bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reviewing “Nil Per Os” Guidance for Clear Fluids in Children Before Anesthesia: Survey of the Pediatric Anesthesia Leadership Council
Authors: Dalal Priti G. , Malviya Shobha , Cravero Joseph , Fehr James ,   on behalf of Society for Pediatric Anesthesia, Quality and Safety Committee “Nil per Os” Task Force
Published: November 2024

BACKGROUND:

Several international pediatric anesthesia societies have endorsed a change in the traditional nil per os (NPO) cutoff of clear fluids (CF) from 2 hours to 1 hour. These recommendations were compiled from large-scale outcomes, gastric ultrasound, and quality improvement studies. The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) recently published their updated guidelines. Despite the lack of prospective randomized studies with conclusive outcomes, several major children’s health systems in North America have already implemented or are modifying their institutional guidelines for CF. The objectives of this survey were to evaluate the current practices, changing trends, perceived benefits, and barriers in reducing the NPO times for CF in children presenting for anesthesia.

METHODS:

After approval from the Penn State University Institutional Review Board, an electronic survey of the Pediatric Anesthesia Leadership Council (PALC, consortium of Pediatric Anesthesiology Chairs and Division Chiefs across the United States) members was conducted by the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia Quality and Safety Committee (SPA-QS) NPO Clears Task Force between June 2023 and October 2023. Inclusion criteria were PALC membership and single response from each institution.

RESULTS:

A total of 88 member institutions were represented by the PALC group. The final response rate was 75 of 88 (85.2%) from across 33 states. Eighty-eight percent of the respondents belonged to a tertiary pediatric center, and 94.7% belonged to an academic setting. At the time of the survey, 8 out of 75 (10.6%) responding institutions followed 1-hour CF cutoff, 7 (9.3%) were in the process of changing to 1-hour and 60 (80%) followed a 2-hour cutoff. 55(73%) respondents actively encouraged CF up to the time they had to be NPO. 46.7% of the respondents reported significant issues (hypoglycemia, dehydration, difficulty in establishing intravenous access, patient and parental dissatisfaction) with prolonged fasting in children. The survey responses included multiple comments in favor of changing guidelines to 1 hour for CF in healthy young children. The overarching concern for implementation of 1-hour cutoff for CF was the potential medicolegal ramification of a policy change in the absence of an official statement from national professional societies.

CONCLUSIONS:

The survey demonstrates growing trends toward implementing the reduced NPO time for CF to 1 hour nationally. Based on the current ASA guidelines, the SPA-QS committee recommends close attention to NPO times and strongly encourages CF consumption up to the recommended cutoff time. It appears reasonable to follow a 1-hour cutoff for CF as deemed appropriate by the attending anesthesiologist or the institution.
Cortisol dynamics and GR-dependent feedback regulation in zebrafish larvae exposed to repeated stress
Authors: Castillo-Ramírez Luis A. , Ryu Soojin , De Marco Rodrigo J.
Published: November 2024

Zebrafish larvae show a rapid increase in cortisol in response to acute stressors, followed by a decline. While these responses are documented, both the duration of the refractory period to repeated stressors and the role of glucocorticoid receptors (GR) in specific phases of the glucocorticoid negative feedback are still being clarified. We explored these questions using water vortices as stressors, combined with GR blockage and measurements of whole-body cortisol in zebrafish larvae subjected to single and repeated stress protocols. Cortisol levels were elevated 10 min after stress onset and returned to baseline within 30-40 min, depending on the stressor strength. In response to homotypic stress, cortisol levels rose above baseline if the second stressor occurred 60 or 120 min after the first, but not with a 30-min interval. This suggests a rapid cortisol-mediated feedback loop with a refractory period of at least 30 min. Treatment with a GR blocker delayed the return to baseline and suppressed the refractory period, indicating GR-dependent early-phase feedback regulation. These findings are consistent with mammalian models and provide a framework for further analyses of early-life cortisol responses and feedback in zebrafish larvae, ideal for non-invasive imaging and high-throughput screening.
An expanded view of cell competition
Authors: Khandekar Ameya , Ellis Stephanie J.
Published: November 2024

Cell competition arises in heterogeneous tissues when neighbouring cells sense their relative fitness and undergo selection. It has been a challenge to define contexts in which cell competition is a physiologically relevant phenomenon and to understand the cellular features that underlie fitness and fitness sensing. Drawing on examples across a range of contexts and length scales, we illuminate molecular and cellular features that could underlie fitness in diverse tissue types and processes to promote and reinforce long-term maintenance of tissue function. We propose that by broadening the scope of how fitness is defined and the circumstances in which cell competition can occur, the field can unlock the potential of cell competition as a lens through which heterogeneity and its role in the fundamental principles of complex tissue organisation can be understood.
Ankyrin-B is required for the establishment and maintenance of lens cytoarchitecture, mechanics and clarity
Authors: Maddala Rupalatha , Allen Ariana , Skiba Nikolai P. , Rao Ponugoti Vasantha
Published: November 2024

The transparent ocular lens is essential for vision because it focuses light onto the retina. Despite recognition of the importance of its unique cellular architecture and mechanical properties, the molecular mechanisms governing these attributes remain elusive. This study aims to elucidate the role of ankyrin-B (AnkB, encoded by ANK2), a membrane scaffolding protein, in lens cytoarchitecture, growth and function using a conditional knockout (cKO) mouse model. The AnkB cKO mouse has no defects in lens morphogenesis but exhibited changes that supported a global role for AnkB in maintenance of lens clarity, size, cytoarchitecture, membrane organization and stiffness. Notably, absence of AnkB led to nuclear cataract formation, which was evident from postnatal day 16. AnkB cKO lens fibers exhibit progressive disruption in membrane organization of the spectrin-actin cytoskeleton, cell adhesion proteins and channel proteins; loss and degradation of several membrane proteins [such as NrCAM. N-cadherin (CDH2) and aquaporin-0 (also known as MIP)]; along with a disorganized plasma membrane and impaired membrane interdigitations. Furthermore, absence of AnkB led to decreased lens stiffness. Collectively, these results illustrate the essential role for AnkB in lens architecture, growth and function through its involvement in membrane skeletal and protein organization and stability.
Gestão municipal: desafios em governabilidade, governança e accountability
Authors: Alves Juliano Nunes
Published: November 2024

Este caso de ensino explora os desafios enfrentados pela administração de Nova Vanta, uma cidade aspirante a tornar-se um hub de tecnologia e inovação. Focando nas dimensões de governabilidade, governança e accountability, o caso apresenta dilemas éticos e operacionais que exigem decisões ponderadas. Através de cenários práticos, são discutidas alternativas como desenvolvimento urbano sustentável e parcerias público-privadas. Este material é projetado para promover debates em sala de aula e análises críticas, auxiliando na formação de futuros gestores públicos.
Biological properties of Moringa oleifera: A systematic review of the last decade
Authors: Soto Javier Andrés , Gómez Andrea Catalina , Vásquez Maryeli , Barreto Andrea Natalia , Molina Karen Shirley , Zuniga-Gonzalez C. A.
Published: November 2024

Background The growing incidence of chronic diseases such as cancer and the emergence of drug-resistant microorganisms constitute one of the greatest health challenges of the 21st century. Therefore, it is critical to search for new therapeutic alternatives. Moringa oleifera is a plant well known for the properties of its phytocomponents and its role has been analyzed in a variety of fields, from medicine to biotechnology. Methods In this work, the biological activity of Moringa oleifera in human health was explored through a review of 129 original articles published between 2010 and 2021 related to antitumor activity and its potential uses against chronic and infectious diseases. Results Moringa oleifera extracts showed antioxidant, hypoglycemic, antihypertensive and cytoprotective properties at neuronal, hepatic, renal and cardiac levels. Besides, cytotoxic effects, apoptotic and antiploriferative activity against several cancer cell lines has been demonstrated. On the other hand, the antimicrobial potential of M. oleifera was also evidenced, especially against multidrug-resistant strains. Conclusions Hence, it is supported that there is a wide range of clinical entities in which Moringa oleifera exhibits significant biological activity that could contribute to counteracting metabolic, infectious and chronic diseases in a similar or improved way to the drugs traditionally used.
Relative Resources in Couples and Their Childbearing Behavior in the United States
Authors: Nitsche Natalie
Published: November 2024

A growing body of research indicates significant variation in the fertility-education relationship by partner education across high income countries. However, little is known on the education-fertility-couple nexus in the US context. The present study fills this gap. It investigates linkages between married couples’ relative socio-economic resources and their first and second birth transitions in the United States, using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 (NLSY79) and a competing risk approach to model birth transitions and union dissolutions competing with first and second births independently. The study presents four findings. First, homogamous tertiary educated couples have the highest first and second birth rate, net of fertility preferences, indicating the relevance of resource pooling for family formation. Second, low-resource hypogamous and hypergamous couples have lower birth rates than most other pairings, underscoring that linkages between heterogamy and family formation may vary by the absolute level of the partners’ resources. Third, family income mediates first birth rate differences between homogamous highly educated couples and most other pairings. Lower first birth rates of hypogamous large distance couples, compared with homogamous tertiary educated couples, however, appear in part rooted in higher union dissolution rates. Fourth and finally, the higher second birth rate of homogamous highly educated couples was not mediated by any of the tested socio-economic mechanisms. More research is needed to investigate the mechanisms underlying this birth rate pattern found throughout high income societies.
* This article belongs to a special issue on “Changes in Educational Homogamy and Its Consequences”.
Successful recovery of anterior interosseous nerve palsy caused by blunt trauma at the forearm level: a case report
Authors: Kim Jae Woo , Koh Sung Hoon , Kim Jin Soo , Lee Dong Chul , Lee Kyung Jin , Roh Si Young
Published: November 2024

Anterior interosseous nerve syndrome (AINS) is typically characterized by dysfunction of the pure motor branch of the median nerve, primarily affecting the flexor pollicis longus and the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) of the index finger, and occasionally involving the FDP of the middle finger and the pronator quadratus. Although various etiologies such as compressive neuropathy and isolated neuritis have been proposed, the most recent review describes AINS as a form of neuralgic amyotrophy. Its treatment remains a matter of debate; the most frequently discussed approach is conservative treatment followed by surgical intervention above the medial epicondyle level if recovery is not achieved. In the case described herein, a hematoma resulting from blunt trauma at the forearm level compressed the anterior interosseous nerve (AIN), with clinical features and diagnostic findings very similar to those of typical AINS. Early surgical removal of the hematoma led to complete recovery without complications. Despite the current understanding of AINS pathophysiology and treatment, this case emphasizes the need to consider the possibility of AIN palsy due to forearm lesions. We report on the clinical course and successful treatment of this case to highlight this important consideration.
Tutorial: Addressing Underexposed Components in Operations Research Literature
Authors: Cruijssen Frans , Peters Koen , Fleuren Hein
Published: November 2024

This tutorial paper discusses underrepresented practical perspectives in the operations research literature, which primarily focuses on theoretical advancements rather than documenting successful real-world applications. Drawing on experience in academia, business, and humanitarian organizations, the authors identify seven crucial—yet often overlooked—components essential for a successful analytics implementation. These components are change management, data management, model selection and validation, project management, promotion and advocacy, scoping, and software. Despite the prevalence of analytics research, these components are seldom discussed in academic literature, leaving a gap between theory and practice in analytics. We emphasize the importance of these components to achieve impactful analytics interventions and call for a more comprehensive approach to analytics research. By bridging the gap between hard analytics (mathematical modeling) and soft analytics (practical implementation), the tutorial highlights the need for scholars and practitioners to collaborate and exchange insights for more effective real-world applications of analytics.

History: This paper was refereed.
Budget-Driven Multiperiod Hub Location: A Robust Time-Series Approach
Authors: Hu Jie , Chen Zhi , Wang Shuming
Published: November 2024

A Robust Time-Series Approach to the Budget-Driven Multiperiod Hub Location Problem

The (un)capacitated multiperiod hub location problem involves uncertain time-series demands, the distribution of which is unobservable and correlated over periods. In “Budget-Driven Multiperiod Hub Location: A Robust Time-Series Approach,” Hu, Chen, and Wang develop a nested ambiguity set that characterizes uncertain periodic demands via a general multivariate time-series model and propose a budget-driven model that constrains each expected periodic cost within a budget while optimizing the robustness level by maximizing the size of the nested ambiguity set. Under certain regularity conditions on the underlying VAR(p) or VARMA(p,q) process of the stochastic demand, the developed ambiguity set enjoys the desirable property of measure concentration that translates to finite-sample performance guarantees of optimization problems’ decisions. In the uncapacitated case, the proposed budget-driven model essentially optimizes a Sharpe ratio–type criterion over the worst case among all periods. This research contributes to time-series predictive distributionally robust optimization.
Anti-LGI1 autoimmune limbic encephalitis: an easy-to-miss diagnosis
Authors: Freitas Henriques Carolina , Fernandes Rui , Neves Leonor , Miranda Rubina , Noronha Duarte , Aguiar Teresa Carolina , Faria Teresa
Published: November 2024

Background: Autoimmune limbic encephalitis (ALE) is a rare inflammatory disorder characterised by a subacute onset, usually within weeks. The presence of multiple neuropsychiatric symptoms such as seizures, short-term memory deficits, anxiety and depression often leads to misdiagnosis as another medical condition, contributing to poor prognosis and reduced long-term survival. Case description: A 60-year-old man, with no chronic illnesses, presented at the emergency department with daily episodes of palpitations, shivering, piloerection and a sense of impending doom lasting two months. Initially diagnosed with anxiety disorder and treated with venlafaxine 50 mg daily, he showed no improvement and developed memory loss. Hospitalised three months later, he exhibited both temporal and spatial disorientation, along with short-term memory loss. Key findings included elevated serum sedimentation rate, hyponatraemia, increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein levels and cranial magnetic resonance imaging evidence of bilateral temporal intra-parenchymal lesions, suggesting limbic encephalitis. After ruling out alternative diagnoses, screening of autoantibodies in the CSF was requested, which was positive for anti-LGI1 antibodies. The diagnosis of anti-LGI1 ALE was assumed, and treatment was initiated with significant clinical and imaging improvement. Conclusions: ALE’s broad clinical spectrum contributes to underdiagnosis. Therefore, in patients with new onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms and no prior psychiatric history, ALE should be considered, as prompt diagnosis and treatment are pivotal to achieve a good prognosis.
Improve your sustainability
Authors: Chitty Antonia
Published: November 2024

Dr Antonia Chitty identifies seven easy way to increase the sustainability of an optical practice
So many things to SEE and do
Authors: Harvey Tony
Published: November 2024

Tony Harvey reports on the second SEE Summit, hosted recently by ABDO
On the road to success
Authors: Hale Mike
Published: November 2024

Mike Hale travels to Birmingham to attend the Optical Success Academy conference
Choosing the right coach
Authors: Browning Sue
Published: November 2024

In the second of two articles, Sue Browning outlines what to consider when selecting a business coach for an optometry practice
The blueprint for optometry
Authors: McClean Andrew
Published: November 2024

Rohit Narayan tells Andrew McClean about being named Optometrist of the Year at the Optician Awards 2021
Patients before profits
Authors: White Emma
Published: November 2024

Emma White speaks to Spec-Care director Rob Barrow about putting patients first, the benefits of 3D design and winning the Optician Award for Technology Supplier of the Year
CPD: Autistic adults, vision and eye care 4
Authors: Parmar Ketan
Published: November 2024

In the last of a four-part series based around new research looking into the assessment of eye health in the autistic population, Dr Ketan Parmar summarises what we have learned and how to put this into practice to be better able to assess autistic patients. (C103852, suitable for logging as one provider-led distance learning CPD point for optometrists and dispensing opticians)
Social media success
Authors: White Emma
Published: November 2024

Urquhart Opticians in Ayrshire won the Social Media Practice of the Year Award at the Optician Awards in 2020 and 2021. Emma White catches up with marketing and business development executive Yvette Brown.
Flow of innovation
Authors: Hale Mike
Published: November 2024

Mike Hale catches up with Russell Bickle, general manager at Shamir UK, to discuss his career to date, the recent takeover of Shamir by EssilorLuxottica, and getting through another financial downturn
CPD: Cosmetic interactive
Authors: Harvey Bill , Farrant Sarah
Published: November 2024

Bill Harvey and Sarah Farrant introduce a new interactive CPD exercise offering an opportunity to discuss your views on the potential for cosmetics to influence the future success of soft contact lens wear (C104056, suitable for logging as one interactive CPD point for optometrists, contact lens opticians and dispensing opticians)
Making up is still hard to do
Authors: Farrant Sarah
Published: November 2024

In the first of a series of anterior eye case studies where make-up has, to a varying extent, been either part of the presenting problem or part of the management plan, Sarah Farrant describes a patient where long-term cosmetic use had resulted in significant impact upon the ocular surface and adnexa
Buyers satisfied with online eyewear
Authors: McClean Andrew
Published: November 2024

Habits of US consumers who buy frames and research eye care online have been explored in a survey. Andrew McClean reports
CPD: It’s good to talk about contact lenses
Authors: Retallic Neil
Published: November 2024

In the first of an occasional series designed to provide a resource to help with the training of support staff, Neil Retallic discusses the many and various ways contact lenses can be discussed with patients in practice (C104122, suitable for logging as one provider-led distance learning CPD point for optometrists and dispensing opticians)
Diary of a Spectacle Designer
Authors: Davies Tom
Published: November 2024

Tom Davies attempts a working holiday to reinvigorate his design powers
Boots on the ground
Authors: Arrow James , Black Kyla
Published: November 2024

Boots Opticians managing director James Arrow and head of professional services Kyla Black tell Simon Jones how the company is mobilising for growth and modernisation
Moorfields Private opens in West End
Authors: Patchett Lucy
Published: November 2024

Moorfields is growing its New Cavendish Street Eye Hospital, after refurbishing and uniting two clinics. Lucy Patchett reports
CPD: Age-related macular degeneration 1: Epidemiology and risk factors
Authors: Narayan Rohit
Published: November 2024

In the first in a four-part series looking at age-related macular degeneration, Dr Rohit Narayan and Bill Harvey discuss the epidemiology of the disease and its risk factors (C104190, suitable for logging as one provider-led distance learning CPD point for optometrists and dispensing opticians)
Investing in opportunities
Authors: McClean Andrew
Published: November 2024

Frances Rus tells Andrew McClean about what’s next for Duncan and Todd after the Scottish optical group celebrated its 50th anniversary
Trends in UK contact lens prescribing 2022
Authors: Morgan Philip
Published: November 2024

Professor Philip Morgan reports on the 27th annual Eurolens Research survey into UK contact lens prescribing
CPD: BCLA CLEAR
Authors: Retallic Neil
Published: November 2024

Neil Retallic and Bill Harvey introduce a new interactive CPD exercise based upon the BCLA CLEAR publication focusing on contact lens optics, as featured in last month’s Optician Contact Lens Monthly (C104243, suitable for logging as one interactive CPD point for optometrists, dispensing opticians and contact lens opticians)
CLEAR interactive – 4
Authors: Retallic Neil
Published: November 2024

Neil Retallic and Bill Harvey offer an overview of your responses to the fourth interactive CPD exercise based upon the BCLA CLEAR publication focusing on scleral contact lenses, as featured in last month’s Optician Contact Lens Monthly (C-103596, suitable for logging as one interactive CPD point for optometrists, dispensing opticians and contact lens opticians)
Myopia update
Authors: Harvey Bill
Published: November 2024

At this year’s ARVO conference, a wide range of myopia-based research papers were delivered by Johnson & Johnson Vision. Bill Harvey offers an overview
Celebrating Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month
Authors: Patchett Lucy
Published: November 2024

Lucy Patchett collates advice and resources from the past month on how to address and prevent diabetic-related eye diseases
Giving important gifts
Authors: Morris Paul
Published: November 2024

Paul Morris contemplates the value of promoting benefits to others and oneself
Cosmetics interactive
Authors: Harvey Bill , Farrant Sarah
Published: November 2024

Bill Harvey and Sarah Farrant give a review of your recent discussions regarding the wearing of cosmetics by potential contact lens wearers (C104056)
Through the 2023 looking glass
Authors: Patchett Lucy
Published: November 2024

Lucy Patchett gains insight from industry experts on the eye care sector's agenda for the coming year
CPD: And a new one just begun
Authors: Harvey Bill
Published: November 2024

Bill Harvey looks at a couple of CPD highlights for the coming year
Dry eye disease knowledge deficit
Authors: Patchett Lucy
Published: November 2024

Lucy Patchett summarises recent dry eye disease research that spotlights lack of public awareness and knowledge
Colouring in the year ahead
Authors: Cosby Zoe
Published: November 2024

Zoe Cosby consults industry experts to look ahead at the eyewear trends we can expect to see in 2023
Givers and takers
Authors: McClean Andrew
Published: November 2024

John Hare tells Andrew McClean about the patients who sustain Black & Lizars
A new look at dry eye disease
Authors: Harvey Bill
Published: November 2024

Bill Harvey tries out a new integrated slit-lamp dry eye analysis system from BIB
Contact lens technologies for the performance of Max
Authors: Bishop Meredith , Ruston David , Buch John
Published: November 2024

Dr Meredith Bishop, David Ruston and Dr John Buch offer an overview of the Acuvue Oasys Max 1-Day contact lens
Long-term Monitoring of Low-cost Seismometers: Consistency Analysis of The Instrument
Authors: Juellyan Juellyan , Setiawan* Bambang , Hasan Muttaqin , Achmad Ashfa , Yulianur Alfiansyah , Saidi Taufiq
Published: November 2024

Instruments have become an essential part of conducting a study or research. With the aid of instruments, the measurement process can be faster, more efficient, and more accurate. However, an instrument also has a limited service life. Over time, the performance of the instrument will degrade. Therefore, the equipment must be regularly maintained and calibrated periodically. This research aims to test the measurement consistency of a low-cost seismometer (RS-3D). The approach involves long-term measurements to assess the instrument's stability in taking measurements. The measurement data is then processed and presented as frequencies using spectrum analysis. The research findings indicate that the instrument's consistency is generally good, with an average standard deviation of 0.18 and a coefficient of variation of 5%. Additionally, 95% confidence interval calculations yielded values of 2.52±0.02 for measurements at RKD, 3.04±0.05 for measurements at GLT-USK, and 3.3±0.04 for measurements at GFT-USK. Data validation was performed using the equations from building codes, showing that the difference between the measured microtremor frequency and the empirical equation was less than 1, indicating good measurement results. The conclusion drawn from this study is that a higher standard deviation value indicates a more distributed data spread, signifying less consistent research data. Conversely, a lower standard deviation indicates that the data is more concentrated around the mean value, indicating more consistent measurement results. Moreover, with previous studies having conducted validation and consistency testing, it is hoped that both tests will be routinely performed during instrument maintenance.
Meeting people where they are: Crowdsourcing goal-specific personalized wellness practices
Authors: Hidalgo Johanna E. , Kim Julia , Llorin Jordan , Stanton Kathryn , Cherian Josh , Bloomfield Laura , Fudolig Mikaela , Price Matthew , Ha Jennifer , Noble Natalie , Danforth Christopher M. , Dodds Peter Sheridan , Fanning Jason , McGinnis Ryan S. , McGinnis Ellen W.
Published: November 2024

Objectives

Despite the development of efficacious wellness interventions, sustainable wellness behavior change remains challenging. To optimize engagement, initiating small behaviors that build upon existing practices congruent with individuals’ lifestyles may promote sustainable wellness behavior change. In this study, we crowd-sourced helpful, flexible, and engaging wellness practices to identify a list of those commonly used for improving sleep, productivity, and physical, emotional, and social wellness from participants who felt they had been successful in these dimensions.

Method

We recruited a representative sample of 992 U.S. residents to survey the wellness dimensions in which they had achieved success and their specific wellness practices.

Results

Responses were aggregated across demographic, health, lifestyle factors, and wellness dimension. Exploration of these data revealed that there was little overlap in preferred practices across wellness dimensions. Within wellness dimensions, preferred practices were similar across demographic factors, especially within the top 3–4 most selected practices. Interestingly, daily wellness practices differ from those typically recommended as efficacious by research studies and seem to be impacted by health status (e.g., depression, cardiovascular disease). Additionally, we developed and provide for public use a web dashboard that visualizes and enables exploration of the study results.

Conclusions

Findings identify personalized, sustainable wellness practices targeted at specific wellness dimensions. Future studies could leverage tailored practices as recommendations for optimizing the development of healthier behaviors.
Cell non-autonomous signaling through the conserved C. elegans glycoprotein hormone receptor FSHR-1 regulates cholinergic neurotransmission
Authors: Buckley Morgan , Jacob William P. , Bortey Letitia , McClain Makenzi E. , Ritter Alyssa L. , Godfrey Amy , Munneke Allyson S. , Ramachandran Shankar , Kenis Signe , Kolnik Julie C. , Olofsson Sarah , Nenadovich Milica , Kutoloski Tanner , Rademacher Lillian , Alva Alexandra , Heinecke Olivia , Adkins Ryan , Parkar Shums , Bhagat Reesha , Lunato Jaelin , Beets Isabel , Francis Michael M. , Kowalski Jennifer R.
Published: November 2024

Modulation of neurotransmission is key for organismal responses to varying physiological contexts such as during infection, injury, or other stresses, as well as in learning and memory and for sensory adaptation. Roles for cell autonomous neuromodulatory mechanisms in these processes have been well described. The importance of cell non-autonomous pathways for inter-tissue signaling, such as gut-to-brain or glia-to-neuron, has emerged more recently, but the cellular mechanisms mediating such regulation remain comparatively unexplored. Glycoproteins and their G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are well-established orchestrators of multi-tissue signaling events that govern diverse physiological processes through both cell-autonomous and cell non-autonomous regulation. Here, we show that follicle stimulating hormone receptor, FSHR-1, the sole Caenorhabditis elegans ortholog of mammalian glycoprotein hormone GPCRs, is important for cell non-autonomous modulation of synaptic transmission. Inhibition of fshr-1 expression reduces muscle contraction and leads to synaptic vesicle accumulation in cholinergic motor neurons. The neuromuscular and locomotor defects in fshr-1 loss-of-function mutants are associated with an underlying accumulation of synaptic vesicles, build-up of the synaptic vesicle priming factor UNC-10/RIM, and decreased synaptic vesicle release from cholinergic motor neurons. Restoration of FSHR-1 to the intestine is sufficient to restore neuromuscular activity and synaptic vesicle localization to fshr-1-deficient animals. Intestine-specific knockdown of FSHR-1 reduces neuromuscular function, indicating FSHR-1 is both necessary and sufficient in the intestine for its neuromuscular effects. Re-expression of FSHR-1 in other sites of endogenous expression, including glial cells and neurons, also restored some neuromuscular deficits, indicating potential cross-tissue regulation from these tissues as well. Genetic interaction studies provide evidence that downstream effectors gsa-1/GαS, acy-1/adenylyl cyclase and sphk-1/sphingosine kinase and glycoprotein hormone subunit orthologs, GPLA-1/GPA2 and GPLB-1/GPB5, are important for intestinal FSHR-1 modulation of the NMJ. Together, our results demonstrate that FSHR-1 modulation directs inter-tissue signaling systems, which promote synaptic vesicle release at neuromuscular synapses.
PTEN depletion reduces H3K27me3 levels to promote epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in epithelial colorectal cancer cells
Authors: Ghobashi Ahmed H. , Kimani Jane W. , Ladaika Christopher A. , O’Hagan Heather M.
Published: November 2024

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal (EMT) transition is one of the best-known examples of tumor cell plasticity. EMT enhances cancer cell metastasis, which is the main cause of colorectal cancer (CRC)-related mortality. Therefore, understanding underlying molecular mechanisms contributing to the EMT process is crucial to finding druggable targets and more effective therapeutic approaches in CRC. In this study, we demonstrated that phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) knockdown (KD) induces EMT in epithelial CRC, likely through the activation of AKT. PTEN KD modulated chromatin accessibility and reprogrammed gene transcription to mediate EMT in epithelial CRC cells. Active AKT can phosphorylate enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) on serine 21, which switches EZH2 from a transcriptional repressor to an activator. Interestingly, PTEN KD reduced the global levels of trimethylation of histone 3 at lysine 27(H3K27me3) in an EZH2-phosphorylation-dependent manner. Additionally, EZH2 phosphorylation at serine 21 reduced the interaction of EZH2 with another polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) component, suppressor of zeste 12 (SUZ12), suggesting that the reduced H3K27me3 levels in PTEN KD cells were due to a disruption of the PRC2 complex. Overall, we demonstrated that PTEN KD modulates changes in gene expression to induce the EMT process in epithelial CRC cells by phosphorylating EZH2 and activates transcription factors such as activator protein 1 (AP1).
Evaluation of risk factors for 14-day and 30-day mortality among treatment regimens against Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistant to carbapenem but susceptible to traditional antipseudomonal non-carbapenem β-lactam agents
Authors: Supreeyasakon Suvadee , Traipattanakul Jantima , Hemapanpairoa Jatapat , Juntanawiwat Piraporn , Santimaleeworagun Wichai
Published: November 2024

Pseudomonas aeruginosa associated with hospital-acquired infection is often resistant to various antibiotics and is associated with high mortality worldwide. The appropriate treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistant to carbapenems but susceptible to traditional antipseudomonal non-carbapenem β-lactam agents (Car-R/NonCar-S P. aeruginosa) remains unclear. This retrospective study evaluated risk factors for 14-day and 30-day mortality among treatment regimens against Car-R/NonCar-S P. aeruginosa. This study enrolled 180 patients with Car-R/NonCar-S P. aeruginosa infection at Phramongkutklao Hospital between January 2019 and December 2023. The 14-day and 30-day mortality rates were 18.3% and 28.9%, respectively. Bloodstream infection (OR 1.97, 95% CI 0.88–4.43), septic shock (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.30–8.40), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II < 14 (OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.03–0.54), Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) <7 (OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.11–0.56), and Pitt bacteremia score <4 (OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.05–0.47) were associated with 14-day mortality. There was a higher 14-day and 30-day mortality in patients treated with piperacillin/tazobactam or aminoglycosides but there was no significant difference among antipseudomonal antimicrobial agents in the treatment of Car-R/NonCar-S P. aeruginosa infection. We supported the use of traditional antipseudomonal β-lactam agents to treat Car-R/NonCar-S P. aeruginosa infections, however the use of piperacillin/tazobactam might be concerned in some cases and further investigations were needed.
Antagonism of BST2/Tetherin, a new restriction factor of respiratory syncytial virus, requires the viral NS1 protein
Authors: Marougka Katherine , Judith Delphine , Jaouen Tristan , Blouquit-Laye Sabine , Cosentino Gina , Berlioz-Torrent Clarisse , Rameix-Welti Marie-Anne , Sitterlin Delphine
Published: November 2024

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an enveloped RNA virus and the leading viral agent responsible for severe pediatric respiratory infections worldwide. Identification of cellular factors able to restrict viral infection is one of the key strategies used to design new drugs against infection. Here, we report for the first time that the cellular protein BST2/Tetherin (a widely known host antiviral molecule) behaves as a restriction factor of RSV infection. We showed that BST2 silencing resulted in a significant rise in viral production during multi-cycle infection, suggesting an inhibitory role during the late steps of RSV’s multiplication cycle. Conversely, BST2 overexpression resulted in the decrease of the viral production. Furthermore, BST2 was found associated with envelope proteins and co-localized with viral filaments, suggesting that BST2 tethers RSV particles. Interestingly, RSV naturally downregulates cell surface and global BST2 expression, possibly through a mechanism dependent on ubiquitin. RSV’s ability to enhance BST2 degradation was also validated in a model of differentiated cells infected by RSV. Additionally, we found that a virus deleted of NS1 is unable to downregulate BST2 and is significantly more susceptible to BST2 restriction compared to the wild type virus. Moreover, NS1 and BST2 interact in a co- immunoprecipitation experiment. Overall, our data support a model in which BST2 is a restriction factor against RSV infection and that the virus counteracts this effect by limiting the cellular factor’s expression through a mechanism involving the viral protein NS1.
AGC family kinase of Entamoeba histolytica: Decoding the members biochemically
Authors: Ahmad Azhar , Kumar Vikas , Kushwaha Tushar , Kumar Akash , Sehgal Deepak , Inampudi Krishna K. , Somlata
Published: November 2024

Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is the causative agent of amoebiasis, which is a significant global health concern. The virulence mechanisms underlying its pathogenicity are multifaceted and complex. However, endocytic processes and motility are well accepted virulence determinants. As previously reported, an AGCK family kinase, EhAGCK1 to be involved in trogocytosis exclusively while another one from same family named EhAGCK2 participates in all actin dependent endocytic processes. As the kinase dead mutants of EhAGCK1 showed significant defect in destruction of live host cells and also the localisation pattern of same is distinguishable from EhAGCK2. From observations so far, it appears that former initiates a distinguishable signaling cascade. In this work, we have demonstrated distinct biochemical properties of kinases involved in related yet distinguishable endocytic processes for the first time. Our biochemical characterization highlights distinct ion dependency of EhAGCK1 along with substrate specificity. We also show upstream activator of these kinases, 3-phosphoinositide dependent kinase 1 (PDK1) activity and its role in activating the kinase activity. The kinases exhibit property of autophosphorylation, and which may regulate the kinase activity subsequently. Summarily, these studies show that EhAGCK1 and EhAGCK2 show distinct biochemical properties which further confirm their unique role in related endocytic processes of trogocytosis and phagocytosis.
Las designaciones metafóricas de las partes de la oreja en griego antiguo
Authors: Andrés-Alba Iván
Published: November 2024

Este trabajo analiza todas las designaciones metafóricas que se documentan en la lengua griega antigua para las partes visibles de la oreja. Partiendo de la teoría cognitivista de la metáfora conceptual, se estudiarán los términos que recogen, fundamentalmente, el lexicógrafo alejandrino Pólux y el médico Rufo de Éfeso, analizando, siempre que sea posible, el desarrollo metafórico subyacente. El objetivo último es, pues, sistematizar los desarrollos metafóricos que encontramos en la anatomía auricular, evidenciando así la relevancia de la metáfora de imagen en la gestación del léxico anatómico griego.
Variante e aparato crítico num verso homérico (Ilíada 6, 226)
Authors: Marques Delcides
Published: November 2024

Esse texto se debruça fundamentalmente sobre a presença do manuscrito Venetus A, o códice Marcianus Graecus Z.454 (=822) do século X, a mais antiga versão completa da Ilíada preservada, nas notas de algumas edições críticas da obra homérica, com destaque para o verso 6.226, em que há uma ampla discussão em torno de uma dupla variação textual: ἔγχεσι-ἔγχεα e ἀλλήλους-ἀλλήλων. Ao trazer a discussão antropológica sobre variante estrutural para o debate, espera-se problematizar o critério filológico que implica aceitar uma variante e rejeitar outra. Portanto, o artigo pretende demonstrar, a partir da articulação entre os aparatos críticos e o antigo códice marciano, que as variantes podem coexistir produtivamente, sugerindo algo sobre o caráter particular e multitextual da epopeia homérica.
A oposição “escorpião”
Authors: Pérez-Camacho José Guillermo
Published: November 2024

O objetivo deste artigo é analisar a estratégia de cooptação e fragmentação da oposição venezuelana realizada pelo governo do presidente venezuelano Nicolás Maduro assim como seus efeitos eleitorais. Embora a cooptação não seja uma estratégia nova e inclusive ela seja típica de autoritarismos eleitorais, como o venezuelano, ganhou relevância nos últimos anos devido ao surgimento de um grupo de opositores cooptados, popularmente chamados de "alacranes" (escorpiões). O papel dessa oposição cooptada ajuda a explicar como o governo venezuelano, apesar de seus baixos índices de popularidade, é capaz de vencer as eleições no país. Para estudar o efeito eleitoral que tem a oposição cooptada, o presente trabalho analisa estatisticamente as eleições de governadores de 2021 na Venezuela. A conclusão da análise é que existe uma correlação estatisticamente significativa entre a perda de votos da oposição tradicional (chamada a MUD) e a presença da oposição cooptada (os “escorpiões”).
Análise do impacto do rompimento da barragem de Fundão nos indicadores socioeconômicos e sustentáveis dos municípios atingidos
Authors: Meneses Neto Ebio Viana , Almeida Fernanda Maria de , Faria Evandro Rodrigues de
Published: November 2024

O rompimento da barragem de rejeitos de minério ocorrido em 5 de novembro de 2015, na cidade de Mariana, em Minas Gerais, foi um dos maiores desastres ecológicos da história do Brasil. Cerca de 45 milhões de metros cúbicos de rejeitos foram alçados ao meio ambiente, sem quaisquer perspectivas de mitigação do impacto ambiental pela mantenedora da barragem, o que confronta aos burocráticos critérios de sustentabilidade impostos pelo governo federal, estadual e municipal. Diante deste cenário, objetiva-se analisar o impacto do rompimento da barragem nos indicadores socioeconômicos e de sustentabilidade dos municípios mineiros atingidos diretamente pelos rejeitos, contrapondo aos não abeirados. Ao utilizar os métodos de análise fatorial para aglutinação das variáveis e os testes de escores de propensão e diferenças em diferenças para a análise comparada entre os municípios, foi possível perceber que o PIB per capita é bem menor entre os municípios atingidos, o que mostra um baixo desenvolvimento local entre eles. Ainda, estes municípios possuem uma maior concentração de famílias com renda de até ½ salário mínimo e menor compensação financeira por utilização de recursos hídricos. De forma a subsidiar discussões teóricas e empíricas sobre a gestão dos municípios atingidos pelos rejeitos da barragem de Fundão, o presente trabalho torna-se relevante ao analisar comparativamente os indicadores socioeconômicos entre os municípios atingidos (tratados) e todos os outros de Minas Gerais (controle), de forma a contribuir para a identificação de pontos críticos do desenvolvimento municipal ao longo dos anos.
Experiences and consequences of remote schooling during the Covid-19 pandemic for children and youth in the Nordic countries: a scoping review
Authors: Nøkleby Heid , Langøien Lars Jørun , Borge Tiril Cecilie , Johansen Trine Bjerke
Published: November 2024

Between March 2020 and March 2022, the Covid-19 pandemic led to societal lockdowns and school closures worldwide. The length of school closures varied from a few weeks to many months. We summarise the experiences and consequences of remote schooling during the pandemic on children and youth in the Nordic countries. We conducted a systematic scoping review, including longitudinal, qualitative and mixed-methods studies. The methods involved predetermined selection criteria, an extensive literature search, independent screening of references and a narrative summary of findings. We included 20 studies (in 21 reports), from Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland. There were 7 longitudinal, 7 qualitative and 6 mixed-methods studies. The studies covered primary, lower and upper secondary education. The studies that collected data at the beginning of the pandemic in spring 2020, when most schools in the Nordic countries had been closed for a few weeks, showed variations in how children and youth experienced remote schooling. Many students (and teachers) experienced subjective learning gaps. Lower well-being was reported among students on all educational levels during the period of remote schooling, although some students thrived in this period. Factors that might predispose children and youth for negative consequences of the pandemic are socio-economic background, immigrant background and learning difficulties. The extensive shift to remote schooling for children and youth during the pandemic yielded important consequences that should be considered in the preparation for future pandemics or similar crises.
ANALISIS AKAD-AKAD SYARIAH DAN APLIKASINYA PADA FINTECH SYARIAH PERPEKTIF FATWA DSN-MUI NOMOR 67/ DSN-MUI/ III/2008(Studi Kasus Produk Invoice Financing Syariah PT. Investree Radhika Jaya)
Authors: ‘Ala Arkham Sitta
Published: November 2024

Salah satu Fintech yang menerapkan berbagai macam produk layanan pelaksanaan peer to peer lending (P2P) adalah PT. Investree Radhika Jaya, atau biasa disebut Investree. Salah satu produk produk yang ditawarkan ialah pembiayaan tagihan atau invoice financing syariah. Pembiayaan tagihan atau invoice financing syariah adalah produk mendanai yang dijamin oleh tagihan atau invoice, dirancang dengan menggunakan skema syariah melalui Akad Al Qardh untuk pemberian dana talangan dan Akad Wakalah Bil Ujrah untuk mendapatkan ujrah, hal ini seperti anjak piutang syariah. PT. Investree Radhika Jaya selaku penyelenggara bertindak sebagai wakil dari beberapa pihak; pemberi pinjaman, penerima pinjaman, dan payor. Hubungan saling keterkaitan antara beberapa pihak tersebut mengakibatkan berbagai macam akad digunakan disini, terdapat empat akad dalam produk invoice finacing  syariah PT Investree Radhika Jaya, akad qardh, kafalah, wakalah bi ujrah, dan ta’zir. Penggunaan akad sudah sesuai dengan rukun dan syaratnya. Namun penelitan tentang produk invoice financing syariah jika dianalisa kesesuaian pelaksanaan dengan perspektif FATWA DSN-MUI NOMOR 67/ DSN-MUI/ III/2008. Dihasilkan bahwa produk invoice financing syariah belum sesuai dengan ketentuan. Hal ini dikarenakan saat pengambilan ujrah atau upah, hal mendasar yang dijadikan acuan pengambilan ialah prosentase dari nilai pokok hutang yang berhasil didanai bukan kepada nominal, sebagaimana ketentuan fatwa DSN-MUI. Hal ini bisa mendekatkan kepada riba.