bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pearls and pitfalls of OTC medications for seasonal allergies
Authors: Lewis Paige , Hong Eunhee , Sheridan Dan
Published: July 2024

Seasonal allergies have a negative impact on patients' quality of life. Nurses must be aware of the different treatment options and lifestyle modifications to help patients manage their symptoms. This article discusses the benefits and risks of over-the-counter medications for seasonal allergies and other implications for nurses.
Video Versus Nonvideo in a Rabbit Training Model for Establishing an Emergency Front of Neck Airway in Children
Authors: Amato Francesca , Both Christian P. , Alonso Elena , Wendel-Garcia Pedro D. , Diem Birgit , Schneider Celine , Schmidt Anna , Kemper Michael , Schmitz Achim , Thomas Jörg
Published: July 2024

Objectives

Simulating a realistic “cannot intubate, cannot oxygenate” (CICO) situation to train an “emergency front of neck airway” is difficult. It further remains unclear if provision of regular technical refreshers improves performance in the setting of a real CICO situation. The purpose of this prospective study on an established surgical rabbit cadaver tracheostomy model was to evaluate the benefit of viewing training material shortly before performing “emergency front of neck airway.”

Methods

Previously trained participants were randomized into 2 groups. The control group (video) was allowed to watch an instructional video before performing a tracheotomy on the training model, while the study group (nonvideo) was not. Queried outcomes included success rate, performance time, and severe secondary airway injuries between the 2 groups.

Results

In 29 tracheotomies performed by 29 participants, the overall success rate was 86% (92% video; 81% nonvideo, P = 0.4). Performance time was not different between the 2 groups (video: 80 s [IQR25–75: 53–86], nonvideo 64 s [IQR25–75: 47–102]; P = 0.93). Only in the nonvideo group, the performance time and the time between the workshops correlated positively (P = 0.048). Severe secondary injuries were noted in 4 of 29 rabbit cadavers, 2 in each group. Watching a refresher video before performing an emergency surgical tracheostomy in an infant training model did not influence the success rate and the performance time in previously trained anesthetists.

Conclusions

These results highlight the ease of learning, memorization, and recall of this emergency surgical tracheostomy technique and may demonstrate its applicability in a real infant CICO situation.
Superficial and Invasive Spread of High-grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion and Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report
Authors: Nguyen Dan T. , Waring Dale , Wan King M. , Loo Christine
Published: July 2024

We present a case of extensive spread of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL)/cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 (CIN3) with foci of invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in a premenopausal woman. Superficial spread of CIN3 and cervical SCC to the endometrium and/or fallopian tubes is rare, especially in countries with cervical cancer screening programs. Our case occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have been a major contributing factor to delayed detection and, consequently extensive spread.
Deep mutational scanning of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2.86 and epistatic emergence of the KP.3 variant
Authors: Taylor Ashley L. , Starr Tyler N.
Published: July 2024

Deep mutational scanning experiments aid in the surveillance and forecasting of viral evolution by providing prospective measurements of mutational effects on viral traits, but epistatic shifts in the impacts of mutations can hinder viral forecasting when measurements were made in outdated strain backgrounds. Here, we report measurements of the impact of all single amino acid mutations on ACE2-binding affinity and protein folding and expression in the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2.86 spike receptor-binding domain (RBD). As with other SARS-CoV-2 variants, we find a plastic and evolvable basis for receptor binding, with many mutations at the ACE2 interface maintaining or even improving ACE2-binding affinity. Despite its large genetic divergence, mutational effects in BA.2.86 have not diverged greatly from those measured in its Omicron BA.2 ancestor. However, we do identify strong positive epistasis among subsequent mutations that have accrued in BA.2.86 descendants. Specifically, the Q493E mutation that decreased ACE2-binding affinity in all previous SARS-CoV-2 backgrounds is reversed in sign to enhance human ACE2-binding affinity when coupled with L455S and F456L in the currently emerging KP.3 variant. Our results point to a modest degree of epistatic drift in mutational effects during recent SARS-CoV-2 evolution but highlight how these small epistatic shifts can have important consequences for the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants.
High fat low carbohydrate diet is linked to protection against CNS autoimmunity
Authors: Ni Duan , Tan Jian , Reyes Julen , Senior Alistair M , Andrews Caitlin , Taitz Jemma , Potier Camille , Wishart Claire , Spiteri Alanna , Piccio Laura , King Nicholas Jonathan Cole , Barres Romain , Raubenheimer David , Simpson Stephen James , Nanan Ralph , Macia Laurence
Published: July 2024

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common central nervous system (CNS) autoimmune disease, and diets and nutrients are emerging as critical contributing factors. However, a comprehensive understanding of their impacts and the underlying mechanisms involved is lacking. Harnessing state-of-the-art nutritional geometry analytical methods, we first revealed that globally, increased carbohydrate supply was associated with increased MS disease burden, while fat supply had an opposite effect. Furthermore, in a preclinical MS mouse model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), we found that an isocaloric diet high in carbohydrate aggravated EAE, while a diet enriched in fat was fully protective. This was reflected by reduced neuroinflammation and skewing towards anti-inflammatory phenotypes, which involved transcriptomic, epigenetic and immunometabolic changes. We showcased that manipulating diets is a potentially efficient and cost-effective approach to prevent and/or ameliorate EAE. This exhibits translational potentials for intervention/prevention of MS and possibly other autoimmune diseases.
Gaze audits food items for bite points during human withdraw-to-eat movements
Authors: Whishaw Ian Q , Kuntz Jessica R. , Ryait Hardeep , Philip Julia , Koples Jordyn , Dudley Jordan , Karl Jenni M.
Published: July 2024

Food handling and eating are central to the skill of primate hand movements, and their analysis can provide insights into the evolutionary origins of hand use and its generalization to other behaviors, such as tool use. Vision contributes differently to the reach, grasp, and withdraw-to-eat components of hand use when eating, suggesting that these component movements are controlled by different visuomotor networks with distinct evolutionary histories. This study examines the role of gaze in mediating the withdraw-to-eat movement in human participants eating various food items, including candy, donuts, carrots, bananas, and apples, or pantomiming the eating movements for some of these items. Eye-tracking and frame-by-frame video analyses are used to describe gaze, gaze duration, gaze disengagement, eye blinking, and hand preference in eating each food item. The results show that gaze first identifies points on a food item that the dominant hand can grasp and then identifies points on the food item that the mouth can bite. The hand and finger shaping movements of both the initial grasp and subsequent food handling aid in exposing targets on the food for grasping and biting. The comparison of real and pantomime eating suggests that only real food items possess the affordances that elicit gaze patterns associated with identifying online targets for grasps and bites. The findings are discussed in relation to idea that gaze has a feature-detector-like role linking food cues to the skilled movements of hand shaping to grasp a food item and then to orient a food item to the mouth for biting.
Behavioural variation in background colour matching and the effect of social environment in rock-pool mosquitoes
Authors: Cordeschi Giulia , Porretta Daniele , Canestrelli Daniele
Published: July 2024

Several animal species conceal themselves from potential predators by actively choosing environmental patches that best match body colouration and chromatic patterns. Growing evidence shows that a variety of contexts and conditions can affect this background choice behaviour, yet the extent of this variety remains largely underexplored. Here, we explore the effect of disturbance and social environment on background colour choice behaviour in the rock-pool mosquitoAedes mariae. We exposed single individuals and groups of individuals to experimental arenas made of dark and bright patches, and recorded individuals’ colour preferences when alone and within groups, as well as before and after a disruptive event. We found a marked prevalence of individuals favouring a dark background and an among-individual variation in choice over replicated trials. Moreover, we observed a non-significant effect of disturbance but a significant role of the social environment. In fact, being caged in groups significantly increased the proportion of mosquitoes choosing the dark background. Our results provide strong evidence of a background colour choice inAe. mariae, a density-dependence of this choice, and a non-negligible inter-individual variation in this behaviour. Overall, these findings offer intriguing insights into the background choice behavioural variation and flexibility in mosquitoes.
Non-destructive in situ monitoring of structural changes of 3D tumor spheroids during the formation, migration, and fusion process
Authors: Ning Ke , Xie Yuanyuan , Sun Wen , Feng Lingke , Fang Can , Pan Rong , Li Yan , Yu Ling
Published: July 2024

For traditional laboratory microscopy observation, the multi-dimensional, real-time, in situ observation of three-dimensional (3D) cell spheroids has always been the pain point in cell spheroid observation. In this study, we designed a side-view observation petri dish/device that reflects light, enabling in situ observation of the 3D morphology of cell spheroids using conventional inverted laboratory microscopes. We used a 3D-printed handle and frame to support a first surface mirror, positioning the device within a cell culture petri dish to image cell spheroid samples. The imaging conditions, such as the distance between the mirror and the 3D spheroids, the light source, and the impact of the culture medium, were systematically studied to validate the in-situ side-view observation. The results proved that placing the surface mirror adjacent to the spheroids enables non-destructive in situ real-time tracking of tumor spheroid formation, migration, and fusion dynamics. The correlation between spheroid thickness and dark core appearance under light microscopy and the therapeutic effects of chemotherapy doxorubicin and Natural Killer cells on spheroids' 3D structure was investigated.
Cryopreservation of neuroectoderm on a pillar plate andin situdifferentiation into human brain organoids
Authors: Zolfaghar Mona , Acharya Prabha , Joshi Pranav , Choi Na Young , Shrestha Sunil , Reddy Lekkala Vinod Kumar , Kang Soo-Yeon , Lee Minseong , Lee Moo-Yeal
Published: July 2024

Cryopreservation in cryovials extends cell storage at low temperatures, and advances in organoid cryopreservation improve reproducibility and reduce generation time. However, cryopreserving human organoids presents challenges due to the limited diffusion of cryoprotective agents (CPAs) into the organoid core and the potential toxicity of these agents. To overcome these obstacles, we developed a cryopreservation technique using a pillar plate platform. To illustrate cryopreservation application to human brain organoids (HBOs), early-stage HBOs were produced by differentiating induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into neuroectoderm (NEs) in an ultralow atachement (ULA) 384-well plate. These NEs were transferred and encapsulated in Matrigel on the pillar plate. The early-stage HBOs on the pillar plate were exposed to four commercially available CPAs, including PSC cryopreservation kit, CryoStor CS10, 3dGRO, and 10% DMSO, before being frozen overnight at -80°C and subsequently stored in a liquid nitrogen dewar. We examined the impact of CPA type, organoid size, and CPA exposure duration on cell viability post-thaw. Additionally, the differentiation of early-stage HBOs on the pillar plate was assessed using RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence staining. The PSC cryopreservation kit proved to be the least toxic for preserving these HBOs on the pillar plate. Notably, smaller HBOs showed higher cell viability post-cryopreservation than larger ones. An incubation period of 80 minutes with the PSC kit was essential to ensure optimal CPA diffusion into HBOs with a diameter of 400 - 600 µm. These cryopreserved early-stage HBOs successfully matured over 30 days, exhibiting gene expression patterns akin to non-cryopreserved HBOs. The cryopreserved early-stage HBOs on the pillar plate maintained high viability after thawing and successfully differentiated into mature HBOs. This on-chip cryopreservation method could extend to other small organoids, by integrating cryopreservation, thawing, culturing, staining, rinsing, and imaging processes within a single system, thereby preserving the 3D structure of the organoids.
Growing Schrödinger's cat states by local unitary time evolution of product states
Authors: Bocini Saverio , Fagotti Maurizio
Published: July 2024

We envisage many-body systems described by quantum spin-chain Hamiltonians featuring a trivial separable eigenstate. For generic Hamiltonians, such a state represents a quantum scar. We show that, typically, a macroscopically entangled state naturally grows after a single projective measurement of just one spin in the quantum scar. Moreover, we identify a condition under which what is growing is a “Schrödinger's cat state.” Our analysis does not reveal any particular requirement for the entangled state to develop, provided that the quantum scar does not minimize/maximize a local conservation law. We study two explicit examples: systems described by generic Hamiltonians where spins interact in pairs, and models that exhibit a U(1) hidden symmetry. The latter can be reinterpreted as a two-leg ladder in which the interactions along the legs are controlled by the local state on the other leg through transistorlike building blocks.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Iterative Assembly of
171
Yb
Atom Arrays with Cavity-Enhanced Optical Lattices
Authors: Norcia M. A. , Kim H. , Cairncross W. B. , Stone M. , Ryou A. , Jaffe M. , Brown M. O. , Barnes K. , Battaglino P. , Bohdanowicz T. C. , Brown A. , Cassella K. , Chen C.-A. , Coxe R. , Crow D. , Epstein J. , Griger C. , Halperin E. , Hummel F. , Jones A. M. W. , Kindem J. M. , King J. , Kotru K. , Lauigan J. , Li M. , Lu M. , Megidish E. , Marjanovic J. , McDonald M. , Mittiga T. , Muniz J. A. , Narayanaswami S. , Nishiguchi C. , Paule T. , Pawlak K. A. , Peng L. S. , Pudenz K. L. , Rodríguez Pérez D. , Smull A. , Stack D. , Urbanek M. , van de Veerdonk R. J. M. , Vendeiro Z. , Wadleigh L. , Wilkason T. , Wu T.-Y. , Xie X. , Zalys-Geller E. , Zhang X. , Bloom B. J.
Published: July 2024

Assembling and maintaining large arrays of individually addressable atoms is a key requirement for continued scaling of neutral-atom-based quantum computers and simulators. In this work, we demonstrate a new paradigm for assembly of atomic arrays, based on a synergistic combination of optical tweezers and cavity-enhanced optical lattices, and the incremental filling of a target array from a repetitively filled reservoir. In this protocol, the tweezers provide microscopic rearrangement of atoms, while the cavity-enhanced lattices enable the creation of large numbers of optical traps with sufficient depth for rapid low-loss imaging of atoms. We apply this protocol to demonstrate near-deterministic filling (99% per-site occupancy) of 1225-site arrays of optical traps. Because the reservoir is repeatedly filled with fresh atoms, the array can be maintained in a filled state indefinitely. We anticipate that this protocol will be compatible with mid-circuit reloading of atoms into a quantum processor, which will be a key capability for running large-scale error-corrected quantum computations whose durations exceed the lifetime of a single atom in the system.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Board gender diversity and social disclosures: some empirical evidence from Indian companies
Authors: Arora Akshita , Singh Kuldeep
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The objective of this study is to assess if corporate social disclosures in a company are influenced by gender diversity at board level. We also investigate the number of women directors, who can collectively make an impact on social disclosures, by considering different numbers of women directors on the board.

Design/methodology/approach

We have measured board gender diversity using the ratio of women at board and have also used two indices: the Blau-index and the Shannon-index. The social disclosure index is fetched from Bloomberg terminal. The research is quantitative and has been carried out using panel data models for estimating the linkage between board gender diversity and corporate social disclosures.

Findings

Our results support the idea that women are more conscious of social concerns and that having a gender diverse board has a favourable impact on social disclosures. It also shows that when there is only one woman director on the board, she might not be able to affect social disclosures in a company; however, two or more women on board may significantly influence social disclosures.

Practical implications

The study supports critical mass theory and has significant implications for academics, corporations and regulatory bodies. With the mandatory regulations on women directors, the study determines the significance of board gender diversity to improve policies for disseminating information of social nature.

Originality/value

The past studies have so far inspected the impact of gender diversity on financial performance, corporate social responsibility disclosures, dividend policies and corporate sustainability disclosures but have not specifically assessed the influence of gender diversity on social disclosures.
Envisioning quality education for sustainability transformation in teacher education: perspectives from an international dialogue on Sustainable Development Goal 4
Authors: Grobler Sunet , Dittrich Ann-Kathrin
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The explanatory study aimed to understand the global perspective of quality education and describe transformative strategies that empower teacher educators and equip the education system and future teachers to act as change agents by fostering learning processes that support students towards a sustainable future.

Design/methodology/approach

The explanatory study used a descriptive qualitative design. The researchers conducted four semi-structured group interviews of the 23 participants including pre- and in-service teachers, teacher educators, and policymakers from Austria, Germany, Italy, Canada, the United States, and South Africa during the Teach4Reach 1.0 project on SDG4. The inductive thematic analysis of the data was guided by Kuckartz’s six-phase approach for constructing data-driven categories.

Findings

The study identified SDG4 as pivotal in supporting the overall UN Agenda 2030. Furthermore, three distinct themes unequivocally emerged and were developed concerning the imperative nature of envisioning transformation for sustainability: (1) collaboration, (2) well-being and context of individuals, and (3) strategies for skill development.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the qualitative nature of the study, the participants’ comprehensive understanding of the SDGs and their perceptions remained conditional to methodological subjectivity.

Practical implications

The study enabled a dialogue between educational stakeholders (pre- and in-service teachers, teacher educators, and policymakers), whereby an awareness and encouragement of SDG4 regarding quality education and training of quality future teachers occurred. A further implication includes increased collaboration and dialogue regarding the well-being of individuals (educational stakeholders), the context of individuals, and strategies for skill development.

Originality/value

The study elaborates on reaching the SDGs and identifies themes essential for sustainability transformation in teacher education. It also highlights further research and clarity about the responsibilities of educational stakeholders for quality education, for instance, (1) how to increase the supply of quality teachers by focusing on collaboration, well-being, and the contexts of individuals and (2) how value-embedded skills can support quality education for sustainability.
The demand for sparkling wine: insights on a diversified European market
Authors: Cei Leonardo , Rossetto Luca
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The article aims to study the demand for sparkling wines in Europe. The main objective is to estimate the classic demand parameters aggregately for the entire European area (European Union and the United Kingdom) and separately for groups of countries characterized by wine markets with similar characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

Using 15-years market data for different wine categories from the Euromonitor Passport database, the estimation of price and income elasticities is performed through a Quadratic Almost Ideal Demand System. In line with the objectives, the model is applied first to the whole European area and then separately to the considered groups of countries (subareas). To identify homogeneous subareas, a cluster analysis was performed on basic characteristics of the wine market.

Findings

When considering the European market as a whole, sparkling wines should be considered a luxury category with a high own-price elasticity. However, the structure of their demand is rather different in different sub-areas. The observed heterogeneity suggests that differentiated policy and marketing considerations should be made. In addition, it widens the possibilities for producers, who can choose the submarkets that respond best to their needs to export their sparkling wines. This seems particularly important in markets, like the sparkling wine ones, that are experiencing a continuous expansion over the last decades.

Originality/value

Despite using a methodology well-established to study wine and alcohol demand, the study fills a considerable gap in the literature. Although the demand for sparkling wine is growing worldwide, so far only a couple of studies have engaged in the analysis of its structure. In Europe, the largest market for sparkling wine, this kind of studies is completely lacking.
The role of corporate governance on corporate tax avoidance: a developing country perspective
Authors: Koay Guo Yao , Sapiei Noor Sharoja
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study examines the role of corporate governance on corporate tax avoidance from the developing country perspective of Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 318 firm-year observations from 2016 to 2020 from the 100 largest listed companies in Malaysia was analysed using a fixed effects panel least squares regression model.

Findings

CEOs play a significant role in corporate tax avoidance in Malaysia. Specifically, they are motivated by money and power to engage in risky tax avoidance activity. It was also found that corporate governance mechanisms related to the board of directors have a limited effect on companies’ tax compliance issues.

Practical implications

This study’s findings can help regulators and policymakers understand the circumstances leading to increased tax aggressiveness as well as the limitations of certain governance mechanisms in curbing tax avoidance activity within companies. The findings can also assist shareholders and investors in formulating internal policies to create better alignment of their interests with those of management. The unique emerging economy evidence and insights from this study advance knowledge and can inspire fellow researchers in their future studies.

Originality/value

This study differs from most prior studies by examining the governance and tax issue from a developing country perspective, that of Malaysia. Developments in the country’s corporate governance framework and tax landscape in recent years make it relevant and interesting to investigate the issue in this emerging economy. Offering unique empirical evidence and insights from an emerging economy viewpoint, and with findings that may be generalised to other emerging economies sharing similar market traits (particularly ASEAN nations), this study enriches and extends the existing literature.
Demystifying customer engagement in B2B markets
Authors: Srivastava Mukta , Sivaramakrishnan Sreeram , Pandey Neeraj
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The increased digital interactions in the B2B industry have enhanced the importance of customer engagement as a measure of firm performance. This study aims to map and analyze temporal and spatial journeys for customer engagement in B2B markets from a bibliometric perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The extant literature on customer engagement research in the B2B context was analyzed using bibliometric analysis. The citation analysis, keyword analysis, cluster analysis, three-field plot and bibliographic coupling were used to map the intellectual structure of customer engagement in B2B markets.

Findings

The research on customer engagement in the B2B context was studied more in western countries. The analysis suggests that customer engagement in B2B markets will take centre stage in the coming times as digital channels make it easier to track critical metrics besides other key factors. Issues like digital transformation, the use of artificial intelligence for virtual engagement, personalization, innovation and salesforce management by leveraging technology would be critical for improved B2B customer engagement.

Practical implications

The study provides a comprehensive reference to scholars working in this domain.

Originality/value

The study makes a pioneering effort to comprehensively analyze the vast corpus of literature on customer engagement in B2B markets for business insights.
Segregation and the onset of COVID-19 in American cities
Authors: Andreoli Francesco , Prete Vincenzo , Zoli Claudio
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This paper investigates one of the potential costs of rising segregation in American cities by evaluating empirically the extent at which ethnic-based segregation contributes to the onset and the speed of propagation of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

Regression analysis based on matched data on early incidence of COVID-19 cases, segregation and covariates. Identification resorts on variations in segregation across MSAs and heterogeneity in the geography and timing of stay-at-home orders.

Findings

One cross-MSA standard deviation increase in segregation leads to a significant and robust rise of COVID-19 cases of 8.7 per 100,000 residents across urban counties.

Originality/value

Combines spatial data on COVID-19 cases and segregation; use of a new segregation measure; focus on early incidence of the pandemic and its drivers.
Leveraging technology in humanitarian supply chains: impacts on collaboration, agility and sustainable outcomes
Authors: Singh Rohit Kumar
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study aims to understand the role of technology adoption (TA) in improving the efficiency and environmental sustainability (ENS) of humanitarian supply chains through collaboration and supply chain agility. This study made an attempt to explore how technological resources can be used strategically to achieve operational efficiency and contribute to sustainable humanitarian logistics.

Design/methodology/approach

The data collected from 274 respondents involved in humanitarian logistics is analyzed using the confirmatory factor analysis and the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling. These respondents include logistics managers, coordinators as well as other relevant personnel from different non-governmental organizations, international aid agencies and relief operations.

Findings

The results of this study show that TA plays a critical role in improving both collaboration and supply chain agility in humanitarian operations. It is evidenced that both collaboration and agility significantly moderate the relationship between TA and supply chain outcomes, respectively, improving the effectiveness and ENS of aid delivery. In particular, technology-facilitated collaboration and agility cut down operational costs, reduce the response time and minimize the environmental impact.

Originality/value

This study extends the application of dynamic capabilities view in humanitarian operations and supply chain and elaborates on how technological capability improves humanitarian supply chain performance. This study also highlights the mediation role of agility and collaboration to achieve aid delivery efficiency and ENS.
Defactinib inhibits FAK phosphorylation and regulates psoriasis via attenuating hyperproliferation of keratinocytes
Authors: Zuo Yuyue , Zhang Yueqi , Qu Zilu , Wang Bei , Zhao Yan , Dai Lei , Chen Liuqing , Xu Li
Published: July 2024

Excessive proliferation of keratinocytes is a crucial pathological risk feature of psoriasis. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a non‐receptor protein that primarily regulates cell proliferation and migration. However, the expression and regulatory mechanism of FAK in psoriasis remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the regulation of FAK in psoriasis and examined the potential impact of FAK inhibitor on psoriasis. A small molecular selective FAK inhibitor, defactinib, was used to evaluate the effect of FAK on psoriasis in in vitro and in vivo functional assays. In our experiments, imiquimod (IMQ)‐induced psoriasis mice and human keratinocytes cells were used to study the potential roles and mechanisms of FAK in psoriasis. FAK phosphorylation has been weakly detected in normal intact skin and is markedly elevated upon IMQ treatment. By reducing FAK phosphorylation (p‐FAK), defactinib treatment could attenuate psoriasiform inflammation and epidermal hyperplasia in IMQ‐treated mice compared with IMQ‐induced mice treated with the vehicle. In in vitro studies, resiquimod (R848) increased (p‐FAK) and promoted cell proliferation in human keratinocytes cells, while defactinib reversed this effect. Mechanistically, defactinib can alleviate the proliferation via JNK/YB1 pathway in vitro and in vivo. Defactinib significantly attenuates psoriasiform inflammation and epidermal hyperproliferation through the inhibition of the FAK‐mediated axis. The downregulation of phosphorylated FAK then suppressed the activation of JNK/YB1 protein signaling pathway in psoriasis. Our work highlights targeting FAK as a potentially effective strategy for the treatment of psoriasis.
Surviving domestic and state violence: Women's prison organising and the gendered politics of solidarity
Authors: Klein Rachel Leah
Published: July 2024

Tracing the organising efforts of criminalised survivors inside the California Institution for Women during the 1990s, this article explores the social and political history of Convicted Women Against Abuse (CWAA). Members built communities of self‐affirmation and care within institutions designed to stamp out their humanity during an age otherwise marked by punitive legislation, prison expansion and growing incapacitation. How these women fostered collectivity and became political advocates fighting for joint clemency complicates conventional and gendered understandings of the punitive 1990s as a low point in the American prison movement. Narrated from the perspective of incarcerated women organisers who stewarded elaborate care networks and undertook significant political organising, this article restores women's prison organising during the 1990s to the prison movement record, while also showcasing the limits and harms of mainstream anti‐violence policies in the lives of incarcerated survivors. Drawing upon incarcerated women's writings, testimonies and oral histories, I examine the politics of mutual care, solidarity and resistance that incarcerated women developed in response to a prison regime that was and remains actively hostile to collectivity of any kind. I argue that care work nurtured sustained political engagement from inside prison.
The “t” time: Investigating handedness through strokes and slopes
Authors: Šunjić Kata , Banovac Ana , Kafadar Tijana , Džin Nena , Žeravica Marko , Mikulić Petra , Penava Ana , Kulišić Adriana , Hajdić Zlatka , Kružić Ivana , Jerković Ivan , Bašić Željana
Published: July 2024

This study investigated the stroke and slope characteristics in left‐handed and right‐handed handwriting. Stroke (letters t, f, đ, and H) and slope (letters t, f, l, d, and g) directions were analyzed on in‐house samples (n = 64), revealing statistically significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) between the groups. Right‐handers predominantly exhibited left‐to‐right strokes (98%–100%), while left‐handers showed greater variability. Although statistically significant for most letters analyzed, slope direction did not demonstrate consistent patterns. A logistic regression model was developed and validated on the same sample to classify handedness based on the averaged strokes of the letter “t.” The model was further tested on samples (n = 252) from a publicly available handwriting database. If the model classified the sample as produced by left hand, it was correct in 100% of cases. In contrast, when the model classified writing as right‐handed, it was correct in 73%–97% of cases, depending on the validation sample. The model classified writing as of left‐handed origin if more than 36% of the letters “t” had a stroke from right to left, while otherwise, writing was classified as of right‐handed origin. The developed method showed great potential for classifying the handedness of the author of disputed handwriting, thus eliminating individuals as text authors or narrowing down the pool of potential authors.
Evaluating soft collars in pre‐hospital cervical spine immobilisation: A cohort study on neurological outcomes, patient comfort and paramedic perspectives
Authors: Bruton Liam , Nichols Martin , Looi Stephanie , Evens Thomas , Bendall Jason C , Davis Kimberley J ,   the ESCAPE‐Evaluation Steering Committee
Published: July 2024

Objective

Cervical spinal immobilisation procedures often include rigid cervical collars which, despite associated complications, may provide less immobilisation than previously thought. The present study reports the incidence of worsening neurological outcomes following soft collar application, and additionally reports patient comfort, compliance with spinal immobilisation, and paramedic perspectives on usage.

Methods

This was an observational cohort study conducted in selected metropolitan and regional areas of NSW Ambulance between 1 May 2022 and 31 March 2023. Soft collars were used exclusively in place of rigid collars. The SPEED (SPinal Emergency Evaluation of Deficits) tool was used to evaluate new or worsening neurological deficits following pre‐hospital soft collar application. Secondary outcomes included patient‐reported comfort of the device, and paramedic assessment of efficacy.

Results

Overall, 2098 soft collars were applied, of which 74 patients (3.5%) were subsequently found to have a cervical spine injury. Eight patients had a spinal cord injury, of which two experienced a worsening neurological deficit after soft collar application. In both instances, comprehensive case reviews determined that this was unlikely to have been attributable to the soft collar. The majority of patients found the soft collar comfortable, and they were well‐tolerated by patients who generally complied with immobility directions. Paramedics found the collar easy to apply, and felt it assisted in minimising patient movement.

Conclusions

Pre‐hospital use of soft collars does not appear to increase the risk of significant injury. Patients found these devices relatively comfortable, and clinicians reported overall ease of use with good patient compliance with immobility directives.
A method for characterizing disease emergence curves from paired pathogen detection and serology data
Authors: Hewitt Joshua , Wilson‐Henjum Grete , Collins Derek T. , Ringenberg Jourdan M. , Quintanal Christopher A. , Pleszewski Robert , Chandler Jeffrey C. , DeLiberto Thomas J. , Pepin Kim M.
Published: July 2024

Wildlife disease surveillance programs and research studies track infection and identify risk factors for wild populations, humans and agriculture. Often, several types of samples are collected from individuals to provide more complete information about an animal's infection history. Methods that jointly analyse multiple data streams to study disease emergence and drivers of infection via epidemiological process models remain underdeveloped. Joint‐analysis methods can more thoroughly analyse all available data, more precisely quantifying epidemic processes, outbreak status, and risks.

We contribute a paired data modelling approach that analyses multiple samples from individuals. We use ‘characterization maps’ to link paired data to epidemiological processes through a hierarchical statistical observation model. Our approach can provide both Bayesian and frequentist estimates of epidemiological parameters and state. Our approach can also incorporate test sensitivity and specificity, and we propose model fit diagnostics. We motivate our approach through the need to use paired pathogen and antibody detection tests to estimate parameters and infection trajectories for the widely applicable susceptible, infectious, recovered (SIR) model. We contribute general formulas to link characterization maps to arbitrary process models and datasets and an extended SIR model that better accommodates paired data.

We find via simulation that paired data can more efficiently estimate SIR parameters than unpaired data, requiring samples from 5 to 10 times fewer individuals. We use our method to study SARS‐CoV‐2 in wild white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from three counties in the United States. Estimates for average infectious times corroborate captive animal studies. The estimated average cumulative proportion of infected deer across the three counties is 73%, and the basic reproductive number (R0) is 1.88.

Wildlife disease surveillance programs and research studies can use our methods to jointly analyse paired data to estimate epidemiological process parameters and track outbreaks. Paired data analyses can improve precision and accuracy when sampling is limited. Our methods use general statistical theory to let applications extend beyond the SIR model we consider and to more complicated examples of paired data. The methods can also be embedded in larger hierarchical models to provide landscape‐scale risk assessment and identify drivers of infection.
How to do pancreatic transection during robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy. Is hanging manoeuvre always necessary?
Authors: Biondo Santino Antonio , Kellil Tarek , Tormane Mohamed Amine , Del Basso Celeste , Giampaoli Francesca , Piardi Tullio
Published: July 2024

Since its first description in 1898, pancreaticoduodenectomy has constantly been improved, allowing increasingly more complex operations to be performed even with a minimally invasive approach: laparoscopic and, in recent years, robotic approach. In most cases, similarly to open surgery, parenchymal transection is performed after the creation of a retropancreatic tunnel to ensure adequate control of the mesenteric vessels before sectioning the parenchyma. Sometimes tunnelling can be very difficult even dangerous to achieve, due to conditions such as: vascular involvement by the neoplasm of superior mesenteric vein (SMV) or portal vein (PV); fibrosis secondary to acute pancreatitis (AP) or radiotherapy. In such conditions, it seems suitable to avoid tunnelling before parenchymal transection. We will describe how we perform the standard technique which we will call ‘Tunnel First approach’ (TF) and then our new ‘Parenchyma Transection‐First’ (PTF) approach in its two variants: ‘bottom to top’ and ‘top to bottom’.
Epidural methadone and morphine pharmacokinetics and clinical effects in healthy volunteers: A randomized, crossover‐design trial
Authors: Hincker Alexander , Reschke Matthew , Ginosar Yehuda , Kagan Leonid , Kharasch Evan D. , Siemiątkowska Anna , Park Celine , Bakos Kristopher , Ben‐Abdallah Arbi , Haroutounian Simon
Published: July 2024

Aims

Epidural opioids can provide effective analgesia for acute postoperative pain. Due to its unique physicochemical properties and long systemic elimination half‐life, epidural methadone may provide lasting analgesia with minimal adverse effects; however, human studies are lacking. The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that epidural methadone would exhibit greater segmental analgesia (analgesia at the dermatome of injection vs. distant dermatomes) than epidural morphine.

Methods

In a prospective, randomized, double‐blinded, crossover study, thirteen healthy volunteers received a 4‐mg epidural bolus of methadone or morphine at L3–L4 and underwent repeated assessment of dermatomal heat pain tolerance and pressure pain threshold at lumbar (L3) and trigeminal (V2) dermatomes, pupil diameter, respiratory parameters and venous opioid concentration for 24 h. The primary outcome was selective (lumbar vs. trigeminal) segmental analgesia for heat pain, as a marker of a spinal analgesic mechanism.

Results

The degree of segmental analgesia to heat pain tolerance was not different between morphine and methadone (P = .09), although morphine (P = .0009) but not methadone (P = .81) produced significant analgesia to heat pain at the lumbar vs. trigeminal dermatome over 0–12 h. Morphine overall provided longer lasting analgesia to heat pain vs. methadone (24 vs. 2 h, respectively). Morphine elicited greater systemic effects, including miosis (P = .009) and opioid‐related adverse effects (P = .002).

Conclusions

These results suggest that, with equal epidural doses, both methadone and morphine produced analgesia and methadone did not produce greater segmental effects than morphine. Epidural methadone provided a more favourable adverse effect profile.
Bridging the digital divide for individuals with intellectual disabilities: Implications for well‐being and inclusion
Authors: Murphy Esther , Shiels Orla , Fiori Sara , McCausland Darren , Bergström Helena , Koster Raphael , Noorlandt Hanna , Korfage Ida , Wallén Eva Flygare
Published: July 2024

Background

Developments in digital technologies have transformed how people interact with the world, offering employment, education, communication, health benefits and entertainment. Research has shown that not everyone can easily access digital content, particularly people with intellectual disabilities. Despite internet access being recognised as a human right in the United Nations' Conventions on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, this group faces significant disadvantages.

Methods

A thematic analysis of quantitative and qualitative findings was conducted with data from focus groups and interviews with 200+ participants across Ireland, Sweden, France, and the Netherlands on how people with intellectual disabilities are using technology at this time and access facilitators and barriers.

Findings

The pandemic exacerbated the digital divide between people with intellectual disabilities and their neurotypical peers, impacting physical and mental well‐being. Growing demand for accessible digital skills training underscores the need to bridge this gap.

Conclusion

Addressing these digital access disparities is crucial to ensure that individuals with intellectual disabilities can enjoy the benefits of the digital age and maintain their well‐being. By identifying priority topics in our interview data, researchers also pinpointed critical accessibility barriers and facilitators to support codesigning activities for future digital skills education content within the Digi‐ID project.
Endothelial progenitor cells for fabrication of engineered vascular units and angiogenesis induction
Authors: Rashidi Somayyeh , Bagherpour Ghasem , Abbasi‐Malati Zahra , Khosrowshahi Nafiseh Didar , Chegeni Sara Aghakhani , Roozbahani Golbarg , Lotfimehr Hamid , Sokullu Emel , Rahbarghazi Reza
Published: July 2024

The promotion of vascularization and angiogenesis in the grafts is a crucial phenomenon in the healing process and tissue engineering. It has been shown that stem cells, especially endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), can stimulate blood vessel formation inside the engineered hydrogels after being transplanted into the target sites. The incorporation of EPCs into the hydrogel can last the retention time, long‐term survival, on‐target delivery effects, migration and differentiation into mature endothelial cells. Despite these advantages, further modifications are mandatory to increase the dynamic growth and angiogenesis potential of EPCs in in vitro and in vivo conditions. Chemical modifications of distinct composites with distinct physical properties can yield better regenerative potential and angiogenesis during several pathologies. Here, we aimed to collect recent findings related to the application of EPCs in engineered vascular grafts and/or hydrogels for improving vascularization in the grafts. Data from the present article can help us in the application of EPCs as valid cell sources in the tissue engineering of several ischemic tissues.
Quality of Life in Patients 20–31 Years After Heart Transplantation
Authors: Albert Wolfgang , Hudalla Anita , Hensky Luisa , Akın Aslı , Knosalla Christoph , Richter Fabian
Published: July 2024

Background

Survival rates after heart transplantation (HTx) have significantly improved over the last decades. There is a growing need to understand the long‐term psychological and somatic outcomes, which constitute quality of life (QoL), for these long‐term survivors.

Methods

The QoL of patients (N = 75) living 20–31 years (M = 24.9 years, SD = 2.3 years) after orthotopic HTx was evaluated. In a first step, a detailed overview of the patients’ somatic condition was assessed. Secondly, patients were compared to 58 control subjects in terms of self‐reported QoL (SF‐36) and psychological domains (GBB‐24; HADS). Finally, a cluster analysis was conducted to identify patterns within the patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) and to relate them to somatic, psychosocial, and demographic variables.

Results

95.7% of the HTx‐patients were in NYHA functional class I or II, and only 15.2% had a reduced LVEF. Compared to controls, long‐term HTx patients had significantly lower scores on the physical component summary (PCS) of QoL and on the GBB‐24 but not in the mental component summary (MCS) of QoL, or anxiety and depression (HADS). Clustering revealed two distinct groups of patients characterized by high versus low functioning and different levels of social support.

Conclusions

Long‐term survivors have a good functional, cardiac, and mental status, but report a lower physical QoL and higher levels of subjective complaints. The importance of social support for HTx recipients is once again highlighted.