bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long‐term follow‐up of haploidentical haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in paediatric patients with high‐risk acute myeloid leukaemia: Report from a single centre
Authors: Bai Lu , Zhang Zhi‐Xiao , Hu Guan‐Hua , Cheng Yi‐Fei , Suo Pan , Wang Yu , Yan Chen‐Hua , Sun Yu‐Qian , Chen Yu‐Hong , Chen Huan , Liu Kai‐Yan , Xu Lan‐Ping , Huang Xiao‐Jun
Published: September 2023

Data from 200 children with high‐risk acute myeloid leukaemia who underwent their first haploidentical haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo‐HSCT) between 2015 and 2021 at our institution were analysed. The 4‐year overall survival (OS), event‐free survival (EFS) and cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) were 71.9%, 62.3% and 32.4% respectively. The 100‐day cumulative incidences of grade II–IV and III–IV acute graft‐versus‐host disease (aGVHD) were 41.1% and 9.5% respectively. The 4‐year cumulative incidence of chronic GVHD (cGVHD) was 56.1%, and that of moderate‐to‐severe cGVHD was 27.3%. Minimal residual disease (MRD)‐positive (MRD+) status pre‐HSCT was significantly associated with lower survival and a higher risk of relapse. The 4‐year OS, EFS and CIR differed significantly between patients with MRD+ pre‐HSCT (n = 97; 63.4%, 51.4% and 41.0% respectively) and those with MRD‐negative (MRD‐) pre‐HSCT (n = 103; 80.5%, 73.3% and 23.8% respectively). Multivariate analysis also revealed that acute megakaryoblastic leukaemia without Down syndrome (non‐DS‐AMKL) was associated with extremely poor outcomes (hazard ratios and 95% CIs for OS, EFS and CIR: 3.110 (1.430–6.763), 3.145 (1.628–6.074) and 3.250 (1.529–6.910) respectively; p‐values were 0.004, 0.001 and 0.002 respectively). Thus, haplo‐HSCT can be a therapy option for these patients, and MRD status pre‐HSCT significantly affects the outcomes. As patients with non‐DS‐AMKL have extremely poor outcomes, even with haplo‐HSCT, a combination of novel therapies is urgently needed.
The small‐molecule formyl peptide receptor biased agonist, compound 17b, is a vasodilator and anti‐inflammatory in mouse precision‐cut lung slices
Authors: Studley William R. , Lamanna Emma , Martin Katherine A. , Nold‐Petry Claudia A. , Royce Simon G. , Woodman Owen L. , Ritchie Rebecca H. , Qin Cheng Xue , Bourke Jane E.
Published: September 2023

Background and Purpose

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a rare fatal disorder characterised by inflammation, vascular remodelling and vasoconstriction. Current vasodilator therapies reduce pulmonary arterial pressure but not mortality. The G‐protein coupled formyl peptide receptors (FPRs) mediates vasodilatation and resolution of inflammation, actions possibly beneficial in PAH. We investigated dilator and anti‐inflammatory effects of the FPR biased agonist compound 17b in pulmonary vasculature using mouse precision‐cut lung slices (PCLS).

Experimental Approach

PCLS from 8‐week‐old male and female C57BL/6 mice, intrapulmonary arteries were pre‐contracted with 5‐HT for concentration–response curves to compound 17b and 43, and standard‐of‐care drugs, sildenafil, iloprost and riociguat. Compound 17b‐mediated relaxation was assessed with FPR antagonists or inhibitors and in PCLS treated with TNF‐α or LPS. Cytokine release from TNF‐α‐ or LPS‐treated PCLS ± compound 17b was measured.

Key Results

Compound 17b elicited concentration‐dependent vasodilation, with potencies of iloprost > compound 17b = riociguat > compound 43 = sildenafil. Compound 17b was inhibited by the FPR1 antagonist cyclosporin H but not by soluble guanylate cyclase, nitric oxide synthase or cyclooxygenase inhibitors. Under inflammatory conditions, the efficacy and potency of compound 17b were maintained, while iloprost and sildenafil were less effective. Additionally, compound 17b inhibited secretion of PAH‐relevant cytokines via FPR2.

Conclusions and Implications

Vasodilation to compound 17b but not standard‐of‐care vasodilators, is maintained under inflammatory conditions, with additional inhibition of PAH‐relevant cytokine release. This provides the first evidence that targeting FPR, with biased agonist, simultaneously targets vascular function and inflammation, supporting the development of FPR‐based pharmacotherapy to treat PAH.

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed issue Therapeutic Targeting of G Protein‐Coupled Receptors: hot topics from the Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists 2021 Virtual Annual Scientific Meeting. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v181.14/issuetoc
Tone management: An environmental scan of current management practices across Canada
Authors: Tran My‐An , Thipse Madhura , Tsampalieros Anne , Webster Richard , McCormick Anna , Alazem Hana , Venkateswaran Sunita , Cheung Kevin , Smit Kevin , Tu Albert
Published: September 2023

Background

Currently, there are no standardized approaches to care or evaluation for tone dysfunction in Canada. The study authors hypothesize that there is significant practice variation across the country. This environmental scan is aimed to describe the current practice for management of paediatric patients with hypertonia across Canada.

Methods

A web‐based survey was developed by the authors with a multi‐disciplinary approach and sent to representative paediatric rehabilitation sites in each province in Canada. Disciplines at the rehabilitation sites surveyed included all or some of the following disciplines: physiatry, neurology, neurosurgery, plastic surgery, orthopaedic surgery, physiotherapy and occupational therapy. All statistical analyses were performed using the R statistical software version 4.0. Fifteen rehabilitation sites were contacted, and 12 sites were used for the final analysis.

Results

Cerebral palsy was found to be the most common diagnosis for tone dysfunction, with 58% of sites diagnosing greater than 20 new patients per year. In 67% of sites, patients were seen within a formal multidisciplinary clinic to manage hypertonia. All 12 sites utilized oral baclofen and gabapentin, and 92% of sites utilized trihexyphenidyl. Botulinum toxin injections were offered at 50% of sites. Upper and lower extremity surgical procedures were offered in 83% of the sites.

Conclusion

The information gained from this study provides some insight into the current practice across Canada for children with hypertonia. This study may assist in the development of a national, standardized strategy to tone management, potentially facilitating more equitable access to care for patients.
Reconceptualising coproduction as activism together
Authors: McMellon Christina , McCusker Pearse , Roesch‐Marsh Autumn , Hall Lauren , Bartlett Thomas , McDermott Rachel
Published: September 2023

The COVID‐19 pandemic disrupted life across the world in multiple ways and those already minoritised and disenfranchised, like care‐experienced young people, bore the brunt of losses and mental health difficulties. This article reports on the findings of ‘Feeling Well, Feeling Cared For’ an innovative knowledge exchange project on care experience and mental health in Scotland that was seriously disrupted by the pandemic. The article explores how these disruptions created new opportunities for deepening and slowing down coproductive practices, allowing relationships between collaborators to become stronger. Three finding areas are presented and discussed through the lenses of coproduction and quiet activism. These include lessons developed through the process of carrying out this project during a pandemic, the findings from our discussions with young people about mental health, and our reflections on the meanings of activism in the context of a coproductive knowledge exchange process. The discussion highlights how learning from this project might benefit coproductive practices in the future, especially as global interest in coproduction continues to grow across a range of disciplines.
Being me in times of change: Young children's reflections on their lives during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Carpenter Euna , Siegel Abigail , Urquiola Sofia , Liu Judy , Kushnir Tamar
Published: September 2023

Research from the perspective of parents, educators and mental health professionals has documented the negative impacts of pandemic isolation on children, but few studies have sought children's own perspectives on this difficult year. The current study aims to provide a first‐person perspective on children's psychological health by asking children directly about their experiences of isolating at home. We interviewed 28 seven‐ to eleven‐year‐olds in early days of lockdowns with follow‐ups 6 months later. Children answered questions about family, school, friendships and feelings about the changes in their lives during lockdown. Children's reflections showed resilience, adaptability, positive appraisals and an ability to maintain meaningful social connections. This data underscores the value of including children's narratives to better understand the pandemic's lasting effects on their lives.
A quantitative and T‐pattern analysis of anxiety‐like behavior in male GAERS, NEC, and Wistar rats bred under the same conditions, against a commercially available Wistar control group in the hole board and elevated plus maze tests
Authors: Casarrubea Maurizio , Radic Manuela , Morais Tatiana P , Mifsud Erika , Cuboni Eleonora , Aiello Stefania , Crescimanno Giuseppe , Crunelli Vincenzo , Di Giovanni Giuseppe
Published: September 2023

Aim

The Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rats from Strasbourg (GAERS) are an inbred polygenic model of childhood absence epilepsy (CAE), which, as their non‐epileptic control (NEC) rats, are derived from Wistar rats. While the validity of GAERS in reproducing absence seizures is well established, its use as a model for CAE psychiatric comorbidities has been subject to conflicting findings. Differences in colonies, experimental procedures, and the use of diverse controls from different breeders may account for these disparities. Therefore, in this study, we compared GAERS, NEC, and Wistar bred in the same animal facility with commercially available Wistar (Cm Wistar) as a third control.

Methods

We performed hole board (HB) and elevated plus maze (EPM) tests that were analyzed with standard quantitative and T‐pattern analysis in male, age‐matched Cm Wistar and GAERS, NEC, and Wistar, bred under the same conditions, to rule out the influence of different housing factors and provide extra information on the structure of anxiety‐like behavior of GAERS rats.

Results

Quantitative analysis showed that GAERS and NEC had similar low anxiety‐like behavior when compared to Cm Wistar but not to Wistar rats, although a higher hole‐focused exploration was revealed in NEC. T‐pattern analysis showed that GAERS, NEC, and Wistar had a similar anxiety status, whereas GAERS and NEC exhibited major differences with Cm Wistar but not Wistar rats. EPM results indicated that GAERS and NEC also have similar low anxiety compared to Cm Wistar and/or Wistar rats. Nevertheless, the analysis of the T‐pattern containing open‐arm entry showed GAERS and Wistar to be less anxious than NEC and Cm Wistar rats.

Conclusion

To summarize, comorbid anxiety may not be present in male GAERS rats. This study also highlighted the importance of including a control Wistar group bred under the same conditions when evaluating their behavior, as using Wistar rats from commercial breeders can lead to misleading results.
Pure laparoscopic donor right hepatectomy in patients over 50 years old: Why age should not be a barrier
Authors: Han Eui Soo , Hong Suk Kyun , Hong Kwangpyo , Hong Su young , Lee Jeong‐Moo , Choi YoungRok , Yi Nam‐Joon , Lee Kwang‐Woong , Suh Kyung‐Suk
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Given the global aging population, the average age of liver donors is increasing. This study aimed to evaluate the surgical outcomes of grafts from pure laparoscopic donor right hepatectomy (PLDRH) in liver donors aged > 50 years.

Methods

The medical records of liver donors were retrospectively reviewed. The donors underwent conventional donor right hepatectomy (CDRH) from January 2011 to May 2019 or PLDRH from March 2016 to May 2019. We divided the donors into three groups: PLDRH donors aged ≥50 (n = 26; Group 1) and aged < 50 (n = 257; Group 2), and CDRH donors aged ≥50 years (n = 66; Group 3).

Results

Operation time (p < .01) and hospital stay (p < .01) were significantly lower in Group 1 than in Group 3. Other postoperative outcomes of donors including graft anatomical variation, graft weight, graft‐to‐recipient weight ratio, and hepatic steatosis were similar among the three groups. Although no postoperative complications occurred in Groups 1 and 3, they were detected in 17 cases (6.6%) in Group 2. No postoperative complications were detected among the recipients.

Conclusions

PLDRH was feasible and safe in donors aged over 50 years, with outcomes similar to those for donors aged <50 years. PLDRH should not be avoided solely based on the donor's age ≥50 years.
A proposed objective scale for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation circuit thrombosis
Authors: Konsek Haley , Mealer Corey , Skidmore Savannah , Collins Monika , Tchantchaleishvili Vakhtang , Rajab Taufiek Konrad
Published: September 2023

Patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are susceptible to thrombosis, which is a major cause of death and morbidity. However, there is no objective ECMO thrombosis grading scale to standardize evaluation, guide treatment, and facilitate further research. In this letter, we propose an objective grading scale for ECMO circuit thrombosis based on physical characteristics and location within the circuit. This ECMO thrombosis scale will allow for protocolized escalation of ECMO thrombosis treatment, ranging from watchful observation, intensified anticoagulation, and circuit exchange.
Development of a localization‐based algorithm for the prediction of leg ulcer etiology
Authors: Deinsberger Julia , Moschitz Irina , Marquart Elias , Manz‐Varga Alexander Konstantin , Gschwandtner Michael E. , Brugger Jonas , Rinner Christoph , Böhler Kornelia , Tschandl Philipp , Weber Benedikt
Published: September 2023

Background

Diagnostic work‐up of leg ulcers is time‐ and cost‐intensive. This study aimed at evaluating ulcer location as a diagnostic criterium and providing a diagnostic algorithm to facilitate differential diagnosis.

Patients and Methods

The study consisted of 277 patients with lower leg ulcers. The following five groups were defined: Venous leg ulcer, arterial ulcers, mixed ulcer, arteriolosclerosis, and vasculitis. Using computational surface rendering, predilection sites of different ulcer types were evaluated. The results were integrated in a multinomial logistic regression model to calculate the likelihood of a specific diagnosis depending on location, age, bilateral involvement, and ulcer count. Additionally, neural network image analysis was performed.

Results

The majority of venous ulcers extended to the medial malleolar region. Arterial ulcers were most frequently located on the dorsal aspect of the forefoot. Arteriolosclerotic ulcers were distinctly localized at the middle third of the lower leg. Vasculitic ulcers appeared to be randomly distributed and were markedly smaller, multilocular and bilateral. The multinomial logistic regression model showed an overall satisfactory performance with an estimated accuracy of 0.68 on unseen data.

Conclusions

The presented algorithm based on ulcer location may serve as a basic tool to narrow down potential diagnoses and guide further diagnostic work‐up.
Common Challenges for All? A Critical Engagement with the Emerging Vision for Post‐pandemic Development Studies
Authors: Wiegratz Jörg , Behuria Pritish , Laskaridis Christina , Pheko Lebohang Liepollo , Radley Ben , Stevano Sara
Published: September 2023

The COVID‐19 pandemic motivated calls for the field of development studies to be recast. This article analyses two prominent, future‐gazing ‘pandemic papers’ to illustrate salient features of the ascendant trend towards a new ‘global development’ paradigm. By unpacking and interpreting major lines of reasoning put forward by two agenda‐setting articles, this contribution appraises how these texts make the case for the future of development studies. Through this analysis, the article questions the core arguments that seek to shift the contours of the discipline, and thus the study of development generally. In making their call to adopt a universalist or global development framework that includes a focus on Europe and North America, the authors of the ‘pandemic papers’ overlook the Southern origins of and justifications for the North‒South framework they seek to overturn. The present article acknowledges the importance of and supports returning to and advancing — rather than jettisoning — the intellectual lineage anchored in non‐Truman understandings of development, including as a popular project of Southern emancipation from colonial, imperial and structural subordination. Rather than de‐centring the global North‒South framework, it suggests that the analytically more useful way forward is for development studies to (re)centre the global South and use global South theories and lenses to better understand the world economy and the majority world.
Navigating the complexity of 18 motor disorder combinations in cerebral palsy
Authors: Bekteshi Saranda
Published: September 2023

This commentary is on the original article by Dar et al. on pages 317–325 of this issue.
Echocardiography algorithms to assess high left atrial pressure and grade diastolic function in preterm infants
Authors: de Waal Koert , Phad Nilkant , Crendal Edward
Published: September 2023

Background

Relaxation, restoring forces, myocardial stiffness and atrial function determine left ventricular (LV) diastolic function. This study aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of diastolic function in preterm infants using conventional echocardiography and speckle tracking imaging and determine the diagnostic accuracy of various algorithms to detect high left atrial pressure (LAP).

Methods

Preterm infants received an echocardiogram 1 week after birth and diastolic reference values were derived from the outer percentiles of stable preterm infants. Impaired relaxation, LV stiffness and high LAP were defined by using algorithms where at least half of the parameters were outside the normal range. Diastolic function was graded using the 2016 American Society of Echocardiography algorithm and expanded with the EA ratio and left atrial strain. The diagnostic accuracy of various algorithms to detect high LAP was determined with sensitivity analysis.

Results

We studied 146 infants (59 stable) with a mean of 27(1) weeks gestation. Impaired relaxation, LV stiffness and high LAP were found in 8%, 7%, and 14% of infants. The patent ductus arteriosus was a contributing factor to high LAP and LV stiffness, not impaired relaxation. Diagnostic accuracy improved from 90% to 96% and sensitivity from 40% to 90% by adding left atrial strain to the 2016 algorithm.

Conclusion

Various grades of diastolic dysfunction could be appreciated in preterm infants using a multi‐parameter approach. Adding left atrial strain improved sensitivity to detect infants with high LAP.
Associations of postprandial ghrelin, liver‐expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 and leptin levels with body composition, disease progression and survival in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Howe Stephanie L. , Holdom Cory J. , McCombe Pamela A. , Henderson Robert D. , Zigman Jeffrey M. , Ngo Shyuan T. , Steyn Frederik J.
Published: September 2023

Background and purpose

Loss of appetite contributes to weight loss and faster disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Impairment of appetite control in ALS may include altered production or action of orexigenic (i.e., ghrelin) and anorexigenic (i.e., liver‐expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 [LEAP2] and leptin) hormones. We aimed to determine if postprandial circulating ghrelin levels, LEAP2 levels, LEAP2:ghrelin molar ratio and leptin levels differ in ALS patients compared to non‐neurodegenerative disease controls, and whether they are associated with disease progression and body composition.

Methods

In this prospective natural history study, we assessed postprandial plasma levels of ghrelin, LEAP2 and leptin in patients with ALS (cases; n = 46) and controls (controls; n = 43). For cases, measures were compared to changes in body weight, body composition and clinical outcomes.

Results

Postprandial ghrelin level was decreased by 52% in cases compared to controls (p = 0.013). LEAP2:ghrelin molar ratio was increased by 249% (p = 0.009), suggesting greater ghrelin resistance. Patients with lower LEAP2:ghrelin tended to have better functional capacity at assessment, as inferred by the ALS Functional Rating Scale‐Revised (τ = −0.179, p = 0.086). Furthermore, ghrelin and LEAP2:ghrelin molar ratio correlated with diagnostic delay (ghrelin, τ = 0.223, p = 0.029; LEAP2:ghrelin, τ = −0.213, p = 0.037). Baseline ghrelin level, LEAP2 level, LEAP2:ghrelin ratio and leptin level were, however, not predictive of change in functional capacity during follow‐up. Also, patients with higher postprandial ghrelin levels (hazard ratio [HR] 1.375, p = 0.048), and lower LEAP2:ghelin ratios (HR 0.828, p = 0.051) had an increased risk of earlier death.

Conclusions

Reduced postprandial ghrelin levels, coupled with increased LEAP2:ghrelin molar ratios, suggests a loss of ghrelin action in patients with ALS. Given ghrelin's actions on appetite, metabolism and neuroprotection, reduced ghrelin and greater ghrelin resistance could contribute to impaired capacity to tolerate the physiological impact of disease. Comprehensive studies are needed to explain how ghrelin and LEAP2 contribute to body weight regulation and disease progression in ALS.
Identification of a novel inhibitor of SARS‐CoV‐2 main protease: an in silico, biochemical, and cell‐based approach
Authors: Trivedi Aditya , Kardam Vandana , Inampudi Krishna Kishore , Vrati Sudhanshu , Gupta Dharmender , Singh Aekagra , Kayampeta Sarala Rani , Appaiahgari Mohan Babu , Sehgal Deepak
Published: September 2023

The recurrent nature of coronavirus outbreaks, severity of the COVID‐19 pandemic, rapid emergence of novel variants, and concerns over the effectiveness of existing vaccines against novel variants have highlighted the need to develop therapeutic interventions. Targeted efforts to identify inhibitors of crucial viral proteins are the preferred strategy. In this study, we screened FDA‐approved and natural product libraries using in silico approach for potential hits against the SARS‐CoV‐2 main protease (Mpro) and experimentally validated their potency using in vitro biochemical and cell‐based assays. Seven potential hits were identified through in silico screening and were subsequently evaluated in SARS‐CoV‐2‐based cell‐free assays, followed by testing in the HCoV‐229E‐based culture system. Of the tested compounds, 4‐(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)‐6,7‐dihydroxy‐1‐isopropyl‐1H‐benzofuro[3,2‐b]pyrazolo[4,3‐e]pyridin‐3(2H)‐one (PubChem CID:71755304, hereafter referred to as STL522228) exhibited significant antiviral activity. Subsequently, its potential as a novel COVID therapeutic molecule was validated in the SARS‐CoV‐2‐culture system, where STL522228 demonstrated superior antiviral activity (EC50 = 0.44 μm) compared to Remdesivir (EC50 = 0.62 μm). Based on these findings, we report the strong anti‐coronavirus activity of STL522228, and propose that it as a promising pan‐coronavirus Mpro inhibitor for further experimental and preclinical validation.
Validity of the cell‐extracted proteome as a substrate pool for exploring phosphorylation motifs of kinases
Authors: Niinae Tomoya , Sugiyama Naoyuki , Ishihama Yasushi
Published: September 2023

Three representative protein kinases with different substrate preferences, ERK1 (Pro‐directed), CK2 (acidophilic), and PKA (basophilic), were used to investigate phosphorylation sequence motifs in substrate pools consisting of the proteomes from three different cell lines, MCF7 (human mammary carcinoma), HeLa (human cervical carcinoma), and Jurkat (human acute T‐cell leukemia). Specifically, recombinant kinases were added to the cell‐extracted proteomes to phosphorylate the substrates in vitro. After trypsin digestion, the phosphopeptides were enriched and subjected to nanoLC/MS/MS analysis to identify their phosphorylation sites on a large scale. By analyzing the obtained phosphorylation sites and their surrounding sequences, phosphorylation motifs were extracted for each kinase‐substrate proteome pair. We found that each kinase exhibited the same set of phosphorylation motifs, independently of the substrate pool proteome. Furthermore, the identified motifs were also consistent with those found using a completely randomized peptide library. These results indicate that cell‐extracted proteomes can provide kinase phosphorylation motifs with sufficient accuracy, even though their sequences are not completely random, supporting the robustness of phosphorylation motif identification based on phosphoproteome analysis of cell extracts as a substrate pool for a kinase of interest.
Effects of doctoral publication requirements on the research output of Ukrainian academics in Scopus
Authors: Hladchenko Myroslava
Published: September 2023

This article aims to explore the effects of doctoral publication requirements on the research output of Ukrainian academics in Scopus in terms of quantity and impact. Research output in Scopus, elaborated by Ukrainian academics in economics, medicine and physics who were awarded a doctoral degree in three time periods (before September 2013, after September 2013 and after September 2020) marked by changes in doctoral publication requirements was chosen for analysis. The study findings highlight that the publication requirements resulted in an increase in the share of doctorate holders with publications in Scopus. However, first, the share of PhD holders in economics and medicine who have publications in Scopus remains rather small. In these disciplines, 9.4% and 18.1%, of PhD holders and 44.6% and 47% of DS holders who were awarded a doctoral degree in 2020, have publications in Scopus. This can be attributed to the low standards applicable to doctoral theses in economics and medicine. Second, the median journal CiteScore quartile remained unchanged in all groups except for DS holders in physics. In their case, it rose from 3 to 2. Thus, in general, changes in doctoral publication requirements did not result in doctoral holders publishing in more impactful journals.
CAPITAL TAX REFORMS WITH POLICY UNCERTAINTY
Authors: Ábrahám Árpád , Brendler Pavel , Cárceles‐Poveda Eva
Published: September 2023

One important feature of capital tax reforms is the uncertainty regarding their duration. In a standard heterogeneous firm framework with financial frictions, we model policy uncertainty by assuming that reforms may be either repealed or maintained with some probability every period. We illustrate the effects of policy uncertainty in the context of the 2003 Bush tax cuts (2003 Job Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act), which lowered shareholder taxes. We show that policy uncertainty regarding dividend and capital gains taxes can explain why the Bush tax cuts had no statistically significant effect on investment, in line with the empirical evidence.
A THEORY OF ECONOMIC DISINTEGRATION
Authors: Janeba Eckhard , Schulz Karl
Published: September 2023

We study the impact of unilateral economic disintegration, such as Brexit, on national and international policies. We introduce firm mobility and business‐tax policies into a general‐equilibrium trade model and analyze the effects of disintegration on tax policies of asymmetric countries. Although the disintegrating country taxes less, business taxes converge in the remaining economic area. We highlight important differences with existing two‐country models. Moreover, we predict a realignment of trade policies with a deeper integration inside the union and lower tariffs worldwide. The leaving country's endogenous integration response with other countries may fully compensate for the disintegration‐induced welfare losses.
INVENTORY MANAGEMENT IN DECENTRALIZED MARKETS
Authors: Li Fei , Murry Charles , Tian Can , Zhou Yiyi
Published: September 2023

We present a directed search model of intermediaries' dynamic inventory and revenue management. Search frictions hinder instantaneous replenishment, prompting intermediaries to utilize dynamic inventory‐based pricing and ordering strategies. In equilibrium, when inventory is high, an intermediary posts a lower retail price to speed up sales and depresses wholesale price to slow down purchases. We characterize the evolution dynamics of inventory holdings and their steady‐state distribution, and extend the model to multiunit wholesale orders, product differentiation, and heterogeneous intermediaries. Using data from used‐car dealers, we quantitatively evaluate the welfare consequence of used‐car dealers' inventory management practice.
The influence of Al2O3 concentration on the NaYF4 crystallization in oxyfluoride glass–ceramics
Authors: Dagupati Rajesh , Sedano Mercedes , Klement Róbert , Velázquez Jose J. , Durán Alicia , Muñoz Francisco , Pascual Maria J. , Galusek Dušan
Published: September 2023

The influence of Al2O3 addition on the precipitation of NaYF4 crystals in oxyfluoride glasses has been investigated through the thermal, structural, and optical characterization of the parent glasses and corresponding glass–ceramics (GCs). The high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis of the GC with 5 mol% of Al2O3 shows the presence of phase‐separated droplets about 69 nm in size containing several NaYF4 nanocrystals with the diameter of about 10–15 nm. Raman and magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS‐NMR) spectroscopy were used to examine the structural changes attributed to the addition of Al2O3. The 19F MAS‐NMR analysis indicated that fluorine atoms are present in different chemical environments (Na–F, Na–Si–F, Na–Al–F, and NaYF4). The increasing amount of Al2O3 reduces the crystallization of NaYF4 phase due to the increased fraction of fluorine bound in Na–Al–F environments. The visible luminescence investigation of the glasses and GCs demonstrated that the intensity of Er3+ ions emission transitions in the GCs was higher than that of the parent glass. This difference was attributed to the presence of Er3+ ions bound in NaYF4 crystalline phase. Further evidence that the Er3+ ions were present in NaYF4 phase was provided by the fact that the excited level Er3+:4S3/2 lifetime was increased in GCs as compared to parent glass.
HLA‐G 3′UTR haplotype analyses in HCV infection and HCV‐derived cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and fibrosis
Authors: Oliveira Correa Julio Daimar , Zambra Francis Maria Báo , Michita Rafael Tomoya , Álvares‐da‐Silva Mário Reis , Simon Daniel , Chies José Artur Bogo
Published: September 2023

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of chronic liver disease. Chronic HCV infection is also an important cause of hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCV has the capacity to evade immune surveillance by altering the host immune response. Moreover, variations in immune‐related genes can lead to differential susceptibility to HCV infection as well as interfere on the susceptibility to the development of hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis and HCC. The human leucocyte antigen G (HLA‐G) gene codes for an immunomodulatory protein known to be expressed in the maternal–foetal interface and in immune‐privileged tissues. The HLA‐G 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR) is important for mRNA stability, and variants in this region are known to impact gene expression. Studies, mainly focusing in a 14 bp insertion/deletion polymorphism, have correlated HLA‐G 3′UTR with susceptibility to viral infections, but other polymorphic variants in the HLA‐G 3′UTR might also affect HCV infection as they are inherited as haplotypes. The present study evaluated HLA‐G 3′UTR polymorphisms and performed linkage disequilibrium test and haplotype assembly in 286 HCV infected patients who have developed fibrosis, cirrhosis or HCC, as well as in 129 healthy control subjects. Haplotypes UTR‐1, UTR‐2 and UTR‐3 were the most observed in HCV+ patients, in the frequencies of 0.276, 0.255 and 0.121, respectively. No statistically significant difference was observed between HCV+ and control subjects, even when patients were grouped according to outcome (HCC, cirrhosis or fibrosis). Despite that, some trends in the results were observed, and therefore, we cannot rule out the possibility that variants associated to high HLA‐G expression can be involved in HCV infection susceptibility.
Facilitators and barriers to pressure injury prevention, management and education: Perspectives from healthcare professionals—A qualitative study
Authors: Cesca Nicole , Szczepanski Ann , Malik Walee , Cheema Manpreet , Allen Brady , Dutta Tilak , Cameron Jill I. , Gabison Sharon
Published: September 2023

This study aims to (1) characterize healthcare professionals' (HCPs') experiences related to the prevention and management of pressure injuries (PIs) and (2) explore the educational needs of individuals with a past or current history of PIs and their caregivers from the perspective of HCPs. This is a qualitative descriptive study. HCPs (n = 18) were interviewed using a semi‐structured interview guide. Interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim and coded using NVivo. Three overarching themes encompassing various dimensions were identified: (1) Facilitators related to PI prevention and management, (2) Challenges related to PI prevention and management and (3) Recommendations for improving patient and caregiver PI education. HCPs identified a greater number of challenges than facilitators related to PI care. This study emphasizes the importance of a patient‐centred and interprofessional approach to patient education for PI prevention and management. Meaningful interventions focused on the patient may improve health literacy and empower patients and caregivers in PI care. Investing in preventive measures and raising awareness are crucial to reducing PI incidence. The findings have implications for HCPs and researchers seeking to enhance patient care and promote effective PI prevention strategies.
Expedited spark plasma sintering of high‐density uranium mononitride pellet utilizing U2N3 powder
Authors: Ahn Jungsu , Kim Geon , Nam Changhyeon , Ha Woong , Ahn Sangjoon
Published: September 2023

The feasibility of a non‐stoichiometric synthesis strategy for uranium mononitride (UN) pellet fabrication is experimentally verified with spark plasma sintering of U2N3 powder in this study. The method removes the denitride process (reduction of U2N3 to UN powder) from the conventional UN pellet fabrication, and it still successfully provided near‐perfect UN stoichiometry and high density (94 %TD). During the spark plasma sintering of U2N3 powder, vacuum pressure increase and powder height, decrease were concurrently measured above ∼1173 K, which indicates the nitrogen gas emission and higher density UN powder formation from the in‐situ decomposition of lower‐density U2N3 powder. The X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis on the sintered pellets obtained directly from U2N3 powder showed an excellent match with the existing XRD reference data of UN. The measured density of U2N3‐sintered UN pellets was higher (85 %TD) than that of UN‐sintered UN pellets (79 %TD) at relatively low sintering temperature (1773 K). With a higher sintering temperature of 2073 K, high pellet densities (94 %TD) were obtained from both U2N3 and UN powders.
Hierarchical porous MgAl2O4 ceramic in situ structured by hollow particles: Low‐shrinkage and high‐strength
Authors: Xia Zun , Rong Yedong , Li Hao , Dong Ye , Yu Hongbo , Xu Jie , Wang Xiuhui , Yang Jinlong
Published: September 2023

Porous MgAl2O4 ceramics exhibit a wide range of applications in various fields, but their significant shrinkage and low strength at high porosity levels serve as impediments to their continued advancement. This study presents the first instance of synthesizing hollow MgAl2O4 particles in situ within porous ceramics through the utilization of the Kirkendall effect and solid‐state reaction. The formation of a hollow structure results in volume expansion, which effectively mitigates sintering shrinkage while simultaneously generating a hierarchical pore structure within the material. This approach led to a significant improvement in compressive strength. Upon reaching a sintering temperature of 1600°C, the obtained sample has a porosity of 92.86%, a compressive strength of 4.17 MPa, and a shrinkage rate of only 5.21%. The findings suggest that the employed technique is an effective approach for fabricating porous ceramics with superior performance.
The experiences and challenges of nurses who become patients in a hospital setting: A scoping review of the literature
Authors: Hunt Lynne , Buckley Thomas
Published: September 2023

Aim

This scoping review aimed to identify and describe evidence regarding the experiences of nurses when they become patients or when nurses care for other health professional‐patients in a hospital setting.

Design

A scoping review of internationally published peer‐reviewed literature.

Data Sources

A systematic search of peer‐reviewed evidence was conducted in electronic databases: CINAHL, Medline, Scopus, ProQuest and PsycINFO.

Methods

Critical appraisal, data extraction and summary were performed independently by two reviewers according to the scoping review framework developed by Arksey and O'Malley. Twenty‐three publications from 1999 to 2021 were included in this scoping review.

Results

This scoping review highlighted seven key themes as follows: (1) the challenges for nurse‐patients and caregivers; (2) role ambiguity when a nurse becomes a patient; (3) the need for personalized care to consider the nurse's professional experience; (4) the requirement to not make assumptions about the registered nurse's knowledge; (5) loss of control and vulnerabilities of being a patient; (6) the impact of the valuable small things that carers did and (7) the impact of being a nurse‐patient on their future practice.

Conclusion

While some aspects of nurse‐patients’ experiences are common to non‐healthcare professional‐patients, this review highlights there are unique challenges when nurses become patients themselves. Future research should focus on exploring nurses' experience of caring for other healthcare professional‐patients and strive to better understand how to meet nurses' unique needs when they become patients themselves.

Impact

This review advances knowledge on an under‐explored topic, highlighting the unique and challenging experience when nurses become patients in a hospital setting. Nurses should be aware of the unique needs of nurse‐patients to provide person‐centred quality care.

Patient or Public Contribution

There was no direct patient or public contribution to this scoping review, although one of the authors did have experience as a nurse‐patient in the last 3 years.
Alteration of diet microbiota limits the experimentally evolved immune priming response in flour beetles, but not pathogen resistance
Authors: Prakash Arun , Agashe Deepa , Khan Imroze
Published: September 2023

Host-associated microbiota play a fundamental role in the training and induction of different forms of immunity, including inducible as well as constitutive components. However, direct experiments analysing the relative importance of microbiota on diverse forms of evolved immune functions are missing. We addressed this gap by using experimentally evolved lines of Tribolium castaneum that either produced inducible immune memory-like responses (immune priming) or constitutively expressed basal resistance (without priming), as divergent counterstrategies against Bacillus thuringiensis infection. We altered the microbial communities present in the diet (i.e. wheat flour) of these evolved lines using UV irradiation and estimated the impact on the beetle's ability to mount a priming response versus basal resistance. Populations that had evolved immune priming lost the ability to mount a priming response upon alteration of diet microbiota. Microbiota manipulation also caused a drastic reduction in their reproductive output and post-infection longevity. In contrast, in pathogen-resistant beetles, microbiota manipulation did not affect post-infection survival or reproduction. The divergent evolution of immune responses across beetle lines was thus associated with divergent reliance on the microbiome. Whether the latter is a direct outcome of differential pathogen exposure during selection or reflects evolved immune functions remains unclear. We hope that our results will motivate further experiments to understand the mechanistic basis of these complex evolutionary associations between microbiota, host immune strategies and fitness outcomes.

Abstract

Diet microbiota manipulations affect evolved priming, but not evolved resistance.
Augmenting physicians with artificial intelligence to transform healthcare: Challenges and opportunities
Authors: Agarwal Ritu , Dugas Michelle , Gao Guodong (Gordon)
Published: September 2023

We reflect on the progress and prospects of artificial intelligence (AI)‐powered transformation in healthcare from the perspective of front‐line clinical professionals responsible for care delivery. While there is considerable optimism about the potential of AI, critical gaps in understanding remain that represent fruitful opportunities for economics and management scholars. We outline the ways in which the strengths of AI can compensate for key limitations of physicians. We then focus on productive use of AI by physicians, highlighting the need for a deeper understanding of human‐AI teaming. We argue that productive teaming requires research on two critical issues: trust in AI and the redesign of clinical workflow to optimally accommodate artificial and human intelligence synergistically.
Monopoly pricing with dual‐capacity constraints
Authors: Somogyi Robert
Published: September 2023

This paper studies the price‐setting behavior of a monopoly facing two capacity constraints: one on the number of its consumers, and the other on the amount of products it can sell. The characterization of the firm's optimal pricing and optimal customer mix as a function of its two capacities reveals a rich structure. In contrast to the results under one‐dimensional capacity constraints with constant marginal cost of production, a firm may optimally respond to an exogenous reduction in one of its capacities by decreasing one of its prices. Moreover, neglecting the existence of the second capacity constraint can reverse some policy interventions' effects on consumer welfare. In particular, easing a regulatory restriction on one of the constraints may harm the average consumer.
Hypermobility spectrum disorders and irritable bowel syndrome: A nationwide study of 1.6 million adolescents
Authors: Zloof Yair , Peretz Lidor , Braun Maya , Simchoni Maya , Tsur Avishai M. , Tzur Dorit , Derazne Estela , Ben‐Tov Amir , Pinhas‐Hamiel Orit , Amarilyo Gil , Daher Saleh , Shlaifer Amir , Braun‐Moscovici Yolanda
Published: September 2023

Background and aim

The association between hypermobility spectrum disorders/hypermobile type Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (HDS/hEDS) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is yet to be clarified. We aimed to assess this association in a national sample of adolescents.

Methods

A population‐based cross‐sectional study included 1 627 345 Israeli adolescents (58% male; mean age 17 years) who were medically assessed before compulsory military service during 1998–2020. Diagnoses of HSD/hEDS and IBS were confirmed by board‐certified specialists. The prevalence and odds ratios (ORs) for IBS in adolescents with and without HSD/hEDS were computed.

Results

A total of 4686 adolescents (2553 male) with HSD/hEDS were identified, of whom 71 were diagnosed with IBS (prevalence = 1.5%). Of the 1 621 721 adolescents in the control group, 8751 were diagnosed with IBS (prevalence = 0.5%). Unadjusted logistic regression revealed a significant association between HSD/hEDS and IBS (OR = 2.16 [95% confidence interval, CI, 1.90–2.45]), which persisted in multivariable adjusted models (OR = 2.58 [95% CI, 2.02–3.24]), and in several sensitivity analyses. The association was evident in both male and female adolescents with ORs of 2.60 (95% CI, 1.87–3.49), and 2.46 (95% CI, 1.66–3.49), respectively. The association was accentuated in a sensitivity analysis accounting for other medical and psychiatric comorbidities.

Conclusions

We found a significant association between HSD/hEDS and IBS in both male and female adolescents. Clinical awareness of the association can promote early diagnosis of IBS and appropriate multidisciplinary treatment. Further research is required to identify the common pathological pathways of the conditions and to develop new IBS treatment strategies for people with HSD/hEDS.
Characterizing the phenotypic and genetic changes of pre‐epidemic HIV‐2 group F virus following serial passage in humanized mice
Authors: Curlin James Z. , Schmitt Kimberly , Remling‐Mulder Leila , Tibbitts Corina Valencia , O'Connor Shelby , Marx Preston , Akkina Ramesh
Published: September 2023

HIV‐2 Group F virus with an origin in NHPs was isolated from only two individuals. Two serial passages in hu‐mice showed increased viral loads, CD4+ T cell decline and nonsynonymous genetic changes showing its capacity for further evolution, and spread in the human.
Antiaging effects of a skin care formulation containing nanoencapsulated antioxidants: A clinical, in vitro, and ex vivo study
Authors: Fonseca Ana Paula , Pizzol Carine Dal , Vanzo Antonio Carlos , da Silva Gustavo Henrique , Facchini Gustavo , Pinheiro Ana Lúcia Tabarini Alves , Eberlin Samara , Maia Campos Patrícia Maria Berardo Gonçalves
Published: September 2023

Background

The development of effective cosmetic products for the reduction of the signs of skin aging is a complex process which requires an optimized combination of ingredients and specialized systems to deliver the actives to the skin layers.

Aim

To evaluate the tolerance and antiaging clinical efficacy of a cosmetic formulation containing a blend of nanoencapsulated antioxidants: ascorbyl palmitate, resveratrol, tocopherol, caffeine, carnosine, and niacinamide.

Methods

Clinical efficacy was determined by subjective and instrumental analyses of collagen synthesis by fluorescence spectroscopy, by three‐dimensional imaging analysis of suborbital edema, and by analysis of skin hydration and sebum content by biophysical techniques—Corneometer® and Sebumeter®.

Results

The studied formulation was safe and effective for the improvement of skin appearance by increasing collagen synthesis and skin moisturizing and by reducing facial blemishes, swelling, and oiliness. A preclinical exploratory approach using an experimental model of human cell and skin cultures agreed with the observed antiaging effects, identifying mechanisms related to the containment of oxidative stress, reduction of melanin production, increased synthesis of type I procollagen, and regulation of the epidermal cohesion protein filaggrin.

Conclusions

The skin benefits obtained resulted from the combination of the ingredients in the formulation and the nanoencapsulation‐based delivery system, which favors the solubility, safety, efficacy, and bioavailability of the preparation to the skin.