bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Congenital fibrinogen disorders: Strengthening genotype–phenotype correlations through novel genetic diagnostic tools
Authors: Ramanan Radha , McFadyen James D. , Perkins Andrew C. , Tran Huyen A.
Published: August 2023

Congenital fibrinogen disorders or CFDs are heterogenous, both in clinical manifestation and array of culprit molecular lesions. Correlations between phenotype and genotype remain poorly defined. This review examines the genetic landscape discovered to date for this rare condition. The question of a possible oligogenic model of inheritance influencing phenotypic heterogeneity is raised, with discussion of the benefits and challenges of sequencing technology used to enhance discovery in this space. Considerable work lies ahead in order to achieve diagnostic and prognostic precision and subsequently provide targeted management to this complex cohort of patients.
The Unidad Popular Process as Represented through Siglo XXI Publishers: Between Local Reception and the Construction of a Global Event
Authors: Zarowsky Mariano
Published: August 2023

This article deals with the role played by books and publishing houses in the representations and circulation of ideas relating to the Chilean Unidad Popular process (1970–1973). Due to its transnational nature, Siglo XXI stands out as a privileged object of analysis. This publishing house was founded by Orfila Reynal in Mexico in 1965, and opened a branch in Buenos Aires in 1971. Amidst political and cultural radicalisation, Siglo XXI Argentina factored in the local reception of ideas about the Chilean road to socialism, and its shaping into a global event.
Targeted delivery of galunisertib using machine perfusion reduces fibrogenesis in an integrated ex vivo renal transplant and fibrogenesis model
Authors: van Leeuwen L. Leonie , Ruigrok Mitchel J. R. , Kessler Benedikt M. , Leuvenink Henri G. D. , Olinga Peter
Published: August 2023

Background and Purpose

Fibrosis in kidney allografts is a major post‐transplant complication that contributes to graft failure. Lately, multiple potent inhibitors of fibrosis‐related pathways have been developed such as galunisertib, an inhibitor of the transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β/TGFβ1) signalling pathway. This drug, however, poses risks for adverse effects when administered systemically. Therefore, we devised a new repurposing strategy in which galunisertib is administered ex vivo. We combined machine perfusion and tissue slices to explore the antifibrotic effects of galunisertib in renal grafts.

Experimental Approach

Porcine kidneys were subjected to 30 min of warm ischaemia, 24 h of oxygenated hypothermic machine perfusion and 6 h of normothermic machine perfusion with various treatments (i.e. untreated control, TGFβ1, galunisertib or TGFβ1 + galunisertib; n = 8 kidneys per group). To determine whether effects persisted upon ceasing treatment, kidney slices were prepared from respective kidneys and incubated for 48 h.

Key Results

Galunisertib treatment improved general viability without negatively affecting renal function or elevating levels of injury markers or by‐products of oxidative stress during perfusion. Galunisertib also reduced inflammation and, more importantly, reduced the onset of fibrosis after 48 h of incubation.

Conclusions and Implications

Our findings demonstrate the value of using machine perfusion for administering antifibrotic drugs such as galunisertib, proving it to be an effective example of repurposing.
Understanding gender inequality in children's reading behavior: New insights from digital behavioral data
Authors: Smith Emil , Reimer David
Published: August 2023

This study examined gender differences in reading behavior of 2652 Danish 5th‐grade students (age 10–12 years, girls 51%, 14% immigrant background) observed for 218 days in 2019/2020, using data from a popular reading app. Reading behavior was operationalized as time spent reading. Analyses of timing of reading behavior and models of day‐to‐day reading time were employed to investigate the gender gap in reading behavior. Results show that girls read more than boys. This differential can be attributed to girls reading more outside school hours, during weekends and holidays than boys while there are no gender differences in reading activity during school hours. Results suggest that girls with positive academic attitudes were more inclined to read than boys with similar attitudes.
First clinical experience of a ring‐configured cadmium zinc telluride camera: A comparative study versus conventional gamma camera systems
Authors: Cerić Andelius Irma , Minarik David , Persson Eva , Mosén Henrik , Valind Kristian , Trägårdh Elin , Oddstig Jenny
Published: August 2023

Background

A novel semiconductor cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) gamma camera system using a block sequential regularized expectation maximization (BSREM) reconstruction algorithm is now clinically available. Here we investigate how a multi‐purpose ring‐configurated CZT system can be safely applied in clinics and describe the initial optimization process.

Method

Seventy‐six patients (bone‐, cardiac‐ and lung scan) were scanned on a conventional gamma camera (planar and/or single‐photon emission computed tomography [SPECT]/SPECT‐CT) used in clinical routine and on the ring‐configurated CZT camera Starguide (GE Healthcare). These data were used to validate and optimize the Starguide system for routine clinical use.

Results

Comparable image quality for the Starguide system, to that of the conventional gamma camera, was achieved for bone scan (4 min/bed position [BP] using a relative difference prior [RDP] with gamma 2 and beta 0.4, along with 10 iterations and 10 subsets), cardiac scan (8 min [stress] and 3 min 20 s [rest] using median root prior [MRP] with beta 0.07 non attenuation corrected and 0.008 attenuation corrected and 50 interations and 10 subsets for both stress and rest) and lung scan (10 min [vent] and 5 min [perf] using RDP with gamma 0.5 and beta 0.03 [vent] and 0.02 [perf] and 20 interations and 10 subsets for both vent and perf).

Conclusions

It was possible to transition from a conventional gamma camera to the Starguide system as part of the clinical routine, with acceptable image quality. Images from the Starguide system were deemed to be at least as good as those from a conventional gamma camera.
A phase I, randomized, ascending‐dose study to assess safety, pharmacokinetics, and activity of GDC‐8264, a RIP1 inhibitor, in healthy volunteers
Authors: Jones Nicholas S. , Kshirsagar Smita , Mohanan Vishnu , Ramakrishnan Vidya , Di Nucci Flavia , Ma Ling , Mao Jialin , Ding Hao , Klabunde Sha , Vucic Domagoj , Pan Lin , Lekkerkerker Annemarie N. , Chen Yuan , Rothenberg Michael E.
Published: August 2023

Receptor‐interacting protein 1 (RIP1) is a key regulator of multiple signaling pathways that mediate inflammatory responses and cell death. RIP1 kinase activity mediates apoptosis and necroptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, Toll‐like receptors, and ischemic tissue damage. RIP1 has been implicated in several human pathologies and consequently, RIP1 inhibition may represent a therapeutic approach for diseases dependent on RIP1‐mediated inflammation and cell death. GDC‐8264 is a potent, selective, and reversible small molecule inhibitor of RIP1 kinase activity. This phase I, randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blinded trial examined safety, pharmacokinetics (PKs), and pharmacodynamics (PDs) of single‐ (5–225 mg) and multiple‐ (50 and 100 mg once daily, up to 14 days) ascending oral doses of GDC‐8264 in healthy volunteers, and also tested the effect of food on the PKs of GDC‐8264. All adverse events in GDC‐8264‐treated subjects in both stages were mild. GDC‐8264 exhibited dose‐proportional increases in systemic exposure; the mean terminal half‐life ranged from 10–13 h, with limited accumulation on multiple dosing (accumulation ratio [AR] ~ 1.4); GDC‐8264 had minimal renal excretion at all doses. A high‐fat meal had no significant effect on the PKs of GDC‐8264. In an ex vivo stimulation assay of whole blood, GDC‐8264 rapidly and completely inhibited release of CCL4, a downstream marker of RIP1 pathway activation, indicating a potent pharmacological effect. Based on PK‐PD modeling, the GDC‐8264 half‐maximal inhibitory concentration for the inhibition of CCL4 release was estimated to be 0.58 ng/mL. The favorable safety, PKs, and PDs of GDC‐8264 support its further development for treatment of RIP1‐driven diseases.
Generalized early inflammatory morphea mimicking interstitial T‐cell lymphoma: A diagnostic pitfall
Authors: Go Janelle , Wu Yu‐Hung
Published: August 2023

Early generalized morphea can clinically mimic mycosis fungoides. The microscopic features of early inflammatory morphea may show variable degrees of infiltration and do not have the characteristic dermal collagen sclerosis. We report the case of a 63‐year‐old female patient who presented with a 2‐month history of an asymptomatic skin rash. Physical examination revealed multiple erythematous to dusky patches on the trunk and thighs, resembling the patch stage of mycosis fungoides. Two skin biopsies were performed, both of which showed prominent interstitial lymphoid infiltration in the reticular dermis without dermal sclerosis. Small lymphocyte exocytosis and lining along the dermal–epidermal junction were observed focally in the epidermis. Small clusters of plasma cells and eosinophils were observed in perivascular areas. Although no predominant clonality was found for CD4 and CD8 stains, 50% loss of CD5 antigen and 90% loss of CD7 antigen expression were apparent in immunohistochemical studies. Subsequent blood tests showed a normal blood cell count and positive human T‐lymphotropic virus Type 1 antibodies. The overall findings suggested interstitial mycosis fungoides or early adult T‐cell lymphoma–leukemia. The patient refused aggressive treatment, and 3 months later, she presented with indurated plaques from the previous rash. A repeat biopsy revealed the typical features of morphea. This report discussed the pitfalls in the clinical and histopathological diagnosis of early generalized inflammatory morphea that both clinicians and pathologists should consider.
Pemphigus and pemphigoids: Clinical presentation, diagnosis and therapy
Authors: Didona Dario , Schmidt Morna F. , Maglie Roberto , Solimani Farzan
Published: August 2023

Pemphigus and pemphigoid are two potentially life‐threatening groups of autoimmune diseases, characterized by autoantibodies targeting structural components of desmosomes or hemidesmosomes, respectively. Affected patients typically show itchy/painful plaques or blistering skin lesions and/or impairing mucosal blistering and erosions, which may strongly impact their quality of life. Since the milestone work of Walter Lever in 1953, who differentiated these two groups of diseases by histopathological analysis of the level of antibody‐mediated skin cleavage, enormous progresses occurred. Achievements made in laboratory diagnostics now allow to identify antigen specific structural proteins of the skin that are targeted by pathogenic autoantibodies. These progresses were accompanied by an increased understanding of the pathogenesis of these diseases thanks to the establishment of animal models reproducing disease and on studies on skin and blood of affected individuals, which have been leading to novel and disease‐specific treatments. Yet, given their phenotypical overlap with more common dermatological diseases, correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment are often delayed, in some cases leading to irreversible sequelae, including organ dysfunction (i.e., loss of vision in mucous membrane pemphigoid). Here, we provide a concise overview of the clinical appearance, diagnosis and therapeutic management of pemphigus and pemphigoid diseases.
Associations between maternal gestational diabetes metformin or insulin treatment and offspring growth trajectories from birth to 60 months of age: Findings from the Born in Bradford (BiB) study
Authors: Martine‐Edith Gilberte , Johnson William , Petherick Emily S.
Published: August 2023

Aim

To investigate the associations between gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) metformin or insulin treatment and offspring growth trajectories from 0 to 60 months.

Methods

Participants were from the Born in Bradford birth cohort study. Using covariate‐adjusted multilevel linear spline models (4 splines: 0–1.6, 1.6–6, 6–17 and 17–60 months), we compared weight, height and body mass index (BMI) z‐score trajectories of: (1) 76 offspring exposed to metformin (OGDM‐Metformin) and 420 offspring exposed to insulin (OGDM‐Insulin); (2) OGDM‐Metformin and 9171 offspring not exposed to GDM (No‐GDM); (3) OGDM‐Insulin and No‐GDM.

Results

(1) OGDM‐Metformin had comparable growth trajectories to OGDM‐Insulin from 0 to 60 months. (2) OGDM‐Metformin had a lower mean birthweight z‐score than No‐GDM. OGDM‐Metformin had faster changes in height z‐score (0.13 [95% CI 0.026, 0.24]) from 17 to 60 months and by 60 months, had comparable mean BMI z‐score to No‐GDM. (3) OGDM‐insulin had lower mean birthweight and height z‐scores than No‐GDM. OGDM‐Insulin had faster changes in weight (0.32 [0.021, 0.62]) and height (0.50 [0.087, 0.91]) from 1.6 to 6 months and by 60 months, had comparable mean BMI z‐score to No‐GDM.

Conclusions

GDM metformin treatment was not associated with differences in offspring growth trajectories compared to insulin treatment. Both metformin and insulin‐exposed offspring had comparable BMI z‐score to No‐GDM by 60 months.
Atrial septal hematogenous cyst with calcification mimicking myxoma: A rare case
Authors: Li Xuejie , Luo Hongying , Hou Jianglong
Published: August 2023

A 61‐year‐old female presented with right atrial mass during physical examination. Contrast‐enhanced left heart echocardiography revealed a mass with the size of 32*23 mm in the right atrium, attached to the atrial septum; there was a certain degree of activity and deformation. MRI showed a mass of about 35*22 mm in the right atrium adjacent to the atrial septum, which was diagnosed with right atrial myxoma. Intraoperative TEE showed that the mass was located in the atrial septum close to the inferior vena cava and spontaneous echo contrast with hyperechoic images within the mass. The lesion was resected under cardiopulmonary bypass. Pathological examination revealed that the filling defect was an atrial septal hematogenous cyst with calcification.
Long‐term safety and efficacy of adjunctive brivaracetam in pediatric patients with epilepsy: An open‐label, follow‐up trial
Authors: Lagae Lieven , Klotz Kerstin Alexandra , Fogarasi András , Floricel Florin , Reichel Christoph , Elshoff Jan‐Peer , Fleyshman Sofia , Kang Harriet
Published: August 2023

Objective

This study was undertaken to evaluate the long‐term safety, tolerability, and efficacy of adjunctive brivaracetam (BRV) treatment in pediatric patients with epilepsy.

Methods

A phase 3, open‐label, multicenter, long‐term follow‐up trial (N01266; NCT01364597) was conducted on patients (aged 1 month to <17 years at core trial entry; direct enrollers aged 4 to <17 years) treated with BRV. Outcomes included treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs), behavior assessments (Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist [CBCL], Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function [BRIEF]/BRIEF‐Preschool version [BRIEF‐P]), and efficacy outcomes (percent change in focal seizure frequency, 50% responder rate for all seizure types for patient subgroups <2 years and ≥2 years of age using daily record card data).

Results

Of 257 patients with ≥1 dose of BRV (141 [54.9%] male; mean age = 8.0 years [SD = 4.5]), 36 patients were <2 years of age, and 72.0% of patients had a history of focal seizures. Mean BRV exposure was 3.2 patient‐years. At least one TEAE occurred in 93.4% patients, and 32.3% had serious TEAEs. Seven patients died during the trial; no deaths were considered treatment‐related. Patients ≥2 years of age had a median decrease in 28‐day adjusted focal seizure frequency of 62.9%, and 50.9% had a ≥50% response in all seizures. Patients <2 years of age had a median decrease in 28‐day adjusted focal seizure frequency of 96.9%, and 68.2% had a ≥50% response in all seizures. Kaplan–Meier estimated treatment retention was 72.7%, 64.5%, 57.8%, 53.3%, 50.1%, and 44.8% at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 years, respectively. Mean changes (baseline to last evaluation) for all Achenbach CBCL and BRIEF‐P/BRIEF subscale scores were negative, reflecting stability/slight improvement.

Significance

Long‐term adjunctive BRV treatment was generally well tolerated and efficacious in reducing seizure frequency, and had high retention rates, with generally stable cognitive/behavioral scores in pediatric patients with epilepsy.
How important is temperature for strike success of ectotherms? Thermal effects on predator–prey interactions of free‐ranging pit vipers (Gloydius blomhoffii)
Authors: Kodama Tomonori , Mori Akira
Published: August 2023

Among various environmental factors, temperature has been considered a main determinant of outcomes of predator–prey interactions involving ectotherms. Although numerous studies have aimed to examine temperature effects on those interactions, few studies have been conducted under fully natural conditions. In this study, we examined the degree to which temperature affects the outcomes of encounters between a Japanese pit viper (Mamushi, Gloydius blomhoffii) and its prey under natural conditions. We continuously recorded ambushing behaviors and body temperatures of these snakes in the field using videography. We found that, over the range of temperatures at which Mamushi hunted, (1) temperature has only limited effects on whether Mamushis initiate a strike at prey and whether strikes successfully hit the prey; (2) prey reactions to strikes, such as whether they dodge the strike or the latency from strike initiation to dodge, are not affected by temperature; and (3) factors such as distance to prey and prey dodging movements are greater determinants than temperature on the outcomes of encounters between free‐ranging Mamushi and their prey. Our results suggest that temperature effects on the outcomes of free‐ranging snake–prey interactions may be smaller than hitherto considered.
Cost‐effectiveness, fairness and adverse selection in mutual aid
Authors: Chen Ze , Feng Runhuan , Wei Li , Zhao Jiaqi
Published: August 2023

Online mutual aid (MA) is a novel form of ex‐post risk sharing empowered by InsurTech to provide critical illness coverage without involving an insurer. In this paper, we first provide a rigorous examination of the underpinning theory and analyze MA model's cost‐effectiveness. In addition, we theoretically investigate the condition for MA's actuarial fairness among all participants. Our numerical illustration also shows that current MA plans lack the consideration of actuarial fairness as they differentiate members only by gender and age group of large bandwidths. Last, our empirical analysis confirms the existence of adverse selection due to the lack of actuarial fairness.
Green SPACs
Authors: Dimic Nebojsa , Goodell John W. , Piljak Vanja , Vulanovic Milos
Published: August 2023

We examine the structural characteristics of special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) focused on green causes. We explain their ecosystem, primary determinants of initial public offering (IPO) size, and speed of going public, and we calculate their returns around merger announcements and subsequent acquisition. Green SPAC size depends on CEO characteristics, choice of exchange and specialisation of respective stakeholders. The speed to IPO is related to the respective concentration of legal counsel. Green SPACs exhibit cumulative market‐adjusted returns in the range 6%–12% around the merger announcement. Merger returns are positive at the merger date but quickly become negative (−1% to −9%) and decline further with time.
Metabolic characterisation of transglutaminase 2 inhibitor effects in breast cancer cell lines
Authors: Gallo Mariana , Ferrari Elena , Terrazzan Anna , Brugnoli Federica , Spisni Alberto , Taccioli Cristian , Aguiari Gianluca , Trentini Alessandro , Volinia Stefano , Keillor Jeffrey W. , Bergamini Carlo M. , Bianchi Nicoletta , Pertinhez Thelma A.
Published: August 2023

Transglutaminase 2 (TG2), which mediates post‐translational modifications of multiple intracellular enzymes, is involved in the pathogenesis and progression of cancer. We used 1H‐NMR metabolomics to study the effects of AA9, a novel TG2 inhibitor, on two breast cancer cell lines with distinct phenotypes, MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231. AA9 can promote apoptosis in both cell lines, but it is particularly effective in MD‐MB‐231, inhibiting transamidation reactions and decreasing cell migration and invasiveness. This metabolomics study provides evidence of a major effect of AA9 on MDA‐MB‐231 cells, impacting glutamate and aspartate metabolism, rather than on MCF‐7 cells, characterised by choline and O‐phosphocholine decrease. Interestingly, AA9 treatment induces myo‐inositol alteration in both cell lines, indicating action on phosphatidylinositol metabolism, likely modulated by the G protein activity of TG2 on phospholipase C. Considering the metabolic deregulations that characterise various breast cancer subtypes, the existence of a metabolic pathway affected by AA9 further points to TG2 as a promising hot spot. The metabolomics approach provides a powerful tool to monitor the effectiveness of inhibitors and better understand the role of TG2 in cancer.
A simple bypass assay for DNA polymerases shows that cancer‐associated hypermutating variants exhibit differences in vitro
Authors: Crevel Gilles , Kearsey Stephen , Cotterill Sue
Published: August 2023

Errors made by DNA polymerases contribute to both natural variation and, in extreme cases, genome instability and its associated diseases. Recently, the importance of polymerase misincorporation in disease has been highlighted by the identification of cancer‐associated polymerase variants with mutations in the exonuclease domain. A subgroup of these variants have a hypermutation phenotype in tumours, and when modelled in yeast, they show mutation rates in excess of that seen with polymerase with simple loss of proofreading activity. We have developed a bypass assay to rapidly determine the tendency of a polymerase to misincorporate in vitro. We have used the assay to compare misincorporation by wild‐type, exonuclease‐defective and two hypermutating human DNA polymerase ε variants, P286R and V411L. The assay clearly distinguished between the misincorporation rates of wild‐type, exonuclease dead and P286R polymerases. However, the V411L polymerase showed misincorporation rate comparable to the exonuclease dead enzyme rather than P286R, suggesting that there may be some differences in the way that these variants cause hypermutation. Using this assay, misincorporation opposite a templated C nucleotide was consistently higher than for other nucleotides, and this caused predominantly C‐to‐T transitions. This is consistent with the observation that C‐to‐T transitions are commonly seen in DNA polymerase ε mutant tumours.
The 5‐factor modified frailty index is a novel predictive marker of death from other diseases after curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer
Authors: Maeda Yuto , Eto Kojiro , Yoshida Naoya , Iwatsuki Masaaki , Iwagami Shiro , Ogawa Katsuhiro , Sawayama Hiroshi , Baba Yoshifumi , Miyamoto Yuji , Baba Hideo
Published: August 2023

Aim

The 5‐factor modified frailty index (MFI‐5) is a stratification tool to evaluate a patient's frailty. This study determined whether the MFI‐5 is associated with short‐ and long‐term outcomes after curative gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 447 consecutive patients who underwent curative gastrectomy, and evaluated their overall survival (OS), relapse‐free survival (RFS) and cancer‐specific survival.

Results

A total of 75 patients (16.8%) had high MFI‐5 scores (MFI‐5 ≥3). A high MFI‐5 score was significantly associated with advanced age, male sex and severe postoperative complications. Patients with high MFI‐5 scores had significantly poorer OS and RFS than those with low MFI‐5 scores (5‐year OS, 80.3% vs 59.7%, P < 0.01; 5‐year RFS, 77.4% vs 54.9%, P < 0.01). Additionally, a high MFI‐5 score was an independent predictor for OS (hazard ratio 1.69, 95% CI 1.09–2.61; P = 0.02) and RFS (hazard ratio, 1.80, 95% CI 1.19–2.74; P = 0.01). However, cancer‐specific survival was not significantly different between the two groups.

Conclusions

The MFI‐5 score can be predictive of postoperative morbidity and deaths from other disease after curative gastrectomy after curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; 23: 750–756.
Collaborative evaluation of a pilot involvement opportunity: Cochrane Common Mental Disorders Voice of Experience College
Authors: Knowles Sarah , Morley Karen , Foster Rob , Middleton Amy , Pinar Semra , Rose Fiona , Williams Emma , Hendon Jessica , Churchill Rachel
Published: August 2023

Background

Involving consumers in systematic reviews can make them more valuable and help achieve goals around transparency. Systematic reviews are technically complex and training can be needed to enable consumers to engage with them fully. The Cochrane Common Mental Disorders group sought to engage people with lived experience of mental health problems in the Voice of Experience College, three workshops introducing them to systematic review methods and to opportunities to contribute as Cochrane consumers. We aimed to collectively evaluate the College from the perspective of both facilitators and consumers, to critically reflect on the experience, and to identify how the College could be sustained and spread to other review groups.

Methods

This study was a longitudinal qualitative and collaborative evaluation, structured around normalisation process theory. Both facilitators and consumers were involved in not only providing their perspectives but also reflecting on these together to identify key learning points.

Results

The workshops were positively evaluated as being engaging and supportive, largely due to the relational skills of the facilitators, and their willingness to engage in joint or two‐way learning. The College suffered from a lack of clarity over the role of consumers after the College itself, with a need for greater communication to check assumptions and clarify expectations. This was not achieved due to pandemic disruptions, which nevertheless demonstrated that resources for involvement were not prioritised as core business during this period.

Conclusions

Soft skills around communication and support are crucial to effective consumer engagement. Sustaining involvement requires sustained communication and opportunities to reflect together on opportunities and challenges. This requires committed resources to ensure involvement activity is prioritised. This is critical as negative experiences later in the involvement journey can undermine originally positive experiences if contributors are unclear as to what their involvement can lead to. Open discussions about this are necessary to avoid conflicting assumptions. The spread of the approach to other review groups could be achieved by flexibly adapting to group‐specific resources and settings, but maintaining a core focus on collaborative relationships as the key mechanism of engagement.

Patient and Public Contribution

Public contributors were collaborators throughout the evaluation process and have co‐authored the paper.
Effects of inulin with different polymerisation degrees on dough rheology and water distribution in the fresh noodles
Authors: Chen Yanyan , Li Xuqin , Xu Fei , Yu Qing , Zhang Qingqing
Published: August 2023

Over the past few years, the growing market demand for functional food leads to the development of inulin‐containing staple food. Comparing to previous works, this study investigates the effect of inulin with different polymerisation degrees on dough rheology and water distribution in the fresh noodles. Rheological properties of gluten, either using empirical or fundamental methods illustrate the distinctly improved farinograph properties. The tensile properties of the noodles added with LCI increased. Both SCI and LCI reduced the gelatinisation temperature and viscosity of the mixed powder, inhibited the retrogradation of starch. The relaxation time of weakly bound water of fresh noodles with LCI was shortened, the proportion of tightly bound water increased by 3.33%, and the content of freezable water decreased by 1.97%. Results showed that LCI inhibits the fluidity of water and increases the toughness and stability of gluten protein network structure. Noodles with LCI were of higher quality than those in the control group and those with SCI. Both groups inhibit the fluidity of water in noodles and enhance the toughness and stability of the gluten protein network structure. These results show that comparing to SCI, LCI improve the quality of fresh noodles more effectively.
Revisiting John Gill's Doctrine of Eternal Justification
Authors: Walden Garrett M.
Published: August 2023

Richard Muller situated the English Baptist minister, John Gill (1697–1771), among the Reformed orthodox theologians. However, the Baptist tradition has often looked askance at Gill because of his debated association with hyper‐Calvinism and one of its key pillars: eternal justification. Most historical scholarship has taken for granted that Gill affirmed eternal justification in such a way that renders him out of step with both the Reformed and evangelical traditions. In this essay, I revisit Gill's doctrine of justification and explain key distinctions which are often overlooked, but which are necessary to the coherence of his articulation of the doctrine – the distinctions between justification as an immanent act in God and as a transient act in the Christian, and justification qua esse actu and qua esse representativum. I argue that understanding these distinctions is needed for a more precise articulation of the doctrine of justification and that John Gill is an important interlocutor who passed forward an often‐misunderstood perspective from his Reformed and Puritan forebears.
Predictive factors for pentafecta achievement in robot‐assisted partial nephrectomy for intermediate highly complex RENAL tumors (RENAL score ≥ 7)
Authors: Uemura Koichi , Ito Hiroki , Ikeda Maiko , Uehara Koichiro , Tatenuma Tomoyuki , Komeya Mitsuru , Ito Yusuke , Muraoka Kentaro , Hasumi Hisashi , Makiyama Kazuhide
Published: August 2023

Objectives

To investigate the predictive factors for pentafecta achievement of robot‐assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) for intermediate highly complex renal tumors (RENAL score ≥ 7).

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the data of 247 patients with renal tumors with a RENAL score ≥ 7 who underwent RAPN. Baseline characteristics and perioperative outcomes were compared between the pentafecta achieved group and the unachieved group. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify the predictive factors for pentafecta achievement for cT1 renal tumors with a RENAL score ≥ 7.

Results

Of the 247 patients, 75 (30.3%) patients were in the achieved group and 172 (69.7%) patients were in the unachieved group. The median warm ischemia time and total operation time were 18 min versus 23 min (p < 0.001) and 179 min versus 201 min (p < 0.001) in the achieved and unachieved groups, respectively. In the unachieved group, six patients (3.4%) had major perioperative complications (Clavien–Dindo classification system ≥3). The median preservation rates of estimated GFR at the 1‐year postoperative period were 96.5% versus 83.0% (p < 0.001) in the achieved and unachieved groups. Multivariable logistic regression models revealed that age and tumor size were independent predictive factors for pentafecta achievement for cT1 renal tumors with a RENAL score ≥ 7. There were no significant differences in cancer‐free survival between the two groups (p = 0.456).

Conclusion

Age and tumor size were independent predictive factors for pentafecta achievement, although there was no difference in oncological outcomes between the pentafecta achieved group and the unachieved group in RAPN for cT1 renal tumors with a RENAL score ≥ 7.
Rethinking interculturalism, deconstructing discrimination in Italian schools
Authors: Santagati Mariagrazia , Bertozzi Rita
Published: August 2023

Despite the public favour gained in Europe, interculturalism is often reduced to its theoretical abstractions or local implementations. There is scarce evidence to suggest that interculturalism mitigates the systemic discrimination of immigrant‐origin people. Looking at the Italian case, the paper analyses the coexistence of interculturalism and discrimination into multicultural schools, examining school track choices for immigrant‐origin students under the lens of interculturalism. We combine three theoretical perspectives—discrimination at micro level, critical interculturalism and school choice as a process—with an empirical analysis of qualitative data, focussing on the ambivalent relational mechanisms underneath the most discriminatory turning point in the Italian education system, the transition to upper secondary school. Different forms of student–teacher interaction, approaches to school track choice and discriminatory effects are highlighted in the research findings. Three different scenarios of interculturalism are identified and implemented through the negotiation of the school actors. Rethinking interculturalism by deconstructing discrimination appears as a collective task, to be undertaken together with teachers and students with immigrant background: intercultural policy guidelines must be combined with bottom‐up actions.
Ethnic differences in the characteristics of patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer in the Te Manawa Taki region of New Zealand
Authors: Nguyen Ha , Lao Chunhuan , Keenan Rawiri , Laking George , Elwood Mark , McKeage Mark , Wong Janice , Aitken Denise , Chepulis Lynne , Lawrenson Ross
Published: August 2023

Background

Māori have three times the mortality from lung cancer compared with non‐Māori. The Te Manawa Taki region has a population of 900 000, of whom 30% are Māori. We have little understanding of the factors associated with developing and diagnosing lung cancer and ethnic differences in these characteristics.

Aims

To explore the differences in the incidence and characteristics of patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer between Māori and non‐Māori.

Methods

Patients were identified from the regional register. Incidence rates were calculated based on population data from the 2013 and 2018 censuses. The patient and tumour characteristics of Māori and non‐Māori were compared. The analysis used Χ2 tests and logistic models for categorical variables and Student t tests for continuous variables.

Results

A total of 4933 patients were included, with 1575 Māori and 3358 non‐Māori. The age‐standardised incidence of Māori (236 per 100 000) was 3.3 times higher than that of non‐Māori. Māori were 1.3 times more likely to have an advanced stage of disease and 1.97 times more likely to have small cell lung cancer. Māori were more likely to have comorbidities, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. They also had higher levels of social deprivation and tended to be younger, female and current smokers.

Conclusions

The findings point to the need to address barriers to early diagnosis and the need for system change including the need to introduce a lung cancer screening focussing on Māori. There is also the need for preventive programmes to address comorbidities that impact lung cancer outcomes as well as a continued emphasis on creating a smoke‐free New Zealand.
The impact of resilience on clinical nurses' moral courage during COVID‐19: A moderated mediation model of ethical climate and moral distress
Authors: Yang Qingqing , Zheng Zhihui , Ge Li , Huang Bi Xia , Liu Jujuan , Wang Jie , Lu Kangyuan , Huang Yufeng , Zhang Jiahui
Published: August 2023

Aim

The purpose of this study was to explore whether clinical ethical climate mediates the relationship between resilience and moral courage in a population of clinical nurses during COVID‐19, and if moral distress faced by nurses is a moderating factor.

Background

Resilience can help nurses maintain their personal health during COVID‐19 when they face great physical and psychological shock and are prone to health problems. Moral courage, as an ethical competency, helps nursing staff in adhering to the principles and values of professional ethics. There is a strong correlation between resilience and moral courage, but the mechanism by which resilience contributes to moral courage is unclear.

Method

A cross‐sectional study research is designed. Three hundred thirty clinical nurses from six hospitals in Beijing, Sichuan, and Fujian of China were included between August 2021 and March 2022. The survey instruments include the Nurses' Moral Courage Scale (NMCS), Connor‐Davidson Resilience Scale (CD‐RISC), Moral Distress Scale‐Revised (MDS‐R), and Hospital Ethical Climate Scale (HECS).

Results

Ethical climate mediates 15% of the relationship between resilience and moral courage. The association between resilience and ethical climate, as well as the indirect relationship between resilience and moral courage, was modified by moral distress.

Discussion

This study investigated the mechanisms by which resilience affects moral courage in clinical nurses in the context of COVID‐19, suggesting that moral courage can be increased by alleviating moral distress and increasing ethical climate.

Implications for nursing and health policy

This study confirms the mediating effect of moral climate on the relationship between resilience and moral courage, as well as the moderating effect of moral distress. Hospital policymakers should value nurses' psychological resilience and moral courage, develop effective policies to prevent and manage stressors, build social support systems, and create a positive ethical climate.
Treating necrotizing fasciitis patients at the topmost referral hospital in West Java, Indonesia: 6 years experience
Authors: Soedjana Hardisiswo , Christine Sitha , Sisca Fransisca
Published: August 2023

Necrotizing fasciitis is a progressive and rare disease, with high potential to be life‐threatening because of its potential for systemic toxicity. Characterized by fascial infection, it is often followed by systemic toxicity, such as septic shock and multi‐organ failure. The aim of this study is to establish reliable data on the treatment of necrotizing fasciitis patients at the topmost referral hospital in West Java, Indonesia. We collected medical record data from January 2015 to December 2021 at Rumah Sakit Umum Pusat Dr. Hasan Sadikin (RSHS), Bandung, Indonesia. We recorded the infection region, bacterial isolates, empirical antibiotics, waiting time for the first surgery, surgical management, length of stay and we analysed the pattern of bacterial isolates, antibiotic use, waiting time for the first surgery, length of stay and mortality. A total of 90 patients' medical records were analysed. We found that the infection was most found in the genitalia and inguinal region (37%). Eighty‐five percent of all samples containing gram‐negative bacteria. The most used empirical antibiotics were from Cephalosporin class (31%), most of them combined with nitroimidazole (metronidazole) and with quinolones (levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin). Overall mortality rate was 13.3%. Highest mortality rate came from gram‐negative bacteria group (14.2%—11 out of 77 patients), patients receiving Ceftriaxone–Metronidazole as empirical antibiotics (28.57%—4 out of 14 patients), patients with no surgery group (37%—3 out of 8 patients), with no mortality came from patients, which were performed debridement followed by fasciotomy/skin graft/flap and amputation. We conclude that the most found bacterial aetiology was Acinetobacter baumanii though it has no significant relation to mortality. We highly recommend early aggressive surgical intervention in reducing mortality rate due to necrotizing fasciitis for source control accompanied by deliberate defect closure and early administration of empirical antibiotics with more susceptibility for gram‐negative bacteria, such as Meropenem.
Nestling growth rate and food consumption increases under experimentally prolonged daylength in a New World sparrow
Authors: Byrd Allison J. , Mullins Colleen S. , Becker Daniel J. , Fudickar Adam M.
Published: August 2023

When evaluating avian reproduction, life history theory examines the trade‐offs between parental effort, the number and size of offspring, and the rate of nestling development. The growth rates and body sizes of developing birds vary geographically and can diverge with both latitude and migratory strategy. In terms of offspring size, growth rate can deviate in nestlings of the same or similar species due to the correlated influences of weather events, predation pressure, food availability, number of nestmates and parental provisioning. Furthermore, a longer photoperiod for species nesting at higher latitudes increases the duration over which a nestling can be fed each day, and increased nestling provisioning has been positively correlated with growth rate. Whether the amount of time a bird is fed during development drives this variation in growth rate and morphology is unknown. By removing supplemental environmental stressors (e.g. weather, predation) and standardizing feeding rate and environment, we explored the influence of daily duration of nestling provisioning on dark‐eyed junco Junco hyemalis nestlings. We hand‐reared 65 chicks of a sedentary junco subspecies J. h. carolinensis under both their natural photoperiod and the longer photoperiod of a closely related migratory subspecies J. h. hyemalis and compared growth rate, mass, morphology and the amount of food consumed. Average growth rate, fasted mass, wing length and total daily food consumption were all greater in birds hand‐reared under the longer, more northern photoperiod treatment. These findings suggest that increased daily photoperiod at higher latitudes may allow for greater total food provisioning and thus may play a role in the ability of parents in compressed breeding seasons to produce high quality offspring. This points to a trade‐off between provisioning effort and nestling growth rate in lower latitude (shorter photoperiod) populations and points to an important role of developmental plasticity on growth rate and morphology.
Phylogenetic relationships and biogeography of the ancient genus Onychorhynchus (Aves: Onychorhynchidae) suggest cryptic Amazonian diversity
Authors: Reyes Pamela , Bates John M. , Naka Luciano N. , Miller Matthew J. , Caballero Isabel , Gonzalez‐Quevedo Catalina , Parra Juan L. , Rivera‐Gutierrez Hector F. , Bonaccorso Elisa , Tello José G.
Published: August 2023

We examined phylogeographic patterns and cryptic diversity within the royal flycatcher, Onychorhynchus coronatus (Aves: Onychorhynchidae), a widespread Neotropical lowland forest tyrant flycatcher. A phylogeny of the six recognized subspecies was constructed from mtDNA sequence data of the NADH dehydrogenase subunit two gene, using Bayesian Inference and Maximum Likelihood methods. Phylogenetic analyses revealed high levels of intraspecific divergence within O. coronatus, supporting the existence of at least six independent lineages. The phylogenetic results uncovered the following relationships: (O. c. swainsoni [Southern Atlantic Forest], (O. c. coronatus [western Amazonia], (O. c. castelnaui [eastern Amazonia], (O. c. mexicanus [Central America], (O. c. occidentalis [Tumbesian], O. c. fraterculus [extreme northwestern South America])))). Biogeographic and dating analyses suggest that vicariant and dispersal events acted across approximately six million years to influence lineage diversification within this genus. Some of those events include the formation of the Amazon River and its tributaries, Andean uplift, and climatically induced vegetational shifts. Phylogenetic and biogeographic analyses of O. coronatus lineages support a hypothesis of area relationships in which the first divergence event isolated the Southern Atlantic Forest from Amazonia during the Late Miocene/Early Pliocene. This event was followed by the split of western and eastern Amazonia at the Early/Late Pliocene, the divergence of cis‐ and trans‐Andean lowland regions also at the Early/Late Pliocene, the split between Central America and the extreme northwestern South America/Tumbes at the Early/Middle Pleistocene, and the split between extreme northwestern South America and Tumbes at Middle/Late Pleistocene. Subsequent divergence of the southern and northern populations in the western and eastern Onychorhynchus lineages took place during the Pleistocene. Comparison of phylogenetic trees and patterns in Onychorhynchus with those from published work suggests that across large New World radiations such as the Suboscines, some co‐distributed lineages began to diverge long before others, which exemplifies the complexity of their evolutionary history.
Geriatric sarcopenia is associated with hypertension: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Quan Yawen , Wang Chang , Wang Linfeng , Li Gang
Published: August 2023

This meta‐analysis aimed to explore the potential relationship between senile sarcopenia and hypertension in older people. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, up to November 2022. Ten studies comprising 14 804 participants were enrolled. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) was pooled to evaluate the correlation between sarcopenia and hypertension in older people utilizing a random‐effects model. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were then carried out to explore the potential sources of heterogeneity. The results revealed a substantial correlation between sarcopenia and hypertension among older people (OR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.15–1.67, p < .01). Further subgroup analysis revealed an association between sarcopenic obesity and hypertension (OR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.37–1.62, p < .01). In conclusions, our findings highlighted a significant relationship between sarcopenia and hypertension among older people, with sarcopenic obesity amplifying this risk.
Talkin' Bout a Revolution? Institutional Change in the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility: The Case of Climate Policy
Authors: Bocquillon Pierre , Brooks Eleanor , Maltby Tomas
Published: August 2023

The European Union (EU) post‐COVID‐19 investment and reform programme, the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), has been hailed as novel and ambitious, both as a fiscal instrument and as a lever for accelerating progress towards EU climate commitments. Yet, its design also exhibits strong path dependency, drawing on existing processes and commitments. Adapting theories of institutional change and models of hard/soft governance, we argue that the RRF is an example of significant yet gradual change – of evolution rather than revolution – taking place via layering and conversion of existing frameworks, and alteration of their logics of action. We show how the RRF repurposes the European Semester and track continuity and change in climate policy, a key priority area. Our findings suggest that the literature on institutional change should give greater consideration to the interplay between layering and conversion as a mechanism of gradual yet transformative evolution.