bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patient-Specific Exercises with the Development of an End-Effector Type Upper Limb Rehabilitation Robot
Authors: Dong Mingjie , Fan Wenpei , Li Jianfeng , Zhang Pengfei
Published: October 2022

End-effector type upper limb rehabilitation robots (ULRRs) are connected to patients at one distal point, making them have simple structures and less complex control algorithms, and they can avoid abnormal motion and posture of the target anatomical joints and specific muscles. Given that the end-effector type ULRR focuses more on the rehabilitation of the combined motion of upper limb chain, assisting the patient to perform collaborative tasks, and its intervention has some advantages than the exoskeleton type ULRR, we developed a novel three-degree-of-freedom (DOF) end-effector type ULRR. The advantage of the mechanical design is that the designed end-effector type ULRR can achieve three DOFs by using a four-bar mechanism and a lifting mechanism; we also developed the patient-specific exercises including patient-passive exercise and patient-cooperative exercise, and the advantage of the developed patient-cooperative exercise is that we simplified the human-robot coupling system model into a single spring system instead of the mass-spring-damp system, which efficiently improved the response speed of the control system. In terms of the organization structure of the work, we introduced the end-effector type ULRR’s mechanical design, control system, inverse solution of positions, patient-passive exercise based on the inverse solution of positions and the linear position interpolation of servo drives, and patient-cooperative exercise based on the spring model, in sequence. Experiments with three healthy subjects have been conducted, with results showing good trajectory tracking performance in patient-passive exercise and showing effective, flexible, and good real-time interactive performance in patient-cooperative exercise.
Computerized Simulation Education on Physiotherapy Students’ Skills and Knowledge: A Systematic Review
Authors: Rezayi Sorayya , Shahmoradi Leila , Ghotbi Nastaran , Choobsaz Haniyeh , Yousefi Mohaddeseh Hafez , Pourazadi Shahab , Ardali Zakiyeh Raisi
Published: October 2022

Introduction. Applying computerized simulation education tool for learning in medical domains is widely used in many countries. This review is aimed at systematically investigating the computerized simulation tools developed to educate physiotherapy students and determine the effectiveness of these interventions. Methods. A comprehensive search was conducted in Medline (through PubMed) and Scopus databases from inception to Sept. 10, 2022. The studies that examined the effectiveness of computerized simulation‐based interventions were included. Results. Sixteen studies were included in this systematic review. All included examinations were ranked “good” or “low risk of bias” based on the criteria utilized in the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) scale and the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) tool. Most of the articles (43%) were conducted in the USA and 25% in Australia. In 43% of the total studies, the study population was only physiotherapy students, and in 12.5% of them, the scope of education was related to practical skills training. Three of the 16 reviewed articles presented positive qualitative results; thirteen quantitative investigations also declared statistically positive effects. Positive effects have been seen in areas such as improving professional and behavioral abilities, improving knowledge and self‐confidence, and reducing stress. The sample size of the studies ranged from eight to 162 participants. The limited sample sizes in groups, lack of interaction, and short follow‐up duration were the most consistent limitations evident within the included studies. Conclusion. Computerized simulation education approaches can help to improve physiotherapy students’ skills and knowledge. They also have great potential to reduce learning costs and increase the quality of education.
Acute Limb Ischemia Caused by Dissection following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Using Right Radial Approach
Authors: Ahmed Haris , Brown Jonathan , Walterscheid Brooke , Abraham Phebe , Alam Junaid , Ahmad Nabeel , Raza Syed Arman
Published: October 2022

Iatrogenic aortic dissection is a rare but potentially fatal complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Iatrogenic aortic dissection following PCI is rare with most cases reporting dissection originating within the coronary vessels with propagation into the ascending aorta. In this specific case, dissection was without coronary involvement, with dissection extending from the ascending aorta into the descending aorta and iliac vessels. Although PCI via radial approach is associated with fewer vascular complications than with femoral approach, significant adverse outcomes may still occur and require prompt intervention. This case highlights the highly atypical presentation of iatrogenic aortic dissection following cardiac catheterization presenting as acute limb ischemia. In such patients as with ours, immediate surgical intervention is necessary with overall poor prognosis.
Development of a Coupled EnergyPlus-MATLAB Simulation Based on LSTM for Predictive Control of HVAC System
Authors: Cong YiLin , Hou LiTong , Wu YiCheng , Ma YongZhi
Published: October 2022

To avoid unnecessary energy waste due to the single temperature setpoints of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system during the seasonal variation period, this study proposed a long-short-term memory (LSTM) neural network to predict and control the temperature setpoint. The thermal comfort, cooling rate, and heating rate were predicted with outdoor environment parameters and occupant count. A large scale of operation data was collected from the EnergyPlus simulation, which was previously developed based on the characteristics of a real case study house. Different kinds of input characteristics were offered to test the stable use of LSTM and other artificial neural networks. This paper discusses the development of a Matlab EnergyPlus co-simulation to predict and control the temperature setpoints of a variable air volume system, especially the relationship between temperature setpoint and energy consumption. The simulation results indicate the advantages of the LSTM prediction of energy consumption and the potential for energy saving with predictive control.
An Automated Profile-Likelihood-Based Algorithm for Fast Computation of the Maximum Likelihood Estimate in a Statistical Model for Crash Data
Authors: Geraldo Issa Cherif
Published: October 2022

Numerical computation of maximum likelihood estimates (MLE) is one of the most common problems encountered in applied statistics. Even if there exist many algorithms considered as performing, they can suffer in some cases for one or many of the following criteria: global convergence (capacity of an algorithm to converge to the true unknown solution from all starting guesses), numerical stability (ascent property), implementation feasibility (for example, algorithms requiring matrix inversion cannot be implemented when the involved matrices are not invertible), low computation time, low computational complexity, and capacity to handle high dimensional problems. The reality is that, in practice, no algorithm is perfect, and for each problem, it is necessary to find the most performing of all existing algorithms or even develop new ones. In this paper, we consider the computing of the maximum likelihood estimate of the vector parameter of a statistical model of crash frequencies. We split the parameter vector, and we develop a new estimation algorithm using the profile likelihood principle. We provide an automatic starting guess for which convergence and numerical stability are guaranteed. We study the performance of our new algorithm on simulated data by comparing it to some of the most famous and modern optimization algorithms. The results suggest that our proposed algorithm outperforms these algorithms.
Peritoneal and Pulmonary Tuberculosis in a Postpartum Female with Elevated Cancer Antigen 125 and Ascites
Authors: Lavrynenko Olga , Baireddy Moulika , Bodepudi Srilekha , Santos Hector , Cortez James , Zemlianitsyna Olga , Sanchez Fernando
Published: October 2022

Background. Peritoneal tuberculosis is a rare form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis and presents a challenging diagnosis because of its nonspecific clinical manifestations. Peritoneal TB mimics other pathologies, including abdominal carcinomatosis, especially when the patient presents with ascites and an elevated cancer antigen (CA)-125 levels. Case Presentation. A postpartum 20-year-old Hispanic female recently discharged after transverse cesarean surgery, presented to the ER with fever, chills, edema, abdominal distension, nausea, and vomiting. The patient was febrile, tachycardic, and hypotensive. Chest X-ray demonstrated alveolar and interstitial consolidations; chest CT revealed tree-in-bud opacities in the right lower lobe, suggestive of atypical (TB)/fungal infection. CT of the abdomen and pelvis demonstrated ascites, omental thickening, peritoneal thickening, and mesenteric adenopathy, suggestive of carcinomatosis. She was admitted with a presumed diagnosis of sepsis secondary to pneumonia and started empirically on broad-spectrum antibiotics without clinical improvement. A battery of oncology markers was ordered and revealed a mildly elevated cancer antigen (CA)-125. Diagnostic paracentesis showed lymphocytic predominance with positive mycobacteria PCR, elevated adenosine deaminase (ADA), and no malignant cells. Subsequently, the sputum acid-fast bacilli (AFB) stain returned positive for tuberculosis, confirming the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. A peritoneal biopsy was obtained and demonstrated caseating granulomas consistent with peritoneal tuberculosis. The patient was started on standard antituberculosis therapy with clinical improvement. Conclusions. This case highlights the need for a high-level of suspicion for peritoneal tuberculosis in a patient with pulmonary tuberculosis who presents with intra-abdominal ascites, omental thickening, peritoneal thickening, and mesenteric lymphadenopathy, despite the presence of an elevated CA-125 level.
Study of Metric Space and Its Variants
Authors: Chauhan (Gonder) Surjeet Singh , Garg Prachi , Thakur Kamleshwar
Published: October 2022

The objective of this paper is to present a comparative study of metric space and its variants. This study will provide the structure, gap analysis, and application of metric space and its variants from 1906 to 2021.
Evaluation of Behavior of 13X Zeolite Modified with Transition Metals for Catalytic Applications
Authors: David Elena.
Published: October 2022

This work was intended to develop catalysts based on 13X zeolite modified with transition metals for catalytic applications. In this regard, 13X zeolite was modified by loading of transition metals such as Fe, Co, Cu and various types of catalysts such as Fe‐, Co‐, Cu‐, Fe‐Co‐, Fe‐Cu‐, and Co‐Cu/13X zeolite were obtained. To prepare these catalysts, the wet impregnation method and metallic precursors were used. The catalysts were characterized by SEM, XRD, BET, and ammonia adsorption. Then the catalytic performance was investigated during upgrading of rapeseed residual biomass pyrolysis vapors using this catalysts and a fixed‐bed reactor in two stages. Experimental results showed that the addition of transition metals improved the catalytic selectivity towards aromatic hydrocarbons and Fe‐Cu/13X zeolite catalyst was the best and had a high deoxygenation activity (from 62.45% to 20.56%), produced maximum monoaromatic hydrocarbons (of 27.45%), the oxygen content in bio‐oil was reduced from 34.98 wt% to 16.06 wt%, the calorific value increased and thus the bio‐oil quality was improved.
Oncogenic Addiction of Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma to the Fusion Kinase DNAJB1-PRKACA
Authors: Neumayer Christoph , Ng Denise , Jiang Caroline S. , Qureshi Adam , Lalazar Gadi , Vaughan Roger , Simon Sanford M.
Published: October 2022

Purpose:

Gene fusions are drivers of many pediatric tumors. In fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FLC), a fusion of DNAJB1 and PRKACA is the dominant recurrent mutation. Expression of the DNAJB1-PRKACA fusion gene in mice results in a tumor that recapitulates FLC. However, it is not known whether transient expression of DNAJB1-PRKACA is sufficient only to trigger tumor formation or whether ongoing expression is necessary for maintenance and progression.

Experimental Design:

We screened short hairpin RNAs (shRNA) tiled over the fusion junction and identified several potent and specific candidates in vitro and two independent FLC patient-derived xenografts (PDX).

Results:

We show that continued DNAJB1-PRKACA expression is not only required for continued tumor growth, but additionally its inhibition results in cell death. Inhibition of DNAJB1-PRKACA by an inducible shRNA in cells of PDX of FLC resulted in cell death in vitro. Induction of the shRNA inhibits FLC tumors growing in mice with no effect on xenografts from a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line engineered to express DNAJB1-PRKACA.

Conclusions:

Our results validate DNAJB1-PRKACA as the oncogene in FLC and demonstrate both a continued requirement for the oncogene for tumor growth as well as an oncogenic addiction that can be exploited for targeted therapies. We anticipate our approach will be useful for investigations of other fusion genes in pediatric cancers and spur development of precision therapies.
Ad hocAnalysis of the Phase III ENGOT-OV16/NOVA Study: Niraparib Efficacy in GermlineBRCAWild-type Recurrent Ovarian Cancer with Homologous Recombination Repair Defects
Authors: Mirza Mansoor Raza , Lindahl Gabriel , Mahner Sven , Redondo Andrés , Fabbro Michel , Rimel Bobbie J. , Herrstedt Jørn , Oza Amit M. , Canzler Ulrich , Berek Jonathan S. , González-Martín Antonio , Follana Phillipe , Lord Rosemary , Azodi Masoud , Estenson Kasey , Wang Zebin , Li Yong , Gupta Divya , Matulonis Ursula , Feng Bin
Published: October 2022

In this analysis, we examined the relationship between progression-free survival (PFS) and mutation status of 18 homologous recombination repair (HRR) genes in patients in the non-germline BRCA-mutated (non-gBRCAm) cohort of the ENGOT-OV16/NOVA trial (NCT01847274), which evaluated niraparib maintenance therapy for patients with recurrent ovarian cancer. This post hoc exploratory biomarker analysis was performed using tumor samples collected from 331 patients enrolled in the phase III ENGOT-OV16/NOVA trial's non-gBRCAm cohort. Niraparib demonstrated PFS benefit in patients with either somatic BRCA-mutated (sBRCAm; HR, 0.27; 95% confidence interval, CI, 0.08–0.88) or BRCA wild-type (BRCAwt; HR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.34–0.64) tumors. Patients with BRCAwt tumors with other non-BRCA HRR mutations also derived benefit from niraparib (HR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.13–0.77), as did patients with BRCAwt/HRRwt (HRR wild-type) tumors (HR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.35–0.70). When patients with BRCAwt/HRRwt tumors were further categorized by genomic instability score (GIS), clinical benefit was observed in patients with homologous recombination–deficient (GIS ≥ 42; HR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.18–0.61) and in patients with homologous recombination–proficient (HRp; GIS < 42; HR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.36–0.99) disease. Although patients with sBRCAm, other non-BRCA HRR mutations, or GIS ≥ 42 benefited the most from niraparib treatment, PFS benefit was also seen in HRp (GIS < 42) patients without HRR mutations. These results support the use of niraparib in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer regardless of BRCA/HRR mutation status or myChoice CDx GIS.

Significance:

We retrospectively evaluated the mutational profile of HRR genes in tumor samples from 331 patients from the non-germline BRCA-mutated cohort of the phase III NOVA trial of patients with platinum-sensitive high-grade serous ovarian cancer. Patients with non-BRCA HRR mutations generally benefited from second-line maintenance treatment with niraparib compared with placebo.
Narrow Band Imaging versus White Light for the Detection of Sessile Serrated Colorectal Lesions: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Ferreira Alexandre Oliveira , Reves Joana Branco , Nascimento Catarina , Frias-Gomes Catarina , Costa-Santos Maria Pia , Ramos Lídia Roque , Palmela Carolina , Gloria Luísa , Cravo Marília , Dinis-Ribeiro Mário , Canena Jorge
Published: October 2022

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer. The detection of pre-malignant lesions by colonoscopy is associated with reduced CRC incidence and mortality. Narrow band imaging has shown promising but conflicting results for the detection of serrated lesions. Methods: We performed a randomized clinical trial to compare the mean detection of serrated lesions and hyperplastic polyps ≥10 mm with NBI or high-definition white light (HD-WL) withdrawal. We also compared all sessile serrated lesions (SSLs), adenoma, and polyp prevalence and rates. Results: Overall, 782 patients were randomized (WL group 392 patients; NBI group 390 patients). The average number of serrated lesions and hyperplastic polyps ≥10 mm detected per colonoscopy (primary endpoint) was similar between the HD-WL and NBI group (0.118 vs. 0.156, p = 0.44). Likewise, the adenoma detection rate (55.2% vs. 53.2%, p = 0.58) and SSL detection rate (6.8% vs. 7.5%, p = 0.502) were not different between the two study groups. Withdrawal time was higher in the NBI group (10.88 vs. 9.47 min, p = 0.004), with a statistically nonsignificant higher total procedure time (20.97 vs. 19.30 min, p = 0.052). Conclusions: The routine utilization of narrow band imaging does not improve the detection of serrated class lesions or any pre-malignant lesion and increases the withdrawal time.
Impact of Smoking on Functional Prognosis after Ischemic Stroke according to Deprivation: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Delmas Emmanuel , Bourredjem Abderrahmane , Nacher Mathieu , Cabie André , Mimeau Emmanuelle , Bonithon-Kopp Claire , Rochemont Devi , Lalanne-Mistrih Marie-Laure , Misslin-Tritsch Caroline , Joux Julien , Lannuzel Annie , Fournel Isabelle , Béjot Yannick ,   on behalf of the INDIA Study Group
Published: October 2022

Background: Smoking influence on poststroke prognosis remains controversial. These conflicting results could be due to some residual confounding factors not fully considered in previous studies, including social deprivation. This study aimed to assess the joint impact of deprivation and smoking on functional outcomes after ischemic stroke. Methods: Between 2011 and 2014, 1,573 patients with a first-ever stroke were prospectively included in the French multicenter INDIA (“Inegalites sociales et pronostic des accidents vasculaires cerebraux à Dijon et Antilles-Guyane”) cohort study. Patients with ischemic stroke and available data on smoking, deprivation, and outcome were considered for the analysis (n = 1,242). Deprivation was assessed using the EPICES “Evaluation de la Précarité et des Inégalites de santé dans les Centres d’Examen de Santé” score. Primary outcome was functional outcome assessed with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 12 months. Association between smoking and moderate to severe disability (mRS score ≥3) was evaluated with logistic regression model. Interactions between smoking and deprivation were tested. Results: Smokers (n = 189, 15.2%) were younger and more often deprived (EPICES score ≥30.17) than nonsmokers. A significant interaction was found between smoking status and deprivation on disability (p = 0.003). In nondeprived patients, the odds of moderate to severe disability at 12 months were twice as high in smokers as in nonsmokers (adjusted OR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.04–4.18). This association was not observed in deprived patients (adjusted OR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.49–1.61). Conclusion: The effect of smoking on functional prognosis after ischemic stroke varied according to deprivation status, with poorer outcomes observed in nondeprived patients.
Lymphocyte Subsets in Cervicovaginal Lavage Specimens of HIV-Infected Women: A Surrogate Risk Marker of HPV-Associated Cervical Lesions
Authors: Brito Maria Jose , Quintas Ana , Passos Filipa , Alves Ana Teresa , Félix Ana , Martins Catarina Gregório
Published: October 2022

Introduction: To better understand the role of mucosa immunity in the development of cervical carcinoma in HIV infection, cervical lymphocyte subsets were characterized in HIV+ and HIV− women, as well as their relation to HPV-associated cervical lesions. Methods: Eighty-three (52 HIV+, 31 HIV−) cell suspensions of cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) and 52 HIV+ peripheral blood (PB) samples were assessed by flow cytometry to evaluate lymphoid populations. High-risk (HR) HPV was assessed in liquid-based cytology and HIV mRNA in PB in the same patients. Results: Cervical CD4+ T cells and CD4+/CD8+ ratio were decreased (p < 0.0001) and cervical CD8+ T cells were increased (p = 0.0080) in HIV+ women. These patients had lower CD4+ T-cell percentages in CVL compared to PB (p = 0.0257), and the opposite was true for CD8+ T cells (p = 0.0104). They also had a higher prevalence of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs) with an increased prevalence of HR HPV. Cervical CD8+ T cells were increased in HR HPV+ patients (p = 0.0300) and related to higher prevalence of SILs (p = 0.0001). Discussion/Conclusion: Cervical lymphoid populations can be characterized by flow cytometry, showing a distinct cervical T-cell compartment in HIV+ women. This may represent a surrogate risk marker of HPV-associated cervical lesions in this population and prompt further research on this subject, contributing to improving patients’ management.
Efficacy of an Introductory Nail Disorder Learning Module to Supplement the Medical School Curriculum: Experience from One United States Medical School
Authors: Trupiano Nicole E. , Young Kelly Z. , Benitez Trista M. , Mervak Julie E.
Published: October 2022

Introduction: Dermatologic and systemic conditions affecting nails are common, but nail pathology education in medical school curricula is limited. We created and evaluated the efficacy of a case-based module on nail pathologies in a medical student cohort from one well-respected US medical school. Methods: We developed a module consisting of five cases: melanonychia, onychomycosis, nail psoriasis, Beau’s lines/onychomadesis, and apparent leukonychia. Participants completed a pre-module questionnaire prior to completing the module and another questionnaire directly following completion. Results: Sixty-two clinical medical students completed the pre-module questionnaire, the module, and the post-module questionnaire. 59.68% of participants reported they had evaluated 1–5 patients with nail findings. However, 43.55% of study participants denied receiving any lectures on nail pathologies in their medical education. On average, the module took 13.73 min to complete. Student-reported confidence in both identifying and treating common nail disorders significantly increased from to pre- to post-module responses for both identification (p < 0.001) and treatment (p < 0.001) of common nail pathologies. Discussion/Conclusion: Nail findings are prevalent in all medical specialties, and improved medical student education on nail pathologies is necessary. Our introductory, case-based module on pathologies is an effective way to improve student confidence in identifying and treating nail disorders.
Undetected Iatrogenic Drug-Induced Complications in a Hemodialyzed Anuric Patient: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Cubilier Edouard , Salaouatchi Mohamed Tayeb , Taghavi Maxime , Kaysi Saleh , Nortier Joëlle , Mesquita Maria do Carmo Filomena
Published: October 2022

Anuric hemodialyzed end-stage renal disease patients are prone to multiple complications and comorbidities and are therefore often treated with various medications. Adverse drug reactions and risk factors leading to them can be difficult to discern in such polymedicated patients. Most problems regarding low phosphate levels are frequently underdiagnosed in clinical practice and sometimes overlooked in these regularly hyperphosphatemic patients. Hemodialysis vascular accesses are frequently subject to infections and therefore require adapted antibiotic treatments. We report a case of an occult severe multifactorial hypophosphatemia in an anuric hemodialyzed patient with multiple comorbidities who required two hospitalizations for encephalopathy, seizures, and cardiac failure. Retrospective analysis of the medical record revealed several underlying causes of hypophosphatemia, as well as undetected risk factors for adverse drug reactions related to cephalosporins. A global approach to these concerns in routine clinical practice would raise awareness of often disregarded issues related to hypophosphatemia and drug prescription in these patients.
Differences in Inferior Oblique Muscle Satellite Cell Populations between Primary and Secondary Inferior Oblique Muscle Overaction
Authors: Hao Rui , Wang Yuchuan , Chen Liping , Liu Yang , Zhang Wei
Published: October 2022

Introduction: The aim of the study was to compare the number of paired box 7 (PAX7)-positive, myogenic differentiation 1 (MyoD1)-positive, and neural cell adhesion molecule-1 (NCAM)-positive satellite cells in human primary versus secondary inferior oblique muscle overaction (IOOA). Methods: This prospective observational study enrolled patients who underwent inferior oblique muscle myectomy at the Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus in Tianjin Eye Hospital between January 2020 and November 2020. The muscle specimens were processed. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were used to quantify inferior oblique muscle fiber diameter and PAX7-positive, NCAM-positive, and MyoD1-positive satellite cells. Results: Thirty-eight patients with inferior oblique overaction were enrolled: 18 with primary IOOA and 20 with secondary IOOA. The participants were significantly younger in the secondary IOOA group than in the primary IOOA group (2.8 ± 1.2 vs. 9.0 ± 3.2 years, p < 0.001). The muscle fiber diameter between the two groups was not significantly different (13.5 ± 1.4 vs. 13.8 ± 0.7 µm, p = 0.530), but PAX7+ (3.3 ± 2.8 vs. 1.8 ± 0.6, p < 0.001), NCAM+ (3.6 ± 1.5 vs. 1.7 ± 0.2, p < 0.001), and MyoD1+ (4.8 ± 1.9 vs. 2.7 ± 0.5, p < 0.001) cell counts were higher in primary IOOA than in secondary IOOA. Conclusions: PAX7pos, MyoD-1pos, and NCAMpos cell counts per laminar nucleus were almost 2-fold higher in the primary IOOA group than in the secondary IOOA group.
Trends, Predictors, and Outcomes of Cardiovascular Complications at Delivery Associated With Gestational Diabetes: A National Inpatient Sample Analysis (2004–2019)
Authors: Zahid Salman , Hashem Anas , Minhas Anum S. , Bennett Wendy L. , Honigberg Michael C. , Lewey Jennifer , Davis Melinda B. , Michos Erin D.
Published: October 2022

Background

Gestational diabetes (GD) is associated with increased risk of long‐term cardiovascular complications. However, data on acute peripartum cardiovascular complications are not well established. Hence, we aimed to investigate the association of GD with acute cardiovascular outcomes at the time of delivery admission.

Methods and Results

We used data from the National Inpatient Sample (2004–2019).
International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision
(
ICD‐9
) or
Tenth Revision
(
ICD‐10
) codes were used to identify delivery hospitalizations and GD diagnosis. A total of 63 115 002 weighted hospitalizations for deliveries were identified, of which 3.9% were among individuals with GD (n=2 435 301). The prevalence of both GD and obesity increased during the study period (
P
trends<0.01). Individuals with GD versus those without GD had a higher prevalence of obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. After adjustment for age, race or ethnicity, comorbidities, insurance, and income, GD remained independently associated with cardiovascular complications including preeclampsia (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.97 [95% CI, 1.96–1.98]), peripartum cardiomyopathy (aOR, 1.15 [1.08–1.22]), acute kidney injury (aOR, 1.16 [1.11–1.21]), stroke (aOR, 1.15 [1.09–1.23]), and arrhythmias (aOR, 1.48 [1.46–1.50]), compared with no GD. Moreover, delivery hospitalizations among individuals with GD were associated with increased length (3 versus 2 days,
P
<0.01) and cost of hospitalization ($4909 versus $3682,
P
<0.01). Even in the absence of preeclampsia, GD was associated with elevated cardiovascular risk.

Conclusions

Individuals with GD had a higher risk of preeclampsia, peripartum cardiomyopathy, acute kidney injury, stroke, and arrhythmias during delivery hospitalizations. As rates of GD are increasing globally, efforts to improve preconception cardiometabolic health and prevent GD may represent important strategies to improve peripartum maternal outcomes and mitigate long‐term cardiovascular risk.
The Cholinergic Pathway and MitoK
ATP
Induce UCP4 Expression Involved in Neuroprotection of FN Stimulation in Rats
Authors: Fukushi Yasuko , Golanov Eugene V. , Koizumi Shinichiro , Thura Min , Ihara Hayato , Yamamoto Seiji
Published: October 2022

Background

Electrical stimulation of the cerebellar fastigial nucleus (FN) reduces the infarct size induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats. FN stimulation confers long‐lasting protection from brain injury; however, its underlying mechanism is not yet understood. We aimed to elucidate the mechanism by which FN stimulation exerts neuroprotection. We hypothesized that the neuroprotective effect of FN stimulation involves activation of cholinergic pathways, which increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by opening mitochondrial K
+
ATP
channels, thus leading to an increase in UCP4 (uncoupling protein 4) expression and subsequent neuroprotection.

Methods

FN stimulation was performed for 1 hour in rats. The UCP4 protein and mRNA levels were measured by western blot, dot blot, and in situ hybridization. Carbachol was applied following UCP4‐promoter tdTomato reporter vector transfection of the rat primary cortical cell culture (in vitro) and rat brain (in vivo). We observed cellular UCP4 expression using fluorescence microscopy. UCP4 expression in the cell culture in response to diazoxide application was determined by a reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction and western blotting.

Results

Whereas FN stimulation increased UCP4 protein and mRNA levels, carbachol administration induced UCP4 expression in vitro and in vivo. The attenuation of this effect by atropine suggests that FN‐induced UCP4 expression involves the cholinergic pathway. The opening of mitochondrial K
+
ATP
channels with diazoxide increased the production of ROS and led to increased UCP4 expression. In contrast, quenching ROS with superoxide dismutase reversed the effect of diazoxide on UCP4 expression. Therefore, the opening of mitochondrial K
+
ATP
channels increased ROS production, which subsequently enhanced UCP4 expression and attenuated ROS generation.

Conclusion

Neuroprotective effect of FN stimulation involves activation of the cholinergic pathways, which increases ROS production by opening mitochondrial K
+
ATP
channels, leading to increased expression of neuroprotective UCP4.
Impact of food availability and predator cues on meadow vole response to social vs. non-social odorants
Authors: Garris Sarah S. , Rohrer Karl N. , Ferkin Michael H.
Published: October 2022

The risk of predation and food deprivation may alter the degree to which animals associate with conspecifics. We examined if food deprivation, the risk of predation, or simultaneous exposure to both altered meadow voles’ preference for odour cues in a way that adheres to the terminal investment, safety in numbers, or avoidance hypotheses. Satiated or food-deprived meadow voles were given the choice to investigate either opposite-sex conspecific bedding, same-sex conspecific bedding, clean bedding, or self-bedding when exposed to mink urine or olive oil. Mink urine and food deprivation did not impact the amount of time meadow voles spent with each type of bedding, but meadow voles did begin investigating more quickly when experiencing either or both stressors. However, food deprivation and mink urine did not have an additive impact on any measured variable. Further research is needed to determine if the terminal investment hypothesis is the hypothesis that best describes the mating behaviour of meadow voles facing one or multiple stressors.
Evaluation of commonly used nematicides with combined in in vitro and in planta bioassays
Authors: Zhang Peng , Xie Binbin , Huang Wenkun , Peng Huan , Jiang Ru , Gao Bingli , Peng Deliang
Published: October 2022

For efficient use of available synthesised nematicides, bioassay-guided analysis is required to understand the behaviours of nematicides. In this study, the key nematicides on the market, including avermectin B1a, avermectin B2a, emamectin benzoate, fluensulfone, fluopyram and fosthiazate, were evaluated by both in vitro and in planta approaches with optimised solvent and nematode inoculum. We found that acetone was the only one of the six solvents tested safe for both root-knot nematode (RKN) second-stage juveniles (J2) and cucumber at the tested concentration. The optimal numbers of RKN J2 for inoculation on cucumber seedlings in the glass-tube assay, cup assay and microplot experiment were 200, 700 and 1250, respectively. No obvious phytotoxicity symptoms were observed in the in planta assays for all nematicides selected at the tested concentration in the soil drench application. When the substrate changed from pure sand to matrix-sand, the EC50 and EC90 of all six nematicides increased. Among them, fluopyram rose the most. In the microplot experiment, avermectin B2a showed the lowest EC50 but the EC90 of avermectin B2a, fluensulfone, fluopyram and fosthiazate were similar. The results are useful as a guide to the application of commonly used nematicides in the field.
Does Digital Transformation Enhance Corporate Risk-Taking?: Evidence from China
Authors: Wang Yanyong , Guo Yingdong
Published: October 2022

Corporate risk-taking, as an essential factor in corporation development, is influenced by the enterprise’s strategic decision-making. Today, with the rapid development of science and technology, digital technology has a profound effect on the whole society and enterprises. Then, one question is proposed: how should enterprises make strategic decisions to deal with the current opportunities and challenges, enhance their own corporate risk-taking, and then achieve high-quality development? We collected the data from companies listed on China’s Shenzhen Stock Exchange and Shanghai Stock Exchange from 2010 to 2020.

Starting from the corporate risk-taking perspective, we conducted an empirical analysis to validate the relationship between digital transformation of corporations and corporate risk-taking. We found that digital transformation of corporations enhanced corporate risk-taking. The enhanced effect was realized as digital transformation improved the information disclosure quality and asset utilization. The enhanced effect was even greater if the enterprise occupied a less favorable competitive position or received less media attention. This paper reviews the literature concerning economic consequences of enterprise digital transformation, shed new light on the enterprise’s selection of digital strategies to achieve sustainable development, and guides the digital transformation of an enterprise.
Blue Disciple: A Christian Call for the Sea in Peril
Authors: Maggang Elia
Published: October 2022

This article offers the notion of ‘blue disciple’ as a constructive concept that might encourage and enlarge Christian engagements in dealing with the contemporary marine ecological crisis. I start with a discussion on the sea in Christian ecological discourse and practice. Then, I reread Jesus’ call for the four Galilean fishermen in Mark 1:16–20 to construct this idea of a blue disciple navigated by the community of creation paradigm. The blue disciple insists that engaging in efforts to overcome the marine ecological crisis in order to let the sea and its creatures flourish is a Christian call. Christian churches are, thus, invited to participate in a blue discipleship.
Good Soldiering and Re-Virtuing Military Ethics Training
Authors: Cronshaw Darren
Published: October 2022

With warfare’s increasing complexity and damage from ethical failures, it is critical for defence forces to develop best practice training in military ethics. As the Australian Army’s Good Soldiering program suggests, soldiers require technical but also ethical competence. But how are ethical behaviours and the virtues they depend on cultivated in soldiers and how can chaplains contribute as public theologians? Military ethics education includes teaching just war principles of Laws of Armed Conflict, as well as understanding illegal orders and command responsibility. But ultimately ethical behaviour, following Aristotle, is grounded in character development and best informed by a revival of virtue ethics. Case studies are a training format which cultivate virtues and their application. Military ethics training at its best is virtue-based and practiced with simulated dilemmas in order to equip soldiers to act justly and exercise ‘good soldiering’ in the home, barracks, field and operations.
Allying with Unbelievers: Hugo Grotius’s Letters to East-Indian Rulers
Authors: de Wilde Marc
Published: October 2022

The article examines a series of letters written by Hugo Grotius to East-Indian rulers on behalf of the Dutch East India Company (VOC). Drafts of these letters have been preserved at the Dutch National Archives. In his letters, Grotius developed several new ideas about alliances with non-Christians, which would later be included in his writings on natural law and the law of nations. He addressed the non-Christian rulers of the East Indies as sovereigns. He argued that the Dutch had a right to protect their non-Christian allies, even against other Christians, such as the Spaniards and Portuguese. Crucially, Grotius developed a justification for the VOC’s monopoly on the spice trade, which he defended as a just compensation for the expenses it had incurred in ‘liberating’ its East-Indian allies from Iberian ‘tyranny’. He thereby provided a legal framework for the VOC’s ‘informal empire’ in the East Indies.
A Literary Analysis of Memory Books
Authors: Oike Machiko
Published: October 2022

This study analyses, based on field research and textual analysis, memory book projects in Uganda as a folk-literary form. The memory book is a formatted workbook written by a parent, often a widowed mother living with HIV, for their child, about their family history, the parent’s life experiences, and their early memories of the child. This study first discusses the collective writing of memory books and how writers help each other in group writing sessions. It then analyses two memory books written by a 66-year old HIV-positive widowed farmer. It discusses her orality-imbued written narrative of history and daily life, and examines her representation of HIV. Instead of confronting her pain with a pen, like many literate writers, she contains the pain by embedding the passages on HIV within her broader life story. Thus, she surmounts and survives HIV and lives harmoniously amid her community, her family, and their history.
Postmodern Doctrines and Poetic Vision in G’Ebinyo Ogbowei’s marsh boy & other poems
Authors: Owhorodu Valentine Chimenem
Published: October 2022

This paper explores and queries the reliance on postmodernist doctrines that continue to flood the Nigerian cultural and intellectual spaces. Essentially, postmodernism undermines established religious, cultural and political metanarratives that guide the sense of morality, order and decorum that are characteristic of many African societies. To examine the infiltration of the postmodernist philosophy into the Nigerian ideological space, a significant place to begin is the country’s literary productions. Ebinyo Ogbowei’s marsh boy & other poems is a compelling commentary on the author’s appropriation of postmodern creeds to counter long-established metanarratives which have allegedly abetted the fractured political and economic climate of many countries. The poet adopts revolutionary aesthetics, intertextuality, eclecticism, nihilism and pessimism, pornography and playfulness and ruptures linguistic and grammatical conventions to affirm his philosophy of progressive emancipation through revolutionary, nihilistic, and subversive acts. In the end, his postmodernist strategies fail because they plunge his fictional society into deeper chaos and lack of finality and closure, while he embraces coital diversion as an escape hatch from the vagaries of life. This places a huge question mark on the viability of postmodern protocols, especially as it concerns the undermining of religious and cultural metanarratives that have so far provided humanity guidelines for social and political decorum.
Introduction: Forced Migration and the Limits of Citizenship
Authors: Barclay Fiona
Published: October 2022

This article argues that the qualities associated with citizenship were put under increased pressure by the dissolution of states that followed the wars and the collapse of empires in the mid-twentieth century. The reconfigured states faced the challenge of redefining their national identity and, consequently, their relationship with the constituent populations. Displacements, both internal and across redrawn borders, were a frequent occurrence. The introduction argues that the experiences of what Arendt terms ‘national minorities’ demonstrate the inconsistencies in the protection offered to citizens whose ethnicity or race differed from the state’s imagined ideal citizen. Structured in two parts, this special issue examines firstly the response of states and finds that they wield citizenship law as a means of shaping and regulating their national identity. Secondly, it examines the implications of displacement for citizens, and their new cultural distinctiveness and sense of belonging that contribute to constructions of citizenship.
National Belonging and the Production of Neglect in the Japanese Repatriate Figure, 1945–1950
Authors: Bull Jonathan
Published: October 2022

This article analyses the discourse of national belonging produced by the Japanese government. After Japanese empire collapsed in August 1945, hikiagesha (‘repatriate’) was the term officials used to categorise approximately 3.2 million Japanese civilians in the colonies when Japan surrendered. Previous research suggests a repatriate figure emerged in postwar Japan so that non-repatriate Japanese could offload anxieties about imperial failure. Consequently, the repatriate figure was important for Japan to transition from an empire to a nation-state. This article reassesses this transition which in previous research seems to be almost a natural outcome of decolonisation. Starting from the premise that such transitions require the active involvement of specific actors, this article examines how Japanese government officials constructed a discourse of national belonging around the repatriate figure to assuage concerns about state affiliation. It then considers the effects of this discourse on the Japanese ‘extruded history’ of former colonial residents.
Portuguese (Post-)Imperial Migrations: Race, Citizenship, and Labour
Authors: Peralta Elsa , Delaunay Morgane , Góis Bruno
Published: October 2022

This article examines the connected histories of (post)colonial migration and labour within the scope of the Portuguese empire and its aftermath. Presenting a long-term analysis, ranging from the abolition of slavery in the first half of the nineteenth century until today’s debates over the Portuguese nationality law, it focuses on the many continuities between the colonial past and the postcolonial present, in particular with respect to citizenship rights and the racialised boundaries of the Portuguese national community. Through its focus on the less well-known case of Portugal, the article highlights the processes of ethno-homogenisation and the related exclusions woven by Western European (post-)imperial nation states, which, until this day, fail to recognise full citizenship rights for millions of racialised people living within Europe’s borders.
Thalictrum virgatum var. obtusifolium (Ranunculaceae), a new synonym of T. virgatum, with the new record of the morphologically similar Himalayan species T. secundum for China
Authors: ZENG YOU-PAI , YUAN QIONG , YANG QIN-ER
Published: October 2022

Thalictrum virgatum var. obtusifolium (Ranunculaceae), described from northwestern Yunnan, China, has been totally overlooked since its description. Based on observations of herbarium specimens (including type material) and living plants in the wild, we demonstrate that it is not essentially different from the type variety, T. virgatum var. virgatum. We therefore reduce T. virgatum var. obtusifolium to the synonymy of T. virgatum. In addition, T. secundum, a species somewhat similar to T. virgatum in habit but actually closely related to T. squamiferum and previously recorded to be distributed only in Afghanistan, northern India, Nepal, and northern Pakistan, is here reported as a newly recorded species for China; it occurs in Gyirong county in southern Xizang (Tibet).
Thismia mantiqueirensis (Thismiaceae), a new species of Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest
Authors: ENGELS MATHIAS ERICH , MUSCAT EDELCIO , MOROTI MATHEUS DE TOLEDO , SMIDT ERIC DE CAMARGO
Published: October 2022

In the present study, we describe and illustrate Thismia mantiqueirensis, a new mycoheterotrophic species belonging to the subgenus Ophiomeris, section Ophiomeris, from the Altomontane Dense Ombrophilous Forest in Mantiqueira mountains, southeast Brazil. We provide the description, taxonomic, ecological, and conservation comments, as well as images and illustrations of the new species.
Contribution to the knowledge of Chinese Gryllacrididae (Orthoptera) XI: Three new species of Homogryllacris from Yunnan Province
Authors: LU XIANGYI , ZHANG QIANWEN , BIAN XUN
Published: October 2022

This paper reports three new micropterous species of Homogryllacris from Yunnan Province. And we supplement the additional description for Homogryllacris anelytra Shi, Guo & Bian, 2012 and Homogryllacris bilobus (Bey-Bienko, 1957). All examined specimens are deposited in Guangxi Normal University.
Fashionable Climate Services: The Hats and Styles of User Engagement
Authors: Steuri Bettina , Viktor Elisabeth , El Zohbi Juliane , Jacob Daniela
Published: October 2022

In recent years, climate service has emerged as a new field to better connect climate data providers and users of climate change–related information. The aim is to transform climate-related information into customized, user-centered products. This transformation of data is increasingly sought after by decision-makers due to public and regulatory pressure. As one of the first institutions to provide climate services, the Climate Service Center Germany (GERICS) has collected a wide range of different experiences in the field of climate services. Based on this know-how, GERICS has identified three distinct roles—we call them hats—that the institute commonly assumes as a climate service provider: the facilitator, the developer, and the trendsetter. The definition and tasks related to each of these distinct hats is presented alongside examples. The key ingredient for the success of a service product heavily depends on successful user engagement. While wearing any of the three hats and depending on a project’s context as well as the project stage, GERICS makes use of several methods to codevelop services with users. Based on past experiences, four different styles of user engagement, distinguished by the degree of intensity of participation, were established: information, consultation, dialog, and partnership. The connection of the three hats and the four styles of user engagement creates a structure in which climate service providers operate. It may help other climate service providers to reflect upon the general outline of their services and enhance the effectiveness of their engagement with users in transdisciplinary research settings.