bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Constitutional and Judicial Foundations for Competency-Related Assessment in Criminal Forensic Neuropsychology
Authors: Denney Robert L
Published: November 2024

Objective

Clinical neuropsychologists wishing to consult in criminal cases have ethical requirements to familiarize themselves with this specialty prior to initiating services. This paper presents foundational knowledge for professional neuropsychological consulting in cases where competence to proceed through the criminal adjudication process is in question.

Method

Reviewed are key foundations of knowledge for practice of clinical neuropsychology in relation to competency to stand trial or to proceed examinations. These foundations include a review of the criminal judicial system, relevant US Constitutional Amendments, and select mental health case law.

Results

First, Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the US Constitution establish the rights of freedom of thought, due process, freedom from self-incrimination, assistance of counsel, and equal protection. As used in criminal legal proceedings, capacity generally refers to abilities (i.e., functional capabilities), while competency is a legal determination based on a set of capacities. Although competency to proceed is assumed, Dusky  v  United  States  (1960) establishes that defendants are not competent if they lack sufficient present ability to consult with their lawyers using a reasonable degree of rational and factual understanding. Case law and statutory law establish that the loss must be due to mental disease or defect.

Conclusions

Clinical neuropsychologists wishing to consult in criminal forensic cases have ethical requirements to become familiar with this unique consultative arena before choosing to enter. The foundational knowledge for clinical consulting within the criminal forensic context is presented to help clinical neuropsychologists begin developing authentic professional competence in the criminal forensic arena.
Xylazine Pharmacokinetics in Patients Testing Positive for Fentanyl and Xylazine
Authors: Lin Yanchun , Farnsworth Christopher W , Azimi Vahid , Liss David B , Mullins Michael E , Crews Bridgit O
Published: November 2024

Background

The increasing prevalence of xylazine in the illicit drug supply is a growing concern for major health consequences in individuals who use fentanyl mixed with xylazine, but limited data are available regarding the pharmacokinetics of xylazine in humans.

Methods

Xylazine was quantified in serial remnant plasmas collected from 28 patients starting at the initial patient encounter and continuing for up to 52 h from presentation, using LC-MS/MS to calculate the terminal half-life for xylazine. Xylazine metabolites were identified by product ion scanning, and multiple reaction monitoring was used to estimate the relative abundance of xylazine metabolites in 74 collected plasma samples.

Results

The median terminal half-life for xylazine was calculated to be 12.0 h (range: 5.9–20.8). Oxo-xylazine and sulfone-xylazine metabolites were detected in all plasma specimens that contained xylazine.

Conclusions

The half-life of xylazine in humans is longer than previously observed in animal studies, which furthers the current understanding of the expected duration of effects in individuals who use fentanyl mixed with xylazine and the window of detection. Both oxo-xylazine and sulfone-xylazine appear to circulate in plasma for as long as xylazine.
An optimized hardware implementation of SHA-256 round computation
Authors: Yao Maoqun , Xue Ziwei , Li Haiwei , Shen Shanhu
Published: November 2024

The SHA-256 algorithm is one of the most widely used secure hashing algorithms. The SHA-256 algorithm is implemented in hardware, and in order to ensure the integrity and authenticity of the encrypted data, this requires higher throughput and efficiency. In this paper, we propose a high-performance hardware architecture for the SHA-256 hash algorithm, which further optimizes the rearranged round computation by decomposing the critical path into two addition stages and replacing the multi-operator adder in the critical path of the algorithmic round-computing circuit with a 4-2 compressor. Based on the experimental results on field-programmable gate arrays, the obtained result shows a significant improvement in the performance of the proposed SHA-256 algorithm when compared with various existing architectures. Its maximum clock frequency is 366 MHz, with a throughput of 1990 Mbps and an improved efficiency of 1.86 Mbps per slice.
A review of non-microbial biological control strategies against the Asian longhorned beetle (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)
Authors: Johnson Courtney L , Coyle David R , Duan Jian J , Lee Seunghwan , Lee Seunghyun , Wang Xiaoyi , Wang Xingeng , Oten Kelly L F
Published: November 2024

The Asian longhorned beetle (ALB), Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky), is a polyphagous woodboring beetle that infests and damages hardwood host trees in Asia, Europe, and North America. Native to China and the Korean peninsula, ALB is invasive in both North America and Europe. Due to the large environmental and economic impacts associated with ALB, much effort has been placed on its management and eradication from invaded areas. Eradication programs consist of visual surveys, regulatory quarantines, host removal, public outreach and education, and in some cases, insecticides. Host removal is effective but is laborious and costly, and while insecticides have been useful as a component of some eradication programs, they can be expensive, ineffective, and environmentally detrimental. Thus, several arthropod biological control agents (BCAs) have been evaluated which could support a more environmentally friendly management strategy to supplement traditional ALB management tactics. Here, we review the biological control strategy for ALB, including the exploration within the native and invaded ranges of the pest, to find potential arthropod BCAs. We discuss the ecological premise behind the method as well as the potential for its success, and we identify knowledge gaps and future considerations for the enactment of this method. While biological control shows promise, care will be needed in utilizing this method, and further research must explore the success of BCAs in field settings.
Spillover effects from agglomeration in seafood exports
Authors: Asche Frank , Landazuri-Tveteraas Ursula , Oglend Atle , Santika Nita , Straume Hans-Martin
Published: November 2024

Agglomeration externality is a feature that has received limited attention in food production supply chains. Using highly disaggregated trade data, this paper investigates the presence of regional agglomeration effects in Norwegian seafood exports. Results indicate strong agglomeration effects in the exports of both farmed and harvested seafood at the region–product–destination level. Regional agglomeration of exporters affects the firms through different margins. In both industries, increased agglomeration results in larger volumes, while aquaculture exporters experience a small, negative, price effect. The largest firms, both in the number of employees and size of product portfolio, export most. We also document that agglomeration is important in explaining the creation of new regional product-destination-specific trade relationships, indicating the presence of regional spillover effects.
Intermarriage and mortality among Finnish migrants in Sweden: a prospective register study using binational data
Authors: Korhonen Kaarina , Cederström Agneta , Martikainen Pekka , Östergren Olof
Published: November 2024

Conjugal ties may contribute to a convergence of health behaviours between migrants and natives, but the association between intermarriage and health outcomes remains understudied. We investigated mortality patterns among Finnish migrants in Sweden according to the spouse’s country of birth and compared these patterns with those observed in the native populations of both Sweden and Finland. Leveraging register data from Sweden and Finland, we identified all married Finnish migrants aged 40–64 and their spouses in Sweden in 1999 and corresponding reference groups in both countries. We used a combination of direct matching and inverse probability weighting to adjust for sociodemographic differences between the groups. We followed individuals for all-cause, alcohol-related, smoking-related, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality during 2000–17. Accounting for sociodemographic characteristics, Finnish migrant men married to Swedish-born as opposed to Finnish-born spouses showed lower all-cause [incidence rate ratio (IRR) 0.94, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.90–0.98], and CVD mortality (IRR 0.88, 95% CI 0.81–0.95), levels more akin to native Swedes. Migrant women with Swedish-born spouses instead had higher smoking-related mortality (IRR 1.41, 95% CI 1.24–1.61) than those married to Finnish-born spouses, mirroring the higher smoking-related mortality of native Swedish women. Individual-level regression analysis on migrants further indicated lower alcohol-related mortality for intermarried men, adjusted for duration of marriage (IRR 0.74, 95% CI 0.56–0.98). These findings suggest that intermarriage with a native spouse can facilitate the convergence of health behaviours and behaviour-related mortality between migrants and natives.
“Evolution of a combined baccalaureate/medical degree program as a pipeline to primary care: retention strategies and lessons learned”
Authors: Knottenbelt Sushilla Z , Ballejos Marlene P , Torrez Diana , Santos Richard , Hartley Rebecca S , Cartwright Kate , Fortner Sally A , Sapién Robert E , Romero-Leggott Valerie
Published: November 2024

Background

The University of New Mexico School of Medicine established the combined baccalaureate/medical degree (BA/MD) program in response to critical physician shortages in New Mexico (NM). This 8-year program aims to improve health care in NM by expanding access to medical education for local students, particularly from rural and underserved communities and/or racial/ethnically underrepresented in medicine (URiM) in NM.

Objectives

To describe the BA/MD program’s initial design, the impact of improvements on retention, and the outcomes in terms of physicians in practice, particularly in primary care specialties.

Methods

The study reviews the BA/MD program’s progress from 2006 to 2023, focusing on curriculum and support enhancements. Retention rates and choice of primary care specialties were analyzed by geographic origin and racial/ethnic background.

Results

From 2006 to 2023, the program graduated 81 physicians, with 53 practicing in 10 of NM’s 33 counties. Approximately two-thirds specialize in primary care, and a similar proportion are URiM. Students from 31 of NM’s 33 counties were admitted, with two-thirds coming from outside the state’s metropolitan area. Overall retention and retention across demographic groups improved significantly in the baccalaureate phase of the program due to changes in curriculum and support services.

Conclusions

The program has effectively addressed physician shortages in NM, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Its success in training and retaining physicians from diverse backgrounds, with a focus on primary care, is crucial for improving health care access in the state. Ongoing improvements in the program are essential to sustaining and enhancing these outcomes.
Why HPV16? Why, now, HPV42? How the discovery of HPV42 in rare cancers provides an opportunity to challenge our understanding about the transition between health and disease for common members of the healthy microbiota
Authors: Bravo Ignacio G , Belkhir Sophia , Paget-Bailly Philippe
Published: November 2024

In 2022, a bioinformatic, agnostic approach identified HPV42 as causative agent of a rare cancer, later confirmed experimentally. This unexpected association offers an opportunity to reconsider our understanding about papillomavirus infections and cancers. We have expanded our knowledge about the diversity of papillomaviruses and the diseases they cause. Yet, we still lack answers to fundamental questions, such as what makes HPV16 different from the closely related HPV31 or HPV33; or why the very divergent HPV13 and HPV32 cause focal epithelial hyperplasia, while HPV6 or HPV42 do not, despite their evolutionary relatedness. Certain members of the healthy skin microbiota are associated to rare clinical conditions. We propose that a focus on cellular phenotypes, most often transient and influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic factors, may help understand the continuum between health and disease. A conceptual switch is required towards an interpretation of biology as a diversity of states connected by transition probabilities, rather than quasi-deterministic programs. Under this perspective, papillomaviruses may only trigger malignant transformation when specific viral genotypes interact with precise cellular states. Drawing on Canguilhem’s concepts of normal and pathological, we suggest that understanding the transition between fluid cellular states can illuminate how commensal-like infections transition from benign to malignant.
A mechanistic model for the complex conductivity of clay materials. I. Theory
Authors: Leroy Philippe , Maineult Alexis , Mendieta Aida , Jougnot Damien
Published: November 2024

Clay materials are ubiquitous in the Earth's continental and oceanic crusts. They are characterized by a large specific surface area, and, in contact with water, they have remarkable adsorption, catalytic and containment properties. Clay materials also exhibit a high electrical conductivity response associated with their large surface. However, sedimentary clay minerals have a complex microstructure and electrochemistry that are not fully understood and make the quantitative petrophysical interpretation of geoelectrical measurements difficult. In this study, we have developed a new mechanistic model to better understand and predict the complex conductivity of clay materials from their microstructure and electrical double layer properties. For the conductive component, our model considers ion electromigration in bulk water, clay electrical diffuse layer and interlayer space, if any. Concerning polarization, it takes into account ion back-diffusion in the Stern layer and in the interlayer space, if any, and also Maxwell–Wagner effect. Water and clay surface conductivities, formation factor, cementation exponent and sample electrically connected porosity can be extracted from the comparison of the model to experimental data. This study is a step forward to better understand and quantify the complex conductivity of clays observed during electrical and electromagnetic measurements, from laboratory to geological formation scales.
Bee cups 2.0: P-cups as single-use cages for honey bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) experiments
Authors: Evans Jay D , Lamas Zachary , Markowitz Lindsey M , Palmer-Young Evan C , Ryabov Eugene V , Boncristiani Dawn , Chen Yan Ping
Published: November 2024

Honey bees and other pollinators face threats from pesticides, imperfect nutrition, and a diverse set of parasites and pathogens. Honey bees are also a research model for development, social behavior, microbiology, and aging. Tackling these questions requires a mix of in-hive and controlled laboratory experiments. We have perfected small-scale, inexpensive, disposable, and rearing arenas for honey bees that have proved useful for hundreds of bioassays with thousands of bees. We describe those arenas here, show their advantages over current hoarding cages, and provide videos demonstrating their many uses.
Low-density migratory beekeeping induces intermediate disturbance effects on native bee communities in Tibetan Plateau alpine meadows
Authors: Vaudo Anthony D , Orr Michael C , Zhou Qing-Song , Zhu Chao-Dong , Mu Junpeng , López-Uribe Margarita M
Published: November 2024

Ecological disturbance can promote or reduce community biodiversity depending on its severity. Beekeeping activities represent a type of ecological disturbance when large numbers of honey bees are introduced to a landscape and interact with the local plant and pollinator community. In this study, we characterized the effect of immediate and long-term low-density migratory beekeeping on the diversity and abundance of native bees in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (China). We found that the presence of apiaries and the number of honey bees reduced native bee abundances in the local bee community, likely through displacement from floral resources. However, in locations where apiaries were previously kept for decades but are not currently present, native bee abundances recovered, and phylogenetic diversity increased; yet community relative abundances and dominant species were distinct from those that had never been stocked. Our results suggest that the presence of a transient, intermediate number of migratory honey bee colonies (60–100 colonies spaced ≥15 km from each other) may represent an intermediate ecological disturbance and not permanently reduce native bee abundances past a critical threshold that may lead to local extirpation. Yet, our study demonstrates the potential for even intermediate-scale low-density beekeeping to alter native bee communities in the long-term.
The tumor–neutrophil interactions in the microenvironment of brain metastases with different primary sites
Authors: Kaya Tamer A , Stein Klaus-Peter , Schaufler Anna , Neyazi Belal , Rashidi Ali , Kahlert Ulf D , Mawrin Christian , Sandalcioglu I Erol , Dumitru Claudia A
Published: November 2024

Brain metastases originating from lung and breast cancer can recruit and activate neutrophils to acquire a tumor-promoting phenotype. It is currently unclear if this phenomenon also occurs in brain metastases arising from other primary sites. Here, we investigated the effect of tumor cells isolated from melanoma, lung cancer, and gastrointestinal cancer brain metastases on neutrophil biology and functions. We found that lung and gastrointestinal but not melanoma brain metastasis cells produced CXCL8/IL-8 and promoted neutrophil recruitment. Similarly, lung and gastrointestinal but not melanoma brain metastasis cells prolonged the survival of neutrophils and stimulated them to release MMP9 and CCL4/MIP1β. In situ, lung and gastrointestinal brain metastasis tissues contained significantly higher numbers of tumor-infiltrating neutrophils compared to melanoma brain metastases. The levels of neutrophil infiltration significantly correlated with the proliferation index of these tumors. Our findings identify variabilities in the immune microenvironment of brain metastases with different primary sites, which may ultimately affect their pathophysiology and progression.
TORquing chromatin: the regulatory role of TOR kinase in chromatin function
Authors: Dong Yihan , Aflaki Fatemeh , Mozgova Iva , Berr Alexandre
Published: November 2024

The target of rapamycin (TOR) kinase is a critical regulator of plant growth and development, integrating environmental and internal signals to modulate cellular processes. This review explores the emerging role of TOR in chromatin regulation, focusing on its nuclear activities and interactions with chromatin remodeling factors. We highlight the mechanisms by which TOR influences chromatin structure and gene expression, including its involvement in histone modifications and DNA methylation. Additionally, we discuss the interplay between TOR signaling, the cytoskeleton, and nuclear functions, emphasizing the potential of TOR to act as a bridge between cytoskeletal dynamics and chromatin regulation. Finally, besides TOR-mediated cyto-nuclear shuttling and metabolic regulation, we address the translational control of chromatin components by TOR as additional layers impacting the chromatin landscape. We also propose future research directions to further elucidate the complex regulatory network governed by TOR in plant cells.
Correlation of the abundance of MDSCs, Tregs, PD-1, and PD-L1 with the efficacy of chemotherapy and prognosis in gastric cancer
Authors: Li Na , Li Yun , Li Jing , Tang Shimin , Gao Hongbo , Li Yong
Published: November 2024

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between tumor microenvironment markers (myeloid-derived suppressor cells [MDSCs], regulatory T cells [Tregs], programmed cell death 1 [PD-1], and programmed death ligand 1 [PD-L1]) and chemotherapy efficacy and prognosis in advanced gastric cancer, identifying potential monitoring indicators.

Methods

Advanced gastric cancer patients’ MDSC and Treg expression was measured by flow cytometry pre- and postchemotherapy; PD-1 and PD-L1 expression in cancer tissues was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Correlations with chemotherapy outcomes and prognosis were analyzed.

Results

Postchemotherapy reductions in MDSC and Treg levels correlated with chemotherapy efficacy (P <.01). Negative PD-1 and PD-L1 expression in cancer tissues predicted better chemotherapy responses (P <.01). Patients with lower MDSC and Treg levels and negative PD-1 and PD-L1 had significantly longer median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) (P <.05).

Conclusion

In advanced gastric cancer, reduced peripheral blood MDSC and Treg levels postchemotherapy and negative PD-1 and PD-L1 expression in tissues are associated with improved chemotherapy efficacy and are independent prognostic factors for PFS and OS.
GENCODE 2025: reference gene annotation for human and mouse
Authors: Mudge Jonathan M , Carbonell-Sala Sílvia , Diekhans Mark , Martinez Jose Gonzalez , Hunt Toby , Jungreis Irwin , Loveland Jane E , Arnan Carme , Barnes If , Bennett Ruth , Berry Andrew , Bignell Alexandra , Cerdán-Vélez Daniel , Cochran Kelly , Cortés Lucas T , Davidson Claire , Donaldson Sarah , Dursun Cagatay , Fatima Reham , Hardy Matthew , Hebbar Prajna , Hollis Zoe , James Benjamin T , Jiang Yunzhe , Johnson Rory , Kaur Gazaldeep , Kay Mike , Mangan Riley J , Maquedano Miguel , Gómez Laura Martínez , Mathlouthi Nourhen , Merritt Ryan , Ni Pengyu , Palumbo Emilio , Perteghella Tamara , Pozo Fernando , Raj Shriya , Sisu Cristina , Steed Emily , Sumathipala Dulika , Suner Marie-Marthe , Uszczynska-Ratajczak Barbara , Wass Elizabeth , Yang Yucheng T , Zhang Dingyao , Finn Robert D , Gerstein Mark , Guigó Roderic , Hubbard Tim J P , Kellis Manolis , Kundaje Anshul , Paten Benedict , Tress Michael L , Birney Ewan , Martin Fergal J , Frankish Adam
Published: November 2024

GENCODE produces comprehensive reference gene annotation for human and mouse. Entering its twentieth year, the project remains highly active as new technologies and methodologies allow us to catalog the genome at ever-increasing granularity. In particular, long-read transcriptome sequencing enables us to identify large numbers of missing transcripts and to substantially improve existing models, and our long non-coding RNA catalogs have undergone a dramatic expansion and reconfiguration as a result. Meanwhile, we are incorporating data from state-of-the-art proteomics and Ribo-seq experiments to fine-tune our annotation of translated sequences, while further insights into function can be gained from multi-genome alignments that grow richer as more species’ genomes are sequenced. Such methodologies are combined into a fully integrated annotation workflow. However, the increasing complexity of our resources can present usability challenges, and we are resolving these with the creation of filtered genesets such as MANE Select and GENCODE Primary. The next challenge is to propagate annotations throughout multiple human and mouse genomes, as we enter the pangenome era. Our resources are freely available at our web portal www.gencodegenes.org, and via the Ensembl and UCSC genome browsers.
L1-ORF1p nucleoprotein can rapidly assume distinct conformations and simultaneously bind more than one nucleic acid
Authors: Cashen Ben A , Naufer M Nabuan , Morse Michael , McCauley Micah J , Rouzina Ioulia , Jones Charles E , Furano Anthony V , Williams Mark C
Published: November 2024

LINE-1 (L1) is a parasitic retrotransposable DNA element, active in primates for the last 80–120 Myr. L1 has generated nearly one-third of the human genome by copying its transcripts, and those of other genetic elements (e.g. Alu and SVA), into genomic DNA by target site-primed reverse transcription (TPRT) and remains active in modern humans. L1 encodes two proteins that bind their encoding transcript (cis preference) to form an L1 ribonucleoprotein (RNP) that mediates retrotransposition. ORF2p provides reverse transcriptase and endonuclease activity. ORF1p, its major component, is a homo-trimeric phospho-protein that binds single-stranded nucleic acid (ssNA) with high affinity and exhibits nucleic acid (NA) chaperone activity. We used optical tweezers to examine ORF1p binding to individual single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) molecules and found that the arrangement of ORF1p on the ssDNA depends on their molar ratio. When the concentration of ORF1p is just sufficient to saturate the entire NA molecule, the nucleoprotein (NP) is compact and stable. However, additional ORF1p binds and destabilizes the compacted NP, allowing it to engage a second ssDNA. Our results suggest that ORF1p displaced from its RNA template during TPRT could bind and destabilize remaining downstream L1 RNP, making them susceptible to hijacking by non-L1 templates, and thereby enable retrotransposition of non-L1 transcripts.
Interrogation of the interplay between DNA N6-methyladenosine (6mA) and hypoxia-induced chromatin accessibility by a randomized empirical model (EnrichShuf)
Authors: Lai Joseph Chieh-Yu , Hsu Kai-Wen , Wu Kou-Juey
Published: November 2024

N 6-Methyladenosine (6mA) is an epigenetic mark in eukaryotes regulating development, stress response and tumor progression. METTL4 has been reported as a 6mA methyltransferase induced by hypoxia. The detection and annotation of 6mA signals in mammalian cells have been hampered by the techniques and analytical methods developed so far. Here we developed a 6mA-ChIP-exo-5.1-seq to improve the sensitivity of detecting 6mAs in human cell lines. Furthermore, an EnrichShuf analysis tool for comprehensively comparing 6mA-ChIP-exo-5.1-seq, ATAC-seq, ChIP-seq and RNA-seq has been developed to annotate the functional relevance of 6mA in relation to chromatin accessibility and histone marks. Using a hypoxia-induced 6mA induction system as a model, we showed that hypoxic 6mA signals positively correlated with accessible chromatin regions. These 6mA signals correlate with their regulation by METTL4 under hypoxia, consistent with previous results. 6mAs also co-exist with H3K4me1, a histone mark for enhancers. Further analysis of enhancers using an ABC (active-by-contact) model shows that hypoxia-inducible factor-1α-induced H3K4me3 surrounds the 6mA/H3K4me1 site to augment active enhancers. These results suggest that correlation between 6mA and accessible chromatin regions plays a significant role in enhancer–promoter interactions during hypoxia-induced gene expression.
The use of wearable technology in studies in older adults with cancer: a systematic review
Authors: Duin Jan J , Baltussen Joosje C , Albalak Gali , van Dam van Isselt Eléonore F , Portielje Johanneke E A , Mooijaart Simon P , Soto-Perez-de-Celis Enrique , van den Bos Frederiek
Published: November 2024

Background

Despite the increasing integration of wearable technology in oncology, its application in the care of older adults, representing most patients with cancer, is poorly defined.

Objective

This systematic review aimed to summarize the current use of wearables in studies in older adults with cancer.

Methods

This systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Emcare, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library on May 1, 2024. Studies involving wearable devices and patients aged ≥60 years diagnosed with cancer were included. Outcomes reported were study characteristics, wearable outcomes, feasibility and adherence. The mixed method appraisal tool was used to assess the quality of included studies.

Results

A total of 31 publications were included, comprising 1298 older patients. Of these, 12 were pilot/feasibility studies, 12 were observational studies, 6 were randomized controlled trials, and 1 was a cross-sectional study. Most studies used wearable data to measure recovery (19 studies, 61%). Physical activity was the most studied wearable outcome (27 studies, 87%). Adherence to the wearable device was documented in 11 of the 31 studies (35%), with adherence ranging from 74% to 100%.

Conclusions

Our systematic review found wearables were mostly used to measure physical activity, with the most common primary aim of measuring recovery. Most studies reported high adherence, although definitions of adherence were diverse. Our results highlight the need for more and larger studies on wearable technology in older cancer patients, the use of standardized reporting frameworks, and increased participation in research in low- and middle-income countries.
Roman Catholic Exegesis from the Spirituali to the Jesuits
Authors: Roldán-Figueroa Rady
Published: November 2024

The exegetical habits of the spirituali and the Jesuits are explored in this case study through a focused examination of the exegetical theory and practice of Cardinal Gasparo Contarini (1483–1542) and Juan Maldonado, SJ (1533–83). A comparative approach to these figures illuminates the ways that the spirituali’s irenicism and Jesuit’s Counter-Reformation militancy shaped corresponding exegetical practices. Contarini’s exegetical method is gleaned from his Scholia in epistolas divi Pauli (1571). Discussion of Maldonado’s theory of exegesis, on the other hand, is based on his De ratione theologiae docendae (1573). The chapter concludes by pointing out that the contrast between these two exegetical approaches underscores an intra-confessional tendency in early modern Catholicism towards post-Tridentine regulation and normalization of exegetical practices.
Thomas Müntzer (1489–1525)
Authors: Martinuzzi Christopher
Published: November 2024

Thomas Müntzer was primarily a humanist theologian, scholar, and pastor active in the dawning years of the Reformation. He developed a theology of the Spirit that centered around the notion of direct divine revelation. God spoke directly to all human beings through a fragment of the Holy Spirit present in the abyss of the soul, rendering the Bible’s supposed revelatory nature void. Müntzer’s thought collided with the historical course that was rushing fast toward the Peasants’ War, the 1525 massacre of Frankenhausen, his execution, and the inevitable failure of his theological program. Müntzer’s death represented a momentary disappearance of radical spiritualism within the context of the Reformation; one that ultimately undermined the revelatory role of Scripture (though not its authority and example) in favor of a form of revelation that was direct and present a priori in all human hearts. Nevertheless, the reformer remains an important early Reformation exegete.
Martin Bucer (1491–1551)
Authors: Noblesse-Rocher Annie
Published: November 2024

Martin Bucer is one of the most important exegetes of the Reformation of the sixteenth century. He authored numerous biblical commentaries that influenced Reformed exegesis in the next generation. In his work, he used medieval Jewish authors to ascertain the literal meaning of the text and, as a result, renewed the four medieval scriptural meanings by developing a new anagogical approach that contributed to the updating of the Bible for the readers of his time. His commentaries were also a way for him to defend Reformation theology against the Anabaptists. In particular, the commentary on Zephaniah and the commentary on John are reflective of the confrontation that took place with some of the dissidents residing in Strasbourg in the 1530s. The French and English translations of his work indicate that influence. His skill as a Christian Hebraist made him something of a Nicholas of Lyra during the Reformation.
Marie Dentière (c.1495–1561)
Authors: Pak G. Sujin
Published: November 2024

Marie Dentière was converted to the Protestant faith in the early to mid-1520s. This chapter explores her life and the historical circumstances to which her writings responded, with a particular focus on Marie’s uses of Scripture in her Very Useful Epistle (1539). This text illuminates not only her scriptural themes and exegetical strategies. Dentière aimed to apply biblical histories and scriptural signs to interpret the events of her time, rebuke worship practices that she deemed contrary to God’s Word, and expound a vision for Protestant unity for which she argued that women had a distinct and crucial role to play. She also offered more than just a defense of women reading Scripture; she provided one of the first examples of an early modern Reformed woman’s extensive engagement with Scripture around themes of right worship and a vision for Protestant unity rooted in God’s Word alone.
Jean Calvin (1509–1564)
Authors: Holder R. Ward
Published: November 2024

This chapter summarizes Calvin’s engagement with the Bible. It provides a brief biographical sketch keyed to Calvin’s education in the Bible and biblical languages, and the influences that contributed to his formation. The chapter then considers the genres of his engagement with Scripture, especially commentaries, lectures, sermons, the congrégations, and the manner that his theological masterwork, the Institutes of the Christian Religion, worked with his biblical-interpretive works to edify the church of Geneva. That effort, in concert with the work of the Genevan Consistory, the sermons, the work of explicating Scripture in the Genevan Academy and the catechetical training, effected the creation of a biblical community in Geneva.
Church and State (Rom. 13)
Authors: Brown Allison M.
Published: November 2024

Structured around significant moments of political crisis, this chapter explores the use of Romans 13 in the sixteenth century. Through peasant rebellions, war, exile, and persecution, Romans 13 provided a foundation for understanding the Christian’s relationship to the state. In this era, debates over the role and authority of rulers and the extent to which they should be obeyed by Christians erupted as Protestants attempted to survive, grow, and establish legitimacy. Some Protestant writers emphasized obedience to civil rulers and bolstered the rulers’ authority, while others advocated for resistance, rebellion, and even regicide. Intertwined in these interpretations and rhetoric are complex questions on how one can be both a faithful Christian and faithful subject of the realm.
Improving senior medical workforce retention at a large teaching hospital trust
Authors: Longwell Sarah , McLure Hamish , Jain Sunjay
Published: November 2024

Purpose

To understand senior clinicians’ current thinking regarding retirement at a large teaching hospital trust, the reasons behind it, and what the trust can do to improve retention of these valuable staff.

Methods

An anonymized survey followed by qualitative study from a focus group. Data from these were analysed using a thematic analysis. Participants were senior clinicians currently employed or who had taken retirement from the trust in the preceding 12 months. In total 140 respondents completed the survey, giving a response rate of 65%; 8 senior clinicians attended the focus group.

Results

The commonest reasons for taking retirement were wanting to pursue leisure interests, reaching a pensionable age, and feeling unable to sustain their workloads. A significant proportion, 29%, also cited that they did not feel valued. The commonest factors that would encourage respondents to remain at work included increased flexibility, reduced hours, and ability to come off on-call rotas. The main themes from the focus group were focusing on well-being, personalized conversations, and better/more accessible information.

Conclusion

Our project identified a number of reasons why clinicians are considering taking retirement, with a major theme of feeling valued underpinning decisions. This could influence strategies to help retain these experienced members of staff. We made a series of recommendations. If enacted, these would have a wider-reaching impact on more junior medical staff, aiding them to consider their own late-stage careers. They are also applicable and could easily be adapted when considering retention of other valued professionals within the trust.

Key messages What is already known on this topic—We know that there is currently a medical workforce crisis at a time of greatest patient need, with an ageing workforce and senior staff who are choosing to retire early. Previous studies have reviewed the reasons behind these decisions but not specifically looked at changes that can be implemented at a local level to improve retention. What this study adds—We combined both quantitative and qualitative data from senior clinicians at a large teaching hospital trust in the North of England to understand current thinking regarding retirement and what the trust could do to improve their retention. How this study might affect research, practice, or policy—From our study we were able to make a series of recommendations that can be implemented at a local level to inform medical retention policies. These will also have wider impacts on junior medical staff and could be expanded to other healthcare professionals.
What must a medical student learn?
Authors: Franklin Gustavo L
Published: November 2024

Studying medicine is not a passive activity; it demands dedication, curiosity, and continuous learning through observation, reading, and repetition. The Latin root of “student” reflects eagerness, and similarly, “aluno” derives from “alere,” meaning “to nourish,” symbolizing the nourishment of knowledge. As students, it is crucial to understand not just the scientific knowledge but also the human side of medicine. Learning goes beyond textbooks. Patients themselves are the greatest source of wisdom. Medicine is the art of care, offering comfort and understanding of what is hidden beneath the surface. Growth in this field requires seeing beyond the obvious and developing strategies to understand patients’ stories. The medical student may develop strategies to know how to listen, build trust, and empathize with patients, guiding them through their fears. Carrying their burdens and interpreting their unspoken words is essential for providing both medical care and comfort.
The Accuracy of Lung Ultrasonography in Diagnosis of Pneumonia in Critically Ill Patient in Comparison with Computed Tomography of the Chest
Authors: Abd Elaziz Mohamed Saeed , Abd El Malek Fady Adib , Younes Abd Elhalim Abd Elhalim
Published: November 2024

Background

Chest X-ray (CXR) is the easiest approach in patients with suspected pneumonia, in search for a new infiltrate. However, studies clarified that it has low sensitivity for the diagnosis of pneumonia in comparison to chest computed tomography (CT). But the use of chest CT is not commonly used except for complex cases and cases with failure response to treatment. Lung ultrasonography (LUS), being a fast bedside technique, it has attracted many interests to preform studies to assess its ability to detect pleuropulmonary pathologies generally and pneumonia specifically.

Objective

To assess the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography (US) in the diagnosis of pneumonia when compared to computed tomography (CT).

Methods

This was a prospective comparative study where 30 patients completed the study in Ain Shams University Hospitals, with mean age of 61.03 ± 12.55 years and more males 23 (76.7%). After US assessment for the diagnosis of pneumonia, chest CT was done to confirm the diagnosis. Accordingly, they were divided into 2 groups. Twenty four patients (80%) were diagnosed with pneumonia “Positive CT group”. Six patient (20%) were not diagnosed with pneumonia “Negative CT group”.

Results

After plotting ROC curve for the data obtained from US in the diagnosis of pneumonia in comparison to the chest CT as a gold standard, US was considered a valuable tool to detect the diagnosis of pneumonia (p ˂0.042, accuracy 83%). It had extremely adequate results with sensitivity (100.0%) and specificity (16.7%). It showed excellent accuracy of 83%. The presence of one of the following four profiles in the ultrasound: (A + PLAPS, A/B, B’ or C profile) was used in the diagnosis. A + PLAPS profile showed 37.5% and 83.3%for sensitivity and specificity, respectively, A/B profile 20.8% and 100% B’ profile12.5% and 100 % and C profile:20.8% and 100%.

Conclusion

According to the results of this study, ultrasonography showed high sensitivity and specificity, so it is considered a bedside, reliable, rapid and non- invasive technique. The results suggest that it could have a significant role in the diagnostic workup of pneumonia in the ICU, alongside with the computed tomography.
Comparative Study between Ultrasound Guided Modified Pectoral Nerve Block (PECSΙΙ) versus Ultrasound Guided Serratus Anterior Muscle Plane Block for Analgesia Following Modified Radical Mastectomy
Authors: Mohammed Ibrahim Ahmed Saeed , Ibrahim Waleed Abdalla , Ahmed Mohamed Elshafeey Ahmed Elsayed , Rajab Sayed Owais Abdulrahman Sharara
Published: November 2024

Background

Modified pectoral nerve (PECSII) and serratus plane blocks have been recently used for analgesia in breast surgery, but evidence comparing their analgesic benefits is limited. This comparative study aims to examine the analgesic efficacy and safety profile of ultrasound-guided PECSII versus serratus block in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy (MRM) for breast cancer.

Objective

To evaluate and compare the effect of both PECS II block versus and Serratus anterior block in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy surgery.

Patients and Methods

The duration of analgesia and effect on hemodynamics parameters were evaluated. Moreover, undesirable side effects were studied. Thirty-six patients were randomly allocated into two equal groups (18 patients): group (A) and group (B). Group (A): received a PECSII block with 30 mL of bupivacaine 0.25%. Group (B): received a serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) using the same volume of 30 ml bupivacaine 0.25%. All patients were clinically assessed and routine preoperative investigations were done: CBC, Coagulation profile, liver function tests, kidney function tests, fasting blood sugar and ECG. The initial vital data were measured after applying the standard monitoring including pulse oximetry, non-invasive blood pressure and ECG.

Results

This study demonstrated that PECSII and serratus blocks have comparable analgesic properties in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy. Both blocks were comparable in postoperative pain intensity, postoperative morphine consumption, and intraoperative fentanyl requirement. The two blocks were comparable in hemodynamics, and VAS score. The two blocks were associated with hemodynamic stability, and high satisfaction scores. The absence of major complications characterizes both blocks.

Conclusion

This study confirms that PECSII and serratus blocks provide similar adequate analgesia following modified radical mastectomy.
Comparative Study between the Analgesic Efficacy of Bupivacaine versus Bupivacaine and Nalbuphine in Ultrasound Guided Adductor Canal Block Post Knee Arthroscopy
Authors: Mohamed Salah El-Din Alaa Mohamed , El-Kabarity Reem Hamdy , Michael Hany Victor , El-Mawla Saleh Mohamed Abd
Published: November 2024

Background

Knee arthroscopy (KA) is associated with significant postoperative pain. The need for effective analgesia without compromising function is a priority. However, despite the effectiveness of this approach, the rehabilitation of limbs after a KA operation still faces critical challenges. Pain is the most difficult factor to control following KA; however, the development of an ultrasound- guided nerve block and multi- modal analgesia and motor- sparing regional anesthetic blocks has helped to reduce postoperative pain to a certain extent to help achieve early limb autonomous movement and facilitates early knee range of motion (ROM), speed up the rehabilitation process, reduces overall narcotic consumption, shorten hospital stays, and improve patient satisfaction.

Aim of the Work

to compare the analgesic effect of Bupivacaine and Bupivacaine/nalbuphine in adductor canal block in patients undergoing knee arthroscopy as regard post operative pain management.

Patients and Methods

This study is a Prospective, Randomized, Controlled study. After obtaining approval from Research Ethics Committee of Ain Shams University, the study was conducted on 50 patients in the operating theatres of Ain Shams University.

Results

The two groups were adequately monitored and assessed post-operatively for 24 hours and they were compared regarding NRS postoperative, by recording time for first for analgesic need and total consumption of opioid. Side effects were also monitored and compared. As for the comparison between effect of Adductor canal block with Bupivacaine alone and Bupivacaine with Nalbuphine as regard post-operative pain in knee arthroscopy, it showed that there is significance regarding the numeric rating score (NRS) that was used to assess postoperative pain and its intensity with range 1-3 for Adductor canal block with Bupivacaine and Nalbuphine and 2-4 for Adductor Canal block with Bupivacaine alone. These findings with our study primary and secondary outcomes showed that Adductor canal block with Nalbuphine has more analgesic effect regarding pain assessment and also with significant difference regarding the time of first analgesia postoperative and Total analgesics consumption (in mg.) over 24-hour period post-operative, but there was no significant difference regarding post operative complications such as hypotension, nausea and vomiting.

Conclusion

the comparison between effect of Adductor canal block with Bupivacaine alone and Bupivacaine with Nalbuphine as regard post-operative pain in knee arthroscopy, it showed that there is significance regarding the numeric rating score (NRS) that was used to assess postoperative pain and its intensity with range 1-3 for Adductor canal block with Bupivacaine and Nalbuphine and 2-4 for Adductor Canal block with Bupivacaine alone.