bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anti‐aquaporin‐4 immunoglobulin G/anti‐myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein immunoglobulin G double‐positive paraneoplastic neurological syndrome in a patient with triple‐negative breast cancer
Authors: Siddiqui Amna , Ross Dylan , Jani Ronak H. , Prabhu Vikram C. , Lo Shelly , Wainwright Derek A. , Rouse Stasia , Refaat Tamer , Zhu Yirong , Thakkar Jigisha P.
Published: September 2023

We report a rare case of paraneoplastic neurological syndrome with dual seropositivity of anti‐aquaporin‐4 and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibodies in a 40 year‐old woman with metastatic triple‐negative breast cancer. She received multiple lines of anti‐neoplastic treatment, including immunotherapy with pembrolizumab, as well as cytotoxic chemotherapy. Paraneoplastic meningoencephalomyelitis developed 2 years after diagnosis of breast cancer and 1 year after discontinuation of immunotherapy with pembrolizumab. She first developed longitudinally extending transverse myelitis followed by left optic neuritis and meningoencephalitis with new enhancing lesions in the brain and spinal leptomeninges. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis during both episodes showed normal glucose and protein, and elevated white blood cell count. Cytology was negative for malignancy. Cerebrospinal fluid was positive for neuromyelitis optica immunoglobulin G antibody anti‐aquaporin‐4, and autoimmune myelopathy panel was positive for myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody. The patient had significant clinical and radiographic improvement after completion of five cycles of plasmapheresis followed by intravenous immunoglobulin. She did not have recurrence of paraneoplastic syndrome with maintenance rituximab every 6 months and daily low‐dose prednisone. She succumbed to progressive systemic metastatic disease 4.5 years after her breast cancer diagnosis. This case shows that these antibodies can occur concurrently and cause clinical features, such as both neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disease, in a patient with a singular type of cancer. We highlight the importance of testing for paraneoplastic etiology in cancer patients with radiographic menigoencephalomyelitis or meningitis with atypical symptoms of meningeal carcinomatosis and/or cerebrospinal fluid profile negative for leptomeningeal carcinomatosis.
miR135a administration ameliorates brain ischemic damage by preventing TRPM7 activation during brain ischemia
Authors: Cepparulo P. , Brancaccio P. , Sirabella R. , Anzilotti S. , Guida N. , Laudati G. , Valsecchi V. , Vinciguerra A. , Viscardi V. , D'Esposito L. , Formisano L. , Annunziato L. , Pignataro G. , Cuomo O.
Published: September 2023

Background

miRNA‐based strategies have recently emerged as a promising therapeutic approach in several neurodegenerative diseases. Unregulated cation influx is implicated in several cellular mechanisms underlying neural cell death during ischemia. The brain constitutively active isoform of transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7) represents a glutamate excitotoxicity‐independent pathway that significantly contributes to the pathological Ca2+ overload during ischemia.

Aims

In the light of these premises, inhibition of TRPM7 may be a reasonable strategy to reduce ischemic injury. Since TRPM7 is a putative target of miRNA135a, the aim of the present paper was to evaluate the role played by miRNA135a in cerebral ischemia. Therefore, the specific objectives of the present paper were: (1) to evaluate miR135a expression in temporoparietal cortex of ischemic rats; (2) to investigate the effect of the intracerebroventricular (icv) infusion of miR135a on ischemic damage and neurological functions; and (3) to verify whether miR135a effects may be mediated by an alteration of TRPM7 expression.

Methods

miR135a expression was evaluated by RT‐ PCR and FISH assay in temporoparietal cortex of ischemic rats. Ischemic volume and neurological functions were determined in rats subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAo) after miR135a intracerebroventricular perfusion. Target analysis was performed by Western blot.

Results

Our results demonstrated that, in brain cortex, 72 h after ischemia, miR135a expression increased, while TRPM7 expression was parallelly downregulated. Interestingly, miR135a icv perfusion strongly ameliorated the ischemic damage and improved neurological functions, and downregulated TRPM7 protein levels.

Conclusions

The early prevention of TRPM7 activation is protective during brain ischemia.
VIRMA promotes neuron apoptosis via inducing m6A methylation of STK10 in spinal cord injury animal models
Authors: Hong Hongxiang , Xu Guanhua , Bao Guofeng , Zhang Jinlong , Chen Chu , Chen Jiajia , Wu Chunshuai , Jiang Jiawei , Huang Jiayi , Huang Haiming , Cui Zhiming
Published: September 2023

Background

Spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs as a devastating neuropathic disease. The role of serine–threonine kinase 10 (STK10) in the development of SCI remains unclear.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the action of m6A methylation on STK10 in the apoptosis of spinal cord neurons in the pathogenesis of SCI and the possible underlying mechanisms.

Methods

Rat model of SCI was established and subsequently evaluated for motor function, pathological conditions, and apoptosis of spinal cord neurons. And the effects of overexpression of STK10 on neuronal cells in animal models of spinal cord injury and glyoxylate deprivation (OGD) cell models were evaluated. m6A2Target database and SRAMP database were used to predict the m6A methylation sites of STK10. The methylation kits were used to detect overall m6A methylation. Finally, the interaction between STK10 and vir like m6A methyltransferase associated (VIRMA) was explored in animal and cellular models.

Results

STK10 is markedly decreased in spinal cord injury models and overexpression of STK10 inhibits neuronal apoptosis. VIRMA can induce m6A methylation of STK10. VIRMA is over‐expressed in spinal cord injury models and negatively regulates the expression of STK10. m6A methylation and apoptosis of neuronal cells are reduced by the knockdown of VIRMA and STK10 shRNA have shown the opposite effects.

Conclusions

VIRMA promotes neuronal apoptosis in spinal cord injury by regulating STK10 m6A methylation.
Investigation of dyeing, antibacterial and antifungal properties of blended fabrics treated with plant‐based dyestuffs and mordants as shoe materials
Authors: Sabyrkhanova Saltanat , Ork Efendioglu Nilay , Yeldiyar Gulzinat , Bitlisli Behzat Oral
Published: September 2023

In this research article, it is reported the preparation and characterisation of four types of blended cotton‐polyester based textile materials in different dye ratios with four kinds of natural dyes of agro waste (walnut shell, onion peel) and wildflowers (tansy, Hypericum) with/without mordants as antibacterial and antifungal species for shoe materials. The dyed samples were spectrophotometrically measured and the results were obtained as colour strength (K/S) as well as CIELab values. As a result, dyed fabrics with natural dyes showed yellow, grey, orange and brown colours. With the help of a mordant, aluminium‐potassium, the dyed fabrics obtained natural, not distorted shades of these colours, and with the addition of copper sulphate, they showed changing yellow to light green, orange to dark red, grey to a darker shade of grey and brown to a darker colour. The dyed samples were tested for colour fastness to circle rubbing and satisfactory results were found. The fabrics dyed only with natural dyes and treated with natural dye and mordants were evaluated for antibacterial and antifungal properties against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. The results indicated that fabrics treated with these natural dyes and mordants had excellent antibacterial and antifungal activity. All natural dyes and mordants used in this study were the most effective and showed the maximum inhibition zone, indicating the best antimicrobial and antifungal activity against tested microbes. The results showed that all these natural dyes can provide some antibacterial and antifungal activity on mixed fabrics.
Primary cutaneous apocrine carcinoma, arising in tubular apocrine adenoma
Authors: Griffith MacKenzie , Singh Raj , Alabkaa Anas , Reddy Vijaya , Ahmed Aadil
Published: September 2023

Primary cutaneous apocrine carcinoma is a rare adnexal tumor that arises from apocrine progenitor cells. These tumors may be associated with benign apocrine hyperplasia, and a longstanding history of a lesion should not preclude a malignant diagnosis. We report a case of a 70‐year‐old female who presented to the clinic with a 3‐year history of an asymptomatic vulvar lesion. An excisional biopsy was performed. Histopathologic examination revealed a tumor with two distinct components. The first component was determined to be a benign tubular apocrine adenoma. The second component, arising within the apocrine adenoma, was determined to be an apocrine carcinoma based on histopathologic features and immunohistochemical profile. Twelve months after subsequent wide local excision and sentinel node biopsy, the patient is alive without recurrence.
The response to fire by two eusocial bee species
Authors: Nakas Georgios , Lazarina Maria , Chtenelli Taxiarchoula‐Tzoanna , Sgardelis Stefanos , Dimitrakopoulos Panayiotis G. , Devalez Jelle , Petanidou Theodora
Published: September 2023

Fire is a common worldwide disturbance that affected the evolution of life and shaped plant and animal diversity; this is especially applicable in the Mediterranean.

In this study, we explore the response to fire of two eusocial bee species of Halictidae, namely, Lasioglossum marginatum (Brullé, 1832) and Lasioglossum malachurum (Kirby, 1802), as to their population number, body size and pollination specialisation.

The study was carried out on Chios Island, Greece, during the first 3 years after a wildfire (2013–2015). Fire effect was examined from a spatial viewpoint by comparing unburnt with burnt sites and from a temporal one by comparing populations among different postfire years.

We found that L. malachurum populations increased with time after fire, while they were more abundant in the burnt sites during the second postfire year. In contrast, L. marginatum populations decreased in both burnt and unburnt sites, which suggests that the decline was not an effect of the fire alone.

Insect body size differed among years for both species, with L. marginatum individuals being smaller in the burnt sites compared to the unburnt, albeit only in the first postfire year. Finally, both species show high partner fidelity but to different plant partners.

Our results underscore the importance of studies focusing on the effects of a disturbance at the intraspecific level. However long‐term monitoring is required, especially in the context of the global pollinator crisis and the more frequent and severe wildfires as an effect of climate change.
Sulfur disproportionating microbial communities in a dynamic, microoxic‐sulfidic karst system
Authors: Aronson Heidi S. , Clark Christian E. , LaRowe Douglas E. , Amend Jan P. , Polerecky Lubos , Macalady Jennifer L.
Published: September 2023

Biogeochemical sulfur cycling in sulfidic karst systems is largely driven by abiotic and biological sulfide oxidation, but the fate of elemental sulfur (S0) that accumulates in these systems is not well understood. The Frasassi Cave system (Italy) is intersected by a sulfidic aquifer that mixes with small quantities of oxygen‐rich meteoric water, creating Proterozoic‐like conditions and supporting a prolific ecosystem driven by sulfur‐based chemolithoautotrophy. To better understand the cycling of S0 in this environment, we examined the geochemistry and microbiology of sediments underlying widespread sulfide‐oxidizing mats dominated by Beggiatoa. Sediment populations were dominated by uncultivated relatives of sulfur cycling chemolithoautotrophs related to Sulfurovum, Halothiobacillus, Thiofaba, Thiovirga, Thiobacillus, and Desulfocapsa, as well as diverse uncultivated anaerobic heterotrophs affiliated with Bacteroidota, Anaerolineaceae, Lentimicrobiaceae, and Prolixibacteraceae. Desulfocapsa and Sulfurovum populations accounted for 12%–26% of sediment 16S rRNA amplicon sequences and were closely related to isolates which carry out autotrophic S0 disproportionation in pure culture. Gibbs energy (∆Gr) calculations revealed that S0 disproportionation under in situ conditions is energy yielding. Microsensor profiles through the mat‐sediment interface showed that Beggiatoa mats consume dissolved sulfide and oxygen, but a net increase in acidity was only observed in the sediments below. Together, these findings suggest that disproportionation is an important sink for S0 generated by microbial sulfide oxidation in this oxygen‐limited system and may contribute to the weathering of carbonate rocks and sediments in sulfur‐rich environments.
Impact of dietary sodium restriction on falls among middle‐aged and older adults: Results of an 8‐year longitudinal study
Authors: Lin Yu‐Chun , Yan Huang‐Ting
Published: September 2023

Aim

This study aimed to understand the relationship between dietary sodium restriction (DSR) and falling experiences in middle‐aged and older adults.

Methods

The 8‐year follow‐up data from the Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging, covering 5131 individuals aged ≥50 years, were analyzed using random‐effects panel logit models. Participants were asked to indicate whether they were told by a physician to reduce or avoid sodium intake from food and whether they had had fall experiences during the past year. We modelled falling experiences as a function of DSR (independent variable), involuntary body weight loss and walking difficulty (mediators), and chronic diseases (moderator), adjusting for individual‐level characteristics.

Results

Individuals with DSR were at a higher risk of falls compared with those with no DSR (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.30, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.11–1.53). This effect was more prevalent in individuals with a history of stroke (AOR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.19–2.87). Those told to reduce sodium intake by a physician were likely to lose weight involuntarily (AOR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.05–1.36) and had difficulty walking up two or three flights of stairs alone (AOR = 2.38, 95% CI = 1.73–3.27), which mediated the effect of DSR on increased fall risk (AOR = 1.15, 95% CI = 0.95–1.38). We found a temporal effect: participant reactions to short‐ and mid‐term DSR were significant.

Conclusions

DSR was associated with a greater likelihood of falls among middle‐aged and older adults, particularly those with a history of stroke. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 292–299.
Initial von Willebrand factor antigen values in adolescent females predict future values
Authors: Cohen Clay T. , Zobeck Mark , Powers Jacquelyn M.
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Diagnosing von Willebrand Disease (VWD) in adolescent females is challenging as menstruation and physiologic stress elevate von Willebrand factor (VWF) laboratory values.

Aim

To develop a VWF prediction model for adolescent females based on initial VWF results.

Methods

We identified female patients aged 9 to 21 years with any VWF laboratory test over a 5‐year period (2017–2021) at any Texas Children's Hospital facility. Patient demographics, VWF testing, haemoglobin concentration, serum ferritin and site of clinical testing were collected (initial and subsequent laboratory evaluations). A Bayesian linear regression model was developed. Prediction intervals were analysed to identify thresholds for patients in whom repeat testing was unlikely to identify low VWF levels (< 50%), consistent with VWD.

Results

A total of 6125 adolescent females underwent VWF testing; 1204 (19.7%) had repeat testing. Based on the prediction model, initial VWF antigen values of 80%, 90% and ≥100% carried a 92.6%, 96.6% and ≥98.0% probability of having repeat normal repeat VWF values, respectively. Subjects assessed in outpatient adolescent medicine or gynaecology clinics were more likely to have low VWF values compared to those assessed in the acute care setting (p < .001). Median presenting haemoglobin and serum ferritin were 12.4 g/dL and 13 ng/mL, respectively and were similar in those with normal versus low VWF antigen values.

Conclusion

Repeat testing in adolescent females whose initial VWF antigen values are ≥90% is unlikely to identify additional patients with VWD. Iron deficiency screening should be performed in all adolescent females.
Low‐level HIV viraemia during antiretroviral therapy: Longitudinal patterns and predictors of viral suppression
Authors: Elén S. , Björkman P. , Zazzi M. , Böhm M. , Bernal E. , Sönnerborg A. , Elvstam O. ,   The EuResist Network Study Group
Published: September 2023

Objectives

Our objective was to characterize longitudinal patterns of viraemia and factors associated with viral suppression in people with HIV and low‐level viraemia (LLV) during antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Methods

We included people with HIV in the EuResist Integrated Database with LLV following ART initiation after 2005. LLV was defined as two or more consecutive viral load (VL) measurements of 51–199 copies/mL 30–365 days apart after >12 months of ART. Viraemia patterns were analyzed over 24 months. Factors associated with viral suppression at 12 months after LLV episodes were identified using univariable and multivariable logistic regression.

Results

Of 25 113 people with HIV, 2474 (9.9%) had LLV. Among 1387 participants with 24 months of follow‐up after LLV, 406 (29%) had persistent suppression, 669 (48%) had transient viraemic episodes, 29 (2%) had persistent LLV, and 283 (20%) had virological failure. Following LLV episodes, the proportion with detectable viraemia declined (p for trend <0.001 and 0.034, in the first and second year, respectively). At 12 months, 68% had undetectable VL, which was associated with suppression before LLV (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2–2.4) and ART modification after LLV (aOR 1.6; 95% CI 1.0–2.4). The following factors were negatively associated with undetectable VL at 12 months: higher VL during LLV (aOR 0.57 per log10 copies/mL; 95% CI 0.37–0.89), injecting drug use (aOR 0.67; 95% CI 0.47–0.96), and regimens with protease inhibitors (aOR 0.65; 95% CI 0.49–0.87) or combined anchor drugs (aOR 0.52; 95% CI 0.32–0.85).

Conclusion

Most people with LLV did not experience sustained viral suppression during 24‐month follow‐up, supporting the association between LLV and inferior treatment outcome.
Relationship between nurses’ mood at work and work engagement: Work morale as a mediator
Authors: Wu Hsiu‐Chuan , Hsu Chi‐Ho , Chen Kuan‐Yang
Published: September 2023

Aim

To determine the effect of nurses’ mood at work (positive and negative) on work engagement and whether work morale mediates this relationship.

Background

Nurses’ work engagement is a key research area, yet limited data regarding the relationship between nurses’ mood at work and work engagement are available. Therefore, how nurses’ positive or negative mood at work affects their work engagement remains unclear.

Methods

This study analyzed nurses from a medical center in Taipei City. A total of 279 completed questionnaires were returned. The data were analyzed using two‐stage structural equation modeling to test the hypothesized relationships.

Findings

Nurses’ positive mood had a significantly positive effect on work morale, whereas their negative mood had a significantly negative effect on work morale. Additionally, work morale played a mediating role in the relationship between mood at work and work engagement.

Conclusion

The results revealed that nurses’ moods affected their work engagement and that this relationship was affected by work morale.

Implications for nursing and health policy

Healthcare institutions and hospitals could develop a positive work environment to help nurses maintain their good mood and reduce negative affectivity. They should also provide nurses with counseling services, offer morale‐boosting activities, and adopt an inspirational leadership style to maintain their work morale.
A global comparison of nursing and midwifery's and medical efficacy in preventing COVID‐19 deaths 2019–2022
Authors: You Wenpeng , Cusack Lynette , Donnelly Frank
Published: September 2023

Aim

Compare roles of nurses and midwives and physicians in reducing COVID‐19 deaths measured with a case fatality ratio.

Background

The roles and responsibilities of different health disciplines to the COVID‐19 pandemic vary. While more difficult to measure, objective assessments of discipline contributions of nurses and midwives and physicians can be viewed through statistical analysis.

Methods

Population‐level data are analysed with scatter plots, bivariate correlations, partial correlation and multiple linear regression models to illustrate the contributions of nurses and midwives and physicians in reducing COVID‐19 deaths. The role of nurses and midwives and physicians in protecting the community against COVID‐19 deaths is explored and compared using competing effects of affluence, age and urbanization. Data analysis software programs include Excel v.2016, SPSS v.28 and Fisher r‐to‐z transformation.

Results

Nurses and midwives reduce COVID‐19 deaths significantly more than physicians. This difference remains while controlling for physician care, economic affluence, median age and urbanization individually or in combination. In contrast, the role of physicians in reducing COVID‐19 deaths is less independent than nurses and midwives. Linear regression results insinuate when nursing and physician care are collated together with other predicting factors, physicians’ contribution to community protection against COVID‐19 case fatality ratio is statistically explained by nursing and midwifery care.

Discussion

Unlike physicians, the nursing and midwifery workforce is bigger and located throughout all healthcare system levels and, therefore, is more accessible to the community. This is an important point in explaining the contribution of nurses and midwives to reducing COVID‐19 deaths when compared with physicians.

Conclusion

This study suggests that, worldwide, the nursing and midwifery workforce may play a more significant role in protecting the community against COVID‐19 deaths than physicians.

Implications for health policy, nursing and midwifery practice

The findings from this study offer a unique perspective for health authorities to further understand the complementary and independent role of the nursing and midwifery workforce in respect of the healthcare team. This study suggests the importance of a broader range of healthcare services, especially during the pandemic, for example, COVID‐19. With the permission of health authorities, the nursing and midwifery workforce should have further extension of their scope of practice in situations such as pandemics due to their broader access to the community.
Predictive value of preoperative neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and platelet to lymphocyte ratio combined with operating room factors for surgical site infection after laparoscopic radical nephrectomy in renal cell carcinoma patients
Authors: Shen Jun , Xie Xun , Meng Yonghui , Mu Youyou
Published: September 2023

Background

Surgical site infections (SSIs) can pose significant risks to patients undergoing surgical procedures. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors and diagnostic value of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) for SSIs in patients undergoing laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 866 patients at our hospital was conducted between June 2016 and June 2022. The study divided patients into two groups: those with SSIs and those without. General data and operative room‐related information were collected. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were clearly defined. Peripheral blood indicators were analysed, and observation indicators were meticulously selected, including surgery time, usage of a laminar flow operating room and intraoperative hypothermia. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 25.0 software, including univariate, multivariate analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Results

Thirty‐six out of 866 patients developed SSIs. Statistically significant differences were found for surgery time, usage of non‐laminar flow operating rooms and intraoperative hypothermia (p < 0.05). ROC curve analysis showed an AUC of 0.765 (95% CI: 0.636–0.868) for serum NLR and PLR, with optimal cut‐off values at NLR 4.8 and PLR 196, indicating moderate to strong discriminative ability for SSIs.

Conclusions

The study identified non‐laminar flow operating rooms, extended surgery time, and intraoperative hypothermia as significant risk factors for SSIs. Serum NLR and PLR were found valuable as biomarkers for SSIs diagnosis, holding potential for preoperative risk assessment and improved patient safety in renal cell carcinoma care.
Strategic automation and decision‐making authority
Authors: Dogan Mustafa , Jacquillat Alexandre , Yildirim Pinar
Published: September 2023

This paper studies how automation impacts the structure of decision‐making in organizations. We develop a theoretical model of a firm, where a principal makes a decision about how much to prioritize the new product development division when the division is led by a manager who holds private information specific to this division and has misaligned preferences with the principal. The principal chooses whether to decentralize this decision by delegating it to the manager, resulting in more informed but unbiased decision. In this setting, we investigate how automation which reduces operational variability may alter this choice of organizational structure. The findings from our analysis show that firms deploy automation resources differently depending on their organizational structure: centralized firms choose to automate divisions that face more uncertainty, while decentralized firms do the opposite. Moreover, increasing access to automation results in higher centralization of decision‐making in firms. In the extensions, we show that the strategic use of automation reduces the informativeness of intrafirm communication, and also, that automation can be a strategic substitute to monetary contracts.
Electronic health record time‐tracking provides real‐time data to measure and benchmark dietitian productivity
Authors: Crouse Jennifer , Feuling Mary Beth , Winter Taylor , Goday Praveen S. , Smith Amber
Published: September 2023

Background

Traditional methods for benchmarking dietitian productivity are time‐consuming and fail to accurately measure the total time spent providing nutrition care. An electronic health record (EHR)‐based tool that allows for daily tracking of both face‐to‐face and patient care coordination time for dietitians was created. We assessed whether it provided consistent, continuous measurement of time and productivity.

Methods

This tool was created in an independent paediatric academic healthcare system in the USA. Time spent by dietitians in face‐to‐face settings and care coordination were tracked. Changes in time spent between the years 2013–2016 versus 2018–2019 were also analysed.

Results

The outpatient dietitian spent a mean total of 66.4 min per patient (37.8 ± 6.0 min in face‐to‐face care and 28.6 ± 5.2 min in care coordination). The total times and fractions spent on face‐to‐face and care coordination time varied by specialty. Comparison of the two periods of time revealed 75% more productivity on average of dietitians in different outpatient settings after including care coordination tracking. In addition, dietitians were more likely to document time spent in 5‐min increments after the institution of this methodology as opposed to 15‐min increments.

Conclusions

An EHR‐based tool that facilitates the documentation of both face‐to‐face time and patient care coordination time is feasible and enables consistent, continuous measurement of time and productivity. The real‐time data from this tool can be used to support adequate dietitian staffing and be used to create a multicentre database to measure the actual time dietitians need to provide care and generate consistent staffing benchmarks.
Identifying Indigenous people: Visual appearance, filiation, and the experience of race in an “Indigenous” soccer championship and in everyday life in Otavalo, Ecuador
Authors: Voirol Jérémie
Published: September 2023

While Indigenous/mestizo distinction in Latin Americanist anthropology has been mainly thought of as a cultural and/or socioeconomic demarcation, I argue that a conceptualization in terms of race offers some valuable insights. Starting from a soccer championship in the Otavalo region of Ecuador, I show how otavaleño Indigenous people's historical and current experiences of racialization have shaped the criteria that they consider relevant to identification practices, and I illustrate how they build on these to act to some advantage. Building on the assemblage of what I call phenotypization—an extended notion of phenotype—and genealogy, otavaleños create spaces of identification control, striving to maintain the Indigenous/mestizo divide and a sense of belonging upon which they rely for economic activities. Favoring the notion of race, this study lays the groundwork for a Latin Americanist anthropology that considers Indigenous people as part of the same subaltern category as Afro‐descendants.
Circulating markers of extracellular matrix remodelling in severe COVID‐19 patients
Authors: Murphy Sarah Louise , Halvorsen Bente , Holter Jan Cato , Huse Camilla , Tveita Anders , Trøseid Marius , Hoel Hedda , Kildal Anders Benjamin , Holten Aleksander Rygh , Lerum Tøri Vigeland , Skjønsberg Ole Henning , Michelsen Annika E , Aaløkken Trond M ,   NOR‐SOLIDARITY Consortium, The Norwegian SARS‐CoV‐2 study group investigators, Tonby Kristian , Lind Andreas , Dudman Susanne , Granerud Beathe Kiland , Heggelund Lars , Bøe Simen , Dyrholt‐Riise Anne Ma , Aukrust Pål , Barratt‐Due Andreas , Ueland Thor , Dahl Tuva Børresdatter
Published: September 2023

Background

Abnormal remodelling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) has generally been linked to pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis and may also play a role in the pathogenesis of severe COVID‐19. To further elucidate the role of ECM remodelling and excessive fibrogenesis in severe COVID‐19, we examined circulating levels of mediators involved in various aspects of these processes in COVID‐19 patients.

Methods

Serial blood samples were obtained from two cohorts of hospitalised COVID‐19 patients (n = 414). Circulating levels of ECM remodelling mediators were quantified by enzyme immunoassays in samples collected during hospitalisation and at 3‐month follow‐up. Samples were related to disease severity (respiratory failure and/or treatment at the intensive care unit), 60‐day total mortality and pulmonary pathology after 3‐months. We also evaluated the direct effect of inactivated SARS‐CoV‐2 on the release of the different ECM mediators in relevant cell lines.

Results

Several of the measured markers were associated with adverse outcomes, notably osteopontin (OPN), S100 calcium‐binding protein A12 and YKL‐40 were associated with disease severity and mortality. High levels of ECM mediators during hospitalisation were associated with computed tomography thorax pathology after 3‐months. Some markers (i.e. growth differential factor 15, galectin 3 and matrix metalloproteinase 9) were released from various relevant cell lines (i.e. macrophages and lung cell lines) in vitro after exposure to inactivated SARS‐CoV‐2 suggesting a direct link between these mediators and the causal agent of COVID‐19.

Conclusion

Our findings highlight changes to ECM remodelling and particularly a possible role of OPN, S100A12 and YKL‐40 in the pathogenesis of severe COVID‐19.
Skin temperature as a predictor of on‐the‐road driving performance in people with central disorders of hypersomnolence
Authors: Vael Veronique E. C. , Bijlenga Denise , Schinkelshoek Mink S. , van der Sluiszen Nick N. J. J. M. , Remmerswaal Aniek , Overeem Sebastiaan , Ramaekers Johannes G. , Vermeeren Annemiek , Lammers Gert Jan , Fronczek Rolf
Published: September 2023

Excessive daytime sleepiness is the core symptom of central disorders of hypersomnolence (CDH) and can directly impair driving performance. Sleepiness is reflected in relative alterations in distal and proximal skin temperature. Therefore, we examined the predictive value of skin temperature on driving performance. Distal and proximal skin temperature and their gradient (DPG) were continuously measured in 44 participants with narcolepsy type 1, narcolepsy type 2 or idiopathic hypersomnia during a standardised 1‐h driving test. Driving performance was defined as the standard deviation of lateral position (SDLP) per 5 km segment (equivalent to 3 min of driving). Distal and proximal skin temperature and DPG measurements were averaged over each segment and changes over segments were calculated. Mixed‐effect model analyses showed a strong, quadratic association between proximal skin temperature and SDLP (p < 0.001) and a linear association between DPG and SDLP (p < 0.021). Proximal skin temperature changes over 3 to 15 min were predictive for SDLP. Moreover, SDLP increased over time (0.34 cm/segment, p < 0.001) and was higher in men than in women (3.50 cm, p = 0.012). We conclude that proximal skin temperature is a promising predictor for real‐time assessment of driving performance in people with CDH.
Patients hospitalized with alcohol‐related liver disease and prior bariatric surgery are more prone to develop acute‐on‐chronic liver failure
Authors: Onghena Louis , Van Nieuwenhove Yves , Demeulenaere Laurissa , Devisscher Lindsey , Verhelst Xavier , Degroote Helena , Raevens Sarah , Van Vlierberghe Hans , Lefere Sander , Geerts Anja
Published: September 2023

Background & Aims

Patients with a history of bariatric surgery (BS) are susceptible to developing alcohol use disorder. We and others have previously shown that these patients can develop severe alcohol‐related liver disease (ARLD). Our aim was to describe the demographics, co‐morbidities and mortality of a hospitalized population diagnosed with alcohol‐related liver disease, in relation to BS.

Methods

We included 299 patients hospitalized with ARLD at the Ghent University Hospital between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2022. Clinical, biochemical and outcome data were retrospectively retrieved from the most recent hospitalization. Statistical analysis was performed using the t test, Mann–Whitney U and χ2 tests.

Results

Thirteen per cent (39/299) of patients admitted with ARLD had a history of bariatric surgery, of whom 25 (64.1%) had undergone Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass. Patients with a history of BS were predominantly female (76.9%), in contrast to the non‐BS population (29.2%) (p < .0001), and despite being significantly younger (p < .0001) and had a similar survival (61.5% vs. 58.1%). Bariatric surgery and older age at diagnosis were both significantly associated with poorer transplant‐free survival. The cause of death was acute‐on‐chronic liver failure in 73.3% of BS patients, compared to only 19.2% of those without a history of BS (p < .0001). The weekly amount of alcohol consumed (p = .012) and duration of use (p < .0001) were significantly lower/shorter in the BS population.

Conclusions

BS patients hospitalized with ARLD are predominantly younger women with a lower cumulative alcohol consumption compared to those without prior BS. BS impacted transplant‐free survival, with ACLF as the predominant cause of death in these patients.
Socio‐economic factors associated with loss to follow‐up among individuals with HCV: A Dutch nationwide cross‐sectional study
Authors: van Dijk Marleen , Boyd Anders , Brakenhoff Sylvia M. , Isfordink Cas J. , van Zoest Rosan A. , Verhagen Mark D. , de Knegt Robert J. , Drenth Joost P. H. , van der Valk Marc ,   the HepNed study group
Published: September 2023

Background and Aims

The path to hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination is complicated by individuals who become lost to follow‐up (LTFU) during care, particularly before receiving effective HCV treatment. We aimed to determine factors contributing to LTFU and whether LTFU is associated with mortality.

Methods

In this secondary analysis, we constructed a database including individuals with HCV who were either LTFU (data from the nationwide HCV retrieval project, CELINE) or treated with directly acting antivirals (DAA) (data from Statistics Netherlands) between 2012 and 2019. This database was linked to mortality data from Statistics Netherlands. Determinants associated with being LTFU versus DAA‐treated were assessed using logistic regression, and mortality rates were compared between groups using exponential survival models. These analyses were additionally stratified on calendar periods: 2012–2014, 2015–2017 and 2018–2019.

Results

About 254 individuals, LTFU and 5547 DAA‐treated were included. Being institutionalized (OR = 5.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 3.29–7.65), household income below the social minimum (OR = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.25–3.06), receiving benefits (OR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.20–2.52) and psychiatric comorbidity (OR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.09–2.10) were associated with LTFU. Mortality rates were significantly higher in individuals LTFU compared to those DAA‐treated (2.99 vs. 1.15/100 person‐years (PY), p < .0001), while in those DAA‐treated, mortality rates slowly increased between 2012–2014 (.22/100PY) and 2018–2019 (2.25/100PY).

Conclusion

In the Netherlands, individuals who are incarcerated/institutionalized, with low household income, or with psychiatric comorbidities are prone to being LTFU, which is associated with higher mortality. HCV care needs to be adapted for these vulnerable individuals.
Ukraine at war: Baseline identity and social construction
Authors: Wilson Andrew
Published: September 2023

Ukrainians' resilience in the face of Russia's 2022 invasion can be explained by cumulative identity change through successive revolutions: the Orange Revolution in 2004, the Maidan Revolution or Revolution of Dignity in 2013–2014 and the current as yet unnamed war. The two phases of the war, from 2014 and 2022, have accelerated both the civic and the social construction of Ukrainian identity. Post‐post‐Soviet Ukraine is now a consolidated civic and political nation. But there is also an increased consensus on traditional nationalist mythology, defined by opposition to Russia's aggressive reimperialisation and autocratic political culture and by Ukraine's hyper‐Europeanisation.
Requirements for anti‐aquaporin 5 autoantibody production in a mouse model
Authors: Acharya Sabin , Lee Ahreum , Kim Hyunjin , Kim Hyeong‐jin , Choi Youngnim
Published: September 2023

Several oral bacteria, including Prevotella melaninogenica (Pm), have aquaporin (AQP) proteins homologous to human AQP5, a major water channel protein targeted in Sjogren's syndrome. This study aimed to understand the antigenic characteristics that induce autoantibodies against an AQP5 “E” epitope (AQP5E) in a mouse model using C57BL/6 mice. Immunization with a PmE‐L peptide derived from Pm AQP, which contains amino acid mismatches both at the B‐ and T‐cell epitopes, efficiently induced anti‐AQP5E autoantibodies accompanied by increased germinal center (GC) B and follicular helper T cells in the draining lymph nodes. However, PmE, a peptide lacking a T‐cell epitope, and AQP5E‐L, an AQP5‐derived self‐peptide, hardly induced either anti‐AQP5E autoantibodies or GC responses. Surprisingly, OTII‐AQP5E, a peptide that replaced the self T‐cell epitope of AQP5E‐L with an ovalbumin‐derived foreign T‐cell epitope, was not any better than AQP5E‐L in the induction of anti‐AQP5E autoantibodies and GC response, despite the substantial expansion of CD4+ T cells and production of anti‐OTII‐AQP5E antibodies. The complex of biotinylated PmE‐L peptide and highly immunogenic streptavidin (SA) induced a strong extrafollicular B‐cell response skewed toward the expansion of SA‐specific B cells. However, the expansion of AQP5E‐specific GC B cells was limited, resulting in the inefficient induction of anti‐AQP5E autoantibodies. Collectively, our results have demonstrated that anti‐AQP5E autoantibody production is only allowed when foreign B‐ and T‐cell epitopes drive a strong GC response of AQP5E‐specific B cells for affinity maturation. This study helps explain why cross‐reactive anti‐AQP5 autoantibodies are not produced during the immune response to Pm in most healthy people.
Grounding and boundaries
Authors: Sciacca Giulio
Published: September 2023

This paper discusses a recent puzzle concerning the notions of boundary parthood and dependence, and offers a new solution. The puzzle was originally presented by Jeroen Smid and successively elaborated upon by Claudio Calosi. I first reformulate some of the troublesome premises. Particularly, whereas Smid and Calosi discuss the puzzle in terms of an underspecified notion of dependence, I propose to construe it in terms of the notion of grounding. In this manner, the dependence relation inherently carries an asymmetry, and we can effectively utilize its four places. The solution I advance precisely takes advantage of this feature of dependence. My proposal avoids the contradiction while still respecting the intuitions driving the original premises. It is also fully compatible with boundaries being only generically dependent on their wholes.
On distributivity in higher algebra I: the universal property of bispans
Authors: Elmanto Elden , Haugseng Rune
Published: September 2023

Structures where we have both a contravariant (pullback) and a covariant (pushforward) functoriality that satisfy base change can be encoded by functors out of ($\infty$-)categories of spans (or correspondences). In this paper, we study the more complicated setup where we have two pushforwards (an ‘additive’ and a ‘multiplicative’ one), satisfying a distributivity relation. Such structures can be described in terms of bispans (or polynomial diagrams). We show that there exist $(\infty,2)$-categories of bispans, characterized by a universal property: they corepresent functors out of $\infty$-categories of spans where the pullbacks have left adjoints and certain canonical 2-morphisms (encoding base change and distributivity) are invertible. This gives a universal way to obtain functors from bispans, which amounts to upgrading ‘monoid-like’ structures to ‘ring-like’ ones. For example, symmetric monoidal $\infty$-categories can be described as product-preserving functors from spans of finite sets, and if the tensor product is compatible with finite coproducts our universal property gives the canonical semiring structure using the coproduct and tensor product. More interestingly, we encode the additive and multiplicative transfers on equivariant spectra as a functor from bispans in finite $G$-sets, extend the norms for finite étale maps in motivic spectra to a functor from certain bispans in schemes, and make $\mathrm {Perf}(X)$ for $X$ a spectral Deligne–Mumford stack a functor of bispans using a multiplicative pushforward for finite étale maps in addition to the usual pullback and pushforward maps. Combining this with the polynomial functoriality of $K$-theory constructed by Barwick, Glasman, Mathew, and Nikolaus, we obtain norms on algebraic $K$-theory spectra.
Origami-Inspired Design of a Single-Degree-of-Freedom Reconfigurable Wing With Lockable Mechanisms
Authors: Zhang Xiong , Kang Xi , Li Bing
Published: September 2023

The morphing wing can enable the aircraft to maintain good flight performance in different missions or flight stages, which has enjoyed much attention in recent research. However, it is difficult to design the wing with multiple configurations and lightweight. Inspired by the origami art, a reconfigurable mechanism with a single-degree-of-freedom (single-DOF) is introduced to the morphing wing design in this paper. The bending configuration, the deployable configuration, and the configuration transformation of the reconfigurable mechanism are respectively analyzed. The lengths of some links are also optimized according to the motion requirements. Specific kinematic pairs of the reconfigurable mechanism are required to have the locking function. Therefore, a reliable “plug-in” type lockable mechanism is designed and its working performance is verified by comparing the analytical model and the finite element method model. Finally, by assembling the reconfigurable mechanism with the ribs, the reconfigurable wing which can realize the arbitrary transformation of four configurations under a single drive mode can be obtained.
Enhancing the reactivity of clean, defect-free epitaxial graphene by the substrate—Experiment and theory
Authors: Stach T. , Seif A. , Ambrosetti A. , Silvestrelli P. L. , Burghaus U.
Published: September 2023

Experimental and theoretical evidence is presented that a sulfur compound dissociates on clean, defect-free epitaxial graphene (Gr) in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV). Together with density functional theory calculations (DFT), experimental kinetics and spectroscopic data suggest an auto-(/self)catalytic process. The results could open a pathway to a carbocatalyst. While adsorbing H2S in UHV at low temperatures on single-layer graphene/ruthenium (Gr/Ru), H2 desorbs and sulfur remains on the surface. Vacancy and grain boundary defects, respectively, can be excluded as active sites. DFT results indicate the importance of the Ru(0001) support in facilitating a reaction pathway with small activation energy for H2S dissociation. Gr becomes reactive due to a complex interplay of structural and electronic effects, including the corrugation of the graphene layer and the hybridization of ruthenium's d orbital with antibonding states of H2S.
Auditory vertical localization in the median plane with conflicting dynamic interaural time difference and other elevation cues
Authors: Xie Bosun , Liu Lulu , Jiang Jianliang , Zhang Chengyun , Zhao Tong
Published: September 2023

Both dynamic variation of interaural time difference (ITD) and static spectral cues provide information for front-back discrimination and vertical localization. However, the contributions of the two cues are still unclear. The static spectral cue has conventionally been regarded as the dominant one. In the present work, psychoacoustic experiments were conducted to examine the contribution of dynamic ITD and static spectral cues to vertical localization in the median plane. By modifying the head-related transfer functions used in a dynamic virtual auditory display, binaural signals with conflicting dynamic ITD and spectral cues that were either static or dynamically modified according to instantaneous head position were created. The results indicated that the dynamic ITD and static spectral cues contribute to vertical localization at low and high frequencies, respectively. For full a bandwidth stimulus, conflicting dynamic ITD and static spectral cues usually result in two separated virtual sources at different elevations corresponding to the spatial information conveyed by the low- and high-frequency bands, respectively. In most cases, no fused localization occurs in the high-level cognition system. Therefore, dynamic ITD and static spectral cues contribute to vertical localization at different frequency ranges, and neither of them dominates vertical localization in the case of wideband stimuli.