bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social justice in Canadian nursing professional documents: A Foucauldian discourse analysis
Authors: Slemon Allie , Wonsiak Tessa , Delli Colli Anne‐Renée , Blanchet Garneau Amélie , Varcoe Colleen , Bungay Vicky
Published: August 2024

Social justice is widely advanced as a central nursing value, and yet conceptual understandings of social justice remain inconsistent and vague. Further, despite persistently articulated commitments to upholding social justice, the profession of nursing has been implicated in perpetuating inequities in health and health care. In this context, it is essential to establish both conceptual clarity and tangible guidance for nurses in enacting practices to advance social justice—particularly through regulatory, education and accreditation documents that shape the nursing profession. This Foucauldian discourse analysis examines how social justice is discursively positioned within nursing professional documents in Canada, and illustrates that social justice was largely discursively excluded from these texts. Where social justice discourses were invoked, we identified that four central discursive patterns obscured and de‐centred this nursing value: (i) Vague language undermined professional commitments to social justice; (ii) Constructions of knowledge and awareness de‐emphasized practice; (iii) Individualism discourses minimized institutional/professional responsibility; and (iv) Aspirational language obscured present action. Extending from this analysis, we contend that the nursing profession must re‐examine how social justice is understood and articulated, and call for a re‐conceptualization of social justice grounded in nursing practice toward remediating inequities in health and health care.
The Czech Republic v Poland (Mine de Turów): Politics and implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive
Authors: Sobota Marcin , Albrecht Eike , Tokarczyk‐Dorociak Katarzyna , Jawecki Bartosz
Published: August 2024

An international dispute between the Republic of Poland and Czechia over the Turów mine has recently resulted in infringement proceedings brought before the Court of Justice of the European Union concerning the implementation of the Water Framework Directive. This case and the judicial and extrajudicial processes surrounding it facilitate an assessment of the procedure provided for in Articles 258 to 260 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The assessment of this procedure is undertaken both in terms of the achievement of the internal policy objectives of the Member State and in terms of the effectiveness of the implementation of European law. We argue that this procedure (under Articles 258–260 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union) is effective in both connections, because it provides a wide range of opportunities for both the judicial authorities of the European Union and the Member States themselves to achieve their objectives.
Parents' comprehensive health literacy and child health after attending extended home visiting in Swedish multicultural settings—A case‐comparison study
Authors: Mekhail Kirsi Tiitinen , Burström Bo , Marttila Anneli , Wångdahl Josefin , Lindberg Lene
Published: August 2024

Background

Parents' low health literacy (HL) has negative impacts on child health. Parental interventions may improve parents' HL and thus impact child health positively.

Objectives

This study aimed to gain knowledge about associations between parents' comprehensive HL (CHL) and child health after an extended postnatal home visiting program in Swedish multicultural, disadvantaged settings compared to parents receiving regular child healthcare (CHC).

Materials and Methods

This quasi‐experimental study used a case–control sampling method to recruit first‐time parents through two CHC centres in Stockholm (2017–2020). Participants (N = 151) were interviewed twice through structured questionnaires when their child was <2 months and 15–18 months old. HLS‐EU‐Q16 assessed parents' CHL. Children's medical records (0–18 months) were reviewed regarding breastfeeding, children's exposure to smoking, language development and healthcare utilisation. Data were analysed with regression models and non‐parametric tests.

Results

No significant association was found between parents' CHL and child health. However, significantly fewer unplanned visits to the CHC centre were observed among children (0–18 months) in the intervention group irrespective of CHL, compared with children to parents with improved CHL in the comparison group (F = 3.856, p = 0.011).

Conclusions

Postnatal home visiting interventions practicing proportional universalism and family‐centred care may reduce unplanned visits within CHC in disadvantaged settings despite parents' CHL. Further studies with long‐term follow‐up are suggested to explore associations between parents' CHL and child health.

Trial Registration

As a clinical study (not a clinical trial) with appropriate ethical permission with participants' consents, this study was retrospectively registered (18 February 2020) in the ISRCTN registry (ISRCTN10336603).
Design and usability evaluation of a mobile app for elementary school inquiry‐based science learning
Authors: Yánez‐Pérez Iraya , Toma Radu Bogdan , Meneses‐Villagrá Jesús Ángel
Published: August 2024

Teachers often struggle to implement inquiry‐based science teaching. To support them, IndagApp—a 3D educational app that offers curriculum‐aligned, inquiry‐based lesson plans—was designed. The app is rooted in the inquiry phases recommended in best‐practices literature, which arguably align with most international standards. This study describes IndagApp and evaluates its usability with fifth‐graders from two elementary schools in Spain (N = 43). The system usability scale (SUS) and the Pictorial‐SUS were used to collect students' feedback on usability. Both frequentist and Bayesian analyses were conducted to compare the mean SUS score with established benchmarks for usability. The results showed that IndagApp had high usability ratings, with most students rating it as the “Best imaginable” or “Good.” The mean SUS score was 84.816, which was significantly higher than the benchmark score of 68. There were no differences in usability between girls and boys, and students in private and public schools. These findings suggest that IndagApp is a valuable resource for inquiry learning in elementary grades and has significant implications for science education and science teacher professional development, as it helps teachers adopt reform‐oriented teaching practices that align with the curricular standards and goals.
137Cs radiotracer in investigating influence of hillslope positions and land use on soil erosion and soil organic carbon stock—A case study in the Himalayan region
Authors: David Raj Anu , Kumar Suresh , Sooryamol Kuruppathusheril Radhakrishnan , Mariappan Sankar , Kalambukattu Justin George
Published: August 2024

The topography and land use/land cover (LULC) of the hillslope play a significant influence on soil erosion because of water, which is considered as a principal factor for the reduction of soil organic carbon content. Reliable information on the impact of erosion mechanism on soil organic carbon stock (SOCS) is essential for effectively accounting for the carbon flux that influences climate change. The main objectives of this study were to determine soil erosion based on the variation of 137Cs (Radiocesium) radionuclide activity at various hillslope positions and LULC in a hilly and mountainous region of the north‐western Himalayas. Additionally, the relationship between 137Cs concentration, soil erosion rate and SOCS were examined. Fallout radionuclide‐137Cs have emerged as a suitable method for assessing soil erosion in hilly and mountainous regions where rugged topography and extreme weather events restrain the conventional soil erosion assessment. The study revealed very high soil erosion rates of 32.89 and 30.70 t ha−1 year−1 in the lower hillslope positions with cultivated fields. The lowest soil erosion was obtained with a mean of 0.47 t ha−1 year−1 from the ridge with grassland, followed by the upper hillslope (5.50 t ha−1 year−1 under deodar forest and 14.07 t ha−1 year−1 under pine forest), and the middle hillslope (1.58 t ha−1 year−1 for deodar and 7.77 t ha−1 year−1 for pine forest). The soil erosion rates differ significantly between cultivated and forested regions, and there is also a significant difference between deodar and pine forests. Moreover, a significant difference was found between topographic positions concerning 137Cs, SOCS and soil redistribution rate. This difference was more pronounced at hillslope positions with different LULC. In both disturbed (cultivated) (r2 = .111) and undisturbed (forested and grassland) (r2 = .356) soils, positive and statistically significant (p < .005) poor relationships were found between SOCS and 137Cs inventory. This indicates the presence of various factors influencing the soil organic carbon stock (SOCS) mechanism or the indirect contribution of soil erosion‐induced carbon loss. This suggests that forest cover can enhance SOCS in the soil, mitigating the adverse effects of soil erosion and climate change. Consequently, 137Cs could be effectively used to quantify the SOC stock in soil redistribution over the hillslope affected by soil erosion. Statistical analyses indicated that the 137Cs inventory, SOCS and erosion were significantly affected by various hillslope positions and LULC types.
Fear of the unknown: Relationship between statistics anxiety and attitudes toward statistics of university students in three countries
Authors: Korolkiewicz Malgorzata , Fewster‐Young Nick , Marmolejo‐Ramos Fernando , Gabriel Florence , Kariuki Pamela , López Puga Jorge , Marrone Rebecca , Miles Andrew , Ruiz‐Ruano García Ana María
Published: August 2024

In an increasingly data‐driven world, statistical literacy is a necessity yet statistical learning is often inhibited by statistics anxiety. Using the Auzmendi Scale to Measure Attitude toward Statistics (ASMAS), this study examines how statistics anxiety in university students is related to other dimensions of their attitudes toward statistics and how statistics anxiety and other dimensions change following introductory statistics instruction. Based on data collected from Spain, Canada, and Australia, this study finds that anxiety is negatively related to security–confidence, pleasantness, and motivation. The structure of these relationships is consistent across countries and disciplines and remains in place after statistics instruction. Further, by the end of an introductory statistics course, students report higher security–confidence and pleasantness but lower anxiety. Results thus suggest where efforts to improve students' experience with statistics might need to be directed, and the paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of these results for statistics instruction.
Taxation of MNE profits in an R&D driven economy: Beneficial tax havens and minimum taxes
Authors: Lüttmann Malte
Published: August 2024

Research and development (R&D) by multinational enterprises (MNEs) generates substantial positive cross‐country spillovers. With R&D incentives primarily provided by the MNEs' host countries, these nations bear the entire cost of incentivising R&D but only reap a fraction of the benefits, resulting in inefficiently low R&D incentives and investment from a global perspective. Allowing MNEs to shift their profit to a tax haven shelters the firms' profit from foreign taxation and increases the net returns to R&D without reducing the domestic tax base. In this setting, tax havens can be welfare beneficial because they help to internalise the positive cross‐country spillovers of R&D. The optimal effective minimum tax balances a reduction in wasteful profit shifting and more efficient R&D incentives for MNEs. Regardless of the welfare effect of R&D, a strictly positive minimum tax is optimal for each country. Uncoordinated minimum taxes may be excessively high, if R&D investment has a strong impact on productivity. Under certain circumstances, IP boxes are a welfare‐improving substitute for tax havens.
Second register production on the clarinet: Nonlinear losses in the register hole as a decisive physical phenomenon
Authors: Szwarcberg Nathan , Colinot Tom , Vergez Christophe , Jousserand Michaël
Published: August 2024

This study investigates the role of localized nonlinear losses in the register hole of a clarinet in producing second-register notes. First, an experiment is conducted to study the ability of the opening of a register hole to trigger a jump in oscillatory regime from the first to the second register. A cylindrical tube is drilled with holes of increasing diameter: five at the register hole level and five at the thumb hole level of a B-flat clarinet. Clarinetists are asked to play with constant parameters, blindfolded, beginning with all holes closed. The operator randomly opens one of the ten holes, noting the resulting register. The experiment is replicated numerically by time integration of two different models. The first is the model from Taillard, Silva, Guillemain, and Kergomard [(2018). Appl. Acoust. 141, 271–280] based on the modal decomposition of the input impedance. The second accounts for localized nonlinear losses in the register hole, through the model from Dalmont, Nederveen, Dubos, Ollivier, Méserette, and Sligte [(2002). Acta Acust. united Ac. 88, 567–575]. These losses are handled through variable modal coefficients. For the first model, simulations never produce the second register for any of the open holes. For the second, the proportion of second-register production is close to the experiment for upstream holes, but remains at zero for downstream holes.
Experimental characterization of littoral atmospheric acoustics: Concurrent meteorological and acoustic observations
Authors: Vecchiotti Andrea , Ryan Teresa J. , Stengrim Matthew D. , Foeller Jeffry R. , Zhu Zhen , Vignola Joseph F. , Turo Diego
Published: August 2024

The aim of this work is to describe a rich set of acoustic transmission loss observations that were completed in a coastal environment. The data library, enumerated in detail and publicly posted, is comprised of pitch-catch acoustic transmission loss measurements along with concurrent high spatial resolution meteorological observations. The meteorological parameters include near-surface temperature profiles, vertical wind speed profiles in the acoustic propagation direction, and significant wave height estimates. The acoustic source is positioned on an anchored vessel such that the first several hundred meters of the acoustic range is over open water with one microphone array positioned at the shore. A second microphone array is placed several hundred meters inland along the same source-to-receiver heading. The path between the two acoustic arrays is uniform salt marsh vegetation. Observations were made during seven sessions, which represent a variety of atmospheric conditions. That variety of conditions allows for some experimental generalizations about transmission loss as a function of meteorological observations. These include (1) the relationship between vertical effective sound speed profile and transmission loss, and (2) the variability of acoustic pressure with turbulence over time and elevation.
Individuality and generality of intratumoral microbiome in the three most prevalent gynecological malignancies: an observational study
Authors: Xiao Qin , Chen Wen-jie , Wu Fei , Zhang Xin-yi , Li Xia , Wei Jing , Chen Ting-tao , Liu Zhao-xia
Published: August 2024

Growing evidence have indicated the crucial role of intratumor microbiome in a variety of solid tumor. However, the intratumoral microbiome in gynecological malignancies is largely unknown. In the present study, a total of 90
Han
patients, including 30 patients with cancer in cervix, ovary, and endometrium each were enrolled, the composition of intratumoral microbiome was assessed by 16S rDNA amplicon high throughput sequencing. We found that the diversity and metabolic potential of intratumoral microbiome in all three cancer types were very similar. Furthermore, all three cancer types shared a few taxa that collectively take up high relative abundance and positive rate, including
Pseudomonas sp
., Comamonadaceae
gen. sp
.,
Bradyrhizobium sp
.,
Saccharomonospora sp
.,
Cutibacterium acnes
,
Rubrobacter sp
.,
Dialister micraerophilus
, and
Escherichia coli
. Additionally,
Haemophilus parainfluenzae
and
Paracoccus sp
. in cervical cancer,
Pelomonas sp
. in ovarian cancer, and
Enterococcus faecalis
in endometrial cancer were identified by LDA to be a representative bacterial strain. In addition, in cervical cancer patients, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) (correlation coefficient = −0.3714) was negatively correlated (
r
= 0.4, 95% CI: 0.03 to 0.7) with
Rubrobacter sp
. and CA199 (correlation coefficient = 0.3955) was positively associated (
r
= 0.4, 95% CI: 0.03 to 0.7) with
Saccharomonospora sp
.. In ovarian cancer patients, CA125 (correlation coefficient = −0.4451) was negatively correlated (
r
= −0.4, 95% CI: −0.7 to −0.09) with
Porphyromonas sp.
. In endometrial cancer patients, CEA (correlation coefficient = −0.3868) was negatively correlated (
r
= −0.4, 95% CI: −0.7 to −0.02) with
Cutibacterium acnes
. This study promoted our understanding of the intratumoral microbiome in gynecological malignancies.

IMPORTANCE

In this study, we found the compositional spectrum of tumor microbes among gynecological malignancies were largely similar by sharing a few taxa and differentiated by substantial species owned uniquely. Certain species, mostly unreported, were identified to be associated with clinical characteristics. This study prompted our understanding of gynecological malignancies and offered evidence for tumor microbes affecting tumor biology among cancers in the female reproductive system.
Identification of piRNA Expression Profiles in Vitiligo
Authors: Xie Zhi , Wang Chen , Chen Xianfeng , Liang Yanping , Lan Lizhen , Hong Jiqiong , Qin Jinglin , Li Lili
Published: August 2024

Objective: Vitiligo is a systemic dermatological disorder characterized by skin depigmentation due to melanocyte damage and dysfunction. The treatment of vitiligo remains a challenging aspect in dermatological practice. PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), approximately 24–32 nucleotides in length, are crucial in the epigenetic regulation of developmental processes. However, research on piRNA expression profiling in vitiligo is limited. This study aimed to identify and characterize piRNAs in skin tissues from vitiligo patients and healthy controls. Methods: We compared and analyzed piRNA expression profiles of human vitiligo skin by RNA sequencing. Results and Discussion: Our findings revealed a pronounced preference for uridine (U) at the 5′ end of piRNAs, predominantly originating from repeat and other genomic regions. Notably, we detected 73 differentially expressed piRNAs between the patient and control groups, with 40 piRNAs upregulated and 33 downregulated in vitiligo patients. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that the genes responsible for piRNA production were more prevalent in metabolic processes and implicated in regulating the PI3K-Akt and AMPK signaling pathways. Conclusions: The elucidation of piRNA expression profiles enhances our understanding of their functional roles in the pathogenesis of vitiligo.
Long-term natural history of ellipsoid zone width inUSH2A-retinopathy
Authors: Heyang Michael , Warren Joshua L , Ocieczek Paulina , Duncan Jacque L , Moosajee Mariya , Del Priore Lucian V , Shen Liangbo Linus
Published: August 2024

Aims

To investigate the long-term natural history of ellipsoid zone (EZ) width inUSH2A-retinopathy.

Methods

EZ width measurements from optical coherence tomography were retrospectively obtained from 110 eyes of 55 participants with molecularly confirmed biallelicUSH2A-retinopathy. We used a hierarchical Bayesian method to construct and compare different mathematical models describing the long-term decline of EZ width.

Results

Compared with linear and quadratic models, exponential decline best represented the long-term loss of EZ width based on the deviance information criterion score. Log-transformed EZ width declined linearly over 30 years of inferred disease duration (median: 0.063 (IQR: 0.040–0.086) log (µm)/year). Compared with the raw EZ width decline rate, the log-transformed EZ width decline rate required 48% fewer patients to achieve an identically powered 1-year trial (38 vs 73 participants). Log EZ width decline rate was uncoupled from baseline EZ width (Spearman ρ=−0.18, p=0.06) and age (ρ=−0.10, p=0.31). Eyes with Usher syndrome exhibited earlier median onset ages of macular EZ width loss (18.8 (IQR: 13.1–24.7) vs 28.1 (IQR: 18.5–35.8) years, p<0.001) but comparable log EZ width decline rates (0.060 (IQR: 0.035–0.100) vs 0.065 (IQR: 0.050–0.079) log (µm)/year; p=0.42).

Conclusions

EZ width follows an exponential decline inUSH2A-retinopathy. Compared with raw EZ width decline rate, log-transformed EZ width decline rate may be a superior endpoint for clinical trials. Syndromic eyes exhibit an earlier onset of macular EZ width loss but progress at comparable rates to non-syndromic eyes.
Characteristics of intervention studies on family-centred care in neonatal intensive care units: a scoping review of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Lazzerini Marzia , Bua Jenny , Vuillard Cecilia Laure Juliette , Squillaci Domenica , Tumminelli Cristina , Panunzi Silvia , Girardelli Martina , Mariani Ilaria
Published: August 2024

Background

Different definitions of family-centred care (FCC) exist in the newborn setting, and many FCC interventions have been tested, while a comprehensive review synthesising characteristics of existing intervention studies is still lacking.

Objective

This review aims at summarising the characteristics of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on FCC interventions in neonatal intensive care units.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library up to 31 January 2022, and reference lists of included studies and other reviews. Interventions were grouped into five categories according to a previous Cochrane review: (1) family support, (2) educational, (3) communication, (4) environmental interventions and (5) family-centred policies. Subgroup analyses by time period (RCTs published before vs after 2016) and by country income (based on the World Bank Classification) were conducted.

Results

Out of 6583 retrieved studies, 146 RCTs met the eligibility criteria, with 53 (36.3%) RCTs published after 2016. Overall, 118 (80.8%) RCTs were conducted in high-income countries, 28 (19.1%) in middle-income countries and none in low-income countries. Only two RCTs were multicountry. Although mothers were the most frequent caregiver involved, fathers were included in 41 RCTs (28.1%). Very few studies were conducted in at-term babies (nine RCTs); siblings (two RCTs) and other family members (two RCTs), maternity care units (two RCTs). The role of health professionals was unclear in 65 (44.5%) RCTs. A large variety of intervention combinations was tested, with 52 (35.6%) RCTs testing more than 1 category of interventions, and 24 (16.4%) RCTs including all 5 categories.

Conclusion

There is a large and rising number of RCTs on FCC interventions in neonatal intensive care units, with specific research gaps. The large variety of FCC interventions, their high complexity, the need to tailor them to the local context and major gaps in implementation suggest that implementation research is the current priority.
Blood pressure management in type 2 diabetes: a review of recent evidence
Authors: Wamil Malgorzata , Nazarzadeh Milad , Rahimi Kazem
Published: August 2024

The frequent concurrence of elevated blood pressure (BP) and type 2 diabetes markedly elevates the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. In this review, we discuss the evidence supporting the role of BP-lowering therapies in preventing cardiovascular events in people with type 2 diabetes and the most appropriate BP treatment target in these individuals. We outline possible reasons for the heterogeneous effect of BP lowering in patients with and without diabetes and consider several pathophysiological mechanisms that could potentially explain such differences. The review introduces a mediation model, delineating the intricate interplay between hypertension and diabetes and their joint contribution to cardiovascular and renal pathologies. Finally, we outline the role of lifestyle changes and other pharmacological options in attenuating cardiometabolic risks in patients with type 2 diabetes. We propose a comprehensive, patient-centred management strategy, integrating various antihypertensive therapeutic approaches and providing clinicians with a systematic framework for better decision-making.
PASTA: Programming and Automation Support for Scalable Task-Parallel HLS Programs on Modern Multi-Die FPGAs
Authors: Khatti Moazin , Tian Xingyu , Sedigh Baroughi Ahmad , Raj Baranwal Akhil , Chi Yuze , Guo Licheng , Cong Jason , Fang Zhenman
Published: August 2024

In recent years, the adoption of FPGAs in datacenters has increased, with a growing number of users choosing High-Level Synthesis (HLS) as their preferred programming method. While HLS simplifies FPGA programming, one notable challenge arises when scaling up designs for modern datacenter FPGAs that comprise multiple dies. The extra delays introduced due to die crossings and routing congestion can significantly degrade the frequency of large designs on these FPGA boards. Due to the gap between HLS design and physical design, it is challenging for HLS programmers to analyze and identify the root causes, and fix their HLS design to achieve better timing closure. Recent efforts have aimed to address these issues by employing coarse-grained floorplanning and pipelining strategies on task-parallel HLS designs where multiple tasks run concurrently and communicate through FIFO stream channels. However, many applications are not streaming friendly and many existing accelerator designs heavily rely on buffer channel based communication between tasks.

In this work, we take a step further to support a task-parallel programming model where tasks can communicate via both FIFO stream channels and buffer channels. To achieve this goal, we design and implement the PASTA framework, which takes a large task-parallel HLS design as input and automatically generates a high-frequency FPGA accelerator via HLS and physical design co-optimization. Our framework introduces a latency-insensitive buffer channel design, which supports memory partitioning and ping-pong buffering while remaining compatible with vendor HLS tools. On the frontend, we provide an easy-to-use programming model for utilizing the proposed buffer channel; while on the backend, we implement efficient placement and pipelining strategies for the proposed buffer channel. To validate the effectiveness of our framework, we test it on four widely used Rodinia HLS benchmarks and two real-world accelerator designs and show an average frequency improvement of 25%, with peak improvements of up to 89% on AMD/Xilinx Alveo U280 boards compared to Vitis HLS baselines.
Deterministic Impartial Selection with Weights
Authors: Cembrano Javier , Griesbach Svenja M. , Stahlberg Maximilian J.
Published: August 2024

In the impartial selection problem, a subset of agents up to a fixed size
k
among a group of
n
is to be chosen based on votes cast by the agents themselves. A selection mechanism is
impartial
if no agent can influence its own chance of being selected by changing its vote. It is
α-optimal
if, for every instance, the ratio between the votes received by the selected subset is at least a fraction of α of the votes received by the subset of size
k
with the highest number of votes. We study deterministic impartial mechanisms in a more general setting with arbitrarily weighted votes and provide the first approximation guarantee, roughly 1/⌈ 2
n/k
⌉. When the number of agents to select is large enough compared to the total number of agents, this yields an improvement on the previously best-known approximation ratio of 1/
k
for the unweighted setting. We further show that our mechanism can be adapted to the impartial assignment problem, in which multiple sets of up to
k
agents are to be selected, with a loss in the approximation ratio of 1/2.
Interaction between microRNA-195 and HuR regulates Paneth cell function in the intestinal epithelium by altering SOX9 translation
Authors: Kwon Min S. , Chung Hee K. , Xiao Lan , Yu Ting-Xi , Sharma Shweta , Cairns Cassandra M. , Chen Ting , Chae Songah , Turner Douglas J. , Wang Jian-Ying
Published: August 2024

Our results indicate that intestinal epithelial tissue-specific transgenic miR-195 expression decreases the levels of SOX9 expression, along with reduced numbers of Paneth cells. Ectopically expressed SOX9 in the intestinal organoids derived from miR-195-Tg mice restores Paneth cell development ex vivo. miR-195 inhibits SOX9 translation by preventing binding of HuR to Sox9 mRNA. These findings suggest that interaction between miR-195 and HuR controls Paneth cell function via SOX9 in the intestinal epithelium.
Cardiovascular and hematological responses to a dry dynamic apnea in breath hold divers
Authors: Brown Courtney V. , Patrician Alexander , Tremblay Joshua C. , Brewster L. Madden , Barak Otto , Drvis Ivan , Dujic Goran , Dujic Zeljko , Ainslie Philip N.
Published: August 2024

This study performed a dry dynamic apnea with sport-specific equipment to closely mimic the physiological demands of competition diving. We found the cardiovascular and hematological responses to dynamic apnea were more robust compared with time-matched exercise and dry static apnea control trials.
A System of Hemispherical Antenna Arrays for Noninvasive Deep Brain Stimulation
Authors: Safar Mohammad A. , Newcomb Robert W.
Published: August 2024

A system of hemispherical antenna arrays consisting of 299 elements operating at a carrier frequency of 3.6 GHz has been designed and simulated. The array elements are distributed uniformly, on two concentric hemispheres, on top of the surface of a human’s brain, which is represented as a hemispherical surface with a radius of 9.5 cm. The outer array consists of 171 elements, and the inner array consists of 128 elements (i.e., total of 299 elements). The radial distances between the human brain and the inner array and the inner and outer arrays are 1.5 cm and 2.08 cm, respectively. The electromagnetic fields inside the brain are found by treating the array system as a boundary‐valued problem. A beam‐focusing technique focuses the total magnetic intensity to a desired point or multiple points in the brain. This beam‐focusing technique aims to target a specific neuron within the brain and induce correct neuron firing to elevate the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Since neurons respond to low frequencies (≈10 Hz), two modulating schemes are used to modulate the carrier signal and allow it to have a low‐frequency envelope. The first scheme allows each antenna element to transmit a superposition of sinusoidal signals with 51 different frequencies, varying as multiples of 10 Hz but centered around 3.6 GHz. The second scheme is achieved with each antenna element transmitting at a single but distinct frequency centered around 3.6 GHz. The variation of the frequency of operation from one element to the other is 10 Hz. The slight variations between the different frequencies of the antenna elements will be used to achieve a low‐frequency envelope. This multi‐frequency signaling enables the carrier signal to be modulated with any real‐time periodic signal desired.
Reliability Analysis of Horizontal Curves Using Geometric Design Consistency Assessment Criterion
Authors: Saedi Hossein , Abdi Kordani Ali , Hosseinian Seyed Mohsen
Published: August 2024

Road accidents have always been one of the important reasons for fatalities and financial losses. Since road accidents on rural highways cause more serious injuries than those on urban highways, providing a suitable method to increase safety in the curves can be a significant contributor to preventing these damages. Although speed is one of the most important variables affecting highway safety, numerous studies have been performed on the reliability analysis of horizontal curves without taking the speed variable into account. The aim of this research is reliability (probability of noncompliance) assessment in the horizontal curve design using geometric design consistency criteria. The radius, superelevation, and operating speed of 19 horizontal curves were collected by field research on the Mashhad‐Torbat Heydarieh highway in Iran. Three different approaches were defined based on the geometric design consistency criterion of a single horizontal curve, and consecutively, the probability of noncompliance was calculated using these approaches. According to the obtained results, this study showed that radius enhancement increases the probability of noncompliance and the consistency level of the geometric design. Finally, the high values of the probability of noncompliance (failure) indicate that the geometric design guidelines need calibration in the design of horizontal curves, especially for higher radii.
Figure S3 from Tumor-Intrinsic Activity of Chromobox 2 Remodels the Tumor Microenvironment in High-grade Serous Carcinoma
Authors: Iwanaga Ritsuko , Yamamoto Tomomi M. , Gomez Karina , Nguyen Lily L. , Woodruff Elizabeth R. , Post Miriam D. , Mikeska Railey G. , Danis Etienne , Danhorn Thomas , Boorgula Meher P. , Mitra Siddhartha S. , Marjon Nicole A. , Bitler Benjamin G. , Brubaker Lindsay W.
Published: August 2024

Modulation of CBX2 enhances monocyte infiltration
Severe Leptospirosis with Acute Kidney Injury: A Case Description and Literature Review
Authors: Daschner Clara , Schübler Anna-Sophie , Jung Matthias , Ayasse Niklas , Yücel Gökhan , Husain-Syed Faeq , Leipe Jan , Krämer Bernhard K. , Yazdani Babak
Published: August 2024

Introduction: Leptospirosis is a globally transmitted zoonotic disease caused by Leptospira spp., a highly mobile, obligate aerobic, spiral-shaped bacteria. Described first by Adolf Weil in 1886, leptospirosis in Germany is rare, leading to a delayed diagnosis due to diverse symptoms. Most cases are mild, but severe forms, like Weil’s disease, cause life-threatening complications such as fever, jaundice, hemoptysis, and acute kidney injury (AKI). The aim of this work was to provide a literature review of leptospirosis with renal manifestation based on a case report. Case Presentation: We report the case of an 81-year-old male patient with initially unclear oliguric AKI, bilateral pulmonary infiltrates, and jaundice. After excluding common AKI causes, the expanded patient history suggested possible rat contact in his chicken coop. Finally, we serologically identified an infection with Leptospira spp. by positive IgM, proving that the illness was compatible with classical Weil’s disease. The patient underwent temporary hemodialysis and antibiotic treatment with intravenous penicillin G for 2 weeks. Under therapy, the AKI, hyperbilirubinemia, and clinical condition of the patient improved. The patient was discharged after 2 weeks. In the following controls, slightly impaired kidney function was observed, indicating a progress of his chronic kidney disease (CKD). Conclusion: Although leptospirosis is rare, there are some cases with a fulminant course. Impairment of renal function often correlates with severity of the disease requiring antibiotic treatment. In some cases, AKI progresses to CKD demonstrating the need to raise awareness for leptospirosis.
Initial Experience with an Absorbable Urologic Scaffold to Mitigate Early Urinary Incontinence following Radical Prostatectomy: A Report of 2 Cases
Authors: Ferrandino Michael N. , Espino Gustavo , Young Marcos , Bodden Elías , Gahan Jeffrey C.
Published: August 2024

Introduction: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a frequent, known complication following robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) for prostate cancer. Urethral shortening and reduced urethral support following RARP are contributing factors. Case Presentations: Herein, we describe a surgical approach using a novel absorbable urologic scaffold to mitigate SUI in 2 patients enrolled in an ongoing single-arm prospective study. The scaffold is designed to relieve the burden on the urinary sphincter by lengthening the effective urethra following RARP. The scaffold is placed at the anastomotic site, overlying the bladder neck and urethral stump following prostate removal and prior to the creation of the anastomosis. Both patients successfully underwent the prostatectomy and urologic scaffold placement with no reported perioperative complications. Neither patient suffered from early SUI following RARP as measured by pad weight and usage at 1 and 3 months following the procedure. Conclusion: Early experience with the absorbable urologic scaffold suggests it could safely and effectively prevent SUI following RARP. Early and long-term results derived from the ongoing prospective study with this device will better define its potential role in the prevention of SUI.
A beleza está no olhar de quem vê
Authors: Silva Maurício Teixeira da
Published: August 2024

O ensaio apresenta fotografias em três pontos de proximidade no cotidiano das idas e vindas, capturadas por um olhar sensível do observador, o texto nos permite refletir sobre o poder do olhar, especialmente o olhar infantil, inerente e curioso a descobertas. A narrativa descreve as experiências de Dona Áurea, uma professora do terceiro ano do primário, que utiliza a frase "a Beleza está no Olhar de Quem Vê". Isso é explorado durante as aulas de ciências, onde os alunos observam o ciclo de uma rosa branca no jardim da escola e são incentivados a desenhar a rosa com olhares distintos de tempo e espaço, conectando o presente com o passado e criando marcas reconhecidas no futuro.
Blood Hemoglobin Concentrations and the Incidence of Lower Extremity Peripheral Arterial Disease in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: 10‐Year Outcomes of the Q‐Cohort Study
Authors: Kohara Chiaki , Yamada Shunsuke , Tanaka Shigeru , Hiyamuta Hiroto , Kitamura Hiromasa , Arase Hokuto , Shimamoto Sho , Taniguchi Masatomo , Tsuruya Kazuhiko , Kitazono Takanari , Nakano Toshiaki
Published: August 2024

Background

Lower extremity peripheral arterial disease is a potentially lethal cardiovascular complication in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Anemia is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease among the hemodialysis population. However, whether blood hemoglobin concentration is associated with the risk of peripheral arterial disease progression in this population remains undetermined.

Methods and Results

This is an extension of a 4‐year multicenter, prospective, observational cohort study to 10 years. A total of 3504 Japanese patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis were recruited between 2006 and 2007. The primary exposure was blood hemoglobin concentration at baseline. The main outcome was the first‐ever incidence of major adverse limb events (MALE), composed of endovascular treatment, bypass surgery, and amputation. Multivariable‐adjusted Cox proportional hazards model, Fine–Gray subdistribution hazards model, restricted cubic spline analysis, and restricted mean survival time analysis were used to determine the association of blood hemoglobin concentration with the incidence of MALE. During a median follow‐up of 8.0 years, 257 patients experienced MALE. A Cox proportional hazards model showed that the risk of MALE in patients with blood hemoglobin concentrations <10.0 g/dL was significantly higher than in patients with concentrations of 11.0 to 11.9 g/dL, even after adjusting for confounding factors. In contrast, elevated hemoglobin concentration (≥12.0 g/dL) was not significantly associated with increased risk of MALE. Similar associations were observed when the Fine–Gray subdistribution regression model was used by setting all‐cause mortality as the competing risk.

Conclusions

A low blood hemoglobin concentration is an independent risk factor for peripheral arterial disease progression in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis.
In a Canine Model of Septic Shock, Cardiomyopathy Occurs Independent of Catecholamine Surges and Cardiac Microvascular Ischemia
Authors: Ford Verity J. , Applefeld Willard N. , Wang Jeffrey , Sun Junfeng , Solomon Steven B. , Klein Harvey G. , Feng Jing , Lertora Juan , Parizi‐Torabi Parizad , Danner Robert L. , Solomon Michael A. , Chen Marcus Y. , Natanson Charles
Published: August 2024

Background

High levels of catecholamines are cardiotoxic and associated with stress‐induced cardiomyopathies. Using a septic shock model that reproduces the reversible cardiomyopathy seen over 10 days associated with human septic shock, we investigated the effects of catecholamines on microcirculatory perfusion and cardiac dysfunction.

Methods and Results

Purpose‐bred beagles received intrabronchial
Staphylococcus aureus
(n=30) or saline (n=6). The septic animals were than randomized to epinephrine (1 μg/kg per minute, n=15) or saline (n=15) infusions from 4 to 44 hours. Serial cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, catecholamine levels, and troponins were collected over 92 hours. Serial adenosine‐stress perfusion cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was performed on septic animals randomized to receive saline (n=8 out of 15) or epinephrine (n=8 out of 15). High‐dose sedation was given to suppress endogenous catecholamine release. Despite catecholamine levels largely remaining within the normal range throughout, by 48 hours, septic animals receiving saline versus nonseptic animals still developed significant worsening of left ventricular ejection fraction, circumferential strain, and ventricular‐aortic coupling. In septic animals that received epinephrine versus saline infusions, plasma epinephrine levels increased 800‐fold, but epinephrine produced no significant further worsening of left ventricular ejection fraction, circumferential strain, or ventricular‐aortic coupling. Septic animals receiving saline had a significant increase in microcirculatory reserve without troponin elevations. Septic animals receiving epinephrine had decreased edema, blunted microcirculatory perfusion, and elevated troponin levels that persisted for hours after the epinephrine infusion stopped.

Conclusions

Cardiac dysfunction during sepsis is not primarily due to elevated endogenous or exogenous catecholamines nor due to decreased microvascular perfusion‐induced ischemia. However, epinephrine itself has potentially harmful long‐lasting ischemic effects during sepsis including impaired cardiac microvascular perfusion that persists after stopping the infusion.
Primary Aldosteronism and Risk of Cardiovascular Outcomes: Genome‐Wide Association and Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Inoue Kosuke , Naito Tatsuhiko , Fuji Ryosuke , Sonehara Kyuto , Yamamoto Kenichi , Baba Ryuta , Kodama Takaya , Otagaki Yu , Okada Akira , Itcho Kiyotaka , Kobuke Kazuhiro , Ohno Haruya ,   BioBank Japan, Morisaki Takayuki , Hattori Noboru , Goto Atsushi , Nishikawa Tetsuo , Oki Kenji , Okada Yukinori
Published: August 2024

Background

Observational studies have reported associations between primary aldosteronism (PA) and cardiovascular outcomes, including coronary artery diseases (CAD), congestive heart failure (CHF), and stroke. However, establishing causality remains a challenge due to the lack of randomized controlled trial data on this topic. We thus aimed to investigate the causal relationship between PA and the risk of developing CAD, CHF, and stroke.

Methods and Results

Cross‐ancestry meta‐analysis of genome‐wide association studies combining East Asian and European ancestry (1560 PA cases and 742 139 controls) was conducted to identify single‐nucleotide variants that are associated with PA. Then, using the identified genetic variants as instrumental variables, we conducted the 2‐sample Mendelian randomization analysis to investigate the causal relationship between PA and incident CAD, CHF, and stroke among both East Asian and European ancestry. Summary association results were extracted from large genome‐wide association studies consortia. Our cross‐ancestry meta‐analysis of East Asian and European populations identified 7 genetic loci significantly associated with the risk of PA, for which the genes nearest to the lead variants were
CASZ1
,
WNT2B
,
HOTTIP
,
LSP1
,
TBX3
,
RXFP2
, and
NDP
. Among the East Asian population, the pooled odds ratio estimates using these 7 genetic instruments of PA were 1.07 (95% CI, 1.03–1.11) for CAD, 1.10 (95% CI, 1.01–1.20) for CHF, and 1.13 (95% CI, 1.09–1.18) for stroke. The results were consistent among the European population.

Conclusions

Our 2‐sample Mendelian randomization study revealed that PA had increased risks of CAD, CHF, and stroke. These findings highlight that early and active screening of PA is critical to prevent future cardiovascular events.
Racial Disparities in Clinical Outcomes of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: An Analysis of the National Inpatient Sample 2006 to 2018
Authors: Duong Chi N. , Bui Quoc V. P. , Duong Thomas , Phan Dai Q. , Mazur Jan , Chung Eugene , Truong Vien T.
Published: August 2024

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of race on in‐hospital outcomes of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy using the National Inpatient Sample.

Methods and Results

We conducted a retrospective study using data from the National Inpatient Sample database 2006 to 2018. We focused on Takotsubo cardiomyopathy hospitalizations, excluding those with acute coronary syndrome as the primary diagnosis. Two study groups consisted of White patients or Black patients. Univariate and multivariable logistic models evaluated race's effect on death, cardiac arrest, cardiogenic shock, length of stay, while adjusting for potential confounders. The Bayesian model averaging technique was used to further elucidate the factors influencing death within each racial group. Significant differences were observed between the 2 racial groups. Black patients presented at a younger age, had a higher proportion of men, a higher burden of comorbidities, and a lower median household income compared with their White counterparts. In the univariate model, the Black cohort showed an increased risk of cardiac arrest (odds ratio, 1.45 [95% CI, 1.15–1.82]). However, the difference did not reach statistical significance in the multivariable model. Black patients also had a significantly longer hospital stay in both the univariate model (risk ratio, 1.26 [95% CI, 1.22–1.31]) and the multivariable model (risk ratio, 1.06 [95% CI, 1.04–1.07]). No significant difference in all‐cause death was observed between the racial groups.

Conclusions

The outcome differences between 2 racial groups in our study are likely influenced by racial disparities in demographics, comorbidities, and socioeconomic factors. Individualized care based on racial group needs is crucial in clinical practice.