bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An evaluation of an open access iPSC training course: “How to model interstitial lung disease using patient-derived iPSCs”
Authors: Schweikert Anja , Kenny Sarah , Oglesby Irene , Glasgow Arlene , de Santi Chiara , Gensch Ingrid , Lachmann Nico , Desroziers Tifenn , Fletcher Camille , Snijders Deborah , Nathan Nadia , Hurley Killian ,   COST Open-ILD Group Management Committee, Snijders Deborah , Schwerk Nicolaus , Lachmann Nico , Griese Matthias , O’Toole Daniel , Borie Raphael
Published: December 2023

Background

Interstitial lung diseases (ILD) are a group of rare lung diseases with severe outcomes. The COST Innovator Grant aims to establish a first-of-a-kind open-access Biorepository of patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and to train researchers in the skills required to generate a robust preclinical model of ILD using these cells. This study aims to describe and evaluate the effectiveness of a training course designed to train researchers in iPSC techniques to model ILD.

Methods

74 researchers, physicians and stakeholders attended the training course in Dublin in May 2022 with 31 trainees receiving teaching in practical iPSC culturing skills. The training course learners were divided into the Hands-on (16 trainees) and Observer groups (15 trainees), with the Observers attending a supervised live-streamed experience of the laboratories skills directly delivered to the Hands-on group. All participants were asked to participate in an evaluation to analyse their satisfaction and knowledge gained during the Training Course, with means compared using t-tests.

Results

The gender balance in both groups was predominantly females (77.4%). The Hands-on group consisted mainly of researchers (75%), whereas all participants of the Observer group described themselves as clinicians. All participants in the Hands-on group were at least very satisfied with the training course compared to 70% of the participants in the Observer group. The knowledge assessment showed that the Hands-on group retained significantly more knowledge of iPSC characteristics and culturing techniques compared to the Observers (* < 0.05; p = 0.0457). A comprehensive learning video detailing iPSC culturing techniques was produced and is included with this manuscript.

Conclusions

The majority of participants were highly or very satisfied with the training course and retained significant knowledge about iPSC characteristics and culturing techniques after attending the training course. Overall, our findings demonstrate the feasibility of running hybrid Hands-on and Observer teaching events and underscore the importance of this type of training programme to appeal to a broad spectrum of interested clinicians and researchers particularly in rare disease. The long-term implications of this type of training event requires further study to determine its efficacy and impact on adoption of iPSC disease modelling techniques in participants’ laboratories.
Exploring distinct properties of endometrial stem cells through advanced single-cell analysis platforms
Authors: Lee Jin Woo , Lee Hwa-Yong
Published: December 2023

The endometrium is a dynamic tissue that undergoes cyclic changes in response to ovarian hormones during the menstrual cycle. These changes are crucial for pregnancy establishment and maintenance. Endometrial stem cells play a pivotal role in endometrial regeneration and repair by differentiating into various cell types within the endometrium. However, their involvement in endometrial disorders such as endometriosis, infertility, and endometrial cancer is still not fully understood yet. Traditional bulk sequencing methods have limitations in capturing heterogeneity and complexity of endometrial stem cell populations. To overcome these limitations, recent single-cell analysis techniques, including single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq), single-cell ATAC sequencing (scATAC-Seq), and spatial transcriptomics, have emerged as valuable tools for studying endometrial stem cells. In this review, although there are still many technical limitations that require improvement, we will summarize the current state-of-the-art single-cell analysis techniques for endometrial stem cells and explore their relevance to related diseases. We will discuss studies utilizing various single-cell analysis platforms to identify and characterize distinct endometrial stem cell populations and investigate their dynamic changes in gene expression and epigenetic patterns during menstrual cycle and differentiation processes. These techniques enable the identification of rare cell populations, capture heterogeneity of cell populations within the endometrium, and provide potential targets for more effective therapies.
Pendelluft in hypoxemic patients resuming spontaneous breathing: proportional modes versus pressure support ventilation
Authors: Arellano Daniel H. , Brito Roberto , Morais Caio C. A. , Ruiz-Rudolph Pablo , Gajardo Abraham I. J. , Guiñez Dannette V. , Lazo Marioli T. , Ramirez Ivan , Rojas Verónica A. , Cerda María A. , Medel Juan N. , Illanes Victor , Estuardo Nivia R. , Bruhn Alejandro R. , Brochard Laurent J. , Amato Marcelo B. P. , Cornejo Rodrigo A.
Published: December 2023

Background

Internal redistribution of gas, referred to as pendelluft, is a new potential mechanism of effort-dependent lung injury. Neurally-adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) and proportional assist ventilation (PAV +) follow the patient’s respiratory effort and improve synchrony compared with pressure support ventilation (PSV). Whether these modes could prevent the development of pendelluft compared with PSV is unknown. We aimed to compare pendelluft magnitude during PAV + and NAVA versus PSV in patients with resolving acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Methods

Patients received either NAVA, PAV + , or PSV in a crossover trial for 20-min using comparable assistance levels after controlled ventilation (> 72 h). We assessed pendelluft (the percentage of lost volume from the non-dependent lung region displaced to the dependent region during inspiration), drive (as the delta esophageal swing of the first 100 ms [ΔPes100 ms]) and inspiratory effort (as the esophageal pressure–time product per minute [PTPmin]). We performed repeated measures analysis with post-hoc tests and mixed-effects models.

Results

Twenty patients mechanically ventilated for 9 [5–14] days were monitored. Despite matching for a similar tidal volume, respiratory drive and inspiratory effort were slightly higher with NAVA and PAV + compared with PSV (ΔPes 100 ms of –2.8 [−3.8–−1.9] cm H2O, −3.6 [−3.9–−2.4] cm H2O and −2.1 [−2.5–−1.1] cm H2O, respectively, p < 0.001 for both comparisons; PTPmin of 155 [118–209] cm H2O s/min, 197 [145–269] cm H2O s/min, and 134 [93–169] cm H2O s/min, respectively, p < 0.001 for both comparisons). Pendelluft magnitude was higher in NAVA (12 ± 7%) and PAV + (13 ± 7%) compared with PSV (8 ± 6%), p < 0.001. Pendelluft magnitude was strongly associated with respiratory drive (β = -2.771, p-value < 0.001) and inspiratory effort (β = 0.026, p  < 0.001), independent of the ventilatory mode. A higher magnitude of pendelluft in proportional modes compared with PSV existed after adjusting for PTPmin (β = 2.606, p = 0.010 for NAVA, and β = 3.360, p = 0.004 for PAV +), and only for PAV + when adjusted for respiratory drive (β = 2.643, p = 0.009 for PAV +).

Conclusions

Pendelluft magnitude is associated with respiratory drive and inspiratory effort. Proportional modes do not prevent its occurrence in resolving ARDS compared with PSV.
Individual response in patient’s effort and driving pressure to variations in assistance during pressure support ventilation
Authors: Docci Mattia , Rezoagli Emanuele , Teggia-Droghi Maddalena , Coppadoro Andrea , Pozzi Matteo , Grassi Alice , Bianchi Isabella , Foti Giuseppe , Bellani Giacomo
Published: December 2023

Background

During Pressure Support Ventilation (PSV) an inspiratory hold allows to measure plateau pressure (Pplat), driving pressure (∆P), respiratory system compliance (Crs) and pressure-muscle-index (PMI), an index of inspiratory effort. This study aims [1] to assess systematically how patient’s effort (estimated with PMI), ∆P and tidal volume (Vt) change in response to variations in PSV and [2] to confirm the robustness of Crs measurement during PSV.

Methods

18 patients recovering from acute respiratory failure and ventilated by PSV were cross-randomized to four steps of assistance above (+ 3 and + 6 cmH2O) and below (-3 and -6 cmH2O) clinically set PS. Inspiratory and expiratory holds were performed to measure Pplat, PMI, ∆P, Vt, Crs, P0.1 and occluded inspiratory airway pressure (Pocc). Electromyography of respiratory muscles was monitored noninvasively from body surface (sEMG).

Results

As PSV was decreased, Pplat (from 20.5 ± 3.3 cmH2O to 16.7 ± 2.9, P < 0.001) and ∆P (from 12.5 ± 2.3 to 8.6 ± 2.3 cmH2O, P < 0.001) decreased much less than peak airway pressure did (from 21.7 ± 3.8 to 9.7 ± 3.8 cmH2O, P < 0.001), given the progressive increase of patient’s effort (PMI from -1.2 ± 2.3 to 6.4 ± 3.2 cmH2O) in line with sEMG of the diaphragm (r = 0.614; P < 0.001). As ∆P increased linearly with Vt, Crs did not change through steps (P = 0.119).

Conclusion

Patients react to a decrease in PSV by increasing inspiratory effort—as estimated by PMI—keeping Vt and ∆P on a desired value, therefore, limiting the clinician’s ability to modulate them. PMI appears a valuable index to assess the point of ventilatory overassistance when patients lose control over Vt like in a pressure-control mode. The measurement of Crs in PSV is constant—likely suggesting reliability—independently from the level of assistance and patient’s effort.
Security strategy for autonomous vehicle cyber-physical systems using transfer learning
Authors: Alsulami Abdulaziz A. , Al-Haija Qasem Abu , Alturki Badraddin , Alqahtani Ali , Alsini Raed
Published: December 2023

Cyber-physical systems (CPSs) are emergent systems that enable effective real-time communication and collaboration (C&C) of physical components such as control systems, sensors, actuators, and the surrounding environment through a cyber communication infrastructure. As such, autonomous vehicles (AVs) are one of the fields that have significantly adopted the CPS approach to improving people's lives in smart cities by reducing energy consumption and air pollution. Therefore, autonomous vehicle-cyber physical systems (AV-CPSs) have attracted enormous investments from major corporations and are projected to be widely used. However, AV-CPS is vulnerable to cyber and physical threat vectors due to the deep integration of information technology (IT), including cloud computing, with the communication process. Cloud computing is critical in providing the scalable infrastructure required for real-time data processing, storage, and analysis in AV-CPS, allowing these systems to work seamlessly in smart cities. CPS components such as sensors and control systems through network infrastructure are particularly vulnerable to cyber-attacks targeted by attackers using the communication system. This paper proposes an intelligent intrusion detection system (IIDS) for AV-CPS using transfer learning to identify cyberattacks launched against connected physical components of AVs through a network infrastructure. First, AV-CPS was developed by implementing the controller area network (CAN) and integrating it into the AV simulation model. Second, the dataset was generated from the AV-CPS. The collected dataset was then preprocessed to be trained and tested via pre-trained CNNs. Third, eight pre-trained networks were implemented, namely, InceptionV3, ResNet-50, ShuffleNet, MobileNetV2, GoogLeNet, ResNet-18, SqueezeNet, and AlexNet. The performance of the implemented models was evaluated. According to the experimental evaluation results, GoogLeNet outperformed all other pre-rained networks, scoring an F1- score of 99.47%.
What’s next in hospital digitization? A Delphi-based scenario study
Authors: Koebe Philipp , Bohnet-Joschko Sabine
Published: December 2023

The digital transformation has induced significant social and economic changes, impacting services of general interest, including healthcare. National healthcare systems serve as crucial pillars of social and prosperity security, necessitating adaptation in the face of digital transformation. Among healthcare institutions, hospitals play a vital role due to the nature and scope of their care services. This study presents a scenario-based investigation to explore the forthcoming changes in the healthcare environment and their potential effects on inpatient care. The study employed an iterative approach, commencing with an exploratory survey of experts to identify impact areas and descriptors. Subsequently, a two-round Delphi survey, involving a four-member stakeholder expert group, was conducted to evaluate and refine the identified parameters. A fuzzy clustering algorithm was utilized in the study to derive four different scenarios. These scenarios elucidate alternative development paths and describe the characteristics that may lead to these developments. The study’s findings offer valuable insights for formulating proactive recommendations and interventions to effectively address future developments in healthcare.
Pathways from media attention and peer communication to body dissatisfaction: the moderating role of protective filtering
Authors: Ji Jing , Xiang Xiaoli , Chen Ren , Chen Zenghong , Yan Jing
Published: December 2023

Background

Negative body image is a common psychological phenomenon among young Chinese women, and merits further investigation. Peers and the media are important factors that associated with body image. This study explored how media and peers promote body dissatisfaction among young Chinese women, including the mediating role of body surveillance and the moderating role of protective filtering.

Methods

3499 women from the general China community aged 18–40 years (M = 23.44 years, SD = 1.18 years) were investigated with sociocultural attitudes towards appearance scale-3, objectified body consciousness scale and protective filtering scale. The data were analyzed by using a moderated mediation model with SPSS and the Process 4.0 macro.

Results

Correlational analysis results indicated that body surveillance acted as a chained indirect effect between the internalization of media information and body dissatisfaction, as well as between peer comparison and body dissatisfaction. Moreover, protective filtering was demonstrated to moderate the path of media attention affecting the internalization of media information and the path of peer communication affecting peer comparisons.

Conclusion

Our results contribute to the understanding of the sociocultural mechanisms underlying young women’s negative body image. Furthermore, investigating the moderating effect of protective filtering is conducive to guiding future female positive body image interventions.
Addition of progesterone to feminizing gender-affirming hormone therapy in transgender individuals for breast development: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Dijkman Benthe A.M. , Helder Danithsia , Boogers Lidewij S. , Gieles Noor C. , van Heesewijk Jason O. , Slaa Sjoerd te , Liberton Niels P.T.J. , Wiepjes Chantal M. , de Blok Christel J.M. , den Heijer Martin , Dreijerink Koen M.A.
Published: December 2023

Background

Feminizing gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) for transgender individuals traditionally includes estradiol and androgen deprivation. Research has demonstrated that breast size as a result of GAHT in transgender women is often limited. Therefore, transgender women often choose to undergo breast augmentation surgery. Progesterone is important for breast development in cisgender women during puberty. A potential role for progesterone in breast development in transgender women has not been investigated in a randomized controlled experimental set-up. The primary objective of this study is to explore the effects on breast volume of addition of oral progesterone to GAHT with estradiol in transgender women after vaginoplasty or orchiectomy. Secondary objectives include assessment of safety, satisfaction, mood, sleep and sexual pleasure.

Methods

This is a non-blinded, non-placebo, randomized controlled trial using a factorial design in adult transgender individuals assigned male sex at birth who have undergone GAHT for at least one year and underwent vaginoplasty or orchiectomy. The study design allows for rapid assessment of potential synergistic effects of various dose combinations of estradiol and progesterone on breast volume change: Ninety participants will be randomized into six groups of 15 subjects each, receiving either the baseline dose of estradiol, the baseline dose of estradiol and progesterone 200 mg daily, the baseline dose of estradiol and progesterone 400 mg daily, twice the baseline dose of estradiol, twice the baseline dose of estradiol and progesterone 200 mg daily or twice the baseline dose of estradiol and progesterone 400 mg daily, all for a duration of 12 months. The main study parameters include changes in breast volume as determined by 3D measurements. Participants will be followed-up with laboratory testing including serum progesterone concentrations as well as surveys for satisfaction, mood, sleep quality and sexual pleasure.

Discussion

This study will indicate whether progesterone is safe and of additional value with regard to breast volume change in transgender individuals receiving feminizing GAHT. The results of this study will be useful for innovation of feminizing GAHT.

Trial registration

WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform: EUCTR2020-001952-16-NL; date of registration: 12 December 2020 https://trialsearch.who.int/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=EUCTR2020-001952-16-NL.
A model of hemodialysis after acute kidney injury in rats
Authors: Mallet J. , Billiet P.-A. , Scarton M. , Benichou N. , Bobot M. , Chaibi K. , Hertig A. , Hadchouel J. , Dreyfuss D. , Gaudry S. , Placier S.
Published: December 2023

Background

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is frequent among critically ill patients. Renal replacement therapy (RRT) is often required to deal with severe complications of AKI. This technique is however associated with side effects such as hemodynamic instability and delayed renal recovery. In this study, we aimed to describe a novel model of hemodialysis in rats with AKI and depict a dialysis membrane performance.

Methods

Eighteen Sprague–Dawley rats received 0.75% adenine-rich diet to induce AKI. After 2 weeks, nine underwent an arterio-venous extracorporeal circulation (ECC) (ECC group) for 2 h without a dialysis membrane on the circuit and nine received a hemodialysis session (HD group) for 2 h with an ECC circuit. All rats were hemodynamically monitored, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was measured by transcutaneous fluorescence after the injection of FITC-Sinistrin. Blood samples were collected at different time points to assess serum creatinine and serum urea concentrations and to determine the Kt/V. Sinistrin concentration was also quantified in both plasma and dialysis effluent.

Results

After 2 weeks of adenine-rich diet, rats exhibited a decrease in GFR. Both serum urea and serum creatinine concentrations increased in the ECC group but remained stable in the HD group. We found no significant difference in serum creatinine and serum urea concentrations between groups. At the end of experiments, mean serum urea was 36.7 mmol/l (95%CI 19.7–46.9 mmol/l) and 23.6 mmol/l (95%CI 15.2–33.5 mmol/l) in the ECC and HD groups, respectively (p = 0.15), and mean serum creatinine concentration was 158.0 µmol/l (95%CI 108.1–191.9 µmol/l) and 114.0 µmol/l (95%CI 90.2–140.9 µmol/l) in the ECC and HD groups, respectively (p = 0.11). The Kt/V of the model was estimated at 0.23. Sinistrin quantity in the ultrafiltrate raised steadily during the dialysis session. After 2 h, the median quantity was 149.2 µg (95% CI 99.7–250.3 µg).

Conclusions

This hemodialysis model is an acceptable compromise between the requirement of hemodynamic tolerance which implies reducing extracorporeal blood volume (using a small dialyzer) and the demonstration that diffusion of molecules through the membrane is achieved.
Breast cancer detection accuracy of AI in an entire screening population: a retrospective, multicentre study
Authors: Elhakim Mohammad Talal , Stougaard Sarah Wordenskjold , Graumann Ole , Nielsen Mads , Lång Kristina , Gerke Oke , Larsen Lisbet Brønsro , Rasmussen Benjamin Schnack Brandt
Published: December 2023

Background

Artificial intelligence (AI) systems are proposed as a replacement of the first reader in double reading within mammography screening. We aimed to assess cancer detection accuracy of an AI system in a Danish screening population.

Methods

We retrieved a consecutive screening cohort from the Region of Southern Denmark including all participating women between Aug 4, 2014, and August 15, 2018. Screening mammograms were processed by a commercial AI system and detection accuracy was evaluated in two scenarios, Standalone AI and AI-integrated screening replacing first reader, with first reader and double reading with arbitration (combined reading) as comparators, respectively. Two AI-score cut-off points were applied by matching at mean first reader sensitivity (AIsens) and specificity (AIspec). Reference standard was histopathology-proven breast cancer or cancer-free follow-up within 24 months. Coprimary endpoints were sensitivity and specificity, and secondary endpoints were positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), recall rate, and arbitration rate. Accuracy estimates were calculated using McNemar’s test or exact binomial test.

Results

Out of 272,008 screening mammograms from 158,732 women, 257,671 (94.7%) with adequate image data were included in the final analyses. Sensitivity and specificity were 63.7% (95% CI 61.6%-65.8%) and 97.8% (97.7-97.8%) for first reader, and 73.9% (72.0-75.8%) and 97.9% (97.9-98.0%) for combined reading, respectively. Standalone AIsens showed a lower specificity (-1.3%) and PPV (-6.1%), and a higher recall rate (+ 1.3%) compared to first reader (p < 0.0001 for all), while Standalone AIspec had a lower sensitivity (-5.1%; p < 0.0001), PPV (-1.3%; p = 0.01) and NPV (-0.04%; p = 0.0002). Compared to combined reading, Integrated AIsens achieved higher sensitivity (+ 2.3%; p = 0.0004), but lower specificity (-0.6%) and PPV (-3.9%) as well as higher recall rate (+ 0.6%) and arbitration rate (+ 2.2%; p < 0.0001 for all). Integrated AIspec showed no significant difference in any outcome measures apart from a slightly higher arbitration rate (p < 0.0001). Subgroup analyses showed higher detection of interval cancers by Standalone AI and Integrated AI at both thresholds (p < 0.0001 for all) with a varying composition of detected cancers across multiple subgroups of tumour characteristics.

Conclusions

Replacing first reader in double reading with an AI could be feasible but choosing an appropriate AI threshold is crucial to maintaining cancer detection accuracy and workload.
Chromatographic separation of silver-111 from neutron-irradiated palladium target: toward direct labeling of radiotracers
Authors: Tosato Marianna , Gandini Andrea , Happel Steffen , Bas Marine , Donzella Antonietta , Zenoni Aldo , Salvini Andrea , Andrighetto Alberto , Di Marco Valerio , Asti Mattia
Published: December 2023

Background

Silver-111 is a promising β−-emitting radioisotope with ideal characteristics for targeted radionuclide therapy and associated single photon emission tomography imaging. Its decay properties closely resemble the clinically established lutetium-177, making it an attractive candidate for therapeutic applications. In addition, the clinical value of silver-111 is further enhanced by the existence of the positron-emitting counterpart silver-103, thus imparting a truly theranostic potential to this element. A so-fitting matching pair could potentially overcome the current limitations associated with the forced use of chemically different isotopes as imaging surrogates of lutetium-177, leading to more accurate and efficient diagnosis and treatment. However, the use of silver-111-based radiopharmaceuticals in vivo has faced obstacles due to the challenges related to its production and radiochemical separation from the target material. To address these issues, this study aims to implement a chromatographic separation methodology for the purification of reactor-produced silver-111. The ultimate goal is to achieve a ready-to-use formulation for the direct radiolabeling of tumour-seeking biomolecules.

Results

A two-step sequence chromatographic process was validated for cold Ag-Pd separation and then translated to the radioactive counterpart. Silver-111 was produced via the 110Pd(n,γ)111Pd nuclear reaction on a natural palladium target and the subsequent β−-decay of palladium-111. Silver-111 was chemically separated from the metallic target via the implemented chromatographic process by using commercially available LN and TK200 resins. The effectiveness of the separations was assessed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy and γ-spectrometry, respectively, and the Ag+ retrieval was afforded in pure water. Recovery of silver-111 was > 90% with a radionuclidic purity > 99% and a separation factor of around 4.21·10−4.

Conclusions

The developed separation method was suitable to obtain silver-111 with high molar activity in a ready-to-use water-based formulation that can be directly employed for the labeling of radiotracers. By successfully establishing a robust and efficient production and purification method for silver-111, this research paves the way for its wider application in targeted radionuclide therapy and precision imaging.
Overreliance on inefficient computer-mediated information retrieval is countermanded by strategy advice that promotes memory-mediated retrieval
Authors: Weis Patrick P. , Kunde Wilfried
Published: December 2023

With ubiquitous computing, problems can be solved using more strategies than ever, though many strategies feature subpar performance. Here, we explored whether and how simple advice regarding when to use which strategy can improve performance. Specifically, we presented unfamiliar alphanumeric equations (e.g., A + 5 = F) and asked whether counting up the alphabet from the left letter by the indicated number resulted in the right letter. In an initial choice block, participants could engage in one of three cognitive strategies: (a) internal counting, (b) internal retrieval of previously generated solutions, or (c) computer-mediated external retrieval of solutions. Participants belonged to one of two groups: they were either instructed to first try internal retrieval before using external retrieval, or received no specific use instructions. In a subsequent internal block with identical instructions for both groups, external retrieval was made unavailable. The ‘try internal retrieval first’ instruction in the choice block led to pronounced benefits (d = .76) in the internal block. Benefits were due to facilitated creation and retrieval of internal memory traces and possibly also due to improved strategy choice. These results showcase how simple strategy advice can greatly help users navigate cognitive environments. More generally, our results also imply that uninformed use of external tools (i.e., technology) can bear the risk of not developing and using even more superior internal processing strategies.
Variation of sexual dimorphism and asymmetry in disease expression of inflammatory arthritis among laboratory mouse models with different genomic backgrounds
Authors: Dong Wei , Tian Cheng , Li Z. Galvin , Brand David , Cao Yanhong , Liu Xiaoyun , Ma Jiamin , Chai Andy , Myers Linda K. , Yan Jian , Hasty Karen , Stuart John , Jiao Yan , Gu Weikuan , Cai Xiaojun
Published: December 2023

Sex difference has shown in the arthritis diseases in human population and animal models. We investigate how the sex and symmetry vary among mouse models with different genomic backgrounds. Disease data of sex and limbs accumulated in the past more than two decades from four unique populations of murine arthritis models were analyzed. They are (1) interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) deficient mice under Balb/c background (Balb/c KO); (2) Mice with collagen II induced arthritis under DBA/1 background; (3) Mice with collagen II induced arthritis under C57BL/6 (B6) background and (4) A F2 generation population created by Balb/c KO X DBA/1 KO. Our data shows that there is a great variation in sexual dimorphism for arthritis incidence and severity of arthritis in mice harboring specific genetic modifications. For a F2 population, the incidence of arthritis was 57.1% in female mice and 75.6% in male mice. There was a difference in severity related to sex in two populations: B6.DR1/ B6.DR4 (P < 0.001) and F2 (P = 0.023) There was no difference Balb/c parental strain or in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in DBA/1 mice. Among these populations, the right hindlimbs are significantly higher than the scores for the left hindlimbs in males (P < 0.05). However, when examining disease expression using the collagen induced arthritis model with DBA/1 mice, sex-dimorphism did not reach statistical significance, while left hindlimbs showed a tendency toward greater disease expression over the right. Sexual dimorphism in disease expression in mouse models is strain and genomic background dependent. It sets an alarm that potential variation in sexual dimorphism among different racial and ethnic groups in human populations may exist. It is important to not only include both sexes and but also pay attention to possible variations caused by disease expression and response to treatment in all the studies of arthritis in animal models and human populations.
Seasonality and intensity of airborne Boletus-type spores in relation to land use and weather pattern
Authors: Wójcik Magdalena , Kasprzyk Idalia
Published: December 2023

Forests are a natural source of airborne bolete spores. The timing of sporulation and its intensity as well as the dispersal of airborne spores and in consequence their concentrations depend in particular on the type of land use determining the availability of matter on which they develop and on meteorological factors. The aim of this study was to perform a spatial and temporal analysis of the occurrence of Boletus-type spores in the warm temperate climate of the Northern Hemisphere. An assumption was made that the spore concentrations depend on the type of land cover and weather conditions. The volumetric method was applied to investigate differences in spore concentrations and using spore traps installed at different heights and at locations with different land cover types. Boletus-type spores occurred in the air at high concentrations in late summer and in the autumn. The season start dates and maximum concentrations did not differ significantly between sites and seasons, but the season intensity varied. Higher spore concentrations were usually found in the region with a larger proportion of green areas, including forests. An analysis of the diurnal cycles showed that within 24 h spore concentration reached high levels twice, which was especially noticeable in ground level monitoring. Air temperature and air humidity were the main weather factors affecting the occurrence of airborne spores. This research indicates that when studying the effects of different factors on the concentration of airborne basidiospores, many environmental elements should be analyzed, including the characteristics of habitats in which basidiomycetes grow. Climate, weather, geobotany, and land use type should be taken into account in analysis and interpretation of aeromycological phenomena.
ADAMTS13 in pediatric sepsis: a prognostic biomarker with potential therapeutic implications
Authors: El-Mekkawy Muhammad Said , El-Deeb Sara Mahmoud , El-Hanafy Maha Fawzy
Published: December 2023

Background

Growing evidence implicates a pro-thrombotic state, caused by ADAMTS13 deficiency, in sepsis-associated organ dysfunction, but pediatric data is limited. Our purpose was to evaluate association of ADAMTS13 with prognosis of pediatric sepsis.

Results

This was prospective observational study, conducted on 70 children with sepsis and 18 healthy controls. Patients were classified upon Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) admission into sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock groups. Serum ADAMTS13 was measured within 24 h of admission. The primary outcome was all-cause PICU mortality. ADAMTS13 was lower among patients than controls [median and interquartile range (IQR): 1.30 (0.88–3.13ng/mL) vs. 6.00 (5.55–6.50 ng/mL); p < 0.001]. ADAMTS13 was lower in both severe sepsis and septic shock than sepsis [median (IQR): 0.90 (0.80–1.75 ng/mL); 1.0 ng/ml (0.90–1.20); and 2.80 (1.00–3.85ng/mL), p = 0.026 and 0.006 respectively]. ADAMTS13 was lower among non-survivors compared with survivors [median (IQR): 0.9 (0.80–1.18 ng/mL) vs. 2.45 (0.98–3.50 ng/mL); p < 0.001]. ADAMTS13 had area under Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (AUC) of 0.77 for mortality prediction. Lower ADAMTS13 level was associated with mechanical ventilation; vasoactive medications; acute respiratory distress syndrome; and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. ADAMTS13 correlated with pediatric Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (pSOFA) score (rs = -0.46, p < 0.001); vasoactive infusion days ((rs = -0.48, p < 0.001); and vasoactive-inotropic score on day1 (rs = -0.43, p < 0.001) and day2 ((rs = -0.41; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

In pediatric sepsis, lower ADAMTS13 level is a risk factor for organ dysfunction and mortality, lending theoretical foundations to therapeutic interventions aiming at reversing the pro-thrombotic state in sepsis.
Variations in external carotid artery branches and common carotid bifurcation level: a computed tomography angiography study
Authors: Abd Ella Tarek Fawzy , El Zawawi Mohammed Salah Eldeen , Elsawaf Ahmed Gaber , Moawad Mahmoud Mohamed
Published: December 2023

Background

The common carotid bifurcation level is an important surgical landmark during head and neck surgery, especially endarterectomy, that could be omitted in patients with high bifurcation levels to reduce damage to neighboring structures like the hypoglossal nerve. Additionally, having a thorough understanding of the variations in the external carotid artery branches is crucial for head and neck cancer surgeries and thyroidectomy. However, cadavers were employed in the majority of studies on these variations. In previous research, there were significant disparities in the incidence of these variations according to gender, laterality, and ethnicity. In order to identify these changes in Egyptian patients and to compare them in terms of gender and laterality, we used computed tomographic angiography.

Methods

The level of the common carotid bifurcation was assessed in a cross-sectional study utilizing computed tomographic angiography, which included 80 patients (160 carotid sides) for comparing the common carotid artery bifurcation level with the relevant vertebrae and anterior neck structures, and they were compared with regard to gender and laterality. Variations in the external carotid artery branches were also evaluated.

Results

The most frequent location of the common carotid bifurcation level was between C3 and C4 (33.8%). It was 36.9% between the thyroid and the hyoid. 47.5% of patients had a high common carotid bifurcation (higher than the C3/4 level). The highest bifurcation was at C2, while the lowest was at D1. For external carotid artery branches variations, the superior thyroid artery emerged at and below the level of the common carotid bifurcation, respectively, at 19.4% and 23.7%. The facial artery had the largest diameter (2.38 ± 0.44 mm), while the ascending pharyngeal artery had the smallest (1.17 ± 0.11 mm). Seven types of trunks were found; the ascending pharyngeal artery-occipital artery trunk was the most common (25%) and was followed by the lingual artery-facial artery trunk (20%).

Conclusions

Multiple anatomical variations in the external carotid artery branches and the common carotid bifurcation level were found by computed tomographic angiography. As a result, it can be utilized as a useful imaging technique to evaluate these variations before surgery.
Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha protein increases without changes in mRNA during acute hypoxic exposure of the Gulf killifish,Fundulus grandis
Authors: Murphy Taylor E. , Harris Jasmine C. , Rees Bernard B.
Published: December 2023

The hypoxia inducible factor 1 (HIF1) is a central regulator of the molecular responses of animals to low oxygen. While the hypoxia-responsiveness of HIF1 is generally attributed to the stabilization of the alpha protein subunit (HIF1α) at low oxygen, several studies on fish report increased tissue levels of HIF1A mRNA during hypoxia, suggesting transcriptional regulation. In the current study, HIF1α protein and HIF1A mRNA were determined in parallel in tissues of Gulf killifish, Fundulus grandis, exposed to short-term hypoxia (24 h at 1 mg O2 l−1). HIF1α protein was higher in brain, ovary, and skeletal muscle from fish exposed to hypoxia compared with normoxic controls by 6 h, and it remained elevated in brain and ovary at 24 h. In contrast, HIF1A mRNA levels were unaffected by hypoxia in any tissue. Moreover, HIF1α protein and HIF1A mRNA levels in the same tissues were not correlated with one another during either normoxia or hypoxia. Hence, an increase in HIF1α protein does not depend upon an increase in HIF1A mRNA during acute exposure to low oxygen in this species. The results support the widely accepted mechanism of post-translational protein stabilization, rather than new transcription, during the initial response of fish to hypoxia.
On Volunteering – Mostly from Female Perspective
Authors: Ljubetić Maja
Published: December 2023

The goal of this research was to determine students’ perceptions of acquired knowledge and information (and experience) on volunteering; personal preparedness/competence for volunteering; the usefulness of different teaching methods; and potential changes in the students’ attitude towards volunteering. In addition to the above, the participants were asked to state their reasons for deciding to volunteer in the future, the desirable characteristics of volunteers, and the personal qualities they wish to develop and advance to be prepared for volunteering. The research sample was limited by the number of students in a course and consisted of 24 female students and one male student. Therefore, the research’s focus on the female perspective of volunteering is justified. The research results confirmed the following: the appropriateness and usefulness of the course content, which enabled the students to acquire scientific-theoretical and expert knowledge and information on volunteering; the manner in which the students evaluated their preparedness and competence for volunteering as excellent or very good; the manner in which different forms of work contributed to the personal preparedness and competence evaluation, which resulted in the students’ change of attitude towards volunteering – ‘I want to volunteer’ – or confirmation of this attitude. Furthermore, the participants stated different reasons for their volunteering activities; they specified the desired characteristics of a successful volunteer and a number of personal qualities they wish to develop to be prepared for volunteering. It is precisely this aspect (self-improvement) that is considered extremely important in the early years of study, as it might be expected that the participants will continuously work on empowering themselves and acquiring and improving their own competencies (in all areas). The theoretical framework of the research is William Glasser’s Choice Theory.
Poznański Odwach z XVIII wieku: historia – architektura – autorstwo
Authors: Mączyński Ryszard
Published: December 2023

The Poznań Guardhouse located in the middle of the Stary Rynek (Old Market) square is a historic monument of very fine quality which dates from the Enlightenment. It is easily recognizable due to its location at the centre of tourist routes. It is also frequently visited, and is now the seat of the Museum of the Wielkopolska Uprising of 1918–1919 – a branch of the Wielkopolska Museum of the Struggle for Independence. Publications printed to this day claim that the building was designed and erected by Johann Christian Kamsetzer, King Stanisław August’s first architect. However, this is not true. Established attributions of monuments dating from the reign of Stanisław August have been repeated many times and therefore are longlived. There would be nothing wrong with this had not many of them been made without being confirmed on the basis of source documents, or without even taking into consideration the specific context of the epoch or the artist’s background. They were made based on loose associations, without putting forward any arguments. Sometimes they contributed to whole sequences of attributions arising. One speculation led to another, and they were repeated in print, thereby creating ‘indisputable facts’. The Poznań Guardhouse is a good example of this.
„Opętani literaturą”. O społecznym i kulturotwórczym potencjale festiwalu literackiego współorganizowanego przez Muzeum Witolda Gombrowicza .
Authors: Spólna Anna
Published: December 2023

Artykuł dotyczy festiwalu „Opętani literaturą”, który Muzeum Witolda Gombrowicza we Wsoli organizuje od 2016 roku we współpracy z szeregiem lokalnych instytucji kultury. Festiwal towarzyszy przyznaniu Nagrody im. Witolda Gombrowicza za debiut literacki prozą. Jako cykl wydarzeń jest oryginalną formą ożywienia myśli gombrowiczowskiej przez włączenie jej w nowe konteksty, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem idei debiutu, młodości, prowokacji. Festiwal przyczynia się także do definiowania lokalnej tożsamości społecznej i kulturalnej. Jego organizowanie stało się impulsem do rozwoju oraz dywersyfikacji działań wsolskiego muzeum, które zyskało szansę na istotne współkreowanie współczesnego życia literackiego.
Rzeźbiarstwo solne jako przykład dziedzictwa górniczego Wieliczki
Authors: Stabrawa-Powęska Kinga
Published: December 2023

Jednym z charakterystycznych elementów wystroju Kopalni Soli w Wieliczce są rzeźby wykonane w soli.Fenomen występowania praktyk rzeźbienia w soli wśród wielickich górników przyczynił się do próby opisania tego zjawiska. Problemem badawczym niniejszej pracy jest rozstrzygnięcie kwestii, czy rzeźbienie w soli można uznać za element dziedzictwa górniczego Wieliczki, czy – ogólnie – wpisuje się w kategorie określone dla obszaru dziedzictwa, rozumianego jako proces, w którym elementy przeszłości są świadomie przekształcane na użytek współczesny i przejawiać mogą się na różne sposoby. Przeobrażenia, jakie zaszły w mieście oraz kopalni, zwłaszcza znaczne zmniejszenie sfery górniczej na rzecz turystyki, przyczyniły się do przekształceń w obszarze kulturowym, w tym ewoluowania praktyk górniczych. W tekście zostanie przeprowadzona analiza tego zagadnienia w oparciu o literaturę oraz materiały empiryczne zebrane podczas badań w terenie.
Toruń University Ethnology in Relation to Museology Education
Authors: Olszewski Wojciech
Published: December 2023

The initiator of Toruń university ethnology and the person who shaped its profile for many years was Professor Maria Znamierowska-Prüfferowa. She came to Toruń from Vilnius, where the ethnographic museum was part of Stefan Batory University. She also brought with her the idea of Prof. Cezaria Baudouin de Courtenay-Ehrenkreutz, which emphasised the crucial role of museum experience in the education of ethnology students. This idea has been consistently present in the study programmes offered by the Department of Ethnology and Cultural Anthropology at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń. These programmes are implemented in constant collaboration with Maria Znamierowska-Prüfferowa Ethnographic Museum in Toruń, the Museum of the Mazovian Countryside in Sierpc, and several other institutions. Graduates of the Toruń university work in ethnographic museums across Poland, often holding managerial positions, and collaborate with the Department in teaching museology to successive generations of students.
Logan Medallist 8. Trace Elements in Iron Formation as a Window into Biogeochemical Evolution Accompanying the Oxygenation of Earth’s Atmosphere
Authors: Konhauser Kurt O. , Kappler Andreas , Lalonde Stefan V. , Robbins Leslie J.
Published: December 2023

Iron formations exemplify a type of sedimentary rock found in numerous Archean and Proterozoic supracrustal successions. They serve as a valuable chemical record of Precambrian seawater chemistry and post-depositional iron cycling. These formations accumulated on the seafloor for over two billion years during the early history of our planet, offering a unique opportunity to study environmental changes that occurred during Earth's evolution. Among these changes, one of the most significant events was the shift from an anoxic planet to one where oxygen (O2) became consistently present in both the marine water column and atmosphere. This progression towards global oxygenation was closely linked to the emergence of aerobic microbial metabolisms, which profoundly impacted continental weathering processes, nutrient supply to the oceans, and ultimately, the diversification of the biosphere and complex life forms. In this review, we synthesize two decades of research into the temporal fluctuations of trace element concentrations in iron formations. Our aim is to shed light on the complex mechanisms that contributed to the oxygenation of Earth's surface environments.
Managerial Response to Online Positive Reviews: Helpful or Harmful?
Authors: Deng Chaoqun , Ravichandran T.
Published: December 2023

Managerial responses to negative reviews could be easily understood as a brand-safeguarding strategy by firms because negative reviews can damage a company’s reputation. However, it is unclear if managers should respond to positive reviews and if so, if such action helps or hurts the firm. We develop a theoretical framework to explicate the mechanisms underlying the effects of managerial responses to positive reviews on user reviewing behaviors in online platforms. We classify positive reviews into four types: one-sided affective reviews, two-sided affective reviews, one-sided instrumental reviews, and two-sided instrumental reviews. We classify managerial responses as tailored and template responses. Using natural language processing and deep learning algorithms, we extract information presented in the texts in the reviews and responses. We theorize and test which kinds of managerial responses to positive reviews are helpful and which of them are harmful. Overall, we find that a tailored response is more appropriate when responding to two-sided instrumental positive reviews and one-sided affective positive reviews, whereas template responses work for one-sided instrumental positive reviews and two-sided affective positive reviews. Not responding would be an effective strategy for mixed positive reviews.
Frontiers: A Simple Forward Difference-in-Differences Method
Authors: Li Kathleen T.
Published: December 2023

I propose a simple forward difference-in-differences method to estimate causal effects from quasiexperimental data and also develop its inference theory, which is widely applicable.