bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of APC mutations on prognosis and tumor microenvironment in colorectal signet ring cell carcinoma.
Authors: Xi Yanfeng , Cui Wei , Tan Yuan , Zhang Qin , Duan Qianqian , Chen Dong-sheng
Published: August 2024

e15500

Background: Colorectal signet ring cell carcinoma (CRC-SRC) is a malignant tumour characterized by its aggressive nature and unfavourable prognosis. In spite of the fact that numerous studies have examined the molecular profile and therapeutic targets of CRC-SRC, the prognostic biomarkers for this malignancy continue to be unknown. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive analysis of multi-omics in 35 cases of CRC-SRC and 10 cases of colorectal adenocarcinomas (CRC-AC). This analysis involved various techniques, including immunohistochemistry, DNA sequencing, and RNA sequencing. Results: In CRC-SRC, despite a lower frequency of APC mutations at the genomic level (P = 0.01), they rank as the second most prevalent mutations (40%), surpassed only by TP53 mutations (65.71%). The findings revealed that 13 genes associated with immunotherapy response were found to be upregulated in CRC-AC. Additionally, the levels of CD3+, CD8+, and CD3+ & CD8+ T cells were found to be similar in tumor regions in CRC-SRC. These results suggest that CRC-SRC is more likely to have an immunosuppressive tumor immune microenvironment (TiME) compared to CRC-AC. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis (hazard ratio: 3.54, 95% confidence interval: 3.93-117.3; p-value = 0.0004), in particular, shows that the presence of APC mutations is associated with a worse prognosis. In contrast, APC-mutant cases of CRC-AC have the same overall survival (OS) rate as APC-wildtype patients in the TCGA cohort. On RNA level, APC-mutant tumors exhibited higher expression levels of VEGFA ( P = 0.028) and Mki67 (P = 0.014), which are implicated in tumour invasion and proliferation. In contrast, APC-mutant CRC-AC did not exhibit differential expression on these genes within the TCGA cohort. GSEA showed that only the E2F hallmark was significantly enriched in APC-mutant CRC-SRC patients ( P = 0.0072). On protein expression level, APC-mutant patients had a significantly lower CD3 or CD68 positive ratio in the tumour region (CD3: P = 0.035; CD68: P = 0.039). This indicated that lymphocyte infiltration is decreased in APC-mutant CRC-SRC. Conclusions: To summarize, APC mutations may have distinct functions in CRC-AC and CRC-SRC. Colorectal cancer (CRC) with APC mutations showed a more unfavourable prognosis and a distinct tumour immune microenvironment compared to CRC with normal APC. Clinical trial information: ChiCTR2300072881.
Phase IB/II first line panitumumab, irinotecan, trifluridine/tipiracil in RAS wild-type patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: PIT study.
Authors: Price Timothy Jay , Joshi Rohit , Karapetis Christos Stelios , Cooper Pam , Hocking Chris , Singhal Nimit , Townsend Amanda Rose
Published: August 2024

e15532

Background: Trifluridine/tipiracil (TT) is an oral fluoropyrimidine (FP) currently used in later line therapy. Preclinical data have demonstrated synergistic activity when panitumumab (Pmab) or irinotecan (Ir) are combined with TT supporting use in combination schedules in early line protocols. PIT was a phase IB/II study determining the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), safety and tolerability of substituting FP with TT, combined with Pmab and Ir in RAS wild-type mCRC. Methods: Phase IB 3+3 design dose escalation study (Dose level 1: TT 20mg/m2 oral BD, Ir 150mg/m2 IV, Pmab 6mg/m2). Primary objective was MTD of the combination in RAS WT mCRC patients, either 1st or 2nd line. Treatment was administered in 14-day cycles. Pmab and Ir were administered intravenously on day 1 with TT dosed orally, bid, days 1-5. Once MTD was established the phase II expansion study was to enrol 50 previously untreated mCRC patients. Primary endpoint was modified to toxicity. Results: The study closed due to slow recruitment. 14 patients were enrolled from 6/18 to 10/21. Med follow up 23 months. Med age 59 yrs (range 37-74yrs). 60% were male. One patient each was BRAF MT and right sided. ECOG 0/1 50%/50%. Thirteen patients had PIT as first line, 57% had prior adjuvant therapy. There was one DLT in first 3 patients however based on additional toxicity data (Clin Cancer Res. 2020 Apr 1:1555) a decision was made to not dose escalate beyond level 1 and commence phase II. Overall Gd 3 toxicity: Acne/rash 46%, Diarrhoea 31%, Fatigue 8%, neutropenia 15%, hypomagnesaemia 23%. One patient had Gd 4 neutropenia and there was one treatment related death (neutropenic sepsis). 12 patients had evaluable disease, 58% PR, 42% SD. Survival: Med PFS 14.1 mths, Med OS 40.6mths and 12 mth OS 64%. Conclusions: The MTD was deemed TT 20mg/m2, irinotecan 150mg/m2 and panitumumab 6mg/kg. Toxicity was manageable however significant grade 3 diarrhoea and rash was seen. There was one toxic death contributed to therapy. Small numbers do make interpretation difficult however there is a signal of activity. The slow recruitment illustrates difficulty in exploring novel combinations in early lines and potentially the reluctance to consider first line anti-EGFR therapy. Clinical trial information: ACTRN12617001190392.
Neoadjuvant therapy of camrelizumab combined with chemotherapy in patients (pts) with resectable esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC): A single-center, single-arm, exploratory clinical trial.
Authors: Yang Ji chen , Jiao Wenjie , Hua Feng , Zhao Xiaoming , Yang Wenfeng
Published: August 2024

e16095

Background: The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant therapy of camrelizumab, combined with chemotherapy in resectable ESCC pts and explore factors related to efficacy. Methods: Patient with resectable ESCC, staged as cT1b-cT2N+ or cT3-cT4aNany were enrolled. Eligible pts received camrelizumab (200 mg, d1) combined with nab-paclitaxel (200 mg/m2, d1) and nedaplatin (75 mg/m2, administered on an average of two days) and S-1 (50mg/m2, bid, d1-14) for 2 or 3 cycles (21 days per cycle) before surgery. The primary endpoints were pathological complete response (pCR) rate. Results: From Aug 25, 2022, to Nov 17, 2023, a total of 53 pts were enrolled in this study and completed 2 or 3-cycle neoadjuvant therapy. Median age was 58(54-63), 47 males and 6 females, The primary site was upper segment in 3 pts, middle segment in 27 pts, and lower segment in 23 pts, The clinical T staging was T2 in 2 pts, T3 in 49 pts, and T4 in 2 pts. The clinical N staging was N0 in 8 pts, N1 in 28 pts, N2 in 16 pts, and N3 in 1 pt. The physical condition score was 0 for 16 pts, and 1 for 27 pts. 37 pts underwent surgery and R0 recetion was achieved in 37 (100%) pts. pCR(ypT0N0) was identified in 9(24.3%) and 3(8.1%) pts had conplete response of primary tumor but residual didease in lymph nodes alone (ypT0N+), the MPR was was identified in 5(13.5%) pts. Of pts who underwent surgery, 25(67.6%) received 3-cycle and 12(32.4%) received 2-cycle neoadjuvant therapy, the pCR rate was 32% and 8.3%,respectively. According to tumor regression grade, 12 (11(44%) in 3-cycle and 1(8.3%) in 2-cycle) pts had TRG0, 5(4(16%) in 3-cycle and 1(8.3%) in 2-cycle) TRG1, 15 (9(36%) in 3-cycle and 6(50%) in 2-cycle) TRG2, and 4 (all 4(33.3%) in 2-cycle) TRG3. Also we found there was no relationship between the NK cells, B cells, total T lymphocytes, Th cells, Tc/Ts cells, CD4+/CD8+ratio and the pCR and MPR rate. The most common AEs were anemia (71.7%)、 lymphocyte count decreased (67.9%)、white blood cell count decreased (52.8%) and neutrophil count decreased (52.8%). Most AEs were grade 1-2. No grade 4/5 AEs occurred. Conclusions: The short-term efficacy and safety of camrelizumab combined with three drugs chemotherapy were similar to previous research combined with two drugs.The efficacy of three-cycle regimen seems to be significantly better than the two-cycle regimen, which may indicate that the two-cycle neoadjuvant therapy is still insufficient, and confirmatory results need to be verified through large-scale clinical studies. Clinical trial information: ChiCTR2300068185.
INTASYL PH-762: PD-1 intratumoral immunotherapy for cutaneous carcinoma.
Authors: Spellman Mary C , Furst Katharine , Mahoney Linda
Published: August 2024

TPS9620

Background: Immune checkpoint-targeted antibodies directed at PD-1 or PD-L1 block co-inhibitory receptors expressed by anti-tumor T cells, breaking immune tolerance against tumor cells and generating cancer immunity. Intratumoral (IT) immunotherapy aims to use the tumor as a ‘self-vaccine’. Local immune stimulation may induce robust priming of an anti-tumor immune response and generate abscopal tumor responses, mediated by circulating activated anti-tumor immune cells. Local delivery of immunotherapy minimizes systemic exposure and off-target toxicities and may decrease tumor size and improve surgical morbidity. PH-762 is an INTASYL compound designed to precisely silence PD-1 mRNA. INTASYL is a patented, self-delivering RNAi technology platform designed to impart specific properties to small interfering RNAs. PH-762’s unique structural and chemical modifications ensure an optimized cell and tissue uptake profile with IT administration. In vitro investigations have demonstrated efficient uptake of PH-762 by human T cells, silencing of PD-1 mRNA and subsequent protein reduction. Preclinical studies have shown that IT injections of murine-targeted PH-762 (mPH-762) can silence PD-1 mRNA in T cells within the tumor and increase the secretion of IFN-γ. mPH-762 was well tolerated at the maximum administered dose and treatment with mPH-762 provided robust and statistically significant inhibition of tumor growth. Toxicokinetic studies conducted in marmoset monkeys demonstrated that PH-762, when administered intravenously at doses of up to 147 mg/kg, is well-tolerated. No cytokine-release associated cytokines were detected in the plasma of treated monkeys at this dose. Methods: This open-label Phase 1 clinical study (NCT 06014086) is designed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of neoadjuvant use of IT PH-762 in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, or Merkel cell carcinoma, to determine the pharmacokinetic profile of PH-762 after IT injection, to observe pathologic and immunologic tumor responses, and to determine the recommended dose for development. Escalating dose concentrations of PH-762 (from 1.14 mg/mL through 22.00 mg/mL) are tested serially in cohorts of 3 patients each. Patients receive IT PH-762 once weekly, 4 times over a 3-week period prior to surgical excision, which occurs 5 weeks after the initial injection. Following excision of the tumor, patients are followed for approximately 11 weeks. Tumor changes are evaluated per iRECIST criteria and pathological response. Immunological response in tumor tissue and blood samples are assessed as secondary endpoints. This clinical study, enrolling patients since November 2023, will establish the basis for continued clinical development of PH-762. Clinical trial information: 06014086.
Outcomes With Postrecurrence Systemic Therapy Following Adjuvant Checkpoint Inhibitor Treatment for Resected Melanoma in CheckMate 238
Authors: Weber Jeffrey , Del Vecchio Michele , Mandalá Mario , Gogas Helen , Arance Ana M. , Dalle Stephane , Cowey C. Lance , Schenker Michael , Grob Jean-Jacques , Chiarion-Sileni Vanna , Márquez-Rodas Iván , Butler Marcus O. , Di Giacomo Anna Maria , de la Cruz-Merino Luis , Arenberger Petr , Atkinson Victoria , Hill Andrew , Fecher Leslie A. , Millward Michael , Khushalani Nikhil I. , Queirolo Paola , Long Georgina V. , Lobo Maurice , Askelson Margarita , Ascierto Paolo A. , Larkin James
Published: August 2024

PURPOSE

In phase III CheckMate 238, adjuvant nivolumab significantly improved recurrence-free survival compared with ipilimumab in patients with resected stage IIIB-C/IV melanoma without a significant difference in overall survival (OS). Here, we investigate progression-free survival (PFS) and OS after postrecurrence systemic therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients 15 years or older with resected stage IIIB-C/IV melanoma were stratified by stage and tumor PD-L1 status and randomly assigned to receive nivolumab 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks, or ipilimumab 10 mg/kg every 3 weeks for four doses and then every 12 weeks for 1 year or until disease recurrence, unacceptable toxicity, or withdrawal of consent. Patients with recurrence in each group were assessed for PFS and OS from subsequent systemic therapy (SST) initiation per recurrence timing (≤12 months [early]
v
>12 months [late] from initial therapy).

RESULTS

Recurrences occurred in 198 (44%) of 453 nivolumab-treated patients (122 early, 76 late) and 232 (51%) of 453 ipilimumab-treated patients (160 early, 72 late). Median PFS on next-line systemic therapy for nivolumab-treated patients recurring early versus late was 4.7 versus 12.4 months (24-month rates, 16%
v
31%); median OS was 19.8 versus 42.8 months (24-month rates: 37%
v
73%). In response to subsequent therapy, patients on nivolumab with late versus early recurrence were more likely to benefit from anti–PD-1 monotherapy. Nivolumab-treated patients with either an early or late recurrence benefitted from an ipilimumab-based therapy or targeted therapy, each with similar OS.

CONCLUSION

Postrecurrence survival was longer for patients who recurred >12 months. Patients on nivolumab who recurred early benefitted from SST but had better survival with ipilimumab-based regimens or targeted therapy compared with anti–PD-1 monotherapy.
Landscape of Concomitant Driver Alterations in Classical EGFR-Mutated Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Wang Huaying , Lin Lie , Liang Chuqiao , Pang Jiaohui , Yin Jiani C. , Zhang Junli , Shao Yang , Sun Chengming , Guo Renhua
Published: August 2024

PURPOSE

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has enabled the detection of concomitant driver alterations in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the magnitude and clinical relevance of concomitant drivers remain to be explored.

METHODS

We profiled concomitant driver alterations of EGFR+ NSCLC by using targeted NGS. The associated genomic and clinical features were analyzed and validated in an independent The Cancer Genome Atlas cohort of patients with EGFR+ NSCLC.

RESULTS

Out of the total patient population, 334 patients had EGFR mutations along with concomitant driver mutations, comprising 3.09% of the entire cohort. The most frequent co-occurring mutations with sensitizing EGFR mutations include KRAS at 53.9%, followed by ERBB2 at 24.3%, MET at 16.5%, and BRAF at 3.3%. KRAS mutations in concomitant drivers were frequently hyperexchange mutations (25.6% v 8.2%, P < .001), compared with KRAS single drivers. EGFR/ ERBB2 drivers exhibited a higher incidence of ERBB2 amplification (40.7% v 16.5%, P < .001) and p.S310F/Y mutations (44.4% v 4.3%, P < .001) compared with ERBB2 alone. EGFR/ MET drivers had a higher frequency of MET amplification (71.4% v 43.3%) than MET single drivers. At the genomic level, the median number of additional concurrent mutations was four, with TSC2 (4%), CD274 (1%), and TP53 (63%) being the most frequently coaltered genes in concomitant driver tumors. Interestingly, clonality analysis indicated that EGFR mutations were more likely to occur as clonal events, whereas the codrivers were more often subclonal. Patients with concomitant drivers or with concomitant MET amplification exhibited worse prognosis.

CONCLUSION

These findings might aid in the selection of effective therapeutic regimens and facilitate the development of combination therapies.
Molecular Differences With Therapeutic Implications in Early-Onset Compared With Average-Onset Biliary Tract Cancers
Authors: Jayakrishnan Thejus , Baca Yasmine , Xiu Joanne , Patel Mehrie , Weinberg Benjamin A. , Lou Emil , Datta Jashodeep , Khushman Moh'd , Gulhati Pat , Goel Sanjay , Biachi de Castria Tiago , Florou Vaia , Nair Kanika G. , Kamath Suneel D. , Khorana Alok A.
Published: August 2024

PURPOSE

Early-onset biliary tract cancer (eoBTC) is among the fast-growing subset of early-onset cancers, yet little is known about its biology. We sought to identify novel molecular characteristics of eoBTC in relation to average-onset BTC (aoBTC) using a real-world multiomics data set.

METHODS

The study comprised patients with BTC whose tumors underwent molecular analyses at Caris Life Sciences and were categorized by age (<50 years for eoBTC, ≥50 years for aoBTC). P values were adjusted for multiple testing and considered significant at Q < 0.05 (molecular comparisons) or Q < 0.25 (Gene Set Enrichment Analysis [GSEA]). Insurance claims data were used for survival analysis.

RESULTS

The study included 5,587 patients with BTC (453 eoBTC, median age = 44 years and 5,134 aoBTC, median age = 68 years). FGFR2 fusion (15.7% in eoBTC v 5.9% in aoBTC) and NIPBL fusion (1.1% v 0%) were significantly more prevalent in eoBTC (both Q < 0.001). The interferon gamma-IFG score (fold change [FC], 1.1; Q = 0.01) and T-cell inflammation score (FC, 17.3; Q = 0.03) were significantly higher in aoBTC. On GSEA, angiogenesis was enriched in eoBTC (normalized enrichment score [NES] = 1.51; Q = 0.16), whereas IFG (NES = –1.58; Q = 0.06) and inflammatory response (NES = –1.46; Q = 0.18) were enriched in aoBTC. The median overall survival (OS) was 16.5 (eoBTC) versus 13.3 months (aoBTC), hazard ratio = 0.86, P = .004. The median OS by FGFR2 fusion (with fusion v without) was 21.7 versus 15.0 months ( P = .47) for eoBTC and 18.6 versus 12.2 months ( P < .001) for aoBTC.

CONCLUSION

We identified crucial differences including higher prevalence of FGFR2 fusions in eoBTC and variations in immunotherapy-related markers. Better outcomes in eoBTC were affected by the FGFR2 fusion status. Our findings underscore the need for ensuring access to next-generation sequencing testing, including prompt identification of actionable targets.
Improving Access to Hereditary Testing in Pancreatic Ductal Carcinoma
Authors: Cremin Carol , Bedard Angela C. , Hong Quan , Mung Sze Wing , Nuk Jennifer , Wong Andrew , Akbar Husain , Cheung Eugene , Renouf Daniel , Schaeffer David , Sun Sophie , Schrader Kasmintan A.
Published: August 2024

PURPOSE

Approximately 5%-10% of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) have an inherited basis, yet uptake of genetic testing remains low and subject to disparities. This study compared two genetic testing pathways available to patients referred to a provincial cancer center, BC Cancer: a traditional hereditary cancer clinic–initiated testing (HCT) pathway and a new oncology clinic–initiated testing (OCT) pathway.

METHODS

Study subjects were patients with confirmed PDAC referred for genetic testing through the HCT or OCT pathway between June 1, 2020, and February 1, 2022. Charts were retrospectively reviewed for patient characteristics and testing outcomes.

RESULTS

The study population was 397 patients (HCT, n = 279 and OCT, n = 118). OCT patients were more likely to have non-European ethnicity compared with HCT patients (41.9% v 25.6%, P = .004), to have earlier-stage disease ( P = .012), and to have better Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status than the HCT group ( P = .001). A total of 306 patients completed testing (77%). OCT patients had higher test completion rates than HCT patients (odds ratio, 3.74 [95% CI, 1.66 to 9.62]). Median time for results was shorter in OCT than in HCT (53 days [IQR, 44-76] v 107 days [IQR, 63.8-158.3]). Pancreatic cancer susceptibility pathogenic gene variants were identified in 8.5% (26/306).

CONCLUSION

The real-world observations in our study show that oncology clinic–initiated hereditary testing is more effective and faster than testing through hereditary cancer clinic referrals and reaches a more ethnically diverse population. This has important implications for publicly funded environments with limited resources for genetic counseling.
The Political Economy of Lauchlin Currie's Land Tax Policy in Wartime China
Authors: Chao Hsiang-Ke , Lin Hsiao-ting
Published: August 2024

This article examines Lauchlin Currie's land tax policy suggestion during wartime China and its political economy. Our study, based on unpublished archival materials, aims to clarify the reasons for and outcomes of Currie's first visit to China in 1942. It is argued that Currie, acting as a sincere adviser, based his policy recommendation on extensive surveys of the political and economic conditions of wartime China. In his efforts to persuade the Chinese leader Chiang Kai-shek to implement financial reform, Currie drew on the authority of Sun Yat-sen's economic thought and the leadership analogies of Franklin Roosevelt and New Deal policies.
Race, Time, and the Petrified Subject in Algeria
Authors: McManus Anne-Marie
Published: August 2024

Two major thinkers of anti-colonialism in Algeria—Kateb Yacine, author of the novel Nedjma (1956), and Frantz Fanon—described the impacts of colonial violence through figures of petrification that blur the border between human and nonhuman. Their works ground this article's relational reading across anti-Black and anti-Algerian racializations, drawing on Sylvia Wynter's concept of rhythmic reading and scholarship on comparative racialization. Petrification seeks to capture subjective absence: a modality of living as a negated subject who is excluded from the category of the human. This relational frame suggests absence as a plural, disappearing mode of knowledge production under colonialism. Yacine's novel fleshes out alternative modalities of being human that appear, in Fanon's Algerian writings, as flickers en route to revolution, or clinical diagnoses. Fanon's oeuvre and its readers generate a new critique of Yacine's canonical novel. This article develops absence as a new vocabulary, beyond colonial psychiatry and its agentive resistance, for the reading of literature from the settler colony. Building on feminist critiques of Nedjma, it names anti-Blackness in the novel as an instance of the text's participation in the field of Man at the moment it tries to write, through absence, its outside.
Reliability of Medical Journals from Pakistan: Challenges and way Forward
Authors: Jawaid Shaukat Ali , Akhtar Jamshed , Jawaid Masood
Published: August 2024

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.8.10617
How to cite this: Jawaid SA, Akhtar J, Jawaid M. Reliability of Medical Journals from Pakistan: Challenges and way Forward. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(8):1593-1595. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.8.10617
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Incorporating basic periodontal screening into antenatal care services provided in Rwanda: A policy brief
Authors: Uwambaye Peace , Kanmodi Kehinde Kazeem
Published: August 2024

Background Preterm birth, which is child delivery before 37 weeks of pregnancy, is the primary cause of perinatal mortality worldwide. Preterm birth remains a major public health challenge in Rwanda, affecting approximately 13.8% of birth. The World Health Organization estimates that 15 million babies are born prematurely each year. While the association between periodontitis and preterm deliveries is increasingly recognized, little is known about this link in Rwanda. This policy brief aims to bridge this knowledge gap by presenting the findings of a recent study investigating the prevalence of periodontitis among pregnant women in Rwanda and its association with preterm deliveries. This policy brief also aims to inform and guide decision making towards incorporating periodontal screening into the antenatal care package in Rwanda. This has the potential to improve pregnancy outcomes and contribute to improved oral health in the future. Policy outcome and Implications Contemporary evidence has shown a six-fold increased risk of preterm delivery for women with periodontitis in Rwanda, with a concerningly high prevalence (60%) among pregnant women. Additionally, nurses working in antenatal clinics displayed insufficient knowledge about gum disease. Actionable recommendations The adoption of basic periodontal screening within existing antenatal care packages is recommended. This, coupled with nurse training and public awareness campaigns, can empower women and healthcare professionals to prioritize oral health for better pregnancy outcomes. Conclusions Integrating periodontal screening into antenatal care has the potential to significantly reduce preterm deliveries and contribute to a healthier future generation in Rwanda.
Enriched marine oil supplements in pregnancy for the modulation of maternal inflammatory- associated causes of preterm delivery
Authors: Regidor Pedro Antonio , Eiblwieser Johanna , Steeb Theresa , Rizo Jose Miguel
Published: August 2024

Preterm birth is a major cause of perinatal complications and neonatal deaths. Furthermore, in the field of obstetrics many clinical entities like uterine contractions or the occurrence of pre- eclampsia remain to be serious complications during pregnancy and represent a major psychological, financial, and economic burden for society. Several published guidelines, studies and recommendations have highlighted the importance of supplementation of omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) during pregnancy. This narrative review aims at giving an overview on the modern perception of inflammatory processes and the role of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) in their resolution, especially in obstetrics. Additionally, we highlight the possible role of SPMs in the prevention of obstetric complications through oral supplementation using enriched marine oil nutritional’s. The intake of PUFAs may result in an overall improvement of pregnancy outcomes by contributing to fetal brain growth and neurological development but more importantly though modulation of inflammation-associated pathologies. Especially the use of SPMs represents a promising approach for the management of obstetric and perinatal complications. SPMs are monohydroxylates derived from enriched marine oil nutritional’s that involve certain pro-resolutive metabolites of omega-3 long chains PUFAs and may contribute to an attenuation of inflammatory diseases. This may be obtained through various mechanisms necessary for a proper resolution of inflammation such as the termination of neutrophil tissue infiltration, initiation of phagocytosis, downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines or tissue regeneration. In this way, acute and chronic inflammatory diseases associated with serious obstetrical complications can be modulated, which might contribute to an improved pregnancy outcome.
Using Gagne’s instructional design to teach communication skills in phlebotomy education through role-play
Authors: Owaidah Amani Y.
Published: August 2024

Background: Phlebotomy is a medical procedure that is performed frequently in the blood collection activities of medical institutions. The procedure involves close interaction with different types of patients—some of whom are cooperative and others, who, for many reasons, are not (for example, patients who have a fear of needles). Blood extraction is an essential skill in several medical specialties, such as in laboratory sciences. Lesson planning in phlebotomy education is mainly focused on procedural skills, and very little attention is given towards teaching communication skills despite the close patient interaction in phlebotomy. In this paper, I propose a lesson plan for teaching communication skills to medical laboratory sciences and nursing students based on Gagne’s instructional design. Methods: The training session included two main parts: training session using Gange’s instructional design and at the end of the session, the participants were surveyed for the effectiveness of the training session. Results: 17 participants were included in the study. Overall, the majority of the participants were highly satisfied with the effectiveness of the training session in teaching communication skills with all seven survey questions receiving a mean score of 4.58 on a Likert scale of 1-5. Conclusion: We demonstrated the effectiveness of Gange’s instructional beyond theoretical lesson planning to teach communication skills through role-play in phlebotomy education.
Some aspects of the digital divide in education
Authors: Napso Marianna , Agirbov T.
Published: August 2024

the paper examines the problems of digital inequality in the sphere of inequality, focusing on the analysis of its essence and main characteristics. The article examines such an indicator of digital inequality as unequal access of educational institutions to IT resources, which results in digital barriers. It is stressed that digital inequality in education leads to the deepening of social inequality, strengthening the processes of marginalisation and social deprivation, as well as to the production of social risks.
Quality of life in patients with temporomandibular joint arthrosis and orthopedic treatment of missing teeth depending on the severity of arthrosis and implant volume
Authors: Balykov V. , Shakhnovskyi I. , Burdeinyi V. , Cherednychenko A. , Lysenko V. , Nazarov O. , Rozhko P.
Published: August 2024

Temporomandibular (TMJ) arthrosis severely impacts everyday activity and has substantial negative consequences for the general health state, especially when local manifestations are orchestrated by pronounced pain syndrome. That justifies the necessity of investigating the quality of life (QL) of patients with TMJ arthrosis who are undergoing orthopedic treatment. The research aimed to investigate the QL of patients with unilateral and bilateral TMJ arthrosis before and 6-8 months after occlusion correction, which was achieved by placing a different number of implants. In total, 127 patients (75 women and 52 men) were observed in the study of quality of life indicators, which were divided into four groups: bilateral TMJ arthrosis with the implantation of 3-6 implants (36 patients); bilateral TMJ arthrosis with the implantation of 1-2 implants (30 patients); unilateral TMJ arthrosis with the implantation of 3-6 implants (29 patients); unilateral TMJ arthrosis with the implantation of 1-2 implants (32 patients). Each group was comparable in age, gender, duration, and manifestations of arthrosis. QL was measured using questionnaire SF-36.  In patients who were diagnosed with bilateral TMJ arthrosis and underwent implantation of 3-6 implants in the postponed period, only pain (P) and SRF scales significantly exceeded initial values – by two times and by 23.2% correspondently (P<0.05). In patients with bilateral TMJ arthrosis and implantation of 1-2 implants showed significant increase on all scales except PF and MH. Thus, the implantation of a significant number of implants (3-6) in the setting of unilateral manifestations of TMJ arthrosis showed an improvement in the quality of life of patients compared to the baseline level on five scales - PF, P, Vit, SRF and RLEH (P<0.05). In patients with unilateral TMJ arthrosis and a small number (1-2) of implant insertions, initial QL was relatively better when compared with other groups, and posttreatment improvement was seen in all scales (P<0.05). The results indicated the effectiveness of improving the quality of life by correcting the occlusion using permanent implants in patients with manifestations of TMJ arthrosis. The severity of the therapeutic effect has an inversely proportional relationship with the severity of the manifestations of arthrosis and the amount of orthopedic care provided. The obtained results indicate the effectiveness of the SF-36 questionnaire in orthopedic patients with TMJ arthrosis and general distinct health disorders.
The complicated relationship between asthma and swimming
Authors: Czarnecka Karolina , Burda Katarzyna , Korczak Anna , Szewczyk Oliwia , Olek Ewa , Jędrzejczyk Justyna , Łopacińska Olga , Stańczyk Katarzyna , Korn Aleksandra , Wójcik Emilia
Published: August 2024

Introduction: Apart from pharmacological treatment, non-pharmacological strategies including physical activity play a significant role in the management of asthma. The aim of this paper is to examine various topics related to swimming and asthma. They include the detailed effect of swimming on asthma control,the potential role of swimming in early childhood asthma development, exercise induced asthma in swimmers as well as the relationship between asthma and cold water swimming. 
Review methods: This article is based on the literature found in the PubMed Database from the period of 1971-2024 with the use of keywords such as “asthma”, “swimming”, “cold water swimming”, “exercise induced asthma”, “childhood asthma” 
Description of the state of knowledge: Swimming is a safe form of physical activity for asthma patients.Swimming training enhances aerobic capacity, reduces exercise-induced bronchoconstriction and improves lung function in both pediatric and adult patients. However, there is a concern regarding indoor swimming pools that chlorine can  potentially induce airway inflammation. There is research suggesting that early life swimming pool exposure may contribute to the asthma development in atopic children. There is some premise to the thought that cold water swimming may help alleviate asthma symptoms, but it also carries many risks.Swimming is a major cause of exercise induced asthma in professional athletes. 
Conclusions: Alongside appropriate pharmacological treatment, swimming is a valuable strategy in asthma management in both pediatric and adult asthma patients. The risks of chlorinating pools are still not known to outweigh the benefits of swimming for asthmatics. Further research should be carried out on safety of early swimming in atopic children. Cold water swimming should also be evaluated in terms of safety and potential benefits for asthma patients.
The Benefits of Physical Activity for Patients with Cystic Fibrosis: A Literature Review
Authors: Sieniawska Julia , Kamizela Angelika , Madoń Magda , Proszowska Patrycja , Sieniawska Daria
Published: August 2024

Introduction
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a complex and progressive genetic disorder that significantly impacts multiple organ systems, particularly the lungs and digestive tract. Despite advances in treatment and improved life expectancy, CF remains incurable, necessitating ongoing research and comprehensive management strategies. One of the key components in managing CF is the incorporation of physical activity (PA).
Aim of the study
The aim of the study is to investigate the role of physical activity in in the management of cystic fibrosis.
Materials and methods
This study underscores the critical role of physical activity (PA) in the management and overall well-being of individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF). It provides a comprehensive review of the multifaceted benefits of PA for CF patients, highlighting its positive impact on exercise tolerance, pulmonary function, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, and quality of life. PubMed and Google Scholar database was searched for articles written in English. The search included the keywords.
Results
The data suggest that while CF patients face unique challenges, including muscle weakness and exercise intolerance, regular PA can mitigate these effects and improve overall health outcomes. Supervised exercise programs have demonstrated significant improvements in exercise tolerance and respiratory muscle endurance without adverse effects, indicating their feasibility and safety for CF patients. Studies have shown that patients with CF who engage in regular PA experience slower declines in lung function, fewer hospitalizations, and better nutritional status. Specific types of exercise, such as anaerobic training, have been particularly effective in increasing muscle strength and body weight.
Opportunistic Change During a Punctuation: How and When the Front Lines Can Drive Bursts of Incremental Change
Authors: Yang Elisabeth , DiBenigno Julia
Published: August 2024

Environmental jolts can trigger more conducive conditions for driving change in organizations. However, punctuated equilibrium theories of organizational change concentrate on top managers’ implementation of de novo radical changes after jolts. Existing research has not examined frontline-driven, incremental change efforts during these periods of disrupted stasis, despite the value of frontline change ideas. We develop a process model to explain how and when those on an organization’s front lines can leverage a jolt to opportunistically implement long-desired change ideas in ways that promote their retention. We conducted a two-year qualitative field study at a hospital during the Covid-19 pandemic, examining the trajectories of 33 premeditated change ideas raised by frontline staff. By comparing ideas that persisted to become part of normal operations with those that failed to be selected or retained, we identified practices and conditions that promoted the selection and retention of frontline change ideas. Our study suggests that frontline change advocates can seed the long-term retention of “shovel-ready” ideas—as opposed to de novo ideas—after a jolt by rapidly and opportunistically deploying a novel set of practices before the brief window of opportunity created by lessened constraints and increased managerial receptivity closes. Prior theories of change largely assume frontline-driven change to be slow and continuous, proceeding in a one-off fashion; we explain how and when frontline change can instead occur in rapid, opportunistic bursts. This study advances theories of punctuated equilibrium and bottom-up change in organizations by unearthing an alternative way that change can be intentionally accomplished in organizations.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2021.15120 .
Dynamic Operations of a Mobile Charging Crowdsourcing Platform
Authors: Yan Yiming , Lin Xi , He Fang , Wang David Z. W.
Published: August 2024

This paper investigates the operation of a novel electric vehicles (EVs) charging service mode, that is, crowdsourced mobile charging service for EVs, whereby a crowdsourcing platform is established to arrange suppliers (crowdsourced chargers) to deliver charging service to customers’ electric vehicles (parked EVs) at low-battery levels. From the platform operator’s perspective, we aim to determine the optimal operation strategies for mobile charging crowdsourcing platforms to achieve specific objectives. A mathematical modeling framework is developed to capture the interactions among supply, demand, and service operations in the crowdsourced mobile charging market. To design an efficient solution method to solve the formulated model, we first analyze the model properties by rigorously proving that a crucial variable set for operating the mobile charging crowdsourcing system includes charging price, commission control, and period-specific aggregate demand control. Besides, we provide both an equivalent condition and a necessary condition for checking the feasibility of these crucial variables. On top of this, we construct a search tree according to the operation periods in a day to solve the optimal operation strategies, wherein a nondominated principle is adopted as an accelerating technique in the searching process. The solution obtained from the proposed solution algorithm is proved to be sufficiently close to the actual global optimal solutions of the formulated model up to the resolution of the discretization scheme adopted. Numerical examples provide evidence verifying the model’s validity and the solution method’s efficiency. Overall, the research outcome of this work can offer service operators structured and valuable guidelines for operating mobile charging crowdsourcing platforms.

Funding: This work was supported by the Singapore Ministry of Education [Grant RG124/21].

Supplemental Material: The online appendices are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/trsc.2023.0126 .
The impact of COVID pandemic on quality of life in patients with chronic cough
Authors: Rudzińska Monika , Banaszek Łukasz , Białek-Gosk Katarzyna , Grabczak Elżbieta , Dąbrowska Marta
Published: August 2024

Introduction. A chronic cough (CC) significantly impairs patients’ quality of life. During COVID-19 pandemic cough has been considered as a cardinal symptom of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Aim. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on functioning of patients with a chronic cough.
Material and methods. A survey of 13 closed questions, was conducted among 100 adults with CC who were treated in a cough clinic between November 2021 and February 2023. At the same time cough severity was measured by 100 mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and cough related quality of life using Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ).
Results. Median VAS was 40 mm (20-64 mm) and median LCQ was 14.8 points (IQR 11.6-17.6). 68 patients with CC experienced unfavorable social reactions and 40 patients declared that they avoided going out because of cough. Wearing masks led to increase in cough severity in 53 patients. Despite limitations in regular medical visits, only 20 patients (21%) declared worse quality of medical care. When it comes to 48 patients, they had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by antigen or RT-PCR test, but only in 27 of them (56%) cough became more severe during COVID-19 infection and only 15 patients (15/48, 31%) required modification of previous antitussive treatment due to COVID-19 infection.
Conclusion. The comparison of patients who had SARS-CoV-2 infection with those who did not, revealed that patients with COVID-19 infection were younger, more often experienced unfavorable social reactions in public places, their cough seemed alarming to the relatives to a greater extent and wearing masks was more burdensome for them. Authors findings suggest that COVD-19 had a negative impact mainly on social and psychological aspects of life in adults with CC.

Keywords: COVID-19, chronic cough, quality of life.
Time for reform of the Mental Health Act
Authors: Hashimi Samina
Published: August 2024

The editor takes a look at the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman report on the state of discharge from mental health care and the new government's plans to reform the Mental Health Act.
An ethnobotanical study of aromatic medicinal plants of Swat Valley, Pakistan
Authors: ALI SHUJAT , MUNAZIR MEHMOODA , SHER HASSAN , QURESHI RAHMATULLAH , AKRAM MUHAMMAD
Published: August 2024

Abstract. Ali S, Munazir M, Sher H, Qureshi R, Akram M. 2023. An ethnobotanical study of aromatic medicinal plants of Swat Valley, Pakistan. Asian J Ethnobiol 6: 163-172. Plants play a key role in local medicines and are a source of income, as in the case of Swat, Pakistan, which is rich in medicinal plants coupled with rich in the practice of traditional knowledge and diverse cultures. So, the present study aimed to record the cultural uses of aromatic medicinal plants commonly used as medicines by herbalists from remote areas in Swat Valley. The survey was carried out in 2021 and 2023 using a semi-structured questionnaire with a total of 106 people were interviewed. A total of 33 aromatic medicinal plant species belonging to 30 genera and 14 families were identified and recorded. Lamiaceae was the most commonly used plant family (33%), followed by Apiaceae (18%), Rutaceae (9%), Zingiberaceae (6%), and Myrtaceae (6%). Herbs were commonly used for herbal recipes with 23 species (69%), followed by shrubs (12%), trees (15%), and climbers (3%). Shoots and leaves (30%) were the most commonly used parts of the plants, followed by fruits (18%), seeds (15%), bulbs (6%), rhizomes, bark, and needles (3%). In terms of mode of application, powder was the most common mode (42%), followed by dried (30%), infusions (27%), decoctions (24%), crushing (6%), and heating (3%). The highest Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) was Skimmia laureola with 0.84, while Anisomeles indica had the lowest RFC (0.13). In terms of Fidelity Level (FL), Zingiber officinale had the highest FL (83%), while Sium latifolium had the lowest FL (13%). The recorded aromatic medicinal plants are mostly used to treat stomach problems. It has also been observed that elderly people are more knowledgeable than younger ones. Therefore, the present study suggests that these plants should be screened for new compounds linked to their reported use in the development of new therapeutics.
Ethnobotany of traditional rituals of Javanese in the city of Surakarta, Central Java, Indonesia
Authors: MUKARROMAH ARUM NUR , DZIHNI ASFI , AZZAM ATIKAH KHORIYAH , ADININGSIH AULIA RAHMATYA , UTAMI AYU SULISTIYANING , NAZAR IRFAN ABU , SUNARTO SUNARTO , ISKANDAR JOHAN , SAENSOUK SURAPON , SETYAWAN AHMAD DWI
Published: August 2024

Abstract. Mukarromah AN, Dzihni A, Azzam AK, Adiningsih AR, Utami AS, Nazar IA, Sunarto, Iskandar J, Saensouk S, Setyawan AD. 2024. Ethnobotany of traditional rituals of Javanese in the city of Surakarta, Central Java, Indonesia. Asian J Ethnobiol 7: 22-31. Surakarta is one of the municipalities in Central Java Province, Indonesia, known as a multicultural city, so it might be potential for cultural performances in the form of historical buildings, local culinary delights, cultural products, cultural arts, and traditional rituals. This research aimed to determine the use and meaning of plants in traditional rituals carried out by the people of Surakarta. Data were collected using in-depth interviews and observation methods collected primary data in three villages: Baluwarti, Mojosongo, and Keprabon, Surakarta City, Central Java, Indonesia. The results show that there are 10 traditional rituals commonly carried out by people in three villages, namely mitoni, medeking, procotan, wedding, death, grebeg maulud or sekaten, grebeg syawal, tedhak siten, tumpengan, and sadranan, where, each traditional ritual uses plants according to their respective meanings. There are 27 plant species belonging to 20 families used in traditional rituals by the people of three villages. Most respondents purchase plants used in traditional rituals from the traditional markets due to increasingly limited open space for planting the plant species.
Biological resources utilization in grebeg maulud ceremony in Surakarta City, Indonesia
Authors: AYUNINGTYAS HANUM RACHMA , NABILA IFFAH , ‘AZIZAH HUSNA’ PUTRI NUR , ANDEWI LINTANG CAHYA , SAENSOUK SURAPON , SETYAWAN AHMAD DWI
Published: August 2024

Abstract. Ayuningtyas HR, Nabila I, ‘Azizah HPN, Andewi LC, Saensouk S, Setyawan AD. 2024. Biological resources utilization in grebeg maulud ceremony in Surakarta City, Indonesia. Asian J Ethnobiol 7: 43-49. Indonesia is a country of diverse nature, culture, and traditions in each region. Implementing traditional ceremonies is closely related to utilizing natural resources, both plants and animals, in the surrounding area. The sekaten or grebeg maulud is a ceremony which is often held every month of Rabi'ul Awal, involves gunungan elements in the form of crops contested by the community. This research was conducted in Surakarta City, Central Java, Indonesia, from November to December 2023, in Mojosongo Village, Keprabon Village, and Baluwarti Village. This study aims to determine the understanding of the community regarding the grebeg maulud ceremony, identify the biodiversity used in grebeg maulud, and determine the utilization of these resources in people's lives. The methods used in this research are survey methods, group discussions, ethnographic studies, key informant interviews, and the surrounding community interviews. The important thing that becomes the basis of this research is the utilization of crops by the surrounding community, which is calculated using the Index of Cultural Significance (ICS) value calculation. People in Mojosongo, Keprabon, and Baluwarti Villages utilize several species for grebeg maulud activities, including 2 species of fauna and 19 species of flora. The parts of the fauna utilized are eggs and meat; the most utilized part of the flora is the fruit.