bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Targeting Chemotherapy to Decondensed H3K27me3-Marked Chromatin of AML Cells Enhances Leukemia Suppression
Authors: Porazzi Patrizia , Petruk Svetlana , Pagliaroli Luca , De Dominici Marco , Deming David , Puccetti Matthew V. , Kushinsky Saul , Kumar Gaurav , Minieri Valentina , Barbieri Elisa , Deliard Sandra , Grande Alexis , Trizzino Marco , Gardini Alessandro , Canaani Eli , Palmisiano Neil , Porcu Pierluigi , Ertel Adam , Fortina Paolo , Eischen Christine M. , Mazo Alexander , Calabretta Bruno
Published: December 2021

Despite treatment with intensive chemotherapy, acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) remains an aggressive malignancy with a dismal outcome in most patients. We found that AML cells exhibit an unusually rapid accumulation of the repressive histone mark H3K27me3 on nascent DNA. In cell lines, primary cells and xenograft mouse models, inhibition of the H3K27 histone methyltransferase EZH2 to decondense the H3K27me3-marked chromatin of AML cells enhanced chromatin accessibility and chemotherapy-induced DNA damage, apoptosis, and leukemia suppression. These effects were further promoted when chromatin decondensation of AML cells was induced upon S-phase entry after release from a transient G1 arrest mediated by CDK4/6 inhibition. In the p53-null KG-1 and THP-1 AML cell lines, EZH2 inhibitor and doxorubicin cotreatment induced transcriptional reprogramming that was, in part, dependent on derepression of H3K27me3-marked gene promoters and led to increased expression of cell death–promoting and growth-inhibitory genes.

In conclusion, decondensing H3K27me3-marked chromatin by EZH2 inhibition represents a promising approach to improve the efficacy of DNA-damaging cytotoxic agents in patients with AML. This strategy might allow for a lowering of chemotherapy doses, with a consequent reduction of treatment-related side effects in elderly patients with AML or those with significant comorbidities.

Significance:

Pharmacological inhibition of EZH2 renders DNA of AML cells more accessible to cytotoxic agents, facilitating leukemia suppression with reduced doses of chemotherapy.

See related commentary by Adema and Colla, p. 359
Polypharmacologic Reprogramming of Tumor-Associated Macrophages toward an Inflammatory Phenotype
Authors: Nishida-Aoki Nao , Gujral Taranjit S.
Published: December 2021

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) are an important component of the tumor microenvironment (TME) that can promote tumor progression, metastasis, and resistance to therapies. Although TAMs represent a promising target for therapeutic intervention, the complexity of the TME has made the study of TAMs challenging. Here, we established a physiologically relevant in vitro TAM polarization system that recapitulates TAM protumoral activities. This system was used to characterize dynamic changes in gene expression and protein phosphorylation during TAM polarization and to screen phenotypic kinase inhibitors that impact TAM programming. BMS-794833, a multitargeted compound, was identified as a potent inhibitor of TAM polarization. BMS-794833 decreased protumoral properties of TAMs in vitro and suppressed tumor growth in mouse triple-negative breast cancer models. The effect of BMS-794833 was independent of its primary targets (MET and VEGFR2) but was dependent on its effect on multiple signaling pathways, including focal adhesion kinases, SRC family kinases, STAT3, and p38 MAPKs. Collectively, these findings underline the efficacy of polypharmacologic strategies in reprogramming complex signaling cascades activated during TAM polarization.

Significance:

A physiologically relevant in vitro system of TAM polarization uncovers signaling pathways that regulate polarization and identifies strategies to target macrophage reprogramming to suppress cancer growth.
Comprehensive Analysis of Alternative Splicing in Gastric Cancer Identifies Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition Subtypes Associated with Survival
Authors: Jun Yukyung , Suh Yun-Suhk , Park SungHee , Lee Jieun , Kim Jong-Il , Lee Sanghyuk , Lee Wan-Ping , Anczuków Olga , Yang Han-Kwang , Lee Charles
Published: December 2021

Alternatively spliced RNA isoforms are a hallmark of tumors, but their nature, prevalence, and clinical implications in gastric cancer have not been comprehensively characterized. We systematically profiled the splicing landscape of 83 gastric tumors and matched normal mucosa, identifying and experimentally validating eight splicing events that can classify all gastric cancers into three subtypes: epithelial-splicing (EpiS), mesenchymal-splicing (MesS), and hybrid-splicing. These subtypes were associated with distinct molecular signatures and epithelial–mesenchymal transition markers. Subtype-specific splicing events were enriched in motifs for splicing factors RBM24 and ESRP1, which were upregulated in MesS and EpiS tumors, respectively. A simple classifier based only on RNA levels of RBM24 and ESRP1, which can be readily implemented in the clinic, was sufficient to distinguish gastric cancer subtypes and predict patient survival in multiple independent patient cohorts. Overall, this study provides insights into alternative splicing in gastric cancer and the potential clinical utility of splicing-based patient classification.

Significance:

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of alternative splicing in the context of patient classification, molecular mechanisms, and prognosis in gastric cancer.
Outcome of Monochorionic Monoamniotic Twin Reversed Arterial Perfusion Sequence Diagnosed in the First Trimester
Authors: Weber Eva Christin , Recker Florian , Gottschalk Ingo , Strizek Brigitte , Geipel Annegret , Gembruch Ulrich , Berg Christoph
Published: December 2021

Introduction: The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcome of pregnancies complicated by monochorionic monoamniotic twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence (MOMA TRAP) diagnosed in the first trimester. Methods: All patients diagnosed with MOMA TRAP sequence <14.0 weeks of gestation in a 10-year study period were retrospectively analyzed for intrauterine course and outcome. All patients were offered either expectant management or intrauterine intervention. Adverse outcome was defined as either intrauterine death (IUD), neonatal death or preterm birth <34.0 weeks of gestation. Results: In the study period, 17 cases with MOMA TRAP sequence were diagnosed. Of these, 2 couples opted for termination of pregnancy. The remaining 15 were divided into 2 groups depending on the management: group A (n = 8) with expectant management and group B (n = 7) with intrauterine intervention. All fetuses in group A died before 20 weeks. Survival in group B was significantly better with 4/7 (57.1%) life births at a median of 39.6 weeks of gestation (p = 0.0256). The reasons for IUD in the 3 cases in group B were hemodynamic, strangulation, and bleeding complications during intervention. Conclusions: Intrauterine intervention in MOMA TRAP pregnancies significantly improves neonatal survival, although it is still associated with a substantial risk for IUD by hemodynamic complications or entanglement.
Fluoride Formed on Enamel by Fluoride Varnish or Gel Application: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Dall Agnol Mauro Antonio , Battiston Carla , Tenuta Livia Maria Andalo , Cury Jaime Aparecido
Published: December 2021

Although fluoride varnish (FV) and acidulated phosphate fluoride gel (APF-gel) are considered clinically effective to reduce caries, in vitro studies have shown that FV reacts slowly with enamel because most NaF present in the formulation is not solubilized in the FV. Therefore, we conducted a clinical study to evaluate if the time that FV remains on dental surfaces could overcome its slower chemical reactivity when compared with APF-gel. Sixty-eight volunteers were randomly allocated into 4 groups: negative control (Control, no treatment), APF-gel application (1.23% F applied for 4 min), and FV application (Duraphat®, 2.26% F) for 4 h (FV-4h) or 24 h (FV-24 h). To evaluate fluoride formed and retained on enamel, acid biopsies were made on the buccal surfaces of the maxillary central incisors before, at the end of the application of fluoride products (immediately after gel application, or after 4 or 24 h of varnish application), and after 7 and 28 days. Fluoride concentration in dental biofilm was also analyzed before and up to 28 days after initial application. The data were analyzed by 2-way ANOVA, considering treatment and time as factors. The APF-gel and FV-24h groups formed greater fluoride concentration on enamel than the FV-4h and the control group at the end of application (p = 0.0001), with no difference from each other (p = 0.99). The groups did not differ regarding fluoride in biofilm fluid (p = 0.73) and solids (p = 0.40). In conclusion, FV needs to remain in contact with the teeth for prolonged times (>4 h) to reach the same reactivity obtained by a 4-min application of APF-gel.
Ruptures and Wrong-Footings: Destabilizing Disciplinary Cultures
Authors: Crisp Fiona , Dorsett Chris , Mackenzie Louise
Published: December 2021

In this transcribed conversation, three artists from the U.K. research group The Cultural Negotiation of Science (CNoS) share the generational perspectives they bring to the contested field of arts-science research. Traversing territories between art-practice, physics, genetics and critical theory, their practice-based strategies actively destabilize the binary nature of cross-disciplinary dialogue in productive ways, allowing the spaces between artistic and scientific modes of inquiry to become sites of learning, both within and beyond academic institutions.
Neopedies taimensis n. sp. of Brazilian Dichroplini (Orthoptera: Acrididae, Melanoplinae) from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Authors: DA COSTA MARIA KÁTIA MATIOTTI , ACOSTA RIULER CORRÊA , TIMM VÍTOR FALCHI , ZEFA EDISON
Published: December 2021

Neopedies taimensis n. sp. is described as a new species of grasshopper from the genus Neopedies Hebard, 1931 collected in Taim Ecological Station, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. This description is supported with photographs that detail the male and female external and internal morphological characteristics. The new species differs from the other species known by furculae developed and sclerotized, epiproct with two protuberances, cerci quadrangular indented and sclerotized, ancorae developed and lophi with posterior projections divergent. In addition, we present habitat notes, geographic distribution, key to the species of genus and chromosome complement. Chromosome analyses were performed using standard staining procedures, showing diploid number of 2n = 23, X0♂/24, XX♀ and the karyotype made up of exclusively acrocentric chromosomes.
Urocleidoides spp. (Monogenea: Dactylogyridae) from the gills of Parodon nasus (Characiformes: Parodontidae) from a Brazilian stream with descriptions of two new species
Authors: DE OLIVEIRA GLAUCYA SILVA , DA SILVA REINALDO JOSÉ , VIEIRA FERNANDO EMMANUEL GONÇALVES , ACOSTA ALINE ANGELINA
Published: December 2021

Urocleidoides spp. are reported from the gills of 20 specimens of Parodon nasus (standard length 8.5–12 cm), from the Indiana stream, Tietê River, Upper Paraná River basin, municipality of Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil. Urocleoidoides tenuis and two new species were found. Urocleidoides indianensis n. sp. differs from its congeners mainly by the morphology of the vaginal sclerite that is robust, sickle-shaped, and forked at the distal end; and by the bulbous-shaped accessory piece of the male copulatory complex. Urocleidoides parodoni n. sp. resembles U. tenuis by presenting male copulatory organ with approximately 7 ½ counterclockwise rings, but differs by the morphology of the accessory piece (lobate with a small hook-like projection versus pincer-shaped), vaginal sclerite (thumb-like subterminal projection vs. presence of a distal hook), vaginal tube (conspicuously sclerotized vs. slightly sclerotized), shape of the ventral bar (bowed vs. wide V-shaped), ventral and dorsal anchors (robust base and short shaft vs. considerably less robust base and long shaft), and hooks (slender shank with a weakly sclerotized subunit at base vs. dilated shank). Sequences of the partial 28S rDNA gene of the dactylogyrids found in this study are provided. Phylogenetic analyses showed Urocledoides spp. from Parodontidae clustering together with strong support values. This study increases the number of valid Urocleidoides species to 39, and the number of species described from parodontid hosts to four.
Redescription and new record of the spongobiotic shrimp Periclimenaeus rastrifer Bruce, 1980 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Palaemonidae) from Taiwan
Authors: ĎURIŠ ZDENĚK , ŠOBÁŇOVÁ ANNA , LIN CHIA-WEI
Published: December 2021

The palaemonid shrimp Periclimenaeus rastrifer is here reported from Taiwan based on three specimens. It bears a feeble but distinct anterodorsal lobe on the first pleonite (not reported before). The mouthparts, not previously described, are also remarkable by a multidentate apex of the mandibular incisor, asymmetric distal endite of the second maxilla, and expanded dorsal lobe on the second maxilliped merus. The species is thus redescribed here. One of the examined specimens possesses an unusual rostrum, and malformed telson and uropodal spinulation; the latter specimen is described and illustrated in detail, including the mouthparts. Previously, the only species in the genus published in faunistic repors from Taiwan were P. wolffi Bruce 1993 and P. gorgonidarum (Balss, 1913) recorded from the Taiwan Strait, and the Green Island, respectively; P. rastrifer is reported here as the first of the genus from Taiwan mainland
Does the Rotating Convection Paradigm Describe Secondary Eyewall Formation in Idealized Three-Dimensional Simulations?
Authors: Persing John , Montgomery Michael T.
Published: December 2021

The formation of a plausible secondary eyewall is examined with two principal simulation experiments that differ only in the fixed value of rain fall speed, one with a value of 70 m s−1(approaching the pseudo-adiabatic limit) that simulates a secondary eyewall, and one with a value of 7 m s−1that does not simulate a secondary eyewall. Key differences are sought between these idealized three-dimensional simulations. A notable expansion of the lower-tropospheric tangential wind field to approximately 400-km radius is found associated with the precursor period of the secondary eyewall. The wind field expansion is traced to an enhanced vertical mass flux across the 5.25-km height level, which leads, in turn, to enhanced radial inflow in the lower troposphere and above the boundary layer. The inflow spins up the tangential wind outside the primary eyewall via the conventional spinup mechanism. This amplified tangential wind field is linked to a broad region of outwardly directed agradient force in the upper boundary layer. Whereas scattered convection is found outside the primary eyewall in both simulations, the agradient force is shown to promote a ring-like organization of this convection when boundary layer convergence occurs in a persistent, localized region of supergradient winds. The results support prior work highlighting a new model of secondary eyewall formation emphasizing a boundary layer control pathway for initiating the outer eyewall as part of the rotating convection paradigm of tropical cyclone evolution.
Roles of Meridional Overturning in Subpolar Southern Ocean SST Trends: Insights from Ensemble Simulations
Authors: Zhang Liping , Delworth Thomas L. , Kapnick Sarah , He Jie , Cooke William , Wittenberg Andrew T. , Johnson Nathaniel C. , Rosati Anthony , Yang Xiaosong , Lu Feiyu , Bushuk Mitchell , McHugh Colleen , Murakami Hiroyuki , Zeng Fanrong , Jia Liwei , Tseng Kai-Chih , Morioka Yushi
Published: December 2021

One of the most puzzling observed features of recent climate has been a multidecadal surface cooling trend over the subpolar Southern Ocean (SO). In this study we use large ensembles of simulations with multiple climate models to study the role of the SO meridional overturning circulation (MOC) in these sea surface temperature (SST) trends. We find that multiple competing processes play prominent roles, consistent with multiple mechanisms proposed in the literature for the observed cooling. Early in the simulations (twentieth century and early twenty-first century) internal variability of the MOC can have a large impact, in part due to substantial simulated multidecadal variability of the MOC. Ensemble members with initially strong convection (and related surface warming due to convective mixing of subsurface warmth to the surface) tend to subsequently cool at the surface as convection associated with internal variability weakens. A second process occurs in the late-twentieth and twenty-first centuries, as weakening of oceanic convection associated with global warming and high-latitude freshening can contribute to the surface cooling trend by suppressing convection and associated vertical mixing of subsurface heat. As the simulations progress, the multidecadal SO variability is suppressed due to forced changes in the mean state and increased oceanic stratification. As a third process, the shallower mixed layers can then rapidly warm due to increasing forcing from greenhouse gas warming. Also, during this period the ensemble spread of SO SST trend partly arises from the spread of the wind-driven Deacon cell strength. Thus, different processes could conceivably have led to the observed cooling trend, consistent with the range of possibilities presented in the literature. To better understand the causes of the observed trend, it is important to better understand the characteristics of internal low-frequency variability in the SO and the response of that variability to global warming.
Double Diffusion, Shear Instabilities, and Heat Impacts of a Pacific Summer Water Intrusion in the Beaufort Sea
Authors: Fine Elizabeth C. , MacKinnon Jennifer A. , Alford Matthew H. , Middleton Leo , Taylor John , Mickett John B. , Cole Sylvia T. , Couto Nicole , Boyer Arnaud Le , Peacock Thomas
Published: December 2021

Pacific Summer Water eddies and intrusions transport heat and salt from boundary regions into the western Arctic basin. Here we examine concurrent effects of lateral stirring and vertical mixing using microstructure data collected within a Pacific Summer Water intrusion with a length scale of ∼20 km. This intrusion was characterized by complex thermohaline structure in which warm Pacific Summer Water interleaved in alternating layers ofm thickness with cooler water, due to lateral stirring and intrusive processes. Along interfaces between warm/salty and cold/freshwater masses, the density ratio was favorable to double-diffusive processes. The rate of dissipation of turbulent kinetic energy (ε) was elevated along the interleaving surfaces, with values up to 3 × 10−8W kg−1compared to backgroundεof less than 10−9W kg−1. Based on the distribution ofεas a function of density ratioRρ, we conclude that double-diffusive convection is largely responsible for the elevatedεobserved over the survey. The lateral processes that created the layered thermohaline structure resulted in vertical thermohaline gradients susceptible to double-diffusive convection, resulting in upward vertical heat fluxes. Bulk vertical heat fluxes above the intrusion are estimated in the range of 0.2–1 W m−2, with the localized flux above the uppermost warm layer elevated to 2–10 W m−2. Lateral fluxes are much larger, estimated between 1000 and 5000 W m−2, and set an overall decay rate for the intrusion of 1–5 years.
A Hybrid Multivariate Deep Learning Network for Multistep Ahead Sea Level Anomaly Forecasting
Authors: Wang Guosong , Wang Xidong , Wu Xinrong , Liu Kexiu , Qi Yiquan , Sun Chunjian , Fu Hongli
Published: December 2021

The accumulated remote sensing data of altimeters and scatterometers have provided new opportunities for ocean state forecasting and have improved our knowledge of ocean–atmosphere exchanges. Studies on multivariate, multistep, spatiotemporal sequence forecasts of sea level anomalies (SLA) for different modalities, however, remain problematic. In this paper, we present a novel hybrid and multivariate deep neural network, named HMnet3, which can be used for SLA forecasting in the South China Sea (SCS). First, a spatiotemporal sequence forecasting network is trained by an improved convolutional long short-term memory (ConvLSTM) network using a channelwise attention mechanism and multivariate data from 1993 to 2015. Then a time series forecasting network is trained by an improved long short-term memory (LSTM) network, which is realized by ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD). Finally, the two networks are combined by a successive correction method to produce SLA forecasts for lead times of up to 15 days, with a special focus on the open sea and coastal regions of the SCS. During the testing period of 2016–18, the performance of HMnet3 with sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA), wind speed anomaly (SPDA), and SLA data is much better than those of state-of-the-art dynamic and statistical (ConvLSTM, persistence, and climatology) forecast models. Stricter testbeds for trial simulation experiments with real-time datasets are investigated, where the eddy classification metrics of HMnet3 are favorable for all properties, especially for those of small-scale eddies.
China, Africa and the International Aid System: A Challenge to (the Norms Underpinning) the Neoliberal World Order?
Authors: Gilpin Shaquille Ifedayo
Published: December 2021

The China–Africa relationship has received increased interest over the past few decades as scholars critically examine the challenge that China, in its quest for a closer strategic partnership with Africa, poses to the norms governing the neoliberal world order (NLWO). One crucial aspect of this is international aid, and how Chinese aid to Africa differs from Western aid. This paper argues that Chinese aid reduces the power of traditional aid donors to shape the development route of African countries. This new development finance ultimately breaks the monopoly of Western aid to decide how poor countries in the global ‘South’ develop. In doing so, the Sino–African aid relationship is challenging the current world order as it offers African states the possibility to decouple (or delink) themselves from the global economy. By challenging assumed neoliberal economic development fundamentals, this relationship, if harnessed correctly by African leaders, can pose longer-term ideological questions around the very set of ideas that underpin development itself, while enabling African states the policy space needed to pursue more sustainable development from an Afro-centric perspective. It is this possibility to delink, due to changing ideological fundamentals concerning economic development, that is the challenge China and Africa pose to the NLWO.
‘The Franco Way’: The American Right and the Spanish Civil War, 1936–9
Authors: Clements Austin J.
Published: December 2021

The following article is an intellectual and cultural history of the American supporters of Francisco Franco (hereafter referred to as American Francoites) and the Nationalist Movement during the Spanish Civil War. This article examines political pamphlets, magazines, radio broadcasts, journal articles, and books to reconstruct the American Francoite worldview. Like pro-Franco Catholics across the globe, American Francoites insisted the war was not between democracy and fascism but communism and Christianity; as Americans, they believed that supporting Franco was critical in fulfilling a patriotic and providential duty to protect Western Christendom from godless communism. Investigating the American Francoite worldview contributes to a recent body of scholarship detailing the rise of transnational anticommunism and nationalism as a constellation of culturally contingent reactions to the growth and spread of international communism. American Francoites emerged as one peculiar form of anticommunist American nationalism. In conclusion, this article argues that the political myths perpetuated by the pro-Franco argument – that the war was a battle between godless communism and Western Christendom – survived both the Spanish Civil War and Franco himself, merging easily into the ‘new conservatism’ of the postwar period and continuing to inform the beliefs and attitudes of the present right.
The Importance of Relationships in Education: Reflections of Current Educators
Authors: McKay Cathy , Macomber Grace
Published: December 2021

The purpose of this study was to seek to understand and describe current educators’ perceptions of building relationships in education. Thirty-five K-12 educators completed reflective writing responses as part of this phenomenological study. The thematic analysis constructed four themes: (a) “students are motivated to learn when strong relationships are formed,” (b) “if they don’t trust you and don’t think you care, learning decreases,” (c) “teachers had a great impact on me that I admire deeply-these teachers are the reason I went into education,” and (d) “they can always google the content.” The findings highlight the significant impact of relationships.
The Effect of Register, Direction, and Magnitude on Musicians’ Evaluations of Chamber Ensemble Intonation: A Within-Study Comparison for Analysis of Repeated Measures
Authors: Miller David S.
Published: December 2021

This study had two primary purposes: (1) to investigate the effect of register, direction, and magnitude on musicians’ evaluation of chamber ensemble intonation, and (2) determine whether a novel nonparametric technique, ordinal pattern analysis (OPA), was a viable alternative to repeated-measures analysis of variance (rANOVA). I digitally mastered a recording of a string quartet performing a phrase from Capriol Suite by altering the intonation of the violin or cello voice ±20 and 30 cents sharp and flat. Participants ( N = 72) completed a discrimination task and an evaluation task with the recordings, with task order, and within-task item order presented in a random order. Analysis using rANOVA revealed significant differences due to register, direction, and magnitude: Excerpts with cello errors were rated as more in tune than excerpts with violin errors; excerpts with flat errors were rated as more in tune than excerpts with sharp errors, and excerpts with 20-cent magnitude errors were rated as more in tune than excerpts with 30-cent magnitude errors. OPA results were consistent with rANOVA results. Substantive implications for music teaching and learning are discussed alongside methodological considerations and implications for music education research using repeated-measures designs.
Attempted homicide by instilling elemental mercury in the respiratory tract: A two-year follow-up
Authors: Wankhede Ashesh Gunwantrao
Published: December 2021

We describe a case of attempted homicide by instilling elemental mercury through an endotracheal tube into the respiratory tract. Radiographs revealed the presence of metallic mercury in both lungs. During a 2-year follow-up, mercury droplets disappeared from the lungs and only mild clinical symptoms were identified, without evidence of wider toxicity or organ damage.
Societas Liturgica Presidential Address 2021
Authors: Nichols Bridget
Published: December 2021

The 2021 Congress of Societas Liturgica found the Society operating in new territory, as it embarked on its first online gathering. The presidential address sought first to acknowledge the pressures and difficulties experienced in different ways by participants all over the world during the COVID-19 pandemic. It went on to reflect on the Congress theme—Liturgy and the Arts. While enormous practical and financial limitations have been placed on the arts, including the liturgical arts, in recent times, new possibilities have been discovered. These include new ways of paying attention, not least, thanks to digital means. While some worshipping communities may choose to abandon many of the elements of pre-pandemic liturgy, others will continue to draw on the riches of tradition. In these conditions, there is a need for the kind of intelligent openness that both recognizes the potential for transformation in ordinary things and makes space for the transformative power of extraordinary things.
Anesthesia Health System Capacities in Public Hospitals of Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Shahbaz Sumbal , Zakar Rubeena , Fischer Florian
Published: December 2021

Purpose: This study intends to outline the capacity of anesthesia health system in public hospitals of Punjab, Pakistan.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey among public hospitals of Punjab was carried out that provide emergency and elective surgical care. We measured capacity in terms of infrastructure; surgical, anesthetic, and obstetric (SAO) workforce; surgical interventions; information management; equipment; and medication which was accomplished between October 2020 and February 2021.

Results: Out of 106 public hospitals in Punjab, almost 40% had only one anesthesia provider. Only 50% of the hospitals reported round the clock availability of anesthesia providers for surgical cases. While caesarean sections were carried out in more than 90% of health facilities, general surgery, pediatric surgery, and open fracture surgery were conducted only in 50% of the hospitals. Although local and general anesthetic agents were available in the majority of hospitals, essential medicines for safe anesthesia were not available in all hospitals.

Conclusion: This first comprehensive assessment of anesthesia health system capacity exposed a crucial deficiency of critical supplies and workforce for providing safe anesthesia and, hence, safe surgery. The surveyed facilities had an uneven division of resources.
Pre-Algebra Students’ Performance Locating and Interpreting Data in Graphs and Maps
Authors: Rosenblum L. Penny , Zebehazy Kim T. , Gage Nicholas A. , Beal Carole R.
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Developing graphicacy skills is important for students with visual impairments if they are to succeed in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) content. Teachers of students with visual impairments report that they lack resources to use in teaching students graphicacy skills.

Methods

Forty-one students with visual impairments in grades 5–10 completed a pretest, intervention, and posttest designed to evaluate their skills locating and interpreting graphical data. Videos of the pre- and posttests were scored using a researcher developed instrument.

Results

Following intervention, there was a significant difference in students’ ability to use descriptors and mathematical terms when exploring graphs and a map. Students answered significantly more questions correctly from pre- to posttest.

Discussion

Students who receive direct instruction in how to locate and interpret data in graphs and maps can improve their level of independence in STEM classes. Use of an intervention that targets the development of graphicacy skills has been found to be effective.

Implications for practitioners

More research is needed to determine effective hand strategies students should use when exploring different types of graphics.
Rumour detection based on deep hybrid structural and sequential representation networks
Authors: Zhu He
Published: December 2021

The rapid development of online social networks significantly facilitates the interaction of people and dramatically expands the diffusion sphere of information. Rumours, however, are not excluded from the list of beneficiaries. The widespread of rumours has lengthened the psychological distance and caused tremendous economic losses, and rumour detection has become an inescapable and challenging task of great practical importance. In this work, we propose a novel neural network architecture for rumour classification and early rumour detection of fine-grained categories. Unlike using tree-like modules for structural feature extraction, we build an information stream network and employ graph convolutional networks to explore the relations among the hierarchical nodes in the network. To enhance the sequential representation learning, the module of deep bilateral gated recurrent units is further incorporated to reveal the crucial features hiding behind the information flow. Moreover, to organically fuse the learned high-dimensionally structural and sequential features, attention mechanism is applied to automatically adjust the trainable weights. Comparative experiments on two real-world datasets demonstrate that our proposed model outperforms the state-of-the-art methods in the task of fine-grained rumour classification and is capable of identifying rumours at an early stage.
Ireland's White Paper to End Direct Provision (2021): Migrant Accommodation and Control
Authors: Coakley Liam , MacEinri Piaras
Published: December 2021

This IMR Dispatch engages with Ireland's White Paper to End Direct Provision (2021) - the Government of Ireland's most recent policy statement on the provision of settlement services for migrants seeking asylum in Ireland. The actions outlined in the White Paper promise to reorder the provision of accommodation and support for such migrants. A range of positive inputs are included, the most significant of which is the proposed discontinuation of Ireland's current system of dispersed ‘camp-like’ communal accommodations for International Protection applicants and its replacement with a new person-centered system of ‘own room’ and ‘own door’ accommodations in the community. A wide range of personal supports are envisaged as well. At first glance, this White Paper shows that the Government of Ireland has engaged with the concerns of organizations active in Ireland's social protection sector in general, and with the needs of applicants for international protection in particular, to provide a more humane system of International Protection. However, tensions are discernible, and we contend that there is ample evidence of the Government of Ireland's impulse to retain command and control of its migration management processes in the White Paper, even against the background of its new, more human-rights-based approach. We suggest that the spatialities inherent in the proposal point to a potential rearticulation of state control rather than to any diminution of same.
Characteristics of expert vocalists’ practice
Authors: Summitt Nancy L. , Weidner Brian N.
Published: December 2021

This study investigated expert vocalists’ approaches to practice in terms of planning, time, and strategy usage. Participants were 79 university voice professors and members of professional choirs. The researchers sent each participant the Vocal Practice Survey (VPS)which collected data on the participants’ professional backgrounds, attitudes toward specific practice strategies, and personal practice habits. Results indicated variety in expert vocalists’ approaches to practice, including number of practice sessions per week, length of practice sessions, and structure of practice sessions. Most participants reported using practice resources, especially a piano and a mirror. Participants reported a broad range of frequency in strategy use, with holistic practice strategies dominating. Comments from participants indicated that group rehearsals also served as individual practice opportunities, that there were differences between students’ and experts’ practice, and that an important role of practice was facilitating vocal health. The findings of this study provide a point of reference for comparing vocal practice to instrumental practice and for further development of research of vocal musicians at varying levels of expertise. The researchers also provide recommendations for music educators regarding the instruction and promotion of effective individual vocal practice.
Whey protein and vitamin D supplementation in institutionalized older adults: A randomized trial
Authors: Colonetti Tamy , Grande Antônio Jose , da Rocha Franciani Rodrigues , Ronconi Dondossola Eduardo , Tuon Lisiane , Gomes Batista Teles Hajiv , Minotto Bom Bruno , Colonetti Laura , da Rosa Maria Inês
Published: December 2021

Background: The increase in life expectancy and in the number of individuals over 60 years old brings new demands to health professionals and services based on the physiological changes that occur in this population. The aging process results in changes in body composition, increasing body fat and reducing muscle mass, in addition to a reduction in bone mass. Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of whey protein and vitamin D supplementation on body composition and skeletal muscle in older adults living in long-term care facilities. Methods: This study is a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Thirty older adults (>60 years old) were randomized and allocated in three groups: group receiving resistance training and supplementation receiving resistance training, whey protein and vitamin D; group received resistance and placebo training receiving resistance training and placebo, and control group without any intervention. Body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks. Results: The mean age was 74.87 (± 8.14) years. A significant difference ( p = 0.042) was observed between the group receiving resistance training and supplementation and control groups in relation to lean mass increase (kg) at 24 weeks. After 24 weeks of intervention, there was a significant increase in Relative index of muscle mass for the two groups that underwent resistance training, group received resistance and placebo training ( p = 0.042) and group receiving resistance training and supplementation ( p = 0.045), in relation to the control. Conclusion: Combined supplementation of whey protein and vitamin D with resistance training can significantly improve lean mass, total mass, and relative index of muscle mass in institutionalized older adults.
Minority Language Learning and Use: Can Self-Determination Counter Social Determinism?
Authors: Landry Rodrigue , Allard Réal , Deveau Kenneth , St-Onge Sylvain
Published: December 2021

To what extent is minority language use in society imposed by social determinism, a force acting on individuals based on the language group's relative vitality in terms of demography, institutional support, and status? Can social determinism be countered by the force of self-determination sustained by group members’ personal autonomy, critical consciousness, and strong engaged integrated identity? These questions are addressed by testing a revised Self-determination and ethnolinguistic development (SED) model, using structural equation modeling. This model specifies how three categories of language socialization (enculturation, personal autonomization, critical consciousness-raising) mediate between objective ethnolinguistic vitality (EV) and four psycholinguistic constructs (engaged integrated identity, community engagement, linguistic competencies, subjective EV) in the prediction of minority language use. Results on a large sample of French Canadian students in different EV settings strongly support the SED model and show that social determinism can be at least moderately countered by psycholinguistic constructs that increase individual self-determination.
Debunking the myth of ‘Blue Mondays’: No evidence of affect drop after taking clinical MDMA
Authors: Sessa Ben , Aday Jacob S , O’Brien Steve , Curran H Valerie , Measham Fiona , Higbed Laurie , Nutt David J
Published: December 2021

Background:

Incorporating 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) as an adjunct to psychotherapy has shown promise in recent years for treating various mental health conditions, particularly those involving trauma. However, concerns about declines in mood and cognition during the days following dosing, also known as ‘Blue Mondays’, have been raised as limitations to its clinical use. Although these changes have been well-documented among recreational users, there are critical confounds to these reports that limit generalizability to clinically administered MDMA.

Aims:

Here, we aimed to evaluate the evidence basis for the negative side effects associated with MDMA as well as inform our understanding of the drug’s post-acute effects in a clinical context with an open-label study.

Methods:

The current open-label study examined MDMA therapy for alcohol use disorder (AUD; N = 14) and measured mood, sleep quality, illicit MDMA consumption and anecdotal reports after the acute drug effects had worn off.

Results:

Participants maintained a positive mood during the week following drug administration in a clinical context. Relative to baseline, self-reported sleep quality improved at the 3- and 6-month follow-ups. Finally, no participants reported using or desiring to use illicit MDMA, and the anecdotal reports indicated that they perceived the treatment favourably.

Conclusion:

The results support the overall safety and tolerability of clinically administered MDMA and, importantly, suggest that the ‘come downs’ previously associated with the substance may be explained by confounds in research relating to the illicit sourcing of the drug and specific environmental setting for recreational consumption.
Imaging with [99mTc]HMPAO – a novel perspective: investigation of [99mTc]HMPAO leg muscle uptake in metabolic diseases
Authors: Képes Zita , Mikó Márton , Kukuts Kornél , Esze Regina , Barna Sándor , Somodi Sándor , Káplár Miklós , Varga József , Garai Ildikó
Published: December 2021

Background

Sensitive imaging modalities in the diagnosis of microcircular complications of the lower extremities induced by metabolic diseases are becoming a focus of interest.

Purpose

To investigate the [99mTc]HMPAO uptake of the legs in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity, and to search for associations with clinical parameters and nerve conducting studies.

Material and Methods

A total of 57 patients with controlled T2DM and 46 obese participants without DM were enrolled in the study. [99mTc]HMPAO SPECT/CT examinations were performed to evaluate the radiopharmaceutical accumulation of the legs. For the quantitative assessment of tracer uptake, standardized uptake value (SUVpeak) was measured in fixed spheric volumes of interest placed on both sural muscles on the attenuation-corrected images. Measurement of current perception threshold applying Neurometer (NM-01/CPT) was used to evaluate peripheral nerve dysfunction. Laboratory parameters assessing the glucose homeostasis of the study participants were also measured.

Results

In the diabetic group, significantly lower leg SUV values were detected compared to the non-DM obese group (median: 0.517 vs. 0.607; P < 0.001). Body mass index (BMI) ( P < 0.0001), age ( P = 0.0283), HbA1c ( P = 0.0068), and glucose level ( P = 0.0044) proved to be significant predictors of muscle tracer uptake. Neurometer studies showed positive correlation with HbA1c levels in the T2DM group ( P = 0.0002).

Conclusion

We assume that [99mTc]HMPAO uptake of leg muscles is associated with microcirculation, so quantitative [99mTc]HMPAO SPECT/CT might be a sensitive method for evaluating lower limb microvascular alterations. BMI, age, HbA1c, and glucose level may be significant predictors of peripheral vascular abnormalities triggered by metabolic disturbances.
Assessment of association between the carotid web and dissection in spontaneous internal carotid artery dissection patients using vessel wall MRI
Authors: Shrestha Srijana , Gu Heyi , Xie Wei , He Bo , Zhao Wei , Tang Zhiwei , Nie Lisha , Li Zongfang
Published: December 2021

Background

Internal carotid artery dissection (ICAD) is the major cause of ischemic stroke in young to middle-aged people. Recognition of predisposing factors may facilitate in early individual risk prediction and expand treatment.

Purpose

To evaluate the association between a carotid web and dissection in patients with ICAD using vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging (VW-MRI).

Material and Methods

A retrospective study was conducted of 223 patients who underwent VW-MRI. Of these patients, 58 patients with craniocervical artery dissection (CCAD) (33 ICAD and 25 vertebrobasilar artery dissection [VBAD]) were included. The control group (n = 165) consisted of patients without arterial dissection who had undergone VW-MRI . The presence of a carotid web in the posterior aspect of carotid bulb was recorded. The distance between the carotid web and start of dissection in ICA was recorded.

Results

The presence of a carotid web showed a significant difference between the ICAD, VBAD, and control groups (19 [57.6%] vs. 5 [20%] vs. 36 [21.8%], respectively; P < 0.001). In multi-nominal analysis, the presence of a carotid web showed a significant difference between the ICAD and VBAD groups and the ICAD and control groups ( P < 0.05), with odds ratios of 5.41 (95% confidence interval [CI]=1.634–17.973) and 4.81 (95% CI=2.176–10.651), respectively. Out of 19 ICAD patients with carotid web, 16 had occurrence of dissection in the C1 segment of the ICA with a mean distance of 1.91 ± 1.71 cm from the carotid web.

Conclusion

Presence of a carotid web was more frequent in patients with ICAD. The carotid web may be one of the predisposing factors for development of dissection in patients with ICAD.
Cardiotoxicity of trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1): a single-center experience
Authors: Acibuca Aynur , Sezer Ahmet , Yilmaz Mustafa , Sumbul Ahmet Taner , Demircan Senol , Muderrisoglu Ibrahim Haldun , Ozyilkan Ozgur
Published: December 2021

Objective

New anti-cancer drugs promise to increased survival benefits and reduce adverse events. Trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) is a novel anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 agent that has shown minimal cardiotoxicity in clinical trials. However, data on real-life outcomes are required.

Methods

A retrospective review of our center’s medical records was performed, including female patients aged ≥18 years with a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer who were treated with T-DM1. Descriptive statistics were used to investigate clinical features that could increase the risk of cardiotoxicity. Cardiotoxicity was determined by comparing pre and post-T-DM1 echocardiogram results and was defined as a decrease in the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) >10% to below 55%.

Results

Data from 41 female patients with a mean age of 52 ± 11.5 years were evaluated. A significant LVEF decrease (from 59% to 33%) was observed in one patient during T-DM1 treatment. Further investigation showed that this decrease was due to underlying coronary artery disease, and LVEF recovered to the baseline value after coronary revascularization.

Conclusion

T-DM1 seems to be safe in terms of cardiotoxicity. Real-life data with a larger sample size are still needed to confirm the cardiac safety of T-DM1.