bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognosis and survival study in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma and its relationship with pRb expression alteration: A retrospective IHC‐based study
Authors: Taghipour Zahir Shokouh , Razavi Seyyed Hossein , SafiDahaj Farzan , Rahmani Koorosh , Sadeghinejad‐Alamabadi Sajad
Published: July 2023

Background and Objective

Among cancers, gastric cancer has the fifth highest incidence worldwide and is the third most common mortality factor, which may have been due to inadequate knowledge of its molecular pathogenesis. The retinoblastoma gene (RB1), a tumor suppressor gene, may have a role in gastric cancer. This research aims to assess Rb expression as a prognostic marker to obtain more insight regarding gastric cancer.

Methods

This retrospective analytical study was done on 61 patients (45 males and 16 females) with gastric adenocarcinoma admitted from 2010 to 2012 in Shahid Sadoughi and Mortaz hospitals, Yazd, Iran. Demographic data, including age, gender, clinical signs and symptoms, and pathology reports, were retrieved from patients' hospital folders. Then, the altered Retinoblastoma gene expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry studies. Acquired data were analyzed by SPSS software v.16. p < 0.05 was statistically considered meaningful.

Results

In this study, the ratio of men to women was higher (2.81:1), and the mean age of patients was 62.44 years. About 90.2% of patients died during the study. There was no meaningful relationship between the presence of pRb, the intensity of staining, the percentage of staining with patients' age, gender, tumor grading, and survival rate (p > 0.05). There was only a meaningful relationship between the grade of tumors and survival rate (p = 0.039).

Conclusion

Altered pRB expression is not common in gastric cancer and does not impact the survival and grading of tumors. Poorly differentiated tumors had an ominous outcome with the lowest survival time.
Evaluation on social media health information communication based on machine learning technology
Authors: Lian Xiaoqing , Liang Cang , Li Jing
Published: July 2023

Social media is an important channel for information dissemination in today's society. All kinds of enterprises, political organization, social organizations, etc. release all kinds of information through social media. This article conducted research and analysis on information on social media and effectively managed it. Machine learning methods can effectively solve the problem of analyzing health information (HI) in social media, thereby improving analysis efficiency and accuracy. This article explored the dissemination of social media HI based on machine learning technology, elaborated on the analysis and research of social media HI dissemination, discussed the importance of social media HI for the audience, and analyzed the empowerment of machine learning in HI dissemination. Through analysis and investigation, the new social media HI dissemination has increased by 0.09% compared with the traditional social media HI dissemination pseudoscience information identification; audience involvement has increased by 0.08; audience professionalism has increased by 0.2. Introducing machine learning into the field of HI content dissemination can help achieve customized production and crowdsourcing of content, from concept to reality, and from theory to practice, and thus trigger a new content revolution, shining new youth and vitality into HI dissemination.
Linoleic acid derivatives target miR‐361‐3p/BTG2 to confer anticancer effects in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Liu Shili , Xu Huijuan , Li Zhen
Published: July 2023

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a deadly hematologic malignancy. In this study, miR‐361‐3p and BTG2 gene expression in AML blood and healthy specimens were analyzed using quantitative real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. A significant negative correlation between miR‐361‐3p and BTG2 was observed. The cell viability and apoptosis were measured by CCK‐8 assay, EdU incorporation assay and flow cytometry. A dual‐luciferase reporter gene assay was performed to confirm the binding sequence between miR‐361‐3p and BTG2 messenger RNA 3ʹ‐untranslated region. 9s‐Hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (9s‐HODE), a major active derivative of linoleic acid, reduced the viability and induced cell apoptosis of HL‐60 cells. Furthermore, the miR‐361‐3p mimics and siBTG2 reversed the above effects of 9s‐HODE. 9s‐HODE exerted an anti‐AML effect through, at least partly, regulating the miR‐361‐3p/BTG2 axis.
The product structure of squaregraphs
Authors: Hickingbotham Robert , Jungeblut Paul , Merker Laura , Wood David R.
Published: July 2023

A squaregraph is a plane graph in which each internal face is a 4‐cycle and each internal vertex has degree at least 4. This paper proves that every squaregraph is isomorphic to a subgraph of the semistrong product of an outerplanar graph and a path. We generalise this result for infinite squaregraphs, and show that this is best possible in the sense that “outerplanar graph” cannot be replaced by “forest”.
The interplay between lipid droplets and virus infection
Authors: Qu Yafei , Wang Weili , Xiao Maggie Z. X. , Zheng Yuejuan , Liang Qiming
Published: July 2023

As an intracellular parasite, the virus usurps cellular machinery and modulates cellular metabolism pathways to replicate itself in cells. Lipid droplets (LDs) are universally conserved energy storage organelles that not only play vital roles in maintaining lipid homeostasis but are also involved in viral replication. Increasing evidence has demonstrated that viruses take advantage of cellular lipid metabolism by targeting the biogenesis, hydrolysis, and lipophagy of LD during viral infection. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about the modulation of cellular LD by different viruses, with a special emphasis on the Hepatitis C virus, Dengue virus, and SARS‐CoV‐2.
Metal‐organic framework functionalized with deep eutectic solvent for solid‐phase extraction of Rhodamine 6G in water and cosmetic products
Authors: Ozalp Ozgur , Gumus Zinar Pinar , Soylak Mustafa
Published: July 2023

An NH2‐MIL‐53(Al)‐DES(ChCl‐Urea) nanocomposite was synthesized for extraction and determination of Rhodamine (Rh) 6G from environmental and cosmetic samples. The deep eutectic solvent (DES) was prepared by mixing choline chloride and urea in a mole ratio of 1:2. NH2‐MIL‐53(Al)‐DES(ChCl‐Urea) nanocomposite was synthesized using the impregnation method at a ratio of 60:40 (w/w). The optimum conditions were determined after NH2‐MIL‐53(Al)‐DES(ChCl‐Urea) characterization was performed. The optimum conditions were determined as pH 8, adsorbent amount of 15 mg, total adsorption‐desorption time of 6 min, and enrichment factor of 20. The recovery values of the solid‐phase extraction method for water and cosmetic samples under optimum conditions were between 95% and 106%. NH2‐MIL‐53(Al)‐DES(ChCl‐Urea) nanocomposite was an economically advantageous adsorbent because of its reusability of 15 times. All analyses were performed using the ultraviolet‐visible spectrophotometer. The linear range, limit of detection, and limit of quantification of the method were 100–1000, 9.80, and 32.68 μg/L, respectively. The obtained results showed that the synthesized nanocomposite is a suitable adsorbent for the determination of Rh 6G in water and cosmetic samples. The real sample applications were verified with the high‐performance liquid chromatography system.
Predictors of Clinical Outcomes in Adult Laryngotracheal Stenosis
Authors: Singh Eshita , Hullfish Haley , Fils Aaron , Ma Ruixuan , Rosow David
Published: July 2023

Objectives

Sequelae of laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS) can be devastating, often necessitating tracheostomy. This study aims to describe the characteristics and outcomes of patients with LTS and identify risk factors for long‐term tracheostomy dependence stratified by etiology.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was performed on 215 patients diagnosed with LTS from 09/01/2011 to 12/31/2020. Patients were grouped based on the cause of LTS. Patient factors were compared to evaluate risk factors for long‐term tracheostomy dependence.

Results

Of the 215 patients, 129 (60%) were classified as iatrogenic, 41 (19%) idiopathic, 10 (4.7%) cancer treatment, 18 (8.3%) autoimmune, and 17 (8%) patients unknown. Idiopathic patients were significantly less likely to be tracheostomy‐dependent compared with iatrogenic patients (p < 0.001) and cancer patients (p < 0.05). The mortality rate did not significantly differ among the categories (p = 0.1078). Significant improvement was seen after treatment, as the median percent of stenosis at presentation was 52.5%, and the median percent of stenosis at the most recent visit was 10% (p < 0.001). The autoimmune group received the most steroid injections (mean = 6.56; SD = 11.96). The idiopathic group had the longest surgery‐free interval (mean = 30.8 months; SD = 27.7).

Conclusion

Iatrogenic and cancer patients were more likely to be tracheostomy‐dependent. There was a significant improvement in percent and length of stenosis after treatment, with the idiopathic group having the longest surgery‐free interval. Mortality risk did not differ among the different etiologies of LTS.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 134:257–263, 2024
From Sphagnum to shrub: Increased acidity reduces peat bacterial diversity and keystone microbial taxa imply peatland degradation
Authors: Xue Wenzhi , Ma Haikun , Xiang Meichun , Tian Jianqing , Liu Xingzhong
Published: July 2023

Peatlands store one‐third of the Earth's carbon. Human activities and climate change‐induced peatland vegetation shift from Sphagnum to shrub may lead to peatland degradation. To understand the ecology and functions of these peatlands, we collected samples from 10 peatland mosaics dominated by Sphagnums, mixed plant communities of Sphagnums, and shrubs across south China. Through sequencing the plant rhizosphere microbiome and measuring peat properties, we explored the plant–soil interactions and identified the keystone microbial taxa in peatlands of three vegetation types. Results showed that peat pH decreased along with the plant community shift from Sphagnum to shrub, which may be due to the accumulation of sulfur and phenolics. Lower pH further reduced bacterial diversity in shrub peatlands as Acidobacteriota became predominant in the keystone taxa. Overall, microbiomes in shrub peatlands showed degraded properties, such as a less stable microbial community dominated by few keystone taxa and the loss of methane‐mitigating microbes. The keystone microbial taxa in Sphagnum peatlands included microbes that utilize insoluble organic substances, mono‐ and oligo‐saccharides. Most importantly, the methanotrophic microbes that oxidize methane only appeared in the keystone taxa of Sphagnum peatlands. Mixed plant community peatlands contained the highest concentrations of iron. Slow‐growing fungi and bacteria were in the keystone microbial taxa, indicating slow decomposition rates in these peatlands. Our study suggests that human activity and climate change‐induced peatland vegetation shift from Sphagnum to shrub leads to an unstable belowground community, indicating the degraded peatland, which may exacerbate in the future.
Echo time optimization for in‐vivo measurement of unsaturated lipid resonances using J‐difference‐edited MRS
Authors: Lin Dingyi , Zhou Jiaqiang , Cao Yang , Wang Ziyan , Hsu Yi‐Cheng , Zheng Fenping , Li Hong , Sun Shuiya , Ren Hong , Deng Liping , Chen Feng , Wang Min
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Measuring lipid composition provides more information than just total lipid content. Hence, the non‐invasive measurement of unsaturated lipid protons with both high efficiency and precision is of pressing need. This study was to optimize echo time (TE) for the best resolving of J‐difference editing of unsaturated lipid resonances.

Methods

The TE dependence of J‐difference‐edited (JDE) MRS was verified in the density‐matrix simulation, soybean oil phantom, in‐vivo experiments of white adipose tissue (WAT), and skeletal muscles using single‐voxel MEGA‐PRESS sequence at 3T. The peak SNRs and Cramér‐Rao lower bounds (CRLBs) acquired at the proposed TE of 45 ms and previously published TE of 70 ms were compared (eight pairs) in WAT, extramyocelluar lipids (EMCLs), and intramyocellular lipids (IMCLs). The lipid composition in skeletal muscles was compared between healthy males (n = 7) and females (n = 7).

Results

The optimal TE was suggested as 45 ms. Compared to 70 ms, the mean signal gains at TE of 45 ms were 151% in WAT, 168% in EMCL, 204% in IMCL for allylic resonance, and 52% in EMCL for diallylic resonance. CRLBs were significantly reduced at TE of 45 ms in WAT, EMCL, IMCL for allylic resonance and in EMCL for diallylic resonance. With TE of 45 ms, significant gender differences were found in the lipid composition in EMCL pools, while no difference in IMCL pools.

Conclusion

The JDE‐MRS protocol with TE of 45 ms allows improved quantification of unsaturated lipid resonances in vivo and future lipid metabolism investigations.
An implicit locking‐free B‐spline Material Point Method for large strain geotechnical modelling
Authors: Xie Mian , Navas Pedro , López‐Querol Susana
Published: July 2023

The Material Point Method (MPM) has drawn great attention in the numerical modelling of large deformation, geotechnical problems. The popularity of MPM is mainly because its formulation shares significant similarities with the Finite Element Method. In MPM, the iteration points can move independently from the mesh, allowing for the resolution of large deformation problems. However, because of this, the original MPM formulation suffers from the well‐known cell‐crossing noise and volumetric‐locking instabilities, resulting in a strongly oscillated stress field. A novel implicit locking‐free B‐spline MPM that controls stress oscillations to a negligible level is proposed in this paper. A novel, but very straightforward B‐spline shape function implementation procedure, avoids the need for a complex material point searching algorithm, providing seamless transformation from the original MPM to this robust B‐spline MPM, aiming at modelling large‐strain geotechnical problems. The newly proposed volumetric locking mitigation strategy is also very easy to implement, which facilitates the reproducibility of this research. The proposed method is validated against three numerical studies: granular column collapse experiment, slope failure and footing with large penetration. The proposed numerical method agrees well with experiments reported in the literature and previous numerical studies. Also, these numerical examples show that the proposed method provides a more prominent stress field than other available methodologies.
Lipid‐correlated alterations in the transcriptome are enriched in several specific pathways in the postmortem prefrontal cortex of Japanese patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Arihisa Wataru , Kondo Takeshi , Yamaguchi Katsushi , Matsumoto Junya , Nakanishi Hiroki , Kunii Yasuto , Akatsu Hiroyasu , Hino Mizuki , Hashizume Yoshio , Sato Shumpei , Sato Shinji , Niwa Shin‐Ichi , Yabe Hirooki , Sasaki Takehiko , Shigenobu Shuji , Setou Mitsutoshi
Published: July 2023

Aims

Schizophrenia is a chronic relapsing psychiatric disorder that is characterized by many symptoms and has a high heritability. There were studies showing that the phospholipid abnormalities in subjects with schizophrenia (Front Biosci, S3, 2011, 153; Schizophr Bull, 48, 2022, 1125; Sci Rep, 7, 2017, 6; Anal Bioanal Chem, 400, 2011, 1933). Disturbances in prefrontal cortex phospholipid and fatty acid composition have been reported in subjects with schizophrenia (Sci Rep, 7, 2017, 6; Anal Bioanal Chem, 400, 2011, 1933; Schizophr Res, 215, 2020, 493; J Psychiatr Res, 47, 2013, 636; Int J Mol Sci, 22, 2021). For exploring the signaling pathways contributing to the lipid changes in previous study (Sci Rep, 7, 2017, 6), we performed two types of transcriptome analyses in subjects with schizophrenia: an unbiased transcriptome analysis solely based on RNA‐seq data and a correlation analysis between levels of gene expression and lipids.

Methods

RNA‐Seq analysis was performed in the postmortem prefrontal cortex from 10 subjects with schizophrenia and 5 controls. Correlation analysis between the transcriptome and lipidome from 9 subjects, which are the same samples in the previous lipidomics study (Sci Rep, 7, 2017, 6).

Results

Extraction of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and further sequence and functional group analysis revealed changes in gene expression levels in phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K)‐Akt signaling and the complement system. In addition, a correlation analysis clarified alterations in ether lipid metabolism pathway, which is not found as DEGs in transcriptome analysis alone.

Conclusions

This study provided results of the integrated analysis of the schizophrenia‐associated transcriptome and lipidome within the PFC and revealed that lipid‐correlated alterations in the transcriptome are enriched in specific pathways including ether lipid metabolism pathway.
Reinforcement effect of glass fiber modified by tannic acid and polyethyleneimine on polyamide 6 composites with no volatile organic compounds emission
Authors: Luo Kaiqiang , Guo Jinjing , Xu Jun , Guo Baohua
Published: July 2023

As an important surface modifier, conventional silane coupling agents generally emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like methanol or ethanol during the modification of glass fiber. To avoid VOCs emission, a phenol/amine co‐deposition of tannic acid (TA) with polyethyleneimine (PEI) was used to modify glass fiber (TP‐GF) based on mussel‐inspired surface chemistry. The reinforcement effect of TP‐GF on polyamide 6 (PA6) matrix was investigated, and the corresponding results were compared with those of γ‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (KH550) modified glass fiber (KH550‐GF)/PA6 composites. The results showed that the interfacial adhesion between TP‐GF and PA6 matrix was superior to that between KH550‐GF and PA6 matrix, and thus TP‐GF/PA6 composites manifested more excellent mechanical properties than KH550‐GF/PA6 composites. Among these composites, TP‐GF (1.05 wt% of coating amount)/PA6 composites exhibited the optimal mechanical properties (tensile strength: 151.3 MPa, notched impact strength: 13.8 kJ m−2) compared with KH550‐GF (1.33 wt% of coating amount)/PA6 composites (tensile strength: 144.8 MPa, notched impact strength: 9.5 kJ m−2). In particular, the notched impact strength was significantly increased by 45%. Notably, there was no VOCs generation during the preparation of TP‐GF, indicating that TP‐GF could be used as an environmentally friendly glass fiber for the fabrication of high‐performance PA6 composites.
How to approach a study in ethnopharmacology? Providing an example of the different research stages for newcomers to the field today
Authors: Schultz Fabien , Garbe Leif‐Alexander
Published: July 2023

Ethnopharmacology seeks to investigate humankind's use of natural materials, such as plants, fungi, microorganisms, animals, and minerals, for medicinal purposes. In this highly interdisciplinary field, which can be described as a bridge between the natural/medical and socio‐cultural sciences, pharmacological, anthropological, and socio‐cultural research methods are often applied, along with methods from other branches of science. When entering the field of ethnopharmacology as a newcomer, student, or early career researcher today, the tremendous amount of scientific publications, and even classical books from this field and related scientific disciplines, can be overwhelming. Ethnopharmacology has evolved over the past decades, and new key topics, such as the decolonization of the field, issues on intellectual property and benefit‐sharing, species conservation, the preservation of traditional knowledge, the protection of indigenous communities, science outreach, and climate change, have become important and urgent aspects of the field that must not be disregarded by today's ethnopharmacologists. One of the questions of newcomers will be, “Where to begin?” This review article offers a brief (and certainly not comprehensive) introduction to the science of ethnopharmacology, highlighting some of its past most notable achievements and future prospects. In addition, this article provides an example for newcomers to the field of how to address different stages that may be involved in conducting ethnopharmacological field and lab studies, including early‐stage drug discovery and community work. The example presented summarizes a series of studies conducted in the remote Greater Mpigi region of Uganda, located in East Africa. Stages of ethnopharmacological research described include ethnobotanical surveying and fieldwork, the pharmacological assessment of activity with diverse targets in the laboratory, and the transfer of results back to indigenous communities, that is, non‐financial benefit sharing as a potential best practice example. As a result of this research example, a total of six original research articles have been published on the medicinal application and ethnopharmacology of 16 plant species from the Ugandan study site, offering a large quantity of results. These six publications reflect the multifaceted nature of the interdisciplinary science of ethnopharmacology, which may serve as a reference point and inspiration for newcomers to design and conduct their own independent ethnopharmacological research endeavors at other study sites. Major bottlenecks and solutions are provided, and the current social media channels with educational ethnopharmacological content are briefly introduced.
Towards autonomous selective harvesting: A review of robot perception, robot design, motion planning and control
Authors: Rajendran Vishnu , Debnath Bappaditya , Mghames Sariah , Mandil Willow , Parsa Soran , Parsons Simon , Ghalamzan‐E. Amir
Published: July 2023

This paper provides an overview of the current state‐of‐the‐art in selective harvesting robots (SHRs) and their potential for addressing the challenges of global food production. SHRs have the potential to increase productivity, reduce labor costs, and minimize wastage by selectively harvesting only ripe fruits and vegetables. The paper discusses the main components of SHRs, including perception, grasping, cutting, motion planning, and control. It also highlights the challenges in developing SHR technologies, particularly in the areas of robot design, motion planning, and control. The paper also discusses the potential benefits of integrating artificial intelligence and soft robots and data‐driven methods to enhance the performance and robustness of SHR systems. Finally, the paper identifies several open research questions in the field and highlights the need for further research and development efforts to advance SHR technologies to meet the challenges of global food production. Overall, this paper provides a starting point for researchers and practitioners interested in developing SHRs and highlights the need for more research in this field.
High‐Strength and Tough Acid‐Base Complex Hydrogels with Memory‐Forgetting and Shape‐Memory Features
Authors: Guo Xiang , Wang Hong , Xiong Xinghong , Zhao Shifang , Li Mei , Chang Qi , Cui Jiaxi
Published: July 2023

Complexes associated with strong electrostatic interactions constitute a valuable method to construct tough hydrogels, but current systems are either unstable in saline environments or lead to relatively soft matrices. Herein, a class of acid‐base complex (ABC) hydrogels made from poly(2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) and glassy poly(methacrylic acid) (PMA) is reported. The tough hydrogels are prepared via a dialysis‐free process and maintain their structure in saline solutions. Results indicate that the glassy feature of PMA endows the ABC hydrogels with high moduli (227 MPa), typical yielding points (3 MPa), and moderate stretchability (300% strain). The glassy backbones (PMA chains) are stiff at low temperatures, and would be melted at high temperatures, which bring about interesting shape‐memory effects and inverse memory‐forgetting behaviors. These results may inspire a simple but powerful strategy to design innovative hydrogel materials.
Understanding Contact Nonuniformities at Interfaces in Perovskite Silicon Tandem Solar Cells Using Luminescence Imaging, Lock‐In Thermography, and 2D/3D Simulations
Authors: Fischer Oliver , Fell Andreas , Messmer Christoph , Efinger Raphael , Schindler Florian , Glunz Stefan W. , Schubert Martin C.
Published: July 2023

The top cell of a perovskite silicon tandem solar cell requires several material layers on each side of the perovskite absorber to efficiently extract electrons and holes, respectively. These layers must meet multiple requirements simultaneously, namely, low interface recombination, good charge carrier selectivity, low contact resistivity, and high optical transparency. Due to the complex architecture, characterization techniques are required in material and process optimization to identify loss mechanisms. Spatial resolution of the characterization is gaining importance along with the upscaling of the perovskite technology. Herein, electro‐ and photoluminescence (EL and PL) imaging is combined with illuminated lock‐in thermography (ILIT) for a comprehensive electro‐optical characterization of both subcells in perovskite silicon tandem devices with state‐of‐the‐art cell architecture. Thereby, the combination of the presented characterization methods together with numerical simulation models enables to carry out holistic investigations of device limitations. The strength of this approach is showcased by one particularly remarkable feature that is observed in the investigated tandem device, showing a low PL but high EL signal at local spots. Together with multidimensional optoelectrical device simulations, the measurements are explained and the root cause of this feature to originate from the perovskite/C60 interface is suggested.
Confronting Otherness: The Built Environments in Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Shadows of the Apt
Authors: Chudoba Minna
Published: July 2023

Confronting the unfamiliar is a common theme in the fantasy fiction genre. British author Adrian Tchaikovsky underlines this theme in his ten-book series Shadows of the Apt (2008–2014) with a dichotomy of apt–inapt. This is enhanced by the insect-derived traits of the characters, which are reflected in the cities of this imagined fantasy world. Various urban architectures provide backgrounds for the protagonists as they face a foreign reality. The reader interpretation presented here focuses on the urban spaces and the architecture. The reading is structured by a division into strategies and tactics, as defined by Michel de Certeau. This provides a basis for understanding the interaction between the spaces and the spatial practices of the protagonists, as they move about in unfamiliar surroundings, confronting otherness. The architectural reading of the story opens the scalar structure used by the author and underlines the importance of the collective in the individual growth stories.
Domestic and International Drivers and Challenges for the Energy Transformation in the MENA Region
Authors: Hafner Manfred , Raimondi Pier Paolo , Bonometti Benedetta
Published: July 2023

The chapter examines the domestic and international drivers and obstacles for the transformation in the MENA region. It outlines the major domestic sociopolitical and economic features that could both incentivize and discourage the energy transformation in the region. These are the pervasive role of oil rents, high energy subsidies, high dependence on cheap imported labour force and low role of private sector. The transformation is also pushed by rising international climate pressure but also the need to adapt and mitigate the existing negative consequences of climate change in the region, which are expected to exacerbate the regional fragile environment (e.g. rising temperatures and sea levels as well as water stress and scarcity).
National Energy Sectors: Historical Evolution and Current Situation
Authors: Hafner Manfred , Raimondi Pier Paolo , Bonometti Benedetta
Published: July 2023

This chapter presents the present energy, economic and political landscape of the MENA region, country by country. While fossil fuels have been at the center of this landscape in the MENA region, each MENA country has gone through a transformation of its energy system. Understanding this historical evolution is instrumental to better understand the starting point for future national energy transformations. While fossil fuels play a key role in all national energy sectors, countries vary regarding energy endowment, population size and economics. The chapter highlights the clear regional cleavage between hydrocarbon-exporting and hydrocarbon-importing countries and its consequences on national energy sector evolutions.
Players in the Crowdsourcing Industry
Authors: Hornuf Lars , Mangold Sonja , Yang Yayun
Published: July 2023

Different classifications of crowdsourcing markets have been proposed. This chapter outlines the most relevant classifications and provides examples of crowdsourcing in its various forms. It offers a more complete definition of crowdsourcing, provides statistics of market developments, and discusses some of the larger market trends in China, Germany and the United States.
Summary and Conclusion
Authors: Hornuf Lars , Mangold Sonja , Yang Yayun
Published: July 2023

This chapter summarizes the results of this book and draws some legal policy conclusions. Our findings are mainly based on the analysis of legal framework conditions and the evaluation of the privacy statements of crowdsourcing platforms located in China, Germany and the U.S., presented in the preceding chapters. The results of this study provide inspiration for future research and legal action in the field of crowdsourcing and data privacy.
Engaging with the Public: Comparing the National Museum of Indonesia and the Kolong Tangga Museum from the New Museology Perspective
Authors: Rizqika Mawaddatul Khusna , Wahyudi Wanny Rahardjo
Published: July 2023

Nowadays, the views of new museology bring changes to museum management in various countries. This concept is deemed to optimize earlier theories and can accommodate the current needs of museums and the society. In Indonesia, new museology is a relatively new theory, although it originated in the 1970s within the international museum sphere. In the past, museums focused on their collections. At the moment, however, they have shifted their orientation to the society. Information dissemination becomes a priority and is related to surrounding social climates. Something similar has also occurred in the aspects of curatorial management. Curators have had to extend focus from only the material aspect of collections to also the meaning behind them.
Locating Sikuru, “Hero of Loloda”
Authors: Rahman Abd. , Christomy Tommy , Zuhdi Susanto , Putri L. G. Saraswati
Published: July 2023

Having wrapped up our 2017-2018 fieldwork in the Moluccas, we landed in Jakarta only to receive a short message from someone we did not know. In the message, the person asked, “Why are you researching Loloda? There is nothing in Loloda. You probably want to work on other regions. Loloda is long gone.” The text message made us rethink the position of Loloda, a region in the west coast of Halmahera Island, North Maluku, in society today. Loloda used to be one of the oldest kingdoms in the area during colonial times. Such a message contrasted with the enthusiasm of the people of Loloda that we witnessed during the field research, particularly after the appointment of Suaib bin Syamsudin Syah as kolano (king) of Loloda in 2016. Belittling Loloda is a postcolonial legacy in the local politics of the region today.
The Treaty of Tumbang Anoi, 1894: Impact on Borneo’s Social Structure
Authors: Haryanti Sitti Utami
Published: July 2023

Visitors to the village of Tumbang Anoi, which lies upstream of the Kahayan River in the Gunung Mas Regency of Central Kalimantan, may not realize that it was the site of a groundbreaking historical event that significantly changed the life of the people of the Dayak tribe. Yet the event that took place over three long months in 1894 in this very village had done precisely that. What is now often referred to as the Tumbang Anoi Peaceful Meeting was attended by representatives of all the Dayak tribes in Kalimantan to discuss issues of Dayak customary law and possible solutions to disputes, producing a historically significant document called the Treaty of Tumbang Anoi. The meeting involved the colonial government of the Dutch East Indies and all Dayak tribes in Kalimantan. The figures involved at that time were the Dutch controlleur of Dayak Lands and other representatives from the Dutch East Indies colonial government. The Dayak tribes were represented by the central figure, the Damang Batu, or Damang Ribu, who facilitated the Peace Meeting. This event marks the beginning of the establishment of a new legal order that generally affected the Dayak tribal community. It also brought about a number of social changes among the Dayak people.
Transgenic mice overexpressing human ALOX15 under the control of the aP2 promoter are partly protected in the complete Freund’s adjuvant-induced paw inflammation model
Authors: Heydeck Dagmar , Kakularam Kumar R. , Labuz Dominika , Machelska Halina , Rohwer Nadine , Weylandt Karsten , Kuhn Hartmut
Published: July 2023

Background, objectives and design

Arachidonic acid 15-lipoxygenase (ALOX15) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases but since pro- and anti-inflammatory roles have been suggested, the precise function of this enzyme is still a matter of discussion. To contribute to this discussion, we created transgenic mice, which express human ALOX15 under the control of the activating protein 2 promoter (aP2-ALOX15 mice) and compared the sensitivity of these gain-of-function animals in two independent mouse inflammation models with Alox15-deficient mice (loss-of-function animals) and wildtype control animals.

Materials and methods

Transgenic aP2-ALOX15 mice were tested in comparison with Alox15 knockout mice (Alox15−/−) and corresponding wildtype control animals (C57BL/6J) in the complete Freund’s adjuvant induced hind-paw edema model and in the dextran sulfate sodium induced colitis (DSS-colitis) model. In the paw edema model, the degree of paw swelling and the sensitivity of the inflamed hind-paw for mechanic (von Frey test) and thermal (Hargreaves test) stimulation were quantified as clinical readout parameters. In the dextran sodium sulfate induced colitis model the loss of body weight, the colon lengths and the disease activity index were determined.

Results

In the hind-paw edema model, systemic inactivation of the endogenous Alox15 gene intensified the inflammatory symptoms, whereas overexpression of human ALOX15 reduced the degree of hind-paw inflammation. These data suggest anti-inflammatory roles for endogenous and transgenic ALOX15 in this particular inflammation model. As mechanistic reason for the protective effect downregulation of the pro-inflammatory ALOX5 pathways was suggested. However, in the dextran sodium sulfate colitis model, in which systemic inactivation of the Alox15 gene protected female mice from DSS-induced colitis, transgenic overexpression of human ALOX15 did hardly impact the intensity of the inflammatory symptoms.

Conclusion

The biological role of ALOX15 in the pathogenesis of inflammation is variable and depends on the kind of the animal inflammation model.
Prospective randomized clinical studies involving reirradiation: update of a systematic review
Authors: Nieder Carsten , Willmann Jonas , Andratschke Nicolaus H.
Published: July 2023

Background

Reirradiation is a potentially useful option for many patients with recurrent cancer, aiming at cure or symptom palliation, depending on disease/recurrence type and stage. The purpose of this follow-up study to a previous review from 2016 was to summarize all recently published randomized trials. Points of interest again included identifcation of methodological strengths and weaknesses, practice-changing results, and open questions.

Material and methods

Systematic review of trials published between 2015 and February 2023.

Results

We reviewed 7 additional trials, most of which addressed reirradiation of head and neck or brain tumours. The median number of patients was 60. Mirroring the previous review, trial design, primary endpoints and statistical hypotheses varied widely. The updated results only impact on decision making for reirradiation of nasopharynx cancer and glioma. Patients with one of these diseases, as well as other head and neck cancers, may benefit from reirradiation-induced local control, e.g. in terms of progression-free survival. For the first time, hyperfractionated radiotherapy emerged as preferred option for recurrent, inoperable nasopharynx cancer. Despite better therapeutic ratio with hyperfractionation, serious toxicity remains a concern after high cumulative total doses. Randomized trials are still lacking for prostate cancer and other sites.

Conclusion

Multicentric randomized trials on reirradiation are feasible and continue to refine the current standard of care for recurrent disease after previous radiotherapy. Ongoing prospective studies such as the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology and European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (ESTRO-EORTC) observational cohort ReCare (NCT: NCT03818503) will further shape the clinical practice of reirradiation.
Mandatory retirement savings in the presence of an informal labor market
Authors: Pardo Oliver
Published: July 2023

This paper shows how mandating workers to save more for retirement can lead them to work informally and save less. Consider a worker who is more productive in the formal sector but works informally to avoid mandatory retirement contributions. Lowering the contribution rate (the share of wages mandated to be saved) will paradoxically increase her retirement savings. The reason for this is that working informally acts as borrowing against mandatory savings. The implicit cost of such borrowing, and hence the opportunity cost of working informally, rises as the contribution rate drops. This creates a substitution effect favoring formal work, driving the worker towards the formal sector. As her formal income increases, the base for her mandatory contributions rises, expanding her retirement savings. Therefore, the optimal contribution rate is no greater than the highest contribution rate under which the worker prefers to work exclusively in the formal sector.
Changes in international immigration and internal native mobility after COVID-19 in the USA
Authors: Peri Giovanni , Zaiour Reem
Published: July 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic produced a significant decline in international immigration to the USA between 2020 and 2021. This paper documents the timing, characteristics, and heterogeneity of the change in immigration across states and economic sectors. Additionally, we describe the trends in internal native mobility in the USA prior to and after the pandemic, investigating whether natives responded to the decrease in immigration by relocating either geographically or across sectors. Despite the substantial drop in international migration, we do not observe any significant changes in native internal mobility. Employing a panel regression and a shift-share IV, we study the effect of foreign immigration, the emergence of remote-work, and changes in labor demand on cross-state native mobility. Our results indicate that the decline in immigration following COVID-19 and the differential availability of remote-work opportunities across sectors and states did not drive changes in natives’ cross- state or cross-sector mobility.
Early versus delayed coronary angiography in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and no ST-segment elevation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Hamidi Fardin , Anwari Elaaha , Spaulding Christian , Hauw-Berlemont Caroline , Vilfaillot Aurélie , Viana-Tejedor Ana , Kern Karl B. , Hsu Chiu-Hsieh , Bergmark Brian A. , Qamar Arman , Bhatt Deepak L. , Furtado Remo H. M. , Myhre Peder L. , Hengstenberg Christian , Lang Irene M. , Frey Norbert , Freund Anne , Desch Steffen , Thiele Holger , Preusch Michael R. , Zelniker Thomas A.
Published: July 2023

Background

Recent randomized controlled trials did not show benefit of early/immediate coronary angiography (CAG) over a delayed/selective strategy in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and no ST-segment elevation. However, whether selected subgroups, specifically those with a high pretest probability of coronary artery disease may benefit from early CAG remains unclear.

Methods

We included all randomized controlled trials that compared a strategy of early/immediate versus delayed/selective CAG in OHCA patients and no ST elevation and had a follow-up of at least 30 days. The primary outcome of interest was all-cause death. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated and pooled across trials. Interaction testing was used to assess for heterogeneity of treatment effects.

Results

In total, 1512 patients (67 years, 26% female, 23% prior myocardial infarction) were included from 5 randomized controlled trials. Early/immediate versus delayed/selective CAG was not associated with a statistically significant difference in odds of death (OR 1.12, 95%-CI 0.91–1.38), with similar findings for the composite outcome of all-cause death or neurological deficit (OR 1.10, 95%-CI 0.89–1.36). There was no effect modification for death by age, presence of a shockable initial cardiac rhythm, history of coronary artery disease, presence of an ischemic event as the presumed cause of arrest, or time to return of spontaneous circulation (all P-interaction > 0.10). However, early/immediate CAG tended to be associated with higher odds of death in women (OR 1.52, 95%-CI 1.00–2.31, P = 0.050) than in men (OR 1.04, 95%-CI 0.82–1.33, P = 0.74; P-interaction 0.097).

Conclusion

In OHCA patients without ST-segment elevation, a strategy of early/immediate versus delayed/selective CAG did not reduce all-cause mortality across major subgroups. However, women tended to have higher odds of death with early CAG.

Graphical abstract
Exploratory analyses on the effect of time since last meal on concentrations of amino acids, lipids, one-carbon metabolites, and vitamins in the Hordaland Health Study
Authors: Anfinsen Åslaug Matre , Rosendahl-Riise Hanne , Nygård Ottar , Tell Grethe Seppola , Ueland Per Magne , Ulvik Arve , McCann Adrian , Dierkes Jutta , Lysne Vegard
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Dietary intake may have pronounced effects on circulating biomarker concentrations. Therefore, the aim was to provide a descriptive overview of serum metabolite concentrations in relation to time since last meal, focusing on amino acids, lipids, one-carbon metabolites, and biomarkers of vitamin status.

Methods

We used baseline data from the observational community-based Hordaland Health Study, including 2960 participants aged 46–49 years and 2874 participants aged 70–74 years. A single blood draw was taken from each participant, and time since last meal varied. Estimated marginal geometric mean metabolite concentrations were plotted as a function of time since last meal, up to 7 h, adjusted for age, sex, and BMI.

Results

We observed a common pattern for nearly all amino acids and one-carbon metabolites with highest concentrations during the first 3 h after dietary intake. Homocysteine and cysteine were lowest the 1st hour after a meal, while no patterns were observed for glutamate and glutamic acid. The concentrations of phylloquinone and triglycerides were highest 1 h after dietary intake. Thiamine and thiamine monophosphate concentrations were highest, while flavin mononucleotide concentrations were lowest within the first 2 h after a meal. No clear patterns emerged for the other fat-soluble vitamins, blood lipids, or B-vitamin biomarkers.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that distinguishing between “fasting” and “non-fasting” blood samples may be inadequate, and a more granular approach is warranted. This may have implications for how to account for dietary intake when blood sampling in both clinical and research settings.
Evaluation of swallowing in children with higher grades glottic web
Authors: El-Sobki Ahmed , AE Ibrahim Reham , Elzayat Saad , El-Deeb Mohamed E. , Ashraf Bassem , Hashish Menna Ibrahim , Alsobky Mahmoud Elsaid Ibrahim , Salamah Abeer
Published: July 2023

Purpose

to evaluate the swallowing function in children with higher grades of glottic web and to detect the impact of surgical division of the glottic web on the swallowing parameters. We also performed a voice analysis as a secondary objective in this study.

Methods

This prospective case series study included 12 children with higher grades of the glottic web; grades 3 and 4. Evaluation of the swallowing function was done by clinical swallowing evaluation including symptoms and signs of swallowing dysfunction during feeding, such as vomiting, coughing, choking, or cyanosis, and bedside swallowing assessment using the 3-oz water swallow test. Instrumental evaluation of swallowing function was performed using flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES). The evaluation was performed both preoperatively and postoperatively.

Results

The number of children suffering from swallowing difficulties significantly increased during the postoperative evaluation where 6 (50%) children demonstrated choking during feeding after the surgical division of the web in comparison to only 3 (25%) preoperatively. Also, coughing and choking during the 3-oz water swallow test significantly increased following the division of the web with P < 0.001.

Conclusion

Swallowing assessment is mandatory as children with higher grades of the glottic web, requiring reconstructive surgeries, are at risk of swallowing deficit which can be aggravated postoperatively. With improvement in the airway and surgery-specific outcomes, swallowing function is an important secondary outcome that has a significant impact on the lives of these kids and their families.
Inclusion body myositis with early onset: a population-based study
Authors: Lindgren Ulrika , Hedberg-Oldfors Carola , Pullerits Rille , Lindberg Christopher , Oldfors Anders
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Inclusion body myositis (IBM), an inflammatory myopathy with progressive weakness without efficient treatment, typically presents after 45 years of age and younger patients are sparsely studied.

Methods

In a population-based study during a 33-year period, 142 patients with IBM were identified in western Sweden. Six patients fell outside the European Neuromuscular Centre 2011 criteria for IBM due to young age at symptom onset, verified by a muscle biopsy < 50 years of age. These were defined as early-onset IBM and included in this study. Medical records, muscle strength, comorbidities, muscle biopsies, and nuclear- and mitochondrial DNA were examined and compared with patients with IBM and age matched controls from the same population.

Results

The median age at symptom onset was 36 (range 34–45) years and at diagnosis 43 (range 38–58) years. Four patients were deceased at a median age of 59 (range 50–75) years. The median survival from diagnosis was 14 (range 10–18) years. The prevalence December 31 2017 was 1.2 per million inhabitants and the mean incidence 0.12 patients per million inhabitants and year. The mean decline in quadriceps strength ± 1 standard deviation was 1.21 ± 0.2 Newton or 0.91 ± 0.2% per month and correlated to time from diagnosis (p < 0.001). Five patients had swallowing difficulties. All patients displayed mitochondrial changes in muscle including cytochrome c oxidase deficiency and the mitochondrial DNA mutation load was high.

Conclusions

Early-onset IBM is a severe disease, causing progressive muscle weakness, high muscle mitochondrial DNA mutation load and a reduced cumulative survival in young and middle-aged individuals.