bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Repeatedly Encountered Descriptions of Wrongdoing Seem More True but Less Unethical: Evidence in a Naturalistic Setting
Authors: Pillai Raunak M. , Fazio Lisa K. , Effron Daniel A.
Published: July 2023

When news about moral transgressions goes viral on social media, the same person may repeatedly encounter identical reports about a wrongdoing. In a longitudinal experiment ( N = 607 U.S. adults from Mechanical Turk), we found that these repeated encounters can affect moral judgments. As participants went about their lives, we text-messaged them news headlines describing corporate wrongdoings (e.g., a cosmetics company harming animals). After 15 days, they rated these wrongdoings as less unethical than new wrongdoings. Extending prior laboratory research, these findings reveal that repetition can have a lasting effect on moral judgments in naturalistic settings, that affect plays a key role, and that increasing the number of repetitions generally makes moral judgments more lenient. Repetition also made fictitious descriptions of wrongdoing seem truer, connecting this moral-repetition effect with past work on the illusory-truth effect. The more times we hear about a wrongdoing, the more we may believe it—but the less we may care.
Assessing charcoal and phytolith signals for pre-Columbian land-use based on modern indigenous activity areas in the Upper Xingu, Amazonia
Authors: Watling Jennifer , Schmidt Morgan , Heckenberger Michael , Lima Helena , Moraes Bruno , Waura Kumessi , Kuikuro Huke , Kuikuro Taku Wate , Kuikuro Utu , Kuikuro Afukaka
Published: July 2023

The nature and extent of past indigenous transformations in the Amazon basin is an actively debated topic, and one that has important implications for both conservation policy and the cultural heritage of its indigenous and traditional populations. The use of charcoal and phytoliths to measure past human impacts in non-lacustrine settings has become especially influential in this debate but has also generated disagreement among scholars regarding the possible limits of these proxies for detecting ancient land-use. To contribute empirical data to this issue, our paper presents the first attempt to study charcoal and phytolith signals from areas of modern indigenous land-use, in the Xingu Indigenous Territory, southern Amazonia. Our findings show that, while charcoal and early successional herb phytoliths are good indicators of land-use intensity, certain types of land-use leave subtler traces in the phytolith record that can hinder their detection. We demonstrate how using finer sampling resolution and comparing local proxy data on their own terms are necessary steps in order to identify trends in human land-use across time and space.
Documenting the Document: The Forensic Hospital Report and Its Knowledge Moves
Authors: King Tyler J , Shaw Joshua DM , Kennedy Liam
Published: July 2023

Drawing on case files from a Canadian provincial review board tasked with determining the disposition of persons found ‘not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder’, we explore the role of the forensic hospital report in the production of medico-legal risk knowledges. Through a detailed case study, we show how the report's content and particular material form allow the Board to produce the ‘significantly threatening individual’ – the very thing the Board (and report) are meant to presuppose. We therefore call on scholars to document their documents, and, in the spirit of actor-network theory (ANT), to analytically treat socio-legal objects as active participants in knowledge's creation. By accounting for the ‘knowledge moves’ the hospital report might allow, encourage, or prohibit human actors to make, we hope even ANT sceptics can use these tools to better understand various legal decision-making processes and their effects.
Typologies and Features of Play in Mobile Games for Mental Wellbeing
Authors: Reay Emma , Ma Minhua , Krzywinska Tanya , Pavarini Gabriela , Hugh-Jones Siobhan , Mankee-Williams Anna , Belinskiy Anton , Bhui Kamaldeep
Published: July 2023

Background

The smartphone market is saturated with apps and games purporting to promote mental wellness. There has been a significant number of studies assessing the impact of these digital interventions.

Motivation

The majority of review papers solely focussed on the impact of strict rules and award systems of the apps. There is comparatively little attention paid to other game techniques designed to encourage creativity, a lusory attitude, and playful experiences.

Results

This gap is addressed in this paper in a consideration and analysis of a purposive selection of six mobile games marketed for wellbeing, our focus is on both external and internal motivations that these games offer. Our specific interest is how these games balance rule-based play with creativity. We find that ludic play is a highly-structured, rule-bound, goal-oriented play, in contrast to paedic play which a freeform, imaginative, and expressive. We argue that while ludic play is purposed towards the promotion of habit formation and generates feelings of accomplishment, it nonetheless relies heavily on extrinsic motivation to incentivise engagement. By contrast, paidic play, specifically role-playing, improvisation, and the imaginative co-creation of fictional game worlds, can be used effectively in these games to facilitate self-regulation, self-distancing, and therefore provides intrinsically-motivated engagement. In the context of games for mental wellbeing, ludic play challenges players to complete therapeutic exercises, while paidic play offers a welcoming refuge from real world pressures and the opportunity to try on alternate selves.

Conclusion

Our intention is not to value paidic play over ludic play, but to consider how these two play modalities can complement and counterbalance each other to generate more effective engagement.
Clinical Implications of Microscopic Colitis Isolated to Polyps
Authors: Miller Caroline , Whitney-Miller Christa , Ettel Mark G.
Published: July 2023

Microscopic colitis is generally identified on random colon biopsies performed for chronic diarrhea, but rarely incidental polyps have histologic features of microscopic colitis. We compared patients with polypoid microscopic colitis to control patients with conventional polyps to determine the implications of polypoid microscopic colitis.

Medical records were searched for patients without prior or concurrent microscopic colitis who were found to have polypoid microscopic colitis. For each patient with polypoid microscopic colitis, one patient with conventional polyps was selected as a control. We reviewed the histologic features of each polypoid microscopic colitis specimen, and evaluated endoscopic and clinical findings for polypoid microscopic colitis patients and controls.

Twenty-six patients with polypoid microscopic colitis were identified with histologic features of collagenous colitis in 8 patients (31%) and lymphocytic colitis in 18 patients (69%). Polypoid microscopic colitis was unifocal in 14 patients (54%) and multifocal in 12 patients (46%). Patients with polypoid microscopic colitis were older than control patients (median age = 60 years vs 66 years, P = .04). On follow-up 7 patients with polypoid microscopic colitis (33%) developed chronic diarrhea compared to 3 (12%) controls ( P = .16). Of patients with follow-up biopsies, 1 patient with polypoid microscopic colitis (13%) and no control patients developed microscopic colitis ( P = 1).

Polypoid microscopic colitis may be identified in asymptomatic patients and most patients do not develop chronic diarrhea, but some patients with polypoid microscopic colitis develop diarrhea (33% vs 12% in controls) or conventional microscopic colitis on follow-up. Thus pathologists should distinguish polypoid microscopic colitis from conventional microscopic colitis but may inform clinicians of the uncertain association with chronic diarrhea to guide decisions regarding follow-up.
Adaptive fixed-time control based on super-twisting disturbance observer for manipulators
Authors: Zhang Xin , Shi Ran , Quan Ying
Published: July 2023

For the high control performance of the manipulator system, a fixed-time control algorithm based on a super-twisting disturbance observer (STDO) is designed in this paper. Firstly, an STDO is proposed to process the disturbance and then compensate the system with feedforward for the issue that the lumped disturbance is difficult to determine. On this basis, the fixed-time sliding mode (SM) surface and adaptive reaching law are designed. The reaching law gains are changed by the adaptive law to enhance the robustness and anti-interference of the system. Meanwhile, the Lyapunov theory is used to examine the stability of the closed-loop system, and it is shown that the system state can converge to a specific area during the sliding and reaching phases. Finally, the superiority and effectiveness of the control strategy raised in this work are verified by simulation.
Income Taxes and Political Accountability
Authors: Nupia Oskar
Published: July 2023

The idea that paying taxes makes politicians more accountable to citizens has long drawn the attention of scholars. This article contributes to the understanding of this relationship from a novel perspective: that it is elections rather than negotiations between politicians and elites—as most of the previous literature has assumed—that serve as the primary mechanism by which citizens discipline politicians. I build a voting agency model that considers two effects of income taxes on voters’ decisions: how changes in voters’ disposable income affect their political demands and how increments in tax revenues affect voters’ beliefs about the ability of institutions to affect incumbents’ decisions. I find that increments in taxes always strengthen voters’ political demands. Nevertheless, it would not necessarily prove useful for disciplining incumbents—in terms of a higher expected provision of public goods and lower captured rents. Gains in political accountability, in turn, positively affect the equilibrium income tax rate.
The Limitations of Hashtag Feminist Activism on South African Twitter: A Case Study of #MenAreTrash and #WomenAreTrash
Authors: Reneses Pablo A. , Bosch Tanja
Published: July 2023

Social media has become a central arena for debates around feminism and gender in South Africa. One recent example can be found in the hashtag #MenAreTrash, which has been a trending topic multiple times on South African Twitter. However, despite the prevalence of gender-based violence in the country, these conversations have also come under strong criticism, especially from men. Existing literature on social media expressions of misogyny and anti-feminism has primarily focused on North American and European case studies. This article expands existing literature by analyzing men’s reactions to the #MenAreTrash hashtag and highlighting the role and backlash against feminism in South Africa. Based on a thematic analysis of 600 tweets, this article explores the discursive strategies employed by South African cisgender men on Twitter in response to the #MenAreTrash hashtag. Beyond some marginal yet relevant examples of reflexibility and allyship, the overwhelmingly negative response from men online, as found by the study, reflected a lack of self-reflection about their masculinity. The article provides additional insights into the role of digital feminist activism in shaping networked masculinities in the South African context.
Acute angle-closure related with choroidal metastasis from lung adenocarcinoma: A case report and literature review
Authors: Kuo Chen-Jung , Hung Chih-Heng , Tu Pei-Ning , Chen Yi-Chun
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Acute angle-closure is a rare manifestation of choroidal metastasis. We reported a case of choroidal metastasis from lung adenocarcinoma presenting with unilateral acute angle-closure attacks relieved with radiotherapy after failed conventional medical and laser treatments. This represented the first detailed report of treatments of secondary acute angle-closure attacks in patients with choroidal metastasis

Case description

A 69-year-old female without ocular history was diagnosed with metastatic lung adenocarcinoma. One month later, she complained of blurred vision and pain in the right eye that lasted 2 days. IOP was 58 mmHg and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was counting finger in the right eye. Slit-lamp examination revealed corneal edema with ciliary congestion, extremely shallow anterior chamber both centrally and peripherally, mid-dilated pupil and moderate cataract in the right eye. While the left eye was normal. B-scan ultrasound and orbital computed tomography showed an appositional choroidal detachment with an underlying choroidal thickening suggesting choroidal metastasis in the right eye. There was limited effect of medical and laser therapy. IOP was 9 mmHg in the right eye after two months of palliative external beam radiotherapy in the right orbit. BCVA was hand motion in the right eye. Slit lamp examination revealed clear cornea, deep anterior chamber in the right eye. Regression of choroidal detachment and choroidal metastasis in the right eye were observed in B-scan ultrasound.

Conclusion

This case demonstrated that patient with secondary acute angle-closure attacks from large bullous choroidal detachment related to choroidal metastasis could only be successfully treated with radiotherapy as both medical and laser therapy might not be capable of breaking angle-closure attacks.
Changes in the uninjected contralateral eye after intravitreal brolucizumab for exudative age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Mora Paolo , Bellucci Carlo , Radice Lorenzo M. , Manzotti Francesca , Gandolfi Stefano
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Herein we describe the change in the amount of macular oedema in one eye after contralateral intravitreal brolucizumab injections in a patient with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

Case Report

A patient with bilateral nAMD underwent intravitreal bevacizumab injections in both eyes with little improvement in the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular exudation. The treatment was switched to aflibercept, but there was incomplete drying of the macula in both eyes. After uneventful cataract extraction, the central macular thickness (CMT) increased markedly in the operated left eye (LE), which was unresponsive to subtenon triamcinolone and further intravitreal aflibercept. Cataract surgery was also performed in the right eye (RE) combined with an intravitreal sustained-release dexamethasone implant. Nevertheless, the CMT increased. Intravitreal brolucizumab injections were performed in the RE with almost complete disappearance of the oedema in the treated eye. Concurrently, the contralateral uninjected eye showed a remarkable decrease in CMT. Five months after the first brolucizumab injection, the macular exudation increased again in both eyes. A second brolucizumab injection was performed in the RE only, and was followed by a prompt reduction in CMT in both the injected RE and uninjected LE.

Conclusions

Although contralateral retinal changes have been described for many other vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors, there is little evidence for brolucizumab. We describe a repeated dose- and time-related effect on the uninjected eye in a case of nAMD.
Accusing the opponent of divinity violations in intergroup conflicts: Bystander reactions to harmfulness and underdog status as a function of the autonomy–divinity discrepancy
Authors: Yalçın Özgen , Pratto Felicia
Published: July 2023

We experimentally investigated psychological responses of bystanders to violations of moral codes to find out why divinity violations may be more effective for gaining victimhood status than autonomy violations in real-world intergroup conflicts. In particular, we considered how anger versus disgust responses are differentially invoked by violations of autonomy versus divinity ethics. Two experiments compared autonomy versus divinity violations in interaction with two other parameters known to produce different effects: level of harm (Experiment 1) and differential intergroup power (Experiment 2). Overall, we found support for the proposed dissociation in anger versus disgust responses to autonomy versus divinity violations in a way that the anger responses to autonomy violations were amplified but disgust responses to divinity violations were not affected when the moral violation was more harmful and the perpetrator was more powerful than the victim. We discuss the implications of the cognitive processes involved in considering autonomy versus divinity violations, and the functionality for parties to intergroup conflict of accusing the opponent of divinity violations.
Racial disparities in lower extremity orthopaedic injuries presenting to U.S. emergency departments from 2010 to 2020
Authors: Gupta Arjun , Singh Priya , Badin Daniel , Mo Kevin C , Greenberg Marc , Musharbash Farah N , Hughes Alice J , Ficke James R , Aiyer Amiethab A
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Racial and ethnic disparities remain a major problem in orthopedic surgery, driving inequitable resource distribution, disparate clinical outcomes, and increased healthcare costs. The objective of this study was to investigate potential racial/ethnic disparities in the incidence and injury patterns of orthopedic lower extremity trauma (LET) in the United States over the past 10 years, as well as differences in final disposition outcomes.

Materials and Methods

The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database was queried for all orthopedic LET presenting to U.S. emergency departments from 2010 to 2020. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) were used to compare incidence rates between racial/ethnic groups. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to compare disposition outcomes.

Results

Black/African Americans (Black/AAs) consistently experienced the highest incidence of LET over the 10-year period analyzed (709.108 per 100,000 person-years), followed by Whites (547.159 per 100,000 person-years). Furthermore, Black/AAs had the highest incidence of polytrauma (114.19 per 100,000 person-years), over 1.7x greater than Whites (IRR: 1.73 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.72–1.75]). Black/AAs had over 2-fold higher odds of death after LET compared to Whites (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.15 [95% CI: 1.78–2.59]). By 2019 to 2020, the incidence of deaths among Black/AAs reached more than triple that of Whites (IRR: 3.50 [95% CI: 2.74–4.46]). Black/AAs were also the most likely to be discharged against medical advice (AMA) (aOR: 1.94 [95% CI: 1.92–1.96]), and the least likely to be admitted as inpatients (aOR: 0.683 [95% CI: 0.679–0.688]).

Conclusions

Despite Black/AAs experiencing a disproportionately higher incidence of LET and over 2-fold greater odds of death compared to Whites, they were also the most likely to be discharged AMA and least likely to be admitted as inpatients. Understanding the effects of conscious/unconscious biases and the importance of effective communication and patient education may help physicians ensure that injuries in this patient population are not prematurely discharged, potentially improving clinical outcomes, and reducing mortality.

Level of Evidence

III.
The politicization of European integration and support for restrictive migration policies
Authors: Hlatky Roman
Published: July 2023

Why do individuals in Central and Eastern Europe support parties and candidates that hold restrictive positions on migration? I argue that the mobilization of public opinion against the European integration of external migration management is a cause. To test, I employ an experiment in Slovakia that combines a between-subjects experiment with a candidate-choice conjoint. Results indicate strong support for restrictive migration policies generally and that ideology moderates reactions to messages about European Union influence. In response to these messages, liberals shift toward restrictive policy preferences; conservatives do not. These differential effects suggest that messages about European Union influence run up against ceiling effects, where entrenched anti-migration preferences prevent attitudinal change. This paper identifies the limited set of conditions under which the mobilization of public opinion against European integration influences attitudes and electoral preferences.
No Support for Two Hypotheses About the Communicative Functions of Displaying Disgust: Evidence From Turkey, Norway, Germany, and Croatia
Authors: Al-Shawaf Laith , Lewis David M. G. , Ghossainy Maliki E. , Kennair Leif Edward Ottesen , Mikloušić Igor , Schwarz Sascha , White Kaitlyn P.
Published: July 2023

In recent years, researchers have discovered much about how disgust works, its neural basis, its relationship with immune function, its connection with mating, and some of its antecedents and consequents. Despite these advances in our understanding, an under-explored area is how disgust may be used to serve a communicative function, including how individuals might strategically downplay or exaggerate the disgust display in front of different audiences. Here, we generated two hypotheses about potential communicative functions of disgust, and tested these hypotheses in four countries (Turkey, Croatia, Germany, and Norway). We found no evidence in support of either hypothesis in any country. Discussion focuses on the likely falsity of the two central hypotheses, alternative interpretations of our findings, and directions for future research.
Indocyanin Green Fluorescence Evaluation of Colonic Perfusion During Elective Open Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair
Authors: Tam Adam , Abdel-Rahim Ahmed , Dix Francis , Barwell Jamie , Mittapalli Devender
Published: July 2023

Objectives

Colonic ischaemia is a rare but devastating complication of open aortic aneurysm repair and is associated with high morbidity and a mortality of up to 50%. The aim of this study was to determine the safety and effectiveness of using indocyanin green florescence (ICG) to interrogate colonic perfusion intra-operatively.

Design

Prospective observational study.

Methods

All elective open abdominal aneurysm repairs over a 6 month period underwent colonic perfusion interrogation with ICG according to a pre-defined protocol. Patient demographics and imaging findings were recorded prior to surgery. ICG was given just prior to laparotomy closure. Time to florescence was measured from the start of IV administration to surgeon defined maximal florescence of the sigmoid colon.

Results

Ten patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. All patients were male with an average age of 69.7 years. Inferior mesenteric artery reimplantation was performed in 5 patients. Median colonic fluorescence time was 58 s. No complications related to ICG were identified. A single patient had clinical concern of colonic ischaemia and delayed perfusion (>3 min) on ICG; colorectal opinion advised not for immediate resection. At relook laparotomy, ischaemic colon at the area of demarcation was noted and a Hartmann’s procedure was performed. No other patients had delayed perfusion and no further episodes of colonic ischaemia were noted. IMA reimplantation did not show statistical difference in colonic ICG time ( P = .81, 95% CI -1.98 to 2.45). There was no statistical difference between operating times between the cohort and all repairs performed 6 months before the data collection ( P = .59, 95% CI -.73 to 1.24).

Conclusion

In this pilot study ICG appears to be a safe and useful adjunct in objective assessment of colonic perfusion during open AAA repair. Further research is required to fully determine its role in this cohort of patients.
Research on the improvement of tilt characteristics for the axial piston pump cylinder block based on the magnetic auxiliary support for distributing pair
Authors: Zhang Biao , Du Boran , Xiang Dong , Jiang Jihai
Published: July 2023

Due to the unbalanced effect of force and torque on the axial piston pump cylinder block, a wedge angle of oil film exists between the valve plate and the cylinder block. The cylinder block tilt seriously affects the oil film and the distributing pair lubrication state, leading to boundary lubrication appears in some cases. To reduce the impact of the tilt on the cylinder block of axial piston pump, the magnetic auxiliary support (MAS) for the pair is proposed. The MAS reduces the overturning torque on the cylinder block by the auxiliary magnetic support. Then the tilt characteristics of the cylinder block are improved. In this paper, the cylinder block overturning torque equations under the support of MAS are established, and the improvement of overturning torque is analyzed. An experimental platform was constructed to measure the thickness of the oil film of the pair and test the tilt of the cylinder block. The experimental results showed that the MAS can effectively improve the tilt of the cylinder block and the performance of the axial piston pump. This method has certain reference significance for the research of axial piston pumps.
‘These people are conning us’: Australia’s Medevac laws and the biopolitical production of the ‘malingering’ refugee
Authors: Gillespie Liam
Published: July 2023

This article examines the effect Australia’s ‘Medevac’ legislation had on the way refugees were depicted by the Liberal-National Coalition and Australian Labor Party in their debate about immigration detention and border security. I argue that by enabling medical evacuations for people detained offshore, Medevac shifted debate about refugees and border security into the realm of the biomedical. I maintain this resulted in the biopolitical production of the figure of the malingering refugee, who falsifies illness to cross the border. While both parties produced this pejorative category, what distinguished them was the degree to which they believed malingering applicants could be rendered ‘ known’ via the medical border. For the ALP, Medevac could recruit the purported ‘objectivity’ of biomedicine, such that malingering applicants could be identified, and border security thereby supposedly maintained. Conversely, for the LNP, no such guarantee could be established, meaning for them, Medevac rendered the border and therefore the nation vulnerable to malingering applicants. Despite their differences, I argue both parties articulated the figure of the malingering refugee for similar nationalistic purposes. Namely, to justify the violence of the Australian border protection regime, while nevertheless simultaneously depicting themselves and the nation as fundamentally ‘good’: not in spite of, but because of their harsh border policing practices. In concluding, this article considers the applicability of its analysis both to the contemporary Australian context and abroad, such as the United States and UK, where similar border protection policies and discourses have emerged.
Homo temporus: Seasonal Cycles as a Fundamental Source of Variation in Human Psychology
Authors: Hohm Ian , Wormley Alexandra S. , Schaller Mark , Varnum Michael E. W.
Published: July 2023

Many animal species exhibit seasonal changes in their physiology and behavior. Yet despite ample evidence that humans are also responsive to seasons, the impact of seasonal changes on human psychology is underappreciated relative to other sources of variation (e.g., personality, culture, development). This is unfortunate because seasonal variation has potentially profound conceptual, empirical, methodological, and practical implications. Here, we encourage a more systematic and comprehensive collective effort to document and understand the many ways in which seasons influence human psychology. We provide an illustrative summary of empirical evidence showing that seasons impact a wide range of affective, cognitive, and behavioral phenomena. We then articulate a conceptual framework that outlines a set of causal mechanisms through which seasons can influence human psychology—mechanisms that reflect seasonal changes not only in meteorological variables but also in ecological and sociocultural variables. This framework may be useful for integrating many different seasonal effects that have already been empirically documented and for generating new hypotheses about additional seasonal effects that have not yet received empirical attention. The article closes with a section that provides practical suggestions to facilitate greater appreciation for, and systematic study of, seasons as a fundamental source of variation in human psychology.
Comparative Study of the Bioactive Constituents of Raw and Ripe Zizyphi Spinosi Semen
Authors: Wang Huiwen , Wu Xueying , Wang Jiongran , Ding Ke
Published: July 2023

High-performance liquid chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometric (HPLC-MS-MS) methods were developed for the analysis of 13 bioactive constituents of Zizyphi Spinosae Semen ( ZSS), and for samples of ZSS fried at different temperatures and from different production areas. The results showed that the content of bioactive constituents increased with the increase in frying time from 65 to 80 min at 150 °C; among the 14 samples of ZSS from different production areas, those from Shanxi Changzhi, Shandong Jining, and Hebei Xingtai had a higher content of bioactive constituents. This analytical method can accurately and quickly analyze the bioactive constituents of ZSS and provide a scientific basis for its quality control.
Discrimination of Sayamakaori and Yabukita Which Are Original Plant Source of Japanese Green Tea and Identification of Specific Compounds for the Former by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Metabolomics Techniques Combined with Isolation by Chromatography Methods
Authors: Sano Aiko , Shibata Takako , Takahasi Atsushi , Yokogawa Takami , Kitamura Masashi , Suzuki Ryuichiro
Published: July 2023

Camellia sinensis leaves are one of the most economically important crops, and various tea cultivars are available in Japan. In the present study, we compared the constituents of Camellia sinensis var. sinensis cv. Yabukita (“Yabukita”), a standard tea cultivar, and those of C. sinensis var. sinensis cv. Sayamakaori (“Sayamakaori”), grown in Saitama Prefecture, using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) metabolomics technology. Principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis of 1H-NMR spectroscopic data of the MeOH extracts of C. sinensis leaves revealed differences in the metabolic profiles of each tea cultivar. Chromatographic separation based on 1H-NMR spectral data showed that kaempferol 3- O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-β-D-glucopyranoside was a distinct component of “Sayamakaori”. This compound can be used as maker for the identification of “Sayamakaori” and the maintenance of its quality.
Pre-operative exercise therapy to increase blood vessel diameter in patients undergoing radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula creation
Authors: Ong Chee Wui , Lo Zhiwen Joseph , Liang Shanying , Hong Qiantai , Zhang Li , Lingam Pravin , Chong Lester , Chandrasekar Sadhana , Tan Glenn Wei Leong , Yong Enming
Published: July 2023

Background

Post-operative upper extremity exercise is recommended to patients with arteriovenous fistulas. It is postulated that increased blood flow to vessels improves maturation and patency rates. Recent studies favour pre-operative exercise therapy to improve the outcomes of arteriovenous fistula creation.

Objectives

To investigate if pre-operative exercise therapy increases vessel diameter and maturation in patients undergoing distal arteriovenous fistula creation.

Methods

34 patients planned for radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula creation were recruited at a tertiary university hospital Vascular Surgery Unit. Patients underwent a 6-week period of self-directed daily upper extremity exercises before surgery. Patients were reviewed up to 6 months post-surgery. The primary outcome investigated was change in venous and arterial diameters following exercise intervention. The secondary outcome investigated was the primary failure rate of the newly created arteriovenous fistulas.

Results

After exercise therapy, mean hand grip strength increased from 20.3 ± 6.62 kg to 21.9 ± 7.16 kg ( p=.01). There was a statistically significant increase in basilic vein diameter amongst those who demonstrated strict compliance to at least 42 days of pre-operative exercise therapy by 0.51 mm from 3.23 ± 1.09 mm to 3.74 ± 1.31 mm ( p=.03). Primary failure rate of newly created radiocephalic arteriovenous fistulas was 25% (7 of 28), comparable to our previous series of 436 distal arteriovenous fistulas created which had a failure rate of 26%.

Conclusions

There was a trend of increase in vein diameters after pre-operative exercise therapy. Although not statistically significant, patients with successful arteriovenous fistula creation had longer mean completion of exercise days.
Teaching Traditional and Transformed Versions of Culturally Diverse Musics With Integrity
Authors: Yoo Hyesoo
Published: July 2023

In today’s globally interconnected society, the scope of musics from diverse cultural traditions has grown to embrace many different styles of music, including original/traditional versions and transformed versions (e.g., Western arrangements for ensemble versions of culturally diverse musics and contemporary folk music). To properly educate students about different styles of culturally diverse musics, it is important for teachers to understand each style and gain specific instructional strategies before being able to teach them in a respectful way. In this article, I provide teachers with several steps to prepare to teach culturally diverse musics (i.e., research, resources, evaluation, and partners). Furthermore, I suggest essential considerations for teaching transformed versions with integrity.
γ-2 and GSG1L bind with comparable affinities to the tetrameric GluA1 core
Authors: Yu Chenlu , Runge Hendrik F. P. , Mukhopadhyay Antara , Zolles Gerd , Ulbrich Maximilian H.
Published: July 2023

Background

The AMPA-type ionotropic glutamate receptor mediates fast excitatory neurotransmission in the brain. A variety of auxiliary subunits regulate its gating properties, assembly, and trafficking, but it is unknown if the binding of these auxiliary subunits to the receptor core is dynamically regulated. Here we investigate the interplay of the two auxiliary subunits γ-2 and GSG1L when binding to the AMPA receptor composed of four GluA1 subunits.

Methods

We use a three-color single-molecule imaging approach in living cells, which allows the direct observation of the receptors and both auxiliary subunits. Colocalization of different colors can be interpreted as interaction of the respective receptor subunits.

Results

Depending on the relative expression levels of γ-2 and GSG1L, the occupancy of binding sites shifts from one auxiliary subunit to the other, supporting the idea that they compete for binding to the receptor. Based on a model where each of the four binding sites at the receptor core can be either occupied by γ-2 or GSG1L, our experiments yield apparent dissociation constants for γ-2 and GSG1L in the range of 2.0–2.5/µm2.

Conclusions

The result that both binding affinities are in the same range is a prerequisite for dynamic changes of receptor composition under native conditions.
Supervised topological data analysis for MALDI mass spectrometry imaging applications
Authors: Klaila Gideon , Vutov Vladimir , Stefanou Anastasios
Published: July 2023

Background

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI MSI) displays significant potential for applications in cancer research, especially in tumor typing and subtyping. Lung cancer is the primary cause of tumor-related deaths, where the most lethal entities are adenocarcinoma (ADC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC). Distinguishing between these two common subtypes is crucial for therapy decisions and successful patient management.

Results

We propose a new algebraic topological framework, which obtains intrinsic information from MALDI data and transforms it to reflect topological persistence. Our framework offers two main advantages. Firstly, topological persistence aids in distinguishing the signal from noise. Secondly, it compresses the MALDI data, saving storage space and optimizes computational time for subsequent classification tasks. We present an algorithm that efficiently implements our topological framework, relying on a single tuning parameter. Afterwards, logistic regression and random forest classifiers are employed on the extracted persistence features, thereby accomplishing an automated tumor (sub-)typing process. To demonstrate the competitiveness of our proposed framework, we conduct experiments on a real-world MALDI dataset using cross-validation. Furthermore, we showcase the effectiveness of the single denoising parameter by evaluating its performance on synthetic MALDI images with varying levels of noise.

Conclusion

Our empirical experiments demonstrate that the proposed algebraic topological framework successfully captures and leverages the intrinsic spectral information from MALDI data, leading to competitive results in classifying lung cancer subtypes. Moreover, the framework’s ability to be fine-tuned for denoising highlights its versatility and potential for enhancing data analysis in MALDI applications.
Transcriptome analysis reveals FABP5 as a key player in the development of chicken abdominal fat, regulated by miR-122-5p targeting
Authors: Zhai Bin , Li Hongtai , Li Shuaihao , Gu Jinxing , Zhang Hongyuan , Zhang Yanhua , Li Hong , Tian Yadong , Li Guoxi , Wang Yongcai
Published: July 2023

Background

The development of abdominal fat and meat quality are closely related and can impact economic efficiency. In this study, we conducted transcriptome sequencing of the abdominal fat tissue of Gushi chickens at 6, 14, 22, and 30 weeks, and selected key miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks related to abdominal fat development through correlation analysis.

Results

A total of 1893 differentially expressed genes were identified. Time series analysis indicated that at around 6 weeks, the development of chicken abdominal fat was extensively regulated by the TGF-β signaling pathway, Wnt signaling pathway, and PPAR signaling pathway. However, at 30 weeks of age, the apoptosis signaling pathway was the most significant, and correlation analysis revealed several genes highly correlated with abdominal fat development, including Fatty Acid Binding Protein 5 (FABP5). Based on miRNA transcriptome data, it was discovered that miR-122-5p is a potential target miRNA for FABP5. Cell experiments showed that miR-122-5p can directly target FABP5 to promote the differentiation of preadipocytes.

Conclusion

The present study confirms that the key gene FABP5 and its target gene miR-122-5p are critical regulatory factors in the development of chicken abdominal fat. These results provide new insights into the molecular regulatory mechanisms associated with the development of abdomen-al fat in chickens.
A robust immune-related gene pairs signature for predicting the overall survival of esophageal cancer
Authors: Zheng Wei , Fang Gaofeng , Huang Qiao , Shi Dan , Xie Biao
Published: July 2023

Background

Identifying reliable biomarkers could effectively predict esophagus carcinoma (EC) patients with poor prognosis. In this work, we constructed an immune-related gene pairs (IRGP) signature to evaluate the prognosis of EC.

Results

The IRGP signature was trained by the TCGA cohort and validated by three GEO datasets, respectively. Cox regression model together with LASSO was applied to construct the overall survival (OS) associated IRGP. 21 IRGPs consisting of 38 immune-related genes were included in our signature, according to which patients were stratified into high- and low-risk groups. The results of Kaplan-Meier survival analyses indicated that high-risk EC patients had worse OS than low-risk group in the training set, meta-validation set and all independent validation datasets. After adjustment in multivariate Cox analyses, our signature continued to be an independent prognostic factor of EC and the signature-based nomogram could effectively predict the prognosis of EC sufferers. Besides, Gene Ontology analysis revealed this signature is related to immunity. ‘CIBERSORT’ analysis revealed the infiltration levels of plasma cells and activated CD4 memory T cells in two risk groups were significantly different. Ultimately, we validated the expression levels of six selected genes from IRGP index in KYSE-150 and KYSE-450.

Conclusions

This IRGP signature could be applied to select EC patients with high mortality risk, thereby improving prospects for the treatment of EC.
Efficacy and safety analysis of angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibition(ARNI)in patients with heart failure: a real-world retrospective study
Authors: Wang Xiaobo , Pu Jun , Wang Guixia , Xu Hui , Liu Liming , Li Zhen , Qin Ruijie , Zhao Xuemei , Li Ming , Hao Zedong , Hu Houxiang
Published: July 2023

Background

In a large randomized controlled trial (PARADIGM-HF), ARNI has been shown to significantly reduce cardiovascular mortality and hospitalization for patients with reduced ejection fraction in heart failure. This study analyzed the efficacy and safety of ARNI on the basis of various types of heart failure patients in southwestern Sichuan Province.

Methods

This study included patients with heart failure who were treated at the Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College from July 2017 to June 2021. This study analyzed the efficacy and safety of ARNI in the treatment of heart failure, and analyzed the risk factors for readmission after ARNI treatment.

Results

After propensity score matching, a total of 778 patients were included in the study. The readmission rate for heart failure in patients treated with ARNI (8.7%) was significantly lower than that in the standard treatment group (14.5%) (P = 0.023). Both the proportion of patients with increased LVEF and with decreased LVEF were higher in the ARNI treatment group than in the conventional therapy group. Compared with receiving standard medical treatment, combined ARNI treatment resulted in a greater reduction in SBP (-10.00, 95%CI: -24.00-1.50 vs. -7.00, 95%CI: -20.00-4.14; P = 0.016) in HF patients. Combination ARNI therapy did not increase the risk of adverse events. The study found that age (> 65 vs. ≤65 years) (OR = 4.038, 95%CI: 1.360-13.641, P = 0.013) and HFrEF (OR = 3.162, 95%CI: 1.028–9.724, P = 0.045) were independent predictors of readmission in HF patients treated with ARNI.

Conclusion

Patients with heart failure treated with ARNI can improve clinical symptoms and reduce the risk of readmitted hospital admission. Age > ~ 65 years and HFrEF were independent predictors of readmission in HF patients treated in ARNI group.
Whānau Māori and Pacific peoples’ knowledge, perceptions, expectations and solutions regarding antibiotic treatment of upper respiratory tract infections: a qualitative study
Authors: Thaggard S , Reid S , Chan AHY , White C , Fraser L , Arroll BA , Best E , Whittaker R , Wells S , Thomas MG , Ritchie SR
Published: July 2023

Introduction

The rate of community antibiotic use is high in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) when compared to other nations, and in NZ, as in most other nations, antibiotics are very commonly prescribed for self-limiting upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). Resources that build knowledge, perceptions and understanding can potentially reduce unnecessary antibiotic consumption.

Methods

To inform the content of educational resources, we conducted an in-depth qualitative study with 47 participants via 6 focus groups of the knowledge, attitudes, and expectations of whānau Māori and Pacific peoples about antibiotics and URTIs.

Results

Focus groups with 47 participants identified four themes: Knowledge that might influence expectations to receive antibiotics for URTIs; Perceptions - the factors that influence when and why to seek medical care for URTI; Expectations - the features of successful medical care for URTI; Solutions - how to build community knowledge about URTI and their treatment and prevention. Knowledge that might reduce expectations to receive antibiotics for URTI included confidence in the use of alternative remedies, knowledge that URTI are usually caused by viruses, and concerns about antibiotic adverse effects. Participants commonly reported that they would confidently accept their doctor’s recommendation that an antibiotic was not necessary for an URTI, provided that a thorough assessment had been performed and that treatment decisions were clearly communicated.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that building patients’ knowledge and skills about when antibiotics are necessary, and increasing doctors’ confidence and willingness not to prescribe an antibiotic for patients with an URTI, could significantly reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescribing in NZ.
Estimating hepatitis B virus prevalence among key population groups for European Union and European Economic Area countries and the United Kingdom: a modelling study
Authors: Trickey Adam , Bivegete Sandra , Duffell Erika , McNaughton Anna L. , Nerlander Lina , Walker Josephine G. , Fraser Hannah , Hickman Matthew , Vickerman Peter , Brooks-Pollock Ellen , Christensen Hannah
Published: July 2023

Background

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) epidemiology in Europe differs by region and population risk group, and data are often incomplete. We estimated chronic HBV prevalence as measured by surface antigen (HBsAg) among general and key population groups for each country in the European Union, European Economic Area and the United Kingdom (EU/EEA/UK), including where data are currently unavailable.

Methods

We combined data from a 2018 systematic review (updated in 2021), data gathered directly by the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) from EU/EEA countries and the UK and further country-level data. We included data on adults from the general population, pregnant women, first time blood donors (FTBD), men who have sex with men (MSM), prisoners, people who inject drugs (PWID), and migrants from 2001 to 2021, with three exceptions made for pre-2001 estimates. Finite Mixture Models (FMM) and Beta regression were used to predict country and population group HBsAg prevalence. A separate multiplier method was used to estimate HBsAg prevalence among the migrant populations within each country, due to biases in the data available.

Results

There were 595 included studies from 31 countries (N = 41,955,969 people): 66 were among the general population (mean prevalence ($$\stackrel{-}{p}$$) 1.3% [range: 0.0-7.6%]), 52 among pregnant women ($$\stackrel{-}{p}=$$1.1% [0.1–5.3%]), 315 among FTBD ($$\stackrel{-}{p}=$$0.3% [0.0-6.2%]), 20 among MSM ($$\stackrel{-}{p}=$$1.7% [0.0-11.2%]), 34 among PWID ($$\stackrel{-}{p}=$$3.9% [0.0-16.9%]), 24 among prisoners ($$\stackrel{-}{p}=$$2.9% [0.0-10.7%]), and 84 among migrants ($$\stackrel{-}{p}=$$7.0% [0.2–37.3%]). The FMM grouped countries into 3 classes. We estimated HBsAg prevalence among the general population to be < 1% in 24/31 countries, although it was higher in 7 Eastern/Southern European countries. HBsAg prevalence among each population group was higher in most Eastern/Southern European than Western/Northern European countries, whilst prevalence among PWID and prisoners was estimated at > 1% for most countries. Portugal had the highest estimated prevalence of HBsAg among migrants (5.0%), with the other highest prevalences mostly seen in Southern Europe.

Conclusions

We estimated HBV prevalence for each population group within each EU/EAA country and the UK, with general population HBV prevalence to be < 1% in most countries. Further evidence is required on the HBsAg prevalence of high-risk populations for future evidence synthesis.