bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Data from Efficacy and Safety of Adagrasib plus Cetuximab in Patients with KRASG12C-Mutated Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Yaeger Rona , Uboha Nataliya V. , Pelster Meredith S. , Bekaii-Saab Tanios S. , Barve Minal , Saltzman Joel , Sabari Joshua K. , Peguero Julio A. , Paulson Andrew Scott , Jänne Pasi A. , Cruz-Correa Marcia , Anderes Kenna , Velastegui Karen , Yan Xiaohong , Der-Torossian Hirak , Klempner Samuel J. , Kopetz Scott E.
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Adagrasib, an irreversible, selective KRASG12C inhibitor, may be an effective treatment in KRASG12C-mutated colorectal cancer, particularly when combined with an anti-EGFR antibody. In this analysis of the KRYSTAL-1 trial, patients with previously treated KRASG12C-mutated unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer received adagrasib (600 mg twice daily) plus cetuximab. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) by blinded independent central review. Ninety-four patients received adagrasib plus cetuximab. With a median follow-up of 11.9 months, ORR was 34.0%, disease control rate was 85.1%, and median duration of response was 5.8 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.2–7.6). Median progression-free survival was 6.9 months (95% CI, 5.7–7.4) and median overall survival was 15.9 months (95% CI, 11.8–18.8). Treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) occurred in all patients; grade 3–4 in 27.7% and no grade 5. No TRAEs led to adagrasib discontinuation. Exploratory analyses suggest circulating tumor DNA may identify features of response and acquired resistance.
Significance:
Adagrasib plus cetuximab demonstrates promising clinical activity and tolerable safety in heavily pretreated patients with unresectable or metastatic KRASG12C-mutated colorectal cancer. These data support a potential new standard of care and highlight the significance of testing and identification of KRASG12C mutations in patients with colorectal cancer.

This article is featured in Selected Articles from This Issue, p. 897
Supplementary Figure S3 from Evaluation of Copanlisib in Combination with Eribulin in Triple-negative Breast Cancer Patient-derived Xenograft Models
Authors: Guo Zhanfang , Luo Jingqin , Mashl R. Jay , Hoog Jeremy , Maiti Piyush , Fettig Nikki , Davies Sherri R. , Aft Rebecca , Held Jason M. , Govindan Ramaswamy , Ding Li , Li Shunqiang , von Morze Cornelius , Wulf Gerburg M. , Shoghi Kooresh I. , Ma Cynthia X.
Published: June 2024

Tumor growth response to eribulin and copanlisib, either alone or in combination, in additional TNBC PDX models
Supplementary Figure S2 from Evaluation of Copanlisib in Combination with Eribulin in Triple-negative Breast Cancer Patient-derived Xenograft Models
Authors: Guo Zhanfang , Luo Jingqin , Mashl R. Jay , Hoog Jeremy , Maiti Piyush , Fettig Nikki , Davies Sherri R. , Aft Rebecca , Held Jason M. , Govindan Ramaswamy , Ding Li , Li Shunqiang , von Morze Cornelius , Wulf Gerburg M. , Shoghi Kooresh I. , Ma Cynthia X.
Published: June 2024

Tolerability for the Combination of Eribulin and Copanlisib
The TERT Promoter is Polycomb-Repressed in Neuroblastoma Cells with Long Telomeres
Authors: Graham Mindy K. , Xu Beisi , Davis Christine , Meeker Alan K. , Heaphy Christopher M. , Yegnasubramanian Srinivasan , Dyer Michael A. , Zeineldin Maged
Published: June 2024

Acquiring a telomere maintenance mechanism is a hallmark of high-risk neuroblastoma and commonly occurs by expressing telomerase (TERT). Telomerase-negative neuroblastoma has long telomeres and utilizes the telomerase-independent alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) mechanism. Conversely, no discernable telomere maintenance mechanism is detected in a fraction of neuroblastoma with long telomeres. Here, we show, unlike most cancers, DNA of the TERT promoter is broadly hypomethylated in neuroblastoma. In telomerase-positive neuroblastoma cells, the hypomethylated DNA promoter is approximately 1.5 kb. The TERT locus shows active chromatin marks with low enrichment for the repressive mark, H3K27me3. MYCN, a commonly amplified oncogene in neuroblstoma, binds to the promoter and induces TERT expression. Strikingly, in neuroblastoma with long telomeres, the hypomethylated region spans the entire TERT locus, including multiple nearby genes with enrichment for the repressive H3K27me3 chromatin mark. Furthermore, subtelomeric regions showed enrichment of repressive chromatin marks in neuroblastomas with long telomeres relative to those with short telomeres. These repressive marks were even more evident at the genic loci, suggesting a telomere position effect (TPE). Inhibiting H3K27 methylation by three different EZH2 inhibitors induced the expression of TERT in cell lines with long telomeres and H3K27me3 marks in the promoter region. EZH2 inhibition facilitated MYCN binding to the TERT promoter in neuroblastoma cells with long telomeres. Taken together, these data suggest that epigenetic regulation of TERT expression differs in neuroblastoma depending on the telomere maintenance status, and H3K27 methylation is important in repressing TERT expression in neuroblastoma with long telomeres.

Significance:

The epigenetic landscape of the TERT locus is unique in neuroblastoma. The DNA at the TERT locus, unlike other cancer cells and similar to normal cells, are hypomethylated in telomerase-positive neuroblastoma cells. The TERT locus is repressed by polycomb repressive complex-2 complex in neuroblastoma cells that have long telomeres and do not express TERT. Long telomeres in neuroblastoma cells are also associated with repressive chromatin states at the chromosomal termini, suggesting TPE.
Association of ESR1 Germline Variants with TP53 Somatic Variants in Breast Tumors in a Genome-wide Study
Authors: Tjader Nijole P. , Beer Abigail J. , Ramroop Johnny , Tai Mei-Chee , Ping Jie , Gandhi Tanish , Dauch Cara , Neuhausen Susan L. , Ziv Elad , Sotelo Nereida , Ghanekar Shreya , Meadows Owen , Paredes Monica , Gillespie Jessica L. , Aeilts Amber M. , Hampel Heather , Zheng Wei , Jia Guochong , Hu Qiang , Wei Lei , Liu Song , Ambrosone Christine B. , Palmer Julie R. , Carpten John D. , Yao Song , Stevens Patrick , Ho Weang-Kee , Pan Jia Wern , Fadda Paolo , Huo Dezheng , Teo Soo-Hwang , McElroy Joseph Paul , Toland Amanda E.
Published: June 2024

In breast tumors, somatic mutation frequencies in TP53 and PIK3CA vary by tumor subtype and ancestry. Emerging data suggest tumor mutation status is associated with germline variants and genetic ancestry. We aimed to identify germline variants that are associated with somatic TP53 or PIK3CA mutation status in breast tumors. A genome-wide association study was conducted in 2,850 women of European ancestry with breast cancer using TP53 and PIK3CA mutation status (positive or negative) as well as specific functional categories [e.g., TP53 gain-of-function (GOF) and loss-of-function, PIK3CA activating] as phenotypes. Germline variants showing evidence of association were selected for validation analyses and tested in multiple independent datasets. Discovery association analyses found five variants associated with TP53 mutation status with P values <1 × 10−6 and 33 variants with P values <1 × 10−5. Forty-four variants were associated with PIK3CA mutation status with P values <1 × 10−5. In validation analyses, only variants at the ESR1 locus were associated with TP53 mutation status after multiple comparisons corrections. Combined analyses in European and Malaysian populations found ESR1 locus variants rs9383938 and rs9479090 associated with the presence of TP53 mutations overall (P values 2 × 10−11 and 4.6 × 10−10, respectively). rs9383938 also showed association with TP53 GOF mutations (P value 6.1 × 10−7). rs9479090 showed suggestive evidence (P value 0.02) for association with TP53 mutation status in African ancestry populations. No other variants were significantly associated with TP53 or PIK3CA mutation status. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings and determine if additional variants contribute to ancestry-specific differences in mutation frequency.

Significance:

Emerging data show ancestry-specific differences in TP53 and PIK3CA mutation frequency in breast tumors suggesting that germline variants may influence somatic mutational processes. This study identified variants near ESR1 associated with TP53 mutation status and identified additional loci with suggestive association which may provide biological insight into observed differences.
Cancer-Related Fatigue and the Additive Effect of Treatment in the Context of Lymphoma: An Analysis of the Lymphoma Coalition’s 2022 Global Patient Survey
Authors: Kalloger Steve E. , Watson Amanda , Sajkowski Shawn , Warwick Lorna
Published: June 2024

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) continues to be a challenging phenomenon that is often underreported and poorly understood. With etiologies in both disease and treatment manifesting as a symptom and a side effect, respectively, CRF is highly incident and presents a significant clinical problem that impacts survivorship. We conducted a survey to ascertain the patient-reported incidence of symptoms and side effects for people with lymphoma or chronic lymphocytic leukemia. We found that CRF was enhanced in those who received more intense therapies that coincided with more aggressive lymphoma subtypes. These data illuminate an unmet need among patients with lymphoma and provide an opportunity to further refine treatment regimens in order to reduce the burden of CRF in this vulnerable population.

Significance:

CRF is a highly incident phenomenon in lymphoma that can be ascribed to a combination of causes. We have demonstrated substantial variability across various subtypes of lymphoma and have estimated that nearly half of the reported fatigue comes from treatment. Increased screening for and monitoring of fatigue will yield favorable health-related quality of life that will benefit health technology assessment activities and yield improved outcomes for patients.
Activation of the Mevalonate Pathway in Response to Anti-cancer Treatments Drives Glioblastoma Recurrences Through Activation of Rac-1
Authors: He Ling , Ioannidis Angeliki , Hoffman Carter J. , Arambula Evelyn , Joshi Purva , Whitelegge Julian , Liau Linda M. , Kornblum Harley I. , Pajonk Frank
Published: June 2024

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the deadliest adult brain cancer. Under the current standard of care, almost all patients succumb to the disease and novel treatments are urgently needed. Recognizing that GBMs are addicted to cholesterol, past clinical trials have repurposed statins against GBM but failed. The purpose of this study was to test whether treatments that upregulate the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway in GBM would generate a metabolic vulnerability that can be exploited using statins and to determine the underlying mechanisms.

Effects of radiotherapy and temozolomide or dopamine receptor antagonists on the mevalonate pathway in GBM were assessed in vitro and in vivo. The impact of statins on self-renewal of glioma stem cells and median survival was studied. Branches of the mevalonate pathway were probed to identify relevant effector proteins.

Cells surviving combination treatments that converge in activating the immediate early response, universally upregulated the mevalonate pathway and increased stemness of GBM cells through activation of the Rho-GTPase Rac-1. Activation of the mevalonate pathway and Rac-1 was inhibited by statins, which led to improved survival in mouse models of glioblastoma when combined with radiation and drugs that target the glioma stem cell pool and plasticity of glioma cells.

We conclude that a combination of dopamine receptor antagonists and statins could potentially improve radiotherapy outcome and warrants further investigation.

Significance:

Combination therapies that activate the mevalonate pathway in GBM cells after sublethal treatment enhance self-renewal and migratory capacity through Rac-1 activation, which creates a metabolic vulnerability that can be further potentially exploited using statins.
Mudanças no uso e ocupação do solo e suas influências no clima urbano de cidades médias
Authors: Mendes Flávio Henrique , Romero Hugo
Published: June 2024

O desenvolvimento urbano possibilita que populações cada vez maiores ocupem novos espaços horizontais e verticais, cujas alterações no uso e ocupação do solo, por consequência, é um dos fatores que participam das chamadas Mudanças Climáticas, necessitando, assim, de estudos sobre a expansão das cidades. O objetivo foi analisar as mudanças no uso e ocupação do solo e, consequentemente, a influência no clima urbano de duas cidades de médio porte que estão passando por essas transformações, La Serena (Chile) e Piracicaba (Brasil). Para isso, foram utilizadas três ferramentas: (i) geoprocessamento de imagens termais do satélite Landsat-7, entre os anos 1999 (mais antigas da coleção) e 2018; (ii) câmera termal e termômetro digital infravermelho, capazes de verificar a temperatura de superfície (TS) a nível microclimático; (iii) modelo ENVI-met, responsável por simular interações entre superfície-planta-ar. Respectivamente, os resultados mostraram um aumento médio na TS estimado em 1°C a cada cinco anos, com maior impacto em La Serena, que teve mais de dois terços de sua área aquecida. As medições in loco revelaram a potencialidade da arborização urbana na mitigação de TS extremas, como 70°C do asfalto ou incríveis 95°C no teto de carros escuros, estabilizando-as na faixa entre 30°C e 40°C no horário mais quente do dia, ao reduzir em 1°C a temperatura do ar. Por fim, as simulações computacionais revelaram a necessidade da distribuição homogênea da arborização, tendo em vista que a influência da Praça Central em Piracicaba ficou restrito a um raio de 100 m. Ademais, as simulações auxiliaram a compreender como o desenho urbano altera o microclima, revelando os resultados de decisões adotadas por suas administrações públicas.
Impact of Cerebral Embolic Protection Devices on Disabling Stroke After TAVR: Updated Results From the STS/ACC TVT Registry
Authors: Butala Neel M. , Kapadia Samir R. , Secemsky Eric A. , Gallup Dianne , Kosinski Andrzej S. , Vemulapalli Sreekanth , Messenger John C. , Yeh Robert W. , Cohen David J.
Published: June 2024

BACKGROUND:

Cerebral embolic protection devices (EPDs) were developed to mitigate the risk of stroke during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), but their benefit remains unproven. In the PROTECTED-TAVR trial (Stroke Protection With Sentinel During Transcatheter), EPD use did not reduce periprocedural stroke (primary study outcome) but led to a 62% reduction in the secondary end point of disabling stroke. Given these results, the impact of EPDs during TAVR remains unclear.

METHODS:

We used STS/ACC TVT registry data to examine the association between EPD use and a proxy for disabling stroke among transfemoral TAVR patients between January 2018 and June 2023. The primary outcome was in-hospital disabling stroke—defined as stroke associated with either in-hospital death or discharge to a nonhome location. We evaluated the association between EPD use and disabling stroke using instrumental variable analysis with a site-level preference for EPD use as the instrument—a quasi-experimental approach that can support causal inference. In addition, we performed a propensity score–based comparison using overlap weighting as a secondary analysis.

RESULTS:

The study population consisted of 414 649 patients of whom 53 389 (12.9%) received an EPD. The unadjusted rate of in-hospital disabling stroke was 0.7% among the EPD group and 0.9% in the no-EPD group. EPD use was associated with a reduction in disabling stroke in both instrumental variable analysis (relative risk, 0.87 [95% CI, 0.73–1.00]) and propensity-weighted analysis (odds ratio, 0.79 [95% CI, 0.70–0.90]) but was not associated with a reduction in nondisabling stroke. In subgroup analyses, the benefit of EPD was greater among those with versus without prior stroke (
P
interaction
<0.05 for both instrumental variable and propensity-weighted analyses).

CONCLUSIONS:

In the largest study to date, among patients undergoing TAVR, EPD use was associated with a small, borderline significant reduction in stroke associated with death or discharge to a nonhome location (a proxy for disabling stroke) that is likely to be causal in nature. Taken together with previous mechanistic and clinical studies, these findings provide credible evidence that EPDs benefit patients undergoing TAVR.
Impact of Left Atrial Pressure on Outcomes After Mitral Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair
Authors: Sammour Yasser M. , Bou Chaaya Rody G. , Hatab Taha , Zaid Syed , Aoun Joe , Makram Omar M. , Wessly Priscilla , Samimi Sahar , Nagueh Sherif F. , Zoghbi William A. , Atkins Marvin D. , Reardon Michael J. , Faza Nadeen , Little Stephen H. , Kleiman Neal S. , Goel Sachin S.
Published: June 2024

BACKGROUND:

Increased left atrial pressure (LAP) has been associated with adverse outcomes after mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (M-TEER). We sought to evaluate outcomes based on differences in postprocedural LAP measured after the final clip deployment.

METHODS:

We included consecutive patients who underwent M-TEER at our institution between 2014 and 2022 with LAP monitoring. Patients were stratified into 3 groups according to tertiles of post-TEER mean LAP. Outcomes were assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS:

We included 273 patients (mean age, 76.8±10.8 years; 42.5% women; 78.4% White). The mean post-TEER LAP was 8.7±1.7 mm Hg in tertile 1 (n=85), 14.4±1.6 mm Hg in tertile 2 (n=95), and 21.9±3.8 mm Hg in tertile 3 (n=93). In comparison with tertile 1, both tertiles 2 and 3 were associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality or heart failure hospitalization at 2 years (adjusted hazard ratio [adjHR], 2.27 [95% CI, 1.25–4.12] and adjHR, 3.00 [95% CI, 1.59–5.64], respectively). Among patients with primary mitral regurgitation, higher LAP was associated with increased risk of 2-year all-cause mortality or heart failure hospitalization (tertile 2 versus 1: adjHR, 3.00 [95% CI, 1.37–6.56]; tertile 3 versus 1: adjHR, 5.52 [95% CI, 2.04–14.95]). However, in patients with secondary mitral regurgitation, neither being in tertile 2 (adjHR, 1.53 [95% CI, 0.55–4.24]) nor tertile 3 (adjHR, 2.18 [95% CI, 0.82–5.77]) were associated with the composite outcome compared with tertile 1. Any degree of LAP reduction following M-TEER was associated with lower mortality or heart failure hospitalization compared with no LAP reduction (adjHR, 0.59 [95% CI, 0.39–0.88]).

CONCLUSIONS:

Elevated LAP after M-TEER was associated with increased 2-year risk of mortality or heart failure hospitalization. Exploration of reasons for elevated LAP after M-TEER and ways to lower it warrant further investigation.
Freak Pictures, Fly Fishers, and Optical Illusions: Historical Antecedents of the Science of Fish Vision
Authors: Elias Ann
Published: June 2024

In the early twentieth century, when little was known about the underwater realm, the question of subaquatic vision garnered much interest. Based on human laws of optics in water, observers of the time claimed to show how fish see, and the impact of illusions on fish vision. Addressing fly-fishers in particular, they raised the question of whether fish see “freak pictures” and “monsters.” The present study examines five scientific visualizations published in Scientific American in 1913 to determine whether optical illusions remain relevant for fish scientists today and whether conceptions of visual intelligence in fish have changed since 1913.
Visibilis 433: Sensory Extension and Audiovisual Reinterpretation of 4′33″
Authors: Yoon Ji Won , Yeo Woon Seung , Kang Da Hye
Published: June 2024

This article introduces Visibilis 433, an audiovisual installation piece inspired by and conceived as an homage to John Cage’s legendary 4′33″. The piece utilizes practically inaudible components of the ambient sound in the gallery to present an audible artificial soundscape and an accompanying virtual landscape in real time, aiming to reinterpret Cage’s original intentions from a new perspective through signal processing and multimedia programming. In addition to introducing notable features of Visibilis 433, the article discusses its significance as a re-mediated synesthetic variation of 4′33″ that extends the limit of our auditory perceptions and crosses the border between audio and visual senses.
Connectome embedding in multidimensional graph spaces
Authors: Mach Mathieu , Amico Enrico , Liégeois Raphaël , Preti Maria Giulia , Griffa Alessandra , Van De Ville Dimitri , Pedersen Mangor
Published: June 2024

Connectomes’ topological organization can be quantified using graph theory. Here, we investigated brain networks in higher dimensional spaces defined by up to 10 graph theoretic nodal properties. These properties assign a score to nodes, reflecting their meaning in the network. Using 100 healthy unrelated subjects from the Human Connectome Project, we generated various connectomes (structural/functional, binary/weighted). We observed that nodal properties are correlated (i.e., they carry similar information) at whole-brain and subnetwork level. We conducted an exploratory machine learning analysis to test whether high-dimensional network information differs between sensory and association areas. Brain regions of sensory and association networks were classified with an 80–86% accuracy in a 10-dimensional (10D) space. We observed the largest gain in machine learning accuracy going from a 2D to 3D space, with a plateauing accuracy toward 10D space, and nonlinear Gaussian kernels outperformed linear kernels. Finally, we quantified the Euclidean distance between nodes in a 10D graph space. The multidimensional Euclidean distance was highest across subjects in the default mode network (in structural networks) and frontoparietal and temporal lobe areas (in functional networks). To conclude, we propose a new framework for quantifying network features in high-dimensional spaces that may reveal new network properties of the brain.
Moving vs still prey: do common wall lizards show any preference?
Authors: Guadin Bianca , Gazzola Andrea , Balestrieri Alessandro , Pellitteri-Rosa Daniele
Published: June 2024

Among prey functional traits, mobility plays a major role, affecting its actual availability to predators: a moving animal is usually more susceptible of being detected than immobile or inanimate prey. With the aim of investigating the role played by visual cues and preference for moving vs. immobile prey in a widespread, generalist species, common wall lizard Podarcis muralis, we used two different experimental approaches. First, we assessed the preference of tested individuals for either one active or one still mealworm (Tenebrio molitor), symmetrically hung in a T-shaped arena (single prey preference experiment); secondly, each individual was left free to interact for 20 min with two closed boxes containing 10 moving or still worms, kept at opposite sides of a rectangular arena (multiple prey experiment). Our results showed that lizards consistently selected the moving stimuli when no chemical prey-borne cues were available. When choosing between single prey, we found inter-individual variation in both lizard preference for moving or still prey and latency to attack, which may depend on either microhabitat-related difference in foraging tactics or personality traits.
Unveiling two novel Ditylenchus (Nematoda: Anguinidae) species inhabiting the growing medium of Rhododendron simsii imported from Japan
Authors: Gu Jianfeng , Ma Xinxin , Castillo Pablo , Munawar Maria
Published: June 2024

The present study describes two new Ditylenchus species, isolated from the growing medium of Rhododendron simsii imported from Japan, at the Ningbo plant quarantine laboratory, Ningbo, P.R. China. Ditylenchus parvicauda n. sp. is an amphimictic species. Females have six incisures in the lateral fields, a medium length slim body, a short delicate stylet with asymmetrical stylet knobs, the secretory-excretory (S-E) pore located posterior to the isthmus and in the anterior region of the basal pharyngeal bulb, a posteriorly located vulva (V = 80.9-83.0), post-uterine sac (PUS) tube-like, and the tail cylindrical, tapering gradually towards finely rounded terminus. Males are similar to females in general morphology and have 10.1-14.9 μm long spicules. The second new species, D. gracicauda n. sp. is characterised by having a long and slender body, the presence of a vulval flap, four lines in the lateral field, a narrow and low lip region not offset, the S-E pore located posterior to the isthmus but not in the anterior region of the basal pharyngeal bulb, a posteriorly located vulva (V = 71.1-76.2), a short post-vulval uterine sac short (4.5-9.2 μm), and the tail slender, tapering gradually towards finely rounded to wedge-shaped terminus. The two new species were also characterised molecularly using 18S, ITS and the D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S rRNA genes. Our phylogenetic analyses showed their independent place among available Ditylenchus species. Several Ditylenchus species are regulated pests, and the introduction of these species into a new environment may result in diseases among native plants or vegetation in the area. Therefore, careful attention must be directed towards newly discovered species, particularly those under quarantine observation.
An improved protocol for inducing the gut cleaning process in earthworm for various experiments
Authors: Kandaswamy Karthikeyan , Vadivelu Kayalvizhi , Durairaj Selvan Christyraj Jackson , Subbiahanadar Chelladurai Karthikeyan , Rajagopalan Kamarajan , Das Puja , Chandrasekar Meikandan , Balamurugan Nivedha , Subramanian Vijayalakshmi , Selvan Christyraj Johnson Retnaraj Samuel
Published: June 2024

Earthworms have a complex digestive system consisting of the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, crop, gizzard, and intestine which work together to pass the soil out. The gut soil and associated microbial load in earthworms’ gut hinder the outcome of many experiments like in-vitro regeneration, histology, immunohistochemistry, molecular expression and toxicological studies. Currently, the available gut cleaning techniques are time-consuming and costly. The tissue paper method takes 4-7 days; the agar-agar method takes around 3-5 days to clean the gut. Therefore, refined techniques are needed to reduce the gut cleaning process in a cost-effective and at the same time in a minimum number of days. Bisacodyl is a medication used to treat constipation and it acts as a laxative drug that increases peristatic movement of the gut. It can also be used to cleanse the intestines before a bowel examination or surgery. The present study aims to enhance the gut-cleaning process in earthworm, Eudrilus eugeniae, using the drug bisacodyl. Briefly, the earthworm is exposed to different concentrations (1 mg, 2 mg, 4 mg, 6 mg, 8 mg and 10 mg) of bisacodyl and analyzed for its excretion rate. We observed that 4 mg is more efficient and aids in cleaning the earthworm’s gut within two days. A lower bisacodyl concentration is inefficient in cleaning the gut in a shorter duration while at higher bisacodyl concentrations, worm experienced autotomy. Since the drug was active for only 45 mins, the worm became normal one hour after withdrawal from the experiment. Other than E. eugeniae, for Perionyx excavatus we observed 4 mg bisacodyl drug is efficient and aids in cleaning its gut within two days. Overall, the designed protocol is efficient for gut cleaning in a shorter duration in a cost-effective manner.
Solutions for Tropical Vertical Motion under Convective Quasi-Equilibrium Constraints
Authors: Dang Dong-Pha , Yu Jia-Yuh
Published: June 2024

Solutions for tropical convection (vertical motion), including both the first (deep) and the second baroclinic (shallow) modes, subject to convective quasi-equilibrium (CQE) constraints are formulated. Under CQE assumption, tropical convection ω(p, x, y) can be decomposed into a product of height-dependent variable Ωi(p) and space-dependent variable ∇·vi(x, y) with the former constrained by conservation of moist static energy (MSE) or dry static energy (DSE) perturbations, depending on whether the atmospheric column is dominated by ascending or descending motions. We then evaluate the roles of deep and shallow modes of convection in transporting moisture and static energy against observations using the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts reanalysis data. The moisture transport by deep mode produces a spatial pattern similar to observations, except for an obvious underestimate of the magnitude over the eastern Pacific convergence zone (EPCZ) and cold tongue areas, where the contribution of shallow mode may account for up to 25% of the total moisture transport. In contrast, the MSE transport by deep mode exhibits a very poor performance, especially over the EPCZ where the observational MSE transport is negative, but a positive value is predicted by deep mode. Including the contribution of shallow mode immediately remedies this deficiency, due to a better representation of the bottom-heavy structure of ascending motions over the EPCZ. These improvements apply to almost the entire tropics, although the correlation tends to decrease away from the convergence zones. Since simple atmospheric models often assume a single heating (forcing) profile to represent the effect of cumulus convection, the present study highlights the importance and feasibility of including both deep and shallow modes in a simple atmospheric model, while at the same time maintaining the simple model framework, to more accurately represent the moisture and MSE transports by convection in the tropics.
Comparison of Therapeutic Effects Between Conventional 2D Laparoscopy and 3D Laparoscopy in the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhan Shixiong , Zhu Zhicheng , Yu Haitao , Xia Yu , Zhu Yuangui , Wu Feixiang , Liao Hui , Wan Zhenda
Published: June 2024

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of 2D laparoscopy vs 3D laparoscopy for the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Methods

A literature search was conducted through PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase from their inception to January 2024. Studies investigating different outcomes of colorectal surgery were included. Results are presented as odds ratios (ORs) or mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The protocol for this review has been registered on PROSPERO (CRD42024504902).

Results

A total of 10 publications were retrieved in this article. The 3D group is associated with a significant improvement in intraoperative blood loss (MD = −8.04, 95% CI = −14.18 to −1.89, P = 0.01, I2 = 55%), operative time (MD = −17.33, 95% CI = −29.15 to −5.51, P = 0.004, I2 = 90%), and postoperative hospital stay (MD = −0.23, 95% CI = −0.43 to −0.04, P = 0.02, I2 = 48%) compared to that of patients treated in the 2D group, particularly for rectal cancer patients above three results (MD = −10.36, 95% CI = −15.00 to −5.73, P < 0.001, I2 = 0%), (MD = −18.85, 95% CI = −34.88 to −2.82, P = 0.02, I2 = 57%), and (MD = −0.93, 95% CI = −1.53 to −0.34, P = 0.002, I2 = 0%), respectively. There was no significant statistical difference in the time of pass flatus (MD = −0.14, 95% CI = −0.49 to  0.21, P = 0.44, I2 = 79%) and the number of dissected lymph nodes (MD = 0.36, 95% CI = −0.49 to 1.21, P = 0.41, I2 = 45%), but the 3D group had an earlier postoperative pass flatus for rectal cancer patients (MD = −0.46, 95% CI = −0.66 to −0.27, P<0.001, I2 = 0%) and the more number of dissected lymph nodes for colon cancer patients (MD = 1.54, 95% CI = 0.05 to 3.03, P = 0.04, I2 = 69%) than the 2D group. There was no significant difference in postoperative overall complication (OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.67 to 1.31, P = 0.71, I2 = 0%) and anastomotic leakage (OR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.48 to 1.80, P = 0.83, I2 = 0%) in the two groups, regardless of rectal cancer and colon surgery patients.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis demonstrates that 3D laparoscopy could reduce the amount of blood loss, accelerate postoperative pass flatus, and shorten the operation time and postoperative hospital stay over 2D for radical rectal cancer surgery, without obvious advantage for radical colon cancer surgery. Moreover, 3D laparoscopy increases the number of dissected lymph nodes for radical colon cancer surgery but may not be observed in rectal cancer surgery.
Ethnic Media and the Mobilization of Identity
Authors: Lemoli Giacomo
Published: June 2024

This paper studies the relationship between ethnic media, which produce content in a minority language, and the success of ethnic parties. I argue that, by embedding cultural traits in entertainment products, media outlets can shape the salience of group identity, which helps parties’ mobilization efforts. I test this argument in the case of the Basque Country where, in the late phase of the Franco regime, an independent radio station operated by local clergy promoted the revival of regional language. Using contemporary, archival, and survey data, I show that exposure to ethnic radio increased support for new radical independentist parties and that the effect is driven by formerly Spanish-speaking municipalities with low historical support for Basque nationalism. I also show that radio increased bilingualism in subsequent generations and contributed to the bundling of ethnic identity revival and radical political ideology during the democratic transition.
Can Gender Quotas Improve Public Service Provision? Evidence From Indian Local Government
Authors: Karekurve-Ramachandra Varun , Lee Alexander
Published: June 2024

What effect do gender quotas have on political responsiveness? We examine the effect of randomly imposed electoral quotas for women in Mumbai’s city council, using a wide variety of objective and subjective measures of constituency-level public service quality. Quotas are associated with differences in the distribution of legislator effort, with quota members focusing on public goods distribution, while non-quota members focus on individual goods, member perks, and identity issues. These differences in effort seem to influence institutional performance: perceived quality of local public goods is higher in constituencies with quota members, and citizen complaints are processed faster in areas with more quota members. We suggest that men’s more extensive engagement with extralegal and rhetorical forms of political action has led to men and women cultivating different styles of political representation.
Spelling Errors in Children With Mild to Moderate Hearing Loss: Relations to Linguistic and Audiologic Factors
Authors: Reynolds Gabriella , Werfel Krystal L. , Hudgins Sarah , Camarata Stephen , Bess Fred H.
Published: June 2024

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the types of spelling errors made by children with mild to moderate hearing loss (CMMHL) compared with children with typical hearing (TH) and to determine if types of spelling errors were related to linguistic or audiologic factors. CMMHL and TH completed measures of spelling, spoken language, speech production, and reading. Children's spellings were coded for linguistic-based spelling errors using the Multilinguistic Coding System. The relation of types of linguistic spelling errors and children's performance on standardized language assessments, as well as audiologic factors, was evaluated. CMMHL did not make more spelling errors than TH; however, they exhibited a higher proportion of phonological awareness errors and a lower proportion of mental grapheme representation errors in their spellings. Phonological awareness errors and mental grapheme representation errors were related to relevant linguistic performance. Better-ear pure-tone average was related to total frequency of spelling errors and phonological awareness spelling errors, and better-ear Speech Intelligibility Index (SII) was related to semantic knowledge spelling errors. This study supports the use of linguistic spelling error analysis with CMMHL and provides evidence of the relation of types of linguistic spelling errors to linguistic knowledge and audiologic factors.
Experiential nostalgia, ironic homage, and literary awareness in the Italian gamebook
Authors: Arnaudo Marco
Published: June 2024

This article offers an overview of the history of Italian gamebooks and interprets some of its most relevant traits. The form originated in the UK and the USA in the 1970s, and reached Italy through translations published mainly by Edizioni EL. The article shows how these translations shaped the perception of what gamebooks could and should be in Italy. In the 1980s and early 1990s, the market for gamebooks was so dominated by foreign authors that gamebooks written by Italians lacked visibility and continuity, and in some cases were manipulated to look like translations from foreign languages. While readers of gamebooks in the 1980s and early 1990s were mainly tweens and teens, early Italian gamebooks tended to target adult readers, and this, too, affected the circulation of the works. The article then proceeds to discuss the blooming of the gamebook among 21st-century Italian authors. These authors tend to borrow ideas mainly from foreign precedents rather than early Italian experiments, and they write for adults comprising the same readers who were young in the 1980s. The rich and developing world of the new Italian gamebooks is interpreted through the filter of three concepts: experiential nostalgia (which adds complexity to earlier models to ensure that now-adult readers face a comparable experience to the one they had back then); ironic homage (through which authors acknowledge their foreign models); and literary awareness (through the use of paratexts that frame their works as proper literary endeavors).
Facilitating Change: The Role of Adaptability and LMX for Change Support
Authors: Neves Pedro , van Dam Karen
Published: June 2024

Employee adaptability is of crucial importance in today's dynamic business environments. Yet, we still have limited knowledge of how the effects of individual adaptability are influenced by the work environment, and leaders in particular. In light of Uncertainty Reduction Theory, we hypothesized that employees with high adaptability will be more trustful toward change management and more supportive of the change, particularly when Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) is high. At two points in time, we collected data from 244 employees working in companies undergoing substantial organizational changes. Our main findings support the theoretical model, offering important insights into the mechanisms and boundary conditions involved in employees’ change responses. Practitioners should beware that while individual adaptability is a central element for change responses, it also largely depends on social relationships within the work context (i.e., LMX), suggesting the need to stimulate both in order to promote the appropriate change response.
The Warm War: The Effect of Ukrainian President’s Communal Personality Traits on Empathy and Pro-Social Behavior towards the Ukrainians
Authors: Balmas Meital , Attias Nitzan , Halperin Eran
Published: June 2024

The war between Russia and Ukraine is not only over territory or security but also over public opinion. Research has shown that national leaders can leverage their personality – in a general, positive sense – to arouse, in people living beyond their countries’ borders, emotions of empathy or pro-social reactions towards their countries’ citizens. We focus on the personality of Ukrainian President Zelensky and examine which of his personality traits can promote empathy and pro-social behavior towards Ukrainians. In two experimental studies, conducted in Israel and in the US, we found that exposure to a news article that highlights Zelensky’s communal traits (warmth/morality), as compared to his agentic traits (competence/determination), led to (a) increased levels of empathy towards Ukrainian citizens, (b) willingness to help them, and (c) an actual monetary donation for their benefit. We end by discussing the theoretical and practical implications of the findings.
The Effects of Psychological Distance on the Diagnosticity of Digits to the Left Versus Right of a Separator
Authors: Yan Dengfeng , Vijayakumar Suhas , Hong Jiewen
Published: June 2024

Many numerical expressions contain a separator such as a comma (e.g., 1,234) or a decimal point (e.g., 12.34) that divides the number into left and right parts. This research examines how individuals compare such numbers as a function of psychological distance. Integrating insights from research on diagnosticity, numerical cognition, and mental construal, the authors hypothesize that as psychological distance increases, the perceived diagnosticity of digits to the right of a separator (hereinafter “right digits”) decreases faster than that of the digits to the left of a separator (hereinafter “left digits”), which leads individuals to assign less weight to the right digits in comparative judgment. Four studies offer triangulating support for this theorizing and the underlying mechanism. In addition, the authors show that this effect is attenuated or suppressed when individuals perceive that numerical ratings are more stable over time (thereby increasing the perceived diagnosticity of right digits; Study 3) and when the distinction between left and right digits is made less obvious (e.g., when removing the digit separator; Study 4). This research offers additional nuance to our understanding of numerical cognition and how psychological distance influences the processing of different types of information.
The “veins and arteries of the country” Imagined and actual exclusion from railway connectivity in Bulgaria, 1878–1908
Authors: Fuhrmann Malte
Published: June 2024

The Bulgarian Principality, established in 1878, witnessed serious contentions over railway accessibility. The central planning state, through its de facto practices of catering to local interests, polarised regions contending against one another. It also witnessed strife between rich and poor articulated in class-based party politics as well as intra-elite struggles between traditional and new elites, fought out in the sphere of cultural capital. Claims to rail accessibility and its gains were expressed in social Darwinian, ethnic, nationalist, economist and socialist discourses. By contrast, the factual division of the railway network into state-run and privately operated services evoked a sense of unity. The Orient Railways served as Enemy Within due to its multinational ownership and profit-oriented policy, first under Maurice de Hirsch's control and later the Deutsche Bank's. This “negative integration” served to gloss over the many social, ethnic, ideological and regional fault lines running through the country which the central state had not managed to bridge.
Analysis of knee-bending motion through three-dimensional scanning for advanced brace design
Authors: Pierre Ringenbach , Annie Yu , Yijia Zhang
Published: June 2024

Knee braces have been increasing in popularity as a means to support joint stability and promote the healing process. In order to enhance the fit, comfort, and design of knee braces, this study investigates knee shape deformations across four knee-bending angles from 0° to 90°. Using three-dimensional (3D) scanning technology, the knee contours of 50 Asian males aged between 22 and 33 were examined. The reliability of the 3D measurements was validated through comparisons with tape measurements on the actual body. The analysis revealed a stretch of the skin covering the patella bone with a notable vertical strain of 19% and horizontal stretching of 7%. The circumference along the muscle belly at the thigh (15 cm above the center of the patella) and at the calf (7.5 cm below the center of the patella) showed no significant changes with different bending angles, and can be used as an indicator for sizing of knee braces. However, at the patella bone level, the bending of the knee from 0° to 90° increased the knee circumference by 6.4%. The results from sectional analysis showed the asymmetry and the lateral shifting of the knee joint during bending. The findings offer guidelines for the design and optimization of knee braces to address knee deformations and individual body shape variations.
Effect of Conditions Simulating Practical Use on the Efficiency of an N-Halamine-Based Finish Applied to Medical Gown and Military Uniform Fabrics
Authors: Schmidt Sheri , Kosareva Elena , Gao Yongfeng , de la Mata Paulina , Chainiau Fanny , ben Salah Mehdi , Batcheller Jane , Harynuk James , Dolez Patricia I.
Published: June 2024

Biocidal fabrics can reduce the transmission of pathogens caused by contaminated personal protective equipment (PPE). N-halamines are very effective and fast-acting biocides against bacteria and viruses. To explore the relevance of N-halamine compounds for use in PPE and operational clothing and equipment (OCE), this study investigates the impact of an N-halamine-based finish on the functional and aesthetic properties of fabrics used for medical gowns and military uniforms, and examines the effect of conditions simulating the PPE and OCE practical use on the N-halamine-based finish. It was observed that the presence of a water-repellent finish on the fabrics reduced the chlorine loading for the fabric made of hydrophilic fibers, whereas no effect was observed for the polyester fabric. No major effect of the finish application was measured on the fabric strength. In terms of the color, the gown fabric was strongly affected by the finish application and subsequent chlorination, whereas the effect on the military fabric was more limited. The treated fabrics remained within the requirements for Class 1 in terms of flammability. The results showed no impact of low chlorination temperature and different water quality levels on the chlorination efficiency. On the other hand, laundering, repeated abrasion, and exposure to UV radiation and perspiration simulating use conditions reduced the chlorine content in the fabric. These results provide some insight into the strengths and remaining challenges of N-halamine fabric finishes when considering practical applications for protective clothing.
State Variations in Certification of Teachers of Students With Visual Impairments
Authors: Brusegaard Callie , Savaiano Mackenzie , Vo HuyenTran
Published: June 2024

Introduction: This study reviews state certification requirements for teachers of students with visual impairments (TVIs). Method: TVI certification criteria were systematically reviewed and coded from 55 states and territories. Fifteen variables captured a broad overview of criteria including license and endorsement data (i.e., terminology, grade and age range, and standards and testing requirements) and provisional and emergency certification data (i.e., terminology, length of time, and renewability). Results: Thirty-two of 55 states required some form of initial teaching license on which to add a TVI endorsement. Sixty-five percent of states specified certification as required for working with students aged 3–21 only. Slightly over half of the states did not have coursework requirements. Forty-two states had provisional certification and 20 states had emergency certification. Discussion: Multiple pathways to certification with varied terminology across states suggest that becoming certified in the visual impairment field is complex. Implications for practitioners: Variations across states make requirements for certification difficult to navigate and differences in required competencies across states may create varied quality of certified professionals in the field impacting the services to children who are visually impaired.