bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of an in‐house bone marrow collection kit: The Catalan bone marrow transplantation group experience
Authors: Fernandez‐Sojo Jesus , Valdivia Elena , Esquirol Albert , Portos Jose‐Manuel , Rovira Montse , Suarez Maria , Diaz‐de‐Heredia Cristina , Uría Maria‐Luz , Ortí Guillermo , Ferra Christelle , Mussetti Alberto , Paviglianiti Annalisa , Marsal Julia , Badell Isabel , Lozano Miquel , Gomez David , Azqueta Carmen , Martorell Lluis , Rubio Nuria , Garcia‐Buendia Ana , Villa Juliana , Carreras Enric , Querol Sergio
Published: August 2023

Background and Objectives

Bone marrow (BM) harvesting is one of the essential sources of stem cells for haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In 2019, commercial BM collection kits became unavailable in Europe. Consequently, we created an in‐house BM collection kit as an alternative.

Materials and Methods

We compared two groups of BM collections. The first collections were taken using an in‐house kit from June 2022 through February 2023 and the second with a commercial kit from February 2021 through May 2022. These all took place at seven collection centres (CC). We analysed the harvest quality (cell blood count, CD34+ cells, viability, potency and sterility), the incidents occurring with each kit and the time to neutrophil and platelet engraftment in recipients.

Results

A total of 23 donors underwent BM harvesting with the in‐house kit and 23 with the commercial one. Both cohorts were comparable regarding donor characteristics, CC and time to procedure. No statistical differences were found in harvest quality between the in‐house and commercial kits. A new transfusion set was required in three BM harvests (13%) with the in‐house kit because of filter clogging. The median time to neutrophil and platelet engraftment was 21 days for both cohorts and 29 days (in‐house) and 33 days (commercial), p = 0.284, respectively.

Conclusion

The in‐house BM collection kit offers a real approach to solve the diminished supply of commercial kits. A higher risk of filter clogging was observed compared with commercial kits due to the lack of 850 and 500 μm filters.
Validation of a participant selection method within a mixed sequential research design for case studies of sustainable supply chains*
Authors: Mejia Salazar Ismael Santiago , Moreno Mantilla Carlos Eduardo , Aguilar Zambrano José Javier , Trujillo Suárez Manuel , Loaiza Ramírez Juan Pablo
Published: August 2023

The literature on Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) suggests incorporating multi-disciplinary approaches and mixed methodologies; however, the literature is scarce on how to select participants for the qualitative phase, within an Explanatory Sequential Design (ESD). This research applies and validates the Pathway participant selection method (MSP) within ESD, investigating the influence of integration with secondary stakeholders on advanced SSCM practices in SMEs. The literature on SSCM recognizes the importance of a rigorous qualitative case selection method, based on previous quantitative data.

As a result, the MSP Pathway selected the “precise” cases (SMEs) where the independent variable best influences the dependent one. The selection ended with a validation and prioritization of the cases by experts, according to defined criteria. The results demonstrate the applicability and relevance of the DEXPLIS method and its MSP.
Predictive Contribution of the Superficial Neck Muscles to Short-Latency Rate of Force Development of the Head and Neck
Authors: Pelland Lucie , Gilchrist Ian A. , Mesfar Wissal , Lommen Jonathan , Moglo Kodjo
Published: August 2023

Purpose: To evaluate the contribution of splenius capitis, sternocleidomastoid, and upper fibers of trapezius activation to the gains in rate of force development (RFD) of the head and neck during maximum voluntary ballistic contractions. Methods: RFD gain was facilitated by a single-session intervention for maximum voluntary ballistic contractions in the anterior direction, oriented at 45° to the midsagittal plane, which require active restraint of axial rotation. Muscle activation for the agonist (sternocleidomastoid) and 2 antagonists (splenius capitis and upper fibers of trapezius) was evaluated. The study sample included 12 physically active men (mean age, 22.6 y). RFD (N·m·s−1; 0–100 ms) and integrated muscle activity (50 ms before and 100 ms after force onset) were measured at 10 minutes, 20 minutes, and 2 days postintervention, relative to baseline. Muscle activation predictive of RFD gains was evaluated by linear regression analysis. RFD reproducibility was evaluated using the coefficient of variation of the typical error. Results: The intervention yielded a 1.95- to 2.39-fold RFD gain (P ≤ .05), with greater RFD gain for participants with a lower peak moment of force (<10.9 N·m) than those with a higher peak moment (≥10.9 N·m) at baseline (P ≤ .002). For the low group, 65% to 74% of the RFD gain was predicted by ipsilateral sternocleidomastoid activation, with ipsilateral splenius capitis activation predicting 77% to 92% of RFD gain for the high group. Absolute peak and impulse of static force were greater for the high than for the low group (P ≤ .04). RFD reproducibility was high (coefficient of variation of the typical error ≤ 14.4%). Conclusions: The agonist- and antagonist-focused synergies might reflect different functional priorities, higher RFD gain compared with higher head–neck force.
ChatGPT for Sample-Size Calculation in Sports Medicine and Exercise Sciences: A Cautionary Note
Authors: Methnani Jabeur , Latiri Imed , Dergaa Ismail , Chamari Karim , Ben Saad Helmi
Published: August 2023

Purpose: To investigate the accuracy of ChatGPT (Chat generative pretrained transformer), a large language model, in calculating sample size for sport-sciences and sports-medicine research studies. Methods: We conducted an analysis on 4 published papers (ie, examples 1–4) encompassing various study designs and approaches for calculating sample size in 3 sport-science and -medicine journals, including 3 randomized controlled trials and 1 survey paper. We provided ChatGPT with all necessary data such as mean, percentage SD, normal deviates (Zα/2 and Z1−β), and study design. Prompting from 1 example has subsequently been reused to gain insights into the reproducibility of the ChatGPT response. Results: ChatGPT correctly calculated the sample size for 1 randomized controlled trial but failed in the remaining 3 examples, including the incorrect identification of the formula in one example of a survey paper. After interaction with ChatGPT, the correct sample size was obtained for the survey paper. Intriguingly, when the prompt from Example 3 was reused, ChatGPT provided a completely different sample size than its initial response. Conclusions: While the use of artificial-intelligence tools holds great promise, it should be noted that it might lead to errors and inconsistencies in sample-size calculations even when the tool is fed with the necessary correct information. As artificial-intelligence technology continues to advance and learn from human feedback, there is hope for improvement in sample-size calculation and other research tasks. However, it is important for scientists to exercise caution in utilizing these tools. Future studies should assess more advanced/powerful versions of this tool (ie, ChatGPT4).
The new cell theory
The Master Builder
Alfonso Martinez Arias
Basic Books, 2023, 352 pp.
Authors: Horwitz Rick
Published: August 2023

A developmental biologist urges a return to cell-centric models of life
Gut epithelium modulates fungal pathogenesis
Authors: Lin Woan-Yu , Iliev Iliyan D.
Published: August 2023

Specialized epithelium secretes an antifungal peptide
Paralysis under pressure
Authors: Phillips Aaron
Published: August 2023

Treating cardiovascular paralysis with epidural electrical neuromodulation
Study probes link between heat and miscarriage
Authors: Wadman Meredith
Published: August 2023

Temperature sensors are tracking exposure in people trying to conceive
Move to list monkey as endangered spurs dispute
Authors: Normile Dennis
Published: August 2023

U.S. group challenges decision to reclassify macaque widely used in biomedical research
Prospective, randomized, double-blind phase 2B trial of the TLPO and TLPLDC vaccines to prevent recurrence of resected stage III/IV melanoma: a prespecified 36-month analysis
Authors: Carpenter Elizabeth Lee , Van Decar Spencer , Adams Alexandra M , O’Shea Anne E , McCarthy Patrick , Chick Robert Connor , Clifton Guy Travis , Vreeland Timothy , Valdera Franklin A , Tiwari Ankur , Hale Diane , Kemp Bohan Phillip , Hickerson Annelies , Smolinsky Todd , Thomas Katryna , Cindass Jessica , Hyngstrom John , Berger Adam C , Jakub James , Sussman Jeffrey J , Shaheen Montaser F , Yu Xianzhong , Wagner Thomas E , Faries Mark , Peoples George E
Published: August 2023

Background

The tumor lysate, particle-loaded, dendritic cell (TLPLDC) vaccine is made by ex vivo priming matured autologous dendritic cells (DCs) with yeast cell wall particles (YCWPs) loaded with autologous tumor lysate (TL). The tumor lysate, particle only (TLPO) vaccine uses autologous TL-loaded YCWPs coated with silicate for in vivo DC loading. Here we report the 36-month prespecified analyses of this prospective, randomized, double-blind trial investigating the ability of the TLPO and TLPLDC (±granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF)) vaccines to prevent melanoma recurrence in high-risk patients.

Methods

Patients with clinically disease-free stage III/IV melanoma were randomized 2:1 initially to TLPLDC versus placebo (n=124) and subsequently TLPO versus TLPLDC (n=63). All patients were randomized and blinded; however, the placebo control arm was replaced in the second randomization scheme with another novel vaccine; some analyses in this paper therefore reflect a combination of the two randomization schemes. Patients receiving the TLPLDC vaccine were further divided by their method of DC harvest (with or without G-CSF pretreatment); this was not randomized. The use of standard of care checkpoint inhibitors was not stratified between groups. Safety was assessed and Kaplan-Meier and log-rank analyses compared disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS).

Results

After combining the two randomization processes, a total of 187 patients were allocated between treatment arms: placebo (n=41), TLPLDC (n=103), or TLPO (n=43). The allocation among arms created by the addition of patients from the two separate randomization schemes does not reflect concurrent randomization among all treatment arms. TLPLDC was further divided by use of G-CSF in DC harvest: no G-CSF (TLPLDC) (n=47) and with G-CSF (TLPLDC+G) (n=56). Median follow-up was 35.8 months. Only two patients experienced a related adverse event ≥grade 3, one each in the TLPLDC+G and placebo arms. DFS was 27.2% (placebo), 55.4% (TLPLDC), 22.9% (TLPLDC+G), and 60.9% (TLPO) (p<0.001). OS was 62.5% (placebo), 93.6% (TLPLDC), 57.7% (TLPLDC+G), and 94.6% (TLPO) (p=0.002).

Conclusions

The TLPO and TLPLDC (without G-CSF) vaccines were associated with improved DFS and OS in this clinical trial. Given production and manufacturing advantages, the efficacy of the TLPO vaccine will be confirmed in a phase 3 trial.

Trial registration number

NCT02301611.
A Hybrid Metaheuristic Framework for Materialized View Selection in Data Warehouse Environments
Authors: Srinivasarao Popuri , Satish Aravapalli Rama
Published: August 2023

The huge response time taken by the analytical queries is one of the most challenging problems in a data warehouse. The main reason for this high response time is the enormous amount of data being queried and the complex nature of the queries. This problem can be addressed with Materialized View Selection (MVS), where the optimal views with low response time are selected. To this end, the possible views for the analytical queries are randomly defined in the search space. Since most of the existing solutions are formulated based on semi-optimal solutions, this work introduces a hybrid metaheuristic-based framework to address the issue reliably. The major gaps in the existing research works are the resource wastage issue and the space constraint issue. These gaps are aimed to be addressed by the proposed hybrid framework. The proposed work integrates a Genetic Algorithm (GA) with Aquila Optimizer (AO) to search for the most optimal views from the search space. The presented solution follows highly efficient exploratory and exploitation behaviors to optimize the considered problem. Based on an iterative procedure, the most optimal views are selected by the hybrid framework, and these views are evaluated for minimum cost and time. Finally, performance evaluations are carried out to signify the practicality of the proposed approach.
Genetic Determinants of the Association between Osteoarthritis and Psychiatric Disorders
Authors: Chen Wenwen , Zhu Jianwei , Han Xin , Zeng Yu , Hou Can , Qu Yuanyuan , Yang Huazhen , Hu Yao , Sun Yajing , Song Huan
Published: August 2023

Background. The associations between hip/knee osteoarthritis (OA) and various psychiatry disorders, as well as the underlying genetic determinants, remain unclear. Methods. Based on the community-based prospective data of UK Biobank, we constructed two matched cohorts to assess the bidirectional associations between OA and five common psychiatry disorders. Then, we further examined the existence of overall genetic association for those disease pairs with demonstrated phenotypic association through polygenic risk score (PRS) prediction using individual-level genotyping data of UK Biobank and LD score regression (LDSC) analysis utilizing publicly available GWAS summary statistics. Last, also based on GWAS summary statistics, we performed enrichment analyses to pinpoint specific genetic determinants that might contribute to the observed overall genetic shares. Results. The phenotypic analyses revealed an elevated risk of hip/knee OA among individuals with any psychiatric disorders, compared to their matched unexposed individuals (hazard

ratio
 

HR

=
1.62

, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.57-1.68), and vice versa (HR =1.93, 95% CI: 1.83-2.04). We further observed positive associations of knee OA with depression and stress-related disorder in the PRS analyses, which corroborated with the results of LDSC analyses (

r

for

genetic
=
0.20

(95% CI: 0.15-0.25) and

r

for

genetic
=
0.29

(95% CI: 0.19-0.40), respectively). Using GWAS summary statistics, we identified several shared genes and pathways, particularly the biological process related to HDAC histones, between knee OA and depression/stress-related disorder. Conclusions. Our study demonstrated a bidirectional association between OA and multiple psychiatric disorders, and the findings of shared genetic architectures between knee OA and depression/stress-related disorder provided possible targets for further mechanistic exploration and intervention development.
A Survey of Cancer Risk Behaviors, Beliefs, and Social Drivers of Health in New Hampshire and Vermont
Authors: Skipper Thomas A. , Weiss Julie E. , Carlos Heather A. , Gunn Christine M. , Hasson Rian M. , Peacock Janet L. , Schiffelbein Jenna E. , Tosteson Anna N.A. , Lansigan Frederick , Rees Judy R.
Published: August 2023

Compared with urban areas, rural areas have higher cancer mortality and have experienced substantially smaller declines in cancer incidence in recent years. In a New Hampshire (NH) and Vermont (VT) survey, we explored the roles of rurality and educational attainment on cancer risk behaviors, beliefs, and other social drivers of health. In February–March 2022, two survey panels in NH and VT were sent an online questionnaire. Responses were analyzed by rurality and educational attainment. Respondents (N = 1,717, 22%) mostly lived in rural areas (55%); 45% of rural and 25% of urban residents had high school education or less and this difference was statistically significant. After adjustment for rurality, lower educational attainment was associated with smoking, difficulty paying for basic necessities, greater financial difficulty during the COVID-19 pandemic, struggling to pay for gas (P < 0.01), fatalistic attitudes toward cancer prevention, and susceptibility to information overload about cancer prevention. Among the 33% of respondents who delayed getting medical care in the past year, this was more often due to lack of transportation in those with lower educational attainment (21% vs. 3%, P = 0.02 adjusted for rurality) and more often due to concerns about catching COVID-19 among urban than rural residents (52% vs. 21%; P < 0.001 adjusted for education). In conclusion, in NH/VT, smoking, financial hardship, and beliefs about cancer prevention are independently associated with lower educational attainment but not rural residence. These findings have implications for the design of interventions to address cancer risk in rural areas.

Significance:

In NH and VT, the finding that some associations between cancer risk factors and rural residence are more closely tied to educational attainment than rurality suggest that the design of interventions to address cancer risk should take educational attainment into account.
Empirical analysis of power side-channel leakage of high-level synthesis designed AES circuits
Authors: Mizuno Takumi , Nishikawa Hiroki , Kong Xiangbo , Tomiyama Hiroyuki
Published: August 2023

Many internet of things (IoT) devices and integrated circuit (IC) cards have been compromised by side-channel attacks. Power-analysis attacks, which identify the secret key of a cryptographic circuit by analyzing the power traces, are among the most dangerous side-channel attacks. Gen-erally, there is a trade-off between execution time and circuit area. However, the correlation between security and performance has yet to be determined. In this study, we investigate the cor-relation between side-channel attack resistance and performance (execution time and circuit area) of advanced encryption standard (AES) circuits. Eleven AES circuits with different performances are designed by high-level synthesis and logic synthesis. Of the eleven AES circuits, six are circuits with no side-channel attack countermeasures and five are circuits with masking countermeasures. We employ four metrics based on a T-test to evaluate the side-channel attack resistance. The results based on the correlation coefficient show the correlation between side-channel attack resistance and performance. The correlation varies according to four metrics or masking countermeasure. We argue that designers should change their attitudes towards circuit design when considering security.
People identification via tongue print using fine-tuning deep learning
Authors: Obaid Ahmed Shallal , Y. Kamil Mohammed , Hamza Basaad Hadi
Published: August 2023

Many person-verification systems are critical in security systems for verifying passage through doors opened to specific people using various techniques. People can use electronic payment methods and security apps to generate codes for quick, remote financial transactions. Older systems required precision and speed. Many alternative methods were developed by technology and artificial intelligence to make such operations simple and quick. The identification of tongue prints is discussed in this paper. Tongue prints, like fingerprints, are unique to each individual. The tongue was used in this study because it is unique among such organs. The tongue is protected by the lips. This guards against taking a tongue print by force. Some people distort their fingerprints, making fingerprint recognition systems unable to recognize them. Car accidents cause facial distortion, which distorts the system and prevents it from distinguishing facial prints, so the tongue was used as a fingerprint in this study. A database of 1,104 images for 138 Mustansiriyah University College of Science students yielded an average of eight images per individual. VGG16 was implemented for transfer learning and fine-tuning. In comparison to previous studies, the accuracy achieved was more than 91%.
IoT-enabled system for monitoring and controlling vertical farming operations
Authors: Ng Harn Tung , Tham Zhi Kean , Abdul Rahim Nurul Amani , Rohim Ammar Wafiq , Looi Wei Wen , Ahmad Nur Syazreen
Published: August 2023

In this paper, we present an internet of things (IoT) powered solution that facilitates effortless monitoring and management of vertical farming operations. Our proposed approach employs cost-effective embedded microcontrollers and sensors to keep a tab on crucial parameters like soil moisture, air humidity, and temperature. The data acquired from these sensors can be accessed through a web page that is compatible with all web browsers and smart gadgets such as mobile phones and tablets. Furthermore, the IoT platform offers users the ability to regulate soil moisture and administer ultraviolet light to plants. The system can bring many benefits such as enabling real-time monitoring and control of environmental conditions, reducing energy consumption, improving scalability and flexibility, and contributing to the sustainable and efficient production of food.
No-Reflow Post-Recanalization in Acute Ischemic Stroke: Mechanisms, Measurements, and Molecular Markers
Authors: Sperring Colin P. , Savage William M. , Argenziano Michael G. , Leifer Valia P. , Alexander Julia , Echlov Nicolas , Spinazzi Eleonora F. , Connolly E. Sander
Published: August 2023

Acute ischemic stroke remains the primary cause of disability worldwide. For patients with large vessel occlusions, intravenous thrombolysis followed by mechanical thrombectomy remains the standard of care. Revascularization of the large vessel is typically successful. However, despite reopening of the occluded vessel, many patients fail to return to independence. Functional failure, despite macrovascular recanalization, is often referred to as the no-reflow phenomenon. Even with an extensive characterization of reperfusion in animal models, numerous mechanisms may explain no-reflow. Further, uniform measurements of this microvascular dysfunction and prognostic markers associated with no-reflow are lacking. In this review, we highlight a number of mechanisms that may explain no-reflow, characterize current multimodal measurements, and assess its molecular markers.
The Twin Challenges Facing Myanmar and How the World Can Help
Authors: Marciel Scot
Published: August 2023

The Myanmar resistance’s urgent task is to push the hated, brutal military out of political power once and for all. Just as importantly, however, it simultaneously needs to create the best possible conditions for any future democratic government to succeed. This goal will require addressing a wide range of difficult issues that either have lingered unresolved for many years or that have grown out of the post-2021 coup and subsequent conflict. These include restructuring the security forces, developing and implementing a system of federalism, building rule of law, tackling long-standing identity issues, and rebuilding and reinvigorating the economy. It will also need to establish an interim governance structure and decide how to maintain security and basic governance during the inevitable transition period. The international community should step up efforts to help the resistance achieve both of these goals, including by increasing aid, training and scholarships and establishing a “Friends of Myanmar Democracy Group” to coordinate approaches.
The Role of Ethnic Minorities in the Resistance Movement
Authors: Young Elijah
Published: August 2023

This article explores the role of some prominent ethnic minority armies in the course of resistance to the coup. It selectively describes how some ethnic minorities such as Karen, Kachin, Karenni, Chin, Rakhine, Wa, and Shan play leadership role in the resistance movement before and after the 2021 military coup. It emphasizes the ongoing movement of how the 2021 coup created a window of opportunity for the interreligious collaboration between such ethnic minority groups and ethnic majority Bamar groups. It then shows how their interethnic collaboration blocked coup makers from consolidating their powers. The article also highlights how some ethnic minority Christian leaders, pastors, lay Christians, nuns, and priests witness their prophetic and apostolic faith in various ways of hidden and public resistance.
“Tú sabes lo que le pasa a él?”: the Role of (Relational) Epistemics in Indirect Complaint Sequences in Spanish and English Family Talk
Authors: Rodriguez Andrea , Sinkeviciute Valeria
Published: August 2023

Drawing on interactional pragmatics and membership categorisation analysis, this paper explores indirect (third-party-oriented and situation-oriented) complaints in Spanish and English interactions between family members where expectations of affiliation are contingent on (relational) epistemic (im)balances. We analyse how (1) disaffiliation is constructed through the recipient’s more knowledgeable position in relation to the matter at hand, (2) complainability is legitimised when the recipient lacks epistemic access to the issue and (3) complaints are partially disattended by the recipient due to their inferior epistemic status regarding the situation. Throughout, we argue that (relational) epistemics is a necessary feature to incorporate in analysis, when it concerns the recipient’s responses and, therefore, interpersonal achievement of social actions. We show how complainants treat the prior turns as relevant to the rights, obligations and expectations related to their relational categories and how extended sequences of complaints are co-constructed and negotiated in interaction.
Restrictive versus liberal fluid administration strategy (REFILL study) in postpartum hemorrhage and its effects on thromboelastometry (ROTEM®) values: a randomized, controlled trial
Authors: Schol Pim B.B. , Lange Natascha de , Henskens Yvonne , Smits Luc J.M. , Smeets Nicol A.C. , Scheepers Hubertina C.J.
Published: August 2023

Objective

Current obstetric guidelines for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) vary in fluid resuscitation management. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of fluid management on coagulation parameters in early PPH.

Methods

We performed a multicenter, randomized trial. Women who had 500 mL of blood loss in the third stage of labor were randomized to receive a restrictive fluid administration strategy or a liberal fluid administration strategy. A rotational thromboelastometry panel was performed in 72 patients. We evaluated within-group and between-group differences in the EXTEM clotting time (CT), EXTEM amplitude at 10 minutes (A10), INTEM CT, and FIBTEM A10. We also evaluated the mean fibrinogen concentration, activated partial thromboplastin time, and partial thromboplastin time in the total study population (n = 249).

Results

There were no significant differences in hemostatic parameters between the groups after correction for baseline values.

Conclusions

In women with PPH <1500 mL, there is no clinically relevant effect of a restrictive or liberal fluid administration strategy on thromboelastometric hemostatic and regular coagulation parameters.
‘Is your accuser me, or is it the software?’ Ambiguity and contested expertise in probabilistic DNA profiling
Authors: Pullen-Blasnik Hannah , Eyal Gil , Weissenbach Amy
Published: August 2023

What happens when an algorithm is added to the work of an expert group? This study explores how algorithms pose a practical problem for experts. We study the introduction of a Probabilistic DNA Profiling (PDP) software into a forensics lab through interviews and court admissibility hearings. While meant to support experts’ decision-making, in practice it has destabilized their authority. They respond to this destabilization by producing alternating and often conflicting accounts of the agency and significance of the software. The algorithm gets constructed alternately either as merely a tool or as indispensable statistical backing; the analysts’ authority as either independent of the algorithm or reliant upon it to resolve conflict and create a final decision; and forensic expertise as resting either with the analysts or with the software. These tensions reflect the forensic ‘culture of anticipation’, specifically the experts’ anticipation of ongoing litigation that destabilizes their control over the deployment and interpretation of expertise in the courtroom. The software highlights tensions between the analysts’ supposed impartiality and their role in the courtroom, exposing legal and narrative implications of the changing nature of expertise and technology in the criminal legal system.
Use of canakinumab and remdesivir in moderate-severe COVID-19 patients: A retrospective analysis
Authors: Mastroianni Antonio , Vangeli Valeria , Chidichimo Luciana , Urso Filippo , De Marco Giuseppe , Zanolini Alfredo , Greco Francesca , Mauro Maria V , Greco Sonia
Published: August 2023

Objectives: The dysregulated immune response occurring upon COVID-19 infection can lead to tissue damage and organ failure. Different therapeutic strategies are needed to cope with the current and future outspread of COVID-19, including antiviral and anti-inflammatory agents. We describe the outcome of hospitalized patients treated with canakinumab and remdesivir plus the standard of care therapy. Methods: This observational study describes the outcome of the combination of canakinumab (450 mg for patients ≥40 and <60 kg, 600 mg for those ≥60 and <80 kg, or 750 mg for patients ≥80 kg) and 200 mg remdesivir intravenous infusion, plus standard of care (SOC), in 17 moderate-to-severe COVID-19 patients hospitalized in the “Annunziata” Hospital, Cosenza, Italy, between August and November 2021. Hematological markers, biochemical, and hemogasanalysis values at baseline versus day 7 of combination treatment were compared by paired t test after checking for normal distribution and correcting for multiple comparison. Results: The median age of patients was 64 years (range: 39–85), and the median hospitalization time (calculated on the 16 patients that were not transferred to intensive care unit) was of 12.5 days (range: 7–35 days); 15/17 patients (88%) did not experience complications. After 7 days of combination therapy, all the inflammatory parameters were significantly reduced with the exception of procalcitonin; moreover, hematological prognostic markers such neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, CRP-to-lymphocyte ratio, and derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio reduced. Overall, 16/17 patients (94%) recovered after 14 days. Conclusions: Canakinumab and remdesivir treatment, in addition to SOC, in the early stage of moderate-to-severe COVID-19 showed promising outcomes in terms of safety and effectiveness potentially leading to a reduction in inflammatory and hematological prognostic markers after 7 days of treatment.
Improving Participation for Sustainable Transport: Testing CoAXs Amidst Controversy Around a BRT Project in Santiago, Chile
Authors: Fuenzalida-Izquierdo Jorge , Sagaris Lake , Muñoz Juan Carlos , Vecchio Giovanni
Published: August 2023

We examine to what extent Public Participation GIS (PPGIS) contributes to a successful participatory process and how context affects the tool’s role in both process and results. We tested a tool to visualize accessibility effects of transport projects, using it in participatory workshops related to a major bus corridor proposal in Santiago de Chile. We innovated in the tool itself, to visualize overcrowding effects as a way to include comfort issues. We found that the GIS encouraged a sincere and realistic conversation among participants. Perceptions of the project did not necessarily improve, but the tool did reduce polarization of opinions.
The IRF6 rs2013162 and MTHFR A1298C rs1801131 Gene Polymorphisms Related to non-Syndromic Cleft lip and Palate among Deutero-Malay in Indonesia
Authors: Nasroen Saskia L. , Tammama Tichvy , Darwis Rudi S. , Adil Almira , Rahmutia Silvia , Maskoen Ani Melani , Gani Basri A.
Published: August 2023

Objective

This study aimed to identify risk factors for NSCLP by analyzing polymorphisms in IRF6 rs2013162 and MTHFR A1298C rs1801131 in the Deutero Malay Population in Indonesia.

Setting

DNA isolation from venous blood samples was done followed by PCR and PCR-RFLPs method.

Patients/Participants

115 NSCLP subjects and 120 healthy control subjects.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

The odds ratio (OR) determined to evaluate the risk factors is the main outcome measure.

Material and Methods

The study is a case-control design using samples from the venous blood of 115 NSCLP subjects and 120 healthy control subjects. After DNA was extracted, the PCR-RFLPs method was performed using the DdeI restriction enzyme on 100 blood samples of the IRF6 rs2013162 group and Mboll restriction enzyme on 135 blood samples of the MTHFR A1298C rs1801131 group. The Chi-Square test was used with the Exact Fisher alternatives, depending on the expected count value.

Results

The results showed that the T mutant allele (OR = 4.125, P < .05) and GT genotype (OR = 21.00, P < .05) of IRF6 rs2013162 and the C mutant allele (OR = 3.781, P < .05), AC genotype (OR = 5, P < .05) and CC genotype (OR = 9,681, P < .05) of the MTHFR A1298C is associated to a greater risk of NSCLP.

Conclusions

IRF6 rs2013162 and MTHFR A1298C rs1801131 gene polymorphisms are strongly associated with NSCLP among the Deutero Malay population in the Indonesian population.
Exposing the mess in the online kitchen:Bon Appetitand digital continuities in legacy media’s workplace exploitations
Authors: Israel Emmelle
Published: August 2023

Traditional media’s convergence with online media platforms intensifies the already unpaid and unrecognized affective, immaterial and emotional labor expected of women of color and other historically marginalized media workers. This article uses the example of Bon Appetit (BA) and the downfall of their popular YouTube channel to argue that understanding this intensification is critical to envisioning possibilities for media workers to address exploitative working conditions. In the wake of Black Lives Matter uprisings in the summer of 2020, Black and Brown women food writers took to social media to point out that while BA profited from portraying a diverse workforce on their YouTube channel, the reality was very different. At the time, popular press and social media discourse largely attributed these issues to entrenched histories of racialized and gendered discrimination in legacy media. However, recent research on online platforms has engaged feminist studies, Black studies, and critical STS epistemologies to demonstrate that intersectional oppressions based on race, gender, class, and sexuality are reinscribed in the labor and technical infrastructures of platforms. Together, theorizations of the racialized and gendered aspects of unpaid and unrecognized labor alongside research on the biases reinscribed into algorithmic and internet platform infrastructures inform my analysis of a variety of texts related to the BA YouTube channel: BA YouTube channel metadata and videos, advertising trades coverage of Conde Nast’s digital media efforts, popular press coverage of the racial reckoning at Conde Nast and BA, and disclosures about BA and Conde Nast workplace cultures shared in public interviews by BA workers. By analyzing these texts together, I argue that the downfall of the BA YouTube channel demonstrates how media convergence and the platformization of legacy media intensifies racialized and gendered inequalities for media workers, but opportunities to publicly disclose these discriminatory workplace dynamics also galvanize worker organizing.
Study on interfacial performance of ordinary concrete composite structure strengthened by ultra-high performance concrete —A review
Authors: Ya Lu , Xinhua Song , Renyuan Du , Dongsheng Song , Songbai Liu , Wei Xu , Xiangguo Wu
Published: August 2023

Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) is widely used in the field of reinforcement due to its high tensile strength, compressive strength and durability. The common force of the interface between old and new materials is the key problem to be solved urgently in the reinforced structure. Therefore, aiming at the problem of interface properties of UHPC reinforced Normal concrete (NC) composite structure, and this review reviews the latest progress in three aspects of interface mechanical properties, interface microscopic properties and interface durability of UHPC reinforced NC. Among them, the mechanical properties of the interface include the constrained shrinkage force properties and the interface bonding force properties. The microstructure properties of the interface include the microstructure observation test method and the microstructure structure model. The durability of the interface includes the carbonation resistance prediction model, freezing resistance and impermeability. In addition, based on the existing research, this paper puts forward some suggestions on strengthening NC with UHPC.
The use of telephone and video consultations in upper limb musculoskeletal rehabilitation: A scoping review
Authors: Maltby Amy , Underhill Ann , Woodbridge Sarah
Published: August 2023

Introduction

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a rapid uptake of virtual consultations (VCs) to minimise disease transmission and for this reason, research into telerehabilitation has been expanding. This review aimed to map and synthesize evidence on the use of VCs in upper limb musculoskeletal rehabilitation, describe key characteristics, and identify gaps in the research.

Methods

This scoping review investigated synchronous rehabilitation consultations performed over VC. All asynchronous, wearable or pre-recorded technology was excluded. CINAHL Complete, Medline, PEDro, Google Scholar and grey literature sources were searched. Screening and data extraction were done by a single researcher. Frequency counts were used to analyse the data.

Results

Nineteen studies were identified, with patients with shoulder injury/pain most frequently studied. Most sources (n = 9) used bespoke video programmes. Range of motion (ROM) was the most common assessment (n = 10) and exercise prescription (n = 7) was the most common treatment. Benefits included time and cost savings, maintaining therapeutic relationships and increasing patient independence. Most diagnostic assessments, except joint and nerve tension tests, were found to be reliable and valid. Studies noted increased function in activities, decreased pain and increased ROM after VCs. Limitations included restricted ‘hands-on’ treatment, resource and training concerns and limiting patient factors.

Conclusions

This review mapped available evidence and identified several gaps in the literature. Further robust research into VCs for hand/wrist disorders, ROM assessment and cost-effectiveness is needed.
Leaders’ Part in Boosting Change Encouraging Attitude of Employee: The Sequential Mediation Model of Dealing Change in the Organisation
Authors: Islam M. Nazmul
Published: August 2023

The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of transformational leadership on employees’ change championing behaviour, and the mediating roles of employees’ trust in leadership and employees’ work engagement in the relationship between transformational leadership and employees’ change championing behaviour. The research was conducted among 379 employees in the banking sector of Bangladesh. The findings revealed a significant and positive impact of transformational leadership on employees’ change championing behaviour. Furthermore, the study identified that employees’ trust in leadership and work engagement play important mediating roles, individually and sequentially, in the relationship between transformational leadership and employees’ change championing behaviour during change management in the Bangladesh banking sector. This study contributes to our understanding of how transformational leadership promotes employees’ change championing behaviour and underscores the effectiveness of transformational leadership in fostering employees’ trust in leadership and work engagement. Additionally, this study emphasises the importance of employees’ trust in leadership and work engagement in the context of organisational change implementation.
Associations of physical activity and quality of life in parapneumonic effusion patients
Authors: Lopez Pedro , Fitzgerald Deirdre B. , McVeigh Joanne A. , Badiei Arash , Muruganandan Sanjeevan , Newton Robert U. , Straker Leon , Lee Yun Chor Gary , Peddle-McIntyre Carolyn J.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Little is known about activity behaviours and quality of life (QoL) of patients with parapneumonic pleural effusions (PPE) after hospital discharge. This study is a secondary analysis of a randomised trial (dexamethasoneversusplacebo) for hospitalised patients with PPE. We: 1) described the patients’ activity behaviour patterns and QoL measured at discharge and at 30 days post-discharge; and 2) examined the association between activity behaviours and QoL scores.

Methods

Activity behaviour (7-day accelerometry; Actigraph GT3X+) and QoL (Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36) were assessed. Repeated measures analysis of covariance controlling for baseline values and a series of linear regression models were undertaken.

Results

36 out of 53 eligible participants completed accelerometry assessments. Despite modest increases in light physical activity (+7.5%) and some domains of QoL (>2 points) from discharge to 30 days post-discharge, patients had persistently high levels of sedentary behaviour (>65% of waking wear time) and poor QoL (≤50 out of 100 points) irrespective of treatment group (p=0.135–0.903). Increasing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was associated with higher scores on most QoL domains (p=0.006–0.037). Linear regression indicates that a clinically important difference of 5 points in physical composite QoL score can be achieved by reallocating 16.1 min·day−1of sedentary time to moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.

Conclusion

Patients with PPE had low levels of physical activity and QoL at discharge and 30 days post-discharge irrespective of treatment. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity participation was associated with higher QoL scores. Increasing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity following discharge from the hospital may be associated with improvements in QoL.
Amoxicillin and cefixime simultaneous adsorption by facile synthesized chitosan@polyacrylamide@ZIF-8: isotherm and kinetic study
Authors: Zadvarzi Saber Babaee , Amooey Ali Akbar
Published: August 2023

In recent years, taking medicine has been increasing around the world due to population growth and the spread of disease. Antibiotics as a kind of these medicines include about 10 to 15% of drug consumption. Studies show that antibiotics, which are not completely removed, have a permanent and destructive effect on the environment. In this study, the chitosan@polyacrylamide@ZIF-8 as an adsorbent was simultaneously used to remove cefixime and amoxicillin from the aqueous solution by adsorption methods. XRD and FTIR patterns were analyzed to investigate the surface crystallinity and the chemical properties of the adsorbent. In the following, SEM and TEM images were used for surface morphology study. Finally, a numerical investigation was done for predicting the adsorption effective parameters. The results show that pH 4, contact time 30 min, initial concentration 50 mg/L, temperature 25 °C and 15 mg of adsorbent in 10 mL of polluted water are optimal conditions at which a removal percentage of up to 90% was achieved. The Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherms were examined by experimental data and Langmuir model presented the best consistency with the experimental results and the maximum calculated adsorption capacity for amoxicillin and cefixime are 910 mg/g and 588 mg/g, respectively. Pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order and intraparticle diffusion were investigated for kinetic studies. The results of the calculations illustrated the pseudo-second order model has been dominant. Overall, this study expresses, chitosan@polyacrylamide coated by ZIF-8 can be used an appropriate, effective, and economical adsorbent for the adsorption of amoxicillin and cefixime.

Graphical Abstract
Preoperative prediction of the lymphovascular tumor thrombus of colorectal cancer with the iodine concentrations from dual-energy spectral CT
Authors: Yuan Xiang , Quan Xin , Che Xiao-ling , Xu Lu-Lu , Yang Chun-mei , Zhang Xiao-di , Shu Jian
Published: August 2023

Background

The aim of this study was to explore application value of iodine concentration from dual-energy spectral computed tomography (DESCT) in preoperative prediction of lymphovascular tumor thrombus in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods

We finally retrospectively analyzed 50 patients with CRC who underwent abdominal DESCT before receiving any preoperative treatment and underwent surgery to obtain pathological specimens which were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. According to the presence of cancer cell nests in blood vessels and lymphatic vessels, the subjects were divided into the positive group and negative group of lymphovascular tumor thrombus. Two radiologists independently measured the normalized iodine concentration (NIC) values, effective atomic number (Zeff) and CT values of virtual monochromatic images (VMIs) at 40–90 keV of the primary tumors in the arterial phase (AP) and venous phase (VP). Used SPSS 17.0 to calculate the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to evaluate diagnostic value.

Results

The patients were divided into lymphovascular tumor thrombus positive group(n = 16) and negative group(n = 34). The values of NIC-AP and NIC-VP in the positive group were 0.17 ± 0.09, 0.51 ± 0.13, respectively. And those in the negative group were 0.15 ± 0.06, 0.43 ± 0.12, respectively. There was significant difference in NIC-VP value between the two groups (p = 0.039), but there was no significant difference in NIC-AP value (p = 0.423). The optimal threshold value of NIC-VP value for diagnosis of lymphovascular tumor thrombus was 0.364. The sensitivity was 68.8% and the specificity was 67.6%.

Conclusions

The NIC-VP value of DESCT can be used to predict the presence or absence of the lymphovascular tumor thrombus in CRC patients before operation, which is helpful to select the best treatment scheme and evaluate its prognosis.