bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“What Do We Want? Housing! When Do We Want It? Now!” Building a Social Movement in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Black Lives Matter, and Housing Injustice
Authors: Smirnova Michelle , Ayala Jordan , Irazábal Clara
Published: October 2024

Homelessness and housing insecurity are often isolating experiences in the United States, where housing and well-being are constructed as individual responsibilities. In this context, mobilization around housing injustice can be challenging. The authors argue that the intersection of the Black Lives Matter protests, the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, and housing injustice created a powder keg for social action that was capitalized upon by a local tenant union and social movement organization called Kansas City Tenants. Through a real-time analysis of Kansas City Tenants, a grassroots organization with national reach, the authors explore how it managed to recruit diverse members to the organization, direct sustainable and impactful action toward the needs of those in crisis, and lay the groundwork for future policy and revolutionary initiatives both institutionally and extrainstitutionally.
Strategy and dynamics in sub-regional governance and planning: Lessons from Eastern England 2010 to 2020
Authors: Hollingsworth Alex , Valler Dave
Published: October 2024

This article extends analysis of sub-regional governance dynamics, focusing on local institutions in Eastern England in the period from 2010 to 2020. Building on Third Phase Institutionalism and the growing interest in the impact of agency, the paper shows how the narratives, practices and rules of governance institutions both shape and are shaped by the varied strategic ambitions of local actors. Thus when particular objectives of ‘recognition’, ‘investment’ and ‘control’ were pursued by local actors there was a reinforcing relationship with positive narratives, collaborative practices and stable rules. Alternatively, though, institutional constraints may emphasise other strategic objectives such as preserving or advancing the power of preferred institutional structures, together with an associated limiting of narratives and practices.
The 3D Genome in Brain Development: An Exploration of Molecular Mechanisms and Experimental Methods
Authors: Rahman Samir , Roussos Panos
Published: October 2024

The human brain contains multiple cell types that are spatially organized into functionally distinct regions. The proper development of the brain requires complex gene regulation mechanisms in both neurons and the non-neuronal cell types that support neuronal function. Studies across the last decade have discovered that the 3D nuclear organization of the genome is instrumental in the regulation of gene expression in the diverse cell types of the brain. In this review, we describe the fundamental biochemical mechanisms that regulate the 3D genome, and comprehensively describe in vitro and ex vivo studies on mouse and human brain development that have characterized the roles of the 3D genome in gene regulation. We highlight the significance of the 3D genome in linking distal enhancers to their target promoters, which provides insights on the etiology of psychiatric and neurological disorders, as the genetic variants associated with these disorders are primarily located in noncoding regulatory regions. We also describe the molecular mechanisms that regulate chromatin folding and gene expression in neurons. Furthermore, we describe studies with an evolutionary perspective, which have investigated features that are conserved from mice to human, as well as human gained 3D chromatin features. Although most of the insights on disease and molecular mechanisms have been obtained from bulk 3C based experiments, we also highlight other approaches that have been developed recently, such as single cell 3C approaches, as well as non-3C based approaches. In our future perspectives, we highlight the gaps in our current knowledge and emphasize the need for 3D genome engineering and live cell imaging approaches to elucidate mechanisms and temporal dynamics of chromatin interactions, respectively.
The bail process is both the trial and the punishment: Surveillance and control without the burden of conviction
Authors: Myers Nicole M
Published: October 2024

During the pre-trial process, accused persons are held in custody or released into the community, often subject to conditions of release. Pre-trial interventions are justified as preventative and in the interests of public safety; however, they are also punitive, with criminal consequences for failing to comply. This study brings together insights from 642 bail appearances observed over 31 days in Ontario, Canada, with official case outcome data. Drawing on Kohler-Hausmann's the notion of marking, procedural hassle, and performance, I argue that the bail process is both the trial and the punishment. Arrest, rather than conviction, commences some or all the sanctioning, eroding the distinction between those who are presumed innocent and those who are found guilty. Without the burden of conviction, the pre-trial process initiates a period of monitoring, assessing the accused persons’ amenability to ascertain if further sanctioning is necessary. With case processing taking an average of 200 days, many accused persons have all the charges withdrawn or receive a sentence of time served, with no further custody imposed. The result is a criminal legal process that routinely punishes those presumed innocent rather than those who have been found guilty.
Eyes on the prize: Narcissism and visual attention to status and affiliation
Authors: Grapsas Stathis , Kyriazi Foteini Spantidaki , Dufner Michael
Published: October 2024

This eye tracking study tested the hypothesis that narcissists’ visual attention is motivated, focusing on two fundamental social motives: status and affiliation. We measured participants’ full narcissism spectrum (narcissistic agency, antagonism, and neuroticism) via self-reports. We measured visual attention to status and affiliation images via eye-tracking in the lab. We hypothesized that narcissistic agency would relate to increased attention to status, and that narcissistic antagonism would relate to increased attention to status and decreased attention to affiliation. We formulated no hypotheses regarding narcissistic neuroticism. Results showed that only agentic narcissism was related to increased attention toward status. The three forms of narcissism were unrelated to attention to affiliation. These findings suggest that agentic narcissists’ attention is driven by an underlying status motive. More broadly, findings are consistent with the notion that visual attention expresses and maintains people’s personality traits via satisfying trait-congruent motives.
Sustainable energy in Zimbabwe - status, challenges and solutions
Authors: Akpan Joseph , Kumba Hagreaves , Olanrewaju Oludolapo
Published: October 2024

A potential solution to Zimbabwe's energy issues could be harnessed from the country's growing interest in renewable energy systems (RES) for use in industry. Energy security, reduced reliance on fossil fuels, and promotion of sustainable industrial growth could be achieved by tapping into the nation's abundant renewable resources, which include hydroelectric power, solar power, and wind power, among others. Potential benefits to the environment, grid reliability, and energy costs could accrue from the incorporation of RES. However, challenges like upfront costs, power grid integration issues, and the need for supportive legislation should be addressed. The use of RES could provide Zimbabwe with a future energy that is safer, more sustainable, and more cost-effective. Owing to the dearth of studies considering RES integration across the different sectors in Zimbabwe, hence, this presents the status and energy policy evolutions, a concise strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) framework with outstanding challenges, and proposed solutions for sustainable energy development in Zimbabwe.
Reduced vancomycin susceptibility in Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates: a spectrum of less investigated uncertainties
Authors: Tawfeek Christine E. , Khattab Sally , Elmaraghy Nermine , Heiba Anwar A. , Nageeb Wedad M.
Published: October 2024

Background

Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates with vancomycin MICs of 2 µg/ml have been associated with vancomycin therapeutic failure and the heterogenous vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (hVISA) phenotype. While carriage of van genes has usually been associated with higher level of MIC and frank vancomycin resistance, the unrecognized risk of hetero-resistance is frequently underestimated. Methods used for assessing vancomycin susceptibility have also shown different concordance and variable performance and accessibility in routine clinical diagnostics posing a challenge to inform treatment selection in hospital settings.

Methods

A total of 195 clinical samples were obtained among which 100 S. aureus isolates were identified. Ninety-six MRSA isolates have been identified using cefoxitin disc and mecA gene detection. The vanA and vanB genes have been screened for in the studied isolates using conventional PCR amplification. Examination of reduced vancomycin susceptibility has been performed using vancomycin screen agar, Broth Micro Dilution method (BMD), and VITEK2. Blood isolates were screened for hVISA using PAP-AUC method.

Results

Vancomycin screening agar applied to 96 MRSA isolates revealed 16 isolates with reduced vancomycin susceptibility. Further MIC testing revealed that 7 isolates were VISA and only 1 isolate was identified as VRSA using both BMD MIC method and VITEK2. Among 24 tested blood isolates, 4 isolates (16.7%) revealed the hVISA phenotype as identified using PAP-AUC method. Using PCR, vanA gene was identified in 5 S. aureus isolates (5%). Three of them were VSSA while the other two isolates were VISA.

Conclusion

In this study, we report the very low prevalence of VRSA among the tested S. aureus clinical isolates (1%) and the existence of hVISA phenotype among studied S. aureus blood isolates at the rate of 16.7% in our setting. Fifty percent (8/16) of isolates that demonstrated reduced vancomycin susceptibility using vancomycin agar screen tested susceptible using both broth dilution method and VITEK2. These finding together with the concerning silent carriage of vanA gene among VSSA and VISA (5%) may underly hidden and uninvestigated factors contributing to vancomycin treatment failure that warrant cautious vancomycin prescription.
Evolutionary divergent clusters of transcribed extinct truncated retroposons drive low mRNA expression and developmental regulation in the protozoan Leishmania
Authors: Ferreira Gabriel Reis , Emond-Rheault Jean-Guillaume , Alves Lysangela , Leprohon Philippe , Smith Martin A. , Papadopoulou Barbara
Published: October 2024

Background

The Leishmania genome harbors formerly active short interspersed degenerated retroposons (SIDERs) representing the largest family of repetitive elements among trypanosomatids. Their substantial expansion in Leishmania is a strong predictor of important biological functions. In this study, we combined multilevel bioinformatic predictions with high-throughput genomic and transcriptomic analyses to gain novel insights into the diversified roles retroposons of the SIDER2 subfamily play in Leishmania genome evolution and expression.

Results

We show that SIDER2 retroposons form various evolutionary divergent clusters, each harboring homologous SIDER2 sequences usually located nearby in the linear sequence of chromosomes. This intriguing genomic organization underscores the importance of SIDER2 proximity in shaping chromosome dynamics and co-regulation. Accordingly, we show that transcripts belonging to the same SIDER2 cluster can display similar levels of expression. SIDER2 retroposons are mostly transcribed as part of 3'UTRs and account for 13% of the Leishmania transcriptome. Genome-wide expression profiling studies underscore SIDER2 association generally with low mRNA expression. The remarkable link of SIDER2 retroposons with downregulation of gene expression supports their co-option as major regulators of mRNA abundance. SIDER2 sequences also add to the diversification of the Leishmania gene expression repertoire since ~ 35% of SIDER2-containing transcripts can be differentially regulated throughout the parasite development, with a few encoding key virulence factors. In addition, we provide evidence for a functional bias of SIDER2-containing transcripts with protein kinase and transmembrane transporter activities being most represented.

Conclusions

Altogether, these findings provide important conceptual advances into evolutionary innovations of transcribed extinct retroposons acting as major RNA cis-regulators.
Excessive occupational sitting increases risk of cardiovascular events among working individuals with type 1 diabetes in the prospective Finnish Diabetic Nephropathy Study
Authors: Seppälä Matias , Lukander Heidi , Wadén Johan , Eriksson Marika I. , Harjutsalo Valma , Groop Per-Henrik , Thorn Lena M. ,   FinnDiane Study Group
Published: October 2024

Background

Sedentary behavior, such as excessive sitting, increases risk of cardiovascular disease and premature mortality in the general population, but this has not been assessed in type 1 diabetes. Occupational sitting is increasingly ubiquitous and often constitutes the largest portion of daily sitting time. Our aim was to identify clinical factors associated with excessive occupational sitting in type 1 diabetes and, in a prospective setting, to explore its association with cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality, independent of leisure-time physical activity.

Methods

An observational follow-up study of 1,704 individuals (mean age 38.9 ± 10.1 years) from the Finnish Diabetic Nephropathy Study. Excessive occupational sitting, defined as ≥ 6 h of daily workplace sitting, was assessed using a validated self-report questionnaire. Data on cardiovascular events and mortality were retrieved from national registries. Multivariable logistic regression identified independently associated factors, while Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazard models were used for prospective analyses.

Results

Factors independently and positively associated with excessive occupational sitting included a high occupational category [OR 6.53, 95% CI (4.09‒10.40)] and older age [1.02 (1.00‒1.03)], whereas negatively associated factors included current smoking [0.68 (0.50‒0.92)], moderate albuminuria [0.55 (0.38‒0.80)], and high leisure-time physical activity [0.52 (0.36‒0.74)]. During a median follow-up of 12.5 (6.5–16.4) years, 163 individuals (9.6%) suffered cardiovascular events, and during a median follow-up of 13.7 (9.4–16.6) years, 108 (6.3%) deaths occurred. Excessive occupational sitting increased cardiovascular event risk (hazard ratio [HR] 1.55 [95% CI 1.10‒2.18]) after adjustment for confounders and other covariates. Furthermore, in a stratified multivariable analysis among current smokers, excessive occupational sitting increased the risk of all-cause mortality (2.06 [1.02‒4.20]).

Conclusions

Excessive occupational sitting is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in individuals with type 1 diabetes. This association persists regardless of leisure-time physical activity, after adjusting for independently associated variables identified in our cross-sectional analyses. These findings underscore the need to update physical activity guidelines to better address sedentary behavior and improve outcomes for individuals with type 1 diabetes. Targeting occupational sitting should be considered a key focus for interventions aimed at reducing overall sedentary time.

Graphical Abstract
Thinking about inequalities in physical activity as an emergent feature of complex systems
Authors: Jones Sophie Marie , Porroche-Escudero Ana , Shearn Katie , Hunter Ruth F. , Garcia Leandro
Published: October 2024

Inequalities in physical activity are well documented, especially between socioeconomic groups. However, progress on reducing these inequalities is proving challenging. In this commentary, we argue that a complex system perspective is needed, specifically to reorient our thinking of inequalities in physical activity to be emergent features of complex systems. Operationalising this perspective involves acknowledging the multiple dynamic and non-linear interactions which take place between system parts and, over time aggregate to become macro patterns such as physical activity inequalities. We argue that this framing will enhance our understanding of the emergence of inequalities in physical activity and, therefore, provide interventions better suited to the subgroups of the population they are designed to help.
Associations between job demand-control-support and high burnout risk among physicians in Sweden: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Christiansen Filip , Gynning Britta Elsert , Lashari Abid , Zuberbühler Josefina Peláez , Johansson Gun , Brulin Emma
Published: October 2024

Background

The knowledge about job demands, control, and support, and their potential associations with burnout risk among physicians in Sweden, is limited. This study aimed to explore (i) factors of the JobDemand-Control-Support (J-DCS) model across different groups of physicians in Sweden, (ii) their association with high burnout risk, and (iii) the potential buffering impact of job control and support.

Methods

Cross-sectional data from the Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Health in Healthcare Survey (LOHHCS) study cohort was used. In 2021, a total of 2032 respondents submitted questionnaire data comprising J-DCS measures (i.e., job demands, workplace control and task-level control, and social support from peers and managers). Burnout risk was measured using the Burnout Assessment Tool. Binary logistic regression models were used to investigate the associations between the J-DCS variables and high burnout risk. Interaction analysis was performed to explore any moderation of the associations.

Results

Job demands were significantly associated with increased odds of high burnout risk (odds ratio (OR) 2.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.91–3.84. Workplace control (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.35–0.71) and peer support (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.48–0.77) were significantly associated with reduced odds of high burnout risk. The interaction analysis showed no significant moderation of the association between job demands and high burnout risk by either peer support or workplace control, and no buffering impact was found.

Conclusion

Job demands were associated with high burnout risk among physicians in Sweden. Although workplace control and peer support had inverse associations with high burnout risk, no moderation or buffering impact on the association between job demands and high burnout risk was found. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these associations.
The role of Chinese herbal medicine in the regulation of oxidative stress in treating hypertension: from therapeutics to mechanisms
Authors: Jin Zixuan , Lan Yu , Li Junying , Wang Pengqian , Xiong Xingjiang
Published: October 2024

Background

Although the pathogenesis of essential hypertension is not clear, a large number of studies have shown that oxidative stress plays an important role in the occurrence and development of hypertension and target organ damage.

Purpose

This paper systematically summarizes the relationship between oxidative stress and hypertension, and explores the potential mechanisms of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) in the regulation of oxidative stress in hypertension, aiming to establish a scientific basis for the treatment of hypertension with CHM.

Methods

To review the efficacy and mechanism by which CHM treat hypertension through targeting oxidative stress, data were searched from PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, the VIP Information Database, the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and the Wanfang Database from their inception up to January 2024. NPs were classified and summarized by their mechanisms of action.

Results

In hypertension, the oxidative stress pathway of the body is abnormally activated, and the antioxidant system is inhibited, leading to the imbalance between the oxidative and antioxidative capacity. Meanwhile, excessive production of reactive oxygen species can lead to endothelial damage and vascular dysfunction, resulting in inflammation and immune response, thereby promoting the development of hypertension and damaging the heart, brain, kidneys, blood vessels, and other target organs. Numerous studies suggested that inhibiting oxidative stress may be the potential therapeutic target for hypertension. In recent years, the clinical advantages of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of hypertension have gradually attracted attention. TCM, including active ingredients of CHM, single Chinese herb, TCM classic formula and traditional Chinese patent medicine, can not only reduce blood pressure, improve clinical symptoms, but also improve oxidative stress, thus extensively affect vascular endothelium, renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system, sympathetic nervous system, target organ damage, as well as insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, hyperhomocysteinemia and other pathological mechanisms and hypertension related risk factors.

Conclusions

CHM display a beneficial multi-target, multi-component, overall and comprehensive regulation characteristics, and have potential value for clinical application in the treatment of hypertension by regulating the level of oxidative stress.
The association of gene polymorphisms of adenosine and dopamine receptors with the response to caffeine citrate treatment in infants with apnea of prematurity: a prospective nested case-control study
Authors: Xie Jiangbiao , Zhuang Wei , Zhu Yao , Zheng Zhi , Huang Yanru , Ma Simin , Lin Xinzhu
Published: October 2024

Background

To investigate the potential influence of adenosine and dopamine receptor genes polymorphisms in combination with clinical factors on the response of preterm infants to caffeine citrate treatment in apnea of prematurity (AOP).

Methods

A prospective nested case-control study enrolled 221 preterm infants with gestational age < 34 weeks. These infants were divided into the response (n = 160) and the non-response groups (n = 61). 22 single-nucleotide polymorphisms in adenosine and dopamine receptor genes were genotyped. The basic characteristics and clinical outcomes of the two groups were compared. Univariate logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the differences in genotype distribution between the groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk and protective factors and develop a nomogram to predict caffeine citrate response in preterm infants.

Results

Preterm infants in the non-response group had lower gestational age, lower birth weight, longer periods of oxygen supplementation and caffeine citrate use, and higher incidence of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and brain injury (P < 0.05 for all). The ADORA1 rs10920573, ADORA2B rs2015353, ADORA3 rs10776728, DRD3 rs7625282, and DRD3 rs6280 gene polymorphisms were associated with caffeine citrate response in preterm infants (PFDR < 0.05 for all). The ADORA1 rs10920573 CC (aOR, 3.51; 95% CI, 1.34–9.25) and DRD3 rs6280 CT genotypes (aOR, 3.19; 95% CI, 1.53–6.65) were independent risk factors for non-response, whereas greater gestational age (aOR, 0.631; 95% CI, 0.53–0.75) was an independent protective factor for response. The concordance index of the nomogram was 0.764 (95% CI, 0.687–0.842), and the calibration and decision curve analysis indicated the nomogram had excellent predict performance.

Conclusions

Adenosine receptor gene and dopamine receptor gene polymorphisms influence caffeine citrate treatment response in AOP. By combining genetic and clinical variables, it is possible to predict the response to caffeine citrate treatment in preterm infants.
Assessment of Cutting-Balloon Angioplasty with Novel Bioabsorbable Polymer-Coated Everolimus-Eluting Stent in Treating Calcified Coronary Lesions Guided by Intravascular Ultrasound (CUPID Trial): study design and protocol
Authors: Ahn Jihun , Yu HyeYon , Park Sangho , Suh Jon
Published: October 2024

Background

Various devices and techniques have been used for plaque modification in the treatment of severe coronary artery calcification. This prospective, multicenter, randomized, open-label study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of cutting balloon angioplasty using a novel bioabsorbable polymer-coated everolimus-eluting coronary stent for treating various degrees of calcified coronary lesions.

Methods

We outline the trial design aimed at assessing whether the cutting balloon (Wolverine™) is non-inferior to the non-compliant balloon in treating patients with calcified lesions, encompassing both de novo and in-stent restenosis (ISR) lesions. We aim to enroll 250 patients who have undergone bioabsorbable polymer-coated everolimus-eluting coronary stent (Synergy™) implantation. The primary endpoint is the minimal stent cross-sectional area at the calcium site as determined by intravascular ultrasonography. The secondary endpoints include major adverse cardiac events and target lesion revascularization at 12 months, alongside procedural convenience and operator-centric parameters, such as the number of balloons used, procedure time, and total contrast medium volume used.

Discussion

In this study, we will evaluate the efficacy and safety of Wolverine™ and non-compliant balloon in patients with calcified coronary lesions and provide a rationale for which type of balloons will optimally modify calcium lesions. In addition, we will attempt to expand the indications of the cutting balloon for treating mild-to-severe calcified coronary lesions. As the scope of insurance coverage for cutting balloons remains limited in some countries, this study may provide evidence for extending insurance coverage to the treatment of de novo calcified and ISR lesions.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06177808. Registered on January 1, 2024.
Spiny mice are primed but fail to regenerate volumetric skeletal muscle loss injuries
Authors: Davenport Mackenzie L. , Fong Amaya , Albury Kaela N. , Henley-Beasley C. Spencer , Barton Elisabeth R. , Maden Malcolm , Swanson Maurice S.
Published: October 2024

Background

In recent years, the African spiny mouse Acomys cahirinus has been shown to regenerate a remarkable array of severe internal and external injuries in the absence of a fibrotic response, including the ability to regenerate full-thickness skin excisions, ear punches, severe kidney injuries, and complete transection of the spinal cord. While skeletal muscle is highly regenerative in adult mammals, Acomys displays superior muscle regeneration properties compared with standard laboratory mice following several injuries, including serial cardiotoxin injections of skeletal muscle and volumetric muscle loss (VML) of the panniculus carnosus muscle following full-thickness excision injuries. VML is an extreme muscle injury defined as the irrecoverable ablation of muscle mass, most commonly resulting from combat injuries or surgical debridement. Barriers to the treatment of VML injury include early and prolonged inflammatory responses that promote fibrotic repair and the loss of structural and mechanical cues that promote muscle regeneration. While the regeneration of the panniculus carnosus in Acomys is impressive, its direct relevance to the study of VML in patients is less clear as this muscle has largely been lost in humans, and, while striated, is not a true skeletal muscle. We therefore sought to test the ability of Acomys to regenerate a skeletal muscle more commonly used in VML injury models.

Methods

We performed two different VML injuries of the Acomys tibialis anterior muscle and compared the regenerative response to a standard laboratory mouse strain, Mus C57BL6/J.

Results

Neither Acomys nor Mus recovered lost muscle mass or myofiber number within three months following VML injury, and Acomys also failed to recover force production better than Mus. In contrast, Acomys continued to express eMHC within the injured area even three months following injury, whereas Mus ceased expressing eMHC less than one-month post-injury, suggesting that Acomys muscle was primed, but failed, to regenerate.

Conclusions

While the panniculus carnosus muscle in Acomys regenerates following VML injury in the context of full-thickness skin excision, this regenerative ability does not translate to regenerative repair of a skeletal muscle.
Assessing community awareness and participation in health facility governing committees in two districts of Tanzania: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Kapuya Hussein Athuman , Maluka Stephen Oswald , Hurtig Anna-Karin , Sebastian Miguel San
Published: October 2024

Background

Tanzania has been promoting community participation in health, either directly or through health facility governing committees (HFGCs), as part of its wider, ongoing health system reforms since the 1990s. Although some studies have assessed the functioning of the HFGCs, little is known about community knowledge and involvement in their activities.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey assessing community awareness and participation in HFGCs was conducted between July and October 2022, involving two rural districts of Tanzania, which were selected based on their performance: Handeni, showing low performance and Mbarali, high performance. A total of 1,184 household heads living in the catchment areas of diverse facilities were involved. Frequencies and percentages were calculated overall and by district. The Chi-squared test was applied to assess statistically significant differences in knowledge, awareness, and participation between the districts.

Results

The results revealed that 85.3% of the participants were unaware of the presence of the HFGCs and 91.7% did not know their roles. Additionally, 87% had neither heard nor seen any announcement about the selection of committee members. Only 14.5% considered that HFGCs were accountable to the community. While 96.7% of the respondents said they had never received any feedback from the HFGCs, only 8.1% reported that HFGCs were collecting views from the community. Regarding participation, 79.9% believed that the community had not been supporting their activities; however, 44.7% believed that the committees were important in improving health service delivery. Feedback and support were more common in Handeni.

Conclusion

The level of community awareness of and participation in HFGCs was very low in both districts. The Ministry of Health and the President’s Office of Regional Administration and Local Government should implement an action plan to raise community awareness of the role of the HFGCs and their significance in promoting social accountability within the Tanzanian health system.
Hemorrhages and risk factors in patients undergoing thromboprophylaxis in a respiratory critical care unit: a secondary data analysis of a cohort study
Authors: Lyu Wen‐Rui , Tang Xiao , Jin Yu , Wang Rui , Li Xu‐Yan , Li Ying , Zhang Chun‐Yan , Zhao Wei , Tong Zhao‐Hui , Sun Bing
Published: October 2024

Objective

To verify whether the bleeding risk assessment guidelines from the 9th American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) are prognostic for respiratory intensive care unit (RICU) patients and to explore risk factors for hemorrhages, we conducted a secondary data analysis based on our previously published cohort study of venous thromboembolism.

Patients and methods

We performed a secondary data analysis on the single-center prospective cohort from our previous study. Patients admitted to the RICU at Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital from August 1, 2014 to December 31, 2020 were included and followed up until discharge.

Results

The study enrolled 931 patients, of which 715 (76.8%) were at high risk of bleeding, while the remaining were at low risk. Of the total, 9.2% (86/931) suffered major bleeding, and no significant difference was found between the two risk groups (p = 0.601). High-risk patients had poor outcomes, including higher mortality and longer stays. Independent risk factors for major bleeding were APACHE II score ≥ 15; invasive pulmonary aspergillosis; therapeutic dose of anticoagulants; extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; and continuous renal replacement therapy. Blood transfusion not related to bleeding appeared to be an independent protective factor for major bleeding (OR 0.099, 95% CI 0.045–0.218, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Bleeding risk assessment models from the 9th ACCP guidelines may not be suitable for patients in RICU. Building a bleeding risk assessment model that is suitable for patients in all RICUs remains a challenge.

Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02213978.
Serum DLK1 During Minipuberty and Pubertal Transition in Healthy Girls and in Girls With Precocious Puberty
Authors: Vilmann Lea , Sørensen Kaspar , Busch Alexander S , Ljubicic Marie L , Upners Emmie N , Fischer Margit B , Johannsen Trine H , Holmboe Stine A , Juul Anders , Hagen Casper P
Published: October 2024

Context

Delta-like non-canonical notch ligand 1 (DLK1) is negatively associated with bodyweight. DLK1 pathogenic variants cause central precocious puberty (CPP) and obesity, suggesting that DLK1 links the well-established association between higher body mass index and earlier pubertal onset. However, little is known about the trajectories of circulating DKL1 in healthy girls as well as in girls with precocious puberty.

Objective

To evaluate longitudinal changes in circulating DLK1 concentrations in (1) full-term, singleton healthy infant girls, (2) healthy girls during pubertal transition, and (3) girls with CPP during treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa).

Methods

Three longitudinal studies of (1) healthy infant girls (n = 85), (2) healthy peripubertal girls (n = 15), and (3) girls with CPP before and after GnRHa treatment (n = 15). Body fat percentage calculated using the Slaughter equation, and serum concentrations of DLK1 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

Serum concentration of DLK1 in healthy infant girls declined significantly through the first year of life (17.6 to 9.9 ng/mL, P = .020). DLK1 was inversely correlated with birth weight and BF%: r = −0.220, P = .044, and r = −0.503, P < .001, respectively. DLK1 declined from 1 year prior to pubertal onset to time of first examination after pubertal onset (10.4  to 9.2 ng/mL, P = .004), as well as to time at the last pubertal evaluation (10.4 to 9.8 ng/mL, P = .006). DLK1 levels were not affected by GnRHa treatment.

Conclusion

Circulating DLK1 levels declined steeply during infancy and were less pronounced through pubertal development. Due to considerable interindividual variation, DLK1 is not useful as a diagnostic marker of pubertal onset. Importantly, DLK1 was negatively associated with birth weight and body fat percentage.
SMPD4-mediated sphingolipid metabolism regulates brain and primary cilia development
Authors: Inskeep Katherine A. , Crase Bryan , Dayarathna Thamara , Stottmann Rolf W.
Published: October 2024

Genetic variants in multiple sphingolipid biosynthesis genes cause human brain disorders. A recent study looked at people from 12 unrelated families with variants in the gene SMPD4, a neutral sphingomyelinase that metabolizes sphingomyelin into ceramide at an early stage of the biosynthesis pathway. These individuals have severe developmental brain malformations, including microcephaly and cerebellar hypoplasia. The disease mechanism of SMPD4 was not known and so we pursued a new mouse model. We hypothesized that the role of SMPD4 in producing ceramide is important for making primary cilia, a crucial organelle mediating cellular signaling. We found that the mouse model has cerebellar hypoplasia due to failure of Purkinje cell development. Human induced pluripotent stem cells lacking SMPD4 exhibit neural progenitor cell death and have shortened primary cilia, which is rescued by adding exogenous ceramide. SMPD4 production of ceramide is crucial for human brain development.
A neuro-lymphatic communication guides lymphatic development by CXCL12 and CXCR4 signaling
Authors: Do Long Nguyen Hoang , Delgado Esteban , Lim Casey G. , Bkhache Meriem , Peluzzo Amanda M. , Hua Yiming , Oza Manisha , Mohsin Sadia , Chen Hong , Autieri Michael V. , Kim Seonhee , Liu Xiaolei
Published: October 2024

Lymphatic vessels grow through active sprouting and mature into a vascular complex that includes lymphatic capillaries and collecting vessels that ensure fluid transport. However, the signaling cues that direct lymphatic sprouting and patterning remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that chemokine signaling, specifically through CXCL12 and CXCR4, plays crucial roles in regulating lymphatic development. We show that LEC-specific Cxcr4-deficient mouse embryos and CXCL12 mutant embryos exhibit severe defects in lymphatic sprouting, migration and lymphatic valve formation. We also discovered that CXCL12, originating from peripheral nerves, directs the migration of dermal lymphatic vessels to align with nerves in developing skin. Deletion of Cxcr4 or blockage of CXCL12 and CXCR4 activity results in reduced VEGFR3 levels on the LEC surface. This, in turn, impairs VEGFC-mediated VEGFR3 signaling and downstream PI3K and AKT activities. Taken together, these data identify previously unknown chemokine signaling originating from peripheral nerves that guides dermal lymphatic sprouting and patterning. Our work identifies for the first time a neuro-lymphatics communication during mouse development and reveals a previously unreported mechanism by which CXCR4 modulates VEGFC, VEGFR3 and AKT signaling.
Germ cell progression through zebrafish spermatogenesis declines with age
Authors: Sposato Andrea L. , Hollins Hailey L. , Llewellyn Darren R. , Weber Jenna M. , Schrock Madison N. , Farrell Jeffrey A. , Gagnon James A.
Published: October 2024

Vertebrate spermatogonial stem cells maintain sperm production over the lifetime of an animal, but fertility declines with age. Although morphological studies have informed our understanding of typical spermatogenesis, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the maintenance and decline of spermatogenesis are not yet understood. We used single-cell RNA sequencing to generate a developmental atlas of the aging zebrafish testis. All testes contained spermatogonia, but we observed a progressive decline in spermatogenesis that correlated with age. Testes from some older males only contained spermatogonia and a reduced population of spermatocytes. Spermatogonia in older males were transcriptionally distinct from spermatogonia in testes capable of robust spermatogenesis. Immune cells including macrophages and lymphocytes drastically increased in abundance in testes that could not complete spermatogenesis. Our developmental atlas reveals the cellular changes as the testis ages and defines a molecular roadmap for the regulation of spermatogenesis.
Corrupted Votes and Rule Compliance
Authors: Apffelstaedt Arno , Freundt Jana
Published: October 2024

Allegations of voter fraud accompany many real-world elections. How does electoral malpractice affect the acceptance of elected institutions? Using an online experiment in which participants distribute income according to majority-elected rules, we show that those who experience vote buying or voter disenfranchisement during the election are subsequently less likely to voluntarily comply with a rule. On average, the detrimental impact of electoral malpractice on compliance is of the same magnitude as removing the election altogether and imposing a rule exogenously. Our experiment shows how corrupting democratic processes impacts economic behavior and sheds light on factors that may underlie “rule legitimacy.” (JEL C90, D63, D72, D73, D83)
A New Era of Midnight Mergers: Antitrust Risk and Investor Disclosures
Authors: Barrios John M. , Wollmann Thomas G.
Published: October 2024

Antitrust authorities search public documents to discover anticompetitive mergers. Thus, investor disclosures may alert them to deals that would otherwise go undetected, creating disincentives for managers to divulge certain transactions. We study this behavior in publicly traded US companies. First, we employ a regression discontinuity approach to estimate the effect of mandatory disclosures. We find that releasing information to investors poses antitrust risk. Second, we introduce a method for measuring undisclosed mergers that relies on financial accounting reporting requirements. We find that undisclosed mergers total $1.85 trillion between 2002 and 2016. (JEL D22, G32, G34, G38, K21, L41, M41)
Case Report: Smoking as the risk factor of persistent STEMI after primary percutaneous coronary intervention: how it could be happen?
Authors: Pintaningrum Yusra , Yusuf Ricky Setiadi , Ramdani Baiq Hanida Aolia , Putri Shadiqa Rana , Wulandari Dwi Astuti
Published: October 2024

Background Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Smoking may also increase the risk of developing ACS. The most advantageous therapy is percutaneous coronary intervention. However, this therapy may fail because of the no-reflow phenomenon. This case report describes a young male patient admitted to the emergency department due to ST-segment elevation of myocardial infarction (STEMI), with smoking as the only risk factor. Case description A 37-year-old male presented to our hospital with a typical chest pain. He was a heavy smoker. Electrocardiography (ECG) revealed extensive anterior STEMI. Coronary angiography revealed total occlusion of the proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD) with a high-burden thrombus. The no-reflow phenomenon occurs during Percutaneous Coronary intervention (PCI). After two days of hospitalization, the patient developed cardiogenic shock and acute decompensated heart failure. The patient was administered ticagrelor, acetylsalicylic acid, enoxaparin for three days, high-dose statins, and optimized heart failure treatment. The patient was discharged on the 7th day after admission. Discussion Cigarette smoke chemicals may induce atherosclerosis and thickened blood in the arteries. Lipid oxidation leads to plaque formation. If plaque ruptures, it will cause thrombus occlusion. A high-burden thrombus can induce a no-reflow phenomenon, leading to heart failure and cardiogenic shock. Conclusion Smoking may induce STEMI and tends to result in a high-burden thrombus. The no-reflow phenomenon is an evidence of miscarriage during PCI, which may increase because of smoking.
On Interdicting Dense Clusters in a Network
Authors: Zhong Haonan , Mahdavi Pajouh Foad , Butenko Sergiy , Prokopyev Oleg A.
Published: October 2024

Given a vertex-weighted undirected graph with blocking costs of its vertices and edges, we seek a minimum cost subset of vertices and edges to block such that the weight of any γ-quasi-clique in the interdicted graph is at most some predefined threshold parameter. The value of [Formula: see text] specifies the edge density of cohesive vertex groups of interest in the network. The considered weighted γ-quasi-clique interdiction problem can be viewed as a natural generalization of several variations of the clique blocker problem previously studied in the literature. From the application perspective, this setting is primarily motivated by the problem of disrupting adversarial (“dark”) networks (e.g., social or communication networks), where γ-quasi-cliques represent “tightly knit” groups of adversaries that we aim to dismantle. We first address the theoretical computational complexity of the problem. We then exploit some basic characterization of its feasible solutions to derive a linear integer programming (IP) formulation. This linear IP model can be solved using a lazy-fashioned branch-and-cut scheme. We also propose a combinatorial branch-and-bound algorithm for solving this problem. The computational performance of the developed exact solution schemes is studied using a test bed of randomly generated and real-life networks. Finally, some interesting insights and observations are also provided using a well-known example of a terrorist network.

History: Accepted by Russel Bent, Area Editor for Network Optimization: Algorithms & Applications.

Funding: The work of S. Butenko was partially supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research under Award FA9550-23-1-0300. The work of O. A. Prokopyev was partially supported by the Office of Naval Research under Award ONR N00014-22-1-2678.

Supplemental Material: The software that supports the findings of this study is available within the paper and its Supplemental Information ( https://pubsonline.informs.org/doi/suppl/10.1287/ijoc.2023.0027 ) as well as from the IJOC GitHub software repository ( https://github.com/INFORMSJoC/2023.0027 ). The complete IJOC Software and Data Repository is available at https://informsjoc.github.io/ . The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/ijoc.2023.0027 .
Efficient Implementation of Interior-Point Methods for Quantum Relative Entropy
Authors: Karimi Mehdi , Tunçel Levent
Published: October 2024

Quantum relative entropy (QRE) programming is a recently popular and challenging class of convex optimization problems with significant applications in quantum computing and quantum information theory. We are interested in modern interior-point (IP) methods based on optimal self-concordant barriers for the QRE cone. A range of theoretical and numerical challenges associated with such barrier functions and the QRE cones have hindered the scalability of IP methods. To address these challenges, we propose a series of numerical and linear algebraic techniques and heuristics aimed at enhancing the efficiency of gradient and Hessian computations for the self-concordant barrier function, solving linear systems, and performing matrix-vector products. We also introduce and deliberate about some interesting concepts related to QRE such as symmetric quantum relative entropy. We design a two-phase method for performing facial reduction that can significantly improve the performance of QRE programming. Our new techniques have been implemented in the latest version (DDS 2.2) of the software package Domain-Driven Solver (DDS). In addition to handling QRE constraints, DDS accepts any combination of several other conic and nonconic convex constraints. Our comprehensive numerical experiments encompass several parts, including (1) a comparison of DDS 2.2 with Hypatia for the nearest correlation matrix problem, (2) using DDS 2.2 for combining QRE constraints with various other constraint types, and (3) calculating the key rate for quantum key distribution (QKD) channels and presenting results for several QKD protocols.

History: Accepted by Giacomo Nannicini, Area Editor for Quantum Computing and Operations Research. Accepted for Special Issue.

Funding: This work was supported by the National Science Foundation [Grant CMMI-2347120] and Discovery Grants from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

Supplemental Material: The software that supports the findings of this study is available within the paper and its Supplemental Information ( https://pubsonline.informs.org/doi/suppl/10.1287/ijoc.2024.0570 ) as well as from the IJOC GitHub software repository ( https://github.com/INFORMSJoC/2024.0570 ). The complete IJOC Software and Data Repository is available at https://informsjoc.github.io/ .