bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How Do Real Estate Actors Advertise in Mixed-Income Neighborhoods? The Importance of Home Security
Authors: Somashekhar Mahesh , Hess Chris , Kennedy Ian , Crowder Kyle
Published: July 2024

Throughout its history, the real estate industry has emphasized privacy and exclusion in housing advertisements, helping entrench patterns of residential segregation in the process. Recently, however, some forms of neighborhood-level social diversity are becoming more common, as indicated by the growing number of neighborhoods that are mixed-income. Does the proliferation of income-diverse neighborhoods suggest that advertisers are curtailing their exclusionary rhetoric when marketing homes in mixed-income communities? To answer this question, this study analyzes over one million Craigslist rental listings posted in the 100 largest U.S. metropolitan areas in July and August of 2019. Findings show that real estate advertisers continue to rely on rhetorical strategies that likely reinforce, if not encourage, privacy and exclusion in mixed-income neighborhoods. Specifically, rental advertisements in mixed-income neighborhoods were disproportionately likely to mention that the advertised unit came with a home security device, a rhetorical tool likely aimed at calming homeseekers’ apprehension toward living in an income-diverse neighborhood. This finding suggests that scholars have underexamined the strategies that real estate actors use to persuade homeseekers to live in diverse neighborhoods. Furthermore, the security rhetoric prevalent in income-diverse neighborhoods may encourage homeseekers’ fears of mixed-income settings and impede cross-class social integration.
Artificial Intelligence Policymaking: An Agenda for Sociological Research
Authors: Law Tina , McCall Leslie
Published: July 2024

Sociological research on artificial intelligence (AI) is flourishing: sociologists of inequality are examining new and concerning effects of AI on American society, and computational sociologists are developing novel ways to use AI in research. The authors advocate for a third form of sociological engagement with AI: research on how AI can be publicly governed to advance equity in American society. The authors orient sociologists to the rapidly evolving AI policy landscape by defining AI and by contrasting two leading approaches to AI governance: a safety-based and an equity-based approach. The authors argue that the safety-based approach is the predominant one but is inadequate. They suggest that sociologists can shift AI policymaking to prioritize equity by examining corporate political power in AI policy debates and by organizing research around four sociological questions centered on equity and public engagement. The authors conclude with recommendations for supporting and coordinating policy-oriented research on AI in sociology.
Where Income Becomes Wealth: How Redistribution Moderates the Association between Income and Wealth
Authors: Schechtl Manuel , Waitkus Nora
Published: July 2024

The authors study the role of redistributive policy in comparative research on the determinants of wealth. The authors argue that public redistribution affects the level of net wealth by moderating the household-level association of income and wealth. Drawing on microdata for 14 countries from the Luxembourg Wealth Study, and spending and revenue data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the authors use ordinary least squares models with country fixed effects. The authors find a positive moderation effect of social spending and a negative moderation effect of income taxation. Higher and lower labor incomes translate into higher and lower levels of wealth where income taxation is lower or social spending is higher. The authors complement these findings with panel information from the United States, providing further evidence supporting the cross-national results. In summary, public redistribution partially accounts for differences in the association of income and wealth across countries. The authors urge future research on the correlation of income and wealth to take public redistribution into account.
Sex differences in risk factor relationships with subarachnoid haemorrhage and intracranial aneurysms: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Tschiderer Lena , Bakker Mark K , Gill Dipender , Burgess Stephen , Willeit Peter , Ruigrok Ynte M , Peters Sanne AE
Published: July 2024

Background:

The prevalence of intracranial aneurysms (IAs) and incidence of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH) is higher in women than in men. Although several cardiometabolic and lifestyle factors have been related to the risk of IAs or aSAH, it is unclear whether there are sex differences in causal relationships of these risk factors.

Aims:

The aim of this study was to determine sex differences in causal relationships between cardiometabolic and lifestyle factors and risk of aSAH and IA.

Methods:

We conducted a sex-specific two-sample Mendelian randomization study using summary-level data from genome-wide association studies. We analysed low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], triglycerides, non-HDL-C, total cholesterol, fasting glucose, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, smoking initiation, and alcohol use as exposures, and aSAH and IA (i.e. aSAH and unruptured IA combined) as outcomes.

Results:

We found statistically significant sex differences in the relationship between genetically proxied non-HDL-C and aSAH risk, with odds ratios (ORs) of 0.72 (95% confidence interval 0.58, 0.88) in women and 1.01 (0.77, 1.31) in men ( p-value for sex difference 0.044). Moreover, genetic liability to smoking initiation was related to a statistically significantly higher risk of aSAH in men compared to women ( p-value for sex difference 0.007) with ORs of 3.81 (1.93, 7.52) and 1.12 (0.63, 1.99), respectively, and to a statistically significantly higher IA risk in men compared to women ( p-value for sex difference 0.036) with ORs of 3.58 (2.04, 6.27) and 1.61 (0.98, 2.64), respectively. In addition, higher genetically proxied systolic and diastolic blood pressure were related to a higher risk of aSAH and IA in both women and men.

Conclusions:

Higher genetically proxied non-HDL-C was related to a lower risk of aSAH in women compared to men. Moreover, genetic liability to smoking initiation was associated with a higher risk for aSAH and IA in men compared to women. These findings may help improve understanding of sex differences in the development of aSAH and IA.
Chemically reactive and mixed convective hybrid nanofluid flow between two parallel rotating disks with Joule heating: A thermal computational study
Authors: Gul Humaira , Ayaz Muhammad , Rashid Amjid , Ullah Asad , Ibrahim Talib K. , Ismail Emad AA. , Awwad Fuad A
Published: July 2024

An electrically conducting and magnetically influenced three-dimensional flow of modified nanofluid between two rotating disks is investigated in this study. Nanometer-size particles of two distinct materials (Al2O3, Ag) suspended in water in the hybrid nanofluid are considered. The Joule heating effects, mixed convection, chemical factor, and exponential heating are considered in this study. The physical problem under these assumptions is transformed into a system of equations. To convert partial differential equations (PDEs) into systems of ordinary differential equations (ODEs), the suitable similarity variables are introduced. The reduced system is numerically solved using bvp4c, a well-known higher-order algorithm. The effects of significant variables on the profiles of velocity, temperature, and concentration are depicted graphically. We have chosen the pertinent parameters in the specific intervals; [Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text], [Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. The interactions between a number of significant factors, including skin friction and Nusselt and Sherwood numbers at the higher and lower disks, are shown in tables. The results demonstrate that the local skin fraction decreases as the mixed convection factor is increased, which physically increases the heat transmission rate between the two discs. Furthermore, as the magnetic field and radiation number rise, the rate of heat transfer at the lower and top discs decreases. The numerical results in the form of a table are compared with the available literature, and our results beat the previously published work. The results described here are desirable choices for thermal uses such as automotive cooling systems, solar thermal systems, engineering, medical areas, heat sinks, or current energy storage since they have demonstrated higher thermal characteristics and stability than simple nanofluids (NFs). In Table 6, a comparative numerical study is presented for the various of state variables with the available literature, where the present study is validated.
Becoming knowledgeable stakeholders: Enacting political and epistemic authority in a Swedish strategic urban planning project
Authors: Saldert Hannah
Published: July 2024

Strategic urban planning has long been promoted as an important approach to transitioning to sustainable communities. However, previous literature on the Nordic context has critiqued strategic activities because they often take place outside of statutory planning procedures and therefore present legitimacy deficiencies. While the inclusion of both stakeholders and diverse expertise has been recognised as important in strategic planning, previous planning literature has focused either on the role of politics or knowledge in planning, but not as much on the relationship between the two. This paper aims to deepen our understanding of how political and epistemic authority affect the legitimacy of strategic planning by exploring how participants in an informal strategic planning process enact authority. By applying a theoretical framework of stakeholderness and boundary work, the paper shows how the balance between political and epistemic authority is important when legitimizing strategic planning processes. The paper concludes by suggesting the concept of knowledgeable stakeholders to describe actors’ enactment of political and epistemic authority. This paper argues for a need to repoliticise participation in strategic planning by illuminating the interrelatedness of politics and expertise, to which the concept of knowledgeable stakeholders can contribute.
Meaning in life of terminally ill parents with minor children compared to palliative care patients – a quantitative analysis using SMiLE
Authors: Cuhls Henning , Hesse Michaela , Heuser Gregory , Radbruch Lukas , Ateş Gülay
Published: July 2024

Background:

Caring for terminally ill patients with minor children can be very stressful. The perceived quality of life is significantly influenced by the Meaning in Life (MiL). No studies were found that focus on the prioritized special needs of this patient group.

Objectives:

The aim is to compare and contrast terminally ill parents with minor children and palliative care patients in Germany, in order to provide appropriate support beyond medical, nursing or therapeutic interventions.

Methods:

Terminally ill parents diagnosed were surveyed using a validated instrument ‘Schedule for Meaning in Life Evaluation (SMiLE)’. The study listed various areas that contribute to the MiL, followed by an evaluation of their importance and satisfaction levels. The researchers then compared these findings with data collected from palliative care patients.

Results:

In Germany, 54 patients, mostly female and with a mean age of 43, were included in this study between February 2017 and September 2020. The median age of the 96 children during the survey phase was 7 years. The comparison group consists of 100 palliative care patients in Germany; mostly aged 50 years and older. For terminally ill patients most important areas were in decreasing order family (100%), social relations (80%), leisure time (61%), nature/animals (39%) and home/garden (30%). Although the overall indices are close between both groups, there are significant and highly correlated differences between them. Parents felt limited by their illness in being a mother or father, as they wanted to be.

Conclusion:

The involvement with SMiLE led patients to consider their coping resources. The areas relevant to terminally ill parents differed from those relevant to palliative care patients. All participants identified family as the most important factor for MiL. The results suggest that evaluating MiL can serve as a coping strategy and help terminally ill parents with minor children.
Novel drug treatments for pain in advanced cancer and serious illness: a focus on neuropathic pain and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Davis Mellar P.
Published: July 2024

Drugs that are commercially available but have novel mechanisms of action should be explored as analgesics. This review will discuss haloperidol, miragabalin, palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), and clonidine as adjuvant analgesics or analgesics. Haloperidol is a sigma-1 receptor antagonist. Under stress and neuropathic injury, sigma-1 receptors act as a chaperone protein, which downmodulates opioid receptor activities and opens several ion channels. Clinically, there is only low-grade evidence that haloperidol improves pain when combined with morphine, methadone, or tramadol in patients who have cancer, pain from fibrosis, radiation necrosis, or neuropathic pain. Miragabalin is a gabapentinoid approved for the treatment of neuropathic pain in Japan since 2019. In randomized trials, patients with diabetic neuropathy have responded to miragabalin. Its long binding half-life on the calcium channel subunit may provide an advantage over other gabapentinoids. PEA belongs to a group of endogenous bioactive lipids called ALIAmides (autocoid local injury antagonist amides), which have a sense role in modulating numerous biological processes in particular non-neuronal neuroinflammatory responses to neuropathic injury and systemic inflammation. Multiple randomized trials and meta-analyses have demonstrated PEA’s effectiveness in reducing pain severity arising from diverse pain phenotypes. Clonidine is an alpha2 adrenoceptor agonist and an imidazoline2 receptor agonist, which is U.S. Federal Drug Administration approved for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, Tourette’s syndrome, adjunctive therapy for cancer-related pain, and hypertension. Clonidine activation at alpha2 adrenoceptors causes downstream activation of inhibitory G-proteins (Gi/Go), which inhibits cyclic Adenosine monophosphate (AMP) production and hyperpolarizes neuron membranes, thus reducing allodynia. Intravenous clonidine has been used in terminally ill patients with poorly controlled symptoms, in particular pain and agitation.
The growing research toolbox for SLC13A5 citrate transporter disorder: a rare disease with animal models, cell lines, an ongoing Natural History Study and an engaged patient advocacy organization
Authors: Brown Tanya L. , Bainbridge Matthew N. , Zahn Grit , Nye Kim L. , Porter Brenda E.
Published: July 2024

TESS Research Foundation (TESS) is a patient-led nonprofit organization seeking to understand the basic biology and clinical impact of pathogenic variants in the SLC13A5 gene. TESS aims to improve the fundamental understanding of citrate’s role in the brain, and ultimately identify treatments and cures for the associated disease. TESS identifies, organizes, and develops collaboration between researchers, patients, clinicians, and the pharmaceutical industry to improve the lives of those suffering from SLC13A5 citrate transport disorder. TESS and its partners have developed multiple molecular tools, cellular and animal models, and taken the first steps toward drug discovery and development for this disease. However, much remains to be done to improve our understanding of the disorder associated with SLC13A5 variants and identify effective treatments for this devastating disease. Here, we describe the available SLC13A5 resources from the community of experts, to foundational tools, to in vivo and in vitro tools, and discuss unanswered research questions needed to move closer to a cure.
Midlife Women’s Menopausal Transition Symptom Experience and Access to Medical and Integrative Health Care: Informing the Development of MENOGAP
Authors: Taylor-Swanson Lisa , Stoddard Kari , Fritz Julie , Anderson Belinda (Beau) , Cortez Melissa , Conboy Lisa , Sheng Xiaoming , Flake Naomi , Sanchez-Birkhead Ana , Stark Louisa A. , Farah Luul , Farah Sara , Lee Doriena , Merkley Heather , Pacheco Lori , Tavake-Pasi Fahina , Sanders Wendy , Villalta Jeannette , Moreno Camille , Gardiner Paula
Published: July 2024

Background

Individuals with a uterus experience menopause, the cessation of menses, on average at age 51 years in the United States. While menopause is a natural occurrence for most, over 85% of women experience multiple interfering symptoms. Menopausal women face health disparities, including a lack of access to high-quality healthcare and greater disparities are experienced by women who are black, indigenous, and people of color. Some women are turning away from hormone therapy, and some seek integrative health interventions.

Objective

Some menopausal women who seek healthcare do not receive it as they lack access to medical and integrative healthcare providers. A potential solution to this problem is a medical group visit (MGV), during which a provider sees multiple patients at once. The aims of this study were to gather women’s opinions about the menopause, provider access, and conventional and integrative health interventions for later use to develop a menopause MGV.

Methods

We conducted a Community Engagement Session and a Return of Results (RoR) with midlife women to learn about their menopause experiences, barriers and facilitators to accessing health providers, and their interest in and suggestions for designing a future integrative MGV (IMGV). Thematic qualitative research methods were used to summarize session results.

Results

Nine women participated in the Session and six attended the RoR. Participants were well-educated and diverse in race and ethnicity. Themes included: an interest in this topic; unfamiliar medical terms; relevant social factors; desired whole person care; interest in integrative health; barriers and facilitators to accessing healthcare. The group expressed interest in ongoing participation in the future process of adapting an IMGV, naming it MENOGAP.

Conclusion

These findings highlight the importance of stakeholder engagement before designing and implementing MENOGAP and the great need among midlife women for education about the menopausal transition, integrative self-care, and healthcare.
“We ran outside and waited for it to come”: Resident experiences in response to a false earthquake early warning
Authors: Sutton Jeannette , Crouch Savanah , Waugh Nicholas , Wood Michele M
Published: July 2024

Ridgecrest, CA, experienced the Searles Valley earthquake sequence in 2019 and a “false” earthquake alert in 2020, providing a unique opportunity to examine the effects of earthquake experience on future responses to informational cues to action (i.e., earthquake alert), as well as reactions to a “false” alert. We conducted in-depth interviews with 41 residents using the protective action decision-making model as a theoretical framework. Interviewees reported a variety of environmental cues that signaled the onset of an earthquake, including sensing a foreshock, hearing the earth rumble, hearing objects fall to the floor and break, and observing unusual animal behavior. Fewer individuals received social cues to action. More individuals reported performing “drop, cover, and hold on,” and fewer reported standing in a doorway in response to the 2020 alert than had done so in the prior 2019 earthquake. Several respondents reported maintaining protective actions well after the “false” alert was issued, and many waited more than 5 min before determining there was no threat present. Prior experience of the 2019 earthquake series affected perceptions of the earthquake alert and what actions to take; however, there was limited knowledge of how the ShakeAlert system worked to monitor, detect, and model earthquakes via earthquake early warning to persons at risk. Findings indicate there is a need for additional public education about ShakeAlert-powered earthquake early warning, including how far in advance one can expect to receive an alert, as well as the protective actions one should take and when to take them.
Intramuscular Adipose Tissue in the Lumbar Paraspinal Muscles Does Not Correlate With Low Back Pain in Medical Students
Authors: Gloyeske Brian , Bakewell Brock , Woodbury Dale , Zapata Isain , Lundgreen Mason Nena
Published: July 2024

Objective:

The objective of the study is to identify any intergroup differences or statistically significant correlations between paraspinal intramuscular adipose tissue (IntraMAT) deposition and variables such as low back pain, gender, self-reported activity level, body mass index (BMI), age, and academic class-year, as measured by sonographic intensity analysis. This study is specific to a cohort of first- and second-year medical students.

Materials and Methods:

The right lumbar paraspinal muscles, at the level of the fifth lumbar vertebrae, were investigated with sonography among a cohort of medical students. Image pixels, within the selected region of interest, were segregated by pixel intensity and analyzed for IntraMAT content. Participants reported on additional study variables by responding to a survey. The cohort responses were analyzed to seek correlations between those variables and IntraMAT.

Results:

The female participants were found to have more IntraMAT ( P < .001). Most participants reported low back pain. There were no significant correlations between IntraMAT and reported low back pain, academic class year, or BMI. Moderate exercise increased IntraMAT deposition, and each year of increasing age decreased IntraMAT ( P < .05). Second-year students experienced more self-reported low back pain than first-year students.

Conclusion:

A cohort of medical students who were reportedly sedentary had more low back pain than their peers. Back pain was more prevalent in second-year students, irrespective of age, suggesting that ill effects of a sedentary lifestyle may be cumulative. The validity of the sonographic pixel intensity analysis performed was supported by the highly significant increase in IntraMAT observed in female participants. The relationship between low back pain, exercise, BMI, and IntraMAT was uncertain based on available evidence and the results of this study.
Venetoclax-obinutuzumab for previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia: 6-year results of the randomized phase 3 CLL14 study
Authors: Al-Sawaf Othman , Robrecht Sandra , Zhang Can , Olivieri Stefano , Chang Yi Meng , Fink Anna Maria , Tausch Eugen , Schneider Christof , Ritgen Matthias , Kreuzer Karl-Anton , Sivchev Liliya , Niemann Carsten Utoft , Schwarer Anthony , Loscertales Javier , Weinkove Robert , Strumberg Dirk , Kilfoyle Allanah , Manzoor Beenish S. , Jawaid Dureshahwar , Emechebe Nnadozie , Devine Jacob , Boyer Michelle , Runkel Eva D. , Eichhorst Barbara , Stilgenbauer Stephan , Jiang Yanwen , Hallek Michael , Fischer Kirsten
Published: July 2024

In the CLL14 study, patients with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and coexisting conditions were randomized to 12 cycles of venetoclax-obinutuzumab (Ven-Obi, n = 216) or chlorambucil-obinutuzumab (Clb-Obi, n = 216). Progression-free survival (PFS) was the primary end point. Key secondary end points included time-to-next-treatment (TTNT), rates of undetectable minimal residual disease (uMRD), overall survival (OS), and rates of adverse events. Patient reported outcomes of time until definitive deterioration (TUDD) in quality of life (QoL) were analyzed. At a median observation time of 76.4 months, PFS remained superior for Ven-Obi compared with Clb-Obi (median, 76.2 vs 36.4 months; hazard ratio [HR], 0.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.31-0.52; P < .0001). Likewise, TTNT was longer after Ven-Obi (6-year TTNT, 65.2% vs 37.1%; HR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.33-0.58; P < .0001). In the Ven-Obi arm, presence of del(17p), unmutated immunoglobulin heavy-chain variable region, and lymph node size of ≥5 cm were independent prognostic factors for shorter PFS. The 6-year OS rate was 78.7% in the Ven-Obi and 69.2% in the Clb-Obi arm (HR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.48-1.01; P = .052). A significantly longer TUDD in global health status/QoL was observed in the Ven-Obi than in the Clb-Obi arm (median, 82.1 vs 65.1 months; HR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.51-0.97). Follow-up–adjusted second primary malignancies incidence rates were 2.3 and 1.4 per 1000 patient-months in the Ven-Obi and Clb-Obi arm, respectively. The sustained long-term survival and QoL benefits support the use of 1-year fixed-duration Ven-Obi in CLL. This trial was registered at www.ClinicalTrials.gov as #NCT02242942.
Atrial arrhythmia in adults with sickle cell anemia: a missing link toward understanding and preventing strokes
Authors: d’Humières Thomas , Sadraoui Zineb , Savale Laurent , Boyer Laurent , Guillet Henri , Alassaad Lara , de Luna Gonzalo , Iles Sihem , Balfanz Paul , Habibi Anoosha , Martino Suella , Amorouayeche Ziana , Dang Thuy Linh , Pham Hung d'Alexandry d'Orengiani Anne Laure , Rideau Dominique , Train Laura , Simon Theo , Ibrahim Christine , Messonnier Laurent A. , Audureau Etienne , Derbel Haytham , Calvet David , Lellouche Nicolas , Derumeaux Geneviève , Bartolucci Pablo
Published: July 2024

Although patients with homozygous sickle cell anemia (SCA) carry both significant left atrial (LA) remodeling and an increased risk of stroke, the prevalence of atrial arrhythmia (AA) has never been prospectively evaluated. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence and predictors of atrial arrhythmia in SCA. From 2018 to 2022, consecutive adult patients with SCA were included in the DREPACOEUR prospective registry and referred to the physiology department for cardiac evaluation, including a 24-hour electrocardiogram monitoring (ECG-Holter). The primary endpoint was the occurrence of AA, defined by the presence of excessive supraventricular ectopic activity (ESVEA) on ECG-Holter (ie >720 premature atrial contractions [PACs] or any run ≥ 20 PACs) or any recent history of atrial fibrillation. Overall, 130 patients with SCA (mean age: 45±12 years, 48% of male) were included. AA was found in 34 (26%) patients. Age (52±9 vs. 42±12 years, P=0,002), LA dilation (LAVi, 71±24 vs. 52±14 mL/m², P<0.001) and history of stroke without underlying cerebral vasculopathy (26% vs. 5%, P=0.009, OR=6.6 (95%CI 1.4-30.3]) were independently associated with AA. Age and LAVi correlated with PAC load per 24 hours on ECG-Holter. An age over 47 years or a LAVi >55mL/m² could predict AA with a PPV of 33% and a NPV of 92%. AAs are frequent in middle-aged patients with SCA and increase with age and LA remodeling, leading to a major additional risk factor for ischemic stroke. This study provides arguments and means to early screen for AA and potentially prevent cerebral complications.
Research on the Encapsulation Device for Lunar Samples
Authors: Du Yonggang , Wang Chunyong , Li Haoling , Zhou Ying , Ji Ming , Wang Xuesong
Published: July 2024

The encapsulation of lunar samples is a core research area in the third phase of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program. The seal assembly, opening and closing mechanism (OCM), and locking mechanism are the core components of the encapsulation device of the lunar samples, and the requirements of a tight seal, lightweight, and low power make the design of these core components difficult. In this study, a combined sealing assembly, OCM, and locking mechanism were investigated for the device. The sealing architecture consists of rubber and an Ag-In alloy, and a theory was built to analyze the seal. Experiments of the electroplate Au coating on the knife-edge revealed that the hermetic seal can be significantly improved. The driving principle for coaxial double-helical pairs was investigated and used to design the OCM. Moreover, a locking mechanism was created using an electric initiating explosive device with orifice damping. By optimizing the design, the output parameters were adjusted to meet the requirements of the lunar explorer. The experimental results showed that the helium leak rate of the test pieces were not more than 5 × 10−11 Pa·m3·s−1, the minimum power of the OCM was 0.3 W, and the total weight of the principle prototype was 2.9 kg. The explosive driven locking mechanism has low impact. This investigation solved the difficulties in achieving tight seal, light weight, and low power for the lunar explorer, and the results can also be used to explore other extraterrestrial objects in the future.
Effects of antibiotic cocktail on the fecal microbiota and their potential correlation of local immune response
Authors: Liu Ting , Wang Yin , Hou Zhuoer , Shi Zhenyu , Wang Rongyun , Shi Yanan , Hua Lijiangshan , Wu Lingyun , Xu Min , Ding Xinghong , Sun Qiuhua
Published: July 2024

Background

The guts of mammals are home to trillions of microbes, forming a complex and dynamic ecosystem. Gut microbiota is an important biological barrier for maintaining immune homeostasis. Recently, the use of antibiotics to clear gut microbiota has gained popularity as a low cost and easy-to-use alternative to germ-free animals. However, the effect of the duration of the antibiotic cocktail on the gut microbiome is unclear, and more importantly, the effect of dramatic changes in the gut microbiota on intestinal tissue morphology and local immune response is rarely reported.

Results

We observed a significant reduction in fecal microbiota species and abundance after 1 week of exposure to an antibiotic cocktail, gavage twice daily by intragastric administration. In terms of composition, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were replaced by Proteobacteria. Extending antibiotic exposure to 2–3 weeks did not significantly improve the overall efficiency of microbiotal consumption. No significant histomorphological changes were observed in the first 2 weeks of antibiotic cocktail exposure, but the expression of inflammatory mediators in intestinal tissue was increased after 3 weeks of antibiotic cocktail exposure. Mendelian randomization analysis showed that Actinobacteria had a significant causal association with the increase of IL-1β (OR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.23 to 2.21, P = 0.007) and TNF-α (OR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.26 to 2.61, P = 0.001).

Conclusions

Our data suggest that treatment with an antibiotic cocktail lasting 1 week is sufficient to induce a significant reduction in gut microbes. 3 weeks of antibiotic exposure can lead to the colonization of persistant microbiota and cause changes in intestinal tissue and local immune responses,
Depressive symptoms across the retirement transition in men and women: associations with emotion regulation, adjustment difficulties and work centrality
Authors: Hed Sara , Berg Anne Ingeborg , Hansson Isabelle , Kivi Marie , Waern Margda
Published: July 2024

Background

Retirement is a major life event and factors driving depression in the retirement transition might differ in men and women. The aim was to prospectively study depressive symptoms across the retirement transition in men and women and to test associations with emotion regulation strategies (suppression and reappraisal), adjustment difficulties, and work centrality.

Methods

The sample included 527 individuals from the population-based Health, Aging and Retirement Transitions in Sweden (HEARTS) study who were working at baseline and retired during one of the following four annual measurement waves. Participants contributed with a total of 2635 observations across five measurement waves. Depressive symptoms were measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D); total score was modelled as a function of time to and from retirement. Changes over the retirement transition were analyzed with multilevel growth curve models. Gender differences in associations with emotion regulation, adjustment difficulties and work centrality were examined by including interaction effects with sex.

Results

We observed a general reduction of depressive symptoms in the early years of retirement in both men and women. Higher suppression was related to higher depression scores while higher cognitive reappraisal was related to lower levels of depressive symptoms. Women more often used cognitive reappraisal, and men more often suppression, but no significant gender interaction in associations with depressive symptoms could be shown. Retirement adjustment difficulties and greater importance of work for self-esteem were related to higher depression scores. Greater meaning of work, on the other hand, was related to lower levels of depressive symptoms, and this association was stronger in men.

Conclusions

There was a general reduction of depression scores in the early years of retirement in both women and men. Findings suggest that basing one’s self-esteem on workplace performance was related to higher levels of depressive symptoms after retirement, while perceiving one’s job as important and meaningful may facilitate better adjustment in terms of lower depression symptom levels, especially in men.
Long-term surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in the school community from Campo Grande, Brazil
Authors: Alcantara Daniel Maximo Correa , dos Santos Camila Maria , Torres Jaire Marinho , Stutz Claudia , Vieira Camila Aoyama , Moreira Raissa Mariele dos Santos , Rodrigues Rudielle , Marcon Glaucia Elisete Barbosa , Ferreira Eduardo de Castro , Mendes Flavia Maria Lins , Sarti Elaine Cristina Fernandes Baez , de Oliveira Thiago Fernandes , Lemos Everton Ferreira , Andrade Ursulla Vilella , Lichs Gislene Garcia de Castro , Demarchi Luiz Henrique Ferraz , Zardin Marina Castilhos Souza Umaki , Gonçalves Crhistinne Cavalheiro Maymone , Guilhermino Jislaine de Fátima , Fernandez Zoraida del Carmen
Published: July 2024

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted education systems worldwide, with Brazil being one of the countries with the longest school closures. Over a million children and teenagers have been affected, leading to increased hunger and nutritional deficiencies. This study aimed to implement long-term surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 infections in public and private schools in Campo Grande, Brazil, after returning to in-person classes.

Methods

The study involved testing and genomic surveillance at 23 public and private schools in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, from October 18, 2021 to November 21, 2022. The participants eligible for enrollment were students aged 6–17 years and staff members from school institutions. At the time of collection, participants were asked if they had symptoms in the last two weeks. Whole-genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 was conducted to identify circulating variants and to compare them with those detected in the municipality. The demographic data and clinical history of the participants were described, and a logistic regression model was used to understand how the RT-qPCR results could be related to different characteristics.

Results

The study included 999 participants, most of whom were women. A total of 85 tests were positive, with an overall positivity rate of 3.2%. The dynamics of case frequency were consistent with those observed in the municipality during the study period. The most common symptoms reported were cough, rhinorrhea, headache, and sore throat. Symptoms were significantly associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Eleven lineages were identified in school community samples, with a frequency of occurrence per period similar to that found in the sequences available for the municipality. The most prevalent lineages within the sampling period were BA.2 (59.3%) and BA.5 (29.6%).

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that schools can play a crucial role in epidemiological surveillance, helping trigger rapid responses to pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2. Long-term surveillance can be used to track outbreaks and assess the role of children and adults in transmission. It can also contribute to pandemic preparedness, enabling a rapid response to emergencies, such as COVID-19.
Comparative analysis of microbiome in coronal and root caries
Authors: Gondo Tadamu , Hiraishi Noriko , Takeuchi Azusa , Moyes David , Shimada Yasushi
Published: July 2024

Background

The global rise in the elderly population has increased the prevalence of root caries. Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacilli and Actinomyces are considered the primary pathogens of dental caries in culture-based studies. This study aimed to investigate bacterial profiles in coronal and root caries lesions and determine the association of specific bacterial genera at each site.

Methods

Dentine samples from carious lesions were collected from 22 extracted teeth using an excavator. Microbial DNA was extracted from the samples using a protocol developed for this study. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was employed for microbial analysis. PCR amplification targeted the V3-V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA, and the amplicon sequencing used an Illumina MiSeq system (2 × 300 bp paired-end reads). Statistical analysis was performed by the Phyloseq and DESeq2 packages in R.

Results

In coronal caries, Olsenella, Lactobacillus and Prevotella were the most prevalent genera, comprising approximately 70% of the microbiome community. In the root caries, however, although Olsenella, Prevotella and Lactobacillus remained the dominant genera, they accounted for only half of the microbiome community. This study identified significant differences in alpha diversity indices between the coronal and root caries. LEfSE analysis revealed several unique genera in each caries lesion.

Conclusion

The microbiome of root caries lesions was richer and more complex than the coronal caries microbiota. The results suggest that lesion-related variations in the oral microflora may be detected in carious dentine.
Does neoadjuvant chemotherapy reduce surgical complexity in patients with advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer?
Authors: Aytekin Okan , Kerinc Simge Kirmizigul , Tokalioglu Abdurrahman Alp , Ucar Yesim Ozkaya , Kilic Fatih , Comert Gunsu Kimyon , Ucar Gokhan , Civelek Burak , Turan Taner
Published: July 2024

Background

This study aimed to determine the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) on the complex surgical procedures required in addition to staging surgery for the need to achieve a residual tumor 1 cm or less in a population of stage IIIC–IV epithelial ovarian cancer patients.

Methods

Patients were referred for NACT if preoperative imaging and/or intraoperative evaluation confirmed that it was not possible to achieve a residual tumor size of 1 cm or less with cytoreductive surgery or if the patient had a poor performance status and a high American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score. Surgical complexity was defined as complex or non-complex.

Results

One hundred and twenty-six patients with stage IIIC–IV ovarian cancer were included in the study. Primary cytoreductive surgery was performed in 67 patients, and interval cytoreductive surgery was performed in 59 patients after NACT. At least one complex surgery was performed in 74.6% of the patients in the primary cytoreductive surgery group and in 61% of the patients in the NACT group, with no statistically significant difference between the groups. However, the NACT group showed significantly decreased rates of low-rectal resection, diaphragmatic peritoneal stripping, and peritonectomy.

Conclusions

The analyses showed no reduction in the requirement for at least one complex surgical procedure in the group of patients who underwent NACT. Nevertheless, this group exhibited a significant decrease in low-rectal resection, diaphragmatic peritoneal stripping, and peritonectomy due to their effectiveness in reducing peritoneal disease.
The identity of clinical associates in psychology: a cross sectional, national survey
Authors: O’Driscoll Ciarán , Azmoodeh Kiana , Rana Ravinder , Hardy Gillian
Published: July 2024

Background

The Clinical Associate in Psychology (CAP) is a new psychological profession within the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom. This paper considers the processes developing the CAPs’ professional identity, specifically how their roles are embedded within services.

Methods

This study utilised an online survey of CAPs and all academic, clinical and managerial staff involved with CAPs. An inductive thematic analysis was undertaken.

Results

A total of 164 participants responded to the survey. Five themes were identified: Widening Access to Psychology, Workforce Development, Navigating the Unfamiliar, Trained [Master’s level] Professionals and An Emerging Ethos. In addition, key skills and unique contributions from CAPs were identified.

Conclusions

A clear professional identity is emerging, with CAPs depicted as offering versatile interventions in diverse health care settings, fostering a positive and encouraging integration of psychological expertise into the healthcare service. The study highlights areas for development to facilitate the growth and advancement of the role within the psychological workforce.
An ontology-based tool for modeling and documenting events in neurosurgery
Authors: Romao Patricia , Neuenschwander Stefanie , Zbinden Chantal , Seidel Kathleen , Sariyar Murat
Published: July 2024

Background

Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IOM) plays a pivotal role in enhancing patient safety during neurosurgical procedures. This vital technique involves the continuous measurement of evoked potentials to provide early warnings and ensure the preservation of critical neural structures. One of the primary challenges has been the effective documentation of IOM events with semantically enriched characterizations. This study aimed to address this challenge by developing an ontology-based tool.

Methods

We structured the development of the IOM Documentation Ontology (IOMDO) and the associated tool into three distinct phases. The initial phase focused on the ontology’s creation, drawing from the OBO (Open Biological and Biomedical Ontology) principles. The subsequent phase involved agile software development, a flexible approach to encapsulate the diverse requirements and swiftly produce a prototype. The last phase entailed practical evaluation within real-world documentation settings. This crucial stage enabled us to gather firsthand insights, assessing the tool’s functionality and efficacy. The observations made during this phase formed the basis for essential adjustments to ensure the tool’s productive utilization.

Results

The core entities of the ontology revolve around central aspects of IOM, including measurements characterized by timestamp, type, values, and location. Concepts and terms of several ontologies were integrated into IOMDO, e.g., the Foundation Model of Anatomy (FMA), the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) and the ontology for surgical process models (OntoSPM) related to general surgical terms. The software tool developed for extending the ontology and the associated knowledge base was built with JavaFX for the user-friendly frontend and Apache Jena for the robust backend. The tool’s evaluation involved test users who unanimously found the interface accessible and usable, even for those without extensive technical expertise.

Conclusions

Through the establishment of a structured and standardized framework for characterizing IOM events, our ontology-based tool holds the potential to enhance the quality of documentation, benefiting patient care by improving the foundation for informed decision-making. Furthermore, researchers can leverage the semantically enriched data to identify trends, patterns, and areas for surgical practice enhancement. To optimize documentation through ontology-based approaches, it’s crucial to address potential modeling issues that are associated with the Ontology of Adverse Events.
Antifibrotics and mortality in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: external validity and avoidance of immortal time bias
Authors: Hozumi Hironao , Miyashita Koichi , Nakatani Eiji , Inoue Yusuke , Yasui Hideki , Suzuki Yuzo , Karayama Masato , Furuhashi Kazuki , Enomoto Noriyuki , Fujisawa Tomoyuki , Inui Naoki , Suda Takafumi
Published: July 2024

Background and objective

Pooled analyses of previous randomized controlled trials reported that antifibrotics improved survival in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), but the results were only based on short-term outcome data from selected patients who met strict criteria. Observational studies/meta-analyses also suggested that antifibrotics improve survival, but these studies failed to control for immortal time bias that considerably exaggerates drug effects. Therefore, whether antifibrotics truly improve long-term survival in patients with IPF in the real world remains undetermined and requires external validity.

Methods

We used data from the Japanese National Claims Database to estimate the intention-to-treat effect of antifibrotics on mortality. To address immortal time bias, we employed models treating antifibrotic initiation as a time-dependent covariate and target trial emulation (TTE), both incorporating new-user designs for antifibrotics and treating lung transplantation as a competing event.

Results

Of 30,154 patients with IPF, 14,525 received antifibrotics. Multivariate Fine–Gray models with antifibrotic initiation as a time-dependent covariate revealed that compared with no treatment, nintedanib (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.81–0.89) and pirfenidone (aHR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.86–0.93) were associated with reduced mortality. The TTE model also replicated the associations of nintedanib (aHR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.65–0.74) and pirfenidone (aHR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.78–0.85) with reduced mortality. Subgroup analyses confirmed this association regardless of age, sex, and comorbidities, excluding certain subpopulations.

Conclusions

The results of this large-scale real-world analysis support the generalizability of the association between antifibrotics and improved survival in various IPF populations.