bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serum leucine-rich alpha-2 glycoprotein levels in rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritis: A promising biomarker
Authors: Siregar Rizqi Arini , Wibowo Suryo Anggoro Kusumo , . Sumariyono , Rizka Aulia , Hidayat Rudy , Shatri Hamzah , Koesnoe Sukamto , Irawan Cosphiadi
Published: December 2022

Background: In the early stages of the disease, some of the signs and symptoms of joint inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may resemble that of spondyloarthritis (SpA). An examination that can help distinguish RA and SpA is warranted. One such examination is the measurement of serum leucine-rich alpha-2 glycoprotein (LRG) levels. This study aimed to measure serum LRG levels in RA and SpA patients and determine the role of LRG in the diagnosis of RA and SpA.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study consisting of 26 RA subjects and 26 SpA subjects. The SpA subjects were further grouped into ankylosing spondylitis (AS), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and peripheral SpA. Measurement of serum LRG levels were conducted using ELISA. Difference between LRG levels of the two groups were compared using the Mann-Whitney test.

Results: LRG levels were elevated in 76.9% and 84.6% of subjects with RA and SpA, respectively. The median LRG levels were higher in RA subjects (77.03 (27.16–107.73)) than SpA (68.67 (33.15–115.18)). There was no significant difference in LRG levels in RA and SpA subjects (p = .442). The RA and PsA group were predominated by diseases of moderate activity, 88.5% and 58.3%, respectively. In comparison, AS was dominated by high disease activity (85.7%). The highest median LRG levels in AR and SpA subjects were in new-onset patients (82.21 vs. 72.25 µg/dL).

Conclusions: There was no significant difference in LRG levels between RA and SpA subjects. The role of LRG in the diagnosis of RA and SpA remains to be determined in future studies.
Targeted amplicon deep sequencing of ama1 and mdr1 to track within-host P. falciparum diversity throughout treatment in a clinical drug trial
Authors: Wamae Kevin , Ndwiga Leonard , Kharabora Oksana , Kimenyi Kelvin , Osoti Victor , de Laurent Zaydah , Wambua Juliana , Musyoki Jennifer , Ngetsa Caroline , Kalume Peter , Mwambingu Gabriel , Hamaluba Mainga , van der Pluijm Rob , Dondorp Arjen M. , Bailey Jeffrey , Juliano Jonathan , Bejon Philip , Ochola-Oyier Lynette
Published: December 2022

Introduction: Antimalarial therapeutic efficacy studies are routinely conducted in malaria-endemic countries to assess the effectiveness of antimalarial treatment strategies. Targeted amplicon sequencing (AmpSeq) uniquely identifies and quantifies genetically distinct parasites within an infection. In this study, AmpSeq of Plasmodium falciparum apical membrane antigen 1 (ama1), and multidrug resistance gene 1 (mdr1), were used to characterise the complexity of infection (COI) and drug-resistance genotypes, respectively.

Methods: P. falciparum-positive samples were obtained from a triple artemisinin combination therapy clinical trial conducted in 30 children under 13 years of age between 2018 and 2019 in Kilifi, Kenya. Nine of the 30 participants presented with recurrent parasitemia from day 26 (624h) onwards. The ama1 and mdr1 genes were amplified and sequenced, while msp1, msp2 and glurp data were obtained from the original clinical study.

Results: The COI was comparable between ama1 and msp1, msp2 and glurp; overall, ama1 detected more microhaplotypes. Based on ama1, a stable number of microhaplotypes were detected throughout treatment until day 3. Additionally, a recrudescent infection was identified with an ama1 microhaplotype initially observed at 30h and later in an unscheduled follow-up visit. Using the relative frequencies of ama1 microhaplotypes and parasitemia, we identified a fast (<1h) and slow (>5h) clearing microhaplotype. As expected, only two mdr1 microhaplotypes (NF and NY) were identified based on the combination of amino acid polymorphisms at codons 86 and 184.

Conclusions: This study highlights AmpSeq as a tool for highly-resolution tracking of parasite microhaplotypes throughout treatment and can detect variation in microhaplotype clearance estimates. AmpSeq can also identify slow-clearing microhaplotypes, a potential early sign of selection during treatment. Consequently, AmpSeq has the capability of improving the discriminatory power to distinguish recrudescences from reinfections accurately.
Immediate surgical treatment for massive extravasation of computed tomography contrast medium in the hand: a case report
Authors: Yoo Byung Woo , Oh Kap Sung , Kim Junekyu , Kim Kyu Nam , Shin Hyun Woo
Published: December 2022

There are no treatment guidelines for the extravasation of contrast medium. A 71-year-old man underwent coronary artery computed tomography. When contrast medium (iohexol) was injected through the right cephalic vein, massive leakage into the surrounding tissues occurred. A physical examination showed severe swelling of the hand and a prolonged capillary refill time. X-rays showed a massive accumulation of contrast medium in the hand. We immediately performed surgical treatment, including four skin incisions on the hand, subcutaneous dissection, and squeezing, which led to the removal of 50 mL of liquid. The immediate postoperative radiographic findings showed dramatic fading of most of the contrast medium. Four days postoperatively, radiography showed complete dissolution of all contrast medium, and a physical examination revealed full recovery of skin color and capillary refill time. We successfully managed massive extravasation of contrast medium in the hand with immediate surgical treatment. An immediate surgical approach for massive extravasation should be considered to achieve favorable outcomes.
A Theory of Liquidity in Private Equity
Authors: Maurin Vincent , Robinson David T. , Strömberg Per
Published: December 2022

We develop a model of private equity capturing two fundamental features of this market: the fund structure and illiquidity. A fund structure with sequential capital calls arises as an optimal solution to fund managers’ (GPs) moral hazard problem but exposes investors (LPs) to illiquidity risk. Funds with more illiquidity-tolerant LPs realize higher returns, leading to different expected returns across both funds and LPs in equilibrium. GPs may inefficiently accelerate drawdowns to avoid default by LPs on capital commitments. With a secondary market for LP claims, differences in fund returns are attenuated but differences in LP returns remain. The model can rationalize several empirical findings on primary and secondary private equity markets.

This paper was accepted by Bruno Biais, finance.

Funding: V. Maurin thanks the Swedish House of Finance for financial support. P. Strömberg thanks the NASDAQ Nordic Foundation, Söderberg Professorship in Economics, and Swedish House of Finance for financial support. D. Robinson thanks the Bertil Danielsson Professorship and Erling Persson Professorship for financial support.

Supplemental Material: The online appendices are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.4612 .
Penentuan Dana Keistimewaan Yogyakarta antara Pemerintah Pusat dengan Pemerintah Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta Menurut Undang-Undang Nomor 13 Tahun 2012
Authors: Kholik Nur
Published: December 2022

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui hubungan antara Pemerintah Pusat dengan Pemerintah Daerah Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta dalam menentukan dana keistimewaan dan untuk mengetahui pengelolaan dana keistimewaan yang telah turun dari Pemerintah Pusat ke Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta menurut Undang-Undang Nomor 13 Tahun 2012. Data yang diperoleh dalam penelitian ini dianalisis dengan menggunakan metode kualitatif, dengan pendekatan masalah secara yuridis normatif yang dimaksudkan untuk memperoleh gambaran yang jelas dan cermat tentang hubungan antara Pemerintah Pusat dengan Pemerintah Daerah Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta dalam menentukan dana keistimewaan dan untuk mengetahui pengelolaan dana keistimewaan yang telah turun dari Pemerintah Pusat ke Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta menurut Undang-Undang Nomor 13 Tahun 2012. Hubungan Pemerintah Pusat dengan Pemerintah Daerah DIY adalah hubungan disentralisasi asimetris, artinya pemerintah pusat memberikan kebebasan kepada DIY untuk menentukan letak otonomi, format pemerintahan atau hal-hal yang lain dalam manajemen pemerintahannya yang disesuaikan dengan kebutuhan Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta. Dalam hal penentuan Dana Keistimewaan berdasarkan UU. No.13 Tahun 2012 ditentukan bahwa pemerintah menyediakan pendanaan dalam rangka penyelenggaraan urusan Keistimewaan DIY, dana keistimewaan tersebut dibahas dan ditetapkan oleh Pemerintah berdasarkan pengajuan Pemerintah Daerah DIY. Dana Keistimewaan yang diperuntukkan bagi dan dikelola oleh Pemerintah Daerah DIY yang pengalokasian dan penyalurannya melalui mekanisme transfer ke daerah. Pengelolaan Dana Keistimewaan DIY tersebut dialokasikan pemerintah pusat untuk mendanai kewenangan keistimewaan DIY sesuai UUK Nomor 13 tahun 2012 tentang Keistimewaan DIY. Dana keistimewaan yang telah terlaksana lima tahun masih terdapat permasalahan seperti pada pencairan anggarannya, program dan kegiatan yang belum menyentuh masyarakat dan lain-lainnya.
A crítica de Eugen Fink à fenomenologia de Husserl e sua reproposição a partir do conceito de experiência ontológica
Authors: Coli Anna Luiza
Published: December 2022

Partindo da consideração de duas obras “inexistentes” – uma perdida durante a Segunda Guerra, a outra nunca sistematicamente escrita –, o presente artigo tem a intenção de propor um fio condutor capaz de conectar a crítica que Fink dirige à fenomenologia husserliana e os desenvolvimentos posteriores de sua própria filosofia fenomenológica. A tese fundamental é a de que a obra de Fink posterior a 1946 tematiza e tenta responder às limitações da fenomenologia husserliana que ele identificara desde os primeiros escritos e o trabalho conjunto com Husserl. Materiais inéditos revelam o empenho de Fink (até por volta de 1940, quando a situação da guerra impediu que ele continuasse a trabalhar) de formular uma crítica sistemática à fenomenologia, e nos permitem, assim, encontrar o elo textual até então desconhecido entre a crítica a Husserl e sua filosofia posterior. O objetivo do artigo é, portanto, argumentar que a obra tardia de Fink permaneceu comprometida com um projeto fenomenológico, muito embora partindo de uma nova concepção de fenomenologia.
EFEITOS INTERATIVOS DA REFORMULAÇÃO COMO FEEDBACK CORRETIVO NUMA SALA DE AULA DE PORTUGUÊS COMO LÍNGUA ESTRANGEIRA / Interactive effects of recast as corrective feedback in a classroom of Portuguese as a foreign language
Authors: LIU Jiayu
Published: December 2022

Estudos sobre o feedback corretivo (FC) nas aulas de língua têm sido desenvolvidos consideravelmente nas últimas décadas. Usando principalmente a abordagem quantitativa, muitos destes estudos calcularam a proporção de reações verbais suscitadas por diferentes tipos de FC para determinar a sua eficiência, sendo a reformulação considerada menos efetiva. Contudo, estes estudos raramente associam a sua eficiência ao contexto interativo em que surge o FC. Para preencher esta lacuna, o presente trabalho dedica-se a investigar os efeitos interativos da reformulação como FC do oral numa sala de aula de português como língua estrangeira no contexto de Macau. Orientada pela teoria de sociolinguística interacional (RIBEIRO; GARCEZ, 2002), que entende a língua como o lugar da construção do mundo e dos sujeitos, o objetivo principal desta investigação é descobrir como funciona a reformulação durante as interações professor-alunos e verificar se essa estratégia pedagógica é eficaz para facilitar o processo de ensino-aprendizagem por outras maneiras. As gravações audiovisuais são usadas para realizar uma pesquisa qualitativa sob o ponto de vista de microanálise etnográfica (ERICKSON, 1996). Os resultados apontam que embora a reformulação gere menos reação verbal por parte dos alunos, é efetiva em termos de manter a continuidade e abundância de interação do oral; e nesse sentido, a reação verbal discente não deve ser o único critério para avaliar a utilidade dos FCs.
VARIAÇÃO E PRECONCEITO LINGUÍSTICO: CURADORIA E ELABORAÇÃO DE MATERIAL DIDÁTICO PARA ENSINO DE LÍNGUA PORTUGUESA NO PROEJA / Language variation and prejudice: curatorship and development of didactic material for teaching Portuguese at PROEJA
Authors: Clesar Rosana Da Silva Sauner , Dos Santos Moara Zambonim Rossi , Pilati Carolina Maria Cardoso , Lebler Cristiane Dall' Cortivo
Published: December 2022

O Programa Nacional de Integração da Educação Profissional com a Educação Básica na Modalidade de Educação de Jovens e Adultos (PROEJA) visa oferecer, aos sujeitos que não concluíram a sua formação na educação básica regular, a oportunidade de realizá-la de forma integrada a um curso técnico. Trata-se, portanto, de um público e de um contexto de ensino com muitas particularidades se comparados ao público e ao contexto do ensino regulares. Tais especificidades requerem planejamento e elaboração de ações pedagógicas que tornem o ensino significativo para esses sujeitos. Assim, emoldurado por este cenário, este artigo objetiva discorrer sobre as práticas de curadoria de textos multimodais para a construção de material didático de ensino-aprendizagem de língua portuguesa para uma turma de 1º ano do Ensino Médio do PROEJA – Técnico em Cozinha como parte das atividades do estágio de docência do curso de Letras Português, da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Considerando o tema central das aulas - variação e preconceito linguístico – e a situação pedagógica em que a prática relatada aconteceu, buscou-se embasamento teórico em autores como Bagno (2015) Geraldi (2010), Rojo (2020), Freire (1981, 2011), Vygotsky (1984; 1991). Por se tratar de um relato de experiência, sua metodologia mescla elementos de caráter etnográfico e bibliográfico, com o intuito de refletir de forma crítica acerca da prática em tela. Os resultados reafirmam a importância de se considerar as especificidades dos sujeitos e o contexto de ensino-aprendizagem no planejamento didático-pedagógico, incluindo a metodologia adotada, os materiais didáticos utilizados e as formas de avaliação.
Alma Portugueza – “célula mater” do Integralismo Lusitano
Authors: Xavier Rodrigo
Published: December 2022

O presente texto tem por objetivo apresentar em linhas gerais Alma Portugueza (1913), periódico que teve pequena repercussão no contexto de produção do que denominamos primeiro momento do Modernismo português, mas que foi decisivo por revelar um núcleo substantivo de certa intelectualidade portuguesa comprometida com o ideário monárquico e católico em plena florescência da primeira República. Considerado oficialmente pelos seus colaboradores um órgão do Integralismo Lusitano, a revista publicada em apenas dois números, pode ser considerada o primeiro suporte oficial para divulgação das ideias integralistas em Portugal, uma espécie de protótipo de outras publicações mais celebradas, divulgadas e investigadas no meio acadêmico: Nação Portugueza(1913-1938) e o diário A Monarquia (1917-1925).
Infection control in the community: recap on policy and procedure
Authors: Palmer Sarah Jane
Published: December 2022

Infection control has long been the focus of the attention of anyone working in healthcare, due to the risks posed to patients and staff if appropriate infection control procedures are not followed properly. This article explores a recap of important infection control measures and also outlines the Government's policy for tackling antimicrobial resistance, and its link to infection control procedures. The article covers the key points of the recent publication from NHS England on the topic of infection control.
Tuning the aspect ratio of silver nanospheroids embedded in silica: erratum
Authors: Rodríguez-Iglesias V. , Peña-Rodríguez O. , Silva-Pereyra H. G. , Rodríguez-Fernández L. , Cheang-Wong J. C. , Crespo-Sosa A. , Reyes-Esqueda J. A. , Oliver A.
Published: December 2022

We present a corrigendum to our Letter [Opt. Lett. 35, 703 (2010)10.1364/OL.35.000703]. In the original Letter we inadvertently included in Fig. 2(a) a TEM micrograph corresponding to a different, but very similar, sample. This corrigendum replaces Fig. 2(a) with a correct version. Since the main results are rather based in optical absorption measurements, and their modeling by using the T-matrix method, this correction does not affect the results and conclusions of the original Letter.
Barriers and enablers to deprescribing in long-term care: A qualitative investigation into the opinions of healthcare professionals in Ireland
Authors: Heinrich Clara H. , McHugh Sheena , McCarthy Suzanne , Donovan Maria D.
Published: December 2022

Introduction

The prevalence of polypharmacy increases with age, increasing the exposure of older adults to potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs). Deprescribing has been shown to reduce PIMs for older residents in long-term care; however, deprescribing is not universally implemented. This study aims to identify the barriers and enablers to deprescribing in Irish long-term care facilities from the healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) perspective.

Methods

A qualitative descriptive approach was conducted using semi-structured interviews with HCPs working in long-term care (general practitioners, pharmacists and nurses). Purposive sampling with maximum variation was applied to select long-term care sites to identify HCPs, supplemented with convenience sampling of post-graduate HCPs from University College Cork. Data was thematically analysed and mapped to a framework of deprescribing barriers and enablers informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework.

Results

Twenty-six HCPs participated from 13 long-term care facilities. The main barriers and enablers identified mapped to five domains. Barriers included insufficient resources, lack of co-ordination between healthcare settings and negative social influences. Additional barriers exist in private settings including deprescribing awareness, commitment and the need for incentives. Deprescribing enablers included interprofessional support and patient social influence. To encourage deprescribing, potential enablers include HCP education, pharmacist role expansion and tailored deprescribing guidelines within a structured process.

Conclusion

Interventions to support deprescribing should build on existing systems, involve stakeholders and utilise guidelines within a structured process. Any intervention must account for the nuanced barriers and enablers which exist in both public and private settings.
Is there an ex-ante moral hazard on Indonesia’s health insurance? An impact analysis on household waste management behavior
Authors: Gitaharie Beta Yulianita , Nasrudin Rus’an , Bonita Ayu Putu Arantza , Putri Lovina Aisha Malika , Rohman Muhammad Abdul , Handayani Dwini
Published: December 2022

The presence of ex-ante moral hazard could undermine the potential gain from expanding health insurance coverage in developing nations. To test the proposition, this study utilizes a nationally representative longitudinal survey with Indonesia’s health insurance for poor policy in 2014 as the quasi-experimental case study. The country represents developing nations that undergo a massive and rapid expansion of health insurance coverage. The empirical approach combines a matching and difference-in-differences method to obviate potential bias of the selectivity nature of health insurance provision and time-invariant unobserved factors. The findings suggest the presence of ex-ante moral hazard in the form of the less people using trash cans associated with the introduction of the subsidized health insurance premium. The results add empirical findings of a negative side effect of expanding health insurance coverage in developing nations.
Inhibition of c-Rel expression in myeloid and lymphoid cells with distearoyl -phosphatidylserine (DSPS) liposomal nanoparticles encapsulating therapeutic siRNA
Authors: Bressy Christian , Zemani Ali , Goyal Shreya , Jishkariani Davit , Lee Chin Nien , Chen Youhai H.
Published: December 2022

c-Rel, a member of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) family, is preferentially expressed by immune cells and is known to regulate inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer. However, there is a lack of therapeutic intervention to specifically inhibit c-Rel in immune cells. Recent success with Pfizer and Moderna mRNA lipid-encapsulated vaccines as well as FDA approved medicines based on siRNA prompted us to test a lipid nanoparticle-based strategy to silence c-Rel in immune cells. Specifically, we encapsulated c-Rel-targeting siRNA into distearoyl-phosphatidylserine (DSPS)-containing nanoparticles. DSPS is a saturated phospholipid that serves as the “eat-me” signal for professional phagocytes such as macrophages and neutrophils of the immune system. We demonstrated here that incorporation of DSPS in liposome nanoparticles (LNP) improved their uptake by immune cells. LNP containing high concentrations of DSPS were highly effective to transfect not only macrophages and neutrophils, but also lymphocytes, with limited toxicity to cells. However, LNP containing low concentrations of DSPS were more effective to transfect myeloid cells than lymphoid cells. Importantly, DSPS-LNP loaded with a c-Rel siRNA were highly effective to inhibit c-Rel expression in several professional phagocytes tested, which lasted for several days. Taken together, our results suggest that DSPS-LNP armed with c-Rel siRNA could be exploited to target immune cells to limit the development of inflammatory diseases or cancer caused by c-Rel upregulation. In addition, this newly developed DSPS-LNP system may be further tested to encapsulate and deliver other small molecule drugs to immune cells, especially macrophages, neutrophils, and lymphocytes for the treatment of diseases.
Utility of adding Radiomics to clinical features in predicting the outcomes of radiotherapy for head and neck cancer using machine learning
Authors: Gangil Tarun , Sharan Krishna , Rao B. Dinesh , Palanisamy Krishnamoorthy , Chakrabarti Biswaroop , Kadavigere Rajagopal
Published: December 2022

Background

Radiomics involves the extraction of quantitative information from annotated Computed-Tomography (CT) images, and has been used to predict outcomes in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC). Subjecting combined Radiomics and Clinical features to Machine Learning (ML) could offer better predictions of clinical outcomes. This study is a comparative performance analysis of ML models with Clinical, Radiomics, and Clinico-Radiomic datasets for predicting four outcomes of HNSCC treated with Curative Radiation Therapy (RT): Distant Metastases, Locoregional Recurrence, New Primary, and Residual Disease.

Methodology

The study used retrospective data of 311 HNSCC patients treated with radiotherapy between 2013–2018 at our centre. Binary prediction models were developed for the four outcomes with Clinical-only, Clinico-Radiomic, and Radiomics-only datasets, using three different ML classification algorithms namely, Random Forest (RF), Kernel Support Vector Machine (KSVM), and XGBoost. The best-performing ML algorithms of the three dataset groups was then compared.

Results

The Clinico-Radiomic dataset using KSVM classifier provided the best prediction. Predicted mean testing accuracy for Distant Metastases, Locoregional Recurrence, New Primary, and Residual Disease was 97%, 72%, 99%, and 96%, respectively. The mean area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) was calculated and displayed for all the models using three dataset groups.

Conclusion

Clinico-Radiomic dataset improved the predictive ability of ML models over clinical features alone, while models built using Radiomics performed poorly. Radiomics data could therefore effectively supplement clinical data in predicting outcomes.
Quantifying spatio-temporal variation in aquaculture production areas in Satkhira, Bangladesh using geospatial and social survey
Authors: Nujaira Hafeza , Prasad Kumar Arun , Kumar Pankaj , Yunus Ali P. , Kharrazi Ali , Gupta L. N. , Kurniawan Tonni Agustiono , Sajjad Haroon , Avtar Ram
Published: December 2022

Despite Bangladesh being one of the leading countries in aquaculture food production worldwide, there is a considerable lack of updated scientific information about aquaculture activities in remote sites, making it difficult to manage sustainably. This study explored the use of geospatial and field data to monitor spatio-temporal changes in aquaculture production sites in the Satkhira district from 2017–2019. We used Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission digital elevation model (SRTM DEM) to locate aquaculture ponds based on the terrain elevation and slope. Radar backscatter information from the Sentinel-1 satellite, and different water indices derived from Sentinel-2 were used to assess the spatio-temporal extents of aquaculture areas. An image segmentation algorithm was applied to detect aquaculture ponds based on backscattering intensity, size and shape characteristics. Our results show that the highest number of aquaculture ponds were observed in January, with a size of more than 30,000 ha. Object-based image classification of Sentinel-1 data showed an overall accuracy above 80%. The key factors responsible for the variation in aquaculture were investigated using field surveys. We noticed that despite a significant number of aquaculture ponds in the study area, shrimp production and export are decreasing because of a lack of infrastructure, poor governance, and lack of awareness in the local communities. The result of this study can provide in-depth information about aquaculture areas, which is vital for policymakers and environmental administrators for successful aquaculture management in Satkhira, Bangladesh and other countries with similar issues.
Prevention of 90-day inpatient detoxification readmission for opioid use disorder by a community-based life-changing individualized medically assisted evidence-based treatment (C.L.I.M.B.) program: A quasi-experimental study
Authors: Luo Zhehui , Roychoudhury Canopy , Pompos William S. , DiMaria James , Robinette Cynthia M. , Gore Purva H. , Roychoudhury Rohon , Beecroft William
Published: December 2022

Background

Evidence for community-based strategies to reduce inpatient detoxification readmission for opioid use disorder (OUD) is scant. A pilot program was designed to provide individualized structured treatment plans, including addressing prolonged withdrawal symptoms, family/systems assessment, and contingency management, to reduce readmission after the index inpatient detoxification.

Methods

A non-randomized quasi-experimental design was used to compare the pilot facilities (treatment) and comparison facilities before and after the program started, i.e., a simple difference-in-differences (DID) strategy. Adults 18 years and older who met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders version 5 criteria for OUD and had an inpatient detoxification admission at any OUD treatment facility in two study periods between 7/2016 and 3/2020 were included. Readmission for inpatient detoxification in 90-days after the index stay was the primary outcome, and partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient care, outpatient services, and medications for OUD were the secondary outcomes. Six statistical estimation methods were used to triangulate evidence and adjust for potential confounding factors between treatment and comparison groups.

Results

A total of 2,320 unique patients in the pilot and comparison facilities with 2,443 index inpatient detoxification admissions in the pre- and post-periods were included. Compared with patients in comparison facilities, patients in the C.L.I.M.B. facilities had higher readmission in the pre-period (unadjusted readmission 17.0% vs. 10.6%), but similar rates in the post-period (12.3% vs. 10.6%) after the implementation of the pilot program. For 90-day readmission, all DID estimates were not statistically significant (adjusted estimates ranged from 6 to 9 percentage points difference favoring the C.L.I.M.B. program). There was no significant improvement in the secondary outcomes of utilizations in lower level of care and medications for OUD in C.L.I.M.B. facilities.

Conclusions

We found a reduction in readmission in the pilot facilities between the two periods, but the results were not statistically significant compared with the comparison facilities and the utilization of lower level of care services remained low. Even though providers in the pilot OUD treatment facilities actively worked with health plans to standardize care for patients with OUD, more strategies are needed to improve treatment engagement and retention after an inpatient detoxification.
NUC-7738 regulates β-catenin signalling resulting in reduced proliferation and self-renewal of AML cells
Authors: Shahid Akbar Muhammed , Um In Hwa , Elshani Mustafa , Zhang Ying , Harrison David James
Published: December 2022

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) stem cells are required for the initiation and maintenance of the disease. Activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is required for the survival and development of AML leukaemia stem cells (LSCs) and therefore, targeting β-catenin is a potential therapeutic strategy. NUC-7738, a phosphoramidate transformation of 3’-deoxyadenosine (3’-dA) monophosphate, is specifically designed to generate the active anti-cancer metabolite 3’-deoxyadenosine triphosphate (3’-dATP) intracellularly, bypassing key limitations of breakdown, transport, and activation. NUC-7738 is currently in a Phase I/II clinical study for the treatment of patients with advanced solid tumors. Protein expression and immunophenotypic profiling revealed that NUC-7738 caused apoptosis in AML cell lines through reducing PI3K-p110α, phosphorylated Akt (Ser473) and phosphorylated GSK3β (Ser9) resulting in reduced β-catenin, c-Myc and CD44 expression. NUC-7738 reduced β-catenin nuclear expression in AML cells. NUC-7738 also decreased the percentage of CD34+ CD38- CD123+ (LSC-like cells) from 81% to 47% and reduced the total number and size of leukemic colonies. These results indicate that therapeutic targeting of the PI3K/Akt/GSK3β axis can inhibit β-catenin signalling, resulting in reduced clonogenicity and eventual apoptosis of AML cells.
Iron deficiency, anemia and association with refugee camp exposure among recently resettled refugees: A Canadian retrospective cohort study
Authors: Davidson Marta B. , Brown Garielle , Street Lesley , McBrien Kerry , Norrie Eric , Hull Andrea , Talavlikar Rachel , Holdbrook Linda , Fabreau Gabriel E.
Published: December 2022

Malnutrition and poor health are common among recently resettled refugees and may be differentially associated with pre-migration exposure to refugee camp versus non-camp dwelling. We aimed to investigate the associations of iron deficiency (ID), anemia, and ID anemia (IDA) with pre-migration refugee camp exposure among recently arrived refugees to Canada. To this end, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of 1032 adult refugees who received care between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2015, within a specialized refugee health clinic in Calgary, Canada. We evaluated the prevalence, severity, and predictors of ID, anemia, and IDA, stratified by sex. Using multivariable logistic regression, we estimated the association of refugee camp exposure with these outcomes, adjusting for age, months in Canada prior to investigations, global region of origin, and parity. Among female refugees, the prevalence of ID, anemia, and IDA was 25% (134/534), 21% (110/534), and 14% (76/534), respectively; among males, 0.8% (4/494), 1.8% (9/494), and 0% (0/494), respectively. Anemia was mild, moderate, and severe in 55% (60/110), 44% (48/110) and 1.8% (2/110) of anemic females. Refugee camp exposure was not associated with ID, anemia, or IDA while age by year (ID OR = 0.96, 95% CI 0.93–0.98; anemia OR = 0.98, 95% CI 0.96–1.00; IDA OR = 0.96, 95% CI 0.94–0.99) and months in Canada prior to investigations (ID OR = 0.85, 95% CI 0.72–1.01; anemia OR = 0.81, 95% CI 0.67–0.97; IDA OR = 0.80, 95% CI 0.64–1.00) were inversely correlated with these outcomes. ID, anemia, and IDA are common among recently arrived refugee women irrespective of refugee camp exposure. Our findings suggest these outcomes likely improve after resettlement; however, given proportionally few refugees are resettled globally, likely millions of refugee women and girls are affected.
Mesenchymal stem cells support human vascular endothelial cells to form vascular sprouts in human platelet lysate-based matrices
Authors: Summer Sabrina , Rossmanith Eva , Pasztorek Markus , Fiedler Constantin , Gröger Marion , Rauscher Sabine , Weber Viktoria , Fischer Michael B.
Published: December 2022

During tissue regeneration, mesenchymal stem cells can support endothelial cells in the process of new vessel formation. For a functional interaction of endothelial cells with mesenchymal stem cells a vascular inductive microenvironment is required. Using a cellular model for neo-vessel formation, we could show that newly formed vascular structures emanated from the embedded aggregates, consisting of mesenchymal stem cells co-cultured with autologous human umbilical vein endothelial cells, into avascular human platelet lysate-based matrices, bridging distances up to 5 mm to join with adjacent aggregates with the same morphology forming an interconnected network. These newly formed vascular sprouts showed branch points and generated a lumen, as sign of mature vascular development. In two-dimensional culture, we detected binding of mesenchymal stem cells to laser-damaged endothelial cells under flow conditions, mimicking the dynamics in blood vessels. In conclusion, we observed that mesenchymal stem cells can support human umbilical vein endothelial cells in their vitality and functionality. In xeno-free human platelet lysate-based matrices, endothelial cells form complex vascular networks in a primarily avascular scaffold with the aid of mesenchymal stem cells, when co-cultured in three-dimensional spherical aggregates. Under dynamic conditions, representing the flow rate of venous vessel, mesenchymal stem cells preferably bind to damaged endothelial cells presumably assisting in the healing process.
Using cascade CNN-LSTM-FCNs to identify AI-altered video based on eye state sequence
Authors: Saealal Muhammad Salihin , Ibrahim Mohd Zamri , Mulvaney David. J. , Shapiai Mohd Ibrahim , Fadilah Norasyikin
Published: December 2022

Deep learning is notably successful in data analysis, computer vision, and human control. Nevertheless, this approach has inevitably allowed the development of DeepFake video sequences and images that could be altered so that the changes are not easily or explicitly detectable. Such alterations have been recently used to spread false news or disinformation. This study aims to identify Deepfaked videos and images and alert viewers to the possible falsity of the information. The current work presented a novel means of revealing fake face videos by cascading the convolution network with recurrent neural networks and fully connected network (FCN) models. The system detection approach utilizes the eye-blinking state in temporal video frames. Notwithstanding, it is deemed challenging to precisely depict (i) artificiality in fake videos and (ii) spatial information within the individual frame through this physiological signal. Spatial features were extracted using the VGG16 network and trained with the ImageNet dataset. The temporal features were then extracted in every 20 sequences through the LSTM network. On another note, the pre-processed eye-blinking state served as a probability to generate a novel BPD dataset. This newly-acquired dataset was fed to three models for training purposes with each entailing four, three, and six hidden layers, respectively. Every model constitutes a unique architecture and specific dropout value. Resultantly, the model optimally and accurately identified tampered videos within the dataset. The study model was assessed using the current BPD dataset based on one of the most complex datasets (FaceForensic++) with 90.8% accuracy. Such precision was successfully maintained in datasets that were not used in the training process. The training process was also accelerated by lowering the computation prerequisites.
Therapeutic effect of ibrutinib, a selective Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in orbital fibroblasts from patients with Graves’ orbitopathy
Authors: Park Hyun Young , Chae Min Kyung , Ko JaeSang , Kikkawa Don O. , Jang Sun Young , Yoon Jin Sook
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) is an essential protein in B-cell antigen receptor (BCR) signaling pathway and is known to be related to pathogenetic effect on B-cell related malignancies and various autoimmune diseases. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effect of ibrutinib, an orally bioavailable BTK inhibitor in the pathogenesis of Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) inin vitromodel.

Methods

Expression of BTK in orbital tissues from GO and normal control subjects were evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Primary cultured orbital fibroblasts from each subject were exposed to ibrutinib and stimulated with interleukin (IL)-1β or insulin like growth factor (IGF)-1. Production of inflammatory cytokines was evaluated by real time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The downstream transcription factors were also determined by western blot assays.

Results

The expression of BTK in GO tissues were significantly higher than in healthy controls. After stimulation of GO orbital fibroblasts with IL-1β or IGF-1, BTK mRNA and phosphorylated (p)- BTK protein expression was also enhanced. Ibrutinib reduced the expression of BTK mRNA and proteins of p-BTK, and inhibited the IL-1β- and IGF-1-induced production of proinflammatory cytokines including IL-6, IL-8 and COX-2 in both GO and normal cells. Ibrutinib also significantly attenuated phosphorylation of Akt, p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B-cells (NF-κB) in IL-1β stimulated GO cells and Akt, JNK, and NF-κB in IL-1ß stimulated normal cells.

Conclusions

BTK expression is enhanced in GO tissue and orbital fibroblasts. Ibrutinib, a BTK inhibitor suppresses proinflammatory cytokine production as well as phosphorylation of Akt and NF-κB protein. Our results suggest the potential role of BTK in GO inflammatory pathogenesis and possibility of a novel therapeutic target of GO.
Differences by race in the associations between neighborhood crime and violence and glycemic control among adults with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Akinboboye Olaitan , Williams Joni S. , Olukotun Oluwatoyin , Egede Leonard E.
Published: December 2022

Background

Limited data exist on the differential association between neighborhood characteristics such as crime and violence and diabetes outcomes by race.

Objective

To examine racial differences in the relationship between neighborhood characteristics (crime and violence) and glycemic control in a sample of adults with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Participants

601 adults with T2DM from the Southeastern United States.

Measurements

Outcome was glycemic control. Neighborhood violence and crime were the primary independent variable, and previously validated scales and indices were used to assess neighborhood crime and violence. Covariates included age, gender, education, marital status, income, hours of work per week, duration of diabetes, comorbidity, health status, and site of recruitment. Multiple linear regression was used to assess the relationship between neighborhood characteristics (violence and crime) and glycemic control adjusting for relevant covariates.

Results

Approximately 66% of the sample population was Black with ages ranging between 49–71 years. The unadjusted mean hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was significantly higher for Black adults compared to White adults (8.0 ± 2.0 vs. 7.8 ± 1.6; p = 0.002). In the fully adjusted stratified model, glycemic control was significantly associated with neighborhood crime (β-coefficient: 0.36; 95% CI 0.07, 0.65) and neighborhood violence (β-coefficient: 0.14; 95% CI 0.003, 0.28) for White adults in the fully adjusted model; these relationships were not significant for Black adults.

Conclusion

In this sample of adults with T2DM, neighborhood crime and violence were significantly associated with glycemic control for White adults, but not for Black adults. Additional research is needed to understand perceptions of neighborhood crime and violence between White adults and Black adults with T2DM.
El cuerpo herido, en Noche sobre el grito de Ana María Martínez Sagi
Authors: Bianchi Marina
Published: December 2022

Nuestro artículo reflexiona sobre la presencia del cuerpo en la poesía última de Ana María Martínez Sagi (Barcelona, 1907-Moià, Barcelona, 2000), centrándose en la colección Noche sobre el grito, redactada en los años de 1955 a 1970 y publicada por primera vez en 2019 en la sección de inéditos de la extensa antología La voz sola (Sagi, 2019: 105-141), cuya edición se debe a Juan Manuel de Prada. Es necesario señalar que, hasta la fecha, no existen estudios ni comentarios científicos de Noche sobre el grito, poemario que se aleja del contenido primordial de la producción en verso de la catalana, es decir, del amor y del dolor provocado por su pérdida. Tras contextualizar a la autora y la obra en el marco del compromiso literario, se clasificarán las composiciones de Noche sobre el grito en tres núcleos temáticos: la experiencia de la muerte, el exilio y el anhelado regreso, la quimera de una España que ya no existe. En cada uno de ellos se analizará el lenguaje del cuerpo como medio para expresar la heterodoxia de la catalana y su sufrimiento debido a las injusticias de la guerra civil española, a la dictadura, al exilio y a la desilusión de la vuelta a su país. Finalmente, con un rápido recorrido por cada uno de sus poemarios, desde Camino (1929) hasta La voz sola (2019), se hará una comparación entre la presencia de elementos corporales en Noche sobre el grito y en el resto de la producción de Martínez Sagi.
Acercamiento a la vida y obra de Amparo Conde
Authors: Saneleuterio Elia
Published: December 2022

Amparo Conde Gamazo (Guadalajara, España, 1927–) es una poeta valenciana que cuenta con un centenar de títulos autoeditados de manera artesanal a lo largo de ocho décadas. Su prolija obra y el hecho de que se haya mantenido desconocida en los círculos académicos, incluso entre quienes estudian la poesía de mujeres de mediados del siglo XX, justifican el interés de presentar un acercamiento a su figura y el valor indiscutible de dar a conocer una entrevista en la que se contienen aspectos fundamentales de su trayectoria, algunos comunes a experiencias de otras autoras y que ayudan a entender el espectro de la escritura femenina desde la posguerra española. Los rasgos que se entresacan de las respuestas de Amparo Conde Gamazo son su concepción de la poesía como género intrínsecamente ligado a la vida, al mismo tiempo que actúa como protectora de la referencialidad explícita gracias al lenguaje simbólico y metafórico; la importancia de una formación lectora que incluya la fascinación por las obras clásicas; su percepción de que por ser mujer no se la tuvo en cuenta como escritora ni cuando formaba parte de sociedades literarias en las que se hallaba a gusto; el hecho de que esto fuera algo contra lo que no sintió necesidad de luchar, pero que tampoco la desanimó en la creación, si bien determinó su falta de motivación para conseguir publicar en cauces editoriales convencionales; su absoluto convencimiento de la igualdad entre hombres y mujeres y su alta estima de una realidad específicamente femenina como lo es la capacidad de engendrar vida en su seno.
Jewish Revival in Contemporary Poland: Extending National Boundaries through the Symbolic Other
Authors: Obrebska Maria
Published: December 2022

Antisemitism, already widespread in Polish politics, has further intensified under the conservative Law and Justice government, with Jews framed as antagonistic to Poles and a threat to national cohesion. In this context, pro-Jewishness, which manifests itself in renewed interest in Jewish culture, is often perceived as anti-Polishness. This view is prevalent not only in conservative discourse but also in studies on the Jewish revival, which conceptualise the phenomenon as a deliberate rejection of national self-identification. As this article argues, however, the Jewish revival is not about rejecting the national category but about redefining it through the category of the Other; it is a nation-building project, which aims to achieve a more pluralistic society through the materialisation of ethnic difference. Nationhood is not a fixed category, but an ongoing discourse, and Polishness should not be merely identified with its dominant model. Instead, it should be recognised as defined by its members, and thus being subject to continuous contestation. Focusing on heritage activism in the Kazimierz neighbourhood in Kraków and engaging with the works of Lehrer (2013) and Zubrzycki (2002, 2006, 2016), this article offers a detailed investigation into the risks and possibilities of the Jewish revival. Such a critical approach towards nation-building is crucial in the face of increasing discrimination against minorities in Poland; one should remain attentive to 'bottom-up efforts' at reclaiming the right to national belonging.
Islamisation Theories of Malay Culture: Issues and Responses
Authors: Mansor Muhamad Sayuti , Al-Fijawi Mohammed Farid Ali
Published: December 2022

Interaction between Islamic teachings and cultures has resulted in the Islamisation of culture. The Malay culture was not an exception as Islam has transformed it into a Malay-Islamic culture. But it has raised questions on how Islamic teachings interacted with the indigenous culture before Islamising it and the degree of success of this process. These questions later on turned into a heated polemic, dividing the scholars into those who support the Islamisation of culture and those who oppose it. This study will look into the Islamisation theories of Malay culture deliberated by the orientalists and comparing them to the responses from contemporary Muslim scholars. It will be argued that both of these camps have opposing views regarding the basis of philosophical, sociological and historical theories in the Islamisation of culture. While the orientalist camp condemned it, Muslim scholars see it as a remarkable process in transforming the human culture.
Treading The Footsteps of Wali Songo as The Shaper of Islam Nusantara Tradition
Authors: Muliana Siti , Nasruddin Muhammad
Published: December 2022

The focus of this article is to examine the footsteps of Wali Songo in shaping the tradition of Islam Nusantara. As is known, the Wali Songo period was a period of formation of the Nusantara Islamic tradition which began in the 14th century AD. This topic is considered important because the period of formation of the Nusantara Islamic tradition needs to be relevant to today's diversity. In addition, the purpose of choosing this topic is also a response to the religious attitudes of contemporary Islamic society and the various notions that have emerged under the pretext of the Nusantara Islam tradition, which is forbidden because of shirk and superstition. Studying based on socio-historical aspects is the study method used in writing this article. The conclusions reached are, first, Wali Songo is the main agent who plays a major role in shaping the tradition of Islam Nusantara. Second, there are three efforts by Wali Songo in shaping the tradition of Islam Nusantara, nameky prioritizing religious substance rather than formality, spreading religious substance through popular culture, and prioritizing opennes to local traditions.