bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Banville's Fiction Comes of Age as It Lays to Rest Old
Authors: Duncan Dawn
Published: May 2024

For twenty-five years, John Banville's protagonists have tried to come to grips with the other brother/shadow self. If the protagonist can come to grips with the shadow figure he can create, for a moment, order in his chaotic world, as do Gabriel Godkin, Copernicus, Kepler. When the character fails to embrace the brother/other se!f, he destroys and se!f-destructs, as do Gabriel Swan, Victor Maskell and, for a time, Freddie Monigomery. Freddie Montgomery, as he attempts to lay to rest old ghosts, is a recurring figure not onty in the three novels in which he figures--Book of Evidence, Ghosts, and Athena-but, in a sense, Freddie and his shadow self appear as archetypes in all of Banville's fiction, creating an allegorical tale that is long overdue for attention, especially with regard to its Irish nature. Using Jung's concept of the Shadow combined with the implications of Chaos Theory, I analyze the story beneath the stories -the Irish allegory.-in the fiction of John Banville, a premier Irish novelist.
Efficacy and Safety of Ongericimab in Chinese Patients With Primary Hypercholesterolemia and Mixed Dyslipidemia
Authors: Wang Xiaozeng , Qiu Miaohan , Cheng Zhifeng , Ji Xianyou , Chen Jiyan , Zhu Hong , Tang Yida , Huang Zhouqing , Su Guohai , Wang Gaopin , Huang Zhijun , Yao Zhuhua , Lin Jinxiu , Sun Yihong , Li Shunhui , Shao Cong , Zhao Yi , Bai Xuelian , Han Yaling
Published: May 2024

Background

A phase 3 trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ongericimab, a monoclonal antibody that inhibits proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9, as an add‐on treatment to optimized lipid‐lowering therapy in Chinese patients with primary hypercholesterolemia and mixed dyslipidemia.

Methods and Results

A total of 806 patients who were receiving stable and optimized lipid‐lowering therapy but did not achieve their low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) targets were enrolled and randomly assigned in a 2:1:2:1 ratio to receive either ongericimab 150 mg or matching placebo every 2 weeks, or ongericimab 300 mg or matching placebo every 4 weeks for 52 weeks. Efficacy and safety were evaluated in 802 patients who received at least 1 dose of ongericimab or placebo. The primary end point was the percentage change in LDL‐C from baseline to week 24. Our findings demonstrated that the least‐squares mean difference of percentage change in LDL‐C from baseline to week 24 was −67.7% (95% CI, −72.5% to −63.0%;
P
<0.0001) in the ongericimab 150 mg every 2 weeks group compared with the placebo every 2 weeks group, and −61.2% (95% CI, −67.1% to −55.2%;
P
<0.0001) in the ongericimab 300 mg every 4 weeks group compared with the placebo every 4 weeks group. These reductions were sustained up to week 52. Furthermore, treatment with ongericimab favorably altered other lipid parameters. A similar incidence of adverse events was observed in the ongericimab and placebo groups.

Conclusions

Ongericimab, as an add‐on treatment to optimized lipid‐lowering therapy, significantly reduced LDL‐C and was well‐tolerated in Chinese patients with primary hyperlipidemia and mixed dyslipidemia who did not achieve their LDL‐C targets.

Registration

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT04781114.
Transcriptome Study of 2 Black Cohorts Reveals
cis
Long Noncoding RNAs Associated With Hypertension‐Related mRNAs
Authors: Abbas Malak , Goodney Gabriel , Vargas Jose D. , Gaye Amadou
Published: May 2024

Background

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as critical regulators of the expression of genes involved in cardiovascular diseases. This project aims to identify circulating lncRNAs associated with protein‐coding mRNAs differentially expressed between hypertensive and normotensive individuals and establish their link with hypertension.

Methods and Results

The analyses were conducted in 3 main steps: (1) an unbiased whole blood transcriptome‐wide analysis was conducted to identify and replicate protein‐coding genes differentially expressed by hypertension status in 497 and 179 Black individuals from the GENE‐FORECAST (Genomics, Environmental Factors and the Social Determinants of Cardiovascular Disease in African‐Americans Study) and MH‐GRID (Minority Health Genomics and Translational Research Bio‐Repository Database) studies, respectively. Subsequently, (2) proximal lncRNAs, termed
cis
lncRNA quantitative trait loci, associated with each mRNA were identified in the GENE‐FORECAST study and replicated in the MH‐GRID study. Finally, (3) the lncRNA quantitative trait loci were used as predictors in a random forest model to predict hypertension in both data sets. A total of 129 mRNAs were significantly differentially expressed between normotensive and hypertensive individuals in both data sets. The lncRNA‐mRNA association analysis revealed 249
cis
lncRNA quantitative trait loci associated with 102 mRNAs, including VAMP2 (vesicle‐associated membrane protein 2), mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase 3, CCAAT enhancer binding protein beta, and lymphocyte antigen 6 complex, locus E. The 249 lncRNA quantitative trait loci predicted hypertension with an area under the curve of 0.79 and 0.71 in GENE‐FORECAST and MH‐GRID studies, respectively.

Conclusions

This study leveraged a significant sample of Black individuals, a population facing a disproportionate burden of hypertension. The analyses unveiled a total of 271 lncRNA‐mRNA relationships involving mRNAs that play critical roles in vascular pathways relevant to blood pressure regulation. The compelling findings, consistent across 2 independent data sets, establish a reliable foundation for designing in vitro/in vivo experiments.
Lack of Interactions Between Alteplase/Tenecteplase and the Adenosine A1R/A3R Agonist AST-004
Authors: Liston Theodore E. , Holstein Deborah , Solt Derek , Lozano Damian , Korinek William S. , Lechleiter James D.
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND:

AST-004, a small molecule agonist of the adenosine A1 and A3 receptors, is a potential cerebroprotectant for patients with acute stroke and is currently in clinical trials. Drug-drug interactions are critically important to assess in the context of acute stroke care. Lytic therapy with tPA (tissue-type plasminogen activator)–induced plasmin formation (alteplase) is the only available pharmacotherapy for acute stroke. Consequently, it is imperative to evaluate potential interactions between AST-004 and tPAs such as alteplase and tenecteplase.

METHODS:

The interactions between AST-004 and tPAs were evaluated in 3 ways in preparation for AST-004 phase II trials. First, the metabolic stability of AST-004 was determined in the presence of alteplase and plasmin. Second, the potential for AST-004 to influence the thrombolytic efficacy of alteplase and tenecteplase was evaluated with an in vitro assay system utilizing a fluorogenic substrate of plasmin. Finally, the potential for AST-004 to influence the thrombolytic efficacy of alteplase was also determined with an in vitro thrombolysis assay of human blood thrombi.

RESULTS:

Neither alteplase nor plasmin affected the stability of AST-004 in vitro. In 2 different in vitro systems, AST-004 had no effect on the ability of alteplase or tenecteplase to generate plasmin, and AST-004 had no effect on the thrombolytic efficacy of alteplase to lyse blood clots in human blood.

CONCLUSIONS:

These studies indicate that there will be no interactions between AST-004 and tPAs such as alteplase or tenecteplase in patients with stroke undergoing thrombolytic therapy.
Minerva: The Intentional University
Authors: Cannon Teri A. , Kosslyn Stephen M.
Published: May 2024

Minerva University is a pioneering educational institution established in 2012 with the goal of redefining liberal arts education for the twenty-first century. Addressing widespread concerns about the effectiveness of traditional higher education, Minerva adopts first principles thinking in its pedagogy, emphasizing practical knowledge, active learning, and global exposure. The curriculum is constructed around two distinct types of learning objectives, Habits of Mind and Foundational Concepts, which ensures that students develop critical leadership and problem-solving skills. Leveraging advanced technology and a science-based understanding of learning, the university supports a diverse and international student body through a global rotation model. Students live and work in up to seven different cities around the world. Minerva's outcomes, including high graduation rates and alumni success, attest to its effectiveness and suggest that its innovative approaches can serve as a model for educational reform.
Assessing the awareness and acceptability of hepatitis B immunoglobulin among pregnant women in Enugu metropolis, Southeast, Nigeria: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Tochukwu Enebe Joseph , Onyinye Enebe Nympha , Obinna Onwujekwe Emmanuel
Published: May 2024

Objectives:

Assessed the level of awareness of hepatitis B virus infection and hepatitis B immunoglobulin, and determined the proportion of pregnant women that will accept hepatitis B immunoglobulin if needed for their babies and the factors that were associated with the choices made by pregnant women in the Enugu metropolis.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study of 379 pregnant women in health facilities in the Enugu metropolis was undertaken between March and November 2019. A structured pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data collected were analysed using SPSS version 23.

Results:

The overall knowledge of the respondents on hepatitis B virus infection was poor as only 26.6% had good knowledge. Only 25.6% of the respondents had heard of hepatitis B immunoglobulin but the majority of the respondents (93.1%) were both willing to accept to give the vaccine to their babies and recommend the vaccine to their relatives. The educational level and occupation of the respondents were significantly associated with overall knowledge of hepatitis B. Only the religion of the respondents correctly predicted the overall knowledge of the respondents on hepatitis B.

Conclusion:

Despite the poor knowledge of hepatitis B and hepatitis B immunoglobulin among the study participants, the acceptability of hepatitis B immunoglobulin was high.
LY86 facilitates ox-LDL-induced lipid accumulation in macrophages by upregulating SREBP2/HMGCR expression
Authors: Jiang Guangwei , Li Jikuan , Niu Shuai , Dong Ruoyu , Chen Yuyan , Bi Wei
Published: May 2024

LY86, also known as MD1, has been implicated in various pathophysiological processes including inflammation, obesity, insulin resistance, and immunoregulation. However, the role of LY86 in cholesterol metabolism remains incompletely understood. Several studies have reported significant up-regulation of LY86 mRNA in atherosclerosis; nevertheless, the regulatory mechanism by which LY86 is involved in this disease remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether LY86 affects ox-LDL-induced lipid accumulation in macrophages. Firstly, we confirmed that LY86 is indeed involved in the process of atherosclerosis and found high expression levels of LY86 in human atherosclerotic plaque tissue. Furthermore, our findings suggest that LY86 may mediate intracellular lipid accumulation induced by ox-LDL through the SREBP2/HMGCR pathway. This mechanism could be associated with increased cholesterol synthesis resulting from enhanced endoplasmic reticulum stress response.
Optimal range of gestational weight gain for singleton pregnant women: a cohort study based on Chinese specific body mass index categories
Authors: Jia Yin , Jiang Haili , Fu Yuhui , Li Yue , Wang Huili
Published: May 2024

Background

The purpose was to explore the optimal proportion of GWG in Chinese singleton pregnant women according to Chinese specific body mass index (BMI) categories.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study with 16,977 singleton pregnant women was conducted. Among the including subjects, 2/3 of which were randomly imported into the training set for calculating the optimal GWG ranges using the percentile method, the Odd Ratio (OR) method, and the combined risk curve method. And another third of the subjects were used to evaluate the GWG ranges obtained. The detection rate of adverse outcomes of pregnant women was used to evaluate the applicability of GWG obtained. The range corresponding to the lowest detection rate is the recommended GWG range in this study.

Results

According to the percentile method, the suitable GWG of pregnant women with underweight, normal weight, overweight or obesity before pregnancy were 12.0 ∼ 17.5 kg, 11.0 ∼ 17.0 kg, and 9.0 ∼ 15.5 kg, respectively. According to the OR method, the suitable GWG range were 11 ∼ 18 kg, 7 ∼ 11 kg, and 6 ∼ 8 kg, respectively. According to the combined risk curve method, the suitable GWG range were 11.2 ∼ 17.2 kg, 3.6 ∼ 11.5 kg, and − 5.2 ∼ 7.0 kg, respectively. When the GWG for different BMI categories were 11 ∼ 18 kg, 7 ∼ 11 kg, and 6 ∼ 8 kg, the pregnant women have the lowest detection rate of adverse maternal and infant outcomes.

Conclusions

The recommended GWG based on this study for underweight, normal, overweight or obese pregnant women were 11 ∼ 18 kg, 7 ∼ 11 kg, and 6 ∼ 8 kg, respectively.
The mediating role of meaning in life between experiential avoidance and death anxiety among cancer patients: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Yan Yixia , Chen Yongyi , Ou Meijun , Gong Youwen , Yang Renting , Liu Xiangyu , Xia Wanting , Chen Furong , Zheng Hongling , Xu Xianghua
Published: May 2024

Background

Death anxiety is thought to cause a range of mental disorders among cancer patients, which may affect their mental health and even quality of life. This study sought to investigate experiential avoidance, meaning in life, and death anxiety among Chinese cancer patients and then explore the relationship between these 3 variables.

Methods

A total of 300 cancer patients recruited from a tertiary cancer hospital participated in this study from October to December 2021. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a demographic and clinical characteristics questionnaire, the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II, the Meaning in Life Questionnaire, and Templer’s Death Anxiety Scale. Correlation analysis, hierarchical regression analysis, and mediating effect analysis were used to analyze the relationship among experiential avoidance, meaning in life (including 2 dimensions: presence of meaning and search for meaning), and death anxiety.

Results

A total of 315 questionnaires were distributed, and 300 valid questionnaires were returned, resulting in a valid response rate of 95.2%. Experiential avoidance (r = 0.552,p < 0.01) was moderately positively correlated with death anxiety. Presence of meaning (r = − 0.400,p < 0.01) was moderately negatively correlated with death anxiety, while search for meaning (r = − 0.151,p < 0.01) was weakly negatively correlated with death anxiety. Regression analysis showed that experiential avoidance (β = 0.464) and presence of meaning (β = −0.228) were predictors of death anxiety. Mediating effect analysis revealed that presence of meaning either completely or partially mediated the effect of experiential avoidance and death anxiety, and the indirect effect accounted for 14.52% of the total effect.

Conclusion

Overall, experiential avoidance predicts death anxiety in cancer patients, and meaning in life can mediate this effect. The results of this study provide a new path for studying the mechanism of death anxiety and suggest a more positive and promising strategy for its management.
Blue light irradiation inhibits the M2 polarization of the cancer-associated macrophages in colon cancer
Authors: Yoshimoto Toshiaki , Nishi Masaaki , Okikawa Shohei , Yoshikawa Kozo , Tokunaga Takuya , Nakao Toshihiro , Takasu Chie , Kashihara Hideya , Wada Yuma , Noma Takayuki , Shimada Mitsuo
Published: May 2024

Recent studies have shown that blue light-emitting diode (LED) light has anti-tumor effects, suggesting the possibility of using visible light in cancer therapy. However, the effects of blue light irradiation on cells in the tumor microenvironment, including tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), are unknown. Here, THP-1 cells were cultured in the conditioned medium (CM) of HCT-116 cells to prepare TAMs. TAMs were divided into LED-irradiated and control groups. Then, the effects of blue LED irradiation on TAM activation were examined. Expression levels of M2 macrophage markers CD163 and CD206 expression were significantly decreased in LED-irradiated TAMs compared with the control group. While control TAM-CM could induce HCT-116 cell migration, these effects were not observed in cells cultured in TAM-CM with LED irradiation. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion was significantly suppressed in LED-exposed TAMs. PD-L1 expression was upregulated in HCT-116 cells cultured with TAM-CM but attenuated in cells cultured with LED-irradiated TAM-CM. In an in vivo model, protein expression levels of F4/80 and CD163, which are TAM markers, were reduced in the LED-exposed group. These results indicate that blue LED light may have an inhibitory effect on TAMs, as well as anti-tumor effects on colon cancer cells.
Genetic variations of IL10 and IL6R genes in acute anterior uveitis in Han Chinese
Authors: Li Lin , Li Fuzhen , Shan Jiankang , Xie Kunpeng , Zhou Pengyi , Zhu Haiyan , Jin Xuemin , Du Liping , Yang Peizeng
Published: May 2024

Background

Several autoimmune disorders have been linked to polymorphisms in IL10 and IL6R genes. This research aimed to study whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genes of IL10 and IL6R were associated with acute anterior uveitis (AAU) in Han Chinese.

Methods

Genotyping was carried out by the iPLEX Gold Genotyping Assay. Our study comprised 420 patients with AAU and 918 healthy subjects from Han Chinese. Using the chi-square (χ2) test, alleles and genotypes were analyzed between AAU subjects and healthy controls.

Results

All ten SNPs were successfully genotyped and four SNPs (IL10/rs1800871, IL10/rs3021094, IL10/rs2222202, IL6R/rs4845618) exhibited weak associations with AAU, as indicated by their Puncorr values. However, upon applying the Bonferroni correction, there was no significant association between AAU and the control subjects. Additionally, the haplotype analysis of the ten SNPs revealed no association with AAU.

Conclusion

Our findings suggested that polymorphisms of the tested ten SNPs on the IL10 and IL6R genes did not show any association with the risk of developing AAU among the Han Chinese population.
Evaluation and clinical significance of serum neurospecific enolase in children with pneumonia: a case-control study
Authors: Li Tianhua , Li Minglei , Feng Jie , Liu Tingting , Yang Liu , Yu Lexiang
Published: May 2024

Background

Neurospecific Enolase (NSE), a multifunctional protein, is present in various tissues of the body and plays an important role in many disease processes, such as infection, inflammation, tumours, injury, and immunity. In recent years, the application of NSE in respiratory diseases has become increasingly widespread and a research hotspot.

Objective

This study aims to explore the relationship between NSE and childhood pneumonia, providing assistance for the diagnosis and assessment of pneumonia.

Methods

Using prospective research and case-control methods, We selected 129 children with pneumonia hospitalised in Weifang People’s Hospital from September 2020 to April 2022 as the case group. Among them were 67 cases of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MP+), 62 cases of non-Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MP -), and 21 cases of severe pneumonia. At the same time, 136 children who underwent outpatient health examinations were selected as the control group. The levels of NSE, ESR, CRP in cases group and NSE in control group were measured separately.

Result

The NSE levels in the MP + group were 17.86 (14.29–22.54) ng/mL, while those in the MP- group were 17.89 (14.10–21.66) ng/mL, both of which were higher than the control group’s NSE levels of 13.26(12.18,14.44) ng/mL (H = 46.92, P = 0.000). There was no statistically significant difference in NSE levels between the MP + and MP - groups (P > 0.05). The NSE level in the severe pneumonia group was 27.38 (13.95–34.06) ng/mL, higher than that in the mild pneumonia group, which was 17.68 (14.27–21.04) ng/mL, (P = 0.024). The AUC values for diagnosing pneumonia are NSE0.714, CRP0.539, and ESR0.535, with NSE having the highest diagnostic value.

Conclusion

Serum NSE can serve as an inflammatory indicator for paediatric pneumonia, which has important clinical guidance significance for the diagnosis, condition evaluation, and prognosis of paediatric pneumonia.
An updated scoping review of migrant health research in Ireland
Authors: Cronin Anne , Hannigan Ailish , Ibrahim Nuha , Seidler Yuki , Owoeye Blessing Olamide , Gasmalla Wigdan , Moyles Tonya , MacFarlane Anne
Published: May 2024

Background

One in five people living in Ireland is a migrant. Understanding the distinctive health needs of this diverse population is essential to provide evidence-based, culturally sensitive primary care services. The aim of this review is to systematically examine changes in migrant health research in Ireland and to inform research, policy and practice in the field.

Methods

To update a 2017 scoping review of migrant health research in Ireland, we used Arksey and O’Malley’s framework, updates by Colquhoun and Peters and the PRISMA-ScR from the Joanna Briggs Institute to search 10 databases covering May 2017 - March 2023. Findings were analysed using the World Health Organisation Strategy and Action Plan for Refugee and Migrant Health 2016–2023, which identifies 9 priority strategic areas (SA). Findings were compared with the 2017 review.

Results

62 papers were identified. There has been an increase in studies over time from an average of five per year in the previous review to an average of 10 per year in this review. There is growing interest in research about SA1: Collaborative action on migrant health issues and SA2: Advocacy for the right to health of refugees and migrants – evidenced by an increase of 13% in this review. Similarly to 2017, the majority of papers align with three of the nine WHO Strategic Areas; SA3: Addressing the social determinants of health (24%), SA4: Achieving public health preparedness (29%) and SA5: Strengthening health systems (26%). The volume of research on SA6: Communicable diseases (11%) and SA7: Noncommunicable diseases (19%) remains stable however research on SA8: Health screening and assessment (5%) and SA9: Improving health information and communication (2%) remains low.

Conclusions

The increase in the volume of research on migrant health in Ireland is notable. The analysis over time illuminates changes in the focus of research studies. Gaps in research about screening, assessment and health information warrant particular attention. It is also necessary to continue paying attention to areas of recent growth and stagnation for a balanced and comprehensive evidence base. Mobilising resources to continue this increase is needed for evidence-based policy and practice.
Human amnion mesenchymal stem cells promote endometrial repair via paracrine, preferentially than transdifferentiation
Authors: Huang Xiyue , Yang Xiao , Huang Jinglin , Wei Ling , Mao Yanhua , Li Changjiang , Zhang Yingfeng , Chen Qiuhong , Wu Shasha , Xie Lele , Sun Congcong , Zhang Wenwen , Wang Jia
Published: May 2024

Background

Intrauterine adhesion (IUA) is one of the most severe causes of infertility in women of childbearing age with injured endometrium secondary to uterine performance. Stem cell therapy is effective in treating damaged endometrium. The current reports mainly focus on the therapeutic effects of stem cells through paracrine or transdifferentiation, respectively. This study investigates whether paracrine or transdifferentiation occurs preferentially in treating IUA.

Methods

Human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) and transformed human endometrial stromal cells (THESCs) induced by transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β1) were co-cultured in vitro. The mRNA and protein expression levels of Fibronectin (FN), Collagen I, Cytokeratin19 (CK19), E-cadherin (E-cad) and Vimentin were detected by Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), Western blotting (WB) and Immunohistochemical staining (IHC). The Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were used to establish the IUA model. hAMSCs, hAMSCs-conditional medium (hAMSCs-CM), and GFP-labeled hAMSCs were injected into intrauterine, respectively. The fibrotic area of the endometrium was evaluated by Masson staining. The number of endometrium glands was detected by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). GFP-labeled hAMSCs were traced by immunofluorescence (IF). hAMSCs, combined with PPCNg (hAMSCs/PPCNg), were injected into the vagina, which was compared with intrauterine injection.

Results

qPCR and WB revealed that FN and Collagen I levels in IUA-THESCs decreased significantly after co-culturing with hAMSCs. Moreover, CK19, E-cad, and Vimentin expressions in hAMSCs showed no significant difference after co-culture for 2 days. 6 days after co-culture, CK19, E-cad and Vimentin expressions in hAMSCs were significantly changed. Histological assays showed increased endometrial glands and a remarkable decrease in the fibrotic area in the hAMSCs and hAMSCs-CM groups. However, these changes were not statistically different between the two groups. In vivo, fluorescence imaging revealed that GFP-hAMSCs were localized in the endometrial stroma and gradually underwent apoptosis. The effect of hAMSCs by vaginal injection was comparable to that by intrauterine injection assessed by H&E staining, MASSON staining and IHC.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrated that hAMSCs promoted endometrial repair via paracrine, preferentially than transdifferentiation.
A nomogram predicting pneumonia after cardiac surgery: a retrospective modeling study
Authors: Wang Kuo , Zhang Hai-Tao , Fan Fu-Dong , Pan Jun , Pan Tuo , Wang Dong-Jin
Published: May 2024

Background

Postoperative pneumonia (POP) is the most prevalent of all nosocomial infections in patients who underwent cardiac surgery. The aim of this study was to identify independent risk factors for pneumonia after cardiac surgery, from which we constructed a nomogram for prediction.

Methods

The clinical data of patients admitted to the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from October 2020 to September 2021 who underwent cardiac surgery were retrospectively analyzed, and the patients were divided into two groups according to whether they had POP: POP group (n=105) and non-POP group (n=1083). Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative indicators were collected and analyzed. Logistic regression was used to identify independent risk factors for POP in patients who underwent cardiac surgery. We constructed a nomogram based on these independent risk factors. Model discrimination was assessed via area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), and calibration was assessed via calibration plot.

Results

A total of 105 events occurred in the 1188 cases. Age (>55 years) (OR: 1.83, P=0.0225), preoperative malnutrition (OR: 3.71, P<0.0001), diabetes mellitus(OR: 2.33, P=0.0036), CPB time (Cardiopulmonary Bypass Time) > 135 min (OR: 2.80, P<0.0001), moderate to severe ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome )(OR: 1.79, P=0.0148), use of ECMO or IABP or CRRT (ECMO: Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation; IABP: Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump; CRRT: Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy )(OR: 2.60, P=0.0057) and MV( Mechanical Ventilation )> 20 hours (OR: 3.11, P<0.0001) were independent risk factors for POP. Based on those independent risk factors, we constructed a simple nomogram with an AUC of 0.82. Calibration plots showed good agreement between predicted probabilities and actual probabilities.

Conclusion

We constructed a facile nomogram for predicting pneumonia after cardiac surgery with good discrimination and calibration. The model has excellent clinical applicability and can be used to identify and adjust modifiable risk factors to reduce the incidence of POP as well as patient mortality.
X-chromosome inactivation in human iPSCs provides insight into X-regulated gene expression in autosomes
Authors: Topa Hande , Benoit-Pilven Clara , Tukiainen Taru , Pietiläinen Olli
Published: May 2024

Background

Variation in X chromosome inactivation (XCI) in human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) can impact their ability to model biological sex biases. The gene-wise landscape of X chromosome gene dosage remains unresolved in female hiPSCs. To characterize patterns of de-repression and escape from inactivation, we performed a systematic survey of allele specific expression in 165 female hiPSC lines.

Results

XCI erosion is non-random and primarily affects genes that escape XCI in human tissues. Individual genes and cell lines vary in the frequency and degree of de-repression. Bi-allelic expression increases gradually after modest decrease of XIST in cultures, whose loss is commonly used to mark lines with eroded XCI. We identify three clusters of female lines at different stages of XCI. Increased XCI erosion amplifies female-biased expression at hypomethylated sites and regions normally occupied by repressive histone marks, lowering male-biased differences in the X chromosome. In autosomes, erosion modifies sex differences in a dose-dependent way. Male-biased genes are enriched for hypermethylated regions, and de-repression of XIST-bound autosomal genes in female lines attenuates normal male-biased gene expression in eroded lines. XCI erosion can compensate for a dominant loss of function effect in several disease genes.

Conclusions

We present a comprehensive view of X chromosome gene dosage in hiPSCs and implicate a direct mechanism for XCI erosion in regulating autosomal gene expression in trans. The uncommon and variable reactivation of X chromosome genes in female hiPSCs can provide insight into X chromosome’s role in regulating gene expression and sex differences in humans.
Sign-changing solutions for coupled Schrödinger system
Authors: Zhang Jing
Published: May 2024

In this paper we study the following nonlinear Schrödinger system: $$ \textstyle\begin{cases} -\Delta u+\alpha u = \vert u \vert ^{p-1}u+\frac{2}{q+1} \lambda \vert u \vert ^{ \frac{p-3}{2}}u \vert v \vert ^{\frac{q+1}{2}},\quad x \in \mathbb{R}^{3}, \\ -\Delta v+\beta v = \vert v \vert ^{q-1}v+\frac{2}{p+1} \lambda \vert u \vert ^{ \frac{p+1}{2}} \vert v \vert ^{\frac{q-3}{2}}v ,\quad x \in \mathbb{R}^{3}, \\ u(x)\rightarrow 0,\qquad v(x)\rightarrow 0,\quad \text{as } \vert x \vert \rightarrow \infty , \end{cases} $$

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Public involvement and engagement in scientific research and higher education: the only way is ethics?
Authors: Nollett Claire , Eberl Matthias , Fitzgibbon Jim , Joseph-Williams Natalie , Hatch Sarah
Published: May 2024

Background

Involving and engaging the public in scientific research and higher education is slowly becoming the norm for academic institutions in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. Driven by a wide range of stakeholders including regulators, funders, research policymakers and charities public involvement and public engagement are increasingly seen as essential in delivering open and transparent activity that is relevant and positively impacts on our society. It is obvious that any activities involving and engaging members of the public should be conducted safely and ethically. However, it is not clear whether conducting activities ethically means they require ethical approval from a research ethics committee.

Main body

Although there is some guidance available from government organisations (e.g. the UK Health Research Authority) to suggest ethical approval is not required for such activities, requests from funders and publishers to have ethical approval in place is commonplace in the authors’ experience. We explore this using case studies from our own institution.

Conclusion

We conclude that any public-facing activity with the purpose to systemically investigate knowledge, attitudes and experiences of members of the public as research and as human participants requires prior approval from an ethics committee. In contrast, engaging and involving members of the public and drawing on lived experience to inform aspects of research and teaching does not. However, lack of clarity around this distinction often results in the academic community seeking ethical approval ‘just in case’, leading to wasted time and resources and erecting unnecessary barriers for public involvement and public engagement. Instead, ethical issues and risks should be appropriately considered and mitigated by the relevant staff within their professional roles, be it academic or a professional service. Often this can involve following published guidelines and conducting an activity risk assessment, or similar. Moving forward, it is critical that academic funders and publishers acknowledge the distinction and agree on an accepted approach to avoid further exacerbating the problem.
Integrated Epigenetic and Transcriptomic Analysis Identifies Interleukin 17 DNA Methylation Signature of Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Progression and Metastasis
Authors: Brockman Qierra R. , Rytlewski Jeffrey D. , Milhem Mohammed , Monga Varun , Dodd Rebecca D.
Published: May 2024

PURPOSE

Sarcomas are a complex group of highly aggressive and metastatic tumors with over 100 distinct subtypes. Because of their diversity and rarity, it is challenging to generate multisarcoma signatures that are predictive of patient outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Here, we identify a DNA methylation signature for progression and metastasis of numerous sarcoma subtypes using multiple epigenetic and genomic patient data sets. Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors (MPNSTs) are highly metastatic sarcomas with frequent loss of the histone methyltransferase, PRC2. Loss of PRC2 is associated with MPNST metastasis and plays a critical noncanonical role in DNA methylation.

RESULTS

We found that over 900 5′—C—phosphate—G—3′ (CpGs) were hypermethylated in MPNSTs with PRC2 loss. Furthermore, we identified eight differentially methylated CpGs in the IL17D/ RD family that correlate with the progression and metastasis of MPNSTs in two independent patient data sets. Similar trends were identified in other sarcoma subtypes, including osteosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and synovial sarcoma. Analysis of scRNAseq data sets determined that IL17D/ RD expression occurs in both the tumor cells and the surrounding stromal populations.

CONCLUSION

These results might have broad implications for the clinical management and surveillance of sarcoma.
Beta2-agonist Impairs Muscle Insulin Sensitivity in Persons With Insulin Resistance
Authors: Onslev Johan , Fiorenza Matteo , Thomassen Martin , Havelund Jesper , Bangsbo Jens , Færgeman Nils , Wojtaszewski Jørgen F P , Hostrup Morten
Published: May 2024

Context

Given the promising effects of prolonged treatment with beta2-agonist on insulin sensitivity in animals and nondiabetic individuals, the beta2-adrenergic receptor has been proposed as a target to counter peripheral insulin resistance. On the other hand, rodent studies also reveal that beta2-agonists acutely impair insulin action, posing a potential caveat for their use in treating insulin resistance.

Objective

To assess the impact of beta2-agonist on muscle insulin action and glucose metabolism and identify the underlying mechanism(s) in 10 insulin-resistant subjects.

Methods and participants

In a crossover design, we assessed the effect of beta2-agonist on insulin-stimulated muscle glucose uptake during a 3-hour hyperinsulinemic isoglycemic clamp with and without intralipid infusion in 10 insulin-resistant, overweight subjects. Two hours into the clamp, we infused beta2-agonist. We collected muscle biopsies before, 2 hours into, and by the end of the clamp and analyzed them using metabolomic and lipidomic techniques.

Results

We establish that beta2-agonist, independently from and additively to intralipid, impairs insulin-stimulated muscle glucose uptake via different mechanisms. In combination, beta2-agonist and intralipid nearly eliminates insulin-dependent muscle glucose uptake. Although both beta2-agonist and intralipid elevated muscle glucose-6-phosphate, only intralipid caused accumulation of downstream muscle glycolytic intermediates, whereas beta2-agonist attenuated incorporation of glucose into glycogen.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that beta2-agonist inhibits glycogenesis, whereas intralipid inhibits glycolysis in skeletal muscle of insulin-resistant individuals. These results should be addressed in future treatment of insulin resistance with beta2-agonist.
Savarkar's Miscegenous Hindu Race
Authors: Sabastian Luna
Published: May 2024

This article establishes racial thinking as central to V. D. Savarkar's (1883–1966) founding theory of Hindutva. Savarkar's issue with the Muslims was not that they were irreducibly “other,” a foreign race polluting Hindu “blood.” Jettisoning racial and caste purity, Savarkar instead grounded Hindutva's myth of a single Hindu race in all-round biological admixture. “Miscegenation,” as it was conceptualized by Nazis and white supremacists at the time, buttressed Hindutva's tremendous violence against Muslims, whose annihilation would come through gendered incorporation. Savarkar redefined the caste system as the crucible of the Hindu race, its endless proliferation testimony to a history of intermarriage expired in the present age. To reestablish the broken bonds of the Hindu race, Savarkar championed intercaste marriage. He offered the same solution to the “Muslim problem.” Muslims, who had carved themselves out of the Hindu race, needed to be reclaimed through conversion coupled with (forced) marriage, sex, and reproduction with a Hindu. Yet only Muslim women could be appropriated in this way, as paternity imparted race; Muslim men would be crushed in their potentiality for sovereignty and decimated in war with the Hindus. Savarkar, this article concludes, based the Hindu body politic on kinship and a vision of gendered incorporation modeled on war.
Rethinking Turanism beyond Expansionism
Authors: Topal Omer Faruk , Ongur Hakan Ovunc
Published: May 2024

The mainstream literature on Turanism defines the term as an essentially expansionist and irredentist movement that aims at unifying all Turkic populations. This article challenges this presupposition, arguing that the Turanist imagination has multiple usages. A considerable number of Turkish nationalist intellectuals of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, in fact, approached it as a modern political concept within the confines of solidarity and sovereignty. They regarded the general idea of nationalism as a universal concept to which everyone could make an equal claim, including non-Turks in the Ottoman Empire. This translates to mean that Turanism is not necessarily territorial expansionism, nor must it go hand in hand with racist/expansionist claims. Neither should it be understood as the hegemony of Turkey's Turks over other Turks. It rather strives for a Turkist internationalism in which Turks negotiate with each other to maximize their sovereign interests. Seen in that light, Turanism is not a mystical idea, and it refers to modern practical/political concepts such as independence, territorial integrity, national sovereignty, and self-determination.
Union Busting at the Baseball Hall of Fame: The Blacklisting of Union Leader Marvin Miller
Authors: Dreier Peter
Published: May 2024

From the time he retired in 1982 as executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) until 2019, the baseball establishment blacklisted Marvin Miller from the Baseball Hall of Fame. This article recounts how Miller, one of the most influential figures in baseball history, was excluded for so many years by the corporate-backed plutocracy that runs the sport. The Hall of Fame's board of directors stacked the committees responsible for voting on candidates with owners and executives who despised Miller and the players union. It also reveals how and why he was eventually inducted in 2021.
Debt Moratoria: Evidence from Student Loan Forbearance
Authors: Dinerstein Michael , Yannelis Constantine , Chen Ching-Tse
Published: May 2024

We evaluate the effects of the 2020 student debt moratorium. Using administrative credit panel data, we compare borrowers whose loans were frozen to borrowers whose loans were not frozen based on whether the government owned the loans. We estimate that borrowers used the new liquidity to increase borrowing on mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards rather than avoid delinquencies. The effects are concentrated among borrowers without delinquencies, who saw no change in credit scores. The results highlight an important complementarity between liquidity and credit, as liquidity increases the demand for credit even as the supply of credit is fixed. (JEL E32, G21, G51, H81, I22, I23)
Beyond the image and the doll: Barbie as a device on Instagram
Authors: Antonelli Joice , Versuti Andrea
Published: May 2024

In 2014, with the release of Barbie’s official profile on Instagram, people felt encouraged to create pages to share images and stories of their own Barbie dolls, creating a doll community on Instagram. The purpose of this work, part of an ongoing PhD research, was to explore this online community, understand how Barbie is portrayed on Instagram, and identify constructions that reflect aspects of our culture. For this investigation, a netnographic study of 100 Instagram profiles was performed. Overall, we found that the images of the doll can be understood as devices, which refers to any artifact capable of capturing and shaping people’s gestures, behavior, and opinions. In general, Barbie is used on Instagram as a protagonist of lifestyle narratives (88 % of the pages). We also found that 11 % of the pages are dedicated to fashion editorials. In both cases, we found consistent similarities between the images and captions shared by users with those posted on the doll’s official profile. Unexpectedly, this study also identified profiles that use images of Barbie to promote discussions of topics related to the black population, comprising 1 % of the total sample, demonstrating a new way of using the doll’s images.
John Hunter’s Observations on Bees
Authors: Pearson Sarah
Published: May 2024

A look at John Hunter's research and observation of the anatomy of bees.
Le parlate tedesche della Valcanale
Authors: Caria Marco , Airoldi Delia
Published: May 2024

The aim of this article is to give a description of the sociolinguistic situation and of the Carinthian dialects of Valcanale, in the province of Udine. This small valley belonged to Austria until 1919 and was consequently annected to Italy as compensation for the First World War, which resulted in the modification of the languages traditionally spoken in the territory, especially due to Italianization. Nowadays, Valcanale represents the survival of the indigenous Slovenian community, the Germanic component dating back to the period of Bamberg and Austrian domination on the Friulians, who settled there before the valley’s passage to Italy. Later, the valley was finally given to the Italians in 1919, whose relocation to the area was encouraged by the Fascist regime.
"At Home in the Water": Swimming and Progressive Girlhood in Early Twentieth-Century Club Fiction
Authors: Hakala Laura
Published: May 2024

Abstract: In series fiction about the Girl Scouts and the Camp Fire Girls from the 1910s and 1920s, swimming enables new opportunities that question and disrupt nineteenth-century models of girlhood. Girl characters move beyond domestic roles and experiences, which contributes to the changing gender dynamics of this time period.
An Intersectional Coming-of-Age: On Body Positivity, Agency, and Self-Expression in Fat Chance, Charlie Vega
Authors: Ventura Abbie E.
Published: May 2024

Abstract: Through the YA novel Fat Chance, Charlie Vega , this essay explores diverse coming-of-age experiences in contemporary YA literature. I argue that the author creates a text that allows readers to understand the intersections of bodies, colorism, and wider institutions of power in identity formation, as well as the importance of such texts in contemporary publishing conversations.
Hand contamination and hand hygiene knowledge and practices among commercial transport users after the SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19) scare, Enugu State, Nigeria
Authors: Aguzie Ifeanyi O. , Obioha Ahaoma M. , Unachukwu Chisom E. , Okpasuo Onyekachi J. , Anunobi Toochukwu J. , Ugwu Kenneth O. , Ubachukwu Patience O. , Dibua Uju M. E.
Published: May 2024

Contaminated hands are one of the most common modes of microorganism transmission that are responsible for many associated infections in healthcare, food industries, and public places such as transportation parks. Public health approaches during COVID-19 pandemic have shown that hand hygiene practices and associated knowledge are critical measure to control the spread of infectious agent. Hence, assessment of commercial transport users’ knowledge, belief and practices on hand hygiene, and potential contamination with infectious agents which is the aim of the study, aligns with general health concern of quantifying contamination risk levels to predict disease outbreaks. This study utilized a randomized sampling approach to select 10 frequently used commercial parks within two districts in the State: Enugu and Nsukka. The parameters analysed include a cross-sectional questionnaire survey, hand swab and hand washed samples collected from dominant hand of participants. A total of 600 participants responded to the questionnaire survey, while 100 participants’ hand swabs were examined for microbial contamination. This study recorded a high prevalence of fungal (90.0%) and bacterial (87.0%) species; 20 species of fungus were identified with prevalence range of 1% to 14%; 21 bacterial species were isolated with prevalence range of 1% to 16%. These species were identified as either opportunistic, non-invasive, or pathogenic, which may constitute a health concern amongst immunocompromised individuals within the population. Aspergillus spp. (14%), was the most common fungal species that was exclusively found amongst Nsukka commercial users, while E. coli was the most prevalent isolated bacterial species amongst Nsukka (12%) and Enugu (20%) commercial park users. Prevalence of fungal contamination in Nsukka (94.0%; 47/50) and Enugu (86.0%; 43/50) were both high. Prevalence of bacterial contamination was higher in Enugu than Nsukka but not significantly (47[94.0%] vs. 40[80.0%], p = 0.583). A greater number of participants (99.3%) were aware of the importance of hand hygiene, however with low compliance rate aside “after using the toilet” (80%) and “before eating” (90%), other relevant hand washing and sanitizing practices were considered less important. With these observations, we can emphatically say that despite the COVID-19 scare, commercial park users within the sampled population do not efficiently practice quality hand wash and hygiene measures, hence, risking the widespread of infectious agents in situation of disease outbreak or among immunocompromised individuals.