bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dermatophytosis caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes complex in organic pigs
Authors: Sylvén Kaisa Ryytty , Bergefur Ann-Louise , Jacobson Magdalena , Wallgren Per , Selling Lena Eliasson
Published: July 2023

Background

Dermatophytosis (ringworm) caused by members of the Trichophyton mentagrophytes complex is rarely diagnosed in pigs but has been recognized as an increasingly common infection in humans. Further, resistance to antifungal drugs have been reported both in Asia and in Europe. This is the first scientific report of infection by the T. mentagrophytes complex in pigs in the Nordic countries.

Case presentation

Skin lesions developed in grower pigs in an organic fattening pig farm with outdoor production and following laboratory analyses, dermatophytosis caused by members of the T. mentagrophytes complex was diagnosed. Infection was linked to poor hygiene, high humidity, and moderate outdoor temperatures, in combination with high pig density. A farm worker developed a skin lesion after close contact with affected pigs, which highlighted the zoonotic potential of porcine dermatophytosis. The dermatophytes may have originated from the herd supplying the growers where similar lesions occurred in pigs. Further, pigs from another organic fattening herd that received growers from the same supplier herd also developed dermatophytosis. The lesions healed without treatment as the housing conditions were improved. Isolation of affected pigs prevented spread to other pigs

Conclusion

Members of the T. mentagrophytes complex can cause ringworm in pigs. The fungi probably persist in the haircoat and may cause overt disease when environmental conditions promote growth of mycelia.
Overlapping filter bank convolutional neural network for multisubject multicategory motor imagery brain-computer interface
Authors: Luo Jing , Li Jundong , Mao Qi , Shi Zhenghao , Liu Haiqin , Ren Xiaoyong , Hei Xinhong
Published: July 2023

Background

Motor imagery brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) is a classic and potential BCI technology achieving brain computer integration. In motor imagery BCI, the operational frequency band of the EEG greatly affects the performance of motor imagery EEG recognition model. However, as most algorithms used a broad frequency band, the discrimination from multiple sub-bands were not fully utilized. Thus, using convolutional neural network (CNNs) to extract discriminative features from EEG signals of different frequency components is a promising method in multisubject EEG recognition.

Methods

This paper presents a novel overlapping filter bank CNN to incorporate discriminative information from multiple frequency components in multisubject motor imagery recognition. Specifically, two overlapping filter banks with fixed low-cut frequency or sliding low-cut frequency are employed to obtain multiple frequency component representations of EEG signals. Then, multiple CNN models are trained separately. Finally, the output probabilities of multiple CNN models are integrated to determine the predicted EEG label.

Results

Experiments were conducted based on four popular CNN backbone models and three public datasets. And the results showed that the overlapping filter bank CNN was efficient and universal in improving multisubject motor imagery BCI performance. Specifically, compared with the original backbone model, the proposed method can improve the average accuracy by 3.69 percentage points, F1 score by 0.04, and AUC by 0.03. In addition, the proposed method performed best among the comparison with the state-of-the-art methods.

Conclusion

The proposed overlapping filter bank CNN framework with fixed low-cut frequency is an efficient and universal method to improve the performance of multisubject motor imagery BCI.
GreenHill: a de novo chromosome-level scaffolding and phasing tool using Hi-C
Authors: Ouchi Shun , Kajitani Rei , Itoh Takehiko
Published: July 2023

Chromosome-level haplotype-resolved genome assembly is an important resource in molecular biology. However, current de novo haplotype assemblers require parental data or reference genomes and often fail to provide chromosome-level results. We present GreenHill, a novel scaffolding and phasing tool that considers various assemblers’ contigs as input to reconstruct chromosome-level haplotypes using Hi-C without parental or reference data. Its unique functions include new error correction based on Hi-C contacts and the simultaneous use of Hi-C and long reads. Benchmarks reveal that GreenHill outperforms other approaches in contiguity and phasing accuracy, and the majority of chromosome arms are entirely phased.
Sex differences in the effects of prematurity and/or low birthweight on neurodevelopmental outcomes: systematic review and meta-analyses
Authors: Christians Julian K. , Ahmadzadeh-Seddeighi Saboura , Bilal Alishba , Bogdanovic Anastasia , Ho Rebecca , Leung Estee V. , MacGregor Megan A. , Nadasdy Nolan M. , Principe Gabriella M.
Published: July 2023

Background

Premature birth and/or low birthweight have long-lasting effects on cognition. The purpose of the present systematic review is to examine whether the effects of prematurity and/or low birth weight on neurodevelopmental outcomes differ between males and females.

Methods

Web of Science, Scopus, and Ovid MEDLINE were searched for studies of humans born premature and/or of low birthweight, where neurodevelopmental phenotypes were measured at 1 year of age or older. Studies must have reported outcomes in such a way that it was possible to assess whether effects were greater in one sex than the other. Risk of bias was assessed using both the Newcastle–Ottawa scale and the National Institutes of Health Quality assessment tool for observational cohort and cross-sectional studies.

Results

Seventy-five studies were included for descriptive synthesis, although only 24 presented data in a way that could be extracted for meta-analyses. Meta-analyses found that severe and moderate prematurity/low birthweight impaired cognitive function, and severe prematurity/low birthweight also increased internalizing problem scores. Moderate, but not severe, prematurity/low birthweight significantly increased externalizing problem scores. In no case did effects of prematurity/low birthweight differ between males and females. Heterogeneity among studies was generally high and significant, although age at assessment was not a significant moderator of effect. Descriptive synthesis did not identify an obvious excess or deficiency of male-biased or female-biased effects for any trait category. Individual study quality was generally good, and we found no evidence of publication bias.

Conclusions

We found no evidence that the sexes differ in their susceptibility to the effects of severe or moderate prematurity/low birthweight on cognitive function, internalizing traits or externalizing traits. Result heterogeneity tended to be high, but this reflects that one sex is not consistently more affected than the other. Frequently stated generalizations that one sex is more susceptible to prenatal adversity should be re-evaluated.
Non-overdose acute care hospitalizations for opioid use disorder among commercially-insured adults: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Raman Sudha R. , Ford Cassie B. , Hammill Bradley G. , Clark Amy G. , Clifton Dana C. , Jackson George L.
Published: July 2023

Background

Acute care inpatient admissions outside of psychiatric facilities have been increasingly identified as a critical touchpoint for opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment. We sought to describe non-opioid overdose hospitalizations with documented OUD and examine receipt of post-discharge outpatient buprenorphine.

Methods

We examined acute care hospitalizations with an OUD diagnosis in any position within US commercially-insured adults age 18–64 years (IBM MarketScan claims, 2013–2017), excluding opioid overdose diagnoses. We included individuals with ≥ 6 months of continuous enrollment prior to the index hospitalization and ≥ 10 days following discharge. We described demographic and hospitalization characteristics, including outpatient buprenorphine receipt within 10 days of discharge.

Results

Most (87%) hospitalizations with documented OUD did not include opioid overdose. Of 56,717 hospitalizations (49,959 individuals), 56.8% had a primary diagnosis other than OUD, 37.0% had documentation of an alcohol-related diagnosis code, and 5.8% end in a self-directed discharge. Where opioid use disorder was not the primary diagnosis, 36.5% were due to other substance use disorders, and 23.1% were due to psychiatric disorders. Of all non-overdose hospitalizations who had prescription medication insurance coverage and who were discharged to an outpatient setting (n = 49, 237), 8.8% filled an outpatient buprenorphine prescription within 10 days of discharge.

Conclusions

Non-overdose OUD hospitalizations often occur with substance use disorders and psychiatric disorders, and very few are followed by timely outpatient buprenorphine. Addressing the OUD treatment gap during hospitalization may include implementing medication for OUD for inpatients with a broad range of diagnoses.
Practices and challenges related to antibiotic use in paediatric treatment in hospitals and health centres in Niger and Uganda: a mixed methods study
Authors: Mambula Grace , Nanjebe Deborah , Munene Aurelia , Guindo Ousmane , Salifou Aichatou , Mamaty Abdoul-Aziz , Rattigan Susan , Ellis Sally , Khavessian Nathalie , van der Pluijm Rob W , Marquer Caroline , Adehossi Irene Aicha , Langendorf Céline
Published: July 2023

Background

Antibiotic resistance is a significant public health problem and is responsible for high mortality in children and new-borns. Strengthening the rational use of antibiotics and improving the quality and access to existing antibiotics are important factors in the fight against antibiotic resistance. This study aims to provide knowledge on the use of antibiotics in children in resource-limited countries in order to identify problems and possible avenues for improvement of antibiotics use.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study in July 2020 and collected quantitative clinical and therapeutic data on antibiotic prescriptions between January and December 2019 in 4 hospitals or health centres in both Uganda and Niger, respectively from January to December 2019. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted among healthcare personnel and carers for children under 17 years of age, respectively.

Results

A total of 1,622 children in Uganda and 660 children in Niger (mean age of 3.9 years (SD 4.43)) who received at least one antibiotic were included in the study. In hospital settings, 98.4 to 100% of children prescribed at least one antibiotic received at least one injectable antibiotic. Most hospitalized children received more than one antibiotic in both Uganda (52.1%) and Niger (71.1%). According to the WHO-AWaRe index, the proportion of prescriptions of antibiotics belonging to the Watch category was 21.8% (432/1982) in Uganda and 32.0% (371/1158) in Niger. No antibiotics from the Reserve category were prescribed. Health care provider’s prescribing practices are rarely guided by microbiological analyses. Prescribers are faced with numerous constraints, such as lack of standard national guidelines, unavailability of essential antibiotics at the level of hospital pharmacies, the limited financial means of the families, and pressure to prescribe antibiotics from caregivers as well as from drug company representatives. The quality of some antibiotics provided by the National Medical Stores to the public and private hospitals has been questioned by some health professionals. Self-medication is a widespread practice for the antibiotic treatment of children for economic and access reasons.

Conclusion

The study findings indicate that an intersection of policy, institutional norms and practices including individual caregiver or health provider factors, influence antibiotic prescription, administration and dispensing practices.
Targeting the glycine-rich domain of TDP-43 with antibodies prevents its aggregation in vitro and reduces neurofilament levels in vivo
Authors: Riemenschneider Henrick , Simonetti Francesca , Sheth Udit , Katona Eszter , Roth Stefan , Hutten Saskia , Farny Daniel , Michaelsen Meike , Nuscher Brigitte , Schmidt Michael K. , Flatley Andrew , Schepers Aloys , Gruijs da Silva Lara A. , Zhou Qihui , Klopstock Thomas , Liesz Arthur , Arzberger Thomas , Herms Jochen , Feederle Regina , Gendron Tania F. , Dormann Dorothee , Edbauer Dieter
Published: July 2023

Cytoplasmic aggregation and concomitant nuclear clearance of the RNA-binding protein TDP-43 are found in ~ 90% of cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and ~ 45% of patients living with frontotemporal lobar degeneration, but no disease-modifying therapy is available. Antibody therapy targeting other aggregating proteins associated with neurodegenerative disorders has shown beneficial effects in animal models and clinical trials. The most effective epitopes for safe antibody therapy targeting TDP-43 are unknown. Here, we identified safe and effective epitopes in TDP-43 for active and potential future passive immunotherapy. We prescreened 15 peptide antigens covering all regions of TDP-43 to identify the most immunogenic epitopes and to raise novel monoclonal antibodies in wild-type mice. Most peptides induced a considerable antibody response and no antigen triggered obvious side effects. Thus, we immunized mice with rapidly progressing TDP-43 proteinopathy (“rNLS8” model) with the nine most immunogenic peptides in five pools prior to TDP-43ΔNLS transgene induction. Strikingly, combined administration of two N-terminal peptides induced genetic background-specific sudden lethality in several mice and was therefore discontinued. Despite a strong antibody response, no TDP-43 peptide prevented the rapid body weight loss or reduced phospho-TDP-43 levels as well as the profound astrogliosis and microgliosis in rNLS8 mice. However, immunization with a C-terminal peptide containing the disease-associated phospho-serines 409/410 significantly lowered serum neurofilament light chain levels, indicative of reduced neuroaxonal damage. Transcriptomic profiling showed a pronounced neuroinflammatory signature (IL-1β, TNF-α, NfκB) in rNLS8 mice and suggested modest benefits of immunization targeting the glycine-rich region. Several novel monoclonal antibodies targeting the glycine-rich domain potently reduced phase separation and aggregation of TDP-43 in vitro and prevented cellular uptake of preformed aggregates. Our unbiased screen suggests that targeting the RRM2 domain and the C-terminal region of TDP-43 by active or passive immunization may be beneficial in TDP-43 proteinopathies by inhibiting cardinal processes of disease progression.

Graphical Abstract
Phosphorus leaching risk from black soil increased due to conversion of arid agricultural land to paddy land in northeast China
Authors: Xie Zi-jian , Zhu Dong , Wei Wei-wei , Ye Chun , Wang Hao , Li Chun-hua
Published: July 2023

Background

Land-use change from arid agricultural land to paddy land may increase soil phosphorus (P) leaching in the black soil region. However, little information is available for soil P leaching risk assessment from soil profiles due to the land-use conversion in the black soil region of northeast China.

Results

This study explored the effect of land-use change from arid agricultural land to paddy land on soil P leaching change point, P leaching risk and P fractions. Conversion from arid agricultural land to paddy land decrease soil P leaching change point (0–20 cm: 59.63 mg kg−1 vs. 35.35 mg kg−1; 20–40 cm: 24.31 mg kg−1 vs. 17.20 mg kg−1; 40–60 cm: 32.91 mg kg−1 vs. 10.45 mg kg−1); 30.9% of arid agricultural soils were at risk of P leaching into the shallow groundwater, compared to 87.5% of paddy soils, implying a high risk of P leaching after land-use conversion. P fraction analysis using the Hedley sequential extraction method showed that moderately active P, including NaOH-Pi, NaOH-Po, and HCl-Pi, were the dominant fractions in the tested soils. HCl-Pi and NaOH-Pi were the major P fraction of moderately active P in arid agricultural land and paddy land, respectively, indicating that land-use change leads to the conversion from Ca-bound P to P associated with Fe and Al.

Conclusions

The soil P leaching change point decreased due to land-use conversion from arid agricultural soils to paddy soils, which may lead to higher P leaching risk. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the management and control of soil P loss in areas with large-scaled conversion from arid agricultural land to paddy fields.

Graphical Abstract
Heritage and the COVID-19 pandemic: the meaning of visitation
Authors: Dewi Cut , Rofe Matthew , Nichols Julie , Izziah Izziah
Published: July 2023

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted global mobility. ‘Lockdowns’ and travel bans have been used as control measures by international governments. Consequently, the ways that we use buildings have also been impacted by these actions. Thus, this paper explores the roles of heritage sites in a post-COVID-19 pandemic society. This research is part of the Urban Heritage and Community Resilience: Conservation, Tourism, and Pandemic project, and it employs methods such as semistructured interviews, participant observations, archival research, and focus group discussions (FGDs). This paper is based on semistructured interviews conducted with one hundred eighteen participants across ten popular heritage sites in Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar, Indonesia. The findings confirm the debated claim in postdisaster studies asserting that some of these Acehnese heritage sites, especially those imbued with religious values, have become places of resilience. Specifically, during the pandemic, these sites have facilitated community resilience by helping people feel closer to God. For practising Acehnese Muslims, prayer at home is culturally acceptable, but praying at the mosque, which is one of the essential heritages of the Acehnese, has contributed to and strengthened the sense of community resilience. Therefore, visitation and participation in heritage sites that include experiencing the sense of place and conducting religious and cultural activities is integral to community resilience.
Identification of parameters and indicators for implementing circularity in the construction industry
Authors: Kazmi Rizwan , Chakraborty Manjari
Published: July 2023

The increase in population, rapid urbanization, the required infrastructure development, the linear development model adopted by the construction stakeholders, and the unaccountability of construction waste have put tremendous stress on existing natural resources. The world has witnessed a situation where resource optimization through mitigation strategies has become significant for sustainable construction. A circular economy keeps the resources in the loop for the longest possible, eliminating waste from the system. This paper attempts to identify the parameters and relevant indicators for bringing circularity to the construction industry. During the research, 144 indicators were identified through a literature review which was followed by a three-round Delphi survey to attain consensus from 30 experts. Finally, after three rounds, 78 indicators were shortlisted, which received maximum consensus among the experts (W = 0.75). Construction stakeholders and decision-makers can use the identified list of indicators to bring circularity to the construction industry.
Adaptive spatiotemporal neural networks based on machine learning for missing well-log prediction
Authors: Chen Bingyang , Zeng Xingjie , Fan Lulu , Li Kun , Zhang Weishan , Cao Shaohua , Wang YanXin , Du Ruishan , Chen Tao , Zhang Baoyu , Zhou Jiehan
Published: July 2023

The well log is the basis for understanding a geologic structure and evaluating petroleum reservoirs. It inevitably leads to missing logs due to borehole conditions and equipment failures. Existing machine-learning methods introduce convolutional neural networks (CNNs) in temporal networks to learn local morphological (spatial) features for improving prediction. However, they ignore the temporal background information of the logs and the differences in spatial features at different depth points. An adaptive spatiotemporal transformer (ASTT) is developed to effectively overcome these challenges, which consists of a temporal background encoder (TBE), a spatial encoder (SE), and a spatiotemporal decoder (STD). TBE introduces average pooling in the transformer encoder to learn the hidden geologic information in the extracted longitudinal temporal features. SE combines CNN and an attention mechanism to learn the spatial features of each depth point differentially. STD maps the extracted spatiotemporal features to the missing logs. Experimental results on real oilfield data indicate that our ASTT achieves excellent performance in terms of fitting degree and test error. The results in the cross-logs and crosswell cases demonstrate the generalization of ASTT.
High Cost of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cells: Challenges and Solutions
Authors: Cliff Edward R. Scheffer , Kelkar Amar H. , Russler-Germain David A. , Tessema Frazer A. , Raymakers Adam J.N. , Feldman William B. , Kesselheim Aaron S.
Published: July 2023

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells are a cellular immunotherapy with remarkable efficacy in treating multiple hematologic malignancies but they are associated with extremely high prices that are, for many countries, prohibitively expensive. As their use increases both for hematologic malignancies and other indications, and large numbers of new cellular therapies are developed, novel approaches will be needed both to reduce the cost of therapy, and to pay for them. We review the many factors that lead to the high cost of CAR T-cells and offer proposals for reform.
Therapy for Stage IV Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer With Driver Alterations: ASCO Living Guideline, Version 2023.2
Authors: Owen Dwight H. , Singh Navneet , Ismaila Nofisat , Masters Gregory , Riely Gregory J. , Robinson Andrew G. , Schneider Bryan J. , Jaiyesimi Ishmael A.
Published: July 2023

Living guidelines are developed for selected topic areas with rapidly evolving evidence that drives frequent change in clinical practice. Living guidelines are updated on a regular schedule by a standing expert panel that systematically reviews the health literature on a continuous basis; as described in the ASCO Guidelines Methodology Manual . ASCO Living Guidelines follow the ASCO Conflict of Interest Policy Implementation for Clinical Practice Guidelines . Living Guidelines and updates are not intended to substitute for independent professional judgment of the treating provider and do not account for individual variation among patients. See appendix for disclaimers and other important information ( Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 ). Updates are published regularly and can be found at https://ascopubs.org/nsclc-da-living-guideline .
Using Music as a Tool for Distress Reduction During Cancer Chemotherapy Treatment
Authors: Harper Felicity W.K. , Heath Allison S. , Moore Tanina Foster , Kim Seongho , Heath Elisabeth I.
Published: July 2023

PURPOSE

Music may be an effective therapeutic tool during cancer treatment to improve patient psychological and physical well-being. Current research shows a positive effect of music on psychological outcomes; however, many of these studies lacked significant sample size and rigor in monitoring type of music used and duration of music use during treatment.

METHODS

Participants (N = 750) in this open-label, multisite, day-based permuted block randomization study were adult patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy infusion. Patients were randomly assigned to either music (listen to music for up to 60 minutes) or control (no music) conditions. Music patients were allowed to self-select an iPod shuffle programmed with up to 500 minutes of music from a single genre (eg, Motown, 60s, 70s, 80s, classical, and country). Outcomes were self-reported change in pain, positive and negative mood, and distress.

RESULTS

Patients who listened to self-selected music during infusion showed significant benefit in improved positive mood and reduced negative mood and distress (but not pain) from pre- to post-intervention (all two-sample t-tests P < .05). LASSO penalized linear regression models showed a selective benefit for some patients on the basis of relationship ( P = .032) and employment ( P = .029) status with those who were married or widowed and those on disability showing better outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Music medicine is a low-touch, low-risk, and cost-effective way to manage patients' psychological well-being in the often stressful context of a cancer infusion clinic. Future research should be directed to understanding what other factors may mitigate negative mood states and pain for certain groups during treatment.
On the lower bound of the Heisenberg uncertainty product in the Boltzmann states
Authors: Wang Yao
Published: July 2023

The uncertainty principle lies at the heart of quantum mechanics, as it describes the fundamental trade-off between the precision of position and momentum measurements. In this work, we study the quantum particle in the Boltzmann states and derive a refined lower bound on the product of

and

. Our new bound is expressed in terms of the ratio between

and the thermal de Broglie wavelength, and provides a valuable tool for characterizing thermodynamic precision. We apply our results to the Brownian oscillator system, where we compare our new bound with the well-known Heisenberg uncertainty principle. Our analysis shows that our new bound offers a more precise measure of the thermodynamic limits of precision.
Weight Gain After HIV Therapy Initiation: Pathophysiology and Implications
Authors: Chandiwana Nomathemba C , Siedner Mark J , Marconi Vincent C , Hill Andrew , Ali Mohammed K , Batterham Rachel L , Venter Willem Daniel Francois
Published: July 2023

Rapid advances in the potency, safety, and availability of modern HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART) have yielded a near-normal life expectancy for most people living with HIV (PLWH). Ironically, considering the history of HIV/AIDS (initially called “slim disease” because of associated weight loss), the latest dilemma faced by many people starting HIV therapy is weight gain and obesity, particularly Black people, women, and those who commenced treatment with advanced immunodeficiency. We review the pathophysiology and implications of weight gain among PLWH on ART and discuss why this phenomenon was recognized only recently, despite the availability of effective therapy for nearly 30 years. We comprehensively explore the theories of the causes, from initial speculation that weight gain was simply a return to health for people recovering from wasting to comparative effects of newer regimens vs prior toxic agents, to direct effects of agents on mitochondrial function. We then discuss the implications of weight gain on modern ART, particularly concomitant effects on lipids, glucose metabolism, and inflammatory markers. Finally, we discuss intervention options for PLWH and obesity, from the limitations of switching ART regimens or specific agents within regimens, weight-gain mitigation strategies, and potential hope in access to emerging antiobesity agents, which are yet to be evaluated in this population.
Association Between Pseudoprogression of Vestibular Schwannoma After Radiosurgery and Radiological Features of Solid and Cystic Components
Authors: Huang Chih-Ying , Peng Syu-Jyun , Yang Huai-Che , Wu Hsiu-Mei , Chen Ching-Jen , Wang Mao-Che , Hu Yong-Sin , Lin Chung-Jung , Shiau Cheng-Ying , Guo Wan-Yuo , Chung Wen-Yuh , Pan David Hung-Chi , Lee Cheng-Chia
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

The pathophysiology of vestibular schwannoma (VS) pseudoprogression after Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) remains unclear. Radiological features in pretreatment magnetic resonance images may help predict VS pseudoprogression. This study used VS radiological features quantified using an automated segmentation algorithm to predict pseudoprogression after GKRS treatment.

METHODS:

This is a retrospective study comprising 330 patients with VS who received GKRS. After image preprocessing and T2W/contrast-enhanced T1-weighted image (CET1W) image generation, with fuzzy C-means clustering, VSs were segmented into solid and cystic components and classified as solid and cystic. Relevant radiological features were then extracted. The response to GKRS was classified into “nonpseudoprogression” and “pseudoprogression/fluctuation”. The Z test for two proportions was used to compare solid and cystic VS for the likelihood of pseudoprogression/fluctuation. Logistic regression was used to assess the correlation between clinical variables and radiological features and response to GKRS.

RESULTS:

The likelihood of pseudoprogression/fluctuation after GKRS was significantly higher for solid VS compared with cystic VS (55% vs 31%,P< .001). For the entire VS cohort, multivariable logistic regression revealed that a lower mean tumor signal intensity (SI) in T2W/CET1W images was associated with pseudoprogression/fluctuation after GKRS (P= .001). For the solid VS subgroup, a lower mean tumor SI in T2W/CET1W images (P= .035) was associated with pseudoprogression/fluctuation after GKRS. For the cystic VS subgroup, a lower mean SI of the cystic component in T2W/CET1W images (P= .040) was associated with pseudoprogression/fluctuation after GKRS.

CONCLUSION:

Pseudoprogression is more likely to occur in solid VS compared with cystic VS. Quantitative radiological features in pretreatment magnetic resonance images were associated with pseudoprogression after GKRS. In T2W/CET1W images, solid VS with a lower mean tumor SI and cystic VS with a lower mean SI of cystic component were more likely to have pseudoprogression after GKRS. These radiological features can help predict the likelihood of pseudoprogression after GKRS.
Epidermolysis bullosa pruriginosa: A case report of two first cousins
Authors: Zahoor Maria
Published: July 2023

Genodermatoses are quite frequent in developing countries where consanguinity is common but are usually under reported and undiagnosed. Main reason being lack of accessibility to tertiary health care facilities for people of rural areas as evident in case below. Genetic counselling and pre natal testing is of utmost importance in affected families. Epidermolysis bullosa pruriginosa (EBP) is a rare and less recognized variant of dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. Reporting the case of two first cousins who presented with intensely pruritic skin lesions since infancy along with the history of siblings with skin problems. EBP provided a unifying diagnosis.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.5.6764

How to cite this: Zahoor M. Epidermolysis bullosa pruriginosa: A case report of two first cousins. Pak J Med Sci. 2023;39(5):---------.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.5.6764

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) and Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score for predicting outcomes of breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Peng Puchao , Chen Lijie , Shen Qinjing , Xu Zhouming , Ding Xiufang
Published: July 2023

Objective: To assess prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score could predict overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with breast cancer.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, ScienceDirect, CENTRAL, and Google Scholar were searched from 1st January 2000 to 10th October 2021 for studies assessing the association between PNI or CONUT and outcomes of breast cancer by following the PRISMA guidelines. Keywords used were “Prognostic nutritional index”, “Controlling nutritional status”, “CONUT”, and “Breast cancer”.

Results: Nine studies were included. On pooled analysis, we noted a statistically significant improved OS in patients with high PNI as compared to low PNI. Meta-analysis revealed no significant difference in DFS between patients with high PNI and low PNI. However, on the exclusion of one study, we noted that high PNI was associated with significantly improved DFS as compared to low PNI. On pooled analysis, we also noted that a high CONUT score was associated with significantly reduced OS in breast cancer patients.

Conclusion: Our results indicate that PNI is an important prognostic factor for patients with breast cancer. Pre-treatment low PNI is associated with worse OS and DFS. Scarce data also indicates that a high CONUT score is predictive of poor OS in breast cancer.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.5.7781

How to cite this: Peng P, Chen L, Shen Q, Xu Z, Ding X. Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) and Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score for predicting outcomes of breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Pak J Med Sci. 2023;39(5):---------.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.5.7781

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Perception in the USA of the Polish authorities' efforts to strengthen the Polish-American alliance in the 21st century
Authors: Jureńczyk Łukasz
Published: July 2023

In the 21st century, the USA has been perceived in Poland as the main external guarantor of security. For this reason, Poland's security policy is clearly pro-American, and the Polish authorities strive for the closest possible allied relations with the USA, both in the multilateral and bilateral dimension. These activities are in line with the concept of an offensive bandwagon, the more so that Poland rarely benefits from its strong support for the USA, going beyond traditional allied commitments within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The aim of the article is to present and analyze the activities of the Polish authorities to strengthen the alliance with the USA in the context of their perception by scientists and experts from the USA. Experts and scientists believe that Polish authorities are legitimately striving to tighten the alliance with the USA, given its role in Europe and the world. However, the Polish-American alliance is clearly asymmetric, and Poland should not count on special treatment from the USA. Nevertheless, the war in Ukraine offers a chance to raise Poland's importance in the European policy of the USA.
OLAC and Serials: An Appraisal
Authors: Paterson Hugh
Published: July 2023

This paper reports on how journal articles are presented within the Open Language Archive Community’s (OLAC) OAI-PMH aggregator for language resources. It discusses metadata record composition across data providers. The conceptual category of "Language resource" is a broad agglomeration including original creative works captured in handwritten, audio, and video mediums, annotations to the raw captures, and analysis of those annotations. Discovery of language resources is a challenge given the diversity of resource origins. Original creative works and annotations are products often available via archives while analysis, theory, and advice are often released via formal publishing venues such as journals. Scholars benefit from a view where resources from various release sources can be displayed with their inter-resource relationships, e.g., source material and analysis. Understanding how secondary journal materials are presented in OLAC records is a first step towards increasing the end-user utility of the OLAC aggregator.
LA RETÓRICA DE LA ALTERIDAD EN LOS TEXTOS DE LAS MONJAS ALTOMODERNAS. CASO DE TERESA DE JESÚS MARÍA (O. C. D., 1592-1641).
Authors: Lewandowska Julia
Published: July 2023

El artículo parte de los planteamientos de la filosofía de la alteridad entendida como una filosofía relacional para repensar los discursos místicos y teológicos de las autoras religiosas altomodernas dónde la alteridad, considerada como concepto y como experiencia, está aprehendida en cuatro interrelacionados niveles: el de la representación de sí, de la relación con el otro, de la transcendencia y del lenguaje. A la luz de estos presupuestos el estudio analiza la obra selecta de Teresa de Jesús María (O. C. D., 1592-1641) en cuya pluma la alteridad se convirtió en una herramienta eficaz para avalar la interpretación teológica y exégesis bíblica. El artículo contribuye también una documentación inédita complementaria del convento de las Carmelitas Descalzas de la Encarnación en Cuerva (Toledo).
LA MIRADA COLONIAL Y EL TRAZADO DE UN “NUEVO MUNDO” EN LOS LIBROS DE TRAJES RENACENTISTAS.
Authors: García Haro Rebeca
Published: July 2023

El objetivo de este ensayo es el de establecer una genealogía representativa sobre el continente americano en los libros de trajes renacentistas, observando cómo se construyen los imaginarios y la identidad otra en el Nuevo Mundo bajo la visión hegemónica de la Europa del siglo XVI.
DELITOS SEXUALES CONTRA LAS MUJERES EN MICHOACÁN EN EL SIGLO XVIII.
Authors: Álvarez Cuartero Izaskun
Published: July 2023

Este trabajo analiza el tratamiento de los expedientes judiciales en los casos de estupro y violación de niñas y mujeres en el ámbito rural michoacano del siglo XVIII. La documentación utilizada para su estudio procede del fondo de Justicia del Archivo Histórico Municipal de Morelia. Se estudiarán la información que proporcionan los atestados procesales, las declaraciones de los testigos, las pruebas forenses y las sentencias que se dictaron a partir de la legislación virreinal ante este tipo de delitos. Los datos proporcionados por estas fuentes de extraordinaria riqueza nos permiten realizar una lectura interseccional para componer una genealogía de la violencia sexual novohispana, del género y de la alteridad.
DESIGN DE INTERFACE E A INFLUÊNCIA NO DESEJO DE COMPRA: um estudo de caso sobre o Instagram
Authors: Bezerra de Siqueira Maria Amélia Siqueira , Santa Rosa José Guilherme
Published: July 2023

Essa pesquisa tem como tema a influência que o Instagram, pode exercer sobre os seus usuários através do seu design de interface. Para a compreensão dos sentimentos do usuário, as áreas de estudo abordadas foram a Experiência do Usuário e Ressignificação de Sistemas. Os métodos aplicados foram: Avaliações Cooperativas e Grupos Focais.  Os resultados indicam que o design de interfaces do aplicativo atua sobre o desejo de compras dos usuários, em razão dos anúncios constantemente apresentados.
Tramas do Projeto Ponto Firme: transversalidades entre design e vulnerabilidade social
Authors: Isidoro Mayã Guimarães , Mesquita Cristiane
Published: July 2023

Este artigo aborda transversalidades no campo do design, por meio de uma investigação sobre processos, produtos e desdobramentos do Projeto Ponto Firme, criado pelo designer de moda pernambucano Gustavo Silvestre. Para tanto, algumas dessas relações são discutidas, por meio das premissas do Design Justice, bem como do conceito de autonomía e de “design autônomo”, em sintonia com a obra do antropólogo colombiano Arturo Escobar. Os materiais são derivados de pesquisa documental e de campo, acerca do Projeto, com destaque para o documentário O Ponto Firme (2020), dirigido pela cineasta Laura Artigas. O filme encaminha o enfoque para a primeira coleção desfilada na 45ª edição da São Paulo Fashion Week (2018) que são articulados com os fundamentos teóricos. O intuito é enfatizar possibilidades em torno de projetos e processos menos hierarquizados e mais permeáveis a saberes informais no campo do design, com enfoque na participação de grupos socialmente vulneráveis em diferentes etapas.
Fotopintura como estratégia para acionar imaginários sobre corpos racializados na obra de Fernando Banzi
Authors: Grabowski Ariadne Fernanda de Souza , Corrêa Ronaldo De Oliveira
Published: July 2023

Esse texto tem por objetivo analisar as estratégias de atualização de corpos racializados por meio da série Tipos (2018) do artista paulista Fernando Banzi, composta por 28 fotopinturas digitais aplicadas em retratos no formato carte-de-visite do fotógrafo Alberto Henschel, realizados em Recife e Salvador, no período de 1860. Para tanto, utilizamos entrevista do autor sobre a série, disponibilizada no Museu da Imagem e do Som (MIS-SP); textos de divulgação presentes no portfólio do artista; notas de diário de campo (julho de 2022) e aporte teórico. Propomos a apresentação deste conjunto de imagens como estratégia para refletir sobre os enunciados acerca do acionamento de imaginários nacionais sobre corpos racializados.
Princípios de design universal nos serviços de streaming no contexto pandêmico
Authors: Da Cruz Bruna Pereira , Alves Lays Almeida , Merino Eugenio Andrés Díaz , Díaz Merino Giselle Schmidt Alves
Published: July 2023

Com a pandemia, os serviços de vídeo por streaming que já eram populares tomaram proporções ainda maiores, encantando públicos diversos. O objetivo é analisar o uso dos serviços de streaming com base nos 7º Princípios de Design Universal empregados por Ronald L. Mace, fundador do The Center for Universal Design. Neste estudo, foram combinados dois aspectos: um bibliográfico e outro com questionário online enviado para mais de 400 pessoas de 18 a 35 anos e obteve-se 73 respostas  sobre a percepção destes. Os resultados apontam que o design aplicado nas interfaces das plataformas de streaming são atraentes e há liberdade na utilização. Oferecem condições satisfatórias de acessibilidade. A comunicação delas abrange a todos de forma simples. Os 7º Princípios do Design Universal devem ser utilizados na concepção de projetos pensando na questão da percepção de uso para que esteja disponível a todos usuários que podem ter algum tipo de deficiência, seja física, psíquica ou sensorial.
Design Cenográfico: o diálogo entre cenário de teto e arquitetura cênica
Authors: Soares Leônidas Garcia
Published: July 2023

Este trabalho aborda a relação estabelecida entre a arquitetura cênica e sua ocupa-ção cenográfica de maneira pouco usual, ou seja, a não ocupação prioritária do solo, tratando-se especificamente de um estudo acerca das potencialidades que a cenografia de teto propicia em espetáculos de dança. Por meio de uma abordagem qualitativa, o estudo apresenta breves reflexões acerca do edifício teatral e da ce-nografia, priorizando a caixa cênica do palco italiano. O artigo faz uma análise do espetáculo de dança Frágil – O baile cênico das relações (Brasil, 2019), que utiliza o recurso do Cenário de Teto. Bem como, análise das obras com cenários de ocupa-ção inusitada, no âmbito nacional e internacional, e das etapas de projeto e monta-gem do cenário estudado. A conclusão evidencia a importância do estudo das pos-sibilidades e limitações oferecidas pela caixa cênica, uma vez que o conhecimento dessa estrutura arquitetônica é fundamental na realização do tipo de cenário estudado.
Uma perspectiva feminista sobre a invisibilização recorrente de mulheres no game design
Authors: Rodrigues Leticia , Merkle Luiz Ernesto
Published: July 2023

O objetivo principal deste artigo é problematizar alguns processos de invisibilização de mulheres no desenvolvimento de jogos por meio da articulação de conceitos em estudos da participação pautados por Jean Lave, de gênero e tecnologia por Susan Leigh Star e Donna Haraway, em articulação com game studies que abordam práticas historiográficas sobre game designers. Para tanto compreendemos uma análise pautada pela crítica feminista da ciência e tecnologia e do design, identificando a caracterização das relações de gênero normativas que cerceiam os sujeitos que protagonizam as narrativas históricas recorrentes sobre game designers e sobre definições do que pode ser considerado jogo. Identificamos que essas marcações e definições operam de maneira a marginalizar demais sujeitos nesses campos de atuação e dentre esses grupos destacamos as mulheres. Por fim, com base na literatura utilizada apontamos possíveis caminhos para uma desestruturação do cenário excludente em pesquisas futuras.
ANÁLISE DA QUALIDADE PAISAGÍSTICA AMBIENTAL E O TURISMO: o caso da rua Portugal em São Luís (Maranhão, Brasil)
Authors: Santos Saulo Ribeiro dos , Hardt Letícia Peret Antunes , Hardt Carlos
Published: July 2023

Voltada à indagação sobre as influências do turismo na paisagem das cidades, tem-se como compreender a percepção dos usuários de cena quanto a qualidade ambiental e paisagística da rua Portugal em São Luís (Maranhão, Brasil), quanto às intervenções turísticas.  Baseada em estrutura múltipla de métodos, utilizou-se de pesquisa bibliográfica e documental, onde foram tratados assuntos relacionados ao turismo e à cidade, considerando suas concepções, relações e intervenções recíprocas, bem como seus processos de gestão. No âmbito da pesquisa empírica aplicou-se questionário com observadores de cena e para a interpretação dos resultados, utilizou-se parâmetros disponibilizados em diversos documentos formais de âmbito municipal, estadual, nacional e internacional. Por fim, concluindo-se que existem desvios médios entre os períodos do dia nas classificações pelos observadores de cenas sobre qualidade da paisagem da Rua Portugal.
DINÂMICA GEOECONÔMICA DA INDÚSTRIA DE MÓVEIS NO BRASIL
Authors: Saggiorato Bruno
Published: July 2023

Resumo: A produção moveleira é uma das atividades mais tradicionais da indústria de transformação. Nesse segmento, há predominância da madeira como matéria-prima, que também passa por um processo de transformação industrial para posteriormente ser destinada aos produtores de mobiliário. Além disso, a cadeia do setor de móveis possui encadeamentos nos ramos de bens de capital (máquinas e equipamentos) e de bens intermediários (têxteis, tintas, embalagens, peças e partes metálicas etc.). O objetivo do artigo é apresentar um panorama geral da produção de móveis, enfatizando as análises na dinâmica do setor no Brasil durante os anos 2000. Para atingir o objetivo, recorre-se à pesquisa bibliográfica por meio do estado da arte publicado sobre o tema, além de dados dos principais repositórios. Argumenta-se que a produção brasileira de móveis foi alçada a um novo patamar de desenvolvimento ensejado a partir das políticas econômicas e sociais colocadas em prática nos governos Lula-Dilma. Essa constatação está fundamentada em dados da realidade, os quais serão expostos no texto. No melhor momento para o setor, o número de empregos formais cresceu 4,15% entre 2007-13, desempenho bem diferente se comparado aos -3,40% entre 2014-19 (RAIS, 2019). Já o valor da produção industrial cresceu 10,23% e -0,15% respectivamente nos mesmos períodos (IBGE, 2018).
TURISMO E PANTANAL: As relações com os objetivos do desenvolvimento sustentável
Authors: Ribeiro Magno Alves , Alcântara Liliane Cristine Schlemer , Sampaio Carlos Alberto Cioce
Published: July 2023

Este artigo tem como objetivo revisar sistematicamente a literatura sobre turismo no bioma Pantanal, com as publicações do ano 2000 até o ano de 2021, estruturando os temas de maior expressão e, posteriormente, fazendo uma interface entre os 17 Objetivos do Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS) da Organização das Nações Unidas, com as três dimensões do desenvolvimento sustentável: econômica, social e ambiental no bioma Pantanal. A estratégia metodológica se baseou no levantamento de dados na base de periódicos da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior. As 56 pesquisas foram gerenciadas no software EndNote, e analisadas pelo software IRaMuTeQ que proporciona análise de dados textuais. Esta pesquisa aponta que o Pantanal e o turismo apresentam interfaces com os ODS, viabilizando parcialmente as dimensões econômica, social e ambiental, dos ODS. Porém, o bioma Pantanal carece primeiro de políticas públicas e investimentos voltados para defesa de seu povo e de sua biodiversidade.