bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Queering the Responsibility to Protect
Authors: Gifkins Jess , Cooper-Cunningham Dean
Published: July 2023

Research on the Responsibility to Protect has become increasingly intersectional with over two decades of research; however, there remains a blind spot on the persecution of queer people. This is surprising given that queer people have been persecuted in atrocity crimes as far back as the Holocaust. While the field of genocide studies has recently begun to engage with this area, we frame queer persecution more broadly around the four R2P crimes. In this article we set out the rationale and urgency for including a queer lens in the prevention of atrocity crimes. This is not only about a focus on queer people; we argue for a queer politics and ethics that ceaselessly interrogates all relations of power. We outline the scale of the gap in academic research, policy and state understandings of R2P. Since R2P is often framed as a foreign policy matter by western states, with the global South as the object of R2P, we include two case-studies on escalating persecution against LGBTI+ people in Europe: the United Kingdom and Hungary. We argue that the R2P research and policy communities should remove what we call the ‘cishetronormative blindfold’ and engage more broadly with intersectional approaches to atrocity prevention.
The ‘subaltern speak’: can we, the experts, listen?
Authors: Behera Navnita Chadha
Published: July 2023

Knowledge production in peace and conflict research is marked by a disconnect between its ‘expertise-driven’ research inquiries and lived realities of people across the world. In focusing on what knowledge and whose knowledge counts as legitimate among the diverse stakeholders, the article locates the raison d'être of this gap in the epistemic erasures inflicted by imperial knowledge and its lasting legacies, especially that of privileging the primacy and autonomy of the political over the social institutions in maintaining order. This, along with the limiting epistemes of western modernity explain the state-centrism in governmental and academic expertise, especially in post-colonial societies. The article makes a case for historicizing and decolonizing its epistemes and tools of research, and illustrates how this can be done by drawing on the Kashmir conflict as it unfolded in the early 1990s in the Indian part of Jammu and Kashmir state. In a point of departure from the much-acclaimed question asked by Gayatri Spivak: ‘can the subaltern speak?’, the article argues that the subaltern can speak and has indeed never been silent. So, the question it poses is: can we, the experts, listen?
Two Ways of Representing Specialist Knowledge: Analysing the Botanical Lexicon in Diccionario de la Lengua Española and Diccionario del Español de México
Authors: Camacho-Niño Jesús
Published: July 2023

This article explores the lexicographic codification of botanical knowledge in two general dictionaries: Diccionario de la lengua española (2014 [2021]), produced by the Real Academia Española in Spain, and Diccionario del español de México (2019), published by El Colegio de México. It begins with a historical overview of the inclusion of botanical terminology in general dictionaries by the Real Academia Española and by other authors. Then, it analyses the degree to which the botanical terms included in each dictionary meet the inclusion criteria established. Finally, it focuses on diatechnical labelling and the differences between the two dictionaries in terms of the disciplines to which terms are assigned. This allows us to draw conclusions regarding the representation of this field of knowledge in the two dictionaries and the lexicographic techniques used to produce them.
An Algorithm for Berenstein–Kazhdan Decoration Functions and Trails for Classical Lie Algebras
Authors: Kanakubo Yuki , Koshevoy Gleb , Nakashima Toshiki
Published: July 2023

For a simply connected connected simple algebraic group $G$, it is known that a variety $B_{w_0}^-:=B^-\cap U\overline{w_0}U$ has a geometric crystal structure with a positive structure $\theta ^-_{\textbf{i}}:(\mathbb{C}^{\times })^{l(w_0)}\rightarrow B_{w_0}^-$ for each reduced word $\textbf{i}$ of the longest element $w_0$ of Weyl group. A rational function $\Phi ^h_{BK}=\sum _{i\in I}\Delta _{w_0\Lambda _i,s_i\Lambda _i}$ on $B_{w_0}^-$ is called a half-potential, where $\Delta _{w_0\Lambda _i,s_i\Lambda _i}$ is a generalized minor. Computing $\Phi ^h_{BK}\circ \theta ^-_{\textbf{i}}$ explicitly, we get an explicit form of string cone or polyhedral realization of $B(\infty )$ for the finite dimensional simple Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}=\textrm{Lie}(G)$. In this paper, for an arbitrary reduced word $\textbf{i}$, we give an algorithm to compute the summand $\Delta _{w_0\Lambda _i,s_i\Lambda _i}\circ \theta ^-_{\textbf{i}}$ of $\Phi ^h_{BK}\circ \theta ^-_{\textbf{i}}$ in the case $i\in I$ satisfies that for any weight $\mu $ of $V(-w_0\Lambda _i)$ and $t\in I$, it holds $\langle h_t,\mu \rangle \in \{2,1,0,-1,-2\}$. In particular, if $\mathfrak{g}$ is of type $\textrm{A}_n$, $\textrm{B}_n$, $\textrm{C}_n$ or $\textrm{D}_n$ then all $i\in I$ satisfy this condition so that one can completely calculate $\Phi ^h_{BK}\circ \theta ^-_{\textbf{i}}$. We will also prove that our algorithm works in the case $\mathfrak{g}$ is of type $\textrm{G}_2$.
A call for better validation of opioid overdose risk algorithms
Authors: McElfresh Duncan C , Chen Lucia , Oliva Elizabeth , Joyce Vilija , Rose Sherri , Tamang Suzanne
Published: July 2023

Clinical decision support (CDS) systems powered by predictive models have the potential to improve the accuracy and efficiency of clinical decision-making. However, without sufficient validation, these systems have the potential to mislead clinicians and harm patients. This is especially true for CDS systems used by opioid prescribers and dispensers, where a flawed prediction can directly harm patients. To prevent these harms, regulators and researchers have proposed guidance for validating predictive models and CDS systems. However, this guidance is not universally followed and is not required by law. We call on CDS developers, deployers, and users to hold these systems to higher standards of clinical and technical validation. We provide a case study on two CDS systems deployed on a national scale in the United States for predicting a patient’s risk of adverse opioid-related events: the Stratification Tool for Opioid Risk Mitigation (STORM), used by the Veterans Health Administration, and NarxCare, a commercial system.
FHIR-up! Advancing knowledge from clinical data through application of standardized nursing terminologies within HL7® FHIR®
Authors: Monsen Karen A , Heermann Laura , Dunn-Lopez Karen
Published: July 2023

Health Level 7®’s (HL7) Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources® (FHIR®) is leading new efforts to make data available to healthcare clinicians, administrators, and leaders. Standardized nursing terminologies were developed to enable nursing’s voice and perspective to be visible within the healthcare data ecosystem. The use of these SNTs has been shown to improve care quality and outcomes, and to provide data for knowledge discovery. The role of SNTs in describing assessments and interventions and measuring outcomes is unique in health care, and synergistic with the purpose and goals of FHIR. FHIR acknowledges nursing as a discipline of interest and yet the use of SNTs within the FHIR ecosystem is rare. The purpose of this article is to describe FHIR, SNTs, and the potential for synergy in the use of SNTs with FHIR. Toward improving understanding how FHIR works to transport and store knowledge and how SNTs work to convey meaning, we provide a framework and examples of SNTs and their coding for use within FHIR solutions. Finally, we offer recommendations for the next steps to advance FHIR-SNT collaboration. Such collaboration will advance both nursing specifically and health care in general, and most importantly, improve population health.
Impact of liquid diet supplementation while suckling and weaning age on nutritional status, intestinal health, and immunity of piglets pre- and post-weaning
Authors: Vodolazska Darya , Hedemann Mette S , Lauridsen Charlotte
Published: July 2023

New strategies are needed to enhance piglets’ robustness and proper functional development and maturation of piglets’ intestine before weaning, to reduce the number of antibiotic treatments of diarrheic disorders in newly weaned piglets. It was hypothesized that a liquid nutritional supplement during the suckling period, and/or an increased weaning age, would beneficially impact piglets’ gut health and enhance piglets’ nutritional status before weaning. Further, it was hypothesized that a high intake of colostrum during the first 24 h after birth would be more advantageous for piglets’ growth and robustness when compared to a low colostrum intake (CI). A 2 × 2 factorial design with two nutritional strategies (± supplementation with milk/feed, i.e., milk provided from day 2 shifted to wet feed at day 12 of age) and two weaning ages (days 24 vs. 35) was used. In total, 460 piglets from 24 sows were used for estimation of the individual CI after birth. Provision of the nutritional supplement and the increased weaning age improved the nutritional status of piglets’ post-weaning assessed by their blood plasma concentration of albumin (P = 0.04), triglycerides (P = 0.004), and nonesterified fatty acids (P = 0.02). Piglets with high CI demonstrated improved nutritional status when compared to low CI (P = 0.04). Villous height and crypt depth were greater in piglets weaned at day 35 of age in contrast to day 24 of age (P < 0.001) irrespective of the nutritional intervention (P = 0.82). The concentration of branched-chain fatty acids in piglets’ digesta was reduced in groups provided the nutritional supplement (P = 0.01), while total short-chain fatty acids were elevated at weaning in large intestinal digesta of piglets weaned at day 35 of age compared to piglets weaned at day 24 of age (P = 0.05). The weaning age in combination with the nutritional supplement had pronounced beneficial effect on gene expression of all investigated genes: interleukin-6, interleukin-10, nuclear factor kappa-beta, occludine, prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase-2, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) (P = 0.04). In conclusion, nutritional supplementation preweaning combined with increased weaning age could be considered as a strategy for improvement of the intestinal health, function, and maturation in piglets pre- and post-weaning, and a high CI enhanced piglets’ robustness before weaning.
The complex web of FasL: cell type–specific roles in affecting and controlling acute graft-vs-host disease
Authors: Choy Jonathan C
Published: July 2023

FasL has divergent roles in both causing graft-vs-host disease and preventing this condition, which depends on the immune cell type that expresses it.
Game of thrones among AUXIN RESPONSE FACTORs—over 30 years of MONOPTEROS research
Authors: Wójcikowska Barbara , Belaidi Samia , Robert Hélène S
Published: July 2023

For many years, research has been carried out with the aim of understanding the mechanism of auxin action, its biosynthesis, catabolism, perception, and transport. One central interest is the auxin-dependent gene expression regulation mechanism involving AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR (ARF) transcription factors and their repressors, the AUXIN/INDOLE-3-ACETIC ACID (Aux/IAA) proteins. Numerous studies have been focused on MONOPTEROS (MP)/ARF5, an activator of auxin-dependent gene expression with a crucial impact on plant development. This review summarizes over 30 years of research on MP/ARF5. We indicate the available analytical tools to study MP/ARF5 and point out the known mechanism of MP/ARF5-dependent regulation of gene expression during various developmental processes, namely embryogenesis, leaf formation, vascularization, and shoot and root meristem formation. However, many questions remain about the auxin dose-dependent regulation of gene transcription by MP/ARF5 and its isoforms in plant cells, the composition of the MP/ARF5 protein complex, and, finally, all the genes under its direct control. In addition, information on post-translational modifications of MP/ARF5 protein is marginal, and knowledge about their consequences on MP/ARF5 function is limited. Moreover, the epigenetic factors and other regulators that act upstream of MP/ARF5 are poorly understood. Their identification will be a challenge in the coming years.
Support Provided by Stop-Smoking Practitioners to Co-users of Tobacco and Cannabis: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Sumodhee Dayyanah , Walsh Hannah , Brose Leonie , McNeill Ann , McEwen Andy , Duaso Maria J
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Co-use of tobacco and cannabis is highly prevalent among cannabis users and is associated with poorer tobacco cessation outcomes. This study explored the barriers and enablers influencing stop-smoking practitioners’ ability to provide optimal support to co-users.

Aims and Methods

Online semi-structured interviews were audio recorded. Interviewees (n = 20) were UK-based certified stop-smoking practitioners. An interview schedule informed by the “capability”, “opportunity”, “motivation” (COM-B) model was designed to explore participants’ perceived barriers and enablers in better supporting co-users to achieve abstinence of both substances or tobacco harm reduction. The transcripts were analyzed using framework analysis.

Results

Capability: Practitioners’ lack of knowledge and skills undermines their delivery of smoking cessation interventions to co-users. Interestingly, when cannabis is used for medicinal reasons, practitioners feel unable to provide adequate support. Opportunity: Service recording systems play an important role in screening for co-use and supporting co-users. When responding to clients’ specific needs and practitioners’ uncertainties, a positive therapeutic relationship and a support network of peers and other healthcare professionals are needed. Motivation: supporting co-users is generally perceived as part of practitioners’ roles but there are concerns that co-users are less likely to successfully stop smoking.

Conclusions

Practitioners are willing to support co-users, but their lack of knowledge and access to an appropriate recording system are barriers to doing so. Having a supportive team and a positive therapeutic relationship is perceived as important. Identified barriers can be mostly addressed with further training to improve tobacco cessation outcomes for co-users.
Real-World Outcomes of Latinx Versus Non-Latinx Patients Treated With First-Line Immunotherapy for Metastatic Renal-Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Chehrazi-Raffle Alexander , Leong Sally , Ali Sana , Kim Tane , Melamed Sam , Li Xiaochen , Zengin Zeynep , Meza Luis , Chawla Neal , Govindarajan Ameish , Castro Daniela , Mercier Benjamin , Ebrahimi Hedyeh , Dizman Nazli , Tripathi Nishita , Sayegh Nicolas , Rock Adam , Yeh James , Pal Sumanta K , Onyshchenko Mykola
Published: July 2023

Background

There are limited data regarding the impact of ethnicity among patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors. We evaluated real-world outcomes between Latinx and non-Latinx patients with metastatic renal-cell carcinoma (mRCC) treated with first-line nivolumab/ipilimumab within 2 different healthcare settings.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with mRCC who received nivolumab/ipilimumab within the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (LAC-DHS), a safety-net healthcare system, and the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center (COH), a tertiary oncology center, between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2021. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were determined using the Kaplan-Meier method and covariates were adjusted using multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression.

Results

Of 94 patients, 40 patients (43%) were Latinx while the remainder were non-Latinx (44 pts [46%] White, 7 pts [7%] Asian, and 3 pts [3%] Other). Fifty (53%) and 44 (47%) patients received their care at COH and LAC-DHS, respectively. Most Latinx patients (95%) were treated at LAC-DHS, and most non-Latinx patients (89%) were treated at COH. Pooled analysis by ethnicity demonstrated significantly shorter PFS in Latinx versus non-Latinx patients (10.1 vs. 25.2 months, hazard ratios [HR] 3.61, 95% CI 1.96-6.66, P ≤ .01). Multivariate analysis revealed a HR of 3.41 (95% CI 1.31-8.84; P = .01). At a median follow-up of 11.0 months, the median OS was not reached in either arm at the time of data cutoff.

Conclusion

Latinx patients with mRCC had a shorter PFS treated with frontline nivolumab/ipilimumab compared to their non-Latinx counterparts. No difference was observed in OS although these data were immature. Larger studies are needed to further interrogate the social and economic determinants of ethnicity on clinical outcomes in mRCC.
Join operation and A-finite map-germs
Authors: Rodrigues Hernandes M E , Ruas M A S
Published: July 2023

In this work we define some map-germs, called elementary joins, for the purpose of producing new ${\mathcal A}$-finite map-germs from them. In particular, we describe a general form of an ${\mathcal A}$-finite monomial map from $(\mathbb{C}^n,0)$ to $(\mathbb{C}^{p},0)$ for $p\geq 2n$ of any corank in terms of elementary join maps. Our main tools are the delta invariant and some invariants of curves.
Actigraphic and self-reported characterization of sleep in systemic lupus erythematosus patients
Authors: Faraguna Ugo , Porciani Caterina , Colitta Alessandro , Bruno Simone , Frumento Paolo , Stagnaro Chiara , Tani Chiara , Vagelli Roberta , Mosca Marta
Published: July 2023

Objectives

In a cross-sectional study, we explored possible differences in sleep parameters between SLE patients and age- and gender-matched healthy controls through actigraphic and self-reported measures. Furthermore, we aimed to identify possible predictors of such disturbances in the patient cohort.

Methods

Participants’ sociodemographic data and sleep parameters were collected. Sleep parameters were evaluated through the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Insomnia Severity Index and 7-day actigraphic monitoring. The 10-item Perceived Stress Scale was used to investigate stress. Disease activity and daily glucocorticoid dose were assessed in SLE patients. Possible predictors of the SLE group were explored through two binomial logistic models. Within the SLE group, possible predictors of sleep parameters were tested estimating multiple linear regression models.

Results

A total of 40 SLE patients and 33 controls were included in the study. The SLE group showed worse sleep maintenance actigraphic parameters (i.e. sleep efficiency and wake after sleep onset), higher total sleep time and higher perceived stress. Within the SLE cohort, the daily glucocorticoids dose was associated with an impairment in sleep maintenance despite no reduction in sleep duration, typical of normal sleep duration insomnia, whereas perceived stress was associated with short sleep duration insomnia.

Conclusion

Compared with healthy controls, SLE patients showed worse sleep quality and greater perceived stress severity. As glucocorticoids and perceived stress are associated with different types of insomnia in these patients, a multidimensional approach to both sleep characterization and therapy might be preferred.
Trends for opioid prescribing and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases between 2006 and 2021
Authors: Huang Yun-Ting , Jenkins David A , Yimer Belay Birlie , Benitez-Aurioles Jose , Peek Niels , Lunt Mark , Dixon William G , Jani Meghna
Published: July 2023

Objective

To investigate opioid prescribing trends and assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on opioid prescribing in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs).

Methods

Adult patients with RA, PsA, axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA), SLE, OA and FM with opioid prescriptions between 1 January 2006 and 31 August 2021 without cancer in UK primary care were included. Age- and gender-standardized yearly rates of new and prevalent opioid users were calculated between 2006 and 2021. For prevalent users, monthly measures of mean morphine milligram equivalents (MME)/day were calculated between 2006 and 2021. To assess the impact of the pandemic, we fitted regression models to the monthly number of prevalent opioid users between January 2015 and August 2021. The time coefficient reflects the trend pre-pandemic and the interaction term coefficient represents the change in the trend during the pandemic.

Results

The study included 1 313 519 RMD patients. New opioid users for RA, PsA and FM increased from 2.6, 1.0 and 3.4/10 000 persons in 2006 to 4.5, 1.8 and 8.7, respectively, in 2018 or 2019. This was followed by a fall to 2.4, 1.2 and 5.9, respectively, in 2021. Prevalent opioid users for all RMDs increased from 2006 but plateaued or dropped beyond 2018, with a 4.5-fold increase in FM between 2006 and 2021. In this period, MME/day increased for all RMDs, with the highest for FM (≥35). During COVID-19 lockdowns, RA, PsA and FM showed significant changes in the trend of prevalent opioid users. The trend for FM increased pre-pandemic and started decreasing during the pandemic.

Conclusion

The plateauing or decreasing trend of opioid users for RMDs after 2018 may reflect the efforts to tackle rising opioid prescribing in the UK. The pandemic led to fewer people on opioids for most RMDs, providing reassurance that there was no sudden increase in opioid prescribing during the pandemic.
The clinical effects of digital cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in a heterogenous study sample: results from a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Schuffelen Jennifer , Maurer Leonie F , Lorenz Noah , Rötger Alexander , Pietrowsky Reinhard , Gieselmann Annika
Published: July 2023

Study Objectives

Numerous studies worldwide have reported the beneficial effects of digital cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (dCBT-I). However, few focus on real-world study samples that reflect people in regular care. To test whether dCBT-I is suitable within German regular care, we designed a randomized controlled trial recruiting a heterogenous insomnia population.

Methods

Participants aged ≥18 who met the criteria for insomnia disorder were randomized to 8-weeks dCBT-I + care-as-usual (CAU) or they were set on a waitlist + CAU. The intervention group was followed-up at 6- and 12-months. The primary outcome was self-reported insomnia severity, assessed with the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) at 8-weeks post-randomization. A one-way ANCOVA with baseline score as a covariate was fitted to determine group differences. Secondary outcomes included measures of daytime functioning, quality of life, depression, anxiety, dreams, and nightmares.

Results

Of the N = 238 participants (67.6% female), age range 19–81 years, n = 118 were randomized to dCBT-I and n = 120 to the control group. At posttreatment, the use of dCBT-I was associated with a large reduction in the ISI (Diffadj = –7.60) in comparison to WLC (d = –2.08). This clinical improvement was also reflected in responder and remission rates. Treatment effects were also observed for daytime functioning, quality of life, symptoms of depression and anxiety (ds = 0.26–1.02) and at long-term follow-up (intervention group only; ds = 0.18–1.65). No effects were found for dream and nightmare frequency.

Conclusions

This study showed that dCBT-I reduces insomnia symptoms and improves daytime functioning in a heterogenous insomnia population in Germany with sustained long-term treatment effects in the intervention group. Our results underscore the potential of digital health applications, their suitability within regular care, and their role in facilitating widespread implementation of CBT-I as a first-line treatment for insomnia.
HM-chromanone isolated from Portulaca oleracea L. alleviates insulin resistance and inhibits gluconeogenesis by regulating palmitate-induced activation of ROS/JNK in HepG2 cells
Authors: Park Jae Eun , Han Ji Sook
Published: July 2023

Oxidative stress is a major cause of hepatic insulin resistance. This study investigated whether (E)-5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-3-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-4-chromanone (HM-chromanone), a homoisoflavonoid compound isolated from Portulaca oleracea L., alleviates insulin resistance and inhibits gluconeogenesis by reducing palmitate (PA)-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS)/c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) activation in HepG2 cells. PA treatment (0.5 mM) for 16 h resulted in the highest production of ROS and induced insulin resistance in HepG2 cells. HM-chromanone, like N-acetyl-1-cysteine, significantly decreased PA-induced ROS production in the cells. HM-chromanone also significantly inhibited PA-induced JNK activation, showing a significant reduction in tumor necrosis factor and interleukin expression levels. Thus, HM-chromanone decreased the phosphorylation of Ser307 in insulin receptor substrate 1, while increasing phosphorylation of serine–threonine kinase (AKT), thereby restoring the insulin signaling pathway impaired by PA. HM-chromanone also significantly increased the phosphorylation of forkhead box protein O, thereby inhibiting the expression of gluconeogenic enzymes and reducing glucose production in PA-treated HepG2 cells. HM-chromanone also increased glycogen synthesis by phosphorylating glycogen synthase kinase-3β. Therefore, HM-chromanone may alleviate insulin resistance and inhibit gluconeogenesis by regulating PA-induced ROS/JNK activation in HepG2 cells.
Systematic revision of the species of Protypotherium (Notoungulata: Interatheriidae) from the Santa Cruz Formation (Early–Middle Miocene), Argentinian Patagonia: a new phylogenetic hypothesis for the Interatheriidae
Authors: Fernández Mercedes , Fernicola Juan C , Cerdeño Esperanza
Published: July 2023

Protypotherium is one of the main genera of the Interatheriidae due to its species richness, abundance, and wide distribution from southern to middle latitudes of Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay, and Chile. This genus is better known from the species founded by Florentino Ameghino during late 19th century from the prolific Santa Cruz Formation (Santacrucian South American Land Mammal Age (SALMA); Burdigalian–Early Langhian), Santa Cruz Province (Argentina). This contribution provides the taxonomic revision of the Santacrucian species of Protypotherium and the species erected by Florentino within this genus. We conclude that among the initial 21 species, Protypotherium antiquum, Protypotherium australe, Protypotherium praerutilum, Protypotherium compressidens, and Protypotherium claudum are valid, whereas Protypotherium obstructum is a Hegetotheriidae indet. We present a phylogenetic analysis that does not recover Protypotherium as a clade, due to the nesting of Juchuysillu and Caenophilus, and this assemblage appears as the sister taxon of the clade Progaleopithecus plus Archaeophylus. Finally, the interatheriines from the Santa Cruz Formation do not allow a subdivision of this unit, due to their wide geographic and temporal distribution, thus rejecting the biozones preliminary proposed by other authors. The Atlantic coast (east) and Río Santa Cruz (central) regions are similar in their interatheriine content, but both differ from the western area.
Loss of FUT8 in renal tubules ameliorates ischemia‐reperfusion injury‐induced renal interstitial inflammation transition to fibrosis via the TLR3–NF‐κB pathway
Authors: Li Zhitong , Hao Jiaojiao , Li Longkai , Shen Nan , Wang Dapeng , Wang Nan , Wen Xinyu , Wang Weidong , Qin Biaojie , Tang Qingzhu , Guo Xianan , Song Huiyi , Du Xiangning , Yang Fan , Lin Hongli
Published: July 2023

Renal ischemia‐reperfusion injury (IRI) is a common reason of acute kidney injury (AKI). AKI can progress to chronic kidney disease (CKD) in some survivors. Inflammation is considered the first‐line response to early‐stage IRI. We previously reported that core fucosylation (CF), specifically catalyzed by α‐1,6 fucosyltransferase (FUT8), exacerbates renal fibrosis. However, the FUT8 characteristics, role, and mechanism in inflammation and fibrosis transition remain unclear. Considering renal tubular cells are the trigger cells that initiate the fibrosis in the AKI‐to‐CKD transition in IRI, we targeted CF by generating a renal tubular epithelial cell (TEC)‐specific FUT8 knockout mouse and measured FUT8‐driven and downstream signaling pathway expression and AKI‐to‐CKD transition. During the IRI extension phase, specific FUT8 deletion in the TECs ameliorated the IRI‐induced renal interstitial inflammation and fibrosis mainly via the TLR3 CF–NF‐κB signaling pathway. The results firstly indicated the role of FUT8 in the transition of inflammation and fibrosis. Therefore, the loss of FUT8 in TECs may be a novel potential strategy for treating AKI–CKD transition.
Medium-vessel and large-vessel vasculitis in children
Authors: Scott Christiaan , Stander Raphaella , Phoya Frank
Published: July 2023

Purpose of review

This article serves as an up-to-date examination of the latest findings in the field of paediatric large-vessel and medium-vessel vasculitis.

Recent findings

Over the last 2 years and in the wake of SARS-CoV2 pandemic, a multitude of studies have increased our insight into these conditions. Although large-vessel and medium-vessel vasculitis are uncommon amongst children, they are a complex and multisystem with a constantly evolving landscape. Increasing numbers of reports from low-income and middle-income countries are shaping our understanding of the epidemiology of vasculitis in children. The influence of infectious disease and the microbiome are of particular interest in unravelling pathogenetic aspects. Improved understanding of the genetics and immunology offer opportunities for better diagnostic options and biomarkers of disease as well as targeted therapies.

In this review, we address recent findings in epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical findings, bio-markers, imaging and treatment that have the potential to offer better management solutions for these uncommon conditions.
Analysis of Intensive Care Unit Nursing Clinical Judgment and Selection of Nursing Diagnosis for Cerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Yang Lei , Xu YanDuo , Ji XiaoBo , Wang Zhuan , Cao Chuan , Chong PeiLong , Wu ZhiJun
Published: July 2023

Few nursing informatics studies focus on selecting nursing diagnoses for critical patients. The absence of data about nursing clinical judgment in the care of patients with cerebral hemorrhage greatly hinders research progress in evidence-based care. A stratified, retrospective study analyzed 115 electronic “intelligent” nursing information system nurse assessments and nursing diagnoses. Data were documented from April 2019 to November 2020 for critically ill patients admitted with cerebral hemorrhage in a 10-bed medical ICU at a 1500-bed tertiary facility, Henan Honliv Hospital, in Henan Province, China. In the selection of nursing diagnoses among nurses of stratified competencies (novice to expert), novice and experienced nurses were found to have significant variances in selecting nursing diagnoses for critically ill patients with cerebral hemorrhage. Novice nurses more frequently selected the Activity Intolerance Risk diagnosis as an initial diagnosis (P = .025). Experienced nurses selected the Fluid Volume Excess Risk diagnosis more frequently (P = .003). Consequently, nursing information systems are important in evaluating professional practice. The access to structured, standardized nursing data for the complete nursing process enables nurse managers to comprehensively analyze the nursing care given to patients, the distribution of patient nursing diagnoses, and the status of patient care risks.
A Case of Mycobacterium avium Complex Vertebral Osteomyelitis in a Patient With Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Authors: Amin Kirtan , Rosshandler Yasmin , Norris J. , Arinze Folasade
Published: July 2023

Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection is one of the most common bacterial opportunistic infections in persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH). Mycobacterium avium complex infections are caused by either M. avium or Mycobacterium intracellulare, which are nontuberculous mycobacterial species. Mycobacterium avium complex is prevalent in soil, water, and animals in the environment. Mycobacterium avium complex infections are commonly seen in persons with CD4 counts less than 50 cells/μL and are the most common cause of disseminated disease in immunocompromised patients. Vertebral osteomyelitis caused by MAC, however, remains uncommon in PLWH, with few cases reported in the literature (Lancet Infect Dis. 2004;4:557–565; Infect Dis Clin Pract. 2001;10:17–20). We present a case of vertebral osteomyelitis secondary to MAC in a person with human immunodeficiency virus and compare 10 other cases reported in the literature. Our case also highlights the importance of resuming secondary MAC prophylaxis when CD4 counts decline below 100 cells/μL in PLWH.
Temporal stability in the prevalence and pattern of co-occurring musculoskeletal pain among people with persistent low back pain: population-based data from the Norwegian HUNT Study, 1995 to 2019
Authors: Øverås Cecilie K. , Nilsen Tom I. L. , Søgaard Karen , Mork Paul J. , Hartvigsen Jan
Published: July 2023

People with persistent low back pain (LBP) often report co-occurring persistent musculoskeletal (MSK) pain in other body regions that may influence prognosis as well as treatment approaches and outcomes. This study describes the prevalence and patterns of co-occurring persistent MSK pain among people with persistent LBP based on consecutive cross-sectional studies over 3 decades in the population-based HUNT Study, Norway. The analyses comprised 15,375 participants in HUNT2 (1995-1997), 10,024 in HUNT3 (2006-2008), and 10,647 in HUNT4 (2017-2019) who reported persistent LBP. Overall, ∼90% of participants in each of the HUNT surveys with persistent LBP reported persistent co-occurring MSK pain in other body sites. The age-standardized prevalence of the most common co-occurring MSK pain sites was consistent across the 3 surveys: 64% to 65% report co-occurring neck pain, 62% to 67% report shoulder pain, and 53% to 57% report hip or thigh pain. Using latent class analysis (LCA), we identified 4 distinct patterns of persistent LBP phenotypes that were consistent across the 3 surveys: (1) “LBP only,” (2) “LBP with neck or shoulder pain,” (3) “LBP with lower extremity or wrist or hand pain,” and (4) “LBP with multisite pain,” with conditional item response probabilities of 34% to 36%, 30% to 34%, 13% to 17%, and 16% to 20%, respectively. In conclusion, 9 of 10 adults in this Norwegian population with persistent LBP report co-occurring persistent MSK pain, most commonly in the neck, shoulders, and hips or thighs. We identified 4 LCA-derived LBP phenotypes of distinct MSK pain site patterns. In the population, both the prevalence and pattern of co-occurring MSK pain and the distinct phenotypic MSK pain patterns seem stable over decades.
Cardiomyocytes, sphingolipids and cardio myotoxicity
Authors: Levin Malin C , Andersson Linda , Borén Jan
Published: July 2023

Purpose of review

Sphingolipids are structurally diverse membrane lipids localized in lipid bilayers. Sphingolipids are not only important structural components of cellular membranes, but they are also important regulators of cellular trafficking and signal transduction and are implicated in several diseases. Here, we review the latest insights into sphingolipids and their role in cardiac function and cardiometabolic disease.

Recent findings

The underlying mechanisms linking sphingolipids to cardiac dysfunction are still not fully clarified. Sphingolipids, and in particular ceramides, have emerged as important players in lipotoxicity, mediating inflammation, impaired insulin signalling and apoptosis. In addition, recent findings highlight the importance of glycosphingolipid homeostasis in cardiomyocyte membranes, where they are required to maintain β-adrenergic signalling and contractile capacity to preserve normal heart function. Thus, glycosphingolipid homeostasis in cardiac membranes characterizes a novel mechanism linking sphingolipids to cardiac disease.

Modulation of cardiac sphingolipids may represent a promising therapeutic approach. Sustained investigation of the link between sphingolipids and cardiomyocyte function is therefore needed and we hope that this review may inspire researchers to further elucidate the action of these lipids.
Stakeholders’ perceptions and experiences of an outdoor activity project on children myopia prevention: a multiperspective qualitative study
Authors: Zhang Yiheng , Zeng Dumin , Zou Wenjie , Cheng Yu , Zhang Meifen , Gong Ni
Published: July 2023

Objective:

The current investigation sought to examine the experiences and perspectives of the project coordinators, participating parents, and children to identify strategies for enhancing children’s engagement and adherence to outdoor physical activities.

Methods:

A descriptive, qualitative study was conducted from October 2019 to December 2019 through in-depth interviews with 32 families who participated in the Community Child Myopia Prevention Project, 15 project volunteers, and 8 community organizers.

Results:

Five themes and 10 subthemes were identified to enhance children’s participation rate and adherence to the project. The 5 themes were as follows: (1) overcoming parental barriers, (2) attracting parental participation, (3) active support from parents, (4) creating a positive experience for children, and (5) integration into children’s daily lives.

Conclusions:

Empowering parents and children by meeting their needs, creating innovative activities, and connecting them with community social networks support the successful integration of the outdoor activity program into their daily lives. The sharing and integration of community resources through community empowerment can provide a framework for developing future community interventional projects.
Simplified soft tissue coverage of the distal lower extremity: The reverse sural flap
Authors: Puneky George A. , Batchler Kathryn A. , Kollapaneni Sai S. , Blair James A. , Davis Jana M.
Published: July 2023

Soft tissue defects involving the distal lower extremity present challenging problems for orthopaedic surgeons to manage. Historically, wounds not amenable to primary closure have necessitated assistance from multidisciplinary teams using plastic surgeons to obtain adequate soft tissue coverage through rotational flap or free tissue transfer procedures. Techniques related to soft tissue rearrangement and local rotational flap coverage have advanced over the years with a growing knowledge of local anatomy and vasculature. The reverse sural flap may be performed to cover soft tissue defects within 10 cm of the foot or ankle region, negating the need for microvascular intervention. The simplistic nature of the reverse sural flap is appealing to orthopaedic surgeons as a means to provide timely patient care without additional support because it does not require microvasculature work or the need for intraoperative microscopes and has been popularized among orthopaedic trauma surgeons as a necessary tool to possess. Here, we discuss the reverse sural flap to include history, relevant anatomy, clinical indications, and a description of the technique for application.
The use of xenogenic dermal matrices in the context of open extremity wounds: where and when to consider?
Authors: Chintalapudi Nainisha , Rice Olivia M. , Hsu Joseph R.
Published: July 2023

Optimal treatment of orthopaedic extremity trauma includes meticulous care of both bony and soft tissue injuries. Historically, clinical scenarios involving soft tissue defects necessitated the assistance of a plastic surgeon. While their expertise in coverage options and microvascular repair is invaluable, barriers preventing collaboration are common. Acellular dermal matrices represent a promising and versatile tool for orthopaedic trauma surgeons to keep in their toolbox. These biological scaffolds are each unique in how they are used and promote healing. This review explores some commercial products and offers guidance for selection in different clinical scenarios involving traumatic wounds.
How to get the most out of your gastrocnemius and soleus flaps
Authors: Matuszewski Paul E. , Ulrich Gary L.
Published: July 2023

Gastrocnemius and soleus flaps represent the workhorse local flaps to cover soft tissue defects of the proximal 1/3 and middle 1/3 of the leg, respectively. An important consideration before conducting a local flap is whether the flap can provide adequate coverage. The utility of the gastrocnemius flap can be increased using multiple techniques to increase the arc of rotation including the posterior midline approach, dissection at the pes anserinus and medial femoral condyle origin, scoring the fascia, and inclusion of a skin paddle. Concerning the soleus flap, the hemisoleus flap represents a technique to increase the arc of rotation. With a soleus flap, one must consider the soft tissue defect location, size, and perforator blood supply because these factors influence what soleus flap technique to use. This article discusses how to make the most out of gastrocnemius flaps and soleus flaps regarding maximizing coverage and ensuring successful flap outcome.
Burden of influenza in the elderly: a narrative review
Authors: Conrad Anne , Valour Florent , Vanhems Philippe
Published: July 2023

Purpose of review

This review provides an update on specificities of influenza in older adults (≥65-year-old), including epidemiology, burden in terms of hospitalization and mortality, extra-respiratory complications and specific challenges of prevention.

Recent findings

In the past 2 years, influenza activity was drastically reduced by barrier measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. A recent French epidemiological study covering 2010–2018 epidemic seasons estimated that 75% of costs induced by influenza-associated hospitalizations and complications were attributable to older adults, a population bearing more than 90% of influenza-associated excess mortality.

In addition to their age, comorbidities and reduced vaccine response, long-term facility residents are at risk for nosocomial outbreaks. Beyond respiratory complications, influenza triggers acute myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. Influenza might drive significant functional loss in frail older adults, which can lead to “catastrophic” or severe disability in up to 10% of patients. Vaccination remains the cornerstone of prevention, with enhanced immunization strategies (i.e., high-dose or adjuvanted formulations) to be largely implemented in older adults. Efforts to increase influenza vaccination uptake during the COVID-19 pandemic should be consolidated.

Burden of influenza in the elderly is largely under-recognized, especially the cardiovascular complications and the impact on functional status, justifying more effective preventive strategies.
Rapid heat hardening in embryos of the lizard
Anolis sagrei
Authors: Gleason Grace S. , Starr Katherine , Sanger Thomas J. , Gunderson Alex R.
Published: July 2023

Adaptive thermal tolerance plasticity can dampen the negative effects of warming. However, our knowledge of tolerance plasticity is lacking for embryonic stages that are relatively immobile and may benefit the most from an adaptive plastic response. We tested for heat hardening capacity (a rapid increase in thermal tolerance that manifests in minutes to hours) in embryos of the lizard
Anolis sagrei
. We compared the survival of a lethal temperature exposure between embryos that either did (hardened) or did not (not hardened) receive a high but non-lethal temperature pre-treatment. We also measured heart rates (HRs) at common garden temperatures before and after heat exposures to assess metabolic consequences. ‘Hardened’ embryos had significantly greater survival after lethal heat exposure relative to ‘not hardened’ embryos. That said, heat pre-treatment led to a subsequent increase in embryo HR that did not occur in embryos that did not receive pre-treatment, indicative of an energetic cost of mounting the heat hardening response. Our results are not only consistent with adaptive thermal tolerance plasticity in these embryos (greater heat survival after heat exposure), but also highlight associated costs. Thermal tolerance plasticity may be an important mechanism by which embryos respond to warming that warrants greater consideration.
George Alan Garton. 4 June 1922—13 May 2010
Authors: Wahle Klaus W. J.
Published: July 2023

Alan Garton and his group at The Rowett Research Institute in Aberdeen made very significant and unique contributions to the understanding of differences in digestion, absorption and metabolism of dietary lipids (fats) and their importance to health in mammalian species, particularly farm animals, but also various aspects of lipid metabolism and health in humans. The group were the first to use commercially available gas chromatography and first, this side of the Atlantic, to employ thin-layer chromatography for lipid analyses. A special adaptation of radio-gas chromatography, developed in-house, also led to the definitive evidence that radio-labelled methylmalonyl-CoA, derived from propionic acid, particularly from grain-fed sheep, can be utilized for fatty acid synthesis. Alan always highlighted the relevance of the group's lipid research to human health and wellbeing, as seen by the role of branched-chain fatty acids in Refsum's disease and the later development of studies of the role of saturated and essential omega-3, -6 and -9 fatty acids, including conjugated linoleic acids and trans fatty acids, in human health and disease by the group.
Inhibition of phosphodiesterase 12 results in antiviral activity against several RNA viruses including SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Thursz Mark , Sadiq Fouzia , Tree Julia A. , Karayiannis Peter , Beasley David W. C. , Dejnirattisai Wanwissa , Mongkolsapaya Juthathip , Screaton Gavin , Wand Matthew , Elmore Michael J. , Carroll Miles W. , Matthews Ian , Thomas Howard
Published: July 2023

The 2',5'- oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS) – ribonuclease L (RNAseL) - phosphodiesterase 12 (PDE12) pathway is an essential interferon-induced effector mechanism against RNA virus infection. Inhibition of PDE12 leads to selective amplification of RNAseL activity in infected cells. We aimed to investigate PDE12 as a potential pan-RNA virus antiviral drug target and develop PDE12 inhibitors that elicit antiviral activity against a range of viruses. A library of 18 000 small molecules was screened for PDE12 inhibitor activity using a fluorescent probe specific for PDE12. The lead compounds (CO-17 or CO-63) were tested in cell-based antiviral assays using encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), dengue virus (DENV), West Nile virus (WNV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), in vitro. Cross reactivity of PDE12 inhibitors with other PDEs and in vivo toxicity were measured. In EMCV assays, CO-17 potentiated the effect of IFNα by 3 log10. The compounds were selective for PDE12 when tested against a panel of other PDEs and non-toxic at up to 42 mg kg−1 in rats in vivo. Thus, we have identified PDE12 inhibitors (CO-17 and CO-63), and established the principle that inhibitors of PDE12 have antiviral properties. Early studies suggest these PDE12 inhibitors are well tolerated at the therapeutic range, and reduce viral load in studies of DENV, HCV, WNV and SARS-CoV-2 in human cells and WNV in a mouse model.