bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analytic philosophy of education and the postcolonial moment
Authors: Daniels Stephen , Enslin Penny
Published: July 2023

Of all possible future directions for analytic philosophy of education, few are as overdue as thoroughly confronting the legacy of colonialism and the postcolonial moment. Rightly credited with establishing the credibility and standing of philosophy of education, by 1980, analytic philosophy of education was the dominant though not unchallenged approach to philosophy of education in the Anglo-American world. While its dominance has declined and philosophy of education has become more diverse, analytic philosophy of education retains a strong international presence in educational theory. By contrast, postcolonial theory – the critical study of colonialism and its aftermath – has attracted growing interest across many academic disciplines, developing from the 1970s onwards from its early location in literary and cultural studies. After outlining the emergence of analytic philosophy of education, and the subsequent reshaping of philosophy of education, we describe postcolonial theory and the place of education in both colonialism and postcolonial thought. Having thus located analytic philosophy of education and the postcolonial turn in their own times and contexts, we consider the postcolonial challenge to Western philosophy and how analytic philosophy of education could respond, developing our stance on a postcolonial future direction for analytic philosophy of education. We argue that the future of philosophy of education is now inescapably postcolonial and that it should retain its analytical strengths.
ABS-SMART (Aortic Balloon Supporting for Superior Mesenteric Artery Recanalization Technique): A New Technical Option for Recanalization of Complete Superior Mesenteric Artery Occlusion in Chronic Mesenteric Ischemia
Authors: Guerra Requena M. , Badell Fabelo M. , Blanco Cañibano E. , Franch Oviedo F. , Recover Palenzona A. , Baturone Blanco A.
Published: July 2023

Objective:

To report our experience with a new technique for recanalization of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA)/celiac trunk (CT) with complete occlusion at the origin.

Technique:

We describe our ABS-SMART (Aortic Balloon Supporting for Superior Mesenteric Artery Recanalization Technique) for recanalization of the CT and SMA in cases of complete occlusion of these arteries with a short or inexistent stump, which usually corresponds to chronic lesions with important calcification of the ostium.

Conclusion:

The ABS-SMART is an alternative for the recanalization of visceral arteries in cases where other conventional techniques have failed. It is particularly useful in scenarios characterized by a short occlusion at the origin of the target vessel, with no entry stump or severe calcification at the origin.

Clinical Impact

Catheterization and recanalization of visceral stenoses may pose a challenge in some cases, as for example in the presence of a very narrow angle between the root or origin of the vessel and the aorta, as well as in the case of long and calcified stenoses, or when arteriography is unable to visualize the origin of the vessel. The present study describes our experience with the endovascular revascularization of visceral vessels using an aortic balloon-supported recanalization technique not previously described in the literature, that may be an effective alternative for the treatment of lesions of difficult access, such as total occlusion at the origin of the target vessel, with no entry stump or severe calcification at the origin of the SMA and CT, by improving the chances for technical success.
Experimental study of structural characteristics, dimensional change in washing, non-creasing properties and air permeability of Swiss double piqué flax knit fabrics
Authors: Bukhonka Nadiia P
Published: July 2023

The structural characteristics, dimensional change after four washing cycles, non-creasing properties and air permeability of Swiss double piqué knitted fabrics from cotton/flax (70% cotton, 30% flax), PAN/flax (70% PAN, 30% flax) and 100% flax yarns have been investigated. These knitted fabric samples of varying densities were produced on a 10 -gauge circular knitting machine. The results of investigation showed that the structural characteristics, dimensional change in washing, non-creasing properties and air permeability are highly dependent on the type of yarn used. Besides the type of yarn, the structural characteristics, such as the number of wales W and courses C per centimeter, fabric stitch density S, weight Ws, and fabric tightness K, are also influenced by the average loop length la. The weight Ws and thickness t of knitted fabrics are determined by the diameter of the yarn used. Usually, primary dimensional alterations of knitted fabrics of all yarn types occur after the first and second washing cycles. The non-creasing properties of the examined knitted fabrics are mainly affected by the type of yarn, rather than the average loop length la. Lastly, the air permeability AP of knitted fabrics is affected by the type of yarn, the average loop length la, and fabric density S.
Implementation of Assisted Dying in Catalonia: Impact on Professionals and Development of Good Practices. Protocol for a Qualitative Study
Authors: Verdaguer Maria , Vallès-Peris Núria , Busquet-Duran Xavier , Moreno-Gabriel Eduard , Beroiz Patricia , Arreciado Marañón Antonia , Feijoo-Cid Maria , Domènech Miquel , Iñiguez-Rueda Lupicinio , Cantarell Glòria , Torán-Monserrat Pere
Published: July 2023

The approval of the Spanish Law for the Regulation of Euthanasia in March 2021 entails a profound social change that has direct implications for professional practice at all levels of care. There is no information available about the experiences of the professionals participating in the process of implementing the law in our country, nor any guide as to what might represent good practices in euthanasia in the context of the Mediterranean countries. Due to the complexity of the concepts often associated with assisted dying processes (such as suffering, dignity and moral compass), it is essential that systematic and detailed research be conducted on how professionals understand their experiences of euthanasia, and that it be conducted during the initial stages. We intend to carry out a qualitative study with a constructionist orientation to gain insight to the social constructs underlying professionals’ initial experiences. It consists of a series of in-depth interviews conducted in two phases: the first being exploratory and the second phenomenological. Sampling will be purposive and substantiated and have the following variation criteria: profession, age, and gender. Participants will be recruited through the Guarantee and Review Commission of Catalonia, and the scope of the study is all of Catalonia. We expect the participation of 31 professionals. The research will be conducted by a multidisciplinary team with the direct participation of researchers from different levels of healthcare, university research centers and civil society through all phases of the study. The expected results are: (a) A detailed description of the experiences of the professionals involved in the implementation of the law; and (b) The identification of the foundations for a guide to good practices in euthanasia in the Mediterranean setting.
Saints and witnesses: Virtue and vocation in the memorialization of the Western conflict journalist
Authors: Stupart Richard , Sharp Rob
Published: July 2023

How are Western journalists who are killed in the course of their work remembered? Using the biographies of journalists killed covering conflict, this article investigates the discursive repertoires through which the memorialization of journalists killed while reporting conflict is accomplished. The authors argue that such journalists are consistently constructed as humanitarian, cosmopolitan witnesses engaged in supererogatory moral projects involving justice and voice for those outside of these journalists’ geopolitical home communities. This particular articulation appears to herald a recent shift in the memorialization of the journalistic dead, although it is continuous with longer discourses in fields such as photojournalism and its idea of the ‘concerned photographer’. We speculate that this shift is consistent with material changes in the field – in particular, the precaritization of conflict reporting driving journalists into the material and social world of professional humanitarianism, whose discourses around the moral worth and cosmopolitan nature of the work have colonized the subfield of conflict reporting.
Outcomes of 218 primary single-finger flexor tendon repairs up to 1 year after surgery: a multicentre cohort study
Authors: Tobler-Ammann Bernadette , Beckmann-Fries Vera , Calcagni Maurizio , Kämpfen Alexandre , Schrepfer Lorena , Vögelin Esther
Published: July 2023

In this retrospective multicentre cohort study, we present the results of primary single-finger flexor tendon repairs in zones 1 to 3 between 2014 and 2021. Data from 218 patients were retrieved with their demographics, injury and surgery characteristics and therapy outcomes. The data were systematically collected and analysed at predefined time points up to 1 year after surgery. A good to excellent return of motion was achieved by 77% (Tang classification) and 92% (American Association for Surgery of the Hand classification) of patients at 1 year. The tendon rupture rate was 8.7%. Time had a significant impact on the recovery of finger motion and grip strength of up to 1 year, of patient satisfaction and upper extremity function up to 26 weeks, and of pain up to 13 weeks after surgery. Our results demonstrate that it is worthwhile to assess therapy outcomes over various measurement periods, as some outcomes may continue to improve up to 1 year after flexor tendon repair surgery.

Level of evidence: III
Metacarpophalangeal joint angle of the thumb during maximal pinch strength: a study of healthy volunteers
Authors: Gryson Tine , Van Der Velde Gert , Hollevoet Nadine
Published: July 2023

Mean metacarpophalangeal joint angles of the thumb during maximal pinch were 9° greater in men than in women. More flexion was not associated with more force during key pinch, but a moderate association was found for palmar pinch, especially in men.
Trends in maternal ICU admissions at a quaternary centre in Montreal, Canada, and impact of maternal age on critical care outcomes
Authors: Lopez Laporte Maria Agustina , Shahin Jason , Blotsky Andrea , Malhamé Isabelle , Dayan Natalie
Published: July 2023

Background

Advancing maternal age is increasingly prevalent and is associated with severe maternal morbidity often requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission.

Objectives

To describe maternal ICU admissions at a quaternary care hospital in Montreal, Canada, and evaluate the association between maternal age and composite of: need for invasive interventions, ICU stay > 48 h, or maternal death.

Methods

Chart review of ICU admissions during pregnancy/postpartum (2006–2016); logistic regressions to evaluate the impact of age on outcomes.

Results

With 5.1 ICU admissions per 1000 deliveries, we included 187 women (mean age 32 ± 6.3 years; 20 (10.7%) ≥ 40 years). The composite outcome occurred in 105 (56.2%) patients; there were two maternal deaths. Age ≥ 40 years increased the odds of invasive interventions (OR 4.03; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.15–14.1) but not of the composite outcome (OR 2.30; 95% CI 0.66–8.02).

Conclusion

Peripartum women aged ≥ 40 years had worse outcomes in ICU, with an increased need for invasive interventions.
The Content and Structure of Tourism and Public Policies: A Temporal Analysis of Stability and Change
Authors: Dioko Leonardo (Don) A. N.
Published: July 2023

Significant shifts in policy agenda and priorities may occur when exogenous and discontinuous macro-level events such as disease outbreaks, political transformations, and abrupt developments in visitor markets transpire. Such swings can be considerably challenging not only for policy-makers and decision-makers but also for stakeholders, especially when policy areas like employment, quality of life, housing, health, and education are weighed against growth and development considerations for hospitality, tourism, or other sectors. In extreme cases, policy swings can exacerbate social conflicts and cause commensurate disruption. Using the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions of China as pooled comparative cases of policy-making, this study examines the content and structure of tourism-related and general policies across a 20-year pre-COVID period, how the different policy areas evolved and shifted in priorities, and the temporal correspondence of policy swings with factors, context, and conditions that likely precipitated them. The study adopts a mixed-methods approach combining large-scale text mining and content analysis of a large corpus of policy documents with qualitatively matching emergent macro policy shifts with relevant co-occurring events, aided by a theoretical framework generated from past studies. By unveiling the complicity of governance, social, and environmental conditions as well as external events with fluctuating policy priorities, the study dispels the static nature and fixed-planning perspectives of policy-setting, thereby advancing (a) a nascent framework by which policy-makers and decision-makers can adopt contingent and adaptable approaches to policy-making and (b) concrete principles for grasping the significance of tourism vis-à-vis public policies.
Methods Despite or Without Content? Reflections on Teaching Qualitative Research
Authors: Pope Elizabeth M. , Kuntz Aaron M.
Published: July 2023

There is no shortage of scholarship focusing on qualitative pedagogy. However, very little has been written about the tension in the classroom between teaching methods and the content instructors use to do so. The relationship between methods and content is critical to the success of any class. In this paper, we discuss the pedagogical choices of two professors and the consequences, both good and ill, of such choices. Each takes a different approach. We examine the follow-through of each choice practically and theoretically. We discuss the dichotomy of “methodologies despite content” vs. “methodologies without content” and the implications of each in teaching qualitative inquiry.
Text classification technique for discovering country-based publications from international COVID-19 publications
Authors: Danesh Farshid , Dastani Meisam
Published: July 2023

Objective

The significant increase in the number of COVID-19 publications, on the one hand, and the strategic importance of this subject area for research and treatment systems in the health field, on the other hand, reveals the need for text-mining research more than ever. The main objective of the present paper is to discover country-based publications from international COVID-19 publications with text classification techniques.

Methods

The present paper is applied research that has been performed using text-mining techniques such as clustering and text classification. The statistical population is all COVID-19 publications from PubMed Central® (PMC), extracted from November 2019 to June 2021. Latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) was used for clustering, and support vector machine (SVM), scikit-learn library, and Python programming language were used for text classification. Text classification was applied to discover the consistency of Iranian and international topics.

Results

The findings showed that seven topics were extracted using the LDA algorithm for international and Iranian publications on COVID-19. Moreover, the COVID-19 publications show the largest share in the subject area of “Social and Technology in COVID-19” at the international (April 2021) and national (February 2021) levels with 50.61% and 39.44%, respectively. The highest rate of publications at international and national levels was in April 2021 and February 2021, respectively.

Conclusion

One of the most important results of this study was discovering a common trend and consistency of Iranian and international publications on COVID-19. Accordingly, in the topic category “Covid-19 Proteins: Vaccine and Antibody Response,” Iranian publications have a common publishing and research trend with international ones.
Peripheral Nerve Block and Peri-operative Neurocognitive Disorders in Older Patients With Hip Fractures: A Systematic Review With Meta-analysis
Authors: Jia Bin , Tang Yiyang , Wei Chenpu , Zhao Gaofeng , Li Xiangyu , Shi Yongyong
Published: July 2023

Background

Poor pain control and opioid use are risk factors for perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PND). The peripheral nerve block (PNB) can reduce pain and opioid consumption. This systematic review aimed to investigate the effects of PNB on PND in older patients with hip fractures.

Methods

The PubMed, Cochrane Central Registers of Controlled Trial, Embase and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were searched from inception until November 19, 2021 for all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing PNB with analgesics. The quality of the selected studies was assessed according to Version 2 of the Cochrane tool for assessing the risk of bias in RCTs. The primary outcome was the incidence of PND. Secondary outcomes included pain intensity and the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting. Subgroup analyses were based on population characteristics, type and infusion method of local anesthetics, and type of PNB.

Results

Eight RCTs comprising 1015 older patients with hip fractures were included. Compared with analgesics, PNB did not reduce the incidence of PND in the elderly hip fracture population comprising patients with intact cognition and those with pre-existing dementia or cognitive impairment (risk ratio [RR] = .67; 95% confidence interval [CI] = .42 to 1.08; P = .10; I2 = 64%). However, PNB reduced the incidence of PND in older patients with intact cognition (RR = .61; 95% CI = .41 to .91; P = .02; I2 = 0%). Fascia iliaca compartment block, bupivacaine, and continuous infusion of local anesthetics were found to reduce the incidence of PND.

Conclusions

PNB effectively reduced PND in older patients with hip fractures and intact cognition. When the study population included patients with intact cognition and those with pre-existing dementia or cognitive impairment, PNB showed no reduction in the incidence of PND. These conclusions should be confirmed with larger, higher-quality RCTs.
Trajectory of Depressive Symptoms in the Context of Romantic Relationship Breakup: Characterizing the “Natural Course” of Response and Recovery in Young Adults
Authors: Acolin Jessica , Cadigan Jennifer M. , Fleming Charles B. , Rhew Isaac C. , Lee Christine M.
Published: July 2023

Young adults face stressful role transitions as well as increased risk for poor mental health, but little is known about a “natural course” of response to such events. We used the PHQ-2 to characterize the trajectory of depressive symptoms before, during, and after relationship breakup and examined subjective appraisal and sense of control as moderators. In our sample of participants reporting a single breakup during the 2-year study period ( N = 156), breakup was associated with a temporary increase in depressive symptoms that returned to pre-breakup levels within 3 months. We observed increased symptoms among negatively appraised, but not positive or neutral, events. A general low sense of control was associated with higher depressive symptoms at all time points. Our results suggest that a natural course of response to young adult breakups is characterized by recovery within 3 months and that subjective appraisal and sense of control contribute to this adaptive response.
Debating academic boycotts and cooperation in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine
Authors: Kangas Anni , Mäkinen Sirke , Dubrovskiy Dmitri , Pallot Judith , Shenderova Svetlana , Yarovoy Gleb , Zabolotna Oksana
Published: July 2023

This forum is a contribution to debates over the (im)possibility of cooperating with the Russian academic community while Russia’s war against Ukraine continues. After briefly reviewing previous studies on the effectiveness and morality of academic sanctions, the forum continues to assess the politics and effectiveness of the academic boycott in changing the belligerent behaviour of the Russian regime. For this purpose, it introduces the idea of ontological (in)security and moves on to discuss, from different perspectives, whether sanctions and boycotts may lead to policy change by way of destabilizing the ontological security of Russia, or whether the academic boycott contributes to strengthening the ruling authoritarian regime.
An urban ‘age of timber’? Tensions and contradictions in the low-carbon imaginary of the bioeconomic city
Authors: van Veelen Bregje , Knuth Sarah
Published: July 2023

What will the low-carbon cities of tomorrow be made from? We see an unexpected answer today in the return of ‘premodern’/‘preindustrial’ materials to central cities and skylines. Champions of new mass timber materials have driven a race on iconic ‘plyscrapers’ and, increasingly, novel systems of industrial prefabrication. Drawing on the notion of sociotechnical imaginaries, we explore how advocates attempt to ‘fix’ desirable future cities and urban bioeconomies through this biomaterial. In doing so, we suggest that mass timber's emergent sociotechnical imaginary embodies a distinct kind of futuring, which we label ‘nostalgic futurism’, conjoining ‘technofuturist’ and ‘nostalgic-reparative’ visions. We find that, on the one hand, mass timber proponents embrace competitive novelty, uniting drives for architectural distinction and high-tech disruption. On the other hand, aesthetic advocates put forward visions around the material's more traditional premodern/preindustrial associations, in narratives of biophilic design which claim therapeutic benefits of contact with visible nature in buildings. These conjoined forward- and backward-looking compulsions pose tensions and internal contradictions. Nostalgic-reparative visions risk greenwashing and reproducing unequal access to environmental amenities, while reinscribing regressive appeals to an imagined past. Meanwhile, technofuturist drives extend late capitalist growth imperatives and pressures for accelerated material churn in both forests and urban centres—while obscuring tough questions about mass timber buildings’ expected lifetimes and claims for long-term carbon sequestration. Conversely, a reimagined mass timber project might support more progressive movements for climate restoration, repair, and reparations.
Lower-limb intramedullary nailing in patients with polyostotic fibrous dysplasia who had a previous unsuccessful treatment. A report of 48 cases
Authors: Ippolito E. , Farsetti P. , Caterini R. , Gorgolini G. , Caterini A. , De Maio F.
Published: July 2023

Background

Intramedullary nailing (IN) seems to be the best primary surgical treatment for patients with either polyostotic fibrous dysplasia or McCune–Albright syndrome (PFD/MAS) when the femur and tibia are totally affected by fibrous dysplasia (FD) and pain, fracture and deformity are likely to occur. However, other management protocols have been applied in these cases, often leading to disabling sequelae. This study sought to evaluate if IN could also have been effective as a salvage procedure to provide patients with satisfactory results, regardless of the poor results due to the improper treatment previously performed.

Materials and methods

Twenty-four retrospectively registered PFD/MAS patients with 34 femurs and 14 tibias totally affected by fibrous dysplasia had received various treatments with unsatisfactory results in other institutions. Before the IN performed in our hospital, 3 patients were wheelchair bound; 4 were fractured; 17 limped; and many used an aid for walking. Salvage IN was performed in our hospital at a mean patient age of 23.66 ± 6.06 years (range, 15–37 years). The patients were evaluated before—except for the four fractured ones—and after IN using the validated Jung scoring system, and the data were statistically analyzed.

Results

The mean length of follow-up after IN was 9.12 ± 3.68 years (range, 4–17 years). The patients’ mean Jung score significantly improved from 2.52 ± 1.74 points before IN to 6.78 ± 2.23 at follow-up (p < 0.05). Ambulation was improved in ambulatory patients and restored in wheelchair users. The complication rate was 21%.

Conclusions

Regardless of the high rate of complications, IN may be considered a reliable surgical procedure to salvage a failed treatment in PFD/MAS, with long-lasting satisfactory results achieved in most patients.

Trial registration statement: Not applicable.

Level of evidence: IV.
OsmiR159 Modulate BPH Resistance Through Regulating G-Protein γ Subunit GS3 Gene in Rice
Authors: Shen Yanjie , Yang Guiqiang , Miao Xuexia , Shi Zhenying
Published: July 2023

Brown planthopper (BPH) is the most destructive insect pest to rice that causes tremendous yield loss each year in rice planting Asia and South-East Asia areas. Compared with traditional chemical-based treatment, utilization of plant endogenous resistance is a more effective and environmental-friendly way for BPH control. Accordingly, quite a few quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for BPH resistance were cloned using forward genetics. However, BPH is apt to change quickly into new biotypes to overcome plant resistance, therefore, new resistance resources and genes are continuously needed. miRNAs are important regulators in both plant development and physiological regulation including immunity, and might be used as effective supplements for BPH resistance QTLs. miR159 is an ancient and conserved miRNA. In this study, we found that each OsMIR159 gene in rice responded to BPH feeding very obviously, and genetic function assay proved them to negatively regulate BPH resistance, with STTM159 showing resistance to BPH, and over expression of OsmiR159d susceptible to BPH. One target genes of OsmiR159, OsGAMYBL2, positively regulated BPH resistance. Further biochemical studies revealed that OsGAMYBL2 could directly bind to the promoter of G-protein γ subunit encoding GS3 gene and repress its expression. And genetically, GS3 responded to BPH feeding promptly and negatively regulated BPH resistance, GS3 over expression plants were susceptible to BPH, while GS3 knock-out plants were resistant to BPH. Thus, we identified new function of OsmiR159–OsGAMYBL2 in mediating BPH response, and revealed a new OsmiR159–G protein pathway that mediates BPH resistance in rice.
The prognostic value and immune landscaps of m6A/m5C-related lncRNAs signature in the low grade glioma
Authors: Li Ran , Chen Haiyan , Li Chaoxi , Qi Yiwei , Zhao Kai , Wang Junwen , You Chao , Huang Haohao
Published: July 2023

Background

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) and 5-methylcytosine (m5C) are the main RNA methylation modifications involved in the oncogenesis of cancer. However, it remains obscure whether m6A/m5C-related long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) affect the development and progression of low grade gliomas (LGG).

Methods

We summarized 926 LGG tumor samples with RNA-seq data and clinical information from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas. 105 normal brain samples with RNA-seq data from the Genotype Tissue Expression project were collected for control. We obtained a molecular classification cluster from the expression pattern of sreened lncRNAs. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox regression was employed to construct a m6A/m5C-related lncRNAs prognostic signature of LGG. In vitro experiments were employed to validate the biological functions of lncRNAs in our risk model.

Results

The expression pattern of 14 sreened highly correlated lncRNAs could cluster samples into two groups, in which various clinicopathological features and the tumor immune microenvironment were significantly distinct. The survival time of cluster 1 was significantly reduced compared with cluster 2. This prognostic signature is based on 8 m6A/m5C-related lncRNAs (GDNF-AS1, HOXA-AS3, LINC00346, LINC00664, LINC00665, MIR155HG, NEAT1, RHPN1-AS1). Patients in the high-risk group harbored shorter survival times. Immunity microenvironment analysis showed B cells, CD4 + T cells, macrophages, and myeloid-derived DC cells were significantly increased in the high-risk group. Patients in high-risk group had the worse overall survival time regardless of followed TMZ therapy or radiotherapy. All observed results from the TCGA-LGG cohort could be validated in CGGA cohort. Afterwards, LINC00664 was found to promote cell viability, invasion and migration ability of glioma cells in vitro.

Conclusion

Our study elucidated a prognostic prediction model of LGG by 8 m6A/m5C methylated lncRNAs and a critical lncRNA regulation function involved in LGG progression. High-risk patients have shorter survival times and a pro-tumor immune microenvironment.
The time-course of cancer cachexia onset reveals biphasic transcriptional disruptions in female skeletal muscle distinct from males
Authors: Morena da Silva Francielly , Lim Seongkyun , Cabrera Ana Regina , Schrems Eleanor R. , Jones Ronald G. , Rosa-Caldwell Megan E. , Washington Tyrone A. , Murach Kevin A. , Greene Nicholas P.
Published: July 2023

Background

Cancer-cachexia (CC) is a debilitating condition affecting up to 80% of cancer patients and contributing to 40% of cancer-related deaths. While evidence suggests biological sex differences in the development of CC, assessments of the female transcriptome in CC are lacking, and direct comparisons between sexes are scarce. This study aimed to define the time course of Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC)-induced CC in females using transcriptomics, while directly comparing biological sex differences.

Results

We found the global gene expression of the gastrocnemius muscle of female mice revealed biphasic transcriptomic alterations, with one at 1 week following tumor allograft and another during the later stages of cachexia development. The early phase was associated with the upregulation of extracellular-matrix pathways, while the later phase was characterized by the downregulation of oxidative phosphorylation, electron transport chain, and TCA cycle. When DEGs were compared to a known list of mitochondrial genes (MitoCarta), ~ 47% of these genes were differently expressed in females exhibiting global cachexia, suggesting transcriptional changes to mitochondrial gene expression happens concomitantly to functional impairments previously published. In contrast, the JAK-STAT pathway was upregulated in both the early and late stages of CC. Additionally, we observed a consistent downregulation of Type-II Interferon signaling genes in females, which was associated with protection in skeletal muscle atrophy despite systemic cachexia. Upregulation of Interferon signaling was noted in the gastrocnemius muscle of cachectic and atrophic male mice. Comparison of female tumor-bearing mice with males revealed ~ 70% of DEGs were distinct between sexes in cachectic animals, demonstrating dimorphic mechanisms of CC.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest biphasic disruptions in the transcriptome of female LLC tumor-bearing mice: an early phase associated with ECM remodeling and a late phase, accompanied by the onset of systemic cachexia, affecting overall muscle energy metabolism. Notably, ~ 2/3 of DEGs in CC are biologically sex-specific, providing evidence of dimorphic mechanisms of cachexia between sexes. Downregulation of Type-II Interferon signaling genes appears specific to CC development in females, suggesting a new biological sex-specific marker of CC not reliant on the loss of muscle mass, that might represent a protective mechanism against muscle loss in CC in female mice.
Impact of flail chest injury on morbidity and outcome: ten years’ experience at a tertiary care hospital in a developing country
Authors: Alanwer Khaled M. , Refat Ali Mohammed , Negm Essamedin M.
Published: July 2023

Background

One of the worst types of severe chest injuries seen by clinicians is flail chest. This study aims to measure the overall mortality rate among flail chest patients and then to correlate mortality with several demographic, pathologic, and management factors.

Methodology

A retrospective observational study tracked a total of 376 flail chest patients admitted to the emergency intensive care unit (EICU) and surgical intensive care unit (SICU) at Zagazig University over 120 months. The main outcome measurement was overall mortality. The secondary outcomes were the association of age and sex, concomitant head injury, lung and cardiac contusions, the onset of mechanical ventilation (MV) and chest tubes insertion, the length of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay in days, injury severity score (ISS), associated surgeries, pneumonia, sepsis, the implication of standard fluid therapy and steroid therapy, and the systemic and regional analgesia, with the overall mortality rates.

Results

The mortality rate was 19.9% overall. The shorter onset of MV and chest tube insertion, and the longer ICU, and hospital length of stay were noted in the mortality group compared with the survived group (P-value less than 0.05). Concomitant head injuries, associated surgeries, pneumonia, pneumothorax, sepsis, lung and myocardial contusion, standard fluid therapy, and steroid therapy were significantly correlated with mortality (P-value less than 0.05). MV had no statistically significant effect on mortality. Regional analgesia (58.8%) had a significantly higher survival rate than intravenous fentanyl infusion (41.2%). In multivariate analysis, sepsis, concomitant head injury, and high ISS were independent predictors for mortality [OR (95% CI) = 568.98 (19.49–16613.52), 6.86 (2.86–16.49), and 1.19 (1.09–1.30), respectively].

Conclusion

The current report recorded mortality of 19.9% between flail chest injury patients. Sepsis, concomitant head injury, and higher ISS are the independent risk factors for mortality when associated with flail chest injury. Considering restricted fluid management strategy and regional analgesia may help better outcome for flail chest injury patients.
IL-8-induced CXCR2 down-regulation in circulating monocytes in hepatocellular carcinoma is partially dependent on MAGL
Authors: Liu Chong Zhong , Liu Xing Bao , Sun Jun , Yu Chao Qun , Yao Jing Chun , Liu Zhong , Hao Jing Cheng
Published: July 2023

Background

CXC-chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2) expression was found to be down-regulated on circulating monocytes of cancer patients. Here, we analyze the percentage of CD14+CXCR2+ monocyte subsets in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients, and investigate the mechanisms that regulate CXCR2 surface expression on monocytes and its biological function.

Methods

Flow cytometry was used to analyze the proportion of the CD14+CXCR2+ subset from the total circulating monocytes of HCC patients. Interleukin 8 (IL-8) levels were measured from serum and ascites, and their correlation with the CD14+CXCR2+ monocyte subset proportion was calculated. THP-1 cells were cultured in vitro and treated with recombinant human IL-8 and CXCR2 surface expression was analyzed. CXCR2 was knocked down to examine how it affects the antitumor activity of monocytes. Finally, a monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) inhibitor was added to analyze its effect on CXCR2 expression.

Results

A decrease in the proportion of the CD14+CXCR2+ monocyte subset was observed in HCC patients compared with healthy controls. CXCR2+ monocyte subset proportion was associated with the AFP value, TNM stage, and liver function. Overexpression of IL-8 was observed in the serum and ascites of HCC patients, and negatively correlated with CXCR2+ monocyte proportion. IL-8 decreased CXCR2 expression in THP-1 cells, contributing to decreased antitumor activity toward HCC cells. MAGL expression in THP-1 cells was up-regulated after IL-8 treatment, and the MAGL inhibitor partially reversed the effects of IL-8 on CXCR2 expression.

Conclusions

Overexpression of IL-8 drives CXCR2 down-regulation on circulating monocytes of HCC patients, which could be partially reversed by a MAGL inhibitor.
Assessing the genetic relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease and chronic respiratory diseases: a mendelian randomization study
Authors: Cheng Xiaoxue , Shi Jiang , Zhang Ding , Li Caichen , Xu Haoxiang , He Jianxing , Liang Wenhua
Published: July 2023

Background

Previous observational studies have found an association between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and chronic respiratory diseases, but it remains uncertain whether GERD causally influences these diseases. In this study, we aimed to estimate the causal associations between GERD and 5 chronic respiratory diseases.

Methods

88 GERD-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified by the latest genome-wide association study were included as instrumental variables. Individual-level genetic summary data of participants were obtained from corresponding studies and the FinnGen consortium. We applied the inverse-variance weighted method to estimate the causality between genetically predicted GERD and 5 chronic respiratory diseases. Furthermore, the associations between GERD and common risk factors were investigated, and mediation analyses were conducted using multivariable MR. Various sensitivity analyses were also performed to verify the robustness of the findings.

Results

Our study demonstrated that genetically predicted GERD was causally associated with an increased risk of asthma (OR 1.39, 95%CI 1.25–1.56, P < 0.001), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) (OR 1.43, 95%CI 1.05–1.95, P = 0.022), chronic obstructive disease (COPD) (OR 1.64, 95%CI 1.41–1.93, P < 0.001), chronic bronchitis (OR 1.77, 95%CI 1.15–2.74, P = 0.009), while no correlation was observed for bronchiectasis (OR 0.93, 95%CI 0.68–1.27, P = 0.645). Additionally, GERD was associated with 12 common risk factors for chronic respiratory diseases. Nevertheless, no significant mediators were discovered.

Conclusions

Our study suggested that GERD was a causal factor in the development of asthma, IPF, COPD and chronic bronchitis, indicating that GERD-associated micro-aspiration of gastric contents process might play a role in the development of pulmonary fibrosis in these diseases.
High monoamine oxidase a expression predicts poor prognosis for prostate cancer patients
Authors: Chen Lingxiao , Xiong Wei , Qi Lin , He Wei
Published: July 2023

Background

Monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) is a mitochondrial enzyme that is involved in prostate tumorigenesis and cancer metastasis. The predictive power of the preoperative clinical and pathological indicators for prostate cancer(PC) remains to be improved. To enrich evidence regarding the value of MAOA as a prognostic biomarker in clinical practice, this study explored the significance of MAOA expression as a prognostic marker for patients with PC after radical prostatectomy-pelvic lymph node dissection (RP-PLND).

Methods

MAOA expression was analyzed in 50 benign prostate tissues and 115 low-intermediate risk and 163 high-risk PC tissues using tissue immunohistochemistry (IHC). Propensity score matching, survival analysis and COX regression analysis were conducted to investigate the correlation between high MAOA expression and progression free survival (PFS) in PC patients.

Results

MAOA expression was increased in PC patients, especially in those with high risk PC and pathological lymph node (pLN) metastasis. High MAOA expression was significantly associated with PSA recurrence for both low-intermediate risk PC patients (log-rank test: P = 0.02) and high risk PC patients (log-rank test: P = 0.03). Cox regression analysis revealed that high MAOA expression was an adverse prognostic factor for both low-intermediate risk PC patients (hazard ratio [HR] 2.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26–5.92; P = 0.011) and high risk PC patients (HR 1.73, 95% CI 1.11–2.71; P = 0.016). High MAOA expression was also significantly associated with PSA recurrence in high risk PC patients developed into castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and were receiving abiraterone therapy (log-rank: P = 0.01).

Conclusions

MAOA expression correlates with the malignant progression of PC. High MAOA expression may be a poor prognostic marker for patients with PC after RP-PLND. More careful follow up or potential of adjuvant hormonal therapy may be addressed for patients with high MAOA expression.
Informing a target product profile for rapid tests to identify HBV-infected pregnant women with high viral loads: a discrete choice experiment with African healthcare workers
Authors: Isa Yasir Shitu , Sicsic Jonathan , Njuguna Henry , Ward John , Chakroun Mohamed , El-Kassas Mohamed , Ramanampamonjy Rado , Chalal Salim , Vincent Jeanne Perpétue , Andersson Monique , Desalegn Hailemichael , Fall Fatou , Johannessen Asgeir , Matthews Philippa C. , Ndow Gibril , Okeke Edith , Riches Nicholas , Seydi Moussa , Sinkala Edford , Spearman C. Wendy , Stockdale Alexander , Vinikoor Michael J. , Wandeler Gilles , Sombié Roger , Lemoine Maud , Mueller Judith E. , Shimakawa Yusuke
Published: July 2023

Background

Elimination of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) requires infant immunoprophylaxis and antiviral prophylaxis for pregnant women with high viral loads. Since real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), a gold standard for assessing antiviral eligibility, is neither accessible nor affordable for women living in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) detecting alternative HBV markers may be needed. To inform future development of the target product profile (TPP) for RDTs to identify highly viremic women, we used a discrete choice experiment (DCE) and elicited preference and trade-off of healthcare workers (HCW) in Africa between the following four attributes of fictional RDTs: price, time-to-result, diagnostic sensitivity, and specificity.

Methods

Through an online questionnaire survey, we asked participants to indicate their preferred test from a set of two RDTs in seven choice tasks with varying levels of the four attributes. We used mixed multinomial logit models to quantify the utility gain or loss generated by each attribute. We attempted to define minimal and optimal criteria for test attributes that can satisfy ≥ 70% and ≥ 90% of HCWs, respectively, as an alternative to RT-PCR.

Results

A total of 555 HCWs from 41 African countries participated. Increases in sensitivity and specificity generated significant utility and increases in cost and time-to-result generated significant disutility. The size of the coefficients for the highest attribute levels relative to the reference levels were in the following order: sensitivity (β = 3.749), cost (β = -2.550), specificity (β = 1.134), and time-to-result (β = -0.284). Doctors cared most about test sensitivity, while public health practitioners cared about cost and midwives about time-to-result. For an RDT with 95% specificity, costing 1 US$, and yielding results in 20 min, the minimally acceptable test sensitivity would be 82.5% and the optimally acceptable sensitivity would be 87.5%.

Conclusions

African HCWs would prefer an RDT with the following order of priority: higher sensitivity, lower cost, higher specificity, and shorter time-to-result. The development and optimization of RDTs that can meet the criteria are urgently needed to scale up the prevention of HBV mother-to-child transmission in LMICs.
Methylmalonic acid promotes colorectal cancer progression via activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway mediated epithelial–mesenchymal transition
Authors: Hu Chunhua , Ye Mujie , Bai Jianan , Liu Pengfei , Lu Feiyu , Chen Jinhao , Yu Ping , Chen Tiaotiao , Shi Xiaoting , Tang Qiyun
Published: July 2023

Background

It has been manifested in several studies that age-related metabolic reprogramming is associated with tumor progression, in particular, colorectal cancer (CRC). Here we investigated the role of upregulated metabolites of the aged serum, including methylmalonic acid (MMA), phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP), and quinolinate (QA), in CRC.

Methods

Functional assays including CCK-8, EdU, colony formation and transwell experiments were used to ascertain which upregulated metabolite of elderly serum was related to tumor progression. RNA-seq analysis was conducted to explore the potential mechanisms of MMA-induced CRC progression. Subcutaneous tumorigenesis and metastatic tumor models were constructed to verify the function of MMA in vivo.

Results

Among three consistently increased metabolites of the aged sera, MMA was responsible for tumorigenesis and metastasis in CRC, according to functional assays. The promotion of Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) was observed in CRC cells treated with MMA, on the basis of protein expression of EMT markers. Moreover, combined with transcriptome sequencing, Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was activated in CRC cells treated with MMA, which was verified by western blot and qPCR experiments. Furthermore, animal assays demonstrated the pro-proliferation and promotion of metastasis role of MMA in vivo.

Conclusion

We have identified that age-dependent upregulation of MMA in serum promoted the progression of CRC via Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway mediated EMT. These collective findings provide valuable insights into the vital role of age-related metabolic reprogramming in CRC progression and propose a potential therapeutic target for elderly CRC.
Relative contributions of pre-pandemic factors and intra-pandemic activities to differential COVID-19 risk among migrant and non-migrant populations in the Netherlands: lessons for future pandemic preparedness
Authors: Chilunga Felix P. , Campman Sophie , Galenkamp Henrike , Boyd Anders , Bolijn Renee , Leenstra Tjalling , Agyemang Charles , Uiters Ellen , Prins Maria , Stronks Karien
Published: July 2023

Background

Although risk factors for differences in SARS-CoV-2 infections between migrant and non-migrant populations in high income countries have been identified, their relative contributions to these SARS-CoV-2 infections, which could aid in the preparation for future viral pandemics, remain unknown. We investigated the relative contributions of pre-pandemic factors and intra-pandemic activities to differential SARS-CoV-2 infections in the Netherlands by migration background (Dutch, African Surinamese, South-Asian Surinamese, Ghanaians, Turkish, and Moroccan origin).

Methods

We utilized pre-pandemic (2011–2015) and intra-pandemic (2020–2021) data from the HELIUS cohort, linked to SARS-CoV-2 PCR test results from Public Health Service of Amsterdam (GGD Amsterdam). Pre-pandemic factors included socio-demographic, medical, and lifestyle factors. Intra-pandemic activities included COVID-19 risk aggravating and mitigating activities such as physical distancing, use of face masks, and other similar activities. We calculated prevalence ratios (PRs) in the HELIUS population that was merged with GGD Amsterdam PCR test data using robust Poisson regression (SARS-CoV-2 PCR test result as outcome, migration background as predictor). We then obtained the distribution of migrant and non-migrant populations in Amsterdam as of January 2021 from Statistics Netherlands. The migrant populations included people who have migrated themselves as well as their offspring. We used PRs and the population distributions to calculate population attributable fractions (PAFs) using the standard formula. We used age and sex adjusted models to introduce pre-pandemic factors and intra-pandemic activities, noting the relative changes in PAFs.

Results

From 20,359 eligible HELIUS participants, 8,595 were linked to GGD Amsterdam PCR test data and included in the study. Pre-pandemic socio-demographic factors (especially education, occupation, and household size) resulted in the largest changes in PAFs when introduced in age and sex adjusted models (up to 45%), followed by pre-pandemic lifestyle factors (up to 23%, especially alcohol consumption). Intra-pandemic activities resulted in the least changes in PAFs when introduced in age and sex adjusted models (up to 16%).

Conclusion

Interventions that target pre-pandemic socio-economic status and other drivers of health inequalities between migrant and non-migrant populations are urgently needed at present to better prevent infection disparities in future viral pandemics.