bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HISMD: A Novel Immune Subtyping System for HNSCC
Authors: Yang D. , Wu Y. , Wan Z. , Xu Z. , Li W. , Yuan P. , Shang Q. , Peng J. , Tao L. , Chen Q. , Dan H. , Xu H.
Published: November 2022

Immune subtyping is an important way to reveal immune heterogeneity, which may contribute to the diversity of the progression and treatment in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, reported immune subtypes mainly focus on levels of immune infiltration and are mostly based on a mono-omics profile. This study aimed to identify a comprehensive immune subtype for HNSCC via multi-omics clustering and build a novel subtype prediction system for clinical application. Data were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas database and our independent multicenter cohort. Multi-omics clustering was performed to identify 3 clusters of 499 patients in The Cancer Genome Atlas based on immune-related gene expression and somatic mutations. The immune characteristics and biological features of the obtained clusters were revealed by bioinformatics, and 3 immune subtypes were identified: 1) adaptive immune activation subtype predominantly enriched in T cells, 2) innate immune activation subtype predominantly enriched in macrophages, and 3) immune desert subtype. Subsequently, the clinical implications of each subtype were analyzed per clinical epidemiology. We found that adaptive immune activation showed better survival outcomes and had a similar response to chemotherapy with innate immune activation, whereas immune desert might be relatively resistant to chemotherapy. Moreover, a subtype prediction system was developed by deep learning with whole slide images and named HISMD: HNSCC Immune Subtypes via Multi-omics and Deep Learning. We endowed HISMD with interpretability through image-based key feature extraction. The clinical implications, biological significances, and predictive stability of HISMD were successfully verified by using our independent multicenter cohort data set. In summary, this study revealed the immune heterogeneity of HNSCC and obtained a novel, highly accurate, and interpretable immune subtyping prediction system. For clinical implementation in the future, additional validation and utility studies are warranted.
Teach a Man to Fish: The Use of Autonomous Aid in Eliciting Donations
Authors: Waites Stacie F. , Farmer Adam , Hasford Jonathan , Welden Roman
Published: November 2022

Nonprofit organizations often position their charitable efforts as fulfilling the immediate needs of those who are disadvantaged (termed “immediate aid appeals”). This study explores an alternative positioning strategy focused on the use of autonomous aid appeals, which promote the use of donated funds to facilitate the eventual self-sufficiency of those in need. Seven studies show that people are more likely to donate to a charity that uses autonomous aid appeals than immediate aid appeals. The authors generalize this effect to various contexts and examine it with actual donation behavior. They find that managerially relevant boundary conditions support a serial mediation model first through perceptions of impact and then by feelings of hope for the recipient's future. To support the proposed framework, they conduct mediation analyses and two process-by-moderation studies. The findings have practical implications for charities and their promotional messaging.
Political Work and Social Reproduction in India and Beyond
Authors: Guérin Isabelle
Published: November 2022

This commentary aims to show how the concept of ‘political work’ suggested by Kaveri Haritas (Haritas, 2021, In search of home: Citizenship, law and the politics of the poor) applies to a wide range of contexts and goods and services supposedly provided by the State in India but also elsewhere. The objective is also to outline the contributions of the concept of political work to feminist studies from the perspective of social reproduction theory.
Acute liver failure in tropical infections- thinking beyond viral hepatitis!
Authors: Jain Jenisha , Jain Mayank
Published: November 2022

Acute liver failure is characterised by the presence of jaundice and encephalopathy with or without coagulopathy in a patient with a previously normal liver. 1 A variety of tropical infections can lead to this clinical presentation. Hepatosplenomegaly and bleeding manifestations are common in such patients. Deranged liver biochemistry and poor outcomes are hallmarks of viral hepatitis inducing liver failure.
Freedom and dialectics: On the critical theory of Moishe Postone and Theodor Adorno
Authors: Devyver Anke
Published: November 2022

This article examines the relation between the critical theory of Moishe Postone and the philosophy of Theodor Adorno. While the former is clearly influenced by the latter, these influences mostly stay implicit. When explicit, he does not so easily put his own thought in line with Adorno’s and is highly critical of him. I will investigate the ways in which ideas from Adorno made their way into Postone’s work, but also where the latter diverts from them. As will be shown, Postone’s critical theory runs into a problem when one examines the immanent ground of his critical norm, freedom. Adorno, on the contrary, does succeed in employing the same norm in his own immanent critique. I will conclude that the problem Postone encounters can be avoided by being more of an ‘Adornian’, and that his theory allows this.
What Makes Dependency on Homecare Bearable? A Phenomenological Study
Authors: Martinsen Bente , Norlyk Annelise , Gramstad Astrid
Published: November 2022

Becoming dependent on homecare in old age is a radical life change that requires complex adaption. The purpose of this study was to explore the existential dimension of being dependent on homecare with a particular focus on what makes dependency bearable. In total, 15 older people living in Denmark or Norway were interviewed using a phenomenological approach. The material was analyzed employing Max van Manen’s meaning-giving approach coined “Phenomenology of practice.” During the analysis, four themes emerged: pure acceptance of an inevitable situation, acting independently as much as possible, negotiating to receive good care, and gratitude toward caring caregivers. The results point to a need for respectful and individualized homecare leveling out the subordinate position in which dependency on homecare tends to place older people.
Class politics, collective labor rights, and worker-management conflict in comparative perspective
Authors: Pérez Ahumada Pablo
Published: November 2022

This article studies how perceptions of worker-management conflict are shaped by individual-level and macro-level variables. Drawing upon data from 33 countries from the 2015 International Social Survey Programme (ISSP), it uses multilevel models to examine how individual perceptions of worker-management conflict are affected by social class, union membership status, and the country-level protection of collective labor rights. The evidence supports the hypothesis that workers and union members perceive more conflict than employers and non-union members. The results also show that, as hypothesized, perceived workplace conflict is lower in countries with stronger protection of workers’ collective rights. Finally, contrary to an initial hypothesis, cross-level interactions suggest that in countries where collective rights are more strongly protected, union members perceive more worker-management conflict than non-union members. Contributions to the literature on class and power resources as well as to the recent debate on the “neoliberal convergence” of industrial relations (IR) systems are discussed.
A Novel Rat Model for Muscle Regeneration and Fibrosis Studies in Surgical Lip Repair
Authors: Li Jinggui , Huang Yixuan , Li Jingtao , Shi Bing , Cheng Xu
Published: November 2022

Objective

Lip muscle undergoes suboptimal regeneration after surgical repair, but the mechanism underlying this observation remains obscure. This study provided a rat model to investigate lip muscle regeneration after surgical intervention.

Design

This work provided a detailed description of the rat orbicularis oris muscle anatomy, and a surgically injured model was established based on the muscle anatomy.

Main Outcome Measures

Morphological and histological features of the rat orbicularis oris muscle were characterized. The processes of myogenesis and fibrogenesis were examined between the untreated and surgically injured groups.

Results

Rat orbicularis oris muscle is encapsulated by the vermilion and oral mucosa. Although it remains a thin layer of flat muscle with tight myocutaneous and myomucosal junctions, if accessed properly, the rat orbicularis oris muscle could be isolated as a cylindrical muscle bundle with considerable size, facilitating further surgical manipulations of the muscle fibers. Muscles in steady state and after surgical intervention demonstrated distinct molecular features in the myogenesis and fibrogenesis processes, which were quantifiable in tissue section analysis.

Conclusion

The orbicularis oris muscle dissection procedures and injury model provided in this work clarify the rat lip muscle anatomy. The injury model offered a platform to analyze the effects of surgical interventions commonly used in lip repair on orbicularis oris muscle regeneration.
The Work Intervention Network (WIN): Foundations of a Holistic Vocational Intervention
Authors: Autin Kelsey L. , Allan Blake A. , Blustein David L. , Kozan Saliha , Sharone Ofer , Stevenson Brian J. , Cinamon Rachel Gali , Ferreira Joaquim , Thompson Mindi N.
Published: November 2022

The aim of the current study was to examine whether the key constructs targeted in the Work Intervention Network (WIN) intervention uniquely predicted well-being outcomes and mediated relations between un/underemployment and these outcomes. Using data from a sample of 462 adults in the U.S., we positioned employment status as a predictor of life satisfaction, well-being, and psychological distress. We also tested four mediators of these relations that operationalized targets in the WIN intervention – career engagement, social support, self-care, and self-blame. Employment status indirectly predicted life satisfaction, life meaning, and psychological distress via self-care and self-blame. Career engagement mediated the relation between employment status and psychological distress but in an unexpected direction. Social support was not directly predicted by employment status but predicted life satisfaction and life meaning. Results provided initial support for the WIN intervention and corroborate the contention that employment status is an important predictor of well-being.
Tried and True? A Psychometric Evaluation of the Psychological Inventory of Criminal Thinking Styles-Short Form
Authors: Scanlon Faith , Lester Michael E. , Brace Travis , Batastini Ashley B. , Morgan Robert D.
Published: November 2022

The Psychological Inventory of Criminal Thinking Styles-Short Form (PICTS-SF) is an abbreviated 35-item version of the PICTS, a measure of cognitions that support a criminal lifestyle. Despite use in research and clinical work, the PICTS-SF’s psychometric properties have not been tested. Using two archival datasets, we analyzed the PICTS-SF’s reliability and structural validity in multiply imputed data from adult males and females on probation in a residential treatment facility ( n = 514). We also tested the PICTS-SF’s reliability and discriminant and postdictive validities among adult males in administrative segregation in prison ( n = 95). We found evidence for the PICTS-SF’s internal consistency (α and ω ≥ .89), structural validity (CFI = .90, RMSEA = .05), discriminant validity (.22 ≤ r ≤ .39), and postdictive validity for receiving disciplinary infractions (incident rate ratio = 1.04). These results support the PICTS-SF’s use in research, and qualified use in clinical applications.
Measurement Equality of Frequency and Severity Item Response Options on Depression and Generalized Anxiety Scales
Authors: Niileksela Christopher R. , Jones Nathan B.
Published: November 2022

Rating scales are commonly used in psychological research and practice. It is important to consider how different item response options used on rating scales, such as those based on frequency or severity, may affect how they measure psychological constructs. In this study, participants were randomly assigned to conditions where they completed two depression and two generalized anxiety rating scales that used either frequency or severity item response options. Descriptive statistics and reliability estimates across depression and generalized anxiety scales using different item response options were similar. Measurement invariance tests indicated that depression and generalized anxiety scales with different item response options could be considered practically invariant. Finally, depression and generalized anxiety scales with different item response options had similar correlations with measures of impairment and other psychological constructs. There were essentially no differences in psychometric and measurement properties of these depression and generalized anxiety scales when using different item response options, suggesting this may not substantially affect the measurement of these constructs.
A journey with no roadmap—The need for validated criteria of the MS prodrome
Authors: Roman Sharon
Published: November 2022

Background:

A growing body of compelling evidence has emerged to validate a set of signs and symptoms that indicates the onset of disease before more typical signs and symptoms present to fulfill a diagnosis of MS. On 24 June 2021, a group of international researchers, patient advocates, and Society representatives led by Professors Helen Tremlett (University of British Columbia) and Ruth Ann Marrie (University of Manitoba) convened virtually for a workshop.

Objective:

Identify key gaps in knowledge, opportunities, and research priorities regarding the prodromal stage of MS.

Methods:

The group developed a new framework for MS that includes the stage of early signs and symptoms of MS—and outlined a roadmap to guide future research, with the “goal of preventing the progression to onset of typical symptoms of MS in those who present during the prodromal stage of MS”.

Results:

If high-risk individuals in the early stages of MS can be identified with a high degree of certainty, there is an opportunity to intervene and minimize the risk of progressing to typical MS symptoms and a diagnosis of MS.

Conclusion:

Standardized criteria must be developed, validated, and point of intervention found to better recognize, better diagnose, and better treat MS.
The sociocognitive functions of English use during L2 French collaborative writing tasks
Authors: Lindberg Rachael , McDonough Kim , Ammar Ahlem
Published: November 2022

Reflecting the important role of collaborative dialogue in second language (L2) learning, collaborative writing tasks have been widely used in L2 classrooms to help students gain new knowledge and consolidate their existing knowledge about how the target language works. Although use of the first language (L1) during peer interaction has been criticized (Levine, 2003; Unamuno, 2008), collaborative dialogue research has identified how L1 English use serves several important sociocognitive functions and supports knowledge mediation in foreign language classrooms (Swain & Lapkin, 2013). This study also examines the sociocognitive functions served by English in an L2 French classroom but compares the functions used by L1 English ( n = 13) and L2 English ( n = 7) speakers during collaborative writing tasks. Their discussions during two collaborative writing tasks were transcribed, and their English use was analysed in terms of its sociocognitive function. Results showed that L1 and L2 English speakers used English for similar sociocognitive functions, mainly for generating ideas, managing the task, and discussing vocabulary. However, there were some different patterns in terms of how extensively English was used within a turn across the functions. Implications are discussed in terms of the potential benefits of using linguistic resources other than the target language in multilingual L2 classrooms.
Struggle over control: Sound in home video
Authors: Winter Renée
Published: November 2022

This article investigates sound practices in home video. Home video manuals and magazines recommended specific strategies for dealing with sound, often with the goal of gaining control over the openness and unpredictability of the situation being filmed. The subject of home video discourse (addressed in handbooks primarily as white, male, and the father of a family) was ideally the one that has image and sound well under control. But while manuals promised the possibility of (re)gaining control over home video, examples of recordings show the ultimate failure in realizing such a possibility. The article argues that listening to home videos can give insight on how media practices inscribe themselves into everyday life and are, therefore, linked to power relations, attempts to control, and scopes of action within the domestic sphere.
Vegetal HydroPoetics: an arts-based practice for plant studies
Authors: Ginn Franklin , Connor Katy
Published: November 2022

In this paper we outline an arts-based practice of experimenting with plant growth. Working with hydroponic systems, we describe a means to interact with plants beyond instrumentalism and beyond appreciation at a distance. We present several opening glimpses into a distinctly plant subjectivity that are afforded by technological mediation. This method informs ongoing research into growing liveable worlds with plants and is offered as a novel practice for critical plant studies, vegetal geographies and multispecies studies.
To tighten or relax social bonds?: Vietnamese criticism and self-criticism, and liberal self-exploration
Authors: Pham Kevin D
Published: November 2022

Among contemporary liberal political theorists in the West, there appears to be a standoff between two camps. One camp promotes tighter social bonds through collective responsibility and patriotic fellow-feeling while the other insists on the need for relaxed social bonds through respect for individual freedom. This essay shows how two Vietnamese thinkers—Ho Chi Minh (1872–1969) and Nguyen Manh Tuong (1909–1997)—can help move this intractable debate about collective responsibility and individual freedom beyond statements of principle to a more pragmatic discussion of what should be done to maintain a healthy polity. They present an alternative to the static standoff, arguing that dynamic oscillation between two activities can forge national fraternal solidarity while also respecting individual freedom when the needs arise: ‘criticism and self-criticism' which tightens social bonds, and ‘liberal self-exploration' which relaxes social bonds.
Estimation of human error probabilities in marine safety services: The case of lifeboat and davits inspection
Authors: Orhan Muhittin , Celik Metin , Kandemir Cagatay
Published: November 2022

Shipboard Operation Human Reliability Analysis (SOHRA) method is recognized as a practical tool to predict human error probability (HEP) of operators engaging marine operations. Identifying the generic task types (GTTs) and marine specific error producing conditions (m-EPCs), the tool successfully derives HEP value distribution of critical operations in maritime environment. However, the real-time applications of SOHRA to prioritize and implement the suitable recovery actions have still open for development due to the limited time and expertise at pre-operation stage. This paper adapts SOHRA into lifeboat and davits inspection process as a critical marine safety service. Considering the tasks conducted by marine safety service engineers in routine and remote support modes, the GTTs and m-EPCs are assigned to estimate HEP values. In this context, a remote assistance system, is alternatively extended to involve standardization, camera tracking, and advisory support to enhance human reliability through inspection stages. The findings spotlight the deviation in HEP between routine ( 8.26E + 00) and remote support (4.04E-01) modes. A set of recovery actions (i.e. instructional materials) to remedy the HEP values in routine mode are suggested while it is not required at the remote mode assistance. The application illustrates that remote supporting to the marine service might reasonably reduce service engineers’ error rates. Consequently, the study is expected to enhance SOHRA applications in inspection period, particularly added value to marine service engineers in duty. The further studies on the proposed remote assistance concept as new generation solution will contribute to the service quality of marine safety companies.
Uncovering the discursive ‘borders’ of professional identities in English early childhood workforce reform policy
Authors: Archer Nathan
Published: November 2022

The early childhood workforce in England has experienced periods of policy attention and more recently policy neglect. During the past two decades (2000–2022) the extent of interest in workforce policy has fluctuated with episodes of investment followed by phases of disinvestment. Throughout this period, early childhood educators have been subjected to multiple, often conflicting and shifting demands upon them, which have evolved with varying political priorities.

This paper builds on earlier analyses and exposes how neoliberal logic has been advanced in the intervening years and continues to permeate the terrain. Through a Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) of nine English early childhood workforce policies numerous, dominant, institutional discourses and reciprocal obligation are discerned. This analysis uncovers how policies of standard setting, credentialising and surveillance create discursive borders which are established and maintained to create the ‘ideal’ professional identities of early educators.

It is contended that these conceptual and discursive borders delimit versions of professional identities and thereby curtail capacity to imagine and act beyond such boundaries. The paper concludes that identifying and naming these borders are important prerequisites for contestation of such institutional discourses and for asserting alternative subject positions.
Material, structure, and design of textile-based compression devices for managing chronic edema
Authors: Kankariya Nimesh
Published: November 2022

Background: Compression bandages, stockings, and pneumatic compression devices are common classifications of compression products, used alone or in combination. The structure of these compression products is complex: they are typically multi-layered, overlapped, stretched and applied to a three-dimensional curved surface part of the body. This research aims to review the materials, designs, and fabrication processes/technologies of a variety of compression devices used in management of chronic edema by considering contributions of materials/textiles, as well as prototyping technologies. Method: Relevant papers/patents for review were identified using keywords associated with materials, designs, and fabrication processes of textile-based compression devices/products for treatments of the edematous lower limb. Results: Modern Compression therapies employ textile materials with a variety of fiber types, yarns and fabric structures, and wide range of elasticity and extensibility (i.e. inelastic to elastic, short stretch to long stretch) to provide the required pressure to the lower leg. Compression fabrics are fabricated using a variety of production technologies and machineries, and they have a wide range of physical and performance attributes. Conclusions: Appropriate selection of materials and fabrication technologies for use in compression therapy is essential to enhance the success in the management of chronic edema. This review might aid in the development and implementation of textiles/materials, and improvement in design of the textile-based compression devices to increase the efficacy of compression therapies in the management of chronic edema, allowing patients to improve their long-term health.
Investigation on tensile strength characterisation of untreated and surface treated coir geotextiles
Authors: Jaswal Priya , XXX Vivek , Sinha Sujit Kumar
Published: November 2022

The present study investigates the effects of chemical treatment in characterising the physicomechanical properties of coir geotextiles. Two woven and two non woven coir geotextiles were used in this study. All four types of coir geotextiles were chemically treated with unsaturated polyester resin and bitumen emulsion. The results reveal that the tensile strength of untreated and treated woven and nonwoven coir geotextiles was higher in the warp/machine direction as compared to the weft/cross-machine direction respectively. The chemical treatment increased the tensile strength and decreased the tensile elongation of both woven and non woven coir geotextiles respectively. The chemical treatment modifies the surface morphology of both the woven and nonwoven coir geotextiles.
Self-Report on Men’s Beliefs and Perceptions on Their Alcohol Use/Misuse in Southeast Nigeria
Authors: Nwosu Innocent A. , Ekpechu Joseph , Njemanze Vivian C. , Ukah Jonathan , Eyisi Emmanuel , Ohuruogu Ben , Nwazonobi Patricia , Umanah Ubong N. , Clement Willie E.
Published: November 2022

Alcohol consumption among humans has lasted for several centuries. In Africa, drinking is normal for men despite its consequences. The study is aimed at determining the rate of alcohol consumption in the study area, health consequences of alcoholism and factors that reinforce alcoholism among men. The study, which adopted descriptive survey design, was conducted at Ezeagu, Southeast Nigeria. Quota sampling was used to select participants (400). A questionnaire was used to collect data, and analysis was done using descriptive statistics. The data revealed that men in the area are heavy drinkers, but their level of awareness about its health consequences is low. The study shows that the factors preventing men from quitting alcohol consumption include peer group influence and traditional ceremonies/festivals. The study concludes that alcoholism has adverse health consequences. Men hardly quit alcohol consumption because of factors within their communities, therefore; raising the awareness level about the adverse health implications of alcoholism is a necessity.
MWO2KG and Echidna: Constructing and exploring knowledge graphs from maintenance data
Authors: Stewart Michael , Hodkiewicz Melinda , Liu Wei , French Tim
Published: November 2022

Unstructured technical texts are a rich resource of engineering knowledge underutilised for data analysis. Maintenance work orders (MWO), for example, capture valuable information to inform what work was done on an asset and why. Data in MWO short text fields is unstructured, terse and jargon-rich, complicating the ability of both humans and machines to read it. Our challenge is to efficiently extract technical information from the MWO short text field and combine it with data in structured fields such as dates, functional location, make and model of the asset. In this paper we present a technical language processing-based solution for this problem. Echidna is an intuitive query-enabling interface that visualises historic asset data in the form of a knowledge graph. This knowledge graph is produced by MWO2KG, which uses deep learning supported by annotated training data to automatically construct knowledge graphs from unstructured technical text combined with data from structured fields. The tools are tested on maintenance work order and delay accounting data provided by industry partners. These tools provide reliability engineers with an efficient way to find information in historic asset data for failure modes and effects analysis, maintenance strategy validation and process improvement work. Source code for both tools is available on GitHub under the Apache 2.0 License.
Job demands-resources theory in times of crises: New propositions
Authors: Demerouti Evangelia , Bakker Arnold B.
Published: November 2022

This theoretical paper presents an extended Job Demands–Resources (JD–R) theory aimed at understanding how organizations and their employees can best deal with COVID-19 and other crises in the workplace. The crisis showed that job characteristics alone are insufficient to explain employee health and motivation, i.e., the two focal outcomes of the JD-R theory. Rather, demands and resources of the individual, the family, the job and the organization interact with each other to predict outcomes. Moreover, next to individual regulatory strategies also the regulatory strategies of the family, the leader and organization/team are suggested to modify the impact of demands and resources on outcomes. This was possible by integrating the crisis management literature in JD-R theory. Viewing the crisis from a job design perspective helped us to introduce several new and testable propositions that specify how employee well-being and functioning are impacted by crises and turbulent times.
Incidence and Treatment Trends of Achilles Tendon Ruptures in Finland: A Nationwide Study
Authors: Leino Oskari , Keskinen Heli , Laaksonen Inari , Mäkelä Keijo , Löyttyniemi Eliisa , Ekman Elina
Published: November 2022

Background:

Global reports indicate rising Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) incidence. In recent decades, the optimal treatment for this injury has been widely studied. Alongside the cumulating comparative evidence regarding the optimal method of treatment, nonoperative treatment has increased in popularity compared with operative treatment.

Purpose:

To determine the current incidence of ATRs and their treatment in Finland and how these have changed from 1997 to 2019.

Study Design:

Descriptive epidemiology study.

Methods:

Two national registers (the National Hospital Discharge Register and the Finnish Register of Primary Health Care Visits) were used to identify all ATR cases and operations to treat them; the incidence was calculated based on the annual adult population size.

Results:

During the study period, ATR incidence increased from 17.3 to 32.3 per 100,000 person-years. The increase in incidence seemed to plateau starting in the second half of the study period. The rise in ATR incidence occurred in both sexes and all age groups but most markedly among the elderly. The incidence of operative treatment decreased from 13.6 to 4.9 per 100,000 person-years. This decline was observed from 2008 onward and in all age groups.

Conclusion:

The incidence of ATRs increased and the use of operative treatment decreased. The decreasing trend of operative treatment is in line with other international reports and resonates with the current literature about the optimal treatment of ATRs.
Mulling the Contours of India’s Taliban Policy: Past, Present and Future Prospects
Authors: Commuri Gitika
Published: November 2022

India is faced with a conundrum—how to engage with an Afghanistan that is once again led by the Taliban. The question is less about whether to engage and more about how to engage. To understand this turn of events that is both surprising and yet seemingly inevitable, this article examines India’s policies vis-à-vis the Taliban since its early rise to power in 1990. It examines this relationship in four phases which correlate with the fortunes of the Taliban as an opposition and a governing regime, contending that these phases are characterised; by a potential discourse of engagement that does not translate into policy outcomes; distancing and opposition; gradual indirect acquiesce to its growing presence; and finally, détente of sorts without formal recognition. These policy transitions are a consequence of regional and global power play as well as domestic preoccupations of India. They span India’s secular and Hindutva-driven domestic narratives of self. The significance of this article lies in casting a broad overview of the existing literature and identifying patterns of engagement.
The Neuroepigenetic Landscape of Vertebrate and Invertebrate Models of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Sundaramoorthy Thanga Harini , Castanho Isabel
Published: November 2022

Vertebrate and invertebrate models of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, have been paramount to our understanding of the pathophysiology of these conditions; however, the brain epigenetic landscape is less well established in these disease models. DNA methylation, histone modifications, and microRNAs are among commonly studied mechanisms of epigenetic regulation. Genome-wide studies and candidate studies of specific methylation marks, histone marks, and microRNAs have demonstrated the dysregulation of these mechanisms in models of neurodegenerative diseases; however, the studies to date are scarce and inconclusive and the implications of many of these changes are still not fully understood. In this review, we summarize epigenetic changes reported to date in the brain of vertebrate and invertebrate models used to study neurodegenerative diseases, specifically diseases affecting the aging population. We also discuss caveats of epigenetic research so far and the use of disease models to understand neurodegenerative diseases, with the aim of improving the use of model organisms in this context in future studies.
Effects of rhDNase on purulent airway secretions in chronic bronchitis
Authors: Puchelle E , Zahm JM , de Bentzmann S , Grosskopf C , Shak S , Mougel D , Polu JM
Published: November 2022

Recombinant human deoxyribonuclease (rhDNase) has been demonstrated to reduce in vitro the viscosity and to improve the transport capacity of purulent respiratory mucus in cystic fibrosis. During episodes of exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, the patients generally expectorate purulent mucus. Purulence of mucus is associated with an increased deoxyriboneucleic acid (DNA) concentration. We analyzed in vitro the potential effect of rhDNase on chronic bronchitis mucus transport by the ciliary activity (frog palate model) and by simulated cough (cough machine model), as well as the effect on mucus viscosity (controlled stress rheometer) and surface properties (contact angle). Purulent sputa collected from patients with chronic bronchitis (n = 15) during an episode of exacerbation were incubated for 30 min at 37 degrees C with either rhDNase at two different concentrations (final concentration 2 or 4 micrograms.mL-1) or placebo. The median mucociliary transport rate was significantly improved by rhDNase from 0.68 with placebo to 0.79 and 0.83 with 2 and 4 micrograms.mL-1 of rhDNase, respectively. A significant improvement in mucus cough transport was also induced by rhDNase from 25.5 mm with placebo to 27.0 mm with either 2 or 4 micrograms.mL-1 rhDNase. These improvements in mucus transport capacity were associated with alterations in the physical properties of the mucus. The mucus median control viscosity (511.4 Pa.s) and median contact angle (0.85 rd) significantly decreased to 112.5 Pa.s and 0.74 rd, respectively, in the presence of 4 micrograms.mL-1 of rhDNase. These findings demonstrate that recombinant deoxyribonuclease may exert a beneficial effect on mucus clearance in vitro by altering the viscosity and surface properties of the purulent chronic bronchitic sputum samples.
X-box binding protein 1 as a key modulator in “healing endothelial cells”, a novel EC phenotype promoting angiogenesis after MCAO
Authors: Chen Zhuohui , Wang Xiang , Wu Haiyue , Fan Yishu , Yan Zhouyi , Lu Chenxiao , Ouyang Hongfei , Zhang Shiyu , Zhang Mengqi
Published: November 2022

Background

Endothelial cells (ECs) play an important role in angiogenesis and vascular reconstruction in the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke. Previous investigations have provided a profound cerebral vascular atlas under physiological conditions, but have failed to identify new disease-related cell subtypes. We aimed to identify new EC subtypes and determine the key modulator genes.

Methods

Two datasets GSE174574 and GSE137482 were included in the study. Seurat was utilized as the standard quality-control pipeline. UCell was used to calculate single-cell scores to validate cellular identity. Monocle3 and CytoTRACE were utilized in aid of pseudo-time differentiation analysis. CellChat was utilized to infer the intercellular communication pathways. The angiogenesis ability of ECs was validated by MTS, Transwell, tube formation, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence assays in vitro and in vivo. A synchrotron radiation-based propagation contrast imaging was introduced to comprehensively portray cerebral vasculature.

Results

We successfully identified a novel subtype of EC named “healing EC” that highly expressed pan-EC marker and pro-angiogenic genes but lowly expressed all the arteriovenous markers identified in the vascular single-cell atlas. Further analyses showed its high stemness to differentiate into other EC subtypes and potential to modulate inflammation and angiogenesis via excretion of signal molecules. We therefore identified X-box binding protein 1 (Xbp1) as a key modulator in the healing EC phenotype. In vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed its pro-angiogenic roles under both physiological and pathological conditions. Synchrotron radiation-based propagation contrast imaging further proved that Xbp1 could promote angiogenesis and recover normal vasculature conformation, especially in the corpus striatum and prefrontal cortex under middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) condition.

Conclusions

Our study identified a novel disease-related EC subtype that showed high stemness to differentiate into other EC subtypes. The predicted molecule Xbp1 was thus confirmed as a key modulator that can promote angiogenesis and recover normal vasculature conformation.
Right-sided approach to left bundle branch area pacing combined with atrioventricular node ablation in a patient with persistent left superior vena cava and left bundle branch block: a case report
Authors: Prolič Kalinšek Tine , Žižek David
Published: November 2022

Background

Left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) is an alternative to right ventricular (RV) and biventricular (BiV) pacing in patients scheduled for pace and ablate treatment strategy. However, current delivery sheaths are designed for left-sided implantation, making the right-sided LBBAP lead implantation challenging.

Case presentation

We report a case of a right-sided LBBAP approach via right subclavian vein in a heart failure patient with a persistent left superior vena cava scheduled for pace and ablate treatment of refractory atrial flutter. To enable adequate lead positioning and support for transseptal screwing, the delivery sheath was manually modified with a 90-degree curve at the right subclavian vein and superior vena cava junction to allow right-sided implantation. The distance between the reshaping point and the presumed septal region was estimated by placing the sheath on the body surface under fluoroscopy. With the reshaping of the delivery sheath, we were able to achieve LBBAP with relatively minimal torque. Radiofrequency ablation of the atrioventricular node was performed the next day and the pacing parameters remained stable in short-term follow-up.

Conclusion

With the modification of currently available tools, LBBAP can be performed with the right-sided approach.
Left atrial strain for predicting recurrence in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation after catheter ablation: a single-center two-dimensional speckle tracking retrospective study
Authors: Li Yuanzhi , Li Yidan , Sun Lanlan , Ye Xiaoguang , Cai Qizhe , Zhu Weiwei , Guo Dichen , Ding Xueyan , Wang Jiangtao , Lv Xiuzhang
Published: November 2022

Background

Although catheter ablation (CA) is an effective treatment for non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF), a good many of patients still have a recurrence following post-operation. Prediction of AF recurrence by evaluating left atrial (LA) phase function with speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) may be helpful for risk stratification and clinical management for AF patients. Therefore, the current study aimed to assess the prognostic value of LA strains in non-valvular AF patients after CA.

Methods

A total of 95 non-valvular AF patients (70.5% paroxysmal AF, 56.8% males, mean age 63.2 ± 9.7 years) were included in this retrospective study between October 2019 and August 2020. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed in all the subjects and STE was used to analyze the LA reservoir strain (LASr), LA conduit strain (LAScd) and LA contractile strain (LASct) during different phases before CA. Patients were followed up with until January 2022. The endpoint was AF recurrence.

Results

Over a median follow-up period of 26.0 months (interquartile range, 24.7–26.7 months), 26 patients experienced recurrence and 69 stayed in sinus rhythm. Compared with no-recurrence group, maximum volume of LA (LAVmax), minimum volume of LA (LAVmin) and LA volume index (LAVI) were increased in the recurrence group, while LAEF, LASr and LASct were worsened (P < 0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that LASct was an independent predictor of AF recurrence (odds ratio, 0.89; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.82–0.97; P = 0.007) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed an area under the curve of LASct<8% was 0.70 (95% CI, 0.59–0.79; P = 0.0008).

Conclusions

LASct was of independent predictive value of AF recurrence. LA function assessed by STE may contribute to the risk stratification for AF patients and selection of suitable patients for CA.
Analysis of risk factors related to extremely and very preterm birth: a retrospective study
Authors: Ji Xiaohong , Wu Chengqian , Chen Min , Wu Lili , Li Ting , Miao Zhijing , Lv Yan , Ding Hongjuan
Published: November 2022

Background:

Preterm birth is one of the main causes of perinatal morbidity and mortality and imposes a heavy burden on families and society. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors and analyze birth conditions and complications of newborns born at < 32 gestational weeks for extremely preterm (EP) and very preterm (VP) birth in the clinic to further extend the gestational period.

Methods:

We performed a retrospective cohort study and collected data from 1598 pregnant women and 1660 premature newborns (excluding 229 premature babies who died due to severe illness and abandonment) admitted to the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University in China from 2016 to 2020. We compared women’s and newborns’ characteristics by t-tests and Chi-square tests for continuous and categorical variables, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to estimate the effects of risk factors on EP and VP birth.

Results:

We identified 3 independent risk factors for EP birth: cervical incompetency (P < 0.001); multiple pregnancy (P < 0.01), primipara (P < 0.001). Additionally, we identified 4 independent risk factors for VP birth: gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (P < 0.05), preterm premature rupture of membrane (PPROM) (P < 0.01), fetal intrauterine distress (P < 0.001), and hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy (HDCP) (P < 0.001). In addition, pairwise comparisons revealed statistically significant differences in the incidence rates of neonatal pneumonia, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and sepsis between the 28–28 + 6 and 29–29 + 6 weeks of gestation groups (P < 0.05). Compared with 28–28 + 6 weeks of gestation, neonatal complications were significantly more common at < 26 weeks of gestation (P < 0.05). The incidence rates of neonatal intracranial hemorrhage(NICH), patent ductus arteriosus(PDA), patent foramen ovale(PFO), pneumonia, BPD and sepsis were significantly higher in the 26–26 + 6 and 27–27 + 6 gestational weeks than in the 28–28 + 6 gestational weeks (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

PPROM, is the most common risk factor for EP and VP birth, and cervical insufficiency, multiple pregnancy, and primipara are independent risk factors for EP birth. Therefore, during pregnancy, attention should be devoted to the risk factors for PPROM, and reproductive tract infection should be actively prevented to reduce the occurrence of PPROM. Identifying the risk factors for cervical insufficiency, actively intervening before pregnancy, and cervical cervix ligation may be considered to reduce the occurrence of EP labor. For iatrogenic preterm birth, the advantages and disadvantages should be carefully weighed, and the gestational period should be extended beyond 28 weeks to enhance the safety of the mother and child and to improve the outcomes of preterm birth.
Perinatal outcomes associated with ICP in twin pregnancies were worse than singletons: an almost 5-year retrospective cohort study
Authors: Xu Tingting , Deng Chunyan , Zhan Yongchi , Hu Qing , Huang Guiqiong , Wang Xing , Guo Bing , Yu Haiyan , Wang Xiaodong
Published: November 2022

Background

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is associated with an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes leading to high perinatal morbidity and mortality. However, few studies have examined twin pregnancies complicated by ICP. To assess the perinatal outcomes of twin pregnancies with ICP, a retrospective cohort study was conducted.

Methods

A total of 633 twin pregnancies and 1267 singleton pregnancies with ICP were included. In addition, a correlation study was performed on the matched total bile acid (TBA) levels from maternal serum, fetal umbilical venous blood, and amniotic fluid of 33 twin pregnancies from twin groups.

Results

When compared to singletons, twin pregnancies with ICP had a higher risk of cesarean section (CS) (96.4% vs. 76.1%), preterm birth (PTB) (82.6% vs. 19.7%), fetal distress (2.0% vs. 1.3%), and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission (23.6% vs. 5.1%), which was significantly related to increasing TBA levels (P < 0.05). In twin pregnancies with TBA ≥100 μmol/L, the incidences of CS, PTB, fetal distress, neonatal asphyxia, and meconium-stained amniotic fluid were 94.4, 100, 11.1, 5.6, and 36.1%, respectively. Furthermore, the maximum maternal TBA levels were positively correlated with TBA levels in the amniotic fluid (r = 0.61, P < 0.05) and umbilical cord blood (r = 0.44, P < 0.05), and a similar correlation was found for maternal TBA levels at delivery. TBA levels in umbilical cord blood and amniotic fluid also had a significant and positive correlation (r = 0.52, P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Twin pregnancies with ICP had a higher risk for adverse perinatal outcomes than singletons, which was associated with higher TBA levels. TBA can be transported through the placenta and is involved in uterus-placenta-fetal circulation.