bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Methods and participant characteristics in the Cancer Risk in Vegetarians Consortium: a cross-sectional analysis across 11 prospective studies
Authors: Dunneram Yashvee , Lee Jia Yi , Watling Cody Z. , Fraser Gary E. , Miles Fayth , Prabhakaran Dorairaj , Shridhar Krithiga , Kondal Dimple , Mohan Viswanathan , Ali Mohammed K. , Narayan Kabayam M. Venkat , Tandon Nikhil , Tong Tammy Y. N. , Chiu Tina H. T. , Lin Ming-Nan , Lin Chin-Lon , Yang Hsin-Chou , Liang Yu-Jen , Greenwood Darren C. , Du Huaidong , Chen Zhengming , Yu Canqing , Kakkoura Maria G. , Reeves Gillian K. , Papier Keren , Floud Sarah , Sinha Rashmi , Liao Linda M. , Loftfield Erikka , Cade Janet E. , Key Timothy J. , Perez-Cornago Aurora
Published: August 2024

Background

The associations of vegetarian diets with risks for site-specific cancers have not been estimated reliably due to the low number of vegetarians in previous studies. Therefore, the Cancer Risk in Vegetarians Consortium was established. The aim is to describe and compare the baseline characteristics between non-vegetarian and vegetarian diet groups and between the collaborating studies.

Methods

We harmonised individual-level data from 11 prospective cohort studies from Western Europe, North America, South Asia and East Asia. Comparisons of food intakes, sociodemographic and lifestyle factors were made between diet groups and between cohorts using descriptive statistics.

Results

2.3 million participants were included; 66% women and 34% men, with mean ages at recruitment of 57 (SD: 7.8) and 57 (8.6) years, respectively. There were 2.1 million meat eaters, 60,903 poultry eaters, 44,780 pescatarians, 81,165 vegetarians, and 14,167 vegans. Food intake differences between the diet groups varied across the cohorts; for example, fruit and vegetable intakes were generally higher in vegetarians than in meat eaters in all the cohorts except in China. BMI was generally lower in vegetarians, particularly vegans, except for the cohorts in India and China. In general, but with some exceptions, vegetarians were also more likely to be highly educated and physically active and less likely to smoke. In the available resurveys, stability of diet groups was high in all the cohorts except in China.

Conclusions

Food intakes and lifestyle factors of both non-vegetarians and vegetarians varied markedly across the individual cohorts, which may be due to differences in both culture and socioeconomic status, as well as differences in questionnaire design. Therefore, care is needed in the interpretation of the impacts of vegetarian diets on cancer risk.
A model of tertiary lymphatic structure-related prognosis for penile squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Tang Han , Su Zhengwei , Huang Qingming , Li Yongpeng , Chen Rongchao , Ban Chengjie , Liu Chanzhen , Lu Haoyuan , Yi Xian-lin , Tang Yong
Published: August 2024

Background

We investigated the feasibility of the tertiary lymphoid structure (TLS) as a prognostic marker for penile squamous cell carcinoma(SCC).

Methods

We retrospectively collected data from 83 patients with penile squamous cell carcinoma. H&E-stained slides were reviewed for TLS density. In addition, clinical parameters were analyzed, the prognostic value of these parameters on overall survival (OS) was evaluated using ‒ Kaplan–Meier survival curves, and the prognostic value of influencing factors was evaluated using Cox multifactor design nomogram analysis.

Result

BMI, T, N, and M are significant in the survival curve with or without tertiary lymphoid structure. BMI, T, N, M and TLS were used to construct a prognostic model for penile squamous cell carcinoma, and the prediction accuracy reached a consensus of 0.884(0.835–0.932), and the decision consensus reached 0.581(0.508–0.655).

Conclusion

TLS may be a positive prognostic factor for penile squamous cell carcinoma, and the combination of BMI, T, N and M can better evaluate the prognosis of patients.
A preliminary investigation into the impact of soft tissue augmentation-based periodontal phenotype modification therapy for patients exhibiting class III decompensation
Authors: Li Mengdi , Liu ZhiXu , Yang Xiao , Zhu Min , Ni Jing
Published: August 2024

Background

Patients with skeletal angle Class III malocclusion usually have inadequate hard and soft tissue volume at the mandibular anterior teeth. The labial proclination at the teeth may lead to gingival recession. The purpose of this study was to explore whether periodontal phenotype modification therapy with soft tissue augmentation (PhMT-s) can prevent gingival recession in these patients.

Methods

Four patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion and a thin periodontal phenotype underwent surgical-orthodontic treatment. Prior to tooth movement, they underwent a minimally invasive vestibular incision with subperiosteal tunnel access combined with autogenous connective tissue grafts for periodontal phenotype modification with soft tissue augmentation (PhMT-s). The labial gingival thickness of the anterior mandibular teeth was measured at three distinct levels: at the cementoenamel junction (GT0), 3 mm apical to the CEJ (GT3), and 6 mm apical to the CEJ (GT6). These measurements were taken at baseline, three months following PhMT-s, and after tooth decompensation. Additionally, a biopsy sample was obtained from the PhMT-s site of one patient. All sections were subsequently stained using hematoxylin and eosin, Masson trichrome, Sirius Red, and immunohistochemistry.

Results

The thickness of the labial gingiva was increased about 0.42 to 2.00 mm after PhMT-s. At the end of pre-orthognathic surgical orthodontic treatment, the thickness of the labial gingiva was increased about − 0.14 to 1.32 mm compared to the baseline and no gingival recession occurred after the pre-orthognathic surgical orthodontic treatment. The histologic results demonstrated that the grafts obtained from the PhMT-s site exhibited increased deposition of collagen fibers. Moreover, the proportion of type III collagen increased and the grafts displayed significantly reduced positive expression of CD31 and OCN.

Conclusions

PhMT-s increased the thickness of the soft tissue, stabilizing the gingival margin for teeth exhibiting a thin periodontal phenotype and undergoing labial movement. This is attributed to the increased deposition of collagen fibers.
Immediate rehabilitation of a palatal defected edentulous patient by implant-supported overdenture: a case report
Authors: Xin Baojian , Liu Xin
Published: August 2024

Background

Immediate rehabilitation is a considerable therapeutic challenge but is necessary for edentulous patients with oronasal fistulas, especially those with inadequate residual bone and a history of radiotherapy.

Case presentation

We report a rare case of a 63-year-old patient who was missing the majority of his maxillary teeth and who had a defect due to palatal mucoepidermoid carcinoma resection. The patient also received radiotherapy twice within one year postoperatively. An implant-supported prosthesis with an obturator was fabricated immediately.

Conclusion

This technique improved patients’ oral function, enhanced the aesthetic effect, and increased their confidence.
Tumor-derived GLI1 promotes remodeling of the immune tumor microenvironment in melanoma
Authors: Giammona Alessandro , De Vellis Chiara , Crivaro Enrica , Maresca Luisa , Amoriello Roberta , Ricci Federica , Anichini Giulia , Pietrobono Silvia , Pease David R. , Fernandez-Zapico Martin E. , Ballerini Clara , Stecca Barbara
Published: August 2024

Background

Melanoma progression is based on a close interaction between cancer cells and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Thus, a better understanding of the mechanisms controlling TME dynamics and composition will help improve the management of this dismal disease. Work from our and other groups has reported the requirement of an active Hedgehog-GLI (HH-GLI) signaling for melanoma growth and stemness. However, the role of the downstream GLI1 transcription factor in melanoma TME remains largely unexplored.

Methods

The immune-modulatory activity of GLI1 was evaluated in a syngeneic B16F10 melanoma mouse model assessing immune populations by flow cytometry. Murine polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells (PMN-MDSCs) were differentiated from bone marrow cells and their immunosuppressive ability was assessed by inhibition of T cells. Conditioned media (CM) from GLI1-overexpressing mouse melanoma cells was used to culture PMN-MDSCs, and the effects of CM were evaluated by Transwell invasion assay and T cell inhibition. Cytokine array analysis, qPCR and chromatin immunoprecipitation were performed to explore the regulation of CX3CL1 expression by GLI1. Human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs) were cultured in CM from GLI1-silenced patient-derived melanoma cells to assess their activation and recruitment. Blocking antibodies anti-CX3CL1, anti-CCL7 and anti-CXCL8 were used for in vitro functional assays.

Results

Melanoma cell-intrinsic activation of GLI1 promotes changes in the infiltration of immune cells, leading to accumulation of immunosuppressive PMN-MDSCs and regulatory T cells, and to decreased infiltration of dendric cells (DCs), CD8 + and CD4 + T cells in the TME. In addition, we show that ectopic expression of GLI1 in melanoma cells enables PMN-MDSC expansion and recruitment, and increases their ability to inhibit T cells. The chemokine CX3CL1, a direct transcriptional target of GLI1, contributes to PMN-MDSC expansion and recruitment. Finally, silencing of GLI1 in patient-derived melanoma cells promotes the activation of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs), increasing cytoskeleton remodeling and invasion ability. This phenotype is partially prevented by blocking the chemokine CCL7, but not CXCL8.

Conclusion

Our findings highlight the relevance of tumor-derived GLI1 in promoting an immune-suppressive TME, which allows melanoma cells to evade the immune system, and pave the way for the design of new combination treatments targeting GLI1.
Enhancement of astaxanthin accumulation via energy reassignment by removing the flagella of Haematococcus pluvialis
Authors: Hou Yuyong , Guo Zhile , Liu Zhiyong , Yan Suihao , Cui Meijie , Chen Fangjian , Wang Weijie , Yu Longjiang , Zhao Lei
Published: August 2024

Astaxanthin biosynthesis in Haematococcus pluvialis is driven by energy. However, the effect of the flagella-mediated energy-consuming movement process on astaxanthin accumulation has not been well studied. In this study, the profiles of astaxanthin and NADPH contents in combination with the photosynthetic parameters with or without flagella enabled by pH shock were characterized. The results demonstrated that there was no significant alteration in cell morphology, with the exception of the loss of flagella observed in the pH shock treatment group. In contrast, the astaxanthin content in the flagella removal groups was 62.9%, 62.8% and 91.1% higher than that of the control at 4, 8 and 12 h, respectively. Simultaneously, the increased Y(II) and decreased Y(NO) suggest that cells lacking the flagellar movement process may allocate more energy towards astaxanthin biosynthesis. This finding was verified by NADPH analysis, which revealed higher levels in flagella removal cells. These results provide preliminary insights into the underlying mechanism of astaxanthin accumulation enabled by energy reassignment in movement-lacking cells.
Sustainable machining of AISI4140 steel: a Taguchi-ANN perspective on eco-friendly metal cutting parameters
Authors: Jadhav Pankaj Krishnath , Sahai R. S. N.
Published: August 2024

This work explores environmentally conscious machining practices for AISI4140 steel through Taguchi analysis. The study employs a design of experiments (DOE) approach, focusing on cutting speed, depth of cut, and coolant type as parameters. Taguchi’s L9 orthogonal array facilitates systematic experimentation, and the results are analyzed using MINITAB 17 software. Signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) are utilized to establish optimum operating conditions, evaluate individual parameter influences, and create linear regression models. The experiments reveal neem oil with graphene coolant as an eco-friendly solution, addressing health and environmental concerns. Main effects plots visually represent the impact of parameters on machining quality. Additionally, regression and artificial neural network (ANN) models are compared for surface roughness prediction, with ANN showing superior performance. The findings advocate for optimized cutting conditions, emphasizing material conservation, enhanced productivity, and eco-friendly practices in AISI4140 steel machining. This research contributes valuable insights for industries seeking sustainable machining solutions.
From soil to sequence: filling the critical gap in genome-resolved metagenomics is essential to the future of soil microbial ecology
Authors: Anthony Winston E. , Allison Steven D. , Broderick Caitlin M. , Chavez Rodriguez Luciana , Clum Alicia , Cross Hugh , Eloe-Fadrosh Emiley , Evans Sarah , Fairbanks Dawson , Gallery Rachel , Gontijo Júlia Brandão , Jones Jennifer , McDermott Jason , Pett-Ridge Jennifer , Record Sydne , Rodrigues Jorge Luiz Mazza , Rodriguez-Reillo William , Shek Katherine L. , Takacs-Vesbach Tina , Blanchard Jeffrey L.
Published: August 2024

Soil microbiomes are heterogeneous, complex microbial communities. Metagenomic analysis is generating vast amounts of data, creating immense challenges in sequence assembly and analysis. Although advances in technology have resulted in the ability to easily collect large amounts of sequence data, soil samples containing thousands of unique taxa are often poorly characterized. These challenges reduce the usefulness of genome-resolved metagenomic (GRM) analysis seen in other fields of microbiology, such as the creation of high quality metagenomic assembled genomes and the adoption of genome scale modeling approaches. The absence of these resources restricts the scale of future research, limiting hypothesis generation and the predictive modeling of microbial communities. Creating publicly available databases of soil MAGs, similar to databases produced for other microbiomes, has the potential to transform scientific insights about soil microbiomes without requiring the computational resources and domain expertise for assembly and binning.
Beneficial effects of intermittent fasting on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a narrative review
Authors: Deng Qingxuan , Lv Ruyue , Zou Haoqi , Zou Tangbin
Published: August 2024

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common chronic liver diseases, and it is characterized by a series of fatty liver diseases that can lead to severe liver disease. Although no therapeutic drug has been approved as an effective therapy for NAFLD to date, dietary changes and physical activity are thought to be the cornerstone of NAFLD management. For this reason, some articles are available to analyze the studies done so far using various modifications of intermittent fasting (IF) among animals and patients with NAFLD. Data from preclinical and clinical trials suggested that IF positively impacts inflammatory and metabolic markers in both animals and humans. Inflammation and oxidative stress are the major risk factors involved in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. IF has been shown to have positive benefits in alleviating metabolic disorders, promoting the browning of white tissue, resetting circadian rhythm, and activating autophagy of cells. This review is intended to provide a detailed synopsis of the protocols, potential mechanisms of action, and supporting evidence for IF in NAFLD. We will highlight what is currently known about IF approaches in NAFLD treatments in clinical populations with mechanism insight from animal studies, and the safety concerns in certain patient groups.

Graphical Abstract

The protocols of intermittent fasting (IF) are various. Data from trials suggested that IF positively impacts both humans and animals. IF has been shown to have potential treatments for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Cureit: An End-to-End Pipeline for Implementing Mixture Cure Models With an Application to Liposarcoma Data
Authors: Whiting Karissa , Fei Teng , Singer Samuel , Qin Li-Xuan
Published: August 2024

PURPOSE

Cure models are a useful alternative to Cox proportional hazards models in oncology studies when there is a subpopulation of patients who will not experience the event of interest. Although software is available to fit cure models, there are limited tools to evaluate, report, and visualize model results. This article introduces the cureit R package, an end-to-end pipeline for building mixture cure models, and demonstrates its use in a data set of patients with primary extremity and truncal liposarcoma.

METHODS

To assess associations between liposarcoma histologic subtypes and disease-specific death (DSD) in patients treated at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center between July 1982 and September 2017, mixture cure models were fit and evaluated using the cureit package. Liposarcoma histologic subtypes were defined as well-differentiated, dedifferentiated, myxoid, round cell, and pleomorphic.

RESULTS

All other analyzed liposarcoma histologic subtypes were significantly associated with higher DSD in cure models compared with well-differentiated. In multivariable models, myxoid (odds ratio [OR], 6.25 [95% CI, 1.32 to 29.6]) and round cell (OR, 16.2 [95% CI, 2.80 to 93.2]) liposarcoma had higher incidences of DSD compared with well-differentiated patients. By contrast, dedifferentiated liposarcoma was associated with the latency of DSD (hazard ratio, 10.6 [95% CI, 1.48 to 75.9]). Pleomorphic liposarcomas had significantly higher risk in both incidence and the latency of DSD ( P < .0001). Brier scores indicated comparable predictive accuracy between cure and Cox models.

CONCLUSION

We developed the cureit pipeline to fit and evaluate mixture cure models and demonstrated its clinical utility in the liposarcoma disease setting, shedding insights on the subtype-specific associations with incidence and/or latency.
Durability of Response With Selpercatinib in Patients With RET-Activated Thyroid Cancer: Long-Term Safety and Efficacy From LIBRETTO-001
Authors: Wirth Lori J. , Brose Marcia S. , Subbiah Vivek , Worden Francis , Solomon Ben , Robinson Bruce , Hadoux Julien , Tomasini Pascale , Weiler Daniela , Deschler-Baier Barbara , Tan Daniel S.W. , Maeda Patricia , Lin Yan , Singh Ravinder , Bayt Theresa , Drilon Alexander , Cassier Philippe A.
Published: August 2024

Clinical trials frequently include multiple end points that mature at different times. The initial report, typically based on the primary end point, may be published when key planned co-primary or secondary analyses are not yet available. Clinical Trial Updates provide an opportunity to disseminate additional results from studies, published in JCO or elsewhere, for which the primary end point has already been reported.

LIBRETTO-001 is a registrational phase I/II, single-arm, open-label study of selpercatinib in patients with RET (REarranged during Transfection)-activated cancers (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03157128 ). We present long-term safety and efficacy from LIBRETTO-001 in patients with RET-mutant medullary thyroid cancer (MTC; n = 324) and RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer encompassing different histological subtypes (TC; n = 66). At the data cutoff of January 2023, the objective response rate was 82.5% among patients with cabozantinib/vandetanib-naïve MTC and 95.8% among patients with treatment-naïve TC. At a median follow-up time of 42.4 and 44.0 months in patients with cabozantinib/vandetanib-naïve and pretreated MTC, the median progression-free survival (PFS) was not reached and 41.4 months, respectively. At a median follow-up time of 24.9 and 30.4 months in patients with treatment-naïve and pretreated TC, the median PFS was not reached and 27.4 months, respectively. Three-year PFS rates were 75.2% and 87.3% among patients with cabozantinib/vandetanib-naïve MTC and treatment-naïve TC, respectively. Median PFS was similar to median duration of response for each patient group. The safety profile of selpercatinib was consistent with previous reports. With an additional follow-up of 37 months and 228 more patients from the last disclosure, selpercatinib continued to provide durable and robust responses in treatment-naïve and previously treated patients with RET-mutant MTC and RET fusion-positive TC.
Perspective on physical interpretations of Rényi entropy in statistical mechanics
Authors: Ozawa Misaki , Javerzat Nina
Published: August 2024

Rényi entropy is a one-parameter generalization of Shannon entropy, which has been used in various fields of physics. Despite its wide applicability, the physical interpretations of the Rényi entropy are not widely known. In this paper, we discuss some basic properties of the Rényi entropy relevant to physics, in particular statistical mechanics, and its physical interpretations using free energy, replicas, work, and large deviation.
Contribution of Coordination Theories to the Determination of Human Factors Associated With Operating Room Perceived Performance
Authors: Dahmani Souhayl , Waelli Mathias , Dariel Odessa
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND:

The efficient and fluid organization of surgical interventions in an operating room (OR) and operating suite (OS) is important as these are among the most expensive units to run in medical-surgical facilities. The complexity of OS organization requires careful coordination, defined here as the directing of individuals’ efforts toward achieving common and explicitly recognized goals. There is currently sparse literature on OS coordination, especially in the French context. This study aimed to respond to this gap by reporting on the coordination mechanisms associated with the perceived performance of OS across 4 facilities in an urban setting in France.

METHODS:

We used a qualitative comparative case study based on ethnographic methodology to explore 4 facilities (2 teaching, 1 general, and 1 private). Several investigation techniques were used for data collection (semistructured interviews, participant and nonparticipant observations, and informal interviews) in the OR, the OS, the regulation council (dedicated to adapting the necessary resources to specific procedures and patients’ health status), and the OS council (dedicated to strategic and operational OS transformations and adaptations, and responsible for finding solutions to organizational problems). Analysis was guided by Okhuysen and Bachky’s theoretical framework on coordination and multi-team systems theory. Data were compared across the 4 facilities and triangulated using the different techniques to ensure coherence and accuracy.

RESULTS:

Overall, 48 interviews with health care providers and hospital managers and 200 hours of direct observations were performed. The OR exhibited a high degree of coordination, whereas improved perception of performance in the OS depended on managerial competency, trust, and authority. Perceived performance in the regulation council and OS council, on the other hand, depended on the identification of formal objectives by all stakeholders and the development of common understanding (developing agreement, direct information sharing, creating common perspective, substitution, bringing groups together, and storing of knowledge).

CONCLUSIONS:

Based on existing literature on multi-team systems (as represented in the OS organization), this study identifies success factors influencing OS coordination. These include the OS manager’s leadership skills; the identification of formal system objectives; and professional differentiation between stakeholders (absence/decrease of a sense of belonging to a multi-team system). This differentiation was related to the high degree of specialization within OS teams, each bringing different norms, cultures, and contingencies that induce dissonance in organization and task performance. Interventions targeting these success factors might improve coordination, and thus performance, in the OS.
Does Nociception Level Index-Guided Opioid Administration Reduce Intraoperative Opioid Consumption? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Sogut Muhammet Selman , Kalyoncu Ilayda , Karakaya Muhammet Ahmet , Manici Mete , Darçin Kamil
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND:

The nociception level (NOL) index is a quantitative parameter derived from physiological signals to measure intraoperative nociception. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate if NOL monitoring reduces intraoperative opioid use compared to conventional therapy (opioid administered at clinician discretion).

METHODS:

This meta-analysis comprises randomized clinical trials comparing NOL-guided opioid administration to conventional therapy in adult patients undergoing any type of surgery. A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, and CENTRAL databases was conducted. The primary outcome was intraoperative opioid consumption and the effect estimate of the NOL index was measured using the standardized mean difference (SMD) where 0.20 is considered a small and 0.80 a large effect size. A random-effects model with Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman adjustment was applied to estimate the treatment effect. Heterogeneity was explored clinically and statistically (using the inconsistency I² statistic, prediction intervals, and influence analysis). The quality (certainty) of evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) guidelines methodology.

RESULTS:

This review comprised 9 trials (519 patients). The intraoperative opioid SMD (NOL monitoring versus conventional therapy) was −0.26 (95% confidence interval [CI], −0.82 to 0.30; P = .31; low certainty of evidence). We observed substantial clinical (intraoperative opioid regimens) and statistical heterogeneity with the I² statistic being 86% (95% CI, 75%–92%). The prediction interval was between −1.95 and 1.42 indicating where the SMD between NOL and conventional therapy would lie if a similar study were conducted in the future.

CONCLUSIONS:

This meta-analysis does not provide evidence supporting the role of NOL monitoring in reducing intraoperative opioid consumption.
“Life of the Community”: Gustav Landauer Reads Friedrich Hölderlin
Authors: Truskolaski Sebastian
Published: August 2024

In March 1916 the German Jewish writer, philosopher, and anarchist-activist Gustav Landauer gave a lecture on Friedrich Hölderlin’s hymn “The Rhine” (1802) at a women’s club in central Berlin. The lecture aims to derive from Hölderlin a concept of community designed to disavow German militarism and gesture to a wholly different understanding of the social. Taking his cue from Hölderlin, Landauer thus argues that community is not a state in which self-sufficient subjects join together on the basis of certain ostensibly shared attributes (language, territory, ethnicity, etc.) but is a relationship of mutual obligation geared toward irreducible openness—a “community of love” (Liebesgemeinschaft). Accordingly, Landauer not only anticipates crucial aspects of later engagements with the concept of community but also sets the tone for an anarchistic strand of Hölderlin reception around the time of World War I that has hitherto remained relatively underexplored.
Habermas’s Emancipation as Lifeworldization
Authors: Prasai Khagendra
Published: August 2024

The most consequential distinction Habermas draws between Marx’s and his own utopia of emancipation is that societal differentiation, in the former, is dissolved into the lifeworld, whereas in the latter it is preserved as an accomplishment of and necessary for the reproduction of modern complex societies. Despite Habermas’s intention and arguments, his radical democratic utopia entails lifeworldization—in which the primacy of communicative reason is affirmed in all spheres of action as well as societal integration, which, however, can take a variety of modi operandi ranging from external influence to direct communicative coordination. This article makes a case for the lifeworldization thesis with the following arguments. First, contrary to Habermas’s intention, “influence” and “countersteering,” if successfully asserted, result in an ontological condition that amounts to lifeworldization. Second, Habermas’s defense of differentiation and critique of dedifferentiation, which is predicated on his critique of society as a totality, is discredited by his own argument for the need of (re)integration of complexities of modern society and its necessary normative grounding. Third, the prescription of keeping the “internal logic” of steering media intact as constitutive of radical democracy is problematic both empirically and normatively. Fourth, for the functional coherence of radical democracy, “efficiency,” conceived systems-theoretically, must be abandoned and, instead, be reconceived postmetaphysically.
Seeking the “Missing Women” of Economics with the Undergraduate Women in Economics Challenge
Authors: Avilova Tatyana , Goldin Claudia
Published: August 2024

Economics is among the most popular undergraduate majors, especially in top colleges and universities. However, even at the best research universities and liberal arts colleges men outnumber women by two to one, and overall there are about 2.5 males to every female economics major. We discuss why women major in economics less than men and describe a project to increase the number of female economics majors. The Undergraduate Women in Economics (UWE) Challenge was a randomized controlled trial, with 20 treatment and 68 control schools, that we ran for one year in AY 2015-16 to evaluate the impact of light-touch interventions to recruit and retain female economics majors. Treatment schools received funding, guidance, and access to networking with other treatment schools to implement programs such as providing better information to incoming students about the application of economics, exposing students to role models, providing mentoring, and updating course content and pedagogy. Using 2001-2021 data from the NCES-Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) on graduating undergraduates (BAs), we find that UWE was effective in increasing the fraction of female BAs who majored in economics relative to men in liberal arts colleges. Large universities did not show an impact of the treatment, although those that implemented their own RCTs showed moderate success in encouraging more women to major in economics. We discuss what we believe worked in the UWE program and speculate on the reasons for differential treatment impact.
Genotypes analysis and antifungal susceptibility of Candida albicans strains isolated from women with vaginal candidiasis in Jordan using PCR targeting 25SrDNA and ALT repeat sequences of the RPS
Authors: Al-Groom Rania M. , Mahmoud Ali Rand Raid , Abu Shaqra Qasem M.
Published: August 2024

Background & Objectives: Genotypic identification of the etiologic agents of vaginal candidiasis (VC) is of significance in epidemiologic studies and in the establishment of adequate treatment protocol. The aim of this study was to determine the antifungal susceptibility and gene diversity of C. albicans isolated from a group of Jordanian women with VC.
Methods: A total of 312 isolates of candida species, recovered from women with vaginal candidiasis who attended gynecology clinics affiliated to three major private hospitals in Amman over a period of five months (July 2020 to December 2020) were included in this study. The isolated Candida were characterized by phenotypic and genotypic means. Genotypic studies were performed using specific PCR primers of the rDNA and RPS genes. Susceptibility testing of all C. albicans isolates was conducted following the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards and E-test strips.
Results: Candida albicans was the most dominant Candida spp. that caused VC among the studied population. C. albicans isolates were found to be of three different subtypes at the 25S rDNA gene. All isolates belonged to genotypes A, B and C while genotypes D and E were not detected. The diversity of C. albicans was higher on the basis of RPS region where the use of two markers (P-I and P-II) resulted in the identification of nine distinct C. albicans subtypes. The sensitivity testing revealed variations in the susceptibility of various genotypes to different antifungal drugs. Genotype A isolates were more susceptible to fluconazole, flucytosine and ketoconazole than genotypes B and C.
Conclusion: Candida albicans incriminated as etiologic agents of vaginitis among Jordanian women exhibited relationship between various genotypes and antifungal drugs.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.8.9811
How to cite this: Al-Groom RM, Ali RRM, Abu Shaqra QM. Genotypes analysis and antifungal susceptibility of Candida albicans strains isolated from women with vaginal candidiasis in Jordan using PCR targeting 25SrDNA and ALT repeat sequences of the RPS. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(8):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.8.9811
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Γενοτοξικές και κυτταροτοξικές επιδράσεις νέων οργανοκασσιτερικών ενώσεων
Authors: Δαμάτη Αρτεμισία
Published: August 2024

Η ευρεία χρήση του κασσίτερου στη βιομηχανία, στη γεωργία και στη φαρμακολογία οδήγησε στην εντατικοποίηση της μελέτης των επιδράσεων του, τόσο στο περιβάλλον, όσο και στους οργανισμούς που ζουν σε αυτό. Ο κασσίτερος απαντάται σε δύο μορφές, την ανόργανη και την οργανική μορφή. Συγκεκριμένα, οι ενώσεις του οργανικού κασσίτερου (Organotins Compounds, OTCs) χαρακτηρίζονται από την ύπαρξη ενός τουλάχιστον δεσμού άνθρακα – κασσιτέρου και ταξινομούνται από την ύπαρξη ενός τουλάχιστον δεσμού άνθρακα – κασσίτερου και ταξινομούνται ως μόνο-, δι-, τρι- και τέτρα- υποκατεστημένες ενώσεις που εξαρτώνται από τον αριθμό των πρόσθετων αλκυλομάδων που είναι δεμένες στον κασσίτερο. Οι οργανομεταλλικές ενώσεις του κασσίτερου έχουν χρησιμοποιηθεί ευρέως ως σταθεροποιητές και παράγοντες επίστρωσης, καθώς και ως καταλύτες σε βιομηχανίες πλαστικών, συντηρητικά ξύλων και αγροτικά βιοκτόνα. Μέσα από τις διάφορες εφαρμογές του, ο κασσίτερος μπορεί να διασκορπίζεται στην οικόσφαιρα με αποτέλεσμα τη συσσώρευσή του στη τροφική αλυσίδα. Ένας αριθμός οργανομεταλλικών ενώσεων του κασσίτερου προκαλεί επιπτώσεις στον άνθρωπο, στο περιβάλλον και τα βιολογικά συστήματα. Όμως, αρκετές οργανομεταλλικές ενώσεις του κασσίτερου μελετώνται για την αντικαρκινική και κυτταροτοξική τους δράση.Υπό το πρίσμα αυτό, παρασκευάστηκαν νέες οργανοκασσιτερικές ενώσεις (OTCs) περιέχοντας τριποδικούς συνδέσμους οξυγόνου [(η5 -C5R5)Co{P(OEt)2O3]- , {R=H, (LOEt-) (3), R=Me (L*OEt-) (4)}. Τα χλώρο-παράγωγα LOEtSnCl (5) και L*OEtSnCl (6) σχηματίστηκαν με αντίδραση μετάθεσης του Na από τις πρόδρομες ενώσεις (3) και (4) με SnCl2●2H2O (1), ενώ τα φαίνυλο-παράγωγα LOEtSnPh3 (7) και L*OEtSnPh3 (8) από την αντίδραση των ενώσεων (3) και (4) με Ph3SnCl (2). Στη παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή, μελετήθηκε η πιθανή γενοτοξική και κυτταροτοξική δράση των προαναφερθέντων νέων OTCs σε ανθρώπινα λεμφοκύτταρα. Αρχικά μελετήθηκε η δράση ορισμένων αλάτων του κασσίτερου σε ανθρώπινα λεμφοκύτταρα, καθώς αποτελούν πρόδρομες ενώσεις για τη σύνθεση των νέων OTCs, αλλά και απαντώνται σε διάφορες ανθρώπινες δραστηριότητες με προέκταση τη συσσώρευσή τους στη τροφική αλυσίδα. Στη συνέχεια, ακολούθησε μελέτη της γενοτοξικής και κυτταροστατικής δράσης των OTCs, τόσο σε κανονικά, όσο και καρκινικά κύτταρα. Τέλος, ελέγχθηκε η κυτταροστατική δράση των νέων οργανοκασσιτερικών ενώσεων και των πρόδρομών τους με δύο βασικές μεθόδους ελέγχου των γενετικών αλλοιώσεων (έλεγχος βιωσιμότητας και comet assay).Τα αποτελέσματα της μελέτης μας δείχνουν ότι οι μικρότερες συγκεντρώσεις των υπό μελέτη ενώσεων χρήζουν περαιτέρω παρακολούθησης και αξιολόγησης, καθώς εμφάνισαν κυτταροστατική δράση στην συγκεκριμένη καρκινική σειρά που χρησιμοποιήθηκε στις διαδικασίες ελέγχου, χωρίς να επηρεάζουν αρνητικά τις καλλιέργειες των κανονικών ανθρώπινων λεμφοκυττάρων.
Myxoid lipoma in the perioral mandibular region: two case reports
Authors: Kwon Jin-Ju , Shin Sang-Hun
Published: August 2024

Lipomas are one of the most common mesenchymal tumors in the human body, exhibiting a heightened prevalence between the ages of 40 and 60 years. However, primary intraoral lipomas are rare. Myxoid lipoma, which is characterized by abundant mucoid components, is a particularly rare histological subtype of lipoma. This study presents two cases of myxoid lipoma that occurred outside the common age range for occurrence, one in the right submandibular area of a 67-year-old male and the other in the lower lip of a 3-year-old child. Through these case reports, the aim was to introduce myxoid lipoma, a rare subtype affecting facial areas, and provide a brief review to assist in the differential diagnosis, emphasizing the importance of pathological assessment. Even in age groups and anatomical locations not typically associated with lipomas, it is crucial to emphasize the necessity of careful evaluation.
Співвідношення міжнародного кримінального права та національного кримінального права в умовах російсько-української війни
Authors: Navrotskyi Viacheslav
Published: August 2024

Російсько-українська війна актуалізувала питання про відповідаль- ність за розв’язання агресивної війни та участь у ній. Не заперечуючи визначну роль у виконанні цього завдання засобів міжнародного кри- мінального права, якомога ширше використовувати і засоби національ- ної кримінальної юстиції. У статті вказані як фактори, які об’єднують ці дві галузі права, так і ті, що визначають відмінності між ними. Охарактеризовані традиційні напрямки взаємодії між національним та міжнародним кримінальним правом, серед яких: а) залучення можливостей національних правових систем до протидії злочинам, необхідність встановлення відповідаль- ності за які визнана в міжнародних угодах; б) встановлення на міжна- родно-правовому рівні вимог (обмежень) для застосування криміналь- но-правової репресії у національних системах кримінальної юстиції; в) пряме використання ресурсів міжнародної спільноти для криміна- лізації та пеналізації певних діянь та реалізації кримінальної відпові- дальності. Наведені аргументи на користь того, що в умовах російської агресії проти України, слід переглянути традиційні підходи щодо співвідно- шення міжнародного і національного кримінального права, зокрема в аспекті використання імунітетів, якими прийнято послуговуватися в міжнародному праві: функціонального імунітету представників дер- жави та імунітету комбатанта.
Challenges ahead
Authors: Leitch Neil
Published: August 2024

In this opinion article, Neil Leitch, chief executive of Early Years Alliance, shares his throughts on the ongoing rollout of the early entitlement expansion, and what the new government needs to do to make meaningful changes.
Deprivation links to bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation rates
Authors: Kate Keeping Chloe , Adam Whitley Gregory
Published: August 2024

Background:

Public access defibrillators and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) have been at the forefront of public health campaigns and public education and are key links in the chain of survival. Despite this, survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in 2024 in the UK are lower than in comparable countries.

Aims:

This study aimed to critically review research in the UK to identify whether a patient's level of socioeconomic deprivation impacts their chances of receiving bystander CPR and defibrillation.

Methods:

A rapid evidence review was conducted with literature searches from 2013 to July 2023 carried out. Five studies were identified.

Findings:

OHCA incidence was lowest in areas of least deprivation, while the most deprived populations had lower rates of bystander CPR (BCPR) with higher OHCA incidences. Automated external defibrillator (AED) provision did not correlate with OHCA incidence.

Conclusion:

Research is needed to look at areas with a high incidence of OHCA associated with low rates of BCPR, with the aim to target high-risk areas of low BCPR and high OHCA incidences for public education and AED installation, including qualitative research into the population's thoughts and knowledge of CPR and defibrillation.
Determinants of Consumer Preferences for Imported and Domestic Wooden Furniture: Lessons from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Girma Gonche , Melka Yoseph , Belay Teferra
Published: August 2024

Currently, domestic wood product enterprises in Ethiopia are facing increasing competition from imports. Therefore, more needs to be done to address the evolving dynamics in public preference and taste while overcoming the pressure from the import market. However, the wooden furniture sector in Ethiopia is scarcely researched and documented to support the production and marketing system. This study investigated the determinants of consumer preferences for imported and domestic wooden furniture in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Multistage sampling was used to select a sample size of 385 consumers who had purchased wooden furniture. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed through descriptive statistics, Kendall’s test, and the multivariate probit (MVP) model. The findings revealed that imported wooden furniture scored higher in terms of finishing, color, compatibility with other objects, and design, whereas domestic wooden furniture excelled in terms of durability, environmental friendliness, maintainability, and affordability. The MVP results indicated that wooden furniture preference was influenced by factors such as age, number of years in marriage, family size, number of years living in the city, occupation, and exposure to advertisements. The study recommends that domestic furniture companies enhance the finishing, design, color, and other desirable attributes of their products to attract and satisfy domestic demand, potentially reducing the need for imports. By focusing on improving multiple attributes, companies better cater to the preferences of consumers. Additionally, furniture companies should consider the diverse socioeconomic characteristics of consumers during the production of their furniture products to meet a range of needs.
Tailoring of abrupt autofocusing vortex beams using a phase mask
Authors: Vyas Sunil , Luo Yuan
Published: August 2024

Vortex beams, characterized by their helical phase fronts and orbital angular momentum, have generated significant interest due to their unique properties. Combining these beams with abrupt autofocusing (AAF) characteristics, which exhibit self-healing and shape transformation during propagation, offers promising potential for various applications. In this study, we propose a method to generate AAF vortex beams using a phase-only mask. Our approach involves a cubic chirp-modulated axicon phase superimposed with a spiral phase distribution. Through numerical simulations, we investigate the formation and propagation dynamics of these beams, exploring the influence of mask parameters on beam characteristics. The pseudo-Bessel beam produced at the focal plane by the AAF vortex beam generates a higher-order Bessel beam characterized by helical phase fronts. Our results demonstrate the generation of AAF vortex beams with well-defined fractional charges and composite vortex structures. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of AAF vortex beam behavior and lay the groundwork for their practical implementation in diverse fields.
Numerical study of titanium film ablation under different ultrafast laser parameters: a molecular dynamics simulation combined with a two-temperature model
Authors: Cao Longchao , Wang Juntao , Hu Wenxing , Wu Congyi , Liu Sheng , Zhang Libin , Wang Zhen
Published: August 2024

To study the ablation mechanism of titanium (Ti) film under ultrafast laser, the irradiation process of Ti film under various pulse widths, energy densities, and wavelengths is analyzed by molecular dynamics combined with a two-temperature model (MD-TTM). The temperature distribution of Ti film under ultrafast laser irradiation is solved based on TTM and the ablation phenomenon is explored through MD simulation. It is found that the energy density and wavelength have a more significant impact on the ablation than pulse width. The shorter the laser wavelength, the smaller the penetration depth, and the more obvious the ablation phenomenon. The higher laser energy density and shorter wavelength result in higher irradiation temperature of the Ti film, wherein the ablation phenomenon becomes more pronounced. Moreover, the stress distribution of Ti film after ultrafast laser irradiation is investigated, and it can be found that the instantaneous laser irradiation induces compressive stress on the entire Ti film. The stress within the non-penetration layer is significantly higher than that within the penetration layer of the Ti film, and stress mutations are mainly concentrated at the interface between the penetration and non-penetration layers of the Ti film. Furthermore, the pulse width has little effect on the stress of the Ti film in the penetration layer while larger energy density and shorter wavelength lead to faster stress release.
Species distribution modeling for disease ecology: A multi-scale case study for schistosomiasis host snails in Brazil
Authors: Singleton Alyson L. , Glidden Caroline K. , Chamberlin Andrew J. , Tuan Roseli , Palasio Raquel G. S. , Pinter Adriano , Caldeira Roberta L. , Mendonça Cristiane L. F. , Carvalho Omar S. , Monteiro Miguel V. , Athni Tejas S. , Sokolow Susanne H. , Mordecai Erin A. , De Leo Giulio A.
Published: August 2024

Species distribution models (SDMs) are increasingly popular tools for profiling disease risk in ecology, particularly for infectious diseases of public health importance that include an obligate non-human host in their transmission cycle. SDMs can create high-resolution maps of host distribution across geographical scales, reflecting baseline risk of disease. However, as SDM computational methods have rapidly expanded, there are many outstanding methodological questions. Here we address key questions about SDM application, using schistosomiasis risk in Brazil as a case study. Schistosomiasis is transmitted to humans through contact with the free-living infectious stage of Schistosoma spp. parasites released from freshwater snails, the parasite’s obligate intermediate hosts. In this study, we compared snail SDM performance across machine learning (ML) approaches (MaxEnt, Random Forest, and Boosted Regression Trees), geographic extents (national, regional, and state), types of presence data (expert-collected and publicly-available), and snail species (Biomphalaria glabrata, B. straminea, and B. tenagophila). We used high-resolution (1km) climate, hydrology, land-use/land-cover (LULC), and soil property data to describe the snails’ ecological niche and evaluated models on multiple criteria. Although all ML approaches produced comparable spatially cross-validated performance metrics, their suitability maps showed major qualitative differences that required validation based on local expert knowledge. Additionally, our findings revealed varying importance of LULC and bioclimatic variables for different snail species at different spatial scales. Finally, we found that models using publicly-available data predicted snail distribution with comparable AUC values to models using expert-collected data. This work serves as an instructional guide to SDM methods that can be applied to a range of vector-borne and zoonotic diseases. In addition, it advances our understanding of the relevant environment and bioclimatic determinants of schistosomiasis risk in Brazil.