bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Engaging theories of care and commoning in articulating an urban pluriverse: Building counternarratives for more abundant futures
Authors: Boucquey Noëlle , Fly Jessie
Published: September 2024

Central to imagining and working toward alternate futures—futures more abundant, just, and caring than many in our more-than-human midst are experiencing now—is articulating the ways in which our present is already multiple, already pluriversal. Moreover, as academics interested in these ideals, we might consider it our political responsibility to share examples of the pluriverse where we find them. However, calls for illuminating and enacting the pluriverse are sometimes vague about what we can do beyond researching and publicizing important social movements. This paper argues that enrolling theories of care and commoning to examine everyday phenomena can be a powerful move toward identifying and amplifying the pluriverse. Care and commoning both foreground how more-than-human wellbeing is actively nurtured in collective, relational ways. Further, we argue that cities, outwardly prominent manifestations of “universal” capitalism, are in fact rich in pluriversality. The ways in which alternate realities (and possible futures) are performed is of course varied, uneven, and full of struggle. Here, we use a case study of urban fishing to document and amplify such performances as part of the project of moving toward abundant futures. We highlight especially the elements of urban fishing that resist a capitalist culture, namely, claiming time and space for rest, sharing, and connection with more-than-human others. In doing so, we show how the theoretical development of ideas of the pluriverse and abundant futures might be improved with focused empirical work.
So You Want to Do ESM? 10 Essential Topics for Implementing the Experience-Sampling Method
Authors: Fritz Jessica , Piccirillo Marilyn L. , Cohen Zachary D. , Frumkin Madelyn , Kirtley Olivia , Moeller Julia , Neubauer Andreas B. , Norris Lesley A. , Schuurman Noémi K. , Snippe Evelien , Bringmann Laura F.
Published: September 2024

The experience-sampling method (ESM) captures psychological experiences over time and in everyday contexts, thereby offering exciting potential for collecting more temporally fine-grained and ecologically valid data for psychological research. Given that rapid methodological developments make it increasingly difficult for novice ESM researchers to be well informed about standards of ESM research and to identify resources that can serve as useful starting points, we here provide a primer on 10 essential design and implementation considerations for ESM studies. Specifically, we (a) compare ESM with cross-sectional, panel, and cohort approaches and discuss considerations regarding (b) item content and phrasing; (c) choosing and formulating response options; (d) timescale (sampling scheme, sampling frequency, survey length, and study duration); (e) change properties and stationarity; (f) power and effect sizes; (g) missingness, attrition, and compliance; (h) data assessment and administration; (i) reliability; and (j) replicability and generalizability. For all 10 topics, we discuss challenges and—if available—potential solutions and provide literature that can serve as starting points for more in-depth readings. We also share access to a living, web-based resources library with a more extensive catalogue of literature to facilitate further learning about the design and implementation of ESM. Finally, we list topics that although beyond the scope of our article, can be relevant for the success of ESM studies. Taken together, our article highlights the most essential design and implementation considerations for ESM studies, aids the identification of relevant in-depth readings, and can thereby support the quality of future ESM studies.
Assessing the Generality of a Self-Administered Strategic-Resource-Use Intervention on Academic Performance: A Multisite, Preregistered Conceptual Replication of Chen et al. (2017)
Authors: Verkoeijen Peter P. J. L. , Koppenol-Gonzalez Gabriela V. , van Peppen Lara M. , Broeren Marloes M. D. H. J. , Heijltjes Anita E. G. , Kuijpers Renske E. , Nobelen Janneke T. L. M. , Tillema Marion , de Moor Marleen H. M. , Arends Lidia R.
Published: September 2024

Chen et al. designed a novel strategic-resource-use (SRU) intervention that higher-education students could self-administer online. This intervention aimed to help students improve their performance by stimulating them to think about using learning resources for an exam preparation. The SRU intervention was tested in two undergraduate introductory-statistics courses. In the first experiment, students in the control condition received an email asking them to state their desired grade, how motivated they were to get that grade, how important it was to obtain the desired grade, and how confident they were in obtaining it. Participants in the experimental condition received the same mail and took the 15-min SRU intervention. On the final course exam, the SRU group outperformed the control group, yielding a small to medium effect size, a finding that was replicated in a second study. We conducted four preregistered conceptual replications of Chen and colleagues’ study in four undergraduate introductory-statistics courses at two Dutch higher-education institutions. In our study, the meta-analytic standardized effects on the final-exam scores in the intention-to-treat meta-analysis and the compliant-only analysis were small and not significantly different from 0, and the upper limits of the 95% confidence intervals of both meta-analyses were smaller than the effect sizes of the two studies reported by Chen and colleagues. Comparable results were obtained for the pass rates. Thus, the results of the present study failed to corroborate the previously demonstrated positive effect of the SRU intervention on final-exam scores and pass rates.
Addressing retinal hypoxia: pathophysiology, therapeutic innovations, and future prospects
Authors: Gnanasambandam Bhargavee , Prince Jacob , Limaye Siddharth , Moran Eric , Lee Ben , Huynh Justin , Irudayaraj Joseph , Tsipursky Michael
Published: September 2024

Retinal hypoxia stands as a pivotal yet often underappreciated factor in the etiology and progression of many retinal disorders such as glaucoma, hypertensive retinopathy, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusions, and retinal artery occlusions. Current treatment methodologies fail to directly address the underlying pathophysiology of hypoxia and aim to improve ischemia through alternative methods. In this review, we discuss the critical role of retinal hypoxia in the pathogenesis of various retinal diseases and highlight the need for innovative therapeutic strategies that address the root cause of these conditions. As our understanding of retinal hypoxia continues to evolve, the emergence of new technologies holds the promise of more effective treatments, offering hope to patients at risk of vision loss.
The sulphur isotope record of sulphides in paleoproterozoic successions, North-West Scotland
Authors: Armstrong Joseph G.T. , Parnell John , Drummond Drew A. , Boyce Adrian J.
Published: September 2024

Sulphide minerals in the Palaeoproterozoic Loch Maree Group at Kerry Road, Gairloch, North-West Scotland, have a near-zero sulphur isotope composition of magmatic origin. New isotopic measurements in the region show a wider range of compositions. Other samples from the Gairloch region have compositions up to 15‰ heavier than the ore samples in the Kerry Road VMS deposit, indicating that there was a source of sulphur additional to magmatic sulphur. Graphitic schists and marbles from several other localities contain pyrite with relatively heavy compositions typical of diagenetic sulphides elsewhere in the North Atlantic region, which suggests that the additional source of sulphur was from the ambient seawater. The magmatic signature is however recorded in South Harris and Scardroy, which combined with the occurrence of rust zones in Palaeoproterozoic successions suggests that the region merits further exploration.
EU International Civil Procedure and the Law of State Immunities
Authors: Dominelli Stefano
Published: September 2024

Public international law has originally influenced rules on jurisdiction. Such a unidirectional influence seems now indirectly challenged by the approach followed by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in a number of cases. The aim of the present work is to examine the case law of CJEU concerning the interpretation of European regulations on jurisdiction in civil and commercial matters to evaluate the Court's role in reshaping domestic approaches on State immunities, so to ultimately explore the indirect relevance of EU international civil procedure over substantive and methodological questions in the field of the law of State immunity.
Research progress in micro-scale environmental monitoring, exposure and individual response in Chinese literature
Authors: Li Liqun , Xu Ziqi , Zhou Suhong
Published: September 2024

With China’s remarkable progress in smart city and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), novel technologies have gradually permeated through research on micro-scale environmental exposure research. Consequently, the research has undergone a series of transitions and seen new progress. This article reviews and summarizes three transitions of micro-scale environmental monitoring, exposure, and individual response in Chinese literature:(1) the micro-scale transition in individual-level environment monitoring, including technologies such as mobile particulate monitors, portable physiological monitors, and virtual reality for micro-scale environmental monitoring; (2) the real-time transition towards individual environmental exposure measurement; (3) the individual response to environmental exposure. In this context, environmental exposure research intersects with many disciplines and contributes practical value in the fields of micro-spatial governance, healthy spatiotemporal behavior, and targeted pollution prevention.
Safranin removal by fine soil: thermodynamics and kinetics of adsorption
Authors: Dehghanpour Iraj , Kouchakzadeh Ghazaleh
Published: September 2024

Environmental problems caused by human intervention in nature are some of the most critical challenges facing human societies. It is essential to use suitable adsorbents to remove pollutants. The abundance, natural abundance and low cost of fine soil have made it a good candidate for removing environmental pollutants. In this research, removal of safranin dye by natural and acidic-organic-treated fine soil with sulfuric acid and ethanolamine was studied. The characteristics of natural and acidic-organic-treated fine soil were confirmed using X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller and scanning electron microscopy techniques. The adsorbents were placed in contact with different concentrations of safranin dye solution separately. After that, the effects of adsorbent amount (0.4–3.2 g L−1), contact time (0–60 min), adsorbate concentration (5–20 ppm) and pH (3–11) were evaluated regarding the optimum safranin adsorption process. The greatest adsorption capacity of fine soil was calculated as 1250 mg g–1. The experimental results were evaluated using thermodynamic and kinetic models. The data showed that the process follows the Langmuir isotherm model and pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The intraparticle diffusion model estimated the possible mechanism of dye adsorption. Overall, it can be deduced that natural fine soil is an efficient remover of human pollutants.
Dressing Mechanism and Evaluations of Grinding Performance with Porous cBN Grinding Wheels
Authors: Song Jiahao , Yao Yu , Feng Shandong , Zhao Biao , Ding Wenfeng , Xiao Guodong , Liu Qi , Xu Dongdong , Zhao Yanjun , Zhu Jianhui
Published: September 2024

Cubic boron nitride (cBN) grinding wheels play a pivotal role in precision machining, serving as indispensable tools for achieving exceptional surface quality. Ensuring the sharpness of cBN grains and optimizing the grinding wheel's chip storage capacity are critical factors. This paper presents a study on the metal-bonded segments and single cBN grain samples using the vacuum sintering method. It investigates the impact of blasting parameters—specifically silicon carbide (SiC) abrasive size, blasting distance, and blasting time—on the erosive wear characteristics of both the metal bond and abrasive. The findings indicate that the abrasive size and blasting distance significantly affect the erosive wear performance of the metal bond. Following a comprehensive analysis of the material removal rate of the metal bond and the erosive wear condition of cBN grains, optimal parameters for the working layer are determined: a blasting distance of 60 mm, a blasting time of 15 s, and SiC particle size of 100#. Furthermore, an advanced simulation model investigates the dressing process of abrasive blasting, revealing that the metal bond effectively inhibits crack propagation within cBN abrasive grains, thereby enhancing fracture toughness and impact resistance. Additionally, a comparative analysis is conducted between the grinding performance of porous cBN grinding wheels and vitrified cBN grinding wheels. The results demonstrate that using porous cBN grinding wheels significantly reduces grinding force, temperature, and chip adhesion, thereby enhancing the surface quality of the workpiece.
mTOR/miR-142-3p/PRAS40 signaling cascade is critical for tuberous sclerosis complex-associated renal cystogenesis
Authors: Zhao Shuyun , Hao Shuai , Zhou Jiasheng , Chen Xinran , Zhang Tianhua , Qi Zhaolai , Zhang Ting , Jalal Sajid , Zhai Chuanxin , Yin Lu , Bo Yufei , Teng Hongming , Wang Yue , Gao Dongyan , Zhang Hongbing , Huang Lin
Published: September 2024

Background

Patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) develop renal cysts and/or angiomyolipomas (AMLs) due to inactive mutations of either TSC1 or TSC2 and consequential mTOR hyperactivation. The molecular events between activated mTOR and renal cysts/AMLs are still largely unknown.

Methods

The mouse model of TSC-associated renal cysts were constructed by knocking out Tsc2 specifically in renal tubules (Tsc2f/f; ksp-Cre). We further globally deleted PRAS40 in these mice to investigate the role of PRAS40. Tsc2−/− cells were used as mTOR activation model cells. Inhibition of DNA methylation was used to increase miR-142-3p expression to examine the effects of miR-142-3p on PRAS40 expression and TSC-associated renal cysts.

Results

PRAS40, a component of mTOR complex 1, was overexpressed in Tsc2-deleted cell lines and mouse kidneys (Tsc2f/f; ksp-Cre), which was decreased by mTOR inhibition. mTOR stimulated PRAS40 expression through suppression of miR-142-3p expression. Unleashed PRAS40 was critical to the proliferation of Tsc2−/− cells and the renal cystogenesis of Tsc2f/f; ksp-Cre mice. In contrast, inhibition of DNA methylation increased miR-142-3p expression, decreased PRAS40 expression, and hindered cell proliferation and renal cystogenesis.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that mTOR activation caused by TSC2 deletion increases PRAS40 expression through miR-142-3p repression. PRAS40 depletion or the pharmacological induction of miR-142-3p expression impaired TSC2 deficiency-associated renal cystogenesis. Therefore, harnessing mTOR/miR-142-3p/PRAS40 signaling cascade may mitigate hyperactivated mTOR-related diseases.
Assessment of the effectiveness of hospital external disaster functional drills on health care receivers’ performance, using standardized patients and mass cards simulation: a pilot study from Saudi Arabia
Authors: Bajow Nidaa , Alesa Saleh , Shaheen Fatima Alzahraa Yassin , Almalki Abdulaziz , Alshamrani Ali , Alotaibi Rimaz , Aloraifi Abdulaziz , Montan Carl , Lennquist Sten , Alotaibi Mujahid
Published: September 2024

Background

Given the increasing frequency of disasters globally, it is critical that healthcare systems are prepared for these mass casualty events. The Saudi health system’s preparedness for mass casualty incidents needs to be more robust, potentially due to limited disaster drills and inadequate standardized patient (SP) simulation training. This study aims to (i) assess the performance of front-line hospital staff in Saudi Arabia through a functional drill and (ii) evaluate the drill’s effectiveness using SP and MAC-SIM cards, providing detailed insights into its design and execution.

Methods

A functional drill was conducted at a government hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on December 19, 2022, using a cross-sectional approach with two phases. 141 healthcare receivers served as subjects, while 23 volunteers acted as SPs. The scenario simulated a building collapse to assess the emergency department (ED) response, interdepartmental communication, and surge capacity. Data were collected through direct observation of healthcare practitioners’ interactions with the SPs, analysis of SP data, and participant feedback. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively, while qualitative data were examined for patterns and themes related to simulation performance and effectiveness.

Results

The hospital receivers’ performances demonstrated accurate triage categories. The ED team assessed most patients (67%) in less than 5 min. For patients requiring definitive care, such as intensive care unit, 95% spent less than 2.5 h in the ED. Most patients (65%) required ‘other treatments’. Communication was efficient in the triage zone and the yellow treatment area. Participants’ feedback on using MAC-SIM cards during the simulation was overwhelmingly positive with 82.61% reporting that MAC-SIM use helped them respond better. Experienced SPs (paramedics) with prior disaster knowledge and experience outperformed inexperienced SPs (nurses) in the functional exercise.

Conclusion

This groundbreaking study is the first in the Arabic Gulf region to use SPs with MAC-SIM cards in functional drills. The findings highlight the potential of simulation exercises to improve hospital team knowledge and performance when responding to disasters. Multiple evaluation techniques can effectively identify participant strengths and weaknesses, informing future disaster improvement plans. This information is a valuable resource for Arabic and middle-income countries where disaster medicine is still developing.
A policy analysis of sleep-related legislation for Canadian licensed childcare facilities
Authors: Hall Wendy A. , Moynihan Melissa , Reid Graham J. , McMillan Robin
Published: September 2024

Background

National legislative guidelines for sleep and rest are lacking in the Canadian licensed childcare sector. No review of Canadian legislation for licensed childcare facilities has focused on sleep. This paper provides a review of the Canadian provincial and territorial legislative landscape, regarding sleep, rest, and naps in licensed childcare centers.

Methods

Childcare statutes and regulations for each province and territory were identified and downloaded on a particular date. Statutes and regulations were reviewed focusing on sections articulating licensed childcare facility mandates governing sleep, rest, naps, and sleep equipment. An excel file was used to facilitate systematic data retrieval and comparisons across provinces and territories. Two authors developed and discussed themes that summarized data from the documents.

Results

No statutes indicated recommendations for sleep, rest, or naps. Only one regulation defined rest (Alberta). Our analysis of regulations identified four themes representing sleep, rest, and naps: programming (general programming, daily programming); space (dedicated space, amount of space, age-specific space); equipment (developmental appropriateness, acceptable sleep equipment, age-specific equipment); and safety (staffing during sleep/rest, sleep position, sleep monitoring, sleep equipment safety, prohibited practices). In Canada, minimal regulatory consistency is evident in required sleep programming, space, acceptability of sleep equipment, and sleep safety considerations. Most jurisdictions’ regulations indicated necessity for developmentally appropriate rest or sleep areas and equipment, in particular for infants, but there was minimal consistency in defining infant age groups.

Conclusions

Although we identified themes related to sleep across regulations, childcare regulations differ in their definitions of infants and specifications for children’s sleep and rest in licensed Canadian childcare facilities. Without adequate definitions in legislative components of appropriate sleep duration linked to children’s developmental stages, childcare facilities lack guidance to support healthy sleep for children in their care. Future research can examine translation of healthy sleep guidelines into government legislation and mandates for sleep, rest, and naps among young children in licensed childcare.
Choosing an appropriate somatic embryogenesis medium of carrot (Daucus carota L.) by data mining technology
Authors: Fallah Ziarani Masoumeh , Tohidfar Masoud , Hesami Mohsen
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Developing somatic embryogenesis is one of the main steps in successful in vitro propagation and gene transformation in the carrot. However, somatic embryogenesis is influenced by different intrinsic (genetics, genotype, and explant) and extrinsic (e.g., plant growth regulators (PGRs), medium composition, and gelling agent) factors which cause challenges in developing the somatic embryogenesis protocol. Therefore, optimizing somatic embryogenesis is a tedious, time-consuming, and costly process. Novel data mining approaches through a hybrid of artificial neural networks (ANNs) and optimization algorithms can facilitate modeling and optimizing in vitro culture processes and thereby reduce large experimental treatments and combinations. Carrot is a model plant in genetic engineering works and recombinant drugs, and therefore it is an important plant in research works. Also, in this research, for the first time, embryogenesis in carrot (Daucus carota L.) using Genetic algorithm (GA) and data mining technology has been reviewed and analyzed.

Materials and methods

In the current study, data mining approach through multilayer perceptron (MLP) and radial basis function (RBF) as two well-known ANNs were employed to model and predict embryogenic callus production in carrot based on eight input variables including carrot cultivars, agar, magnesium sulfate (MgSO4), calcium dichloride (CaCl2), manganese (II) sulfate (MnSO4), 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), and kinetin (KIN). To confirm the reliability and accuracy of the developed model, the result obtained from RBF-GA model were tested in the laboratory.

Results

The results showed that RBF had better prediction efficiency than MLP. Then, the developed model was linked to a genetic algorithm (GA) to optimize the system. To confirm the reliability and accuracy of the developed model, the result of RBF-GA was experimentally tested in the lab as a validation experiment. The result showed that there was no significant difference between the predicted optimized result and the experimental result.

Conclutions

Generally, the results of this study suggest that data mining through RBF-GA can be considered as a robust approach, besides experimental methods, to model and optimize in vitro culture systems. According to the RBF-GA result, the highest somatic embryogenesis rate (62.5%) can be obtained from Nantes improved cultivar cultured on medium containing 195.23 mg/l MgSO4, 330.07 mg/l CaCl2, 18.3 mg/l MnSO4, 0.46 mg/l 2,4- D, 0.03 mg/l BAP, and 0.88 mg/l KIN. These results were also confirmed in the laboratory
Educational and personal impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on emergency medicine resident physicians: a qualitative study
Authors: Fults Elyse , Gerwin Jeffrey N. , Boyce Michael W. , Joseph Melissa , Wong Ambrose H. , Evans Leigh V.
Published: September 2024

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on both the clinical practice and the psychological states of frontline physicians in the emergency department. Trainees, at the beginning of their careers and thus still developing their practice styles and identities as physicians, were uniquely affected.

Objective

In this qualitative study, we sought to explore how the pandemic environment shaped the experiences of emergency medicine resident physicians.

Methods

This was a qualitative study. We conducted in-depth interviews with emergency medicine faculty, resident physicians, and staff at a single emergency department based at an urban academic institution in the northeastern United States. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed, and transcripts were then analyzed in an iterative process by our coding team for recurring themes related to the resident experience.

Results

We reached data saturation with 27 individuals. Of those who were interviewed, 10 were resident physicians [6 senior residents (PGY-3 or PGY-4) and 4 junior residents (PGY-1 or PGY-2)]. Three major recurring themes regarding resident physician experience emerged during our analysis of the interviews: (1) novel educational experiences dampened by negative structural forces from the pandemic, (2) fracturing of social interactions and mitigation through ad-hoc support systems and community of practice, and (3) development of negative emotions and psychological trauma including fear, resentment, and moral injury causing lasting harm.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that emergency medicine resident physicians training during the COVID-19 pandemic faced unique experiences concerning their education, social support systems, and emotional states. While the educational and social experiences were described as having both negative and positive impacts, the emotional experiences were largely negative. Residency program leadership may use these insights to improve resident preparation, wellness, and resilience in the face of future adverse events.
A mountain of waste created daily: a thematic analysis of environmental sustainability experiences of postgraduate intensive care nursing students
Authors: Sundberg Fredrika , Baid Heather , Israelsson-Skogsberg Åsa
Published: September 2024

Background

The healthcare sector has a negative ecological impact, and intensive care is one of the most resource-consuming areas. Nurses have a duty to contribute to climate change reduction, design climate-resilient healthcare systems, and support individuals and communities in adapting to the effects of the planetary health crisis. It is essential to incorporate environmental sustainability into nursing education so that nurses can advocate for conscientious and ethically sustainable healthcare that benefits both patients and the planet. This study aimed to explore postgraduate intensive care nursing student experiences of environmental sustainability in clinical practice at intensive care units.

Methods

Data were collected using a qualitative questionnaire, and the data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. The participants were 24 registered nurses studying postgraduate, specialist intensive care nursing courses at four universities in the south and west regions of Sweden.

Results

The results describe critical care students’ environmental sustainability experiences in one overarching theme with five subthemes. Intensive care is a challenging context in terms of sustainability, where saving lives is the number one priority. There were good and bad sustainability habits among the staff, and awareness was key to improving. Clinical supplies come in unsustainable packages, and the participants wished for better alternatives and they wanted more knowledge and education on sustainable practices. The findings also emphasized the importance of a holistic perspective throughout each patient’s pathway.

Conclusions

Sustainability in intensive care units is somewhat unrecognised today, although intensive care nurses want that to change. The context where saving lives is prioritized makes implementing ecologically responsible practices a challenge. However, environmental sustainability in intensive care is feasible, with education needed for nurses to take on the responsibility of making improvements. Hospital management prioritizing sustainability is also important to support clinicians in implementing sustainable practices in intensive care units.
Cost-effectiveness of MLC601 in post-stroke functional recovery compared with placebo - the CHIMES & CHIMES-E studies
Authors: Chen Christopher Li Hsian , Chai Jia Hui , Pokharkar Yogesh Mahadev , Venketasubramanian Narayanaswamy
Published: September 2024

Background

Despite progress in stroke therapy (e.g., revascularisation interventions by thrombolysis and/or thrombectomy, organised stroke care), many stroke survivors will have impairment of neurological function. We aimed to compare the cost-effectiveness of an oral natural formulation, MLC601, versus placebo in functional recovery among subjects receiving standard of care after an ischemic stroke of intermediate severity assessed with NIH Stroke Scale at baseline (b-NIHSS 8–14).

Methods

A Markov cohort model with a 2-year time horizon was developed to simulate patients from a published randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial of MLC601 in their post-stroke functional recovery assessed by modified Rankin Score (mRS), from a health system perspective. Transition probabilities were derived from a multi-centre clinical trial in South East Asia. As cost and utility data were not collected in the trial, therefore we extracted them from the published literature. The main outcomes were incremental cost, incremental quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). Besides base-case and sensitivity analyses, we performed subgroup analyses to explore the heterogeneity of patients with poor-prognosis factors (b-NIHSS 10–14, stroke onset to treatment time > 48 h, rehabilitation during first 3 month). All costs are expressed in 2022 Euro and USD, with an annual discount rate of 3% applied to costs and QALYs.

Results

Base-case analysis showed that MLC601 was cost-effective compared with placebo, with €5,080 saved and 0.45 QALY gained, resulting in an ICER of -€11,352.50 per QALY gained. Similarly, results from subgroup analyses indicated that the use of MLC601 was a dominant strategy in all subgroups with poor-prognosis factors. Sensitivity analyses revealed the results were robust.

Conclusion

Compared with placebo on top of standard stroke care, MLC601 was cost-effective in post-stroke functional recovery over two years. Due to the lack of cost and utility data from the study population, the results might not be generalizable to other settings. Further studies with country-specific data are needed to confirm the results of this study.

Trial registration

URL http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier NCT00554723 November 7, 2007.
Expanded gene and taxon sampling of diplomonads shows multiple switches to parasitic and free-living lifestyle
Authors: Wiśniewska Monika M. , Salomaki Eric D. , Silberman Jeffrey D. , Terpis Kristina X. , Mazancová Eva , Táborský Petr , Jinatham Vasana , Gentekaki Eleni , Čepička Ivan , Kolisko Martin
Published: September 2024

Background

Diplomonads are anaerobic flagellates classified within Metamonada. They contain both host-associated commensals and parasites that reside in the intestinal tracts of animals, including humans (e.g.,Giardia intestinalis), as well as free-living representatives that inhabit freshwater and marine anoxic sediments (e.g.,Hexamita inflata). The evolutionary trajectories within this group are particularly unusual as the free-living taxa appear to be nested within a clade of host-associated species, suggesting a reversal from host-dependence to a secondarily free-living lifestyle. This is thought to be an exceedingly rare event as parasites often lose genes for metabolic pathways that are essential to a free-living life strategy, as they become increasingly reliant on their host for nutrients and metabolites. To revert to a free-living lifestyle would require the reconstruction of numerous metabolic pathways. All previous studies of diplomonad evolution suffered from either low taxon sampling, low gene sampling, or both, especially among free-living diplomonads, which has weakened the phylogenetic resolution and hindered evolutionary insights into this fascinating transition.

Results

We sequenced transcriptomes from 1 host-associated and 13 free-living diplomonad isolates; expanding the genome scale data sampling for diplomonads by roughly threefold. Phylogenomic analyses clearly show that free-living diplomonads form several branches nested within endobiotic species. Moreover, the phylogenetic distribution of genes related to an endobiotic lifestyle suggest their acquisition at the root of diplomonads, while traces of these genes have been identified in free-living diplomonads as well. Based on these results, we propose an evolutionary scenario of ancestral and derived lifestyle transitions across diplomonads.

Conclusions

Free-living taxa form several clades nested within endobiotic taxa in our phylogenomic analyses, implying multiple transitions between free-living and endobiotic lifestyles. The evolutionary history of numerous virulence factors corroborates the inference of an endobiotic ancestry of diplomonads, suggesting that there have been several reversals to a free-living lifestyle. Regaining host independence may have been facilitated by a subset of laterally transferred genes. We conclude that the extant diversity of diplomonads has evolved from a non-specialized endobiont, with some taxa becoming highly specialized parasites, others becoming free-living, and some becoming capable of both free-living and endobiotic lifestyles.
Strategies to improve the implementation of preventive care in primary care: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Heath Laura , Stevens Richard , Nicholson Brian D. , Wherton Joseph , Gao Min , Callan Caitriona , Haasova Simona , Aveyard Paul
Published: September 2024

Background

Action on smoking, obesity, excess alcohol, and physical inactivity in primary care is effective and cost-effective, but implementation is low. The aim was to examine the effectiveness of strategies to increase the implementation of preventive healthcare in primary care.

Methods

CINAHL, CENTRAL, The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Dissertations & Theses – Global, Embase, Europe PMC, MEDLINE and PsycINFO were searched from inception through 5 October 2023 with no date of publication or language limits. Randomised trials, non-randomised trials, controlled before-after studies and interrupted time series studies comparing implementation strategies (team changes; changes to the electronic patient registry; facilitated relay of information; continuous quality improvement; clinician education; clinical reminders; financial incentives or multicomponent interventions) to usual care were included. Two reviewers screened studies, extracted data, and assessed bias with an adapted Cochrane risk of bias tool for Effective Practice and Organisation of Care reviews. Meta-analysis was conducted with random-effects models. Narrative synthesis was conducted where meta-analysis was not possible. Outcome measures included process and behavioural outcomes at the closest point to 12 months for each implementation strategy.

Results

Eighty-five studies were included comprising of 4,210,946 participants from 3713 clusters in 71 cluster trials, 6748 participants in 5 randomised trials, 5,966,552 participants in 8 interrupted time series, and 176,061 participants in 1 controlled before after study. There was evidence that clinical reminders (OR 3.46; 95% CI 1.72–6.96; I2 = 89.4%), clinician education (OR 1.89; 95% CI 1.46–2.46; I2 = 80.6%), facilitated relay of information (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.10–3.46, I2 = 88.2%), and multicomponent interventions (OR 3.10; 95% CI 1.60–5.99, I2 = 96.1%) increased processes of care. Multicomponent intervention results were robust to sensitivity analysis. There was no evidence that other implementation strategies affected processes of care or that any of the implementation strategies improved behavioural outcomes. No studies reported on interventions specifically designed for remote consultations. Limitations included high statistical heterogeneity and many studies did not account for clustering.

Conclusions

Multicomponent interventions may be the most effective implementation strategy. There was no evidence that implementation interventions improved behavioural outcomes.

Trial registration

PROSPERO CRD42022350912.
Metformin use and preeclampsia risk in women with diabetes: a two-country cohort analysis
Authors: Gordon Hannah , Salim Noor , Tong Stephen , Walker Susan , De Silva Manarangi , Cluver Catherine , Mehdipour Parinaz , Hiscock Richard , Sutherland Lauren , Doust Ann , Bergman Lina , Wikström Anna-Karin , Lindquist Anthea , Hesselman Susanne , Hastie Roxanne
Published: September 2024

Background

Metformin is a hypoglycaemic medication that has been proposed to treat or prevent preeclampsia. Combining national birth data from Scotland and Sweden, we investigated whether metformin used during pregnancy was associated with an altered risk of developing a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy.

Methods

We utilised data from two population-based cohorts: Scotland (2012–2018) and Sweden (2007–2019). Nulliparous women with gestational diabetes or type 2 diabetes who had birth outcome data linked with medications prescribed during pregnancy were included. The association between metformin prescription and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy was characterised using inverse probability weighted regression analysis, adjusting for variables that predict metformin use and potential confounders. Adverse neonatal outcomes were included as secondary outcomes. Results from both countries were then combined in a meta-analysis using a random effects model.

Results

The Scottish cohort included 3859 women with gestational diabetes or type 2 diabetes. Of these women, 30.8% (n = 1187) received at least one metformin prescription during pregnancy. For Sweden, 7771 women with gestational diabetes were included where 19.3% (1498) used metformin during pregnancy. Metformin prescription was not associated with an altered risk of any hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (Scotland adjusted relative risk (aRR) 0.88 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.66–1.19]; Sweden aRR 1.08 [95% CI 0.86–1.37]) or preeclampsia (Scotland aRR 1.02 [95% CI 0.66–1.60]; Sweden aRR 1.00 [95% CI 0.72–1.39]). Combining adjusted results in a meta-analysis produced similar findings, with a pooled RR of 0.98 (95% CI 0.79–1.18) for any hypertensive disorder and RR 1.01 ([95% CI 0.73–1.28]) for preeclampsia. For neonatal outcomes, metformin was associated with a reduced risk of birthweight > 4500 g in Scotland (aRR 0.39 [95% CI 0.21–0.71]) but not in Sweden. There was no association between metformin and preterm birth or birthweight < 3rd or < 10th percentiles. Pooling results from both countries, metformin was not associated with adverse neonatal outcomes, including preterm birth (RR 1.00 [95% CI 0.89–1.13]), and birthweight < 10th percentile (RR 0.82 [95% CI 0.60–1.13]) or < 3rd percentile (RR 0.78 [95% CI 0.41–1.48]).

Conclusions

In this two-country analysis, metformin use in pregnancy among women with diabetes was not associated with an altered risk of developing any hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. In the combined meta-analysis, metformin was not associated with an altered risk of adverse neonatal outcomes.
Enhancing organoid culture: harnessing the potential of decellularized extracellular matrix hydrogels for mimicking microenvironments
Authors: Li Chen , An Ni , Song Qingru , Hu Yuelei , Yin Wenzhen , Wang Qi , Le Yinpeng , Pan Wenting , Yan Xinlong , Wang Yunfang , Liu Juan
Published: September 2024

Over the past decade, organoids have emerged as a prevalent and promising research tool, mirroring the physiological architecture of the human body. However, as the field advances, the traditional use of animal or tumor-derived extracellular matrix (ECM) as scaffolds has become increasingly inadequate. This shift has led to a focus on developing synthetic scaffolds, particularly hydrogels, that more accurately mimic three-dimensional (3D) tissue structures and dynamics in vitro. The ECM–cell interaction is crucial for organoid growth, necessitating hydrogels that meet organoid-specific requirements through modifiable physical and compositional properties. Advanced composite hydrogels have been engineered to more effectively replicate in vivo conditions, offering a more accurate representation of human organs compared to traditional matrices. This review explores the evolution and current uses of decellularized ECM scaffolds, emphasizing the application of decellularized ECM hydrogels in organoid culture. It also explores the fabrication of composite hydrogels and the prospects for their future use in organoid systems.
“Balancing work and movement”: barriers and enablers for being physically active at Indian workplaces – findings from SMART STEP trial
Authors: Chandrasekaran Baskaran , Arumugam Ashokan , Pesola Arto J , Rao Chythra R
Published: September 2024

Background

Non-communicable diseases are rising rapidly in low- and middle-income countries, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Reducing sedentary behavior (SB) and increasing physical activity (PA) offer numerous health benefits. Workplaces provide an ideal setting for promoting SB/PA interventions; however, understanding the barriers and enablers is crucial for optimizing these interventions in workplace environments.

Methods

Nested within a cluster randomised controlled trial (the SMART-STEP trial), the present study employed in-depth interviews with 16 office workers who have completed 24 weeks of two distinct (technology assisted and traditional) workplace SB/PA interventions. Using a deductive analysis, semi-structured interviews were administered to explore the barriers and enablers to the SB/PA interventions at individual, interpersonal and organisational level using the socio-ecological model.

Results

Several individual (poor goal setting, perceived health benefits & workload, attitude, intervention engagement), interpersonal (lack of peer support) and organisational (task prioritisation, lack of organisational norm and material or social reward) barriers were identified. Indian women engaged in desk-based office jobs often find themselves burdened with intense home and childcare responsibilities, often without sufficient support from their spouses. A primary concern among Indian office workers is the poor awareness and absence of cultural norms regarding the health risks associated with SB.

Conclusions

Raising awareness among workplace stakeholders—including office workers, peers, and the organization—is crucial before designing and implementing SB/PA interventions in Indian workspaces. Personalized interventions for Indian female office workers engaged in desk-bound work are warranted.
LINC01089 in cancer: multifunctional roles and therapeutic implications
Authors: Yi Qiang , Zhu Gangfeng , Ouyang Xinting , Zhu Weijian , Zhong Kui , Chen Zheng , Zhong Jinghua
Published: September 2024

LINC01089 is a prime example of a long non-coding RNA that plays a pivotal role in the progression of human cancers. The gene encoding this lncRNA is located on 12q24.31. LINC01089 has been demonstrated to exert tumor-suppressive effects in various cancers, including colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, papillary thyroid carcinoma, breast cancer, and osteosarcoma. However, its role in hepatocellular carcinoma shows significant discrepancies across different studies. In this review, we systematically explore the functions of LINC01089 in human cancers through bioinformatics analysis, clinical studies, animal models, and fundamental experimental research. Furthermore, we delve into the biological mechanisms and functions of LINC01089, and discuss its potential as a future biomarker and therapeutic target in detail.
Evaluating ECM stiffness and liver cancer radiation response via shear-wave elasticity in 3D culture models
Authors: Lu Shao-Lun , Pei Yu , Liu Wei-Wen , Han Kun , Cheng Jason Chia-Hsien , Li Pai-Chi
Published: September 2024

Background

The stiffness of the tumor microenvironment (TME) directly influences cellular behaviors. Radiotherapy (RT) is a common treatment for solid tumors, but the TME can impact its efficacy. In the case of liver cancer, clinical observations have shown that tumors within a cirrhotic, stiffer background respond less to RT, suggesting that the extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness plays a critical role in the development of radioresistance.

Methods

This study explored the effects of ECM stiffness and the inhibition of lysyl oxidase (LOX) isoenzymes on the radiation response of liver cancer in a millimeter-sized three-dimensional (3D) culture. We constructed a cube-shaped ECM-based millimeter-sized hydrogel containing Huh7 human liver cancer cells. By modulating the collagen concentration, we produced two groups of samples with different ECM stiffnesses to mimic the clinical scenarios of normal and cirrhotic livers. We used a single-transducer system for shear-wave-based elasticity measurement, to derive Young’s modulus of the 3D cell culture to investigate how the ECM stiffness affects radiosensitivity. This is the first demonstration of a workflow for assessing radiation-induced response in a millimeter-sized 3D culture.

Results

Increased ECM stiffness was associated with a decreased radiation response. Moreover, sonoporation-assisted LOX inhibition with BAPN (β-aminopropionitrile monofumarate) significantly decreased the initial ECM stiffness and increased RT-induced cell death. Inhibition of LOX was particularly effective in reducing ECM stiffness in stiffer matrices. Combining LOX inhibition with RT markedly increased radiation-induced DNA damage in cirrhotic liver cancer cells, enhancing their response to radiation. Furthermore, LOX inhibition can be combined with sonoporation to overcome stiffness-related radioresistance, potentially leading to better treatment outcomes for patients with liver cancer.

Conclusions

The findings underscore the significant influence of ECM stiffness on liver cancer’s response to radiation. Sonoporation-aided LOX inhibition emerges as a promising strategy to mitigate stiffness-related resistance, offering potential improvements in liver cancer treatment outcomes.