bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Are Rural People With Land in Their Homes More Reluctant to Become Urbanites? A Study From Chinese Data
Authors: Liu Dan , Yin Chuanbin , Zhou Xuan
Published: September 2024

China’s urbanization demonstrates an imbalance whereby population urbanization lags behind land urbanization. This indicates that urban areas are increasing, while many rural people are hesitant to seek urban hukou and settle in the city permanently. Instead, they temporarily work there and returning to their rural homes during important holidays. According to some analysts, this is the result of migrant workers’ reluctance to cede control of the land in their native communities. Therefore, we wonder if the rural population who own land at home are less likely to move into cities. With the willingness of rural household registration population to urbanize as the dependent variable and land resource endowment of rural household registration population as the independent variable, this study empirically explores the impact of land resource endowment on the willingness of rural household population to urbanize based on data from 2017 China Mobile Population Dynamics Survey (CMDS) Volume A by logit regression analysis. The results found that land resource endowment significantly affected the rural population’s willingness to urbanize. In particular, there was a 4.49% lower likelihood of moving to the city among the rural household registration population with contracted land than among the rural household registration population without contracted land. In comparison to the rural household registration population without homestead land, there was a 9.2% reduced likelihood that those with homestead land would be willing to relocate their family to the city.
Environmental Regulation on Employment: Creation or Destruction?—Measurement and Calculation Based on Two-Tier Stochastic Frontier Model
Authors: Tang Lu , Liu Chao , Ding Chenhui , Mohamed Othman
Published: September 2024

This research breaks away from the existing literature that focuses only on the relationship between environmental regulations and employment size and employment structure, and focuses on the employment creation effect, destruction effect and the net effect of environmental regulations on employment. Accordingly, employing a two-tier stochastic frontier model, this research will answer whether the bilateral effects of environmental regulation on employment exist, which is larger or smaller, the net effect using provincial panel data in China from 2011 to 2020. Research results show that the creation effect makes employment higher than the frontier level by 3.18%, while the destruction effect makes employment lower than the frontier level by 4.58%, and finally the destruction effect dominates with the two-tier effects making employment lower than the frontier level by 1.40%. Furthermore, it was found that the lower the level of environmental regulation implementation, the greater its destruction effect. Moreover, from different human capital perspectives, environmental regulations have the least damaging effect on the low-skilled group, followed by the high-skilled group, and the most significant effect on the medium-skilled group. The destruction effect exhibits regional heterogeneity, sequentially weakening from the east to the central and western regions. The findings of this study hold particular significance for governmental entities in determining the stringency of environmental regulatory measures. It effectively promotes the government’s enforcement of environmental regulation policies, and has significant implications for achieving the dual advantages of “environmental protection” and “full employment” in society.
Risk Perception of Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Subjective Well-Being Among University Students in China During Quarantine: The Moderating Function of Perceived Social Support
Authors: Ding Yadong , Li Jing
Published: September 2024

Previous research works demonstrate that risk perception (RP) of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may result in experiencing negative emotions. The current research sought to further appraise of whether perceived social support alleviated the negative impact of RP of COVID-19 on subjective well-being (SWB) among university students. A sum of 594 university students in China aged 16 to 25 years old completed an online questionnaire during the COVID-19 outbreak on college campuses. The results found that uncontrollability negatively predicted positive affect and satisfaction with life; susceptibility, severity, and uncontrollability positively predicted negative affect in university students. Moreover, the relation between RP of COVID-19 and SWB was moderated by perceived social support. RP of COVID-19 predicted SWB in university students with high perceived social support but not amongst those with low perceived social support. Thus, the current research indicates that RP of COVID-19 may inhibit SWB and that high perceived social support may alleviate the negative role of RP of COVID-19 in SWB in university students.
Development, Reliability, and Validity of the Influences of Digital Technologies on Human Behavior in Public Space Scale Tested by Spatial Design Experts
Authors: Altanlar Aslı , Aktuğlu Aktan Esin Özlem , Eren İbrahim
Published: September 2024

The widespread use of digital technologies and online social networks causes a shift that has a pronounced impact on public space, public life, and public space design. However, research into this transformation is quite constrained. This study aims to illuminate how digital technologies influence individuals and their behavior in public spaces. A comprehensive conceptual scale was developed in the study to assess the impact of digital technology use on human behavior in public spaces. A structural equation model (SEM) was proposed after testing the scale’s construct validity. According to the findings, the factors influencing the scale were social isolation (F1), media influence (F2), placelessness and/or homogeneity (F3), techno-stress-related social anxiety (F4), and digital addiction (F5). The SEM (Structural Equation Modeling) results demonstrated strong relationships among these factors, with digital addiction significantly predicting social isolation (β = .90; p < .01) and placelessness (β = .74; p < .01). The media influence factor had the most substantial effect on techno-stress-related social anxiety. This study contributes significantly to the literature by understanding the influences of digital technologies on public life and adapting public space design to this new reality. The findings also guide prospective studies into the effects of digital technologies in public spaces, offering valuable insights for urban planning, social psychology, architecture, and social sciences research.
Addressing Workers’ Rights Violations in Apparel and Agricultural Supply Chains through Binding, Cost-Sharing Accords
Authors: Anner Mark
Published: September 2024

Apparel and agriculture are two sectors historically marked by extreme levels of exclusion and abuse of worker rights. Global trade regimes have protected developed market economies at the expense of developing countries, and lead firm consolidation in agriculture and apparel supply chains has created downward pressure on wages and working conditions. However, it is precisely in these more precarious sectors of the global economy that an innovative strategy of binding cost sharing accords is emerging. This dynamic of the sourcing squeeze and a binding, cost-sharing accord to address the problem of exclusion of worker’s rights is illustrated by the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh, which is the focus of this article. The Bangladesh case is then briefly compared to working conditions in agriculture and the Fair Food Program in the United States. This article argues that these efforts have been more successful than other state and non-state initiatives because they bind lead firms in supply chains to share in the cost of better conditions of labour.
Samir Amin on Democracy and Fascism
Authors: Shivji Issa G.
Published: September 2024

This article discusses the crisis of the liberal democratic form, its manifestation in the rise of the far right, and the popular resistance to it. These developments find their concentrated expression in Latin America which has witnessed the swaying of the pendulum from dictatorship to radical populism through the episodic detour into liberal democracy and back to endemic popular revolts with historic participation of thousands and millions of working people, indigenous communities, and sections of the middle classes, in particular, students. The Latin American scene is briefly surveyed because it has important lessons to teach the international left, and also because it holds up a possible trajectory of political developments in Africa.
Quality of Internet-Based Information on COVID-19 and Dentistry
Authors: Ayar Muhammet Kerim
Published: September 2024

Aim:

Dentists and their patients were at high risk for COVID-19 infection. As websites serve as a primary information source for many, this cross-sectional study aimed to assess the validity and reliability of information provided by websites regarding COVID-19 and dentistry.

Materials and Methods:

An online search was conducted on Google.com using the keywords ‘SARS CoV-2 and dentistry’, ‘COVID-19 and dentistry’ and ‘Coronavirus and dentistry’. The first 50 websites for each keyword were screened in incognito mode. After excluding duplicates, inaccessible and irrelevant websites, 88 websites remained for analysis. These websites were evaluated using the Health on the Net Foundation Code of Conduct (HON code) and the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmarks, which assess authorship, attribution, disclosure and currency of information. Descriptive statistical analyses, chi-square tests and one-way ANOVA were performed.

Results:

A total of 88 websites were found suitable for quality assessment. Only three of the websites had HON code accreditation. The mean JAMA benchmark score was 3.75 ± 0.7. The majority of the websites (62.5%) were academic, with a JAMA score of 3.84 ± 0.5. News and non-profit sites had the highest JAMA scores (4.0). Significant differences in JAMA scores were observed across different types of websites ( p < .05).

Conclusions:

The study found that the quality of websites providing information about COVID-19 and dentistry was generally high, especially among academic sites. This highlights the importance of high-quality online information to ensure that dentists and patients have access to accurate and reliable data during the pandemic.
Investigation of Cyclooxygenase-2 Expression in Tissue: Protein and mRNA Levels Compared Between Patients with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Oral Lichen Planus
Authors: Yazdandoust Yasaman , Arab Fatemeh , Kamyab Kambiz , Mohtasham Nooshin , Farshbaf Alieh , Sadeghi Ensieh Sagheb , Mohajertehran Farnaz
Published: September 2024

Aim:

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a crucial enzyme in the prostaglandin cascade. Overexpression of the COX-2 enzyme has been associated with the pathogenesis and progression of certain cancers, including oral cancer. This study aimed to investigate the quantitative expression and immunohistochemistry (IHC) expression of COX-2 in tissue samples from patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and oral lichen planus (OLP) to gain insight into its potential role in the pathogenesis of these oral diseases.

Methods:

A total of 76 samples were analyzed, consisting of 25 cases of OSCC, 27 cases of OLP, and 24 cases of normal oral mucosa. COX-2 expression was analyzed using IHC staining and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-squared, Spearman’s, and Fisher’s exact tests, with significance declared at a P value of <.05.

Results:

The mRNA expression of COX-2 in OSCC tissues (3.17 ± 1.02) was found to be significantly higher than in OLP (1.65 ± 0.72) and normal (1.08 ± 0.79; P < .01). In addition, protein expression of COX-2 was significantly higher in cancer tissues than in normal and OLP ( P < .05). The oral cavity was the most common tumor site in the studied cases, representing 56% of OSCC cases, as determined by qPCR analysis ( P < .05).

Conclusion:

Understanding the involvement of COX-2 in these oral diseases has implications for the development of targeted therapies and personalized treatment approaches. Also, the identification of COX-2 as a potential biomarker may contribute to improved diagnostic accuracy and prognosis in patients with OSCC and OLP. Moreover, the qPCR method could be as effective a technique as IHC to evaluate COX-2 amplification.
Prehospital computed tomography in a rural district for rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke
Authors: Ibsen Jørgen , Hov Maren Ranhoff , Tokerud Gunn Eli , Fuglum Julia , Linnerud Krogstad Marianne , Stugaard Marie , Ihle-Hansen Hege , Lund Christian Georg , Hall Christian
Published: September 2024

Background:

Early diagnosis and triage of patients with ischemic stroke is essential for rapid reperfusion therapy. The prehospital delay may be substantial and patients from rural districts often arrive at their local hospital too late for disability-preventing thrombolytic therapy due to prolonged transport times.

Methods:

Hallingdal District Medical Centre (HDMC) is located in a rural area of Norway and is equipped with a computed tomography (CT) scanner. We established emergency pathways of CT imaging and thrombolytic treatment of patients with acute ischemic stroke at HDMC. During office hours these pathways were managed by a radiographer and a general physician supported by videoconference from the Primary Stroke Centre. Outside office hours we remotely controlled the CT exam and supported telestroke guided paramedics handling and examining the patients. With a primary aim of demonstrating the feasibility of this de novo concept we enrolled patients in the period 2017–2021 into a comparative cohort observational study. We compared patients treated at HDMC (the Rural CT group) to patients from two other rural regions in Norway with similar distances to their local hospital but without access to a rural CT scanner (the Reference group).

Results:

A total of 86 patients were included in the Rural CT group (mean age 74, 52% male, 43% stroke mimics), and 69 patients were included in the Reference group (mean age 70, 42% male, 28% stroke mimics). Median time from onset of symptoms to completed CT examination was 93 min in the Rural CT group as compared to 240 min in the Reference group ( p < 0.05). In patients receiving intravenous thrombolysis time from onset of symptoms to treatment was median 124 min in the Rural CT group and 213 min in the Reference group, p < 0.05. The frequency of thrombolysis for ischemic stroke did not significantly differ between the two groups.

Conclusion:

Combining prehospital rural CT examination with telestroke guided diagnosis and thrombolytic treatment by paramedics may facilitate earlier initiation of thrombolysis for patients with ischemic stroke.
Suitability of Minced Cartilage From Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus for Immediate Autograft Reimplantation
Authors: Williamson Emilie R. C. , Zhang Zijun , Motsay Morgan , Manchester Maggie , Campbell John T. , Cerrato Rebecca A. , Maloney Patrick J. , Schon Lew C. , Jeng Clifford L.
Published: September 2024

Background:

Particulated autograft cartilage implantation is a surgical technique that has been previously described for the repair of osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT). It uses cartilage fragments harvested from the OLT that are minced into 1-2-mm3 fragments and then immediately reimplanted back into the chondral defect and sealed with fibrin glue during a single-stage surgery. The purpose of this study was to characterize the suitability of these minced cartilage fragments as immediate autograft for the treatment of OLTs.

Methods:

Thirty-one patients undergoing primary arthroscopic surgery for their OLT consented to have their loose or damaged cartilage fragments removed and analyzed in the laboratory. Harvested specimens were minced into 1- to 2-mm3 fragments and cell count, cell density, and cell viability were determined. In addition, physical characteristics of the OLT lesion were recorded intraoperatively and analyzed including size, location, Outerbridge chondromalacia grade of the surrounding cartilage, density of underlying bone, and whether the surgeon thought the OLT was primarily hyaline or fibrocartilage.

Results:

An average of 419 000 cells was able to be obtained from the harvested OLT fragments. The cells were 71.2% viable after mincing. Specimens from younger patients and from lesions with worse chondromalacia adjacent to the OLT had significantly higher cell numbers. Those from lateral lesions and with worse neighboring chondromalacia had a significantly higher cell density. None of the remaining physical OLT characteristics studied seemed to significantly affect cell number or viability.

Conclusion:

A large number of viable cells are available for immediate autografting by removing the loose or damaged cartilage from an OLT and mincing it into 1- to 2-mm3 fragments. These can be reimplanted into the chondral defect in a single-stage surgery. Future clinical studies are needed to determine if the addition of these live autologous cells either alone or in conjunction with other techniques significantly improves the quality of the repair tissue and clinical outcomes.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, case series.
Evaluating the Femoral Atherosclerotic Plaque in Psoriasis Patients and Controls: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Ngo Vinh Minh , Ngo Hoang Xuan , Nguyen Hao Trong
Published: September 2024

Background

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect the skin or the cardiovascular system. The presence of femoral atherosclerotic plaque could be a promising sign in predicting cardiovascular risk for these patients.

Objective

The study aims to evaluate the prevalence of femoral atherosclerotic plaque between psoriasis and control individuals.

Methods

This case-control study involved 40 patients diagnosed with vulgaris psoriasis and 40 non-psoriasis individuals matched by age group and gender. We used clinical signs and symptoms to diagnose psoriasis and evaluated the disease’s severity using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). The atherosclerotic plaque on the femoral artery was detected using Doppler ultrasound to measure the femoral artery intima-media thickness (fIMT). Data were analyzed by SPSS 25.

Results

Male patients accounted for the proportion of 72.5%. In the psoriatic group, the mean value of PASI was 12.91 ± 6.73 (points). The proportion of femoral atherosclerotic plaque was significantly higher in the psoriasis compared to the controls (32.5% vs 10%; P = 0.014). Some factors associated with the femoral atherosclerotic plaque include age, smoking, and hypertension ( P < 0.05). Hypertension was an independent risk factor for femoral atherosclerotic after regression analysis.

Conclusion

Femoral atherosclerotic plaque is higher in psoriasis patients. This result emphasizes the need to screen for cardiovascular comorbidities in these patients.
Advancing Group-Based Disparities Research and Beyond: A Cautionary Note on Selection Bias
Authors: Ren Dongning , Loh Wen Wei
Published: September 2024

Obtaining an accurate understanding of group-based disparities is an important pursuit. However, unsound study designs can lead to erroneous conclusions that impede this crucial work. In this article, we highlight a critical methodological challenge to drawing valid causal inferences in disparities research: selection bias. We describe two commonly adopted study designs in the literature on group-based disparities. The first is outcome-dependent selection, when the outcome determines whether an observation is selected. The second is outcome-associated selection, when the outcome is associated with whether an observation is selected. We explain the methodological challenge each study design presents and why it can lead to selection biases when evaluating the actual disparity of interest. We urge researchers to recognize the complications that beset these study designs and to avoid the insidious impact of inappropriate selection. We offer practical suggestions on how researchers can improve the rigor and demonstrate the defensibility of their conclusions when investigating group-based disparities. Finally, we highlight the broad implications of selection mechanisms for psychological science.
Study on the extraction of neodymium metal by calciothermic reduction process
Authors: Sahoo Deepak Kumar , Sarode Prafulla S , Ambare Dipali N , Mondal Soumyadip , Singh Dhruva K
Published: September 2024

The study on the technology of producing neodymium metal using the calciothermic reduction process is reported in this article. The process primarily involves the conversion of neodymium oxide (Nd2O3) into neodymium fluoride (NdF3) followed by the reduction of neodymium fluoride to neodymium metal using calcium as reductant. Fluorinating conditions were standardised to obtain the desired product (NdF3) free of any unwanted impurities. The calciothermic reduction of the resulting neodymium fluoride was studied in detail to establish the reduction conditions to achieve maximum yield and purity of the neodymium metal. This process obtained the neodymium metal with a purity of 99.6% before refining step.
A social work contribution in end-of-life care: incorporating critical spirituality
Authors: Gardner Fiona
Published: September 2024

This article outlines how a framework for critical spirituality incorporated into a social work perspective, can contribute to work in end-of-life care. This is based on my experience of working in interdisciplinary teams, including pastoral care workers or chaplains, nurses, doctors, a range of carers and other allied health professionals. Traditionally, social workers have focused on the holistic well-being of the dying person and their families but tended not to actively include the spiritual. However, there is increased recognition in social work of the value of integrating critical spirituality: understanding the person’s own sense of meaning and the social assumptions that might influence how this can be expressed. This might mean working with individuals and families on understanding how societal expectations of the dying process are undermining the person’s desire to die in a particular way. To do this, workers must themselves recognise their own internalised societal assumptions and be willing to challenge these. The article explores the potential value of how such a social work approach can integrate critical, postmodern, green and relational theories as well as indigenous worldviews with key qualities of practice such as humility, deep listening and waiting, and the ability to be critically reflective. Key ideas are used to help focus practice and the inclusion of critical spirituality. These include (1) exploring the influence of the person’s history and social context; (2) the value of particular relationships and networks, including community and environmental connections and activities and processes that are an intrinsic aspect of the person’s well-being; (3) challenging workers to be critically and reflectively aware of their own assumptions and values to ensure the dying person can truly express their preferences related to death and dying. Examples from my experience are used to illuminate how such perspectives can be actively included in practice across professional boundaries to shift perceptions of ‘how things are done here’ to what can be more life enhancing for those in palliative care.
Trust in Government, Electronic Taxation, and the Adoption of Fintech
Authors: Baah-Peprah Prince , Nyarko Samuel Anokye , Flåten Bjørn-Tore , Naatu Felicia , Serwaah Priscilla
Published: September 2024

Mobile money (MoMo) services have become an integral part of the banking system in developing countries. Research is needed to understand the implications of taxing this financial technology sector and inform public policy. The current MoMo tax literature is limited by its focus on personal factors while neglecting institutional factors. The present study develops an integrated model of individuals’ attitudes toward MoMo tax payments and their intentions to use MoMo services while paying related MoMo taxes. To test the model, we analyze survey data collected from 892 participants across 16 regions of Ghana using structural equation modeling. Our findings indicate that perceived trust in government and perceived tax burden are significant determinants of attitudes toward MoMo tax payment, while perceived tax burden is influenced by perceived trust in government. Similarly, perceived tax burden mediates the effect of perceived trust in government on attitudes toward MoMo tax payments. Furthermore, the perceived usefulness of MoMo services is determined by perceived ease of use of MoMo services, whereas MoMo services use/tax payment intentions are determined by perceived trust in government, attitudes toward MoMo tax payments, and perceived usefulness of MoMo services. Finally, perceived usefulness of MoMo services mediates the effects of perceived ease of use on MoMo services and MoMo service use/tax payment intentions. We discuss explanations for these findings and provide practical, theoretical, and research implications.
The Impact of Relationship Quality on Couples With an Incarcerated Partner With Co-Occurring Mental Health and Substance Use Issues
Authors: Tadros Eman , Le Anh-Khoi Nguyen , Gregorash Alexis
Published: September 2024

Objective:

In 2020, approximately 1.7 million people were incarcerated in the United States, with nearly half of the general population being related to, or romantically involved with, an incarcerated individual. Over 70% of these incarcerated individuals met the criteria for a co-occurring mental health and substance use diagnoses. Individuals with co-occurring disorders often experience high rates of recidivism, which negatively impacts their non-incarcerated partners. This study aimed to examine the impact of incarcerated individuals with co-occurring ADHD and depression on their relationship quality, focusing on the roles of substance use, substance use treatment, and self-efficacy.

Methods:

The study analyzed the effects of substance use, substance use treatment, and self-efficacy on the relationship quality of couples where one partner was incarcerated and diagnosed with co-occurring ADHD and depression. The direct and indirect influences of these factors on relationship quality were assessed.

Results:

The findings indicated that higher levels of substance use and depressive symptoms, along with lower levels of self-efficacy and substance use treatment, were associated with lower relationship quality. ADHD indirectly affected relationship quality via substance use (β = −.015, 95% CI [−0.023, −0.008]) and self-efficacy (β = −.027, 95% CI [−0.039, −0.016]). Depression had both direct effects on relationship quality (β = −.180, 95% CI [−0.224, −0.138]) and indirect effects via substance use (β = −.023, 95% CI [−0.033, −0.015]), self-efficacy (β = −.040, 95% CI [−0.056, −0.025]), and through substance use and substance treatment (β = −.002, 95% CI [0.001, 0.005]).

Conclusion:

These findings highlight the need for further research to explore combined substance use and mental health treatment programs. Such interventions could potentially reduce recidivism rates, and promote the quality and maintenance of relationships among incarcerated individuals and their partners.
Evaluation of directionality in physics-based ground motion simulations of strike-slip earthquakes
Authors: Girmay Nathan , Poulos Alan , Miranda Eduardo
Published: September 2024

Recent advances in engineering seismology and computing power have led to the development of realistic physics-based ground motion simulations. The use of these simulations for engineering applications requires that the ground motions exhibit characteristics consistent with those of recorded ground motions. While several studies have evaluated the intensity, frequency content, duration, and other characteristics of ground motion simulations for their possible use in engineering applications, few have focused on directionality. This article evaluates directionality in the response of single-degree-of-freedom oscillators when subjected to CyberShake Study 15.12 simulated ground motions from strike-slip earthquakes, by carefully comparing it to the directionality in recorded ground motions having the same style of faulting. Physics-based ground motion simulations at 334 stations from 5 different rupture variations in two large-magnitude earthquake scenarios on the Elsinore fault are evaluated. The orientation of maximum oscillator response and its spatial distribution are studied for each rupture. The orientation of maximum oscillator response is found to occur systematically close to the epicentral transverse orientation at all rupture distances, consistent with recent findings for ground motions recorded during strike-slip earthquakes. In addition, the orientation-specific spectral accelerations, when computed as a function of angular distance from the epicentral transverse orientation, are found to exhibit a variation consistent with the overall trend observed in records from the next-generation attenuation (NGA)-West2 database. However, the level of polarization at short periods in the simulated hybrid broadband waveforms used in this study is larger than that in recorded ground motions.
Sustainable approach to raw clays for ceramic and refractory applications: insights from updated traditional ternary diagrams
Authors: Vasić Milica V. , Muñoz Velasco Pedro , Mijatović Nevenka , Radormirović Milena , Radojević Zagorka
Published: September 2024

The study analysed 93 samples from four Serbian clay deposits to determine their suitability for ceramics production. The samples were mainly composed of illite and kaolinite. Ternary diagrams were used to classify the samples and evaluate their applicability. Winkler's diagrams, ternary graphs and mineralogical compositions were analysed. The results showed a broader area in these graphs than previously determined for structural ceramics, as well as the potential of these clays for ceramic production. The study used dry-milled, hydraulically semi-dry, pressed and fired samples to assess water absorption and flexural strength and statistical analysis to determine the key parameters influencing final product quality, including that of refractory, wall and floor tiles. This paper evaluates the raw clay materials’ applicability in ceramic production, promoting sustainable use through rapid initial tests, energy savings through dry milling and ecologically sound principles through resource-efficient evaluation.
Peripheral human red blood cell development in human immune system mouse model with heme oxygenase-1 deficiency
Authors: Patel Aditi Khatri , Trageser Kyle , Kim Hyunjin , Lim Weikeat , Adler Christina , Porter Brace , Ni Min , Wei Yi , Atwal Gurinder S. , Bigdelou Parnian , Kulshreshtha Vikas , Ajithdoss Dharani , Zhong Jun , Tu Naxin , Macdonald Lynn , Murphy Andrew , Frleta Davor
Published: September 2024

A challenge for human immune system (HIS) mouse models has been the lack of human red blood cell (hRBC) survival after engraftment of these immune-deficient mice with human CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). This limits the use of HIS models for preclinical testing of targets directed at hRBC-related diseases. Although human white blood cells can develop in the peripheral blood of mice engrafted with human HSCs, peripheral hRBCs are quickly phagocytosed by murine macrophages upon egress from the bone marrow. Genetic ablation of murine myeloid cells results in severe pathology in resulting mice, rendering such an approach to increase hRBC survival in HIS mice impractical. Heme oxygenase-1 (HMOX-1)–deficient mice have reduced macrophages due to toxic buildup of intracellular heme upon engulfment of RBCs, but do not have an overall loss of myeloid cells. We took advantage of this observation and generated HMOX-1–/– mice on a humanized M-CSF/SIRPα/CD47 Rag2–/– IL-2Rγ–/– background. These mice have reduced murine macrophages but comparable levels of murine myeloid cells to HMOX-1+/+ control mice in the same background. Injected hRBCs survive longer in HMOX-1–/– mice than in HMOX-1+/+ controls. Additionally, upon human HSC engraftment, hRBCs can be observed in the peripheral blood of HMOX-1–/– humanized M-CSF/SIRPα/CD47 Rag2–/– IL-2Rγ–/– mice, and hRBC levels can be increased by treatment with human erythropoietin. Given that hRBC are present in the peripheral blood of engrafted HMOX-1–/– mice, these mice have the potential to be used for hematologic disease modeling, and for testing therapeutic treatments for hRBC diseases in vivo.
Psychological burden and depressive symptoms in caregivers of hemato-oncological patients: the role of medical visits
Authors: Abed Al Wahad Ali , Elran-Barak Roni , Furer Marina , Abu Kamir Gihan , Horowitz Netanel A.
Published: September 2024

Informal caregivers of patients with cancer are known to experience extensive burdens, whereas this issue remains unresolved in the setting of hematological malignancies. Yet, these diseases are characterized by a prolonged course, numerous relapses, and implementation of multiline therapy, administered in outpatient facilities. This study aimed to assess the factors contributing to burden and depressive symptoms in informal caregivers of patients with hematological malignancies, while concentrating on the role of medical visits. The study population comprised patients and their caregivers, recruited at the Rambam Hematology Ambulatory Unit. Participants completed validated questionnaires, including the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview. The cohort (n = 185) included 115 patients (average age, 62.8 ± 14.5 years; 54 males) and 70 caregivers. Among caregivers, 80% reported high psychological burden, and 50% reported significant depressive symptoms. The burden was higher if caregivers were females and if patients were less educated, less healthy, and more depressed. The caregiver burden and depressive symptoms were significantly linked, and the medical visit frequency predicted the level of both. The caregiver burden fully mediated the link between the independent variables of self-rated health and medical visits and the dependent variable of caregiver depressive symptoms. Informal caregivers of ambulatory patients with hemato-oncological malignancies experience high levels of psychological burden and depressive symptoms. This is partly attributed to the medical visit frequency. Hence, a decrease in the number and length of such visits via the implementation of advanced technology could essentially reduce burden and depressive symptoms of caregivers, without compromising patient outcomes.
Measurable residual disease monitoring in AML with FLT3-ITD treated with intensive chemotherapy plus midostaurin
Authors: Rücker Frank G. , Bullinger Lars , Cocciardi Sibylle , Skambraks Sabrina , Luck Tamara J. , Weber Daniela , Krzykalla Julia , Pozek Ema , Schneider Isabelle , Corbacioglu Andrea , Gaidzik Verena I. , Meid Annika , Aicher Sophia , Stegelmann Frank , Schrade Anika , Theis Frauke , Fiedler Walter , Salih Helmut R. , Wulf Gerald , Salwender Hans , Schroeder Thomas , Götze Katharina S. , Kühn Michael W. M. , Lübbert Michael , Schlenk Richard F. , Benner Axel , Thol Felicitas , Heuser Michael , Ganser Arnold , Döhner Hartmut , Döhner Konstanze
Published: September 2024

Measurable residual disease (MRD) monitoring in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with an FLT3 internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITDpos) has been hampered by the broad heterogeneity of ITD mutations. Using our recently developed FLT3-ITD paired-end next-generation sequencing (NGS)–based MRD assay (limit of detection 10−4 to 10−5), we evaluated the prognostic impact of MRD at different time points in 157 patients with FLT3-ITDpos AML who were enrolled in the German-Austrian Acute Myeloid Leukemia Study Group 16-10 trial and who were treated with a combination of intensive chemotherapy and midostaurin, followed by midostaurin maintenance. MRD negativity (MRDneg) after 2 cycles of chemotherapy (Cy2), which was observed in 111 of 142 (78%) patients, was predictive of superior 4-year rates of cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) (4y-CIR; 26% vs 46%; P = .001) and overall survival (OS) (4y-OS; 70% vs 44%; P = .012). This survival advantage was also seen among patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic-cell transplantation during first complete remission (4y-CIR, 14% vs 39%; P = .001; 4y-OS, 71% vs 49%; P = .029). Multivariate models for CIR and OS after Cy2 revealed FLT3-ITD MRDneg as the only consistent favorable variable for CIR (hazard ratio [HR], 0.29; P = .006) and OS (HR, 0.39; P = .018). During follow-up, conversion from MRDneg to MRD positivity (MRDpos) was a strong, independent factor for inferior CIR (HR, 16.64; P < .001) and OS (HR, 4.05; P < .001). NGS-based FLT3-ITD MRD monitoring identifies patients at high risk for relapse and death following treatment with intensive chemotherapy and midostaurin. Using NGS-based technology.
Association between rare, genetic variants linked to autism and ultrasonography fetal anomalies in children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Regev Ohad , Shil Apurba , Bronshtein Tal , Hadar Amnon , Meiri Gal , Zigdon Dikla , Michaelovski Analya , Hershkovitz Reli , Menashe Idan
Published: September 2024

Background

Recent evidence suggests that certain fetal anomalies detected upon prenatal ultrasound screenings are associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to identify genetic variants associated with fetal ultrasound anomalies (UFAs) in children with ASD.

Methods

The study included all children with ASD who are registered in the database of the Azrieli National Center of Autism and Neurodevelopment and for whom both prenatal ultrasound and whole exome sequencing (WES) data were available. We applied our in-house integrative bioinformatics pipeline, AutScore, to these WES data to prioritize rare, gene-disrupting variants (GDVs) probably contributing to ASD susceptibily. Univariate statistics and multivariable regression were used to assess the associations between UFAs and GDVs identified in these children.

Results

The study sample comprised 126 children, of whom 43 (34.1%) had at least one UFA detected in the prenatal ultrasound scan. A total of 87 candidate ASD genetic variants were detected in 60 children, with 24 (40%) children carrying multiple variants. Children with UFAs were more likely to have loss-of-function (LoF) mutations (aOR = 2.55, 95%CI: 1.13–5.80). This association was particularly noticeable when children with structural anomalies or children with UFAs in their head and brain scans were compared to children without UFAs (any mutation: aOR = 8.28, 95%CI: 2.29–30.01; LoF: aOR = 5.72, 95%CI: 2.08–15.71 and any mutation: aOR = 6.39, 95%CI: 1.34–30.47; LoF: aOR = 4.50, 95%CI: 1.32–15.35, respectively). GDVs associated with UFAs were enriched in genes highly expressed across all tissues (aOR = 2.76, 95%CI: 1.14–6.68). There was a weak, but significant, correlation between the number of mutations and the number of abnormalities detected in the same children (r = 0.21, P = 0.016).

Conclusions

The results provide valuable insights into the potential genetic basis of prenatal organogenesis abnormalities associated with ASD and shed light on the complex interplay between genetic factors and fetal development.
Biomarker discovery in progressive supranuclear palsy from human cerebrospinal fluid
Authors: Jang Yura , Oh Sungtaek , Hall Anna J. , Zhang Zhen , Tropea Thomas F. , Chen-Plotkin Alice , Rosenthal Liana S. , Dawson Ted M. , Na Chan Hyun , Pantelyat Alexander Y.
Published: September 2024

Background

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a neurodegenerative disorder often misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s Disease (PD) due to shared symptoms. PSP is characterized by the accumulation of tau protein in specific brain regions, leading to loss of balance, gaze impairment, and dementia. Diagnosing PSP is challenging, and there is a significant demand for reliable biomarkers. Existing biomarkers, including tau protein and neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), show inconsistencies in distinguishing PSP from other neurodegenerative disorders. Therefore, the development of new biomarkers for PSP is imperative.

Methods

We conducted an extensive proteome analysis of CSF samples from 40 PSP patients, 40 PD patients, and 40 healthy controls (HC) using tandem mass tag-based quantification. Mass spectrometry analysis of 120 CSF samples was performed across 13 batches of 11-plex TMT experiments, with data normalization to reduce batch effects. Pathway, interactome, cell-type-specific enrichment, and bootstrap receiver operating characteristic analyses were performed to identify key candidate biomarkers.

Results

We identified a total of 3,653 unique proteins. Our analysis revealed 190, 152, and 247 differentially expressed proteins in comparisons of PSP vs. HC, PSP vs. PD, and PSP vs. both PD and HC, respectively. Gene set enrichment and interactome analysis of the differentially expressed proteins in PSP CSF showed their involvement in cell adhesion, cholesterol metabolism, and glycan biosynthesis. Cell-type enrichment analysis indicated a predominance of neuronally-derived proteins among the differentially expressed proteins. The potential biomarker classification performance demonstrated that ATP6AP2 (reduced in PSP) had the highest AUC (0.922), followed by NEFM, EFEMP2, LAMP2, CHST12, FAT2, B4GALT1, LCAT, CBLN3, FSTL5, ATP6AP1, and GGH.

Conclusion

Biomarker candidate proteins ATP6AP2, NEFM, and CHI3L1 were identified as key differentiators of PSP from the other groups. This study represents the first large-scale use of mass spectrometry-based proteome analysis to identify cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers specific to progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) that can differentiate it from Parkinson’s disease (PD) and healthy controls. Our findings lay a crucial foundation for the development and validation of reliable biomarkers, which will enhance diagnostic accuracy and facilitate early detection of PSP.
Bilateral purtscher-like retinopathy associated with DRESS syndrome: a case report
Authors: Yuan Langxuan , Li Yuchen , Zhang Hanze , Hou Yucen , Kang Qianyan , Lei Jianqin
Published: September 2024

Background

To report a case of Bilateral Purtscher-like retinopathy associated with DRESS syndrome managed with ocular and systemic treatments.

Case presentation

A 29-year-old healthy female developed multi-organ (cutaneous, hematologic, renal and hepatic) disfunction and profound vision loss 1 month after Human papillomavirus vaccine injection. At the first presentation, her visual acuity was counting fingers in both eyes. Fundus exam showed remarkable cotton-wool spots, retinal hemorrhages and macular edema. She was diagnosed DRESS syndrome and Purtscher-like retinopathy and treated with intravitreal injection of ranibizumab, systemic steroids anticoagulants, and plasma exchange. The patient finally recovered from this life-threatening condition but left with permanent visual damage.

Conclusion

Purtscher-like retinopathy could be complicated by DRESS syndrome which is usually considered a type IV hypersensitivity reaction.
Caregivers’ burden of care during emergency department care transitions among older adults: a mixed methods cohort study
Authors: Germain Nathalie , Jémus-Gonzalez Estephanie , Couture Vanessa , Côté Émilie , Morin Michèle , Toulouse-Fournier Annie , Bert Laetitia , Giguère Raphaëlle , Sinha Samir , Sourial Nadia , Chartier Lucas B. , Witteman Holly O. , Légaré France , Samb Rawane , Turcotte Stéphane , Chandavong Sam , Abrougui Lyna , Robitaille Joanie , Archambault Patrick M. ,   on behalf of the Network of Canadian Emergency Researchers
Published: September 2024

Objective

Improving care transitions for older adults can reduce emergency department (ED) revisits, and the strain placed upon caregivers. We analyzed whether caregivers felt a change in burden following a care transition, and what may be improved to reduce it.

Methods

This mixed-methods observational study nested within LEARNING WISDOM included caregivers of older patients who experienced an ED care transition. Burden was collected with the brief Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI-12), and caregivers also commented on the care transition. A qualitative coding scheme of patient care transitions was created to reflect themes important to caregivers. Comments were randomly analyzed until saturation and themes were extracted from the data. We followed both the SRQR and STROBE checklists.

Results

Comments from 581 caregivers (mean age (SD) 64.5 (12.3), 68% women) caring for patients (mean age (SD) 77.2 (7.54), 48% women) were analyzed. Caregivers overwhelmingly reported dissatisfaction and unmet service expectations, particularly with home care and domestic help. Communication and follow-up from the ED emerged as an area for improvement. Caregivers who reported an increased level of burden following a patient’s care transition had significantly higher ZBI scores than caregivers who self-reported stable burden levels.

Conclusion

Caregivers with increasing, stable, and improved levels of subjective burden all reported areas for improvement in the care transition process. Themes centering on the capacity to live at home and inadequate communication were most frequently mentioned and may represent serious challenges to caregivers. Addressing these challenges could improve both caregiver burden and ED care transitions.
Burden of metabolic syndrome in the global adult HIV-infected population: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Trachunthong Deondara , Tipayamongkholgul Mathuros , Chumseng Suchintana , Darasawang Worrayot , Bundhamcharoen Kanitta
Published: September 2024

Background

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) elevates the risk of heart disease and stroke. In recent decades, the escalating prevalence of MetS among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) has garnered global attention. Despite MetS development being associated with both traditional and HIV-related factors, evidence from prior studies has shown variability across geographical regions. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of MetS burdens in adult PLWHA at the regional and global levels, focusing on the common effect size of HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy (ART) on MetS.

Methods

This review followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A comprehensive search and review of original articles related to MetS and HIV published in peer-reviewed journals between January 2000 and December 2023 were conducted. A random effects model was used to calculate the pooled prevalence/incidence of MetS and the common effect size of HIV infection and ART exposure on MetS.

Results

A total of 102 studies from five continents comprising 78,700 HIV-infected participants were included. The overall pooled prevalence of MetS was 25.3%, 25.6% for PLWHA on ART, and 18.5% for those not receiving treatment. The pooled incidence of MetS, calculated from five studies, was 9.19 per 100 person-years. The highest pooled prevalence of MetS was observed in the Americas (30.4%), followed by the Southeast Asia/Western Pacific regions (26.7%). HIV-infected individuals had 1.6 times greater odds of having MetS than non-HIV-infected individuals did (pooled OR = 1.604; 95% CI 1.154–2.230), and ART exposure had 1.5 times greater odds of having MetS than nontreatment had (pooled OR = 1.504; 95% CI 1.217–1.859).

Conclusions

HIV infection and ART exposure contribute significantly to the increased burden of MetS. Regions with a high burden of HIV and MetS should prioritize awareness and integrated care plans for major noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as heart disease and stroke. The implementation of integrated care for HIV/AIDS patients and NCDs is essential for addressing the high burden of multimorbidity in PLWHA.

Registration number

INPLASY202290018