bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Looking Back on its Fiftieth Year - Bibliometric and Scientometric Analysis of the Articles Published in the Journal of Psychology and Theology from 1996 to 2022
Authors: Fenn Jessy , B Elango
Published: December 2023

The Journal of Psychology and Theology was started in 1973 when the growth of psychology encroached into the arena of Theology, thereby aiming to integrate the two. OBJECTIVE AND APPROACH: As the journal completes its 50th year, this study reviews its journey through a bibliometric and scientometric analysis of the articles available in the Scopus database (26 years) using four analyses – publication, citation, network, and thematic. RESULT AND DISCUSSION: The results show that 70% of the top contributing institutions were Christian institutions, and the USA contributed to 90% of the articles. The top three keywords were ‘Virtues’, ‘Positive Psychology’, and ‘Integration’, showing how positive psychology bridged the two fields. Factorial analysis segregated the topics into two main groups: Values and Beliefs. Keywords co-occurrence network generated 5 clusters – Subject Integration, Theoretical Integration, Positive Psychology, Spirituality, and Clergy and its Issues. RECOMMENDATION: To increase author networking and articles featuring theological perspectives from other continents and other faiths.
AVRUPA BİRLİĞİ MAVİ KART DİREKTİFİ: ÜÇÜNCÜ DEVLET VATANDAŞLARININ YÜKSEK NİTELİKLİ İSTİHDAM AMACIYLA GİRİŞ VE İKAMET KOŞULLARINA İLİŞKİN 2021/1883 SAYILI DİREKTİFİN DEĞERLENDİRİLMESİ
Authors: ARSLAN Şule , KONYALI Gökçe
Published: December 2023

Üçüncü devlet vatandaşlarının AB üyesi devletlere göçünün artması ve Brexit nedeniyle Birleşik Krallık vatandaşlarının artık AB içerisinde serbest dolaşım hakkından yararlanamamaları neticesinde, AB mevzuatında bu kişilerin ülkeye giriş ve ülkede ikametine ilişkin düzenleme yapılması ve hâlihazırdaki düzenlemelerin gözden geçirilmesi ihtiyacı doğmuştur. AB göç konusunda özellikle nitelikli istihdam için teşvik edici düzenlemeler yapmaktadır. Bu bağlamda nitelikli istihdama ilişkin 2009 yılında bir düzenleme kabul edilmiş ve ilgili düzenleme 2021 yılında gözden geçirilerek “Üçüncü Devlet Vatandaşlarının Yüksek Nitelikli İstihdam Amacıyla Giriş ve İkamet Koşullarına İlişkin 2021/1883 Sayılı Direktif” olarak kabul edilmiştir. Üye devletler Direktif ile ilgili ulusal mevzuatlarında 18 Kasım 2023 tarihine kadar gerekli düzenlemeleri yapmak ve yürürlüğe koymakla yükümlüdür. AB mevzuatı, Türkiye’nin aday devlet statüsünde olması nedeniyle ülkemiz açısından da önem taşımaktadır. Özellikle yabancılar hukukuna ilişkin düzenlemelerde Avrupa Birliği mevzuatı esas alınmaktadır. Bu nedenle Direktifin hükümlerinin incelenmesi çalışma konusu olarak belirlenmiştir.
Consolidation and crisis: The evolution of the European Union’s legal framework in pursuing peace, stability, and unity amidst global challenges
Authors: Sotiroski Ljupcho
Published: December 2023

In light of recent events like the coronavirus pandemic and the Russian-Ukrainian war, which pose serious obstacles to the European Union’s ability to operate normally, research into the unique characteristics of the EU and future prospects for its growth and survival is especially pertinent. The purpose of the article was to learn about and examine the founding history of the European Union, the difficulties it has experienced throughout its existence, and the opportunities for it to continue to exist and develop as a special alliance of European nations. The main methods that were used in the work are the following: systematic, historical research method, forecasting method. The findings allowed for the construction of an understanding of the EU’s past, its subsequent formation, and the peculiarities associated with its institutional structure. The article also highlighted a number of challenges that accompanied the development of the European Union and how the EU struggled with their solutions, in particular, attention was mostly paid to three main ones: the withdrawal of Great Britain from the EU, the pandemic that was caused by the coronavirus infection, and also the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war, expected and forthcoming energy and inflation crises, as well. A special place in the results of the article is the highlighting of the prospects for the further development against the background of modern problems that the European Union is facing. In particular, given a historical analysis of the functioning of the European Union, the main scenarios regarding the forms of further existence of the Union of European countries are proposed. The results of the work can be used in further research on relevant topics by historians, sociologists and lawyers as reference material for researching the peculiarities of the European Union.
Features of political psychology in a digital society: Managing and defining disinformation
Authors: Spytska Liana
Published: December 2023

Public opinion management is reflected in a balanced approach to the information policy of the country, where the rationalistic outlook of the community promotes the social, economic, and political development of the state values. The formation of an individual’s political consciousness is subject to the influence of the information space in which they live, and this poses the relevance of investigating the issue of managing and defining disinformation at the stage of rapid digitalisation of society. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to determine the specifics of the development of patterns of political behaviour and consciousness of an individual in the process of forming a public stance in the context of socio-psychological, informational, and political determinants. The basis of the theoretical and methodological approach in this study was a combination of qualitative methods of systematic analysis of the specifics of psychological factors shaping political views and community behaviour, as well as content analysis of countering disinformation at the current stage of development of society. Furthermore, several surveys were conducted regarding the views and perceptions of the population on information in the media space in the country. The article also presents data that reflect the issue of the psychological phenomenon of society, in particular political judgments, moods, needs and motives of people, which are the result of social and political relations and are realised in a certain political behaviour and actions of both an individual and society as a whole. This article discusses the issues of combating disinformation in the digital space of the state and ways to improve the information literacy of the population. The results of the research are of practical value for educational, social, and psychological organisations that have a direct impact on the formation of legal behaviour and a conscious attitude to information processes in the digital space.
Impact of Commute Distance on Volunteering Rates in the Greater Sydney Region, Australia
Authors: Terhorst Andrew , Evans David
Published: December 2023

Volunteering generates a range of benefits for volunteers and the community. A crucial constraint on an individual’s capacity to volunteer is the availability of spare time. In this study, we test the hypothesis that workers with longer commute distances (and therefore less spare time) are less likely to volunteer. To test this hypothesis, we use spatially aggregated data on workers’ volunteering rates and commute distances across the Greater Sydney Region, Australia. We find that workers with longer commute distances within each region have significantly lower volunteering rates than workers with shorter commute distances, controlling for spatial variation in the availability of volunteering opportunities. Based on this finding, we expect factors like working from home and urban planning to influence volunteering rates and associated benefits for individuals and communities.
PENINGKATAN DESAIN FOTO PRODUK DAN PEMASARAN BERBASIS DIGITAL KELOMPOK UMKM MAKANAN DI KECAMATAN CINAMBO
Authors: Suharsono Teguh Nurhadi , Gunawan Gunawan , Sukmana Rini Nuraini , Rahman Fauzan Andriana , Ammarulloh Sendhy Maula
Published: December 2023

Usaha mikro, kecil, dan menengah (UMKM) adalah salah satu sektor bisnis yang memiliki kapasitas untuk berkembang secara konsisten dan stabil dalam ekonomi nasional. Perlu ada strategi khusus untuk pemulihan ekonomi karena wabah COVID-19 sangat dirasakan oleh UMKM dan pariwisata, karena keduanya sangat memengaruhi pertumbuhan ekonomi. UMKM di Kelurahan Cisaranten Wetan Kecamatan Cinambo juga mengalami permasalahan berkaitan dengan masa Covid-19 ini. Beberapa UMKM tersebut setelah Covid-19 mulai bangkit. Para UMKM ini terdiri dari usaha di bidang kuliner, yaitu kuliner rujak, rempeyek, rangginang, bakso pentol, makanan pepes, bawang goreng, dan roti. Permasalahan yang terjadi pada para UMKM ini untuk mengembangkan produknya adalah kesulitan mereka dalam mendesain foto produk untuk ditampilkan di media sosial maupun cara memasarkan yang lebih baik di media sosial. Media sosial ini sangat penting bagi mereka karena untuk memperluas pemasaran produknya yang tidak hanya mengandalkan konsumen di sekitarnya saja. Berdasarkan hal tersebut di atas, maka dilakukan pelatihan untuk desain foto produk dan pemasaran produk-produk UMKM tersebut dalam bentuk kegiatan pengabdian kepada masyarakat. Pelatihan menggunakan aplikasi Canva karena relatif mudah digunakan melalui handphone yang tentunya dimiliki oleh para UMKM tersebut. Pemasaran produk menggunakan Instagram, karena saat ini Instagram banyak digunakan dan mudah penggunaannya. Kegiatan PKM ini menunjukkan ketercapaian peserta untuk pelatihan desain produk sebesar 72,73 % serta ketercapaian pelatihan pemasaran digital melalui Instagram sebesar 78,18%.  Berdasarkan IKU Perguruan Tinggi juga telah tercapai 2 orang mahasiswa melakukan mendapat pengalaman di luar kampus (IKU 2) serta hasil kerja 3 orang Dosen digunakan oleh masyarakat (IKU 5).
PENINGKATAN KUALITAS PELAYANAN KESEHATAN MELALUI MANAJEMEN TERINTEGRASI DI RUMAH SAKIT: SYSTEMIC LITERATURE REVIEW
Authors: Prayogo Dimas Ageng , Choirunisa Risda , Kifli Yohana
Published: December 2023

Peningkatan kualitas pelayanan kesehatan sangat bergantung pada pelayanan kesehatan yang dikasih untuk masyarakat pada rumah sakit, maka dari itu diperlukan suatu manajemen terintegrasi untuk meningkatkan suatu kualitas pelayanan kesehatan terdapat pada rumah sakit. Kualitas pelayanan kesehatan baik bisa digunakan dalam mengembangkan suatu rumah sakit bisa terus berkembang dengan begitu pesat. Penelitian ini menggunakan studi literatur review menggunakan pemilihan sumber sesuai standar dibutuhkan dalam suatu penelitian, bahwa: Kualitas pelayanan berpengaruh terhadap manajemen terintegrasi
IMPLEMENTASI ERGONOMIC FUNCTION DEPLOYMENT (EFD) PADA PERANCANGAN ALAT BANTU PEMBUKA LEMPENGAN KOMSTIR SEPEDA MOTOR
Authors: Bora M. Ansyar , Herman Herman , Prasetyo Wahyu
Published: December 2023

Servis kendaraan bermotor merupakan suatu kegiatan yang penting untuk memastikan kendaraan tetap berada dalam kondisi yang baik dan aman untuk digunakan. Namun dalam proses perbaikan kendaraan bermotor mekanik masih menemukan beberapa kendala salah satunya belum ada alat pembuka lempengan komstir motor, sehingga peralatan yang digunakan saat ini masih menggunakan alat seadanya seperti menggunakan palu dan obeng untuk membuka lempengan, sehingga waktu yang digunakan untuk membuka lempengan komstir motor masih membutuhkan waktu agak lama, selain dari itu juga pekerja mengalami cedera seperti tangan kena hantaman palu, kena ujung obeng sehingga mekanik dapat mengakibatkan kecelakaan kerja. Olehnya itu diperlukan rancangan alat bantu pembuka lempengan komstir motor dengan menggunakan metode Ergonomic Function Deployment (EFD), metode ini digunakan untuk mengidentifikasi dan memenuhi kebutuhan pengguna dalam perancangan produk, selain dari itu EFD juga dapat digunakan untuk memastikan bahwa alat tersebut dirancang agar efektif, nyaman, aman, sehat dan efesien digunakan oleh pengguna. Berdasarkan dari hasil korelasi antara customer needs dengan respon teknis maka yang menjadi prioritas utama dalam perancangan alat bantu adalah alat bantu pelepas komstir aman dan nyaman saat digunakan dengan total nilai 47 sedangkan prioritas terendah adalah proses perawatan mudah dilakukan dengan total nilai 9. Berdasarkan dari hasil pembahasan menggunakan metode EFD Menghasilkan rancangan alat bantu pembuka lempengan komstir motor yang  sesuai dengan spesifikasi keinginan pengguna dan menghasilkan rancangan alat bantu yang ergonomi
Measurement of Leptin and Insulin-like Growth Factor-I in Seminal Plasma from Different Species.
Authors: Lackey BR , Gray SL , Henricks DM
Published: December 2023

The multi-functional proteins, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and leptin were present in seminal plasma from different species. Concentrations of IGF-I in equine and porcine semen were 20 and 17.5 ng/ml, respectively. Seminal plasma concentrations of leptin were 1 ng/ml in human and 11 ng/ml in porcine samples.
Analyzing the carbon dioxide emissions of R134a alternatives in water-cooled centrifugal chillers using the life cycle climate performance framework
Authors: Akinseloyin Michael O. , Hall Carter , Stallbaumer-Cyr Emily M. , Morrow Jordan A. , Derby Melanie M.
Published: December 2023

Introduction: To reduce greenhouse gases, the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol seeks a phasedown of hydrofluorocarbons. R134a alternatives were analyzed for use in a water-cooled chiller: R450A, R513A, R516A, R1234ze (E), R515A, and R515B.

Methods: A thermodynamic model of the chiller was employed to calculate compressor power, an input to the life cycle climate performance (LCCP) framework to estimate total equivalent carbon dioxide emissions, CO2eq. Emissions were calculated for an 809 kW [230 Tons of refrigeration (RT) nameplate] water-cooled centrifugal chiller at constant cooling capacity using five power sources (i.e., coal, distillate fuel oil, natural gas, nuclear, and wind) for a median chiller lifetime of 27 years. Two chiller operating profiles were considered: one using operational data from a university campus and a second from literature based on the Atlantic Fleet operation.

Results and discussion: When powered via fossil fuels, over 90% of emissions were due to the indirect emissions from energy; therefore, the global warming potential (GWP) of the refrigerant was not the primary contributor to the total CO2eq emissions. With natural gas, total LCCP emissions were reduced for R450A (7.8%), R513A (4.7%), R516A (9.4%), R1234ze (E) (10%), R515A (8.4%), and R515B (6.4%) compared to R134a for the university campus load profile. For the round-the-clock Atlantic Fleet profile, there were emission reductions for R450A (3.6%), R513A (0.25%), R516A (2.3%), R1234ze (E) (2.4%), R515A (1.5%) and R515B (2.4%) compared to R134a. When coupled with renewable energy, the indirect emissions from the chillers substantially decreased, and GWP-dependent leakage emissions accounted for up to 74% or 40% of emissions from R134a alternatives powered by wind and nuclear, respectively. For operation using the load profile from the university campus chillers, R450A had the highest coefficient of performance (COP) of 5.802, while R513A had the lowest COP (5.606). Tradeoffs between alternative refrigerants exist in terms of operation, temperature glide, size of heat exchangers, system design, flammability, cost, availability, and material compatibility. In terms of flammability, R134a, R513A, R450A, R515B and R515A are A1 (nonflammable) fluids. R450A and R516A also have temperature glides of 0.4 K and 0.056 K, respectively, which can affect condenser design. In terms of equipment modification (sizing), R513A require fewer modifications.
Novel heterozygous TREX1 mutation in a juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus patient with severe cutaneous involvement treated successfully with Jak-inhibitors: a case report
Authors: Rossano Martina , Conti Emilio Amleto , Bocca Paola , Volpi Stefano , Mastrangelo Antonio , Cavalli Riccardo , Gattorno Marco , Minoia Francesca , Filocamo Giovanni
Published: December 2023

Juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (jSLE) is a complex inflammatory autoimmune disorder. In the last decades, genetic factors and activation pathways have been increasingly studied to understand their potential pathogenetic role better. Genetic and transcriptional abnormalities directly involved in the type I interferon (IFN) signaling cascade have been identified through family-based and genome-wide association studies. IFNs trigger signaling pathways that initiate gene transcription of IFN-stimulated genes through the activation of JAK1, TYK2, STAT1, and STAT2. Thus, the use of therapies that target the IFN pathway would represent a formidable advance in SLE. It is well known that JAK inhibitors have real potential for the treatment of rheumatic diseases, but their efficacy in the treatment of SLE remains to be elucidated. We report the case of a 13-year-old girl affected by jSLE, carrying a novel heterozygous missense variant on Three prime Repair EXonuclease 1 (TREX1), successfully treated with baricitinib on top of mofetil mycophenolate. The TREX1 gene plays an important role in DNA damage repair, and its mutations have been associated with an overproduction of type 1 interferon. This report underlines the role of translational research in identifying potential pathogenetic pathways in rare diseases to optimize treatment.
How to eliminate pathogen without killing oneself? Immunometabolism of encapsulation and melanization in Drosophila
Authors: Dolezal Tomas
Published: December 2023

Cellular encapsulation associated with melanization is a crucial component of the immune response in insects, particularly against larger pathogens. The infection of a Drosophila larva by parasitoid wasps, like Leptopilina boulardi, is the most extensively studied example. In this case, the encapsulation and melanization of the parasitoid embryo is linked to the activation of plasmatocytes that attach to the surface of the parasitoid. Additionally, the differentiation of lamellocytes that encapsulate the parasitoid, along with crystal cells, is accountable for the melanization process. Encapsulation and melanization lead to the production of toxic molecules that are concentrated in the capsule around the parasitoid and, at the same time, protect the host from this toxic immune response. Thus, cellular encapsulation and melanization represent primarily a metabolic process involving the metabolism of immune cell activation and differentiation, the production of toxic radicals, but also the production of melanin and antioxidants. As such, it has significant implications for host physiology and systemic metabolism. Proper regulation of metabolism within immune cells, as well as at the level of the entire organism, is therefore essential for an efficient immune response and also impacts the health and overall fitness of the organism that survives. The purpose of this “perspective” article is to map what we know about the metabolism of this type of immune response, place it in the context of possible implications for host physiology, and highlight open questions related to the metabolism of this important insect immune response.
Comparative miRNA-seq analysis revealed molecular mechanisms of red color formation in the early developmental stages of Plectropomus leopardus
Authors: Liu Xi , Jiang Mouyan , Wen Simin , Zhang Kaixiang , Hong Yucong , Sun Kaihui , Deng Xianwu , Huang Yang , Shi Gang , Tian Changxu , Chen Huapu , Li Guangli , Zhu Chunhua
Published: December 2023

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small non-coding RNAs that play important roles in several biological processes, including the regulation of body color. Leopard coral grouper (Plectropomus leopardus) is a valuable marine aquaculture fish; however, at present, there are no published reports on its early body color development. The skin color of P. leopardus undergoes a transition from transparent to red from 26 days post-hatching (dph) to 30 dph. In this study, we performed miRNA sequencing on 26 dph (Transparent, PT) and 30 dph (Red, PR) skin samples of P. leopardus to explore the molecular mechanism underlying red color formation. A total of 44.31 M and 37.55 M clean tags were obtained from PT and PR group, respectively. Among these tags, 981 miRNAs were identified, including 493 known and 488 novel miRNAs. A total of 106 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) were identified in PT vs. PR, with 43 up-regulated and 63 down-regulated miRNAs in the PR group, compared to the PT group (|fold change| > 2 and p-value < 0.05). A miRNA-mRNA network based on 18 candidate miRNAs and 53 target genes related to pigmentation, and KEGG enrichment analysis of the target genes of all DEMs, revealed that miRNAs involved in the formation of red skin color were mainly related to: 1) the inhibition of melanin synthesis (miR-141-z, miR-206-z, miR-206-y, miR-27-z, miR-137-y, miR-204-x, miR-204-y, miR-211-x, miR-211-z); 2) chromatophore development (miR-206-z, miR-206-y, miR-499-y, miR-1-z, miR-2188-x, miR-423-x); and 3) carotenoid metabolism (miR-204-x, miR-204-y, miR-499-y). This study demonstrates the potential role of miRNAs in red color formation and lays the foundation for the molecular mechanism of body color polymorphism in P. leopardus.
An examination of resting-state functional connectivity in patients with active Crohn’s disease
Authors: Thapaliya Gita , Eldeghaidy Sally , Radford Shellie J. , Francis Susan T. , Moran Gordon William
Published: December 2023

Background

Alterations in resting state functional connectivity (rs-FC) in Crohn’s Disease (CD) have been documented in default mode network (DMN) and frontal parietal network (FPN) areas, visual, cerebellar, salience and attention resting-state-networks (RSNs), constituting a CD specific neural phenotype. To date, most studies are in patients in remission, with limited studies in active disease.

Methods

Twenty five active CD cases and 25 age-, BMI- and gender-matched healthy controls (HC) were recruited to a resting-state-functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (rs-fMRI) study. Active disease was defined as C-reactive protein>5 mg/dL, faecal calprotectin>250 μg/g, or through ileocolonoscopy or MRE. rs-fMRI data were analysed using independent component analysis (ICA) and dual regression. Differences in RSNs between HCs and active CD were assessed, and rs-FC was associated with disease duration and abdominal pain.

Results

Increased connectivity in the FPN (fusiform gyrus, thalamus, caudate, posterior cingulate cortex, postcentral gyrus) and visual RSN (orbital frontal cortex) were observed in CD versus HC. Decreased activity was observed in the salience network (cerebellum, postcentral gyrus), DMN (parahippocampal gyrus, cerebellum), and cerebellar network (occipital fusiform gyrus, cerebellum) in CD versus HCs. Greater abdominal pain scores were associated with lower connectivity in the precuneus (visual network) and parietal operculum (salience network), and higher connectivity in the cerebellum (frontal network). Greater disease duration was associated with greater connectivity in the middle temporal gyrus and planum temporale (visual network).

Conclusion

Alterations in rs-FC in active CD in RSNs implicated in cognition, attention, emotion, and pain may represent neural correlates of chronic systemic inflammation, abdominal pain, disease duration, and severity.
Unveiling the future of breast cancer assessment: a critical review on generative adversarial networks in elastography ultrasound
Authors: Ansari Mohammed Yusuf , Qaraqe Marwa , Righetti Raffaella , Serpedin Erchin , Qaraqe Khalid
Published: December 2023

Elastography Ultrasound provides elasticity information of the tissues, which is crucial for understanding the density and texture, allowing for the diagnosis of different medical conditions such as fibrosis and cancer. In the current medical imaging scenario, elastograms for B-mode Ultrasound are restricted to well-equipped hospitals, making the modality unavailable for pocket ultrasound. To highlight the recent progress in elastogram synthesis, this article performs a critical review of generative adversarial network (GAN) methodology for elastogram generation from B-mode Ultrasound images. Along with a brief overview of cutting-edge medical image synthesis, the article highlights the contribution of the GAN framework in light of its impact and thoroughly analyzes the results to validate whether the existing challenges have been effectively addressed. Specifically, This article highlights that GANs can successfully generate accurate elastograms for deep-seated breast tumors (without having artifacts) and improve diagnostic effectiveness for pocket US. Furthermore, the results of the GAN framework are thoroughly analyzed by considering the quantitative metrics, visual evaluations, and cancer diagnostic accuracy. Finally, essential unaddressed challenges that lie at the intersection of elastography and GANs are presented, and a few future directions are shared for the elastogram synthesis research.
Patients with volume-loaded right ventricle - quantification of left ventricular hemodynamic response to intervention measured by noninvasive pressure-volume loops
Authors: Sjöberg Pia , Stephensen Sigurdur , Arheden Håkan , Heiberg Einar , Carlsson Marcus
Published: December 2023

Volume loading of the right ventricle (RV) in patients with atrial septal defect (ASD) and patients with repaired Tetralogy of Fallot (rToF) affects the pumping mechanics of the left ventricle (LV). Intervention of the lesion will relieve the RV volume load however quantifiable impact on exercise capacity, arrhytmias or death are limited. A possible explanation could be remaining effects on the function of the LV. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate if hemodynamics of the LV differs between patients with RV volume load due to ASD or rToF and healthy controls and if they change after intervention. Eighteen patients with ASD, 17 patients with rToF and 16 healthy controls underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) and maximal exercise test with continuous gas analysis. Reexamination was performed 13 ± 2 months after closure of the ASD in 13 of the patients and 10 ± 4 months after pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) in 9 of the patients with rToF. Non-invasive PV-loops from CMR and brachial pressures were analyzed. Stroke work (SW) and potential energy (PE) increased after ASD closure but not in ToF patients after valve repair. Patients with ASD or rToF had higher contractility and arterial elastance than controls. No major effects were seen in LV energetics or in peak VO2 after ASD closure or PVR. Peak VO2 correlated positively with SW and PE in patients with ASD (r = 0.54, p < 0.05; r = 0.61, p < 0.01) and controls (r = 0.72, p < 0.01; r = 0.53, p < 0.05) to approximately the same degree as peak VO2 and end-diastolic volume (EDV) or end-systolic volume (ESV). In ToF patients there was no correlation between PV loop parameters and peak VO2 even if correlation was found between peak VO2 and EDV or ESV. In conclusion, the LV seems to adapt its pumping according to anatomic circumstances without losing efficiency, however there are indications of persistent vascular dysfunction, expressed as high arterial elastance, which might have impact on exercise performance and prognosis. Future studies might elucidate if the duration of RV volume load and decreased LV filling have any impact on the ability of the vascular function to normalize after ASD closure or PVR.
Group psychedelic therapy: empirical estimates of cost-savings and improved access
Authors: Marseille Elliot , Stauffer Christopher S. , Agrawal Manish , Thambi Paul , Roddy Kimberly , Mithoefer Michael , Bertozzi Stefano M. , Kahn James G.
Published: December 2023

Objective

To compare group and individual psychedelic-assisted therapy in terms of clinician time, costs and patient access.

Methods

Using 2023 data from two group therapy trial sites, one using 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) to treat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and one using psilocybin to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), we compared overall variable costs, clinician costs and clinician time required by therapy protocols utilizing groups versus individual patient therapy. Using published literature, we estimated the prevalence of adults with PTSD and MDD eligible for treatment with psychedelic therapy and projected the savings in time and cost required to treat these prevalent cases.

Results

Group therapy saved 50.9% of clinician costs for MDMA-PTSD and 34.7% for psilocybin-MDD, or $3,467 and $981 per patient, respectively. To treat all eligible PTSD and MDD patients in the U.S. in 10 years with group therapy, 6,711 fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) clinicians for MDMA-PTSD and 1,159 fewer for FTE clinicians for psilocybin-MDD would be needed, saving up to $10.3 billion and $2.0 billion respectively, discounted at 3% annually.

Conclusion

Adopting group therapy protocols where feasible would significantly reduce the cost of psychedelic-assisted therapies. By enhancing the number of patients served per clinician, group therapy could also ameliorate the anticipated shortage of appropriately trained clinicians, thereby accelerating access to these promising new therapies.
Proportional Odds Hazard Model for Discrete Time-to-Event Data
Authors: Vieira Maria Gabriella Figueiredo , Cardial Marcílio Ramos Pereira , Matsushita Raul , Nakano Eduardo Yoshio
Published: December 2023

In this article, we present the development of the proportional odds hazard model for discrete time-to-event data. In this work, inferences about the model’s parameters were formulated considering the presence of right censoring and the discrete Weibull and log-logistic distributions. Simulation studies were carried out to check the asymptotic properties of the estimators. In addition, procedures for checking the proportional odds assumption were proposed, and the proposed model is illustrated using a dataset on the survival time of patients with low back pain.
Deep Learning-Assisted Measurements of Photoreceptor Ellipsoid Zone Area and Outer Segment Volume as Biomarkers for Retinitis Pigmentosa
Authors: Wang Yi-Zhong , Juroch Katherine , Birch David Geoffrey
Published: December 2023

The manual segmentation of retinal layers from OCT scan images is time-consuming and costly. The deep learning approach has potential for the automatic delineation of retinal layers to significantly reduce the burden of human graders. In this study, we compared deep learning model (DLM) segmentation with manual correction (DLM-MC) to conventional manual grading (MG) for the measurements of the photoreceptor ellipsoid zone (EZ) area and outer segment (OS) volume in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) to assess whether DLM-MC can be a new gold standard for retinal layer segmentation and for the measurement of retinal layer metrics. Ninety-six high-speed 9 mm 31-line volume scans obtained from 48 patients with RPGR-associated XLRP were selected based on the following criteria: the presence of an EZ band within the scan limit and a detectable EZ in at least three B-scans in a volume scan. All the B-scan images in each volume scan were manually segmented for the EZ and proximal retinal pigment epithelium (pRPE) by two experienced human graders to serve as the ground truth for comparison. The test volume scans were also segmented by a DLM and then manually corrected for EZ and pRPE by the same two graders to obtain DLM-MC segmentation. The EZ area and OS volume were determined by interpolating the discrete two-dimensional B-scan EZ-pRPE layer over the scan area. Dice similarity, Bland–Altman analysis, correlation, and linear regression analyses were conducted to assess the agreement between DLM-MC and MG for the EZ area and OS volume measurements. For the EZ area, the overall mean dice score (SD) between DLM-MC and MG was 0.8524 (0.0821), which was comparable to 0.8417 (0.1111) between two MGs. For the EZ area > 1 mm2, the average dice score increased to 0.8799 (0.0614). When comparing DLM-MC to MG, the Bland–Altman plots revealed a mean difference (SE) of 0.0132 (0.0953) mm2 and a coefficient of repeatability (CoR) of 1.8303 mm2 for the EZ area and a mean difference (SE) of 0.0080 (0.0020) mm3 and a CoR of 0.0381 mm3 for the OS volume. The correlation coefficients (95% CI) were 0.9928 (0.9892–0.9952) and 0.9938 (0.9906–0.9958) for the EZ area and OS volume, respectively. The linear regression slopes (95% CI) were 0.9598 (0.9399–0.9797) and 1.0104 (0.9909–1.0298), respectively. The results from this study suggest that the manual correction of deep learning model segmentation can generate EZ area and OS volume measurements in excellent agreement with those of conventional manual grading in RP. Because DLM-MC is more efficient for retinal layer segmentation from OCT scan images, it has the potential to reduce the burden of human graders in obtaining quantitative measurements of biomarkers for assessing disease progression and treatment outcomes in RP.
Clinical Next Generation Sequencing Application in Mesothelioma: Finding a Golden Needle in the Haystack
Authors: Cerbone Luigi , Orecchia Sara , Bertino Pietro , Delfanti Sara , de Angelis Antonina Maria , Grosso Federica
Published: December 2023

Mesothelioma comprises a group of rare cancers arising from the mesothelium of the pleura, peritoneum, tunica vaginalis testis and pericardium. Mesothelioma is generally associated with asbestos exposure and has a dismal prognosis, with few therapeutic options. Several next generation sequencing (NGS) experiments have been performed on mesothelioma arising at different sites. These studies highlight a genomic landscape mainly characterized by a high prevalence (>20%) of genomic aberrations leading to functional losses in oncosuppressor genes such as BAP1, CDKN2A, NF2, SETD2 and TP53. Nevertheless, to date, evidence of the effect of targeting these alterations with specific drugs is lacking. Conversely, 1–2% of mesothelioma might harbor activating mutations in oncogenes with specifically approved drugs. The goal of this review is to summarize NGS applications in mesothelioma and to provide insights into target therapy of mesothelioma guided by NGS.
Antitumor Activity of the Xanthonoside XGAc in Triple-Negative Breast, Ovarian and Pancreatic Cancer by Inhibiting DNA Repair
Authors: Calheiros Juliana , Raimundo Liliana , Morais João , Matos Ana Catarina , Minuzzo Sonia Anna , Indraccolo Stefano , Sousa Emília , Silva Marta Correia da , Saraiva Lucília
Published: December 2023

Dysregulation of the DNA damage response may contribute to the sensitization of cancer cells to DNA-targeting agents by impelling cell death. In fact, the inhibition of the DNA repair pathway is considered a promising anticancer therapeutic strategy, particularly in combination with standard-of-care agents. The xanthonoside XGAc was previously described as a potent inhibitor of cancer cell growth. Herein, we explored its antitumor activity against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), ovarian cancer and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells as a single agent and in combination with the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor (PARPi) olaparib. We demonstrated that XGAc inhibited the growth of TNBC, ovarian and PDAC cells by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. XGAc also induced genotoxicity, inhibiting the expression of DNA repair proteins particularly involved in homologous recombination, including BRCA1, BRCA2 and RAD51. Moreover, it displayed potent synergistic effects with olaparib in TNBC, ovarian cancer and PDAC cells. Importantly, this growth inhibitory activity of XGAc was further reinforced in a TNBC spheroid model and in patient-derived ovarian cancer cells. Also, drug-resistant cancer cells showed no cross-resistance to XGAc. Additionally, the ability of XGAc to prevent cancer cell migration was evidenced in TNBC, ovarian cancer and PDAC cells. Altogether, these results highlight the great potential of acetylated xanthonosides such as XGAc as promising anticancer agents against hard-to-treat cancers.
Unleashing the Power of Yes-Associated Protein in Ferroptosis and Drug Resistance in Breast Cancer, with a Special Focus on Therapeutic Strategies
Authors: Malla RamaRao , Kundrapu Durga Bhavani , Bhamidipati Priyamvada , Nagaraju Ganji Purnachandra , Muniraj Nethaji
Published: December 2023

The YAP protein is a critical oncogenic mediator within the Hippo signaling pathway and has been implicated in various cancer types. In breast cancer, it frequently becomes activated, thereby contributing to developing drug-resistance mechanisms. Recent studies have underscored the intricate interplay between YAP and ferroptosis within the breast tumor microenvironment. YAP exerts a negative regulatory effect on ferroptosis, promoting cancer cell survival and drug resistance. This review offers a concise summary of the current understanding surrounding the interplay between the YAP pathway, ferroptosis, and drug-resistance mechanisms in both bulk tumor cells and cancer stem cells. We also explore the potential of natural compounds alone or in combination with anticancer therapies for targeting the YAP pathway in treating drug-resistant breast cancer. This approach holds the promise of enhancing the effectiveness of current treatments and paving the way for developing novel therapeutics.
A Comparative Multicenter Cohort Study Evaluating the Long-Term Influence of the Strict Lockdown during the First COVID-19 Wave on Lung Cancer Patients (ARTEMISIA Trial)
Authors: Molinier Olivier , Guguen Camille , Marcq Marie , Chene Anne-Laure , Masson Philippe , Bigot Frédéric , Denis Fabrice , Empereur Fabienne , Saulnier Philippe , Urban Thierry
Published: December 2023

The consequences of the strict health restrictions during the first wave of COVID-19 on lung cancer (LC) patients are not known. This cohort study evaluated the impact of the initial lockdown on management of and long-term outcome in LC patients. This exposed–unexposed-type study included two evaluation periods of 6 months each in non-selected patients; one began on the first day of lockdown in 2020, and the other in 2019 during the same calendar period. Various indicators were compared: clinical profiles, management delays and overall survival beyond 2 years. A total of 816 patients from 7 public or private centers were enrolled. The clinical characteristics of the patients in 2020 did not differ from those in 2019, except that the population was older (p = 0.002) with more non-smokers (p = 0.006). Delays for pre-therapeutic medical management were generally reduced after the first imaging in 2020 (1.28 [1.1–1.49]). In the multivariate analysis, being part of the 2020 cohort was correlated with better prognosis (HR = 0.71 [0.5–0.84], p < 0.001). The gain observed in 2020 mainly benefited non-smoking patients, along with ECOG PS 0–2 (p = 0.01), stage 4 (p = 0.003), squamous cell carcinoma (p = 0.03) and receiving systemic therapy (p = 0.03). In conclusion, the first lockdown did not exert any deleterious impact on LC patients.
Detection of Germline Mutations in a Cohort of 250 Relatives of Mutation Carriers in Multigene Panel: Impact of Pathogenic Variants in Other Genes beyond BRCA1/2
Authors: Di Rado Sara , Giansante Roberta , Cicirelli Michela , Pilenzi Lucrezia , Dell’Elice Anastasia , Anaclerio Federico , Rimoldi Martina , Grassadonia Antonino , Grossi Simona , Canale Nicole , Ballerini Patrizia , Stuppia Liborio , Antonucci Ivana
Published: December 2023

Background: Several hereditary–familial syndromes associated with various types of tumors have been identified to date, evidencing that hereditary cancers caused by germline mutations account for 5–10% of all tumors. Advances in genetic technology and the implementation of Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) have accelerated the discovery of several susceptibility cancer genes, allowing for the detection of cancer-predisposing mutations in a larger number of cases. The aim of this study is to highlight how the application of an NGS-multigene panel to a group of oncological patients subsequently leads to improvement in the identification of carriers of healthy pathogenic variants/likely pathogenic variants (PVs/LPVs) and prevention of the disease in these cases. Methods: Starting from a total of 110 cancer patients carrying PVs/LPVs in genes involved in cancer susceptibility detected via a customized NGS panel of 27 cancer-associated genes, we enrolled 250 healthy collateral family members from January 2020 to July 2022. The specific PVs/LPVs identified in each proband were tested in healthy collateral family members via Sanger sequencing. Results: A total of 131 out of the 250 cases (52%) were not carriers of the mutation detected in the affected relative, while 119 were carriers. Of these, 81/250 patients carried PVs/LPVs on BRCA1/2 (33%), 35/250 harbored PVs/LPVs on other genes beyond BRCA1 and BRCA2 (14%), and 3/250 (1%) were PVs/LPVs carriers both on BRCA1/2 and on another susceptibility gene. Conclusion: Our results show that the analysis of BRCA1/2 genes would have only resulted in a missed diagnosis in a number of cases and in the lack of prevention of the disease in a considerable percentage of healthy carriers with a genetic mutation (14%).
Pleural Mesothelioma: Treatable Traits of a Heterogeneous Disease
Authors: Bertuccio Francesco Rocco , Agustoni Francesco , Galli Giulia , Bortolotto Chandra , Saddi Jessica , Baietto Guido , Baio Nicola , Montini Simone , Putignano Paola , D’Ambrosio Gioacchino , Corsico Angelo G. , Pedrazzoli Paolo , Stella Giulia Maria
Published: December 2023

Pleural mesothelioma is an aggressive disease with diffuse nature, low median survival, and prolonged latency presenting difficulty in prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment. Here, we review all these aspects to underline the progress being made in its investigation and to emphasize how much work remains to be carried out to improve prognosis and treatment.
Amelioration of Motor Performance and Nigrostriatal Dopamine Cell Volume Using a Novel Far-Infrared Ceramic Blanket in an A53T Alpha-Synuclein Transgenic Parkinson’s Disease Mouse Model
Authors: Carrick Frederick Robert , Hernandez Luis Sebastian Alexis Valerio , Sugaya Kiminobu
Published: December 2023

We had attended a Parkinson’s Disease (PD) patient for a non-healing wound who reported a marked decrease in his hand tremor and freezing of gait when his wound was exposed to a ceramic far-field infrared (cFIR) blanket. PD is the most frequent motor disorder and the second most frequent neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). The tremor, rigidity, and slowness of movement associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD) affect up to 10 million people throughout the world, and the major contributing factor to the pathogenesis of PD is the accumulation and propagation of pathological α-synuclein (α-Syn) and the death of dopaminergic cells in the Nigrostriatal system. Efforts to slow or stop its spreading have resulted in the development and use of dopaminergic drug replacement therapy. Unfortunately, there is a loss of about 70–80% of substantia nigral dopaminergic neurons in patients by the time they are diagnosed with PD, and various dopaminergic drugs provide only temporary relief of their motor symptoms. There are limitations in treating PD with many conventional medications, necessitating a combination of pharmaceutical and non-pharmacological therapy as an essential adjunct to better address the health and welfare of PD patients. We used male adult A53T alpha-synuclein transgenic mice exposed to a ceramic far-infrared blanket. Motor activity was assessed using the rotarod apparatus, and mouse brains were examined to quantify the fluorescence intensities of the immunostained samples. A53T alpha-synuclein transgenic mice had a significantly shorter time stay on the rotating bar than the wild-type mice (B6C3H). The rotarod performance was significantly improved in A53T alpha-synuclein transgenic mice exposed to cFIR as well as B6C3H healthy wild mice exposed to cFIR. There was a significant statistical and substantive increase in the cellular composition of the Striatum and substantia nigra of cFIR-treated mice. Improvement in motor performance is seen in PD mice and wild mice and is associated with increases in cell volume in the substantia nigra and striatum after treatment.
Assessment of the Potential for Delayed Ettringite Formation in Heat Cured Mortars and Concrete Using Australian Materials
Authors: Thomas Paul , Ramu Yogesh Kumar , Martin Liam , Vessalas Kirk , Sirivivatnanon Vute
Published: December 2023

Delayed ettringite formation (DEF) is a recognised durability issue in concretes where the temperature during curing has been elevated. To address the potential risk of DEF, Australian specifications for heat and steam cured concretes, such as TfNSW B80, MRTS 70, and MRS 820, restrict the maximum concrete temperature during heat or steam curing to 70 or 80 °C (depending on the jurisdiction). The wide range of road authority specifications in Australia has led to uncertainty among precast concrete manufacturers, designers, and contractors, as there is a lack of clarity on how less durable the concretes become when they breach these temperature limits. Moreover, the role of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) in mitigating DEF in the specifications is unclear. This paper addresses these concerns by reporting some of the outcomes from research carried out over the last 8 years at the University of Technology Sydney investigating the factors that raise the risk of deleterious DEF. The work indicates that the risk of DEF is low if the cements conform to Australian specifications (AS 3972 and ATIC-SP43). The risk is further reduced if fly ash (FA) is used as part of the binder composition. As the risk of DEF is low if a limit is placed on the alkali and sulphate contents in the cement and is further mitigated if FA is used to partially replace the cement, a more practical and standardised approach to heat cured concrete specifications across the Australian jurisdictions could be adopted.
Is the Existence of Two Lineages for Hamadryas glauconome (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) True? Molecular and Ecological Evidence
Authors: Prado-Cuellar Blanca R. , Lara-Pérez Luis A. , Trujano-Ortega Marysol , Machkour-M’Rabet Salima , Pozo Carmen
Published: December 2023

The genus Hamadryas has a neotropical distribution. In 1983, the subspecies H. glauconome grisea from Mexico was recognized with subtle and subjective differences in color, size and distribution and limited to the northwest. Since then, there has been a debate about whether it is a different lineage from H. glauconome because adult-stage morphology studies have not found significant differences. This study aims to delimitate H. g. glauconome and H. g. grisea lineages with two sources of evidence: ecological and molecular—the former through ecological niche modeling using the accessible area for the species and estimating the minimum volume ellipsoid overlapping as a fundamental niche using occurrences databases. The molecular evidence is found through the methods of phylogenetic inference and the generalized mixed yule coalescent approach, using sequences of cytochrome oxidase I. Ecological and molecular evidence suggest that H. g. grisea is a different lineage from H. glauconome. Also, molecular evidence of a third lineage from the south of Texas needs further study. This study suggests that different evidence should be provided when morphology is not enough for delimiting species, especially in recently diverged species. Furthermore, the H. g. grisea cytochrome oxidase I sequence (658 bp) is published for the first time.