bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tumour cells can escape antiproliferative pressure by interferon-β through immunoediting of interferon receptor expression
Authors: Hiebinger Felix , Kudulyte Aiste , Chi Huanting , Burbano De Lara Sebastian , Ilic Doroteja , Helm Barbara , Welsch Hendrik , Dao Thi Viet Loan , Klingmüller Ursula , Binder Marco
Published: December 2023

Type I interferons (IFNs) play a central role not only in innate immunity against viral infection, but also in the antitumour response, e.g. through a direct impact on cell proliferation. Particularly for cancer arising in the context of chronic inflammation, constant exposure to IFNs may constitute a strong selective pressure during tumour evolution. Expansion of neoplastic subclones resistant to the antiproliferative effects of IFNs may contribute to immunoediting of tumours, leading to more aggressive disease. Experimental evidence for this development of IFN-insensitivity has been scarce and its molecular mechanism is unclear. In this study we demonstrate that six weeks exposure of cells to IFN-β in vitro reduces their sensitivity to its antiproliferative effects, and that this phenotype was stable for up to four weeks. Furthermore, we observed substantial differences in cellular sensitivity to growth inhibition by IFN-β in a panel of ten different liver cancer cell lines, most prominently in a pair of highly dedifferentiated cell lines, and least in cells from well-differentiated tumours. In both, long-term IFN selection and in dedifferentiated tumour cell lines, we found IFNAR2 expression to be substantially reduced, suggesting the receptor complex to be a sensitive target amenable to immunoediting. Beyond new insights into possible molecular processes in tumour evolution, these findings might prove valuable for the development of biomarkers allowing to stratify tumours for their sensitivity to IFN treatment in the context of patient tailored therapies.
A critical review and analysis of the context, current burden, and application of policy to improve cancer equity in Ghana
Authors: Tuck Chloe Zabrina , Cooper Richard , Aryeetey Richmond , Gray Laura A , Akparibo Robert
Published: December 2023

Background

Cancer causes a major disease burden worldwide. This is increasingly being realised in low and middle-income countries, which account disproportionately for preventable cancer deaths. Despite the World Health Organization calling for governments to develop policies to address this and alleviate cancer inequality, numerous challenges in executing effective cancer policies remain, which require consideration of the country-specific context. As this has not yet been considered in Ghana, the aim of this review was to bring together and critique the social-environmental, health policy and system factors to identifying opportunities for future health policies to reduce cancer burden in the Ghanian context. A critical policy-focused review was conducted to bring together and critique the current health systems context relating to cancer in Ghana, considering the unmet policy need, health system and social factors contributing to the burden and policy advances related to cancer.

Conclusion

The findings highlight the changing burden of cancer in Ghana and the contextual factors within the socio-ecosystem that contribute to this. Policies around expanding access to and coverage of services, as well as the harmonization with medical pluralism have potential to improve outcomes and increase equity but their implementation and robust data to monitor their impact pose significant barriers.
Ozone alleviates MSU-induced acute gout pain via upregulating AMPK/GAS6/MerTK/SOCS3 signaling pathway
Authors: Fan Wen , Liu Chong , Chen Dacai , Xu Chenjie , Qi Xiuting , Zhang Ailin , Zhu Xuexian , Liu Yujie , Wang Lei , Hao Lanxiang , Liu Wen-Tao , Hu Liang
Published: December 2023

Background

Gout pain seriously affects the quality of patients' life. There is still no effective treatment. The inflammatory response is the main mechanism of gout. Here, we found that ozone can reduce the inflammatory reaction in the joints of gouty mice and relieve gout pain, and we further explore its protective mechanism.

Methods

MSU was used to establish the gouty mice model. Nociception was assessed by Von Frey hairs. Cell signaling assays were performed by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The mouse leukemia cells of monocyte macrophage line RAW264.7 were cultured to investigate the effects of ozone administration on macrophage.

Results

Ozone reduced inflammation, relieved gout pain and improved the paw mean intensity and duty cycle of the gouty mice. Ozone increased the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), induced suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) expression and inhibited metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9) expression. In vivo, ozone activated AMPK to induce Gas6 release, and upregulated MerTK/SOCS3 signaling pathway to reduce inflammation in mouse macrophage line RAW264.7. Inhibitors of AMPK and MerTK, respectively abolished the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of ozone in vivo and in vitro. Gas6 knockout cancelled the protectively effects of ozone on gout pain and the paw mean intensity and duty cycle of gouty mice. Additionally, the level of Gas6 and protein S in plasma of patients with hyperuricemia was significantly higher than that of healthy contrast group.

Conclusion

Ozone reduces inflammation and alleviates gout pain by activating AMPK to up-regulate Gas6/MerTK/SOCS3 signaling pathway.
Efficacy of aquatic exercise in chronic musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Wang Tianyue , Wang Jiamin , Chen Yuheng , Ruan Yanmin , Dai Senjie
Published: December 2023

Background

Aquatic exercise (AE) is becoming ever more popular as a physical therapy, while it is unclear what precise improvements it will produce and how effective it will be in comparison with other non-surgical therapies. The study aimed to assess whether AE positively impacts chronic musculoskeletal disorder patients in terms of pain, physical function, and quality of life.

Methods

PRISMA guidelines were followed, and our study protocol was published online at PROSPERO under registration number CRD42023417411. We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane library databases for English-language articles published before April 11, 2023, including studies from all relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). After screening, we ultimately included 32 RCTs with a total of 2,200 participants. We also performed subgroup analyses for all included studies. This meta-analysis calculated standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI), and the variance was estimated using a random-effects model. The quality of the included studies was assessed by using the Cochrane collaborative "risk of bias" assessment tool (version 2.0). Thus ensuring that the literature included is of high quality.

Results

This meta-analysis included 32 trials with 2,200 participants; these patients were all between the ages of 38–80. The study showed that compared to the no exercise (NE) group, patients in the AE group experienced a remarkable reduction in pain (SMD: -0.64, P < 0.001), a significant increase in physical function (SMD: 0.62, P < 0.001), and a statistically significant improvement in quality of life (SMD: −0.64, P < 0.001). When compared to land-based exercise (LE), AE significantly relieves patients' pain (SMD: −0.35, P = 0.03).

Conclusions

This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis to study whether AE could improve chronic musculoskeletal disorders. The evidence suggests that AE benefits pain, physical function, and quality of life in adults with chronic musculoskeletal conditions compared to NE. Furthermore, when compared to LE, AE continues to provide a better improvement in patient pain. More long-term clinical trials are needed to confirm AE's positive effects and improvement mechanisms and the more existential advantages compared to LE.
Demographic, clinical, and paraclinical features of patients operated with the diagnosis of acute descending necrotizing mediastinitis: a retrospective study in Southern Iran
Authors: Ranjbar Keivan , Shahriarirad Reza , Ebrahimi Kamyar , Amirian Armin , Karoobi Mohamadreza , Mardani Parviz , Erfani Amirhossein , Fallahi Mohammad Javad , Ketabchi Farzaneh , Ziaian Bizhan
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) is a type of acute mediastinitis that is rarely reported but is regarded as a fatal disease despite improvements in technological methods and antibiotic therapies. We aimed to determine the demographic, clinical, and paraclinical features of patients diagnosed with acute DNM.

Methods

In this retrospective study, patients’ hospital records with a diagnosis of DNM admitted to the Namazi hospital in southern Iran during 18 years (2002–2019) were reviewed. Demographic and clinical features were recorded and subsequently analyzed via SPSS 22.

Results

Out of 67 mediastinitis patients, 25 (37.3%) were diagnosed as DNM with an average age of 37.2 ± 16.7 years, and 68% were male. Regarding etiology, 52.0% were due to neck infection. Based on the technique of surgery, 52% of the patients underwent the combined method, which was mostly among type I and IIA DNM, while thoracotomy was mostly performed on type IIB DNM (P = 0.08). Based on the incision, type IIA and IIB had the highest frequency of thoracotomy and cervicothoracic incisions (P = 0.02 and 0.002). Puss discharge was significantly lower in type I DNM (P = 0.01). Based on the presenting symptoms of our patients, the majority (72.0%) had a chief complaint of neck pain, followed by chills and fever (48%). There were no reports of mortality during our short-term follow-up.

Conclusion

We report one of the largest retrospective studies of DNM patients in our referral center, with a high prevalence of the disease among younger populations, especially under 40 years. The method of treatment should be chosen based on the extent of infection and can be limited to neck exploration in upper mediastinal infections, though thoracic or combined approach in more broad infections.
Characterization of MicroRNA expression profiles in the ovarian tissue of goats during the sexual maturity period
Authors: Wang Yanyan , Wang Jianmin , Li Qing , Xuan Rong , Guo Yanfei , He Peipei , Chao Tianle
Published: December 2023

Background

The ovary is an important reproductive organ in mammals, and its development directly affects the sexual maturity and reproductive capacity of individuals. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are recognized as regulators of reproductive physiological processes in various animals and have been shown to regulate ovarian development through typical targeting and translational repression. However, little is known about the regulatory role of miRNAs in ovarian tissue development during sexual maturity in goats. To comprehensively profile the different physiological stages of sexual maturation in goats, we performed small-RNA sequencing of ovarian tissue samples collected at four specific time points (1 day after birth (D1), 2 months old (M2), 4 months old (M4), and 6 months old (M6)). In addition, we used ELISAs to measure serum levels of reproductive hormones to study their temporal changes.

Results

The results showed that serum levels of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, oestradiol, progesterone, oxytocin, and prolactin were lower in goats at the D1 stage than at the other three developmental stages (P < 0.05). The secretion patterns of these seven hormones show a similar trend, with hormone levels reaching their peaks at 4 months of age. A total of 667 miRNAs were detected in 20 libraries, and 254 differentially expressed miRNAs and 3 groups of miRNA clusters that had unique expression patterns were identified (|log2-fold change|> 1, FDR < 0.05) in the 6 comparison groups. RT‒qPCR was employed to confirm that the expression pattern of the 15 selected miRNAs was consistent with the Illumina sequencing results. Gene ontology analyses revealed significant enrichment of GO terms such as cell proliferation regulation, epithelial cell development, and amino acid transport, as well as important signaling pathways including the MAPK signaling pathway, the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and the oestrogen signaling pathway. Further miRNA‒mRNA regulation network analysis revealed that 8 differentially expressed miRNAs (chi-miR-1343, chi-miR-328-3p, chi-miR-877-3p, chi-miR-296-3p, chi-miR-128-5p, chi-miR-331-3p, chi-miR-342-5p and chi-miR-34a) have important regulatory roles in ovarian cell proliferation, hormone secretion and metabolism-related biological processes.

Conclusions

Overall, our study investigated the changes in serum hormone and miRNA levels in the ovaries. These data provide a valuable resource for understanding the molecular regulatory mechanisms of miRNAs in ovarian tissue during the sexual maturity period in goats.
Do critical illness survivors with multimorbidity need a different model of care?
Authors: Stewart Jonathan , Bradley Judy , Smith Susan , McPeake Joanne , Walsh Timothy , Haines Kimberley , Leggett Nina , Hart Nigel , McAuley Danny
Published: December 2023

There is currently a lack of evidence on the optimal strategy to support patient recovery after critical illness. Previous research has largely focussed on rehabilitation interventions which aimed to address physical, psychological, and cognitive functional sequelae, the majority of which have failed to demonstrate benefit for the selected outcomes in clinical trials. It is increasingly recognised that a person’s existing health status, and in particular multimorbidity (usually defined as two or more medical conditions) and frailty, are strongly associated with their long-term outcomes after critical illness. Recent evidence indicates the existence of a distinct subgroup of critical illness survivors with multimorbidity and high healthcare utilisation, whose prior health trajectory is a better predictor of long-term outcomes than the severity of their acute illness. This review examines the complex relationships between multimorbidity and patient outcomes after critical illness, which are likely mediated by a range of factors including the number, severity, and modifiability of a person’s medical conditions, as well as related factors including treatment burden, functional status, healthcare delivery, and social support. We explore potential strategies to optimise patient recovery after critical illness in the presence of multimorbidity. A comprehensive and individualized approach is likely necessary including close coordination among healthcare providers, medication reconciliation and management, and addressing the physical, psychological, and social aspects of recovery. Providing patient-centred care that proactively identifies critical illness survivors with multimorbidity and accounts for their unique challenges and needs is likely crucial to facilitate recovery and improve outcomes.
Cotton pedigree genome reveals restriction of cultivar-driven strategy in cotton breeding
Authors: Liu Shang , Zuo Dongyun , Cheng Hailiang , He Man , Wang Qiaolian , Lv Limin , Zhang Youping , Ashraf Javaria , Liu Ji , Song Guoli
Published: December 2023

Background

Many elite genes have been identified from the available cotton genomic data, providing various genetic resources for gene-driven breeding. However, backbone cultivar-driven breeding is the most widely applied strategy. Revealing the genetic basis of cultivar-driven strategy’s restriction is crucial for transition of cotton breeding strategy.

Result

CRI12 is a backbone cultivar in cultivar-driven breeding. Here we sequence the pedigree of CRI12 using Nanopore long-read sequencing. We construct a graphical pedigree genome using the high-quality CRI12 genome and 13,138 structural variations within 20 different pedigree members. We find that low hereditary stability of elite segments in backbone cultivars is a drawback of cultivar-driven strategy. We also identify 623 functional segments in CRI12 for multiple agronomic traits in presence and absence variation-based genome-wide association study on three cohorts. We demonstrate that 25 deleterious segments are responsible for the geographical divergence of cotton in pathogen resistance. We also characterize an elite pathogen-resistant gene (GhKHCP) utilized in modern cotton breeding. In addition, we identify 386 pedigree fingerprint segments by comparing the segments of the CRI12 pedigree with those of a large cotton population.

Conclusion

We characterize the genetic patterns of functional segments in the pedigree of CRI12 using graphical genome method, revealing restrictions of cultivar-driven strategies in cotton breeding. These findings provide theoretical support for transitioning from cultivar-driven to gene-driven strategy in cotton breeding.
Therapeutic effect of Echinococcus granulosus cyst fluid on bacterial sepsis in mice
Authors: Wang Shuying , Jiang Donghui , Huang Feifei , Qian Yayun , Qi Meitao , Li Huihui , Wang Xiaoli , Wang Zhi , Wang Kaigui , Wang Yin , Du Pengfei , Zhan Bin , Zhou Rui , Chu Liang , Yang Xiaodi
Published: December 2023

Background

The primary pathophysiological process of sepsis is to stimulate a massive release of inflammatory mediators to trigger systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), the major cause of multi-organ dysfunction and death. Like other helminths, Echinococcus granulosus induces host immunomodulation. We sought to determine whether E. granulosus cyst fluid (EgCF) displays a therapeutic effect on sepsis-induced inflammation and tissue damage in a mouse model.

Methods

The anti-inflammatory effects of EgCF were determined by in vitro culture with bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and in vivo treatment of BALB/C mice with cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis. The macrophage phenotypes were determined by flow cytometry, and the levels of cytokines in cell supernatants or in sera of mice were measured (ELISA). The therapeutic effect of EgCF on sepsis was evaluated by observing the survival rates of mice for 72 h after CLP, and the pathological injury to the liver, kidney, and lung was measured under a microscope. The expression of TLR-2/MyD88 in tissues was measured by western blot to determine whether TLR-2/MyD88 is involved in the sepsis-induced inflammatory signaling pathway.

Results

In vitro culture with BMDMs showed that EgCF promoted macrophage polarization to M2 type and inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced M1 macrophages. EgCF treatment provided significant therapeutic effects on CLP-induced sepsis in mice, with increased survival rates and alleviation of tissue injury. The EgCF conferred therapeutic efficacy was associated with upregulated anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10 and TGF-β) and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and INF-γ). Treatment with EgCF induced Arg-1-expressed M2, and inhibited iNOS-expressed M1 macrophages. The expression of TLR-2 and MyD88 in EgCF-treated mice was reduced.

Conclusions

The results demonstrated that EgCF confers a therapeutic effect on sepsis by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inducing regulatory cytokines. The anti-inflammatory effect of EgCF is carried out possibly through inducing macrophage polarization from pro-inflammatory M1 to regulatory M2 phenotype to reduce excessive inflammation of sepsis and subsequent multi-organ damage. The role of EgCF in regulating macrophage polarization may be achieved by inhibiting the TLR2/MyD88 signaling pathway.

Graphical Abstract
Effectiveness of using humor appeal in health promotion materials: evidence from an experimental study in Japan
Authors: Suka Machi , Shimazaki Takashi
Published: December 2023

Background

Public health professionals have prepared and distributed many messages and materials to convince the public to adopt healthy behaviors or reduce risky behaviors. However, health promotion materials do not always have the desired effect due to a lack of ability to engage target audience. This study examined the effectiveness of humor appeal (i.e. using humor as an advertising technique to attract attention and increase acceptance of the message) in health promotion materials and how to use it effectively.

Methods

Total 17 printable posters with different frames (loss- vs. gain-framed) × tones (humorous vs. non-humorous) × topics (advance care planning, cancer screening, donor registry, smoking cessation, and physical activity) were created and evaluated for comprehensibility, persuasiveness, and resistance through two web-based surveys. Participants who were Japanese adults aged 25–64 years were randomly assigned one of the posters (200 people each) and asked to rate it. The overall score was calculated as the persuasiveness score (EHPM 2017;22:69) minus the resistance score (EHPM 2022;27:20).

Results

In the advance care planning case, the highest overall score was found in the gain-framed humorous poster, followed by the loss-framed humorous poster, and the non-humorous poster (p = 0.007). In the other 4 cases, the posters using humorous illustrations received a significantly lower scores than the non-humorous poster(s).

Conclusion

The use of humor appeal can help improve the acceptability and persuasiveness of the message when dealing with a little-known resistance-prone health topic. Humor appeal will provide an effective hook to direct public attention to what they do not know or care about in public health communication.
Comparison of different internal fixation models in ankle arthrodesis using 3D finite-element analysis
Authors: Feng Bo , Gao Qing-bo , Dai Guang-ming , Niu Ke-cheng , Jiang Wei , Wang Zhen-yu , Zheng Hao-yan
Published: December 2023

Background

The purpose of this study is to use three-dimensional finite-element analysis to better understand the biomechanical features of various internal fixators for ankle arthrodesis.

Methods

We used finite-element analysis to compare four different types of internal fixations in ankle arthrodesis: Group A had three crossed screws (Ø6.5 mm); Group B had two crossed screws (Ø6.5 mm) and an anterior plate (Ø2.7 mm); Group C only had an anterior anatomical plate (Ø3.5 mm); Group D had one anterior anatomical plate (Ø3.5 mm) and one posterior–lateral screw (Ø6.5 mm). We adopted Ansys 21.0 software to analyze and compare the four types in terms of the displacement of the arthrodesis surface and the stress peak and stress distribution of these models under intorsion, extorsion, dorsiflexion torque, and neutral vertical load.

Results

① Displacement of the arthrodesis surface: In Group A, the maximum displacement was larger than Group D under neutral vertical load and dorsiflexion torque but less than it under intorsion and extorsion torque. In Group B, the maximum displacement against dorsiflexion, neutral vertical load, intorsion, and extorsion was less than that in the other three fixation models. In Group C, the maximum displacement against the above four loading patterns were significantly higher than that in another three fixation models. ② Stress peak and stress distribution: based on the stress distribution of the four models, the peak von Mises stress was concentrated in the central sections of the compression screws, plate joints, and bending parts of the plates.

Conclusions

The fixation model consisting of two crossed screws and an anterior outperformed the other three fixation models in terms of biomedical advantages; thus, this model can be deemed a safe and reliable internal fixation approach for ankle arthrodesis.
Whole mitogenome sequencing uncovers a relation between mitochondrial heteroplasmy and leprosy severity
Authors: de Souza Felipe Gouvea , da Silva Moisés Batista , de Araújo Gilderlanio S. , Silva Caio S. , Pinheiro Andrey Henrique Gama , Cáceres-Durán Miguel Ángel , Santana-da-Silva Mayara Natália , Pinto Pablo , Gobbo Angélica Rita , da Costa Patrícia Fagundes , Salgado Claudio Guedes , Ribeiro-dos-Santos Ândrea , Cavalcante Giovanna C.
Published: December 2023

Background

In recent years, the mitochondria/immune system interaction has been proposed, so that variants of mitochondrial genome and levels of heteroplasmy might deregulate important metabolic processes in fighting infections, such as leprosy.

Methods

We sequenced the whole mitochondrial genome to investigate variants and heteroplasmy levels, considering patients with different clinical forms of leprosy and household contacts. After sequencing, a specific pipeline was used for preparation and bioinformatics analysis to select heteroplasmic variants.

Results

We found 116 variants in at least two of the subtypes of the case group (Borderline Tuberculoid, Borderline Lepromatous, Lepromatous), suggesting a possible clinical significance to these variants. Notably, 15 variants were exclusively found in these three clinical forms, of which five variants stand out for being missense (m.3791T > C in MT-ND1, m.5317C > A in MT-ND2, m.8545G > A in MT-ATP8, m.9044T > C in MT-ATP6 and m.15837T > C in MT-CYB). In addition, we found 26 variants shared only by leprosy poles, of which two are characterized as missense (m.4248T > C in MT-ND1 and m.8027G > A in MT-CO2).

Conclusion

We found a significant number of variants and heteroplasmy levels in the leprosy patients from our cohort, as well as six genes that may influence leprosy susceptibility, suggesting for the first time that the mitogenome might be involved with the leprosy process, distinction of clinical forms and severity. Thus, future studies are needed to help understand the genetic consequences of these variants.
Predicting the difficulty of EFL reading comprehension tests based on linguistic indices
Authors: Rafatbakhsh Elaheh , Ahmadi Alireza
Published: December 2023

Estimating the difficulty of reading tests is critical in second language education and assessment. This study was aimed at examining various text features that might influence the difficulty level of a high-stakes reading comprehension test and predict test takers’ scores. To this end, the responses provided by 17,900 test takers on the reading comprehension subsection of a major high-stakes test, the Iranian National University Entrance Exam for the Master’s Program were examined. Overall, 63 reading passages in different versions of the test from 2017 to 2019 were studied with a focus on 16 indices that might help explain the reading difficulty and test takers’ scores. The results showed that the content word overlap index and the Flesch-Kincaid Reading Ease formula had significant correlations with the observed difficulty and could therefore be considered better predictors of test difficulty compared to other variables. The findings suggest the use of various indices to estimate the reading difficulty before administering tests to ensure the equivalency and validity of tests.
Current status and trends in antimicrobial use in food animals in China, 2018–2020
Authors: Zhao Qi , Jiang Zinan , Li Ting , Cheng Min , Sun Hongyang , Cui Mingquan , Zhang Chunping , Xu Shixin , Wang Hejia , Wu Congming
Published: December 2023

Antimicrobial resistance poses a significant threat to global public health, and excessive antimicrobial use (AMU) in animals is a major contributing factor. We used national AMU data for food animals to examine the current status and trends for AMU in food animals in China from 2018–2020. In 2020, China used 32,776.30 tons of antimicrobials in food animals, amounting to 165 g of antimicrobials per ton of animal products. AMU in China increased throughout the 2018–2020 study period; however, the data still showed a consistent and notable reduction from those of 2017, coinciding with the implementation of the China National Action Plan for Combating Animal Antimicrobial Resistance. Among the antimicrobials used, tetracyclines, macrolides and β-lactams (including β-lactam inhibitors) were the most commonly used in food animals. Analysis by antimicrobial class revealed shifts in usage patterns, such as decreased tetracycline use and increased macrolide and β-lactam use. Furthermore, the use of antimicrobial growth promoters decreased sharply, from 51.78% in 2018 to 28.7% in 2020. Compared with AMU data from other countries, China used more antimicrobials, but the values were relatively lower when adjusted for population correction units. These findings highlight China's remarkable efforts in combating antimicrobial resistance and promoting antimicrobial stewardship, thus contributing significantly to global initiatives.
Evil in Exile: Fiction, Franzen, Faust
Authors: DiMassa Daniel
Published: December 2023

Serious fiction, according to Frank Kermode, avoids the apocalyptic paradigm of beginning, middle, and end. Part of the paradigm that escaped Kermode’s attention, however, is the inevitable defeat of evil by forces of good. The present essay inquires after the narratological fate of evil in the sorts of literary fiction that exist outside this paradigm. Taking up the novels of Jonathan Franzen, which are replete with representations of evil, this essay locates the sources of Franzen’s fixation in Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and argues that, as theodicy fell out of favor in the European eighteenth century, Goethe developed a proto-existential poetics that sought to reckon with the apparent ineluctability of evil. The essay thus aims to offer a newly historicized reading of Franzen’s literary project; to draw attention to the significance of the collapse of theodicy for the development of literary fiction; and to position Goethe as a critical voice to emerge from that collapse and put forward literary fiction as a discursive alternative to theological paradigms.
Who’s Afraid of Italo Svevo? Routes of European Modernism between Trieste and Virginia Woolf’s London
Authors: Ziolkowski Saskia Elizabeth
Published: December 2023

The Triestine author Italo Svevo spent a considerable amount of time in London and its environs between 1901 and 1926. His experiences there influenced his modernist writing, including Zeno’s Conscience, his most famous novel. Leonard and Virginia Woolf’s Hogarth Press was the first to publish Svevo’s work in English. His story “The Hoax” marked their first translation from Italian and his short story collection The Nice Old Man and the Pretty Girl and Other Stories their second, helping shape the press’s international modernist program. Despite residing in the same quickly changing city in the same period and despite their literary connections, Svevo and Virginia Woolf have rarely been compared. They have been difficult to envision together in part because their gender, backgrounds, and nationalities separate them. By exploring Woolf’s and Svevo’s shared modernist networks, including London’s influence and Hogarth Press, this article reveals Svevo’s significance as an author who has not easily fit Anglophone paradigms of modernist fiction and whose associations with Woolf contribute to the growing challenges to nation-based literary histories.
A tRNA-specific function for tRNA methyltransferase Trm10 is associated with a new tRNA quality control mechanism inSaccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Bowles Isobel E. , Jackman Jane E.
Published: December 2023

InSaccharomyces cerevisiae, a single homolog of the tRNA methyltransferase Trm10 performs m1G9 modification on 13 different tRNAs. Here we provide evidence that the m1G9 modification catalyzed byS. cerevisiaeTrm10 plays a biologically important role for one of these tRNA substrates, tRNATrp. Overexpression of tRNATrp(and not any of 38 other elongator tRNAs) rescues growth hypersensitivity of thetrm10Δstrain in the presence of the antitumor drug 5-fluorouracil (5FU). Mature tRNATrpis depleted intrm10Δcells, and its levels are further decreased upon growth in 5FU, while another Trm10 substrate (tRNAGly) is not affected under these conditions. Thus, m1G9 inS. cerevisiaeis another example of a tRNA modification that is present on multiple tRNAs but is only essential for the biological function of one of those species. In addition to the effects of m1G9 on mature tRNATrp, precursor tRNATrpspecies accumulate in the same strains, an effect that is due to at least two distinct mechanisms. The levels of mature tRNATrpare rescued in thetrm10Δmet22Δstrain, consistent with the known role of Met22 in tRNA quality control, where deletion ofmet22causes inhibition of 5′–3′ exonucleases that catalyze tRNA decay. However, none of the known Met22-associated exonucleases appear to be responsible for the decay of hypomodified tRNATrp, based on the inability of mutants of each enzyme to rescue the growth of thetrm10Δstrain in the presence of 5FU. Thus, the surveillance of tRNATrpappears to constitute a distinct tRNA quality control pathway inS. cerevisiae.
Essays in industrial organization
Authors: Λεοντίου Αναστασία
Published: December 2023

Η τρέχουσα διατριβή έγκειται κυρίως στους τομείς της Βιομηχανικής Οργάνωσης και της Συμπεριφορικών Οικονομικών και καλύπτει μια σειρά θεμάτων που σχετίζονται με τη λήψη αποφάσεων, στρατηγικές αλληλεπιδράσεις, διάκριση τιμών και τις συνθήκες ανταγωνισμού σε μία αγορά. Το Κεφάλαιο 1 αναλύει την ανταγωνιστική συμπεριφορά που σχετίζεται με τις επενδύσεις μείωσης του κόστους, χαρακτηρίζοντας ένα μηχανισμό διπλωμάτων ευρεσιτεχνίας που προάγει την καινοτομία. Τα Κεφάλαια 2 και 3 εξετάζουν στρατηγικές τιμολόγησης σε ανταγωνιστικές και κάθετές αγορές, με ίδιαιτερη έμφαση στο ρόλο της αποστροφής των καταναλωτών προς τη ζημία. Τέλος, το Κεφάλαιο 4 εξετάζει τον ρόλο της αποστροφής προς τη ζημία στις στρατηγικές αλληλεπιδράσεις και την δαπανηρή συμμετοχή των ατόμων σε εκλογές πλειοψηφίας.
An Edition of Jonson’s Entertainment at Britain’s Burse and a New Letter by Collier on Massinger in the Athenaeum (1857)
Authors: Blaine Marlin E.
Published: December 2023

This article identifies two previously uncatalogued items that were published in the Athenaeum in November 1857, each of which is connected to the then-recent acquisition of the Conway Papers by the Public Record Office (now the National Archives). These include a printing of Jonson’s Entertainment at Britain’s Burse and a letter from John Payne Collier that seems to refer to Massinger’s lost play Philenzo and Hippolyto. The former nuances the publication history of a work whose historical and dramatic importance recent scholarship demonstrates, while the latter offers evidence regarding Collier’s claim that a manuscript of Massinger’s play once lay among the Conway Papers.
Peer Evaluations: Evaluating and Being Evaluated
Authors: Klapper Helge , Piezunka Henning , Dahlander Linus
Published: December 2023

Peer evaluations place organizational members in a dual role: they evaluate their peers and are being evaluated by their peers. We theorize that when evaluating their peers, they anticipate how their evaluations will be perceived and adjust their evaluations strategically to be evaluated more positively themselves when their peers assess them. Building on this overarching claim of role duality resulting in strategic peer evaluations, we focus on a dilemma that evaluating members face: they want to leverage their evaluations of peers to portray themselves as engaged and having high standards, but at the same time, they must be careful not to offend anyone as doing so may cause retaliation. We suggest that organizational members about to be evaluated resolve this dilemma by participating in more peer evaluations but carefully targeting which evaluations they participate in. We test our theory by analyzing peer evaluations on Wikipedia, supplemented by in-depth semistructured interviews. Our study informs research on peer evaluation and organizational design by revealing how being an evaluator and evaluated can make evaluations more strategic.

Supplemental Material: The e-companion is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2021.15302 .
Perioperative medicine: challenges and solutions for global health
Authors: Wagstaff Duncan , Shenouda John
Published: December 2023

The emerging field of perioperative medicine has the potential to make significant contributions to global health. Perioperative medicine aims to help reduce unmet surgical need, decrease variation in quality and systematically improve patient outcomes. These aims are also applicable to key challenges in global health, such as limited access to surgical care, variable quality and workforce shortages. This article describes the areas in which perioperative medicine can contribute to global health using case studies of successful care pathways, risk prediction tools, strategies for effective grassroots research and novel workforce approaches aimed at effectively using limited resources.
Policresulen to treat hypergranulation tissue around drainage tubes
Authors: Kim Su Ho , Choi Byung Gil , Ok Jung Suk , Chun Ho Jong , Lee Hae Giu
Published: December 2023

Objective:

To evaluate the efficacy of policresulen for the treatment of hypergranulation.

Method:

This was a retrospective study of patients with percutaneous catheters. Inpatients from two hospitals and those from outpatient clinics were included. Approximately 2ml of 50% policresulen solution was applied to hypergranulation tissue, which was then immediately pressed with gauze for 1–3 minutes using light pressure. When haemostasis was achieved and the granulation tissue size decreased, the procedure was terminated.

Results:

A total of eight patients (four females and four males) were included in this study. Effective haemostasis was achieved in all patients. The size of the hypergranulation tissue decreased with policresulen treatment, and resolved completely in one patient. There were no complications. Hypergranulation tissue recurred in one patient. Haemostasis was successfully achieved after repeated procedures.

Conclusion:

The findings of this study showed policresulen to be an inexpensive, easy treatment for hypergranulation at catheter insertion sites.
Management of diabetic foot ulcers using topical probiotics in a soybean-based concentrate: a multicentre study
Authors: Yang Chao-Chih , Wu Megn-Si , Hsu Honda
Published: December 2023

Objective:

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a common complication in people with diabetes. Standard management includes strict glycaemic management, control of the infection, revascularisation, debridement, mechanical offloading and foot care education. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of using topical probiotics in a soybean-based concentrate in the management of DFUs

Method:

A retrospective, multicentre evaluation of patients with diabetes with non-infected DFUs between October 2020 and October 2021, and who were treated with twice daily topical application of probiotics in a soybean-based concentrate as an adjunct to standard wound care.

Results:

A total of 22 patients were enrolled into this study, including 16 males and six females, with a mean age of 61 years (range: 31–89 years). Defect size ranged from 1–33.5cm2 (mean: 7.2cm2). The mean number of days until complete healing was 51 (range: 21–112 days). Of the patients, 83% showed complete healing at the end of 16 weeks, 72% showed complete healing at 12 weeks, 56% at eight weeks, and 22% at four weeks. The wounds showed an average decrease in size of 0.59cm2 (9%) per week, calculated using generalised estimating equation.

Conclusion:

This findings of this study provide a new perspective on the therapeutic potential of probiotics as an effective form of management in patients with small, hard-to-heal (chronic) DFUs.
Wound healing efficacy of a polymeric spray film solution containing Centella asiatica leaf extract on acute wounds
Authors: Changsan Narumon , Srichana Teerapol , Atipairin Apichart , Sawatdee Somchai
Published: December 2023

Objective:

To study the clinical efficacy of a polymeric spray film containing Centella asiatica extract to heal acute wounds.

Method:

A polymeric spray film solution for wound healing was formulated using Centella asiatica extract, which contained triterpenes, including asiatic acid, madecassic acid, asiaticoside and madecassoside. The stability and physicochemical properties of the formulation were evaluated, and a multicentre, randomised, controlled trial was conducted to assess its clinical wound-healing efficacy. The Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH Tool) score was used to evaluate wound healing on days 0, 3, 5 and 7.

Results:

The cohort consisted of 60 volunteers with clean-contaminated wounds (class 1), randomly assigned to the Control (n=30) and Testing (n=30) groups. The spray product contained asiatic acid, madecassic acid, asiaticoside and madecassoside at 0.20±0.02mg/ml, 0.16±0.01mg/ml, 0.32±0.03mg/ml and 0.10±0.00mg/ml, respectively. The pH value was 5.5±0.01, and the viscosity was 33±4cP. The product was stable for six months when stored at 30±2°C and at 40±2°C, in 75±5% relative humidity. The tested product significantly reduced the total PUSH and exudate scores, indicating that the polymeric spray film solution containing Centella asiatica improved wound healing. The average healing recovery times for the Testing and Control groups were 4.6±1.1 days and 4.87±1.0 days, respectively.

Conclusion:

In this study, Centella asiatica extract-containing polymeric spray film solution was beneficial as an acute wound medication, which could shorten healing time with no adverse effects.
Discovering Discovery in Restoration London; Or, the Theatre Under the Microscope
Authors: Lash Alexander Paulsson
Published: December 2023

Abstract: Focusing on Robert Hooke's spectacular 1665 Micrographia and Thomas Shadwell's 1676 satire of Hooke and other members of the early Royal Society, The Virtuoso , this essay argues that the concept of discovery was central to managing the challenges of technologically assisted perception. In Hooke's accounts of how he discovered new objects in his microscope, Shadwell discovered a language for thinking through how characters could be known inside the new scenic stage of the Restoration theaters.
A Queer Omission in Sir Orfeo
Authors: Critten Rory G.
Published: December 2023

Abstract: Sir Orfeo is a retelling of the Orpheus myth that allows the hero to keep his bride. This paper counters readings of the poem as a vindication of married love by focusing on its reception in the shadow of a significant omission: both Virgil and Ovid state that after losing Eurydice, Orpheus gave up loving women; Ovid adds that Orpheus loved boys. The significance of these missing conclusions is explored for readers of the poem from its scribes to their patrons and their patrons' families. The paper shows the usefulness of a reception-oriented approach for queer readings of the text.
Emblematic Arks in John Donne's "A Hymne To Christ" and the Antwerp Polyglot Bible (1568–73)
Authors: Goeglein Tamara A.
Published: December 2023

Abstract: Noah's ark ([inline-graphic 01] or thebah ) fascinated the Christian Hebraist makers of the Antwerp Polyglot Bible. Their sacred philology interpreted thebah as a singular life-preserving vessel, and their Bible's elegant engravings of thebah insert Christ's crucified body inside it. "Christ's ark," as I call this emblem, figures the life-preserving Resurrection promised in Christ's sacrificial death. I argue that "Christ's ark" informs John Donne's "A Hymne to Christ." In its first stanza, Donne makes a distinctly personal emblem of "Christ's ark," which intersects with the hymn's controversial closing lines. These closing lines express faith in Christ's Resurrection, and, with His Resurrection, Donne's own.
Unsettling Human (In)Security: Challenging Neglect and Making the Unapparent Appear
Authors: Elliott Lorraine
Published: December 2023

The concept of human security, introduced to the global public policy lexicon in
1994, did two things. First, it challenged conventional and dominant state-centric
approaches to security to rethink security in universal people-centred terms.
Second, in its focus on human life and dignity, it called for a profound transition
in security thinking to make all people everywhere matter. This article argues
that the development of human security within the UN system has not sufficiently
met these objectives. Through an analysis of three key human security sectors—
food security, health security and disaster events—it reveals how conventional
approaches to human security can be implicated in neglect, invisibility and marginalisation such that those already facing insecurity are made worse off still.
A critical human security lens demonstrates that foregrounding recognition,
solidarity and agency can help to expose invisibilities and encourage strategies to
make people count.
Linguist is as linguist does: A comparative study on the employment and income of graduates from linguistics programs in Canada
Authors: Battershill Kaitlyn , Kuperman Victor
Published: December 2023

Abstract: This study attempts to answer a perennial question asked of and by every student of linguistics: ‘What can you do with this degree?’. We address the question through an in-depth analysis of administrative and tax data from Statistics Canada (2009–2018). Specifically, this article (i) maps out educational and employment pathways of linguistics graduates in Canada, (ii) compares their earnings to graduates from other ‘competitor’ programs that future linguists consider as viable alternatives, and (iii) verifies the range of careers advertised by linguistics departments against the reality of the industries in which graduates from those departments are employed. These findings enable us to draw conclusions about the optimal and suboptimal educational and career pathways that involve a linguistics degree. Linguistics graduates tend to earn less than their peers in comparable programs, unless they pursue a lengthy educational path. The findings also point to a partial mismatch between potential careers advertised by Canadian linguistics departments and actual areas of employment after graduating with a linguistics degree. We provide suggestions for linguistics departments on how best to align the policies and practices of these programs with the ground truth of the labor market.
Demonstration of real-time jitter-buffered architecture that collects network information for deterministic optical communication
Authors: Koyasako Yushi , Suzuki Takahiro , Hatano Tomoya , Shimada Tatsuya , Yoshida Tomoaki
Published: December 2023

Demand has been increasing for accurate remote motion control of IoT devices, but jitter can negatively impact control performance. Jitter buffering has been studied as a solution, but it is necessary to obtain delay values in real-time. In this study, we propose an architecture that collects end-to-end delay values in real-time, implements jitter buffering based on the obtained values, and implements more detailed delay compensation control based on fixed delay values. This allows network conditions, which are normally out of the user’s control, to be used to optimize the user’s IoT device control application. We construct a basic motor-based experimental system around an FPGA and verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. Experiments show that the proposed method performs the jitter buffering even under a high-network-load environment and achieves successful motor control within 1.5 s by handling delay changes.
Coherent control of photonic band gaps through the relative phase using modified superradiance lattice
Authors: Saeed Muhammad , Shabbir Atif
Published: December 2023

We report photonic band gaps based on a modified superradiance lattice having reflectivity close to 100% for both the low and high-frequency ranges. We observe that tuning the relative phase between the coupling fields provides additional control over photonic band gaps. We notice that the relative phase can control three input channels of the probe field simultaneously and efficiently. This feature of relative phase over photonic band gaps provides potential in the field of quantum optics. Further, this scheme is experimentally more viable. Rubidium atoms 87Rb can obtain low-frequency (infrared) photonic band gaps. On the other hand, rubidium atoms 85Rb and beryllium ions Be2+ can form high-frequency ultraviolet and soft X-ray photonic band gaps, achieving reflectivities of 80% and 96%, respectively. This scheme holds promise for constructing highly efficient optical switches and beam splitters.