bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of Menopausal Hormone Therapy with Risk of Pancreatic Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Cohort Studies
Authors: Jang Yeu-Chai , Leung Chi Yan , Huang Hsi-Lan
Published: October 2022

Background:

Although menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is commonly prescribed, little is known about the association between MHT use and risk of pancreatic cancer.

Methods:

We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library, from inception until April 20, 2022. The risk of bias was assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. Pooled relative risks (RR) for pancreatic cancer risk were calculated using random-effects models. We computed prediction intervals (PI) and performed subgroup meta-analyses. Meta-regression was performed to investigate the sources of heterogeneity.

Results:

This study included 2,712,313 women from 11 cohort studies. There was no association between MHT and pancreatic cancer risk (RR, 0.92; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.83–1.02; I2, 64%; 95% PI, 0.68–1.25). Subgroup meta-analyses of four studies stratified by MHT formulations showed inverse associations with the risk of pancreatic cancer (women receiving estrogen-only MHT: RR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.64–0.94; I2, 57%; estrogen plus progestin MHT: RR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.75–0.96; I2, 0%). Subgroup analysis defined by recency and duration of treatment did not reveal evidence of associations between MHT and pancreatic cancer risk.

Conclusions:

This study found no association between the overall use of MHT and risk of pancreatic cancer. However, among four studies with data on MHT formulations, subgroup analysis showed a decreased risk of pancreatic cancer among users of estrogen-only and combined estrogen-progestin therapy. Owing to the inconsistent findings between our main and subgroup analyses, future studies stratified by MHT formulations are warranted.

Impact:

The findings of this study indicate that future investigation should focus on MHT formulations.
APOL1 G3 Variant Is Associated with Cardiovascular Mortality and Sudden Cardiac Death in Patients Receiving Maintenance Hemodialysis of European Ancestry
Authors: Schwantes-An Tae-Hwi , Robinson-Cohen Cassianne , Liu Sai , Zheng Neil , Stedman Margaret , Wetherill Leah , Edenberg Howard J. , Vatta Matteo , Foroud Tatiana M. , Chertow Glenn M. , Moe Sharon M.
Published: October 2022

Introduction: The G1 and G2 variants in the APOL1 gene convey high risk for the progression of chronic kidney disease in African Americans. The G3 variant in APOL1 is more common in patients of European ancestry (EA); outcomes associated with this variant have not been explored previously in EA patients receiving dialysis. Methods: DNA was collected from approximately half of the patients enrolled in the Evaluation of Cinacalcet HCl Therapy to Lower Cardiovascular Events (EVOLVE) trial and genotyped for the G3 variants. We utilized an additive genetic model to test associations of G3 with the EVOLVE adjudicated endpoints of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, sudden cardiac death (SCD), and heart failure. EA and African ancestry samples were analyzed separately. Validation was done in the Vanderbilt BioVU using ICD codes for cardiovascular events that parallel the adjudicated endpoints in EVOLVE. Results: In EVOLVE, G3 in EA patients was associated with the adjudicated endpoints of cardiovascular mortality and SCD. In a validation cohort from the Vanderbilt BioVU, cardiovascular events and cardiovascular mortality defined by ICD codes showed similar associations in EA participants who had been on dialysis for 2 to <5 years. Discussion/Conclusions: G3 in APOL1 variant was associated with cardiovascular events and cardiovascular mortality in the EA patients receiving dialysis. This suggests that variations in the APOL1 gene that differ in populations of different ancestry may contribute to cardiovascular disease.
Clinical T2N0 Rectal Cancer Treated with Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy plus Local Excision
Authors: Suzuki Toshiyuki , Sadahiro Sotaro , Okada Kazutake , Miyakita Hiroshi , Ogimi Takeshi , Chan Lin Fung , Kamei Yutaro , Yamamoto Seiichiro
Published: October 2022

Introduction: Total mesorectal excision is the standard treatment for clinical T2 (cT2) rectal cancer; however, this procedure can result in postoperative dysfunction, decreased quality of life, and stoma creation in some patients. We investigated neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) plus local excision (LE) as an alternative treatment strategy for patients with cT2N0 rectal cancer. Method: Fifty-six patients with cT2N0M0 rectal cancer who exhibited the following characteristics (an anal verge of ≤8 cm, tumor size of <30 mm, well- or moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma on biopsy) underwent LE following nCRT. Chemoradiotherapy was administered at 40 or 45 Gy in 20–25 fractions with concurrent oral UFT (tegafur/uracil; 400 mg/m2) or S-1 (tegafur/gimeracil/oteracil; 80 mg/m2). Results: Fifty-five patients (98%) completed nCRT as planned. Histologically, the excision margin was negative in all patients, and four patients with ypT3 disease underwent total mesorectal excision. Recurrence was observed in 15 patients (27%), local recurrence in 7 (13%), and distant recurrence in 10 (18%). The salvage surgery was possible for the local recurrence group. The 5-year disease-free and overall survival rates were 68.4% and 84.9%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that only the tumor regression grade (TRG) was an independent risk factor for recurrence (p = 0.025). Although 7 (26%) out of 27 patients with a TRG of 3 or 4 developed local recurrence and 6 (22%) had distant metastasis, 25 patients with a TRG of 1 or 2 did not exhibit local recurrence, and only 1 (4%) experienced distant metastasis. Conclusion: nCRT plus LE may be an alternative treatment for patients with cT2N0 rectal cancer who achieved a TRG of 1 or 2. However, additional treatment was required in patients who achieved a TRG of 3 or 4.
The Role of Additional Epididymis Resection during Hydrocelectomy: Is It of Any Benefit in Comparison to Simple Hydrocelectomy?
Authors: Grossmann Nico C. , Gröbli Natalia , Lautenbach Noémie , Affentranger Andres , Eberli Daniel , Sulser Tullio , Hermanns Thomas , Poyet Cédric
Published: October 2022

Introduction: Open hydrocelectomy via scrotal incision is the standard approach for secondary hydroceles. Traditionally, the Swiss urologic community offer hydrocelectomy with additional resection of the epididymis in elderly men with completed family planning. It is believed that the additional resection of the epididymis reduces the postoperative recurrence rate of hydroceles. However, there is no evidence supporting this theory. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the recurrence and complication rates for patients with secondary hydroceles undergoing either pure hydrocelectomy (puH) or hydrocelectomy with additional resection of the epididymis (HRE). Materials and Methods: We reviewed all male patients who underwent surgical therapy for secondary hydroceles between May 2003 and February 2019 at our institution. Patient’s baseline and perioperative characteristics as well as postoperative characteristics including complications and recurrence rates were gathered and compared between different surgical techniques. Results: A total of 234 patients were identified. puH was performed in 93 (40%) cases and HRE in 141 (60%) patients. Patients in the HRE group were older (median age: 62 vs. 38 years, p < 0.001), had a higher ASA-Score (p < 0.001), were more often on platelet aggregation inhibitors (19% vs. 7.5%, p = 0.01), and had a longer median operative time (75 vs. 64 min, p < 0.001). During a median follow-up of 46 months, a similar number of recurrent hydroceles were found for puH (7 [7.5%]) and HRE (6 [4.5%]) (p = 0.3). Complications were observed in 19 (20%) cases after puH compared to 25 (18%) cases after HRE (p = 0.6). Patients after puH experienced more often severe complications (Clavien-Dindo Grade 3b) compared to the HRE group (5 vs. 12%, p = 0.046). Conclusion: puH and HRE showed similar results in terms of overall low recurrence rates and also in terms of postoperative complications, even though patients who underwent puH experienced slightly higher severe complications. Both procedures are safe and effective, but it seems that HRE does not provide a relevant clinical benefit in comparison to puH for the management of men with secondary hydroceles.
Fortgeschrittene pulmonale Sarkoidose: Auf Wirksamkeit und Zeitpunkt der antifibrotischen Therapie bei Patienten mit einem PF-ILD-Phänotyp konzentrieren
Authors: Drakopanagiotakis Fotios , Günther Andreas
Published: October 2022

Background: Advanced pulmonary sarcoidosis causes significant morbidity and can lead to death. Large trials demonstrated efficacy of antifibrotics in patients with progressive fibrosing interstitial lung diseases (PF-ILD), including a few with sarcoidosis. To date, little is known about this progressive fibrosing phenotype in sarcoidosis. Diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO) may be a useful functional marker to screen for advanced pulmonary sarcoidosis. In this study, we describe a cohort with advanced pulmonary sarcoidosis and we gain insights in the progressive fibrosing phenotype in sarcoidosis. Methods: Patients with sarcoidosis and a DLCO < 50% predicted were included in this retrospective cohort study. First measurement of DLCO < 50% predicted was the baseline. Lung function data, HRCT, pulmonary hypertension (PH) and mortality were collected. Patients with > 10% fibrosis on HRCT meeting the criteria for ILD-progression within 24 months were labelled as PF-ILD. With Cox-regression analysis predictors of mortality were established. Results: 106 patients with a DLCO < 50% predicted were included. Evolution of forced vital capacity (FVC) varied widely between patients from -34% to +45% after 2 years follow-up, whereas change in DLCO varied between -11% and +26%. Fourteen patients (15%) met the PF-ILD criteria, of whom 6 (43%) died within 10 years versus 10 (13%) in the non PF-ILD group (p = 0.006). PH was present 12 (11%), 56 (53%) demonstrated > 10% fibrosis on HRCT. Independent predictors of mortality and lung transplantation in the whole cohort are PH, PF-ILD and UIP-like pattern. Conclusion: In conclusion, within this group with advanced pulmonary sarcoidosis disease course varied widely from great functional improvement to death. PF-ILD patients had higher mortality rate than the mortality in the overall pulmonary sarcoidosis group. Future research should focus on the addition of antifibrotics in these patients. Trial registration retrospectively registered
Ultrastructure of the Dentin Pellicle and the Impact of Erosion
Authors: Schestakow Anton , Bauer Christina , Hannig Matthias
Published: October 2022

While the ultrastructure of the enamel pellicle and its erosion protective properties are well studied, the dentin pellicle is still neglected in dental research. Therefore, the ultrastructure and erosion protective properties of a pellicle formed on bovine dentin specimens were investigated in the present study. The dentin pellicle was formed in situ for 3, 30, 120, and 360 min at buccal or palatal oral sites of 3 subjects and analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. In order to clarify the impact of an erosive challenge to the ultrastructure of the pellicle and the underlying dentin, specimens were exposed to the oral cavity and eroded in vivo with 0.1% or 1% citric acid either immediately or after 30 min of pellicle formation. Specimens that were eroded without exposure to the oral cavity served as control. In another trial, specimens with a 30-min pellicle were exposed to the oral cavity for a further 60 min after the erosive challenge to investigate the effect of saliva on the impaired pellicle and dentin. Transmission electron micrographs reveal a globular and granular structured pellicle layer, which was thicker when the pellicle was formed buccally or with longer formation times. Erosion with citric acid reduced the thickness of the pellicle and interrupted its continuity. The dentin was also affected by erosion, which was represented by a lower electron density and formation of demineralized lacunae. These were infiltrated by a granular structured material when specimens were exposed to the oral cavity. After further intraoral exposure, the infiltration was more pronounced, indicating a significant impact of saliva on the demineralized dentin. A reformation of the dentin pellicle on the other hand did not occur. In conclusion, the dentin pellicle is neither acid-resistant nor able to effectively protect dentin from erosion.
Circulating THBS1: A Risk Factor for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Obese Children
Authors: Li Min , Liu Lujie , Kang Yurong , Huang Shanlong , Xiao Yanfeng
Published: October 2022

Introduction: Thrombospondin 1 (THBS1) is a highly expressed adipokine in adults with obesity. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the clinical significance of THBS1in children with obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and determine the effect of metformin on THBS1 expression in dietary-induced obese (DIO) mice. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 78 obese children and 35 nonobese children. Anthropometric parameters, clinical data, and circulating THBS1 levels were measured. The expression of THBS1 was detected in the serum and liver tissue from diet-induced obese mice (C57BL/6) with or without metformin treatment. Results: Higher THBS1 levels were observed in children with NAFLD and higher SDS-BMI. Individuals in the higher THBS1 quartile had a higher prevalence of hypo-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Logistic regression analysis showed a significant correlation between THBS1 and NAFLD, as well as between hip circumference and leptin levels. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed that THBS1 was a more sensitive predictor of NAFLD than leptin. Additionally, metformin ameliorated hepatic steatosis and decreased hepatic THBS1 expression in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. Conclusions: Circulating THBS1 level may be a risk factor for NAFLD in obese children. Our findings provided a novel approach of metformin administration for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD. This study also confirmed that metformin decreased the expression of hepatic THBS in DIO mice.
Left Ophthalmic Segment Internal Carotid Artery Aneurysm Treated with Flow Diversion in a Child with Apert Syndrome: Technical Note
Authors: Lim Jaims , Cappuzzo Justin M. , Waqas Muhammad , Almayman Faisal , Fearon Jeffrey A. , Levy Elad I.
Published: October 2022

Introduction: Prevalence of intracranial aneurysms in children with Apert syndrome has not been described, and development of an aneurysm as a complication secondary to craniofacial surgery has never been reported. Case Presentation: We report the rare case of a 10-year-old boy with Apert syndrome who underwent craniofacial reconstruction surgery consisting of subcranial Le Fort III osteotomies, bilateral lateral canthopexies, and nasal nares dilations for midfacial hypoplasia and resultant obstructive sleep apnea, and on routine follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 1 year later, he was found to have a large left ophthalmic internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysm that was not seen on MRI obtained 2 years prior. Immediately after the craniofacial surgery, the patient experienced a severe headache behind his left eye and extraocular movement abnormalities that subsided over the next days to months. Given the new and rapid growth of the aneurysm on follow-up MRI, the patient underwent a diagnostic cerebral angiogram followed by successful flow diversion treatment of the aneurysm with the pipeline embolization device (Medtronic, Dublin, Ireland). Conclusion: Post-procedurally, over the next year, the patient developed word-finding difficulty and stuttering speech. He was found to have in-stent ICA stenosis and middle cerebral artery (MCA) stenosis at the first follow-up and underwent an initial angioplasty. After several weeks, ICA, MCA, and anterior cerebral artery stenoses were identified, and the patient underwent angioplasties for the ICA and MCA stenoses. On follow-up examination after the second procedure, the patient had tremendous improvement in his speech difficulties and was doing well clinically.
Reversible and Irreversible Effects of Electroporation on Contractility and Calcium Homeostasis in Isolated Cardiac Ventricular Myocytes
Authors: Chaigne Sébastien , Sigg Daniel C. , Stewart Mark T. , Hocini Mélèze , Batista Napotnik Tina , Miklavčič Damijan , Bernus Olivier , Benoist David
Published: October 2022

Background:

Irreversible electroporation is an energy form utilizing high-voltage pulsed electric field, leading to cellular homeostasis disruption and cell death. Recently, irreversible electroporation has shown promising results for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. However, reversible and irreversible effects of pulsed electric field on cardiac myocytes remain poorly understood. Here, we evaluated the influence of a monophasic single electric pulse (EP) on the contractility, Ca
2+
homeostasis and recovery of cardiac myocytes.

Methods:

Isolated rat left ventricular myocytes were electroporated using single monophasic EP of different durations and voltages. Sarcomere length and intracellular Ca
2+
were simultaneously monitored for up to 20 minutes after EP application in Fura-2 loaded left ventricular myocytes. Lethal voltage thresholds were determined using 100 µs and 10 ms pulses and by discriminating cell orientation with respect to the electric field.

Results:

Electroporation led to an immediate increase in intracellular Ca
2+
which was dependent upon the voltage delivered to the cell. Intermediate-voltage EP (140 V, 100 µs) increased sarcomere shortening, Ca
2+
transient amplitude, and diastolic Ca
2+
level measured 1 minute post-EP. Although sarcomere shortening returned to pre-EP level within 5 minutes, Ca
2+
transient amplitude decreased further below pre-EP level and diastolic Ca
2+
level remained elevated within 20 minutes post-EP. Spontaneous contractions were observed after sublethal EP application but their frequency decreased progressively within 20 minutes. Lethal EP voltage threshold was lower in myocytes oriented perpendicular than parallel to the electric field using 100 µs pulses while an opposite effect was found using 10 ms pulses.

Conclusions:

Sublethal EP affected rat left ventricular myocytes contractility and disrupted Ca
2+
homeostasis as a function of the EP voltage. Moreover, EP-induced lethality was preceded by a large increase in intracellular Ca
2+
and was dependent upon the EP duration, amplitude and left ventricular myocytes orientation with respect to the electric field. These findings provide new insights into the effect of pulsed electric field on cardiac myocytes.
Left Bundle Branch Pacing Versus Biventricular Pacing for Acute Cardiac Resynchronization in Patients With Heart Failure
Authors: Liang Yixiu , Wang Jingfeng , Gong Xue , Lu Hongyang , Yu Ziqing , Zhang Lei , Li Minghui , Pan Lei , Chen Xueying , Cui Jie , Zhang Weiwei , Li Ruogu , Zhou Xiaohong , Huang Weijian , Su Yangang , Ge Junbo
Published: October 2022

Background:

Left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) has emerged as an alternative to biventricular pacing (BVP) for delivering cardiac resynchronization therapy. We sought to compare the acute improvement of electrical and mechanical synchrony, and hemodynamics between LBBP and BVP in patients with heart failure and left bundle branch block.

Methods:

LBBP and BVP were performed and compared in a crossover fashion in patients with heart failure and left bundle branch block undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy implantation. Electrical synchrony was assessed by QRS duration and area, mechanical synchrony by the SD of time to peak velocity of 12 left ventricular segments (Ts-SD) and interventricular mechanical delay, and hemodynamics by the maximum rate of left ventricular pressure rise (dP/dt
max
).

Results:

Twenty-one patient with heart failure and left bundle branch block (mean age 67±10 years, 48% male, and 90% nonischemic cause) were included. Both LBBP and BVP provided significant improvements in electrical and mechanical synchrony, and hemodynamics compared to the baseline. Compared with BVP, LBBP achieved a larger reduction in QRS duration (−11 ms [95% CI, −17 to −4 ms];
P
=0.003) and QRS area (−85 µVs [95% CI, −113 to −56 µVs];
P
<0.001); LBBP achieved a greater decrease in Ts-SD (−14 ms [95% CI, −21 to −7 ms];
P
=0.001), with no significant difference in interventricular mechanical delay (−2 ms [95% CI, −13 to 8 ms];
P
=0.63). The increase in dP/dt
max
from LBBP was significantly higher than that from BVP (6% [95% CI, 2%–9%];
P
=0.002).

Conclusions:

LBBP delivers greater acute electrical and mechanical resynchronization and hemodynamic improvement than BVP in predominantly nonischemic heart failure patients with left bundle branch block.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT04505384.
Therapeutic Benefits of Adropin in Aged Mice After Transient Ischemic Stroke via Reduction of Blood-Brain Barrier Damage
Authors: Yang Changjun , Liu Lei , Lavayen Bianca P. , Larochelle Jonathan , Gunraj Rachel E. , Butler Andrew A. , Candelario-Jalil Eduardo
Published: October 2022

Background:

Adropin is a peptide encoded by the energy homeostasis-associated gene (
Enho
) that is highly expressed in the brain. Aging and stroke are associated with reduced adropin levels in the brain and plasma. We showed that treatment with synthetic adropin provides long-lasting neuroprotection in permanent ischemic stroke. However, it is unknown whether the protective effects of adropin are observed in aged animals following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. We hypothesized that adropin provides neuroprotection in aged mice subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion.

Methods:

Aged (18–24 months old) male mice were subjected to 30 minutes of middle cerebral artery occlusion followed by 48 hours or 14 days of reperfusion. Sensorimotor (weight grip test and open field) and cognitive tests (Y-maze and novel object recognition) were performed at defined time points. Infarct volume was quantified by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining at 48 hours or Cresyl violet staining at 14 days post–middle cerebral artery occlusion. Blood-brain barrier damage, tight junction proteins, and MMP-9 (matrix metalloproteinase-9) were assessed 48 hours after middle cerebral artery occlusion by ELISA and Western blots.

Results:

Genetic deletion of
Enho
significantly increased infarct volume and worsened neurological function, whereas overexpression of adropin dramatically reduced stroke volume compared to wild-type controls. Postischemic treatment with synthetic adropin peptide given at the onset of reperfusion markedly reduced infarct volume, brain edema, and significantly improved locomotor function and muscular strength at 48 hours. Delayed adropin treatment (4 hours after the stroke onset) reduced body weight loss, infarct volume, and muscular strength dysfunction, and improved long-term cognitive function. Postischemic adropin treatment significantly reduced blood-brain barrier damage. This effect was associated with reduced MMP-9 and preservation of tight junction proteins by adropin treatment.

Conclusions:

These data unveil a promising neuroprotective role of adropin in the aged brain after transient ischemic stroke via reducing neurovascular damage. These findings suggest that poststroke adropin therapy is a potential strategy to minimize brain injury and improve functional recovery in ischemic stroke patients.
Morphological and molecular characterisation of a new cryptic species of Criconemoides informis group, C. neoinformis n. sp., and C. persicus n. sp., with notes on C. avicenniae
Authors: Hosseinvand Manouchehr , Eskandari Ali , Palomares-Rius Juan E. , Castillo Pablo , Abolafia Joaquín , Ghaderi Reza
Published: October 2022

Criconemoides neoinformis n. sp., a cryptic species of C. informis group, and C. persicus n. sp. were recovered from the rhizosphere of pear and grass, in Zanjan and West Azerbaijan provinces, northwestern Iran, respectively. Criconemoides neoinformis n. sp. is characterised by 522-585 μm long females, having four separated pseudolips, anteriorly flattened lip region comprised of two annuli, 57-63 retrorse body annuli with smooth to slightly crenate margins, without anastomoses, 86.9-90.4 μm long stylet, having 6-10 annuli from vulva to posterior end and tail conical rounded with two, three or multilobed terminus and presence of males. Criconemoides persicus n. sp. could be characterised by flatly rounded lip region, having fused rectangular pseudolips, 515-615 μm body length, stylet 60-65 μm, body annuli 120-132 with smooth to slightly crenate margins, without anastomoses, 9-12 annuli from vulva to posterior end and tail conical rounded with two trilobed terminus. In inferred phylogenies, these two new species clustered with known Criconemoides species in 18S, 28S, ITS and COI trees. These species are clearly separated molecularly by all the studied markers. The use of molecular markers, mainly D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S rRNA, ITS region and COI, are very promising in the case of cryptic species found in this group of nematodes. We provided molecular markers (two sequences per marker) for these new species with morphological/morphometrical data using an integrative taxonomy approach for the unequivocal identification of these species.
Information Privacy in Healthcare — The Vital Role of Informed Consent
Authors: McClelland Roy , Harper Colin M.
Published: October 2022

The use and disclosure of patient information is subject to multiple legal and ethical obligations. Within European human rights law the differences relating to consent are reflected in the separate requirements of data protection law, the common law, and professional ethics. The GDPR requires explicit consent. This contrasts with the ethical and common law availability of reliance on implied consent for the use of patient information for that patient’s care and treatment. For any proposed use of patient information for healthcare purposes other than direct care, even where GDPR may be satisfied if the patient refuses to consent to disclosure, the information should not normally be disclosed. For any proposed use or disclosure outside healthcare the justification should normally be consent. However, consent is often not possible or appropriate and an overriding public interest can be relied upon to justify the use or disclosure, both legally and ethically.
Leidynema bestium sp. n. (Oxyuridomorpha: Thelastomatidae) an intestinal parasite of blaberid cockroaches from Yaroslavl Zoo, Russia
Authors: SPIRIDONOV SERGEI E. , KISELEV SERGEI M.
Published: October 2022

A new species of thelastomatid Leidynema bestium sp. n. is described from the hind gut lumen of the cockroaches Diploptera punctata (Eschscholtz, 1922) and Elliptorhina chopardi (Lefeuvre, 1966). The new species is characterized by a combination of morphological features: presence of lateral alae in both sexes with posterior margin of alae in females not ending in the shape of a spike; longitudinal striation of the anteriormost annuli in males; four male genital papillae, equatorial position of vulva. In the cladogram inferred from analysis of D2–D3 segment of LSU rDNA L. bestium sp. n. demonstrates a position independent of the Leidynema species with known sequences of this taxonomic marker near the basal node for this genus.
Macrotristria monteithi sp. n., a large new cicada from central Queensland with a small distribution (Cicadoidea, Cicadidae, Macrotristriini)
Authors: MOULDS M.S.
Published: October 2022

A new species of cicada, Macrotristria monteithi sp. n., is described from the southern Carnarvon and Expedition Ranges in central Queensland, Australia. It is a large species allied to the common and widespread species M. angularis, but unlike that species it has a comparatively narrow distribution.
Gender(ed) performances: Women’s impression management in stand-up comedy
Authors: Cook Clare , Callahan Jamie L , Pollet Thomas V , Elliott Carole
Published: October 2022

How do women navigate and make space for themselves in workspaces where they are not perceived to fit? Women in male-dominated careers often face perceptions of role misfit, leading them to engage in impression management. Using a mixed-methods design, we investigate if women stand-up comedians present as female gendered at work in two settings – one dominated by male performers ( N = 257) and one featuring more gender diverse performers ( N = 843). Women, as compared with men, presented more gendered in the more gender diverse performer setting and less gendered in the male-performer dominated setting. Using Lorber’s taxonomy of feminisms as a lens, assessment of how women presented their gender further implied greater constraint on women in the male-dominated, compared with the diverse, setting. Our findings support Roberts’ theory of social identity-based impression management (SIM) in the novel context of stand-up comedy, refine the theory by presenting a fifth SIM strategy, and demonstrate how women are able to adapt their feminism to the characteristics of the situation, thus helping secure their position in settings where they may be unwelcomed. These findings have theoretical implications for impression management and feminism, and practical implications for workplace equality initiatives.
A Shifting Paradigm: Transformation of Cartilage to Bone during Bone Repair
Authors: Marcucio R.S. , Miclau T. , Bahney C.S.
Published: October 2022

While formation and regeneration of the skeleton have been studied for a long period of time, significant scientific advances in this field continue to emerge based on an unmet clinical need to improve options to promote bone repair. In this review, we discuss the relationship between mechanisms of bone formation and bone regeneration. Data clearly show that regeneration is not simply a reinduction of the molecular and cellular programs that were used for development. Instead, the mechanical environment exerts a strong influence on the mode of repair, while during development, cell-intrinsic processes drive the mode of skeletal formation. A major advance in the field has shown that cell fate is flexible, rather than terminal, and that chondrocytes are able to differentiate into osteoblasts and other cell types during development and regeneration. This is discussed in a larger context of regeneration in vertebrates as well as the clinical implication that this shift in understanding presents.
Secondary Selling: Beyond the Salesperson–Customer Dyad
Authors: Burchett Molly R. , Murtha Brian , Kohli Ajay K.
Published: October 2022

A study involving unobtrusive observations of salespeople's behaviors in sales settings surfaces a novel insight: a salesperson's selling effectiveness with a customer may be enhanced by the way the salesperson interacts with secondary entities, such as objects and people outside the core salesperson–customer dyad. Based on this insight and social interest theory, this research introduces the construct of secondary selling. It refers to a salesperson interacting with secondary entities in a manner that indicates to a focal customer that the salesperson values these entities. The pattern of results from four follow-on studies using multiple methods and data sources indicates that, in general, secondary selling reduces a focal customer's reactance to a salesperson's recommendations, which leads to higher sales revenue and customer satisfaction. Customers with high persuasion knowledge (compared with customers with lower persuasion knowledge) are more favorably influenced by secondary selling involving company property but less favorably influenced by secondary selling involving nonfocal customers. In addition to reducing a focal customer's reactance to sales recommendations, secondary selling also helps primary selling (targeted at a focal customer) reduce the customer's reactance to a greater extent. Overall, the results provide evidence of the pervasive and influential role of secondary selling in boosting sales revenue and customer satisfaction in sales exchanges.
Invalidating the Leadership of Muslim Spiritual Leaders in Death From COVID-And Shaping the Grief Journey – A Narrative Inquiry
Authors: Gabay Gillie , Tarabeih Mahdi
Published: October 2022

This narrative study voices the perspectives of a hidden population, spiritual leaders of the Muslim minority in Israel whose leadership in attending to deaths throughout COVID-19 was invalidated. Findings elucidate their dilemmas as being responsible for protecting the community from infection on one hand, and for guiding religious death rituals and preventing disenfranchised grief of families and the community on the other hand. Denying religious minorities their right to conduct traditions in a safe manner and leaving spiritual leaders outside of decision making on shaping COVID-19 guidelines creates distrust and deepens aggravation of enfranchised grief. As the global society is becoming religiously fragmented, distrust of religious minorities in health authorities due to denial of burial of death rituals, funerals, and burials, may have societal consequences and must be considered. Recommendations of this study may assist authorities in creating guidelines that accord with the laws, traditions, and values of religions minorities, empowering their spiritual leaders.
Farmers’ perception of consumer information and adoption intention towards organic rice farming: Evidence from community enterprise in rural Thailand
Authors: Cavite Harry Jay , Kerdsriserm Chanhathai , Llones Christopher , Direksri Nuttanan , Suwanmaneepong Suneeporn
Published: October 2022

Organic production has gained increased attention worldwide because of its sustainable way of producing food crops apart from its significant contribution to agricultural development. While some policies and programs encourage rice farmers to adopt organic farming, its uptake is far less than expected, particularly in the rural areas of Thailand. Hence, this study attempts to explain rice farmers’ adoption intention towards organic rice farming, drawing insights from the diffusion of innovations theory, and incorporating consumer information as an important alternative information source. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 201 community enterprise farmers using a purposive sampling technique. Results found that farmers have a generally high-level perception towards consumer information items. These items were further explored using binary logistic regression with the commonly used adoption factors. Results revealed that education level, seed input source, buying price, training attendance, and credit access significantly impacted farmers’ adoption intention. Although farmers have a generally high level of agreement towards consumer information, this factor does not affect their adoption. The findings provide critical insights to the community enterprise and policymakers to fully understand community enterprise farmers’ adoption motives and devise targeted strategies to promote widespread adoption of organic rice farming.
What Is French Liberalism?
Authors: Ghins Arthur
Published: October 2022

It has become commonplace to argue that Benjamin Constant and Alexis de Tocqueville form a distinct French liberal tradition going back to Montesquieu. Yet Tocqueville showed little interest in Constant, and early nineteenth-century French liberals did not recognize Montesquieu as the father of French liberalism. Based on these observations, this essay demonstrates that the French liberal tradition is a belated construction and explains how, when, and why it was invented. Exhuming the origins of the French liberal tradition, I argue, is important for our understanding of the history of liberalism and the mechanisms behind ideology formation.
Doctoral Dissertation Research in Rehabilitation Counseling: 2013
Authors: Castruita Rios Yazmin , Umucu Emre , Viramontes Renee , Villegas Diana , Phillips Brian N. , Jung Jessica A. , Montuori Sierra A. , Zanskas Stephen A. , Tansey Timothy
Published: October 2022

Our team recently examined the 2012 doctoral dissertation research in our field. This article continues a series of annual reviews of rehabilitation doctoral dissertation research. In 2013, there were a total of 22 doctoral dissertations completed from identified doctoral programs in rehabilitation counseling. Dissertations were organized by research topic, methodology used, model, and statistical analysis, and an annotated bibliography was provided. The analysis also included institutional productivity and trends in employment outcomes for doctoral graduates. Findings of the current analysis demonstrated that majority of the studies consisted of quantitative descriptive research designs. Compared to analyses from previous years, in 2013 advanced statistics were used at the highest rate since 2005. The proportion of dissertations focusing on professional issues topics was greater than any of the prior reporting periods. Implications for the practice of rehabilitation counseling, education, and future research are discussed.
A Comprehensive Review and Bifactor Modeling Analysis of the Brief COPE
Authors: Rodrigues Filipe , Figueiredo Nuno , Rodrigues José , Ferreira Regina , Hernández-Mendo Antonio , Monteiro Diogo
Published: October 2022

The Brief COPE is a measure of coping strategies that contains 14 factors. The purpose of this research was twofold: (a) examine the psychometric proprieties of the Brief Cope in previous studies; and (b) perform Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFA) with second-order model and bifactor model specifications that could be used to assess the best model that represents the 14 coping strategies inherent to the instrument. In order to meet the first objective, a bibliographic review of published peer-reviewed studies between 1997 and 2021 was conducted. Results from the review identified 50 studies, of which 21 used exploratory factor analysis, 28 CFA and one study test-retest analysis. Seventeen studies used the entire correlated 14-factor structure. However, only 11 studies conducted a CFA. For the second objective, a sample of 472 working class individuals (female = 278) with a mean work experience of 19.06 years (SD = 11,92) were recruited. We tested several model specifications, convergent and discriminant validity analysis. We found the correlated 14-factor structure of the Brief COPE to have good psychometric properties. The second-order and bifactor model specifications displayed poor fit or did not converge, respectively. The measure showed good convergent and discriminant validity, and the subscales showed adequate internal consistency. We provide further validity and reliability of the correlated 14-factor structure, evidencing that this measure can assess coping mechanisms. Second-order model specifications need further testing and empirical evidence to support such hierarchical categorization.
Expecting More: Rethinking the Rights and Protections Available to Pregnant Workers under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth)
Authors: Orifici Adriana , Allen Dominique
Published: October 2022

This article integrates doctrinal and empirical legal research methods to evaluate manifestations of discrimination experienced by pregnant workers and develops proposals to strengthen labour law to better support working women. The article commences by mapping the framework of rights and protections currently applicable to pregnant women under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (‘FW Act’). It then analyses court decisions made under parts 3-1 and 3-2 of the FW Act that are relevant to pregnancy, which builds on the limited scholarship in this area. This is augmented by analysing the findings from a pilot study into the experiences of a group of pregnant workers in Victoria, which addresses an ongoing deficiency in the literature of the qualitative examination of workplace pregnancy discrimination. Scrutiny of the doctrinal and empirical data reveals the common manifestations and patterns of conduct that pregnant women experience at work. The article then considers how the rights and protections in the FW Act could be strengthened to better support pregnant women who experience unlawful conduct at work. It is argued that there are three critical gaps in the FW Act, which are leaving pregnant women vulnerable to detrimental treatment. Legislative reform proposals are formulated to address these gaps, of which the most pressing is to add pregnancy to s 65(1A) of the FW Act so that it comprises a ground on which employees can make requests for flexible working arrangements.
Fuzzy approximation-based adaptive tracking control for high-order nonlinear systems with asymmetric full-state constraints
Authors: Liu Jianqin , Jiang Yan
Published: October 2022

This paper studies the adaptive tracking control for a class of constrained high-order nonlinear systems with uncertainties. First, a type of improved asymmetric log-type barrier Lyapunov functions (LBLFs) is constructed to handle the full-state constraints. Second, fuzzy systems are built to approximate the unknown functions in the control system. An adaptive controller is designed on the basis of adding a power integrator technique. Consequently, the designed controller can ensure that the constraints are not breached, while the tracking error approaches an arbitrarily small neighborhood of the origin. The designed controller’s performance can be guaranteed with the disappearance of the constraints. The computational burden of fuzzy approximation is mitigated by the adaptive gain-update law. A numerical example and a practical example are presented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Identifying, exploring and integrating the spiritual dimension in proactive care planning: A mixed methods evaluation of a communication training intervention for multidisciplinary palliative care teams
Authors: van Meurs Jacqueline , Wichmann Anne B , van Mierlo Patricia , van Dongen Robert , van de Geer Joep , Vissers Kris , Leget Carlo , Engels Yvonne
Published: October 2022

Background:

Patients receiving palliative care value attention given to their spiritual needs. However, these needs often remain unexplored as healthcare professionals lack the skills to identify and explore them and to integrate this information into care plans.

Aim:

To evaluate the effects of an interactive communication training intervention for palliative care teams in order to identify and explore the spiritual dimension and integrate it in patients’ care plans.

Design:

A mixed methods pre-post study, including self-assessment questionnaires, evaluation of videos with simulated consultations (applied competence) and medical record review (implementation).

Setting/participants:

Three palliative care teams including nurses ( N = 21), physicians ( N = 14) and spiritual caregivers ( N = 3).

Results:

The questionnaires showed an improvement on ‘Patient and family-centred communication’ of the End-of-life professional caregiver survey (+0.37, p < 0.01; the 8-item S-EOLC (+0.54, p < 0.01) and regarding the Spiritual Care Competence Scale, on the three subscales used (+0.27, p < 0.01, +0.29, p < 0.01 and +0.32, p < 0.01). Video evaluations showed increased attention being paid to patient’s aims and needs. The medical record review showed an increase in anticipation on the non-somatic dimension (OR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.2–4.3, p < 0.05) and, using the Mount Vernon Cancer Network assessment tool, addressing spiritual issues (OR: 10.9, 95% CI: 3.7–39.5, p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

Our training intervention resulted in increased palliative care professionals’ competence in identifying and exploring patients’ spiritual issues, and their integration in multidimensional proactive palliative care plans. The intervention directly addresses patients’ spiritual concerns and adds value to their palliative care plans.
Temporal Aggregated Analysis of GPS Trajectory Data Using Two-Fluid Model
Authors: Zhang Yunfei , Loder Allister , Rempe Felix , Bogenberger Klaus
Published: October 2022

The market for on-demand mobility services is growing worldwide. These services include, for example, ride-hailing, ride-sharing, and car-sharing. Large-scale fleets of such services collect GPS trajectory (probe vehicle) data constantly everywhere in the network. At a certain penetration rate, this data becomes representative of the entire road network. It can give valuable insights into traffic dynamics and the evolution of congestion. In this paper, we use such GPS trajectory data from Chengdu, China, to investigate the stability and recurrence of macroscopic traffic patterns. Using the two-fluid theory, we find that the two-fluid coefficients are robust on between-day variation, not only supporting the theory itself but also emphasizing that the general evolution of traffic is a robust pattern. We investigate the deviations from the model using time series analysis of the residuals of the two-fluid model. Here, we find evidence for daily and weekly seasonality in the residuals, indicating that congestion patterns are convincingly recurring. These patterns can be used for network-wide traffic state prediction. We conclude that GPS trajectory data from large on-demand mobility fleets is a promising data source for observing traffic patterns in urban road networks once the data becomes representative.
Mitigating Sustainability Risks in a Road Hazardous Materials Transport Network
Authors: Zhang Lukai , Deng Naifu , Wang Yingping , Ma Xiaoyan , Lin Maosen , Zhang Peng
Published: October 2022

Many materials which are important for a sustainable society are hazardous materials (hazmat), and there is the risk of potential threats with undesirable impacts on the sustainability of transport systems. The goal of this study is the mitigation of sustainability risks associated with hazmat transport processes. Moreover, it is necessary to design reliable road hazmat transport networks based on risk mitigation. This research combines route planning of hazmat shipments with location for emergency response centers in a road hazmat transport network. In addition, a new subsidy policy is also proposed. Hazmat carriers are able to choose routes for shipments in accordance with minimum transport costs. As a game scenario, a bi-level programming model is established to describe the problem. A genetic algorithm is developed to solve the problem, and computational experiments are made to testify the effectiveness of the proposed method. The results show the reasonableness of the model and the effectiveness of the algorithm, calibrating the influence of the parameters and the optimization characteristics of certain practical scenarios. Overall, the purpose of this paper is to develop a complete optimization approach for the design of road hazmat transport networks with sustainable risk as the key innovation.