bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Whole blood transcriptomic signature of Cushing's syndrome
Authors: Birtolo Maria Francesca , Armignacco Roberta , Benanteur Nesrine , Baussart Bertrand , Villa Chiara , De Murat Daniel , Guignat Laurence , Groussin Lionel , Libé Rossella , Zennaro Maria-Christina , Saidi Meriama , Perlemoine Karine , Letourneur Franck , Amar Laurence , Bertherat Jérôme , Jouinot Anne , Assié Guillaume
Published: July 2024

Objective

Cushing's syndrome is characterized by high morbidity and mortality with high interindividual variability. Easily measurable biomarkers, in addition to the hormone assays currently used for diagnosis, could reflect the individual biological impact of glucocorticoids. The aim of this study is to identify such biomarkers through the analysis of whole blood transcriptome.

Design

Whole blood transcriptome was evaluated in 57 samples from patients with overt Cushing's syndrome, mild Cushing's syndrome, eucortisolism, and adrenal insufficiency. Samples were randomly split into a training cohort to set up a Cushing's transcriptomic signature and a validation cohort to assess this signature.

Methods

Total RNA was obtained from whole blood samples and sequenced on a NovaSeq 6000 System (Illumina). Both unsupervised (principal component analysis) and supervised (Limma) methods were used to explore the transcriptome profile. Ridge regression was used to build a Cushing's transcriptome predictor.

Results

The transcriptomic profile discriminated samples with overt Cushing's syndrome. Genes mostly associated with overt Cushing's syndrome were enriched in pathways related to immunity, particularly neutrophil activation. A prediction model of 1500 genes built on the training cohort demonstrated its discriminating value in the validation cohort (accuracy .82) and remained significant in a multivariate model including the neutrophil proportion (P = .002). Expression of FKBP5, a single gene both overexpressed in Cushing's syndrome and implied in the glucocorticoid receptor signaling, could also predict Cushing's syndrome (accuracy .76).

Conclusions

Whole blood transcriptome reflects the circulating levels of glucocorticoids. FKBP5 expression could be a nonhormonal marker of Cushing's syndrome.
Variant patterns of electrical activation and recovery in normal human hearts revealed by noninvasive electrocardiographic imaging
Authors: Stoks Job , Patel Kiran Haresh Kumar , van Rees Bianca , Nguyen Uyen Chau , Mihl Casper , Deissler Peter M , ter Bekke Rachel M A , Peeters Ralf , Vijgen Johan , Dendale Paul , Ng Fu Siong , Cluitmans Matthijs J M , Volders Paul G A
Published: July 2024

Aims

Although electrical activity of the normal human heart is well characterized by the electrocardiogram, detailed insights into within-subject and between-subject variations of ventricular activation and recovery by noninvasive electroanatomic mapping are lacking. We characterized human epicardial activation and recovery within and between normal subjects using non-invasive electrocardiographic imaging (ECGI) as a basis to better understand pathology.

Methods and results

Epicardial activation and recovery were assessed by ECGI in 22 normal subjects, 4 subjects with bundle branch block (BBB) and 4 with long-QT syndrome (LQTS). We compared characteristics between the ventricles [left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV)], sexes, and age groups (<50/≥50years). Pearson’s correlation coefficient (CC) was used for within-subject and between-subject comparisons. Age of normal subjects averaged 49 ± 14 years, 6/22 were male, and no structural/electrical heart disease was present. The average activation time was longer in LV than in RV, but not different by sex or age. Electrical recovery was similar for the ventricles, but started earlier and was on average shorter in males. Median CCs of between-subject comparisons of the ECG signals, activation, and recovery patterns were 0.61, 0.32, and 0.19, respectively. Within-subject beat-to-beat comparisons yielded higher CCs (0.98, 0.89, and 0.82, respectively). Activation and/or recovery patterns of patients with BBB or LQTS contrasted significantly with those found in the normal population.

Conclusion

Activation and recovery patterns vary profoundly between normal subjects, but are stable individually beat to beat, with a male preponderance to shorter recovery. Individual characterization by ECGI at baseline serves as reference to better understand the emergence, progression, and treatment of electrical heart disease.
The 100 most-cited articles in COVID-19: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Liew Yong Y , Dong Qiming , Lakshman Nivan , Khajuria Ankur
Published: July 2024

Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, sparked by the emergence of a novel coronavirus in early 2020, has prompted a surge in published articles. This study aims to systematically analyse the characteristics and trends of impactful research in the field. The 100 most-cited publications associated with COVID-19 were identified by two independent reviewers using the ‘Web of Science’ database across all available journals up to the year 2023. Data collected include country, citation count, subject, level of evidence (using Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine System 2011), impact factor, funding, and study design. We identified 394 038 publications, and the 100 most-cited publications were ranked. These were cited by a total of 283 034 articles (median citation = 767), median impact factor of 66.9 and 72 articles with fundings. China (n = 44), USA (n = 19), and UK (n = 13) were the three highest contributors (n = 220 505). Most articles were level 5 evidence (n = 48), followed by level 3 (n = 28), 4 (n = 14), 2 (n = 7), and 1 (n = 3). The main subjects were mechanism of action and structures of SARS-CoV-2 virus (n = 18) and impact of COVID-19 on public health (n = 18). Publications in 2022 and 2023 predominantly focused on the impact of COVID-19. Majority of the highly cited studies were of low-to-moderate quality, with only 10 consisting of randomized controlled trials or systematic reviews with or without meta-analysis. These findings reflect a growing interest in understanding the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on public and mental health. This analysis found the potential for future double-blinded randomized controlled trials to validate existing findings.
The effectiveness of endolysin ENDO-1252 from Salmonella bacteriophage-1252 against nontyphoidal Salmonella enterica
Authors: Tung Chuan-Wei , Julianingsih Dita , Canagarajah Christa , Sellers George , Scriba Aaron , Alvarado-Martínez Zabdiel , Tabashsum Zajeba , Biswas Debabrata
Published: July 2024

Salmonella enterica (S. enterica) is the most common food and waterborne pathogen worldwide. The growing trend of antibiotic-resistant S. enterica poses severe healthcare threats. As an alternative antimicrobial agent, bacteriophage-encoded endolysins (endolysins) are a potential agent in controlling S. enterica infection. Endolysins are enzymes that particularly target the peptidoglycan layer of bacterial cells, leading to their rupture and destruction. However, the application of endolysins against Gram-negative bacteria is limited due to the presence of the outer membrane in the cell wall, which hinders the permeation of externally applied endolysins. This study aimed the prokaryotic expression system to produce the recombinant endolysin ENDO-1252, encoded by the Salmonella bacteriophage-1252 associated with S. Enteritidis. Subsequently, ENDO-1252 had strong lytic activity not only against S. Enteritidis but also against S. Typhimurium. In addition, ENDO-1252 showed optimal thermostability and lytic activity at 25°C with a pH of 7.0. In combination with 0.1 mM EDTA, the effect of 120 µg of ENDO-1252 for 6 hours exhibited the highest lytic activity, resulting in a reduction of 1.15 log or 92.87% on S. Enteritidis. These findings suggest that ENDO-1252 can be used as a potential and innovative antibacterial agent for controlling the growth of S. Enteritidis.
Beauty with an Explanation and the Poetics of Acculturation: How, and Why, Michael Ondaatje’s Poetic Novels Work
Authors: Whetter Darryl
Published: July 2024

Michael Ondaatje’s first three novels, those which cemented his international fiction career, each use a pattern in which metaphors which begin as isolated comparisons of A to B are also sequentially repackaged into the lesser known (but equally substitutive) trope of metonymy. In sequence, this metonymic use of metaphor fuses the self-evident comparison of metaphor with the more acculturated substitution of metonymy – a substitution taught within a culture, not self-evident like a metaphor – ultimately enacting a poetics of acculturation. Loading a novel’s metaphorical terms with sequential meaning was crucial to an Ondaatje who was not only transitioning from poet to novelist, but doing so in an aesthetic fusion of the postmodern and the postcolonial also found in other late-twentieth-century postcolonial novels.
Nomogram for predicting pathologic complete response following preoperative chemoradiotherapy in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Shin Young Seob , Jang Jeong Yun , Yoo Ye Jin , Yu Jesang , Song Kye Jin , Jo Yoon Young , Kim Sung-Bae , Park Sook Ryun , Song Ho June , Kim Yong-Hee , Kim Hyeong Ryul , Kim Jong Hoon
Published: July 2024

Background

In patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), accurately predicting a pathologic complete response (pCR) to preoperative chemoradiotherapy (PCRT) has the potential to enable an active surveillance strategy without esophagectomy. We aimed to establish a reliable multiparameter nomogram model that combines tumor characteristics, imaging modalities, and hematologic markers to predict pCR in patients with ESCC who underwent PCRT and esophagectomy.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 457 patients with ESCC who received PCRT followed by esophagectomy between January 2005 and October 2020. The nomogram model was developed using logistic regression analysis with a training cohort and externally validated with a validation cohort.

Results

In the training and validation cohorts, 44.2% (126/285) and 48.3% (83/172) of patients, respectively, achieved pCR after PCRT. The 5-year rates of overall survival, progression-free survival, and freedom from local progression in the training cohort were 51.6%, 48.5%, and 77.6%, respectively. The parameters included in the nomogram were histologic grade, clinical N stage, maximum standardized uptake value on positron emission tomography, and post-PCRT biopsy. Hematologic markers were significantly associated with survival outcomes but not with pCR. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the nomogram was 0.717, 0.704, and 0.707 for the training cohort, internal validation cohort, and external validation cohort, respectively.

Conclusion

Our nomogram model based on four parameters obtained from standard clinical practice demonstrated good performance in both the training and validation cohorts and could be useful to aid clinical decision-making to determine whether surgery or active surveillance strategy should be pursued.
Pan-cancer Analysis Reveals m6A Variation and Cell-specific Regulatory Network in Different Cancer Types
Authors: Lin Yao , Li Jingyi , Liang Shuaiyi , Chen Yaxin , Li Yueqi , Cun Yixian , Tian Lei , Zhou Yuanli , Chen Yitong , Chu Jiemei , Chen Hubin , Luo Qiang , Zheng Ruili , Wang Gang , Liang Hao , Cui Ping , An Sanqi
Published: July 2024

As the most abundant messenger RNA (mRNA) modification, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) plays a crucial role in RNA fate, impacting cellular and physiological processes in various tumor types. However, our understanding of the role of the m6A methylome in tumor heterogeneity remains limited. Herein, we collected and analyzed m6A methylomes across nine human tissues from 97 m6A sequencing (m6A-seq) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) samples. Our findings demonstrate that m6A exhibits different heterogeneity in most tumor tissues compared to normal tissues, which contributes to the diverse clinical outcomes in different cancer types. We also found that the cancer type-specific m6A level regulated the expression of different cancer-related genes in distinct cancer types. Utilizing a novel and reliable method called “m6A-express”, we predicted m6A-regulated genes and revealed that cancer type-specific m6A-regulated genes contributed to the prognosis, tumor origin, and infiltration level of immune cells in diverse patient populations. Furthermore, we identified cell-specific m6A regulators that regulate cancer-specific m6A and constructed a regulatory network. Experimental validation was performed, confirming that the cell-specific m6A regulator CAPRIN1 controls the m6A level of TP53. Overall, our work reveals the clinical relevance of m6A in various tumor tissues and explains how such heterogeneity is established. These results further suggest the potential of m6A in cancer precision medicine for patients with different cancer types.
Exploring the complexity of systemic sclerosis etiology by trio whole genome sequencing
Authors: Dai Hongzheng , Ketkar Shamika , Tan Taotao , Atkinson Elizabeth G , Burrage Lindsay , Worley Kim C , Christopher Brian , Lyons Marka A , Assassi Shervin , Mayes Maureen D , Lee Brendan
Published: July 2024

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a heterogeneous rare autoimmune fibrosing disorder affecting connective tissue. The etiology of systemic sclerosis is largely unknown and many genes have been suggested as susceptibility loci of modest impact by genome-wide association study (GWAS). Multiple factors can contribute to the pathological process of the disease, which makes it more difficult to identify possible disease-causing genetic alterations. In this study, we have applied whole genome sequencing (WGS) in 101 indexed family trios, supplemented with transcriptome sequencing on cultured fibroblast cells of four patients and five family controls where available. Single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and copy number variants (CNVs) were examined, with emphasis on de novo variants. We also performed enrichment test for rare variants in candidate genes previously proposed in association with systemic sclerosis. We identified 42 exonic and 34 ncRNA de novo SNV changes in 101 trios, from a total of over 6000 de novo variants genome wide. We observed higher than expected de novo variants in PRKXP1 gene. We also observed such phenomenon along with increased expression in patient group in NEK7 gene. Additionally, we also observed significant enrichment of rare variants in candidate genes in the patient cohort, further supporting the complexity/multi-factorial etiology of systemic sclerosis. Our findings identify new candidate genes including PRKXP1 and NEK7 for future studies in SSc. We observed rare variant enrichment in candidate genes previously proposed in association with SSc, which suggest more efforts should be pursued to further investigate possible pathogenetic mechanisms associated with those candidate genes.
Following Through: The Impact of Culinary Medicine on Mediterranean Diet Uptake in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Ryan Kelsey , Salozzo Caroline , Schwartz Sally , Hart Micquel , Tuo Ya , Wenzel Amanda , Saul Samantha , Strople Jennifer , Brown Jeffrey , Runde Joseph
Published: July 2024

Background

The Mediterranean diet (MD) is recommended for all patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) unless there is a specific contraindication. Culinary medicine has emerged as a method for improving dietary education. Patients and caregivers are often invested in making dietary changes to improve disease control. Here, we examine the dietary preferences of a group of young people with IBD and apply culinary medicine techniques with an in-person MD-focused cooking class.

Methods

A survey evaluating dietary attitudes was sent to an IBD email listserv at our tertiary care center (n = 779). A validated questionnaire, the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for Children and Adolescents was used to assess MD adherence. IBD dietitians customized 2 in-person MD-focused cooking classes, one for children 6 to 12 years of age (arm 1) and one for adolescents 13 to 17 years of age (arm 2). Baseline, 1-month follow-up, and 3-month follow-up surveys were completed.

Results

There were 112 survey responses. Participants were 67.0% male with diagnosis of Crohn’s disease (50.0%), ulcerative colitis (42.0%), or IBD unclassified (8.0%). Most were managed on advanced therapies (82.0%). Most reported making decisions about diet (82.0%) in order to help with IBD, had met with a dietitian (69.0%), and were interested in learning more about the MD (55.3%). MD scores were primarily in the average (49.5%) and poor (41.1%) diet categories. Only those eating together as a family 3 or more times per week or those who had met with a dietitian scored in the optimal diet category. The median MD score at baseline was 4.5, increasing to 6.0 at 1 month and 7.0 at 3 months postintervention. Almost all (90%) would recommend cooking classes to others. Common barriers to MD uptake included lack of knowledge about which foods to prepare, concern about taste, and time to prepare food.

Conclusions

This study showcases high patient and caregiver interest in dietary management of IBD and demonstrates efficacy of education via application of culinary medicine. Classes were well received by families and MD adherence scores increased postintervention. As patients with IBD and their families are often motivated to incorporate dietary therapy into their care, this work highlights the role of culinary medicine and value of future study.
Gender and Transitional Justice: Explaining Global Trends
Authors: Sikkink Kathryn , Clapp Helen , Marín-López Daniel , Schmidt Averell
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT∞

In this article, we explore historical trends in gender-attentive transitional justice policies using a new global dataset of truth commissions, prosecutions and reparations policies. We find that gender was largely absent from these policies from 1970 through 1990 but that more attention to gender began in the 1990s and has been sustained since that time. Initial attention to gender focused primarily on violence against women; more recently, some limited attention to broader understandings of gender that include men, boys and LGBTQI+ individuals has started to appear. We argue that the early efforts of feminist activists in countries both in the Global North and the Global South to frame and set the global agenda on violence against women shaped when transitional justice policies became gender attentive and how these policies have diffused across countries. We argue that attention to female victims and physical gender violence is associated with a positive spillover, leading to broader attention to gender issues rather than crowding out attention to other gender harms.
First-Order Perturbation Theory of Trust-Region Subproblem
Authors: Feng Bo , Wu Gang
Published: July 2024

Trust-region subproblem (TRS) is an important problem arising in many applications such as numerical optimization, Tikhonov regularization of ill-posed problems and constrained eigenvalue problems. In recent decades, extensive works focus on how to solve the trust-region subproblem efficiently. To the best of our knowledge, there are few results on perturbation analysis of the trust-region subproblem. In order to fill in this gap, we focus on first-order perturbation theory of the trust-region subproblem. The main contributions of this paper are three-fold. First, suppose that the TRS is in easy case, we give a sufficient condition under which the perturbed TRS is still in easy case. Secondly, with the help of the structure of the TRS and the classical eigenproblem perturbation theory, we perform first-order perturbation analysis on the Lagrange multiplier and the solution of the TRS, and define their condition numbers. Thirdly, we point out that the solution and the Lagrange multiplier could be well-conditioned even if TRS is in nearly hard case. The established results are computable, and are helpful to evaluate ill-conditioning of the large-scale TRS problem beforehand. Numerical experiments show the sharpness of the established bounds and the effectiveness of the proposed strategies.
Soviet Active Measures and the Second Cold War: Security, Truth, and the Politics of Self
Authors: Whyte Jeffrey
Published: July 2024

This paper explores the emergence of “Soviet active measures” in US political discourse during the “Second Cold War” of the early 1980s. It follows the efforts of the Active Measures Working Group, a little-known interagency organization led by Reagan administration appointees that constructed an image of Soviet active measures as a threat to national security. I detail, especially, how the Working Group framed the US anti-war movement as both a target of and vehicle for active measures. In so doing, I show how the active measure was constructed in US political discourse through a dramaturgy of secrecy and revelation that placed it within a broader “covert imaginary.” This paper concludes with a theorization of these efforts in relation to Foucault’s concept of “alethurgy,” considering how the construction of the active measure produced a “politics of truth” in which the anti-war protestor appeared as a dangerous, disinformed subject.
Divergent marine anaerobic ciliates harbor closely related Methanocorpusculum endosymbionts
Authors: Schrecengost Anna , Rotterová Johana , Poláková Kateřina , Čepička Ivan , Beinart Roxanne A
Published: July 2024

Ciliates are a diverse group of protists known for their ability to establish various partnerships and thrive in a wide variety of oxygen-depleted environments. Most anaerobic ciliates harbor methanogens, one of the few known archaea living intracellularly. These methanogens increase the metabolic efficiency of host fermentation via syntrophic use of host end-product in methanogenesis. Despite the ubiquity of these symbioses in anoxic habitats, patterns of symbiont specificity and fidelity are not well known. We surveyed two unrelated, commonly found groups of anaerobic ciliates, the Plagiopylea and Metopida, isolated from anoxic marine sediments. We sequenced host 18S rRNA and symbiont 16S rRNA marker genes as well as the symbiont internal transcribed spacer region from our cultured ciliates to identify hosts and their associated methanogenic symbionts. We found that marine ciliates from both of these co-occurring, divergent groups harbor closely related yet distinct intracellular archaea within the Methanocorpusculum genus. The symbionts appear to be stable at the host species level, but at higher taxonomic levels, there is evidence that symbiont replacements have occurred. Gaining insight into this unique association will deepen our understanding of the complex transmission modes of marine microbial symbionts, and the mutualistic microbial interactions occurring across domains of life.
Ideology, Local-Level Policymaking, and International Governmental Organizations
Authors: Bayram A Burcu , Sledge Daniel , Thomas Herschel F
Published: July 2024

A growing literature at the intersection of international relations, public policy, and comparative politics has explored the role that International Governmental Organizations (IGOs) play in influencing domestic policymaking. This literature is grounded in a commonly shared theoretical expectation that policymakers will perceive IGOs as neutral and technocratic purveyors of expert information. Based on this expectation, scholars have assumed that policymakers are likely to employ recommendations from IGOs when making decisions. In this research note, we examine this assumption through an analysis of original survey data on U.S. mayors’ responses to COVID-19-related guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO). In contrast to dominant theoretical expectations, we find that mayoral likelihood of considering WHO recommendations in policymaking and of trusting WHO-provided information was largely a function of ideology, an effect that remains after incorporating the interactive effect of Trump vote share.
A practice-based approach to teaching antimicrobial therapy using artificial intelligence and gamified learning
Authors: Driesnack Sebastian , Rücker Fabian , Dietze-Jergus Nadine , Bondarenko Alexander , Pletz Mathias W , Viehweger Adrian
Published: July 2024

Objectives

Scalable teaching through apps and artificial intelligence (AI) is of rising interest in academic practice. We focused on how medical students could benefit from this trend in learning antibiotic stewardship (ABS). Our study evaluated the impact of gamified learning on factual knowledge and uncertainty in antibiotic prescription. We also assessed an opportunity for AI-empowered evaluation of freeform answers.

Methods

We offered four short courses focusing on ABS, with 46 participating medical students who self-selected themselves into the elective course. Course size was limited by the faculty. At the start of the course, students were given a questionnaire about microbiology, infectious diseases, pharmacy and qualitative questions regarding their proficiency of selecting antibiotics for therapy. Students were followed up with the same questionnaire for up to 12 months. We selected popular game mechanics with commonly known rules for teaching and an AI for evaluating freeform questions.

Results

The number of correctly answered questions improved significantly for three topics asked in the introductory examination, as did the self-assessed safety of prescribing antibiotics. The AI-based review of freeform answers was found to be capable of revealing students’ learning gaps and identifying topics in which students needed further teaching.

Conclusions

We showed how an interdisciplinary short course on ABS featuring gamified learning and AI could substantially improve learning. Even though large language models are a relatively new technology that sometimes fails to produce the anticipated results, they are a possible first step in scaling a tutor-based teaching approach in ABS.
Fluoroquinolone-resistant Campylobacter in backyard and commercial broiler production systems in the United States
Authors: Parzygnat Jessica L , Dunn Robert R , Koci Matthew D , Crespo Rocio , Harden Lyndy , Thakur Siddhartha
Published: July 2024

Objectives

Campylobacter spp. are one of the leading foodborne pathogens in the world, and chickens are a known reservoir. This is significant considering broiler chicken is the top consumed meat worldwide. In the USA, backyard poultry production is increasing, but little research has been done to investigate prevalence and antimicrobial resistance associated with Campylobacter in these environments.

Methods

Our study encompasses a farm-to-genome approach to identify Campylobacter and investigate its antimicrobial resistance phenotypically and genotypically. We travelled to 10 backyard and 10 integrated commercial broiler farms to follow a flock throughout production. We sampled at days 10, 31 and 52 for backyard and 10, 24 and 38 for commercial farms. Bird faecal (n = 10) and various environmental samples (soil n = 5, litter/compost n = 5, and feeder and waterer swabs n = 6) were collected at each visit and processed for Campylobacter.

Results

Our results show a higher prevalence of Campylobacter in samples from backyard farms (21.9%) compared to commercial (12.2%). Most of our isolates were identified as C. jejuni (70.8%) and the remainder as C. coli (29.2%). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing reveals phenotypic resistance to ciprofloxacin (40.2%), an important treatment drug for Campylobacter infection, and tetracycline (46.6%). A higher proportion of resistance was found in C. jejuni isolates and commercial farms. Whole-genome sequencing revealed resistance genes, such as tet(O) and gyrA_T86I point mutation, that may confer resistance.

Conclusion

Overall, our research emphasizes the need for interventions to curb prevalence of resistant Campylobacter spp. on broiler production systems.
Dose–response of inactivated yeast in diets of late gestating and lactating gilts on immunoglobulin transfer and offspring preweaning growth performance
Authors: Christensen Brenda , Schulze Hagen , Kiarie Elijah G , Huber Lee-Anne
Published: July 2024

Fifty gilts (initial body weight [BW] 190.7 ± 4.2 kg) were recruited on day 85 of gestation and were used until day 19 of lactation to assess the dose–response of inactivated yeast via hydrolyzation (HY) inclusion on offspring growth and immunoglobulin (Ig) transfer prior to weaning. Gilts were assigned to one of the 5 experimental diets: a control with no HY (HY0) or inclusion of 0.25% (HY0.25), 0.5% (HY0.5), 1.0% (HY1.0), or 1.2% (HY1.2) HY. Gilts were weighed on days 85 and 110 of gestation and days 1 and 19 (weaning) after farrowing. Offspring were weighed on days 1 and 19 of age. On lactation day 1 (approximately 24 h after farrowing), colostrum, gilt plasma, and plasma from 2 median BW piglets were collected and on day 19, plasma from each gilt and 2 median BW piglets per litter were collected for determination of Ig concentrations. Contrast statements were used to assess the linear, quadratic, cubic, and quartic effects of HY inclusion. The inclusion of HY had minimal effects on gilt BW or litter characteristics at birth (total number born and born alive, piglet birth weight). Lactation average daily feed intake of the gilts tended to increase then decrease with increasing HY inclusion (quadratic; P = 0.085). Piglet preweaning average daily gain (linear, quadratic, and quartic; P < 0.05) and BW at weaning (quadratic and quartic; P < 0.05) increased then decreased with increasing HY inclusion. On lactation day 1, colostrum and gilt plasma Ig concentrations were not affected by dietary treatment (P > 0.10) but piglet IgA and IgM decreased then increased with HY inclusion level (cubic; P < 0.05). On lactation day 19, piglet plasma IgG tended to increase with HY inclusion (linear; P = 0.099). In summary, increasing HY inclusion in late gestating and lactating gilt diets improved immune transfer in the first 24 h after birth and piglet preweaning growth rates and BW at weaning. Therefore, maternal feeding of HY could be used as a strategy to improve offspring immunocompetence and BW at weaning, with possible carryover benefits for the postweaning phase.
The Individual-Level and Community-Level Social Determinants of Burn Injuries: A Single-Institution Study From the Southwestern United States
Authors: Cohler Samuel , Krasner Henry , Batra Kavita , Saquib Syed
Published: July 2024

Burn injuries are a significant public health concern, causing life-threatening complications and substantial hospitalization costs for patients. It has been shown that burn injuries may affect individuals differently based on demographic factors and socioeconomic status, among other variables. In the Southwestern United States with high ambient temperatures, specific burn etiologies, such as pavement burns, may pose a disproportionately high risk for disadvantaged communities and homeless individuals. This study uniquely explores burn injuries in relation to patients’ socioeconomic status in Las Vegas, Nevada by using the Distressed Community Index to quantify socioeconomic status utilizing individual-level and community-level indicators. This single-institution and retrospective study collected data from all patients admitted to a burn center located in Las Vegas. Data were analyzed through Chi-square, one-way ANOVA, and post-hoc analysis with Tukey’s test. Patients residing in distressed communities contributed to the greatest number of burn injuries; however, there was a lack of significant association between socioeconomic status and burn injury (P = 202). Additionally, specific burn etiologies and demographic characteristics were associated with variations in burn patient hospital course, complications, resources utilized and outcomes. Distressed patients were significantly associated with public insurance (P < 0.001), and public insurance users were associated with pavement burns—one of the most severe burn injuries (P < 0.001). This study emphasizes the importance of developing comprehensive burn prevention resources tailored to vulnerable populations, especially in regions with increased incidence of severe burn injuries, in order to reduce burn burden and mortality.
The Unhoused Burn Population: An Alarming Increase of Leaving Against Medical Advice
Authors: Speiser Noah , Donohue Sean J , Pickering Trevor A , Pham Christopher , Johnson Maxwell , Gillenwater Timothy Justin , Yenikomshian Haig A
Published: July 2024

Unhoused burn patients (UBPs) have historically been more likely to leave against medical advice (AMA) and suffer worse health outcomes than the general population. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic created a major strain on the health care system, resulting in worse overall health outcomes for burn patients. We sought to investigate how COVID-19 impacted treatment for UBP, specifically the rate of leaving AMA. We conducted a retrospective chart analysis of patients admitted to a regional burn center between June 2015 and January 2023. March 1, 2020 was used as a cut point to separate the cohorts into patients seen pre-COVID-19 (p-CV) and during COVID-19 (CV). Outcomes included leaving treatment AMA and readmission within 30 days. In total, 385 patients met criteria for being unhoused and were included in our analytic sample, of which 199 were in the p-CV cohort and 186 in the CV cohort. UBP were significantly more likely to leave AMA during CV compared to p-CV (22.6% vs 7.5%, P < .001). Housed burn patients did not experience an increase in discharges AMA during this time period. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an increase in discharges AMA among unhoused patients only. While the etiology is unclear, our findings suggest that this vulnerable patient population is receiving inadequate care post-COVID. Future research should determine the driving force behind these increases and identify early interventions to mitigate them.
Relational Gifting: Conceptual Frameworks and an Agenda for a New Generation of Research
Authors: Weinberger Michelle F , Baskin Ernest , Gunasti Kunter
Published: July 2024

Relational gifts are given among known social connections and are oriented toward relationship work and care. An abundance of gifting research over the past 50 years has focused on gift selection and reception, most recently on variables driving mismatches between what givers and recipients think make good gifts. That work lays an essential foundation. However, important opportunities remain to deepen understandings by broadening the focus. This entails viewing gifting as a relational, social, and often longitudinal process that is intertwined within evolving social and cultural contexts. This article conceptualizes three under-researched areas of opportunity on relational gifting: (1) understanding the evolving and contextualized experience of a gift in recipients’ lives, (2) tracing the gift circuit, the dynamics of gifting within social relationships over time, and (3) mapping relational gifting as a dynamic gift system that reflects and reinforces social structure and networks of care. Together, these three areas present important ground for future psychological, sociological, and anthropological consumer research that deepens understanding of when, how, and why relational gifts matter and the relational work that these gifts enable. Ultimately, the goal of this article is to set an agenda for a new generation of relational gifting research.
Assessment of the USDA Biomass Harvest Trap (USDA-BHT) device as an insect harvest and mosquito surveillance tool
Authors: Lado Paula , Rogers D Christopher , Cernicchiaro Natalia , Swistek Sabrina , Van Nest Kortnee , Shults Phillip , Ewing Robert D , Okeson Danelle , Brabec Daniel , Cohnstaedt Lee W
Published: July 2024

Insects are a promising source of high-quality protein, and the insect farming industry will lead to higher sustainability when it overcomes scaling up, cost effectiveness, and automation. In contrast to insect farming (raising and breeding insects as livestock), wild insect harvesting (collecting agricultural insect pests), may constitute a simple sustainable animal protein supplementation strategy. For wild harvest to be successful sufficient insect biomass needs to be collected while simultaneously avoiding the collection of nontarget insects. We assessed the performance of the USDA Biomass Harvest Trap (USDA-BHT) device to collect flying insect biomass and as a mosquito surveillance tool. The USDA-BHT device was compared to other suction traps commonly used for mosquito surveillance (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) light traps, Encephalitis virus surveillance traps, and Biogents Sentinel traps). The insect biomass harvested in the USDA-BHT was statistically higher than the one harvested in the other traps, however the mosquito collections between traps were not statistically significantly different. The USDA-BHT collected some beneficial insects, although it was observed that their collection was minimized at night. These findings coupled with the fact that sorting time to separate the mosquitoes from the other collected insects was significantly longer for the USDA-BHT, indicate that the use of this device for insect biomass collection conflicts with its use as an efficient mosquito surveillance tool. Nevertheless, the device efficiently collected insect biomass, and thus can be used to generate an alternative protein source for animal feed.
Testing Models of Strategic Uncertainty: Equilibrium Selection in Repeated Games
Authors: Boczoń Marta , Vespa Emanuel , Weidman Taylor , Wilson Alistair J
Published: July 2024

In repeated games, where both collusive and non-collusive outcomes can be supported as equilibria, it is crucial to understand the likelihood of selection for each type of equilibrium. Controlled experiments have empirically validated a selection criterion for the two-player repeated prisoner’s dilemma: the basin of attraction for always defect. This prediction device uses the game primitives to measure the set of beliefs for which an agent would prefer to unconditionally defect rather than attempt conditional cooperation. This belief measure reflects strategic uncertainty over others’ actions, where the prediction is for non-cooperative outcomes when the basin measure is full, and cooperative outcomes when empty. We expand this selection notion to multi-player social dilemmas and experimentally test the predictions, manipulating both the total number of players and the payoff tensions. Our results affirm the model as a tool for predicting long-term cooperation while also speaking to some limitations when dealing with first-time encounters.
Can They Deliver?
Authors: Furger Andrea
Published: July 2024

Joint Investigation Teams or JITs are practical mechanisms of cooperation that are established between two or more states to, jointly, conduct criminal investigations. Increasingly used in investigations into core international crimes (war crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression), JITs are understudied in the field of international criminal law. This article examines how the procedures outlined in JIT legal frameworks are implemented in practice and assesses whether JITs can respond to the challenges of contemporary international crimes investigations. The article contends that, while JITs introduce some useful new cooperation processes, they fall short on many of their most promising features, which are difficult to implement fully in practice or in fact already exist.
Soft-tissue sarcoma in Japan: National Cancer Registry-based analysis from 2016 to 2019
Authors: Ogura Koichi , Morizane Chigusa , Satake Tomoyuki , Iwata Shintaro , Toda Yu , Muramatsu Shudai , Takemori Toshiyuki , Kondo Hiroya , Kobayashi Eisuke , Katoh Yoko , Higashi Takahiro , Kawai Akira
Published: July 2024

Background

No previous reports have characterized national profiles of soft-tissue sarcoma overall. We examined the nationwide statistics for soft-tissue sarcoma in Japan using data from the population-based National Cancer Registry.

Methods

We identified 23 522 soft-tissue-sarcoma patients who were entered in the National Cancer Registry during 2016–19 using International Classification of Diseases-Oncology, Third Edition codes for cancer topography and morphology. We extracted data on patient demographics, tumor details (reason for diagnosis, tumor location, histology, extent of disease), hospital volume/type, treatment, and prognosis for each patient.

Results

Soft-tissue sarcoma showed a slight male preponderance. Approximately 5500–6000 new cases were diagnosed as soft-tissue sarcoma per year, with the age-adjusted incidence of soft-tissue sarcoma being 3.22/100000/year. The age distribution showed a single peak in the 70–79 age range, and sex-stratified data showed it was higher in men. The most common histologic subtype was liposarcoma. The most frequent tumor locations were the soft tissue and skin, followed by the retroperitoneum. Extent of disease was categorized as: “localized” (31.3%), “regional” (38.9%), or “distant” (10.5%). We found significant associations between overall survival and sex, age, tumor location, facility type, hospital volume, reason for diagnosis, extent of disease, and surgical treatment.

Conclusions

This is the first study to outline the epidemiology, clinical features, treatment, prognosis, and significant factors affecting prognosis of soft-tissue sarcoma in Japan using the National Cancer Registry. Documenting our data regarding elderly patients’ outcomes is essential so other countries showing similar population-aging trends can learn from our experiences.

Level of evidence

Prognostic studies, Level III.
Hypereosinophilic syndrome response to mepolizumab in the setting of a compassionate use program
Authors: Coussement Gauthier , Catherine Julien , Roufosse Florence
Published: July 2024

Mepolizumab, an anti-interleukin-5 antibody, has been proven a safe and effective glucocorticoid (GC)-sparing drug for many patients with nonclonal hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) and is now approved in many countries. It remains unclear, however, which patients are most likely to benefit from therapy and whether the currently approved dosing regimen is appropriate for all. This observational retrospective study included all patients with HES who were enrolled in the MHE104317 compassionate use program (CUP) in our center. Patient and disease characteristics, mepolizumab dosing, and both clinical and hematological responses to treatment were collected from medical files. Treatment responses and mepolizumab dosing requirements were analyzed according to disease characteristics. Eighteen patients with HES were enrolled in the CUP, of whom nine are still on treatment. The median duration of exposure to mepolizumab was 45 mo (maximum 18 yr). A lower number of affected organs, requirement for GC dosing ≤10 mg prednisone-equivalent, and single-organ HES were associated with a higher likelihood of complete response. Lymphocytic variant HES (L-HES) was less treatment-responsive, leading to withdrawal and/or requiring higher mepolizumab dosing to achieve some degree of disease control. In contrast, all patients with single-organ disease had a complete response that could often be maintained despite increasing between-dose intervals. Few potentially treatment-related adverse events were observed despite prolonged exposure. This study confirms the efficacy and safety of mepolizumab in HES, although patients with L-HES rarely experience a complete response. In contrast, patients with single-organ disease affecting the lungs are often super-responders, and decreasing mepolizumab dosing may be attempted.
A polytypic species revisited: phylogenetic and morphological variation, taxonomic status, and geographical distribution of Trachops (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae)
Authors: Camacho M Alejandra , Menéndez-Guerrero Pablo A , Horváth Balázs , Cadar Dániel , Murienne Jérôme
Published: July 2024

The taxonomic status of the Neotropical bat genus Trachops is reevaluated through an integrated study that incorporates morphological, morphometric, and molecular data across its extensive geographic range. Our research, which included previously unexamined geographical regions, revealed substantial insights into the diversity within Trachops. Genetic and morphological results support elevation of T. cirrhosus ehrhardti, distributed within the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, to species status due to differences in southeastern Brazil specimens. Conversely, our analysis found insufficient evidence to maintain the subspecific distinction of T. c. coffini, which lacks diagnosable morphological characters and is not genetically distinct from T. c. cirrhosus across its distribution range. Additionally, our findings challenge a prior notion of latitudinal differentiation in body size in T. cirrhosus, because specimens from western South America and northeastern South America exhibit similar sizes to those from Central America. These results underscore the importance of revising the taxonomic framework for this bat genus—contributing to a more precise understanding of its evolutionary relationships—and further enhancing conservation efforts considering potential threats to the newly recognized species in the imperiled Atlantic Forest of Brazil.
Genetic diversity of the Chagas vector Triatoma dimidiata s.l. (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) across geographic scales in a top-priority area for control
Authors: Melgar Sergio , Castellanos Salvador , Stevens Lori , Monroy María Carlota , Dorn Patricia L
Published: July 2024

Population genetic structure of arthropod disease vectors provides important information on vector movement and climate or other environmental variables that influence their distribution. This information is critical for data-driven vector control. In the first comprehensive study of the genetic structure of T. dimidiata s.l. (Latreille, 1811) we focus on an area of active transmission designated as a top priority for control. We examined a high number of specimens across a broad geographic area along the border of Guatemala and El Salvador including multiple spatial scales using a high number of genome-wide markers. Measuring admixture, pairwise genetic differentiation, and relatedness, we estimated the specimens represented three genetic clusters. We found evidence of movement (migration/gene flow) across all spatial scales with more admixture among locations in El Salvador than in Guatemala. Although there was significant isolation by distance, the 2 close villages in Guatemala showed either the most or least genetic variation indicating an additional role of environmental variables. Further, we found that social factors may be influencing the genetic structure. We demonstrated the power of genomic studies with a large number of specimens across a broad geographic area. The results suggest that for effective vector control movement must be considered on multiple spatial scales along with its contributing factors.
An Intergenerational Telehealth Music Therapy Group Intervention to Improve Grandparents’ Meaning in life
Authors: Gvili Racheli-Lital , Bodner Ehud
Published: July 2024

The lockdown policies in Israel during the COVID-19 pandemic hampered familial grandparents–grandchildren relations. There is initial evidence that older adults’ meaning in life and will-to-live decreased. Grandparents could no longer meet their grandchildren in person. In response, we utilized an intergenerational telehealth music therapy group intervention during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Forty-four pairs of grandparents and grandchildren enrolled in a quasi-experimental study with an intervention and waitlist control group. Twenty-one pairs of grandparents–grandchildren participated in a weekly virtual group music therapy intervention (via Zoom) for 8 weeks (experimental group) and the remainder were waitlisted and received no intervention (control group). Participants in both groups completed the same questionnaires in parallel before and after the intervention. The grandparents’ meaning in life, will-to-live and behavioral grandparenthood increased compared to no change observed in the control group. Further research with randomized-controlled treatment is recommended.