bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Salvage re-irradiation using stereotactic body radiation therapy for locally recurrent prostate cancer: the impact of castration sensitivity on treatment outcomes
Authors: Lewin Ron , Amit Uri , Laufer Menachem , Berger Raanan , Dotan Zohar , Domachevsky Liran , Davidson Tima , Portnoy Orith , Tsvang Lev , Ben-Ayun Maoz , Weiss Ilana , Symon Zvi
Published: June 2021

Background

Advances in imaging, biomaterials and precision radiotherapy provide new opportunities to salvage locally recurrent prostate cancer (PC). This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of re-irradiation using stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). We hypothesized that patients with castrate-resistant PC (CRPC) would benefit less from local salvage.

Methods

A prospective clinical database was reviewed to extract 30 consecutive patients treated with prostate re-irradiation. Gallium prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) ligand positron emission tomography was performed following prostate-specific antigen failure in all patients and biopsy was obtained in 18 patients (60%). Re-irradiation was either focal (n = 13) or whole-gland (n = 17). Endo-rectal balloons were used in twenty-two patients and hydrogel spacers in eight patients. The median prescription dose was 5 fractions of 6.5 (range: 6–8) Gray (Gy).

Results

Median follow-up was 28 months.Failure occurred in 10 (out of 11) CRPC patients versus 6 (out of 19) castrate-sensitive patients (91% vs. 32%,p = 0.008) after a median of 13 and 23 months, respectively. Metastases occurred in 64% (n = 7) of CRPC patients versus 16% (n = 3) of castrate-sensitive patients (p = 0.007). Two patients experienced local in-field recurrence, thus local control was 93%. The 2 and 3-year recurrence-free survival were 84% and 79% for castrate-sensitive patients versus 18% and 9% for CRPC patients (p < 0.001), and 3-year metastasis-free survival was 90% versus 27% (p < 0.01) for castrate-sensitive and CRPC patients, respectively. Acute grade II and III genitourinary (GU) toxicity occurred in 27% and 3%, and late GU toxicity in 30% and 3%, respectively. No ≥ grade II acute gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity occurred, and only one patient (3%) developed late grade II toxicity.

Conclusions

Early delivery of salvage SBRT for local recurrence is associated with excellent 3-year disease control and acceptable toxicity in the castrate-sensitive phenotype. PSMA imaging for detection of local recurrence and the use of precision radiotherapy with rectal protective devices should be further investigated as a novel salvage strategy for radio-recurrent PC.
Surgical treatment of proximal humeral fractures with the transosseous suture fixation
Authors: Miquel J. , Martínez R. , Santana F. , Marimon P. , Torrens C.
Published: June 2021

Background

The surgical treatment of displaced proximal humeral fractures is commonly affected by implant-related complications. We evaluated the functional and radiographic results of transosseous suture fixation in a series of displaced proximal humeral fractures (PHF).

Methods

Sixty-four patients were retrospectively classified by age, sex, and the Neer fracture classification. Two-part greater tuberosity (2pGT) displaced fractures and 3-part (varus and valgus) and 4-part valgus impacted fractures were managed with fragment reduction and transosseous suture fixation. Patients with minimum follow-up of 24 months and assessed with the Constant-Murley score (CMS) were included. Radiological and medical complications, as well as reinterventions were also recorded.

Results

Forty-six patients with a mean follow-up of 58 (24–132) and a mean age of 58 years old were analyzed. Patients with 2pGT (n = 10) fractures had a CMS of 76 points (59–89); patients with 3-part fractures (n = 22) had a score of 67 points (13–91); and those with 4-part fractures (n = 14) had a score of 64 (24–76) points. The overall complication rate was 6 out of 46, and 4 patients required reintervention for different reasons. Patients presenting with 3-part varus fractures had significantly lower functional outcomes scores (p = 0.007). Humeral head osteonecrosis was present in 9 patients and significantly affected the functional outcomes (p < 0.05). However, only three out of nine patients with osteonecrosis required subsequent surgery at the indicated follow-up.

Conclusions

The fracture reduction and transosseous fixation technique represents a safe technique with low complication and reintervention rates. The presence of humeral head necrosis did not lead to subsequent surgical intervention because no hardware had protruded.

Level of evidence

Level IV, retrospective study
Effect of cannulation site on emboli travel during cardiac surgery
Authors: Puthettu Mira , Vandenberghe Stijn , Demertzis Stefanos
Published: June 2021

Background

During cardiac surgery, micro-air emboli regularly enter the blood stream and can cause cognitive impairment or stroke. It is not clearly understood whether the most threatening air emboli are generated by the heart-lung machine (HLM) or by the blood-air contact when opening the heart. We performed an in vitro study to assess, for the two sources, air emboli distribution in the arterial tree, especially in the brain region, during cardiac surgery with different cannulation sites.

Methods

A model of the arterial tree was 3D printed and included in a hydraulic circuit, divided such that flow going to the brain was separated from the rest of the circuit. Air micro-emboli were injected either in the HLM (“ECC Bubbles”) or in the mock left ventricle (“Heart Bubbles”) to simulate the two sources. Emboli distribution was measured with an ultrasonic bubble counter. Five repetitions were performed for each combination of injection site and cannulation site, where air bubble counts and volumes were recorded. Air bubbles were separated in three categories based on size.

Results

For both injection sites, it was possible to identify statistically significant differences between cannulation sites. For ECC Bubbles, axillary cannulation led to a higher amount of air bubbles in the brain with medium-sized bubbles. For Heart Bubbles, aortic cannulation showed a significantly bigger embolic load in the brain with large bubbles.

Conclusions

These preliminary in vitro findings showed that air embolic load in the brain may be dependent on the cannulation site, which deserves further in vivo exploration.
The impact of childhood diagnosed ADHD versus controls without ADHD diagnoses on later labour market attachment—a systematic review of longitudinal studies
Authors: Christiansen Marie Sturesson , Labriola Merete , Kirkeskov Lilli , Lund Thomas
Published: June 2021

Previous studies have suggested that Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) affect individuals across their lifespan, especially in relation to employment. The purpose of this review was to synthesize the results from studies examining the prospective association of ADHD diagnosis in childhood and later education, earnings and employment, compared to children without an ADHD diagnosis. A review protocol was prospectively registered with PROSPERO (ID = CRD42019131634). The findings were reported according to the PRISMA guidelines. The systematic review is based on a structured and preplanned analysis of original prospective longitudinal studies. A total of 2505 potential records were identified, two through backward search. Six papers met the inclusion criteria. One paper was assessed as good, four as fair and one as poor quality. The studies indicated that ADHD diagnosis affected the nature of the individual’s attachment to the labour market across different labour market attachment outcomes. Adults with persisting symptoms, had significantly more problems at work. Even if ADHD symptoms desist in adulthood, the negative impact of earlier ADHD symptoms can still be seen on occupational outcomes. Significantly fewer probands had a Bachelor’s degree compared to controls. Based on one good quality study and four fair quality studies, it is indicated that patients with childhood diagnosed ADHD, generally experience employment of lower quality compared with peers, in relation to income, education and occupational attainment. The overall level of evidence is rated as poor.
Role of the intestinal microbiome and microbial-derived metabolites in immune checkpoint blockade immunotherapy of cancer
Authors: Hayase Eiko , Jenq Robert R.
Published: June 2021

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are monoclonal antibodies that block immune inhibitory pathways. Administration of ICIs augments T cell-mediated immune responses against tumor, resulting in improved overall survival in cancer patients. It has emerged that the intestinal microbiome can modulate responses to ICIs via the host immune system and that the use of antibiotics can lead to reduced efficacy of ICIs. Recently, reports that fecal microbiota transplantation can lead to ICI therapy responses in patients previously refractory to therapy suggest that targeting the microbiome may be a viable strategy to reprogram the tumor microenvironment and augment ICI therapy. Intestinal microbial metabolites may also be linked to response rates to ICIs. In addition to response rates, certain toxicities that can arise during ICI therapy have also been found to be associated with the intestinal microbiome, including in particular colitis. A key mechanistic question is how certain microbes can enhance anti-tumor responses or, alternatively, predispose to ICI-associated colitis. Evidence has emerged that the intestinal microbiome can modulate outcomes to ICI therapies via two major mechanisms, including those that are antigen-specific and those that are antigen-independent. Antigen-specific mechanisms occur when epitopes are shared between microbial and tumor antigens that could enhance, or, alternatively, reduce anti-tumor immune responses via cross-reactive adaptive immune cells. Antigen-independent mechanisms include modulation of responses to ICIs by engaging innate and/or adaptive immune cells. To establish microbiome-based biomarkers of outcomes and specifically modulate the intestinal microbiome to enhance efficacy of ICIs in cancer immunotherapy, further prospective interventional studies will be required.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Application research of perception data fusion system of agricultural product supply chain based on Internet of things
Authors: Sun Xu , Shu Kunliang
Published: June 2021

There are often agricultural product quality problems in the production and circulation of agricultural products. Therefore, there are more and more people on the agricultural product supply chain based on the Internet of things. This article mainly introduces the research on the perception data fusion of agricultural product supply chain in the context of the Internet of things. This is a simple research result based on the Internet of things technology platform, which analyzes the current status of the product according to market demand. After analysis and comparison, a sensory data fusion model suitable for the supply chain of agricultural products is obtained, and information technology based on the Internet of things is used to transform and optimize the Internet of things in the circulation of agricultural products. The experimental results of this article show that data fusion technology based on the Internet of things can solve and track 69.45% of the problem of unknown sources of agricultural products, improve the supply efficiency of agricultural products by 43%, reduce the health problems of agricultural products by 31.24%, and reduce the prices of agricultural products by 13–20%. Improving logistics efficiency can save 5 million tons of agricultural products.
Cause of death for patients with breast cancer: discordance between death certificates and medical files, and impact on survival estimates
Authors: Izci Hava , Tambuyzer Tim , Vandeven Jessica , Xicluna Jérôme , Wildiers Hans , Punie Kevin , Willers Nynke , Oldenburger Eva , Van Nieuwenhuysen Els , Berteloot Patrick , Smeets Ann , Nevelsteen Ines , Deblander Anne , De Schutter Harlinde , Neven Patrick , Silversmit Geert , Verdoodt Freija
Published: June 2021

Background

Registration and coding of cause of death is prone to error since determining the exact underlying condition leading directly to death is challenging. In this study, causes of death from the death certificates were compared to patients’ medical files interpreted by experts at University Hospitals Leuven (UHL), to assess concordance between sources and its impact on cancer survival assessment.

Methods

Breast cancer patients treated at UHL (2009–2014) (follow-up until December 31st 2016) were included in this study. Cause of death was obtained from death certificates and expert-reviewed medical files at UHL. Agreement was calculated using Cohen’s kappa coefficient. Cause-specific survival (CSS) was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and the relative survival probability (RS) using the Ederer II and Pohar Perme method.

Results

A total of 2862 patients, of whom 354 died, were included. We found an agreement of 84.7% (kappa-value of 0.69 (95% C.I.: 0.62–0.77)) between death certificates and medical files. Death certificates had 10.7% false positive and 4.5% false negative rates. However, five-year CSS and RS measures were comparable for both sources.

Conclusion

For breast cancer patients included in our study, fair agreement of cause of death was seen between death certificates and medical files with similar CSS and RS estimations.
Explaining Waldorf students’ high motivation but moderate achievement in science: is inquiry-based science education the key?
Authors: Salchegger Silvia , Wallner-Paschon Christina , Bertsch Christian
Published: June 2021

Background

Evidence so far shows that Waldorf students are characterized by average science achievement but at the same time high socioeconomic status and high science motivation. Moreover, Waldorf education is characterized by high emphasis on inquiry-based science education (IBSE). The present study investigates if the specific attitude-achievement constellation of Waldorf students in science may be explained by the high level of IBSE.

Methods

Propensity score matching was applied to control for Waldorf students’ more advantageous social background using the Austrian PISA 2015 sample (N = 7007 15-year old students). After propensity score matching, 1107 matched controls were included alongside all 149 Waldorf students.

Results

The results show that Waldorf students report higher enjoyment in learning science and more interest in broad science topics than matched controls. On the other hand, they demonstrate lower science achievement. Mediation analyses show that, although Waldorf students’ more positive attitudes towards science can be almost entirely attributed to their higher exposure to IBSE, their underperformance in science cannot.

Conclusions

These results indicate that attending a school type with a high level of IBSE (Waldorf) may have positive effects on attitudinal outcomes (enjoyment and interest in science) whereas it does not seem to have notable effects on science achievement. This indicates that IBSE could be applied in educational contexts aiming to increase students’ scientific attitudes.
Assessing the feasibility and acceptability of a financial versus behavioural incentive-based intervention for community health workers in rural Indonesia
Authors: Gadsden Thomas , Jan Stephen , Sujarwoto Sujarwoto , Kusumo Budiarto Eko , Palagyi Anna
Published: June 2021

Background

The World Health Organization recommends that community health workers (CHWs) receive a mix of financial and non-financial incentives, yet notes that there is limited evidence to support the use of one type of incentive (i.e. financial or non-financial) over another. In preparation for a larger scale trial, we investigated the acceptability and feasibility of two different forms of incentives for CHWs in Malang District, Indonesia.

Methods

CHWs working on a cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk screening and management programme in two villages were assigned to receive either a financial or non-financial incentive for 6 months. In the financial incentives village, CHWs (n = 20) received 16,000 IDR (USD 1.1) per patient followed up or 500,000 IDR (USD 34.1) if they followed up 100% of their assigned high-risk CVD patients each month. In the non-financial incentive village, CHWs (n = 20) were eligible to receive a Quality Care Certificate for following up the highest number of high-risk CVD patients each month, awarded in a public ceremony. At the end of the 6-month intervention period, focus group discussions were conducted with CHWs and semi-structured interviews with programme administrators to investigate acceptability, facilitators and barriers to implementation and feasibility of the incentive models. Data on monthly CHW follow-up activity were analysed using descriptive statistics to assess the preliminary impact of each incentive on service delivery outcomes, and CHW motivation levels were assessed pre- and post-implementation.

Results

Factors beyond the control of the study significantly interrupted the implementation of the financial incentive, particularly the threat of violence towards CHWs due to village government elections. Despite CHWs reporting that both the financial and non-financial incentives were acceptable, programme administrators questioned the sustainability of the non-financial incentive and reported CHWs were ambivalent towards them. CHW service delivery outcomes increased 17% for CHWs eligible for the non-financial incentive and 21% for CHWs eligible for the financial incentive. There was a statistically significant increase (p < 0.0001) in motivation scores for the performance domain in both villages.

Conclusion

It was feasible to deliver both a performance-based financial and non-financial incentive to CHWs in Malang District, Indonesia, and both incentive types were acceptable to CHWs and programme administrators. Evidence of preliminary effectiveness also suggests that both the financial and non-financial incentives were associated with improved motivation and service delivery outcomes. These findings will inform the next phase of incentive design, in which incentive feasibility and preliminary effectiveness will need to be considered alongside their longer-term sustainability within the health system.
The use of antibiotics in COVID-19 management: a rapid review of national treatment guidelines in 10 African countries
Authors: Adebisi Yusuff Adebayo , Jimoh Nafisat Dasola , Ogunkola Isaac Olushola , Uwizeyimana Theogene , Olayemi Alaka Hassan , Ukor Nelson Ashinedu , Lucero-Prisno Don Eliseo
Published: June 2021

Antimicrobial resistance is a hidden threat lurking behind the COVID-19 pandemic which has claimed thousands of lives prior to the emergence of the global outbreak. With a pandemic on the scale of COVID-19, antimicrobial resistance has the potential to become a double-edged sword with the overuse of antibiotics having the potential of taking us back to the pre-antibiotic era. Antimicrobial resistance is majorly attributed to widespread and unnecessary use of antibiotics, among other causes, which has facilitated the emergence and spread of resistant pathogens. Our study aimed to conduct a rapid review of national treatment guidelines for COVID-19 in 10 African countries (Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Liberia, Ethiopia, and Rwanda) and examined its implication for antimicrobial resistance response on the continent. Our findings revealed that various antibiotics, such as azithromycin, doxycycline, clarithromycin, ceftriaxone, erythromycin, amoxicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, ampicillin, gentamicin, benzylpenicillin, piperacillin/tazobactam, ciprofloxacin, ceftazidime, cefepime, vancomycin, meropenem, and cefuroxime among others, were recommended for use in the management of COVID-19. This is worrisome in that COVID-19 is a viral disease and only a few COVID-19 patients would have bacterial co-infection. Our study highlighted the need to emphasize prudent and judicious use of antibiotics in the management of COVID-19 in Africa.
Recognition of phrenic paralysis as atypical presentation during CT chest examination of COVID-19 infection and its correlation with CT severity scoring: a local experience during pandemic era
Authors: Abdeldayem Emad H. , Abdelrahman Ahmed S. , Mansour Mohamed G.
Published: June 2021

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. COVID-19 infection is considered a multi-system disease with neurological, digestive, and cardiovascular symptoms and complications. It can trigger acute and diffuse endothelial dysfunction, resulting in a cytokine storm, most likely induced by the interleukin-6 (IL-6) amplifier. The peripheral and central neurological complications may explain some clinical manifestations such as vagus nerve palsy. The known main CT chest findings of COVID-19 pneumonia include ground glass patches, pulmonary consolidations, inter-lobar septal thickening, crazy paving appearance, and others. We presented our experience in the incidental discovery of phrenic nerve paralysis as atypical chest finding in patients with a known history of COVID-19-associated pneumonia, proved by RT-PCR and coming for evaluation of the lung changes. Patients with evidence of diaphragmatic paralysis underwent close follow-up with a re-evaluation of the phrenic nerve palsy at their routine follow-up for COVID-19 pneumonia. The association of the phrenic nerve palsy was correlated with the CT chest severity score.

Results

Among 1527 scanned patients with known COVID-19 pneumonia, we had recognized 23 patients (1.5%) with unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis, accidentally discovered during CT chest examination. Twenty-one patients had shown complete recovery of the associated diaphragmatic paralysis during their follow-up CT chest with regression or the near-total resolution of the pulmonary changes of COVID-19- pneumonia. No significant correlation between the incidence of unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis and CT severity score with p value = 0.28.

Conclusion

Phrenic paralysis is considered a serious but rare neurological complication of COVID-19 pneumonia. No significant correlation between the CT severity score and the incidental discovery of unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis. The majority of the cases show spontaneous recovery together with the improvement of the pulmonary changes of COVID-19 pneumonia. The association of phrenic paralysis with anosmia and dysgeusia could suggest a direct viral attack on the nerve cells.
Generalized neural network trained with a small amount of base samples: Application to event detection and phase picking in downhole microseismic monitoring
Authors: Zhang Xiong , Chen Huihui , Zhang Wei , Tian Xiao , Chu Fangdong
Published: June 2021

The deep-learning method has been successfully applied to many geophysical problems to extract features from seismic big data. However, some applications may not have sufficient available data to directly train a generalized neural network. We have applied data augmentation on a significantly small number of samples to train a generalized neural network for microseismic event detection and phase picking, which could be used in different project settings and areas. We use the U-Net architecture consisting of 2D convolutional layers to create the prediction function, and we map the waveforms recorded by using multiple receivers to the P/S arrival time labels; thus, the neural network can learn the P/S moveout features from multiple receivers. The training set is generated by simulating various realizations of the data based on 10 original samples from the beginning of a hydraulic fracturing stage. The trained neural network is then used to detect the events and pick the P/S phases from the continuous data for different stages and projects. A grid search from a precalculated traveltime table is performed to determine the event location after an event is detected. We build a real-time event detection and location workflow without human intervention by combining the neural network and grid search method, and we apply the workflow to a different stage from the training events and a completely independent project that the neural network has not encountered. The results indicate that microseismic events are successfully detected and located, and the picking performance of the neural network is superior to that of a traditional autoregression picker.
Association Between Smoking Behavior and Insulin Resistance Using Triglyceride–Glucose Index Among South Korean Adults
Authors: Jeong Sung Hoon , Joo Hye Jin , Kwon Junhyun , Park Eun-Cheol
Published: June 2021

Context

Insulin resistance is a determinant of diabetes. With the increasing popularity of electronic smoking, the number of dual smokers (smoking both cigarettes and electronic cigarettes [e-cigarettes]) is increasing. However, few studies have assessed the association between insulin resistance and smoking behavior, including dual smoking.

Objective

This work aims to investigate the association between smoking behaviors and insulin resistance.

Methods

This prospective, cross-sectional study took place among the general community. A total of 11 653 participants (4721 male and 6932 female) aged 19 years or older from the 2016 to 2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were divided based on their smoking behaviors: dual smokers (both cigarettes and e-cigarettes), single smokers (cigarette smokers), previous smokers, and nonsmokers. Insulin resistance was determined based on the triglyceride-glucose index. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between smoking behavior and insulin resistance.

Results

Among the participants, 164 males (3.5%) and 33 females (0.5%) were dual-smokers, and 1,428 males (30.2%) and 308 females (4.4%) were single-smokers. Male and female smokers (dual and single) both had higher odds of being in a group with higher insulin resistance than nonsmokers (male, dual: OR = 2.19; 95% CI, 1.39-3.44; single: OR = 1.78; 95% CI, 1.43-2.22; female, dual: OR = 2.32; 95% CI, 1.01-5.34; single: OR = 1.76; 95% CI, 1.28-2.42).

Conclusion

This study suggests that single and dual smoking both may increase the risk of insulin resistance in the general population. Education on the adverse effects of smoking behaviors may be an important strategy to improve the health of the population.
Predicting Malignancy in Pediatric Thyroid Nodules: Early Experience With Machine Learning for Clinical Decision Support
Authors: Radebe Lebohang , van der Kaay Daniëlle C M , Wasserman Jonathan D , Goldenberg Anna
Published: June 2021

Objective

To develop a machine learning tool to integrate clinical data for the prediction of non-benign thyroid cytology and histology.

Context

Papillary thyroid carcinoma is the most common endocrine malignancy. Since most nodules are benign, the challenge for the clinician is to identify those most likely to harbor malignancy while limiting exposure to surgical risks among those with benign nodules.

Methods

Random forests (augmented to select features based on our clinical measure of interest), in conjunction with interpretable rule sets, were used on demographic, ultrasound, and biopsy data of thyroid nodules from children younger than 18 years at a tertiary pediatric hospital. Accuracy, false-positive rate (FPR), false-negative rate (FNR), and area under the receiver operator curve (AUROC) are reported.

Results

Our models predict nonbenign cytology and malignant histology better than historical outcomes. Specifically, we expect a 68.04% improvement in the FPR, 11.90% increase in accuracy, and 24.85% increase in AUROC for biopsy predictions in 67 patients (28 with benign and 39 with nonbenign histology). We expect a 23.22% decrease in FPR, 32.19% increase in accuracy, and 3.84% decrease in AUROC for surgery prediction in 53 patients (42 with benign and 11 with nonbenign histology). This improvement comes at the expense of the FNR, for which we expect 10.27% with malignancy would be discouraged from performing biopsy, and 11.67% from surgery. Given the small number of patients, these improvements are estimates and are not tested on an independent test set.

Conclusion

This work presents a first attempt at developing an interpretable machine learning based clinical tool to aid clinicians. Future work will involve sourcing more data and developing probabilistic estimates for predictions.
Morphological Analysis of the Hindbrain Glucose Sensor-Hypothalamic Neural Pathway Activated by Hindbrain Glucoprivation
Authors: Sato Marimo , Minabe Shiori , Sakono Takahiro , Magata Fumie , Nakamura Sho , Watanabe Youki , Inoue Naoko , Uenoyama Yoshihisa , Tsukamura Hiroko , Matsuda Fuko
Published: June 2021

Lowered glucose availability, sensed by the hindbrain, has been suggested to enhance gluconeogenesis and food intake as well as suppress reproductive function. In fact, our previous histological and in vitro studies suggest that hindbrain ependymal cells function as a glucose sensor. The present study aimed to clarify the hindbrain glucose sensor-hypothalamic neural pathway activated in response to hindbrain glucoprivation to mediate counterregulatory physiological responses. Administration of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG), an inhibitor of glucose utilization, into the fourth ventricle (4V) of male rats for 0.5 hour induced messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of c-fos, a marker for cellular activation, in ependymal cells in the 4V, but not in the lateral ventricle, the third ventricle or the central canal without a significant change in blood glucose and testosterone levels. Administration of 2DG into the 4V for 1 hour significantly increased blood glucose levels, food intake, and decreased blood testosterone levels. Simultaneously, the expression of c-Fos protein was detected in the 4V ependymal cells; dopamine β-hydroxylase-immunoreactive cells in the C1, C2, and A6 regions; neuropeptide Y (NPY) mRNA-positive cells in the C2; corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) mRNA-positive cells in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN); and NPY mRNA-positive cells in the arcuate nucleus (ARC). Taken together, these results suggest that lowered glucose availability, sensed by 4V ependymal cells, activates hindbrain catecholaminergic and/or NPY neurons followed by CRH neurons in the PVN and NPY neurons in the ARC, thereby leading to counterregulatory responses, such as an enhancement of gluconeogenesis, increased food intake, and suppression of sex steroid secretion.
Persistent Metabolic Effects of Tamoxifen: Considerations for an Experimental Tool and Clinical Breast Cancer Treatment
Authors: Stout Michael B , Scalzo Rebecca L , Wellberg Elizabeth A
Published: June 2021

The selective estrogen receptor (ER) modulator tamoxifen is frequently used in preclinical studies to induce Cre recombinase and generate conditional transgenic mice. In addition, it is often prescribed to treat ER-positive breast cancer, which is diagnosed in approximately 150 000 people each year. In mice, protocols to activate Cre-ER transgenes require tamoxifen administration by several methods, including oral gavage, IP injection, or intragastric injection, spanning a wide range of doses to achieve transgene induction. As a result, the reported metabolic effects of tamoxifen treatment are not always consistent with anecdotal reports from breast cancer patients, or with expected outcomes based on the overall metabolically protective role of estrogen. A greater awareness of tamoxifen’s adverse metabolic effects is critical to designing studies with appropriate controls, especially those investigations focused on metabolic outcomes.
Not Tracking: The Antipolitics of Contact-Tracing Applications
Authors: Kift Paula
Published: June 2021

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, governments around the world turned to contact-tracing applications in an attempt to balance the reopening of the economy with keeping the virus at bay. But as this article demonstrates, contact-tracing applications not only fail to protect the most vulnerable among us; they also shift responsibility for failing to prepare public-health systems for a pandemic away from governments and onto the individual user struggling to contain its worst effects. In the process, contact-tracing applications change the definition of failure. They also reinforce existing inequalities. Technology in this case not only has politics; it prevents politics. By focusing on contact-tracing applications as an example, the article points to some of the deeper perils of accepting app-based solutions to structural problems.
Childhood Memories of Circus Children
Authors: Rimbault Éléonore
Published: June 2021

Before the 1990s, there were many child performers in India's circus companies. They joined the circus as trainees and received a salary for their performance. After their activity was problematized as child labor and made illegal, they progressively disappeared from circus companies. Drawing from ethnographic materials, this article reflects on the memories of former circus children who have now become adults. The author argues that taking the interlocutors’ memories as a point of departure for the study of childhood helps circumvent some moral and methodological issues with this category. Childhood memories illuminate an individual's assessment of their own experience, regardless of whether it conforms to widespread normative expectations about childhood; it can also suggest biographical periodizations that are more relevant to a person's life than prevalent age categories. The essay ends with a caveat about the need for a reflexive approach to the context in which childhood memories are shared.
Black Life, Trans Study
Authors: Smythe SA
Published: June 2021

This essay thinks through some possibilities and implications for a trans studies formation in Europe and across the West that takes as some of its core concerns and ethical commitments black people, black life, and black capacities for insurgency, experimentation, and trans nonbinary method. Writing against the logics of displacement, disciplinarity, and depletion, what follows is a brief meditation on both the institutionalization of trans studies in Western academia and the material disregard of black people, trans people, migrants, and other oppressed and vulnerable people under the extractive regimes of cisheteropatriarchial white supremacy.
CRISPR/Cas9-engineered Drosophila knock-in models to study VCP diseases
Authors: Wall Jordan M. , Basu Ankita , Zunica Elizabeth R. M. , Dubuisson Olga S. , Pergola Kathryn , Broussard Joshua P. , Kirwan John P. , Axelrod Christopher L. , Johnson Alyssa E.
Published: June 2021

Mutations in Valosin Containing Protein (VCP) are associated with several degenerative diseases, including multisystem proteinopathy (MSP-1) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. However, patients with VCP mutations vary widely in their pathology and clinical penetrance, making it difficult to devise effective treatment strategies. A deeper understanding of how each mutation affects VCP function could enhance the prediction of clinical outcomes and design of personalized treatment options. The power of a genetically tractable model organism coupled with well-established in vivo assays and a relatively short life cycle make Drosophila an attractive system to study VCP disease pathogenesis. Using CRISPR/Cas9, we have generated individual Drosophila knock-in mutants that include nine hereditary VCP disease mutations. Our models display many hallmarks of VCP-mediated degeneration, including progressive decline in mobility, protein aggregate accumulation and defects in lysosomal and mitochondrial function. We also made some novel and unexpected findings, including nuclear morphology defects and sex-specific phenotypic differences in several mutants. Taken together, the Drosophila VCP disease models generated in this study will be useful for studying the etiology of individual VCP patient mutations and testing potential genetic and/or pharmacological therapies.
Could plasticity mediate highlands lizards’ resilience to climate change? A case study of the leopard iguana (Diplolaemus leopardinus) in Central Andes of Argentina
Authors: Vicenzi Nadia , Bacigalupe Leonardo D. , Laspiur Alejandro , Ibargüengoytía Nora , Sassi Paola L.
Published: June 2021

The predicted rise of global temperatures is of major concern for ectotherms because of its direct impact on their behavior and physiology. As physiological performance mediates a species’ resilience to warming exposure, physiological plasticity could greatly reduce the susceptibility to climate change. We studied the degree to which Diplolaemus leopardinus lizards are able to adjust behavioral and physiological traits in response to short periods of temperature change. We used a split cross design to measure the acclimation response of preferred body temperature (Tp), and the thermal performance curve of resting metabolic rate (RMR) and evaporative water loss (EWL). Our results showed that plasticity differs among traits: whereas Tp and EWL showed lower values in warm conditions, the body temperature at which RMR was highest increased. Moreover, RMR was affected by thermal history, showing a large increase in response to cold exposure in the group initially acclimated to warm temperatures. The reduction of EWL and the increase in optimal temperature will give lizards the potential to partially mitigate the impact of rising temperatures in the energy cost and water balance. However, the decrease in Tp and the sensitivity to the warm thermal history of RMR could be detrimental to the energy net gain, increasing the species’ vulnerability, especially considering the increase of heat waves predicted for the next 50 years. The integration of acclimation responses in behavioral and physiological traits provides a better understanding of the range of possible responses of lizards to cope with the upcoming climatic and environmental modifications expected as a result of climate change.
Radiation risk issues in recurrent imaging
Authors: Brower Charles , Rehani Madan M
Published: June 2021

Millions of patients benefit from medical imaging every single day. However, we have entered an unprecedented era in imaging practices wherein 1 out of 125 patients can be exposed to effective dose >50 mSv from a single CT exam and 3 out of 10,000 patients undergoing CT exams could potentially receive cumulative effective doses > 100 mSv in a single day. Recurrent imaging with CT, fluoroscopically guided interventions, and hybrid imaging modalities such as positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is more prevalent today than ever before. Presently, we do not know the cumulative doses that patients may be receiving across all imaging modalities combined. Furthermore, patients with diseases with longer life expectancies are being exposed to high doses of radiation enabling radiation effects to manifest over a longer time period. The emphasis in the past on improving justification of imaging and optimization of technique and practice has proved useful. While that must continue, the current situation requires imaging device manufacturers to urgently develop imaging technologies that are safer for patients as high doses have been observed in patients where imaging has been justified through clinical decision-support and optimized by keeping doses below the national benchmark doses. There is a need to have a critical look at the fundamental principles of radiation protection as cumulative doses are likely to increase in the coming years.
A budding yeast model for human disease mutations in the EXOSC2 cap subunit of the RNA exosome complex
Authors: Sterrett Maria C. , Enyenihi Liz , Leung Sara W. , Hess Laurie , Strassler Sarah E. , Farchi Daniela , Lee Richard S. , Withers Elise S. , Kremsky Isaac , Baker Richard E. , Basrai Munira A. , van Hoof Ambro , Fasken Milo B. , Corbett Anita H.
Published: June 2021

RNA exosomopathies, a growing family of diseases, are linked to missense mutations in genes encoding structural subunits of the evolutionarily conserved, 10-subunit exoribonuclease complex, the RNA exosome. This complex consists of a three-subunit cap, a six-subunit, barrel-shaped core, and a catalytic base subunit. While a number of mutations in RNA exosome genes cause pontocerebellar hypoplasia, mutations in the cap subunit gene EXOSC2 cause an apparently distinct clinical presentation that has been defined as a novel syndrome SHRF (short stature, hearing loss, retinitis pigmentosa, and distinctive facies). We generated the first in vivo model of the SHRF pathogenic amino acid substitutions using budding yeast by modeling pathogenic EXOSC2 missense mutations (p.Gly30Val and p.Gly198Asp) in the orthologous S. cerevisiae gene RRP4. The resulting rrp4 mutant cells show defects in cell growth and RNA exosome function. Consistent with altered RNA exosome function, we detect significant transcriptomic changes in both coding and noncoding RNAs in rrp4-G226D cells that model EXOSC2 p.Gly198Asp, suggesting defects in nuclear surveillance. Biochemical and genetic analyses suggest that the Rrp4 G226D variant subunit shows impaired interactions with key RNA exosome cofactors that modulate the function of the complex. These results provide the first in vivo evidence that pathogenic missense mutations present in EXOSC2 impair the function of the RNA exosome. This study also sets the stage to compare exosomopathy models to understand how defects in RNA exosome function underlie distinct pathologies.
Qualidade do gasto em educação e ciclos políticos: uma avaliação nos municípios da Paraíba
Authors: Bartoluzzio Alann Inaldo Silva de Sá , Martins Vinícius Gomes , De Queiroz Dimas Barreto , Miranda Luiz Carlos
Published: June 2021

O estudo analisou o comportamento da eficiência na aplicação dos recursos públicos em educação a partir dos ciclos políticos. Para tanto, foram utilizadas informações financeiras, administrativas e de infraestrutura em um mandato eleitoral completo empregando a Análise Envoltória de Dados (DEA) para mensuração da eficiência. Entre os resultados encontrados, destaca-se a observação do ano eleitoral como o período em que os prefeitos apresentam melhores níveis de competência. Além disso, a substituição da gestão está acompanhada de uma diminuição na qualidade do gasto em educação, demonstrando que os valores analisados diminuem com a troca da equipe em atividade. Na apreciação dos resultados eleitorais, verificou-se que os partidos reconduzidos apresentaram melhores scores de eficiência, além de uma correlação positiva entre os percentuais observados no ano eleitoral e os resultados obtidos nas urnas, sendo a educação uma área relevante para entender a recondução dos partidos políticos e os incentivos político-eleitoreiros.
Controle gerencial na administração pública e transformação digital: sensoriamento remoto para fiscalizar
Authors: Orlandi Alex Gois , Farias Renata de Araujo Nobre , Carvalho Júnior Osmar Abílio , Guimarães Renato Fontes , Gomes Roberto Arnaldo Trancoso
Published: June 2021

A presente pesquisa tem como objetivo demonstrar como o controle gerencial na administração pública pode aplicar o sensoriamento remoto por meio de imagens gratuitas de satélite como ferramenta de transformação digital, gerando economia e eficiência.  O trabalho tem como base um projeto piloto em desenvolvimento na Agência Nacional de Energia Elétrica (ANEEL) para a fiscalização das obras de usinas fotovoltaicas de geração de energia em implantação. Os resultados obtidos mostram o potencial de enriquecimento que o uso de imagens traz aos processos de controle gerencial na administração pública, ao fortalecimento da prestação de contas no setor público e ao efeito positivo da transformação digital como ferramenta simples e moderna de fiscalização, propiciando economia e eficiência ao controle público.
Avanços e retrocessos nas ações governamentais de promoção do consumo sustentável
Authors: Oliveira Verônica Macário de , Gomes Júnior Alexandre de Araújo , Teodósio Armindo dos Santos de Sousa , Correia Suzanne Érica Nóbrega
Published: June 2021

O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar o nível de contribuição das políticas públicas adotadas pelo Governo Brasileiro para a promoção do consumo sustentável. Considera-se que os níveis e padrões de consumo da sociedade contemporânea são insustentáveis, causando danos à sociedade e ao meio ambiente, o que requer a adoção de ações e estratégias que sejam capazes de promover o consumo sustentável. Nesse processo, os governos são fundamentais devido à sua posição estratégica e à sua capacidade de influenciar produtores e consumidores, equilibrando a relação entre eles, adotando políticas estruturantes capazes de institucionalizar uma agenda nacional com foco na sustentabilidade e criando um contexto favorável às mudanças nas práticas de consumo. Em termos metodológicos, optou-se pela realização de uma pesquisa de abordagem qualitativa exploratória e descritiva, por meio de uma pesquisa documental. Os resultados demonstram que, embora existam políticas públicas que contribuem para a promoção do consumo sustentável, a falta de continuidade delas poderá comprometer possíveis efeitos positivos no longo prazo; e que há uma grande lacuna entre a compreensão científica atual sobre consumo sustentável e como esse campo está sendo articulado nas políticas implementadas pelo governo brasileiro.
Capacidades estatais e seus efeitos nas Políticas Municipais de Educação
Authors: Segatto Catarina Ianni , Euclydes Fillipe Maciel , Abrucio Fernando
Published: June 2021

A análise das capacidades estatais é central para a compreensão da implementação de políticas públicas e seus resultados. Ainda que haja um enorme debate em torno do conceito, alguns estudos mostram que duas dimensões da capacidade devem ser consideradas: a técnico-administrativa e a político-relacional. No entanto, há poucos estudos que buscaram compreender em maior profundidade essas dimensões no nível local, já que a literatura esteve mais focada na análise do governo federal. Este artigo busca suprir essa lacuna, analisando a capacidade estatal dos municípios brasileiros a partir do estudo da política de educação e das secretarias municipais de Educação em oito municípios. A análise qualitativa e comparativa de dados coletados entre entrevistas semiestruturadas e observação aponta que ambas as dimensões da capacidade estatal são frágeis em nível municipal. Apesar disso, a autonomia das secretarias e a liderança dos gestores, assim como a relação entre secretarias e escolas, explicam as diferenças na implementação da política educacional entre os municípios analisados.