bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnosis of canine B-cell chronic lymphoid leukemia with a CD21 negative phenotype using the LT21 clone CD21 antibody in flow cytometry: a case report
Authors: Choi Eun Wha , Jeong Yunho , Ahn Jin-Ok
Published: October 2024

Background

Chronic lymphoid leukemia (CLL) is a hematological disorder characterized by the clonal expansion of small mature lymphocytes that accumulate in the blood and bone marrow. CLL can arise from B-, T-, or natural killer cell clones. The cytological evaluation of blood smears is often the simplest and least invasive method for diagnosing lymphoid leukemia. Immunophenotyping is used to further subclassify the type of lymphoid leukemia.

Case presentation

A 15-year-old, 4.4-kg spayed female Shih Tzu was presented to the veterinary medical teaching hospital of Kangwon National University. Despite having a normal appetite and activity level, cervical and inguinal lymph node enlargement was noted on physical examination. Complete blood count revealed severe leukocytosis, severe lymphocytosis, and monocytosis. Splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, and lymph node enlargement were detected on radiographic and ultrasonographic examination. Immunophenotyping was performed using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The majority of lymphocytes exhibited the following profiles: CD3−CD79a− (97.5%), CD4−CD8− (98.6%), CD21−CD79a− (98.4%), CD34− (0.1%), CD45+ (99.6%), major histocompatibility complex class II+ (99.5%), and CD14− (0.5%). Based on the immunophenotyping results, possible differentials considered included the following: the majority of lymphocytes may be natural killer (NK) cell clones, plasma cell clones, or show aberrant expression or loss of CD21 marker due to the neoplastic nature of the cells. Further flow cytometry was performed using antibodies against CD3, CD5, CD94, and granzyme B. The combined results indicated that the predominant lymphocyte subset in the PBMCs was CD3−CD5−CD21−CD94−granzyme B−. To confirm monoclonality and exclude the aberrant loss of CD markers, a polymerase chain reaction for antigen receptor rearrangement (PARR) assay was conducted. The PARR assay, using DNA from blood and lymph node samples, showed B-cell monoclonality. Immunocytochemistry using PBMCs showed that the plasma cell marker Multiple Myeloma Oncogene 1 (MUM1) was not expressed. Therefore, the diagnosis was confirmed to be B-cell CLL.

Conclusion

Immunophenotyping can help subclassify the type of lymphoid leukemia; however, as tumor cells can show aberrant expression or loss of the CD21 marker, combining immunophenotyping with the PARR assay could yield a more accurate diagnosis.
Association between the non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (NHHR) and angina pectoris in US adults: a cross-sectional retrospective study based on NHANES 2009–2018
Authors: Cui Ying , Choi Mankyu
Published: October 2024

Background

The non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (NHHR) plays a potential role in cardiovascular diseases. However, its association with angina pectoris remains unclear. Herein, we aimed to explore their relationship.

Methods

This cross-sectional retrospective study included the 2009–2018 data from 22,562 adults diagnosed with angina pectoris, retrieved from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database. NHHR was estimated from laboratory data, and angina pectoris diagnosis was ascertained from the NHANES questionnaire.

Results

Angina pectoris risk was greater in the highest than in the lowest NHHR tertile (odds ratio [OR] = 1.61; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.15–2.54; P = 0.006). Weighted logistic regression showed a positive association between NHHR and angina pectoris in the fully adjusted model (OR = 1.17; 95% CI, 1.07–1.28; P = 0.001). Restricted cubic spline analysis showed a linear association (P = 0.6572). Subgroup analyses indicated no significant differences across different stratifications (P > 0.05, all). Random forest analyses and Boruta algorithm corroborated that NHHR is a strong predictor of angina pectoris. Among the eight machine-learning models evaluated for predictive capabilities, the logistic regression model demonstrated the strongest predictive capability, with an area under the curve of 0.831.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that NHHR is a risk factor for angina pectoris and may be used for risk prediction and to inform future intervention programs to reduce its incidence.
Validation of the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale for the Mental Health Surveillance (MHS) of German adults
Authors: Peitz Diana , Thom Julia , Walther Lena , Hoelling Heike , Cohrdes Caroline
Published: October 2024

Background

Mental health encompasses more than just the absence of mental disorders. Thus, a Mental Health Surveillance (MHS) and reporting system for Germany should monitor mental well-being in addition to psychopathology to capture a more complete picture of population mental health. The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS) is an internationally established inventory for the integrated assessment of different aspects of mental well-being (i.e., hedonic and eudaimonic) in population samples that has not yet been validated for Germany.

Methods

Using data from a cross-sectional online survey of a convenience sample of N = 1.048 adults aged 18–79 years (51% female) living in Germany, the factorial structure, measurement invariance (age, sex) and psychometric properties of the WEMWBS in its long (14 items) and short (7 items) versions were analyzed. Additionally, correlations to relevant factors (e.g., health-related quality of life, psychological distress) were investigated as indicators of criterion validity.

Results

Means of model fit indices did not confirm a unidimensional factor structure for either version. The three-factor-correlative models showed moderate to good fit while the bifactor model with one general mental well-being factor and three grouping factors fitted the data best. The full range of possible responses was used for all items, and the distribution of both scales was approximately normal. Moreover, the results revealed measurement invariance across sex and age groups. Initial evidence of criterion validity was obtained. Internal consistencies were α = 0.95 and α = 0.89, respectively. Average mental well-being was comparable to that of other European countries at 3.74 for the long version and 3.84 for the short version. While there were no differences by sex, comparisons between age groups revealed higher mental well-being among the older age groups.

Conclusions

Both versions of the WEMWBS showed sound psychometric characteristics in the present German sample. The findings indicate that the instrument is suitable for measuring mental well-being at the population level due to its distributional properties. These results are promising, suggesting that the scale is suitable for use in a national MHS that aims to capture positive mental health in the population as a foundation for prevention and promotion efforts within public mental health.
MRI and CT imaging characteristics in parotid tumors with false-negative fine-needle aspirations
Authors: Lee Hyun Jee , Kang Hee Jin , Lee Jong Hwan , Lee Min Kyeong , Kim Su Il , Lee Young Chan , Eun Young-Gyu
Published: October 2024

Backgrounds

Preoperative imaging, particularly with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans, plays a crucial role in distinguishing between benign and malignant parotid gland tumors, while the reliability of Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) in diagnosing these masses remains a topic of debate.

Methods

This two-center retrospective analysis was conducted on 347 patients with parotid gland tumors who had FNA and preoperative imaging (CT or MRI). All patients underwent surgery and final histopathological examination was available, along with complete medical records between January 2008 and May 2023.

Results

Among the 347 patients, 318 (92%) had benign and 10 (3%) had malignant tumors based on FNA, with 19 (5%) unsatisfactory specimens. Final histological diagnosis revealed 303 (87%) benign and 44 (13%) malignant lesions, with a false-negative rate of 10.6% for FNA. Multivariate analysis identified irregular shape and invasion as independent predictors of malignancy in patient with benign or unsatisfactory FNA results. The odds ratio for irregular shape was 3.06 and for invasion was 12.73.

Conclusion

Imaging characteristics, such as irregular shape and invasion may indicate towards malignant parotid tumors, even in patients with false-negative benign findings in FNA.
CRISPR-Cas system positively regulates virulence of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium
Authors: Sharma Nandita , Das Ankita , Nair Abhilash Vijay , Sethi Palash , Negi Vidya Devi , Chakravortty Dipshikha , Marathe Sandhya Amol
Published: October 2024

Background

Salmonella, a foodborne pathogen, possesses a type I-E clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR associated (Cas) system. We investigated the system’s role in regulating Salmonella virulence by deleting the CRISPR arrays and Cas operon.

Results

Our study demonstrates invasion and proliferation defects of CRISPR-Cas knockout strains in intestinal epithelial cells and macrophages owing to the repression of invasion and virulence genes. However, proliferation defects were not observed in the Gp91phox−/− macrophages, suggesting the system’s role in the pathogens’ antioxidant defense. We deduced that the CRISPR-Cas system positively regulates H2O2 importer (OmpW), catalase (katG), peroxidase (ahpC), and superoxide dismutase (soda and sodCI), thereby protecting the cells from oxidative radicals. The knockout strains were attenuated in in-vivo infection models (Caenorhabditis elegans and BALB/c mice) due to hypersensitivity against antimicrobial peptides, complement proteins, and oxidative stress. The attenuation in virulence was attributed to the suppression of LPS modifying (pmr) genes, antioxidant genes, master regulators, and effectors of the SPI-1 (invasion) and SPI-2 (proliferation) islands in knockout strains. The regulation could be attributed to the partial complementarity of the CRISPR spacers with these genes.

Conclusions

Overall, our study extends our understanding of the role of the CRISPR-Cas system in Salmonella pathogenesis and its virulence determinants.
A case report of fatal anaphylaxis on first exposure to rasburicase just before lymphoma treatment
Authors: Utsu Yoshikazu , Kaneda Natsuho , Kawakami Makio , Masuda Shin-ichi , Arai Hironori , Shimoji Sonoko , Matsumoto Rena , Tsushima Takafumi , Tanaka Kazusuke , Matsuo Kosuke , Kimeda Chiharu , Konno Shiho , Aotsuka Nobuyuki
Published: October 2024

Background

Rasburicase, a recombinant urate oxidase enzyme, has potent efficacy in controlling uric acid and is widely used to prevent tumor lysis syndrome in high-risk patients owing to its low toxicity profile. However, it has been associated with a risk of anaphylaxis, especially on re-exposure, owing to its immunogenic potential.

Case presentation

A 71-year-old Japanese female diagnosed with diffuse large B cell lymphoma with a large tumor burden experienced anaphylactic shock leading to death upon initial administration of rasburicase. The pre-and postmortem examination revealed that the cause of death was a cascade of events starting with anaphylaxis-induced distributive shock leading to obstructive shock due to the collapse of the heart, which was compressed by the post-mediastinal tumor. This was further compounded by massive bleeding from the tumor and tension hemothorax, resulting in circulatory collapse.

Conclusions

Although extremely rare, rasburicase can cause fatal anaphylaxis, even on first exposure.
A multicenter study comparing the bacterial reduction on flexible endoscopes without a working channel between UV-C light disinfection versus standard endoscope Washer Disinfection: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Halmans Yana , Wellenstein D. J. , Romijn M. , van Bemmel A. J. M. , van den Berge H. , Scheeren R. A. , Kalpoe J. S. , Klont R. , van Zeijl J. H. , Sikkema H. , Euser S. M. , Hopman J. , Takes R. P. , van den Broek G. B.
Published: October 2024

Background

To prevent cross-contamination between patients, adequate reprocessing is necessary when using flexible endoscopes (FEs) without a working channel. The current reprocessing process using an Endoscope Washer Disinfector (EWD) is time-consuming. Ultraviolet light group C (UV-C) exposition is an alternative and fast disinfection method and has previously been shown to adequately reduce Colony Forming Units (CFUs) on FEs without a working channel. The objective of this study was to examine whether UV-C light is as effective in reducing CFUs on contaminated FEs without a working channel compared to the EWD.

Methods

FEs without a working channel were collected in three different Otorhinolaryngology Departments in the Netherlands. After pharyngolaryngoscopy, a manual pre-cleaning with tap water was performed and a culture was collected by rolling the distal 8–10 cm of the FE over an agar plate. Next, the FE was randomly assigned to be disinfected with UV-C light (D60) or the EWD (gold standard). After disinfection, another culture was taken. The primary outcome was microbiological contamination, defined by Colony Forming Units (CFU).

Results

600 FEs without a working channel were randomized. After clinical use and manual pre-cleaning, 239/300 (79.7%) FEs in the UV-C group and 262/300 (87.3%) FEs in the EWD group were contaminated (i.e., > 0 CFU). FEs without culture confirmed contamination were excluded from further analysis. After UV-C light disinfection, 195/239 (81.6%) FEs showed 0 CFUs, compared to 187/262 (71.4%) FEs disinfected with the EWD (p < 0.01). A multivariate logistics regression analysis showed an increased odds of 0 CFUs when using UV-C light (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.19–2.79; p < 0.01), conditional on participating hospitals and types of FE.

Conclusions

UV-C light disinfection of FEs without a working channel appears more effective in reducing CFUs compared to the EWD and might be a good alternative disinfection method.

Trial registration

Not applicable.
Renting trouble? An analysis of crime and calls to police at addresses with different rental types
Authors: Reinhard Daniel , Roth Jeffrey J.
Published: October 2024

Background

The number of studies about crime at short-term rentals (STRs), and about crime concentration has surged in recent years, but few have bridged these literatures. This study examines crime and calls for service at STRs in relation to other rentals, hotels, and all other addresses in a university city.

Methods

Police circumstances, rental properties, hotels and motels, liquor licenses, and all other addresses are assessed from January 2021 through June 2023 to understand public safety at STRs compared to other address-types.

Results

STRs make up less than 10% of rental addresses. Police circumstances are significantly and negatively associated with both distance to campus and to liquor licenses. The maximum unrelated occupancy is positively and significantly associated with issues. STRs have greater issues for their lower maximum occupancy, but other rentals and hotels present substantially more problems on a per-address basis.

Conclusion

These findings highlight the scope of STR circumstances, clarify potential differences in crime versus calls for service, and suggest that on a per-address basis, both are substantially worse at hotels and longer rentals than STRs.
Targeting CD5 chimeric antigen receptor-engineered natural killer cells against T-cell malignancies
Authors: Zu Yingling , Ren Quan , Zhang Jishuai , Su Hongchang , Lu Qiumei , Song Yongping , Zhou Jian
Published: October 2024

Background

Chimeric antigen receptor engineered T cells (CAR-T) have demonstrated promising clinical efficacy in B-cell malignancies, and the approach has been extended to T-cell malignancies. However, the use of allogeneic T cells in CAR therapy poses a challenge due to the risk of graft-versus-host disease. Recently, natural killer (NK) cells have exhibited “off‑the‑shelf” availability. The nanobody-based CAR structures have attracted much attention for their therapeutic potential owing to the advantages of nanobody, including small size, optimal stability, high affinity and manufacturing feasibility. CD5, a common surface marker of malignant T cells, has three scavenger receptor cysteine-rich domains (D1-D3) in the extracellular region. The present study aims to construct “off‑the‑shelf” CAR-NK cells targeting the membrane-proximal domain of CD5 derived from nanobody against T-cell malignancies.

Methods

Anti-CD5-D3 nanobody was screened by phage display technology, followed by constructing fourth-generation CAR plasmids ectopically producing IL-15 to generate CD5 CAR-NK cells derived from peripheral blood. And the second-generation CD5 CAR-T cells based on nanobody were generated, referred to as 5D.b CAR-T and 12 C.b CAR-T. Furthermore, CAR-NK cells without IL-15 (IL-15△ CAR-NK) were generated to assess the impact on cytotoxicity of CAR-NK cells. Cytotoxic activity against CD5+ hematologic malignant cell lines and normal T cells was exerted in vitro and NOD/ShiLtJGpt-Prkdcem26Cd52Il2rgem26Cd22/Gpt mouse model transplanted with Jurkat-Luc cells was used to evaluate the antitumor efficacy of CD5 CAR-NK cells in vivo.

Results

Two nanobodies (5D and 12 C) competed for binding to the epitope of CD5-D3. 12 C CAR-NK cells were superior to 5D CAR-NK cells in antitumor potential and 12 C.b CAR-T cells exhibited superior cytotoxic activity than 5D CAR-T cells ex vivo. So, 12 C was regarded as the optimal nanobody. 12 C CAR-NK cells and IL-15△ CAR-NK cells exhibited robust cytotoxicity against CD5+ malignant cell lines and controlled disease progression in xenograft mouse model. 12 C CAR-NK cells demonstrated greater antitumor activity compared to that of IL-15△ CAR-NK cells in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusions

Taken together, the fourth-generation nanobody-derived anti-CD5 CAR-NK cells may be a promising therapeutic against T-cell malignancies.
The role of the oral microbiota in the causal effect of adjunctive antibiotics on clinical outcomes in stage III–IV periodontitis patients
Authors: Kleine Bardenhorst Sven , Hagenfeld Daniel , Matern Johannes , Prior Karola , Harks Inga , Eickholz Peter , Lorenz Katrin , Kim Ti-Sun , Kocher Thomas , Meyle Jörg , Kaner Doğan , Jockel-Schneider Yvonne , Harmsen Dag , Ehmke Benjamin
Published: October 2024

Background

Periodontitis, a prevalent chronic inflammatory disease, offers insights into the broader landscape of chronic inflammatory conditions. The progression and treatment outcomes of periodontitis are closely related to the oral microbiota’s composition. Adjunctive systemic Amoxicillin 500 mg and Metronidazole 400 mg, often prescribed thrice daily for 7 days to enhance periodontal therapy’s efficacy, have lasting effects on the oral microbiome. However, the precise mechanism through which the oral microbiome influences clinical outcomes in periodontitis patients remains debated. This investigation explores the pivotal role of the oral microbiome's composition in mediating the outcomes of adjunctive systemic antibiotic treatment.

Methods

Subgingival plaque samples from 10 periodontally healthy and 163 periodontitis patients from a randomized clinical trial on periodontal therapy were analyzed. Patients received either adjunctive amoxicillin/metronidazole or a placebo after mechanical periodontal treatment. Microbial samples were collected at various intervals up to 26 months post-therapy. Using topic models, we identified microbial communities associated with normobiotic and dysbiotic states, validated with 86 external and 40 internal samples. Logistic regression models evaluated the association between these microbial communities and clinical periodontitis parameters. A Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) determined the mediating role of oral microbiota in the causal path of antibiotic treatment effects on clinical outcomes.

Results

We identified clear distinctions between dysbiotic and normobiotic microbial communities, differentiating healthy from periodontitis subjects. Dysbiotic states consistently associated with below median %Pocket Probing Depth ≥ 5 mm (OR = 1.26, 95% CI [1.14–1.42]) and %Bleeding on Probing (OR = 1.09, 95% CI [1.00–1.18]). Factors like microbial response to treatment, smoking, and age were predictors of clinical attachment loss progression, whereas sex and antibiotic treatment were not. Further, we showed that the oral microbial treatment response plays a crucial role in the causal effect of antibiotic treatment on clinical treatment outcomes.

Conclusions

The shift towards a normobiotic subgingival microbiome, primarily induced by adjunctive antibiotics, underscores the potential for microbiome-targeted interventions to enhance therapeutic efficacy in chronic inflammatory conditions. This study reaffirms the importance of understanding the oral microbiome's role in periodontal health and paves the way for future research exploring personalized treatment strategies based on individual microbiome profiles.
Advancing EEG prediction with deep learning and uncertainty estimation
Authors: Tveter Mats , Tveitstøl Thomas , Hatlestad-Hall Christoffer , Pérez T. Ana S. , Taubøll Erik , Yazidi Anis , Hammer Hugo L. , Haraldsen Ira R. J. Hebold
Published: October 2024

Deep Learning (DL) has the potential to enhance patient outcomes in healthcare by implementing proficient systems for disease detection and diagnosis. However, the complexity and lack of interpretability impede their widespread adoption in critical high-stakes predictions in healthcare. Incorporating uncertainty estimations in DL systems can increase trustworthiness, providing valuable insights into the model’s confidence and improving the explanation of predictions. Additionally, introducing explainability measures, recognized and embraced by healthcare experts, can help address this challenge. In this study, we investigate DL models’ ability to predict sex directly from electroencephalography (EEG) data. While sex prediction have limited direct clinical application, its binary nature makes it a valuable benchmark for optimizing deep learning techniques in EEG data analysis. Furthermore, we explore the use of DL ensembles to improve performance over single models and as an approach to increase interpretability and performance through uncertainty estimation. Lastly, we use a data-driven approach to evaluate the relationship between frequency bands and sex prediction, offering insights into their relative importance. InceptionNetwork, a single DL model, achieved 90.7% accuracy and an AUC of 0.947, and the best-performing ensemble, combining variations of InceptionNetwork and EEGNet, achieved 91.1% accuracy in predicting sex from EEG data using five-fold cross-validation. Uncertainty estimation through deep ensembles led to increased prediction performance, and the models were able to classify sex in all frequency bands, indicating sex-specific features across all bands.
Y-27632 targeting ROCK1&2 modulates cell growth, fibrosis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in hyperplastic prostate by inhibiting β-catenin pathway
Authors: Shan Shidong , Su Min , Wang Hejin , Guo Feng , Li Yan , Zhou Yongying , Liu Huan , Du Lu , Zhang Junchao , Qiu Jizhang , DiSanto Michael E. , Guo Yuming , Zhang Xinhua
Published: October 2024

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a prevalent condition affecting the male urinary system, with its molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis remaining unclear. Y-27632, a non-isoform-selective Rho kinase inhibitor, has shown therapeutic potential in various diseases but its effects on static factors and fibrosis in BPH remain unexplored. This study investigated human prostate tissues, human prostate cell lines, and BPH rat model using immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and cell counting kit-8. ROCK1 and ROCK2 were significantly up-regulated in BPH tissues, correlating with clinical parameters. Y-27632 targeted the inhibition of ROCK1 & ROCK2 expression and inhibited cell proliferation, fibrosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), while induced cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, knockdown of either ROCK isoform inhibited fibrosis and EMT, induced apoptosis, while ROCK overexpression had the opposite effects. ROCK downregulation inhibited the β-catenin signaling pathway (such as C-MYC, Snail and Survivin) and decreased β-catenin protein stability, while inhibiting TGF-β/Smad2/3 signaling. At the in vivo level, Y-27632 reversed prostatic hyperplasia and fibrosis in BPH model rats to some extent. Our study sheds light on the therapeutic potential of Y-27632 in regulating prostate cell growth, fibrosis and EMT, and demonstrates for the first time the regulatory effect of ROCK isoforms on prostate cells, providing the basis for future research of ROCK isoform-selective inhibitors.
A case of late presentation of recurrent primary choledocholithiasis 30 years post-cholecystectomy: Presentation and management
Authors: Bird Devin , Flournoy Haylee , Tapp Robyn , Rossini Anna , Amira Gamal , Soliman Basem
Published: October 2024

Acute cholangitis typically occurs secondary to biliary obstruction and bile stasis. While the most common cause is secondary choledocholithiasis (i.e., stones form in the gallbladder and are expelled into the common bile duct), there is little information on primary choledocholithiasis as the principal source of this obstruction. Furthermore, it is particularly rare to see symptomatic choledocholithiasis years to decades later in patients who previously underwent cholecystectomy. We report a complex case of a 75-year-old woman who presented to the emergency department with a 3 to 4-day history of abdominal pain, nausea, generalized weakness, fever, and shortness of breath. She had septic cholangitis due to primary choledocholithiasis 30 years post-cholecystectomy and numerous other comorbidities that increased the complexity of her case. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was attempted to remove the stone but was unsuccessful due to duodenal diverticula. Eventually, this patient underwent common bile duct exploration using a robot-assisted approach. A 2 cm stone at the distal common bile duct was removed, and her clinical status dramatically improved. The efficiency and increased fine control of a robot-assisted approach introduces our idea that this approach should be an alternative management option for minimally invasive common bile duct exploration in patients who have high-risk comorbidities and failed ERCP.
Keywords: Acute cholangitis, primary choledocholithiasis, recurrent choledocholithiasis, post-cholecystectomy, robotic-assisted common bile duct exploration
Unusual presentation of right ventricular branch occlusion during percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Vattikonda Kiriti , Peterson Christopher , Sternberg Michael , Berzingi Chalak
Published: October 2024

Right ventricular (RV) infarction usually occurs in the setting of inferior wall myocardial infarction due to proximal right coronary artery (RCA) occlusion. A rarer cause of RV infarction involves an isolated RV branch occlusion during a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to revascularize the RCA. In this case, the isolated RV branch occlusion resulted in transient unexpected ST-segment elevations in the anterior precordial leads. The patient developed transient chest pain peri-procedurally and repeat angiography showed widely patent stents but complete occlusion of the isolated RV branch. This case highlights a rare and unusual presentation of RV branch occlusion with anterior ST-segment elevations.
Keywords: coronary artery disease, percutaneous coronary intervention, right ventricular infarction
Newly diagnosed advanced HIV infection in an older female in Poland
Authors: Homa Wojciech , Wanat Joanna , Homa Piotr , Kobiernik Adam , Rezmer Jakub , Wasilewska Inga , Stempkowska‑Rejek Justyna
Published: October 2024

This paper presents the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges encountered in an older woman with advanced HIV infection. Upon admission, the patient exhibited severe symptoms of interstitial pneumonia and cachexia. During hospitalization, the patient was diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection and a wide spectrum of opportunistic pulmonary infections, including Pneumocystis jiroveci, Candida krusei, and Staphylococcus haemolyticus. Another major diagnostic challenge posed the patient’s prolonged fever, which persisted despite comprehensive treatment. This report underscores the importance of considering new HIV infections in older patients presenting complex clinical pictures, its significant mortality risk in older individuals, and the need for timely initiation and adjustment of antiretroviral therapy.
Dateninfrastrukturen für die Sozialpolitikforschung
Authors: Schmid Achim
Published: October 2024

Empirische Sozialpolitikforschung und evidenzbasierte Sozialpolitikberatung sind auf qualitativ hochwertige Daten sowie eine Dateninfrastruktur angewiesen, die einen einfachen Zugang zu Daten und die sichere Nutzung für die wissenschaftliche Forschung ermöglichen. Die bestehende Dateninfrastruktur steht jedoch in der Kritik. So werden unter anderem die Intransparenz des Datenökosystems, uneinheitliche Datenschutzstandards, die Anpassungsprobleme amtlicher Statistik an aktuelle Fragen und fehlende Verknüpfungsmöglichkeiten von Mikrodaten aus unterschiedlichen Quellen beanstandet. Dieses Buch bietet einen Überblick über die sozialpolitische Forschungsdateninfrastruktur in Deutschland mit besonderem Augenmerk auf Daten zu sozialpolitischen Leistungen. Es thematisiert Lücken und Bedarfe in der Dateninfrastruktur und entwickelt Empfehlungen zu deren Weiterentwicklung vor dem Hintergrund positiver Beispiele verschiedener europäischer Länder.
Normative identity work: exploring Erich Fromm’s perspective on self and society
Authors: Kühn Thomas
Published: October 2024

This article explores the potential of normative identity work to foster humanistic transformation, drawing from Erich Fromm’s social theory. By engaging with Fromm’s insights into the interplay between individuals and societal structures, the analysis demonstrates how identity work – understood as an ongoing process of self-construction within social contexts – can confront what Fromm terms the ‘pathology of normalcy’. Central to the discussion are Fromm’s reflections on identity and its relationship to the human needs for rootedness, relatedness and the construction of a frame of orientation.

The article integrates Fromm’s views on identity with contemporary identity research, illustrating the tensions between conforming to societal expectations and the pursuit of self-realisation. It introduces the ‘normative ABC of identity work’, a model structured around three key dimensions: agency, belonging and coherence. This model offers a lens to examine the various ways societal forces shape identity work, influencing individuals in directions that may either align with societal norms or open pathways towards humanistic growth and transformation.

In the conclusion, the article emphasises the relationship between identity work and Fromm’s concept of social character, highlighting how social character can reflect and reinforce societal patterns while also pointing to the transformative potential embedded in humanistic values. This synthesis provides a critical framework for understanding how identity work can both sustain and challenge existing social norms and power structures.
Matching in practice: how to find the right family foster home for the right child
Authors: Bergman Ann-Sofie , Järkestig Berggren Ulrika , Engwall Kristina , Bask Miia
Published: October 2024

The concept of matching refers to the process of selecting a family foster home to fit an individual child in placement. Matching is important for the quality of care, as the carers need the necessary resources to meet the child’s needs. Failure in matching can have negative consequences, such as a ‘breakdown’. The aim of this article is to explore the social workers’ practice when matching children and foster carers to ensure the children will receive good care and avoid a placement change. The article uses a qualitative approach and is based on interviews with 31 participants. Social workers and managers at municipal social services, as well as consultants, were interviewed about their work. The professionals reflected on what aspects they perceive as most important in matching and what challenges they encounter that complicate the process. Narratives of successful matches often focused on the characteristics, competence and experience of the foster carers to meet the needs of the children. Some of the challenges highlighted were time pressure and a lack of family foster homes to choose from. This means that professionals have to compromise and prioritise what is most important in relation to the needs of the child.
Impacts of heavy metal and nutrient accumulation on the vegetative, anatomical and reproductive characteristics and phytoremediation efficiency of Azolla Filiculoides L .
Authors: Jonoubi Parissa , Karimi Limanjoubi Seyedeh Lida
Published: October 2024

abstract: Aquatic ecosystems are susceptible to contamination from various sources, including agricultural wastewater, urban sewage and industrial activities. This study investigated the phytoremediation potential of the aquatic fern Azolla filiculoides L. in removing heavy metals and nutrients from the Anzali lagoon, in the Caspian Sea. Water and plant samples were collected from diverse areas within the lagoon. The bioconcentration factor for potassium and lead surpassed one, indicating significant root absorption. Conversely, for manganese and zinc, the values were below one, suggesting restricted absorption by the roots. However, the biotranslocation factor exceeded one for all elements, with phosphorus and zinc exhibiting the highest values. This indicates that the plants effectively transferred heavy metals and nutrients to the shoots. A. filiculoides growing in contaminated areas had smaller epidermal cell dimensions, a thicker stem cortex, and thicker tracheid and sieve cells in the roots compared to those in uncontaminated areas. In contaminated areas, mature sporangium capsules opened rapidly, accelerating the maturation and germination of spores, thereby enhancing the survival capacity of A. filiculoides . The study demonstrates Azolla filiculoides 's effectiveness as a phytoremediator in the Anzali lagoon, highlighting its potential for sustainable and eco-friendly bioremediation of heavy metal-contaminated areas through ongoing research and technological progress.
Buddhism, Aryan Discourse, Racism, and the Influence of Christianity in Colonial Ceylon
Authors: Harris Elizabeth
Published: October 2024

abstract: Evidence from the Pali texts suggests that the Buddha opposed judging people on the grounds of their place of birth, their ethnic identity, or their skin color. In practice, however, Buddhist traditions have not been and are not free of such judgments. This article illustrates this through a case study of Buddhism in colonial and postcolonial Ceylon, with particular reference to the Aryan theory. It argues that the language of race and nation that emerged among Buddhists in this context was influenced by three factors: the academic work of European linguists and ethnographers; Christian missionary representations of Buddhism; and readings of Pali texts that attributed the term ariya (noble, good, pure) to Buddhist communities. The article first examines the concept of ariya (Pali; Sanskrit: ārya ) in the Theravada Buddhist tradition. It then surveys the discourse in colonial Ceylon on the term "Aryan," including the involvement of Christian leaders and the Buddhist internalization of the discourse in the context of Christian missionary activity, as seen particularly in the writings of the Anagārika Dharmapāla (1864–1933). Another strand in the discourse is then isolated, namely the "othering" of the minority, "Dravidian" Tamils in colonial Ceylon, and the consequences of this in the postcolonial period. Finally, the article asks whether this case study can offer insights into the fault lines within Buddhist cultures, and indeed, Christian cultures, that could give rise to racism.
Comparative Theology as a Postcolonial Hermeneutics: A Global Historical Approach to the Encounter between Augustinian Christianity and Tiantai Buddhism
Authors: Hwang Eunyoung
Published: October 2024

abstract: Comparative theology aims at seeing one's own tradition and the other in light of each other, which calls for a solid methodological foundation. Comparative theology can benefit from a global historical approach that involves the hermeneutic project of tracing historical trajectories of reinterpreting ancient traditions comparatively and the postcolonial project of enhancing non-Western voices of self-articulation. This essay shows how modern reinterpretations of Augustinian Christianity and Tiantai Buddhism can reframe their ancient doctrines, drawing on relevant philosophical strands from Martin Heidegger, Hannah Arendt, Teruji Ishizu (石津 照璽), and Keiji Nishitani (西谷 啓治).
Suffering, Self, and Structures: Remarks for Buddhist-Christian Thought and Spiritual Care
Authors: Sanford Monica
Published: October 2024

abstract: Buddhist-Christian dialogue has, for many years, emphasized comparisons of doctrines and practices among the two groups of religious traditions. Rarely have these dialogues focused on practical topics such as spiritual care, and even less rarely have they drawn from qualitative studies of either group of religious practitioners. This article fills that gap through considering three questions about the delivery of spiritual care, theories of caregiving, and meta-professional questions from the perspective of qualitative research with Buddhist chaplains working in predominantly Christian contexts. Data are drawn from interviews and surveys conducted as part of various studies between 2017 and 2022 to provide a descriptive overview of the following: first, how Buddhist chaplains respond to suffering drawing on their Buddhist practices; second, how Buddhist chaplains integrate and experience non-self within their caregiving; and third, how Buddhist chaplains perceive and experience Christian hegemony within their education, clinical training, and work (employed or volunteer). Buddhist chaplains have been noted by colleagues for the unique presence they bring to situations of suffering. This presence is connected to non-self in important ways that are little understood by non-Buddhist colleagues and supervisors and, therefore, sometimes discounted or pathologized. The spiritual invalidation thus experienced by Buddhist chaplains is one aspect of working within Christian hegemonic structures.
Thich Nhat Hanh and Creative Arts
Authors: Warren Mobi
Published: October 2024

abstract: The author of this essay is a poet and puppeteer who was personally acquainted with Thich Nhat Hanh and served as a full-time volunteer with the Vietnamese Buddhist Peace Delegation located in Paris, which sought to achieve reconciliation without supporting either side in the Vietnamese conflict. A translator of many works of Thich Nhat Hanh from Vietnamese, the author reflects the role of the arts in Thich Nhat Hanh's vision for humanity, drawing on her personal memories of her time with the Vietnamese master while also including and reflecting on an interreligious poem in Vietnamese she composed in 1978 to mark the anniversary of Thomas Merton's demise. The last part of this informal reflection outlines how, over the years, the author has used puppeteering as a spiritual practice to express Thich Nath Hanh's hopes for universal peace and healing.
Aporetic Belonging: Thinking the Experience of Buddhist-Christian Practice with Gillian Rose
Authors: McDermott Chris
Published: October 2024

abstract: The possibility of authentic Buddhist-Christian belonging and practice has largely been affirmed or dismissed on the basis of the individual participant's different understandings of their respective faith traditions. Here, I suggest that the philosopher Gillian Rose's speculative thought offers a complimentary lens through which to engage in the conversation, particularly those themes imbricated in her speculative thinking around the broken middle, inaugurated mourning, or "working through," recognition, and appropriation. A different kind of dialogue emerges from her thinking that refocuses engagement from merely being a presentation of different views to a humanizing and deeper regard for dialogue partners across their differences, with implications for wider interreligious encounters and peacebuilding.
Ethnic integration and evolution of the phonological features of Northern Standard Chinese Language
Authors: Wang Weimin
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT: Ethnic integration is often accompanied by language contact and language shift. The process of "ethnic integration" is the process of "remolding" northern standard Chinese language into an inter-ethnic language and ultimately into a common national language. Only by reevaluating the phonological rules and structure of the languages (mainly Altaic) of northern non-Han ethnic groups and investigating the interference with and influence on Chinese during the language shift by the non-Han ethnic groups, can we comprehend that the common national language is a language community jointly shaped by the Han people and other ethnic groups during ethnic integration. The speakers of ethnic languages are, therefore, not only the transmitters but also the co-modelers in forming the common national language. 摘要: 民族融合往往伴随着语言接触和语言转换。"民族融合"的过程就是 将北方标准汉语"重塑"为族际共同语进而成为民族共同语的过程。 只有基于以阿尔泰语为主的北方诸民族语音系规则和音韵结构特征重 新思考并深入研究以阿尔泰为主的北方诸民族在转用汉语过程中对汉 语形成的干扰和影响，才能理解民族共同语是在民族融合过程中汉族 与其他民族共同塑造的语言共同体。在民族共同语形成的过程中，民 族语者不仅是民族共同语的传播者，也是民族共同语的共同塑造者。
Acoustic patterns in Hong Kong Cantonese hesitation markers: Vowel quality and omnisyllabic tone
Authors: Sevilla Robert Marcelo
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT: Hesitation markers (HMs) lie somewhere on the dividing line between linguistic and sub-linguistic, evincing at the same time crosslinguistic commonalities as well as language-specific features (Candea et al. 2005; Dingemanse and Woensdregt 2020). This study seeks to expand on understanding of these lexically peripheral items by analyzing their acoustic properties in Hong Kong Cantonese (HKCT), including vowel quality and F0. Recent work by Dingemanse and Woensdregt (2020) discusses phonetic similarities in HMs across languages, which are constrained by adherence to the phonologies of their respective languages. However, it is unclear how HMs are incorporated into HKCT tonal phonology, which can be characterized as 'omnisyllabic' (Matisoff 1995), every syllable being associated with a lexical tone. The present study gathers acoustic data (F0, F1–F2, duration) from the PolyU Corpus of Spoken Chinese (http://wongtaksum.no-ip.info:81/corpus.htm) across 10 speakers and 196 HMs, comparing them against 525 lexical items. Results for F1–F2 clustered around mid-front /ɛ/, which is in line both with crosslinguistic trends and HKCT phonology. Results for F0 clustered around the lower end of the pitch range, approaching Tones 3 and 6, which is expected given effort minimization trends. However, establishing a connection with a particular lexical tone was complicated by the similarity of Tones 3 and 6, which could not be statistically distinguished. Cross-speaker analysis showed considerable variation in F0, indicating that context, intonation, or idiolectal variation may play a substantial role. This has implications for our understanding of how peripheral items like hesitation markers are treated in omnisyllabic tone languages like Cantonese. 摘要: 犹豫标记置身语言学与副语言学的边界，占据一个既有跨语言共性又 具特定语言特征的区域(Candea et al. 2005; Dingemanse and Woensdregt 2020)。本研究旨在透过分析犹豫标记在香港粤语中，包含元音音色 及 F0 的声学特性，扩充对这些语义周边项目的理解。Dingemanse and Woensdregt(2020)最近的研究论及犹豫标记有跨语言声学相似性，亦 受制于各语言对自身的音段音韵学的持守。不过，香港粤语作为"全 音节语言"(Matisoff 1995)，每个音节均附上声调，犹豫标记应如何 纳入香港粤语的声调音韵学，这仍不清楚。本研究从理工大学中文口 语语料库 (PolyU Corpus of Spoken Chinese, http://wongtaksum.noip.info:81/corpus.htm) 集结 F0、 F1–F2 及时长的声学资料，横跨十位语 者，共 196 个犹豫标记，与 525 个词汇作比较分析。F1–F2 的结果围 绕半开前元音/ɛ/丛集，与跨语言趋势及香港粤语音韵学均能匹配。F0 的结果则丛集于近乎最低的音高，接近调三及调六，合乎最少付出倾 向的预想。可是，要与特定字词声调建立联系仍很复杂，因为调三及 调六相似，不能以统计学区分。跨语者分析显示 F0 有相当变化，提示 语境、语调或个人习语变化可能有重大影响。这对理解全音节语言 (如粤语)如何应对犹豫标记等等周边项目有所提示。
Investigating Dayue : An LFG-OT approach to its subcategorization and structure
Authors: Tseng Yu-Ching
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT: This paper investigates the subcategorization and structure of dayue , taking a Lexical Functional Grammar–Optimality Theory (LFG-OT) approach to account for the different uses of this word. It argues that dayue can be identified in the category of either an adverb or a preposition, depending on the function it takes and the structure it has. As an adverb, dayue modifies the clausal element or the quantifier phrase directly following it. As a preposition, dayue takes a noun phrase (NP) or an adpositional phrase as the complement, occurring in the adjunctive position. There may be ambiguities due to the subcategorization of, and the argument structure associated with, dayue , which result in the same linguistic form being generated as optimal outputs for different input meanings. However, each can be argued to correspond to a different c-structure. An LFG-OT approach is adopted in this paper to account for the structure of dayue . LFG proposes different levels of representation, and OT is involved in the theoretical model by evaluating linguistic forms according to the interaction and ranking of different kinds of linguistic constraints. Faithfulness constraints ensure faithful mappings among the lexical, functional, and syntactic levels of representation. Markedness constraints require linguistic structures to be well formed. Economy constraints pursue a concise, efficient way of expression. Alignment constraints map arguments with constituent structures. 摘要: 本文探讨了"大约"的子类别和结构，采用词汇功能语法–优选理论 (LFG-OT)方法来解释该词的不同用法。文章认为，"大约"可以归为副词或介词类别，取决于其作用于句式中之功能和结构。作为副词，"大约"直接修饰其后的从句成分或量化短语。作为介词，"大约"接受名词短语或介词短语作为补语，在附加位置出现。由于"大约"的子类别和相关的论元结构可能产生歧义，导致不同输入含义生成同样语言形式为最佳输出，而每个歧义对应不同的成分结构。本文采用词汇功能语法–优选理论方法来解释"大约"的结构。词汇功能语法使用不同语言层次表现语法，而优选理论根据不同种类的制约条件之间的相互作用和排名来评估语言形式。忠实性制约条件确保词汇、功能和句法层次之间的忠实映像。标记制约条件要求语言结构良好。经济制约条件追求简洁高效的表达方式。对齐制约条件将论元映像到成分结构中。