bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contralateral Autologous Augmentation in DIEP Flap Reconstruction: Employing Computed Tomography Angiography and Volumetric Analysis for Preoperative Planning
Authors: Hespe Geoffrey E. , Sugg Kristoffer B. , Stein Erica B. , Ellsworth Warren A. , Kung Theodore A. , Momoh Adeyiza O.
Published: May 2024

Autologous reconstruction accounts for approximately 20% of all breast reconstruction procedures. In cases of unilateral reconstruction, contralateral breast augmentation using autologous tissue can be performed to improve symmetry, and it is a viable option for patients interested in having more volume relative to their current size without the use of implants. Computed tomography scans have been used for preoperative planning in autologous reconstruction to evaluate available perforators. In this article, the authors report their experience using computed tomography angiography for preoperative volumetric assessment for autologous contralateral breast augmentation in the setting of unilateral autologous breast reconstruction. Twelve patients underwent autologous augmentation during the study period. The average reconstruction flap weight was 561.2 ± 253.6 g, and the average augmentation flap weight was 218.0 ± 133.7 g. No patients experienced flap loss. The authors demonstrate that the predicted volumes for the augmented and reconstructed breasts were comparable to the actual respective flap volumes. In addition, postoperative patient-reported outcome measures demonstrated high levels of satisfaction across multiple BREAST-Q subscales. This study demonstrates the utility of using computed tomography angiography to estimate reconstructive volumes to help preoperative planning and achieve predictable postoperative breast volumes. It also supports that contralateral autologous augmentation is a good option for patients who would like to avoid implants and are interested in a small to moderate increase in size.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, IV.
Guidelines for the description of rhizobial symbiovars
Authors: Martinez-Romero Esperanza , Peix Alvaro , Hungria Mariangela , Mousavi Seyed Abdollah , Martinez-Romero Julio , Young Peter
Published: May 2024

Rhizobia are bacteria that form nitrogen-fixing nodules in legume plants. The sets of genes responsible for both nodulation and nitrogen fixation are carried in plasmids or genomic islands that are often mobile. Different strains within a species sometimes have different host specificities, while very similar symbiosis genes may be found in strains of different species. These specificity variants are known as symbiovars, and many of them have been given names, but there are no established guidelines for defining or naming them. Here, we discuss the requirements for guidelines to describe symbiovars, propose a set of guidelines, provide a list of all symbiovars for which descriptions have been published so far, and offer a mechanism to maintain a list in the future.
Resistance to bacteriophage incurs a cost to virulence in drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Manley Robyn , Fitch Christian , Francis Vanessa , Temperton Isaac , Turner Dann , Fletcher Julie , Phil Mitchelmore , Michell Steve , Temperton Ben
Published: May 2024

Introduction

. Acinetobacter baumannii is a critical priority pathogen for novel antimicrobials (World Health Organization) because of the rise in nosocomial infections and its ability to evolve resistance to last resort antibiotics. A. baumannii is thus a priority target for phage therapeutics. Two strains of a novel, virulent bacteriophage (LemonAid and Tonic) able to infect carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (strain NCTC 13420), were isolated from environmental water samples collected through a citizen science programme.

Gap statement. Phage-host coevolution can lead to emergence of host resistance, with a concomitant reduction in the virulence of host bacteria; a potential benefit to phage therapy applications.

Methodology.
In vitro and in vivo assays, genomics and microscopy techniques were used to characterize the phages; determine mechanisms and impact of phage resistance on host virulence, and the efficacy of the phages against A. baumannii.

Results.
A. baumannii developed resistance to both viruses, LemonAid and Tonic. Resistance came at a cost to virulence, with the resistant variants causing significantly reduced mortality in a Galleria mellonella larval in vivo model. A replicated 8 bp insertion increased in frequency (~40 % higher frequency than in the wild-type) within phage-resistant A. baumannii mutants, putatively resulting in early truncation of a protein of unknown function. Evidence from comparative genomics and an adsorption assay suggests this protein acts as a novel phage receptor site in A. baumannii. We find no evidence linking resistance to changes in capsule structure, a known virulence factor. LemonAid efficiently suppressed growth of A. baumanni in vitro across a wide range of titres. However, in vivo, while survival of A. baumannii infected larvae significantly increased with both remedial and prophylactic treatment with LemonAid (107 p.f.u. ml–1), the effect was weak and not sufficient to save larvae from morbidity and mortality.

Conclusion. While LemonAid and Tonic did not prove effective as a treatment in a Galleria larvae model, there is potential to harness their ability to attenuate virulence in drug-resistant A. baumannii.
Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling determines neuroblastoma cell fate and sensitivity to retinoic acid
Authors: Pan Min , Zhang Yinwen , Wright William C. , Liu Xueying , Passaia Barbara , Currier Duane , Low Jonathan , Chapple Richard H. , Steele Jacob A. , Connelly Jon P. , Lu Meifen , Lee Hyeong-Min , Loughran Allister J. , Yang Lei , Abraham Brian J , Pruett-Miller Shondra M. , Freeman Burgess , Campbell George E. , Dyer Michael A. , Chen Taosheng , Stewart Elizabeth , Koo Selene , Sheppard Heather , Easton John , Geeleher Paul
Published: May 2024

Retinoic acid (RA) is a standard-of-care neuroblastoma drug thought to be effective by inducing differentiation. Curiously, RA has little effect on primary human tumors during upfront treatment but can eliminate neuroblastoma cells from the bone marrow during post-chemo consolidation therapy—a discrepancy that has never been explained. To investigate this, we treated a large cohort of neuroblastoma cell lines with RA and observed that the most RA-sensitive cells predominantly undergo apoptosis or senescence, rather than differentiation. We conducted genome-wide CRISPR knockout screens under RA treatment, which identified BMP signaling as controlling the apoptosis/senescence vs differentiation cell fate decision and determining RA’s overall potency. We then discovered that BMP signaling activity is markedly higher in neuroblastoma patient samples at bone marrow metastatic sites, providing a plausible explanation for RA’s ability to clear neuroblastoma cells specifically from the bone marrow, seemingly mimicking interactions between BMP and RA during normal development.
WITHDRAWN: Apelin-13 alleviate inflammatory reaction of ischemia reperfusion in rat kidney transplantation via NF-kappa B signaling pathway
Authors: Capelli Irene , Aiello Valeria , Gasperoni Lorenzo , Manna Gaetano La
Published: May 2024

Withdrawal statement

This manuscript has been withdrawn after a request from the Dean of the Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC) at the University of Bologna. This manuscript constitutes a fraudulent submission by a third party impersonating Prof. Gaetano La Manna of said university. The email address listed for the corresponding author is invalid and not the institutional email address of Prof. La Manna, a member of DIMEC. Additionally, there are no other faculty members or researchers named Gaetano La Manna employed at the University of Bologna (UNIBO). Furthermore, the department (DIMES) associated with the publication in question was dissolved on December 31, 2022, and no longer exists.

The individuals falsely listed as authors were not responsible for its submission and have no knowledge of or involvement in the work presented. Therefore, this article should not be cited as reference for this project.
Ferroptosis mediates the progression of hyperuricemic nephropathy by activating RAGE signaling
Authors: Wang Qiang , Xi Yuemei , Zhao Hairong , Xie De , Yu Linqian , Yan Yunbo , Chen Jiayu , Zhang Qian , Liang Meng , Cheng Jidong
Published: May 2024

Hyperuricemic nephropathy (HN) represents a prevalent complication arising from hyperuricemia, typified by tubular dysfunction, inflammation, and progressive renal fibrosis, whose pathogenic mechanisms remain enigmatic. Ferroptosis, a newly elucidated iron-dependent form of regulated cell death, plays a role in various disease states. However, its involvement in HN has seldom been explored. In this study, we observed indications of ferroptosis in the renal tissues of urate oxidase knockout (UOX-/-) mice, a model of hyperuricemia, as evidenced by increased iron deposition and reduced expression of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). These findings suggest a substantial role of ferroptosis in the pathogenesis of HN. To further explore this hypothesis, UOX-/-mice were administered Ferrostatin-1, a known inhibitor ferroptosis. This treatment markedly ameliorated tubular injury, necrosis, and inflammatory cell infiltration, mitigated renal fibrosis, reinstated the expression of proteins associated with ferroptosis in renal tissues, and reduced iron overload, lipid peroxidation, and mitochondrial damage in UOX-/-mice. Additionally, we found that receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) propagates ferroptosis-induced renal injury, inflammation and fibrosis, albeit without directly facilitating ferroptosis. Finally, ferroptosis and RAGE upregulation were validated in renal tissues of patients with hyperuricemia-related kidney disease. Collectively, our research elucidates the critical contribution of ferroptosis to HN pathogenesis, indicating that therapeutic strategies targeting ferroptosis and the related RAGE signaling may offer novel therapeutic approaches for managing this condition.
Persistent Activation of Chronic Inflammatory Pathways in Long Covid
Authors: Aid Malika , McMahan Katherine , Hachmann Nicole P , Miller Jessica , Borducchi Erica , Hope David , Rowe Marjorie , Schonberg Eleanor , Thai Siline , Collier Ai-ris Y. , Mullington Janet , Barouch Dan H.
Published: May 2024

Long Covid, or Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), involves a spectrum of chronic symptoms following resolution of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. Current hypotheses for the pathogenesis of Long Covid include persistent SARS-CoV-2, activation of other viruses, tissue damage, autoimmunity, endocrine insufficiency, immune dysfunction, and complement activation. We evaluated 142 participants, including uninfected controls (N=35), acutely infected individuals (N=54), convalescent controls (N=25), and Long Covid patients (N=28), by comprehensive immunologic, virologic, transcriptomic, and proteomic analyses. Long Covid was characterized by persistent inflammatory pathways compared with convalescent controls and uninfected controls, including upregulation of IL-6 and JAK-STAT pathways as well as activation of coagulation, complement, metabolism, and T cell exhaustion pathways. Moreover, robust activation of these pathways during acute COVID-19 infection correlated with the subsequent development of Long Covid. In an independent validation cohort (N=47), Long Covid patients had higher levels of plasma IL-6R compared with convalescent controls and uninfected controls. These data demonstrate that Long Covid is characterized by persistent activation of chronic inflammatory pathways, suggesting novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers of disease.
Cyclic di-AMP regulates genome stability and drug resistance in Mycobacterium through RecA-dependent and -independent recombination
Authors: Mudgal Sudhanshu , Goyal Nisha , Manikandan Kasi , Saginela Rahul , Singhal Anusha , Nandi Soumyadeep , Muniyappa K. , Sinha Krishna Murari
Published: May 2024

InEscherichia coli, RecA plays a central role in the rescue of stalled replication forks, double-strand break (DSB) repair, homologous recombination (HR) and induction of the SOS response. While the RecA-dependent pathway is dominant, alternative HR pathways that function independently of RecA do exist, but relatively little is known about the underlying mechanism. Several studies have documented that a variety of proteins act either as positive or negative regulators of RecA to ensure high-fidelity HR and genomic stability. Along these lines, we previously demonstrated that the second messenger cyclic di-AMP binds to mycobacterial RecA proteins, but notE. coliRecA, and inhibits its DNA strand exchange activityin vitrovia the disassembly of RecA nucleoprotein filaments. Herein, we demonstrate thatMycobacterium smegmatis ΔdisAcells, which lack c-di-AMP, exhibit increased DNA recombination, higher frequency of mutation and gene duplications during RecA-dependent and RecA-independent DSB repair. We also found that c-di-AMP regulates SOS response by inhibiting RecA-mediated self-cleavage of LexA repressor and its absence enhances drug resistance inM. smegmatis ΔdisAcells. Together, our results uncover a role of c-di-AMP in the maintenance of genomic stability through modulation of DSB repair inM. smegmatis.

Significance

Cyclic di-AMP is a second messenger present in bacteria and archaea and is implicated in a variety of functions in the cell, including DNA repair, cell wall metabolism, virulence, and gene expression. We show here that it maintains genome stability in Mycobacterium by regulating RecA-dependent and –independent DNA recombination pathways. It also regulates SOS response by inhibiting the self-cleavage of LexA by mycobacterial RecA. Absence of c-di-AMP leads to higher drug resistance in Mycobacterium.
Genetic and Epigenetic Characterization of Sarcoma Stem Cells Across Subtypes Identifies EZH2 as a Therapeutic Target
Authors: O’Donnell Edmond , Muñoz Maria , Davis Ryan , Randall R. Lor , Tepper Clifford , Carr-Ascher Janai
Published: May 2024

High-grade complex karyotype soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are a heterogeneous and aggressive set of cancers that share a common treatment strategy. Disease progression and failure to respond to anthracycline based chemotherapy, standard first-line treatment, is associated with poor patient outcomes. To address this, we investigated the contribution of STS cancer stem cells (STS-CSCs) to doxorubicin resistance. We identified a positive correlation between CSC abundance and doxorubicin IC50in resistant cell lines. We investigated if a common genetic signature across STS-CSCs could be targeted. Utilizing patient derived samples from five sarcoma subtypes we identified Enhancer of Zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a member of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) responsible for H3K27 methylation as being enriched in the CSC population. EZH2 activity and a shared epigenetic profile was observed across subtypes. Targeting of EZH2 using Tazemetostat, an FDA approved inhibitor specifically ablated the STS-CSC population. Treatment of doxorubicin resistant cell lines with tazemetostat resulted in a decrease in the STS-CSC population. Further, co-treatment was not only synergistic in the parent cell lines, but restored chemosensitivity in doxorubicin resistant lines. These data confirm the presence of shared genetic programs across distinct subtypes of CSC-STS that can be therapeutically targeted.
Evolutionary game of incentive strategy for Chinese prefabricated buildings based on system dynamics from the perspective of prospect theory
Authors: Pan Haize , Yang Bingfeng , Pan Yongwei , Luo Zhenhua
Published: May 2024

Purpose

As an effective measure for reducing energy consumption and achieving carbon neutrality, prefabricated building projects (PBPs) have attracted considerable attention in China. Although the Chinese Government has vigorously promoted PBPs, neither developers nor consumers have high recognition of PBPs. This study aimed to explore the decision-making behaviour of governments, developers and consumers in promoting the development of prefabricated buildings in China and to better optimise the incentive strategies for prefabricated buildings in China.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on prospect and evolutionary game theories, an evolutionary game model of three stakeholders in the development of PBPs – government, developers and consumers – was constructed. Combined with the system dynamics theory, the incentive policy behaviour and influencing factors of the three parties in the evolutionary game model were analysed.

Findings

The results showed that the initial probability of the three parties affects the decision-making behaviour of each party and that of other stakeholders. Government subsidies to developers are more sensitive than developers themselves. There is a certain threshold for the scope of government subsidies to consumers, and exceeding this threshold does not promote the development of PBPs. Based on the results, policy recommendations to the government, developers and consumers were proposed to enhance PBP development.

Originality/value

This study provides suggestions for governments to formulate reasonable incentive policies for prefabricated buildings and a specific theoretical basis for the sound development of prefabricated buildings.
The role of renewable energy and foreign direct investment toward environmental degradation convergence to achieve sustainability: evidence from ASEAN countries
Authors: Kurniawan Robert , Kusuma Arya Candra , Sumargo Bagus , Gio Prana Ugiana , Wongsonadi Sri Kuswantono , Sasmita Karta
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the convergence of environmental degradation clubs in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In addition, this study also analyzes the influence of renewable energy and foreign direct investment (FDI) on each club as an intervention to change the convergence pattern in each club.

Design/methodology/approach

This study analyzes the club convergence of environmental degradation in an effort to find out the distribution of environmental degradation reduction policies. This study uses club convergence with the Phillips and Sul (PS) convergence methodology because it considers multiple steady-states and is robust. This study uses annual panel data from 1998 to 2020 and ASEAN country units with ecological footprints as proxies for environmental degradation. After obtaining the club results, the analysis continued by analyzing the impact of renewable energy and FDI on each club using panel data regression and the Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population, Affluence and Technology model specification.

Findings

Based on club convergence, ASEAN countries can be grouped into three clubs with two divergent countries. Club 1 has an increasing pattern of environmental degradation, while Club 2 and Club 3 show no increase. Club 1 can primarily apply renewable energy to reduce environmental degradation, while Club 2 requires more FDI. The authors expect policymakers to take into account the clubs established to formulate collaborative policies among countries. The result that FDI reduces environmental degradation in this study is in line with the pollution halo hypothesis. This study also found that population has a significant effect on environmental degradation, so policies to regulate population need to be considered. On the other hand, increasing income has no effect on reducing environmental degradation. Therefore, the use of renewable energy and FDI toward green investment is expected to intensify within ASEAN countries to reduce environmental degradation.

Originality/value

This research is by far the first to apply PS Club convergence to environmental degradation in ASEAN. In addition, this study is also the first to analyze the influence of renewable energy and FDI on each club formed, considering the need for renewable energy use that has not been maximized in ASEAN.
Comprehensive assessment of green hydrogen potential in Jordan: economic, environmental and social perspectives
Authors: Shboul Bashar , Zayed Mohamed E. , Marashdeh Hadi F. , Al-Smad Sondos N. , Al-Bourini Ahmad A. , Amer Bessan J. , Qtashat Zainab W. , Alhourani Alanoud M.
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the economic, environmental, policy-related and social implications of establishing green hydrogen production in Jordan.

Design/methodology/approach

The comprehensive analysis has been investigated, including economic assessments, environmental impact evaluations, policy examinations and social considerations. Furthermore, the research methodology encompasses energy demand, sector, security and supply analysis, as well as an assessment of the availability of renewable energy resources.

Findings

The results indicate substantial economic benefits associated with green hydrogen production, including job creation, increased tax revenue and a reduction in energy imports. Additionally, the study identifies positive environmental impacts, such as decreased greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. Noteworthy, two methods could be used to produce hydrogen, namely: electrolysis and thermochemical water splitting. As a recommendation, the study proposes that Jordan, particularly Aqaba, take proactive measures to foster the development of a green hydrogen industry and collaborate with international partners to exchange best practices and establish the necessary infrastructure.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is among the first to provide a comprehensive perspective on the potential of green hydrogen production as a driving force for Jordan’s economy, while also benefiting the environment and society. However, the research recognizes several challenges that must be addressed to materialize green hydrogen production in Jordan, encompassing high renewable energy costs, infrastructure development requirements and community concerns. Despite these obstacles, the study asserts that the potential advantages of green hydrogen production outweigh the associated risks.
Developing an assessment framework of smartized upscale hotel workforce employability from the practitioners' perspective
Authors: Fang Ching Ching , Liou James
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Workforce insufficiencies can impair firms' competitiveness in the hospitality industry. The problem of finding suitably trained employees has been aggravated by changes in consumer preferences, and the development of advanced technologies has led to the ‘smartization’ of upscale hotels. The consequent updating of business models means that decisive indicators of worker competence and employability are different from those applied previously. Thus, the aim of this study is to develop an indicator framework for assessing workforce employability with consideration of competence with artificial intelligence (AI) applications.

Design/methodology/approach

The initial indicators for the framework are obtained based on an intensive review of the relevant literature and roundtable meetings with academics and practitioners. The Delphi method is used to collect the data, and a hybrid fuzzy approach, which combines the modified Z-number and modified trapezoidal fuzzy number set techniques, is applied to quantify the information originating from the experts’ judgments. The interquartile range approach is applied to optimize the validity of the indicators.

Findings

The assessment framework is applied to evaluate workforce employability at an upscale hotel from the perspective of hotel executives. The capability of the workforce for the adoption of advanced technologies, including familiarity with AI, are considered.

Originality/value

The contributions of this research involve the identification of an updated list of determinants for the evaluation of workforce employability for hotels in today’s world, highlighting the value of AI applications to help ameliorate labor shortage problems. The results should benefit practitioners, allowing them to improve the efficiency of their operations, services and management practices, leading to sustainability and competitiveness in the upscale hotel industry.
Green thinking: impact of smart technologies on supply chain management
Authors: Verma Amitabh
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to determine how supply chain management (SCM) might be less affected by COVID-19 by using innovative technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), eco-friendly corporate practices and other digital advancements. It strongly emphasizes the use of technology to improve supply networks’ and Omani firms’ performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a mixed-methods research strategy, this study integrates both qualitative and quantitative approaches. It involves a survey and interviews with supply chain and IT managers from various industries in Oman to gather data and evaluate the impact of technology on SCM.

Findings

This study finds that IoT capabilities, smart technologies (STs) and green practices significantly mitigate COVID-19 impacts on SCM. The performance of the supply chain and the business are both improved by these technologies’ positive effects on integrating various supply chain elements, such as suppliers, internal processes and customer relations.

Research limitations/implications

The main constraint of this study is its concentration on businesses in Oman, potentially restricting the applicability of its findings to broader contexts. Future studies could investigate similar frameworks across various geographic and industry settings.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that incorporating STs into SCM is crucial for enhancing operational efficiency and resilience against disruptions such as COVID-19. This offers valuable insights for managers and policymakers in adopting technology-driven strategies for SCM.

Social implications

This study highlights the significant role of technology in sustaining supply chains during pandemics, thereby supporting economic stability and societal well-being. It underscores the importance of technological advancements in maintaining supply chain continuity in challenging times.

Originality/value

By empirically examining the effect of emerging technologies on enhancing SCM in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically in the Oman market, this research makes a unique contribution to the body of knowledge.
Enhancing organizational performance through knowledge-oriented leadership: the neglected role of employee creative work behavior and digital citizenship behavior in IT industry
Authors: Gu Aihua , Nawaz Amjad , Abbas Sher , Lv Bochao
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Drawing upon Drucker’s theory of productivity, this study proposes to examine the relationship between knowledge-oriented leadership (KOL) and knowledge worker performance (KWP) within the Chinese information technology (IT) industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, this study examines the direct connection between KWP and organizational performance (OP), as well as mediated via employee creative work behavior (ECWB), and digital citizenship behavior (DCB).

Design/methodology/approach

The data for the research was collected from a sample size of 322 individuals working in the IT industry context in China, with varying levels of seniority (lower, middle and upper). The relationship was examined by employing Smart PLS 4 in a current study.

Findings

The study findings revealed a significant and conspicuous effect of KOL on KWP. The outcomes divulged the fact that KOL has a positive impact on the ECWB, and DCB improves the performance of knowledge workers, resulting in an overall augmentation in the organizational performance of the IT industry.

Originality/value

Presently, there exist a scarcity of substantial empirical studies to thoroughly examine the influence of KOL, ECWB, DCB, KWP and OP in the domain of Chinese IT industry research, particularly in the setting of the pandemic. The study makes a substantial contribution to the extant literature on the topic via empirically examining the association among KOL, KWP and organizational performance, as well as evaluating the mediation mechanism of both employee creative work behavior and digital citizenship behavior.
Environmental sustainability driven by ICT capital, financial efficiency, and tourism toward achieving green growth
Authors: Tan Song , Do Phuong Huyen , Mughal Nafeesa , Muda Iskandar , Al‐Abyadh Mohammed Hasan Ali
Published: May 2024

Despite the significant increase in Information and communication technology (ICT) diffusion, tourism development, and financial development in China, their plausible combined effect on green growth (GG) has not been investigated, leaving a gap in the current literature. This study contributes to the literature by examining the impact of ICT diffusion, tourism activity, and financial development on GG in China over the period 1996–2020. The Autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) and Quantile ARDL (QARDL) techniques applied to provide empirical evidence, which infers that ICT diffusion urges GG in China in the long‐and‐short‐run. Financial development, which is measured through financial market efficiency and financial institution efficiency, tends to improve GG in China in the long run. The estimated results report a positive nexus between tourism activity and GG at the highest quantiles in the long run. In the end, important policy suggestions are provided for accelerating sustainable GG in China.
Food authentication, current issues, analytical techniques, and future challenges: A comprehensive review
Authors: Haider Ali , Iqbal Shahzad Zafar , Bhatti Ijaz Ahmad , Alim Muhammad Bilal , Waseem Muhammad , Iqbal Munawar , Mousavi Khaneghah Amin
Published: May 2024

Food authentication and contamination are significant concerns, especially for consumers with unique nutritional, cultural, lifestyle, and religious needs. Food authenticity involves identifying food contamination for many purposes, such as adherence to religious beliefs, safeguarding health, and consuming sanitary and organic food products. This review article examines the issues related to food authentication and food fraud in recent periods. Furthermore, the development and innovations in analytical techniques employed to authenticate various food products are comprehensively focused. Food products derived from animals are susceptible to deceptive practices, which can undermine customer confidence and pose potential health hazards due to the transmission of diseases from animals to humans. Therefore, it is necessary to employ suitable and robust analytical techniques for complex and high‐risk animal‐derived goods, in which molecular biomarker‐based (genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics) techniques are covered. Various analytical methods have been employed to ascertain the geographical provenance of food items that exhibit rapid response times, low cost, nondestructiveness, and condensability.
Accuracy and completeness of registry‐reported unicompartmental knee arthroplasty revision
Authors: Chen William , Tay Mei Lin , Bolam Scott , Monk A. Paul , Young Simon W
Published: May 2024

Introduction

The key outcome of joint registries is revision events, which inform clinical practice and identify poor‐performing implants. Registries record revision events and reasons, but accuracy may be limited by a lack of standardized definitions of revision. Our study aims to assess the accuracy and completeness of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) revision and indications reported to the New Zealand Joint Registry (NZJR) with independent clinical review.

Methods

Case record review of 2272 patients undergoing primary UKA at four large tertiary hospitals between 2000 and 2017 was performed, identifying 158 patients who underwent revision. Detailed review of clinical findings, radiographs and operative data was performed to identify revision cases and the reasons for revision using a standardized protocol. These were compared to NZJR data using chi‐squared and Fisher exact tests.

Results

The NZJR recorded 150 (95%) of all UKA revisions. Osteoarthritis progression was the most common reason on the systematic clinical review (35%), however, this was underreported to the registry (8%, P < 0.001). A larger proportion of revisions reported to the registry were for ‘pain’ (30% of cases vs. 5% on clinical review, P < 0.001). A reason for revision was not reported to the registry for 10% of cases.

Conclusion

The NZJR had good capture of UKA revisions, but had significant differences in registry‐reported revision reasons compared to our independent systematic clinical review. These included over‐reporting of ‘pain’, under‐reporting of osteoarthritis progression, and failing to identify a revision reason. Efforts to improve registry capture of revision reasons for UKA could be addressed through more standardized definitions of revision and tailored revision options for UKA on registry forms.
Human ancient DNA analysis in Latin America: Current state and challenges
Authors: de la Fuente Castro Constanza , Figueiro Gonzalo
Published: May 2024

Ancient DNA analysis has greatly contributed to understanding the population history of several species. In the last 20 years, the field has undergone an important transformation: particularly in our species, thousands of ancient genomes have been analyzed worldwide, providing evidence of population movements and interactions through time. However, several researchers have raised concerns about the way the field is developing and how collaborations are being established. In this work, we describe and evaluate the situation in Latin America, considering both what we have learned about population history through paleogenetics and how it has developed in the region.
Hidden curriculum: Voices of Chinese rural migrant children
Authors: Li Luyao , Curdt‐Christiansen Xiao Lan
Published: May 2024

United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10 emphasises the need to ‘reduce inequality within and among countries.’ In line with this goal, this study focuses on the educational experiences of five rural migrant children from an urban village in China. Using the concept of hidden curriculum (HC), the study explores whether these children have encountered social exclusion in their schools. Through interviews and observations, the study shows that the HC is not easily discernible but subtly influences students, teachers, and parents, resulting in a certain degree of social exclusion within various educational facets. Reducing inequalities through education presents significant challenges, requiring sustained efforts.
Improved Perception of Aggression Under (un)Related Threat of Shock
Authors: Silva Fábio , Garrido Marta I. , Soares Sandra C.
Published: May 2024

Anxiety shifts visual attention and perceptual mechanisms, preparing oneself to detect potentially threatening information more rapidly. Despite being demonstrated for threat‐related social stimuli, such as fearful expressions, it remains unexplored if these effects encompass other social cues of danger, such as aggressive gestures/actions. To this end, we recruited a total of 65 participants and asked them to identify, as quickly and accurately as possible, potentially aggressive actions depicted by an agent. By introducing and manipulating the occurrence of electric shocks, we induced safe and threatening conditions. In addition, the association between electric shocks and aggression was also manipulated. Our result showed that participants have improved sensitivity, with no changes to criterion, when detecting aggressive gestures during threat compared to safe conditions. Furthermore, drift diffusion model analysis showed that under threat participants exhibited faster evidence accumulation toward the correct perceptual decision. Lastly, the relationship between threat source and aggression appeared to not impact any of the effects described above. Overall, our results indicate that the benefits gained from states of anxiety, such as increased sensitivity toward threat and greater evidence accumulation, are transposable to social stimuli capable of signaling danger other than facial expressions.
On the anomaly tilts of factor funds
Authors: Broman Markus S. , Moneta Fabio
Published: May 2024

By analyzing portfolio holdings, we find that a significant subset of hedged mutual funds (HMFs) and smart‐beta exchange‐traded funds (ETFs) tilt their portfolios toward well‐known anomaly characteristics and that such tilts are highly persistent. Short positions of HMFs are important for amplifying their factor tilts. Moreover, HMFs with large factor tilts outperform corresponding ETFs, or HMFs with contrary tilts, both before and after accounting for implementation costs and fees. We link this outperformance to the use of short positions and higher factor‐related returns. Finally, we show that only HMFs achieve similar performance (net of costs) as the academic factors.
Offensive Heritage in an Era of Globalization and Mass Migration
Authors: Demetriou Dan , Wingo Ajume
Published: May 2024

Essays on the ethics of monuments tend to focus on their morality in relation to domestic populations. In this article we turn our attention to how the principles we favor for the ‘ingroup’ apply to various ‘outgroups’, including foreigners and foreign governments, guest workers, visiting scholars, forcibly annexed or colonized peoples, and migrant communities. It argues that nations have a prima facie moral right to erect and maintain monuments offensive to foreigners and foreign governments or (in the case of institutions) rivals. Furthermore, we hold that whereas prospective immigrants have little standing to advocate for the removal of monuments they find offensive in their receiving countries, those who have been forcibly annexed have a much greater claim to inoffensive memorialization, contingent on their willingness to be countrymen with the descendants of their former oppressors and principles of reasonably charitable interpretation. Lastly, the article advocates for the protection of heritage landscapes from foreign influence and highlights the responsibilities of migrant populations to avoid memorializing their old grievances in ways that undermine the interests of their adopted nations.
Incidence of primary hepatitis C infection among people who inject drugs during 2012–2020 in Athens, Greece
Authors: Roussos Sotirios , Bagos Christos , Angelopoulos Theodoros , Chaikalis Savvas , Cholongitas Evangelos , Savvanis Spyridon , Papadopoulos Nikolaos , Kapatais Andreas , Chounta Athina , Ioannidou Panagiota , Deutsch Melani , Manolakopoulos Spilios , Sevastianos Vasileios , Papageorgiou Maria‐Vasiliki , Vlachogiannakos Ioannis , Mela Maria , Elefsiniotis Ioannis , Vrakas Spyridon , Karagiannakis Dimitrios , Pliarchopoulou Fani , Psichogiou Mina , Paraskevis Dimitrios , Vickerman Peter , Malliori Meni , Kalamitsis Georgios , Papatheodoridis Georgios , Hatzakis Angelos , Sypsa Vana
Published: May 2024

One of the World Health Organization's targets for the 2030 viral hepatitis elimination strategy is to reduce new hepatitis C (HCV) infections. In Athens, Greece, people who inject drugs (PWID) have a high HCV prevalence, with increasing trends since the 2000s. This analysis aims to assess primary HCV incidence among PWID during 2012–2020. Two community‐based interventions were implemented in 2012–2013 and 2018–2020 with repeated sero‐behavioural surveys in each period. Participants enrolled in multiple surveys were identified through linkage. To assess trends in HCV transmission, three indicators were estimated: (i) anti‐HCV prevalence among ‘new’ injectors (those injecting ≤2 years), (ii) indirect HCV incidence among ‘new’ injectors, assuming infection occurred at the midpoint between initiating injection and the first positive test, and (iii) HCV incidence from repeat participants. There were 431 and 125 ‘new’ injectors, respectively, in 2012–2013 and 2018–2020. Αnti‐HCV prevalence [95% CI] declined from 53.6% [48.8%, 58.3%] in 2012–2013 to 40.0% [31.3, 49.1%] in 2018–2020 (25.4% reduction, p = .007). The indirect estimate [95% CI] of HCV incidence among ‘new’ injectors decreased from 56.1 [49.3, 63.8] to 39.0/100 person‐years (PYs) [29.6, 51.5] (30.5% reduction, p = .020). HCV incidence [95% CI] based on seroconversions in repeat participants (16/63 in 2012–2013 and 9/55 in 2018–2020) declined from 64.6 [39.6105.4] to 13.8/100 PYs [7.2, 26.5], respectively (78.6% reduction, p < .001). Primary HCV incidence remains high among PWID in Athens. Consistent implementation of combined interventions, including high‐coverage harm reduction programs and initiatives tailored to increase access to HCV treatment, is essential to sustain the declining trends documented during 2012–2020.
The assessment of pathways towards suicide in adolescent patients: A PDM‐2‐oriented approach
Authors: Williams Riccardo , Fiorentino Flavia , Lingiardi Vittorio , Moselli Marta , Sharp Carla , Tanzilli Annalisa
Published: May 2024

Objectives

Increasing evidence has supported the mutual relationship between suicidal motivations and personality pathology, especially in adolescence. Distinctive aspects of personality functioning can explain the tendency to resort to suicidal ideation and behaviours, which, in turn, may play a specific role in exacerbating severe impairments in self‐regulation mechanisms that underlie personality pathology.

Design

This study illustrates, through two clinical cases, the clinical utility of using the Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual – Second Edition (PDM‐2) to better understand distinct pathways of suicidal processes.

Methods

Two adolescents, named Luis and Gael, who attempted suicide multiple times were assessed using the Psychodiagnostic Chart Adolescent (PDC‐A) of the PDM‐2 to evaluate their mental functioning, emerging personality styles or syndromes, and symptom patterns. They were interviewed using the Motivational Interview for Suicidality in Adolescence (MIS‐A) to identify the motivations underpinning their suicidal behaviour.

Results

The results showed that Luis presented a narcissistic personality characterized by the need to deny his vulnerabilities through suicidal fantasies as a form of escape, while Gael presented a borderline personality characterized by the use of suicide attempts to express her inner and unspeakable pain.

Conclusion

The study seems to support the reciprocal interconnections between personality functioning and suicidal motivations that should be better identified to plan tailored and more effective interventions.
Recreational Cannabis and Recriminalization in the “Emerald Triangle”
Authors: Kavanaugh Philip R.
Published: May 2024

Cannabis had been illicitly cultivated for over half a century in the isolated tri‐county region of far northern California known in drugs lore as the “Emerald Triangle.” The regional industry gained legitimacy and experienced a significant boom in the 1990s when California legalized medical cannabis. In 2016, California legalized cannabis possession, use, and cultivation generally, and recreational sales for adults aged 21+ began in 2018. Drawing from 95 archived news reports published between 2018 and 2022 on California's move to legalize recreational cannabis as experienced in Humboldt County – the most populous in the region – I highlight how recreational legalization has invited opportunities for “soft” criminalization, while further legitimating the spectacle of police intervention into the illicit cannabis market. Soft criminalization has occurred via an onerous labyrinth of permitting laws that place untenable financial pressure on legacy cannabis growers. Entrenched forms of criminalization remain dependent on the trope of dangerous drug gangs, violence, and supposed ecological devastation.
Comprehensive analysis of clinical images contributions for melanoma classification using convolutional neural networks
Authors: Rios‐Duarte Jorge A. , Diaz‐Valencia Andres C. , Combariza Germán , Feles Miguel , Peña‐Silva Ricardo A.
Published: May 2024

Background

Timely diagnosis plays a critical role in determining melanoma prognosis, prompting the development of deep learning models to aid clinicians. Questions persist regarding the efficacy of clinical images alone or in conjunction with dermoscopy images for model training. This study aims to compare the classification performance for melanoma of three types of CNN models: those trained on clinical images, dermoscopy images, and a combination of paired clinical and dermoscopy images from the same lesion.

Materials and Methods

We divided 914 image pairs into training, validation, and test sets. Models were built using pre‐trained Inception‐ResNetV2 convolutional layers for feature extraction, followed by binary classification. Training comprised 20 models per CNN type using sets of random hyperparameters. Best models were chosen based on validation AUC‐ROC.

Results

Significant AUC‐ROC differences were found between clinical versus dermoscopy models (0.661 vs. 0.869, p < 0.001) and clinical versus clinical + dermoscopy models (0.661 vs. 0.822, p = 0.001). Significant sensitivity differences were found between clinical and dermoscopy models (0.513 vs. 0.799, p = 0.01), dermoscopy versus clinical + dermoscopy models (0.799 vs. 1.000, p = 0.02), and clinical versus clinical + dermoscopy models (0.513 vs. 1.000, p < 0.001). Significant specificity differences were found between dermoscopy versus clinical + dermoscopy models (0.800 vs. 0.288, p < 0.001) and clinical versus clinical + dermoscopy models (0.650 vs. 0.288, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

CNN models trained on dermoscopy images outperformed those relying solely on clinical images under our study conditions. The potential advantages of incorporating paired clinical and dermoscopy images for CNN‐based melanoma classification appear less clear based on our findings.
MiRNA‐224‐5p regulates the defective permeability barrier in sensitive skin by targeting claudin‐5
Authors: Yang Li , Wu Wen‐Juan , Lyu Le‐Chun , Tu Ying , Gu Hua , Chen Xiang‐Feng , Chai Yan‐Jie , Man Mao‐Qiang , He Li
Published: May 2024

Background

Sensitive skin is hypersensitive to various external stimuli and a defective epidermal permeability barrier is an important clinical feature of sensitive skin. Claudin‐5 (CLDN5) expression levels decrease in sensitive skin. This study aimed to explore the impact of CLDN5 deficiency on the permeability barrier in sensitive skin and the regulatory role of miRNAs in CLDN5 expression.

Materials and methods

A total of 26 patients were retrospectively enrolled, and the CLDN5 expression and permeability barrier dysfunction in vitro were assessed. Then miRNA‐224‐5p expression was also assessed in sensitive skin.

Results

Immunofluorescence and electron microscopy revealed reduced CLDN5 expression, increased miR‐224‐5p expression, and disrupted intercellular junctions in sensitive skin. CLDN5 knockdown was associated with lower transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and Lucifer yellow penetration in keratinocytes and organotypic skin models. The RNA‐seq and qRT‐PCR results indicated elevated miR‐224‐5p expression in sensitive skin; MiR‐224‐5p directly interacted with the 3`UTR of CLDN5, resulting in CLDN5 deficiency in the luciferase reporter assay. Finally, miR‐224‐5p reduced TEER in keratinocyte cultures.

Conclusion

These results suggest that the miR‐224‐5p‐induced reduction in CLDN5 expression leads to impaired permeability barrier function, and that miR‐224‐5p could be a potential therapeutic target for sensitive skin.