bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of single catheter versus dual catheter-based EBT3 film calibration for the Ir-192 beam energy
Authors: Trivedi Gaurav , Singh Pushpendra P , Oinam Arun S
Published: February 2023

Purpose. Films and TLDs have been the common choices for passive in-vivo dose measurement in radiotherapy. In the brachytherapy applications, it is very difficult to report and verify the dose at multiple localized high dose gradient regions and also the dose to organ at risk. This study was carried out to introduce a new and accurate calibration method for GafChromic EBT3 films irradiated using Ir-192 photon energy from miniature High Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy source. Materials and methods. Film holder made of Styrofoam was used to hold the EBT3 film at its center. It was placed inside the mini water phantom and the films were irradiated by Ir-192 source of microSelectron HDR afterloading brachytherapy system. Two different setups: Single catheter-based film exposure and dual catheter-based film exposure were compared. The films scanned on a flatbed scanner were analysed in three different color channels: red, green, and blue using Image J software. The dose calibration graphs were generated using the third-order polynomial equations fitted on the data points from two different methods of calibration procedure. Maximum and mean dose difference between TPS calculated and measured was analyzed. Results. The measured dose difference from the TPS calculated doses were evaluated for the three groups of dose ranges (low, medium and high). In the high dose range, standard uncertainty of dose difference are ±2.3%, ±2.9%, and ±2.4% respectively for the red, green, and blue color channel when the TPS calculated dose was compared with single catheter based film calibration equation. Whereas it is observed as 1.3%, 1.4% and 3.1% for the red, green, and blue color channels respectively when compared with the dual catheter based film calibration equation. A test film was exposed to a TPS calculated dose of 666 cGy to validate the calibration equations, single catheter based film calibration equation estimated the dose difference as −9.2%, −7.8% and −3.6% respectively in the red, green, and blue color channels whereas the same were observed as 0.1%, 0.2% and 6.1% respectively when dual catheter based film calibration equation was applied. Conclusion. Source miniature size, reproducible positioning of the film and catheter system inside water medium are the major challenges in the film calibration with Ir-192 beam. To overcome these situations dual catheter-based film calibration was found more accurate and reproducible as compare to the single catheter based film calibration.
Long-term fine particular exposure and incidence of frailty in older adults: findings from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey
Authors: Lv Yuebin , Yang Ze , Ye Lihong , Jiang Meijie , Zhou Jinhui , Guo Yanbo , Qiu Yidan , Li Xinwei , Chen Chen , Ju Aipeng , Wang Jun , Li Chenfeng , Li Yang , Wang Jiaonan , Zhang Juan , Ji John S , Li Tiantian , Baccarelli Andrea A , Gao Xu , Shi Xiaoming
Published: February 2023

Background

The association between fine particular matter (PM2.5) and frailty is less studied, and the national burden of PM2.5-related frailty in China is unknown.

Objective

To explore the association between PM2.5 exposure and incident frailty in older adults, and estimate the corresponding disease burden.

Design

Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey from 1998 to 2014.

Setting

Twenty-three provinces in China.

Subjects

A total of 25,047 participants aged ≥65-year-old.

Methods

Cox proportional hazards models were performed to evaluate the association between PM2.5 and frailty in older adults. A method adapted from the Global Burden of Disease Study was used to calculate the PM2.5-related frailty disease burden.

Results

A total of 5,733 incidents of frailty were observed during 107,814.8 person-years follow-up. A 10 μg/m3 increment of PM2.5 was associated with a 5.0% increase in the risk of frailty (Hazard Ratio = 1.05, 95% confidence interval = [1.03–1.07]). Monotonic, but non-linear exposure-response, relationships of PM2.5 with risk of frailty were observed, and slopes were steeper at concentrations >50 μg/m³. Considering the interaction between population ageing and mitigation of PM2.5, the PM2.5-related frailty cases were almost unchanged in 2010, 2020 and 2030, with estimations of 664,097, 730,858 and 665,169, respectively.

Conclusions

This nation-wide prospective cohort study showed a positive association between long-term PM2.5 exposure and frailty incidence. The estimated disease burden indicated that implementing clean air actions may prevent frailty and substantially offset the burden of population ageing worldwide.
Adverse Childhood Experiences and frailty in later life: a prospective population-based cohort study
Authors: Dimitriadis Menelaos M , Jeuring Hans W , Marijnissen Radboud M , Wieringa Thomas H , Hoogendijk Emiel O , Oude Voshaar Richard C
Published: February 2023

Background

The deficit accumulation method considers the ageing process underlying frailty as a random accumulation of health deficits.

Objective

Although Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) have consistently been associated with the onset of mental disorders and somatic diseases during adolescence and midlife, it remains unknown whether ACE still exert detrimental health effects in late life. Therefore, we examined cross-sectionally and prospectively the association between ACE and frailty among community-dwelling older people.

Design

Based on the health-deficit accumulation method, a Frailty Index was calculated with values ≥0.25 considered as frail. ACE were measured by a validated questionnaire. The cross-sectional association was examined by logistic regression among 2,176 community dwelling participants aged 58–89 years. The prospective association was examined by Cox-regression among 1,427 non-frail participants during a 17-year follow-up. Interactions with age and sex were tested and analyses were adjusted for potential confounders.

Setting

The present study was embedded in the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam.

Results

ACE and frailty were positively associated at baseline (OR = 1.88; 95% CI = 1.46–2.42; P = 0.05). Among non-frail participants at baseline (n = 1,427), ACE interacted with age on the prediction of frailty. Stratified analyses showed that a history of ACE only resulted in a higher hazard rate for the incidence of frailty among those aged ≥70 years (HR = 1.28; P = 0.044).

Conclusion

Even in the oldest-old, ACE still lead to an accelerated rate of the accumulation of health deficits and therefore contribute to the onset of frailty.
Disentangling leaf structural and material properties in relationship to their anatomical and chemical compositional traits in oaks (QuercusL.)
Authors: Alonso-Forn David , Sancho-Knapik Domingo , Fariñas María Dolores , Nadal Miquel , Martín-Sánchez Rubén , Ferrio Juan Pedro , de Dios Víctor Resco , Peguero-Pina José Javier , Onoda Yusuke , Cavender-Bares Jeannine , Arenas Tomás Gómez Álvarez , Gil-Pelegrín Eustaquio
Published: February 2023

Background and Aims

The existence of sclerophyllous plants has been considered an adaptive strategy against different environmental stresses. Given that it literally means ‘hard-leaved’, it is essential to quantify the leaf mechanical properties to understand sclerophylly. However, the relative importance of each leaf trait for mechanical properties is not yet well established.

Methods

Genus Quercus is an excellent system to shed light on this because it minimizes phylogenetic variation while having a wide variation in sclerophylly. We measured leaf anatomical traits and cell wall composition, analysing their relationship with leaf mass per area and leaf mechanical properties in a set of 25 oak species.

Key Results

The upper epidermis outer wall makes a strong and direct contribution to the leaf mechanical strength. Moreover, cellulose plays a crucial role in increasing leaf strength and toughness. The principal component analysis plot based on leaf trait values clearly separates Quercus species into two groups corresponding to evergreen and deciduous species.

Conclusions

Sclerophyllous Quercus species are tougher and stronger owing to their thicker epidermis outer wall and/or higher cellulose concentration. Furthermore, section Ilex species share common traits, although they occupy different climates. In addition, evergreen species living in mediterranean-type climates share common leaf traits irrespective of their different phylogenetic origin.
Algorithm for Trim and Wedge Labiaplasties
Authors: Zahedi Sanam , Bhat Deepa , Pedreira Rachel , Canales Francisco L , Furnas Heather J
Published: February 2023

In the last decade labiaplasty procedures have been on the rise in the United States. The trim and the wedge are among the most commonly used techniques. The purpose of this paper is to provide a trim-wedge algorithm to guide the surgeon based on the qualities of the individual patient. The choice of technique should be based on the reasonable labiaplasty candidate's goals, her nicotine/cocaine usage, and the physical characteristics of her labia, including edge quality, texture, pigmentation, symmetry, morphology of protrusion, and labial length. By considering these individual patient factors, the trim-wedge algorithm may improve labiaplasty outcomes and increase patient satisfaction. Some surgeons perform only the wedge or only the trim, and no algorithm should alter that. After all, the best technique is always the one the surgeon performs comfortably and safely.

Level of Evidence: 4
iSC.MEB: an R package for multi-sample spatial clustering analysis of spatial transcriptomics data
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Liu Wei , Song Fangda , Liu Jin
Published: February 2023

Emerging spatially resolved transcriptomics (SRT) technologies are powerful in measuring gene expression profiles while retaining tissue spatial localization information and typically provide data from multiple tissue sections. We have previously developed the tool SC.MEB—an empirical Bayes approach for SRT data analysis using a hidden Markov random field. Here, we introduce an extension to SC.MEB, denoted as integrated spatial clustering with hidden Markov random field using empirical Bayes (iSC.MEB) that permits the users to simultaneously estimate the batch effect and perform spatial clustering for low-dimensional representations of multiple SRT datasets. We demonstrate that iSC.MEB can provide accurate cell/domain detection results using two SRT datasets.

Availability and implementation

iSC.MEB is implemented in an open-source R package, and source code is freely available at https://github.com/XiaoZhangryy/iSC.MEB. Documentation and vignettes are provided on our package website (https://xiaozhangryy.github.io/iSC.MEB/index.html).

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics Advances online.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 Convalescent Plasma Outpatient Therapy to Prevent Outpatient Hospitalization: A Meta-Analysis of Individual Participant Data From 5 Randomized Trials
Authors: Levine Adam C , Fukuta Yuriko , Huaman Moises A , Ou Jiangda , Meisenberg Barry R , Patel Bela , Paxton James H , Hanley Daniel F , Rijnders Bart J A , Gharbharan Arvind , Rokx Casper , Zwaginga Jaap Jan , Alemany Andrea , Mitjà Oriol , Ouchi Dan , Millat-Martinez Pere , Durkalski-Mauldin Valerie , Korley Frederick K , Dumont Larry J , Callaway Clifton W , Libster Romina , Marc Gonzalo Perez , Wappner Diego , Esteban Ignacio , Polack Fernando , Sullivan David J
Published: February 2023

Background

Outpatient monoclonal antibodies are no longer effective and antiviral treatments for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease remain largely unavailable in many countries worldwide. Although treatment with COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) is promising, clinical trials among outpatients have shown mixed results.

Methods

We conducted an individual participant data meta-analysis from outpatient trials to assess the overall risk reduction for all-cause hospitalizations by day 28 in transfused participants. Relevant trials were identified by searching Medline, Embase, medRxiv, World Health Organization COVID-19 Research Database, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science from January 2020 to September 2022.

Results

Five included studies from 4 countries enrolled and transfused 2620 adult patients. Comorbidities were present in 1795 (69%). The virus neutralizing antibody dilutional titer levels ranged from 8 to 14 580 in diverse assays. One hundred sixty of 1315 (12.2%) control patients were hospitalized, versus 111 of 1305 (8.5%) CCP-treated patients, yielding a 3.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3%–6.0%; P = .001) absolute risk reduction and 30.1% relative risk reduction for all-cause hospitalization. The hospitalization reduction was greatest in those with both early transfusion and high titer with a 7.6% absolute risk reduction (95% CI, 4.0%–11.1%; P = .0001) accompanied by at 51.4% relative risk reduction. No significant reduction in hospitalization was seen with treatment >5 days after symptom onset or in those receiving CCP with antibody titers below the median titer.

Conclusions

Among outpatients with COVID-19, treatment with CCP reduced the rate of all-cause hospitalization and may be most effective when given within 5 days of symptom onset and when antibody titer is higher.
Development and Validation of a Remote Monitoring Tool for Assessment of Mild, Moderate, and Severe Infections in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Rezazadeh Ardabili Ashkan , van Esser Dirk , Wintjens Dion , Cilissen Mia , Deben Debbie , Mujagic Zlatan , Russ Fritzi , Stassen Laurents , Van Bodegraven Adriaan A , Wong Dennis , Winkens Bjorn , Jonkers Daisy , Romberg-Camps Mariëlle , Pierik Marie J
Published: February 2023

Background

Immunomodulators and biologics are cornerstones in the management of inflammatory bowel disease [IBD], but are associated with increased risk of infections. Post-marketing surveillance registries are pivotal to assess this risk, yet mainly focus on severe infections. Data on the prevalence of mild and moderate infections are scarce. We developed and validated a remote monitoring tool for real-world assessment of infections in IBD patients.

Methods

A 7-item Patient-Reported Infections Questionnaire [PRIQ] covering 15 infection categories was developed with a 3-month recall period. Infection severity was defined as mild [self-limiting or topical treatment], moderate [oral antibiotics, antivirals, or antifungals], or severe [hospitalisation or intravenous treatment]. Comprehensiveness and comprehensibility were ascertained through cognitive interviewing of 36 IBD outpatients. After implementation in the telemedicine platform myIBDcoach, a prospective, multicentre cohort study was performed between June 2020 and June 2021 in 584 patients, to assess diagnostic accuracy. Events were cross-checked with general practitioner and pharmacy data [gold standard]. Agreement was evaluated using linear-weighted kappa with cluster-bootstrapping to account for within-patient level correlation.

Results

Patient understanding was good and interviews did not result in reduction of PRIQ items. During validation, 584 IBD patients {57.8% female, mean age 48.6 (standard deviaton [SD]: 14.8), disease duration 12.6 years [SD: 10.9]} completed 1386 periodic assessments, reporting 1626 events. Linear-weighted kappa for agreement between PRIQ and gold standard was 0.92 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.89-0.94). Sensitivity and specificity for infection [yes/no] were 93.9% [95% CI 91.8-96.0] and 98.5% [95% CI 97.5-99.4], respectively.

Conclusions

The PRIQ is a valid and accurate remote monitoring tool to assess infections in IBD patients, providing means to personalise medicine based on adequate benefit-risk assessments.
Graded Atmospheres of Volatile Pyrethroid Overlaid on Host Cues Can Be Established and Quantified Within a Novel Flight Chamber for Mosquito Behavior Studies
Authors: Seavey Corey E , Doshi Mona , Colamarino Angelo , Kim Brian N , Dickerson Andrew K , Willenberg Bradley J
Published: February 2023

Spatial repellents are emerging as a promising approach to reduce vector-disease burden; however, the evolution of genetically resistant mosquitoes decreases repellent efficacy. The development of flight chambers to investigate spatial repellent application techniques is vital for sustainable mosquito control. We present an air-dilution chamber as a novel bioassay to study mosquito flight behavior responses to chemical gradients of the volatile, pyrethroid transfluthrin (TF). Air dilution was used to simulate a larger environment of stable concentration gradients verified with carbon dioxide (CO2) which was homogenously delivered and measured across the chamber to achieve a 5× inlet/outlet [CO2] ratio with 0.17 m/s outlet velocity. Female Aedes (Ae.) aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae, Linnaeus, 1762) were exposed to volatilized TF paired with heat, CO2, and Biogents-Sweetscent host-cues. Tandem solvent extraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SE-GC-MS) was used to quantify air samples taken during TF emanations with a limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) of 2 ± 1 and 5 ± 2 parts-per-trillion (ppt) TF, respectively. Homogenous air diluted emanation of the spatial repellent TF was at least twice that of the 5× CO2 gradient with the same air flow in the chamber. The airborne TF concentrations the mosquitoes were exposed to range from 1 to 170 ppt. Video recordings of mosquito behavior during host-cues exposure revealed increased inlet activity, while exposure to TF protected host resulted in decreased inlet activity over time with inlet-outlet mosquito positional variation. This novel flight chamber design can simulate ‘long’-range exposure with simultaneous quantitation of airborne spatial repellent to understand dose-dependent effects on mosquito behavior.
Comparison of sedation using propofol vs. midazolam in patients admitted to the intensive care unit after extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a multicentre observational study
Authors: Shibahashi Keita , Hifumi Toru , Sugiyama Kazuhiro , Inoue Akihiko , Sakamoto Tetsuya , Yasuhiro Kuroda ,   the SAVE-J II study group, Sawano Hirotaka , Egawa Yuko , Kato Shunichi , Sugiyama Kazuhiro , Tanabe Maki , Bunya Naofumi , Kasai Takehiko , Ijuin Shinichi , Nakayama Shinichi , Kanda Jun , Kanou Seiya , Takiguchi Toru , Yokobori Shoji , Takada Hiroaki , Inoue Kazushige , Takeuchi Ichiro , Honzawa Hiroshi , Kobayashi Makoto , Hamagami Tomohiro , Takayama Wataru , Otomo Yasuhiro , Maekawa Kunihiko , Shimizu Takafumi , Nara Satoshi , Nasu Michitaka , Takahashi Kuniko , Hagiwara Yoshihiro , Kushimoto Shigeki , Fukuda Reo , Ogura Takayuki , Shiraishi Shin-ichiro , Zushi Ryosuke , Otani Norio , Okamoto Hiroshi , Kikuchi Migaku , Watanabe Kazuhiro , Nakagami Takuo , Shoko Tomohisa , Kitamura Nobuya , Otani Takayuki , Matsuoka Yoshinori , Aoki Makoto , Sakuraya Masaaki , Arimoto Hideki , Homma Koichiro , Naito Hiromichi , Nakao Shunichiro , Okazaki Tomoya , Kunikata Jun , Yokoi Hideto , Tahara Yoshio
Published: February 2023

Aims

Optimal sedation regimens for patients after extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) remain unclear. This study compared the outcomes of patients who received propofol and midazolam for sedation post-ECPR for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).

Methods and results

A retrospective cohort study analysed data from the Study of Advanced Life Support for Ventricular Fibrillation with Extracorporeal Circulation in Japan, including patients admitted to 36 intensive care units (ICUs) in Japan post-ECPR for OHCA of cardiac aetiology between 2013 and 2018. One-to-one propensity score-matched analysis compared outcomes between patients post-ECPR for OHCA who received exclusive treatment with a continuous propofol infusion (propofol users) and those who received exclusive treatment with a continuous midazolam infusion (midazolam users). The cumulative incidence and competing risk methodology were used to compare the time to liberation from mechanical ventilation and ICU discharge. Propensity score matching created 109 matched pairs of propofol and midazolam users with balanced baseline characteristics. Competing risk analysis for the 30-day ICU period showed no significant difference in the probability of liberation from mechanical ventilation (0.431 vs. 0.422, P = 0.882) and ICU discharge (0.477 vs. 0.440, P = 0.634). Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the proportion of 30-day survival (0.399 vs. 0.398, P = 0.999), 30-day favourable neurological outcome (0.176 vs. 0.185, P = 0.999), and vasopressor requirement within 24-h post-ICU admission (0.651 vs. 0.670, P = 0.784).

Conclusion

This multicentre cohort study revealed no significant differences in mechanical ventilation duration, ICU stay length, survival, neurological outcomes, and vasopressor requirement between propofol and midazolam users admitted to the ICU after ECPR for OHCA.
Smooth muscle αv integrins regulate vascular fibrosis via CD109 downregulation of TGF-β signalling
Authors: Li Zhenlin , Belozertseva Ekaterina , Parlakian Ara , Bascetin Rümeyza , Louis Huguette , Kawamura Yuki , Blanc Jocelyne , Gao-Li Jacqueline , Pinet Florence , Lacy-Hulbert Adam , Challande Pascal , Humphrey Jay D , Regnault Veronique , Lacolley Patrick
Published: February 2023

Aims

αv integrins are implicated in fibrosis in a number of organs through their ability to activate TGF-β. However their role in vascular fibrosis and collagen accumulation is only partially understood. Here we have used αv conditional knockout mice and cell lines to determine how αv contributes to vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) function in vascular fibrosis and the role of TGF-β in that process.

Methods and results

Angiotensin II (Ang II) treatment causes upregulation of αv and β3 expression in the vessel wall, associated with increased collagen deposition. We found that deletion of αv integrin subunit from VSMCs (αvSMKO) protected mice against angiotensin II-induced collagen production and assembly. Transcriptomic analysis of the vessel wall in αvSMKO mice and controls identified a significant reduction in expression of fibrosis and related genes in αvSMKO mice. In contrast, αvSMKO mice showed prolonged expression of CD109, which is known to affect TGF-β signalling. Using cultured mouse and human VSMCs, we showed that overexpression of CD109 phenocopied knockdown of αv integrin, attenuating collagen expression, TGF-β activation, and Smad2/3 signalling in response to angiotensin II or TGF-β stimulation. CD109 and TGF-β receptor were internalized in early endosomes.

Conclusion

We identify a role for VSMC αv integrin in vascular fibrosis and show that αv acts in concert with CD109 to regulate TGF-β signalling.
Gut microbiome and risk of ischaemic stroke: a comprehensive Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Meng Changjiang , Deng Peizhi , Miao Rujia , Tang Haibo , Li Yalan , Wang Jie , Wu Jingjing , Wang Wei , Liu Shiqi , Xia Jian , Lu Yao
Published: February 2023

Aims

Increasing evidence implicates the microbiome as a susceptibility factor for ischaemic stroke (IS). Interpretation of this evidence is difficult, for the composition of the microbiome is influenced by various factors and might affect differently in IS subtypes. We aim to determine if the specific gut microbiome is causally associated with IS subtypes and suggest potential approaches for stroke prevention.

Methods and results

We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to test the causal relationship between gut microbiome and IS subtypes. For exposure data, we extracted genetic variants associated with 194 bacterial traits from MiBioGen consortium (n = 18 340). For outcomes, we selected three IS subtypes including cardioembolic stroke (CES, n = 410 484), small vessel stroke (SVS, n = 198 048), and large artery stroke (LAS, n = 198 048). Additionally, we performed a sequence of sensitivity analyses to validate preliminary MR results. There were four, three, and four bacteria showing an increased risk for LAS, SVS, and CES, respectively, and there were five, six, and five bacteria leading a decreasing risk for LAS, SVS, and CES, respectively. Amongst these, the genus_Intestinimonas showed negative associations with LAS [odds ratio (OR) = 0.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.61–0.98)] and SVS (0.85, 0.73–0.98). The genus_LachnospiraceaeNK4A136group was genetically associated with decreased risk of both SVS (0.81, 0.66–0.99) and CES (0.75, 0.60–0.94).

Conclusion

The study revealed the causal effect of the abundance of specific bacterial features on the risk of IS subtypes. Notably, genus_Intestinimonas and genus_LachnospiraceaeNK4A136group displayed significant protection against more than one IS subtype, further suggesting potential applications of targeted probiotics in IS prevention.
A guide to current methodology and usage of reverse vaccinology towards in silico vaccine discovery
Authors: Goodswen Stephen J , Kennedy Paul J , Ellis John T
Published: February 2023

Reverse vaccinology (RV) was described at its inception in 2000 as an in silico process that starts from the genomic sequence of the pathogen and ends with a list of potential protein and/or peptide candidates to be experimentally validated for vaccine development. Twenty-two years later, this process has evolved from a few steps entailing a handful of bioinformatics tools to a multitude of steps with a plethora of tools. Other in silico related processes with overlapping workflow steps have also emerged with terms such as subtractive proteomics, computational vaccinology, and immunoinformatics. From the perspective of a new RV practitioner, determining the appropriate workflow steps and bioinformatics tools can be a time consuming and overwhelming task, given the number of choices. This review presents the current understanding of RV and its usage in the research community as determined by a comprehensive survey of scientific papers published in the last seven years. We believe the current mainstream workflow steps and tools presented here will be a valuable guideline for all researchers wanting to apply an up-to-date in silico vaccine discovery process.
Utopia in Late Modernity: Literary Critiques of the ‘Neapolitan Renaissance’
Authors: Glynn Ruth
Published: February 2023

Naples in the 1990s enjoyed an extraordinary period of urban and cultural renewal known as the ‘Neapolitan Renaissance’. This article addresses two novels – Giuseppe Montesano’s Di questa vita menzognera (2003) and Ruggero Cappuccio’s Fuoco su Napoli (2010) – which alert us to the utopianism of the cultural and ‘symbolic politics’ of the Neapolitan Renaissance and its vulnerability to exploitation. Lending credence to the idea that utopian fantasies grow out of the societies to which they are a response, both works envisage post-apocalyptic events leading to the reconstruction of Naples as a theme park, on the part of organized crime. They interrogate the imbrication of the Neapolitan Renaissance with the criminalization of global capital and the populist politics of Berlusconi at the national level. In so doing, they exemplify Ruth Levitas’s distinction between utopia as product and utopia as process, while exploring utopia’s contemporary manifestation as postmodern pastiche or retrotopian romance.
N-acetylcysteine and cysteamine bitartrate prevent azide-induced neuromuscular decompensation by restoring glutathione balance in two novel surf1
−/− zebrafish deletion models of Leigh syndrome
Authors: Haroon Suraiya , Yoon Heeyong , Seiler Christoph , Osei-Frimpong Bruce , He Jie , Nair Rohini M , Mathew Neal D , Burg Leonard , Kose Melis , Venkata Chavali R M , Anderson Vernon E , Nakamaru-Ogiso Eiko , Falk Marni J
Published: February 2023

SURF1 deficiency (OMIM # 220110) causes Leigh syndrome (LS, OMIM # 256000), a mitochondrial disorder typified by stress-induced metabolic strokes, neurodevelopmental regression and progressive multisystem dysfunction. Here, we describe two novel surf1−/− zebrafish knockout models generated by CRISPR/Cas9 technology. While gross larval morphology, fertility, and survival into adulthood appeared unaffected, surf1−/− mutants manifested adult-onset ocular anomalies and decreased swimming activity, as well as classical biochemical hallmarks of human SURF1 disease, including reduced complex IV expression and enzymatic activity and increased tissue lactate. surf1−/− larvae also demonstrated oxidative stress and stressor hypersensitivity to the complex IV inhibitor, azide, which exacerbated their complex IV deficiency, reduced supercomplex formation, and induced acute neurodegeneration typical of LS including brain death, impaired neuromuscular responses, reduced swimming activity, and absent heartrate. Remarkably, prophylactic treatment of surf1−/− larvae with either cysteamine bitartrate or N-acetylcysteine, but not other antioxidants, significantly improved animal resiliency to stressor-induced brain death, swimming and neuromuscular dysfunction, and loss of heartbeat. Mechanistic analyses demonstrated cysteamine bitartrate pretreatment did not improve complex IV deficiency, ATP deficiency, or increased tissue lactate but did reduce oxidative stress and restore glutathione balance in surf1−/− animals. Overall, two novel surf1−/− zebrafish models recapitulate the gross neurodegenerative and biochemical hallmarks of LS, including azide stressor hypersensitivity that was associated with glutathione deficiency and ameliorated by cysteamine bitartrate or N-acetylcysteine therapy.
Automatized Detection of Crohn’s Disease in Intestinal Ultrasound Using Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Carter Dan , Albshesh Ahmed , Shimon Carmi , Segal Batel , Yershov Alex , Kopylov Uri , Meyers Adele , Brzezinski Rafael Y , Ben Horin Shomron , Hoffer Oshrit
Published: February 2023

Introduction

The use of intestinal ultrasound (IUS) for the diagnosis and follow-up of inflammatory bowel disease is steadily growing. Although access to educational platforms of IUS is feasible, novice ultrasound operators lack experience in performing and interpreting IUS. An artificial intelligence (AI)–based operator supporting system that automatically detects bowel wall inflammation may simplify the use of IUS by less experienced operators. Our aim was to develop and validate an artificial intelligence module that can distinguish bowel wall thickening (a surrogate of bowel inflammation) from normal bowel images of IUS.

Methods

We used a self-collected image data set to develop and validate a convolutional neural network module that can distinguish bowel wall thickening >3 mm (a surrogate of bowel inflammation) from normal bowel images of IUS.

Results

The data set consisted of 1008 images, distributed uniformly (50% normal images, 50% abnormal images). Execution of the training phase and the classification phase was performed using 805 and 203 images, respectively. The overall accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity for detection of bowel wall thickening were 90.1%, 86.4%, and 94%, respectively. The network exhibited an average area under the ROC curve of 0.9777 for this task.

Conclusions

We developed a machine-learning module based on a pretrained convolutional neural network that is highly accurate in the recognition of bowel wall thickening on intestinal ultrasound images in Crohn’s disease. Incorporation of convolutional neural network to IUS may facilitate the use of IUS by inexperienced operators and allow automatized detection of bowel inflammation and standardization of IUS imaging interpretation.
Static Stability and Swim Bladder Volume in the Bluegill Sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus)
Authors: Fath M A , Nguyen S V , Donahue J , McMenamin S K , Tytell E D
Published: February 2023

Synopsis

Static stability is a property inherent to every organism. More stable bodies benefit from a lower energy cost associated with maintaining a desired orientation, while less stable bodies can be more maneuverable. The static stability of a fish is determined by the relative locations of its center of mass (COM) and center of buoyancy (COB), which may change with changes in swim bladder volume. We hypothesized, however, that fish would benefit from consistent static stability, and predicted that changes in swim bladder volume would not alter the overall pattern of COM and COB locations. We used micro-computed tomography to estimate the locations of the COM and COB in bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus). Using this technique, we were able to find a small but significant difference between the location of the COM and COB for a given orientation. We found that the swim bladder can change shape within the body cavity, changing relative locations of the COM and COB. At one extreme, the COB is located 0.441 ± 0.007 BL from the snout and 0.190 ± 0.010 BL from the ventral surface of the pelvic girdle, and that the COM is 0.0030 ± 0.0020 BL posterior and 0.0006 ± 0.0005 BL ventral to the COB, a pattern that causes a nose-up pitching torque. At the other extreme, the COM is anterior and dorsal to the COB, a pattern that causes the opposite torque. These changes in location seems to be caused by changes in the shape and centroid location of the swim bladder within the body: The centroid of the swim bladder is located significantly more posteriorly in fish oriented head-down. The air in the bladder “rises” while heavier tissues “sink,” driving a change in tissue distribution and changing the location of the COM relative to the COB. Supporting our hypothesis, we found no correlation between swim bladder volume and the distance between the COM and COB. We conclude that bluegill are statically unstable, requiring them to expend energy constantly to maintain their normal orientation, but that the pitch angle of the body could alter the relative locations of COM and COB, changing their static stability.
Navigating great power competition: a neoclassical realist view of hedging
Authors: Marston Hunter S
Published: February 2023

Contrary to predictions that smaller powers will balance against or bandwagon with external threats, Southeast Asian states are hedging by deepening their security cooperation with both the United States and China. Prevailing accounts of hedging do not adequately explain the persistence of such policy choices given growing threat perceptions of China and mounting bipolar pressures. After considering the limitations of existing theories, this article contends that a neoclassical realist approach to hedging better integrates the domestic and international factors that inform decision-makers’ preferences. It operationalizes this theoretical framework in three case studies: Singapore, Vietnam, and the Philippines. A neoclassical realist approach takes the role of individual perceptions and bureaucracies seriously, without dismissing the significance of variables identified by neorealism, including security threats, treaty alliances, and economic benefits. Ultimately, a more complete and accurate understanding of what continues to propel hedging in Southeast Asian states can mitigate the risks of great power conflict.
How the UK public views the use of diagnostic decision aids by physicians: a vignette-based experiment
Authors: Nurek Martine , Kostopoulou Olga
Published: February 2023

Objective

Physicians’ low adoption of diagnostic decision aids (DDAs) may be partially due to concerns about patient/public perceptions. We investigated how the UK public views DDA use and factors affecting perceptions.

Materials and Methods

In this online experiment, 730 UK adults were asked to imagine attending a medical appointment where the doctor used a computerized DDA. The DDA recommended a test to rule out serious disease. We varied the test’s invasiveness, the doctor’s adherence to DDA advice, and the severity of the patient’s disease. Before disease severity was revealed, respondents indicated how worried they felt. Both before [t1] and after [t2] severity was revealed, we measured satisfaction with the consultation, likelihood of recommending the doctor, and suggested frequency of DDA use.

Results

At both timepoints, satisfaction and likelihood of recommending the doctor increased when the doctor adhered to DDA advice (P ≤ .01), and when the DDA suggested an invasive versus noninvasive test (P ≤ .05). The effect of adherence to DDA advice was stronger when participants were worried (P ≤ .05), and the disease turned out to be serious (P ≤ .01). Most respondents felt that DDAs should be used by doctors “sparingly” (34%[t1]/29%[t2]), “frequently,” (43%[t1]/43%[t2]) or “always” (17%[t1]/21%[t2]).

Discussion

People are more satisfied when doctors adhere to DDA advice, especially when worried, and when it helps to spot serious disease. Having to undergo an invasive test does not appear to dampen satisfaction.

Conclusion

Positive attitudes regarding DDA use and satisfaction with doctors adhering to DDA advice could encourage greater use of DDAs in consultations.
Performance and milk fatty acid profile of beef cows with a different energy status with short nutrient restriction and refeeding
Authors: Orquera-Arguero Karina G , Blanco Mireia , Bertolín Juan R , Ferrer Javier , Casasús Isabel
Published: February 2023

Our study objective was to determine the effect of a short feed restriction (4 d) and subsequent refeeding (4 d) on the performance and metabolism of beef cows with a different nutritional status by particularly focusing on their milk fatty acid (FA) profile, to consider its potential use as biomarker of metabolic status. Thirty-two Parda de Montaña multiparous lactating beef cows were individually fed a diet based on the average cow’s net energy (NE) and metabolizable protein requirements. At 58 d in milk (DIM, day 0), cows underwent a 4 d feed restriction (55% requirements, restriction period). Before and after the restriction, diets met 100% of their requirements (basal and refeeding periods). Cow performance, milk yield and composition, and plasma metabolites, were determined on day −2, 1, 3, 5, 6, and 8. Cows were classified into two status clusters according to their pre-challenge performance and energy balance (EB) (Balanced vs. Imbalanced). All traits were statistically analyzed considering the fixed effect of status cluster and feeding period or day, with cow as a random effect. Imbalanced cows were heavier and had a more negative EB (P < 0.001), but similar milk yield, milk composition, and circulating metabolites (except for greater urea) than Balanced cows (P > 0.10). Milk contents of C18:1 cis-9, monounsaturated FA (MUFA), and mobilization FA were greater (P < 0.05), whereas saturated FA (SFA) and de novo FA were lesser in Imbalanced than Balanced cows (P < 0.05). Restriction decreased body weight (BW), milk yield, and milk protein compared to the basal period, but increased milk urea and plasma nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) (P < 0.001). Milk contents of SFA, de novo, and mixed FA decreased immediately during the restriction, while MUFA, polyunsaturated FA and mobilization FA increased (P < 0.001). Basal milk FA contents were recovered on day 2 of refeeding, and all their changes strongly correlated with differences in EB and NEFA (P < 0.05). The general lack of interactions between status clusters and feeding periods implied that the response mechanisms to diet changes did not differ between cows with a different pre-challenge nutritional status.
An invasive species revisited: Continued displacement of native crayfishes by the invasiveFaxonius rusticus(Girard, 1852) (Decapoda: Astacidea: Cambaridae) in Illinois after 25 years
Authors: Swedberg Dusty A , Taylor Christopher A , Carlson Molly C
Published: February 2023

Since 1995 Faxonius rusticus (Girard, 1852) has continued to expand its range in Illinois, USA and cause displacement of native crayfishes. We revisit five historic collection sites for F. rusticus made by C.A. Taylor and M. Redmer in 1995 and compare densities of F. rusticus with native sympatric crayfish species to document changes over the past 25 years. We additionally compiled data from vouchered specimens and update the range of F. rusticus in Illinois. Data from the five density sites indicates that F. rusticus is still common and displacing sympatric crayfish at four of the five sites. Since 1995 F. rusticus has been collected at 137 new sites including range expansions west and south in Illinois. It now has been collected from one-third of Illinois drainages. Recent evidence has provided a cause for optimism as in some areas F. rusticus populations are declining. Without proper monitoring and management F. rusticus will continue to spread in Illinois waters.
Health-care access dimensions and ovarian cancer survival: SEER-Medicare analysis of the ORCHiD study
Authors: Montes de Oca Mary Katherine , Chen Quan , Howell Elizabeth , Wilson Lauren E , Meernik Clare , Previs Rebecca A , Huang Bin , Pisu Maria , Liang Margaret I , Ward Kevin C , Schymura Maria J , Berchuck Andrew , Akinyemiju Tomi
Published: February 2023

Background

Racial and ethnic disparities in ovarian cancer (OC) survival are well-documented. However, few studies have investigated how health-care access (HCA) contributes to these disparities.

Methods

To evaluate the influence of HCA on OC mortality, we analyzed 2008-2015 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare data. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between HCA dimensions (affordability, availability, accessibility) and OC-specific and all-cause mortality, adjusting for patient characteristics and treatment receipt.

Results

The study cohort included 7590 OC patients: 454 (6.0%) Hispanic, 501 (6.6%) Non-Hispanic (NH) Black, and 6635 (87.4%) NH White. Higher affordability (HR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.87 to 0.94), availability (HR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.92 to 0.99), and accessibility scores (HR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.87 to 0.99) were associated with lower risk of OC mortality after adjusting for demographic and clinical factors. Racial disparities were observed after additional adjustment for these HCA dimensions: NH Black patients experienced a 26% higher risk of OC mortality compared with NH White patients (HR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.11 to 1.43) and a 45% higher risk among patients who survived at least 12 months (HR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.16 to 1.81).

Conclusions

HCA dimensions are statistically significantly associated with mortality after OC and explain some, but not all, of the observed racial disparity in survival of patients with OC. Although equalizing access to quality health care remains critical, research on other HCA dimensions is needed to determine additional factors contributing to disparate OC outcomes by race and ethnicity and advance the field toward health equity.
Communication-based strategies to curb the overuse of low-value cancer screening
Authors: Kim Soela , Monahan Jennifer L , Do Young Kyung
Published: February 2023

Drawing upon the theory of reasoned action, the protection motivation theory, and theories of regret, this study proposes and examines three communication strategies to curb the overuse of low-value cancer screening: (a) highlighting negative affective consequences of screening; (b) providing information about diagnostic uncertainty, and (c) using a noncancer disease label. An online survey-based experiment using a 2 (affective message: absent vs. present) × 2 (diagnostic uncertainty information: absent vs. present) × 2 (disease label: thyroid cancer vs. a borderline thyroid neoplasm) full-factorial between-subject design with a control condition was conducted. A total of 612 South Korean women participated. As predicted, the affective message and diagnostic uncertainty information significantly reduced positive attitudes toward screening uptake and anticipated regret regarding screening nonuptake, respectively, thereby reducing screening intention. The noncancer label also reduced screening intention by lowering perceived severity and positive attitude in sequence.
Women, Home, and Alcohol: Constructed Façades and Social Norms in Nineteenth-Century Polish and British Representations of Female Drinking Practices
Authors: Dias-Lewandowska Dorota , Lock Pam
Published: February 2023

Drinking practices are closely connected to human geography. No matter whether we choose to drink in public, private, or secretly, where we drink is closely connected to how and what we drink. Alcohol-related behaviour by women, enacted at home, can undermine or challenge social norms. However, the transgressive nature of drinking could lead to physical exile or the masking of women’s desire for self-determination. We explore how the social construct of the respectable, decent home relied heavily on façades to ‘keep up appearances’. We demonstrate the place of alcohol in building these façades, and revealing them for what they were. Alcohol in this context was much more than a simple relief for women whether they were a stressed entrepreneur, a violent spinster, or a suicidal mistress. The tensions between the actions of the eight figures examined and the expectations of patriarchal culture represented in these façades demonstrate the extent to which society shaped women’s behaviour towards alcohol in Poland and Britain in the second half of the nineteenth century.
Energy transition challenges—traceability and verification
Authors: Taylor Richard
Published: February 2023

The Energy Transition is underway, yet there are real challenges to the endeavour. The necessary, and welcome, incentives offered by governments to speed the transition and encourage innovation rely on a degree of traceability and verification that simply does not exist today, as it has not been necessary or even desirable in traditional hydrocarbon markets to date, save for in the aviation fuels space. Abuses, and even fraud, have already been seen. The challenge of establishing consensus standards, registries and the associated audit trails for the new products and their production is considerable. This article examines some possible solutions, drawing on examples from other sectors such as food and aviation Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) spare parts supply.
Setting a just economic value in Indonesia’s biomass program
Authors: Sulistiowati Sulistiowati , Akbar Saiqa I
Published: February 2023

The Indonesian Government has targeted the new and renewable energy mix to achieve a minimum 23 per cent of the total energy use by 2025. Through its State Electricity Company (PLN) a Co-firing Program has been introduced by mixing 5–15 per cent of the biomass into its coal-fired steam power plants to be implemented in 2021 and 2022. However, the program appears to be unattractive for business due to the gap between the price and the highest purchase price regulated by PLN in procuring biomass despite the provision that the arrangement of energy price should represent the principle of just and economic value. This article aims at examining the application of the principle in the biomass Co-firing Program by employing the Energy Justice Theory by Heffron, the Theory of Justice by John Rawls and the Theory of State Intervention by W. Friedmann. It contributes to the literature on energy law by taking the experience of Indonesia because energy law in the country remains underexplored in the literature. At the practical level, this article proposes the direction through which an energy law reform in Indonesia based on the principle of the just economic value could be pursued. In order to make the biomass energy affordable and accessible but still considering the business’ aspects, the government should provide incentive, both fiscal and non-fiscal, to shift the biomass price closer to its just economic value in the form of public legal instruments.