bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Data from Ultra High-plex Spatial Proteogenomic Investigation of Giant Cell Glioblastoma Multiforme Immune Infiltrates Reveals Distinct Protein and RNA Expression Profiles
Authors: Bonnett Shilah A. , Rosenbloom Alyssa B. , Ong Giang T. , Conner Mark , Rininger Aric B.E. , Newhouse Daniel , New Felicia , Phan Chi Q. , Ilcisin Saskia , Sato Hiromi , Lyssand John S. , Geiss Gary , Beechem Joseph M.
Published: May 2023

A deeper understanding of complex biological processes, including tumor development and immune response, requires ultra high-plex, spatial interrogation of multiple “omes”. Here we present the development and implementation of a novel spatial proteogenomic (SPG) assay on the GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiler platform with next-generation sequencing readout that enables ultra high-plex digital quantitation of proteins (>100-plex) and RNA (whole transcriptome, >18,000-plex) from a single formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) sample. This study highlighted the high concordance, R > 0.85 and <15% change in sensitivity between the SPG assay and the single-analyte assays on various cell lines and tissues from human and mouse. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the SPG assay was reproducible across multiple users. When used in conjunction with advanced cellular neighborhood segmentation, distinct immune or tumor RNA and protein targets were spatially resolved within individual cell subpopulations in human colorectal cancer and non–small cell lung cancer. We used the SPG assay to interrogate 23 different glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) samples across four pathologies. The study revealed distinct clustering of both RNA and protein based on pathology and anatomic location. The in-depth investigation of giant cell glioblastoma multiforme (gcGBM) revealed distinct protein and RNA expression profiles compared with that of the more common GBM. More importantly, the use of spatial proteogenomics allowed simultaneous interrogation of critical protein posttranslational modifications alongside whole transcriptomic profiles within the same distinct cellular neighborhoods.
Significance:
We describe ultra high-plex spatial proteogenomics; profiling whole transcriptome and high-plex proteomics on a single FFPE tissue section with spatial resolution. Investigation of gcGBM versus GBM revealed distinct protein and RNA expression profiles.
Development of an Anti-canine PD-L1 Antibody and Caninized PD-L1 Mouse Model as Translational Research Tools for the Study of Immunotherapy in Humans
Authors: Oh Wonkyung , Kim Alyssa Min Jung , Dhawan Deepika , Kirkham Perry M. , Ostafe Raluca , Franco Jackeline , Aryal Uma K. , Carnahan Robert H. , Patsekin Valery , Robinson J. Paul , Knapp Deborah W. , Lim Seung-Oe
Published: May 2023

Immune checkpoint blockade therapy, one of the most promising cancer immunotherapies, has shown remarkable clinical impact in multiple cancer types. Despite the recent success of immune checkpoint blockade therapy, however, the response rates in patients with cancer are limited (∼20%–40%). To improve the success of immune checkpoint blockade therapy, relevant preclinical animal models are essential for the development and testing of multiple combination approaches and strategies. Companion dogs naturally develop several types of cancer that in many respects resemble clinical cancer in human patients. Therefore, the canine studies of immuno-oncology drugs can generate knowledge that informs and prioritizes new immuno-oncology therapy in humans. The challenge has been, however, that immunotherapeutic antibodies targeting canine immune checkpoint molecules such as canine PD-L1 (cPD-L1) have not been commercially available. Here, we developed a new cPD-L1 antibody as an immuno-oncology drug and characterized its functional and biological properties in multiple assays. We also evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of cPD-L1 antibodies in our unique caninized PD-L1 mice. Together, these in vitro and in vivo data, which include an initial safety profile in laboratory dogs, support development of this cPD-L1 antibody as an immune checkpoint inhibitor for studies in dogs with naturally occurring cancer for translational research. Our new therapeutic antibody and caninized PD-L1 mouse model will be essential translational research tools in raising the success rate of immunotherapy in both dogs and humans.

Significance:

Our cPD-L1 antibody and unique caninized mouse model will be critical research tools to improve the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade therapy in both dogs and humans. Furthermore, these tools will open new perspectives for immunotherapy applications in cancer as well as other autoimmune diseases that could benefit a diverse and broader patient population.
Poster as a teaching-learning strategy to encourage the scientific career of undergraduate students
Authors: Hasse Mariana , Silva Carolina Nunes , Alves Fernanda Fernandes , Raimondi Gustavo Antonio , Paulino Danilo Borges , Hattori Wallisen Tadashi
Published: May 2023

An evaluation of the Brazilian Ministry of Education showed that one of the problems of the teaching-learning process of a medical course was the lack of stimulation for participation in scientific events. This article reports the experience of using posters and writing experience reports as a strategy to overcome the limitation pointed out. The teaching method used to develop this experience was the Arch de Maguerez. In the context of a collective health teaching module, students were encouraged to develop scientific posters to present the activities developed in health units during the semester. During this semester, each group developed three posters, each with specific objectives. Poster presentations and evaluations were carried out in the classroom and difficulties were identified. Appreciative feedback and peer review were carried out and made possible the improvement of the posters and overcoming difficulties throughout the presentations. The experience reported in this work proved to be effective for the development of competences related to academic and scientific development, is inexpensive and can be replicated in any academic course.
Surging Biojustice Environmentalism from Below: Hope for Ending the Earth System Emergency?
Authors: Dauvergne Peter , Clapp Jennifer
Published: May 2023

Global environmental politics is at a critical juncture as the Earth System emergency deepens. The core environmental policies and actions of governments, intergovernmental organizations, corporations, and, to a lesser extent, mainstream nongovernmental organizations are visibly failing to deescalate this emergency. In response to these failures, we argue, dispossessed individuals, Indigenous peoples, grassroots activists, and civil society campaigners are joining forces to challenge market-liberal and institutionalist thinking and initiate new ways of organizing political and social life that prioritize biological integrity and social justice: what we describe as “biojustice environmentalism from below.” Global environmental governance, meanwhile, is at a crossroads, becoming increasingly polycentric as biojustice environmentalism surges and as corporations seek to capture governance spaces through multistakeholder initiatives. How surging biojustice environmentalism in a polycentric governance landscape plays out in the coming years, we conclude, will be crucial for humanity’s ability to stem the escalating global environmental crisis.
Reproducible science of science at scale:
pySciSci
Authors: Gates Alexander J. , Barabási Albert-László
Published: May 2023

Science of science (SciSci) is a growing field encompassing diverse interdisciplinary research programs that study the processes underlying science. The field has benefited greatly from access to massive digital databases containing the products of scientific discourse—including publications, journals, patents, books, conference proceedings, and grants. The subsequent proliferation of mathematical models and computational techniques for quantifying the dynamics of innovation and success in science has made it difficult to disentangle universal scientific processes from those dependent on specific databases, data-processing decisions, field practices, etc. Here we present pySciSci, a freely available and easily adaptable package for the analysis of large-scale bibliometric data. The pySciSci package standardizes access to many of the most common data sets in SciSci and provides efficient implementations of common and advanced analytical techniques.
Reconstructing variation in Indo-European word order
Authors: Biagetti Erica , Inglese Guglielmo , Zanchi Chiara , Luraghi Silvia
Published: May 2023

Word order is a central issue in the reconstruction of Proto-Indo-European syntax. Categorical approaches have proved to be inadequate because they postulate for the protolanguage a typological consistency which is absent in any of the attested daughter languages. Following recent research, we adopt a gradient approach to word order, which treats word order preferences as a continuous variable. We analyze four word order patterns based on data extracted from treebanks of ancient Indo-European languages. After presenting our results for AdpN/NAdp, GN/NG, AN/NA, and OV/VO, we draw a number of conclusions concerning variation within individual languages, crosslinguistic variation, and variation in diachrony that support the claim that variability should be taken as the normal state across languages, including reconstructed stages. We conclude that a non-discrete approach has the advantage of leading to a reconstruction that better conforms to the situation known from real languages, with variation as a key feature.
Deciphering the cryptic species diversity of dull-coloured day geckos Phelsuma (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Madagascar, with description of a new species
Authors: CROTTINI ANGELICA , GEHRING PHILIP-SEBASTIAN , GLAW FRANK , HARRIS D. JAMES , LIMA ALEXANDRA , VENCES MIGUEL
Published: May 2023

We describe a new Phelsuma species from the relictual forest of Anja Reserve (13 km south from Ambalavao, on the central high plateau of southern Madagascar). Phelsuma gouldi sp. nov. seems to be an arboreal and possibly rockdwelling species that has been observed in the private Anja Reserve (949 m a.s.l.), and possibly near Betroka almost 160 km further south-west. The species belongs to the P. mutabilis species group and differs from the other three species of the group, P. mutabilis, P. breviceps, and P. borai by a high genetic divergence of more than 10% in the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene, and by a combination of 7–9 subdigital lamellae under the fourth toe, 6–7 supralabials, one internasal, and numerous details of throat scalation. Phelsuma mutabilis comprises three mitochondrial clades with divergences of more than 4% in the 16S rRNA gene, but the lack of distinct morphological differences and absence of a geographical structure among these clades indicate that this pattern is currently best considered as reflecting intraspecific variability.
Description of a new species of the genus Lutzomyia França, 1924 (Diptera: Phlebotominae) and of the male of Lutzomyia fonsecai (Costa Lima, 1932)
Authors: JÚNIOR SALVADOR P. CHAVES , LIMA GUILHERME C. , MENDONÇA RAFAEL P. , ANDRADE ANDREY J.
Published: May 2023

Lutzomyia itambe sp. n. is described as a new species of neotropical cavernicolous phlebotomine sand fly based on specimens of males and females collected in the Gruta do Itambé, Altinópolis municipality, São Paulo State. In addition to this, we describe the male of Lutzomyia fonsecai (Costa Lima, 1932) collected near their type-locality in Bolivia. These descriptions are supported by illustrations that detail the morphological and morphometrical characteristics of the specimens. Lutzomyia itambe sp. n., L. fonsecai, along with L. dispar Martins & Silva, 1963, comprise the already named “Fonsecai complex”. Both sex present parallel labial sutures, not forked, and males can be differentiated by parameral characters, while in females the distinction is made by characters of the palpi and spermathecae.
Recent findings of Pamphagidae (Orthoptera: Acridoidea) from Turkey
Authors: ÜNAL MUSTAFA
Published: May 2023

Some new findings of the family Pamphagidae obtained in the field trips carried out in Turkey are presented. New distributional, morphological, and zoogeographical information are given for the recorded 15 species and subspecies. A new species Nocaracris nebulosa Ünal, sp. nov. and the unknown male of Nocaracris tauricola Ramme, 1951 are described.
Association of the opposite sexes of Dryinus niger Kieffer, with notes on males of the other Western Palaearctic species of the same genus (Hymenoptera, Dryinidae)
Authors: ØDEGAARD FRODE , RAKHSHANI EHSAN , OLMI MASSIMO
Published: May 2023

In Fennoscandia, only one species of Dryinus (Hymenoptera, Dryinidae) is known, D. niger Kieffer, 1904. The species is very sporadically collected in that region, and the association of its opposite sex is difficult by its rarity. The capture of a male in Norway allowed us to describe it and place it in the new key to the males of Western Palaearctic Dryinus.
Effects of ROS-Sensitive Nanoparticles Loaded with Interstitial Cell Derived Factors on Vascular Smooth Cell Adhesion, Proliferation, and Endothelialization
Authors: Zhang Ke , Ding Jieling
Published: May 2023

Local high concentrations of stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) attract and trap stem cells to involve in the vascular repair when the skin is damaged. In this research, mercaptan ketone polymer (PRGY) was selected as a nano-carrier to prepare ROS-sensitive nanoparticles (NPs) loaded
with SDF-1 by means of volatilization of a complex emulsion solvent. The NPs were characterized by a transmission electron microscope (TEM) and a particle size (PS) analyzer, the protein content of the NPs was evaluated by a BCA method, the cytotoxicity was evaluated by CCK8, and the NPs were
subjected to the in vitro release (IVR) test. An acute mouse wound model was established, the pathological effect of NP solution on major organs of mice was observed by HE staining after intravenous injection, and the effect of targeted release of NP on animal model was evaluated. To
analyze the effect of NPs on wound healing, the mouse models were rolled into different groups. They were sacrificed two weeks after the wound healing was completed, the blood vessels were fixed with perfusion solution, and the common artery where the wound was located was taken for follow-up
study. The results suggested that the NPs exhibited a PS of 122.57±18.33 nm, a loading rate of 1.7%, and spherical and uniform surfaces. The IVR tests showed that the NPs could release rapidly under high ROS conditions. The wound model of mice was established, and the injection of NP
solution revealed that it could target the wound area. The healing speed in the NP group was the fastest (P <0.05). Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and endothelial cells (ECs) were isolated from common artery, and proliferation of them in the NP group was found to be obvious (P
<0.05), and the adhesion of vascular SMCs could be accelerated at the same time.
Effects of CeO2 Nanomaterial on Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Mediated Bronchiectasis Inflammation Response
Authors: Xu Lei , Wang Haixia , Li Xifeng , Wang Hong
Published: May 2023

There are many researches on the preparation of rare earth metals (REM) materials and bactericidal materials, but there are few researches on the preparation of REM oxides based on the laser evaporation (LE) method in the field of bactericidal. In this research, ZnO–CeO2
nanoparticles (NPs) were obtained by the LE method with 100 W single-mode CW CO2 laser as the light source and cerous carbonate and zinc acetate as the target materials. While physical characterization of the ZnO–CeO2 NPs, Staphylococcus aureus (SA), Bacillus
subtilis var niger (BSVN), and pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAE) were undertaken as test objects to verify the bactericidal performance of the nanomaterial. A PAE mediated inflammation model of bronchiectasis rats was established, and 40 SD rats were screened and rolled into 4 groups: a control
(Ctrl) group, a sham group, a model group without nano solution injection (Model group), and a model group injected with nano solution (Model +NPs group). The effects of nanomaterials on inflammation were analyzed. The results suggested that ZnO–CeO2 NPs were scattered rod
particles with uniform morphological distribution. XRD tests revealed that with the increase of ZnO content, its characteristic peaks in the NPs also increased. The preparation of NPs exhibited good bactericidal performance against SA and BSVN, and increasing the concentration of NPs greatly
inhibited the activity of PA. By comparing with the model group, the upregulated IL-17 and IL-6 were inhibited (P <0.01), while the downregulated IL-10 and TGF-β were reversed (P <0.01). It meant that the NPs alleviated the inflammation of bronchiectasis mediated
by PA, and thus improved the lung function damaged by inflammation.
Telehealth Utilization in Trauma Care: The Effects on Emergency Department Length of Stay and Associated Outcomes
Authors: Alter Noah , Arif Hassan , Wright D-Dre , Martinez Brian , Elkbuli Adel
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Since the onset of the Covid-19 Pandemic, Telehealth utilization has grown rapidly; however, little is known about its efficacy in specific areas of healthcare, including trauma care in the emergency department. We aim to evaluate telehealth utilization in the care of adult trauma patients within United States emergency departments and associated outcomes over the past decade.

Methods

PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE, ProQuest, and Cochrane were searched for relevant articles published from database conception to Dec 12th, 2022. Our review includes studies that assessed the utilization of telehealth practices within a United States emergency department for the treatment of adult (age ≥ 18) trauma patients. Evaluated outcomes included emergency department length of stay, transfer rates, cost incurred to patients and telehealthimplementing hospitals, patient satisfaction, and rates of left without being seen.

Results

A total of 11 studies, evaluating 59,319 adult trauma patients, were included in this review. Telehealth practices resulted in comparable or reduced emergency department length of stay for trauma patients admitted to the emergency department. Costs incurred to the patient and rates of leaving without being seen were significantly reduced following telehealth implementation. There was no difference in transfer rates or patient satisfaction for telehealth practices compared to in-person treatment.

Conclusion

Emergency department telehealth utilization significantly reduced trauma patient care-related costs, emergency department length of stay, and rates of leaving without being seen. No significant differences were found in patient transfer rates, patient satisfaction rates, or mortality rates following emergency department telehealth utilization.
Chronic Kidney Disease Predicts Greater 5-Year Mortality Following Major Limb Amputation
Authors: Pitsenbarger Luke T. , Som Maria N. , Chao Natalie T. , Workneh Eyerusalem N. , Dunlap Nora , Fitzpatrick Suzanna Simmonds , Nagarsheth Khanjan H.
Published: May 2023

Severe chronic kidney disease (CKD) predicts greater mortality after major lower extremity amputation (MLEA), but it remains poorly understood whether this finding extends to patients with earlier stages of CKD. We assessed outcomes for patients with CKD in a retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent MLEA at a large tertiary referral center from 2015 to 2021. We stratified 398 patients by glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and conducted Chi-Square and survival analysis. Preoperative CKD diagnosis was associated with many comorbidities, less 1-year follow-up, and greater 1- and 5-year mortality. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed worse 5-year survival for patients with any stage of CKD (62%) compared to patients without CKD (81%; P < .001). Greater 5-year mortality was independently predicted by moderate CKD (hazard ratio (HR) 2.37, P = .02) as well as severe CKD (HR 2.09, P = .005). These findings demonstrate the importance of identifying and treating CKD early preoperatively.
The Moderating Effect of Accountability Partners in the Relationship Between Radio Biafra and Participation in IPOB Activities in South-East Nigeria
Authors: Ifeyinwa Obichili Mercy , Olajide Talabi Felix , Adedapo Bello Samson , Kayode Okunade Joshua , Adelabu Omowale T. , Oluwalanu Sanusi Bernice , Verlumun Celestine Gever
Published: May 2023

Evidence in the literature regarding the impact of radio in fuelling crises is conflicting. This study extends existing argument by testing the moderating effect of accountability partners in the relationship between Radio Biafra and participation in the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Results from a sample of 470 participants showed that accountability partners contribute 35% in predicting participation in IPOB activities while Radio Biafra contributes 32%. Additional results showed that online accountability partners contribute more (23%) than offline (12%). Additional finding implies that licenced media like radio, TV and newspaper could be unintentionally promoting IPOB activities in South-East Nigeria.
Event-triggered interval observer design for a class of Euler-Lagrange systems with disturbances
Authors: Yin Zhihang , Huang Jun , Zhang Yueyuan
Published: May 2023

This paper investigates the problem of interval estimation for a class of Euler-Lagrange systems with unknown disturbances. An event-triggered mechanism is applied in the design of interval observers, and unnecessary data communication burden is reduced. The sufficient conditions are derived by both the positive system theory and the Lyapunov stability theory. Moreover, the gains of observer are determined by solving a set of inequalities in the sufficient conditions. At last, the validity of the presented event-triggered interval observers is demonstrated by a numerical simulation.
The use of one-on-one interviews in library and information science: A scoping review
Authors: Matysek Anna
Published: May 2023

Individual interviews are not commonly used in library and information science (LIS). A content analysis of research papers published between 2015 and 2020 in seven journals yielded 323 articles applying interviews. Selected papers, extracted from the Scopus database, were examined qualitatively and quantitatively to find the description of the type of interview, the use of additional research methods, the number of interviewees and the topics of the studies. Interviews appeared in 11% of the research papers, confirming previous studies. They are often combined with other methods, in particular surveys and observations. Half of the interviews were conducted with up to 15 participants. Individual interviews were used most frequently in studies of information behaviour (19% of the papers), librarians, information retrieval and web search. This study contributes to better understanding interviews as a LIS research method and may facilitate the planning of research projects.
Calf extra-Fascial compartment area affects calf muscle pumping action: an air plethysmography and computed tomography study
Authors: Mitsuoka Hiroki , Ohta Takashi , Arima Takahiro , Sugimoto Ikuo , Orimoto Yuki , Kodama Akio , Ishibashi Hiroyuki
Published: May 2023

Objectives

We aimed to elucidate whether lower limb extra-fascial compartment and muscle areas affect the calf muscle pumping action on lower limbs.

Method

This study included 90 patients (180 limbs) who underwent preoperative air plethysmography (APG) and preoperative non-contrast computed tomography (CT) of the lower limbs for diagnosis of unilateral or bilateral primary varicose veins. A correlation between cross-sectional CT images and preoperative APG was confirmed. Cross-sectional CT was used to measure the extra-fascial compartment and muscle areas of the calf. The lower limbs were divided into two groups: those that were normal and those with primary varicose veins.

Results

The extra-fascial compartment area was significantly correlated with the ejection fraction in normal (r = 0.388, n = 53, p = 0.004) and varicose limbs (r = 0.232, n = 91, p = 0.027).

Conclusions

In normal and varicose limbs, evaluation of ejection fraction, an indicator of muscle pumping, requires consideration of the extra-fascial compartment area.
Effects of Air Void Content, Crumb Rubber, and Pozzolanic Fillers on OGFC Laboratory Performance
Authors: Abohamer Hossam , Elseifi Mostafa A. , Mayeux Corey , Cooper Samuel B. , Cooper Samuel
Published: May 2023

Open-graded friction course (OGFC) is recognized for its ability for rapid stormwater drainage and effective noise reduction. Yet, several state highway agencies have limited its use because of concerns about its durability. The objective of this study was to investigate the impacts of air void (AV) reduction, crumb rubber (CR), and pozzolanic fillers on OGFC durability. Six mixtures were fabricated in the laboratory and their performance was evaluated. A control mix, 9.5-NMAS mix, two mixes incorporating CR, and two mixes prepared with pozzolanic fillers (i.e., Portland cement and fly ash) were evaluated. The test factorial was designed so that each mix would be evaluated at three different stages (i.e., production, construction, and field performance). A suite of laboratory tests was conducted including draindown, prediction of compaction effort, Cantabro abrasion loss, Hamburg wheel-tracking, Texas overlay tester, modified Lottman test, and boiling test to evaluate production, compaction, and OGFC resistance to raveling, permanent deformation, cracking, and moisture damage. Results showed that the reduction in AV and the use of CR and pozzolanic fillers considerably enhanced OGFC durability while maintaining appropriate functional performance (i.e., permeability).
An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Vietnam's Vocational Training Project for Rural Laborers
Authors: Tang Chia Wei , Nguyen Hoai Than
Published: May 2023

This study focused on evaluating the project on vocational training for rural laborers in Vietnam with respect to its effectiveness in employment creation and poverty reduction among rural laborers. The investigation took the form of a case study; official policy statistics, a survey of 300 project participants and interviews with eight vocational teachers were collected to triangulate the data. Our findings found that while the project met its initial objectives of increasing the trained laborer rate, creating jobs, and reducing poverty, Vietnam's traditional culture in addition to a lack of funding and vocational training poses potential obstacles to further increases in rural laborers’ income and industrial transformation. In contrast to previous work, this study incorporated multidimensional poverty criteria with three sources of data from different stakeholders’ perspectives to provide a more comprehensive and realistic picture of the long-term poverty reduction effect of the vocational training policy. Further implication for policy practice and policy evaluation method were discussed.
Post-graduate Course in Palliative Medicine: Experiences from an E-Learning-Based Pilot Program, a Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Lamminmäki Annamarja , Hökkä Minna , Hirvonen Outi , Rahko Eeva , Saarto Tiina , T Lehto Juho
Published: May 2023

Objective: To study whether E-learning methods are feasible in the post-graduate education of palliative medicine. Methods: A mixed-methods study. Evaluations from pilot course attendees were analyzed numerically and answers to open-ended questions about E-learning were analyzed using inductive content analysis. A national pilot E-learning-based post-graduate course in palliative medicine with 24 participating physicians in Finland. The evaluation of teaching modules and different aspects of the course was achieved from the participants through numerical statements and open-ended questions. Results: The feedback on most aspects of the course was good. For example, issues of pain and symptom control, lectures, pre-exams, and group discussions were deemed suitable for E-learning, while studying communication and existential issues through E-learning was considered more challenging. The benefits of E-learning included efficacy, better accessibility, and the possibility to go back to the teaching material. Reduced networking and face-to-face interactions were stated as challenges of E-learning. Conclusions: E-learning is feasible in the post-graduate education of palliative medicine and can be ‘surprisingly rewarding’. It allows easy access to learn many important topics, while social networking may fall short. Further studies are needed to assess the increase in competence by different learning methods.
“I’m Clean and Sober, But Not Necessarily Free”: Perceptions of Buprenorphine Among Patients in Long-Term Treatment
Authors: Wyse Jessica J. , Lovejoy Travis I. , Gordon Adam J. , Mackey Katherine , Herreid-O’Neill Anders , Morasco Benjamin J.
Published: May 2023

Background:

Patients receiving buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) experience a roughly 50% reduction in mortality risk relative to those not receiving medication. Longer periods of treatment are also associated with improved clinical outcomes. Despite this, patients often express desires to discontinue treatment and some view taper as treatment success. Little is known about the beliefs and medication perspectives of patients engaged in long-term buprenorphine treatment that may underlie motivations to discontinue.

Methods:

This study was conducted at the VA Portland Health Care System (2019-2020). Qualitative interviews were conducted with participants prescribed buprenorphine for ≥2 years. Coding and analysis were guided by directed qualitative content analysis.

Results:

Fourteen patients engaged in office-based buprenorphine treatment completed interviews. While patients expressed strong enthusiasm for buprenorphine as a medication, the majority expressed the desire to discontinue, including patients actively tapering. Motivations to discontinue fell into 4 categories. First, patients were troubled by perceived side effects of the medication, including effects on sleep, emotion, and memory. Second, patients expressed unhappiness with being “dependent” on buprenorphine, framed in opposition to personal strength/independence. Third, patients expressed stigmatized beliefs about buprenorphine, describing it as “illicit,” and associated with past drug use. Finally, patients expressed fears about buprenorphine unknowns, including potential long-term health effects and interactions with medications required for surgery.

Conclusions:

Despite recognizing benefits, many patients engaged in long-term buprenorphine treatment express a desire to discontinue. Findings from this study may help clinicians anticipate patient concerns and can be used to inform shared decision-making conversations regarding buprenorphine treatment duration.
Automated closed-loop stimulation to inhibit neurogenic bladder overactivity
Authors: Majerus Steve , Nguyen Carvell , Brose Steven , Nemunaitis Gregory , Damaser Margot , Bourbeau Dennis J
Published: May 2023

Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) usually develop neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO), resulting in bladder urgency and incontinence, and reduced quality of life. Electrical stimulation of the genital nerves (GNS) can inhibit uncontrolled bladder contractions in individuals with SCI. An automated closed-loop bladder neuromodulation system currently does not exist but could improve this approach. We have developed a custom algorithm to identify bladder contractions and trigger stimulation from bladder pressure data without need for abdominal pressure measurement. The goal of this pilot study was to test the feasibility of automated closed-loop GNS using our custom algorithm to identify and inhibit reflex bladder contractions in real time. Experiments were conducted in a single session in a urodynamics laboratory in four individuals with SCI and NDO. Each participant completed standard cystometrograms without and with GNS. Our custom algorithm monitored bladder vesical pressure and controlled when GNS was turned on and off. The custom algorithm detected bladder contractions in real time, successfully inhibiting a total of 56 contractions across all four subjects. There were eight false positives, six of those occurring in one subject. It took approximately 4.0 ± 2.6 s for the algorithm to detect the onset of a bladder contraction and trigger stimulation. The algorithm maintained stimulation for approximately 3.5 ± 1.7 s, which was enough to inhibit activity and relieve feelings of urgency. Automated closed-loop stimulation was well-tolerated and subjects reported that algorithm decisions generally matched with their perceptions of bladder activity. The custom algorithm automatically, successfully identified bladder contractions to trigger stimulation to inhibit bladder contractions acutely. Closed-loop neuromodulation using our custom algorithm is feasible, but further testing is needed refine this approach for use in a home environment.
Impact of Palliative Interventions on Survival of Patients with Unresected Pancreatic Cancer: Review of the 2010-2016 National Cancer Database
Authors: Aitken Gabriela L. , Motta Monique , Samuels Shenae , Reynolds Patrick T. , Gannon Christopher J. , Llaguna Omar H.
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Palliative interventions (PI) are offered to patients with pancreatic cancer with the aim of enhancing quality of life and improving overall survival (OS). The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of PI on survival amongst patients with unresected pancreatic cancer.

Methods

Patients with stage I-IV unresected pancreatic adenocarcinoma were identified using the 2010-2016 National Cancer Database. The cohort was stratified by PI received: palliative surgery (PS), radiation therapy (RT), chemotherapy (CT), pain management (PM), or a combination (COM) of the preceding. Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank test was used to compare and estimate OS based on the PI received. A multivariate proportional hazards model was utilized to identify predictors of survival.

Results

25,995 patients were identified, of which 24.3% received PS, 7.7% RT, 40.8% CT, 16.6% PM, and 10.6% COM. The median OS was 4.9 months, with stage III patients having the highest and stage IV the lowest OS (7.8 vs 4.0 months). Across all stages, PM yielded the lowest median OS and CT the highest ( P < .001). Despite this, the stage IV cohort was the only group in which CT (81%) accounted for the largest proportion of PI received ( P < .001). Although all PI were identified as positive predictors of survival on multivariate analysis, CT had the strongest association (HR .43; 95% CI, .55-.60, P = .001).

Conclusion

PI offers a survival advantage to patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Further studies to examine the observed limited use of CT in earlier disease stages are warranted.
Conservation for self-determination: Salween Peace Park as an Indigenous Karen conservation initiative
Authors: Paul Andrew , Roth Robin , Sein Twa Saw Paul
Published: May 2023

States have long used protected areas to consolidate control over Indigenous Peoples’ territories, undermining community-based governance and access to resources. Despite this history, Indigenous Peoples around the world are increasingly designating their own protected areas to defend ancestral territories and assert self-determination. This paper examines Indigenous conservation politics in the Salween Peace Park in Kawthoolei, an autonomous territory of the Karen (Sino-Tibetan language-speaking peoples living primarily in Burma and along the Thai-Burma border). Local villagers and the Karen National Union envision the park as a grassroots initiative for peace in an area that has suffered decades of armed conflict between the Burmese military and the Karen movement for self-determination. Using the Salween Peace Park as a case study, we engage Indigenous scholarship on politics of recognition, resurgence, and refusal. We explore intersections and tensions between these political strategies, highlighting ways that Indigenous protected areas mobilize different forms of power to advance self-determination.
TP53 Signature Can Predict Pathological Response From Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Is a Prognostic Factor in Patients With Residual Disease
Authors: Takahashi Shin , Sasaki Keiju , Ishioka Chikashi
Published: May 2023

Background:

The TP53 signature that predicts the mutation status of TP53 has been shown to be a prognostic factor and predictor of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) response.

Objectives:

The current study sought to investigate the utility of the TP53 signature for predicting pathological complete response (pCR) and its prognostic significance among patients with residual disease (RD).

Design:

The study followed a retrospective cohort study design.

Methods:

Patients with T1-3/N0-1 from a cohort of those with HER2-negative breast cancer who received NAC were selected. Ability to predict pCR was evaluated using odds ratio, positive and negative predictive values, sensitivity, and specificity. Prognostic factors in the RD group were explored using the Cox proportional hazards model with distant recurrence-free survival (DRFS). Four independent cohorts were used for validation.

Results:

A total of 333 eligible patients were classified into the TP53 mutant signature (n = 154) and wild-type signature (n = 179). Among the molecular and pathological factors, the TP53 signature had the highest predictive power for pCR. In 4 independent cohorts (n = 151, 85, 104, and 67, respectively), pCR rate in TP53 mutant signature group was significantly higher than that in the wild-type group. Univariate and multivariate analyses on DRFS in the RD group identified the TP53 signature and nodal status as independent prognostic factors, with the former having a better hazard ratio than the latter. After comparing DRFS between 3 groups (pCR, RD/ TP53 wild-type signature, and RD/ TP53 mutant signature groups), the RD/ TP53 mutant signature group showed significantly worse prognosis compared with others. The RD/ TP53 wild-type signature group did not exhibit inferior DRFS compared with the pCR group.

Conclusion:

Our results showed that the TP53 mutant signature can predict pCR and that combining pathological response and TP53 mutant signature allows for the identification of subgroups with truly poor prognosis.
Democratic transition and party polarization: A fuzzy regression discontinuity design approach
Authors: Ademi Ubeydullah , Kimya Firat
Published: May 2023

How does democratic transition affect party polarization? While previous literature on party politics in post-transition environments describes a fragmented political system marked by multi-partism and the rise of weakly institutionalized parties, party polarization in young democracies is underexplored. We argue that democratic transition reduces party polarization by introducing a new set of parties which have not consolidated their issue positions yet. The ambiguity of party positions makes ideological attributes less salient and renders a less polarized party politics. To assess the impact of the party polarization in young democracies, we employ a fuzzy regression discontinuity design (RDD). We use the Manifesto Project data on right-left positions of parties from 58 countries to measure party polarization and the Varieties of Democracy (V-DEM) data on regime transition to identify democratic transitions. Our findings suggest that party polarization on right-left issue position decreases on average, following the democratic transition.
Energy consumption of mobile air-conditioning systems in electrified vehicles under different ambient temperatures
Authors: Gil-Sayas S , Di Pierro G , Tansini A , Serra S , Currò D , Broatch A , Fontaras G
Published: May 2023

In 2019, passenger car CO2 emissions peaked at 3.2 billion metric tons globally. Despite efforts to curb vehicle CO2 emissions and the ambitious targets adopted for greenhouse gas mitigation in the European Union (EU), emissions from road vehicles increased steadily over the past decade. Electrified vehicles have gained significant market share in the last years and are an essential technical option to reduce CO2 emissions. Range anxiety and insufficient charging infrastructure limit electrified vehicles’ customer acceptance and market attractiveness. The use of auxiliary systems under certain circumstances may reduce vehicle range. In this regard, energy management improvements lead to better vehicle range results. As well-considered in numerous studies, the most consuming auxiliary system is the vehicle’s heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system, also known as Mobile Air-Conditioning (MAC). The present work explores the influence of different parameters on the energy consumption of the MAC system in plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV) and battery electric vehicles (BEV). For this purpose, one PHEV and one BEV were tested in laboratory conditions at different cell temperatures of −7°C (19.4°F), 22°C (71.6°F) and 35°C (95°F), over the Worldwide Harmonised Light vehicle Test Cycle (WLTC). Laboratory tests with the same conditions were repeated with MAC on and off for each temperature. For the reference 23°C (73.4°F) condition, additional factors affecting energy consumption were analysed, such as the impact of depleting/sustaining modes on the MAC performance in PHEV, or the effect of warm and cold start in PHEV and BEV. Results suggest that the electric energy required to heat the cabin at low temperature (−7°C) could be 4–10 times higher than the energy needed to cool down the cabin in hot conditions (35°C). Compared to the vehicle energy required at the wheels during a WLTC, the MAC impact at −7°C ranges from 35% to 45% while at 35°C goes from 15% to 18%.
Dirty encounters: Pier Paolo Pasolini’s legacy in David Wojnarowicz’s work
Authors: Annovi Gian Maria
Published: May 2023

One of the last works by celebrated New York artist David Wojnarowicz is a black-and-white photograph of the artist’s face buried in the dirt. The photograph was staged in 1991, less than one year before the artist died of AIDS. Until now, Wojnarowicz’s photograph has been interpreted as the image of a burial, a reference to the artist’s impending death. This article compares Wojnarowicz’s photo to one of the last scenes of Pier Paolo Pasolini’s Teorema (1968). The case of (Untitled) Face in Dirt and Teorema indicates the existence of a potentially complex relationship between Wojnarowicz and Pasolini, two queer artists who used provocation and sexual transgression to criticize capitalist society through their work. In this article, this complex relationship is explored to show, on the one hand, the import of Pasolini’s cinematographic and literary work in New York’s underground art scene of the 1980s. On the other, it demonstrates that Wojnarowicz’s last work conveys a positive message about his artistic legacy and future.
Infrastructural fugitivity: contraband cellphones, TikTok, and vital media behind bars
Authors: Ehrhardt Jasmine , Nakamura Lisa
Published: May 2023

This article engages with TikToks created by incarcerated people using contraband cellphones. We read the #PrisonTok hashtag as part of a new genre of digital media created by imprisoned people that invites users to learn directly from them about everyday life behind bars, some of which includes producing and consuming digital media and memetic culture through practices of infrastructural fugitivity. TikTok’s affordances permit imprisoned people to share and demystify aspects of their everyday lives such as cooking, charging phones and maintaining digital infrastructure, despite prison rules prohibiting prisoners from owning phones. We discuss viral TikTok users such as Jeron Combs whose cooking videos have attracted millions of viewers, and conclude with an analysis of #PrisonTok’s implications for both media, visual culture and carceral studies. We do this to submit a framework for scholars, as well as free-world people broadly, to engage with illicit digital media created by imprisoned people.
De-medicalising public mental health with the Power Threat Meaning Framework
Authors: Harper D J
Published: May 2023

Aims:

To propose that the language and concepts in public mental health are often medicalised and to suggest that the power threat meaning framework (PTMF), can be a useful resource for those wishing to take a de-medicalising approach.

Method:

Examples of medicalisation from the literature and from practice are discussed and key constructs in the PTMF are explained, drawing from the report which presented its research base.

Results:

Examples of medicalisation in public mental health include: the uncritical use of psychiatric diagnostic categories; the ‘illness like any other’ approach in anti-stigma campaigns; and the implicit privileging of biology in the biopsychosocial model. The negative operations of power in society are seen as posing threats to human needs and people make sense of such situations in varied ways, though there are some commonalities. This gives rise to culturally available and bodily enabled threat responses which serve a variety of functions. From a medicalised perspective, these responses to threat are characteristically seen as ‘symptoms’ of underlying disorders. The PTMF is both a conceptual framework and a practical tool that can be used by individuals, groups and communities.

Conclusion:

Consistent with social epidemiological research, prevention efforts should focus on preventing adversity rather than ‘disorders’ but the added value of the PTMF is that varied problems can be understood in an integrated manner as responses to a variety of threats whose functions could be met in different ways. Its message that mental distress is often a response to adversity is comprehensible to the public and can be communicated in an accessible way.