bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abstract SY22-01: A strategy to intervene mitotic kinases to induce mitotic catastrophe in cancer cells
Authors: Takahashi Motoko , Jo Minji , Kamakura Nana , Liu Chang , Kato Utako , Hirota Toru
Published: April 2024

Chromosomal instability (CIN) is an outstanding feature of cancer, which relates to intratumor heterogeneity, therapeutic resistance, and poor prognosis. While cancer cells can proliferate with CIN, experimentally induced aneuploidy is known to suppress cell growth, leading to the idea that extreme ploidy changes are detrimental to cancer cells. One of the major etiologies of CIN is abnormal kinetochore microtubule attachments, followed by chromosome missegregation. To avoid this, cells have evolved a robust system including two molecular networks for stabilizing and destabilizing microtubule attachments. Two mitotic kinases are involved in this system which have opposite but balanced mode of actions. We previously found that a wide range of cancer cells are defective for destabilization and results in an elevated rate of missegregation. In this study, we aimed to manipulate this kinase balance and found that weighing the balance to stabilizers can cause catastrophic chromosome segregation in mitosis, and such effect could be induced predominantly in cancer cells. These findings prompted us to undertake a screen for small molecules targeting the balanced activity of mitotic kinases.

Citation Format: Motoko Takahashi, Minji Jo, Nana Kamakura, Chang Liu, Utako Kato, Toru Hirota. A strategy to intervene mitotic kinases to induce mitotic catastrophe in cancer cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 2 (Late-Breaking, Clinical Trial, and Invited Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(7_Suppl):Abstract nr SY22-01.
Abstract SY39-03: Illuminating the tumor immune GPCRome: Novel immunotherapy targets
Authors: Gutkind J. Silvio
Published: April 2024

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) targeting PD-1 and CTLA-4 has revolutionized cancer treatment. However, many cancers do not respond to ICB, prompting the search for additional strategies to achieve durable cancer remission. In this regard, G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) represent the largest family of cell surface receptors involved in signal transduction and are the target of >30% of all approved drugs. GPCRs are the most pharmacologically favorable targets due to their druggability and direct relevance to many key physiological processes and a myriad of human diseases. However, GPCRs have been largely underexploited in oncology, and specifically understudied in cancer immunotherapy. GPCRs are primarily coupled to 4 distinct families of G proteins α subunit (Gαi, Gαs, Gαq, and Gα12), which dictate the signaling events controlled by each GPCR. Recently, we cross-integrated large single-cell RNA-sequencing datasets from CD8+ T cells covering 19 distinct cancer types and identified an enrichment of Gαs-coupled GPCRs on exhausted CD8+ T cells. These include GPCRs activated by inflammatory mediators, protons, neurotransmitters, and metabolites that accumulate in the tumor microenvironment, thereby promoting T cell dysfunction. We also developed transgenic mice expressing a chemogenetic CD8-restricted Gαs-GPCR and showed that a Gαs-PKA signaling axis promotes CD8+ T cell exhaustion and immunotherapy failure. These studies revealed that tumor cells may avoid immune elimination by stimulating Gαs-GPCRs on infiltrating CD8 T cells, thereby exposing novel druggable immune checkpoints that can be exploited therapeutically. We have recently extended these studies and mapped the expression patterns of all human GPCRs in nearly a million-tumor infiltrating immune cells. The emerging tumor-immune GPCR atlas may provide a valuable resource to explore the role of GPCRs in cancer immunology. Ultimately, our study may reveal new and exciting GPCR therapeutic targets to enhance the response to ICB, and help identify potential co-medications that may limit the success of ICB therapies.

Citation Format: J. Silvio Gutkind. Illuminating the tumor immune GPCRome: Novel immunotherapy targets [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 2 (Late-Breaking, Clinical Trial, and Invited Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(7_Suppl):Abstract nr SY39-03.
The Impact of Caustic Ingestion on Nutritional Status: Case Report
Authors: Razinger Gašper , Rotovnik Kozjek Nada
Published: April 2024

Introduction: Caustic injuries remain a major public health concern. Nutritional status plays a pivotal role in determining the outcome. Unfortunately, nutritional care guidelines are not widely implemented in clinical practice, and decisions are often based on prior experience and local policies. Case Presentation: We present the case of an 83-year-old man who accidentally ingested alkali, resulting in severe caustic injury and subsequent complications that further deteriorated his nutritional status. The management of esophageal strictures necessitated constant adjustments to the nutritional strategies employed. The clinical evaluation revealed protein and energy malnutrition, accompanied by type 2 intestinal failure. However, with individually tailored parenteral nutritional therapy, a significant improvement in the patient's nutritional status was observed. Conclusion: Recognizing that caustic injuries increase metabolic demands, a comprehensive and active nutritional assessment is crucial, focusing on the need for adequate energy, high protein intake, and an appropriate feeding route. In cases of acute or prolonged type 2 intestinal failure with insufficient oral or enteral nutrition, parenteral feeding should be the primary therapy. Effective management of caustic injuries requires a multidisciplinary and multicenter approach, integrating nutritional evaluation, including body composition measurements, into the clinical algorithm. Early initiation of nutritional therapy is vital to prevent chronic intestinal failure.
Intradermal Naked DNA Vaccination by DNA Tattooing for Mounting Tumor-Specific Immunity in Stage IV Melanoma Patients: A Phase I Clinical Trial
Authors: Geukes Foppen Marnix H. , Rohaan Maartje W. , Borgers Jessica S.W. , Philips Daisy , Vyth-Dreese Florry , Beijnen Jos H. , Nuijen Bastiaan , van den Berg Joost H. , Haanen John B.A.G.
Published: April 2024

Introduction: Naked DNA vaccination could be a powerful and safe strategy to mount antigen-specific cellular immunity. We designed a phase I clinical trial to investigate the toxicity of naked DNA vaccines encoding CD8+ T-cell epitope from tumor-associated antigen MART-1 in patients with advanced melanoma. Methods: This dose escalating phase Ia clinical trial investigates the toxicity and immunological response upon naked DNA vaccines encoding a CD8+ T-cell epitope from the tumor-associated antigen MART-1, genetically linked to the gene encoding domain 1 of subunit-tetanus toxin fragment C in patients with advanced melanoma (inoperable stage IIIC-IV, AJCC 7th edition). The vaccine was administrated via intradermal application using a permanent make-up or tattoo device. Safety was monitored according to CTCAE v.3.0 and skin biopsies and blood samples were obtained for immunologic monitoring. Results: Nine pretreated, HLA-A*0201-positive patients with advanced melanoma expressing MART-1 and MHC class I, with a good performance status, and adequate organ function, were included. With a median follow-up of 5.9 months, DNA vaccination was safe, without treatment-related deaths. Common treatment-emergent adverse events of any grade were dermatologic reactions at the vaccination site (100%) and pain (56%). One patient experienced grade 4 toxicity, most likely related to tumor progression. One patient (11%) achieved stable disease, lasting 353 days. Immune analysis showed no increase in vaccine-induced T cell response in peripheral blood of 5 patients, but did show a MART-1 specific CD8+ T cell response at the tattoo administration site. The maximum dose administered was 2 mg due to lack of clinical activity. Conclusion: We showed that the developed DNA vaccine, applied using a novel intradermal application strategy, can be administered safely. Further research with improved vaccine formats is required to show possible clinical benefit of DNA vaccination.
High-Dose Chemotherapy and Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation for Salvage Therapy of Relapsed/Refractory Germ Cell Tumors: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Yildiran Keskin Gul Sema , Erturk Ismail , Aykan Musa Baris , Acar Ramazan , Dumludag Aysegul , Topal Alper , Koseoglu Caglar , Kuzu Omer Faruk , Ornek Ece , Karadurmus Nuri
Published: April 2024

Introduction: The optimal management of relapsed/refractory germ cell tumors remains unsettled. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) as salvage therapy in patients who progressed after at least one line of cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Methods: We retrospectively reported the results of 133 patients who underwent HDCT and ASCT as salvage therapy from 2016 to 2021. Patients received 3 cycles of paclitaxel, ifosfomide and cisplatin (TIP) regimen as induction and 1 cycle of carboplatin 700 mg/m2 on days 1–3 plus etoposide 750 mg/m2 on days 1–3, followed by ASCT. Demographic and clinicopathological features of patients, the International Germ Cell Cancer Collaborative Group (IGCCCG) risk group at diagnosis, serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) levels before HDCT, treatment-related complications and survival outcomes were recorded. Results: The median age of the patients was 31 (range 18–62). The median follow-up was 31.1 months (95% CI, 28.9–33.3 months). During the median follow-up period, 74 of the 133 patients were still alive, and 63 of these were in complete remission. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 25.8 months (95% CI, 8.1–43.4 months). The 2-year PFS rate was 50.3% and the 2-year overall survival (OS) rate was 60.8%. Variables that remained statistically significant in multivariable analysis and were associated with poor prognosis were mediastinal primary tumor location, presence of brain metastases, and higher AFP and HCG levels at baseline. Conclusion: One course of HDCT and ASCT after induction with TIP is an effective and feasible treatment option for salvage treatment of relapsed/refractory germ cell tumors, with cure rates of up to 60%.
Design and analysis of face recognition system based on VGGFace-16 with various classifiers
Authors: Faris Abdlkader Duaa , Faris Ghanim Mayada
Published: April 2024

This research presents a face recognition system based on different classifiers that deal with various face positions. The proposed system involves the extraction of features through the VGG-Face-16 deep neural network, which only extracts essential features of input images, leading to an improved recognition step and enhanced algorithm efficiency, while the recognition involves the radial basis function in support vector machine (SVM) classifier and evaluate the performance of the system. Also, the system is designed and implemented later by using other classifiers; they are K-neareste2 neighbour (KNN) classifiers, logistic regression (LR), gradient boosting (XGBoost), decision tree classifier (DT) and Naive Bayes classifier (NB). The proposed algorithm was tested with the four face databases: AT&T, PINs Face, linear friction welding (LFW) and real database. The database was divided into two groups: One contains a percentage of images that are used for training and the second contains a percentage of images (remainder) which was used for testing. The results show that the classification by RBF in SVM has the highest recognition rate in the case of using small, medium and large databases; it was 100% in AT&T and Real database, while its efficiency appears to be lower when using large-size databases whereas it is 96% in PINs database and 60.1% in LFW database.
Michel Foucault en el ocaso de los ídolos
Authors: Jiménez Andrea , Pineda Muñoz Jaime Alberto
Published: April 2024

Desde el prólogo de Ecce Homo, Nietzsche se siente en la obligación de presentarse como una antítesis del hombre que hasta ese momento era declarado virtuoso. Prefiere ser un Sátiro de la cohorte de Dionisio a ser un Santo del reino de Apolo. En este theatrum philosophicum los considerables bigotes de Nietzsche son absolutamente necesarios. No existe otro pensador más decisivo en la acometida de Michel Foucault que éste, pues de su mano recorre el camino hacia un nuevo y potente ocaso: Se trata del ocaso del sujeto, ese ídolo, esa verdad, que no puede quedarse en pie, salvo que después de la muerte de Dios y la crisis de la Razón estemos dispuestos a devenir Sujeto. Foucault es parte de este acontecimiento, que podríamos llamar, parodiando al mismo Foucault, una historia política de los ocasos de la filosofía. Sin embargo, antes de adentrarse en el análisis de los discursos que configuran las formas jurídicas de la indagación y el examen, Foucault orienta la primera conferencia a hacer explícita su deuda con Nietzsche, el cual atrapado en su obra se ve envuelto en el análisis histórico del tipo arqueología y genealogía. Aunque irrelevante para lo que queremos exponer, el Foucault de las conferencias de Río de Janeiro es como un homenaje póstumo, una refundación, una actualización del pensamiento de Nietzsche.
Lower Childhood Socioeconomic Status Is Associated with Greater Neural Responses to Ambient Auditory Changes in Adulthood
Authors: Hao Yu , Hu Lingyan
Published: April 2024

Humans' early life experience varies by socioeconomic status (SES), raising the question of how this difference is reflected in the adult brain. An important aspect of brain function is the ability to detect salient ambient changes while focusing on a task. Here, we ask whether subjective social status during childhood is reflected by the way young adults' brain detecting changes in irrelevant information. In two studies (total n = 58), we examine electrical brain responses in the frontocentral region to a series of auditory tones, consisting of standard stimuli (80%) and deviant stimuli (20%) interspersed randomly, while participants were engaged in various visual tasks. Both studies showed stronger automatic change detection indexed by MMN in lower SES individuals, regardless of the unattended sound's feature, attended emotional content, or study type. Moreover, we observed a larger MMN in lower-SES participants, although they did not show differences in brain and behavior responses to the attended task. Lower-SES people also did not involuntarily orient more attention to sound changes (i.e., deviant stimuli), as indexed by the P3a. The study indicates that individuals with lower subjective social status may have an increased ability to automatically detect changes in their environment, which may suggest their adaptation to their childhood environments.
An Unpredictable Brain Is a Conscious, Responsive Brain
Authors: Mofakham Sima , Robertson Jermaine , Lubin Noah , Cleri Nathaniel A. , Mikell Charles B.
Published: April 2024

Severe traumatic brain injuries typically result in loss of consciousness or coma. In deeply comatose patients with traumatic brain injury, cortical dynamics become simple, repetitive, and predictable. We review evidence that this low-complexity, high-predictability state results from a passive cortical state, represented by a stable repetitive attractor, that hinders the flexible formation of neuronal ensembles necessary for conscious experience. Our data and those from other groups support the hypothesis that this cortical passive state is because of the loss of thalamocortical input. We identify the unpredictability and complexity of cortical dynamics captured by local field potential as a sign of recovery from this passive coma attractor. In this Perspective article, we discuss how these electrophysiological biomarkers of the recovery of consciousness could inform the design of closed-loop stimulation paradigms to treat disorders of consciousness.
A Republic of Learning: Making for Times of Uncertainty
Authors: Jacobs Rachel , Lane Giles
Published: April 2024

Republic of Learning (RoL) was an experimental program bringing people together to learn about resilience in times of planetary health crisis, environmental change, and growing uncertainty. Eleven sessions took place between 2019 and 2022, planting seeds for an informal community to emerge with a unique approach to shared learning. RoL combined artistic craft-making with cooperative thinking—slowing down debate to sideline confrontations and argument in favor of more gentle forms of colearning and collaboration. This article explores the methods, outcomes, and opportunities that this process opens up for new forms of action and engagement with issues of climate change, resilience, and reciprocity.
All Watched Over by Our Data Double
Authors: Biggs Simon , Carvalho Ana
Published: April 2024

The term data double denotes information generated by and collected from users of networked communications to construct relational databases in marketing and other domains. Each subject (user) of this surveillance-panoptical system inevitably informs and objectifies all other subjects. Social media experiences are based on our continuously “tracked” engagement. Surveillance functions across written and spoken language, biometrics, geolocation, and visual and behavioral patterns. This text is primarily concerned with visual media and its production and (re)circulation as the accumulation of data through uploading, viewing, liking, commenting, remixing, and sharing. The article explores how selected media artists reflect upon the potential of recirculating information to reveal our data doubles and the surveillance-panoptical system.
DNA Dance Revolution
Authors: Cai Yiyu , Chen Jieqiong , Chan Wei Hao , Tan Ser Yang
Published: April 2024

This paper proposes to teach students biology through dance. Knowledge of nucleotides, amino acids, and structures of DNA and protein is used to create dance music and choreography. The three nucleotides (A, T, G, or C) making up the amino acids of selected proteins are converted into a musical note. In accordance with DNA’s double helix structure and base-pairing, the authors designed a low-cost, in-house Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) machine to allow for a dual player dance mode that requires students to synchronize their choreography during gameplay.
Auro Lecci’s Algorithmic Art: Toward the Computer as a Thinking Machine
Authors: Lagonigro Paola
Published: April 2024

This paper analyzes Italian artist Auro Lecci’s contribution to pioneering media art, beginning with his paintings and ending with his computer artworks (1969–1972). As the author suggests, Lecci’s paintings were already characterized by an algorithmic method that the artist went on to develop in his computer-generated works. The paper first discusses the plotter drawings Lecci created at the Computing Center of the University of Pisa (CNUCE), and then focuses on his last computer art project, made at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, to suggest connections between Lecci’s work and artificial intelligence.
A 15-Year Retrospective on Immersive Visualization Lessons from the Applied Visualization Laboratory
Authors: Khadka Rajiv , Koudelka John
Published: April 2024

This paper shares the experiences of operating an immersive visualization laboratory over a 15-year period. The paper discusses valuable insights into the lessons learned from various projects, including the challenges they faced, such as technical difficulties, user adoption, and practical solutions for overcoming them. One crucial element for successful immersive visualization projects is interdisciplinary collaboration. The paper presents the advantages of immersive visualization technology, such as improved data comprehension, enhanced communication, and increased engagement in complex scenarios. We present the dynamic realm of virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) technology in the context of an immersive laboratory system. We spotlight rising trends inside the integration of VR/AR tools for visualization. We also present our experience in dealing with the hardware and software additives in immersive VR/AR labs, shedding light on the demanding situations and successes encountered throughout everyday operations. Furthermore, we offer practical knowledge and guidance based on years of experience in the field, which can help you overcome challenges and achieve success in your project.
Insights into key threats and conservation status of the river lapwing, Vanellus duvaucelii (Lesson, 1826) in Northern India
Authors: Mishra Himanshu , Kumar Vikas , Bano Farah , Prateek  , Mishra Anshu , Kumar Ashish
Published: April 2024

The river lapwings are inhabitant of river banks with sand or gravel bars and river islands. In this study, we investigated vital threats (natural and anthropogenic) and the conservation status of river lapwing in the riverine ecosystem of Northern India. In this regard, we frequently visited selected study sites along the banks of the river Ganges in the district of Raebareli (Uttar Pradesh), India, from January 2016 to December 2019. To estimate perceived threats for river lapwing, we developed a questionnaire and collected threat scores. The line transect method was used to estimate the density of river lapwing. Predation and farming activities were the most potent threats influencing the survival and abundance of river lapwing. River lapwings were primarily observed at open unvegetated river banks and open unvegetated islands. They were seen in significant density near the water in the breeding season. We concluded that the population of river lapwing is relatively stable in the Gangetic plains of Northern India. However, it is declining in other parts of the world, for example, in Southern Laos. Though it is a relatively common species, robust scientific information about its population and habitat relation is mainly absent. Therefore, accurate counts from other parts of the world are needed to place the estimate for river lapwing into a comprehensible, inclusive perspective. Furthermore, detailed information on habitat relationships is also necessary to develop conservation strategies.
Taxonomic revision of Rhynchosia Lour. (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae, Phaseoleae) in South America
Authors: DE PAULA ALVES BEZERRA LUÍSA MARIA , SILVA CÂNDIDO ELISA , DE VARGAS WANDERLEIA , MARLAND TORKE BENJAMIN , PETER LEWIS GWILYM , FORTUNA PEREZ ANA PAULA
Published: April 2024

Rhynchosia Lour. has a pantropical distribution and comprises approximately 230 species, of which ca. 55 occur in the Neotropics and 31 in South America. The only existing taxonomic review that treated the South American species of the genus was carried out in 1978. It does not account for many new collections and several recently described species, and the delimitation of taxa remains problematic. Consequently, we undertook a comprehensive review of the South American species of Rhynchosia and present here a new taxonomic revision. The revision is based on our own fieldwork, extensive study of the relevant literature, and analysis of ca. 2000 herbarium collections including the nomenclatural types for all published names that have been linked to the South American taxa of Rhynchosia. Twenty-seven species are recorded for South America, where they are distributed in a variety of open and forested habitats, with the greatest diversity concentrated in the Cerrado domain. Most of the South American taxa are widely distributed in this region and some also occur in Central and North America. Rhynchosia minima is the only species in South America with a larger distribution that extends to the Old World. We provide an identification key, morphological descriptions for all of the recorded taxa, information about the nomenclatural types, synonyms, geographical distributions, habitats, phenology, and conservation status, as well as distribution maps, illustrations and photos of selected species in the field. We present six new synonymizations and 50 lectotypifications, of which 30 are second-step.
Energetics and Transfer of Submesoscale Brine-Driven Eddies at a Sea Ice Edge
Authors: Lo Piccolo Anna , Horvat Christopher , Fox-Kemper Baylor
Published: April 2024

During polar winter, refreezing of exposed ocean areas results in the rejection of brine, i.e., salt-enriched plumes of water, a source of available potential energy that can drive ocean instabilities. As this process is highly localized, and driven by sea ice physics, not gradients in oceanic or atmospheric buoyancy, it is not currently captured in modern climate models. This study aims to understand the energetics and lateral transfer of density at a semi-infinite, instantaneously opened, and continuously refreezing sea ice edge through a series of high-resolution model experiments. We show that kilometer-scale submesoscale eddies grow from baroclinic instabilities via an inverse energy cascade. These eddies meander along the ice edge and propagate laterally. The lateral transfer of buoyancy by eddies is not explained by existing theories. We isolate the fundamental forcing-independent quantities driving lateral mixing and discuss the implications for the overall strength of submesoscale activity in the Arctic Ocean.
Growing the Next Generation of Nurse Leaders: A Report of the Process and Outcomes of the Midwest Nursing Research Society Leadership Academy
Authors: Adeola Mopelola T. , Fink Anne M. , Shen Qiuhua , Souza-Talarico Juliana N. , Timm Jennifer , Anderson Cindy M. , Buckwalter Kathleen
Published: April 2024

Background:

Leadership development, career advancement, and collaboration among scholars are essential to nurturing nursing research excellence and sustainability. The Midwest Nursing Research Society (MNRS) has incorporated several strategies to advance nursing science and to increase the pool of future nurse leaders. In this article, we describe the process, activities, and outcomes of the Leadership Academy (LA), an innovative initiative from MNRS developed to identify, engage, and nurture future generations of leaders.

Methods:

For the LA 2022 to 2023 period, the MNRS leaders selected a cohort of 5 nurse scholars and engaged them in activities to develop, enhance, and advance their leadership skills. By following the LA purposes, the cohort participated in monthly meetings with MNRS leaders, received individual mentoring sessions, assessed strengths and areas for further development, attended seminars, participated in a book club, and implemented a cohort project that focused on the promotion and support of early career scholars.

Results:

Outcomes showed increased knowledge about organizational governance, direction, and resource development; leadership confidence culminating with leadership positions inside and outside MNRS; career development plans; engagement with board members, and enhanced networking. Moreover, the cohort members planned and executed a well-attended conference special session that engaged a large group of scholars to discuss challenges and opportunities for career development at the MNRS Annual Conference.

Conclusion:

The MNRS LA is a thriving organizational initiative that promotes engagement and leadership skills development thereby increasing the pool of candidates confidently prepared to lead the nursing profession.
Physical Activity and Local Blue/Green Space Access During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Nicklett Emily J. , Sharma Bonita B. , Testa Alexander
Published: April 2024

Purpose

To examine whether local blue and green space access was associated with weekly physical activity frequency during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design

Cross-sectional.

Setting

Population-based, nationally representative sample of U.S. adults (May and June 2021).

Sample

Adults, ages 18-94 (N = 1,771).

Measures

Self-reported data included the presence of blue spaces (e.g., lakes, outdoor swimming pools, riverside trails) and green spaces (e.g., parks, forests, or natural trails) in their neighborhoods, and days of physical activity per week (e.g., running, swimming, bicycling, lifting weights, playing sports, or doing yoga).

Analysis

Multiple Poisson regression assessed relationships between blue and green spaces and physical activity, with coefficients transformed into incidence risk ratios (IRR).

Results

Among participants, 67.2% reported living near a blue space and 86.1% reported living near a green space. Racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in access to blue and green spaces were observed, with less access among non-Hispanic Black participants and those with lower income and educational attainment. Living near blue (IRR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.10, 1.39) or green space (IRR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.02, 1.54) was significantly associated with more frequent weekly physical activity.

Conclusion

Proximity to blue or green spaces is associated with more frequent physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Health promotion efforts should include equitable strategies to improve accessibility to blue and green spaces.
“Sharenting to define mothering”: A grounded theory study of middle-class mothers in urban China
Authors: Wang Youyuan , Shao Jiaxin , Chen Tianjing , Li Hui
Published: April 2024

Sharenting, the practice of sharing parenting experiences on social media, has become a prevalent mothering practice across the world, including in China. This paper explored how Chinese mothers defined, constructed, and reconstructed their mothering through sharenting. Using a grounded theory approach, we conducted semistructured interviews with 23 urban middle-class mothers in China. Synthesis of the results revealed three distinct functions of sharenting that reflect a unique mixture of Western feminism and Chinese neo-familism: reinforcing mothering and motherhood, extending mothering through sharenting, and redefining mothering through sharenting. Furthermore, three discourses emerged: intensive motherhood, moral motherhood, and scientific motherhood. These findings provide vivid and nuanced evidence about the Chinese ways of shaping mothering through sharenting, deepening our understanding of sharenting as both empowering and oppressing the manifestation of mothering outside Western contexts.
Personal dignity in people with early-stage dementia: A longitudinal study
Authors: Kisvetrová Helena , Bretšnajdrová Milena , Jurašková Božena , Langová Kateřina
Published: April 2024

Background

A psychosocial problem faced by people with early-stage dementia (PwESD) is the perception of threats to personal dignity. Insights into its dynamics are important for understanding how it changes as dementia advances and to develop suitable interventions. However, longitudinal studies on this change in PwESD are lacking.

Aims

To determine how perceptions of dignity and selected clinical and social factors change over 1 year in home-dwelling PwESD and the predictors associated with changes in perceptions of dignity over 1 year.

Research design and methods

A longitudinal study was conducted. The sample included 258 home-dwelling Czech PwESD. Data were collected using the Patient Dignity Inventory (PDI-CZ), Mini-Mental State Examination, Bristol Activities of Daily Living Scale, Geriatric Depression Scale and items related to social involvement. Questionnaires were completed by the PwESD at baseline and after 1 year.

Ethical considerations

The study was approved by the ethics committee and informed consent was provided by the participants.

Results

People with Early-Stage Dementia rated the threat to dignity as mild and the ratings did not change significantly after 1 year. Cognitive function, self-sufficiency, vision, and hearing worsened, and more PwESD lived with others rather than with a partner after 1 year. Worsened depression was the only predictor of change in perceived personal dignity after 1 year, both overall and in each of the PDI-CZ domains. Predictors of self-sufficiency and pain affected only some PDI-CZ domains.

Conclusions

Perceptions of threat to dignity were mild in PwESD after 1 year, although worsened clinical factors represented a potential threat to dignity. Our findings lead us to hypothesise that perceived threats to personal dignity are not directly influenced by health condition, but rather by the social context.
Four Streams Within the Prefrontal Cortex: Integrating Structural and Functional Connectivity
Authors: Ben Shalom Dorit , Skandalakis Georgios P.
Published: April 2024

Merging functional evidence derived from studies of autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder converges in four neural streams of the prefrontal cortex, hence suggesting a model of information processing through four streams: motor through Brodmann area (BA) 8, emotion through BA 9, memory through BA 10, and emotional-related sensory through BA 11. A growing body of functional data has been supporting this model of information processing. Nevertheless, the underlying structural connectivity was only recently unveiled by a population-based high-definition tractography study with data from 1,065 individuals. This update provides a brief overview of recent evidence supporting the anatomofunctional integration of the four streams of the prefrontal cortex and reviews the white matter fiber tracts subserving the four streams.
Commercial Insurer Market Power and Medicaid Managed Care Networks
Authors: Marr Jeffrey , Polsky Daniel , Meiselbach Mark K.
Published: April 2024

Over 70% of Medicaid beneficiaries are enrolled in Medicaid managed care (MMC). MMC provider networks therefore represent a critical determinant of access to the Medicaid program. Many MMC insurers also participate in commercial insurance markets where prices are high, and some insurers exercise considerable market power. In this paper, we examined the relationship between commercial insurer market power and MMC physician network breadth using linked national enrollment data and provider directory data. Insurers with more commercial market power had broader Medicaid physician networks. Insurers with over 30% market share had 37.3% broader Medicaid networks than insurers in the same county that had no commercial market share. These differences were driven by greater breadth among primary care providers, as well as other specialists including OB/GYNs, surgeons, neurologists, and cardiologists. Commercial insurance market power may have spillovers on access to care for MMC beneficiaries.
Worsening of early DME after cataract surgery. The DICAT II Study report #2
Authors: Pastore Marco R. , Vinciguerra Alex Lucia , Mura Giulia Dalla , Jabali Abdallah El , Tognetto Daniele , Panozzo Giacomo
Published: April 2024

Purpose

To analyse the long anatomical and functional outcome of a subgroup of the DICAT II study cohort, consisting of 26 patients undergoing cataract surgery and withdrawn from the study for a clinically significant worsening of early diabetic macular edema (DME).

Materials

Patients who underwent cataract surgery and withdrawn from the DICAT II study for a clinically significant worsening of early DME with at least 12 months follow–up after the dropout. The study population was divided into two groups according to the clinical evaluation at one-year follow-up: ongoing treatment patients for DME (Treatment group, TG) and patients no longer treated (Non Treatment group, NTG).

Results

Central foveal thickness (CFT) at baseline and dropout time were higher in TG than in the NTG, with a statistically significant difference ( p < 0.05). In addition, TG patients reported a higher levels of glycated hemoglobin at time baseline compared to NTG patients (7.81 ± 1.15 vs 7.02 ± 0.56; p = 0.048). The linear regression analysis demonstrated a statistically significant relationship between the visual acuity and the ongoing treatment group at one-year follow-up (p = 0.042).

Conclusion

The study provides parameters to be considered when assessing the risk of developing persistent DME after cataract surgery in diabetic patients. In particular, CFT at baseline and dropout time have been reported to be an effective and predictable OCT biomarkers when evaluating DME progression. During the evaluation of the systemic disease, similar results were found for the glycated hemoglobin at baseline.
Volcanic eruptions and tourism prosocial consumption
Authors: Pérez-Granja Ubay , Andina-Díaz Ascensión , Jiménez Juan Luis
Published: April 2024

This paper exploits a recent natural experiment to analyze the effect of volcanic eruptions on tourism expenditure. Using a Difference-in-Differences methodology, we find that volcanic eruptions have a positive impact on tourism expenditure, both aggregate expenditure and expenditure by category, and both during the eruption and the post-eruption period. We investigate the mechanisms behind the increase in expenditure and obtain strong support for the empathy mechanism, prevailing over other mechanisms such as changes in prices, the profile of tourists, or simply curiosity. Our results suggest that tourist empathy with the affected community manifests through consumption, finding that prosocial consumption increases in the cultural identification of the tourist with the affected area.
Please ''bridge'' the Gap! Conceptualizing ''Practicality'' as a Field of Inquiry
Authors: Hammoda Basel
Published: April 2024

Entrepreneurship research as a field is going through a transformational phase along its growth trajectory, with its practical relevance being put under the spotlight, triggered by the rapid changes in markets and the external environment. While it originated as a practice-based field a few decades ago, it has grown distant from real life in recent years due to several factors. Extant literature on the research-practice gap has been rather prescriptive or focused on one part of the problem only. This led to scholarly calls for more theory-building and inclusive approach in addressing it. This note proposes a processual model to theorize practicality as a field of inquiry. The model is formed of four phases that reflect the normative process of scientific research and highlight the shared responsibility of academia and industry. The antecedents of each phase are discussed and potential measures to resolve them are proposed, guided by literature and real-life examples.
Integration of liposomal irinotecan in the first-line treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer: try to do not think about the white bear
Authors: Melisi Davide , Casalino Simona , Pietrobono Silvia , Quinzii Alberto , Zecchetto Camilla , Merz Valeria
Published: April 2024

The approval of novel therapeutic agents remains widely reliant on evidence derived from large phase III randomized controlled trials. Liposomal irinotecan (ONIVYDE®) stands out as the only drug that has demonstrated improved survival both as a first-line therapy in combination with oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (5FU/LV) (NALIRIFOX) compared to the standard gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel in the NAPOLI3 trial, and as a second-line treatment in combination with 5FU/LV compared to the standard 5FU/LV in the NAPOLI1 trial. However, just as the white bear of the Dostoevsky’s paradox, the judgment of these results is invariably distracted by the intrusive thought of how different they might be if compared to similar regimens containing standard-free irinotecan as FOLFIRINOX or FOLFIRI, respectively. Here, we present and thoroughly discuss the evidence encompassing the pharmacologic, preclinical, and clinical development of liposomal irinotecan that can dispel any intrusive thoughts and foster a rational and well-considered judgment of this agent and its potential integration into the therapeutic strategies for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Sociodemographic and Behavioral Factors Associated With Hypertension and Depression in 4 Rural Communities in Northern Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Babagoli Masih A. , Adu-Amankwah Dorothy , Nonterah Engelbert A. , Aborigo Raymond A. , Kuwolamo Irene , Jones Khadija R. , Alvarez Evan E. , Horowitz Carol R. , Weobong Benedict , Heller David J.
Published: April 2024

Objectives:

The prevalences of hypertension and depression in sub-Saharan Africa are substantial and rising, despite limited data on their sociodemographic and behavioral risk factors and their interactions. We undertook a cross-sectional study in 4 communities in the Upper East Region of Ghana to identify persons with hypertension and depression in the setting of a pilot intervention training local nurses and health volunteers to manage these conditions.

Methods:

We quantified hypertension and depression prevalence across key sociodemographic factors (age, sex, occupation, education, religion, ethnicity, and community) and behavioral factors (tobacco use, alcohol use, and physical activity) and tested for association by multivariable logistic regression.

Results:

Hypertension prevalence was higher in older persons (7.6% among 35- to 50-year-olds vs 16.4% among 51- to 70-year-olds) and among those reporting alcohol use (18.9% vs 8.5% between users and nonusers). In multivariable models, only older age (AOR 2.39 [1.02, 5.85]) and residence in the community of Wuru (AOR 7.60 [1.81, 32.96]) were independently associated with hypertension, and residence in Wuru (AOR 23.58 [7.75-78.25]) or Navio (AOR 7.41 [2.30-24.74]) was the only factor independently associated with depression.

Conclusions:

We report a high prevalence of both diseases overall and in select communities, a trend that requires further research to inform targeted chronic disease interventions.
Bone marrow niches for hematopoietic stem cells: life span dynamics and adaptation to acute stress
Authors: Hofmann Johanna , Kokkaliaris Konstantinos D.
Published: April 2024

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are instrumental for organismal survival because they are responsible for lifelong production of mature blood lineages in homeostasis and response to external stress. To fulfill their function, HSCs rely on reciprocal interactions with specialized tissue microenvironments, termed HSC niches. From embryonic development to advanced aging, HSCs transition through several hematopoietic organs in which they are supported by distinct extrinsic cues. Here, we describe recent discoveries on how HSC niches collectively adapt to ensure robust hematopoietic function during biological aging and after exposure to acute stress. We also discuss the latest strategies leveraging niche-derived signals to revert aging-associated phenotypes and enhance hematopoietic recovery after myeloablation.
Loss of the stress sensor GADD45A promotes stem cell activity and ferroptosis resistance in LGR4/HOXA9-dependent AML
Authors: Hassan Nunki , Yi Hangyu , Malik Bilal , Gaspard-Boulinc Lucie , Samaraweera Saumya E. , Casolari Debora A. , Seneviratne Janith , Balachandran Anushree , Chew Tracy , Duly Alastair , Carter Daniel R. , Cheung Belamy B. , Norris Murray , Haber Michelle , Kavallaris Maria , Marshall Glenn M. , Zhang Xu Dong , Liu Tao , Wang Jianlong , Liebermann Dan A. , D’Andrea Richard J. , Wang Jenny Y.
Published: April 2024

The overall prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains dismal, largely because of the inability of current therapies to kill leukemia stem cells (LSCs) with intrinsic resistance. Loss of the stress sensor growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible 45 alpha (GADD45A) is implicated in poor clinical outcomes, but its role in LSCs and AML pathogenesis is unknown. Here, we define GADD45A as a key downstream target of G protein-coupled receptor (LGR)4 pathway and discover a regulatory role for GADD45A loss in promoting leukemia-initiating activity and oxidative resistance in LGR4/HOXA9-dependent AML, a poor prognosis subset of leukemia. Knockout of GADD45A enhances AML progression in murine and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mouse models. Deletion of GADD45A induces substantial mutations, increases LSC self-renewal and stemness in vivo, and reduces levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), accompanied by a decreased response to ROS-associated genotoxic agents (eg, ferroptosis inducer RSL3) and acquisition of an increasingly aggressive phenotype on serial transplantation in mice. Our single-cell cellular indexing of transcriptomes and epitopes by sequencing analysis on patient-derived LSCs in PDX mice and subsequent functional studies in murine LSCs and primary AML patient cells show that loss of GADD45A is associated with resistance to ferroptosis (an iron-dependent oxidative cell death caused by ROS accumulation) through aberrant activation of antioxidant pathways related to iron and ROS detoxification, such as FTH1 and PRDX1, upregulation of which correlates with unfavorable outcomes in patients with AML. These results reveal a therapy resistance mechanism contributing to poor prognosis and support a role for GADD45A loss as a critical step for leukemia-initiating activity and as a target to overcome resistance in aggressive leukemia.
Emergency department responses to nursing shortages
Authors: Hodgson Nicole R. , Kwun Richard , Gorbatkin Chad , Davies Jeanie , Fisher Jonathan ,   on behalf of the ACEP Emergency Medicine Practice Committee
Published: April 2024

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the nursing shortage, which is predicted to continue to worsen with significant numbers of nurses planning to retire within the next 5 years. There remains a lack of published information regarding recommended interventions for emergency departments (EDs) facing a sudden nursing shortage.

Methods

We queried emergency department leaders from the American College of Emergency Physicians to examine the impact of nursing shortages on EDs and to gather real-world interventions employed to mitigate the effects of the shortage.

Results

Most respondents (98.5%) reported nursing shortages, with 83.3% describing prolonged shortages lasting more than 12 months, with negative impacts such as misses/near-misses (93.9%) and increasing left without being seen rates (90.9%). ED leaders reported a range of interventions, including operational flow changes, utilizing alternative staff to fill nurse roles, recruitment of new nurses, and retention strategies for existing nurses. They employed temporary and permanent pay increases as well as efforts to improve the ED work environment and techniques to hire new nurses from atypical pipelines.

Conclusion

We report a patchwork of solutions ED leaders utilized which may have variable efficacy among different EDs; personalization is essential when selecting interventions during a sudden nursing shortage.
Bladder explosion during transurethral resection of bladder tumour: a case report and review of literature
Authors: Gupta Mayank , Aggarwal Gaurav , Gupta Sujoy , Gopalakrishnan Midhun P.
Published: April 2024

Background

Bladder explosion during transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURBTs) is a rare and less recognised, but terrifying complication.

Case presentation

We present a case of 72-year-old male patient of a large bladder tumour who sustained an intravesical explosion during TURBT requiring an emergency exploratory laparotomy and repair.

Conclusions

Urologists should be cognizant of this unique complication and ensure the necessary techniques and precautions for its prevention.