bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tinea favosa: psoriasiform favus in bindi area of an adult
Authors: Mutalik Sharad D , Hegde Shibhani Sudheer , Saoji Sandhya
Published: September 2024

Favus is an uncommon chronic inflammatory dermatophyte infection of the scalp. Predominantly, a disease of childhood, uncommon reports of adult cases are described. For the most part, this infection is characterised by invasion of hair shaft clinically presenting as yellowish scaly plaques, alopecia and/or inflammatory lesions. We hereby present an immunocompetent adult presenting with a psoriasiform plaque over glabella, culturally referred to as ‘bindi’ area. No involvement of the scalp or other hair-borne areas was seen. As she did not agree to undergo a skin biopsy, a last resort of simple stains like potassium hydroxide was done confirming favus. Systemic itraconazole was initiated and complete clinical and mycological resolution was seen with no relapse. Such atypical presentations in adults can cause a diagnostic dilemma and simple stains still hold their ground in making a diagnosis in resource-poor settings.
Unactivated Pd-catalyzed oxidative cross-coupling reactions of arenes with benzene: a theoretical and experimental study
Authors: Higginson Niall , Campbell Karen , Quance Melissa , Cuninghame Sean , Gottardo Christine , Mawhinney Robert C.
Published: September 2024

Oxidative C–H bond activated palladium-catalyzed aromatic cross-coupling reactions offer advantages of fewer required synthetic steps but disadvantages of loss of inherent regioselectivity and selectivity. In one proposed catalytic cycle, each arene adds to a palladium carboxylate catalyst according to a concerted metalation deprotonation mechanism, followed by reductive elimination to couple the arenes and the replenishment of the catalyst by an oxidant. Using this proposed mechanism, molecular structures and free energy profiles were calculated for coupling of benzene with a range of heteroarenes containing various substituents and with several Pd-carboxylate catalysts. Reaction kinetics were analysed using the energetic span model, predicting turnover frequencies (TOFs) of heterocoupling (HB and BH) and homocoupling (HH and BB) pathways and assessing degrees of turnover frequency control (XTOFs). More electron-withdrawing carboxylate ligands and more electron-donating heteroarene substituents decrease activation and reaction free energies of addition steps, with C-2 more favourable than C-3. When heteroarene and catalyst choice are particularly favourable, the first association can become exergonic, causing a significant change in catalytic kinetics. When not exergonic, free energy for addition of benzene is almost always higher, leading to large energetic spans and slower TOFs (BB < HB < BH < HH). Non-exergonic pathways are also faster with more electron-withdrawing ligands and more electron-donating heteroarene substituents because of lower energy addition steps and a smaller energetic span. For exergonic associations, the low-energy arene–catalyst intermediate creates a larger energetic span, slowing down the HH and HB pathways. More electron-withdrawing ligands and more electron-donating substituents increase the relative TOF for BH, and the reaction requires only small excesses of benzene to induce heterocoupling.
Developed Internet of Vehicles Architecture: Communication, Big Data and Route Determination Perspectives
Authors: Alblehai Fahad , Said Omar
Published: September 2024

Internet of vehicles (IoV) has become an important research topic due to its direct effect on intelligent transportation systems (ITS) development. There are many challenges in the IoV environment, such as communication, big data and best route assigning. In this paper, an effective IoV architecture is proposed. This architecture has four main objectives. The first objective is to utilize a powerful communication scheme in which three tiers of coverage tools — Internet, satellite, high-altitude platform (HAP) — are utilized. Therefore, the vehicles maintain a continuous connection to the IoV environment everywhere. The second objective is to apply filtering and prioritization mechanisms to reduce the detrimental effects of IoV big data. The third objective is to assign the best route for a vehicle after determining its real-time priority. The fourth objective is to analyze the IoV data. The proposed architecture performance is measured using a simulation environment that is created by the NS-3 package. The simulation results proved that the proposed IoV architecture has a positive impact on the IoV environment according to the performance metrics: energy, success rate of route assignment, filtering effect, data loss, delay, usage of coverage tools and throughput.
Coexistence of Strange Nonchaotic Attractors in a System with Multistability and Its Application to Optimizing PID Controllers Design for Time-Delay Systems
Authors: Xiang Qian , Shen Yunzhu , Tang Wei
Published: September 2024

In this study, we aim to explore the birth mechanism of coexisting Strange Nonchaotic Attractors (SNAs) in a multistability system. The underlying mechanism behind the emergence of coexisting SNAs is understood by examining the interruption of coexisting torus-doubling bifurcations. We identify three different routes that lead to the creation of coexisting SNAs, namely, the intermittent route, Heagy–Hammel route, and fractalization route. To effectively characterize SNAs, we employ several metrics, including the nontrivial largest Lyapunov exponents, phase sensitivity exponents, and power spectrum analysis. Notably, SNAs exhibit a fractal (strange) nature, which has inspired us to develop a novel optimization algorithm termed the Strange Nonchaotic Optimization (SNO) algorithm. This algorithm is used to optimize the Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller parameters in time-delay systems based on a defined objective function. Simulation results validate that the proposed SNO algorithm presents better performance than the available algorithms in the literature for time-delay systems.
From kinetic flocking model of Cucker–Smale type to self-organized hydrodynamic model
Authors: Jiang Ning , Luo Yi-Long , Zhang Teng-Fei
Published: September 2024

We investigate the hydrodynamic limit problem for a kinetic flocking model. We develop a GCI-based Hilbert expansion method, and establish rigorously the asymptotic regime from the kinetic Cucker–Smale model with a confining potential in a mesoscopic scale to the macroscopic limit system for self-propelled individuals, which is derived formally by Aceves-Sánchez et al. in 2019.

In the traditional kinetic equation with collisions, for example, Boltzmann-type equations, the key properties that connect the kinetic and fluid regimes are: the linearized collision operator (linearized collision operator around the equilibrium), denoted by [Formula: see text], is symmetric, and has a nontrivial null space (its elements are called collision invariants) which include all the fluid information, i.e. the dimension of Ker([Formula: see text]) is equal to the number of fluid variables. Furthermore, the moments of the collision invariants with the kinetic equations give the macroscopic equations.

The new feature and difficulty of the corresponding problem considered in this paper is: the linearized operator [Formula: see text] is not symmetric, i.e. [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the dual of [Formula: see text]. Moreover, the collision invariants lies in Ker([Formula: see text]), which is called generalized collision invariants (GCI). This is fundamentally different with classical Boltzmann-type equations. This is a common feature of many collective motions of self-propelled particles with alignment in living systems, or many active particle system. Another difficulty (also common for active system) is involved by the normalization of the direction vector, which is highly nonlinear.

In this paper, using Cucker–Smale model as an example, we develop systematically a GCI-based expansion method, and micro–macro decomposition on the dual space, to justify the limits to the macroscopic system, a non-Euler-type hyperbolic system. We believe our method has wide applications in the collective motions and active particle systems.
Performance Comparison of Online Handwritten Telugu Character Recognition Using Various Local and Global Features
Authors: Inuganti Srilakshmi , Rajeshwararao R.
Published: September 2024

As the text is written on a special digitizer or Personal Digital Assistance (PDA) in which a sensor picks up the pen-tip movements along with the pen-up/pen-down switching, its automatic conversion is performed in the online Handwriting Recognition (HR). There are several works related to the online recognition of Devanagari as well as Tamil scripts. Meanwhile, the online recognition works associated with other Indian languages, specifically Telugu, which is complex in its structure together with style, are very few. Our work emphasizes the development of an online handwritten Telugu character recognition system using dominant points with the combination of SVM and performance analysis of various other features. Three classifiers namely, SVM, K-NN and MLP are used to examine the performance of the feature vectors. The proposed research is verified with HP-Lab data available in the UNIPEN format.
Whither China–Japan Relations: A Recent Political and Security Perspective
Authors: Vien Bui Van , Tri Chu Trong , Manh To Trong , Cuong Nguyen Hung
Published: September 2024

Political-security relations are not only an essential part of China–Japan relations but also a key factor influencing and limiting the overall improvement and growth of China–Japan relations and their impact on the common security of Northeast Asia. This relationship has shown signs of improvement for a while. However, after President Joe Biden took office in January 2021 and Japan had a new Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in October 2021, the political-security relationship between the two Asian powers has reversed compared to the previous period. The paper aims to point out the factors affecting this relationship and analyzes the current political and security relations between China and Japan from 2021 to the present to forecast prospects for the bilateral relationship.
India and Japan Response to the Belt and Road Initiative: What China Should Do?
Authors: Bhuiyan Mohammad Shakil , Yi Wang
Published: September 2024

The paper attempts explore and understand the factors that contribute to Indian and Japanese responses to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and to scrutinize their respective approaches to the initiative. It highlights the similarities and differences between theirs responses and reveals that historical contexts, geopolitical and economic ambitions, and security concerns constitute key determinants of the two countries’ attitudes toward the BRI. Japanese approach involves balancing mercantile interests, domestic pressure, and geopolitical concerns aligned with the United States based on a “common threat.” India’s policy is mostly motivated by national security and geopolitical concerns, as evidenced by its complete noncooperation with the initiative, and its active participation in counter-China initiatives led by the United States. The study also found that strained China–India and China–Japan relations as a result of regional power struggles aided U.S. efforts to consolidate the China-focused counterbalancing process. The analysis concludes by presenting some proposals China might utilize to mitigate these issues for broader BRI participation.
Role of Near-IR Sensitive Asymmetric A–DA′D–π–A-type Non-Fullerene Acceptors for Efficient Organic Solar Cells: A Theoretical Insight
Authors: Adnan Muhammad , Munir Iqra , Hussain Riaz , Irshad Zobia , Hussain Riaz , Siddique Sabir Ali , Darwish Hany W.
Published: September 2024

Non-fullerene acceptor (NFA) molecules attracted huge attention from the photovoltaic community for their potential use in organic solar cells (OSCs). Herein, we designed a series of NFA materials (AR1–AR9) for OSCs by altering end-capped moieties. We employed various advanced density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent (TD-DFT) approaches to characterize this designed AR1–AR9 series. Compared to the synthetic reference molecule ([Formula: see text], designed molecules AR1–AR9 revealed a smaller bandgap (1.85 eV), and improved absorption spectra (λmax 741 nm) in comparison to [Formula: see text] (λmax 668 nm), indicating the better potential for the tailored molecules. Furthermore, the designed series (AR1–AR9) shows lower reorganization energy values (for holes and electrons) and lower binding energies (0.323 eV), whereas, improved charge mobilities, showing them better candidates for OSCs. Moreover, frontier molecular orbitals (FMO), open-circuit voltages (Voc) and improved charge-transfer characteristics have also been investigated. These findings revealed that all developed NFAs exhibited a wide range of exciton dissociation constants and enhanced absorption efficiency with a relatively lower LUMO energy level. Therefore, we believe that these materials will be beneficial in boosting the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of OSC devices by improving their optoelectronic and photophysical properties.
Phloroglucinol‐Induced Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) Syndrome with Subsequent Fulminant Type 1 Diabetes (FT1D): A Rare Case and Literature Review
Authors: Bao Chengbei , Tong Zequn , Xu Qiuyun , Xiao Zhixun , Cheng Bo , Gong Ting , Ji Chao
Published: September 2024

This study reported a woman with drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptom (DRESS) syndrome induced by phloroglucinol who developed fulminant type 1 diabetes as sequelae. The literature review emphasized the necessity of at least seven months of follow‐up for better management of DRESS syndrome.
Ability of Different Flavonols and Commercial Mannoproteins to Enhance Wine Colour through Copigmentation
Authors: Alcalde-Eon Cristina , Escribano-Bailón María-Teresa , García-Estévez Ignacio
Published: September 2024

Copigmentation is a noncovalent interaction between anthocyanins and colourless copigments that stabilises the anthocyanin‐coloured forms by protecting them against water attack. Copigmentation can be responsible for almost half of the colour observed in young red wines. It has been reported that flavonols are the most effective wine copigments, but studies on the influence of the structure of these copigments on the magnitude of copigmentation are scarce. However, flavonol profiles change with grape variety and can condition the colour of the resulting wines. In addition, mannoproteins (MPs) have been reported to interact with flavonoids, which, consequently, might affect the flavonol‐anthocyanin interaction. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the ability of five grape flavonols (isorhamnetin, kaempferol, quercetin, syringetin, and myricetin 3‐O‐glucosides: I‐3‐glc, K‐3‐glc, Q‐3‐glc, S‐3‐glc, and My‐3‐glc) by conventional spectrophotometric measurements and CIELAB analysis to copigment with malvidin 3‐O‐glucoside (mv‐3‐glc) in the absence or presence of five different MPs (binary and ternary model systems). Among the tested flavonols, I‐3‐glc was the most effective copigment, whereas K‐3‐glc was the least one. S‐3‐glc and Q‐3‐glc showed intermediate effectiveness, but that of S‐3‐glc was closer to I‐3‐glc and that of Q‐3‐glc to K‐3‐glc. These results point out that the presence of methoxyl groups in the B‐ring of the flavonol increases copigmentation magnitude. The participation of My‐3‐glc in copigmentation interactions seemed to be hindered by its colloidal instability. Regarding the tested MPs, they did not provoke a direct copigmentation effect, but were able to modify the magnitude of the interaction between the flavonols and the anthocyanin and, in some cases, the colloidal behaviour of coloured aggregates formed over time. Finally, the results of the additional HPLC‐DAD analyses point to a greater protection of the anthocyanin against degradation in the model systems where the magnitude of copigmentation was greater.
B7-H3–Targeted CAR-Vδ1T Cells Exhibit Potent Broad-Spectrum Activity against Solid Tumors
Authors: Jiang Licui , You Fengtao , Wu Hai , Qi Changsong , Xiang Shufen , Zhang Ping , Meng Huimin , Wang Min , Huang Jiequn , Li Yafen , Chen Dan , An Gangli , Yang Nan , Zhang Bozhen , Shen Lin , Yang Lin
Published: September 2024

Vδ1T cells, a rare subset of γδT cells, hold promise for treating solid tumors. Unlike conventional T cells, they recognize tumor antigens independently of the MHC antigen presentation pathway, making them a potential “off-the-shelf” cell therapy product. However, isolation and activation of Vδ1T cells is challenging, which has limited their clinical investigation. Here, we developed a large-scale clinical-grade manufacturing process for Vδ1T cells and validated the therapeutic potential of B7-H3 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)–modified Vδ1T cells in treating solid tumors. Coexpression of IL2 with the B7-H3-CAR led to durable antitumor activity of Vδ1T cells in vitro and in vivo. In multiple subcutaneous and orthotopic mouse xenograft tumor models, a single intravenous administration of the CAR-Vδ1T cells resulted in complete tumor regression. These modified cells demonstrated significant in vivo expansion and robust homing ability to tumors, akin to natural tissue-resident immune cells. Additionally, the B7-H3-CAR-Vδ1T cells exhibited a favorable safety profile. In conclusion, B7-H3-CAR–modified Vδ1T cells represent a promising strategy for treating solid tumors.

Significance: A clinical-grade expansion protocol enabled generation of B7-H3–targeted CAR-Vδ1T cells with robust anticancer activity and a favorable safety profile, supporting the potential of CAR-Vδ1T cells as an “off-the-shelf” therapy for solid tumors.
Table 4 from Phase I Study of Simlukafusp Alfa (FAP-IL2v) with or without Atezolizumab in Japanese Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors
Authors: Koyama Takafumi , Yonemori Kan , Shimizu Toshio , Sato Jun , Kondo Shunsuke , Sudo Kazuki , Yoshida Tatsuya , Katsuya Yuki , Imaizumi Tatsuki , Enomoto Masashi , Seki Ryoko , Yamamoto Noboru
Published: September 2024

Summary of efficacy
Supplementary Figure 1 from Phase I Study of Simlukafusp Alfa (FAP-IL2v) with or without Atezolizumab in Japanese Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors
Authors: Koyama Takafumi , Yonemori Kan , Shimizu Toshio , Sato Jun , Kondo Shunsuke , Sudo Kazuki , Yoshida Tatsuya , Katsuya Yuki , Imaizumi Tatsuki , Enomoto Masashi , Seki Ryoko , Yamamoto Noboru
Published: September 2024

Figure S1 shows the study design.
Data from Phase I Study of Simlukafusp Alfa (FAP-IL2v) with or without Atezolizumab in Japanese Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors
Authors: Koyama Takafumi , Yonemori Kan , Shimizu Toshio , Sato Jun , Kondo Shunsuke , Sudo Kazuki , Yoshida Tatsuya , Katsuya Yuki , Imaizumi Tatsuki , Enomoto Masashi , Seki Ryoko , Yamamoto Noboru
Published: September 2024

AbstractPurpose:
The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety/tolerability and pharmacokinetics of simlukafusp alfa (FAP-IL2v), an immunocytokine containing an anti-fibroblast activation protein-α (FAP) antibody and an IL2 variant, administered alone or with the PDL1 inhibitor atezolizumab, in Japanese patients with advanced solid tumors.
Patients and Methods:
In this phase 1, open-label, dose-escalation study, patients received i.v. FAP-IL2v at 10 or 15/20 mg alone or 10 mg when combined with i.v. atezolizumab. The primary objectives were identification of dose-limiting toxicities (DLT), recommended dose, and maximum tolerated dose, and evaluation of the safety/tolerability and pharmacokinetics of FAP-IL2v alone and combined with atezolizumab.
Results:
All 11 patients experienced adverse events (AE) during FAP-IL2v treatment. Although most AEs were of mild severity, four treatment-related AEs led to study treatment discontinuation in two patients: one with infusion-related reaction, hypotension, and capillary leak syndrome, and the other with increased aspartate aminotransferase. No AE-related deaths occurred. One DLT (grade 3 hypotension) occurred in a patient receiving FAP-IL2v 15/20 mg alone. The recommended dose and maximum tolerated dose could not be determined. The pharmacokinetics of FAP-IL2v remained similar with or without atezolizumab. The study was terminated early as FAP-IL2v development was discontinued because of portfolio prioritization (not for efficacy/safety reasons).
Conclusions:
This study describes the safety/tolerability of FAP-IL2v 10 mg alone and in combination with atezolizumab in Japanese patients with advanced solid tumors; one DLT (hypotension) occurred with FAP-IL2v 15/20 mg. However, dose escalation of FAP-IL2v was not conducted because of early study termination.
Significance:
This phase I study assessed the safety/tolerability and PK of simlukafusp alfa alone or combined with atezolizumab in Japanese patients with advanced solid tumors. No notable differences in PK were noted with the combination versus simlukafusp alfa alone; however, high-dose simlukafusp alfa treatment was associated with recombinant IL2-related toxicity, despite the drug's FAP targeting and IL2Rβγ-biased IL2 variant design.
Hidradenitis Suppurativa Prevalence in Algeria: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Chehad Ahmed Samaouel , Zobiri Samira , Bouazzi Dorra , Medianfar Cecilia E. , Christensen Robin , Jemec Gregor B.E. , Serradj Amina
Published: September 2024

Introduction: Although there has been an expansion of knowledge on HS (HS), data about the disease is largely based on Western population and no relevant African or Asian studies are available. Methods: We conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional, multicenter study, as part of GHiSA (Global HS Atlas) initiative, to assess the epidemiologic profile of HS in Algerian population. Healthy adults accompanying patients undergoing care in non-dermatological wards were approached and invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire. Subsequently, a clinical assessment was performed by an in-person dermatologists for all screen-positive participants and ten percent of the screen-negative ones. Results: A total of 1,434 participants were included in this study. The prevalence of HS among Algerian adults was 0.78%. Compared to non-HS group, no significant difference was found regarding gender, age, body mass index, and smoker status. Both the sensitivity (100%) and the specificity (97%) of the HS screening questionnaire were excellent. Conclusion: The prevalence of HS in Algeria is very close to that of Australia (0.8%) and Europe (0.7%) and almost the same prevalence found by Ghanaian study (other GHiSA study from Africa). The results of this study demonstrate also the reliability and validity of GHiSA questionnaire as HS data collection instrument.
Does Physical Exercise Ameliorate Chronic Kidney Disease-Related Complications? The Case of Anaemia and Chronic Kidney Disease-Mineral Bone Disorder
Authors: Aucella Filippo , Amicone Maria , Perez Ys Aurora del Mar , Aucella Francesco , Gatta Giuseppe , Prencipe Michele Antonio , Riccio Eleonora , Capuano Ivana , Pisani Antonio , Battaglia Yuri
Published: September 2024

Background: Physical exercise (PE) can regulate inflammation, cardiovascular health, sarcopenia, anaemia, and bone health in the chronic kidney disease (CKD) population. Experimental and clinical studies both help us better understand the mechanisms that underlie the beneficial effects of the exercise, especially in renal anaemia and CKD-mineral bone disorders (CKD-MBDs). Here, we summarize this evidence, exploring the biological pathways involved, locally released substances, and crosstalk between tissues, but also the shortcomings of current knowledge. Summary: Anaemia: Both in healthy and CKD subjects, PE may mimic hypoxia, inhibiting PHDs; so hydroxylate HIF-α subunits may be translocated into the nucleus, resulting in dimerization of HIF-1α and HIF-1β, recruitment of p300 and CBP, and ultimately, binding to HREs at target genes to cause activation. However, in CKD subjects acute PE causes higher levels of lactate, leading to iron restriction by upregulating hepatic hepcidin expression, while chronic PE allows an increased lactate clearance and HIF-α and VEGFα levels, stimulating both erythropoiesis and angiogenesis. CKD-MBD: PE may improve bone health decreasing bone resorption and increasing bone formation throughout at least three main pathways: (a) increasing osteoprotegerin and decreasing RANKL system; (b) decreasing cytokine levels; and (c) stimulating production of myokines and adipokines. Key Messages: Future research needs to be defined to develop evidence-based exercise guidance to provide optimal benefit for CKD using exercise interventions as adjuvant therapy for CKD-related complications such as anaemia and CKD-MBD.
Breath-hold calibrated fMRI mapping of absolute cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen metabolism (CMRO2): An assessment of the accuracy and repeatability in a healthy adult population
Authors: Driver Ian D. , Chiarelli Antonio Maria , Chandler Hannah L. , Thomas Hannah , Manolova Svetla , Lu Hanzhang , Wise Richard G. , Germuska Michael
Published: September 2024

We previously introduced a calibrated fMRI framework that utilises respiratory modulation with only a single gas (CO2) to map the grey matter (GM) cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen consumption (CMRO2). The method decouples and estimates the cerebral blood volume (CBV) and the oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) from a single measure of the maximum BOLD modulation. The method links the two parameters of interest with a model of oxygen diffusion from capillaries to mitochondria which incorporates the cerebral blood flow (CBF). Here, we apply this framework to gas-free breath-hold calibrated fMRI (bhc-fMRI), where simultaneous BOLD and ASL acquisitions are combined with modulation of arterial CO2 through repeated breath-holding. The accuracy and repeatability of the method is assessed in 33 healthy volunteers at rest and during continuous visual stimulation. Average GM OEF estimated from bhc-fMRI was 0.37 ± 0.04, indicating a small bias of 0.04 (with limits of agreement from -0.11 to 0.12) compared to the whole brain OEF of 0.32 ± 0.07 estimated from sagittal sinus using T2 Relaxation Under Spin Tagging (TRUST). The within-session repeatability of GM estimates were moderate to good for OEF, with ICC = 0.75 (0.56–0.87) and good to excellent for CMRO2, with ICC = 0.88 (0.74–0.94). An ROI analysis in the visual cortex found an average CBF increase of 16%, a CMRO2 increase of 12%, and an OEF decrease of 3% during the visual stimulation. The bhc-fMRI measurement of CMRO2 is simple to implement, has comparable accuracy and repeatability to existing gas-based methods, and is sensitive to modulations in metabolism during functional hyperaemia.
E-motions: A History of Unrecorded Female Rural Displacements in Post-Slavery Africa
Authors: Pelckmans Lotte , Rodet Marie
Published: September 2024

This special issue introduces the concept of e-motions in (post-)slavery Africa to analyse movement or motion that is not so much driven by labour and economic survival but rather by relational/emotional (dis-)connection. We introduce the term e-motions to qualify the gendered mobilities mainly of subaltern girls and women who have been voluntarily or forcedly moving in the past and present to establish and consolidate emotional ties. These ties exist in intimate spheres that are profoundly entangled in histories of slavery and asymmetrical dependencies. In this special issue, we use the concept of e-motions to flesh out the link between small-scale and rural (im-)mobilities executed by subaltern women and girls, who are expected to fulfil important ritualised roles in various emotional stages of life through pathic labour and care work. While not denying we are living in a world with exponential digitisation, mobilities and extreme forms of exclusion, we wish to historicise less spectacular but acute, highly impactful and often implicitly violent e-motions that mostly women at the lowest echelons of their societies faced and continue to face in a male-dominated world.
Intimate Relationships and Forced Migration Paths: Dangerous Liaisons in Refugees’ Lives from East Africa?
Authors: Declich Francesca
Published: September 2024

Intimate relationships are part of human life in all contexts. During forced migrations, those relationships and the emotions they entail, may prompt important decisions, may accompany difficult choices, and can be an opportunity for women to overcome extreme situations of poverty. In this article, I present a number of ethnographic cases describing options and opportunities related to intimate relationships women have undertaken during the exodus following the civil war in Somalia, which started in 1991. The way refugee women from a peasant background and allegedly descendant from enslaved people, have navigated intimate relationships in times of forced migrations, may be influenced by their poverty, or by the discriminatory legacy of their status as descendants from the formerly enslaved. Whatever the main factor determining their choices may be, intimate relationships represent major elements influencing decision making in migration paths.
Returning from Rebel Captivity: Forced Marriage, Emotions and Reintegration in Uganda
Authors: Kiconco Allen
Published: September 2024

This article explores the complexities of reintegration among formerly abducted women in Uganda, focusing on the dynamic emotional interactions between returnees and their communities. Through qualitative interviews and fieldwork, the research reveals that reintegration is a multifaceted social process that involves renegotiating identities and social roles. Despite the prevailing assumption that returning to one’s home community is the most effective path to reintegration, the article finds that many returnees face significant challenges in rebuilding social connections and overcoming stigma. Emotions such as fear, anger, and mistrust drive the behaviour of these returnees as they navigate the reintegration process, often resulting in feelings of isolation and desperation. The findings challenge the conventional ddr (Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration) approach, which emphasises returning to one’s original community for reintegration. Instead, they suggest that reintegration interventions should be flexible and tailored to individual circumstances, allowing returnees to explore alternative options for reintegration, including integrating into new environments.
1. Political resentment
Authors: Knops Louise , Celis Karen , Van Ingelgom Virginie
Published: September 2024

In chapter 1, Knops, Celis, and Van Ingelgom lay out the context–both empirical and theoretical–in which the book is rooted. The chapter, first, briefly situates the study of resentment in the literature and against the contemporary political context. It presents a rationale for focusing on resentment as key concept of studies on the crisis of democracy. The chapter then provides a conceptual introduction on resentment along three dimensions–morality, complexity and temporality–before giving a short description of the project EoS-RepResent from which the contributions of the book emerged, the specificities of the Belgian context, the objectives of the book, its structure and a preview of the individual chapters.
8. Resentment and Time
Authors: Knops Louise , Mercenier Heidi , Severs Eline
Published: September 2024

Drawing on the affective turn in social sciences and increasing scholarly attention for political temporalities, our chapter investigates the entanglement between feelings of injustice, resentment, and time in citizens’ discourses on politics. Our research is based on a qualitative analysis of focus groups with activists (in the Yellow Vests and Youth for Climate movement) and with individuals interviewed during the Covid-19 pandemic (employees of the cultural sector and students). Our findings highlight different temporal facets of citizens’ resentment and situate their discontent as the result of clashing temporalities: between the temporalities of capitalism and human societies, and between different temporalities that structure politics within the boundaries of representative democracy. Our chapter sheds light on the relevance of adopting an affective-temporal lens to understand citizens’ resentment within the broader context of the crisis of representative democracy.
9. Is this really democracy?
Authors: Knops Louise , Sanhueza Maria-Jimena , Severs Eline , Deschouwer Kris
Published: September 2024

Citizens’ dissatisfaction with contemporary democracy has become somewhat of a commonplace. Yet scholars routinely struggle to make sense of citizens’ critiques and expectations towards representative democracy: what exactly are citizens dissatisfied with? What is it, they expect from the central institutions of representative democracy? To answer these questions and account for the diverse and potentially contradictory beliefs citizens may hold towards representative democracy, this chapter advances a citizen-centred analysis of the concept of “democracy”. It draws on 4366 responses to an open question “what does democracy mean to you?” formulated in two Belgian national surveys (2009 and 2019). This dataset allows for identifying the institutions and practices citizens routinely associate with democracy (e.g., parties, parliament, representation). Our findings demonstrate that citizens’ accounts of democracy have changed over time. While representation was central to respondents’ reflections in 2009, in 2019 they more frequently defined democracy in relation to elections and rules of decision-making. Our findings also shows that citizens’ resentment correlates with these concerns and gives expression to unmet expectations. We identify three resentful tropes of democracy: democracy is unfair, democracy is a fake, and democracy is cold-hearted.
Effectiveness of malaria chemoprevention in the first two years of life in Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire compared to standard of care: study protocol for a population-based prospective cohort impact evaluation study
Authors: Stresman Gillian , Lal Sham , Bruce Jane , Nji Akindeh , Serge-Brice Assi , Mosoff Jonna , McGirr Alba , Gore-Langton Georgia , McGuire Michaela , Sinsai James , Lele Albertine , Tah-Monunde Mercy , Kouadio Zah-Bi , Anatole Mian , Konate-Toure Abibatou , Clarke Sian Elisabeth , Gosling Roland , Mbacham Wilfred Fon , Yavo William , Chico R. Matthew
Published: September 2024

Background

Perennial malaria chemoprevention (PMC) is a chemoprevention strategy endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and is increasingly being adopted by National Malaria Programmes. PMC aims to reduce morbidity and mortality caused by malaria and anaemia in in young children through provision of antimalarial drugs at routine contact points with the local health system. This study aims to evaluate the impact of the programmatically-implemented country-tailored PMC programmes targeting children up to two years of age using sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) on the incidence of malaria and anaemia in children in Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire.

Methods

We will assess the impact of PMC using passive and active monitoring of a prospective observational cohort of children up to 36 months of age at recruitment in selected study sites in Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire. The primary and secondary outcomes include malaria, anaemia and malnutrition incidence. We will also conduct a time-series analysis of passively detected malaria and anaemia cases comparing the periods before and after PMC introduction. This study is powered to detect a 30% and 40% reduction of malaria incidence compared to the standard of care in Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire, respectively.

Discussion

This multi-country study aims to provide evidence of the effectiveness of PMC targeting children in the first two years of life on malaria and anaemia and will provide important information to inform optimal operationalization and evaluation of this strategy.

Trial Registration

Cameroon - NCT05889052; Côte d’Ivoire - NCT05856357.
“Starting to think that way from the start”: approaching deprescribing decision-making for people accessing palliative care - a qualitative exploration of healthcare professionals views
Authors: Robinson-Barella Anna , Richardson Charlotte Lucy , Bayley Zana , Husband Andy , Bojke Andy , Bojke Rona , Exley Catherine , Hanratty Barbara , Elverson Joanna , Jansen Jesse , Todd Adam
Published: September 2024

Background

Deprescribing has been defined as the planned process of reducing or stopping medications that may no longer be beneficial or are causing harm, with the goal of reducing medication burden while improving patient quality of life. At present, little is known about the specific challenges of decision-making to support deprescribing for patients who are accessing palliative care. By exploring the perspectives of healthcare professionals, this qualitative study aimed to address this gap, and explore the challenges of, and potential solutions to, making decisions about deprescribing in a palliative care context.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with healthcare professionals in-person or via video call, between August 2022 – January 2023. Perspectives on approaches to deprescribing in palliative care; when and how they might deprescribe; and the role of carers and family members within this process were discussed. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Reflexive thematic analysis enabled the development of themes. QSR NVivo (Version 12) facilitated data management. Ethical approval was obtained from the NHS Health Research Authority (ref 305394).

Results

Twenty healthcare professionals were interviewed, including: medical consultants, nurses, specialist pharmacists, and general practitioners (GPs). Participants described the importance of deprescribing decision-making, and that it should be a considered, proactive, and planned process. Three themes were developed from the data, which centred on: (1) professional attitudes, competency and responsibility towards deprescribing; (2) changing the culture of deprescribing; and (3) involving the patient and family/caregivers in deprescribing decision-making.

Conclusions

This study sought to explore the perspectives of healthcare professionals with responsibility for making deprescribing decisions with people accessing palliative care services. A range of healthcare professionals identified the importance of supporting decision-making in deprescribing, so it becomes a proactive process within a patient’s care journey, rather than a reactive consequence. Future work should explore how healthcare professionals, patients and their family can be supported in the shared decision-making processes of deprescribing.

Trial registration

Ethical approval was obtained from the NHS Health Research Authority (ref 305394).
Duodenal and colonic mucosal S100A8/A9 (calprotectin) expression is increased and correlates with the severity of select histologic lesions in dogs with chronic inflammatory enteropathy
Authors: Nestler Jasmin , Syrjä Pernilla , Kilpinen Susanne , Moniz Clara Antunes , Spillmann Thomas , Hanifeh Mohsen , Heilmann Romy M.
Published: September 2024

Background

Calprotectin, a damage-associated molecular pattern protein of the S100/calgranulin family, is a potential marker of gastrointestinal inflammation in dogs and mainly originates from activated macrophages and granulocytes. Increased calprotectin concentrations are reported in feces and serum samples from dogs with chronic inflammatory enteropathy (CIE), but mucosal calprotectin expression has not been extensively investigated in canine CIE. Thus, we aimed to evaluate gastrointestinal mucosal concentrations of calprotectin in 62 dogs (44 dogs with CIE compared to 18 healthy Beagles) using a particle-enhanced turbidimetric immunoassay method. Additionally, we assessed the relationship of gastric, duodenal, jejunal, ileal, and colonic mucosal calprotectin levels with the clinical disease severity (canine clinical inflammatory bowel disease activity index, CIBDAI), histopathologic findings, clinical outcome, and serum albumin concentrations to further evaluate the potential of calprotectin as a biomarker for CIE.

Results

Mucosal calprotectin concentrations in dogs with CIE were significantly higher in the duodenum (median: 276.2 μg/g) and colon (median: 298.2 μg/g) compared to healthy controls (median: 94.3 μg/g, P = 0.0039; and median: 112.0 μg/g, P = 0.0061). Similar numerical differences in the ileum and cecum were not statistically significant, and mucosal calprotectin concentrations correlated significantly among the different gastrointestinal segments. Histologic lesion severity was linked to mucosal calprotectin concentrations for inflammatory and structural histology criteria in the duodenum and colon (all P < 0.05). Higher mucosal calprotectin levels in the duodenum and across all segments correlated with lower serum albumin concentrations (both P < 0.05); duodenal mucosal calprotectin concentrations were more than sixfold higher in hypoalbuminemic dogs (median: 1441 µg/g, n = 4) than normoalbuminemic dogs (median: 227 µg/g, n = 40). There was no significant association of mucosal calprotectin levels with CIBDAI scores or individual clinical outcomes.

Conclusions

These results show that duodenal and colonic mucosal calprotectin concentrations are increased in dogs with CIE, providing further supporting evidence for the diagnostic potential of fecal calprotectin (presumably reflecting mucosal) concentrations and in dogs with CIE. Further longitudinal research is needed to assess changes in mucosal calprotectin concentrations with clinical response to treatment vs. mucosal disease remission and to determine the clinical utility of fecal calprotectin concentrations to diagnose and monitor dogs with CIE in clinical practice.
Apoptosis and cuproptosis Co-activated Copper-based metal-organic frameworks for cancer therapy
Authors: Li Kun , Wu Leilei , Wang Han , Fu Zi , Gao Jiani , Liu Xiucheng , Fan Yongfei , Qin Xichun , Ni Dalong , Wang Jing , Xie Dong
Published: September 2024

Lung cancer, predominantly non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), remains a significant global health challenge, with limited therapeutic options for patients with KRAS-mutated tumors. Herein, a copper-based metal-organic framework (Cu-MOF) was applied as a novel cuproptosis-mediated nanoplatform for lung cancer therapy. Cu-MOF would disassemble and liberate copper ions under the acidic microenvironment of lysosomes of cancer cells, initiating a cascade of cellular events. The released copper ions catalyzes the Fenton reaction, generating hydroxyl radicals that induce oxidative damage, leading to cytoskeletal disruption and activation of caspase-3, ultimately triggering apoptosis. Simultaneously, with the mediation of the key regulatory factor FDX1, we found that the copper ions binding to the mitochondrial protein DLAT could result in the loss of iron-sulfur cluster proteins and aggregation of lipoylated proteins, which culminated in proteotoxic stress-induced cuproptosis. The pronounced anti-tumor effects of Cu-MOF with apoptosis and cuproptosis were confirmed both in vitro and in vivo experiments. Such dual induction of apoptosis and cuproptosis by Cu-MOF presents a promising therapeutic strategy for NSCLC, particularly for KRAS-mutated tumors, and expands potential applications of Cu-based nanomateirals for other cancers.
Membrane RRM2-positive cells represent a malignant population with cancer stem cell features in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Zhao Yongzhi , Xue Shuting , Wei Danduo , Zhang Jianjuan , Zhang Nachuan , Mao Liping , Liu Niya , Zhao Lei , Yan Jianing , Wang Yifan , Cai Xiujun , Zhu Saiyong , Roessler Stephanie , Ji Junfang
Published: September 2024

Background

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is one of the most lethal malignancies and highly heterogeneous. We thus aimed to identify and characterize iCCA cell subpopulations with severe malignant features.

Methods

Transcriptomic datasets from three independent iCCA cohorts (iCCA cohorts 1–3, n = 382) and formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues from iCCA cohort 4 (n = 31) were used. An unbiased global screening strategy was established, including the transcriptome analysis with the activated malignancy/stemness (MS) signature in iCCA cohorts 1–3 and the mass spectrometry analysis of the sorted stemness reporter-positive iCCA cells. A group of cellular assays and subcutaneous tumor xenograft assay were performed to investigate functional roles of the candidate. Immunohistochemistry was performed in iCCA cohort 4 to examine the expression and localization of the candidate. Molecular and biochemical assays were used to evaluate the membrane localization and functional protein domains of the candidate. Cell sorting was performed and the corresponding cellular molecular assays were utilized to examine cancer stem cell features of the sorted cells.

Results

The unbiased global screening identified RRM2 as the top candidate, with a significantly higher level in iCCA patients with the MS signature activation and in iCCA cells positive for the stemness reporter. Consistently, silencing RRM2 significantly suppressed iCCA malignancy phenotypes both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, immunohistochemistry in tumor tissues of iCCA patients revealed an unreported cell membrane localization of RRM2, in contrast to its usual cytoplasmic localization. RRM2 cell membrane localization was then confirmed in iCCA cells via immunofluorescence with or without cell membrane permeabilization, cell fractionation assay and cell surface biotinylation assay. Meanwhile, an unclassical signal peptide and a transmembrane domain of RRM2 were revealed experimentally. They were essential for RRM2 trafficking to cell membrane via the conventional endoplasmic reticulum (ER)–Golgi secretory pathway. Furthermore, the membrane RRM2-positive iCCA cells were successfully sorted. These cells possessed significant cancer stem cell malignant features including cell differentiation ability, self-renewal ability, tumor initiation ability, and stemness/malignancy gene signatures. Patients with membrane RRM2-positive iCCA cells had poor prognosis.

Conclusions

RRM2 had an alternative cell membrane localization. The membrane RRM2-positive iCCA cells represented a malignant subpopulation with cancer stem cell features.
Sodium Houttuyniae attenuates ferroptosis by regulating TRAF6-c-Myc signaling pathways in lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury (ALI)
Authors: Li Juan , Hu Yan-ping , Liang Xing-ling , Liu Ming-wei
Published: September 2024

The impact of Sodium Houttuyniae (SH) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI has been investigated extensively. However, it remains ambiguous whether ferroptosis participates in this process. This study aimed to find out the impacts and probable mechanisms of SH on LPS-induced ferroptosis. A rat ALI model and type II alveolar epithelial (ATII) cell injury model were treated with LPS. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and Giemsa staining were executed to ascertain the effects of SH on LPS-induced ALI. Moreover, Transmission electron microscopy, Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8), ferrous iron colorimetric assay kit, Immunohistochemistry, Immunofluorescence, Reactive oxygen species assay kit, western blotting (Wb), and qRT-PCR examined the impacts of SH on LPS-induced ferroptosis and ferroptosis-related pathways. Theresults found that by using SH treatment, there was a remarkable attenuation of ALI by suppressing LPS-induced ferroptosis. Ferroptosis was demonstrated by a decline in the levels of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), FTH1, and glutathione (GSH) and a surge in the accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), NOX1, NCOA4, and Fe2+, and disruption of mitochondrial structure, which were reversed by SH treatment. SH suppressed ferroptosis by regulating TRAF6-c-Myc in ALI rats and rat ATII cells. The results suggested that SH treatment attenuated LPS-induced ALI by repressing ferroptosis, and the mode of action can be linked to regulating the TRAF6-c-Myc signaling pathway in vivo and in vitro.