bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
194 An uncommon cause of small bowel obstruction with perforation after a caesarean section
Authors: Loganathan Santhosh , Chapman Stephen , Newman Chris
Published: August 2023

The incidence of small bowel obstruction after any abdominal surgery is 9%, whereas it is only 0.1% after a C-Section. Small bowel obstruction secondary to herniation of a segment of the small bowel beneath the intact rectus sheath and between the rectus muscle is extremely rare. Reviewing the literature revealed that less than five cases were reported.

Here we present a 39-year-old female six days post caesarean section presented with abdomen pain, distension, and not opening bowels. The blood investigations showed White blood cells 15.42x109/L and C-reactive protein 286mg/L. She was hypotensive and tachycardic. On clinical examination, the abdomen was distended and peritonitic. The Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis with contrast showed there is small bowel obstruction with multiple loops of proximal dilated bowel with a transition point within the pelvis and in midline a small inferior umbilical or incisional hernia containing a knuckle of small bowel with a moderate amount of pneumoperitoneum and free fluid. She underwent an emergency laparotomy and was found to have four quadrants of purulent peritonitis. In addition, a 3cm defect in the midline peritoneum allowed herniation of approximately 30cm of small bowel into preperitoneal space between the recti with ischaemia and perforation at the neck of the hernia. She had small bowel resection anastomosis, and the peritoneal defect was formally closed to prevent re-herniation of bowel loops.

The NICE guidelines recommend not closing the peritoneum during the c-section. However, this case is an example of severe postoperative morbidity, which could be avoided by peritoneal closure.
209 Giant Mesenteric Lipoma: an atypical presentation of an unlikely hero
Authors: Mitchell Robert , Kamel Faddy , Hagger Robert , Patel Kunal
Published: August 2023

Background

Mesenteric lipoma’s are a rare and benign mesenchymal tumour originating from mature adipocytes within the gastrointestinal tract. In most cases, they do not cause symptoms. A search of English literature revealed less than 100 reported cases. In those who are symptomatic, presenting symptoms are variable. We present an unusual case of a mesenteric lipoma aiding in the diagnosis of a colorectal cancer.

Case report

A 77 year old lady presented to her GP with chronic abdominal pain. On examination she appeared to have lost weight. Her initial investigations showed a new anaemia. Her FIT was negative. A CT Colon showed a 3.5cm flat lesion in the caecum. Histology, obtained via colonoscopy, proved this to be an Adenocarcinoma. The patient underwent a Laparoscopic converted to open right hemicolectomy. Intraoperatively the caecum was found in the pelvis with a pedunculated lipoma originating from the mesentery overlying the ileocolic artery. Post-operative histology showed a fully resected Adenocarcinoma as well as a 200mmx90mmx20mm giant mesenteric lipoma.

Discussion

We hypothesis that this patient’ presenting symptom of abdominal was unlikely to be due to the colorectal cancer. It is feasible that her pain was secondary to the compressive effect of the lipoma on the caecum and terminal ileum. Without symptoms, it is unlikely the patient would have presented to her GP and the malignancy would likely not have been found at such an early (and resectable) stage.

Conclusion

The mesenteric lipoma was likely the unsung hero for this patient.
219 Chronic Fungal Sinusitis: Pre and Post COVID-19, A single UK Tertiary Centre study
Authors: Kamyab Arya Anthony , Ansley William , Munroe-Gray Tiffany , Little Sarah , Jaikaransingh Dominic
Published: August 2023

Aims

Anecdotal evidence suggests an increase in the incidence of cases of Chronic Fungal Sinusitis pre- and post-Covid 19 Pandemic. We aimed to audit our patient incidence of fungal sinusitis pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic, alongside auditing our management of these cases against national guidelines. Objectives: 1. To assess the incidence of Chronic Fungal Sinusitis pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic at a single UK Tertiary centre 2. To audit the management of Chronic Fungal patients against national guidelines pre- and post- COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

All Chronic Fungal Sinusitis patients at a UK Tertiary centre NHS Trust from the years 2018 to 2022 were collected. 2. Incidence of Chronic Fungal Sinusitis pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic was assessed. 3. Patient notes were assessed for demographic, species of fungi, management, and patient outcomes. 4. Patient management was audited against national guidelines.

Results

Post-COVID-19 pandemic there was a higher incidence of patients presenting with Chronic Fungal Sinusitis 2. National guidelines were adhered to at the Hospital Trust pre/post-COVID-19.

Conclusion

Based on limited data from a single tertiary UK centre there appears to be a relationship between COVID-19 and the increase in the incidence of Chronic Fungal Sinusitis. However, larger multi-centre studies with a greater sample size need to be assessed to accurately assess this trend
274 Human Factors in Surgery: The experience of the junior doctors
Authors: Ong Chon Sum , Dawson Kestra , Lala Anil
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Healthcare is a dynamic and complex sociotechnical system. Human factor principles have been recognised to improve care delivery and patient safety.

Aim

To determine if the workload among foundation doctors working in the surgical department was excessive leading to burnout and to propose solutions.

Method

A retrospective audit was performed in a general surgical department at a District General Hospital. Data were collected for 3 months in 2022 from the patient record system.

Results

There were 7 consultant-led teams in the surgical department comprising a surgical registrar and senior house officer. 6 of them have a foundation doctor each. The number of on-calls (13-hour shift from Monday-Thursday or Friday-Sunday) has a median of 5. In August, the cumulative patients under the care of a team ranged from 57 to 300. In September, the number ranged from 77 to 277. In October, the number ranged from 98 to 302.

Conclusions

The number of patients under the care of different teams varied greatly which signified some foundation doctors might have more workload. The workload should be ideally consistent and sustainable to optimise patient care. The next step would to be assess their burnout risk using Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). With the data, the aim would be to create measures for decreasing or sharing the cognitive workload. If the occupational stressors are not addressed, the rippling effect could be detrimental to both the healthcare workers and patients.
307 Intraluminal Migration of Gossypiboma and rectal expulsion an unusual Case- Case Report
Authors: Ayubi Azaz , Rauf Sidra , Ajaz Hamda , Mujahid Sheeza , Riaz Ilyas , Javed Nosheela
Published: August 2023

Background

Gossypiboma refers to foreign body retained in the body at the end of operation and can be in the form of gauze, sponge or any form of textile resulting in grave consequences for both the patient and the surgeon.

Case Summary

A 23-year-old female presented with complain of generalized abdominal pain along with non-bilious vomiting since 10 days. She also had relative constipation since four days. Her past surgical history was unremarkable except for three elective lower segment caesarean sections at another hospital. Upon abdominal examination, she had a scar of pfannenstiel incision along with 3x4 cm swelling in umbilical region with positive cough impulse. Her bowel sounds were exaggerated. DRE was unyielding. Clinical diagnosis of subacute intestinal obstruction was made and she was managed conservatively. Ultrasound abdomen showed dilated gut loops with hyperperistalsis. It also revealed a defect measuring 8.5 cm in the supraumbilical region of anterior abdominal wall through which fat content was seen protruding. She was advised contrast enhanced CT abdomen, developed diarrhoea and later on expelled the surgical sponge per rectally. After passage of surgical sponge, condition of patient improved and symptoms resolved.

Discussion

Diligent efforts are required to prevent this human error by ensuring meticulous sponge count, use of radio-opaque sponges, adjunctive use of WHO safety checklist and introduction of new advancements like tagging system in our healthcare system.

Conclusion

Gossypiboma is under-reported due to reluctance of institutions to report it to governing body. Reporting of such dreadful complications of surgery and analysis of their root cause should be done to prevent such events from happening.
325 Modified Abdominal Assess for Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Obese Population: Our Recommendation
Authors: Shrestha Anuj , Pangeni Anang , Shrestha Ashish Kiran , Basu Sanjoy
Published: August 2023

Background and Aim

Conventional Umbilical access can be time consuming, surgically challenging due to inadequate ‘Critical View of Safety’ and pneumoperitoneum maintenance for high BMI patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Assess the feasibility, safety and outcome of our modified access for patients of BMI ≥30.

Method and Technique

Prospective study of consecutive patients undergoing LC in a large DGH (2007-2022) that included age, sex, BMI, ASA, grade of operation with stay and complications were analysed. Group A: Veress needle pneumoperitoneum through Palmer’s point. After 2 litre (minimum) insufflations, optical port introduced at intersection of two imaginary lines: a 15cm oblique line starting from where the right mid-clavicular line cuts the right lower costal margin and directed medially meeting the other vertical line running 3cm to the right of midline. Remaining ports standard.

Group B (BMI <30): Conventional umbilicus entry.

Results

Group A: 543 with Female: Male 4:1 (436:107), Age 49* (16-82) years, BMI 36*(30-65), ASA 2 * (1-3), Grade 1 * (1-4), Operating time 50* (15-200) mins, PO stay 0* (0-15) day. One conversion, 2 bile leaks, 5 collections and 4 wound infections.

Group B: 1168 with Female: Male 3:1 (861:307), Age 53* (16-89) years, BMI 26 * (17-29), ASA 2* (1-3), Grade 1* (1-4), Operating time 45 *(15-240) mins, PO stay 0* (0-12) day. Ten conversions, 3 bile leaks, 5 collections, 8 wound infections, and 6 wash outs.

Conclusion

Modified LC abdominal access for obese patients allows safe quick entry with excellent ‘Critical view of Safety’ for a good outcome.

* Median
492 Raising the standards: management of acute pancreatitis in a district general hospital
Authors: Nazari Ahmed , Bangi Shifa , Sharmadal Aliaa , Krishnan Arya , Tanner Nicola
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Pancreatitis is a common condition seen in General Surgery which may cause significant morbidity and mortality. Current guidelines include fluid resuscitation, ABG and Glasgow-Imrie scoring every 48 hours. The aim of this study is to assess how well the current guidelines are being adhered to at NGH, identify the problems affecting patient care, and plan a sustainable solution.

Methods

57 of 102 admissions coded as pancreatitis between Jan-July 2022 fit the inclusion criteria. Information regarding adequate fluid prescription, usage of antibiotics, type of pancreatitis, Glasgow scoring and the type of pancreatitis was collected from patients’ paper and electronic records.

Results

Average length of stay was 8.3 days. 5 patients (8.8%) were necrotising and 13(22.8%) had concurrent cholecystitis. ABG was done in 14 (24.6%) patients. 17 (29.8%) had a Glasgow-Imrie score planned and 10 (17.5%) had a documented score. 55 (96.5%) patients were fluid resuscitated and all received adequate analgesia. 5 (8.8%) were admitted to ITU, 2 (3.5%) had critical care review. 3/5 (60%) of patients were scored prior to ITU admission. 13 (22.8%) had recurrent pancreatitis and 6 (10.5%) died.

Conclusion

The current management of pancreatitis at NGH could be improved. Scoring for pancreatitis severity helps early management of patient in need of ITU. We propose creating a pancreatitis pro-forma with scoring to be placed inside every patient's notes with a checklist for pancreatitis management and scoring.
516 Ultrasound Cannulation Training: A Hit or a Miss
Authors: Horner Nathan , Bruce Nikki , Dornan Ronnie
Published: August 2023

As a junior doctor, familiarisation with ultrasound skills can be very useful. This reduces stress for patients from multiple access attempts, as well as preserving venous access. In our District General Hospital (DGH), there was no teaching on ultrasound-guided venous access available. Our aim was to create a formal training programme on ultrasound-guided venous access for junior doctors.

Discussions were held with the medical education team at our DGH in order to understand how to organise a formal teaching programme. The interest of junior doctors was gathered through informal discussion. Those interested were then asked to complete pre and post-course evaluation forms. Data was gathered on experience using ultrasound, confidence (out of 5) in performing ultrasound cannulation before and after the session, and usefulness of the session.

Of the 16 participants, only 81% (n=13) filled in the pre-session form, therefore data was only analysed from these individuals. 54% of participants (n=7) had previous experience using an ultrasound machine. 100% (n=13) felt more confident performing ultrasound-guided venous access after attending the session. The average confidence score pre versus post-session was 1.69/5 vs 4.08/5.

This programme has the potential to improve confidence in procedural skills amongst junior doctors whilst also minimising the stress for patients of multiple access attempts. Though the sample obtained was small, it is clear to see increased confidence in participants, regardless of prior experience. The results from this study will be critical in continuing this training programme in our hospital and hopeful roll out to a wider audience.
582 A case of small bowel prolapsing through the anus
Authors: Farrugia Alexia , Sarma Diwakar , Mobarak Dham
Published: August 2023

Introduction

A 46 year old man presented to the accident and emergency department in severe pain and with bowel prolapsing through the anus. This occurred when he was straining on the toilet. On closer examination it was noted that the bowel coming through the anus was small bowel, and starting to become ischaemic. On closer questioning he admitted to inserting a plastic object in his rectum about half an hour prior to straining. He was therefore taken straight to theatre for a laparotomy.

Intra operative findings

A midline laparotomy was performed. The small bowel was reduced back into the abdominal cavity and packed away in a warm swab. The rectum was examined and a 4cm hole was seen in the upper rectum. There was no contamination with faeces or pus, therefore it was sutured with PDS 2-0.

By this time the small bowel was looking less dusky however the mesentery was extremely bruised. As there was improvement a decision was made to close and re-look in 24 hours. He was kept intubated overnight in ITU and was taken back to theatre the next day. At this point the small bowel appeared pink and healthy, therefore no resection was performed however a loop colostomy was fashioned to protect the upper rectal perforation repair.

Discussion

This is a rare condition with very few cases described in the literature. Management is highly dependent on clinical presentation. Imaging was not felt to be helpful in this case due to obviously comprised small bowel therefore he was operated on immediately.
625 Complex abdominal wall reconstruction in colorectal cancer abdominal wall metastases - a case report
Authors: Bodapati Venkata , Pai Deepak , Alseifi Shaker , Kaur Geetinder
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Resection of abdominal wall metastases with curative intent followed by complex abdominal wall reconstruction is seldom performed due to difficulty in ensuring complete resection and need for abdominal reconstruction. It is difficult to successfully localise the boundaries of these metastases for complete excision whilst balancing excessive tissue loss. We present a patient with anterior abdominal wall metastases from colorectal cancer who had this procedure performed successfully at our hospital.

Case Presentation

This 46-year-old lady originally underwent emergency Hartmans for a perforated sigmoid tumour invading surrounding tissues; pT4pN0R1. She had postoperative chemotherapy, HIPEC/debulking surgery and immunotherapy. A CT scan then suggested disease progression; however, the only active deposits appeared to be in her bilateral recti, so she underwent curative intent surgery - excision of bilateral rectus abdominis metastases, abdominal wall mesh reconstruction, and abdominoplasty. Histology confirmed completely excised colorectal metastatic adenocarcinoma. She did well postoperatively; currently, she continues immunotherapy and works 70 hours/week!

Discussion

Localisation and R0 resection of rectus metastases is technically challenging; it involves intensive preparation and working closely with the radiological team. The margins of bilateral rectus metastases were localised via immediate pre-operative CT- guided wire placement by an experienced radiologist interacting continuously with the surgeon in the CT room.

Conclusion

It is possible to safely excise abdominal wall metastases with intensive preoperative planning with the theatre team and radiologists; resultant abdominal wall defects can be repaired appropriately with resultant good quality of life. This procedure should be considered as an option in the management of abdominal wall colorectal metastases with curative intent in selected patients.
PolyQ Database—an integrated database on polyglutamine diseases
Authors: Estevam Bernardo , Matos Carlos A , Nóbrega Clévio
Published: August 2023

Polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases are neurodegenerative disorders caused by abnormally expanded Cytosine, Adenine, Guanine (CAG) triplet repeat sequences in the coding region of otherwise unrelated genes. Until now, nine different polyQ diseases have been described: Huntington’s disease, dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy, spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy and six types of spinocerebellar ataxias—1, 2, 3, 6, 7 and 17. The pathogenic expansion translates into an aberrant tract of glutamines in the encoded proteins, compromising several cellular functions and biological processes. There is currently no cure available for the progressive neurodegenerative disorders caused by the ensuing cytotoxic alterations. Although each disease is considered rare, polyQ diseases constitute the largest group of monogenic neurodegenerative disorders. Information about these disorders is scattered among several books, articles and general databases, hindering exploration by students and researchers, but also by patients and their families. Therefore, we aimed to develop a free online database to fill this gap, by centralizing relevant available information. The PolyQ Database is a platform that focuses on all nine polyQ diseases and offers information about topics that are pertinent for scientists, clinicians and the general public, including epidemiology, the characteristics of the causative genes and the codified proteins, the pathophysiology of the diseases and the main clinical manifestations. The database is available at https://polyq.pt/, and it is the first of its kind, focusing exclusively on this group of rare diseases. The database was conceived to be continuously updated and allow incorporation and dissemination of the latest information on polyQ diseases.
Disease Activity Patterns of Paediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Danish Nationwide Cohort Study (1996–2018)
Authors: Wewer Mads Damsgaard , Jansson Sabine , Malham Mikkel , Burisch Johan , Wewer Vibeke
Published: August 2023

Background and Aims

Inflammatory bowel diseases [IBD] are heterogeneous in the frequency and severity of their flare-ups. We aimed to describe disease activity patterns in a Danish nationwide paediatric IBD cohort.

Methods

Paediatric patients [<18 years at diagnosis] with Crohn’s disease [pCD] or ulcerative colitis [pUC] in the study period from 1996 to 2018 were identified in national registers. Disease activity [severe, moderate-to-mild, remission] was assessed at diagnosis according to medications prescribed, hospitalizations, and surgeries.

Results

In total, 1965 pCD and 1838 pUC incident patients were included in the cohort. At diagnosis, severe disease activity was found in 87%/80% of pCD/pUC and in addition 6.1% of pUC patients had undergone a colectomy during the first year after diagnosis. Five years after diagnosis, the annual proportions of pCD/pUC with no disease activity were 70%/61%, and 10 years after diagnosis the proportions were 72%/64%. Colectomy was required in 6.1, 12, and 16% of pUC patients after 1, 5 and 10 years. No improvement of disease activity was seen in the proportion of prevalent pCD [N = 2515] and pUC [N = 2428] in the study period 2000–2018 concomitant with the introduction of biological treatment. However, decreasing disease activity was the most common pattern in both pCD and pUC [43 and 47%], respectively.

Conclusions

pIBD was characterized by a high proportion of patients with severe activity at diagnosis, followed by an improvement after 5 and 10 years of follow-up. Notably, the proportion of patients with no disease activity was unchanged when biological treatment was introduced and the number of colectomies in pUC remained high.
KGML-xDTD: a knowledge graph–based machine learning framework for drug treatment prediction and mechanism description
Authors: Ma Chunyu , Zhou Zhihan , Liu Han , Koslicki David
Published: August 2023

Background

Computational drug repurposing is a cost- and time-efficient approach that aims to identify new therapeutic targets or diseases (indications) of existing drugs/compounds. It is especially critical for emerging and/or orphan diseases due to its cheaper investment and shorter research cycle compared with traditional wet-lab drug discovery approaches. However, the underlying mechanisms of action (MOAs) between repurposed drugs and their target diseases remain largely unknown, which is still a main obstacle for computational drug repurposing methods to be widely adopted in clinical settings.

Results

In this work, we propose KGML-xDTD: a Knowledge Graph–based Machine Learning framework for explainably predicting Drugs Treating Diseases. It is a 2-module framework that not only predicts the treatment probabilities between drugs/compounds and diseases but also biologically explains them via knowledge graph (KG) path-based, testable MOAs. We leverage knowledge-and-publication–based information to extract biologically meaningful “demonstration paths” as the intermediate guidance in the Graph-based Reinforcement Learning (GRL) path-finding process. Comprehensive experiments and case study analyses show that the proposed framework can achieve state-of-the-art performance in both predictions of drug repurposing and recapitulation of human-curated drug MOA paths.

Conclusions

KGML-xDTD is the first model framework that can offer KG path explanations for drug repurposing predictions by leveraging the combination of prediction outcomes and existing biological knowledge and publications. We believe it can effectively reduce “black-box” concerns and increase prediction confidence for drug repurposing based on predicted path-based explanations and further accelerate the process of drug discovery for emerging diseases.
Optimizing indoor thermal comfort with wind towers and earth to air heat exchangers: a sustainable solution for energy-efficient housing
Authors: Sakhri Nasreddine , Osra Oumr Adnan , Alsaygh Fares Saad , Almutery Sultan Bader , Menni Younes
Published: August 2023

The conditioning of living and working spaces in the building sector consumes a significant amount of energy. Among the natural ventilation techniques that rely on renewable energy sources such as geothermal and wind, wind towers and earth to air heat exchangers (EAHEs) hold prominence. This research paper presents a series of experiments conducted in the arid region of Bechar, Algeria, to investigate the effectiveness of combined natural ventilation systems employing wind towers and EAHEs. The test chamber, constructed from plywood, and the tower, along with the buried polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe EAHE at a depth of 150 cm in sandy-loam soil, constitute a completely natural system with zero energy consumption. Two scenarios were examined: one with closed windows and the other with open windows measuring 40 × 40 cm2. The results indicate a noteworthy improvement in thermal comfort within the chamber, with an increase from 18.75% for the closed window system to 50% when the window is open. By employing a completely natural system without energy consumption, it becomes possible to fulfill 50% of the thermal comfort requirements during both summer and winter seasons. Consequently, this approach reduces at least half of the energy demands in a region that experiences six months of discomfort.
Pathogenesis and Transmission Assessment of 3 Swine-Origin Influenza A(H3N2) Viruses With Zoonotic Risk to Humans Isolated in the United States, 2017–2020
Authors: Sun Xiangjie , Belser Jessica A , Pulit-Penaloza Joanna A , Brock Nicole , Pappas Claudia , Zanders Natosha , Jang Yunho , Jones Joyce , Tumpey Terrence M , Davis C Todd , Maines Taronna R
Published: August 2023

The sporadic occurrence of human infections with swine-origin influenza A(H3N2) viruses and the continual emergence of novel A(H3N2) viruses in swine herds underscore the necessity for ongoing assessment of the pandemic risk posed by these viruses. Here, we selected 3 recent novel swine-origin A(H3N2) viruses isolated between 2017 to 2020, bearing hemagglutinins from the 1990.1, 2010.1, or 2010.2 clades, and evaluated their ability to cause disease and transmit in a ferret model. We conclude that despite considerable genetic variances, all 3 contemporary swine-origin A(H3N2) viruses displayed a capacity for robust replication in the ferret respiratory tract and were also capable of limited airborne transmission. These findings highlight the continued public health risk of swine-origin A(H3N2) strains, especially in human populations with low cross-reactive immunity.
Visual Necropolitics and Visual Violence: Theorizing Death, Sight, and Sovereign Control of Palestine
Authors: Deprez Miriam
Published: August 2023

The Israeli military’s occupation of Palestinian territory relies heavily on its ability to shape the visual environment and set the terms of how Palestinians may see and be seen. However, the relationship between violent occupation and violent visualities has yet to be fully theorized. This article gathers several conceptual strands—biopolitics, visual biopolitics, and necropolitics—to theorize what I term “visual necropolitics.” Visual necropolitics is proffered as an analytical tool that furthers our understanding of the violent visual regulations that enable and sustain the conditions for the illegal occupation of Palestinian lands and the subjugation of the Palestinian people. To illustrate this, three distinct but related forms of visual violence will be analyzed: the deliberate infliction of ocular trauma through targeting of the eyes, the strategy of maiming in order to prevent telegenic death, and the imposition of visual regulations to govern the death of captured bodies. This theorization allows us to move beyond considering the politics of sight, vision, and representation only as an artifact of the colonial power relations that govern life and death in Palestine, towards understanding how visual violence is a constitutive dimension of occupation. Not only does colonial occupation use visual violence, but it cannot be sustained without it.
In Search of Ontological Security: Why the Anglo-American Special Relationship Endures
Authors: Mohammadpour Sam , Saeidabadi Mohammad Reza
Published: August 2023

The period following World War II (WWII) marked a significant turning point in Britain’s global standing, characterized by the loss of its empire and the existential anxiety regarding its new role on the world stage. Dean Acheson’s famous quote, “Britain has lost an empire and not yet found a role,” poignantly captures the sense of diminishing power and identity crisis experienced by the Kingdom since 1945. Along with the consequences of WWII, the process of decolonization, coupled with events such as the Suez Crisis, further confirmed Britain’s declining position in the international system, disrupting its established narrative of global power and leaving it in a state of ontological insecurity. This paper, focusing on ontological security studies in international relations, explores the connection between Britain’s ontological insecurity in the new global order after WWII, and the Anglo-American special relationship (AASR) as a response to these anxieties. In this context, the suggested theoretical framework promises to address the concepts of narrative identity and existential anxiety and their respective contributions to understanding the underlying factors in explaining the emergence and stability of the AASR.
Development of a Solid-Phase Dispersive Extraction Method for Molecularly Imprinted Polymers and LC–MS/MS for Analysis of Clenbuterol Residues in Swine Livers and Kidneys
Authors: Saito Koichi , Ito Rie , Ohsawa Yoshihiro
Published: August 2023

Background

Clenbuterol (CLB) is approved as a veterinary drug because of its tracheal smooth muscle and uterine relaxant effects. However, if improperly administered for the purpose of fattening livestock, CLB can remain in the organs, which may pose a health hazard to humans.

Objective

We aimed to examine the combination of molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) and solid-phase dispersive extraction (SPDE) as a pretreatment method for swine liver and kidney, which contain more coexisting impurities than muscle tissue, and attempted to construct an analytical method using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS).

Methods

Swine livers and kidneys were homogenized and extracted using liquid–liquid partitioning with an ethyl acetate–n-hexane (1 + 1) mixture, followed by SPDE using an MIP gel, and measured using LC–MS/MS. For LC–MS/MS, either an absolute calibration method or isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) was used. For method validation, a recovery test (additive concentrations: 0.05 and 0.5 ng/g) was conducted, and the data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results

The recoveries (trueness), repeatability, and intermediate precision obtained using absolute calibration were similar to those obtained using IDMS.

Conclusion

Using MIP-SPDE as a pretreatment method for CLB in swine liver and kidney samples yielded comparable results for absolute calibration and IDMS in LC–MS/MS analysis.

Highlights

MIP-SPDE can be used as a pretreatment method to analyze CLB in swine organs with high accuracy.
Integrating non-binding labour standards in binding trade agreements: The ILO’s feedback loop
Authors: LeClercq Desirée
Published: August 2023

Much attention has been placed on how trade agreements integrate and benefit from a non-binding International Labour Organization (ILO) declaration. That declaration lists the fundamental labour principles to which all the ILO’s members, and thus the trade parties, have already consented. However, until now, it has been unclear whether and to what extent that integration, in turn, benefits the ILO’s regime. Comparing standard-setting negotiations at the ILO in 1998 and 2022, this article argues that the hardening of non-binding labour rights in binding trade agreements stagnates and complicates new labour standards. The ILO’s members now demand a saving clause expressly decoupling their new non-binding standard from their binding trade commitments. The implications of those negotiations for the future standard setting are wide-ranging and significant. As states become more aware of the potential binding nature of their non-binding standards, they are decoupling the ILO’s regime from their trade regime and shrinking the reach of the ILO’s fundamental principles in the process. This article draws from labour-adjacent standards integrated into trade agreements to show how states may mitigate that feedback loop.
BioConvert: a comprehensive format converter for life sciences
Authors: Caro Hugo , Dollin Sulyvan , Biton Anne , Brancotte Bryan , Desvillechabrol Dimitri , Dufresne Yoann , Li Blaise , Kornobis Etienne , Lemoine Frédéric , Maillet Nicolas , Perrin Amandine , Traut Nicolas , Néron Bertrand , Cokelaer Thomas
Published: August 2023

Bioinformatics is a field known for the numerous standards and formats that have been developed over the years. This plethora of formats, sometimes complementary, and often redundant, poses many challenges to bioinformatics data analysts. They constantly need to find the best tool to convert their data into the suitable format, which is often a complex, technical and time consuming task. Moreover, these small yet important tasks are often difficult to make reproducible. To overcome these difficulties, we initiated BioConvert, a collaborative project to facilitate the conversion of life science data from one format to another. BioConvert aggregates existing software within a single framework and complemented them with original code when needed. It provides a common interface to make the user experience more streamlined instead of having to learn tens of them. Currently, BioConvert supports about 50 formats and 100 direct conversions in areas such as alignment, sequencing, phylogeny, and variant calling. In addition to being useful for end-users, BioConvert can also be utilized by developers as a universal benchmarking framework for evaluating and comparing numerous conversion tools. Additionally, we provide a web server implementing an online user-friendly interface to BioConvert, hence allowing direct use for the community.
Dissecting the tumor microenvironment of epigenetically driven gliomas: Opportunities for single-cell and spatial multiomics
Authors: Sussman Jonathan H , Xu Jason , Amankulor Nduka , Tan Kai
Published: August 2023

Malignant gliomas are incurable brain neoplasms with dismal prognoses and near-universal fatality, with minimal therapeutic progress despite billions of dollars invested in research and clinical trials over the last 2 decades. Many glioma studies have utilized disparate histologic and genomic platforms to characterize the stunning genomic, transcriptomic, and immunologic heterogeneity found in gliomas. Single-cell and spatial omics technologies enable unprecedented characterization of heterogeneity in solid malignancies and provide a granular annotation of transcriptional, epigenetic, and microenvironmental states with limited resected tissue. Heterogeneity in gliomas may be defined, at the broadest levels, by tumors ostensibly driven by epigenetic alterations (IDH- and histone-mutant) versus non-epigenetic tumors (IDH-wild type). Epigenetically driven tumors are defined by remarkable transcriptional programs, immunologically distinct microenvironments, and incompletely understood topography (unique cellular neighborhoods and cell–cell interactions). Thus, these tumors are the ideal substrate for single-cell multiomic technologies to disentangle the complex intra-tumoral features, including differentiation trajectories, tumor-immune cell interactions, and chromatin dysregulation. The current review summarizes the applications of single-cell multiomics to existing datasets of epigenetically driven glioma. More importantly, we discuss future capabilities and applications of novel multiomic strategies to answer outstanding questions, enable the development of potent therapeutic strategies, and improve personalized diagnostics and treatment via digital pathology.
Colombian Politics and Government
Authors: Pachón Mónica , Caballero Argáez Carlos
Published: August 2023

There is a well-established body of literature on Colombian politics that covers many historical processes which characterize the country’s political history. In this bibliography, we first review academic contributions about the more general and common themes in Latin American politics that explain the details of the state-building process and the evolution of political institutions: political parties, elections, the Congress, and the courts. Next, we review contributions to understanding Colombia’s 1991 constitutional reform, which represents a departure from the former 1886 Constitution, establishing the structure of the current institutional architecture. We proceed to review the literature on decentralization and reform of the economic institutions and their consequences and provide sources in case the readers are interested in sectors of the economy. Next, we turn into contributions about political culture, emphasizing clientelism and the evolution of social movements. The next part of the bibliography emphasizes the literature on political violence and armed conflict in the country, including references to its historical evolution, to understand the dynamics of the conflict, its participants, actions, differences across territories, and the link with drug traffic and a weak state capacity. We then turn to the literature analyzing the link between natural resource control and the persistence of conflict as well as the development of infrastructure. In the last part of the bibliography, we review the academic contributions of various authors in understanding the peace processes that have occurred since the turn of the twenty-first century, their results, and citizens’ perceptions of them.
Sociopragmatics
Authors: Terkourafi Marina , Delbar Natasja
Published: August 2023

As the composite nature of the term itself suggests, “sociopragmatics” focuses on actual language use in real-life settings and across cultures. These aspects of language use had been neglected in early pragmatic work by philosophers such as H. P. Grice, J. L. Austin and J. Searle, which focused primarily on individual speakers’ intentions and language-internal, structural (in the Saussurean sense) explanations for differences in meaning across (putative) circumstances of use. Conversely, empirical and cross-cultural aspects of language use were given center stage in the development of politeness theories, which can be considered early precursors of sociopragmatics from the 1970s onward. Unlike its antecedent fields, sociolinguistics and pragmatics, which grew out of the Anglo-American (analytical) tradition in the late 1950s and 1960s, sociopragmatics reflects a functionalist focus usually found in continental work of the time. Early mentions of the term can be found in the work of Marcel Dascal and Ludger Hoffman, although the term itself was made popular through the work of two British scholars, Jenny Thomas and Geoffrey Leech, who famously distinguished between “pragmalinguistics” as knowledge of the non-truth conditional/interpersonal meanings linguistic forms can express, and “sociopragmatics” as the distribution of these form/meaning pairs in different contexts and the social parameters that regulate that. In terms of its subject matter, sociopragmatics focuses on how language expressions are used, by whom, and to what effect. In this sense, it can be contrasted to formal pragmatics, which focuses on the expressions’ meaning potential more abstractly conceived. Another major difference between sociopragmatics and formal pragmatics concerns where explanations are sought, with formal pragmatics seeking explanations in linguistic structure, while sociopragmatics does so in societal reasons. More specifically, sociopragmatics considers differences in meaning stemming from language users’ social (cultural, ethnic, ideological, interpersonal relationship, and so on) background and how this background shapes and is in turn shaped by their use (production and comprehension) of language. Sociopragmatics, in other words, fully acknowledges and tries to do justice to the performative potential of language, that is, its potential to bring the social world into existence. It thus bears links to more analytical fields, such as the philosophy of language, but also to more applied ones, such as discourse analysis, while at the same time differing from both, in terms of the questions it poses, as well as the tools it uses to address them. Major themes in sociopragmatics include identity, face and relational work, cultural conventions and norms, and (increasingly) emotions. To analyze these themes, sociopragmatics uses theoretical tools from pragmatics, most prominently implicatures and speech acts, and methodological ones from sociolinguistics (ethnographic observation, corpora, interviews, and questionnaires) and sociology (conversation analysis).
Exclusive Economic Zone
Authors: Andreone Gemma
Published: August 2023

The legal nature and the economic, political, and social implications of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) have been widely explored and examined by the doctrine over the years (O’Connell 1982, cited under Handbooks and Articles on the Law of the Sea; and Attard 1987, Orrego Vicuña 1989, Franckx and Gautier 2003, Nelson 2008, Posner and Sykes 2010, and Andreone 2015, all cited under Specific Literature on the EEZ). Yet, twenty-five years after the entry into force of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (hereinafter, LOSC), the EEZ is still a matter of debate among authors and a cause of international disputes. These latter result from the many interpretation conflicts that incessantly arise when the states act with the EEZ or implement the related convention’s provisions (Roach and Smith 2012, cited under Handbooks and Articles on the Law of the Sea). In particular, the main issues at stake are the compliance of LOSC provisions on the EEZ with customary international law and the possible evolution of this latter (Treves 1990, cited under Handbooks and Articles on the Law of the Sea), the crucial issue of coastal states’ creeping jurisdiction over new uses of the sea (Oxman 2006, cited under Specific Literature on the EEZ), and finally, the risk of excessive restriction to the freedom of navigation, as the original and never-ending general principle of the law of the sea (Rigaldies 1998, cited under Specific Literature on the EEZ). The EEZ codification in the LOSC was a revolutionary compromise of the interests of coastal and flag states, as well as the general interests of the international community as a whole. It was widely welcomed for having unified the regime of the waters superjacent to the seabed and of the seabed and its subsoil, becoming a multifunctional zone (Kwiatkowska 1989, cited under Specific Literature on the EEZ, and Lucchini and Voelckel 1996, cited under Handbooks and Articles on the Law of the Sea). Against this background, the EEZ remains a concept in a permanent state of flux and its legal regime will be inevitably affected by the future development of international practice in the law of the sea (Beckman and Davenport 2013, cited under Specific Literature on the EEZ).
Parents' Beliefs about Children
Authors: Miller Scott A.
Published: August 2023

What parents believe about children is one of the venerable topics in developmental psychology, with research dating back more than a century and publications numbering in the thousands. It is a topic that is by no means limited to psychology—numerous related disciplines bring their own perspectives to the study of parents and children. The reasons for interest are clear. Within psychology, the study of parents’ beliefs speaks to many of the central questions with which the science deals, questions of both theoretical and pragmatic importance. One is the nature of adult social cognition, that is, thoughts directed not to the inanimate world but to other people. For most parents, there is no more frequent target, and also no more important target, for social-cognitive efforts than one’s child. There may also be no more challenging target. Rearing a child may require dozens of decisions a day, often with little time to reflect and at times with a strong emotional accompaniment. Furthermore—and again in contrast to most instances of social cognition—the child presents a moving target, as the infant morphs into the toddler who morphs into the preschooler and so on up to adulthood. The result is that the study of parents’ beliefs, although it draws from the general literature on social cognition, also adds significantly to this literature. It adds as well to the literature on well-being and development in adulthood. Feelings about the self typically have many origins, but for parents few are as important as perceived success or perceived failure in the parenting role. Parents’ beliefs affect parents. Finally, and most critically, parents’ beliefs affect children. The relevant issue is again a long-standing one in psychology: Do beliefs lead to behavior—in this case, do parents’ beliefs affect how they treat their children? The answer is yes—not always, often not strongly, not necessarily as a sole cause of parental behavior, but as one cause. The study of parenting in fact provides the fullest evidence for a link between what we believe and what we do. It also provides clear evidence for the final link in the chain: Parents’ behavior affects children’s development. Parents are never a sole cause; all developments have a biological underpinning, and other social agents are often important. But parents’ beliefs and behaviors are one contributor to how children develop, and there is arguably no more important question to which psychology speaks.
Cartography, Mapping, and War
Authors: Altić Mirela
Published: August 2023

War always takes place in a spatial context, which makes cartography one of its central tools. However, for a long time, armies were waging wars with few maps, or even no maps at all, relying mostly on mental maps or local guides. A stronger connection between cartography, mapping, and war appears for the first time in the early modern period when, under the pressure of protracted wars and new war techniques (artillery), the relationship between warfare and cartography became closer, not only encouraging the use of maps, but also serving as the biggest stimulus to the development of cartography. The development of warfare strategy, which, over time, grew into a scientific discipline, led to a better education of officers in both map use and mapmaking. A major turn in that regard would take place in the early eighteenth century, when the establishment of military academies, which included surveying and mapmaking in their curricula, enabled the development of military cartography as a separate field of cartography specialized in the production of maps for military purposes. An even closer relationship between mapping and warfare was established in the nineteenth century when specialized national mapping agencies appeared within the military forces. Technical advances in warfare cartography were further spurred by military requirements in the twentieth century. Under the influence of World Wars I and II, mapping for military purposes advanced immensely, not only in the technical sense (due to the application of aerial imagery), but also in regard to the specialization of mapping aimed at trench warfare, aviation combat, and marine warfare. Although WWI military cartography was marked by national productions of different scales, map projections, and measurement units, the global nature of WWII contributed to the unification of different geodetic and cartographic sign systems into a single international standard. The application of photogrammetry and satellite imagery during the Cold War enabled rapid mapping, ensuring complete world coverage at a medium scale. Because of the transition from the analog to the digital age and the development of digital imagery, satellites, and GIS technology, cartography and mapping for military needs underwent massive changes in the late twentieth century.