bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hyperspectral imaging in systemic sclerosis-associated Raynaud phenomenon
Authors: Teaw Shannon , Gupta Akash , Williams Alyssa , Wilson F. Perry , Sumpio Brandon J. , Sumpio Bauer E. , Hinchcliff Monique
Published: January 2023

Background/purpose

Lack of robust, feasible, and quantitative outcomes impedes Raynaud phenomenon (RP) clinical trials in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) non-invasively measures oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin (oxyHb and deoxyHb) concentrations and oxygen saturation (O2sat) in the skin and depicts data as oxygenation heatmaps. This study explored the potential role of HSI in quantifying SSc-RP disease severity and activity.

Methods

Patients with SSc-RP (n= 13) and healthy control participants (HC;n= 12) were prospectively recruited in the clinic setting. Using a hand-held camera, bilateral hand HSI (HyperMed™, Waltham, MA) was performed in a temperature-controlled room (22 °C). OxyHb, deoxyHb, and O2sat values were calculated for 78-mm2regions of interest for the ventral fingertips and palm (for normalization). Subjects underwent a cold provocation challenge (gloved hand submersion in 15 °C water bath for 1 min), and repeated HSI was performed at 0, 10, and 20 min. Patients completed two patient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments: the Raynaud Condition Score (RCS) and the Cochin Hand Function Scale (CHFS) for symptom burden assessment. Statistical analyses were performed using the Mann-WhitneyUtest and a mixed effects model (Stata, College Station, TX).

Results

Ninety-two percent of participants were women in their 40s. For SSc-RP patients, 69% had limited cutaneous SSc, the mean ± SD SSc duration was 11 ± 5 years, and 38% had prior digital ulcers—none currently. Baseline deoxyHb was higher, and O2sat was lower, in SSc patients versus HC (p< 0.05). SSc patients had a greater decline in oxyHb and O2sat from baseline to time 0 (after cold challenge) with distinct rewarming oxyHb, O2sat, and deoxyHb trajectories versus HCs (p< 0.01). There were no significant correlations between oxyHb, deoxyHb, and O2sat level changes following cold challenge and RCS or CHFS scores.

Conclusion

Hyperspectral imaging is a feasible approach for SSc-RP quantification in the clinic setting. The RCS and CHFS values did not correlate with HSI parameters. Our data suggest that HSI technology for the assessment of SSc-RP at baseline and in response to cold provocation is a potential quantitative measure for SSc-RP severity and activity, though longitudinal studies that assess sensitivity to change are needed.
An unusual collateral from the sinoatrial nodal artery to the left carotid artery in a patient with Takayasu arteritis: a case report
Authors: Beijk Marcel A. , Planken R. Nils
Published: January 2023

Background

Takayasu arteritis is a noninfective chronic vasculitis mainly involving the aorta and its main branches. The presentation of the disease is heterogeneous, ranging from asymptomatic to catastrophic illness.

Case presentation

A 52-year-old Caucasian woman with known Takayasu arteritis was referred to our hospital as she suffered symptoms suspicious for cerebral hypoperfusion. Computed tomography thorax angiography revealed occlusion of all aortic arch arteries and previous surgical bypasses. Cerebral perfusion depended on a few collaterals (from the distal common carotid artery to the right internal carotid artery and from the left and right internal mammary artery and the dorsal thoracic branches to both vertebral arteries). In addition, preoperative coronary angiography revealed an unusual and large collateral arising from the sinoatrial nodal artery to the left carotid artery.

Conclusion

Takayasu arteritis is a relatively rare disease, with various and sometimes devastating neurological manifestations due to occlusion of the aortic arch branches. Our case highlights the importance of a thorough preoperative evaluation in search of collateral supply in symptomatic patients with Takayasu arteritis.
Genome insights into the plant growth-promoting bacterium Saccharibacillus brassicae ATSA2T
Authors: Jiang Lingmin , Seo Jiyoon , Peng Yuxin , Jeon Doeun , Park Soon Ju , Kim Cha Young , Kim Pyoung Il , Kim Chul Hong , Lee Ju Huck , Lee Jiyoung
Published: January 2023

Endophytes can facilitate the improvement of plant growth and health in agriculturally important crops, yet their genomes and secondary metabolites remain largely unexplored. We previously isolated Saccharibacillus brassicae strain ATSA2T from surface-sterilized seeds of kimchi cabbage and represented a novel species of the genus Saccharibacillus. In this study, we evaluated the plant growth-promoting (PGP) effect of strain ATSA2T in kimchi cabbage, bok choy, and pepper plants grown in soils. We found a significant effect on the shoot and root biomass, and chlorophyll contents following strain ATSA2T treatment. Strain ATSA2T displayed PGP traits such as indole acetic acid (IAA, 62.9 μg/mL) and siderophore production, and phosphate solubilization activity. Furthermore, genome analysis of this strain suggested the presence of gene clusters involved in iron acquisition (fhuABD, afuABC, fbpABC, and fepCDG) and phosphate solubilization (pstABCHS, phoABHLU, and phnCDEP) and other phytohormone biosynthesis genes, including indole-3-acetic acid (trpABCDEFG), in the genome. Interestingly, the secondary metabolites cerecidin, carotenoid, siderophore (staphylobactin), and bacillaene underlying plant growth promotion were found in the whole genome via antiSMASH analysis. Overall, physiological testing and genome analysis data provide comprehensive insights into plant growth-promoting mechanisms, suggesting the relevance of strain ATSA2T in agricultural biotechnology.
Genes mcr improve the intestinal fitness of pathogenic E. coli and balance their lifestyle to commensalism
Authors: Dalmasso Guillaume , Beyrouthy Racha , Brugiroux Sandrine , Ruppé Etienne , Guillouard Laurent , Bonnin Virginie , Saint-Sardos Pierre , Ghozlane Amine , Gaumet Vincent , Barnich Nicolas , Delmas Julien , Bonnet Richard
Published: January 2023

Background

The plasmid-mediated resistance gene mcr-1 confers colistin resistance in Escherichia coli and paves the way for the evolution to pan-drug resistance. We investigated the impact of mcr-1 in gut colonization in the absence of antibiotics using isogenic E. coli strains transformed with a plasmid encoding or devoid of mcr-1.

Results

In gnotobiotic and conventional mice, mcr-1 significantly enhanced intestinal anchoring of E. coli but impaired their lethal effect. This improvement of intestinal fitness was associated with a downregulation of intestinal inflammatory markers and the preservation of intestinal microbiota composition. The mcr-1 gene mediated a cross-resistance to antimicrobial peptides secreted by the microbiota and intestinal epithelial cells (IECs), enhanced E. coli adhesion to IECs, and decreased the proinflammatory activity of both E. coli and its lipopolysaccharides.

Conclusion

Overall, mcr-1 changed multiple facets of bacterial behaviour and appeared as a factor enhancing commensal lifestyle and persistence in the gut even in the absence of antibiotics.
Track and dive-based movement metrics do not predict the number of prey encountered by a marine predator
Authors: Allegue Hassen , Réale Denis , Picard Baptiste , Guinet Christophe
Published: January 2023

Background

Studying animal movement in the context of the optimal foraging theory has led to the development of simple movement metrics for inferring feeding activity. Yet, the predictive capacity of these metrics in natural environments has been given little attention, raising serious questions of the validity of these metrics. The aim of this study is to test whether simple continuous movement metrics predict feeding intensity in a marine predator, the southern elephant seal (SES; Mirounga leonine), and investigate potential factors influencing the predictive capacity of these metrics.

Methods

We equipped 21 female SES from the Kerguelen Archipelago with loggers and recorded their movements during post-breeding foraging trips at sea. From accelerometry, we estimated the number of prey encounter events (nPEE) and used it as a reference for feeding intensity. We also extracted several track- and dive-based movement metrics and evaluated how well they explain and predict the variance in nPEE. We conducted our analysis at two temporal scales (dive and day), with two dive profile resolutions (high at 1 Hz and low with five dive segments), and two types of models (linear models and regression trees).

Results

We found that none of the movement metrics predict nPEE with satisfactory power. The vertical transit rates (primarily the ascent rate) during dives had the best predictive performance among all metrics. Dive metrics performed better than track metrics and all metrics performed on average better at the scale of days than the scale of dives. However, the performance of the models at the scale of days showed higher variability among individuals suggesting distinct foraging tactics. Dive-based metrics performed better when computed from high-resolution dive profiles than low-resolution dive profiles. Finally, regression trees produced more accurate predictions than linear models.

Conclusions

Our study reveals that simple movement metrics do not predict feeding activity in free-ranging marine predators. This could emerge from differences between individuals, temporal scales, and the data resolution used, among many other factors. We conclude that these simple metrics should be avoided or carefully tested a priori with the studied species and the ecological context to account for significant influencing factors.
A radiomics-based deep learning approach to predict progression free-survival after tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Lu Chia-Feng , Liao Chien-Yi , Chao Heng-Sheng , Chiu Hwa-Yen , Wang Ting-Wei , Lee Yen , Chen Jyun-Ru , Shiao Tsu-Hui , Chen Yuh-Min , Wu Yu-Te
Published: January 2023

Background

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are a first-line therapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR mutations. Approximately half of the patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC are treated with EGFR-TKIs and develop disease progression within 1 year. Therefore, the early prediction of tumor progression in patients who receive EGFR-TKIs can facilitate patient management and development of treatment strategies. We proposed a deep learning approach based on both quantitative computed tomography (CT) characteristics and clinical data to predict progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with advanced NSCLC after EGFR-TKI treatment.

Methods

A total of 593 radiomic features were extracted from pretreatment chest CT images. The DeepSurv models for the progression risk stratification of EGFR-TKI treatment were proposed based on CT radiomic and clinical features from 270 stage IIIB-IV EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients. Time-dependent PFS predictions at 3, 12, 18, and 24 months and estimated personalized PFS curves were calculated using the DeepSurv models.

Results

The model combining clinical and radiomic features demonstrated better prediction performance than the clinical model. The model achieving areas under the curve of 0.76, 0.77, 0.76, and 0.86 can predict PFS at 3, 12, 18, and 24 months, respectively. The personalized PFS curves showed significant differences (p < 0.003) between groups with good (PFS > median) and poor (PFS < median) tumor control.

Conclusions

The DeepSurv models provided reliable multi-time-point PFS predictions for EGFR-TKI treatment. The personalized PFS curves can help make accurate and individualized predictions of tumor progression. The proposed deep learning approach holds promise for improving the pre-TKI personalized management of patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC.
Menstrual cup and risk of IUD expulsion – a systematic review
Authors: Bowman Nicola , Thwaites Annette
Published: January 2023

Background

The menstrual cup is a safe, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly menstrual product which is increasing in usage, especially in younger women. The potential risk for concomitant menstrual cup use to increase IUD expulsion has been raised over the last 10 years, however, few studies assess this. This systematic review aims to identify, appraise and synthesize the current specific evidence on menstrual cup use and risk of partial or total IUD expulsion.

Methods

PubMed, and the Cochrane Library were searched for publications available in English, until February 20th, 2021. Quantitative and qualitative studies, systematic reviews and case series reports were included. Websites of menstrual cup manufacturers LenaCup®, DivaCup®, Lunette®, AllMatters® and Saalt® were searched for warnings relevant to IUD expulsion.

Results

Seven studies were included in this review, comprising 73 partial or total IUD expulsion events in patients with IUD contraception using menstrual cups. The case study reports included two individuals who each experienced two and three expulsions respectively. Of the seven publications, three reported expulsion rates of 3.7%, 17.3% and 18.6%. Time to expulsion ranged from less than one week to two and a half years. These three studies disagree on whether there is a statistically significant association between menstrual cup use and IUD expulsion.

Conclusion

There is a possible association between menstrual cup use and increased risk of IUD expulsion and this information should be shared with patients. However evidence is scarce and high-quality randomised controlled trials are needed to address this risk and the impact of factors such as age, menstrual cup removal technique, pelvic anatomy, IUD type, and measures such as cutting the IUD strings short or delaying menstrual cup use for a period post-insertion. This research gap is limiting patients’ ability to make informed choices regarding intrauterine contraception and menstrual management and must urgently be addressed in the context of rising IUD and menstrual cup use, particularly among a younger demographic who are seeking highly effective contraception.
Methodology: workflow for virtual reposition of mandibular condyle fractures
Authors: Matschke Jan , Franke Adrian , Franke Olufunmi , Bräuer Christian , Leonhardt Henry
Published: January 2023

Background

Even though mandibular condyle fractures have a high clinical relevance, their treatment remains somewhat challenging. Open reduction and internal fixation are difficult due to narrow surgical approaches, poor overview during reduction, and a possible risk of facial nerve damage. In times of technical endeavors in surgery, there is a trend towards the usage of stable CAD-CAM-implants from additive manufacturing or titanium laser sintering. Up until now, there have not been any reports of fracture treatment of the mandibular condyle using this technique.

Results and conclusion

We present a workflow for virtual repositioning of the fractured mandibular condyle, to manufacture patient-specific implants for osteosynthesis with the intention of use of resorbable metal alloys in the future.
Pathomechanisms in central serous chorioretinopathy: A recent update
Authors: Zarnegar Arman , Ong Joshua , Matsyaraja Tejaswini , Arora Supriya , Chhablani Jay
Published: January 2023

Background

Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) is a potentially blinding choroidal disease. Despite decades of research, the pathological mechanisms of CSCR are still poorly understood. In recent years, there has been a strong emphasis on choroidal dysfunction as a primary cause of CSCR.

Main Body

The concept of the pachychoroid disease spectrum and pachychoroid-driven processes are central to current theories regarding the pathophysiological underpinnings of CSCR. Choroidal hyperpermeability and subsequent leakage of fluid seen in CSCR may be due to several causes. Among them are venous congestion, inflammation, mineralocorticoid receptor activation, systemic factors including hemodynamic changes, obstructive sleep apnea, phosphodiesterase inhibitor use, pregnancy, and genetic predispositions. Congestion of vortex veins that drain blood from the choroid may contribute to the dilation of Haller vessels and cause fluid leakage. Vortex veins exit the eye through the sclera; thus, increased scleral thickness has been proposed to be a factor in venous congestion. Asymmetric vortex vein drainage may similarly result in congestion of the local venous system. Vortex vein anastomoses may overload the venous system and form secondary to venous congestion. Recent studies suggest inflammation and mineralocorticoid activation may factor into the development of CSCR, though more research in these areas is called for. Systemic conditions and genetics may predispose individuals to develop CSCR.

Conclusions

By striving to understand the molecular and physiological mechanisms of this disease, we can better diagnose and treat CSCR to improve outcomes for patients.
Malignant cancer may increase the risk of all-cause in-hospital mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction: a multicenter retrospective study of two large public databases
Authors: Ye Jianfeng , Zhang Luming , Lyu Jun , Wang Yidan , Yuan Shiqi , Qin Zhifeng , Liu Yu , Huang Tao , Tian Jinwei , Yin Haiyan
Published: January 2023

Background

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and cancer are diseases with high morbidity and mortality worldwide, bringing a serious economic burden, and they share some risk factors. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of cancer on the all-cause in-hospital mortality of patients with AMI.

Methods

This multicenter retrospective study analyzed patients with AMI from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV) database and eICU Collaborative Research Database (eICU-CRD) in the United States. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether they had concomitant malignant cancer: cancer and noncancer groups. The outcome was all-cause in-hospital mortality. The association between the two groups and their outcomes were analyzed using Kaplan–Meier and Cox proportional-hazards regression models. Propensity score matching (PSM) and propensity score based inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) were used to further adjust for confounding variables to verify the stability of the results.

Results

The study included 3,034 and 5,968 patients with AMI from the MIMIC-IV database and the eICU-CRD, respectively. Kaplan–Meier survival curves indicated that the probability of in-hospital survival was lower in patients with cancer than in those without cancer. After adjusting for potential confounding variables using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression, the risk of all-cause in-hospital mortality was significantly higher in the cancer than the noncancer group, and the HR (95% CI) values for the cancer group were 1.56(1.22,1.98) and 1.35(1.01,1.79) in the MIMIC-IV database and the eICU-CRD, respectively. The same results were obtained after using PSM and IPTW, which further verified the results.

Conclusions

Among the patients with AMI, the all-cause in-hospital mortality risk of those with cancer was higher than those without cancer. Therefore, when treating such patients, comprehensive considerations should be made from a multidisciplinary perspective involving cardiology and oncology, with the treatment plan adjusted accordingly.
Leading change in practice: how “longitudinal prebriefing” nurtures and sustains in situ simulation programs
Authors: Eller Susan , Rudolph Jenny , Barwick Stephanie , Janssens Sarah , Bajaj Komal
Published: January 2023

In situ simulation (ISS) programs deliver patient safety benefits to healthcare systems, however, face many challenges in both implementation and sustainability. Prebriefing is conducted immediately prior to a simulation activity to enhance engagement with the learning activity, but is not sufficient to embed and sustain an ISS program. Longer-term and broader change leadership is required to engage colleagues, secure time and resources, and sustain an in situ simulation program. No framework currently exists to describe this process for ISS programs. This manuscript presents a framework derived from the analysis of three successful ISS program implementations across different hospital systems. We describe eight change leadership steps adapted from Kotter’s change management theory, used to sustainably implement the ISS programs analyzed. These steps include the following: (1) identifying goals of key stakeholders, (2) engaging a multi-professional team, (3) creating a shared vision, (4) communicating the vision effectively, (5) energizing participants and enabling program participation, (6) identifying and celebrating early success, (7) closing the loop on early program successes, and (8) embedding simulation in organizational culture and operations. We describe this process as a “longitudinal prebrief,” a framework which provides a step-by-step guide to engage colleagues and sustain successful implementation of ISS.
Correlation of chronological age with dental age estimated using modified Cameriere’s method and UT-age estimation software — a cross-sectional study
Authors: T Jayapriya , Keluskar Vaishali , M Sridhar , S Lokesh Kumar , Fernandes Anabelle
Published: January 2023

Background

Estimating age is essential in both the analysis of human skeletal remains and assessing live persons. The third molar develops over a longer period and is hence used in age estimation for subadults. Since dental age correlates with chronological age better than other growth markers, this study aims to assess the reliability of dental age assessed using the University of Texas (UT) age estimation method and modified Cameriere’s method.

Methods

It is a retrospective cross-sectional study in which the development and maturation of mandibular third molars were examined in 600 orthopantomograms (264 males and 336 females) of South Indian individuals (16–23 years). Dental age was estimated by using an Indian-specific formula based on maturity index value and the UT-age estimation  software program. The results were evaluated using the Student’s t-test for both methods and Pearson’s correlation test to compare chronological age with estimated dental age.

Results

Positive correlation was noted between chronological age and estimated dental age for males, females, and the total sample with highly statistically significant differences (p = 0.000). Modified Cameriere’s method underestimated dental age in samples ranging from less than 1 year to more than 2 years. UT-age estimation method underestimated age in samples above 20 years and overestimated age in samples below 20 years. The predictive classification of utilizing the maturity index was 79.17% accurate.

Conclusions

Dental age was negligibly over and underestimated in UT software method whereas it was overestimated in the modified Cameriere's method. To evaluate the reliability of these two methods, studies with larger sample sizes and population-specific data sets should be performed.

Graphical Abstract
Forensic implication of seized drug imitating methamphetamine with mileage in crime
Authors: Dash Sujata , Vashisht Neha , Sinha Sweta , Kumar Adesh , Goyal Kavita
Published: January 2023

Background

The increase in drug abuse a major global issue. Clandestine laboratories along with illegal drug trafficking and trade increase the menace. Increased confiscation of illicit drugs not only indicates the manifold rise in drug abuse in Delhi and its neighboring region but also signifies an escalation and proliferation in other drug-related criminal activities. Investigating agencies around the world are working hard to combat and eradicate this problem. The samples seized by these agencies are subsequently sent for forensic examination to rule out the presence of any illicit drugs. Few such seized crystalline samples such as “methamphetamine” were submitted for examination with a query for the identification of any scheduled substance. The analysis outline followed was physical, chemical, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer analysis for detection, identification, and confirmation of seized drug samples. The purpose of a detailed investigation regarding the identification of the crystalline sample was also to understand the criminal activities involved in the consistent seizures and the forensics behind it.

Results

The comprehensive examination identified the sample as an inorganic salt of sodium thiosulfate with the absence of contraband methamphetamine. The study on salt-imitating methamphetamine underlines its diverse uses as in adulteration, trafficking to camouflage narcotics drug and its involvement in numerous other illegal purposes which on the other hand has a very crucial impact on society and its well-being.

Conclusions

The novel findings will update the investigating agencies and other experts regarding the importance of the detection of sodium thiosulfate salt in seized samples and will well establish the foul play behind large seizures to justify the role of forensic science. This unique finding deals with a very sensitive issue that has immense social impact and needs exceptional thoughtfulness.
Detection of a de novo heterozygous ANK2 variant in a child with autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy: a case report
Authors: Morais Catarina Granjo , Quental Rita , Lourenço Lara , Guardiano Micaela , Silva Cármen , Leão Miguel
Published: January 2023

Background

The pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is not fully clarified. Next-generation sequencing technologies have greatly enhanced the identification of new genes associated with ASD. Variants in ANK2 gene are known to correlate with a broad spectrum of clinical cardiac phenotypes, but, more recently, it has also been pointed out as a candidate gene for the etiology of ASD.

Case presentation

We report the case of a female patient with ASD and epilepsy in whom clinical exome sequencing was performed for etiological enlightenment. A heterozygous variant of uncertain significance was identified in the ANK2 gene: c.3412C > T p.(Arg1138Ter). The child was submitted to a formal cardiac evaluation, ruling out cardiovascular abnormalities. The genetic variant was searched in her parents and was negative in both, suggesting a de novo variant, which favors its pathogenicity.

Conclusions

We recognize the challenge of assessing variant pathogenicity in candidate genes for ASD, and ANK2 gene is currently not associated with neurodevelopmental disorders in the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man database. Nonetheless, our case can be added to other published reports of de novo ANK2 variants in children with ASD and neurological phenotypes (including seizures), some without cardiac impairment. Hopefully, this study provides a more detailed phenotypical description that is often lacking, and it may contribute to a better understanding of the association between ANK2 and ASD.
Long-term Pegylated GH for Children With GH Deficiency: A Large, Prospective, Real-world Study
Authors: Hou Ling , Huang Ke , Gong Chunxiu , Luo Feihong , Wei Haiyan , Liang Liyang , Du Hongwei , Zhang Jianping , Zhong Yan , Chen Ruimin , Chen Xinran , Pan Jiayan , Jin Xianjiang , Zeng Ting , Liao Wei , Liu Deyun , Lan Dan , Zhu Shunye , Dong Zhiya , Ma Huamei , Yang Yu , Xiong Feng , Lu Ping , Cheng Shengquan , Gu Xuefan , Jin Runming , Liu Yu , Wu Jinzhun , Xu Xu , Chen Linqi , Dong Qin , Pan Hui , Su Zhe , Liu Lijun , Luo Xiaoming , Ni Shining , Chen Zhihong , Hu Yuhua , Wang Chunlin , Liu Jing , Liu Li , Lu Biao , Wang Xinli , Wang Yunfeng , Yang Fan , Zhang Manyan , Cao Lizhi , Liu GeLi , Yao Hui , Zhan Yaqin , Dai Mingjuan , Li Guimei , Li Li , Liu Yanjie , Wang Kan , Xiao Yanfeng , Zhang Xingxing , Dong Junhua , Gu Zaiyan , Ying Lirong , Huang Feng , Liu Yanling , Liu Zheng , Ye Jin , Zhao Dongmei , Hu Xu , Jiang Zhihong , Ye Kan , Zhu Hong , Chen Shaoke , Chen Xiaobo , Wan Naijun , Xu Zhuangjian , Yin Qingjin , Zhang Hongxiao , Huang Xiaodong , Yin Jianying , Zhang Huifeng , Li Pin , Yin Ping , Fu Junfen , Luo XiaoPing
Published: January 2023

Context

The evidence of long-term polyethylene glycol recombinant human GH (PEG-rhGH) in pediatric GH deficiency (GHD) is limited.

Objective

This study aimed to examine the effectiveness and safety of long-term PEG-rhGH in children with GHD in the real world, as well as to examine the effects of dose on patient outcomes.

Design

A prospective, observational, posttrial study (NCT03290235).

Setting, participants and intervention

Children with GHD were enrolled from 81 centers in China in 4 individual clinical trials and received weekly 0.2 mg/kg/wk (high-dose) or 0.1 to <0.2 mg/kg/wk (low-dose) PEG-rhGH for 30 months.

Main outcomes measures

Height SD score (Ht SDS) at 12, 24, and 36 months.

Results

A total of 1170 children were enrolled in this posttrial study, with 642 patients in the high-dose subgroup and 528 in the low-dose subgroup. The Ht SDS improved significantly after treatment in the total population (P < 0.0001), with a mean change of 0.53 ± 0.30, 0.89 ± 0.48, 1.35 ± 0.63, 1.63 ± 0.75 at 6 months, 12 months, 24 months, and 36 months, respectively. In addition, the changes in Ht SDS from baseline were significantly improved in the high-dose subgroup compared with the low-dose subgroup at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months after treatment (all P < 0.05). A total of 12 (1.03%) patients developed serious adverse events. There was no serious adverse event related to the treatment, and no AEs leading to treatment discontinuation or death occurred.

Conclusions

PEG-rhGH showed long-term effectiveness and safety in treating children with GHD. Both dose subgroups showed promising outcomes, whereas PEG-rhGH 0.2 mg/kg/wk might show additional benefit.
In Pursuit of the Lost Volumes of al-Maṭālib al-‘āliya
Authors: Altaş Eşref
Published: January 2023

This research introduces a copy of al-Rāzī’s work al-Maṭālib al-ʻāliya that contains epistemology, logic, and ontology sections and an index and was not known until today (Süleymaniye Library, Ms Fatih 3145). Thus, the research correct two fundamental noted mistakes about the name and scope of al-Maṭālib al-ʻāliya that had resulted from al-Saqqā’s edition and aims to prove that al-Maṭālib al-ʻāliya is an encyclopedic work containing sections on logic, ontology, physics, and theology.
Gülru Necipoğlu, Cemal Kafadar ve Cornell H. Fleischer (eds.). Treasures of Knowledge: An Inventory of the Ottoman Palace Library (1502/3–1503/4)
Authors: Jackson Cailah
Published: January 2023

değerlendirme.
Yasin Apaydın. Metafiziğin Meselesini Temellendirmek: Tecrîd Geleneği Bağlamında Umûr-ı Âmme Sorunu
Authors: Tekin Ayşe Betül
Published: January 2023

değerlendirme
Yasin Apaydın. Metafiziğin Meselesini Temellendirmek: Tecrîd Geleneği Bağlamında Umûr-ı Âmme Sorunu [Justifying the Question of Metaphysics: The Problem of al-Umūr al-‘Āmmah in the Context of the Tajrīd Tradition]
Authors: Tekin Ayşe Betül
Published: January 2023

Değerlendirme.
Ahmet Mekin Kandemir. Mu‘tezilî Düşüncede Tabiat ve Nedensellik
Authors: Demir Osman
Published: January 2023

Değerlendirme.
Nathan Spannaus. Preserving Islamic Tradition: Abu Nasr Qūrṣāwī and the Beginnings of Modern Reformism. New York: Oxford University Press, 2019. xviii + 352 pages. ISBN: 9780190251789
Authors: Argun Selim
Published: January 2023

değerlendirme
Taşköprîzâde’de Vebayı Önleme ve Tedavi Etmenin (Okült) Bilimi Üzerine
Authors: Melvin-Koushki Matthew
Published: January 2023

Henüz çok az çalışılmış veba risaleleri on dördüncü yüzyılın ortasındaki Kara Ölüm kıyametinden sonra yüzyıllarca tekrarlayan salgınlarla Batı Avrasya’yı kasıp kavuran kültürel dönüşümlere tanıklık eder. Bu türe Osmanlı katkıları, emperyal-bilimsel erken modernitenin ortaya çıkışını izlememize olanak sağlaması açısından örneklik teşkil eder. Bu makale bilinen en kapsamlı ve yenilikçi İslami veba risalesini, Taşköprîzâde Ahmed’in (ö.1561) Risâletü’ş-Şifâ’sını sunmaktadır. Bu eserde ünlü Osmanlı hezarfeni, hem dinî hem rasyonel argümanlar takdim ederek okült bilimin vebayı önlemede ve tedavi etmede en deneysel yöntem olduğuna dair çok güçlü bir argüman oluşturur. Bu amaçla, eserin teorik ilk yarısını tevekkülü tesebbübe veya kör inancı “bilimsel yöntem”e tercih eden kaderci âlimlerin ve sûfîlerin eleştirisine ayırır; uygulamaya dair olan ikinci yarı ise yaşadığı dönemin tıbbi olarak en etkili bilimsel disiplini olduğunu düşündüğü, genel olarak Batı erken modernitesinin “kozmolojik tahayyül”ünü kapsayan, dünyanın pek çok düşünür ve fail tarafından matematiksel ve dolayısıyla sihirli bir şekilde izlenebilen bir metin olarak görüldüğü Yeni Pisagorcu bir bilim olan harfîliğe (ilm-i hurûf) ayrılmıştır. Okült bilimden hoşnutsuzluğumuza rağmen, Taşköprîzâde burada bir başka erken modern deneyimci olarak adlandırılmalıdır.
Birden Bir Çıkar Ne Demek? İbn Sînâ, Behmenyâr ve Fahreddin er-Râzî’ye Göre Mübâhasât’taki Bir Kuralı
Authors: Dadikhuda Davlat
Published: January 2023

İbn Sînâ, sonrakilerden bazılarının kâide-i vâhid veya “bir kuralı” (BK) olarak adlandırdığı şeyin sıkı bir savunucusudur. BK’nın ana fikri şunu ifade etmektedir: Birden, doğrudan, yalnızca bir ortaya çıkar. İbn Sînâcı bu kuralın ikincil literatürdeki tartışması genellikle onun hususi bir uygulama alanı yani, sudûr meselesiyle sınırlıdır. Sonuç itibarıyla, BK’nın ne anlama geldiği ve İbn Sînâ’nın onu neden savunduğu kesin değildir. Bu yazıda ben bu meseleyi iki şey yaparak çözmeye çalışmaktayım: Bunlardan biri tasavvur, diğeri ise tasdik açısındandır. İlkin, sadece BK’nın terimlerinin, yani onun özne ve yükleminin ne anlama geldiğini açıklamaktayım. Bunu yaparken, BK’nın dar ve geniş anlamları arasında ayırım yapmakta ve İbn Sînâcı bakış açısından BK’nın kapsamının geniş olduğunu; bunun ise BK’nın fail nedenliğin temel ilkesi olduğu anlamına geldiğini göstermekteyim. Bu sebepledir ki, farklı bağlamlarda önemli felsefî tezleri inşa etmede bu kurala başvurulmuştur. İkinci olarak, İbn Sînâ’nın el- Mübâhasât’ta BK’na dair sunduğu argümanı değerlendirmekteyim. Bu argümanı açıklarken onun bazı gerçekçi varsayımlarını ortaya çıkarmaktayım. Sonrasında, ilk olarak Behmenyâr tarafından öne sürülen ve daha sonrasında Fahreddin er-Râzî tarafından yaygınlaştırılan bir eleştiri ışığında bu meseleyi daha açık hale getirmekteyim. Devamında İbn Sînâ’nın, söz konusu argümanın öncülleri içerisinde, gündeme getirilen itirazları karşılayacak dayanaklarının olup olmadığına bakarak bir sonuca varmaktayım.
Methodical instructions: Tasks for classroom and extracurricular independent work of students in bioorganic chemistry for students of the specialties « General medicine», «Pediatrics»
Authors: Terah E.I.
Published: January 2023

The paper presents guidelines for preparing students for practical classes. For practical exercises, control questions, basic terms on the topic, calculation and situational tasks, test tasks are given. Tasks for independent extracurricular work of students, topics of essays are also given.
Menstrual poverty among young women: a cross-sectional study in the urban context of Barcelona, Spain
Authors: Gallo Pedro , Julià Albert , Marí-Klose Marga , Serra Julia , Bellavista Joan , Escapa Sandra
Published: January 2023

Menstrual poverty has become a global issue, affecting women who do not have access to the menstrual products they need. Most of the related literature is based on low- and middle-income countries’ facts and experiences. Using the 2020 Youth Survey in Barcelona, this cross-sectional study provides novel data on the prevalence and the factors associated with menstrual poverty in an urban context (Barcelona) in a high-income country (Spain) with a randomly selected representative sample of 700 young women aged 15 to 34. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were used in the analysis. Results show that 15.3 per cent of young women in Barcelona reported facing financial barriers to accessing menstrual products. Further, those young women with a high level of material deprivation (OR=4.42; CI=2.14–9.16) have a greater probability of suffering from menstrual poverty, whereas those living independently from their parents (OR=0.50; CI=0.28–0.90) and women with a non-EU origin (Latin-Americans: OR=0.54; CI=0.31–0.93; Others: OR=0.06; CI=0.01–0.46) have a lower probability of reporting menstrual poverty. Our findings advocate that the measurement of poverty should consider individual aspects and needs, and not only the household income level as the reference. Further, we would encourage rethinking poverty measurement with a gender perspective, as well as identifying how deprivations overlap to aggravate the experience of poverty.
Reinvigorating research on divorce: reflexivity, agency and regulation in marriage and civil partnership dissolution
Authors: Heaphy Brian , Hodgson James
Published: January 2023

There is a dearth of research on the dissolution of legally formalised same-sex relationships, which can be partly explained by same-sex marriage and civil partnership being relatively recent possibilities. However, it is also the case that divorce as a topic of research has been marginalised in the renewed interest in family and relationships that has focused on diverse intimacies, family forms, family practices, friendships and personal life. This article analyses data from a qualitative study of same-sex divorce and civil partnership dissolution to consider the reasons that partners give for the ending of their formalised relationships. We argue that our analysis illuminates the need to reinvigorate research on divorce and dissolution more generally to fully understand changing social norms as they concern marriage and similar legal arrangements. We do this by analysing the three main reasons our study participants gave for the dissolution of their relationships: finances, infidelity and wellbeing. Such reasons can be read in part through a gendered lens as previous research has tended to do, but they also go well beyond gender to provide insights into how marriage and relationship ideals, aspirations and practices are being reconfigured contemporarily.
James M. Buchanan as an urban economist
Authors: Kuehn Daniel
Published: January 2023

This article explores James M. Buchanan’s contributions to urban economics and urban public finance. Buchanan never self-identified as an ‘urban economist’, so his contributions to the field have blended into his broader body of work on public finance and externalities. However, in a series of papers in the 1960s and 1970s, Buchanan developed an urban fiscal club framework for thinking about urban problems that he used to analyse cities’ tax policy and the negative externalities of congestion, crime and pollution. By drawing out those ideas and their relation to each other, we can reconstruct Buchanan as an urban economist. This reconstruction casts new light on Buchanan’s service with several academic and federal urban policy commissions, including the Committee on Urban Public Expenditures and Richard Nixon’s Task Force on Urban Affairs and Task Force on Model Cities. Buchanan’s interest in urban economics has roots in an often-ignored member of his dissertation committee, Harvey Perloff. Perloff’s joint appointment with the Chicago Planning Program brought Buchanan into contact with several urban planners and urban economists who would continue to engage him in urban policy work throughout his career.
How hard do women climb the ladder?
Authors: MOHAMED YUNOS RAHIMAH , AHMAD SYAHRUL AHMAR
Published: January 2023

This paper reviews the literature on the glass ceiling and glass cliffs relating to female career enhancement. Two theories relevant to the issue are highlighted and four relevant issues on the predicament of female employees being promoted to the management level are presented. First, the rate of female employees promoted to a higher management position is far below than men. Second, factors that impede their career enhancement vary from personal to the organizational level. Third, women who break the glass ceiling face challenges as a leader. Fourth, this paper reviews the literature on what employers and female individuals could do to improve the situation.
How Should We Balance Domestic and Foreign Debts in Order to Avoid Debt Trap?
Authors: Fujita Yasunori
Published: January 2023

Many attempts have been made to examine the effect of debts on economic growth, in order to find out the ways to avoid debt trap, where national revenue is obliged to be spent mainly for repaying debts rather than constructing infrastructures for long-term economic development, making it even more difficult to repay the debts, like Sri Lanka that fell into its worst financial crisis in 2022. In the present paper, we explore the proper debt management to avoid the debt trap, by laying out a theoretical model that incorporates both domestic and foreign debts based on Fujita (2022) and Padoan et al (2012).

Main results we obtain are summarized as follows. (1) In order to avoid the debt trap, in accordance with increase in ratio of domestic debt to GDP, , government should increase ratio of foreign debt to GDP,  up to certain level of , , and reduce  after that. (2) if domestic interest rate does not increase so much in accordance with increase in difference of growth rates of domestic debt and GDP, government should reduce  if foreign interest rate increases; if domestic interest rate increases sharply in accordance with increase in difference of growth rates of domestic debt and GDP, government should increase  if foreign interest rate increases.
The Effect of Work Environment, Reward, and Organization Culture on Employee Performance Through Job Satisfaction as Intervening Variables
Authors: Hadi Mochamad hadi wijaya
Published: January 2023

The purpose of this empirical study is to analyze the influence of the Work Environment, Rewards, Organizational Culture on Employee Performance which is mediated by Job Satisfaction. The data used in this research is primary data taken by distributing questionnaires using a purposive sampling method involving 190 frontliner employees of state-owned banks in South Jakarta, Indonesia. The analytical tool in this study is Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) using AMOS version 24. The results of this study are that there is a positive and significant effect of work environment and rewards on job satisfaction, but organizational culture has no effect on job satisfaction, there is a positive and significant effect work environment and job satisfaction on employee performance, but rewards and organizational culture have no effect on employee performance. there is a positive and significant effect of work environment and rewards on employee performance through the mediation of job satisfaction. However, organizational culture has no effect on employee performance through the mediation of job satisfaction. From the results of this study, it is recommended that state- owned banks should provide a clean and comfortable workplace for frontliner employees, and encourage supervisors to appreciate the work of frontliner employees by giving praise or recognition.
Conceptualising multiple-Marking in NZE
Authors: Cetra Celeste
Published: January 2023

Our aim with this paper is to investigate the phenomenon of multiple-marking in NZE. We endeavour to find a common label to describe different grammatical features of NZE. Three constructions are analysed here. Nonagreement inthere-existentials, multiple negation, and multiple comparison. In addition, we also examine the sub-varieties of NZE and aim to find tendencies between a standard (Pākehā English – PE) and an Indigenous variety of English (Māori English – ME). As we are interested in the role sociolinguistic factors (such as speakers’ ethnicity) play in the constructions, our data are extracted from the Wellington corpus of spoken New Zealand English. Moreover, our findings reveal that multiple-marking is frequent in NZE; that PE and ME show similar productivity in multiple-marking constructions; and that sociolinguistic factors contribute to how speakers make linguistic choices. Our paper concludes by revisiting our research questions and providing suggestions for further research.
Games and turns: Considering context in language use
Authors: Moir James
Published: January 2023

This paper considers the ways in which Wittgenstein’s (1958) later philosophy and his ideas on language games, as well as Sacks’ (1992) work on conversational turns, has been applied in relation to the notion of context in language use discourse studies, and in particular discursive psychology. In terms of the application of Wittgenstein, I argue that it is not simply the case that he is referring to different language games as different interactional contexts, but rather that he is making a much more complex point concerning language use by competent users within a given game. In the case of Sacks, I argue that turns within conversation cannot be simply read of as evidence of a particular (inter-)action on the analyst’s part but rather must be considered in terms of how interlocutors render to one another the intelligibility of “what is going on” within the ordering of turns.
Appearance management effect and self-conquest of physical and psychological changes in middle-aged women’s lifespan
Authors: Sun Lee Min , Kyung Lee Yoon
Published: January 2023

Advancements in technology extend the average human life expectancy; therefore, the period of the middle-age is substantially emphasized in related studies. This study aimed to identify the clothing behaviors and appearance management methods to improve the quality of life (QOL) of middle-aged women—who are often ignored by society—in maintaining their health and a high QOL. The objectives are: First, identifying the major period of physical or/and psychological change for middle-aged women in their overall lives. Second, identifying cases of self-conquest of women’s physical or/and psychological change and effects of appearance management on appearance satisfaction. Third, identifying effects of appearance satisfaction on self-esteem. This study was conducted with 40middle-aged Korean women over the age of 50, residing in and around Seoul between April and May 2018. A5-point Likert scale and open-ended questions on the appearance management effect and self-conquest of physical and psychological changes were used. Participants over the age of 50who had experienced menopause selected the period of menopause as the major period of physical or/and psychological change. Of the participants, 70% had experienced appearance management and recovered from any difficulties from their physical or/and psychological change. They identified ways to manage their appearance and enjoyed these processes. Middle-aged women who were highly satisfied with their self-appearance showed high self-esteem.