bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Possibility of conjunction between altruism and egoism
Authors: Kago Kevin , Venkataraman Prabhu
Published: September 2023

Both altruism and egoism are two types of motivations for action. An altruistic action is performed to benefit the other, whereas egoistic action is performed to benefit oneself. The strict definition of altruism states that an action ceases to be altruistic if the actor receives the benefit of his action as a consequence directly or indirectly. On the other hand, egoism particularly psychological egoism presupposes that all actions, whether performed for oneself or the other, are always self-interested in nature and hence, egoistic. Given the dichotomous existence between the two types of actions, which on many occasions create conceptual misapprehension, a different alternative will be explored. The new inquiry will throw light on the possibility that we commit some kind of motivational extremism on a conceptual level. It will further be argued that altruism and egoism may have one singular motivational source through which various actions emerge.
Call to action: a five nations consensus on the use of intravenous zoledronate after hip fracture
Authors: Johansen Antony , Sahota Opinder , Dockery Frances , Black Alison J , MacLullich Alasdair M J , Javaid M Kassim , Ahern Emer , Gregson Celia L
Published: September 2023

Currently in the UK and Ireland, after a hip fracture most patients do not receive bone protection medication to reduce the risk of refracture. Yet randomised controlled trial data specifically examining patients with hip fracture have shown that intravenous zoledronate reduces refracture risk by a third. Despite this evidence, use of intravenous zoledronate is highly variable following a hip fracture; many hospitals are providing this treatment, whilst most are currently not. A range of clinical uncertainties, doubts over the evidence base and practical concerns are cited as reasons. This paper discusses these concerns and provides guidance from expert consensus, aiming to assist orthogeriatricians, pharmacists and health services managers establish local protocols to deliver this highly clinically and cost-effective treatment to patients before they leave hospital, in order to reduce costly re-fractures in this frail population.
Prevention of COVID-19 in workers: preparation, precaution, and protection
Authors: Agius Raymond M
Published: September 2023

In May 2023 the World Health Organization (WHO) Director General announced the “end” of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Although the scale of the pandemic was unprecedented in living memory, it had not been unforeseen. Previous outbreaks of viral respiratory disease have shown important lessons regarding the need to protect healthcare workers (HCW), and research has also been undertaken into the relative effectiveness of control measures and their resource implications. Relevant guidance for worker protection, including HCW protection, which existed at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic was disregarded both at international and national governmental levels. In many countries there were significant systemic flaws in strategy, culture, and resource availability, and hence in overall preparedness. When the pandemic struck, many experts and organizations advocated a precautionary approach with regard to worker protection, consistent with good occupational hygiene science, practice, and standards. In many Asian countries, protective measures were relatively stringent. However, many workers were left unprotected especially as the WHO, the United States, the United Kingdom, and other governments did not pursue adequate COVID-19 protective measures at work. As the pandemic progressed, improvements in protection were patchy. A notable lack of protection arose from the underestimation of the contribution of aerosol exposure to infection risks, particularly among HCWs providing routine care of potentially infectious patients. A disciplined strategy of source control, pathway control (such as ventilation), and receptor control notably Respiratory Protective Equipment is needed, as well as worldwide vaccination, to contend with this pandemic. Control measures appropriate to the risk of infections transmitted through the air will remain necessary in the longer term, as well as adaptations in the workplace to take account of long-term COVID-19 morbidity and new work practices.
Buccal Fat Pad Excision for Facial Rejuvenation: The Relationship Between the Resected Position and Its Influence on Facial Shape and Volume
Authors: Kubo Takayuki
Published: September 2023

Background

To date, facelift surgery has been the most common choice for those seeking antiaging solutions. However, buccal fat pad (BFP) excision has also been utilized recently.

Objectives

An interrelation between the BFP, resection area, and its influence on facial shape and volume is scrutinized to achieve “tailor-made” outcomes in patients with BFP-related symptoms.

Methods

Patients were categorized into 2 groups: Type I with a bottom-heavy face and Type II with ptotic lower cheeks, typically seen in older people. The lower face was divided into upper and lower segments bilaterally. Then, the relationship between the resected position of the BFP and its influence on facial shape and volume was studied.

Results

BFP excision was performed for 133 patients (118 females and15 males) between May 2020 and June 2022. Sixty-one of these patients were categorized into Type I (39 patients) and Type II (22 patients) and were followed up for 12 months postoperatively. The volume of all lower facial segments decreased postoperatively in both types of patients. The variation rate of the upper segment volume in Type II patients was less than that in Type I patients. The results were consistent with a technique that did not remove large chunks of the BFP from the upper segment in Type II patients.

Conclusions

BFP excision is an effective facial rejuvenation treatment if proper candidates are selected. To improve the accuracy of BFP excision, the relationship between the resected position of the BFP and its influence on facial shape and volume should be well understood.

Level of Evidence: 3
The roles of different gene expression regulators in acoustic variation in the intermediate horseshoe bat revealed by long-read and short-read RNA sequencing data
Authors: Li Qianqian , Wu Jianyu , Mao Xiuguang
Published: September 2023

Gene expression changes contribute greatly to phenotypic variations in nature. Studying patterns of regulators of gene expression is important to fully understand the molecular mechanism underlying phenotypic variations. In horseshoe bats, the cochleae are finely tuned to echoes of call frequency. Here, using 2 recently diverged subspecies of the intermediate horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus affinis hainanus and R. a. himalayanus) with great acoustic variations as the system, we aim to explore relative roles of different regulators of gene expression (differential gene expression, alternative splicing (AS) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs)) in phenotypic variation with a combination of Illumina short-read and Nanopore long-read RNA-seq data from the cochlea. Compared to R. a. hainanus, R. a. himalayanus exhibited much more upregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and multiple of them may play important roles in the maintenance and damage repair of auditory hair cells. We identified 411 differentially expressed lncRNAs and their target DEGs upregulated in R. a. himalayanus were also mainly involved in a protective mechanism for auditory hair cells. Using 3 different methods of AS analysis, we identified several candidate alternatively spliced genes (ASGs) that expressed different isoforms which may be associated with acoustic divergence of the 2 subspecies. We observed significantly less overlap than expected between DEGs and ASGs, supporting complementary roles of differential gene expression and AS in generating phenotypic variations. Overall, our study highlights the importance of a combination of short-read and long-read RNA-seq data in examining the regulation of gene expression changes responsible for phenotypic variations.
A chromosome-level assembly supports genome-wide investigation of the DMRT gene family in the golden mussel (Limnoperna fortunei)
Authors: R. N. Ferreira João Gabriel , A. Americo Juliana , L. A. S. do Amaral Danielle , Sendim Fábio , R. da Cunha Yasmin ,   Tree of Life Programme, Blaxter Mark , Uliano-Silva Marcela , de F. Rebelo Mauro
Published: September 2023

Background

The golden mussel (Limnoperna fortunei) is a highly invasive species that causes environmental and socioeconomic losses in invaded areas. Reference genomes have proven to be a valuable resource for studying the biology of invasive species. While the current golden mussel genome has been useful for identifying new genes, its high fragmentation hinders some applications.

Findings

In this study, we provide the first chromosome-level reference genome for the golden mussel. The genome was built using PacBio HiFi, 10X, and Hi-C sequencing data. The final assembly contains 99.4% of its total length assembled to the 15 chromosomes of the species and a scaffold N50 of 97.05 Mb. A total of 34,862 protein-coding genes were predicted, of which 84.7% were functionally annotated. A significant (6.48%) proportion of the genome was found to be in a hemizygous state. Using the new genome, we have performed a genome-wide characterization of the Doublesex and Mab-3 related transcription factor gene family, which has been proposed as a target for population control strategies in other species.

Conclusions

From the applied research perspective, a higher-quality genome will support genome editing with the aim of developing biotechnology-based solutions to control invasion. From the basic research perspective, the new genome is a high-quality reference for molecular evolutionary studies of Mytilida and other Lophotrochozoa, and it may be used as a reference for future resequencing studies to assess genomic variation among different golden mussel populations, unveiling potential routes of dispersion and helping to establish better control policies.
Chromosome-level genome of the venomous snail Kalloconus canariensis: a valuable model for venomics and comparative genomics
Authors: Herráez-Pérez Ana , Pardos-Blas José Ramón , Afonso Carlos M L , Tenorio Manuel J , Zardoya Rafael
Published: September 2023

Background

Genomes are powerful resources to understand the evolutionary mechanisms underpinning the origin and diversification of the venoms of cone snails (Conidae: Caenogastropoda) and could aid in the development of novel drugs.

Findings

Here, we used PacBio continuous long reads and Omni-C data to assemble the chromosome-level genome of Kalloconus canariensis, a vermivorous cone endemic to the Canary Islands. The final genome size was 2.87 Gb, with a N50 of 79.75 Mb and 91% of the reads located into the 35 largest scaffolds. Up to 55.80% of the genome was annotated as repetitive regions, being class I of transposable elements (16.65%) predominant. The annotation estimated 34,287 gene models. Comparative analysis of this genome with the 2 cone snail genomes released to date (Dendroconus betulinus and Lautoconus ventricosus) revealed similar genome sizes and organization, although chromosome sizes tended to be shorter in K. canariensis. Phylogenetic relationships within subclass Caenogastropoda were recovered with strong statistical support. The family Conidae was recovered as a clade, with K. canariensis plus L. ventricosus sister to D. betulinus.

Conclusions

Despite the great diversity of cone snails (>900 species) and their venoms (hundreds of peptides per species), only 2 recently reported genomes are available for the group. The high-quality chromosome-level assembly of K. canariensis will be a valuable reference for studying the origin and evolution of conotoxin genes as well as whole-genome duplication events during gastropod evolution.
Allele-specific regulatory effects on the pig transcriptome
Authors: Lin Yu , Li Jing , Chen Li , Bai Jingyi , Zhang Jiaman , Wang Yujie , Liu Pengliang , Long Keren , Ge Liangpeng , Jin Long , Gu Yiren , Li Mingzhou
Published: September 2023

Background

Allele-specific expression (ASE) refers to the preferential expression of one allele over the other and contributes to adaptive phenotypic plasticity. Here, we used a reciprocal cross-model between phenotypically divergent European Berkshire and Asian Tibetan pigs to characterize 2 ASE classes: imprinting (i.e., the unequal expression between parental alleles) and sequence dependent (i.e., unequal expression between breed-specific alleles). We examined 3 transcript types, including protein-coding genes (PCGs), long noncoding RNAs, and transcripts of unknown coding potential, across 7 representative somatic tissues from hybrid pigs generated by reciprocal crosses.

Results

We identified a total of 92 putative imprinted transcripts, 69 (75.00%) of which are described here for the first time. By combining the transcriptome from purebred Berkshire and Tibetan pigs, we found ∼6.59% of PCGs are differentially expressed between breeds that are regulated by trans-elements (e.g., transcriptional factors), while only ∼1.35% are attributable to cis (e.g., promoters). The higher prevalence of trans-PCGs indicates the dominated effects of trans-regulation in driving expression differences and shaping adaptive phenotypic plasticity between breeds, which were supported by functional enrichment analysis. We also found strong evidence that expression changes mediated by cis-effects were associated with accumulated variants in promoters.

Conclusions

Our study provides a comprehensive map of expression regulation that constitutes a valuable resource for the agricultural improvement of pig breeds.
Chromosome-level reference genome of tetraploid Isoetes sinensis provides insights into evolution and adaption of lycophytes
Authors: Cui Jinteng , Zhu Yunke , Du Hai , Liu Zhenhua , Shen Siqian , Wang Tongxin , Cui Wenwen , Zhang Rong , Jiang Sanjie , Wu Yanmin , Gu Xiaofeng , Yu Hao , Liang Zhe
Published: September 2023

Background

The Lycophyta species are the extant taxa most similar to early vascular plants that were once abundant on Earth. However, their distribution has greatly diminished. So far, the absence of chromosome-level assembled lycophyte genomes has hindered our understanding of evolution and environmental adaption of lycophytes.

Findings

We present the reference genome of the tetraploid aquatic quillwort, Isoetes sinensis, a lycophyte. This genome represents the first chromosome-level assembled genome of a tetraploid seed-free plant. Comparison of genomes between I. sinensis and Isoetestaiwanensis revealed conserved and different genomic features between diploid and polyploid lycophytes. Comparison of the I. sinensis genome with those of other species representing the evolutionary lineages of green plants revealed the inherited genetic tools for transcriptional regulation and most phytohormones in I. sinensis. The presence and absence of key genes related to development and stress responses provide insights into environmental adaption of lycophytes.

Conclusions

The high-quality reference genome and genomic analysis presented in this study are crucial for future genetic and environmental studies of not only I. sinensis but also other lycophytes.
Swedish Diplomats and Holocaust Knowledge
Authors: Bortz Olof
Published: September 2023

How did Swedish diplomats report the persecution and killing of European Jewry by Nazi Germany in the 1930s and during the Second World War? What did the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs do with reports on the Holocaust during the war, and to what extent did such reports affect policy? This article shows that Swedish diplomats provided their superiors with reliable, if at times unverifiable, information about the different phases of the Holocaust from 1933 until the end of 1942, and argues that awareness of the transition from persecution to mass murder did not alter Swedish refugee policies. The author thus details the process whereby knowledge of the annihilation of the European Jews seeped out from eastern Europe by examining Swedish diplomatic reports on the Holocaust. Furthermore, he sheds new light on the history of Swedish refugee policies and Swedish German relations during the Nazi period.
“May God have mercy on his black soul”: Consul General Olof Lamm’s Private Diplomatic Efforts to Save Jews from Nazi Persecution
Authors: Rudberg Pontus
Published: September 2023

This article examines the private diplomatic efforts of Olof Lamm. A Swedish Jewish ex-diplomat and businessman, he used his personal network to protest against Nazi persecution of the Jews in Germany, and informally lobbied the United States to increase its immigration quotas. Shedding light on these informal back-channel diplomatic networks, the author provides examples of the attitudes and obstacles Lamm faced when dealing with individuals, and reveals how those he petitioned justified their defense of Nazi ideology and actions and their own restrictive immigration policies.
A chromosome-level genome assembly provides insights into Cornus wilsoniana evolution, oil biosynthesis, and floral bud development
Authors: He Zhenxiang , Chao Haoyu , Zhou Xinkai , Ni Qingyang , Hu Yueming , Yu Ranran , Wang Minghuai , Li Changzhu , Chen Jingzhen , Chen Yunzhu , Chen Yong , Cui Chunyi , Zhang Liangbo , Chen Ming , Chen Dijun
Published: September 2023

Cornus wilsoniana W. is a woody oil plant with high oil content and strong hypolipidemic effects, making it a valuable species for medicinal, landscaping, and ecological purposes in China. To advance genetic research on this species, we employed PacBio together with Hi-C data to create a draft genome assembly for C. wilsoniana. Based on an 11-chromosome anchored chromosome-level assembly, the estimated genome size was determined to be 843.51 Mb. The N50 contig size and N50 scaffold size were calculated to be 4.49 and 78.00 Mb, respectively. Furthermore, 30 474 protein-coding genes were annotated. Comparative genomics analysis revealed that C. wilsoniana diverged from its closest species ~12.46 million years ago (Mya). Furthermore, the divergence between Cornaceae and Nyssaceae occurred >62.22 Mya. We also found evidence of whole-genome duplication events and whole-genome triplication γ, occurring at ~44.90 and 115.86 Mya. We further inferred the origins of chromosomes, which sheds light on the complex evolutionary history of the karyotype of C. wilsoniana. Through transcriptional and metabolic analysis, we identified two FAD2 homologous genes that may play a crucial role in controlling the oleic to linoleic acid ratio. We further investigated the correlation between metabolites and genes and identified 33 MADS-TF homologous genes that may affect flower morphology in C. wilsoniana. Overall, this study lays the groundwork for future research aimed at identifying the genetic basis of crucial traits in C. wilsoniana.
Establishing baselines for predicting change in ambient sound metrics, marine mammal, and vessel occurrence within a US offshore wind energy area
Authors: Van Parijs S M , DeAngelis A I , Aldrich T , Gordon R , Holdman A , McCordic J A , Mouy X , Rowell T J , Tennant S , Westell A , Davis G E
Published: September 2023

Evaluating potential impacts on marine animals or increased sound levels resulting from offshore wind energy construction requires the establishment of baseline data records from which to draw inference. This study provides 2 years of baseline data on cetacean species’ presence, vessel activity, and ambient sound levels in the southern New England wind energy area. With eight species/families present in the area for at least 9 months of the year, this area represents an important habitat for cetaceans. Most species showed seasonality, with peak daily presence in winter (harbour porpoise, North Atlantic right, fin, and humpback whales), summer (sperm whales), spring (sei whales), or spring and fall/autumn (minke whales). Delphinids were continuously present and blue whales present only in January. The endangered North Atlantic right whales were present year round with high presence in October through April. Daily vessel presence showed an increase from summer through fall/autumn. On average, ambient sound levels were lowest in summer and increased late 2021 through 2022 with most temporal variability occurring across lower frequencies. The area showed a complex soundscape with several species sharing time–frequency space as well as overlap of vessel noise with the communication range of all baleen whale species.
Reclaiming agency in the digital neighborhood: an ethnographic exploration of ethno-religious minority youths’ performances of the masculine self
Authors: De Leyn Tom
Published: September 2023

Self-presentation has been identified as a key practice within digital youth cultures. The scholarship on youths’ self-presentation has extensively investigated how young people negotiate affordances in ways that optimally support their transitions into adulthood. However, the scholarship’s focus on identity development and technological affordances risks constructing a homogeneous, de-contextualized, and media-centric representation of digital youth cultures. To unveil how self-presentation practices are embedded within a broader socio-cultural context, I conducted a 15-month hybrid ethnographic study with 23 ethno-religious minority young men living in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium. The observations illustrate that these young men attempt to reclaim agency over their identity representations by performing “masculine ideals” of the self in response to racialized discourses. Overall, the results underscore the necessity of adopting an intersectional perspective that considers the interplay between self-presentation on social media and the threats and opportunities within youths’ (digital) neighborhoods.
Antisemitism and the Left: On the Return of the Jewish Question
Authors: Carver Richard
Published: September 2023

This review considers Robert Fine and Philip Spencer’s Antisemitism and the Left: On the Return of the Jewish Question and explores the book’s key implications for human rights practitioners and their organizations. The review is one of three contributions to this 15th Anniversary Issue’s Review Section from members of the Journal of Human Rights Practice Editorial Team and Editorial Board—highlighting a book of particular significance to human rights practitioners and educators published between 2008 and 2023.
Relationships Between Cultural Factors and Engaging in Guided Imagery and Music: An Exploratory Qualitative Study
Authors: Yoshihara Nami , Acebes-de-Pablo Alberto , Honig Tim
Published: September 2023

Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) is now practiced and taught on every inhabited continent. With this international growth of GIM, both GIM therapists and clients have unique cultural backgrounds that are often different from the US American context in which the method was originally developed. According to this reality, we undertook a cross-cultural study to explore how cultural factors relate to ways in which GIM clients engage in the therapeutic process. This research study is based on a qualitative and interpretivist approach that utilized thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews. Six GIM advanced trainees from three countries (Japan, Spain, and the US) participated in the study. Eight themes emerged that describe significant cultural factors that affected the initial stages of engaging in GIM as clients: personal experiences with non-ordinary states of consciousness (NOSC); spirituality; physical distance; linguistic expression; professional/academic background; socio-economic aspects; social norms/expectations; and non-directive facilitation/attitudes. The first seven of these themes constituted aspects of the participants’ individual sociocultural backgrounds that shaped their initial experiences of and expectations for GIM sessions and affected their GIM engagement. The eighth theme emerged as a transcultural factor in which a non-directive approach used by their GIM therapists allowed participants to engage in GIM more readily and form a new set of norms and expectations within their GIM sessions. Our research suggests that as participants developed a new set of norms and expectations as they acclimated to GIM, the therapist’s non-directive stance provided a bridge between these two sets of social or cultural norms.
Phase-type distributions for product return data with two-layer censoring
Authors: Wang Yudong , Ye Zhi-Sheng
Published: September 2023

Product return data, such as warranty claims, are usually subject to two layers of right censoring. The first layer, called warranty censoring, applies to the product lifetime due to a fixed warranty limit. The second layer, called end-of-study censoring, applies to the sum of the sales lag and the lifetime due to the end-of-study date for the data collection. The two-layer censoring in the product return data renders traditional nonparametric methods for right-censored data inapplicable. This study develops a generic method for the two-layer censored data using acyclic phase-type distributions (APHDs) in the canonical form. The APHD estimators can be regarded as nonparametric sieve estimators since the family of APHDs is dense in the field of all positive-valued distributions. Based on the property that the class of APHDs is closed under convolution, a dedicated expectation-maximisation algorithm is proposed to compute the maximum likelihood estimators. Comprehensive simulations are conducted to evaluate the performance of the proposed method and compare it with the inverse probability of censoring weighted approach, which is applicable in the absence of warranty censoring. Two real examples from production-delivery supply chains are analysed by the proposed method to provide guidance on warranty reserve management for the manufacturers.
‘Frontline corruption and emigration in the Western Balkans’
Authors: López García Ana Isabel , Maydom Barry
Published: September 2023

How does frontline corruption influence individuals’ decisions to emigrate? Existing research has found that perceptions of grand political corruption promote emigration, particularly among the highly educated. In this article, we shift the focus to the role of frontline corruption in driving emigration decisions and distinguish between the effects of the payment of bribes to frontline bureaucrats and those of nepotism in public employment. Using data from the Balkan Barometer for the period 2018–21, we find that both bribe-paying experiences and perceived public-sector nepotism are important emigration drivers. Our findings also reveal that the more highly educated an individual is, the greater the influence of perceived nepotism on the emigration decision. However, the influence of first-hand experiences with bribery is larger and remains similar across education categories. Our analysis emphasizes the need to disaggregate the varied manifestations of corruption when examining the determinants of (high-skilled) emigration. This article contributes to our understanding of the drivers of emigration in the Western Balkans and the wider corruption–migration nexus.
Load Carrying Walking Test for the Special Operation Forces of the Army of the Czech Republic
Authors: Bugala Martin , Bernaciková Martina , Struhár Ivan
Published: September 2023

Introduction

The subject of this study was the creation of a new type of laboratory walking stress test for the Special Forces of the Army of the Czech Republic. This study developed a test model that has been validated in practice and that reflects the fact that the performance of endurance without and with a load varies considerably. Especially, if we focus on operators, as their activities are always performed with loads/full gear (equipment, weapons, equipment, etc.).

Materials and Methods

24 men/operators from the Special Forces of the Army of the Czech Republic volunteered for this study. The maximal exercise test/spiroergometry was designed to include performance at a load of 55 kg/121 lb, a constant speed of 5.3 km/h, and an increase in incline angle of 1 degree after each elapsed minute. The test was performed on a treadmill under standard time, location, and temperature conditions. During the test, the following values were recorded: VO2 = oxygen consumption indicating the intensity of the exercise was monitored, VO2/kg = oxygen consumption converted to body weight, VO2/HR = pulse oxygen (the amount of oxygen converted in one heartbeat), HR = heart rate, VE = ventilation, volume of air exhaled in 1 min, breathe frequency (BF) = respiratory rate in 1 min.

Results

Out of the total number of 24 respondents, the study found these mean values of variables. The variable mapping the oxygen consumption, which indicates the intensity of VO2 loading, was 3.8, with the lowest value being 3.2 and the highest being 4.5. After converting oxygen consumption to bodyweight, VO2/kg was 46, the lowest value of 38.8, and the highest 53.0 were measured for this variable. Pulse oxygen, i.e., the amount of oxygen calculated per heart contraction VO2/HR, was 20.5, the lowest value 16.0, and the highest 26.0. The average HR heart rate was 183.5, with the lowest value being recorded at 164 and the highest value is 205. Ventilation, i.e., the amount of exhaled air per minute in VE, was measured at 144.9, the lowest value was 114.7, and the highest was 176.6. The BF in 1 min was 58.5, the lowest value 35, and the highest 70. The mean time load was 10:20 min, the shortest test length was 7:25 min, and the longest was 13:23 min. These values correspond to the degree of inclination of the ascent, i.e., the mean value was 10 degrees, the smallest achieved slope was 7 degrees, and the largest 13 degrees.

Conclusion

The designed weighted walking test proved to be fully functional and effective in measurement. The further established protocol corresponds to the requirements of the current needs of the Special Forces of the Army of the Czech Republic. Last but not least, the walking stress test is applied for the external and internal selection and screening of operators. Data obtained from testing were used to develop deployment requirements for patrol/nuclear combat missions.
Return to Duty Following Exertional Heat Stroke: A Review
Authors: Koo Caitlyn J , Hintz Courtney , Butler Cody R
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Exertional heat stroke (EHS), which presents with extreme hyperthermia and alteration to the central nervous system, disproportionately affects the military, where warfighters are expected to perform in all types of environmental conditions. Because of an incomplete understanding of individualized recovery from EHS, there are several shortcomings with the current guidance on return to duty (RTD) following an EHS. The purpose of this manuscript is to provide an updated literature review of best practices for return to duty following EHS to guide decision making regarding EHS and explore areas of future research for medical staff who work with warfighters.

Materials and Methods

A literature review related to EHS in both athlete and military populations, as well as any existing guidelines for RTD, was conducted using PubMed and Covidence.

Results

Twenty-one articles were identified for this updated review on EHS and RTD, with recommendations focused during and after an EHS event, as well as the role of heat tolerance testing (HTT).

Conclusions

EHS has a high morbidity and mortality rate if not treated rapidly. Because the extent of end-organ damage is dependent on the amount of time that the individual is hyperthermic, rapid diagnosis via rectal thermometry, and efficient cooling methods are imperative to the wellbeing of EHS patients. Following EHS, gradual RTD recommendations within the limits of operational demand should be implemented to reduce the risk for a subsequent heat injury event. While many versions of HTT, most notably the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) protocol, have been created to guide RTD recommendations, a universal assessment for heat tolerance has yet to be adopted. As such, medical personnel should apply a multifactorial approach to ensure safe RTD.
Correlates of Chinese Police Job Satisfaction
Authors: Liu Jianhong , Lambert Eric G , Jiang Shanhe
Published: September 2023

Very little research has been conducted on how workplace variables are associated with Chinese police job satisfaction. The present study fills this gap. Using responses from 589 Chinese police officers, the association of job satisfaction with workplace job demands (i.e. role ambiguity, role conflict, role overload, and perceived dangerousness of the job) and workplace job resources (training, job variety, job autonomy, and quality supervision) were tested. Ordinary least squares regression analysis indicated that role conflict, role overload, and dangerousness of the job all had non-significant associations with job satisfaction. Role ambiguity was a significant negative predictor, while training, job variety, job autonomy, and quality supervision all had significant positive relationships with job satisfaction. The results indicate that Chinese police administrators need to reduce role ambiguity and to improve training views, job variety, job autonomy, and quality supervision, which, in turn, should increase the level of satisfaction gained from the job by officers.
‘Dawn’ hexapods in Cenozoic ambers (Diplura: Campodeoidea)
Authors: Sánchez-García Alba , Sendra Alberto , Davis Steven R , Grimaldi David A
Published: September 2023

Diplura are an ancient group of basal (apterygote) hexapods that thrive in various cryptic terrestrial habitats. Despite an ancient origin that extends at least to the Devonian period, the dipluran fossil record is exceedingly sparse. Here, we document five very rare fossil specimens of the family Campodeidae in amber from the Miocene of the Dominican Republic and the Eocene of the Baltic region. Microscopic preservation in amber provides unique detail for taxonomic placement of small, delicate, soil- and leaf litter-dwelling organisms like these. New taxa include the following: in Lepidocampinae, Lepidocampa glaesi sp. nov. (in Dominican amber); and in Campodeinae, Litocampa eobaltica sp. nov. (in Baltic amber) and Rostricampa engeli gen. et sp. nov. (in Dominican amber). Rostricampa has an extraordinary rostrum formed by sclerotized extensions of the clypeus and, probably, the labium, unique among diplurans. These new taxa provide rare additional data on the fossil record of the earliest diverging lineages of the hexapods and shed light on their evolution and ecology.
Garlic Bulb Decay and Soft Rot Caused by the Cross-Kingdom PathogenBurkholderia gladioli
Authors: Abachi Hamid , Moallem Mahsa , Taghavi S. Mohsen , Hamidizade Mozhde , Soleimani Ardavan , Fazliarab Amal , Portier Perrine , Osdaghi Ebrahim
Published: September 2023

In 2021, two gram-negative bacterial strains were isolated from garlic (Allium sativum) bulbs showing decay and soft rot symptoms in Central Iran. The bacterial strains were aggressively pathogenic on cactus, garlic, gladiolus, onion, potato, and saffron plants and induced soft rot symptoms on carrot, cucumber, potato, and radish discs. Furthermore, they were pathogenic on sporophores of cultivated and wild mushrooms. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the bacterial strains belong to Burkholderia gladioli. Garlic bulb rot caused by B. gladioli has rarely been reported in the literature. Historically, B. gladioli strains had been assigned to four pathovars, namely, B. gladioli pv. alliicola, B. gladioli pv. gladioli, B. gladioli pv. agaricicola, and B. gladioli pv. cocovenenans, infecting onion, Gladiolus sp., and mushrooms and poisoning foods, respectively. Multilocus (i.e., 16S rRNA, atpD, gyrB, and lepA genes) sequence-based phylogenetic investigations including reference strains of B. gladioli pathovars showed that the two garlic strains belong to phylogenomic clade 2 of the species, which includes the pathotype strain of B. gladioli pv. alliicola. Although the garlic strains were phylogenetically closely related to the B. gladioli pv. alliicola reference strains, they possessed pathogenicity characteristics that overlapped with three of the four historical pathovars, including the ability to rot onion (pv. alliicola), gladiolus (pv. gladioli), and mushrooms (pv. agaricicola). Furthermore, the pathotype of each pathovar could infect the hosts of other pathovars, undermining the utility of the pathovar concept in this species. Overall, using phenotypic pathovar-oriented assays to classify B. gladioli strains should be replaced by phylogenetic or phylogenomic analysis.
A Retrospective Analysis of Serious Adverse Events and Deaths in US-Based Lifestyle Clinical Trials for Cognitive Health
Authors: Key Mickeal N. , Shaw Ashley R. , Erickson Kirk I. , Burns Jeffrey M. , Vidoni Eric D.
Published: September 2023

This retrospective analysis assessed the serious adverse events and deaths reported in lifestyle clinical trials designed to enhance cognitive health in older adults living in the United States. Data was collected from studies conducted between January 1, 2000, and July 19, 2023, using theClinicalTrials.govapplication programming interface. Our query revealed that 76% of these studies did not report trial results. The remaining studies with reported results were categorized under one of four intervention types: Cognitive/Behavioral, Exercise/Movement, Diet/Supplement, and Multi-modal. When all trial types are considered together, the results indicate that lifestyle clinical trials are safe, with no significant increase in relative risk of experiencing an SAE in an intervention group over a control group. And although the increase in relative risk of death in an intervention group over a control group was significant at 28% (X2(1, N = 36), p < 0.00688), the probability of death was not higher than the U.S. mortality rates by age. When assessing the data using intervention type, Diet/Supplement trials and Multi-modal trials both had an increase in relative risk of experiencing an SAE in the intervention over the control group, with Diet/Supplement trials at 16% (X2(1, N = 2), p < 0.0263) and Multi-modal trials at 365% (X2(1, N = 5), p < 0.000213). The Diet/Supplement trials also had an increased risk of death at 67% (X2(1, N = 2), p < 0.000197). These results should be taken with careful consideration. Due to such a low reporting rate, the 36 studies included in this analysis do not accurately represent the majority of lifestyle clinical trials conducted in the U.S. This study is valuable in that it highlights the importance of reporting clinical trial results, which will improve transparency in trial results and allow for more accurate assessments of safety in the growing field of cognitive aging and lifestyle interventions for older adults.
Impact of nucleos(t)ide analogues on the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis B patients: A time-dependent Cox regression analysis
Authors: Moriyama Makoto , Tateishi Ryosuke , Kinoshita Mizuki Nishibatake , Fukumoto Tsuyoshi , Yamada Tomoharu , Wake Taijiro , Nakagomi Ryo , Nakatsuka Takuma , Minami Tatsuya , Sato Masaya , Fujishiro Mitsuhiro , Koike Kazuhiko
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT

Background and Aims

The preventive effect of nucleos(t)ide analog (NA) use on HCC development in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is controversial due to the difficulty of conducting randomized controlled trials.

Approach and Results

In this single-center, retrospective study, NA-naïve CHB patients without a history of HCC were enrolled and followed-up from the first visit on or after January 2000 to December 2020. Patients were categorized into the NA group, including those who started NA after study enrollment, and the non-NA group, including patients to whom NA was never administered during the follow-up period. After propensity score matching (PSM) to balance the confounding factors, we applied a multivariable time-dependent Cox proportional regression analysis with the initiation of NA as a time-dependent covariate. We further performed a subgroup analysis according to the presence or absence of cirrhosis. The baseline characteristics of 212 pairs of patients retrieved by PSM were comparable. During the mean follow-up of 12.9 and 6.8 years in the NA and non-NA groups, respectively, 25 and 28 patients developed HCC, respectively. Multivariable analysis with time-dependent covariates showed that NA did not affect HCC risk (HR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.36–1.31;p= 0.25) after adjusting for other risk factors, including age, sex, and HBV viral load. Subgroup analysis showed that NA use significantly reduced the risk of HCC in cirrhotic patients (HR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.08–0.85;p= 0.03).

Conclusions

The preventive effect of NA on hepatocarcinogenesis may be limited to cirrhotic patients.
Trajectories of Neurologic Recovery after Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Wang Henry E. , Hu Chengcheng , Barnhart Bruce J. , Jansen Jan O. , Spaite Daniel W.
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the trajectory over time of neurologic recovery after traumatic brain injury (TBI). We sought to determine long-term changes in neurologic status after prehospital clinical trial interventions for acute TBI.

METHODS

We used data from the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium Hypertonic Saline (ROC HS) TBI Trial. The trial included adult TBI, with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)≤8 and excluded those with shock (systolic blood pressure (SBP)≤70, or SBP 71-90 with HR≥108). The primary outcome was Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOS-E; 1=dead, 8=no disability) determined at: a) hospital discharge and b) 6-month follow-up. We analyzed changes in GOS-E between hospital discharge and 6-month follow-up by examining median changes with exact 95% confidence intervals (CI), mean changes with bootstrapped 95% CIs and Sankey graphs. We repeated the analysis for the high acuity subset of patients undergoing prehospital advanced airway insertion.

RESULTS

Among 1,279 TBI subjects included in the analysis, GOS-E categories at hospital discharge were: favorable (GOS-E 5-8) 220 (17.2%), unfavorable (GOS-E 2-4) 664 (51.9%), dead (GOS-E 1) 321 (25.1%), missing 74 (5.8%). GOS-E categories at 6-month follow-up were: favorable 459 (35.9%), unfavorable 279 (21.8%), dead 346 (27.1%), missing 195 (15.2%). Among initial TBI survivors with complete GOS-E, >96% followed one of three neurologic recovery trajectories: 1) favorable to favorable (20.0%), 2) unfavorable to favorable (40.3%), and 3) unfavorable to unfavorable (36.0%). Few patients deteriorated from favorable to unfavorable neurologic status and there were few additional deaths.

CONCLUSION

Neurologic recovery after TBI follows distinct trajectories. Among those with TBI and unfavorable neurologic status at hospital discharge, almost half will improve to favorable neurologic status at six months. Among those with favorable neurologic status at discharge, very few worsen to unfavorable neurologic status or death at six months. These findings have important implications for TBI clinical care, research and trial design.
Oral Anticoagulant Use by Emergency Medical Services Patients in the United States
Authors: Wang Henry , Yu Mengda , Chu Ching Min , Sharkey-Toppen Travis P. , Hyer J. Madison , Nassal Michelle , Delamare Alix , Powell Joanthan , Wei Lai , Panchal Ashish
Published: September 2023

OBJECTIVE

Oral anticoagulant (OAC) use raises the risk of death in life-threatening conditions such as hemorrhagic stroke, trauma and traumatic brain injury. We sought to describe the national characteristics of Emergency Medical Services patients with a history of OAC use.

METHODS

We used prehospital electronic medical record data from 2018-2020 from the ESO Data Collaborative. We included adults (age≥18 years) receiving 911 EMS care. OAC use included warfarin, dabigatran, rivaroxaban and apixaban. We determined the incidence of EMS calls by OAC users as well as their variation by EMS agency. We compared EMS call, patient, and response characteristics between OAC and non-OAC users, including primary impressions and hospital diagnoses.

RESULTS

There were 16,244,550 adult 911 EMS events, including 906,575 by OAC users (56 per 1,000 911 events). Compared with non-OAC users, OAC users were more likely to be older (73.6 vs. 56.9 years), white (78.0% vs. 51.4%) and non-Hispanic (84.5% vs. 78.0%). Incidents involving OAC users were more likely at nursing homes, rehabilitation or long-term care facilities (17.0% vs. 9.2%) but less likely to involve trauma (14.7% vs. 18.1%) or cardiac arrest (1.2% vs. 1.4%). Among OAC users, the most common EMS primary clinical impressions were chest pain (7.4%), altered mental status (7.3%), injury (6.5%), abdominal pain (4.3%), and brain injury (2.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

In this national series of prehospital events, 1 in 18 adult EMS encounters involved OAC users. These results provide key perspectives on the presentation of the OAC users in EMS care.
Intradermal Administration of Rescue Dose of Antiemetics in Chemotherapy-induced Nausea and Vomiting
Authors: Maekawa-Matsuura Minami , Shimizu Natsuko , Sakamaki Yuri , Oya Eri , Shimizu Sakiko , Iwase Yoichiro
Published: September 2023

Antiemetic therapy is provided to patients with cancer to prevent chemotherapy- induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), based on the emetic risk of anticancer agents. However, breakthrough CINV can occur despite appropriate antiemetic prophylaxis. It is preferable to administer the rescue dose of antiemetics in breakthrough CINV that occur at home, in a form that is immediately effective and that can be easily self- administered by the patient. In the present study, we examined and compared the blood pharmacokinetics of subcutaneous (SC) injection, a preferred route of self-injection, and intradermal (ID) injection, a less invasive route, with an aim of developing simple self- injectable rescue antiemetics. A single administration of four kinds of antiemetics via SC and ID routes in rats resulted in lowerTmaxvalues compared with previously reported oral administration, indicating that the administration of antiemetics via ID and SC routes may be effective in providing faster antiemetic effects and to alleviate patient symptoms.
Role of charge in enhanced nuclear transport and retention of graphene quantum dots
Authors: Gorav Gorav , Khedekar Vrushali , Nandakumar P. , Varier Geetha K.
Published: September 2023

The nuclear pore complexes on the nuclear membrane function as the sole gateway of molecular communication between the nucleus and the cytoplasm regulating the transport of molecules, including nucleic acids and proteins. The present study seeks to undertake a comprehensive investigation of the kinetics of transport of negatively charged graphene quantum dots through nuclear membranes and quantify their nuclear transport characteristics and translocation rates. Experiments are carried out in permeabilized HeLa cells using time-lapse confocal fluorescence microscopy. Introducing negative charge onto biomolecular probes leads to electrostatic interaction with the nuclear pore complexes resulting in significant changes in their nuclear translocation rates. We find that the negatively charged graphene quantum dots are transported to the nuclei at a fast rate and two distinct transport pathways are involved in the translocation. Furthermore, complementary experiments on the nuclear import and export of these graphene quantum dots confirm the bidirectionality of transport with similar translocation rates. Our studies also show that negatively charged graphene quantum dots exhibit good retention properties revealing their potential as excellent drug carriers.

Statement of significance

The nuclear pore complexes control the bidirectional transport of biomolecules between the nucleus and cytoplasm. The noteworthy behaviors exhibited by negatively charged graphene quantum dots with respect to the nuclear uptake show their potential utility not only as drug carriers but also as facilitators for the retention of drugs within the nucleus. The fast import of carriers helps to achieve faster drug delivery, and the retention ensures the passing of the drug to daughter nuclei.

Graphical abstract