mg/kg) to male Wistar rats for 28 days led to the loss of neuronal cells in the cerebral cortex. Taken together, our findings highlighted the role of apoptosis on cytotoxicity induced by ZrO2-NP.
Regression analysis of multivariate recurrent event data allowing time-varying dependence with application to stroke registry data
Authors: Li Wen , Rahbar Mohammad H. , Savitz Sean I. , Zhang Jing , Kim Lundin Sori , Tahanan Amirali , Ning Jing
Published: January 2024

In multivariate recurrent event data, each patient may repeatedly experience more than one type of event. Analysis of such data gets further complicated by the time-varying dependence structure among different types of recurrent events. The available literature regarding the joint modeling of multivariate recurrent events assumes a constant dependency over time, which is strict and often violated in practice. To close the knowledge gap, we propose a class of flexible shared random effects models for multivariate recurrent event data that allow for time-varying dependence to adequately capture complex correlation structures among different types of recurrent events. We developed an expectation–maximization algorithm for stable and efficient model fitting. Extensive simulation studies demonstrated that the estimators of the proposed approach have satisfactory finite sample performance. We applied the proposed model and the estimating method to data from a cohort of stroke patients identified in the University of Texas Houston Stroke Registry and evaluated the effects of risk factors and the dependence structure of different types of post-stroke readmission events.
Music, Memory, and Imagination
Authors: Margulis Elizabeth Hellmuth , Jakubowski Kelly
Published: January 2024

This article argues that the capacity of music to reliably cue both autobiographical memories and fictional imaginings can be leveraged to better understand the relationship and interdependence between memory and imagination more generally. The multiple levels involved in musical engagement provide a rich forum for investigating how emotional, semantic, and contextual associations with musical cues influence both memories and imaginings. Moreover, musical excerpts are extended in time and can influence the trajectory of a memory or imagining dynamically as it develops, allowing for a more precise manipulation of the implied semantic space. Because music’s uses and contextual associations are culturally constrained, and culture can be shared, autobiographical memories and fictional imaginings cued by music can show surprising similarities among individuals from the same culture. This article surveys the research on music-evoked autobiographical memories and music-evoked fictional imaginings, proposing a framework for bringing these separate strands of work together to shed light on larger questions about shared underlying mechanisms.
Anxiety and Mentalizing: Uncertainty as a Driver of Egocentrism
Authors: Surtees Andrew D. R. , Briscoe Henry , Todd Andrew R.
Published: January 2024

Emotions shape how people understand and interact with others. Here, we review evidence on the relationship between anxiety—a future-oriented emotion characterized by negative valence, high arousal, and uncertainty—and mentalizing—the ascription of mental content to other agents. We examine three aspects of this relationship: how people with anxiety disorders perform on mentalizing tasks relative to controls; how situational anxiety alters mentalizing performance; and how autistic people, who experience the impacts of mentalizing differences, are at high risk of anxiety. We propose a bidirectional model for understanding how short-term and longer term anxiety are related to mentalizing. Key to this relationship is the aversive experience of uncertainty and the motivations that result from it.
“Sense for Gambling” Among Jewish Ultra-Orthodox Men With Gambling Disorder
Authors: Vana Noa , Itzhaki-Braun Yael , Gavriel-Fried Belle
Published: January 2024

Making sense of the social world is an intricate process heavily influenced by cultural elements. Gambling is a prevalent leisure-time activity characterized by risk-taking conduct. While some individuals who engage in it do so without experiencing any harm, others will develop gambling problems. Judaism tends to perceive gambling negatively since it contradicts fundamental Jewish principles. The current study focuses on the Jewish Ultra-Orthodox community in Israel which is characterized as a cultural enclave with minimal interaction with the secular world. Hence, it provides a unique and novel socio-cultural context to inquire how individuals with gambling disorder (GD) from this community make sense of gambling. Following constructivist grounded theory guidelines, 22 Ultra-Orthodox men with GD were interviewed using a purposeful sampling design. Sixteen Rabbis were also interviewed, illuminating the socio-cultural context of Halachic regulations and norms regarding gambling in this community. An abductive analysis of the data, interwoven with Bourdieu’s concept of habitus, yielded an overarching theme that we dub as “sense for gambling,” encompassing matrices of Ultra-Orthodox external (e.g., a conservative cultural structure with numerous prohibitions and life marked by poverty) and internal (e.g., feelings of loneliness, dissatisfaction, and deviance) dispositions imprinted onto the body, creating diverse embodied reactions (emotional and sensory) to gambling, and leading to developing GD. We recommend placing the body, as the locus of internalized dispositions, at the core of examination when researching pathways to GD. We propose that this intricate interplay between external and internal dispositions shapes the decision-making regarding gambling, thus mitigating individual responsibility for GD.
Topology optimisation for vibration bandgaps of periodic composite plates using the modified couple stress continuum
Authors: Cong Yu , Xia Zixu X , Gu Shuitao T , Hui Yi , Feng Zhi-Qiang
Published: January 2024

We propose a topology optimisation approach that can effectively account for the size effect of periodic composite plates to determine the optimal material distribution for achieving the largest bandgap width. The approach is based on the modified couple stress continuum and uses the relative bandgap width as the objective function, with volume constraints defined as the constraint function. The material properties are represented by the solid isotropic material with penalisation (SIMP) interpolation model, and the optimality criteria (OC) algorithm is employed to update the design variables. To address the significant size effect of the microplate structure, we use the modified couple stress continuum to model the dynamic behaviour of the unit cell. The Melosh–Zienkiewicz–Cheung (MZC) finite element is employed to ensure nodal [Formula: see text] continuity and achieve high-order elasticity with respect to inter-element continuity. Our results demonstrate that the proposed topology optimisation methodology is capable of effectively designing optimal unit cell configurations that account for size effect and significantly improve the bandgap width. We also investigate the impact of thickness and volume limitations on the optimised unit cell configuration. The obtained results suggest that the proposed topology optimisation framework is a promising approach for designing unit cell geometries with the account for size effect.
Assisted teleconsultation in an outpatient pharmacy: Results of a pilot study in Geneva, Switzerland
Authors: Braillard Olivia , Mazouri Karker Sanae , Djarmouni Rafik , Lafaix Rémi , Guessous Idris , Schneider Marie P.
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Assisted teleconsultation (ATC) is the act of telemedicine involving on one side a patient in the presence of a healthcare professional, and an expert on the other side. ATC in outpatient pharmacies may be an alternative to the emergency room for patients with a semi-urgent medical problem. This project aimed at pilot testing the ATC in an outpatient pharmacy to assess its feasibility and to collect initial real-world data.

Methods

After initial evaluation and triage by the pharmacist, ATC was proposed to patients consulting at one outpatient pharmacy for semi-urgent medical problems. Prospective data on patients, consultation reasons, teleconsultation duration, patient's orientation and pharmacist’ satisfaction were prospectively collected.

Results

Between December 2020 and June 2021, 39 consultations took place, 12 with video and 27 with telephone. Patients’ median age was 37 years (IQR 26–50), 59% were women. Near half of the consultations (19) happened during the weekend. Mean ATC duration was 22 min (IC95% 18.6–26.1). Twenty-nine (74%) consultations ended with a prescription, 8 (21%) with medical recommendations and 2 (5%) with an emergency care referral. Without teleconsultation, 34 (87%) patients would have consulted a physician for their problem, and 24 (62%) would have been to the emergency room (self-reported). Fourteen (36%) consultations involved ENT, ophthalmologic and dermatologic complaints.

Conclusion

A young population with semi-urgent medical problems can be managed in the pharmacy using ATC with a primary care physician. Financial, technical and training aspects should be developed and optimized in the future.
Journalistic Practices in Difficult Times: The Cases of Fictional Television Series Borgen and El Caso in Denmark and Spain
Authors: De Wulf Helskens Maxine , Arriaza Ibarra Karen
Published: January 2024

This study sets out to understand how journalism is represented in the Danish fiction series Borgen and the Spanish series El Caso: Crónica de Sucesos. The aim is to provide an understanding of how journalism is conceptualized in non-American fiction. Through textual analysis, we found out that Borgen (years 2010 and up) represents a generational and evolutionary conflict in which journalistic values are restrained by political and commercial imperatives reflecting challenges in Danish journalism. As such, this series criticizes the free press myth—commonly found in American fiction series. El Caso (1960s) also engages with this myth through the representation of journalism practices embedded in Spain’s Francoist regime that balance public and political-religious interests. However, El Caso smooths over this conflict to illustrate how journalists cleverly overcame the censorship of the Catholic church. Both series explore the gendered and cultural obstacles of their respective contexts and eras.
Upper Extremity Fractures in the Emergency Department: A Database Analysis of National Trends in the United States
Authors: Karzon Anthony L. , Nazzal Ehab M. , Cooke Hayden L. , Heo Kevin , Okonma Onyinye , Worden Jacob , Hussain Zaamin , Chung Kevin C. , Gottschalk Michael B. , Wagner Eric R.
Published: January 2024

Background:

Upper extremity (UE) fractures are a common reason for emergency department (ED) visits, but recent data on their epidemiology are lacking. This study aimed to describe the incidence, demographics, patient characteristics, and associated health care factors of UE fractures, hypothesizing that they would remain prevalent in the ED setting.

Methods:

Using the Nationwide ED Sample database, patients presenting to the ED with UE fractures in 2016 were identified, and population estimates were used to calculate incidence rates. Data on insurance status, trauma designation, cost, and teaching status were analyzed.

Results:

The study identified 2 118 568 patients with UE fractures, representing 1.5% of all ED visits in 2016. Men accounted for 54.2% of UE fractures, with phalangeal fractures being most common. Distal radius and/or ulna fractures were most common in women (30.4%). The greatest proportion of UE fractures (23.2%) occurred in patients aged 5 to 14 years (1195.5 per 100 000). Nontrauma centers were the most common treating institutions (50.4%), followed by level I (19.5%), II (15.3%), and III (12.8%) centers. The greatest proportion of fractures (38.3%) occurred in the southern United States. Emergency department cost of treatment was almost 2-fold in patients with open UE fractures compared with closed.

Conclusion:

This study provides important epidemiological information on UE fractures in 2016. The incidence rate of UE fractures in the ED has remained high, with most occurring in the distal radius, phalanges, and clavicle. In addition, UE fractures were most common in younger patients, men, and those in the southern United States during the summer. These findings can be useful for health care providers and policymakers when evaluating and treating patients with UE fractures.
Study on the Active Components and Inhibiting Effect of Melastoma dodecandrum Lour. on Human Cervical Cancer Cells Based on Spectrum–Effect Relationship Analysis
Authors: Qian Song , Wang Zuhua , Ma Xiuping , Ming Huiyi , Liu Jing , Yang Jing , Chen Teng , Liu Linli , Ban Jibian , Guo Jiangtao
Published: January 2024

Background

The ethnic drug Melastoma dodecandrum Lour. (MDL) is an important medicinal plant with potential antitumor properties, which have been proposed as promising anticancer agents, but the material basis for its therapeutic effect is still unclear and lacks in-depth research.

Methods

In this study, the in vitro antitumor effects of different MDL extracts in different gynecological tumor cells were investigated by CCK-8 assay. The active components of 21 batches of MDL samples collected from different product areas and markets were determined and compared by the UPLC method. On this basis, the data was processed with the fingerprint similarity software, and the correlation between MDL fingerprint and antihuman cervical cancer activity was further analyzed by a multivariate statistical method.

Results

Five kinds of MDL extracts, including the aqueous extract, the crude polysaccharide, the total polyphenol, the ethyl acetate fraction of the aqueous extract and 50% ethanol extract, had inhibitory effects on human cervical cancer HeLa and SiHa cells, among which total polyphenols of MDL showed stronger inhibition effect on human cervical cancer cells. In addition, the fingerprint of the total polyphenols of MDL had sixteen common peaks, and six common peaks were checked by using diode array and UV spectra, among which peak 1 (gallic acid), peak 4 (protocatechuic acid), peak 12 (unknown), and peak 15 (ellagic acid) were negatively correlated with the IC50 value of the SiHa cells, and all variable importance values were greater than 1.

Conclusion

Our data demonstrated that the main active components of MDL inhibiting human cervical cancer SiHa cells may be the synergistic effect of gallic acid, protocatechuic acid and ellagic acid, and the further spectrum-effect relationship analysis provides an important reference and basis for the quality control and the development of new anticervical cancer drug of MDL.
Diversity of Secondary Metabolites from Fungi of the Ascomycete Genus Tolypocladium
Authors: Niu Ting-Ting , Chen Wei-Qiong , Li Wen-Xing , Zhang Li , Shan Ying-Qiao , Ren Li-Wei
Published: January 2024

Fungi in the genus of Tolypocladium are often discovered as endophytes, soil inhabitants, and insect pathogens. Many biologically active secondary metabolites have been discovered from them in the past half-century, including medicinally important oligopeptide cyclosporine A, and other compounds like terpenes, polyketides, polyketide-non-ribosomal peptides. This review has summarized the chemistry and pharmacology of natural products discovered from Tolypocladium genus fungi, to provide a full record of all Tolypocladium secondary metabolites.
Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction by an Aneurysm of the Ventricular Membranous Septum: A Systematic Review of Case Reports
Authors: Miyake Toshiharu , Inoue Tomohiro , Mushiake Sotaro
Published: January 2024

We performed a literature search to identify the details of patients with right ventricular outflow tract obstruction caused by an aneurysm of the ventricular membranous septum in a perimembranous ventricular septal defect. Thirty-one cases with a median age of 29 years (range, 1-69 years) were studied. A right ventricle-pulmonary artery systolic pressure gradient ranged from 35 to 107 mm Hg (mean 69 mm Hg). An interventricular shunt was absent in eight patients: two children and six adults. It is necessary to monitor the size of an aneurysm of the ventricular membranous septum, whether or not an interventricular shunt is present.
Comparison of Knot-Tying Techniques During the Arthroscopic Broström-Gould Procedure: Semiconstrained Freehand Versus Knot Pusher Techniques
Authors: Lee Tung-Ying , Chen Pei-Yu , Yang Kai-Chiang , Tzeng I-Shiang , Ming Chang Chia , Wang Chen-Chie
Published: January 2024

Background:

The arthroscopic Broström technique with or without Gould modification has been used to treat patients with anterior talofibular ligament injury who failed nonoperative management and progressed to chronic lateral ankle instability. However, some patients develop limited range of motion over the ankle joint postoperatively.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

To compare the clinical outcomes and midterm functional performance of knot-tying techniques between using a knot pusher and a semiconstrained freehand tie during arthroscopic Broström-Gould procedure with inferior extensor retinaculum (IER) augmentation. It was hypothesized that the semiconstrained freehand tie would provide better plantarflexion of the ankle joint compared with the knot pusher.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Included were 135 consecutive patients with mild-to-moderate lateral ankle instability (mean age, 42.7 years; range, 16-78 years) who underwent an arthroscopic Broström-Gould procedure from March 1, 2016, to April 30, 2022. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the tying technique used in the Gould modification: surgical tie using a knot pusher (KP group; n = 30) or a semiconstrained freehand tie (FT group; n = 105). Radiographic parameters and ultrasound dynamic testing were examined during the preoperative assessment. Preoperative and 2-year postoperative assessments comprised American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot Scale, visual analog scale for pain, and 12-Item Short Form Survey (SF-12) scores.

Results:

The 2 groups had no differences in age, sex, or severity distribution in the preoperative assessment. American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot Scale, visual analog scale pain, and SF-12 scores were significantly better at the postoperative evaluation (all P < .05) in both groups. No significant difference was noted between groups in outcome scores. In the KP group, however, 7 out of 30 patients (23.3%) developed ankle stiffness with tightness when performing plantarflexion movement. No patients in the FT group reported similar symptoms.

Conclusion:

For mild-to-moderate chronic lateral ankle instability, we propose an arthroscopic Broström procedure with the addition of IER augmentation using a semiconstrained freehand tie to avoid overtightening the IER. This ensures favorable patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes without limitation of plantarflexion of the ankle joint and avoids the possible complication of stiffness with plantarflexion.
Soil montmorillonite can exhibit peroxidase-like activity
Authors: Safarik Ivo , Prochazkova Jitka
Published: January 2024

Montmorillonite (Mnt), belonging to the smectite group and representing a 2:1-type clay mineral with good cation-exchange and swelling capacities, is a common clay component of soils. It was observed that some Mnt preparations exhibit peroxidase-like (P-L) activity using N,N-diethyl-p-phenylenediamine sulfate salt as a substrate. Both native (non-swelling) and swelling Mnt exhibited similar P-L activity. Modification of Mnt with copper and iron influenced both P-L activity and phenol polymerization. Both free and textile-bound Cu-Mnt (Sigma-Aldrich) enabled phenol removal. Soil Mnt P-L activity is probably involved in lignin breakdown and decontamination of soils polluted with phenol-containing molecules.
A rolling shear analysis-based method for determining the apparent stiffness and bending capacity of CLT panel under out-of-plane load
Authors: Huang Zirui , Bian Yuling , Ni Chun
Published: January 2024

Most of the currently employed methods, such as Gamma method and shear analogy method, to estimate the bending stiffness and bending capacity of cross-laminated timber (CLT) beams, are computationally extensive. In our previous study, a rolling shear analysis (RSA)-based method, which simplifies the calculation, was developed to determine the shearing capacity of CLT beams. In the present study, the authors expand upon the RSA method to determine the apparent stiffness and bending capacity of 3- and 5-layer CLT beams. By considering the shear deformation of cross layers, simplified formulas to determine the apparent bending stiffness of CLT beam was derived. Two schemes to determine the CLT bending capacity were proposed. One is based on the shear stress analysis, and the other is based on the formula specified in Canadian standard, CSA O86, by replacing the effective stiffness with the apparent stiffness. Test results from the authors and the other researchers were adopted to validate the method. The findings showed that the RSA method, using the apparent stiffness obtained from the proposed method along with the bending capacity formula in CSA O86, can provide a simpler and more reliable estimation of the apparent bending stiffness and bending capacity of CLT beams as compared to the Gamma method and shear analogy method.
Neurochemical mechanism of muscular pain: Insight from the study on delayed onset muscle soreness
Authors: Mizumura Kazue , Taguchi Toru
Published: January 2024

We reviewed fundamental studies on muscular pain, encompassing the characteristics of primary afferent fibers and neurons, spinal and thalamic projections, several muscular pain models, and possible neurochemical mechanisms of muscle pain. Most parts of this review were based on data obtained from animal experiments, and some researches on humans were also introduced. We focused on delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) induced by lengthening contractions (LC), suitable for studying myofascial pain syndromes. The muscular mechanical withdrawal threshold (MMWT) decreased 1–3 days after LC in rats. Changing the speed and range of stretching showed that muscle injury seldom occurred, except in extreme conditions, and that DOMS occurred in parameters without muscle damage. The B2 bradykinin receptor—nerve growth factor (NGF) route and COX-2—glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) route were involved in the development of DOMS. The interactions between these routes occurred at two levels. A repeated-bout effect was observed in MMWT and NGF upregulation, and this study showed that adaptation possibly occurred before B2 bradykinin receptor activation. We have also briefly discussed the prevention and treatment of DOMS.
Predictive biomarkers for immune-related adverse events in cancer patients treated with immune-checkpoint inhibitors
Authors: Wang Jingting , Ma Yan , Lin Haishan , Wang Jing , Cao Bangwei
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The objective of this study was to identify potential predictors of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in cancer patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy among serum indexes, case data, and liquid biopsy results.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 418 patients treated with anti-programmed cell death 1(PD-1)/PD-1 ligand (PD-L1) inhibitors from January 2018 to May 2022 in our cancer center. We identified factors that correlated with the occurrence of irAEs and evaluated associations between irAEs and anti-PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor responses.

Results

The incidence of irAEs was 42.1%, and pneumonitis (9.1%), thyroid toxicity (9.1%), cardiotoxicity (8.1%), and dermatologic toxicity (6.9%) were the four most common irAEs. Multivariate logistic analysis identified female sex, antibiotic use, higher post-treatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and higher baseline circulating tumor cell (CTC) level, as predictive biomarkers for the occurrence of irAEs. A lower baseline prognostic nutritional index (PNI), body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2, and higher post-treatment lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level were predictive factors for more severe irAEs (higher severity grade). Patients without irAEs had better overall survival than those with irAEs. Specifically, pneumonitis and cardiotoxicity were found to be significant predictors of poor prognosis in the irAE subgroup with different organ-related irAEs. Low-dose steroid (dexamethasone 10 mg) treatment had no significant effect on outcomes.

Conclusions

Gender, antibiotic use, post-treatment NLR, and baseline CTC level are potential predictive biomarkers of irAEs, while baseline PNI, BMI, and post-treatment LDH may predict the severity of irAEs. The predictive effect of irAE occurrence on survival benefit may depend on the type of irAE.
Navigating PROSPERO4animals: 10 top tips for efficient pre-registration of your animal systematic review protocol
Authors: Bannach-Brown Alexandra , Rackoll Torsten , Kaynak Nurcennet , Drude Natascha , Aquarius René , Vojvodić Sofija , Abreu Mariana , Menon Julia M. L. , Wever Kimberley E.
Published: January 2024

Systematic reviews are an essential tool in identifying knowledge gaps and synthesizing evidence from in vivo animal research to improve human health. The review process follows an explicit and systematic methodology to minimize bias, but is not immune to biases or methodological flaws. Pre-registering a systematic review protocol has several benefits, including avoiding unplanned duplication of reviews, reducing reporting biases, and providing structure throughout the review process. It also helps to align the opinions of review team members and can shield researchers from post-hoc critique. PROSPERO4animals is the international prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO) for the preregistration of systematic review of animal studies. As administrators, here we provide 10 tips to facilitate pre-registration in PROSPERO4animals. These tips address common difficulties that both beginners and experienced researchers may face when pre-registering their systematic review protocols. This article aims to help authors write and register a detailed systematic review protocol on PROSPERO4animals.