bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel Benchmark for Adult-to-Adult Living-Donor Liver Transplantation. Integrating Eastern and Western Experiences
Authors: Li Zhihao , Rammohan Ashwin , Gunasekaran Vasanthakumar , Hong Suyoung , Chen Chih-Yi , Kim Jongman , Hervera Marquez Kris Ann , Hsu Shih Chao , Kirimker Onur , Akamatsu Nobuhisa , Shaked Oren , Finotti Michele , Yeow Marcus , Genedy Lara , Dutkowski Philipp , Nadalin Silvio , Boehnert Markus U. , Polak Wojciech G. , Bonney Glenn K. , Mathur Abhisek , Samstein Benjamin , Emond Jean C. , Testa Giuliano , Olthoff Kim M. , Rosen Charles B. , Heimbach Julie K. , Taner Timucin , Wong Tiffany CL. , Lo Chung-Mau , Hasegawa Kiyoshi , Balci Deniz , Cattral Mark , Sapisochin Gonzalo , Selzner Nazia , Bin Jeng Long , Broering Dieter , Joh Jae-Won , Chen Chao-Long , Suk Suh Kyung , Rela Mohamed , Clavien Pierre-Alain
Published: July 2023

Objective:

To define benchmark values for adult-to-adult living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT).

Background:

LDLT utilizes living-donor hemiliver grafts to expand the donor pool and reduce waitlist mortality. While references have been established for donor hepatectomy, no such information exists for recipients to enable conclusive quality and comparative assessments.

Methods:

Patients undergoing LDLT were analyzed in 15 high-volume centers (≥10 cases/year) from three continents over 5 years (2016-2020), with a minimum follow-up of one year. Benchmark criteria included MELD ≤20, no portal vein thrombosis, no previous major abdominal surgery, no renal replacement therapy, no acute liver failure, and no ICU admission. Benchmark cutoffs were derived from the 75th-percentile of all centers’ medians.

Results:

Of 3636 patients, 1864 (51%) qualified as benchmark cases. Benchmark cutoffs including posttransplant dialysis (≤4%), primary nonfunction (≤0.9%), non-anastomotic strictures (≤0.2%), graft loss (≤7.7%), and redo-LT (≤3.6%) at 1-year were below the DDLT benchmarks. Bile leak (≤12.4%), hepatic artery thrombosis (≤5.1%), and CCI® (≤56) were above the DDLT benchmarks, while mortality (≤9.1%) was comparable. The right-hemiliver graft, compared to the left, was associated with a lower CCI® score (34 vs.21, P<0.001). Preservation of the MHV with the right-hemiliver graft had no impact neither on the recipient nor on the donor outcome. Asian centers outperformed other centers with CCI® score (21 vs.47, P<0.001), graft loss (3.0%vs.6.5%, P=0.002), and redo-LT rates (1.0%vs.2.5%, P=0.029). In contrast, non-benchmark low-volume centers displayed inferior outcomes such as bile leak (15.2%), hepatic artery thrombosis (15.2%), or redo-LT (6.5%).

Conclusion:

Benchmark LDLT offers a valuable alternative to reduce waitlist mortality. Exchange of expertise, public awareness and centralization policy are however mandatory to achieve benchmark outcomes worldwide.
Portopulmonary Hypertension: An Updated Review
Authors: Jasso-Baltazar Erick A. , Peña-Arellano Gonzalo A. , Aguirre-Valadez Jonathan , Ruiz Isaac , Papacristofilou-Riebeling Bruno , Jimenez Jose Victor , García-Carrera Cristian J. , Rivera-López Fabián E. , Rodriguez-Andoney Jesús , Lima-Lopez Francisco C. , Hernández-Oropeza José Luis , Díaz Juan A. Torres , Kauffman-Ortega Eric , Ruiz-Manriquez Jesus , Hernández-Reyes Pablo , Zamudio-Bautista Jorge , Rodriguez-Osorio Carlos A. , Pulido Tomás , Muñoz-Martínez Sergio , García-Juárez Ignacio
Published: July 2023

Portal hypertension may have major consequences on the pulmonary vasculature due to the complex pathophysiological interactions between the liver and lungs. Portopulmonary hypertension (PoPH), a subset of group 1 pulmonary hypertension (PH), is a serious pulmonary vascular disease secondary to portal hypertension, and is the fourth most common subtype of pulmonary arterial hypertension. It is most commonly observed in cirrhotic patients; however, patients with noncirrhotic portal hypertension can also develop it. On suspicion of PoPH, the initial evaluation is by a transthoracic echocardiogram in which, if elevated pulmonary pressures are shown, patients should undergo right heart catheterization to confirm the diagnosis. The prognosis is extremely poor in untreated patients; therefore, management includes pulmonary arterial hypertension therapies with the aim of improving pulmonary hemodynamics and moving patients to orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). In this article, we review in detail the epidemiology, pathophysiology, process for diagnosis, and most current treatments including OLT and prognosis in patients with PoPH. In addition, we present a diagnostic algorithm that includes the current criteria to properly select patients with PoPH who are candidates for OLT.
Biodegradable hyperbranched poly(amine-co-ester)-based polymeric nanoparticles for mRNA delivery
Authors: Liu Gan , Xiang Wenqiang , Guan Miaomiao , Deng Yang
Published: July 2023

Despite the availability of mRNA vaccines utilizing LNP delivery technology, there remains a pressing need for the development of non-viral mRNA delivery vectors that are both more efficient and safe. we present a novel hyperbranched poly(amine-co-ester) (HBPA) system, catalyzed by immobilized lipase, for efficientin vitroandin vivomRNA delivery. By polymerizing four monomers, we successfully synthesized HBPA with a hyperbranched structure, and subsequent modification of the end groups resulted in HBPA-E. Comparative evaluations revealed that HBPA-E outperforms linear PACE and the commercial transfection reagent Lipofectamine MessengerMAX (LipoMM) in terms of intracellular delivery efficiency, while demonstrating lower cytotoxicity. Furthermore, thein vivopulmonary delivery efficiency of HBPA-E was significantly superior to that of LPA-E and the commercialin vivodelivery reagent in vivo-JetRNA. Finally, the HBPA-E can be easily dissolved in ethanol, and its mRNA formulation can be employed as a freeze-drying formulation, making it a valuable candidate for future clinical applications of mRNA delivery.
Applications of poly(lactic acid) in bone tissue engineering: A review article
Authors: Alavi Mahya Sadat , Memarpour Sara , Pazhohan‐Nezhad Hadis , Salimi Asl Ali , Moghbeli Meysam , Shadmanfar Soraya , Saburi Ehsan
Published: July 2023

Background

Bone tissue engineering is a promising approach to large‐scale bone regeneration. This involves the use of an artificial extracellular matrix or scaffold and osteoblasts to promote osteogenesis and ossification at defect sites. Scaffolds are constructed using biomaterials that typically have properties similar to those of natural bone.

Method

In this study, which is a review of the literature, various evidences have been discussed in the field of Poly Lactic acid (PLA) polymer application and modifications made on it in order to induce osteogenesis and repair bone lesions.

Results

PLA is a synthetic aliphatic polymer that has been extensively used for scaffold construction in bone tissue engineering owing to its good processability, biocompatibility, and flexibility in design. However, PLA has some drawbacks, including low osteoconductivity, low cellular adhesion, and the possibility of inflammatory reactions owing to acidic discharge in a living environment. To overcome these issues, a combination of PLA and other biomaterials has been introduced.

Conclusions

This short review discusses PLA's characteristics of PLA, its applications in bone regeneration, and its combination with other biomaterials.
X‐ray micro‐computed tomography of Xenopus tadpole reveals changes in brain ventricular morphology during telencephalon regeneration
Authors: Ishii Riona , Yoshida Mana , Suzuki Nanoka , Ogino Hajime , Suzuki Makoto
Published: July 2023

Xenopus tadpoles serve as an exceptional model organism for studying post‐embryonic development in vertebrates. During post‐embryonic development, large‐scale changes in tissue morphology, including organ regeneration and metamorphosis, occur at the organ level. However, understanding these processes in a three‐dimensional manner remains challenging. In this study, the use of X‐ray micro‐computed tomography (microCT) for the three‐dimensional observation of the soft tissues of Xenopus tadpoles was explored. The findings revealed that major organs, such as the brain, heart, and kidneys, could be visualized with high contrast by phosphotungstic acid staining following fixation with Bouin's solution. Then, the changes in brain shape during telencephalon regeneration were analyzed as the first example of utilizing microCT to study organ regeneration in Xenopus tadpoles, and it was found that the size of the amputated telencephalon recovered to >80% of its original length within approximately 1 week. It was also observed that the ventricles tended to shrink after amputation and maintained this state for at least 3 days. This shrinkage was transient, as the ventricles expanded to exceed their original size within the following week. Temporary shrinkage and expansion of the ventricles, which were also observed in transgenic or fluorescent dye‐injected tadpoles with telencephalon amputation, may be significant in tissue homeostasis in response to massive brain injury and subsequent repair and regeneration. This established method will improve experimental analyses in developmental biology and medical science using Xenopus tadpoles.
A conservation of resources perspective on public sector employee work engagement
Authors: Brennan Aislinn , Garavan Thomas , Egan Tom , O'Brien Fergal , Ullah Irfan
Published: July 2023

Research on how and when leader–member exchange (LMX) impacts work engagement in different public sector contexts and categories of employees is scarce. Utilising conservation of resources theory, we advance research on LMX and work engagement in two studies. Study 1 investigates the mediating role of a contextual resource (psychological safety) and an energy resource (job crafting) in a resource‐rich context, and Study 2 investigates the moderating role of a personal resource (optimism) in a resource‐poor context. Study 1 uses a three‐wave research design with employees from the engineering and technical divisions of an Irish public utility operating in the energy market and found that both psychological safety and job crafting functioned as partial mediators. Study 2 uses a sample of teachers and tutors from three Irish local authority education and training organisations and found that subordinate optimism moderated the LMX work engagement relationship. Our study findings highlight that both psychological safety and job crafting operated as important linking mechanisms and shed light on how LMX is linked to work engagement in the case of public utility employees. We also found that employee optimism provided an explanation of when it will impact work engagement with employees working in an education context. We highlight theory and practice implications.
A novel crack‐tip singular element for extended finite element analysis
Authors: Wang Xingxing , Ping Xuecheng , Wang Congman , Zheng Hongxia
Published: July 2023

The traditional extended finite element method (XFEM) is suitable for simulating crack growth, but the crack‐tip stress field analysis still depends on the enriched function. In this paper, based on the numerical eigensolution of the singular displacement and stress field together with the Hellinger–Reissner (H–R) variational principle, a novel crack‐tip singular element is established to replace the enriched element in the crack‐tip region in the traditional XFEM. The stress field inside the element adopts a series expression instead of only including the leading‐order terms. The element only requires Gaussian integration at the element boundary and avoids mesh refinement in the crack‐tip region. The element can be used to analyze cracks in anisotropic materials, interface cracks, and cracks terminating at the bimaterial interface. The numerical solutions of the singular stress field in various crack forms are presented through numerical examples, which proves the effectiveness and versatility of the novel crack‐tip singular element.
Multi‐decadal trends in biomarkers in harp seal teeth from the North Atlantic reveal the influence of prey availability on seal trophic position
Authors: de la Vega Camille , Kershaw Joanna , Stenson Garry B. , Frie Anne Kirstine , Biuw Martin , Haug Tore , Norman Louisa , Mahaffey Claire , Smout Sophie , Jeffreys Rachel M.
Published: July 2023

Arctic food webs are being impacted by borealisation and environmental change. To quantify the impact of these multiple forcings, it is crucial to accurately determine the temporal change in key ecosystem metrics, such as trophic position of top predators. Here, we measured stable nitrogen isotopes (δ15N) in amino acids in harp seal teeth from across the North Atlantic spanning a period of 60 years to robustly assess multi‐decadal trends in harp seal trophic position, accounting for changes in δ15N at the base of the food web. We reveal long‐term variations in trophic position of harp seals which are likely to reflect fluctuations in prey availability, specifically fish‐ or invertebrate‐dominated diets. We show that the temporal trends in harp seal trophic position differ between the Northwest Atlantic, Greenland Sea and Barents Sea, suggesting divergent changes in each local ecosystem. Our results provide invaluable data for population dynamic and ecotoxicology studies.
Threats, truths and strategies: The overlooked relationship between protests, nation branding and public diplomacy
Authors: Jiménez‐Martínez César , Dolea Alina
Published: July 2023

Although protests are an essential part of modern politics, scholars in nation branding, public diplomacy and soft power have had very little to say about these episodes. Discussions in the field have only marginally addressed dissent and disruption, falling into a methodological statism that emphasises what states do to construct and legitimise specific versions of national identity. Debates on nation promotion consequently overlook how individuals and organisations outside the state and outside national boundaries can be equally important in the construction and communication of national images. Drawing on domestic and foreign news coverage of protests in Brazil, Romania and Chile, we propose three frames to analyse the relationship between protests and nation promotion: (1) protests as threats, (2) protests as expression of the true nation and (3) protests as strategic communications. These frames shed light on how bottom‐up efforts contest—overtly or covertly—state‐sponsored versions of national identity and how protests are visibility arenas where competing discourses about the nation are communicated. Protests should therefore be acknowledged not as mere disruptions to national images or reputations but as another expression of the contingent, multifaceted and shifting nature of nationhood, particularly in highly mediatised contemporary societies.
A Novel Free‐hand Technique of Pedicle Screw Placement in the Lumbar Spine: Accuracy Evaluation and Preliminary Clinical Results
Authors: Jiang Weiqi , Leng Ao , Meng Lingzhi , Long Zuoyao , Long Yu , Wang Qi
Published: July 2023

Objective

Pedicle screw implantation is the most common technique to achieve stability during spinal surgeries. Current methods for locating the entry point do not have a quantified criteria and highly rely on the surgeons' experience. Therefore, we aim to propose a quantified pedicle screw placement technique in the lumbar spine and to investigate its accuracy and safety in clinical practice.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study involving 110 patients who received spinal surgery in our hospital from August 2018 to August 2021. All patients included had herniation of a single lumbar disc and were consistently treated with posterior discectomy, inter‐body fusion, and transpedicular internal fixation. For 54 patients in the observation group, the pedicle screws were placed with our technique, which is located at 4 mm below the superior edge of the transverse process in line with the lateral margin of the superior articular process. For 56 patients in the control group, pedicle screws were placed according to the traditional crista lambdoidalis method. Comparisons were made in terms of the operation time, blood loss, time for exposure, the accuracy of placement, and postoperative complications. Furthermore, we applied our method to 64 patients with indistinguishable crista lambdoidalis and evaluated the accuracy of screw placement and clinical outcomes according to the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score.

Results

There was no significant difference in intraoperative bleeding, accuracy of placement, and postoperative complications between our technique and the traditional crista lambdoidalis method (P > 0.05). However, the exposure time before screw placement (12.8 ± 0.3 vs. 17.4 ± 0.3, P = 0.001) and the total surgery time (97.2 ± 1.9 vs 102.3 ± 0.9, P = 0.020) were significantly shortened with our method. Additionally, in cases with indistinguishable crista lambdoidalis, our technique showed satisfying accuracy, with 97.6% screws placed in appropriate trajectory on the first attempt and all screws eventually positioned in the safe zone according to the Gertzbein–Robbins grading. All patients experienced steady improvement after surgery.

Conclusion

Placing pedicle screws at 4 mm below the superior edge of the transverse process in line with the lateral margin of the superior articular process is a viable pedicle screw placement method. With this method, we observed a higher success rate and shorter operation time. In addition, this method can be applied in cases with indistinguishable crista lambdoidalis, and have satisfied success rate and clinical outcome.
Comparison of electrocardiographic parameters between left bundle optimized cardiac resynchronization therapy (LOT‐CRT) and left bundle branch pacing—cardiac resynchronization therapy (LBBP‐CRT)
Authors: Parale Chinmay , Bootla Dinakar , Jain Ashish , Satheesh Santhosh , Anantharaj Avinash , Ahmed A. Shaheer , Sukumaran Suresh Kumar , Balaguru Sridhar , Selvaraj Raja
Published: July 2023

Background

In patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy using left bundle branch area pacing (LBBP‐CRT), the addition of a coronary sinus lead, that is, Left bundle optimized CRT (LOT‐CRT) might confer additional benefits.

Objectives

To compare the electrocardiographic characteristics between LBBP‐CRT and LOT‐CRT

Materials and Methods

Patients with non‐ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICMP) and left bundle branch block (LBBB) with left ventricular ejection fraction <35% who underwent implantation of an atrial lead, a left bundle lead, and a coronary sinus lead were included in this prospective study. Digital 12‐lead electrocardiograms were recorded in three pacing modes—AAI, DDD with pacing from the LBB lead (LBBP‐CRT), and DDD with pacing from both left bundle and coronary sinus leads (LOT‐CRT). QRS duration (QRSd), QRS area, QT interval, and T peak–T end (TpTe) intervals were compared.

Results

Among 24 patients, QRSd reduced from 167 ± 21.2 ms to 134.5 ± 23.6 ms with LBBP‐CRT (p < .001) and 129.5 ± 18.6 ms with LOT‐CRT (p < .001) without a significant difference between LBBP‐CRT and LOT‐CRT (p = .15). Patients with QRS duration with LBBP‐CRT > 131 ms showed a significant reduction in QRSd with LOT‐CRT (p = .03). QT interval was reduced with both modes of CRT. LOT‐CRT was associated with a greater reduction in QRS area (p = .001), TpTe interval (p = .03), and TpTe/QT ratio (p = .013) compared to LBBP‐CRT.

Conclusions

In patients with NICMP and LBBB, there was no significant difference in QRSd with LOT‐CRT compared to LBBP‐CRT. However, in patients with QRSd > 131 ms after LBBP‐CRT, LOT‐CRT resulted in a significantly narrower QRS.
Individual‐Level Determinants of Religious Intergenerational Transmission: Evidence from Catholic Europe1
Authors: Conway Brian , Spruyt Bram , Coutinho José Pereira
Published: July 2023

Although there is a rich body of research on religious transmission, relatively little attention has been given to studying this within specific religious traditions such as Catholicism, especially in Europe. Using data from the 2018 round of the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP), this study uses regression analysis to investigate individual‐level determinants of religious transmission in 12 European countries with a Catholic tradition. We find support for the idea that parental religious socialization impacts adults' religiosity. More specifically, we find that childhood religiosity has explanatory effects separate from the impact of parental religiosity and that the religiosity of the father has a greater impact on offspring religiosity than the religiosity of the mother. We also find that childhood church attendance has a stronger effect in former communist countries than in western European countries. Overall, this study suggests the religious socialization perspective should be considered more in religious group‐specific terms.
Four novel HLA alleles: HLA‐DPA1*01:03:01:68, ‐DPA1*01:03:01:71, ‐DQA1*02:01:01:06, and ‐DQB1*06:03:01:19
Authors: Marin Rubio Luis Alberto , Ontañon Jesus
Published: July 2023

Four novel HLA Class II alleles, HLA‐DPA1*01:03:01:68, ‐DPA1*01:03:01:71, ‐DQA1*02:01:01:06, and ‐DQB1*06:03:01:19, characterized in Spanish individuals.
Study on the Step by Step Process and Performance of Laser Welding for the Spent Fuel Pool Floor
Authors: Mei Le , Zhang Xiaochun , Zhang Junbao , Shao Changlei , Zhu Jialei , Huang Ran , Wu Chongzhi
Published: July 2023

In order to realize the steel liner underwater repairing of the spent fuel pool of the third generation nuclear power plant, the laser welding process tests were carried out step by step in three environments: air, shallow water, and simulating-repairing of the spent fuel pool floor(high-pressure condition). Through the process optimization, the high-quality forming of the underwater laser welding of duplex stainless steel was realized, and the underwater local dry laser welding process suitable for the spent fuel pool floor of nuclear power plant was developed. The results of nondestructive testing (including visual testing, liquid penetrant testing, ultrasonic testing, and radiographic testing) of welding test pieces under three environments were qualified, and the test results of properties (including tensile, impact, bending, intergranular corrosion, and ferrite content) meet the standard requirements. The underwater weld performance is similar to that in the air environment, and the weld quality meets the requirements of the spent fuel pool construction standard, laying a technical foundation for the application of the spent fuel pool underwater repairing.
What is really known about the effects of nicotinamide riboside supplementation in humans
Authors: Damgaard Mads V. , Treebak Jonas T.
Published: July 2023

Nicotinamide riboside is a precursor to the important cofactor nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and has elicited metabolic benefits in multiple preclinical studies. In 2016, the first clinical trial of nicotinamide riboside was conducted to test the safety and efficacy of human supplementation. Many trials have since been conducted aiming to delineate benefits to metabolic health and severe diseases in humans. This review endeavors to summarize and critically assess the 25 currently published research articles on human nicotinamide riboside supplementation to identify any poorly founded claims and assist the field in elucidating the actual future potential for nicotinamide riboside. Collectively, oral nicotinamide riboside supplementation has displayed few clinically relevant effects, and there is an unfortunate tendency in the literature to exaggerate the importance and robustness of reported effects. Even so, nicotinamide riboside may play a role in the reduction of inflammatory states and has shown some potential in the treatment of diverse severe diseases.
Comparison of Two Place-Based Mapping Procedures on Masked Sentence Recognition as a Function of Electrode Array Angular Insertion Depth and Presence of Acoustic Low-Frequency Information: A Simulation Study
Authors: Dillon Margaret T. , Buss Emily , Johnson Alec D. , Canfarotta Michael W. , O'Connell Brendan P.
Published: July 2023

Introduction: Cochlear implant (CI) and electric-acoustic stimulation (EAS) users may experience better performance with maps that align the electric filter frequencies to the cochlear place frequencies, known as place-based maps, than with maps that present spectrally shifted information. Individual place-based mapping procedures differ in the frequency content that is aligned to cochlear tonotopicity versus discarded or spectrally shifted. The performance benefit with different place-based maps may vary due to individual differences in angular insertion depth (AID) of the electrode array and whether functional acoustic low-frequency information is available in the implanted ear. The present study compared masked speech recognition with two types of place-based maps as a function of AID and presence of acoustic low-frequency information. Methods: Sixty adults with normal hearing listened acutely to CI or EAS simulations of two types of place-based maps for one of three cases of electrode arrays at shallow AIDs. The strict place-based (Strict-PB) map aligned the low- and mid-frequency information to cochlear tonotopicity and discarded information below the frequency associated with the most apical electrode contact. The alternative place-based map (LFshift-PB) aligned the mid-frequency information to cochlear tonotopicity and provided more of the speech spectrum by compressing low-frequency information on the apical electrode contacts (i.e., <1 kHz). Three actual cases of a 12-channel, 24-mm electrode array were simulated by assigning the carrier frequency for an individual channel as the cochlear place frequency of the associated electrode contact. The AID and cochlear place frequency for the most apical electrode contact were 460° and 498 Hz for case 1, 389° and 728 Hz for case 2, and 335° and 987 Hz for case 3, respectively. Results: Generally, better performance was observed with the Strict-PB maps for cases 1 and 2, where mismatches were 2–4 octaves for the most apical channel with the LFshift-PB map. Similar performance was observed between maps for case 3. For the CI simulations, performance with the Strict-PB map declined with decreases in AID, while performance with the LFshift-PB map remained stable across cases. For the EAS simulations, performance with the Strict-PB map remained stable across cases, while performance with the LFshift-PB map improved with decreases in AID. Conclusions: Listeners demonstrated differences with the Strict-PB versus LFshift-PB maps as a function of AID and whether acoustic low-frequency information was available (CI vs. EAS). These data support the use of the Strict-PB mapping procedure for AIDs ≥335°, though further study including time for acclimatization in CI and EAS users is warranted.
Clinical and functional correlates of parkinsonism in a population-based sample of individuals aged 75 + : the Pietà study
Authors: Vale Thiago Cardoso , Cardoso Francisco Eduardo Costa , da Silva Danilo Jorge , Resende Elisa de Paula Franca , Maia Débora Palma , Cunningham Mauro César Quintão , Guimarães Henrique Cerqueira , Machado João Carlos Barbosa , Teixeira Antônio Lúcio , Caramelli Paulo , Barbosa Maira Tonidandel
Published: July 2023

Background

Parkinsonism is strongly associated with ageing, and many studies have suggested that parkinsonian signs may affect up to half of older adults and is associated with a wide range of adverse health outcomes. We compared clinical and functional characteristics of oldest-old community-dwelling individuals with parkinsonism (parkinsonian group [PG]) to individuals without parkinsonism (non-parkinsonian group [NPG].

Methods

The Pietà study is a population-based study conducted in Caeté, southeast Brazil, involving 607 individuals aged 75 + years submitted to an extensive clinical evaluation. A subset of 65 PG individuals (61.5% women, median age of 82 years) was compared to 542 NPG individuals (64.8% women, median age of 80 years).

Results

PG individuals had significantly more functional impairment, clinical comorbidities (including number of falls, loss of bladder control and dysphagia) and major depression. Multivariate analysis revealed that older age, higher UPDRSm scores, lower category fluency test (animals/minute) and delayed recall memory scores were associated with PG. This group was also more cognitively impaired, with lower performance than NPG individuals in the Mini-Mental State Examination, category fluency test (animals/minute), clock drawing and in delayed recall (p < 0.001 for all tests). UPDRSm scores were the most contributing factor to cognition that independently explained variability in functionality of the entire sample.

Conclusion

Individuals aged 75 + years with parkinsonism were significantly more clinically and functionally impaired in this population-based sample. Cognitive dysfunction explained most of the loss of functionality in these patients. UPDRS-m scores contributed independently to explain variability in functionality in the whole sample.
Six polymorphisms in the lncRNA H19 gene and the risk of cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yang Maoquan , Zhang Mingwei , Wang Qiong , Guo Xiaojing , Geng Peizhen , Gu Jinhua , Ji Wansheng , Zhang Li
Published: July 2023

Background

Numerous studies have demonstrated long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) play an important role in the occurrence and progression of cancer, and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in lncRNA are considered to affect cancer suspensibility. Herein, a meta-analysis was carried out to better assess the relationship of H19 polymorphisms and cancer susceptibility.

Methods

A literature search was conducted through using PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases to obtain relevant publications before Aug 23, 2022. The reference lists of the retrieved studies were also investigated to identify additional relevant articles. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to appraise the risk of various cancers.

Results

There appeared to be a remarkable correlation between the rs2107425 variation and decreased cancer risk among Caucasians. Nevertheless, the rs217727 polymorphism was significantly associated with an increased risk of lung cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma and oral squamous cell carcinoma. Also, we found a significant correlation between the rs2839698 polymorphism and increased cancer risk among Asians, gastric cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, hospital-based control and larger simple size subgroups, respectively. Similarly, the rs3741219 mutation was notably related to cancer risk in higher quality score. As for rs3024270 polymorphism, the homozygous model was markedly linked to cancer risk in overall analysis and population-based controls. There was no significant association between the rs3741216 polymorphism and cancer risk.

Conclusion

H19 rs2839698 and rs3024270 were closely associated with overall cancer risk. H19 rs2107425 was related to lower cancer risk among Caucasians, while the rs2839698 was related to increased cancer risk among Asians. Our results supported that H19 SNPs were significantly correlated with cancer risk.
Promising approaches for the assembly of the catalytically active, recombinant Desulfomicrobium baculatum hydrogenase with substitutions at the active site
Authors: Witkowska Malgorzata , Jedrzejczak Robert P. , Joachimiak Andrzej , Cavdar Onur , Malankowska Anna , Skowron Piotr M. , Zylicz-Stachula Agnieszka
Published: July 2023

Background

Hydrogenases (H2ases) are metalloenzymes capable of the reversible conversion of protons and electrons to molecular hydrogen. Exploiting the unique enzymatic activity of H2ases can lead to advancements in the process of biohydrogen evolution and green energy production.

Results

Here we created of a functional, optimized operon for rapid and robust production of recombinant [NiFe] Desulfomicrobium baculatum hydrogenase (Dmb H2ase). The conversion of the [NiFeSe] Dmb H2ase to [NiFe] type was performed on genetic level by site-directed mutagenesis. The native dmb operon includes two structural H2ase genes, coding for large and small subunits, and an additional gene, encoding a specific maturase (protease) that is essential for the proper maturation of the enzyme. Dmb, like all H2ases, needs intricate bio-production machinery to incorporate its crucial inorganic ligands and cofactors. Strictly anaerobic, sulfate reducer D. baculatum bacteria are distinct, in terms of their biology, from E. coli. Thus, we introduced a series of alterations within the native dmb genes. As a result, more than 100 elements, further compiled into 32 operon variants, were constructed. The initial requirement for a specific maturase was omitted by the artificial truncation of the large Dmb subunit. The assembly of the produced H2ase subunit variants was investigated both, in vitro and in vivo. This approach resulted in 4 recombinant [NiFe] Dmb enzyme variants, capable of H2 evolution. The aim of this study was to overcome the gene expression, protein biosynthesis, maturation and ligand loading bottlenecks for the easy, fast, and cost-effective delivery of recombinant [NiFe] H2ase, using a commonly available E. coli strains.

Conclusion

The optimized genetic constructs together with the developed growth and purification procedures appear to be a promising platform for further studies toward fully-active and O2 tolerant, recombinant [NiFeSe] Dmb H2ase, resembling the native Dmb enzyme. It could likely be achieved by selective cysteine to selenocysteine substitution within the active site of the [NiFe] Dmb variant.
Performance and Operational Feasibility of Epstein-Barr Virus–Based Screening for Detection of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: Direct Comparison of Two Alternative Approaches
Authors: Lou Pei-Jen , Jacky Lam W.K. , Hsu Wan-Lun , Pfeiffer Ruth M. , Yu Kelly J. , Chan Charles M.L. , Lee Vicky C.T. , Chen Tseng-Cheng , Terng Shyuang-Der , Tsou Yung-An , Leu Yi-Shing , Liao Li-Jen , Chang Yen-Liang , Chien Yin-Chu , Wang Cheng-Ping , Lin Ching-Yuan , Hua Chun-Hung , Lee Jehn-Chuan , Yang Tsung-Lin , Hsiao Chu-Hsing , Wu Ming-Shiang , Tsai Ming-Hsui , Cheng Hung-Chun , Hildesheim Allan , Chen Chien-Jen , Chan K.C. Allen , Liu Zhiwei ,   on behalf of the GEV-NPC Study Group, Hsu Wan-Lun , Chien Yin-Chu , Chen Chien-Jen , Hildesheim Allan , Pfeiffer Ruth M. , Liu Zhiwei , Yu Kelly J. , Wang Cheng-Ping , Yang Tsung-Lin , Lou Pei-Jen , Chen Chun-Nan , Chen Tseng-Cheng , Lin Chih-Feng , Jian James Jer-Min , Cheng Skye Hongiun , Tsai Yu-Chen , Chung Yih-Lin , Wu Jia-Shing , Liu Ming-Jiung , Huang Kuei-Kang , Tsou Mei-Hua , Chen Hsin-Hsuan , Lin Ching-Yuan , Terng Shyuang-Der , Lin Fang-Yin , Huang Hsin-I , Cheng Hung-Chun , Tsou Yung-An , Hua Chun-Hung , Tsai Ming-Hsui , Leu Yi-Shing , Lee Jehn-Chuan , Liao Li-Jen , Chang Yen-Liang , Hsiao Chu-Hsing , Wu Ming-Shiang
Published: July 2023

Study directly compared the performance of EBV antibody and EBV DNA testing for NPC detection.
Zanubrutinib Versus Ibrutinib in Symptomatic Waldenström Macroglobulinemia: Final Analysis From the Randomized Phase III ASPEN Study
Authors: Dimopoulos Meletios A. , Opat Stephen , D'Sa Shirley , Jurczak Wojciech , Lee Hui-Peng , Cull Gavin , Owen Roger G. , Marlton Paula , Wahlin Björn E. , Garcia-Sanz Ramon , McCarthy Helen , Mulligan Stephen , Tedeschi Alessandra , Castillo Jorge J. , Czyz Jaroslaw , Fernández de Larrea Carlos , Belada David , Libby Edward , Matous Jeffrey , Motta Marina , Siddiqi Tanya , Tani Monica , Trněný Marek , Minnema Monique C. , Buske Christian , Leblond Veronique , Treon Steven P. , Trotman Judith , Chan Wai Y. , Schneider Jingjing , Allewelt Heather , Patel Sheel , Cohen Aileen , Tam Constantine S.
Published: July 2023

The phase III ASPEN study demonstrated the comparable efficacy and improved safety of zanubrutinib versus ibrutinib in patients with Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM). Here, we report long-term follow-up outcomes from ASPEN. The primary end point was the sum of very good partial response (VGPR) + complete response (CR) rates; secondary and exploratory end points were also reported. Cohort 1 comprised 201 patients (myeloid differentiation primary response 88–mutant WM: 102 receiving zanubrutinib; 99 receiving ibrutinib); cohort 2 comprised 28 patients (myeloid differentiation primary response 88 wild-type WM: 28 zanubrutinib; 26 efficacy evaluable). At 44.4-month median follow-up, VGPR + CR rates were 36.3% with zanubrutinib versus 25.3% with ibrutinib in cohort 1 and 30.8% with one CR in cohort 2. In patients with CXC motif chemokine receptor 4 mutation, VGPR + CR rates were 21.2% with zanubrutinib versus 10.0% with ibrutinib (cohort 1). Median progression-free survival and overall survival were not reached. Any-grade adverse events (AEs) of diarrhea (34.7% v 22.8%), muscle spasms (28.6% v 11.9%), hypertension (25.5% v 14.9%), atrial fibrillation/flutter (23.5% v 7.9%), and pneumonia (18.4% v 5.0%) were more common with ibrutinib versus zanubrutinib; neutropenia (20.4% v 34.7%) was less common with ibrutinib versus zanubrutinib (cohort 1). Zanubrutinib was associated with lower risk of AE-related treatment discontinuation. Overall, these findings confirm the long-term response quality and tolerability associated with zanubrutinib.
What are the organizational and economic principles of organic farming in the context of sustainable development? Case of Ukraine
Authors: Dobrovolska Olena , Grabovska Tetiana , Lavrov Vitaliy , Ternovyi Yuri , Jelínek Marek , Roubik Hynek
Published: July 2023

The development of organic agriculture is a long-term global trend; with different local factors that affect the development rate. Ukraine is one of the largest food suppliers in the world and this also applies to organic production. The evaluation of organic production at Skvyra Organic Research Station was conducted in 2015-2020 on 40 ha land; focusing on the economic performance of the enterprise and the specialization of production. The systematic approach and dialectical method of cognition were used to identify the key factors in the development of organic farming. The purpose of the study is an organizational and economic analysis of a state enterprise that is making a gradual transition from intensive to organic production, in order to determine the main principles that stimulate the development of organic production, and to overcome the challenges faced by the enterprise on the way to the introduction of organic production. The results indicate that the enterprise is profitable but does not operate up to its potential. The key issues were identified in the lack of focus on marketable crops, efficiency of labour, crop production, and management. The enterprise is negatively affected by the current legal framework and insufficient financial stability. The enterprises income consists of selling crops (i.e. cereals, legumes) and service-to-business (i.e. laboratory testing), with no state funding. Further results show the relation of the production and specialization with climatic, natural, biological and socio-economic factors. To improve the organisational and economic framework for the development of organic production, Ukrainian enterprises should focus on cost-effective products. Furthermore, competition between agricultural enterprises should support deeper specialization and production of competitive products, contributing to the profitability and economic stability of producers
Respected but stigmatized: Healthcare workers caring for COVID-19 patients
Authors: Spruijt Ineke , Cronin Anne , Udeorji Frances , Nazir Mamoona , Shehu Samaila , Poix Sebastien , Villanueva Andre , Jansen Niesje , Huitema Ineke , Suurmond Jeanine , Fiekert Kathy
Published: July 2023

Background

Healthcare workers (HCWs) caring for Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients are at increased risk of being stigmatized, which compromises their individual mental well-being and the quality of care they deliver. Stigma-reduction interventions may (partly) prevent this. However, there is a lack of in-depth understanding of the experiences and underlying causes of COVID-19 stigma among HCWs, which is needed to design such interventions. We conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews to assess COVID-19 stigma among COVID-19 HCWs in Ireland, Nigeria, The Netherlands, Pakistan, and The Philippines.

Methods

We used a purposive and snowball sampling to recruit a total of 53 HCWs for online interviews (13 in Ireland; 15 in Nigeria; 6 in The Netherlands; 6 in Pakistan; and 13 in The Philippines (2021). After verbatim transcribing interviews, we used a thematic approach for data analysis.

Results

In all countries, stigmatization of COVID-19 HCWs is driven by fear of infection and the perception of HCWs being carriers of the disease amplified by them wearing of scrubs and personal protective equipment. There were differences between countries in the way stigma manifested in self- anticipated and experienced stigma like scolding, discrimination, avoidance, (self-) isolation, and exclusion in public, in the community, at work, and in the household. The stigma resulted in feelings of depression, loneliness, isolation, and the desire to quit one’s job.

Discussion

COVID-19 HCWs from all countries experienced all forms of stigmatization related to their work as a COVID-19 frontliner. This affected their mental well-being, which in turn affects job performance and quality of care, there is a high need to develop stigma reduction tools for HCWs.
Un dilema para el enfoque de Rodríguez-Blanco del seguimiento intencional de reglas
Authors: Molina Yohan
Published: July 2023

De acuerdo con la explicación del seguimiento intencional de reglas jurídicas propuesta por Verónica Rodríguez-Blanco, el agente que obedece intencionalmente una regla lo hace porque concibe su valor a partir de la asunción de razones o fines fundamentales que la justificarían. Según la autora, esta idea implicaría que la noción raziana de razón excluyente impide que las reglas jurídicas puedan ser obedecidas intencionalmente. En esta breve nota señalaré que la contribución de Rodríguez-Blanco no pareciera poder dar cuenta apropiadamente de la relevancia de las reglas para nuestras determinaciones prácticas, y que su posible solución a este problema se enfrenta al siguiente dilema: o es incoherente con una lectura restringida de su concepción del seguimiento intencional de reglas, o es coherente con una lectura amplia de dicha concepción, pero esta lectura implicaría que la crítica a las razones excluyentes es improcedente. Finalmente, agregaré que una lectura restringida parece injustificada frente a una amplia, lo que forzaría a Rodríguez-Blanco a aceptar los daños asociados al segundo cuerno del dilema.
La dimensión temporal de la justicia compensatoria: Sobre la reparación de injusticias históricas
Authors: Truccone-Borgogno Santiago
Published: July 2023

Este trabajo muestra que, aun si todas las personas involucradas en una injusticia histórica están muertas, ese hecho es insuficiente para afirmar que tal injusticia fue superada. En particular, mostraré que muchos descendientes de las víctimas directas de injusticias históricas pueden considerarse negativamente afectadas por sus efectos duraderos. Argumentaré también que el paso del tiempo puede reducir el deber de compensar. Por lo tanto, aunque muchos descendientes de víctimas directas que viven en el presente puedan considerarse negativamente afectadas por los efectos remanentes de la injusticia histórica en cuestión, el paso del tiempo puede hacer que la injusticia histórica sea superada, al menos en referencia a los reclamos personales por compensación conectados a los eventos injustos sufridos por sus ancestros.
Data-driven modelling and topological analysis of the striatal microcircuitry in health and Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Carannante Ilaria , Hjorth J J Johannes , Scolamiero Martina , Kozlov Alexander , Bekkouche Bo , Kumar Arvind , Chacholski Wojciech , Hellgren Kotaleski Jeanette
Published: July 2023

Simulating large-scale networks of neurons is an important approach both when interpreting and synthesising experimental data from healthy and diseased brains. Here we focus on the striatum, the main input stage and the largest nucleus of the basal ganglia. The basal ganglia are involved in motor learning, action-selection and reinforcement learning. Dysfunction in these areas lead to a variety of brain disorders such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), a neurodegenerative disorder that affects nerve cells. We presented a nearly full-scale data driven model of the mouse striatum using available data on cellular morphology, electrophysiological properties, cell density and synaptic connectivity (Hjorth et al. 2020). To model the progression of Parkinson’s disease we iteratively degenerate the morphologies and estimate the change in connectivity. In particular, neurodegeneration is modelled as a progressive loss (P0, PD1, PD2, PD3) of the most distal fragments of the dendritic arbours of striatal projection neurons (SPN). We also include the compensatory growth of fast spiking (FS) interneuron axons that takes place during early stages of PD degeneration. These processes lead to substantial removal of distal synapses on SPNs, and the addition of some GABAergic FS synapses, mimicking the disease progression. We apply algebraic topology, in particular directed cliques (simplices), to investigate the local structural connectivity in the striatum, and how structural features shape network dynamics. We show that progressive dendritic degeneration not only alters the global connection probabilities but also dramatically affects statistics of simplices, particularly at the last PD stage (PD3). We found that interneurons, despite being the minority, can have a surprisingly large effect on the distribution of simplices. These results suggest that interneurons may play a crucial role in shaping the striatal network structure and dynamics during PD progression.
PENGALAMAN BERKELUARGA PADA WANITA YANG DIJODOHKAN (SEBUAH INTERPRETATIVE PHENOMENOLOGICAL ANALYSIS)
Authors: Maghfiroh Lailatul , Kustanti Erin Ratna
Published: July 2023

Perjodohan merupakan salah satu metode pernikahan yang masih ada hingga saat ini. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui pengalaman berkeluarga pada wanita yang dijodohkan. Penelitian ini melibatkan dua partisipan yang dipilih menggunakan metode purposive sampling dengan kriteria wanita yang menikah karena dijodohkan, perjodohan disebabkan penolakan orang tua terhadap hubungan masa lalu partisipan, memiliki usia pernikahan minimal dua tahun, dan bersedia menjadi partisipan penelitian yang dibuktikan dengan pengisian informed consent. Pengumpulan data menggunakan teknik in-depth interview dan analisis dengan metode Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Terdapat tiga tema induk yang ditemukan dalam penelitian ini, yaitu: (1) latar belakang perjodohan; (2) dinamika proses penyesuaian pernikahan; dan (3) kepuasan pernikahan. Melalui penelitian ini ditemukan bahwa proses penyesuaian partisipan I memerlukan waktu yang cukup lama dibanding partisipan L. Hal tersebut terjadi karena I menerima perjodohan secara terpaksa, sedangkan L sudah melakukan penerimaan sejak awal. Menurut I, pernikahan karena perjodohan bukan sesuatu yang mengerikan, melainkan proses adaptasi antar pasangan menuju kebahagiaan. Sedangkan menurut L, perjodohan merupakan bentuk birrul walidain (berbakti kepada orang tua) yang akan menghantarkan pasangan pada kehidupan pernikahan yang direstui dan berakhir bahagia. Masing-masing partisipan merasakan dampak positif perjodohan dan kepuasan pernikahan setelah melakukan berbagai macam penyesuaian.