bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Simple Method for Robust and Accurate Intrinsic Subtyping of Breast Cancer
Authors: Hamaneh Mehdi , Yu Yi-Kuo
Published: March 2023

Motivation:

The PAM50 signature/method is widely used for intrinsic subtyping of breast cancer samples. However, depending on the number and composition of the samples included in a cohort, the method may assign different subtypes to the same sample. This lack of robustness is mainly due to the fact that PAM50 subtracts a reference profile, which is computed using all samples in the cohort, from each sample before classification. In this paper we propose modifications to PAM50 to develop a simple and robust single-sample classifier, called MPAM50, for intrinsic subtyping of breast cancer. Like PAM50, the modified method uses a nearest centroid approach for classification, but the centroids are computed differently, and the distances to the centroids are determined using an alternative method. Additionally, MPAM50 uses unnormalized expression values for classification and does not subtract a reference profile from the samples. In other words, MPAM50 classifies each sample independently, and so avoids the previously mentioned robustness issue.

Results:

A training set was employed to find the new MPAM50 centroids. MPAM50 was then tested on 19 independent datasets (obtained using various expression profiling technologies) containing 9637 samples. Overall good agreement was observed between the PAM50- and MPAM50-assigned subtypes with a median accuracy of 0.792, which (we show) is comparable with the median concordance between various implementations of PAM50. Additionally, MPAM50- and PAM50-assigned intrinsic subtypes were found to agree comparably with the reported clinical subtypes. Also, survival analyses indicated that MPAM50 preserves the prognostic value of the intrinsic subtypes. These observations demonstrate that MPAM50 can replace PAM50 without loss of performance. On the other hand, MPAM50 was compared with 2 previously published single-sample classifiers, and with 3 alternative modified PAM50 approaches. The results indicated a superior performance by MPAM50.

Conclusions:

MPAM50 is a robust, simple, and accurate single-sample classifier of intrinsic subtypes of breast cancer.
Neurophysiological MEG markers of cognitive impairment and performance validity in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Simon Shira , Nauta Ilse M , Hillebrand Arjan , Schoonheim Menno M , Uitdehaag Bernard MJ , van Dam Maureen , Hulst Hanneke E , Klein Martin , Stam Cornelis J , de Jong Brigit A , Strijbis Eva MM
Published: March 2023

Background:

Suboptimal performance during neuropsychological testing frequently occurs in multiple sclerosis (MS), leading to unreliable cognitive outcomes. Neurophysiological alterations correlate with MS-related cognitive impairment, but studies have not yet considered performance validity.

Objectives:

To investigate neurophysiological markers of cognitive impairment in MS, while explicitly addressing performance validity.

Methods:

Magnetoencephalography recordings, neuropsychological assessments, and performance validity testing were obtained from 90 MS outpatients with cognitive complaints. Spectral and resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) properties were compared between cognitively impaired (CI), cognitively preserved (CP), and suboptimally performing (SUB) patients using regression models and permutation testing.

Results:

CI had higher power in low-frequency bands and lower power in high bands compared to CP, indicating neuronal slowing. CI also showed lower beta power compared to SUB. Overall power spectra visually differed between CI and CP, and SUB showed overlap with both groups. CI had lower rsFC than CP and SUB patients. CP and SUB patients showed no differences.

Conclusion:

Neuronal slowing and altered rsFC can be considered cognitive markers in MS. Patients who performed suboptimally showed resemblance with patients with and without cognitive impairments, and although their overall neurophysiological profile was more similar to patients without impairments, it suggests heterogeneity regarding their pathophysiology.
Politicizing witnessing: Testimonial user-generated content in the aftermath of Rousseff’s impeachment in Brazil
Authors: Santos Marcelo
Published: March 2023

This research presents the concept of testimonial User-Generated Content (tUGC): media content generated by ordinary citizens that witness an extraordinary event and publish it on their own channels. Rooted on the crossroads of UGC and Witnessing studies, this article provides a definition and a proposition of operationalization of tUGC in a case analysis, using two protests against former Brazilian president Rousseff’s impeachment in 2016 as case of study. Results suggest three main patterns of tUGC production, named as political, journalistic and expressive. Quantitative analysis points to a high frequency of production but to low levels of diffusion of tUGC overall in the context of the analysed case. Finally, results suggest external factors seem to have effect on general patterns of tUGC production and circulation. Discussion and further developments are offered.
‘What Can I Plan at This Age?’ Expectations Regarding Future and Planning in Older Age
Authors: Hasmanová Marhánková Jaroslava , Soares Moura Eva
Published: March 2023

Time has become one of the most researched topics in the field of sociological, but especially psychological, research. While broad attention has been paid to the impact of chronological age on planning and the perception of time, much less is known about these processes in (advanced) old age. Drawing on 30 in-depth qualitative interviews with people aged above 70 years (half of which are conducted with people aged above 80 years), this article explores the type of plans people make in older age and how they relate to the idea of planning face-to-face the shortening time perspective. This research indicates the significant ambivalences in how older people relate to plans and the future. While making short-term plans represents an essential part of their lives, the participants problematise the idea of planning as unreasonable concerning their chronological age. Two dominant approaches to formulating plans are identified: (1) framing future plans referring to the future achievement of a loved one and (2) emphasising ‘living in the present’. The findings also indicate that the social imaginary of the fourth age plays a vital role in how older adults frame the time ahead of them. In conclusion, we summarise our findings and argue that mortality represents just one of the horizons accompanied by other possible milestones structuring the time remaining and redefining the meanings attached to such time.
Trajectories of Vulnerability and Resistance Among Independent Indoor Sex Workers During Economic Decline
Authors: Jarvis-King Laura
Published: March 2023

Economic decline, such as we have witnessed in recent years, has disproportionately affected women and evidence demonstrates how financial hardship encourages entry to the sex industry. This worsens the working conditions within sex industry markets but, despite this, evidence documenting the effects of recent austerity measures on the sex industry is lacking. This article draws on qualitative longitudinal research following the 2007–2008 financial crisis to explore work trajectories and experiences of vulnerability through time among independent indoor sex workers in the UK. Participants’ experiences demonstrate worsening conditions in the mainstream labour market, particularly for women and, within this constraining context, sex work represents a choice to mitigate economic vulnerability. Yet this creates increased competition in the sex industry alongside declining demand, which compromises economic security and worker wellbeing. Exploring sex workers’ experiences over time contributes to a deeper understanding of the relationship between women’s work practices and vulnerability during economic decline, which is necessary to inform policy responses.
The ‘good gay’ versus chemsex: The articulation of a homonormative response
Authors: Joloy Daniel
Published: March 2023

Responses to chemsex have largely fluctuated between punishment, moral censure and indifference and have been weaponised to justify anti-drug policies and to protect established norms of gender and sexuality. As drug prohibition and heteronormativity interlock, men who engage in chemsex are finding themselves at an intersection of multiple systems of oppression that produce feelings of exclusion and rejection both from society in general and within growing numbers of LGBTQ+ spaces. This article explores specific notions of homonormativity performed by gay men as a way to advance their own recognition and respectability among society, resulting in the isolation of those who engage in chemsex who are ostracised simply for the way in which they have decided to express their sexualities. Such homonormative articulation of an open rejection of chemsex in exchange for social recognition and legal protection appears to have become an easy bargaining chip to show how “good gays” have moved away from historical markers of stigma, including drugs and HIV, making chemsex the most recent currency to publicly prove their disavowal of those who remain outside of the kinship norms of marriage and ‘normal sex’.
Mental-health profiling with person-centred analysis: A study of adolescents in Sweden
Authors: Eriksson Charli , Stattin Håkan
Published: March 2023

Background:

Studies that have examined time trends in adolescents’ mental health have frequently been based on analyses of adolescents’ psychosomatic symptoms. Adolescents’ reports of psychosomatic complaints need to be seen in the light of their overall evaluations of their health. The objectives of this study were to apply a person-centred approach to identifying adolescents’ mental-health profiles based on evaluations of their overall health and psychosomatic complaints. The relationships between these mental-health profiles and indicators of positive mental health and psychological and social-adjustment problems are examined.

Methods:

A dual-factor approach was used for nationally representative adolescent samples and examined adolescents’ self-rated psychosomatic complaints and perceived overall health simultaneously. Cluster analyses of data from the Swedish Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) 2017/18 survey, including 3222 children aged 11, 13 and 15, were used to identify mental-health profiles.

Results:

Four mental-health profiles were identified by cluster analyses in all age groups. The profiles showed good construct validity in relation to mental well-being, life satisfaction and self-esteem. The poorest psychological adjustment was found among the adolescents with high levels of psychosomatic symptoms together with low levels of perceived overall health. Adolescents with high levels of psychosomatic symptoms only or with low levels of overall health only showed considerably better psychological adjustment.

Conclusions:

Cluster analyses identified distinct, valid and consistent mental-health profiles based on differing levels of perceived health and psychosomatic complaints. The dual-factor model in population health research may increase our potential to understand the mental health of adolescents better.
Neither speaker nor recipient: The middle-distance look of unaddressed participants
Authors: Argaman Einav
Published: March 2023

This article studies the middle-distance look of ratified unaddressed participants and the way in which it is sequentially organized in relation to the discursive conducts of current speaker. An analysis of naturally occurring video recorded discourse reveals that ratified unaddressed participants constitute themselves as non-recipients by employing middle-distance look. The article formulates a list of observations (missing in the literature) regarding the middle-distance look of ratified unaddressed participants. It raises questions which may generate knowledge on (a) the connection between middle-distance look and discursive ambiguity, (b) types of middle-distance look, (c) middle distance look as related to seating arrangements and group size.
A functional diversity of argumentative styles
Authors: van Eemeren Frans , Garssen Bart
Published: March 2023

In dealing with the different ways in which argumentative styles manifest themselves in various communicative practices from several communicative domains, van Eemeren and Garssen start from a definition of argumentative style that is connected with the pragma-dialectical notion of strategic maneuvering. Depending on the argumentative moves that are made, the dialectical routes that are followed, and the strategic considerations that are brought to bear, they make a general distinction between detached and engaged argumentative styles. In this article, they report on recent research in which it is examined to what extent the argumentative styles that are prototypically used in different institutional macro-contexts from the political, the diplomatic, the juridical, the faciliatory, the academic and the medical domain belong to these two categories. In the analyses they discuss, the authors combine specialized and domain-specific background knowledge with pragma-dialectical insight into the properties of argumentative discourse that determine the argumentative style.
Programs to Prevent Violence Against Children in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review
Authors: Edwards Katie M. , Kumar Manasi , Waterman Emily A. , Mullet Natira , Madeghe Beatrice , Musindo Otsetswe
Published: March 2023

Violence against children—which includes maltreatment (including physical, sexual, psychological and emotional violence, and neglect), bullying (including cyberbullying), youth violence (including physical assault with or without weapons), intimate partner violence (including exposure to domestic violence and direct involvement in teen dating violence), and sexual violence—continues to present itself as a significant public health crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) leading to numerous short- and long-term deleterious outcomes. As such, the prevention of violence against children in SSA is a critical public health priority. In this systematic literature review, we identified 45 articles that reported on results from 22 programs that seek to reduce violence against children in SSA. Results suggested that programs that focus on (1) economic strengthening, (2) teachers schools, (3) entire families, (4) caregivers only, and (5) children only are generally effective in reducing violence against children by promoting focused action on the mechanisms of change (e.g., parenting skills, enhanced parent–child relationships, resistance skills for children). To date, no research in SSA has examined the impact of policy interventions on childhood victimization or community-level interventions to change norms and values that support violence against children. Future research is needed to examine the impacts of comprehensive efforts to prevent violence against children in SSA as well as factors that predict uptake and sustainability of such prevention efforts in SSA.
Violence Against Women Who Sell Sex in Eastern and Southern Africa: A Scoping Review
Authors: Macleod Catriona Ida , Reynolds John Hunter , Delate Richard
Published: March 2023

Women who sell sex (WSS) are vulnerable to violence. We present a scoping review of the last decade of research on the prevalence and incidence of, factors associated with, and services regarding violence against WSS in Eastern and Southern African (ESA). A systematic search of various databases resulted in 20 papers being reviewed. Inclusion criteria, applied by the first two authors, were as follows: empirical papers, key research problem is violence against WSS, and conducted in ESA countries. The lifetime prevalence of violence revealed in the studies ranged from 21% to 82%. A pattern of generalized violence against WSS from paying clients, male partners, strangers, family members, friends/acquaintances, and the authorities emerged. Factors associated with violence included the context within which the sex work occurs, alcohol use, type of sex exchange interactions, and personal factors (low education, low income, marriage, youth, high client volume, time in sex work, forced sexual debut, and internalized sex work stigma). WSS seldom access services after violence. Evaluations of two programs, a woman-focused HIV intervention, and the Diagonal Interventions to Fast-Forward Reproductive Health project, showed improvements in gender-based violence services. Findings suggest that targeted programmes should be paired with improving general health services and focus on promoting collective agency among WSS.
Technical Feasibility of Renal Artery Embolization on a Transplanted Kidney Due to Intractable Unilateral Hydronephrosis After En Bloc Kidney Transplantation: Case Report
Authors: Kim Dong-Hwan , Park Hyung Sub , Shin Young-Heun , Yoon Chang Jin , Lee Taeseung
Published: March 2023

Introduction:

En bloc kidney transplantation (EBKT) is a technique used to transplant pediatric kidneys to adult recipients, but can lead to certain complications seldom found in single-kidney transplantation. We report a case of renal artery embolization after EBKT due to intractable unilateral hydronephrosis and highlight the technical details and challenges of the procedure.

Case:

An 18-year-old female with MELAS syndrome underwent EBKT from a 10-month-old male baby. Two months later, the patient developed unilateral hydronephrosis and recurrent urinary tract infections, which was intractable to conventional therapy. Therefore, we underwent embolization of the problematic transplanted left kidney. Owing to the complicated anatomy and multiple angulations, multiple microcatheters, wires and support catheters were needed to select the renal arteries. Repeated procedures were required due to remnant flow from small branches and accessory renal arteries that were not easily visualized by conventional angiography, which were eventually detected by adjunctive use of 3-dimensional rotational angiography.

Conclusions:

Selective renal artery embolization after EBKT is challenging due to the short renal artery length and multiple angulations, yet it can still be performed safely and effectively by use of meticulous catheter-wire interactions and adjunctive intraoperative imaging techniques to delineate the precise anatomy of the target arteries.

Clinical Impact

Selective renal artery embolization, which is less invasive than nephrectomy, can be considered if the culprit kidney must inevitably be sacrificed in en bloc kidney transplantation.
What’s So Great About GTO?: Evolving Discourses of Japanese Masculinity in Great Teacher Onizuka
Authors: Kosciesza Aiden James , Darling-Wolf Fabienne
Published: March 2023

This paper explores evolving discourses of masculinity in the Japanese socio-cultural context through a textual analysis of two live-action television adaptations of Great Teacher Onizuka ( GTO), a popular manga. Broadcast respectively in 1998, one year after the onset of the Asian Financial Crisis, and 2012, one year after the Fukushima nuclear disaster, the two shows provide a unique opportunity to examine the disruption and/or reconfiguration of hegemonic discourses around gender in their respective historical moments.
Wearable properties of polylactic acid and thermoplastic polyurethane filaments 3D printed on polyester fabric
Authors: Liu Jing , Jiang Shouxiang
Published: March 2023

Three-dimensional (3D) printing on textile substrates is a promising method to create objects with a variety of different materials that have tailored mechanical properties. This synthesis of technology is favored by current researchers to retain the characteristics of 3D printing while maintaining the wear comfort of fabrics. Although the importance and potential of textile-based 3D printing have been recognized, it is worth noting that there is still a lack of comprehensive studies on the basic wearable properties. In this study, polylactic acid (PLA) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) are extruded separately onto polyester fabric. Then the wearable properties are examined through bending, compression, thermal conductivity, and thermography tests, which are carried out by using the KES-FB system and a thermal imager. The results indicate that the printed PLA on polyester fabric has a better washing resistance than the printed TPU on polyester fabric with a smaller reduction in the peel force after different washing cycles. The rate of decline of the printed TPU samples is 53.2%, which is more than twice that of the printed PLA samples (20.4%) after 30 washing cycles. In terms of the physical and thermal properties, the results show that the bending rigidity, bending hysteresis, compression energy, k values, and thermal insulation properties of the PLA and TPU samples are generally well-correlated with the number of printed layers. Further applications can be explored based on the results reported in this paper.
Trans-Arterial Balloon-Assisted Embolization of Traumatic Giant Hepatic Pseudoaneurysm With Thrombin
Authors: Ghasemi-Rad Mohammad , Shastri Ravi , Amaresh Amar , Wynne David , Whigham Cliff
Published: March 2023

Giant hepatic pseudoaneurysms are rare after injury. We report a case of a 20-year-old male, post gunshot injury to his right upper quadrant of the abdomen with delayed blood loss. CTA of the abdomen demonstrated a 6.5 cm right hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm. This was successfully embolized with balloon assisted trans-arterial thrombin injection.
Design of hybrid fault-tolerant control system for air-fuel ratio control of internal combustion engines using artificial neural network and sliding mode control against sensor faults
Authors: Shahbaz Muhammad Hamza , Amin Arslan Ahmed
Published: March 2023

This paper proposes a novel hybrid fault-tolerant control system (HFTCS) with dedicated non-linear controllers: artificial neural network (ANN) and sliding mode control (SMC) for active and passive parts, respectively. The proposed system can provide both desirable properties of stability to unexpected fast disturbances and post-fault optimal performance. In the active fault tolerant control system (AFTCS) part, the fault detection and isolation (FDI) unit is designed through the use of ANN for the estimation of faulty sensor values in the observer model. In the passive fault-tolerant system (PFTCS) part, the air-fuel ratio (AFR) controller is designed using a robust SMC that allows systems to manage faults in predefined limits without estimation. In the proposed system, SMC will form the passive part to react instantly to faults while ANN will optimize post-fault performance with active compensation. Moreover, Lyapunov stability analysis was also performed to make sure that the system remains stable in both normal and faulty conditions. The simulation results in the Matlab/Simulink environment show that the designed controller is robust to faults in normal and noisy measurements of the sensors. A comparison with the existing works also demonstrates the superior performance of the proposed hybrid algorithm.
Analysis of the punch motion curve for the springback of U-shaped sheet metal
Authors: Chen Tsung-Chia , Chen Shi-Xun , Wang Cheng-Chi , Lee Tsui-Er
Published: March 2023

Servo presses achieve high formability by using different punch motion curves, thereby increasing their applicability in conventional processing fields. In this study, the punch motion curves of servo presses were optimized, and the effects of punch motion curves on the springback of U-shaped sheet metal were explored. Subsequently, the optimal punch motion curve was determined, and the springback effect after processing was investigated. Different punch motion curves were proposed and simulated for comparison with the results of conventional methods, and the equivalent stress values obtained using different motion curves and mold angles were analyzed. DEFORM software was used to conduct simulations to determine the differences between processing methods. In addition, the spring-go, springback, load–stroke characteristics, and stress and strain distributions of U-shaped sheet metal were investigated. The conventional motion curve resulted in springback, stress, strain, and required processing force higher than those achieved by the curves proposed in this study. The smaller the movement difference in the motion curve of the servo press was, the lower the springback, stress, and strain were. These results indicate that the punch motion curves obtained for different types of processing can serve as a reference for selecting appropriate parameter values for servo presses.
Paediatric liver biopsies: A single-centre experience in Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University
Authors: Kazci Omer , Kadirhan Ozlem , Uner Cigdem , Karavas Erdal , Ucan Berna , Aydin Sonay
Published: March 2023

Introduction:

Liver biopsies are the main method in the diagnosis and treatment of paediatric liver pathologies. Major complication rates of paediatric liver biopsies range from 0% to 6.6% in the literature and minor complication rates range from 0% to 25%. In this study, we aimed to review the complications, indications and results of percutaneous core liver biopsies with paediatric sonography in a tertiary care centre by an interventional radiologist.

Methods:

We retrospectively evaluated the results, indications and complications of paediatric liver biopsies performed in our tertiary health centre between January 2017 and December 2020. Biopsies were performed with a 16G semi-automatic needle in 17 patients (29.8%) and with an 18G semi-automatic needle in 40 patients (70.2%). Biopsies were performed only with local anaesthesia in patients older than 12 years; in younger patients, it was performed under general anaesthesia.

Results:

Fifty-eight liver biopsies were obtained from 57 children (34 males, 23 females). The most common indications were elevated liver enzymes (33 patients), cholestasis (14 patients), and adiposity and metabolic problems (6 patents). The most common pathological diagnoses were chronic hepatitis (33 patients) and steatosis (10 patients). Major complication in the form of symptomatic subcapsular haematoma developed after liver biopsy performed with 18G needle in only one patient (1.8%).

Conclusions:

As previously stated in the literature, percutaneous biopsies performed by interventional radiologists in paediatric patients under the guidance of sonography can be used in diagnosis and treatment; the complication rate is low and it is a safe method.
Huawei knowledge transfer in Africa: Corporate communication and users’ responses on social networks
Authors: Calzati Stefano
Published: March 2023

This article focuses on the launch by the Chinese company Huawei of ICT academies in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), and Kenya especially. Existing literature shows contrasting findings concerning the impact of such formation and recruitment centres. Through high-level thematic and sentiment analyses, this article examines various Huawei accounts on social networking sites (SNSs) – that is, Facebook and Twitter – in order to better assess: (1) the kind of online corporate communication unfolded by the company with particular regard to these centres; and (2) how the advertising of such centres is perceived by users. The results suggest that Huawei’s online corporate requires better fine-tuning with local SNSs’ users.
‘They say we are all zombies’: Rethinking the role of audiences in a mediatized international conflict
Authors: Vihalemm Triin , Juzefovičs Jānis
Published: March 2023

This article contributes to the conceptualization of international conflict mediatization through the lenses of ‘audience logic’ instead of the usual ‘media logic’ perspective. The former is defined here as beliefs about the workings of the media system that are held by audiences and constructions of their own identities as media users. The empirical analysis is about strategies used by Baltic Russian-speakers in making sense of media and news during the Russia-Ukraine conflict during 2013–2019. The authors propose elaborating the conceptualization of the audience and further inquiry into the resources for audience empowerment to alter today’s asymmetrical publics/elites power dynamics.
The primacy of the European Central Bank: Distributional conflicts between theory and practice in the pursuit of price stability
Authors: Peychev Anna
Published: March 2023

Whether fighting inflation or deflation, it has been a decade since the European Central Bank (ECB) managed to successfully attain its Treaty-mandated objective, that is, price stability. This is defined by the Bank itself as maintaining an inflation target of ‘below but close to 2% over the medium term’ and, since 2021, as ‘2% over the medium term’. The further reality has veered from policy, the more attention has been brought to the redistributive choices, both implicit and explicit, in the ECB’s pursuit of price stability. The current article analyses this debate in the context of the legal terms stipulated in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, conceptualised as a function of monetarist theory. It claims that the ECB’s failure to deliver on its price stability objective has contributed to intensifying the re-politicisation of monetary policy, cast doubt on the presumed legitimacy of foundational monetarist theory and caused a legal struggle within EU constitutionalism to sustain a stable distinction between economic and monetary policy.
Long-acting injectable antipsychotics for the treatment of bipolar disorder: evidence from mirror-image studies
Authors: Bartoli Francesco , Cavaleri Daniele , Nasti Christian , Palpella Dario , Guzzi Pierluca , Riboldi Ilaria , Crocamo Cristina , Pappa Sofia , Carrà Giuseppe
Published: March 2023

Clinical trials and real-world data have shown that long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) might be an effective therapeutic option also for people with bipolar disorder (BD). However, complementing evidence from mirror-image studies investigating LAIs in BD is scattered and has not been systematically evaluated so far. We thus performed a review of observational mirror-image studies testing the effectiveness of LAI treatment on clinical outcomes in people with BD. Embase, MEDLINE, and PsycInfo electronic databases were systematically searched (via Ovid) up to November 2022. We included six mirror-image studies that compared relevant clinical outcomes between the 12-months after (post-treatment period) and the 12-months before (pre-treatment period) the initiation of a LAI treatment in adults with BD. We found that LAI treatment is associated with a significant reduction in days spent in hospital and number of hospitalizations. Moreover, LAI treatment seems to be associated with a significant decrease in the proportion of individuals with at least one hospital admission, even though data on this outcome were reported by just two studies. In addition, studies consistently estimated a significant reduction of hypo-/manic relapses after LAI treatment initiation, while the effect of LAIs for depressive episodes is less clear. Finally, LAI treatment initiation was associated with a lower number of emergency department visits in the year after LAI initiation. The findings of this review seem to suggest that the use of LAIs is an effective strategy to improve major clinical outcomes in people with BD. Nonetheless, additional research, based on standardized assessments of prevalent polarity and relapses, is needed to identify the clinical characteristics of individuals with BD who are most likely to benefit from a LAI treatment.
Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in “Kiss nightclub fire” patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): A phase II clinical trial
Authors: Marcolin Kathy Aleixo dos Santos , da Cunha Ângelo Batista Miralha , Yoneyama Beatriz Capparros , Ribeiro Tiango Aguiar
Published: March 2023

Objective:

Considered the second biggest tragedy with fatal victims caused by fire, the Kiss nightclub fire tragedy that occurred in the interior of southern Brazil brought several problems to survivors. It is reported that 30–40% of victims of disasters can develop post-traumatic stress disorder. Application of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation has shown promising results in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. Transcranial direct current stimulation similar to repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, a neuromodulation technique, has shown promise in treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders.

Method:

A clinical trial was conducted from March 2015 to July 2016 in “KISS nightclub fire” disaster patients diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder without complete remission of symptoms, over 18 years, and who maintained pharmacological treatment. Treatment was given using electrodes as cathode (right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) and anode (contralateral deltoid muscle); a current of 2 mA was used for 25 cm² area (0.08 mA/cm² current density); 30 min once a day for 10 days continuously. Patients assessed pre- and post-intervention, 30 days’ and 90 days’ post-intervention. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist, Civilian version, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and Hamilton Depression and Anxiety Rating Scale were used.

Results:

One hundred forty-five subjects were screened and eight analyzed; 87.5% were female; 30.88 ± 7.74 years were of mean age. Post-intervention results: no cognitive impairment (Montreal Cognitive Assessment), 60% reduction in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (moderate depression turns normal) ( p < 0.001), 54.39% Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale reduction (moderate-to-severe symptoms turn into mild symptoms) ( p < 0.001), and 20% Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist, Civilian version scale decrease (high severity post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms turn moderate to moderately high severity) ( p < 0.001). Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms improvement was maintained 30-days post-intervention (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist, Civilian version, p = 0.025) and improvement in symptoms of depression (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, p = 0.006) and anxiety (Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, p = 0.028) in 90 days post-intervention.

Conclusion:

Despite decrease over time, improvement in post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety symptoms was maintained throughout the first month after treatment. Transcranial direct current stimulation adjuvant can be an alternative treatment to refractory post-traumatic stress disorder, either as monotherapy or as treatment enhancement strategy. They can also be an option for patients who do not want or do not tolerate pharmacological management.
Diabetes Control in the Community, Under the Management of a Diabetes-Clinic Nurse Specialist, and the Effect of a Parallel Diabetologist Advice
Authors: Gadot Tzipi , Azuri Joseph
Published: March 2023

Introduction:

Nurses play a key role in managing care and educating people with diabetes in various healthcare systems worldwide, while physicians play this role in others. In addition, some healthcare systems authorize specialist nurses to change patient dose regimens. Therefore, we examined diabetes outcomes in the community by the management of a diabetes-clinic nurse only versus parallel management with a diabetologist.

Methods:

Retrospective data were collected for 100 consecutive people with diabetes registered in a community clinic with a diabetes-clinic nurse specialist as a case manager from 1/2018. About half of the patients selected received parallel advice from a diabetologist. Inclusion criteria included poor control of type 2 diabetes (HbA1c above 9%). Patients using an insulin pump, glucose sensor technologies, or multiple injection insulin programs were excluded.

Results:

One hundred people with diabetes who met the study criteria were included in the study, 64 males and a mean age of 60.03 ± 11.11. In a follow-up of 161.31 ± 68.65 days, HbA1c levels decreased by 3.17% ± 1.95% and did not change in a further follow-up of 162.36 ± 72.75 days. Significant improvement was also observed in controlling the other risk factors examined. Parallel consultation with a diabetologist and the nurse’s use of her authority for dose modifications showed no differences in all parameters. Logistic regression for analyzing the effect of the variables related to the patient showed only a moderate effect.

Conclusions:

Access to professional services remains a significant challenge for healthcare systems in long-term diabetes control. Monitoring poorly controlled people with diabetes with the help of a diabetes-clinic nurse specialist in the community clinic significantly improved diabetes and risk factors control and persisted long after the intervention. Healthcare systems should consider expanding the service of the diabetes-clinic nurse specialist in the community. Further studies will be required to examine the results in different patient subgroups.
Generalized Dystonia as Presenting Feature of Wilson Disease: A Case Report
Authors: Anushree Akansha , Kumar Sudesh , Bhattacharya Piyali , Tripathi Siddharth , Chattopadhyay Nandita
Published: March 2023

Wilson disease is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disease, caused by the mutation of the ATP7B gene leading to decreased secretion of serum ceruloplasmin in blood and decrease biliary excretion of copper leading to toxic level accumulation in the liver, brain, kidney, and cornea, resulting in development of characteristic liver disease and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Our case presented with mainly clumsiness and gait abnormality without any psychiatric component and any history of liver disease. A 13-year old male, born out of non-consanguineous marriage, presented with clumsy walking and slurring of speech. The child also complained of poor handwriting and slipping of slipper from foot, without any history of abnormal behavior and poor scholastic performance. On examination gait was abnormal with sidewise swaying, increased muscle tone with rigidity and bilateral flexor plantar reflex. Slit lamp examination of eyes revealed bilateral Kayser-Fleischer rings. Serum ceruloplasmin was low (0.03 g/L) and 24-hour urinary copper was high (119.64 μg/day). MRI brain showed B/L putamen hyperintensity and panda sign suggestive of Wilson disease. After the diagnosis of Wilson disease was made, patient was treated with penicillamine and zinc. Child was also followed-up and re-examination showed slight improvement. Though not rare, Wilson disease is an uncommon entity with varied presentations and disabling consequences. Hence high index of suspicion and clinical correlation is required to diagnose it. Early initiation of treatment and good compliance ensure a better outcome.
Improving neurological outcome for acute basilar artery occlusion with sufficient recanalization after thrombectomy by intraarterial tenecteplase (INSIST-IT): Rationale and design
Authors: Liu Liang , Li Wei , Qiu Jing , Nguyen Thanh N , Wei Ming , Wang Feng , Li Di , Shi Huai-Zhang , Wang Shou-Chun , Chen Hui-Sheng
Published: March 2023

Background:

The potential benefit of intraarterial tenecteplase in acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO) patients with successful reperfusion following endovascular treatment (EVT) has not been studied.

Aims:

To explore the efficacy and safety of intraarterial tenecteplase in acute BAO patients with successful reperfusion after EVT.

Sample size estimates:

A maximum of 228 patients are required to test the superiority hypothesis with 80% power according to a two-side 0.05 level of significance, stratified by center.

Design:

We will conduct a prospective, randomized, adaptive-enrichment, open-label, blinded-end point, multicenter trial. Eligible BAO patients with successful recanalization after EVT [modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) 2b-3] will be randomly assigned into the experimental and control group with a 1:1 ratio. Patients in the experimental group will receive intraarterial tenecteplase (0.2–0.3 mg/min for 20–30 min), while patients in the control group will receive routine treatment according to the usual practice of each center. Patients in both groups will receive standard guideline-based medical treatment.

Outcome:

The primary efficacy endpoint is a favorable functional outcome, defined as the modified Rankin Scale 0–3 at 90 days after randomization. The primary safety endpoint is symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage, defined as National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score increase ⩾4 caused by intracranial hemorrhage within 48 h after randomization. Subgroup analysis of the primary outcome will be performed by age, gender, baseline NIHSS score, baseline pc-ASPECTS, intravenous thrombolysis, time from estimated symptom onset to treatment, mTICI, blood glucose, and stroke etiology.

Conclusions:

The results of this study will provide evidence of whether adjunct use of intraarterial tenecteplase after successful reperfusion with EVT is associated with better outcomes for acute BAO patients.
Genome-Wide Effects on Gene Expression Between Parental and Filial Generations of Trisomy 11 and 12 of Rice
Authors: Sun Shang , Liu Kai , Xue Chao , Hu Yingying , Yu Hengxiu , Qi Guoxiao , Chen Jijin , Li Xiya , Zhao Xinru , Gong Zhiyun
Published: March 2023

Aneuploid refers to the gene dosage imbalance due to copy number alterations. Aneuploidy is generally harmful to the growth, development and reproduction of organisms according to the numerous research. However, it has rarely been reported on whether aneuploid have a relevant pattern of genome expression between the parental and its offspring generations. In this study, mRNA sequencing analysis was performed on rice (Oryza sativa L.) primary trisomes 11 and 12, same primary trisomes and normal individuals in their filial generation. We systematically summarized the changes in gene expression patterns that occur on cis genes and on trans genes between parental and filial generations. In T11 and T12, the ratio of cis-gene expression showed intermediate type in parents and dosage compensation in filial generations, which maybe due to more genes being downregulated. The trans genes were also affected by aneuploidy and manifested as cis-related. The strains with normal chromosomes in filial generations, there are still aneuploid-sensitive genes differentially expressed in their genomes, indicating that the effect of aneuploidy is far-reaching and could not be easily eliminated. Meanwhile, among these differentially expressed genes, genes with low-expression level were more likely to be upregulated, while genes with medium- and high-expression level were easy to be downregulated. For the different types of rice aneuploid, upregulated genes were mainly associated with genomic imbalance while downregulated genes were mainly influenced by the specific added chromosome. In conclusion, our results provide new insights into the genetic characterization and evolution of biological aneuploidy genomes.
Exploration of lung mycobiome in the patients with non-small-cell lung cancer
Authors: Zhao Yiming , Yi Junqi , Xiang Juanjuan , Jia Wei , Chen Anqi , Chen Liyu , Zheng Leliang , Zhou Wen , Wu Minghua , Yu Zheng , Tang Jingqun
Published: March 2023

As the Human Microbiome Project (HMP) progresses, the relationship between microbes and human health has been receiving increasing attention. A growing number of reports support the correlation between cancer and microbes. However, most studies have focused on bacteria, rather than fungal communities. In this study, we studied the alteration in lung mycobiome in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using metagenomic sequencing and qPCR. The higher fungal diversity and more complex network were observed in the patients with NSCLC. In addition, Alternaria arborescens was found as the most relevant fungus to NSCLC, and the enrichment of it in cancerous tissue was also detected. This study proposes that the changes in fungal communities may be closely related to lung cancer, and provides insights into further exploration the relationship between lung cancer and fungi.
Morphological and physiological adaptation characteristics of lithophytic bryophytes to karst high calcium environment
Authors: Meng Wenping , Ran Jingcheng , Dai Quanhou , Tu Na , Leng Tingjiao , Ren Qingqing
Published: March 2023

Background

Lithophytic bryophytes grow on the rock surface, change the habitat on the rock surface through biological karstification, and provide a material basis for the growth of other plants. However, the surface calcium content of bare rock is high. The lithophytic bryophytes may have a special mechanism to adapt to the karst high calcium environment. The present study aimed to explore the physiological regulation process of karst lithophytic bryophytes under high calcium environment, and to provide scientific basis for revealing the maintenance mechanism of karst biodiversity.

Results

With the increase of Ca2+ concentration, the contents of Pro, SP and MDA of lithophytic bryophytes showed a downward—upward—downward trend. However, when Ca2+ ≥ 400 mmol/L, the contents of Pro and SP changed significantly at 1d, 2d, 3d, 5d and 7d with the extension of culture time, and lithophytic bryophytes died after 2 months of culture. Under different Ca2+ concentrations, the maximum SOD activity of lithophytic bryophytes is 1758.00 (U/g FW), the minimum is 92.60 (U/g FW), the maximum POD activity is 120.88 (U/g FW), and the minimum is 4.80 (U/g FW). The antioxidative activity of of Hyophila involuta are higher than that of Didymodon constrictus and Eurohypnum leptothallum, and its enzyme activity changed significantly with the increase of calcium concentration and time.At the same time, the contents of TChl, Chla, and Chlb in lithophytic bryophytes decreased with the increase of Ca2+ concentration. When Ca2+ = 400 mmol/L, the contents of TChl and Chla were the lowest, but when Ca2+ > 400 mmol/L, they began to increase. In addition, ABA is negatively correlated with TChl and Chla, and positively correlated with ROS. It shows that ABA has a certain role in regulating the adaptation of lithophytic bryophytes to high calcium environment.

Conclusions

Lithophytic bryophytes have strong calcium tolerance, and their physiological response to high calcium stress is different from vascular bundle plants. The general stress principle is not applicable to lithophytic bryophytes. The response of lithophytic bryophytes to the change of Ca2+concentration is slow, showing passive response or inert response.