bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of telemedicine for trauma care since the Russian invasion of Ukraine: A qualitative assessment
Authors: Koehlmoos Tracey Pérez , Kanagaratnam Amandari , Korona-Bailey Jessica , Amowitz Zoe , Maddox John S , Hamm Tiffany E , Berezyuk Oleh , Lawry Lynn Lieberman
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Ukraine's health and trauma system has been detrimentally impacted since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022. Use of telemedicine became critical to providing timely medical care. As such, the aim of this study was to describe telemedicine's use in the health and trauma system of Ukraine following the full-scale invasion.

Methods

We conducted qualitative key informant interviews with military and civilian health care workers using an expanded version of the Global Trauma System Evaluation Tool which had components focusing on telemedicine use. Thematic content analysis was used to derive key telemedicine themes from interviews.

Results

We conducted 36 key informant interviews. Most respondents described using telemedicine through informal means of communication such as messaging apps to meet patient care needs. Concerns and challenges with use of telemedicine included weapons targeting, internet connections and safety of communications from Russian hackers. A unified system for telemedicine would greatly improve use in country both during and post conflict.

Discussion

Telemedicine use has rapidly increased in Ukraine during the current conflict particularly in the scope of providing trauma care when numerous specialties are needed. Development of a unified, secure telemedicine system with mechanisms for integrating multinational medical support would aid in providing swift medical care to persons injured in the conflict or unable to access a specialty provider in their proximity.
From ‘girlboss’ to #stayathomegirlfriend: The romanticisation of domestic labour on TikTok
Authors: Sykes Isabel
Published: October 2024

Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, romanticised depictions of domestic work have proliferated on social media sites. In particular, the increasingly popular TikTok platform is replete with images of domestic labour centred on repetitive routines, catharsis and feminine aesthetics. The #stayathomegirlfriend trend exemplifies this phenomenon. Rooted in tradwife ideology, which advocates a ‘return’ to a male breadwinner model of domesticity, the #stayathomegirlfriend aesthetic espouses a romantic ideal of feminine domesticity as an escape from the ‘double shift’ and represents a backlash to popular feminism’s failed injunction to ‘lean in’. Under this trend, domestic labour is romanticised as an aesthetically pleasing self-care practice for a generation who have watched their mothers suffer through the grind of the neoliberal labour market, and who are themselves incited to become a ‘girlboss’ to survive it. Through a thematic analysis of popular videos under this hashtag trend, this article reveals that stay-at-home girlfriends unwittingly mimic the popular feminist doctrine of ‘empowerment’ through their depictions of domestic self-care and channel ‘girlboss’ culture through their work as social media influencers. Thus, despite purporting to reject popular feminism’s celebration of the ‘girlboss’ and repurpose tradwife ideology for Generation Z, stay-at-home girlfriends accomplish neither: subjugating themselves within the ‘double shift’ and denying the value of their own labour on both fronts.
Solidarity: Memory work, periodicals and the protest lexicon in the long 1960s
Authors: van den Elzen Sophie
Published: October 2024

This article examines the lexical memory work performed by the British New Left as it differentiated itself from the organised labour movement post-1956. It argues that activists use memory to reframe the meaning of keywords in the ‘protest lexicon’, and that this is an important, though usually implicit, activist cultural practice. Based on previous work in conceptual history and cognitive science, it begins by situating lexical memory work as an activity on the border between narrative historical memory, semantic memory and implicit collective memory. It then discusses the resignification of the word solidarity during the long 1960s, when lexical work was a key feature of the New Left’s apostasy from traditional Marxism. Finally, it examines the case of the British heterodox Marxist journal, Solidarity, outlining how it intervened in the protest lexicon by wrenching free the keyword solidarity from previous meanings, changing its historical referent and, ultimately, resignifying it.
Activist turns: The (in)compatibility of scholarship and transformative activism
Authors: Chidgey Red
Published: October 2024

Is memory studies experiencing an activist turn? What discourses and practices surround such a pronouncement, and what forms of forgetting might such an assertion usher in? This commentary explores recent claim-making around memory studies’ activist turn and seeks to understand its provocations and critiques. It anchors these discourses within a wider constellation of scholar-activism, paying particular attention to citational politics and memory, activist forms of knowledge making, resource distribution, and the politics and precarities of the contemporary university system.
Human-Wildlife Conflict: The Case of Chebera Churchura National Park, South West Ethiopia
Authors: Yihune Mesele , Tsegaye Adane
Published: October 2024

Background and Research Aims

Human-wildlife conflict is a significant issue worldwide mainly in developing countries where livestock husbandry and crop production are important aspects of rural people’s livelihoods and income. This study on human-wildlife conflict was conducted in and around Chebera-Churchura National Park from September 2019 to August 2021. The main aim of the study was to investigate the extent of human-wildlife conflict in the study area.

Methods

Data were collected using semi structured questionnaire and direct observation on crop damage. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the collected data and responses were compared by using chi-square test (χ2) and one-way ANOVA.

Results

The result indicated that problems encountered by the local people due to wildlife species were crop damage (99.2%), livestock predation (67.8%), disease transmission (28.8%) and human attack (11.9%). According to the report of those who are affected, the average number of livestock predated by wild animals in and around Chebera Churchura National Park was 2.69±0.17 per household per year. Maize was the most highly affected crop type by different raiders in the study area, for instance the average maize loss by olive baboon ( Papio anubis) was 303 ETB (Ethiopian Birr) (6USD) per household per year. Generally, the loss of the total estimated cost of all crop types during the study period due to crop raiders was 320,515.00 ETB (Ethiopian Birr) (6410 USD).

Conclusion

Conflict has occurred in the study area for many years and the rate of conflict is increasing from time to time.

Implication for Conservation

Integrated conflict mitigation measures should be implemented by the park administration and stakeholders to alleviate the problem and ensure sustainable coexistence of wildlife and human in the area.
Musical and visual reactions to (trans-)misogynies in Austrian popular music
Authors: Fuernkranz Magdalena
Published: October 2024

In this paper, I discuss musical and visual reactions to gender-based violence, hate speech, power abuse and disinformation in everyday life; furthermore, I examine the performance and staging strategies and the role of languages in the concepts of Austrian musicians and bands, such as Dives, Шапка (Schapka), Fijuka, Fatima Spar, and Kerosin95, as well as the de-/construction of (trans-)misogynies in popular music. Since the analyzed songs and performances correspond to the clichés of masculinity prevalent in contemporary pop culture, I draw on work dealing with (trans-)misogynies and empowerment in popular music to highlight how the aforementioned musicians deal with experienced threats and criticize hegemonic power relations.
AML typical mutations (CEBPA, FLT3, NPM1) identify a high-risk chronic myelomonocytic leukemia independent of CPSS molecular
Authors: Castaño-Díez Sandra , López-Guerra Mònica , Zugasti Inés , Calvo Xavier , Schulz Felicitas Isabel , Avendaño Alejandro , Mora Elvira , Falantes José , Azaceta Gemma , Ibáñez Mariam , Chen Tzu , Notario Cristina , Amer Neus , Palomo Laura , Pomares Helena , Vila Jordi , Bernal del Castillo Teresa , Jiménez-Vicente Carlos , Esteban Daniel , Guijarro Francesca , Álamo José , Cortés-Bullich Albert , Torrecillas-Mayayo Víctor , Triguero Ana , Mont-de Torres Lucía , Carcelero Ester , Cardús Aina , Germing Ulrich , Betz Beate , Rozman Maria , Arenillas Leonor , Zamora Lurdes , Díez-Campelo María , Xicoy Blanca , Esteve Jordi , Díaz-Beyá Marina
Published: October 2024

Mutations commonly associated with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), such as CEBPA, FLT3, IDH1/2, and NPM1, are rarely found in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), and their prognostic significance in CMML has not been clearly identified. In 127 patients with CMML, we have retrospectively analyzed next-generation sequencing and polymerase chain reaction data from bone marrow samples collected at the time of CMML diagnosis. Seven patients harbored CEBPA mutations, 8 FLT3 mutations, 12 IDH1 mutations, 26 IDH2 mutations, and 11 NPM1 mutations. Patients with CMML harboring CEBPA, FLT3, and/or NPM1 mutations (mutCFN) more frequently had the myeloproliferative subtype, a high prevalence of severe cytopenia, and elevated blast counts. Regardless of their CMML Prognostic Scoring System molecular classification, mutCFN patients with CMML had a poor prognosis, and the multivariate analysis identified mutCFN as an independent marker of overall survival. The genetic profile of these mutCFN patients with CMML closely resembled that of patients with AML, with higher-risk clinical characteristics. Our findings lead us to suggest including the assessment of these mutations in CMML prognostic models and treating these patients with AML-type therapies, including intensive chemotherapy and allogeneic stem cell transplantation, whenever feasible. Furthermore, certain targeted therapies approved for use in AML should be considered.
Drp1 acetylation mediated by CDK5-AMPK-GCN5L1 axis promotes cerebral ischemic injury via facilitating mitochondrial fission
Authors: Zhang Jiejie , Wang Shan , Zhang Haitao , Yang Xiaotong , Ren Xin , Wang Lei , Yang Yihan , Yang Yi , Wen Ya
Published: October 2024

The aberrant acetylation of mitochondrial proteins is involved in the pathogenesis of multiple diseases including neurodegenerative diseases and cerebral ischemic injury. Previous studies have shown that depletion of mitochondrial NAD+, which is necessary for mitochondrial deacetylase activity, leads to decreased activity of mitochondrial deacetylase and thus causes hyperacetylation of mitochondrial proteins in ischemic brain tissues, which results in altered mitochondrial dynamics. However, it remains largely unknown about how mitochondrial dynamics-related protein Drp1 is acetylated in ischemic neuronal cells and brain tissues. Here, we showed that Drp1 and GCN5L1 expression was up-regulated in OGD-treated neuronal cells and ischemic brain tissues induced by dMCAO, accompanied by the increased mitochondrial fission, mtROS accumulation, and cell apoptosis. Further, we confirmed that ischemia/hypoxia promoted Drp1 interaction with GCN5L1 in neuronal cells and brain tissues. GCN5L1 knockdown attenuated, while its overexpression enhanced Drp1 acetylation and mitochondrial fission, indicating that GCN5L1 plays a crucial role in ischemia/hypoxia-induced mitochondrial fission by acetylating Drp1. Mechanistically, ischemia/hypoxia induced Drp1 phosphorylation by CDK5 upregulation-mediated activation of AMPK in neuronal cells, which in turn facilitated the interaction of GCN5L1 with Drp1, thus enhancing Drp1 acetylation and mitochondrial fission. Accordingly, inhibition of AMPK alleviated ischemia/hypoxia- induced Drp1 acetylation and mitochondrial fission and protected brain tissues from ischemic damage. These findings provide a novel insight into the functional roles of GCN5L1 in regulating Drp1 acetylation and identify a previously unrecognized CDK5-AMPK-GCN5L1 pathway that mediates the acetylation of Drp1 in ischemic brain tissues.
Disrupted gray matter connectome in vestibular migraine: a combined machine learning and individual-level morphological brain network analysis
Authors: Chen Wen , Zhao Hongru , Feng Qifang , Xiong Xing , Ke Jun , Dai Lingling , Hu Chunhong
Published: October 2024

Background

Although gray matter (GM) volume alterations have been extensively documented in previous voxel-based morphometry studies on vestibular migraine (VM), little is known about the impact of this disease on the topological organization of GM morphological networks. This study investigated the altered network patterns of the GM connectome in patients with VM.

Methods

In this study, 55 patients with VM and 57 healthy controls (HCs) underwent structural T1-weighted MRI. GM morphological networks were constructed by estimating interregional similarity in the distributions of regional GM volume based on the Kullback–Leibler divergence measure. Graph-theoretical metrics and interregional morphological connectivity were computed and compared between the two groups. Partial correlation analyses were performed between significant GM connectome features and clinical parameters. Logistic regression (LR), support vector machine (SVM), and random forest (RF) classifiers were used to examine the performance of significant GM connectome features in distinguishing patients with VM from HCs.

Results

Compared with HCs, patients with VM exhibited increased clustering coefficient and local efficiency, as well as reduced nodal degree and nodal efficiency in the left superior temporal gyrus (STG). Furthermore, we identified one connected component with decreased morphological connectivity strength, and the involved regions were mainly located in the STG, temporal pole, prefrontal cortex, supplementary motor area, cingulum, fusiform gyrus, and cerebellum. In the VM group, several connections in the identified connected component were correlated with clinical measures (i.e., symptoms and emotional scales); however, these correlations did not survive multiple comparison corrections. A combination of significant graph- and connectivity-based features allowed single-subject classification of VM versus HC with significant accuracy of 77.68%, 77.68%, and 72.32% for the LR, SVM, and RF models, respectively.

Conclusion

Patients with VM had aberrant GM connectomes in terms of topological properties and network connections, reflecting potential dizziness, pain, and emotional dysfunctions. The identified features could serve as individualized neuroimaging markers of VM.
Dedifferentiated liposarcoma of the extremities: a Korean multi-center study of 107 cases
Authors: Park Jay Hoon , Kim Sung Eun , Kim Wanlim , Kim Youngsung , Kim June Hyuk , Seo Sung Wook , Kim Han-Soo , Kim Shinn , Han Ilkyu
Published: October 2024

Background

Dedifferentiated liposarcoma of the extremities (DDL-E) is rare in comparison to that of the retroperitoneum. Its clinical features and surgical principle for resection margins at the dedifferentiated and the well-differentiated components are yet to be elucidated.

Methods

This retrospective multi-center study examined patients diagnosed with DDL-E from August 2004 to May 2023 at 5 sarcoma centers. Clinical features, oncologic outcomes, and prognostic factors were analyzed.

Results

A total of 107 patients were reviewed. The 5-year local recurrence free survival (LRFS), metastasis-free survival (MFS) and disease specific survival (DSS) were 84.7%, 78.6%, and 87.8%, respectively. Other primary malignancies and extrapulmonary metastasis were observed in 27 and 4 patients, respectively. The independent risk factor for local recurrence was R1/2 margin at the dedifferentiated component of the tumor. Metastasis was associated with tumor size in univariate analysis. The independent risk factor for DSS was tumor grade. Previous unplanned excision, de novo presentation, tumor depth, absence of the well-differentiated component, infiltrative border, R1/2 margin at the well-differentiated component were not associated with oncologic outcomes.

Conclusions

This is the largest study examining DDL-E to-date. Localized DDL-E has low potential for metastasis and carries an excellent prognosis. Other primary malignancy and extrapulmonary metastasis are more frequent in DDL-E, thus close monitoring of other sites during follow-up is recommended. While wide resection margin is the standard surgical approach for DDL-E, further investigation into moderated wide resection margin at the well-differentiated component is warranted.
Examining noncommunicable diseases using satellite imagery: a systematic literature review
Authors: Folkmann Elizabeth J. , Hughes M. Courtney , Khan Uzma Amzad , Vaezi Mahdi
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, accounting for 74% of deaths annually. Satellite imagery provides previously unattainable data about factors related to NCDs that overcome limitations of traditional, non-satellite-derived environmental data, such as subjectivity and requirements of a smaller geographic area of focus. This systematic literature review determined how satellite imagery has been used to address the top NCDs in the world, including cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes.

Methods

A literature search was performed using PubMed (including MEDLINE), CINAHL, Web of Science, Science Direct, Green FILE, and Engineering Village for articles published through June 6, 2023. Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods peer-reviewed studies about satellite imagery in the context of the top NCDs (cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, and diabetes) were included. Articles were assessed for quality using the criteria from the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine.

Results

A total of 43 studies were included, including 5 prospective comparative cohort trials, 22 retrospective cohort studies, and 16 cross-sectional studies. Country economies of the included studies were 72% high-income, 16% upper-middle-income, 9% lower-middle-income, and 0% low-income. One study was global. 93% of the studies found an association between the satellite data and NCD outcome(s). A variety of methods were used to extract satellite data, with the main methods being using publicly available algorithms (79.1%), preprocessing techniques (34.9%), external resource tools (30.2%) and publicly available models (13.9%). All four NCD types examined appeared in at least 20% of the studies.

Conclusion

Researchers have demonstrated they can successfully use satellite imagery data to investigate the world’s top NCDs. However, given the rapid increase in satellite technology and artificial intelligence, much of satellite imagery used to address NCDs remains largely untapped. In particular, with most existing studies focusing on high-income countries, future research should use satellite data, to overcome limitations of traditional data, from lower-income countries which have a greater burden of morbidity and mortality from NCDs. Furthermore, creating and refining effective methods to extract and process satellite data may facilitate satellite data’s use among scientists studying NCDs worldwide.
Gender sensitivity of the COVID-19 mental health research in Europe: a scoping review
Authors: López-Atanes Mayte , Sáenz-Herrero Margarita , Zach Nele , Lakeberg Meret , Ugedo Asier , Fraile-García Elisa , Erkoreka Leire , Segarra Rafael , Schäfer Ingo , Brand Tilman
Published: October 2024

Background

The integration of sex and gender aspects into the research process has been recognized as crucial to the generation of valid data. During the coronavirus pandemic, a great deal of research addressed the mental state of hospital staff, as they constituted a population at risk for infection and distress. However, it is still unknown how the gender dimension was included. We aimed to appraise and measure qualitatively the extent of gender sensitivity.

Methods

In this scoping review, we searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL PsycINFO and Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI) from database inception to November 11, 2021. All quantitative studies with primary data published in English, German, or Spanish and based in the European Union were selected. Included studies had to have assessed the mental health of hospital staff using validated psychometric scales for depression, anxiety, PTSD symptoms, distress, suicidal behavior, insomnia, substance abuse or aggressive behavior. Two independent reviewers applied eligibility criteria to each title/abstract reviewed, to the full text of the article, and performed the data extraction. A gender sensitivity assessment tool was developed and validated, consisting of 18 items followed by a final qualitative assessment. Two independent reviewers assessed the gender dimension of each included article.

Results

Three thousand one hundred twelve studies were identified, of which 72 were included in the analysis. The most common design was cross-sectional (75.0%) and most of them were conducted in Italy (31.9%). Among the results, only one study assessed suicidal behaviors and none substance abuse disorders or aggressive behaviors. Sex and gender were used erroneously in 83.3% of the studies, and only one study described how the gender of the participants was determined. Most articles (71.8%) did not include sex/gender in the literature review and did not discuss sex/gender-related findings with a gender theoretical background (86.1%). In the analysis, 37.5% provided sex/gender disaggregated data, but only 3 studies performed advanced modeling statistics, such as interaction analysis. In the overall assessment, 3 papers were rated as good in terms of gender sensitivity, and the rest as fair (16.7%) and poor (79.2%). Three papers were identified in which gender stereotypes were present in explaining the results. None of the papers analyzed the results of non-binary individuals.

Conclusions

Studies on the mental health of hospital staff during the pandemic did not adequately integrate the gender dimension, despite the institutional commitment of the European Union and the gendered effect of the pandemic. In the development of future mental health interventions for this population, the use and generalizability of current evidence should be done cautiously.
Subtype-specific neurons from patient iPSCs display distinct neuropathological features of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Tao Ran , Yue Chunmei , Guo Zhijie , Guo Wenke , Yao Yao , Yang Xianfa , Shao Zhen , Gao Chao , Ding Jianqing , Shen Lu , Chen Shengdi , Jing Naihe
Published: October 2024

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by massive neuronal loss in the brain. Both cortical glutamatergic neurons and basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCNs) in the AD brain are selectively vulnerable. The degeneration and dysfunction of these two subtypes of neurons are closely associated with the cognitive decline of AD patients. The determination of cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in AD pathogenesis, especially in the early stage, will largely facilitate the understanding of this disease and the development of proper intervention strategies. However, due to the inaccessibility of living neurons in the brains of patients, it remains unclear how cortical glutamatergic neurons and BFCNs respond to pathological stress in the early stage of AD. In this study, we established in vitro differentiation systems that can efficiently differentiate patient-derived iPSCs into BFCNs. We found that AD-BFCNs secreted less Aβ peptide than cortical glutamatergic neurons did, even though the Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio was comparable to that of cortical glutamatergic neurons. To further mimic the neurotoxic niche in AD brain, we treated iPSC-derived neurons with Aβ42 oligomer (AβO). BFCNs are less sensitive to AβO induced tau phosphorylation and expression than cortical glutamatergic neurons. However, AβO could trigger apoptosis in both AD-cortical glutamatergic neurons and AD-BFCNs. In addition, AD iPSC-derived BFCNs and cortical glutamatergic neurons exhibited distinct electrophysiological firing patterns and elicited different responses to AβO treatment. These observations revealed that subtype-specific neurons display distinct neuropathological changes during the progression of AD, which might help to understand AD pathogenesis at the cellular level.
Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Circular Columns Subjected to Double Curvature Buckling Moment
Authors: Hamoda Ahmed , Fayed Sabry , Mansour Walid , Emara Mohamed
Published: October 2024

This paper investigates experimentally and numerically structural performance of reinforced concrete (RC) circular column under double curvature buckling moment. RC circular columns are popularity embraced in RC structures not only owing to its esthetic, attractive appearance and easy for construction, but also for its better contribution for stress resistance. However, the corner or edge columns may be exposed to edge moment (EM) transferred from beam–column joint with double curvature effect. The current investigation proposes to understand the structural exhibition of such columns subjected to double curvature buckling edge moment generated at beam–column joint considering some parameters. A total number of 11 full-scale RC circular columns were constructed, installed, and then tested up to failure studying four parameters. These parameters were: clear height-to-diameter ratio (λ), longitudinal and lateral steel ratios (μ and ρ, respectively) and concrete type. The λ ratio has been introduced with: 4.89, 4.51 and 4.14. The μ ratio has been presented by: 2.2%, 2.3%, 2.6%, and 3.1%, while the ρ ratio was employed with: 0.84%, 0.93%, 1.00% and 1.18%. Three concrete types were studied; one of them was normal concrete (NC), while the other ones were high-performance concretes (HPCs) which were engineered cementitious composite (ECC) and high-strength fiber reinforced concrete (HSFRC). Experimental outcomes revealed that all studied parameters could affect and upgrade the structural performance; however, both longitudinal reinforcement and height-to-diameter ratio provided significant enhancement (about 51%–64%). Parallel to those exploited experimentally, nonlinear three-dimensional finite element models (FEMs) were installed, executed and established considering experimental outcomes producing an acceptable model with an under/over-estimation of about 4%.
Stirring the hydrogen and butanol production from Enset fiber via simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) process
Authors: Seid Nebyat , Wießner Lea , Aliyu Habibu , Neumann Anke
Published: October 2024

Enset fiber is a promising feedstock for biofuel production with the potential to reduce carbon emissions and improve the sustainability of the energy system. This study aimed to maximize hydrogen and butanol production from Enset fiber through simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) process in bottles as well as in bioreactor. The SSF process in bottles resulted in a higher butanol concentration of 11.36 g/L with a yield of 0.23 g/g and a productivity of 0.16 g/(L h) at the optimal process parameters of 5% (w/v) substrate loading, 16 FPU/g cellulase loading, and 100 rpm agitation speed from pretreated Enset fiber. Moreover, a comparable result to the bottle experiment was observed in the bioreactor with pH-uncontrolled SSF process, although with a decreased in butanol productivity to 0.095 g/(L h). However, using the pre-hydrolysis simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (PSSF) process in the bioreactor with a 7% (w/v) substrate loading led to the highest butanol concentration of 12.84 g/L with a productivity of 0.104 g/(L h). Furthermore, optimizing the SSF process parameters to favor hydrogen resulted in an increased hydrogen yield of 198.27 mL/g-Enset fiber at atmospheric pressure, an initial pH of 8.0, and 37 °C. In general, stirring the SSF process to shift the product ratio to either hydrogen or butanol was possible by adjusting temperature and pressure. At 37 °C and atmospheric pressure, the process resulted in an e-mol yield of 12% for hydrogen and 38% for butanol. Alternatively, at 30 °C and 0.55 bar overpressure, the process achieved a yield of 6% e-mol of hydrogen and 48% e-mol of butanol. This is the first study to produce hydrogen and butanol from Enset fiber using the SSF process and contributes to the development of a circular bioeconomy.

Graphical Abstract
Utility of the AngelMed Guardian System in myocardial bridging: a case report
Authors: Rao Lakshmi , Chadha Arjun , Rao Anila , Khandavalli Anurag , Rao Surya
Published: October 2024

Background

Myocardial bridging (MB) is a known congenital anomaly in which a segment of the coronary artery transverses from the epicardium through the myocardium. MB may clinically manifest as recurrent angina, acute coronary syndrome, ventricular dysrhythmia, and even sudden cardiac death. On electrocardiogram (EKG), MB can present with findings consistent with significant ST-segment changes. The AngelMed Guardian System (the Guardian device) was developed in an effort to optimize the time from the onset of myocardial ischemia to intervention. The device analyzes myocardial electrical changes and alerts the patient to seek emergent medical evaluation if an acute ST-segment deviation is detected. We describe the first documented case of the Guardian device detecting acute ST-segment changes secondary to myocardial bridging.

Case Presentation

A 50-year-old male, with a history of percutaneous coronary intervention of the proximal left anterior descending (LAD) artery, presented to his cardiologist’s office with reports of recurrent, atypical chest pain. The Guardian device was implanted. One month after implantation, the patient experienced chest pain and was alerted by the Guardian device to seek emergent medical evaluation. Initial EKG and high-sensitivity troponins were negative for acute ischemia. Guardian device interrogation revealed significant ST depressions, encouraging further ischemic evaluation. The exercise myocardial perfusion imaging revealed an apical reversible defect. Left heart catheterization revealed a large segment of mid-LAD MB with the patient’s previous LAD stent noted to be widely patent along with no evidence of new obstructive coronary disease. Following the identification of the MB, medication regimen adjusted and the patient denied recurrence of chest pain or Guardian alerts.

Conclusions

We describe the first documented case of the Guardian device detecting acute ST-segment changes that were secondary to myocardial bridging. The Guardian device appropriately documented an ischemic event not appreciated with initial EKG or troponin testing. With the assistance of the Guardian device, we were able to rapidly identify MB as the cause for the ischemic EKG changes and subsequent abnormal stress test, optimize medical management, and prevent recurrent atypical chest pain along with office and hospital visits.
Bully victimization and self-esteem among students with communication disorders
Authors: Mawlod Khaleel S. , Kakamd Karwan K. , Jubraeel Aween Salman , Ahmed Jaafar Omer
Published: October 2024

Background

Bullying is a universal problem among school-aged adolescents, characterized by recurrent and destructive behavior toward peers. Bullying victimization has a strong impact on self-esteem. Students diagnosed with communication disorders are more likely to experience low self-esteem. The study’s main goal is to detect a correlation between victimization and self-esteem in teenage students diagnosed with communication disorders.

Methods

From October 2023 to March 2024, we conducted this cross-sectional study in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. The study included 150 teenage students of both genders diagnosed with communication disorders. Rosenberg’s self-esteem scale was used to measure self-esteem, and the multidimensional peer victimization scale was used to measure bullying victimization. We analyzed the data using independent samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and simple linear regression analysis.

Results

This study found that students with communication disorders experience high levels of bullying victimization (M = 18.63) and report low self-esteem (M = 13.56). A significant negative correlation was observed between bullying victimization and self-esteem (r2 = 0.21), indicating that bullying accounts for 21% of the variance in self-esteem. Male students were more likely to experience higher levels of bullying victimization and lower self-esteem compared to female students.

Conclusion

The study determined the severe impact of bullying on the self-esteem of adolescent students with communication disorders, particularly among males and those with stuttering. The long-term effects of bullying and potential protective factors that could mitigate its impact on self-esteem require further research.
The expert witness: a brief evolutionary history
Authors: Biswas Asit B. , Casey Patricia
Published: October 2024

In legal parlance, a ‘witness’ must have personal knowledge of the facts that form the basis of their inference or opinion. However, unlike an ordinary or a professional witness, an expert witness can provide opinion evidence, an exception to this doctrine. The evolution of the role of an expert witness or a skilled witness (in Scotland) is outlined in this clinical reflection.
Medical Record-Keeping Then and Now
Authors: Kuter Irene
Published: October 2024

The electronic health record has affected how physicians document patient care, and presents challenges.
Real-World Immune-Related Adverse Events in Patients With Early Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Who Received Pembrolizumab
Authors: Jayan Athira , Sukumar Jasmine S. , Fangman Benjamin , Patel Tejal , Raghavendra Akshara Singareeka , Liu Diane , Pasyar Sarah , Rauch Ronald , Basen-Engquist Karen , Tripathy Debasish , Wang Yinghong , Khan Sonya S. , Barcenas Carlos H.
Published: October 2024

PURPOSE

The addition of pembrolizumab to chemotherapy in high-risk early triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) improves cancer outcomes. However, pembrolizumab induces varied immune-related adverse events (irAEs) where some can be severe or lifelong. This retrospective study describes real-world patterns of irAEs in patients with TNBC who received pembrolizumab.

METHODS

We evaluated irAEs in patients with TNBC from a comprehensive cancer center and a community hospital who received pembrolizumab with chemotherapy between 2021 and 2023, excluding those enrolled in clinical trials. We used national guidelines to grade toxicities. Logistic regression assessed the effect of clinicopathologic variables on irAEs adjusting for covariates.

RESULTS

We identified 233 patients with a median age of 51 years, 62% had stage II TNBC, 35% had stage III TNBC, 25% were Hispanic, 21% were Black, and 42% were White. Eighty patients (34%) developed 100 separate irAEs. The most common irAEs were endocrinopathies (52%) and GI (23%); there were 26 grade ≥3 irAEs, which all resulted in hospitalization, the most common being GI (13 instances); 45 required systemic steroids, 16 required additional immunosuppressive therapy, and 32 patients discontinued pembrolizumab because of irAEs. Two patients who developed colitis eventually died due to complications. Most (67 instances) irAEs were unresolved at the time of last follow-up, but 55% (37/67) had improved to grade 1. No clinicopathologic factors were associated with the development or severity of irAEs.

CONCLUSION

In this real-world diverse population, we observed rates of irAEs comparable with KEYNOTE-522, where endocrinopathies were the most prevalent, but GI irAEs were also prevalent and severe. This emphasizes a critical issue as pembrolizumab is increasingly being used in early TNBC and could have long-term survivorship implications.
Creating a Learning Health System in a Cancer Center: Generalizability of an Electronic Health Record Phenotype for Advanced Solid Cancer
Authors: Walling Anne M. , Lorenz Karl A. , Yuan Anita , O'Hanlon Claire E. , McClean Michael , Ljungberg Benjamin Fayyazuddin , Giannitrapani Karleen F. , Bozkurt Selen , Anand Sidharth , Glaspy John , Wenger Neil S. , Lindvall Charlotta
Published: October 2024

PURPOSE

To test the generalizability of an electronic health record (EHR) phenotype for patients with advanced solid cancer, which was previously developed in a single cancer center.

METHODS

We compared an algorithm to identify patients with advanced solid cancer from a random sample of patients with active cancer in the Veterans Health Administration (VA) and an academic cancer center with a human-coded reference standard between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2019.

RESULTS

Compared with the human-coded reference standard, the algorithm had high specificity (93%; 95% CI, 87 to 99 and 97%; 95% CI, 93 to 100) and reasonable sensitivity (85%; 95% CI, 76 to 94 and 87%; 95% CI, 77 to 97) in the VA and academic cancer center populations, respectively. Patients with advanced cancer (compared with those with active nonadvanced cancer) had higher mortality at the VA and academic cancer center (29.2% and 17.0% 6-month mortality
v
6.8% and 3.5%), respectively.

CONCLUSION

This EHR phenotype can be used to measure and improve the quality of palliative care for patients with advanced cancer within and across health care settings.
Treatment of Short Stature in Aggrecan-deficient Patients With Recombinant Human GH: 3-year Response
Authors: Muthuvel Gajanthan , Dauber Andrew , Alexandrou Eirene , Tyzinski Leah , Hwa Vivian , Backeljauw Philippe
Published: October 2024

Context

Patients with aggrecan (ACAN) deficiency present with dominantly inherited short stature, as well as early-onset joint disease.

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of recombinant human GH (rhGH) on linear growth in ACAN-deficient children.

Methods

Open-label, single-arm, prospective study over 3 years recruiting 10 treatment-naïve patients with heterozygous mutations in ACAN, age ≥2 years, prepubertal, and normal IGF-I concentration. Patients were treated with rhGH (initially, 50 mcg/kg/day). Main outcomes were change in (Δ) height SD score (HtSDS) and height velocity (HV).

Results

Ten patients (6 females) enrolled with median chronological age (CA) of 5.6 years (range, 2.4-9.7). Baseline median HtSDS, HV, and bone age/CA were −2.5 (range, −4.3 to −1.1), 5.2 cm/year (range, 3.8 to 7.1), and 1.2 (range, 0.9 to 1.5), respectively. The cumulative median ΔHtSDS over 3 years was +1.21 (range, +0.82 to +1.94). Median HV increased to 8.3 cm/year (range, 7.3-11.2), 7.7 cm/year (range, 5.9-8.8), and 6.8 cm/year (range, 4.9-8.6) during years 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The median Δ predicated adult height was +6.8 cm over 3 years. Four female subjects entered puberty; nevertheless, median Δbone age/CA was −0.1. No adverse events related to rhGH were observed.

Conclusion

Linear growth improved in a cohort of ACAN-deficient patients treated with rhGH, albeit somewhat attenuated in older participants who entered puberty. Longitudinal follow-up is needed to assess the long-term efficacy of rhGH and adult height outcome.
RNA sequencing reveals molecular mechanisms of endometriosis lesion development in mice
Authors: Panir Kavita , Schjenken John E. , Breen James , Chan Hon Yeung , Greaves Erin , Robertson Sarah A. , Hull M. Louise
Published: October 2024

Understanding of molecular mechanisms contributing to the pathophysiology of endometriosis, and upstream drivers of lesion formation, remains limited. Using a C57Bl/6 mouse model in which decidualized endometrial tissue is injected subcutaneously in the abdomen of recipient mice, we generated a comprehensive profile of gene expression in decidualized endometrial tissue (n=4), and in endometriosis-like lesions at Day 7 (n=4) and Day 14 (n=4) of formation. High-throughput mRNA sequencing allowed identification of genes and pathways involved in the initiation and progression of endometriosis-like lesions. We observed distinct patterns of gene expression with substantial differences between the lesions and the decidualized endometrium that remained stable across the two lesion timepoints, and showed similarity to transcriptional changes implicated in human endometriosis lesion formation. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed several immune and inflammatory response-associated canonical pathways, multiple potential upstream regulators, and involvement of genes not previously implicated in endometriosis pathogenesis, including IRF2BP2 and ZBTB10, suggesting novel roles in disease progression. Collectively, the provided data will be a useful resource to inform research on the molecular mechanisms contributing to endometriosis-like lesion development in this mouse model.
A systematic approach to solving applied medical diagnostic problems
Authors: Korobova Lyudmila Lyudmila Anatol'evna , Einullaev Tagi , Ten Roman
Published: October 2024

The use of modern technologies in various fields of activity is a prerequisite for the development of diagnostic systems, and in particular, self-diagnosis systems for human health. The development of medicine, computer and computing technology, information technology contributes to this. The rhythm of life of a modern person and the availability of specialized diagnostic systems allows a person to do without going to medical institutions. This is also due to the current situation during the pandemic. Diagnostic systems give an impetus to the user to see a doctor if he ultimately understands the need for this. Then the user of the system with an established primary diagnosis becomes a patient of the clinic. Research in the medical field and data processing are carried out with the involvement of high-tech technologies, powerful computers, high-performance methods and algorithms. Diagnostic systems are developed as web or cross-platform applications. A mandatory element of the applications is a questionnaire, the quality of which determines the correctness of the diagnosis. The conducted analysis of existing freely available applications of various profiles showed that at the moment there is no application for diagnosing eye diseases in a non-invasive way. The relevance of the application development is explained by the modern flow of life: the use of laptops, desktop computers and all sorts of gadgets that automatically assume the presence of screens with different resolutions. If the operating mode is not observed and the use of computing equipment is aggravated, optic nerve strain is observed, which can contribute to the development of serious eye diseases. The paper presents the conclusions of medical data processing confirming the negative impact of unfavorable factors on the human visual organs. The causes of eye diseases and symptoms in various diseases are systematized. The analysis of the collected data showed their diverse nature. A decision support model based on the fuzzy logic apparatus for studying the state of the human eyes has been developed. The possibility of diagnosing the state of human organs by the iris of the eye is shown
Platform Financing vs. Trade Credit for Lending to Third-Party Sellers
Authors: Huang Rongyi , Lai Guoming , Wang Xiaofang , Xiao Wenqiang
Published: October 2024

We study platform financing in comparison with trade credit for lending to third-party sellers, considering scenarios where default risk is driven by external factors (exogenous) or influenced by the parties’ decisions (endogenous). Our findings indicate that under exogenous default risk, although platform financing exposes the platform to the seller’s default risk, it can enhance the seller’s sales by providing low-rate finance and reducing the wholesale price because the supplier remains isolated from default risk. Platform financing emerges in equilibrium, benefiting all parties, particularly in businesses facing significant default risk, high product costs, operating in small markets, or having a high commission rate. In cases of endogenous default risk, platform financing can mitigate the seller’s opportunistic behavior, either preventing or reducing default risk, and the effects of product costs and market uncertainty may become nonmonotonic. In certain scenarios, platform financing arises in equilibrium when the product cost is intermediate or sufficiently high but not in between and when market uncertainty is moderate but not low or high. We also explore the impacts of the seller’s initial capital and credit limits, providing valuable managerial insights.

This paper was accepted by Jeannette Song, operations management.

Funding: The corresponding author, X. Wang, is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grants 72071204 and 72331011].

Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.00201 .
Can Artificial Intelligence Improve Gender Equality? Evidence from a Natural Experiment
Authors: Bao Leo , Huang Difang , Lin Chen
Published: October 2024

Gender discrimination in education hinders women’s representation in various fields. How can we create a gender-neutral learning environment when teachers’ gender composition and mindset are slow to change? Recent development in artificial intelligence (AI) provides a way to achieve this goal as engineers can make AI trainers gender neutral and not take gender-related information as input. We use data from a natural experiment in which such AI trainers replace some human teachers for a male-dominated strategic board game to test the effectiveness of AI training. The introduction of AI improves teaching outcomes for boys and girls and reduces the preexisting gender gap. Survey responses indicate that AI’s information advantage, friendly appearance, and interactive features helped students to learn faster, and class recordings suggest that AI trainers’ nondiscriminatory emotional status can explain the improvement in gender equality. We demonstrate AI’s potential in improving learning outcomes and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in analogous settings.

This paper was accepted by Elena Katok, special issue on the human-algorithm connection.

Funding: D. Huang gratefully acknowledges financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grants 71988101 and T2293771]. C. Lin gratefully acknowledges financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant 72192841] and the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region, China [Project No. T35/710/20R].

Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.02787 .