bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Higher Sensitivity to Thyroid Hormones May Be Linked to Maintaining the Healthy Metabolic Condition in People with Obesity: New Insight from NHANES
Authors: Liu Ying-shan , Liu Xiao-cong , Kuang Jian , Guan Hai-xia
Published: August 2023

Introduction: Obesity contributes to the pathogenesis of diverse metabolic diseases, yet the mechanism underlying metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) remains elusive. Thyroid hormones and sensitivity to them have a major impact on metabolism. Our study aimed to investigate the association between MHO and thyroid hormone sensitivity. Methods: Thyroid hormone indices, including the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) index (TSHI), the Thyrotroph Thyroxine Sensitivity Index (TTSI), the Thyroid Feedback Quantile-Based Index (TFQI), and the Parametric Thyroid Feedback Quantile-Based Index (PTFQI), were calculated based on a non-institutionalized US sample in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2007–2012). Participants were divided into four groups (metabolically healthy non-obesity [MHNO], metabolically unhealthy non-obesity [MUNO], MHO, and metabolically unhealthy obesity [MUO]) according to their body mass index and metabolic profiles. Linear regression, logistic regression, and restricted cubic splines were employed to analyze the association between thyroid hormone indices and metabolic phenotypes. Results: A total of 4,857 participants (49.6% men; mean age, 42.6 years) were included, with 1,539 having obesity and 235 identified as MHO. Participants in the MHO group exhibited lower levels of TSH, TSHI, TTSI, TFQI, and PTFQI compared with the MHNO group (all p < 0.05), while the differences among MHNO, MUNO, and MUO groups were not statistically significant (all p > 0.05). Among participants with obesity, TSH, TSHI, TTSI, TFQI, and PTFQI were positively associated with metabolic abnormality (all p < 0.05). Conclusion: Participants with MHO exhibited higher thyroid hormone sensitivity among various obesity phenotypes, even when compared with those with MHNO. A positive association was observed between metabolic abnormality and thyroid hormone sensitivity, while the trend of TSH was observed to be consistent with sensitivity to thyroid hormone indices in discriminating metabolic abnormality. Hence, TSH has the potential to serve as a convenient index for detecting sensitivity to thyroid hormones and further metabolic conditions.
Деякі можливі шляхи оптимізації хірургічного лікування пахвиних гриж
Authors: Бенедикт В. В. , Продан А. М. , Лавренюк І. Ю. , Яцук К. Ю.
Published: August 2023

Мета роботи: з метою покращення результатів хірургічного лікування пахвинних гриж розробити, поглибити та вдосконалити індивідуалізований підхід до операції в кожному конкретному випадку.

Матеріали і методи. Проведено комплексне обстеження 90 пацієнтів чоловічої статі хворих на пахвинну грижу віком 25–82 роки. У 30 хворих застосовано лапароскопічний метод лікування з використанням алопластичних матеріалів, 15 пацієнтам – герніопластику за Десардом, у 15 хворих використовували алопластичні матеріали за власною методикою (модифікація герніопластики Десарда) і у 30 випадках – герніопластику за Ліхтенштейном.

Результати досліджень та їх обговорення. Хірургічне лікування пахвинної грижі передбачає індивідульний підход до вибору способу пластики пахового каналу, що вимагає від хірурга знань в цьому питанні. При визначені методу хірургічного лікування пахвинних гриж необхідно брати до уваги загальний функціональний стан пацієнта і локальні зміни тканин пахвинної ділянки. При наявності технічних умов, компенсованому функціональному стані пацієнта (індекс коморбідності до 2 балів і операційно- анестезіологічному ризику за АSA<2 балів) можливе виконання лапароскопічних герніопластик. Модифікований метод хірургічного лікування за Десардом є ефективною альтернативою методу Ліхтенштейна.
Poesia e emoção
Authors: Müller Adalberto
Published: August 2023

Entre o rigor da forma e a seleção dos temas, a poesia de João Cabral vê-se constantemente atravessada pela emoção. Considerada a partir da ética, a emoção concilia um ideal arquitetônico (inspirado em Le Corbusier) com o recorte de certos temas, em especial aqueles ligados à cultura hispânica (do flamenco à pintura de Miró), evidenciando uma postura ética, que não deixa de revelar um projeto político.
O museu portátil de João Cabral de Melo Neto
Authors: Cardeal Rafaela
Published: August 2023

Peça fundamental na obra de João Cabral de Melo Neto, o livro Museu de tudo exibe, em seu arrojado título, uma metáfora que será reforçada no poema de abertura. Na direção apontada pelo autor, propõe-se uma aproximação crítica que considera algumas reflexões em torno do conceito de museu, bem como estabelece certos diálogos com projetos concretos e utópicos, sem perder de vista as circunstâncias à volta da publicação e seu enquadramento crítico no percurso poético cabralino.
Apagamentos críticos: João Cabral, uma fonte contaminada
Authors: Monteiro Priscila
Published: August 2023

João Cabral não foi apenas um bom poeta, mas também um crítico competente, razão pela qual é possível considerar que seus contributos tenham auxiliado a forjar parte daquilo que hoje é conhecido como sua obra. Diante da possibilidade de consultar fontes documentais que extrapolam a impessoalidade sustentada pelo poeta, abre-se a hipótese de que o artifício de demonstrar somente aquilo que o autor gostaria que fosse visto em sua produção também seja aplicável ao valor daquilo que foi omitido. Tal leitura ganha força quando observadas a republicação de Aniki bobó e a dinâmica de outros títulos frente ao código bibliográfico, visto que dão ênfase a um nível compositivo autoral pouco explorado.
CCND2 Modified mRNA Activates Cell Cycle of Cardiomyocytes in Hearts With Myocardial Infarction in Mice and Pigs
Authors: Sun Jiacheng , Wang Lu , Matthews Rachel C. , Walcott Gregory P. , Lu Yu-An , Wei Yuhua , Zhou Yang , Zangi Lior , Zhang Jianyi
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND:

Experiments in mammalian models of cardiac injury suggest that the cardiomyocyte-specific overexpression of CCND2 (cyclin D2, in humans) improves recovery from myocardial infarction (MI). The primary objective of this investigation was to demonstrate that our specific modified mRNA translation system (SMRTs) can induce CCND2 expression in cardiomyocytes and replicate the benefits observed in other studies of cardiomyocyte-specific CCND2 overexpression for myocardial repair.

METHODS:

The CCND2-cardiomyocyte-specific modified mRNA translation system (cardiomyocyte SMRTs) consists of 2 modRNA constructs: one codes for CCND2 and contains a binding site for L7Ae, and the other codes for L7Ae and contains recognition elements for the cardiomyocyte-specific microRNAs miR-1 and miR-208. Thus, L7Ae suppresses CCND2 translation in noncardiomyocytes but is itself suppressed by endogenous miR-1 and -208 in cardiomyocytes, thereby facilitating cardiomyocyte-specific CCND2 expression. Experiments were conducted in both mouse and pig models of MI, and control assessments were performed in animals treated with an SMRTs coding for the cardiomyocyte-specific expression of luciferase or green fluorescent protein (GFP), in animals treated with L7Ae modRNA alone or with the delivery vehicle, and in Sham-operated animals.

RESULTS:

CCND2 was abundantly expressed in cultured, postmitotic cardiomyocytes 2 days after transfection with the CCND2-cardiomyocyte SMRTs, and the increase was accompanied by the upregulation of markers for cell-cycle activation and proliferation (eg, Ki67 and Aurora B kinase). When the GFP-cardiomyocyte SMRTs were intramyocardially injected into infarcted mouse hearts, the GFP signal was observed in cardiomyocytes but no other cell type. In both MI models, cardiomyocyte proliferation (on day 7 and day 3 after treatment administration in mice and pigs, respectively) was significantly greater, left-ventricular ejection fractions (days 7 and 28 in mice, days 10 and 28 in pigs) were significantly higher, and infarcts (day 28 in both species) were significantly smaller in animals treated with the CCND2-cardiomyocyte SMRTs than in any other group that underwent MI induction.

CONCLUSIONS:

Intramyocardial injections of the CCND2-cardiomyocyte SMRTs promoted cardiomyocyte proliferation, reduced infarct size, and improved cardiac performance in small and large mammalian hearts with MI.
The Great Khan’s Continent: On Taḥqīq and Rashīd al-Dīn’s Discovery of China
Authors: Calzolaio Francesco
Published: August 2023

The Persian scholar and state official Rashīd al-Dīn (d. 1318) devoted a considerable part of his literary output to the study of China (Khatā’) and its foremost cultural achievements. The most distinctive aspect of these writings is their sheer novelty. Indeed, Rashīd al-Dīn is the first Islamicate author to systematically investigate such subjects with reference to textual sources and informants from East Asia. This article discusses the motives and methods underlying Rashīd al-Dīn’s intellectual engagement with China, ultimately framing him as an example of (post-)Mongol muḥaqqiq, or “taḥqīq practitioner,” and his writings about China as an emblematic case of Mongol-sponsored, taḥqīq-infused scholarship.
On Taḥqīq, Space Travel, and the Discovery of Jetlag: Post-Mongol Trajectories of Modern Spatial Thinking
Authors: Casale Giancarlo
Published: August 2023

Before the invention of modern air travel, the phenomenon we call “jetlag” was known as the “Circumnavigator’s Paradox.” It was first observed empirically by European mariners in the sixteenth century, who noticed a missing day in their ship logs after circumnavigating the globe. But two centuries earlier, the theoretical possibility of such an observation was demonstrated by the Arab statesman and polymath Abu’l-Fidā (d. 1331) in his treatise on world geography, the Taqwīm al-Buldān or “Arrangement of Countries.” Within the context of this special issue on Cultures of Taḥqīq, this article argues that Abu’l-Fidā insight was a quintessential expression of the epistemology of taḥqīq as practiced in the immediate aftermath of the Mongol conquests, with profound implications for the latter history of geography, cartography, and modern spatial thinking.
The Truth is out There (and also in Here): Taḥqīq as an Investigative Modality in Mughal Culture and Scholarship
Authors: Kinra Rajeev
Published: August 2023

This article offers a brief examination of various uses and senses of the term taḥqīq (ascertaining the truth; investigation; verification) in Mughal intellectual circles in the sixteenth-eighteenth centuries. Often contrasted with another term, taqlīd (copying; imitation), taḥqīq could signify different kinds of epistemological commitments – and therefore different kinds of truth-claims – depending on the context in which it was being deployed. Here we examine the ways in which the notion of taḥqīq figured prominently in Mughal debates about religious toleration, in Mughal scholarly culture, and even in Mughal notions of kingship, justice, and statecraft. Along the way, we will also use Mughal ideas about taḥqīq as an opportunity to intervene in larger debates about the nature of global early modernity.
“Listen to Him!”: Angelic and Divine Typology in Mark’s Transfiguration Account
Authors: Robinson Jonathan Rivett
Published: August 2023

In this study I will argue that, while Matthew and Luke’s redaction of the Markan Transfiguration present Jesus as the antitype of Moses, Mark’s own account does not. Rather, Mark uses typology to narrate Jesus into the stories of Elijah and Moses, both of whom are described in the Jewish scriptures as ascending a mountain to talk with God in narratives in which the Angel of YHWH also features. Distinctive features of Mark’s account suggest that Mark wishes to associate Jesus, not with Moses, but with YHWH and his angel, using the scriptural ambiguity between the Angel of YHWH and Israel’s God to generate a similar ambiguity around the divine identity of Jesus. Consequently, Mark’s Transfiguration presents a “higher” Christology than that of the Transfigurations in the other Synoptic Gospels. In Mark’s Transfiguration, Jesus is compared, not to human prophets, but to the anthropomorphic manifestations of Israel’s God at Sinai and Horeb.
NEW SPECIES OF ANTHURIUM SCHOTT SECT. XIALOPHYLLIUM (SCHOTT) FROM THE EASTERN SLOPE OF THE ANDES IN COLOMBIA
Authors: LÓPEZ–FLORIANO OSCAR MAURICIO , CORREA–MUNERA MARCO A. , VILLAMIZAR-ESCALANTE DANIELA , TROCHEZ ALEJANDRO ZULUAGA
Published: August 2023

A new species of Anthurium sect. Xialophyllium from Caquetá Department, Colombia is herein described and illustrated. The new species has pendent inflorescences with a very elongated stipe, an uncommon character for the genus.
Multidecadal Oceanic Modulation of Summer Precipitation in North China in 1200-Year Global Climate Simulations
Authors: Tong Xuan , Yan Zhongwei , Zhou Wen , Xia Jiangjiang , Quan Xiaowei
Published: August 2023

The multidecadal decrease of precipitation in North China since the 1960s has caused a significant impact on the ecological environment and social development. It has become a key concern for meteorologists and national decision-makers to understand what is driving this. To better understand the oceanic impact on the interdecadal variation of summer precipitation in North China, we analyze two 1200-yr global climate simulations from state-of-the-art coupled models with an explainable convolutional neural network (CNN). The accuracy of the CNN model in correctly diagnosing the increased and decreased summer precipitation anomaly in North China reaches 98% and 96.6% in two CMIP6 models, respectively. We find that a sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) in the northern Pacific, associated with the Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO), and an SSTA in the northern Atlantic, associated with the Atlantic multidecadal oscillation (AMO), play essential roles in the interdecadal variation of summer precipitation in North China. The modulations of the PDO and AMO on summer precipitation in North China are consistent with the results derived from limited observations and simulations, which means these mechanisms are robust. In particular, when the PDO is in a negative phase and the AMO is in a positive phase, the positive anomaly of precipitation and the associated circulation anomalies are intensified. This study also confirms that with the explainable deep learning method, a convolutional neural network can be used to identify multidecadal variability in North China summer precipitation, although limited datasets such as observational records make it more challenging to apply deep learning methods.
Current Challenges for Conscientious Objection by Physicians in Spain
Authors: Soriano Vicente , Montero Borja
Published: August 2023

The College of Physicians of Madrid organized an open debate on conscientious objection (CO) in the medical profession on September 14, 2022. We summarize here the main arguments discussed. CO is defined as the right to raise exceptions to the performance of legal duties when they involve a contravention of personal convictions, whether religious, moral, or philosophical. It is not insubordination. Some authors contend that any decision by elected authorities should be uniformly followed by all citizens, physicians not being an exception. However, suppressing the ethical dimension of medical care may have an unacceptable cost with harm to physicians, their patients, and ultimately society. Health professionals are not blind instruments or mere “executors.” The practice of medicine must follow the aim of the profession, namely the pursuit of the patient's good. Medical care must conform to medical ethics, which was first defined twenty-five centuries ago in the Hippocratic oath, and summarized with the triad of precepts “ cure, relief, accompaniment.” Since then and particularly in light of the Nuremberg trials, most medical declarations have highlighted the duty of defending human life and the importance of CO. In modern societies, there may be medical services that are not health care, even if they are legal. Then, which comes first law or ethics? Ultimately, CO is the tool that protects the freedom of the physician to refuse to perform actions that go against the values of medical ethics. With respect to the recent Spanish laws on abortion, euthanasia, and sex re-assignment of minors, if administrators want to know who is available for a health service that raises issues of conformity to medical ethics, requesting a list of volunteers is preferable to producing an objector list. Asking for registration of conscientious objectors goes against the right to privacy and is coercive, intrusive, and abusive.
Reading the Identity of Dark Heritage Sites: A Peircean Semiotic Methodology
Authors: Dimache Alexandru , Qiu Zhuolin
Published: August 2023

Shared symbolism and ideology at dark heritage sites construct the narrative of a collective national destiny. Visitors’ experiences with such sites necessarily involve decoding signs and symbols. The commonality in interpretative practices is rooted in “collateral knowledge” and forms the identity of place. Yet, cultural materiality, collective identities, and semiotics have been overlooked by dark tourism academia. In broader tourism studies, semiotic attempts lack methodological homogeneity and congruence and efforts to transpose Charles Peirce’s semiotic theory into practical experiential methodologies are scarce. This study introduces a practical, systematic, and replicable semiotic methodology for reading the identity of dark heritage sites. This methodology revolves around three interconnected Peircean concepts: the sign, the collateral knowledge, and the sign’s relationship to its dynamical object. It is proposed that reading the indexical, iconical, and symbolical functions of signs through the filter of collateral knowledge can ensure a systematic meaning-making process and reveal subtle influences.
Immigrant mothers as advocates: Understanding how Korean immigrant mothers of children with disabilities navigate special education in the USA
Authors: Choe Danbi , Barrett Courtenay A. , Kwon Jungmin , Bagasrawala Lamia
Published: August 2023

Despite a myriad of linguistic and cultural barriers, immigrant parents of children with disabilities in the United States have adopted a variety of advocacy strategies. Drawing upon the frameworks of Community Cultural Wealth and Ecological Systems Theory, this study explores how Korean immigrant mothers of children with disabilities advocate for their children within the special education system in the United States. Seven Korean immigrant mothers participated in semi-structured focus group interviews. The findings reveal that these mothers use various strategies, such as seeking resources, attending training, and engaging with support networks within the Korean immigrant community. They also proactively acquired knowledge of special education policies and sought assistance from legal advocacy groups. However, they face challenges in accessing information due to linguistic barriers and a lack of clear descriptions of their children's rights and available services. They also identified that their intersecting racial, ethnic, cultural, and gender identities contribute to their experiences of discrimination and disadvantage. The study underscores the importance of providing tailored information, enhancing community support, and addressing systemic barriers to empower immigrant mothers within the special education system. Implications for schools, school psychologists, and families are discussed, along with recommendations for future research.
Bazaar-Related Migrant Residential Concentration Areas in Post-Socialist Russian Cities
Authors: Varshaver Evgeni , Rocheva Anna , Ivanova Nataliya
Published: August 2023

There are various migrant residential concentration areas (MRCAs) internationally, but two models are most frequently used to describe them: inner-city ethnic neighborhood and ethnoburb, both created in the context of North American cities. The scattered evidence of MRCAs arising adjacent to large bazaars, i.e., marketplaces that emerged in the 1990s in the former Soviet bloc countries demonstrates these areas’ considerable differences from both inner-city ethnic neighborhood and ethnoburb. Therefore, a distinct model is required to understand them. Based on a study of the main bazaars and adjacent residential areas in Russia's 15 largest cities, we propose a model of bazaar-related MRCAs. This model includes a description of the key features of bazaar-related MRCAs, along with a set of factors and mechanisms that contribute to the emergence of MRCAs. The paper highlights the distinctions from and similarities of the proposed model with other MRCA models and demonstrates how the interplay between the post-socialist cities’ context and migrants’ characteristics shapes the character and emergence of bazaar-related MRCAs in Russia. By shedding light on this understudied context, the article expands our understanding of the migrant residential concentration in the urban contexts worldwide.
Are slaughterhouse-obtained livers suitable for use in ex vivo perfusion research?
Authors: Ruppelt Alicia , Pijnenburg Iris , Pappers Claire , Samsom Roos-Anne , Kock Linda , Grinwis Guy C. M. , Spee Bart , Rasponi Marco , Stijnen Marco
Published: August 2023

Objectives

The success of the ex vivo machine perfusion of pig livers used for preclinical research depends on organ quality and availability. In this study, we investigated whether livers obtained from slaughterhouses are suitable and equivalent to livers obtained from laboratory pigs.

Methods

Livers were obtained from slaughterhouse pigs stunned by electrocution or CO2 inhalation and from laboratory pigs. For the latter group, 45 minutes of warm ischemia was mimicked for a subgroup, ensuring a valid comparison with slaughterhouse-derived livers.

Results

Livers from CO2-stunned pigs showed lower indocyanine green clearance and bile production, higher blood lactate and potassium concentrations, and higher alanine aminotransferase activities than electrically stunned pigs. Furthermore, livers from electrically stunned pigs, and livers from laboratory pigs, subjected or not to warm ischemia, showed similar performance in terms of perfusion and metabolism.

Conclusion

For an ex vivo liver model generated using slaughterhouse pigs, electrical stunning is preferable to CO2 stunning. Livers from electrically stunned slaughterhouse pigs performed similarly to laboratory pig livers. These findings support the use of livers from electrically stunned slaughterhouse pigs, which may therefore provide an alternative to livers obtained from laboratory pigs, consistent with the principle of the 3Rs.
Arthur Conan Doyle, Eugenics, and the Hand of God
Authors: Kerr Douglas
Published: August 2023

The lifetime of Arthur Conan Doyle coincided with the development of eugenics and its establishment as a powerful presence in some of the leading institutions, and minds, of the time. The discourse of eugenics was an important part of both the literary and scientific culture to which he belonged and contributed. His involvement with it, throughout his working life, shows the attraction of eugenics to a man of letters with a lifelong interest in medicine and science, but also his reasons for not endorsing its programme of action. Many of Conan Doyle's most interesting writings, in fiction and non-fiction, deal with themes that obsessed the eugenicists – race, empire, health, inheritance, and the future. But although he inhabited the same intellectual environment as figures like Francis Galton and Karl Pearson, and often expressed himself in language similar to theirs, Conan Doyle was never tempted to the kind of biopolitical proposals for which eugenics became notorious. This essay shows why not.
Educating Ida: Gilbert and Sullivan Among the New Women
Authors: Lybeck Eleanor
Published: August 2023

Gilbert and Sullivan's eighth Savoy opera Princess Ida (1884) is best understood against the backdrop of women's higher education and emancipation in nineteenth-century Britain. Careful work has been done in tracing correspondences between the opera and its source texts, but Ida is not only a descendant of literary figures. She is the peer of the pioneering women of Girton College, Cambridge whose biographies attest to the challenges faced by women in pursuit of an education at the end of the nineteenth century. This association allows Ida and her students to be positioned as precursors of that fin-de-siècle phenomenon, the New Woman. Often dismissed as an uncomfortable relic of Victorian male chauvinism, the political and ideological complexity behind Princess Ida is recognised here as the opera is identified as one moment in continuous literary, cultural and social history.
Process optimization for short carbon fiber polyetherimide composite mold
Authors: Jing Xishuang , An Jiuzhi , Xie Fubao , Zhang Chengyang , Chen Siyu
Published: August 2023

With the high precision requirements and the trend of large-scale composite parts, the development of composite molds is imminent. The short carbon fiber (SCF) composite mold is mainly prepared by the technological process flow of composite sheet injection, the bonding of composite plates, and machining. However, the current process optimization method has not matured adequately, and there are still many shortcomings, for example, low precision and high cost. In this paper, the optimization method of SCF/polyetherimide (PEI) composite molds is proposed. Many experiments have been conducted, and the results show that the coefficient of thermal expansion of composite samples can be effectively reduced and the mechanical properties can be improved by optimizing the SCF weight ratio and carbon fiber length. The bonding strength of composite joints in a high-temperature environment can be improved by optimizing the bonding process parameters and modification by carbon nanotubes. Based on the above optimization method, the SCF/PEI composite mold is prepared, and the C-shaped beam composite part is fabricated by using this mold. Compared with the part made by aluminum mold, the shape accuracy of the C-shaped beam composite part is proven high through digital measurement technology.
Exploring Trust in the Police in South Korea During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Does Fear of the COVID-19 Matter?
Authors: Nam Yongjae , Maskály Jon , Ivković Sanja Kutnjak , Neyroud Peter
Published: August 2023

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, governments restricted community members’ activities and, in turn, patterns of human behavior, both legal and illegal, changed. In many countries, the police have been entrusted to enforce these new COVID-19 related restrictions and were often perceived as the main enforcers of these sometimes unpopular measures. In this paper, we study four types of factors that may affect the public's trust in the police during the COVID-19 pandemic: traditional factors, such as interactions with the police during the pandemic, assessments of the police effectiveness in dealing with the pandemic, COVID-19 related factors, such as instrumental concerns for their personal health, and the adherence to the conspiracy theories. Specifically, using data from a sample of 527 respondents from the Seoul metropolitan area in South Korea, collected in the fall of 2021, we estimate the effects of the factors listed above. The results indicate that trust in the Korean National Police was strengthened when the police were perceived to have effectively dealt with the challenges of the pandemic and addressed the instrumental concerns of the community in the protection of public health. No demographic variables were significantly independently associated with trust in the police during the pandemic. The theoretical and policy implications of the findings are discussed.
Comparison Between Radial and Femoral Artery Access for Transarterial Chemoembolization in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Hedjoudje Mohamed , Barat Maxime , Dohan Anthony , Lucas Alexandre , Dautry Raphael , Coriat Romain , Marchese Ugo , Pol Stanislas , Parlati Lucia , Soyer Philippe
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to compare the technical success rate, the selectivity of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), the complication rate, the radiation dose given to the patients and the hospitalization stay between TACE performed using femoral artery approach (FAA) and TACE performed using radial artery approach (RAA) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

Between June 2020 and April 2022, 49 patients with HCC who underwent 116 TACEs (75 using FAA and 41 using RAA) were included. Differences in technical success rate, selectivity of micro-catheterization, radiation dose given to the patients, fluoroscopy time, hospitalization stay duration, and complication rate were compared between FAA and RAA using Fisher exact or Student t tests.

Results

No differences in technical success rates were found between RAA (93%; 39/41 TACEs) and FAA (100%; 75/75 TACEs) ( P = .12). There were no differences between the two groups in terms of selectivity of catheterization, radiation dose, fluoroscopy time and hospitalization stay duration. Five patients had Grade 2 complications (hematoma) after FAA vs. one patient with one Grade 1 complication (radial artery occlusion) after RAA (5/75 [7%] vs. 1/41 [2%], respectively; P = .42). No major arterial access site complications occurred with FAA or RAA.

Conclusions

This study confirms that RAA is a safe approach that does not compromise the technical efficacy and the selectivity of TACE compared to FAA in patients with HCC.
Physical Health Outcomes of Trauma Exposure Across the Lifespan
Authors: Wamser Rachel A. , Walker Hannah E. , Sager Julia
Published: August 2023

Trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) are established risk factors for poorer physical health. Prior work has focused on childhood adversities and PTSS in relation to physical health conditions, but trauma exposure over the lifespan has been overlooked. Further, the associations between trauma and PTSS and other physical health markers, such as diet and exercise, are less clear. Very little is known regarding how different trauma types (i.e., interpersonal, non-interpersonal), may be tied to aspects of physical health. To expand this area of research, this study aimed to: (a) examine the links between cumulative trauma and PTSS, and body mass index (BMI), diet, and exercise; and (b) investigate the relations between interpersonal and non-interpersonal trauma and these three health indices, while controlling for PTSS. Participants were 493 Midwestern University students ( Mage = 23.87, standard deviation [ SD] = 6.90, range = 18–63; 79.3% female; 57.4% White). Cumulative trauma corresponded with higher BMIs and less exercise use ( B = 0.10; B = −0.09), while PTSS were unrelated. Conversely, PTSS were tied to greater consumption of added sugars ( B = 0.11), and cumulative trauma was not linked with diet. Interpersonal and non-interpersonal traumas were not tied to BMI or exercise, although interpersonal trauma and PTSS were linked with greater sugar intake and non-interpersonal trauma was associated with fruit and vegetable consumption. Trauma exposure and PTSS may have complicated and distinct associations with physical health indices, such as BMI, diet, and exercise, and additional research is needed to further parse out these relations.
My Parents, My Grandparents Went Through Residential School, and All this Abuse has Come From it: Examining Intimate Partner Violence Against Canadian Indigenous Women in the Context of Colonialism
Authors: Ogden Cindy , Tutty Leslie M.
Published: August 2023

While the global rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) for Indigenous women have been acknowledged as substantial, few studies have incorporated an analysis of the impacts of colonization in the context of IPV. This secondary mixed-methods analysis explored the experiences of 40 Indigenous women from the Canadian prairie provinces who were abused by their intimate partners. The women discussed the impact of colonization, including the use of residential schools, to break down family life, spiritual beliefs, and languages, at times linking this to IPV. Of the 40 women, 38 described male partners as the abusers and two identified female abusive partners. Consistent with the literature, many of the male partners physically assaulted the respondents so severely that the women were injured and were at risk of death. Almost half of the men (47.4%) used sexually coercive strategies and/or sexually assaulted the women. Implications include the importance of professionals considering the broader historical experiences and possible trauma of Indigenous women who seek assistance for IPV from abusive partners.
Representative volume element (RVE) based FEA investigation on the plastic flow behaviour of friction-stir processed AA7075/Si3N4 composite under constrained deformation conditions
Authors: Saxena Ambuj , Dwivedi Shashi Prakash
Published: August 2023

In the present investigation, the Si3N4 reinforced (with a weight percentage of 2.5%, 5% and 7.5%) AA7075-based metal matrix composite has been developed by friction-stir processing. Further, a micro-mechanical representative volume element (RVE)-based finite element analysis (FEA) model has been developed for the evaluation of mechanical properties and plastic flow behaviour of developed composite material in uniaxial conditions. Moreover, a macro-mechanical-based static indentation finite element model has been developed for predicting the plastic flow behaviour, Meyer's hardness, constraint factor (CF) and lip height around indentation as a function of average strain under constrained conditions. The results revealed that Meyer's hardness, yield strength, tensile strength and lip height were increased with the increase in Si3N4 reinforced weight percentage. Further, the lip height was inversely proportional to the strain hardening exponent. It has been also observed that the CF of all three developed composite material compositions increased with the increase in average strain ( εavg) up to the transition strain ( εtr) only, after that its value was constant with further increase in average strain ( εavg).
An experimental evaluation of cetane improving techniques for enhancing the performance and emission trade-off in diesel engine: A comparative study
Authors: Musthafa B , Asokan MA
Published: August 2023

The polyunsaturated fatty acid methyl ester concentration in Prosopis juliflora biodiesel drops the cetane number and affects ignition quality. In this study, two fuel reformulation strategies, viz. partial hydrogenation and the inclusion of Di-tert-butyl peroxide (DTBP), are investigated for their ability to improve the combustion and performance of a diesel–biodiesel (B20) blend without compromising the emissions trade-off. An autoclave reactor utilizes partially hydrogenated juliflora biodiesel and gas chromatography to determine the altered fuel composition. The cetane improver is DTBP, which is mixed with B20 at a concentration of 2000 ppm. The filterability of the test fuel was evaluated using the Tamson filter blocking tendency apparatus. Engine parameters and emissions of the base diesel (D0), JB20, HJB20, and JB20 + DTBP test fuels were examined in a diesel engine. According to the FBT results, JB20 (1.36) and HJB20 (1.28) have good filterability, which is consistent with the ASTM standard (D2068-14). While comparing JB20 blend with modified JB20 fuels decreases NOx (up to 5.24%) and increases brake thermal efficiency (7.5%) at full load. Compared to diesel fuel, partially hydrogenated blend fuel emissions viz. HC, CO, and smoke were reduced by 15.24%, 7.76%, and 10.14%, respectively. Based on the above results, partial hydrogenation is more beneficial than the inclusion of DTBP in enhancing biodiesel's trade-off qualities.
Examining Mobile Shopping Loyalty Drivers: The Moderated-Mediation Role of Uncertainty Avoidance and Collectivism
Authors: Elgazzar Ahmed , Elsharnouby Mohamed H. , Saeed Omnia T. , Zaky Ahmed
Published: August 2023

This study examines the impact of mobile shopping adoption drivers on the attitude towards mobile shopping apps and mobile shopping loyalty. Furthermore, the mediating role of attitude as well as the moderated mediation role of national culture (i.e., uncertainty avoidance and collectivism) will be examined. Adopting the stimulus–organism–response model in a mobile shopping context, a survey of 250 participants was conducted. AMOS and Hayes’s PROCESS macro were used to test the mediation and the moderated mediation. Findings show that adoption’s drivers have a positive relationship with the attitude towards mobile shopping and loyalty. It also emphasizes the mediating effect of attitude and moderated mediation effects of culture. Originality of this study stems from that it is one of the very few that attempts to examine the attitude towards mobile shopping as a mediator in the relationships between mobile shopping adoption drivers and mobile shopping loyalty. It also highlights the moderated mediation effects of both uncertainty avoidance and collectivism in these relationships, which were also largely ignored in previous research.
Development and Application of qPCR Assay for Species-specific Identification of Two Animal-derived Tonics: Vinegar-quenched Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum and Vinegar-quenched Trionycis Carapax
Authors: Xu Chao , Chen Xiang , Han Jing , Chen Yufei , Ge Chongyu , Wang Liwei , Yang Rong , Shen Yuping , Yang Huan
Published: August 2023

Background

Vinegar-quenched Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum (TCP) and vinegar-quenched Trionycis Carapax (TC) are made from the shells of Chinemys reevesii and Trionyx sinensis. However, some cheap substitutes from non-medicinal species such as Trachemys scripta, Mauremys sinensis, Chelydra serpentina, and Apalone ferox are often seen on the market, which exposes public health to high risk. Conventional methods are not applicable for the identification of these two products since their intrinsic constituents are largely destroyed after being highly processed.

Objectives

A new quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method was developed to detect DNA components of Vinegar-quenched TCP and vinegar-quenched TC based on simple sequence repeat differential genes of animal-derived mitochondria.

Materials and Methods

Six species-specific primer reactions were designed and further validated for specificity, sensitivity, and repeatability. Finally, the developed method was used to assess the authenticity of their commercial products.

Results

The assay exhibited good specificity, and the limit of detection was above 1 × 102 copies/µL. There was good linearity in the concentration, ranging from 1 × 102 to 1 × 107 copies/µL. In addition, the method was validated through repeatability assessment (coefficient variation <1%). While qPCR was applied for the analysis of 36 batches of commercial products of these two tonics, it could effectively identify the authenticity of the products, and consequently, seven batches were fake or adulterated.

Conclusion

This newly proposed method is promising for the quality evaluation of highly processed animal-derived Chinese medicines, which will assist in ensuring safety and efficacy in clinical practice and protect fair trade in the market.
Measuring musical sophistication in the Chinese general population: Validation and replication of the Simplified Chinese Gold-MSI
Authors: Li Jiaxin , Lin Hsin-Rui , Wolf Anna , Lothwesen Kai
Published: August 2023

The Goldsmiths Musical Sophistication Index has been translated into several European languages. In the East Asian area, a traditional Chinese language translation is available. Due to differences in written characters and language use in various Chinese regions, a translation using simplified Chinese would reach a wider audience in mainland China and other regions. Our study, therefore, aimed to validate the simplified Chinese version of the Gold-MSI (Gold-MSI-SC) to replicate psychometric properties and factor structures of the Gold-MSI and to investigate the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and factors of the Gold-MSI-SC in a mainland Chinese sample ( N = 64,555). Following the translation guidelines for intercultural research, the Gold-MSI-SC self-report questionnaire, two music listening tests, and the Musical-Rhythmic Intelligence subscale (M-RI) were included in the main study together with the demographic and SES-related questions. All subscales of the Gold-MSI-SC showed high internal consistency (Cronbachs’ ɑ = [.80–.91]) and good test-retest reliability ( rtt = [.842–.935]). Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the original bi-factor structure was replicated with satisfactory fit (root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = .053 and comparative fit index (CFI) = .888). Correlations between the Gold-MSI-SC and the music tests, as well as the M-RI, demonstrated strong convergent and discriminant validity; structural equation models revealed negative relationships between age and the Gold-MSI factors, while SES positively correlated with all of the subscales. The Gold-MSI-SC has thus been shown to be a reliable tool in assessing multidimensional musical behaviors in simplified Chinese and in supporting the measurability of musical sophistication in different cultures.
Cleft Palate in Apert Syndrome: A Descriptive Study of Incidence and Surgical Outcome
Authors: Andiné Alicia , Tarnow Peter , Boivie Patrik
Published: August 2023

Objective

Apert syndrome (AS) is a rare congenital craniofacial disorder that requires a multidisciplinary approach to treatment and multiple surgeries. Given that cleft palate (CP) is presented in some of these cases, this poses an additional risk of aggravating obstructed airways after closure. The timing and outcome of CP repair in these patients remains disputed and requires additional attention.

Design

This retrospective analysis included patients diagnosed with CP and AS, born between 1950 and 2020, and treated at our institution. Data were collected from medical records and evaluated using descriptive statistics.

Setting

Data analyses were conducted at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Patients/Participants

A registry of 83 patients with AS resulted in a cohort of 26 patients also presenting with CP.

Main Outcome Measures

Postoperative complications, requirement for intensive care, and reoperations following CP repair.

Results

CP incidence among all registered patients was 31%. Patients undergoing CP repair at low age (mean: 22.5 months) tended to experience more frequent postoperative complications and requirements for intensive care. Among the evaluated cohort with medical records describing CP repair ( n = 14), 29% experienced postoperative complications, all of which involved aggravation of obstructed airways.

Conclusions

This study highlights the importance of airway assessment before and after CP repair in AS. The findings suggest that surgical outcomes might benefit from postponing CP repair, avoiding combined surgeries, and operating in two stages when indicated. However, additional and larger studies are required.
Association of High Mobility Group Box-Protein 1 and Platelet Microparticles in Patients After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Nomura Shosaku , Ichikawa Jun , Shimizu Toshiki , Ishiura Yoshihisa , Okada Masaya , Ishii Kazuyoshi , Ito Tomoki
Published: August 2023

Thrombotic complications after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) significantly impact transplant outcomes. We focused on high mobility group box-protein (HMGB)1, one causative agent of thrombotic lesions in allo-HSCT, and investigated its association with platelets. We statistically analyzed available data from 172 patients with hematopoietic malignancies receiving allo-HSCT. A significant enhancement of monocyte-chemotactant protein-1, HMGB1, and platelet-derived microparticle (PDMP) levels was observed at day 0 after transplantation as compared to pre-transplantation. Multivariate analysis of the association among HMGB1 and 16 factors on day 0 revealed a significant correlation of HMGB1 levels with thrombin–antithrombin complex, interleukin-6, and PDMPs. High mobility group box-protein 1-induced procoagulant platelet induction and PDMP generation were performed in vitro using healthy platelets. High mobility group box-protein 1-induced PDMP generation was suppressed by toll-like receptor inhibitors and recombinant thrombomodulin. These results suggest that HMGB1 contributes to platelet activation in patients after allo-HSCT and is associated with PDMP-related thrombotic complications.
Incorporating an upcycled orange fibre on flan formulation: Impact on sensory properties
Authors: Perez-Pirotto Claudia , Hernando Isabel , Cozzano Sonia , Curutchet Ana , Arcia Patricia
Published: August 2023

Fruit by-products are a valuable source of ingredients, in the formulation of what is known by “upcycled foods”. Orange pomace, a by-product of orange juice industry, is a dietary fibre source. In this work, a powdered ingredient with soluble fibre obtained from orange pomace was used as replacement of inulin in the formulation of source of fibre “flan” like puddings. Four different formulations were analysed using Flash Profile and instrumental texture: 100% inulin, 70% inulin: 30% orange fibre, 30% inulin: 70% orange fibre, 100% orange fibre. The replacement of 30% of pudding's total fibre with the new ingredient helped to improve the texture and general appearance of the dessert. Greater percentages imparted non-desirable flavour attributes, such as bitterness and acidity. The use of this ingredient as a replacement of commercial inulin in the formulation of source of fibre puddings is possible. However, further research is needed to reduce the off flavours.
Compared Profile of Late-Onset Versus Childhood-Onset ADHD: A Case-Control Study Among Treatment-Seeking Adult Patients
Authors: Jurek Lucie , Montègue Solène , Larrieu Agathe , Icard Christophe , Rolland Benjamin
Published: August 2023

Objective:

To compare the characteristics of childhood-onset versus late-onset Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in a sample of treatment-seeking patients.

Method:

Among total of 101 adult patients who were recently diagnosed for ADHD, using the Diagnostic Interview for Adult ADHD (DIVA 2.0), 56 subjects exhibited childhood-onset ADHD, versus 45 displayed late-onset ADHD. Both groups were compared according to their sociodemographic, clinical, and neuropsychological features, providing crude ( OR) and adjusted odds ratios (aOR), and their 95% confidence intervals [95% CI].

Results:

Compared to late-onset ADHD, patients with childhood-onset had a lower educational score, ( OR = 0.52; 95% CI [0.35, 0.76]), a greater score of impulsivity (aOR = 1.09; 95% CI [1.03, 1.16]), an increased number of hyperactive-impulsive ADHD symptoms (aOR = 1.9; 95% CI [1.46, 2.47]), and higher rates childhood trauma (aOR = 1.07; 95% CI [1.01, 1.13]), cannabis use disorder (aOR = 1.07; 95% CI [1.01, 1.13]), and working memory impairment. No difference was observed concerning age, sex, psychiatric symptoms, quality of life, and autonomy.

Conclusion:

Childhood-onset adult ADHD displayed a more severe profile, relative to late-onset ADHD.