bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A holistic framework of power to observe constraining and enabling manifestations and outcomes of power within international Sport for Development and Peace partnerships
Authors: Clarke Joanne
Published: October 2023

The purpose of this article is to introduce a holistic framework of power that can serve to examine constraining and enabling manifestations of power within international Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) partnerships. The article is grounded in the recognition that the international SDP sector is wrapped up in ‘post-colonial residue’ and brings to the fore issues and power and inequality based on the construction and maintenance of hegemonic power relations. The article calls for SDP scholars to challenge the nature of partnerships and practices within the sector between international partners from the global north and global south. To develop and advance the case for this novel theoretical framework for studying power in SDP, the article is organized into three parts. The first part highlights the critical literature from the SDP and international development sectors concerning the nature of power relations with a specific focus on critical debates concerning social hierarchies. The second part offers a theoretical proposition and a three-phase theoretical model drawing on the work of Giulianotti, Lukes and Coleman to argue that power within international SDP partnerships is not static but needs to be recognized as a complex interplay of actions and outcomes. Finally, the article highlights how and why the holistic theoretical framework may be useful for SDP scholars in analysing and challenging power relations in future empirical-based research.
Accounting history in a digital age: Empirical experiences, improving methods and unlocking new research avenues
Authors: Quinn Martin , Murphy Brid
Published: October 2023

Technology has increasingly opened new avenues and methods in accounting and other business research. Accounting history research is not immune to technological developments, and we propose that increased digitalisation offers opportunities to enhance the appeal and relevance of such research, both within the accounting history realm itself and beyond. After setting out a clear definition of digitalisation, we reflect on what accounting history is as represented in the literature and then present empirical insights from two research settings – a religious organisation and a brewery – to provide a representation of what digitalisation means in terms of ‘doing’ accounting history research. The article also reflects on how a digital world can open new research avenues and reduce the risks of scholasticism and sophism.
FK-binding protein 5: Possible relevance to the pathogenesis of metabolic dysfunction and alcohol-associated liver disease
Authors: Ma Jing , Yang Zhihong , Gao Hui , Huda Nazmul , Jiang Yanchao , Liangpunsakul Suthat
Published: October 2023

The FK506-binding protein (FKBP5) plays significant roles in mediating stress responses by interacting with glucocorticoids, participating in adipogenesis, and influencing various cellular pathways throughout the body. In this review, we described the potential role of FKBP5 in the pathogenesis of two common chronic liver diseases, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD). We provided an overview of the FK-binding protein family and elucidated their roles in cellular stress responses, metabolic diseases, and adipogenesis. We explored how FKBP5 may mechanistically influence the pathogenesis of MASLD and ALD and provided insights for further investigation into the role of FKBP5 in these two diseases.
Outcomes of HUD Versus CIC in Patients With Urethral Strictures
Authors: Hosseini Jalil , Mirjalili Ali Mohammad , Sharifian Rayka , Abouei Saeid , Tajamolian Roya , Samadaee Gelehkolaee Keshvar
Published: October 2023

Treatment of urethral stricture is a complex reconstructive urology treatment. Previous surgery in the treatment of urethral stricture increases the risk of urinary incontinence. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the outcome of comparing two preservative or nonsurgical methods, clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) or hydraulic urethral dilatation (HUD). Forty-eight patients diagnosed with symptomatic urethral stricture were enrolled in the study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: Nelaton-based dilatation and HUD treatment. Patients were assessed using patient-reported outcome measure for urethral stricture surgery (USS-PROM) through direct clinical interview and were followed up for 12 months. The rate of urinary infection, the need for surgical intervention, and the patient’s quality of life were considered as outcomes of the interventions. SPSS software, version 20.0, was used for statistical analysis. Overall, 23 (47.9%) patients underwent HUD of stricture and Nelaton-based dilatation of stricture was done in 25 (52.1%) patients. We found that surgical intervention was required in four patients in the HUD group, but 15 patients in the CIC group required surgical intervention. Also, the need for surgical intervention and urinary tract infection (UTI) was significantly greater in the CIC group compared with the HUD group. With respect to the patient-reported outcomes, the mean Peeling’s voiding picture (Q8) and EQ-VAS score (Q16) in the HUD group ( p = .02) were significantly greater than those in the CIC group ( p = .02). We obtained excellent results by using an HUD catheter. This safe, simple, well-tolerated, home-based procedure reduced the need for hospital admission to operate for repeat.
Post-operative weight loss in venous sinus stenting patients: A multi-center review, systematic review, and meta-analysis
Authors: Gajjar Avi A , Rogers Aubrey , Ghosh Ritam , Abbas Rawad , Naamani Kareem El , Gooch M Reid , Field Nicholas , Dalfino John C , Paul Alexandra R
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) can result in headaches, pulsatile tinnitus, papilledema, and other neurological symptoms. Weight loss can alleviate some symptoms of IIH. This study aims to investigate the effect of venous sinus stenting on post-operative weight and body mass index (BMI) changes among IIH patients. The secondary objective is to investigate the relationship between post-operative weight changes and papilledema resolution.

Methods

Patients with papilledema undergoing venous sinus stenting for IIH were retrospectively reviewed from two comprehensive North American cerebrovascular centers. Patient demographics, surgical course, post-operative outcomes, and weight were analyzed. A systematic review and meta-analysis of post-operative weight in stented IIH patients was conducted.

Results

Twenty-eight patients with a diagnosis of IIH and papilledema who underwent venous sinus stenting were identified across two institutions. Patients had a mean pre-operative weight of 103.2 kg, which decreased to 101.5 kg at 3-month follow up ( p = 0.0757). Patients at 6-month follow-up saw a weight decrease to 97.4 kg ( p = 0.0066). Patients who saw papilledema resolution saw a mean greater decrease in weight (−4.5%) at 6-month follow up than those whose papilledema did not resolve (−1.7%), although this was insignificant ( p = 0.1091). A total of 41 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Patients had an average of 1.1 increase in BMI at 3-month follow up.

Conclusions

This study shows that venous sinus stenting leads to modest weight reduction in IIH patients, and those with resolved papilledema experience slightly greater weight loss. Further research is necessary to determine the clinical significance of these findings.
Use of nerve conduction studies in carpal tunnel syndrome
Authors: Bland Jeremy D. P.
Published: October 2023

This review article examines the use of nerve conduction studies in the management of carpal tunnel syndrome. These studies should be understood not as a test that determines the diagnosis but as a measure of impaired nerve function. They are sensitive indicators of local demyelination and axonal loss that can detect and quantify these changes before the appearance of clinical signs, providing information that cannot be obtained with the unaided senses of the physician, nor by any other investigation. They are the best available indicator of overall disease severity, correlating with symptoms and anatomical change in the median nerve. They have some prognostic value for surgical outcome and are sufficiently sensitive to change for the evaluation of treatment response. When surgery does not yield the expected improvement in symptoms, they can help to establish whether decompression has been achieved provided preoperative results are available for comparison.
Identification and Simultaneous HPLC-PDA Quantification of Anti-glycation and α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Compounds From Atractylodes lancea Water Extract
Authors: Jeong YuJin , Lee SukJin , Whang WanKyunn
Published: October 2023

Objective: The anti-diabetic efficacy of Atractylodes lancea water extract was verified by identifying the major active compounds, and quality control standards for water extracts were established by simultaneous HPLC quantification analysis. Methods: Thirteen compounds were isolated from the butanol fraction by bioactivity-guided approach using open-column chromatography. The compounds were identified by NMR and ESI/LTQ-Orbitrap-HRMS. The anti-diabetic activity was evaluated with anti-glycation and α-glucosidase assay. The simultaneous quantification by nine compounds was conducted by HPLC-PDA. Results: In total, 13 compounds from the butanol fraction were isolated. The water extract showed greater inhibitory effects than the hexane extract. Compounds 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10, 11, 12, and 13 showed high or significant activity. HPLC simultaneous analysis for these compounds was developed and validated to establish quality control standards, and the content standards of each compound were established through quantitative evaluation. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this study is the first to identify the main components and anti-glycation, α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of the water extract of A. lancea. This study scientifically and systematically established the quality control standards of traditional herbal medicine traditional herbal medicine through the development of a simultaneous HPLC quantitative analysis method and the establishment of content standards. It also demonstrates the potential of A. lancea water extract as a natural alternative treatment for diabetes.
Essential Oils of Alpinia vietnamica Rhizomes and Leaves: Chemical Composition, Cytotoxicity, α-Glucosidase Inhibition, and Molecular Docking Approach
Authors: Tra Nguyen Thanh , Ha Nguyen Xuan , Tuyen Nguyen Van , Thuy Linh Nguyen Thi , Thu Ha Nguyen Thi , Cham Ba Thi , Tu Anh Le Thi , Hai Yen Le Thi , The Son Ninh
Published: October 2023

Objective: Alpinia is a big genus of flowering plants in the family Zingiberaceae. The plants of this genus are generally aromatic due to their essential oils. The current study aims to identify chemical compositions in the rhizome and leaf oils of Alpinia vietnamica H.Đ. Trần, Luu & Škorničk. Methods: Essential oils of A vietnamica rhizomes and leaves obtained by hydrodistillation were investigated by the gas chromatography–flame ionization detection/mass spectrometry (GC–FID/MS) analysis. A vietnamica essential oils have been subjected to cytotoxic and α-glucosidase inhibitory assays. The protein interactions of the major compounds were viewed by molecular docking study. Results: In general, monoterpene hydrocarbons (60.4%-62.5%) and their oxygenated derivatives (18.1%-29.0%) were the main chemical classes of the rhizome and leaf oils. In the meantime, 1,8-cineole (25.7%-29.0%), β-pinene (12.8%-21.3%), geraniol (9.0%-15.2%), and α-pinene (6.1%-7.5%) can be seen as the main compounds. A vietnamica essential oils showed cytotoxicity toward four cancer cell lines KB, Hep-G2, Lu-1, and MCF-7 with IC50 values of 82.39 to 254.1 µg/mL. Significantly, the leaf oil (IC50 115.18 µg/mL) was better than the standard compound acarbose (IC50 156.68 µg/mL) in the α-glucosidase inhibitory assay. The results of molecular docking simulation suggested that 1,8-cineole, geraniol, α-pinene, and β-pinene could generate a similar inhibition (binding affinities) with acarbose, and the hydrogen and hydrophobic interactions played contributory roles in the binding to α-glucosidase enzyme. Conclusion: Further phytochemical investigations on this species, especially chromatographic separations to isolate bioactive metabolites, are needed. As well, pharmacological experiments are welcome since the current study is the first result.
Survival outcomes in patients with relapsed/refractory or MRD-positive B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated with blinatumomab
Authors: Kantarjian Hagop M. , Logan Aaron C. , Zaman Faraz , Gökbuget Nicola , Bargou Ralf C. , Zeng Yi , Zugmaier Gerhard , Locatelli Franco
Published: October 2023

Blinatumomab has demonstrated significant efficacy in adult and pediatric patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R B-cell ALL) and patients with measurable residual disease (MRD). This review aimed to compare median relapse-free survival (RFS) and median overall survival (OS) in adult and pediatric patients with R/R or MRD-positive B-cell ALL from pivotal studies [MT-103-211 and TOWER for adults with Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-negative R/R B-cell ALL, ALCANTARA for adults with Ph-positive R/R B-cell ALL, MT-103-203 for adults with MRD-positive B-cell ALL, and MT-103-205 for pediatric patients with R/R B-cell ALL], with the median RFS and OS from retrospective analyses, country or ethnicity-specific studies, and studies based on real-world evidence (RWE) identified from a literature search. Adults with Ph-negative R/R B-cell ALL who received blinatumomab as first salvage demonstrated a numerically longer median OS compared with that in patients from pivotal studies (MT-103-211 and TOWER) without additional safety concerns. In pediatric patients with R/R B-cell ALL treated with blinatumomab, the median RFS and OS from retrospective analyses and country/ethnicity-specific studies were comparable with the median RFS and OS from the pivotal study MT-103-205. The median RFS and OS from RWE studies in adults with R/R B-cell ALL were numerically longer than the median RFS and OS from pivotal studies (MT-103-211, TOWER, and ALCANTARA); however, this trend was not observed in pediatric patients with R/R B-cell ALL. In conclusion, this analysis identified first salvage adults with Ph-negative R/R B-cell ALL as particularly well-suited for treatment with blinatumomab since survival outcomes from retrospective analyses reported in this patient subgroup were numerically better compared with those from pivotal studies without additional safety signals.
A scalable solution recipe for a Ag-based neuromorphic device
Authors: Rao Tejaswini S. , Mondal Indrajit , Bannur Bharath , Kulkarni Giridhar U.
Published: October 2023

Integration and scalability have posed significant problems in the advancement of brain-inspired intelligent systems. Here, we report a self-formed Ag device fabricated through a chemical dewetting process using an Ag organic precursor, which offers easy processing, scalability, and flexibility to address the above issues to a certain extent. The conditions of spin coating, precursor dilution, and use of solvents were varied to obtain different dewetted structures (broadly classified as bimodal and nearly unimodal). A microscopic study is performed to obtain insight into the dewetting mechanism. The electrical behavior of selected bimodal and nearly unimodal devices is related to the statistical analysis of their microscopic structures. A capacitance model is proposed to relate the threshold voltage (Vth) obtained electrically to the various microscopic parameters. Synaptic functionalities such as short-term potentiation (STP) and long-term potentiation (LTP) were emulated in a representative nearly unimodal and bimodal device, with the bimodal device showing a better performance. One of the cognitive behaviors, associative learning, was emulated in a bimodal device. Scalability is demonstrated by fabricating more than 1000 devices, with 96% exhibiting switching behavior. A flexible device is also fabricated, demonstrating synaptic functionalities (STP and LTP).
Periodontists’ perceptions and attitudes toward the use of social media for professional purposes in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alnufaiy Banna , Alzahrani Hanadi Ghurmallah , Alqahtani Abdullah Saad , Gufran Khalid , Alhamdan Alfaisal , Alhamdan Khalid
Published: October 2023

Background

There is a notable increase in the usage of social media platforms, especially for health communication, as more clinicians and patients count on this kind of technology. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate the perception and attitude toward social media (SM) use for professionalism and dental practice promotion among periodontal specialists working in Saudi Arabia (KSA).

Methods

Electronic surveys were distributed in person or online using WhatsApp, Snapchat or Email from October 2022 until March 2023. The questionnaire was targeting periodontists in KSA, and it consists of three parts: the first part includes sociodemographic and professional data; the second part asks about the daily usage of SM in dental practice; and the third part asks about the periodontist's opinion about SM usage. Descriptive data were presented as numbers and percentages. The association between the demographic variables and the means of periodontists’ opinions was tested using Pearson’s chi-square test. Any value equal to or less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

A total of 121 responses were received from the periodontists. Most of the participants were in the 36–45 age group, with a percentage of 40.5%. In terms of gender, males made up 52.9% of the population, while females made up 47.1%, and the majority of the participants were consultants. The most common SM platform used by periodontists for daily using and dental practice promotion was Snapchat (56.2%), followed by Instagram and Twitter (54.5% and 49.6%, respectively). There was a significant difference in proportions among Twitter, Snapchat and TikTok between older and younger periodontists, with a p value < 0.05. There was no significant difference between the gender of the participants and their opinions regarding the usage of SM.

Conclusions

This study highlighted the effectiveness of SM in the promotion of dental practices and the discipline of periodontics, as more clinicians and patients rely on this kind of technology. These online platforms can improve periodontal practice in terms of dental health education, counseling, advertising, and oral health services.
Patients with postprandial distress syndrome experience problems with their interoceptive perceptual function to the gastric region, but their heartbeat perception is normal: a case control study
Authors: Yoshida Kohei , Abe Tetsuya , Kanbara Kenji , Ueda Kento , Saka-Kouchi Yukie , Hasuo Hideaki
Published: October 2023

Background

Visceral hypersensitivity in functional dyspepsia can be localized or widespread, and there is no simple method of assessment. Measuring interoceptive accuracy at different sites provides an assessment of perceptual hypersensitivity to specific ecological phenomena. The purpose of this study was to characterize visceral hypersensitivity by comparing gastric sensory and cardiac perceptual tests in patients with postprandial distress syndrome and in healthy volunteers.

Methods

Sixteen patients with postprandial distress syndrome (age = 47.5 ± 17.4, all female) and 16 healthy volunteers (age = 43.3 ± 16.1, all female) participated in the study after a six-hour fast. Each participant answered questionnaires about physical and mental quality of life, depression and anxiety, tendency of alexithymia, and somatosensory amplification. After completing the questionnaire, the participants took the heartbeat tracking task and the five-minute water load test. We performed statistical analysis using the Mann–Whitney U test and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient.

Results

Subjects with postprandial distress syndrome had a lower drinking capacity than healthy volunteers (postprandial distress syndrome = 360.9 ± 170.0 mL, healthy volunteers = 644.1 ± 297 mL, P = 0.009), but there was no significant difference in the heartbeat perception score (postprandial distress syndrome = 0.599 ± 0.175, healthy volunteers = 0.623 ± 0.181, P = 0.647). There was a negative correlation (r = − 0.509, P < 0.05) between drinking capacity and the heartbeat perception score in healthy volunteers, but no correlation in postprandial distress syndrome (r = − 0.156, P = 0.564). Heartbeat perception score did not correlate with psychological measures.

Conclusions

Compared with healthy volunteers, only the five-minute water load test values were reduced in patients with postprandial distress syndrome, and no difference was observed in the heartbeat tracking task. Combining the 5-minute water load test and the heart rate tracking task revealed a lost cardiac-gastric perceptual relationship in patients with postprandial distress syndrome that was not observed in healthy volunteers, suggesting that there is hypersensitivity in gastric interoceptive perceptual function. Performing sensory examinations at two different sites may be useful in clarifying whether visceral hypersensitivity is localized.

Trial registration

UMIN000057586. Registered11 March 2023(retrospectively registered).
Pediatric adrenocortical carcinoma: clinical features and application of neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Lin Yu , Yang Shen , Yang Wei , Cheng Haiyan , Chang Xiaofeng , Zhu Zhiyun , Feng Jun , Han Jianyu , Ren Qinghua , Chang Saishuo , Liu Shan , Yu Tong , Hou Boren , Li Pengfei , Meng Deguang , Zhang Xianwei , Qin Hong , Wang Huanmin
Published: October 2023

Objective

To summarize the clinical characteristics of children with adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) and preliminarily explore the indications for and efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in certain patients.

Methods

The data of 49 children with adrenocortical tumors (ACT) in the past 15 years were retrospectively analyzed, and after pathology assessment using Weiss system grading, 40 children diagnosed with ACC were included. Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1 and three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of contrast-enhanced computed tomography data were used to evaluate the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Results

Forty patients (17 males, 23 females) with ACC were enrolled. Abnormal hormone levels were common in children with ACC (n = 31), and in terms of clinical presentation, sexual precocity was the most common (n = 14, 35.0%), followed by Cushing’s syndrome (n = 12, 30.0%). Seven of 40 children received neoadjuvant chemotherapy due to a maximum lesion diameter greater than 10 cm (n = 4), invasion of surrounding tissues (n = 2), intravenous tumor thrombus (n = 2), and/or distant metastasis (n = 2); 2 patients achieved partial response, and 5 had stable disease according to the RECIST 1.1 standard. Furthermore, 3D tumor volume reconstruction was performed in 5 children before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Tumor volumes were significantly reduced in all 5 children, with a median volume reduction of 270 (interquartile range, IQR 83, 293) (range: 49–413) ml. After surgery with/without chemotherapy, the 5-year overall survival rate for all children was 90.0% (95% CI-confidence interval 80.0–100.0%), and the 5-year event-free survival rate was 81.5% (95% CI 68.0–97.7%).

Conclusion

In the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric ACC, a comprehensive endocrine evaluation is necessary to facilitate early diagnosis. Surgery and chemotherapy are important components of ACC treatment, and neoadjuvant chemotherapy should be considered for children with ACC who meet certain criteria, such as a large tumor, distant metastases, or poor general condition.
Functionality appreciation is associated with improvements in positive and negative body image in patients with an eating disorder and following recovery
Authors: Engel Manja M. , Woertman E. M. , Dijkerman H. C. , Keizer A.
Published: October 2023

Background

Research on body image in eating disorders has predominantly focused on negative body image, only recently shifting to positive body image. Findings suggest that enhancing positive body image can, amongst other things, serve as a protective mechanism against (re)developing a negative body image. One suggested way of enhancing positive body image is to focus on enhancing body functionality appreciation. Although studies show promising effects, this research is mainly conducted in non-clinical samples.

Methods

The current study investigated the levels of positive and negative body image in an online community sample of patients with an eating disorder (PAT, n = 227), patients recovered from an eating disorder (REC, n = 102) and controls (HC, n = 175) (self-reported diagnosis, not confirmed). In addition, we tested whether body functionality appreciation was associated with appearance dissatisfaction (negative body image) and body appreciation (positive body image).

Results

REC showed similar results to controls to most of the body image measures except for how much importance one places on their appearance (no different between REC and PAT), and how satisfied one is with certain body parts. For this measure, REC scored in-between PAT and HC. We further found functionality appreciation to be significantly associated with of both positive and negative body image, except for appearance evaluation in patients with an eating disorder.

Conclusions

This study showed a positive association between body functionality appreciation and positive body image and a negative association between body functionality appreciation and negative body image. Further research is required to investigate the effectiveness of interventions targeting body functionality appreciation in clinical settings.
Kinetic parameters of alpha-synuclein seed amplification assay correlate with cognitive impairment in patients with Lewy body disorders
Authors: Bräuer Stefan , Rossi Marcello , Sajapin Johann , Henle Thomas , Gasser Thomas , Parchi Piero , Brockmann Kathrin , Falkenburger Björn H.
Published: October 2023

The alpha-synuclein (aSyn) seed amplification assay (SAA) can identify aSyn aggregates as indicator for Lewy body pathology in biomaterials of living patients and help in diagnosing Parkinson´s disease and dementia syndromes. Our objective was to confirm that qualitative results of aSyn SAA are reproducible across laboratories and to determine whether quantitative findings correlate with patient clinical characteristics. Therefore cerebrospinal fluid samples were re-analysed by aSyn SAA in a second laboratory with four technical replicates for each sample. Kinetic parameters derived from each aggregation curve were summarized and correlated with patient characteristics. We found that qualitative findings were identical between the two laboratories for 54 of 55 patient samples. The number of positive replicates for each sample also showed good agreement between laboratories. Moreover, specific kinetic parameters of the SAA showed a strong correlation with clinical parameters, notably with cognitive performance evaluated by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. We concluded that SAA findings are highly reproducible across laboratories following the same protocol. SAA reports not only the presence of Lewy pathology but is also associated with clinical characteristics. Thus, aSyn SAA can potentially be used for patient stratification and determining the target engagement of aSyn targeting treatments.
Multi-faceted analysis reveals the characteristics of silk fabrics on a Liao Dynasty DieXie belt
Authors: Ge Ruochen , Cong Lili , Fu Yongping , Wang Bing , Shen Guiyun , Xu Bing , Hu Mingzhou , Yu Han , Zhou Jie , Yang Lu
Published: October 2023

The Liao Dynasty’s highly developed textile industry was characterized as “the best in the world” in ancient Chinese literature. This study analyzed two textiles on a 蹀躞 (DieXie) belt excavated from the No.1 Liao Dynasty noble tomb of Zhangjiayao Forest (Shenyang, China), with one wrapping around the leather belt (T1) and the other on the surface of a leather pouch hanging on the belt (X1). They were identified as silk based on structures by morphological observation and chemical components revealed by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Proteomics and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to investigate the animal origin of the silk, and the original color and dyestuffs of T1 were examined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS). The results have shown that T1 consists of three layers of Bombyx mori silk plain fabric, and its original color was yellow-red dyed with madder and plants containing flavonoid dyeing tissue, consistent with the color of DieXie belts recorded in the ancient literature. The silk on the pouch is a layer of plain fabric, while the upper layer is embroidery on the Four-end-complex gauze, which was made of twisted Bombyx mori silk. We believe that the silk wrapping around the leather belt was to provide additional comfort and aesthetics after dyeing while protecting the leather, which is prone to warping and moisture. This study suggests that such silk fabrics with high specifications are one of the manifestations of the distinguished status of the tomb owner. The integration of various analytical methods on ancient silk fabrics enables us to learn various information about their textile forms, silk animal origins, colors and dyestuffs, revealing the highly developed silk waving techniques and prosperous costume culture of the Liao Dynasty.
Scenario-based classroom context mode: reshaping non-native teachers’ decision-making and pedagogical reasoning
Authors: Saeedian Sam , Ghaderi Ata
Published: October 2023

Teacher decision-making and pedagogical reasoning have been extensively investigated in the last two decades. However, there is a scarcity of research that examines the two constructs together in one single study. This study was an attempt to address this gap by implementing a teacher education course using the self-evaluation of teacher talk (SETT) framework that aimed to reshape the decision-making and pedagogical reasoning of ten non-native teachers. Data were collected over a 10-week period through Camtasia, which facilitated video-stimulated recall sessions. Conversation analysis was employed to analyze the interactions in classroom context between the learners and the novice teachers and the interactions between the novices and the first researcher-as-a-participant or experienced teacher. The findings showed that the novices relied on the SETT-oriented metalanguage to justify their decisions after the teacher education course (POST-TEC). In addition, although in the PRE-TEC phase, they lost their temper and codeswitched because of frustration when facing learners’ reticence, they used a number of useful interactive decisions such as avoiding teacher echoes and on-the-spot corrections during discussions in the POST-TEC. It can be concluded that examining the SETT modes separately contributes to our richer understanding of classroom discourse, as each mode has its own specific pedagogic goals that teachers should pay attention to in their classroom decisions. Suggestions for further research and implications for making the decision-making and pedagogical reasoning of language teachers more explicit are provided.
The iBLAD study: patient-reported outcomes in bladder cancer during oncological treatment: a multicenter national randomized controlled trial
Authors: Taarnhøj Gry Assam , Johansen Christoffer , Carus Andreas , Dahlrot Rikke Hedegaard , Dohn Line Hammer , Hjøllund Niels Henrik , Knudsen Mark Bech , Tolver Anders , Lindberg Henriette , Pappot Helle
Published: October 2023

Background

Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are getting widely implemented, but little is known of the impact of applying PROs in specific cancer diagnoses. We report the results of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of the active use of PROs in patients with locally advanced or metastatic bladder cancer (BC) undergoing medical oncological treatment (MOT) with focus on determining the clinical effects of using PROs during chemo- or immunotherapy compared to standard of care.

Methods

We recruited patients from four departments of oncology from 2019 to 2021. Inclusion criteria were locally advanced or metastatic BC, initiating chemo- or immunotherapy. Patients were randomized 1:1 between answering selected PRO-CTCAE questions electronically once weekly with a built-in alert-algorithm instructing patients of how to handle reported symptoms as a supplement to standard of care for handling of side effects (intervention arm (IA)) vs standard procedure for handling of side effects (control arm (CA)). No real-time alerts were sent to the clinic when PROs exceeded threshold values. Clinicians were prompted to view the completed PROs in the IA at each clinical visit. The co-primary clinical endpoints were hospital admissions and treatment completion rate. Secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS), quality of life (EORTC’s QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BLM30) and dose reductions.

Results

228 patients with BC were included, 76% were male. 141 (62%) of the patients had metastatic disease. 51% of patients in the IA completed treatment vs. 56% of patients in the CA, OR 0.83 (95% CI 0.47–1.44, p = 0.51). 41% of patients in the IA experienced hospitalization vs. 32% in the CA, OR 1.48 (95% CI 0.83–2.65, p = 0.17). OS was comparable between the two arms (IA: median 22.3mo (95% CI 17.0-NR) vs. CA: median 23.1mo (95% CI 17.7-NR). Patient and clinician compliance was high throughout the study period (80% vs 94%).

Conclusions

This RCT did not show an effect of PRO on completion of treatment, hospitalizations or OS for BC patients during MOT despite a high level of patient and clinician compliance. The lack of real-time response to alerts remains the greatest limitation to this study.
Brain network functional connectivity changes in patients with anterior knee pain: a resting-state fMRI exploratory study
Authors: Sanchis-Alfonso Vicente , Beser-Robles María , Ten-Esteve Amadeo , Ramírez-Fuentes Cristina , Alberich-Bayarri Ángel , Espert Raúl , García-Larrea Luis , Martí-Bonmatí Luis
Published: October 2023

Background

This study investigates the functional brain connectivity in patients with anterior knee pain (AKP). While biomechanical models are frequently employed to investigate AKP, it is important to recognize that pain can manifest even in the absence of structural abnormalities. Leveraging the capabilities of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), this research aims to investigate the brain mechanisms present in AKP patients.

Methods

Forty-five female subjects (24 AKP patients, 21 controls) underwent resting-state fMRI and T1-weighted structural MRI. Functional brain connectivity patterns were analyzed, focusing on pain network areas, and the influence of catastrophizing thoughts was evaluated.

Results

Comparing patients and controls, several findings emerged. First, patients with AKP exhibited increased correlation between the right supplementary motor area and cerebellum I, as well as decreased correlation between the right insula and the left rostral prefrontal cortex and superior frontal gyrus. Second, in AKP patients with catastrophizing thoughts, there was increased correlation of the left lateral parietal cortex with two regions of the right cerebellum (II and VII) and the right pallidum, and decreased correlation between the left medial frontal gyrus and the right thalamus. Furthermore, the correlation between these regions showed promising results for discriminating AKP patients from controls, achieving a cross-validation accuracy of 80.5%.

Conclusions

Resting-state fMRI revealed correlation differences in AKP patients compared to controls and based on catastrophizing thoughts levels. These findings shed light on neural correlates of chronic pain in AKP, suggesting that functional brain connectivity alterations may be linked to pain experience in this population.

Relevance statement

Etiopathogenesis of pain in anterior knee pain patients might not be limited to the knee, but also to underlying alterations in the central nervous system: cortical changes might lead a perpetuation of pain.

Key points

• Anterior knee pain patients exhibit distinct functional brain connectivity compared to controls, and among catastrophizing subgroups.

• Resting-state fMRI reveals potential for discriminating anterior knee pain patients with 80.5% accuracy.

• Functional brain connectivity differences improve understanding of pain pathogenesis and objective anterior knee pain identification.

Graphical Abstract
Pangenomics of the cichlid species (Oreochromis niloticus) reveals genetic admixture ancestry with potential for aquaculture improvement in Kenya
Authors: Mwaura John G. , Wekesa Clabe , Kelvin Kiprotich , Paul Ang’ienda , Ogutu Philip A. , Okoth Patrick
Published: October 2023

Background

Nile tilapia has a variety of phenotypes suitable for aquaculture farming, yet its entire gene pool with potential for breeding climate ready strains in resource-limited settings remains scanty and poorly documented. SNP calling has become increasingly popular in molecular genetic studies due to their abundance and precision in estimating and identifying an organism’s genetic makeup. SNPs are versatile in trait-specific breeding, which, in contrast to pedigree breeding, is affordable and speeds up genetic advancement by allowing animals to be used as parents sooner.

Results

Clustering analysis revealed a strong correlation between the experimental sample, Oreochromis niloticus, Oreochromis aureus and Betta splendens. Three other species indicated evolutionary independence. Comparative genomics identified similarities between fishes with common genetic and evolutionary ancestry, allowing for better adaptation to local environmental conditions. Some of the selected genes exhibiting substantial effect on immunity include: Prxs, MMR1 like, ZMYM4-like partial; stress-reactive genes including: PALLD-like gene, LPLBAG6-like and growth-related genes including: NF1x like, PEDF and CL like. Experimental sample, O. niloticus, O. aureas and Danio rerio, can hybridize in their natural environments bringing about genetic admixture ancestry that hybridizes new genes which confer beneficial phenotypes.

Conclusion

Breeding for specific traits could be a useful addition to aquaculture to allow expansion of the ecological niche and genetic base for tilapia. Some of the beneficial genes that can be hybridized include Slc25a24 and Slc12member 10, tandem duplicate 1, for salinity tolerance and Abca1, bcl2a and mylk13 for hypoxia tolerance. Breeders should introduce beneficial traits into fish breeds to ensure they are climate ready and able to weather climate shocks. This will allow aquaculture to contribute to food and nutrition security in line with SDG2 and improve the economic status of fish-farming communities in the Global South countries.
Clinical profile, histopathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular analyses and treatment of pilocytic astrocytoma: an eight year study from a tertiary health care centre in North East India
Authors: Ahmed Shabnam Akhtar , Barua Navanil , Borah Nabajyoti , Haque Inamul , Barman Ananya , Dandapath Iman
Published: October 2023

Background

Pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) is a central nervous system (CNS) World Health Organization (WHO) grade 1 glial tumor that is highly prevalent in children and young adults. The main aim of the study was to assess the frequency, clinicopathological features, and treatment of PAs along with their immunohistochemical and molecular analyses in patients from Northeast India. About 144 glial tumors were diagnosed in patients from 3 to 75 yrs of age from January 2015 to March 2022. Nine pediatric PA patients were identified and their clinical data were analyzed. Immunohistochemistry (IHC), fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH), and molecular analysis using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were performed. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS software.

Results

The mean age of the glioma patients was 41.7 yrs ± 18.2 with a male/female ratio of 1.3:1. The most common form of the glial tumor was found to be astrocytoma CNS WHO grade 2 (31.9%). The frequency of PA CNS WHO grade 1 was 6.9%. The pediatric PA cohort had a mean age of 9.2 yrs ± 4.9 with a male/female ratio of 2:1. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) positive immunostaining and retention of transcriptional regulator alpha-thalassemia mental retardation X-linked protein (ATRX) expression was seen in all the tested PAs. The KIAA1459-BRAF fusion was detected in four PAs. Surgical intervention with total or radical tumor excision was performed for the PA patients. Eight PA patients exhibited improved condition post-surgery.

Conclusion

With the advent of healthcare and newer diagnostic facilities there is an increased incidence of glial tumors in developing countries. A combination of histological, immunohistochemical, and molecular analysis is very important for the diagnosis, accurate treatment, and prognosis of PA patients.
The roles of immune cells in Behçet’s disease
Authors: Hu Dan , Guan Jian-Long
Published: October 2023

Behçet’s disease (BD) is a systemic vasculitis that can affect multiple systems, including the skin, mucous membranes, joints, eyes, gastrointestinal and nervous. However, the pathogenesis of BD remains unclear, and it is believed that immune-inflammatory reactions play a crucial role in its development. Immune cells are a critical component of this process and contribute to the onset and progression of BD. By regulating the function of these immune cells, effective control over the occurrence and development of BD can be achieved, particularly with regards to monocyte activation and aggregation, macrophage differentiation and polarization, as well as T cell subset differentiation. This review provides a brief overview of immune cells and their role in regulating BD progression, which may serve as a theoretical foundation for preventing and treating this disease.
Food waste supply and behaviour towards its alternative uses in Kampala city, Uganda
Authors: Ssepuuya Geoffrey , Nsiyona Elsie , Kakungulu Moses , Alowo Jane Frances , Nampala Paul
Published: October 2023

Solid waste management is a major challenge in sub-Saharan Africa in general and its food waste component is high and increasing with the rapidly increasing population. Survey data (class p1) collected from households, hotels, restaurants, schools and produce markets were analysed using descriptive and logistic regression analyses for insights into the types and amounts of food waste, and respondents’ attitudes and practices towards its collection, disposal and alternative uses. Households produce the highest amounts of food waste compared to institutions (hotels, schools and restaurants) and produce markets. In a week, about 96, 72, and 93% of all the respondents in households, institutions and produce markets respectively experienced food waste at least one to three times. On average, with a solid waste collection coverage of 45%, households, institutions and markets in Kampala can respectively supply 680, 80, and 8 t of food waste daily. Moulding, poor food storage, food leftovers, food expiry and excess food produce were the major reasons for condemning food to waste. Over 90% of the respondents recognized food waste as a problem, and as a resource especially for use in livestock feed production, and were willing to consume house crickets raised on feed from food waste. Lower levels of education (none, primary and secondary levels), unemployment, and being divorced at household level were positively associated with recognizing food waste as a resource [X2 (21, N = 209) = 137.77, p =  < 0.0001] and re-use for alternative purposes [X2 (21, N = 209) = 47.44, p = 0.001] by households and institutions [X2 (14, N = 92) = 30.97, p =  < 0.019]. Majority of the respondents were willing to donate food waste, especially married people and institutions that have been in existence for a period of 5–10 years.
Allelic variation in TUSC1 gene: rs1462218557 is associated with male infertility and azoospermia
Authors: Vahidi Emami Zahra , Sheidai Masoud , Kalhor Naser
Published: October 2023

Background

Male infertility is rapidly growing, and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) association studies are of critical importance. Tumor suppressor candidate 1 (TUSC1) gene is associated with azoospermia. We investigated association between rs1462218557 in TUSC1 with azoospermia.

Methods

We performed tetra-ARMS PCR analysis and sequencing on healthy and infertile individuals.

Results

Tetra-ARMS PCR results revealed that the allele frequency of the SNP for T alleles was 0.66, while the same value for C allele was 0.36. It was different from the previous reports of the other countries because they reported the allele C as the frequent allele and it was considered an ancestral allele. The genotype frequencies obtained showed that 67% of the samples were heterozygotes (T/C), while 33% were homozygotes (TT). SNP-STAT analysis showed a significant association (p = 0.04) with the studied SNP and azoospermia in Iranian samples.

Conclusions

The present study reports a new allele frequency of rs1462218557 in TUSC1 gene, which may be associated with azoospermia in Iranian people. Moreover, no association was observed between neighboring sequences/SNPs with male infertility.
The use of radiotherapy, surgery and chemotherapy in the curative treatment of cancer: results from the FORTY (Favourable Outcomes from RadioTherapY) project
Authors: Mee Thomas , Kirkby Norman F , Defourny Noemie N , Kirkby Karen Joy , Burnet Neil G
Published: October 2023

Objectives

Radiotherapy, surgery and chemotherapy play key roles in the curative treatment of cancer, alone and in combination. Quantifying their roles is essential for equipment provision and workforce planning. The estimate that 40% of cancer patients are cured by RT has been used extensively to inform and influence policy but is relatively old and warrants review.

Methods

Patient, tumour and treatment event data was obtained for the 5 year period from 2009 to 2013, allowing a further 5 years for survival outcomes to be known. We analysed patient-level data on utilisation of surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy in cancer patients in England. Data were sourced from Public Health England, using National Cancer Registrations, the National Radiotherapy Dataset (RTDS) and the Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy Dataset (SACT). All tumour sites (excluding C44) and ages were included. We analysed three cohorts: all patients [n = 1,029,569], patients who survived 5 years or more [n = 537,970] and patients who survived <5 years [n = 491,599].

Results

Overall cancer-specific 5-year survival was 52%, and in those patients, surgery was the most common curative treatment, with 80% receiving surgery, alone or in combination; radiotherapy was delivered to 39% and chemotherapy to 29%; 45% received two and 13% all three modalities.

Conclusions

The high proportion receiving multi-modality treatment emphasises the importance of integrated, resourced, multidisciplinary cancer care. Radiotherapy was delivered to almost 40% of patients who survived 5 years which underlines its importance in cancer management.

Advances in knowledge

The results are essential in planning cancer services. They also inform the public health narrative.