bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dietary pattern and precocious puberty risk in Chinese girls: a case-control study
Authors: Gu Qiuyun , Wu Youmei , Feng Zhuowei , Chai Yimeng , Hou Shan , Yu Zhiping , Shen Xiuhua
Published: January 2024

Background

The role of dietary intake on precocious puberty remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between the amount and frequency of dietary intake and the risk of precocious puberty in Chinese girls.

Methods

In this case-control study, we enrolled 185 precocious puberty girls and 185 age-matched controls. Their dietary intake was assessed through a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Their sociodemographic and lifestyle data were collected. The associations between dietary intake and risk of precocious puberty were assessed by conditional logistic regression models.

Results

After multivariate adjustment, consuming a higher amount of red meat was associated with higher precocious puberty risk (OR = 2.74, 95% CI: 1.25–6.02), while a higher frequency of fruit ( P for trend = 0.024) and amount of vegetable intake was associated with a lower risk of precocious puberty (P for trend = 0.002). The high vegetable and protein dietary pattern was significantly negatively associated with precocious puberty (OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.63–0.97), whereas the high animal food and fruits dietary pattern was remarkably positively associated with precocious puberty (OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.09–1.69), after adjusting for age and body mass index.

Conclusions

High vegetable and protein dietary pattern is a protective factor against precocious puberty, while high animal food and fruits dietary pattern is a risk factor for precocious puberty in Chinese girls. Attentions should be paid to a reasonable intake of red meat, eggs, and fruits in children’s daily diet, increase their intake of vegetables, in order to reduce the risk of precocious puberty.
Comparison of PET tracing and biodistribution between 64Cu-labeled micro-and nano-polystyrene in a murine inhalation model
Authors: Shanmugiah Joycie , Zaheer Javeria , Im Changkeun , Kang Choong Mo , Kim Jin Su
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Recent studies showed the presence of microplastic in human lungs. There remains an unmet need to identify the biodistribution of microplastic after inhalation. In this study, we traced the biodistribution of inhaled micro-sized polystyrene (mPS) and/or nano-sized PS (nPS) using 64Cu with PET in mice.

Methods

We used 0.2–0.3-µm sized mPS and 20-nm sized nPS throughout. 64Cu-DOTA-mPS, 64Cu-DOTA-nPS and/or 64CuCl2 were used to trace the distribution in the murine inhalation model. PET images were acquired using an INVEON PET scanner at 1, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after intratracheal instillation, and the SUVmax for interesting organs were determined, biodistribution was then determined in terms of percentage injected dose/gram of tissue (%ID/g). Ex vivo tissue-radio thin-layer chromatography (Ex vivo-radioTLC) was used to demonstrate the existence of 64Cu-DOTA-PS in tissue.

Results

PET image demonstrated that the amount of 64Cu-DOTA-mPS retained within the lung was significantly higher than 64Cu-DOTA-nPS until 72 h; SUVmax values of 64Cu-DOTA-mPS in lungs was 11.7 ± 5.0, 48.3 ± 6.2, 65.5 ± 2.3, 42.2 ± 13.1, and 13.2 ± 2.3 at 1, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h respectively whereas it was 31.2 ± 3.1, 17.3 ± 5.9, 10.0 ± 3.4, 8.1 ± 2.4 and 8.9 ± 3.6 for 64Cu-DOTA-nPS at the corresponding timepoints. The biodistribution data supported the PET data with a similar pattern of clearance of the radioactivity from the lung. nPS cleared rapidly post instillation in comparison to mPS within the lungs. Higher accumulation of %ID/g for nPS (roughly 2 times) were observed compared to mPS in spleen, liver, intestine, thymus, kidney, brain, salivary gland, ovary, and urinary bladder. Ex vivo-radioTLC was used to demonstrate that the detected gamma rays originated from 64Cu-DOTA-mPS or nPS.

Conclusion

PET image demonstrated the differences in accumulations of mPS and/or nPS between lungs and other interesting organs. The information provided may be used as the basis for future studies on the toxicity of mPS and/or nPS.

Graphical abstract
Relationship between paravertebral muscle function, pelvic incidence, and health-related quality of life in patients with degenerative spinal deformity
Authors: Chen Can , Tang Yong , Yang Sen , Dai Wei , Tan Jiulin , Yu Xueke , Zhang Chengmin , Luo Fei
Published: January 2024

Background

Patients with degenerative spinal deformity often experience symptoms that seriously affect their quality of life, such as low back pain and dysfunction. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between paravertebral muscle function and pelvic incidence (PI) and their effect on health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with degenerative spinal deformity.

Methods

A total of 112 patients with degenerative spinal deformity in Southwest Hospital (Chongqing, China) were enrolled. They were divided into groups according to PI angle: high (PI > 60°, n = 37), normal (PI 50°–60°, n = 31), and low (PI < 50°, n = 44). Paravertebral muscle strength and endurance were assessed using the prone external fixation test frame. The sagittal vertical axis (SVA) was measured on X-rays of the spine in an anterolateral position, and all subjects were assessed with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Roland–Morris questionnaire (RMQ), and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Pearson or Spearman coefficients were used to assess the relationship of paravertebral muscle function with SVA, PI, and health-related quality of life.

Results

Maximal voluntary exercise (MVE) in the high-PI group was significantly lower than the MVE of both the normal- and low-PI groups (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in MVE between the normal- and low-PI groups (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference in endurance time, SVA, ODI, RMQ, and SF-36 among the three groups. Paravertebral muscle MVE was negatively correlated with PI, SVA, ODI, and RMQ (r = − 0.193, − 0.210, − 0.283, − 0.277, p < 0.05). Endurance time of paravertebral muscle was also negatively correlated with SVA, ODI, and RMQ (r =  − 0.200, − 0.420, − 0.348, p < 0.05) and positively correlated with SF-36 (r = 0.245, p < 0.05). In addition, paravertebral muscle MVE was positively correlated with the physical functioning score of the SF-36 (r = 0.251, p < 0.05), and the endurance time of paravertebral muscle was positively correlated with the physical functioning, physical role, bodily pain, and social function scores of the SF-36 (r = 0.342, 0.230, 0.209, 0.256, p < 0.05).

Conclusions

High PI may serve as a risk factor for decreased paraspinal muscle strength in patients with degenerative spinal deformities. Early and targeted exercises focusing on paraspinal muscle strength and endurance could potentially be of positive significance in slowing down the progression of sagittal imbalance, alleviating functional disorders, and increasing health-related quality of life in patients with degenerative spinal deformity.
Rett syndrome in Ireland: a demographic study
Authors: Zade Komal , Campbell Ciara , Bach Snow , Fernandes Hazel , Tropea Daniela
Published: January 2024

Background

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a rare neurodevelopmental condition associated with mutations in the gene coding for the methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2). It is primarily observed in girls and affects individuals globally. The understanding of the neurobiology of RTT and patient management has been improved by studies that describe the demographic and clinical presentation of individuals with RTT. However, in Ireland, there is a scarcity of data regarding individuals with RTT, which impedes the ability to fully characterize the Irish RTT population. Together with the Rett Syndrome Association of Ireland (RSAI), we prepared a questionnaire to determine the characteristics of RTT individuals in Ireland. Twenty-five families have participated in the study to date, providing information about demographics, genetics, familial history, clinical features, and regression.

Results

The results show that Irish individuals with RTT have comparable presentation with respect to individuals in other countries; however, they had a better response to anti-epileptic drugs, and fewer skeletal deformities were reported. Nonetheless, seizures, involuntary movements and regression were more frequently observed in Irish individuals. One of the main findings of this study is the limited genetic information available to individuals to support the clinical diagnosis of RTT.

Conclusions

Despite the limited sample size, this study is the first to characterize the RTT population in Ireland and highlights the importance of having a swift access to genetic testing to sharpen the characterization of the phenotype and increase the visibility of Irish individuals in the international RTT community.

Graphical abstract
TBCRC 039: a phase II study of preoperative ruxolitinib with or without paclitaxel for triple-negative inflammatory breast cancer
Authors: Lynce Filipa , Stevens Laura E. , Li Zheqi , Brock Jane E. , Gulvady Anushree , Huang Ying , Nakhlis Faina , Patel Ashka , Force Jeremy M. , Haddad Tufia C. , Ueno Naoto , Stearns Vered , Wolff Antonio C. , Clark Amy S. , Bellon Jennifer R. , Richardson Edward T. , Balko Justin M. , Krop Ian E. , Winer Eric P. , Lange Paulina , Hwang E. Shelley , King Tari A. , Tolaney Sara M. , Thompson Alastair , Gupta Gaorav P. , Mittendorf Elizabeth A. , Regan Meredith M. , Overmoyer Beth , Polyak Kornelia
Published: January 2024

Background

Patients with inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) have overall poor clinical outcomes, with triple-negative IBC (TN-IBC) being associated with the worst survival, warranting the investigation of novel therapies. Preclinical studies implied that ruxolitinib (RUX), a JAK1/2 inhibitor, may be an effective therapy for TN-IBC.

Methods

We conducted a randomized phase II study with nested window-of-opportunity in TN-IBC. Treatment-naïve patients received a 7-day run-in of RUX alone or RUX plus paclitaxel (PAC). After the run-in, those who received RUX alone proceeded to neoadjuvant therapy with either RUX + PAC or PAC alone for 12 weeks; those who had received RUX + PAC continued treatment for 12 weeks. All patients subsequently received 4 cycles of doxorubicin plus cyclophosphamide prior to surgery. Research tumor biopsies were performed at baseline (pre-run-in) and after run-in therapy. Tumors were evaluated for phosphorylated STAT3 (pSTAT3) by immunostaining, and a subset was also analyzed by RNA-seq. The primary endpoint was the percent of pSTAT3-positive pre-run-in tumors that became pSTAT3-negative. Secondary endpoints included pathologic complete response (pCR).

Results

Overall, 23 patients were enrolled, of whom 21 completed preoperative therapy. Two patients achieved pCR (8.7%). pSTAT3 and IL-6/JAK/STAT3 signaling decreased in post-run-in biopsies of RUX-treated samples, while sustained treatment with RUX + PAC upregulated IL-6/JAK/STAT3 signaling compared to RUX alone. Both treatments decreased GZMB+ T cells implying immune suppression. RUX alone effectively inhibited JAK/STAT3 signaling but its combination with PAC led to incomplete inhibition. The immune suppressive effects of RUX alone and in combination may negate its growth inhibitory effects on cancer cells.

Conclusion

In summary, the use of RUX in TN-IBC was associated with a decrease in pSTAT3 levels despite lack of clinical benefit. Cancer cell-specific-targeting of JAK2/STAT3 or combinations with immunotherapy may be required for further evaluation of JAK2/STAT3 signaling as a cancer therapeutic target.

Trial registration

www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02876302. Registered 23 August 2016.
BORIS/CTCFL epigenetically reprograms clustered CTCF binding sites into alternative transcriptional start sites
Authors: Pugacheva Elena M. , Bhatt Dharmendra Nath , Rivero-Hinojosa Samuel , Tajmul Md , Fedida Liron , Price Emma , Ji Yon , Loukinov Dmitri , Strunnikov Alexander V. , Ren Bing , Lobanenkov Victor V.
Published: January 2024

Background

Pervasive usage of alternative promoters leads to the deregulation of gene expression in carcinogenesis and may drive the emergence of new genes in spermatogenesis. However, little is known regarding the mechanisms underpinning the activation of alternative promoters.

Results

Here we describe how alternative cancer-testis-specific transcription is activated. We show that intergenic and intronic CTCF binding sites, which are transcriptionally inert in normal somatic cells, could be epigenetically reprogrammed into active de novo promoters in germ and cancer cells. BORIS/CTCFL, the testis-specific paralog of the ubiquitously expressed CTCF, triggers the epigenetic reprogramming of CTCF sites into units of active transcription. BORIS binding initiates the recruitment of the chromatin remodeling factor, SRCAP, followed by the replacement of H2A histone with H2A.Z, resulting in a more relaxed chromatin state in the nucleosomes flanking the CTCF binding sites. The relaxation of chromatin around CTCF binding sites facilitates the recruitment of multiple additional transcription factors, thereby activating transcription from a given binding site. We demonstrate that the epigenetically reprogrammed CTCF binding sites can drive the expression of cancer-testis genes, long noncoding RNAs, retro-pseudogenes, and dormant transposable elements.

Conclusions

Thus, BORIS functions as a transcription factor that epigenetically reprograms clustered CTCF binding sites into transcriptional start sites, promoting transcription from alternative promoters in both germ cells and cancer cells.
Angiosarcoma of gallbladder, a literature review
Authors: Salehi Mahsa , Rehman Shafi , Davis Sissmol , Jafari Hamid Reza
Published: January 2024

Background

Angiosarcoma of the gallbladder is a rare diagnostic entity rarely encountered by pathologists and has rarely been reported in literature. This review aimed to examine the clinicopathological features, immunohistochemistry, treatment, and outcomes of gallbladder angiosarcoma.

Methods

A search of the PubMed, Science Direct and Google Scholar was done with the search terms ("angiosarcoma" OR "angiosarcomas") AND ("gallbladder" OR "gallbladders"). Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, only case reports could be used for this review.

Result

8 case reports were chosen in the end for analysis. The mean age of the patients at presentation was 65 years. It was most frequently observed in males. Abdominal pain and palpable mass were the most commonly reported symptoms. Cholelithiasis and anemia were also reported. On histopathology morphologically epithelioid appearance of angiosarcoma was evident. Cytokeratin (CK) AE1/AE3, Von willebrand factor, Factor VIII antigen, Vimentin, CD31 were positive. Meanwhile, UEA, CD34, CD117, S-100, Keratin, EMA, and CEA showed negative outcome. Surgery was the preferred method of treatment and a mean 10-months follow-up was done.

Conclusion

Despite the unavailability of convincing data, histological and immunohistochemical analyses play a major role in the diagnosis of gallbladder angiosarcoma. Nevertheless, more comprehensive clinical studies are required to provide universal guidelines for the treatment and diagnosis of angiosarcoma of the gallbladder.
A hybrid foresight study of the environmental reference laboratory system in Finland: a foresight study for the Government of Finland
Authors: Myllylä Yrjö , Kaivo-oja Jari
Published: January 2024

This article presents a hybrid foresight study using the Delphi methodology. The study is part of a strategic research project of the Finnish state named “Foresight in Environmental Reference Laboratory Operations.” The main starting point for this study was the Policy Delphi method, which was supplemented with other Delphi variants and decision support methods. In this hybrid foresight application, Delphi methodology was combined with decision-making and strategic planning tools, namely (1) SWOT analysis, (2) Boston Consulting Group Matrix, (3) research infrastructure (RI) analysis, (4) platform analysis, and (5) integrative foresight workshop. This article draws strongly on the hybrid foresight methodology perspective of foresight tool orchestration. The authors argue that the Delphi methodology gains reliability and appeal with hybrid methodological orchestration. The function of reference laboratories includes services for the verification and maintenance of the quality and validity of environmental measurements, such as the maintenance of reference measurement equipment, expertise, and training, and the organization of national reference measurements as well as participation in international reference measurements, method development, and standardization. The study shows the importance of environmental reference laboratories addressing the following challenges by 2030: (1) new measurement targets, such as the diffusion of nanomaterials, microplastics, and drugs in both nature and the food chain and the environmental impact of recycled materials and indoor air issues; (2) automation of measurement activities and transition to technologically advanced measurement systems; (3) citizens’ opportunities to participate in the production of information about their environment through new technologies; (4) preparing for the incorporation and internationalization of laboratory operations; and (5) the concentration of measurement service business.
Vacuum-assisted closure for chest wall reconstruction infection caused by Streptococcus mitis after surgery of lung cancer: a case report
Authors: Motono Nozomu , Mizoguchi Takaki , Ishikawa Masahito , Iwai Shun , Iijima Yoshihito , Uramoto Hidetaka
Published: January 2024

Background

Among a cohort of patients who underwent chest wall resection and reconstruction by rigid prosthesis, 6% required removal of the prosthesis, and in 80% of these cases the indication for prosthesis removal was infection. Although artificial prosthesis removal is the primary approach in such cases of infection, the usefulness of vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) has also been reported.

Case presentation

A 64-year-old man with diabetes mellitus underwent right middle and lower lobectomy with chest wall (3rd to 5th rib) resection and lymph node dissection because of lung squamous cell carcinoma. The chest wall defect was reconstructed by an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) sheet. Three months after surgery, the patient developed an abscess in the chest wall around the PTFE sheet. We performed debridement and switched to VAC therapy 2 weeks after starting continuous drainage of the abscess in the chest wall. The space around the PTFE sheet gradually decreased, and formation of wound granulation progressed. We performed wound closure 6 weeks after starting VAC therapy, and the patient was discharged 67 days after hospitalization.

Conclusions

We experienced a case of chest wall reconstruction infection after surgery for non-small cell lung cancer that was successfully treated by VAC therapy without removal of the prosthesis. Although removal of an infectious artificial prosthesis can be avoided by application of VAC therapy, perioperative management to prevent surgical site infection is considered essential.
Cardiovascular risk in elderly Egyptians with myelodysplastic syndromes
Authors: Efat Alaa , Shoeib Sabry , Abdelfattah Raafat , Alaa-Eldeen Faten , Ramadan Shrief , ElKholy Aly , Wahb Rana
Published: January 2024

Background

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of clonal stem cell-derived disorders manifested by cytopenias peripherally. MDS initiates an inflammatory process which lead to atherosclerosis. Patients with MDS have 1.5-fold higher risks of cardiovascular risks.

Objective

Evaluation of cardiovascular risk and unraveling the possible correlation of carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) with clinical, hematologic, and laboratory variables in elderly patients with MDS.

Methods

We conducted a case–control research on 168 participants to elicit the serum level of homocysteine, serum high-sensitive C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP), and CIMT in relation to cardiovascular risk, 84 of whom had MDS diagnoses. From March 2021 to the end of May 2023, we chose them among the inpatients and outpatients of the Menoufia University Hospitals’ Clinical Hematology Division. We contrasted the chosen MDS patients with 84 healthy individuals as controls.

Results

Right and left CIMT were significantly higher in MDS patients than controls as well as for lipid profile, blood pressure, blood sugar, and Hs-CRP. Homocysteine was higher in MDS patients but of no statistical significance.

Conclusion

As CIMT and C-reactive protein level were significantly higher in studied patients, we may consider MDS group of patients to have higher risk for cardiovascular disease than normal people.
5-Hydroxymethylcytosine Profiling of Cell-Free DNA Identifies Bivalent Genes That Are Prognostic of Survival in High-Risk Neuroblastoma
Authors: Chennakesavalu Mohansrinivas , Moore Kelley , Chaves Gepoliano , Veeravalli Sahil , TerHaar Rachel , Wu Tong , Lyu Ruitu , Chlenski Alexandre , He Chuan , Piunti Andrea , Applebaum Mark A.
Published: January 2024

PURPOSE

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor in childhood. We previously showed that circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and tumor biopsy derived 5-hydroxymethylcytosime (5-hmC) profiles identified patients with neuroblastoma who experienced subsequent relapse. Here, we hypothesized that 5-hmC modifications selectively enriched in cfDNA compared with tumor biopsy samples would identify epigenetic changes associated with aggressive tumor behavior and identify novel biomarkers of outcome in patients with high-risk neuroblastoma.

METHODS

5-hmC profiles from cfDNA (n = 64) and tumor biopsies (n = 48) were compared. Two neuroblastoma cell lines underwent chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP-Seq) for H3K27me3, H3K4me3, and H3K27ac; kethoxal-associated single-stranded DNA sequencing; hmC-Seal for 5-hmC; and RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq). Genes enriched for both H3K27me3 and H3K4me3 in the included cell lines were defined as bivalent. Using bivalent genes defined in vitro, a bivalent signature was established in three publicly available cohorts of patients with neuroblastoma through gene set variation analysis. Differences between tumors with high or low bivalent signatures were assessed by the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

In cfDNA compared with tumor biopsy derived 5-hmC profiles, we found increased 5-hmC deposition on Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 target genes, a finding previously described in the context of bivalent genes. We identified 313 genes that bore bivalent chromatin marks, were enriched for mediators of neuronal differentiation, and were transcriptionally repressed across a panel of heterogeneous neuroblastoma cell lines. In three distinct clinical cohorts, low bivalent signature was significantly and independently associated with worse clinical outcome in patients with high-risk neuroblastoma.

CONCLUSION

Low expression of bivalent genes is a biomarker of worse outcome in patients with high-risk neuroblastoma.
High Neuraxial Block in Obstetrics: A 2.5-Year Nationwide Surveillance Approach in the Netherlands
Authors: Beenakkers Ingrid C. M. , Schaap Timme P. , van den Bosch Oscar F. C.
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND:

High neuraxial block is a rare but serious adverse event in obstetric anesthesia that can ultimately lead to respiratory insufficiency and cardiac arrest. Previous reports on its incidence are limited to populations in the United Kingdom and the United States. Little is known about the incidence and clinical features of high neuraxial block in the Netherlands, where the presence of anesthesiologists in the labor and delivery unit is comparatively lower. We aimed to assess the incidence and clinical features of high neuraxial block in obstetrics and to formulate ways to improve obstetric anesthesia on a national level.

METHODS:

This nationwide, prospective, population-based cohort study was designed to identify cases of high neuraxial block requiring ventilatory support (with supraglottic airway device or tracheal intubation) or cardiopulmonary resuscitation between November 2019 and May 2022. Cases were prospectively collected using the Netherlands Obstetric Surveillance System (NethOSS) in all hospitals with a maternity unit. Complete case file copies were obtained to determine risk factors and clinical course.

RESULTS:

During the study period, 5 cases of high neuraxial block requiring tracheal intubation were identified. The estimated incidence of high neuraxial block requiring tracheal intubation was 1 in 29,770 neuraxial procedures in labor (95% confidence interval, 1:12,758–1:91,659). Three of 5 identified cases occurred in the operating room after single-shot spinal anesthesia for Cesarean delivery after epidural analgesia in labor. One case developed in the labor ward due to an inadvertent intrathecal or subdural catheter placed for labor analgesia. The fifth case followed single-shot spinal anesthesia for elective Cesarean delivery. All 5 patients were successfully extubated in the operating room after Cesarean delivery, without the need for intensive care admission. There were no cardiac arrests and no neonatal deaths.

CONCLUSIONS:

High neuraxial block requiring tracheal intubation is a rare but impactful complication in obstetric anesthesia, potentially affecting both mother and fetus. Spinal anesthesia after epidural analgesia in labor is a common cause of high neuraxial block. Meticulous follow-up of epidurals in labor facilitates conversion to surgical anesthesia and may therefore reduce the need for spinal anesthesia after epidural analgesia. Large-scale surveillance systems in obstetric anesthesia are needed to identify those at risk, as well as to formulate further strategies to mitigate this burden.
“A Piece of History the Most Remarkable & Interesting That Ever Happened in Any Age or Country”: “The Lyon in Mourning” Manuscript of Robert Forbes
Authors: Davis Leith
Published: January 2024

This chapter presents a book-history analysis of a 2,148-page manuscript book known as “The Lyon in Mourning.” Compiled after the defeat of the Jacobites at the Battle of Culloden (1746), the work consists of pro-Jacobite materials copied out by Episcopalian minister Robert Forbes into ten blank octavo books. The items collected include scaffold speeches by executed Jacobite prisoners, eyewitness narratives of those who helped the Stuart cause, letters, songs, poems, and even a list of goods the Jacobites purchased in the last few months of the conflict. Although “The Lyon in Mourning” remained unpublished in Forbes's lifetime, the Scottish Historical Society published a three-volume printed version in 1895–96. The printed version succeeded in generating knowledge about the work, but it also fundamentally changed how the manuscript was perceived. In an effort to shine new light on Forbes's project and to generate new research on Jacobitism in general, Simon Fraser University's Research Centre for Scottish Studies and the Digital Humanities Innovation Lab are partnering with the National Library of Scotland to create a Digital Humanities project focused on “The Lyon in Mourning.” Here, I outline some of the research directions that we will pursue as we gain insight into Forbes's use of the manuscript medium in the context of the eighteenth-century mediascape. The first section considers the historical context and generic content of Forbes's collection. The second section examines the multimedia nature of the items that Forbes collected, noting his own focus on the materiality of the texts he copied out. The third section considers Forbes's use of the manuscript genre for the storage, curation, and retrieval of information. I conclude by examining how Forbes's project to preserve the experiences of his fellow Jacobites was intertwined in this handwritten document with his fashioning of his own life as a reader/writer and witness for Jacobite networks.
“We Came Together and We Fought”
Authors: Ramey Jessie B. , Evans Catherine A.
Published: January 2024

For over sixty years Kipp Dawson has built coalitions on the front lines of the civil rights movement, Vietnam antiwar movement, women’s movement, gay liberation movement, labor movement, and education justice movement, confronting state-sponsored violence and challenging systems of active harm and death. Her astonishing career—and marginalized identities as a lesbian, Jewish, working-class woman from a multiracial family—demonstrates the radical power of ordinary people engaged in collective, transformative action. In this visual essay, the authors share material from two new archival collections spanning the remarkable breadth and depth of Dawson’s intersectional feminist activism. They suggest rethinking movement leadership as women’s radical collaboration and demonstrate its role in organizing both resistance to state violence and alternative visions for the nation.
The “Knocking Heart”
Authors: Moon Sarah
Published: January 2024

This article argues that the oral performance of personal monologues in first-year composition courses allows students to identify meaningfully with one another across difference at a time when the American political climate too often forecloses such opportunities. The author considers the opportunity personal monologue provides for parrhesia that recontextualizes the space in which deliberative discourse occurs. Drawing on a case study of the author's food-based composition course, this article provides supporting evidence for the power of performed personal monologue to encourage mutual identification among students that creates a new foundation for subsequent discourse.
Object Encounters
Authors: Kao Vivian
Published: January 2024

Drawing on object-oriented approaches to rhetoric and the scholarship of museum education, the author describes her development of a first-year composition experience that puts observation at the center of first-year writing—observation of an art object and its context of display, as well as self-observation of a writer interacting with that object. The experience uses these object-oriented encounters to broaden students’ understanding of the role that close observation plays in effective writing while acting as a case study for how first-year composition instructors can draw on object and museum theories to design experiences and assignments conducted outside of traditional classroom spaces.
The Cl− transporter ClC-7 is essential for phagocytic clearance by microglia
Authors: Iyer Harini , Talbot William S.
Published: January 2024

Microglia, professional phagocytic cells of the brain, rely upon the appropriate activation of lysosomes to execute their immune and clearance functions. Lysosomal activity is, in turn, modulated by a complex network of over 200 membrane and accessory proteins that relay extracellular cues to these key degradation centers. The ClC-7 chloride (Cl−)-proton (H+) antiporter (also known as CLCN7) is localized to the endolysosomal compartments and mutations in CLCN7 lead to osteopetrosis and neurodegeneration. Although the functions of ClC-7 have been extensively investigated in osteoclasts and neurons, its role in microglia in vivo remains largely unexamined. Here, we show that microglia and embryonic macrophages in zebrafish clcn7 mutants cannot effectively process extracellular debris in the form of apoptotic cells and β-amyloid. Despite these functional defects, microglia develop normally in clcn7 mutants and display normal expression of endosomal and lysosomal markers. We also find that mutants for ostm1, which encodes the β-subunit of ClC-7, have a phenotype that is strikingly similar to that of clcn7 mutants. Together, our observations uncover a previously unappreciated role of ClC-7 in microglia and contribute to the understanding of the neurodegenerative phenotypes that accompany mutations in this channel.
Labor Supply Responses to Income Taxation among Older Couples: Evidence from a Canadian Reform
Authors: Messacar Derek
Published: January 2024

I assess whether the tax code is a viable policy lever for influencing labor supply among older workers. Specifically, using administrative data from Canada, I estimate the earnings responses to a unique reform that lowered tax burdens for couples with a pensioner, using quasi-experimental methods. I find that workers decrease labor supply as tax bills decline but do not respond to changes in marginal tax rates. Hence, while public policy often aims to keep people in the workforce longer, there are conflicting effects of offering tax advantage for seniors on work incentives. I consider implications of these results for age-dependent taxation. (JEL H24, H31, H55, J14, J22)
Local Retail Prices, Product Variety, and Neighborhood Change
Authors: Borraz Fernando , Carozzi Felipe , González-Pampillón Nicolás , Zipitría Leandro
Published: January 2024

We study how local grocery markets within a city are affected by changes in housing markets. Our empirical strategy exploits a shift in the spatial distribution of construction activity induced by a large-scale, place-based tax exemption in the city of Montevideo. The introduction of new housing stock induced by the policy causes a reduction in grocery prices of 2.3 percent and an increase in locally available product varieties. Using insights from a multiproduct model of imperfect competition and estimates for different types of stores, we show these changes are the result of incumbents’ response to an increase in local demand. (JEL L81, O18, R22, R23, R31, R38)
Διαμεσική αφήγηση και συμμετοχική παραγωγή κινηματογράφου και νέων μέσων, στην εποχή του Web3
Authors: Δεληνικόλας Δημήτρης
Published: January 2024

Η συμμετοχικότητα και η διαμεσικότητα είναι δύο από τα βασικότερα χαρακτηριστικά του διαδικτύου και των ψηφιακών μέσων. Η παρούσα διατριβή διερευνά το ζήτημα της επίτευξης καλλιτεχνικής έκφρασης και συνοχής μέσα από το πρίσμα συμμετοχικής παραγωγής κινηματογράφου. Μπορεί μια πολυφωνική, συμμετοχική, από τη βάση προς την κορυφή, διαδικασία στην παραγωγή κινηματογράφου, να οδηγήσει στη δημιουργία έργων με καλλιτεχνική συνοχή και συγκρότηση; Στα κεφάλαια που ακολουθούν, το ερώτημα αυτό διερευνάται θεωρητικά και πρακτικά. Θεωρητικά προσεγγίζεται μέσα από το πλαίσιο της διαμεσικής αφήγησης, των θεωριών δημιουργικής κυριότητας και της ιστορίας του διαδικτύου, ενώ πρακτικά μέσα από επτά πειράματα βάσης που οδήγησαν σε ένα συμμετοχικό έργο διαμεσικής αφήγησης σχεδιασμένο για τα νέα πρότυπα του Web3. Η διατριβή περιέχει την ιστορία του διαδικτυακού βίντεο και των κυριότερων εξελίξεων και τάσεων που καθόρισαν την σημερινή μορφή και θέση του βίντεο στην καθημερινή επικοινωνία και στα μέσα δικτύωσης. Ταυτόχρονα διερευνά τον τρόπο που η παιγνιοποίηση και η σχέση κινηματογράφου και διαδραστικών μορφών αλληλοδιαμόρφωσαν τον κινηματογράφο και τα ψηφιακά μέσα δημιουργώντας νέες υβριδικές μορφές και νέους τρόπους επικοινωνίας, παραγωγής και διανομής οπτικοακουστικών μέσων. Η έρευνα επιτελέστηκε παράλληλα σε θεωρητικό και πρακτικό επίπεδο μέσα από την μεθοδολογία της Έρευνας μέσω Πρακτικής (Practice Based Research) και οδήγησε στην δημιουργία πολλαπλών πρακτικών οπτικοακουστικών πειραμάτων τα οποία σε συνεχή διάλογο με την θεωρητική μελέτη έδωσαν πρωτοποριακά πλαίσια περιγραφής και παρατήρησης της συμμετοχικής οπτικοακουστικής παραγωγής αλλά και δημιούργησαν πρωτότυπα έργα συνδέοντας την διαμεσική αφήγηση, τον κινηματογράφο, την παιγνιοποίηση, την συμμετοχικότητα και τα νέα μέσα, όπως την εικονική πραγματικότητα και το αποκεντρωμένο διαδίκτυο Web3. Στη μεθοδολογία της Ε.μ.Π, ο ερευνητής-δημιουργός καλείται να αρχίσει από μια τεχνική που κατέχει καλά και να εισάγει ένα νέο ανεξερεύνητο στοιχείο: μια νέα θεωρητική, τεχνική ή δημιουργική πτυχή, που θα οδηγήσει στην προσέγγιση ενός ερευνητικού ερωτήματος που θα παράσχει καινούρια γνώση για την κοινότητα και όχι μόνο για τον δημιουργό. Στην περίπτωσή αυτής της έρευνας, μετά από χρόνια εμπειρίας στον χώρο του κινηματογράφου ως επαγγελματίας σκηνοθέτης, animator και παραγωγός νέων μέσων, ο ερευνητής μελέτησε τις εξελισσόμενες εφαρμογές του διαδικτύου για την παραγωγή και διανομή κινηματογράφου και ιδιαίτερα αυτές που επέτρεπαν τη συμμετοχικότητα και την πολυφωνία στη σκηνοθεσία.
Electrospinning and nanofibre applications: fundamentals and recent status
Authors: Gadakh Archana , Kulkarni Abhijeet
Published: January 2024

A field that is constantly growing is the bio fabrication of biomimetic materials for tissue engineering applications. Particularly intriguing are the mechanical and structural features that Nano fibrous scales can emulate (e.g., collagen fibres). This review provides a broad overview of the production of nanofibers with a focus on the creation and use of electrospun Nano fibrous scaffolds. Electrospinning allows for the creation of mats with precise fibre arrangements and structural integrity using a variety of biodegradable biopolymers. This review also lists some production process benefits and drawbacks. Also, the characteristics of the nanofibers that can be created using each process are illustrated together with the electrospinning techniques for producing nanofibers.
Ankylosing spondylitis coexisting with Clonorchis sinensis infection: A case report
Authors: Yi Tian-Xin , Liu Wei , Leng Wen-Fei , Wang Xiao-Chuan , Luo Liang
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease. The prevailing theory links AS onset to infections in susceptible individuals. Furthermore, infections may impair the immune responses. Numerous studies have investigated links between AS and various infections-bacterial, viral, fungal, and other microorganism infections. However, limited attention has been given to the association between AS and Clonorchis sinensis (C. sinensis ) infection.

CASE SUMMARY

A 27-year-old male with a 10-yr history of AS presented to our hospital with inflammatory lower back pain as the primary manifestation. Ten years ago, the patient had achieved a stable condition after treatment with biological agents. However, he experienced a recurrence of lumbosacral pain with an unexplained cause 10 d before hospital admission. A lumbosacral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan revealed bone marrow edema in the left sacroiliac joint, and laboratory indicators were elevated. Moreover, the presence of C. sinensis eggs was detected in the stool. The patient was prescribed praziquantel, resulting in the disappearance of C. sinensis eggs in subsequent routine stool tests and relief from lumbosacral pain. A follow-up MRI scan performed after 4 months revealed a reduction in bone marrow edema around the left sacroiliac joint.

CONCLUSION

C. sinensis infections could potentially trigger the exacerbation of AS. Clinicians should pay attention to investigating the presence of infections.
Is it possible to anchor a tooth with photobiomodulation?
Authors: Dominguez Angela
Published: January 2024

During orthodontic treatment, we can achieve differential movements by using photobiomodulation (PBM) as an adjuvant before applying force. We can expect a greater bone density that initially resists movement while applying PBM to the other teeth to achieve an accelerating effect. The proposed protocol is to use an 810 nm laser at 0.1W power, applying between 4 and 6J per tooth for 22 s on the vestibular and lingual root surfaces, following the axial axis of the tooth. The energy density depends on the tip selected in the instrument. Normal bone remodeling cannot be avoided by applying high doses of PBM. PBM should be applied before orthodontic force to reduce tooth movement. In addition, PBM can be used during force application to teeth that require acceleration to achieve differential movement in orthodontic treatments. The protocol is the same in both scenarios.
Comparison of modal and zonal wavefront measurements of refractive extended depth of focus intraocular lenses
Authors: Bang Seung Pil , Jung HaeWon , Li Kaccie Y. , Yoon Geunyoung
Published: January 2024

Extended depth-of-focus (EDoF) intraocular lenses (IOLs) are typically evaluated using commercially available aberrometers. Given the intricate optical design of these IOLs, employing an appropriate wavefront reconstruction method with a sufficient sampling resolution of the aberrometer is crucial. A high-resolution Shack–Hartmann wavefront sensor was developed by magnifying the pupil aperture by a factor of five onto a lenslet array (pitch: 133 µm) and utilizing a full-frame CMOS sensor (24 by 36 mm), resulting in a 26.6 µm sampling resolution. Zonal wavefront reconstruction was used and compared with Zernike-based modal wavefront reconstruction to retain detailed local slope irregularities. Four refractive EDoF IOLs with a power of 20D were examined, and the wavefront difference between the zonal and modal methods, expressed as the root mean squared error (RMSE), remained significant for two of the IOLs up to the 16th-order Zernike spherical aberrations (SAs). Conversely, a negligibly small RMSE was observed for the other two IOLs, as long as the Zernike SAs were higher than the 6th order. The raytracing simulation results from the zonal wavefronts exhibited a stronger correlation with the results of recent optical bench studies than those from the modal wavefronts. The study suggests that certain recent refractive EDoF IOLs possess a complex optical profile that cannot be adequately characterized by limited orders of SAs.
A six years trend analysis of systemic antibiotic consumption in Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Abejew Asrat Agalu , Wubetu Gizachew Yismaw , Fenta Teferi Gedif
Published: January 2024

Background

Consumption of antibiotics, a major global threat to public health, is perhaps the key driver of antibiotic resistance. Monitoring antibiotic consumption is crucial to tackling antimicrobial resistance. This study assessed antibiotic consumption trends during the last six years in the Bahir Dar branch of the Ethiopian pharmaceutical supply agency (EPSA), Northwest Ethiopia, in 2022.

Methods

Retrospective data were collected in August 2022 based on antibiotic distribution data from the Bahir Dar Brach of EPSA from July 2016 to June 2022. Data were analyzed according to the Anatomic Therapeutic Classification (ATC) developed by the World Health Organization (WHO). We measured antibiotic consumption using a defined daily dose per 1000 inhabitants per day (DIDs) based on the Agency’s catchment population. Descriptive statistics and trend analyses were conducted.

Results

About 30.34 DIDs of antibiotics were consumed during the six years. The consumption of antibiotics decreased by 87.4%, from 6.9 DIDs in 2016/17 to 0.9 DIDs in 2021/22. Based on the WHO AWaRe classification, 23.39 DIDs (77.1%) of the consumed antibiotics were from the Access category. Consumption of Access category antibiotics was decreased by 72.7% (from 5 to 0.5 DIDs) but Watch antibiotics decreased by 54.3% (from 1.8 to 0.4 DIDs). Oral antibiotics accounted for 29.19 DIDs (96.2%) of all consumed systemic antibiotics. The average cost expenditure per DDD for all antibiotics was 54.1 birr/DDD (0.4–482.3 birr/DDD). Only seven antibiotics accounted for DU90% and the cost expenditure per DDD for the DU90% antibiotics ranged from 0.4/DDD for Doxycycline to 232.8 birr/DDD for Piperacillin/tazobactam. Overall, during the last six years, the most commonly used antibiotic was Amoxicillin (10.1 DIDs), followed by Doxycycline (5.3 DIDs) and Ciprofloxacin (3.4 DIDs).

Conclusion

In this study, we found that antibiotic usage was low and continuously declining over time. Minimizing unnecessary antibiotic usage is one possible approach to reduced AMR. However, a shortage of access to important medicines can compromise the quality of treatment and patient outcomes. A prospective study is needed to evaluate the balance of patient outcomes and reduce AMR by optimizing the community consumption of systemic antibiotics.
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic in the Brazilian maternal mortality ratio: A comparative analysis of Neural Networks Autoregression, Holt-Winters exponential smoothing, and Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average models
Authors: Cañedo Mayara Carolina , Lopes Thiago Inácio Barros , Rossato Luana , Nunes Isadora Batista , Faccin Izadora Dillis , Salomé Túlio Máximo , Simionatto Simone
Published: January 2024

Background and objectives

The acute respiratory infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has resulted in increased mortality among pregnant, puerperal, and neonates. Brazil has the highest number of maternal deaths and a distressing fatality rate of 7.2%, more than double the country’s current mortality rate of 2.8%. This study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Brazilian Maternal Mortality Ratio (BMMR) and forecasts the BMMR up to 2025.

Methods

To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the BMMR, we employed Holt-Winters, Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA), and Neural Networks Autoregression (NNA). We utilized a retrospective time series spanning twenty-five years (1996–2021) to forecast the BMMR under both a COVID-19 pandemic scenario and a controlled COVID-19 scenario.

Results

Brazil consistently exhibited high maternal mortality values (mean BMMR [1996–2019] = 57.99 ±6.34/100,000 live births) according to World Health Organization criteria. The country experienced its highest mortality peak in the historical BMMR series in the second quarter of 2021 (197.75/100,000 live births), representing a more than 200% increase compared to the previous period. Holt-Winter and ARIMA models demonstrated better agreement with prediction results beyond the sample data, although NNA provided a better fit to previous data.

Conclusions

Our study revealed an increase in BMMR and its temporal correlation with COVID-19 incidence. Additionally, it showed that Holt-Winter and ARIMA models can be employed for BMMR forecasting with lower errors. This information can assist governments and public health agencies in making timely and informed decisions.
Evolutionary game analysis of carbon emission reduction of Internet enterprises under multiple constraints
Authors: Zhou Maochun , Qian Lei
Published: January 2024

With the rapid development of information technology, internet enterprises have sprung up, bringing about huge power consumption due to constantly expanding enterprise scale, which in turn leads to significant carbon emissions. Additionally, the large influence of internet enterprises on the public and other businesses makes it particularly necessary to pay attention to their carbon emission reduction efforts. To explore the evolution path and patterns of carbon emission reduction among internet enterprises under the carbon neutrality goal, this paper constructs an evolutionary game model for internet enterprises to enter the carbon emissions trading market based on Externality and Sustainable Development Theories, while considering constraints from the carbon market, financial institutions and the public. The model utilizes Python 3.8.2 software for numerical simulations, aiming to push internet enterprises towards low-carbon development. The research findings indicate that: (1) Carbon emission reduction behavior of internet enterprises exhibits significant externality, and when constraints are weak or incentives are not evident, the motivation for enterprises to reduce carbon emissions is insufficient. (2) The carbon market can effectively promote carbon emission reduction among internet enterprises, and the strategy of entering the carbon market becomes the preferred option for these enterprises gradually. (3) Multiple constraints, including emission reduction costs, penalty for non-compliance, government subsidies, financing costs, opportunity losses, and reputation losses, can force internet enterprises towards low-carbon development.