bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early Morning Checkpoint Inhibitor Infusion and Overall Survival of Patients with Metastatic Cancer: an In-depth Chronotherapeutic Study
Authors: Catozzi Simona , Assaad Souad , Delrieu Lidia , Favier Bertrand , Dumas Elise , Hamy Anne-Sophie , Latouche Aurélien , Crochet Hugo , Blay Jean-Yves , Mullaert Jimmy , Ballesta Annabelle , Heudel Pierre
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Recent retrospective studies suggest potential large patient’s benefit through proper timing of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). The association between ICI treatment timing and patient survival, neoplastic response and toxicities was investigated, together with interactions with performance status (PS) and sex.

Methods

A cohort of patients with metastatic or locally advanced solid tumors, who received pembrolizumab, nivolumab, atezolizumab, durvalumab, or avelumab, alone or with concomitant chemotherapy, between November 2015 and March 2021, at the Centre Leon Bérard (France), was retrospectively studied.

Results

361 patients were investigated (80% non-small cell lung cancer patients, mean [SD] age: 63 [11] years, 39% of women, 83% PS0-1 at first infusion, 19% received concomitant chemotherapy). ICI were administered from 07:25 to 17:21 and optimal morning/afternoon cut-off was 11:37. Morning infusions were associated with increased OS as compared to afternoon (median 30.3 vs 15.9 months, p=0.0024; HR 1.56 [1.17-2.1], p=0.003). A strong PS-timing interaction was found (PS0-1 patients, HR=1.53 [1.10-2.12], p=0.011; PS2-3 patients, HR=0.50 [0.25-0.97], p=0.042). Morning PS0-1 patients displayed increased OS (median 36.7 vs 21.3 months, p=0.023), partial/complete response rate (58% vs 41%, p=0.027), and grade1-3 toxicities (49% vs 34%, p=0.028). Mortality risk ratio between infusions at worst time-of-day, estimated at 13:36 [12:48-14:23], and in early morning was 5.5-fold ([2-20], p=0.008). Timing differences in toxicities resulted significant only in female patients (women vs men: p<0.001 vs 0.4).

Conclusions

Early morning ICI infusion was associated with increased OS, response, and toxicities in patients with PS0-1 as compared to later infusions within the day. Prospective randomized trials are needed to confirm this retrospective study.
What do men who have sex with men think of the use of antibiotics as pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis to prevent sexually transmitted infections?
Authors: Matser Amy , Hulstein Bas , de Vries Henry J.C. , Hoornenborg Elske , Prins Maria , Davidovich Udi , Schim van der Loeff Maarten
Published: September 2023

OBJECTIVE

Clinical trials have shown that doxycycline as post-exposure prophylaxis after sexual contact (doxy-PEP) prevents sexually transmitted bacterial infections (STI). We investigated current awareness about informal use of antibiotics as pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis to prevent STI (STI-PrEP/PEP) among men who have sex with men (MSM). In addition, we investigated psychosocial determinants of its use.

METHODS

Data were collected in the Amsterdam Cohort Study among MSM, the Netherlands, between October 2021 and October 2022. In an online questionnaire, we assessed socio-demographics, sexual behavior, bacterial STI diagnoses, STI-PrEP/PEP awareness, perceived effectiveness of, and beliefs and attitudes towards STI-PrEP/PEP, and intention to use it. STI-PrEP/PEP users were described and (ordinal) logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with STI-PrEP/PEP awareness (yes/no) and intention to use STI-PrEP/PEP (7-point Likert scale).

RESULTS

Among 593 MSM with median age 46 years (IQR 36-53), 102 (17.2%) were aware of STI-PrEP/PEP and 15 (2.5%) had ever used it. STI-PrEP/PEP awareness was associated with living with HIV, HIV-PrEP use in the preceding 6 months, and sexualized drug use with casual partner(s). Median intention to use STI-PrEP-PEP was 3 (IQR 2-4). Higher intention to use STI-PrEP/PEP was associated with HIV-PrEP use, sexual contact with casual partners, being worried to get an STI, self-protection as reason to use it, the intention to reduce STI testing and sexual experimenting. Stigmatizing beliefs regarding STI-PrEP/PEP users were associated with lower use intentions.

CONCLUSION

Preventive use of antibiotics for STI prevention is limited among MSM in the Netherlands in 2021/2022. Some men have a high intention for future use. Self-protection and a wish for sexual experimenting are amongst the intrinsic motivators for higher intention to use STI-PrEP/PEP. More studies on the safe use of STI-PrEP/PEP are required as well as a strategy to educate those who have already adopted STI-PrEP/PEP or have a high intention to do so, and their healthcare providers.
Release of fragmented host, cell-free, genomic DNA into the circulation of pigs during infection by virulent African swine fever virus
Authors: Olesen Ann Sofie , Lohse Louise , Johnston Camille Melissa , Rasmussen Thomas Bruun , Bøtner Anette , Belsham Graham J.
Published: September 2023

African swine fever virus (ASFV) causes a severe hemorrhagic disease in domestic pigs resulting in high case fatality rates. The virus replicates in circulating cells of the monocyte-macrophage lineage and within lymphoid tissues, e.g. tonsils, spleen and lymph nodes. The infection results in high fever and a variety of clinical signs from about 3 days post infection. In this study, it was observed that one of many changes resulting from ASFV- infection within pigs was a large (>1000-fold) increase in the level of circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA), including the beta-actin gene, derived from the nuclei of host cells, in the serum. This change occurred in parallel with the increase in circulating ASFV DNA. In addition, elevated levels (about 30-fold higher) of host mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) were detected in serum from ASFV-infected pigs, but with a much higher baseline level of mtDNA in sera from uninfected pigs. The host derived cfDNA is derived from dead cells which may, or may not, have been infected. For comparison, the release of the cellular enzyme, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), a commonly used marker of cellular damage, was also found to be elevated during the infection. The cfDNA is readily detected in serum and is a more sensitive host marker of ASFV infection than the release of mtDNA or LDH. In addition, sera from pigs infected by classical swine fever virus (CSFV), which causes a clinically similar disease as ASFV, were also tested but this infection did not result in the release of cfDNA, mtDNA or LDH.

Author summary

African swine fever virus causes a severe hemorrhagic disease in domestic pigs and wild boar, which often leads to death within a week. The infection results in a spectrum of different clinical signs and other changes within infected animals. In this study, we have shown, for the first time, that one consequence of infection by a highly virulent strain of this virus is the release into the blood of host genomic DNA, in a highly fragmented form. We found an increase of >1000-fold in the level of this cell-free DNA within the serum of infected animals. Furthermore, we also showed that the level of the small circular DNA from the cell mitochondria is also elevated in serum from infected animals as is the cellular enzyme lactate dehydrogenase but these changes were less marked and occurred later. The increase in the level of the cell-free host DNA is coincident with the increase in level of the viral DNA within blood and may act as a marker for infection by a highly virulent form of the virus. Remarkably, pigs infected by classical swine fever virus, which produces similar clinical signs, did not have elevated levels of these markers in their serum.
Intragroup sociality drives individual participation in intergroup competition in an urban-dwelling nonhuman primate
Authors: Chakraborty Bidisha , Kaburu Stefano S.K. , Balasubramaniam Krishna N. , Marty Pascal R. , Beisner Brianne , Bliss-Moreau Eliza , Mohan Lalit , Rattan Sandeep K. , McCowan Brenda
Published: September 2023

There is significant variability in the extent to which individuals from group-living species participate in intergroup competition (IGC) over resources. Such variability may be particularly robust in human-impacted environments, wherein anthropogenic resources may strongly impact intergroup overlap and competition. Examining the socio-ecological causal factors driving these differences can shed new lights on animals’ costs-benefits trade-offs driving engagement in such interactions. Here we use (peri)urban-dwelling rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) as model-systems to examine how individual differences in socio-ecological characteristics (i.e., animals’ sex, rank, and affiliative connections) may influence propensities to participate in IGC in anthropogenic environments. We found that participation was strongly influenced by individuals’ affiliative connections. Interestingly, monkeys with more coalitionary support partners had higher IGC participation, but this was more pronounced for individuals that are more peripheral in their proximity and multilayer affiliative networks, compared to more socially central individuals. Moreover, males and low-ranking individuals were more likely to participate in IGC. Our findings suggest that differential access to socio-ecological resources likely drives IGC participation. The evaluation of such inter-individual differences in socio-ecological flexibility and decision-making in dynamic environments is critical for future research related to the links between behavioural ecology, health outcomes, and human-wildlife co-existence in anthropogenic landscapes.
Targeting tumor-stromal interactions in triple-negative breast cancer using a human vascularized micro-tumor model
Authors: Hachey Stephanie J. , Hatch Christopher J. , Gaebler Daniela , Mocherla Aneela , Nee Kevin , Kessenbrock Kai , Hughes Christopher C.W.
Published: September 2023

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is highly aggressive with limited available treatments. Stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) are crucial in TNBC progression; however, understanding the molecular basis of stromal cell activation and tumor-stromal crosstalk in TNBC is limited. To investigate therapeutic targets in the TNBC stromal niche, we used an advanced humanin vitromicrophysiological system called the vascularized micro-tumor (VMT). Using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), we revealed that normal breast-tissue stromal cells activate neoplastic signaling pathways in the TNBC TME. By comparing interactions in VMTs with clinical data, we identified therapeutic targets at the tumor-stromal interface with potential clinical significance. Combining treatments targeting Tie2 signaling with paclitaxel resulted in vessel normalization and increased efficacy of paclitaxel in the TNBC VMT. Dual inhibition of Her3 and Akt also demonstrated efficacy against TNBC. These data demonstrate the potential of inducing a favorable TME as a targeted therapeutic approach in TNBC.
Sumaira Latif at P&G: pioneering inclusive design and accessibility to all
Authors: Prasad V. Namratha
Published: September 2023

Social implications

This case talks about the role that can be expected to be played by a disabled woman in an organization and shows how a disabled woman can assume a leadership position and be a role model.

Learning outcomes

This case identifies the qualities that help a person from a minority group succeed in the corporate environment; examines the contribution that a disabled person, especially a woman can make to an organization; analyzes transformational leadership; assesses the importance of inclusive design in today’s products; and recognizes the corporate role in ensuring an inclusive culture that encouraged disabled people.

Case overview/synopsis

The case “Sumaira Latif at P&G: pioneering inclusive design and accessibility to all” provides an in-depth look at the efforts of Sumaira “Sam” Latif (she), Accessibility Leader at P&G, to incorporate inclusive design in the company’s product packaging. Sam – a blind woman and mother of three – had always struggled to use various everyday products. Her personal struggles drove her to find ways to fix such problems for people with disabilities. So, after a decade of experience at P&G, when she got an opportunity to interact with the top management, she convinced them that catering to the disabled was not charity, but a smart business move. Sam also put forth the role she could play in helping P&G make products with an inclusive design. Impressed with her, P&G made her Special Consultant for Inclusive Design, a position specifically created for her. Sam created the widely lauded tactile indicators which helped the blind differentiate between shampoo and conditioner bottles. P&G then promoted her to the position of Company Accessibility Leader, wherein she played a pivotal role in bringing inclusive design to more of P&G’s products. Sam also played a critical role in making P&G adopt certain technologies to help the blind shop for the company’s products independently, apart from ensuring that all P&G ads were audio-described. However, Sam had an ambitious vision to infuse inclusive design into all products, which required her to bring about a culture change in the CPG industry. She was also faced with the predicament of how to ensure that audio-described ads became a media buying standard, considering the wide-scale resistance to it. How can Sam succeed in making the CPG industry develop inclusive design, the way she convinced P&G to do it?.

Complexity academic level

Graduate and post-graduate programs.

Supplementary materials

Supplementary materials Teaching Notes are available for educators only.
Rita Cloth Store: rethinking for the times
Authors: Kundu Soumyadeep , Mateen Arqum
Published: September 2023

Social implications

Cases currently available on business model canvas pertain to large multi-national companies. However, this case takes the happenings at a relatively small business and applies the business model canvas there. Through the case, the authors illustrate how small Indian businesses in various small towns and cities are adapting to the disruptions in their businesses. In addition, insight regarding omnichannel operations and their implementation and decision-making at the level of such small businesses is also provided.

Learning outcomes

The case intends to acquaint participants with the business model canvas and its application in evaluating business models, identifying shortcomings and adapting business models accordingly. The case also provides an overview of how small businesses across India are adapting to the disruptions brought about by their traditional business models. The case also provides insights into omnichannel operations and the challenges of implementation.

Case overview/synopsis

Small family-owned establishments/businesses today are faced with an onslaught of disruptions to their prevalent ways of doing business. This case deals with one such business, Rita Cloth Store. The case follows in the footsteps of Sampa Kar, who realises the need for re-evaluating their decades-old business and rethinks their business model to adapt to the changing times and consumer habits. She must consider a number of measures to transform Rita Cloth Store as she attempts to change the decades-old business models to ensure its survival.

Complexity academic level

The case can be taught in undergraduate and post-graduate courses on entrepreneurship, business models and operations strategy.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CCS 3: Entrepreneurship
Using the Fantastic Reality Ability Measurement to cope with epidemics: a Turkish validity and reliability study
Authors: Özyer Güvener Yasemin , Dinçer Samet , Caner Enver
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study was conducted to adapt the Fantastic Reality Ability Measurement (FRAME) into Turkish.

Design/methodology/approach

In the sample of this methodological study, 213 participants were included.

Findings

The factor loading of the tool was within the appropriate range (0.53–0.94). Its Cronbach's alpha was 0.975, and the item total score correlations ranged between 0.594 and 0.881.

Originality/value

The evaluation of the Turkish version of the FRAME revealed that it could be used as a valid and reliable measurement tool in Turkish population.
The relationship between AI stimuli and customer stickiness, and the roles of social presence and customer traits
Authors: Li Gang , Zhao Zhihuang , Li Lan , Li Yuanbo , Zhu Mengjiao , Jiao Yongxin
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study investigates the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) stimuli on customer stickiness (CS), the mediation effects of social presence (SP) and the moderating impacts of customer traits in this influencing process.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the arousal theory and social response theory, a conceptual model was established and tested by a data set of 268 customers in the catering industry.

Findings

The results indicate that AI stimuli, such as perceived personalization and perceived interactivity, positively affect CS. SP partially mediates the influence of AI stimuli on CS. Customer traits such as customers' need for interaction (NFI) and novelty seeking (NS) actively moderate the mediating effects of SP.

Originality/value

This study advances the interactive marketing literature from three aspects. Firstly, instead of focusing on the functional aspects of AI stimuli, it extends our understanding of AI-enabled interactive marketing by examining the effects of social and emotional aspects of AI stimuli on customer response. Secondly, it extends our understanding of social response by illuminating the mediating effects of SP between AI stimuli and CS. Finally, it provides new insights and empirical evidence for the research focus on customer traits in AI-enabled interactive marketing.
Optimal contracting with asymmetric risk aversion information and fairness concerns
Authors: Chang Jiajia , Hu Zhi Jun , Zhao Hui
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study considers a contracting problem between a fairness concerned entrepreneur (EN) and a fair-neutral venture capitalist (VC) to explore the effects of asymmetry, agency conflicts and fairness concerns.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors construct the model by assuming the EN's risk aversion degree is private information, which is more realistic but ignored in most studies. Under the principal–agent framework, the authors solve the VC's optimal contracting models by identifying the ranges of feasible solution, where the optimal solutions of these models are explicit and nicely reconcile the “private equity” puzzle. Moreover, validity of the optimal solutions is verified by numerical simulations.

Findings

In accordance with empirical evidence, information asymmetry lowers the optimal equity share that the VC provides to EN but raises EN's profit due to lower effort disutility and information rent. Moreover, the authors find that the fairness concerns is beneficial for the EN, where it not only increases the EN's optimal equity share, but also enhances the certainty equivalence of the EN's utility regarding its profit. Relative to the benchmark model where the EN's risk aversion degree is common knowledge, the EN's efforts recommended by the optimal contract is less sensitive to the EN's fairness concerns degree when the EN does not actually announce its risk aversion degree.

Originality/value

First, the authors incorporate asymmetry to study a two-period contracting problem and explore how it affects the equity shares allocated to the contractual parties. Second, the authors incorporate fairness concerns and analyze its effect regarding the decision-makings and profits.
Examining measurement invariance of an ICT literacy self-efficacy scale across gender: a comparative study
Authors: Al-Nuaimi Maryam Nasser
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Despite the ever-increasing importance of cultivating information, communication and technology literacy skills among college students, they have yet to be related to comprehensive measuring instruments. A glance at the empirical literature reveals that most pertinent scales have been confined to measuring Internet literacy skills, whereas educators in the 21st century advocate an inclusive conceptualization of ICT literacy. Such a comprehensive conceptualization embodies technical, critical, cognitive and emotional competencies. Additionally, more empirical evidence is needed to indicate gaps in testing measurement invariance of ICT literacy scales across genders or cultures. To that end, the current study aims to adapt and cross-validate an ICT literacy self-efficacy scale across gender by testing the measurement invariance using a multiple-sampling confirmatory factor analysis (MCFA). Furthermore, the current study aims to verify the ICT literacy self-efficacy scale's psychometric properties to establish its construct validity and understand the scale's underlying factorial structure.

Design/methodology/approach

The current study has administered the scale to a cross-sectional sample of 3560 undergraduate students enrolled in six universities in the Sultanate of Oman.

Findings

The results have revealed that the ICT literacy self-efficacy exhibits satisfactory indices of construct validity. On the other hand, the results of MCFA demonstrate that the differences in the goodness of fit indices between the nested models and the baseline model were below the cut-off criterion of 0.01, indicating invariance. Therefore, the scale has proved to be amenable for comparing genders on their ICT literacy self-efficacy using an one-way multivariate analysis of variance.

Originality/value

The study has several implications for research and pedagogical practices. The study provides empirical evidence for establishing ICT literacy self-efficacy as a distinct high-domain construct of task-specific self-efficacy beliefs.
Quality education through writing: aligning learning objectives in learning materials and question papers using Bloom’s taxonomy
Authors: Chavda Mrunal , Patel Harsh , Bhatt Hetav
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effectiveness of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)-based English textbooks and question papers in developing second-language higher-order thinking skills (HOTS).

Design/methodology/approach

Descriptive analysis establishes a causal relationship between learning objectives and second language (L2) writing proficiency. Content analysis is used to compare and analyze tabulated data for textbooks and question papers for the English language by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and CBSE. This method categorizes the materials and their assessments under HOTS and lower-order thinking skills to ascertain the relationship between learning objectives and L2 writing proficiency.

Findings

The study highlights teaching material and assessment shortcomings and their alignment with learning outcomes to enhance students' writing skills. It underscores the need for HOTS-focused materials, discussing their impact on writing skills. The study also explores how textbook–question paper mismatch hampers Bloom's taxonomy-based cognitive skills.

Practical implications

This research illuminates the efficacy of teaching and learning English as a second language (ESL) writing skills to improve the quality of education, which has real-world implications. The study highlights flaws in the educational system in India and suggests curricular and pedagogical changes.

Originality/value

The research examines NCERT and CBSE ESL textbooks and question papers to align teaching and assessment methods. The results aim to improve education through ESL writers' HOTS.
The internationalisation of doctoral education and the strategies to achieve it: the perspectives of Portuguese universities and doctoral students
Authors: Cardoso Sónia , Sin Cristina
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Internationalisation is one of the significant manifestations of the ongoing transformation of doctoral education. The purpose of this paper is to focus on the perspectives of Portuguese universities and doctoral students regarding the importance of internationalisation and the strategies to achieve it in doctoral education.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 118 doctoral programme websites from 27 universities (15 public, 12 private) served as the data source of university perspectives of internationalisation. Doctoral students’ perspectives on the same topic were collected through 31 interviews, 27 conducted in seven focus groups and four individually, with first-year doctoral students from three Portuguese public universities. Content analysis was performed on the two sets of data.

Findings

According to university and doctoral students’ perspectives, internationalisation assumes an important role in Portuguese doctoral education and is being integrated through specific strategies. Strategies for attracting and recruiting international students appear to take a back seat compared to strategies which offer students international experience through immersion in international environments in their home institutions. While expressing the potential impediments, undesirable side effects and conditions that internationalisation must meet, students seem to take a critical stance towards it and towards the institutional strategies designed to promote it.

Originality/value

This paper addresses a topic which does not appear to receive much attention in doctoral education research and, to this extent, advances knowledge on the internationalisation of doctoral education.
Effects of word emotional experience and participant emotionality in lexical decision
Authors: Prueitt Ethan , Yates Mark
Published: September 2023

Background

Previous research has shown that the emotional content of words affects how quickly they are recognised. One recent measure of word emotionality is emotional experience that measures the degree to which reading a word can invoke emotional experiences tied to the word. Words that are higher in emotional experience are recognised more rapidly in the lexical decision task.

Methods

The current study examines how words' emotional experience and participants' emotionality affect performance on the lexical decision task. To this end, participants were given five emotion measures and completed a lexical decision task with words varying on emotional experience.

Results

It was found that participants who scored higher on the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule showed a weaker emotional experience effect. No other emotion measures interacted with emotional experience.

Conclusions

These results are predicted by and interpreted within a framework where the semantic representation of words includes emotion information that is grounded in experience of our internal states.
Cell‐type specific impact of metformin on monocyte epigenetic age reversal in virally suppressed older people living with HIV
Authors: Corley Michael J. , Pang Alina P. S. , Shikuma Cecilia M. , Ndhlovu Lishomwa C.
Published: September 2023

The anti‐diabetic drug metformin may promote healthy aging. However, few clinical trials of metformin assessing biomarkers of aging have been completed. In this communication, we retrospectively examined the effect of metformin on epigenetic age using principal component (PC)‐based epigenetic clocks, mitotic clocks, and pace of aging in peripheral monocytes and CD8+ T cells from participants in two clinical trials of virologically‐suppressed people living with HIV (PLWH) with normal glucose receiving metformin. In a small 24‐week clinical trial that randomized participants to receive either adjunctive metformin or observation, we observed significantly decreased PCPhenoAge and PCGrimAge estimates of monocytes from only participants in the metformin arm by a mean decrease of 3.53 and 1.84 years from baseline to Week 24. In contrast, we observed no significant differences in all PC clocks for participants in the observation arm over 24 weeks. Notably, our analysis of epigenetic mitotic clocks revealed significant increases for monocytes in the metformin arm when comparing baseline to Week 24, suggesting an impact of metformin on myeloid cell kinetics. Analysis of a single‐arm clinical trial of adjunctive metformin in eight PLWH revealed no significant differences across all epigenetic clocks assessed in CD8+ T cells at 4‐ and 8‐week time points. Our results suggest cell‐type‐specific myeloid effects of metformin captured by PC‐based epigenetic clock biomarkers. Larger clinical studies of metformin are needed to validate these observations and this report highlights the need for further inclusion of PLWH in geroscience trials evaluating the effect of metformin on increasing healthspan and lifespan.
Use of antipsychotics and antidepressants in first‐episode psychotic depression: A nationwide register‐based study
Authors: Hamina A. , Paljärvi T. , Tanskanen A. , Lähteenvuo M. , Tiihonen J. , Taipale H.
Published: September 2023

Background

According to guidelines, psychotic depression should be treated with both antipsychotics and antidepressants, but current practice is largely unknown. We investigated the prevalence of antipsychotic and antidepressant use in first‐episode psychotic depression and factors related to antipsychotic use after the diagnosis.

Methods

We identified individuals aged 16–65 with a first‐episode diagnosis of psychotic depression (ICD‐10 codes F32.3, F33.3) from nationwide data linkage of Finnish healthcare and population registers during 2000–2018. Point prevalence was measured as 2‐week time windows every 3 months, investigating whether the individual had a modeled drug use period ongoing during the window or not, censoring to death and end of data linkage.

Results

The study population included 18,490 individuals (58.0% women; mean age 39.9 years, standard deviation 14.7). The prevalence of use for antidepressants (75.0%), antipsychotics (56.4%), and both (50.0%) were highest at 3 months after the diagnosis. The prevalence declined to 51.8%, 34.1%, and 28.7%, respectively, at 3 years after the diagnosis. In a logistic regression analysis, younger age (adjusted odds ratio < 25 vs. ≥55, 0.82 [95% confidence interval 0.73–0.91]), eating disorders (0.78 [0.66–0.92]), substance use disorders (0.80 [0.73–0.87]), and occupational inactivity (0.80 [0.73–0.87]) were associated with decreased odds of using antipsychotics at 3 months after diagnosis. Increased odds were found for diagnosis from inpatient care (1.74 [1.62–1.86]), and later year of cohort entry (2010–2014 vs. 2000–2004, 1.56 [1.42–1.70]).

Conclusion

At most, half of the individuals with newly diagnosed psychotic depression used both antidepressants and antipsychotics. This likely has a negative impact on treatment success.
Eugenol delays the onset of ouabain‐induced ventricular cardiac arrhythmias in guinea pigs
Authors: Teixeira‐Fonseca Jorge Lucas , Santos‐Miranda Artur , Marques Ivan lobo Sousa , Marques Leisiane Pereira , Alcantara Fabiana , de Lima Conceição Michael Ramon , Souza Diego Santos , Santana Gondim Antonio Nei , Roman‐Campos Danilo
Published: September 2023

Eugenol is an aromatic compound used in the manufacture of medicines, perfumes, cosmetics and as an anaesthetic due to the ability of the drug to block the neuronal isoform of voltage‐gated Na+ channels (NaV). Some arrhythmias are associated with gain of function in the sodium current (INa) found in cardiomyocytes, and antiarrhythmic sodium channel blockers are commonly used in the clinical practice. This study sought to elucidate the potential mechanisms of eugenol's protection in the arrhythmic model of ouabain‐induced arrhythmias in guinea pig heart. Ex vivo arrhythmias were induced using 50 μM of ouabain. The antiarrhythmic properties of eugenol were evaluated in the ex vivo heart preparation and isolated ventricular cardiomyocytes. The compound's effects on cardiac sodium current and action potential using the patch‐clamp technique were evaluated. In all, eugenol decreased the ex vivo cardiac arrhythmias induced by ouabain. Furthermore, eugenol showed concentration dependent effect upon peak INa, left‐shifted the stationary inactivation curve and delayed the recovery from inactivation of the INa. All these aspects are considered to be antiarrhythmic. Our findings demonstrate that eugenol has antiarrhythmic activity, which may be partially explained by the ability of eugenol to change de biophysical properties of INa of cardiomyocytes.
T cell receptor gene‐modified allogeneic T cells with siRNA for endogenous T cell receptor induce efficient tumor regression without graft‐versus‐host disease
Authors: Okada Satomi , Muraoka Daisuke , Yasui Kiyoshi , Tawara Isao , Kawamura Ayumi , Okamoto Sachiko , Mineno Junichi , Seo Naohiro , Shiku Hiroshi , Eguchi Susumu , Ikeda Hiroaki
Published: September 2023

Adoptive immunotherapy using genetically engineered patient‐derived lymphocytes to express tumor‐reactive receptors is a promising treatment for malignancy. However, utilization of autologous T cells in this therapy limits the quality of gene‐engineered T cells, thereby inhibiting the timely infusion of the cells into patients. In this study, we evaluated the anti‐tumor efficacy and the potential to induce graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) in T cell receptor (TCR) gene‐engineered allogeneic T cells that downregulate the endogenous TCR and HLA class I molecules with the aim of developing an “off‐the‐shelf” cell product with expanded application of genetically engineered T cells. We transduced human lymphocytes with a high‐affinity TCR specific to the cancer/testis antigen NY‐ESO‐1 using a novel retrovirus vector with siRNAs specific to the endogenous TCR (siTCR vector). These T cells showed reduced expression of endogenous TCR and minimized reactivity to allogeneic cells in vitro. In non‐obese diabetic/SCID/γcnull mice, TCR gene‐transduced T cells induced tumor regression without development of GVHD. A lentivirus‐based CRISPR/Cas9 system targeting β‐2 microglobulin in TCR gene‐modified T cells silenced the HLA class I expression and prevented allogeneic CD8+ T cell stimulation without disrupting their anti‐tumor capacity. This report is the first demonstration that siTCR technology is effective in preventing GVHD. Adoptive cell therapy with allogeneic T cells engineered with siTCR vector may be useful in developing an “off‐the‐shelf” therapy for patients with malignancy.
Nuestra ciencia as transborder ecological knowledge and survival
Authors: Azúa Anneleise
Published: September 2023

This article frames what one of my collaborators calls nuestra ciencia (our science) as a concept that expresses a transborder worldview based on region‐specific scientific land and healing practices. I trace the ways Indigenous science came into fierce conflict with the twentieth‐century wave of Anglo settler‐colonial land grabs in south Texas and how the resulting force of mass agriculture enabled mass destruction and biodiversity loss in the region. It offers an environmental, archival, and ethnographic analysis of curanderismo (Mexican traditional medicine) as science and explores its relationship to settler colonialism, environmental degradation, and processes of racialization in relation to health, science, and medical technologies, as well as tracing the ongoing material record of its practice. I frame Mexican transborder healing traditions (curanderismo and plant medicine) as serious social, scientific, and ecological processes. I make it clear that although this practice is often considered a Mexican tradition, de‐Indigenized mestizos also practice, exploit, and appropriate it, while its roots lie in Indigenous lifeways and knowledge.
The liquid biopsy series: A cytopathological perspective
Authors: Pisapia Pasquale , Malapelle Umberto , Vielh Philippe , Troncone Giancarlo
Published: September 2023

In the modern era of personalised medicine, the correct assessment of the genomic landscape for patients affected by cancer with haematological malignancies is crucial. In this scenario, liquid biopsy represents not only an alternative but a complementary source of tumour nucleic acids to tissue in order to guarantee the best clinical management for these patients.
On the decay of fracture toughness of sandstone subjected to freeze–thaw cycles
Authors: Wei Mengxi , Qiao Lan , Li Qingwen , Deng Naifu
Published: September 2023

In cold regions, progressive cracking, caused by freeze–thaw cycles, plays an important role in deteriorating engineering rock mass. Employing central cracked Brazilian disks (CCBDs) of sandstone, this paper aims at investigating the variations of falling rate among different modes of fracture toughness exposed to freeze–thaw cycles and the applicability of fracture criterion in predictions. Results revealed that different modes of fracture toughness exhibited comparable descending trends after varied freeze–thaw cycles. There was an agreement between the predictions via the generalized maximum tangential stress criterion (GMTS) and the test results. In specified conditions, the GMTS criterion incorporating fracture process zone of 0 freeze–thaw cycle can be applied to estimations for different freeze–thaw cycles. With increasing freeze–thaw cycles the fractal dimensions of mode I and mixed‐mode I–II fracture surfaces displayed a growing trend, indicating that the fracture surfaces became rougher and more complicated.
Magnetic resonance imaging‐based risk factors of hepatocellular carcinoma after direct‐acting antiviral therapy: A multicenter observational study
Authors: Ichikawa Shintaro , Motosugi Utaroh , Sawai Yoshiyuki , Ishida Hisashi , Imai Yasuharu , Kozaka Kazuto , Tsurusaki Masakatsu , Sofue Keitaro , Murakami Takamichi , Kawai Nobuyuki , Matsuo Masayuki , Fukukura Yoshihiko , Mawatari Seiichi , Shimizu Tatsuya , Morisaka Hiroyuki , Inoue Taisuke , Goshima Satoshi
Published: September 2023

Aim

To determine risk factors associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development following direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) therapy.

Methods

We enrolled patients with chronic hepatitis C who underwent direct‐acting antiviral therapy and achieved sustained virologic response at 12 weeks between 2012 and 2018. Subsequently, patients were followed up. The primary endpoint was the development of HCC or the date of the last follow up when the absence of HCC was confirmed. Uni‐ and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify factors contributing to HCC development, including gadoxetic acid‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging findings. The cumulative incidence rates of HCC development were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method, and differences between groups were assessed using the log‐rank test.

Results

The final study cohort comprised 482 patients (median age 70.5 years; 242 men). The median follow‐up period was 36.8 months. Among 482 patients, 96 developed HCC (19.9%). The 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year cumulative rates of HCC development were 4.9%, 18.6%, and 30.5%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that age, male sex, history of HCC, and hepatobiliary phase hypointense nodules without arterial phase hyperenhancement were independent risk factors significantly associated with HCC development (p < 0.001–0.04). The highest risk group included patients with both a history of HCC and the presence of hepatobiliary phase hypointense nodules without arterial phase hyperenhancement (the 1‐ and 3‐year cumulative HCC development rates were 14.2% and 62.2%, respectively).

Conclusion

History of HCC and presence of hepatobiliary phase hypointense nodules without arterial phase hyperenhancement were strong risk factors for HCC development following direct‐acting antiviral therapy.
Improving the green mechanical strength and thermal shock resistance of colloidal silica‐bonded castables using La2O3
Authors: Ding Yuhang , Liu Huiyong , Xue Haitao , Cong Peiyuan , Zhao Yinheng , Xiang Bing , Xia Changyong
Published: September 2023

Improving the green mechanical strength of colloidal silica‐bonded corundum castables is essential to their widespread utility. The effects of varying contents (0–2 wt%) of La2O3 on the green mechanical strength of colloidal silica‐bonded corundum castables were investigated. The findings demonstrate that La2O3 has a positive impact on the green mechanical strength of colloidal silica‐bonded castables. The colloidal silica‐bonded corundum castable containing 2 wt% La2O3 exhibits higher green mechanical strength than the cement‐bonded corundum castable. Additionally, the castable shows excellent construction performance. The basic properties of La2O3 and La(OH)3 facilitate the absorption of H+ from the surface of colloidal silica to form more siloxane bonds and speed up gelation. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy analyses indicate that La3+ ions participate in the condensation of –Si–OH and bond the broken Si–O bonds to create Si–O–La chemical bonds. La3+ ions bridge the colloidal silica particles, leading to stable three‐dimensional network structures that result in an increased green mechanical strength of the castables. The water consumption during the hydration reaction expedites gelation, further contributing to the enhancement of the green mechanical strength of the corundum castables. Given its wide sources and stable performance, La2O3 can be considered an efficient setting agent with the potential for extensive industrial application.
Synergistic modulation of ferroelectric polarization and relaxor behavior of Sr2NaNb5O15‐based tungsten bronze ceramic
Authors: Si Peixiaokan , Zheng Peng , Zhang Xinzhong , Luo Chong , Zheng Xiangting , Fan Qiaolan , Bai Wangfeng , Zhang Jingji , Zheng Liang , Zhang Yang
Published: September 2023

Developing dielectric ceramics with high energy storage performance (ESP) is essential for miniaturizing and integrating high‐power pulse capacitors. Sr2NaNb5O15‐based tungsten bronze ferroelectric ceramics have been highly investigated for dielectric energy storage applications recently. However, the difficulty in concurrently obtaining large polarization and strong relaxor characteristics greatly hinders the ESP improvement. In this work, Bi3+ and Ti4+ ions were introduced into the Sr2NaNb5O15 ceramic, aiming to modulate the ferroelectric polarization and relaxor behavior synergistically. An excellent recoverable energy density (Wrec ∼ 4.08 J/cm3) and a high efficiency (η ∼ 84.59%) were concurrently attained in the Sr1.85Bi0.15NaNb4.85Ti0.15O15 composition due to the boosted polarization and enhanced relaxor nature. Moreover, this ceramic also exhibited a high current density (863.06 A/cm2) and a large power density (94.94 MW/cm3). All these characteristics demonstrate that the Bi3+ and Ti4+ ions co‐doped Sr2NaNb5O15 ceramics possess great potential for dielectric capacitor applications.
Particle grading effect on properties of reactive MgO‐bonded castables
Authors: Zhang Hongrui , Zhao Zongqiang , Xiao Jintao , Jia Quanli , Ma Chengliang , Chen Liugang
Published: September 2023

Refractory matrix is a key factor in determining the properties and performance and thus the lifetime of refractory materials. The particle gradation affected both the matrix composition and microstructure. In this study, six particle gradations of high‐alumina castables were prepared based on Andreasen's model (q = 0.22, 0.24, 0.26, 0.28, 0.30, and 0.32). The influence of particle gradation on properties of high‐alumina castables bonded with 4.0 wt% reactive MgO (RM) was investigated with respect to the difference in matrix composition and microstructure. The results show that castables with q values of 0.24 and 0.26 exhibited better physical and mechanical properties after curing and drying. The castables with a q value of 0.22 showed the best volume stability after firing at 1600°C, whereas, castables with a q value of 0.24 exhibited the highest mechanical strength, and residual CMOR ratio after thermal shock testing. Based on the property analyses of castables, the optimal q value of RM‐bonded castables would be around 0.24.
Inadéquation des qualifications parmi les travailleurs recrutés depuis peu: effets à court et moyen terme sur les salaires
Authors: ARAÚJO Isabel , CARNEIRO Anabela
Published: September 2023

Les autrices analysent les effets salariaux à court et moyen terme de la surqualification et la sous‐qualification, à partir de données appariées employeur‐salarié relatives à la période 1998‐2012 et d'un nouvel outil de mesure de l'inadéquation, reposant sur les flux de nouvelles recrues. Elles constatent que ces effets diminuent sensiblement après prise en compte de l'hétérogénéité non observée des travailleurs et des entreprises. Les caractéristiques individuelles non observées contribuent largement à l'écart salarial aux dépens des travailleurs surqualifiés et au profit des salariés sous‐qualifiés. Les politiques salariales des entreprises l'alimentent aussi. Enfin, c'est sur la rémunération du début de carrière que l'inadéquation influe le plus.
Cien años de reglamentación dinámica del salario mínimo en Australia, los Estados Unidos y el Reino Unido
Authors: HAMILTON Reg , NICHOL Matt
Published: September 2023

El salario mínimo ha sido una cuestión controvertida desde que se in‐trodujo en la legislación de Australia, los Estados Unidos y el Reino Unido a principios del siglo XX. Los defensores del salario mínimo justifican la intervención estatal basándose en principios de equidad y bien social, mientras que sus detractores se amparan en la teoría del mercado. En este artículo se examina la influencia de estas dos posiciones ideológicas en la fijación de los salarios, y los consiguientes resultados de una y otra. El objetivo es colmar la falta de estudios comparativos sobre los orígenes, la evolución y los actuales sistemas de reglamentación del salario mínimo en los tres países.
The effects of scar in psychological disorder: A bibliometric analysis from 2003 to 2022
Authors: Wu Jinyao , Zou Juan , Yang Qiuping , Wang Haiting , Tian Huiting , Chen Lingzhi , Ji Zeqi , Zheng Daitian , Li Zhiyang , Xie Yanna
Published: September 2023

Scars are fibrous tissues that replace normal tissue during the wound healing process. Scarring can lead to low self‐esteem, social impairment, depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric and psychological distress, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of the latest perspectives, topical research, and directions in scarring‐mental health. This is a biblioshiny and VOSviewer based bibliometric analysis study. All data were obtained from the Web of Science, and a total of 664 articles from 2003 to 2022 met the criteria. The last 7 years have been a period of rapid growth in the field, with 2022 having the highest number of articles. The United States is the core country with the highest production and citation rate. The most cited literature was written in 2003 by Van Loey NE et al. Van Loey NE is the most prolific and influential author in this field. The top five popular keywords include “quality of life”, “depression”, “management”, “anxiety”, and “prevalence”. The paper concludes that the current focus of scholars in the field is on the treatment of scars and that multidisciplinary treatment of such patients is worth exploring. These findings provide relevant researchers with the current state of research and possible future directions in this field.
Ultrafast high‐temperature sintering of ZrB2
Authors: Mondal Santanu , Lombard Juan Diego Shiraishi , Gollapudi Sreenivasulu , Tallon Carolina , Li Jie‐Fang , Viehland Dwight
Published: September 2023

Ultrafast high‐temperature sintering (UHS) is a joule heating method with an extremely high heating rate (∼103–104°C/min). In this work, commercial ZrB2 powders were rapidly densified by UHS to >90% relative density within 60 s in vacuum without pressure. Bulk density improved from 75% to 93% of relative density by increasing the sintering duration from 10 to 60 s. The final grain size increases from 2.7 ± 1.1 to 19.0 ± 8.4 μm when the sintering time increased from 10 to 60 s. X‐ray diffraction and energy‐dispersive spectroscopy show crystalline phase and compositional uniformity in ZrB2 after UHS.