bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hedging First Offers Permits Assertiveness While Lowering Risk a Partner Walks
Authors: Lee Alice J. , Mason Malia F. , Malcomb Claire S.
Published: December 2024

Negotiators often open with assertive offers to anchor discussions in their favor, yet this approach risks offending potential partners and foreclosing negotiations. Across four experiments, we demonstrate that hedged language softens proposals, allowing negotiators to remain assertive while reducing the risk of offending deal partners and preventing their early exit. Experiment 1 established this effect in a transactional sale context without post-deal interaction. Experiment 2 generalized the effect to a setting in which parties have an ongoing relationship and ruled out a confounding effect of message length. Experiment 3 revealed hedging signals flexibility, but this perception alone does not fully explain the effect. Experiment 4 found that hedged offers did not invite more assertive counteroffers and, after accounting for its reduced effect on impasses, led to better overall performance than directly stated ones. Hedging allows negotiators to introduce self-favorable starting points while minimizing offense and missed deal opportunities.
Insulin resistance in childhood obesity: The role of dietary habits and their association with novel markers of cardiovascular disease
Authors: Davico Belen , Lozano Chiappe Ezequiel , Gaete Laura , Gomez Rosso Leonardo , Sáez María Soledad , Tetzlaff Walter , Palenque Patricia , Osta Viviana , Yánez Amanda , Boero Laura , Trifone Liliana , Martin Maximiliano , Brites Fernando
Published: December 2024

Background

Childhood obesity presents numerous comorbidities such as insulin resistance (IR) and dyslipidemia, and could be associated with alterations in novel markers of cardiovascular (CV) risk like: (1) the activities of associated enzymes such as lipoprotein associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) and paraoxonase 1 (PON 1), (2) reverse cholesterol transport (RCT), which comprises cellular cholesterol efflux (CCE), in addition to lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activities, and (3) high density lipoprotein (HDL) antioxidant capacity. Moreover, IR could worsen these cardiometabolic alterations. The objective of the present study was to characterize the effect of IR on novel CV markers in a pediatric population with obesity.

Methods

Twenty-five obese children and adolescents with IR, and 25 without IR took part in the study. Anthropometric parameters, Tanner stage and dietary habits were registered. Glucose, insulin, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), lipid, and high sensitivity C reactive protein (hsCRP) levels, plus Lp-PLA2, LCAT, CETP and PON 1 activities, as well as CCE and HDL antioxidant capacity were measured. A cutoff point of 3.16 in Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) determined the presence of IR.

Results

No differences were observed in age, sex and Tanner stage. Expectedly, the group with IR displayed higher insulin and NEFA levels (p < 0.05). They also presented increased Lp-PLA2 and decreased PON activities (p < 0.05). Importantly, these differences were associated with dietary habits (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

IR present in pediatric obesity associated with vascular specific inflammation and reduced PON 1 activity, in addition to alterations in glucose metabolism, thus increasing CV risk in adulthood. These proatherogenic disturbances were conditioned by dietary habits.
Incidence of antibody–drug conjugate-related hepatotoxicity in breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yang Ping , Zhang Hengheng , Li Jinming , Li Zitao , Liu Zhen , Wang Miaozhou , Zhao Fuxing , Zhao Jiuda , Shen GuoShuang , Zhao Yi
Published: December 2024

Background:

Antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs), as a new type of targeted drug, have been widely used in breast cancer patients in recent years. However, while achieving better efficacy, its hepatotoxicity should not be ignored.

Objectives:

To clarify the incidence of hepatotoxicity associated with ADCs and compare the incidence of hepatotoxicity of ADCs with different drugs.

Design:

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize the clinical trials and combined the data using meta-analysis.

Methods:

We searched the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases up to March 12, 2023. The primary outcome was the incidence of ADC-related hepatotoxicity in breast cancer patients. The data were merged using Stata 17.0 software.

Results:

ADCs caused a high incidence of all grades of hepatotoxicity. Sacituzumab govitecan caused the highest incidence of all grades of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation at 25.30% (95% confidence interval (CI): 19.29–31.82). Trastuzumab deruxtecan caused the highest incidence of all grades of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) elevation. The highest incidence of AST elevation was 31.89% (95% CI: 18.56–46.85). Conversely, trastuzumab emtansine caused the highest incidence of grade ⩾3 AST and ALT elevation (incidence rates were 3.95% (95% CI: 2.39–5.85) and 3.42% (95% CI: 1.95–5.24), respectively).

Conclusion:

Hepatotoxicity is an adverse reaction that cannot be ignored when ADCs are used for treating breast cancer. Moreover, clinicians should pay more attention to the assessment of patients’ liver function and monitoring of liver indices, particularly ALT and AST, when using ADCs.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease among people living with HIV on long-term antiretroviral therapy in Indonesia: Prevalence and related factors
Authors: Pramukti Hikmat , Yunihastuti Evy , Gani Rino A , Rinaldi Ikhwan , Hasan Irsan , Maria Suzy
Published: December 2024

Background/objectives:

As people with human immunodeficiency virus experience longer life expectancy, other causes of morbidity and mortality are being increasingly identified. The incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease has recently been on the rise in Indonesia. People with human immunodeficiency virus on antiretroviral therapy are also at an increased risk of having non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The study aimed to define the prevalence and factors associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in people with human immunodeficiency virus on stable antiretroviral therapy.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study of people with human immunodeficiency virus, on antiretroviral therapy, age younger than 18 years old, and without hepatitis co-infection was conducted at the human immunodeficiency virus Integrated Clinic Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease was diagnosed using transient elastography with associated controlled attenuation parameter examination (diagnostic cutoff: 238 db/m). A logistic regression test with Poisson regression was used to evaluate factors associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Results:

One hundred and five people with human immunodeficiency virus were included, with a median age of 39 years and 65.7% were men. The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease was 52.4%. Factors related to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease were hypertension (aPR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.03–2.14, p = 0.033) and triglyceride levels (aPR: 1.001, 95% CI: 1.000–1.002, p = 0.024). No human immunodeficiency virus-specific variables were associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Conclusions:

More than half of Indonesian people with human immunodeficiency virus on antiretroviral therapy in this study were found to have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Hypertension and increased triglyceride levels were related to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Screening for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease should be implemented as a means of early intervention and to prevent complications.
Impact of prostate volume on the active surveillance in prostate cancer
Authors: Beaujouan Florent , Bertherat Walter , Hammoudi Zakaria , Chicaud Marie , Descazeaud Aurélien
Published: December 2024

Objective:

To determine the influence of the prostate volume (PVo) in the management of patients in active surveillance (AS) for prostate cancer.

Materials and methods:

A retrospective analysis of clinical, biological, histological and radiological data collected between 2010 and 2021 was performed for patients included in an AS protocol in a university hospital. The impact of initial PVo on the subsequent risk of exiting AS was evaluated.

Results:

In total, 109 patients were included in this analysis with a mean follow-up period of 52.74 ± 31 months, 50% were out of AS by the end of the follow-up period. The risk of exiting the AS protocol was significantly associated to the PVo: patients with smaller PVo had an increased risk of exiting AS ( p = 0.025). The maximal percentage of core invasion was the only initial predictive parameter for exiting the AS protocol on multivariate analysis of the global cohort ( p = 0.010) and in the sub-group of patients having PVo ⩽ 45 mL ( p = 0.013). In the group having a PVo > 45 mL, no single initial parameter was significantly associated to a risk of exiting AS.

Conclusion:

Patients having small-sized prostate seemed to be at higher risk of exiting AS during follow-up.

Level of evidence:

4
Algorithmic imaginary in surveillance technicity: The renegotiation of minzu identity among China’s ethnic minority wanghongs on Douyin
Authors: Hao Lei
Published: December 2024

This study investigates the role of Douyin, internationally known as TikTok, in shaping the presentation and perception of minzu (ethnicity) among ethnic minority wanghongs (internet celebrities) in China. It examines how Douyin’s techno-social environment, particularly the “surveillance technicity” embedded within its algorithms, interacts with the content production and engagement practices of ethnic minority creators, thereby co-constructing their self-perception and expression of ethnic identity. The paper emphasizes how wanghongs navigate both technology and identity, strategically crafting and materializing their minzu narratives within the constraints and opportunities of this digital platform. It highlights the complex interplay between Douyin’s algorithmic mechanisms and the emergent ethnic narratives of wanghongs, illustrating how Douyin is instrumental in the visibility, and renegotiation of ethnic identities among ethnic minority wanghongs. This analysis provides critical insights into the multifaceted impact of Douyin’s algorithms on the cultivation and transformation of ethnic identities within China’s digital spaces.
Linguistic Minorities and Crisis Communication: Assessing the Contribution of Real-Time Machine-Translated Instant Messaging During a Cascading Crisis
Authors: Tekwa Kizito , Liu Jessica Jiexiu
Published: December 2024

This study investigates the role of machine-translated instant messaging (IM) during a cascading crisis, taking foreigners, who constitute the linguistic minority community in China, as the participants. Informed by the information-seeking behavior theory, the study assesses the extent to which participants machine-translated pandemic-related IMs they received via WeChat, the popular IM platform in China and their perception of the quality of translated IMs. From a cultural perspective, the study evaluates the language and timing of the messages as well as the degree of integration of foreigners into the pandemic messaging apparatus. Based on data gathered via a questionnaire (430 respondents) and semi-structured interviews (15 interviewees), it was found that participants overwhelmingly machine-translated pandemic and non-pandemic-related IMs and perceived the quality to be good. In contrast, they had an unfavorable perception of the timing and tone of IMs, as well as their extent of involvement in the crisis information apparatus. Based on the findings, recommendations are proposed to better integrate members of linguistic minority communities, especially those with knowledge of the mainstream language, into crisis information management.
An Exploratory Study of Ideal Medical Systems Based on the Experiences of Laypeople in South Korea
Authors: Yu Soo-Young , Suh Eunyoung E. , Lim Seongmi , Kim Ji-yeon
Published: December 2024

Due to a worldwide paradigm shift from a medical-centered system to patient-centered care, there is a need to recognize actual (practical) medical service from laypeople. In South Korea, intrinsic healthcare use characteristics such as the “Herd Behavior” have led to waiting many hours for a short treatment time at metropolitan-based major hospitals. Illustrating individual perceptions of an ideal healthcare system should take precedence when defining this issue. This study aimed to explore and describe laypeople in South Korea’s perceptions of ideal healthcare services based on their utilization of medical services. This qualitative study was conducted with 13 members of the National Participation Committee using semi-structured interviews. Qualitative data were analyzed using the thematic analysis method and visualized through a word cloud generated with MAXQDA software. Six themes were derived from the visualized words and an incremental analysis to explore perceptions of desirable medical services. Participants struggled to find a suitable hospital without expert guidance and felt objectified for their money. They distrusted and didn’t want to speak in front of medical professionals. They wanted their essential needs to be met regardless of their economic status. This study provides a description portrait of laypeople’s experiences related to healthcare services in South Korea, where medical services are predominantly provided by private hospitals with public insurance coverage. Users’ desire for tailored information through an integrated medical system that has a strong emphasis on people-centeredness must be embraced.
The Relationship Between Corporate Social Responsibility and Co-Benefit Business Model Innovation
Authors: Zheng Linlin , Lai Xinchen , Lu Yuting , Dong Yashi
Published: December 2024

The co-benefit business model innovation is a potential business strategy for pursuing value creation for multiple stakeholders and sustainable business development. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has significant implications for the co-benefit business model innovation during crises. Using a grounded coding approach in multiple cases, this study elaborates on how pure commercial CSR, normalized CSR, advanced CSR, and pure CSR constitute different CSR combinations, and how CSR combinations influence the co-benefit business model innovation and bring about the ultimate effects. Using a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis, this study draws the following conclusions: As enterprises grow in size and the social environment improves, enterprises gradually shift their focus from pure commercial CSR to high-level CSR, eventually placing greater emphasis on advanced CSR and pure CSR. Enterprises with strong economic goals should drive co-benefit business model innovation through highly normalized CSR and advanced CSR. Enterprises with general economic goals should promote co-benefit business model innovation through highly advanced CSR. Enterprises with high economic expectations of co-benefit business model should consider both highly commercial CSR and normalized CSR, while enterprises with highly advanced CSR and co-benefit business model innovation tend to generate high social benefits. Finally, the study provides recommendations for enterprises on how to scientifically undertake CSR based on the resource endowment and staged development needs and strike to achieve the co-benefit targets.
Social Work Intervention Research in Child Sponsorship Programs: Enhancing Psychological Well-being of Marginalized Adolescents
Authors: Joseph Shinto , Karalam Sheeja Remani B. , Mathew Jasmine
Published: December 2024

The Child Sponsorship Program (CSP) is critical to enhancing the objective and subjective well-being of enrollees. Meanwhile, social work interventions emphasize scientific approaches aimed at empowering marginalized populations. This intervention research (IR) was focused on raising the psychological well-being (PWB) of adolescents in a prominent CSP located in Kochi, Kerala. Preliminary findings from a pilot study underscored the need for intervention, and subsequent Delphi survey results guided the formulation of an intervention strategy. Capitalizing on the transformative power of peer groups, IR implemented a social group work intervention to enhance adolescent PWB in CSP. Using a nonequivalent comparison group interrupted time-series design, the PWB of participants in the intervention group (IG, N = 20) and comparison group (CG, N = 20) was measured and compared. Ryff’s PWB scale with 42 items served as the assessment instrument. Descriptive statistics confirmed the normal distribution of baseline data for all participants ( N = 40), while repeated measures ANOVA in SPSS 25 validated the alternative hypothesis, indicating significant differences in PWB measures over time within IG and between IG and CG. Additionally, along with statistical evidence of intervention effectiveness, this study used a qualitative design for ongoing evaluation of the intervention process, providing insights for program refinement and demonstrating intervention outcomes. By defining a model for group work intervention among CSP adolescents to improve PWB, this study underscores the important role of social work interventions in empowering marginalized populations.
The Mechanism Through Which Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Affects Customer Patronage of Manufacturing Companies: Modeling the Mediating Role of Corporate Reputation and the Moderating Role of Customer Awareness of CSR Activities
Authors: Shu Ruijie , Xia Hua , Apuke Oberiri Destiny
Published: December 2024

Despite the growing body of studies exploring the effect of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on business outcomes, there is still limited understanding of the mechanism through which CSR activities affect customer patronage (CP). This study modeled the mediating role of corporate reputation (CR) in the relationship between CSR activities and customer patronage (CP). The study further tested the moderating role of customer awareness. Data was drawn from 1,200 customers of a manufacturing company using Qualtrics online crowdsourcing company. A structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to actualize this study. We found that a company’s CSR activities promote CR. Specifically, community development and philanthropic responsibilities have more impact in promoting the CR of a company. CR was found to mediate the relationship between CSR activities and CP. Finally, consumer awareness (CA) of CSR activities moderates and increases the correlation between CR and CP.
Antimicrobial properties of copper tetraamine fluoride
Authors: Xu Veena Wenqing , Yin Iris Xiaoxue , Niu John Yun , Yu Ollie Yiru , Nizami Mohammed Zahedul Islam , Chu Chun-Hung
Published: December 2024

Background:

A stable copper tetraamine fluoride (CTF) with low cytotoxicity has been developed for dental use.

Objective:

To investigate the antimicrobial effects of CTF against common microbes associated with dental caries and periodontal disease.

Method:

The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentrations (MBC/MFC) were used to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of CTF against eight common bacteria and one fungus associated with dental caries and periodontal disease. These nine microbes included cariogenic pathogens ( Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lacticaseibacillus casei, Actinomyces naeslundii and Candida albicans), pulpitis-related bacteria ( Enterococcus faecalis) and periodontal disease-related bacteria ( Porphyromonas gingivalis and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was employed to examine the morphological changes of microbes with and without CTF treatment.

Results:

The MIC of CTF against nine microbes ranged from 80 ppm ( Lacticaseibacillus casei) to 640 ppm ( Candida albicans and Enterococcus faecalis). The MBC/MFC ranged from 320 ppm ( Lacticaseibacillus casei) to 2560 ppm ( Candida albicans). TEM revealed abnormal curvature of cell membranes, disrupted cell membranes, cytoplasmic clear zone, and cytoplasmic content leakage of the microbes treated with CTF.

Conclusion:

CTF has antimicrobial effects against common oral pathogens and presents a promising antimicrobial agent to aid management of dental caries and periodontal disease.
Morphological Description of the Embryonic to Fetal Development of the Menisco- Tibio-Popliteus-Fibular Complex and the Anterolateral Ligament
Authors: Morales-Avalos Rodolfo , Lopez-Serna Norberto , Erosa-Villarreal Roger Armando , Padilla-Medina José Ramón , Cortés-Álvarez Catalina Damaris , Torres-González Vladimira , Huesca-Perez Héctor A. , Muñoz-Garza Ana Karen , Martinez-Guajardo Karla V. , Soto-Dominguez Adolfo , Carles Monllau Joan
Published: December 2024

Background:

Little information is available on the embryology of the structures that connect the lateral meniscus to its nearby structures (proximal tibia, fibular head, and popliteus tendon), which restrict lateral meniscal extrusion.

Purpose:

To describe the menisco-tibio-popliteus-fibular complex (MTPFC)—conformed by the lateral meniscotibial ligament (LMTL), popliteofibular ligament, meniscofibular ligament, and the 2 popliteomeniscal ligaments (superior and inferior)—and anterolateral ligament (ALL) of the knee in human embryos/fetuses from weeks 9 to 37 of gestation.

Study Design:

Descriptive laboratory study.

Methods:

The authors analyzed 36 formalin-fixed embryos/fetus knees, ranging between weeks 9 and 37 of gestation. All had normal external morphological characteristics. A microdissection was performed by meticulously searching the structures of the MTPFC and the ALL, their anatomic relationships, and their appearance over time. Histological sections were taken of the entire knee, the lateral meniscus, the ALL, and the LMTL to observe its structure from its early stages, junctions, and cellularity. In addition, the composition and orientation of the fibers were evaluated.

Results:

The MTPFC was not found in the youngest knees (9 weeks). The ligaments of this complex could not be seen until week 11 of development. Moreover, the ALL was a consistent finding from the 13th week of development onward. All the ligaments of the MTPFC were seen between developmental weeks 11 and 16 in all the specimens. The histological results showed that the histology of the ALL showed dense connective tissue organized into thick bundles of collagen fibers in its central portion, with a parallel and undulating arrangement and the anterolateral capsule demonstrated 3 easily distinguishable layers corresponding to the fibrous membrane, the subsynovial membrane formed by loose connective tissue, and the synovial membrane.

Conclusion:

All the structures of the MTPFC were visualized from week 11, with the LMTL being the first to form. Moreover, the ALL was a consistent finding from week 13 of development onward.

Clinical Relevance:

Understanding the embryological development of the MTPFC and the ALL of the knee is clinically relevant, as it can provide crucial insights into the pathogenesis of knee conditions and inform treatment strategies. By elucidating the timeline and characteristics of these structures’ formation, clinicians can better diagnose and manage conditions affecting the lateral meniscus and related structures, ultimately improving patient outcomes and surgical interventions.
Deterrence for whom? Public information campaigns as border internalization in Australia
Authors: Coddington Kate
Published: December 2024

Public information campaigns, advertising conducted by destination countries to dissuade migrants and asylum seekers from leaving their countries of origin, have primarily been studied as examples of border externalization and deterrence. Australian campaigns such “No way: you will not make Australia home” plastered across billboards, radio advertisements, graphic novels, street theater, and feature films have been deployed throughout the Asia-Pacific region since the late 1990s, targeting would-be migrants from Afghanistan to Vietnam. However, in contrast to public information campaigns in other parts of the world, Australia has consistently deployed information campaigns not only externally, but also to internal audiences, including migrant diaspora communities and the wider Australian public. In this paper, I explore deterrence messaging as a form of border internalization: why were these campaigns deployed domestically? Through interviews with former campaign producers, it became clear that domestic deterrence campaigns were beneficial in multiple ways: border internalization contributed towards externalized enforcement, took advantage of existing relationships and ties, gained earned media, and contributed towards swaying domestic public opinion. Yet in addition to these stated goals, I argue that the border internalization strategies here also reflect wider understandings of national belonging anchored in the racialized colonial context of Australia.
Caring with abject urban animals: Tensions between exclusion and inclusion of Egyptian geese in the city
Authors: Kornherr Elisa
Published: December 2024

In the context of current debates on care in animal geographies, this article examines care practices for Egyptian geese in the German city of Frankfurt am Main, drawing on empirical research. Since urban policies, legislation, discourses and related affects frame Egyptian geese as invasive, polluting and health-threatening, I conceptualise the geese as abject urban animals. Their constitution as abject depends essentially on the fact that they inhabit urban spaces, but politics consider the city to be the wrong place for them. Therefore, Egyptian geese are excluded from the city, both imaginatively and spatially. However, affective and embodied entanglements form between the geese and some people, leading them to care for the animals. Through the practices of feeding, aiding injuries and political advocacy, the carers work for the inclusion of the animals as significant co-inhabitants of the city. This article aims to explore the complex tensions between the exclusion of Egyptian geese in urban politics and the attempts made by individuals to include them in the city through their care practices. This proves especially advantageous for research on care as specific links between affective and political dimensions of care become apparent.
ER-LD Membrane Contact Sites: A Budding Area in the Pathogen Survival Strategy
Authors: Angara Rajendra Kumar , Sladek Margaret F. , Gilk Stacey D.
Published: December 2024

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and lipid droplets (LDs) are essential organelles involved in lipid synthesis, storage, and transport. Physical membrane contacts between the ER and LDs facilitate lipid and protein exchange and thus play a critical role in regulating cellular lipid homeostasis. Recent research has revealed that ER-LD membrane contact sites are targeted by pathogens seeking to exploit host lipid metabolic processes. Both viruses and bacteria manipulate ER-LD membrane contact sites to enhance their replication and survival within the host. This review discusses the research advancements elucidating the mechanisms by which pathogens manipulate the ER-LD contacts through protein molecular mimicry and host cell protein manipulation, thereby hijacking host lipid metabolic processes to facilitate pathogenesis. Understanding the crosstalk between ER and LDs during infection provides deeper insight into host lipid regulation and uncovers potential therapeutic targets for treating infectious diseases.
Japanese patients’ preferences regarding disclosure of patient safety incidents: A survey study
Authors: Gu Xiuzhu , Deng Mingming
Published: December 2024

Background

Incident disclosure has proved its cultural sensitivity. To meet patient needs, this study aims to investigate Japanese preferences regarding incident disclosure.

Methods

An online panel questionnaire survey was conducted in Japan, and 840 valid responses were collected. A total of 191 (23%) respondents or their family members had incident experience. The respondents were asked to indicate their preferences regarding disclosure practice, specifically for incidents entailing moderate and severe harm. The chi-squared test was applied to examine preference differences.

Results

Mostly similar preferences were identified among Japanese respondents, regardless of their incident experience, age, and sex. For instance, they wished to be disclosed through face-to-face communication (92% in moderate and 92% in severe harm incidents), immediately after detection (63%; 65%), at the bedside, or in a consultation room (50%; 46%). The incident was likely to be disclosed by the healthcare provider most responsible/directly involved in the patient's care at the time of the incident (48%; 45%), accompanied by the team/department leader (50%; 56%) and patient safety manager (50%; 59%). If the incident entailed severe harm, top management members were also expected to be involved (45%); all details about the incident were expected to be informed (57%).

Conclusions

The findings reveal that Japanese patient preferences regarding incident disclosure are partly shared with Western countries and partly with other Asian countries. The unique Japanese preference for disclosure places is also identified. Recommendations for incident disclosure are then suggested and we believe this could be the first step toward supporting disclosure in Japanese healthcare organizations.
Studying terrorism through the lens of public actions: A pragmatic state-centered approach
Authors: Ferret Jérôme , Spenlehauer Vincent
Published: December 2024

In this article we argue that terrorism should no longer be studied as a phenomenon completely exogenous to modern societies, but rather as endogenous, that is, as a part and product of symbiotic dynamics linking terrorism to particular “socio-state configurations.” This thesis leads us to propose a new research program focused on the central question of what governments do or don’t do to combat the terrorism(s) that strike human societies governed by these same public authorities. In other words, this article discusses “public anti-terrorism action” (PATA) and its variants. We conclude with a singular approach to the study of terrorism, a “state-centered” approach that departs from research focused solely on terrorist actors or groups that have emphasized the notion of “radicalization” or the narrow realities of official counter-terrorism or state terrorism.
Outpatient subcutaneous alemtuzumab is feasible and safe for aplastic anemia and is associated with high response rates
Authors: da Fonseca Ana Rita , Justino Caio Cesar , Campos de Molla Vinicius , Yamakawa Patricia Eiko , Rabelo Iara Baldim , Arnold Louise , Kelly Richard , Griffin Morag , Munir Talha , Hill Anita , Velloso Elvira , Dalessandro Thales , Risitano Antonio M. , Scheinberg Phillip , Kulasekararaj Austin , Arrais-Rodrigues Celso
Published: December 2024

Immunosuppressive therapy using horse antithymocyte globulin (ATG; h-ATG) combined with cyclosporine (CsA) and eltrombopag is the standard care for aplastic anemia (AA) in patients without a suitable matched donor. However, in many countries, h-ATG use has been discontinued, leaving rabbit ATG (r-ATG), which has a lower response rates and poorer survival, as the only alternative. In previous studies, alemtuzumab (ALZ), a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting CD52, combined with CsA, resulted in an adequate overall response rate (ORR) in patients with AA. This study describes a multicenter, international retrospective analysis of ALZ for treating AA.We analyzed a series of patients who received subcutaneous ALZ for AA in 4 centers in Brazil and the United Kingdom from March 2009 to January 2024. We analyzed 64 ALZ treatments in 61 adult patients with AA, 76% with severe AA (SAA) or very SAA. The ORR was 59.4% at 12 months (complete, 21.9%; partial, 37.5%). Cumulative incidence (CI) of response was 54.7% at 6 months and 59.4% at 12 months. Younger patients (age <65 years) had higher CI of response (67% vs 31%; P = .03), as did patients treated with a total dose of 103 mg (70% vs 38%; P = .02). Overall survival was 86% at 1 year, 78% at 2 years, and 70% at 4 years, significantly higher in responders (90% vs 44%; P < .0001). Adverse events were of low grade, and infectious events were infrequent. Subcutaneous ALZ is a feasible, effective, and safe alternative to r-ATG for patients with AA requiring immunosuppressive treatment when h-ATG access is limited.
Double mutant DNMT3A AML: a unique subtype experiencing increased DNA damage and poor prognosis
Authors: Boertjes Emma L. , Massaar Sanne , Zeilemaker Annelieke , Konijnenburg Jolinda , Rijken Melissa , Kavelaars François G. , Grob Tim , Versluis Jurjen , Löwenberg Bob , Valk Peter J.M. , Sanders Mathijs Arnoud
Published: December 2024

Mutation of DNMT3A, encoding a de novo methyltransferase essential for cytosine methylation, is a common early event in clonal hematopoiesis (CH) and adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Spontaneous deamination of methylated cytosines damages DNA, which is repaired by the base excision repair (BER) enzymes MBD4 and TDG. Congenital MBD4-deficiency has been linked to early-onset CH and AML, and is marked by exceedingly high levels of DNA damage and mutation of DNMT3A. Strikingly, wildtype (WT) DNMT3A binds TDG, thereby potentiating its repair activity. Since TDG is the only remaining BER enzyme in MBD4-deficient AML patients capable of repairing methylation damage, we investigated whether mutant DNMT3A negatively affects the repair function of TDG. We found that, whereas WT DNMT3A stimulates TDG function, mutant DNMT3A impairs TDG-mediated repair of DNA damage in vitro. In light of this finding and to extrapolate our observations to the broader AML patient population, we investigate here the genetic profiles and survival outcomes of AML patients with single (SM) versus double mutant (DM) DNMT3A. DM DNMT3A AML patients show a characteristic driver mutation landscape and reduced overall survival when compared to SM DNMT3A AML patients. Importantly, whole-genome sequencing showed a trend for increased DNA damage in primary DM DNMT3A AML samples, especially when DNMT3A mutations are located at the DNMT3A-TDG interaction interface.
Improved Overall Survival with Checkpoint Inhibition and Allogeneic Transplantation in Relapsed Hodgkin Lymphoma
Authors: Tabbara Nadeem , Zahurak Marianna L , Sterling Cole , Trutzer Iris Margalit , Jedrych Jaroslaw , Swinnen Lode J , Fuchs Ephraim J , Bolaños-Meade Javier , Wagner-Johnston Nina D. , Jones Richard J. , Ambinder Richard F , Varadhan Ravi , Paul Suman
Published: December 2024

Patients with relapsed classic Hodgkin lymphomas receive salvage therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) or chemotherapy (no-ICI). Patients responding to therapy often undergo consolidation with allogeneic blood or marrow transplantations (alloBMT). We previously reported that relapsed cHL patients treated with ICI followed by alloBMT experienced improved 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) compared to patients treated with salvage chemotherapy without ICI, followed by alloBMT. In this retrospective analysis, we report the 5-year OS, PFS, and GVHD incidence in cHL patients treated with ICI before alloBMT with post-transplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy) GVHD prophylaxis.  Among the 147 relapsed/refractory patients with cHL, 71 (48.3%) received ICIs and 76 (51.7%) received chemotherapy without ICIs (no-ICI) before alloBMT. We observed an improved 5-year estimated OS of 91% (ICI) versus 66% (no-ICI), (hazard ratio [HR], 0.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.16 to 0.98; P = 0.046) and a 5-year estimated PFS of 84% (ICI) versus 53% (no-ICI) (HR, 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2 to 0.81; P = 0.011). The 12-month cumulative incidence of grade III-IV GVHD was 20% (ICI) and 7% (no-ICI) (SDHR 3.16; 95% CI, 1.13 to 8.81 p = 0.03. More frequent grade III-IV acute GVHD was likely due to the higher incidence of grade III-IV acute GVHD in the subset of patients with pre-transplant exposure to ICI and shortened duration (60 days) of immunosuppression versus patients with long immunosuppression (day 180). These data suggest that cHL patients treated with ICI and alloBMT experience improved OS and the GVHD risk can be mitigated by immunosuppression until day 180.
Clinimetric properties of field exercise tests in cystic fibrosis: a systematic review
Authors: Corda Jennifer , Holland Anne E. , Tannenbaum Esta-Lee , Cox Narelle S.
Published: December 2024

Objectives

Accurate measurement of exercise capacity is an important prognostic indicator for people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF); however, gold-standard, cardiopulmonary exercise tests are commonly unavailable. This review systematically describes the clinimetric properties of field exercise tests for pwCF.

Methods

A systematic review was undertaken for studies reporting field exercise tests in pwCF. Four electronic databases were searched for studies published from 1990 to January 2024. Where available, clinimetric properties reported included reliability, validity, responsiveness and interpretability.

Results

4041 studies were identified with 153 eligible for inclusion. 10 different field exercise tests were described, including six walk/run tests (incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT), modified shuttle test–15 levels (MST-15), MST–25 levels (MST-25), 20-m shuttle test, 6-min walk test (6MWT) and 12-min walk test (12MWT)), three step tests (3-min step test (3MST), incremental step test and Alfred step test (A-STEP)) and the 1-min sit-to-stand test (1STS). Reliability was found for the ISWT, MST-15, 6MWT, 1STS and 3MST (intraclass correlation coefficients >0.80). The ISWT, MST-15 and 6MWT were found to be valid (concurrent and discriminate). Responsiveness was supported for the 6MWT only. Four tests (MST-15, 6MWT, 3MST and 1STS) demonstrated ceiling effects.

Conclusion

This review supports the reliability, validity and responsiveness of the 6MWT in pwCF. The ISWT and MST-15 were found to be valid. The 1STS is reliable and feasible, but its utility is limited by ceiling effects. The 3MST, MST-25, 20-m shuttle test, incremental step test, A-STEP and 12MWT require further investigations of their clinimetric properties.
Cerebral oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis induced by intermittent hypoxia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of rodent data
Authors: El Amine Bayan , Fournier Joey , Minoves Mélanie , Baillieul Sébastien , Roche Frédéric , Perek Nathalie , Pépin Jean-Louis , Tamisier Renaud , Khouri Charles , Rome Claire , Briançon-Marjollet Anne
Published: December 2024

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) contributes to cerebrovascular diseases and cognitive decline. Preclinical studies support the deleterious impact on the brain of intermittent hypoxia (IH), one of the main components of OSA, but heterogeneity in rodent species and brain regions studied, or induced by IH paradigms, can challenge interpretation of the studies. Hence, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the impact of IH on rodent brain oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis and the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1). PubMed and Web of Science searches identified 663 articles related to IH exposure, of which 60 were included. The examined outcomes were oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, HIF-1 or BDNF in brains. Standardised mean difference was used to compare studies. Metaregressions were performed to clarify the impact of IH exposure parameters, rodent characteristics or cerebral localisation on these outcomes. IH-induced oxidative stress (increased malondialdehyde (MDA) and NADPH oxidase (NOX) and decreased superoxide dismutase), increased inflammation (tumour necrosis factor-α, NF-κB and inducible nitric oxide synthase), HIF-1 and apoptosis evaluated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labelling and cleaved caspase-3. In contrast, B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) and BDNF expression were not significantly modified. Metaregressions showed that MDA, NOX and BDNF were associated with determinants of IH cycles (inspired oxygen fraction and duration of hypoxia) and some parameters depended on localisation. Rodent characteristics had little impact on the outcomes. Our meta-analysis robustly establishes that IH, independently of other confounders, has a strong effect on the brain by inducing oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in rodent models. Our findings support the interest of considering and treating cerebral consequences of OSA in clinical practice.
Effect of grooving pretreatment on flame retardant vacuum-pressure impregnation performance of full-size timbers
Authors: Jang Eun-Suk , Jo Seok-Un , Park Hee-Jun
Published: December 2024

We reported in a previous study that wood fiber orthogonal grooving improves flame retardant vacuum-pressure impregnation performance. However, it was limited to small sample sizes. We extended our previous study to investigate the effect of grooving on flame retardant impregnation in Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don.) and Korean larch (Larix kaempferi (Lamb.) Carriere) full-size timber [2,400 mm(L) × 100 mm(W) × 22 mm(T)], which are widely used as a building interior lining. Japanese cedar had higher open-pore porosity and gas permeability than Korean larch. As a result, Japanese cedar had no significant difficulty impregnating the flame retardant, even without a grooving pretreatment process. The flame retardant's impregnating performance in Korean larch control was insignificant, but the impregnating ability was improved after fiber orthogonal grooving. In conclusion, Japanese cedar can meet the fire safety standards announced by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport without groove processing before flame retardant impregnation. On the other hand, Korean larch had to be impregnated with a flame retardant after grooving processing in the orthogonal direction of the fiber to achieve fire safety performance. As a result, this grooving pretreatment is a simple and practical technique that can be used immediately on impervious commercial wood.
Decoding the enigmatic estrogen paradox in pulmonary hypertension: delving into estrogen metabolites and metabolic enzymes
Authors: You Qiang , Song Hequn , Zhu Ziming , Wang Jinzheng , Wang Ruixin , Du Mingjia , Fu Yingjie , Yuan Jinxiang , Tan Rubin
Published: December 2024

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) presents a puzzling sex bias, being more prevalent in women yet often less severe than in men, and the underlying reasons remain unclear. Studies using animal models, and limited clinical data have revealed a protective influence of exogenous estrogens, known as the estrogen paradox. Research suggests that beyond its receptor-mediated effects, estrogen acts through metabolites such as 2-ME2, 4-OHE2, and 16-OHE2, which are capable of exhibiting protective or detrimental effects in PH, prompting the need to explore their roles in PH to untangle sex differences and the estrogen paradox. Hypoxia disrupts the balance of estrogen metabolites by affecting the enzymes responsible for estrogen metabolism. Delving into the role of these metabolic enzymes not only illuminates the sex difference in PH but also provides a potential rationale for the estrogen paradox. This review delves into the intricate interplay between estrogen metabolites, metabolic enzymes, and PH, offering a deeper understanding of sex-specific differences and the perplexing estrogen paradox in the context of this condition.

Graphic Abstract
MinLinMo: a minimalist approach to variable selection and linear model prediction
Authors: Bohlin Jon , Håberg Siri E. , Magnus Per , Gjessing Håkon K.
Published: December 2024

Generating prediction models from high dimensional data often result in large models with many predictors. Causal inference for such models can therefore be difficult or even impossible in practice. The stand-alone software package MinLinMo emphasizes small linear prediction models over highest possible predictability with a particular focus on including variables correlated with the outcome, minimal memory usage and speed. MinLinMo is demonstrated on large epigenetic datasets with prediction models for chronological age, gestational age, and birth weight comprising, respectively, 15, 14 and 10 predictors. The parsimonious MinLinMo models perform comparably to established prediction models requiring hundreds of predictors.
Revealing genes related teat number traits via genetic variation in Yorkshire pigs based on whole-genome sequencing
Authors: Wei Jialin , Sun Jingchun , Pan Yi , Cao Minghao , Wang Yulong , Yuan Tiantian , Guo Ao , Han Ruihua , Ding Xiangdong , Yang Gongshe , Yu Taiyong , Ding Rongrong
Published: December 2024

Background

Teat number is one of the most important indicators to evaluate the lactation performance of sows, and increasing the teat number has become an important method to improve the economic efficiency of farms. Therefore, it is particularly important to deeply analyze the genetic mechanism of teat number traits in pigs. In this study, we detected Single Nucleotide Ploymorphism (SNP), Insertion-Deletion (InDel) and Structural variant (SV) by high-coverage whole-genome resequencing data, and selected teat number at birth and functional teat number as two types of teat number traits for genome-wide association study (GWAS) to reveal candidate genes associated with pig teat number traits.

Results

In this study, we used whole genome resequencing data from 560 Yorkshire sows to detect SNPs, InDels and SVs, and performed GWAS for the traits of born teat number and functional teat number, and detected a total of 85 significant variants and screened 214 candidate genes, including HEG1, XYLT1, SULF1, MUC13, VRTN, RAP1A and NPVF. Among them, HEG1 and XYLT1 were the new candidate genes in this study. The co-screening and population validation of multiple traits suggested that HEG1 may have a critical effect on the born teat number.

Conclusion

Our study shows that more candidate genes associated with pig teat number traits can be identified by GWAS with different variant types. Through large population validation, we found that HEG1 may be a new key candidate gene affecting pig teat number traits. In conclusion, the results of this study provide new information for exploring the genetic mechanisms affecting pig teat number traits and genetic improvement of pigs.