bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metagenomic characterization of a novel non-ammonia-oxidizing Thaumarchaeota from hadal sediment
Authors: Zhang Ru-Yi , Wang Yan-Ren , Liu Ru-Long , Rhee Sung-Keun , Zhao Guo-Ping , Quan Zhe-Xue
Published: January 2024

Background

The hadal sediment, found at an ocean depth of more than 6000 m, is geographically isolated and under extremely high hydrostatic pressure, resulting in a unique ecosystem. Thaumarchaeota are ubiquitous marine microorganisms predominantly present in hadal environments. While there have been several studies on Thaumarchaeota there, most of them have primarily focused on ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA). However, systematic metagenomic research specifically targeting heterotrophic non-AOA Thaumarchaeota is lacking.

Results

In this study, we explored the metagenomes of Challenger Deep hadal sediment, focusing on the Thaumarchaeota. Functional analysis of sequence reads revealed the potential contribution of Thaumarchaeota to recalcitrant dissolved organic matter degradation. Metagenome assembly binned one new group of hadal sediment-specific and ubiquitously distributed non-AOA Thaumarchaeota, named Group-3.unk. Pathway reconstruction of this new type of Thaumarchaeota also supports heterotrophic characteristics of Group-3.unk, along with ABC transporters for the uptake of amino acids and carbohydrates and catabolic utilization of these substrates. This new clade of Thaumarchaeota also contains aerobic oxidation of carbon monoxide-related genes. Complete glyoxylate cycle is a distinctive feature of this clade in supplying intermediates of anabolic pathways. The pan-genomic and metabolic analyses of metagenome-assembled genomes belonging to Group-3.unk Thaumarchaeota have highlighted distinctions, including the dihydroxy phthalate decarboxylase gene associated with the degradation of aromatic compounds and the absence of genes related to the synthesis of some types of vitamins compared to AOA. Notably, Group-3.unk shares a common feature with deep ocean AOA, characterized by their high hydrostatic pressure resistance, potentially associated with the presence of V-type ATP and di-myo-inositol phosphate syntheses-related genes. The enrichment of organic matter in hadal sediments might be attributed to the high recruitment of sequence reads of the Group-3.unk clade of heterotrophic Thaumarchaeota in the trench sediment. Evolutionary and genetic dynamic analyses suggest that Group-3 non-AOA consists of mesophilic Thaumarchaeota organisms. These results indicate a potential role in the transition from non-AOA to AOA Thaumarchaeota and from thermophilic to mesophilic Thaumarchaeota, shedding light on recent evolutionary pathways.

Conclusions

One novel clade of heterotrophic non-AOA Thaumarchaeota was identified through metagenome analysis of sediments from Challenger Deep. Our study provides insight into the ecology and genomic characteristics of the new sub-group of heterotrophic non-AOA Thaumarchaeota, thereby extending the knowledge of the evolution of Thaumarchaeota.
Perceived life balance among young adult students: a comparison between caregivers and non-caregivers
Authors: Dang Srishti , Looijmans Anne , Lamura Giovanni , Hagedoorn Mariët
Published: January 2024

Background

Young adult caregivers (YACs) are individuals aged 18–25 years who provide care to a loved one (parent, sibling) with frailty, disability, or illness. As young adults, the transition period between adolescence and adulthood can be more challenging for YACs than their peers without care responsibilities (non-YACs), as they have to integrate caregiving with other life areas (education, relationships). This study compared the perceived life balance and the psychological functioning (i.e., burnout, negative and positive affect, and life satisfaction) between YACs and non-YACs.

Method

An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among 74 YACs (85.1% females, 22.0 ± 2.1 years) and 246 non-YACs (76.0% females, 21.8 ± 2.0 years) studying in the Netherlands. The survey assessed demographic characteristics, caregiving characteristics (to be filled out only by the YACs), life balance, and psychological functioning. We used Chi-square tests for categorical variables and independent T-tests for continuous variables to examine possible differences in demographic characteristics between YACs and non-YACs. In addition, we used independent T-tests to compare the perceived life balance and psychological functioning between YACs and non-YACs.

Results

YACs and non-YACs were similar on all the demographic characteristics, except for living status; fewer YACs (44.6%) than non-YACs (59.3%) lived on their own, with or without other students/friends (χ2 = 16.3, p = 0.01). YACs perceived slightly less balance in life than non-YACs (d = -.29, p = .03). Both groups did not differ in experiencing burnout, affect, and life satisfaction (all p > .05). They experienced high levels of burnout and moderate levels of life satisfaction.

Discussion

Although YACs perceived a little less balance in life than non-YACs, this was not reflected in their psychological functioning. Healthcare professionals and school counselors may need to recognise the critical phase of all young adults and provide the support that could, for example, help them reduce burnout and enhance their quality of life.
Demystifying anxiety and demotivation in on-line assessment: a focus on the impacts on academic buoyancy and autonomy
Authors: Li Bai , Yang Xin , Ismail Sayed M. , Gheisari Asma
Published: January 2024

Test anxiety is a combination of a confluence of physiological hyperarousal, tension, and bodily manifestations, with apprehension, trepidation, fear of inadequacy, and the tendency to magnify negative outcomes, which manifest before or during evaluative assessments. Online evaluation might potentially exacerbate anxiety and demotivation among learners. When students’ psychological and emotional well-being are taken into account, it may be possible to improve their educational and evaluative experiences. This study set out to shed light on the interplay between anxiety, demotivation, academic buoyancy, and autonomy in online assessment. To achieve this objective, printed copies of the related questionnaires were distributed among 392 EFL university students in China. The association between anxiety, demotivation, academic buoyancy, and autonomy in online assessment was assessed by data screening utilizing confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM). The findings indicated that students who experienced less anxiety and demotivation were more buoyant and autonomous. Possible improvements in language education and assessment are considered, as are the study’s broader implications.
Long-read transcriptome landscapes of primary and metastatic liver cancers at transcript resolution
Authors: Chen Zhiao , Shi Qili , Zhao Yiming , Xu Midie , Liu Yizhe , Li Xinrong , Liu Li , Sun Menghong , Wu Xiaohua , Shao Zhimin , Xu Ye , Wang Lu , He Xianghuo
Published: January 2024

Background

The liver ranks as the sixth most prevalent site of primary cancer in humans, and it frequently experiences metastases from cancers originating in other organs. To facilitate the development of effective treatments and improve survival rates, it is crucial to comprehend the intricate and diverse transcriptome landscape of primary and metastatic liver cancers.

Methods

We conducted long-read isoform sequencing and short-read RNA sequencing using a cohort of 95 patients with primary and secondary liver cancer who underwent hepatic resection. We compared the transcriptome landscapes of primary and metastatic liver cancers and systematically investigated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), paired primary tumours and liver metastases, and matched nontumour liver tissues.

Results

We elucidated the full-length isoform-level transcriptome of primary and metastatic liver cancers in humans. Our analysis revealed isoform-level diversity in HCC and identified transcriptome variations associated with liver metastatis. Specific RNA transcripts and isoform switching events with clinical implications were profound in liver cancer. Moreover, we defined metastasis-specific transcripts that may serve as predictors of risk of metastasis. Additionally, we observed abnormalities in adjacent paracancerous liver tissues and characterized the immunological and metabolic alterations occurring in the liver.

Conclusions

Our findings underscore the power of full-length transcriptome profiling in providing novel biological insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying tumourigenesis. These insights will further contribute to improving treatment strategies for primary and metastatic liver cancers.
Simultaneous estimation of the temporal and spatial extent of animal migration using step lengths and turning angles
Authors: Thompson Peter R. , Harrington Peter D. , Mallory Conor D. , Lele Subhash R. , Bayne Erin M. , Derocher Andrew E. , Edwards Mark A. , Campbell Mitch , Lewis Mark A.
Published: January 2024

Background

Animals of many different species, trophic levels, and life history strategies migrate, and the improvement of animal tracking technology allows ecologists to collect increasing amounts of detailed data on these movements. Understanding when animals migrate is important for managing their populations, but is still difficult despite modelling advancements.

Methods

We designed a model that parametrically estimates the timing of migration from animal tracking data. Our model identifies the beginning and end of migratory movements as signaled by change-points in step length and turning angle distributions. To this end, we can also use the model to estimate how an animal’s movement changes when it begins migrating. In addition to a thorough simulation analysis, we tested our model on three datasets: migratory ferruginous hawks (Buteo regalis) in the Great Plains, barren-ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus) in northern Canada, and non-migratory brown bears (Ursus arctos) from the Canadian Arctic.

Results

Our simulation analysis suggests that our model is most useful for datasets where an increase in movement speed or directional autocorrelation is clearly detectable. We estimated the beginning and end of migration in caribou and hawks to the nearest day, while confirming a lack of migratory behaviour in the brown bears. In addition to estimating when caribou and ferruginous hawks migrated, our model also identified differences in how they migrated; ferruginous hawks achieved efficient migrations by drastically increasing their movement rates while caribou migration was achieved through significant increases in directional persistence.

Conclusions

Our approach is applicable to many animal movement studies and includes parameters that can facilitate comparison between different species or datasets. We hope that rigorous assessment of migration metrics will aid understanding of both how and why animals move.
Study on repetitive damage-recovery cycle of hydrophobic coating for electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) applications
Authors: Son Youngdoo , Kim Woochan , Lee Daeyoung , Chung Sang Kug
Published: January 2024

This study is focusing on the durability of fluoropolymer hydrophobic coatings against falling droplets. Devices such as smart self-cleaning lens or droplet-based energy generators are open-air electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) devices, which are applications that utilize falling droplets. Therefore, the hydrophobic coatings of these devices are exposed to environment factors such as raindrop, and it is necessary to examine the durability of hydrophobic coatings in similar environments and the effectiveness of recovery. Thus, in this study, we simulate raindrops to damage samples with various thicknesses of Cytop (CTX-809SP2). Subsequently, damaged samples are heated to recover their hydrophobicity, and we repeat this damage-recovery cycle several times to evaluate the long-term durability of hydrophobic coating. The EWOD samples of three different hydrophobic coating thicknesses (0.1 μm, 0.5 μm, and 1.0 μm) are damaged by falling droplets from a certain height for 10 days. The damaged samples are then recovered by heating them on a hot plate at 200 ℃ for 24 h and evaluate their EWOD performance. In addition, the hydrophobic coatings are repeatedly damaged and recovered several times to examine the number of recovery limitations of the coatings. After the second damage-recovery cycle, the thickest hydrophobic coating sample shows 7 % better EWOD performance than others. Additionally, after the third damage-recovery cycle, the EWOD performance of all samples significantly degrade, experimentally verifying the number of recovery limitations of the hydrophobic coating. The results of this study are expected to provide useful information for open-air EWOD devices on the methods for evaluating their durability and the thickness selection of hydrophobic coating.
Mechanical force increases tooth movement and promotes remodeling of alveolar bone defects augmented with bovine bone mineral
Authors: Deng Jie , Zhuang Zi-Meng , Xu Xiao , Han Bing , Song Guang-Ying , Xu Tian-Min
Published: January 2024

Background

Orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) in a region containing alveolar bone defects with insufficient height and width is hard to achieve. Bovine bone mineral (Bio-Oss) is available to restore the alveolar defect; however, whether the region augmented with a bovine bone mineral graft (BG) is feasible for OTM, and the mechanisms by which macrophages remodel the BG material, is uncertain under the mechanical force induced by OTM.

Material and methods

Rats were divided into three groups: OTM (O), OTM + BG material (O + B), and Control (C). First molars were extracted to create bone defects in the O and O + B groups with bovine bone mineral grafting in the latter. Second molars received OTM towards the bone defects in both groups. After 28 days, maxillae were analyzed using microfocus-computed tomography (μCT) and scanning-electron-microscopy (SEM); and macrophages (M1/M2) were stained using immunofluorescence. THP-1 cell-induced macrophages were cultured under mechanical force (F), BG material (B), or both (F + B). Phagocytosis-related signaling molecules (cAMP/PKA/RAC1) were analyzed, and conditioned media was analyzed for MMP-9 and cytokines (IL-1β, IL-4).

Results

Our study demonstrated that alveolar defects grafted with BG materials are feasible for OTM, with significantly increased OTM distance, bone volume, and trabecular thickness in this region. SEM observation revealed that the grafts served as a scaffold for cells to migrate and remodel the BG materials in the defect during OTM. Moreover, the population of M2 macrophages increased markedly both in vivo and in cell culture, with enhanced phagocytosis via the cAMP/PKA/RAC1 pathway in response to mechanical force in combination with BG particles. By contrast, M1 macrophage populations were decreased under the same circumstances. In addition, M2 macrophage polarization was also indicated by elevated IL-4 levels, reduced IL-1β levels, and less active MMP-9 in cell culture.

Conclusion

This study explored the mechanisms of mechanical force-induced alveolar bone remodeling with bovine bone mineral grafts during OTM. The results might provide molecular insights into the related clinical problems of whether we can move teeth into the grafted materials; and how these materials become biologically remodeled and degraded under mechanical force.
Addiction-related brain networks identification via Graph Diffusion Reconstruction Network
Authors: Jing Changhong , Kuai Hongzhi , Matsumoto Hiroki , Yamaguchi Tomoharu , Liao Iman Yi , Wang Shuqiang
Published: January 2024

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) provides insights into complex patterns of brain functional changes, making it a valuable tool for exploring addiction-related brain connectivity. However, effectively extracting addiction-related brain connectivity from fMRI data remains challenging due to the intricate and non-linear nature of brain connections. Therefore, this paper proposed the Graph Diffusion Reconstruction Network (GDRN), a novel framework designed to capture addiction-related brain connectivity from fMRI data acquired from addicted rats. The proposed GDRN incorporates a diffusion reconstruction module that effectively maintains the unity of data distribution by reconstructing the training samples, thereby enhancing the model’s ability to reconstruct nicotine addiction-related brain networks. Experimental evaluations conducted on a nicotine addiction rat dataset demonstrate that the proposed GDRN effectively explores nicotine addiction-related brain connectivity. The findings suggest that the GDRN holds promise for uncovering and understanding the complex neural mechanisms underlying addiction using fMRI data.
Why is rural E-commerce successful? A sociological analysis of the mechanism for actualizing technological dividends
Authors: Zhang Shuqin , Qiu Zeqi
Published: January 2024

This article, based on the study of cases involving the application of e-commerce technology in Chinese rural areas, discusses the basic conditions for developing e-commerce villages and proposes a mechanism for actualizing the benefits of e-commerce technology. This study shows that the rise of e-commerce villages is due to two factors: on the one hand, the “differentiated demand market” engendered by e-commerce technology itself, and, on the other hand, the three mechanisms that result from the integration of e-commerce technology with rural industrial practices. The externality mechanism aggregates differentiated demands and reshapes the sales process of rural industries; the visibility mechanism displays the potential benefits of products and stimulates the intertwining of online trading information with rural interpersonal relationships; the verification mechanism uses a coded business process to help rural merchants accumulate internet capital. This study provides a sociotechnical analytical framework for examining the logic of rural industrial development in the digital age.
Gastric inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor presented with severe anemia and inflammation: a case report
Authors: Hiramatsu Sakura , Ataka Ryo , Nakayama Yusuke , Hirai Miho , Hirata Ayako , Takeshima Jun , Hirai Kenjiro , Hamasu Shinya , Aoyama Ikuo , Hirose Tetsuro
Published: January 2024

Background

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare stromal tumor, often found in children and young adults, and most commonly occurs in the lungs. Surgical resection is considered the standard treatment for localized IMT, although only limited data exist. Gastric IMT in adults is extremely rare, and there are no established guidelines for its treatment.

Case presentation

A 69-year-old male presented with persistent fatigue and weakness. Laboratory examination revealed severe anemia and inflammation. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy at admission revealed a 40-mm type I softish tumor in the lesser curvature of the gastric body, without apparent hemorrhage. Repeated biopsies, including partial resection with snare, failed to give a definitive diagnosis. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a massive lesion at the gastric body, protruding into the gastric lumen, which was consistent with the gastric tumor. After admission, the patient developed anemia refractory to frequent blood transfusions despite the absence of apparent gastrointestinal bleeding. In addition, the patient had recurrent fevers of 38 °C or higher, and persistent high inflammatory levels. Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) CT 1 month after the first visit exhibited an increased FDG uptake in the gastric tumor. In addition, this CT scan revealed a rapid increase in tumor size to 75 mm. It was suspected that the undiagnosed gastric tumor caused these serious clinical symptoms, and he underwent distal gastrectomy and cholecystectomy. The gross image of the tumor showed an 80-mm cauliflower-like shape with a gelatinous texture. The histopathological diagnosis was IMT. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient’s symptoms subsided drastically, improving both anemia and systemic inflammation. The patient has shown no recurrence or relapse of the symptoms over one and a half years.

Conclusions

In this case, the tumor resection finally enabled the diagnosis of IMT and resolved the clinical symptoms. Despite its predominantly benign morphological nature, some cases of IMT present clinically adverse courses. Surgical treatment may lead to its final diagnosis and improvement of clinical symptoms.
Mini-AFTERc: a controlled pilot trial of a nurse-led psychological intervention for fear of breast cancer recurrence
Authors: McHale Calum , Cruickshank Susanne , Brown Tamara , Torrens Claire , Armes Jo , Fenlon Deborah , Banks Elspeth , Kelsey Tom , Humphris Gerald
Published: January 2024

Objectives

To determine the feasibility and acceptability of implementing the Mini-AFTERc intervention.

Design

Non-randomised cluster-controlled pilot trial.

Setting

Four NHS out-patient breast cancer centres in Scotland.

Participants

Ninety-two women who had successfully completed primary treatment for breast cancer were screened for moderate levels of fear of cancer recurrence (FCR). Forty-five were eligible (17 intervention and 28 control) and 34 completed 3-month follow-up (15 intervention and 21 control).

Intervention

Mini-AFTERc, a single brief (30 min) structured telephone discussion with a specialist breast cancer nurse (SBCN) trained to target the antecedents of FCR.

Outcomes

Feasibility and acceptability of Mini-AFTERc and the study design were assessed via recruitment, consent, retention rates, patient outcomes (measured at baseline, 2, 4, and 12 weeks), and post-study interviews with participants and SBCNs, which were guided by Normalisation Process Theory.

Results

Mini-AFTERc was acceptable to patients and SBCNs. SBCNs believe the implementation of Mini-AFTERc to be feasible and an extension of discussions that already happen routinely. SBCNs believe delivery, however, at the scale required would be challenging given current competing demands for their time. Recruitment was impacted by variability in the follow-up practices of cancer centres and COVID-19 lockdown. Consent and follow-up procedures worked well, and retention rates were high.

Conclusions

The study provided invaluable information about the potential challenges and solutions for testing the Mini-AFTERc intervention more widely where limiting high FCR levels is an important goal following recovery from primary breast cancer treatment.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT0376382. Registered on 4 December 2018.
The COVID-19 pandemic and changes in social behavior: Protective face masks reduce deliberate social distancing preferences while leaving automatic avoidance behavior unaffected
Authors: Diekhof Esther K. , Deinert Laura , Keller Judith K. , Degner Juliane
Published: January 2024

Protective face masks were one of the central measures to counteract viral transmission in the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior research indicates that face masks impact various aspects of social cognition, such as emotion recognition and social evaluation. Whether protective masks also influence social avoidance behavior is less clear. Our project assessed direct and indirect measures of social avoidance tendencies towards masked and unmasked faces in two experiments with 311 participants during the first half of 2021. Two interventions were used in half of the participants from each sample (Experiment 1: protective face masks; Experiment 2: a disease prime video) to decrease or increase the salience of the immediate contagion threat. In the direct social avoidance measure, which asked for the deliberate decision to approach or avoid a person in a hypothetical social encounter, participants showed an increased willingness to approach masked as opposed to unmasked faces across experiments. This effect was further related to interindividual differences in pandemic threat perception in both samples. In the indirect measure, which assessed automatic social approach and avoidance tendencies, we neither observed an approach advantage towards masked faces nor an avoidance advantage for unmasked faces. Thus, while the absence of protective face masks may have led to increased deliberate social avoidance during the pandemic, no such effect was observed on automatic regulation of behavior, thus indicating the relative robustness of this latter behavior against changes in superordinate social norms.
The impact of AI errors in a human-in-the-loop process
Authors: Agudo Ujué , Liberal Karlos G. , Arrese Miren , Matute Helena
Published: January 2024

Automated decision-making is becoming increasingly common in the public sector. As a result, political institutions recommend the presence of humans in these decision-making processes as a safeguard against potentially erroneous or biased algorithmic decisions. However, the scientific literature on human-in-the-loop performance is not conclusive about the benefits and risks of such human presence, nor does it clarify which aspects of this human–computer interaction may influence the final decision. In two experiments, we simulate an automated decision-making process in which participants judge multiple defendants in relation to various crimes, and we manipulate the time in which participants receive support from a supposed automated system with Artificial Intelligence (before or after they make their judgments). Our results show that human judgment is affected when participants receive incorrect algorithmic support, particularly when they receive it before providing their own judgment, resulting in reduced accuracy. The data and materials for these experiments are freely available at the Open Science Framework: https://osf.io/b6p4z/ Experiment 2 was preregistered.
A proposed PMU-based voltage stability and critical bus detection method using artificial neural network
Authors: Putranto Lesnanto Multa , Azhar Izzuddin Fathin
Published: January 2024

Voltage stability detection is currently still becoming the main issue in the modern integrated renewable energy power systems. To assess the voltage stability, the classical methods based on continuation power flow (CPF) technique were used to show nose curve. However, the classical methods require complete model of power system and long computation time. Data driven analysis and synchronized real time measurement technologies currently are developing in power systems monitoring, including the stability detection. The detection method is built based on the historical event model and uses the real time measurement as an input. For that reason, the algorithm to detect the voltage instability and critical bus is proposed using the artificial neural network (ANN) technique to represent the historical event model using the PMU measurement data. The ANN model architecture for this application is developed by creating seven hidden layers consisting of one normalization, four rectifier linear unit, one softmax and one sigmoid layer. To warrant the accuracy, the k-fold cross-validation is used. The algorithm is simulated on modified IEEE 14 test system which consider different loading scenario, line contingency, number of PMU and Photovoltaic (PV) integration. To mimic the actual historical data, the synthetic data is generated and labelled. The result shows that the proposed method can represent the complete power system model by giving high accuracy which for voltage stability detection is > 97% and critical buses detection is > 96% for all scenarios. Moreover, the required computation time is between 16 and 18 s per detection which makes the scalability to the real time detection is reasonable.
Relationship between effectiveness of asthma management and genetic variants in asthmatic Egyptian children
Authors: Ahmed Hoda H. , Farid Tarek M. , Hashish Maha M. A. Abo , Ibrahim Areef R. , Mustafa Amr M. , Wahby Aliaa Ahmed , Hassan Mirhane , Elsebaie Eman Hany , Ramadan Abeer , Mansour Sameh Abdelaziz
Published: January 2024

Background

Personalized asthma medicine research identifies critical genes like ADRB2 and ADH5 that affect disease and treatment outcomes, necessitating a deeper exploration of these genetic influences on asthma prevalence and management in Egyptian children. This study aimed to examine the relationship between asthma control and specific genetic variants in Egyptian children, focusing on four significant SNPs within four key genes.

Methods

A cross-sectional genetic study was conducted between December 2020 and May 2021 at two hospitals affiliated with Al-Azhar University to assess gene polymorphisms in adolescent asthmatic patients. Blood samples were taken from participants, with portions dedicated to DNA extraction and serum level measurements. The extracted DNA was then genotyped using the real-time PCR technique, and specific genotypes were identified based on their fluorescence characteristics.

Results

A total of 93 subjects were enrolled in the study. Cases (asthmatic children) had a significantly higher BMI than controls—healthy children—(33.65 ± 3.88 vs. 21.10 ± 3.48, p < 0.001). A notable distinction was observed in residence, with 30.6% of cases from urban areas versus 85.7% in controls (p < 0.001). Cases had a markedly higher incidence of familial asthma history (86.1% vs. 0.0%, p < 0.001), atopy (95.8% vs. 0.0%, p < 0.001), food allergies (80.6% vs. 9.5%, p < 0.001), and animal contact (79.2% vs. 14.3%, p < 0.001) compared to controls. The genetic marker rs4795399's CC allele was found in 10.0% of controls but not in any cases (p = 0.024), and the AA allele of rs7927044 was significantly more common in controlled asthmatics than in uncontrolled ones (p = 0.030).

Conclusion

The studied genetic variants were not significantly associated with asthma severity; however, patients with uncontrolled asthma were associated with significantly higher polymorphism of GG and AG alleles of rs7927044. Additionally, there was a significant difference between the asthmatic patients and healthy individuals in terms of the polymorphism of the rs4795399 TT allele.
Unusual site of echinococcosis: axillary hydatid cyst—a case report
Authors: Hammami Fatma , Koubaa Makram , Rekik Khaoula , Smaoui Fatma , Marrakchi Chakib , Ben Jemaa Mounir
Published: January 2024

Background

Echinococcosis is a multisystem disease that might affect all organs, especially the liver and the lungs among adults. Axillary hydatid cyst, an extremely uncommon disease, was rarely reported in the literature. We report herein a case of axillary hydatid cyst which revealed a disseminated hydatid disease among a previously healthy woman.

Case presentation

A previously healthy woman, aged 53 years old, presented with a painful mass in her right axillary region. Physical examination revealed a painful semi-mobile right axillary mass, of 12 cm in size. Thoracoabdominal computed tomography scan revealed numerous cystic lesions: right axillary, pulmonary, hepatic, pancreatic, splenic and intraperitoneal lesions. The diagnosis of disseminated hydatid disease was suspected in front of the cystic lesions and the positive serology result for hydatid disease. An excisional biopsy of the axillary mass lesion was performed, confirming the diagnosis of a hydatid cyst. The patient received albendazole after hospital discharge.

Conclusions

Although axillary hydatid cyst is an extremely uncommon disease, the diagnosis should be rule out in front of the presence of a mass in the axillary region. Imaging results associated with serological tests might suspect the diagnosis, which can only be confirmed with parasitological or/and histopathological examination. Its management include surgical and medical therapy.
Methods for scaling up an outreach intervention to increase colorectal cancer screening rates in rural areas
Authors: Coury Jennifer , Coronado Gloria , Currier Jessica J. , Kenzie Erin S. , Petrik Amanda F. , Badicke Brittany , Myers Emily , Davis Melinda M.
Published: January 2024

Background

Mailed fecal immunochemical test (FIT) outreach and patient navigation are evidence-based practices shown to improve rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) and follow-up in various settings, yet these programs have not been broadly adopted by health systems and organizations that serve diverse populations. Reasons for low adoption rates are multifactorial, and little research explores approaches for scaling up a complex, multi-level CRC screening outreach intervention to advance equity in rural settings.

Methods

SMARTER CRC, a National Cancer Institute Cancer Moonshot project, is a cluster-randomized controlled trial of a mailed FIT and patient navigation program involving 3 Medicaid health plans and 28 rural primary care practices in Oregon and Idaho followed by a national scale-up trial. The SMARTER CRC intervention combines mailed FIT outreach supported by clinics, health plans, and vendors and patient navigation for colonoscopy following an abnormal FIT result. We applied the framework from Perez and colleagues to identify the intervention’s components (including functions and forms) and scale-up dissemination strategies and worked with a national advisory board to support scale-up to additional organizations. The team is recruiting health plans, primary care clinics, and regional and national organizations in the USA that serve a rural population. To teach organizations about the intervention, activities include Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) tele-mentoring learning collaboratives, a facilitation guide and other materials, a patient navigation workshop, webinars, and individualized technical assistance. Our primary outcome is program adoption (by component), measured 6 months after participation in an ECHO learning collaborative. We also assess engagement and adaptations (implemented and desired) to learn how the multicomponent intervention might be modified to best support broad scale-up.

Discussion

Findings may inform approaches for adapting and scaling evidence-based approaches to promote CRC screening participation in underserved populations and settings.

Trial registration

Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04890054) and at the NCI’s Clinical Trials Reporting Program (CTRP no.: NCI-2021–01032) on May 11, 2021.
Comprehensive Genomic Analysis of Patients With Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer Using Blood-Based Circulating Tumor DNA Assay: Findings From the BFAST Database of a Single Center in Taiwan
Authors: Wang Hsin-Yi , Ho Chao-Chi , Lin Yen-Ting , Liao Wei-Yu , Chen Chung-Yu , Shih Jin-Yuan , Yu Chong-Jen
Published: January 2024

PURPOSE

The Blood First Assay Screening Trial (BFAST) is a prospective study using next-generation sequencing (NGS) of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in treatment-naïve advanced/metastatic non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We compared liquid biopsy to tissue testing and analyzed genomic alterations in Taiwanese patients with NSCLC using the BFAST database.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 269 patients underwent FoundationOne Liquid Companion Diagnostic (F1LCDx) assay at the National Taiwan University Hospital, of whom 264 underwent tissue-based genetic testing also. We analyzed the actionable mutations and the concordance between tissue-based genetic testing, which was limited to EGFR, ALK, ROS1, and BRAF, in a real-life clinical setting and blood-based NGS in the clinical trial. Additionally, we analyzed the co-occurring genomic alterations from the blood-based ctDNA assay.

RESULTS

A total of 76.2% patients showed actionable mutations. Standard tissue testing did not detect known driver alterations in about 22.7% of the patients (sensitivity, 70.24%). Liquid NGS detected additional mutations ( RET, KRAS, MET, and ErbB2) in 14% of the patients, which went undetected by the standard-of-care testing. The complementary use of ctDNA NGS increased the detection rate by 42%. The F1LCDx assay had a sensitivity of 83.41%. Lower tumor and metastasis stages predicted nondetected blood-based NGS ctDNA results. Common co-occurring mutations in the blood-based NGS ctDNA assay were TP53, DNMT3A, TET2, PIK3CA, CTNNB1, and RB1. Among the patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC, TET2 co-occurring alterations correlated with shorter progression-free survival of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment.

CONCLUSION

NGS ctDNA analysis in comprehensive genetic testing improves actionable mutation identification, vital for treating Asian NSCLC cases with high actionable mutation rates. Lower stages correlated with undetected blood-based NGS ctDNA assay results.
Framework for the Use of External Controls to Evaluate Treatment Outcomes in Precision Oncology Trials
Authors: Siu Derrick H.W. , Lin Frank P.Y. , Cho Doah , Lord Sarah J. , Heller Gillian Z. , Simes R. John , Lee Chee Khoon
Published: January 2024

Advances in genomics have enabled anticancer therapies to be tailored to target specific genomic alterations. Single-arm trials (SATs), including those incorporated within umbrella, basket, and platform trials, are widely adopted when it is not feasible to conduct randomized controlled trials in rare biomarker-defined subpopulations. External controls (ECs), defined as control arm data derived outside the clinical trial, have gained renewed interest as a strategy to supplement evidence generated from SATs to allow comparative analysis. There are increasing examples demonstrating the application of EC in precision oncology trials. The prospective application of EC in conducting comparative studies is associated with distinct methodological challenges, the specific considerations for EC use in biomarker-defined subpopulations have not been adequately discussed, and a formal framework is yet to be established. In this review, we present a framework for conducting a prospective comparative analysis using EC. Key steps are (1) defining the purpose of using EC to address the study question, (2) determining if the external data are fit for purpose, (3) developing a transparent study protocol and a statistical analysis plan, and (iv) interpreting results and drawing conclusions on the basis of a prespecified hypothesis. We specify the considerations required for the biomarker-defined subpopulations, which include (1) specifying the comparator and biomarker status of the comparator group, (2) defining lines of treatment, (3) assessment of the biomarker testing panels used, and (4) assessment of cohort stratification in tumor-agnostic studies. We further discuss novel clinical trial designs and statistical techniques leveraging EC to propose future directions to advance evidence generation and facilitate drug development in precision oncology.
Loss-of-Resistance Versus Dynamic Pressure-Sensing Technology for Successful Placement of Thoracic Epidural Catheters: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Ranganath Yatish S. , Ramanujam Vendhan , Al-Hassan Qasim , Sibenaller Zita , Seering Melinda S. , Singh Tejinder Singh Swaran , Punia Sangini , Parra Michelle C. , Wong Cynthia A. , Sondekoppam Rakesh V.
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND:

The traditional loss-of-resistance (LOR) technique for thoracic epidural catheter placement can be associated with a high primary failure rate. In this study, we compared the traditional LOR technique and dynamic pressure-sensing (DPS) technology for primary success rate and secondary outcomes pertinent to identifying the thoracic epidural space.

METHODS:

This pragmatic, randomized, patient- and assessor-blinded superiority trial enrolled patients ages 18 to 75 years, scheduled for major thoracic or abdominal surgeries at a tertiary care teaching hospital. Anesthesiology trainees (residents and fellows) placed thoracic epidural catheters under faculty supervision and rescue. The primary outcome was the success rate of thoracic epidural catheter placement, evaluated by the loss of cold sensation in the thoracic dermatomes 20 minutes after injecting the epidural test dose. Secondary outcomes included procedural time, ease of catheter placement, the presence of a positive falling meniscus sign, early hemodynamic changes, and unintended dural punctures. Additionally, we explored outcomes that included number of attempts, needle depth to epidural space, need for faculty to rescue the procedure from the trainee, patient-rated procedural discomfort, pain at the epidural insertion site, postoperative pain scores, and opioid consumption over 48 hours.

RESULTS:

Between March 2019 and June 2020, 133 patients were enrolled; 117 were included in the final analysis (n = 57 for the LOR group; n = 60 for the DPS group). The primary success rate of epidural catheter placement was 91.2% (52 of 57) in the LOR group and 96.7% (58 of 60) in the DPS group (95% confidence interval [CI] of difference in proportions: −0.054 [−0.14 to 0.03]; P = .264). No difference was observed in procedural time between the 2 groups (median interquartile range [IQR] in minutes: LOR 5.0 [7.0], DPS 5.5 [7.0]; P = .982). The number of patients with epidural analgesia onset at 10 minutes was 49.1% (28 of 57) in the LOR group compared to 31.7% (19 of 60) in the DPS group (P = .062). There were 2 cases of unintended dural punctures in each group. Other secondary or exploratory outcomes were not significantly different between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our trial did not establish the superiority of the DPS technique over the traditional LOR method for identifying the thoracic epidural space (Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT03826186).
Sugammadex Versus Neostigmine for Reversal of Neuromuscular Blockade in Patients With Severe Renal Impairment: A Randomized, Double-Blinded Study
Authors: Oh Matthew W. , Mohapatra Shweta G. , Pak Taylor , Hermawan Aundree , Chen Chieh-An , Thota Bhavana , Chen Joy , Siu Eric , Park Jenny , Moon Tiffany S.
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND:

Sugammadex is not advised for patients with severe renal impairment, but has been shown in a variety of other populations to be superior to neostigmine for reversal of neuromuscular blockade. The objective of this study was to determine if reversal of rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade with sugammadex versus reversal of cisatracurium-induced neuromuscular blockade with neostigmine results in a faster return to a train-of-four ratio (TOFR) ≥90% in patients with severe renal impairment.

METHODS:

We conducted a prospective, randomized, blinded, controlled trial at a large county hospital. A total of 49 patients were enrolled. Inclusion criteria included patients age ≥18, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status III and IV, with a creatinine clearance <30 mL/min, undergoing general anesthesia with expected surgical duration ≥2 hours and necessitating neuromuscular blockade. Subjects received either cisatracurium 0.2 mg/kg or rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg for induction of anesthesia to facilitate tracheal intubation. Subjects were kept at moderate neuromuscular blockade during surgery and received either 2 mg/kg sugammadex or 50 µg/kg neostigmine with 10 µg/kg glycopyrrolate for reversal of neuromuscular blockade. Neuromuscular monitoring was performed with electromyography (TwitchView), and the TOFR was recorded every minute after administration of the reversal agent. The time from administration of neuromuscular reversal until the patient reached a TOFR ≥90% was recorded as the primary outcome.

RESULTS:

The mean time to recovery of TOFR ≥90% was significantly faster with sugammadex at 3.5 (±1.6) min compared with neostigmine at 14.8 (±6.1) min (P < .0001; mean difference, 11.3 minutes; 95% confidence interval [CI], 9.0–13.5 minutes). There were no major adverse events in either group.

CONCLUSIONS:

In patients with severe renal impairment, neuromuscular blockade with rocuronium followed by reversal with sugammadex provides a significantly faster return of neuromuscular function compared to cisatracurium and neostigmine, without any major adverse effects.
Violent Intimacies
Authors: Zengin Aslı
Published: January 2024

This book is about creative and constructive tensions between violent efforts to define and disambiguate sex/gender transgression, on the one hand, and trans people’s incessant everyday negotiations with these efforts, on the other. As much as trans people are shaped by the cisheteronormative powers of the state, the family, and religion, they also act on these powers to transform them. The book argues that everyday troubles with sex/gender transgression in personal, social, and institutional life shape trans lives and deaths, as well as state power, family and kinship, regimes of sexuality and gender, urban geography, and feminist and LGBTI+ activism in Turkey. In order to understand this entangled world of the trans everyday, the book offers a novel concept, violent intimacies, and shows how transness in Turkey theoretically makes us rethink the notions of violence and intimacy and the relationship between them. Violent intimacies exposes the connective tissue of a cisheteronormative social order that is intertwined with neoliberal governmentality, biopolitical and necropolitical order, and authoritarian management of social difference. Incorporating intersectional aspects of the trans everyday in a single framework, each chapter illustrates a specific site of violent intimacy from which violent manifestations of intimacy or intimate manifestations of violence emerge: the street, the police, the medical institution, the legal domain, the family and kinship, and trans femicides and funerals.
Nonhuman Witnessing
Authors: Richardson Michael
Published: January 2024

In Nonhuman Witnessing Michael Richardson argues that a radical rethinking of what counts as witnessing is central to building frameworks for justice in an era of endless war, ecological catastrophe, and technological capture. Dismantling the primacy and notion of traditional human-based forms of witnessing, Richardson shows how ecological, machinic, and algorithmic forms of witnessing can help us better understand contemporary crises. He examines the media-specificity of nonhuman witnessing across an array of sites, from nuclear testing on First Nations land and autonomous drone warfare to deepfakes, artificial intelligence, and algorithmic investigative tools. Throughout, he illuminates the ethical and political implications of witnessing in an age of profound instability. By challenging readers to rethink their understanding of witnessing, testimony, and trauma in the context of interconnected crises, Richardson reveals the complex entanglements between witnessing and violence and the human and the nonhuman.
The Rock of Arles
Authors: Klein Richard
Published: January 2024

Founded 2,600 years ago on a massive limestone eminence, the city of Arles has been the home of Roman emperors and captured slaves, pagan temples and Christian spires, bloody revolutionaries and powerful papists. In The Rock of Arles Richard Klein relays the history of the city as told to him by the Rock, its genius loci, which infallibly remembers every moment of its existence, from the Roman conquest of Gaul to the fall of feudal aristocracy, from the domination of the Catholic Church to the present French representative democracy. The Rock's contrarian and dissident history resurrects the memory of three of the city's most radical yet largely forgotten revolutionary minds: Hellenistic philosopher Favorinus, medieval Hebrew poet Kalonymus ben Kalonymus, and subversive aristocrat Pierre-Antoine Antonelle. For the Rock, each figure represents a freethinking current running through Arlesian history which countered the reactionary, bigoted forces that governed the city for fifteen centuries. Erudite, witty, and opinionated, the Rock tells the story of Arles in order to sketch the broader canvas of European history while invoking the city's possible future.