bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Atezolizumab induced new-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: de Carlos Joaquín , Zabalza Lucia , Garcia Javier , Marti Miguel , Ayarza-Marien Xabier , Yoldi Jon
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are novel therapeutic strategies in cancer treatment, promoting anti-tumor response by boosting cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Despite their high effectiveness, they can trigger the activation of diverse autoimmune diseases in genetically predisposed individuals. New-onset autoimmune diabetes mellitus type 1 (T1D) is an extremely unusual side effect, described in less than 1% of patients.

Case report

Here we present a 44-year-old male diagnosed with non-surgical hepatocarcinoma, developing programmed death ligand-1 inhibitor-induced autoimmune endocrinopathies, presented as diabetic ketoacidosis and thyroiditis. After two cycles of atezolizumab and bevacizumab, he consulted the emergency department with abdominal pain and diabetes cardinal features (polyuria, polydipsia, vomiting). Blood tests demonstrated hyperglycemia >800 mg/dL, capillary ketonemia >3 mmol/L, metabolic acidosis (pH 7.24 with HCO3 14 mEq/L). Subsequent studies detected a low level of C-peptide, and positive glutamic acid decarboxylase and insulinoma-associated antigen-2 antibodies. Thyroid examination was compatible with thyroiditis, showing a high free thyroxine level (1.91 ng/dL) with low thyrotropin (TSH) (0.08 mIU/L) and negative anti-TSH receptor antibody.

Management & Outcome

After reaching metabolic stabilization, treatment with Atezolizumab was restarted, with no further complications showing size stability in the computed tomography control.

Discussion

T1D related to ICI is a rare condition that presents as a life-threatening emergency and should be recognized and treated early. Blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin determinations should be performed at periodic visits for detection. There are genetic factors that predispose susceptible individuals, but there is no evidence of studies to be performed before the onset of ICI or preventive strategies.
A comparative study of electrical and conventional pre-treatments for quality assessment of hot air dried green bell pepper
Authors: Erol Nihal Turkmen , Incedayi Bige , Sari Ferda , Copur Omer Utku
Published: January 2023

In this study, the effect of pretreatments (hot water blanching, microwave blanching and ohmic heating) on drying kinetics and quality characteristics of green bell pepper dried at 60, 70 and 80 °C was investigated. Four mathematical models were fitted to experimental data and Logarithmic model was found to be the best for all the samples. Rehydration ability of only ohmic heating pretreated peppers was higher than untreated ones. Total polyphenol (TP) content and antioxidant capacity (AC) of dried peppers varied between 3.21-5.08 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g dry matter (DM) and 1037.57–2407.40 mmol AAE/100 g DM, respectively. The content of ascorbic acid (AA) in dried samples was in the range of 187.25–722.55 µg/g DM. The bioaccessibility of TP after in-vitro digestion varied from 79.44 to 97.73%. Losses of chlorophyll a and b were very high in all samples compared to fresh ones but the most in control samples.
Saliva and Exhaled Breath Condensate Correlate With Serum in 4-12-Year-Olds Exposed to Secondhand Electronic Cigarette Vapors: A Pilot Study
Authors: Rodriguez Jeannie , Liang Donghai , Tchen Rachel , Yang Irene
Published: January 2023

Electronic cigarette use is highest among adults of child-bearing age. Many parents that use electronic cigarettes believe that secondhand exposure of electronic cigarette vapors for their children is not dangerous and is less harmful than secondhand exposure to traditional cigarette smoke. These beliefs may prompt excessive secondhand exposure to electronic cigarette vapors for their children. Little research has been done to document exposure in children. The traditional biological method of exposure detection is through a blood draw, which is difficult and undesirable in children. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of using saliva and exhaled breath condensate as non-invasive biomatrices for detecting secondhand electronic cigarette vapor exposure in children. In this cross-sectionally designed study, we recruited 22 children exposed to electronic cigarette vapors and 26 non-exposed between the ages of 4–12 years. We compared metabolic features across three biomatrices, blood, saliva, and exhaled breath condensate. We noted moderate to strong pairwise, sample-specific, and feature-specific adjusted correlations. Annotated features associated with direct and secondhand electronic cigarette exposure were noted. These results demonstrate that less invasive biomatrices may be used to detect features associated with secondhand electronic cigarette vapor exposure in children.
Axillary staging in node-positive breast cancer converting to node negativity through neoadjuvant chemotherapy: Current evidence and perspectives
Authors: Banys-Paluchowski Maggie , de Boniface Jana
Published: January 2023

Purpose:

Over the recent years, axillary staging of initially node-positive breast cancer patients converting to clinical node negativity after neoadjuvant chemotherapy has seen rapid changes. This narrative review aims to give a contemporary overview over published evidence and clinical practice, and thus provide some guidance to the surgical community in the process of re-evaluating and re-shaping surgical practice.

Methods:

The search strategy aimed at finding relevant studies. Only articles in English were considered.

Results:

The introduction of modern techniques offer more precise staging surgery and thus hopefully reduced arm morbidity. Clinical practice has however diverged both within countries and internationally. While some countries have adapted de-escalated axillary staging techniques such as targeted axillary dissection, targeted lymph node biopsy or sentinel lymph node biopsy, others continue to recommend a full axillary lymph node dissection. With the implementation of new techniques, many questions arise, regarding aspects of oncological safety, technical performance, budget and practicality, patient selection and indications for different levels of axillary staging procedures.

Conclusions:

There is a growing body of evidence on de-escalation of axillary surgery in the setting of cN+ → ycN0 breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. However, standards differ between countries and future studies are necessary to fully assess the optimal strategy for these patients.
Alternative health groups on social media, misinformation, and the (de)stabilization of ontological security
Authors: Zimdars Melissa , Cullinan Megan E. , Na Kilhoe
Published: January 2023

Through 19 semistructured interviews, we explore why people join and participate in “alternative health” Facebook groups and Reddit subs. Participation in these groups creates an ontological circle where people’s feelings of fear, desperation, and distrust in the systems and actors that comprise our government, health, and news systems inspire alternative information and support-seeking in these groups and subs. While participation assuages those feelings and stabilizes people’s sense of ontological security, it also destabilizes it, reinforcing and legitimizing feelings of fear, desperation, and distrust. This circle contributes to favorable receptive conditions for spreading unproven and dangerous health misinformation. We argue that it will be difficult to address misinformation (1) without considering and rectifying people’s often valid reasons for feelings of fear, desperation, distrust, and their desires for information and (2) without considering the relationships between alternative health social media groups and subs and the (de)stabilization of ontological security.
How online advertising targets consumers: The uses of categories and algorithmic tools by audience planners
Authors: Beauvisage Thomas , Beuscart Jean-Samuel , Coavoux Samuel , Mellet Kevin
Published: January 2023

Recent innovations in online advertising facilitate the use of a wide variety of data sources to build micro-segments of consumers, and delegate the manufacture of audience segments to machine learning algorithms. Both techniques promise to replace demographic targeting, as part of a post-demographic turn driven by big data technologies. This article empirically investigates this transformation in online advertising. We show that targeting categories are assessed along three criteria: efficiency, communicability, and explainability. The relative importance of these objectives helps explain the lasting role of demographic categories, the development of audience segments specific to each advertiser, and the difficulty in generalizing interest categories associated with big data. These results underline the importance of studying the impact of advanced big data and AI technologies in their organizational and professional contexts of appropriation, and of paying attention to the permanence of the categorizations that make the social world intelligible.
Hierarchical model predictive control for an off-highway diesel engine with SCR catalyst
Authors: Harder Karsten , Niemeyer Jens , Remele Jörg , Graichen Knut
Published: January 2023

Diesel engines become more and more complex systems, especially due to increasingly restrictive emission laws. The selective catalytic reduction (SCR) is a promising way to lower nitrogen oxide emissions. The slow dynamics of the catalyst, however, have to be compensated by the engine, for example to comply with emission laws during transients. This work presents a bi-level nonlinear model predictive control (MPC) concept for a diesel engine with an upper MPC layer to account for the SCR catalyst and a lower MPC layer to control the engine. The resulting hierarchical MPC structure is able to solve the overall control problem in real-time on ECU level using suitable MPC formulations as well as interconnecting variables. The numerical solution is based on an augmented Lagrangian MPC algorithm and control-oriented models. Simulation results against a detailed reference model of the overall system demonstrate the high performance of the hierarchical MPC concept.
Two grounds of multiculturalism
Authors: De Schutter Helder
Published: January 2023

Will Kymlicka has grounded group-differentiated rights for nationalcultural groups in the values of freedom and autonomy. An alternative moral foundation for such rights is dignity. In this contribution I contrast the freedom and the dignity case for multiculturalism in terms of their intellectual history and their contemporary justificatory potential. I show that the freedom grounding stands in the Herderian-romantic tradition, whereas the dignity case is older and hearkens back to the humanist claim for vernacular development. In terms of justification, I argue that, while freedom and dignity can independently justify group-differentiated rights, a theory that includes both justificatory grounds is stronger because these grounds can strengthen each other: firstly, dignitarian multiculturalism can help the freedom-based theory in withstanding the assimilationist claim that any cultural context – and not only people’s own culture – may foster freedom; while, secondly, the freedom case strengthens the dignity case by providing absolute ammunition to ward off the objection that dignity claims are normatively weak because they rely on subjective feelings.
Compatibility of polyvinylidene chloride with mechanical recycling of polyolefins
Authors: Ferrari Domenico , Sanguineti Aldo , Mirenda Marco , Vanderveken Yves
Published: January 2023

The exceptional low permeability to oxygen and water of PVDC and the retention of barrier properties to oxygen even in humid conditions explain its success for packaging in food industry as barrier layer in Polyolefins (PO) multilayer films, whose contribution to the reduction of food waste is largely recognized. Several chemical recycling technologies have emerged in the recent years that, together with methodologies based on separation of layers by the use of solvents, will strongly increase in a near future the extent of recycling of multilayer films, including the PVDC-containing ones. At the same time, it is generally accepted that for several years these technologies will be complemented by the now dominating mechanical recycling. A lack of detailed study in the literature and a general confusion between very different PVDC grades, with and without internal stabilization, led to the idea that the dehydrochlorination of PVDC would cause a low quality of the recyclate obtained by mechanical recycling of PO in presence of PVDC and a corrosion risk for the equipment. In this study, the effect of a stabilized PVDC grade developed for coextrusion, at concentration typical of real life PO mix for mechanical recycling and in suitable condition, has been investigated in a pilot scale extruder and corrosion tests were performed. In conclusion, quantities of PVDC to be found in PO streams for mechanical recycling are compatible with a PO recyclate of excellent characteristics, even at extrusion temperatures as high as 220°C, with no damage to the PO structure, with only minimum discoloration, that can be mitigated by relatively low quantities of additives of general use in PO extrusion, and with no risk of corrosion of the equipment.
Rural Perspectives on Health Services for Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth
Authors: Manns Perice Z. , Buckman Cierra , Tumin Dmitry , Mathai Angie , Dendy Colby
Published: January 2023

As the world grows more diverse, physicians and public health practitioners must become adept at providing care to everyone, including people who identify as transgender or gender diverse (TGD). Although this population is growing in all age demographics, there is a large increase in young TGD individuals who require pediatric health care providers to improve their practices. While a few comprehensive care clinics have been established to serve the TGD community, they are mostly located in urban areas. In addition to the unique barriers faced by rural TGD youth, providers must care for their patients with limited resources. In this commentary, we offer a set of recommendations to improve provider education, build connections between the health system and community, address the fragmentation of health services in rural areas and improve the transition from pediatric to adult health care.
A Taxonomic Baseline to Monitor Retreating Arctic Biota: The Marine Invertebrate Collection of the Icelandic Institute of Natural History (IINH)
Authors: Gudmundsson Gudmundur
Published: January 2023

The IINH collection comprises ~5.3 million specimens of marine invertebrates, collected within 758,000 km2 of the 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Iceland, which is a significant part of the greater Arctic-Boreal biogeographic boundary in the northern Atlantic. The oldest collected specimen is from 1871, but most of the specimens (4.7 million) were collected during the BIOICE project between 1991 and 2004. The program objective is to build a museum collection, reflecting the geographical distribution and morphological variation of benthic species. Over 1,390 zoological samples were collected following a stratified random sampling plan with 579 stations at a depth range of 20 to 3,000 m, and temperatures from −1°C to over +9°C. The material is sorted to about 50 higher taxonomic groups, and 3,007 benthic species, of which fifty-one are new to science. The collection offers a baseline to monitor changing biodiversity at the Arctic-Boreal boundary, with rising temperature, salinity, and acidification.
Lifestyle Medicine Electives: Options for Creating Curricula Within Medical School Training
Authors: Bansal Shipra , Cramer Sylvia , Stump Mariah , Wasserstrom Sharon
Published: January 2023

Lifestyle medicine (LM) offers future generations of clinicians practical tools to effectively prevent, manage and reverse chronic disease. Due to a variety of factors, introduction of such curricula in medical training has been slow. Until LM becomes more standard in medical schools, electives and tracks are an innovative way to introduce curricula in a time-efficient manner so students can have access to this valuable information during their formative training years. Creating a culture for the acceptance of LM is a critical first step and can be accomplished by collaborating with like-minded faculty as well as developing student interest groups. The latter can also be a strong driver for curricular change. This article provides an overview of several structures that can be implemented within existing curricula to offer students a foundation in LM. Included are offerings during the pre-clinical years, third/fourth year electives, culinary medicine rotations, online opportunities, and the development of a full track. Specific components of each structure are shared as well as examples of successful use of community partnerships, use of pre-existing educational resources, and activities implemented. The authors conclude that implementing electives is a promising avenue for educators to expose medical students to LM and can be molded to work within a variety of current educational structures.
Effects of candesartan on cerebral microvascular function in mild cognitive impairment: Results of two clinical trials
Authors: Henley Brandon , Okafor Maureen , Kulshreshtha Ambar , Trammell Antoine , Hajjar Ihab
Published: January 2023

Background:

Cerebral microvascular dysfunction is commonly seen in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). Cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) to CO2 reflects cerebral microvascular health and may be modulated by the renin–angiotensin system (RAS). This study aimed to investigate the effects of RAS modulation on CVR in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to underlying vascular or AD etiologies.

Methods:

This study presents findings of candesartan’s effects on the secondary outcomes of two double-blind randomized clinical trials of 12-month therapy of candesartan versus lisinopril in VCI (CALIBREX (Candesartan vs Lisinopril Effects on the Brain and Endothelial Function in Executive MCI)) and candesartan versus placebo in prodromal AD (Candesartan’s Effects on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Biomarkers (CEDAR)). Primary outcome results of these trials have been reported in previous publications. Participants underwent identical brain blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD)-CVR in response to a 2-min CO2 challenge at baseline and 12 months. Regions of interest and voxel-wise CVR maps were derived from BOLD signal changes during CO2 challenge. CVR effects were compared between candesartan and lisinopril (CALIBREX) and candesartan and placebo (CEDAR) using mixed-model repeated measures.

Results:

Data from 102 participants in the CALIBREX study (mean age = 65 years, 45% female, 63% African American) and 59 in the CEDAR study (mean age = 67 years, 32% female, 20% African American) were analyzed. Candesartan was associated with improved whole brain CVR compared to placebo in the CEDAR study (adjusted within-group mean difference for candesartan = 0.27 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.006, 0.53) vs placebo = −0.17 (95% CI = 0.42, 0.08), p-value = 0.018), and compared to lisinopril in the CALIBREX study (adjusted within-group mean difference for candesartan = 0.28 (95% CI = 0.10, 0.46) vs lisinopril = −0.08 (95% CI = −0.31, 0.14), p-value = 0.012), independent of blood pressure. In an exploratory meta-analysis of the two trials, improved CVR in the hippocampus was linked to improved attention and working memory (p = 0.044) and a trend for improved executive function (p = 0.087) with candesartan therapy.

Conclusion:

This study suggests that candesartan is associated with improved microvascular function in MCI, and these findings are independent of its blood pressure effect in these VCI and prodromal AD populations.
Hand transplantation: can we balance the risks and benefits?
Authors: Kay Simon P. J. , Leonard David A.
Published: January 2023

Asking ‘can we balance the risks and benefits?’ implies that a quantification of both risk and benefit in hand transplantation (here the terms hand transplant and hand transplantation refer to allotransplantation of the human hand or hand and part or all of the upper limb or limbs) is possible. Despite all we have learned in recent years about hand transplantation, much remains unknown. Even if reliable methods for quantification of risk and benefit were available, fundamental issues relating to effective communication across the gulf of lived experience between the (presumably) handed surgeon and the handless patient remain. Inherent complexities mean some consider hand transplantation an unsolved problem, but we believe the medical and technical considerations fall within the ambit of a competent multidisciplinary team, and that psychosocial and ethical challenges are open to management through robust frameworks for assessment and decision making, underpinned by an extended period of assessment and dialogue, with candid acknowledgement where uncertainty remains. This respects the patient’s autonomy while addressing the need for a prolonged period of informing consent.

Level of evidence: V
The mind and the hand
Authors: Hobby Jonathan , Ring David , Larson Debbie
Published: January 2023

Symptoms are determined in large part by mindsets. Feelings of distress and unhelpful thoughts (misinterpretations) of symptoms account for much of the variability in comfort and capability with the severity of the underlying pathophysiology making a more limited contribution. Incorporating this experimental evidence into the daily practice of hand surgery will help us find ways to develop healthy mindsets, to prioritize the alleviation of distress and the gentle redirection of unhelpful thoughts, to avoid unnecessary surgery, and to provide better psychological and social support for people recovering from injury and surgery.
Leading a Professional Learning Community in Elementary Education: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Olmo-Extremera Marta , Fernández-Terol Lucía , Domingo-Segovia Jesús
Published: January 2023

The aim of this paper is to identify the characteristics that leadership must have in order to make a Professional Learning Community sustainable. A review of the literature is carried out from a qualitative perspective allowing us to identify a set of emerging themes from the literature studied. Among the results, it is highlighted that in order to achieve professional learning communities with sustainable leadership, it is necessary to distribute responsibilities, reflect jointly on what is taught and why, establish external relations with other institutions and schools, and care the emotional well-being of members of a school community.
Outcomes of a “hospital at home” programme for the supervised home recovery of COVID-19 patients in Singapore
Authors: Tan Michelle Woei Jen , Arciga Mary Grace Aller , Arba’in Juweita Binte , Towle Rachel Marie , Lim Su-Fee , Tang Woon Hoe , Low Lian Leng
Published: January 2023

Background

The Singapore General Hospital COVID-19 Virtual Ward is a “hospital at home” (HaH) programme for the supervised home recovery of higher-acuity COVID-19 patients from the hospital and the community.

Objective

To describe how an existing HaH programme was redesigned so that COVID-19 patients could be remotely monitored at home and report the outcomes of the first 100 patients in this Virtual Ward.

Methods

Patients received an admission package comprising instructions and equipment for home monitoring, and uploaded their parameters into a clinical dashboard via a secure messaging app. Medical staff conducted video or telephone consultations daily. Patients were discharged according to time-based criteria, although some required SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing, which were conducted at home by a third-party medical provider. De-identified data of the first 100 patients were analysed by demographic details, indication for enrolment into the Virtual Ward, and the need for subsequent inpatient readmission.

Results

Of the first 100 patients admitted into the Virtual Ward, 58 were female, mean age was 63.1 years old (23–95 years), and 76 were fully vaccinated. There were 77 hospital referrals and 23 community referrals. The number of days of inpatient hospitalisation avoided was 717 days (average of 7.9 days per patient). Three hospital referrals (3.9%) were readmitted, while seven community referrals (30.4%) required subsequent hospitalisation.

Conclusion

The Virtual Ward programme demonstrates that selected COVID-19 patient can safely recover at home with remote medical support and monitoring, thereby expanding hospital capacity.
The evolution of fashion: How digital technology makes a basic graphic T-Shirt a marketing staple
Authors: Manko Barbara A
Published: January 2023

The evolution of fashion has been affected by technology—both in the creation of new ideas and the ability to implement those ideas and distribute them. Digital technology also makes a classic fashion piece—the graphic T-shirt—easily accessible and customizable for group use. A T-shirt combines an effective method of group solidarity with visual marketing. This article analyzes what makes something “art,” the development of customizable products, and how digital technology enables development and distribution, as well as how one Gannon University club created their own design.
Understanding implementation characteristics in navigation programs for persons living with dementia and their caregivers: A scoping review
Authors: Kokorelias Kristina M , Li Zoe , Hitzig Sander L
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Dementia care is often fragmented and un-coordinated. As the number of individuals living with dementia increases worldwide, navigation programs are a way to help counter difficulties with navigating and accessing services by better integrating care for individuals with dementia and their family caregivers. While navigation programs are increasingly being used, it is not clear how to best implement such programs in North America and abroad.

Methods

Following Arskey and O’Malley's (2006) scoping review methodology and theoretically informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, this paper explored existing navigational programs used in dementia care to identify factors to consider when implementing these programs across different settings.

Results

Twenty-two articles were included in this review. Our findings suggest that there is a high degree of variability with how navigation programs are being delivered and no clearly established or standardized protocol to implement such programs. Barriers and facilitators to implementation were identified as they relate to (1) Complexity (Intervention Characteristics); (2) Patient and Caregiver Needs (Outer Setting); (3) External Policies (Outer Setting); (4) Available Resources (Inner Setting) (5) Communication (Inner Setting); (6) Culture (Inner Setting); (7) Leadership Engagement (Inner Setting); (8) Knowledge and Beliefs ( Characteristics of Individuals); (9) Champions (Process) and (10) Evaluation (Process).

Discussion

Combined, the findings from this review provide suggestions for implementing navigation in the context of dementia care and suggest several pragmatic considerations (e.g. available resources) when implementing new navigation programs.
Women-Focused Nonprofit Organizations and Their Use of Twitter During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Characterizing a Gendered Pandemic Through Information, Community, and Action
Authors: Nau Charlotte , Quan-Haase Anabel , McLaughlin Riley
Published: January 2023

This study investigates how gender-focused nonprofit organizations used Twitter to advocate on behalf of women and girls during the initial stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. We collected tweets from five nonprofits including Canadian Women’s Foundation, Anova, UN Women, National Organization for Women, and Planned Parenthood. Through thematic analysis, we identified nine gender-related themes: safety, physical health, mental health, labor, economic situation, intersectional concerns, leadership, the role of gender in pandemic response and recovery plans, and supporting women’s organizations. A subsequent content analysis revealed that women’s safety, labor, and economic situation were the most prominent themes. It was also revealed that safety and intersectional concerns were raised by all organizations. We applied the theoretical framework of microblogging functions which distinguishes between information-, community-, and action-oriented tweets. Most of the tweets in our study were informational, much fewer were associated with calls to action and community engagement. Our analysis also revealed relationships between the microblogging functions and the tweets’ content themes. We found that informational tweets addressed women’s safety, physical health, economic situation, and the role of gender in pandemic response and recovery plans, while community-oriented tweets addressed women’s labor, leadership, and supporting women’s organizations. Finally, each microblogging function elicited different levels of user engagement on Twitter, with the community-oriented function receiving the largest number of “likes” compared with the information- and action-oriented functions. Our study adds to the growing body of research on social media use by feminist groups and provides novel theoretical insights by expanding the microblogging framework.
Unlocking the potential of public opinions for niche development using acceptance mining
Authors: Digmayer Claas , Jakobs Eva-Maria
Published: January 2023

This paper proposes a combination of text mining and acceptance research as a methodological approach (“acceptance mining”) to facilitate the development of innovative technologies in niches. At the example of recharging infrastructures for electric vehicles, the approach is explored on a sample of over 20,000 user comments collected from social media and discussion forums. The results indicate that acceptance mining provides valuable insights into the demands of the public during all phases of niche development which allow shaping niches in socially acceptable ways. In particular, the method reveals requirements and risks of niche-development measures such as shielding, nurturing, and empowering niches as perceived by the public. The results are discussed regarding the potentials of acceptance mining for developing innovations in niches as well as its limitations and possibilities for optimization. Acceptance mining and its application to a case study are especially of interest for researchers and practitioners involved in niche development; the study results provide valuable insights for professionals engaged in developing recharging infrastructures for electric vehicles.
Speaking to the Head and the Heart: Prioritizing Empathetic Communication in the Post-COVID Workplace
Authors: Caffrey Kevin T.
Published: January 2023

As of August 2022, COVID-19 continues to affect our daily lives in physical, psychological, and financial ways. Many vulnerable individuals are struggling to adapt to returning to work and as a result, employee morale is at risk. In times of crises, empathy is needed in the workplace to support one another, but many leaders and employees may not have a firm grasp of the concept. This article seeks to define empathetic communication and explore the need for prioritizing empathy amid the current post-COVID-19 workplace. Through a literature review of empathy, psychological safety in the workplace, and crisis leadership, the author explains how the development of empathetic communication must be intentional to achieve sustainable change and lead to long-term organizational success. Practical recommendations are provided on how organizations should define empathetic communication, provide training for leaders and employees, and incorporate empathetic communication as a standard of responsibility for every employee to be assessed on a regular basis.
Pastoral Community Malaria Prevention Practice and Associated Factors Among Households in Three Districts of the Borena Zone, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Aliyo Alqeer , Golicha Wako , Fikrie Anteneh
Published: January 2023

Background

Malaria infection remains one of the major global and national public health threats, affecting millions of people yearly by causing substantial morbidity and mortality. In developing countries, higher proportions of poor malaria prevention and control measure both regionally and nationally, particularly in pastoral community areas of southern Ethiopia.

Objective

The study aimed to assess malaria preventive practices and associated factors among households of pastoral communities in Borena zone, Oromia regional state, Southern Ethiopia, 2022.

Methodology

A community-based cross-sectional study design was used from March first to 30, 2022, among 421 selected simple random sampling households in pastoral communities of the Borena zone. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with a structured pretested questionnaire and visual observation for household malaria prevention practices. Then, the data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with malaria preventive practices. Finally, adjusted odd ratio (AOR) together with 95% confidence intervals was used, and a P value of less than 0.05 indicated an overall statistical association.

Result

The overall malaria prevention rate among pastoral community households was 31.6%(133) [95%; CI = 27.2–36.4]. The factors significantly associated with malaria prevention practice were malaria prevention knowledge [AOR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.1–2.5] and the absence of plasmodium parasites among children [AOR = 4.3, 95% CI = 2.8–8.7]. However, households staying outdoors at night [AOR = 0.5, 95% CI = 0.3–1.0] were negatively associated with household malaria prevention. A total of 200 (47.5%) households had used insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITN) and 5(1.2%) households had indoor residual sprays (IRS).

Conclusion

The study revealed lower malaria prevention practices among households of the pastoral community. The government and other concerned bodies should contribute to malaria prevention measures in pastoral remote areas. Health extension workers should have to create awareness in the communities to avoid incorrect use of the ITN.
Improvement of ACK1-targeted therapy efficacy in lung adenocarcinoma using chloroquine or bafilomycin A1
Authors: Zhu Jinhong , Cao Kui , Zhao Meng , Ma Keru , Jiang Xiangyu , Bai Yuwen , Ling Xiaodong , Ma Jianqun
Published: January 2023

Background

Activated Cdc42-associated kinase 1 (ACK1) is a promising druggable target for cancer, but its inhibitors only showed moderate effects in clinical trials. The study aimed to investigate the underlying mechanisms and improve the antitumor efficacy of ACK1 inhibitors.

Methods

RNA-seq was performed to determine the downstream pathways of ACK. Using Lasso Cox regression analysis, we built a risk signature with ACK1-related autophagy genes in the lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project. The performance of the signature in predicting the tumor immune environment and response to immunotherapy and chemotherapy were assessed in LUAD. CCK8, mRFP-GFP-LC3 assay, western blot, colony formation, wound healing, and transwell migration assays were conducted to evaluate the effects of the ACK1 inhibitor on lung cancer cells. A subcutaneous NSCLC xenograft model was used for in vivo study.

Results

RNA-seq revealed the regulatory role of ACK1 in autophagy. Furthermore, the risk signature separated LUAD patients into low- and high-risk groups with significantly different prognoses. The two groups displayed different tumor immune environments regarding 28 immune cell subsets. The low-risk groups showed high immune scores, high CTLA4 expression levels, high immunophenoscore, and low DNA mismatch repair capacity, suggesting a better response to immunotherapy. This signature also predicted sensitivity to commonly used chemotherapy and targeted drugs. In vitro, the ACK1 inhibitors (AIM-100 and Dasatinib) appeared to trigger adaptive autophagy-like response to protect lung cancer cells from apoptosis and activated the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway, partially explaining its moderate antitumor efficacy. However, blocking lysosomal degradation with chloroquine/Bafilamycine A1 or inhibiting AMPK signaling with compound C/shPRKAA1 enhanced the ACK1 inhibitor’s cytotoxic effects on lung cancer cells. The efficacy of the combined therapy was also verified using a mouse xenograft model.

Conclusions

The resulting signature from ACK1-related autophagy genes robustly predicted survival and drug sensitivity in LUAD. The lysosomal degradation inhibition improved the therapeutic effects of the ACK1 inhibitor, suggesting a potential role for autophagy in therapy evasion.
Identification of biomarkers predictive of metastasis development in early-stage colorectal cancer using network-based regularization
Authors: Peixoto Carolina , Lopes Marta B. , Martins Marta , Casimiro Sandra , Sobral Daniel , Grosso Ana Rita , Abreu Catarina , Macedo Daniela , Costa Ana Lúcia , Pais Helena , Alvim Cecília , Mansinho André , Filipe Pedro , Costa Pedro Marques da , Fernandes Afonso , Borralho Paula , Ferreira Cristina , Malaquias João , Quintela António , Kaplan Shannon , Golkaram Mahdi , Salmans Michael , Khan Nafeesa , Vijayaraghavan Raakhee , Zhang Shile , Pawlowski Traci , Godsey Jim , So Alex , Liu Li , Costa Luís , Vinga Susana
Published: January 2023

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the second most deathly worldwide. It is a very heterogeneous disease that can develop via distinct pathways where metastasis is the primary cause of death. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying metastasis. RNA-sequencing is an essential tool used for studying the transcriptional landscape. However, the high-dimensionality of gene expression data makes selecting novel metastatic biomarkers problematic. To distinguish early-stage CRC patients at risk of developing metastasis from those that are not, three types of binary classification approaches were used: (1) classification methods (decision trees, linear and radial kernel support vector machines, logistic regression, and random forest) using differentially expressed genes (DEGs) as input features; (2) regularized logistic regression based on the Elastic Net penalty and the proposed iTwiner—a network-based regularizer accounting for gene correlation information; and (3) classification methods based on the genes pre-selected using regularized logistic regression. Classifiers using the DEGs as features showed similar results, with random forest showing the highest accuracy. Using regularized logistic regression on the full dataset yielded no improvement in the methods’ accuracy. Further classification using the pre-selected genes found by different penalty factors, instead of the DEGs, significantly improved the accuracy of the binary classifiers. Moreover, the use of network-based correlation information (iTwiner) for gene selection produced the best classification results and the identification of more stable and robust gene sets. Some are known to be tumor suppressor genes (OPCML-IT2), to be related to resistance to cancer therapies (RAC1P3), or to be involved in several cancer processes such as genome stability (XRCC6P2), tumor growth and metastasis (MIR602) and regulation of gene transcription (NME2P2). We show that the classification of CRC patients based on pre-selected features by regularized logistic regression is a valuable alternative to using DEGs, significantly increasing the models’ predictive performance. Moreover, the use of correlation-based penalization for biomarker selection stands as a promising strategy for predicting patients’ groups based on RNA-seq data.
A draft Diabrotica virgifera virgifera genome: insights into control and host plant adaption by a major maize pest insect
Authors: Coates Brad S. , Walden Kimberly K. O. , Lata Dimpal , Vellichirammal Neetha Nanoth , Mitchell Robert F. , Andersson Martin N. , McKay Rachel , Lorenzen Marcé D. , Grubbs Nathaniel , Wang Yu-Hui , Han Jinlong , Xuan Jing Li , Willadsen Peter , Wang Huichun , French B. Wade , Bansal Raman , Sedky Sammy , Souza Dariane , Bunn Dakota , Meinke Lance J. , Miller Nicholas J. , Siegfried Blair D. , Sappington Thomas W. , Robertson Hugh M.
Published: January 2023

Background

Adaptations by arthropod pests to host plant defenses of crops determine their impacts on agricultural production. The larval host range of western corn rootworm,Diabrotica virgifera virgifera(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is restricted to maize and a few grasses. Resistance ofD. v. virgiferato crop rotation practices and multiple insecticides contributes to its status as the most damaging pest of cultivated maize in North America and Europe. The extent to which adaptations by this pest contributes to host plant specialization remains unknown.

Results

A 2.42 Gb draftD. v. virgiferagenome, Dvir_v2.0, was assembled from short shotgun reads and scaffolded using long-insert mate-pair, transcriptome and linked read data. K-mer analysis predicted a repeat content of ≥ 61.5%. Ortholog assignments for Dvir_2.0 RefSeq models predict a greater number of species-specific gene duplications, including expansions in ATP binding cassette transporter and chemosensory gene families, than in other Coleoptera. A majority of annotatedD. v. virgiferacytochrome P450s belong to CYP4, 6, and 9 clades. A total of 5,404 transcripts were differentially-expressed betweenD. v. virgiferalarvae fed maize roots compared to alternative host (Miscanthus), a marginal host (Panicum virgatum), a poor host (Sorghum bicolor) and starvation treatments; Among differentially-expressed transcripts, 1,908 were shared across treatments and the least number were betweenMiscanthuscompared to maize. Differentially-expressed transcripts were enriched for putative spliceosome, proteosome, and intracellular transport functions. General stress pathway functions were unique and enriched among up-regulated transcripts in marginal host, poor host, and starvation responses compared to responses on primary (maize) and alternate hosts.

Conclusions

Manual annotation ofD. v. virgiferaDvir_2.0 RefSeq models predicted expansion of paralogs with gene families putatively involved in insecticide resistance and chemosensory perception. Our study also suggests that adaptations ofD. v. virgiferalarvae to feeding on an alternate host plant invoke fewer transcriptional changes compared to marginal or poor hosts. The shared up-regulation of stress response pathways between marginal host and poor host, and starvation treatments may reflect nutrient deprivation. This study provides insight into transcriptomic responses of larval feeding on different host plants and resources for genomic research on this economically significant pest of maize.
Organ-specific expression of genes associated with the UDP-glucose metabolism in sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids)
Authors: Mason Patrick J. , Hoang Nam V. , Botha Frederik C. , Furtado Agnelo , Marquardt Annelie , Henry Robert J.
Published: January 2023

Background

The importance of uridine 5′-diphosphate glucose (UDP-G) synthesis and degradation on carbon (C) partitioning has been indicated in several studies of plant systems, whereby the kinetic properties and abundance of involved enzymes had a significant effect upon the volume of C moving into the hemicellulose, cellulose and sucrose pools. In this study, the expression of 136 genes belonging to 32 gene families related to UDP-G metabolism was studied in 3 major sugarcane organs (including leaf, internode and root) at 6 different developmental stages in 2 commercial genotypes.

Results

Analysis of the genes associated with UDP-G metabolism in leaves indicated low expression of sucrose synthase, but relatively high expression of invertase genes, specifically cell-wall invertase 4 and neutral acid invertase 1–1 and 3 genes. Further, organs that are primarily responsible for sucrose synthesis or bioaccumulation, i.e., in source organs (mature leaves) and storage sink organs (mature internodes), had very low expression of sucrose, cellulose and hemicellulose synthesis genes, specifically sucrose synthase 1 and 2, UDP-G dehydrogenase 5 and several cellulose synthase subunit genes. Gene expression was mostly very low in both leaf and mature internode samples; however, leaves did have a comparatively heightened invertase and sucrose phosphate synthase expression. Major differences were observed in the transcription of several genes between immature sink organs (roots and immature internodes). Gene transcription favoured utilisation of UDP-G toward insoluble and respiratory pools in roots. Whereas, there was comparatively higher expression of sucrose synthetic genes, sucrose phosphate synthase 1 and 4, and comparatively lower expression of many genes associated with C flow to insoluble and respiratory pools including myo-Inositol oxygenase, UDP-G dehydrogenase 4, vacuolar invertase 1, and several cell-wall invertases in immature internodes.

Conclusion

This study represents the first effort to quantify the expression of gene families associated with UDP-G metabolism in sugarcane. Transcriptional analysis displayed the likelihood that C partitioning in sugarcane is closely related to the transcription of genes associated with the UDP-G metabolism. The data presented may provide an accurate genetic reference for future efforts in altering UDP-G metabolism and in turn C partitioning in sugarcane.
The multifaceted roles of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in peanut responses to salt, drought, and cold stress
Authors: Liu Yuexu , Lu Jinhao , Cui Li , Tang Zhaohui , Ci Dunwei , Zou Xiaoxia , Zhang Xiaojun , Yu Xiaona , Wang Yuefu , Si Tong
Published: January 2023

Background

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) are beneficial microorganisms in soil-plant interactions; however, the underlying mechanisms regarding their roles in legumes environmental stress remain elusive. Present trials were undertaken to study the effect of AMF on the ameliorating of salt, drought, and cold stress in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) plants. A new product of AMF combined with Rhizophagus irregularis SA, Rhizophagus clarus BEG142, Glomus lamellosum ON393, and Funneliformis mosseae BEG95 (1: 1: 1: 1, w/w/w/w) was inoculated with peanut and the physiological and metabolomic responses of the AMF-inoculated and non-inoculated peanut plants to salt, drought, and cold stress were comprehensively characterized, respectively.

Results

AMF-inoculated plants exhibited higher plant growth, leaf relative water content (RWC), net photosynthetic rate, maximal photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) (Fv/Fm), activities of antioxidant enzymes, and K+: Na+ ratio while lower leaf relative electrolyte conductivity (REC), concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), and the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) under stressful conditions. Moreover, the structures of chloroplast thylakoids and mitochondria in AMF-inoculated plants were less damaged by these stresses. Non-targeted metabolomics indicated that AMF altered numerous pathways associated with organic acids and amino acid metabolisms in peanut roots under both normal-growth and stressful conditions, which were further improved by the osmolytes accumulation data.

Conclusion

This study provides a promising AMF product and demonstrates that this AMF combination could enhance peanut salt, drought, and cold stress tolerance through improving plant growth, protecting photosystem, enhancing antioxidant system, and regulating osmotic adjustment.