bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DNA-methylation signature accurately differentiates pancreatic cancer from chronic pancreatitis in tissue and plasma
Authors: Wu Yenan , Seufert Isabelle , Al-Shaheri Fawaz N , Kurilov Roman , Bauer Andrea S , Manoochehri Mehdi , Moskalev Evgeny A , Brors Benedikt , Tjaden Christin , Giese Nathalia A , Hackert Thilo , Büchler Markus W , Hoheisel Jörg D
Published: September 2023

Objective

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal malignancy. Differentiation from chronic pancreatitis (CP) is currently inaccurate in about one-third of cases. Misdiagnoses in both directions, however, have severe consequences for patients. We set out to identify molecular markers for a clear distinction between PDAC and CP.

Design

Genome-wide variations of DNA-methylation, messenger RNA and microRNA level as well as combinations thereof were analysed in 345 tissue samples for marker identification. To improve diagnostic performance, we established a random-forest machine-learning approach. Results were validated on another 48 samples and further corroborated in 16 liquid biopsy samples.

Results

Machine-learning succeeded in defining markers to differentiate between patients with PDAC and CP, while low-dimensional embedding and cluster analysis failed to do so. DNA-methylation yielded the best diagnostic accuracy by far, dwarfing the importance of transcript levels. Identified changes were confirmed with data taken from public repositories and validated in independent sample sets. A signature of six DNA-methylation sites in a CpG-island of the protein kinase C beta type gene achieved a validated diagnostic accuracy of 100% in tissue and in circulating free DNA isolated from patient plasma.

Conclusion

The success of machine-learning to identify an effective marker signature documents the power of this approach. The high diagnostic accuracy of discriminating PDAC from CP could have tremendous consequences for treatment success, once the result from still a limited number of liquid biopsy samples would be confirmed in a larger cohort of patients with suspected pancreatic cancer.
Public health leadership in the COVID-19 era: how does it fit? A scoping review
Authors: Osti Tommaso , Valz Gris Angelica , Corona Valerio Flavio , Villani Leonardo , D’Ambrosio Floriana , Lomazzi Marta , Favaretti Carlo , Cascini Fidelia , Gualano Maria Rosaria , Ricciardi Walter
Published: September 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has put a lot of pressure on all the world’s health systems and public health leaders who have often found themselves unprepared to handle an emergency of this magnitude. This study aims to bring together published evidence on the qualities required to leaders to deal with a public health issue like the COVID-19 pandemic. This scoping literature review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews checklist. A search of relevant articles was performed in the PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases. A total of 2499 records were screened, and 45 articles were included, from which 93 characteristics of effective leadership were extrapolated and grouped into 6 clusters. The qualities most frequently reported in the articles were human traits and emotional intelligence (46.7%) and communication skills such as transparency and reliability (48.9%). Responsiveness and preparedness (40%), management skills (33.3%) and team working (35.6%) are considered by a significant percentage of the articles as necessary for the construction of rapid and effective measures in response to the emergency. A considerable proportion of articles also highlighted the need for leaders capable of making evidence-based decisions and driving innovation (31.1%). Although identifying leaders who possess all the skills described in this study appears complex, determining the key characteristics of effective public health leadership in a crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, is useful not only in selecting future leaders but also in implementing training and education programmes for the public health workforce.
Multicomponent telerehabilitation programme for older veterans with multimorbidity: a programme evaluation
Authors: Rauzi Michelle R , Abbate L M , Lum H D , Cook P F , Stevens-Lapsley J E
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Older veterans with multimorbidity experience physical, mental and social factors which may negatively impact health and healthcare access. Physical function, behaviour change skills and loneliness may not be addressed during traditional physical rehabilitation. Thus, a multicomponent telerehabilitation programme could address these unmet needs. This programme evaluation assessed the safety, feasibility and change in patient outcomes for a multicomponent telerehabilitation programme.

Methods

Individuals were eligible if they were a veteran/spouse, age ≥50 years and had ≥3 comorbidities. The telerehabilitation programme included four core components: (1) High-intensity rehabilitation, (2) Coaching interventions, (3) Social support and (4) Technology. Physical therapists delivered the 12-week programme and collected patient outcomes at baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks. Programme evaluation measures included safety events (occurrence and type), feasibility (adherence) and patient outcomes (physical function). Safety and feasibility outcomes were analysed using descriptive statistics. The mean pre-post programme difference and 95% CI for patient outcomes were generated using pairedt-tests.

Results

Twenty-one participants enrolled in the telerehabilitation programme; most were male (81%), white (72%) and non-Hispanic (76%), with an average of 5.7 (3.0) comorbidities. Prevalence of insession safety events was 3.2% (0.03 events/session). Fifteen (71.4%) participants adhered to the programme (attended ≥80% of sessions). Mean (95% CI) improvements for physical function are as follows: 4.7 (2.4 to 7.0) repetitions for 30 s sit to stand, 6.0 (4.0 to 9.0) and 5.0 (2.0 to 9.0) repetitions for right arm curl and left arm curl, respectively, and 31.8 (15.9 to 47.7) repetitions for the 2 min step test.

Conclusion

The telerehabilitation programme was safe, feasible and demonstrated preprogramme to postprogramme improvements in physical function measures while addressing unmet needs in a vulnerable population. These results support a randomised clinical trial while informing programme and process adaptations.
Linking real world fisheries datasets for mapping of revenue from fishing grounds to dependent communities
Authors: O'Farrell Shay , Perruso Larry , Sanchirico James N. , Chollett Iliana
Published: September 2023

Mapping the economic value of the ocean is pivotal to understand how marine ecosystems contribute to human well-being and to support fisheries management. We present a framework to analyse fisheries data and map fishing revenues by linking Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) information to logbooks and observer data. We provide a detailed step-by-step methodology and describe different approaches available to fulfill each step, with special notes for the processing of real-world messy data. The framework consists of six processing steps: (1) identifying the target fishery and subsetting VMS data, (2) extracting relevant variables, (3) linking observer and VMS data, (4) identifying fishing activity, (5) linking VMS and logbook data, and (6) extracting derived variables and mapping revenue back to the communities that extracted the resources. Building this framework opens a broad range of applications including marine spatial planning, rapid response analyses, high-resolution stock assessments, and spatially explicit-socioeconomic analyses. We demonstrate the framework in the reef fishery of the Gulf of Mexico, where spatial planning for aquaculture is currently underway.
Vacuum representations of blackbody radiation
Authors: Barnett Stephen M.
Published: September 2023

We present and discuss two exact, but perhaps unfamiliar, representations of thermal radiation. The first has the form of a superposition of the quantum vacuum and a stochastic classical field and the second is the pure-state thermofield representation introduced by Takahashi and Umezawa. It is interesting that the former is, essentially, the opposite of Planck’s original conception of blackbody radiation.
Vibration transmissibility at male and female wrists of the human hand–arm system and modeling
Authors: Wu Mingzhong , Lin Zhihong
Published: September 2023

The determination of standard values of vibration transmissibility at the wrist of the human body is very important to understanding vibration exposure and developing a valid model. In this work, the effects of human weight, gender, and other factors on the transmissibility of hand–arm vibration and vibration transmissibility in the [Formula: see text]-axis direction at the wrist site were randomly collected from 200 subjects (154 males and 46 females) as per the requirement of the standard ISO 10819. Moreover, the envelopes of the maximum and minimum values, as well as the mean and standard deviation of the vibration transmissibility at the wrist site, were obtained for both genders. Second, the effect of gender differences on the mean value of vibration transmissibility was analyzed. Finally, two three-degree-of-freedom (3-DOF) models of the hand–arm system were developed based on the average values of vibration transmissibility at the wrists of male and female subjects, respectively. The study revealed that the mean value of vibration transmissibility was greater in males than in females in the frequency range of 14–39 Hz. For the rest of the frequency ranges of females, their mean vibration transmissibility is greater than that of males, especially in the range 17–30 Hz. It was also observed that the vibration transmissibility of females is 10–18.5% smaller than that of males. The vibration transmissibility of females is greater than that of males by 40–83% when the frequencies are between 150 Hz and 250 Hz. The novelty of this proposed model is the prediction of model differences between males and females compared to other models that do so without considering gender differences. It is validated that the proposed modified model can be used to predict the vibration transmissibility of the wrist.
Intuitionistic fuzzy multi-objective transportation model during pandemic COVID-19
Authors: Sharma Divya , Bisht Dinesh C. S. , Srivatsava Pankaj Kumar
Published: September 2023

The given paper discusses an intuitionistic fuzzy discrete time-space optimization model while taking into account the COVID-19 pandemic. The novelty of this study is characterized by the proposal of a distinctive multi-objective intuitionistic fuzzy transportation model in which the demand function varies with time as the number of infected, exposed and susceptible persons increase. Forecasting of demand is executed using the epidemic diffusion model. Also, a new approach to defuzzify triangular intuitionistic fuzzy numbers, depending upon the concept of the golden ratio, is presented. Intuitionistic fuzzy programming approach is used to obtain the pareto-optimal solution. A real-life numerical illustration is explained using the proposed methodology to examine its practical suitability. Outperforming the existing traditional method of solving a transportation problem verifies its proficiency.
Canadian Arctic–Beaufort Sea Rifted Margin Tectono-Sedimentary Element, SE Canada Basin
Authors: Embry Ashton , Dixon James , Ricketts Brian , Stephenson Randell
Published: September 2023

The Canadian Arctic–Beaufort Sea Rifted Margin (CARM) Tectono-Sedimentary Element (TSE) is located on the continental shelf and slope that lie to the west of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and to the north of the Mackenzie Delta. The TSE comprises the rift succession deposited on the eastern and southern margins of the Amerasia Basin, coincident with the opening of this basin. The TSE strata range in age from the latest Triassic (Rhaetian) to Early Cretaceous (Albian). A major unconformity marks the base of the TSE, with underlying rocks consisting of moderately to highly deformed Proterozoic and Lower Paleozoic rocks that are regarded as basement. The TSE is overlain by the Canadian Arctic Prograded Margin (CAPM) TSE, with the boundary being a significant unconformity in landward areas. Well data are limited to the Beaufort–Mackenzie area, and reflection and refraction seismic data indicate that the succession is up to 4 km thick. The TSE is divided into four structural domains, with deformation increasing to the north. The Beaufort–Mackenzie Domain is dominated by extensional structures, with later contractional structures present in its western portion. The Southern Domain is extensional and characterized by normal faults with tilted fault blocks. The structure of the Central Domain is similar to that of the Southern Domain but may include broad folds formed during the Paleogene Eurekan Orogeny. The succession in the Northern Domain is likely to be strongly folded and cut by thrust faults of the Eurekan Orogeny. Cretaceous extrusive and intrusive basic rocks, related to magmatism in the northern Amerasia Basin, are present in both the Central and Northern domains. Petroleum source rocks, of both lacustrine and marine origin, may be present in the Jurassic portion of the succession and marine shales in the Lower Cretaceous succession. The potential for structural and stratigraphic traps in widespread sandstone units of alluvial fan to marine slope origin is high. The remote location of the TSE, however, makes it likely that it will not be a target for petroleum exploration in the foreseeable future.
Cerise: Program Verification on a Capability Machine in the Presence of Untrusted Code
Authors: Georges Aïna Linn , Guéneau Armaël , Van Strydonck Thomas , Timany Amin , Trieu Alix , Devriese Dominique , Birkedal Lars
Published: September 2023

A capability machine is a type of CPU allowing fine-grained privilege separation using
capabilities
, machine words that represent certain kinds of authority. We present a mathematical model and accompanying proof methods that can be used for formal verification of functional correctness of programs running on a capability machine, even when they invoke and are invoked by unknown (and possibly malicious) code. We use a program logic called Cerise for reasoning about known code, and an associated logical relation, for reasoning about unknown code. The logical relation formally captures the capability safety guarantees provided by the capability machine. The Cerise program logic, logical relation, and all the examples considered in the paper have been mechanized using the Iris program logic framework in the Coq proof assistant.

The methodology we present underlies recent work of the authors on formal reasoning about capability machines [Georges et al.
2021
; Skorstengaard et al.
2019a
; Van Strydonck et al.
2022
], but was left somewhat implicit in those publications. In this paper we present a pedagogical introduction to the methodology, in a simpler setting (no exotic capabilities), and starting from minimal examples. We work our way up to new results about a heap-based calling convention and implementations of sophisticated object-capability patterns of the kind previously studied for high-level languages with object-capabilities, demonstrating that the methodology scales to such reasoning.
An Auction Algorithm for Market Equilibrium with Weak Gross Substitute Demands
Authors: Garg Jugal , Husić Edin , Végh László A.
Published: September 2023

We consider the Arrow–Debreu exchange market model under the assumption that the agents’ demands satisfy the weak gross substitutes (WGS) property. We present a simple auction algorithm that obtains an approximate market equilibrium for WGS demands assuming the availability of a price update oracle. We exhibit specific implementations of such an oracle for WGS demands with bounded price elasticities and for Gale demand systems.
The Commons
Authors: Agrawal Arun , Erbaugh James , Pradhan Nabin
Published: September 2023

Commons—resources used or governed by groups of heterogeneous users through agreed-upon institutional arrangements—are the subject of one of the more successful research programs in the social-environmental sciences. This review assesses research on the commons to accomplish three tasks. First, it surveys the theoretical, substantive, and methods-focused achievements of the field, illustrating how commons research has also influenced natural resource policy making. Second, it examines the changing trajectories of commons research, emphasizing the growing interest of commons researchers in new methods and the application of insights to new social contexts. Third, the review suggests that research on the commons can find continuing relevance by addressing contemporary and future social-environmental challenges. It highlights three directions in particular: ( a) strengthening the focus on issues of power and equity, ( b) applying insights about effective commons governance to collaborative attempts to craft commons in new societal spaces, and ( c) advancing an emerging emphasis on causal analysis and taking advantage of novel streams of large-scale public datasets.
Variation of corticospinal excitability during kinesthetic illusion induced by musculotendinous vibration
Authors: Lauzier Lydiane , Perron Marie-Pier , Munger Laurence , Bouchard Émilie , Abboud Jacques , Nougarou François , Beaulieu Louis-David
Published: September 2023

The modulation of corticospinal excitability when perceiving a vibration (VIB)-induced kinesthetic illusion evolves dynamically over time. This modulation might be linked to the delayed occurrence and progressive increase in strength of the illusory perception in the first seconds after VIB start. Different spinal/cortical mechanisms could be at play during VIB, depending on the tested muscle, presence/absence of an illusion, and the specific timing at which corticospinal drive is tested pre/post VIB.
Genotype and Phenotype Characteristics of Chinese Pediatric Patients with Primary Hyperoxaluria
Authors: Ge Yucheng , Liu Yukun , Zhan Ruichao , Zhao Zhenqiang , Li Jun , Wang Wenying , Tian Ye
Published: September 2023

Primary hyperoxaluria (PH) is a rare monogenic disorder characterized by recurrent kidney stones, nephrocalcinosis, and renal impairment. To study the genotype and phenotype characteristics, we evaluated the clinical data of 42 Chinese pediatric PH patients who were diagnosed from May 2016 to April 2022. We found that patients with the PH3 type showed an earlier age of onset than those with the PH1 and PH2 types (1 versus 5 and 8 years, respectively,

P
<
0.001

). Urine citrate was significantly lower in PH1 and PH2 patients than that in PH3 patients (91.81 and 85.56 versus 163.9 μg/mg, respectively,

P
=
0.044

). Spot urine oxalate levels were slightly higher in PH1 than that in PH2 and PH3 patients (457.9 versus 182.38 and 309.14 μg/mg, respectively,

P
=
0.189

). A significant negative correlation between the urine calcium/creatinine ratio and the oxalate/creatinine ratio was observed in the entire PH cohort (

r
=
−
0.360

,

P
=
0.04

) and the PH3 cohort (

r
=
−
0.674

,

P
=
0.003

). PH-causative genes showed hotspot mutations or regions, including c.815_816insGA and c.33dup in AGXT, 864_865del in GRHPR, and exon 6 skipping and c.769T>G in HOGA1. In the PH1 cohort, the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was lowest in patients with heterozygous c.33dup. In the PH3 cohort, patients with heterozygous exon 6 skipping presented the lowest eGFR and a significant decrease in the renal survival advantage. In summary, PH1 patients exhibit much more severe phenotypes than those with other types. Hotspot mutations or regions exist in patients with all types of PH and show differences among ethnicities. Genotype-phenotype correlations are observed in PH1 and PH3.
Household Food Insecurity and Cognition in Youth and Young Adults with Youth-Onset Diabetes
Authors: Brown Andrea D. , Liese Angela D. , Shapiro Allison L. B. , Frongillo Edward A. , Wilkening Greta , Fridriksson Julius , Merchant Anwar T. , Henkin Leora , Jensen Elizabeth T. , Reboussin Beth A. , Shah Amy S. , Marcovina Santica , Dolan Lawrence M. , Dabelea Dana , Pihoker Catherine , Mendoza Jason A.
Published: September 2023

Objective. We evaluated the association of household food insecurity (FI) with cognition in youth and young adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2D). Design. In this cross-sectional study, age-adjusted scores for composite fluid cognition, and sub-domain scores for receptive language and inhibitory control and attention, were stratified by diabetes type using linear regression, with FI in the past year as the predictor, controlling for covariates. Tests for processing speed, inhibitory control/attention, working memory, episodic memory, and cognitive flexibility were administered to measure the composite fluid cognition score. The NIHT-CB Picture Vocabulary Test was used to assess the crystallized cognition score, and rapid identification of congruent versus noncongruent items was used to assess inhibitory control and attention score. Setting. The SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth study is representative of five U.S. states. Participants. Included 1,574 youth and young adults with T1D or T2D, mean age of 21 years, mean diabetes duration of 11 years, 51% were non-Hispanic white, and 47% had higher HbA1c levels (>9% HbA1c). Results. Approximately 18% of the 1,240 participants with T1D and 31% of the 334 with T2D experienced FI. The food-insecure group with T1D had a lower composite fluid cognition score (β = −2.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) = −4.8, −0.1) and a lower crystallized cognition score (β = −3.4, CI = −5.6, −1.3) than food-secure peers. Findings were attenuated to non-significance after adjustment for demographics. Among T2D participants, no associations were observed. In participants with T1D, effect modification by glycemic levels was found in the association between FI and composite fluid cognition score but adjustment for socioeconomic characteristics attenuated the interaction (

p
=
0.0531

). Conclusions. Food-insecure youth and young adults with T1D or T2D did not have different cognition compared to those who were food-secure after adjustment for confounders. Longitudinal research is needed to further understand relations amongst these factors.
Reimagined MPFL Reconstruction: Retinacular Fixation of the Doubled Hamstring Graft at the Patella and Suture Anchor-Based Femoral Fixation
Authors: Nazeer Muhammed Ehsan , Goel Sagar , Nazeer Muhammed , Sreenivasan Gowrishankar , Muhammed Mohsin Nazeer , Shajil Suzaan
Published: September 2023

Background. Lateral patellar dislocation is frequently observed among teenagers and young adults. There is no consensus on the best type of graft or fixation strategy for the femur and patella, and complications such as iatrogenic patella fracture, tunnel malposition, and grafting failure are common. The objective of our research is to find out the functional outcome of a new method of medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction, which involves two key components: (1) patellar fixation is accomplished by suturing the two limbs of the looped doubled hamstring graft in a divergent fashion to the retinaculum at the medial border of the upper half of patella and (2) the placement of a suture anchor tied to the graft at the isometric point on the medial femur condyle. Methods. This study is a retrospective assessment of patients who underwent MPFL reconstruction at our hospital between September 2018 and August 2020. Patients were monitored for at least 2 years after the initial procedure until August 2022. Results. A total of 29 patients were recruited for the study, with 22 being females and the average age being 30.38 years. During the postoperative period, none of the participants experienced instability, redislocation, patellar/femoral fractures, or abnormal distal femur growth. The Tegner–Lysholm knee score was good to excellent for 17 (58.6%) participants, fair for 10 (34.5%) participants, and poor for 2 (6.9%) participants. The Kujala anterior knee pain score was more than 80 for 19 (65.5%) participants. Conclusion. This research presents a significant achievement rate of the surgical procedure, accompanied by the mean Tegner–Lysholm knee score of 82.68 and the mean Kujala anterior knee pain score of 82.71. Notably, there were no complications observed in the postoperative period.
Risk Assessment of Lung Cancer Caused by Indoor Radon Exposure in China during 2006–2016: A Multicity, Longitudinal Analysis
Authors: Qiang Ziqi , Yao Yupeng , Li Zhiling , Lin Dapeng , Li Huan , Kan Haidong , Zhuo Weihai , Chen Bo
Published: September 2023

Indoor radon is a well-documented environmental factor as a second cause of lung cancer. Based on the chronological data on indoor radon concentration, lung cancer incidence, and the distribution of sex-age-specific population, the risk of lung cancer caused by indoor radon exposure in a total of 15 cities in China was assessed by using the risk model developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in this study. The estimate revealed that both the excess relative risk (ERR) and lifetime relative risk (LRR) have obviously increased after 2010. The population attributable risk (PAR) in 2016 was estimated in a range from 6.66% to 22.42%, with a median of 15.33% for the 15 cities. The lung cancer incidence attributed to indoor radon in 2016 ranged from 3.96 to 15.07 per 10,000 population in males and 1.21 to 8.27 per 10,000 population in females. Across age and sex, the risk of lung cancer caused by indoor radon was found more pronounced in males and 40-45 age groups. The chronological variation of radon concentrations was considered in this study; the estimate of lung cancer caused by indoor radon in China is considered more reasonable than ever before.
Prevalence of Loneliness in Older Adults: A Scoping Review
Authors: Schroyen S. , Janssen N. , Duffner L. A. , Veenstra M. , Pyrovolaki E. , Salmon E. , Adam S.
Published: September 2023

Objectives. To review the prevalence of loneliness (during/after COVID-19) in older people. Design. Scoping review using Medline and PsycInfo for worldwide prevalence estimates (white published literature search) and Google for prevalence data inside the Euregio Meuse-Rhine (grey literature). Setting. Worldwide prevalence estimates and a focus on the Euregio Meuse-Rhine. Participants. Papers published between 2016 and 2022 and a mean age of minimum of 65 years. Measurements. Prevalence estimates for older people. Results. The white literature search yielded 37 articles. Before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, loneliness estimates were the highest in Nigeria (46%) and the lowest in Australia (5%) (mean prevalence was 25.6%). Loneliness was reported to be higher in specific populations, for example, people living in specific communities such as senior housing communities or with impairments, than in the general population, with a mean prevalence estimate of 47.8%. During COVID-19, the prevalence of loneliness was higher than that before the pandemic: we observed a mean prevalence of 39.4%, in comparison to 25.6 before COVID-19. The grey literature search showed that, compared to Belgium and the Netherlands (13.5% and 36.5%, respectively), loneliness estimates were the lowest in Germany, with a mean prevalence of 7.7%. Conclusion. Large international differences in the prevalence of loneliness were observed between countries and populations studied. Several hypotheses could explain such differences, including sociocultural or historical-political characteristics. Without surprise, the pandemic and associated measures were linked to a higher level of loneliness. Furthermore, recommendations for addressing loneliness, including interventions, are discussed.
TABLE 2 from A Phase I Study of the Pan-Notch Inhibitor CB-103 for Patients with Advanced Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma and Other Tumors
Authors: Hanna Glenn J. , Stathis Anastasios , Lopez-Miranda Elena , Racca Fabricio , Quon Doris , Leyvraz Serge , Hess Dagmar , Keam Bhumsuk , Rodon Jordi , Ahn Myung-Ju , Kim Hye Ryun , Schneeweiss Andreas , Ribera Josep-Maria , DeAngelo Daniel , Perez Garcia Jose Manuel , Cortes Javier , Schönborn-Kellenberger Oliver , Weber Dirk , Pisa Pavel , Bauer Michael , Beni Laura , Bobadilla Maria , Lehal Raj , Vigolo Michele , Vogl Florian D. , Garralda Elena
Published: September 2023

TRAEs reported per-patient with incidence ≥10%
Altered DNA Methylation of the Serotonin Transporter Gene Associated with Early Life Stress and White Matter Microalterations in Korean Patients with Panic Disorder
Authors: Kim Hyun-Ju , Bang Minji , Park Chun Il , Lee Sang-Hyuk
Published: September 2023

Introduction: Changes in the DNA methylation of 5-HTTLPR are associated with the pathophysiology of panic disorder (PD). This study was conducted to investigate the association between stressful life events and the level of 5-HTTLPR methylation in patients with PD. We also examined whether these factors were associated with white matter alterations in psychological trauma-related regions. Methods: The participants comprised 232 patients with PD and 93 healthy adults of Korean descent. DNA methylation levels of five cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) sites in the 5-HTTLPR region were analyzed. Voxel-wise statistical analysis of diffusion tensor imaging data was performed within the trauma-related regions. Results: PD patients showed significantly lower levels of the DNA methylation at 5-HTTLPR 5 CpG sites than healthy controls. In patients with PD, the DNA methylation levels at 5-HTTLPR 5 CpG sites showed significant negative association with the parental separation-related psychological distress, and positive correlations with the fractional anisotropy values of the superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF) which might be related to trait anxiety. Conclusion: Early life stress was significantly associated with DNA methylation levels at 5-HTTLPR related to the decreased white matter integrity in the SLF region in PD. Decreased white matter connectivity in the SLF might be related to trait anxiety and is vital to the pathophysiology of PD.
Resenha: Materialidade e imaterialidade no patrimônio construído: Brasil e Itália em diálogo
Authors: Gonçalves Cristiane Souza
Published: September 2023

Resenha do livro “Materialidade e imaterialidade no patrimônio construído: Brasil e Itália em diálogo”, de Natália Miranda Vieira-de-Araújo. Recife, Editora UFPE, 2022.
Lugares de sociabilidade LGBTQIAP+ na cidade de São Paulo entre as décadas de 1930 e 2010
Authors: Quintero Bruna , Tourinho Andréa de Oliveira
Published: September 2023

O século XXI tem intensificado a busca pelo resgate e valorização da reconstrução da memória de grupos sociais silenciados frente aos valores dominantes da sociedade de períodos anteriores, a fim de que as suas vivências sejam reconhecidas enquanto narrativas que compõem a história social. A pesquisa apresentada neste artigo buscou, nessa direção, identificar espaços de sociabilidade das identidades LGBTQIAP+ na cidade de São Paulo, no período compreendido entre o início do século XX e meados da década de 2010. Essa identificação fundamentou-se nas indicações espaciais constantes em referências bibliográficas sobre o tema, bem como em relatos de mídias diversas, que revelam a ocupação de áreas públicas e a apropriação de estabelecimentos de entretenimento noturno pelas referidas identidades. A partir disso, foram realizados os mapeamentos de lugares e deslocamentos espaciais das sociabilidades LGBTQIAP+, organizados por períodos históricos, sobre foto aérea do Google Earth, para a criação de uma base única de comparação. Foi possível constatar, então, uma concentração persistente de lugares de sociabilidade no chamado centro histórico, com uma expansão a sudoeste, considerando o seu fácil acesso e a construção, no tempo, de um espaço simbólico de diversidade social e de resistência, contrapondo-se a uma quase inexistente apropriação de espaço nas regiões periféricas. Fica evidente, assim, a dicotomia de dinâmicas de ocupação entre essas regiões devido às suas diferentes atividades, usos e tipo de usuários.
Aggressive LDL-C Lowering and the Brain: Impact on Risk for Dementia and Hemorrhagic Stroke: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
Authors: Goldstein Larry B. , Toth Peter P. , Dearborn-Tomazos Jennifer L. , Giugliano Robert P. , Hirsh Benjamin J. , Peña Jessica M. , Selim Magdy H. , Woo Daniel ,   on behalf of the American Heart Association Council on Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology; Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing; Council on Peripheral Vascular Disease; and Stroke Council
Published: September 2023

The objective of this scientific statement is to evaluate contemporary evidence that either supports or refutes the conclusion that aggressive low-density lipoprotein cholesterol lowering or lipid lowering exerts toxic effects on the brain, leading to cognitive impairment or dementia or hemorrhagic stroke. The writing group used literature reviews, references to published clinical and epidemiology studies, clinical and public health guidelines, authoritative statements, and expert opinion to summarize existing evidence and to identify gaps in current knowledge. Although some retrospective, case control, and prospective longitudinal studies suggest that statins and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol lowering are associated with cognitive impairment or dementia, the preponderance of observational studies and data from randomized trials do not support this conclusion. The risk of a hemorrhagic stroke associated with statin therapy in patients without a history of cerebrovascular disease is nonsignificant, and achieving very low levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol does not increase that risk. Data reflecting the risk of hemorrhagic stroke with lipid-lowering treatment among patients with a history of hemorrhagic stroke are not robust and require additional focused study.
National Cost Estimates of Invasive Mechanical Ventilation and Tracheostomy in Acute Stroke, 2008–2017
Authors: Albert George P. , McHugh Daryl C. , Hwang David Y. , Creutzfeldt Claire J. , Holloway Robert G. , George Benjamin P.
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND:

Patients with stroke receiving invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and tracheostomy incur intense treatment and long hospitalizations. We aimed to evaluate US hospitalization costs for patients with stroke requiring IMV, tracheostomy, or no ventilation.

METHODS:

We performed a retrospective observational study of US hospitalizations for acute ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, and subarachnoid hemorrhage receiving IMV, tracheostomy, or none using the National Inpatient Sample, 2008 to 2017. We calculated hospitalization costs using cost-to-charge ratios adjusted to 2017 US dollars for inpatients with stroke by ventilation status (no IMV, IMV alone, tracheostomy).

RESULTS:

Of an estimated 5.2 million (95% CI, 5.1–5.3) acute stroke hospitalizations, 2008 to 2017; 9.4% received IMV alone and 1.4% received tracheostomy. Length of stay for patients without IMV was shorter (median, 4 days; interquartile range [IQR], 2–6) compared with IMV alone (median, 6 days; [IQR, 2–13]), and tracheostomy (median, 25 days; [IQR, 18–36];
P
<0.001). Mortality for patients without IMV was 3.2% compared with 51.2% for IMV alone and 9.8% for tracheostomy (
P
<0.001). Median hospitalization costs for patients without IMV was $9503 (IQR, $6544–$14 963), compared with $23 774 (IQR, $10 900–$47 735) for IMV alone and $95 380 (IQR, $63 921–$144 019) for tracheostomy. Tracheostomy placement in ≤7 days had lower costs compared with placement in >7 days (median, $71 470 [IQR, $47 863–$108 250] versus $102 979 [IQR, $69 563–$152 543];
P
<0.001). Each day awaiting tracheostomy was associated with a 2.9% cost increase (95% CI, 2.6%–3.1%). US hospitalization costs for patients with acute stroke were $8.7 billion/y (95% CI, $8.5–$8.9 billion). For IMV alone, costs were $1.8 billion/y (95% CI, $1.7–$1.9 billion) and for tracheostomy $824 million/y (95% CI, $789.7–$858.3 million).

CONCLUSIONS:

Patients with acute stroke who undergo tracheostomy account for 1.4% of stroke admissions and 9.5% of US stroke hospitalization costs. Future research should focus on the added value to society and patients of IMV and tracheostomy, in particular after 7 days for the latter procedure given the increased costs incurred and poor outcomes in stroke.
Fire-Outbreak Prevention Mechanisms in Tanzania’s Boarding Secondary Schools
Authors: Nyagawa Zedekian M. , Anangisye William A.L.
Published: September 2023

This enquiry investigated fire-outbreak prevention mechanisms in Tanzania’s Boarding Secondary Schools (BSSs). Specifically, the enquiry drew on the claim that fire-outbreaks which take place in BSSs are avertable. Based on the claim, two lines of enquiry guided the study: What mechanisms have BSSs adopted to prevent fire-outbreaks; and how adequate are the adopted mechanisms in preventing fire-outbreaks in BSSs? In that regard, the qualitative approach was deemed necessary for the enquiry. The enquiry employed purposive sampling procedures to select 95 informants from four BSSs in five selected regions. Data was sought through interviews, observations, and documentary reviews. Findings revealed various mechanisms that BSSs deploy to prevent fire-outbreaks, inter alia fire emergency exits, fire-resistant furniture, fire-resistant roofs, reliable electrical wiring systems, security guard, and strict school bylaws. However, the mechanisms were largely inadequate, hence failing to prevent effectively fire outbreaks. Limited school financial resources and lack of fire safety awareness among school members caused the inadequacy.
L’École de pensée juive de Paris and the Idea of Fraternité: Re-reading the Stories of Brothers in Genesis
Authors: Ben-Pazi Hanoch
Published: September 2023

This essay will present an analysis of the idea of ‘fraternity’ in the writings of two of the most dynamic Jewish thinkers of the Parisian School of Jewish Thought: Manitou (Rabbi Yehuda Leon Ashkenazi) and André Neher. They both examined the concept of “fraternity” in the book of Genesis. Apparently, the concept was borrowed from the motto of the French revolution: liberté, egalité and fraternité. However, they approached it from the perspective of a Jewish reading of the Bible. For them, the extensive development of the concept of fraternity in Genesis produced a wealth of profound ideas. Regretfully, however, it becomes clear that the concept includes varied connotations of enmity as well. In order to sharpen the focus of our study, this essay will deal solely with the relationship of the first set of brothers: Cain and Abel, perhaps the archetype for all other sets of brothers of Genesis.
The Time of Brain Science and the Time of Physics
Authors: White Peter A.
Published: September 2023

Buonomano and Rovelli (unpubl. manuscript, 2021) and Gruber, Block, and Montemayor (Front. Psychol., 2022, 13, art. 718505) grapple with the problem that we experience both a present moment and a flow of time, yet neither of those things seems to be recognised in physics. This paper makes three points about that. The present moment in perception is not the same as the present moment in physics because they occupy radically different time scales, 10–44 s in physics and something in the millisecond range in perception. The information about what is currently being perceived is experienced as in the present not because it is but because it is all labelled with time markers saying that it is the present; there are similar time markers identifying still active historical information as in the past. The flow of time is not generated by actual change over time but by an information structure existing at a single moment of time that represents change over connected time markers. Whether there is an actual present and an actual flow of time in the universe or not, the experienced present and experienced flow of time are perceptual constructs and nothing more.
Atlas of the Echiniscidae (Heterotardigrada) of the World–part I: West Palaearctic Echiniscus species
Authors: GĄSIOREK PIOTR , VONČINA KATARZYNA
Published: September 2023

Traditionally Eurocentric tardigrade taxonomy has started to dissect endemics from very few truly cosmopolitan or widely distributed species, originally described mostly from the West Palaearctic, in the last decade. Obviously, the most problematic for taxonomic identification are species in large genera containing over 100 species in the case of Tardigrada. In limno-terrestrial heterotardigrades, only Echiniscus C.A.S. Schultze, 1840 fulfils this criterion, being a perfect example of taxonomic inflation. In Echiniscidae, this phenomenon results predominantly from the historical fallacy of attaching more importance to chaetotaxy than to the analysis of dorsal plate sculpturing. In this paper, the first of a series on echiniscids of the World, we review the current state of knowledge on the West Palaearctic Echiniscus species. Echiniscus granulatus (Doyère, 1840) and E. spinulosus (Doyère, 1840) are re-described based on multiple population data. Echiniscus lapponicus Thulin, 1911 and E. militaris Murray, 1911 are provided with the first SEM and molecular data, respectively. Following synonymies are made based on analyses of ample comparative material, type series, and redescriptions: E. blumi schizofilus Bartoš, 1941 syn. nov. and E. trojanus Maucci, 1973 syn. nov. of E. blumi blumi Richters, 1903; E. inocelatus Mihelčič, 1938 syn. nov., E. heterospinosus Maucci, 1954 syn. nov. and E. egnatiae Durante Pasa & Maucci, 1979 syn. nov. of E. granulatus; Echiniscus merokensis suecicus Thulin, 1911 syn. nov., E. columinis Murray, 1911 syn. nov., E. batramiae Iharos, 1936 syn. nov., E. jagodici Mihelčič, 1951 syn. nov. and E. laterospinosus Rudescu, 1964 syn. nov. of E. merokensis merokensis Richters, 1904; E. hexacanthus Maucci, 1973 syn. nov. of E. militaris Murray, 1911; E. carusoi Pilato, 1972 syn. nov. of E. spinulosus; E. osellai Maucci, 1974 syn. nov. of E. trisetosus Cuénot, 1932. Two new nomina dubia are proposed: E. apuanus M. Bertolani, 1946 sp. dub. (and a probable synonymy with E. merokensis suggested) and E. pajstunensis Bartoš, 1941 sp. dub. Two new nomina inquirenda are established: E. marleyi Li, 2007 sp. inq. (another chaetotaxy-based morphotype of the Echiniscus blumi-canadensis complex) and E. punctus McInnes, 1995 sp. inq. (the lack of reliable morphological criteria separating it from E. granulatus). We summarise the morphological, phylogenetic and biogeographic information for the West Palaearctic Echiniscus species, and conclude with a total of 21 valid and identifiable taxa. We predict this number will decrease further with solving the species delimitation issues within the Echiniscus blumi-canadensis complex. Among these 21 taxa, 13 species (62%) are to be found solely in the Western Palaearctic and/or entire Holarctic regions. This augments the many recent findings that tardigrades are typically biogeographically structured and form clearly defined faunae.
The unique and the invariant in the field of social work: The comparison of Lithuania, Japan, and the United States
Authors: Adomaityte-Subaciene Ieva , Poviliūnas Arūnas , Ignotas Mindaugas
Published: September 2023

For centuries understood as a micro-level caring profession, recently social work is dramatically changing its goals due to structural changes in societies, climate change, migration and political instability. The article employs cross-cultural comparisons that aim to reveal the invariant structure of the social work field, which is realized through the unique manifestations of social work practices in different cultural contexts in Lithuania, Japan, and the United States. The research identifies four social work practices in the professional fields and presents them based on the concepts of field, habitus, and capital, highlighting the similarities and differences between countries in the application of rules of the social field.
The “Dark Figure” of Incarceration—The Imposition of Consecutive Incarceration Sentences as a Window of Discretion
Authors: Ulmer Jeffery T. , Galvin Miranda A.
Published: September 2023

Objectives

The decision to impose consecutive incarceration sentences, rather than concurrent, is an important discretionary decision that is often not structured by guidelines. We develop and test expectations, guided by the focal concerns framework, regarding case and defendant characteristics that are likely to evoke heightened perceptions of blameworthiness and danger, and thus should be more likely to result in consecutive incarceration.

Methods

We use data on individuals sentenced in Pennsylvania from 2015 to 2019 to predict the odds of receiving a consecutive incarceration sentence.

Results

We find that individuals convicted of violent offenses and those convicted of behavior spanning multiple criminal incidents were much more likely to receive consecutive incarceration. We found no evidence of differences across race of the defendant in the likelihood of receiving consecutive incarceration. We also demonstrate a strong relationship between consecutive incarceration and mode of conviction; those convicted by trial had much greater odds of receiving consecutive incarceration.

Conclusions

Our findings raise unexamined questions about sentencing policy, including sentencing guidelines, wherein the decision between consecutive and concurrent incarceration is highly consequential, unguided, and unstructured.
Agroecology: Can it inform disaster risk management in fragile settings?
Authors: Hauser Michael
Published: September 2023

Agroecology describes a readily shared philosophy to improve the resilience of food systems. So far, the literature focuses on applying agroecology principles in stable settings. In fragile areas affected by regular disasters, the role of agroecology is less understood. This perspective article examines the contributions of agroecology principles to manage disaster risks in areas affected by fragilities, climate emergencies and conflict. Of specific interest is the extent to which agroecology principles could assist in designing interventions that build food system resilience. This article argues that all agroecology principles are relevant for disaster risk management. However, trade-offs between immediate needs and long-term perspectives could limit its use. Integrating agroecology principles with resilience programming of humanitarian aid should be subject to further research.
The woman saved from stoning: An answer to scapegoats and scapegoating
Authors: Bashaw Jennifer Garcia
Published: September 2023

According to René Girard, Jesus is the scapegoat to end all scapegoats. The Gospels reveal that his voluntary death as an innocent scapegoat unmasks the scapegoating process in which human societies participate and frees humanity from its power. Jesus’s passion is not the only episode from the Gospels that provides an antidote to scapegoating. In the story of the woman saved from stoning (John 8:2-11), Jesus calms a scapegoating storm, de-escalates a mob, and thwarts the scapegoaters. Jesus removes the scapegoat target from the woman’s back and focuses attention where it belongs: on the wrongs of the accusers. In his interactions with the woman, Jesus frees her from blame and treats her like a human being made in the image of God, not an object to be used. Jesus offers a glimpse into how to create a future without scapegoating, a future in which we turn our gazes to our own sins and treat those who are marginalized and targeted for blame not as scapegoats but as image-bearers worthy of love.