bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Machine learning profiles of cardiovascular risk in patients with diabetes mellitus: the Silesia Diabetes-Heart Project
Authors: Kwiendacz Hanna , Wijata Agata M. , Nalepa Jakub , Piaśnik Julia , Kulpa Justyna , Herba Mikołaj , Boczek Sylwia , Kegler Kamil , Hendel Mirela , Irlik Krzysztof , Gumprecht Janusz , Lip Gregory Y. H. , Nabrdalik Katarzyna
Published: August 2023

Aims

As cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death for patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), we aimed to find important factors that predict cardiovascular (CV) risk using a machine learning (ML) approach.

Methods and results

We performed a single center, observational study in a cohort of 238 DM patients (mean age ± SD 52.15 ± 17.27 years, 54% female) as a part of the Silesia Diabetes-Heart Project. Having gathered patients’ medical history, demographic data, laboratory test results, results from the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (assessing diabetic peripheral neuropathy) and Ewing’s battery examination (determining the presence of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy), we managed use a ML approach to predict the occurrence of overt CVD on the basis of five most discriminative predictors with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.86 (95% CI 0.80–0.91). Those features included the presence of past or current foot ulceration, age, the treatment with beta-blocker (BB) and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi). On the basis of the aforementioned parameters, unsupervised clustering identified different CV risk groups. The highest CV risk was determined for the eldest patients treated in large extent with ACEi but not BB and having current foot ulceration, and for slightly younger individuals treated extensively with both above-mentioned drugs, with relatively small percentage of diabetic ulceration.

Conclusions

Using a ML approach in a prospective cohort of patients with DM, we identified important factors that predicted CV risk. If a patient was treated with ACEi or BB, is older and has/had a foot ulcer, this strongly predicts that he/she is at high risk of having overt CVD.
Spatially resolved visualization of reprogrammed metabolism in hepatocellular carcinoma by mass spectrometry imaging
Authors: Ma Bangzhen , Zhang Yang , Ma Jiwei , Chen Xinguo , Sun Chenglong , Qin Chengkun
Published: August 2023

Background

Metabolic reprogramming refers to tumor-associated metabolic alterations during tumorigenesis and has been regarded as one of the most important features of cancer. Profiling the altered metabolites and lipids in hepatocellular carcinoma with spatial signature will not only enhance our understanding of tumor metabolic reprogramming, but also offer potential metabolic liabilities that might be exploited for hepatocellular carcinoma therapy.

Methods

We perform matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) analysis on both hepatocellular carcinoma xenograft mouse model and hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Discriminatory metabolites that altered during the development of hepatocellular carcinoma are screened and imaged in xenograft mouse model and are further validated in 21 hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

Results

We discover stepwise metabolic alterations and progressively increasing metabolic heterogeneity during the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma. Arginine and its metabolites spermine and spermidine, choline and phosphatidylcholine metabolism, and fatty acids were found to be significantly reprogrammed in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues.

Conclusions

The spatially resolved profiling of the metabolites and lipids in highly heterogeneous hepatocellular carcinoma tissue will contribute to obtaining precise metabolic information for the understanding of tumor metabolic reprogramming.
Temporal trends in inequalities of the burden of cardiovascular disease across 186 countries and territories
Authors: Deng Penghong , Fu Yu , Chen Mingsheng , Wang Dong , Si Lei
Published: August 2023

Background

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. The extent to which CVD affects the population’s health varies across countries. Moreover, quantitative estimates of the trend of inequalities in CVD burden remain unclear. The objective of our study was to assess the socioeconomic inequalities and temporal trends of CVD burden across 186 countries and territories from 2000 to 2019.

Methods

We extracted data from the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019, and conducted a cross-national time-series analysis. Age-standardized disability-adjusted life-year (DALY) rates were used to measure the burden of CVDs, and gross national income (GNI) per capita was used to approximate the socioeconomic development. Concentration curves and concentration indexes (CIs) were generated to evaluate the cross-national socioeconomic inequality of CVD burden. A joinpoint regression analysis was used to quantify the changes in trends in socioeconomic inequality of CVD burden from 2000 to 2019.

Results

The age-standardized DALY rates of CVDs decreased in 170 (91%) of 186 countries from 2000 to 2019. The concentration curves of the age-standardized DALY rates of CVDs were above the equality line from 2000 to 2019, indicating a disproportional distribution of CVD burden in low-income countries. The CIs declined from − 0.091 (95% CI: −0.128 to − 0.054) in 2000 to − 0.151 (95% CI: −0.190 to − 0.112) in 2019, indicating worsened pro-poor inequality distributions of CVD burden worldwide. A four-phase trend of changes in the CIs of age-standardized DALY rates for CVD was observed from 2000 to 2019, with an average annual percentage change (AAPC) of − 2.7% (95% CI: −3.0 to − 2.4). Decreasing trends in CIs were observed in all CVD subcategories but endocarditis, with AAPC ranging from − 6.6% (95% CI: −7.3 to − 5.9) for ischemic heart disease to − 0.2% (95% CI: −0.4 to − 0.1) for hypertensive heart disease.

Conclusions

Globally, the burden of CVD has decreased in more than 90% of countries over the past two decades, accompanied by an increasing trend of cross-country inequalities. Moreover, the overall burden of CVD continues to fall primarily on low-income countries.
Elastic modulus-reflected liver lesion stiffness relates to worse prognosis in pancreatic cancer patients with liver metastasis
Authors: Dong Shu , Miao Xian , Zhang Ke , Zhu Xiaoyan , Gao Yi , Chen Hao
Published: August 2023

Background

Liver stiffness relates to more advanced tumor status and poor outcomes in primary liver cancer, while its prognostic role in pancreatic cancer with liver metastasis is unclear. Therefore, the current study aimed to explore the correlation of elastic modulus (EM)-reflected liver lesion stiffness with clinical characteristics, tumor markers, and survival among pancreatic cancer patients with liver metastasis.

Methods

Fifty-four pancreatic cancer patients with liver metastasis were enrolled, and the EM of liver metastasis and peripheral liver tissue was measured by two-dimensional shear wave elastography. Relative EM was calculated as the ratio of EM in liver metastasis to that in peripheral liver tissue, which reflected the relative liver lesion stiffness.

Results

The median relative EM of liver metastasis was 7.8 (interquartile range: 4.8–10.7) folds. Relative EM of liver metastasis was correlated with primary pancreatic cancer location (P = 0.048), the presence of extra lung metastasis (P = 0.040), liver metastasis ≥ 3 cm (P = 0.007), and the absence of extraskeletal metastasis (P = 0.036); but it was not correlated with tumor markers such as CA199, CA125, or CEA (all P > 0.05). Encouragingly, high relative EM of liver metastasis (cut off by median value) was correlated with poor progression-free survival (PFS) (P = 0.032) but not overall survival (OS) (P = 0.285). Multivariable Cox analysis showed that high relative EM of liver metastasis (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.768, P = 0.048) and multiple metastases (HR = 2.262, P = 0.036) independently predicted decreased PFS, but only abnormal CEA independently forecasted decreased OS (HR = 2.390, P = 0.027).

Conclusion

Elastic modulus reflected liver lesion stiffness may predict a worse prognosis in pancreatic cancer patients with liver metastasis.
Risk factors for early recurrence in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who underwent curative resection
Authors: Murakawa Masaaki , Kawahara Shinnosuke , Takahashi Daishi , Kamioka Yuto , Yamamoto Naoto , Kobayashi Satoshi , Ueno Makoto , Morimoto Manabu , Sawazaki Sho , Tamagawa Hiroshi , Ohshima Takashi , Yukawa Norio , Rino Yasushi , Morinaga Soichiro
Published: August 2023

Background

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal cancers, and surgical resection is the only potentially curative approach. However, the rate of recurrence remains high, particularly within the first 6 months, and is associated with a poor prognosis. The present study evaluated the clinical characteristics and risk factors for early recurrence in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients who underwent curative resection, regardless of the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, to identify predictive factors associated with early recurrence and poor outcomes as well as to determine the optimal treatment strategy for patients at high risk of early recurrence after surgical resection.

Methods

Patients who underwent pancreatic resection for PDAC at our institution from 2013 to 2021 were included in this study. We investigated the clinicopathological features of patients in groups: those with recurrence within 6 months, recurrence between 6 and 12 months, and recurrence beyond 12 months or no recurrence. A logistic regression analysis identified covariates associated with early recurrence at 6 and 12 months.

Results

The study included 403 patients with a median follow-up of 25.7 months. Recurrence was observed in 279 patients, with 14.6% recurring within 6 months, 23.3% within 6–12 months, and 62% after 12 months or not at all. The preoperative CA19-9 level, modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS), and positive peritoneal cytology were significant risk factors for early recurrence within 6 months, while positive peritoneal cytology, lymph node metastasis, and the absence of adjuvant chemotherapy were significant risk factors for recurrence within 12 months. For patients who received preoperative chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy, the preoperative CA19-9 level, mGPS, and positive peritoneal cytology were significant independent risk factors for early recurrence within 6 months, while positive peritoneal cytology, lymph node metastasis, and the absence of adjuvant chemotherapy were significant independent risk factors for recurrence within 12 months. The study concluded that the overall survival after surgical resection for potentially resectable PDAC worsened according to the number of risk factors present in the patient.

Conclusions

We clarified that preoperative CA19-9, positive peritoneal cytology, and the lack of adjuvant chemotherapy were consistent predictors for early recurrence within 6 and 12 months. In addition, an increased number of risk factors affecting the patient was associated with a poorer overall survival after potentially curable resection. Calculating the number of risk factors for early recurrence may be an essential predictive factor when considering treatment strategies.
Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound ameliorates glia-mediated inflammation and neuronal damage in experimental intracerebral hemorrhage conditions
Authors: Su Wei-Shen , Wu Chun-Hu , Song Wen-Shin , Chen Szu-Fu , Yang Feng-Yi
Published: August 2023

Background

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a condition associated with high morbidity and mortality, and glia-mediated inflammation is a major contributor to neurological deficits. However, there is currently no proven effective treatment for clinical ICH. Recently, low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS), a non-invasive method, has shown potential for neuroprotection in neurodegenerative diseases. This study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects and potential mechanisms of LIPUS on glia-mediated inflammation in ICH.

Methods

This study used 289 mice to investigate the effects of LIPUS on ICH. ICH was induced by injecting bacterial collagenase (type VII-S; 0.0375 U) into the striatum of the mice. LIPUS was applied noninvasively for 3 days, including a 2-h-delayed intervention to mimic clinical usage. The study evaluated neurological function, histology, brain water content, hemoglobin content, MRI, and protein expression of neurotrophic factors, inflammatory molecules, and apoptosis. In vitro studies investigated glia-mediated inflammation by adding thrombin (10 U/mL) or conditioned media to primary and cell line cultures. The PI3K inhibitor LY294002 was used to confirm the effects of PI3K/Akt signaling after LIPUS treatment.

Results

LIPUS treatment improved neurological deficits and reduced tissue loss, edema, and neurodegeneration after ICH. The protective effects of LIPUS resulted from decreased glia-mediated inflammation by inhibiting PI3K/Akt-NF-κB signaling, which reduced cytokine expression and attenuated microglial activation-induced neuronal damage in vitro.

Conclusions

LIPUS treatment improved neurological outcomes and reduced glia-mediated inflammation by inhibiting PI3K/Akt-NF-κB signaling after ICH. LIPUS may provide a non-invasive potential management strategy for ICH.
An arrhythmogenic metabolite in atrial fibrillation
Authors: Krause Julia , Nickel Alexander , Madsen Alexandra , Aitken-Buck Hamish M. , Stoter A. M. Stella , Schrapers Jessica , Ojeda Francisco , Geiger Kira , Kern Melanie , Kohlhaas Michael , Bertero Edoardo , Hofmockel Patrick , Hübner Florian , Assum Ines , Heinig Matthias , Müller Christian , Hansen Arne , Krause Tobias , Park Deung-Dae , Just Steffen , Aïssi Dylan , Börnigen Daniela , Lindner Diana , Friedrich Nele , Alhussini Khaled , Bening Constanze , Schnabel Renate B. , Karakas Mahir , Iacoviello Licia , Salomaa Veikko , Linneberg Allan , Tunstall-Pedoe Hugh , Kuulasmaa Kari , Kirchhof Paulus , Blankenberg Stefan , Christ Torsten , Eschenhagen Thomas , Lamberts Regis R. , Maack Christoph , Stenzig Justus , Zeller Tanja
Published: August 2023

Background

Long-chain acyl-carnitines (ACs) are potential arrhythmogenic metabolites. Their role in atrial fibrillation (AF) remains incompletely understood. Using a systems medicine approach, we assessed the contribution of C18:1AC to AF by analysing its in vitro effects on cardiac electrophysiology and metabolism, and translated our findings into the human setting.

Methods and results

Human iPSC-derived engineered heart tissue was exposed to C18:1AC. A biphasic effect on contractile force was observed: short exposure enhanced contractile force, but elicited spontaneous contractions and impaired Ca2+ handling. Continuous exposure provoked an impairment of contractile force. In human atrial mitochondria from AF individuals, C18:1AC inhibited respiration. In a population-based cohort as well as a cohort of patients, high C18:1AC serum concentrations were associated with the incidence and prevalence of AF.

Conclusion

Our data provide evidence for an arrhythmogenic potential of the metabolite C18:1AC. The metabolite interferes with mitochondrial metabolism, thereby contributing to contractile dysfunction and shows predictive potential as novel circulating biomarker for risk of AF.
Comprehensive analyses of partially methylated domains and differentially methylated regions in esophageal cancer reveal both cell-type- and cancer-specific epigenetic regulation
Authors: Zheng Yueyuan , Ziman Benjamin , Ho Allen S. , Sinha Uttam K. , Xu Li-Yan , Li En-Min , Koeffler H Phillip , Berman Benjamin P. , Lin De-Chen
Published: August 2023

Background

As one of the most common malignancies, esophageal cancer has two subtypes, squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma, arising from distinct cells-of-origin. Distinguishing cell-type-specific molecular features from cancer-specific characteristics is challenging.

Results

We analyze whole-genome bisulfite sequencing data on 45 esophageal tumor and nonmalignant samples from both subtypes. We develop a novel sequence-aware method to identify large partially methylated domains (PMDs), revealing profound heterogeneity at both methylation level and genomic distribution of PMDs across tumor samples. We identify subtype-specific PMDs that are associated with repressive transcription, chromatin B compartments and high somatic mutation rate. While genomic locations of these PMDs are pre-established in normal cells, the degree of loss is significantly higher in tumors. We find that cell-type-specific deposition of H3K36me2 may underlie genomic distribution of PMDs. At a smaller genomic scale, both cell-type- and cancer-specific differentially methylated regions (DMRs) are identified for each subtype. Using binding motif analysis within these DMRs, we show that a cell-type-specific transcription factor HNF4A maintains the binding sites that it generates in normal cells, while establishing new binding sites cooperatively with novel partners such as FOSL1 in esophageal adenocarcinoma. Finally, leveraging pan-tissue single-cell and pan-cancer epigenomic datasets, we demonstrate that a substantial fraction of cell-type-specific PMDs and DMRs identified here in esophageal cancer are actually markers that co-occur in other cancers originating from related cell types.

Conclusions

These findings advance our understanding of DNA methylation dynamics at various genomic scales in normal and malignant states, providing novel mechanistic insights into cell-type- and cancer-specific epigenetic regulations.
Development and validation of an effective and sensitive technique for nitrate determination in fruits and vegetables using HPLC/PDA
Authors: Uddin Rayhan , Islam G. M. Rabiul , Uddin Mohammad Zia , Thakur Mostak Uddin
Published: August 2023

This study aims to develop an effective and sensitive HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) method to determine the nitrate concentration in fruits and vegetables (F & V) using a C18 column (ZORBAX Eclipse XDB-C18, 80Å, 250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm (Agilent Technologies)) maintained at 40 0 C, a mobile phase made up of methanol and buffer (pentane sulfonic acid sodium salt solution), and a Photo Diode Array Detector (PDA) at 225 nm. The developed method is validated in terms of selectivity, linearity, accuracy, precision, suitability, the limit of detection (LOD), and the limit of quantification (LOQ) according to the European Union Decision 2002/657/EC. The result revealed that a ratio of 30: 70 of the organic modifier methanol and buffer with pH 2.8 shows the highest efficiency. The calibration curve shows linearity with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.9985. The LOD and LOQ were found to be 2.26 mg/kg and 7.46 mg/kg. The recovery was in the range of 98.96–100.21%. Moreover, the greenness assessment scores of different approaches (eco-scale score of 76, AGREE score of 0.71, and few red shades in GAPI portray) were at a very excellent level. Thus, our developed method is fully validated and can determine the nitrate content in F & V.
CRISPR/dCAS9-mediated DNA demethylation screen identifies functional epigenetic determinants of colorectal cancer
Authors: Tejedor Juan Ramón , Peñarroya Alfonso , Gancedo-Verdejo Javier , Santamarina-Ojeda Pablo , Pérez Raúl F. , López-Tamargo Sara , Díez-Borge Ana , Alba-Linares Juan J. , González-del-Rey Nerea , Urdinguio Rocío G. , Mangas Cristina , Roberti Annalisa , López Virginia , Morales-Ruiz Teresa , Ariza Rafael R. , Roldán-Arjona Teresa , Meijón Mónica , Valledor Luis , Cañal María Jesús , Fernández-Martínez Daniel , Fernández-Hevia María , Jiménez-Fonseca Paula , García-Flórez Luis J. , Fernández Agustín F. , Fraga Mario F.
Published: August 2023

Background

Promoter hypermethylation of tumour suppressor genes is frequently observed during the malignant transformation of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, whether this epigenetic mechanism is functional in cancer or is a mere consequence of the carcinogenic process remains to be elucidated.

Results

In this work, we performed an integrative multi-omic approach to identify gene candidates with strong correlations between DNA methylation and gene expression in human CRC samples and a set of 8 colon cancer cell lines. As a proof of concept, we combined recent CRISPR-Cas9 epigenome editing tools (dCas9-TET1, dCas9-TET-IM) with a customized arrayed gRNA library to modulate the DNA methylation status of 56 promoters previously linked with strong epigenetic repression in CRC, and we monitored the potential functional consequences of this DNA methylation loss by means of a high-content cell proliferation screen. Overall, the epigenetic modulation of most of these DNA methylated regions had a mild impact on the reactivation of gene expression and on the viability of cancer cells. Interestingly, we found that epigenetic reactivation of RSPO2 in the tumour context was associated with a significant impairment in cell proliferation in p53−/− cancer cell lines, and further validation with human samples demonstrated that the epigenetic silencing of RSPO2 is a mid-late event in the adenoma to carcinoma sequence.

Conclusions

These results highlight the potential role of DNA methylation as a driver mechanism of CRC and paves the way for the identification of novel therapeutic windows based on the epigenetic reactivation of certain tumour suppressor genes.
The relationship between stigma and psychological distress among people with diabetes: a meta-analysis
Authors: Guo Xiajun , Wu Sijia , Tang Haishan , Li Yuanyuan , Dong Wanglin , Lu Guangli , Liang Shuang , Chen Chaoran
Published: August 2023

Background & aims

Diabetes may perceive or experience varying degrees of stigma and psychological distress. The association between diabetes-related stigma and psychological distress has been examined in many studies, but no research has used a quantitative synthesis method to investigate the severity of this association and the moderators of the relationship. Thus, we conducted a meta-analysis to quantitatively integrate previous findings to identify the magnitude of the association between stigma and psychological distress among people with diabetes.

Review methods

Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines, we systematically searched four English academic databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and PsycINFO) and three Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure [CNKI], WANFANG Data, China Science and Technology Journal Database [VIP]). The databases were searched from the inception of each database to the end of March 2023. The pooled correlation coefficient of the association between stigma and psychological distress among people with diabetes was calculated by a random effects model using Stata software (version 17.0), and several moderators that impacted this relationship were identified.

Results

Eligible studies (N = 19) with a total of 12,777 participants were analysed. The pooled correlation was high between diabetes-related stigma and psychological distress (r = 0.50, 95% CI: [0.43–0.57]). Moreover, the association was moderated by the diabetes stigma measurement tools and diabetes distress measurement tools used. However, the relationship was not moderated by type of diabetes, age, gender, geographical location, or type of stigma.

Conclusions

The results of the meta-analysis showed that stigma is strongly related to psychological distress among people with diabetes. Longitudinal or experimental research should be expanded in the future to further identify the causal pathways in the relationship between diabetes stigma and diabetes distress.
Recent progress of low-temperature plasma technology in biorefining process
Authors: Qin Lusha , Li Oi Lun
Published: August 2023

In recent years, low-temperature plasma-assisted processes, featuring high reaction efficiency and wide application scope, have emerged as a promising alternative to conventional methods for biomass valorization. It is well established that charged species, chemically energetic molecules and radicals, and highly active photons playing key roles during processing. This review presents the major applications of low-temperature plasma for biomass conversion in terms of (i) pretreatment of biomass, (ii) chemo fractionation of biomass into value-added chemicals, and (iii) synthesis of heterogeneous catalyst for further chemo-catalytic conversion. The pretreatment of biomass is the first and foremost step for biomass upgrading to facilitate raw biomass transformation, which reduces the crystallinity, purification, and delignification. The chemo-catalytic conversion of biomass involves primary reactions to various kinds of target products, such as hydrolysis, hydrogenation, retro-aldol condensation and so on. Finally, recent researches on plasma-assisted chemo-catalysis as well as heterogeneous catalysts fabricated via low-temperature plasma at relatively mild condition were introduced. These catalysts were reported with comparable performance for biomass conversion to other state-of-the-art catalysts prepared using conventional methods.

Graphical Abstract
Using experience-based co-design to develop mobile/tablet applications to support a person-centred and empowering stroke rehabilitation
Authors: Marwaa Mille Nabsen , Guidetti Susanne , Ytterberg Charlotte , Kristensen Hanne Kaae
Published: August 2023

Aim

To investigate and describe the process of using experience-based co-design (EBCD) to develop mobile/tablet applications to support a person-centred and empowering stroke rehabilitation.

Setting

Two cross-sectoral stroke rehabilitation settings in Denmark comprising six rehabilitation units.

Participants

Stroke survivors (n = 23), significant others (n = 18), occupational therapists (n = 12), physiotherapists (n = 9), representative of a patient organization (n = 1), application developers (n = 3) and researchers (n = 2).

Method

A structured, facilitated EBCD approach comprising six stages was used to co-design a service that aimed to address the priorities and needs of all relevant end-users. Data were collected by interviews, participant observations, notes on “flip sheets” and written feedback on the content in the apps and on the instruction pages. Data were analyzed descriptively and with a constructivist grounded theory analysis.

Results

The content in the application solutions “Mit Sygehus” and “Genoptræn.dk” were co-designed to support the needs identified by all end-users. Relevant evidence-based knowledge, person-centred exercises and guidelines using video recordings were the most important among the developed content in the applications to support person-centred and empowering stroke rehabilitation. Furthermore, easy, and seamless communication were considered important.

Conclusions

EBCD facilitated the development of content in the applications to support a person-centred and empowering stroke rehabilitation. Participants experienced that their contribution was considered important and valued.
Parental leave policies, work (re)entry, and second birth: Do differences between migrants and non-migrants in Germany increase?
Authors: Milewski Nadja , Brehm Uta
Published: August 2023

The paper investigates migrant–nonmigrant differentials over time among women in Germany after their first childbirth; we look at the transitions to paid work or to a second child. Our observation period covers almost 30 years, in which family policies changed substantially. Most notably, the year 2007 marked a shift in (West) Germany’s parental leave policy from a conservative family model to a policy directed toward fostering work and family reconciliation. Across these policy periods, we investigate whether population subgroups, i.e., first-generation migrants and migrant descendants, show different patterns in their transitions after the first childbirth compared to the non-migrant majority population. We use data of the German Socio-economic Panel Study (GSOEP). Our sample consists of 3555 mothers of one child, about 13% of whom are first-generation migrants and 16% are migrant descendants. We estimate event-history models: using competing risks analyses, we study transitions following the first birth, specifically, (re)entering work and having a second child. We find that the transition (back) to work increased significantly from one policy period to the next among non-migrants. Increases among migrants varied between the migrant generations, were smaller and occurred later. Hence, we find an increasing gap between first-generation migrants and non-migrants across policy periods, with migrant descendants in between. To some extent, the migrant–nonmigrant gap traces back to different compositional and institutional effects and varies across origin groups. By contrast, the transition rates to a second child decreased among non-migrants, but hardly varied across periods among migrants. Thus, our results demonstrate increasing differentials between societal groups in their work-family reconciliation behavior, to which the modern parental leave policies may have contributed. We discuss the implications of these results for researchers, society and policymakers.
Mental health around retirement: evidence of Ashenfelter’s dip
Authors: Vo Thang T. , Phu-Duyen Tran T.
Published: August 2023

Background

Mental health issues among retirees have become increasingly concerning because the aging population presents a significant challenge globally, particularly in Western countries. Previous studies on this issue are plagued with bias owing to lacking panel data and estimation strategies. This study investigated the depression levels of European adults around the time of retirement.

Methods

We used data obtained from Waves 1–7 of the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) to create panel data covering the 2004–2017 period. Wave 3 (SHARELIFE) was excluded from the sample because it provided mismatched information. Fixed-effects (FE) and fixed-effects instrumental variables (FE-IV) models with multiple imputations were employed to examine the impacts of retirement on mental health before and after retirement, where being over pension age (normal and early) was used as the instrument variable.

Results

Our results indicated that retirement based on aspirational motivations (β =  − 0.115, p < 0.001) and positive circumstances (β =  − 0.038, p < 0.001) significantly reduced depression, whereas retiring under negative circumstances could deteriorate one’s mental health (β = 0.087, p < 0.001). FE and FE-IV models indicated that overall, retiring reduced retirees’ depression (β =  − 0.096, p < 0.001 and β =  − 0.261, p < 0.001, respectively). The results of FE-IV models showed that adults planning to retire in the next two years experienced less depression compared with others in the workforce (λ =  − 0.313, p < 0.01). These adults must have adjusted their lifestyles in response to their impending retirement, thereby evincing Ashenfelter’s dip. Two years after retirement, when the “honeymoon” phase was over, retirees may have completely adapted to their new lives and the effect of retirement was no longer important.

Conclusions

Retirement improves mental health before it happens, but not after. Increasing the pension eligibility age may postpone the beneficial effects of retirement on health. However, policy implications should be tailored according to the unique situations of each country, job sector, and population. Providing flexible schemes regarding retirement timing decisions would be better than a generalized retirement policy.
Overnight response to levetiracetam in Lance–Adams syndrome presenting 3 years after cardiac arrest
Authors: AbdelRazek Mahmoud A. , Marey Ahmed , Taha Ahmed , Morin Scott J. , Brodski Alexander , Mollashahi Roohallah S.
Published: August 2023

Background

Lance–Adams syndrome (LAS), also known as chronic post-hypoxic myoclonus manifests as myoclonic movements of the face, limbs, or trunk following hypoxic brain injury, which may occur during respiratory failure or cardiac arrest.

Case presentation

We present a case and provide a video of a patient who developed LAS 3 years after experiencing cardiac arrest, presenting with action-induced generalized myoclonus upon standing. The patient exhibited a significant response to levetiracetam. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of LAS with such a delayed onset following the initial hypoxic event.

Conclusion

It is crucial for clinicians to be aware of this treatable condition and recognize that its onset may be delayed, occurring years after a hypoxic brain insult. This improved understanding will facilitate prompt diagnosis and effective management of LAS, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes.
Does post-acute COVID-19 syndrome women's sex problems link to psychiatry after 6 months?
Authors: Shehata Rofaida Refaat , Ahmed Gellan K. , Hussien Aliae A. R. Mohamed , Mahmoud Manal A.
Published: August 2023

Background

Few data about women's sexuality practices post-acute COVID-19 syndrome are available. Many women who have had the disease experience sexual dysfunction; hence, the adverse effect of COVID-19 on sexual function has generated interest. We aimed to clarify the impact of COVID-19 on female sexual function 6 months after the illness and possible risk factors and to evaluate the relationship between psychiatric problems and female sexual dysfunction 6 months after COVID-19. Sixty-two patients were enrolled in this cross-sectional study and assigned according to female sexual function index scores to two groups: those with and without sexual dysfunction. For all participants, we documented socioeconomic status, sexual history, symptoms of COVID-19, vaccination data, and Symptom Checklist 90.

Results

Sexual dysfunction was 58% of all participants after 6 months COVID-19. Sexual frequency and sexual problems except pain were decreased in both groups with more affection in sexual dysfunction women. Sexually dysfunctional women were more likely to obtain oxygen therapy during COVID-19, received AstraZeneca, had post-vaccination myalgia and headache, and recurring COVID-19 after vaccination. No significant SCL-90 subscale differences. Sexual dysfunction was associated with renal illness, fatigue, COVID-19-related oxygen therapy, post-vaccination myalgia, and headache.

Conclusions

After 6 months COVID-19, there was a decline in the frequency of sexual intercourse and scores on all FST subscales in both groups except pain, with more affection in sexual dysfunction women. No statistical difference in psychiatric problems between both groups. Sexual dysfunction was associated with renal illness, COVID-19-related oxygen therapy and fatigue, post-COVID-19-vaccination myalgia, and headache.
Sisterhood Is X: On Feminist Solidarity Then and Now
Authors: Mitra Durba
Published: August 2023

In the 1970s and 1980s, sisterhood became a critical concept in the making of internationalist feminisms built on an infrastructure of women's movements, international organizations, and postcolonial states. Perhaps most famously, radical feminist Robin Morgan declared over three anthologies and three decades that sisterhood is, in the present tense, powerful (1970), global (1984), and forever (2003). It was envisioned differently by women of color and Third World feminists who saw sisterhood as a critical praxis of survival in the face of authoritarianism. Today, the moral invocation of sisterhood as powerful and forever is far less viable. So, is sisterhood all bad for twenty-first-century feminisms? In this essay, I return to bell hooks's formulations of sisterhood as a pedagogy of political solidarity to ask, what kind of solidarity is possible under the rubric of sisterhood and how might we imagine a global feminist politics of solidarity today?
Computational Approach for Molecular Design of Small Organic Molecules with High Hole Mobilities in Amorphous Phase Using Random Forest Technique and Computer Simulation Method
Authors: Nakaguro Keijin , Mitsuta Yuki , Koseki Shiro , Oshiyama Tomohiro , Asada Toshio
Published: August 2023

A molecular design system of small organic molecules was developed to realize high hole mobility in the amorphous phase by using the random forest (RF) technique and a computer simulation method. Since there was no accessible datasets of the hole mobilities in the amorphous phase, we have constructed a datasets of experimental hole mobilities for 321 organic molecules with calculated MO energies to utilize machine learning techniques for molecular design procedures. RF was applied to the machine learning technique using the constructed datasets. The optimized RF exhibited correlation coefficients of 0.885 and 0.764 for the training and testing datasets, respectively. The modified ChemTS to use optimized RF was adapted to design molecules with high hole mobilities. The successive conduction (SC) model that uses ab initio molecular orbital (MO) calculations and the Marcus theory was adapted to ensure the predicted mobilities. The generated molecules were verified to have high calculated hole mobility (the order of 10−2 cm2/Vs) owing to the highest transfer integral and lowest reorganization energy by the theoretical successive conduction (SC) model. The datasets and programs used in this work were publicly released on GitHub.
Dexco: como manter a liderança de um setor em transformação
Authors: Sarfati Gilberto , Damaso Maruichi Renato
Published: August 2023

A Dexco é uma companhia de 70 anos, líder do setor de materiais de construção e decoração. Após um processo de transformação cultural, definição do seu propósito e reestruturação do seu core business (unidades de negócio), que culminou com a mudança do nome corporativo de Duratex para Dexco, a empresa inicia um novo ciclo de crescimento orientada ao consumidor final. O CEO da Dexco, Antonio Joaquim, deve apresentar um audacioso planejamento estratégico de longo prazo para o Conselho de Administração, que reforce sua posição de liderança e avance na cadeia de valor. A grande questão está em como fazer isso.
Editorial Board
Authors: Admin JOSCM
Published: August 2023

Editorial Board, JOSCM v. 2, n. 2, 2009
Editorial Board
Authors: Admin JOSCM
Published: August 2023

Editorial Board, JOSCM v. 3, n. 1, 2010
Editorial Board
Authors: Admin JOSCM
Published: August 2023

Editorial Board, JOSCM v. 3, n. 2, 2010
Editorial Board
Authors: Admin JOSCM
Published: August 2023

Editorial Board, JOSCM v. 6, n. 1, 2013
Editorial Board
Authors: Admin JOSCM
Published: August 2023

Editorial Board, JOSCM v. 8, n. 1, 2015
The implementation of the transformative learning method through aesthetic experience at greek public vocational training institutes
Authors: Καβαλλάρη Ισμήνη
Published: August 2023

Ο σκοπός της παρούσας διατριβής είναι να διερευνηθεί η εφαρμογή της μεθόδου της Μετασχηματίζουσας Μάθησης μέσω της Αισθητικής Εμπειρίας (ΜΜΑΕ) στα Ελληνικά Δημόσια Ινστιτούτα Επαγγελματικής Κατάρτισης (ΔΙΕΚ). Οι στόχοι είναι: α) να εξεταστεί εάν οι Εκπαιδευτές των ΔΙΕΚ γνωρίζουν τη μέθοδο ΜΜΑΕ και τον τρόπο που εφαρμόζεται, β) να καθοριστούν τα οφέλη από την εφαρμογή της μεθόδου ΜΜΑΕ, γ) να αναδειχθούν τα εμπόδια και οι δυσκολίες που προκύπτουν από την εφαρμογή της μεθόδου ΜΜΑΕ, δ) να καταγραφούν τα αποτελέσματα που προκύπτουν από την εφαρμογή της μεθόδου ΜΜΑΕ και ε) να καταγραφούν οι προτάσεις για βελτίωση που έχουν διατυπωθεί από τους Εκπαιδευτές των ΔΙΕΚ σχετικά με την εφαρμογή της μεθόδου ΜΜΑΕ. Πραγματοποιήθηκε ποιοτική έρευνα με τη συμμετοχή είκοσι έμπειρων εκπαιδευτών ΔΙΕΚ και είκοσι εκπαιδευομένων ΔΙΕΚ προκειμένου να υλοποιηθούν οι παραπάνω στόχοι. Δημιουργήθηκαν άξονες θεμάτων για μια βαθιά ποιοτική ανάλυση των δεδομένων, που σχετίζονται με τη γνώση των εκπαιδευτών ΔΙΕΚ για τη μέθοδο ΜΜΑΕ, τα οφέλη της χρήσης της μεθόδου ΜΜΑΕ στη διαδικασία της διδασκαλίας, τα εμπόδια και τις δυσκολίες στη χρήση της μεθόδου ΜΜΑΕ, τα αποτελέσματα της χρήσης της μεθόδου ΜΜΑΕ και τις προτάσεις των εκπαιδευτών ΔΙΕΚ για βελτίωση. Η έρευνα έδειξε ότι οι εκπαιδευτές ΔΙΕΚ θεωρούν ότι η εκπαίδευση μέσω της τέχνης συνεισφέρει αναμφισβήτητα στην ενεργό συμμετοχή των εκπαιδευομένων, ενεργοποιεί τη φαντασία τους και τον κριτικό στοχασμό τους και βοηθά στην αλλαγή των εδραιωμένων αντιλήψεων, στάσεων και συμπεριφορών τους. Ο ουσιαστικός μετασχηματισμός δεν είναι απλή υπόθεση και απαιτεί χρόνο. Οι εκπαιδευόμενοι είναι συνηθισμένοι στο παραδοσιακό μοντέλο διδασκαλίας που επικεντρώνεται στο δάσκαλο και συνήθως εκπλήσσονται ευχάριστα. Θα ήταν σκόπιμο ο εκπαιδευτής να προετοιμάσει εκ των προτέρων τους εκπαιδευομένους ότι η ΜΜΑΕ είναι μια διαδικασία μάθησης και όχι ένα παιχνίδι. Σημαντικός μετασχηματισμός είναι δύσκολο να επιτευχθεί, ωστόσο καλλιεργούνται στάσεις και δεξιότητες που συμβάλλουν στη βελτίωση της κοινωνικής συμπεριφοράς των εκπαιδευομένων. Δεν είναι απαραίτητο οι εκπαιδευτές να είναι ειδήμονες στην τέχνη, αλλά είναι απαραίτητο να είναι κατάλληλα επιμορφωμένοι και καλά προετοιμασμένοι, διότι διαφορετικά η μέθοδος ΜΜΑΕ κινδυνεύει να αποτύχει. Οι υλικοτεχνικές υποδομές αποτελούν ένα σοβαρό, αλλά όχι ανυπέρβλητο εμπόδιο και η κατανομή διδακτικών ωρών στο ωρολόγιο πρόγραμμα θα πρέπει να διευκολύνει την όποια προσπάθεια. Η επιμόρφωση των εκπαιδευτών θα πρέπει να είναι ουσιαστική και συμμετοχική, θα πρέπει να λαμβάνει χώρα σε τακτικά διαστήματα και θα ήταν ωφέλιμο να δημιουργηθεί ένας Οδηγός Εφαρμογής για τη μέθοδο ΜΜΑΕ που θα μπορεί να εμπλουτίζεται με τις υπάρχουσες εμπειρίες των εκπαιδευτών ΔΙΕΚ και να λειτουργεί ως συμβουλευτικό εργαλείο για όλους τους εκπαιδευτές που επιθυμούν να εντάξουν τη μέθοδο ΜΜΑΕ στα εκπαιδευτικά τους προγράμματα.
A protocol for a systematic review of standardised tools used in perinatal death review programmes
Authors: O'Connor Emily , Greene Richard , O'Donoghue Keelin , Leitao Sara
Published: August 2023

Introduction: Perinatal mortality encompasses stillbirths and early neonatal deaths. A perinatal death surveillance and response cycle has been recommended by the World Health Organization for use in the review of perinatal deaths. The main components of the cycle include identifying and reporting perinatal deaths, and reviewing the deaths, including potentially modifiable factors, in order to measure and improve quality of care provided to women and infants. There is no consensus on the best way to design, implement and conduct perinatal death reviews. This systematic review aims to identify standardised tools that are used to review perinatal deaths. 

Objectives: The primary aim of this protocol is to describe methodology for a systematic search of the literature to identify standardised tools that are used to review perinatal deaths in upper-middle to high-income countries. Review tools may include standardised checklists, forms, frameworks or other structured documents used to review perinatal deaths. Review tools will be appraised to see if they incorporate the identification of modifiable factors in perinatal deaths and establish recommendations for improvements to quality of care provided.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature will be performed to identify peer-reviewed publications and grey literature describing the use of perinatal mortality review tools without date restrictions. The eligibility of review tools for inclusion will be based on inclusion and exclusion criteria applied to the SPIDER framework. Data will be extracted based on the structure and content of included review tools, and the tools will be appraised using the Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation Health Systems (AGREE-HS) instrument.

Conclusion: This systematic review protocol for identifying and appraising standardised perinatal mortality review tools may help to establish the optimal way to structure a standardised review process for perinatal mortality in middle- to high-income countries.

PROSPERO registration: CRD42022326877
The genome sequence of the micro grey sedge, Agapetus fuscipes (Curtis, 1834)
Authors: Jones Tim , McSwan Emma , Wallace Ian , Price Benjamin W. ,   Natural History Museum Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: August 2023

We present a genome assembly from an individual Agapetus fuscipes (the micro grey sedge; Arthropoda; Insecta; Trichoptera; Glossosomatidae). The genome sequence is 618.3 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 33 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the Z sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 22.35 kilobases in length.
Pacientų įtraukties instrumentai sveikatos priežiūros paslaugų kokybei gerinti: Monografija
Authors: Jankauskienė Danguolė , Mockevičienė Birutė , Servetkienė Vaida , Jankauskienė Augustina , Ažukaitis Karolis , Trinkūnas Justas , Puronaitė Roma , Vaitkevičienė Goda Elizabeta , Černovas Andrejus
Published: August 2023

The success of health policy and the healthcare sector is increasingly measured in terms of the dynamics and changes in public trust in the healthcare system, the quality of services provided by healthcare facilities matching people’s expectations, and the fulfilment of patient needs. In order to ensure the required efficiency of public services and to provide better-quality and more accessible healthcare services that match the expectations of the population, it is necessary that the recipients of these services (patients) themselves are actively engaged in improvement processes. Therefore, increasing importance and value is placed on the engagement of the patient in the process of improving healthcare services as an active and informed participant of the healthcare system.
Automation of Strategic Data Prioritization in System Model Calibration: Sensor Placement
Authors: Li Tianyi , Dahleh Munther A.
Published: August 2023

Model calibration is challenging for large-scale system models with a great number of variables. Existing approaches to partitioning system models and prioritizing data acquisition rely on heuristics rather than formal treatments. The sensor placement problem in physical dynamic systems points to a promising avenue for formalizing data acquisition priorities, which addresses the following question for system models: With the model at hand and pre-existing data availability on a subset of model variables, what are the (next) k model variables that would bring the largest utility to model calibration, once their data are acquired? In this study, we formalize this problem as a combinatorial optimization and adapt two solutions, the information-entropy approach and the miss-probability approach, from physical dynamic systems to system models in management sciences. Next, based on the idea of the data availability partition, we develop a third solution. The new approach can be understood from the entropy perspective and is embedded in the theoretical framework for the evaluation of side information. Our solution applies to system models of all topologies: analytical results of the optimal placement are derived for binary/multinary trees; for general (directed) tree structures, an algorithm to determine the optimal placement is devised, whose complexity is upper-bounded by [Formula: see text] for an n-variable system; for arbitrary model topologies with the presence of loops, sequential-optimal and simulated-annealing schemes are formulated. Three approaches are compared on a validating example; our solution outperforms the two alternatives. Application on a multicompartment system demonstrates the toolkit’s practical use.

History: Accepted by Pascal Van Hentenryck, Area Editor for Computational Modeling: Methods & Analysis.

Supplemental Material: The software that supports the findings of this study is available within the paper and its Supplemental Information ( https://pubsonline.informs.org/doi/suppl/10.1287/ijoc.2022.0128 ) as well as from the IJOC GitHub software repository ( https://github.com/INFORMSJoC/2022.0128 ). The complete IJOC Software and Data Repository is available at https://informsjoc.github.io/ .