bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
International monetary hierarchy through emergency US-dollar liquidity: A key currency approach
Authors: Murau Steffen , Pape Fabian , Pforr Tobias
Published: August 2022

The notion that the international monetary system is hierarchical has become increasingly common, but the nature, causes, and shape of international monetary hierarchy remain vague. In this article, we develop a monetary theory of international hierarchy based on the “key currency” approach. We perceive the international monetary system as a world-spanning payment system that is inherently hierarchical because it needs central nodes for clearing and settlement. The centrality of the US-Dollar (USD) as global key currency places the US at the apex and makes the Federal Reserve (Fed) the system’s hierarchically highest institution. Other monetary jurisdictions are pushed into peripheral positions and rely on both using and creating USD-denominated credit money instruments “offshore.” Based on this approach, we explain international monetary hierarchy through different mechanisms to supply emergency USD liquidity from the Fed to non-US central banks. Currently, there are three different public mechanisms for non-US central banks to access the Fed’s balance sheet and attain emergency USD liquidity. The first-layer periphery may receive emergency USD liquidity via the Fed’s central bank swap lines. The second-layer periphery can make use of the Fed’s new repo facility for Foreign and International Monetary Authorities to access emergency USD liquidity. The residual mechanism for the third-layer periphery to access emergency USD liquidity is the Special Drawing Rights system, administered by the International Monetary Fund, in which the Exchange Stabilization Fund acts as gatekeeper for the Fed.
Methodological Challenges in Conducting Sexual and Reproductive Health Research Among Young Males in Bangladesh: Reflections From a Nationwide Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Biswas Subas , Nasar Sameen , Nowshin Nahela , Imtiaz Syed H. , Hossain Mohammad R. , Jabbar Abdul , Nadim A. S. M. , Islam Mohammad Rokibul , Misha Farzana , Rashid Sabina Faiz
Published: August 2022

Applied mixed methods research for sexual and reproductive health (SRH) issues involves multiple researchers and presents numerous responsibilities as well as unforeseen challenges. These challenges together with the often ignored and under-researched area of male sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in Bangladesh require researchers to navigate cultural stigmas associated with SRH and hostile political situations across the country. We conducted a nationwide mixed methods research study to explore the SRHR of male youth. This study is the first of its kind in the context of Bangladesh. The aim of this paper is to describe the challenges experienced and mitigation strategies undertaken to conduct research on the SRHR of young males in Bangladesh. A group of experts, practitioners, service delivery staff and researchers were consulted during the tool development stage. However, challenges in obtaining permission from community members, explanation of SRH-specific topics, and establishing respondents’ trust persisted throughout the study. Mitigation strategies included spending time outside of scheduled interview hours and making repeated visits to respondents to establish trust. These strategies allowed for honest discussions over time and served to assure our study respondents that the confidentiality of their data would be protected. In addition to sourcing letters from official authorities, we had conversations with community influential people such as religious leaders and political representatives about the nature of our study and explained to them the implications of the study for the future of young men’s health. Moreover, we highlight the political issues of the time and shed light on the ad hoc measures taken to overcome the challenges we faced. These reflections can provide valuable insights for researchers conducting SRHR-related studies in similar social and political settings.
Urban speculation for survival: Adaptations and negotiations in Forest City, Malaysia
Authors: Avery Emma , Moser Sarah
Published: August 2022

Malaysia is estimated to be one of the four largest recipients of Chinese Belt and Road Initiative investment worldwide, with China surpassing Singapore to become the largest foreign investor in Malaysia in 2016. Chinese investment in Malaysia consists largely of top-down urban mega-developments, many of which are built on reclaimed land and have faced significant criticism from locals, media, environmentalists, and politicians for their audacious plans, exclusive nature, and disregard for local people and ecosystems. Using Forest City as a case study, this paper introduces the concept of urban speculation for survival to elaborate on how – beyond their initial planning and financing – foreign-owned, master-planned megaprojects involve continual speculation as they navigate shifting political contexts and economic challenges. Specifically, we outline three main phases to the new city’s development and investigate how its marketing and identity have evolved over time in response to mounting criticism and shortfalls in sales. Situating Forest City within the trend of speculative urbanism, we demonstrate how – rather than being monolithic – the outcomes of top-down Chinese investment and mega-development in a much smaller Southeast Asian country simultaneously shape and are shaped by local and transnational economic, political, and social dynamics, as corporate Chinese actors are forced to negotiate and compromise on their ambitious overseas ventures.
Effect of Gait-Specific Weight-Bearing Interventions on Physical Performance Among Subjects with Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Ravichandran Hariharasudhan , Shetty Kshama Susheel , Janakiraman Balamurugan
Published: August 2022

Background

Postural instability, gait dysfunctions, and tendency to fall resulting from asymmetrical weight-bearing restrict balance and mobility functions among stroke survivors. Symmetrical weight-bearing is essential for restoring mobility functions following stroke. Strategies to improve symmetrical weight-bearing remain a challenge in stroke rehabilitation.

Objective

To explore the evidence regarding the effectiveness of weight-bearing interventions to improve physical performance among subjects with stroke.

Methods

Five databases, including PubMed, Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), Google Scholar, and OpenGrey, were screened for identifying published and unpublished studies from their inception and up to 2022. Studies investigating the effect of symmetrical weight-bearing interventions among stroke subjects using objective or self-reporting of physical function as an outcome tool were included. Ten articles with grade 1b level of evidence demonstrated an average PEDro score of 6.4. The risk of bias was moderate among the articles.

Results

Ten articles with 276 participants were included in this review. Meta-analysis performed using 9 articles report that gait-specific weight-bearing improved balance and gait velocity with an overall effect size of 1.35 (95% confidence interval: 0.88–1.81) and 0.66 (95% confidence interval: 0.20–1.13). However, the effect size of step length (0.51), cadence (0.26), and fall efficacy scale (0.21) indicates nonsignificant improvement.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis suggests that gait-specific weight-bearing strategies are effective in improving balance and speed of walking but did not improve other parameters of gait and risk of fall. These strategies could be used to improve the symmetrical weight-bearing of stroke subjects in rehabilitation settings who do not have access to technological assistance in rehabilitation.
The global inhomogeneity index assessed by electrical impedance tomography overestimates PEEP requirement in patients with ARDS: an observational study
Authors: Heines Serge J. H. , de Jongh Sebastiaan A. M. , Strauch Ulrich , van der Horst Iwan C. C. , van de Poll Marcel C. G. , Bergmans Dennis C. J. J.
Published: August 2022

Background

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) visualises alveolar overdistension and alveolar collapse and enables optimisation of ventilator settings by using the best balance between alveolar overdistension and collapse (ODCL). Besides, the global inhomogeneity index (GI), measured by EIT, may also be of added value in determining PEEP. Optimal PEEP is often determined based on the best dynamic compliance without EIT at the bedside. This study aimed to assess the effect of a PEEP trial on ODCL, GI and dynamic compliance in patients with and without ARDS. Secondly, PEEP levels from “optimal PEEP” approaches by ODCL, GI and dynamic compliance are compared.

Methods

In 2015–2016, we included patients with ARDS using postoperative cardiothoracic surgery patients as a reference group. A PEEP trial was performed with four consecutive incremental followed by four decremental PEEP steps of 2 cmH2O. Primary outcomes at each step were GI, ODCL and best dynamic compliance. In addition, the agreement between ODCL, GI, and dynamic compliance was determined for the individual patient.

Results

Twenty-eight ARDS and 17 postoperative cardiothoracic surgery patients were included. The mean optimal PEEP, according to best compliance, was 10.3 (±2.9) cmH2O in ARDS compared to 9.8 (±2.5) cmH2O in cardiothoracic surgery patients. Optimal PEEP according to ODCL was 10.9 (±2.5) in ARDS and 9.6 (±1.6) in cardiothoracic surgery patients. Optimal PEEP according to GI was 17.1 (±3.9) in ARDS compared to 14.2 (±3.4) in cardiothoracic surgery patients.

Conclusions

Currently, no golden standard to titrate PEEP is available. We showed that when using the GI, PEEP requirements are higher compared to ODCL and best dynamic compliance during a PEEP trial in patients with and without ARDS.
Long-term follow-up on HIV infected and non-infected women with cervical cancer from Tanzania: staging, access to cancer-directed therapies and associated survival in a real-life remote setting
Authors: Glasmeyer Laura , Mcharo Ruby Doryn , Torres Liset , Lennemann Tessa , Danstan Elizabeth , Mwinuka Nice , Judick Mona , Mueller William , Mbuya Wilbert , Hölscher Michael , Lellé Ralph , Geldmacher Christof , Kroidl Arne , France John Rwegoshora
Published: August 2022

Background

Worldwide 85% of cervical cancer (CC) related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Sub-Saharan Africa is burdend by an overlapping high incidence of CC as well as HIV infection, a risk factor for HPV associated disease progression. Recent upscaling of CC screening activities increased the number of CC diagnoses in a previous unscreened population. The aim of the 2H study was to follow up on women with CC in the context of available health care services in Tanzania in relation to their HIV infection status.

Methods

This longitudinal observational cohort study included women with histological confirmed CC from Mbeya, Tanzania, between 2013–2019. All women were referred for CC staging and cancer-directed therapies (CDT), including surgery and/or radio-chemotherapy, or palliative care. Annual follow-up focused on successful linkage to CDT, interventions and survival. We assessed factors on compliance, used Kaplan–Meier-Survivor functions to evaluate survival time and poisson regression models to calculate incidence rate ratios on mortality (IRR) two years after diagnosis.

Results

Overall, 270 women with CC (123 HIV infected) were included. Staging information, available in 185 cases, showed 84.9% presented with advanced stage disease (FIGO ≥ IIB), no difference was seen in respect to HIV status. HIV-infected women were 12 years younger at the time of cancer diagnosis (median age 44.8 versus 56.4 years, p < 0.001). Median follow up period was 11.9 months (range 0.2–67.2). Survival information, available in 231 cases, demonstrated for women diagnosed in early-stage disease a median survival time of 38.3 months, in advanced-stage 16.0 months and late-stage disease 6.5 months after diagnosis. Of all women, 42% received CDT or palliative support. HIV co-infection and education were associated with higher health care compliance. CDT was significantly associated with lower 2-year mortality rates (IRR 0.62, p = 0.004). HIV coinfection did not impact mortality rates after diagnosis.

Conclusion

High numbers of advanced and late staged CC were diagnosed, compliance to CDT was low. A beneficial impact of CDT on CC mortality could be demonstrated for local health care services. This study indicates challenges for successful linkage and supports an effective scale up of cancer care and treatment facilities.
Emicizumab in children: bleeding episodes and outcome before and after transition to Emicizumab
Authors: Glonnegger Hannah , Andresen Felicia , Kapp Friedrich , Malvestiti Stefano , Büchsel Martin , Zieger Barbara
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Real-world data and study data regarding therapy with Emicizumab in pediatric cohorts with haemophilia A is scarce. Especially, data on previously untreated pediatric patients (PUPs) and minimally treated patients (MTPs) are missing.

Methods

Thirteen pediatric patients with haemophilia A and treatment with Emicizumab were retrospectively evaluated for Annual Bleeding Rates (ABR) pre-and post-Emicizumab treatment. Safety data and data on management of minor surgery as well as laboratory results were collected. Additionally, we describe the clinical features of two PUPs and one MTP that are included in our cohort.

Results

Median age at initiation of Emicizumab was 5.3 (range: 0.26–17.5) years, three patients were younger than one year at initiation of treatment with Emicizumab. Median follow-up time on Emicizumab was 23.8 (range: 0.7–40) months. Total ABR (p = 0.009) as well as spontaneous (p = 0.018), traumatic (p = 0.018), and joint (p = 0.027) ABR reduced significantly post-Emicizumab transition. Safety profile was favourable as only one local site reaction occurred; no cessation of treatment was necessary. Surgery was successfully performed in three patients receiving rFVlla pre- and post-surgery. Emicizumab trough levels showed a median of 43.2 μg/ml (range: 23.9–56.8) after three doses of 3 mg/kg and 51.9 μg/ml (range: 30.4–75) at first follow-up with 1.5 mg/kg.

Conclusion

Emicizumab is safe and efficient in pediatric patients with and without inhibitors. More data on larger multicenter cohorts and especially on PUPs/MTPs are still needed.
Effect of integrated management bundle on 1-year overall survival outcomes and perioperative outcomes in super elderly patients aged 90 and over with hip fracture: non-concurrent cohort study
Authors: Fu Mingming , Guo Junfei , Zhang Yaqian , Zhao Yuqi , Zhang Yingze , Hou Zhiyong , Wang Zhiqian
Published: August 2022

Background

Due to concomitant factors like frailty and comorbidity, super elderly (≥90 years) patients with hip fracture differ from patients aged 65–89 years in perioperative complications and mortality. The integrated management bundle referred to bundled application of multiple clinical measures. The aim of this study was to analyze effect of integrated management bundle on 1-year overall survival and perioperative outcomes in super elderly patients with hip fracture, with multidisciplinary management group serving as the control group.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, super elderly patients with hip fracture were included from Jan 2017 to Nov 2020. Patients were retrospectively divided to multidisciplinary management group and integrated management bundle group. The primary outcome was 1- year overall survival, and the secondary outcome was perioperative outcomes. Kaplan-Meier methods was used to compare survival probability. Multivariable Cox’s modeling was used to explain the effect of integrated bundle on 1-year overall survival adjusted for confounders. The perioperative outcomes including complications and in-hospital data of two groups were compared. The multivariable logistic regression was used to explain the effect of integrated bundle on the occurrence of perioperative complications adjusted for confounders. Prognostic factors related to survival was identified by multivariable Cox’s regression analysis.

Results

Ninety-seven patients comprised multidisciplinary management group, and 83 comprised integrated management bundle group. The Kaplan–Meier plots showed that the survival probability of integrated management bundle group was significantly better than multidisciplinary management group (HR:0.435, 95%CI:0.207–0.914, P = 0.039). Multivariable analysis after adjustment for confounders showed a 42.8% lower incidence of mortality integrated management bundle group than multidisciplinary management group (HR:0.428, 95%CI:0.186–0.986, P = 0.046). Incidence of hypoproteinemia, and electrolyte disturbance in integrated management bundle group was significantly lower than multidisciplinary management group (all P < 0.05). In addition, significant reduction was observed in length of stay (P < 0.05) in integrated management bundle group. Multivariable logistic regression showed integrated management bundle was independent protective factor of hypoproteinemia, and electrolyte disturbance. mECM score ≥ 6 and ASA score > 2 were independent risk factors of overall survival (HR: 1.940, 95%CI: 1.067–3.525,P = 0.030; HR: 2.281, 95%CI: 1.113–4.678,P = 0.024).

Conclusions

The integrated management bundle improved 1-year overall survival and played positive effects in improving perioperative outcomes. It might be a more suitable management modality for super elderly patients with hip fracture.
Plasma metabolomic profiles of dementia: a prospective study of 110,655 participants in the UK Biobank
Authors: Zhang Xinyu , Hu Wenyi , Wang Yueye , Wang Wei , Liao Huan , Zhang Xiayin , Kiburg Katerina V. , Shang Xianwen , Bulloch Gabriella , Huang Yu , Zhang Xueli , Tang Shulin , Hu Yijun , Yu Honghua , Yang Xiaohong , He Mingguang , Zhu Zhuoting
Published: August 2022

Background

Plasma metabolomic profile is disturbed in dementia patients, but previous studies have discordant conclusions.

Methods

Circulating metabolomic data of 110,655 people in the UK Biobank study were measured with nuclear magnetic resonance technique, and incident dementia records were obtained from national health registers. The associations between plasma metabolites and dementia were estimated using Cox proportional hazard models. The 10-fold cross-validation elastic net regression models selected metabolites that predicted incident dementia, and a 10-year prediction model for dementia was constructed by multivariable logistic regression. The predictive values of the conventional risk model, the metabolites model, and the combined model were discriminated by comparison of area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs). Net reclassification improvement (NRI) was used to estimate the change of reclassification ability when adding metabolites into the conventional prediction model.

Results

Amongst 110,655 participants, the mean (standard deviation) age was 56.5 (8.1) years, and 51 186 (46.3%) were male. A total of 1439 (13.0%) developed dementia during a median follow-up of 12.2 years (interquartile range: 11.5–12.9 years). A total of 38 metabolites, including lipids and lipoproteins, ketone bodies, glycolysis-related metabolites, and amino acids, were found to be significantly associated with incident dementia. Adding selected metabolites (n=24) to the conventional dementia risk prediction model significantly improved the prediction for incident dementia (AUC: 0.824 versus 0.817, p =0.042) and reclassification ability (NRI = 4.97%, P = 0.009) for identifying high risk groups.

Conclusions

Our analysis identified various metabolomic biomarkers which were significantly associated with incident dementia. Metabolomic profiles also provided opportunities for dementia risk reclassification. These findings may help explain the biological mechanisms underlying dementia and improve dementia prediction.
Immunostimulatory effects of Nannochloropsis oculata supplementation on Barki rams growth performance, antioxidant assay, and immunological status
Authors: El-Hawy A. S. , Abdel-Rahman Haidy G. , El-Bassiony M. F. , Anwar Abeer , Hassan Marwa A. , Elnabtiti A. A. S. , Abdelrazek Heba M. A. , Kamel Samar
Published: August 2022

Background

Natural feed supplements are gaining popularity in the animal production sector due to their safety and potential immunostimulatory properties, as well as the ban of some antibiotics and their negative residual effects. This study was carried out for 1 month to investigate the effect of Nannochloropsis oculata supplementation on growth performance and cell-mediated immunological status of rams assessed by leukogram assessment, lipid oxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), interleukin assay after lymphocyte transformation test (LTT) including interleukin 6 (IL6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 12 (IL12), and gamma interferon (γ-IF), as well as Comet assay (% of DNA damage, tail length (px), % DNA in tail, tail moment and Olive tail moment).

Methods

Eighteen Barki rams (26.21 ± 0.64 kg) were divided into 3 equal treatment groups (6 sheep/each), G1: animals served as the control group that was fed the basal diet only, while the other treated groups (G2 and G3 (Nan 1.5% and Nan 3%) were fed the basal diet supplemented with 1.5% and 3% N. oculata(dry matter basis), respectively.

Results

The obtained results revealed that G3 showed a significant (P < 0.05) improvement in performance (body weight and body weight gain), the highest significant count (P < 0.05) in lymphocytes, and the lowest significant (P < 0.05) levels of neutrophils and neutrophils and lymphocytes ratio (N/L) ratio. Meanwhile, both levels of N. oculata significantly (P < 0.05) decreased MDA and increased TAC than control which seemed to be directly correlated with supplemented dose. There was a significant (P < 0.05) enhancement in the lymphocyte transformation assay produced significant (P < 0.05) high cytokines (IL6, γ-IF, IL12, and TNF-α) and the lowest significant (P <0.05) percent of DNA damage. The conducted principal component analysis estimated the inter-relationship between parameters and revealed that microalgae correlated strongly with cytokine assay and TAC, and negatively with Comet assay parameters; MDA, and neutrophils.

Conclusions

It can be noted that dietary addition ofN. oculata3% increased sheep's performance while also producing significant-high cytokines. It also enhanced sheep immunology by considerably enhancing lymphocyte transformation ability. The antioxidant activity ofNannochloropsisappears to influence these findings. It was proposed that the Barki rams’ basal diet be supplemented with 3%N. oculata.
Neural, adipocyte and hepatic differentiation potential of primary and secondary hair follicle stem cells isolated from Arbas Cashmere goats
Authors: Yan Wei , Hao Fei , Zhe Xiaoshu , Wang Yingmin , Liu Dongjun
Published: August 2022

Background

Arbas Cashmere goats are excellent domestic breeds with high yields of wool and cashmere. Their wool and cashmere can bring huge benefits to the livestock industry. Our studies intend to more fully understand the biological characteristics of hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) in order to further explore the mechanisms of wool and cashmere regular regeneration. And they have been increasingly considered as promising multipotent cells in regenerative medicine because of their capacity to self-renew and differentiate. However, many aspects of the specific growth characteristics and differentiation ability of HFSCs remain unknown. This study aimed to further explore the growth characteristics and pluripotency of primary hair follicle stem cells (PHFSCs) and secondary hair follicle stem cells (SHFCs).

Results

We obtained PHFSCs and SHFSCs from Arbas Cashmere goats using combined isolation and purification methods. The proliferation and vitality of the two types of HFSCs, as well as the growth patterns, were examined. HFSC-specific markers and genes related to pluripotency, were subsequently identified. The PHFSCs and SHFSCs of Arbas Cashmere goat have a typical cobblestone morphology. Moreover, the PHFSCs and SHFSCs express HFSC surface markers, including CD34, K14, K15, K19 and LGR5. We also identified pluripotency-associated gene expression, including SOX2, OCT4 and SOX9, in PHFSCs and SHFSCs. Finally, PHFSCs and SHFSCs displayed multipotent abilities. PHFSCs and SHFSCs can be directed to differentiate into adipocyte-like, neural-like, and hepatocyte-like cells.

Conclusions

In conclusion, this study confirmed that the biological characteristics and differentiation potential of PHFSCs and SHFSCs from Arbas Cashmere goats. These findings broaden and refine our knowledge of types and characteristics of adult stem cells.
Diagnostic yield and clinical relevance of expanded genetic testing for cancer patients
Authors: Ceyhan-Birsoy Ozge , Jayakumaran Gowtham , Kemel Yelena , Misyura Maksym , Aypar Umut , Jairam Sowmya , Yang Ciyu , Li Yirong , Mehta Nikita , Maio Anna , Arnold Angela , Salo-Mullen Erin , Sheehan Margaret , Syed Aijazuddin , Walsh Michael , Carlo Maria , Robson Mark , Offit Kenneth , Ladanyi Marc , Reis-Filho Jorge S. , Stadler Zsofia K. , Zhang Liying , Latham Alicia , Zehir Ahmet , Mandelker Diana
Published: August 2022

Background

Genetic testing (GT) for hereditary cancer predisposition is traditionally performed on selected genes based on established guidelines for each cancer type. Recently, expanded GT (eGT) using large hereditary cancer gene panels uncovered hereditary predisposition in a greater proportion of patients than previously anticipated. We sought to define the diagnostic yield of eGT and its clinical relevance in a broad cancer patient population over a 5-year period.

Methods

A total of 17,523 cancer patients with a broad range of solid tumors, who received eGT at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center between July 2015 to April 2020, were included in the study. The patients were unselected for current GT criteria such as cancer type, age of onset, and/or family history of disease. The diagnostic yield of eGT was determined for each cancer type. For 9187 patients with five common cancer types frequently interrogated for hereditary predisposition (breast, colorectal, ovarian, pancreatic, and prostate cancer), the rate of pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants in genes that have been associated with each cancer type was analyzed. The clinical implications of additional findings in genes not known to be associated with a patients’ cancer type were investigated.

Results

16.7% of patients in a broad cancer cohort had P/LP variants in hereditary cancer predisposition genes identified by eGT. The diagnostic yield of eGT in patients with breast, colorectal, ovarian, pancreatic, and prostate cancer was 17.5%, 15.3%, 24.2%, 19.4%, and 15.9%, respectively. Additionally, 8% of the patients with five common cancers had P/LP variants in genes not known to be associated with the patient’s current cancer type, with 0.8% of them having such a variant that confers a high risk for another cancer type. Analysis of clinical and family histories revealed that 74% of patients with variants in genes not associated with their current cancer type but which conferred a high risk for another cancer did not meet the current GT criteria for the genes harboring these variants. One or more variants of uncertain significance were identified in 57% of the patients.

Conclusions

Compared to targeted testing approaches, eGT can increase the yield of detection of hereditary cancer predisposition in patients with a range of tumors, allowing opportunities for enhanced surveillance and intervention. The benefits of performing eGT should be weighed against the added number of VUSs identified with this approach.
Systematic profiling of the chicken gut microbiome reveals dietary supplementation with antibiotics alters expression of multiple microbial pathways with minimal impact on community structure
Authors: Zou Angela , Nadeau Kerry , Xiong Xuejian , Wang Pauline W. , Copeland Julia K. , Lee Jee Yeon , Pierre James St. , Ty Maxine , Taj Billy , Brumell John H. , Guttman David S. , Sharif Shayan , Korver Doug , Parkinson John
Published: August 2022

Background

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance is a major threat to global health and has placed pressure on the livestock industry to eliminate the use of antibiotic growth promotants (AGPs) as feed additives. To mitigate their removal, efficacious alternatives are required. AGPs are thought to operate through modulating the gut microbiome to limit opportunities for colonization by pathogens, increase nutrient utilization, and reduce inflammation. However, little is known concerning the underlying mechanisms. Previous studies investigating the effects of AGPs on the poultry gut microbiome have largely focused on 16S rDNA surveys based on a single gastrointestinal (GI) site, diet, and/or timepoint, resulting in an inconsistent view of their impact on community composition.

Methods

In this study, we perform a systematic investigation of both the composition and function of the chicken gut microbiome, in response to AGPs. Birds were raised under two different diets and AGP treatments, and 16S rDNA surveys applied to six GI sites sampled at three key timepoints of the poultry life cycle. Functional investigations were performed through metatranscriptomics analyses and metabolomics.

Results

Our study reveals a more nuanced view of the impact of AGPs, dependent on age of bird, diet, and intestinal site sampled. Although AGPs have a limited impact on taxonomic abundances, they do appear to redefine influential taxa that may promote the exclusion of other taxa. Microbiome expression profiles further reveal a complex landscape in both the expression and taxonomic representation of multiple pathways including cell wall biogenesis, antimicrobial resistance, and several involved in energy, amino acid, and nucleotide metabolism. Many AGP-induced changes in metabolic enzyme expression likely serve to redirect metabolic flux with the potential to regulate bacterial growth or produce metabolites that impact the host.

Conclusions

As alternative feed additives are developed to mimic the action of AGPs, our study highlights the need to ensure such alternatives result in functional changes that are consistent with site-, age-, and diet-associated taxa. The genes and pathways identified in this study are therefore expected to drive future studies, applying tools such as community-based metabolic modeling, focusing on the mechanistic impact of different dietary regimes on the microbiome. Consequently, the data generated in this study will be crucial for the development of next-generation feed additives targeting gut health and poultry production.
Regulatory constraint and small business lending: do innovative peer-to-peer lenders have an advantage?
Authors: Hamarat Çağlar , Broby Daniel
Published: August 2022

This paper investigates whether innovative Peer-to-Peer lending by FinTechs’ has a regulatory advantage over the big banks in respect of small business lending. We do this through the lens of the regulations imposed by the Dodd-Frank Act, using a difference-in-difference methodology. The Act tightened traditional bank credit standards on business loans, especially for small firms. However, the new FinTech lenders were not subject to the same regulatory burden. We find that traditional banks significantly reduced their lending to small businesses, as compared to their FinTech competitors. Our results suggest that while the Dodd-Frank Act constrained lending to small businesses, innovative new lending models gained a regulatory advantage and the Peer-to-Peer lenders capitalized on this.
Association between changes in pain or function scores and changes in scapular rotations in patients with subacromial shoulder pain: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Jafarian Tangrood Zohreh , Sole Gisela , Cury Ribeiro Daniel
Published: August 2022

Background

Scapular dyskinesis is reported as one of the potential factors contributing to the presentation of pain in subacromial shoulder pain. In clinical practice, the evaluation and control of scapular dyskinesis is considered important for managing the subacromial shoulder pain. The aim is to determine the association between changes in pain or function and changes in scapular rotations in participants with subacromial shoulder pain.

Method

Pain, function and scapular rotations were measured in 25 participants with subacromial shoulder pain at baseline and after 8 weeks. Pain was measured with Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and function was measured with Patient Specific Functional Scale (PSFS). Scapular rotations were measured with a scapular locator at 60°, 90° and 120° of scapular arm elevation. Spearman rank correlations (rs) were used to assess the association between variables.

Findings

No association was observed between changes in pain or function scores with changes in scapular upward/downward rotations (rs = 0.03 to 0.27 for pain and − 0.13 to 0.23 for function) and scapular anterior/posterior tilt (rs = − 0.01 to 0.23 for pain and − 0.13 to 0.08 for function) of arm at 60°, 90° and 120° elevation. Data associated with scapular internal/external rotation was not reported due to low reliability.

Conclusion

These findings reject associations between changes in pain or function scores and scapular rotations. Future observational study is warranted using a multifactorial approach to understand potential factors that contribute to the presentation of subacromial shoulder pain.
To image, or not to image: class-specific diffractive cameras with all-optical erasure of undesired objects
Authors: Bai Bijie , Luo Yi , Gan Tianyi , Hu Jingtian , Li Yuhang , Zhao Yifan , Mengu Deniz , Jarrahi Mona , Ozcan Aydogan
Published: August 2022

Privacy protection is a growing concern in the digital era, with machine vision techniques widely used throughout public and private settings. Existing methods address this growing problem by, e.g., encrypting camera images or obscuring/blurring the imaged information through digital algorithms. Here, we demonstrate a camera design that performs class-specific imaging of target objects with instantaneous all-optical erasure of other classes of objects. This diffractive camera consists of transmissive surfaces structured using deep learning to perform selective imaging of target classes of objects positioned at its input field-of-view. After their fabrication, the thin diffractive layers collectively perform optical mode filtering to accurately form images of the objects that belong to a target data class or group of classes, while instantaneously erasing objects of the other data classes at the output field-of-view. Using the same framework, we also demonstrate the design of class-specific permutation and class-specific linear transformation cameras, where the objects of a target data class are pixel-wise permuted or linearly transformed following an arbitrarily selected transformation matrix for all-optical class-specific encryption, while the other classes of objects are irreversibly erased from the output image. The success of class-specific diffractive cameras was experimentally demonstrated using terahertz (THz) waves and 3D-printed diffractive layers that selectively imaged only one class of the MNIST handwritten digit dataset, all-optically erasing the other handwritten digits. This diffractive camera design can be scaled to different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, including, e.g., the visible and infrared wavelengths, to provide transformative opportunities for privacy-preserving digital cameras and task-specific data-efficient imaging.
The People's Hotel
Authors: Sobering Katherine
Published: August 2022

In 2001 Argentina experienced a massive economic crisis: businesses went bankrupt, unemployment spiked, and nearly half the population fell below the poverty line. In the midst of the crisis, Buenos Aires’s iconic twenty-story Hotel Bauen quietly closed its doors, forcing longtime hospitality workers out of their jobs. Rather than leaving the luxury hotel vacant, a group of former employees occupied the property and kept it open. In The People’s Hotel, Katherine Sobering recounts the history of the Hotel Bauen, detailing its transformation from a privately owned business into a worker cooperative—one where decisions were made democratically, jobs were rotated, and all members were paid equally. Combining ethnographic and archival research with her own experiences as a volunteer worker at the hotel, Sobering examines how the Bauen Cooperative grew and, against all odds, successfully kept the hotel open for nearly two decades. Highlighting successes and innovations alongside the many challenges that these workers faced, Sobering presents a vivid portrait of efforts to address inequality and reorganize work in a capitalist economy.
Benign incidental cardiac findings in chest and cardiac CT imaging
Authors: Zhao Keke , Zhang Lu , Wang Lingyun , Zeng Jinghui , Zhang Yaping , Xie Xueqian
Published: August 2022

With the continuous expansion of the disease scope of chest CT and cardiac CT, the number of these CT examinations has increased rapidly. In addition to their common indications, many incidental cardiac findings can be observed when carefully evaluating the coronary arteries, valves, pericardium, ventricles, and large vessels. These findings may have clinical significance or risk of complications, but they are sometimes overlooked or may not be described in the final reports. Although most of the incidental findings are benign, timely detection and treatment can improve the management of chronic diseases or reduce the possibility of severe complications. In this review, we summarized the imaging findings, incidence rate, and clinical relevance of some benign cardiac findings such as coronary artery calcification, aortic and mitral valve calcification, aortic calcification, cardiac thrombus, myocardial bridge, aortic dilation, cardiac myxoma, pericardial cyst, and coronary artery fistula. Reporting incidental cardiac findings will help reduce the risk of severe complications or disease deterioration and contribute to the recovery of patients.
Learning from the past: a century of accuracy, aspirations, and aspersions in brachytherapy
Authors: Melhus Christopher S , Simiele Samantha J , Aima Manik , Richardson Susan
Published: August 2022

The oldest form of radiation therapy, brachytherapy, has been investigated and reported in the scientific and medical literature for well over a century. Known by many names over the years, radium-based, empirical practices evolved over decades to contemporary practice. This includes treatment at various dose rates using multiple radionuclides or even electrically generated photon sources. Predictions or prognostications of what may happen in the future enjoy a history that spans centuries, e.g. those by Nostradamus in the 1500s. In this review article, publications from several eras of past practice between the early 1900s and the late 2010s where the authors address the “future of brachytherapy” are presented, and for many of these publications, one can use the benefit of the intervening years to comment on the accuracy or the inaccuracies inherent in those publications. Finally, recently published papers are reviewed to examine current expectations for the future practice of brachytherapy.
Behaviour test in chronic brain ischemia rats: A bibliometric approach
Authors: Susantiningsih Tiwuk , Makkiyah Feda , Thadeus Maria Selvester , Rizkianti Tuty , Muktamiroh Hikmah , Amalia Muttia , Setyaningsih Yuni , Citrawati Mila , Fauziah Cut , Bahar Meiskha , Chairani Aulia , Harjono Yanti , Irmarahayu Agneta , Wahyuningsih Sri , Zulfa Fajriati
Published: August 2022

Background: Stroke causes severe disability and mortality. Despite the fact that the pathology of acute stroke is well understood, publication on chronic stroke is still limited.

Because scarring of glia limits the recovery area of acute stroke and reorganization capacity is reduced, discovering new treatments for chronic stroke poses substantial obstacles.

In stroke research, rodent models are commonly utilized, and behavior testing is a crucial tool.  To measure stroke outcomes and translating rodent findings to therapeutic trials, selecting relevant behavioral tests that fit the study purpose is critical. Here, we aimed to look at the last decade’s publications highlighting behaviour tests on chronic stroke rats. Hopefully, we were able to give more information about the behaviour tests to facilitate the researchers’ choice of appropriate test.

Methods: By using a bibliometric analysis, we hope to systematically discuss rodent behavior tests in chronic stroke research. Documents were extracted from the Scopus database in April 2022. Excel and VOSviewer 1.6.18 were used to conduct statistical and graphical analysis.

Results: Research on "behavioral test in chronic stroke rats" has progressed quickly, although the researchers have yet to collaborate with each other. H. Millani was an active researcher and author who connected numerous researchers, according to documents and citation analysis. “Animals”, “brain ischemia”, “man”, “publication”, and “animal experiment” were all common keywords. The majority of the articles were from the United States and China. The Morris Water Maze test and the cylinder test were the most commonly used behavior tests.

Conclusions Clinical applications and therapeutic effectiveness against stroke could be improved with more collaboration amongst authors. When using a behavior test, researchers need to think about which neurological deficiency is being addressed and whether the test covers long-term evaluation.
Penta-Helix Model of E-Government in Combating Corruption in Indonesia and Malaysia: Religiosity as a Moderating Role
Authors: Purnamasari Pupung , Amran Noor Afza , Nu'man A. Harits , Frendika Rusman , Nor Mohamad Naimi Mohamad , Ismail Mohamad Sharofi
Published: August 2022

Background: E-government is an initiative taken by governments worldwide to align the administration of their countries. Governments have utilized the internet as part of a transition into a globalized economy. This helps reduce red tape and procedures in dealing with people in government agencies. This study aims to develop an e-government model as an anti-corruption strategy by applying the Penta-helix model and religiosity as the moderating variable.

Methods: The data was gathered from government officials, representatives in business, media, academia, and NGOs, in Indonesia and Malaysia in 2021. Online questionnaires were distributed to 240 respondents from Indonesia and Malaysia. In addition, SPSS v.25 and SEM AMOS v.25 were used to analyze the data.

Results: The findings indicate that the Penta-helix elements and religiosity could help to reduce corruption in Indonesia. Meanwhile, Malaysia must increase its human resource competency and embed the religiosity element as a tool to reduce corruption.

Conclusion: Penta-helix and religious factors should be incorporated by organizations in Malaysia and Indonesia as part of their strategy in combating corruption.
The COMBAT project: controlling and progressively minimizing the burden of vector-borne animal trypanosomosis in Africa
Authors: Boulangé Alain , Lejon Veerle , Berthier David , Thévenon Sophie , Gimonneau Geoffrey , Desquesnes Marc , Abah Samuel , Agboho Prudenciène , Chilongo Kalinga , Gebre Tsegaye , Fall Assane Gueye , Kaba Dramane , Magez Stefan , Masiga Daniel , Matovu Enock , Moukhtar Aldjibert , Neves Luis , Olet Pamela A. , Pagabeleguem Soumaïla , Shereni William , Sorli Brice , Taioe Moeti O. , Tejedor Junco María Teresa , Yagi Rehab , Solano Philippe , Cecchi Giuliano
Published: August 2022

Vector-borne diseases affecting livestock have serious impacts in Africa. Trypanosomosis is caused by parasites transmitted by tsetse flies and other blood-suckingDiptera. The animal form of the disease is a scourge for African livestock keepers, is already present in Latin America and Asia, and has the potential to spread further. A human form of the disease also exists, known as human African trypanosomosis or sleeping sickness. Controlling and progressively minimizing the burden of animal trypanosomosis (COMBAT) is a four-year research and innovation project funded by the European Commission, whose ultimate goal is to reduce the burden of animal trypanosomosis (AT) in Africa. The project builds on the progressive control pathway (PCP), a risk-based, step-wise approach to disease reduction or elimination. COMBAT will strengthen AT control and prevention by improving basic knowledge of AT, developing innovative control tools, reinforcing surveillance, rationalizing control strategies, building capacity, and raising awareness. Knowledge gaps on disease epidemiology, vector ecology and competence, and biological aspects of trypanotolerant livestock will be addressed. Environmentally friendly vector control technologies and more effective and adapted diagnostic tools will be developed. Surveillance will be enhanced by developing information systems, strengthening reporting, and mapping and modelling disease risk in Africa and beyond. The socio-economic burden of AT will be assessed at a range of geographical scales. Guidelines for the PCP and harmonized national control strategies and roadmaps will be developed. Gender equality and ethics will be pivotal in all project activities. The COMBAT project benefits from the expertise of African and European research institutions, national veterinary authorities, and international organizations. The project consortium comprises 21 participants, including a geographically balanced representation from 13 African countries, and it will engage a larger number of AT-affected countries through regional initiatives.
Volume-based, layer-independent, disease-agnostic detection of abnormal retinal reflectivity, nonperfusion, and neovascularization using structural and angiographic OCT
Authors: Pi Shaohua , Hormel Tristan T. , Wang Bingjie , Bailey Steven T. , Hwang Thomas S. , Huang David , Morrison John C. , Jia Yali
Published: August 2022

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is widely used in ophthalmic practice because it can visualize retinal structure and vasculature in vivo and 3-dimensionally (3D). Even though OCT procedures yield data volumes, clinicians typically interpret the 3D images using two-dimensional (2D) data subsets, such as cross-sectional scans or en face projections. Since a single OCT volume can contain hundreds of cross-sections (each of which must be processed with retinal layer segmentation to produce en face images), a thorough manual analysis of the complete OCT volume can be prohibitively time-consuming. Furthermore, 2D reductions of the full OCT volume may obscure relationships between disease progression and the (volumetric) location of pathology within the retina and can be prone to mis-segmentation artifacts. In this work, we propose a novel framework that can detect several retinal pathologies in three dimensions using structural and angiographic OCT. Our framework operates by detecting deviations in reflectance, angiography, and simulated perfusion from a percent depth normalized standard retina created by merging and averaging scans from healthy subjects. We show that these deviations from the standard retina can highlight multiple key features, while the depth normalization obviates the need to segment several retinal layers. We also construct a composite pathology index that measures average deviation from the standard retina in several categories (hypo- and hyper-reflectance, nonperfusion, presence of choroidal neovascularization, and thickness change) and show that this index correlates with DR severity. Requiring minimal retinal layer segmentation and being fully automated, this 3D framework has a strong potential to be integrated into commercial OCT systems and to benefit ophthalmology research and clinical care.