bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Solidarity in crisis? Community responses to refugees and forced migrants in the Greek islands
Authors: Fotaki Marianna
Published: October 2021

This article examines the question of solidarity in light of recent refugees’ and forced migrants’ arrivals on Greek island shores as the first point of entry to the European Union. It focuses on various community solidarity initiatives emerging in 2015 and how they unfolded over time, until replaced by hostility and indifference following the EU–Turkey deal in March 2016. To account for this transformation, the study, carried out between 2016 and 2018, involved ethnographic work, interviews with local populations, activists, teachers and community leaders, and participant observations primarily in Lesbos, as well as Chios, Leros, and Samos. This article also sheds light on how Greece’s severe economic crisis has compounded anti-migration politics and securitization in recent migratory movements. Drawing on Judith Butler’s ideas of embodied vulnerability and intersubjective relationality, the article theorizes how solidarity evolves when border struggles intersect with deservingness, belonging, and refugees’ and forced migrants’ precarity. It concludes by proposing a psychosocial embodied notion of solidarity as a political strategy to counteract the neoliberal predicament that threatens all life with extinction.
The realist science of politics: the art of understanding political practice
Authors: Troy Jodok
Published: October 2021

Classical Realism represents a science of politics that is distinct from the conventional understanding of science in International Relations. The object of Realist science is the art of politics, which is the development of a sensibility based on practical knowledge to balance values and interests and to make judgments. Realism’s science and its object led to its tagging as “wisdom literature.” This article illustrates that reading Hans Morgenthau’s and Raymond Aron’s work shows how their hermeneutic form of enquiry provides insights into the character of international politics, which conventional understandings do not. Following the example of Morgenthau, the article, first, illustrates how Realism, rather than providing a theory of practice, builds on a science with the purpose to judge knowledge. Realism’s science analyzes the objective conditions of politics, theorizes them, and takes into account the requirements of political practice under contingencies and considerations of morality. The article, second, examines Aron’s take on political practice in the context of the Cold War and politics that built on knowledge without experience to judge knowledge. Morgenthau and Aron’s science helps to capture Realism’s take on politics as an art, how to explicate Realism’s epistemological foundation and value in studying international politics. Doing so, the article, third, contributes to practice theory by clarifying several aspects of Realism’s science. In particular, it shows how Realism captures the art of politics by conceptualizing practice as a form of human conduct thereby offering a more coherent notion of practice than current practice theory.
Who do the people want to govern?
Authors: Hibbing John R , Theiss-Morse Elizabeth , Hibbing Matthew V , Fortunato David
Published: October 2021

Relative to the well-developed theory and extensive survey batteries on people’s preferences for substantive policy solutions, scholarly understanding of people’s preferences for the mechanisms by which policies should be adopted is disappointing. Theory rarely goes beyond the assumption that people would prefer to rule themselves rather than leave decisions up to elites and measurement rests largely on four items that are not up to the task. In this article, we seek to provide a firmer footing for “process” research by 1) offering an alternative theory holding that people actually want elites to continue to make important political decisions but want them to do so only after acquiring a deep appreciation for the real-world problems facing regular people, and 2) developing and testing a battery of over 50 survey items, appropriate for cross-national research, that extend understanding of how the people want political decisions to be made.
Evaluation of a training program on the prevention of violent radicalization for health and education professionals
Authors: Bourgeois-Guérin Élise , Miconi Diana , Rousseau-Rizzi Aude , Rousseau Cécile
Published: October 2021

This article presents a preliminary evaluation of training sessions promoting a systemic approach to violent radicalization (VR) offered to first-line health and education professionals in Quebec. We describe the rationale and content for the training program, its general principles and implementation modalities. The mixed-method evaluation indicated that the participants felt the training increased their level of confidence in dealing with VR in their work. It appeared that training also shifted participants’ attitudes significantly on four items with decreases: (1) worry about the extent of VR of young people in Quebec; (2) belief that VR should automatically be reported to the police; (3) thinking that Islam favors VR; and (4) assumption that enhanced security measures would have a deterrent effect on VR. The conclusion discusses the challenges associated with violent radicalization training programs, emphasizing the delicate ethical and political questions related to the provision of training on this socially divisive topic.
Finite element-based assessment of energy harvesting in composite beams with piezoelectric transducers
Authors: Plagianakos Theofanis S. , Margelis Nikolaos , Leventakis Nikolaos , Bolanakis Georgios , Vartholomeos Panagiotis , Papadopoulos Evangelos G.
Published: October 2021

A finite element-based methodology is introduced for studying composite beams with piezoelectric transducers connected to energy harvesting circuits. Continuous and lumped-parameter models are developed based on finite element approximations and verified by means of experiments performed on a cantilever beam subjected to sinusoidal excitation at low, with respect to resonance, frequencies below 15 Hz. Three harvesting circuits have been studied: an in-house, a commercial, modified to include a rectification stage, and an off-the-shelf commercial. Comparison of numerical predictions with experiments illustrates good agreement in voltage and high sensitivity to current losses in the circuit. It was found that the commercial circuits outperform the in-house circuit in terms of harvested power at frequencies higher than 5 Hz, while the latter enables power harvesting at arbitrary low frequencies. Based on these results, it is demonstrated that the developed approach enables coupled simulation of a composite structure and a realistic harvesting circuit in one-shot.
Technologies of (in)security: Masculinity and the complexity of neoliberalism
Authors: Garlick Steve
Published: October 2021

Although there is much feminist work that has examined the intersection of gender and neoliberalism, critical work on men and masculinities remains underdeveloped in this area. This article suggests that complexity theory is a crucial resource for a critical analysis of the ways in which masculinities contribute to the ongoing maintenance of neoliberal socio-economic systems. Critical work on neoliberalism and capitalist economics has recently been drawn to complex systems theory, as evidenced by the work of scholars such as Sylvia Walby, William Connolly and Brian Massumi. Their work produces important insights into neoliberalism, but does not develop a sustained reflection on the place of men and masculinities in this domain. In order to develop a critical account of the relation of masculinity to complexity, the article draws on the work of Judith Butler and Bonnie Mann. It suggests that Butler’s theorising on precariousness contains important resources for understanding how hegemonic masculinities are positioned in relation to the complexity of neoliberal systems, as illustrated in Mann’s concept of ‘sovereign masculinity’. Finally, drawing on two different examples of the enactment of masculinities in neoliberal contexts, the article argues that hegemonic forms of masculinity can be understood as technologies for the amelioration of the complexities and insecurities generated by neoliberal markets.
Saudi women driving: images, stereotyping and digital media
Authors: Albawardi Areej , Jones Rodney H
Published: October 2021

This article examines the representations of Saudi women driving that circulated shortly after the lifting of the ban and considers the social, commercial and technological forces that helped to shape those representations . A corpus of images was collected from two international image banks – Getty and Shutterstock – as well as from a Google Image search. The images use Van Leeuwen’s (2008) visual representation framework in Discourse and Practice: New Tools for Critical Analysis, paying particular attention to the similarities and differences between the images available in the image banks and those that were made prominent in the Google search. In addition, semantic metadata accompanying these images were also analysed in order to understand the linguistic constraints that had been put on searches for these images and the ontologies of the issue that they promoted. Finally, a more detailed analysis was performed on images that had been appropriated into different contexts such as news stories and advertisements to investigate how these images were adapted to support different political, cultural and commercial agendas. Findings suggest that images of Saudi women that circulated online internationally shortly after the lifting of the ban were mostly generic and decontextualized, creating simplified and trivialized depictions of gender relations and social change in the Kingdom. The analysis shows how commercial concerns which influence both the creation of stock images and the way they are taken up by news organizations and advertisers can sometimes have the effect of erasing the complexity of political events and reinforcing the very stereotypes they seem to be challenging.
A joint transition model for evaluating eGFR as biomarker for rejection after kidney transplantation
Authors: Coemans Maarten , Verbeke Geert , Naesens Maarten
Published: October 2021

The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) quantifies kidney graft function and is measured repeatedly after transplantation. Kidney graft rejection is diagnosed by performing biopsies on a regular basis (protocol biopsies at time of stable eGFR) or by performing biopsies due to clinical cause (indication biopsies at time of declining eGFR). The diagnostic value of the eGFR evolution as biomarker for rejection is not well established. To this end, we built a joint model which combines characteristics of transition models and shared parameter models to carry over information from one biopsy to the next, taking into account the longitudinal information of eGFR collected in between. From our model, applied to data of University Hospitals Leuven (870 transplantations, 2 635 biopsies), we conclude that a negative deviation from the mean eGFR slope increases the probability of rejection in indication biopsies, but that, on top of the biopsy history, there is little benefit in using the eGFR profile for diagnosing rejection. Methodologically, our model fills a gap in the biomarker literature by relating a frequently (repeatedly) measured continuous outcome with a less frequently (repeatedly) measured binary indicator. The developed joint transition model is flexible and applicable to multiple other research settings.
Managing role expectations and emotions in encounters with extremism: Norwegian social workers’ experiences
Authors: Haugstvedt Håvard , Gunnarsdottir Hulda Mjøll
Published: October 2021

To prevent radicalisation and violent extremism, many European countries have adopted a multiagency approach, consisting of both police, teachers and social workers. Such strategies have caused concern for a securitization of social policy and stigmatization of vulnerable groups. This study aims at gaining insight into how Norwegian social workers involved in prevention work against violent extremism experience and manage role conflicts and emotions during interaction with their clients. This article presents findings from 17 individual and two focus group interviews which indicate that social workers experience emotional strain caused by role conflicts and emotional dissonance within a securitized field of social work. To handle these challenges, social workers apply a dynamic combination of surface and deep acting strategies, at both the reactive and proactive level, such as ‘Keeping a brave face’, ‘Character acting’ and ‘Adopting the client’s perspective’. Our findings contribute to expanding both the empirical and conceptual understanding of emotion management at work, and provides a novel insight into how prevention work against violent extremism is perceived by social workers. Also, in a field influenced by security rhetoric, our study gives encouraging new knowledge about how social workers can resist falling into oppressive and controlling practices by seeking to engage with and understand their clients’ human side, and relate this to their own lives.
Functional (un-)Coupling: Impairment, Compensation, and Future Progression in Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Mosbacher Jochen A. , Waser Markus , Garn Heinrich , Seiler Stephan , Coronel Carmina , Dal-Bianco Peter , Benke Thomas , Deistler Manfred , Ransmayr Gerhard , Mayer Florian , Sanin Guenter , Lechner Anita , Lackner Helmut K. , Schwingenschuh Petra , Grossegger Dieter , Schmidt Reinhold
Published: October 2021

Background: Functional (un-)coupling (task-related change of functional connectivity) between different sites of the brain is a mechanism of general importance for cognitive processes. In Alzheimer's disease (AD), prior research identified diminished cortical connectivity as a hallmark of the disease. However, little is known about the relation between the amount of functional (un-)coupling and cognitive performance and decline in AD. Method: Cognitive performance (based on CERAD-Plus scores) and electroencephalogram (EEG)-based functional (un-)coupling measures (connectivity changes from rest to a Face-Name-Encoding task) were assessed in 135 AD patients (age: M = 73.8 years; SD = 9.0). Of these, 68 patients ( M = 73.9 years; SD = 8.9) participated in a follow-up assessment of their cognitive performance 1.5 years later. Results: The amounts of functional (un-)coupling in left anterior-posterior and homotopic interhemispheric connections in beta1-band were related to cognitive performance at baseline (β = .340; p < .001; β = .274; P = .001, respectively). For both markers, a higher amount of functional coupling was associated with better cognitive performance. Both markers also were significant predictors for cognitive decline. However, while patients with greater functional coupling in left anterior-posterior connections declined less in cognitive performance (β = .329; P = .035) those with greater functional coupling in interhemispheric connections declined more (β = −.402; P = .010). Conclusion: These findings suggest an important role of functional coupling mechanisms in left anterior–posterior and interhemispheric connections in AD. Especially the complex relationship with cognitive decline in AD patients might be an interesting aspect for future studies.
Participants’ Preferences and Reasons for Wanting Feedback of Individual Genetic Research Results From an HIV-TB Genomic Study: A Case Study From Botswana
Authors: Ralefala Dimpho , Kasule Mary , Matshabane Olivia P. , Wonkam Ambroise , Matshaba Mogomotsi , de Vries Jantina
Published: October 2021

The feedback of individual results of genomics research is an ethical issue. However, which genetic results African participants would like to receive and why, remains unclear. A qualitative study was conducted to collect data from 44 adolescents and 49 parents/caregivers of adolescents enrolled in a genomic study in Botswana. Almost all the participants wanted to receive genetic results. Parents and caregivers wanted to receive results across all categories of genetic conditions discussed in the study, while adolescents were reluctant to receive results for severe, non-preventable, and unactionable conditions. Participants expressed different reasons for wanting feedback of results, including for awareness, improving lifestyle, accepting one’ situation, and preparing for the future. Our findings also reveal that participants’ context, relations, and empowerment are important to consider in interpreting their preferences for feedback of results.
Your action does matter to me: Examining the role of the co-actor’s action-effects in resolving the self-other discrimination problem
Authors: Campos-Moinier Kévin , Brunel Lionel
Published: October 2021

Sharing a task with another person can introduce the need to discriminate representations that refer to our own action from that of the other person’s. The current understanding is that information about the stimulus event drives the self-other discrimination process, as it promotes (via the reactivation of feature codes) the representation that encodes the corresponding action. However, this mechanistic explanation relies on experimental situations in which stimulus event information (e.g., spatial location) is always and directly available. Thus, it remains unclear whether and how we could successfully discriminate between self- and other related action representations in the absence of such information. The present study addressed this unanswered question using a novel joint Simon task-based paradigm. We report the results of three experiments in which we manipulated the availability of stimulus event information into the contralateral space. Our findings demonstrate that participants are able to compensate for the absence of stimulus event information by relying on temporal features of their co-actor’s action-effects (Experiment 1). Even more surprising was that participants continued to monitor the temporal features of their co-actor’s actions even when given a verbal signal by their co-actor (Experiments 2a), or full access to the common workspace (Experiment 2b). Our results are strong evidence that the representation of actions is not purely stimulus driven. They suggest that the temporal dimension of the other person’s actions is able to drive the self-other discrimination process, in the same way as other perceptual dimensions and feature codes that are shared with the stimulus event.
The vertical space–time association
Authors: Beracci Alessia , Rescott Marissa Lynn , Natale Vincenzo , Fabbri Marco
Published: October 2021

The space–time interaction suggests a left-to-right directionality in the mind’s representation of elapsing time. However, studies showing a possible vertical time representation are scarce and contradictory. In Experiment 1, 32 participants had to judge the duration (200, 300, 500, or 600 ms) of the target stimulus that appeared at the top, centre, or bottom of the screen, compared with a reference stimulus (400 ms) that always appeared in the centre of the screen. In Experiment 2, 32 participants were administered the same procedure, but the reference stimulus appeared at the top, centre, or bottom of the screen and the target stimulus was fixed in the centre location. In both experiments, a space–time interaction was found with an association between short durations and bottom response key as well as between long durations and top key. The evidence of a vertical mental timeline was further confirmed by the distance effect with a lower level of performance for durations close to that of the reference stimulus. The results suggest a bottom-to-top mapping of time representation, more in line with the metaphor “more is up.”
A novel risk assessment process: Application to an autonomous inland waterways ship
Authors: Bolbot Victor , Theotokatos Gerasimos , Wennersberg LA , Faivre Jerome , Vassalos Dracos , Boulougouris Evangelos , Jan Rødseth Ørnulf , Andersen Pål , Pauwelyn Ann-Sofie , Van Coillie Antoon
Published: October 2021

Effectively addressing safety, security and cyber-security challenges is quintessential for progressing the development of next generation maritime autonomous shipping. This study aims at developing a novel hybrid, semi-structured process for the hazardous scenarios identification and ranking. This method integrates the operational and functional hazard identification approaches, whilst considering the safety, security and cybersecurity hazards. This method is applied to comprehensively assess the safety of an autonomous inland waterways ship at a preliminary design phase. The hazardous scenarios are identified and ranked by a number of experts participating in a series of sessions. The identified hazards risk is estimated considering the frequency and severity indices, whereas their uncertainty is estimated by employing the standard deviations in these two indices among the experts ranking results. Epistemic uncertainty is also considered during ranking. Risk control measures are proposed to de-risk the critical hazards. The results reveal that the most critical hazards from the safety, security and cybersecurity perspectives pertain to the situation awareness, remote control and propulsion functions. Based on the derived results, design enhancements along with high-level testing scenarios for the investigated autonomous ship are also proposed.
Competitive Imitation Strategy for New Product-Market Success
Authors: Min Sungwook , Kim Namwoon
Published: October 2021

Imitation is a viable strategic choice for potential market entrants, but not all imitations help the entrants gain competitive advantages or lead to success in the new product market. This study proposes a competitive imitation strategy for a new product market by which an imitator may achieve superior performance. This imitation strategy is framed in a sequence that links a market entrant’s purposeful imitation of its competitors to its efforts of developing differentiated products and mobilizing entry resources, which should ultimately lead to new product success. We test our conceptual framework with survey data of South Korean enterprises. The empirical results demonstrate that a mere imitation of competitors’ moves for new products doesn’t yield any abnormal returns unless the imitation is mediated by the firm’s development of differentiated new products and mobilization of existing entry resources. A summary managerial implication is that imitation can be a winning strategy when firms actively imitate during new product development and capitalize on the related advantages, for example, offer a differentiated product with the full utilization of their endowed entry resources.
Developing Assistive Bedside Furniture for Early Postoperative Mobilization in a Healthcare Setting With an Attentive Empathetic Design Approach
Authors: Sukkasi Sittha , Tunnukit Pattrarat , Lerspalungsanti Sarawut
Published: October 2021

Objectives:

This work endeavored to design and develop a tool to assist surgical patients with postoperative mobilization in a hospital.

Background:

Early postoperative mobilization after surgery can effectively help prevent complications, but it is difficult to achieve in practice.

Method:

An attentive empathetic design approach was used to gain insights into the users’ functional needs, characteristics, contexts, as well as their emotional needs, behaviors, and psychology. The insights led to a design that leveraged psychological heuristics and habit-building principles to effect necessary mindset and behavioral changes of the stakeholders. Over four iterations, design ideas were prototyped, tested, and improved with participation of 30 patients and 30 nurses.

Results:

Valuable insights were discovered. Most importantly, besides the medically critical need to avoid postoperative complications, the patients also had emotional needs for independence, confidence, and self-worthiness, while the nurses needed the patients’ trust. Consequently, assistive bedside furniture prototypes were designed to enable the patients to move around safely by themselves. Feedback on the prototypes showed that the patients sat up more often, enjoyed doing more activities, became more confident and less fearful of moving around, and felt less burdening on the care providers. Moreover, the nurses appreciated that the prototypes reduced their patient-mobilization workload, facilitated patient empowerment, and improved their relationship with the patients.

Conclusions:

An attentive empathetic design approach can comprehend complex challenges of and subsequently design an effective solution for healthcare contexts, in which the stakeholders’ medical necessities intertwine with emotional, psychological, behavioral, and sociocultural needs.
Steroid-induced psychosis in a child with croup: A case report
Authors: Alsalamah Abdullrahman , Alsahali Saud
Published: October 2021

Corticosteroids are effective for the treatment of many chronic and acute diseases but have many well-known adverse effects, which limit their use in some conditions. Steroid-induced psychosis is a rare side effect especially in the pediatric population. Although the estimated incidence of steroid-induced psychosis in adults is approximately 6%, it is rarely reported in the pediatric population. Moreover, it is poorly characterized and described in the literature. We report the case of a 4-year-old boy with no known medical or psychiatric history who presented to the emergency department with respiratory complaints. After observation and monitoring, the patient was diagnosed as having croup. A single dose of 8 mg dexamethasone was started intravenously. Within 3 h after the injection, the patient experienced psychiatric disturbances, including abnormal behaviors, anxiety, disorientation, decreased speech, and sleep disturbance. During the first 48 h of admission, the symptoms improved gradually, without using further medication during the rest of his hospital stay.
Innovation and Management in MSMEs: A Literature Review of Highly Cited Papers
Authors: Dambiski Gomes de Carvalho Gustavo , Resende Luis Mauricio Martins de , Pontes Joseane , Gomes de Carvalho Hélio , Mendes Betim Leozenir
Published: October 2021

Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) play a large role in different economies; hence the relevance of research on the factors that may leverage MSMEs competitiveness such as innovation and management. This research aims to review highly cited articles in the Web of Science database regarding management and/or innovation in the context of MSMEs. Besides showing MSMEs classifications across regions, this review also showed that variables employed in the highly cited papers have correspondences with excellence/quality management factors and traditional innovation types, which hence still serve as theoretical frameworks for research on MSMEs competitiveness. Moreover, theoretical relations were identified among all variables, being the strongest among networks-open innovation, information-knowledge, and product and process innovations. The results indicated that MSMEs competitiveness is related to sustainability, information-knowledge, and networks-open innovation; hence MSMEs managers and owners should pay attention to these factors. Finally, future research directions were also gathered and discussed.
Impact of Susceptibility of Interpersonal Influence, and Vanity Aspects on Luxury Brand Consumption
Authors: Jha Adit
Published: October 2021

The present study has demonstrated the impact of consumer’s susceptibility of interpersonal influence and vanity aspects on luxury brand consumption. Study was conducted in the northwestern region of India with 650 research participants; quota sampling was used in the process of research. Researchers used SPSS 21.0 to explore reliability, factorability, and correlation among the variables. For analyzing the structural model, AMOS 21.0 was used. Results found that value-expressive influence affects luxury brand consumption more than utilitarian influence, and informational influence is positively related to luxury brand consumption. Results found that luxury brand consumption is associated with achievement aspects of luxury.
Toxoplasmosis Encephalitis: A Cross-Sectional Analysis at a U.S. Safety-Net Hospital in the Late cART Era
Authors: Lau Abby , Jain Mamta Khandelwal , Chow Jeremy Yan-Shun , Kitchell Ellen , Lazarte Susana , Nijhawan Ank
Published: October 2021

Despite decreasing incidence of toxoplasmosis encephalitis(TE) among people living with HIV(PLWH) in the late antiretroviral era, U.S. safety-net hospitals still see significant numbers of admissions for TE. Little is known about this population, their healthcare utilization and long-term outcomes. We conducted an 8-year retrospective review of PLWH with TE at a safety-net hospital. Demographics, clinical characteristics, treatments, readmissions, and outcomes were collected. We used chi-squared test to evaluate 6-month all-cause readmission and demographic/clinical characteristics. Of 38 patients identified, 79% and 40% had a new diagnosis of TE and HIV respectively. 59% had 6-month all-cause readmission. Social factors were associated with readmission (uninsured (p = 0.036), Spanish as primary language (p = 0.017), non-adherence (p = 0.030)) and not markers of clinical severity (ICU admission, steroid-use, concomitant infections, therapeutic adverse events). Despite high readmission rates, at follow-up, 60% had a complete response, 30% had a partial response. Improving TE outcomes requires focus on culturally competent, coordinated care.
Do Career-Engaging Courses Engage Low-Income Students?
Authors: Plasman Jay Stratte , Gottfried Michael A. , Klasik Daniel J.
Published: October 2021

Encouraging school engagement is crucial to promoting positive outcomes for high school students. One potential means to promote school engagement may be through career and technical education (CTE) coursework, which is specifically designed to be educationally engaging, particularly for vulnerable populations such as those from low-income backgrounds. Yet, little is known about whether these courses do in fact link to higher school engagement. Through analysis of the High School Longitudinal Study of 2009—a nationally representative data set—we explored the link between STEM-focused CTE (STEM-CTE) coursetaking and school engagement for low-income students. To do so, we employed an instrumental variable estimation technique and found that taking STEM-CTE courses related to higher school engagement for low-income students. We conclude with a discussion of implications for students, practitioners, and policymakers.
Human iPSC-derived macrophages for efficientStaphylococcus aureusclearance in a murine pulmonary infection model
Authors: Rafiei Hashtchin Anna , Fehlhaber Beate , Hetzel Miriam , Manstein Felix , Stalp Jan Lennart , Glage Silke , Abeln Markus , Zweigerdt Robert , Munder Antje , Viemann Dorothee , Ackermann Mania , Lachmann Nico
Published: October 2021

Primary or secondary immunodeficiencies are characterized by disruption of cellular and humoral immunity. Respiratory infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality among immunodeficient or immunocompromised patients, with Staphylococcus aureus being a common offending organism. We propose here an adoptive macrophage transfer approach aiming to enhance impaired pulmonary immunity against S aureus. Our studies, using human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived macrophages (iMφs), demonstrate efficient antimicrobial potential against methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant clinical isolates of S aureus. Using an S aureus airway infection model in immunodeficient mice, we demonstrate that the adoptive transfer of iMφs is able to reduce the bacterial load more than 10-fold within 20 hours. This effect was associated with reduced granulocyte infiltration and less damage in lung tissue of transplanted animals. Whole transcriptome analysis of iMφs compared with monocyte-derived macrophages indicates a more profound upregulation of inflammatory genes early after infection and faster normalization 24 hours postinfection. Our data demonstrate high therapeutic efficacy of iMφ-based immunotherapy against S aureus infections and offer an alternative treatment strategy for immunodeficient or immunocompromised patients.
Oxidative stress indices in ASD children in Sub-Sahara Africa
Authors: Omotosho Ishiaq Olayinka , Akinade Adekunbi Olufunke , Lagunju Ikeoluwa Abiola , Yakubu Momoh A.
Published: October 2021

Background

The pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remains a medical challenge even in the developed world. Although genetics and epigenetic factors have been variously indicted as major causes of the disorder, development of oxidative stress especially in the formative years of children has equally gained prominence as an etiological basis of the disorder. Oxidative stress is characterized by the production of excessive amounts of free radicals, decreased levels of antioxidants with the attendant imbalance in oxidant/antioxidant ratio. This study was designed to determine the levels of essential metals [magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu)] and toxic metal, lead (Pb), and generation of oxidative stress by their abnormal interaction.

Method

Twenty-five children clinically diagnosed for ASD according to DSM-IV-TR and 25 neuro-typical (NT) children (controls), (aged 5.96 ± 1.40 years and 6.18 ± 2.59 years respectively) were recruited for this study. Essential and toxic metals were analyzed using induction-coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS); oxidative stress markers [malondialdehyde (MDA), total plasma peroxidase (TPP), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC)] were determined using appropriate biochemical methods. Oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated.

Results

The levels of TPP and TAC were significantly reduced while MDA was higher in ASD compared to NT. Although OSI was higher in ASD, the difference was not significant. Pb (lead) concentration was significantly increased while Mg, Zn, and Cu levels were reduced significantly in ASD compared to NT. A significant negative correlation between Mg and OSI (r= − 0.438;p= 0.029) was observed in NT.

Conclusion

Reduction in Zn and Mg levels with a concurrent increase in Pb in children with ASD in this study may be the basis of inadequate TAC manifesting as increased MDA and reduced TPP levels. The attendant imbalance in oxidant/antioxidant ratio may result in abnormality in neuronal transduction leading to the abnormal cognitive and speech functions characteristic of ASD.
Fate of antibiotic resistance genes in abandoned swine feedlots in China: seasonal variation
Authors: Li Na , Chen Jianguo , Liu Chong , Li Binxu , Zhu Changxiong , Li Hongna
Published: October 2021

Background

Environmental hygiene concerns are needed to be settled before the reuse of abandoned swine feedlot sites. However, few researchers have focused on the fate of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in soil microbiota around abandoned swine feedlots. In this study, we examined the seasonal alterations of ARGs and bacterial community composition in soil using quantitative PCR and high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene.

Results

The seasonal variation patterns were different for different ARG subtypes and soil sampling sites. The bacterial community composition at the genus level generally showed no significant alteration from winter to summer. Moreover, the co-occurrence network suggested that the bacterial genera host range of ARGs was broader in the summer than in the winter.

Conclusion

This study offers further data on ARG transfer risk in soil, emphasizing the necessity of continuous concern before land-reuse of abandoned feedlots.
A comparative analysis of differentially expressed mRNAs, miRNAs and circRNAs provides insights into the key genes involved in the high-altitude adaptation of yaks
Authors: Ge Qianyun , Guo Yongbo , Zheng Wangshan , Cai Yuan , Qi Xuebin , Zhao Shengguo
Published: October 2021

Background

Yaks that inhabit the Tibetan Plateau exhibit striking phenotypic and physiological differences from cattle and have adapted well to the extreme conditions on the plateau. However, the mechanisms used by these animals for the regulation of gene expression at high altitude are not fully understood.

Results

Here, we sequenced nine lung transcriptomes of yaks at altitudes of 3400, 4200 and 5000 m, and low-altitude Zaosheng cattle, which is a closely related species, served as controls. The analysis identified 21,764 mRNAs, 1377 circRNAs and 1209 miRNAs. By comparing yaks and cattle, 4975 mRNAs, 252 circRNAs and 75 miRNAs were identified differentially expressed. By comparing yaks at different altitudes, we identified 756 mRNAs, 64 circRNAs and 83 miRNAs that were differentially expressed (fold change ≥2 and P-value < 0.05). The pathways enriched in the mRNAs, circRNAs and miRNAs identified from the comparison of yaks and cattle were mainly associated with metabolism, including ‘glycosaminoglycan degradation’, ‘pentose and glucuronate interconversions’ and ‘flavone and flavonol biosynthesis’, and the mRNAs, circRNAs and miRNAs identified from the comparison of yaks at different altitude gradients were significantly enriched in metabolic pathways and immune and genetic information processing pathways. The core RNAs were identified from the mRNA-miRNA-circRNA networks constructed using the predominant differentially expressed RNAs. The core genes specific to the difference between yaks and cattle were associated with the endoplasmic reticulum and fat deposition, but those identified from the comparison among yaks at different altitude gradients were associated with maintenance of the normal biological functions of cells.

Conclusions

This study enhances our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in hypoxic adaptation in yaks and might contribute to improvements in the understanding and prevention of hypoxia-related diseases.
Rationale and design of the application value of Beijing Vascular Health Stratification (BVHS): predictive value of combined assessment of vascular structure and function for cardiovascular events in general Chinese population
Authors: Liu Huan , Zhou Xiaohua , Liu Jinbo , Huang Wei , Zhao Na , Wang Hongyu
Published: October 2021

Background

Vascular endothelial dysfunction, arteriosclerosis and atherosclerotic plaque are well-known risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Studies on vascular health markers have been well-established, however, there is still a lack of related research on combined vascular structure and function indicators.

Method

Beijing vascular health stratification (BVHS) is an evaluation system aiming at vascular health, combined the endothelial function, arteriosclerosis, atherosclerotic plaque and vascular lumen stenosis to comprehensively assess the vascular health and grade it. This study will explore the predictive value of the combined evaluation of vascular structure and function for cardiovascular events and assess the predictive value of BVHS and compare it with the existing risk assessment systems. A total of 1500 subjects will be enrolled into the prospective cohort study from a community and will be followed up for at least 3 years from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2023. Subjects aged 40 or above, without coronary heart disease, stroke or peripheral artery disease, with written informed consent will be included; subjects with end-stage hepatorenal diseases (uremia, renal failure, cirrhosis, liver failure), mental disorders or cognitive disorders, with any other factors that the researcher thinks are not suitable for the study will be excluded. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors will be collected as adjusted confounders.

Discussion

BVHS is a potential and scientific vascular health evaluation system. The study will be the first to grade vascular health by combing various vascular indicators and explore the prediction value and compare with other risk prediction system in general Chinese population.

Trial registration: The trial is registered on http://www.chictr.org.cn/ (ChiCTR2000034085).
Adherence to the ABCDE approach in relation to the method of instruction: a randomized controlled simulation study
Authors: Linders Marjolein , Binkhorst Mathijs , Draaisma Jos M. T. , van Heijst Arno F. J. , Hogeveen Marije
Published: October 2021

Background

The Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and Exposure (ABCDE) approach is widely recommended and taught in many resuscitation courses. This study assessed the adherence to the ABCDE algorithm and whether this was affected by the instruction method used to teach this approach.

Methods

Randomized controlled trial in which simulation was used as investigational method. Between June 2017 and January 2018, neonatal healthcare providers routinely participated in simulated neonatal advanced life support (NALS) scenarios, using a high-fidelity manikin. They were randomly assigned to a video-based instruction (intervention group) or a conventional lecture (control group) as the method of instruction. One blinded researcher evaluated the adherence to the ABCDE approach on video with an assessment tool specifically designed and tested for this study. The primary outcomes were: 1) the overall adherence and 2) the between-group difference in individual adherence to the ABCDE approach, both expressed as a percentage score. Secondary outcomes were: 1) the scores of each profession category (nurses, neonatal ward clinicians, fellows/neonatologists) and 2) the scores for the separate domains (A, B, C, D, and E) of the algorithm.

Results

Seventy-two participants were assessed. Overall mean (SD) percentage score (i.e. overall adherence) was 31.5% (19.0). The video-based instruction group (28 participants) adhered better to the ABCDE approach than the lecture group (44 participants), with mean (SD) scores of 38.8% (18.7) and 27.8% (18.2), respectively (p = 0.026). The difference in adherence between both groups could mainly be attributed to differences in the adherence to domain B (p = 0.023) and C (p = 0.007). Neonatal ward clinicians (39.9% (18.2)) showed better adherence than nurses (25.0% (15.2)), independent of the study group (p = 0.010).

Conclusions

Overall adherence to the ABCDE algorithm was rather low. Video-based instruction resulted in better adherence to the ABCDE approach during NALS training than lecturing.

Trial registration

ISRCTN registry, trial ID ISRCTN95998973, retrospectively registered on October 13th, 2020.
Preoperative ALBI grade predicts the outcomes in non-B non-C HCC patients undergoing primary curative resection
Authors: Tsai Yu-Chieh , Sou Fai-Meng , Liu Yueh-Wei , Wu Yi-Ju , Yong Chee-Chien , Chen Ding-Wei , Huang Pao-Yuan , Cho Wei-Ru , Chuang Ching-Hui , Hsiao Chang-Chun , Hu Tsung-Hui , Tsai Ming-Chao
Published: October 2021

Background

The albumin–bilirubin (ALBI) grade has been validated as a significant prognostic predictor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, there is little information about the ALBI grade in patients with non-B non-C HCC (NBNC-HCC) receiving surgery.

Aim

This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of the ALBI grade in patients with NBNC-HCC after primary curative resection.

Method

From January 2010 to April 2016, 2137 patients with HCC who received hepatectomy were screened for study eligibility. Finally, a total of 168 NBNC-HCC patients who received primary curative resection were analyzed. The impacts of the ALBI grade on disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed by multivariate analysis.

Results

There were 66 (39.3%), 98 (58.3%), and 4 (2.4%) patients with an ALBI grade of I, II, and III, respectively. Patients with an ALBI grade II/III were older (p = 0.002), more likely to have hypoalbuminemia (p < 0.001), and more commonly had Child–Pugh class B (p = 0.009) than patients with an ALBI grade I. After a median follow-up of 76 months, 74 (44%) patients experienced recurrence, and 72 (42.9%) patients died. Multivariate analysis revealed that alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) > 200 ng/mL (p = 0.021), number of tumors (p = 0.001), and tumor stage (p = 0.007) were independent prognostic factors for DFS. Additionally, AFP > 200 ng/mL (p = 0.002), ALBI grade II/III (p = 0.002), and tumor stage (p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for poor OS.

Conclusion

The preoperative ALBI grade can be used to predict mortality in patients with NBNC-HCC after primary curative resection.
Immunoglobulin a nephropathy as the first clinical presentation of Wilson disease: a case report and literature review
Authors: Zhang Yong-Zhe , Jian Geng , He Ping , Yu Rui , Tian Mi , Wu Yan , Zhang Bei-Ru
Published: October 2021

Background

Wilson disease (WD) is a rare genetic disorder of copper metabolism. Differences in copper tissue accumulation lead to various clinical manifestations, including some atypical presentations. The complex clinical features of WD make diagnosis challenging, delaying the best chance for treatment.

Case presentation

We report a case of a 26-year-old man with nephritis-range proteinuria and elevated serum creatinine. The renal pathology indicated immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy and tubular injury, which was inconsistent with glomerular lesions. Cirrhosis was also detected by imaging examination. Considering both kidney injury and liver damage, WD was suspected. Based on results showing abnormal copper metabolism, corneal Kayser–Fleischer rings, and genetic disorders in the ATP7B gene, the patient was finally diagnosed with WD. After treatment with oral penicillamine, zinc sulfate and losartan, the patient showed alleviation of both WD and nephropathy after 3 years of follow-up. He maintained a good quality of daily life.

Conclusion

This case highlights that unexplained neurological and liver symptoms in patients with IgA nephropathy can be clues for WD.