bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Severity of Financial Toxicity for Patients Receiving Palliative Radiation Therapy
Authors: Harris Jeremy P. , Ku Eric , Harada Garrett , Hsu Sophie , Chiao Elaine , Rao Pranathi , Healy Erin , Nagasaka Misako , Humphreys Jessica , Hoyt Michael A.
Published: July 2023

Introduction: Financial toxicity has negative implications for patient well-being and health outcomes. There is a gap in understanding financial toxicity for patients undergoing palliative radiotherapy (RT). Methods: A review of patients treated with palliative RT was conducted from January 2021 to December 2022. The FACIT-COST (COST) was measured (higher scores implying better financial well-being). Financial toxicity was graded according to previously suggested cutoffs: Grade 0 (score ≥26), Grade 1 (14-25), Grade 2 (1-13), and Grade 3 (0). FACIT-TS-G was used for treatment satisfaction, and EORTC QLQ-C30 was assessed for global health status and functional scales. Results: 53 patients were identified. Median COST was 25 (range 0-44), 49% had Grade 0 financial toxicity, 32% Grade 1, 15% Grade 2, and 4% Grade 3. Overall, cancer caused financial hardship among 45%. Higher COST was weakly associated with higher global health status/Quality of Life (QoL), physical functioning, role functioning, and cognitive functioning; moderately associated with higher social functioning; and strongly associated with improved emotional functioning. Higher income or Medicare or private coverage (rather than Medicaid) was associated with less financial toxicity, whereas an underrepresented minority background or a non-English language preference was associated with greater financial toxicity. A multivariate model found that higher area income (HR .80, P = .007) and higher cognitive functioning (HR .96, P = .01) were significantly associated with financial toxicity. Conclusions: Financial toxicity was seen in approximately half of patients receiving palliative RT. The highest risk groups were those with lower income and lower cognitive functioning. This study supports the measurement of financial toxicity by clinicians.
Exposure to a Loved One’s Death and Advance Care Planning: Moderating Effects of Age
Authors: Zhang Peiyuan , Clem Sarah , Rose Roderick , Cagle John G.
Published: July 2023

Background: Despite documented benefits of Advance Care Planning (ACP), it is still under-utilized in the U.S. Our study aimed to examine whether experiencing a loved one’s death is associated with one’s own ACP behavior among adults in the U.S. and the potential moderating effect of age. Method: Using a nationwide cross-sectional survey design with probability sampling weights, our study included 1006 adults in the U.S. who participated in and completed the Survey on Aging and End-of-Life Medical Care. Three binary logistic regression models were established to investigate the relationship between death exposure and different aspects of ACP (i.e., informal conversations with family members and doctors and formal advance directives completion). The moderation analysis was subsequently conducted to examine moderating effects of age. Results: The exposure to a loved one’s death was significantly associated with higher odds of having conversations with family about end-of-life medical care preferences among the 3 indicators of ACP ( OR = 2.03, P < .001). Age significantly moderated the association between death exposure and ACP conversations with doctors ( OR = .98, P = .017). The facilitation effect of death exposure on informal ACP engagement in discussing end-of-life medical wishes with doctors is stronger among younger adults than older adults. Conclusions: Exploring an individual’s previous experience with a loved one’s death might be an effective way to broach the concept of ACP among adults of all ages. This strategy may be particularly useful in facilitating discussions of end-of-life medical wishes with doctors among younger adults than older adults.
Dropping the mask: It takes two
Authors: Cook Julia M , Crane Laura , Mandy William
Published: July 2023

In some social situations, autistic people feel pressure to modify their innate social behaviour (i.e. camouflage), while in other social situations they feel free to engage in ways that feel authentic or true to themselves. To date, the latter aspect of autistic people’s experience has rarely been explored. Using an online qualitative survey, this study examined 133 autistic people’s experiences and perspectives of socialising in ways that felt authentic to them, with a particular focus on mixed-neurotype interactions and the role of nonautistic people. Using reflexive thematic analysis, four themes were generated: (1) embracing diverse communication styles, interests and perspectives; (2) creating a more inclusive mixed-neurotype social environment together; (3) minimising and managing mixed-neurotype miscommunication in mutually beneficial ways; and (4) enjoyable interactions involving reduced anxiety and exhaustion as well as genuine connection and rapport. These findings are discussed with reference to theory and research involving the construct of authenticity both inside and outside the field of autism research. The knowledge generated in this study illuminates a previously underexplored aspect of autistic people’s experience and elucidates potential avenues through which to enhance the social experiences and well-being of this group.

Lay abstract

In some situations, autistic people feel pressure to change their social behaviour by camouflaging. In other situations, autistic people feel they don’t need to change their social behaviour. Instead, they feel they can socialise in ways that feel authentic or true to themselves. Past research has tended to focus on autistic people’s experiences of camouflaging rather than their experiences of authenticity. In this study, we asked autistic people what it is like for them when they can socialise in ways that feel authentic or true to themselves. Autistic people described authentic-feeling socialising as more free, spontaneous and open than camouflaging. In supportive environments, this kind of socialising had more positive and less negative consequences than camouflaging. Autistic people felt that having self-awareness and acceptance of their own social needs and being around autistic and nonautistic people who were accepting and understanding helped them to socialise in authentic-feeling ways. Autistic people also spoke about communication behaviours they felt nonautistic people should use to help overcome misunderstandings and create autism-friendly social environments. These findings suggest it is helpful for autistic people to have access to supportive and accepting social environments in which they feel able to socialise in ways that feel authentic to them. In creating such social environments, it is important to focus on nonautistic people’s knowledge and attitude towards autistic people and also their ability to use helpful communication behaviours.
Effect of oral nutritional supplements on outcomes in children presenting with, or at risk of, faltering growth in clinical settings: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Cawood AL , Smith C , Kinnear FJ , Upton L , Trace S , O’Connor G , Stratton RJ
Published: July 2023

This systematic review summarises evidence regarding oral nutritional supplement (ONS) use in children with, or at risk of, faltering growth (FG). Ten randomised controlled trials (RCTs), compared changes in outcomes amongst children receiving ONS versus control were included. Overall, 1116 children (weighted mean (WM) age 5 years; n658 (59%) male) were recruited, of which 585 (52%) received ONS (WM intake contribution 412 kcal, 16.3 g protein, 395 ml) for 116 days (WM). ONS use was associated with significantly greater gains in weight (mean difference (MD) 0.4 kg, 95% CI [0.36, 0.44]) and height (MD 0.3 cm, 95% CI [0.03, 0.57]), likely related to improvements in nutritional intake. Mean compliance to prescribed dose was 98%. Data suggested an association between ONS use and reduced infections. Further research is warranted to establish ONS dosage and effects upon other outcomes. This review provides evidence to support use of ONS in the management of children with, or at risk of, FG.
Persistent flow inside the Woven EndoBridge at angiographic follow-up: A multicenter study
Authors: Janot Kevin , Charbonnier Guillaume , Marnat Gaultier , Sporns Peter , Burel Julien , Papagiannaki Chrysanthi , Forestier Geraud , Hak Jean-Francois , Agripnidis Thibault , Bolognini Frederico , Lebedinsky Pablo Ariel , Ifergan Heloise , Bibi Richard , Herbreteau Denis , Adeniran Bankole Nourou Dine , Biondi Alessandra , Barreau Xavier , Guédon Alexis , Shotar Eimad , Clarençon Frederic , Kerleroux Basile , Boulouis Grégoire , Bala Fouzi , Rouchaud Aymeric
Published: July 2023

Background

The occurrence of persistent intra-device filling (BOSS 1, using the Bicêtre Occlusion Scale Score (BOSS)) in aneurysms treated with a Woven Endobridge (WEB) device is infrequent based on angiographic follow-up. To date, three monocentric case series were published studying BOSS 1 cases. Through a multicenter retrospective study, we aimed to report the incidence, and risk factors of intra-WEB persistent filling.

Methods

We reached out to European academic centers that treat patients using WEB devices and requested de-identified data of patients treated with a WEB device and underwent angiographic follow-up, at least 3 months after embolization, to assess the BOSS 1 occlusion score. We compared baseline characteristics, treatment modalities, and aneurysm data of the included BOSS 1 patients with those of a control group consisting of non-BOSS 1 patients ( n = 116) who had an available angiographic follow-up. Univariable and multivariable models were employed for analysis.

Results

Among the pooled sample of 591 aneurysms treated with WEB, the rate of persistent flow (BOSS 1) at angiographic follow-up was 5.2% ( n = 31 out of 591), performed after an average of 8.7 ± 6.3 months. In the multivariable-adjusted analysis, dual antiplatelet therapy in the postoperative period (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 4.3 [95% CI 1.3–14.2]), and WEB undersizing (aOR 10.8 [95% CI 2.9–40]) were independently associated with a BOSS 1 persistent flow result.

Conclusion

Persistent blood flow within the WEB device during angiographic follow-up (BOSS 1) is an uncommon occurrence. Our findings indicate that post-procedural dual antiplatelet therapy and undersizing of the WEB device are independently associated with the presence of BOSS 1 at follow-up.
A randomized comparison of two-stage versus traditional one-stage consent for a low-stakes randomized trial
Authors: Vickers Andrew J , Vertosick Emily A , Austria Mia , Gaffney Christopher D , Carlsson Sigrid V , Kim Scott YH , Ehdaie Behfar
Published: July 2023

Background/Aims

It has been proposed that informed consent for randomized trials should be split into two stages, with the purported advantage of decreased information overload and patient anxiety. We compared patient understanding, anxiety and decisional quality between two-stage and traditional one-stage consent.

Methods

We approached patients at an academic cancer center for a low-stakes trial of a mind–body intervention for procedural distress during prostate biopsy. Patients were randomized to hear about the trial by either one- or two-stage consent (n = 66 vs n = 59). Patient-reported outcomes included Quality of Informed Consent (0–100); general and consent-specific anxiety and decisional conflict, burden, and regret.

Results

Quality of Informed Consent scores were non-significantly superior for two-stage consent, by 0.9 points (95% confidence interval = −2.3, 4.2, p = 0.6) for objective and 1.1 points (95% CI = −4.8, 7.0, p = 0.7) for subjective understanding. Differences between groups for anxiety and decisional outcomes were similarly small. In a post hoc analysis, consent-related anxiety was lower among two-stage control patients, likely because scores were measured close to the time of biopsy in the two-stage patients receiving the experimental intervention.

Conclusion

Two-stage consent maintains patient understanding of randomized trials, with some evidence of lowered patient anxiety. Further research is warranted on two-stage consent in higher-stakes settings.
Patients’ perception towards chronic disease self-management and its program: A cross-sectional survey
Authors: Halim Nur Atiyah Abdul , Sopri Nur Hikmah Ahmad , Wong Yuet Yen , Mustafa Qarem Mohamed , Lean Qi Ying
Published: July 2023

Objective

This study aimed to assess the perceptions towards chronic disease self-management and its program among patients with chronic diseases.

Methods

A cross-sectional study using pre-validated questionnaire was conducted among patients with chronic diseases at outpatient pharmacy in a hospital in Penang, Malaysia from April to June 2021.

Results

Of 270 patients participated in this study, 87.8% were interested in chronic disease self-management. Nonetheless, they faced common barriers including time constraint (71.1%), no health monitoring devices (44.1%) and poor health knowledge (43.0%). More than half of the patients expressed that having a better knowledge of the disease and its treatment (64.1%), getting supportive guidance from healthcare providers (59.6%) and having monitoring devices (58.1%) were the top three facilitators to self-management. The patients preferred chronic disease self-management programs that (a) discuss the topic of motivation (b) are available both as mobile applications and hands-on training, (c) individual session, (d) range between 1 and 5 sessions with a duration of 1 to 2 h/session, (e) occurring on monthly basis, (f) conducted by doctor or healthcare professionals and (g) fully sponsored by government or at affordable fee.

Conclusion

The findings serve as pre-requisite step in future design and development of chronic disease self-management program, targeting the patients’ needs and preferences.
Digital city diplomacy and international cities networks: Collaboration and city branding strategies around climate issues
Authors: Asdourian Bruno , Chariatte Jérôme , Ingenhoff Diana
Published: July 2023

Our study refers to what the communication of city networks looks like regarding mentions and frames and if the digital communication activities of city networks could primarily serve as collaborative diplomacy of governance or are motivated by self-interests such as city branding. Our theoretical frame integrates Castells’ (2010, 2009) networked society and communication power and combines various concepts from the public (digital) diplomacy, public relations, and strategic communication. In a semantic network analysis of Tweets, we analysed the communication strategies of three city networks according to their digital content ( n = 47,226) and more specifically each network's top 50 hashtags and mentions therein. We find that city networks use three different Twitter communication strategies. We propose a model describing topic-, city/mayor-, and hybrid-oriented strategies. The analysis of the three city groups undertaken here has extended our knowledge of global urban governance communication strategies in burgeoning city diplomacy.
Killing the cats or satisfying the human? The role of epistemic curiosity in adolescents’ multidimensional well-being
Authors: Li Tian , Huang Haoyan , Liu Jia , Tang Xin
Published: July 2023

The role of epistemic curiosity in achievement has been widely acknowledged. In recent years, research has started to understand the broad effect of curiosity, and thus the association between curiosity and well-being is of special interest. Yet, studies so far have found both beneficial and detrimental effects of curiosity on well-being, leaving inconclusive findings. The present study aimed to understand the associations between epistemic curiosity and well-being from a multidimensional perspective. We further examined whether there were individual differences (i.e., gender and grade) among those associations. For those purposes, 315 adolescents in 4–6th grades were surveyed, and their two epistemic curiosity (i.e., joyous curiosity and deprivation curiosity) and five well-being (i.e., physical, dietary, emotional, psychological, and academic well-being) indicators were measured. Results indicated that (1) joyous curiosity was unanimously associated with five well-being domains while deprivation was not; (2) among five well-being indicators, the closest association to curiosity is academic well-being, whereas dietary well-being was the least close; and (3) neither gender nor grade moderated the association between epistemic curiosity and well-being. In conclusion, we found that joyous curiosity was a consistent beneficial factor for well-being, and the effects were not related to gender or grade among early adolescents.
Legal Issues 101: Malpractice and Licensure Discipline
Authors: Brous Edie
Published: July 2023

This article is part of a series of articles titled “Legal Issues 101.” The purpose of this series is to address common questions and misconceptions regarding the law and school health. Nurses frequently conflate malpractice or negligence with professional licensure discipline and it is important to understand the difference. To reduce liability exposure, school nurses must understand what their risks are and what they are not, for both civil lawsuits and for nursing board discipline.
Core stability status classification based on mediolateral head motion during rhythmic movements and functional movement tests
Authors: Jeong Siwoo , Kim Si-Hyun , Park Kyue-Nam
Published: July 2023

Objective

Core stability assessment is paramount for the prevention of low back pain, with core stability being considered as the most critical factor in such pain. The objective of this study was to develop a simple model for the automated assessment of core stability status.

Methods

To assess core stability—defined as the ability to control trunk position relative to the pelvic position - we used an inertial measurement unit sensor embedded within a wireless earbud to estimate the mediolateral head angle during rhythmic movements (RMs) such as cycling, walking, and running. The activities of muscles around the trunk were analyzed by an experienced, highly trained individual. Functional movement tests (FMTs) were performed, including single-leg squat, lunge, and side lunge. Data was collected from 77 participants, who were then classified into good and poor core stability groups based on their Sahrmann core stability test scores.

Results

From the head angle data, we extrapolated the symmetry index (SI) and amplitude of mediolateral head motion (Amp). Support vector machine and neural network models were trained and validated using these features. In both models, the accuracy was similar across three feature sets for RMs, FMTs, and full, and support vector machine accuracy (∼87%) is greater than neural network (∼75%).

Conclusion

The use of this model, trained with head motion-related features obtained during RMs or FMTs, can help to accurately classify core stability status during activities.
The 1972 Stockholm Conference and China's diplomatic response
Authors: Wang Xiaoxuan
Published: July 2023

Increasing public pollution and US President Nixon's environmental diplomacy strategy led to the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment (also known as the Stockholm Conference), to which China was invited as one of the United Nations member states. Before the conference, the Chinese government clearly understood the purpose of its participation in international environmental issues and the way to demonstrate its political position. During the conference, the Chinese delegation promoted the establishment of a group to revise the declaration on the human environment by uniting with Third World countries. China quickly established an effective environmental management system and contributed to the improvement of international environmental issues by acquiring scientific and technical information through participation in international conferences.
Bilateral Lacrimal Gland Mantle Cell Lymphoma in 11-Year Follow-Up: Case Report and Review of 48 Cases With Ocular Adnexal Presentation in the Literature
Authors: Matsuo Toshihiko , Tanaka Takehiro , Okada Kazuya , Notohara Kenji , Fujii Keiko , Fujii Nobuharu
Published: July 2023

A 63-year-old woman, with 11-year history of breast cancer, showed bilateral lacrimal gland enlargement on magnetic resonance imaging. Gallium-67 scintigraphy, as the standard at that time in 2004, demonstrated abnormally high uptake only in bilateral lacrimal glands. The lacrimal glands were extirpated and the pathological diagnosis was mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). She underwent bilateral orbital radiation, based on no uptake of gallium-67 in other sites of the body. In a month, bone marrow biopsy revealed the infiltration with MCL, positive for cyclin D1. She showed hepatic lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly, and so received 2 cycles of alternating Hyper-CVAD therapy and high-dose methotrexate with cytarabine, combined with rituximab, in 2 months, leading to complete remission. She underwent autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation and was well until the age of 68 years when she showed a recurrent intratracheal submucosal lesion of lymphoma and underwent one course of reduced-dose CHOP combined with rituximab. Next year, the left rib resection revealed the metastasis of breast adenocarcinoma, leading to daily oral letrozole. Further 2 years later, computed tomographic scan demonstrated multiple submucosal nodular lesions in the trachea and bronchi, together with cervical and supraclavicular lymphadenopathy, and intratracheal lesion biopsy and bone marrow biopsy proved the involvement with MCL. She underwent 2 courses of bendamustine and rituximab, resulting in complete remission but died of metastatic breast cancer at the age of 74 years. Clinical features in 48 previous cases with ocular adnexal MCL in the literature were summarized in this study.
Individual Variation in Adaptive Ability of the Anticipated Postural Stability During a Dual-Task Single-Leg Landing in Female Athletes
Authors: Ogasawara Issei , Revankar Gajanan S. , Konda Shoji , Matsuo Tomoyuki , Aoyama Chisa , Nakata Ken
Published: July 2023

Background:

Precise postural control helps prevent anterior cruciate ligament injury. However, it is unknown whether the anticipated postural stability can be improved during a physically uncertain and cognitively demanding task.

Hypothesis:

Anticipated postural stability will improve through unanticipated single-leg landing with a rapid foot placement target tracking.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

A total of 22 healthy female university-level athletes performed a novel dual-task paradigm: an unanticipated single-leg landing with foot placement target tracking. In the normal condition (60 trials), the participants jumped from a 20 cm–high box onto the landing target with their dominant leg as softly as possible. In the subsequent perturbation condition (PC) (60 trials), the initially assigned landing target was abruptly switched randomly, requiring participants to modify their preplanned foot placement position to the newly assigned position. The center-of-pressure trajectory length within the first 100 ms after foot impact (CoP100) was calculated as a measure of anticipated postural stability for each trial. In addition, the peak vertical ground-reaction force (FzPeak) was quantified to assess landing load, and the degree of postural adaptation during PC was quantified by fitting an exponential function to trial-by-trial changes in CoP100. Participants were divided into 2 groups according to increase or decrease in CoP100, and results were compared between the groups.

Results:

The direction and magnitude of postural sway alterations of the 22 participants showed a spectrum-like variation during the repeated trials. Twelve participants (sway-decreased group) exhibited a gradual reduction in postural sway (CoP100) during the PC, while the remaining 10 participants (sway-increased group) showed a gradual increase in CoP100. The FzPeak during the PC was significantly less in the sway-decreased group compared with the sway-increased group ( P < .05).

Conclusion:

Variation in the direction and magnitude of postural sway alteration among participants suggested that there was individual variation in an athlete’s adaptive ability of the anticipated postural stability.

Clinical Relevance:

The novel dual-task paradigm described in this study may be useful for rating individual injury risk based on an athlete’s postural adaptation ability and may aid in targeted prevention strategies.
Exploring Gender Differences in Leadership Aspirations: A Four-Year Longitudinal Study of College Students From Adverse Backgrounds
Authors: Wolniak Gregory C. , Chen-Bendle Emily C. , Tackett Jennifer L.
Published: July 2023

The gender disparity in leadership positions is substantial and critical yet persists despite decades of focused study. Critical developmental periods, such as emerging adulthood, may be particularly relevant to attend to if we hope to find effective interventions to tackle this problem. The present study draws on longitudinal data covering four years of college among a socio-demographically and nationally diverse sample of college students with adverse backgrounds (N = 404) who enrolled at one of 182 four-year colleges or universities across the United States. Results indicate that female students enter college with significantly lower levels of leadership aspirations than their male counterparts. Once in college, despite greater likelihoods of participating in activities conceptualized as “leadership learning experiences,” female disadvantages persist. Overall, development experiences over four years of college had no discernable effect on gender disparities in leadership aspirations. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
The National Reconciliation Process in Algeria During the Bouteflika’s Era: The Official Narrative
Authors: Zeraoulia Faouzia
Published: July 2023

The political and academic debate over reconciliation in Algeria is inconclusive. Although it faced international criticism, the post-war regime succeeded in enhancing peace and containing the cycle of violence. The national reconciliation process followed a highly controversial peace agreement designed by the Intelligence and Security Department. Then, it was conducted and directed after 1999 by an elected President, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, with the support of a heterogeneous alliance of reconciliation entrepreneurs. This study highlights the main components of the official perspective: how the reconciliation was perceived and concretized, its mechanisms and strategies, and main conceptualizations. It illuminates the official narrative based on analyzing materials, including the president’s statements, interviews, and newspaper archives.
Right-Wing Protest in the United States, 2017 to 2022
Authors: Caren Neal
Published: July 2023

The past few years have seen a resurgence of right-wing demonstrations in the United States. Using new protest event data collected by the Crowd Counting Consortium, this visualization presents monthly trends in the size and count of protests by topic between 2017 and 2022. Conservative protest in the first three years was at a notably low level but with some very large events and a focus on abortion and gun rights. Protests swelled, starting in 2020, with demonstrations against coronavirus disease 2019 restrictions and in support of police officers, followed by election fraud rallies. Finally, 2022 was marked by lower levels of participation overall and increased events targeting LGBQT+ rights.
Governing the rural futures: Anxiety machine, anticipatory actions and rural affective politics
Authors: Wang Chi-Mao
Published: July 2023

Regional revitalisation ideas are widely regarded as cures for socio-economic problems in rural areas in developed countries. Instead of relying on exogenous resources, the concept seeks to revalorise rural communities through cultural resources and self-responsibility. Such an approach to rural development has gained rapid popularity across East Asian regions over the past decade. Rather than merely focusing on the movement of people and ideas, a growing body of literature on policy mobility directs more attention to the power relations of the movement. However, less attention has been paid to how rural futures are anticipated and acted upon and how policies that have implemented specific futures elsewhere are justified. To address these theoretical gaps, this paper draws on the work of future geographies and develops the idea of the anxiety machine. I suggest that the study of policy mobility must seriously consider how rural futures are imagined and governed, and what rural affective politics emerged from the enactment of particular futures. With reference to a case study of rural revitalisation policy learning in Taiwan and Japan, this paper suggests that an emphasis on the circulation of global anticipatory knowledge advances the understanding of the geographies of rural policy-making.
Rethinking Resilience: Addressing Dalit Childhood in Selected Indian Picturebooks
Authors: Dandapat Sridipa , Tripathi Priyanka
Published: July 2023

This study explores contemporary Indian picturebooks’ take on Dalit childhood through a critical reading of Bhimrao Ambedkar: The Boy Who Asked Why (2015) by Sowmya Rajendran and Satwik Gade, Rinchin and Sagar Kolwankar’s I Will Save My Land (2017), and CG Salamander and Samidha Gunjal’s Puu (2018). These new-age narratives challenge, resist and replace the hegemonic ideals that have dehumanized Indian Dalits for several generations. The emergence of these picturebooks asserts a powerful call towards and beyond Dalit children in re-conceptualizing and reasserting the collective and individual Dalit identities to claim their rightful position in the Indian social system. This study reveals how the selected picturebooks not only offer insight into the veiled lives of the outcaste before the readers but also sensitize them about the subjects of social justice and inequity. This article examines a critique of representing Dalit childhood while addressing the plurality of oppression behind the monolith of caste inequality and establishing the significance of social inclusivity.
Spatial pattern of homeowners associations in urban China
Authors: Deng Feng
Published: July 2023

Spatial distribution of urban institutions or property rights is an interesting but little studied topic. This paper analyzes the spatial pattern of homeowners associations (HOAs) in Chongqing, China. By combining data from different sources including a telephone survey, logit models are estimated for the incidence of HOAs. It is found that distance to the nearest subcenter is negatively associated with the probability of forming an HOA in a private community. In contrast, distance to the city center is not significant. A fundamental dilemma is also identified with regard to structural variables such as community size and heterogeneity of interests. Although bigger and more heterogeneous communities have higher potential demand for HOAs to facilitate collective decision-making, forming an HOA is by itself a collective decision that is more difficult to make in those communities. The results of the tradeoff, in the case of Chongqing, are that community size is positively associated with the incidence of HOAs while the number of building types, a measure of heterogeneity of property interests, is negatively associated with the probability of forming an HOA.
Determinants of microbial colonization in the premature gut
Authors: Chen Xiaoyu , Shi Yongyan
Published: July 2023

Abnormal microbial colonization in the gut at an early stage of life affects growth, development, and health, resulting in short- and long-term adverse effects. Microbial colonization patterns of preterm infants differ from those of full-term infants in that preterm babies and their mothers have more complicated prenatal and postnatal medical conditions. Maternal complications, antibiotic exposure, delivery mode, feeding type, and the use of probiotics may significantly shape the gut microbiota of preterm infants at an early stage of life; however, these influences subside with age. Although some factors and processes are difficult to intervene in or avoid, understanding the potential factors and determinants will help in developing timely strategies for a healthy gut microbiota in preterm infants. This review discusses potential determinants of gut microbial colonization in preterm infants and their underlying mechanisms.
Segregation between breeds and local breed proportions in genetic and genomic models for crossbreds
Authors: Eiríksson Jón H. , Su Guosheng , Strandén Ismo , Christensen Ole F.
Published: July 2023

Background

The breeding value of a crossbred individual can be expressed as the sum of the contributions from each of the contributing pure breeds. In theory, the breeding value should account for segregation between breeds, which results from the difference in the mean contribution of loci between breeds, which in turn is caused by differences in allele frequencies between breeds. However, with multiple generations of crossbreeding, how to account for breed segregation in genomic models that split the breeding value of crossbreds based on breed origin of alleles (BOA) is not known. Furthermore, local breed proportions (LBP) have been modelled based on BOA and is a concept related to breed segregation. The objectives of this study were to explore the theoretical background of the effect of LBP and how it relates to breed segregation and to investigate how to incorporate breed segregation (co)variance in genomic BOA models.

Results

We showed that LBP effects result from the difference in the mean contribution of loci between breeds in an additive genetic model, i.e. breed segregation effects. We found that the (co)variance structure for BS effects in genomic BOA models does not lead to relationship matrices that are positive semi-definite in all cases. However, by setting one breed as a reference breed, a valid (co)variance structure can be constructed by including LBP effects for all other breeds and assuming them to be correlated. We successfully estimated variance components for a genomic BOA model with LBP effects in a simulated example.

Conclusions

Breed segregation effects and LBP effects are two alternative ways to account for the contribution of differences in the mean effects of loci between breeds. When the covariance between LBP effects across breeds is included in the model, a valid (co)variance structure for LBP effects can be constructed by setting one breed as reference breed and fitting an LBP effect for each of the other breeds.
MOKPE: drug–target interaction prediction via manifold optimization based kernel preserving embedding
Authors: Binatlı Oğuz C. , Gönen Mehmet
Published: July 2023

Background

In many applications of bioinformatics, data stem from distinct heterogeneous sources. One of the well-known examples is the identification of drug–target interactions (DTIs), which is of significant importance in drug discovery. In this paper, we propose a novel framework, manifold optimization based kernel preserving embedding (MOKPE), to efficiently solve the problem of modeling heterogeneous data. Our model projects heterogeneous drug and target data into a unified embedding space by preserving drug–target interactions and drug–drug, target–target similarities simultaneously.

Results

We performed ten replications of ten-fold cross validation on four different drug–target interaction network data sets for predicting DTIs for previously unseen drugs. The classification evaluation metrics showed better or comparable performance compared to previous similarity-based state-of-the-art methods. We also evaluated MOKPE on predicting unknown DTIs of a given network. Our implementation of the proposed algorithm in R together with the scripts that replicate the reported experiments is publicly available athttps://github.com/ocbinatli/mokpe.
Phylogenetic congruence, conflict and consilience between molecular and morphological data
Authors: Keating Joseph N , Garwood Russell J , Sansom Robert S
Published: July 2023

Morphology and molecules are important data sources for estimating evolutionary relationships. Modern studies often utilise morphological and molecular partitions alongside each other in combined analyses. However, the effect of combining phenomic and genomic partitions is unclear. This is exacerbated by their size imbalance, and conflict over the efficacy of different inference methods when using morphological characters. To systematically address the effect of topological incongruence, size imbalance, and tree inference methods, we conduct a meta-analysis of 32 combined (molecular + morphology) datasets across metazoa. Our results reveal that morphological-molecular topological incongruence is pervasive: these data partitions yield very different trees, irrespective of which method is used for morphology inference. Analysis of the combined data often yields unique trees that are not sampled by either partition individually, even with the inclusion of relatively small quantities of morphological characters. Differences between morphology inference methods in terms of resolution and congruence largely relate to consensus methods. Furthermore, stepping stone Bayes factor analyses reveal that morphological and molecular partitions are not consistently combinable, i.e. data partitions are not always best explained under a single evolutionary process. In light of these results, we advise that the congruence between morphological and molecular data partitions needs to be considered in combined analyses. Nonetheless, our results reveal that, for most datasets, morphology and molecules can, and should, be combined in order to best estimate evolutionary history and reveal hidden support for novel relationships. Studies that analyse only phenomic or genomic data in isolation are unlikely to provide the full evolutionary picture.
Diversity and characteristics of plant immunity–activating bacteria from Brassicaceae plants
Authors: Kaneko Hiroki , Miyata Fuma , Kurokawa Mari , Hashimoto Kenji , Kuchitsu Kazuyuki , Furuya Toshiki
Published: July 2023

Background

Microorganisms that activate plant immune responses are useful for application as biocontrol agents in agriculture to minimize crop losses. The present study was conducted to identify and characterize plant immunity–activating microorganisms in Brassicaceae plants.

Results

A total of 25 bacterial strains were isolated from the interior of a Brassicaceae plant, Raphanus sativus var. hortensis. Ten different genera of bacteria were identified: Pseudomonas, Leclercia, Enterobacter, Xanthomonas, Rhizobium, Agrobacterium, Pantoea, Rhodococcus, Microbacterium, and Plantibacter. The isolated strains were analyzed using a method to detect plant immunity–activating microorganisms that involves incubation of the microorganism with tobacco BY-2 cells, followed by treatment with cryptogein, a proteinaceous elicitor of tobacco immune responses. In this method, cryptogein-induced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in BY-2 cells serves as a marker of immune activation. Among the 25 strains examined, 6 strains markedly enhanced cryptogein-induced ROS production in BY-2 cells. These 6 strains colonized the interior of Arabidopsis plants, and Pseudomonas sp. RS3R-1 and Rhodococcus sp. RS1R-6 selectively enhanced plant resistance to the bacterial pathogens Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 and Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum NBRC 14082, respectively. In addition, Pseudomonas sp. RS1P-1 effectively enhanced resistance to both pathogens. We also comprehensively investigated the localization (i.e., cellular or extracellular) of the plant immunity–activating components produced by the bacteria derived from R. sativus var. hortensis and the components produced by previously isolated bacteria derived from another Brassicaceae plant species, Brassica rapa var. perviridis. Most gram-negative strains enhanced cryptogein-induced ROS production in BY-2 cells via the presence of cells themselves rather than via extracellular components, whereas many gram-positive strains enhanced ROS production via extracellular components. Comparative genomic analyses supported the hypothesis that the structure of lipopolysaccharides in the outer cell envelope plays an important role in the ROS-enhancing activity of gram-negative Pseudomonas strains.

Conclusions

The assay method described here based on elicitor-induced ROS production in cultured plant cells enabled the discovery of novel plant immunity–activating bacteria from R. sativus var. hortensis. The results in this study also suggest that components involved in the ROS-enhancing activity of the bacteria may differ depending largely on genus and species.
Molecular characterization of multidrug-resistant non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae with high-level resistance to cefuroxime, levofloxacin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
Authors: Su Pei-Yi , Cheng Wei-Hung , Ho Cheng-Hsun
Published: July 2023

Background

Non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) has become the major cause of invasive H. influenzae diseases in the post-H. influenzae type b vaccine era. The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) NTHi is a growing public health problem. Herein, we investigated the molecular basis of MDR in NTHi. The isolated NTHi were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing for 12 agents. Whole genome and plasmid sequencing were conducted and analyzed to identify significant genetic variations and plasmid-encoded genes conferred antibiotic resistance.

Results

Thirteen (50%) MDR NTHi isolates were obtained; of these, 92.3% were non-susceptible to ampicillin, 30.8% to amoxicillin-clavulanate, 61.5% to cefuroxime, 61.5% to ciprofloxacin/levofloxacin, 92.3% to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, 30.8% to tetracycline, and 7.7% to azithromycin. Eight ampicillin-resistant isolates were β-lactamase positive; of these, 6 carried blaTEM-1 and 2 carried blaROB-1, whereas 4 were β-lactamase negative. Genetic variations in mrdA, mepA, and pbpG were correlated with amoxicillin-clavulanate non-susceptibility, whereas variations in ftsI and lpoA conferred cefuroxime resistance. Five variations in gyrA, 2 in gyrB, 3 in parC, 1 in parE, and 1 in the parC-parE intergenic region were associated with levofloxacin/ciprofloxacin non-susceptibility. Among these genes, 8 variations were linked to high-level levofloxacin resistance. Six variations in folA were associated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole resistance. Plasmid-bearing tet(B) and mef(A) genes were responsible for tetracycline and azithromycin resistance in 4 and 1 MDR isolates, respectively.

Conclusions

This study clarified the molecular epidemiology of MDR in NTHi. This can benefit the monitoring of drug resistance trends in NTHi and the adequate medical management of patients with NTHi infection.
Expression of NEAT1 can be used as a predictor for Dex resistance in multiple myeloma patients
Authors: Ren Yuyue , Liu Yijun , He Wanting , Zhao Weiwei , Pan Jiaqi , Gao Haiyan , Li Yuying , Zhang Ying , Wang Wei
Published: July 2023

Objective

Multiple myeloma is a heterogeneous disorder and the intratumor genetic heterogeneity contributes to emergency of drug resistance. Dexamethasone has been used clinically for decades for MM. Nevertheless, their use is severely hampered by the risk of developing side effects and the occurrence of Dex resistance. LncRNA NEAT1 plays a oncogenic role and participates in drug resistance in many solid tumors. Therefore, we investigated a potential usefulness of this molecular as a biomarker for diagnosis of MM and possible correlations of NEAT1 expression with drug resistance and prognosis.

Methods

Bone marrow and peripheral blood mononuclear cells samples were collected from 60 newly diagnosed MM patients. The expression of NEAT1expression level were detected by quantitative real-time PCR analyses. The relationship about the expression levels of lncRNA with other clinical and cytogenetic features was analyzed. In addition, we measured to analysis the correlation between the expression of NEAT1 and Dex resistance in MM patients.

Results

It was found that the expression of NEAT1 is significantly higher in multiple myeloma patients compared to controls and does not change with other clinical features and cytogenetic features. We further discovered that overexpression of NEAT1 was associated with Dex resistance and a poor prognosis in MM patients.

Conclusion

LncRNA NEAT1 has a significant value that might act as a promoting factor in the development of MM and may be severed as a diagnostic factor in MM. NEAT1 invovled in Dex resistance, which provide a new interpretation during the chemotherapy for MM.
GBAP1 functions as a tumor promotor in hepatocellular carcinoma via the PI3K/AKT pathway
Authors: Chen Rong , Zhao Meng , An Yanli , Liu Dongfang , Tang Qiusha
Published: July 2023

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is common worldwide, and novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers are needed to improve outcomes. In this study, bioinformatics analyses combined with in vitro and in vivo assays were used to identify the potential therapeutic targets. Differentially expressed genes (DEG) in HCC were identified by the intersection between The Cancer Genome Atlas and International Cancer Genome Consortium data. The DEGs were evaluated by a gene set enrichment analysis as well as Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses. A protein interaction network, univariate Cox regression, and Lasso regression were used to screen out hub genes correlated with survival. Increased expression of the long noncoding RNA GBAP1 in HCC was confirmed in additional datasets and its biological function was evaluated in HCC cell lines and nude mice. Among 121 DEGs, GBAP1 and PRC1 were identified as hub genes with significant prognostic value. Overexpression of GBAP1 in HCC was confirmed in 21 paired clinical tissues and liver cancer or normal cell lines. The inhibition of GBAP1 expression reduced HCC cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis by inactivating the PI3K/AKT pathway in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, GBAP1 has a pro-oncogenic function in HCC and is a candidate prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target.